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!

Spoiled

This last weekend I said good-bye to my Acadia and hello to...my new car! (Katie wishes it was her new car!)
Notice she is in the car in the drivers seat...

but in the end she finally got the point it's not hers, it's mine and maybe, just maybe she can drive it when we go to YW or church (maybe)

I am going to just to say that

IT WAS NOT MY IDEA

there I said it.

This was all Bob.

He has been obsessed with getting rid of the Acadia for a few months now for several reasons including it has had multiple problems since the day we got it, it has almost 100,000 miles on it and our warranty expires at 100,000 miles, a smaller car will mean better gas mileage and it needed a new power steering pump a.s.a.p. and that is over 750$ (we replaced it about a year ago and in most vehicles you never even have to I guess...)

so,

this last weekend we went to Spokane. I had bought tickets to see South Pacific for his birthday so we saw the musical (it was really a fun play and we enjoyed it, I also noticed Wicked is coming to Spokane next spring so that is next on my list to see for sure!). We also traded in my car which is always a fiasco, I shopped for Sean's birthday later in the month and found Katie a new dress at Down East Outfitters which is my favorite store for dresses/skirts for church (cute, modest and always long enough).

So I know I'm spoiled but really I didn't want or ask for a new car, my husband insisted so now I will just suffer and drive it I guess... ;)

but I seriously preferred to drive my Acadia till it died, I feel guilty.

Seany!

We got to enjoy a short visit with David, Tiffany and Seany (Sean) last Wednesday. They arrived Wednesday afternoon about 5pm and left Thursday at 6pm. Just over 24 hours, so not much time but it was still great to see em.We were lucky enough to have great weather and got to enjoy a few hours at the parks in Pateros.
Sean loved playing peek-a boo here (above) and here (below).

short visit but sweet!

Our next visit will be to Seattle for Sean's 1 year birthday on Halloween.

almost did it!

I almost made it! I almost stayed at home on my day off! No Wenatchee. I had made a little goal for myself and it went something like this: I DO NOT need to go to Wenatchee to shop every single week! I might want to go every single week, but I do not need to go.

so...As my dogs relaxed on the couch, I kept myself busy.

Not everything I did was productive, but there was some productivity mixed in with some wasting time. I did let myself watch a little of the Today show, watched some interesting segments on what is hot this fall in hand bags and perfect jeans for your body type. I also watched some of Ellen, I love Ellen! Her show is so funny and light and just what I need sometimes to put me in a good mood.

But,

I also cleaned 3 bathrooms, vacuumed upstairs, cleaned my room, chatted on the phone with my sis, went to the school to sign a couple notes for Katie and give her some money for the bus today (she can't play volleyball but she goes with the team and does stats), and I did lots and lots of

laundry...

I had plans to take a little nap, go on a walk, and wash all my tile floors on my hands and knees.

Then my husband called and needed me to follow him to Cashmere where he needed to drop off his motorcycle for a new tire and an oil change.

Alas, I almost did it! I almost managed to stay home on my day off.

With my husband in the car with me on the way home however, we drove right past Target, Old Navy, Pier 1, the mall, Fred Meyer etc...

we went straight to Costco and then home.

So I would say that I partially fulfilled my little goal don't you think so??

p.s. my husband did take a little pity on me and bought me a shirt at Costco, haha!

she can walk!

good-bye crutches! hopefully forever and ever...

Katie said it was the "best day of her life"

she can walk with her new boot, she got to do some more school shopping and get a pedicure and fake nails! (don't worry I don't think she is really that shallow, she's had other "best days of her life")

but it was a pretty good day! the only thing that would of made it better is if the doctor had said she could play volleyball but that didn't happen.

It might be early but I waited as long as I could

to get out and decorate with my Fall decorations!
I love fall. Let me say it again
"I love fall!"
So I know according to the calendar fall hasn't officially arrived but by my calendar it arrives after Labor Day. We have really had some fall like weather around here as well. Maybe a little too fall like but I am not going to complain. I don't have to worry that it is going to be scorching hot like it was last year at fair (mid 90's last year), we will be lucky to be in the low 70's.
And speaking of fair, wish me luck. I am not excited in the least. (multiple reasons) But I will survive and this will be my last year.

I Know You Know

I think everyone has heard the very exciting news:

Kyle will begin filling out mission papers in October!

But what kind of a mom would I be if I didn't blog about it, I mean seriously! In all seriousness this is a small miracle, a tender mercy, an answer to many prayers, a life changed, and most likely one of the most life changing decisions Kyle has made in his life up until now! It is overwhelming to think how blessed his life and his future posterity will be because of this choice. This one choice, to go or not to go has far reaching effects on so many. I can tell however, that it is not going to be any easier the second time around...

goodbye again!

I knew the good-byes were coming so I didn't expect to have such a sad day today! The house went from full and busy to almost empty and quiet. Sigh. As of right now they are in Rexburg staying at an friend's house (Andrew Armstrong & his new wife - I'm sure she is thrilled to have them). They will get settled in tomorrow and take care of business. I just keep telling myself this is the way it is supposed to be...

last days of summer...

Well summer of 2010 is just about history. I must say this summer was full of some very high high's as well as some low low's! But we won't go into that. We decided to go to Lakeview Drive for one last family outing before everyone goes their separate ways. It is been tough even finding a few hours to spend together with various work schedules so we managed to squeeze it in before Kyle went to work at 1:30.

it's my own fault

Showing off his missionary plaque, it has his picture, where he served and one of his favorite scriptures.

Enjoying family, friends and food after church. Especially enjoying the ice cream sundaes with lots of toppings.

just goofing around.

It was super fun having everyone who could make it for the homecoming and the BBQ afterwards!

The reason I titled my post "it's my own fault" it that I waited so long to post these pictures I knew someone would beat me to it (mom)! So that's my own fault, go check out mom's blog for some different pictures. I didn't want to post the same ones she did.

In bed before 9:30?

it can only mean either:

a. she's sick

or

b. seminary has started