It's About Time

Another Public Service Announcment

2010-12-29T22:24:00.000-08:00

It's my new motto for life on those days when I feel too tired or want to wing it.
Phoning it in, as they say.
I want to be ambitious in everything; as a wife, as a mother, as a friend, as the creative director of my surroundings, as the manager of my household, as my own boss and now my own motivational speaker.
This is my new pep talk.

Live... Learn... Pass it on

2010-10-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

These are things I want my children to know. Some may seem like not such a big deal. One day maybe this advice will help someone in our family. Live Learn Pass it on

Doing a good job is important, always try to do your best.

Your parents love you no matter what!

Telling the truth really will set you free,

Always listen to your parents...they tell you this because they LOVE you.

When you serve others it will make you feel better.

Be the friend you wish you had.

There may be days you don’t want to work or serve or do anything. Just do it...just go it is only 8 hours or just one lesson...you can do it and you will feel so much better when you have done it.

I am trying to follow the commandments not only for blessings to be with our family now but for all future generations.

Family comes first over your friends.

It is more important to be nice than to be someone important.

Be loyal and true to your spouse.

Get outside, go for a walk, garden, enjoy nature it recharges you in so many ways.

Your never to old to play like a kid.

I wish I had never let a day pass without hugging each of my kids.

Cleaning helps me feel in control. You don’t need lots of money to do it and when your home is clean you will feel so much better about everything.

Be thankful for all the blessings in your life.

Debt is a burden, you can live without it. You don’t have to have all the fancy things like everyone else...most of the people with the nice homes & cars probably make less money than you. They just have lots of debt.

Be proud of your country and thankful for your freedom.

You have a birthright, Your Father in Heaven Loves YOU and wants the best for you.

Pray for your children to choose the right.

Call your mom, dad, & grandparents. They love you and a simple hello means SO SO much.

Time is so precious, live is short. Always tell let your loved ones know how special they are to you.

Custom Blog Signature

2010-10-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

Today I have an easy tutorial. And guess what!? You don't have to use Photoshop for this one {unless you want to}!

Okay, let's get started.

Click on this link before we move on. You there?

At the very top of the page, there will be a tab that says, Start Now. Click it. You will then click the very first button you see that says, Create Signature. There are several easy steps to follow to create your signature:

1. Enter your Name
2. Choose a font
3. Select the size
4. Choose a color {if you want}
5. Set the slope of your signature

Go ahead and go through each of those steps. I'll wait for ya.

Okay, now you should be at a page where it says at the top, Finished! The signature is ready. There will be three options for you to choose. Click the last one that says, Want to use this signature. Then you want to choose the Generate an HTML code option. Next you will see, Generate a code for my handwritten signature. Click it.

Copy the code.

Now, let's head on over to blogger so we can put your pretty little signature into your posts.

Click the tab Settings; then click formatting.

Scroll down to the very bottom of the page and you will see Post Template.

Paste the code you created in the box next to Post Template. Click Save Settings. Don't forget that step!

Now you have a pretty new blog signature that will appear each time you write a new post.

Pretty easy, huh?

Yummy Pasta Dish

2010-10-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to find new meals that my family loves. I LOVE “The Food Nanny’s Rescues Dinner”. Her recipes are very practical and easy to make which I love. I have been trying to follow her 2 week plan. I made the plan, it was great to get two weeks of groceries but I there were two nights where I had to much going on and we ate leftovers. Then I never got back on track…just me living la vida loco

RED-AND-WHITE MOSTACCIOLI
by: Liz Edmonds- The Food Nanny
• 1 pound uncooked mostaccioli or other tubular pasta
• Alfredo Sauce (p. 71)
• 1 (26-ounce) jar meatless spaghetti sauce
• or 3 cups homemade sauce, divided (see Note)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• RED-AND-WHITE MOSTACCIOLI (“little mustaches”)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook the pasta according to package directions; drain.
3. Meanwhile, prepare sauce of Fettuccine Alfredo (omit the pasta).
4. Spread a thin layer of spaghetti sauce in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Layer
half the pasta, half the Alfredo sauce, half the spaghetti sauce, and
11/2 cups of the cheese. Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta,
Alfredo sauce, spaghetti sauce, and cheese.
5. Cover with aluminum foil and bake about 30 minutes or until it is hot and
bubbly.

Serve with a tossed green salad and Italian or French bread.

Note: You may use meat sauce or meatless; I prefer meatless. When I make my
own spaghetti sauce (p. 62 made meatless), I often double the recipe so I can
freeze half of it to have on hand for this recipe. But purchased sauce is almost
as good.

ALFREDO SAUCE:
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 1 pound uncooked fettuccine
FETTUCCINE ALFREDO
1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Mix in the cream
cheese. Stir in the cream and garlic powder. Increase the heat and bring
to a boil. Decrease the heat and simmer, stirring often, while you cook the
pasta. If the sauce needs additional thickening (for example if you're serving
it as a dipping sauce without pasta), you may sprinkle in flour, 1 teaspoon at
a time. Cook and stir for desired consistency.
2. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions; drain.
3. Stir the Parmesan cheese into the sauce and season with salt and pepper
to taste.
4. Toss the sauce and the pasta in a large bowl and serve immediately.
Serve with a tossed green salad and hot French bread or bread sticks.
Variations:

For Chicken Alfredo, stir-fry bite-size chunks of chicken in 1 tablespoon olive
oil until cooked and add to the sauce.

If you’re a seafood lover, toss the sauce with cooked medium shrimp or
chunks of crab.

Try it is SO SO FABULOUS!

Paper Flowers

2010-10-02T06:45:00.000-07:00

My friend Michelle asked me to tell her how I make my paper flowers. They are my new favorite thing to make with scraps of paper. I went to a crop ( I did not have time to plan what to do at the crop and knew I also would only be there for a little while) so I grabbed a bunch of my scraps, my succors, brads and made flowers while we cropped.

Supplies you will need: scissors, spray bottle, brad or button for the center.

Step one cut the circles I usually do 3 or 4 in a flower.

Step two cut the edges into petals (not perfect the more random the better)

Step three spray with water and crinkle (by crinkle I mean wad up)

Shape as desired and place a brad in center.

These are easy and fun to make giving your page some texture and a great way to use up scraps. I hope this is clear...sorry for such bad photos.

Happy Scrapping!

Kim’s Knee Surgery

2010-09-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

Kim is having right knee surgery today. A soccer ingury. Not even one year from Carson’s first surgery…that make’s a total of three surgeries in the past year, thank goodness they were all with the amazing Dr. Cooley. It was tightening her patella and then when the doctor got into her knee he found that there was damage to her ACL (her acl was not even in place they took part of her hamstring and made a new acl for her) making her ingury worse that Carsons and her recovery time will be longer. John the friend who went to homecoming with her group also had his surgery today. She was nervous at first and it was a good thing I been through this with Carson, I much more relaxed. This goes to show what a strong girl she is! The doctor said she is way tough to be going around with a injury like that and still walking without crutches. No wonder it killed her to wear her high heals to homecoming.
Her biggest stress is making it a week without going to school, learning her subjects and staying caught up. We have skpye so she can get online tutoring, we will take her to a tutor and hopefully she does not get to far behind.
I actually get two full days off!! Wishing they were paid days…oh how I miss paid vacation. BUT I am very thankful that we have health insurance and can make my little girl all better.

My Ah Moment about Teens

2010-09-26T06:20:00.000-07:00

Somthing I can't control...I have to trust in...be strong...and just focus on daily on doing my very best to make sure I teach them right.

I am mentally, physically worn out from teens. I am the mother of three teens, and one tween. They are the best kids…I know this. I love them and they are very helpful, respectful kids. BUT it dawned on me tonight as I was having a mini panic attack what it is that makes teen life so stressful.
I am running out of time…they will be leaving soon. There is so many things for them to accomplish, get finished, teach them, so many things pulling them away, so many temptations and so little time. They are not the little kids I can get to cuddle up and listen to me. They are now as big as me, they have no brain (the whole undeveloped frontal cortex) they want to make their own choices…which you want but at the same time you have to make sure they are making the right choices.
This is what is hard about having teens, I love them so much I want the best for them it just all get so overwhelming. I just keep praying for them every chance I get.I will never give up on them.

Homecoming Dance 2010

2010-09-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

HOW SHE WAS ASKED:
Kim is a junior this year. The dance was just about a month after school starting so it was getting down to just a few weeks before the dance. The way she was asked was something we will remember forever and something I want my boys to do one day.
We were in Park City at the knee doctors…there was a senior boy John who had a soccer knee injury also he was also there that day seeing the same doctor. We were in the waiting area. This waiting area was for several different offices so there were lots of people around. John came over and was talking with Kim about their knees and that he was going to need surgery and as he was walking away he stopped about 5 feet away from and asked (loudly) Kim has anyone asked you to homecoming? There was silence everyone was watching her and she was panicked to be put on the spot and I think a little shocked that he would be asking her like that when all her friends had been asked in fun creative ways. She said no…then he asked “will go with Collin?” she said “you are asking for Collin?” He said “ we are doing blind dates. He is asking a girl for me and I am asking someone for him! It will remain a secret, a blind date until the day of the dance and then we will know who our dates are.” Kim was excited and said “YES!”
So knew Collin and they were good friends which took pressure off her and she was excited that he did not know and that she also did not know anyone else who would be going in the group. She communicated with John about what color of dress she would be wearing and he let her know the date details. She got a tickle out seeing Collin in the halls flirting with him and knowing he had no idea about being her date.

THE NIGHT OF THE DATE:

The night of homecoming his friends brought him to the door blind folded. I had all the girls at our house line up with Kim when he took off the blind fold…he stood there shocked and said ALRIGHT I HAVE 5 DATES!!! He was on the spot then he said well I am guessing Kim because we are at her house…she stepped forward and said yes and he was said OH YEAH!! He said “nice work John thanks!”
They went on their date…they went to Provo to the Olive Garden then to the dance and to a friend to watch movies. She wore this stunning red dress another borrowed from our friend Miss Utah Christina Lowe!

Ok back to the rest of the night and getting ready for homecoming…we had 6 of Kims friends all show up at 3:30 to all get ready together…they had to be ready by 5. I was craziness!! Thank goodness Kelli came to help with hair and curled Taylor’s hair because I did Riely’s, Tristin’s, Kim’s and Cassie’s hair and makeup! They looked beautiful and it was so fun. I loved every minute of it…we had moms, little sisters, grandma Suzanne, Aunt Stefannie, Kim’s niece Sydney, and dates all show up…there were about 20 total. It was chaos and so much fun…just perfect!
After Kim’s group left, Tristin’s group arrived and they were picked up in a LIMO it was so big it could not fully turn the corner to our house! Taylor Williams (her and Timipi her Mom work at the deli with me) was my nephew Kody’s date. Time goes so fast…it was weird seeing all of them standing in front of the limo all so beautiful it reminded me and felt just like yesterday when it was my junior prom and Stefannie and her dates were all picked up in a limo.

NOTE: As I was recording this I was talking with Kim. It has only been a year since last homecoming which was her first date…since that time she went on 6 other date dances. We could not recall most the details from the dances…such as how she was asked, what they did they were all kind of jumbled. So we committed to recording the details as they happen…we were able together to remember the basic details, but point is it is just one year. Time goes fast, journal these details as they come. One day these will be good memories of her High School years

Ready Aim Fire

2010-09-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

A Perfect Day!
My Dad drew out for the muzzleloader Elk hunt…it is like every 15 years you can go for this draw so he has been consumed with this hunt all summer. He is positive at his age it will be the last one he does like this. He has had his camp in the top of Lake Creek and this Sunday we packed up (me and the kids…John was working) and drove up to stay the day. It was a perfect afternoon, this is one of the first days this days all summer where I could spend this much time with my family and it was great to spend this time with my dad…it is rare. My dad bought a trap shoot sling (I guess that is what you call it) this summer. He has taken the boys several times this summer trap shooting I loved that I could now be there and I was so shocked how awesome they were! Blake and Carson can get 96% of every shot no matter from their position and Ben at age ten shooting a 12 gauge can hit dead on…it was fun Kim and I even gave a few shots…we went through 400 rounds of ammunition… and had a blast. I look forward to the next time we can get out together and shoot….making it more completive so I can show those boys their mom can shoot too!

Then we cooked a nice dutch oven dinner, rested by the camp fire, the boys went to get firewood while kim and I took a nap then we had dinner together. Went left camp at dark and all committed to next summer we are going to have a camper so we can go camping more. The kids shared all of their favorite memories and most of them were while we camping. And how we will have to do it more with grandpa Keith because we could all feel that it made him very happy too!

Wide Open Spaces

Kim & Ben taking it easy

AHHH This photo of Abby makes me so happy...we love her so much!

{this week}

2010-09-10T18:59:00.000-07:00

Just an update on a few things that have happened over the week.
I let it go…I had something personal happen it tore me apart for weeks and after lots of tears & prayers I have been able to just let go, move on & now I feel so so much better. I know it is through the blessing of the atonement & the love our savior has for us that I can feel so much relief.
I have had a scrapbooking bug! Things are going great at work and it is giving me much less stress plus a few more hours at home this week so I have used that time just for me and for scrapbooking! Almost 2 pages a day….wowowoot My creative juices are flowing!! I have missed playing with paper, cutting, cropping & designing.
Fall is here my favorite time of the year. I don’t watch TV much and missed the report that it was going to freeze and lost everything in my garden but the corn. Note to myself that yes this is my first garden so next time watch for that.
Kim went to the knee surgeon and is scheduled for knee surgery on the 28th. The exact same injury as Carson had…three surgeries with in one full year. Keeping positive and just remembering all the years that we went without health insurance and that I am so thankful we have it now!
I love the new train CD…have been listening to it non stop.
Life is good, we are just getting back in to a routine of school, homework, chores and meals. It feels good!
I love being a mom and love these kids!

Measuring Up

2010-09-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

I love that I actually could get these photos without the boys seeing. We have a measuring wall in our laundry room. Their cousin Kody (who just moved back from Hawaii and is living with John’s parents) hasn’t been measured on our wall for a few years. It also seems that these boys are in constant competition of who really is the tallest. Carson age 13 is he is about 5 “10, Blake is 14 about 5”9 and Kody 17 is about 5’8 ½. I love these boys…I love this wall that we can look back on how fast they have all grown and I am thankful for every minute I have to be there mom.

I am 36 she is 17...

2010-09-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

Just a layout I did…I cannot believe she is 17…it makes me feel so old (even though I know I am not) I love her and I am so thankfui for everyday with my girl!

Learn from my Mistakes -Layout

2010-09-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

My Lifetime Story Challenge 36 Life Lessons & Advice

Our scrapbooks are a great place for us to teach the future generations the lessons we have learned and hopefully some they will not need to learn. There are good and bad lessons but these experiences you have had make you who you are today. Be honest, write from your heart and allow your family to discover you in your words. Also this is a great opportunity to interview members of your family and ask them what they have learned in life. Create a layout that shares and showcases these values.
What lessons and advice would you like to share? Some topics could include what you have learned about: Marriage, careers, raising children, money, family, and health.
What experiences or turning points have changed your views on: Friends, church, gratitude, love, and your time?
Other layout ideas can include advice you have been given my your loved ones “The best advice I received from my Mother” “When I was your age”
Photo list can include: person who is giving the advice, the place you learned this lesson, photo of who you are giving this advice too, images that symbolize the event that change your view.

This layout I scraplifted from Karen Russel She made back in 2008 and I have had the text printed for so long. I made one for each of my childrens albums so they can all know what not to do....

Kim's Day

2010-09-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

The day Kim turned 17. It stared out like any other day. She woke up went to school, then her mom called her & said she had the day off & wanted to spend it with just Kim. So After history Kim checked out of school came home. Her mom gave her a pedicure, they took photos, they took goofy photos in the car, they went top get the best cake batter ice cream in town, then they had to run a few errands. Kim had a speeding ticket that had to be paid, so they went to the court house & kim spent $90 to pay her fines. Then dad was coming through town so they met him at Tony Tacos for lunch, Kim ordered tamales...yum! We also had to prepare the snack for Kims soccer team (even though she could not play because of her hurt knee) she went & supported her team. After the soccer game her & Cassie kept their tradition of going to the mall & dinner at cafée rio. Her family had cake with her the next day to celebrate. She took the money she received as gifts and bought a new ROXY snowboard!
She said it was a great day!

Good Job & my New Cookbook

2010-09-04T23:51:00.000-07:00

What an amazing weekend. I have a whole new appreciation for the love of team work. Our deli staff of 9 was fabulous. We all worked so well together in making our first Swiss Days ROCK! My shifts started at 6am everyday, We made over 100 wraps a day, there was boxes and boxes of bread, 15 pans of homemade chicken enchiladas, 15 pans of BBQ beef, over 500 corn dogs, 100’s of custom sandwichs and lots of laughs with my friends in between! I did miss going and serving with our ward and thought I could make it on Saturday to make but the store was just way to slammed. The boys served lots of hours for our family, Ben did garbage duty ALL day Saturday that boy could not walk when he came home at 10pm but he loved riding the four wheeler and hanging with his friends. Carson & Blake worked in the scones 2 shifts a day and helped vendors. They even came by the store a few times to see if I needed help. Kim was still hobbling around her knee is in more pain, but she helped me out by keeping our home in order and keeping track of the boys. I did walk through the booths late Saturday night, Anissa and Timpi. We didn’t spend to much but I was so excited to see the Food Nanny and buy her cook book. I had met her before she has been in the store a few times…I love watching her TV show. My kids even watch it with me. We were even shopping in the booths and a man told us his wife bought the book and they joked about it...but it really did change theirs lives and the food is amaizing. JUST WHAT I NEED... I am was so excited about her book that I came home dead beat after working in madness for 11 hours that I started cooking. I made peach cobbler and Anissa got to hang out with us and see all the fun times of having a house full of teens. I have Sunday off and start all over on Monday. I have two of my girls leaving for collage and it makes me sad to see them go because we had a great summer together!

Week 35 Life Goals {My Bucket List}

2010-09-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

Why not make a list of your life goals? Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future, and for motivating yourself to turn your vision of the future into reality.
The process of setting goals helps you choose where you want to go in life. By knowing what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts.
Why not make a list of your life goals? You can call it a bucket list of all the things you want to do before you kick the bucket or you can create a layout just showing what you dream of accomplishing within the next 5 or 10 years. I asked some of my coworkers and family members what would be on their list, here are some examples:
Take a cooking class, go skydiving, get in the car and drive as far as I can to see something I have never seen before, go to Niagara falls, go to a Taylor Swift concert, complete a 1000 piece puzzle, take my family to see the grand canyon, swim with dolphins, visit Ireland, run a marathon, help someone in need, earn my masters degree, take a cruise, go to Hawaii, have all my children graduate from college, have a girls weekend with my best friends in a city we have never traveled to before, fall in love , travel to see my old friend, take a dance class, whitewater rafting.
What do you want to accomplish? Where do you want to go? Who do you want to help?
What are your life goals? Create a layout sharing these dreams for your Lifetime Story Album.

My journaling & list include:1-Have a family vacation in a cabin high in the slopes where we can ski in & out with our own private hot tub.
2-Visit Switzerland
3-Take a hot air balloon ride
4-Go whale watching (at the ocean)
5-Learn to make perfect Swiss Bread
6-Learn a fun card game to play with family
7-Visit Hawaii
8-Quilt a Quilt
9-Have nice teeth
10-See Taylor Swift in concert
(front row & with meet n greet)
11-Have a horse of my own
12-Get lacer eye surgery
13-Kiss under mistletoe
14-Be awesome at parallel parking
15-Learn to say NO
16-Snowmobile in the Mountains Vacation
17-Hike Mount Timpanogus at least six times
18-Spend Christmas in a Cabin
19-Pay off our home (by the time we are 50)
20-See all my kids go to college
21-Start my own business
22-Go white water river rafting
23-Visit Navoo
24-Go to Florida with John
25-Drive across the US in a diesel with John
26-Learn another language
27-Get a degree
28-See all my children married in the Temple
29-Be caught up on all my scrapbooking
30-Go on a cruise to Alaska with John
31-A vacation with my sister
32-Go to New York City
33-Get my idea book published
34-o grow and learn new things
35-To have people comment about how great I look at age 50
36-To have good friends I can count on &
to be that kind of friend too
37-To be the best grandma EVER
38-Stay a full week in Vegas during Rodeo finals
39=Take our family to Yellowstone
40-Hike through Grand Canyons
41-Invest Money
42-Get a Mac
43-Backpack Into & Camp in the Uintahs with my family
44-Find my old High School friend Jodi
45-Go to an Oprah Show
46-Spend a weekend at a Health Spa
47-Travel to WV to stay with Michelle
48-See Beth in Boston
49-Relax on a beach where someone brings me ice cold drinks
50-Have no regrets!

Photo list could include: where you would like to go. A portrait of you now. Who you want to meet. What you want to do.

Blabbing on & on

2010-08-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: Beware of a Crazy lady…who is the single (John is on the road) mother of a Tween & three teens. Who already have so much homework. I am completely overloaded. The biggest factor is that it is Swiss days and I will be working, our first one ever which means all the ordering, stocking of products, scheduling, ordering, preparation is all up to me and I am so worried about pulling it off. We will be making about 400 sandwiches a day, that is 60 pds of meat, 100 loaves of bread…A DAY, this lasts 2 days. I know my dept will be the busiest one. To top it off, I am now sick…could be from lack of sleep at night.
My house is constant chaos I am keeping up with the things like laundry, dishes, but I have a stack of socks growing out of control. The dust bunnies might start a war and the wash maybe clean but it is stacked on the counter in the laundry room for weeks. Including the stack of mail and papers that are sky high on my counter.
I have meetings for church all Weds night, then on Sunday I am teaching the combined Young Womens lesson. Which, I am trying to prepare during all this.
I am not complaining about all the things I need to do…well honestly about my dirty house & being sick I whine about that. As each day gets closer I am actually really excited! There is such a thrill about Swiss Days , the entire little town is full of everyone in our community working hard and working together. The boys were out late last night setting up booths and moving tents with all the men. They love it. I even signed up to work the scone booth on Saturday night after my 9 hour work shift because it is fun to work with your neighbors in service and the time just flies by!
So I have only today Tuesday and Sunday off. I am drinking lots of emergen C and I am going to get my house clean!!! I might also take a nap…this is my first day off since school started and to be home all alone.

Blakes Freshman Photos

2010-08-31T07:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a layout &b photos I did of Blake. He is 14 3/4, he is 5'8, wears a size 11 shoe, and loves his hair in a fo-hawk.

I took my kids school portraits this year because to get even the smallest package at the school they were $22 bucks…crazy! So I completed Blake’s and we did some different actions and he loves the acid wash & troy actions.

Then I made a quick layout because I am just so sad that & worried that my boy is now in High School a big freshman but I journaled about all the things he still does that are so sweet.

Kims Photo shoot

2010-08-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

Kim is so much fun to photograph! I just love taking her pictures and the fact that she will let me just take them. She went to the salon today to get a new hair do and the lighting tonight was great so we had a little photo shoot. I edited them and she loves the acid wash action so this is what we got. I love this girl, she is just as beautiful on the inside!

More soccer scoop…

2010-08-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

More soccer scoop…it has been waiting for so long to be on the High School team. The second week in she got strep throat it was so bad she could not drink or eat for 5 days. That caused her to become dehydrated so after missing three games and over a week she was back in. This Tuesday they played Judge one of the best teams around. They won BTW but during the game (her first game back) Kim was injured…and guess what it was her knee cap. She is walking and not it to much pain but as the swelling has gone down the physical therapist now thinks it is her meniscus muscle and her acl. She has an appointment with the knee specialist but not until Sept 9…her poor heart is broken.

Back to School 2010

2010-08-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

They are gone. Thank goodness I have to go to work this morning I do not want to sit here alone and think of how fast time is going and they are growing so fast. The morning went well until the boys missed the bus…LOL
Here is the photo, we had just went out to take our traditional first day of school photos , which at 13 & 14 they were SO SO thrilled to be taking and see that bus that was their school bus. PERFECT candid shot. They only had to walk a couple of extra blocks to catch the bus up the hill.

I only got one shot of each of them and as you can see from Carson’s he was thrilled to have his mom taking his photo once again.( I love teenagers…if you might have forgotten)

An hour later Ben catches the bus. He is still a sweet boy who lets his mom take lots of photos. This was a hard day for both of us. He is going into fifth grade but it is at a school in Heber, so this is his first time riding the bus and my baby boy is going to a new school with lots of new kids. I know I am such a whinny boob. He was nervous too and the night before came in and said I do not know anyone in my class…I have no friends, I don’t want to go. I said OK stay home with me…hehehe

Note: Blake loved his first day, he feels so cool and grown up. He is going to join several groups which got me talking about FFA for hours. Carson is still so cool even cooler than before because 8th graders are the oldest in his school. Ben had a great first day LOVES his teacher, already is making friends and can’t wait until tomorrow~

{My Testimony}

2010-08-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

My Lifetime Story Challenge 34- My Testimony as an Adult
To me this is a page that is for sure needed in my lifetime story album. I hope my children and their children wil have a testimony. For years I struggled and I am so thankful I now understand the love of Jesus.

Testimony-real testimony, born of the Spirit changes lives. Even though as time passes our testimonies grow and change it should be something that is recorded and shared with ones we love. This challenge is to create a layout sharing your testimony.

Photos could include: where you go to church, your family, the scriptures, a portrait of you, or no photos at all.

My Journaling reads:
I do have a testimony. I feel I should share it more than I do. There are many fast & testimony Sundays that I tell myself that this week I am going to get up and share my testimony. I am...Kim shares hers several times a year, even John does but I tell my body to move and my heart starts racing and I can’t do it. I share my testimony while teaching or often in Young Women’s. I also often think that I am going to at least go home and write it down. Which many times I haven’t.

Today I did share my testimony with my family. There is a plan for us, it is a beautiful plan that is only available through the love of Jesus Christ.

I have read the Book of Mormon, I know that it is true and has the power to change your life. I have a testimony of Joseph Smith, that he was a true prophet who restored the gospel. It was given to bring happiness and hope to us. I know that Jesus lives and he did died for us. He will forever be at your side. He hears and answers our prayers with love. He pleads keep my commandments. I have a testimony that we can be forgiven and must forgive others. I know that families can be together forever. I believe that we have a living prophet on the earth today. I have a testimony of service and I am so thankful for our ward family, all the leaders who give so much of their time to teach and lead our
children. I have so much to be thankful for and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Have you ever writen your testimony or scrapbooked it?

My First Garden

2010-08-24T22:32:00.001-07:00

This is the first garden I have ever grown. It is just a 8x10 garden box in my back yard. I planted everything and a few weeks later my mom came to visit and said…OH MY HECK you planted all that in there…you have way to much in such a small space you need to remove most of those plants. I have zuchinni, squash, pumpkins, corn, flowers, peas & broccoli! Well I removed a few of the zuchinni plants but left all the others. Oh and thank goodness that only the one pumkin plant made it because it is a grand daddy plant that is growing everywhere. The vines were over 25 feet long when Blake and I cut them back, it has taken over the entire garden. I never knew how much the boys would love the garden either. Blake and Ben have already made plans for next summer and they want their own. I planted the zinnias because every garden we had as a kid my mom & David always had lots of zinnias…next summer I am for sure planting more of them. It reminds me of how much I loved our family garden when I was a kid.

I took these photo early this morning as I was leaving for work, wishing I could stay home and garden all day…actually I was thinking I should still be sleeping.

As the soccer ball spins

2010-08-16T22:37:00.000-07:00

Kim had her first game of the season the team won by 2 points. Kim had a lot of play time in JV and was so super excited. The next game was in St. George a six hour bus ride the morning the team left she woke up with a sore throat, then next day it was worse, she could not play, she came home very ill and John took her to urgent care since I was working. She had strep but it had spread through her entire throat she could not swallow, she said the pain was worse than when she had her tonsils out. She could not eat or drink for over 5 days….she was the sickest I had ever seen her. Because of missing practice and being ill she has missed three games already. It has broken her heart. What a way to start the season. We are just glad she is healthy and had the medicine to get better fast. Here she is with her bestest friend and team mate Tristin.

I’m a Ford Driving Soccer Mom!!

2010-08-03T22:34:00.000-07:00

Yes my little ford focus it gets me to the game…I am so proud of Kimberly! She has worked so hard to get on the team…she has played since 6th grade dreaming of the high school team last year she was cut due to asthma. She kept at it and made the team. She is in her Junior year very exciting stuff. The night she made the team this appeared in our front yard…when we pulled in the drive way I started crying such a proud MOM! GO WASATCH WASPS!!!

I am a glorified lunch lady

2010-07-23T22:12:00.000-07:00

I am a deli manager and proud of it. This is not the career plan I dreamed of but it is a great job only a few block from my home. It has been a whole new learning experience in working with different people, great people who work every hard at their jobs. I was out of work had been laid off from the Chamber and had been looking for months for a good job in my area. John was out of work. We were beyond broke. Had just one month of health insurance left. When this opportunity came around, I was going to co manager with my friend Anjie but then she had another job offer that would work bet.ter with her kids schedule. I trained in Salt Lake for several months. I knew the first time I met Marsh Meier that I would be very happy here. He is an amazing man. It is hard work much different from sitting at a computer each day. While working in SLC I would leave by 5:30 am and get home about 5pm. Then the store open in Midway on Dec 1. Currently I have a staff of 12 amazing women. The first year has had it stresses and many long work weeks. This is the first summer and major learning, growing experience. After each holiday weekend…it gets a little clear what to expect next year. I have not had two days off in a row…I have only had two Saturdays off this entire summer. I am scared to death of what will happen during Swiss Days & Labor Day weekend but also looking forward to the experience and having the highest sales over another department. There is hours of scheduling…mama drama…the meathead Floyd…6am every morning…orders…lists…labels…food prep…sandwiches…the bread order…homemade salads….chicken enchiladas….meatloaf….Asian Day…Holly…Kelly…Liz..Timpi…Beth…Katelyn…Kim…Tess & her laughter…Bryce…Tyler…Jesse…Cathleen… Shelbie…Taylor…Richard…soup…sushi…pizzas…augratin potatoes…boars head meat…fryin chicken….is it three oclock yet??

This is unlike any other store deli everything is homemade…I actually cook and I worry so so much about if people are going to like it. Ben gets to come chill in the mornings with me, the kids come by after school or during the summer when they are hungry and want to hang out. John stops in to see me when he is on his way to work to get his favorite sandwich, I get to see all the coolest ladies in town as they drop by every morning to get their diet coke and our sweet crushed ice. I have actually lost weight working there. Liz and I bought pedometers we talk over 10,000 steps in one shift! We are the hardest working crew in the whole store…these ladies amaze me…they are the best and I am so lucky to have such great workers.

Sew- Learning

2010-07-11T15:39:00.001-07:00

Getting ready for the trek. Both Kim & Blake are old enough to go. Blake is very excited to go, Kim is not so excited but she is going (she told me only because I have been working so hard on getting her clothes made.) I have never really been taught to sew. Ya in school I sewed a few things with the help of my teach and when I was expecting Kim I made her bedroom set…it was sewn very badly. I get to impatient and I am not the best at detail. I was going to sew her trek clothing with just a folded hem. (I told you the story about how I got my sewing machine) A few weeks ago I thought I was going to have all this sewing completely done. Nope I got her bag and pantaloons complete and still have 2 skirts, 2 aprons and another bonnet to sew. I am so thankful for my friend Timpi she also has a daughter and son going so she is sewing and she gave me a blouse for Kim to wear & is teaching me to sew. She is so amazing so kind, the best mother of 5, she works at the deli with me, is very dependable and her husband just started truck driving also so I have that experience to share with her. OK gotta go get sewing…I have to admit I love sewing at her house (she has AC) I am so surprised how relaxing sewing is to me.

Summertime is FINE

2010-07-07T21:54:00.000-07:00

It seems like there is not much happening, not much to say but on the other hand there is so much always going on in our lives. There is sure a lot of work going on. It has been one year that I lost my job and then a few months after John lost his…two knee surgeries and we are just now getting caught up. It feels good. John is working non stop but who knows what winter will bring so it just has to be done.
So Far:
I gave each of the boys a buzz
The kids have a trampoline
The boys haul 5 loads of firewood with Grandpa Keith-Blake & Carson use a chain saw.
Kim went to Summer games for a week in Cedar City.
The kids have tried to sleep on the trampoline…but even still it is so cold at night.
Our little garden is slowly growing.
We have great new neighbors. Rose she bakes so many yummy treats for us & has a super fun daughter!
I started the HCG diet…I’ve lost 30 pds.
The Kohlers went to Lake Powell without us…
Kim went to soccer camp for a week in Cedar City.
Mom has been working 40 hr weeks at the deli but is always home by 3pm
The boys have been doing summer jobs lawn care & chores
We went to a drive in & saw Karate Kid----GOOD
We have no Direct TV…cutting back to save a little more.
The boys love playing night games with neighborhood boys
Kim went to girls camp…Mom was so depressed she had to stay home & work.
We spent a Sunday with Grandma, had a BBQ, rode horses
Mom taught Kim to drive a stick shift…Blake & Carson too.
Spent 4th of July with family we have not seen in over 15t years…My stepmoms family, it was so nice!

We still haven’t gone boating, camping, had any kind of family time. It is killing me and getting harder everyday. BUT we just need to do what needs to be done and find joy along the way. I love my family, I love everything John does for us!

20 things {I would tell her if I could}

2010-06-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

I scraplifed every part of this layout from Cathy Zielze. I took her class so long ago and always wanted to create this layout...perfect for my Lifetime Story Album.

Lagacy & Heritage

2010-06-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

It’s a lot to take in.

Thousands of years of history.

Hundreds of weddings, babies, careers, hopes & dreams.

Each with a different perspective, faith, culture & set of values.

There are details of their precious lives that we will never fully know.

All of this has brought us here.

Our ancestors, our grandparents & our parents played a part, all helped shape us into the people we are today.

As we raise our family it is comforting, yet sobering to ponder those who have gone before us.

Those whose legacy we carry with us.

This is why I believe in Heritage & our Lagacy.

Ode to my Family

2010-05-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

Family is important...everything to me! One for all and all for one...that is how I live and love. My appreciation for family stems from my mothers grandmother Thora Shear. She wanted a close knit family that leans on each other. Together through the good and the bad. No one perfect, no one without flaws-just accepting and one. We have a large family we are friends too. Celebrating the specialness that is us. We are bonded in a way that many families aren’t. Roots planted generations ago, through the grace of God I was born into this family...I married into a bigger family it is something to cherish. A gift that I will pass on to the next generation of Kohler children. Everyone should have a treasure like mine!

Layout just for Mimi

2010-05-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

This is me at age 2. My friend Mimi is the Paper Doll Queen! She designed this pattern back in 2000...I have been holding on to these since then to go with the right photos these paper dolls are so special to me...hear for Mimi!!

girls camp layouts

2010-05-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

A song about Sunny

2010-05-28T16:41:00.000-07:00

I think it is so lucky to have a song that has your name in it. I have had many people start singing this song to me before but had never heard it until this month. (One day a week at work is classic rock) I think this song did have some reason for my name…it’s a 60’s song remade in the 70’s by Stevie Wonder. I am so Sunny.
Sunny,
Yesterday my life was filled with rain.
Sunny,
You smiled at me and really eased the pain.
The dark days are gone,
And the bright days are here,
My Sunny one shines so sincere.
Sunny one so true,
I love you.

Sunny,
Thank you for the sunshine bouquet.
Sunny,
Thank you for the love you brought my way.
You gave to me your all and all.
Now I feel ten feet tall.
Sunny one so true,
I love you.

Sunny, thank you for the truth you let me see.
Sunny, thank you for the facts from A to C.
My life was torn like a windblown sand,
And the rock was formed when you held my hand.
Sunny one so true,
I love you.

Sunny

Sunny,
Thank you for the smile upon your face.
Sunny,
Thank you for the gleam that shows its grace.
You're my spark of nature's fire,
You're my sweet complete desire.
Sunny one so true,
I love you.

Sunny,
Yesterday my life was filled with rain.
Sunny,
You smiled at me and really eased the pain.
The dark days are gone,
And the bright days are here,
My Sunny one shines so sincere.
Sunny one so true,
I love you.

36 sew what...

2010-05-22T22:18:00.000-07:00

Today I turned 36. The day started at 7:15 am on a Saturday but the bad part is that I was to open the deli and should have been to work at 7am. So it started crazy and rushed and I felt like the rest of the day just kind went the same way. It snowed and this is the first time I remember it snowing on my birthday. The best part was logging on to facebook late that afternoon and seeing all my friends wishing me happy birthday…the hardest part not seeing my mom. My mom always has made my birthday seem like a special day. I am four years away from forty! We celebrated as a family for my birthday and Carsons next weekend by going to dinner at Applebee’s and then to see the new Shrek movie. Looking forward to a new year ahead!
I got totally spoiled for my birthday! I picked the gift after going to a ward activity. The young women and their mothers were asked to come to sew the clothing for the girls to wear for the pioneer trek happening in July. I was the only mother who did not have a sewing machine…so I came home and decided since I am 36 I will grow up and sew. I had a older machine when I was first married and actually sewed all of Kim’s nursery items. Now I have a machine. I am going finish all those sewing projects, make new skirts, all of Kim’s trek clothes, I love sewing!

A few Layouts

2010-05-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

These are some old photos...just getting some scrapping done.

Right Knee Surgery

2010-05-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

Carson received surgery on his right knee this week. He did well, this time he received a souvenir from the doctor. The piece of cartilage that was loose and keeping his knee cap out of place. The doctor said this was actually worse than the last knee. He is being a much more difficult patient this time…I can not keep him down at all (he is on crutches) but still should have it up. So for the next week he is out of school and I am so lucky to get this one on one time with just him. We have watched lots of movies and listened to it pour rain outside.

Yes this is his second surgery in 8 months...last time same thing on the left knee. In two weeks he will turn 13 and no more knee troubles. CROSSING MY FINGERS!

Journaling {teen questions}

2010-05-09T21:39:00.000-07:00

For the past year I have been serving in the Young Women (my church calling) and teaching every other week. I love teaching and do not get nervous but I do have troubles with procrastinating and wishes I had been better prepared with my lesson.

Not this week what a perfect mothers day gift to teach a lesson on keeping journals! I have kept a journal since I was 8. The lesson also included ways you can share your personal story so I also got to share many of my scrapbooks. Here is a list of journaling questions I passed out to the girls to work on and some of these I need to answer myself.

How did you feel about going to YM’s? Nervous, Excited , Scared?
How did you feel about Middle School? What things changed?
How do you keep your locker?
What are your mornings like? Is it hard for you to get out of bed?
Tell about your first (or any) crushes?
What is your favorite class?
Who is your favorite teacher and what did you learn from this teacher?
What classes do you like best?
Write your thoughts about the last day of the school year?
I will never forget…
What kind of birthday traditions do you have at your house?
Have you ever seen the ocean...how did you feel?
Describe a colorful sunset.
What does your house look like?
Which friend do you call when you have good news?
Which friend do you call when you have a problem?
Who was your best childhood friend?
Where do you meet new friends?
Do you like shopping or hate it?
Tell about a service project you helped in and how it made you feel?
Record a memory for Christmas. How does your family spend Christmas afternoon?
What is one thing you like best about thanksgiving? What are you thankful for?
Make a list of your favorite movies, books, activities.
List your goals for the next year, 5 years, 10 years. What were you doing 5 years ago?
Write about your freedom? How does it feel to be an American?
Why is a particular object so important to you? Is it important to anyone else?
What is popular right now...clothing styles, TV shows, music.
Describe in detail your daily routine.
What is your favorite food? Does it remind you of a family tradition?
Write about your most embarrassing moment.
In your journal write a letter to a family member or parents listing how thankful you are to them, what you love about them.
Make a list of all your favorite things right now..
What is your favorite season? What do you like about each season?
Describe the town you live in, what are your favorite places?
What drives you crazy? What makes you happy?
Journal about a time when you felt the spirit.
What is a lesson you have learned?
Record your personal testimony.

Saying goodbye to Toby

2010-04-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

We had a very sad weekend as we had to say good bye to our friend Toby. He was 14 years old. My Mom & Step Dad had him since he was a pup and then when they divorced we took him. He has only been here just over two years but we have grown so attached to him. I know the years here were the best years of his life. He loved being with the boys and our other dog Abby. They just roamed the fields and laid on my front porch.
We knew over a month ago that this time was coming. He had a large growth in the front of his chest. It became very difficult for him to breath. He sounded like a chain smoker…he was not in any pain…yet. The Vet told us that as the weather became warmer it would become uncomfortable for him because he could not pant to keep his body cool. With the warmer weather I could see he was more uncomfortable and had less energy. I came home Friday and he could barely walk from the barn to the house with me. By Saturday he could not move and the growth on his neck had grown to the size of a cantaloupe. So we took him to the Vet to find out that he was suffering and we made the choice that we need to put him down.
There were some hard choices I had to make as a mother. Some now I wonder if were the right ones. Like if the boys should see him put to sleep (which they didn’t), if they should have buried him. It is something we have never been through before and it was harder on the boys than I thought. They are now 14, 13 & 10 their grandpa let them pick a spot in the pasture that will now be our pet cemetery. We have cried for days…it is hard to think that Abby & Zoe our other dogs are getting old too. We will miss him and I am so thankful that my boys had the chance to have a good old dog who was so loyal to spend these years with. He brought them so much happiness and love.

New Kittens

2010-04-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when your teenage daughter and comes home late in the night with a kitty. Begging you if she can please keep this kitty. You tell her NO WAY that you already have a cat, that there is no way you are taking a female cat that is not fixed because you have learned from the past that they will have kittens. She gives you those big sad eyes and shows you a sweet little kitty and promises that she will work and earn the money to get the spade, that she will feed it and take such good care of it. You start to think she is 16 she will be responsible and as long as the cat lives outside it will be good. When you live in the country you can always use one more mouse catcher.
Then before you know it…before you have scheduled an appointment with the vet. You get four new baby kittens. All the kids are so excited especially Ben he has never had the experience of kittens. This cat is so different from the others and she actually lets us see the kittens. Spring is full of surprises!

This was so funny! Your doggie Zoe watching over the kittens while the mom was away. She was so worried for the first few days and didn't want to leave the garage.

My Junior Year

2010-04-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

Another Layout for My Lifetime Story Album

Teen Memories & Favorites

2010-04-13T19:06:00.001-07:00

Layouts My Birth Letter & My First Year 1974

2010-04-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

One of my Favorite parts of Spring

2010-03-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

This is one of the sure signs that spring is here…my favorite one to see and to watch day by day as more baby calves play in the fields.

P.S.This week I did something completely out of my comfort zone. I am going for something out of my league. It will be a few weeks before I share details.

His Right Knee

2010-03-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

Yes this is Carson on crutches again! Last fall it was his left knee this time it is the right knee! He is only 12 (ok he reminds me that he is 12 ¾) but still 2 knee surgeries in 6 months CRAZY. Poor kid I personally think it is because he has grown a foot this year and can’t keep balance even though he has such big feet (size 13) This time he was playing around with some friends and a boy knocked him in the leg with a big football punching pad. Now he is back in physical therapy 3 times a week and as soon as the swelling is now he will go back to the knee surgeon and then have a MRI to find out if this one needs to be repaired by surgery also. Meanwhile he has missed more school, is stuck on the couch while the other boys are out enjoying spring and he is trying hard to make it through the pain.

2010 Ben's Sweet Car

2010-03-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

This is Ben’s Second year at the pinewood derby. He bought a kit he found at Roberts craft to make his car look so “sweet” he had a great time building it with his dad…he was much happier than he was last year (when I helped him complete his car and it was a dud) he came in second or third most heats but he did win the award for the “sweetest” car.
He also got to race against his cousins (my sisters kids) Gavin in the middle won first place!!
P.S. only one more pinewood derby after this year!! Time flies~

So wireless happy :)

2010-03-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

I have a new laptop. Gotta love the 4 easy payments on QVC!!! I have been working on a old PC that is 2004 model. So I have had no photoshop, not even word, no way to upload my photos, slow as a dinosaur, and no itunes. Now I have wireless, I have CS3 I have uploaded 6 months of photos I am so happy!! I feel like I just arrived into modern civilization. I love it and I can’t wait to get back to blogging!

{just searching}

2010-02-02T07:47:00.000-08:00

I saw this today on the Oprah show and can't wait to see this show Undercover Boss.Anyone who works hard for a living should see it. I was great to see the good hearts people have and how hard they work. Having such a great attitude plus that the boss gets to see first hand. If only all the other bosses out there could see how they impact their employees!

I love Esty! I love that you can buy items that were handmade by someone. I also get so inspired by the creations I see. I want to start making fabric flowers and we will be making some in Young Woman's with the girls.

I watched a this video that Heidi Swapp made from CHA. I got so excited about creating!! What I love the most is the creations by Melody Ross. It has been on my mind day and night...I am daydreaming about creating art like hers and want to redecorate my scraproom and add something I made to my home decor...now if I only had more time in a day. Melody is so inspiring to me!!

Just searching online this morning. I have the day off I have so much to do and wish that I could spend my day creating and scrapbooking. But I also want to get my home cleaned and organized so the kids coem home to some comfort and love.

My Lifetime Story- Family Tree

2010-01-20T08:26:00.000-08:00

Family History is very important to us. I am the family historian, and I am very passionate about making sure that future generations can all connect through my scrapbooks. How will our children know who they are if they don’t know where they come from?
This week, create your family tree. As you complete your family tree you feel such respect for your ancestors.

Who do you include in your family tree? You, your parents, your grandparents & great grandparents.

I did not have photos of all my great grandparents so I listed their names. For this project I scanned and printed the photos to the same size. Here are a few more tips when working with old family photos. Carefully remove photos with UNDO and dental floss. Scan and print duplicates of heritage photos to preserve and to share the originals. Once you have scanned old photos upload to a photo website or burn to disc for future projects.

Details you may want to include about each family member are:
Their full given name (always use the maiden name for women)
Born:
Place:
Married:
Place:
Died:
Place:

I did not include all information on this layout (such as where born, married, death) because I will include these details on each of the layouts I complete about them as individuals in upcoming challenges.

Other layouts can include:
A layout about shared family traits.
A layout that shows your favorite treasured heritage photos, share the stories to keep them alive

My Layout: I did the stiching which is somthing I have not done on a layout in a while and spent alot of time making this layout. The scans are fuzzy.

An Important Story...(the day I was born)

2010-01-19T19:05:00.000-08:00

My heart is so full of love right now. Just by one simple little email. Well it took several to finially get hger to write THE one that has touched me so much. When starting the My Lifetime Story Challenge Michelle and I talked about having letters from our mothers. My mother is not to into journailing...I asked her one day on the phone and she said "you really expect me to remeber clear back then (joking)" then a few weeks later I sent an email asking her to tell me about the day I was born. she wrote back "it hurt" I wrote back "ya I did it four times I know...come on..." several weeks went by and I started to think she had for got when she wrote back this.

Around the 2nd week in April, Dr. Jensen started telling me that I would go any minute so I had my bags packed and ready was ready to go. I was so over being pregnant...I would make your dad take me for rides in the truck on bumpy roads because everyone said that would make you go in labor...it doesn't work.

I started to have labor pains just before we went to bed around 10:00 anyway I thought they were labor pains about 2:00 in the morning I knew they were labor pains so we loaded up and went to the hospital. You were born around 10 ish the next morning. You were so pretty...you looked just like a little china doll with all your black hair. I remember your grandma Maxine was just amazed at how dark you were. I don't think she believed you were a Gertsch baby. And Grandma Sharlene just went nuts over you.

I remember the day we brought you home the field next to our house (Jon & Arlenes) was so green and pretty it was a beautiful Spring day. In fact that day Grandma Sharlene came and got us and we went down to Stringtown and took Grandpa Ray his lunch. He was down there cleaning ditches.

It was memorial day weekend and everyone that went to the cemetery stopped by on their way to see you. We had way to much company for only getting home from the hospital.

Grandma Sharlene made sure she was there every morning to bath you. I had to make her go home. I think she would have just moved right in.

You were the sweet baby girl every mother dreams about. And I am so blessed that you picked me to be your mom. I loved every minute of raising my beautiful Sunny Lynn. I love you. Mom

This is so special to me and I have a photo from that day...I can't wait to get this scrapbooked and now I am going to go write one for each of my kids....(I think I wrote one for Ben but I am going to make sure) I am so lucky to have such a good Mom this is so so special to me.

IIf you don't know what happened at your birth or if you haven't wrote down the story for your child do it today! These are the most important memories to be documented.

My Favorite Meatballs

2010-01-14T17:19:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe a while ago. It is SUPER EASY and cheap for a meal for the whole family. That was what drew me to it. Then I made it and seen how much my family loved it. I now buy the big bag of meatballs at Costco. I also make mine with mild salsa and you can use whatever brand or style you like.

Bag of meatballs (about 40)
Can of jellied cranberries
Bottle (16 oz) Salsa

Put them in a crock pot serve over rice and watch them disappear!

Blah Blah Blogging

2010-01-14T08:16:00.000-08:00

There have been so many things on my mind. I miss blogging so much. I have been blabbing on this blog for almost five years now...time goes so fast. This year I am going to make a better effort in myu blogging and I AM GOING TO GET MY BLOG PRINTED and bound in a book. It all goes back to how stroggly I feel about recording your personal story. When I start blogging and sharing it brings a whole new prespective to the event, story or moment. It helps me take a deeper look and turns it around inside my heart to remind me of how much I have to be thankful for. So please excuse all the back dated posts....I need to get off my chest.I have a growing list of topics I look forward to blogging about a new 2010 with more possitive, gratitude and inspiration from also reading all your blogs.

Lots of love!

My Lifetime Story- My Birth

2010-01-13T18:43:00.000-08:00

OK I know I was the cutest baby ever....until each of my kids were born...LOL

This is where your story begins. It is important to have these details documented in you’re "My Lifetime Story Album".

Today is also my dads birthday. He is not into gifts or parties but just thinking of him and thankful that we are getting closer and thankful to have him in my life.

Find all your favorite baby photos and ask your parents about any details they remember or have recorded. You could also list details about your name. Are you named after someone? Do you know the significance of your name or how it was chosen? I asked my mother to write her memories of the time of my birth and included that on my layout as well.

Here are some other helps for creating a two page layout about your birth story.
Date:
Place of birth:
City: State:County: Country:
Doctor: Length: Weight:

Other topics that can be made for more baby layouts:

Gather baby photos of all your family members include details about each person.
Make a layout that shows your parents baby photos.

My kids are what is most important to me.

2010-01-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

Having a happy family that loves one another is my only dream.

I pray each day for my kids to know how much their Heavenly Father loves them.

Having teens, busy life, all these distrations that pull us away from each other all the time is so hard. Working this many hours out of town is hard. I want to be home with them, here when they come home. But I know in my heart it is all going to work out.

Kim is working so hard as a sophmore. She is involved in debate, student goverment, and being friends with new students at the school. She is such a good example to me and her brothers. I am so proud she cares so much about other people.

Blake is growing taller everyday. What a blessing it is to see such a healthy strong young man...who it seems like yesterday was my little premie 2 pound baby. He got 5 A's on his report card and is working so hard to overcome learning disabilites and do his best. He is always out helping neighbors and it fills my heart so full when people tell me how hard a worker he is.

Carson is strong and healthy also. He has struggled so much in the past few months with his health. What makes me the proudest is that he see's this and it has strenghend his testimony and he has shared many times how thankful he is for his health. His knee has recovered and he is strong heeled. He always wants to see a smile on my face and has a joke or a story to make me giggle.

Ben is still teh youngest...I wish he could have the childhood the other kids did but I guess that is the way it goes. He is always being left behind or trying to keep up with what ever his big brothers are doing. He still snuggles with me and gives me the best hugs ever!! He is going to be in a rock band, ride skate boards, be a profesional basketball player, a dad and a engineer when he grows up. He is so cool it is crazy...I love every miniute with my freeckle faced boy!

I am so lucky to be there Mom...they are the best things to ever happen to me. There is nothing better and I would not trade anything for all these moments I have with them. They are what is most important to me!

My Lifetime Story- ME First Page

2010-01-06T18:33:00.000-08:00

The challenge has begun! It is so so exciting to see all the excitment and the people who have joined our message boards to start in on this challenge.

It has been just what I have needed. I can't begin to tell you how much good this will do for your soul! I have scrapbooked for years and and made hundreds of layouts and yes some about me but this ablum gives meaning!

You are creating your own autobiography. This is the best story out there, it is your story. You have created many pages about your children, family, pets, vacations and holidays. Now you can focus on you. This has been a great experience for me and a chance to focus on me! I created these pages with much more passion, it helped me see my childhood in a new light, discover things about myself, my life, how I spend my time and what my priorities are.

The first challenge is to create a layout that will be the title page to your "My Lifetime Story Album". You will see I created a layout that is a collage of images of my life. From baby, childhood, teens, and adult years showing all the changes to where I am now.

Since this is your autobiography you will want to make a special title for your album. What do you want to name your own autobiography? This can be the title of your collage page.

Next we will be starting the chapter on your roots & heritage.
See my Layout and others here At Faith Sisters

So much to do so LITTLE time....

2009-12-23T09:03:00.000-08:00

Not only have I just up in 68 hours at work this week.
My feet hurt so bad I want to crawl instead of walk.
My house is a wreck...I still have wrapping and shopping.
I feel so out of the Christmas spirit loop.

But I am turning all this around because what is important to me is my family. This Holiday time together. There may be dust Bunny's under my couch (there is dust everywhere from the remodel...I will just pretend it is a light dusting of snow...LOL) Oh well I am going to...

Snuggle with the kids and watch a holiday movie.
Read a book to Ben.
Eat one of Grandma Suzanne's frosted sugar cookies
Take photos of my loved ones.
Turn up the Holiday tunes.
Think about Jesus and the real reason for the season.
Then sleep in and enjoy this one day off.

My Lifetime Story- Photolist Getting Started

2009-12-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

Completing a project like this does require preparation. I have spent many wasted hours when I go to create searching for a photo, scanning or making a duplicate. We are posting a few months in advance so you have the opportunity to prepare and gather photos for this project. Once your photos are gathered you will be ready to create each week the challenges are posted.

*My life collage- an assortment of photos of you ranging from baby, childhood, teen, and adult. That showcase you and the milestones through your life. 6-18 photos

*My Birth Story- your first photos, baby photos, /birth certificate.

*My family tree- names, birth dates & photo of yourself, your parents, your grandparents, your great grandparents.

*4-6 additional photos of your parents and grandparents for a layout about them.

*Photos of your siblings (childhood and adult photos)

*Homes you have lived in/your home town

*Childhood Favorites (toys, memories, vacations, family members, cousins)

*Childhood Friends/Pets

*Churches you attended when you were young, photos of you at religious activities or baptism.

2009-12-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

This year has been harder. I am feeling so disconnected. I know John is feeling the same way also. I know he wishes he had his job back like I do. The economy has had alot to do with this. We are so blue collar...I am a deli manager and John is back to driving truck. But we are happy, we have a healthy family. Years ago we had other financial troubles that made us realize in a hurry that it not about what we have or DON'T have. But the past few months with both John and I both loosing our jobs, watching our savings disappear before our eyes. We are both working every moment to get back on our feet. I am thankful I have found this job.
It is hard pysical work...I come home so sore.
I miss the people I worked with before so much. But I am making new friends, others who are such hard workers.
The hours are long but they go by so fast.
I am thankful it is so close to home.
Thankful that we have the income at this time.
I have to let go of my old job...and remind myself daily that I have to do this and how bad being unemployed was. There were a few weeks I feared how were we going to make it next month how would we pay our bills or have Christmas. I am thankful for all the hard work John does for our family. I am thankful for our kids doing so much to help at home and the kids things they do to take care of us. It has been something that has brought us all closer together and shown us what really matters is each other.
Each day is a new day with so many blessings!

Training at the Deli

2009-11-14T10:04:00.000-08:00

I am driving down to SLC every morning. I have to be there by 7am so I wake up by 5am to be showered and ready to leave by 6am. Some mornings Anjie comes with me but she still has her other job and needs to get things worked out with daycare. So most days it is me. I don't mind the early mornings and the drive so much...it is good to have some time to myself to think.

This work is hard work...they go all day with no breaks...it is crazy crazy busy. We make such large quanities of food it is crazy. They have the deli in the store and then a big kitchen next door. I was worried when I started this job that I would be the fat girl working in the deli and that being around th food all day would be to much temptation...NO WAY. Now that I see the large amounts or sour cream, butter, mayo all that stuff that makes food good but when you are around it all day long and are using it by the bucket size...I am actually loosing weight.

I would have more energy and get more done at night but my foot is killing me so bad...I need to get it looked at. I had a bone spur years ago and think that is what I have again.

This is just what has to be done right now...I am thankful for the job so so thankful!

when you create your own story.

2009-11-03T20:34:00.000-08:00

I just had to share something about creating the layouts for the My Lifetime Story album. A few things I have realized. I love scrapbooking but when you are making layouts about YOU it is even better. You know your style, what you like and I love each layout so much. The other thing is when you are doing layouts about your childhood you see how good it rally was. I am so thankful for all my parents did for me. I had a good life with lots of good stories...I hope you will join in our challenge too!

This is one of my favorite reminders...
"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience."

President Gordon B. Hinckley (quoted from a devotional address that was delivered on 31 October 2006).

P.S.
(today Carson when back to school!)

November Already???

2009-11-02T23:05:00.000-08:00

Today was a busy day! Thank goodness I am not working full time on a day like today.

Carson and I went to Park City to see the knee Doctor. His bandages were removed and so were the staples. Today is the first day in a week that he has bent his knee.

Then we went to the school to meet with all his teachers. Carson has had a tough first semester in school with 16 absents thanks to his knee injury, chicken pox/flu and now knee surgery. With all that he is still getting good grades and trying to do his best to get all this past weeks work in to his teachers by Thursday because it is the last day of the term.

After that they all had orthodontist appointments. Blake got an A on his brushing!!!

Then Kim had to go back to the doctor. She took a pill just before bed that stayed in her throat and burned her esophagus. Now she can’t eat or drink and is in a lot of pain. It is a crazy thing and after four days is just not getting any better. We are trying another medication that will coat he esophagus better and give her more relief.

We got home about 6:30...the time change has us all beat tried and off schedule. Then there was hours of home work and just after everyone was tucked in bed I got to scrapbook!

I can’t get myself out of my scrapbook studio. I have been digging for photos, making lists, and creating some of my favorite layouts! I am preparing for the My Lifetime Story challenge that will be starting in January 2010. Having a outline like this all planned out and what layouts to make is making this project so much easier!

I just hate that I have to keep them a secret until then!

New Ideas=New Challenges for 2010

2009-10-28T16:36:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks being home and scrapbooking on a regular basis have been so good for me. I have created more in the past few weeks than I have in a year. Along with that started the late night phone calls to Michelle (one of my best friends in WV) the crazy thing is how we always get the same ideas and when we called each other about this we stayed on the phone until 3am.

It was about all about me books. She had been working on one. For many years I have made layouts about me, about my favorite things and topics that fit into this category but the task of creating a ALBUM was just to much. I have created many mini about me albums from CKU classes and kits.

We started off talking about many ideas....most of all we wanted to get more involved in supporting Karma with Faith Sisters. Michelle started telling me about her all about me album and we started talking about topics. We started taking notes, talking about what is really important, what details should be included in a album, something that every person should document about their life.

After several hours we had the idea that this could be a year long challenge on Faith Sisters. That we could plan out a challenge for every week of the 2010 year. We started listing dates and topics and it just flowed through us! We had no problem thinking of 52 challenge topics. The next morning we called Karma to share our excitement with her and we came up with a challenge name: My Lifetime Story. I love working with Karma and Michelle. I love all the support and sisterhood from Faith Sisters. It is easy to join in, every Wednesday there will be a new challenge. You can make a layout, you can blog about it and hopefully you’ll share your work with us and make a comment on the blog or the forum.

Carson's Surgery

2009-10-27T14:56:00.000-07:00

Today everything was good to go! Carson’s lungs were clear (as clear as they were last week but) and the surgery went well. He had a Anthroscopic Lateral Release. To tighten the muscles around his knee cap to keep it from slipping back out of place. He was very eager to get home. We arrived at the hospital at 6:30am (it was a blizzard) and were on our way back home by 10:30 am.

Carson and the doctor each had to write a yes on his knee to make sure it was the correct knee getting done.

He is connected to a ice machine 24/7 that keeps his knee comfortably cool. I am his nurse and when the other kid are home they love helping him too. He goes back on Monday to get the brace off and at that time he will start moving it. He has transformers 2 on DVD and has watched it non stop and we even watched the Hannah Montana movie a few times.

His main worry is that his team has a game on Wednesday and if he is going to be able to go watch and support them.

I have a new job.

2009-10-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yes I did go back to the chamber. They laid me (and eveyone else) off in July. Then asked me back in Oct. (after my boss quit) because they needed someone there who knew how to run the place. They hired me back at a much lower wage...and said in the future I would need to reaplly for my possition. The days back were so long...there was nothing to do with no secretary work, no marketing, no new projects, most the days were just me alone trying to find something to do. It seemed nice for the first few hours but I like keeping busy.

Before they hired me back I knew Carson would be having the knee surgery and let them know well in advance about this. But when it came time to actually take the time off the board president was not very happy about this. I even rescheduled his surgery inorder to make it work for her temp.

During this same time John still was not finding any work...me making $10 a hour was not going to help us get back on our feet. My friend Anjie was offered a job several years ago (while the store was being planned) as the deli manager. She spoke to the owners and they knew from the chamber and they called and offered me a manger job also. On one of my days off I went to SLC to work in the store there to train and to see how I would like it. The eight hours few by...there was so much to do and so much fun. The pay was so so much better as a manger and I took the job right way. I came hoem that night to give her my two weeks notice and she was so insulted that I would even think of another job after they had gave me my possition again (she had a friend who was out of work that she wanted to hire) that she told me that the next day could be my last day....since I was taking the next week off for Carsons surgury. I was hard for me to say good bye again but when I left there I felt like a million pounds had been lifted off me. All those months of hoping and waiting to see if I was hired back, all the stress and worry of wondering how we were going to pay our bills I knew I could move forward in peace.

Visting Grandma

2009-10-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

Today we went out to visit grandma Suzanne. The whole family went and I brought stuff for meatballs that we put in the crock pot when we first got there. We all love grandmas house. It has been so long since we have been out to see her! We spent most the afternoon out helping her around the yard we raked lots of leaves. Then we went in and snuggled up by her fire place and watched the movie Stardust..

You take one bag of meatballs, one can of salsa (I use mild and today Kim picked a salsa that had black beans and corn, it was good too) and a can of jellied cranberries. That is all just add those three ingredients to the crock pot cook rice and serve the meatballs over rice once cooked. Very easy, very yummy and very inexpensive.

I miss my mom, I think the hardest part of going out to visit is going out there to see her all alone. She is so special to us and such a strong person. It was just what our family needed today...it was a perfect visit.

One Design Four Layouts

2009-10-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

This is how a mother of four scrapbooks. I make albums for each child and then a family album. This was last years back to school photos. (I think I have about four other years worth of back to school photos that still need scrapbooked) So I found a sketch selected the three photos for each child and made the layouts. All four finished in about 40 mins. Simple easy scrapbooking.

I scrapbooked!!

2009-10-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

It has been years since I have went into my scrapbook room and made over two layouts! In the past week I have made over 20!!! It feels so freaking great! One of the things that inspired me was going to archivers and talking with one of the sales girls. She was young and has only been scrapbooking for about 6 months and she sold me on glitter mist. (The glitter mist is a lot like the days of walnut ink) What sold me was the excitement she had for creating and making new things. Listening to her talk reminded me of the days when I first started the hobby and spent hours and hours creating pages. Trying new techniques, so excited to share them with my scrapbooking buddies and all the fun we had scrapbooking together. It feels good to be creating, it feels like the old me again. Now I want to getaway and go to a crop with someone...LOL.

Most of these are scraplifted but it was what I needed to get my mojo going.

Surgery Cancelled

2009-10-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

This was the second time we scheduled this surgery. We went to the Park City hospital early this morning they were getting ready to start the IV and Carson coughed. The nurse freaked out and canceled surgery. I was not thrilled by her reaction and felt she was over reacting. She had not even listened to his lungs and I told her that since Carson has asthma he always sounds this way with a cough. But she made the call then gave me a lecture about how he could stop breathing during surgery and we left.

So we went back to the Heber hospital to have more breathing treatments (to make sure that his lungs would be clear by next week) and the respiratory therapist said his lungs sounded great and that his oxygen level was perfect, she was bothered we had been sent home so she called the other hospital to get us back on the list for the day but he was already to booked for the day. So I took Carson back to school and I went home. Since I had scheduled to take the whole week off work...that is another drama.

This photo is how Carson and I spent the last 5 days. Every four hours going into the hospital ER to meet with a respiratory therapists to get breathing treatments. (Can’t wait to see how much that is going to cost) in the past I would do these treatments at home but there is a mixture of another medicine that they give him with the albuteral that has to be given by the therapist.

Anyways...we wore our masks every visit and washed our hands until mine are cracked and so dry because there are so many sick people at the hospitals. I feel so sorry for Carson it has been a tough fall for him health wise but he has the best attitude and keeps a smile.

Taking a deep breath and waiting until next Tuesday.

More Changes in Work

2009-10-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

So in July I was laid off.(no severance, no pay for reminding vacation days...I was promised it was only temporary and I would get all that made up to me in my Christmas bonus) HAHAHHA They let us go saying that there was no funds to keep us employed. I kept going back every week helping our director, he kept saying I would be hired back any day now. Then he was terminated and the board had no idea how to run the visitor center or chamber without me. So they offered me the job at less pay, less hours and as a temporary employee telling me that when the finial positions were in place I could reapply for my job. I felt like such a fool going back and felt I was treated so wrong but I needed a job and they knew that too.

The day they hired me back I informed them that Carson would be having surgery and I would need the time off. Everything was ok until they could not find a replacement. In the time and when I was unemployed I had a interview to work at the new store being built in Midway as a manager. Two days before Carsons surgery I got the call that he wanted to hire Anjie and I to co manage the deli. He is a great boss and it felt so good to know that a employer wanted you and valued your hard work. So I went to our the board director and told her that I was going to be starting a new “permanent job” since I had plans to take the week off she said it would be fine that I would not need to come back that they would replace me with the temp.

So Monday Oct 19 was my last day at the chamber. That night I felt like a 100 pound wiegth had been lifted. I know a lot had to do with the fact that I had a better paying job in line but the worry, drama and politics of the past few months was all gone. Then guess what happened?? The temp also found a job and then they had no one to fill in and have been calling me no stop for help. It sucks when you treat people like dirt and it comes back to bite you.

The store opens Dec 1 and we will go to the Holiday store a few days a week for training.

Breathing Treatments

2009-10-18T23:23:00.000-07:00

This weekend was uneventful. Even though it was fall break. The boys went on a scout campout with John to the Slot canyons in southern Utah. Kim and I stayed home and worked. I even scrapbooked!! I will post soon.

The boys came home from their campout and Carson had a horrible cough. This is what always happens for the poor guy since he has asthma. Since he is having surgery on Tuesday we had to get a prescription for him to have a respiratory therapist visit every 4 hours. So we spent the reminder of the weekend making trips to the hospital to get suction and albuterol treatments.

It has made a big improvement and it looks like all will go as planned.

Jenny from the Block

2009-10-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

This is the hottest single Mom in my neighborhood. A close friend and the cutest kids. I loved their fall sweaters and how they were up for anything…well ok the girls were, the boys wanted to be boys find big rocks, sticks and be anywhere but there. This was another late night shoot. She called me I was home I said OK sure I would love to take some photos can you get your kids ready before the sun is down…we did our best. Such a fun fun family. She wanted the Midnight Sepia Action and it works well with fall photos.

Kim Sick

2009-10-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

I normally would not spend $90 to have a Dr. tell me we have flu but Kim was sicker than she has ever been.

She started off on Wed. Oct 7 coming home so wore out and weak….went to bed after school slept till the next morning and when I went in to wake her for school she was on fire with high fever and chills.

Friday same thing by Saturday morning she was still wiped out but now it had moved into her chest. That evening she was moaning and in pain with every breath. I took her to the clinic and sure enough she tested positive for the flu.

The Dr. said that 98% of all the test they were sending into the lab were all coming back as swine flu so they are treating all positive tests as H1N1. They started her on the medication and by Monday she said it felt as though she had the regular flu. I did keep everyone home from Church because with older people and small children I did not want the risk of my family contaminating someone.

One week later she finally broke the fever she still has a mean cough that is lingering but she is back to life. This is the most time she has spent at home in months…the poor girl was quarantined to her bedroom.

Ben gave her a hug tonight and Kim couldn’t let go she said this is the first hug I’ve had from you in 4 days. Now we wait and hope the rest of us make without swine flu???

First Family Photo

2009-10-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend My Aunt Wendy came to visit from ID. This was the first time I got to meet Dustin my new cousin. Wendy is older than me in her early 40’s and this is her first baby. I am just so thrilled for her and her husband I can’t stand it! He is the cutest baby and I was thrilled they asked me to take their first family photos. We had a time set earlier in the evening when the light was better but they ran into traffic in Salt Lake so we did the best with what was left. This is another reason I think facebook is great…keeping me in touch with family like her.

Thursday Night Veiwings

2009-10-09T21:25:00.000-07:00

John and I have a new favorite TV show. While Kim was sick she even watched some with me. (I love that I can record and watch later otherwise I would never watch tv)

Flash Forward, Thursdays on ABC you need to watch the first to understand all the others (I think you can online) it is good tv a way to escape.

{driving to school}

2009-10-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

This is life…

So many changes…

Kim now driving and giving her brothers a ride to school.

They are all so cool, so grown up and so good to each other.

It makes me so happy.

Here 9-5

2009-10-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

I am back to work…It feels weird not having my co workers there. I miss the chaos.

Good thing is that I go at 9 now instead of 8 so I have more time in the morning to spend with Ben.

Taking it one day at a time.

Update on Carson's Knee

2009-10-05T19:34:00.000-07:00

Carson’s knee was dislocated. He was going to therapy. Three weeks out and almost ready to go to practice again.

Then he went to the creek and he slipped on a rock. Dislocated again…this time not so bad he slipped back into place (moved just a little) so today we went back to physical therapy to find out he would need surgery.

The ligaments/tendons around the knee are stretched and his knee will keep coming out of place. So they will tighten one side and repair his acl.

That’s the plan for now more to follow on October 20.

The scoop: temporary work

2009-10-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

What a roller coaster of emotions. I was laid off in July along with the other staff. They left our director on with “volunteers” to help run the visitor center.

Every week I hear from him asking me to come help. This needs updated on the website. Where is this? Can you come help with this? I volunteered at a event from 6:30am to 2pm...every time hearing we are so close to having things worked out and will get the money from the county soon. You will be first to come back. So I have been waiting, hoping, believing it would happen…now I feel foolish.

This week I got a text that he had left and he was sorry I would not be getting my job back. I was crushed and so sad for his family reliving all those emitions of when I lost my job.

They (the board of directors: who are local business leaders) are changing the structure and all positions (due to lack in TRT monies) moving away from marketing.

This morning I got a call that the board would like me to come back. I was so excited!!! Then I get the details…this is only a temporary position. He starts telling me that once they have all the details worked out I will need to reapply. WHAT?? REAPPLY? Who has to reapply for a job you have had over 2 years? Let alone that it was less pay and less hours. I said I needed to think it over…they kept calling saying they needed an answer. Ugh I accepted.

Here is the official press release. 10/6/09 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(“HVCC/CVB”) announced today the immediate departure of Jason Giles as Executive Director of the HVCC/CVB. A team of local business leaders from the organization’s Board of Directors will step in to lead the organization on an interim basis.

Expressing sentiment shared by many, Jason Haddock, HVCC/CVB Vice-President stated, “Jason Giles brought astute marketing skills and credibility to the organization and made a tremendous contribution. On behalf of the members and the board, we thank Jason Giles for his efforts.”

The HVCC/CVB has further announced that former staff member, Sunny Kohler, will be returning on a temporary basis to staff the daily operations of the organization, serving the needs of Chamber/Bureau members as well as the community.

So I am goingback to work. In this day and this economy I am just so thankful to have a job. I looked and in our little town I would have been either driving out of town and I just can’t do that when I have kids. I loved my job before and took pride in doing it right. I just need to get over my lack of trust with the board, be humble and show them they made the right choice, that I can do this job. Getting past the word temporary.

Change: Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

Non Stop Poxs

2009-09-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

This is just some rambling from me. I realized when Carson was sick that I need to journal more about our family illnesses so that I can remember. Do any of you have health journals? My grandmother kept one but I never have.

Ok poor Carson…his health has been such a test this fall. The poor kids has a knee ripped out then within one week and only getting back to school for 4 days he gets sick.

We woke up and everyone was in the normal hurry to get to church, while we are sitting in Sacrament meeting he says I have like 15 bug bites on my belly. I give him that look like “really OK” and said we will put some itch medicine on them when we get home.

After church he went in his room fell asleep and a few hours later I went in to check on him and he was fevered. I did not think much about his “bug bites” woke him up gave him some ibporphen and he just kinda chilled out for the night.

The next morning he woke up and said I can’t sleep in my bed tonight you have to spray my room for spiders…I have 20 more bug bites. I said let me see those bug bites. Sure enough he had chicken pox.

Well what I thought were chicken pox but could imagine how he had them AGAIN. My kids all had the vaccinations PLUS everyone of them have had chicken pox before. I called the health department so he could get excused from school and she wanted to know how old he was the other time he had chicken pox…ummm really?? I had no clue…then I started to wonder did he?? Then Carson reminded me of when he did and showed me the scars to prove it. Glad I have not totally lost it!

So he missed another 4 days of school and had a total of 96 poxs but thank goodness only one on his sweet handsome face.

Check…another day survived…another story lived.

Homecoming 09

2009-09-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

This was Kimberly's first date. She was asked by a boy in our ward and he left a box of lucky charm cereal with a cute poem and a charm inside the box. She answered back with a poem saying the answer was written in the stars above and then with glow in the dark stars wrote yes on his bedroom ceiling.

We borrowed the dress from a friend and it fit perfect! I was so pleased because I don't want to start buying dresses until Jr. Prom or Senior dances.

They had a full day of fun. Starting at the alpine slide and then dinner at Toucano's. I spent the morning giving her a pidi/mani and primping then Lexy helped with hair that evening since I was gone. He was a perfect date. (which comforted mom)

She is just so beautiful!

Sept Dierks Concert

2009-09-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

Anjie bought these tickets in June. They were fan club seats and that means you have no idea where your seat is until the concert. Last time they were not so great...this year they were amazing! We were 9 rows back from the stage and right next to the center walk out stage.

The other problem is that when we made the plans in June I had no idea it would be the night of the Homecoming dance. So when Kim was asked I kept thinking I can’t go...I can’t miss Kim’s first date. But Lexy offered to come over and help Kim and Kim felt good about all that so we went. I was glad I did...it was so fun! The seats were awesome, Anjie got a meet and greet Dierks signed our photo and Brad Paisley was amazing! He is one heck of a guitar player. The opening act was Jimmy Wayne. Brad he preformed for so long I would have loved to have seen more Dierks but the concert was worth every penny.

I even beat Kim home and got to hear all about the date.

Carson's Knee

2009-09-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

I was in SLC today taking my grandpa to the hospital for tests and I drove him so I had my cell phone in the back seat in my purse. When I got home I had missed six calls that they were taking Carson to the ER.

He had been at football practice and they were doing tackle drills when a collision dislocated his knee. I rushed to the hospital and they had only been there a few minutes. John and his coach were with him. They were just starting an IV so they could give him morphine. Carson is so so tuff he handles pain like no other person I have ever seen (and this summer after it only has been a few months since his last ER visit when he broke his arm) he doesn't cry he did shed some tears when they needed to move him again and took xrays but he was so tuff. He was gave a blessing and had a great story about how the spirit was there and helped him with his pain.

Then the anithsiologist came and put him asleep so they could put the knee back in place. It was so easy once his muscles were relaxed. The first night was hard and I had to carry him to the car to get him to rehab the next morning but after just one day he is slowly walking and doing his excersies of course he also went back to practice to support his team. It will take a few more weeks before he can play again...I think he should just stay out for the rest of the season (he is only 12 and it is just 7th grade football) but the coach and his dad are giving me this gotta be a man stuff...we will just take it slow and see. I have never seen any of my kids go through that much pain before and hope to never see it again. I am just thankful that we know his coach and know that his coach cared so much. that our firend works in the hospital and was also there to help John in giving the blassing, that he hospital staff worked so fast and so well in giving him comfort and that our neighbor who has a son Carsons age is the pysical theripst who is taking care of him. It was hard for him to trust moving and using his knee again after so puch pain jsut last night but Dan worked so well with him. Another day of chaos survied!

{today is her sweet sixteen}

2009-09-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

It is weird having it fall on a holiday because some of her Friends are out of town and some are doing things with family. We debated for the past month when to have her party and decided that tonight would be just as good as any night even though it is a school night we planned to have it end by 10 and even though it is FHE we hope by starting it at 7:30 it would work out. We did not send invitations...you do not do that at this age! You send out a text and then say forward to others. That is how she wanted to do it...is that weird? Should this has been one of those moments where a a mother I say to bad and send out invites?

The day started with me taking her and three friends shopping at the mall. Kim received money from her grandparents and wanted to get some shopping done. After a few stores it was clear I was a third wheel so I went wandering through stores. Then I met up with the girls when they were in the bridal store trying on formals. (Homecoming is just a few weeks away and now Kim is old enough to date....she is hoping to get asked soon.) They had a blast and I was having fun watching them all try on dresses that were all way to expensive. I couldn't help of thinking once again she has grown to fast! This is my only girl, I want her little begging me to play barbies and make cookies. I wish I would have treasured that time more. Then I see her in a stunning formal and can't believe how pretty she is! All the teen girl fun wore me out but we finished shopping bought the food for the party!!

We had the party at Grandma and grandpa Kohlers house they have a big nice backyard patio, new lawn, fire pit and lots of room. Kim had her playlist ready and there was enough cake for a 100. There were about 30 people who came and they all had fun. Some played football, some soccer, some hung out by the fire some played ping pong and everyone just hung out and enjoyed the party. I was relieved to finally have it here and going but now wonder if we should have picked a different night I feel bad that some of her closest friends couldn't come because they were with family or because of school night but when all was said and done she was a happy birthday girl and that is all that mattered!

Family Party for Kim

2009-09-06T10:31:00.000-07:00

My mom came to visit and we had my side of the family over for a family party. My dad and my grandpa also came. Since we had all the grandkids there we took photos of the kids with all there grandparents. It was a great afternoon. We all watched old home videos of Kim when was little, looked through the scrapbooks and over and over again we all said I can't believe she is 16! Tomorrow is the big day...sixteen I can't believe it is really here. I am so lucky to have such a sweet girl and know that I have heard those horrible stories of teens but we are so blessed with such a sweet girl. We ar so thankful for our family. These photos are such a treasure!

Brayden, Kim, Zak, Carson, Blake, Sydney, Gavin and Ben With Grandpa Keith. My Dad just took off his cowboy hat...I should have fixed his hair, oh well.

With Grandma Suzanne

With their Great Grandpa Ray

Swiss Chorus Program 2009

2009-09-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

The Swiss Soggy Bottom Boys :)
“Music from around the World” is the title of this years program. John’s mother Arla Kohler is once again the director of the choir. She has the whole family involved. I am not the best singer (but after watching this years performance I felt I should have sang with the choir...if Arla ever directs it again I will) This is one of the hardest working groups of swiss days. They practice weekly starting in the spring. John would go and I had not been to any of the practice’s so this whole show was a complete surprise to me. I was blown away!! When John’s group (John, Richard Boulter, and Martin Chaterly) got up to preform me and the kids sat there in total shock. We had tears in our eyes and were laughing at the surprise of seeing John stealing the number dancing all over the stage. This video is far away but John is the one on your left. You can tell our family has watched O Brother Where are Thou many many times.

John’s sister Janelle Kinikini (she married Ben, into a Tongan family) she had all of Ben’s Family also perform “Maori Poi” “Maulu ulu” and “mako” Every time I saw there family preform all the sisters on the stage, the power of their voices...the drums I began to cry. I am so proud of them and what a powerful way to share their heritage and culture. I loved it!!

The cousins that all in the circle of life.

They preformed Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Ben was also in the performance as a animal in “The Circle of Life” performance and Blake worked with the stage crew learning sound and operating the spotlight. I did help by be a goffer girl and I designed the programs. The rest of swiss days of course was a busy weekend. I worked Friday morning in the scone booth with our ward for 6 hours and our boys were there non stop all weekend. We were wore right out...but no stoppin now...Tomorrow is Kim’s 16 birthday!
John and Richard
My Nieces

This video is far away but John is the one on your left. You can tell our family has watched O Brother Where are Thou many many times.

object width="425" height="344">

First Day of School 09

2009-09-01T15:44:00.000-07:00

I now have a child in Highschool, two in Middle School and this will be Ben's last year at Midway Elementary.

Kimberly (soon to be 16) is now in the 10th Grade. Starting in our big brand new Highschool!

Blake 13 3/4 yrs. is now in the 8th grade...this is freaking me out that next year he will also be in High School.

Carson is 12 and in the 7th grade. He is so cool!

Ben is in the 4th grade and looking forward to a great year!

I am once again home alone. I miss them all so much but I am so proud of them for looking forward to school and setting goals to improve their studies.

Right Now

2009-08-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

It is Monday at 4:50 PM

Out of my window: Kids are squirting each other with the hose running and screaming.
I am wearing: capris, tshirt and flip flops.
I am hearing: The lawn mower
I am thinking: I need to make dinner but it is hot and I don't want to cook. Only one week until school starts...I need to find a job!
I am thankful for: Our home, a husband that works so hard to support us, great kids who do their chores, my family and my friends.
I am creating: Scrapbook pages about me and cards to send people in my ward who do so much!
I am going: to paint my living room and hall way...still not finished from fall.
I am hoping: This economy will pick up and I can find a good job close to home.
I am reading: my to do list...
Around the house: Noise there are 8 boys running in and out, Some having a air soft war, three wanting to make lemoade to sell and Ben is mowing the lawn.
One of my favorite things: Ice cold drinks, I have been making strawberry lemonade. My scrapbook room and the DVR I love getting in bed at night and watching one of my favorite shows with no comercials.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Get my resume out, send out notes, get school shopping done, enjoy the last few days of summer with the kids before they go back to school. Lots of swimming, hiking and maybe a camping trip!

Take this same challenge and share you answers with me! It will be so fun to read about your life!
Have a great, relaxing week (if that's possible!!)
Sunny

My sad story

2009-08-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have been mixed. On one hand I am so happy to be home with my kids. I needed this time with them so much. I hated every minute I was away from them and now I can be here for the last few weeks of summer break.

The other side is the reality that this economy sucks! Our savings is dwindling, John’s hours are short, there are so many needs right now and there is financial stress every where.

I have kept myself up nights all worked up about how I still should have a job...they should have made different choices, handled the budget better. They should have cut people off salary pay and all of us should have been paid wage. I somehow feel lost without purpose. I worked so hard at my job. I fell into of a trap of being a super achiever I could run everything in the office, I could do everything for anyone and now I am home and feel so useless. WHICH is so stupid. I am a mother of four who has plenty to do here for my family! Gotta shake myself out of this funk....

Today I lost my job.

2009-07-31T23:14:00.000-07:00

The last day of the month.
No severance...I still have 4 days vacation pay unsued.
What has been going on the past few weeks all makes perfect sense.
John is just barely getting enough hours.
We are already living paycheck to paycheck and now we just lost one.
I missed a vacation to Lake Powell my family went without me so I could be home working....now to three weeks later be let go!!
I feel like such a fool.
I am so sad.
Our director says that as soon as the moeny comes in from the state I will be the first hired back that it won't be long only a few weeks. But I need full time work now...I wish I could just stay home an chill but we need this paycheck to make it.

Taking it day by day.

Boating fun!

2009-07-20T18:56:00.000-07:00

Our neighbors bought this boat from Johns parents years ago…You following me. They used it then it had some motor issues and sat in their yard for years. Three years ago they made a deal with John that if he could get it running he could use it. Well the time it needed and the parts were a whole other story. Every summer since he would spend 20-30 hours working on it…think it would be ready to go then we would get out on the lake and it wouldn’t make it.
This year Johns friend from Bountiful came by saw the boat and made a deal with John to get it running. Troy is a very good mechanic and after 3 full weekends they are so proud to have that boat on the water. The interior is not so hot (lots of weather damage) but it is great to see him so proud of getting this boat running like a champ.
We are so lucky to live next to two beautiful mountain reservoirs! We have had that boat out about 3-4 times each week (even after them coming home from Powell) I get off work run in change my clothes…the rest of the family has everything else ready we load a cooler with sandwiches then spend a few hours trying go get everyone up on water skis. By dusk we have a fishing pole in and we sit relaxing eating our sandwiches on the boat. It has been heaven, such a fun way to spend a nice hot summer evening!

Just an Update

2009-07-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

This week has just been a average busy summer week.

The boys spent two full day working from 6am-3pm in the mountains with grandpa getting loads of fire wood. It is a lot of work for them but something they enjoy. My dad also takes his guns and they spend they their breaks target shooting which the boys LOVE. I am glad my dad spends this time with them…Ben came home and told me “he heard grandpas life story and asked me if I had ever heard his life story?” I was thinking wow they really had a good afternoon and that is so cool my dad would tell the kids about his life. Then I asked Ben what grandpa told him? “That he works all day while everyone else spends their time playing” I laughed, yes that sounds just like Grandpa Keith.

Kim is home from Lake Powell she is now training for soccer, hard core because tryouts are in two weeks. She is also planning for school shopping and her wardrobe for High School (she is starting 10th grade). Which gets me excited for school shopping. This is one thing we do very well together, it is so hard for me having her as my only daughter…she looks cute in so many outfits that I could shop all day for her. BUT since we are on a budget we will just keep planning and making a wish list.

I have been spending my free time trying to get items organized in my scrapbook room, photos on the computer organized and backed up and even completed several layouts!! WOWOEEE I actully remeber how to scrapbook~

I keep in touch with my mother everyday by phone. Even though some nights I can’t reach her until 10pm because she has been out riding and bringing in cattle. She loves the ranch life so much and it has kept her busy, which is good at this time. She is just taking it day by day. I miss her so much and wish I could just run over to her house like before. The boys are going on a scout camp this weekend so Kim and I are looking forward to going to spend a night with Grandma.

The weather has been so perfect! Summer is finally here and I am looking forward to enjoying every minute of it I can with my family.

Taking a Tour

2009-07-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

John is the Deacon’s/Scout assistant and now Carson, Blake and Kim are all involved in mutual activities (youth church activities every Wednesday evening) It feels like Ben and I are always getting left out, but we do enjoy our time together. Tonight the ward went to the Temple open house. I wanted to go so bad…I miss all the young woman since camp and would have loved to have seen the Temple but now Ben and I will just have to plan our trip to see it. They all loved the visit and the beauty of the Lord’s house. We are blessed~

More Savings!

2009-07-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

I have been clipping my coupons and this week at Smiths I saved over $97! That rocks! I did not even have to leave Heber this week to save that much. I am using the Penny Pinchers site. It is so cool that you can look up the store you shop at, then see what is on sale for the week, make your shopping list and link to the online coupons. We had over two carts again and only spent a total of $230.00 I got enough to last us (family of SIX) all month. I did spend more time planning my meals and making sure that I had everything needed for my meal plan but it is well worth it! It is their take $5 of when you buy 10 items. I’m going to try more crock pot recipes this week so I don’t have to come home and slave over a hot stove.

One of the best tips I learned this week is that when you use your Smiths card you can go online and download the coupons to your fresh values card, this program is just starting so there really aren’t too many great deals BUT then if you also have clipped coupons you can save double or triple. Even if you don’t live in Utah you can still use www.shortcuts.com
This gets addicting I want to get more coupons and go back and stock up on other items…most important my family really needs these savings. Some of these items I got for FREE and the 10 boxes of cereal I bought were only .88 each! It is worth the extra time and planning! It also makes my kids very happy when the cupboards are full of the foods they like. I love it when they say there is no food in the house…just no food that they can make quick or like to snack on, just the food that has to be prepared by mom. I hope you’ll trying it~

Stop and Smell the Flowers

2009-07-10T18:48:00.000-07:00

I was out weeding my flower bed this evening and spent a few minutes enjoying the cool breeze, the sound of kids & dogs playing together when I noticed this bee chilling in the flowers. I love summer!

So lost....

2009-07-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

I have been lost this week so far with my family gone. I am use to the chaos and noise of the kids. I thought I would come home everyday day and scrapbook or go do fun stuff with friends. But I really needed this time to just catch up on home, rest, payments, laundry and life after the week at girls camp.

I’m so so board!

Back in day it was all about MJ

2009-07-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

I have to record my memories of Michael Jackson. He was the first artist I can remember that I wanted to listen too, that I saved all my money at 8 to buy his cassette. We moved from Midway to Heber after my parents’ divorce. I went over to my new neighbor Sarah Scofield’s house and when we were in her room she asked me if I had heard of Michael Jackson and I said who and she about died because he was so cool and everyone new who Michael Jackson was, she called her younger brother in the room and said she has no idea who Michael Jackson is and he was even shocked. I was 8 years old and in the third grade.

(I had a crush on him and loved this one because of the belt buckle)
He was my favorite and these are two posters that I had in my room clear until I was 16 (then I became too much of a cowgirl and replaced his poster with George Strait and he became to freaky looking) I can still remember watching TV with my sister in the basement and watching the music award show where he did the moon walk and how cool it was. The next day at recess everyone was talking about it and trying to do it.

I am a fan of his talent and his music but not of his lifestyle or how he treated his body and left very sorry for him. Still think Billy Jean, man in the mirror and Thriller are a complete of my all time favorite songs.

Thinking back to the what I loved...

2009-07-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

As I have had this extra time in my little scrapbook room. To create, organize and go through my photos it takes me back to my scrapbooking friends. The ones I worked with as consultants in Scrap in a Snap & Leaving Prints and also my customers.

I think back to when the scrapbooking hobby consumed my life with such passion. Back when it was new and exciting. When I created mini albums, page kits, planned crops/classes and time with girlfriends. A time when we traveled to scrapbook expos filled our days with learning new techniques. There were lots of pages, journaling, stickers, tags, rub-ons, and creative juices.

I miss those days and I miss the days of learning with my friends.

My little PUNK

2009-07-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

Maybe it was that I was a little wore out from trying to control everything the past month. I gave in….

It was Saturday July 4th and all the hair barber shops were closed. The family was packing for powell and the boys needed hair cuts before leaving to be hot and wet for a week.

So John got out the clippers and started giving the boys buzzes. I had the idea and of course Ben LOVED it! The deal is that as soon as he is home from the lake he has to get a complete buzz.

Crazy thing it totally fits his personality. Missing my little skater punk!

Journals for Girls Camp

2009-07-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

The young women leaders each chose a night of camp where we could give the girls a secret sister gift.

I had the idea of making each girl a personal journal in May. I made this journal with Kim for her to take to EFY and it was just so fun and bright. She loved it and took it everywhere with her.

(The alien is from the October Afternoon product line. I just love their stuff!!)

It had been so long since I had made anything creative and making this journal really got me excited. I love all the young woman in our ward so much! I spent 4 years as a activity days leader and all but two of these girls I worked with. So I know their personalities and likes.

So I got started loving every minute of it! (I am so thankful for the great imaginisce scrapbook paper pad that Marci gave me because the designs and colors were perfect for what I was doing.) Then life came apart several days later…with the funeral and everything else I would come into my room and just sit with no ideas no desire to make anything. It was a big bummer and hanging over me for weeks that I needed to come up with a gift.

So I prayed about it…asking for direction and an idea of what to give them in place of the journals. I kept waiting and several days later I went out and had ideas pouring out! I was able to make each journal in under 20 mins... all 24 complete!

It felt like Christmas morning giving the girls their books! They loved them and I loved seeing them take them everywhere and writing in them.

There was a special fireside at camp where the girls were encouraged to make sure everynight before they went to bed to make sure they had their PJ’S P=Prayer S=Scripture & J=Journal.

I am very thankful for my talents and that I could express my love for these girls like this! The Lord does hear and answers our prayers.

Unpacking from Camp then Packing for the Lake

2009-07-03T16:14:00.000-07:00

I got home today from girls camp…it was hard coming off the mountain and leaving that spirit and peace that we have had all week. With every mile you could feel the charge of coming back to earth and the real world. I was so excited to get home and see the boys!!

When we got home none of the boys were there! I forgot they went to get a load of fire wood with Grandpa Keith. So Kim and I got all unpacked and then spent most of the afternoon napping. We had a nice dinner with the family and then had a family vote that everyone was going to go to Lake Powell with Johns family on the house boat…everyone but me. I needed to take one for the team.

All of the other cousins are going it will be one full house boat and the kids will have a blast with their cousins!

My family has supported me so much in the past few weeks and it has been hard for them to be home alone without mom. I knew they deserved a getaway. I do have several vacation days left BUT have also been gone for a full week and I knew that would be too much to ask for especially after a week off for the funeral. I hope Carson will have fun watching everyone swim and I’m worried if they can really take care of his cast??

The next few days I am home alone…well other than the three dogs, two cats and fish…who would have taken care of all these beast anyways?