January...January...

I really despise January. The holidays are done (not always a bad thing, but a let-down all the same), it's dark a good part of the day, we usually get some sickness that was shared with us from extended family and friends over the holidays, there aren't any holidays to look forward to, and it's FREEZING, and usually ugly. Not to mention that in Cache Valley, we have a lot of inversions, which means the dirty air gets trapped within our mountain valleys, and we have to breathe it!!! The last couple of weeks have proved me right.

However, the other day a little blue sky peeked it's beautiful head through the ugly smog, and the trees were covered in frost. It really was SO beautiful. Of course, I grab my camera and start taking pictures. OneI took a picture of this tree, standing alone in this snow-covered field. This experience, as small as it was, planted a seed in my heart and mind, then other experiences have kinda built upon that seed already planted.

Every tree in the valley was covered like this, it really was absolutely beautiful!

Ready for this??? My deep thought is really nothing new, but it felt new to me on that day. You might have to stretch your imagination to follow my "deep thought" for the day. But I was thinking...even in the "ugly" or bad times of life, isn't there still beauty to be found? When we feel totally alone, can't we still stand tall and reach heavenward? And when life is really that bad and dreadful, if we can enjoy what we do have, and wait out the storms...that blue sky will show it's beautiful face - even if just for a moment or just a day. And then before we know it, when we've made it through these trials, and spring is just around the corner.

Now to my second experience that made this seed blossom in my mind (it's not really MY exprience, but the experiences of people that I love and care for). I mentioned in my blog last May about my Uncle passing away from Thyroid cancer, and how his entire family (4 kids and wife), all suffer from the same disease. Well, one of their kids, David, has had a reoccurance of his cancer, and has had a dreadful operation cut from his ear to below his adams apple. He has been through treatments that have made him very sick. When it was all said and done, the tests showed that he still had cancer, and they would have to do surgery again and cut down the other side of his neck to remove more cancer. It was devestating news. In the meantime, our family and I'm sure others, have fasted on his behalf. Of course, we have prayed many prayers on his and his families behalf as well. After the recent fast, he had another test done, and there was no cancer. It was such a shock, that they ran another - a more detailed test, and it's GONE! His doctors only explanation for this miracle was fasting and prayers. This does not mean that he's totally in the clear, he will have to have tests quite often to make sure he's still cancer-free. But prayers have been answered in the way we had hoped. Now his sister just had the same surgery, but on both sides of her neck, with more lumps removed. We are hoping and praying for any positive news for her. I know that not all prayers are answered in the way we want them to be, and that is where faith steps in. Heavenly Father does still answer those prayers. He will always answer those prayers in the way that's best for us, that sometimes, only He understands at the time.

This picture is of my cousin David with his dad and mom, my Uncle Dennis and Aunt Della

My point of sharing this story is that it has been "January" for a long time for David and his family. I'm sure they have felt alone at times, even though they are surrounded by friends and family. He has stood tall, and faced his illness head on. Now the beautiful blue sky is shining through, and spring is just around the corner. His sister Dionne is in the beginning of "January", but her blue sky will also shine through someday. I hope that the rest of his family (his mom and sisters) are already enjoying spring...then summer. No more January's in that family. BUT, if there are more January's, there is a cerain beauty that can be found there.

So I hope through any trials that come my way, and they will come - that I can remember in my mind, the beauty of this tree, standing strong and tall, against that beautiful blue sky, in the most dreadful month of the year. And I can remember so many people who have withstood their trials with grace, wisdom and faith.

"Come what may, and love it" Joseph B. Wirthlin

Holiday Happiness

I loved Christmas this year (I do every year, but I REALLY loved this year). The reason for my happiness...4 WHOLE days of Ira being off work...two weekends in a row. 4+4=8 (I'm terrible at math, but I think I got that equation right). We had 8 whole days in two weeks time of Ira not having work, kids not having school, and just getting to enjoy each other. We played lots, and watched lots of movies, and stayed in our p.j.'s all day.


Ira's sister-in-law, Beckie makes our family P.J.'s for Christmas, and this is a picture of us sporting our new attire. I love this tradition she has started, and I hope she keeps going with it. Then we stay in these jammies all day Christmas, and even a day or two longer for some of the kidlets who don't think it's necessary to shower or change clothes.

While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads...Santa and Mrs. Clause were up till 2 am building, putting together, and wrapping. They all wanted to sleep in the same bed so they could stay up all night and talk, or catch the big man. The traditional line up from youngest to oldest early Christmas morning, as they anxiously wait to get to go see what Santa brought them.Traditionally, we have our extended family party the day after Christmas. This year, with my parents gone, we still had our party, but we were all kinda at a loss. We usually go to their house, and my mom has a wonderful dinner. This year, we went to our church house, and WE had to figure out dinner. What's up with that????...you mean we have to grow up and take over the job?

We set up the projector and watched a slide show of our last years family activities and viewed all the pictures of our parents on their mission.

My mom, being the organized person she is - still made sure that we all had a Christmas present from she and my dad. Even though they had a HUGE list of things to do before they could go, they didn't forget to put us on the top of that list. They had their christmas shopping done before they left. We kept telling her that she didn't need to worry about making sure we had Christmas. But I have to admit, that when Christmas rolled around, and we had that little something from them...it really did help ease the sting.

Emi, Kam & Jarin showing the new jammies they got from Grandpa & Grandma

After a week of trying and trying, we were finally able to get through on the phone to Grandpa & Grandma on Kiritimati Island. It was bitter/sweet to get to talk to them. I wanted to talk forever, but of course, that wasn't possible. It was hard to say goodbye again.

New Years Eve, we went to my sisters in Pocatello, and the dads and kids played Rock Band most of the night. We have so much "talent" in our family!

Kam gives a whole new meaning to sounding nasaly when singing.

A good game of Risk, but not for me. I don't like games that make me think!

Even my parents had a "white" Christmas (with 3 baptisms). It was a strange Christmas with them gone, and we missed them terribly, but this is really what it's all about!Thought I'd throw these in just for fun. This is Christmas on Christmas Island!

Brain Freeze

I've had a blogging brain freeze. Simply put: I can't think of a single thing to blog about.

So as I was cleaning this morning, and I was trying to think of something creative (which is looking very unlikely to happen), this is what I was thinking:

We have 3 bathrooms in our house with 3 toilets, 3 bathtubs, and 3 sinks...

WHY can't the kids flush the toilet?

WHY can't every toilet flush in the same day and not have at least one of them be plugged and need to be plunged?

THEN after I've flushed and plunged, and go to wash my hands:

WHY oh WHY does either a bathtub or a sink or both have to be plugged and can't drain well every day? Does our house have serious plumbing issues, or do most households experience these same WHY's?

That being said...I am SO bragging (no complaints here).

I am SO thankful for indoor plumbing. Seriously, can you imagine freezing your keester off going outside in this cold (especially in the middle of the night?)

My parents have to pump their water with a small bike pump, through a filter in hot, sweating buckets as they do it. So their struggling with the question of should they drink the amount of water they need? If so...they need to pump it themselves!

So yep...I'm so grateful for my plugged toilets, sinks, bathtubs. At least I got 'em, and clean water to go in 'em.

So there you have it...the results of my blogging brain freeze. So next time you wonder why I'm not blogging...just be glad I'm not blogging my ridiculous thoughts as they happen!

My dad pumping water on his mission in the Marshall Islands. Go daddy...Go!

Holiday Check List

If you chose to continue, you will have to endure my holiday checklist. This years seemed to be a little longer, and I felt a little less motivated to complete it. Not a very good combination! But...it's mostly complete - miracles do happen at Christmas time! :)

1. Christmas Tree up and decorated: check (a week later than usual, but all the same, it's a check)

2. Lights on outside of house: NOT check (I guess that means I don't have to take them down either - I like this plan)

3. Homemade candy made: check (candy eaten: partly check. But the problem is, it's not supposed to be eaten until Christmas!)

4. Head cold: Big fat miserable CHECK

5. Shovel Snow: check and not check (more to come, I'm sure).

6. Christmas package to Kiritimati Island: Check, then check again

7. "Emergency" care packages to Kiritimati Island: check, check, check, check (we're losing our connection to send my parents packages in the future, so all the necessities had to be sent now, last minute notice - but thank heavens for the notice!).

8. Extended family Christmas packages prepared and mailed: check, check, check

9. Ira's office party (that we host): big fat check (literally).

10. Shopping, shopping, and more shopping (and some returns): check, check, check, check, check, check, check etc.

11. Neighbor and friends gifts, cards, party: check

12. Home teaching (I go with Ira), and Visiting Teaching: check

13. Tithing Settlements: HUGE CHECK! (not that I'm the one doing them, but...)

14. Backed up EVERYTHING on my laptop, because it's having issues - so I had to box it up and say goodbye to my 5th baby for a couple weeks: a very sad check

15. House clean, laundry done: not check (but what's new, right?)

16. Wrap: HaLf ChEcK

16 1/2. (numbered such because I forgot this one, and didn't want to renumber everything!): Helped at Emilie's school party: check

17. Jarin's preschool program: Very cute check.

18. Brayden's band concert: check (the pictures are dark because, as I mentioned, my baby #5 is in the shop - that's the computer I can alter pictures with).
19. Emilie and Brayden's piano recital: check and check

20. Emilie's performing group (TaVaci) program: super check

21. Cousin party: Very FUN check!

22. See Santa, give him "the lists": check, check, check, check

23. Family Christmas party: not checked yet, but can't wait.

24. Talk to my parents on the phone: not checked yet, but REALLY can't wait!

25. Kept my sanity: yet to be determined - but the signs are NOT lookin' good

26. Nap: NOT CHECK...but one is definently in the plans - PLEASE let it be sooner than later!

27. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas: CHECK!!!

Birthday Presents

My conversation with Jarin last night went as follows:

Me: Do you know whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas?

Jarin: Jesus.

Me: What birthday present should we give him?

Jarin: Toys

Me: What would he do with toys?

Jarin: Give them to some children.

Me: What else should we give him?

Jarin: a screwdriver

Me: What would he do with that?

Jarin: Give them to a daddy

I think Jarin knows our Savior better than most adults. After all, he walked with him and talked with him just 4 1/2 short years ago.

I do believe that Jesus would give those prized possessions away to anyone in need. Afterall, He gave His very life for all of us.

I have been feeling an emptiness in my heart over this holiday season, just not being able to feel the true spirit of Christmas. That brief conversation finally lit that candle for me. Thank you, once again, for the sweet example of a child.

Looks Are Deceiving

Beautiful, right??? (well, there's better pictures of the snow sparkling like diamonds in the sun, and the blue sky in the background - but this is what I had to work with for now!). But you can picture it, right? It's really breathtaking. But...SO deceiving!!!My attempts at catching those beautiful sparkling snow diamonds - Uhhh...needs work!



Check out that temperature (the -4 one)! NOT so beautiful!!!! And that was just the beginning of how cold it got last night.



This picture was for you mom and dad, hope your enjoying the south pacific!





Jarin's outfit doesn't make him appear to be the smartest chicken in the coop...

Remember...looks can be deceiving!

So what does that say about me??? He REALLY did beat me bad in our game of memory. You see that small stack, (that would be mine). He even helped me get half of those!

Look at that cute little, INNOCENT face! So sweet, right????...

AAwwwww...even sweeter!...

(remember...looks can be deceiving).

NOT so sweet!...

These dishes WERE in the dishwasher before my silent tornado hit.


notice the empty cupboard behind my tornado named Kam.

Really...enough mess already! (notice the last mess from 2 minutes previous is in the background of the newest mess). No exaggeration either...he really does move from mess to mess that quickly.

Oh...and that look in his eyes says it all "who me??? You wouldn't get upset at little 'ol me...would you?"

I can't even keep things up out of his reach - cuz he's found a way. In this case, he's got Ira's razer, and found the table full of Christmas candy.
Oh, time to clean up? So lets just throw it all in the garbage! We have found phones, remotes, toys, dishes...you name it, we've found it...IN THE GARBAGE (or the toilet)! We have an ongoing list of things that have never been found too.

And if you've been to my house and wonder why I can't keep it nice and tidy...well now you know! Times Kamden by 4, and that's the way we live around here. In public we may appear to have it all together...but LOOKS ARE DECEIVING!

And yes...I'm bragging - not complaining!

A Child Shall Lead Them...

Before I fill you in on what came out of the mouth of my babe, I have to fill you in on the circumstances leading up to it.
My morning has followed an outline like the following:

1. boxes covering the floor with Christmas decorations in them (at least they HAD decorations in them, until my littlest two hoodlums have pulled them all out.)

2. Decorations that WERE in boxes, that are now spread all over the floor, are being broken by the same two little hoodlums.

3. As I'm cleaning up one area of the mess, they are causing destruction in another.

4. Several ornaments that were on the tree are now broken.

5. Kamden (yes, my 17 month old), has found a way to climb up the bar stools and get onto the counter. The counter is where I keep these valuables that I don't want broken!

The list could go on, but it's pretty much more of the same thing. I even had the thought that if I didn't have these kids here, I could get so much accomplished. I am trying to keep my cool, and smile my way through this - but a great big *sigh* escaped my lips. To which Jarin sweetly began to sing, "I Am A child Of God..."

Alrighty then, point well taken! I was very gently and sweetly taught a valuable lesson today. One that I hope will see me through the rest of the day - as I often so quickly forget the lessons being taught to me. It's true that if I didn't have these children here, I would have a spotless house, full of beautiful decorations. But what good would that do me if it was always spotless...and lonely?

Thank you Jarin (and all of my family) for being so patient with me as you teach me the most important lessons in life.

"I Am A Child of God, and He has sent me here.
Has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear.
Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me, help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday."

5K...again

So I did it again. Let me take you on a walk (or run) down memory lane:

Back in August, I think it was, I ran my first ever 5K. It was pure torture! I hated every minute of it, and I felt extremely out of place with the world of runners.

Now fast forward to this weekend. Smithfield held it's annual "Turkey Trot" 5K or 10K. I had thought I would do it, but when it came right down to it, I scheduled something else instead (shopping, who can go wrong with that?)- DaRn, right?! Well, my shopping plans fell through on Friday afternoon. Now what was I to do? I knew there was a big storm coming in during the night, so I told myself that if it wasn't snowing in the morning, then I would go run. Guess what? As luck would have it - it wasn't snowing. (The first time all season I've actually WANTED to see snow!). So with Ira's pushing me out the door, I went.

I was so stinkin' nervous! I'm not even sure why, who really cared? Who really cared that I looked like a dork in my long white and short black layered pants? Who really cared if I came in dead last? (I didn't, but almost! - and if I had - SO WHAT?!). Who really cared if I walked once in awhile? So why was I so nervous????? I dunno, but I was shaking when I was trying to fill out my registration form. But I had to do it. I had to give it another try after having such a miserable experience the first time around. I just had to see what all this "fun" was about. And guess what? It was still hard. I'm still slow as mud. BUT, I could almost call it fun. So I guess I better try it again, until I can really call it fun. Cuz this time came pretty close to the title.

I met up with my hiking friends after the race. Of course they were at the finish line, along with Ira, cheering me on since they finished WAY before me! Oh well...at least I finished, right? (at least that's what I keep trying to tell myself).

Ann and I sporting our new shirts. After all, we only do these crazy things for the shirt and the picture, right?


Now that it's over, I'm really excited to try it again.
Uh-Oh, does this mean that running is getting in my blood?
I hope not, cuz I think a 10K actually would kill me! Then when I'm done with that (assuming I actually survived it), what's next... a half marathon?...I DON'T THINK SO! Then, heaven forbid, a full Marathon?
Um...how 'bout I just keep trying to survive my 5K's?