Christmas is Coming ... ready or not

My tree is up and decorated but the rest of the house is still getting decked out for the holidays. December has been filled with school projects and finals. I had 2 tests today and let's just say A's may be a thing of the past for now --- I have just gone through the freshman adjustment semester, but only one more test to go and then no more school for a month. I am looking forward for the family to gather this year. The girls will be home on Christmas Eve and we will giggle for about a week straight. I haven't been to the grocery store and I have no idea if Santa will find us this year, but maybe a miracle will visit. The best part of Christmas for me is the quiet times reading by the tree, and of course the all out game playing with the family!!!

I love my tree and I thought I would share one part of my Christmas with you and you might smile a little at Mr. Santa. He is handmade and has 3 more brothers floating around the family, someday Janalee yours will get done.







Love to all!!!

It happened!!

Hayden received his mission call today!!! Drum roll please .....

He will be serving in the Canada Edmonton Mission.

I am a little over-whelmed, excited, and I am trying to get the image of my baby
boy with the big brown eyes leaving me for two whole years, out of my head. I know he will be fine, in fact I am sure he is more than ready to get out of here. I love all of my children, but I have to admit they are all growing and leaving sooner than I am ready for them to.

With finals, projects and holidays looming about, you could say I feel quite a bit over-whelmed!!!

Halloween Fun

Wilbur and Father Time catching up on the news of the neighborhood.




Charlotte snuggling up to Wilbur




Wilbur just basking in being the hit of the party!!!


We had a great time at the Firth home on Friday night. Bart was such a good sport he was Wilbur and I was Charlotte (I wish you could see her in my hair better). I came up with the spider idea first, but didn't know what to do with Bart. I was talking to the boys about it and they mentioned Wilbur, I promptly told them that I thought no one would recognize my grandpa at the party and besides that where was I going to find overalls from the Sears Catalog. OK then they informed me they meant the pig from the book. I guess my brain is a little foggy from having 3 midterms this past week. Many of may not know my Dad's Father's name was Wilbur and his Mother's name was Lucy, cute huh.


Tomorrow my Dad has surgery to relieve pressure on his brain and I am praying for much success. He deserves it as well as my mom. I have often said getting old is not for sissies and I still haven't changed my mind. I turned 45 on Saturday and had a very quiet day. I got some sweet cards and the trick or treater's were darling. I loved the phone calls from family it is so nice to be thought of especially when you are feeling a little over-whelmed about this #. I don't think it would be so bad to be 45, but I am in college and that is a little weird. For the first time in a long time I was thinking being a little bit younger may not be so bad and then I remember I have children that are in their early 20's, so it is probably good to be 45. Maybe if I say it often enough it will get better. 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45.................you get the idea!!!

Lost Perspective

Today I had one of those stupid days, where I feel overwhelmed and a little sorry for myself. I sat down to the computer to just try and make my mind calm down. I saw this picture and realized I have a lot to be thankful for. My grandma is a beautiful and lovely women and I happen to be her first grandchild. We had this photo shot at out last family reunion. I love it!!! She is a self-taught musician, one of my favorite things is to sing with her and she has raised a loving and close family. She is such a classy lady that we all fight over her clothes when she cleans out her closet. Her fridge always has a cold diet soda waiting to be shared and she always has time for a visit. I love when I found out about when her family was young; she would put off making dinner to finish one more chapter in the book (usually a romance novel) she was reading. She still is an avid reader. I consider that characteristic a little hereditary.

I love you grandma!!!

Conference Tradition

We love conference at this house. I have a tradition of making Monkey Bread for Sunday morning breakfast and if I forget one of the children will remind me. Thanks Josh!!!

Here is the recipe: (I couldn't get a pic before they were devoured)

1 pkg. Pillsbury biscuits
3 T Butter
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/3 C. Brown sugar
2 T water

Melt the above ingredients and pour over the biscuits. Cut the biscuits in fourths and place in a greased pan. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

I usually multiply this by 3 or even 4 and a pizza cutter works really fast on cutting the dough.

I guess I have had kitchen withdrawals because besides the monkey bread I made Taco Soup, 2 loaves of chocolate zucchini bread and 2 loaves of regular zucchini bread. I made enough to put some in the freezer for later and I have a ham ready for Monday with some baked potatoes fresh from Idaho.

Conference was good as usual and I always feel ready to face the world afterwords. My favorite funny was when the Bishop had to be called to get the 80 year old off the ladder, I hope I always serve with that much gusto!!!

Have a good week and try to turn on your oven it not only feeds your family but feeds your soul.

A "Little" STRESSED!!!

It may be a sign when you have words with a complete stranger over a parking spot. It happened to me on Monday. I let her have the spot and later I couldn't believe I even had a confrontation over the spot. Can you say... Take a chill pill, Shauna!!!

I am looking forward to a quiet week-end, without parking lots and birds in the kitchen. Your right, I had a bird fly into my kitchen. Thankfully Hayden was home and we trapped it with a blanket and used really long tongs to pick it up and were able to release it outside unharmed. I wish I could tell you I did this while being very composed, but those who know me would know that there was plenty of squealing involved!!

What a beautiful day up Logan Canyon!!! Hayden and I spent the afternoon, Saturday, hiking around Tony Grove. The weather was perfect, the leaves are starting to change and the lake was calm. I have lived in Logan for over 25 years and had never been in this part of the canyon, shame on me. There is never a "perfect" time to do the things you want, so I have decided to let the dishes sit a little longer and maybe go one more day before the bathrooms get cleaned and do the things that are really important.

Life is short and there is so much beauty to see and be a part of . . . I hope you will take time to enjoy!!!


On a funnier note, I got invited to my first study group. A couple of cute "nerds" right out of high school asked me to join them in the library to study for our biology test. I told Adrienne and she is very pleased that I am making friends and Jessica reminded me once again that I am just reminding them of their mom's and they probably are hoping for some cookies. Wish me luck, I have 3 tests this week.

Happy Birthday Adrienne!!!!

Adrienne is 22 today. She is my 2nd daughter and such joy to have around. Adrienne is talented, smart, and FUNNY!!! I love this girl, when I found out I was expecting, I so wanted another girl. She was such a beautiful baby, people would stop me on the street to take a closer look. I had one woman tell me I should have a porcelain doll made like her. She is in her last year of college and she has done it all on her own. I love our phone conversations, and visits. Sugar cookie Thursday will never be the same since the Smith's "event". Adrienne has helped me with getting back in school. She never forgets a birthday in this family. She is a very loyal friend, in grade school her teachers relied on her to help those with special needs, even escorting classmates to the bathroom so they would come back to class. Can you believe in primary she was shy and would not participate until she was almost 12? She has a sweet relationship with her extended family.

I hope this coming year is filled with many exciting things for you. You deserve the best!!!


I love you!

MOM

Get your homework done!!!

Oh how times have changed around my house. Gone are the days of me telling my children to get their homework done and now I hear Josh say, "Mom, come on let's get your homework done!" He is being so patient with me. My teacher, Mr. Hoggan, has been kind and patient as well. Wish me luck for my first real quiz tomorrow.

Remember when you had to use a notebook and pen/pencil to take notes, now students are using laptops more often. I am noticing that a lot of them are on facebook and e-mail accounts just as often as those taking additional notes with the teacher's PowerPoint.
Oh yeah, now it is suggested to print the PowerPoint presentations and bring them to class and use these as your note outlines. Mrs. Marriot would be discouraged with this, she taught me how to outline notes in the 7th grade.

I now have more empathy for my children and the stresses they face. I am trying to let some of the things I use to worry about go and keep my eye on the big picture. I am headed to my family reunion. There is about 100 of us and most will be there. My grandma looks forward to this all year long and it is such a joy to catch up with everyone. Too bad I will probably have to do a little homework while I am away.

New Chapter in my Life

I did it, I started school. I haven't been in school since 1984 and haven't had a math class since 1982. I am the oldest in my math class and Josh, my 15 year old son, helps me with my homework. My teacher taught my 3 oldest children in middle school, so I keep hoping he will treat me like a 7th grader. Josh tries really hard not to laugh at my silliness. I am taking a history/current events course and a biology course and my favorite an elementary education course. I have to be on campus every day. I have had my first blister, tripped once and got lost trying to find my van only once so far.

I think I can get adjusted, but on top of the new routine, my water heater broke. So we had cold showers all week, by friday everyone was a little irritable. The printer broke during a power surge in the middle of the night and did you know there is a lot of printing to do in college. I hope to have the basement finished by the weeks end.



WISH ME LUCK!!!!

Summertime

I have a favorite song from primary and this time of year it plays over and over in my mind.

Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime?

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?
Do you fish in a stream, or lazily dream on the banks as the clouds go by?
Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?
Do you swim in a pool, to keep yourself cool, or swing in a tree up high?
Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?
Do you march in parades, or drink lemonades, or count all the stars in the sky?
Is that what you do? So do I!

It feels like the summer is quickly ending and school is fast approaching. I passed my math test and get to start with Math 1010. The test proctor smiled as I came back again to take the test and I said to her I hope you never have to see me again. After the test was over, by the way there are only 14 questions, I knew I had got the score I needed. I nearly jumped out of my seat and ran up front, she grinned and told me she would let me enroll in 1010. I told her I would probably scream a little in the elevator on the way down. Thanks for all your help Josh and Adrienne.

The basement is almost done, and I hope to NEVER have a flooded basement again. Bart has been a trooper through all of the chaos. The boys have not had a bedroom most of the summer and we still like each other.

Like the song says I hope to lazily dream and watch as the clouds go by ...... I hope you do too.

Never Bored at my house

Since my last post I have been to Idaho again to help with my parents and visit with my family. My basement flooded and I hosted a 5 day family gathering with 20 of the family here. We played hard, ate well, slept little and laughed a lot!!!

We went to our neighborhood breakfast and were served omelets, texas toast, watermelon and juice and milk. The kids all made matching 4th of July celebration shirts, stamped with original stamps made from pasta and fabric paint.


Aren't they cute??







Another thing we did was take everyone minus a few men (Bart, Grandpa and Hayden) and went to the DI. Everyone likes to go on this treasure hunt, grandma usually finds dishes to add to her collection and the young boys found AWSOME toy guns and the little girls added to their ever growing stuffed animal collections. I think Adrienne may have won with the most original and nostalgic item . . . a Saved By The Bell board game for $1.00. It only took 3 vans and a couple of hours for this adventure.




Baseball in the park is always fun, mostly laughing at the moms and helping the kids hit the ball. Thanks Bart for making sure everyone felt like the star of the team.





Well there you have it, a little snippet of what's been going on around here. The only thing that would have made the time perfect was if Jessica, Blake, Lisa, Abby, Lauren and Berg could have come. Maybe next year???

I may be in my 40's but I am still a little girl at heart!!!

When I was a little girl, or maybe a little older, or maybe in my 40's I have always loved paper dolls. I still have one of my sets from my childhood. I was in Idaho taking care of my mom and during her physical therapy I went over to the little fabric store on main street. While there I saw these, I squealed a little bit and now have them all ready for someone to play with. I am sure there will be a lot of fun to be had with these cute treasures. I cut them all apart and fused them to felted wool, I fused the dolls to a heavy duty product you would use to make the bottom of a bag. I know my girls will make fun of me, but I know my little nieces will love to play with Aunt Shauna!!!

I know that when you are sick, you might need an antibiotic or may even have to go to the hospital. I have a new and improved solution for most everything that might be wrong.

DIET COKE !!!

Adding a little chocolate doesn't hurt

I hope the next time you are not feeling well you will remember my "prescription" because Dr. MOM knows best.

Hayden Graduated!!!

Here are the most amazing kids EVER!!! They will tell you this as well. Hayden graduated from Intech CHS last night. He spoke and did an AWSOME job with his speech, of course Jessica will take credit for most of the editing and additions. I can't believe next school year Adrienne, Hayden, Jessica will all be is college. Josh will be a sophomore at LHS.

I think he looks thrilled to be standing next to his

"sign on the bridge"!!!

This is a neighborhood tradition to post most major events on the bridge for everyone to see.

Hayden in the middle of two of his mentors and friends. I think it was very nice of them to come and support my boy.

Wish me luck and maybe be a little jealous that I will have all of the kids home until Sunday.

I am back

I have been away helping my parents in Idaho, mom had a complete knee replacement and dad has not been feeling well. She is doing really well and is talking about having her other knee done as soon as the doctor will let her.


While I was away my oldest daughter, Jessica turned 23. I can't believe I have been blessed to be her mom. She is beautiful, sassy, talented, bright, well read, travels the world and a little bit bull headed. She can make all of her dreams come true. She has come home to Utah for Hayden's graduation and all ready she can't shake the "kid" from following her. I wish she would sing more and share her talent with others. She happens to be the shortest in the family, but I think she kind of likes it because her younger sister often gets mistaken for being the oldest. When they were both in high school, Jessica often was the protector of her little, big sister. Jessica is the oldest grand-daughter and the first great grandchild on my side of the family. She has been to Switzerland, Germany, Egypt, Italy, Abu-Daubi, Dubai, Austria, and has traveled much of the United States and she is only 23. I am so happy to be her mom and hope we can giggle together for the next 23 years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER

Happy Birthday Deann!!! I love you and so glad we are sisters. Deann is my sister closest in age to me, she is tall blonde and beautiful. She is the mother of 4 girls, teaches high school and is the primary president in her ward. She is a great cook, sews and is always looking for ways to serve others. I am always amazed by her awareness of others and like my mom can remember everyone. When we get together it is so nice, we love creating together, having tiny spicy and just catching up. Deann I hope your year is a good one and stress free!! I love you.

Mother's Day Do-Over

I hope all of you women in my life had a great mother's day, but for me I need a do-over. Adrienne made a surprise visit and made curry, but she brought her laundry and needed me to pay for a few things. I loved her visit. Jessica made a nice phone call. Hayden wrote me a beautiful note and Josh, well as he said, "I got nothin' for you, but you know I love you and I don't want to do the dishes. Bart, bless his heart, was/is quite sick and the dog jumped off the bed injuring his other back leg. Primary was a bust with missing teachers and no singing leader. I am not in need of a dramatic production because I have a great family, but maybe next year I could have my toenails painted fire engine red, curl up with a new book, and even have someone else cook for that day.

So to all of you Happy Mother's Day????

Crashin' Cousins

The "cousins" came by unexpectedly on Saturday and I am glad they did. I think it is great that they got rained out at Lagoon and came to Logan instead. Sadie the Blondie asleep in my bed immediately told me that my blinds were really dirty and needed to be cleaned. I'll get right on that right away. Chloey the redhead, trying not to grin and laying by the Blondie, went right to the art closet , the game closet and toy room to check to see if much had changed since she was here last. Next visit hopefully we will have time to play a little more. Andrea had to wear her aunt's shoes to the DI and to check out Hobby Lobby and Deidra was caught wearing her sun glasses indoors. I thought I was the only one who did that and it usually means mom has a beast of a migraine. Deann and I could not get it all in, we talked as fast as we could and we HAD to go a get tiny spicy chicken. I'm glad they stopped by and can't wait for the next visit. I love my family.

Birthday Celebration!!!

Happy Birthday SISTER!!! It is Janalee's birthday and she is well into her 30's, OK just barely getting started. She is the mother of 5 very cute and creative kids. Her husband (Ryan) is getting used to her sense of humor. She is a wonderful public speaker, loves politics, gets dirty with her kids. She sings beautifully, doesn't want people to know she can cook. She makes great jewelry and hates to sew. I love her. People often tell us we look alike and act alike, I consider that a compliment, but feel bad for her. We are 12 years different in age and I am sure my family would agree, if we were any closer my parents would have struggled because out of the 4 children her and I are the most talkative. I hope your day is a good one, you deserve the best year yet!!!

Ball Park Funny

I saw one of the funniest things on the ball diamond tonight at Josh's game. 3 ducks; 2 males and 1 female trying to mate in outfield. I felt bad for the girl, those guys chased her all over the place or maybe they may have all had a bad case of spring fever. Sometimes the most fun I have at the ball park is watching what goes on everywhere else but the field. Sorry Bart and Josh.

Meet Makena, don't let that sweet face fool you she is sneaky and witty. She may have had one of the best one liners last Sunday that I can't get out of my head. We were talking about how the sacrament bread had beans in it and wasn't cooked, on the way home from church, when she immediately told us all it would have been "bedda with butta" on it. I think I agree with this cute girl that most things are better with a little butter on it. Okay so the bread was cooked and didn't have beans, it was just a whole grain home made bread, but what do little 4 year old boys know. (Nick does seem to know more than most or he will talk so much you just agree to hear yourself think)

LUCKY

I won "Block Jack" at quilt guild yesterday, the rules are simple: make a block put your name in the hat and walk away with enough blocks to make a quilt. Now I have played a couple of times and have not won, but yesterday everything changed. I WON!!! A little back story, my friends and family think I always win, I disagree, I have yet to win the publisher's sweepstakes or the HGTV's Dream Home, but I will keep entering.


I have been in Oklahoma for 8 days taking care of my sister's children. I had a blast and we did a lot of things along with the regular amount of things that are involved with taking care of 5 children. We made Easter skirts, Easter eggs, went to the movies and read a lot of books (my favorite). I am so glad that my mom and Hayden were with me. I love my family even if they may be older than Yoda or smell like an elephant's cage.



I will miss seeing Nate, Nick, Makena, Emilee, and Alana every day but when they move to Yakima I hope we can see each other more often.

Isn't she cute!!! I recently finished this apron, I think it turned out cute. I am so glad I can sew, THANKS MOM. I also have to admit I even took 4-H and sewed on an old fashioned treadle machine.

OK the truth is I don't get to keep the apron (even though it matches my room wonderfully) because it is a gift for a dear friend.

Happy Birthday Spring.

Picture Tag . . . Your It !!

My friend Sandra at In This Small House has tagged me, now I feel funny and kind of stupid at this game. First of all I am REALLY new to this blogging thing and I just got my first digital camera for Christmas. So here is the picture. . .





of course it is Christmas morning and I'm not sure I even took the picture. Adrienne is on the left and the "baby" of the family is with her on the sofa.

I have a daughter who is such good photographer, I need to take lessons. My daughter Jessica has taken pictures from the back yard to all over the world. I think it would be fun to see what she would have in her 6th file and what her 6th picture is, so . . . Jessica you are it!

26 years and counting

The picture below is of the Teton Dam site disaster that happened in 1976, this is where Bart and I went on our first date.

"1976 Teton Dam Flood Site"

My cute husband just reminded me that 26 years ago today we had our first date . . . he claims he met the "girl" of his dreams. I don't think he knew that then, we met on a blind date and I was the fallback girl. I didn't want to go on a date with him, but my mom said just go, you might have fun. I don't think she realized that a little over 9 months later we would be married. Getting married was not on my to do list, but as organized and planned everything seems to be for me, I went with the flow and I am glad I did.

For all of you married friends and family take a moment and remember your first date, it will put a smile on your face and warm your heart. I love you Bart.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Joshua is 15 today, I don't know how this happened to me, my baby is growing up. He is such a joy and appropriately spoiled as are all of my children. He is funny, kind, bright and calls me ma-ma in front of his friends. In our home for your birthday you get to pick the meal I prepare for dinner and he chose ribs with mashed potatoes and corn, no green vegetables for this picky boy. I asked what kind of cake he wanted a couple of days ago and he said "duh", well I didn't know what duh meant and he soon informed me it was Better than Sex Cake. OK, I can do that but I don't think he knows it takes all day for that cake. My baby is only 15 once so making a special dinner and a yummy cake is worth it.

I love you Josh!!!

Another Reason Bart is Embarrassed by ME

Am I a lucky girl or what, how often do you get to wave to Big Bird or for that matter take his picture. Bart and I had just finished up at the USU home and garden show and having a little lunch when we were heading home. On the corner of Main and 1400 North my friend and yours was waving to all of his fans and of course I had to have a picture. I pulled out my cute red camera and snapped this lucky shot. Bart was mortified, but I love all things Sesame Street. I know it is a little bit silly but I can't helping finding joy in the simple things. Have a happy week and don't forget to hide when you eat your cookies or the Cookie Monster will get you!!!

When I grow up

The other night we had a neighborhood talent night, filled with culinary art, wood working, paintings, drawings, songs, juggling, poetry, a fabulous blues number and so much more. For me I couldn't stop staring at the above boxes and quilts. They speak to my soul and I know the women who have created them, they are both great-grandmothers, well respected by the community and I am often awed by them. The boxes are completely hand made. I have made a few and want to make many more. The quilts are treasures, the blue and yellow one is made with real 20's and 30's fabrics, not reproductions.

I hope I will let myself take time to create and feed my soul, because dishes, laundry and vacuuming doesn't seem to be doing it for me!!!

The cutest boy of them all

Having a good time at the birthday party!!??, or will somebody please take this stupid hat off of me?

Just chillin'

I usually require a pillow if you want to hold me.

I have been posting a lot about my boys in the family, much to the delight of my girls. We have one black and white and furry all over boy, who gets oh so much attention. He is much loved by everyone in the whole neighborhood and all know his name. Griffy has been in the family for 9 years and is the first one everyone tells they are home, he sleeps in my bed and LOVES bread and Bart always gives in to him. I will say one thing about this boy is he is always happy to see me even if he hasn't done his chores,but like the other boys in my family he doesn't always smell the best. Even so . . . we love this dog.

Batter's Up

Baseball Little Slugger

It is spring time in Cache Valley or so my son tells me so. It is snowing and yet Josh made the LHS baseball team. He loves ball and has since he could walk. This means for me to have the van always filled with blankets, the umbrella, sunscreen, coats and gloves, something to keep my hands busy, gator aid or power aid or water or my lifeline of diet coke. I better make sure we always know where the bat bag is and plenty of "seeds" to munch on. Not only does it mean ball time around here, but also it is time for parent teacher conferences, I stood in line for 2 hours and saw only 4 teachers, Josh is getting all A's and he came home yesterday and told me he got the highest score on his math test in his class. I am proud of him and I can't believe my "baby" is in high school. Keep up the good work my little dadult.

TAXES!!!!

Is it only me or does the tension level go up when it comes time to do taxes in your home? My poor husband gets very anxious about the process, he does a great job and we usually end up with a small refund or have to pay just a little. I think we will be done with the process today and I will can clean up the massive piles of paper all over the desk.



Also last night Hayden was inducted into the National Honor Society. I am proud of him and all that he has accomplished these last couple of days.