smiling sweet on every side

Happy 11th Anniversary

2012-01-31T17:45:00.003-07:00

Tomorrow is our 11th wedding anniversary. Where has the time gone? For our anniversary, Tim got me these beautiful flowers, a maid to clean the rental we just left so I wouldn't have to and, of course, a new house!

I couldn't think of something exciting to buy (how can I compete with a new house?) to show Tim how much I love him and love being married to him. I decided to make something instead.

We have been married since 2001, but we actually met and started dating in 1997. If you don't know our story, I'll give you a summary. I don't know if I've ever blogged about it before. We met at Snow College. He was at my house for dinner (invited by one of my roommates) when I got there. I had just come from meeting with my bishop to get my mission papers. A boyfriend was not something I was looking for at the time. For 18 painful months we dated off and on- we both felt like we wanted to get married, but I still felt so strongly that I needed to serve a mission. In April of 1999, I left to serve a mission in San Jose, CA and Tim was so supportive of my decision. I think it was harder on him and much more of a sacrifice for him than for me. I treasure that time as a sacred part of our relationship that helped us grow stronger as individuals and as a couple. I saved every letter or note he wrote to me & I treasure those, too. We couldn't call or email each other, so our written correspondence is here for our kids to see, too. Tim was able to be there and stand in the circle when I was set apart as a missionary too. (A special blessing/ prayer when a missionary leaves to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) So special to me!

Our story begins long before we were married, or even engaged, for that matter. To pay tribute to the wonderful things Tim brings & has brought to my life, I bought helium balloons- 4 of one color for the years from when we met until the year before we were married- and 11 for the years we have been married, plus one for this year to come.

On each balloon I wrote the year and some of the highlights, struggles and milestones of that year.

Our early years...

Up close- 2012 says "The best is yet to come."

(I gave it to him a day early- I wasn't convinced that the balloons would make it over night & didn't want him to wonder why I skipped a year if something was missing...)

Tim is such a wonderful man! I am blessed to be sealed to him, which means we are married for this life and forever. We were married in the Manti LDS temple. Words cannot describe my love for him, and it only grows stronger every year. We've gone through some hard, scary things, but we've done it together. We can make it through anything, as long as we keep moving together in the same direction.

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!

A remake

2012-01-30T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here's something from Jenna.

"Mom, they should re-make "The Wizard of Oz."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because I saw on Mythbusters that the man who played the Tin Man died because of the paint they put on him. They need to re-make the movie so that it is safe for the actors and effective. That would be a success!"

I thought it was the actress from "Goldfinger" that died. What do I know. I need to watch more Mythbusters, I guess.

Free-ninety-nine

2012-01-22T10:25:00.001-07:00

How cool is my back window? Thanks, Kelli!

While out cruising the neighborhood in my trusty van the other day, I happened upon a miraculous blessing. I was driving past the house we first tried to buy in this neighborhood (we were outbid) and saw a moving truck at the house next door. On the other side of the moving truck was a large pile of furniture with a FREE sign on it. My favorite price!!!

The first item in was this console table. I have been looking for a table to go in the entry way of our new home. I am cheap, so I've been looking at the DI, but no luck. I was looking there so I can paint it the way i want it and won't feel bad if I change it again in a few months.

These two don't necessarily have a home yet, but I'm excited to see what happens. The basket/tray thing is about 18 inches wide and 24 inches tall. It'll get a coat of spray paint very soon. What color? My first reaction is cream or white. Maybe it's time to take the turquoise leap.

We left our giant computer hutch at our old house when we moved, so I've been hunting for a little desk where the girls can work on the desk-top computer. (I don't like them playing games on my laptop. That's what was happening when it crashed last year. I'm suspicious.)

Anyway, I've been combing the DI & ksl.com classifieds for something. Who knew it was waiting for me right here. The desk needs some touching up, but the chair is perfect!

I feel blessed to find these things for my home. Now that we've bought our new house, we've got some decorating to do- on a tight budget. I'm excited for the challenge. I see lots of fun upcycled projects on my friends' blogs {and Pinterest, of course} and I am inspired to use my resources and creativity. Besides the things you see here, I still need to finish the giant doll house & toy chest I found at the DI last year. Look for follow-up posts to come.

A new 'do

2012-01-15T22:28:00.000-07:00

I have seen some gorgeous hairstyles on Pinterest and I thought we'd try the cascading/ waterfall braid on Aubrey. (I did a partially hidden french braid with curls on myself yesterday but didn't take pictures.)

I watched a few different tutorials that had slightly different techniques, but this is the one I ended up using.

This was our first attempt and we did it in about 10 minutes before we went to the Great to Be Eight baptism preview at our ward. She looked gorgeous and was so excited to start preparing for her baptism this summer!

A tiny little craft

2012-01-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

To satisfy my urge to craft, I decided to try my hand at making earrings. There are so many fun materials to use and it is pretty fool proof.

The Nativity Calendar

2012-01-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

Trendy Advent calendars are all over the internet these days- or they were last month, anyway. I'm sticking to something more classic and nostalgic.

This is the Advent calendar that hangs in our home throughout December. (Mom, I left it up through Epiphany, too, just for you.)

It is just like the Advent calendar that hangs in my parents' house and has for as long as I can remember. Some of aunts have it, some of my cousins, and all of my sisters, too. We have made them as an activity during wedding showers and I sat cutting out numbers for 7 years (give or take) for mine.

The pieces don't necessarily go in a particular order, but baby Jesus is always in the last pocket. That's the one everyone wants to do!Everyone takes turns hanging on piece a night. I remember counting backwards at the beginning of the month to figure out the order we needed to take turns so that I would get the last pocket. My kids did the same thing this year.

I love this thing! I should probably start cutting now so I can finish calendars for each of my girls before they leave the nest!

Do Your Best

2012-01-09T13:59:00.001-07:00

As we start a new year, don't we all set sky-high resolutions? Some we reach, some discard, some haunt us and make us feel like a failure. This year, I'm trying something different.

At Family Home Evening last week, we unveiled our family theme for the year. I've seen this other places and have always wanted to choose a theme for our family, but never have. Our theme for the year is "Do Your Best." I made that lovely sign above to hang on the door in our kitchen that leads to our garage. It is the last thing we see when we leave the house, and it's the last thing I say to my kids as I drop them off at school. "I love you! Do your best!"

For each of us, doing our best means something different. Even from day to day. It isn't a measurable goal, perhaps, but it is workable and livable. It might be doing your best on a spelling test, doing your best when you make your bed, answering patiently when asked the same question 30 times, setting the table neatly, not waiting to be asked to put your clothes away, whatever.

We also have a theme scripture for the year:
Book of Mormon, Ether 12:27
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them.

I have always loved that scripture. Who doesn't have a weakness? I know that no matter how big or how many my weaknesses, the Lord will help me overcome them if I ask for help.

We also found some quotes from President Monson from the January Ensign that went along with our theme. The quotes and the scripture will join the theme on the door as soon as I get the signs made.

"Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve.

Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities.

So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment.

Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.” "

We have high hopes for a great year!

This went along well with what (little) we did on New Year's Eve. We were all sick as dogs the week between Christmas and New Year's. Let's just say I cleaned puke off every floor in the house, as well as a few floors in other places. We decided we'd stay home and keep our germs to ourselves.

Jenna helped me make cream cheese wontons and rice for dinner. Very festive. After dinner, we each wrote some of our hopes/wishes/goals for the year on little papers. We each attached our paper to the string of our balloon. (They say "Make a Wish"- thanks Dollar Tree!) Around 8:00 we went on the front porch and set the balloons free. I am probably responsible for that flock of birds that mysteriously died in Alabama that night. Sorry.

Here is a picture of the party animals- 8:00 and already in pjs! Lydia is behind her balloon. These were the best pictures I could get. Eliza's note is right in front of her eyes. It was a rough week. The one below had a lot of my messy kitchen in it- cropping required.

Here are some of the goals/wishes we made. Some of us had the same ones, so I'll only list each one once. In no particular order:
Family scripture study; have a positive attitude; become an actress; get a cat, dog and trampoline; work on handwriting; make healthy choices; react and respond with kindness; get potty trained; be good; learn to talk; organize my home; get settled; play more..

Can you guess who belongs to each one?

So how was your New Year's Eve? Did you make any resolutions? Does anyone still read my blog after I was such a bad blogger last year? I'd love to hear from you!

Winner- play tickets

2012-01-07T18:01:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to ANNALYN on winning the play tickets!

Sounds like I need to have more giveaways! I'll work on it!

Great things are happening...

2012-01-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

...at the girls' new school. (I just realized I didn't take their picture on the first day of school here.)

With our move, the girls changed schools. They started in mid-November and have been loving it! I thought I'd share some of the cool new things they do. Some of these may be standard around the district, others might be just here. I don't have any previous experience in this school district, so I don't know. Here are some of the great things we've enjoyed. The school is brand new this year and they also went straight into the Common Core Curriculum that most Utah schools are starting next year.

- Staggered start. Half of each class starts school at 8:00 (early birds) and leaves at 2:15, the other half comes at 9:15 (later gators) and leaves at 3:30. The time when the smaller groups are there is when they concentrate on reading instruction. The small groups give the teachers & students more one-on-one time.

- The Christmas sing-in was very welcoming to parents. There were 100s of parents there & the principal welcomed us and even said that because of such great response, we might have to break it into two days next year.

- School shirts. I have wanted this for years. That's all I'll say here.

-They have little red flags that they put out on the side of the building on very cold mornings to let the kids know they can go directly inside, rather than wait out on the playground.

-They have lunch recess the 15 minutes BEFORE feeding the kids. No one dumps half of their food so they can go play sooner. They come in hungry & ready to eat.

-Aubrey's only homework every night is reading and one math activity that she chooses from a list from the teacher. One activity we have done: Learn about fractions by helping prepare a recipe.

-Part of Aubrey's reading is the Take Home Library books. Real stories about real things. No more Decodables!!

-Instead of class Christmas parties, the 4th graders collected items for babies & new moms. They wrapped the gifts & tied fleece blankets during the "party."

-They have fortune cookies with lunch every Monday. How fun is that! Great literacy moment.

- Every Friday is Spirit day where they encourage the kids to participate by wearing school colors.

-There is a high expectation for student performance (not behavior) and achievement. The principal's main concern when they had pajama day was that the he didn't want kids to think it was ok to dress sloppily on other days.

-They are open to trying new things, probably because there isn't the "way we've always done it" since it is a brand new school.

-The parents, PTA and administration work together so well. There is a ton of parental involvement and the principal is very involved and open. He's great!

-Every Monday there is an announcement assembly where the whole school comes together to hear the week's announcements, Caught-ya's (recognizing good work by kids), sing to the birthday kids, etc.

-Wednesday folders- all notes & fliers come home Wednesdays so you know when to look for important announcements.

We are loving it here and the great school has made the transition easier for the kids. I am glad to be involved in the PTA here and helping at the school. This has been a great move for our family!

GIVEAWAY!! Pioneer Theater tickets- Find and Sign

2012-01-04T13:16:00.001-07:00

Enter to win 2 tickets to see the world premier of Find and Sign at Pioneer Theater in Salt Lake City. The tickets are for Tuesday, January 17, 7:30 pm.

You can read more about the play on the Pioneer Theater Company website.

(Contains strong language and themes.)

If you'd like the tickets, leave a comment. I'll pick a winner on Friday, January 6th.

Leadership Quotes

2012-01-03T21:57:00.000-07:00

I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.

Mohandas Gandhi

Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.

Peter Drucker

Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.

Peter Drucker

No institution can possibly survive if it needs geniuses or supermen to manage it. It must be organized in such a way as to be able to get along under a leadership composed of average human beings.

Peter Drucker

A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better.

Jim Rohn

Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.

Colin Powell

The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade.

Tom Peters

If you care enough for a result, you will most certainly attain it.

William James

If you command wisely, you'll be obeyed cheerfully.

Thomas Fuller

If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there isn't any limit to what you can do with your business and your life. Ideas are any man's greatest asset.

Harvey S. Firestone

If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.

Henry Ford

If you want a quality, act as if you already had it.

William James

People who enjoy meetings should not be in charge of anything.

Thomas Sowell

Practice yourself in little things, and thence proceed to greater.
Epictetus

If you have great talents, industry will improve them; If moderate abilities, industry will supply their deficiencies. Nothing is denied to well-directed labor: nothing is ever to be attained without it.
Sir Joshua Reynolds

There is nothing noble about being superior to some other man. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self.
Hindu Proverb

What chance gathers she easily scatters. A great person attracts great people and knows how to hold them together.
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams

A willing helper does not wait until he is asked.
Danish Proverb

There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you.
David Burns, Intimate Connections

The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions—the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment in the disguise of a playful raillery, and the countless other infinitessimals of pleasurable thought and genial feeling.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The man is happiest who lives from day to day and asks no more, garnering the simple goodness of life.
Euripides

Happiness consists in activity: such is the constitution of our nature; it is a running stream, and not a stagnant pool.
John M. Good

Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.
Margaret Lee Runbeck

Men spend their lives in anticipations,—in determining to be vastly happy at some period when they have time. But the present time has one advantage over every other—it is our own. Past opportunities are gone, future have not come. We may lay in a stock of pleasures, as we would lay in a stock of wine; but if we defer the tasting of them too long, we shall find that both are soured by age.
Charles Caleb Colton

A- Z Book Challenge

2012-01-01T17:43:00.000-07:00

I love to read and I'm very competitive, so when I saw this reading challenge, I decided to give it a try. I follow a blog called Library of Clean Reads and she posted the challenge, originally from Babies, Books and Signs. I see reading challenges mentioned frequently, but have never done one before. New year, new thing to do, right?

It is pretty straight forward: Read a book that starts with each letter of the alphabet throughout the year. Jenna, Aubrey and I are all going to do this. Some we'll read together, some on our own. We will keep track of them on separate pages over to the right of the posts. We'd love to have you join us! If you decided to do it, let us know & tell us what you're reading! Also go to her blog & sign up. She will send out accompanying challenges to keep you interested.

Here's the info from the challenge host's page:

Technical Stuff

This challenge will run from January 1st, 2012 until December 31st, 2012.

You can join anytime.

If you are blogger, leave the link to your actual post about this challenge.

If you are not a blogger, leave a link to where you will be keeping track of this challenge.

So there are two different ways you can set up your own A-Z challenge.

A - Make a list now of 26 books, picking one for each letter of the alphabet. For example: A - Atonement B- Black Beauty C - The Count of Monte Cristo D - Dances with Dragons etc.

OR

B - The lazy way (how I do it) : Make a list on your blog from A-Z. Throughout the year, as you go along, add the books you are reading to the list. Hope that by the end of the year you have read one book for each letter. Towards the end of the year, you can check and see which letters you are missing and find books to fit.

We are going with option B. I am starting with H. I got The Help for Christmas and I'm loving it. Aubrey jumped right in with The Sneetches for S. Jenna is listening to Anne of Green Gables on CD, but I told her that doesn't count. She is waiting for The Report Card, which the librarian at her school ordered for her. She read a few Diary of a Wimpy Kid books over Christmas break, so I'll give her a day or two...

I'll try to remember to update our progress occasionally, but check out pages for sure! ---->

Cloud dough

2011-12-31T14:14:00.001-07:00

Here's another project I found on Pintrest. I had to try this right away, especially since it was Christmas break and my kids were too sick to go out and play, but not sick enough to pass out on the couch quietly.

It's called Cloud Dough and it is from this blog here.

Supplies:
-8 cups of Flour
-1 cup of baby oil
(I only used 6.5 oz, since that was the size of the bottle at the dollar store. I wasn't going to invest more than that.)

Directions:
Mix the flour and baby oil together with your hands in a large container until the
dough holds together when squeezed. It could take 3-5 minutes of mixing.

I mixed it with a spoon until the oil was mostly incorporated and then the girls each took turns kneading the mixture.

They were all so intrigued by the stuff! They played with it for more than 2 hours. I finally had to stop them because it was time for the baby to wake up & I didn't want to add her to the mess.

(They were also singing along to their playlist on playlist.com- mostly songs from Shrek 2 and reminiscing about driving to Nauvoo.)

Lydia's "hand slipper"

Jenna's plateau

Aubrey was trying to build a snowman- that last 1.5 ounces of oil might have helped.
You had to really smash it to pack it like a snow ball.

This made more than enough for the girls to each have a large paper plate full of dough. We put it in a container with a lid and they are getting it out to play with again right now.

Fiesta Pasta Salad

2011-12-30T21:16:00.000-07:00

Bad picture of a yummy salad

I got this recipe from my sister, Courtney. I have no idea where she got it. Heaven, I guess. I am not a big pasta salad lover {largely due to my food texture ~~issues~~ preferences} but this is awesome. There is so much going on that I forget it is really a pasta salad at heart.

Without further ado:

1 pk. colored pasta, cooked

1 can Kidney Beans, drained

1 can corn, drained

1 can Garbanzo beans, drained

1 can olives, drained and chopped

cubed cheese--as much as you want

tomatoes, chopped and also as much as you want

Combined all together.

DRESSING

1 pk. Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip

2 cups buttermilk

2 cups mayo.

Mix well, pour over pasta and mix together well.

It makes a ton, so you might want to half the recipe or make sure you can give some as take-home prizes or something.

Enjoy!

Let's try cleaning the glass top range

2011-12-30T11:15:00.001-07:00

I found a tutorial on pintrest about how to clean the nastiness that is a glass cooktop range. When we first moved here, I was cooking Thanksgiving dinner and two pots of potatoes boiled over at the same time. I have been scrubbing the mess ever since. I had high hopes for this tutorial!

You can't fully appreciate how bad it was, but here's a BEFORE picture.

I ~~sprinkled~~ poured a generous amount of baking soda over the whole thing.
I soaked my cloth in the warm, soapy water, then squeezed out about half of the water.

Lay the wet cloth over the whole thing for about 15 minutes.

Rub the baking soda around with the wet cloth, making kind of a paste.
Lots of elbow grease required for the really bad spots.

Here's the AFTER. I did two rounds of it and in a few spots, I did 3. (It has been cooking there for a month.)
I was very pleased with the results! I have tried all kinds of other cleaners with no where near this success!
I didn't shine it up with Windex yet, so it is a bit dull in the picture, but it looks great!

My New Pintrests...

2011-12-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

I finally gave in an got on Pintrest. I love to find great ideas online and I usually posted some here or on facebook so I could find them again. I think Pintrest is brilliant! My only concern (not a scary concern) is that I'd spend so much time looking for ideas and never use them. I'm going to devote some blogging time to "reviews" of things I've pinned. Might not matter to anyone else, but at least I'll remember things that were helpful.

First up is a cleaning tip that I saw. Check back tonight (or tomorrow) to see.

Another thing I've discovered since I started "pinning" is that I have great ideas of my own. I found a blog that had a feature about "31 ways to organize your home for cheap." I already used nearly every single tip. I guess I need to look around and see what I'm already doing that is working and not worry so much about other peoples' ideas. I'll try and share some of those things, too!

A few decorating ideas

2011-12-27T09:24:00.000-07:00

As we get closer to our final house destination, I've been thinking about decorating the place. The current owners have it decorated so cute. I'm not a good decorator. I am making an honest effort to decorate our home a little more, specifically to make sure it feels warm and inviting and orderly. As much as I hated having the house spotless for possible showings before we moved, I loved the order!! My kids are getting older and our house doesn't need to feel like the inside of a toy box!

I went to Hobby Lobby to find a star for my Christmas tree (with no luck) and saw a few other things I want to remember next month. I'm putting them here, for lack of a better way to remember.

I want a message board like this in my kitchen.

I'd love this for Jenna's wall- and it was $14. I'm pretty sure I'm going back for that!

Two in one shot. I love the red tin tiles. The bottom piece was just a piece of gate on a piece of wood. I'm going to start looking for metal pieces when I go thrifting or yard saling. Come on Spring!!

They had lots of cool giant keys. This one was about 3 ft tall.

Our new house will have areas that we've never had before, so I'm having to rethink house I use/ where I put my stuff. I am excited for the challenge & to finally be settled for real!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:02:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas from the Prestwich family!
I can't believe how much they have grown since last year!

Eliza says hello!

The stockings are hung by our chimney- Lydia looked for the Care all month, but couldn't quite find it.

Our beautiful, giant Christmas tree. About 7 1/2 or 8 feet tall. We're going to need a bigger star.

We hope you are having a wonderful Christmas day!

Wiiiiiiiii!

2011-12-24T17:48:00.000-07:00

The kids were a tiny bit confused when they opened the wii controllers from grandma & grandpa, since we don't have a wii.

Then I opened another box.

Toward the end Eliza walks just off camera & screams at the box, just like her sisters. She couldn't figure out what the big deal was.

Lydia's view of the world

2011-12-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

If you are my friend on facebook, you see daily the funny and clever things Lydia says and does. She has her very own, very unique sense of humor and way of looking at life.

Two nights ago, we had our friends, the Lynches. over for dinner. They were asking the girls about their new school and things we've done since we moved. Colleen was asking Lydia if she went to a new preschool.

"Yes." {giggle giggle}
"Is it close by?"
"Yes." {more giggles}
"Where is it?"
"Haaa- you're sitting at my art table!" She laughed at her own joke like it was the funniest thing ever.

She amazes me. So many kids would have told you that they don't go to preschool anymore. They just stay home with mom and do workbooks. I love the way she looks at life!

I'll have to copy some of my Lydia posts to my blog to preserve her wit for generations to come!

Flowers

2011-12-21T20:02:00.003-07:00

We've been having so much fun making flowers to go with Christmas gifts this year! I've put the links to the ones that I used tutorials for on my craft board on Pintrest. Some were happy accidents, so there isn't a how-to. The girls have been making these themselves for cousins & friends & Lydia has been designing some to give, since I won't let her use the glue.

Here's a sampling of some of our handiwork-

Same flower on my giant purse

Making it {harder than it needs to be}

2011-12-21T16:02:00.000-07:00

So, I thought we were done Christmas shopping. A thought I've had multiple times already. Then Jenna told me how excited she was to open the pjs we always give them on Christmas Eve. Ah man. They never crossed my mind. Since we are buying a new house next month, we're trying to to spend or accumulate much this month. I thought I'd see about making pajamas. My girls love long nightgowns, but it is nearly impossible to find cotton ones that work for our wide age range.

I found some women's sundresses on clearance at Walmart, bought a bag of boys undershirts and locked myself in my room all day Saturday. For $4 per kid, we've got some pjs. Eliza got stretch pants to match a t-shirt she already had. The pictures are a little odd, but I think they will be a hit. My kids are pretty easy to please and are especially sweet when it is something I made.

White elephant ideas

2011-12-21T15:52:00.000-07:00

I filled a little treasure box with a bag of Hersey's miniatures mint candy bars & attached a rosette clip to dress it up a bit. Unfortunately, the person who opened it didn't like chocolate or milk, but the person who stole it did & her daughter wore the flower in her hair the next day.

His -n- hers 6 pack. What's not to love?

Who wants to win a prize? Me!

2011-12-16T15:20:00.001-07:00

Enter to win a season pass to Thanksgiving Point here. It is such a fun place & we are looking forward to spending more time there now that we live closer! If you win, it's because my good luck rubbed off on you! ;)

Two things here...

2011-12-14T21:55:00.001-07:00

We're getting more settled in our current place as we wait for our final destination to be ready for us. I'm not 100% sure it will actually happen- probably because we've been waiting so long, it just seems like fiction at this point. I digress...

The kids love the giant tub in the master bath!

This is the view from my front porch. The antelope live in the field across from the park!

Can you guess why they call this area Sunrise Meadows?

The girls love their new school, living across the street from the park, living next door to a trampoline & nice kids, walking home from school, and the lovely weather we've been enjoying. We've found quite a few 4 yr old girls around, most of whom were all born in March of 2007, one who was born on March 20 (same as Lyd) and her name is Claire! Too fun!

Somehow, I ended up as the Leadership Vice President in the PTA already and I'm helping with Jenna's class party on Friday. I suppose it was inevitable.

OK, I'm already beyond two things. What I was going to blog about was a few things about our new ward. We've had some cool experiences in the last few weeks. Our second week here there was a special stake conference where a new stake was created. We are in the new stake and our bishop was called as the new stake president. You don't usually get to meet the stake president your first week in a new neighborhood, but we got to. A wonderful man, that President Gibby!

Last Sunday, a camera man from France was at our ward to tape footage for use in a news story or documentary of some sort. He was there with a PR guy from Church HQ, as well as the mayor, who is also a member of our ward.

We also got to take part in a neighborhood tradition Monday night. Instead of exchanging neighbor gifts, they have a food drive. A family down the street hosts it. You bring whatever you'd like to donate & drop it off on her garage, then everyone enjoys some hot chocolate, cookies, and visiting together. It was so fun!

Other memorable events-
Our third week here we had the trauma of seeing a man Lifeflighted from the park in front of our house. He was riding a motorcycle that ran into the side of a car, which flipped a U-turn in front of him. Jenna had been outside playing & they heard the impact. I ran out with a quilt for the guy, since it was really chilly. Poor guy was in bad shape. I still wonder about him & how he's doing.

We also had a chance to host two of Tim's second cousins (I think). That deserves its own post to come. Very fun & such a blessing! While they were here, we hosted a few different groups for dinners. It was so great to have more space to have a party! The week after, we had my family here for Thanksgiving!

The awesome Turkey veggie plate my mom made!

The kids' table. There was some great art work on the table paper! We missed you, Arveseths!

We are really enjoying being somewhat settled and in a great neighborhood and ward. We feel so blessed to be here and are so thankful for the little miracles that happened along the way to bring us to this point. It was a long, brutal summer, but it was worth it!

We are looking forward to Christmas and we are pretty much ready for the festivities to begin. For the first time in our married life, we have a fireplace on which to hang our stocking! Lydia has been searching for the Care hanging there by the stockings. Tim assures here it's there- she just needs to keep looking.

We hope you are as happy as we are wherever you find yourself! Merry Christmas & happy holidays!

So long, farewell

2011-12-02T23:59:00.001-07:00

I took the girls to have lunch with some of their friends who would be off track the week we moved. The girls had been on D track most of our time there, so these were the kids they knew best.

And of course, Lydia and her bf Tyler Gage. She always calls him both names!

The Crazy Corn Maze

2011-12-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

Despite the weird looks on everyone's faces, we had a great time at the Crazy Corn Maze in West Jordan. We won tickets and made a family outing of it. Being cheap, I probably wouldn't have paid to go, but the kids loved it way more than I expected. It was just the right size for our family, too.

Eliza loved running around! It was such a beautiful day, too!

Each girl got to pick an extra activity. A & J picked the rock climbing wall. They had both attempted it at the school carnival & didn't get very far.

Imagine my surprise when they BOTH made it to the top. Jenna twice, Aubrey on her second try! Awesome girls!

Eliza didn't love the horse.

Lydia did!

Next, we headed over to the adjacent pumpkin patch to pick our gourds.

What a fun day together! This was a great place for young families! I highly recommend it! It is on 4000 West and about 8700 South in West Jordan- every year! We will go again!

Follow-up interview

2011-12-02T19:23:00.001-07:00

In 2008, I interviewed Aubrey. I thought I'd see how her answers have changed.

1. What is something that mom always says to you? Put it away right the first time and you don't have to do it again.
2. What makes mom happy? Doing what she asks you.
3. What makes mom sad? Making a mess everywhere and just ignoring her.
4. How does your mom make you laugh? When she says something funny. (She really had to think on this one. Guess I'm not funny)
5. What was your mom like as a child? Talented (She got one right! ;) )
6. How old is your mom? 43
7. How tall is your mom? 5 feet
8. What is her favorite thing to do? facebook
9. What does your mom do when your not around? go to the store
10. If your mom becomes famous what will it be for? Winning 1000 awards in one day.
11. What is your mom really good at? scrapbooking
12. What is your mom not very good at? nothing
13. What does your mom do for her job? Clean the house, keep us safe, make sure the house is clean, clean the house. That's all.
14. What is your moms favorite food? Fiber One Bar
15. What makes you proud of your mom? How awesome she is.
16. If your mom was a cartoon character who would she be? The Mayor
17. What do you and your mom do together? Crafts
18. How are you and your mom the same? We both like crafting. We both have a big heart.
19. How are you and your mom different? She has black hair, I have blonde.
20. How do you know your mom loves you? She washes my clothes even though she does wear them. She washes the dishes even though she doesn't use them all.
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? He's tall and he can reach stuff you can't.
22. Where is your moms favorite place to go? Home.

Daybreak Lake

2011-12-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

On the last day of the kids' last track break, we went to Daybreak Lake in South Jordan with some of out friends. I'm not sure if we got pictures of everyone, but for history's sake it was the Prestwiches, Vandenhazels, Percivals, McKees and Hayden Modrcin. What a gorgeous day! It was actually the first official day of Fall. Tim even came over on his lunch break and made the boys' day by bringing them a fishing net to catch the local wildlife.

Grandpa's tree swing

2011-12-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

My dad made a swing in a tree in their beautiful front yard. It is the first thing the kids want to do when we get there and the last thing they do before getting in the car when we leave. Such simple pleasures...

Jenna loves it too, I just didn't catch her on it this time.

Random house project

2011-12-02T14:55:00.000-07:00

Long, long ago I always resented those hideous porch lights! They blended into the light-colored brick & were so blah. Since we were going to move, I didn't want to bother with new lights, so I tried something else. I wiped them down with a baby wipe (very professional) and then carefully painted them by hand with some copper-colored craft paint. $1.49 at Wal-Mart, 10 cent foam brush from Michaels Craft long ago.

Can you tell a difference? From the sidewalk, the whole front looked so much better!

I painted the doorbell and the storm door handle to match- for good measure.

Chicken (or turkey) croissant sandwiches

2011-11-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

Need to use up your Thanksgiving turkey? I have a great recipe for you. (And all the other ingredients are usually on sale right now too.)

These are my kids' favorite food! They love them for dinner and then straight out of the fridge for breakfast the next day!

2 cups cooked chicken or turkey, cut into bite-size pieces
8 oz cream cheese, softened. (Low fat or fat free work great)
1 box chicken or turkey stuffing mix- dry!
2 pkgs refrigerator crescent rolls. (Low fat works fine here, too.)
1 stick margarine- melted in a shallow bowl.

Reserve about 1 1/4 cup of the dry stuffing mix in a shallow dish. Set aside for later.

Combine the chicken, cream cheese and dry stuffing mix in a medium sized bowl. Next, evenly divide this mixture into 16 parts. I use my medium cookie scoop, but a tablespoon works fine. Unroll your crescent rolls. Put a scoop inside each roll and roll it up. Dip each closed roll into your melted margarine and then roll it in the stuffing you set aside. Place on a cookie sheet and back according to the directions on the roll package.

(If my directions don't make sense, let me know.)

These are great as-is, or with left over gravy or some cream of chicken soup as a dip.

What's new...

2011-11-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

I've been away from my blog for a bit, but thought I'd update on our life. This picture was us after church on our last Sunday at our old house. Those stairs have had many first & last day pictures taken on them, so I think it's only fitting that they were in the picture. The very first picture I took of the house- before we even moved in- was of three-year-old Jenna hugging the front door there.

We closed on the sale of our house on the evening of Tuesday, November 8th.

Wednesday morning, we got up early and headed to Spring City for the funeral of Tim's grandma, Clara Anderson Donaldson. She was a dear woman and it was a nice day together with family to celebrate her legacy!

That day was also my birthday. With all the craziness, it mostly went unnoticed, which was fine.

Thursday began a whirlwind of packing vehicles, finishing boxes and moving to Saratoga Springs. Thank you to all who helped with the kids, packing, moving and unpacking. We couldn't have done it without you!!

The girls are now in their new school and loving it. Lydia is not in preschool yet, so we are adjusting to being together 24-7. I'm not sure who is struggling more- me or her. ;) We are doing home preschool, which is working for now, but she would love to be back in a class with other kids. The little stinker is reading!! I don't want to undo Mrs. Jackson's hard work, so we're spending lots of time in workbooks, reading, art projects and anything else we can think of.

We went to our new ward the first Sunday and then yesterday we had a special stake conference. There were two stakes in the city. Yesterday they were divided to make a third stake. We are in the new stake, which is officially called the Saratoga Springs Utah Crossroads Stake. I have to concentrate to remember the whole name. It was really special to attend such an historic meeting. I have been to many church meeting in my life, but that was the first time I was present for the creation of a new stake. I am excited to live in an area that is growing and where the church is also growing and people are hopeful for the future. There's a great energy here!

We have also had the privilege to host Tim's cousins from out-of-state. A few months ago, we got a call from a woman named Carol, who is Tim's mom's first cousin, but she has not had contact with the family for a very long time. She lives in Colorado. A few weeks later, her sister, Shelly, called from Arkansas. Tim had met her while he was there on his mission, but had lost contact with her. They were planning a trip to Utah and wanted to meet family. We were able to have them stay at our house and we took them around to different places in Utah that are significant to the family and to us. We had family dinner in Nephi Saturday night, where they were able to meet more cousins & the other generations.

We had so much fun with them and my kids were absolutely enamored with them. Lydia cried for at least 20 minutes after we dropped them at the airport this morning, asking why they couldn't stay longer. We hope they will come again!

So, that's pretty much what we've been up to lately. We've been unpacking & organizing our home, but not too much, as this is a temporary stop on the way to our new house. We might be in our new place by January! We are loving this area and the girls LOVE their new school and friends. There are kids everywhere and everyone we've met has been so nice.

We miss our friends in Kearns, but we still love you!!

Happy Thanksgiving! We are hosting here, so if you find yourself with no where to go for dinner, come on over- seriously!! (Don't tell Tim I said that. ;) )

Our door is always open

2011-10-31T13:14:00.000-06:00

There's a cute little Primary song that goes something like this:

Our door is always open
To our friends who pass this way.
We're always glad to welcome a friend
When he passes along our way.

I hope you know that I feel the same way. We had so much fun with our dessert night last night & we were so glad to have so many dear friends in our home. We had a steady stream of visitors from 5 pm until 10:30pm. Amazing! We have been so richly blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people here and will miss them so much.

No matter where we are or will be, you are always welcome in my home. (Unless you are a creepy stalker reading this.) I'm glad we have email and facebook to keep track of friends near and far. If you find yourself in our area, let me know! I mean it!

We were overwhelmed by the love and support and offers to help that we received yesterday at church and last night. Seriously! My mom always told me to leave everything better than I found it. I hope I have done that here and helped in some way that will be long-lasting. We have grown to love our neighbors as we have served together, worked together and received love and acts of service in our times of need.

I didn't know that our house could hold that many people or that much joy at once!

One Last Dessert Night

2011-10-29T12:26:00.000-06:00

As our time here draws to a close, we are having one last dessert night this Sunday. I think I have mentioned our dessert nights before. We invite a few families at a time over for dessert on a Sunday night and let the kids play while the adults talk & get to know each other better. We usually invite a new family that recently moved in and a few families that we think would be a good fit for them to come at the same time. (I have this thing for match-making.)

This Sunday, we invite all our friends in the area to come say "See you later." Come over any time after 5pm. If you'd like to bring some food to contribute to the party that would be great, but not required. Mostly, we want to get to say good bye to as many of you as possible.

If you need more info, let me know.

Start dessert night in your area. It has been such a blessing to have so many neighbors in our home. We didn't make it to everyone, as we had to stop for a while after Eliza was born, but we made so many new friends. Step out of your comfort zone and immediate circle of friends. There are so many wonderful people all around!

From Lydia- for posterity's sake

2011-10-26T12:24:00.000-06:00

Lydia just told me a very serious story in her most serious voice.

Name changed to protect the innocent.

"Mary used to have staples in her bum. They came out and now she just has a big crack there,

so we can't do flips anymore. She's ok though, since she always wears pants."

I really had a hard time not laughing...

A new find

2011-10-24T22:06:00.000-06:00

I found a blog I had never seen before & I'm loving it. You've probably all seen it, but I'm going to share anyway. It's called Your Home Based Mom.

One thing I loved right away was a recipe I want to try- enchilada quiche. Maybe it's the hcg diet I'm doing right now, but it sounds so good to me!

As you gear up for the holidays, check out her series of tips for feeding a crowd. Whether it's your family party, Ward party, Relief Society dinner, PTA luncheon or a rockin' block party, have big parties! They're more fun!

Look at these fun things from her Super Saturday!

When you've got some time, go look! You'll want to stay a while!

Today

2011-10-19T23:00:00.001-06:00

~~Today~~ This week has been really stressful on the house selling/ buying/ moving front. Strange things have happened like the inspector showing up with no notice on the precise day that my house was the messiest it has been since before we listed it, finding out that the house we are buying is going to take longer than we thought, and driving to Saratoga Springs to look at a rental house for our mid-range plan, only to have the lady renting now refuse to let us in. Awesome. Today we were supposed to have our appraisal, the time got changed after the appraiser should have already been here, and then when he did come, he didn't bring his key to the lock box. I was gone as directed, so I couldn't let him in. We have to reschedule & start over. I was not a happy camper. If you saw my facebook post, now you know why... Our agent, Natalie, has been so great & is taking good care of us. It's the crazy things beyond our control that make me nuts. (Me, a control freak? Never...)

Anyway, today my sister and I took our kids to Gardner Village to enjoy the fun Halloween atmosphere & kill time while the appraiser was{not} at my house. Part of the fun & tradition of GV is getting lunch at the Naborhood Bakery. Yummy! I'm doing another round of HCG, so that was off the menu, so to speak. I also love the cute candy store, Sweet Aftons. No dice. I kept reminding myself that I would be glad tomorrow that I didn't ruin my diet there.

Later we went to McDonalds so the kids could run around for a while longer. Again, I would have normally had lunch there, but just had water and the apple I brought with me.

After I found out about the key mess, I was headed to the grocery store for vegetables. When I got there, my usual reaction to medicate my stress with food was a struggle. Have you ever had the chocolate chip cookies from Smith's bakery? They can cure many ills. But it went and bought a new flavor of gum instead.

Tonight for Relief Society we had a progressive dinner. I almost didn't go because I knew I wouldn't be eating with everyone, but I really wanted to go visit with the great ladies in my ward. I ate before I left & took my apples slices with me. I ate apples while we visited. No cared that I wasn't eating enchiladas and it felt so much better by the end of the night.

On my way home, I was mentally counting the calories that I would have consumed if I hadn't been doing hcg today. Sandwich and/or cookie, fudge, maybe McDonalds, cookies or candy bar at Smiths, chips, salsa, enchiladas, salad, and an assortment of desserts at RS. Wow. It would have been a very bad food day. I thought to myself, "This must be how people with self-control feel." Sad, but true. It was by no means a typical day for me, but I would have not given it much of a thought to enjoy all that food.

And the Diet Coke I would have consumed today! Let's not go there.

I'm so glad I stuck to my plan. I am worth it!

Have I ever told you...

2011-10-05T14:38:00.000-06:00

...I have a wonderful husband! He's so perfect for me and my family. I am constantly reminded of that, and I thought I'd let world know, too.

The above picture was taken at the Salt Lake International Airport as I was leaving for San Jose, California, where I spent 18 months as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I met & dated Tim after he had served a mission in Arkansas. We dated for a while & then I left on my mission. He waited for me and supported me and I treasure that time as sacred. I have every letter he wrote to me during that time. (We couldn't call or email each other.) I treasure those letters! Who else these days has written correspondence from a loved one for that length of time? He still writes me cards and notes and is so supportive and patient with me!

But, the reason for this specific post right now, is so I can document another wonderful thing he does. He is so devoted to his parents, grandparents and siblings. He grew up around the corner from his paternal grandparents and spent a LOT of his childhood on the farm with his grandpa. His grandpa is now in his 90s and struggling. It torments Tim that he isn't close enough to help daily, the way he saw his dad & grandpa do with his great grandpa.

When Grandpa was brought to Utah Valley Regional Med Ctr a few years ago, Tim & I got there as the ambulance was pulling up to the doors and Tim didn't leave his side. When Grandpa got Life-flighted to Salt Lake a few months ago, Tim was waiting for him when he landed. He took time off work to sit with Grandpa for days when it looked like it might be the end.

Grandpa is now back in Moroni and his children are taking care of him around the clock. Tim took a day off a few weeks ago to spend the night and help for a few days. We got a call last week to see if Tim could help again and he gladly cleared his schedule to be there. He spent two days there doing anything and everything Grandpa needed with patience, dignity and love.

Tim, you are amazing! I love you!

Treats during General Conference

2011-10-01T14:14:00.000-06:00

This weekend is special to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is our semi-annual general conference where we listen to talks from the leadership, apostles and prophet of our church. If you'd like to know more about that, feel free to ask, or check out www.lds.org.

While we listen from home as a family, we try to have some fun treats to enjoy while we do. Here's what we're making this afternoon.

(We call them Janika cookies, others call them Peanut Butter Bars)

½ cup butter or margarine
½ c sugar
½ c brown sugar- firmly packed
1 egg
½ c peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
½ tsp vanilla
½ tsp soda
½ tsp salt
1 c flour
1 c oatmeal

Cream together first four ingredients. Mix in vanilla and peanut butter. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. If dough is too sticky, add more oats or flour. Gradually mix them into peanut butter mixture. Spread dough into an ungreased cookie sheet. (11x13) Bake at 325 for 12 minutes. DO NOT OVER BAKE.
Cool slightly. Spread thin layer of peanut butter over entire thing. Cool completely. Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting. (I like a fudge-type frosting on this.)

Best laid plans...

2011-09-29T15:33:00.002-06:00

I figured since I'm reading Steinbeck, I could use his same inspiration for my title.

I don't know about you, but just when think I have everything all planned out- large or small- I am reminded that I am not in charge. Someone with much higher power knows what's best for me. I seriously am reminded of that so often! Now I recognize it much more quickly and see the Divine intervention that it is.

I hope I don't jinx us here, but I think it is safe to say out loud that our house is under contract again. We briefly took it off the market for a few days to let it reset on the MLS with a new price. (During that time I had about 20 calls from other realtors trying to get me to sign with them. Poachers.)

Within a few days of re-listing, we had a bunch of showings and two offers right off the bat. We are now under contract, with a back-up handy. The same day, we found out that we got the house in Saratoga Springs that we put an offer on the week before. It isn't the house we were aiming for originally, but it is in the same neighborhood & ward. We tried to find every way imaginable to get our "dream" house there, but it was a little more than we felt we could responsibly afford. Short of selling organs, we dreamed up all sorts of ways to make some extra money. We try to live within our means and have been so blessed as we try to do this, and we were blessed to find a beautiful, well-maintained home in the same area. The bummer is that it is a short sale in the beginning of the process, which means it will be months before we can get in. I think the banks are so lame. Hello- willing buyer with money! Why drag it out so long? I can see if there isn't a buyer ready, but WE ARE RIGHT HERE!!!

Anyway, we'll see how the next few months play out, but we are so blessed! Even though things don't always go quite how I plan (like today, for instance) we are doing well. My day today was shot to a million pieces by kids that came home sick from school in two shifts, but I'm so glad I'm able to be here with them. I did get to mow the lawn since Jenna was inside with the younger kids. It all works out somehow.

We are excited for the next chapter in our lives. We will miss the people here terribly, but there's more out there for us. We want certain things for our kids that we feel we will find in Saratoga Springs. My sweet farm boy needs more open space, too! Everything worked out so quickly and all at once, that we are sure this is part of the Lord's plan for us. It will be great, whatever IT is!

First day of school 2011- 8+ weeks late

2011-09-22T12:03:00.001-06:00

Shortly after their last day of school, Jenna and Aubrey had their first day of school for the new school year. Their school is year-round and we switched from the track that ends latest to the track that starts earliest, so they only had 3 weeks of summer vacation. Even so, they were SOOO excited to get back to school and friends!

Jenna's starting off on the right foot.

Lydia is jumping for joy that the sisters are leaving!

Jenna is in 4th grade & love her teacher, Mr. Walton.

Yay for 2nd grade! Aubrey has Ms. Parker. Her class is a 2nd/ 3rd split, which has been so fun.
There are three kids from our ward in her class who are in 3rd grade.

They hadn't changed much since the last day of school. Eliza even ended up in the same outfit...

Aubrey still lets me take her picture outside the school!

4th of July festivities- Moroni

2011-09-21T17:23:00.000-06:00

Here's a peek into our Independence Day celebration in Moroni this year. We headed down early in the morning for the parade with all the Prestwich cousins.

Molly & Brett's kids

Eliza happy in her stroller

Lydia chose her red, white and blue bubble romper after much deliberation.
The red twirly skirt was in her bag, just in case.

Brett & Madi waiting for candy

A newly-nine Jenna

Eliza & Tim- it was just cloudy enough to keep the temp bearable.

Aubrey having fun collecting treats with all the cousins- immediate & distant!

Lots of Prestwich offspring

Jenna's bday "cake." She chose ice cream sandwiches, so I stacked them all fancy-like.
Best cake ever!

Our favorite indoor play place

2011-09-20T09:51:00.000-06:00

/I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Here's our favorite McDonald's play land. It is different from any that I've ever seen. With a baby and vitiligo, it was great to find a fun place to place away from wind & sun.

It has a large climbing structure that looks like you are climbing through a tree, tall slide, toddler slide, basketball area and then this:

This part has large musical instruments that make music! The slide plays a scale as you go down! My kids love this place!

For some reason, I didn't take pictures of all of the instruments, but there is a lot to play on. So fun! It is at the McDonald's across from the District in South Jordan. (10400 South, just east of Bangerter Hwy) You can thank me later!

A day at the beach

2011-09-19T13:34:00.000-06:00

Warning- many pictures ahead!

In August, we had a fun afternoon and evening at Jordanelle with the Graves, Gibsons and my dad. Even though is was August, the lake was the fullest I have ever seen! We snagged the last picnic site with beach access, but it was hard to tie up the boat while avoiding the big landscape boulders under water. They would normally be quite a way up the beach!

Eliza was so good in her hanging high chair for most of the time!

Uncle Tim helped Zach catch a fish!

This was as close to riding the tube as Eliza will be for a while.

Getting ready for Aubrey & Aunt Kat to ride the tube!

Kayla, Lydia & Nate played at the water's edge for hours!

Can you see them?

No trip to the lake would be complete without yummy treats!

The end.

Float Preview- In review

2011-09-18T12:23:00.002-06:00

Have you heard that saying, "I'm so far behind, I thought I was first." That's me! I finally downloaded hundreds of pictures from my camera, so I'm going to blog the pictures and fill in the blanks- for posterity's sake.

Ever since we helped with the parade float a few years ago, we go to the Float Preview at the Southtown Expo center the week before the Days of '47 Parade, which takes place on or near July 24th each year.

In no particular order, here are some of the highlights from our outing.

I really like the Russian cupolas on this float

Lydia's favorite float

You have to get your face painted while you're there...

The girls an the mermaid- she gave them each a sea shell (below)

Cottonwood Heights float- shout out to my 'hood and to surveyors. Strange combo!

Since my kids had an extremely short (3 weeks) and boring (mostly spent cleaning the house for showings) summer, this was one of the highlights of our brief summer vacation.

If you've never been, plan on it for next year. It's free, air conditioned, and no one cares if your kids are loud. there are high school marching bands that wander the aisles playing their music and children's singing groups performing. No one will even hear your screamer!

Thumbs up!

2011-09-16T13:00:00.001-06:00

You can do it!

(Lyd at swimming lessons)

Go Utes!

2011-09-15T21:36:00.000-06:00

Rivalry week came way early this year! I usually wear red or U of U attire every day during the week they play BYU, which is usually toward the end of November. That lets me use my hoodies in the line up. It's a bit warm for that & I'm considerable smaller than I was last year during football season. Thus, new U of U attire was needed.

Being incredibly cheap, I didn't want to spend $20 for a tshirt.

Enter the clearance section at WalMart.

$3 shirt (white, since there were no red ones left) + iron-on letters from the craft department = instant team spirit. Go Utes!

Presenting Playhouse Prestwich, Session One

2011-09-14T12:49:00.002-06:00

Want a few hours to yourself while your child is having fun and learning new things in a fun, safe, loving environment? I have just the thing for you!

Playhouse Prestwich! Children ages 3-6 (potty trained, please) are invited to come for a 2 1/2 hour experience. Each session will have a theme based on the season or upcoming holiday and will also have a character trait theme. Here's what they'll be doing:

-Music time: We will explore music, movement and rhythm, learn new songs including ASL and Spanish, and experience different musical instruments.
-Story time: We will enjoy fun stories relating to our theme and character traits from a variety of authors, as well as work on building vocabulary and encouraging literacy.
-Art project or science project: We will do at least one art or science project each session that includes our theme, season, weather, animals, insects, etc.
-Snack time: a healthy snack will be provided and incorporated into our learning.

With all of these activities comes the opportunity for socialization and making new friends.

By way of information, I have worked with young children my whole life. I am the oldest of four children, so I helped with my younger sisters all the time. I babysat extensively throughout my teen years and taught at Bengal Paw Preschool at Brighton High.
I have an Associate of Arts degree from Dixie College, where my studies included Child Development, Children's Literature and American Sign Language. While living in St. George, I was hired as an assistant at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind preschool/ kindergarten. When the main teacher went on maternity leave, I took over her position. After college, I learned Spanish as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I have four children of my own and I help in their schools. Education is very important to me. I love to learn and I want to help children love to learn too! I love books and reading and did a monthly author spotlight at the elementary school to share my love of books!

Music is also an important part of my life. I participated in school choirs starting in elementary school and continued through high school as a member of the Brighton High A Capella choir. I also performed with Sunshine Generation for many years.
I am also happy to provide you with references upon request.

I look forward to your kids participating in Playhouse Prestwich! It will be $10 per session, $8 for additional children from the same family. If you refer a friend, you get $1 off for each child you refer. Class size is limited, so sign up early. I will open additional sessions as needed.

Our first session, Fall Ball, will be Wednesday, September 28th from 9:30 am- 12:00 noon. To register, call me at 801-965-1521 or email beanandtim(at )yahoo (dot)com. (Pet free, smoke free home, FYI)

New page in my book

2011-09-13T17:44:00.000-06:00

I'm trying to get with the times. I have made a page with a list of some of our favorite books on CD that we like to listen to in the car. Take a look, it's in a book, Reading... oh wait. That was something else...

Do you have a favorite book that you and your family enjoy together?

If you don't click over to the page, I'm just going to tell you right now to find Richard Peck's books A Long way from Chicago, A Year Down Yonder, and A Season of Giving. These are by FAR our family favorites. They are funny to grown ups & kids alike. The kids probably don't appreciate the nostalgia, but I cry at the end of each book. If you grew up in a small town, wish you grew up in a small town, were close to your grandparents or wish you were close to your grandparents, you will love to listen to these over and over!

Enjoy!

On squirrels and nuts

2011-09-12T14:16:00.000-06:00

Can you feel it? Can you smell it? Autumn is so close it hurts! We have had a blissfully mild summer in Utah this year while the rest of the world seems to be drowning or withering up, blowing away, or catching on fire. I really can't complain. I think we saw 100 twice. Not half bad for living in a desert.

But now comes my very favorite time of year! I love Fall. In fact, in elementary school I penned some incredible artistic lines about my favorite season:

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall.

I like Fall best of all.

Profound, I know.

This time of year always evokes strong emotions for me. I feel compelled to do certain things, make certain foods, wear certain U of U hoodies, eat birthday cake.

One of my compulsions makes me think I'm part squirrel. I feel the need to store up for the winter. We've been trying to eat our food storage so we wouldn't have to move quite so much of it when we move, but Saturday I broke down and went to two different case lot sales. I feel much better now. If you've ever read The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder, you'll know why I can't stand idly by and let my supply of canned green beans deplete. I'm not making candles and head cheese, but I've done my part.

Another compulsion makes me think I'm a little nuts. I feel this burning need to craft. This time of year, I have often been gearing up for a craft show, but I'm not doing that this year. I still feel like I need to make things. I'm trying to make as few messes as possible so we can show our house at a moment's notice. I can't really craft without making a mess, so I've tried to beat down the urges. Our ward isn't doing Super Saturday, which would allow me to craft & make a mess elsewhere, so I'm not sure what to do with this craft problem. Perhaps I should dig out the crocheting again.

I am doing a small craft that involves milk lids from old time glass milk bottles, magnets, Dimensional Magic, and a little Mod Podge. I'll show you later.

For now, I'll stick to case lot sales, making chili, baking bread and maybe some apple crisp. That and some U of U football will hopefully see me through until we move. Which is hopefully sooner than later. Hopefully. Hopefully.

Maybe I should just go watch Annie, instead. I'll sing along with Miss Hannigan.

"Some day I'll land in the nut house, with all the NUTS and the SQUIRRELS. There I'll stay, tucked away, Till the prohibition of little girls..."

Do a good turn daily

2011-09-01T11:48:00.000-06:00

Mind if I rant? Good, because it's my blog & I'll rant if I want to!

As I was headed to pick up Lydia from preschool (with about 30 seconds to spare) I passed a guy whose car stalled in the driveway of a busy shopping center. It is a side entrance, but an entrance no less. I felt bad that I couldn't stop, but figured someone would help the guy out.

Twenty minutes later, I was coming home and saw him in the same spot, this time filling his gas tank from a plastic gas can. There were cars driving around him, looking bugged. I pulled into the parking lot, parked my kids in the shade and got out & helped the guy push his car up where he could work on it, since filling it with gas hadn't helped.

Tell me why it was easier for the mom in the minivan to get out and push the car in my flip flops than it would have been for the many MALES who drove by alone to stop. How about the guys from Jiffy Lube across the street?

Look around and see who could use a hand. I spent about 45 seconds of my life to help this guy. Hopefully his day goes better from here out.

When I was in Sunshine Generation decades ago, we sang a song that went something like this:
Fly your flag of sunshine each day
Beside the red, white and blue.
Smile when you say good morning.
Watch the world smile back at you.

Do a good deed for a neighbor.
Take someone's troubles to share.
Speak a kind word to a stranger
Let the world know that you care.

That's my challenge for you today!

Waxing nostalgic

2011-08-30T12:43:00.000-06:00

So, as I ponder an upcoming move (which I'm hoping is imminent), I find myself a little sad. There are some things I will really miss about living here. I thought I'd make a little list for posterity's sake.

In no particular order:
We live within walking distance to an amazing Rec Center. The two top-rated community pools in the state are supposedly the Cottonwood Heights Rec center (where I grew up) and the KOPFC facility, which I can see out my front window. We have taken advantage of swimming lessons, dance classes, aerobics classes, fitness center and more. Across the street is the high school where we've done more dance & cheer classes, tumbling, and even a cake decorating class. I love community ed classes!

On the same campus is the Utah Olympic Oval- the Fastest Ice In the World- or something like that. It was the home of the speed skating events in the 2002 Winter Olympics. How cool is that! Literally! Two summers ago we spent A LOT of time in there during June & July as we built a float for the Days of '47 parade. We watched Derek Parra coach up & coming skaters a few feet away from where we were working. And we got to come in the secret back door, cuz we were special!

My Wal Mart greeters- I try to do my shopping and errands right after I drop my kids off at school. When I go to our Wal Mart, it is almost always 8:20 am. My same sweet greeters have been there for years. Brad- the gentle giant is always so sweet to the kids and helped me pick out the most amazing watermelon! My other favorite greeter is this sweet Polynesian grandpa. He is forever whistling a happy tune, which you can hear throughout the store. I also see him at the temple sometimes. We smile a knowing smile at eachother and carry on. I need to tell their bosses how awesome they are!

Sonic. I could throw a rock and hit Sonic from my back porch. Almost. What will I do without happy hour on the way to pick up my kids from school. I might have to drink tap water.

It goes without saying that I will miss my amazing friends. I am so richly blessed to have made wonderful friends here! Friends from my ward, neighborhood, PTA, Curves/Weight Watcher... and on and on. The people in Kearns are so genuine. There is no pretense. No one lives here because they think they are special or better than others. I am almost afraid to move to another place for fear of encountering mean people. I have never met a mean person here. Strange, perhaps, but never mean. :)

My kids have wonderful friends, too. I dropped Jenna & Aubrey off at a birthday party last week and 10 girls literally ran to our car and scooped them into hugs, so excited to see each other. Some of them had been at school with them an hour before, but they were genuinely glad to be together again. I feel like a mean mom to take them away from that. I fear that we won't find that again elsewhere. My kids are generally quite social, so I'm sure they'll be fine, but I know they will miss their dear friends here. We will keep in touch with them, just like we have with friends who have already moved away from our area.

(My heart just broke a little as I wrote that last paragraph)

Speaking Spanish- I have the opportunity to converse with people- sometimes friends, sometimes strangers- in espanol nearly every day. I feel useful at the school when I can bridge that gap for parents trying to do the best they can for their kids. The blessings of serving a mission are never-ending.

I am quite enamored with our central air. Don't worry- I'll have it where I'm going. Count on it!

The satisfaction of making our house a home. It was a wreck when we bought it. There is no wall I haven't painted at least once. We ripped out the crappy old carpet by hand. Tim has planted every single tree and shrub in our back yard- at least 30. We have harvested gardens year after year. We did hire the tile done in the kitchen, but before we could afford that, we had linoleum tiles that Tim put down after my mom & I arranged them just right. We have learned a lot here!

Walking to Harmons to get a Christmas tree. We have a tradition of walking to Harmons grocery store to pick out our Christmas tree, usually as part of Family Home Evening. (Across the street from Sonic- not a long walk.) It might seem odd, but it is fun. Maybe not as much for Tim, who carried the tree. But we all enjoyed it!

To get myself back to the mindset of wanting to move (because I'm on the verge of tears here) I WON'T miss:
- Having to choose whether to sew or feed my family dinner, since both things happen on the same table.
- Not having a separate family room & living room. Polite company and piles of toys have to share the same space.
-North-facing driveway. Ice-rink in winter. Enough said.
-PTA president-hood. It was fun last year, but I'm warn out. We all know I'll get myself into some other project somewhere else, but I need a breather.
-My kids trying to climb over each other in our petite house. It was great when they were smaller & fewer in number, but we have out grown our "blue big house." (That's what Jenna called it when we moved in.)

It has been a wonderful place of learning, growth, service, love and fun, but all good things must come to an end. We will always treasure our time here, but I am excited for new things ahead!

(If you know anyone that would like to enjoy our house, let me know. I'll think up some kind of referral reward!)

It's Yard Sale Time Again!

2011-08-26T10:05:00.002-06:00

It's time for everyone's favorite social event of the season! We're having a yard sale tomorrow! I wasn't going to have one this year, but it's time to clear out more stuff so we can move.

You can see the as on ksl.com here.

We have about 15 families participating for sure- possibly more coming! Here's a peek at what you'll find:

Baby clothes, items, bassinet, Boppy pillows, crib mattress, bedding, tub, and more.
Children"s clothes and shoes in a wide range of sizes- boys & girls.
Women's clothing, including maternity, in various sizes.
TVs, a treadmill, a Gazelle exercise glider, small appliances
An outdoor toddler climbing toy, boy's bicycle
Cricut machine, scrapbook supplies, craft supplies
Sewing supplies, fabric, home decor items,
Paint, hardware, cleaning supplies
furniture, shelving, nightstand, twin headboard/foot board set
Double stroller, pink regular stroller, universal car seat holder stroller, nice baby backpack
Fun & surprises on the Man Table

There will be a lot more, but there's a sampling of what you can expect. Five of us are done having babies, so we are clearing out more than you can imagine! I am working on moving, so I have been clearing out every nook & cranny in my house, so you'll find things you've never seen at a yard sale before!

If you have anything you want to sell tomorrow, bring it over, marked with the price & your initials. If you can't participate, have your own yard sale. Here are some of the secrets to our success.

Come shop. Tell a friend. The kids will also be selling donuts, treats and lemonade, so bring some spare change, too. :)

We will also have the house available for showings/ tours if you know anyone who might like to buy the whole shebang!

Bountiful Baskets

2011-07-30T11:57:00.000-06:00

So, how many of you out there are already enjoying Bountiful Baskets? I have heard about it for a long time, but have never gone before. Today I went with my friend, Colleen. I tell you what. WOW!

For those not familiar with BB, you register online early in the week, pay your $15 plus a small processing fee, show up Saturday morning (Or your assigned time) with your own basket. Everything is all sorted for you. You walk over to a nice volunteer who gives you a basket of fruit and a basket of vegetables, which you empty into your basket and off you go. You can also buy bread & tortillas there.

Here's a list of today's basket:
5 lb bag of potatoes
1 huge head of lettuce
1 head of cabbage
1 eggplant- not sure what to do with it
1 bag string beans
2 tomatoes
5 LARGE peaches
10 plums
about 2lbs grapes
1 bunch large bananas
1 medium cantaloupe

I feel like I definitely got my money's worth! And it was quick & painless!

Give it a try!

Cleaning like a mad woman

2011-07-27T13:15:00.000-06:00

For those who don't know (or anyone who still reads my blog) we are trying to sell our house & move somewhere with more space. We are so blessed to have what we need and then some! I have been working to de-clutter & simplify things around here. (Hence the random things for sale.)

If you are in need of some white or brown butcher paper, we have two huge rolls. Let me know if you want some paper (free). We don't want to get rid of the entire rolls, but are willing to share. I'm pretty sure it grows back at night.

Not sure what to do with it? Here are some things it has been used for in our neighborhood:
Table coverings for multiple church events
Scenery & backdrop for multiple theatrical masterpieces
Large banners (see Jenna's bday party)
wrapping paper- especially for odd-shaped items
ground covering while painting
tracing small children
crumpled up & stuffed to fill a Days of '47 Parade float
countless children's art projects
hung on walls to protect from children with crayons- a safe place to draw
portable hopscotch
large sewing patterns
hats for kindergarten class

I know there are more I'm forgetting. Use your imagination! Come get some paper! If you have used said paper for another project I am forgetting, leave a message. I'm drawing a blank...

Craft clearance- aprons, bibs, hooded towel, burp cloths

2011-07-20T14:08:00.002-06:00

Welcome! Come on in!

I have two of these blue polka dot aprons. Clearance price is $3 each. This is modeled on an average sized nine year old.

Extra large hooded towel- Cute fish fabric on the hood. Sale price $10.

(Awkward picture, sorry.) Small girl apron with striped pocket. Modeled on a four year old. Sale price $5

Bandana bibs- perfect for snacking on Legos! Assorted colors left. $3 each. Modeled on a 1 year old.

Cloth diaper burp cloths. Green camo, pink camo, or pink & brown stripes. $3 each. I also have a binky clip that matches the pink camo (not pictured) for $3. Great baby shower gifts!

Due to the chaos at my house right now, I'm not offering shipping. You can pick up or we can work out delivery. Leave me a message here or on facebook.

11 months old- a little late

2011-07-12T08:22:00.001-06:00

Eliza hit the 11 month mark on June 28th. It was in the middle of an insanely busy week, so in true youngest-child fashion, I am just getting around to a blog post. I thought I took her picture that day, but I can't find it. I'm sure she'll be scared for life.

Here are a few glimpses of what she's up to these days.

She is a beggar for all things edible! She's too cute to resist, so everyone shares their food with her.

This is Eliza with her cousin, Cayden. He is a month younger than her. She's still a wiry little thing. And as flexible as can be. She's a little like a pipe cleaner...

She still puts everything in her mouth. This Mr. Potato Head tongue was kind of funny- the picture doesn't do it justice!

She enjoyed the Moroni City 4th of July parade from her fashionable pink stroller. She clapped for everyone!

She is still a total daddy's girl! When he gets home from work she will do anything to get to him & if he doesn't immediately pick her up she is distraught! She buries her head in the carpet as if all hope is lost. So sad!

Eliza's other favorite things:
- Playing with her sisters. They love to make her shake her head "No" and have taught her how to do raspberries with her tongue.
-The bathroom. She watches the bathroom door & if anyone leaves it open for a second she charges! She like to unroll the toilet paper and play in the toilet. What kid doesn't?
-She LOVES strawberries. And chicken.
-She likes to stand, but won't take a step by herself. She crawls to the middle of the room, stands up, and smiles so big- like she learned a secret trick. So cute!

She is still super sweet and a bit demanding. She still wants me to hold her a good portion of the day, but doesn't want me to hold still while I do. I think she doesn't want to miss a thing & can see better if I'm holding her. She's such a joy & blessing to our family! I can't imagine our family without her!

Prestwich Movies 9

2011-07-05T18:43:00.001-06:00

Jenna turned 9 on July 1st! She loves birthdays & parties, so we had to think of something fun. In the past we have mostly done backyard, play-in-the-kiddie-pool type parties, but she's getting a little big for the equipment we have. A bunch of 9 year old would demolish my kiddie pool in about 10 minutes.

We decided to try something different this year. I borrowed a movie projector from a sweet friend & we set up a movie theater in our garage.

(My pictures are pretty bad, they were an afterthought & the lighting was very bad-

but great for watching a movie)

Hang your gifts here...

Opening presents at intermission...

You can kind of see how we set the chairs up in rows like a theater.

The lamest cake I've ever made...

She didn't mind!

We watched Gnomeo & Juliet.

Other things not pictured: We set up a concession stand in the back where the kids got pizza, breadsticks & lemonade at the beginning of the movie, then cake and ice cream after intermission. Aubrey & Lydia also passed out bags of popcorn after everyone at their pizza. No one left hungry!

Jenna was so gracious & sweet. She has great friends and they all had lots of fun. It was worth the chaos & frantic cleaning of the garage. I was worried that it would be a disaster. We had about 20 kids packed in there! I lost track of how many times she thanked me for the "best birthday party ever."

Last day of school

2011-07-05T13:00:00.001-06:00

I always take a picture on the porch on the first day of school. I thought it would be fun to do the same on the last day & see how much the girls have changed.

If you want to compare, here's the first day of this school year.

Eliza doesn't look like a tiny baby doll anymore! She is 11 months old now!

They've all grown & learned so much this year. We are so proud of our wonderful girls!!

(and I'm glad I had just trimmed the hedge two days earlier)

First class send-off!

2011-07-05T08:28:00.001-06:00

Here's a look at what we ended up giving Aubrey's teacher from her FIRST CLASS.

Thanks for all the great suggestions! It turned out great!

The kids all put a hand print on this lovely travel blanket from Target. I found a cute carry-on style bag. It was filled with candy, gum, cookies, granola bars, bottled water, lotions, hand wipes, lip balm, and eye mask & ear plug, nail polish, tissues, a travel journal and more.

Don't forget the peanuts & a magazine!

Here's my version of a homemade airplane ticket.

I hope she loved it- we have sure loved having her for Aubrey's teacher! Thanks Miss Barfuss!

Are we not all beggars?

2011-06-24T18:22:00.001-06:00

Only Eliza can get Lydia to share her ice cream!

"First Class" teacher

2011-06-20T08:47:00.001-06:00

OK, I'm looking for some feedback here. If there is anyone that still reads my blog, I would love to hear your opinion on something.

Aubrey's original first grade teacher retired in December and she has had the sweetest, most wonderful new teacher since. I say "new" because she was new to the class and this is her first teaching job. She finished her student teaching in December & started with her own class after Christmas break.

We just found out that she's being transferred to another school for the new school year- budget cuts, seniority, and a bunch of other bull. She is the best 1st grade teacher at the school, in my opinion, but since she's been there the shortest time, she's the first to go. What ever happened to merit-based job progression? Doesn't apply here, I guess. But I'm not bitter...

Anyway, on a positive note, I want to give Miss Barfuss a FIRST CLASS send-off. Since this was her first class on her own, I want to use that as my theme. I want to make her a basket of things like you'd get flying first class- a blanket, a neck pillow, a cute little eye mask, ear plugs, etc. (I don't think a warm wash cloth is going to work here.) I am cooking up a card that looks like a plane ticket for all the kids to sign.
Get it- FIRST CLASS- FIRST CLASS? Does it make sense to anyone else?

Did I just hear crickets chirping?

So, I have only flown first class one time & it was a long time ago. What else should go in the basket? A DVD? A steak? Bottled water? A handsome flight attendant? Lotion?

Also, as a parent, would you be weirded out if you got a little note asking for a few bucks to go in on the gift? I somehow became the room parent for the class, so I have financed a lot of things there this year...

Thanks for your advice- which I'm sure you'll give....right...about...NOW

Drum roll please....... post #502

2011-06-08T19:41:00.001-06:00

502 things you might not know, or might not WANT to know.

So, since I was unaware that I hit a milestone two posts ago, here are 500 and TWO things about me. I’m not sure I can think of that many…
(OK, after I started, I thought I'd let Tim finish my list, so there are a few extras. His list starts at #484.)
1. I have lived in Utah for all but 18 months of my life.

2. I spent 18 months as a missionary for the LDS church.

3. I served in the California San Jose mission.

4. I learned Spanish, but at first I was sad because I had studied sign language in college and wanted to serve an ASL mission.

5. In my second-to-last area, we taught two girls whose mom is Deaf. They got baptized the same day as a girl and her mom, whom we taught in Spanish. English/Spanish/ ASL baptism!

6. I learned (again) that day that the Lord knows our abilities and puts us where we need to be, when we need to be there.

7. I am completely random sometimes, so there is no logical order to this list.

8. I lived in the Rose Park area until after kindergarten.

9. We moved to Cottonwood Heights the summer before first grade.

10. I loved growing up there!

11. We had such nice friends & neighbors.

12. Sometimes I’m afraid to tell people where I grew up because I don’t want them to think I’m a snob.

13. I try to be nice to everyone- you have to give me a reason not to like you!

14. We now live in Kearns.

15. Sometimes I’m afraid to tell people this because of the stigma of Kearns.

16. I hope that doesn’t make me a snob.

17. I love my neighbors and really like the area where we live! Kearns people are so real- what you see is what you get. I’d say they are unpretentious, but that makes me sound pretentious.

18. We didn’t know it was Kearns when we moved in, but it was right where we needed to be.

19. I went to Dixie College my first year of school.

20. I teased my friend who was going to Snow- Turkey Town, as I called it.

21. I had a good time that year at Dixie.

22. I went to way too many baseball games & ate too many sunflower seeds.

23. I only knew one other person heading to St. George when I left and we became great friends.

24. Matt Seal is largely responsible for me maintaining my sanity there. Only he can fully appreciate all that entails.

25. Sorebutt Sorbe, that goes for you, too.

26. I am so glad I had that year to learn and figure out who I am without much influence from where I had been.

27. We played Jamaican bobsled team.

28. I went to Walmart for the first time when I lived in St George in 1995.

29. I studied Early Childhood education.

30. I took a class called Play and Creative Materials where I learned how to make 25 different kinds of play dough.

31. I also took a class on how to use email. (It was the mid 1990s)

32. I learned ASL from an amazing teacher at Dixie.

33. I became her teaching aid at the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind.

34. When she went on maternity leave, I became the teacher since there wasn’t anyone else in the city that could do it.

35. I transferred to Snow College for my second year of college quite unexpectedly.

36. I was shocked, partly because I was offered a good job at the Deaf School.

37. I learned that the Lord knew better than I do- this I re-learn often.

38. I lived in a big house with 9 other girls.

39. These girls are still some of my very dearest friends!

40. I think everyone should go to Snow!

41. I served in the Manti Temple as a sign language interpreter, which led to translating for Stake Conferences and other things.

42. I liked Snow so much that I stayed and extra quarter, which became an extra year.

43. I took bowling at least 3 times.

44. That Fall Quarter I was the Homecoming Committee chairperson, which honed my event planning addiction.

45. I met my husband that same quarter. I’m so glad I stayed!

46. The only class I ever failed in all of my years of schooling was my sewing class at Snow. (You had to show up and make stuff and turn it in…)

47. I had planned to leave on a mission after that extra fall Quarter, but decided to stay and see what Tim was going to do.

48. It took a while, but I still decided to go on a mission. Tim has a much longer version of the story that he will gladly share.

49. I have short, stubby toes so I try to make sure my nails look nice. They are the only hope for my feet.

50. I love Diet Coke and regular Pepsi.

51. I hate regular Coke and Diet Pepsi.

52. I can’t afford the extra calories, so I generally drink Diet Coke.

53. I should really drink more water.

54. I wish I had listened to my mom and never quit piano lessons.

55. I played the piano a lot on my mission.

56. I played the piano (poorly) in Relief Society in my current ward for a time. (be glad you missed it)

57. I was the only girl my age group in my ward at Girl’s Camp.

58. I got to know the other girls my age in my stake much better than I otherwise would have- one of whom (Alyssa) has been my longest best friend!

59. Alyssa and I have been friends since 2nd grade.

60. In high school we added another member to our bestie circle- Allison.

61. People told us that 3 girls can’t last as friends.

62. We did.

63. We called ourselves the Brain Trust.

64. We all had AP American History together and learned about the Brain Trust & adopted then name for ourselves because we seemed to share a brain.

65. We showed up places dressed alike, finished each others’ sentences, and generally spent too much time having fun together.

66. We may or may not have participated in some good-natured vandalism.

67. The “victim” of our vandalism married Alyssa, so all’s well that ends well!

68. I have been so richly blessed with wonderful friends my entire life. I can’t even begin to number them here.

69. If you are reading this, I’m sure you have blessed my life in some way!

70. Angela Cromar (Richins), I always really admired your talent, brains, kindness and awesomeness and never told you. You rock!

71. I collect people.

72. I never forget a face and can usually come up with the name, too.

73. Tim thinks it’s interesting that I can find a connection with almost anyone I meet. He says I could never lose a game of “Do you know…?”

74. I don’t need Kevin Bacon- I have about a 3 degree separation from most people. Try me!

75. I love facebook because I have seen many of my friends from different circles that know each other. For some reason, I find that fun.

76. I love facebook for so many reasons.

77. I have sold a baby swing, toys, furniture- and probably other things I have forgotten- with the help of facebook.

78. We got a free lawn mower through facebook. (Thanks, Jessica)

79. I set up a friend from high school & a friend from my current neighborhood through facebook.

80. I went to their wedding in April.

81. I thought I would have more things to say about me.

82. I learned to snow ski when I was 8.

83. I took lessons at Park City with Jen McDonald.

84. I love to snow ski!

85. I started trying to learn to water ski when I was 9 ish.

86. My dad, grandma, and probably some other people tried to help me learn in every conceivable way.

87. I really sucked at water skiing.

88. I’m over it.

89. I love to ride in the boat, ride the tube, and didn’t mind the knee board.

90. I married a fisherman who doesn’t love to get in water.

91. I grew up at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

92. I love the mountains!

93. I found that I also love small towns. Living in Ephraim does that to people!

94. I love NYC.

95. I went to New York 3 times in high school for National Model UN competition.

96. I am a nerd.

97. I loved high school. I’m sure that had a lot to do with great friends!

98. My grandma got Alzheimer’s when I was in high school and my mom took very diligent care of her. I spent a fair amount of time at the Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center with my grandma- and a few other peoples’ grandmas and grandpas.

99. I regret that I wasn’t more helpful at home or with my grandma at the time. It was a huge burden for my mom to carry.

100. I learned from my mom that taking care of someone you love isn’t a burden, but a blessing if you let it be.

101. I have an amazing mom!

102. My mom and I both have vitaligo.

103. I think it is a small price to pay if I can inherit her great qualities too!

104. It’s my lucky month! Eliza won a baby photo contest & I just found out I won a cute Scentsy warmer and 3 bars!

105. Did you know that one of my hidden talents is fertility?

106. My parents tried for 5 years before they had me. We thought it would take a while, so we didn’t wait very long after we got married to start trying to have a baby.

107. I am extremely fertile.

108. My pregnancies aren’t too bad. Most of the time I like being pregnant.

109. Don’t hate me if you have had a different experience- my child-birth experiences have been killer, or close to it.

110. I don’t like the feeling of almost dying.

111. I’m not afraid to die, I’m afraid of how my family would do without me. I don’t like to see them sad, so that’s what scared me.

112. I have a replacement wife picked out for my husband in the event of my untimely demise.

113. I have picked about 5 replacement wives over the years. The first 3 got married (to other men, of course) shortly after I picked them.

114. Sometimes I tell Tim who he should marry if I die, but lately I haven’t. It makes it awkward for him when we run into them. I laugh, he wants to run away.

115. I sure love my husband!

116. I learned to enjoy fishing with him.

117. I learned to be comfortable on a farm with him.

118. I’m not planning on moving to a farm anytime soon.

119. I love baby lambs in the spring.

120. I would have a sheep or two and a few goats if we had a bigger yard.

121. I surprised Alyssa at a petting zoo a few years ago by picking up a lamb that was escaping while other adults stood there looking at it, not sure what to do.

122. I forgot she didn’t know me as a farm wife.

123. People my hubby grew up with would NOT consider me a farm wife.

124. My idea of camping involves a hotel room.

125. I am a big fan of indoor plumbing.

126. Come to think of it, a picnic & walk in the woods is plenty.

127. If I had unlimited time and funds, I would craft a lot more.

128. I especially wish I had more time to sew.

129. I like to make skirts for my girls. They are so excited when I do!

130. I don’t sew sleeves.

131. I like to do crafts of all kinds!

132. I own at least 8 different types of craft adhesives. Probably more.

133. I dream of a craft room/sewing room/ scrapbooking space where I wouldn’t have to put it all away just to serve dinner.

134. My baby wants to be held all the time, so space to craft isn’t really an issue right now.

135. I have 4 daughters.

136. I come from a family with 4 daughters.

137. Each of my girls has her own unique hair.

138. I finally got a brown haired, brown-eyed baby on #4.

139. I don’t buy into the whole dominant gene sham.

140. I am an organ donor and hope you are too.

141. I have been a blood donor since I was 18.

142. I hope you are too!

143. I was a blood recipient last year.

144. I hope you never need to be!

145. I like to mow the lawn.

146. I like to garden.

147. I like to paint.

148. I like these jobs partly because of the satisfaction of a job well-done.

149. I also like these jobs because my kids can’t immediately undo them. Vacuuming- not so much.

150. When I have lots of laundry to do, I get a good movie so I can sort and fold the laundry in my room while I watch.

151. If there’s a good show on, I do laundry that day and dump the clean clothes all over my bed to sort & fold so I can justify watching the show. It works both ways.

152. I tell my kids that they can stay and watch with me if they help. They generally leave me in peace!

153. I used to love to go on motorcycle rides with my dad.

154. I love the feeling of the wind in my hair while I drive fast.

155. I had a Jeep Cherokee in college that provided hours of entertainment.

156. My minivan provides hours of entertainment for a younger crowd these days.

157. I used to collect miniatures & knick-knacks when I was younger.

158. I have no idea what happened to any of them.

159. Two summers ago I ran a 5K in Moroni on the 4th of July.

160. That was one of my biggest accomplishments that I am proudest of!

161. I need to set more goals and work to accomplish them.

162. Sometimes I wish I was in Young Women’s so I could do the personal progress program again.

163. If anyone asks, I will deny that last one. 

164. I prefer caramel to chocolate, but I won’t turn either one away.

165. I learned to eat very spicy food on my mission, thanks to dinner appointments with the Elders- one of whom would add hot things to my food when I wasn’t looking.

166. I hate spicy food all through my first pregnancy.

167. I also came to love limes on my mission.

168. I ate those through my first pregnancy too.

169. Jenna loves all thing lime-y.

170. We went to Puerto Vallarta on our honeymoon.

171. I was in heaven to be able to speak Spanish to people again!

172. I got two job offers while we were there- for the hotel.

173. I love speaking Spanish. It has come in handy so many times!

174. In our apartment in Sandy, our downstairs neighbors spoke almost no English- only Spanish.

175. Their daughter was Deaf and used ASL.

176. Once again, I was reminded that Heavenly Father knows where I am, what I need and what I can offer to others.

177. We got to be their escorts when they went to the temple and were sealed as a family forever!

178. I miss them and the posole she brought us for dinner sometimes!

179. I love posole with raw cabbage on top- with a squeeze of lime.

180. I like to take my kids on field trips.

181. People sometimes think I’m crazy when they see me out with my little entourage, but sometimes they are easier when entertained.

182. Being a nerd, I like to take my girls to places like the Capitol building, museums, libraries, and educational tours.

183. I think they are no worse for the wear.

184. I like to plan get-togethers.

185. I married a quiet homebody who puts up with my party planning.

186. I like to invite families over for dessert nights. I invite people that I think would like each other but don’t know each other yet.

187. If professional party planner never pans out, I might try professional match maker.

188. I have spent way too long on this post, and I’m not even half way there.

189. I am currently the PTA president at my daughters’ elementary school.

190. I like that their teachers and principal know me and know I am ever-present.

191. I like planning ways to enrich school activities and learning.

192. I like that I can speak to the many Spanish-speaking parents in their own language.

193. I have made great friends with other moms through PTA that I would not have know otherwise.

194. I hope you are a member of your local PTA, too- even if you can’t help at the school much.

195. I love to read.

196. I love to get books in the hands of kids.

197. My favorite PTA project is getting books into the hands of kids who don’t have any.

198. Until recently, I didn’t really believe that there were families that had no books.

199. I took a Children’s Literature class in college.

200. I began collecting great children’s literature before that!

201. My favorite books I read in high school were To Kill A Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby.

202. I resented Crime and Punishment because they made us read it over summer vacation.

203. My only crime was signing up for AP English.

204. I dropped AP English part-way through the year when things got hard with my Grandma.

205. I took the AP English test anyway.

206. The main AP English teacher didn’t want me to be able to take it.

207. My awesome teacher, Dr. Jenson, encouraged me.

208. I got a 4 on the AP English test, thankyouverymuch.

209. I loved Dr Jenson- junior & senior years!

210. I stopped raising my hand to answer & ask questions in her class. (Still don’t…)

211. I just blurted things out- she was blind and couldn’t see my hand, or anyone else’s.

212. I am still inspired by Dr Jenson!

213. I hate reading books just because they are trendy.

214. I have never read Twilight.

215. I have never read Harry Potter.

216. I have seen the first two Twilight movies.

217. Based solely on the movies, I am sooo Team Jacob, whatever that means.

218. I have seen 1 ½ Harry Potter movies.

219. I am not a fan.

220. I love to read historical fiction.

221. I love to learn about Canada.

222. I have mysterious ancestors from Canada that I am trying to find & learn about.

223. I love to request Canadian historical fiction from the library.

224. I like to request many things from the library.

225. I feel like I have a personal librarian when I request things online and then someone else gathers them all together and tells me when they have arrived.

226. I also like to get NCIS dvds from the library.

227. Crime dramas are my guilty pleasure.

228. I have had a fake crush on Mark Harmon since I was a little girl.

229. I used to watch him on St. Elsewhere.

230. I love to watch Bones, too.

231. I started watching Bones on Netflix after I had Eliza & couldn’t do much.

232. I hope Booth & Brennen finally get together for good!

233. I admit, I like Castle and The Mentalist, too.

234. Lest you think I’m a total sloth, I don’t watch these shows every week. I catch them when I can.

235. I usually watch Bones on my laptop a day or two late while I’m cleaning the kitchen.

236. I also like Psych.

237. I recommend it to everyone- even Tim likes it! Mystery, comedy, less gore than most.

238. I balance these out by watching Super Why and Word World with my kids.

239. I worked as a dental assistant for a little over a year.

240. I have never been afraid of the dentist, so I might not have been the most sympathetic person.

241. I was always sweet and engaging, though.

242. Dr. Rasch redid my silver fillings before my wedding.

243. I highly recommend Dr Rasch!

244. I also worked at a “dot com” during the boom. They sold start-up do-it-yourself website packages and hosting. Infomerical style.

245. My sister, Hillary worked there.

246. So did my bro-in-law, Darin.

247. I was in charge of processing all of the returns for people who came to their senses within three days of their purchase.

248. There were LOTS of returns.

249. I am not tech-savvy.

250. I first heard the term (and its definition) “BLOG” on the PBS show “Post Cards From Buster.”

251. It was a few more years before I started a blog.

252. Arthur and Buster still teach our family many things.

253. Lydia is our own version of DW.

254. I bet half of you have no idea what I’m talking about.

255. After leaving the dentist & the dot com (same time) I worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah.

256. I was very good at my job.

257. I learned a lot about insurance during the years I was there. It was a blessing!

258. I liked it enough, but was very glad when I got to be a stay-at-home mom.

259. I am rarely home.

260. I worked there until right before Aubrey was born.

261. My mom worked there at the same time and still does.

262. After Jenna was born, my mom adjusted her schedule so she could help watch Jenna.

263. She met me in the parking lot every morning as I got there & she was leaving. She took Jenna to her house and I came and got her after work.

264. Tim was working and going to the U at this time.

265. My dad and sisters also helped with Jenna a lot during this crazy time.

266. Tim & I don’t remember a lot about this time. Jenna was a poor sleeper & we were going like crazy.

267. Had we known about WIC, Medicaid and FAFSA, we might have just moved up to student housing at the U and both hurried and finished our degrees.

268. You live and learn.

269. I had three of my four babies at Altaview Hospital.

270. I love my doctor- Dr. Russell Smith.

271. He never let me die, for which I am grateful.

272. Lydia was born at Jordan Valley Hospital.

273. I also really liked Dr Scott Hansen.

274. I recommend both docs, depending on your insurance.

275. I liked the menu/room service meal system at Jordan Valley Hospital.

276. Unfortunately I was there longer than normal, so I had more experience with it than most.

277. Altaview brings a fancy dinner for mom & dad after the baby comes. I was nearly dead when mine arrived, so my visitors (mostly my kids, I think) enjoyed my steak.

278. I love steak.

279. What I really love is the Bleu Bacon Burger from Training Table.

280. I don’t even bother with their cheese fries.

281. I live in the flight path of two different airports and a National Guard Helicopter whatever-you-call-it.

282. My kids love to see the amazing military helicopters.

283. When I see them I am thankful that I live in a peaceful place where those helicopters don’t send me running for cover.

284. I am thankful for my grandpas who both served in WWII.

285. And my great grandpa who gave his life in WWI. He died in France with the Canadian RAF.

286. I am thankful for all service men and women- my cousins, Tim’s cousins, our friends and strangers who serve bravely and selflessly!

287. I went to Russia when I was 15.

288. Ever since, I get teary when I hear the National Anthem.

289. I also cried the first time I went to the grocery store when I got home. We are so blessed!

290. We waited in long lines to be able to put gas in our tour buses.

291. I wish I had known more about what we were going to see before I went so I could have really appreciated it.

292. Now when I plan a trip, I research the culture & history of where we are going.

293. I made my girls each a packet about the places we would travel through on our way to Nauvoo in April.

294. I think I had more fun making them than they had doing the activities.

295. I found fun games on Nebraska.gov- license plate games, count the cows, etc.

296. I planned a spur-of-the moment trip to Nauvoo with my sister and her family this past spring.

297. I felt like we were finally grown-ups since we drove our minivan and four kids half way across the country without help.

298. We did take the portable DVD players, though.

299. I recommend Nauvoo in the Spring- low humidity, moderate temperature, small crowds.

300. I have strange eclectic music tastes.

301. John Denver is my first choice for music.

302. Then Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, the Beatles, Peter Breinholt, James Taylor, the Beach Boys.

303. I also went through an Alanis Morrisette phase.

304. There are lots of others I like, just can’t think of the names.

305. I do love my “Awesome 80s” CDs.

306. And the “70’s Heart throbs.”

307. When I get to pick the radio station, I usually listen to KSL- news & talk.

308. I rarely get to pick the station.

309. We listen to books on CD in the car most of the time.

310. I love it!

311. I use the time when I’m in the car waiting to pick up kids from school to do my leisure reading.

312. Perhaps cheesy, but I like Anita Stansfield’s books.

313. I like that I don’t have to worry about questionable material.

314. I also love Josi Kilpack’s books- especially the culinary mysteries.

315. There are few movies I will watch over and over.

316. I will watch The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins until everyone around me is sick.

317. I like Julie Andrews.

318. I will also watch Sweet Home Alabama & Just Like Heaven ad nauseum.

319. I like Reece Witherspoon.

320. I will watch Hope Floats & Sleepless in Seattle over and over, too.

321. I really like Sandra Bullock & Meg Ryan too.

322. In college I watched Tommy Boy about 5000 times.

323. Once I have seen an episode of a tv show, I hate to watch it again.

324. I make an exception for certain episodes of The Office.

325. Ok, most episodes.

326. I cry every time Jim & Pam get married. Or have a baby.

327. I laugh until I cry ever time they run the Rabies Awareness 5K, and Pam nurses someone else’s baby.

328. And I cry some more every time Michael & Holly get engaged.

329. I had never watched The Office until I went to stay with Hillary in Connecticut right after she had her appendix out right after Emma was born. (or was it her gallbladder?)

330. I think we watched every episode that had been made to that point while I was there.

331. I wasn’t there that long. Not long enough, anyway.

332. I was fascinated by Stew Leonard’s grocery store.

333. I got some glares from people because I went the wrong way in part of the store.

334. My best friends, Allison & Jake lived in Hillary’s ward in Connecticut.

335. My best friends, Alyssa & Matt lived in Hillary’s ward in Murray.

336. Angela moved into Hillary’s ward downtown right before Hill moved to Pennsylvania.

337. I think it’s my turn to move into Hillary’s ward.

338. I love yard sales.

339. I have holding a yard sale down to a science.

340. I miss having yard sales- we have so much fun!

341. I love yard sale-ing too.

342. I also love to look for lost treasure at the DI.

343. I went into the Salvation Army store once, too, thinking it would be like the DI.

344. I will never go into a Salvation Army again.

345. I have a large doll house I got at the DI that I need to finish re-finishing for my girls.

346. I also found a cool old fashioned toy chest there. No plastic parts!

347. I have a knack for starting craft projects and not finishing them.

348. I wish I had more time for crafting!

349. I like to look at craft blogs.

350. Some of my friends from high school have amazing craft blogs- and mad craft skills.

351. I had no idea!

352. I was the Family, Home and Consumer Science Sterling Scholar in high school.

353. I’m pretty sure there were many, many others more qualified.

354. Tim’s brother (Sam) married a FHCS Sterling Scholar, too.

355. She is a domestic goddess!

356. I have sold many of my crafts for real live money.

357. I have also sold many of my embroidery patterns for money- (with the help of #354-5)

358. After Eliza was born, I closed my craft blog because I rarely get to use both hands at the same time, which makes sewing hard.

359. I love to hold my baby!

360. I am so glad we listened to the prompting to have another baby!

361. I was NOT going to have any more children.

362. I learned (again) that the Lord knows the beginning from the end.

363. I love Christmas music.

364. I start listening to Christmas music right after Halloween.

365. I love football.

366. I love University of Utah football!

367. My dad used to take me to the games when I was younger- before it was trendy!

368. Speaking of trendy, I did read the Hunger Games trilogy.

369. Hillary recommended them & gave me the first two to read after I had Eliza.

370. I really liked them!

371. I think canned pears are the only edible form. Same goes for peaches.

372. My parents had two large peach trees and we had to pick up lots of yucky peaches before mowing the lawn.

373. I can’t stomach cherries- we also had a cherry tree.

374. I bit into one too many wormy cherries.

375. Apples- now there’s a fruit I love!

376. And strawberries…oh yeah!

377. My favorite summer salad consists of Cool Whip, cottage cheese, Jello mix and pieces of fruit- I prefer it with grapes.

378. I don’t care for pasta salad that has a mayo type dressing.

379. Whatever Courtney puts in her pasta salad is a whole other story. Wow!

380. I think shirts that say “Hollister Beach Co.” are amusing.

381. I lived in Hollister- twice. There is no beach.

382. Hollister was my very favorite area on my mission!

383. I am not afraid of heights.

384. I am afraid of jumping from high places.

385. I think I was traumatized when a swimming teacher made a 5 year-old me jump off the high dive.

386. He said he would catch me and then moved after I jumped.

387. Not that I’m bitter or anything…

388. I’m pretty sure I would die of a heart attack if I tried bungee jumping.

389. I was fine parasailing in Mexico- despite the malfunction, landing in the ocean part.

390. I won’t jump off the top off a house boat.

391. I won’t jump off a cliff into a lake.

392. I love roller coasters.

393. I feel the need- the need for speed!

394. I could watch Top Gun over and over two. Who couldn’t?

395. Another thing I could watch over and over- Gilligan’s Island. Where has it gone?

396. I sang in the choir all through middle school and high school.

397. That was the last time I sang in a large choir.

398. Ward choir not included.

399. I used to be a second soprano.

400. I sing alto now.

401. I don’t sing by myself in public.

402. I don’t generally care what people think of me, but for some reason I won’t sing alone.

403. I have no problems with public speaking.

404. Even impromptu-

405. Guess Model UN came in handy!

406. I have only been to Disneyland one time.

407. I was in second grade.

408. I preferred Sea World and Universal Studios on that trip.

409. I LOVED Magic Mountain years later!

410. I am losing the pigment in the skin on my hands, arms and face. (vitaligo)

411. My eyelids are already white.

412. Parts of my hair, too.

413. I dye those parts back to the color of the rest of my hair.

414. There- I said it in public.

415. I have always loved my fingernails.

416. They grow out strong & look like a French manicure.

417. I have always struggled with my weight.

418. I will probably always have to work at it!

419. This is probably too much sharing, but there you go.

420. “We Built this City” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart” bring back such strong feelings I could cry.

421. I have saved tons of money using grocerysmarts.com.

422. I think you should too!

423. If you want to learn about it, let me know.

424. I shamelessly tell people about products that I like.

425. Beudreau’s butt paste is the best diaper ointment I have ever used on my kids.

426. I even like the smell.

427. I love Target’s store brand diapers.

428. They have cute polka dots that make fun diaper cakes.

429. I love to give diaper cakes as baby presents.

430. I like decorating real cakes too.

431. I took a community ed cake decorating class & loved it!

432. Most of the time I am too lazy to decorate things super fancy.

433. I suck at making cookies!

434. I am really good at eating cookies.

435. They are my downfall!

436. I like country music.

437. I prefer slightly older country music- 1990s- early 2000s.

438. I really like Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, and Faith Hill.

439. I spend a lot of time every day on hair do’s.

440. Not usually mine…

441. I don’t mind cooking.

442. I don’t like trying to decide what to cook.

443. I married a great cook!

444. I wear flip flops almost every day.

445. I used to wear Birkenstocks every day in high school.

446. Then I used to wear my Doc Martens sandals every day.

447. Flip flops are much more economical.

448. Tim hates my fake smile.

449. I have a hard time smiling on demand and making it look naturally.

450. My eyes seem to disappear when I try.

451. I want to make my own bread, but something else always comes up.

452. Really, I want to!

453. I love baseball.

454. We like to take our kids to Bees games. (Local AAA baseball team)

455. They like baseball too- and sometimes the fireworks afterwards.

456. I am incredibly cheap.

457. I take it as a challenge to spend the least amount of money possible for any given thing.

458. I have a long list of free or low cost ways to entertain your kids around town.

459. They all include leaving the house.

460. That’s the main way to keep my kids from fighting.

461. I was named for a girl my mom admired in high school.

462. Her name was spelled differently, but my mom was still loopy from the C-section when she wrote down my name.

463. The woman was a teacher at my high school. I never had a class from her.

464. She had no children. I never told her I was named after her.

465. I wonder if I should have.

466. My girls are all named for our ancestors, at least in part.

467. Eliza’s name is a conglomerate of my name & Tim’s

468. ‘Eliza” was a short form of my middle name ‘Elizabeth.’ (Also the name of my great great grandma.)

469. ‘Tess’ is a mash-up of ‘Timothy’ and ‘Jess.’

470. I really love spring flowers- especially hyacinths and daffodils.

471. Carnations used to be my favorite flower.

472. On my mission I discovered calla lilies, and I was in love.

473. I am so thankful that my parents gave me the gift of LASIK for my wedding!

474. I want to go to Canada and find where my ancestors lived in Ontario and British Columbia. And then to Washington state to do the same.

475. I love to do family history work.

476. I need to be 6 people to work on all my hobbies/projects and still raise my kids and take care of my house.

477. For some unknown reason, people will tell me their deepest, darkest secrets.

478. Complete strangers, neighbors, friends are all powerless to resist their urge to tell all.

479. I don’t usually ask.

480. I’ve had many people say, “I don’t know why I just told you that. I don’t tell people things like that normally.” Many times. Maybe I should work for the FBI.

481. Tim says I can remember the little details that people tell me- their likes & dislikes, pet names, birthdays, hometowns, life stories.

482. I can’t remember where I put my keys most of the time.

483. I used to lock my keys in the car often. At least I knew where they were.

484. Tim purchased and installed a key rack by the entry, I don’t always use it.

485. I’m not ticklish anywhere.

486. I’m strangely fascinated with obituaries and funerals.

487. I have a gift for sensing when people need help.

488. I told Tim I wanted to go hunting with him, but I almost cried when he shot something.

489. I’m a sound sleeper.

490. I don’t like cats.

491. My cutest Halloween costume was as a Tooth fairy.

492. My favorite holiday is Halloween.

493. I wish my husband liked Halloween.

494. I once dressed as Imelda Marcos. I carried a large bag full of shoes.

495. I don’t mind cheating at cards.

496. I rarely lose at board games, especially word games.

497. Don’t even bother playing Boggle with me.

498. I don’t like driving at night.

499. My chin used to blush when I looked at Tim..

500. A case of water bottles fell on my head in Harmons.

501. When I was a poor newlywed I gave away most of my food pantry to the cable installer.

502. I won $4000 of furniture two months after we were married.

503. I cried almost every day I left baby J. to go to work.

504. I have college credit from 4 institutions.

505. I like to be in charge.

506. I’ve learned to let others take a turn.

507. I like my bacon crispy, very very crispy.

508. When I’m angry I grit my teeth.

509. I try to everything better than I found it.

510. My favorite quote is: Go where you’re needed, do what you can.

511. When we first met, Tim teased me that I was perfect.

512. He still thinks I am.

We all know that I'm not prefect, but maybe there were some surprises in there for you. What is your most random attribute? strangest experience? Leave a comment here. Better yet, make your own list & leave a link!

Hey that was my 500th post & I missed it

2011-06-06T09:04:00.001-06:00

So I was coming to blog about a fun giveaway & noticed that my last post was #500. I totally missed it. I'll have to think of something to mark the occassion- later. Back to the giveaway.

Kami at No Biggie is giving away a family season pass to Thanksgiving Point. Go check it out! Look around her fun site too. I went to high school with Kami & I had no idea that there was so much talent and creativity hiding in that sweet girl! She has so many fun & amazing ideas. You'll catch her on Studio 5 on ksl (local NBC station) from time to time, too.

While I'm here, thanks for voting for Eliza. She won the baby photo contest!!!
What are you still doing here? Go see!

Last day to vote for Baby Prestwich!

2011-05-25T10:39:00.000-06:00

Today is the final day to vote in Harmons Grocery Stores facebook baby photo contest. Here's the link!

When you follow that link, make sure you LIKE Harmon's page then LIKE her picture. (same picture as this post)

If you already voted, leave me a comment so I can thank you! If you have a spouse/child/parent/ sibling/neighbor/clergy man/barber/landscaper/ babysitter/street sweeper/evil twin or anyone in between that has a facebook account and could be ~~forced~~ reasonably persuaded to vote, please ask them.

I thank you. My baby thanks you. My dead great great grandmother thanks you. (Her name was Eliza too) Blessings on you and your baby and your dead relatives, too!

Eliza is a finalist! Vote for her!

2011-05-23T10:44:00.000-06:00

Please come vote for Eliza's picture on Harmons Grocery Store's facebook page! She is one of 4 finalists in the contest. Her picture is the third one- "Baby Prestwich."

Vote by "liking" her picture. If we win, I'll have to have an ice cream party to thank our supporters or something...

Part of the prize basket includes a new camera- the flash on my camera died while we were at the hospital having Eliza. Help us replace it! :)

Feel free to tell a friend!

Thanks!!

Attention cooks!

2011-05-19T10:43:00.000-06:00

My sweet friend Jana is having a great give-away on her cooking blog. You'd better go see & enter! If you win, you'd better make me something yummy! You cab see her button at the top of my blog, too. ------->

I am so far behind in my blogging that I haven't told you about the most amazing bday gift that Jana & her hubby Tony (both dear friends from my days at Snow College) gave me. I have pictures, but it happened right when my computer crashed, so I didn't blog it at the time. I haven't forgotten & I promise I will blog it!
Are you curious yet?

Also, if you have a second, go to Harmons facebook page and leave a note on the picture of Eliza- scroll down on their wall until you see her looking at the cakes. She's not a officially a finalist yet, but let them know you like her picture. It can't hurt!

How cute is this?

2011-05-18T10:10:00.000-06:00

This is the picture I entered in Harmons Grocery Stores' Baby Week photo contest. The actual voting isn't until next week when they announce the finalists, but if you want to go to their facebook page and let them know you like this picture, I'm sure it can't hurt. ;)

And, I promise that I will finish blogging our trip one of these days. I have been swallowed by PTA...

Travel Day One

2011-04-29T20:11:00.000-06:00

We took a week long trip to Nauvoo, Illinois, where we met up with my sister, Hillary and her family. It was the best week ever! I am way overdue in posting, but here's a start.

Wyoming. The highlight was definitely the Little America truck stop. They advertised the 50 cent ice cream cones for a good 60 miles. Ice cream can buy you many additional miles on a road trip with children. FYI.

Another fun stop was the Cabela's world headquarters is Sidney, Nebraska. It was smaller than our local Cabela's but the elephant was a fun surprise. Our Cabela's is always full of moms and their children. Here, our kids were quite the novelty. Eliza was so popular with the cashiers that she earned us all a free hat. When we came back through on our way home, the workers stopped me to talk to Eliza again and told us that they enjoyed her last visit and they had all been talking about it. Really, people. There's got to be more to talk about in Sidney, Nebraska. :) They were all very nice. I think the people in Nebraska have got to be the nicest people on earth. We are going to have to move there.

The nice lady at Cabela's recommended a restaurant for us- Perkins. The kids were so glad to not be eating fast food! Jenna told me, "Sorry mom, but this is the BEST FOOD EVER."

Again we were the only people with kids in the whole place. A nice older man came over an told us what well-behaved, sweet children we have. It was late at night, they were semi-comatose.

...more to come...

Fun giveaway for bakers!

2011-04-18T14:04:00.000-06:00

If you haven't seen it yet, go see Jana's fun mother/daughter cooking blog! Follow this link, or find their button on my blog! Double the deliciousness!

Jana is a great cook! She was my college roommate, so I got to sample her skills many times!

Ch ch ch ch change changes

2011-04-14T10:45:00.000-06:00

We just returned from a wonderful trip to Nauvoo, IL, where we met up with my sister Hillary and her family. They live in Pennsylvania, so we met in the middle. To keep our kids entertained for the 20 hours of driving, we took all sorts of books on cd, dvd players, activity packets and music. Their favorite thing to listen to- by far- was the Shrek 2 sound track. Tim & I have David Bowie in our dreams now. Not a pretty sight. I thought I'd share one of their favorite songs for your listening pleasure. Other changes while we were gone: Eliza. Somewhere between Laramie, WY and Sidney, NE she cut a new tooth. She slept right through it, thankfully! When we stopped to see Chalise & family in Omaha, Eliza watched her little girl crawling all over. That was the end of the Army crawl. She saw that getting up on your knees is much more efficient, and now there's no stopping her. Girlfriend also found her voice along the way. She grew up so much while we were gone! A family with four kids was quite a novelty in some of the places we stopped and Eliza was such a flirt. At the Cabela's headquarters in Sidney, she was so charming that she earned us all free hats. She had the workers flocking to her with her darling smile. She smiles so big that her cheeks might pop! On our return trip we stopped there again & I had workers coming up to me and talking to us, saying that they remembered her coming before. This time she wow-ed them with another new trick she learned along the way. Waving. She waves her cute little pudgy arm along with the so-big-it-might-pop smile & they were putty in her hands. Who can blame them?

Glad I have a witness for this one...

2011-04-02T21:19:00.001-06:00

Another day, another bit of wisdom from Lydia. This time, my sister was here to hear it- otherwise I'm not sure anyone would believe it happened like this.

Kat and two of her kids came over Thursday afternoon for lunch & a visit. We were in my kitchen eating and Kat was admiring my IKEA bar stools. OK, admiring might be a strong word. We were discussing the bar stools. I am quite proud of my bargain find. They aren't totally ugly, but for the $15 I paid for each one, it won't be tragic if something happens to them. I digress...

Kat mentioned that she liked them and said "We should get some for our house." Lydia was astounded.

"Kat," she imparted,"You shouldn't that. You shouldn't do things just because other people are doing them. You need to be your own person. You've got to be like yourself, not like others." She gave us an encouraging smile and went back to her corn dog that she had carefully peeled down to the dog.

We were speechless.

As I've thought about this for the last few days, it explains so much about that child. I asked her where she learned that & she told me she just knew that's what you should do. What a kid!

What a doll!

So sweet at times...

Explaining what I should be doing.

She can pout with the best of them!

She loves to twirl!

Her favorite outfit!

Come Play with Jimmer Fredette and Utah PTA

2011-03-31T09:06:00.000-06:00

I may not be a Cougar, but I am a big fan of PTA. Three hours of volunteer time over the year might be a small amount of time for you, but it makes a huge difference to your child!

8 months, 2 days

2011-03-30T13:14:00.000-06:00

For posterity's sake, Eliza started crawling today. Little Miss Three Teeth can't be stopped! I can't ever find a pen or pencil when I need one. She has found three already today. Perhaps we can no longer live in denial about the need to child proof our house. I was also kind of hoping she wouldn't crawl until we were done with our hotel rooms on vacation. Immune booster, right?

Excuse her nakedness- here she is trying on the skirt I made her Saturday.

She is enjoying the feel of her new SHARP teeth and constantly has her little tongue poking out the side of her mouth. Reminds me of Michael Jordan. Or Lightning McQueen.

Does she look familiar? I believe that back drop is JC Penny circa 1977.

Eliza loves to play in laundry baskets. Jenna even tied a ribbon on a sturdier basket & pulls her around the house in it like a wagon. Eliza smiles and rides along like small town parade royalty on a float.

She loves to play with her sisters- most of the time. They love her- almost to death sometimes. This girl will be one tough cookie!