Snowed in for Thanksgiving

 We were planning on going to visit family and friends in Montana for the holiday, but due to bad roads, we decided it would not be wise.  We pulled a turkey out of the freezer and did some quick cooking and came up with a fairly decent feast.

While we were snowed in, we made a snowman (snow-thing?), watched movies, strung a popcorn garland for the Christmas tree, went sledding, and made turkey-cookies.  We had fun naming our cookies... road kill turkey, drumstick turkey, angry chinese turkey, etc...


We also got out the Christmas decorations and hung up the outdoor lights.  We only have one tree big enough to put lights on, and it looks like a lone, Charlie Brown tree.  Instead of going into the woods to cut a Christmas tree, we went to Broulims and spent $35 and bought one.  I was so happy to not have to go out on the nasty roads!!!!!  So, our tree is up and decorated, the stockings are hung, and we are ready to have more celebrating!

It's my birthday!

My birthdays aren't much different from any other day. I don't usually like to make a big deal of it, but at the same time, it's nice to be remembered.  I've enjoyed all the e-mail and facebook comments today!  Mostly, what I wanted for my big day, was to have a quiet day at home.  I had to run out a few times, but it's been so nice to putter around the house!  I have a sinus infection and it's great to be kind of lazy today.  Tonight Tony and I are ditching the kids and going to IF for dinner and some shopping.  Wooo-hoooo!!!!  Then back home for pie with the kids.  (cake isn't really my favorite).  Maybe next year, for my 40th, I'll whoop it up a bit more.  Anyway, it's good to get a little older... it sure beats the alternative!

It's my birthday!

Crash and Grass

OK... I might sound like a redneck, but....   I really like to go to demolition derby's!  The crowd is usually a little "rough" for my taste, but there's something about watching cars smash into each other that is really exciting!!!!  I'm a very cautious and careful driver (most of the time)... maybe that's why I like the thrill of the the chase and the big crash!  Anyway... last night Tony and I watched the Batmobile  take out a bunch of other cars, and we had a great time.

On a more peaceful and domestic note... I'm proud to announce that we finally have grass!!!  It's not much, and you can barely see it, if you look really close, but it's finally there!!  After a summer of pulling, spraying, mowing, and cursing weeds, we have a small area under control.  We didn't plant all our land because we don't have a sprinkler system in yet.  We have a small area in the front of the house that we can handle watering with a sprinkler and hose, and we got it planted a couple weeks ago!  Grow, baby grow!!!  I can't wait to get out the lawn mower!!!!!

Brains and Hearts

J and I met with the neurologist this morning to discuss the results of the tests to find what caused his seizures/convulsions.  The MRI and CT scan looked really good.  He had 2 EEG's done, neither of which showed any seizure activity.  So, the good news is that it looks like his brain is not the problem.  One EEG showed an irregular heart beat, and the neurologist thinks we should look into it.  More than likely, it isn't anything to be concerned about, but there is a possibility his heart could be causing the problems.  So.... it looks like more testing and doctor bills for us!  I meet with J's regular doctor tomorrow to discuss what to do next.  I am really thankful that he (and my other kids) are relatively healthy and we don't have to deal with this kind of stuff a whole lot!

Summer Stuff

This is my garden, as seen from the upstairs window.  It froze pretty hard last night and isn't looking too good.  It was a good year for beans and zucchini, but not so great for corn and tomatoes.  My kids like to make fun of my circular design and call it "Mom's crop circle".  Ha-ha. We had a ton of weeds, since our land has been a vacant field for many years.  I'm hoping that next year I will spend a lot fewer hours pulling weeds.

Tony has cooked up hundreds of hot dogs this summer.  We are on the BYU-I Alumni Council, and often help with alumni and college events.  This was at an Idaho Falls Chukars baseball game.  We also cooked and served at Lagoon on the 24th of July.  Just yesterday we helped serve over 2250 new students and their families at a back-to-school event on campus.  

A moose we saw on one of our drives back and forth to Preston to visit family.  

Welcome Back?!

OK.  I've set a goal to blog once a week.  I'm not great at keeping a journal, and this is going to be it... except for personal things that will get written in a "real" journal.  I'm learning that I just can't keep up on everything I want to and I'm going to have to pick the most most important.
This has been a busy week.  Last Sunday we had a death in the ward.  I spent a lot of time that day planning the funeral meal and helping to make food assignments.  Monday was spent cleaning house and doing laundry. Then I stayed up all night with Jacob because he had his EEG at 6:00 on Tuesday morning.  After getting back from Jacob's test, I spent the rest of the morning getting 2 hours of sleep and preparing for the funeral that was at 2:00.  The dinner was at 4:00 and I got home around 6:00.  I was very tired but it was a good day.  Then I worked in the garden while Tony hooked up a harrow and drove around our property.  On Wednesday, the kids started school.  I hosted a "back to school breakfast" for the ladies in our ward.  It was quite fun!  Then I had a RS presidency meeting before meeting Tony in town to exercise.  Then I got groceries and barely beat the kids home.  On Thursday I spent the morning cleaning, then went to Fong's for lunch with some friends.  Spent the afternoon re-arranging the visiting teaching routes and delivering assignments to ladies.  Friday was spent picking and canning green beans, picking apples from a few friends' trees, and doing my visiting teaching before going to work in the temple at night.  Saturday morning we cleaned the church with a couple other families, and went to some yard sales and the library.  Afternoon was spent cleaning, yard work, and making applesauce, along with canning more green beans.  Also gave the boys and Tony haircuts.  Today I went to church, took a nap, and did some reading.  Whew!!!!!  I'm ready to start again tomorrow!

My Mother-in-law

This has been a bitter-sweet Mother's Day. My husband and kids and friends have pampered and loved me, and that has been very sweet. On the bitter side, Tony's mom, Sharon, passed away yesterday. She had been suffering and declining after a stroke she had last year. I will miss her so very much, but I also know she is not suffering any more and is joined with her family that has already passed on. She was a kind, generous, fun person. She loved to play games and be with her kids and grandkids. She loved to shop and buy things for the people she loved. Sharon liked to knit and sew and make things for her family. She was a wonderful woman and I'm thankful that I was loved and accepted by her. I love her and miss her.

I made the Red Cross, cross

Yesterday, instead of our lunchtime exercising, Tony and I decided to give blood.  I haven't done it for many years. The last time I gave, I passed out and barfed all over.  I wanted to give it another try.  All was going great till they finished and unhooked everything.  Then everything started spinning and going black.  Once again, I passed out and barfed all over.... it was horrible.  The nice ladies suggested that I not give blood any more, but maybe I could help by passing out cookies or doing paper-work!  Tony had to drive me home, and I've spent the last 24 hours feeling weak and dizzy.  I think next time I'll volunteer to pass out the juice and cookies!

Tree farm

I spent a lot of time out in the yard, planting trees. It would have been really fun, except that the wind was blowing so hard! I finally had to give up because my trees kept blowing over and my wheelbarrow did too! I am so excited to get some trees started! When I picked up my fruit trees this morning, the man helping me said "you must have grown up on a farm." I thought that was a wonderful compliment!!!!

For the Strength of Youth

Today in RS we had a special presentation/welcome for 5 girls who are graduating from high school and will be joining us in the "old lady" class. I'm looking forward to getting to know them and what they can teach me. Our Bishop is encouraging all of the members to read and study the pamphlet, "For the Strength of Youth". Tonight I read about language and I loved this quote....

" How you speak says much about who you are. Clean and intelligent language is evidence of a bright and wholesome mind." I really believe that this is true. When I was in college, a few of us would occasionally use inappropriate language. We made a "swearing jar" and whenever we said something we shouldn't, we would have to put a quarter in the jar. We were all on very tight budgets, and this wasn't always easy!!!! Then at the end of the semester, we got pizza with the money we had collected... what a treat! Not only was the pizza wonderful, we felt good about helping each other become better people.

Born Again Blog

OK.  Tony has inspired me to start blogging again.  I have thought about it often, but not known where to start.  It's not that I don't have the time... I have as much time as everyone else does.... I just have so many things that I want to do!  My resources (time, energy, money, etc...) are far exceeded by my aspirations!!!!!  I am working in being a good Mom, Wife, RS president, homemaker, relative, landscaper, cook, gardener, and on and on!  I just can't do all of it at the same time!  I have to work on some things now, and some things at other times.... I hope I live long enough to fit everything in!!!