Merry Christmas!

It is so amazing how we prepare, and prepare for this wonderful day, and the kids are so anxious to see what they get and it is over within 30 minutes.  I love this time of year, when we can all be together.  Last night we didn't make it to Doug and Sally's because of the weather.  It is just awful here, but we did go to some members home in our ward.  It was a lot closer and it still took as an hour to get home, however we had so much fun at their home.  This lady is German and she fixed us German food for Christmas Eve.  She made really yummy noodles and a individual little meat rolls.  The meat wrapped a pickle and bacon wrapped the meat.  It was pretty interesting, but really good!  Then we sat in their living room with the Elders and played games.  

Our kids get money every year and next week will be our big shopping day.  We make a day of it, and always go when everything is on sale, that way our kids get what they want.  We just put a few things under the tree so they can unwrap something.  We always get new movies.  

We all need to reflect on the true meaning of the season.  Our Savior did a lot for us.  We need to be thoughtful to others that need our help.  We have been blessed with thoughtful members of the church.  Living out where we do has it's challenges.  We have had members come out and dig us out and call to make sure that we are fine.  There is always an opportunity to serve others.  In this coming year, I'm going find opportunities to serve others.  We get so busy with our lives and families that I think we forget about others around us that may need our help. 

We all need to strive harder to help others.  For some reason I feel especially strong about this, maybe it's because we have been recipients so many times because of all the snow.  Anyway, hope this finds you all well and happy!

   

May the Lord continue to bless us all!  Merry Christmas!  

Winter Wonderland

Well we have blue skies peaking through the clouds today, and it has stopped snowing.  Today we went out to see if we could shovel a bit, and Garrett took this picture of our beautiful mountain.  As I was reading Cari's blog yesterday she was so positive about this weather.  It taught me a lesson to take comfort in the beauty of this earth.  Thank you so much Cari!  It was so quiet outside and so peaceful!  My family is safe, (Ron is still at work, but expected to come home today) my children are well, we are warm,  and so what more could I want right!  

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!  Love to all!

SNOW!

I haven't seen this much snow since I was a little girl!  It all began yesterday morning, and by 24 hours later Spokane was covered in 17" of snow.  I guess they have exceeded their records.  I went to finals with someone in my class because my snow tires are a little less desirable, and which incidentally I did great on finals!  I passed all my classes with flying colors!  Anyway, it took us an hour to get home from Coeur D Alene!  It is only 15 minutes away!  Ron called from work, and was not able to get home last night.  He is not expected to come home tonight either because we are basically stuck here without plows.  We used to have a neighbor that plowed us out last year, but I haven't seen him yet today.  

Spokane is shut down, the schools are shut down and the hospitals are under their disaster plans.  Ron said just kick back and enjoy staying home.  I do enjoy doing nothing, but on the flip side I don't like to be separated from him.  I have always thought what would we do if we did get separated during a disaster.  I guess this is giving me a little taste.  I'm thankful that we have food storage!  If we listen to the prophets and do as we are told, we will be blessed.  I'm also grateful that Ron is safe.  We miss him, but all will be well soon.

Hope you all are warm and safe this holiday season!

love to all!

Our Dog Rosie

It is amazing how an animal warms your heart, and they become part of the family.  Rosie came into our family when she was about 6 months old.  She was full of energy, and would chase anything that was running.  Anything from remote control cars to  laser lights.  She jumped out of a moving car when Ron took her for a ride in the car, and because she saw a cat she jumped out took a tumble was a bit scraped up, but recovered.  She also was poisoned twice and recovered.  We always said that she was like a cat with 9 lives.  

This last week she got very ill, and today I took her to the vet.  There wasn't any hope so we had to have her put down.  Garrett and I sobbed because she had become so much a part of the family.  I don't think my heart will heal enough to get another one for a long time.  

I think she is in heaven playing with our other dog Poky.  She was a great dog!  She was a great companion, and we will miss her terribly!

Scriptures and Thanksgiving

It is amazing what a person can learn from a child.  My kids went to EFY a couple of weekends ago in Coeur "D" Alene.  It was only for a day, but they learned some valuable lessons.  One lesson in particular that I think would help me.  One of the instructors taught the kids that if they read their scriptures before they study, the Lord would open their minds and help them achieve good grades.  So when they get home from school they read their scriptures 10 min before they do their homework.  Paige has been struggling, and has found that her grades are coming up after this habit that she has formed. 

For quite some time I have been complaining to the kids that I just don't seem to be getting this math.  Gavin said Mom read your scriptures.  In the last couple of days, I have put this challenge to the test.  Last night I was working, and my client had gone to bed.  I sat on her couch, and read the scriptures for 15 min. before picking up the dreaded math.  I prayed that the Lord would bless me and help me understand those things necessary for this math class.  Low and behold things started to click, FINALLY!  I work and work for great grades, and then when I do a simple thing as read the scriptures the Lord blesses my life!  What a testimony!   His promises are sure, that if we do as he says he has no other choice than to bless us.

At this Thanksgiving time, I'm so thankful for the gospel.  I'm thankful that I have such good kids that are relying on the Lord in these hard times.  I'm thankful for Joseph Smith for translating the Book of Mormon so that we can learn more of the Savior.  I'm also very grateful to the Savior for the sacrifices that he made in my behalf.  How blessed we are to live in this day and age.  It is scary, but if we are prepared we shall not fear, and if we do all that he has asked us to do he will bless us our lives!

Kidney Stones! YIKES!

Have you ever had the deer in the head like looks when someone has told you that your kidneys are covered in stones!  (No wonder I have been in so much pain for months!)

I had a CT scan last Wednesday, and the Doctor told me that the stones were caught in my ureters, and too big to pass.  PAIN!  I have been in incredibly amounts of pain for months!  I have just been taking lots of narcotics and Ibuprofen to get me through going to school, and homework.  No I'm not a druggie! 

Friday I had surgery, and things went really well.  I can never figure out though how one minute you are in the operating room breathing through their mask, and the next minute you are in the recovery room wondering if you are going to throw up or not. It is such a weird feeling!

In the time that I have gone through this procedure it has allowed me to be able to talk to all kinds of medical people.  I have worried about nursing school because as I was trained as a CNA I discovered that nurses generally sit and chart, turn off alarms fix IVs, but they in general don't interact with the patient.  Sure they get the big bucks, but I love patient care, and I love people and spending time with them.  I have considered Radiology Tech but when I talked to the Rad Tech that took my x-ray he told me that they have to have Radiology Physics !  I think I will stick with College Algebra even though math is not my fort-ay! Physics scares the hell out of me!  Nursing sounds better and better!  I also took note of the recovery room nurses.  There weren't any CNAs or LPNs just RNs.  They did all the patient care and the charting.  That sounds better to me. 

At any rate I'm on the mend, filling a cup up with sand and thinking I'll be able to get up and go for a walk soon without pain.  Now the Dr. just needs to find out why I'm making the stones that I am.  I'm sure I will have to change my diet, but after this ordeal I'm very willing! 

Five things about me

You can all thank Cari for this.  I got poked, and now I have poked some other lucky people.  :)  It is fun for once!

5 things I was doing 10 years ago...
1. Living in Salt Lake City Utah

2. Raising 3 kids

3. Homeschooling

4. Wondering if I will survive homeschooling

5 things on my to-do list today...
1. Study for a Biology Test

2. Do my Math

3. Eat dinner

4. Get the kids off to Mutual

5. Study for a Big Biology Test

5 snacks I enjoy...
1. Anything sweet

2. Trail Mix

3. Crackers and Cheese

4. Vegetables from a veg. tray. (I hate cutting all those vegies!)

5 things I'd do if I were a Millionaire...
1. Buy a house

2. Pay for my kids' education

3. Do things that will make memories with my kids

4. Buy a couple of new cars

5. Travel

5 places I've lived...
1. Salt Lake City Utah

2. Meridian Idaho

3. Boise Idaho

4. Middleton Idaho

5. Post Falls Idaho

5 jobs I've had...

1. Computer Corp. (Where I met Ron)

2. Salon 

3. Primary Children's Hospital

4. Alzheimer's Facility

5. In home Care

I will now tag - 1. Deb, Laura, Emily, Katie, Mike

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you’ve answered the questions on your blog.

Piano Man

Melissa took this picture while she was here.  It is a great picture Melissa!

Garrett has an amazing talent, one that most of you have heard.  Heavenly Father has blessed this child 2 fold.  We had an audience with Marvin Goldstein a couple of years ago, and Marvin said that Garrett is amazing!  Marvin couldn't even play some of the music that Garrett wrote!  He wrote a song and dedicated it to his Grandma Grover entitled Memories.  This song is going to be sung at the graduation ceremonies at the end of the school year.  

My Mom would be so proud of Garrett, and I know she is watching him from above.  She loved to hear him play, and sat with him every morning until the day she died, and helped him to improve his talent.  I know it was her inspiration that helped Garrett to achieve this marvelous talent.  I miss her terribly, but in listening to Garrett play the piano softens my missing her because she was so much a part of his life.  So grateful for the gospel in knowing that I will be able to see her again someday.   I'm also grateful for my kids and to be able to see them achieve greatness!  

ELK!

I don't have a picture, but this is an amazing story.  Remember yesterday when I said that the Elk were bugling?  Well this morning I said boy Ron the Elk sound really close!  I looked out our back window, and there they were in our pond!  There was one big buck, and about 9 females, and 1 baby.  We watched them for about 5 mins, and then they were off.  My camera isn't such that it takes pictures that are a ways off, and Elk are so skittish that they would have run off at the slightest sound.  It was such a treat to have those big animals right in our backyard.  Started my day off great!

Fall

I came home today a bit early from school, and was just enjoying the quiet.  I got on the computer, and looked out the window at this pretty tree.  The picture doesn't do the tree any justice.  It is gorgeous!  I stepped out to take a picture to the sound of Elk bugling up the hill.  (Rick don't get excited, you already have your Elk.)  :)  Even though today doesn't feel like fall, it is all around us.  All the signs are here.  This is my favorite time of year.  It makes me think of kids in school, yellow, red, green apples, canning, and hot chocolate season!

We are all so busy with our lives, that we don't stop and check out the beauty of the earth.  I'm guilty of just that, but today I stopped to look and listen, and was grateful of the things we have been blessed with.  

Paige's Personal Progress Recognition

Last night was Paige's Personal Progress Recognition.  As most of you know Personal Progress is just as hard as earning an Eagle Scout Award.  It is a really big deal!  Paige worked hard to get this award.  She did several (7 to be exact) projects 10 hours a piece.  Just to name a few and the ones that I can remember; she memorized The Living Christ.  I can't memorize a scripture let alone this.  I actually tried to do it with her, and was unsuccessful.  I guess it helps to have a young mind.  :0)  She learned how to make whole wheat bread.  We took a plate of it with us to the recognition, and there wasn't any left when we were through.  She exercised, helped me at the Alzheimer's facility and spent some precious time with the residents.  She was also in a Shakespeare play, and had a blast.  

When the presentations were through, we had a slide show that depicted her life up to now.  Then the young women's president gave her 2 dozen roses.  They are beautiful!  We then had refreshments.

This project has really helped Paige.  She has grown up so much over the last several months. She is a kind and loving girl.  I am amazed at the inspiration that the prophet has in all aspects of the gospel, even down to the youth who are so important in these last days.  Her testimony has grown so much and for that I am grateful!  Her Dad and I are so proud of Paige, and congratulate her!

Happy Birthday Gavin!

This last month has been kind of fun.  We just got an Apple Computer with the left over money from my school grants, and we really needed a new computer so that I can do my school work. We got a great deal on an the computer and the Ipod because I'm a student.  Garrett has one, I have one, and Gavin wanted one so bad.  He has been saving his babysitting money, birthday money, and anything else he could get his hands on.  All month long he kept saying I want an Ipod so bad!  I can't wait until Christmas to get one with the money that I will get at Christmas. He even had made a list of songs that would go on his Ipod.  When the computer came, I set aside the Ipod, and then when his birthday came I wrapped it in several boxes.  He had no idea what was going on, since for tradition we give the kids money for their birthdays, and then take them shopping for what they want. (Saves time on taking things back) :0)  This is what the result was!

I love it when a plan comes together!  He was so surprised, and now has filled the Ipod up already.  It is an 8 gig, and it is half full already!  

Happy Birthday Gavin!

MAD!

Have you ever felt like this?  I have!  We just got this computer, and I'm having a real hard time getting used to it.

Paige loves our dog Rosie, and Rosie really is a great dog.  When you hold her feet she gets really upset!  It is so funny.  She reminds us of an Alien.  

Anyway, I think I have finally figured out how to get my pictures on here, so you will be hearing more from us!

SCHOOL!

I never thought in a million years that this would happen. All three kids are starting school today! I have such emotions attached with this. It was hard to see them walk out the door to new adventures and new challenges, after all we have home schooled for 8 YEARS! Things started to change when I started school. My time was limited in helping them with their studies. So at the beginning of this summer I gave them the option of going to school or not. I told them to each pray about it. A couple of weeks went by, and finally Paige and Gavin came to me and said that they had made their decisions. The answer that they both received was that they needed to go to school. Garrett attended last year, so it was a no brainer for him. The summer went by with many preparations. Teaching them about the change that was coming. Garrett says in high school the culture is a bit challenging. We have prepped them the best we can, gave them each blessings, and now we as parents are praying for them.

Paige and Gavin both were very excited to get to it. They got new clothes, new stuff and they are on their way! I have to admit that the house is too quiet, and the dog can sense that there is a major change. I know through the spirit that this is the way it should be. Both will gain so much from the social aspect, and I can't teach Chemistry! lol.

I know that the Lord will bless them because of their faithfulness. They prayed and got the right answer! It is great to see your kids grow to the strong adults that the Lord wants them to be in relying on him.

Tribute to the Olympics

LOL This is so funny! He is from Murray Utah!

What Happened to the Years

The years have flown by! This last picture is Garrett's senior picture. I'm so grateful that he is a good kid. He is trying to get recorded so he can release his first CD. We will keep you all posted.

Are You Serious!

My niece Melissa Seamons came to our house before our family reunion to take our family pictures. We had so much fun with her, and this is what we came up with.

Surfing behind the Boat?!

Do you see him holding on to ski ropes? He's not! This is just amazing new sport to do behind a boat. Cari told me that it wasn't a new sport, but it is new to us! See that bladder sitting on the boat? It is full of water to make the wake a bit bigger behind the boat. Then they hold the rope until they find a sweet spot and then let go and like magic they surf behind the boat! This is Nick Cari's son. He is totally amazing! Check out Melissa's blog to see what he can do on a wake board!

Water Sking, Wake Boarding

The boys had a blast behind the boat. Our family reunion was great! It is held every 2 years at Deer Lake in Washington. We ski, eat, eat some more and just enjoy everyones company. Thanks to Cari who drove the boat from sun up to sun down.

Robin and Steven

Ron's mom, sister and her kids came to visit us on July 17. They live in Boise. They were here for a weekend which went by so fast. It was great to have them here. Robin is 7 and Steven is almost 11. They are the cutest kids. We really enjoyed having them here.

Are you seeing Double?

Nope you are not seeing double. Gavin inherited a bird. She is on the left. Paige's bird is on the right. Our friends had 2 birds, their favorite bird accidentally got out of their house, so they gave this bird to Gavin. It was really sad for that family, but it worked out for us. Her name is Peeca. She is a bit timid, but Gavin is in hog heaven and is trying to train her. She was a rescue bird so that is probably one of the reasons why she is timid.

Happy Birthday Garrett!

As you can see we were camping with some friends of ours over the 4th of July. It was Garrett's birthday on the 3rd. He is 17 years old! Where has the time gone! He got some fun things including 60.00 dollars worth of Itunes from his girlfriends mom. Well X girlfriends mom. The next day she broke it off with him. It was the worst birthday and one that Garrett will never forget, but he now he can look back and realize that it was all for the best. She was a nice girl, but it was not the right timing. He still has a lot to accomplish before he gets serious. He also has told me that now he can be himself. He doesn't have to impress anyone. He has grown up a lot!
Happy birthday Garrett!

NEW JOB!!!!!!

While I don't have a picture of this great event, we are so excited to announce the new job that Ron has landed! He is working for a company called Assisted Living Concepts. It is located in Spokane Washington. His job is Regional Sales Manager. The pay is wonderful, and they are grooming him for Regional VP! This is right up Ron's field of education and he is so excited! It is very interesting that I have been in the assisted living arena for almost 3 years, and now Ron as well is working in this field. Thanks to all for the prayers that were offered in our behalf! I could feel them from everyone!

Cool days of Summer

This was really a cool day! Ron and Gavin went out to work on the car, and this little deer just walks up to them and enjoyed a good scratch. She spent the morning in our yard enjoying the grass and her new human parents. Paige and I as well were able to scratch her as well, but of course I didn't have the camera at that point. So glad we caught these pictures with Gavin. I will truly miss all the wildlife that we have enjoyed for 2 years. We found a place in town to move into, so hopefully by Aug. that's where we will be.

More Camping

One of the girls that came with us has a love for horses, and in the camp the ranger had horses, so Paige was able to lead this horse around, and had a ball!
Tarp heaven!
All these little girls are 9 years old! Lots of fun!
All different ages for my kids to hang with.

More Camping

We were always eating! We had a ton of food!




This is Matt Connery holding all the little kids. Some are cousins and some are just friends, but we consider all of us to be family. It really is kind of fun!

Camping over Memorial Day with our Other Family

We went to a place close to Orofino Idaho. Close to Dworshak dam.
It was beautiful, and the company was wonderful as well.
We went with Karenna's family, and had a blast!

We sold our trailer, and got this tent. I thought I would never tent camp again.
Never say never!



Katie (Karenna's mom) made this bar cookie, and it got a bit hard.
These guys really know how to camp. There were trailers, but no one
slept in them, and the kitchen was set up under tarps to keep the rain off