WE HAVEN'T DIED

No, we haven't died nor fallen off the edge of the earth. We are alive and ticking and all is well. Life has just been a WHIRLWIND the past two months! Here are just a couple of things that have occupied our time.
We had a delightfully quiet Thanksgiving holiday at home. We chose to stay and celebrate with just our little family. It was a treat to hear my little ones list of things they are grateful for and to see my husbands face light up with all the food! (Doesn't sound like him at all, does it?)
We were then blessed to have my in-laws come for a visit. As always, we had a great time catching up on the latest news, shopping, eating, swimming, and lounging! Not only did they accomplish their grandparently task of spoiling my kids with clothes and toys, but they out-did themselves and spoiled Mike and me with a beautiful new chandelier for our foyer. I need to take a picture so you all can see just how beautiful it is! We had a visit with Santa at the mall one day. The highlight....my shy little Chunkabear SAT on Santa's lap! He has always been deathly afraid of doing that, so this year, when he walked right up (the first in line of my kids) sat down and started talking, I started crying! Way to go buddy! It is now apparently Mei's turn to be afraid! She would have nothing to do with the jolly old elf. Thanks for the memories Grandma and Grandpa!
Pal sang his first solo in sacrament meeting this past Sunday. He sang "Jesus Once Was a Little Child." You would never have known that he had any fear doing it. He really shined! I am so proud of him and hope that he continues to find joy in singing.
We hope you all have a merry Christmas....and we hope all you men are done with your shopping. And no. A gift bought at the corner Maverick store is not a well thought out gift! We'll post again after Christmas...including pictures of our hopefully happy holiday.

MORE "BUMBLES KNOCK-OFFS!"

Here are a few of my latest watch band creations...somewhat copied since I have no creative capacities. So sue me.

HALLOWEEN TIME

Wednesday: Pumpkin Painting!

Thursday: Aces birthday bash. Celebrated with balloons, a visit to the haunted straw maze, and a DQ ice cream cake to follow. Happy Birthday Honey!!!

Spook Night: Trunk or Treating with our cowboy, chicken, and police man.

RECOVERY BLOG

Earlier this month, I was at work when 2 pedestrians were brought in after being hit by a car. One sweet lady did not make it, but the other is still recovering from her serious injuries. I was just made aware of a blog created by her friends about her recovery. It is quite interesting and provides wonderful insight in the day to day life of a patient and the struggles they endure. I thought those of you that read my blog that were in some way involved in her treatment might be interested in taking a peek. So here it is: http://bwrecovery.blogspot.com

A NEW CALLING

I have made a really hard decision this month in regards to my church calling. I have been the ward choir director for 2 years and have truly LOVED it! However, I changed my work schedule back in August to every Friday and Saturday night and making it to choir every Sunday morning at 8:30 has been murder for my body, family time, and sanity. Not to mention, I probably put in too much time during the week looking for music and studying music. I asked to be released 3 weeks ago, and it finally happened on Sunday. I have felt so much heart ache about giving up something I love so much but knew it needed to be done for my well being. Well, the Lord truly knows each of us and our needs and I have received a new calling from the stake the very day I was released. I have been called to be the Stake Chorister. It won't take up too much of my time, as it will just be for stake conference twice a year. I will also get to have the opportunity to help teach workshops to new choristers. I am so happy that I can keep my foot in a door after feeling like I had closed it on myself. I'm thankful that the Lord knows me and loves me enough to listen to me and fill my needs.

TAG

TYPE ONLY 1 WORD.
1. Where is your cell phone? Dresser
2. Your significant other? Hottie
3. Your hair? Changable
4. Your mother? Missionary
5. Your father? Misisonary
6. Your favorite place? Home
7. Your dream last night? Skiing
8. Your favorite drink? Lemonade
9. Your dream/goal? Housewife
10. The room you're in? Basement
11. Your fear? Alone
12. Where do you want to
be in 6 years ? Home
13. Where were you last night? Bedroom
14. Why you're not motivated? Overwhelmed
15. Muffins? Yummy
16. One of your wish list items? Braces
17. Where you grew up? Utah
18. The last thing you did? Email
19. What are you wearing? Green
20. Your TV? Disposable
21. Your Pets? Loud
22. Your computer? Vital
23. Your life? Swamped
24. Your mood? Grumpy
25. Missing someone? Hubby
26. Your car? Mom's
27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes
28. Favorite Store? Kohls
29. Your summer? Short
30. Your favorite color? Teal
31. When is the last time you laughed? Today
32. Last time you cried? Sunday
33. Who will/would re-post this? Unknown
34. Your strength? ?
35. Your weakness? Temper
36. Something you're proud you learned? Music
37. Favorite thing to wear? Sweats
38. Favorite smell? Bread
39. Warm or Cold? Warm

THE BOOGIE MAN

Last night, I went over to my next door neighbors house for 2 hours. Being the "wonderful" mother I am, I left Mei sleeping and the boys watching a movie. I told the boys to call me on my cell if I was needed. I didn't receive a phone call, but kept wondering if the house was being totaled or if the boys were killing each other. I finally snuck home around 11:00.

The first thing I noticed was that we were missing our 2 biggest and orangest pumpkins from the front porch. I asked the boys (who, by the way, were being angels!) if they had moved them. They had not. I thought no big deal about the pumpkins...it is Halloween after all. I'm sure I'll see them smashed out in the road later today. The problem came when Pal informed me that he had heard someone walking around upstairs about 30 minutes before I came home. YIKES!!!! I asked why he didn't call me, and he said he was fine and that HE searched the house!

I of course became overly paranoid, searched the house myself, and continued to panic. I made the boys come to my room to sleep, called my husband (who is out of town) and my sister that lives in Utah to talk me through it. (Sorry for the late call!) Despite my best efforts, I was still terrified of some dark mysterious figure walking through my house or peeking through my windows, so I called dispatch and made a deputy come search my house and yard for me! I'm not sure if I am more embarassed about bringing him out here for something so silly, or for the fact that my house is in a declared national disaster area! Needless to say, the house and our well-being was in no danger.

The night didn't end there. Oh no...that would be too simple! A couple hours after finally convincing myself I wasn't going to get a phone call with a creepy voice on the other end saying "I see you...he didn't find me!" and that it would be ok to fall asleep, I was woken by my son saying he didn't feel good. He went to the bathroom and came back saying he was ok, so I went back to sleep. An hour later, Mei woke up thinking it was morning. I tolerated her tossing in bed with me for about an hour and took her back to her own bed. I stepped in something wet, thinking Pal spilled water when he got a drink earlier. When we woke up this morning, I realized that I had stepped in throw up! YUCK!

So I have a full house this morning, lack of sleep, and a declared national disaster area to pick up. I suppose I won't be getting any nominations for mother of the year having left my kids to brave to boogie man by themselves. I'm glad they fared better than I did. And I've learned my lesson that a 7 and 5 year old are not quite old enough to be left alone...even if it is just next door in a quiet little town in the middle of nowhere.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

MY BABY'S 2!

I can hardly believe my little baby has already turned 2! The time has flown by way too fast. She is such a sweet, caring, mischievous little thing....how we love her! Here are a few of Mei's favorite things at the age of 2:

1. "Babybugs" of course meaning ladybugs. She scavenged the garden on a daily basis this summer to find these cute little buggies. I'm sure they didn't find her so cute since those she found never made it back in one piece. She picked out her dress to wear on her big day...notice the design...BABYBUGS!!!

2. The Little Mermaid. She loves Ariel! We got her an Ariel doll for her birthday. It's so cute to watch her hold her out like they are dancing and to sing with her the songs from the movie.
3. Her daddy. She squeals with delight every time she hears him come in the door from work. And their playtime beats all! She taunts him just as much as he taunts her. It's too funny to watch.

4. The boys. They are her favorite playmates. She also keeps them in line like a little mommy. "Quiet boys!" And she says their names so cute...Stenan and Wywy. She likes to do what they do. Since daddy had on a hat, the boys had to have one...and Mei was not satisfied until she got one too!

5. Being "pretty." She is overly obsessed with my makeup and nail polish. She also likes to have her hair pretty and wear pretty dresses. She likes to say "I soooo pretty!" after she gets dolled up...or after she gets into trouble in my mascara! Due to this fettish, we got her her very own lip gloss and hair rollers. I wish she'd let me take a pic of her hair out of the rollers. She looks like Shirley Temple! Too cute. Perhaps next time she'll be more obliging.


Happy birthday little sister!

SUMMER GARDEN

I've had a really great time this summer growing things in my garden. This year, I actually did something with the produce grown! I canned strawberry jam early on. It has been so yummy! I wish I had had more for freezing whole berries for smoothies throughout the winter. Perhaps next year.

A bit more recently, I tried my hand at canning beans. My sweet neighbor, and surrogate mother/grandmother, brought over her pressure cooker and taught me how to use it. It was so much fun and the end result has been so delightful! The best part was doing it with her. I love her!

I also really love green peppers. I did, however, go a bit overboard with how many plants I planted. I have given away a lot of them! But that's ok. I love the primary song that says "We'll plant enough to fill our needs then plant a few to share..." Here's a pic of one that grew a little helter-skelter that I picked this afternoon.
My tomatoes have been a chore. I planted 9 plants, and only 5 of them produced anything. They have slowly been giving us ripe fruit to enjoy. Mei really enjoys picking them and throwing them over the fence to the sheep next door. I have probably lost over 30 tomatoes in the last 3 days from this sweet girl feeding the hungry lambs, and decided I really do want to feed my hungry family! So today, I went out with Wy and Mei and we finished picking all of them. I guess I'll just let them ripen on the table. Hopefully by next week they will be ready to can or make into salsa.
So after that, I'll be down to my potatoes, which I think I'll shred and freeze as hash browns; my carrots, which I don't know what to do with; and my onions, which I will be dehydrating in Utah, and then the glorious pumpkins! I'll post pictures of those beauties closer to Halloween. Oh yes. And Aces favorite part of the garden has been the corn. I, on the other hand, have not enjoyed them. Next to the bees buzzing through the stalks, the earwigs infest them! I understand why the cobs are wrapped so tight in their husks.
And of course, my summer garden and yard wouldn't have felt complete without the chickens. They are so much fun to have around! We've named some of them. We have Ugly Betty, who is so ugly she hides from the camera. We have Henny Penny, who is delightful because she loves to be petted. Unfortunately, I don't know which one she is until she is letting me hold or pet her so I have yet to capture a picture of her! And, finally there is Foghorn. Yes, we got "blessed" with a rooster. The dear thing started crowing about 2 weeks ago during the daytime. It's been so funny! He sounds more like a broken wind up toy than a rooster. However, over the last 2 days, he has gotten much better. And sadly, he is realizing his true potential and starting to crow at the crack of dawn. I think he will shortly be enjoyed as chicken noodle soup.
We received 4 new additions to our chicken coop this week. They are older girls and are producing eggs!!! Yea!!! It's fun to go back and find those wonderful treasures awaiting us. It is still a fun task for the boys. I can't help but wonder when it will be just that...another task! I caught this one by surprise. I think she was getting ready to lay, but I scared her. I'll have to go back later and see if she finished the job.
But here was one in the box next to her. Good job girls!
Thank you Wildings for teaching me how to can and the joy of having chickens. Thank you Grandma for your extra bottles and lids and for the pressure cooker...which I will pull out to use now that I know how to use it!

EISF

For those of you not from this area, EISF obviously means Eastern Idaho State Fair. Yup. It was that time of all times again. The hubby took off for 10 days to work security at the fair. We visited him only once this year. And might I add, once was definitely enough! 3 kids can be quite the handful in 1 crowded place. We had a great time doing the things you're supposed to do: checking out the animals, riding rides, eating greasy fair food, and then for an extra treat, we stayed for the evening to watch the freestyle motorcross event. It rocked. Glad it's over. Oh yeah, as a side benefit to Aces being gone, I got to watch MUSICALS with the kids all night long. They loved 'em and I loved being able to watch them without one single moan or groan! It's been fun to hear my kids singing "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" and "I Cain't Say No" ever since! Now for several pics from the day...I know. I always put too many on. I'll do a photoscape thing next time...I promise!

Blowing bubbles in the science discovery tent
Playing with a large magnet in same tent
Fun slide! Mei was so upset she was too small to ride.
Remember this one from last year? Still just as good!
Here's a new one we tried.
They felt like Superman!
Mei cleaning Daddy's face. She's so helpful.
Ummm...corn dog...
Sharin' with her Pal.
Shovin' it in before he eats it all!
Aces....working hard or hardly working?
The boys watching the motorcross in our VIP seats...the bull pens.

FUN HAIR?

My sis Kim sent a fun blog (http://shedoeshair.blogspot.com) all about doing little girls hair...I thought I'd try one out called 3 loopy loops.
From the front...oh so cute!

From the back...all I can think of is the scene from Princess Diaries 2 when the guy does her hair for the wedding..."I look like a MOOSE!"



Crazy...it looks cuter in the pictures! I'll probably try this one again another day with either just 3 down the middle or 2 down each side. A positive of the "do"..it gave me a fun excuse to make little hair clips!

FOLLOW ME!

So, blogger added a "followers" thingie-ma-doober. You can see I don't know what I'm talking about! (Thanks Josh for following me or I wouldn't have even known it existed!) So I guess what I am trying to say is I invite you to be my follower! All you have to do is click on the Followers button in my sidebar and you can follow me...either privately or publicly. Go ahead...do it! I dare you!

TOO MUCH STUFF

It's not that nothing has been going on...in fact it is just the contrary. There has been too much stuff going on to find a moment to sit and tell about it. From trips to the park and lakes, to a birthday at the bowling alley, school starting, and a lot of garbage in between (literally) we've been busy as beavers. I'm so glad last week is over and "normal" life can begin again. Here's a slideshow for your viewing pleasure...(Angie-tell me how to do the photoscapes. I like them soooo much better than the slideshows!)

Some blessings of the week:
(1) Wy's Birthday-a renewal of the joy I had 5 years ago. He is such a special boy to me. I love how happy he is, how much he enjoys just living life, his thrive to learn new things, and the fact that he is independent enough to let me accomplish the things that need to get done.
(2) The start of another school year- Pal has such a happy spirit. I know it is hard for him to sit day after day, but he is so smart and has such drive when he puts his mind to it. I love the break it gives me, but miss him and his silly smile and giggle.
(3) Friends helping friends through crazy times...you know who you are and you know what I mean. I'm glad for a new week to begin, and for a new beginning (?) for a lost friend.
(4) A visit to the temple- a source of inspiration in a time of need. To feel the Lord's love for me on an individual basis means more than words can express.
(5) Technology- a conversation "face-to-face" with Mom and Dad via Skype at a time I really needed it...I couldn't have asked for anything greater.
(6) My man- his sweet smile when he comes home from work and his support through crazy days. His spirited play with the kids when I really need a break.

GOING TO CHURCH

Aren't they cute?
Scroll down to the bottom of my blog...I just added on our Wright family picture taken the weekend of my parents farewell at Layton City Park. I think it turned out nicely. Hopefully we will be seeing previews of our individual family photos shortly.