Category: Uncategorized (Page 108 of 118)

If there was ever a Perfect Thanksgiving to be had, I think we just had it! We had a relaxing day with not so much preparation–we make gobs and gobs of mashed potatoes and pumpkin and cherry pies and a pumpkin maple cheesecake. At 2:00 we left the mess in the sink and went to Spanish Fork to be with Ryan’s family. The kids were well behaved, they ate some dinner (lots of rolls and a little bit of turkey), there was good food and good company, and we had a lovely time. We sat around talking after eating, then ate some more. At 8:30, we left to come home. Yes, there was a pile of dishes in the sink, but I just left them until morning. It was a lovely day, and I’m so thankful for wonderful family and in-laws to celebrate with! My nephew even said he would go to a 5:00 Black Friday sale for me to get a couple of things I wanted–how sweet is that?!

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m baking a maple pumpkin cheesecake right now, and in the morning we will make a couple of pumpkin pies and maybe a lemon pie. We’re also in charge of loads and loads of potatoes!

I hope you have fun with family and friends!

Only two school days this week! All-Right! Getting my kids ready and off to school is not my favorite thing, so I’m excited about that. I don’t know what we’ll do with the kids for those extra days off-but that’s what friends are for! I plan to get my house cleaned up today and take a load of stuff to the post office to be mailed. And think about what kind of pies I will be making for Thanksgiving.

In unrelated news, Oh Holy Night is one of my favorite Christmas songs. I also love The Christmas Song, and right now I’m liking the March from the Nutcracker. I used to love Sleighride, and I probably will again once I work through the hard parts that are giving me problems in bells.

What’s your favorite Christmas song?

2 Names you go by:
1. Paige
2.Jess
2 parts of your heritage:
1. Mormon Pioneer
2. Welsh
2 Things that scare you:
1. Cancer
2. Car Accidents
2 of your everyday essentials:
1. make-up (not a whole lot, but I must put it on)
2. hugs from the kids
2 Things that you are wearing right now:
1. jeans
2. slippings
2 of your favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment)
1. Maroon 5
2. ABBA
2 Favorite Songs at the Moment:
1. Walz from the Nutcracker
2. Dancing Queen
2 Things you want in a relationship (other than true love)
1. Fun
2.Security
2 Truths:
1. I am happy right now
2. The Book of Mormon is true
2 Physical Things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex)
1. Smile
2. Physique
2 of your Favorite Hobbies:
1. Reading
2. Taking Pictures of my kids
2 Things you want really badly
1. Lose weight and keep it off
2. To be organized (and to get all the laundry done and folded and put away)
2 places you want to go on vacation:
1. New York
2. Germany
2 things you want to do before you die: (only 2?)
1. Lose weight and keep it off
2. Travel with my husband and family
2 ways that you are stereotypically a chick
1. I drink diet coke
2. Chocolate is my friend
2 Things that you are thinking about now:
1. I’m really hopeing I can get through the Christmas season without a nervous breakdown or screaming at my kids
2. Isn’t it nice that my kids are happy to watch The Incredibles on a Friday evening
2 Stores you Shop at:
1. TARGET
2. Kohls
2 People I would like to see take this quiz:
1. Melinda
2.Michelle

Ok, I’ve been on the PTA board pretty much since Cole started Kindergarten, and I really haven’t minded..up until now.
I’m in charge of Dad’s and Donuts and have been for the past year and a half. It’s really only once a month that I have to worry about it. I order donuts, I go in at 7:00 and pick them up, take them to the school and pass them out to dads and kids. Well, this morning I found it particularly hard to get up and do my job.

Last month, I had WAY too many donuts, with tons left over. So, this month I toned it down a little bit and only ordered 16 dozen, because I don’t want a zillion extras at my house.

When I got there this morning, we had a rush of Dads, and I went through 3/4 of my donuts in the first shift (we have extended day, so 1/2 of the kids come at 7:30, and the other half come at 8:45), so I went back to the store, bought more napkins and two more dozen donuts. I had someone else who was going to pass out for the second shift, so I just took them to her house and told her I hope she doesn’t run out. I just saw her as I was dropping Jenna off at preschool, and I’m pleased to report that she had 2 left over. *Whew!*

But my enthusiasm for Dads and Donuts is waning. I’m really glad that I won’t have another one until January—maybe by then I’ll be recovering from the holiday whirlwind that will be my life, and I’ll be enthusiastic about it again.

Did you know that macaroni and cheese (a staple in our house) left unattended will turn lovely colors, like green, red and black? Ick. I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

I swear it’s an ear infection. He’s got a fever, up in the night, one ear is red, he’s flushed, he’s grumpy and clingy as ever–what else could it be? So, we had it checked by the expert (the Doctor, of course) and he says the ears are clear. Well, what am I supposed to do with him? Cater to his every whim, holding him on my lap and letting him grab my hair all day? What about my day? What about dinner? What about the errands? And what about Mommy when she catches whatever it is?

Oh, sometimes shopping is so much fun! Like when you can get things on clearance ($7 for a blouse or a pair of Ked–two pairs of Keds at that price, actually), and then use your 30 percent off coupon for the entire purchase! I won’t tell you how much I spent, but I will tell you I got about $50 off by using my coupon. And I got TONS of Christmas presents! I can’t wait to wrap them.

John came with me, and he was a good boy, so we went to Arby’s for lunch. Don’t tell me people don’t spoil their youngest. They get to take the youngest out shopping and to lunch when all the other yahoos are school. I guess that’s the reward of being the youngest and keeping mom company. What will I do when they all go to school? I don’t want to think about it, because I think I would be lonely.

Yesterday was the funeral for Tennille. It was nice. But let me backtrack a little bit.

On Monday, after I found out and was pretty much in shock and crying all day, Maranda, one of my friends from Bells, called and said that the Utah Valley Handbell Choir had been asked to play for the funeral, but needed a few people to sub, and would I be willing to play. Of course, I said, Anything I can do.

On Tuesday, I didn’t cry so much, and felt much more peaceful and calm from the Holy Ghost.

On Wednesday, I was dreading going to Bell Choir and not having her standing next to me laughing with me. But Brother Waldron and Brother Willmore said some very nice words, we all cried for a few minutes and then we got on with our rehearsal. It went better than I thought it would go, but was still rough. I brought a card for everyone to sign and took up a collection for flowers.

On Thursday, I ordered the flowers. I ordered a nice basket of plants and flowering plants for their home, and a nice colorful standing arrangement for the funeral and gravesite. Then Thursday night, I met at the 7th day adventist Church, where the Utah Valley Handbell choir practice, and was thrown into a totally new part, and we ran through about 5 or 6 songs. There are only two speakers, she told us, and we’re doing the rest. EEk! I’m not even used to reading the bass cleff, and wasn’t getting all the notes. I came home with a prayer in my heart that Heavenly Father would help me play to the best of my ability even though I’d not had time to practice, so that the spirit could be felt through our music.

So, that brings us to Friday. Ryan “worked” from home (although he told me he didn’t get much done) and watched John and Jenna so I could leave at 11:30. We got up to Kaysville early enough to run through two songs and go to the viewing. Then the funeral started, and although I hadn’t cried earlier that day, I was crying when her brother spoke. I had Kleenex, though, and I was ok. So, we got up and played two songs (I couldn’t even tell you what they were called!) and I did ok. I messed up a couple of times, and forgot a few notes, but overall did ok. Then we sat down and there was another speaker, then we got up and played three more songs (one was how great thou art). I made it through the songs, and then when I sat down I felt I could cry, so I did. It was a very nice service, and there were over 40 flower arrangements there. There was a big one from the Tab choir, and the two from the Bell choir, and a whole bunch of others. There was hardly room to put them all up. She was a very special person and I feel blessed to have had her as a friend.

So, now I need to switch gears and get ready for a baby shower that we’re hosting tomorrow (at someone else’s house—I’m doing food and a game). After that I’ll be taking some kids to the Gingerbread House Festival at Thanksgiving point.

So, I made it through the week. Thanks again for all the love and support.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” – George Carlin