Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Home!

So, ... we moved one month ago, today.  Who moves in December?  Only crazy people.  Who hosts the office Christmas party 8 days after moving?  Only crazy people.  Now that we've established that we are certifiably crazy, let me just say, "Whew!  That was intense!  Let's never move again!"
Many blessings came as a result of our insanity:
We were blessed to have amazing friends and ward members come and pack up our whole kitchen at the old house, and drive with all those boxes to the new house and completely unpack and settle the kitchen in one morning and afternoon!  (What a brilliant concept and enormous blessing!)
We were blessed to have a dear friend (adopted sister) come in and hang all our pictures for us!  (What a HUGE blessing!)
We were forced to settle the main area quickly, and decorate it for Christmas!  Which really was a blessing in disguise.

The party was a success!  After that, it was time to focus on Christmas!  We hit the Nutcracker and The Hobbit in one day!  (It was actually a huge deal that The Hobbit opened on the same night as the office party we were hosting!  We are glad that we made it to the movie the next day.  And, for the record, the Nutcracker tickets were purchased months in advance, before we had found a house, made an offer, or moved.  And, when they were purchased, there was no doubt in my mind that we would have already seen The Hobbit the night before!  So, I wasn't just crazily trying to pack everything into one day--even though other evidence points to insanity.)

We spent time unpacking boxes, and wrapping presents.  We were watched over by our Elf on the Shelf, Jimmy.  We attended our new ward, and found that Ben was the only boy in a Primary class of girls.  That was hard.  We prayed, and the next week, he found out that he had been in the wrong class, and had at least two other boys his age!  Cue the Alleluia Chorus!!  Brianna, of course, made instant friends!

Christmas was wonderful!  We were blessed, in that although James was on call, once he came home on Christmas Eve (a little after 7) he was not called out again until Christmas Day evening, so he was with us for Christmas Eve and most of Christmas day, and did not miss out on any of the essential stuff.

Then, we headed to Utah for the Crowley Christmas party later that week.  It was fun, as usual, to be with family.  The next morning, we attended the temple with my niece who received her endowment in preparation for her mission to Argentina.  Strangely, I could NOT keep my eyes open during the session, which I felt terrible about.  It's like maybe I was tired for some reason.
Following the temple, we headed home, with my wonderful parents, who are preparing to leave on their mission in March to Western Samoa, to serve in the Apia Temple.  (Yes, that IS where I was born!)  Well, in Apia, not in the temple.
And, since we were already decorated, we threw a New Year's Eve party!  Then went skiing to Aspen for two days with just our little family!
What a great month!  I hope yours was great as well, and I hope that you know that I'm grateful for you.  :)
Um, I'm going to bed now, don't wake me until February!

Let's Play Catch ... Up

So, seriously, where did summer go?  My kids go back to school in a week and a half.  They are excited (or is that me?)  So, what did we do in the summer time?

Let me sum up:
Brianna had a birthday, turning 5 years old!!  She is growing up so much! 
Things I admire about Brianna:
* She is able to speak up, no matter the situation, in order to get help/information, get a random kid on the playground in trouble with his/her parent, voice needs/wants/likes/dislikes.  This is a skill that I admire greatly, because it is incredibly difficult for me to do, even as an adult.
* She is fun.  She just attacks life with a fun, playful, and intense attitude!  Sometimes I think I've forgotten how to be fun; I'm pretty sure that's part of why God sent Brianna to me -- to help me remember. :)
* She has a kind heart, and quickly forgives.
* She has a smile that lights up a room, and a laugh that makes the sun shine!

Brianna starts kindergarten this year, and is SO excited!  I took her school clothes shopping the other day, and she was so cute about it all.  She had very definite opinions about the clothes, but fell in love with nearly EVERY shirt that she saw.  I had to limit her choices for her.  During the limiting process, she explained to me multiple times that her teacher would be SO disappointed if she didn't get this or that item. She felt so important and happy as we shopped that she literally was skipping down the corridors at the mall. 

O.k., so this is sort of a mish-mash of catch-up. 

Ben started the summer with a week at his Grandpa and Grammie's, which he LOVED!  (He has since expressed that he wishes THEY were his mom and dad). 
He and Brianna then had a week of soccer camp, with a week of golf camp following for Ben.  Ben decided on his birthday this year that he wanted to take up the great game of golf.  He really enjoyed the lessons, but hasn't had much of a chance to practice his skills yet.
Throughout the whole summer, my kids have been blessed to be able to have swim lessons at a friend's pool, with a girl in our ward teaching them.  They have both made a lot of progress this summer, and while Michael Phelps they are not, they can both pretty safely enjoy a pool now.

Things I admire about Ben:
* He is really growing up.  He is no longer a young child, and yet, he's not a teenager.  He is sort of caught in the in-between stage (I suppose that this is what people call the 'TWEEN' stage, but I don't like that word.).  Sometimes he is so grown-up, and his conversation and his humor just delight me.  But there is still enough of a child inside that needs time to play and imagine and explore. 
* He enjoys yard work.  (That doesn't mean that he does a lot of it, but he does enjoy it.)  I think he gets a lot of satisfaction out of trimming a shrub, and being able to see the immediate results of his work. 
* His gospel understanding still continues to amaze me.  He really understands far beyond his years.

This summer we also were able to attend my family's GrandKid's Birthday Bash where we all gathered at a Barn/Lodge-ish facility and camped and waterskied and jetskied in celebration of all of the Grandkid's birthday's on my side!  It was a wonderful time for all who were able to come!

We had one of my brothers and his family come for a visit, and we ran them ragged with a Brazilian feast and jetskiing!  It was so fun to have them here!

We attended our neice's baptism and visited with James' side of the family which was super fun and special.  Brianna and two of her girl cousins (and two other girls) sang at the baptism and did a beautiful job!

James ran a half-marathon that he had been training for all year and did 2 minutes better than his goal-time, which was a lofty goal!!  I am SO proud of him!  He did that yesterday, and is pretty darn sore today.  After his race, we came back, grabbed our jetskis and met our good friends at the lake for a fun time!  We played until the sun went down!

Coming up this week is some girl-time for my mom, sisters, sisters-in-law, and me!  Can't wait!  Then, the next week, James and I will escape to celebrate our anniversary in Bryce Canyon, at my best friend from High School's parent's bed and breakfast!

In the midst of all of this, we unexpectedly found out we were pregnant!  What?!  Who knew that that particular marital activity between James and I could actually produce a pregnancy??  Crazy, eh?  Well, as it turns out, it was not a viable pregnancy (meaning no baby actually formed) and I ended up having a d&c in mid-July.  It was sad and difficult, and we still have pangs of sadness at the loss sneak up on us, but overall we have recovered well and are moving forward, ever grateful for the two beautiful children God has blessed us with.

Whew!  No wonder I'm tired.

We Finished!

We tried it again. This time, beautiful weather on a paved course. James ran the 10k and came in 2nd in his age division!
The kids and I walked the 5k. (We ran occasionally, but only enough to remind me that I haven't been exercising and that my cardiovascular system has forgotten what it means to kick it up a notch.) I haven't worried so much about training to run, ever since James said that you burn the same amount of calories walking a 5k as you do running a 5k.
The kids are pretty happy with their awesome medals! Ben came in 5th in his age division, and Brianna came in 6th in hers!
I came in 3rd in my division. However, that would be attributed to the fact that there were only 3 in my division. (I hope you weren't drinking right then, or it may have squirted out your nose.)
Comments during the race:
Ben: I know why they plan these races so early in the morning: to ruin your breakfast.
Brianna: Why are they making us do this?
Ben: (As we are being passed by a running Grandma-type) That GRANDMA is in better shape than us!
This morning, Ben told me he wants to do another 5k! I was hoping he'd catch the bug.

P.S. I'd like to thank James for cropping the picture somewhat. I told the kids I would carry their drinks for them, but I had to wear a giant fanny pack to do it. Well, in the picture the black of the fanny pack blended into my dark pants and made me look like I was wearing a giant blue diaper!

Random Post, Limerick-style

We just celebrated 13 years!
'Cause we're Mormon, we didn't drink beers.
It was nice just to be
With my Honey and Me,
As we clinked our sodas for "Cheers!"

*****

Ben is loving his old public school.
Old and new friends and a teacher who's cool.
His biggest complaint?
His friends think he's a Saint!
They all believe his word to be rule.

*****

Brianna's just biding her time
'Til she starts Preschool, with Nursery Rhymes
Her best buddy will be
In her class, luckily,
For, to separate them would be a crime!

Random Thoughts

* "Man cannot live by bread alone" ... just curious, does that include zucchini bread?

* How 'bout banana bread?

* Since living here, we've gone through (which is the detached way of saying "killed") something like 4 toads.

* I'm thinking of putting up a sign on my front door, "Home Sweet Home, the place where amphibians come to die."

* That will also make it easier for PETA to find me after they read this post.

* Does it make me a good mom or a bad mom that I've allowed Ben to catch and keep two snakes?

* We're pretty sure they're not rattle snakes.

* I'm also pretty sure that I'll need a longer sign for my front door: "...amphibians AND reptiles...".

* Does it make me a good mom or a bad mom that I fed my children zucchini bread for dinner last night?

* At least I kept saying, "Eat your vegetables!!"

* James is having a birthday next Friday.

* I think I'm all done shopping for him.

* Although he did give me another gift idea after I said I was done.

* He has a beard.

* He's a babe with or without a beard!

* I'm pretty sure Ben gets his fascination with and lack of fear of reptiles and amphibians from James.

* I think I'm gonna take my kids to a movie this afternoon.

* I'm doing a terrible job being creative with my kids this summer.

* I have taught them how to sort laundry.

* And make their beds.

* Brianna and I cook together a lot.

* Ben can now make great lemonade,

* and strawberry smoothies.

* And we have had a lot of fun this summer.

* But it's the regular day that is most likely filled with too much TV, too many snacks, jammies for most of the day, etc.

* And for that, I beat myself up regularly.

* It seems like I should have amazing activities planned for every day.

* I should be feeding their minds and their creativity.

* Instead, we're mostly hanging out.

* Hmmm. Never know where random posts will lead.

* Have a great day.

* If not, have a great piece of chocolate!

Bedrooms, Birthdays, and Baptism

Brianna loooves books. Here she is "reading" on her new bedspread, with her newly decorated wall (stickers).
Wall stickers can be used for walls, dressers, toy baby doll cribs, etc.

And the rug was just the right finishing touch, don't ya think?

A looong time ago, when Ben's 8th birthday seemed REALLY far away, I told him he could choose how to decorate his room when he turned 8. Well, 8 rolled around and what did he decide? Camouflage, of course! Why didn't I see that coming?

Well, a promise is a promise. So we set to work, and in the end, I think it turned out REALLY well!

The loft above his bed used to be another bed. Now it is a "command post".

My mom's good friend came and painted AN INCREDIBLE MURAL on Ben's wall. It is fantastic! More than we could have imagined, and it totally feeds the imagination of my VERY imaginitive boy!

She told him that the eagle is to remind him to work toward his Eagle in scouts.

And, here is the amazing artist herself! Thank you Miss Judy!! Can you believe she did it all in one day?? Pretty dang amazing! And she's a terrific person to boot!

In April, Ben turned 8, and the first Saturday in May he was baptized by his father. It was so special. Ben was truly prepared. He understands the covenants he has made, and I honestly have seen a positive difference in him since he was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I am so grateful for the gospel in my life. I know that it's true. I know that Jesus truly is our Savior and Redeemer, and that He will save us if we will let Him.

I also know that a testimony is something that has to be fed, just like our physical bodies. If we neglect it, it can grow weak and even eventually die.

I am so proud of Ben and the decision he has made. I hope he learns to feed his Spirit and testimony every day.

I am having trouble adding Brianna's birthday pictures, so I will do a separate post for her, but she did just turn 4 years old! What an amazing little spirit she is!

Did You Know ...

This handsome man is my best friend, my heart-throb, my eternal love. I met him thirteen years ago this month. He told his sister the next morning that he had "met the ONE". He told me that he had "some loose ends to tie up", which meant he needed to dump his girlfriend. He proposed to me three and half weeks after we met. We were married in the Mt. Timpanogos temple three and half months later. I have never regretted that choice. We are not perfect, but we have a pretty dang good marriage!
This kiddo wouldn't stop taking his Earth-prep classes in heaven until his Great Grandma Erma came up there and said, "Enough already!! Your parents have been hoping and praying for you to come for four years now! Get down there you wonderful little soul!"

He will be eight, EIGHT, this week! His baptism is scheduled for next week! He is amazing and wonderful, and incredibly complex! He will also likely start counseling this week to help him learn to deal with his anger and anxiety in appropriate ways (i.e., not throwing and breaking furniture, not choking sister, and not physically fighting mom.)

This little munchkin joined us another four years after Ben. There was much praying and trying, and hoping and charity that brought her to us! We will FOREVER be grateful to her birthmom for having the courage, strength, and faith to give Brianna to our family to be adopted!
I just bought her some summer clothes and I had to buy her size 5T!! What the?? She's only 3! O.k., almost 4, but still! I guess all that praying I did that she'd grow quickly so she could ride the rides at Disneyland are being answered. She used to be in the 5th percentile for height and weight. I wonder where she'll be now.

She is a very literal-minded child. I was telling her all the things that I love about her the other day, and I said, "Brianna, I think your laugh makes the sun shine!" She thought about that and sincerely asked, "really?"

We were at dinner the other night and she was complaining that her foot felt strange. I asked her if her foot had fallen asleep, she said, "Yes. My foot is snoring!"

At the end of a talk this last Sunday, the youth speaker said, "I want to bear my testimony ...." Brianna asked, "Why is there a bear in her testimony?"

I am so blessed to be livin' the dream!

Where to Begin??

Part One:
Toward the end of June, I had my "YEARLY EXAM". We discussed my infertility, and some of the issues my body is currently giving me. My new gynecologist ordered an ultrasound "just to get a look at the structures inside."

Well, as I expected, all my "structures" were perfectly normal. The ultrasound did show, however, that I had gall stones. "O.k.," I thought, "I'll keep that in mind in case I ever have any symptoms."

Over the 4th of July weekend, we were able to see my awesome youngest brother perform with his band, attend my extended family's yearly picnic and fireworks, and take part in the Annual Grandkid's Birthday Bash! It was so fun to be there for everything after missing out on so much for so many years!

Then, since my parents decided to make an offer on a wonderful home, and put theirs up for sale, I decided to stay the week and help them get ready to list their home. We packed things up, rearranged, and "staged" with gusto! It was fun. I'm glad I could be there to help with the process. I think it was a way for me to gain closure with my childhood home.

Then, that Saturday morning, I packed the kids back in the car, and we headed to Vernal, where we met James to attend his family's annual reunion. It was great to be back together with James, and to see the relatives. But I wasn't feeling very well. So, after the picnic, I headed to Grandpa Boyd's to take a nap. When we went to dinner that night, I still didn't feel well, and only ordered a shake (you know, the perfect thing for someone who isn't feeling well.)

We drove home that night, and the next morning, I stayed home from church because I still wasn't feeling too great.

Part Two:
By Monday morning, I felt like maybe I was on the mend, but I did have this annoying, gnawing pain right below my sternum. I sort of remembered my mom asking me a few times, while I was helping her pack, why I was holding my hand to my stomach. "Oh, I just have a little pain," I would respond.

Well, that annoying, gnawing pain continued until on Wednesday night, I asked James if he would examine me. He did the doctor thing, poking, prodding, and tapping my abdomen, until he announced, "Um, I think it's your gall bladder." He suggested I make an appointment with a doctor, especially as we were to be headed back East in just a week. Then, he said I should probably go straight to a general surgeon to be checked.

The next morning, James called to say that he had spoken with a friend who was a general surgeon. This doctor listened to James' story about me, pulled up my ultrasound pictures, and said he wanted to see me at his office at 9 am.

So, the kids and I went to his office. He told me that I had some pretty major gall stones, but that that didn't necessarily mean that we needed to do anything about it. Then he did the doctor thing with the poking and prodding and tapping. He said, "I can feel your gall bladder. I shouldn't be able to feel it. You need surgery. I can do it today or Monday. But with your trip next Wednesday, we better do it today." It was Thursday. He left the room to see what could be scheduled, and came back in to tell me I would be having surgery in three hours.

Part Three:
Gulp! I left and immediately started making phone calls. My good friend here dropped everything to take my kids for the day. James' parents dropped everything to drive six hours to help us out for the weekend. James' scheduler rearranged all of his afternoon patients so he could be with me. James' partner came over to the surgery center to help James to give me a blessing.

Everything was happening so fast, but it was apparent that there were angels seen and unseen who were watching over me.

As I lay in the hospital bed, with the gown open in the back, the thought occurred to me, and I asked James, "So, uh, if I'm wearing the gown with the opening in the back, but they're going to be cutting into me on the front, ...?" James' response? "Don't worry honey, you'll be totally knocked out." .... Comforting.

And then, I knew I would be wheeled into surgery any moment, and I REALLY started to feel panicky. I mean REALLY panicky. I asked James to just talk to me. I have no idea what he said, but the sound of his voice was comforting. I prayed. And I wondered, "Do I really NEED surgery? I mean it's just an annoying pain; I've been putting up with it for a while, I could continue."

About this time, they started wheeling me away, and whatever it was that they had put into my IV was making me feel v e r y s l e e p y. I don't remember anything else until several hours later when I woke up.

As I lay there, I remember thinking, "the pain is the same, but I don't feel so sick." The fact that the pain felt the same to me with FOUR INCISIONS is probably indicative that I maybe should have had things checked out sooner. But, it was only the same when I was laying still. When I moved, the pain was really bad. I couldn't roll over or sit up on my own.

Finally, with James' help, I sat up, and got dressed (I'll leave out the part about me vomiting and about how bad that hurt. I mean, you really don't want to know about that, right?).
James drove me home, and James, his parents, and my kids helped to take care of me for the next several days. On Sunday, James' parents headed home, and my mom came to help out.
I was making progress everyday, but still hurt, and had low reserves. I was/am so grateful that I had so much help, and that my kids and home were well cared for and loved.

Part Four:
When I went to my follow-up appointment on Tuesday, the doctor told me, "When I saw your gall bladder, I couldn't believe you had walked into my office that morning. It was so sick and swollen and angry that I thought it might start throwing punches when I pulled it out!" He explained to me that there was no way I would have made it until Monday to have had surgery.

Apparently my large gall stones had totally blocked my bile duct, and I had developed hydrops. Which means that instead of being a storage unit for bile, my gall bladder had reabsorbed all of the bile, and had filled with a thick watery substance. He said that my gall bladder had probably not been functioning for months.

He also said that I was fine to travel the next day. James agreed. I had my doubts. But my mom helped me pack (I'm pretty sure she had her doubts too), and early Wednesday morning -- post-op day 6 -- we headed out to Virginia, D.C. and PA.

Part Five:
The kids and I toured Jamestown, ate at expensive (and not that great) pancake houses, and bought souvenirs, while James attended a sinus surgery course. Then, on Saturday, we all headed to D.C. where we visited the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Smithsonian (specifically the Natural History and Air and Space museums).

On Sunday evening, James flew back home to go back to work (like we need to pay off all those student loans, or something.) And, on Monday, I had the awesome opportunity to visit one of my favorite mission companions who lives near Baltimore. We had a great visit, and I didn't want it to end. It helps, though, when you're looking forward to the next part of your vacation.

That evening, we drove to PA to visit my sister Tiffany and her wonderful family.
Oh, my, I enjoyed my time with them so much! They are fun and VERY funny, and wise. They were o.k. with my slow pace as we ate delicious food, visited, and made wonderful memories.

Then, we came home -- back to real life, inescapable responsibilities, and the impending school year. So, that's what I did on my Summer Vacation! And, other than the unexpected surgery, it was really great. Even with the surgery, I can see so many blessing surrounding it. The fact that I was able to get in and get it done so quickly; the recent ultrasound showing the gall stones; the people who helped out with no prior notice; the fact that I wasn't SO sick despite being so sick; the timing in relation to our trip (one day less to recover, and I would definitely NOT have been going); the blessing I was able to receive; etc., etc.

So, how did you spend your Summer Vacation?

America's Got Talent!

I once received a blessing in which I was told that I had many talents, but not necessarily the kind you would perform on a stage. I have pondered this over the years, and I have come to realize that I do, indeed, possess some very unique talents.

Take for instance, changing the toilet paper roll. I once thought this was a commonly shared ability, but I now know better. I am--how do I say this without tooting my own horn?--the BEST and perhaps the ONLY person in my household with this ability.

Then, there's also my rare, and I do mean RARE, talent for actually closing the back door!

Add to that my rinsing dishes and loading them into the dishwasher abilities; my toilet scrubbing abilities; my laundry folding and putting away abilities, etc. and it soon becomes apparent, that indeed, I DO have talents. And many of them.

So, what are some of your unique talents? Don't be shy, you won't make me feel bad, afterall, I'm a very talented woman in my own right!

How Do You Find A Word That Means Brianna?

I have been wanting to post about Brianna, but the thought of trying to capture Brianna in words is always daunting. As I was thinking about this, the scene from the Sound of Music with the nuns discussing Maria came to mind. The song they sing about Maria could have been written about our Brianna. I have bolded the lines in the song that are so 'Brianna'.



She climbs a tree and scrapes her knee (only, Brianna would have gotten the scrape by JUMPING OUT of the tree).
Her dress has got a tear
She waltzes on her way to Mass
And whistles on the stair (Brianna doesn't attend Mass, but she is full of a happiness that just spills out of her wherever she goes.)
And underneath her wimple
She has curlers in her hair (Even though she knows the rules, she'll do things her own way.)
I even heard her singing in the abbey

I'd like to say a word in her behalf
Maria makes me laugh

How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Maria?
A flibbertijibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!
Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
But how do you make her stay
And listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

When I'm with her I'm confused
Out of focus and bemused
And I never know exactly where I am
Unpredictable as weather
She's as flighty as a feather
She's a darling! She's a demon! She's a lamb!
She'd outpester any pest (Mostly Ben.)
Drive a hornet from its nest
She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl

She is gentle! She is wild!
She's a riddle! She's a child!
She's a headache! She's an angel!
She's a girl!

How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Maria?
A flibbertijibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!
Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
But how do you make her stay
And listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand

Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

Ben Is Growing in the Gospel

A while back, Ben was having some trouble at school. He had gotten into a bit of trouble for misbehaving. There are a lot of rowdy boys in his class, and it seems that he was just trying to fit in with them.

At about that same time, we read the story in the Book of Mormon about Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. We talked about the different elements of his vision: the Tree, the rod of iron,the mists of darkness, the large and spacious building with the people laughing and mocking.

When we read the part about the people who had made it to the tree, but then, after partaking of the fruit, became ashamed because they were listening to the voices of those who were laughing and mocking, all of a sudden, Ben said, "that's like me." He realized that when he was misbehaving at school to try to fit in, he was like those people who were paying attention to the people in the large and spacious building. He knew that those people aren't on the path that leads to Eternal Life.

A few minutes later, he asked with some concern, "Mom, do you think I'm holding to the rod?" Ben is a good boy, who reads his scriptures, says his prayers, goes to church, tries to do what is right most of the time, and loves his Heavenly Father and Jesus. I told him that I was sure that he was, but that he might feel the mists of darkness all around him at times. I assured him that if he continued to hold to the rod and to move forward, that he would make it.

Ben has been doing great with his behavior at school since that time.

***********

Ben wanted to teach Family Home Evening this week. He chose a story from our New Testament Reader as the basis for his lesson. The story was about Jesus teaching his disciples about prayer.

After the song and prayer, Ben read the story to us. As part of the story, it talked about how Jesus taught that we should not use the same words over and over, but that we should think about what we're saying. When he was finished reading, he shared that he had forgotten about that, and had sometimes (I'll insert here, that it has been OFTEN) used the same words over and over again. He asked if we had ever had that problem. Then he reread the part in the story that taught about really thinking about what we are saying when we pray, to reiterate the importance.

After we had discussed the many points that his lesson brought out, he led us in an activity where we would demonstrate either the right way to pray (head bowed, arms folded, eyes closed) or the wrong way to pray, and the others would have to say if it was right or wrong. It was a wonderful lesson.

Neither James nor I helped him to prepare this lesson AT ALL. We were so impressed. Since giving this lesson on Monday, Ben's prayers have been much less repetitive, and it is apparent that he is thinking about what he is saying. He is a special kid, and I am privileged to be his mom.

Reflections of the Holidays in Pictures

Thanksgiving .... Note the VERY fancy dishes!

The boys and their technology.

Stealing a great idea from a great friend, we created a taste-testing group. We became connoisseurs of BBQ potato chips -- Lays Kettle Cooked came in an undisputed first place.

We also became connoisseurs of Root Beer - with A&W being the clear winner, and with Shasta Root Beer being likened to poison..
Here we are tallying up the votes

Festival of Lights here in our small town. We know how to do it right, eh?

Acting out the Nativity with some friends. Our little angel had a message or two to deliver.

Note Ben, I mean Joseph's stiff soldier-like arms.

Brianna's look of total disbelief to actually have received Barbie and the Diamond Castle!

Our Clone Trooper.

Yes! More Star Wars!

Brianna was totally posing for this photo.

Happy New Year to one and all!!

A Fun and Adventurous Weekend

Look at these cute kids! Ben felt that he needed to look very intense for the pictures -- we don't know why, we don't question why.
Brianna absolutely LOVED trick-or-treating, and made a point of informing most people that she was dressed as a "fuh-fie fairy" (a butterfly fairy). She would turn around so that people could get a better look at her wings! She was really cute about the whole thing.

Then, Saturday morning, we headed off on an adventure to attend our first BYU game in a decade! It was so fun, and really quite an exciting game. BYU won, (which may be due, in part, to Ben's prayer) but it was a close, back and forth game with LOTS of mistakes. Strangely enough, that does keep a game very interesting and exciting!

I included this first picture because I look so amazingly fabulous! Apparently, James was taking our picture while I was busy eating a mouthful of popcorn. Oh well.

Isn't she the cutest little cougar fan?? She loved Cosmo, but she did keep getting confused. She kept saying, "Go Buckeyes!" I guess you can take the girl out of Ohio, but you can't take Ohio out of the girl!

Every time the other team would score, they would fire a cannon. It was quite loud, and Brianna didn't like it a bit. However, it wasn't until after the third or fourth time that I finally figured out what she kept saying afterward: "Softly! No slam the door!"

Ben liked the game as well. He was able to follow and understand it pretty well. Afterward, at the hotel, he and James watched the end of the Texas vs Texas Tech game, and Ben was really into it, and commenting. It made me smile to hear him sounding so grown up. Brianna kept yelling at the TV "Get him! Get him!" I guess she learned a thing or two about football, too.

Brianna almost got to meet Cosmo, but that was as close as they came. We had pretty good seats, and could see the field very well.

On our drive home, Sunday, our car began to malfunction as we came over some very BIG mountains. The accelerator just decided to stop accelerating, so we turned around and limped back, on a different, flatter road and ran into this scene. James immediately pulled over and jumped out to get some great pictures. In the end, we went to a Checker Auto Parts, where they checked the codes and found that it was an O2 sensor malfunction. They cleared the code, and we drove home just fine.






I hope you had a wonderful weekend, too!

A Very Fun Girly Weekend!

Well, I'm sure you knew that it wasn't fair to make a new blanket for Ben, and not make one for Brianna as well. So, here's her blanket:

Of course, I had help with hers. Last weekend I had the privilege of hosting the annual Granddaughter's Sleep-Over that my mom does each year with her, well, Granddaughters. What a cool Grandma, huh? As part of the sleep-over, they were so kind as to tie the quilt for Brianna. Aren't they cute?? We went for a scenic drive in our jammies, first thing in the morning!

Then we went to three different garage sales, IN OUR JAMMIES, with bed-head and all. Garage saleing in jammies was a high-light for the girls. (And, thankfully, I didn't run into anyone I knew!) As I passed one family at one of the garage sales I said, "If you think we look bad now, you should have seen us before we got ready for the day!"

We also did hair, and nails, and watched several movies, and visited, and ate yummy food! It was a blast! And after having been away for nine years, it was really fun to have this time to reconnect with them.