Food Bank Drop-Off

Remember all that food that was donated at Christianna's Birthday party? We finally took it all to the food bank today. It was great to go as a family to bring it to their center. Serving others gives you such a great feeling and I was grateful to share that with my girls today.

So PROUD!! (sniff, sniff)

On the way to Layton...

Chris and I were heading up to Layton to get some breakfast at Sill's Cafe. (Yummers x's 10!) While driving on the freeway we couldn't believe this:

(Can you see it? That little panda hanging on for dear life??)

Alright, so he doesn't look too scared...but we found this hilarious! Maybe he was trying to do some super ninja thing and the truck driver was some bad guy carrying illegal stuff....like fireworks or something.

Way to go KUNG FU PANDA!!!!

(Everybody was kung foo fighting.....da da da da da da dada daaah)

A Day at the Zoo

Today we took an impromptu trip to the zoo and met Heather, and her boys and Laycee.

It was a chilly day, but we were all bundled up and ready for some fun. There are not too many pics this time...I know, I was slacking.

We did see lots of animals, but these here were the wildest!

It was such a challenge to get all 6 of them on this Rhino and have them all look at me at the same time...hence not one shot of all their faces.

I know this one is blurry - but it has a story all it's own. You may be able to tell that Heather is laughing, hence the hunched back...if you look to the bottom right corner of the picture, you will see Christianna sprawled on the ground.

She totally slipped right off and down into the mud. We all thought it was hilarious - even Christianna.

That wraps it up!

Oh what a loverly day!

The Utah air has been ucky and gunky lately & I am so excited to see the blue, blue sky today. I just opened some windows, like I do when it is springtime. Ooohh, I feel a cool little breeze, I smell some really FRESH air, the wind chimes are singing to me and the sun shine is pouring into my kitchen.

I have fresh bread rising on my stove.

I am also all caught up on my blog!

In the words of Martha Stewart: "It is a good thing!"

Happy Happy Birthday Christianna, Dear!

We finally had Christianna's birthday party with her friends. We had to wait a few weeks so that we could have the most awesome face painter EVER there. Christianna decided that it was best to wait instead of not having facepainting. I agree...good decision.

We had decided on a carnival theme & I was super excited about the idea. This was the invite that we gave the girls. It was in the form of an admission ticket.

(So, I did have it on here until I was reminded by Heather - thanks by the way - that - DUH! Our address was on there! SO I took it off.)

We had a little note on the back that read,

"No Presents Please

Christianna would like to have a food drive instead of gifts this year.

If you can, please bring some canned/boxed food and we will deliver it to the Utah Food Bank.

Thank You!"

(For those who may be wondering whose idea that one was...I'll be honest. I did give her the idea and asked if that was something she would like to do. She was very excited about it and said YES!"

It was awesome as the girls showed up with a bag of food each! We are very much looking forward to delivering the food this week.

I even had this grand idea to hang one of those parachutes (the kind they use in school for kids to run under) from our fan in the lving room to make it look like a circus tent. Well, for safety's sake, I decided against it...the fan was kind of tipping to one side and I didn't want to risk it falling down and crushing someone. Turns out those things are a little heavy.

We played lots of girly games and they seemed to have more fun watching Abi paint faces. Between Hullabaloo, popcorn, bean bag toss, cupcakes, making cute flower decorations for their rooms, eating taffy and the limbo...not to mention the face painting...they had such a fun time together.

My sweet birthday girl. I love this picture.

A Big THANK YOU goes out to Uncle David and Heather for helping with the limbo game.

Turns out, Victoria is like the Limbo Queen. That girl is flexible.

This is Abi. Long story - but she and I used to be in YW together when we were YW back in PA. Came across her on Facebook and after reading her various posts regarding face painting at events in SL, thought I would see if she did parties too. WAHOO - she does!! It was great to see her again and catch up on our lives. She did an amazing job with the girls and I really think that was their favorite part of the party.

Here they are all painted up. We are missing just one friend, Daniela, who had to leave early.

Victoria just couldn't miss out on the face painting. Even I was tempted to have mine done! To be honest, it was kinda freaky to look at her with all that stuff on her face...you know? Her eyes were just POPPING out of her head.

Another party down....so many more to go. It was great to celebrate Christianna again and the wonderful blessing she is to our family.

Today Chris and I were able to go to a special program that the Red Pod had put together. It was called "The Melting Pot of the World."

Victoria's class started off with reading a poem. They also had some teachers talk about their native land. We learned a lot from Mr. Ghafarri and all he sacrificed to come to America for a better life and education. The other teachers also shared where their ancestors were from. It was really neat to learn about them. It was also great for the kids to learn how people can be different and from different places and still work together in our great nation.

Christianna's class sang the Star Spangled Banner. She had been practicing the song at the house for weeks. Apparently the shower has some awesome acoustics! Watch the video of them singing - it is cute.

Appointment #2

I went in again for my regular checkup today. It is so fun being able to see the baby already and how much has changed in a month. I still get teary at the miracle that I hold inside of me. I had to laugh too, as we were doing this, the baby was moving around a lot....kicking the legs in the air & then waving the arms. They even rested their arm over their head - just like I do when I sleep. The head is on the right side within that dark area in the middle.

The leg is kicking up in this one (above) looks like a little line on the left side.

(Below) The arm is over the head in this one.
Heather (across the street) is convinced that it is a boy. (I think she is seeing "things".) Only time will tell. Turns out we have to wait until the first week in March to see if we are having a boy or girl. I bombarded the Dr. with some questions too. Turns out, I can not go to Youth Conference June 15-19 in St. George. Just too close to the due date and the stress of being responsible for youth on top of being hugely pregnant will not be a good combo. Not to mention - it will be hot there. Even though I was a little bummed, I really wouldn't have been much help anyway plus, it would have been depressing knowing I was missing all the fun hiking and stuff.

Looking forward to my next appointment Feb. 10. I will hopefully get to schedule the ultrasound of awesomeness and I am being transferred to a new Dr. in the same office since my ob doesn't deliver babies anymore (sniff, sniff). I wonder if that has to do with the fact that he is now a Bishop? Hmmm, I wonder?

Callings out the wazoo!

Today was a very important day for me. I think it was the end of a whole slew of different callings in our ward. But before I get to the new, I will explain what I mean.

Let's go back to October 2008. This is the month where we officially started attending our new ward. I was soon called to be the Webelos leader. I was apprehensive at first because I am surrounded by girls and I had no clue how scouts even worked. Once I finally got my head wrapped around things, it turned out to be such a fun calling! And then...I was released.

I was then put into Young Womens as the secretary. I kinda laughed when given that one since I am SUPER BAD at organizational skills. Want proof? Ask Chris & then take a look at my office. But I persevered and did my best...for a couple months until I was moved to be the advisor over Personal Progress in YW. During this time I was also a Ma for our Pioneer Trek Youth Conference. (If you ask me, that is truly one of the best callings EVER! I would do it again in a heartbeat. Repeatedly.)

In September, I was yet again, released and put into the Primary as the secretary...thinking there is something I am supposed to learn here? Upon learning that a secretary makes or breaks the Primary organization (thanks Heather) I was seriously not going to be the one to let the ball drop. I put everything I could into making things work & run smoothly for the brand new Primary presidency...who were all new at it.

Which brings me to the here and now...On Jan. 10th I was to move once again. I was released as the secretary and then called to be the new Young Women's President. WOW! I am very excited for this new phase in my life...and not because I am practically guaranteed to be in it for two and a half to three years...it's because I love the girls! Spending all that time on trek with them helped me to really get to know and love them.

I know it is kind of a joke within the ward- all the different places I have been moved to within about a year and a month - but I know that callings come from the Lord, and I was grateful for each of the opportunities I had to get me to where I am now. I hope and pray that I can continue to be a good example and leader for these young women. I think back to my leaders and what an important role they had in my life and I do not want to let these girls down.

I came across this from the General YW President. In reference to all the young women in the world, they are our "bright, shining hope for the future," and we, as leaders, need to help them learn that they are daughters of God and that with that knowledge they can move forward with confidence.

I know that is true!

Lucky Dog

What an evening! Tonight we had our Pampered Chef team meeting in West Jordan. (Location will prove to be important in a minute.) It was like any other meeting, fun, friends, training and some food. I had carpooled with a friend, Shelly and her two kiddies. It all seemed uneventful enough, after the meeting was done we piled into our car and headed back north...about a 20 minute ride.

After we pulled into our driveway, I got out and opened the door behind me so the kids could get out. To my shock and surprise...there was a little white dog just laying there on the seat next to Phoenix, partly in his lap.

"Why is there a dog in the back seat?" was all I could muster to say.

"I don't know." Was the answer...

"Why didn't you tell us that Lucky had climbed into the car?"

"I forgot."

WOW! Normally this wouldn't have been too bad, yes a little frustrating...but I would have been fine dealing with it. EXCEPT, Chris was still at the YM activity and Heather was at my house staying with the girls - who were already in bed for the night - and now I had to ask her to stay even longer (thought Chris would have been home about an hour earlier) so I could return the dog to West Jordan.

I tried to see how it would go with Lucky & Minnie so I could maybe return him the next day...well, she was not happy with this little yipper in her house.

I called Debbie, for that was the dog's owner, and asked her if she knew where her dog was. I bet I sounded like I was asking a ransom or something. She said laughing, "Why, is he with you?" When I replied with a very big "YES!" She laughed even more. Apparently the little dear loves car rides.

Luckily she was ok with meeting me halfway and as I was heading out the driveway, Chris pulled up. Thank goodness, Heather could go home now and then I could get this little mutt to his rightful owners. Thank you Heather for aiding me in my evening of "When it Rains it Pours." (And for also not letting Minnie eat Lucky.)

Now every time we leave Debbie's house, I will make sure that we have not picked up any stowaways.

I guess you live and learn?

Who's my teacher?

The day started with so many questions...good ones too!

"Who is my teacher?"

"Where do I sit?"

"Which class is mine?"

Today was our Primary "Meet the Teacher" activity. It was a rough one with a bit of stress added to the mix, and let me tell you - I learned a lot of what we should do next year! But we pulled it off and the children seemed to have a great time. There were various stations and the classes rotated around the room to each one.

Tiffany did a musical chairs activity. Perfect for all those kids to get some energy out and run a little.

My dear Christopher was recruited to help out & I am so greatful that he did! He ran the scripture story memory game.

Even Bishop got in on the musical chairs action. (Who wouldn't? I would have if I had the time.)

Then ther was the Bingo station. The Bingo cards were so cute, if the square desribed you, you got to mark it. Just a fun spin on getting to know the new kids in each class.

This was the calendar station. They each made a chart to keep track of the monthly scripture that we use in primary.

We all survived, maybe a little worse for wear...but we did indeed survive. (It was a little crazy since the Primary Pres. was out of town on vacation & we were counting down the days until her return. 4 days left to go!)

Happy New Year!

Unfortunately, another event without my camera! I am seriously slacking.

Our wonderful neighbors, the Lymans, hosted a little shindig to celebrate the New Year. Awesomely it was early on - didn't think I would even make it to midnight with how tired I have been lately. We enjoyed friends, good conversations and lots of laughs.

After we had worn out our welcome, yet again...we headed home and got the girls ready and in bed. I let them stay up until after 10, that's 2 hours later than normal. Think what you want...but I was the one who would be up with them the next day and they needed sleep so there would be less crankiness. Especially with the primary activity the next morning.

I was definitely ready to go to bed at 10 myself. Chris really wanted to wait up until midnight. Turns out I am a crazy and supporting wife since I ended up staying up with him. Originally we were going to watch a movie, but it turned into channel surfing and watching shows about food! Luckily the last one was about all the various things people fry and eat. YUCK! Did you know that there are restaurants that are known for frying the following items:

BACON (insert puking sound here)

Hamburgers

Pickles

I know there were more things, but those really stuck with me (and would stick with you if you ever tried them.) I was actually intrigued by the pickles though...

Needless to say, we bought pickles on our very next grocery shopping trip and have yet to try frying them.

I am hoping that your New Years was a bit more eventful than ours, I think we did ring in the new year with a very tired kiss and then promptly turned off the TV and crashed into bed.