Life, Love, & Laughter

Yellowstone 2011

2011-11-13T17:47:00.001-08:00

The past three years since Dad passed away, mom has rented a cabin up in Yellowstone for us to spend some time together as a family. This year was the first year that EVERYONE was there. It was so much fun to be able to have my sister Sara there with her family because she hasn't been able to come the past couple of years. Thanks for that amazing effort Sara for coming all that way to be with us and make us complete! Here's our 2011 visit to Yellowstone!

There is always a lot of people and so there is always a lot of food! We would be cooking and there would be piles of food and then in another minute...it would all be gone! There was loads of entertainment with games but for the most part, the kids just hung out and played like crazy. There was always someone to play with!

Just waiting for OLD FAITHFUL....again!

We went into Yellowstone one day and saw a couple of things. Of coarse we hit Old Faithful. Sara and her family hadn't seen it and so we wanted to let them see it.

Sara and her kids (with the help of Uncle Jon)

It was very special to be able to have my grandparents there with us. It was nice to be able to share this time with them. Grammy was wheeled around in her wheelchair the whole time and Sara's little boy Jack loved to hitch a ride. We caught him on her lap a lot.

Quentin and Isaac. I love this picture!!

This lady was the one that made all of this possible!!! and these are three of her crazy sons!

Having quite a few musicians in our family made for some fun musical entertainment. Michael and Sara recently taught themselves how to play the guitar and Joe took up the mandolin. Calli joins in and so does Bethany with her Violin. It's sooo much fun!

I love these boys together! Mack had so much fun with Andrew and Sam.

Emily got rather attached to Jeff on our hike. He had quite the hair-do after it was over because she kept playing with it while she was on his shoulders.

Jon and his family.

We got a bunch of family pictures taken together. We did the whole group, mom and the kids, grandma and the grand kids, the girls, the boys, etc. It was so fun to be together and to get some precious pictures of that time spent with one another.

Us crazy girls!

In town in West Yellowstone. There is a candy store there that the kids think we need to go to every year! They say that it's a tradition! My Aunt Lynn (my dad's sister) was able to drive down and stay a night with us. It was awesome to have her there with us! So much fun to be able to spend that time with her. She even participated in our Minute-to-win-it games.

Sugar cookie decorating. A family tradition!!

Some more entertaining! Michael and Papa sang a really great song together about how the get up and go has got up and gone.

Monument Hike

2011-10-23T20:58:00.000-07:00

One Saturday this summer we took off and did a hike that we have been talking about doing for a few years. A couple of years ago, I went on this hike with the girls at girls camp and wanted to take my family back there ever since! Luckily, I have a brother and sister-in-law who love to hike and so I invited them to come because it is smart to take someone that knows a little what they are doing. Let's face it...I am a city girl and unfortunately, I have transformed Jeff a little and so between the two of us, we aren't too outdoorsy...but we love it when we get a chance and it isn't too much Ha ha! So we met Michael and Rachel and their family up there and started our hike. It is a pretty easy hike as long as you don't have anyone too young..oh wait, we took a 4 year old! Jacob was so great though and was a trooper and so was Michael because he carried Jacob for a good portion of the hike.

The views were beautiful and it was a gorgeous day that day! PERFECT!

The hike goes up to a monument that was placed after some girls died while on the hike many years ago. They were attending girls camp and got caught on top of the mountain in a lightning storm.

Underneath some of the water while we ate lunch.

Our little family! Loved being there with them! It was a special day.

Here is the water fall that ends the hike. It actually goes all the way through to a place to repel and come out the other side of the mountain...Maybe another day in a few more years!

From the Inside!

Going Home...

Family Shots

2011-10-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

One day after we walked home from Stake Conference, I made everyone wait to eat lunch until we took a few shots together. It had been a while and so we took a few photos together.

Grandpa Craig and Grandma Sue 2011

2011-10-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

Craig and Sue came to visit and we did the same things that we traditionally do with Grandma and Grandpa. We went to the zoo and enjoyed the warm weather together.

We always do a lot of swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's hotel!

This year they were here for the 4th of July and they love the Idaho Falls fireworks as well they should and so we went again this year with them. The fireworks never disappoint!

Our regular Pizza visit to Papa Tom's. Our last night. It is always so bitter sweet to be with them. We enjoy their visit so much, but always know that when they leave it will be another year before we see them again. We always enjoy having them here so much...so grateful for their efforts in coming so far to see us all.

Mack gets Baptized!

2011-10-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

On July 2, 2011 Mack made a wonderful decision to get baptized. We are so proud of him and had such a special day. I love this picture of him before he got baptized He was so happy and excited. He was worried about his hair and what they were going to do with it after he got dunked. Dad ended up doing a really good job getting to look the way her wanted after the baptism.

Dad and Mack before the big DUNK!

I love my special family and the choice that Mack made to get baptized gets us closer to being a forever family.

The Kiddo's!

The "NEW" little boy with mom and dad.

There were a lot of special people there to share in that special day with us. Here's a picture of all of them even though half of the kids aren't even looking at the camera...including the special baptized boy.

It's days like this that we miss our dads and grandpas so much. This would have been a day that they would have enjoyed more than any of us. I know that they were there at some point, but how lucky we are to be able to have our moms and grandmas there. I love this picture of Mack and his Grandma kissing him! So much love!

Calli's Birthday

2011-10-23T16:58:00.000-07:00

On June 30th, our baby girl turned 12!!! Calli wanted a rainbow cake for her birthday this year. I have wanted to try one for a while. When I was a kid I loved rainbows and if I knew about this cake, I would have asked for one! It was super fun to make this with her. She wanted to help of coarse and because her cousin was here to spend a week with us, Maddie helped too.

We just used 2 white cake mixes and divided each cake mix into three sections using three cake pans. We baked the red, orange, and yellow first. With the next mix we did green, blue, and purple. The colors look a little funny when they are baked, but once you cut into it, the colors are bright and gorgeous!

Dad always has the job of lighting the candles.

Here's what it looked like cut. It was so pretty and yummy too! If I do say so myself!

I can't believe that she is 12! She was very excited to turn 12 so that she could start going to Young Women's at church and to go to Middle School! The changes she was excited for scared me the mom. I am not sure that I am ready for them...but watching her be excited is so much fun. I cherish her and love the relationship that we have. She is just dang adorable and dang good company! What a joy she is to have in our family! Thank Heaven for little girls...even though they grow up and get big!

Baseball 2011

2011-09-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

Mack loves to play baseball! From the pictures...you can tell that he likes to hit and be on base better than the outfield. I love the one where he is yawning. It is so much fun to go and watch him. He has played with the same boys the past few years and all of them have improved so much from year to year. I hope that he always wants to play. I already can't wait until next years season!

Happy Father's Day 2011

2011-09-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

Oh I love this man!! But seeing this picture of him with his kids I wonder if they may love him even more than me! He is pretty darn popular in our home. I am so grateful for all that he does for our family, for the kids and for me.

For Father's Day, the Primary kids made their dads ties in Primary the Sunday before and all of the dads wore them on Father's Day. They were all so fun. Jeff was a super good sport wearing the tie. Luckily all the dads had one on.

Happy Father's Day Babe!

Mack Turns 8!!

2011-09-14T16:09:00.000-07:00

Mack had his birthday party at the Apple Athletic Club. Since I work there, I got an amazing discount to have a pool party for him there. It was so cold that day, but the kids didn't mind. They had a blast!

Here's Mack in the hot tub with Christian, Joshy, and Porter. Friends.

Mack is pretty much attached at the hip to these adorable girls. Nikki and Remi Perez. He HAD to invite them too.

Happy Birthday my cute boy! I can't believe that you are EIGHT!!!

Laying in our bed that night...a little too much partying?

Pioneer Trek

2011-09-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

Right after we got home from Lake Powell, Quentin and Calli went on the Pioneer Trek. This is the only picture I have of them for right now. They said that they were going to get a CD to everyone of the actual Trek. The kids were to leave all electronics behind and to dress like a pioneer and pull a handcart like a pioneer and cook like a pioneer, you get the picture. Once they got there they were divided into families with numerous brothers and sisters and started walking. They had so much fun. They talked about it non stop once they got home and took a very needed shower. I am so glad that they had the chance to go and share that experience with each other. I am also grateful for the pioneers and the example that they set for all of us of sacrifice, endurance, and worship.

Lake Powell 2011

2011-09-08T15:53:00.000-07:00

Lake Powell is so much fun when we have been able to go. We haven't been able to make it the last couple of times that everyone has gone so we were so excited to be able to go this year. It was a little bitter sweet because the last time we went, we were there with Jeff's dad and grandpa. He loved Lake Powell and so the rest of is loved it with him. We missed him so much but knew that he was so happy that we were all there together and having fun with one another. It was so early in the season and so the water was freezing! Go figure...it was coming straight from the snow on the mountains! The water raised so much everyday. It was the fullest that it had been since 1980. It was exciting that the Lake was going to be full this year, but kind of rotten for us who wanted to be in the water...The two times I actually got in it took my breath away! One of those times I got in was on accident. I was trying to get from the jet boat to the house boat and fell into the water in between...camera and all! Consequently losing my camera to moisture! Jeff tried to fix it after we tried to get the water out from putting it in a bowl of couscous, but it didn't work. The pictures that I did get are pictures that I had taken before the fall and then some that I have blog lifted! Here's my skeleton collection of photos from that fun week!

I don't mind roughing it a little bit, but don't ask me to go without my finger nail polish!! By the end of one afternoon, every female had their fingers or toes painted thanks to Calli and I. Even the littlest new addition Marlee got her nails painted too. Thanks to Uncle Jeff holding her down while I painted.

Even though it was freezing...some of them still got out to do a little water skiing and tubing. Greg, you still got it!

The girls and Brigg.

One afternoon, we had a little talent show. It was really fun and funny. Calli performed for everyone on her guitar. I could watch this girl all day play and sing! I just love it!! The little ones really got into it singing and dancing and doing some really cute skits! So much fun.

Mack wanting to drive the boat and his first mate Brigham...If these boys ever get old enough...watch out!

My kids at Rainbow Bridge. I am so glad that they got to go and see this amazing formation.

Jeff was the designated Jet Ski Shoufer. He was always taking the little ones out for rides.

Here's most of the clan. Missing a few...so much fun! Thanks to Grandma for providing us with such fun memories to have forever!

Calli's 6th Grade Graduation

2011-08-14T21:05:00.001-07:00

Calli graduated from 6th Grade in May. It was a great ceremony..and to be completely honest, it was a ceremony totally revolved around her. Not just because I am her mom and was mostly watching her with every thing that they had planned, but because she pretty much was the program. I felt bad for other kids that could have had a chance, but grateful that she had the opportunities to do what she did. She was chosen to do the solo entertainment which was to play her guitar and sing "Never Grow Up" (Taylor Swift). Itw as a perfect song for these precious 6th graders that are moving onward and upward. There really wasn't a dry eye in the audience. It was such a cute song and she did such a great job! She was also chosen to give a graduation speech. There was one boy and one girl. I was so impressed with her and the way that she presented herself. She got a little emotional. She really loved her teacher this year and had a lot of fun with her in her classroom. Here we come 7th grade! I think she is ready..I'm not sure that I am though!

Solo performance.

Singing with all the 6th graders.

Both the grandmas were there and got really teary during her performance. I love that they were there to support her.

Calli with Hali and her teacher Mrs. Allen

Calli's Creation

2011-08-14T20:50:00.000-07:00

Calli made this creation in the kitchen that is really amazing! One Sunday after church, as I was on the brink of a nap, she asked me if I knew of something that she could make with peanut butter...I told her to get the tortillas out and make something with peanut butter and tortillas and when I woke up, she had some samples of what she made and at first I was a little timid, but after the first bite, I couldn't wait to have more!! It was delicious! We told her that she should try to sell it to a restaurant and so she decided to do some market research first. She and some friends got together and made a huge batch, wrapped them up, and then took them around to neighbors with survey sheets about how well they liked the creations with even a spot for suggestions at the bottom. It was fun to read all of the cards and see what people had to say about them. They gave some great suggestions and I got a lot of comments from people in the neighborhood about how great it was and also about how adorable Calli is! Nothing that I didn't know already! She continues to amaze me with her incredible motivation and wonderful imagination and her way of executing her dreams. I admire her and need to be more like her.

By the way...I can't tell you what else she puts in her creation because she doesn't want me to tell everyone her secret ingredients for fear of copying!

Recently...

2011-03-27T18:10:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted for a while so I thought I'd do a little catching up and let everyone know what we have been doing recently.

Calli has been taking some Boogaloo classes at the gym. I tried it once and hated it, but I'm glad that she likes it so much. She is in a kids class and they do a fun job getting the girls to learn the moves and do some fun dances with them. She has been doing it with her friend Hali and Hali's sisters. The instructors have been teaching them some dances for a performance that they were going to have to promote the boogaloo classes at the gym. They were doing Michael Jackson's "Beat it" and so she wanted to dress the part. They were so cute!

One day all of my boys ended up wearing their brown shirts...(Jeff's and Quentin's are exactly the same...good sale at Kohl's) and so I had to take the opportunity to take a photo of my cute boyz! Quentin came to us one day and told us that he was going to go out for Track! What?? I am so proud of this kid! Always trying new stuff and doing his best at whatever he does. Freshman year and trying to get the whole HS experience! We were heading to Boise for a little get a way and his first meet was in Pocatello and so we stopped to watch him. It was sooooooo long, but so fun too. He of coarse is running in two of the last events and so we waited three hours to see him run! He runs the 400 and the mile. What a kid! Mack, Calli, and I headed to Boise after the Track meet! It was such a super fun get-a-way! I usually try to get away and go there around my birthday! It is the most perfect way to celebrate my birthday and completely pamper myself. Actually, my friend Valerie pampers me! She really knows how to entertain guests, and there are a lot of people at the Ross's home and so there is not ever a dull moment there! I love this gal! She has been an amazing friend from the first day I met her!

We did lots of fun stuff! This picture was taken right before we left to go and see one of the lamest movies I have seen for a long time! Red Riding Hood. However, it is a great memory and always will be! We mostly hang out at her house and visit while the kids disappear and only reappear when they're hungry. They love each other so much!

The girls playing Ring-around-the-Rosie.

The girls at our mommy/daughter outing where we ate at the cheesecake factory and shopped until we dropped!

One of our stops was the beauty supply store where it is full of fun goodies that we always check out. One being nail polish. Val was so excited to try it out that she was painting while driving! I was shocked that at every stop light she whipped it out quick and painted a few nails! She is so talented!

Hot tub time is always a favorite there!

Val had seen these duct tape bows somewhere and so we tried to get some tape and recreate them! They were so fun and turned out so cute! A fun cheap craft.

After we got home, Calli and Jeff had a Daddy/Daughter date to go on to the Etiquette Dinner put on by the Activity Day girls/ leaders. Boutonnieres and crosages and everything! Calli even made Jeff wear his purple tie so that they could match their outfits. They were so cute and when they got home told me all about the activity and how much fun it was. Such a cute Daddy/Daughter!

My Stick!

2011-03-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

So.... lately I have been finding these enormous sticks on my front porch. Just sitting there waiting to be a tripping hazard. I made the mistake of throwing one away one day and upon discovery, got immediately reprimanded by Mack when he informed that that was "HIS STICK"!! Evidently he walks with it to school, hides it somewhere on the school grounds while he is at school and then he grabs it for his walk home. Could it be used for a weapon-sure. Could it accidentally hurt him or someone else? Sure. However, I have let him walk with it everyday and let him store it on the front porch every evening. It's these random things that remind me that he is still so very little and a kid that has fun and an imagination. It also reminds me of my dad. It is so something that Dad would've done and did do as an adult. So every morning, I watch Mack walk out the door and pick up his walking stick to walk to school.

Love

2011-02-09T19:53:00.000-08:00

The kids and I decorated sugar cookies on Monday night to deliver to a few of our neighbors. I love to do this with our kids. We do it for almost every holiday. They turned out cute and we had a really great time wrapping them up and delivering them to some of our neighbors.

So, I finished a book today and was sad that it was over. I even got "man tears" (a new term that we use frequently that my brother-in-law coined...it's when you get tears in your eyes, but they don't spill over) I was that sad. There are a lot of really great things that I learned about myself while I was reading that book which is probably why I loved it so much. One thing that the author says about herself is that for her to really be able to open her heart and love someone else, she needed to love herself first before she could love someone else. I have heard that before and understand it a little better this past year. I feel like we all love someone a little more as we get to know them better. Why shouldn't it be the same for ourselves? I am grateful for the things that I have learned about myself in the last little while and love myself more for it.

The other day, my instructor at the gym said that a New Years Resolution she made for herself was not to break promises to herself. I thought that that was kind of silly-but the more I thought about it and the more I have paid attention this past month, I realize that I make a lot of promises to other people and make some to myself. I never break my commitments to other people, but break them with myself sometimes. So-for this Valentine's Day, I have decided that to show the greater love to myself that I have gained recently, I am going to promise not to break promises that I make to myself. I have a feeling that it will be a good thing for me and for others that I am surrounded by as well. Happy Valentine's Day to me!

Cookin' Calli

2011-01-17T08:59:00.000-08:00

It is a day off school and so the kids and I had a wonderful day off together. This morning, I came down stairs and this is what I saw...Calli in her footie pajamas, on the counter, peeking in the cupboard looking for the food coloring so that she could make blue pancakes for breakfast (because it is January of coarse!). Sunday, I vaguely remember her coming into the room when I was just between awake and asleep, for my long Sunday nap, to ask us if she could make truffles. All I remember is thinking -no way! I have never even made truffles- and hearing Jeff say-"as long as we have all of the ingredients for them you can" (she has started many things before and found that we were missing an ingredient). She loves to cook and bake and I am just so glad that kids pick some things up on their own without having to have a gene from a parent. She does an amazing job. I was scared to try the truffles-but they were delicious!!!!! (I opted out on the blue pancakes)

Christmas and more Christmas

2011-01-03T19:53:00.000-08:00

Do you feel the same way I do? Where Christmas is just a month long crazy thing after another? I loved this month though. We had a lot of fun times and I was sad when Christmas was over. It is kind of a let down when its all through. These pictures are completely out of order, but here are some of our Christmas happenings... We always go and visit our Dad/grandpa's in the month.Here we are at my dad's. Visiting our dads at Christmas is a special way to remember our Savior at this time of year. Someday, because of the way our Savior provided, we can be together with these people that we love and miss so much!
This was the only Santa that Mack would talk to this year. We saw him alone outside the museum and Mack was willing to talk to him since he was all alone...

I'm not sure why these pictures look the way they do, but we went to the Idaho Falls Museum to see their Christmas display where they have lots of Santa's, gingerbread houses, and Nativities. It is free to get in and every cool!

Here's Mack ringing his triangle at the Christmas concert. It was such a cute concert. Calli had a speaking part and did such a good job and then they both had performances to do with each of their grades. So darling!

I got two....TWO pictures on Christmas morning. It was a special, fun morning with just our little family. I think the kids enjoyed everything that they got.

Christmas Eve we were at the Nelson's home and we were playing our new favorite game, Dicapades. Jeff drew the card that said you needed to arm wrestle the person to your right and he was a little nervous that it happened to be Becky...He won though...Phew!

Here's the BOYS Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve- Jeff and Stratton-so cute!

Alex and Andy! Oh jeez! Look at these grown, handsome men. When Jeff and I got married they were 5 and 7!!! Yikes! I am getting old!

Christmas Day, we went over to my mom's to hang out with her and my Sister Sara and her family. It was so great to have them here! We don't get to see them enough because they are far away. It is special when they are here! Here I am with the most adorable little Jack! He likes me. Most of the time.

Here are the kids with their gifts from my mom. So fun! Mom got the perfect stuff that fit them wonderfully!

Calli and Olivia.

Mack and Samuel.

Quentin, Olivia, Emily, and quesadillas for lunch after the big sleepover party at our house!

Here we are at Galen's.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2010-12-28T14:33:00.000-08:00

Today is dad's birthday. I miss him especially lately. I knew that that would happen. You will miss your loved one that has passed on differently at different times in your life. I miss his goofiness. He had a talent of being goofy. That's why I chose the photo above of Jon and dad. We are a goofy family. I think that the thing that I am missing most about him right now is just talking to him. There are a lot of times that I want to tell him something....like today when Jeff and I were talking to Mack about where babies come from...well, to be exact, how babies "come out" of a mom's belly...after we told him-he said "EEEWE!!! That is why I don't ever want to be a doctor!" My dad would have laughed out loud at something like that. I would have loved every minute of it! He loved the grand kids and the funny things that they would say.

I read one of his books this past month. I finished it this morning and held it to my heart for a few minutes and cried when I was finished. I thought about how amazing it is that I have this precious jewel. He was an amazing writer and he kept a phenomenal history of his own, but to have his life written out in a novel form is such a treasure to me. When I read anything that he writes, I can hear his voice still and hear his love for life and for my mom and for his family. I am grateful to have had the life with him that I did. To celebrate him on what would have been his 64th Birthday, I am going to list 64 things that I remember or miss about him.

Happy Birthday Daddy! I love and miss you soooo much!

Dress pants every day, white shirts and ties, his smile, his laugh, lunches out with him and mom, seeing him play chess w/ Quentin, reading in a chair, hugging my mom, his jitterbug, family letters, frog kissing, playing his folk songs on his 4 string guitar, trips to Yellowstone where he knew just about everything about it!, answers to gospel questions, his love for the arts, visiting the museum w/ him, hearing him bear testimony, listening to him and Jeff talk about something that was way over my head, playing dominoes, father's blessings, his joking around with the clerks at the stores, his hairy arms and fingers, his red shirt that he wore at least 3X a week from 2004-2009, seeing him with a book in his hand everywhere, his smell, brushing his hair (what he had left) when I was a girl, our talk at Concordia Seminary, his seminary lessons, his love of service, telling me about his horseshoe games w/ Dwayne, hearing him tell me how proud he is of me, his advice, his counsel, wrestling with all of us 7 kids, his stories about Harry and Carry, his scar, his lazy eye, his love for his mom, dad, and sister, his corny jokes, his love for science (even though I don't love it!), his front flips off the diving board at Chain O' Lakes, his handwriting, his goofy pictures he would draw on my lunch bag, the little dish of cookie dough I would leave in the fridge just for him, his fancy pens, his mechanical pencils, his scratches on paper, scratching his back, sitting on the floor reading his scriptures, his clipboard, the messages he would leave on my phone, having a cruise director, drinking my mom's soda, watching him pay the bills on the kitchen table, twirling his spaghetti with his spoon, his seminary stories, how excited he would get about new changes in the church, his sustaining of his leaders, turning his cell phone off to save the battery, the way his face lit up when his family was around, his love of sardines (blech!), black licorice, and cashews, hearing him say my name, his random facts about such random stuff, and hearing him say

"I love you".

Gabriel Joseph

2010-12-19T19:10:00.000-08:00

So, I totally forgot until I was on my brother's blog that I hadn't documented my newest Nephew being born on September 17th! GABRIEL JOSEPH....until I saw this adorable picture on his blog tonight. A new son for Joseph and Bethany...too cute! Can't wait to meet him in person!!!

Christmas at Nelson's

2010-12-15T20:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas at Nelsons came early this year. December 11th is the anniversary date of our Grandfather, husband, and father's passing and we usually try to get together to do something. We have gone to the temple in the past, but this year, Quenalee decided to have our Christmas a little early on this weekend because Ryan and Becca were home to celebrate with us. We had a really special evening together. What a great way to remember Galen-just being together as a family, enjoying being together, and celebrating our Savior's birth. Quenalee out did herself again of coarse. The kids are getting a little bit older so it wasn't as chaotic as it has been in the past. It was great!!!

Becky, me, Quenalee, Lacey, and Becca (yes, three of us are Rebecca names)

All of the girls. We talked about how we never get any pictures of ourselves. We are the ones always taking the pictures! We talked so much about it, that we ended up having a ton of cameras taking pictures and so they didn't turn out that great-but at least we are documented!! Quenalee is almost double our ages, but looks like she is the same age as all of us! Geesh! If I could only look that good when I am her age!!

The boys chatting after dinner-before the festivities! These are always some of my favorite pictures!! I love seeing them enjoy one another so much!
These are the little boys before the festivities. They know how to be BOYZ!!

Once we got everyone gathered and settled down, we told the kids that they were in charge of the nativity. Quenalee wasn't sure what to do to get it arranged and I told her that a few years ago, all of the Ostenson cousins got together to do it and they did it all on their own. Quentin and the big girls headed it up and they did such a nice job. Quentin read the story from the scriptures and the little ones acted it out. Brinley was Mary and rode in on Grandma's rocking horse with Brigham (Joseph) on her side. Rachel was the star drawn on paper, the "girls" (a.k.a. Olivia, Calli, and Kylee) were the three wise men, and Mack carried in a sheep, being the shepherd that followed the paper star. It was written by the scriptures, but produced and acted all by the children. ADORABLE!!!

Then the gift opening happened. Here's Briggy and Mack in their hats. Mack wore it off the back of his head so as not to mess up his fauhawk!

Here are all of the Princesses. Rachel got dress-up stuff from Calli and loved it! The big girls all got matching Jammies from Grandma! Soooo cute!

Calli can be such a poser!! I don't know where she gets that!

We all pitched in and got Grandma a camera for Christmas!! However, my sister-in-law ordered it online and it hadn't come in the mail yet, so she got a tore out picture of it from an add. Hopefully she gets it soon!

Brinley loves all of her uncles ad knows how to show it too! She is such a little lover!

Greg and Becky enjoying some time together without having ONE child on either on of their laps! Very rare!

Student of the MONTH!

2010-12-06T17:09:00.000-08:00

I know! I know! You won't believe this!! Here I am again!

Mack came home today...a little background...Last Monday he had taken a practice test for spelling and had missed 14!! Yikes! However, he was so proud that after lots of hard work all week, he got his test back today and he had only missed one and it was only because he had miss heard it! So proud!

Then it was Calli's turn to share that she had gotten a 100% on her Eastern Civilization test last week. She has an amazing ability to memorize things! I never had that ability! Way to go Girl!

Then when Q followed them a half hour later, he brought me a certificate that he received for the 9th grade boy Student of the Month. It may not seem like a huge deal, but then we started thinking about how he probably has 250 boys in his 9th grade class, and one for each month is 9 all together for the year! That was fun to see him smiling...however when I wanted a picture of that smile, there was much hesitation, but he did because he loves me soooo much. This kid is amazing!! I get teary every time I think that I only have him in my home for a few more years!!! He is so much more that this certificate, but of coarse I am proud of him!!

I have smart kids! I wonder where they got it!!!??????

QUIET

2010-12-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

Hang on to your seats! I am not sure why-but I am making my third entry in the last few day!!! I know! I can't believe it myself. Anyhow, I wanted to write about something that I have been thinking about lately.

QUIET.

I am not talking about the QUIET that a mom dreams about at night when everyone is nustled in their beds (although that is nice), or the QUIET that a teacher expects from his/her students when they are supposed to be working on an assignment, etc.

I am speaking about QUIET in life. There has come a time right now in my life where things are QUIET. There is a peace in quiet noise, but I have found an even greater peace in QUIET life. Does that mean that there isn't craziness that still exists in my daily life? No. There is still crazy and things that come and go that try to make noise. There is still noise-but the QUIET comes from within at those times that I know that I can handle what noise comes my way. I feel like I have been given some incredible tools to use not just in tragedy, but in everyday things that may come my way. That is what my QUIET feels like right now. QUIET peace that I am being taken care of and that I am being watched over. I pray everyday that I continue to feel QUIET and to continue whatever it is that I can keep it.

Thanksgiving!

2010-12-05T21:34:00.000-08:00

After the TURKEY!!! Nap time! (Originally football viewing time. Must not have been a very good game...)

The place cards turned out so cute! My daughter is soooo creative!!!

All of the adults were pilgrims and the kids were Indians.

The Farming Game! A family favorite!

The girls had to decorate the chalk board...

I got to host Thanksgiving this year!!! I was so excited! It started because both of our moms were either going to be out of town or none of our siblings were coming home....long story short, I decided to cook and host and I got my way even though everyone else's plans changed! It was super fun! I loved every minute of it! Jon and his family were in town and so we had them over with my mom and Michael's' family made it too after spending some time with Rachel's family. We had all of the regular stuff for the meal followed by lots of delicious desserts. As always, there was a lot of game playing, turkey cookie decorating, cousin sleep overs, and family fun, fun, fun! One of my favorite parts was the adorable little place cards that Calli and Maddie made for the table! I thought they turned out sooooo cute! I have to admit that this Thanksgiving not just was special to me because I was able to host Thanksgiving dinner at my house, but because of where I am in my life right now. Last year at this time, I was in a different place living an entirely different life. That may sound weird to anyone that may not know details of my last year, but the gratitude that I have in my heart to where I am today, to where my family is today reaches farther than I can even express! I know that usually at Thanksgiving we are grateful for a lot of different things, but this year I have a greater understanding and gratitude for what true happiness is and can be if we do the things that we are asked by our Heavenly Father. I am extremely grateful for the atonement. For second chances. For third chances. For forth chances, etc. I am thankful to my Savior! I know he LIVES! For that knowledge I am grateful!

Falloween

2010-12-05T20:03:00.001-08:00

In Idaho Falls, it is a race to get your leaves raked before the snow falls, because when it falls, it falls hard and is there until the first week in July! And no one likes soggy leaves in the summer! We were lucky to have one mild evening before it got dark after I got back from work to rake for 1 hour and get some really great piles-but of coarse we took a minute break to jump a few times and take the opportunity for a photo before we had to bag this last one up! I am grateful for hard working kids that help lighten that huge load!

In October my mom rented a cabin in West Yellowstone again and we all traveled there to have a fun filled weekend. It was so fun. The weather was gorgeous and Yellowstone, of coarse did not disappoint. It is always nice to be there with my family. It is one place that I go where I feel like my dad MUST be with us. I feel close to him there. It was one of his favorite places and therefor I love it there more than I probably would without his love for it. We hit the regular spots in the park, saw a bear FINALLY!!!!, did some shopping in West, ate some really yummy meals, and spent some fun memories together at the cabin. My favorite though was when we were together one night in the front room and Michael and Calli were playing their guitars and we were all singing along. It was fun and funny!

For the end of the month, we celebrated Halloween by going to the hay maze which ended up being really cool! I am never sure about the "unsure" and I was worried that when we got up there, we would end up getting lost in it or something and then we would be late to the ward party that we had that night which I had committed to taking part of the dinner. However, we were in and then out within 15 minutes. Quentin even went in for another trip around. The kids had a blast! We stopped at Grandma's so that she could see the kids in their costumes and then off to our party where there was dinner and then trunk-or-treating for the kids. Mack was a Storm Trooper (or some other Star Wars character...) and Calli was a Twister game. She even painted her nails white with blue and red polka dots.

Pictures

2010-10-06T05:27:00.001-07:00

Each day, I am amazed that my Heavenly Father entrusted these spirits to come to our home and for us to have charge over them for a little while. They are truly what this life is all about. Having children has been such a joy in my life. There are some stages that I have enjoyed more than others, but right now I am just so in awe by them and by things that they do and continue to say. Their strength continues to strengthen me and their small wisdom gives me something to ponder everyday. I know that we are supposed to be guiding them, teaching and helping them understand the things of life. However, especially this past year, they have taught me, helped me to grow and have guided me to places that I never would have gone without my children. Quentin and his sensitivity to others around him and always listening and faithfully obedient. Calli and the way that she views life and the questions she asks blows me away sometimes and makes me think of finding more out about things as well. The there's Mack...What can I say other than look at his face! This face and the kisses that I STILL get from him is something to live for each day! The gratitude in my heart for these three special people is more than I can express in any word!

I took them out one last summer day before school started and took some really fun photos of them. Idaho Falls has these great benches scattered all over down town and I have to admit that they did an incredible job posing so well and of coarse-it wasn't hard for them to look adorable because they just ARE!! Their faces exude all that they have in their hearts. I can't get enough of them!! Growing up too fast? Yep-but bring it on. I love each new stage better and better!

Yummy Family Home Evening

2010-09-27T18:48:00.000-07:00

We had a really yummy FHE tonight! I wanted to share it with all families out there! Yesterday in our Primary Sharing time, our primary president gave an amazing lesson on reading the scriptures and how as we read the scriptures, we learn more about the Savior and the more we learn about the Savior, the more he can be a better friend-because the more we learn about someone, they become a better friend...So tonight we expounded on that a little more and used the "Scripture Cookies" recipe to make some DELICIOUS cookies-and we learned while we baked!

Scripture Cookies

1 C. Brown sugar

1/2 cup Butter
1 egg
1 1/4 C. flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 C. oatmeal

1 C Rice crispies

1/2 C coconut

1/2 C chocolate chips or raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together sugar, butter, and egg. Add remaining ingredients and bake cookies for 12-16 minutes.

1 Cup of: ________________(Jeremiah 6:20)
1/2 Cup of: _______________(Psalms 55:21)
1 of: _________________(Isaiah 10:44, beaten)
1 1/4 Cups of _____________(1 Kings 4:22)
1 tsp. Baking powder
1/4 tsp. of ________________(Amos 4:5)
1/2 tsp. Salt________________(D&C 101:39)
1 Cup of: __________________(D&C 89:17)
1 Cup of Rice Crispies
1/2 Cup coconut
1/2 Cup of:________________(Samuel 30:12)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together Jeremiah 6:20 ___________Psalms 55:21____________and
Isaiah 10:14_______________. Add remaning ingredients and bake cookies for 12-15 minutes.

Some things that happened early 2010

2010-07-06T20:10:00.000-07:00

Since I am so far behind, I am just going to recap the early months of 2010. Some of the HIGHLIGHTS.

My Beautiful, AMAZING mother had her 60th birthday!!

Another Nephew comes to the Pinson (Ostenson) Clan!!

Baby #5...Just Jack!

My ADORABLE brother-in-law, Andy came home from his mission in Argentina.

.

Here's all of the Nelson "BOYZ" now that Andy was home...except for the newest addition Stratton...

(Greg and Becky's 5th)

EASTER 2010

We officially became true members of the 8B community. They sent these plates to me without even asking my permission!! Anyone have any ideas of how to diplay old liscense plates? I am a little sentimental to my 1A plates!!! I miss you Boise!

Road Trip to Vegas with some great friends. We had so much fun!!! Highlights...Gaining a brand new friend, Lion King, Hash House a Go Go, seeing Ryan, Becca, and the kids, reuniting with my long friend, Leslee!

And one of my favorite things that happened this spring was Mack's 1st grade class doing a dance presentation of dances through the years. They did Stayin' Alive, YMCA, Fishin' in the Dark, the Electric Slide, the Macarena, etc. It was one of the greatest things I have ever seen. Mack and his buddy Justin both dressed in their best suits and were just your regular Blue's Brothers out there "gettin' down" together. I do believe that they were the stars of the show!! I am including a short video that will give you just a teaser. They were soooo dang cute!

Catching up...

2010-06-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

It is finally SUMMER! YAHOOO! I am so grateful for no school, (for me and for the kids...) and for warmer weather finally!!!!! That means that I may have some more time to blog. I will try to catch up as quickly as I can! It is good to be back. A quick shout out to Jeff's Grandma because I am pretty sure that she is one of the only people that continue to check my blog per chance I may have posted something new! We love you and thanks for checking it every once in a while.

Have your own STYLE!

2010-06-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

My little Mack. Who isn't sooo little anymore! Where does the time go? I love him and I totally love his style. He plays so much with clothes which cracks me up. Hats, vests, shoes, socks, wristbands, hoodies, layered shirts, etc! One day, he was wearing his suit coat jacket with the sleeves rolled up with a T shirt and jeans. I asked him where he got that idea and he looked at me and smiled and said "From Marty in Back to the Future!!" I have a son that every once in a while takes his fashion ques from an 80's movie...what? Sometimes when he has his own money he chooses to buy a hat or a pair of shoes rather than candy or toys, etc. One day, he decided that he wanted to start wearing his hair in a fauhawk (sp?). It was fun to have someone that wanted me to help them with their hair and he looked so cute in it-the very next day, he wanted it straight down and spiked only in the front. Another day,, he wanted it parted and combed over. Everyday is different. Who knew boys could do that?? Here are a couple of my favorite outfit creations that he has put together. (Yes, we are even sporting a black eye in one of the pictures...)

Happy Birthday!

2010-03-15T20:09:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to me! I usually don't really want to draw attention to myself intentionally...on purpose....on my birthday. However, I have been feeling some "stuff" today that I wanted to share and wanted to document.

My grandpa (Papa) called me today to wish me a happy birthday. It is adorable that he has started calling everyone on their birthday. He is just a smile on my face. He is always loving, witty, cute and sweet all at the same time. He said something to me today that I have been telling everyone about and I think I keep doing so because it is probably something that affected me, especially today on my birthday. In Papa's true fashion, he asked me how I was feeling being one year older, and after I told him that I didn't mind being one year older-he told me that he doesn't get one year older anymore, he gets one year "closer". I got after him for even mentioning that his time may be getting closer. I seriously wouldn't know what I would do without him around. I know that it is inevitable, but I will miss him when it does happen. However, after he said that, I thought a lot about me being one year older. I always look forward to my birthdays. Not because of the attention, maybe a little for the cake, but mostly because I really do enjoy each year more than the last. This year has been a year full of more challenges than I would have even thought possible-let alone more than I thought I could survive! So how could I even fathom this being a better year than the last? With that, my Grandpa's comment about being one year "closer" means a lot to me this year. My Grandpa intended to refer to it as closer to being gone physically. For me, I would like to think about it as being one year closer to who I would like to be. One year closer to who my Heavenly Father would have me be. One year closer to knowing who I am and where I am going. One year closer to knowing my Savior in a more intimate way. So today on my birthday I have been given some amazing gifts from those that I love. I have received some wonderful words of Birthday wishes. But after thinking long and hard about what my Grandpa said, the best birthday gift that I felt I got today was when I decided that I am proud of who I am and who I am becoming and for that, I am grateful for the challenges (gifts) that have come to my doorstep to mold me and help me become one year closer to who I am. Here's to 36 (plus) more years of learning and growing!

Calli Skiing

2010-03-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

The school offers a Ski Club option to the kids that are in fourth grade and up for four weeks. They take the bus up to Kelly's Canyon Ski resport together after school on 4 consecutive Wednesdays, and offers a discounted price for the group. Calli really wanted to do it this year. All of her friends were doing it and so we worked out a financial deal that I would pay for the first time and then if she wanted to keep doing it, then she would have to pay for the other times with her own money. She ended up LOVING it and kept going. It was as if one of her best friends had died when it was over. She was so sad. My brother Michael took her up with his youth group a couple of weeks ago too. She really took to it and really enjoyed it! She has been waiting for her Uncle to come home from his mission to go snowboarding with him. That would be the next thing that she wants to try. It is so fun for her to have such good friends and enjoy something like that together. I love it when you have them try something and they enjoy it so much.

My little snow bunny and friends...

Bountiful Basket!!

2010-03-06T14:41:00.000-08:00

I was doing my trade at The Apple the other day and the girls were all talking about Bountiful Basket. I inquired about it and consequently spent all week dreaming about it. It you would like more info go to http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/

Here's what I did: You can only order online starting at 12:00 Noon on Monday. The baskets are a limited quantity and so you need to get on right away and make your order ASAP. The baskets are sold out by 12:30-12:45 usually so you need to order quick! FYI...There are so many people on the website that it goes really slow. You purchase the basket online and then on Saturday you go to the assigned place where you ordered your basket to pick up your goods! The local areas that do it are Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Iona, Rexburg and Rigby. It is in other states and areas too. It does request that you volunteer some time but it is not a requirement. I will help out sometime when I can. Today I just wanted to "try" it and check out what it was all about.

Thanks to my sister-in-law that wanted to do it too, she got online while I was working and ordered our baskets Monday. Today I hauled my two little ones with me because I was warned that it was a lot of food so I would need some reinforcements. I took 4 recycled grocery bags and filled all four of them with produce! (2 for me and 2 for my SIL)It was so much fun! It is random produce each week. You get what you get...and that is part of the fun. We have been living off of our food storage since Jeff got laid off and so I have missed fresh produce especially. I am so excited to have a stocked fridge with fresh fruits and veggies! Oh! I forgot the best part. It is $15.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Probably $40-50 worth for $15! There is a one time 3.00 fee when you first sign up-but worth every penny! I don't think we can eat all of it in one week-but I will definitely be going back in a couple of weeks!

Included in my bountiful basket:

2 bunches of asparagus

tub of strawberries

2 tubs of blueberries

9 mini cucumbers

7 zuchinni

head of cabbage

2 bunches of bananas

15 Mandarin oranges

10 apples

5 pears

2 bunches of spinach

HUGE bunch of lettuce

Nelson Christmas...a little late

2010-03-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

I know that this a little late, but I haven't posted our Christmas with the Nelson's yet. Here's a few of our exciting events...

From my terrible memory and a few photos that I have, we gathered together as a family after Christmas. It was nice to have another Christmas after we had already celebrated. It was fun to have Alex and Anna and Ryan and Becca and their family here visiting. It is always fun to have everyone around. The kids always have so much fun! We all get together and Quenalee always does such a good job putting Christmas together for all of us with thoughtful gifts for everyone! My favorite were the SNUGGIES that the boyz got. It was fun one night...she usually does the "greedy game" where we all fight over some really fun or funny gifts as a game-but instead this year, she gave us each an envelope with a photo and some money. The photo was a picture of a child who was an orphan. Andy has a really good friend who has gone to volunteer at this orphanage and she sent Quenalee all of the photos. There was a description of the child and their talents and personalities. We could choose whether we wanted to keep the money or to give it away to the orphanage. It was neat to hear about it and to watch all of the family give their money. The kids were cute about it too. It was nice to do something that was giving back. What a special idea.

After we had that night, we had a riveting arm wrestling match and leg wrestling match which both Calli and Mack got into. It was hard not to when they have a very competitive aunt Anna who got into it much more than they did.

Anger

2010-03-01T14:11:00.000-08:00

We had a Relief Society dinner the other night and while we were there, we had a guest speaker that came and spoke to us about Family Relationships. A topic that all of us need some lessons on-I am sure. He mentioned a few things that I really felt that I have been benefit ting from since he spoke that night. The first thing that he talked about that I appreciated was a story that he told about a tree in an isolated area where a tribe of people wanted to remove the tree from close to their homes. They were creative in their method because they didn’t have advanced heavy duty equipment to remove the tree. They believed that if they woke up every morning and gathered around the tree and yelled as loudly as they could at the tree, the tree would die. Eventually, the trees roots broke down and it fell. He spoke about how sometimes we do this with our loved ones. I especially thought of my children. This morning, for instance, I managed to yell at each one of them before they left our home. I yelled at Mack because he continues to try to escape the house in the morning with his new vest on and it is too cold to JUST wear a vest. I am not sure why he continues to try to get away with it without me noticing… Calli asked me if I had a baby picture of her to take to school 2 minutes after she should have already been out the door. Quentin was playing solitaire this morning when I reminded him it was his morning to do the dishes and he continued to play numerous games before I finally had to raise my voice to get him to come and do what I asked (highly unusual for him-but happening more and more now that he is a teenager!) So I have not perfected this practice-but I do understand that if I continually yelled at my children like that everyday-all day, their roots would crumble and their spirits would die. I am definitely going to work on this. I got angry at all three of my children this morning, but after they left, I thought about exactly what triggered my anger. Another thing that this gentleman spoke about was that anger is an emotion that never stands alone! It was interesting for me to hear from him that anger is always brought on first by another emotion. Fear, sadness, frustration, and exhaustion, are just a few examples that he gave. The times that I have been angry since I heard him speak, I have stopped and wondered what brought on my anger. It has been an interesting exercise for me to do. I have been able to pinpoint the other emotion really quickly and nipped that emotion in the bud instead of continuing to be angry and lashing out at someone. This morning, I was first disappointed in one of the kids and then it just snowballed from there. I was also in a hurry because I was trying to get out of the door as well to get to my sub job. This afternoon when I get home, I am making an assertive effort to complement each on of my children at least three times to try to repair the roots I may have damaged with my angry that was brought on by my rushed disappointment.

Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T07:49:00.000-08:00

Okay...I have a confession to make. I consider myself a romantic at heart. However, I have to tell you that I do not like Valentine's Day. One reason is that I believe that you shouldn't have to have a day set apart to celebrate your love for someone in some grandiose way. I believe that it should be celebrated everyday in small and simple acts of love. Second, I believe that it does more damage than good for you and/or your loved one. I think it is another way set people up for failure. Have you ever been to a store the night of February 13th? The lines are snaked all the way to the back of the store with guys who are purchasing large teddy bears, boxes of chocolates, half withered flowers, and other random gifts that they should have put more thought into before the 11th hour!

This week while I was subbing at the middle school, on their "mock news" report that they have in the morning, they reported a tidbit about Korean Valentine's Day. I believe they have a better way to celebrate "LOVE" in a holiday. I came home and found a little more info on the topic and this is what I found. On February 14th, it is traditional for women to give a man that they love some chocolate, usually a piece of chocolate that is homemade. Symbolizing originality, "the only one". On March 14th, they have another holiday named "White Day". On this day, the men who received from the women reciprocate the affection offered the prior month and give back. They usually give candy as well, but the gift is usually something greater than what the girl gave him. They try to "one up" them. Following in April there is an informal holiday that is celebrated in Korea surrounding this idea of love and affection. On April 14th they have a day called "Black Day". This is a day where singles gather together and commiserate their single life by eating white Korean noodles with black bean sauce (black noodles).

However you celebrate your Valentine's Day, I hope you have a good one!

Oxygen Mask

2010-01-28T16:38:00.000-08:00

You know the part in the safety instructions on the airplane when they talk about the oxygen masks? They tell you that when the masks come down you first put on YOUR mask and then you can help those around you to put theirs on. That includes small children who really can't do things like that on their own. I have heard it many times. I have been on a lot of planes. However, it wasn't until recently that I have learned exactly why they say that. Our visiting teaching message this month is about self-reliance and it was a hard one for me to swallow at first because at this time in my life there are parts where I feel completely prepared and self reliant and then there are other areas where I have had to humble myself and ask for help. However, while I was giving the message to one of my dear sisters this week, I read a part of the message that talks about being self-reliant spiritually, physically, socially, financially, emotionally, the list could keep going. I thought of something that I have been trying to incorporate in my life upon much coaxing from some around me that know what they're talking about and that is, if I am going to take care of my family and help them and others around me, I must first take care of myself. Much like the oxygen mask comparison, if you yourself are not breathing in the amount of oxygen that you need, how can you help others get theirs? To be self-reliant in areas of our lives that will aid us in taking care of ourselves is very important. As mothers, I think that we especially think of this as an awfully selfish act to do things for our own health, social life, emotional well-being, etc. However, if we don't, we are risking the opportunity to take care of others around us as well as we can. I have appreciated this advice and have tried really hard to incorporate it so that I can better take care of others around me. If that means finding extra time to read my scriptures even if my house doesn't get dusted, or spending time with my mom instead of always being home when my kids get home from school, or a night out with the "girls" instead of staying home and watching one more guy movie with Jeff it will help me be a better mom and better wife and just a better person able to take care of myself and find happiness to share with others and to serve through that happiness. Put on your own oxygen mask first!

Thirty-Something Acne

2010-01-25T21:00:00.000-08:00

One thing I have learned a lot about lately is Acne. I am not going to bore you with the facts that I have learned but unfortunately the main fact that I have learned from personal experience is that just because you are no longer a teenager, that doesn't mean that you are immune to acne. Actually, some people are "late bloomers" when it comes to acne and I just happen to be one of them! Oh I love being thirty something...but I don't love being thirty-something with acne! This brings me to share something with you that I have learned recently that I didn't know before. If you did-I am mad at you for not sharing it with me! The other day I was watching the Today Show and they had some make-up tips on a segment on their show and they were talking about blush brushes. An interesting fact; you need to wash your blush brush! Who knew? You take a little warm water and a mild soap and wash your brush. If you don't, it could cause transfer of dirt into your pores. Which in turn, you guessed it, could cause unwanted acne! What did I do that day? I washed my brushes. Has my acne decreased in the past few weeks since the cleaning? Yes. Unfortunately, I had just purchased at the same time a trial for Proactive in the kiosk in the mall and so I am unsure if the clean brushes are the cause to a clearer skin or if it's the Proactive?

Anyhow, lesson learned, Clean your blush brush every 2-3 weeks.

Lessons Learned 2010

2010-01-17T20:42:00.000-08:00

I loved posting my blessings last year. It was fun to look for things that were blessings and to notice things that I may not have otherwise. I am truly blessed! I am humbled by how blessed I am and how especially blessed I have been recently to have received so many blessings from my Heavenly Father. I am going to try hard to always try to recognize each day the blessings that I have in my life. However, there is something else that I have been thinking a lot about in my life and that is learning. I have a confession to make. I am not someone that thrives on learning. I did okay in school and I graduated from college. I have a degree and I am proud of it. However, once I was done...I was done. I could have gone on to teach-but raising our family became my priority and I don't regret that decision for one minute. I have loved every minute of being home with our children and taking care of them-and Jeff. I have learned a little about this and that mostly to do with my jobs at home. I love constantly learning about the gospel so I have continually participated in that, but anything else...not so much. The other day in Relief Society, the teacher was asking us about teachers in our lives that influenced our life for good and the first teacher that came to mind was my dad. He was a seminary teacher, I even had him for my early morning class in high school. He was a great teacher in the classroom-but he was even more incredible in our home. He is someone that was always learning!! When I say always-I mean always. His first love was religion of coarse. He always had a clipboard, a copy of one of the standard works, and a red pencil and a pen during the day at home while I was growing up. It was his job-so he put in the hours by studying. He loved all subjects though. On any given day I would catch him reading any random book-but never novels! They were always instructional books or biographies, autobiographies, etc. He soaked up as much information as he possibly could in his life here on earth. He even taught himself how to write Hebrew, sign simple sign language, play the guitar and piano, sing harmony in a choir, recognize the flowers of Yellowstone, etc. etc. One of my favorite things to do in his later years was to sit and listen to he and Jeff talk about some topic in history that they both knew the most random facts about. He had amazing retention of information and an incredible drive to learn. My favorite however are the simple things that he taught me through his testimony of the gospel. He was great at lectures-don't get me wrong-but my favorite learning experiences were when he would help us learn things by his example or his simple explanations of things of gospel truths. On more than one occasion, I remember him stopping in mid sentence and telling us that the spirit was there and just to listen and recognize it there. He helped me recognize and be excited about the spirit and how it can testify to you and to others of the truthfulness of the gospel and our Savior Jesus Christ. I don't necessarily love to pick up a book and learn about something-but I know that that is something that is required of us to do while we are in mortality. So...this year I have been pondering blogging about things I have learned. They could be spiritual things, or random facts, or things that I have learned about life, or myself. Whatever it is, it would be something that interested me for a while so much that I would want to share it with someone else. Here's to Lessons Leaned in 2010.

Blessings...

2009-12-28T19:47:00.000-08:00

I have fallen behind yet again...in my blessings. My excuse...I have been enjoying my blessings way too much this month! I have been cherishing the most important blessings most of all; my family, my friends, and most of all, my Savior. This December I was ever so blessed to realize how commercialized i had made Christmas in years past. I always tried to focus on my Savior and his birth in years past, but this year I REALLY realized and set in stone my testimony of what the true meaning of Christmas is. This year has been a hard year for our family. However, it has been one of the best years as well. Through the challenges that we have faced lately I have learned a lot about myself and one thing I have realized about me is how much I really do depend on my Savior and His atoning Sacrifice for me and for my family and all of those around me. I have truely gained an enormormous appreciation for the atonement and am so grateful for it in my life and in the lives of my family. I have been truely blessed with the knowledge of Him and His love for me and if I but come unto him and ask Him, He will take my fears, sorrows, and trials from me. I have found immense comfort in this knowledge this month and therefore I have stengthened my testimony of it greatly and have found that it has been the best way that I can celebrate HIS birth. I know that my Savior lives and he knows who I am and He loves me.

Here's some things that have happened in December with my blessings...

Sledding Down our icy driveway is one of the kids' favorite things to do in the winter????

My annual cookie exchange with my friends! One of my favorite Christmas traditions of the season.

Visiting Dads and Grandpas. Merry Christmas! We love you! We miss you!

The PEACE girls on Christmas Eve in their new Peace jammies

Ice Cream cones Christmas morning! What a great breakfast!

Michael and Calli having their Christmas Carol Jam session. It was so fun to watch them play together. It kind of made me want to start learning the guitar!!

The Kiddie table Christmas Eve. So adorable! Yummy dinner too.

We had Christmas Eve with my family. It was so fun to have Jon and his family there and Michael and his family, and don't forget...Tim and Ben. We had a great time eating dinner and opening presents from mom. It was hard not to have Dad there for the first Christmas, but hopefully we served his memory proud by enjoying each other so much. The kids love being at Grandma's and love surrounding themselves with their cousins. It was a special night.

The Christmas Spirit

2009-12-13T07:47:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Spirit

Blessing #47

2009-12-09T06:06:00.000-08:00

My mom left for a little vacation to go and see my sister Sara and I have missed her sooo much. Since I have been thinking about what my life would be like without her, I realized that I had not done a blessing post for her yet! My mom is one of the most amazing blessings in my life. We have a lot in common. She is the most supportive woman I know! Anyone can go to her and get the support that they need in all things. She amazes me everyday with her good attitude about life and her love for her family. She and I do a lot together. Mostly we go to lunch and go shopping and get diet drinks together. She loves to quilt and is the most incredible quilter I know (and I'm not saying that because she's my mom-I mean it!). She is a great cook, her house is always clean and homey, and she knows how to give an incredible gospel doctrine Sunday School lesson. She is a super duper Grandma too!! My kids adore her as much as I do. I joke about how my mom fell in love with Jeff before I did and she has always been such a good mother-in-law to him. Losing her husband has been one of the most difficult things that she has gone through. But she has triumphed and has shown all of us her testimony in forever families by the way that she has conducted her life since he has been gone. I am sure that Daddy is so proud of her! She truly loves us and we truly love her and the blessing she is in our lives!

Blessing #47...MOM

Blessing #46

2009-12-02T22:40:00.001-08:00

I was finishing up on the decorating for Christmas this morning. I was setting up all of the nativities that we own. Most of them are Calli's. Grandma Nelson gets her one every year for Christmas. Some of them have angels that go with them. This year I felt differently about the angels as I was placing them in their position watching over the nativity. I am little ashamed to admit that all of the other years, I have hesitated to place the angels. I feel almost sacrilegious saying that-but it is true. I am not sure what held me back...If I can be so bold, I wasn't sold on the angel idea. I believed in angels I guess. The scriptures speak of angels. However, I wasn't sure, for sure, until this past year. I can now say that we have angels watching over us and looking out for our best interest and they are assisting our Heavenly Father in the work with the Living and on the other side. I am truly blessed to know that there are angels, true angels among us.

Blessing #46...Angels

Girls Night Out

2009-11-30T16:56:00.000-08:00

$ For Gas to drive down to Utah

$ For tickets to see New Moon

$ For Cheescake Factory

$ For Tickets to see a Billy Joel/ Elton John concert that ended up getting postponed until Feb.

$ For tickets to see another movie that night because the concert was postponed

(Blind Side...Amazing show BTW)

$ For a room at a Salt Lake Hotel with a really hilarious front desk Gal

(A visit to see my Grammy and Papa)

A girls night down in SLC with a good friend, good conversation, and really fun memories to be had for years...PRICELESS!!!

Blessings #27-45

2009-11-22T20:39:00.000-08:00

I was supposed to post a blessing every week this year and I have gotten very far behind. I am just going to quickly post of few random some, nonimportant to an important life, but things that I feel a blessing in my life nonetheless!
#27...Diet Pepsi. I know...It is something I shouldn't be consuming as much as I do-but I consider it one of the finer things in life! To get me through some of the crummier things in life.
#28...Spray tan. My friend Val gets this spray tan at one of the beauty supply stores and I love it! Ever since she has told me about it, I buy it with her when I can. In the winter especially I love to just spray my face. It gives me a little bit of sun during the long winter months that aren't so sunny.
#29...Microwaves. I hate to cook. Nuff said!
#30...My bathrobe. Not just for coverage, but warm and fuzzy.
#31...To go with my bathrobe...My fuzzy flip flop Slippers. Love them!!
#32...Automatic doors that open with a push of a button.
#33...My cell phone so that I can do more multi tasking while I am away from my home! And so that my kids can call me when they are sick at school because I am rarely home.
#34...Caramel Corn!
#35...Vaccums.
#36...When you're sick...Cold medicine that makes you sleepy.
#37...Adjustable waists on kids jeans! Whoever invented that is a mom for sure!
#38...Romantic comedies.
#39...Alarm Clocks. I'd rather have a rooster-but whatever.
#40...Costume Jewelry.
#41...An address stamp so I don't have to handwrite the whole thing every time.
#42...Portable juice boxes and individually packaged snacks.
#43...Holiday Placemats (i got some new Turkey ones the other day)
#44...Vaseline
#45...An actual letter in the actual snail mail!
Okay! There I am all caught up! Thank you for reading my random blessings!

Fall 2009

2009-11-07T21:46:00.000-08:00

Fall is usually one of my favorite times of the year. Not this year. Mainly because I need some SUNSHINE and I am not ready for winter...and in Idaho Falls, fall usually only lasts 3-4 days before winter hits HARD! But I am trying to embrace it as well as I can. Leaves are a pain to rake and get rid of, but I always love the jumping in them activity. The kids had so much fun this afternoon while they were playing in the leaves.

Jeffs Birthday is October 28th. Last year was his 40th and I did a huge party/movie for him http://nelsonhappenings2.blogspot.com/2008/11/happy-40th-jeff.html, so this year was mild compared to that, but we still went to his moms and she cooked him dinner and we sang to him while Calli accompanied us on her guitar. Happy Birthday Jeff!!! Hope you had a good one!?

I am not in the "celebrating" mood right now. However, as a mom, you need to go through the motions for your kids because you may have a lot more Halloweens left, or you feel like you have lived your Halloweens already, but your kids are only going to have this year ONCE and so it is my job to just keep on going whether I feel like it or not. The kids are getting so much older and I realize that Halloween will soon become another reason for them to hang out with their friends and maybe wear questionable costumes to a party, or just be too cool to participate period. I tried to embrace Halloween this year for all of those reasons. We didn't do much. The kids picked out their costumes one night and I am always curious about the costume choices. Especially Calli. Never has she been anything "girly". This year it was a gangster! Okay? It was totally her and cute anyway. Mack was a ninja. Quentin has been a little cool for Halloween for a couple of years now but he still went out with Jeff and the kids to participate by helping them eat a few pieces of candy...Jeff had a lot of fun taking the kids out with a couple of other families. Mack pooped out a little early and so Jeff and Calli went around to quite a few more places before they came home, emptied her bag and then went around to a few more streets in my moms neighborhood before they were finally done. It was fun to have him do that with her.

Blessing #26

2009-11-04T22:26:00.000-08:00

Someone told me the other day that I needed to "loosen up and have a little fun". This new blessing in my life is all "FUN"! I love this new show on FOX. I have to admit that it brings back a lot of fun memories of my high school days in show choir...but mostly, I believe that it is very well written, the characters are so cleverly pieced together and the music...Just go onto iTunes and hear it for yourself. AMAZING!!!! My favorite songs so far have been the Mash-ups!! The two characters above are two of my favorites. I love each character for the unique quality and voice that they bring to the show. Love them!!!

Blessing #26 GLEE

YELLOWSTONE

2009-10-31T17:55:00.001-07:00

My mom rented a cabin the beginning of October in West Yellowstone and mom, Ben, me, Jon, Michael, Joe and all of our families came up to enjoy one of the best weekends that I have had all year! (We missed Sara's family and Tim!!!) What a special time to spend with each other and to have such happy times together. A lot of our times spent together this year have been centered around dad and him being sick and then with the funeral. It is nice to get together with no agenda in sight and just to be there with family. The cabin was so nice and roomy for our huge troop and we couldn't have asked for any better weather. It was perfect!!! We went into the park a few times and were able to see some fun stuff, take a really nice hike, and even got a little too close to a buffalo!!! Nothing that I hadn't seen before, but it was different this time. I had a friend say the other day that you really can only go to Yellowstone every once in a while because there are only so many times that you can see Old Faithful and the painted pots. I agree a little bit, however, this trip was a little different for me because the last time I was at Yellowstone I was with Dad. I miss him, and I felt like I was a little closer to him and some memories of him than I haven't felt for a while. Dad loved nature and the outdoors and he especially loved Yellowstone. While I was there, I thought about him and how he had been there so many times. He never tired of seeing things over and over again and stand in awe of our Heavenly Father's creations. I hope that he was there with us walking along side smiling seeing his family together.

Blessing #25

2009-10-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

Something that I have been grateful lately are for people that know the things that they know and the talents that they possess so that they can make our lives easier. Just a few examples, Jeff's car had a lot of issues and we took it to a mechanic and they just fixed it all up!! The sprinkler guys came over the other day to blow our sprinklers out for the winter and it was such a relief to know that that was done. I could probably find a way to do it on my own and for cheaper, but what a relief that all I have to do is make a phone call. My computer has been on the Fritz lately and even though I won't take it in because it works on and off and I am too cheap to do so, I know that all I would have to do is make a phone call and I could get it done. Yesterday, I went up to the cemetery with my mom and brother, Tim and we watched as two guys placed my dad's headstone on his grave. I was amazed the entire time not just at how beautiful it is and how amazing it was to see everything "set in stone" but the process which they set the stone into the ground. The engraver did a beautiful job and the guys setting it were very careful and there was quite the art to it. I was so grateful to them and their talent and how serious they took it and with what care they performed their service.

Blessing #25...People who serve us through their employment and through their knowledge and talents to do so.

Blessing # 24

2009-10-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

For the past three weeks Grandpa Craig has been with us in our home. Never before in my life have I ever felt as if I owed someone my life. He has saved my life on so many levels and in addition, he has been such a joy to be around. He came promptly after Jeff got out of the hospital and has been here for three weeks helping Jeff, the kids, and helping me more than he will ever know! Yesterday we took him to the airport and for a moment, I felt as if I wasn't going to be able to breathe! He has been such a blessing to our whole family right now. Jeff and I are so glad that we still have a dad in our lives and the kids love having a grandpa still in thier lives as well. Belssing #24...Craig. We love you and miss you so much already!

Hamster Farewell

2009-10-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

We lost Dashette on Thursday, October 1st. Calli ran upstairs that morning to tell me that Dashette was dead. She was with a friend and they rattled some stuff off about how Hali was going to pick her up and they found that she was stiff. Then, they ran out of my room. I wasn't sure what to think of the tornado that just exited my room. I went downstairs to asses exactly what happened and how she felt. I asked how she was feeling and she started tearing up. I gave her a hug and she started crying even more. Luckily my friend was there too and she told the girls that they should start planning a funeral. The plans began. They were on a mission! Out came the crayons, scissors, stickers, boxes and paper. In just moments, they had invitations, a headstone, necklaces, and plans for each of them to make a kind of cookies for the funeral.

We had the funeral out in the backyard. They had scouted out a special spot to place her. They started by having the boys carry her in a special box. They placed her in the hole and then Mack placed the dirt on top and then Calli placed the stone. Then we each said a few words about Dashette. We talked about how naughty she was with all of her escaping and roaming around the house without permission. We talked about he running like crazy in her wheel and how it drove us crazy during the night. We joked about how Grandpa must have wanted a pet in heaven with him. There were a few tears but mostly smiles and laughing. At the end we were able to eat the yummy cookies the girls had made. We all really grew to love Dashette, even me. I know that Calli will miss her. She did a great job taking care of her first pet.

Blessing #23

2009-09-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

After being in the hospital for four days with my husband (Please don't be alarmed...he's fine)....There couldn't be a better blessing than my sister's blog with her recent posts about Bertha. Here's the link so that you all call be blessed. http://www.saraslivinthedream.blogspot.com/

Blessing #23..A Humorous Sister to give me a good belly laugh
I guess maybe I am happy that I am sitting in the hospital instead of being pregnant.

Blessing #22

2009-09-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

Modern Medicine is a wonderful blessing. Modern Medicine gives people a new lease on life everyday! They are continually coming up with new and improved things and curing diseases and vaccinations to prevent, etc etc. Jeff has really been struggling with his health the last few years and although there have been sometimes when the doctors are as frustrated as we are and throw their hands up as well, most of them have given it their all and have tried to help Jeff. Through our frustrations with it, and them not always knowing how to "heal" him, I am often reminded of something my dad said when he told me one time that that is why they call it a medical "practice". Modern Medicine was able to remove Jeff's Gall Bladder a couple of weeks ago without having to cut across his belly! Modern Medicine helped to prolong my dad's life so that we could be with him a few years longer. I was watching a segment about cancer the other day and they were mentioning that there are some vaccines for some cancers now. It is amazing! What developing minds there are out there. I am grateful for Modern Medicine in my life and that there are people out there with this desire and passion to heal, help and to protect.

Blessing #22...Modern Medicine

Blessing #21

2009-09-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

It seems as if I have been able to spend a little more time with all of my brothers a lot this summer and it has been really nice. The older I get, the more that I appreciate the relationships that I have with each of them. None of them are guys that I call every week, or even once a month for that matter, but when we see each other, we have so much fun with one another. I was thinking about all of them other day and each one of them are sooo different. They all have different personalities and bring something unique to the mix, but then there are some similarities as well. We are like a little family "melting pot". It is so much fun to be able to see them all together and to see them interact with one another.

Jon is the oldest and plays that role really well. He is great at being in charge and yet being concerned about what everyone is interested in and about every one's well being. He has always been an active guy that knows how to have a good time. Everyone is drawn to him and wants to be around him. Michael helps me remember what it was like to be a child in our family. He is still a kid at heart and still does and says things that just makes us laugh. I have a lot of great memories of Michael and with Michael and it is fun to joke about those "good ol' days!" Tim is just Tim. He has always been someone who knows who he is and doesn't define himself by what others would think of him or what others would expect of him. I have always loved that about him. He has the greatest laugh too. More like a giggle. Joe is gentle, yet firm in everything that he believes in. There is no arguing with Joe. He loves to talk about things that are a little controversial and hear what others think and feel. Plus he lets you know how HE feels. He is dang adorable with his kids and with his wife Bethany. Ben, Ah Ben. Poor Ben. He seems to be the brunt of a lot of our jokes and will forever be the perpetual youngest child in the family. However, he has one of the kindest hearts that I know and is probably the most sensitive of my brothers. Even though he is focused on himself right now, one day when the time is right, he will idolize his wife and do anything for her within his control because he will love her so much. I also have a brother that I knew here on the Earth for a short time when he was a baby. Christopher only lived short of a couple of months but probably touched my life and continues to do so just as much as all of my other brothers. He was the first experience that I ever had with death and with my own feelings on mortality and of what is to come in the afterlife. Knowing I have a sibling on the other side has always helped me to live a little bit better so that I can be with him again someday.

I am super proud to be a sister to all of these great men! Those who are fathers and spouses are incredible ones and all of them conduct their lives in the way which any sister would be proud. They are all so good at what they do for professions and enjoy many other aspects of their lives (Two of my bros are Professors at BYU)!

Thanks Boys for being such a marvelous blessing in my life!

Blessing # 21...SIX BROTHERS

Teenager!

2009-09-03T18:02:00.001-07:00

On August 29th, Jeff and I officially became the proud parents of a TEENAGER!!! Quentin turned thirteen on his birthday and I am full of mixed emotions! First of all, Jeff is getting old!, second....I only have about a third of his time at home with us left! I spent a lot of time reflecting on his birth this year. Probably because we drove by the High School after we registered him for Middle School again this year and realized that he will be going there next year!!! Yikes! Time has flown by! All he wanted for his birthday was a laptop just like his sister, but after the total "Geek Squad" guys explained to me all about video cards on laptops, or lack thereof, he decided that he just wanted to purchase a bunch of Lego Star Wars ships! It was fun to take him shopping. He's adorable! I had also redone his bedroom as part of his birthday and as a surprise to him while he was at Scout camp this summer ( watch for future post).

Words really cannot describe what joy Quentin has brought to our home. I know that all of you know, but he is just plain incredible! I am impressed by him at least once a day! The other day, he told me that he was writing in his journal while he was watching a spider crawl around up his wall and I was like-what what what?? you write in a journal!??? If a mother had the right to read a journal...I would go and snatch it right up and read it while eating some ice cream! He also informed us that he was running for Vice President the other day! What what what? Our shy little Q!?? We helped him make some posters to hang up at school with the photos below. He just keeps surprising us and we love each new corner that we are privileged to turn with our first son and oldest child. Thanks for allowing us to "grow up" with you Quentin!

I don't really freak out about my kids getting older because I enjoy each new stage better than the last! It just keeps getting better! What more could a mother want than a 13 year old that is an amazing example to everyone around him (even his parents), a 10 year old daughter that loves to do everything that I do and wants to do it WITH me, and a small but mighty 6 year old that still wants to give me kisses on the lips and gives a hug that will rock your world! I love these ages and I hope that it just keeps going that way with each new stage!

Summer-IZE

2009-08-24T18:55:00.000-07:00

The kids with their school "walking" group first day of school.

My heart is breaking. Summer is over!!!! Thankfully, we may have a few more days of warm weather-but school is in! There are a lot of reasons that I could ramble on about why I am so upset that my children started school today, but let's just leave it at sadness and I am missing them dearly already!

In the meantime, I haven't blogged for forever...pretty much all summer long and so I am going to try to summarize our activities this summer in three different parts...June, July, and August.

PART ONE-JUNE

Most of our June was centered around dad and the last days of his life here on earth. However, amongst the sadness and sacredness of that event, we did seem to be able to have some fun with our family.

Mack played his first year of T-Ball, had a rough start, loved playing catcher and pitcher, was a phenomenal hitter-every time, loved paying with all of his friends.

Mack turned SIX, Celebrated with every family member on the Ostenson side, got a lot of Batman stuff, had a double birthday party with cousin Christopher, & showed us his toothless smile (hopefully the last year!!).

Calli Turned 10! Had a few friends over, made Stromboli's and beaded watches, got peace stuff and a laptop (which she payed for 1/2), played games all night, and played "popular" girls in the morning??

PART TWO- JULY

Went on a mini family vacation south, stayed at Circus Circus, swam and rode the rides (we are an amusement park family), saw Ryan and Becca and cousins in Vegas, stayed at Grandma Nelson's Oasis in St. George and relaxed the days away! So nice being together with just our "little" family.
Mack and the clowns at Circus Circus

Still July....Visit from Grandpa Craig and Grandma Sue, taught Grandpa Guitar Hero, day at Riot Zone, Movies, Ice Cream, and Bowling, so much fun to see them and grateful that they are in our lives.

Calli's cousin, Maddie came to visit for a week and Mack and Quentin went to their house for a cousin exchange. Matching pajamas, swimming, walking everyday with mom (aunt) and grandma, rollerblading and scootering, made watches, and shopped until we dropped!!!!!

Girls Camp at Falls Creek, three girls, four leaders and two priesthood, four mile hike, shot my first gun EVER, beautiful creations of our Heavenly Father, floating a very rocky stream, punctured every raft we had, laughed until my belly was sore, Felt like a little girl again!

Love my fearless Presidency!!! These are them!!! Aren't they gorgeous????

PART THREE-AUGUST

Mack finally learned how to ride two wheels! After two fearful years of deciding that falling off wasn't fun...determination got the best of him and he conquered it after the first few minutes!! Bike rides were my favorite summer activity with my kids this year!

Aunt Bethany and kids came to visit, had a sleepover at Grandma's and went to the zoo.

Alex (Jeff's little bro) and his new wife Anna got married on the 15th!! Beautiful couple, beautiful day, beautiful grand kids, beautiful family. Such a special experience to be in the temple with Jeff's family and be able to be reminded of the beautiful blessings and promises of the sealing. A great reminder considering that Jeff and I ourselves had just celebrated our 16th (gasp!) Anniversary. We went to Jackson Hole for a night while Grandma O watched the kids and had a special time there together.

As a last hurrah, we went to Boise to do our back to school clothes shopping. SOOOOO FUN! It is a tradition that we have started and it is always so fun. The Ross family is just like family to us. The kids love each other and I won't go into how attached I am to my friend Val! We love you guys! Thank you for EVERYTHING!!!!
One more thing.... This was a common scene at our house this summer. Quentin and Calli sitting on the stairs reading. I don't think that I could count how many books Quentin read over the summer. Glad that was one of their activities.

Blessing #20...HOPE

2009-08-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

I was reading in a past Ensign this morning for part of my study and came across an amazing article that I needed to read today! Loved it!! I woud send a link-but figured that more of you would read it if it was right on my blog. I highlighted some of my favorite parts. We all need Hope and so we all need to read it! Blessing #20...Hope

Larry Hiller, “Hope: The Misunderstood Sister,” Ensign, Jun 2009, 8–9

Hope is anything but wishful. It is expectation based on experience.
I think of them as three famous sisters whose names are frequently linked, always in the same order: Faith, Hope, and Charity. They are mentioned several times in the New Testament and with remarkable frequency in the Book of Mormon.
Of the three, Faith may be the most well known and popular, the one whose companionship is sought most often. She’s active and energetic, definitely the can-do type. Faith can move mountains, if necessary.
I picture Charity as being modest and refined, beautiful and gracious. In her presence you feel genuinely loved and accepted. She’s unfailingly kind and generous, patient, empathetic, aware of every need, and responsive without being asked. How could you not want the companionship of someone like Charity?
Then there’s Hope, who seems to have a problem with the way people perceive her. It may be her name and the way it’s commonly used: “I hope the car passes inspection.” Or, “I hope the weather will be nice for the wedding.” Used this way, the word hope is the verbal equivalent of keeping your fingers crossed. Consequently, many seem to think Hope is unsure, even fickle—she may or may not grace you with her companionship. But surely that’s not the kind of hope our Father in Heaven commands us to have. Nor would it be the kind of hope our Savior offers.
My desire to know Hope better was sparked when a high councilor speaking in our sacrament meeting quoted Romans 5:3–5:
“We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
“And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
As I read and reread those verses and pondered and prayed about them, the one concept I could not seem to wrap my mind around was how experience fits in the equation. I could understand that tribulation “worketh” (or brings about) patience. Often that’s all we can do in tribulation—have faith and wait patiently upon the Lord. But what is the experience that patience brings about? And how does it result in hope? This seemed to be what I call a puzzle piece.
For me, things I don’t understand about the gospel are like pieces of a larger puzzle I’m working on. If I don’t see where they fit, I put them aside and work on other parts of the picture. From time to time I pick them up and look at them. If I still don’t see how they fit, I put them aside again. I have already received a witness that the whole picture—the restored gospel—is true and complete, so I don’t worry about the pieces that haven’t come together for me yet. They will. And so one day, as I reexamined this particular puzzle piece, I saw a possible connection I hadn’t seen before. When we endure tribulation with faith and patience, what we experience is the Savior’s awareness of us and His love for us. We experience them through the ministrations of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. We receive this witness after the trial of our faith (see Ether 12:6).
In my own life, when I patiently endure trials, the Savior, who took upon Himself all of our ills and sorrows (see Alma 7:11–12), ministers to me through the Spirit. I experience the Savior’s tender mercies. My trials may continue, but having taken upon me the yoke of Christ, I find Him sharing my yoke, making my burdens bearable, and giving me hope. I then have strength to endure. I have assurance that all will be made right, not just in eternity but also for eternity. Hope is anything but wishful. It is expectation based on experience.
I see Hope more clearly now. She is serene. Her eyes have the deep, knowing look of someone well acquainted with sorrow, the luminosity of recently being wet with tears. Hope has the confidence of one who clearly sees a bright future even when the next hours seem fog shrouded. Hope is steady and strong, a friend I am glad to have beside me during my own trials.

Walking with Two Sisters
By Larry Hiller
Faith walks before me,Holding up her lamp

As I try not to stumble in the ink-dark hours before the dawn.

Her light illuminatesOne step and then another.

Beside me, Hope, arm linked with mine, encourages and steadies.

Sometimes in the tedium,Distracted by the pain,

My mind begins to wander, then my feet.

I hesitate.

Unsure, I look to Hope.Her hand takes mine.

The touch reminds me of another hand held out to me,One pierced and scarred

Yet oh so tender

Lifting me and blessing me when I had fallen and despaired.

Remembering,I move ahead

Buoyed up by Hope, who sees the end with perfect clarity.

Blessing # 19...Reconnecting

2009-07-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

I have been reconnecting with a lot of people from my past lately thanks to Face book! I have enjoyed it a lot. There are people that I didn't really know that well that have added me as a "friend"??? but there are people that I have been able to get in touch with that I have wondered about for years and have been able to reconnect with and find out some cool things about them that I would have never guessed about them. I have really loved it! I have to admit that I limit myself to checking it just a couple of times a week because I could totally get addicted to all of this. I already have my blog and I am not sure that my family and my YW would appreciate suffering from my negligence to the more important things in life. With that being said, I have this amazing friend that I had lost touch with for many years. Well, let me rephrase that...we send Christmas cards every year, but haven't spoken and haven't seen each other for YEARS!! Kathryn Weaver Tomany. I think that the last time I saw her was in Boise at her wedding reception before I even had children!! That is not ever going to happen again because reconnecting with Kathryn has been amazing!!!!! I loved her from the day that we met when I was just turning 12 and her big sis was my YW leader and Kathryn came to stay with her sister in IN for the summer... we hit it off so quick!! We had a lot in common and reading her blog has reminded me of how incredible she was then and still is! I am so grateful for her and grateful for the way that she touched my life then and now again with her sweet life experiences that she shares on her blog so many years later! My children did an exchange with their Uncle Jon this week and so I had his daughter with me and he had my boyz down in Utah and when we exchanged today in Ogden, I decided to go and see my long lost friend Kathryn. It was as if we were 16 again! She looked exactly the same (minus the poofy bangs)! Beautiful as ever inside and out. Instead of us doing flips off the diving board, talking about gymnastics, bugs in our cups at girls camp, the hippest music, the New Batman movie with Val Kilmer, and the cute boys in the FW ward, we were talking about potty training, Binky's, the loss of a beloved child and father(s), our husbands, siblings, houses, jobs, all of the grown up stuff that we could think of! It was so much fun to follow through with the "reconnecting" Thank you Kathryn!! So~Here's to reconnecting with those we have loved and who have touched our lives. With such uncertain times for all of us, isn't that what is most important? All of the people in our lives that have touched us in one way or another. What would we do without each other!!!??? Get in touch with someone you haven't talked to for a while today!!! Blessing #19...Reconnecting

Saying Goodbye

2009-07-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

Saying goodbye to dad was a special time for all of us with many mixed emotions. We were glad that he wasn't suffering anymore and we were sad that we were going to be missing him so much. The day of the viewing, mom and all of the us kids went to go and dress dad and then mom sat with all of us by dad and gave each of us letters that dad had written to us and a letter from her and a copy of Dad's patriarchal blessing which after I read it, realized that dad had fulfilled his mission on the Earth. It was like a check list with everything checked off! We had the viewing on that night of the 17th and then the funeral on the 18th. My older kids sure had a hard time that night. I felt for them. They are some of the oldest grand kids and have a lot of memories with grandpa. It was an emotional time for them. After the viewing was over, Jeff said that to listen to all of us, you would have thought that we were having a party instead of a viewing. There was a lot of memories shared with those that walked through the line and to see dad and even laughter. That's how dad would have wanted it. My mom said that he would have liked that party. It was so precious to meet some of the people that dad and mom talked about and have them mention how special dad was and the impact that he made on their lives.

The next day at the funeral, was harder than I expected. Someone came through and said that this is the hardest part and in my mind I kind of laughed at her, but then when we followed dad into the chapel, the floodgates opened and I didn't stop crying until it was over! I guess that it was bound to happen sometime. It was amazing though. Being on the stand with my only sister and all of my brothers and sharing that time in unity remembering dad was something that I will cherish forever! Daddy (the cruise director) was very prepared and had given us topics to speak on and even time limits so that the funeral wasn't too long. Everyone did such a great job! When I would look down at mom, I knew that she was going to miss him, but the joy that I could see on her face for her family overpowered that day and she was smiling knowing that dad was there smiling with her. Everyone did a great job remembering and honoring dad.

Thank you again for all of your support, kindness and friendship that we have felt through this time. I don't know what I would have done without all of you that helped and gave us kind words and offers to help.

Dad

2009-06-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

Blessing # 18 DAD

2009-06-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, near 6:00 p.m., Dad finally left us to go to the other side. We are sad to have lost him, but at peace that he is at peace. I am happy that he is no longer in any pain and excited for him to join family members that have gone before him. I have invisioned him many times jumping for joy to be free of pain and to be surrounded by all the people that he mentioned numerous times that he was excited to see and other that he was anxious to meet! I am sure that there were people there that he did temple work for and so ready to thank dad personally for that work. Dad had been super prepared and had all of his matters in order and so we are just following the plan at this point. We call him the cruise director. He was always good at making plans and following through in an organized manner. It has been special to be surrounded by all of my siblings and helping mom go forward with dad's plans. It is definitely bitter sweet. There are moments that we cry, but most moments are spent reminiscing and laughing about happy memories. Mom is an angel who helped my dad through these past years that he fought this great fight. She was always by his side and dong what she does best-taking care of dad. He is going to have to learn to take care of himself without her. He will miss her-I know that for sure! She is being so strong and I love her for setting such an example of strength and enduring to the end. I know that there is more enduing to come-but after watching her this last little while, she can handle it and do so with flying colors.

The viewing is tonight and the funueral is tomorrow morning. I am sure that some emotions will flood our family in the next couple of days. I shed quite a few while I was preparing my talk for the funueral services. I am excited to tell everyone about the amazing man that I know. They will have all known him in their own ways too. I have recieved a lot of phone calls, cards, and e-mails that I have appreciated so much. I hope that I can remember to thank all of you individually. Thank you so much!! I have felt much support and concern from others at this time and it has meant a lot to me. More than I can express.

Dad, I love you, I miss you, I hope that I can be the person that you taught me so well to be. Please watch over our family and build mom a big mansion in that sky! Until we meet again...

Blessing #18 DAD

http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=249149&fh_id=10831

Blessing #17

2009-06-11T07:04:00.000-07:00

This morning after I put the milk in the pantry and the cereal box in the fridge, I decided that I needed to blog about something totally mindless today! I am extremely behind on my blessings for the year too. So.......Peanut Butter and chocolate! I love you! When I get to heaven, one person I would like to meet is the person who first put peanut butter and chocolate together for all of us to enjoy in our earthly bodies! THANK YOU!!!! My husband has been getting healthier lately, and this might seem like a contradiction, but he is craving sweets more. Almost every night, he either wants a candy bar or ice cream in some form. He brought me something home from DQ the other night that is almost too sacred to mention-but it is their new Nut 'n' Fudge Waffle Bowl Sundae. If you like pb and choc, you should try it....HEAVENLY!!! I don't think that I breathed while I ate it!! One night, we were at the convenience store and I saw the Reese's section all together and although it took me while, I chose one of these scrumptious candy bars as my treat! Of coarse if Jeff is having a treat...I need one too! This combination has helped me through some really tough times lately. I know that food shouldn't comfort me, but I have to tell ya that it does!!!! Blessing #17-Peanut Butter and Chocolate! YUMO!!!

Quick Update

2009-06-06T07:23:00.000-07:00

It has been so long since I have been blogging regularly! I know that I have mentioned that my life is just different right now-so I guess that means my blogging frequency suffers as well-but I had a moment this morning so I wanted to do a quick update on things that have been happening.

Mack's Field trip to the Zoo

What a crazy fun day! I was one of the first "hot"days of the year and then it instantly got cold the next day and so we were blessed to have the great weather. It was a fun day. At the school, I got put in charge of the craziest group of boys that you can imagine...Mack got to ride the bus there which was a "trip" in itself. He got to see a baby camel fed by a bottle, pet and brush the goats, see a snow leopard (which at the IF zoo-if you get see him is a good day at the zoo-he's usually hiding), the lions, the tigers, zebras, and some really entertaining monkeys. Interesting fact: Did you know that when a baby zebra is born, the baby and mom stare at each other for hours memorizing each other strips so that they can identify each other. That is how they tell each other apart...it isn't the smell as you might think. Isn't that sweet?
Family...Family...and more Family!

We are having a lot of fun with our family coming in from out of town. It has been so much fun! One weekend my brothers Jon, Joe, and Ben came to visit and we all went to the sand dunes. It was such a blast hanging out with my family and just doing something fun. We also had family pictures taken with everyone. Pretty special because it may be our last with daddy. It was quite fun too and I just love seeing the pictures. I think of that saying "All Because Two People Fell in Love"! Dad and mom, look what you did!!!!

On Memorial Day weekend, Jeff's brother and family came to visit and we had a nice visit with them. The boys went golfing while the girls went shopping, we ate lots of food, had our annual greedy game that we usually play at Christmas but not everyone was there in Dec, watched the annual family movie, went to visit Galen's grave (his Birthday was Saturday), and a lot of fun was had by all! It was special to remember Galen this weekend on his birthday weekend and on Memorial Day. Over and over again, I keep thinking how much fun it is to have everyone together, no matter which side of the family it is. Family is amazing, special, essential, and it is no wonder that it is part of the plan of happiness!
Mack's Graduation!

Last but not least...Mack graduated from Kindergarten the last week of school (Hallelujah school's out!!!) and the school and teachers did such a great job putting it together. Mack's Dad, Mom, and Grandma Nelson were able to attend. My mom and dad were missed dearly. They had the kids march in to the gym to the graduation march song and then they sang songs and presented the kids with their diplomas and a little grad bear. One of the songs that they did was the Hokey Pokey. They were asked to go and choose someone from the audience and we were betting on who Mack would choose and sure enough, he chose dad. Thank heaven! It was so fun to watch my boys put their back sides in and shake them all about!! They had spots for us to take pictures and then refreshments afterwords. We got some pictures with mom and Dad, Grandma, the principal, and his teacher, Mrs. Koehler. It was a fun and special way to end that year.

Lately...

2009-06-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

SO...my life is different lately. I had a friend say to me recently when I said that my life isn't "normal" anymore that she has decided that the older she gets the more she has to adjust her "normal" more and more. I thought that that was good insight. The same friend told me that she is always surprised at how much our parents were able to keep from us while we were growing up. Who knew when you were a child that rough times were going to come? It is our job as parents to protect our children from some of the harsh things in life, but I wish in a way that I was more prepared and was more on the up and up about things of life that could happen. I guess that no one can really prepare for some of the things that are happening in my life right now. One thing that I can always count on is the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. It is consistent. It never changes. It helps me handle the bumps along the way.

I feel a little glazed over and not sure how I am existing right now. I will be listening to something one of my children are saying and I find myself asking them to repeat what they said because I was totally not listening the first time. Then, I have to make a conscience effort to listen the second time. I looked up at Quentin on the stand on Sunday and wondered when the last time was that I sat and just talked to him about what was going on in his life. I feel like I am just surviving right now. I pray that everyone around me will forgive me for "checking out" and let me back in when things get a little more smooth. If I am not over at mom and dads, then that is all I am thinking about while I am away. I try to forget and distract myself...but it doesn;t work.

I am making things sound so grim. I guess that losing a loved one does that to you. However, this time is just a short moment in the great scheme of things and I am so grateful and feel privileged to be able to participate so actively in what's happening with my father and my mom too. My adorable, precious daddy is dying right before my eyes. It is hard. It is time consuming. It is ALL consuming. It is special. It is sacred. I know that I will look back on this time and be grateful that I had the time that I had with him. He progressively gets worse everyday and we have been waiting for "the moment" for weeks now. The doctor and the Hospice nurses have been saying "any day" now for a few weeks and it is frustrating that he still has to struggle along with my mom. However, I thank Heavenly Father for each day that he gives me to say I love you one more time and kiss his skinny bald head. The other day, I told him that I loved him and he said to me; "Not as much as I love you!" I will treasure that forever. He has said a lot of sweet things to everyone and the hugs and kisses that he gives my mom...no one would ever doubt his love for her nor their love for one another. It is precious and I am glad that I can partake in so many moments.

He has gotten a little confused and not as lucid as he used to be. The other day, he had a hard time signing one of his books for me. I don't even think that he can read anymore, but there are those few moments that the old dad comes back and makes a joke or remembers something from the past that he brings up, etc. He is being called to the other side and no one knows when it will happen. It is on HIS time table not ours. He's ready, and moms ready, we are all ready to see him go and start a new mission that he has in store. I know that when he is gone, we will have new emotions that will arise, but look back fondly at the memories that we are still creating.

Yellowstone

2009-05-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

I forgot to pack my journal and so I am putting some of the memories of our trip on my blog so that I have somewhat of a record somewhere.

May 4th: We packed the van with a mattress and enough supplies for the three of us for a couple of days. Dad layed comfortably on the bed in the back all of the way up to West Yellowstone and read the whole time. We arrived at the hotel and got dad out into his wheelchair and he just grinned ear to ear and did a couple of wheelies in his chair which I then caught a couple more on video later. He took a big whiff of that mountain air and I think that it did him some good. He has been saying for a while now that he just wanted to get to Yellowstone one more time. Here we are! We got dad settled into bed with the remote in hand and left on a food quest because we were hungry. Everything was closed or sit down and so we ended up getting salads from McDonald's and went back to the room to eat with dad. We settled in pretty early to bed.

May 5th: I woke up in the morning to my parents talking quietly. It reminded me of when I was a girl and I would wake up in the morning and hear my parents in the kitchen talking to one another. It was one of my favorite sounds and favorite memories from my childhood-it still is. I heard my mom say this morning, "Guess where you're going today?" and I heard my dad giggle like a child. He was so excited. We got up and got ready and then went to eat breakfast. I thought that he was doing really well until he wheeled back to the room and promptly lost what he ate. We ventured out to the park with dad sleeping on the bed in the back. We kept trying to talk to him and wake him up but he just wouldn't. He was so groggy and tried to open one eye every once in a while, but couldn't. Mom and I drove to Old Faithful and sat in the car for quite a while before mom finally went to the back and tried waking him up. He did wake up, and wanted to get out of the car-which is why we went there...there was just one minor problem, precipitation! All the way into the park, there was rain, snow, and hail. It was still raining when we wanted to get out, but it's why we were there and so we followed instruction and got him out! With all the gear that we had, we got out and started walking. It would stop raining for just a minute or so so that we could enjoy the walk a little more and mom and I got quite a work out pushing dad a long the path. It was beautiful and I will treasure today even with the rain. When we asked him if he was ready to be done, he kept pushing forward. The only thing that made us turn around was the big pile of snow that was on the path that we couldn't push his chair through. We saw a lot of geysers, hot pools, blue birds, an eagle, a ground squirrel, buffalo, and buffalo poo! We got back into the car and drove around to find some lunch. We stopped and ate at the Grill and dad kept asking me if Jeff was meeting us for lunch and if he drove the other car with the kids. I know that he is getting close. He is so disoriented sometimes. He slept he entire time back to the hotel and then for 4 hours after we got back. I slept too and mom read her book. When I woke up, I asked mom what she wanted to do and she said that she really wanted dad to wake up and so we tried to wake him up and started talking about dinner. He perked up when I said Pizza and so started my quest for pizza in an "off season" West Yellowstone. Every place is closed! I did finally find some and brought it back to the room and is tasted pretty good. We enjoyed dinner together and then mom asked him if he wanted to get in his jammies and he said no-he wanted to go for a ride. We hopped in the car, with dad sitting in a seat. He sat down and said that the seat was ingesting him. He is saying the most funny things. He has always been a joker and so sometimes I see that joker in him. He emptied a bag of souvenirs, faked throwing up...ha ha very funny dad-and we were on our way. We drove a few miles towards Bozeman, saw an eagle, turned around and asked if he was done and he asked to drive back into the park. So we did! We drove a few miles into the park and the sun was setting and we saw a swan, more buffalo, a bull elk with a large rack, some geese, and another ground squirrel. It was fun to have him awake and commenting every once in a while. We got back and he got ready for bed while I talked to my family on the phone. I have to admit...It was nice to say good bye to Jeff as he was breaking something up in the back ground while trying to get Mack to bed. I am kind of on Vacation. It's wonderful!

Pirate Ship Quilt

2009-05-04T20:51:00.001-07:00

As if I needed another project-let alone a project that intimidates me like quilting....I bought this pattern the other day while I was with my mom that convinced me that I could do this (and that she would help me)!! I am going to make it for Mack's bed for his "new" room (if I ever get around to finishing it)!! Isn't it soooo cute?

Today while I was scouring over the pattern at McDonald's waiting for Mack to finish his lunch, the girl that designed it came up to me and told me that this was her design. If you would like to peek at some more of her designs, check out her blog at www.sweetandshabbydesigns.typepad.com I fell in love with everything of hers!!!

DAD

2009-05-04T14:11:00.000-07:00

So may of you that read my blog have been wondering about my dad and his condition. I am so grateful for all of the concerning thoughts, sentiments, and prayers that have been said in our behalf. I have written a lot of my own personal thoughts and feelings down in my personal journal. So many of my thoughts and feelings are so personal and private, but I realize that all of you want to know and are curious and so I just wanted to let you know and keep you in the "know". It is part of my life and so a perfect thing to record on my blog.

Things have progressively been getting worse. That really is the progress. It has been very difficult to watch him and my mom as he has struggled with pain and with the reality that is at hand. It has also been a very sacred time in their home and in our family. The time is drawing near and I just can not express my gratitude enough, nor put into words my feelings about the time that we have been able to spend with him.

He has been wanting to go to Yellowstone one last time and the thought or possibility of it all has been in question for a few weeks. Yesterday, the Doctor gave him the go ahead to go and told both my parents that at this point, we are looking at days left-not weeks and so if he wanted to go...NOW would be good. I feel selfish in the fact that I get to be the one to take them. We are heading out in a few minutes after Jeff gets home to gut the van so that we can get a mattress in the back so that he can lay down on the way there and the way back. I am anxious-but so excited and feel privileged to go with them. I am hoping that I can hold it together while we are there. It has gotten harder for me-I am realizing that I am still not ready to let him go. Everyday I pray for strength to just remember that it will be for only a short while until we will be together again. I am going to try to just enjoy and treasure these days that I get to spend with him in his favorite part of the country.

Thank you again for all of your concern and love that you have shown our family.

Blessing #16

2009-05-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

I have been born of goodly parents. What a blessing that is! I am so lucky to have these two as my parents and to have been raised by them-and still am being raised by them. I treasure every word that they have to say and any advice is welcome still after all of these years. Sometimes I have something to say for them-but not nearly what they have to offer for me! I was blessed to live with them while growing up and learn what I could from them. I am also so grateful for the love that they had for me and the love that they have, and show, one another. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for them. It has been difficult to watch them struggle the past few years with dad's illness getting worse and worse every year, but I have been blessed to be here in town to see the love that they have for each other grow even stronger! Was that possible? I am so blessed to have them as an incredible example that I would like to follow in my own life. The way that they conduct their lives and serve one another and others around them is an excellent model to anyone. Even now when dad's time is short, they know how to laugh, listen, share, live the gospel, and serve. Blessing #16-Goodly Parents!

Four Generations

2009-05-04T13:41:00.000-07:00

I feel a little guilty saying that it has been a joy to have so much family in and out of town because of dad. I would rather those visits not be under the circumstances that they are, but because this is what is at hand, I am appreciating these special times to spend with some people that I may not usually see or spend time with. This past weekend, my grandparents came up to Idaho Falls for a visit and so my Grandma (Grammy), my mom, my daughter, Calli, and me took some four generation photos. It is precious to have a Grandmother, and grandfather still around for me to enjoy. I love them so much and are so happy that we were able to get a FOUR generation picture together. Calli was really getting into it about the third picture and so we kept taking them.

Blessing #15

2009-04-30T08:06:00.001-07:00

These ducks have been making an appearance in our yard recently. Last year, I saw a pair of ducks in our yard as well, but they didn't stick around. This year, they have been coming back over and over again. They really like our little waterfall/pond in the back yard and keep quacking around back there. I keep wondering if they are scouting out a nesting spot. I would love that if we had a bunch of little ducklings in our yard. How do I warn them about all of the kitty cats that prowl the area? Do squirrels matter to them? Anyhow, it has been a lot of fun to have them visit us almost daily. They did disappear when it was yucky weather but are back now that the snow is gone once again. They were timid at first, but now every morning they come to our back porch and almost demand a feeding! The kids have loved it and so have I. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has given us these creatures to enjoy. I am not an animal lover by any means, but am grateful that I get to enjoy them from a distance and have them bring wonder and joy (and from some of them food) to our lives.

We were driving over to my parents home one afternoon and this is the sight we saw out our car windows. Many years ago, God sent the rainbow as a symbol to Noah and his family that he would not flood the Earth in that way again. All of us have seen a Rainbow and they are beautiful! I was obsessed with rainbows when I was a little girl. There is just something about all of those colors being placed together and how they blend and compliment one another...it's incredible! On this day, this rainbow meant a little bit more than no more floods and colors. It was a personal reminder to me that my Heavenly Father knows us and he knows our struggles and our joys. He really is there for us. Who can doubt that he exists when there is such beauty to be found in all of his creations? Blessing #15 All of the Nature around us to remind us of our Heavenly Father and his love for us.

Blessing #14

2009-04-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who is an amazing cook. Anyone can cook better than me (or at least enjoy it better than me) but this friend can cook and bake and make wonderful creations in the kitchen!!! I have decided to not be jealous of these kind of people anymore-just to be grateful that they exist and that they can lead those of us "culinary challenged" and give us great pointers every once in a while!! Thank you for possessing your talent!

So...my friend had this bread recipe that she called 1 Hour Bread! YEA RIGHT!!!!??? Whatever! I decided to go to a presentation that she was giving and it looked easy enough-but if you knew my bread history-you would know that I do not do bread-or bread doesn't do me-one or the other! I have tried many recipes-including my mother's infamous recipe that she does and none of them have ever worked!!! I am not exaggerating this fact! So...I decided to try my friends recipe and it actually worked!!! I thought it was a fluke and so I tried it again...AGAIN it worked!!! Again and again, I tried it and it continued to work!! Imagine my shock and surprise and with all of these successful attempts, I started trying rolls, pizza crust, cinnamon bread, the focacia bread, etc etc! I make it every week. When I haven't gotten to it yet, and have had to use store bought bread for lunches, my kids complain! They love my bread!!!! I finally have a recipe that is so easy and fast!!! I haven't perfected it to an hour, but I have gotten it down to 1 hour 15 minutes-but it still doesn't take all day!! Thank you friend and thank you Bread Gods for finally smiling down on me! Here is the recipe if any of you are interested...

Blessing #14 My 1 Hour (& 15 minutes) Bread Recipe.

2/3 cup honey or sugar

1/4 cup oil (rounded)

3 T. yeast

5 cups hot water

4 cups Flour

2 T. salt

Additional Flour

Put sugar, oil, and yeast in mixer (Bosch mixer you can do whole recipe, kitchen aide you can only fit 1/2 recipe). Add water and mix. Let sit 3 minutes to activate yeast. Add 4 cups flour and the salt (add salt last-it will kill yeast if you put it n first). Mix well to form a paste. Let raise 7 minutes. Add additional flour until dough pulls from sides of mixer pan (about 4-6 more cups). Mix it for about 4 minutes on high. Place bread in 4 greased loaf pans and set in warm oven (about 175-200 degrees) Let raise until dough is 1 inch over top of pan. This takes about 15-20 minutes. Without taking bread out, change temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes.

A fun tip that I love is to spray your counter with Pam when you take dough out of mixer to divide. It makes the dough less sticky and easier to make it into really pretty bread shapes.

The Focacia bread is one of your dough loaves spread into a bottom of 9X13 pan. Dimple the dough, spread liberally with olive oil, sprinkle with dry Italian dressing (about 2/3 package), garlic salt, dill, Parmesan cheese, or whatever else you want or have on hand. Raise for about 10 minutes in warm oven and then bake for the 20 minutes. YUMO!!!!

On Easter, I even made these bunny rolls that my mom always made. Later, I frosted the tails and sprinkled them with coconut. They were delicious!!

Blessing #13

2009-04-17T21:36:00.000-07:00

Alex (Jeff's Brother) called us the other night and told us that he had gotten engaged to Anna. We had met her the weekend before and we definitely approved of her...so after calling us one night and asking his older brother what he thought...the next phone call was that they were engaged. Congratulations guys!!! She is adorable and we already love her as part of our family. They of coarse are ADORABLE together!!! It is fun to watch them be so in love. Sometimes people say that "young love " is a little sickening...I believe that those who say that are just jealous. I have even caught myself saying it or thinking it-however...I for one am grateful to be around the young love. It always reminds me of my own time in life when I was like that with Jeff. I like to think that we are still like that every once in a while-but young love is a good reminder for all of us that we can still be "in love" with those we have been with for many years. Blessing #13-YOUNG LOVE!!! Sigh!

A little behind!!

2009-04-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

I feel a little behind in my blogging. This is important to me and so I have made sure that I still keep up on it. There are a lot of things that have happened in the last little bit that I would like to post briefly.

SCRAP BOOKING!!

With my dad mostly home bound, my mom tries to get out every once in a while and so I am the proud owner of the "babysitting" job every once in a while. A few days I have had the privilege to go over for quite a few hours and have enjoyed spending time with my dad, but when he goes to sleep I have tried to get something done while I am there. I have been taking my scrap book stuff over and have got quite a bit done. I still have a long ways to go-I am so far behind...but I am grateful for the chance to squeeze it in. When I am home, I am surrounded by all of the things that I should be doing there and so to be forced to leave all of my chores there, it has given me the opportunity to get so much done.

SPRING BREAK

The kids had spring break a couple of weeks ago and boy did we have fun!!! HAR HAR HAR! Sara and her kids were here that week and we did have a lot of fun with them...but the weather left something to be desired! My children (as well as their mother) are very very ready for SPRING!!!! And so when "spring break" came around, we were expecting a little warmer weather than what we got that week! Calli was dying to go to the park so badly and so one day-we finally ventured out to the park. The minute we got to the park, the dark clouds rolled in and it started snowing! Yes-snowing! I love Idaho Falls. So here are the pictures that I got of the kids freezing and wet at the park. They still tried to play and have fun for a little while. I loved that Sara and her kids came with us. They made for great entertainment! We giggled a lot from our cozy warm cars!! This is Sam and Emily. They were both crying and ready to get out of the "spring" weather!

EASTER
Calli in her Easter Dress that she bought with Grandma.

Easter weekend was a little nicer weather and we had a nice Easter day. We went up Nelsons to have dinner and an Easter egg hunt and to visit Grandpa's grave. We did the balloons with notes attached for Grandpa-but they didn't keep their helium (or Helaman as Quenalee kept saying) and so they just kind of floated a long with the wind until they got caught by a distant tree. Grandpa knew what the kids wrote and knows how much we love him and miss him. Jeff gave a short message about Easter and the Resurrection of our Savior and how some day we will all be able to be with Grandpa and each other forever. Even though we miss him-it really is a special thing to have someone that we love in Heaven.The "HUNT"

After our Easter with the Nelson clan, we headed back to Idaho Falls to have some time with the Ostensons. Ben, Joe, and his family were there as well as Michael's Family. The kids flew their kites out in the street and it made for some great entertainment for sure! Grandpa even made it out to watch some of the show for a while.

We got there in time to partake of the traditional Easter Bunny cake that mom always makes each Easter. So fun to have traditions and use them to keep the family one. It is really fun to have the grand kids participating in traditions that we all had growing up.

Blessing #12

2009-04-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

Dad and his girls!

My Sister. My one and only one! I love her so much. I love all of my siblings so much-but having only one sister is a special thing. We are 8 years apart (almost to the day). On the day that she was blessed as a baby, I received the Holy Ghost after being baptized the day before. We never had to share clothes but did share a bed for many years while I was still at home. I remember many nights of giggles and fighting over who had more room (she says I was a bed hog!). She plays an amazing piano and even more-she plays the organ. In High School, she did the hurdles in track and ran cross-country. I did gymnastics and show choir. She was an amazing student-I was a very talented socialite. As adults we have a lot in common. We are the only ones that brought male in-laws to the family...he he. We both have children even though she has beat me out in numbers as the younger sister. We both love to scrap book-I wish we lived by one another so we could do it together. We are both serving in the Young Women organization which is fun to compare. We are both very different as well as we should be. As far as physical differences, she is teeny tiny and blonde. Small and mighty. She has four children, home schools the older ones, and thrives on educating them and helping them to learn all about their worlds! She is amazing in that way! This way that she shows her love to her children is incredible to me and so admirable. I could never do it!! Good Job Sara! I am all for public education and quiet mornings to myself!

She left on Saturday after being here in Idaho Falls for two weeks! It was the longest she has come to stay since she was married and we had such an enjoyable time with her and her family. It was great to be able to have her here and to spend a good amount of time with her. Can you believe that I didn't vacuum for two weeks because I was too busy spending all of my time with her. Sorry house! This week, my blessing # 12 is my sister Sara. I love you and am so grateful to have you in my life.

Blessing #11

2009-03-31T22:27:00.000-07:00

I have lot of blessings that I have been meaning to write about but because I am behind and because of my schedule right now, I am going to make this short and "sweet"! Cookies! Ahhh Cookies! Not only are they one of the only things that I can make in my kitchen well (except choc chip...Calli makes those better than me), but they are amazing therapy for me and right now...I really need some cookie THERAPY!!! This morning, I made it down to my kitchen to make something and these cookies are what I created to take around to my VT sisters on the last day of the month! Hopefully they understood! I ate 6 for breakfast (plus 3 more with the dough snacks) Blessing #11 COOKIES!!!!!

Blessing #10

2009-03-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

It was my birthday on Sunday and although this weekend was a little hard watching my dad struggle, it was still a day to celebrate and to reflect on my 35 years of life. It was especially a day to reflect and remember because I have again been reminded about how fragile life is. For this reason, my blessing this week is the wonderful 35 years that I have spent in mortality. Here are 35 moments that have happened in my life that have helped me to become the 35 year old that I am. Some things mean more than others of coarse, but the others are fun fillers that also mean something to me or random memories that I thought of while thinking about this blessing.

1. Being Born to goodly parents under the covenant.
2. Moving to Fort Wayne, IN when I was 4. That is where I learned to be who I am today.
3. Jumping in the Indiana leaves after we raked them up.
4. Singing solos that sometimes I didn't cry through when I was very young.
5. Becoming friends with Gretchen, my childhood friend and forever friend. She will always have a special spot in my heart.
6. Playing Star Wars in the crawl Space below our home.
7. The many times that I made Michael carry me on his shoulders, sing songs with me, and pretty much doing anything I wanted him to. I had such a great time with him.
8. Gymnastics in our back yard, in the living room, on the gymnasium floor at the school, at church, & on the HS team.
9. Attending my first Young Woman Broadcast with my mom and the necklace that she gave me that night (I still have it).
10. The 6 Girls Camps I attended growing up! Still one of my favorite places to be! Back flips off the diving board, late night giggles in the tent, skit night, bugs in cups, etc. etc.!!!!
11. A talk I had with my dad at Concordia Seminary.
12. Youth Conference when I was 15. Jon Bytheway was one of the speakers. I played Volleyball with him and he told me that he had heard I was the prettiest girl there at that YC. I totally believed him...He probably said it to all the girls.
13. Traveling out west to visit family with two adults and seven children in our station wagon! My parents are saints!! That is all I have to say!
14. Playing cops with Gretchen.
15. Being in Charisma and singing and dancing my heart out! Loved it!
16. Spring break my Junior Year!!! Sigh! I HEART Jeff Nelson!
17. Failing Algebra my Senior year and then acing it my freshman year in college????
18. Saying good-bye to Indiana and our friends there and yelling hello to Idaho and all of the new times and friends here.
19. Hanging out with Jeff that whole summer and falling in love! Remember the candles babe?
20. Rooming with my cousin and other hilarious and wonderful roommates my year at Ricks.
21. Getting engaged to the man I had always loved after dating many and getting kicked in the booty by my mom-"You'd better get him before he gets away!" she said to me.
22. The day that I got married to my best friend.
23. Moving to Boise and defining who I was even more there.
24. Starting to scrap book. Saved my life! I love it!
25. Having my first child-Quentin.
26. Graduating from Boise State with my bachelors degree.
27. Managing the apartment complex-taught me a lot of life lessons.
28. Having our second child and only daughter Callianne.
29. Building our home together and buying our first house! Those were the days.
30. I have a lot of dear friends in Boise-but meeting my friend Valerie was truly life changing!
31. Having our third child Just Mack!
32. Moving to Idaho Falls-bitter sweet leaving our friends in Boise but moving to new friends and amazing times with our family here.
33. Galen Nelson's accident and how it brought our family closer.
34. Seeing my first Broadway show!! Wicked was Wicked!
35. Serving in a lot of different capacities in each ward I've been in. Learning that service is the true way to show my Heavenly Father and my Savior my commitment to them.

There are so many more that I could write about-here's just a few-35 to be exact! That isn't very many he he! I love getting older. It really doesn't bother me and what a blessing these 35 years have been! Here's to at least 35 more!

Pay it Forward!!

2009-03-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

How it works: The FIRST THREE people to leave a comment on this post will receive at some point during this year a gift from ME. What it will be and when it will arrive will be a total surprise--to both of us.The CATCH is that YOU MUST PLAY TOO! Before you leave your comment here, write a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (you can cut and paste these instructions). Then come back and let me know that you are going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift. It's THAT easy!Remember, only the FIRST THREE comments will qualify. Yea!

Bitter Sweet

2009-03-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

Joe, Tim, Michael, Dad, & Jon

Yesterday at Church, one of the speakers compared life to a golf coarse. On a golf coarse, there are a lot of hazards. If there weren't any sand traps, water, trees, slopes, etc...we may always get holes in one. Would that be as interesting or as much of a challenge? Would it be as fun? I am not saying that trying so hard to avoid the hazards or challenges in our life are fun but what I am saying is that I understand that there has to be some bitter to experience the sweet and to improve upon our testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ and his atonement. Our weekend this weekend was an example of this.
I know that most of you know that my dad has had cancer for over 6 years now. It has been a well fought battle and he has been such a trooper and my mom has been a saint! All of us knew that this cancer would take dad's life at some point. The timing was always the unknown. It still is. However, he has been getting progressively worse and it seems like just lately, things have been happening so fast. He has been spending a lot of time in bed lately-and things that he once was able to do have now become almost near impossible without help or without a great deal of pain. It has been hard to watch, but incredible to see his faith and his continued love for mom, his family, and the gospel and the opportunity that we all have had to spend with him.
On Friday, my mom called me to borrow my crock pot and started crying when I asked her about dad. I dropped Mack off at school and went directly over there to see what was going on. I found her crying in the kitchen and we just held each other for a while and that is when she told me that they were sending Hospice over. Dad had been in such excruciating pain that she didn't know what else to do for him. It has been a huge relief for her and for all of us to have Jill-(the nurse) checking in on him and bringing them whatever they needed and making him comfortable with the pain meds that she can give him. It has been hard to watch him go through this and it was hard for me to realize that we are getting to the end. This weekend two of my brothers came up from Utah to spend some time with us and we had such a good time. Even though it has been an emotional weekend, it was so great to all be together. Ben and Sara were the only ones that we didn't get to spend time with and we missed them dearly! Michael showed off his "rocket show" on Saturday and my favorite part was watching each one of the kids shoot the rocket off and then run as fast as they could do go and retrieve it. It started getting windy and so even when they would run the way they thought that it was going, they ended up turning in the opposite direction to go and get it with the wind change. We did some shopping, some sleep overs with the cousins. played get the Oreo in your mouth by only using your facial muscles and gravity, and ate a lot! We mostly all just spent time together and talked and had such an amazing time together. Friday night dad did perk up a little and was able to come out and visit. He also visited a while on Sunday after the sacrament was brought in for him. That day before Jon went home, he gave dad a blessing with all of the boys standing in and then mom said a family prayer with all of us there. Lots of tears, but lots of love too. The spirit in my parent's home has been so strong. I know that Heavenly Father is watching over all of us and wants us to know that he is there. What an amazing family I have. I am sooo blessed to be able to have a relationship with all of my siblings and to feel of their love-especially at this time.

Michael the Rocket MasterMack and Seth-the Launchers

Jon & Kyla at the Rocket ShowThe kids at the Rocket Show
Get the Oreo in your mouth only using your facial muscles and gravity. Start it out on your forhead...

Eyelashes are useful while the Oreo is lingering around the eye area.

Almost There!!

Got IT!!! So hilarious!! Oh what mormons think of to entertain themselves!!

Jeff and I taking a picture of ourselves because no one ever takes a picture of us!

Aren't these boys just dang adorable??? I am not sure what they were looking at on the laptop-but I was hearing a lot of "DUDE". Kyla said that that was Max's computer talk.

Maddie and Calli-always cute!

This is a horrible picture of it...he didn't want me to take it very badly, but this is a small gash that Mack got right under his eye this weekend. With 11 adults and 13 kids crammed into mom and dads house, it's a wonder that we didn't have more than this and a bloody nose and a few bonked heads periodically. He got this from a piece of licorice-while going to grab some licorice from his cousin, that other cousin was trying to bite his piece and because it was hard, it flicked when the bite released and it hit Mack's cheek just right to give him this litle gash. When I sent him to school today I thought that it will be a really funny story for him to be telling eveyone. I am not sure that they will quite believe him that he got it from licorice!

Blessing #9

2009-03-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

What would I do without my friends? I have been blessed my whole life to be surrounded by amazing friends. Now I have friends near and far. Even when I was little, I had the best of friends and have kept touch with them all of these years. Last week, I was just having "one of those days" and while I was making dinner, realized that I didn't have a can of something I needed, so I called a friend around the block and she brought it right over. However, while she was here for those two seconds, she informed me that she was going west in a couple of days and wondered if I wanted to go with her and she would drop me off at Boise (okay-I kind of invited myself-I'll admit it) Do I want to? Little did she know, I was watching Thelma and Loise earlier that day and really thought that I could use a girls weekend about right about now! I called Valerie in Boise and told her I was coming and she rearranged all of her plans (LOL) and we were on our way the next day! (Last minute trips are the best kind. You don't have to think about all of the commitments long enough to talk yourself out of going.) I got into Julie's car that morning and as soon as we got down the road a little way all of the cares of my world seemed to roll off my shoulders and I was on my way to a relaxing weekend with friends. Great conversation in the car that continued all weekend long on any couch in Val's home. We just seemed to move from one couch to the other talking about some things-but mostly talking about a lot of nothings. But, as Meg Ryan said in You've Got Mail...all of those nothings added up to something. What it added up to was me being with friends who lifted me up in a time when I needed them. I have a lot of people that are like that that I can depend on. They each mean something different to me and do different things for me. I am so grateful to them and for each one of them for different reasons-but mostly for the reason for being my FRIEND. If you are reading this, you are a precious friend and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the memories and for all of the times that you lifted me when I needed you. Blessing #9 - FRIENDS.We all need them! Here are Mack and Aiden doing the "friend thing" in Boise. This happened to be the time when they were polishing Aiden's trophy??? They were so adorable the whole time that we were there. We hardly ever saw them! They just played the entire time together and made more memories as friends.

Blessing #8

2009-03-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

I am a little behind in my blessings-but this week I have so much to be grateful for that it will be easy to catch up! Blessing #8 is answered prayers. I am so grateful for answered prayers. There have been times in my life when I am praying for something and hoping that I will get this amazing answer and direct communication from my Heavenly Father and receive a clear answer....but then I make my own decisions and realize that the peace that I feel with my decisions and the absence of a stupor of thought IS the answer to my prayer. Lately, I have been lead and guided by my Heavenly Father in a way that I have never been before and so today I am grateful for answered prayers. I know that he knows me and knows what I need and he trusts me and I feel him all the time but lately there have been things weighing on my mind that I needed more and he gave me more. I am so grateful that I am not alone. None of us are. I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father that will never leave us-all we need to do is ask and we will receive.

Quentin's Induction

2009-02-24T21:41:00.000-08:00

Quentin received an invitaion to be inducted into the National Junior Honor Society last week. Jeff and I were so proud of him and so excited! He made it sound like it wasn't a big deal but it was and it is and we are so happy to be the parents of this amazing little man.

We went to the ceremony last night and even though he was a good head shorter than all of the other kids there, he looked so grown up and ready to take on the world! Maybe it was the purple tie that I made him wear. He told me that no one else would be dressed up-but I still made him dress up! It was a short, sweet ceremony explaining how they were chosen and an explanation about what it means to be part of this society. They told us that his being chosen was based upon grades, citizenship, leadership, and character. WOW! What a privilege. Jeff and I were grinning ear to ear the whole time I am sure! Quentin even let me sneak a picture in!

I know that I say how amazing he is all of the time and I am sure that some of you are tired of hearing about him-but he never ceases to amaze me with the things that he says and the actions that he displays of being one of the greatest people that I have ever met. He has a great mind, a great spirit and so much integrity. He knows who he is and knows what is right for him. He stands up for what he believes in and stands proud beside all of his decisions. I am so happy to be his mom and to be learning new things from him every day!

Blessing #7

2009-02-24T20:49:00.000-08:00

Last summer we bought these little potted blooming trees that I totally fell in love with because they had these small purple blossoms with yellow centers all over the foliage. I HAD to have them. They were a splurge that I usually don't participate in but I loved them and so we purchased them. One thing that drew me to them was that they would live even during the winter if they were brought indoors so to avoid the freezing temperatures. Something to bring me joy year after year? Definitely worth the money I was to spend then! I brought them indoors for the winter and they bloomed for the first month that I had them inside, but quit after long. They are still enjoyable (and alive surprisingly with my black thumb that I have). This morning, I was sweeping my kitchen floor and was over by the back door when much to my surprise, I saw a purple bloom peeking out from behind some of the green leaves!! I lit up-with no one else around and a smile came to my face knowing that spring is just around the bend!!! I am sure that all of you are excited about the warmer weather as well as I am-but there is just something more that I am thankful for that is a blessing in my life. Spring represents new life, a new season and a new beginning. I know that everyone has hard times sometimes and that I am not alone, but lately I have felt more than ever before in my life that I am looking forward to a new beginning. I know how to make it happen, I just haven't figured out how to put all of those pieces together and make it happen-or at least happen quicker than it seems to be happening. I am not the most patient person or else I am not learning quickly enough what I need to learn. With that being said, this flower gave me the hope that I needed today to keep on going and to learn more about myself and my surroundings so that I can facilitate that "new beginning". Today I am blessed to be able to have new beginnings and to be better than I was before and to have a hope for what is to come.

Blessing #6

2009-02-16T18:05:00.000-08:00

Years ago, I was having a presidency meeting at my house and I apologized for my dishwasher running because it was making some noise and we had to talk over it. My friend said that she loved the sound of appliances because that meant that something else is doing her work for her. I have thought a lot about that over the years and today something happened that yet reminded me again of what she said. Today is laundry day and at one point I went to go and check the clothes in the dryer only to find out that they were very damp still after I had been drying them for a while. I panicked thinking that my dryer had bit the dust and I would have to take the rest of my clothes to my moms or a laundromat and wait for Jeff to fix my dryer, or worse have to buy a new one...I was hoping to use my tax return for something else! It ended up working and I am not sure what happened, but my blessings today are all of my appliances. I don't have the fanciest or state of the art appliances, but I am lucky to have what I have. My washer and Dryer, the stove, the microwave, the water heater, the refrigerator, and the dishwasher. I am amazed when I hear the sound of these items and how they are helping me so much with the work that I am supposed to be doing. I know that they are a blessing in my life. They save me time, do things more efficiently (better than I could even do sometimes), and work while I am away or sleeping lots of times. Thank heaven for my blessing(s) #6-my appliances.

Project Mode

2009-02-08T18:36:00.000-08:00

At Christmas time, we rearranged all of the kids bedrooms. In the summer we finally put in a window in the basement so that it could be an official bedroom and so we moved Q down there and swapped Calli and Mack's room. It seemed like a great idea at the time. I forgot that all of their rooms would have to be repainted. I love redecorating, but the budget is a little tight right now and so it wasn't a great time because of that! I usually love to try to use what I already have to be frugal and so this was just a little more challenging because I didn't have a lot of wiggle room. She told me she wanted her room to be purple and green. I love that combo, however, she has had a purple room from birth and I was ready for a change. Here's our makeover all for under $120.oo out of my pocket! (Calli helped a little.)When I saw this rug ($30) at Walmart she and I both agreed to do the room around this palette. We were off and running!!!

We found her bedspread in Heaven (aka Target-(I saw this on someones blog this week))-Who doesn't love Target????). I bought the bed in a bag ($25) and Calli bought the accent pillow sham with her own money!

After the green bedspread, I didn't want to put the bright green on her walls and so I chose the periwinkle-but Calli really wanted the green so we compromised and I told her we could do the periwinkle on the bottom and the more light green on the top. I was nervous about it, but it turned out cute!! A couple of cans of paint ($30) and WALLA!!

The rest of the accents were all redone ones that she had in her old room. I found some paint that I had from some other projects and used it to repaint frames, her clock, and hangers on the wall. I love the turquoise and wished I had used more of that color-but it is a great accent! I also found these floating eyelet balls ($12) in the wedding section at Walmart too. They were something new to add a fun extra touch.

Calli and I both fell in love with this fuzzy chair ($28) that fit perfectly in her reading corner! She also paid for half of this with her own money! Wow! Thanks for the financial help Calli.

My favorite thing in the room though ended up being this long picture frame that we had and bought some scrap book paper for ($4) and developed a few pictures of her liking to make this cute scrap book on wall!Along with Calli's room, I had Jeff add some rounded corners to the hall entryways and I textured and painted both hallways. This is what my poor kitchen table looked like the whole week. I didn't dare take a picture of the rest of my house. I guess that I will be playing catch-up with my cleaning this week. Now Mack is expecting his room to be done immediately! I think we will wait for the tax return for that one!

Blessing #5

2009-02-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

No-that's not me on the cover of this magazine! I don't have an amazing photo for this one, and this may sound a little cliche, but this week I have been particularly thankful for my health and consider it a HUGE blessing in my life. This week I have been around people who are sick or have heard about people who are sick or had been sick and I knock on wood every time when I say that I can't remember the last time that I was sick. I am thinking that it is a tender mercy from my Heavenly Father because I need to take care of my husband so much because he is sick constantly! I know that when I have been sick before, I wished that I was healthy-but before that happens, I just want to be grateful for "being" healthy now. Blessing #5 is my health.

Blessings #1, #2, #3, & #4

2009-02-05T09:14:00.000-08:00

I am starting my 52 blessings. I am going to start with the obvious blessings that everyone expects me to put down, but they are the things that I would tell anyone if they just asked me randomly what my top 4 blessings are. My first 4 blessings of 2009 are

#1 Jeff
What would I ever do without this amazing man in my life? He has been the best thing that has ever come into my life! He is my ROCK, my best friend, the LOVE of my life, my children's amazing Father, his mother's wonderful 1st son, my parent's favorite son-in-law (he he! J/K Sam!), our incredible provider, and has an amazing way of making me be myself and know who I am-because without him I am not sure who I would be. I am grateful for him and for the 16 plus years that we have known one another!

He helps me fold my laundry when I've had a big day and haven't gotten to it. He organizes the kids' toys ALL the time-sometimes to my demise! He fixes my toothbrush before we go to bed, gets my water for my bedside table, and lays out my blanket in case I get cold...we sound like an OLD couple. The other night, I came home from mutual and he had deep cleaned two of my bathrooms! What a guy! I am the luckiest girl in the world to be able to spend eternity with him!

#2 My Oldest Son Quentin

Sometimes I don't even know what to say about my son Quentin. Jeff and I just sit and wonder where he came from sometimes! He is one of the most incredible people that I have ever met! I would say that even if he wasn't my son. He is an outstanding student. Most times he will have over 100 percent in his classes. He loves to read like you would not believe, play games on the computer and the Wii, hang out with mom and dad after the other kids go to bed, and he especially loves the Gospel. His testimony is greater than some adults I know. The leaders at church have expressed to me several times what a great Young man he is and what a special testimony and tender heart he has. He and his sister have always had a very special relationship and we have always loved the way that they treat each other with so much kindness and respect. Now don't get me wrong, he can be very "typical" for a 12 year old some days too. I believe that I can see all of those teen years approaching soon, but neither Jeff nor I believe that he will be a trial during those years. I am so excited to see what his future will bring and enjoyed every second that we have been blessed to have him in our loves.

#3 My precious Daughter Callianne

She is so precious to me not just because she is our only girl, but because I see so much of myself in her! I watch her doing a lot of the same things that I did when I was her age. It is spooky sometimes. She is so creative and willing to try just about anything that doesn't put her at the center of attention (that is something that she didn't get from me-she's all dad that way!) She loves to be with either brother. Being in the middle, she always has someone to play with. If Q isn't interested at the time, she resorts to Mack and they have so much fun together. She has a contagious smile and giggle-especially when she and Quentin are goofing around. They get so loud and kind of obnoxious, but I inevitably start laughing with them because I just can't resist that giggle and smile! She is an incredible student and all of her teachers have always loved her and how sweet she is. She has a lot of friends, but is kind of a homebody and would rather play with her brothers than any of her friends. She has her own "style"...She loves to experiment with her clothes and hair. She is very fun to go shopping with and believe me-we both love to go shopping! I love her to death and have enjoyed having one daughter to play with! She is a precious blessing.

#4 My little Mack!

Kiss, kiss, kiss! Mack is my three kiss kisser. One on the lips and one on each cheek!! Last night he gave me really long kisses. When he stops doing that, it will be a very sad day! Mack is the "funny" in our home. He cracks all of us up!!! This morning I heard him tooting at the counter at breakfast and he said "That's number seven!" Only Mack would be counting and at breakfast at that! I call him my little "Indiana" for Indiana Jones. He is always wearing his shirt tucked in, with a belt and holster with the gun of the day pointing at something. Don't watch him play though-you'll get in trouble! I have to watch him from a distance and I just smile and chuckle to myself because he is such a good pretender and he is usually playing all by himself! He loves Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Army guys, Transformers, and anything that has a gun and that blows up. We frequently hear the blowing up sounds all over our house. He has the most toothless grin I have ever seen. He has been without his front teeth for so long, I am sure he will just look weird with teeth. He doesn't particularly love going to school, but he does and usually says that he has a good day. He folds his arms at church when he asks to go to the bathroom during Sacrament Meeting. He loves to play with any neighbor that will come over, but will settle for Calli if she's willing. He loves his dad to tuck him in-but only mom can sing his bedtime song. I am glad that I still have him for company during part of the day. I will miss my pretzel eating mall buddy when he goes to 1st grade. What a joy he has brought to our family these 5plus years he has been with us.

Blessings #1 Jeff, #2 Quentin, #3 Callianne, #4 Mack Daddy-O

I love YOU blessings!

Lucky #7

2009-02-04T20:41:00.000-08:00

Minus one again...Okay-I'm getting kind of tired of posting my weight loss/gain. I am not sure if it is benefiting me anymore. Plus...I was reading another friends blog tonight and realized that she is posting some really important thoughts and feelings about much more important things in life and I am mostly posting about my weight loss? All of you know that I want to lose some weight and all of you know that I care-but I think that I would rather post much more important things. She is doing this great thing on her Blog called 52 Blessings she found it on one of her friends blog that I actually love to visit! http://gardenviewcottage.blogspot.com/ It is full of great info!!! ( I would post my frend's blog but it's a private blog) Anyhow, here is what it is all about...

About 52 Blessings: Once a week post a photo of something you are most grateful for. This gives us a chance to reflect on the good things we have learned from or that have made us better in our everyday lives or things we just enjoy! I think everyone needs to be more grateful for what they have now days instead of always thinking about what we want! This is one of the things we can do to be more gracious people. It will be like a photo gratitude journal.

This is what I would rather post about. The things in my life that I am grateful for and looking for more things that I could be thankful for. I still have a weight loss goal and I plan to reach it these next 48 weeks this year-and the week that I meet that goal-maybe that will be my blessing that I am grateful for. Most likely, there will be something more important that week to make note of! Anyone that would like join is welcome to. Let's get started!!! I am already behind 4 blessings!!!

gaining...

2009-01-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

I didn't capitalize my title because I don't want to put too much emphasis on it. I gained a pound this past week. I have been a little distracted with a lot of different things and I am okay with gaining only because I feel like I wasn't paying enough attention to it. I am a little more on track this week and committed to do well. Wish me luck!

My GUYZ

2009-01-22T20:24:00.000-08:00

I love my guyz! What can I say??? This is what I have been seeing lately around my house that has to do with my GUYZ. Quentin and Jeff both love to read. I don't-so I can't relate-but I love that they both love to read. At night, when Quentin is bored after the other kids have gone to bed, we find him in our room with us reading or watching a movie with us. Last night, this is what I came home to after going out for a while. Move over Quentin! I'm home! (Quentin has read 6 books since he went back to school after Christmas break!!! He is still pulling straight 'A's)

My other GUY, Mack, loves "guys". Anything that has to do with lego guys, Star Wars guys, Army guys, Cowboys and Indian guys, the list goes on and on. If they can carry a gun, or hold some sort of prop, or have a helmet, face mask, etc...added BONUS! I find them all over the house!!!! Last week while Jeff was out of town, I was busy doing a bunch of Young Women stuff and I was up and down all levels of my house and found all of these various "GUYS" hangin' out all over!

These guys were lined up inside the rings of my YW binder.

These guys were hangin' out on the edge of the tiles going downstairs.

When I climbed into bed that night, there were a pair of stormtroopers guarding where I was to sleep. I actually felt more safe and protected when I went to sleep that night.

I love my guyz too. Life would just not be the same without them!!!

IT MOVED!!!!

2009-01-21T20:47:00.000-08:00

Sorry that I am late on my weekly report. I was happy to see the scale finally move to minus one more. Thank heaven for small things! It helped me feel like I could keep going. I was feeling a little bit frustrated lately about the whole thing especially when Jeff got home from Vegas and he got on the scale and has lost 10 lbs himself since Thanksgiving??? HUH?? I guess that he has been trying to eat better! I didn't know about it-but it helped me to know that I can do it too. Wish me luck! Thanks for all of your comments and all that you say in person too. It has helped a lot.

No change in weight minus 2.75 inches!

2009-01-12T22:28:00.000-08:00

Okay- I don't have any weight loss to report this week-but I decided to do my measurements on my own-but because of my disappointing no loss I decided to report that I randomly measured myself this week (I haven't done it since I started) and I have lost 2.75 inches!! Half of those are off my hips which is where I would like to lose. Yeah for me!! This week Jeff is gone the whole week-can anyone say LONELY???? I am going to try really hard to not eat after 7:30 and commit to my exercising!! It's obviously helping...a little! By small and Simple means...he he!

Back to minus 6!

2009-01-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

I am not sure why...because I wasn't super careful this past week-but I did well with my exercise. Anyhow, I feel great to be back where I was before the holidays! Jeff is starting to travel and the junk food has started calling my name because I eat when I am lonely-so I am going to especially try really hard to exercise while he's gone instead of eating!!! Good luck to me. I figure if I can lose 1lb this week and work really hard to lose 2 while he's in Vegas next week, I will be three lbs lighter when he gets home!!! That's a lot!

25 Favorite things about Christmas

2009-01-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

Instead of uploading all of my favorite pictures from Christmas one by one, I decided to do a cute movie. Watch and see all of the excitement we had! Make sure you pause my music to the right so you can hear the movie music.

I tend to ramble a lot and so I am just going to recap with my 25 favorite things

1. Matching aprons my mom made for all of the girls (Jeff got a Raiders one).

2. Pillowcases for the boys (raiders for Q and a pirate one for Mack)

3. Mary (Liz) riding on the Donkey (Q) for our kids Nativity.

4. The three Shepherds that saw the star (Mack, Seth, and A)...they were soooo adorable!

5. My toffee

6. Having my parents sleep over Christmas Eve (Joe and Bethany were there too).

7. Finger foods Christmas Eve...YUMO!

8. Our gift cards from Quenalee to finish up our food storage!!!! Thank you!!! thank you!!!!

9. Guitar Hero that Santa brought! Everyone can play!

10. Watching Kipper play the drums in his undies!

11. We definitely had a white Christmas!

12. Our cars kept working, and no accidents (with our cars). We were surrounded by others who had quite a few car problems and I was just waiting for something to happen with ours!

13. Jeff wasn't hurt in the accident that he was in with his brother!

14. My light up pajama pants that Jeff got me:-)

15. Watching Quentin build his Star Wars Lego ship quicker than ever!!

16. Watching White Christmas for the first time ever and loving it! (Thanks Julie!)

17. Kipper chucking the whole reindeer food container into the snow!!

18. Seeing my dad open presents with his coat on all morning (I guess I could have turned the heat up or offered him a robe or sweater!!:-)

19. Having the kids wake us up too early... they actually went down in the basement to finish watching a movie from the night before just as we asked so that we could sleep 1/2 hour more!

20. Being with our families and talking to those on the phone far and near! Jon and Joe and their families came from Utah, as well as Ben. Michael and Rachel came over to our home for Christmas Eve with their adorable kids!

21. Gaining only a couple of lbs and not 5-8 like the average!

22. The peppermint cleaning supplies my sister sent me! Smells yummy!

23. Having Jeff home off work for 4 1/2 days!!!

24. Our gold star that we passed around in our home all of December doing "good deeds" for one another.

25. Remembering our Savior's birth.

In HIS memory...

2008-12-29T20:58:00.000-08:00

In December, we are always reminded of our Saviors Birth and the life that he lived while he was here on Earth and His atonement made in our behalf. I can't think of a better time to also remember Galen Nelson and his life that he lived and shared with us. In dad and grandpa's memory, we went to go and visit him this past Saturday before Christmas. On the 11th, was the anniversary of our beloved father and grandfather's passing. It has been a difficult year, but also a year of finding out a lot about each other and about him. We hadn't been to visit the grave by ourselves since his passing. We have been there a lot with Quenalee and other family members, but we decided to go and visit him with just our little family. We took a tree up and the kids had made ornaments with their pictures and hung them on the tree. We also had a stocking that hung from the tree that we each wrote a memory about him on a piece of paper and then placed it in the stocking. It was special to talk about him and to remember him. We love you dad and grandpa.

Plus 2

2008-12-29T20:54:00.000-08:00

Okay-sooooo......let's just chalk it up for moment of Christmas weakness. I gained 2 this week. All that I can say is that I am going to do better this week and I will get right back on track! I didn't do 4 times of exercise, but I did do 3. I will do much better this week-I promise all of you!