How did this happen??

seriously, how can my daughter be 18? i am getting stinkin old!

i will admit there were days I didn't know if either of us would live to see this day, but she is turning out to be a great young woman.

for her birthday she could hardly wait to go snowboarding on opening day at the "Loup"

she got her wish..she went with a friend (actually her friend's boyfriend - now that is a good friend to let her boyfriend go snowboarding with her)

more pictures to come!
Happy Birthday Katie

It looks so cool!

Last Saturday Bob spent most of the day in the snow building a stable for our nativity set we bought earlier this season.
I just have to say it looks amazing in the bank that slopes in front of our house. We have got a ton of comments from people on how much they like it! Last year we put up this "chubby" Santa we had bought at WalMart. You know the kind, they are full of air and blow around in the breeze. We had it on top of our roof and it looked pretty cool up there but we decided it wouldn't look right up there this year, looking down on the stable! :) So chubby Santa stayed in the box this year.
I like (love) the nativity much better.

snow, snow, and more snow!

It started snowing Saturday morning and didn't stop until, well I don't know when it stopped for sure because when I went to bed it was still snowing!
We got a ton of snow! We were late for church because there was no way I could back out of our drive-way until Bob finished snow-blowing. And it was really wet, heavy snow so it was quite the work-out for him. If we would of had to shovel it ourselves we would of never made it to church (well we could of if we had started at like 6am or something)a view from our driveway looking across the river...


the snow was so heavy on the branches of the trees they were hanging really low.
Today however it warmed up and some of it melted. Not all of it though.

I actually hope there is snow around still on Friday. Katie wants to go sledding after the basketball games for her birthday party. :)

Inspirational Thoughts

If you watch the news at all you probably heard that Elizabeth Edwards passed away on Tuesday at the age of 61. As I was getting ready for work that morning, watching the Today show, they were briefly highlighting her life. She is not my hero or anything but I was touched as I listened to what they had to say about her. She seemed like a good person who cared about important issues, she loved her family, and she had more than her fair share of struggles. (her son was killed in a car accident, she had a husband that totally betrayed her, she was dx with breast cancer approximately 6 years ago while she still had 2 young children).
I wrote down a few of her quotes that I really liked:
In an interview once she was talking about the most important lesson she wanted to leave her kids or grand kids. She said she didn't know what is the most important, but this is what she would hope her grand kids would remember about her:
"She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, and surely it has not, she adjusted her sails..."
I love that thought. We all have dreams and a particular way we see our life going. Of course we all know by now that our life never goes the way we envisioned it going, so sometimes we have to adjust our dreams and carry on.

She also said:
"if your going to make tomorrow count, you have to buck up today!"
short and simple and to the point!

and one last thing, she said as she knew the end was close for her, she "did not want people to say she lost her battle with cancer; the battle was about living a good life, and that she won"
love that!

the day after...

We loaded everyone up and headed to Leavenworth Friday.

Here are a few pictures, of course not quite in the order I want but you'll get the idea...is it very festive and holiday-ish there, lots of lights and people everywhere

Sean showing a little spunk (above) and enjoying some of Kyle's milkshake (below)

meet Chantelle, Kyle's girlfriend who spend Thanksgiving week with us

some family pictures...

a great day together!

and finally...

I was so thankful so be able to have Thanksgiving at my house and enjoy my family and friends. (wish everyone could of been together, that's the only thing that would of made it better)
and how can I not post a picture of this little guy!

I am very grateful I participated in posting daily (well almost) something to I am thankful for. There are of course so many more things, I could literally post something every day of the year
but
I am also thankful that I am choosing to stop now cuz it is a little, just a little, trying to do it everyday!
So,
Happy Thanksgiving everyone and I am
thankful for each and everyone of you too!
bring on Christmas...

Thankful #24

I was super, duper thankful on Wednesday that I got off early! woo-hoo! I was able to leave around 11:30 and so I joined everyone for lunch at Campbell's, got to Wal-mart early to of course buy just a few more things and then get home by 3. (even took a little nap)!

Target Black Friday 2-Day Sale Commercial (Vince Dicola!)

This is currently my favorite commerical, I laugh every time I watch it!

I keep falling behind...#22,23

#22: yesterday I was so thankful for the times when our kid's make the right choices. it doesn't always go that way but when it does, boy it feels good! (long story)
#23: today I am grateful for my treadmill! It has been FREEZING outside and no way I am going out there to walk. the treadmill has been a life saver...I've got a good routine down.

#20 & 21

Yesterday I was grateful that Brian, Kyle and Kyle's girlfriend, Chantelle, arrived safely. The roads were fairly treacherous from Rexburg to Pateros, so a mom always has to breathe a sigh of relief when they get here safe and sound! Today we had stake conference and I really appreciated our Stake President's message. In a nutshell he compared the story of the Chilean miners who were recently rescued to each of us and our need to either be rescued back to the path or help others who may need that. It was an excellent message and really reminded me of what our basic purpose is here, to help each other stay on the path, find the path or in some cases find their way back.

#18, 19

I'm a day late, but yesterday I wanted to say how lucky I feel to finally have a nice home where I can invite friends and family over and not feel embarrassed. I had a "girl's night out" at my house tonight (Fri) and I have been looking forward to it all week. Bob has been working hard this week finishing up some little things: putting in electrical outlets and the cover plates, nailing up trim, fixing a couple pieces of broken tile and installing some outside lights in the driveway. I feel lucky, I have waited a long time to have a nice place to live!

and tonight, guess what?? it snowed! During our girls night we looked outside and saw the snowflakes! It's always exciting when the first snow falls and I am thankful (at least for now) for the beautiful snow!
It also seems to reinforce the fact that the holidays are right around the corner...
:)

Thankful (#16,17)

Sorry, no pictures...

Day 16: I was very thankful my husband didn't snore last night! :)

Day 17: I am so happy to be working in Young Women's for so many reasons! Here are a few: the girls, the women I serve with, the chance to spend a little more time with Katie, and the opportunity to study and teach the gospel.

I will post a picture tomorrow of our Young Women's in Excellence program that was tonight.

Katie took the pics on her camera and by the time I asked her to send them to me she was in bed :(

World's Greatest Dad! (day 15)

Today I cannot express the overwhelming gratitude I have for my parents. I can appreciate how much stress kids can create and I know I created more than my fair share for my parent's. Somehow they still love me and support me and still answer the phone when I call (haha).
There is no possible way I would be where I am today without their love and support so
THANK YOU!
I love you both sooo much.

church (day 14)

Today I am very, very thankful that Katie and I got to attend church. Of course I am grateful everyday for my membership in the church but sometimes you get that overwhelming reminder of just how grateful we should be (and are!) I was touched by the speakers, I was thankful that I had the chance to prepare and teach, and I was thankful that Katie recognized how glad she was to go today and how much better she felt (about life) after going!
p.s. I am also grateful for Sunday naps...

Day 13...

Today I was thankful to see my daughter smile :)

(she seemed sad again fairly quick but at least there was a moment of happy)

Day 12

I am always thankful when a job I don't want to do, but I need to do get's done!

Like cleaning (really cleaning) the fridge.

Thankful (day 10 & 11)

So I missed a "thankful" day, yesterday was a rough day. Honestly I wanted to be in the mood where I don't want to think of anything positive (do you have those...?) Where I didn't want to look on the bright side of anything!

Anyway, obviously I can't stay in that place forever sooooo

I thought about it and decided I am grateful for my day off I get during the week. Sometimes I don't appreciate my day off, but I know if I didn't have it my mental health might suffer . I get a day where I can sleep in a little, putter around the house in the morning, eventually head out the door and go browse around stores and hit Costco.

*****

And today I am really, really thankful I have a handy husband! It makes all the difference in the world to have someone who has the patience and the knowledge to fix just about anything. (I don't think he considers it quite the blessing I do, haha) Here he is putting together a little cabinet we actually ordered a couple months ago for our guest bathroom and it finally arrived today!so I shall keep pressing forward as we all do...

friends...

friends just make life better! isn't it great to be able to call a friend and vent, share happy news, sad news, talk about nothing significant, whine, offer advice, share feelings, and sometimes it's just great to know you have someone you can call. whenever and for whatever.

Personal Progress (day 8)

Today I am really thankful for a daughter who is self motivated to work on ...so much easier than me nagging!

Lunch (day 7)

Today I was really, really grateful for a simple lunch of grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup. Tastes sooooo good after fast Sunday :)

being included (day 5- a day late)

it's been heartbreaking for Katie to miss her senior volleyball season; to watch and not play. the team is getting ready for district play-offs (today) and Katie will be going as their stats keeper. it was so nice for her to be included in the team dinner last night (at our house), the team breakfast this morning and taking the bus with the team to the games today.

we have all have the experience of being excluded and isn't it nice when your are

included.

Miracle of Healing (day 4)

from this...to this... and finally, this...!

Today I am grateful for the power of healing and for everything we have in our lives that allow our mind, body, and spirit to heal.

random post (not my thankful one)

When Bob and I were cleaning the garage a couple weeks ago we heard the distinct sound of an owl. We took a little break to see if we could spot it and we did. Isn't that cool?

We quickly got our cat and dogs inside though...

Seasons (day 3)

Today as I drove to work I noticed how beautiful the hillside looked with all the fall colors. I realized I am grateful for seasons. I know I complain every August about how hot it is and every January about how cold it is, but I am grateful to live where the seasons come and go. I always am ready for the current season to pass and look forward to the new season beginning. There is always something to look forward to about each one.

So today,

I am grateful for seasons.

joining in (day two)

I am joining a day late. I can't promise that I will blog every single day something I am grateful for. Not because I can't think of something every day, in fact as I walked tonight it was amazing how many things I thought of!

A couple weeks ago I taught a lesson on self-mastery.

I have been thinking a lot about this particular scripture found in

Ether 12:27

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

I am so grateful for that knowledge that we can overcome our weakness. Not only overcome them but with HF help they can become our strengths. That gives me hope...

One Already?? is it really possible...

I know time flies, but seriously how can Sean be one already?

Of course we all ask that when our family members reach milestones.

So we made a fast and furious trip to Seattle on Sunday for Sean's birthday party. We left in the morning and returned that same night.

so be prepared, lots of pictures... Katie gave Sean a "pillow buddy". He seems to like it but their dog did also!
Sean took about a 45 min (hour max) in my arms. That little guy is heavy, my arm was about ready to break off after that hour!

Sean AKA Yoda!

Family of bumble bees, Katie didn't want to be left out so when Tiffany went to the party store to pick up the balloons Katie decided she HAD to have a bee costume also. sigh.

Grandpa havin fun

Lots and lots of presents to open!

and last but not least the cake. We had to leave just after we sang Happy Birthday, so we didn't get a chance to taste it but believe me we didn't need it after candy, pop, chicken and beef enchilada's, rice, beans, salad etc...

it was a little hard getting up Monday morning, but oh so worth it!

p.s. They went ALL OUT decorating, it will take them days to get their house put back together.

and the car fits!

this may not impress you a whole lot but it is very impressive to me! our garage for the last year has been full of tools, building supplies, furniture and whatever else we have "dumped" there because we didn't know what else to do with it. this is the project we started last weekend and finished today! hooray!
and not only does my car fit but there is a space for Katie's too. just in time for the winter we know is around the corner...

Meanwhile last Saturday...

Last Saturday I promised some pictures to be posted of homecoming and finally here they are...

This is the girls all dressed up. The theme was the "wild, wild west". As you can see there is a variety of costumes from the saloon girls, cowgirls, and even a princess.the whole group...
Katie and her date (a friend from school).

It was pretty low-key. They went to the bakery in town and got pizza before the dance and were actually back at our house before 11pm to hang out for a little while longer because as they said "the dance was lame"...
her last homecoming...

Weekend projects...

Weekends can't be all fun, can they? After our fun weekend in Spokane going to a play and buying a new car, our last couple weekend's have been work! Two week-ends ago we did some trimming and Bob cut part of a tree down that was hanging over into the road. We had got a letter from the city telling us that it made it difficult for cars/buses to stay on their side of the road because of it, whoops!
goin to the dump!
This last week-end Bob and I spend the day on Saturday in the garage! I had planned to post pictures of that, all nice and clean and ready to park my car but we only got about 1/2 to 2/3's of the way done. (I was kinda hoping Bob would have it all finished by the time we got home from church but, sigh that didn't happen so maybe this Saturday...)
Katie got up early (well early for her anyway!) and went to a service project in Brewster for a few hours and the rest of the day was planning and participating in Homecoming. I will post pictures of that soon, she has the camera card upstairs...
It feels good to get stuff done!