Snow Castle

Ryan got home this morning from working all night. Thankfully it was his last night shift. He'll start his four days off now. When he walked in the door we were all happy to see him. After we ate breakfast Ry took Jacob and Marli outside to shovel the snow that has built up around the front of our house. Right before Ry got home Jacob was asking me if he had school today. When I told him no it's Tuesday he was disappointed that he wouldn't see his friends. He cheered right up when he found out he could go play outside. I was inside with Conor when Jacob came running in excited that he wanted to show me something. I knew it had to be pretty cool when he instructed me to bring the camera.

They built a magical Snow Castle!


They each made a crown. One for the King(Jacob).

One for the Queen (Marli).


I thought it was so awesome that Ry played out there with them for such a long time, when he'd been up all night.

Well I'm off to take Miss Marli to dance. I think we'll have homemade pizza for dinner and watch the new episode of House.

Daily Dish

I'm so ready for warmer weather. If it doesn't get here soon I may just hop on a plane to some place warm like this picture. I always look forward to getting the BBQ grill out and grilling dinner. We usually eat a lot of salads for dinner when it's warm outside. I came across this email and it has some interesting ideas for salads.

Getting Creative With Salads
Tired of eating the same salad, day after day? You can cure the salad blues by experimenting with new and exciting ingredients. Here, approved for all Phases, are a few alternatives to typical salad fixings:

Try a darker, more nutrient-dense green (such as baby spinach, arugula, or a spring mix) over your usual iceberg lettuce.
Opt for squash, eggplant, artichoke, and zucchini grilled with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil, instead of (or in addition to) more traditional ingredients, like tomatoes and cucumbers.
Try avocado or olives for a touch of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
Toss in grilled chicken, salmon, tuna, shrimp, or even tofu, for some satisfying lean protein.
Top with pecans, sunflower seeds, or another more exotic nut, instead of white-bread, buttery croutons.
Make your own salad dressing with an extra-virgin olive oil, mustard, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. Adding variety to your salad possibilities will help you enjoy healthy, flavorful meals.

Where Would You Be?

Ryan emailed me this and thought it was cute. For some reason I can't get it to load large enough to read. Click on the image and you'll be able to see it better.

Sunday Session

I wanted to write about what I got from General Conference Sunday session. As I sat with the kids and rubbed their backs the thought that kept coming to my mind was there is nothing more important than what you will do to raise these children with a Christlike love and kindness. No matter what is expected from me each day nothing should come before praying with my children and showing them how much their mother loves them and the Lord.



I'm so grateful to know that President Thomas S. Monson is truly our prophet. He is called to lead and guide our church. I have chills and have such a strong peaceful feeling that can only be felt because it is the truth. President Monson is doing the Lord's work. He has been saved for these Latter days. I want my children to know how much I love the Prophet and his counselors.





This picture is of Mary and baby Jesus. I want to be the kind of mother that Mary was to her precious son.


I made a yummy dinner and as we sat together at the table enjoying it, I expressed how grateful I am to have each of them in my life and how important they are to me.



I will let Christ in. I will gladly serve him. I want to be worthy to return with honor. I want Jaxon to be proud of his mother. I'm so grateful for the beautiful music we heard today. The talks were so precise. Each had a specific message I felt just for me. I can't believe how fast it went by. I can't wait to read all the wonderful talks when they come out.

You'll Rest When

Last night I was exhausted. After Ryan went to work I took the kids in my room to lay down. It was almost 7:00 p.m. I thought we could have quiet time for a hour and than make popcorn and watch a movie. Well Conor woke us up at midnight. Whoops! It's a good thing we did lay down at 7:00, because we we're all up from midnight until 4:00. After I fed Conor and changed him, Jacob was crying and having a hard time. I got him settled in his bed when Marli was "starving". I made her something to eat and got her a glass of milk. Well when I went to check on Jacob, Marli spilled the entire glass of milk on my comforter that I just got back from the dry cleaner. Seriously...what on earth!


I got that cleaned up when Jacob decided he was "starving". I took a series of deep breaths and fixed him something to eat. Than Conor thought he was hungry. I was so tired I just started sobbing. I thought for sure the kids would sleep in since they were up most of the night. Oh no they were up at 7:00 a.m. Apparently my children are teaching me that I will never receive any rest. I should just realize that my body must survive on little or no sleep from the time my children were born and until they leave home. Marli already told me she doesn't want to grow up. She is going to live with me forever. So maybe my dad was on to something when he told me " There will be plenty of time for rest when we die"!

Never Alone

My favorite song right now is Never Alone. Marli & I will listen to it over and over and over in the car. We sing along and when I was listening to it yesterday I felt the feeling of we are daughters and sons of a loving Father in Heaven that will never leave us. Even when we may feel all alone and can't feel him beside us he is there. All we must do is pray for his spirit to be with us. I have been struggling lately with serious depression and anxiety. I have prayed for thy spirit to wrap around me and help me feel thy love. I know my Father in Heaven wants me to be happy. Just as I want my children to be happy.










This song is on my tunes if you want to hear how beautiful it is. Jim Brickman wrote this song. When I listen to this song I feel like it's a song Jaxon would want me to hear. I know he wants his mom to be happy and feel his love.

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
May you always have plenty
Your glass never empty
And know in your belly
You're never alone

May your tears come from laughing
You find friends worth having
With every year passing
They mean more than gold
May you win but stay humble

Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You're never alone

Chorus:
Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone

Well I have to be honest
As much as I wanted
I’m not gonna promise the cold winds won"t blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone
Chorus

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
And when hard times have found you
And your fear surrounds you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Chorus
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone






I want my family and friends to know I will always be here for you.

Conference Weekend

I put Conor to bed a little after 8:00 last night. He surprised me by sleeping until 7:00. I think he knew I was up most the night with Jacob. It always seems like if one child is sick or having a hard time the others will give you the night off. Jacob woke up around ten burning up with a fever and bawling that his ear was killing him. I put him in bed with me. Ryan started his first of four night shifts and wasn't home. I gave Jacob medicine and ear drops. He wasn't getting any relief from the Motrin. I held him and rubbed his back. He finally fell asleep only to wake up a little later screaming with ear pain. I had a long night with practically no sleep. When Ryan got home at 8:30 a.m. he was surprised to see all the kids bathed and dressed as well as me showered and ready for the day. I told him I was taking Jake to the doctor. He called his parents home to see if I could drop Marli and Conor off so he could sleep and I wouldn't have to take all three kids with me. Ryan left a message and Reuel called me back. He was at work and on this side of town. He said he'd come over to our house and watch the kids while I took Jake to the doctor. Super!


Jake has a ear infection. He is miserable. The doctor said he has a infection in his throat as well. He reminded me so much of his brother Jaxon. While the doctor was examining him he would tell us he was Okay. "I'm okay,I'm okay". Just like Jax would say when he was so sick. What a trooper. Jake and I went to Rite Aid by our house. The pharmacist tech looked like Kyle's friend Mark Dalling. I asked him if he was Mark's brother. Sure enough his name was Craig. He said to tell my family hello when I told him Kyle was my brother. Jake picked out a couple movies and a stuffed animal that he thought was a T-Rex. I thought it was a frog. We stopped at Reed's dairy and then came home. Grandpa Reuel was having a good time with Conor and Marli. When I was carrying everything in from the car Marli met me at the door. She told me Grandpa was listening to the Prophet and needed to stay. She begged me to let Grandpa stay. Today is a extremely special day. Our church sustained a new Prophet. President Thomas S. Monson. He has the same birthday as Jaxon. Grandpa Reuel said he helped Marli and Conor raise their hand to sustain our new Prophet. I was sad I missed it. Thank goodness for video taping. I will definitely watch it later.

Before Reuel left I took these pictures. Marli was upstairs and I couldn't get her to come downstairs. She was eating a cinnamon roll.



Thank you Reuel for spending this special time with us. I know conference is special all on it's own. I always feel like it's even more meaningful when a fresh spirit is in our home. I remember watching general conference in October right after Jaxon was born. The spirit of God was burning inside me as I held my son and listened to the leaders of our church. Same thing today while holding sweet little Conor. I'm so grateful for a Father in Heaven who loves me and has given me four beautiful and amazing children. I often don't feel worthy to be their Mother. I pray I will do a good job taking care of them. I know he has put a great deal of trust in me with his most sacred blessing, being his spirit children's Earthly Mother. I often find myself on my knees pleading in my children's behalf. If you look at my Tunes there is a song "Prayer Of The Children" if you have time listen to it. The person who wrote the lyrics to it was inspired to write and record the song after spending time at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake. It is so beautiful. I love how incredibly strong the spirit is when I listen to the men sing acapella. It is so special. I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful General Conference weekend.

Daddy Takes The Morning Shift

Monday Ryan started his four days off. The kids love it when he's home. They have so much fun with him. I asked Ry if he'd rather watch the kids in the morning or afternoon on Thursday while I went to work. He thought it would be nice for me not having to get everyone ready and out the door by 8:15. As I was getting ready to leave Ry said I think I change my mind. I told him it was too late I was getting ready to walk out the door. I asked him if he wanted me to call my mom to come pick the kids up. He said "No, I'll suffer through it".




When I came home for lunch this is what I saw when I walked in the door. I had to grab the camera and capture this moment. Ryan was reading to the kids. They were all having a good time.


I noticed Marli and Jacob each had their own big bag of chips. I loaded the kids up to go spend the afternoon with my mom and dad. On the way to my parents house Jacob asked me "Why do you give my dad so many jobs to do"? I didn't know what he was talking about. Jake said "My dad says he can't play with me because he has stuff to do, I know their jobs you gave him". Ok! I asked the kids wouldn't it be neat if dad was a doctor and... Marli says "And you could be his assistant". Jacob says "No,that's not a good idea cuz than I'd never see dad. You'd make him work everyday".

When I got done with work I picked the kids up at my parents house. We all met Ryan at Ruby River for dinner. Marli loved sitting by Grandma Bette at dinner.Marli was having a difficult time keeping her fork, cup and than dessert on the table. She was probably lucky she was sitting by Grandma and not Ryan. Jacob said his favorite part was sitting in the middle of mom and dad. It was a nice time and the food was so yummy.

Reasons Men Prefer Guns Over Women

Reasons Men Prefer Guns Over Women

#1 You can trade an old .44 for a new .22.

#2 You can keep one gun at home and have another for when you're on the road.

#3 One gun doesn't mind if you keep another gun for a backup.

#4 Your gun will stay with you even if you run out of ammo.

#5 A gun doesn't take up a lot of closet space.

#6 Guns function normally every day of the month.

#7 A gun doesn't ask 'Do these new grips make me look fat?'

#8 You can buy a silencer for a gun.

Ok so ladies don't be offended...my boss thought this was cute and asked me to forward to Ryan. What he doesn't know is that we could come up with our own list. Right?



I saw this picture and thought of Carrie and me when were older we will still be able to outshoot any guy! I love going target shooting with Ry! This picture of a AR15 is similar to the one Ryan built for himself. I thought I would put it on here for him!

Millionaire

I just got a phone call from the producer of the show who wants to be a millionaire! I am going to be a contestant on the show. It will air in June! I have been trying to get on the show for five years! Wish me luck...you know I'll need it!



This is my dream come true! I will finally be able to see in NYC! Wow! It's amazing!




I can't believe it........And neither should you!!!

April Fool's! Everyone knows I wouldn't even make it to the $2000 question. Oh well! Who needs $ when you have a sense of humor. Hope everyone has a happy and uneventful April 1st! I woke Ryan up with yelling and excitement! He never fell for it for one second. He looked me in the eye and said do you even know how hard that show is. I told him he was mean and I wasn't going to share my good fortune with him. He almost believed me. When I told him ha ha April Fools he laughed and said good one. Pretty sad that my best friend doesn't have much faith in my ability to win on a game show even if it was pretend. I know he loves me for my brain! Yeah right!

Service

There are some things that can't be taught to our children. I always hope and pray that I'm leading by example to my kids.

My neighbor Linda made us a beautiful Easter bread. I seriously wish I would have taken a picture of it. She promised she'll teach me how to make this delicious bread. It tastes as wonderful as it looks. Anyway I washed her plate and was returning it yesterday. The kids helped me make white chocolate/macadamia nut cookies. The kids decorated them with all sorts of different sprinkles. At first I didn't want them to. Then I thought what would it hurt. It made them happy. I put a few on the plate and asked Jacob if he'd like to walk across the street with me. He said he'd love to. Marli and Conor were taking naps. We held hands as we walked. He noticed that since the snow melted on that side of the street (we still have 6' snow drifts on our side) that the river rocks were all over the grass, sidewalk,street that belonged in Linda and Gary's landscaping. Together we put rocks back. While I was visiting with Gary, Jacob continued putting the little rocks were he thought they should go. I really wasn't paying much attention until after 20 minutes or so Gary made a comment to Jake. He told him he really appreciated Jake taking the time and effort to clean up the rocks. Jake was so sweet when he looked over at Gary and said no problem it's my job to help out. Jake continued for several more minutes enjoying helping his neighbor. I know this may seem simple, but it really got me thinking about service. When Jake and I finally returned home I sat down with him and talked to him about service and that I really appreciated him seeing something that he could do to help another and doing it. Not only doing it without being asked or rewarded, but doing it with a smile. I wanted to write about this before a day went by and it was forgotten. I have felt completely overwhelmed lately. Too busy to blog.I can't find the time to do much of anything, but take care of my family, church calling and job. Then I remembered why I started a blog so long ago. To document the day to day things that I never want to be forgotten. This memory for me as a mom was too important to not jot down.



I came across a talk that reminded me a lot of what I felt as I watched my son doing service.

The Master Bridge Builder
Thomas S. Monson

We look to the Savior as our example of service. The bridge of service invites us to cross over it frequently.




During His ministry on the earth, Jesus Christ spent His time serving and helping others. True disciples of Jesus Christ do likewise. The Savior said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).





I'm at work and getting ready to call it a day. I know how important it is to do my part when I see anothers need. I found out from a friend today that a family here in Idaho Falls lost their seven year old son to cancer. There is a bunch of us that are going to get together and make some cards, send them to this family. I know how much it means to know other people are thinking of you. I'm grateful for the holy ghost and the promtings we can receive when we are in tune. I'm grateful for my children and the example they are to me.

An Evening Of Romance

After all these years I finally pulled off a suprise for Ryan.I can't believe it was seventeen years ago that I asked him to Sweetheart formal girls choice dance. A few weeks ago I bought two tickets to see Jim Brickman perform with the Teton Chamber Orchestra. I kept it a suprise up until we were supposed to be at the Civic Auditorium. I only told my mom so she knew and agreed to watch the kids. I told Ryan that on February 12th I was taking him on a date. He kept guessing, but had no iea. He was very impressed when he opened his Valentine card I made him and the tickets were inside.







The concert was so beautiful. It was exactly what we both needed to reconnect. As I sat on the edge of my seat, Ryan would put his arm around me or hold my hand. I had goosebumps. There were times when I was crying. The music touched my soul. I could see Ryan looking at me out of the corner of my eye. I looked over once and saw he was teary eyed.

The Teton Chamber Orchestra is the only orchestra that tours and accomponies various artists. Jim also had the very beautiful Anne Cochran accompany him on vocals. If I could sing I would pick her voice. It is very deep, husky absolutely heavenly. Anne sang the song " After all these years". Ryan and I both thought it was perfect for us. Jim told us that he grew up in Cleveland Ohio and went to high school with Anne. They've played together off and on since then. Tracy Silverman "The greatsest living exponent of the electric violin" Julliard graduate accompanied him as well. Ryan and I couldn't believe what Tracy was able to do on what he called a hybrid violoin. It is yellow and he plays it with a bow, it has six strings like a guitar. He could play anything from classical,pop,rock to heavy metal. Ryan was headbanging at one point when Jim was playing very seriously and Tracy was rock'in out. Too Cool! Jim said he thought Beethoven was turning in his grave. Tracy laughed and said Oh well he's already dead it won't hurt him.


Jim Brickman has the greatest sense of humor. He would say the funniest things. He told us that when he meets people and they don't know him and ask what kind of music he plays he said it's hard to explain. So he started telling people he's the world's newest romantic piano sensation. It was so funny. He was making fun of himself...kind of like on SNL they make fun of Celion Dion she is the greatest singer in all of the world. Anne was singing with Jim and told him he's now the galaxy's piano sensation. Apparently one of the Astronaunt's that is up in space requested one of Jim's song's for their wake up call. He said Wow I'm going to start using that. He seemed really humble. Ryan and I both felt he was inspired by the spirit. The entire time we were there we felt close to the spirit and Jaxon. Ryan told me he hadn't felt it for a long time. Jaxon made me a Valentine with Ryan's help and I framed it and it hangs on the wall in my bedroom on my side of the room. He has always been my Valentine. Jim has a beautiful song called Valentine.Jaxon and I used to listen to Jim Brickman cd's all the time. His song Destiny is one of our favorites. I use his music to Escape from reality when I'm having a hard day. He even commented on that's what inspired his Escape cd was it was a way he could give people a way to get away even if it was for only three minutes.


The concert started at 7:30 and went until 10:00. There was a fifteen minute intermission. We saw several people we knew, including Dr. Robinson my doctor that delivered Conor. I spoke to him for a bit. He's such a neat guy. I also saw my ENT doctor that took my tonsils out. I saw Mr. Hinckley my High School Pricipal. When the concert was over Ryan and I talked to Ranae Miner, my friend Kim's mom. Ryan works with her son Brian. We talked about the good O'le days when I lived on Avocet and Stokes was the only thing past the Grand Teton Mall. Her and her husband Lance owned that store. Ryan and I walked arm in arm to the car and felt so uplifted. He told me it was the perfect date and that he would much rather go to something like that than a rock concert. It was a very nice evening. I'm so grateful we were able to go and see this in Idaho Falls. Jim commented on the piano...he said he usually takes his piano on tour with him. However he didn't this time. He said the Civic's piano was very nice and it was nice of them to let him have it. Everyone laughed. Our seats were so good we could see his fingers perfectly. This was deinetly what the program promised "An evening of Romance with Jim Brickman". We didn't get home until 11:00 and it was pretty hard getting up for work this morning. The kids didn't want to get up for pre-school either. Once I told them they were having their Valentine party they were excited.

Crazy Week

What a crazy week we have had. I took a really bad fall on the ice. I was returning from lunch and went to get out of my car in the parking lot at my office, and went down in a blaze of fury. There was no time for me to grab onto my car door or anything. The door was open and I went down hard. My head hit the stepside of my Armada. I blacked out went down further to the ground. No one was around I figured from the time I got out of the car and got up it was 15 minutes. I think I was unconscience for 10 minutes. I brushed myself off,I was so nausaus I threw up. My vision was blurred and I was seeing spots like floaters and flashers. After I hit my head I smacked my upper back on the thick ice. I hobbled inside my office. My clothes were soaking wet from laying in the snow. I was in alot of pain. I was bawling. Dr. Fred came back from lunch an hour later. He worked on my head and back. The worst pain was from the back of my head right above the base of my neck. It is still so tender.I called my MD and he said I had a concussion and gave me a list of things to watch for. If I had contiued blurred vision they'd schedule a CT scan. I called and scheduled back to back massage appointments. I am going to continue seeing the massage therapist twice a week until I feel better.

Thursday I was on my way to work, Dr. Fred called me and said he was snowed in.He has never called in ever in the thirteen years I've worked for him. I couldn't believe it. They plowed where he lives and with the forty mile an hour winds all the snow blew in his driveway. He has a huge diesel truck and tried for a hour and a half to get out. I left Jake and Marli homw with Ryan. I dropped Conor off at my Dad's. I went into work to call all of the patients and get them rescheduled for Friday. I worked until 12:00. My Dad said he would keep Conor until he picked my mom up from work at 4:00. I went home made lunch, chocolate/peanut butter chip cookies and got dinner going in the crock pot. It was so nice to be home as a family. I was taking a nap with Marli when my parents came over. They ate dinner with us. We had porkchops, mashed potatoes, corn and rolls and cookies. It was yummy. Marli wasn't feeling well she had a cough for a couple days, but no other symptoms. Now she was bawling her ears hurt. So I took her into the doctor. She has a double ear infection as well as a upper respiratory infection. We went and got her prescriptions, and then ice cream from Reed's Dairy. Went home and we all had ice cream. Jake was a little under the weather,but not to bad. Ryan and I have been feeling a little sick too. I kept the kids home from pre-school Friday.




Here are a few of my favorite photos ..........


My Best Friend Jax




Conor on his blessing day




Marli Pooh




Ryan and Jakey



Ok so last September several friends recommended this book.........


I bought it and it's been sitting on my nightstand. Thursday I was so tired and restless. I COULD NOT fall asleep. I decided I would read. I looked at the books on my nightstand and decided I probablly wouldn't like this one and I'd get bored and fall asleep. So not the case I was up most of the night and could not stop reading. Ryan was at work and I had no desire to take all three sick kids out.Ryan's first day off will be Tuesday. It was pretty rough being home with all three sick kids for three days. I decided after getting the house clean and laundry down I would play with the kids and get them plenty of snacks so I could curl up with cranky Conor (who now was pretty sick, he wouldn't let me put him down he was feeling miserable, so sad it was breaking my heart)and my new obsessions this book. I was afraid I was going to finish it and not have the sequel New moon. I called my good O'le reliable Dad to see what he was up to. He was out and about. I asked him to go to Desert Book and pick up a couple books for me. He said "Sure No Probmem". I called Desert book asked if they had New Moon and the third Book Eclipse. They did I paid for it over the phone and while I was talking to the guy my Dad walked in the store. They handed him the sack and he was on his way to my house. Yippee! I can not believe how into this book I am. Two of my friends are reading it right now. We call each other and go off about certain things. Man I can't believe I finished it.... all 498 pages.


I found these photo's on the author's website.

Bella's 53 chevy truck



Most of the story takes place in a small town called Forks, by the Washington pennisula it's so green,because it rains pratically everyday.










Edward's Volvo


I'm already on chapter three of New Moon. I brought it to work with me today hoping after I caught up on my work I can sneek a few pages in. Next week I only have to work Thursday so I'm sure by the end of next weekend I'll have finished book three Eclipse. This is so frightening to me how obseessed I am at finding out what happens next. My really good friend Kristi who is also my VT partner and compassionate service partner said that there has been some contraversy on these books, her husband Ken manages both Desert Book stores in Idaho Falls. Some of the employee's won't recommend the books. The author graduated from BYU. I didn't find anything ofensive while reading it. It really takes a lot for me to get into a story, with three kids and work and church and BLAH,Blah,Blah. This was good therapy for me to have something I so look forward to doing that doesn't take much energy on my part. I feel so exhausted lately. This weekend was just what I needed. I feel like my batteries are recharged and I can make it through the week.