So, this happened, finally!

 We finally got the pix done!  These are "outtakes", but they are a few of my faves!  This first one was, the moment it happened, the one that I knew would be my favorite but not one to put on an announcement.  It's Quayd at his loudest, biggest, bestest laugh!  He'd been doing "manly" poses and broke out in laughter!  Shortly after that, I dropped my camera battery on the ground, ZJ picked it up and told me she found it, and I responded, "Oh!  I dropped it from my boobs!", just as a jogger ran by brought about this laugh.  The jogger said, "Good to know.  Good to know."  Lots of laughs!

I like the "tunnel" effect.  He's so cute!  I heart this boy!

 

We did a mission pix, as well, for his announcement.  This one, with the temple in the background, makes me cry.  Oh my heck, I love him!

 

Since I had a cute helper along, I had to take a few of her, as well.

 

Good times!  Life is good!

gettin' 'er done!

It's 2:51PM.  I've been at my desk since 7:12 this morning, but I'm getting the job done.  There was some paperwork that needed done for Quayd's mission president, some insurance documents that needed to be verified, some tax stuff that needed looking at (Our county assessor gave themselves a 20% raise on taxes since we purchased it 17 months ago... really?), some bills to be paid and then there was the matter of Quayd's Seminary Graduation... which apparently, he missed last night.

This weekend was a blur of running from one event to another.  Most important on the list was the afternoon Stake Priesthood Meeting, in which, Quayd was sustained to become an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Ironically, of all meetings ever, Grace was asked to sing along with one other girl from our ward and two boys, in that meeting.  A first that I'm aware of... two young women singing at Priesthood Meeting.  I was thrilled, however, because as her mom, I was able to be present to hear her sing.  They did a wonderful job!  Our Stake President invited us six women (two moms, Zee, the two girls singing and the accompanist) to stay for the entire meeting, if we'd like.  (On a side note:  I, personally, am happy not to hold the priesthood.  I will take holding Doug, who is my priesthood, anytime to all of the responsibility that he has!  Enough said about that!)  Anyway, we were able to hear the girls sing and I got to be there to see my son called to the stand to be sustained as an Elder! Happiness!  Joy, Joy!!

Following the meeting, we "womenfolk" left the men there for the rest of their meeting and I came home to prepare dinner.  Doug had seen a commercial for a "taco pizza" and had mentioned it a few times, so I made a homemade taco pizza.  He was so happy!  Everyone ate until they didn't even want dessert!  We had decided to spend the evening together as a family watching the movie, "Lincoln".  Just as we were seated, Quayd got a text from one of the guys in the ward, "Where are you?  It's Seminary Graduation."  We all looked at each other like, "HUH?" because Quayd still has one more week of Seminary.  He's in Smithfield Seminary, not Logan High.  So, we assumed that Quayd would graduate with the Skyview High Seminary Grads.   We just watched our movie and planned that next week would be his event.

This morning, I got a call from the High Councilor in our stake who will be present when Quayd is officially ordained as an Elder.  We were trying to get that scheduled and I wondered about the time of day that Smithfield Seminary is going to be held.  A few phone calls later, I learned that it was last night too! No one had told us and WE MISSED IT!  Annnnd, Quayd was supposed to graduate with his ward, not his Seminary.  Good to know!  A day late.  Oops.  And so.  Quayd will be an official Seminary Graduate who did not have to do the whole graduation ceremonial walk.  When he called from school today and I told him, "Good news and Bad news", he was quite content that he didn't have one more meeting that he'd had to sit in last night.  He graduated, that's all that mattered to him.  I'm thinking, I'll put together a little graduation ceremony for him at home next weekend.  Another reason to party, right?

Quayd has not been working many hours this past few weeks, but he's had plenty on his plate! He spent much of the weekend working on memorizing some things that his mission president suggested he arrives with in his mind.  He's done great!  He now knows "The First Vision" scriptures by memory, as well as the Baptismal commitment and the purpose of his mission.  I heart this boy and his great attitude and enthusiasm about serving the Lord.  He really is excited.  In the meantime, we are slowly picking up this and that from his "Needs" list.   

We were both thrilled to have one big need arrive in the mail from my dear friend, Susan, in Ohio.  She sent Quayd this wonderful satchel because missionaries no longer use back packs.  He loves it!  I love it!  We both appreciate it!  Susan had bought the same one for her own grandson who is serving and she knows that it's proven to be a great one!

This afternoon, we are going to get his photos taken, for his graduation announcements.  We've been trying for weeks.  Between the weather and his schedule, it's just not happened.  Today, when I mentioned that today is THE day, he had other ideas, but today, IS the day.  He conceded!  We are running out of time!  Life is wonderful and good!

yagottaluvher

Zee us home sick.  She's got the flu that I had 48 hours ago.  She's finally sleeping, after being up all night long and trying most of the day to be comfortable enough to relax.  An hour ago, she was curled up on the chair in my bedroom, being Zee.  Zee... my happy, even when she's sick, humorous girl.  I was at my desk, trying to study my lesson for Sunday, so I had the computer open and started typing as the conversation continued. Here's the "saved" part of the conversation: 

Z:  Mom, I'm dying.  

Me:  Please don't die today.  I'm busy.  

Z:  It's happening.  I see the light.  I'm seeing it right now.  

Me: Don't die today, please.  I'm really busy.  

Z:  It's too late.  Kiss me goodbye, Mom.  

Me:  Don't die. Not today.  

Z:  I need to go skydiving really quick.  

Me:  Why?  I thought you were dying.

Z: It's on my bucket list and I can't kick the bucket until I've sky-dived.  

Me:  Good, you'll have to wait another day.  

Z:  It's true.  But, I'm dying.  Unicorns really exist.  I'm looking at them right now.  

Me:  Oh, good to know.  

Zee:  I feel like I've been skinned and I think I'm bring rubbed in hand-sanitizer.

Me:  I hate it when that happens.

Zee:  I think I need to go to the hospital.  Then, I can be cured.  Would that be expensive? 

Me:  Yeh, we have enough hospital bills already.

Z: Maybe I should go to the hospital and have anesthetic to put me out of my pain.  Is that legal?  Feeling better shouldn't be so expensive.

Me:  Yeh, anything medical is expensive.

Zee: Why do the doctors make everything so expensive so that I have to suffer?  Are you aloud to buy anesthetic machine?  Is that legal?

Me:  Probably not.

Z:  Yeh, you're probably right. But, I'm really dying now.

Me:  Love you, goodbye.  It was fun knowing you.  

Z:  I had my first kiss three weeks ago.  

Me: You WHAT?  

Z:  Just kidding, I needed something to confess before I died.  

Me:  Lucky for you!

Z: Buy something for Grace with my $500 kiss money. Wait.  I was just kidding.  I think you should bring ___ over to give me my first and last kiss before I die.  

Me:  Okay, I'll call him right now.

Z, starting to sing her own version of Bohemian Rhapsody: "Mama, I'm dying.  Shivers down my spine.  My body's aching all the time. cough-cough.  Too late, my time is come.  The light is shining bright.  I can see my ancestors eyes.  Goodbye, everybody, I've got to run and Quayd didn't clean the bathroom." 

She went on but I was laughing to hard to keep typing.

 

Dramatic much?  Yagottaluvher!

all sorts of crazy

Well... I'm trying.  That counts!  I fear that my blog has moved to the bottom of my priority list until Quayd is out of here!

So.  A quick update of my last week...  I've not even had time to write it down, let alone blog about it!

Last weekend, Doug and I had a fun double date with Alan and Jill.  We went out for dinner at Black Pearl, then came home and played our new game, "Idiot".  Good times!

I have been to the high school more times than I can count, taking care of things for graduation and delivering kids here and there for activities.  It's definitely the end of the school year and having a Senior only intensifies it!  Next week is Quayd's last week!  CRAZY!  He's been very stressed with all that is expected at the end of the year.  Mission prepping and graduating at the same time are overload!  FUN TIMES, but seriously, it's a lottalotta.

As I was driving home on the high road from the high school, I literally, had to pull over, take this photo and say a prayer of gratitude for this beautiful valley that we live in!

Sunday, Doug gave his first official High Council talk in another ward.  We all attended the ward.  It was a beautiful meeting.  Doug forgot to text me the time that it began.  He had meetings at 8:30AM, then the Sacrament Meeting for the ward that he is assigned to, then the Sacrament Meeting for the ward that he was speaking in. The kids and I took a wild guess and went at 11 because he's mentioned something about 11ish.  I peeked in and saw that Doug was on the stand. We walked in late, as a hymn was being sung (the hymn that I thought was an opening hymn), and had to sit on the front. We realized that the meeting was almost over, not just beginning.  I was horrified to be late, but didn't want to miss his talk! (Early is on time!!!)  As the song ended, another man stood to speak.  We were in the wrong meeting... it was his assigned ward, not the speaking ward.  So, we sat through the end of that meeting and I was so grateful that we did, because the speaker, another high councilor, gave the most incredible talk.  The kids were on the edge of their seats.  Beautiful!

As soon as the meeting ended, Doug made his way down to us to say hello.  He apologized for not texting and I apologized for barging in late. Oops.  We sat down and waited for the next Sacrament Meeting to begin.  Doug gave a beautiful talk and again, we were grateful to be there.  After that meeting, we came home to our own ward and finished up the meetings there.   Sunday evening, we had a relaxing evening at home without Doug, who was in meetings until 9PM.  He'd wanted me to attend a class at 6 with him, but I couldn't be in two places at once and that particular night, I was more needed with the kids.  Some days, it's harder than others, and most days, I can arrange to be everywhere at once.  I felt bad to miss an opportunity to be with Doug.

Another highlight this week was a date with Trace and Ann, who we've not seen, all four of us together, since the day that they were released from the Bishopric.  I can see the bond that these two good men have formed.  I'm thankful for my time with Ann, anytime!  We enjoyed a nice dinner at Texas Roadhouse and good conversation.  Never long enough!  Good times!

Also, this past few days has included several doctor appointments.  Doug had a one inch sheet of plywood fall off the trailer and karate chopped his big toe a month ago.  In our 39 years of marriage, I could count, on one hand, the times that Doug has ever said, "I need to see a doctor."  Monday afternoon, we drove together for him to see a doctor who removed his toenail, which had die.  Before and after, as always, Doug has never complained!

We've also been to the eye doctor.  Both Quayd and Grace have had issues with their new contacts.  Quayd will not be taking contact lenses on his mission.  He will need glasses.  He hates glasses!  I think that once he sees the other Elders wearing them, he'll be fine with it, but he is so not amused about not wearing contacts.  (Which is really kind of ironic because all he does is complain that his eyes hurt when he has them on.)  We ordered their new glasses yesterday and they should be here within a week.  Grace's are adorable on her.  Quayd got nerdier glasses, but he liked them, so that's all that matters.

The weather has been delightful!  Windows open at night.  Flip flops, which my foot thanks me for every day.  Capris.  Spring has finally arrived!  (But, as sure as I say that, we'll get another spring snow-storm!

I am teaching Young Womens on Sunday.  I'm so excited to share a lesson about patriarchal blessings.  I've been reading and studying it for weeks.  Doug teases me about how much I study whenever I speak or teach.  It's not for the lesson.  It's for me!  My favorite thing about teaching is selfish... I learn the most!

We have tomatoes on the front porch, ready to plant in our front yard, where we are going to try to create a little salsa garden.  I'm scared to death of the thought of a garden in the front flower beds, but with all of the trees in the back, we'll never grow a thing.  It's they only thing that I don't love about this home... no garden space, but... priorities matter here.  We ate our last quart of homemade salsa a few weeks ago and we neeeeeeeeeeeeeed  a garden because homemade salsa is a staple in this home!  And I love our beautiful shady beautiful back yard, so front yard salsa garden it is!  A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!  And I "gotta" have my husband plant tomatoes so we can have salsa!

Life is so dang good!

a serious conversation

Over the past few weeks, I've been reading a lot and studying a lot and pondering a lot.  A lot.  In the middle of everything that is happening in our world, one of the best things is that I'm preparing lessons for the Young Women!  And I love love love to teach the gospel! 

One thing that I've always done with my kids is that whenever I feel impressed to share a "deep thought", I call them together, no matter what we are doing and just share the feelings from my heart.  They listen politely and get back to whatever they were doing.  It's amazing to me, how many times they will mention that a thought I'd shared came to them, even a year later.  (Grace had that happen just a few weeks ago.)

So.  This week,  the kids had come in, after school, and gotten their afternoon munchies and were about their own business.  I had been thinking all day about something I'd read.  I called everyone upstairs to my room.  They all gathered... Quayd on the chair and ottoman, Grace on our bed, Zee dramatically dropped to the floor.  I said, "I have something to share."  They are used to this. 

I began... "I do not care if I drop dead on the floor in two minutes.  I do not care if Dad drops dead two minutes later next to me.  I don't care if both dogs drop dead two minutes after that.  I do not care if the house goes up in flames and burns to the ground two minutes after that.  Just remember this and never ever ever ever forget it.  This life is a test divinely designed for each of us to know if we want the Kingdom of God more than anything else.  No matter what happens in life, no matter what, no matter how, no matter when, every single challenge or test or trial that we have is for our betterment.  Every experience is designed to help us learn and to help us grow.  Heavenly Father knows what's ahead.  We do not.  Every challenge is preparing us for something that lies ahead.  Every challenge makes us stronger. Every challenge is for our benefit, no matter how badly it hurts as it happens.  Someday, we can look back and understand more and know that we grew from it.  We don't have to like it.  But, we do have to grow from it.  Does everyone understand that?"

They all sat there looking at me in silence.  Quayd finally spoke and said, "Mom?  Is there something you need to tell us?  Are you okay?  Has something happened?"  I said, "No.  Everything's fine.  No one has died.  No one's house has burned to the ground.  Al is well."  Quayd said, "Good." Then I said, "You might need to share that message while you are on your mission though."  He said, "Okey dokey then.  Thanks, Mom."  And they all left.  End of story.

It's strange, how this works.  But, I felt impressed to share it.  They'll remember it.  Hopefully, it will come back to them when they need to hear it.

Life is good... even when we are challenged.

a fun run!

I just got in from a most fun overnighter at the cabin.  Originally, the plan was for me to go up with Alan and Jill, yesterday, make lunch for them while they worked, give my opinion on a few things and come home.  However, while on our Sonic Run, Carol and I decided to take a drive up together, spend the night and come home today instead.  We literally didn't pack any food, other than the ground beef and rice that I was making for lunch.  We just loaded a bag with cards, games and our pajamas, and hit the road.

We stopped at the grocery store in Soda Springs, bought $100 worth of food for the remainder of the lunch fixings, Diet Coke, ice and treats then headed on to the cabin.  Carol was wearing capris and flipflops.  Alan who arrived an hour ahead of us, texted, "Bring your snow boots!"  a little late for that!  We arrived at the cabin in the snow and wind and C-O-L-D!  Carol put her socks on and had the thong of her flipflops between her toes with socks.  It was so funny!  I would be in trouble if I showed the whole picture! ha!

We made lunch,checked out the cabin restoral and then Carol and I went back over to the loft where it was warm and cozy for a very lot of cokes (is that even close to proper grammar?), more cards and Quixx than we can say.  I won 2/3 Quixx games.  We kept score because I think that Carol always wins, but apparently not.  We played a ton of a "Trim" type game and she introduced me to another card game that I can't get enough of called "Idiot".  However, because I kept winning it with getting all of the lucky cards, she pulled five of the eight of them out to "level the playing field.  Apparently, it worked because I didn't win nearly as much after that."  When we play, we never care who wins, playing is all that matters!

We stayed up until well after 2, just talking until we were both dozing off on each other.  We talked about our families. We each named the other's siblings and all of their kids and even some of their kids' kids.  Our families are sooooooo different from each other! Carol's family is very close and they share so many similar interests.  My mother and brother and I could not be any more opposite and Doug's family are equally opposite, in different ways.  Doug's family are not game players, they are not party people and are much more introverted.  Doug's family is very musical, conservative and super "natural" or "health-minded".  Carol has a family of joggers and cyclist, but they live to celebrate every day with fun foods and so many huuuge creative activities together and often.  Doug's family are more hikers and gardeners, they are not big talkers and definitely don't like to party just for a party's sake.  Doug has become more like I am, in that way... he enjoys our gatherings and games and loves the laughter that they bring.  And my family... well... we just don't get together at all.  Period.  One thing that Doug's family does share with Carol's is that they are all very solid in the gospel.  So interesting.  Carol and I, although we come from such different backgrounds, yet, we read each other's minds much of the time and laugh more than any two people I know when we are together and have more in common that could ever be listed.  Our friendship is a gift.

As we were falling asleep (and it was 1:45AM, so my mind was shutting down), I could not for the life of me, remember the name of one of my nieces or nephews children.  Because we don't get together often with Doug's family,  I have possibly seen this child three times.  I knew the child's name but lost it.  It was on the tip of my tongue.  As I was just about asleep, it came to me!  I called it out!  Carol, half asleep in her bed, mumbled, "Well done."  z-z-z-z-z-z  hah!

Years ago, shortly after Jon passed away, Carol and I took all of our kids to the cabin.  We stopped at a little store in Soda and found these reusable plastic showercap type things to put over a bowl or watermelon.  Madi was about twelve at the time, that age where everything parents do embarassess them to death!  We bought the plastic things and put them on our heads, walking around the store (where we were confident that we didn't know anyone!) and Madi was horrified!  Last night, we found some more of them, and this morning, we put them on our heads to take a pic and send to Madi with "Ready to go shopping!"(These were much smaller which makes them look even dorkier!  It's wonderful to have a friend that you can be totally ridiculous with and still "respect each other in the morning."

 
Today, we awoke at about 8:30 to much better weather!  We played more games, ate bagels and strawberry cream cheese, played some more until noon, when we packed up, cleaned up, then headed home with a stop for lunch and a few others on our way to the valley.  We were home just as the kids were coming in from school.  A great day's outing and we did pretty good for being "spontaneous!"   Who could not love being at the ranch!?

The cabin progress is coming along so well.  Because of the mold stains and damage, after they were soda/sandblasted and dried, the logs have had to be whitewashed.  The cabin has a completely different feel without the honey colored logs but I've been on pinterest checking out "White Log Cabins" and there are some pretty amazing examples.  I think that, although it will be a total contrast to what it was, it will be a "different kind of beautiful".  We are just excited to see it done! It really is beautiful, but it takes some getting used to, indeed. Here's a few pix.

 From the landing, looking down into the great room.  The flooring is coming right along!

 Looking into the kitchen from the great room.

They made huge progress on the cabinets while we were next door playing!

The new ceiling fan is huuuuuuge!

The master bedroom seems so tiny being empty.  It's hard to believe that the king size bed was in this room with plenty of space to spare.  We kept commenting on how small it felt, but we know it's not.  ???

 upstairs dorm room

 another upstairs bedroom

It's really looking great!  I've got carpet samples here to visit with Doug's mom about and that should take a few weeks.  There is still no water, and the bathrooms need a lot of work still, but it's happening!  They are doing a fantastic job!  Doug was so happy to see the pix when I showed him this afternoon!

I came home just as the kids were coming in from school.  Life got right back to "real"... "Mom, can I go here?  Mom, did you do this?  Did you do that?  Mom, I need this...."  Sandwiches for Doug and he was off to his meetings.  The girls were off to do their things and Quayd and I were busy making some plans for his senior pictures and haircuts and and and...   My phone was filled with texts and messages and the hot tub was screaming my name!  I do love my life!  Busy, crazy and blessed!  Those three words describe it best!  Life is good!!!

the big picture

I'm heading to the cabin today to see the progress on the renovation.  The floors are going in and then the cabinets.  It's finally coming together!  Excitement!  We are hoping to be able to take a weekend trip up to the ranch as a family before Quayd leaves for California. It would be awesome to stay in the cabin instead of the loft, but either way, we'll be celebrating! We'll see when we can squeeze it into our crazy schedule between now and mid-July.  Right now, I'm not seeing when, but we'll try make it work!

So, today's thought is short and sweet.  I've been dealing with a lot right now and some of it has not been pleasant. (and it's not Kelly.  We've not heard from her in almost a year and a half.  Although, that's a hurt of it's own.) There's always got to be opposition in something, right? No complaints, just fact. So, I'm trying to keep my eye on "the big picture" and what's great in my life at the moment.  It always seems to help! ALWAYS.

So, here's ten completely trivial and yet important to me,today, things I'm thankful for this morning and then my big deep thought for the day....

1.  Doug's such an amazing husband!

2.  Quayd's going to serve the Lord in California!

3.  School is almost over!

4.  Grace has only one more year at school all the way in Smithfield! 

5.  My left foot does not hurt!

6.  My friends are more than amazing!

7.  My hot tub helps on even the worst of days!

8.  I love my hOMe!

9.  I love my kids...each and every one, no matter what.

10.  There's Diet Coke in both of my refrigerators!

 So, my thought, this morning, helps me immensely in times of struggle:

NOW is part of eternity!

catching up again

My blog is becoming more of a Monday and Tuesday blog rather than a daily blog.  And the sad thing is that I sit down to blog and think I just did it yesterday!  I really am in a bit of "overload".

Last week....

On Monday evening, I heard a call on the police scanner for an ambulance to my good friend, Sally's address.  Quayd and I were sitting talking about his mission prep when the call came in.  Sally was life-flighted to SLC.  She has a glioblastoma tumor on her brain stem.   This is the worst kind of cancer a person can get.  It's what took both of Carol's husbands.  The lunch bunch ladies were all on the phone for the rest of the night, texting and praying together for Sally, in between our last night with Liza and Aylabelle. Since she was flown to SLC, her father has passed away in Oklahoma. She will be unable to attend his funeral, which was where she was headed when she had her first "episode" before the diagnosis. Sally is my angelic friend who sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  She's a remarkable lady and could use all the prayers possible. 

Tuesday night, I went to dinner with Denise at Roadhouse to catch up on her life after her trip to Vegas to see her little granddaughter, Rose Denise, who was born at 26 weeks, weighing 1.222 pounds.  She's doing well and is now two weeks old tomorrow!  That's her daddy's thumb.  Her head is smaller than a tennis ball.  She's SOOOOOOO tiny. Denise showed me her diaper and it's not even as big as a "mini-pad".  Unbelievable.

Denise and I had a great visit, and TRH had a rough night in the kitchen, so dinner ended up taking long enough that I didn't make it to the YW activity.  That's one good thing about having so many leaders... I wasn't missed. 

Wednesday, the lunch bunch met to see what we can do to help Sally.  It was a tearful gathering.  We have seen ourselves growing old together and still meeting for lunch.  Jeana announced that she is moving to Southern Idaho.  Sally is in the hospital with terminal brain cancer.  Needless to say, there were not many laughs that day.  But, what a group of special ladies.  After lunch, I went over to visit with Carol, who'd been out of the town for her niece's husband's funeral.  (Another glioblastoma tumor on his brain.  A beautiful life, a beautiful wife and four beautiful young children shattered.  I HATE CANCER!)  It was good to be together with Carol after almost a week.

Thursday, I spent the day out alone.  I had Bunco at our home that night.  I did not host, but we met at my home.  Tamara hosted and all I did was prepare some rolls and Doug sat up the tables.  Tamara did everything else and it was a lovely evening. It was by far the most fun Bunco night we have had yet, as a new group of friends.  We are starting to get to know each other and beginning to relax and get a little more rowdy together.  There were lots of much needed laughs!

Kara and I met for lunch on Thursday.  Kara has been my "Go-To" friend with mission questions, as her son is just a year ahead of Quayd.  She's had such solid and wonderful advice about what to expect, what to do and not. We both have a really unique relationship with our boys, so I think that more than any other friend I have, she and I "get" each other as missionary moms.  I'm so grateful for our friendship and have always adored her, but now, it's even more special.  Kara was so sweet.  She had $40 Kohls cash that needed to be used immediately and told me to take it for Quayd.  I ran into Kohls Saturday evening and bought Quayd12 pair of dress socks which totaled exactly to the penny, $40.00.  Socks.  Check!  What a sweet gift!  But the best gift is our friendship!  I heart Kara and the years that we've continued to grow closer!!!

Friday evening, Doug and I had a short date night.  We went to dinner at Beehive Grill and then picked Zaylee up for a sleepover.  She was so excited to visit!  Grace had a friend over, so Zaylee spent much of the evening playing with Zee.  They are building a "fairy house" village.  (ZJ has a gift with little children!  She will be a remarkable mommy!)  We could not get over her and her math facts.  She just loves to do them constantly and asks for more.  She wanted me to do the two tables.  I asked "2x8".  She said, "No, Gram!  Ask 2x 346!"  So we did them for quite a while and she was right on.  She loves reading and is reading Junie B. Jones books and other chapter books.  First grade and reading anything we can read.  Literally.  She loves math.  She loves school!  She's really happy and settled into her new life.  Her birth parents names were never mentioned once over the whole sleepover.  Nothing.  She is very happy and doing so well.  It was awesome!  She really has grown and matured immensely.  And she's very huggy, which I love!  She enjoyed a walk to the park with Gramp and lots of playtime with the girls.  I made her pancakes because she came up for breakfast and she asked if I could make pumpkin waffles.  Next time!

Saturday was a long awaited day!  When we moved into our home last year in February, it was A. Winter and B. BUSY!  We moved our entire home's contents into the garage and a storage unit for that few weeks.  Then, as we moved into our home, it was slowly because of all the renovations that needed to be done.  Because of that, we've been missing things for an entire year!  Then, Doug was called to serve in the YSA and life got even busier!  So, the garage has never been completely emptied.  We have parked one vehicle in it all winter, but half was still filled with things that needed to be gone through.  It's made me completely crazy!

A few weeks ago, we inherited an entire kitchen full of cabinets.  (Alan was doing a kitchen remodel for a doctor that lives a few blocks away.  He asked if we wanted them for storage in our garage.  That's what we had in our garage in Smithfield for all those years and Doug was thrilled because this garage had nothing but bare walls.)  So, after a few weeks of having a garage full of cabinets added to all the "stuff" that was still in it, we spend the entire rainy Satuday as a family, working in the garage.  I sat and gave a lot of instructions on organizing. so I was the brain, Doug and Quayd were the backs and the girls were the legs, running things to the places that they belong, inside and out.  Alan and Jill came over for a bit in the afternoon to help Doug with tools and experience. After eight hours of work, three pizzas and lots of Diet Coke, we now can park two vehicles in the garage and it is clean and emptied of everything we don't need!  AND WE FOUND SO MANY THINGS!!! 

I'd been missing some of my more important books.  There was much of the contents of my Smithfield gallery that had been put against the far wall.  I have my books back!  Mostly gospel study books!  SO happy!  Doug was thrilled to have his tools that have been missing. Plus his "man stuff"... like oils and grease stuff, and his winterwear. (now that it's spring.) And all of the camping gear is now stored away nicely in the cabinets.  It was such a good feeling to pull both vehicles into the garage!  HAPPINESS!!  One more huge project checked off the list!

Another thing that I was happy about was my ladder!  When we bought the home, Brother N. left an old ladder.  It was literally over a hundred years old.  (He's 92 and he told me he'd inherited if from his grandfather.)  12 feet long.  Rickety as could be!  But, I love the farmhouse look of homes right now and one of my favorites is old ladders as blanket holders.  While Alan and Doug were sawing away at kitchen cabinets, Doug asked Alan to cut the ladder for me.  We joked and teased for 15 minutes about how long I wanted them.  I knew what I wanted.  They didn't.  So, we cut the ladder into two 6.5' and a 5.5' ladders. Perfection! I'm so happy!!!  I love them!   I'm still not sure where the shorter one will go, but I've got ideas!

Mother's Day was just wonderful.  I was awakened by Zee who made me the heartiest breakfast!  Doug was up getting ready for his early morning meetings when she came in with eggs, sausage, pancakes and a bowl of honey yogurt with bananas.  Doug had to help me eat it! 

 
Mother's Day is my one Sunday of the year that I choose to stay home from church. I've mentioned this before.  It's a hard day for me to listen to talks about perfect mothers.  From the daughter's perspective and my own.  It's just plain hard.  So, Doug happily gives me the "day off".  Yesterday, he came home early from his meetings and the kids stayed home with me.  We watched "Once I was a Beehive", had Hawaiaan Haystacks and brownies for dinner, then watched "Sufferagette", a story about women gaining the right to vote. (Not a happy movie at all.) Liza and her family facetimed with us.  Aylabelle was so cute! I emailed back and forth with a close friend throughout the day. We read scriptures, had family prayer and were all in bed by 9:30.  It was a lovely day.  I just plain enjoyed having us all at home and the downtime together.  We built a fire, stayed in our jammies, ate good food and enjoyed eachother's company!

It was a great week, even though it was filled with a few very sad moments...some I can't even share on the blog.  I thought yesterday morning, a lot, about the things we have going on in our life right now.  Death and illness are surrounding us, there are some serious challenges that those we love are facing.  However, in the midst of it all, there is so much joy.  I am blessed with such a great husband and children.  We have incredible friends. INCREDIBLE friends. And we are abundantly blessed with daily tender mercies that remind us of our divine nature and the eternal happiness and joy that is ours if we just seek it.  Life is good.

short and wonderful!

Liza left a few hours ago.  We had a delightful visit.  She spent Friday night with us just relaxing, then most of the day Saturday with Buddy's youngest sister, who is getting married in a few weeks.  Following her bridal shower, Liza came home and we had her all to ourselves until this morning... with lots on the calendar, we had her to ourselves.

We didn't get much sleep, but we can sleep when we die, right?  We played a ton of games, prepared and checked off the New Beginnings program at church last night, ate a lot, played a lot and laughed a lot!

A few laughs... which I realize you may have had to be there, but we have laughed until we cried several times...

Grace came in announcing "I made Bella Voce!!" after auditioning for next year.  Liza overheard from a distance, "You drank all the OJ?"

One of our biggest laughs was when I told Aylabelle that I had a surprise for her.  We walked out to the back of the Subaru and I pulled out these cookies.  Her face!  It wasn't like "Wow!"  It was more like "WHAT THE!?!?!?"  She'd never seen suck a big cookie jar!  I asked her if she wanted to hold them while I grabbed my camera.  She said, "Grammie, it's heavy."  She was about to lose it by the time I got the camera.

 

One thing is certain... Aylabelle adores the kids.  Seriously!  Last night, she got an owie and wanted, "Auntie Zee".  They played together non-stop while Zee was home...either dolls or going to the park, they were together.

 When I asked her what treats she wanted Grammie to have, she didn't even have to think about it, "Grapes!"

"mmmmmmmm", she still hums while she eats and the more she likes it, the louder she hums.  Grapes definitely get the largest hum.

 We took a little run to Sonic for Happy Hour and corndogs on Saturday.  I love that Aylabelle loves taking selfies!

ZJ has taught Aylabelle how to "dab" (the dance of 2016).  Aylabelle thinks it is so funny and does it all the time... her own version.  Now, she asks everyone, "You like to Dab?  I like it!"  One of the first things she said to her daddy on Facetime was, "Daddy, do you dab?"  Buddy Dabbed and she cheered!  You'd think that Buddy works at a University of college kids! 

She's got it down!

Aylabelle was told it was bedtime.  "Wait!  Grammie?  You wanna play Tenzi?!"  She knows!

While playing Tenzi, we were rolling for a combination of four 4's, three 3's, two 2's and one 1.  ZJ got it and yelled, "Tenzi!"  Aylabelle thinks that "Tenzi" means ten of a kind, which is what she rolls for all the time while we play with her own color of dice.  She looked across the table at Zeej, saw her combination and said, "Aunt Zee, that's NOT a Tenzi!"  She's smart!

My favorite however was when Aylabelle walked into our closet as Doug was getting his pajama bottoms on.  He is known for this dorky trick... he pulled them up to his chest so that they are super short, then he sticks out his belly as far as he can (which isn't far on his thin body), and he makes this old man face.  Aylabelle watched him pull those jammies up to his chest, stopped cold in her tracks, looked at him with a bit of disgust and, without a word, shook her head in a definite "No!"  As if to say, "That's not working, Gramp."  We all busted out laughing so hard!

Doug's mom dropped by for a lovely visit on Saturday evening.  I took a picture of Liza and Mom, but ZJ had taken Aylabelle to the park, so we didn't get a four generation photo, which made my heart hurt later when I realized that I'd missed an opportunity.

 Yesterday, Doug took the day off and we spent time with Liza and Aylabelle alone.  It was so much fun to just play and give them one on one time.  We went out for breakfast at Herm's (Liza's choice, but a happy one for Doug) and then to First Dam to feed the ducks.

  I loved watching Doug with Aylabelle almost as much as we love being with her!

Liza commented on how seriously she was taking it.

 I was intrigued watching Aylabelle as she ran all through and around the ducks, getting so close that they were right at her eye level and only inches away from her. She had no fear.  I was raised by a mother who feared everything and consequently, I fight that urge to resist the wonderful opportunities in life because of the what if's.  Thankfully, I do well on it and even better the older I get.  But, Aylabelle was right in there with them, talking to them, feeding them, reaching out for them. 

  She'd toss the bread or crackers and say, "Here you go, everybody!"  It was adorable!

 "You want some too?"  Her little voice.  Doug says, constantly, "Record that."

The mama duck of these five little babies was not friendly.  She'd come and take the food but then hiss as us.  Literally his.  It was the first time I've ever seen anything like that.

She kept going back to Gramp, "More please" and they ate an entire box of Wheat Thins. 

She also shared with several other kids that she saw, "Here you go.  You want to feed the ducks too."  She's definitely her mama's daughter.

 

I kind of like this little girl!

...And her mama!  This morning, before they left, Liza, Aylabelle and I went to Center Street Grill for breakfast.  Aylabelle just sits and keeps herself entertained while we visit.  She played on my iPad and phone for a bit and gave Liza and I time to talk.  Yesterday, she was the same way at Herms.

At one point, she asked, "What are you talking about, guys?"  She fascinates me with her little Mini-Liza disposition, always positive and cheerful.  I love it!

LIFE IS GOOD!!! And one of my favorite parts is visits from Liza and fam!

new beginnings...

New Beginnings was a success.  We'd worked on it long enough... it ought to have been!  Being that the date was changed so many times, we've had almost four months to work on it, which was more than enough.  Here's what we came up with, after finding some cute ideas on Pinterest, praying a lot and working a lot more.

Our invitations were these cute arrows, which the girls and I made.  While making them, we had feathers everywhere and were coughing and choking for two days! 

We decorated the room with gold glittery arrows and gold and white polka dot arrows everywhere and I hung several of my own home arrows around the room.  Each table had a bundt cake on a pedestal with glittery arrows poking upward from the center of it (they were poked into styrofoam balls in the center).  The cakes were on gold chargers then sitting on top of cake pedestals on top of a "pile" of burlap.  On the side of each cake were two "Willow Tree" figurines.
Everything was gold and white and tan.

The cakes were so yummy!  When the program was over, the girls were able to eat the decorations!  They all served the cake to themselves and walked around having a little sliver from each of the cakes they wanted.  I was surprised that the leaders brought four different kinds... lemon, a delicious strawberry (which I have got to get the recipe for!), chocolate and a cinnamon pound cake that was to die for!

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of the little display table with the basket of 22 cute gifts for each of the girls... a bracelet with emblems representing the 2016 theme.

 

The bracelet represents the scripture, 2 Nephi 31:20: 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

The arrow represents "Press Foward".  The anchor represents "Steadfastness in Christ".  The Love represents the "Love of God and All Man".  The Infinity symbol is "Eternal Life".   They are really cute bracelets.  The girls all loved them.

The program lasted about 40 minutes. Grace, who is serving as the Laurel President, conducted the evening.  I welcomed the girls and introduced the theme.  ZJ introduced the cute, new incoming 12 year olds.  Our new Personal Progress leader introduced her new enthusiastic ideas for getting the girls motivated and then eight of the girls had volunteered to give a less than 2 minute message about each of the values. I was impressed with each girl and the different directions they all went.  Our YW President, Kelli, gave a short message followed by the Bishop, who is always right on spot with his thoughts.  We love our bishop!  It was a really sweet program. 

I think that my happiest moment of the night was when Zee realized that one of the eight girls had not shown up.  Her value was Choice and Accountability.  So, after Zee realized this, she leaned over and said "I will just do hers."  While the first few girls were giving their talks, Zee must have been thinking about it hard because she stood up and gave a talk like she'd been preparing all week. 

This project was for Grace and Zee to work towards their own Personal Progress goals.  They worked hard helping make the invitations, interviewing the new 12 year olds, making 2 cakes, preparing the decorations and program.  It was a great opportunity for them and they really earned it! 

Liza and Aylabelle joined us.  The one thing that we had forgotten was to ask for someone to lead the music.  Being that I'm so not musical, it never crossed my mind once.  As the opening hymn was beginning, Liza asked if I wanted her to lead the music.  She jumped up and did the job!  Later, one of the moms came over and said, "You have to be a Corbridge!"  We had a good laugh.  I appreciated her recognizing the need and filling it without being asked!  Aylabelle loved the cakes and arrows and never made a peep during the whole evening.  I can't get over how well behaved she is in church.

It was truly a fun and lovely evening.  And I'm glad it's over!  ha!  Now, I'm on to my next fire already!

I'm off to spend the day with my Liza!  Life is good!