It's been a long time, I know. And I've had several of you ask where I've been for such a long time! Truth is, I've sat down at least a dozen times to post something, but words just haven't come. It's not that there's nothing going on, it's just that I haven't been in the best state of mind lately. Let me explain, without sounding like I'm griping or at all ungrateful for the life that I live...
The bottom line is that I'm tired and overwhelmed and a little bit defeated. The past few months have been difficult for a lot of different reasons, with work and bills and other obligations. Lu found out last week that he's being laid off as of tomorrow (the 12th). Work is hard right now because I really miss my kids and I hate that I have to work to make ends meet. I feel like we work so hard with nothing to show for it (I'm speaking in worldly terms here - in the terms that matter, we are richly blessed). There are certain things that are just out of reach, and frankly - I'm bitter. I'm bitter that I have to put my kids in daycare and every day I see women dropping hundreds of dollars on Botox. I'm bitter that Lu works his butt off every day so his supervisors can play golf and he's the one that's dealt the short stick. In some ways I know that things happen for a reason, and I know that everything works out - I do. But right now the journey is, let's say, a little harder than I prefer.
That being said, I am SO grateful for the healing power of the Atonement. Even though I obviously have some feelings that I need to work through, there is still a peace that I feel when I pray for comfort, guidance, and sometimes just the strength to make it through the day. Our challenges are so unique, and I recognize the heat of the refiner's fire. I'm getting quite used to it actually. Sometimes I wish I could just learn what it is that I'm supposed to learn already and be done with it. Other times I see clearly the path that I'm taking and I'm okay with it.
Even in all of the financial/employment turmoil that we find ourselves in, we have a lot to be grateful for. I have found a lot of joy in my life despite some of the challenges and disappointments, and I've been blessed with amazing family and friends. I guess if I'm going to be stuck in this rut for the rest of my life I will at least be in good company!
I'm sorry for the lapse in communication. As you can tell, I've been working on a few things that still need some thought, prayer, repentance, and a little bit of surrender. Over the next little while I'll post some pictures and tidbits about the kids (they are growing so fast!) and all of their shenanigans. I've been keeping up with all of your blogs, however, and it's fun to see all that you've been doing. So many pregnancies! Crazy! I'm really jealous. Anyway, don't think less of me for my bad attitude. I'm working on it, I promise!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
We HAVE Been Up to Something...
I've just been too lazy to post anything lately! So, here's a rundown of the past month and all that happened, and a few pictures, too!
- Georgia got her first in-salon haircut, at an adorable little place called Cookie Cutters. Before the cut, her hair was looking pretty shaggy. The funny part was that the top was so heavy it was hanging stick-straight - but the bottom was growing in super curly! The trick was to even it out a little...the end result is pretty cute! Sorry some of the pictures didn't get rotated before I attached them!
- We went to the Air Show up at Hill Air Force Base with Jake, Jenell, Jerik and Jackson. We had a great time, and the kids LOVED the planes! The motorcycle Gibson is standing in front of is the Air Force Chopper that was featured on TLC's American Chopper. He was SO excited! He loves motorcycles! Too bad Lu wasn't there to see it!
- Gibson got all signed up for pre-kindergarten at American Legacy Academy, and is so excited!
- Lu's nephew Ephraim got married to a cute girl named Jen. It was the first time in a long time that we had a chance to visit with Lu's family, and we had a really good time.
- I got to go to the Manti Pageant with my mom and grandparents. We spent the night there and had a great time driving around and visiting for 2 days! The last time I was on a trip with those three was in high school and we went to DisneyWorld. I hadn't seen the pageant since college, and it was amazing. It was also the first time I'd been back to Manti since Lu and I got married there!
- Lu and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary on July 6th!
- The kids and I spent some quality time with Grandpa Gary and Grandma Arloa at Cabela's, where we got some stinkin' cute pictures of them.
- I started working 2 days a week in the office, so the kids are hanging out at Jenell's house. She's been taking tons of pictures of the kids, but I'll have to post those when I get them from her.
- I spent three days with the Young Women at Youth Conference. Lu got to take 2 days off of work to spend with the kids while I was gone, and they had lots of fun. I had fun, too, of course!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Laundry Day Collection
I am always amazed and amused at the things that come out of the laundry. I don't clean out pockets, but that is something I may consider doing after this week's haul. After our usual 6 loads of laundry, here is what I found (I'm guessing that most of it came from Gibson's pockets - little boys find such enviable treasures!)...
2 large rocks, a plastic egg (what?! that's so weird), 6 small rocks, a spring, a weird white clip of some sort, a peach pit, a black bead, 4 beans, and 45 cents. Not bad!
2 large rocks, a plastic egg (what?! that's so weird), 6 small rocks, a spring, a weird white clip of some sort, a peach pit, a black bead, 4 beans, and 45 cents. Not bad!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Grave Robbers
Let me preface this post by telling you that I LOVE living by the cemetery. If I didn't have the knowledge of the Atonement and live in a place where the bulk of the people buried here have that same knowledge, I don't think I would enjoy it quite as much. But it is a truly peaceful and joyful place to be.
I love seeing families gather together and pay tribute to their loved ones. I especially love the funerals of public servants and military personnel. We have had 2 soldiers that died in Iraq buried there - one of them had a processional for over a mile up to the cemetery and hundreds of people gathered on the sidewalks and raised their hands to their hearts as his casket was driven up the street draped in the American flag. Scouts in full uniform from several stakes lined the road on both sides and held flags. It seemed like the entire city was silent - it is one of the most reverent experiences I have ever had. And when a former fire chief was buried, 2 of the fire trucks extended their ladders and came together to form an arch over the entrance of the cemetery - SO cool! Anyway, the cemetery is a beautiful place, and you really can't complain about noisy neighbors!
So, this may sound creepy but I assure you - it's not. Each Memorial Day, thousands of flowers are placed on graves by family members. A week later, the city cleans up all of the flowers and puts them in garbage bags to take to the dump. Anyone that knows about it can go there and pick up some of the bags and keep whatever is inside! I have gone over there for the past 3 years to gather mums for my yard. This year we picked up 6 huge bags and divided the booty between myself, my mom and sister, and 3 of my neighbors. It's always fun(ny) to drive through the cemetery and pick out the perfect bags. This year we got some really good things!
Here is my portion of the haul from this year's venture...
Most of the flowers in my yard have come from the cemetery, especially the mums. They come back bigger every year! Here is one of them from last year...
So if you still think it's creepy, just think of us as less "grave-robber" and more "dumpster-diver." It's better than throwing them in the garbage, right?!
I love seeing families gather together and pay tribute to their loved ones. I especially love the funerals of public servants and military personnel. We have had 2 soldiers that died in Iraq buried there - one of them had a processional for over a mile up to the cemetery and hundreds of people gathered on the sidewalks and raised their hands to their hearts as his casket was driven up the street draped in the American flag. Scouts in full uniform from several stakes lined the road on both sides and held flags. It seemed like the entire city was silent - it is one of the most reverent experiences I have ever had. And when a former fire chief was buried, 2 of the fire trucks extended their ladders and came together to form an arch over the entrance of the cemetery - SO cool! Anyway, the cemetery is a beautiful place, and you really can't complain about noisy neighbors!
So, this may sound creepy but I assure you - it's not. Each Memorial Day, thousands of flowers are placed on graves by family members. A week later, the city cleans up all of the flowers and puts them in garbage bags to take to the dump. Anyone that knows about it can go there and pick up some of the bags and keep whatever is inside! I have gone over there for the past 3 years to gather mums for my yard. This year we picked up 6 huge bags and divided the booty between myself, my mom and sister, and 3 of my neighbors. It's always fun(ny) to drive through the cemetery and pick out the perfect bags. This year we got some really good things!
Here is my portion of the haul from this year's venture...
Most of the flowers in my yard have come from the cemetery, especially the mums. They come back bigger every year! Here is one of them from last year...
So if you still think it's creepy, just think of us as less "grave-robber" and more "dumpster-diver." It's better than throwing them in the garbage, right?!
Wet 'N' Wild
Gibson LOVES getting wet in the sprinkler. By sprinkler I mean me holding the hose and squirting him. The drinking pictures are my favorite!!
Landscaping the Backyard Part 1
Well, four years after we moved here, we are finally getting around to doing our backyard! You can see from the pictures that it's pretty much a weedy wasteland back there, but not for long! Thanks to my grandparents, we are putting the sprinkler system and lawn in with leftovers from their yard that they are putting in right now. So I'll keep you updated on the progress, but here is what's up so far!
Who knew that utility trailers made such great play-pens?! Georgia spent over an hour in ours just playing in the dirt. Doesn't she look like a little farm-girl?
Gibson and I hanging out while Lu does all the hard work with the trencher.
This was the hardest job - getting the trenching done. At least now it's over, and we can move on to the fun part!
Who knew that utility trailers made such great play-pens?! Georgia spent over an hour in ours just playing in the dirt. Doesn't she look like a little farm-girl?
Gibson and I hanging out while Lu does all the hard work with the trencher.
This was the hardest job - getting the trenching done. At least now it's over, and we can move on to the fun part!
Our beautiful new tree - the first (intentional) sign of life back there!
Our gigantic back patio (there used to be a swimming pool there that's been filled in). We have some great plants that I'm trying to keep alive that are leftover from G&G's yard. Gibson has loved having his tractor - he is getting 5 cents for every rock he hauls out of the yard.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
I Love My Sister
I really do!! I am sitting here reflecting on my day, which I spent almost entirely with her, and am feeling like the luckiest little sister in the world! Here is a list of the highlights of this fun and productive day...
9:00am - I call Jenell and see if she wants to go to Lowes to look at tile. YES!! she replies so I should pick her up from the elem. school where she just dropped of Jerik
9:20am - Jenell calls - where are you? that was 20 minutes ago! I'm coming, I just had to get Georgia dressed after I dropped Gibson off at Joy School
9:30am - Lowes: we look at tile and Jenell (the color expert) steers me in the perfect direction for my new kitchen floor, countertops, and backsplash. She is so smart, I'm so excited! Then on the way out, she just reaches out and grabs the perfect paint colors. She is SO smart, I'm SO excited!
10:45am - pick up Gibson, run to Albertson's to get Jackson some diapers (this is the last pack, she swears - he'll be potty trained before these run out)
11:00am - car full of whiny kids. We need a Diet Coke. Why not just get lunch? Wendy's. Park.
11:45am - 2 FULL days of preschool? let's go get information RIGHT NOW.
12:00pm - back at Jenell's house, why not plant a gazillion pansies? Jenell digs the hole, Brittney places the flowers (Britt's a wimp, can't use the tool). Jersey (the dog) eats the flowers. 7 times. Put her on a leash, she breaks her collar. What a pain. Why does she have a dog?!
1:30pm - let's go to the Home Depot and look at plants. We're going to have the best yards EVER!! This plant is only $5 - we spent more than that on lunch! Next time I need Wendy's, I'm going to Home Depot. This one or this one? That one. Definitely.
2:30pm - many many tired and cranky kids in the car. drop off Jenell and Jackson at home. let's go to the nursery tomorrow to look at more plants for our rockin' yards. see you in the morning?
3:30 pm - can I go to Jenell's house and meet the girl that's buying the book? Just go through the gate (push hard, there's a log behind it). The book is in the bedroom (ignore the mess). Don't take less than $25.00 (she's already getting a deal). Drive to find Jenell, give her $25.00. Dog's collar is broken again. Needs a new collar. Dogs are too expensive, maybe she'll get rid of the dog.
7:30pm - Jenell calls, but I miss it because Gibson sharted and made a caca mess that of course, I had to clean up because Lu was dry-heaving. (ok, he didn't dry-heave, or get mad - way to be strong, babe!)
9:30pm - I finally call Jenell back. She wants to know if Lu likes the tile. Are we still on for tomorrow? see you in the morning!
11:00pm - It hits me how grateful I am for Jenell and the amazing and talented person she is - she is my sister, but more importantly she's my friend. What a fun day we had!
I love you, Jenell!!
9:00am - I call Jenell and see if she wants to go to Lowes to look at tile. YES!! she replies so I should pick her up from the elem. school where she just dropped of Jerik
9:20am - Jenell calls - where are you? that was 20 minutes ago! I'm coming, I just had to get Georgia dressed after I dropped Gibson off at Joy School
9:30am - Lowes: we look at tile and Jenell (the color expert) steers me in the perfect direction for my new kitchen floor, countertops, and backsplash. She is so smart, I'm so excited! Then on the way out, she just reaches out and grabs the perfect paint colors. She is SO smart, I'm SO excited!
10:45am - pick up Gibson, run to Albertson's to get Jackson some diapers (this is the last pack, she swears - he'll be potty trained before these run out)
11:00am - car full of whiny kids. We need a Diet Coke. Why not just get lunch? Wendy's. Park.
11:45am - 2 FULL days of preschool? let's go get information RIGHT NOW.
12:00pm - back at Jenell's house, why not plant a gazillion pansies? Jenell digs the hole, Brittney places the flowers (Britt's a wimp, can't use the tool). Jersey (the dog) eats the flowers. 7 times. Put her on a leash, she breaks her collar. What a pain. Why does she have a dog?!
1:30pm - let's go to the Home Depot and look at plants. We're going to have the best yards EVER!! This plant is only $5 - we spent more than that on lunch! Next time I need Wendy's, I'm going to Home Depot. This one or this one? That one. Definitely.
2:30pm - many many tired and cranky kids in the car. drop off Jenell and Jackson at home. let's go to the nursery tomorrow to look at more plants for our rockin' yards. see you in the morning?
3:30 pm - can I go to Jenell's house and meet the girl that's buying the book? Just go through the gate (push hard, there's a log behind it). The book is in the bedroom (ignore the mess). Don't take less than $25.00 (she's already getting a deal). Drive to find Jenell, give her $25.00. Dog's collar is broken again. Needs a new collar. Dogs are too expensive, maybe she'll get rid of the dog.
7:30pm - Jenell calls, but I miss it because Gibson sharted and made a caca mess that of course, I had to clean up because Lu was dry-heaving. (ok, he didn't dry-heave, or get mad - way to be strong, babe!)
9:30pm - I finally call Jenell back. She wants to know if Lu likes the tile. Are we still on for tomorrow? see you in the morning!
11:00pm - It hits me how grateful I am for Jenell and the amazing and talented person she is - she is my sister, but more importantly she's my friend. What a fun day we had!
I love you, Jenell!!
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