He's Home

As I reported to you earlier, Elder Reader is HOME!! It has been quite a roller coaster ride. Above all else it is good to have him home. Two years was a long time. We'd do it again in a heartbeat.....He learned so much and grew into a fine young man while he was away. This fabulous banner and balloons were up when we got home. What a wonderful surprise from one of my fabulous friends here. ((Thanks Ilise))
What an emotional day. Luckily my very good sister chic came with all of her little chicks and fabulous hubby to welcome Kevin home with us. Really that is the only reason I got any usable pictures of the occasion. She was also able to take some family pictures and I can't wait to show you all.
I had told myself I was going to wait at the top of the ramp and let Kevin make his way up to us...but as soon as I saw him....I couldn't wait even one more minute. I'll admit....it was a pretty fast walk I was doing.
This is the smile I was waiting for. How I have missed him.
I have waited for that hug for two years. It was like seeing sunshine after a month of rain. It filled my soul and lifted my spirits in a way I didn't know I needed.
His Daddy missed him....just a bit.
Then we got home and started the next chapter in the story of our lives. If it is as interesting as the last two years....I can't wait to see how it goes.

Wordless Wednesday

Nearly Wordless ;) He comes home tomorrow you know......
Kevin and Elder Hatch (from our ward in Rigby!)
With his buddies at the MTC
Broken car in Texas.
The picture for his plaque.
His first Christmas away from home. How we've missed him!

A Little Crafty

So I've not done much crafting lately. Some...but nothing blog-worthy. A while back I found this cute little site (they happen to be close to my home town). Thoughts in Vinyl is a Mom run company that supplies craft kits and so much more. I loved the variety of projects and that they were very inexpensive. (By the way....I am not being paid to say these things. I just really liked their stuff!) I bought a few different kits....and then life happened and they sat for a while. As I was purging my craft room last week I found a pile of un-started unfinished crafts and thought it would be a good distraction. I didn't take any before or during pics....But it's pretty self explanatory. I painted the wood and let it dry. I Mod Podged some paper to the wood and let it dry. Then I sanded down the edges and put another layer of Mod Podge.....and let it dry. Then I applied the vinyl letters. Easy peasy.
It is double sided so I can change it up a bit. I will tell you that the paper came from my stash and was not included in the kit. You could just stick with paint and fore go the paper altogether.
So here is some sunshine coming at you from the great state of Nebraska. It's going to be a scorcher today (and all weekend). Maybe I'll finish the other projects I ordered and avoid the heat. I'll let you know :)

Perfect

Here I am with my bestests, HH and Nae. These girls found me when I landed in MN....alone and friendless. We found we have more in common than we ever could have imagined. We are wacky and weird and perfectly matched. These women are the most amazing gift givers. They just get me. See the necklace I am wearing? Nae gave it to me for my birthday.
It has an owl on the front of the locket. Nae knows that owls remind me of my Mom.....so I do have a few. She found this for me at a sweet little store and gifted it to me. Just as it is it is a perfect gift. But Nae went one step further......
She took a picture of my Mom (when she was so young....and pregnant with me) and with her mad genius skills, shrunk it to fit in the beautiful locket. Making it truly the perfect gift.
Funny how a small thing can make such a big difference. Now my Mom is quite literally always near my heart.

Flashback Friday

This is my family back in 2007....the summer we moved to Minnesota. Before we really knew what it was to be cold. Before we had lived through a Minnesota winter. Before...well, just before.




The End

Independance Day

I went to see Transformer movie that is in theaters now. I really love this series of movies for two reasons. One: I love a good action film. You know one where they aren't dropping the "F" bomb every other word and the women are clothed. The sort of action movie with an actual plot. Not just a bunch of guys running around blowing stuff to smithereens, just because they had a bad day. And number two: It is a very patriotic film. I love films that make me feel good about the country I live in. Yes, that might be a bit much to ask from a motion picture....but there are a few films that have managed to do that for me over the years. Why am I telling you this? Well, as I was sitting in the theater watching this movie with my sweetie, there was one line that moved me to tears. Colonel William Lennox (played by Josh Duhamel....aka Captain Sexypants) is telling his men he can't guarantee them a ride home on the dangerous mission they are about to be asked to volunteer for.....One very young looking solider steps to the front and boldly declares, "I'll find my own ride." Seriously....I got choked up. I live in an area just outside a military base. I am surrounded with friends whose husbands boldly declare, every day and in real life, I'll find my own ride. Men and women in our country everyday stand up and fight for our individual rights. They risk their lives so that we can live in a free land. Today I am thankful for all the soldiers, active and retired, living and gone who have contributed to my blessed way of life. I am thankful for their families who anxiously await their return. More than ever this flag reminds me to be thankful for those who give and those who gave all. Freedom isn't free. May God bless America.

Flashback Friday

Just because it's so stinkin' hot this week.....