Pomegranates. YUMMY!

Don't you just love this time of year? I have especially loved the last couple of weeks and the beautiful weather we have had. I wish fall would last a few more months. I have worked in my yard a lot the last two weekends and it feels so good. I think I am glad that I got the second chance to ready it for winter. It would have really bugged me all winter long if I hadn't gotten to it. I told David that next year we need to have one weekend a month when it is work in the yard weekend, and golf doesn't get to interfere that weekend. Wouldn't that be great? We'll see if it happens. But getting the yard done really made me happy.

I also love the great flavors of fall and this topic is actually what has prompted my jump back into blogging. Today we went to Jessica's for dinner and I was throwing together a salad while we waited for the meat to cook. (Another entirely different blog topic.) Anyway, Jessica makes great salads and she suggested putting a pomegranate in the salad. I love pomegranates but I hate peeling them. They always make a huge mess. You must wear an apron and even still hope you don't really like the shirt you are wearing. Well Jess taught me the best new trick about cutting the seeds out of a pomegranate. Score the peel and then fill a bowl full of water and let the scored fruit soak in water for a few minutes. Then open the fruit under water. Wala! no mess. Strain the pomegranate and all the seeds are easily accessable. I thought this trick was amazing. Now I don't have to hope Costco has the already seeded pomegranates. They go bad way too quickly. I remember the first time I ever had a pomegranate we were in St. George, and I was pretty young. My Grandpa Truman offered me some and being a picky eater I probably only tried it to please him. I remember really liking it. They are so pretty and have just the perfect amount of tartness. Very pleasing to the palate. My good friend Laurie use to always bring them in her lunch during fifth grade. I've got to remember to ask her if she knows this trick. We always hated peeling them. I am headed to Costco tomorrow. Truman and I will be in heaven eating those beautiful seeds.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my 14th Wedding Anniversary! Wow! Were does the time go? It seems like yesterday that I was 20 and in love for the first time. Going to Israel really was a great idea. David and I started out as good friends and I think that was a great way to begin a relationship. There really isn't anyone that I would rather spend time with or talk to. I remember talking to someone in Israel about David, this was before I knew that I liked him, I remember telling them that whoever married David Stohl would be a very lucky girl because he would treat her very well. At that time I never imagined I would be the lucky girl. I am so glad that I am. He really does know how to treat me. He is a great husband. I also have to say that I know how to treat and handle him too. I understand him better than anyone and we get along very well together. He needed a wife with a little bit of spit fire. David, I love you very much, you are my sweetheart and I think that we are a perfect fit. Happy Anniversary!

My Least Favorite Day!

Today has been a very looong day. It was come home from Lake Powell Day. I do have to say that I hate this day. (But it did go pretty smoothly.) My reasons for hating it are probably multifaceted. As a kid it was a very high stress day. My dad (who I adore) and I almost always had a fight on this day. He was a stressed out houseboat driver and I didn't think I deserved to be yelled at because he didn't like driving the houseboat. Thankfully Jason has taken over this job. (Don't be mad at me Daddy.) It is also a let down after a fun week at one of my favorite vacation destination. A long drive and a ton of clean up work at the houseboat and at home once you finally get there. I am now up late trying to catch up on my contest with Kim. Lets see if I am still in the running.

A Little Late

I am in a contest with my sisters about blogging everyday. I have been out of town and out of reach of a computer for the last week. Before I left I scheduled my posts so that I would not loose the competition. But I only got to Thursday. I had a very busy week and still tried to post so Kim I am wondering if I lost or you will be lenient? What do ya think?

Isaac's smokers hack

For the longest time Isaac has had a smokers hack. He coughs really hard and clears his throat like a grown man. We have always just chalked it up to a little bit of mild asthma. Well I have been wondering lately if Isaac has allergies. So a few days ago I took him to see a pediatric allergist. We went over the forms and I told him my suspicions and then they administered the scratch test. Isaac cried and was really angry at me the whole 15 minute wait time. He was carrying on like a crazy boy. When the doctor came back in he was quite surprised that Isaac was VERY allergic to almost everything. (All trees, all grasses, all weeds, some molds, cats, dogs, and horses.) I guess it is a good thing we no longer have Cleo and Zoie. He wasn't allergic to feathers but we are not having a bird. I am feeling sad for poor Isaac. And I am feeling a bit dense.

Summer Reading List

When I was in high school Jessica use to write me a summer reading list. I could sure use on now so I am asking that you to help create a summer reading list for me. What is on your must read list? Name me a few of your all time favorites. I would love to hear your suggestions. Happy reading this summer.

What is in your church bag?

I am looking for great ideas of what to pack in a church bag to entertain a little two year old. Lucy is now at the stage that she doesn't like to stay in sacrament meeting so she is loud and knows she will get taken out. Please HELP!

Happy Birthday Lucy!

Lucy,
I hope you have a great day. You are a special little girl and you make our family so happy. You are developing the cutest personality and I hope you will always be as darling as you are right now. Have a great day baby girl.
OXOXOXOXOX
Mom

New Calling

I have a new church job. I've had it for about two months now. I am the Secretary of the Relief Society. This is very new for me as I have not attended Relief Society for more than a month at a time since I was in college. I have always held callings in Primary and Young Women's. It should be nice for me to get to know the ladies in our ward better. It will also be a good reminder to study gospel topics for myself more regularly. I do miss my cute Primary class though.

Good-Bye Level 3

Truman has learned so much in his swim lessons the past few weeks. The other day he swam almost the whole length of the pool. He looks a little like a bug does swimming in water. His teacher is the swim coach for Isaac's swim team. She swam in college and is also getting an advanced degree in sports psychology. (I didn't even know that was a job but apparently pro athletes use them all the time.) She is very nice but is also all about the business; which is really good for Truman as he can be a bit silly at times. She said he should be ready for swim team next year. She has been teaching them different strokes. He now knows proper technique on more strokes than his mother. I am starting to think that I should be the one taking swim lessons. (I did have that episode during the Spudman you know.)

Results

IN-N-OUT Wins!

A Little Poll

Tonight we went to dinner at Five Guys. I have been wondering which restaurant would win the best burger award. Five Guys or IN-N-OUT? I believe that I decided IN-N-OUT wins. Their burgers are the best. Simple and you can have a chocolate shake to go along with the meal. Five Guys is good but the last two times I have been there I have been a bit disappointed. Two times ago I ordered grilled mushrooms and grilled onions. The mushrooms were from a can and the onions were only grilled for about 30 seconds. I don't like raw onions or canned mushrooms. Tonight I ordered the cheeseburger plain. Lettuce, tomato, pickle, ketchup and mustard. I'm thinking plain it will be perfect right? It was pretty good but the cheese wasn't melted. I don't really get that. So that is why my vote is going to IN-N-OUT. Cast your vote now.

Gardening Tools

I came across an article in real simple magazine the other day and I thought it was a good summary of which type of garden tools everyone needs. I am definitely lacking in my collection, although I do have the hand pruners. They are a great tool and they make them in different sizes which is nice because I have small hands so the grip doesn't open as wide as on most other tools. I totally want that little rake. Doesn't it seem like it would be really useful? Check the article out.

What IS he doing?

This is a very funny picture of some random French guy walking down the street in Paris. I thought it was so funny so I decided to photograph it. Why would you do this? (Can you all tell that I am running out of blog ideas.)

Isaac's First Swim Meet

Backstroke. He does great especially when he remembers his arms.

After his very first race.

Isaac had his first swim meet tonight. He had such a great time. He swam in three events and I was pretty nervous for his first event. He took off and swam about half the length of the pool and then he started swimming to the edge for a quick rest every few strokes. He is such a funny boy. I was also a timer. I have absolutely no training in this and a few times the person possibly got a better time than they deserved because I was occasionally a little slow on the button. Isaac was making friends with people and having a great time.The meet was long. It started at 5:00 and ended at 9:30. So we have had a very full day. In fact I have this week jam packed. We will be ready for a vacation.

Piggie Pie!

I found this darling book a few years ago when I was buying a couple of books for Halloween. It is hilarious. Jessica has since given Isaac a few more books by the same author, Margie Palatini. She is so funny and very clever. I really wish that I were this creative. Another favorite of hers is Mary had a little Ham. Check them out. You will be impressed.

Yard Tours

We love to have yard tours in my family. A yard tour is simply walking around the yard and admiring different plants or trees. We will ask one another questions like what kind of a plant is that? Or what do I do about snails? Occasionally we will dig up a new start for someone else to plant in their yard. Gardening really is a soothing activity. There is a lot to be learned about life through tending a garden. I think that consistency is one of its best lessons. You have to be diligent about watering and weeding. You can't miss too often or the plants look bad. But plants are also forgiving. If you neglect them and then go back to tending them they usually recover nicely. My grandmother loved to garden. My mother and sisters all have beautiful yards. I am glad that I enjoy it. Thank you Mom and Grandma! Gardening is a wonderful gift. Here are some of my current favorites.

I love to plant and tend pots. I especially like these on my front porch this year.

I love shade plants. I wish I had more shade in my yard.

Organizational Tips #2

Isaac's closet

When I was a kid I loved to clean out drawers. Sadly it was my best talent. I now realize that it is a good talent to have. I wish I were even better at organization. David and his family are ultra organized. After being around them I realize that I have room for improvement. Here is a list of tips from friends and family I polled about staying organized. These are all things that I try to do. My life is much happier when I feel organized. I hate not being able to find something; it is so frustrating. I also think that the organization keeps me from feeling frazzled; anything to help while trying to raise my little family. If you have a good tip I'll add it to the list.

1. Alice

"A place for everything and everything in its place."

"If you don't have a place for it, get rid of it."

2. David

"A place for everything and everything in its place."

"If you don't have a place for it, get rid of it."

3. Sarah

"I use containers and labels for everything."

"Clean up your kitchen and pick up your house before bed. It starts the next day off right."

4. Amy Greene

"Tidy up your house before you go to bed."

"My day is much better when I get up and get ready for the day."

"Pack lunches, kids backpacks the night before."

5. Linda

"Make sure your kitchen is clean every night."

6. Rory

"If you don't use it, lose it."

7. Jeremy

"Iron your clothes right when you take them out of the dryer."

8. Kim

"Only touch it once." (Don't pick something up and move it from one place to another. Pick it up and put it away.)

9. Jessica

"Everything needs a place."

10. Wade

"Keep your garage clean, it helps keep your house clean."

"Keep everything off the garage floor."

11. Jocelyn

"Color coded file system."

12. Kathy

"Do your laundry once a week. It is so nice not to have to worry about the laundry everyday."
13. Nicole

"Organize your clothes closets. Take out what doesn't fit. Use the same type of hangers. Like things together. Shirts, shorts, pants. Utilize the space. Hang double rods."
14.Faye

"Make your bed right when you wake up. It takes two minutes and makes all the difference in a room."

"Make sure your kitchen is clean before you go to bed."

15. Jen

"A place for everything."

16. Tara

"Write everything down."

"Get as much done the night before as possible."

17. Lori

"Do as much as you can the night before."

"Write everything down. I keep a notebook in my purse."

"If you are in charge of an event, arrive at least 1 hour early."

"Different bags for different things" (Work bag, errand bag, church bag.)

18. Kim S.

"Fly Lady"
19. Sue

"Make friends with your garbage can."

Truman's Personality Shots

I was going through some pictures to have an enlargement made and was looking at all the photos my friend Erin took of Truman just shortly after he turned one year. It made me kind of sad because he is getting so big but I think the pictures really show off his personality. You will look at them and think they are so Truey.

He has such a curious expression.

Laughing and being SILLY!

I love this one.

I am sorry to say that he is living up to his name.

A habit we are STILL working on. If he quits I'll buy him a DS.

I wonder what he is thinking.

Cute!

"I want to be a dentist."

He is a great boy. I love him to pieces. Even when he bawls.

Your Already Wet Anyway, Right?

Isaac has been swimming on the swim team. My friend Nicole talked me into having him do it with her daughter and then she ended up not being able to do it. He usually goes down with one other little girl from our neighborhood so I usually only have to drive a couple times a week. Isaac's friend has been out of town this week so I have had to drive everyday. It has also rained everyday. And it has been cold. I feel a little bit mean making him swim in the cold and rain but they do not cancel unless there is lightning. He is making great improvements in his swimming.

(His hair is out of control. That subject may be my next blog.)

Truman is also taking swim lessons with his cousins Jack and Daniel. So I spend all morning at the pool. I am hoping that the weather will improve so I can have a few days of enjoyment before the lessons are over. I also can not wait for my friend Sarah to return from her vacation. I need a carpool partner.

Update

The caffeine withdrawal headaches are gone (Yea!) and so is all my energy. When does it come back? When do I start feeling better because I am not drinking soda? I am at day 10. It would help if I hadn't given up my sweets too.

Missing Happiness...

Okay, I'll admit that my family has a bit of a soda pop drinking problem. How could we not we are started on the sauce at a pretty young age. I just turned 35. (WOW!) I decided to give up soda for awhile. (I know that I have been known to do this in the past so don't laugh.) Soda pop drinking is a social thing for me. I love to go and get a drink. I have done this a lot with my family and with friends. Me and my kids love to swing by Jardine's for a drink. It is also a big stress reliever. If things aren't going well a soda really makes everything better for me. So this week has been hard for me. I am still getting little headaches but I think they are improving. The real trick will be sticking to the program at Lake Powell. I'll keep you posted.

Everyone loves a good Beverage.

Don't you just love opening a nice cold beverage and hearing the pop. I also love to pour a soda in a glass of ice until it is about ready to overflow and then feel the bubbles tickle your lip. When I was little we would always take the first sip and say taaahhhhh... The other day my dad stop by and he was teaching Lucy all of these little pleasures. It was pretty cute.

Watch out for SNAKES!

Anyone who knows David well; knows that he HATES snakes! I always joke with him that if there was a snake and it was close to one of our kids I would have to be the one to save them. It isn't really a joke though because he really hates them that much. The other night David was going to bed and he was moving all the pillows off the bed and what did he find but this:

Truman had left his dad a surprise for a joke. I thought it was super funny and David actually did too. Although it did scare him a bit. The next night it was on my pillow. David found it again. I guess I am raising a comedian.

Bubbles!

Lucy was having a leisurely bath and almost got swallowed by the bubbles. (My bathtub is pretty deep.) She loved it! She makes me happy.

A New Record!

I now have a new comment record. It now stands at 18 comments. Most of the comments are from the same two people but oh well. I also now have several new blog topics. Happy reading!

No Crying in Baseball?

I don't know who said there is no crying in baseball but they must not of had kids. It is baseball season and that means many nights at the baseball park. A few weeks ago, David took the boys to their game. I didn't go because I was watching my nieces and nephew. I figured going to the game would be worse than usual with three extra kids. David called me shortly after leaving home to say "I'm pretty sure Truman just busted his arm on the monkey bars." I tried to get a hold of Kim but couldn't; she was getting her hair cut from the guy that takes an extra long time to cut hair. Apparently Truman was carrying on pretty good on the side lines of the game while David helped coach the team. Jessica was there and it was difficult to tell if he was really hurt or just being dramatic like Truman has been known to be. After awhile he calmed down and even tried to bat. When they got home we decided to take him to the emergency room. It was indeed broken and Truman loved being a patient in the hospital. He was very funny and unusually brave. He only had to wear his cast for a few weeks which we were glad for because it was looking pretty grimy. Truman was an excellent batter with only one good arm. Hopefully this will be the last broken bone in our family. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

Organizational Tips

A few years ago I did a little lecture for some people at Faye's work. It was fun and was actually more helpful to me than to anyone else I am sure. Growing up I always thought that I was really organized. Recently I've realized that I wasn't all that organized; but compared to many others in my family I seemed organized. After being married to David for awhile I realized what a truly organized person is like and I wasn't one of them. So I have worked on it and I am at a pretty good balance. Here are some of my tips:
1. Keep your kitchen clean. If your kitchen is clean, most of your house probably is. If it is a mess the rest of the house is probably a wreck. I don't know why this is so but it really seems to be the case.
2. Be willing to throw stuff out. Donate it to the DI or throw it away. Don't hang on to it in case you need it someday. Many times that day never comes.
3. Everything needs to have a place. If you can't find it a place get rid of it. When I was preparing my organizational lecture I polled people on their best tips. I asked my mother-in-law, Alice, her best organizational tip. She replied "A place for everything and everything in its place." Later that day I asked David for his best tip and he said "A place for everything and everything in its place." It was really insightful to me that David learned organization from his mom. It has been a great gift to not only David but to his wife. I hope that I can help teach my boys and Lucy good organizational habits. They really serve you well in life.

Jason

Jason 2 1/2 years, Nicole 6 months

Today is my older brother Jason's birthday. Happy Birthday Jay! (I can't believe you are ALMOST 40! This will make him mad at me. HEE HEE!) Life with Jason is never dull and growing up as his sister wasn't always easy; but I wouldn't trade him. Jason loved to tease and torment his sisters and he still loves to. I remember having to make him six cinnamon toast for an after school snack. He wouldn't let me play until I had done this. He also use to pull my really short toes until the skin would split between them. Now he does this to Isaac; but Isaac likes it. He would pin us down and give us the spit treatment. This is where he would drool spit down until he almost let it touch our nose and then he would slurp it back up. When I started 7th grade Jason was in 9th grade and he and his friends would moo at me in the halls. I guess I was lucky to be thin and have a healthy self-esteem. For all the teasing Jason did we had fun together too. We played lots of games and jumped on the trampoline tons. In high school he would let me drive part way home from school, before I had my driver's license. And most days he would buy me a drink at the Jiffy Stop. He would always take me and my sisters or friends boating. Our boat was a big bonding thing. I think my parents knew that. To this day Jason will say how miserable it was growing up with three younger sisters but I think secretly he loved it. We always spoiled him and we still do. Jason you are such a fun person to be around. You are very optimistic and rarely sad. Which I think are great qualities. But I especially love how you have always stuck up for me and how darling you are to your nieces and nephews. They love you and I hope you know that I do too!

It's Birthday Season!

We are coming up on the busy birthday season in my family. This week was Isaac's birthday. On his actual birthday, we had a baseball game. So we saved our celebrating until the weekend. (He did choose to go to Cafe Rio though and then after I ordered him a pork taco, which is what he usually gets there, he informed me that I had ordered incorrectly for him. He wanted a pork salad. Whatever! My children never eat salad.) Sorry for the side note. Back to the topic.

The Bowlers! Isaac scored the high score. Very appropriate for the birthday boy!

Isaac is so excited to open presents.

Friday we held Isaac's kid party. It was a low key party. I served store bought cupcakes. And non homemade ice cream. Then we went bowling with ten little kids. It went amazingly well with very little effort on my part. Sunday we had a combined party for Isaac and Jason. Isaac was so excited to open his presents! It was comical. He is a really funny kid. We had homemade snickers ice cream and lemon mousse pie. I've got to do some adjusting on the pie so its presentation is better but it did taste delicious. Next up Nicole's 35th Birthday Celebration.

Temple Square

Today Truman, Lucy and I went to Temple Square to see the flowers. It was really fun. After walking around for awhile we ate at the Lion House Pantry. I liked this picture. Everyone should visit soon before the tulips are gone.

The Swing!

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside--
Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

Robert Louis Stevenson

Isn't this just pure happiness?!

Nicole Is Not As Smart As She Thinks She Is.

So I am a little reluctant to post another Nicole is not as smart as she thinks she is post. Especially because it is two posts in a row, but maybe you will find it humorous.

The other day Truman really needed a haircut so after putting it off for several days we decided we could delay no longer. We didn't have a lot of time before Isaac was done with school, but we headed to Cookie Cutters anyway. While the hairdresser was finishing up with Truman, the other gal in the store said she could check me out. I thought "Oh that will be great; that way we can run to Costco and pick up pictures and still get home before Isaac." The thought abruptly changed as I looked in my purse and found NO WALLET. (I had taken my wallet out of my purse at home because the Costco website needed my membership id #. ) I felt like the biggest idiot! The girl was very nice about it. She didn't make me feel any more idiotic, so I headed straight home and then straight back.

The sad thing is that this is the second time this year I did something like this. One day a few months back I had been visiting teaching and on the way home I decide that I would like a delicious shrimp taco from Mr. Taco. I called an order in and had a few minutes before my taco would be ready. Truman doesn't really like Mr. Taco and he wanted a Happy Meal. I thought I have a few minutes to kill so why not? I drove to McDonald's and went through the drive through. I pull up to the pay window and I DO NOT have my purse. I rummage through the car and normally my ashtray has quite a bit of money but MY DEAR HUSBAND has recently emptied it. (He hates clutter.) I explain to the girl that I do not have my purse so please cancel my order. (I am also talking to my sister Kim on the phone and she is witness to the whole event. If any of you know Kim she loves stuff like this so she is in hysterics. She really starts thinking it is funny when I explain to her that I have to drive all the way home to get my purse so that I can pay for my taco.) The taco was cold and poor Truman didn't get his Happy Meal because his mother was too humiliated to go back. I actually haven't been back to the McDonald's since. I'll probably have to quit Cookie Cutters too, but I have been know to quit a hairdresser or ten.

The Birthday Cake Disaster!

So here is the cake disaster story. I usually really like to make birthday cakes, but this year we had a little trouble. In the past Truman has had a few birthday cake douses. My favorites were probably the frog and Mickey Mouse. This year the cake, or cakes were a total flop. Cake #1 was suppose to be a delicious Lemon Pound Cake. I did not grease and flour the pan and it would not come out. Cake #2 was a Chocolate Ganache Cake that is fabulous. While I was cutting the cake I could not figure out why the knife would not easily slice through the top of the cake then I realized in my paranoia about having the 2nd cake stick in the pan I took an extra precaution and lined it with parchment. It came out of the pan easily but then I had to run to my friend Erin's house to look at a cut on her little girls forehead. When I got home I quickly made the ganache and poured it over the cake. I didn't realize that I hadn't removed the parchment. Needless to say I felt like a complete Moron but the end of the night. Oh well they both tasted pretty good. Truey next year you can have a kid party AND I'll make sure that your cake is amazing.

My Kitchen Helpers. I remember as a kid my mom always let us lick the bowl and the beaters.

Truman put her in her apron. (I just realized she has a crooked smile like I did when I was little.)

Can you tell what I am saying? (%^$$#!)

"I am retarded and should give up cooking."

A Fun Afternoon.

So today Jessica and I hit the new Nordstrom store at Fashion Place. We had a great time. We felt like we had left Salt Lake and gone to someplace where the shopping is good. The store was bright and there was a lot to look at. It is always fun to go with Jess because she truly loves shopping. She was in HEAVEN. She text Wade "Triple the Shoes." I'm sure I will have fun shopping the new store. Go check it out.

Happy Birthday Truey!

Truman turned six today. (I can not believe how fast the time goes.) He woke up to balloons with messages all over his room. I wanted to record the messages for him because all the cousins pop them before he knew what they all said. We had my family over for dinner and a little party. The cake was a disaster but that is a story for another post. Truman is not having a kid party this year because he cries too much. I tried to give him many opportunities to earn the party back but in the end it was lost. A mom at school overheard him telling a classmate who had asked about his party, "I'm not having a kid party this year, I'm having a cousin party instead." He was smart enough not to elaborate as to why. I feel like I'm the meanest. Here are the messages I wrote to you Truey.

Message #1 "Truman, Mommy loves you!"

Message #2 "Truey, you have the most beautiful eyes and the longest eyelashes."

Message #3 "Truman, you have such luscious lips. Remember to save all your kisses for me."

Message #4 "You are a good student and friend. I love how hard you try."

Message #5 "Truey, you are a great brother and helper to Mom. Thank you for being such a great kid"

Message #6 "Truman, Heavenly Father and Jesus love you and they are proud of the boy you are becoming."

Truman is a very good boy. He has a tender heart and gets his feelings hurt easily. (That is one reason why he cries sooo much.) Truman is an artist. He loves to tease and be silly. He still loves his blanket and I often remind him not to suck his thumb. Truman loves to play anything with Isaac. He loves to have friends over to play. He likes to play his Wii and DS. Truman wakes up every morning and does his morning five. He loves Lucy and she talks about him a lot during the day. He likes to put together Lego's and loves school. I am very happy to be his mom and I hope he knows how much I love him. Happy Birthday Buddy.

Happy Valentine's Day!

and a little giveaway.....

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me, my choice, for you. ( I know. . . a little scary, but maybe fun, huh?)
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1 - I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2 - What I create will be just for you.
3 - It'll be done by the end of March
4 - You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may scrapbook something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, or even me:)
The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. My sister-in-law, Sarah, did this on her blog and I can't wait to see what I might get as a goodie! The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment asking me something they would like to know about me will then win a Fabulous homemade gift made by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!
GO!!!

Lucy's twirl skirt

Here is my latest project. I started this darling twirl skirt before Halloween. I am so pathetic at partially completed projects. I asked my mom some questions yesterday and finished it up this morning. It wasn't too hard but I love how it turned out. Adorable! Thanks Wendy for the darling pattern and for teaching us a mini sewing class.

I WON!

This weeks laundry race turned out differently. I was victorious. The prize is bragging rights for the week and 1 hour of help doing jobs of my choosing. I owe Jess 1 hour and both she and Kim owe me 1 hour. Poor Kim's power went out mid morning. She called trying to withdraw but sadly she couldn't. This game makes the laundry so much better. I haven't had any ironing or folding hanging over my head. There will be another rematch next Monday.

Draper Temple Open House

As many of you know David does not work on Fridays; so several years ago we started calling it FUN Friday. Today for Fun Friday we attended the Draper Temple Open house. Now going to church in my book isn't usually classified as fun but we made the most of it. Grandma and Grandpa came with us and I was glad to make that memory with my children. I also wanted to take advantage of a tremendous teaching opportunity. I have to remind myself that sometimes fun isn't the most important thing.

As a young girl I remember going to the Jordan River Temple Open house with my family. I remember waiting in line, putting booties over my shoes and feeling it was a special place. I also had a picture of the St. George Temple hanging in my room. My favorite song in Primary was "I love to see the Temple" and it was always a goal of mine to be married in the temple. I knew at a very early age that the temple was important. I guess that I didn't realize how important it would become to me.

At our house we talk about forever families quite a bit. We remind Isaac that we took him to the temple to be sealed to us right as soon as our adoption was finalized. We love him so much and know that Heavenly Father brought us together. We also know that Heavenly Father has provided a way for us to remain together and that is truly a blessing. We also talk about our daughters Katie and Ellie. We talk about wanting to be with them again and we know that because of the temple that can happen. This is by far one of the greatest blessings of our church. I wish that everyone understood this doctrine. I am very grateful that I do because heaven would not be heaven to me without my family. I hope that this day will have an impression on my children and that they will remember a little bit of it. I hope that they will want to go back to the temple and participate in the blessings it offers. I know that the temple truly binds families together and this blesses my life everyday.