The Good Stuff

Best quote of the...well...I can't put a time on it.  We were sitting around laughing and having a fun time with several of our kids when a couple more arrived from a church meeting they had just been to.  Whitley came over and sat right next to me and snuggled in.  She had meetings of some sort pretty much the whole day so I hadn't even really seen her.  Stephen then "tattled" on her that on the way home she had said "I've been gone all day... I just wanna go home and see Mom."  At that, her eyes welled up.  We were all still laughing, but then there were the tear filled eyes.  Then it was my turn, now my eyes are welling up looking at her.  Uh oh... now Chelsey has tears in hers as well.  The three of us with teary eyes and yet we're all still laughing.  We stayed huddled up together like that for about an hour, it was awesome.

We talked for almost two hours telling stories, remembering old times.... laughing till we cried.  I'm still in mourning about not having babies, but this having kids old enough to be friends with is pretty cool too. Ü

It's Official

This is what the hand of a really happy girl looks like.  Chelsey and Spencer have been dating since last September-ish and on Christmas day decided they wanted to make it forever.  At that point they were just talking about the possibilities, but by the weeks end, she had a date, a ring picked out, colors and even a dress.  Ok, maybe the dress was the next week.  It took him a little bit to actually go get the ring and this last Saturday, January 7, he proposed.  Unfortunately she's a little pushy so he had promised to do it by the end of the week so since it was Saturday, there wasn't much of a surprise.  Being who she is, she didn't really mind, she just wanted the ring!  Now it's official and she can tell everyone.  The date is April 20.  He's a really nice boy and we really like him.  It took me just a little while to feel really good about it, but now I do and it's all good! Ü  We're going to be quite busy around here for the next while!

Chelsey and Spencer Hon

Student of the Month - Rhett

I love this boy!  I've really enjoyed who he is becoming and the experiences we've had together.  Unfortunately I wasn't aware he was getting this award.  He says he wasn't aware either until they called his name at the morning ceremony.  He also said all the nice things they said about him probably weren't true.  I suggested maybe those nice things come so natural to him that they aren't things he realizes he is doing.  I know he's a good kid and all those good things are true.  Good job Rhett!!

Ski Trip

We celebrated our 21st anniversary last week.  Glade surprised me with a weekend ski trip on Christmas.  I loved that I got to go on a little mini vacation without doing any of the work!  We left the morning of our actual anniversary, but we stayed in town running a few errands.  One of them was to the jewelry place that Glade got my pearls for me for Christmas.  He had gotten me a beautiful necklace, bracelet and earrings.  However, I was not in love with the periodic black pearl along the strands.  So we exchanged them for another set.  So pretty! 

That night we went out to dinner at a fancy (small town) Italian restaurant where I got to have delicious butternut squash ravioli.  Oh so yummy!  The next morning we loaded our ski equipment and headed to the mountain.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's a little like riding a bike.  You don't really forget how.  The weather was beautiful, and there weren't very many people there.  Exactly how I like it.  I managed to stay off my rear the whole day until Glade made me go down this seriously steep and skinny hill.  I tried to just edge my way down sideways but it didn't last... down I went!  I slid down on my side almost the rest of the way down the steep part.  By then my thighs were cramping so bad from inching down sideways, that I was having trouble controlling my skiis.  I only lasted another couple trips down before I called it a day.  Now, it had been 5 hours!

We left there and went home for a little snooze. I was in much need of some time off my legs!  We ate the leftovers of the  night before for dinner and then went to see a movie.  We saw We Bought a Zoo.  I really liked it, but Glade.. not so much.  After, we went for dessert.  That was what I had been waiting for!  I couldn't decide between the chocolate cake and the carrot cake.  I decided I would get both and have one for breakfast the next day.  Then, the lady informs me they don't even serve carrot cake.  What??  But there's a picture right here of a succulent piece of cake on your menu!!  Rude.  So I got the chocolate and Glade got some cheese fries.  Not a good combination of food to eat at 9:30 at night!

The next morning we went to breakfast with John and Tracie and their kids.  What a coinky dink to be up there the same weekend!  I was still not done digesting my chocolate cheesy fries from the night before so I ordered oatmeal with a pancake on the side.  They were huge!!  Oh my.... so suffice it to say I had blueberry pancake for lunch as well. 

All in all it was a really fun trip and I'm so glad he thought of it and made all the arrangements.  So grateful to Chelsey and my mom for taking care of all the little ones and getting everyone where they needed to be.  Happy Anniversary to us!!

Ropin'

Nick has spent a little time roping with our friend. He loves doing it and seems to be pretty good at it. He has gone to one little rodeo with Colter, but that's about it. Still working on the motivation to get him up and out. Ü

He Hears

Why didn't I think of it sooner?  Without going into detail at this time, I have had some reservations about some things coming up and I haven't been able to feel good about it.  I wanted to, it just wasn't there.  Because it's not something that's my decision, it's hard to watch it happening and not feel good about it.  I decided to go to the Temple and try to find my peace.  I went by myself and at a less busy time so I wasn't rushed. 

I sat through the entire session feeling...I dont' know... I felt anxiety?  It's weird, it could have been a good feeling or a bad one, I couldn't determine.  That's really frustrating!  During the prayer at the end, I was over come with exactly what I was looking for.  This man's simple prayer, gave me everything I needed to feel peace.  So much so that I cried.  I don't think I've ever cried in the temple before, but today I did.  A good cry.  Then I couldn't stop... lol.  Now I can move ahead without feeling unsure. 

The very best part of this whole experience is not finding the answer I was looking for, but that He loves me enough to hear me.  He cares enough to make sure I have what I need.  The peace I feel about the situation is very important to me, but more than that is the love I feel from a Heavenly Father who cares. Today I'm grateful.

There Was a Moon in the Chapel

No, it wasn't a beautiful moon like this one.  It was mine.  Yes, my big ol' booty right there in front of a chapel full of people.  I don't know how many people saw it, I know at least my husband and the girl behind me did.  See, we have an elderly woman who likes to sit in our bench with us.  She had just arrived, so I started to stand up to scoot over to make room for her.....that's when it happened. 

Apparently, Bo was sitting on the edge of my skirt.  So.... when I abruptly stood up to  move over, my skirt did not move with me.  I felt it and was on my way back down, but the damage was done.  All Glade could say was, Wow!  Luckily the girl behind me was a good friend but I'm sure there are many more who will be sharing this story with their family around the Sunday dinner table tonight.  No, I don't want to know who you are.  I prefer to keep my humiliation on an "anonymous" basis.  What's a girl to do?