Throwback Thursday

I miss this woman. Every day. I am SO thankful for the Plan of Salvation. I know I get to see her again. I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and for his sacrifice that made families forever. I love this time of year. To celebrate His birth brings me such joy. 

Wordless Wednesday

The Change

This was the mantle this morning, all festive and Fallish. I love my pumpkin collection and the few Halloweeny things I have scattered about. 

I love, love, love this fabric garland I made from a kit a couple years ago. It is so dang cute!! But you know what happens around here when November rolls around....the change!!

We go from Fall decorations to Christmas in a big hurry. It's always been this way. We LOVE Christmas around here and we don't care who knows. Do I like Thanksgiving? Yes, of course. Do I celebrate it?? You know I do!! Every year I am extra thankful that my husband doesn't care that I set all this stuff up so dang early. I am also thankful to live in a country where I can let my freak flag fly!!

This year, whether you are an all-up-early gal like me, or a leave it for later guy....give your neighbor some slack. Don't criticize or judge them for not being your own kind of crazy. Celebrate your differences and try to find some common ground. It's probably easier than you think. So Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas, my friends!! Party on!!

Thankful

It's November again. Where has the year gone?  I have watched this tree for the last two months for signs of Fall. It started small, one leaf at a time almost. For two months I have wondered and awed at the beauty of this world. Now, I know it has it's problems...goodness...does it ever. But there are such beautiful things to see and hear if we just take a minute to appreciate them. I ask myself all the time...Am I in THIS moment. Have I lost myself in my vision of how I want things to be? Have I wandered off in memories of the past? So much has happened this year. I have so much to be thankful for. Every day this month I am going to list (either here or on FB...or both...but definitely in my journal) something that I am thankful for. Today I am thankful for my family. All of them. Parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents, the women I love as sisters, my husband and children...all of them. I was taught early on by my Mother, family first, always and no matter what. I love that she instilled that loyalty in us. My Mom and sisters were and are my best friends. They taught me how to love and nurture. My husband has taught me patience (by being patient with me) and my children have taught me the value of service. By serving them I have become closer to them and to my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the blessing of family. I hope you take some time today to just think about what you are thankful for. 

A Quick Pic

Just thought you should see a new picture of Jo and me. We were hanging out at the trunk-or-treat party....in the sunshine...sunburning my nose...Did I mention it's almost Halloween. I do love this Nebraska weather!!

Pumpkin Crafts

Here are 6 of the 7 finished projects. We spent several hours chatting and laughing and painting....They all turned out so different and fun. We will definitely be doing more of these (project days). I wish our church did Super Saturday project days. They are always so much fun. Oh well. We'll just make due. I can hardly wait to put these away and get out my Christmas stuff!!! 

Evolution

It all started with some wooden pumpkins one of my sisters bought at a craft fair. I loved them and wanted all my friends to have them too. Most of you know that I have my own saw. I'll tell you this, it is SO FUN!! Power tools are FUN. It's true. A little intimidating at first but once you get used to them....oh my!! I chopped a couple 4x4 posts into blocks and did the same with a ratty looking 2x2.

Obviously that made more projects than even I could wrap my head around. So what's a girl to do?? Invite a few friends (who are childless during the day because let's face it...crafting with kids is SO much harder!!) over to get their craft on.

I'll post pictures of all of the finished project when ALL of the girls get them done...ahhemmmmm...(slow pokes)

My pumpkins went through a bit of evolution....I like that I can do that. I wanted dots on the yellow pumpkin but the lumpy, asymmetrical dots that happened just weren't doing it for me. At. All. So I sanded them down and gave it another go. Same with the chevron stencil. Didn't match up on the corners. No bueno. So I tried again. 

Much better. I have another set I'm working on. I'll just say it is SUPER CUTE too. I am thinking I need to do this more often. It was so fun to hang out with these women. A few I've not had a lot of time like this with...priceless!! 

Stay tuned...I will show you how different and fabulous they ALL turned out. This was so fun, I'll probably do it again!

Teen No More

This is my baby girl. It's her birthday today. 20 years ago I lay in the hospital in Soda Springs holding the most perfect little girl ever.

She didn't stay small for long. Before I knew it she was crawling and then walking. She was sassy from the moment she could string two words together. She went to school and learned all that public education had to offer.

She has loved and lost and loved again. She has made friends in every city we lived. She has brought us more joy than we thought possible...she's brought some tears too. She has taken it all and learned some very important lessons.

She has tasted adventure and independence. She is the most loyal of friends. She is funny and smart and beautiful. She has a tender heart and wicked sense of humor.

She is a devoted Auntie and a sweet sister. This girl of mine is so loved. I am so excited to see where she goes from here. 

I love her more than more and I feel so blessed to have her for my daughter, and my friend.

Genetics

Michael is 3 months in the picture on your left. Kevin is 6 months in the picture on your right. Guess we don't have to worry that they were sent home with the wrong baby. Such cute babies. I love them both.

This Face!!

This is the sweet face that greeted me last week when I flew into SLC. No wonder I can't stay away!!! He is the cutest most chill 3 month old baby ever!!

Thankful Thursday

I love these people. So much. I am thankful for each of them. They bless my life and make me want to be a better person.

Abby is the perfect addition to our family. She is sweet and sassy and we love her. Kevin's family is about the cutest thing ever.

Auntie Jo is more than happy to take charge of this little muffin. He is so dang cute!!

My Jo...She has my heart. I am so thankful for her. She has learned so much this last year. She has taught me along the way.

Being a grandma is something I am most thankful for. Having this little guy in my life is the icing on the cake.

He has been blessed with a Mama who loves him and a Daddy who adores him...he is lucky little guy. These people make me truly thankful.

Star Wars AND Baseball!!

We go to Werner Park to watch the Storm Chasers play a few times a summer. We love it. Jim and I sit and enjoy the game like the nice old couple that we are. Last night we invited the Walkers (remember the more-than-fun cruise we went on?? We went with the Walkers) to join us. We should have known that we were in for the best fun EVER!!

Not only was it a night out with the Walkers....it was Star Wars night!!! WHAT!!! How freakin' cool is that!!

I tell ya, this chic was excited. When the umpires take the field, it is tradition to play Darth Vader's theme music to mark their entrance. So when the familiar da da dum da da dum started I didn't really pay much attention.....until I did.

And then I was like HOLY COW!!!! Do you see what I am seeing?? Coolest thing ever. Seriously. Of course I didn't have my camera on me. Luckily the Storm Chasers put a few photos on FB that I was able to use.

I should just know by now that when the Walkers are involved TO BRING MY CAMERA. Mayhem is sure to ensue. Seriously.  Every time we go out it is a riot.

Vader throwing the first pitch...how many times is that going to happen in my life?? Dang. Awesome.

Lucky for us, Jim was able to get this shot of Robert with Boba Fett and part of the Imperial Guard. Best ball game ever...well that part was. So were the last two innings. Good times. 

The team wore special jerseys and were called The Force just for the night. The jerseys were signed and then auctioned off after the game, the proceeds going to Autism research. Decks, Decks and More Decks was kind enough to donate to the cause and donate a jersey TO ME!!!! #17 signed by Pedro Ciriaco Love it!!

 Ilise now wears #16 so when we go to the game (or to Walmart. Or the library. Or to church. Just kidding about church. Sort of.) we can wear our magic jerseys. So much fun. 

I love hanging out with the Walkers. They get it. It's about the memories we make. That is what brings true and lasting happiness. I gotta say...I giggled like a girl all night thinking about how much fun we had. Priceless.

Wordless Wednesday

What's For Breakfast?

This isn't a food blog. I don't spend hours cooking. I am very basic in the kitchen. My Mom was the same way. Usually I'd just grab a bowl of whatever-sugary-cereal we had on hand and that would be breakfast. Then I decided to eat a little better. Clean up my diet you might say. I used to eat a yogurt/cottage cheese blend once in a while. While being yummy it did have quite a few calories and no fiber. So here is what I have come up with. I use plain nonfat yogurt, granola (and more recently Kashi) craisins, walnuts and Chia seeds. This not only tastes good but keeps me full all morning.

1/2 cup plain, nonfat yogurt (53 calories, 6 grams protein)
1/4 cup craisins (98 calories, 1 1/2 grams fiber)
1/4 cup low fat granola (48 calories, 1.2 grams fiber, 1.5 grams protein)
1/8 cup walnuts (100 calories, 1.5 grams fiber, 2,5 grams protein)
1 TBS Chia seeds (47 caolorie, 3.3 grams fiber, 1.7 grams protein)
So for 346 calories I get a whopping 7.6 grams of fiber and 11.7 grams of protein. It is sweet enough with the craisins to curb and sugary cravings I have in the morning and keeps me full. I will say that using the Kashi (honey, almond and flax cereal changes the totals to 8.3 grams of fiber and 12.4 grams of protein with the same number for calories). 
Just something to think about....trying new things maybe isn't so bad ;)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

My latest project....

What is Better?

What is better than being 9 weeks old and finding out you have one hand??

I mean besides being 9 weeks old and being the most adorable baby ever??

Being 9 weeks old and finding out you have TWO hands. That is living right there!!

A Few Pictures

 I just had a few pictures I wanted to show you. Of course they are all about Michael. That baby has consumed my every thought. I just love him so much. He is growing and changing so fast. It is killing me to be so far away. We went to Utah to be there for his blessing. My Dad and Zeffie were gracious enough to open their home to my rowdy family. It was a wonderful trip. This grandpa made sure he got lots of snuggle time.

So did Auntie Jo. They have a special bond, these two.

He has grown and changed so much from the tiny new-born that he was when I was here in June. He is so beautiful. He talks an giggles. He is just heavenly.

This proud Daddy couldn't be happier. He loves Michael so completely. His whole face lights up when he holds his son. I love this more than I can say.

We wait in line to hold this little guy. He never gets put down for long. He is just too fun.

I got to see Jackie for a minute while we were in Utah. It was fun to see her and catch up. Friends like her are hard to come by.

Two sleepy boys. One with a hat and one with a binki. My loves...

Cylie was excited to hold the "tiny baby". Not sure she has been around many infants. She loved every minute she got.

Then there is me back in June. Look how small that boy is. Tiny baby, for sure. I am rocking him in my Mom's rocking chair. My Mom rocked her grandbabies in it. Now her first grandson can rock her first great-grandson in it. Priceless. I cannot wait to go back. This kid has my heart.