My first of a zillion webchats with my nephew, Owen(03.02.09 @ 10PM...Happy One Week Birfday, Wee Man!)
Monday, March 02, 2009
But Wait! There's MORE...
I have so much to say about this message! I wrote about this talk in my journal when it was given because one of the things I have learned in the past two years about nourishing my spirit and warding of negativity, depression, and anxiety is that I need to Create. I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father, THE Creator, and my soul can't be happy unless I let it express somethign that has never existed before. This message from President Uchtdorf means so much to me...GO MAKE SOMETHING!
A Belated Valentine
I just found this on you tube and I was so excited! It comes from a 2000 talk (I saw it live) that was sort of a "remix" of a talk from 1985. The original talk--"Some Things We Have Learned Together"--is one of my all-time favorite messages. I have memorized long sections of it and it's part of my regular mantra. Anyway, along with Elder Ashton's "Leave people better than you found them," and Camilla Kimball's "Never suppress a generous thought", I give you another of my favorite words-to-live-by, Jeffrey R. Holland's "How Do I Love Thee"...
Back in the Day: 03.02.91
From my journal:
32 days until I finish the Book of Mormon again. 32 days until S. boards the plane a returns from the heavenly land of missionary work into Real Life.
Will has a very cool girlfriend named C. I hope he knows how lucky he is.
I am waiting in the [HBL] library for Kevin--he's late and I am done with the research I came to do.
[later] Kevin showed up just before they started playing the closing time music at the library, but he did try to make up for it by bringing me some coffee nips. I still feel kinda yucky about everything, but I am still happy, just not at peace. Perhaps my subconscience is stirring up my soul to awake and arise.
Oh, and the war is over. Saddam Hussein left Kuwait, but he still sucks.
32 days until I finish the Book of Mormon again. 32 days until S. boards the plane a returns from the heavenly land of missionary work into Real Life.
Will has a very cool girlfriend named C. I hope he knows how lucky he is.
I am waiting in the [HBL] library for Kevin--he's late and I am done with the research I came to do.
[later] Kevin showed up just before they started playing the closing time music at the library, but he did try to make up for it by bringing me some coffee nips. I still feel kinda yucky about everything, but I am still happy, just not at peace. Perhaps my subconscience is stirring up my soul to awake and arise.
Oh, and the war is over. Saddam Hussein left Kuwait, but he still sucks.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Such a Winter's Day: a photo essay
Friday, February 27th was a sunny winter day, the kind I (and skiiers) love...
We did chores all morning, then left home at 1050am to pick up Addie from early release at school. This is what our house looked like as we left.
This is what our street looked like as we pulled out of our driveway.
This is what Park street looked like at about 11:30am.
I promised James he could visit the caboose today, so we trudged through the snow and climbed on the caboose at the Yellowstone Gateway museum.
James, Heidi, & Addie on the caboose.
James even liked looking at the wheels!
Addie had wild ponytails for crazy hair day at school, but she still looked sweet!
We did chores all morning, then left home at 1050am to pick up Addie from early release at school. This is what our house looked like as we left.
This is what our street looked like as we pulled out of our driveway.
This is what Park street looked like at about 11:30am.
I promised James he could visit the caboose today, so we trudged through the snow and climbed on the caboose at the Yellowstone Gateway museum.
James, Heidi, & Addie on the caboose.
James even liked looking at the wheels!
Addie had wild ponytails for crazy hair day at school, but she still looked sweet!We left the caboose, got some hot cocoa, and drove down to Carter's bridge to look at the river...
This is the red house just past the bridge...it's so photogenic!
Here is the barn just past the bridge.
Carter's Bridge, at the opening of Paradise Valley
On the bridge, looking south over the Yellowstone River (YNP is over thos mountains inthe distance).
Coming back into town for lunch, we pass a little local grocery store and bank...
...and don't forget PAMIDA, Livingston's answer to Walmart, a tiny, glorified Big Lots.
Icicles on the Dairy Quessn window (Addie took this)
James & Addie in DQ ready for some hot chili and fries!
Branches outside Daddy's office
This is the red house just past the bridge...it's so photogenic!
Here is the barn just past the bridge.
Carter's Bridge, at the opening of Paradise Valley
On the bridge, looking south over the Yellowstone River (YNP is over thos mountains inthe distance).
Coming back into town for lunch, we pass a little local grocery store and bank...
...and don't forget PAMIDA, Livingston's answer to Walmart, a tiny, glorified Big Lots.
Icicles on the Dairy Quessn window (Addie took this)
James & Addie in DQ ready for some hot chili and fries!
Branches outside Daddy's office (across the street from Dairy Queen, in front of Pamida).
I-90 westbound, heading toward Bozeman
I-90 westbound, heading toward Bozeman(this is the last photo I took of the day, as I was alone, heading to Belgrade to see the opthamologist--it was a good day, not just because of the gorgeous sunshine, but also because my eyes are totally healthy and NOT swollen!)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Mis Ninos
So lately James has shown signs of being borderline obsessive-compulsive. For example, he rarely enjoys his trains anymore because he spends hours crying hysterically when the tracks don't line up just right (even though the trains drive on them JUST FINE) or when a train derails itself. So while we got dinner ready tonight we were laughing so hard at all the weeping and wailing we heard from downstairs where James was vocalizing his frustration with his tracks. Just now when we called him up for dinner, it went something like this:
Me: Where's my Captain Whiny-Pants?
James: Coming...
***
Also, Addie and I had a super fun date to Billings yesterday, despite driving home in a blizzard. We listened to the Sound of Music twice going and twice coming home. The Captain's guitar version of Edelweiss never ceases to melt me...it's so beautiful (you can imagine that I just about cried while we were hiking around in the forest between Mary's Bridge and Neuschwanstein in Germany and I saw little white flowers!!). When Addie was a baby, I sang all these made-up or altered lullabyes to her, and Edelweiss was one of them. Her version goes like this:
"Adeline, Adeline
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Adeline, Adeline
Bless our family forever."
(I called her "blossom of snow" because she was born on the night of the first snowfall of 2001--I watched it fall through the window as I snuggled her, so it really made an impression). I told her about this, so she made us sing along the right way once, then hit repeat so we could sing it HER way again. On the way home, driving through the snow storm, singing with my Addie is another thing that will always be an impression. I am so lucky to be her mom.
Me: Where's my Captain Whiny-Pants?
James: Coming...
***
Also, Addie and I had a super fun date to Billings yesterday, despite driving home in a blizzard. We listened to the Sound of Music twice going and twice coming home. The Captain's guitar version of Edelweiss never ceases to melt me...it's so beautiful (you can imagine that I just about cried while we were hiking around in the forest between Mary's Bridge and Neuschwanstein in Germany and I saw little white flowers!!). When Addie was a baby, I sang all these made-up or altered lullabyes to her, and Edelweiss was one of them. Her version goes like this:
"Adeline, Adeline
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Adeline, Adeline
Bless our family forever."
(I called her "blossom of snow" because she was born on the night of the first snowfall of 2001--I watched it fall through the window as I snuggled her, so it really made an impression). I told her about this, so she made us sing along the right way once, then hit repeat so we could sing it HER way again. On the way home, driving through the snow storm, singing with my Addie is another thing that will always be an impression. I am so lucky to be her mom.
Sam is a Cute Daddy
This picture makes me cry.***
Also, I am getting my ginormous thyroid removed next Friday, so Rich and I will be in Billings March 5 (happy bday, Candace)-March 7 for surgery. Jill is coming up to take care of my posse while we're gone (thanks, Drew!), so that makes me feel better. I've never been hospitalized or had surgery--it was my goal not to--but it'll probably be just awesome.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Week So Far
Yesterday I went to Addie's class to tell them about Washington, DC (that was really fun). The day before I went and read The Maggie B. (by Irene Haas) to them because it is Love of Reading Week and The Maggie B. was my favorite book when I was their age. Today I am going to Billings for my surgical consult and I am going to take Addie with me. Heidi will have a little date with Aunt Debbie and James will play with Lydia ("Nee-nee") and console poor Baby Suzy, who has a cough. I am hoping everything goes smoothly and we get to stop at the fabric store and choose some fabric for Easter dresses. I made beef stew last night so Rich (hi, hunny, I love you) can just heat it up, cook some breadsticks, and hopefully Addie and I will be home close to dinner time.
The highlight of the week was getting a new baby nephew, of course. He has a name now, but I will let Sammy and Kristen introduce him on thier blog when they get home and settled. I do have some sweet pix, though, courtesy of my sister Lisa. Enjoy...I gotta get ready to drive 4 hours RT today...
SO SWEET! Kristen getting a hug from Grandpa Bill.
The Man of the Hour...I love him already!
The highlight of the week was getting a new baby nephew, of course. He has a name now, but I will let Sammy and Kristen introduce him on thier blog when they get home and settled. I do have some sweet pix, though, courtesy of my sister Lisa. Enjoy...I gotta get ready to drive 4 hours RT today...
SO SWEET! Kristen getting a hug from Grandpa Bill.
The Man of the Hour...I love him already!Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Literal Take On Me
Another link stolen from Amy Buchert...and I dedicate it to my brother, Willy--we were the biggest a-ha freaks of 1986!
this will crack you up, too.
I am still waiting for a nephew update, dangit. I want to see more of that boy!
Take on Me: Literal Video Version - watch more funny videos
this will crack you up, too.
I am still waiting for a nephew update, dangit. I want to see more of that boy!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Golden Boy is on His Way!
Remember THIS LITTLE BABY?Well, he is, right this very minute, making his way into the world!
YAY! Sam called at 3:30 to say Kristen has been in labor all day and she's going into transition now...so I will keep you posted on the status (and statistics) of Golden Boy!
***
...And HE'S HERE! No name yet, but the boy has arrived in an uncomplicated birth at 4:45pm on 2/23/09...
7lbs-9oz
21.5 inches tall
Sam says he's got a full head of hair and girly fingernails, and I'm betting he's GORGEOUS!!!! YAY! My baby bro is finally a daddy! I am so excited!
Congratulations, Laytons!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
"Sum-Sum-Summertime..."
This is the face of Pure Awesomeness:
My dear sister friend, Summer, came to cheer me up and let me rest on Friday. She read my earlier blog and drove all the way from her ranch Harrison (an hour & a half away) to bring me a treat and entertain my kids so I could rest. I love her and miss her so much. We were visiting teaching companions for 4 years while we served as YW counselors and then I was her Primary Secretary for, like, a minute last year, til she moved to Nebraska then Harrison. She grew up in Eastern Idaho, got a degree in Agriculture (you should see her rope calves!), and served a mission to Argentina. Then she married Cowboy Dan (Daniel) and had three kids and gets awesom-er each year!
Thank You, Summer! I Love You!
Addie was so excited to meet Summer's baby Kiley (who was born on Halloween Eve).
Here are Summer's 2 daughters, Kiley and Cailin, and my Heidi
Here are all of our kids together--Cailin, Heidi and Addie adoring Kiley, James and Colton climbing the couches.
Here they are again. We had such a nice visit! It was great to have the kids occupied, but even just the thought that Summer would come all this way means so much to me. I am doubly blessed with a wonderful family and angelic friends!
My dear sister friend, Summer, came to cheer me up and let me rest on Friday. She read my earlier blog and drove all the way from her ranch Harrison (an hour & a half away) to bring me a treat and entertain my kids so I could rest. I love her and miss her so much. We were visiting teaching companions for 4 years while we served as YW counselors and then I was her Primary Secretary for, like, a minute last year, til she moved to Nebraska then Harrison. She grew up in Eastern Idaho, got a degree in Agriculture (you should see her rope calves!), and served a mission to Argentina. Then she married Cowboy Dan (Daniel) and had three kids and gets awesom-er each year!
Thank You, Summer! I Love You!
Addie was so excited to meet Summer's baby Kiley (who was born on Halloween Eve).
Here are Summer's 2 daughters, Kiley and Cailin, and my Heidi
Here are all of our kids together--Cailin, Heidi and Addie adoring Kiley, James and Colton climbing the couches.
Here they are again. We had such a nice visit! It was great to have the kids occupied, but even just the thought that Summer would come all this way means so much to me. I am doubly blessed with a wonderful family and angelic friends!(PS: Summer, I had the most heavenly shower this morning with the shower gel & body butter you brought--I had no idea it would be so luxurious! Thanks so much--you know my weakness for bath stuff! ;))
"For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name
Who bless our days with peace & love
We praise thy goodness, Lord above."
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