Thanks teach!

At the end of school last year Isabelle and I decided to gift her teachers a little thank you. Well, all of the teachers and aids at her school actutally! (It was a pretty smll school, I think 13 ladies total!) Anyhow, we had just gone strawberry picking and so freezer jam it was, all in all it turned out cute and yummy-the teachers loved it and we were happy! Here is how it turned out:

Later this summer we went blueberry picking and I made some blueberry freezer jam for the girls I visit teach. I like how it turned out a bit better! Enjoy!!!

-Casey

Hi Ladies! Okay, so, as you know, I've started taking classes again.....my last attempt a obtaining my never-ending degree. One of the classes I'm taking this semester is a Diversity in Education class. Our professor has required us, throughout the semester, to submit Video Responses. Meaning, he asks questions, and we have to video tape ourselves answering them. It was actually kind of fun (beats writing a 5 page paper the first week of class!), so I thought I'd share. Enjoy! ;-)

-Jessica

Toybox treasures

We have a few favorite toys around our place. These toys are here for the long haul and hopefully will make it to the day when our grandchildren can play with them. I had a friend growing up who had all her mom's barbies. Maybe it's just that I was HUGE into barbies, but I thought it was so so cool and I wished my Mom had saved some of her toys for us. To be fair, my Mom did save a lot of stuff but moving from Australia to the USA didn't allow her to bring a ton of stuff and most of the few things she brought got ruined in a shed that wasn't waterproof. :(

But, on to the topic at hand, toys:

I-play Fairyland House



Anything from North American Bear Company




We LOVE Mercy Watson Books!

We have a fun new family toy that I am in LOVE with, it was a bit pricey but has been worth it for us. A Madsen Bucket Bike! We are loving hitting the trail by our house and riding into the sun/wind/rain.

These are some of our favorite toys, I highly recommend them all! Enjoy!!!

-Casey

TOYS

This post is dedicated to all of the toys that I, the mom, just can't bear to get rid of! You all know what I'm talking about, right? No matter that your children no longer have any interest in them, they are just so stinkin' cute that you'll keep them until....forever!

La-Di-Dolls

I found these while visiting my parents in Salt Lake City, UT at Mormon Handicrafts.....waaaaaaaaaay back when Kami was about a year old. She really didn't quite understand the concept (it's like paper dolls, but with felt clothes and wooden bodies) until the next year. But, I love them so much, I bought one for AJ, too. Yeah. That's right. I bought a doll for my son. It's a boy, no worries!

Woodboard Puzzles

You know, the kind you can usually find at WalMart or Target? These puzzles bring back a lot of memories of my kids. Watching my kids put together a puzzle has prepared me for how their individual personalities learn. Kami is very vocal with her frustrations. Most times she growls, cries, wines and tells me, "It's too hard, I can't do it!", but, never once does she give up and walk away. She keeps at it until the puzzle is done. Then she does it again. And again. And again. And before you know it, she's an expert. AJ, on the other hand, will watch. He'll watch me. He'll watch Kami. And just when I think he's not the kind of kid who's interested in puzzles, he stops me in the middle of taking a load of laundry to the wash and says to me, "Look mom! Look what I did!" And there in the middle of the table will be a perfectly completed puzzle.

Little People Toys

They were super cute and a classic when I was growing up, and they are still going strong! I remember spending many a days playing and imagining with my Little People, I hope my kiddos will have happy memories with theirs as well!

Books, Books and Books!

Oh yes, aaaaaand, did I mention the books??? I love Children's Books! This is where true imagination begins! With TV and Movies, everything's all played out for you; there's not much left unsaid. But, aaaah. With books? The possibilities are endless! I hope my children love them as much as I do!

-Jessica

What time is it? It's nap time!

Okay, so this might be a little more extravagant for a Saturday Afternoon Craft with the Ladies, but, it's a super cute and easy Tutorial. It was intended for Kami to take to school with her to use as a nap mat....then I noticed that her school supply list stated "plastic" nap mat. Ooops! Maybe I can convince the teacher to let her use this one anyway.....

Anyway, maybe you could use it to send your kiddos on a trip to Grandma's or a best pals house. Jenny Garlands's ultra cute and super easy, free Nap Mat Tutorial can be found here: Nap Mat Tutorial

-Jessica

Go Mama Go!

Although our most frequently played with toy is for certain the little Mattel Disney Princess figures and their accessories, I must say my most favorite and recent toy is this Plasma Car.
While visiting my sister in Utah, Kate was introduced to the Plasma Car. Her and her cousins drove on these things for hours and kept themselves quite occupied! Then my sister said, "Try it out, it can hold 250lbs." Say no more. Momma and Aunt Chelle were racing around with kids protesting. It was so much fun! After our trip home, Justin's parents wanted to buy Kate a bike or ride on toy and I suggested this little beauty. (We had been to Toys R Us and tried so many ride on things, I wasn't liking any of them.) I know I have been on it just as much as Kate. Avery LOVES ridding it with me and I'll say it is quite the toy.

Cute little things

So, I too am blogging from the "road". The road in this case is my sissy's home in San Diego a block from the beach. Pretty rough accommodations I tell you what! ;)

Anyhow, I have a few fun little things to make, the first being cute fabric rosettes for clips or headbands. I really like this tutorial and the ideas for ways to use the rosettes. They're pretty easy and can be made into so many cute things, these are a must try. A girl I went to high school uses these to make some fun headbands-maybe a little too busy but certainly fancy!

Next:

I made these for the 4th of July and they turned out pretty darn cute, and they were super easy. I think they'd make a great addition to any party! Tutorial here.

AND last but not least pie in a jar.

I know this is more recipe than craft but it's sooo cute and can be used for gifts in so many ways/times of the year. Go here to learn more about these cute tasty treats!

So, none of these are my own creation but it's the best I could do right now, and they're all super cute/simple so give em a go! As a matter of fact let's give them a go together, when shall we craft ladies???

-Casey

"Out of the Office"

Hi Ladies! I'm blogging from my iPhone, so this will be short! I'm currently in the middle of "super small town" Mississippi for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's wedding festivities (Kami was a flower girl and oh so cute....pictures soon!), so I will be posting twice this next week. I've got some fun Super Saturday ideas that I'm excited to share with y'all (ooooh! See?? Proof I'm in the deep south! I just used the word "y'all"!).

Till next week!
-Jessica

perspective

I was preparing my lesson last week for my Young Womens, "Eternal Perspective." My sister sent me an email of a link to a blog (that she got from a friend in high school who knows the couple). Anyway, I read it, got swept up in it and have been keeping this sweet family and little baby in my prayers all week. When I woke up this morning, I found out she passed away and my heart broke for them. I can't imagine what they must be going through. Their family is so similar in ages to mine. I don't think anything is important today except paying more attention to my kids. I was going to go to the mall and now all want to do is lay on the floor with my girls. The mom shared this great song by Mindy Gledhill called: "All about your Heart." She said every time she heard it, she was reminded of her sweet Ruby.
-Melissa

Simple, Useful and Quick!

My most recent sewing idea came from when I googled tote bag. I found this super simple and cute tote bag when I wanted to make a gift bag for a friend and use up some of my material for a good cause. I really need to pair down what I have, so I experimented around with this pattern and I love it so far. I've used it twice now and I'm going to use it again for my own "handmade" version of a Dr.'s kit for a birthday party Kate is going to soon. I found the Dr. parts at the dollar store and then I thought I'd sew on a red cross on the front. Enjoy!

Virtually Shopping

"The quickest way to know is woman is to go shopping with her"

(Marcelene Cox)

A steady paycheck, two kids and 35 pounds earlier, I LOVED to shop! Now, however, let's just say I've taken a little bit of a different approach to how I shop. Unless it's a trip to the grocery store or Target, I very rarely shop at the brick and morter store....especially with my kids.....unless I'm shopping with someone else. The internet is actually my perfered way to shop. You can shop anytime, wearing anything AND you get a box in the mail in just a few days!!! Who doesn't love getting packages??? (Never mind that I had to pay for said package, but....still exciting!) . Here are a few of my favorite places:

Children's Clothes:

• Crazy8: Gymboree's "downline". They always have cute clothes, great prices and fantastic sales (especially around Christmas time)
• Gymboree: If I can't find what I'm looking for at Crazy8, I head over here....always shopping their sales, of course! I tend to also shop here for the annual Christmas outfit.
• Children's Place: This is where I bought Kami's school uniforms! Super great prices (with a combined sale!) and always uber cute.

Mama's Clothes:

• DownEast Basics: Okay, this is probably the only place online that I'll shop for clothes for myself.

Other:

• Amazon: This is my online "Target" store. I go here for just about anything else.
• Etsy: Unless I'm looking for handmade; then I go here!
• JW Illustrations: Lately I've become obsessed with digital clipart. I found this designer on Etsy, but found she has more images on her own website (like the image at the top of my post!).

-Jessica

shop till we drop.....

Tar-jey....probably my most very favorite place right now. Because right now, it works. I have 2 young kids and well, I know we can all get something there to make the shopping trip enjoyable. (Dollar Spot, clearance rack, and a little trip down the toy aisle to look at the toys.) I always tell Justin, I could live anywhere....as long as Target is within 15 minutes.


I love Ikea for just a general walk around and to get new ideas. It's my favorite to go to whenever we move into a new place. (And sometimes we make ourselves a little at home there.)

'
King Street shops are great when we are feeling like we've been cooped up in the house too long.


If I really want to shop... I go to Potomac Mills. Banana Republic outlet, J.Crew, H&M, Disney, and LaCoste? Now we're talking. Momma can always find something there. Kate loves it for the pretzel snacks and the rides that always seem to be not working, which is frustrating;).


But my favorite kind of shopping is when I get to go without the kids. Justin's family does a girls' weekend once or twice a year. I got to go on my first one shortly before we got engaged. It was so much fun and so nice to shop with just girls. (We did a little mini-one when we went out to dinner and then TJMaxx when I went home in June.)


I'm prepping Kate for her shopping adventures. After all, isn't shopping with the girls just the best no matter what store you're in?
-Melissa

I love to shop...

EVERYWHERE! But, since this is about FAVORITE stores, I'll just stick with those. It was tricky to narrow them down-somehow I managed! ;)

I think I speak for all of my lovely ladies when I say- TARGET-WE LOVE YOU!!! It almost goes without saying that Target is the best store ever for one stop shopping. They have great everything; cute decorative accents, fun everyday accessories, awesome childrens clothing, (although I have to say I much prefer the baby to 5T selection versus the older kids things) storage stuff, home-ish stuff and now with the addition of fresh produce-sheesh, I'm pretty sure I'm in love! Target, I really do heart you!

I have a pretty good time spending the hubs money with one of my fellow ladies here, we go to Potomac Mills and get down to business! We're always sure to at least hit the Banana Republic outlet and the JCrew outlet. They're lovely. I usually find a few things that just really need to come home with me. Both store have cute, fun, fashionable things. I really like their clothes, plus they run some pretty amazing promotions sometimes and I don't know about you but I LOVE a deal!

Last, but certainly not least, my fav grocery store:Wegmans!!!! Oh how I love to grocery shop at Wegmens, they are simply delightful. Seriously, they have the best produce ever-great selection/great quality. I even found fresh passion fruit there once! LOVE IT! The store is well lit and clean, the staff is helpful and friendly, AND, yes it gets better-it is so reasonably priced!!! I'm always surprised when I get to the check out that I only pay x amount of dollars and that alone is AWESOME! If you've never been to one, google it-I'm telling you- you will not be sorry!

And, those are some of my favorite stores to spend all kinds of money in. Happy shopping!!!

-Casey

APP-licable apps

Curse the day that someone got me an iphone for an early Christmas present. I use that thing WAY too much. And, sad to sad, I think my 3 year old uses it just as much, if not better than me. Here are my most used apps. (It's a darn good thing there isn't one to track how much time you've spent using them....maybe there is?)
1. Facebook: Why do I waste so much darn time on this dang thing?
2. USA Today: Part of my morning ritual, check the news. It takes me 2 seconds and I feel like I am the tiniest bit caught up in the world.
3. Kindle: Love that I don't have to own one. boo-yah!
4. Flixter: My sister-in-law just showed me this one. So-o much easier than looking up a theater and I love that you can quickly check out the closest theater wherever you happen to be.
5. CakeDoodle: Kate and I have spent countless hours baking our hearts out. When she becomes the next 'Ace of Cakes', I'll just say, I told you so;)
6. Camera+: This is my favorite camera app, because it definitely takes quicker pictures than the regular old joe that comes on the phone. (*and here's a little tip I just learned. If you want to take the shot at just the right time, hold your finger on the camera button and then just let go when the kids are actually smiling....instead of tapping it a million times. But, like Justin says, you can always delete them I guess;)
7. Gospel Library: Can I just say that I LOVE not having to lug my scriptures AND my diaper bag to church every Sunday? Granted, I don't have the markings, but I sure love to lighten my load.
8. Evernote: I used this for a good month and it was so nice for grocery lists and any other idea that popped into my head. I love that you can tag something and then refer to it later. This one has a ton of little memories of the kids, I quickly jotted down.
-Melissa

Hey Ladies, What's APPening?

Sorry, Ladies. Couldn't resist. Anyway. Ahhhh, Apps! So many to choose from! So many I don't know about! Here are a few of my favorite few:

1. Angry Birds - Rio Edition: Okay, so this is one App that I've resisted for a long time. Not sure why. Maybe because everyone else seemed to get addicted to it, so I knew it would be danger on my phone. Finally, my ever so persistent and convincing cute faced five-year-old daughter talked me into adding it to my phone. Rio Edition was her specific request (how do you do one of those sideways smiley faces with an eye roll???)
2. Yoga: Wow. I don't think I ever need to go to a Yoga Class again with this handy-dandy App! It's very complete and thorough, giving you the pose you need to be in with the length of the pose. My only complaint is that it's very....what the word? Glitch prone? That the creators are always having to fix (for example, sometimes the timer speeds up through the poses...kind of annoying, but, still a very, very good App).
3. Old MacDonald: Okay, really anything by 'Duck, Duck, Moose' is super cute! They take children's songs such as "Old MacDonald", "Itsy, Bitsy Spider", "Wheels on the Bus", etc. add some ultra cute interactive animation and viola! My kids are entertained for a long while! Oh yes, and, you can set the songs to different languages. Want to your kids to listen to the song in: French, Spanish, Italian or German? Easily done! You can even record your own voice, if you'd like!
4. Kindle: I'm not really itching to go out and buy a $100+ Kindle when I can download it for free on my iPhone! One thing I really love about the Kindle....you can read at night! I cannot tell you how many times I've woken up at night and couldn't fall back asleep, so instead of turning on all of the lights, I just pulled out my iPhone and turned to the page of the latest book I was reading. The only drawback....my kids associate my phone with games. So, when they see me pulling out the iPhone to read, they assume I'm playing games and hoover around me like bees to a bees nest. So, do pull out the good-ole fashioned book now and then...just to show your kiddos that you are actually reading!
5. Groupon: Who doesn't love a good deal? The thing I love about the Groupon App is, when those good deals come along, all I have to do is click "buy" and it stores the purchase in my phone. No need to print out anything. Save a tree and download the Groupon App, if you enjoy your Groupons!
6. LDS Gospel Library: Of course, this goes without saying that this is one of my favorite Apps. Not only does it have the scriptures on it (I love being able to pick up and read the scriptures anytime, anywhere!), but you're also able to upload Hymns, Children's Songbook, Manuals, Church Magazines, Conference Talks and probably more! Comes in very handy.
7. Fit Builder: Okay, this is probably my most used App. I use it at home to Cross Train or when I can't go to the gym and only have access to my dumbbells. I use it in addition to my running when I need a quick warm up or cool down (push ups, sit ups). And I use it at the gym for a complete Strength Training and/or Cardio workout. It's my own little pocket Trainer. I can take it where ever I go. No excuses.
8. CardStar: Another super handy App. I was in Build-A-Bear a few months back and as I was checking out, the lady asked me if I had one of their customer savings cards. I knew I had one....somewhere. So, she asked me what phone number it was under. She could look it up in their system. Problem is, I've had about 5 phone numbers in the last 5 years (okay, I might be exaggerating, but, you get the point) and no way do I remember them all. So, she reapplied me for a new customer card and then pulled out her iPhone and introduced me to this App. You download it, then manually type in the number on the backside of your customer cards and it stores all of your card numbers! It even creates a bar code so that the checker can just scan your phone and get your number! How crazy cool is that??!!! No more thick wallet with a million customer cards in it and no more tacky things handing off of your key chain! Love. It.

Anyway, hope this gives you some ideas on some Apps, if you're in the market. Happy APPing, everyone!

-Jessica

Favorite-not so much, useful-VERY!!!

So, this week we're talking about our favorite apps. I have a few go-to apps that's for sure! What might they be? In no particular order, (and if I was going to put them in one surely I'd put my scriptures app first so as not to appear the heathen that I'm sure I am!)

1. Flixter- It's not as if I see movies every day, but it is a handy dandy app, great for checking showtimes, upcoming theater and DVD releases. Even watch trailers!
2. LDS Scriptures-This is my go-to scripture app. It has everything. Scriptures, manuals, neat bookmakering/highlighting features. I LOVE this app!
3. Redfin-It's a real estate app, and I'm not so much looking to buy a new home, but it's still fun to, shall we say, browse? It has a neat-o "homes for sale nearby" feature that I like, I break that bad boy out at least once when we're road tripping just to see what's out there.
4. Lost It-This is a good calorie/exercise/weight tracker. It has a ton of name brand AND everyday foods. I wish it would track water consumption, wait, it might, I'll have to check!
5. Period Tracker-This app, ah-hem, more geared towards my ladies, I don't know about you, but I'm really bad at remembering and this handy dandy app does it for me! IT tracks you cycle, weight, moods, and does your taxes! Okay, the taxes not so much, but I did notice the other day it has a "pregnancy" mode and will count down the weeks until your due date with interesting facts and such-we'll see if that feature ever gets used. ;)

Last, but not least, and the true inspiration for my very compelling title,

Couch to 5K! Do I love this app? NO!!!! As a matter of fact I was in tears last night over this stupid thing! Useful, VERY!!! I can not say enough good things about it, bad things, yes. I kid, is joke! I really do like what it's doing for me, but its tough going. I'm pretty shall we say, "fluffy" so to get out there and run with all my, "fluff" jiggling around isn't easy, BUT, I'm doing it. Week two and going strong, or at least going. I've had it on my phone for maybe ever, and it was the lovely Jess that finally gave me the motivation/kick in the pants to start it, so THANKS JESS!!!!! Anyhow, these are the apps that I use on almost a daily basis. Try em out!

Walking a mile without shoes...

So, speaking of lessons and taking a cue from Jess, I'll skip all my excuses and jump right in!

Picture it, February 2002 Payson Utah on a VERY cold snowy morning. I was driving home from an early morning English class, (why I thought a 7:30 am class was a good idea I'll NEVER know!) in a rather grumpy mood. Growing up in CA I was not accustomed to snow and felt super annoyed at having almost landed on my bum for the 10th time that week due to the fact that I was severely lacking in snow paraphernalia. Specifically: shoes. I was wearing some old sneaks without any traction whatsoever. I remember pulling off the freeway prepared to rant and rave to my mom as soon as I got home. Right as I pulled off the freeway right away I saw a homeless man walking. For whatever reason I noticed his feet and right away felt like a GIANT jerk face. He didn't have any shoes. He was walking with plastic grocery sacks rubber banded to his feet. Oh. My. Goodness. How humbled was I? Here I was feeling so sorry for myself and so upset at what I didn't have that I failed to recognize all I did have. Sheesh, I was soooo embarrassed and instantly felt so blessed and well cared for. Shoes, who cares about shoes!

It was a quick instant, but in that instant I came to know what I've probably always known but forget sometimes, simply-there will always be someone who has more than me-and there will always be someone who has less, I need to be happy with what I do have, not upset with what I don't have/want.

I'm a jealous lady, I compare myself to other people and have always wanted things to be "fair". I'm working hard to not always want more, more, more, I've come to learn time and time again that when I compare myself to someone else I'll always come up lacking and that never feels good, AND-life isn't fair. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people, to be "fair" the opposite is also true. The thing is, when I focus more on being happy with what I do have and spend my time tying to better myself and serving others I don't have time to sit around and feel sorry for myself. Plus, life is really good. Even in the challenging times, and we all have them, I find so much comfort in the gospel and the promise that if I try my hardest one day things will be just as they should. WE are blessed. We have so much and I am thankful for the ridiculous amounts of blessing that have been coming my way and the ability to find blessings even in the trying times. AND, I'm so happy to have such lovely lady friends! Thanks girls!!! I'm so happy to be bloggin' it up again!!!

Good Things to Come....

Lessons. Trying times. Experiences. I've had a lot of them. (I'm almost 29 after all!) But I think the one that sticks out to me the most is the one I first learned during my first year at Ricks College. I was so pumped for my first year, but also so scared if all my "plans" would work out the way I envisioned them. My goal since early high school was to be a dental hygienist. I was also stressing about dating and marriage and all that fun stuff. About that same time, a friend of mine from my first job at a video store contacted me and said he was going on a mission. I was excited for him, but a little shocked. At the time we worked together, there was no interest in the church on his part. But I went to his farewell with another friend and as we were leaving his house, he asked for my address and we went on our way. I got a really great first letter from him about his conversion. Letters and letters later, he sent me this talk which will always be my favorite, because it was exactly what I needed to hear at the time and I still often find myself referring to it time and time again. It is by Jeffrey R. Holland entitled, "An High Priest of Good Things to Come." It has become such a great talk, in fact they even made a Mormon message about it. My friend sent me the cassette tape he had of that conference talk along with a written copy and I remember crying the first time I heard it! That stage of life can be so rough and so great and sometimes all you really need is just to have faith that things will all work out. Now I just got called to Young Womens, which I am super excited for. I love this age they are at and even more the age and years they are about to embark upon. How exciting, how scary, how neat! If I could do it all again, I think I would just tell myself to hang in there, keep the commandments like you're doing and just have faith because things will all work out. And, in fact, most the time, even more so than I ever could have dreamed! I mean, look at this great little group I got going here......

Best lesson for sure: "Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come."
-Melissa

Purpose

Okay, okay. I know. It's been too long since me, or any one of use has written any blogs posts. BUT! With a renewed spirit to make this blog what it is meant to be, here I am! Being committed is one lesson that I've had to learn time and time again. And speaking of lessons....this weeks blog topic (excuse me while I just jump on into the post with no more mention of what a slacker I've been.....) is on "favorite lessons I've learned".

However, my favorite lesson isn't one that I've learned, but, rather the one that I am learning. "What is it?" You might be wondering to yourself; this lesson that I am learning? I am learning that my life has no meaning if I do not have a purpose. I know. I know. Pretty obvious, right? Well, it's only taken me 32 years to figure this one out, so, shush. ;)

This lesson that I am learning became apparent to me this past week, as I've been taking up a challenge laid down by one of the Sister Missionaries serving in our ward. A few weeks ago we invited the missionaries over to our house for dinner. I know the routine. I cook. They eat. They share a message and their testimony. They challenge or encourage us as a family to pray for a missionary opportunity. They leave. I forget about the challenge.

This time, however, it was different. This is how the night went: I cook. I realize that not only are the Sisters coming over, but, the Elders as well. I scramble to add more food on the table. They eat. The share a message and their testimony. They pull out two copies of the Book of Mormon. Touche! A challenge that I can't just forget about! Here's what I'm supposed to do: read the Book of Mormon, and as I do, highlight any and every reference to Jesus Christ that I can find. As I'm doing this, pray for missionary opportunities and, at the end of reading The Book of Mormon, find someone to give it to. I have never been so excited about a challenge in my life! Why?? Because I have been asked to read the Book of Mormon with a purpose!

So, this week, I have been reading and marking. However, because I am who I am and I have to make things more difficult, I decided that I'd take this challenge a step further. I came across a blog this weekend (sorry, I'd reference it, but, I was surfing for boredoms sake and just happen to come across this particular blog....I can't find it again!) where this guy was sort of doing the same challenge. Except here's what he did:

in GREEN  he marked every single reference to Jesus Christ or God the Father (including pronouns).
in BLUE he marked God's communication with man (remember: God doesn't always communicate directly with man....that's why we have prophets.
in RED he marked the instance when man does something to merit that communication.

Here's what my Book of Mormon looks like so far

As I take this challenge, I look at other aspects of my life where, had there had not been a purpose, I would have not been successful. I think that Heavenly Father knows this about me (obviously before I knew about it myself), and where He has needed me, has given me a purpose. What more can I say? I feel so blessed. I feel so loved. And I am so grateful for this opportunity to not only read the Book of Mormon and feel my own testimony grow, but, to have the opportunity to share my testimony with someone who is waiting to hear it.

UPDATE: Found the blog I was talking about!! Here's the link. I read a couple of his other recent blogs posts...he's a pretty funny guy!

Strawberry EVERYTHING!!!!

So, when I was little I was BIG into Strawberry Shortcake. SO much so that one year I had a strawberry EVERYTHING birthday party. Strawberry cake, strawberry icing, strawberry ice cream, strawberry soda, strawberries, hot dogs-good thing those weren't strawberry-and a strawberry shortcake theme to go along with it all. It was an awesome party. Also, everything was pink, plates, cups, napkins, streamers-you name it-pink. So why wasn't I wearing pink in my awesome picture? Couldn't tell you, but BOY OH BOY am I the picture perfect ragamuffin or what?
THIS:

is the child that wanted a PINK party???? Yes, yes it is. Note the strawberry shortcake wrapping. I was serious and VERY committed to my theme folks, pretty good for a four year old.

Prom '97

Sorry ladies! I'm a day late here. Last week as an absolute whirlwind (I had my all day Orientation at USF *Go Bulls!*, a Relief Society Weekday Activity to get ready for and carry out AND I had a ton of preparation for Sunday with my new calling as......Primary President! All in one week! I kid you not! Two awesome Counselors, many, many emails and one long meeting later, we were ready to face the kiddos on Sunday!)

Anyway. Enough about me now, let's talk about me then! Prom pictures, I promised and Prom pictures you will get. In fact. Here's my whole scrapbook page!

Prom was, as you can see, interesting. Not so fun then, but a super fun story to tell now! I mean, how many people end up going to Prom with their ex and spend the morning in the ER to find out you've got strep throat? Looking back, I wonder, why we just didn't say "forget it" and bag the night. Then I remember. We  were two stubborn kids. I had gotten it into my head that for some reason my high school experience wouldn't have been complete without going to Prom. I reeeeaaaalllyyyy wanted to go. And my date, bless his heart (I guilted him into taking me in the first place), worked really hard for his $ and probably was thinking, 'I paid for all of this already, so I'm taking her even if she's on her deathbed!'. Okay, who am I kidding. It actually wasn't as bad as I let on. We had a nice dinner with our friends (or, he had a nice dinner...I had Jello), we got all dolled up and we danced. What more can you ask for, right?

BTW, I hate this picture of me! I think I must've been trying to swallow or something. Strep hurts!

Not exactly Jacob Black...

but he did have long hair. Braids as a matter of fact. LONG braids. Who am I referring too? My Senior Ball date of course! Good ol' James what's-his-name. No seriously, what's his name? Even if you asked I couldn't tell! I don't remember!!! :| I know his name was James and I know he was some kind of Native American and I know he was a super nice guy and he asked me to prom super last minute through a mutual friend that knew neither of us wanted to go stag. Also, I know my mom dug his super long braids even if I didn't. Also I know that never ever in my life will I post those pics on this here blog. Any blog for that matter! AND, I know that I chickened out and gave him a quick hug before I scooted along in the house. POOR GUY! I'm pretty sure he was hoping for a bit more after going to the trouble of taking some girl he didn't really know to prom but...he really wasn't Jake-maybe if he was the night would have ended differently! ;)

PS- It's good to be back! I'll not let so much time pass between posts again. I'm trying hard to keep the hubs healthy and out of the hospital and trees in their upright and locked positions NOT smashing sheds/garages and the like!