Our Joyful Journey (Detours Included)

Old Schtuff and New Schtuff

2012-03-08T12:04:00.003-08:00

It seems to be that time in our lives when things start to break, wear out, or just quit working. So it is with a few of my necessities of life.

Our Microwave door broke about 2 weeks ago. It still worked but you had to slam it shut in order to get it to close all the way so you could cook stuff. As my Mom will attest, I use my microwave a lot. In fact, she had to buy me one when I went to college so I wouldn't starve. :) On Tuesday, my husband had to go to The Dalles for his Presidency meeting. He left early enough so he could buy us a new microwave. Britni and I had already picked it out. :) It's shiny with lots of new buttons. We are having fun learning how to work this one. :)

Next, I broke my crock pot a month or more ago. I have been lost without my crock pot. I use it all the time or I did until it broke. So on Saturday while Lynn was playing on the computer he ordered me a new one online. It came yesterday!! Yea!! It is shiny and has lots of buttons too. It's digital. Way cool!! I can't wait to use it!! :)

However, before all of this happened. Our telephones started to die on us. We have had them several years. The kids even lost one of them last year. We swear that they buried it outside somewhere. We expected a dog to dig it up but that never happened. Anyway, the batteries just started dying in all of them. So when we went on our Portland trip to the Temple, we stopped at Best Buy and looked at phones and batteries. The batteries were just as much as if we bought a new phone system. So we ended up buying a new phone system (at Costco actually) we were comparison shopping and Costco had it cheaper.

I am hoping that nothing more breaks or dies on us. At lease these were relatively insignificant compared to what it could be. I don't dare mention all the possibilities. I might jinx myself.

I will now go use my shiny new microwave to make my lunch. Have a fun and happy Sunshiny day!! :)

Happy 14th Birthday Daniel

2012-03-06T14:05:00.002-08:00

I was suppose to write this on Sunday when Daniel actually turned 14 but I got the flu that night and have done nothing since then. Now that I am back among the living, I will write about my Daniel!!

Daniel is an amazing young man. He is growing up so fast not just his height which he is taller than his Dad now. But also spiritually and mentally. He can still be goofy Daniel when he wants to be. But for the most part he is a great example for his little brothers. He loves Basketball and sports in general. He loves his family. He stands strong among his friends. He may get lax in his school work at times but he will work hard to get them back up when need be. I am truly grateful that Daniel is a part of our family. I love him so.

Here's the latest pictures of him with his sis!! Happy Birthday Daniel!!!

Happy Anniversary

2012-02-25T09:30:00.002-08:00

Yesterday was our 17th Anniversary. We usually stay overnight in Portland or something like that but it didn't work out this year. So we went to Portland to go to the Temple and then we went shopping. Lots of shopping. We stocked up on items that were getting low. We looked at tablets and laptops but decided to wait until we see what the Ipad 3 is going to have before buying. And then we went to Ross to get me some "work" pants in case I ever get called in to substitute. It was depressing to find out that you have to buy a bigger size. But now I know that I need to be more serious about losing weight. I haven't been this heavy in about 4 years. Britni tells me to just go on her diet where she is so busy that she hardly eats all day. But then eats a big bowl of ice cream every night to make up for it. She said I could skip the ice cream part since I'm trying to lose weight. Now that I have digressed from the topic.

We had an enjoyable time at the temple and then ate at Olive Garden and did lots of shopping as the paragraph above describes. We left at 6:30 a.m. and got home at 7:30 p.m. Very long, exhausting day. But it was fun to just be together on our own without our kids.

Today Daniel and Jacob are headed back to Portland to go to The Globetrotters basketball game. Boy Scouts got a discount on seats. They are very excited.

Date? What's that?

2012-02-12T20:11:00.000-08:00

Lynn and I had an actual date on Friday night. He came home from work on Friday and said Let's go to The Dalles and go out to eat and shop. So we did. We went to the restaurant at the Shilo Inn. We had never been there before and we were told they had good food. But it was pretty expensive. It also overlooked the river. So we had a great view. We had the place to ourselves. It's the off season for the wind surfers and vacationers. Then we went shopping. I haven't been to The Dalles for shopping in about a month. All I have been doing is buying the necessities in Goldendale. Milk, bread, eggs, cheese, etc. It was fun and we now have food!!

Saturday we went to the World wide Leadership meeting in the morning and then spent the day as a family. It was a good day.

Today was Ward Conference. They talked a lot about Unity and also about Indexing. There is a push in Salt Lake to get Indexing done. So Lynn and I are now signed up for Indexing. WE want Britni and Daniel to do it also. The push is also to get the youth involved, like Elder Bednar said in conference. Their texting fingers were made for more than texting, they were made for indexing.

I am hoping for no fog this week. so far so good. Enjoy your week my family and friends.

Recap

2012-02-09T09:35:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a long time since the last post. I'm not sure whether to recap you on what has been going on or just give you the highlights. I think I will just give you the highlights.

The end of the quarter/semester is here. All the kids have done great in school. Britni is still a 4.0! Great Job with being able to handle sports and school Brit! Daniel had the 3rd or 4th highest GPA in the school. Great job Daniel. However, Jacob beat him. Jacob had the highest GPA for Centerville School last quarter. Centerville goes by quarters and Goldendale High School goes by Semesters. I think his GPA was 3.75. Great Job Jacob!! Benjamin and Samuel just get pass or fail grades and they are both doing well in school also.

Samuel is actually home sick today. This is his first sick day all year long. We have been blessed with healthy children so far this year. I better knock on some wood.

I have decided to get back into the work force, kind of. There was a job opening for a secretary at the High School. I was going to apply but then a friend suggested that I get on the Substitute Secretary list for the school district. So I ended up doing both. I am on the substitute secretary list. However, there are 8 other people who are substitute secretaries. So I am on the bottom of the list. I have yet to be called to work. There are only 6 available secretary positions to sub for. I also applied for the High School secretary position but have yet to hear from that. I assume that they hired someone else. No one really looks at me because it's been 16 years since I have really worked as a secretary. But I am putting it into the Lord's hands though. If he wants me to work then I will work. There is a time and purpose to everything. I just have to have faith.

Basketball is officially done now. Britni played her last game on Monday. She then got her back and neck adjusted yesterday. She feels much better now. She has lost quite a bit of weight with Basketball. I am hoping now she may put on some weight now. I wish that was my problem. I am just trying to lose the weight that I have gained.

I best get going for today. Enjoy your Thursday. :)

Don't Know What You Got, Till It's Gone!!

2012-01-25T15:25:00.001-08:00

Yep great music lyrics and so true to what my past week has been. We lost our power last Thursday for 2 hours. I thought that wasn't so bad. I was just feeling the chill of the air when the power came back on that day. I figured I was doing pretty good since my brother in Seattle area was out of power for several days. So then Saturday came along and the power goes out again. (again during laundry) This time it's out for 5 hours. The kids went outside and played, we had sandwiches for lunch, then we played card games/board games. Just as I was laying down to take a nap from all the excitement of the board games, the power comes back on.

Then we get a phone call that night from our neighbor. We can't hear him on our phone. He calls Lynn's cell phone to explain that our phones don't work. So something must have happened when the power came back on because our phone was working before the power came back on.

Because it was Saturday, they would not fix our phones. So we waited until Monday. I called Monday to say our phone didn't work. I got a "ticket" number. They say it should be fixed by Tuesday morning.

To make a really long story short. We just got our phone and internet back 10 minutes ago. I guess this happened to a lot of people in the area. I feel kind of back for the poor phone people and PUD people who are working so hard to get phones and power back to so many people. BTW, we did have our internet for a few days but it also went out Yesterday. What is sad is that I was getting withdrawals from not having the internet after 1 day!!! I guess I best do something about that. However, I am so happy to be back among the internet living!!! :)

Snow Daze!!

2012-01-20T08:25:00.000-08:00

This is day 3 of no school for the kids because of the snow/ice. Wednesday it snowed a lot. I will include a picture. We got between 12-14 inches. Then it started the freezing rain. When you live in the Columbia Gorge, you get freezing rain and wind. At least with the freezing rain there is minimal wind!! It's just very slick outside. Here is a picture of our pour trees. They are so weighed down with the ice. We have had a few limbs break off. Lynn's comment "That's one way to trim the trees." It scared out dog half to death. She barked at that limb for quite awhile, thinking the THE SKY IS FALLING!! The kids have fun trying to walk on top of the snow because of all the ice. Samuel is the only one light enough to actually do it. What is interesting is our fat dog is able to do it too. I guess she isn't that fat after all if she can walk on top of the snow. :)

At least we have power. A couple days ago we had 2 hours of no power. It was just starting to get cold in the house when the power came on. I hear my brother in Seattle area has no power and hasn't had it all day yesterday and into today too. He is a lucky man though, he has a generator and heater. We are very blessed indeed to have power.

Now to get the kids busy with their chores! Have a safe and warm day.

Finally Snow!!

2012-01-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

Yup that's right. It is snowing right now. This very minute as I am typing. I am actually glad for the snow. I was getting really worried about the fact that we have had very little moisture this year. The down part of it is, I'm suppose to go walking with my girlfriends this afternoon. I hope they don't cancel on me. As long as it's not icy we should be fine. Walking in the snow will be fun.

I also apologize for not writing last week at all. I am trying a new cleaning schedule. So every morning I am to be cleaning. In fact, I should be in my bathroom cleaning right now. I decided to take a few minutes to write before I began. The house is much cleaner. At least I am working on that. I keep rearranging things though. The kids are going nuts. Everyday Benjamin will walk in first and say where did the ___________ go? Then he searches until he finds it. Or he says "so you moved that over there??" I think that I am becoming more organized and they think I have OCD. In fact, I heard Britni ask her Dad if I had OCD!!! hehe!! Little do they know that this is actually helping me make it through the January Blahs!! I haven't had any depression this month. I go walking outside with my friends, twice a week. I have been working on a "couch to 5K" plan. I am really liking it. Even the pain!! And I am staying busy!! That is a big help right there.

We had a different type of "goal" lesson last night for FHE. Lynn gave the lesson and asked each of us to write down our hopes and dreams. I have quite a few. Lynn told everyone that he is sure that "tile" will be on my list!! hehe!! It was but put in a general basis of renovations to the house. Benjamin's was the saddest I think. I don't know if he was embarrassed to write anything down or if he just couldn't think of anything. I will have to take him on a Mommy/Son date and find out for sure. All he wrote down was to have better handwriting. Which is a great hope and dream and an achievable goal. The other kids talked of good grades or straight A's. Going on missions or going to the temple. Fulfilling Priesthood duties, etc.

I had down first thing to have our kids go on Missions and marry in the Temple. then I had that I want to be a Temple Worker. Lynn was surprised by that. I don't know why. I thought he knew that one. Travel with my husband and friends, go on a mission with my husband, renovate the house, and have eternal life with my family.

Lynn's was kind of sad also. His main goal is To get out of debt!! Then to donate to lots of causes like humanitarian aid and pef and etc. To have his calling and election made sure and live eternally with his family. That was it. Nothing for the right now. Nothing temporal. Maybe I should take a hint and not care about the house renovations. But I really want carpet that hasn't been spit up on!! Is that too much to ask for?

Anyway the one thing that all the boys did not put down was "BE AN EAGLE SCOUT" Daniel is close. He's a Star Scout right now. Our problem is that we don't have the resources and leaders to get the kids through the scouting program.

So last night was very enlightening to say the least. AND it is snowing even harder now. Best check my e-mails and then get to cleaning that bathroom. Enjoy your day.

This is Winter???

2012-01-04T11:13:00.000-08:00

Yep, I can hardly believe my eyes when it's sunny out and no snow or wind and it's January. It makes me really scared for what is ahead. If we don't get more snow in the mountains we will be in drought big time. Not to mention we will all be burned out of Goldendale with the Forest Fires!!

However, on the brighter side, I am loving being able to go out walking/jogging in the mornings. Yep, one of my goals this year is to go from the Couch to a 5K. So I am doing it. Today was day 2 and I am feeling it. Mainly because I am also doing 10-20 minutes of Crossfit exercises. I am determined to get in shape and hopefully lose some weight along the way.

I am making Britni's birthday cheesecake right now. I'm a little worried though, it doesn't look right. It's the best cheesecake recipe ever!! I have made it several times yet it still doesn't look quite right. I hope it tastes good.

I am also loving Pinterest. It's an online bulletin board where you can get craft ideas, recipes, quotes, DIY projects and etc. I have so many projects I want to do right now. However, I should probably finish the ones that I started first before I begin some more.

Well, All the family is doing well. The kids have started Basketball again. They are so much like their Daddy!! Have a super winter day. :)

She Passed!!

2011-12-31T13:44:00.000-08:00

Britni passed her drive test on Thursday with a 92 percent. I am excited yet a little sad. My baby girl turns 16 on Wednesday. She can start dating, driving and working which is exciting yet a little sad. I am sad about the fact that I wish I would have done more to enjoy having a baby girl. I wish I would have put her in gymnastics, and learned how to fix her hair super cute and have her take dance lessons and play games with her more. As my Mom always says "If Wishes were Fishes we would all have a Fry" I never understood that saying until I grew up and realized how many wishes I have.

Yet I am excited because, we won't have to drive her to practice. She can drive her brothers to activities. She is going to hopefully get a job and earn some money so we won't have to dole out so much. ;)

Britni is a great daughter. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter/friend. Hopefully she will forgive me someday for writing about her on my blog too. :)

P.S. Her Basketball team won both games they played this week. Yup they still have practice and games during Christmas break. No rest for the weary!!

Christmas Ever After

2011-12-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas. I think we prolonged the present opening as long as we could!! We are so mean to our children. We let them open their stockings in the morning and then we got ready for church and went to Sacrament Meeting. Then we came home and ate lunch. Then we could no long contain them and we opened our gifts. It was fun. I think everyone was a little surprised by what they got. Britni was pleasantly surprised by a Special Gift from her Aunt Megan!! A pair of Toms shoes. However, they ended up being too small and will have to be exchanged but she is still super excited!! Daniel received much needed clothes as he keeps growing and won't stop!! How dare he!! :) hehe!!! :) Jacob received a surprise of an Remote Control Car. We had a no electronic Christmas policy this year. To me Remote Control is not electronic. But everyone has a different take on that theory. Lynn especially. :) Benjamin got a fish Aquarium!! We have it set up and will go get our fish tomorrow. He's pretty excited. His brother got his a PaperJamz guitar which the family is having fun playing with too. Samuel got Bey Blade toys. That is what he asked for. His brother got him slippers which he asked for also. :) So he was happy. Lot's of board games and BYU Shirts for Everyone made our Christmas.

The funnest of all was SHOCKING my husband. Yep, that's right. He always knows what I get him. But this time he didn't. He couldn't even guess. I got him (drum roll please), another pair of camo BDU's. He always tell me how comfortable they are and his other ones were worn out. They are a tad big on him though. I hope they shrink as I can't send them back due to my early shopping habits.

My Present was the best. My new tile in my bathroom. It looks amazing!! I love it!!If you can't tell.

Now the ever after of it all. Yesterday, Lynn and the kids got together with some friends and played Basketball. Then we relaxed the rest of the day and the kids played with their toys and games all day.

Now today Lynn's back at work, Britni had Basketball practice and the boys played with their toys and games.

Hope everyone had as blessed Christmas as we did. Love to you all.

Christmas Letter 2011

2011-12-22T15:05:00.001-08:00

Personalize your own newsletter design

DIY looks easier on T.V.

2011-12-16T08:03:00.000-08:00

Yep that's right. We are in our first Home Improvement project. Since our house was built 11 years ago, it is time to update. Just wish we had the budget to do all that we want to do.

All I want for Christmas is Tile. Tile for my bathroom. It is the smallest room in the house, so I thought that would be a great place to start. Lynn would ask me, what do you want for Christmas? I would say Tile. :) Well, he surprised me the other night and told me to go pick out tile while he got some stuff for work at Home Depot. How fun is that?

My sweet husband even started on the project last night while I was in The Dalles with Benjamin at his orthodonist appointment. He was hoping to get more done before I got home but soon realized that it is a bigger job than he thought. He took out the toilet and the vanity. Now he is working on the bottom board that was under the vinyl.

I am afraid that this experience will ruin any chance of me ever getting the other bathroom and entry ways tiled!! I hope not. Maybe it will be like having children where you forget after a time the pain of the process!!! hehe!! We can always hope!! :)

Have a super day!!

School Program Volunteer??

2011-12-14T08:07:00.000-08:00

I had a great start to my week when I went to a "Lunch Bunch" luncheon and my good friend Teri appeared. I had heard that she might be there but it was so good to see her and chat with her. I have missed her so. I always seem to lose touch with my friends when they move. It's a sad thing. I need to do better. I know.

Yesterday, I spent the whole day at Centerville School. I was asked to help make snowflake costumes for the little kids (Samuel and Benjamin's) Christmas program. I'm thinking, oh this will only take a few hours. Ha!! Joke on me. They had an elaborate design that they wanted. I will post a picture later. Lots of cutting, folding, taping and stapling. All day. Me and Jennifer made 50 snowflakes. Yes, it took all day. I even ate lunch at school. On the way home I told the boys, I now know why they are starving when they get home from school. I was dying!! I suppose that is the portion amount I should eat everyday then maybe I would lose some weight!! :)

Anyway, they asked if I could come in today also to help paint the scenery and do other stuff. Another day at the school. Lunch is Chicken Soft Tacos. The boys say they are good. We will see!! :)

My to do list for the week has been postponed a few days because of all the volunteering. I don't mind though. I enjoy working with the other women at the school. And Volunteering feels good. It helps me remember the True Meaning of Christmas is helping others with love. :)

Have a super day!! :) P.S. Today is my Dad's Birthday to all the relatives out there!! :) Happy Birthday Dad!!! Love you!!!

Goal Review

2011-12-11T16:22:00.000-08:00

I haven't done a goal review in a while. Mainly because there is nothing really to review.

1. Lose weight. Well, I have gone up and down and up again. The Roller Coaster continues. However, I have added a tracker on my blog from MyFitnessPal.com. It's a free site a lot like Weight Watcher e-tools. You can track your food and your exercise and set goals and join groups. I thought maybe if I added this to my blog that it will help motivate me more. The winter and exercise is not going well. We have freezing temps right now. I know no excuse. At least it's not snow just thick frost.

2. Read Ensign and Sunday School lesson. I have done this pretty well. I may have missed one or two Sunday School but that is still pretty good for me.

3. Scrapbook Lynn's mission. I haven't worked on this lately but I finally bought an album to put the pages I have done already in.

4. Kids Scrapbooks. I have been doing digitally. I really like using Smilebox. You can get them printed but with how many children I have. I can't afford it. So I will need to put them on disks and add to their books.

5. Write Blog. I haven't done very well the past couple months but I will try to do better.

Now that Nativity is over and Stake Conference. I may be able to breathe again. Or Not!

We had Elder Brinkerhoff from the Seventy at our Stake Conference. He is really nice and a great speaker. He teaches and entertains and spiritual. We also had Elder and Sister Greer, the Mission President and his wife. Really nice people. They say they have 200 more children that they care for in the mission field. With Lynn's calling we get to eat dinner in between the priesthood and adult session last night. It's great to hear their stories and get to know them better.

Time to move forward and start thinking of goals for 2012. I hope to do better. Maybe I'll actually lose the weight this year. I always have good intentions. Enjoy your Sundays!! Love to you all!! :)

Back to the Real World

2011-12-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

Monday started off by taking down the Nativity and checking out Nativities. I actually finished all of it by Tuesday night. Thanks for friends and family. My husband must had missed me because he came up to the church Monday after work with the kids and helped get a lot of it torn down and put away. :) I have such a great guy for a husband!! :) I have been trying to recover the rest of the week. Wednesday and Thursday was clean the house days because it hadn't been clean for 2 weeks. Now today I will be doing the never ending laundry and getting together V.T. handouts with my partner.

There have been lots of Basketball games. My boys have won 1 game and lost 2 games so far for the season. Daniel said that his coach told him he played his best game yet last night. So he is pretty happy. He almost didn't get to play last night though because he had a C in one of his subjects. He had to get that up to a B before he could get on the bus. I got a cute e-mail from Daniel yesterday telling me that he has a 82% in that subject now. I hope he can keep that up instead of always struggling to get it back up to a B. Jacob's grades are great but he hasn't been playing well this week. Probably lack of sleep. They have been playing away games this week and getting back late at night. That wears on the kids pretty hard. Even Britni has a hard time with that one. She didn't get home from her last away game until 12:30 a.m. We can't wait until she gets her license so we don't have to go pick her up at that hour. Less than a month now. She's counting!! :)

I'm not sure on Britni's stats. But she is playing well and improving all the time. She is keeping her grades up too. Her first home game is tonight.

Oh for Visiting Teaching hand out this month I found this cute one. You get a whisk and fill it with Hershey Kisses and wrap it in cellophane and put a tag on it that says "We "Whisk" you a Merry Christmas!" I found a great site that has all sorts of them to choose from too. There was one that was candles "May your Christmas be Merry and Bright". and etc.

Well, I best be going to now. Everyone is doing well and enjoying the Christmas season. Love to you all!! :)

Goldendale Ward Nativity Exhibit 2011

2011-12-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is what I have been doing for the past week. O.k. I actually started working on it a month ago but this week was the stressful week of putting it all together. I am so grateful for my team that I was inspired to have. Carollynn did a great job with the decorating, Diana was great at getting all the nativities placed,
Carmine went over the top with the lighting, Suzie and Diana B. were great with the foyer and chapel, Pauline did great with the food and of course, Mom, for ironing all of the tablecloths and skirting for the tables,I could go on and on.

The event began tonight with music from people in the community and also people in the ward. I am amazed at all the talent in our area. We invited the High School Choir and band to play. I think that is the most non-LDS people we have ever had in our building!!

I will post pictures but it just doesn't do justice to the experience of being there. I have realized though that if this is what a job is like maybe I don't want one yet. I really did not like being away from home so much. I knew nothing of what my kids were doing in school or with Basketball either.

In other news, Britni passed her written driving test yesterday!! She is almost a full fledged driver. YEA!! I was wishing last night that she was already driving so I wouldn't of had to take Benjamin to Scouts!! :) Our Driver's License place is only open 1 day a week and for limited hours right now. So it is very hard to get any Drivers License stuff done. We will be setting up her appointment for the drive test next week because they can only schedule 2 weeks ahead of schedule. She still doesn't get her license until she turns 16 though. She just gets to take her tests early which is really nice of them.

I best be going. Samuel is about done doing dishes and I need to go load for him. I send my love to all of my family and friends this time of year. I miss you and think of you often. Happy Holidays!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T12:45:00.000-08:00

I never thought it would get here not that I have been excited about Thanksgiving. Just the opposite really. Only because next week will be The Nativity Exhibit Week of setting up decorating and checking in Nativities. I know it will beautiful and hopeful peaceful experience for all who can attend. But for me, it's been a little nerve racking. I'm really glad that I have lived her for so many years that the whole ward has truly become my family. Not to mention my real family who is helping lots and lots too. Mom and Dad have done a lot by ironing table cloths and staining shelves for the exhibits. Thanks Mom and Dad for always having my back!!

Now on to Thanksgiving. I love Turkey, Football, Parades and just being with friends and family. I wish I could spend it will all my crazy brothers and their families but just know that I am thinking of you on Thanksgiving and Thanking you for being my wild and crazy brothers who married incredible women who are my awesome sisters!! :)

I could start a list but never truly be ever finish it because I have so much to be thankful for. Great family, wonderful husband, and of course the most important the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.

Gotta love Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family. We love you!!!

P.S. Britni is on the JV Basketball team with her 8th grade teacher as her coach. The boys also have the same coach. Should be a great season. Basketball anyone??

Thanks to the Veterans!

2011-11-11T09:38:00.000-08:00

It's Veterans Day! The day that we should thank our Mom and Dad for serving their county and all of our other family and friends that are serving our country. I was going to send a care package to a friend of ours who is in Iraq but found out that his mail and internet has been closed off for a while. I hope that Jason is safe.

It is a beautiful day to rake leaves. So I think that is what I am going to do with my kids today. There are so many leave around town. We have friends that always save their leaves for us. It is definitely time.

We had a R.S. Meeting yesterday. I still call it homemaking. I will always call it homemaking because that is what it is to me. It was on Dehydrating food. It was really interesting. Did you know that you can make your own instant rice but cooking regular rice and then dehydrating it? I didn't. You could also dehydrate any leftovers you have and use them as emergency food. Like MRE's. Pretty interesting stuff.

All of us are pretty healthy and happy. Have a super Veterans Day and remember to Thank our Veterans!! :)

Parent Teacher Conference

2011-11-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

It's the boys turn now for Parent Teacher Conference. It began with Jacob who is a good student and his teacher really likes him. She always wants her students to be at the conference so they are more accountable for their grades. She says that Jacob is a quiet leader which is good. He is well liked and she can't wait to watch him play Basketball.

Daniel's teacher was running behind schedule so we had to come back to him. However, Daniel stayed to negotiate a grade with him in Science. :) I'll tell about that later.

Benjamin is doing well in school. When he finishes his assignments, he reads is AR book which the teacher likes. She says he is sloppy in his writing though. That was actually a general consensus among all the teachers for all the boys. So Lynn has suggested Handwriting Homework after school every day. We will see how that goes.

Samuel is doing well. He teacher just thinks he is so cute!! He has her fooled!! :) He has only missed 1 spelling word all year long so far. He even remembers what word it is and how he had spelled it wrong. He spelled Brown "Bown" He forgot the R. It was traumatizing because he didn't get a piece of candy for getting all his words right that day. Poor kid!!

Now to Daniel. I really like Daniel's teacher. He is good with the kids. I think he realized that by mentioning Britni a lot last year was detrimental to Daniel. So this year he has only mentioned her twice so far. Daniel has the potential to get way better grades than he has. If he really tried, he could have straight A's. He has all 3 A's and 5 B's. Some of those B's are on the low end!! He had to negotiate a C+ so he could play Basketball. That is our family rule. No sports if you have a C. He was able to negotiate it by doing some extra work for Mr. Fields. But Daniel was given quite a talking to about how when things get hard, he quits. Which I have known all his life. I'm not sure how to help him with that problem either.

Well, that was the conferences in a nutshell. Best be going. Have a great day!! :)

LIfe gets so busy

2011-11-07T14:36:00.000-08:00

I will give a recap of last week. Mondays I go to Centerville School and help Samuel's teacher out for about an hour. I usually make copies and correct papers. Last week I corrected a test that they took in English. I can tell you that Samuel will not be an English major. He may be a Math major though. He is really good at Math!!

Tuesday I had the chance to go on Daniel and Jacob's field trip to the Little White Salmon Fish Hatchery and to the Discovery Museum in Stevenson. The Fish Hatchery was kind of interesting but kind of gross too. They were working with the Coho Salmon that actually make it to the fish hatchery. They were taking the eggs out of the girl fish and then squeezing the guy fish to fertilize the eggs then the eggs go into a special tray to incubate. Jacob's class will actually get the eggs at the beginning of January and finish hatching them. We always did baby chicks when I was in school. I think this is the first year that they are trying the fish.

The Museum was kind of fun. I love Museums!! This one had a real steam engine that was used with logging back in the day. They started it up for us. They also had a fish catcher type thing that they used in the rivers before the dams were built. A family actually lived in the little hut by the fish catcher. The cabin was probably as big as my living room. Not very big. They had a lot of old pictures of families and they had a section with Japanese stuff and a section of Catholic medals and jewelry. They some really cool old cars and trains too. Then an Indian woman told us some stories about the Columbia Gorge. Pretty interesting.

The rest of the week I was busy but don't remember much. Lynn, Dad, Mom and I went to the Portland Temple on Saturday. Mom usually does initatories. She was met by Aunt Joyce after she was done and they had a nice chat. Cousin Deborah took Aunt Joyce to Hawaii. I would love to go to Hawaii. One of these years maybe.

I taught Relief Society on Sunday. I haven't taught R.S. in about 10 years. But I wasn't really nervous because all the sisters have been my friends for years. It was kind of fun. Mom actually said that I did a good job. Yea!!

I better get going. I will try to update more. Life just gets in they way sometimes. Have a great week. :)

November is here!!

2011-11-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

I am told that Christmas is like 7 weeks away or something like that. I don't want to think about it. O.k. I do want to think about what I am getting everyone for Christmas.

This week has been crazy!! The kids are getting sick now that Soccer is over with!! Isn't that how it is? Halloween was good. The boys went to their school Halloween Bash!! Almost all the boys won a cake at the cake walk. Poor Benjamin never seems to win. He tries so hard!! :( Between cake and candy my diet has been non existent!!

I will have to write more later. I have so much to catch up on. I was gone all day yesterday with Daniel and Jacob on their field trip. Laundry and cleaning is behind schedule!! Have a super day.

It's My Birthday!!

2011-10-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

Today I am another year older and hopefully wiser!! Yesterday my girlfriends took me out to lunch in The Dalles at a new Thai restaurant. I have only had Thai food once and that was when I was working in Renton and my boss took all the secretaries there for Secretaries Day. I didn't remember how good the food was. This place was amazing. They don't make the food real spicy unless you ask for it which I am so glad since I don't like super spicy food. They had the most amazing homemade ice cream too. It was a fun day. The weather is cold but beautiful.

Britni had her last Soccer game last night against Ki-Be. She came home late and then told us she didn't even play. A girl who has been out with injuries for a month got to not only play but start the game. That bummed Britni out a little but she did Varsity letter so she is happyish.

I hope everyone has a Super Happy Day!! I know I will. Lynn has already made me a chocolate cream pie for my Birthday treat!! :) I love that man!! :)

Wow What a week!

2011-10-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy this week then to top it off I got sick. Not just a cold sick but Sick Sick!! I was suppose to speak in Sacrament today and do a ton other things at church today. I thought it was the opposing forces not wanting my to speak but as of this morning I realize I think the Lord just wants me to slow down a little. Which is really very kind of him. But does he have to do it this way? Well, it could be worse. I always say that because it really could be worse. I won't go into all the gory details. Let's just say that I am actually glad that my Mommy lives close by and can take care of me when I have no clue what to do and either does my husband!! :)

Some friends of mine gave us some grapes. So I have been making grape jelly and a little bit of grape juice all week. I volunteered in Sam's class last week. That was really fun. I stayed and ate lunch with him. It was pizza!! One of my favorite school foods. :) I will hopefully be helping this week too as long as I get better quickly!! UGH!!

Jacob is a VIP!!! Last week Jacob was VIP in his class. His teacher does this to help each other get to know one another better and it gives kids a chance who are shy to bolster their self confidence. So it was a busy week of finding scrapbook pictures, Going and talking to his class as his Mom, making cinnamon rolls for his class and taking his dog to school to show the class. It was a fun week for him.

Britni is in the process of doing a big project for a teacher at school who is paying her to make a slideshow of videos for the Football players this year. Britni is pretty excited but she only knows how to do it on Apple computers from school and so she has to borrow friends computers in order to work on the project. I think she needs to broaden her horizons and learn how to make movies using other programs on our computer. Maybe some day. Britni is so excited to have Varsity Lettered in Soccer as a Sophomore. I'm happy for her. She has worked really hard for this.

Lynn and Ben's soccer season is done. They won their last game yesterday. Benjamin has one of the biggest kicks on his team. He makes a great defender!! Britni's last game is Tuesday in Ki-Be and Jacob's is Saturday. At least it is here in town this time. It is almost sad to be at the end of the season. I really enjoy watching my kids play and love to cheer them on. Even when I am sick, like yesterday at Jacob's game in Carson. It was no fun being sick but I sat on the opposing teams side and yelled my hardest for our team!! :) They tied the game 6-6.

That is about it for our little family this week. Enjoy your week and STAY HEALTHY!!

New stuff that's old is so cool!! :)

2011-10-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

I picked up some new/old fun wall hangings at a thrift store last week. Actually it was 2 thrift stores. One store had half of them and then the other one had the other half. I love those old time adds for food. I've collected some tins already for Grape Nuts and Hershey chocolate. Now I have an advertisement for baking powder and flour. Along with some fun signs!! What do you think?

Now for the fun day I had going on a field trip with Benjamin's class to the Maryhill Museum. The last time I went on this field trip was with Britni. I'm so glad I was able to go. I really enjoy museums. I love art museums and history about people even more. It has it all. It was a lot of fun. I even made a fun self portrait of myself. But I think Benjamin's is even better!! He is so creative. :)

Scouting activities not so tough after all

2011-10-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

Yup, that's right. Daniel gets back from his Order of the Arrow Ordeal. He passed and is now a member. Daniel being Daniel actually did everything he was suppose to. However, the bread and water meal. Not!! He got to have Rolls with Ham, Fruit, Hot Cocoa or Fruit Punch (that was breakfast) Lunch was the same sort of meal. Dinner was a big type of "feast" but Daniel doesn't like Sausage and Sauerkraut so he had macaroni and cheese. Really???

The 3 things that they had to do actually goes along with the gospel really well.

1. Eat scant meals (Fasting)
2. Perform cheerful service (Priesthood/R.S. and just everyone in general in the church)
3. Don't speak but ponder on nature (pondering on the scriptures as you study them)

Lynn and I decided that it goes hand in hand with the gospel. That must be why the church supports Boy Scouts so much.

Oh, and the sleeping under the stars. NOT!! They had a lean to type of thing for cover. He roughed it more on the Pioneer Trek than he did at this event.

However, Daniel did get a really cool Order of the Arrow sash and booklet and etc. Do you know how he got elected? We have been wondering on this and some the information Daniel brought home explained. Daniel's troop thinks that he gives cheerful service and is well liked. The cheerful service?? I wonder on that one. He's usually the one complaining the loudest. Especially if it involves physical labor. :) I do know that he is well liked by just about everyone though.

Daniel did have a good time and he is happy with the work that they did. They cleaned up trails and blackberry bushes off of trails. So it was a good service project. He now has all his service for Star Scout. He's almost all done with it. Yea!! He might make Eagle yet!! :)

Jacob is out of the dog house now with his reading. He finished Harry Potter #4 on Saturday. His reading grade was really low so this should bring it up to an A.

It's raining today. I have mixed feelings over rainy days. We really need the rain so I am happy and I love the smell of the rain on grass. :) I just don't like getting wet when exercising. So exercise is inside today.

Not much else going on. Have a super day. :)

Saturday is a Special Day

2011-10-08T16:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon Daniel left for his Order of the Arrow Ordeal. He was a little nervous. From what he's been told, he eats bread and water for meals and do lots of service projects, sleep under the stars (no tents) and then at the end they will have a banquet in honor of the candidates. :) He won't get home until about midnight tonight. He's going to be one tired boy. I think it's going to be a great experience for him. Oh Also they can't talk the whole day!!! That would be very hard for Britni :) But Daniel should be fine.

Today Ben's soccer team had a double header and they won their first game and lost the second game. I missed the games because Jacob had a game in Hood River. This is the first game that Ben's team has won. I'm glad that they finally did. It gives them confidence. :)

Jacob's team not only won their game against Horizan Christian in Hood River but he scored the only goal. :) He was pretty excited. :)

Then Britni, Jacob, Sam and I went shopping in Hood River and The Dalles on the way home. Pretty fun day. :)

Now to prepare for Sunday. :) Have a super weekend. :)

October

2011-10-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

It's October. It is starting to feel like Fall around here. My Ash tree has turned red. So it is now official!! :) We have had Soccer games and just all around busy. Conference was wonderful though. I really need to listen to a couple of talks again to remind me of what I need to be doing with my life. To make better use of my time is one of them.

Mid terms came home for the boys. Jacob is now reading every chance he has with no Soccer this week as a consequence of his not so good grade in Reading.

I haven't reported on goals for a while so I will do that now.

1. Lose weight. I have since gained but have now lost. I am now tracking food and also eating less carbs which is working. I have lost 7 pounds so far in the past 2 weeks.

2. Read Sunday School lesson and Ensigns. I have been o.k on this one. I may have missed one or two lessons but I try to catch up. Better late than never. I'm keeping up on the Ensigns. I'm enjoying the changes that they have made

3. Kids Scrapbooks. I have been doing digitally. I need to make time and have the money for the ink to print them out.

4. Lynn's mission scrapbook. I have worked on it but not recently. It's on my to do list all the time.

5. Blog more. I am doing pretty well with this one. Except for this week.

Have a great day. Britni has a game tonight. I hope it doesn't rain. :)

Wednesday

2011-09-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

Well, Britni had a soccer game last night in Highland. She was pretty bummed because she didn't play at all. Hopefully on Saturday she will be able to play. However, all the girls who had bad grades last year are eligible now to play so we will see. Their game on Saturday is in Royal.

Daniel is ASB Vice President. He is actually pretty excited about it. He gets to count candy and make the popcorn for the games at the school. :) No wonder he's so excited!! :)

All the other kids are plugging along with school and soccer and piano. I actually have a week with not much on it. But I am still busy around the house. So much to do, so little time.

Lynn hurt his back playing soccer with his team. He went to Chiropractor yesterday but that didn't help. He will probably have to go back again to get it fixed again.

Not much else as far as news. Have a super day and Don't forget Mom's/Grandma's Birthday on Friday!! :)

What a weekend!!

2011-09-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

Saturday is the big day for Soccer around here. Jacob has a game at 8:30 a.m., Benjamin at 10:00 and Britni at 11:00. Luckily the fields are all connected together so I just had to walk a lot to get to them all. Jacob's team won their game. Jacob even scored one goal. Benjamin's team lost however, they actually scored 2 goals so that was exciting since they had yet to score in a game. :) Britni's game was the most exciting.

Britni got to start this game again. She was so excited. The coach told her he really wanted her to score. So she was really trying and almost made it twice before she got hit pretty hard and landed on her back/head. To me it looked like she was clothes lined but she said she wasn't. She laid there for a bit because she had the wind knocked out of her. When she stood up she said 2 little words you never want to say. "I'm a little dizzy." It only last a couple seconds and her head hurt but that was all. Well, the assistant coach told her that she couldn't play the rest of the game. And she had to get cleared by a Dr. before she could even play in practice. She was really mad. Not only that the game went into double overtime and sudden death and she couldn't play in it!!! Her team ended up losing by 1 point. One girl from our team landed on her neck and had to be taken away by ambulance. She had hyper extended her neck. The funny thing is that this team really wasn't that rough of a team compared to the last team.

I really enjoyed going to the R.S. Broadcast on Saturday night. Our R.S. did a dinner and then we watched the broadcast and had dessert afterwards. At first I didn't think that I would get anything out of the talks but President Utchdorf's talk was perfect. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I am trying to find out what I'm suppose to be doing with my life right now. He made some excellent points with his forget me knots. I wouldn't be surprised if another book comes a long from him. :)

Sunday was Fast Sunday and it was a good meeting. This morning I picked up Britni from Seminary to get her to the Family Practice Clinic for their Open Access. So she could cleared for Soccer. We were the first ones there and the first ones out. When we went in the place was empty but when we left it was crowded. She even made it to school on time. :)

I best get to cleaning my house now. That and laundry and dishes never end in motherhood!! :) Have a great day. :)

Temple

2011-09-23T19:55:00.000-07:00

Today Lynn took the day off and we took Mom and Dad to the temple. Mom did initatories while the rest of us did endowments. It was a beautiful day. The temple was great. We even did an amazingly quick shopping trip to Winco. That doesn't happen very often. :)

I am on my 3rd and last day of the no carb detoxing. I'm glad it is almost over. However, I am very afraid of eating any carbs now!! I am going to try to just eat healthy and see how it goes. It was very hard to do but I am so glad that I did. I woke up this morning not bloated. I have fought a slight headache all day but as long as I eat some protein when I feel it coming helps a lot. I am feeling much better on the inside and that is what counts.

Today's thought: Going to the temple makes you happy!! - Me!! :)

Today's thought

2011-09-22T07:58:00.001-07:00

I have been on the no/low carb diet for 1 whole day now. I feel pretty good just tired and a little weak. I wasn't sure last night if I was going to make it to today because I got a migraine last night. The headache came on pretty quick and just as quick turned into a migraine. Hence, I went to bed early. I will go walking with my friends this morning but that is all for exercise. I have to clean my house though because my V.T. are coming this afternoon. Britni has another game. She is afraid she won't be playing in this one though because this team is suppose to be better than the one we played on Tuesday. I hope she get some time. She only needs 9 more games in order to letter for Soccer.

Thought for the day is a scripture "Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days." D&C 24:8.

It's nice to know that the Lord is with us no matter what we are going through. Even if it is carb deprivation!!! :) Love to you all!!

Thought of the day and more!

2011-09-21T07:52:00.001-07:00

Britni's team lost their soccer game last night. She was in a bad mood. I like all my family to be happy but that was not the case last night!! We have more peaches from our tree. They are starting to fall off so we picked them all last night. We dried some more. We will probably just dry the rest of them. The kids and my hubby love dried peaches.

I am doing a 3 day no carb detox. I hope I can make it. I'm doing it with my friends. I figure with friends doing it with me, I may actually stick to it. I can eat all the meat, cheese, veggies and eggs I want. Yea. Cheese!! :)

Thought of the day "BE THE CHANGE!!"

Have a great day!!

Thought of the Day

2011-09-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

"Part of making that choice, of deciding to change, is learning how to surrender. I don't mean surrender as in giving up. I mean surrendering the negative emotions that hold so many of us back." - Bill Phillips "Body for Life"

I'm not doing all the body building stuff that he does but he makes some good points in his book.

Have a great day!!!

BE THE CHANGE!!

A Little Something

2011-09-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Just a quick rundown. I need to go walking with my friend Diana here soon. This Saturday my Dad, Britni and I make a quick trip to Spokane for Brakston and Whitneys open house. We were able to see family that we hadn't seen in a long time. It was great to be with them even if it was for only a few hours. then Sunday we came back home. Like I said quick trip.

As far as Soccer game results from Saturday. Ben's team lost both matches but that's o.k. they were missing some key players so next week will be better. Jacob's team lost but that wasn't a surprise. We really had wanted him on the other team in the first place because the coach is a better coach. He had fun though. Britni was the winner though. They won their game 4-1 and Britni even started on Varsity. Yea!! Now if we can just get her pulled quad taken care of!! Daniel Refereed 2 games on Saturday. He really enjoyed it.

Thought of the day. I think I might start doing thoughts of the day. That may be all I post but it's still a post.

"If you stop setting goals for your future, if you start living in the moment again, That's when those bad habits will push their way back into your life!!" By the maker of Body for Life.

A friend of mine let me borrow Body for Life book. It's pretty good so far. Lots of good points. Have a super day.

The Eye Doctor

2011-09-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

Well, actually he's an optometrist but you get the point. Last night Daniel, Jacob and Benjamin had an eye Dr. appointment. We have been told in the past that Daniel and Jacob really need checked. Especially when they did the eye test on their physicals in June. Lynn just wanted Benjamin to get checked since he doesn't read very good by skipping words and reading the wrong words at times. The results are in Daniel does have a slight problem but not big enough to have full time glasses. However, the Dr. noticed when he reads that he squints a lot. So we are going to do loaner reading glasses for a week and see. They will be really ugly so Daniel doesn't want them. I told him he can just use them at home and we will see if it helps his reading. Jacob has a less slight problem but not enough for glasses but does need to be checked again next year. Benjamin has perfect vision. I told Lynn that Benjamin is just in his own world and isn't paying attention to what he is reading but Lynn doesn't believe me. He thinks that Benjamin just doesn't read very well. Little does he know that I relate better with Benjamin as I used to do the same thing. :)

What I thought was interesting yet gross at the same time is that now they can take pictures of your eyeball from the inside out. So all the boys come out of the room with these gross pictures of their eyeballs. But they were kind of cool too.

The Dr. gave our boys a great compliment though. He said that I have really good boys who will be leaders someday. Isn't that great.

One of peach trees has lost a limb. This is our first year to really get peaches from our 2 peach trees. I went outside yesterday and noticed that one of the branches had broken off because of all the weight of the peaches. What is scary is that we thinned out the peaches this summer so their would not be as many on branches. So we started pulling the peaches off of the branches yesterday. Not only for the branches sake but also because the wasps were eating anything that was even remotely ripe. I now have a lot more peaches. I ate one of the ripe ones yesterday though and realized that I'm going to have to be careful because of worms. Yuck!! I cut off the worms and ate it anyway. I have come a long way from the city girl who couldn't handle bugs and bees to the country girl who just cuts off the bugs and ignores the bees. I think I'm growing up finally at 38 (almost) years old. :) Have a super day. :)

I Know I know!!! It's been too long.

2011-09-13T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I could say that I have been so totally busy that I haven't had time to post. But in fact, I just don't know what to post about. Last week a forest fire started about 7 miles outside of town. It took lots of homes and many people were evacuated. Some of our own members. The community really stepped up and have supported really well. However, it made the air quality really bad for a few days. I couldn't exercise outside for a couple of days. There was ash in the air and smoke. It smelled like a campfire outside so we had to keep out windows closed all the time. The fires is over 50% contained now. Yea!! And we can open our windows again. The smoke is not as bad anymore. It was a pretty scary time for our community. It was also a wake up call for us, I think. When we live in a small little town in the northwest the most you think could happen is maybe an earthquake? or a volcano blowing? We rarely think of forest fires. We even had the Governor of Washington come and talk to the victims in the early stages of the fire. So that is the big news I guess. They cancelled all Soccer games and practices and told everyone to stay indoors. So Britni's first game is today in Hood River. She is hoping to play some. It's our Varsity against their JV. Doesn't sound very fair but it's not a league match just an extra one that the athletic director came up with.

Not much else going on. Grandma and Grandpa love their 50th Wedding present with is the glider. Lynn and Grandpa put it together on Saturday. They look very cute in it. I hope everyone has a super day.

It's a dreary day in the valley of Whooville!

2011-09-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

I woke up to very dreary very smokey outside. We have a wildfire out of control just outside of town on Satus Pass. Many friends have been evacuated from their homes. I feel for all these people. It is a scary time. I'm definitely praying for them and for the fire fighters so they can get it out soon. Over 100 homes have been evacuated and over 2,000 acres burned so far. What a year for fires. We had one a few weeks ago on our side of town and watching the flames come down the hill is a little scary. I'm glad they got that one out quickly. There is actually ash in the air today. While my friends and I were walking we had little white things coming down here and there. They are advising if you have respitory conditions to stay inside.

Britni's first Soccer game is today. She is bummed because she is not starting or on Varsity. She may still get to play as a sub. I think what bums her out the most is the fact she has worked so hard these passed few weeks. She comes home every night with some muscle pulled or aches and pains from her working so hard. I hope she keeps trying. She still enjoys playing which is good.

I best get to work. My family thinks that now that everyone is at school that I just sit around and take naps and eat Bon Bons. Little do they know. Have a super day.

School and Soccer

2011-09-06T12:59:00.000-07:00

So we have survived 3 days and school and a long weekend. I'm actually glad for the 3 day weekend. The kids were just so exhausted from adjusting to the new school year. So the long weekend was much appreciated. The kids for the most part have enjoyed the first few days. Samuel is having the hardest time. The first day of school went like this. "How was school Sam?" "I hate it." "Why do you hate school?" "Because I am so hungry all day long!!" (He took a lunch the next day and that worked great.) Then the next day "I don't like school!" "Why don't you like school?" "I'm sick of Conner." "What's wrong with Conner." "I just don't like him." (What can you do about that?) The saga continues... This Morning "I don't want to go to school." "Why?" "It's just too long!!" "Don't you remember how bored you were last year when you got home before the other boys?" "No!" "Well, you were always asking when are the boys coming home?" And I would answer "In 2 hours...etc." I hope he adjusts soon. I don't know how much more I can take of this "I HATEitis!"

Britni started early morning Seminary this morning. It is earlier this year because the Primary School has changed their hours and the Seminary teacher is a substitute at the Primary School. So Seminary starts at 6:30 a.m. Britni gets up at 5 a.m. and practices piano and gets a shower and eats breakfast then goes to Seminary. After that, her cousin, Devin takes her to Uncle David's work to hang out for an hour until school starts. Don't know what will happen when she starts driving in January.
She is doing well with Soccer. She is really trying to get on Varsity. Her first game is on Thursday so we should know by then.

Daniel brought home a huge school project already. Doing a big map of the State of Washington using cardboard for the base and then clay stuff for the mountains. They will paint it on Thursday. Daniel is actually working on getting projects done a little early. He is trying for Straight A's this year. I know he can do it. So does his teacher.

The weekend was pretty quiet. Except for the BYU Football and Women's Soccer games!! Go BYU!! Have a great week.

First Day of School

2011-08-31T16:17:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of school. Britni is a Sophomore, Daniel is 8th Grade, Jacob is 6th Grade, Benjamin is 3rd Grade and Samuel is 1st Grade. So far they have all come home happy. The older boys with homework. Daniel and Jacob decided to catch colds before school started. How lucky for them.

So what did I do all day? Yep, that's right. I cleaned and rearranged furniture in my house. Mainly cleaning though. That literally took the whole entire time they were gone today. I hope tomorrow to enjoy a little bit of the solitude though. I will probably be freezing corn tomorrow afternoon.

Here are their pics from this morning.

The rest of the Fair Results and Recipes

2011-08-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

Jacob did very well at the Dog Show on Saturday. However, it was so hot that the dogs just didn't want to cooperate by the afternoon. He got Grand Champion and 1st place ribbon for Showmanship in his division. Then he got white (3rd) for obedience and white (3rd) for judging (this is where the kids judge the leaders doing obedience with dogs). He also got Blue Ribbon (1st) for his educational poster (which I did mostly) and a blue ribbon (1st) for his presentation of the poster (he did on his own). His poster was selected to go to the state fair, however, someone splashed water on it while it was hanging up at the Dog Show. So that is a bummer but those things happen. He also got a Red ribbon (2nd) on his 4-H Record Book. Which is funny considering his writing isn't the greatest. I am happy that Jacob did so well. He plans on doing it again this next year. He was only in the dog classes for 4 months before this Dog Show. He should do much better next year. As long as he trains his dog for 10 minutes a day.

Now for a couple of the cookie recipes that I entered. I have been asked by one of my AWESOME Sister-in-laws to post the recipes.

Crunchy Peanut Butter Cereal Drops

1 cup Light Karo Syrup
1 cup White Sugar
2 cups peanut butter (If I use Crunchy P.B. I will add a little extra)
4 cups Cheerios, cornflakes, or any non sugar cereal

In a large saucepan over medium heat cook syrup and sugar for 7-8 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add peanut butter; stir until dissolved then fold in the cereal and mix until well coated. Drop by spoonfuls on wax paper. Cool for 1-2 hours and store in an airtight container.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Craisin Cookies

Preheat oven to 350.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
2 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup craisins

Cream together butter, shortening, sugars together. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix the flour, baking powder, soda, salt together and add to creamed mixture. Stir in oatmeal and chocolate chips and craisins. Mix well. Drop by spoonfuls on greased cookie sheets (I don't think I greased mine and they were still o.k.)

Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

I altered this recipe and I hope I remembered everything that I altered. The recipe actually calls for 1 cup brown sugar but I usually use more brown sugar than white sugar because I like that flavor better for cookies. That's just me though. ;) Play with it and let me know what you think.

Personally I couldn't believe some of the judges comments. I'm really glad that I entered just for fun and that I know I'm an awesome cook anyway!! :) Have a great Monday!!!

Klickitat County Fair Results for us! :)

2011-08-26T08:56:00.001-07:00

Well, Britni entered about 12 pictures into the fair under the youth open category. Daniel entered his favorite sugar cookies with icing in the youth open baking category. I entered my favorite chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal chocolate chip craisin cookie, peanut butter cereal cookie and chocolate zucchini bread in the adult open category and Jacob yesterday had a prequalifier for 4-H dog show.

The results are in from yesterday!! Britni: 7 Blue Ribbon (1st), 4 Red Ribbon (2nd) and 1 White Ribbon (3rd)

Daniel: 1 Blue Ribbon (1st)

Mom: 1 Blue Ribbon (1st), 2 Red Ribbon (2nd) and 1 White Ribbon (3rd)

Jacob: 1 White Ribbon (3rd) He was 2 points away from a Red Ribbon!! Considering he has only been in the dog 4-H for 4 months and never trains his dog, that is pretty good.

This is just a prequalifier for Jacob. The real obedience, showmanship and judging show will be on Saturday. I told him if he wants to do better he should train her today. So far no training has been done. He's kind of a procrastinator.

I am very happy with all the results and so are the kids!! It was so much fun just to enter. I don't really care about the ribbons because I know my food is "Good Mood Food" :) That is all that matters!! :)

It has been quite a busy week. I can't wait until Fair is over with!! But then school starts next week. :) Yea!! Have a great weekend. I'll keep you posted on Jacob's progress on Saturday! :)

Recouped and Ready to go!!

2011-08-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

O.K. so I think I am recouped from Girls Camp. This week Jacob had some 4-H stuff due for the Fair. He did a poster about K-9 Dogs. I did the poster while he did his record book. He also did a presentation and got a Blue Ribbon for it!! Yea Jacob! He will be in the Dog Show at the Fair this weekend. I am thinking of entering some baked goods. Britni is entering some pictures that she has taken. It should be a fun weekend.

Britni starts soccer practice tomorrow! She had a parent meeting last week and got registered!! She's excited.

We went school supply shopping and the boys packed up their backpacks the same night!! They are a little excited to start school but won't until August 31st.

Not much else going on. Really grateful for all that I have!! I am truly blessed!!

P.S. Lynn outdid himself yesterday with the house chores. Between painting the pump house and the trim around the house. Then he defrosted both freezers and planted strawberries. Busy guy!! :)

Back from Girls Camp Tired and Sore but Happy!!

2011-08-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

Girls Camp was really nice this year. It was relaxing, spiritual and fun. We packed up Monday morning and headed to Camp Zarahemla which is by Clear Lake up past Yakima. It took us about 2 hours to get there. We unloaded the girls and got registered and then had our flag ceremony and then camp time to decorate the camp and get settled before all the activities. We were the Pirates seeking treasure. So I had some pirate decoration that we put up. Being the 4th year girls leader is great. They already know the basics and they are a great help with decorating or anything else I need. That night we had Singing Trees as our special spiritual experience. This is where each ward practices a song and then they go out into the woods in a circle and shine our light and sing our song then turn out our light and the next ward sings their song. It was a little crazy when the girls couldn't remember where they were going but then they found the path and led the way. :) It was nice. Then the 4th years did their star gazing certification. I had a great certification leader Aimee McCall who was on the ball. All the girls got certified this year. Yea!!

Then Tuesday night we had classes during the day that the YCL's either taught or had someone else teach. The classes were on Journals, being One in a Million, Individual Worth and etc. they were spiritual and great. We had 4 non members at camp and it was great to see them feel the spirit and ask questions. That night we had a special fireside with one of the leaders. It was on Seeking good things.

Wednesday we had more classes during the day. On the Atonement, fun modest dressing, enduring challenges, and eternal perspective. The afternoons usually had Kapers (chores around camp) and then Unit time and then certification time and then 3-4 hours of Free Time. There was canoeing and lots of fun crafts everyday. I made some really cute clipboards, journals, bookmarks, and magnets. :) That night was our Skit night. We decided to do our skit based on the book Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies!! We were seeking Knowledge. It was great. The girls did a great job!!

Thursday was the day the 1st and 2nd years went on a 5 mile hike. The 3rd years did their orienteering and the 4th years did their High Adventure!! We went horseback riding. I have been on a horse before but never riding trails in the woods. It was quite the experience for me. I figure I was the entertainment that's for sure. I was on a pretty painted horse named Romeo. I can tell you he's no Romeo. He had a mind of his own. I am not aggressive enough to really control him but I survived. You see he liked to scratch his belly on little trees. Then he liked to go really slow down the embankments then liked to gallop up the embankments. He didn't like to be too far behind the other horses and trotted to catch up. (Can you say sore bottom?) :) Then he decided to go off the trail and in the process of trying to get him back on the trail, he hit a tree. But it didn't hurt him. I got him backed up. I think Grandmother Rayborn was helping. She always loved painted horses so I know she had to be there helping inept me out. :) After 2 hours of riding, I was pretty stiff and sore. I'm such a weenie!! :) But it was fun and beautiful scenery!!

Thursday night was also the night hike and testimony meeting along with a special talk by a member of the Stake Presidency. IT was a very long night. The night hike was really interesting. The YCL's act as women in history who overcame tragedy and challenges and seek for a better life. Doris Day, Mother Teresa, Marie Curry, and others. It was very interesting and spiritual. We also had a YCL explain what testimonies are and how we should bear them. So when testimony meeting came along there was actually not very many who actually bore them. I'm not sure if everyone was just so tired from the hikes and all the activities or if they just didn't feel the spirit by then. It was midnight by the time they had testimony meeting. Way too much to do in one day.

They also had activities like the Amazing Race, Canoe Races and other fun games to do during free time.

Friday we cleaned up camp and came home. We were home by 1:30 in the afternoon. It was fun but I am still tired. I'm sure it will take me a few days before I am back to my usual self again. I am still a little sore from the horse back riding too. :)

As soon as I got home it was busy busy to get Daniel and Jacob and Lynn ready for their Boy Scout over nighter. So I saw Lynn 2 hours then he was gone. But I am so happy that they got home around 2:30 this afternoon. It's so nice to have everyone home and to be home!!

I am starting to get really sleepy. I better get going. Have a great Sunday!! Love you all!!

Ready for Girls Camp? I think!

2011-08-06T19:21:00.001-07:00

Well, I have been packing all day and trying to get everything ready. I am just sending Benjamin out to the play house to find our pirate costume. So the girls will be able to have one costume for their skit. We are Pirates Seeking Treasure. It is going to be really fun. I am finally getting excited. I have 6 girls in my group. Just the right size. However, our High Adventure is horseback riding and they only have 6 horses available so they are splitting us up and doing one group in the morning and one in the afternoon. I wish they would just have the girls go without the adults, personally but I guess church policy is against that.

The men will be on their own. I haven't even prepared any meals or anything for them. They are truly on their own. I am hoping for some appreciation when I get back. However, I know better. Lynn actually taught me to cook so they won't starve to death.

When we were gone to Idaho, Mom and Dad (who have very green thumbs)did very well with our garden. In fact, my Zucchini plant is huge!!!! I just pulled 4 more this evening. Our corn and beans are growing well a long with our carrots (that the kids didn't pull while weeding) and our tomatoes and potatoes are doing well also. We even have a few raspberries this year. Not as many bees eating them this year. However, we have found our dogs are eating our produce!!!! They have never eaten them before. But they do now. Who Knew??

Well, I better get going. More to get ready. You won't hear from me for a week as I will be at Girls Camp. Have a great week. I will update next weekend. :) Love ya all!! :)

Home At Last!!

2011-08-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

I love coming home after a vacation because the house is clean for a moment until everything is unloaded!! And it is just good to come home to your own bed, your own kitchen, your own water that tastes good!!!

We had a great vacation visiting Lynn's family for the past 10 days. We got to meet some family that we had never met and play games and have the famous Bischoff BBQ. Why it's famous? I don't know?? That all happened the first weekend we were there. Then Britni went to EFY and we hung out on the farm. The kids had a great time playing with cousins and helping with the farm chores. Lynn and the boys helped Caleb with his Eagle Project. Which was good for them to do. We went to a couple of movies and I got to hang out for a few hours with my college roommate, Karen.

We saw Thor at the cheap Paramount theater. It was pretty good. It was clean which was nice in a movie these days. Then we of course had to go see Harry Potter 7.2!! That was pretty good also.

Now time to get ready to go to Girls Camp. The more I have talked to people the more excited I am becoming!! I better get on with the laundry!! Love to you all!!

Monday

2011-07-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

The next few days will be preparing our house for us to leave on our yearly family vacation to the Dairy Farm. The kids are very excited. We will be seeing lots of cousins and family and friends. Britni will be going to EFY all next week at BYU-I. She is very excited. She'll be staying on campus all week. While I get to go shopping with my niece Kimberlie!! :) And I get to see college roommates too. Yea!

Daniel and Britni survived the trek with no blisters or injuries!! Yea!! I am so happy for that. They said it was really hard but they enjoyed it. They met new people. Daniel had a cute girl in his "family" which always helps. Britni had a good time as well. She always finds the cute boys. ;) They had spiritual moments at the end. Daniel said our parent letters "almost" made him cry. While Britni said that they made her bawl. :) They are so tired right now. In fact they are still sleeping. I need to get them up so everyone will do their chores!!

Now time to make some phone calls and turn in my job applications this morning. Plus clean up the house. Have a great Monday!! Love ya all!!

Decisions, Decisions, and More

2011-07-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

Well, we are going through a decision process. Well, Lynn says it's my decision process. You see there are 2 jobs as Legal Administrative Assistants that I really want to apply for. However, they are full time positions. We could use the extra money but to me working is more than money. It's a feeling of accomplishment that you feel knowing that you are helping the family. It's truly enjoyable for me to type and do secretary stuff. I always have loved my secretary jobs. It's meeting people and helping people. It's learning new skills. However, I'm also a little scared. It has been 15 years since I have worked. I have decided that applying doesn't meant that I will get either job. You see I know of someone else who is applying for one of the jobs and she is better qualified than me in that she has been in the work force recently. All the other jobs that I have applied for I haven't even gotten an interview. Who says I'll get one now?

I keep saying that if the Lord wants me to work, then an opportunity will come along and I will work. But I have to do my part in order to have those opportunities to come along. Well, that is my decision process. I have prayed about it and have not necessarily gotten a no but I haven't gotten a resounding yes either. I wonder if my fears or hopes are getting in the way. Sometimes they do.

Britni and Daniel are on the Trek. I'm sure they are having a fun time. I'll find out tomorrow night.

The little boys are getting chores done and playing with friends. I asked them if they want to do anything special but they don't. I would think with older brother and sister gone they would want to do something fun but it doesn't seem to be.

Time to get to chores and job applications, I guess. Have a super day. :)

Wednesday

2011-07-13T07:46:00.001-07:00

The weather has definitely cooled down. Brr!! At least it's sunny. I love Sunny!! Let's see Britni is done with Summer Basketball. She's happy. I think she was getting a little burned out with sports. She still has soccer practice whenever she is available but it is only 2 days a week. She is very excited for Trek. Which is tomorrow.

The boys are just being boys. Daniel will also be going on the Trek. I don't think that he is quite as excited as Britni. :) But he is learning that he can do Hard Things with the Lords help!! :)

Jacob has been subbing for Brian Golding's paper route. Today is the last day, Yea!! The first week was absolutely horrible. He had gone with Brian once so he could show him the ropes but Jacob doesn't always pay attention to everything. So there were comments like "I think we gave a paper to the house with the "W" on the garage?" or "Brian just gave her a paper but she wasn't on the list." That sort of thing.

Last week was much better. It went way smoother. We didn't miss anyone. Daniel helped out which helped a lot!! So this week should be a piece of cake right? We'll see. I am glad to know that after this experience my boys don't want to have a paper route. If we lived in town, then maybe. But since we live 3 miles out of town, we have to drive the paper route.

Not much else going on. Just another busy day. We will be enjoying the women's Soccer game this morning though. As long as the kids get their chores done. :) Have a super day. :)

Monday

2011-07-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

This week is our Pioneer Trek. The kids leave on Thursday morning and will be back on Saturday sometime. The communication has not been very good.

The weekend was great. The boys did o.k. selling water. The location wasn't the best but they got a lot of donations for their D.C. trip. The Young Women's yard sale went very well. They earned over $500. Britni's basketball tournament was pretty good. It gave her some good experience. They lost on Saturday, their first game so she got to come home in time to help at the end of the Yard Sale.

I got a little sun. My upper arms are pretty red but they don't hurt which is good. Luckily my foundation had sunscreen in it so my face is fine. :)

We feed the missionaries tonight. I feel so bad for them the missionary calendar goes through the R.S. room and no one signs up. We signed up for today but I can't feed them all the time and next week we go on our Big vacation for the Summer. I wish more people would feed them. This set of missionaries look like they are 15 years old. Maybe it's just because I am getting older that they are looking younger. I hope when my boys go on their missions that people will feed them!!

Not much else going on. Have a super Monday!!!

Community Days

2011-07-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend is Goldendale's Community Days. There is a parade with lots of fire trucks and tractors and horses!! There are activities on the court house lawn. Lots of Yard Sales around town. And the famous Library Book sale which I love to go to on Saturday afternoon where a bag of books is $1.00. :) It is a fun time. It's not suppose to be so busy though. The Young Women are having a Yard Sale to help with those girls who don't have the money for Girls Camp. Since my Sis in law is the Camp Director and I am going to Camp as a Unit Mom then I need to help with that. Britni should be helping too however, she is involved in a Basketball Tournament in Mabton this weekend. They won their game yesterday!!

Jacob and Benjamin actually have been invited to participate on 2 floats!! One is for Cub Scouts that the other troop in town in doing and the other one is a soccer float and there is also going to be the 4-H Dogs will be walking in the Parade. Benjamin can pick his float and go but Jacob and Daniel have already committed themselves to sell water at the Presby Mansion Museum during the Parade for their Washington D.C. Trip. I cannot wait until fund raisers are done. UGH!!

Best get busy doing what we do!! Have a great day. :)

My Work Here is never done!!

2011-07-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

SO we had a very nice 4th of July. There was a flag raising and breakfast at the church which was nice. The Bishopric did a great job making andgetting the food out fast. They fed a lot of people. Then we came home and did house and yard work. Lynn rearranged the garage. It needed cleaning anyway but I wasn't getting to it very fast. It looks great now. Then we had a BBQ. Grandpa came over. Grandma wasn't feeling well. Then just before we do fireworks we always bring our dogs in the house because they scare easily. We go out to get them and they are no where to be seen. Some neighbors down the road started lighting them early!! The dogs took off somewhere. WE searched but to no avail. So we lighted our fireworks and prayed really really hard that the dogs would come back. I now wonder if that was such a good idea. They showed up at 3 a.m. full of ticks. So yesterday, Britni and I, pulled ticks out of each dog. Mandy our bigger white dog had over 100 and Misty the little black one probably had over 30. We are still finding ticks on them even after bathing them and using Fronline Plus on them and even feeding them lots of garlic. I heard that is suppose to help with ticks. Still this morning I was pulling more off of them. I don't know if it will ever end. I do know that I never want to see another tick again!! UGH!!

Britni has a Basketball Tournament in Mabton this weekend. Then she is done with Basketball for the Summer, I think. She will still have soccer practice though.

The Pioneer Trek is next Weekend. The kids are excited. I got Britni's skirt fixed and ready. It's not the best sewing job. I used to sew better but I don't do it often enough anymore to be any good at it. Good thing they only need to wear it for 3 days.

Daniel loved Boy Scout Camp. Even though it rained on him for 3 of the days. It was on the coast so he got to go to the beach. He got the Canoeing, Oceanography and Archery Merit Badges. He will have the First Aid one soon. All he had to do was #1 but he kept forgetting to do it at camp. So now he has to finish it off here. However, He also got his First Class!!! He is now a Star!! Yea!! He now sees a silver lining. He is actually picking out merit badges that he will do and everything. I am so happy!!! :) YEA Daniel!!! :)

Well, I better get going. I need to crack the whip and get the kids to do their chores. Have a great day. :)

Friday

2011-07-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

I miss Daniel. My other kids miss Daniel. Boy Scout camp is so long!! I know it's only 1 more day than Girls Camp. But I still miss my Daniel!! I really don't know how I will make it when the kids start leaving home. I like my family to be all together. Then I am happy when I know they are safe and sound.

We only have a week an a half until Trek. I need to fix Britni's pioneer skirt. It's one that I had made for me years ago so I just need to adjust the waist and shorten it.

It's finally a beautiful day. No wind today yet. yea.

The other boys are excited to go fishing with Grandpa today. They are busily finishing up their chores so they can go.

I hope everyone has a great 4th of July. No plans here. Just hanging out at home. :)

June 29, 2011

2011-06-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a busy few days. I heard Monday night that Daniel got to Boy Scout camp safely. I learned that from my friend Diana whose husband is the Boy Scout Master and called her to let her know. They were having fun.

Monday night Britni had a Basketball game for summer basketball. She played o.k. I guess Basketball camp can't really make her be more aggressive. It is just not in her nature. But she did make a few good plays even though she didn't make any points.

Jacob and Daniel have a chance to go to Washington D.C. with their school. They have been fund raising for a year now. They will actually go to Washington D.C. next June. So they have a year to go to get the money. We found out how much it was going to be for a 8 day trip. It's not a pretty site. The boys only have a 1/4 of what they need to make for this trip. This is such a once in a life time opportunity. They will be going to Washington D.C. and New York City and Boston. We will keep plugging along and hope for the best.

Yesterday, between visiting teaching and dog class and Britni's soccer practice. It was busy. My dog Mandy actually did well with all her obedience but I am never worried about her. Jacob said his dog Misty did better than she usually does. At least she didn't whine for me as much. That's an improvement. She usually whines through the whole class wanting me. We will be showing our Dogs at the County Fair this year. I'm not real thrilled with doing it but it helps Jacob to have me there.

Not much else. I hope everyone has a super day. :)

Shame on Me Again!!

2011-06-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Only one blog last week. Oops!! Britni loved Basketball Camp. Even when she got pushed into the bleachers and hurt her tailbone and even when she got elbowed in the nose. She still had a blast. I guess she does really like basketball after all!! :)

Benjamin loved Day/night camp. He is so social. He loved even singing the Star Spangled Banner for their skit.

Daniel left at 3 a.m. this morning for Boy Scout Camp at Camp Merriwether on the coast. He will have a blast. He was pretty nervous and we as his parents were pretty nervous for him but he will do fine. He is learning that He Can Do Hard Things with the Lords help!! :)

Lynn about killed himself on Saturday as he did a lot of yard work and trimmed our trees. Climbing ladders and cutting big branches were a little scary but other than that the yard looks great!! Jacob helped Dad the most with the yard work as usual. :) Our little worker!!

Samuel is as happy go lucky as ever for the most part. He is trying to throw tantrums to get attention but it's not working.

I think that covers just about everyone. Oh I guess I should say I have a new calling. I am the Relief Society Secretary. I wasn't expecting that one. So it was quite a shock. But it should be fun. I was the Relief Society Secretary when we first moved to Goldendale 14 years ago. So it's not that new to me however, I really don't remember that far back.

Have a great week. I will write again on Wednesday. Maybe if I actually say I will then I will do it. :) Love ya all!! :)

Britni and Benjamin

2011-06-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

Benjamin has Twilight Cub Scout Camp this week. Yesterday was his first day. He had a great time. I think. He shot his first BB gun. And had fun playing games and making things. He didn't get home until 10:20 or so at night. So he slept in a bit this morning. But he is so excited to go again today.

Britni has an Amazing opportunity this week. This week is the Gonzaga Basketball camp. We can't afford to pay for camps so she wasn't planning on going. However, yesterday afternoon we got a phone call from the Varsity coach saying that a couple of girls had to cancel at the last minute and wanted someone else to take their place. Their money was non refundable so he offered the spot to Britni. So she left this morning for the Gonzaga Basketball camp. She was pretty nervous but I think excited at the same time. She will have a great time and learn so much. She will definitely find out if she loves Basketball as much as she thinks she does. :) Of course, she will also have to be strong and courageous to choose the right and stand up for what she believes in since she is the only member of the church going. I still can't believe that she was able to go for free!! What a blessing. At least I hope it's a blessing. I know a lot of stuff can go on at these camps.

We just Gotta Have Faith !!! Just like the song says!! Was that George Michael who sang that? Have a super day. :)

Busy Busy Week

2011-06-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

Last week was pretty busy because the boys were out of school and I still had to take Britni to school for 4 days last week. She is now done and happy. The kids are outside weeding the garden right now. I love Summer chores!! They are AWESOME!! :) We have had my in-laws in town and also David and Carmine's Daughters with their families. We had our family pictures taken by Valerie! She does an AWESOME job! I can't wait to see them. And her husband David is a Chiropractor and he helped us all so now we are feeling pretty good. :) We owe them big time.

Nathan Bischoff was ordained an Elder yesterday. It was a great experience. I should have grabbed my boys and pulled them in but it was hard enough to get me in there. You see I have no calling now at church so the Nursery sucked me in because their leader was ill. So I got to play with little kids and eat snacks. :) It would have been more fun if I had plans for the kids to do things. The way the Bishop was asking me if I liked it, I'm pretty sure that I'll end up in Nursery. Which is fine. I do like little kids.

My kids are growing up so fast that I now enjoy the little ones. :)

Well, I better get going. Our phone service is not working. Our whole neighborhood is having problems. Have a super Monday. :)

Released and nothing to do

2011-06-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday I was released from Young Women's. And they did not give me another calling. It is kind of depressing to know that no one wants you in their organization. I am sure that something will come up. I figure it will be cub scouts and I won't be getting that calling until September probably. I should enjoy the break from callings. But I'm not so sure.

Today is the first day of Summer for the boys. They are out weeding the garden right now which is one of their chores. We had a family council last night to get the chores and the consequences set up. Daniel and Jacob were so enthusiastic that they got up at 6 a.m. this morning and went jogging with me and Britni. I am still the slowest out of all of them. But I am older and have more weight on my body than they do. That my excuse and I'm sticking to it!! :)

The kids are going to help me with my diet/exercise this summer. I hope they don't kill me in the process. :) Maybe I'll lose a little bit of weight. That would be nice. We are suppose to have Valerie take our family photos tonight. It's a pretty windy day today and it's partly cloudy. Hopefully by tonight it will change for the better as in no wind!! I know living in the Gorge that is wishful thinking.

I better get going for the day. If you want to listen to Britni's piano piece go to my facebook or Lynn's facebook. We posted a video of it on Saturday.

Love you all and have a happy day!! :)

Britni playing the piano on Sunday and Schools out for the boys

2011-06-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

I was going to add a video of Britni playing the Jon Schmitt song that she is playing tomorrow in Sacrament but it has been 4 hours and it is still not uploaded yet. Therefore, you will just have to be there. :)

Yesterday was the boys last day of school. They came home at Noon with their year books covered in signatures. Not really a surprise is the fact that Daniel had the most Accelerated Reader points in the whole school. He beat out ReAnna whose in Jacob's grade by .4 points. His name will go in the library at the school on a plaque. He also was awarded the best sportsmanship award. He also had the Hustle award in Basketball.

Jacob came home with the Friendliest Award. He is so sweet and fun that I can understand why he got that award. :)

The First and Second teacher at Centerville has retired after 32 years of teaching. She almost taught all my kids. She just barely misses teaching Samuel. The new teacher is actually going to be the Kindergarten teacher that he had last year. So he will end up with the same teacher for 3 years. Luckily Samuel likes her. :)

Samuel is not feeling good today. Lynn, Britni and Daniel are at the Temple today. Have a Super Saturday!! :)

Funny Things

2011-06-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

Daniel has been studying World War II and Hitler's Master Race (the Ayrian Germans). He's been talking a lot about this at home. Benjamin the fun kid that he is drew the perfect German for us since our name (Bischoff) is German. I think it looks a lot like Daniel with a mustache!!

Then Britni had a girl at school tell her that she knows why Mormons have so many kids. She said that everybody hates Mormons so in order for Mormons to have friends, they need to have lots of children so someone will like them. Britni said I have friends. They countered with yea with the 87 people in your family. Britni laughed and said that she only has 7 in her family!! Ha! :) It is funny to hear what people will believe.

Have a great day!!

Great weekend and last week of school for boys!

2011-06-06T08:34:00.001-07:00

We had a great Stake Conference Weekend. The messages were inspiring as always. This is the boys last week of school. They are very excited. I am even excited this year. This is the first year that I am excited to be done with school and to just have my kiddos at home. But then again having 2 babysitters around helps. :) I need to get the chore list made up today so I am ready. :)

Last night was Seminary graduation. Nathan, my nephew graduated and spoke. He did a great job on his talk. I was remembering when I first met him as a boy. He has sure grown into an Amazing Young Man!! Britni got her little trophy for her Superior Scriptorian plus a pin for being Master Scriptorian. She also had 95% or better attendance and punctuality. It helps that her Dad has to be to work early. :)

She has 2 more weeks of school left. She is done June 16th. She plays in church this Sunday. I am going to record it at home and post it so everyone can hear how Amazing she is!! :)

Have a super Monday!! Off to laundry and house work!! :)

Stake Conference Weekend

2011-06-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

This weekend is Stake Conference. With Lynn being the Stake Executive Secretary I get to participate in the special meal in between sessions this afternoon. I am to take fruit. So I will pick up a watermelon and cantalope and etc. this morning. After the Dog Walk that Jacob and I have to go to.

Lynn is at a AYSO Soccer meeting this morning. He should be home soon. Then at 10:00 Jacob and I are participating in a 4-H Dog Walk. All proceeds goes to the American Red Cross and the Tornado victims. Then at 2 p.m. I have a Bridal Shower to go to for my Visiting Teaching partner! Then I will be going to carpool down to The Dalles for Stake Conference Adult Session and dinner. :)

Have a super Saturday!! :)

I remember now!!

2011-06-02T07:59:00.001-07:00

I am feeling so much better now. I have a slight headache this morning. I'm not sure if it's from the dialating of my eyes yesterday at the eye dr. or if it's allergies. I'm thinking allergies/summer cold coming on. Bummer!!

Anyway, I can think and I have some energy. Yea!! I am happy!!

I remember what I was going to write yesterday. I was going to do a check list of my goals for the year.

#1 Lose Weight. I am going to reword this one because I am reading a book right now that is telling me why I am not losing weight with my thyroid meds and etc. So How about Eat Healthy and Exercise. ----Doing fairly well. I am eating at least one fruit or veggie with each meal a day. That is my real goal right now. Doing really well with the exercise. I need to step up my game with resistance bands here pretty soon. My shoulder is healing nicely from my injury a few months ago.

#2 Scrapbooks are all caught up. I just need to be able to afford to print off the kids digital pages as I get them done.

#3 Lynn's Mission Scrapbook. I have begun!!! I have the pictures out and I am working on pages. I have about 75 of the 200 pictures done. That's just what I have printed. I still need to get the rest printed from slides!! Why were slides so popular back in the day for Missions???

#4 Read Sunday School lesson and Ensign to the fullest. I am good on this one. I think I might have missed one Sunday School lesson but that's still pretty good.

#5 Write on my blog more. Well, I have chastised myself a lot on this one already. I am really trying though.

Yucky windy day today. But I'm still going walking with my girlfriends!! The more exercise the better. :) Have a great day!! :)

Wednesday

2011-06-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

I know that I was going to blog about something but I can't remember what. I just hate it when that happens. I tried to go off my thyroid medicine for a few days and realized by day 3 that I really needed to get back on it. Between the exhaustion and the fuzzy brain right now, I don't know how I made it without it. I do feel better this morning but still tired and fuzzy.

Jacob had a great birthday. He played Soccer, ate BBQed Steak, opened presents and ate cake! Life was good!! He even finished his book and took the AR test yesterday and got 100% on it. Yea!! He's only 2 points away from his goal for this quarter. He also finally found his shoe. He lost one of his shoes at school. Then kept forgetting to look for it in the lost and found until yesterday!! :)

Centerville School is taking the kids to the swimming pool for "swim lessons". I'm not sure how much lesson they really get out of it. But the boys are having fun this week.

Britni got a surprise babysitting job yesterday after school. I found out about a friend needing a sitter right after school. So I took a note with a candy bar for incentive to the school. Britni is not only out of debt with her parents but has over $65 to her name. Now she is making a list of everything she will need for school next year and trying to figure out how she will be about pay for it all. :) Babysitting is great!!

Not much else to tell. The rest of the kids are doing well. Lynn has realized that he is not as young as he used to be. He's pretty sore after the soccer games on Monday plus planting garden and weed eating the lawn and etc. that he did that day!! :) Have a great Windsday as Winnie the Pooh would say!! :)

Jacob's 11th Birthday

2011-05-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

Today my Jacob turns 11 years old. One more year and he gets the Priesthood. They grow up so fast. He is excited to be in 11 year old scouts and play Soccer. With today being Memorial Day he picked out a Rocket cake with red, white and blue M&M's on it.

Jacob has always been my boy who loves the outdoors. He loves to mow the lawn and help his Dad in the garden. He loves animals. We have always called him our Farmer Boy. However, he also loves sports. He played Basketball for the first time this year and loved it like his Dad. He is excited to be playing Soccer in the Fall. He always has a smile for you. Everybody loves Jacob!! He is shy and quite most of the time yet can be very loud and fun with his brothers.

We all love our Jacob. Have a Super Happy Birthday. We'll be playing family Soccer game this morning and then a BBQ and cake tonight!! Happy Memorial Day to all our Veterans!! :)

Another give away by

2011-05-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

There is another give away by http://oldfarmhousegathering.blogspot.com/2011/05/last-chance.html.

Another contest is on Old Farmhouse Gathering with Artfire. A FARMHOUSE GATHERING ON ARTFIRE Barb from Barb's Heartstrokes has a very cute item up for grabs.

Old Farmhouse Gathering has some very cute things. It's fun to enter contests I have found. I am finding lots of great things.

Have a great weekend. :)

FRIDAY!!

2011-05-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

Yea, it is Friday!! Last night was Jacob's last cub scout pack meeting. He is now a Boy Scout. :) He's very excited to be moving on. Benjamin also received his Wolf badge last night. They are all growing up so fast.

I really wish the weather would stay nice. I'm starting to get a cold thanks to the changing weather. I get a sunburn on Wednesday and then rained on Thursday and Friday. UGH! The kids are catching the colds too. No fun.

Britni gets a 4 day weekend but the boys have to go to school today. She will be working this morning to earn some moolah!!

I have been going to visit Grandma on Wednesdays while Grandpa is working delivering newspapers. We chat and then go to lunch. Very fun. I have a friend who lost her Mother a year ago and reminds me all the time to enjoy this time with Mom since she won't be here forever. Time is precious.

Grandpa and Grandma are going to the temple with us tomorrow. I always enjoy going to the temple and feeling the spirit there. It really rejuvenates me.

I have completed my resume and have even given one out. It's a start. Grandpa heard of an opening for part time secretary at the newspaper office. So I took in my resume. However, it's really who you know around here if you want to get a job. If the Lord really wants me to work then he will provide the way. I will just keep trying.

I hope everyone has a super Memorial Day Weekend. :)

Quick Note!!

2011-05-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

Britni is our first Superior Master Scriptorian. She quoted all 25 Scripture Mastery scriptures in order!! We are all pretty excited for her.

Samuel, Benjamin and Jacob were in Spring Musicals at school. Samuel and Benjamin performed in "ARF" a musical about a dog show. Benjamin was a bulldog and Samuel was a Kinder Pup!! Very cute and fun.

Jacob performed as a pirate as Blackbeard. Very fun play. He did a great job as a pirate. It also gave me some ideas for Girls Camp since my group are Pirates who seek great treasure. :)

I better get dinner going. Have a great day and stay dry!! :) Yesterday I got a sunburn today I got pelted with rain. :)

Duly Chastised Myself

2011-05-23T13:57:00.001-07:00

I made a goal to write at least twice to 3 times a week. Last week, I failed. It's not like I'm super busy like my Sis Marvelle. It's just that I was watching my Grand Nephew on Thursday and Friday and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I was preparing for the Combined Activity with the Young Men.

Cupcake Wars was a success I think. There is always room for improvement. I am just glad that I don't have to do it again for 6 months. :)

I've been watching Evan, my Grand Nephew? I think that is what he is. Anyway, he is super cute but very busy boy. I only have him for 3 1/2 hours and I am wore out afterwards. What is funny, is our super hyper dog, Misty, has finally met her match with him!! However, I did see him hugging her and feeding her fish crackers today so they must have come to an understanding!! LOL!!

Daniel survived the Boy Scout Camporee this weekend. The poor boy was so tired on Sunday. In fact all the deacons were!! That is primarily who does the Boy Scout thing in our Ward. We do have one boy, The Stake Presidents son who is working on getting his Eagle. Daniel will get his First Class soon. He just has to have a Scoutmaster review and then he's done. Yea!! He also finished off 2 more merit badges last week. Yea!!!

Britni went to the Temple on Saturday. It was a small group because of the Camporee but she had a good time and did a family name for Grandma Morgan.

Time to change over the never ending laundry!! Have a Happy Monday and I promise to repent and write more this week!! :)

Britni brought home the Gold while the boys brought home the Blues!!

2011-05-16T08:01:00.000-07:00

On Saturday the kids had their Piano Recital (Festival) in The Dalles. It's where the kids play 2 songs that they have learned and then get judged on them by a judge who also will teach them a few things after the group is done playing.

Benjamin ended up being in a level higher than he should of been but that did not deter him!! He did a great job for his first one and he even said it was kind of fun. We had a really nice judge this year. We have had him before and the kids all like him. He finished with a Blue Excellent Ribbon!! Great job Ben!

Next Jacob. He brought home a gold last year but this year even though he had all the note right it just wasn't very exciting for the judge. So he got a Blue Excellent Ribbon also.

Then Daniel. Daniel has been fighting Piano for awhile now. He is 13 so I expect some resistance the thing is that he is really good. He was playing in Priesthood all the time and he actually enjoys that. Daniel could have tried harder I think. He didn't give it his all in my opinion. The judge didn't either. He brought home a Blue Excellent Ribbon also!!

Now Britni. She has really improved this year. I think the syllabus that she did earlier this year and then playing at church has helped her relax a little bit. She was still pretty nervous. But she performed her pieces to perfection. The judge thought so too. (It doesn't hurt that she is so cute either!!) :) She brought home the Gold Superior Ribbon this year. This is her first one out of all the years that she has done this festival.

That was our excitement for the weekend. Well, we did BBQ in a Thunder storm on Saturday too. We had the missionaries over for dinner and the menu was BBQ Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. That was pretty exciting too!! :) Have a great Monday!

Modest Fashion Show

2011-05-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

Last night the Young Women put on a Modest Fashion Show and invited the Relief Society. It was very fun and a little stressful. Britni and her friend Lexy were in charge. It ended up just being Britni though because Lexy had to work last night. She did a great job. We ended up having only 4 girls actually walk in the fashion show but that's o.k. The rest helped in one way or another. We made an outline of a catwalk in the gym using the poles and plastic chain that we use for out Nativity every year. Then we had streamers in the doorway of the overflow for the girls to walk out of. They looked great. I'll post pictures when I get them. Our YW President took the pictures and also MCed it. I did the music and set up. The girls also performed a couple of dances. One from the dance festival last year and then the Hoedown Throwdown. They had 4 categories. Casual, Western, Fitness and Formal.

Next week, the Mia maids (me) are in charge of the combined with they Young Men. We are going to steal an idea from my Sister-in-law, Megan. Cupcake Wars. It should be fun.

Have a super day. :)

I am so Loved!! Mother's Day Weekend was AWESOME!!

2011-05-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

First off I have to say I have the best family EVER!!! My husband let me go to the beach with some of my girlfriends for an over nighter!! Talk about fun!! We laughed, we talked, we laughed some more!! It was great. Even though it was raining at the beach, it didn't matter to us. We walked in the rain, then shopped in the rain, and then ate in the rain!! It's all good!! :) We had a blast. We left Friday morning and came home Saturday night. I now feel rejuvenated and refreshed. I am happy!!

Then when I got home, the house was clean, the family was reading scriptures, there was Mother's Day Flowers on the table from Lynn. Then on Mother's Day, my kids gave me all their cards which was so cute. Benjamin ended the day with making 4 cards for me. 2 from church and 2 from school. Jacob and Samuel had forgotten theirs from school but made me 1 at church. Then Britni who feels gypped because she doesn't get to make Mother's Day cards at school or church made me a great card at home. And then Daniel who said he left his really good picture at school made me another one with the best saying on it. He drew and colored me a picture of mountains and then wrote on it in handwriting that I can actually read "I only regret that I can give you one gift." Isn't that sweet? He is the sweetest boy.

Then my one refusal of Mother's Day is that I won't make dinner. So Lynn and the kids made dinner that night. Blueberry pancakes and bacon and milk. Very yummy!!

Now it is Monday morning and laundry is calling along with cleaning up the house from yesterday. It's not that bad. I had no wind on my jogging this morning. I told Lynn that I felt like a real jogger until I was almost home and realized that I was actually wheezing instead of breathing!!! LOL!!

I better get to cleaning!! Have a super Monday!!!

Not all Spray Paint is Alike

2011-05-04T09:47:00.000-07:00

Today is a gorgeous day!! So I have been out spray painting my shelves and fixed my table that Britni spilled nail polish remover on. However, I have learned that not all spray paint is alike. I had 2 different brands. One was a Krylon 2x the coverage and the other was the HD brand that you get at Fred Meyer. The Krylon is the best!! It really does cover and lasts so much longer than the other brands. I never knew that it would be that much different. The shelves look great though. Britni says that I am going goth because I keep spray painting furniture black. She just doesn't realize how much better the furniture looks when painted. :) Besides the little table has a red top and black bottom. So it's not ALL black!! :)

As far as the family goes, not much going on since I last wrote. However, on Friday, I am going to the beach with some girlfriends. Just overnight. But I am so excited to just get away for a couple of days. Just to get out of town makes a difference in perspective.

I have started walking with a couple of girlfriends on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings. It's a great extra workout. We enjoy just being together and chatting and being outside. I still go jogging in the early morning. Today I actually came back 5 minutes earlier than usual. I must be getting stronger!! :) Yea!! Or it was just the fact that there was no wind this morning. That always makes a difference. It shouldn't but it does. I really don't like the wind.

I better get back to my projects for the day. The tulips are out. Spring is in the air. Love to you all!! :)

It's All About Britni and Daniel and Resolution Check

2011-05-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

Well, Britni has great news this weekend. She is officially out of debt and even has some money for her name. She says she is glad that we had done this so that she has learned what it is like to be in debt. She doesn't like it. That is good news. I never learned how to take care of money until recently. Also Britni got her hair cut on Saturday. It's really cute. She looks all grown up now. I'll post a picture.

Britni and Daniel went to the Pioneer Trek Winter Quarters activity and they had a lot of fun. Daniel was not happy that we were "making" him go. So we were so pleased and surprised when he came home happy and excited to go on the Trek!!! Yea!!! Britni went to a double stake dance on Saturday and didn't get home until after 1 a.m. When they have dances like that they should have them closer to home or more central so the kids can get home before midnight. That's my opinion on the matter.

Resolution check up for me!!

1. Losing weight - Nada!! I am still exercising and have even started jogging. My shoulder and arm keep getting hurt. My Nephew, David, is a chiropractor and he is coming to visit next month. I am hoping he can help.

2. Scrapbooks - I have completed the by hand for all the kids and I have been doing the digital and actually keeping up. I think. :)

3. Lynn's Mission Scrapbook - I have dug out the pictures that I have had developed and I have started his Scrapbook this weekend. He is so organized that he even has a notebook with the slide numbers in it and what is on each slide. So I have to go to each slide and figure out what picture it is and then label them. He is making it so difficult. I was hoping he can remember but I guess 20 years is a long time to remember people's names. At least he is organized. :)

4. Reading Ensign and Sunday School lessons - I have finished the Aprils Ensign however, I have been reading a couple of the S.S. lessons during the lessons on Sundays a couple of times. I'm still keeping up though which is good for me!! Yea.

5. Write on blog more. I am trying. I just don't have much to say sometimes. I am doing much better than before though.

I hope everyone has a super Spring day. No Wind this morning. I am going to spray paint a shelf today. Yea!! :)

Already Friday

2011-04-29T08:06:00.001-07:00

I think this week just passed me by or something. The weather has gotten better at least for today. Jacob has started 4-H Dog Obedience classes with his little dog Misty (she's the black one). I may end up doing Mandy (the white one) again. She still remembers a lot and it would be fun. They have a dog show at the Fair in August.

I went walking with a couple of friends yesterday. It is fun to go with friends. I have gone by myself for so long that I have forgotten. I still go jogging early morning before that though for our dogs. However, my neighbor has let her chickens loose in her yard and I have been jogging with dogs that don't have leashes on. So it will be interesting if they ever get in contact with each other. So far, I have been able to keep them away from each other.

The weekend will be busy again. Britni and Daniel have a Pioneer Trek Winter Quarters activity Saturday afternoon and Lynn and I will be going to the temple in the morning so the kids will have to find a ride to the activity.

Not much else has been going on. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Rain, Rain Go Away but make all my Garden Grow!!

2011-04-25T08:25:00.000-07:00

How come we can't have it both ways?? The rain helps the plants and garden grow yet it's not very fun to look outside and see it raining. However, it is better than snow and really hard wind. I did go jogging anyway this morning. I don't mind sprinkling rain and a little wind. Now the rain is harder so I'm glad that I went earlier this morning.

Friday and Saturday were beautiful. I worked outside on Friday. Weeding a flower garden and transplanting bushes. I even got a project done. I stained and painted a table in our living room. Now I'm waiting for another nice day to paint the book shelve that has my scrapbooks on them. :) Saturday Lynn and the boys worked outside doing the lawn and garden. We planted peas and carrots last week. We hope they survive. We never plant this early.

The Young Women are planning a Modest Fashion show. It was suppose to be this week but I guess the girls need more time so it is postponed for another few weeks. I hope they get everything together. This week will be a dress rehearsal of sorts. Britni and Lexy Knowlton are pretty much in charge of it. Good experience for the girls. Britni is learning the frustration of leadership and planning activities and not having them work out like you want them to.

I hope everyone has a super day. Praying for sunshine!! :)

Dating Divas

2011-04-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of the Dating Divas? They have a great website with lots of fun dating ideas. I have entered one of their contests. They are having one that give away the book The proper care and feeding of your husbands. My friend Janie, loves this book by Dr. Laura. She says it's great for helping our marriages. What is funny is Janie is remarrying in about a month!! She is a widow and the man she is marrying is a widower. They are perfect for each other though. I'm sure she will be digging out this book again. You can go to the Dating Divas website to enter also. http://www.thedatingdivas.com

Have a great day!! Spring is almost here!! I can see it now if I could just feel it. :)

Benjamin is a winner!!

2011-04-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

Well, all my kids are winners. But Benjamin won a snowman contest that his orthodontist was having. They had the tallest snowman, the smallest snowman and the most creative snowman. We made the tallest snowman and the smallest snowman on Christmas Eve. The results are now in!!! Drum Roll Please!!!

Benjamin won the Tallest Snowman at around 7 1/2 feet and the smallest at about 2 1/2 inches. Yes, he won both categories. What did the sweet boy win??? $100 a piece. Yep that's right!! He won $200. Can you believe that??? What a lucky kid!! I usually never win anything.

However, the last time Marvelle had a contest I actually won something which was great and then her friend, Barbara had a contest on her blog and I won that one too. Maybe we are just getting luckier in our family.

With all this luck, maybe I should buy a lottery ticket??? Nah!!! those never work!! :)

Have a great day.

I'm really not that busy!!

2011-04-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

I thought that since my cleaning jobs have dwindled that my life would slow down. But it hasn't. Now that Spring is upon us, I have outside chores to do when the weather is good of course. I am a fair weather worker when it comes to outside duty!!

Last night Lynn and the boys planted peas and carrots. We are trying something new this year and planting these early to see how they do. My rhubarb is also growing and the strawberry plants are getting green leaves. Our fruit trees have buds on them. I think this is the latest they have budded in years. They usually have flowers by now. I hope for more fruit this year!! I have started digging in my flower garden but alas no money to buy flowers so my tulip bulbs will have to do for now. I actually have a few blooming.

Britni was voted for Student of the Month in Leadership. She got a certificate and her picture in the newspaper and an Oh Henry bar. We think the Oh Henry bar is because our Principals name is Mr. Henry. :) However, High School can be rough. She was made fun of yesterday for her beliefs again. Keep Standing Strong!!!

A couple of the boys have Birthday parties this week to go to. Daniel has a campout on Friday/Saturday. He is almost done with 2 more merit badges too!! Yea!!!

Not much else going on. I hope everyone has a Happy Spring Day!! :)

4/15/11

2011-04-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a Relief Society day. I went visiting teaching in the morning and then we had a Relief Society meeting last night. It was on organizing. I'm actually not as messy as I though I was. But there is always more room for improvement.

As far as the kids go, there is not much to tell. Daniel and Jacob will be doing a lot of fund raising this weekend. A PUD car wash tonight and then they are directing people to park their cars at the Home and Garden show tomorrow.

The Cub Scouts are doing a Bicycle rally at one of the churches in town tomorrow too. So Benjamin and Samuel will be going to that.

Britni and I will be going to a wedding reception tomorrow night for a good friend of mine's daughter, Tiffany. I'm helping serve.

It will be a busy weekend. But everyone should have fun. Sprinkling today a little. I get to go do the car parking today. The things we do for our kids. :)

Have a great weekend everyone.

Slowing Down??? Never!!!

2011-04-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

This week there is not much on our calendar. I'm not sure if it's because the kids are not in sports this spring or if it's because my cleaning jobs have slowly gone on the decline. I guess it's time to get into a new line of work. Something more stable. But after Samuel is in school full time.

The spring weather is wonderful. I have little flowers blooming and my tulips are coming up slowly. The trees are even starting to bud.

The kids are back in school this week. They are starting to get trunky!! It happens after every Spring Break. Spring Break gives them a chance to feel what Summer will be like and they crave for Summer the rest of the school year.

Summer here we come!! :)

Spring Break

2011-04-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

Digital scrapbooking design created with Smilebox

Lynn's Birthday

2011-04-08T16:02:00.000-07:00

Today is my husbands Birthday!! We won't mention how old he is. He has been very busy today. He took the day off from work. The weather is so nice today that he is putting up the basketball hoop onto our garage. I bought him the basketball hoop the first Christmas we were living in this house. So it's been sitting in our garage for 10 years. The kids are finally big enough to enjoy the benefit of the hoop being on the garage.

Lynn is really the best man for me. I am so glad that I married him. He has so much patience and love. We balance each other!! Which is how it should be. :)

I have made him a New York Style Cheesecake for his Birthday cake!! We are BBQing with the Grandparents for dinner.

It's been the best Spring day as far as weather today. Very sunny and no wind!!! What a great day for a Birthday.

Yesterday he took the afternoon off and we went to the Bonneville Dam and toured it and watched the fish go up the ladder. Not too many fish this time of year. Then we drove to Multnomah Falls and climbed to the top. I made it about 3/4 of the way up. Everyone else made it all the way. How come I am the one that exercises every day but don't have the stamina to make it up to the top of a waterfall??? It was great exercise though and I met some nice people along my way. Daniel's comment to me was "Really, Mom, Do you have to talk to everyone?" I guess I take after Grandpa Morgan that way. We meet so many nice people. :)

It was a fun day. I hope everyone has a Super Spring Day!!!

Spring Break

2011-04-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

Well, to start off Spring Break, I won 2 giveaways on friends blogs. One of them my Sis-in-laws blog had a giveaway for Easter Banner and I won!! Yea!! And then her friend Barb had a giveaway and I won on her giveaway too. Now I found a new giveaway. It was posted as a sidebar on Barb's Heartstrokes Blog. This is on Ginger Creme Hollow Blog. She is giving away a very cute Mama Bunny and Baby. She has some really cute things for sale too.

Now for Spring Break. Today we have had snow and rain and wind. Hopefully the sun will come out soon. The kids have a big project of spreading gravel in our driveway this week. It is keeping them busy. The pile is slowly going down. We are also helping some friends pack up and move. The boys are working on their yard. They have 3 dogs!!! We plan on going to Bonneville Dam and maybe Multnomah Falls for a day of Fun on Friday. Hopefully no snow on that day. :) We watched Redbox movies last night. We watched Tangled. It was cute but pretty much a girlie movie. Tonight we are watching Tron: The Legacy. I'm sure that one will have enough action for my boys. :)

We hope everyone is having a great Spring Break!! :)

My Samuel is 6 years old today!!

2011-04-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

My Samuel was quite the surprise but a very happy, good surprise. The Lord always knows what we need. I can testify of that. Samuel is a very sweet and happy boy most of the time. He is a bit spoiled and because he is the baby it shows more, I think. But he is very loveable. He loves to hug. He was told yesterday by a friends Mom that he has manners. I'm glad he learned them. I'm not sure what happened to my other boys manners but at least he has some!! He loves to read and play the wii with his brothers. He loves to play with his brothers in general no matter what they are doing. He says some of the funniest things. Like "Is it Fast Sunday or Slow Sunday?" He can be bossy like some of his siblings. But he has the cutest laugh. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father blessed our family with one more little boy named Samuel. Happy Birthday!!!

Resolution checkup

2011-04-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

My Sister, Marvelle, always does this and it's a good way to keep on track with my goals so here is the check up on my goals for the year.

1. Lose 20 pounds. I started to may headway. I lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks. However, I hurt my shoulder and hasn't been able to exercise as much so I have since gained 3 of them back. So the roller-coaster continues. Today I'm back to exercising but no weights yet. Just jogging. It felt good!!

2.Scrapbook kids. I have finished all the kids scrapbooks by hand. I have started the digital scrapbooking world. IT is fun and easy. I just need to figure out how to get them printed cheaply.

3. Work on Lynn's Mission Scrapbook. I have thought a lot about it. But I haven't even pulled out the pictures yet. You do realize that he had over 400 slides and I have only gotten 200 of them printed out so I can scrapbook them. Who takes 400 slides on their mission??? :)

4. Read Ensign and Sunday School lesson. I have been pretty good at this. Some Sunday mornings I am reading the Sunday School lesson. And I read the Ensign on Sundays mostly too. But I have a month to read that!! :)

5. Writing on Blog more often. Oh Yea!! I have been doing that and I'm enjoying. Even though I still feel a little awkward with this. I'm hoping the more I do it the more comfortable I will be at it.

Very excited for General Conference. I can't wait to hear what the prophets have to say to us this time.

Also Samuel's 6th Birthday is Sunday. He's having a Soccer ball cake. He took cupcakes to school to share with his class today.

And Also Spring Break with Lynn's Birthday in the middle of it all!! Wow, Busy times!! Have a great day!! It's so beautiful here today. I hope everyone has a little bit of spring today!! Love to you all!! :)

March 31st - Where's the Lamb??

2011-03-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

We had a snow storm at the beginning of the month of March so I was hoping for it to be nice weather today. I guess it's kind of nice. At least the 50 mile an hour wind is warm. :) O.k. I am exaggerating a little bit. It's too windy to walk the dogs though. I would rather walk/jog forward than be pushed backwards!! LOL

For those of you not on Facebook. Monday night my shoulder decided to give give me lots of pain. My clavicle is out of place or something like that. I went to my chiropractor thanks to Valerie's husband, David (who is a chiropractor). I wasn't sure what to do about it and he told me that the chiropractor could help me. It's going to be a slow process but it's slowly getting better.

Besides the pain of the shoulder, I am really bummed to not be able to exercise like I have been doing. I was finally losing weight. I have since gained the 4 pounds back. How come you can gain weight so fast but losing takes forever!!!! Oh Well!!

Today is Parent/Teacher Conferences. It will be interesting, I'm sure. Every time I say I have 5 parent/teacher conferences. I think "I really have that many children?" It's kind of weird to think about sometimes.

This week is Spirit Week at school. Today was crazy day. The boys were crazy!! Except for Daniel. His idea of craziness is spike his hair. That's it. The other boys not only spiked their hair but added purple spray to it also and then wore all their clothes backwards!! They are having fun!! That's what it is all about!!

I better get going. Lots to do. Mostly folding laundry!! Never ending!! Have a super day!!

Pretty Dogs and Fun Weekend!!

2011-03-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

Our dogs were groomed today. I didn't think that Mandy could be so white. I just took Misty to Dog Town which is a place where I can wash her myself. She sure gets fluffy. Not as fluffy as Mandy though. :)

We had a pretty good weekend. Lynn, Daniel and Jacob went on a Boy Scout campout. Daniel said it was the best campout ever. Even though he fell and bruised his toe pretty good. But they climbed to the top of a very big hill at the park which was a great accomplishment.

Jacob was sick Saturday night after he got back though. I think it was just from the lack of sleep from the passed few nights. Samuel ended up coming home with an earache from Church on Sunday. He still has the earache but no fever which is good. He wanted to go to school today because it is Spirit week at school this week and today was Costume day.

I changed our Direct Tv to a lower package. The kids are not happy with me. But we have the essentials BYU TV and ESPN. We save about $30.00 a month. That's good since my cleaning jobs are getting fewer and far between anymore.

We are having great weather today. I hope it keeps up. I love spring weather. I had my first Hummingbird today but I didn't have any food out. So I quickly filled it up. I hope he returns. :)

Boy Scout Campouts!!

2011-03-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

Boy Scout Camp Out tonight at Deschutes Park. Lynn doesn't enjoy camping very much. Especially when rain is predicted for tonight and tomorrow. It's not even a real camp out in the woods. It's at a park!! He should get used to them though since he has 4 boys. Jacob needs to go to this camp out for his Arrow of Light so that means Lynn gets to go as well. Jacob is so excited. He hasn't slept well for 2 nights now. :) Daniel the professional Boy Scout Camper in our household is preparing everyone. :) So that means 2 boys and 1 husband gone tonight. Sooooo, I'm going on a girl night out with Diana Brokaw to dinner, movie and shopping and leaving Britni with the youngun's at home. I know I'm terrible!!! But it will be fun!!!

Great Weekend and Crazy Weather

2011-03-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

Lynn and I had a great weekend in Portland. We did a temple session then initiatory and then we went to the Olive Garden for a Linner and then went shopping!! Oh Yea!! Then on Saturday we did Sealing Team at the temple which was really cool. Our sealer could speak many languages and a family joined our sealing team who spoke Portuguese. The Sealer did the Sealings all in Portuguese. It was so cool. The Sealer wasn't even suppose to be there that day but was called in to work. The Lord always knows what needs to be done!! It was a miracle for those people. Then we did more shopping and came home.

Between Daniel and Britni, the kids were taken care of and the house was even somewhat clean when we got home. While we were gone though, it snowed. We had rain in Portland. But the snow melted by the time we got home. Then our Welcome to Spring started with Snow and then rain and then wind and then sun. We just had it all.

Of course all the kids and my husband were very excited by the BYU Game on Saturday. Jimmer Mania is still alive here. :)

Now I need to do the budget after such a great weekend. I am so grateful for tax returns at this time of year. :) It keeps us in the black a little longer. :)

Weekend Fun!! Oh Yea!!!

2011-03-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

Lynn and I are finally going on our Anniversary Weekend to Portland. It's almost a month late. I really thought that we wouldn't be going at all. It just seems that there is always something going on. So we will be going to the Temple a lot and shopping a lot and probably going to a movie!! We'll also be eating really good food!! Oh Yea!!! :) I'm just starting to lose weight again so I'm going to have to be careful to not gain it all back!! But I'm still excited for a get away!

Better go now. BYU won and the kids are begging for the computer. We really need to get a laptop one of these days. :) Have a great weekend all!!

Girls Camp Psych Night

2011-03-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to write for a couple of days now. Saturday we had our Girls Camp Psych Night. This is a night where the Stake Camp Director puts together a bunch of stuff to help the girls get PSYCHED to go to camp. It is always fun and there is always good food. The YCL's do a skit to introduce the theme for Girls Camp. This year it is We Seek After These Things. I am going as the 4th years Unit Leader. Britni is so lucky!!! :) I only had 3 girls there however. We split up into our groups and play a get to know you game and then certify off a few things that won't be done at camp. I don't have a certification leader yet so I had to do the certifying. I felt like I was in Boy Scouts!!! :) I had to teach them what to do with a broken bone and how to transport someone. We also pick out what our group is going to be at camp. We are going to be Pirates seeking after Treasure which will be the scriptures. The girls thought of it. It will be fun. I can do pirates!! :)

Britni's school is having state testing for the next few days so she doesn't have to be to school until 11:30 a.m. She has to take the testing when she is in 10th grade. So next year.

The boys are being boys. The weather has been nice so there has been a lot of soccer and basketball playing outside which is nice. Not much else going on.

Have a great day everyone!!

Jimmer Mania!!

2011-03-10T09:07:00.000-08:00

That's right. Our household is in the throws of Jimmer Mania!!! We have listened to his songs and have found t-shirt decals but haven't bought them yet. We watch every BYU Basketball game. We watched the True Blue Special last night about Jimmer Fredette. I'm sure posters will be coming out soon and the boys will have to have one. I love his interviews though. He is so humble and shy about it all. He loves Basketball and he knows he's been blessed with this talent. Britni loves the fact that he keeps talking about getting married in the temple and having a family. :) Girls!!! :) So yes we have been JIMMERED!! What will we do when the Jimmer Mania ends? Listen to more "TEACH ME HOW TO JIMMER"!!! :)

Piano and Book Fair

2011-03-09T10:37:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to think what our family has been doing this passed few days. On Saturday Britni had a Syllabus piano recital. It's where she learns 2 pieces by heart and then knows another piece that she can use her music and also has to know certain scales and piano theory and also has to be able to sight read music. She said that her scales for some reason were not together like they should have been but the pieces were beautiful. She plays for one person who then evaluates how she did and gives her a certificate. She earned a Successful which is good her teacher said. Her teacher also said that it will help her know how to teach Britni better. Britni is still trying to get out of lessons and learn the hymns on her own but if she quits the lessons then Daniel will want to quit. Daniel has been trying to quit for a year now. Daniel is just getting good enough to play in Priesthood meeting every other week or so. He even will just go to the piano and play the hymns on his own which I love. There is no way we will let them quit when they are so close to the end.

The boys school had a Book Fair this week. I love the fact that they love books. I know that the money they spent there will help the school so I don't mind so much them using their own money for it. However, when Daniel tells me that he bought 3 pens that were 2.00 each. I just cringed!! And then he buys the 4th book of Diary of a Wimpy kid and reads it during recess and finishes it in one day!!!! Oh Well, I'm glad he loves reading so much. I just wish he knew how to budget his money so it will last longer!!!

I hope everyone has a super day. We have Red Breasted Robins in our yard today. Spring is coming I just know it!!! :)

Daniel is 13 years old today

2011-03-04T08:26:00.000-08:00

Time really does fly when you have lots of kids. :) Daniel is 13 years old today. Daniel has always been fun. He's always been active. I never realized how much energy sports takes out of kids until Daniel. He has no sports right now and is bouncing off the walls. Almost literally. He is silly yet serious. He loves to play "war" with his brothers. He loves the History and Military channel. He loves to play his Nintendo DSi and Wii and his computer games. He loves to play basketball and soccer. He loves to play board games too. However, the best thing that he loves to do which I can't really get on him about is READ. He loves to read. He stays in at recess and reads. Yes, they have a recess in middle school. That's how tiny Centerville School is. He secretly loves to play the piano. I know he does because his teacher asked me last week how often he is practicing and then said how happy she was with the improvement he made on all his songs this week with such a short practice time. He fulfills his Priesthood duties and also fills in when someone slacks. Daniel is a good boy and we are proud to have him as our son!! :) Have a Happy Birthday Daniel!!!

What was I Thinking!!!!

2011-03-02T08:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday ended up being a snow day for all my kids. We got a lot of snow. I am grateful for the moisture but I would rather have rain. Anyway, one of Daniel's friends calls in the morning and asks to come over. Daniel doesn't get this friend to come over very often because they live so far away from each other. All was fine with 5 boys and 1 girl in the house. Then a "friend" of Samuel's calls. He lives close by. Samuel says he doesn't really like this friend but the friend wanted to come over anyway. And then his brother wanted to come over too. So that makes 7 boys in the house and 1 girl in the house. Well I guess you could say 2 girls because I was home all day too. They played outside for a bit. Daniel got an early birthday present New Snow boots. The boys feet just keep growing. I hope he will still fit in them next year. Then it was T.V., Computer and Wii the rest of the day. However, I only had the brothers here for 2 hours. So 2 hours of 7 boys then back to 5 boys. There was so much Testosterone in this house you could have fueled the whole BYU Basketball team 10 times over!!!! :) They all had a fun day!! I found Britni a book to read so she read her book all day and I hid and read my book most of the day and worked on scrapbooks. Good thing we don't have these days very often. Today everyone is at school!! Yea!!! Now to clean out closets for the Goodwill Good Turn Bags!! :) Have a super day!

It's Spring????? I guess not!!

2011-02-28T12:42:00.000-08:00

Today's weather started out raining and windy. Within an hour it started snowing. It snowed so hard and the flakes were so big that we accumulated about 2 inches in 2 hours. I am glad to report that it has stopped snowing since. I hope and pray for Spring now.

I found a new diet/fitness tool website. It's free!! And it works just like the Weight Watcher tools online!! But It's FREE!!! It's myfitnesspal.com. If you want to join let me know and I will send you a link so we can be friends and check up on each other. It has a lot of food in the database plus you can plug in your recipes and it will calculate the calories. So far I have only lost 1 pound but they recommend only losing 1 pound a week. So I guess I am doing good. It also takes into account your exercise and adds that to your calories for you. It's a great site!! And IT'S FREE!!!

I love FREE!!!

16 Years Together and Counting

2011-02-24T13:22:00.000-08:00

Today is our 16th Anniversary. Boy how time flies when you are having fun. I remember those days as happy times. Being so young and full of hopes and dreams. We have been blessed with so much. I married the most patient amazing man ever. He really does put up with a lot. I'm truly grateful that he does. I don't think I could live without him. He is my best friend. He balances all of my inadequacies which are a lot. We have great kids too. Thanks to him. He is so good to me. Our plans for our Anniversary??? We are going to Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet tonight. :) What a great way to celebrate an Anniversary. With your family and friends. :) We usually have a weekend getaway but this year there is just too much going on in order to get it together. Maybe next month sometime we can make a date for it. :)

I love you Lynn!!

2/22/11

2011-02-22T08:38:00.001-08:00

I know I should blog since I have a goal to blog 3 times a week at least. So I am writing but I am really not sure what to write. Our family seems to be doing well. Lynn did Personal Interviews with the kids on Sunday. Some of them really needed it. I'm not sure if it did much good though. :)

How do you get a boy to do his merit badges when he doesn't want to do them? How do you get your boy to do his Boy Scout requirements when he doesn't want to do them?

That is the big question of the day for me. Daniel is fighting the Boy Scouting. Do we let him exert his agency or do we force him to get his Eagle??? We would like all the boys to get their Eagle before they can drive. Britni got her Personal Progress Medallion before she turned 15. Daniel could get really close to getting his Eagle if he really tries. But he just doesn't want to. What is a great motivator?? I'm not sure. I've tried Blizzards. A Blizzard for every 5 merit badges he completes. Maybe I should lower it to 3. He does have 3 merit badges done. I guess we just need to sit down with him and talk about Boy Scouting and try to convince him why Boy Scouting is so good for you and why he should do it and hopefully he will make up his mind to do it??? That is such a scary thing though. To let you kids use their agency. Hmmmm!! Something to think about today.

Spring is coming??? I think.

2011-02-18T08:49:00.000-08:00

I woke up with what looked like little white snow flakes on the ground this morning. Yet the geese are still out at our pond. I will attach pictures so you know what a great view I have every Spring. The Canadian Geese come every January/February and they settle across the road in the little makeshift pond. The reason it is makeshift is because by June it will be dried up until next winter. :) We also get some fun looking ducks there too. I think there are at least a few Mallard Ducks along with some pretty white ones. I love to watch them swim the little stream that goes right by the road to the pond.

What is funny this year is when I take my dogs for their morning walk they start to sniff towards the pond. I think if I let them, they would have a blast chasing the geese and ducks away. Especially our little black dog. She is so hyper and energetic. I wish I could bottle her energy. I could use it right now.

The family activities are slowing down. I think this Spring we will just enjoy spending time as a family until all the Summer Activities come along. I love our family!! Enjoy your day!! :)

O.K. There are no pictures attached because I just went out to take the pictures and my camera for some reason didn't take them. :( I will have to use Britni's camera tomorrow. The geese were all gone anyway. They fly in at night and leave in the morning. I love the sound when they fly over the house. That's when you know it is Spring!!