FYI:
A lot of you were given an invitation because I was going to go private for reasons of privacy while we sell our house. But I figured out a couple things and am not private for the time being. If you accepted the invitation though, if I ever choose to go private again, you will already have been invited. If you would like an invitation for if and when that time comes, let me know.
Thanks!!!!

Happy Birthday Teresa!

This is Teresa with her husband Robert and son Zachary....living it up at Lagoon!!

Oh, I love Teresa. She laughs at everything. She laughs when she's nervous, when she's happy, and even when she's sad. She is a positive, wonderful person. I LOVE to be with her. When John and I got married we quickly became friends and I love and respect this girl. She has had a lot of trials in life and to hear what she learns and how she gets through them just amazes me. She's really good at looking on the bright side and figuring out what it is she is suppose to learn. Then she teaches and strengthens everyone else. Teresa, you are wonderful. You are a great friend and sister. You are so fun to be with and I'm grateful to be lucky enough to know you. I hope you have a great year!!!!

Happy Birthday Mom H.

This picture is in Canada when we went to visit John's parents on their mission. One of the greatest things we've ever done. And hope to have the chance to do it again!!!!

I am so grateful for this wonderful lady. She is a tremendous example to me and my children. She makes all 36+ of her grandkids gifts every year for Christmas and they are things that will be cherished. She always send cards with great words of love and advice for all birthdays and anniversarys. She is the mother of 11 children, 10 in-law children, and almost 40 grandchildren. She loves to play games and laughs a lot. She loves the babies and loves to cuddle with them. Jack has a soft spot for "the brown grandma" (because she lives in a brown house. Well, red, but brown stuck.) I love to visit with her. She has raised wonderful children (especially the 7th child). I love to hear all the stories the kids have of her as their mom. Every single one of her children has great respect for her and I admire that. She is a strength to the family and I feel very blessed to have her as my mother-in-law. I quickly fell in love with this family and look to her for counsel and guidance just as I would my own mother. Thank you for loving me and being so wonderful. I truly am so blessed to call you mom. I hope you have a wonderful year!!!!

I saw this on an old friends blog and thought it was cute. Thomas was in the room with me so I asked him these questions and these were his answers.......

1. What is something mom always says to you? Clean up your room
2. What makes mom happy? being nice
3. What makes mom sad? being mean
4. How does mom make you laugh? tickling us
5. What was mom like as a child? little
6. How old is your mom? I don't know...13?
7. How tall is your mom? 5 inches
8. What is your mommy's favorite thing to do? to be nice
9. What does your mom do when your not around? Comes to get me
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? I don't know what famous means
11. What is your mom really good at? soccer
12. What is your mom not very good at? being mean
13. What does your mom do for her job? clean up with the kids
14. What is your mom's favorite food? dinner
i15. What makes you proud of your mom? I like giving hugs
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Olive Oil
17. What do you and your mom do together? Clean up the whole house
18. How are you and your mom the same? by being nice
19. How are you and your mom different? to not be like each other
20. How do you know your mom loves you? Because I love you!!

Things that make you go hmmmmm

My posting has been pictures with not much dialogue. I just wanted to get caught up. I took little John to his 2 month post surgery doctor appointment today. Bad news. First of all, his doctors wife was killed in a car accident two weeks ago. My heart dropped. I felt so sad. He is a wonderful doctor and it almost felt personal. Second thing....John's leg isn't healing. Not only did my heart drop, now I have a pit in my stomach too. We had a couple different options but the doctor suggested he stop running, playing, jumping, go back to crutches for a month and see what has happened by the next appointment in a month. If it hasn't gotten any better he may need to have a bigger rod put down the middle of his bone and we'll be back to square one. I feel so sad for him. It wasn't a good day at the doctor's office. He played in his soccer game last night and did awesome. We were so excited. Then today the doctor said no more soccer. It was really sad. John is one to keep feelings inside and I know it is really hard for him. I love you little John. I am so sorry this has been so hard. If you see little John without his crutches, will you please ask him to get them!!!! I don't think he understands that this is serious and he has to slow down no matter how much he doesn't want to.

Just a neat little testimony building experience for me.....I've thought a lot lately about having those quiet moments (thanks Lisa and Pres. Eyring). I had to drive to Layton to meet a friend to drop off some stuff she left at my house and I was enjoying listening to Jack Johnson on the way up and the thought came to mind that maybe this would be a good time to think about my 10-minute talk (Our stake presidency has asked every adult member in the stake to prepare a 10 minute talk that can be given at the adult session or during conference. They also asked every youth to prepare a 5 minute talk). Anyway....I turned off the music so I could call my friend to tell her I was there. When I left, I got thinking about random things and thought enough about things that it suddenly came to mind what my 10 minute talk should be about. It was then that I realized I didn't have the radio on which made my mind more available to the spirit. I felt very blessed that it was such a small, simple thing but it strengthened my testimony about taking those moments to have and feel peace. The following is from an email from Lisa. Lisa, I hope you don't mind but I have thought so much about it recently that I want to share it....
"i read an article in the mormon times recently that i thought was noteworthy. quite simply, it made me think, and i don't think i really THINK enough. it made me want to take a look at my life. what is distracting me and filling my life up with noise? (noise being actual noise or possibly activities that fill up my time and thoughts.) a favorite quote of mine from president faust is: "Holiness speaks when there is silence, encouraging that which is good or reproving that which is wrong." how much silence do i allow myself during the waking hours? how much inspiration and/or guidance am i missing out on because my time is just too filled up? the link to the article is below, if you are interested. at the top of the article was the following quote from c.s. lewis, which i thought was amazingly powerful."
"…when the modern world says to us aloud, "You may be religious when you are alone," it adds under its breath, "and I will see to it that you are never alone."~C.S. Lewis Weight of Glory
http://mormontimes.com/WC_education.php?id=1443

Our friends, the Harlans, who use to be in our ward but moved to Pennsylvania, came to visit tonight. Maria made awesome turkey, tomato, basil, mozzarella sandwiches. I made chicken won ton salad and brownies and the LeFevres and Kathy Dyson came over to visit. It was a nice evening to visit with them. I wish I would have gotten my camera out. Oops. Thanks for coming Chelsea. I miss our "mental walks".
Well those are just a few thoughts from today. See you soon!!!

Swiss Days

Jolie got a nice condo at the "Empire House" at the base of the Park City Lodge on Friday night. Jolie, my mom, and I went to Swiss Days while Sean and John stayed at the Condo with the 8 kids. We had a wonderful time looking around and buying a few things. Then my mom stayed with the kids while Jolie, Sean, John and I went to Baha Cantina. After a stop at the chocolate favtory we went back and mom drove home. We had a horrible nights sleep then got up, got ready and did the Alpine Slide and the Alpine Coaster. It was really fun. We then went to Wendy's all together on our way home. It was a great mini vacation. We had a blast. Turns out Heidi and her family did the slide later on that same day. Would have been fun to run into them. Thanks for planning that Jolie. It would be fun to do it again.

Bathroom remodel

John is finishing up the downstairs bathroom remodel. It looks beautiful. It will be wonderful for someone else to use. We are going to keep it nice and not use it. One less room to clean, right?!!!! Speaking of....our house if for sale!! Are you interested in buying it? We just don't know how much yet. Make an offer!!!!

Twin Falls

Samuel is probably dancing here. He can't help but move to a beat. The kids got rhythm. (Like his dad).

Little John's leg was getting tired so Bruce and John carried him to the car.

I had to take a picture of Karey's homemade crafts so I would remember them. They were so cute. I've always wanted a bowl of hearts like that. One day maybe I'll actually make myself some. Lisa has a bowl with little tiny hearts in it. It is so cute. The balls are styrofoam balls with tissue paper and glue. Very cute!!!


In August, we went to Twin Falls to visit Karey and Travis and their family. It was a wonderful trip. We went to the Twin Falls Temple open house. Thanks for inviting us up. We had a great time. Turns out, Karey and Travis are moving back to Utah so we helped "stage" the house, pack up, clean, and paint. It was fun. We fit in some games of "Ticket to Ride" of course and watched the Sons of Provo. We had a great time. Thank you. Thank you. We are excited to have you close again.

Natalie and Emily

Natalie is growing up and has been asking Emily if she can do her hair, makeup, and nails lately. Of course Emily is thrilled every time. She even paid her $3.00 one time to make her over. Natalie does a great job and Emily always looks beautiful but Emily....remember this is JUST FOR FUN!!!!

Fun at the Gateway

We went to see Wall-E at the Gateway and spent some time playing in the fountains after. It was fun. We met up with Robert, Teresa and Zachary.

For Christmas in 2001, my mom bought bricks at the gateway for her kids and their families. Thanks mom. We enjoy it every time we go to the Gateway.