These are a few of my favorite things...

get the tune to Sound of Music in your head...you know...the one that says, "when the dog bites...when the bee stings...lalalalala. Got it? OK, now you can read on:

When it's freezing outside...when the kids scream...when I'm feeling sad. I simply remember my fa-vo-rite things, and then I don't feeeeeeel SOooo bad.

Here is one (or many) of my favorite things...what am I?

I have many of them
They come in all sizes and shapes
They are old
They are young... others are inbetween
I feel happy when I am with them
I cry with them
I laugh with them
I pray for them
I admire them and want to be like them in so many ways
Family members are included as part of them
Neighbors are included as part of them
Ward family is part of them
Some have been established for many years
Some are just starting to blossom
Too many to count
Can never have enough of them
Some are close
Some are far away
Some are past
some are present
Who/What am I???

FRIENDS and FRIENDSHIP!!!

I have been thinking a lot about frienships the last few weeks, and how grateful I am for them. During my lifetime, many have had the wonderful title of friend. Some of them have been in my everyday life for a short time, and circumstances change where they aren't there everyday anymore. Others, I have kept in touch with for many years. But in both cases, once they have that title of friend, they will always have that title. I have had and continue to have, and hopefully in the future will have more of these friends who have such an impact on my life. I often think, "If I had made this or that choice differently, I would have never met so and so." I think that every person who comes into our lives, comes at the right moment. My life has been changed many times because of good friends. I wish I could name all of the people that I have considered friends, but that just isn't possible. I am one of the blessed people who can truly say that my family are also my friends, (all of them - my immediate family and extended family, and extended extended etc. family). I am just so grateful that Heavenly Father saw that we would need friends to make it through this life - and that He has sent so many my way!

Just as it's not possible to add a list of all the friends who have been such an influence to me in my life - it is also not possible to post pictures of you all. But being the picture goo-roo that I am, I can't have a post without a few pictures!

My best friend and eternal companion. We went to Boise to see some good friends, and on the way home, we made a few site-seeing stops. This one is at the new Twin Falls LDS Temple.

The rest of my bestest buddies at Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, ID.My parents and our family. I have laughed with, fought with (when we were young), and cried with these friends. Then they all went and married some new friends for me to love!!This is the only picture of non-family friends I'm adding, because these friends were the reason for our trip to Boise. Jason and Ira have been friends since grade school - or high school - I really can't remember...but a LONG time. I met Jason at Ricks College, when he was telling me about his good friend Ira, that was going to be coming the next semester. His wife, Alisha and I have a much newer friendship - but I love her dearly. The thing I love about reaquainting with good friends, is that we can pick up from where we left off - weather it was a recent visit, or years previous. None of that awkward silence.Kam and Em are the best of friends.
The next few are pictures of kamden and his very best friends. He has to have one of these guys everywhere he goes. And I didn't pose him for any of these, I just grabbed the camera to capture the moments.

Not all of my friends past or present read my blog - but I have only invited friends to my blog. So if your reading this, thanks for being my friend. Friends are one of my FAVORITE things!!!

Winter

Jarin: "Mom, I want to see the grass."

Me: "Me too Jarin...me too."

Jarin: "I want to see what the world looks like."

Me: "ME TOO!"

Shouldn't winter be over yet? Come ooon warmer weather!!!! Until then, I'll hold on to the memory of last year, and be counting the days.

In this case, the grass is DEFINENTLY greener on the other side.

Since When...

Welcome to my modge podge post. I haven't posted in quite some time, and I have really wanted to. So my thoughts have been...Since when did this time of year get so busy???? Isn't this the time of year that we have a little less of this...

(notice how Kam is crying with one eye closed and one open - it's his "pay-attention-to-me cry", he's trying to see if it's working with that one eye open!)


and a LOT more of this... (CLEANING OUT FROM THE HOLIDAYS)

And this... (I usually try to find time to indulge in a book or two this time of year, but...not this year). And a lot more of blogging, scrapbooking, movies...!

But for some reason, this winter hasn't slowed down...not even a bit. However, in all our hussle and bussle, we have had a couple of fun activities.

First, WHO KNEW that ducks need to be fed in the winter time too??? I always thought of it as a spring-summer-fall activity - but winter??? Those ducks were mighty hungry too. Kam and I went with Jarin to his preschool field trip to feed the ducks. It really was so much fun!

AND,...have you ever tried this OUTSIDE in the WINTER??? We went to Riverdale Hot Springs, where the water is naturally hot. It's fun...until it's time to get out. BBBRRRRRR!


I'll let you in on my greatest gift ever (well maybe not EVER, but it's pretty great). A few years back, Ira bought me a water-proof case that goes around my point and shoot Canon camera. I have been snorkeling, tubing, swimming, boating etc. with my camera. I have gotten some really fun pictures with it. Definently worth every penny.







So now I'm still waiting for that slow time of year to find me. If anyone finds it (the slowness), please send it my way. I've been looking and looking, and just can't seem to find it anywhere!

These two boys (and their older siblings, of course), are a big part of the chaos in my life - but they are also the greatest joy. So if it meant trading them to have a little Rest & Relaxation- NO WAY!...I'll keep the CHAOS!

(but a few days of trading is negotiable...any takers????)

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.