Enough Already

Well, needless to say I'm quite upset about this. I am sick AGAIN. This is the 5th time in 3 months. I've had two stomach flu's and three colds, the present cold is driving me crazy and though I never go to the doctor, I think it may be time. And I just had the stomach flu last week! Honestly, is there no rest for the weary???

One Cold Night...

Lance and I went on a date tonight to the Home and Garden Show and then to see a show at the planetarium called Bad Astronomy. Yes, these are the things we do for fun in Twin because after all, its Twin and we live in Idaho. After the show we went to get ice cream at Sonic and halfway through a bite a memory came to my mind that was so hilarious that I spewed ice cream everywhere. I love thinking about Charleston and I don't want to forget this particular night which is the reason for this post.

One night in Charleston we were hanging out with Matt and Krystal Tipping, some of our best friends. We didn't have anything to do and since Lance and I were moving back to Twin shortly, we had a bunch of fireworks to get rid of that we didn't want to pack. Tipping's live right by Sonic (I'm a sucker for their blasts) so we stopped there before heading to the park right by Tipping's house. Krystal and I kinda hid in the bushes while the boys let off the fireworks because if we did get caught, we had an easy getaway but we could still enjoy the fireworks while eating our ice cream. The boys were having a great time and were getting creative with how they were lighting off the fireworks. One was leaning on the fence but after the fuse had burned half way, the firework fell and shot straight through the forest and bounced around a bit before dying.

And then it came down to the finale. Lance had this huge cube of whatever they were, rockets or something that once you light the first one, the rest of them shoot off by themselves. We didn't realize how extremely loud and bright they were going to be so once the first one shot off, we all started booking it back to Tipping's place, we thought we were going to get caught for sure! The boys laughingly caught up to Krystal and I and Lance said, "Well, only 98 more of those to go!" For some reason that struck me as so painstakingly hilarious, mind you I was still eating my Sonic Blast while running for my life, that I spewed ice cream all over and had it dripping down my face. It was SO funny, once we got to Tipping's place we were laughing nonstop for an hours and the fireworks were still going off. Oh my heavens, GOOD TIMES!!!!!

Ode to Lance

This week I've been a little bummed, besides feeling sorry for myself for having the flu twice in two months, I don't get to see Lance very much. Since he's been in school he's been so focused and committed to his studying which shows in his grades, he's doing very well. I'm so proud of him, mostly because I hate school and I can't do what he's doing. I know he gets frustrated and overwhelmed at times with the load of homework but he just closes the door to our computer room (shutting out my every comment that distracts him like, "Honey, are you almost done? When you're done can we go on an ice cream run? Want to hear the funniest story I heard today? When you're done do you think you can do dishes for me?") and gets down to business applying himself and somehow turns his brain into an even more absorbent sponge.

I'm so grateful he's sacrificing his time to get school done and over with so at some point, he'll be a licensed mortician and we can make a somewhat decent living. I admire his patience and dedication. I know it's quite difficult at times and I don't make it any easier on him with my complaining that he spends more time on homework that he does with me. What's even more amazing is even after all my complaining that I don't get to see him much, he still finds time to sporadically surprise me with the dishes being done and the house all clean. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband, much more wonderful than I deserve! (This is my favorite Jack Vettriano picture and one day, probably several years after school is finished, it'll be hanging in our house. I love it!)

Day of Love

Check out my jewelry blog HERE or on the side bar at Chic Intuition. I posted pictures of a little something I helped my cousin make for his wife for Valentine's Day.

Planning Party

Yesterday morning all my sisters in law met at my mom's house for breakfast so we could have a planning party for my sister's bridal shower, bachlorette party, and craft day all happening in March. Grandpa and Devin are making scrambled eggs and chocolate chip pancakes. Mmmmm, they were delicious!I meant to get several pictures of all us girls together but I forgot. Wait until you see the crafts we're going to make, they're going to be SO cute! And I don't want to give away the craft to family so yall will have to wait until after the craft day/bridal shower to get a picture.

Little Haylee

Yesterday Lance's sister, Allison and Charlie, came down for a quick visit to show us their new baby....finally a girl after three boys! This is little Haylee and there were a few hiccups in the hospital during delivery but she's now healthy and so adorable! Congrats Allison!!

Cuddling with Grandma

Little Valarie

My number 4 brother, Tim and KoLei, had their third baby a few weeks ago and we were able to go to their blessing. This is little Valarie who is the spitting image of her big sister! She has LOTS of dark hair that loves to stick straight up, she's such a doll!

All smiles!

Marjorie Pay Hinckley said in her book:

"These are golden years for you. These are years when you will probably do the most important work of your lives. Don't wish away your years of caring for small children. Life if what happens to you while you are making other plans. This is a time of great opportunity for you to build the kingdom. When you teach children to love their Heavenly Father, you have done one of the greatest things you will ever do. If you can be a full-time homemaker, be grateful. If not, you must do what is best for you. I for one have never felt a need to apologize for my role as a full-time homemaker.

These are busy, busy days for you......(you) are among the hardest working women in the world. They plant gardens and bottle produce; they sew and bargain shop. They go on the heart fund drive. They take dinners to new mothers and the sick in their neighborhoods. They take care of aged parents. They climb Mount Timpanogos with Cub Scouts, go to Little League games, sit on the piano bench while Jennie practices, do temple work, and worry about getting their journals up-to-date. My heart bursts with pride when I see them come into church on Sunday, some as early as 8:30 in the morning, their children all clean and shiny, their arms loaded with supplies, as they head for classes where they teach other women's children. They scrub their house with little or no domestic help and then try to be the glamour girl in their husband's life when he arrives home at night. But remember, my dear young friends, that you are now doing the work that God intended you to do. Be grateful for the opportunity.

My concern for you is that you are trying to cover all the bases at one time. You cannot be everything to everyone all the time. Sister Belle S. Spafford, in her parting words to the Relief Society sisters in the Tabernacle some years ago said:

'The average woman today, I believe, would do well to appraise her interests, evaluate the activities in which she is engaged, and then take steps to simplify her life, putting things of first importance first, placing emphasis where the rewards will be greatest and most enduring, and ridding herself of the less rewarding activities.'

'The endless enticements and demands of life today require that we determine priorities in allocating our time and energies if we are to live happy, poised, productive lives.'"

Is It Spring Time Yet?

I don't know what the officials decided on whether or not they saw the groundhog, but I am SOOO ready for spring! It's been in the upper 40's this week which is typically freezing cold in my book but compared to some of the really cold days, it's been so nice and mild. I had to go to the store yesterday to pick up a few things and there were lovely bright colors everywhere with potted tulips, adorable sun dresses for little girls, and with the sun shining it felt so good. I never realized how much I loved the sunshine until it didn't show it's face for the entire month of January. Oh how I missed it!

Ever Wonder the Damages of Hard Water?

Ever since I was in high school, I have worked for Kinetico besides the 2.5 years we were in Charleston. I am now working back there as the office manager and I really enjoy it. Anyway, for those of you that don't know what hard water is or how to treat your water, Kinetico is the only system that works on demand and is non electric. It's extremely efficient using dual tanks so when one tank is regenerating the other tank is still giving you soft water. Because it isn't on a timer you don't waste gallons of water and salt on unnecessary regeneration. Kinetico honestly is the best company out there. (And no, I'm not just saying that because I work for them. They truthfully are the best!)

Have you ever wondered what hard water does to your appliances? You know it leaves spots on your dishes, it has a chlorine taste and smell, and it's difficult to clean off of fixtures. Here's a picture of a water heater that's been cut so you can see the affects of hard water. And just think, if this is how damaged the water heater is, then what about the washer, fridge, dishwasher, and all the other water-using appliances and plumbing in your house?!

Now Available

Go check out my new display at Scrappin' Girlfriends on Main Street. Don't delay, more coming soon! Click HERE for a preview at Chic Intuition.

Nubbins

Lance and I got a new bunny to replace our other McHuge Mutant Lion/Bunny. We found him on craigslist in Boise, he's a Holland Lop and is SO soft it's amazing! Anyway, he's small and SO cute! We named him Nubbins and Lance has been working with him this past week to get him house trained. Yep, he's house trained.