Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Frozen Fingers
Kristen filled up the glove and stuck it in the snow. She then proceeded to cut off a fingertip, insert a straw, and drink the melting ice.
Grandma Andrew's Pink Card
Kevin, Candace and their children drove to Colorado to join us for Christmas this year. They are living in a rental right now until their new home is finished and felt it the perfect time to spend Christmas with family. They had begun their journey to Colorado last Saturday and spent time with cousins and friends along the way. We had planned to meet at the temple on Wednesday evening to start the temple work for Grandma Andrews.
We dropped Kristen off at Ball's friend's home while Chris, myself, Misha, Amy (along with Lexie John who was with us for the day) headed back to the temple. Misha's temple recommend was expired so Chris waited with her while the workers at the temple called Bishop Briggs so that she could still come into the temple. While they were waiting, I took Grandma Andrews paperwork that we had printed from the computer to the recorders office where they printed off a pink temple card for her.
As they handed me the pink card, my eyes teared up. "Grandma, you're in the temple now." It was a very touching moment for me as I knew that she was with us and had been waiting for us. I walked out to the entry where Chris and Misha were waiting and showed them the card. Chris and I were both close to tears.
The Baptistry was getting busy, so I took Grandma's name to them to get in line for her turn. Misha was going to stand as proxy for Grandma during the baptism with Kevin performing the ordinance. Since Amy was still recovering from her wisdom teeth surgery, she would be proxy for Grandma during the confirmation with Chris performing that ordinance.
As it came time for Misha to step into the font, those of watching, moved to the front of the small waiting area so that we could witness the baptism. Even now as I type this, the emotions of that moment are still fresh.
Later, as Christopher placed his hands on Amy's head in Grandma's place to be confirmed, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Chris' voice caught as he began the confirmation ordinance. Such an amazing moment.
We waited for the workers in the Baptistry to take Grandma's pink card to record the baptism and confirmation. The card was then returned to me and I became proxy for Grandma in the next ordinance. Tears were so close. The sisters assisting me asked who the card belonged to. I replied that it was my husband's grandmother. I have done many temple ordinances for people who have died that I don't know, even for distant family members, but this was the first time participating in ordinances for someone that I knew and loved. It was amazing.
As I finished my part, I asked if the sisters could then take the card to the recorders office so that I could then give it to Candace to take back to Texas where she would be proxy for Grandma in the endowment.
While I had been in the temple, Kevin and Candace went back to their friend's home to pick up the younger kids and Kristen. Chris was at Deseret Book with Amy, Misha, and Jonathan. I walked over to meet them and enjoyed the peace of a beautiful evening..
Following our before-Christmas family tradition, we went to Olive Garden for dinner. They now have call-ahead seating (which we didn't know about), so we ended up waiting over an hour for a table for 11. While waiting, Chris, Amy, and I went to Target to pick up a few groceries and last minute Christmas items. We still had time to wait as we returned.
We returned home with the Balls, situating them in their rooms. Kevin and Candace had Amy's room since it had the Queen bed, Ashley slept in Kristen's room, and the three boys--Jonathan, Jeremy, and Joseph--took over Misha's room. Amy and Misha retreated to the basement guest room where they slept on the foam mattresses.
We dropped Kristen off at Ball's friend's home while Chris, myself, Misha, Amy (along with Lexie John who was with us for the day) headed back to the temple. Misha's temple recommend was expired so Chris waited with her while the workers at the temple called Bishop Briggs so that she could still come into the temple. While they were waiting, I took Grandma Andrews paperwork that we had printed from the computer to the recorders office where they printed off a pink temple card for her.
As they handed me the pink card, my eyes teared up. "Grandma, you're in the temple now." It was a very touching moment for me as I knew that she was with us and had been waiting for us. I walked out to the entry where Chris and Misha were waiting and showed them the card. Chris and I were both close to tears.
The Baptistry was getting busy, so I took Grandma's name to them to get in line for her turn. Misha was going to stand as proxy for Grandma during the baptism with Kevin performing the ordinance. Since Amy was still recovering from her wisdom teeth surgery, she would be proxy for Grandma during the confirmation with Chris performing that ordinance.
As it came time for Misha to step into the font, those of watching, moved to the front of the small waiting area so that we could witness the baptism. Even now as I type this, the emotions of that moment are still fresh.
Later, as Christopher placed his hands on Amy's head in Grandma's place to be confirmed, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Chris' voice caught as he began the confirmation ordinance. Such an amazing moment.
We waited for the workers in the Baptistry to take Grandma's pink card to record the baptism and confirmation. The card was then returned to me and I became proxy for Grandma in the next ordinance. Tears were so close. The sisters assisting me asked who the card belonged to. I replied that it was my husband's grandmother. I have done many temple ordinances for people who have died that I don't know, even for distant family members, but this was the first time participating in ordinances for someone that I knew and loved. It was amazing.
As I finished my part, I asked if the sisters could then take the card to the recorders office so that I could then give it to Candace to take back to Texas where she would be proxy for Grandma in the endowment.
While I had been in the temple, Kevin and Candace went back to their friend's home to pick up the younger kids and Kristen. Chris was at Deseret Book with Amy, Misha, and Jonathan. I walked over to meet them and enjoyed the peace of a beautiful evening..
Following our before-Christmas family tradition, we went to Olive Garden for dinner. They now have call-ahead seating (which we didn't know about), so we ended up waiting over an hour for a table for 11. While waiting, Chris, Amy, and I went to Target to pick up a few groceries and last minute Christmas items. We still had time to wait as we returned.
We returned home with the Balls, situating them in their rooms. Kevin and Candace had Amy's room since it had the Queen bed, Ashley slept in Kristen's room, and the three boys--Jonathan, Jeremy, and Joseph--took over Misha's room. Amy and Misha retreated to the basement guest room where they slept on the foam mattresses.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
The Wisdom Teeth
Out of all the things Amy wanted for her wisdom teeth experience, being funny while under the influence was high on her list. Let's just say, she didn't disappoint, and someday when she's feeling a little better she might just laugh at the video we took.
She had to be at the Longmont Oral, Facial, and Implant Surgery Center by 7:50 am Monday morning. The fog, road conditions, and an accident slowed us down so that we were 5 minutes late, but we made it. Once we arrived, Amy didn't have to wait too long before being called back to room 3 for the procedure. She was set up with oxygen, an IV, and blood pressure monitor. I was able to stay with her until Dr. Andrus came in and finished the IV and was ready to start the extraction. Always hard to walk out of the room leaving your child behind.
I sat in the waiting room for about an hour. If I were to have such an office, I would create a more comfy waiting space for parents. Just saying. Amy was in the process of waking up when I was called back to her room. She had a hard time waking up after her appendectomy, so I figured this might be a similar experience. I think it was a little easier on her this time, but she was still pretty groggy and took about 30 minutes to be awake enough to send her on her way.
As we waited, she started to get the chills and she was pretty teary. I took off my jacket and put it over her top half and covered her legs with her jacket. I figured since I had been wearing mine it would already be warmed up. The nurse explained that they had had to remove the fingernail polish on one of Amy's fingers to get the pulse ox to work. More on that later.
Amy was taken down to the front door in a wheelchair while I went to fetch the car and bring it around. The nurse and I settled Amy in to the front seat with the seat warmer on and a blanket tucked around her body. And we were on our way. Amy had gauze packed between her teeth but I caught the word milkshake in her first sentence. It took a repeat or two until I figured out that she wanted a chocolate milkshake from Chick-fil-A.
I mentioned that we would get her home and put some frozen bags of peas and corn on her face to minimize the swelling. She started crying then, "But I don't like peas." And then she saw her fingernail with the polish removed and cried some more, "But that was my favorite finger." I asked if they had removed the polish from another finger that she would have been okay with that, and she sobbed yes.
After leaving Chick-fil-A, Amy spied the cherry on top of her milkshake. "Who put a cherry on it?" and she cried some more. Poor girl. I pulled over to take a short video of the cherry moment. There were more funny moments as we drove home. I especially liked that she said "Bye car" as we stepped in to the house.
I motioned to Kristen to record our progress up to Amy's room. Amy saw Kristen in her penguin pajamas and said, "Why is she wearing penguins? I don't like them. I don't like her!" I had Kristen change. "Why are you guys laughing?" I tucked Amy in to her bed, fed her a few bites of milkshake. She played with her lip, flipping it, "I can't feel it." I got her started on vicodin and penicillin, changed the bloody gauze in her mouth (much to her dismay), and applied ice packs. She slept for a little while.
After waking up, she was becoming a little more coherent and asked for the laptop to watch movies. I moved her to my room where she could watch tv and where I could be close to her later in the night as she slept. (Chris had left earlier in the morning for California).
She ate a bit of food throughout the day, finishing off her milkshake and eating little bits of bread. Around 1 pm she was mostly back to her Amy self. I told her some of the funny things she had said, she smiled a bit, but I think we'll wait a day or two or a week until she has more of a sense of humor.
By dinner time she was able to get up and come downstairs for dinner, eating a little bit of soup, a Ritz cracker or two, and some Lactose-Free Ice cream. She slept in my bed and did pretty well. I woke her up around 4 am to give her some meds--didn't want her to wake up in excruciating pain.
She had to be at the Longmont Oral, Facial, and Implant Surgery Center by 7:50 am Monday morning. The fog, road conditions, and an accident slowed us down so that we were 5 minutes late, but we made it. Once we arrived, Amy didn't have to wait too long before being called back to room 3 for the procedure. She was set up with oxygen, an IV, and blood pressure monitor. I was able to stay with her until Dr. Andrus came in and finished the IV and was ready to start the extraction. Always hard to walk out of the room leaving your child behind.
I sat in the waiting room for about an hour. If I were to have such an office, I would create a more comfy waiting space for parents. Just saying. Amy was in the process of waking up when I was called back to her room. She had a hard time waking up after her appendectomy, so I figured this might be a similar experience. I think it was a little easier on her this time, but she was still pretty groggy and took about 30 minutes to be awake enough to send her on her way.
As we waited, she started to get the chills and she was pretty teary. I took off my jacket and put it over her top half and covered her legs with her jacket. I figured since I had been wearing mine it would already be warmed up. The nurse explained that they had had to remove the fingernail polish on one of Amy's fingers to get the pulse ox to work. More on that later.
Amy was taken down to the front door in a wheelchair while I went to fetch the car and bring it around. The nurse and I settled Amy in to the front seat with the seat warmer on and a blanket tucked around her body. And we were on our way. Amy had gauze packed between her teeth but I caught the word milkshake in her first sentence. It took a repeat or two until I figured out that she wanted a chocolate milkshake from Chick-fil-A.
I mentioned that we would get her home and put some frozen bags of peas and corn on her face to minimize the swelling. She started crying then, "But I don't like peas." And then she saw her fingernail with the polish removed and cried some more, "But that was my favorite finger." I asked if they had removed the polish from another finger that she would have been okay with that, and she sobbed yes.
After leaving Chick-fil-A, Amy spied the cherry on top of her milkshake. "Who put a cherry on it?" and she cried some more. Poor girl. I pulled over to take a short video of the cherry moment. There were more funny moments as we drove home. I especially liked that she said "Bye car" as we stepped in to the house.
I motioned to Kristen to record our progress up to Amy's room. Amy saw Kristen in her penguin pajamas and said, "Why is she wearing penguins? I don't like them. I don't like her!" I had Kristen change. "Why are you guys laughing?" I tucked Amy in to her bed, fed her a few bites of milkshake. She played with her lip, flipping it, "I can't feel it." I got her started on vicodin and penicillin, changed the bloody gauze in her mouth (much to her dismay), and applied ice packs. She slept for a little while.
After waking up, she was becoming a little more coherent and asked for the laptop to watch movies. I moved her to my room where she could watch tv and where I could be close to her later in the night as she slept. (Chris had left earlier in the morning for California).
She ate a bit of food throughout the day, finishing off her milkshake and eating little bits of bread. Around 1 pm she was mostly back to her Amy self. I told her some of the funny things she had said, she smiled a bit, but I think we'll wait a day or two or a week until she has more of a sense of humor.
By dinner time she was able to get up and come downstairs for dinner, eating a little bit of soup, a Ritz cracker or two, and some Lactose-Free Ice cream. She slept in my bed and did pretty well. I woke her up around 4 am to give her some meds--didn't want her to wake up in excruciating pain.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Snow Day! Hallelujah!
Our school district called a snow day on Tuesday morning. Unfortunately I got the call at 5 am, but I wasn't too disappointed and neither was Amy who promptly went back to sleep. The phone call woke Misha up and she wasn't able to get back to sleep. I turned Kristen's alarm off and then I went to exercise. The better news? Chris' flight to NY was cancelled too.
Kristen slept until 8:50 when we should have already left for school. She had a moment of panic and then realized I wouldn't have let her sleep in without a good reason. She peaked out her window and saw all of the snow swirling in the wind.
It was a lovely day just to stay inside and relax. Amy missed a Physics final, but not to worry, it was rescheduled. I don't know that my girls did any extra studying but it was a nice break before finals started.
Kristen slept until 8:50 when we should have already left for school. She had a moment of panic and then realized I wouldn't have let her sleep in without a good reason. She peaked out her window and saw all of the snow swirling in the wind.
It was a lovely day just to stay inside and relax. Amy missed a Physics final, but not to worry, it was rescheduled. I don't know that my girls did any extra studying but it was a nice break before finals started.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Secret Santa
We participated in a Secret Santa with other members and friends in our ward. We had Cindy Parsons and her two girls. Let's just say that ringing the doorbell and running away kind of gets one's heart pumping! In turn, we had a family that gave us such thoughtful gifts. On the second to last night when we got an Eiffel Tower ornament, Kristen commented that they just had to know us. Our Secret Santas were the Ahlstrom family who indeed know our family well.
Advent Calendar
I try to make Christmas special for my family but also to bring a spirit of Christ in to our celebrations. This year, I added slips of paper to their advent calendar to inspire random acts of kindness and inspirational moments. We have thanked the mailman and newspaper delivery guy, taken kleenex and clorox wipes to Kristen's teacher, watched the First Presidency Christmas special, let someone in line in front of us, and dropped a package of popcorn off at a Redbox to name a few.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
BYU Basketball Game
We attended a BYU Basketball game in Boulder meeting up with friends beforehand for dinner at Beau Jo's Pizza. BYU isn't quite so exciting as when Jimmer Fredette was playing, and they could use a little work this season, but it was fun to get together with friends.
Gotta love our enthusiastic photo bomber!
Gotta love our enthusiastic photo bomber!
Friday, December 11, 2015
Sweet Sixteen
Amy turned 16. How did that happen? Well, I can tell you how the day happened because she thought her parents were the lamest ever.
Except for the breakfast raspberries. Raspberries are never lame.
Jump back to Thursday when I was taking Amy to work. I texted her friend Kenadi and asked if she could put together a little surprise party with Amy's friends on Friday evening. Amy had tried to put together a party but some of her friends were working and couldn't make it until late. I told Kenadi that we could stay out of the house until after 8:30 pm when they got off work and could get to the house. I even gave her the garage code so that she and another friend, Sarah, could come in early and decorate. It was last minute but I hoped that it would come together. I did get a text from Kenadi while we were out asking about my feelings on silly string. I told her I was not a fan.
Chris and I had asked Amy about a party starting in November and she never really gave anything concrete except to say she wished her birthday wasn't in December. She finally decided that she wanted a summer party so we thought we would go with that, but we didn't want to let the day pass without celebrating her. A surprise seemed like a fun idea. Except that all of her friends had to tell her they couldn't make it on Friday evening in order to make my surprise happen. I knew she would be bummed--hence her lame parents--but oh well.
I picked up all of the girls from school, Kristen got to be signed out early, and we headed to the airport to pick up Chris coming in from ten days in Europe. I knew he would be tired, but he was a trooper all evening staying awake. We went to the mall, did some shopping, picked up Amy's birthday candy apples, and then went for dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse. My little carnivores love their steak! We had a long wait and were late getting out of the restaurant.
I texted Kenadi as we passed through the front gate that we were almost home around 9 pm. As we drove into our driveway, I saw the bathroom light flash off. Hopefully Amy missed that. Amy was the last one in the house which gave me time to grab my camera. I tried to get a good photo, but I was switching back and forth between Amy's friends jumping up from behind the island to yell "surprise" and Amy's reaction. She was surprised and happy and maybe we weren't so lame anymore.
Happy birthday sweetheart girl. Love you.
Amy's decorated locker
I'm not a fan of my little point and shoot, but you get the idea.
Chris hung on through opening presents and then was off to sleep. I think it actually helped him get acclimated back to our time schedule much faster. Amy and friends hung out in the basement talking and having fun.
Except for the breakfast raspberries. Raspberries are never lame.
Jump back to Thursday when I was taking Amy to work. I texted her friend Kenadi and asked if she could put together a little surprise party with Amy's friends on Friday evening. Amy had tried to put together a party but some of her friends were working and couldn't make it until late. I told Kenadi that we could stay out of the house until after 8:30 pm when they got off work and could get to the house. I even gave her the garage code so that she and another friend, Sarah, could come in early and decorate. It was last minute but I hoped that it would come together. I did get a text from Kenadi while we were out asking about my feelings on silly string. I told her I was not a fan.
Chris and I had asked Amy about a party starting in November and she never really gave anything concrete except to say she wished her birthday wasn't in December. She finally decided that she wanted a summer party so we thought we would go with that, but we didn't want to let the day pass without celebrating her. A surprise seemed like a fun idea. Except that all of her friends had to tell her they couldn't make it on Friday evening in order to make my surprise happen. I knew she would be bummed--hence her lame parents--but oh well.
I picked up all of the girls from school, Kristen got to be signed out early, and we headed to the airport to pick up Chris coming in from ten days in Europe. I knew he would be tired, but he was a trooper all evening staying awake. We went to the mall, did some shopping, picked up Amy's birthday candy apples, and then went for dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse. My little carnivores love their steak! We had a long wait and were late getting out of the restaurant.
I texted Kenadi as we passed through the front gate that we were almost home around 9 pm. As we drove into our driveway, I saw the bathroom light flash off. Hopefully Amy missed that. Amy was the last one in the house which gave me time to grab my camera. I tried to get a good photo, but I was switching back and forth between Amy's friends jumping up from behind the island to yell "surprise" and Amy's reaction. She was surprised and happy and maybe we weren't so lame anymore.
Happy birthday sweetheart girl. Love you.
Amy's decorated locker
I'm not a fan of my little point and shoot, but you get the idea.
Chris hung on through opening presents and then was off to sleep. I think it actually helped him get acclimated back to our time schedule much faster. Amy and friends hung out in the basement talking and having fun.
Hello to Laurels
Amy has been looking forward to moving up to Laurels in the Young Women program at church for probably a year now. Having the last birthday of the year makes waiting kind of hard when all of the friends your age have already moved on.
Her new Laurel advisor, Lauren Spendlove, and all of the girls in Laurels wrote cards for Amy's birthday as a welcome. Lauren came on the 11th while Amy was at school and decorated her door. Amy loved the surprise.
Her new Laurel advisor, Lauren Spendlove, and all of the girls in Laurels wrote cards for Amy's birthday as a welcome. Lauren came on the 11th while Amy was at school and decorated her door. Amy loved the surprise.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Christmas Concerts
I was glad that Kristen had her 5th grade showcase in November because Amy and Misha had two full nights of concerts. The teachers need to figure out a more effective way of showcasing the students' talents without all of the take down and set up between numbers between the choirs and the bands. That part was a little chaotic, but the kids really did a great job.
And, the Young Women leaders and girls in the ward attended as an activity to support all of the Mead students who were performing.
And, the Young Women leaders and girls in the ward attended as an activity to support all of the Mead students who were performing.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
December "HOLIDAY" lunch
I joined Kristen at school for her "Holiday" lunch. Come on people. Let's just called it what it is. Christmas lunch. It's a Christmas lunch. The food was almost exactly what they served for Thanksgiving and just as unappetizing. I stopped at The Twisted Noodle in Longmont on my way home from having the car serviced and ordered take out for Kristen and I to share--macaroni and cheese for her and chicken minestrone for me.
It was a lot tastier lunch, and I got a lot of "I am doing that next time" from parents who had to eat the school lunch garbage.
It was a lot tastier lunch, and I got a lot of "I am doing that next time" from parents who had to eat the school lunch garbage.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
The Pajama Tradition
We used to have the tradition of new pajamas on Christmas Eve, but it was getting so that Chris and I really weren't needing new pajamas as often as our growing girls. We decided to change traditions around a bit and give the girls new pajamas at the beginning of December so that they would have all month long to wear their new pajamas. And it was just pjs for the girls.
On Christmas Eve we now have a family gift exchange. The girls have enjoyed the new tradition and participating in the family exchange is fun now that they are older and put thought in to their gift giving.
Here are the Christmas pajamas for 2015.
Supergirl Amy, Storm Trooper Kristen, "It has pockets" Misha
On Christmas Eve we now have a family gift exchange. The girls have enjoyed the new tradition and participating in the family exchange is fun now that they are older and put thought in to their gift giving.
Here are the Christmas pajamas for 2015.
Supergirl Amy, Storm Trooper Kristen, "It has pockets" Misha
Farewell to Mia Maids
Amy turns 16 on Friday. Today was her last day in Mia Maids at church. She was a little bit happy about that, until I came to take a picture. "Mom! What are you doing? Why? You should come and take a picture next week after I am 16." I replied, "Oh I will."
I didn't get any good pictures out of her. But I will try again next week!
P.S. You really should have just cooperated.
I didn't get any good pictures out of her. But I will try again next week!
P.S. You really should have just cooperated.
Sleeping
Is it a curly-headed thing or do all people move their hair out of the way when sleeping so as not to crush the curl? or put it up in a scrunchee to keep it knot-free?
Monday, November 30, 2015
Thankful 2015 - Grocery Stores
Grocery stores are amazing. I am thankful for the amazing blessing of having grocery stores close by filled with all kinds of food.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Thankful 2015 - Being Thankful
I am thankful for this past month and the chance to look for the blessings in my life.
Thanksgiving
We were fortunate to have Grandpa and Grandma Kline join us for Thanksgiving Day along with Christine's son Aaron who lives in Denver.
Chris went early to play football in the snow on Thanksgiving Day. I don't know what it is about Thanksgiving that makes them want to play football, especially when they don't play at any other time during the year.
I spent the morning cleaning the kitchen and getting food ready for dinner at 3 pm. The girls finally did their chores from the previous Saturday. Our guests arrived after 11 am. We wondered where Christine, Aaron, and Kristen were after they went downstairs to play and found out later that Kristen was skunking them at Monopoly.
Dinner was delicious, though the rolls were a bit of a challenge. Kristen offered to get the roll dough going in the morning in the bread machine. I felt impressed to peak at the dough after an hour and it was just a bunch of mixed up ingredients without the water. Crap. I tried to start another batch, but my machine is such that it needs to rest before starting again. Wouldn't you know, I pulled the rolls out of the oven just as we were finished eating. People were still willing to sacrifice and eat a few of them.
Christine and Aaron left after dinner. Aaron was taking his mom to a hotel close to the airport since she had an early morning flight on Friday and the roads were not great. Grandpa stayed with us until Saturday evening. He and Chris enjoyed their time working on small projects in the basement together.
Chris went early to play football in the snow on Thanksgiving Day. I don't know what it is about Thanksgiving that makes them want to play football, especially when they don't play at any other time during the year.
I spent the morning cleaning the kitchen and getting food ready for dinner at 3 pm. The girls finally did their chores from the previous Saturday. Our guests arrived after 11 am. We wondered where Christine, Aaron, and Kristen were after they went downstairs to play and found out later that Kristen was skunking them at Monopoly.
Dinner was delicious, though the rolls were a bit of a challenge. Kristen offered to get the roll dough going in the morning in the bread machine. I felt impressed to peak at the dough after an hour and it was just a bunch of mixed up ingredients without the water. Crap. I tried to start another batch, but my machine is such that it needs to rest before starting again. Wouldn't you know, I pulled the rolls out of the oven just as we were finished eating. People were still willing to sacrifice and eat a few of them.
Christine and Aaron left after dinner. Aaron was taking his mom to a hotel close to the airport since she had an early morning flight on Friday and the roads were not great. Grandpa stayed with us until Saturday evening. He and Chris enjoyed their time working on small projects in the basement together.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Putting Up the Christmas Tree
If it had been up to Misha, we would have put up the Christmas tree the Saturday before Thanksgiving, but I made her wait a week. It was nice to celebrate just one holiday at a time. The girls were pretty good about helping, but they all petered out after a couple hours and I spent a couple more hanging garland and cleaning up. It was an all-day process, but the results were lovely.
At night. And at night I mean at 5:00 pm since that is when it gets dark around here.
At night. And at night I mean at 5:00 pm since that is when it gets dark around here.
Thankful 2015 - Thank You Notes
I am thankful for thank you notes and for those who take the time to send them. They make a difference. I have given gifts for weddings and new babies without any thought given by the recipient to send a thank you...as though my gift was an expectation. Turns me off from giving more. Send thank you notes people!
Friday, November 27, 2015
Thankful 2015 - Home Videos
Kristen was watching home videos the other night. She encouraged me to sit and watch with her. I relented but said I was only staying for a moment. Chris arrived home from some church visits and settled onto the couch next to me. We were laughing at our crazy littles and enjoying ourselves. Amy and Misha were drawn by the sounds and wandered downstairs to watch with us. Kristen was thrilled to have brought the family together. I am thankful we took some videos, more grateful for my family.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Thankful 2015 - Happiness
If you want to be happy, you have to be happy on purpose.
When you wake up, you can't just wait to see what kind of day you'll have.
You have to decide what kind of day you'll have.
When you wake up, you can't just wait to see what kind of day you'll have.
You have to decide what kind of day you'll have.
Joel Osteen
Happiness is a choice. I am grateful to be happy.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
It Should Make You Happy
Conversation between Amy and Chris:
Chris: "Hey, Amy, you should be happy, I went shopping with Mom."
Kind of a random, out-of-the blue statement with a sassy response from a teenager.
Amy: "Why should that make me happy?"
Chris: "I went GROCERY shopping with Mom."
Amy: "Oh. Yeaaahhh!"
Apparently, I don't buy enough junky food.
Chris: "Hey, Amy, you should be happy, I went shopping with Mom."
Kind of a random, out-of-the blue statement with a sassy response from a teenager.
Amy: "Why should that make me happy?"
Chris: "I went GROCERY shopping with Mom."
Amy: "Oh. Yeaaahhh!"
Apparently, I don't buy enough junky food.
Thankful 2015 - Experiences
Grateful to be able to experience so many cool things, vacations, moments with my family.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Thankful 2015 - Wonder
Amy's birthday is in December. Shortly after her first birthday, Chris and I drove around one night in a neighborhood close to our home in Provo to look at Christmas lights. Amy was mesmerized. She sat in the back of the car, boosted up high enough in her car seat that she could look out the car windows at all of the Christmas lights and decorations.
Chris and I sat in the front seat of the car listening to this little one-year old girl repeatedly whisper, "Wow. Wow. Wow." with so much wonder and awe and amazement. Can you imagine seeing Christmas lights for the first time? I am thankful for the reminder to look at life with as much wonder and awe and amazement.
Chris and I sat in the front seat of the car listening to this little one-year old girl repeatedly whisper, "Wow. Wow. Wow." with so much wonder and awe and amazement. Can you imagine seeing Christmas lights for the first time? I am thankful for the reminder to look at life with as much wonder and awe and amazement.
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