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!