Happy Valentines Day!

I love you {reading a good book}
I love you not {dirty bathrooms}
I love you {cheese fondue}
I love you not {fire drills during a night out at the movies}
I love you {my cellphone}
I love you not {homework two hours after bedtime}
I love you {a good sewing project}
I love you not {the bobbin running out & the needle breaking}
I love you {sleeping in Saturday}
I love you not {raspberries, raisins and cats}
I love you {Thai and Mexican food}
I love you not {tornadoes}

I love you {rain}

I love you not {fevers and other illnesses}

I love you {Ken, Nicole, Matthew & Anna}

{this post idea was totally stolen from another blog.}

Happy Birthday Wendi!

Happy Birthday to my oldest sister, Wendi! She's 41 today.

Here are 2 fun facts about Wendi.

She never sits down. You can spend hours at her house and she is in the kitchen the whole time working, doing laundry, feeding the animals (barn type, not the feline type.)

She doesn't like to read books, so she doesn't.  :)

Happy birthday Wendi! I love you a lot.

Post with pictures!

So they aren't the best quality pictures, from my cell phone, but they're pictures!

I painted my nails on January 1, all them pink except for my thumb. I made this little baby. I had it on my thumb during church and felt kind of embarrassed, so I removed it later. But for a minute,  I thought it was cook. Even though I do not heart cross bones and skulls.

I made this shirt for Nicole. Over the years I've tried this pattern 4 or 5 times and I was happy it finally turned out. She's pretty happy to be modeling it for you today.

 We had an awesome sunset the other night when I was on my way home from taking Gina to the airport. The sky was bright pink off in the horizon.

 Ken is the ward mission leader. Every Friday the Elders come over for about an hour and watch videos on http://mormon.org/. Matthew was sitting the midst of them this last Friday so I took some pictures. I like seeing him with the elders.

 I ate sushi the other day. I took a picture for my friend, Kate who hates sushi. Kharma hit me early. The next morning I was sick and felt crummy all that day. I don't think I'll be eating sushi for a long time, if ever.

 We had refreshments after the adult session of Stake Conference on Saturday. 4 seminary tables clear full of pie. It was a beautiful site.

 This is my kitchen. It has the best sewing/crafting counter ever. It's more than 3 feet wide and 8 feet ling. I LOVE IT!

Matthew doing a crossword puzzle with a big pencil.

P.C.D.

Post Christmas Depression...
Here are the facts.

• My face is cultivating a zit farm.
• I feel the need to go shopping for birthdays, Valentine's Day, Ensign Ranch, (my side of the family celebrates Christmas in January) Easter and of course, Christmas.
• I've taken the tree down and all the decorations, yet tinsel is showing up everywhere...in the laundry, the bathroom, tangled in the vacuum cleaner. It's sweet.
• I have a lot of work to do and all I want to do is read my new books.
• I have a top secret plan taking place at this very moment which is and will give me great joy for years to come.
• I'm really thankful it didn't snow again. Not that it was in the forecast or anything, I just loathe driving in the snow. I love that its been pouring buckets of rain. A beautiful green Christmas was exactly what I've needed for a few years now.
• My brother, Adam and his family are on their way to my house. They'll be here an hour or so. Cassie and I are going to JoAnn's to buy fabric and make dresses for her daughter, Kaylee. I love going to JoAnn's, making dresses and Kaylee!
• I made four pounds of BBQ pork this week. Tonight we will feast on Pork Fried Rice and four pounds of BBQ pork with Chinese mustard of course.

I think that's about it. Happy week after Christmas!

TAG! I'm it.

If you are recieving this in email, the preview came up showing that some of the questions were in random orders and not with their answers. I'm not sure why, so if that is the case...sorry! I'm trying to fix it.

I have been tagged my by friend Kate. The rules for this tag include answering the 8 question written below. I then have to make up 8 new questions and assign 8 new people to answer them. So here goes something--or nothing. You can choose.

1. What is your creative outlet?
I have a couple of creative outlets. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to sew. I like that I can have an idea in my head and make it out of fabric. I use a pattern the same way I use a recipe. It's a good guideline but I'm going to do what I want to make it the way I want it. I also enjoy cooking; and I have tons and tons of rubber stamps that I use periodically.



2. What is your favorite place to be?I'm not sure I have a favorite place to be, but I LOVE being with my family--immediate and extended. Each January our whole family rents a lodge at the church property in CleElum and we all hang out for 3 days eating good food, playing games and freezing in the snow. That time each year with many of my brothers and sisters and parents is priceless.


3. Do you now, or have you ever had a collection of anything? (mine was and is Pez dispensers)
I used to collect mini tea sets. I have over 75 sets of rubber stamps. I guess that is a collection, although I don't buy them anymore. I have made it a rule not to buy anything that is not of use in daily life. I don't want to have to take care of it or store it.  I do have 18 Christmas Trees though...I'm going to have an enchanted forest this December. I'm pretty excited about it.

4. Share 3 things or objects you love most, and why. (people included)
I've decided not to include people in this answer only because I can't narrow them down to 3. There are way more than that. So objects win this time. 

I love my Kitchenaid Mixer. I love it because it is red. It does a lovely job mixing cookies, kneading bread dough and mashing potatoes.  It is easy to clean up and I've learned this weekend that it is also portable. It was put to good use at my Dad's house.

I love Rough & Ready styling gunk made by shortsexyhair. It's the best 'gunk' available for spiking short hair. I use it everyday when my hair is short.

I love my cell phone. I wish I didn't. I wish I didn't need it or only had it around for emergencies, but I don't. I love it's qwerty keyboard. (I had fun typing qwerty just now--twice.) I love it's big screen, that I have over 25 speed dials and that I can access the internet on it. I love it too much.

5. Why do you blog?

I started my blog because I am a copy cat and a friend of mine that I was serving in the primary presidency with had just started one.  She only updated hers once a month and I didn't think that was enough. All of the sudden I had a place that I could write down my thoughts and when you talk as much as I do, you have thoughts come up more than once a month.  My next reason was because I lived over 29 driving hours away from my family and I thought it was a perfect medium to show them what was happening with our family. My reasons now for blogging are 1.This is my politically correct journal. Since I can't say something mean on here--or I won't, this helps me to see the glass half full. 2.I'm my number 1 fan and when I think I'm hilarious I inflict my bad humor on your people.  3.I want to be published. This is a good medium to practice being creative.4. Why shouldn't I blog? It's super fun!  :)

6. What is your take on pets in the home/ as family members?
Define pet. Cats are not pets. I HATE THEM. They are good for mousing--outside and...mousing--outside. I don't like them. I don't think they are cute and they bug me when they rub against my leg and get hair on me. Dogs on the other hand...believe it or not, I don't love dogs as a breed or animal type either. I do love specific dogs. Animal--the dog. He's very nice. My neighbor's dog, Tator. He's very nice also. That being said I take it on a case by case base. (HA! Poetry!) Dirty houses don't need pets. If you can't feed your family, sell your pets. If you are going to have a pet, take care of it and love it. We actually got rid of our dog about 3 weeks ago. It wasn't working out in this neighborhood so he went away. I am sad about that, so obviously I'm not totally against dogs in your home and as a member of your family. DON'T HAVE A SNAKE AS A PET! They are disgusting.

7. What are your internet 'guilty pleasures'? (aka facebook, youtube, etc)
Facebook was my guilty pleasure for 2 years. I was consumed by it, so it turned more into an addiction. So, I deactivated my account for a couple weeks, deleted all my friends that I see on a day to day basis, and then reactivated it so I can keep in touch with distant friends every few days that I don't ever get to see in person. I also love YouTube a couple times a week. I spend most of my time on this website though...blogging amazing tidbits for your reading pleasure. You are welcome.

8. I hate the dentist. OK, that's not a question, but it IS open for discussion amongst yourselves. :) I feel like Linda Richman, from coffee Talk , leaving you with a topic to discuss...WHAT? You don't know who Linda Richman is? See that YouTube Video below to be introduced to her. The Dentist. I actually love going to the dentist. I love that the dentist can fix a painful tooth. I love that the hygienist can make my teeth sparkling white. Free toothbrushes and floss are appreciated. I like good check ups and being told that I don't have any cavities. Yep, I love the dentist.


 
OKAY, I am tagging the following 8 suckers:
1. Donna, my new friend in my new ward.
2. Ben and or Liz, my old friends in my old ward.
3. Kelly, my friend from High School. Her blog is PriVaTe! 
4. YOU! If you aren't included in the other 7 spaces, you win the prize for #4, my favorite number. Blog these answers then comment to let me know so I can read them. Gracias.
5. Gina, my little sister who NEEDS to update her blog ASAP.
6. Margaret, my cousin whom I have never met.
7. Carina, one of the best visiting teachers I have ever had. We moved from a town to go to school and she moved to that town after they finished school.
8. Elise, one of the best sister missionaries I've ever had to pleasure of getting to know.
 
Okay ladies and Ben, here are your questions...
1. What are your favorite soup and or bread recipes?
2. What are your nicknames? How did you get them? (Bonus points for embarrassing stories.)
3. Where is your favorite place you have lived? Why?
4. What kind of camera do you have? Do you like it? Hate it?
5. What is the worst meal you had to eat? This means you didn't just stir it around on your plate then dump it, you ATE it. Think mission stories people!...or newlywed ones. haha
6. What is your favorite television show that you probably shouldn't watch?
7. What is something you did as a child that you couldn't tell your parents until you were an adult?
8. Why do you blog?

Weekend Update...and a random photo too

Our family spent the weekend in Bremerton at my dad's house. He met us in Bellevue on Friday so we could attend the temple together. On a side note, WHAT A BLESSING it is to see my dad inside the walls of the temple! For so many years, he was absent. I'm so thankful! Before we headed home from the temple, we ate dinner at a little ma/pa restaraunt across the parking lot from Deseret Book.

Saturday and Sunday we watched all sessions of General Conference at the Bremerton Stake Center, minus the Priesthood Session. The guys drove up to Chimacum (as opposed to Chinook--what I noted in my last post) to attend that session with Ryan and eat ice cream afterwards.

Here are some of my favorites from conference:

Favorite Talk: I can never narrow it down here are my top 2--that tied for first place.

*Elder Larry R Lawrence 3rd talk, 5th session

*President Thomas S Monson 4th talk, RS General Meeting

Favorite Quote: At this point, some of you may be thinking, that's all fine and good, but what does it have to do with flying an airplane. Well, let me tell you... President Deiter F Uchtdorf

Favorite Song:

Both of them performed by the MTC Choir at the Priesthood Session.

*Hark All Ye Nations

*Called To Serve

There is something special in the voices of all missionaries that are just beginning their missions. They are beautiful.

I also loved Home, preformed by the family choir during the 2nd session. A LOT.

Favorite Moment:

Looking at both Nicole and Matthew listening to conference and taking notes. Sometimes they were drawing a picture or doodling, but I read the notes they took and they are good. It makes my heart smile.

After the 5th session of conference we went to the cemetery my mom is burried in. While we were there the kids took the time to find 'Grandpa Graves' ' grave also. He is not their grandpa, but he is their cousins' grandpa and he took them in too when we visited and told them to call him Grandpa. They like that they can visit both him and their grandma at the same cemetery. He was also a great example to me during my teenage years and I loved him very much. I miss him and my mom. A lot.

Next we went to Wendi and Larry's house and ate homemade french bread. It was delish.

We got home last night at 9:15 and we were all asleep by 9:30. It was a fun, spiritual and uplifting weekend. I love it.

blah blah blah

Ken and I have been married for 12 years, 4 months and 4 days. I just read that before I started this post.

Today in Relief Society we were reminded about the martyrdom of Joseph Smith. I reread section 135 of the Doctrine and Covenants. As we approach his birthday I'd like to recommend that you reread it too.

Apparantly we've started the Christmas Break Schedule early...It's 8pm and they're watching a movie. It should be over in an hour. I know I should make them go to bed but I LOVE hearing them laugh. What's another hour?

Nicole and Matthew gave the talk and scripture in primary today. One of the leaders told me they did a really nice job. That made my heart smile.

I need a good idea for my Christmas Letter. I need to write it soon. Suggestions are encouraged.

Have a good night! ps, I still hate cats.

a non blog...

Current thoughts (right now as I type)...

Kate is a genius. (I copied this idea from her.)
It's too cold to go to work.
I'd like to have sticky corn for breakfast.
song lyrics...though I'm sniffing and sneezing, afraid that I'll freeze, it's the best time of the year.
I'm going to call in sick. (I really don't feel well...not just the psychosematic kind either)
I think I'll make beirocks for dinner.
Duncan is the only kid I know that can take cute little animal toys and make them weapons. (Direct quote...you want me to hit you this bunny rabbit?)

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Probably the Funnest Weekend in the history of my LIFE!!!

On Friday at 6pm, my friend Liz called me. "Ben got home early, we can go." I told her I'd be ready in 20 minutes, hurried and finished up last minute packing--I'm a procrastinator, and then went to pick her up. As we were pulling on the 10th St--the main road in GB, I called another friend, Angie and told her we were on our way. A little over 2 hours later we checked into a hotel in Wichita--without husbands or kids.

That evening we went to a restaraunt called The Rowdy Beaver and we ate fried pickles among with other yummy appetizers. Angie and Liz liked the pickles, I thought it was kind of gross, but I liked the idea. I'm just picky about the kind of pickles I'll eat. the rest was tasty too.

The next morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel before checking out and it was the best customer service I'd ever seen at a continental breakfast. Way to go Hampton Inn West! The lady there was making sure everyone was eating good and getting more than enough. At one point she was clearing out table and picked up a spoon, I told her we were taking it with us and she told us to be sure to put some fruit in our purse while we were at it. I think that is a job I could do when I'm older! She was really fun. Her name was Sheila.

After breakfast we went to approzimately 10 stores in 10 1/2 hours.

Kohls

Burlington Coat Factory

Famous Footwear

Walmart

Scrapbook Memories

Hobby Lobby

Stop for Lunch at Red Red Robin

Stop for Gelato by Red Robin

Target

Stop for Steamers at Starbucks

FYE

Old Navy

Lane Bryant

We left Wichita at around 8:15 and got home at 10:41pm. All the guys were at my house watching BYU get stomped.

Highlights of the trip...

There was a girl who worked at Target named Dedra who spelled her name the same way I do. I've never seen that in my life. She too said her Mom and Dad didn't know how to spell it when they named her that. I personally love the way my name is spelled and I'm glad it's not the traditional spelling--Deidre.

Liz found 2 pairs of jeans that fit her. and they were less than 30 dollars for both of them on super clearance. She was extatic, we were happy for her because she was so excited. What woman doesn't feel joy when they find a good pair of jeans!!

We had a GPS with us--affectionately names Lola--who got us to most places with little or no trouble. Sometimes we went the scenic route and she did tell us that Red Robin was over 100 miles away, but Liz called Ben and got us a better address, then Lola led us there flawlessly.

We LOVE Gelato! None of us had ever had it before. I had Creme Brule, Angie had Coconut and Liz had Pistachio. We all tried each others, all 3 were delicious!

I'm DONE with my Christmas Shopping, and after I finished wrapping everything last night, I was able to put aside a few gifts, so their birthdays are done too.

Thank you to Ken, Ben B and Ben D for watching the kiddos so we could have a night away. It was so much fun and much needed.