10/28/11

~Five days with my husband home...bliss
~Clever aforesaid husband fixed heater...we have been without heat since June...not a big deal then, but it has been rather chilly lately. Wonderful to wake up to a house that is warmer than 60 degrees! Yay!
~Working on a costume for Lissie, we are upcycling a premade costume we got for a dollar at a garage sale...cute medieval costume. When we are done, it will be an awesome steampunk costume.
~God letting me be crafty as one of my talents...I can not imagine not knowing how to sew, paint, scrapbook, write, etc. Not bragging, just grateful.
~The picture of the pumpkin that someone created for the Birthing Center at the hospital. It is a pumpkin giving birth to a little one...gross and funny. Made me laugh.
~Spell check because I am 4o and still can not ever remember how to spell medieval. :-)

10/10/11

~Our funny little kitten. She is so silly and playful. Pumpkin is gentle with me, but fierce with everyone else. We think that she was a feral kitten that someone found and brought to the vet's. It is so interesting to see the difference with Myst. Pumpkin is a really good mom and it is interesting to see how much more playful and less wild Myst is. I am wearing my hoodie (still have resisted turning on the heat) and she likes to curl up inside it and sleep, kind of like a joey in a kangaroo pouch. loll

~I just read Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott again today. I love that story.

~Ice water. Sometimes we just don't realize that we are dehydrated. I am so glad that we have never had to be in either a famine or a drought that affects our drinking water.

~The little paper umbrellas that can be put in drinks. Lissie just gave me one that is white with black skulls on it. It is so cute, I have an idea......

10/9/11

~Watching Unwrapped on the computer with all of the kids piled in my bed. I like that they like to spend time together. The only problem was that it was hard for me to not fall asleep. :-)
~Listening to the testimonies today. I love that everybody that talked about Pres. Monson mentioned his sense of humour. I love that about him too. I can't keep a straight face when he starts laughing about something in his talks. I bet he was a mischievous little boy.
~Japanese pear apples. Don't know whose idea it was to pair the two, but it was genius.
~Modern technology that lets us put Shon on the speaker phone on my cell so that he can join us for family prayer.

10/8/11

~My good friend Kelli. I don't know what I would have done without her today.
~Being able to share books with my daughter.
~Watching Toby draw tonight. I love it when my kids are artistic.
~Made an mini album today and put gingerbread house pictures in it from 6 years ago...it was fun to go through the pictures of the kids.
~I learned how to make a robot icon in facebook. It wasn't actually the robot that made me so happy, (although it is fun) it was the fact that Alex taught it to me. Both my boys were over at their friends houses and were texting me once they saw I was on facebook. I love it that they want to talk to their mom.
This is actually for the 7th...time just got away from me tonight.

~Digital scrapbooking.  I am surprised how much I like it.  Plus, I can play with the computer from the comfort of my bed...no mess.  loll. I don't think it will ever replace paper crafts, but is does free me up to use the photos I love for paper crafts and keep everything else in digi format.
~Shon is happy as a clam camping at the Scout Rendezvous tonight.  Yuck better him than me.  It is supposed to get to 37 degrees tonight.  Could be why I am creaky.
~I love my bed.  I love having a heating pad for my feet (esp. with Shon gone) and my huge polar fleece blanket that I got at IKEA.  It is an awesome size and my favourite colour (gray). My bed is cozy.
~Scout dinner tonight, it was a fundraiser, so I was there working and the guest of honour was Billy Casper.  It was interesting to learn his history.

10/6/11

~Having kiddos old enough to help with dinner.  I helped Toby start baked Italian chicken, Joey made mashed potatoes and Liss cooked broccoli.  Alex cleaned the kitchen after dinner.  I couldn't stay for it because I had a Stake meeting tonight.  Stupid time for a meeting 6-7.
~Lipton's cup of soup and an apple for dinner for me tonight.  Simple but good.
~Shon is sleeping in an apartment and not a camp ground tonight.
~Joey had been having a ton of fun with spirit week.
~I like my kids.

10/5/11

~Finally some news on the roof so that we can move forward.
~The vinyl word Create on my laptop.  It makes me happy.
~I am reading an amazing book right now...I don't want it too end.
~Watching the kids get ready for the Homecoming parade.
~I stayed at Mutual tonight instead of just dropping the kids off and watched.  They played a round robin of games.  Everything from charades to Theatre games to catch phrase.  I liked seeing the kids interact.

10/4/11

I've decided that I don't like numbering these posts, it makes me feel limited.  :-) Time to try something new.

~Talked to Shon tonight, he has a line on an apartment in Hamilton, who knows, maybe we will end up there.
~Sent off our ATC cards, it will be fun to see what comes back.
~One Scout training down, 3 more to go.
~The color grey.  It makes me happy because it is such a great foil for every other color out there. 

10/3/11

October 3, 2011

1) Even though I am sad that Shon left today for Missoula, I am grateful that his bosses recognize his worth and work ethic.  I am also glad that we remember where this comes from.  Shon called a little while ago and he is safe and sound at the KOA.  He has an appointment to look at an apartment tomorrow.

2) I love this quote from the visiting teaching message

Latter-day Saint women who recognize that their strength comes from the Lord’s Atonement do not give up during difficult and discouraging times. As covenant keepers, we excel at upholding, nurturing, and protecting children and youth so that one day we might say of this rising generation, “Never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all” (Alma 56:45).


3) Not the kids favorite FHE, however I love that we were able to give the kitchen a deep clean and pack up the family room tonight.  Chipping away at that list.

10/2/11

More for October 2, 2011

I am grateful for this talk, because going over it again has helped me get a grip on the whole post below. 

Forget Me Not - President Uchtdorf

October 2, 2011

1) Glad that there is a plan out there for our life...because I don't feel in control of anything right now.  I am struggling with waiting on someone else so that we can get on with our life in the Missoula area.  I hate feeling contentious and that sadly is how I feel until I remember that I can just turn it all over....now I need to work on the love thy neighbor thing, because right now I am not feeling the love for a certain person. 

2) I am grateful that I can create pretty things.  I am glad that Heavenly Father gave us talents.  It brings me pleasure to take raw material and turn it into tangible joy.

3) Having a craft room.  Our whole life is upside down, every room torn apart as we take down everything that makes it a home.  (ya ya, I know that love is what makes it a home...I mean what makes it a PRETTY home).  There is packing tape and touch up paint, and garbage...oh my heck where was all of the garbage in my kid's rooms hiding?) boxes, taking things out to storage...but surprisingly our realtor thought that I should leave my craft room upstairs intact.  There is very little on the walls, after repainting I didn't want holes in them.  He thinks that it looks bigger as a craft room than it did as a bedroom.  We turned the laundry room back into a utility room, took all of my craft shelves down and I need to patch and paint, so I am really glad to still have a sanctuary.  I keep it very neat, so it is easy to get ready to show it...and it just might keep me semi-sane during all of this.   

10/1/11

October 1, 2011

1) Loved hanging out with Lissie making ATC cards for our swap.  The boys and their friends hung out in there too, talking to us.  It is not a big room, but every time I started to feel claustrophobic, I just reminded myself how rare it was for a bunch of teen boys to want to hang out with me.  I will treasure each moment I can.

2) I was worried about someone I care about and I am so grateful that the issue was resolved in a positive manner.

3) Finally got my craft blog updated, it has been so very long that I was starting to feel writers block.

9/19/11

September 19, 2011

1) Whew! Kitten off to it's new home last night.  The kitten is happy, the dogs are afraid of it, their existing cat decided that it is his baby.  (confused cat)

2) Yay!  Reports off to Hamilton off of my desk onto Cory's. 

3) Castle starts again tonight.  :-)

9/17/11

September 17, 2011

1) I love the chalkboard I re purposed out of a twee painting in a gold plastic frame...just a couple of bucks and yet everyone that walks in loves it and wants to know where I got it.  They never guess that there are a couple of insipid girls carving an apple and gaudy plastic underneath........

2) I have figured out a coupe of ticket items for my woodbadge tickets.

3) I learned something new today....I don't like candy corn (I knew that) or even peanuts too often, but at our craft day today, my friend made me taste a candy corn and a peanut together...whala! It tasted like a salted nut roll! 
whoda thunk it?

9/15/11

September 15, 2011

1) Meeting with my friends tonight for stamp group.  Even if we didn't make a thing, it is therapy just hanging out together.  I have been crafting with some of them for 15 years.

2) Watching the kittens play together.  It makes me laugh, even better, in 5 days we can give Smalls to her family.

3) Working on an ATC swap with my cutie daughter.  I can't wait to get them back, the other people signed up are from all over including a couple of them from Australia. 

9/13/11

September 13, 2011

1) More boxes packed, drawing for our Woodbadge patrol totem created, finished and off to Steve B. to router...

2) Talked to Wendi tonight.  I sure miss that girl.  She is a great friend.

3) Lissie and Joey started their theatre class tonight and had a blast.  I love how close they are and how they always call each other twinner.

9/12/11

September 12, 2011

1) Shon called me safe and sound from his hotel room, he did a lot of driving to different towns today, so it is a relief for him to be tucked up and not on the road.

2) I signed the twinners Liss and Joe up for Venture acting classes.  Technically Lissie should be in the Jr. High one, but they thought she was too mature to be in with the younger kids and wanted to put her in the High School aged one so that she was with others who were as serious about acting and stage combat as she is.  I am proud of her.  I wasn't sure if she would like being in the same class as Joe but when I told her she was thrilled and so was he.  It is a blessing for me too because it means only one night of traveling down there.  :-)

3) My design mojo is back.  While driving up the hill, I designed (in my head) two cards and a witch box for stamp group.  I came up with some cool techniques that I hope work.  I will have time to try them tomorrow.  I really love designing projects. 

9/11/11

September 11, 2011

1) I am grateful that we live in the country that we do.  It is not perfect, but I am thankful to be here.  I remember how frightening it was 10 years ago....

2)I am thankful we could go help the bloodbank today with their 9/11 blood drive.  It is a small thing to do but so important.

3)We met one of Ali's donors today.  It was a total surprise.  It was during the blood drive and I think that everyone was crying.  Ali shared his story first, then the coordinators got up and talked about how our family helps out by working at the blood drives, sharing Ali's story and doing publicity for them.  They had called Shon and I up to the front of the room and we didn't know why. We were a little bit embarrassed because we like to serve behind the scenes. Then they announced that one of Ali's donors was there.  He came up and went to shake Ali's hand and Ali just flew into his arms and said thank you.  His arms tightened around Ali and at that point anyone who wasn't already crying started to.  Men and women both, including several soldiers.  We were then able to go and sit and visit with him.  We learned about him and he learned about us. 

We are so blessed.

9/6/11

September 6, 2011

1) I am grateful for the chance to work in scouting for several reasons...I am so glad that we get to meet other families with our values, work with children and adults who need the structure of scouting and the chance to pay it forward...we have been so lucky in our lives, I am glad that we can help other people.

2) I am so thankful for my friends who stepped forwards without a second thought to take care of our kids so that I can go to woodbadge training. 

3) My bed...which I hope to get to soon.

9/5/11

September 5, 2011

1) Hanging out with Lesli and scrapbooking today.  I really enjoyed being able to spend time with her.

2) Making homemade oatmeal for Shon tonight.  He is stubborn about asking anyone for anything, so it was a treat to be able to make him something that he really wanted.  Besides, homemade oatmeal beats instant hands down.

3) I love my ice maker!  As much as I want to see Europe, the lack of ice in beverages there makes me think twice.  :-)  Our friend Ward from Belgium thinks I am crazy because I struggle to drink enough to stay hydrated if ice is not available. 

September 4, 2011

1) Listening to the song sweet hour of prayer.  What an amazing song that is.  I can't read or write music, so it always humbles me to listen to songs that are so beautiful.  I am in awe of the gift of music.  Someday, I will learn how to play the piano.  It has always been one of my dreams to just sit down and play beautiful music. 

2) The good friends that my kids have.  I really like to have them in the house.  Most of them are from great homes...a few not so much, but they have good spirits.  It is also an interesting glimpse into what kind of adults my kids will be when I watch them try to help their friends through problems.  We had a tough one lately, one that quite frankly made me sit down with a "thump".  Two of Joe's best friends started dating last year at 13 and 14...he actually heavily counseled them against it.  He had many conversations with me about the things he said to them, and the worries that he had... I treasure this because he wanted to hang out and talk.  Soon enough these two friends started having sex.  Again, he tried to explain to them what a trap they edging into.  Sure enough, Joey's 14 year old friend got his 14 year old girlfriend pregnant.  Wow.  I felt so badly for everyone.  These kids have homes where the adults are struggling.  The kids are such good people...they really are, just hungry for a family structure.  Now, they are going to be parents at 15.  Here is the part I am grateful for.  Without condoning the choices, or judging or saying I told you so, Joey is still being a good friend to them.  He was honest about what he thought, but unlike a lot of other people, he is not abandoning his friends.  The girl was yanked out of her dad's home and sent to her mom in Kalispell to have the baby and go to school there.  Lots of people here have deserted her, but Joey has not and when the boy who is still here, starts flirting around, or goes to blow money on stupid things, Joey reminds him that he needs to start buying diapers soon, and baby clothes.  It taught me a lot about the kind of man Joey is turning into, and I admire him.

3)I talked to my mom last night and was able to catch up.  I really enjoyed that. 

9/3/11

September 3, 2011

1)Our kittens are one month old today.  It is amazing how in that short of a time they change.  They make me laugh all of the time as they learn how to play, eat, run and pounce.  In two short weeks, Piglet will go to her new home.  I am okay with it.  She is cute but kind of a whiner. 

2)Lissie and I had a stamp party and earned 165.00 in product plus 3 half price items.  We had fun spending it in the catalog and got a many many cute things including more downloads for my digital scrapbook program.

3)Alex mowed the lawn today.  I love how that smells.  It was also nice and cool, in the 60's....bliss.

9/2/11

September 2, 2011

1) Getting to hang out with my girl. I love that she likes to hang out and do crafty things together.  We hung out, watched Xanadu (Crazzzzzyyyyyy) and laughed a lot.

2) Shon is actually in town for the whole weekend!  We have a list to work on, but I think I might be able to squeeze out some time to craft with some friends and get the Steampunk canvas I am designing for Lissie done.

3) I love that Joey isn't afraid to hug me and tell me that he loves me in front of his friends.  I am grateful that how he feels about our relationship is not a source of embarrassment.

4) Toby came to me tonight to tell me that his "anchor" sore in his mouth is getting better.  I am glad...now I wonder where the rest of the ship went?  :-)

9/1/11

September 1, 2011

1)Finally conquered SERIOUS fear and got up on a HIGH ladder to finish painting the stairwell.  Yay!

2)Filling my home with friends tonight.  It was lovely.

3)Case is with Shon tonight, so I worry less about them driving home.  I always worry about whether or not Shon will be tired driving late at night. 

8/31/11

August 31, 2011

1)Beautiful soft rain today...tomorrow is supposed to be only 70!  Yay!  I guess I will be able to finally paint the rest of my kitchen.
2)Not so beautiful hard rain that made me afraid that my basement was going to flood again...but it didn't! Yay.  Thanks to Alex shop vacuuming all of the water out!
3)Going to the library with my girlie girl and being told that she feels that she is the person she is today because I taught her to be artistic, love to write, taught her about acting and all of these things made her the confident person she is.  I actually started crying.  Just a little.  I was so grateful because I had just lost my temper with Alex and Joey because I had told them to get their room packed and realtor ready many, many, many times and finally just yelled at them after Alex told me it wasn't my job to tell them how to clean their room, they do plenty of work around to house...sheesh, I blew my top. I know that in general they are amazing kids, but sometimes they really push my buttons.   I was feeling really like the worst parent in the world. Liss didn't even know that I had banged heads with the boys, so when she told me that I inspired her to be strong and that she wanted to be like me....it was a blessing and made me feel like maybe once in a small while I might get this parenting thing right. 

8/30/11

August 30, 2011

1) Grateful that my husband loves his job.
2) My wonderful kids were all in bed and the kitchen was clean when we got home from our date tonight.
3) Going to the movie tonight with my cute boy.  I love that the arms in the theatre seats fold up so that we can lean into each other.
4) The newest release by one of my favorite authors just came into the library...and I am first in line. Yay!
5) Having the internet back so that I can finally write in this again...I have missed it. 

7/26/11

1) Free WiFi at Mcdonalds so that I can finally post again.  :-)  I am trying to be grateful for this break from internet...not because I don't want to be on it, but because I won't take it for granted when we get it back.

2) My cute nieces and my kids.  I am so glad that I have been getting to know Sara and Haile as teens.  They are all changing so fast, this is a precious time. 

3) The chance that Shon has to live his dream job.  Each review things get better and I am glad that he has bosses that are trying to keep him happy by rewarding him whenever they can. 

5/1/11

Gave up on the hotel's internet, would let me surf, but took forever to post anything.

1)Grateful that the trauma with Osama Bin Laden is reaching some closure.  I feel so sad that it had to happen with so much death, and the ripples of pain that family members had to deal with.  I don't understand those cultures and how removed those regimes are from simple basic humane behavior.  I am grateful for the families whose loved ones gave so much time, and sometimes their lives so that we don't have to live in countries with governing rulers like OBL.

2) Glad to see my kids tonight.  Shon and I had a wonderful time.  I love that we are such good friends that we can talk or not, joke or not, hang out...or be secure enough to hang out with our friends.  I love him so much and what he can teach our kids, he is tough but tender at the same time.  He will not be thrilled that I am sharing this, but we were all watching Extreme Home Makeover tonight and there was a family whose dad was in Afghanistan.  Their youngest daughter had breathing problems and there was mold from flooding in their house making her and the whole family sick.  I ALWAYS cry at that show, but I fell in love with Shon all over again tonight when I saw that he had tears in his eyes about it too...of course, he didnt' want to admit it, but he finally gave in and said so. loll

3) Reading part of Toby's book with him tonight before I tucked him in.  I used to read to the kids almost every night, but now they are older, it doesn't happen as much.  We read scriptures together and during the summer we pick a book and read it together, but not everyday like we used to, I miss it. 

4/29/11

April 28th's entry~The hotel internet was slow, so I couldn't get this to load.

1)Yay!  Out of town successfully, with my best friend.  MAN is he cute!  Ate lunch at Qdoba...great way to start a mini vacation.  Read my book in the car all the way to Bozeman.  One of the things I love about being married to a BF.  We love to visit with each other, but are equally comfortable with being quiet. 

2)Staying at the Holiday Inn courtesy of Shon's job.  Lovely room and a big surprise...Instead of being here Thurs and Fri night and driving back after the banquet tomorrow night, his boss surprised us with an extra night!  Quick call to Kate confirmed that she would stay with the kids Sat night as well.  What a sweetie!

3)Having a husband that was not offended that instead of going to dinner with him and his co-workers, I was MORE than happy to eat an apple, take a long shower (did you know you can take them without kids banging on the door?) and watch TV.  Hours of mindless TV.  I miss cable.  :-)  I am so we can enjoy things like spending time apart too...I was happy, he was happy eating out and going to a movie with his friends and at the end of the night we got to catch up on each other's day and go to sleep. 

4/27/11

1) Learning that I may just have super powers ha ha.  LOVE IT (note the heavy sarcasm) when I have to get Joey to scouts early because they are CPR certifying, Alex to a Bishopric interview and then go to a parents meeting up at Castlerock for Lissie's 8th grade DC trip.  All at 6:30!  Can't divide and conquer because Shon was called back into work for a meeting. Somehow, I managed to get the boys dropped off, (I even stopped the car...well, does a slow roll count?) and got to CR on time without speeding okay, only speeding a little bit.  I would like my cape to be black please....maybe with a skull on it.  (just for you Joan. loll)

2) The Internet.  I love being able to connect with friends, blog hop, surf, renew books online, connect with the kid's schools etc.  I am amazed at how far it has come since my 7th grade class where they introduced us to something amazing called "email".  It was on an Apple with a black screen and the cursor and all the writing was in green...how do people think of these things?

3) The perfection of a flower.  I am looking at a carnation from the bouquet Shon bought me.  It feeds my soul with it's beauty and it feeds my testimony with it's detail.  How could I not believe in a Heavenly Father and Mother when I look at such things?  Not just a utilitarian world to sustain our physical needs, but a beautiful world to sustain our souls and remind our what we have waiting for us in the celetial kingdom. 

4/26/11

1) So very grateful for Kate and her willingness to stay with our kids.  I know that they will be happy, safe and have fun while we are gone.  I can't wait to get away and have a little bit of downtime.  I am almost afraid to breathe until we are on the road.

2) Alex took his pre-testing for the GED today.  We are all ready to move on and let him be able to get his college classes started.  It has been hard to wait for the age requirement.

3) Hmmm, not so glad the weather got cold and rainy, but happy that the rain made the deer poop "moosh" into the lawn so that it doesn't look like a chocolate jelly bean factory exploded anymore.  I don't know how (and don't want to) but somehow it just absorbed.  loll

4/25/11

1)Glad to remember what is important about Easter and hear how the kids feel about Christ.  They always have a fun perspective.  Every one's testimony is personal, and each relationship with Jesus is unique...but I can not imagine life without knowing that He know who I am, what I can be and where I am going.

2)That being said, it is also great to have a little bit of fun on Easter day with a few treats.  We always wait until after church, because we would like the kids to remember that Easter isn't really about a bunny.  This year I was sick...in bed for days kind of sick...which sucked, but it also gave me a chance for laughter.  Pure joyful type, not sarcastic over the way that Shon and I do things differently.  Shon and I had shopped for baskets before I got sick and on Sunday Shon-O brought the basket stuff to our room so I could help.  Here is how it went,

K-Did you find everything?
S-Yep all taken care of. :-)
K-Did you find baskets for them?
S-Don't need them, I have something else (pulls 3 Big Lots bags and a Wal-Mart bag out of his pocket and proceeds to start dumping stuff into them.)
K-(laughing) uhm, what about the eggs?
S-Don't need them, I'll just put the candy in the bags...
Kids-Yay!

Lesson learned?  I have my way of doing things and Shon has his way of doing things...and they are both okay.  Everybody was happy.

3)Even though we don't do much, Shon and I still enjoy getting each other a little something on Easter.  I am not a clothes horse, so I don't do the Easter dress thing, but Shon treated me to fresh flowers and my favorite chocolates.  He picked out white chocolate and some little plane parts.  Not much, not expensive, (which is good) but it makes me feel special to know he is thinking of me. 

Happy Easter.  Life is sweet.

4/23/11

1) The sunshine in the trees in outside my bedroom window.  I can't be outside in it, but it is so beautiful and it makes me feel like I am in a treehouse.

2)  Even though I am stuck in bed sick, I am glad that Shon is in town and I don't worry about running anyone anywhere or worry that they aren't getting enough attention.

3) Orange juice with ice in it. 

4/21/11

1)Shelter from our crazy wack a doo spring weather...snow rain WIND mix tonight and 50+ tomorrow.

2)Ibuprofen I hurt everywhere from coughing. 

3)Talking to my sister.

4/20/11

1)I love, love, love the fact that my kids are out of school for the next 5 days! 

2)Whoo hoo we get to sleep in tomorrow morning...I tell ya, early morning seminary is an act of obedience and faith for the parents as well as the teens.

3)I have a new book to start and since I have a cold, I am going to be lazy and get back in bed for a while tomorrow and read. 

4/2/11

1) Enjoyed teaching at National Camp School with Shon and some other amazing teachers.  I love that we both love Scouting so much and can do it together.

2) Glad that Joey was able to go with Shon on his trip this weekend.

3) Amazed, humbled and grateful that we have a living prophet here on the earth today.  I know that he is a man of God and that we have a rock for our foundation and a rod to hold onto in a turbulent world. 

3/21/11

1) The delicious dinner Alex and Joey made.  Skinless chicken breasts cooked in garlic and olive oil served with rice on the side and fresh veggies.  Half of us ate them cooked, half (me included) chose raw.  It was fresh diced turnip, asparagus and green beans tossed with a little bit of olive oil and lemon pepper~salt mixture.  Heavenly.  Plus I love to see my kids enjoying being together. 

2) Starting to feel like I am getting a handle putting my house back together.  It has been so busy with kid activities, Shon traveling (he is gone again) and Scouts.  I have been painting, worth it, but brother, during it is such a mess.

3) My bedroom, comfy bed, warm blankets, window cracked and a new book.  Goodnight.

3/20/11

1) While I am sad our old Bishopric was released, I love who the new Bishop is going to be. 

2) Built a bookshelp kit all by myself. 

3) Having an Oreo on hand to help me recover from thinking that I wanted to build a bookshelf by myself.  loll

3/16/11

1) Our last 4th grade science fair project.  Found out it had to be in tomorrow instead of Friday.  Ugh.  Good news is that Toby has been working on it so it was just his display board.  It was fun to work with him, managed to get what should have been spread out over 2 days done in one evening, with no tears, lots of laughs and him doing all of the work.  I guided and was a cheerleader, but it had to be his work.  I even sat on my hands when he was gluing and cutting.  Perfectionist tendencies firmly under control.  The result?  He is thrilled with his project.

2) The many opportunities to help other people if you just keep your eyes open.  Followed an instinct today asking a lady as we walked out of Walmart at the same time, if she needed help unloading her cart.  She had a full cart and 3 bags of dog food.  She wasn't old, maybe in her 60's.  She hesitated then looked relieved and said yes.  As we walked to her car, she shared that she had cancer.  She had a good day, so she went to the store, but was at the end of her energy.  I don't write this to pat myself on the back.  I wrote it down so that I can remember how lucky I am to have the spirit in my life to give me promptings. 

3) Library card...I kiss you.  I love you....if polygamy was still legal I would marry you.  ha ha.

3/15/11

1) Recession Tuesday Movie time.  You can get a popcorn and a pop for only a $1 each.  Smaller sizes but that is a great thing because you can eat it and not feel as guilty.  loll   Alex and I went to the matinee and saw Red Riding Hood today.  It was fun to hang out.

2) Joey cracks me up.  He is so funny sometimes.  He and Liss get going sometimes and I just can't stop laughing.

3) Toby has the most amazing eyes.  The color is so beautiful. 


My kids are cool. 

3/14/11

1) I ordered our Bountiful Basket today.  It is so exciting to see all of the great fruits and veggies for only $15.00.
Even more exciting that my kids are excited and can't wait to eat them.  :-)

2) When I arrived in Boyd today, it was 6:30 and the light was amazing.  There had been a storm earlier and the clouds were gray, while the trees in front of them were touched with gold.  How beautiful our world is.  Little things like that are like kisses from our Heavenly Parents reminding us how incredible the Celestial kingdom is.

3) Even though I joke about them being in my scrapbook room, I am so glad I have a washer and dryer in my home.  I remember having to haul laundry when I had toddlers and was pregnant with Lissie.  Ugh. 

3/13/11

1) I really enjoyed my lunch today, it was weird but good.  An apple, a banana, a glass of orange juice and ice, and butter light popcorn.  Ate it sitting in the sunlight coming through my window while reading.  Little bit of bliss. 

2) The relationships I have with the people around me.  I feel very grateful that Joey leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek after sacrament meeting.  That Alex will throw an arm around me in public, that my kids will come in and sit in the chair in my bedroom and talk about worries, fears and funny things.  I am glad I can ask them who they are crushing on and each one of them will still tell me. 

3) I am so grateful for computers. 

3/12/11

Yesterday's Post

1) Seeing Shon love and live his dream job.  The last two days he has been at Woodbadge instructor training.  He will be home tomorrow.  It is fun because he will be one of the instructors when I go to Woodbadge this fall. 

2) Kelli and Darren for keeping the boys this weekend, and Teresa for keeping Lissie for the night so I can paint the kitchen.  (finally)

3) Paint.  Really, how simple and cheap it makes it for a huge change.  Love it. 

Today's Post

1) Toby's basketball game. They are at such a funny age, all legs and arms, but they had such a good time.

2) Seeing a movie with Shon tonight while we waited for Alex to get done with his dance.  We saw Red Riding Hood.  I loved it, Shon thought it was okay.  I love that we can alternate who picks movies and the other person will be a good sport.  We ate at Qdoba, which is probably my favorite Mexican place now. 

3) Shon surprised me with a new scrapbook magazine.  I almost never buy magazines even though I love them, so this is a huge treat. 

3/10/11

1) My phone rang, answered to hear the Proclaimers singing "I would walk 10,000 miles"  It was my sweet eternal boyfriend playing the song for me.  It was played at our wedding....sigh....what a cute guy.

2) My kids are awesome.  I needed to clean out the fridge, (yuck).  I took out drawers etc and scrubbed.  Liss dried them, Joey loaded the dishwasher and Toby cleaned his hamster cage of a room.  All while we were laughing and joking around.  Made it way more enjoyable.  

3) Alex was able to go with Shon to Sydney tonight. 

3/9/11

1) Stealing time with my honey today...was so much fun to just hang out. 

2) The sun on the mountains today.  So very, very, beautiful thank you Heavenly Father.

3) My daughter's dimple.  My Nan used to say that dimples were from angels touching a baby's face before they left heaven.....

3/8/11

1) I am so grateful for the ability to create art.  It makes it so much easier to relieve stress, communicate and bring a sense of peace and beauty around our house.  I can't imagine not being able to create.

2) Learning how to manipulate digital scrapbooking.  I never thought I would be interested, but I am loving it.  Ironically I feel more free to be able to do paper scrapbooking because I can get most of it done on the computer and then burn a CD, DVD or print it.  I can then scrap my favorites physically.

3) I have a really comfortable pillow.  I love it and how it keeps my neck from hurting at night.

3/7/11

1) The weather was still cold, but the sun was shining and the snow that fell last night looked just like the fake snow people use at Christmas...all shiny and crystally.

2) The fact that my kids love vegetables.  I even got Shon to eat turnips tonight and he liked them.

3) Sanitary disinfecting wipes for the carts at the grocery stores. 

3/6/11

1) Happy to spend the day with my family...phones turned off.

2) A book out by one of my favorite authors...waiting for me to pick it up as soon as I am done with this post. 

3) My boys helping me to rearrange my scrapbook room...even though they thought I was crazy. 

3/5/11

1) My training session went really well today, the den leaders seemed engaged in the lessons and participated in the break outs.  Always a relief.  The last thing I want is a lesson falling flat but I was blessed today.  All of my review sheets came back in with almost all 4's and 5's. (Out of 5)  I know it sounds like bragging and I don't mean it like that, it is just that teaching has helped me to gain confidence. 

2) Tried our first Bountiful Basket today.  Wow!  We will be doing this again.  We are such a fruit and veggie family and there was soooooo much in there!  $15.00 got us a bag of baby yellow potatoes, 6 fresh tomatoes, 2 little banana squashes, a big beautiful acorn squash, a bunch of fresh spinach, 4 mangoes, a pineapple, 10 apples, 10 oranges, a bag of fresh green beans, yummy turnips and some bananas.  We are having roast veggies tomorrow night for dinner! 

3) My antique chair from Bert and Betty.  I love the color of the upholstery, antique cream and an olive green.  I have my darling pillow from Amy on it.  It makes me happy to look at the colors together. 

3/4/11

1) Shon received news of a dream Scouting opportunity that he has wanted for a long, long time.  He will still be able to do the other part of his job too, and he has the satisfaction of both doing something he loves AND advancing up the career ladder.

2) Getting the morgage and utilities paid.  Makes it tight, but oh so nice to not worry about anything out of the next check but tithing and groceries...and medical bills of course. loll

3) After I teach my class tomorrow, I am shutting off my phone and playing in my craft room. 

3/2/11

1) Chopping my hair off.  Fun and liberating.

2) Alex coming to Absorakee with me tonight.  Shon and I seem to travel a lot lately, but luckily we get to take our kids most of the time and it is nice to have that one on one time in the car. 

3) Hugs from my husband.  He is the best. 

3/1/11

1) An unexpected gift card from Case at the Scout Office for helping out at the Gala.

2) Getting to go spend that gift card on a new shirt (No Mom O it is NOT black loll) and 3 new books.

3) Going to the library tonight and picking up more books that were on hold.  While there I checked out the Friends of the Library sale section and found a brand new hard back of "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie" for only $2! 

2/28/11

1) The digital scrapbooking class I took tonight....so very cool.

2) The time I had to decompress while driving to and from Red Lodge by myself tonight.

3) Shon had ALL the kids in bed and most of them were even asleep by the time I got home.  Not bad considering there are 8 of them.  loll

2/27/11

1) Ibuprofen.  Enough said.

2) Getting through to the end of FHE...and I think someone might have even gotten something out of it.

3) Shon's knowledge of the gospel...helping to make things clear. 

2/26/11

1) We warmed up to 28 degrees today.  It started out at 1 degree (-19 with the wind chill) so by the time it hit 28 it was like a heat wave. 

2) Lissie had a chance for some Daddy time by going to Sydney with Shon over night today. 

3) The care and consideration my sons show me.  Joey is very protective and worries if he thinks I am tired or hungry.  Alex is very helpful when I ask him to do something and even though we are all human, they rarely are rude.  I appreciate it so much more when I go and spend time with my friends and see the way their teens sometimes treat them. 

2/25/11

1) A date with my sweetheart. 

2) Having children old enough to not need a sitter anymore...they seem to make more than minimum wage anymore, some of our friends pay 10+ $ an hour.  Double that on New Years. 

3) Getting in my PJ's at the end of the day, and getting OUT of my bra.  loll

2/24/11

1) The Scouting Gala held tonight.  It had a great turnout, (300) and people were happy. 

2) Visiting with our good friends there, Kevin and Stacey.

3) The polar fleece blanket that we had in the car.  It is crazy cold and I was in a skirt because the gala was semi-formal. 

2/23/11

1) The discovery that if Lissie makes the spaghetti sauce and pulls some out before she puts the meat in...she will actually eat it.  She is cooking as part of her young women's personal progress.  Yay!  Less cooking for me.

2) A sliced apple and a good book. 

3) Getting through activity days tonight with five 7 & 8 year olds, trying to teach them how to hand sew and make their own pincushions....no tears, they kept at it and I didn't go to crazy...even with one dad dropping his daughter off 20 mins early.  Sheesh. 

2/22/11

1) I had a great time at the Pack 32 Blue and Gold.  I love Scouts and the people involved. 

2) Being able to email friends.

3) Facebook lets me check in with friends but not get too embroiled in past relationships.

2/21/11

1) Went to Red Lodge tonight to a digital scrapbooking class.  My mind was opened.  I had always thougtht that I would never be interested in that.  Now I can see that I would love it.  Much easier to get my family connected with my kid's lives.  I could see doing a lot of photos in that and then just paper scrap my favorites, lots less pressure. 

2) Read a couple of great books today, well finished one and read the other.  It was awesome, shoveled the walk, then put laundry in and read between loads.  Shon and the kids were experimenting in the kitchen today and I didn't even have to cook. 

3) Orange juice.  Yum.

2/20/11

1) The blessings given when you are set apart for callings.  It is testimony building how they address thoughts that you have that haven't even been voiced.

2) After a middle of the night trip to the hospital with Joey, several tests and x-rays later we found out that his lungs are clear and that he has viral bronchitis instead of pneumonia.  Sorry he is sick and wish I could fix it, but at least it isn't pneumonia! 

3) Playing Battleship on my bed this afternoon with Toby, cooking a chicken for dinner and eating it with Shon's amazing home made wheat bread...he made up the recipe.  Now the remainder of the chicken has been turned into soup for tomorrow's dinner.  Life is good. 

2/19/11

1) Heaters in cars.  Erik and I had to go out to Huntley today to do a day camp promo and it is sooooooooo cold.  I am glad that his car warmed up quickly.

2) The way my cat makes me laugh.  She does a lot of funny things, but the one that is making me smile right now is how she finds the heating pad under the blanket and lays on it ~ no matter where I move it to.

3) A hubby that not only can cook, but is a fabulous one.  Shon made pretzels today...and they were fabulous!  He wants to try bagels next...I say....try away honey, try away!

2/18/11

1) Having a mellow day with my kids...I love it when they are all home.  One is hard...but all of them is wonderful.

2) Knowing that even though it is crazy cold out...I have a nice modern home to live in...Heavenly Father loved me enough to let me not be born a pioneer...even though as a child, I wanted to be Laura Ingalls more than anything.

3) My kiddos being old enough to help with dinner.  Lissie and Toby made biscuits while I made calico beans,  earlier today, they wanted a snack, so Joey made chocolate chip muffins. 

2/17/11

1) The friends I have made in Stamp Group.  I know I have said it before, but the sisterhood I experience when they come over is soul filling. 

2) My boys not being afraid to kiss me goodnight or goodbye in front of their friends.

3) Glad that Kate could spend the night and come to stamp group. 

2/16/11

1) I am glad we had two days of 50+ weather to bolster us in the upcoming days.  I am listening to the wind howl and the rain beat against the windows....and it is supposed to be snow by morning.  Gag.

2) Proud of myself and grateful for self control when I didn't ram my hand down the last person's throat who said, "Well, we need the snow so we don't have a drought..."  Thanks Captain Obvious...we do need snow, but we don't need a PMSing Mother Nature who can't make up her mind.  loll

3) Kids that are old enough and responsible enough to stay here without a babysitter while I go on a day trip with Shon.  Of course I am a mama so I am also grateful for good friends who are on call for emergencies when we do that. 

2/15/11

1) Being able to meet some of the other members of our Camp School team via teleconference.  Technology is amazing.

2) Getting home from my Day Camp meeting (yes two meetings in one night) and my 3 younger kids were peacefully in bed. 

3) That blissful feeling you get when you go to bed and get to stretch out and relax....ahhhhhhhh.

2/14/11

1) A wonderful Valentines day spent with my family.  Corny I know, and up to my knees in ooey gooey sweetness...but true non the less.

2) Hand sanitizer.  I almost had a mini panic attack in the library.  Ours is filled with homeless people and apparently many to whom personal hygiene is a mystery.  I was reaching for a book and the person next to me coughed and hacked in their hand, took a book off the shelf.....then put it BACK.  YUCK.  I then felt like a slow panoramic view in a movie where I all of a sudden hear people sniffing, coughing, etc.  Books, taken off, books put back on.  I always wipe our books off when we get home, but I was thinking, I can't touch my card, because then I will have to clean it too, or my steering wheel or zip my jacket...ack!  Don't touch my face...my nose itches...then I remembered I had hand sanitizer.  Whew. 

3) Somebody surprised us at the Scout Office by coming in and tying balloons to our desks.  They left a sweet note, but no signature.....

2/13/11

1) Making Valentines with Toby for his class today.  We recycled old crayons by melting them into a muffin tin and used the saying "I made you this crayon because you color my world! Happy Valentines Day!"  It was fun and I loved how the kids all got involved.  Liss helped him stamp backgrounds, Joey helped print out sentiments and everyone helped make the crayons.

2) Not feeling well at all today.  Joey touched my heart this morning when he was very caring and sweet.  I had a terrible migraine and he was concerned that I had enough ice water and brought me a cold cloth without me asking.  He kept checking to make sure I was ok.   He has such a tender side to him.

3) Spoke with both my Mom and my Nana tonight.  It is so hard to not be able to see them, I haven't seen my Nana since I was 19.  My Mom in almost 7 years.  Thankfully we live in a time of technology however, and I can at least talk to them. 

2/12/11

1) Playing Sequence with Liss and Joey tonight and laughing really hard over silly things.

2) Finished a little project in my scrapbook room that I have had for about 4 years.  This is my year of UFO's.  Un Finished Objects.  All of those little projects are getting ticked off one by one.  They are mostly simple too, like an album that needed some journaling, or a frame that needs to be painted. 

3) Hearing the annoying sound of Angelina Ballerina on TV (even thought they said scone properly because it is English loll) and knowing that my kids were older and I could just turn it off and walk away...and nobody would have a melt down....phew!

2/11/11

Yesterday's Post:

1) Playing Yahtzee on our stolen handheld game in the car with Shon.

2) Even though the drive to Glendive is long for just a two hour meeting, it was so great to spend 6 uninterrupted hours in the car with Shon.

3) Seeing Shon interact with the people in his district makes me all the more sure that this is the job he was meant to do and it will all be worth it in the end.  He is so happy and they like him so much. 

Today's Post:

1) Finishing my first scrapbook page in months.  I really missed it while all of this stuff with Alex was going on in the fall.  I did lots of creative things, but not my huge love which is scrapbooking.

2) Touching base with my Mother in Law today and hearing how everyone is doing.  Fingers crossed that Amy's nausea will lessen. 

3) Hearing how protective Lissie's brothers are of her.  We asked if she was going to dance with anyone today at the Jr. High dance while she was there for her club's fundraiser...the boys went all spider monkey at the thought of their sister being ogled and asked to dance by boys.  I love how close my kids are.

2/9/11

1) Getting to take a nap while Shon made a yummy beef veggie soup for dinner.  Just the right thing to take the bone chill away.  This -25 below wind gets you.

2) My cute little activity day girls and how loving they are.  They are so enthusiastic for every project and one of them made me a card tonight telling me I "am the best person ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!)  How can you not feel good with that kind of love?

3) Watching Joey work with clay.  His hands are so graceful, and he has a great eye for proportion. 

2/8/11

1) Finding a new book series.

2) Being able to stay in for most of this cold cold cold day.

3) Having things caught up so that I could read most of the day in between loads of laundry.

2/3/11

1) Over half of the forms stapled and ready to go. 

2) Checking out Joey's new graphic design, Lissie's latest HLO Punkery (her brand name) embroidered cuff design that she is making for her friend and Toby's drawing of the AFLAK Duck and a Salamander.  Love having creative kids.

3) Alex got to go with Shon today on his trip.  Nice for him to get out and great for them to spend time together. 
1) Getting a majority of the Day Camp paperwork updated and copied.


2) Chocolate covered walnuts.  Yum.


3) Having my own office space at the scout office, it makes life so much easier.

2/1/11

1) Winning a cool branding iron with a fleur dis lis on it at round table.

2) Spending time with my honey today on a mini date. 

3) DVD's, it is great to be able to watch back episodes of Castle.

1/31/11

1) I think I have said this before, but since I am freezing after taking Toby to basketball practice, I will say it again, I am thankful for my heating pad. 

2) I am also thankful for Randy bringing the boys home so that I don't have to go back out.

3) I am so grateful that unlike many families, we have a warm house for our children to sleep in. 

1/30/11

1) Alex's talk today was amazing.  I was a little shaken when he bore his testimony.  It was very powerful and heartfelt.

2) Shon and I were asked to be on the rotating list of speakers for the nursing home traveling sacrament meetings.  It should be fun to meet these people and a privilege to be a part of their Sunday.  It is at 10:30, so we won't miss our sacrament meeting either.

3) Yummy food to warm us on a cruddy day.  Pork barbacoa and cilantro lime rice with black beans and then our friend and home teacher swung by with some banana bread he had made just in time for dessert. 

1/29/11

1) Toby's Pinewood Derby was today.  Shon took him, Lissie was the official photographer and he won 2nd place!!!!  Way to go Toby!

2) Being able to have a very mellow day. 

3) My kids wanting to pile on my bed, just to hang out and talk with me.

4) Joey got home safe from his Klondike...with nothing lost, melted or too disgusting. 

5) Alex got his hair cut!  Whoo hoo!  He is always good looking, but that crazy hair was starting to look like a groupie from Flock of Seagulls. loll

1/28/11

1) Going to the temple today.  It was beautiful and peaceful.  Plus when we met Grandma and Grandpa in the parking lot. 

2) Sunshine.  It make everything feel warmer. 

3) Insurance.  It dropped Joey's monthly prescription from 285.00 to 80.00.  Still ouch, but more like a stubbed toe kind of ouch vs a kick in the stomach.  loll

1/26/11

1) Shon will be home to cut the pinewood derby car.

2) Organization makes me happy and I don't feel the need to apologize for it anymore when teased,

3) Cheaters, so that I can actually see the pages I am reading.  loll

1/25/11

1) A long conversation with my baby sister...I miss that girl and can not wait to see her.  I am also so excited for her and her family to stay with us this summer.

2) Crafting.  I love that fact that Heavenly Father allowed one of my talents to be visual arts. 

3) Playing Yahtzee with my hubby last night.  I was actually able to beat him once.  loll

1/24/11

1) Cranberry juice with ice cubes and a straw.  Simple pleasures. 

2) Blue MT skies.  So spectacular and it makes it feel warmer.

3) Sitting with my friend Kelli the other day while she "grilled" me about my childhood.  I never realized how unusual it was until we moved here.  I am so glad I was able to have the experiences that I did.  Like everyone, there were some hard times, but looking back it was mostly golden...

1/21/11

Catching Up

January 21,

1) An evening to hang out in my PJ's and play in my scrap room with Lissie and Natalie.

2) The cheerful attitude my kids had while we were sorting laundry ~ lots and lots of laundry ~ some of it excavated from scary corners in their rooms.  We survived, with smiles on our faces.  They worked so hard, I am picky about how it is sorted and they have learned well.  A little prep goes a long way to actually getting it done. 

3) I put on a jacket I haven't worn for ages and not only got it buttoned, but was able to breath.  :-)

January 22,

1) An ENTIRE day spent at a mini-convention...stamping, watching demos...loved it.  Rejuvenated my creative juices!

2) Coming up with an sewing a bonnet pattern for Teresa.

3) My activity day girls coming over for dinner and a project.  We ate pancakes, bacon and eggs.  My friend Diane donated little wrapped chocolates and tootsie pops centerpieces for the girls.  She had placed them in flower diecuts...so cute and made the girls feel special.  We then used recycled plastic juice containers to make sewing kits. 

January 23,

1) Trek fireside.  I don't even know what to say about this.  It was so amazing and humbling to listen to these stories of hardship and joy.  Fear and courage.

2) Hugging my children good night instead of consigning them to a grave and knowing that the wolves were barely held at bay, just waiting until the pioneers crested the hill to tear the graves apart.  So many little children lost. 

3) The chance that my children have to go on this journey.  I have been reminded through our trials that we are part of something bigger and it helps me to keep things in perspective.  (generally) Now my kids will be able to walk along these paths, and be open to the sense of history, hardship and triumph that saturates the ground there.  I hope that it connects them with their ancestors. 

1/20/11

1) Yay! My cute boy is home safe...and clever thing that he is, he fixed the car!!!!

2)Stamping with my girlfriends tonight.  I have missed them so much!  I was so proud of how chivalrous my boys were, carrying bags for people and escorting them to and from their cars so that they didn't slip on the ice.

3) Rearranged my living room.  Love to shake things up. I did it before Shon got home because he hates it  when I do this.  He walked in and exclaimed...."I love it!

1/19/11

1) Being able to get our van out of the middle of our street so that it wouldn't get hit.  First it took Alex and I 45 minutes of hard awful painful work to get it to the side of the road.  I was really worried about it still being hit, because our road is horrible, but didn't say anything.  Then while the kids and I were planning our next several FHE's, our good friend Matt showed up to check out the van.  He helped me get it in the garage so that it would be safe and offered to come be an extra set of hands for Shon while fixing it. 

2) Alex made chocolate chip, oatmeal walnut cookies today.  They are my favorite.  I like to freeze them, luckily because they are so good, it only takes one to satisfy the craving.  :-)

3) Have now lost 8 consistent pounds.  11 "bouncing" pounds.  Hope it continues, not sure how it is happening, stress maybe?  I have tried to change my snacking habits and reduce carbs (unless at a restaurant, then it is all rules off. )  Now I need to start exercising.  Would love to hit my 40th at a much lower weight, but done in a healthy way. 

1/18/11

1) Getting the bit back between my teeth with Day Camp.

2) My heating pad, warming my cold, cold feet.

3) Going through my scrapbook room and putting everything away. 

1/17/11

1) Shon is safe in Bozeman for the next several days.

2) Joey's sweet and thoughtful nature.  Even though he is quick with a sometimes ill timed quip, he has a huge heart and watches out for me. 

3) Knowing how to craft.  What peace creativity brings. 

1/16/11

1) Sitting in my nice comfy bed, listening to my kids play together downstairs.  I am so glad that they like each other...Shon is on the couch reading a book by his favorite author....and I am alone.  I wouldn't want to be alone all of the time, but right now in this moment, knowing that my family is safe and happy...it is bliss.

2) My sweet friend who has a paper route and delivers the Sunday paper to us for free.  She gets extras and refuses all of our efforts to pay her.  I really like the Sunday paper, and it is so not in our budget.  I had never even mentioned it to her, she just decided to start doing it. 

3) The reaction of my cute activity day girls when they found out I was back and that we had an activity this Wed.  How heartwarming.  I love those girls.  It makes me wonder why I still don't feel like the calling is mine.  I will have to pray more about that. 

1/15/11

Yesterday's gratitude post

1) The people I work with in the Scouting world.  I have met some of my best friends through that.

2) Lunch with Libby and Shelly.  I have missed them so much.

3) I am glad that Shon bought me a matching seat warmer/massager.  :-)  I love that it can plug into the car.  Especially since it dropped 40 degrees today in a matter of hours.  Ouch.


Today I am thankful for;

1) Shon hanging out with 11 kids (a friend came over) so that I could go scrapbook for a while.

2) Going into a nice empty quiet scout office and getting caught up on some stuff, daycamp, training, church. Just paperwork, and all volunteer, but with all of the blessings in our life, I would be selfish to not give back my time. 

1/13/11

1) My nice warm bed.  I am so sad and worried. Took Lissie to the library tonight and as we were coming out there was a homeless lady in the foyer.  She was getting papers out of the trash.  I had to explain to Liss that homeless people do that when it is cold so that they can line their clothes with them in order to stay warm.  I wish I could fix it.  It does make me so grateful that we have a roof over our heads and food to eat.

2) The chance to help out one of my friends.  We are really blessed to be in a big enough house for the moment so that we can take in six extra kids for a few days.

3) The sweet helpful librarian who went out of her way to help us tonight.

1/12/11

1) The cutest hubby is home safe and sound...and willing to hang out with out sick boys tonight so I can go to bed. 

2) The gospel.  I can not even imagine getting through life thinking that I was in this alone.

3) Sidona brought over a stack of new books to dive into.  Wahoo!

1/11/11

1) Making a bird banner.  Happy bright colors, makes me hope that winter will end. 

2) Playing Mancala with Toby tonight. 

3) Eating dinner with my kids.  Shon is out of town, so we had kind of a strange one.  The kids had eggs, ham and salad and I had a salad with chicken and walnuts.  The chicken had a tiny bit of mayo in it so I didn't need dressing and I don't like croutons, so it was simple and yummy. 

1/10/11

1) All files organized...now to input new data.  Seriously though, it makes me feel so happy to have at least one area of my life organized and the way it stays just so....mainly because my children don't have keys to the Scout Office.  loll

2) Alex made the most amazing rolls for dinner tonight.  Then he and Joey cheerfully chopped onions, bacon and cooked it with burger for Calico Beans.  They pretty much made the whole meal.  To top it off were Ali's homemade cinnamon rolls.

3) Going to the library.  I am so glad I can read. I actually can not imagine a life without books.  We went to the library for FHE.  I found some great books then a major score.  Let me try that again...a MAJOR score.  In our friend of the library sale corner.....I found 9...count 'em 9 brand new paperbacks by one of my FAVORITE authors (one of the few I actually re-read).  9...happy sigh.  Best part (drum roll please) they were only 50 cents each.  Aaaaahhhhhhhh....life is good.  Hope the boys keep making dinner, I have some books to read. 

1/9/11

1) The satisfaction of things being organized in my craft room...my own little land of OCD.  It is amazing how much worse things get when you pull it all out to clean and then it gets all better. 

2) An  ice maker in my fridge.  I love the fact that I don't live in England where they basically use ice only for skating on. 

3) England did however send us scones.  Yum. 

1/8/11

1) Hanging out with my friend Brenda and helping her organize her new scrapbook room.

2) Having a husband who doesn't ever act like he has to "babysit" his own children.

3) NyQuil to help tame this headache so that I don't waste my weekend sleeping. 

1/7/11

1) Going into the Scout Office and getting to catch up on some paperwork.  I know some people think that I am crazy to do so much with scouting and not get paid, but volunteering and helping the people I do brings a lot of satisfaction.  I like helping people.  Besides, they gave me my own office space and it is fun to be able to go in and start a job, finish it and make a difference.  :-)

2) The library had two new books in by two of my fav authors, one read, 1/2 of one to go.  I can't imagine not being able to read.  Thank goodness for clever people who share their imaginations!

3) The unexpected treat of Randy and Teresa calling and wanting to take us out to dinner.  We had a lot of laughs, caught up and ate a yummy dinner.  I also love the fact that we don't have to get babysitters anymore. 

1/6/11

For some reason, I couldn't get anything to post yesterday, so here is yesterday's list.

1) Reading the scriptures with my kids each day before school.  It is really amazing to hear their insights.  We don't read a ton of verses each day, sometimes it is only 10 verses and then discussion, but that 15-20 minutes is very precious to me.  I think that between that and our prayer before school, it helps all of us.  We all notice a difference when we end up missing.  It is one of the things that I missed terribly while we were all apart.

2) A handful of walnuts and a Gala apple for lunch.  Yum.

3) Reading two books this week by an author that I really like. 

Today;

1) Spending the day in my scrapbook room creating beautiful things for Diane's Stampin' Up display.  I did all home dec items and loved how they turned out. 

2) Going to Diane's open house tonight to stamp with my friends and catch up on the last 10 weeks of every one's life. 

3) My sweet hubby comes home tonight.  Sigh...he really is cute. 

1/4/11

1) Shon is safe and sound in his hotel room.  Grateful we have at least one car that works and he can travel safely. 
2) Sitting around the table at our dinner table with all my kids tonight, laughing over silly movie quotes. 
3) Finally getting the cupboard in my main bathroom sorted out and organized.  Threw away old stuff, moved our first aid kits in there, toilet paper stacked...I think it might actually have a chance of it staying that way this time because I used those  pink bins from the hospital to hold the items after I sorted them.  Who knew you could knew you could get handy dandy ugly storage for only $5000.00 a bin?

1/3/11

1) Happy news for someone close to us and designing cute things to make for the event. 
2) Getting to play in my craft room.
3) Saw the bottom of two of the laundry baskets...won't say how many are left...choosing to look on the bright side.  Things might go faster if they would stop dirtying new clothes, of course January in MT is the wrong time to encourage a nudist lifestyle.  LOLL

1/2/11

1) A hot, hot shower to chase away the aches from the cold. 
2) Being the parent who is able to ignore the teens protesting my long shower.  :-)
3) Being with all of my children, even if they think our rules are biased towards the adults in this family.  They learned a new term...Double Standard.  loll

1/1/11

1) So grateful to be all together again...in the same house.
2) Glad I am IN the house and not out in the COLD...COLD...COLD..weather!
3) Almost all the way unpacked and getting the house back in order.