Simple Gifts

We had enrichment night tonight and among the many wonderful things that were spoken and stood out in my mind, this one in particular I wanted to post about. This is a very old song written by Joseph Brackett in Maine in 1848. Here are the lyrics and you can click on the link at the bottom to hear the arrangement by Aaron Copeland. I love it!

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come out right.

Simple Gifts - Aaron Copeland

The Saga Continues

Week 3 - just a little update and ranting on this weird prolonged illness that has me in bondage. I did go to the doctor a week ago who said I have a bacterial infection/virus/whatever. He prescribed me some antibiotics to take which did actually work, by Friday I was feeling almost normal again. Saturday came and it started all over again, the coughing, sneezing, stuffy sinuses, all of which I've been trying to endure well. Until last night. I had some intensely sharp pains in my stomach that would last as long as 5 seconds (which seemed like an hour!) or as little as a half second, either way they were EXTREMELY painful. I tried to endure those as well as I could but the pain was getting closer together and more intense. At this time Lance was at quartet practice so I told him he needed to come home ASAP. He kind of did, he took a detour to the pharmacy and the pharmacist said that the antibiotics were killing the bad and the good bacteria in my stomach which was why it was so painful.

Anyway, by the time Lance got back I had thrown up a couples times and he was researching it all on the internet. Everything he found said to stop taking the antibiotics and to contact a doctor right away. Duh, that was helpful! It was around midnight, Lance called the few doctor offices that were open and they wouldn't give doctor's advice over the phone without knowing our regular doctor. We don't have a regular doctor, we just moved here a few months ago - frustrating! Luckily we have several friends in med school in Charleston, however it was about 2am their time. Do we call and wake them up? We opted not to. I threw up once more and Lance told me to get dressed, we were going to the ER. By this time the pain was further in between and I was able to start drifting off to sleep, until the pain woke me again. I told Lance I'd try to sleep it off and if it was just as bad in an hour, I'd wake him and we'd go to the ER.

Thankfully I lived to see another overcast day here in Twin without a trip to the ER. I'm waiting for a phone call back from the original doctor that admitted me and hopefully I can put this whole thing behind me. I have a lot of important things going on this week so I'm hoping by tomorrow that I'll be back to my old self. We'll see.

On a lighter note, this illness has given me a lot of down time which means I finally had time to start reading Twilight. SO GOOD!! Even though I'm not much of a literary analyst or writer myself, I don't think I would have enjoyed the book as much had I not seen the movie first. I didn't care for the first two chapters I think the author writes in too many short sentences. That bothers me a little, I like to have some variety. But when it comes down to describing Bella and Edward and their conversations, I think she captures it so intimately perfect!

Lance is doing quite well in school. I was never as academically dedicated as he is, I'm so amazed at how much time and effort and TIME he spends studying. How many college kids do you know go to the lab on a Saturday night studying? I only know of one and I'm so proud of him.

You would not believe how filthy our house is. Sure I've been sick for 3 weeks but I never feel quite good enough to bring out the cleaning supplies. I mean our house is down right D-I-R-T-Y which can't help my illness but I just don't have the energy to clean. Luckily I have a good husband who still does the dishes for me.

Hopefully the next time I post I'll be back to my chipper self. Until then, Twilight is waiting for me.

I Finished One - Finally

I have several unfinished crafts that I've had for quite some time but this past weekend I finally finished one. Whew! I've had intentions to finish it several weeks ago but just haven't found the time. Here's a picture of the finished product. I just painted this wooden frame, roughed it up a bit with sand paper, applied a finishing stain, and inserted the bead board. I found the wreath for $7 at Real Deals (a woman's paradise!) and the knob at Lowes. Add a little ribbon to hang the wreath and voila, I'm done! What do you think?

More Designs

I've added more things to my display at Scrappin' Girlfriends so head down to take a peek! I've also posted a few more things on my jewelry blog and Etsy Shop. Check it out to the right!

Day 5

Day 5: This illness is just dragging on and on and on and on and on. Need I say that I'M TIRED of this?! I've missed four days of work which isn't good at all considering I'm the moolah maker while Lance is in school. Everybody keeps giving me tips and advice of what medicine I should take and how to take it. None of it is working people!! Ohhh.....every inch of me aches.....

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.

Homesick

At times my homesickness for Charleston hits me stronger than other times. For some reason I'm always quite homesick on sundays. But anyway, here's a few pictures of random events that we thoroughly enjoyed. There are a lot of pictures but this is mostly to be included in the future when I print out our blog.

2006. My first calling in Chas was a sunbeam teacher. They were a hoot! (And a handful).



Thanksgiving 2007. Becca preparing to send everyone home with leftovers. Kimball pulls some of the best faces I've ever seen! Lindsay the head chef who did a fabulous job. Matt, Krystal, Doug, Joel, and Spencer playing Rock Band.





Halloween 2007. Great costumes! Clara, Matt Tipping, Josh and Michelle, and Brice and Tawni.




2008 Tedrow's farewell party. We miss you guys and I wish I could see your cute pregnant belly! Congratulations!
2008 before Francis' moved to Chile. Game night with Tippings, Hirschi's, and Francis'. What a blast we had!

We love the Tippings!!!! Enough said. (tear, tear)

August 2008. This is the YM & YW at our luau. Collin rocked at the Limbo!

2008. Game night with Hirschi's. Annalee and I always beat the boys, what can I say we make a great team!

I LOVE MY BEST BUDS!!!

2008 right before we moved back. I had a lunch date with Crystal, Becca, and Trea and their kids at Chic Fil A. And to think this was my first time eating there. Shame on me!

2008. This is most of the kids being entertained by the ol' pirate at Brian M's birthday party.

The ol' pirate himself, Matt Tipping. Yes he's so rough and gruff he steals the little kid's capri sun drinks.

2008 The girls hitting it up with rock band. You really were awesome! Vanessa, Jenny Leigh, Krystal, Teagan, and Becca.2008. The best fourth of July ever! I've never seen fireworks quite like the ones these boys shot off.

2008. This is Lance and I right before we left for a date to see the Middleton Plantation. No comments on my hair.....seriously what was I thinking?!

Lance will probably shoot me once he finds out I posted this picture since he's lost so much weight since then. This was at Boone Hall, July 2007 right after Jason and Makenna moved to Chas. We had a short tour of the mansion and enjoyed an outdoor concert by the Chas. Symphony followed by cool fireworks. It was there we learned how people really get into the picnic contests and we got eaten alive by the noseeums. (Don't ask me how to spell it but Jason, I know you know what I'm talking about!)

Ever seen a redneck beach house? Only in the south!

Blah!

Does anybody else out there have the winter blues? Seriously, after several weeks (if not months) of fog and mist and snow and rain and lots of wind............where's the sunshine?!?!?! Where's the warmth and the love of walking outside because it's so nice???? I'm so sick of winter, it's getting quite ridiculous and very on my nerves. I just want some sunshine people, is that too hard to ask for?!?!

Glimpses Into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I have been reading this book about sister Hinckley and I wanted to post an excerpt in her words that really touched me:

"A grateful heart will give you a touch of refinement that can come in no other way.

I went to high school during the days of the famous Depression. It was a miserable experience. But, in a way, I wish you could have been there with us. Somehow it helped me to appreciate much more the prosperity we now enjoy. I know some of you think you are on a tight budget, and you are. I am glad if you are. But it is a tight budget because you have nothing else to compare with it. It isn't your fault that you have had three square meals a day, most every day of your life. It isn't your fault that somehow or other you have always been able to get a new pair of shoes, whether you needed them or not. It isn't your fault that you have at least five or six changes of clothing in your crowded closets. But all of this makes it doubly hard for you to be truly grateful.

Has the fear of not being able to get an education ever struck terror into your heart? Probably not, for you knew that somehow or other you would get here and that somehow or other you will stay as long as you so desire, for this is America, where only your own indolence can keep you from the good things in life.

And when you finally develop a little gratitude in your heart, make up your mind to express it. 'Appreciation unexpressed is not appreciation.' If you can't find someone to say thank you to for something, just take a look at your toothbrush and say, 'Thank you for being. You are a wonderful little gadget.'

'Thank you' is a wonderful phrase. Use it. It will add stature to your soul. Never let a day go by without saying thank you to someone for something - and especially to your Heavenly Father."

Another Excerpt from Sister Hinckley's Book

"As I watched some of the young mothers come into this meeting with young children, restless from meetings that have preceded this one, I think I felt something of your frustration and challenge to be the perfect mother. Relax. There is no such thing as the perfect mother who fits all the eulogies. We just do the best we can with the help of the Lord, and who knows, these children who are struggling to be free may someday rise up and call us blessed.

The trick is to enjoy it. Don't wish away your days of caring for young children. This is your great day. Sometimes we get so caught up in the physical work and trivia that we forget the big picture. We forget whose children they really are. When the house is filled with children, noise and teasing and laughter, you get the feeling this is forever. Before you know it they will be gone. When our second son went away to school at the age of seventeen, I said, 'But Clark, I am not through with you. I feel there is so much I will need to teach you.'

'Too late, Mother, too late.'

Our children grow so quickly out of our reach. The rewards of mothering are not immediate. There are times when you are less than appreciated. I took from the oven one day what I thought was a beautiful casserole, only to have my six-year-old son say, 'Mom, how come you baked the garbage?'

There there is the unexpected hug, when you least deserve it. And while you are enjoying these days of mothering, be sure your demands on your children for perfection are not so heavy that they cannot be children.

Don't be like the mother I know who said to her ten-year-old daughter, who was the oldest of five children and from whom the mother needed a little help and cooperation, 'Sometimes you act just like a child.'

'But Mother, I am,' she wisely replied.

A busy parent writes: 'One morning I was hurrying my three-year-old's dressing procedure because I had only minutes to spare. In the middle of the commotion and worry, my little girl cleverly enjoyed a little joke of her own about something unrelated to the job at hand. I ignored her fun and indicated my disapproval . . . Her sweet, thought-provoking response: 'Mommy, don't we even have time to laugh?'

We all feel the pressures and stress of the sophisticated, fast-paced, complicated, competitive world in which we find ourselves. Not only do we feel it as adults, but the children feel it too. Because of TV, the press, and videos, our children are exposed to adult life very, very early. This makes it doubly important that mothers and fathers consciously strive to make it possible for children to be children before they become adults."

Holy Cow.....I mean, bunny!

Lance has a love for rabbits and even though the term "bunny" is generally reserved for speaking to children, we call them bunnies. Before we moved to Charleston we had two unnamed bunnies that we called Bunny (we're so lazy we never actually named them). Ever since Lance got a little Christmas money from his parents, he's been dying to get another bunny. Saturday he went with Kempton up to Gooding and bought one while I was out with my mom and sister wedding planning. When I got home I asked Lance to bring the bunny in the house so I could see and pet him and in the mean while I used the bathroom. When I got out I heard this unexpectedly loud thumping. I looked over to where the sound was coming from and I was seriously terrified! This was the largest bunny I have ever seen in my life, it was HUGE! I mean, I was a little scared and then realized just how large this thing was and thought it was freaky/comical. Anyway, needless to say he's quite large so we took him back to the owner. Here's the bunny who we called Rupert for a day while we had him.

The Old Men

Many of you who knew Lance from high school, knows that he is an avid lover/supporter of barbershop. No, not barbershops like the kind that cut hair because after all, he doesn't have hair to cut. I'm referring to barbershop music. Before we moved to Charleston he was the director of the Magichords in Twin Falls, a group of 30 old and grumpy men that love to sing in harmony (and complain a lot). Now that we're back in Twin he's formed a quartet with his brother Kempton, and two high school friends TJ and Ben. Let me tell you, they have such a great time together! I think they do more laughing than actual singing but it has been so fun to have the four of them together doing what they love.

Friday was the annual barbershop dinner and though we were the only "youth" there (I thought youth was ages 12-18 but apparently in barbershop you're still a youth if you're under 55), the quartet was asked to sing a few numbers. They did a fantastic job! We had an awesome time together and I'm so glad Lance is again involved in his love of barbershop.

It's Official

I now have a display with lots of jewelry items now available at Just 4 Kids on Fairfield Avenue above Real Deals. COMING SOON: I'm in the process of making another display so I'll have a lot more jewelry for moms, not just kids. Right now there's plenty of baby bracelets and several sets of earrings, go check it out!

I Gave In!

Ok I've never been a big fan of reading books that are popular. The Harry Potter books and movie - I could care less. The Chronicles of Narnia - not interested at all (although I did see the movies because Lance read the books several years ago and loved them). I'm just not a science fiction type of person, all the fantasy and weird creatures and powers, just a little too bizarre for me. I like to stay a little more grounded.

However, while Lance was having quartet practice tonight, Emily, one of the other fellow quartet wives such as myself, came over while the boys sang their little hearts out. We decided to go see a movie. And yes, I gave in and watched Twilight. Now, in my defense Emily had already seen it a few times and although she hadn't read the books, she was SO in love with it. I mostly went along with it to humor her because in all honesty I really didn't think I would enjoy it at all. I mean come on, vampires, really???

Needless to say, I am now a Twilight fan and come Monday I will be the first one at the library checking out the books. Yeah I'm too cheap to buy it and besides we live literally, right next door to the library so I really have no excuse not to read the books now. I'm debating if I should just read the first one and then wait until the next movie comes out to read the second. I don't like to jump ahead and I don't want to spoil the next movie. But if I like the books as much as the movie, there's no way I'd be able to wait for the next movie. Alas, I am now a fan!

A New Era

On Sunday an older woman in our ward whom I greatly admire for her strength and wisdom, stood up in Relief Society and gave an analogy that she was taught several years ago by her visiting teacher when she was about to move. She talked about how each of us are in different eras in our lives; some are newlyweds and others are celebrating their 50th anniversary. Some are finishing school and others are well into their careers. Some have little tots running around and other are raising teenagers. Etc, etc. As we enter in these eras we are like four white walls. If there are regrets or mistakes on our old wall decor, we have a chance to decorate these new white walls with whatever we wish. We ring in a new year and everybody has resolutions on their minds, well this is our chance to create a new era, to make needed changes in our lifestyle or habits, and to "hang up" a picture of Christ on our new walls.

Of course she said this much more eloquently than I just explained, but as she did I welled up with tears and my heart ached to be in Charleston. I felt sad, alone, and really vulnerable. Then I realized that I have entered a new era in my life: Lance and I have moved back home to Twin Falls to finish up school. I have just as much opportunity as the next person to make changes in my life. And so I decided to be happy. I decided to do what makes me smile and laugh. I decided to quit being selfish and self-centered and feeling sorry for myself for being so far away from my friends and all the things I came to absolutely love about Charleston. I decided that all the familiar sayings and quotes are true and not just cliche that states, "Only you can make yourself happy" or "You choose your own attitude" or "As a man thinketh so is he." One of our best friends in Charleston has a big board above her mantle that just states Be Happy. I'm making the decision to be happy, to be proactive and outgoing about making friends and making Twin Falls home again.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Debbie Downer. I've just realized that I need to change my attitude and be more optimistic. Life is to be enjoyed and we're supposed to be happy. That's why families, chocolate chips, and crafts exist! :) No really, one of my goals that I previously posted about was to read more. I finished reading The Peacegiver a few weeks ago and it really changed me. So I'd like to take the initiative to help other people laugh and smile and feel good about themselves because if they do, then so will I.

Look Who's Getting Hitched!

On New Year's Day my younger and only sister, Christine, got engaged! How exciting, we've already taken a trip to try on wedding dresses and of course, day dream. Aahhhhh.....

Beading By Becky

I've added a few recent designs to my jewelry blog, click HERE to check it out!

The Peacegiver

I have a book recommendation to everyone: it's called The Peacegiver, by James Ferrell. Read it, it offers some amazing insight into the atonement and how it applies to others, not just ourselves. Seriously.....read it, I highly recommend it and cannot say enough good things about it.