Mistbusters

I just spent he last 12 hours at an awesome youth conference. It was so different then what I grew up with. All the youth from the stake and it was still a small handful. We had a dance and they only had to use 1/2 of the cultural hall.

Such great messages and leaders that knew how to invite the spirit. It started with bringing all the youth into the cultural hall which was completely dark with mist everywhere. There was the great and spacious building with people taunting the youth and loud obnoxious music blaring. Leaders would walk behind the youth and whisper "Follow Me" and guide them to the iron rod that once they grabbed on you could see a small light. As you got to the end of the iron rod you entered the chapel which was dark, except for the light on the pulpit and primary instrumental music playing to block out the other music. Such a strong start.

What impressed me most was the song that the youth sang at the close of the youth conference, which I found out had been sung every time they got together, whether it was youth conference or a stake fireside. It was a testimony builder to see how strong this small handful of youth are.

A Brand New Year

Our new year started of the coldest it has been in over 10 years. We didn't get above freezing for 3 days. Of course, this happened the weekend that Tasha came to visit. We still had a lot of fun just being with each other. Its amazing how when you get older how much more you value sisters. Tasha has become my best friend and person I turn to for support.

We spent one afternoon making blankets for the Linus Project. It was so fun. The girls and I just delivered them last night. We are one step closer to getting our tickets to Disney. This was a great service project. Even Kiersten was able to help in her weird sort of way (like staying off the blanket as we cut)





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My greatest Fear.....

My greatest fear has come true. I have to teach in YW. But I think I am prepared. This is the handout I made.

Digital Scrapbooking 101

This is my only way to share what I am working on. Digital scrapbooking has become my hobby and one of my goals in the coming year is to make enough pages to print a book at the end of the year for our memories.

Holiday Season

It has been a crazy week. I have been home all week with a sick baby. But somehow I have been able to keep up at work and still do what I need to around the house.


Christmas is only a week away and I am not ready at all. I try to make it exciting for the girls. Luckily, we have been "elfed" twice this week. So tonight we are going to pass it along. Its fun because even though Kaia knows the truth about Santa she still plays right along with everything to make it fun for Kiersten.

This time is always hard being away from my family. I wish we were closer so we could build some fun family traditions with them. For now it just has to be us.

The countdown begins.......

Thanksgiving - School Lunch Style

Its not that the food was so memorable - but the conversation. I waited for Kaia down at the lunchroom. As soon as she saw me, she ran and gave me a big hug and started guiding me to the line to get our food. We're standing there waiting and a little boy comes and and said "Kaia, is that your mom?" She said, "Yes - I told you I was mixed." I was a little taken back. Then we were sitting at the table eating lunch. Again the little boy said "Kaia, that's your mom? You don't look anything like her. She has straight hair." Kaia responded, "Yes." I looked at Kaia and asked her what she meant by being mixed. She proceeded to tell me that she is a mixture of me and her dad, and she gets her curly hair from her dad, but you wouldn't know it because he shaves all his hair off. Hmmmm...something to think about.

Fall Time

When I was growing up I have to say summer was my favorite time of year. Now that I am an older I have to admit that fall is now my favorite. I love the crisp cool air, the colors that mother nature blesses us with, the food and scents. I could just go on. We have been very busy which is normal for us but we took the day to spend it together and be outside after all the rain we keep getting. Halloween was a literal wash (rain, rain, and more rain). We hiked from the base of the falls to the top. Kiersten was such a trooper. She made it almost the whole way without us having to carry her. I am thinking about next year driving two cars. park one at the top and one at the bottom. Then we are covered.

Where does the time go?

I blink and the time is gone and it feels like October is flying away too. We are busy. Kiersten is loving school. She loves her teachers, Miss Kelly & Miss Barbara. She is already trying to convince me to have a friend over.

Kaia is growing up too fast.

Young Women & Knowledge

So I am the Personal Progress adviser at church. Every month I choose a different value to present on fast Sunday. This month is knowledge. I thought it appropriate because of everyone starting back to school. This is the story I am going to present to the girls and the handout I made to go along with it.

It seems that none of the crows knew how to fly. One of the crows was asked to give a talk in Sacrament meeting. He thought long and hard about it, but was having trouble coming up with a subject. (It seems the crows already knew just about everything!) One day, as he was crossing the street, he was so engrossed in thought that he did not see a car coming until the car honked. It was almost upon him and he had no time to run out of the way. He panicked so completely that he began to flap his wings furiously in the air. In doing so, he became airborne and lifted himself completely out of danger.

"Aha!" thought the crow. "I will give my talk on flying." So, when Sunday arrived, the crow dressed himself in his best clothes and went to church to teach the other crows to fly.

His talk was wonderful! He talked about the dynamics of flying, the methods of flight, flight patterns and on and on. He next invited the members of the congregation to practice flying. The young ones caught on most quickly, but before long there was not one member of the ward, even the most elderly, that did not know how to fly. They flew around the chapel, down the halls, into the classrooms and back. It seemed that they were born to fly! Every crow nodded their heads and declared the meeting a GREAT SUCCESS! They congratulated each other and slapped each other on the backs. Then, they gathered up their families and belongings...

...And they all walked home.

Weekend of Firsts

This weekend was full of firsts.............

Friday night I went out with the girls I have spending 3 nights a week with all summer at the gym. (first first) We went to have Sushi (2nd First). That was an experience. I have always shied away from sushi...........raw fish. No thanks! But I decided that I was going to try it and I did. Was it my favorite? No - but now I can say I have had it and I might try it again down the road.

This was my plate of Sushi. California Rolls and "I Love NY" Rolls. There was cream cheese, advacodo, seaweed, rice, fried shrimp, and salmon on top.


My girls at Lifetime.

Then our other first was taking Kaia to Girl Scout camp for the week. Yes, a little nervous and apprehensive. David more than me, but I know she is having fun. This is the first time Kaia has been away for more than one night. She is with her buddy Grace so I know she has a familiar face. You can see from the pictures that she was ready!