Monday, February 23, 2009

{week of feb. 23 - march 1}

sunday, march 1, 2009

Diane and I have talked often how there is something special about catching people in photos from behind. It feels as if you are witnessing a special moment between the people without disturbing their privacy. Dad had taken Lucas out to see if they could see any of the fish in the pond. Just a quiet moment between a Grandpa and his grand son. One little photo can say so much. The story can be felt even though there are no words.

saturday, february 28, 2009

My Uncle Leon passed away this week and my sister and I drove to Utah for his funeral. I loved my Uncle Leon. I didn't see him as often as I wish I had, but I treasure the memories I have of him. My dearest memory was his challenge to a footrace whenever I came to visit. He was so fast and he always beat me. Once I finally beat him, and he never challenged me again. I know he could beat me now. I was grateful to hear the fun memories of him from when he was younger. His kids and grand kids shared stories; some that I didn't know and some that I had experienced with him myself. The picture it painted made him even more special and dear to me. He always told me he wanted me to sing at his funeral, and I was honored to be able to sing for him one last time.

friday, february 27, 2009

"I don't want to see," he said as the scary dinosaur part was coming on the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth. Isn't it funny that our need to see just overcomes our fear even at such a young age. It proves that temptation is a very hard thing to resist even in the youngest most innocent of souls. This picture just makes me smile.

thursday, february 26, 2009

This, my friends, is a dish I have eaten since I can remember. We call it Eggs Ala Goldenrod. I have found only a few people in my lifetime who eat this same dish. You hard boil eggs. Make a white gravy. Add the whites of the eggs to the gravy. Take the yokes and mash them up. Make toast. Put the gravy over the toast and then sprinkle the mashed yolks on top. It's simple, but oh so delicious. I made it tonight because the guy I'm dating was telling me I needed to try this great dish his mom makes called Goldenrod. I couldn't believe it. Someone who knows this same dish, small world? Maybe...we'll see. My kids were thrilled that there was a reason to make Egg Ala, as we call it for short. They love it. I might have mentioned that this Christmas we made it our new traditional morning breakfast dish. YUMMM!!!!

wednesday, february 25, 2009

I spend a lot of time in front of this computer. Honestly...TOO MUCH TIME...in front of this computer. Today, however, was with great purpose. I've got pictures all over the place on here, in tons of different folders. I was trying to get some organization to it all. I made some great progress, but I still have work to do. It's an important part of my history keeping. I'm not going to feel guilty about this part of my computer time. It's the Facebook, Gmail and random surfing that I've got to get under control. I vow to do it!!! I will take control of my life.

tuesday, february 24, 2009

This has been a very common view for me and Lucas over the last year or so. Lucas is a very picky eater. I've never had a child who is THIS PICKY! He is so far from the normal child eating habits that it baffles me. Most like cheese, french fries, potatoes, pasta, chicken nuggets and such, but not Lucas. He almost exclusively loves "hangaburs." It's ridiculous, but true. I've taken the easy way out and just dashed to Mickey D's often to grab a little cheese "hangabur" for lunch. I've got to fix this little problem...soon.

monday, february 23, 2009

Almost every night there is a sunset that takes my breath away. I've always loved sunsets. My kids even know how much I love them, because they appreciate their beauty as well, and love to point them out to me. I never tire enjoying a good sunset.

Monday, February 16, 2009

{week of feb. 16 - feb. 22}

sunday, february 22, 2009

Best Picture - "Slumdog Millionaire"
haven't seen
Best Director - Danny Boyle "Slumdog Millionaire" - haven't seen
Best Actor - Sean Penn "Milk"
haven't seen
Best Actress - Kate Winslet "The Reader"
haven't seen
Best Supporting Actor - Heath Ledger "The Dark Knight"
saw - he was great, but I just wonder if getting into such an evil sinister role
might have contributed to his depression before dying
Best Supporting Actress - Penelope Cruz "Vicky Christina Barcelona"
haven't seen
Best Animated Feature - "Wall-E"
Yeah!!!!!!!! Finally a great film for the WHOLE FAMILY.

saturday, february 21, 2009

Birthdays! So much fun. My niece's little son turned two a few days ago and today we got to go celebrate with everyone for his big day. This is the face of pure pleasure after having free reign to devour with both hands two personal cupcakes just for him. We all got to ice and decorate our very own cupcakes. What a great party.

friday, february 20, 2009

So remember back when I had my accident on the quad, well under the big scrape was a large mass of something. I went to see the doctor and she sent me to get it aspirated (sucked out.) I know gross, huh? They were worried that the blood might have started to congeal, which would mean they couldn't suck it out. They did a little ultrasound, numbed a spot near my scrape (OW!)and then pulled 75 cc's (almost a 1/2 cup) of blood from my leg. ***This is a representation made with Crystal Light Ruby Red, just so you could have a visual of how much fluid was under my skin. AWWWW...it feels so much better now.

thursday, february 19, 2009

Our stake had planned an Enrichment Night planned for the sisters at the Visitor's Center at the Mesa Temple, where we watched "Joseph Smith The Prophet of the Restoration" movie. I've seen it before, but the spirit was very strong as I watched this story again. I was moved to tears as I watched the depiction of a beloved prophet of God going through so much pain and adversity with such a strong Faith and Hope. I have no doubt he is a prophet of God. It has been testified to me through the spirit so many times. I am so grateful for his example of Faith and Hope. This was a wonderful night. I was lucky to be with wonderful friends and family, feel of the spirit of God's grace and enjoy the beauty of one of His glorious temples.

wednesday, february 18, 2009

These gorgeous ladies are my visiting teachers. They took Lucas and I out to lunch today. We met at a new place for me called "Blowfish." I knew they served sushi, which I have very little experience with, but they also had my favorite - shrimp tempura with tempura vegetables. It was delicious. They are the sweetest gals and I just love visiting with them and being friends with them. I'm a very lucky girl.

tuesday, february 17, 2009

After my visit to Utah, I came home with a variety of sweet gifts from Gma Mary. This little "duck" hat was for Lucas and he loved it. We had a whole photo shoot of different faces and angles with the duck hat on. As I was thinking about it just now, I realized that he is often wearing some kind of hat in almost every picture. He wears them mainly because he doesn't like having his hair done (squirted down and combed,) therefore, he asks to wear a hat instead. I love him in hats so it works for me. Everyone leaves the house happy...unless he wants a specific hat and we can't find it!

monday, february 16, 2009

We sort of have a tradition to hit a movie on these Monday holidays from school. We used to have sleepovers with the Giles the night before as well. Even with no sleepover, the kids were excited to go to the movies today. We chose to see "Coraline." It seemed reminiscent of Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas" and all my kids love that movie and others by him. This was fantastically animated and detailed. It's a cute little story, but scary. Lucas was a tiny bit frightened by the button-eyed mom that turns into a spider. I was able to calm him by saying she's very similar to Jack Skellington from "Nightmare." He loves Jack, so that made things a little better. I love these kids. I'm only sad Patrick couldn't join us. He would have loved this movie.

Monday, February 9, 2009

{week of feb. 9 - feb. 15}

sunday, february 15, 2009

Patrick is taking a guitar class at the community college. He started off at Beginner level, but the teacher moved him up to Intermediate. It was really nice to hear him play. He's very good, and occasionally he sings as he's playing. That's my favorite. We had such a wonderful visit. I'm so excited for his future. I think he's going to have great success and fun at school. Now we just have to wait to hear back from the schools.

saturday, february 14, 2009

We headed down to Missoula fairly early this morning to go check out the city and campus of University of Montana. Patrick has applied to school there. The gal who plays basketball had another game down in Missoula today too, so we went to watch her play again. These are both friends of P's from Montana Academy. The other picture is me eating a "Velveteen Bison" wrap. Yes...I can now say I've eaten bison, and it was A...MAZ...ING! I know a great place to eat if P ends up going to U of M!



friday, february 13, 2009

I am in love with this place - HuHot. It's one of those places where you grab bowl (or two) fill them with meats, noodles, veggies, spices and sauces; then you give your bowl to a guy who stir fry's it all together on a huge hot plate. There is a peanut sauce that I can't get enough of, but what makes it the best is I can pile a ton of cilantro in my bowl. I love that herb. Anyway, I was totally looking forward to going there as part of my trip.

thursday, february 12, 2009

It was so amazingly beautiful inside the new Draper Temple. This is right up from my old house in Utah, so there's a sentimental pull to it for me. I was so grateful to have my sweet friend go with me. It really was so peaceful and gorgeous. I'm always amazed at the attention to details that go into the temples. I tried to take in every little detail I could. I could feel the spirit so strong and I now I can't wait to go back in the summer when I go to the temple to do work. I got to see my FIL and his wife for lunch before I flew to MT for the weekend with Patrick. I got to MT in time to see one of P's good friends play in a big basketball game. She was awesome. She scored 37 points and broke the school record for most points. Great day!

wednesday, february 11, 2009

Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law. I met her and two of my SIL's for lunch at TGIFriday's and had a blast catching up. Of course I forgot to take a picture there. After that I went to check out the new office building that my BIL and good friend/dentist had built in my old home town. It was gorgeous, but I burst into tears when I happened to notice this plaque as I entered the building. I didn't know they were going to do that. I was emotional the rest of the day. I wasn't expecting all those emotions. The picture below was taken at the old PGHS gymnasium. My niece was performing her final drill team dance for Senior night. I can't believe she's already graduating. That...does not mean I'm getting old.


tuesday, february 10, 2009

It was so great to be back with my girls in Utah. I love all these guys so much. I'm only sad I wasn't able to see everyone. Hugs to those I missed. It was a sunny winter day, but so cold for my acclimated Arizona self. Kristie and I did a little shopping - so fun. Then we picked up Asian Star (best food ever) for dinner. Thanks Jen for letting all of us come over and eat and hang in your gorgeous basement. It was such a blast. I couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable evening. Seriously, these gals are so amazing. I've been so blessed to know these wonderful women.

monday, february 9, 2009

Oh, Lucas. He didn't just want to watch Blue's Clues. He wanted to watch the VHS tape we have, and on the little TV on the stairs where Tessa had been doing Sing star on the Wii. Notice pajamas from where he changed, a waffle in bowl, "light savor" on stairs...he's set. What a kid!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Just so you know! or This isn't fair! - couldn't decide on perfect title

Just so you know, I try not to say "this isn't fair," but sometimes I can't help it. I was just looking at some different photos of friends and reading about some others adventures on Facebook, and you know what I saw. Happy couples with their kids smiling and living life. Going on family vacations. Doing things with other couples. Maybe some of them some of the time are taking each other for granted or maybe a lot of the time they honor, cherish and adore each other. My life like that is gone, and right this minute I'm just thinking, "THIS ISN'T FAIR." I want it back, all of it. I don't want to be where I am. This is hard and lonely. I'm sad, and you know this dating thing well, it's not really all that fun. There's baggage. Both sides have baggage. Baggage doesn't mean bad. My baggage would be defined as four kids (good, not bad), I am a widow (good, not bad) and I had a great husband (good, not bad.) None of these things are bad, but when another person is looking, four kids might just be too much. Being a widow means I'm already happily sealed for eternity, and most men are looking for someone they can be happily sealed to for eternity. Having had an incredible, loving friend as a husband means the men aren't sure they're going to measure up. Now I'm not saying I don't have any "bad" baggage, but of course I'm not going to throw it all out there for everyone. Now of course we haven't even talked about the baggage that dating prospects hold, and likewise they have good and bad baggage. Well trying to find two people that can meld all the good and bad is darn near impossible. Now I know ya'll are thinking. "Seriously? You've just gotten back into dating. Where is all this coming from?" Well let me tell you, I've just been thinking an awful lot about this. I've watched people I know go through it, and I've been talking to lots of guys that are twice divorced now, because they all thought they could get past the baggage they both brought to the second marriage. That didn't happen, and now they're out looking for someone else. I know that all this searching and finding the right one takes time and patience, but what does that really mean - "the right one." If I already had "the right one," then what the heck do you call what I'm looking for now - "the okay one" or "the other right one?"

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!??????????? (I know one exclamation point and question mark are all you need, but this illustrates how my face is looking when I ask this question.)

Sorry, I usually don't do this, but when I was looking at all those happy couples I just lost it, and all I know is right this minute it just doesn't seem fair. Every other minute of the day, I don't feel this way. I'm strong and realistic and I know that others have crap they have to deal with that I would never want. During those other minutes I'm actually grateful for my life and how I've been blessed. But right now I'm having a major pity party for myself, and this is where I let it all out.

I know I was lucky to have had a great marriage for 18 years. I know I was lucky to be loved like I was loved by Mark. I know I'm lucky to have four amazing kids because of that marriage and love. I know I'm lucky to have an incredible family both mine and Mark's that love and support me. I know I'm lucky to have the most amazing friends, that also love and support me. There's more I know it. I'm not ungrateful! I also know that nothing is FAIR! But...then...after my ranting and my anger subside, I know that my Father in Heaven is still there. He still loves me, and I know that with His help, I will make it.

Wow...I'm not even going to reread this one...I'd probably end up deleting half of it. So you get the raw, uncut version.

Monday, February 2, 2009

{week of feb. 2 - feb. 8}

sunday, february 8, 2009

This is the physical evidence proving that one should not attempt to jump a quad over a 12 foot sand dune. I also bruised or cracked my ribs. They actually feel worse than my leg, even though the leg looks horrible. I was super lucky that this is all that happened to me. I remember when I was in the air thinking, "Oh, crap, this isn't going to end well." Before the accident happened, however, I was having such a great time. The sand spread out endlessly before us, and I felt like I could take on the world...and I guess I tried...oops!

saturday, february 7, 2009

Because I'd gotten hurt, I didn't get out to take many pictures. I managed to get a picture of Tess on this little three wheeler. She would just putt around right next to camp and had a good time. Chase and Lucas took a few rides around on this as well. Chase ventured a little further out on a big quad, and really enjoyed it. It had rained during the night and part of this morning, but it cleared up enough for everyone (but me) to get some more good rides in. By the time we were packing to go, it was raining pretty hard again. We had a great time. It is a beautiful place.

friday, february 6, 2009

So I mentioned that we pulled into the dunes late, and in the dark we pulled to close to stump with the trailer. We tried to back up before we punctured a tire or something and ended up getting the truck's wheels stuck in the soft sand. This was the scene the next morning as the "guys" were getting it unstuck. I was amazed that they pulled it off. Notice Lucas in the foreground just watching the whole event. It was pretty funny. Oh and today is the day I went for a ride with Doug on the quads and thought I was Evil Knievel. {see sunday for evidence of said silly thought}

thursday, february 5, 2009

The kids and I headed out to the Imperial Sand Dunes in California for a few days with a guy I'm dating and his kids. We left after school, so we got there when it was dark. Tessa and his daughter hit it off right away. They were up in the front bedroom of the trailer playing DS and drawing pictures.

wednesday, february 4, 2009

This is such a funny story. I was running errands with my sister when she saw this moon in a completely cloudless sky. She asked me, "Is that a small cloud?" To which I replied, "Um, that's the moon." She said it couldn't be the moon, because the moon just isn't out that bright in the middle of the day. I was thinking she was kidding me. I'm not poking fun, because lately my brain's definitely not functioning on full power anymore either. Let's just say I had a good chuckle.

tuesday, february 3, 2009

I've had this waffle iron for almost 20 years. It was a wedding present. It was acting up a little today when I was making our favorite Krustee's Belgian waffles, and I was so sad that it might be dying. This iron is so seasoned and they just don't make them like this anymore. I know, because I love giving one as a wedding present. Anyway, I can't believe it's been going strong for 20 years. I hope it's got another 20 left in it somehow.

monday, february 2, 2009

I love this boy's mind. He saw this large empty balloon in my room and his mind started working. He went and filled it with water and then attempted to bounce it on the tramp until it popped, which it never did. I took tons of photo's with my new camera. I loved lot's of them, but these are the one's we picked out together. His final experiment was filling up about 20 large balloons with water. Then he did a belly flop on them. He wasn't expecting that it would hurt, so it caught him off guard when it felt like a belly flop in a pool.