Christmas 2009!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas.....well, we're still celebrating around here. Lyndsey got the barrel racing saddle that she has been wanting for a while. We actually surprised her somehow! She didn't have a clue! Although, she did go Black Friday shopping with Marty and I this year, and Jace milked out all kinds of information from her. We shopped exclusively for him that day!

Jace was less than thrilled with his Christmas presents this year. Marty insisted on getting him TOOLS! He didn't want, or ask for tools. During his routine "shaking of all the presents" that he does everyday until Christmas, he found out he was getting tools.....not just a few tools, but A LOT of them. Needless to say, we had a hard time dragging his butt out of bed this morning. He was less than excited.

We did however get him a gun safe, (that he knew about, but couldn't find....it was 15 feet from his bedroom for over a month!) and a nightstand that he needed. He will be giving the "borrowed" nightstand back. Jace robbed Josh's room immediately after we dropped him off at the MTC to serve a 2 year, full time mission.

Marty gave me some gorgeous Montana Silversmith jewlery, shoes and money......the kids gave us a camera to take on our cruise. I'm glad I got it for Christmas......It's gonna take 6 weeks to learn how to use it!

I'm awaiting 6:00 pm. I get to hear that sweet voice I haven't heard since Mother's Day. We get to call Guyana, and talk to Josh tonight! Then, finally, my Christmas will be complete. I can't hardly stand myself! I've caught myself crying on and off all day waiting for this phone call. It will be his last from the Mission field......unless.....President Gamiette calls and tells us to come and get him immediately............he's went AWOL. Doubt that will happen with two months and six days left! ;) Happy Holidays!!!

Old farts....

Tonight Marty and I are getting a glimpse of what it's going to be like when we get to be old farts, with no kids prowling around the house. Jace is at the high school basketball game...go Juab....Lyndsey is babysitting, and Marty and I are sitting on opposite couches looking at each other.

I suppose we'll have to find a hobby to keep us busy later in life....or else, we could have another baby! NOT! That's not going to happen! Should I take up knitting? boondoggle? chinese checkers? snipe hunting? Any ideas?

12 more days!

As I was sitting here messing around on the computer today, I happened to look at the date on the calendar, December 13, 2009! Only 12 more days until I get to make that twice a year phone call to my missionary who has recently been transferred to Guyana.

I need to be more on top of my game this time. We had put $200 on a phone card for our Mother's Day phone call..... and, well, as International calls would have it, we kept getting disconnected! After getting disconnected the first time I dialed the number direct, without going thru the calling card number. That sweet phone call costed us a whopping $491.90 cents! That wasn't one of my smarter moves! (Mind you we had already spent $200 for the card!) Maybe on Christmas I will let Marty do the dialing! What price we won't pay to hear the voice of someone so far away!

Release date: March 4, 2010!!!!!! Two months, two weeks and 4 days!!!!!!-----and YES....I AM COUNTING!

Bah Humbug!

Okay, so it's the 6th of December.....where's my Christmas spirit?

I finally got my Christmas decorating done, and thanks to Jace and Lyndsey for all the help! I haven't felt like dragging out all the crap knowing that in another month I have to try to smash it all back into the closet under the stairs, and slam the door before it all falls back out. What's happening to me? I've lost the "Peace on Earth Goodwill toward Men" feeling. Yesterday as we were shopping at Costco I felt like running people over with my shopping cart! I was on a "mission" and I wanted to get in and get out....but there were a ton of Holiday Shoppers strolling the isles of the store acting like they had all day to find that perfect gift....and then I come up behind them and want to run them over because I had to shift gears! Holy Hannah! I must be related to Ebenezer Scrooge! Maybe he's my dad!

Hopefully I will get into the spirit of the season, slow down, and enjoy the Holidays. Could this have something to do with my family not being able to be all together yet again? Next year at this time I will have all three kids here with me even if I have to drive to the other side of the country, hog tie them, throw them in the trunk and hold them hostage! We will all be celebrating together!

I got my last email from Trinidad this evening. Josh will be moving to Guyana this week to finish out his mission......or to die, as they say. I'm excited to hear from him on Christmas! Less than 3 months left! Whoo Hoo! Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!.....yah right.

Thanksgiving 2009

Wow! We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. My family is healthy, and for the most part we're happy. My missionary is doing great and is due home in about 3 months.

A Senior couple from Arizona is providing some of the missionaries with the traditional Thanksgiving dinner! I'm so appreciative to those who are looking after my son for me. I hope all the missionaries and service men and women have a great Thanksgiving, even though they are far from their loved ones.

My brother-in-law had surgery yesterday, and he seems to be doing amazingly well. Thankful for that! He is a go-getter, and you just can't keep him down!

I hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend. I don't know that I can endure "Black Friday". I value my sleep, so we'll have to see!

Thanksgiving

We had an early Thanksgiving celebration this year. Because of some unforeseen circumstances our family chose to celebrate Thanksgiving on Sunday. We had a great meal thanks to mom who always goes above and beyond to make things special for us. She lets us all converge on her house each year and no matter how much corn, turkey or gravy is spilled on the floor, she smiles and lets us have our fun!

We went to a park here in Nephi and took turns taking family pictures. We were the only one minus a body in our family picture......but the positive side to that is .....he will be back with us the first part of March!

Kamarie's husband Frankie is due to have surgery on Tuesday of this coming week. They will be taking his thyroid out. We wish him the best! He is such a neat person. He never complains. And believe me, he's had a lot he COULD complain about lately, but I haven't heard one negative word come out of his mouth!

Lyndsey and I did have a change to get our family Christmas cards ordered this past weekend! Here's a preview of the photos we choose for our cards. They are in a collage form. We're not goofy.....we did this on purpose!

How did I forget the post about the glasses?

I went to the University of Utah today for my annual eye appointment that I haven't been to for 6 years. Does that still make it annual?

According to Marty, I'm all but legally blind! He's been telling everyone that I can't see to drive! LIE! He's lying! I'm a good driver......ask him who got us to the appointment with 25 minutes to spare! Yup! That would be me!

I suppose I shall never look the same. I will from here on out be known as "four eyes". Ask me if I feel bad about all the people I called that when I was younger. Life has a way of coming back to "BITE YOU!".

New Moon, homework and glasses!

Tonight I got together with a group of gals that work at the school with me, and we had to go check out Edward and Jacob for ourselves. Not bad! They are both pretty fine, except I think I actually like Jacob more. I don't know if I root for the "underdogs" (bad pun) in life, or if I would have still taken a liking to him had he been the "leading man". Did I mention he had a six pack that put the beer companies to shame?

The movie wasn't as good as the books. Which, I don't think they ever are, so it was to be expected.

I got a very nice email from Josh this afternoon, and as usual there was homework for mom. He would like me to send a Christmas card to each and every family he has baptized since he's been in the West Indies. Sound like a small feat to you? There's somewhere between 20 and 25 families......that I've never met, mind you. Wonder what the letter will say? I only hope I can sound intelligent!

I've got one good friend that emails me every now and then from Trinidad. Her name is Catherine, and I was planning on getting their address from Josh and sending them a card. She is such a nice person to correspond with via email and Face Book.

And like I mentioned earlier, this week I got a call from a lady named Indra. Josh taught, and baptized her family, and has since become very close to them. He talks of them often. I'm looking forward to thanking them for taking such good care of Josh while he is so far from home. I'm happy that so many people look out for the Missionaries and they serve. What a blessing to a mother that is so far from her son. I will be forever in debt to these wonderful people! I can't wait to thank them!

Trinidad----West Indies

I got a pleasant surprise this morning! at 7:40 a.m. I got a call from a lady named Indra. She is the mother of the "Ice Cream" family that lives in Trinidad! She called to tell me how much she and her family loves my missionary! She also told me that her family is planning to go to the Temple in Santo Domingo sometime next August to be sealed together as a "forever family." Then she mentioned that Josh had told them that when they go to the temple, he would come back to the West Indies and go with them! It sounds like I better keep saving my money!

Talk about a phone call that can make your week! Can it get better than this! I love hearing from people who have made connections with my son. I've also made a friend named Catherine Seenath from Trinidad. The West Indian people are so nice! I'm glad my son got called there on his mission.......wonderful people, and beautiful countries! He's been able to see at least 6 different countries, and it could possibly be more!

Three months and two weeks left!

Lyndsey

Marty and I are pretty sneaky! Lyndsey decided that she needed a new puppy, since we lost Tink about three weeks ago. She has been a heart broken little gal ever since. Lyndsey told me the other day that she thought she would like a puppy for Christmas......so Merry Christmas Lyndsey! I can't decide who is more thrilled.......Lyndsey.......or Jace! The dog is a pom-poo and is full grown, and absolutely ADORABLE! He is definitely a welcome addition to this family whose been mourning the loss of our other little buddy, "Tink." Remy won't replace Tink and all the memories we have with her, but he will help open a new chapter and help this family heal from a loss. I just hope he don't whine all night........I do enjoy my sleep!

Lyndsey and Remy! Jace snuck in there too!

Happy Birthday Jace!

I'm a looser mom. I need a few more hours in my day.....don't we all. Yesterday Jace turned 17. As he was coming up the stairs he said, "I feel old. You can start calling me Grandpa." Wow, to be 17 again.

I took on to much yesterday and barely squeezed in making his birthday cake. It was a bad ugly cake.....I can usually make a cake, but not yesterday! It wasn't worthy of company. Between the ugly cake, and all the other crap I tried to take on, there was no birthday party! I need to try harder next year to make his birthday a little bit more special.......I'm not up to win mother-of-the-year award any time soon.

Happy Birthday Jace! :)

Jace placed 3rd!!!!!

I'm so proud of Jace! He participated in the FFA discussion meet tonight...and he placed 3rd overall!!!!! Go Jace! Other schools participating in the discussion meet were: Wasatch, Utah and Juab counties. The top 4 were all from Juab! Go Juab!!!!

Sick Missionary so far from home---

It's really hard on a parent to not be able to be there for a sick child.....and I still consider Josh my "CHILD".... even though he is 21.

In Josh's email this morning he told of how he had to finally go visit his first West Indian doctor. He's been very sick with an extremely high fever for a couple of weeks, and his back and neck were so stiff he wasn't able to turn his head. They thought he may have meningitis....but they eventually ruled that out. He didn't really come right out and say what he had....so of course the wheels in my head are turning, thinking possibly Dengue Fever again. He suffered through that last year. I'm not sure someone should have to suffer through that twice.

I'm a little emotional knowing that there's nothing I can do for him....he's so far away, and I can't even call him on the phone. I know he's being looked after by a higher being, but I'm still struggling. I'm hoping to get better news in the next few days. Miss that kid!

Happy Birthday!

I'm still laughing from the card I go in the mail this morning from my son, Elder Palmer. That kid makes me laugh everytime I hear from him!

I open what I think is a birthday card, and it ends up being a Sympathy card! He says he hopes the card finds me well, and not reeling from the shock of that tragic day.......turning another year older! Then he precedes to tell me not to forget my friends birthday (which I already have!) because he knows she will show up with a birthday present again this year, and I'm going to look silly! Which......it will happen! It does every year!

How can someone so far away make you smile everytime you think of them? Josh has such a fun sense of humor! I miss that kid! He will be home in four short months......then I'll have to watch my back. I never know when, what, or where it will be coming from! He keeps my senses keen!

Honor Roll Students!!!!

I have to take a minute to brag on my kids! Jace and Lyndsey both came waltzing in the other day with 4.0 report cards! Where do they get their intelligence from? Marty and I may have came close to a 4.0 if we had added our grade point averages TOGETHER! Way to go Jace and Lyndsey!

We attended a 4-H achievement night on Thursday where Lyndsey walked away with the honor of having the 1st place "Swine Portfolio" in Juab County! She also padded her pocket with a little loot! She spent hours getting her portfolio ready to hand in, making sure everything was accurate, neat and in order. Jace on the other hand spent about 15 minutes on his portfolio. I guess little sisters persistence paid off! She'was awarded $25 for her efforts! Good job Lynds!

SNOW! Are you kidding me? I'm not quite ready for this....but bring it on!

Birthday's!

What a fun time we had Saturday! Mom takes me and my sisters each October to celebrate our birthdays....they are all less than a month apart, including mom's. I was the stubborn one.....I waited until November!

We ate at Texas Roadhouse in American Fork.....OH My Gosh! Talk about yummy! and fun! The waiters and waitresses love their jobs! They randomly start dancing in the isles of the restaurant....I thought for a minute we were in a filming of "Coyote Ugly!"

Then of course they had to drag a saddle over to the table and have the "birthday girl" mount up! Mom had went to the restroom, so of course we waited for her to come back, and then Kimberly led the chant "saddle up" and had the waiters, waitresses, and half the restaurant yelling right along side us, complete with fists in the air!

After dinner we headed to the Scera in Orem and enjoyed the music of "Cold Creek". They are awesome, and they were a hoot as well!

Fun, fun, fun....that's all I can say! I would suggest if you haven't eaten at Texas Roadhouse......do so!

Whoo Hoo! I finally figured out how to add a playlist to my blog! It took me a LOT of hours, thanks to my illiterate computer skills, but I finally got it! I don't think I could ever do it again, but I finally got it to work!

It's been a sad day at our house. Our cute little dog Tink, got ran over today and unfortunately, she died. It broke not only Lyndsey's heart, as Tink was her dog, but the whole family is taking this pretty hard. Lyndsey got Tink the very week we moved into our new home, and she's been a member of the family. She had a ferocious bark, but was so darn little that she could scare no one.......not even the cat! We're trying to decide where to bury her. This is harder than I thought would ever be possible. I can't imagine losing a child. I'm afraid they'd have to put me down if that happened, this is hard enough.

Good bye Tink! We love you!

Playlist

I've spent countless hours on the dang computer this afternoon, and into the evening (minus the time watching "Survivor") and I still can't figure out the playlist thing. I wished my hubby was computer literate enough to say...."Oh here. Scoot over, let me add a playlist for you complete with all the Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney songs all ready loaded for you!" Yeah right. That's not gonna happen. I really do need to figure out how to add a play list.......what good is checking out someones blogspot if they don't have good music to listen to while you're there? Maybe I'll have to call an 11 year old to show me how to do it! Good luck to me! It could be into the wee hours of the morning before I get it figured out!

Trying to figure this thing out!

This is going to be an experimental time for me. I have never posted to a blog, I have never kept a journal, and I'm not that good at doing anything with pictures besides throwing them in a box! This seems to be the rage right now.......so I'm taking the plunge! I only hope I can figure out how everyone is adding all the cutesie things to their blogs! I want to be cutesie for a change!