Nothing But Good Today

Today was a wonderful day. I got to attend my cute niece's baptism and tonight, thinking about the day, my heart is full! My heart burned for 3 hours while I drove to where they live and thought about the talk I was going to give (I got to give the Holy Ghost talk). My niece is just a plain nice girl who has a magical way of touching people by her kindness. She seems to have a natural way of being a great missionary. I appreciate her good heart and her great example.
I enjoyed helping with the food and cleaning up after. I enjoyed visiting with my family and with other people at the baptism. And it was great to meet my kids there and bring them home. They had spent a couple days with their grandparents. They had a great time. We had a great time at home having a bit of a break, and the grandparents seemed to enjoy spending time with them too. I'm reminded of how great the gospel is, what a wonderful family I have, and how richly blessed I am. Life is good.

The 100th Day of School

Today was the 100th Day of School (a little disturbing...that means 100 days have gone by and I still haven't followed up on my plan to go to the gym every day once my kids were both in school!)

They were supposed to bring a collection of 100 somethings. Peirce first gathered up some magnets...which was really cool. He also wanted to do a sheet with 10 circles that had 10 beads in each circle. We decided to add a few things....and next thing you new we had this hugely packed paper. He was especially proud of the fact that that sure wasn't a waste of paper!


They were supposed to dress up as a 100 year old person....so Peirce borrowed Jill's beard from her Halloween costume.

Peirce was supposed to bring cheese and crackers....so we cut the cheese into 1's and 0's so everyone could have a hundred!

100th day of school games!

Clean Carpets

Today I finally broke out the carpet cleaner that I got for Christmas. I think I'm in love!! It was easy (well, once it was put together it was easy) and it did a great job! I did the bedrooms today. Tomorrow I think I'll do the main floor.

Take that Chico!! No more dog spots!!!

Sunday Seven

This has been one heck of a busy week. I've been absorbed in my work and I'm finally catching on to how to use the new system. I have had things I've meant to blog about this week - but time has got away from me, so today will have to do!

My list of Sunday Seven for today is:

1. I'm grateful for good books. This week I read The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. Every February in our book club we read a romance and then at book club night we have chocolate fondue. We meet this week and I finished the book today. As far as romances go, it's a great one! The end brought me to tears. Loved it! Nicholas Sparks hasn't disappointed me yet.


2. I'm glad we're not going to Atlanta. We were planning to go in June for the PFS company convention - but it has now been cancelled. The parent company, Citigroup, has received bail out funding from the US government and as a result cancelled the convention. I thought it was an interesting thing to do since everyone pays their own way to the convention. However, I think the optics aren't good. Most news reporters can't seem to understand how the business works and that PFS doesn't get money from Citigroup either - so they were probably smart with that. Instead Mark and Sandy and Dennis and Shaun are planning a trip to Mexico. You have to qualify to be invited on the trip - so we're working on that! I think their trip will be something I'd enjoy and get much more out of than the company convention anyway. I've often enjoyed the company convention, but don't mind giving it up either. This year it was in June so we were having to figure out who to stay with our kids or where to send them - and I'm just glad we don't have to figure that out now.


3. Choir - Gee, I seem to bring this up every week. But you know, I am enjoying it! I'm definitely feeling my personal talents enlarged. Just the simple fact that I'm enjoying it is a blessing because I've never really been a fan of ward choir. Today we performed Dearest Children God Is Near You. I made Peirce sing with us. We had a group of children sing parts of the song. He won't admit it now - but he did enjoy it. After we sang he was sitting by me and humming the song and he said, "I liked that one Mom!" However, on the way home he went back to his regular grumbling about choir. He'd hate to admit he likes it.





4. An indepent daughter!
Today during Sacrament meeting it suddenly dawned on me that Jill was supposed to give a talk today. I pointed it out to her on the ward bulletin....and asked her if she wanted to write it or if I should write the talk. She wanted to write it and set to work. She did a good job too! Then later, I forgot to go listen to her talk. Smack some bad mother points on me. I sure was a dum dum with her talk today! Apparently it went well though. (sigh) Next week it's Peirce's turn so I guess I'll try harder to get it together this week.

5. Romance! On Friday our stake put on the annual Sweet Heart's Ball. For years we didn't attend - but I think this is the 3rd year we've gone. They have a big band that plays and I really enjoy watching the girls in the band sing. Oh how I want to be one of them! :0) We enjoyed visiting with friends on Friday....but didn't quite get in enough dancing, I'd say. Guess we'll have to do a little dancing in the kitchen to make up for it. :0)

6. Good friends for my kids. This is Teacher's Convention weekend so Thursday and Friday ther was no school and again Friday there is no school. On Thursday Jill played all day with her friend, Rae, and Peirce had a friend named Hazel over. I'm glad my kids have such nice kids as their friends.

7. Free tickets!! This week I won tickets from a radio station to go see Annie!! Jill and I are going on Tuesday. I can't wait!!

I Won!

I've taken to trying to win radio contests....and this week it worked!! I got two tickets to Annie! I'm so excited! Jill and I are going to go to it on Tuesday. I wanted to buy tickets to it but since we went to Stomp last month I didn't think I should be buying expensive tickest again this month. Alas! No worries! We're going for free. YEA!!

Sunday Seven

Seven Things I'm Grateful For Today:
1. A healthy body. I have been inspired by people around the pool lately and their good health. I'm grateful for the health I enjoy and I need to continue to make exercise a priority in my life. I'm grateful I have a healthy body that responds to eating well and exercising! For the month of January I did 20 minutes on the Nordic Track every day. I have been thinking a lot that I need to add Yoga to my routine - so this is the month!

2. Amazing Church Leaders - A new Bishop was recently called for our ward. I think he and his wife are just terrific and I'm excited for our ward to have him as our Bishop. I also am really grateful to be in a stake an amazing Stake Presidency. Today was our Stake Conference and I appreciated the wisdom, the humor, and the challenges they gave us.

3. Missionary work - I was also inspired by the talks given by other people. One woman who is a new member of the church spoke of her conversion. She had a friend who loved her into the gospel. It was a long process - perhaps 4 or more years if I remember right. From what she said it sounds like her friend was someone I know well and it was sure wonderful to hear her story! I want to be a friend like that. I really have a desire to share the joy the gospel brings into my life.

4. Music - Jill seems to be catching on to the great experience music can be. She sang in the stake primary choir today and seemed. The two of us are going to sing in the stake contata that is coming up - and I'm very excited to be able to do that together.

5. My new job - I got my list of shops Friday and I'm thick into scheduling now. The new company's website is a little more confusing that I thought it might be - but I think it'll all come together. I am so grateful for this new job!

6. Propane! Allen's car runs on propane - and I'm so glad. Our last car was stolen and we felt like it was probably the worst thing that could happen to us. We really didn't feel like it was the best time to be buying a new car - but we sure did end up in a sweet situation! The propane tank has saved us tons of money. During the colder months we've had he found the car didn't run as well on propane so he had to use regular gas - but now things are warming up and we're back to propane. YEA!

7. Going to bed early on Sundays....I really need a good 10 hours tonight I think. Goodnight!!

Hurry! Valentine's Day Is Coming!

The Valentines are finished! Phew!!

I would like to be more like Peirce. He never waits until the last minute to do anything. He seems to approach life like he approaches each day. As soon as his eyes are open he's up and going. He wakes up and runs! I once asked him what he thinks when he wakes up and he said, "I think, OH! I need to hurry up and get dressed!" I believe him. He gets ready for the day as quick as he can so that he can have a little time to watch TV or play a video game before school. He and I put together a chart for his room that is his morning routine. He actually has quite a long list of things he's supposed to do in the morning - and he rarely leaves anything incomplete. He gets up, makes his bed, puts away PJs, gets dressed, tidies up his room, feeds the dog, has breakfast, washes his face and brushes his teeth and his hair, and then reads a French book for the home reading program and scriptures and then familiy prayer. We've told him he has to wait for us to do the reading and scriptures and prayer...but if he could do it on his own he would! Often, on Sunday morning I get up and find him all dressed and watching TV. Many a Sunday morning I've made him take his Sunday clothes off again, have a bath so we can wash his hair, and then get dressed again. I'm sure in time he'll get that figured out and just take care of it himself as well.

Valentine's Day apparently is in that same category. He's been panicking for about a week over what we were going to do for Valentine's Day cards. I found some cute cards on Tip Junkie and so we decided to make those. He has hounded me every day about getting the suckers - so we finally got them on Saturday. We did about half the work on the cards yesterday and finished them today. After all, they have to hand them out on Wednesday!! We needed to get busy!

I should be more like that.

Crazy (Hat) Day

Today was the Crazy Hat Meet. Unfortunately Jill is suffering from the effects of a cold and didn't have much fun. A double unfortunately came when Peirce's friend's sister didn't come to the meet, which means Peirce's friend wasn't there - and so Peirce was b-o-r-e-d. All in all it was a long painful day for all of us as a result...although Peirce did eventually learn to control his complaining (upon threat of a slow and painful death).

I suppose there was something gained from the time spent in that overcrowded, overheated small space!

....not that I'm bitter or anything...

This is Peirce with his dinosaur that he played with all day today. I hate that dinosaur. He kept trying to bite me. Grrrrr!

By the end of the day Jill was more worn out than I've ever seen. I had planned to go to the adult session of Stake Conference, but it was clear that her level of patience for her little brother was so low that leaving them home was not a good idea. Since the meet ended just minutes before Conference started there wasn't time to get a sitter.

Oh well! All these things shall give thee experience, right?!

I would have not had Jill swim but she was pretty sure she should do it. She isn't willing to wimp out of practises or competing and figures if she does that (just like Michael Phelps) she'll one day get even more medals than him.

Let's hope! Today she beat her time on two of her races. I think she beat her time on her 200 IM too but she got DQ'd. I thought she did quite well considering how rotten she felt!

...after her 200 IM....she did well, just made one little mistake. Oops!

Chico's Thoughts

Do you have a dog? I do.

I'm so glad the weather is warmer these days. I'm sure Chico is too.

Back To Reality

This morning Peirce asked for cereal. I didn't say anything and didn't jump to it right away. He said, "Mom! Your birthday is over. We're not your slaves anymore!"
I'm going to have to get a new slave. If he thinks he was my slave yesterday I have news for him! He isn't that great a slave! :0) LOL

Full to Overflowing!

Today my heart is overflowing.

I've always enjoyed my birthdays....my family always makes a point to call - everyone of them...and I always appreciate that. I got a number of calls today and I loved it! I even got the traditional call from the infamous Dale Shoults who informed me I am 15,341 days old. I think I prefer to say I'm 42. :0)

Today I was absolutely overwhelmed on Facebook with birthday wishes too! It got me thinking about how technology has blessed my life. It's kind of weird to get mushy about Facebook - but it really has been a blessing to me to be able to get back in touch with people from Kelowna, from my mission, from my years as a University student, as well as extended family that I wouldn't keep in touch with if it weren't for Facebook. It also gives me a new perspective with the people that I see each day. Our lives are just a little more connected - and I really appreciate that.

I also spent a bunch of time today on the phone getting trained on the new system I'll be using with my new job. I feel so blessed to have a job where I can enjoy bending my brain around some new things. I enjoy the challenge in my work- while still being able to spend time at home. I love the sense of teamwork that I am going to be a part of. And I love that they seem to respect and care about me. The company even sent me a happy birthday email today!

It's interesting how time changes perspectives. Fifteen months ago everything just felt so wrong and I wondered why I had to endure the heartache - and today I have an overwhelming feeling that everything is just the way it is supposed to be. While there was much heartache with losing Destiny, I can now see the growth that has come because of the experience. I have a new and deeper appreciation for family, temples, and the sweet whisperings of the spirit that wouldn't not be quite the same if it hadn't been for having to go through that painful experience.

Life is good. I feel richly blessed. It's really something to feel so loved.

American Idol Danny!

Allen's cousin, Danny, tried out for American Idol. Here's the picture to prove it.

No news of a golden ticket....so maybe that was his last appearance. Rats!

FHE: Happy Birthday To Me!

Usually I plan everything for FHE. If I don't get it planned I'll say to Allen at 4:00 or so, "Could you be in charge of FHE?" and he'll ask what he should do and we usually come up with a story from the scriptures he can tell. So, today when he said, "You don't get to plan anything for FHE today." I had to wonder what was going on. Turned out they wanted to celebrate my birthday! Allen is going to be out of town on the day of my birthday so he decided today was the day to celebrate (I was quite impressed with his planning on that!)


So, I made dinner and after dinner we had presents and cheesecake! They got me a couple new shirts and a facial! I think I just might schedule that facial for the actually day of my birthday. The cheesecake was deeeelicious! It was a rolo cheesecake. Truthfully, I don't think there's a bad kind of cheesecake. They're all delicious.

( hmmmm....I'm 42 (thus the four and two single candles....no, I'm not 411!)..and we're celebrating on the second day of the second month....maybe my lucky number this year is going to be two!)



After we went bowling. I was the clear champion....smoked everyone! They said they let me win because it's my birthday...but don't believe them. I defeated them on pure inner strength and skill (oh, and it's a good thing we still have young enough kids that we can justify using the bumper pads) :0).....maybe there was a lot of luck thrown in there too. LOL

Thanks for the fun birthday party my little family. I sure do love you! :)

Sunday Seven

I saw this on Alysha's blog and thought it was a great idea. Hope you don't mind if I borrow it Alysha! The idea is that every Sunday you blog about 7 things you're grateful for.


So here goes....


1. I'm grateful for great mentors and friends like Mark and Sandy. They are inspiring and amazing and fun. We got to see them this weekend and I always marvel at how they're able to inspire and and teach and remain so real. They have made a huge impact on mine and Allen's lives.

2. I'm grateful to be part of a great ward. I seem to have that on my mind a lot today. I have so many good friends in my ward and am so blessed by those people. I've realized how important it is to be involved and develop relationships. It's fun - and it provide a great foundation to so many things. I've thought a lot about how those relationships have been a blessing when trials come along. Our lives are deeply interwoven. Because of that we're aware of one another and can help one another. I feel a responsibility to invite others into our circle of friendship so that their lives can be similarly blessed.

3. I'm grateful I have been taught to be willing to try things even if they're hard. I took on the assignment to lead the choir for our ward and it sure isn't something I would have volunteered for. I didn't think I could do it - but I've put a lot of effort into learning how to do it and even though there are tons of people that are much better at doing something like this I'm grateful that it seems to be working and that my talents are growing.

4. I'm grateful for my new job at GfK! I've been humming and hawing for about six months about making some sort of change. I felt like I needed to make a change and have finally done it. I start tomorrow! I thought when my kids were in school I'd go back to teaching. However, it doesn't seem to be in the cards for me right now. Not because there aren't jobs out there I could apply for...but my heart just isn't in it. I want to continue to work from home. I'll be doing the same thing I was doing before, only with a different company. Looking forward to it! And mostly I'm grateful to be able to still work from home.

5. I'm grateful for Freecycle! This weekend we got a 52" TV and an amazing stairmaster machine from someone that was moving and couldn't take it all with them....and just like the rules say, it was all free!

6. I'm grateful my family all enjoys good health. I've been praying for friends, Melanie and Scott Palmer as he goes through a heart transplant. I am amazed at Melanie's strength through all this...and thankful for modern science that makes miracles possible. Still praying for a miracle.

7. I'm grateful for my good kids. I'm amazed every day how independent they. I am proud of the people they're becoming. I've said it before, and I still think that they're two of the most interesting people I know. I'm grateful to be able to be their mom and I love being a parent to them together with Allen. We love being their parents!





....charming, aren't they?! :0)