Egg-xtra Excitement!

Tis Time for a Post!!!

The ever changing Utah Spring weather has brought a bit of sickness to our home. :( We have had runny noses, allergies, sinus infections and more but all is well. We have been trying to enjoy the sunny weather by playing outside, and with picnics at the park.

We are in the 6th week of clubs at school which in turn means my job will shortly come to an end. This will be the first summer that I will not work with 4-H. I am excited, scared, happy and sad all at the same time.  Sad to not being able to work with my students doing the job I love. Scared for the lack of cash and a tighter budget we will have to live on. Happy to be home spending time with my family. I don't have to go anywhere if I don't want to. And excited to do some house and crafty projects that I just don't have time to do!  AND  This summer comes some fun adventures! Girls Camp, Lehi Round Up, Jims Scout Camp, Lava Hot Springs, Lake Mead, Youth Conference and The Trasmundi Reuion in San Diego!!! 

If I stick to my couponing and shopping at Buy Low Market for my produce things will be ok! I know if we pay our tithing and limit our extras we will be fine. 

LOOK at all this awesome produce I got for only $36.00!!!

 Speaking of Excitement!

After being at UVU for almost 8 years Jim finally got his own office. It is very VERY small but he is still very VERY grateful to have a place of his own. Yeah for feeling special!

More EGG-citement!!!

One of the classes I took at LEADERMETE, the very fun work conference I went to in Brigham City, was egg dying. I got to die eggs with onion skins, tape, rubber bands, oil, & wash cloths! 

We have been trying to do FHE everyweek.  We are following the new nursery manuel and adapting it to our family. It is working great! 

A few weeks ago we talked about how we have a spirit and a body and how here on earth they are together. We made spoon puppets with a spoon being the spirit and then we added the clothes or body. JO had a BLAST playing with these! She even played with them the next day.

The other night we had a messy house. We decided to clean the house! Later that night Jo reminded us that we didn't have a "good" Family Night we "needed to talk." SO Jim  being as AWESOME as he is then related our cleaning the house to the gospel. He did an excellent job! We talked about how we want our houses to be clean like temples and churched and how everyone is more happy when their houses are clean. I CAN't ARGUE WITH THAT! We then told her that we want our house to be ready for Jesus to come at anytime.. that got her excited! 

Then we had to have an activity, JO said we had to. We got out the doodle pros and had

Drawing time! It was a fun event. We drew pictures of all sorts anywhere from the Characters on the CARS movie (of course) to Jo's masterpiece of our little eternal family. 

NOTICE the girls are wearing crowns and check out that LONG hair! 

 

!!!COOTIES!!! A new game for the kids we have been saving for a rainy day came to life this last week!  JO and Ryker have been enjoying playing with their "bugs." Jim built a stage for them and they put on a show tonight it was cute!

St. Pattys Day 2009

WE  had a good St. Pattys Day and hope you all did too.

Reasons why I like St. Patricks Day, in no particular order.

1- It's not OVER commercialized yet?

2- I am a March baby so it's in my blood.

3- I like to wear the color green.

4- I don't have to worry about buying presents for... anyone

5- I work for 4-H and that is our color and logo and I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

6- You can get really really creative with this holiday, green food, hair dying, green tutus

7- I Love Rainbows, GOLD, one of my favorite cereal is Lucky charms.

SO today started off with a healthy breakfast of Cheesy Eggs and Lucky Charms... :) NO green eggs and ham for us, as JO had them at school on Mar 2nd and wouldn't touch them.

We all decked out in green. JO was green from head to toe and she did it all by herself. Ryker didn't want to. He wanted to wear a RED monkey shirt and did but after a milk spilling accident and wanting to match JO he budged.

JO and I made some sugar cookies with my 4 Leaf Clover cookie cutter from 4-H. Then after school she and Jim frosted them and had fu! They turned out cute, see for yourself. Thanks to Gma Innes' recipes.

Well that about wraps it up.

Today JO said something so funny though. This conversation was about her not wanting to go to school because she was tired. I told her...

 "well then maybe you should go to bed at a decent hour." She said "when  I am big and have my own kids, they aren't going to school." I said "what about when they grow up?" She said.. "they won't they will stay zero" I laughed. Then later when I told her that we all have birthdays and we have to get older she said "okay they can be 4 and that is it!"

Silly girl!

An Embarrassing Moment

Today I did a silly thing...

Setting: The Chapel @ Church, and My home

Time 2-3:30 PM NAPTIME!!

After taking tired lil Ryker out of the chapel during the sacrament and then trying NOT to let him have too much fun being in the foyer I was done. He was just soo uncontrollable either place sooo I decided to leave church  because I didn't have to teach. 

Not minutes before  I had left my friend Kari had also left home with her girl to get something.

So I came home with a crying Ryker. He was crying "I want to go to church, I want to play with kids.." soo cute.. but I was not giving in.  At home I immediately tossed him in his bed and with secs he was out. Poor Lil Guy :)

Then it dawned on me. I hadn't told Jim I was going home. (I wasn't thinking about it after Ryker had kicked me in the nose while throwing a fit.)  HE can BE such A Crazy Monster when he is tired.

So I decided maybe Kari was still home and tried her by phone. Well no answer so I thought oh well Jim will figure it out.

Minutes later my phone rang. It was Kari. I said "Are you going back to church?" She said "I am at church." Surprised I said..."Oh no you take your cell/home phone too church I am sooo sorry." Apparently she hadn't silenced it and I am sure it went off in the chapel and I most likely embarrassed her in sacrament."  I felt soo bad and just couldn't apologize more. She was sooo sweet though and was just wondering if I was ok. :) I have some great friends in this ward. 

Thanks Kari  for not being mad and for getting JIM the message and sorry again!

Ryker and Joisms.

Ryker is growin up here is some things I want to remember about him.

Ryker is in to saying lately.. "_insert name here_, you are in twouble, you go to time out NOooooooooW!"  or "go back to bed now" or he told his dad to go back to work now today SAT. :)

He is getting quite fiesty. He also today was looking at Target ad and was saying this to the boy in the add who had his cars and "wouldn't give em back" now how do you explain to a 2.5 year old that the boy in the picture is just that picture...:)

He also says "good job" when you do something cute and it is soo cute

He is growing up so fast. He will be 3 in May. He wears size 5 and is so smart. I am just latching on and suck all this in right now as he is my baby. HE does cute things like after he gets out of the tub, he wants "UP" and then he wants to sleep on my shoulder or have me lay with him on his bed for a second.. Ahhh so sweet! Definitely helps with my baby hunger lately. That sounds wierd like I want to eat a baby Why do we say that then? Ewww...

Yesterday I asked him for a kiss and he said "yes" and proceeded to give me a kiss. Then I gave Jim a kiss and big hug and Ryker said "MOm I want a hug, a big hug I wuv it!" It was to die for. That is his new phrase as of last night. WE were at the store and he would say I want this.. we would say no not today and he would say "but I WUv it"

JO today said something sad but understandable

This morning she said "Mom I have decided I don't want to be a mom anymore when I grow up." My heart about hit the floor. Then I asked why and she said "Because I don't want to work. I won't be able to play with Izzi and Ali and Shelby." We then had a talk about how I like to work and how not all moms have to work and how I still have friends and get together with them too.. It was kind of a bittersweet moment. Here I thought she missed me while I was at work but NO it was just because she didn't think she would have time to play with friends.

Funny story about JO

The other day we had a first FHE! It went well. We are using the Behold Your Little One Nursery Manuel and just adapting it. It works great! We colored all about me books. Jo did great. Ryker made us color about 20 cars on the page of his likes.. go figure. We made a file folder with family members and talked about how everyone is a child of god even people who make bad choices.

So we were talking about Moses.  Jim was telling the story of the his people and the 7 ? curses, because he is so good at telling the stories. He talked about how Moses said if you don't let my people go ..._insert curses here... then of course it happened and JO would say "yes" like Napolean Dynomite sp? With the hand fist gesture and everything. We tried to explain to her that it was really sad but couldn't help but laughing at her pleasure in knowing the people were going to be punished.  Awful I know but you are laughing as you picture this right?

Birthdays are for the birds or are they?

Thanks to my awesome family and friends turning 27 wasn't bad at all. I had a fabulous birthday. It was great! To me... my birthday is just another day but to my hubby tis not soo. I always get really spoiled and I am so grateful for him and the rest of my family.

His bday most of the time gets put off,  and/or combined with JOs and the Superbowl. One of these years I am gonna knock him off his feet with the best birthday ever. He definitely deserves it!!!

So it all started with my lil JO telling me happy birthday in the morning and rushing to make a cute card.

Then Jim brought me some CAFE RIO for lunch and a Granny B's pink cookies.. calories don't count on your birthday right? 

AND I my mom stopped by on her lunch break to say hi! She let a gift and balloons upstairs quietly. It was fun to see what she got me as I went upstairs to head off to work. I got an awesome waffle maker that has a timer and you flip it over! I have been wanting one since they first started putting them in hotels. Jim also showered me with a night out, and some gift cards to Bath and Body works and Old Navy. Yeah for more smelly stuff and new clothes!

Then I logged on to see Jim has posted that sweet birthday wish post for me and all my friends wishes on facebook WOW!!! What a day! I feel so loved!

After work, which went well b/c I didn't have to deal with the rowdy boys in the soccer club, I cam home. The YW presidency made a quick visit with a darling homemade card and some treats. Then off to Lehi... 

On the way.. JO says "I want to be a cowgirl, doctor and  a mom when I grow up" that was cute and original don't you think.

The kids went to Gma and Gpa Innes' for the night. While we went out.

Feeling a little sick to my tummy, and full from lunch I wanted a light meal. We went to JCW's in AF.. SOOO GooD!  I got a kids meal..hehehe! It was great. Then we went to the movie "PUSH" which was good too. I asked if I could finish the night off  right with a $1 Hot Fudge Sundae at McDs and that we did.

When we arrived to get the kids. They were so excited to see me. Jo and Aunt Angela and Baby Ali had made sugar cookies for my birthday. They were delicious and such a sweet thing to do. Jo loves to be with Auntie Ang and Uncle Ross and then add Baby Ali to it and life is really good.

So funny story about these cookies...

" AS we were leaving Lehi we pulled out of moms culdesac and heard a big thump. I said what was that... Jim was like.. "UH OH I put something on the roof because I was trying to get Ryker in the car." Well Ang... your hard work down the drain or road I could say.  We found lots of pieces some off the roof, some off the road and some in the dirt. WE picked up all we could, checked em out, made sure there were edible and then scarfed them all down!" Hee Hee. 10 sec rule right? well probably 30 sec when we found them all.

Thanks for a great birthday everyone! It was awesome! I love you!

Happy Birthday Leslie!!

I just wanted to give my wonderful a wife a big Happy Birthday today!!! She is an amazing woman and such a huge blessing in my life. I am grateful for her love, influence, strength, and support. Here's to many more wonderful birthdays together my Leslie Jo :) Love ya!

Sunday Funday!

SuNdaYs are such Crazy Days for us, but usually always worth the craziness! 

They are suppose to be a day of rest but to us they are usually just Go Go Go. We have church meetings, lessons to plan, actual church, dinner with family in Lehi, card or board games, great food and more! 

Now the day may not be so crazy if church didn't start at 2pm but we all have to take our turn at late church. :)  I like late church, being able to sleep in, not having to wake up kids, having the chance to actually do JOs hair up cute and even getting a bite of real food in is nice. 

However getting out at 5PM and having to come home hurry and change, get to Lehi for dinner and then 3-4 hours later coming home again makes 2PM a time I don't like for church. Lots of parents in the ward are on the same page with me as it's usually nap time, the kids are tired and onory which make the parents tired and onory. Add in a fast and that is even harder!

Sundays are funny days in our house. Sometimes I wonder why we even bother going to sacrament as I feel like I am entertaining and reprimanding kids at all times.. BUT I go because it's important to set a good example for my kids and I am commanded to. 

I loved church today! Besides the minor fact that I felt like my head was going to explode. The kids were pretty good. The testimonies born of the Savior, the reality of living and not living the gospel, ones that professed great gratitude for the BIG family that we as church members can be a part of... these were all very inspiring to me. In Young Womens we talked about the divine roles of women and I was touched.

Today I woke up with a massive sinus infection and a little later than normal. I had a great day yesterday with my friends in the ward at an all day Sit n Chat and Finish that. We talked and worked on projects from about 2 till 11. It was sooo fun! Because of the late hour that I arrived home I just left all my crap by the front door. BIG NO NO

Nothing make me more irritated and onory, short with my kids and Jim, and stressed is when the house is a mess. I started feeling like I hate Sundays,  I want a bigger house, I even didn't want to go to church.

Soon I realized that I needed to just calm down. As I did things started to fall in place. We didn't have to fight Ryker or Jo over what to wear, hair got done, my outfit went good together, we got to eat, and all of us were ready for church in time to get a bench. 

Now getting a bench is important to me because I have bad hearing and the loudness is in the back where the overflow goes into a gym with wood floors so there is an echo too make it harder to hear and kids love to test it. :) (even mine)  PLUS today my head felt like it was going to explode so I wanted to be close. If we get a bench then it sort of traps Ryker in and he can play on the ground, or lay down,... if he wants. He is still a bit loud but my kids are just loud, like me. Jim and I sat and the kids were really good, they colored, played with toys, ate some fruit snacks and for the most part were really good. I actually got something out of the meeting for once and it was pleasant!!!

My one friend calls this stage the hall stage, because often you are out in the hall walking or disciplining kids when you are at church. We didn't have to do the hall or foyer thing today and it was great!

I don't know why I blogged about this? Maybe it will help some moms know that they are not alone if they too are in the hall stage. Maybe to make me realize a clean house won't get me to heaven, but keeping the commandments and being a good example to my kids can, or just maybe to remind me when I am having a hard time to take it easy and know that "this too shall come to pass,"and to "come what may and love it." 

Have a GREAT week!

Parent Teacher Conferences and being a MOM

There are times when I just don't want to work anymore. When I just want to either go back to school or just be at home with my kids. Today was one of those days. We had fun this morning, it wasn't a hurry up morning we played, we ate, we hung out and then we went to school.

I just got home from work. It was a crazy day as the school cancelled my clubs without me knowing (they weren't suppose to be, but hey they are the school). Then my leaders weren't informed in time and came to teach and there were no kids.  Then I sat for 2 hours at Parent Teacher Conference tallying up how much money I have spent this year for the Program and realized I wasn't as frugal as I thought.

BUT I came to realize that parent teacher conferences are a JOKE! The only people that come are the kids that are really struggling or those that are over achieving and want to gloat. I seen moms dressed to the T, checking themselves out in a mirror we have by the office. You would think they thought they were gonna pick up a mate. I saw parents acting like they were the age of their students and dressed that way too. Kids were all over the place. People had to bring their children which is understandable as we are all busy. I did see a handful of people that were just there to get in, get out, and do what they could for their kids. 

HOWEVER: with a program called Power School and the handy dandy internet and the world wide web a parent can check their kids grades and such everyday. They can email teachers and admins and see what is going on. They can see what is missing, what the test scores are and if there are any notes from the teachers and so forth. Most teachers hate this day, would rather be home with their families and such. So I think today I vow to never ever go to PTC unless I really have to. It is 4 hours long and at 2 I was tired I feel for those teachers now and again say I will NEVER be a TEACHER!

On to better stuff..

I came home from work, emptied Jos school bag and found this cute little paper. It is a hand drawn pic of JO with with 3 lil kids and a rainbow over them. It says "when I grow up I want to be a mom."

I thought "well that is good she still wants to be a mom even though at times I am a crappy one." This is her and her kids, apparently she is gonna have 3.

"GRATEFUL"

The other day Jims facebook status said this. I was like hmm I wonder why? Not that he doesn't show his utmost appreciation and gratitude for all we have but I just wondered what triggered it. Jim is having some interesting times at work lately, especially being essentially the lone male in his office area. (All you woman know how hard that could and would be at times.) He is getting his own office finally after 7 years but it is really too small and still... he is grateful for it. He has been promised by our dear Heavenly Father that if he lives his life in righteousness he will always have the things he needs. I can't tell you how important that promise is to us right now.

Now times are hard for a lot of people right now and we are very lucky to have what we have. I am so grateful for his job with great benefits, a bit of stability even though it sucks sometimes b/c  of politics.  I am thankful for a job for me that most likely won't be affected by the budget cuts and that I get to do what I love. I have all the necessities, a mother who is a great nurse, a hubby and dad who can fix about anything, and family all around me. What a supportive family I have and how grateful I am for them. They would ALL give there shirts off their back to me if we needed it. 

As summer approaches... (wishful thinking I know) I think of me having no job and how much harder life is going to get. I LOVE to travel and this summer we will have to work and save for it and the trips will be less often. I love to do projects and even though I will have time I won't have much extra money to do them. I love to go to the pool, movies, Lagoon and all those other pricey places and it probably won't all happen..... but you know what? it all doesn't matter as long as I have my family, my health, the necessities, the gospel to give me hope and such an awesome ward that surrounds me.

Anyway.... sorry about the sappy post.

I was just thinking about this  b/c in church on Sunday I got to teach about Finding Joy in the Now to the beehives, none of my mia-maids were there. I survived, it went well and as always I had more prepared than had time to teach but I think they got the message. 

When I got home I began to think about the times in my life that I wasn't happy or had Joy. I was still living the teachings of the church just not embracing it. How I didn't know then what I know now. :) Life is hard at times yes, but there are many reasons to have JOy in the NOw too. It is hard as the world is getting more wicked, and it's only going to get worse; but I know that I am a child of god who has a purpose here. I know that my heavenly father won't give me anything I can't handle. I know that my family is eternal and if we live in accordance with the gospel we will be together forever. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ has been through it all and I can always remember that the atonement is not just for saying sorry. I can turn to him even if I am having a bad day. I have a wonderful family who loves and supports me in all I do. And as President Thomas S Monson says "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey,

and share our love with friends and family."   

and that is what I am going to do.

just some pics

Here are just some pics I just ran across. Since I kind of handicapped my camera point n shoot. I don't get to capture those great moments all the time now. I have broke all 5 cameras we have had since we were married, and thats only 6 years! :(

These pics are random of all random. 

 

Even though we got Ryker some McQueen underwear he will only wear them on his head and JO is happy to join in.

He is not interested in potty training what so ever and... has to choose what diaper we put on, meaning the design on the diaper. He is ALSO worried about what he wears already and sometimes has knockdown drag out fits over his clothes... AHHHH He is worse than JO. 

They are both just growing up so fast. Jo is in size 6 for clothes and Ryker in size 5T crazy tall and skinny kids we have here in the Innes Gang.

JO loves to build lego castles and has to pose by them for a pic. This is one of many.

Here is a pic of JO at the baby shower the other day. She is entertaining a little 2 yr old named Logan that came to the shower.

Ryker wanted dad to sleep with him while watching his favorite show of all time Max and Ruby from Nick Jr. Too bad we don't have cable so it's a DVD and sadly we almost have it memorized. Who do thinks was pretending to be asleep better? :)

Ryker loves umbrellas and the color pink! :P

Tonight JO and I threw a baby shower for a friend/coworker, while Jim went to a UHA meeting and Ryker to grandma Innes'. We had appetizers and dessert. It was good. I got to try out some new recipes and new baby decoration ideas. This is her first baby and I am so excited to babysit and play with her! The shower was lots of fun, not many people could come but it was still fun. I prefer smaller crowds so you can actually keep a conversation going and such and my house is small so it all worked out. Lauren and Kolby Van Wagoner will welcome little Elisabeth soon and I was honored to be a part of that celebration.



I GOT RELEASED!!! I had my last day on Sunday as Primary Chorister :( I was sad to tell the kids goodbye. It was ward conference so the Stake was there kind of scary but I pushed on. I had to teach "How Firm a Foundation" to both ages. It was a hard song to teach but with some cool object lessons, visual aids, and review we managed to get through the first verse. I am sad to leave this calling. I LOVE primary! Learning the basics of the gospel is soo important to me and the songs of the church do it well. I love to sing and teach kids to be enthusiastic about singing I hope to return someday.



*I get to teach for the first time this Sunday in YW. I am excited, yet scared I was make it a huge stresser. I hate teaching but I KNOW that is where I am suppose to be so BRING IT!



I just have been working a lot lately just getting my program started. My principal said something nice today. I joked about a certain situation that has turned a few people against me and that if I transfered to another school not to be surprised. HE said " I will shut the program down, you are the best! I have principles call and ask about this program and I tell them if they hire good they will have the best and won't even feel it (meaning having to deal with the program)" That was very nice of him to say. I do love my job and I guess when you love what you do, it shows!


Ryker knows all but 2 of his CAPITAL letters! We love it! He says.. A B Corkny C (thats for Aunt Cortney) D Dan E F G Grandma H Grandpa Herbert I Grandpa Innes J JO K L M N O P Q R Ryker S T U V W X (sex) Y Z for Zip. WE tried to teach him A for apple, B C D for Dog but the name game worked better. He is one SMART cookie.



He also sings " I Love to See the Temple" "I am a Child of God" and several songs for his nursery class. He also sings happy birthday like this..
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday To you, Happy Birthday YOU YOU YOU then he blows out his candles.. whoo whoo and then says.. yum yum yum yum cake!" So funny. Much cuter in person I will see if I can get him to do it on tape.


JO is progressing good in school not kissing the boys and not walking home. Things are good! She is one crazy enthusiastic girl. We are glad her speech is getting better and she is amazing us everyday. She thinks that NOW she is 5 she HAS to go to kindergarten TODAY!



Funny story about JO.
The other day we were coming home in the car. Jo said her tummy hurt. I told her it's probably got one big swedish fish in it and that she needed to go potty. It ended there.. I thought.. a few minutes later she said "mom guess what? when you toot a little it makes your tummy not hurt!" I said "yeah good for you, where did you learn that?" She replies, "I just made it up!" AHH love the kids!


Jim has been busy with work, church callings, and being an awesome dad and hubby. He has been very helpful with my work, the house chores and entertaining the kids while I work. He has spent countless hours sorting Lego Robotic kits for my 4-H clubs. There are over 300 parts in each kit and they were all mixed up. It took over 60 something hours to get them all done. It has been our nightly thing, turn on Netflix, watch SliDERs and sort away all night. Thanks Babe luv ya! He deserves a vacation or at least a date night!


Story about JIM
He went flying on Sat finally good enough weather. He was flying a new heli that he has been reviewing for the magazine he writes for. He already knew it would have some problems just by building it but in mid air the blades just flew off, and his heli came crashing into the ground. Luckily know one was hurt and the snow padded the fall, which in turn pads the pocket $ wise.

WE hope you are all doing good and all is well!

Make it a great day and even a better year!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

What a great time Jim and I had last night! We were invited to a progressive Valentine dinner put on by several people in our ward. It was soo FUN!! The food was awesome and soo filling!

Progressive Dinner: Take a 7 course meal and eat different parts at different houses. The moving thing is probably because you eat sooooo much food that you need to let the food settle and make more room for the next course. 

SO..

What's on the menu????

First: Appetizers - Salsa, Chips, Cheese Crackers, BBQ Boneless Chicken Wings and Italian Soda

Then: Soup - Cheesy Bacon Potato, 

Salads - Two Awesome Green Salads one with lots of veggies and one with spinach, sugar roasted almonds, mandarin oranges w/ homemade dressings

Homemade Rolls and Bread and Jam.

Pallet Cleanser- Lime Sherbet

Last: Main Course Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes n Gravy, Green Beans

Pallet Cleanser: Fruit Cup

Dessert: Strawberry Mousse

YUMMY!!!!!

Mix this AWESOME meal, GREAT people, FUN games,GOOD conversation, and a FEW quirky moments and chalk it up for an incredible evening!!!!!

We had such a good time!!! All the people that worked soo hard to put it together we thank you! The little things weren't unrecognized promise THANKS!!!

*It was so fun. Jim took on the new art of  "pen flying" ask him about it. 

*We were in charge of making the fruit cup and the green beans. I have never cooked frozen long green beans in my life so that was a first and they were good.

*I also learned how to make killer Italian sodas THANKS KaRI!

*As we visited the 3 homes I took away with me some great new decor ideas and of course great friends. I learned what a charger really was, how to make some really cute centerpieces. and more!

*Jo and Ryker are at the Herbert household having a sleepover! I am sure they are loading up on gummi bears, licorice, sour patch kids, moms cookies, Oreos, skittles from the gumball machine, and any other sugar filled sweet thing they can talk grandma and pa into! WE are so thankful to have great family around who love, support and help us in anyway they can!

I just have to say how much I love my family... each and everyone of them but you already know this. I usually am not a huge valentines fan, it's too commercialized nowadays. However I look back and realize all the Valentines days that I can remember, it was all about good friends and family!

** When I was little, I can't remember how old, Cupid made a visit to our house. He or She doorbell ditched and left some really cool Harts sports bottles and candy on our porch. It was such a neat thing and made us feel soo special we were the only ones in the neighborhood that he/she visited!

***Valentines Dances in HS were always fun. They were girls choice and we always had great big groups. It was fun to be surrounded by awesome friends all the time.

****

IN college I belong to a group... SAVD.. Students Against Valentines Day!  As roomies I can't remember what we did, but I am sure we did something that was crazy, loud, G Rated and fun!. Mom also sent me money and/or cards they ALWAYS make me feel special.

*****Jim and I's first valentines 02-14-03. We had no money but remember Jim is such a romantic and a kid. He insisted on doing something special.  He brought me home beautiful flowers and he booked a reservation at The Tepanyaki Japanese Steakhouse and it was soooo good. It was the most tender steak and chicken I have ever had and we have been back several times. We did something else after but we don't remember and of course.... we CHARGED it ALL! Doing what we do best eh?

******2nd V-Day Jo was only about 2 weeks old. We went to dinner the night before and Mamma Innes watched Jo at our house. It was nice of her however I had eggs that morning and didn't know that JO was allergic to them so she was up walking and bouncing her the whole 2 hours :(. It was the first time we had left her though. On the actual love day...the thing I remember is Jim bringing her home this sweet cute lil pink bear and we dressed her up in this cute lil heart outfit and took pics with her. It was a sweet lil night!

*******

Well isn't that sad :(. I only remember those V day but I know they were ALL great and I LOVE my friends and family!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Make it GREAT no matter what day you celebrate!

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!!!

JO's Birthday was a CRAZY but FUN day!  It started off with lots of  baking, and prep.  I am so grateful that I had Shelby here to help me out. She was awesome helping with anything and everything. She even helped run some of the games and stuff while I was prepping lunch.

Some Highlights.

**My first Barbie Cake! 

The skirt was baked with 1.5 cake mixes and on 270 degrees for 2 hours in an 8qt batter bowl. Needless to say the cake was barely done baking 10 mins before the party was to begin and I was stressed.  I had to quick cool it (freezer and Fridge yeah for modern appliance) I had to quickly frost it and then the barbie was too tall.  AHHHHHH I was warned about this but had forgot to bake the other 1/2 of the batter in a 8" pan. I made cupcakes for an emergency instead. 

Well after Jim carefully removed the legs the barbie was placed and QUICKLY frosted in a warm cake. I was crossing my fingers she would not melt. NOW ... I know how to frost cakes but sadly this one was done poorly due to the LACK of time. Jo loved it though and that is what matters right?

*Games.

 

Don't Let Lydia Get You! AKA keep the balloon in the air ~Jo wouldn't play as Lydia is the MEAN lady in the movie Barbie and the Diamond Castle.

Find the Diamond Castle AKA treasure hunt~this is how they got the favor bags and they loved running around the house to find the clues!

 

Diamond in the Bucket toss ~ran by Shelby this was a time filler while I glued flowers 

 

THANKS SHELBEY for all your help!

*Crafts

Made our own diamond castle stone heart necklaces.. love the baking clay! SO fun can't wait to make something else! The girls decorated them with buttons, jewels, brads...

Made our own flower hair clips it was fun easy and great to add to their favor bags.

**LUNCH***

 

Heart shaped PB &J Sandwiches,

Apples and Oranges

 

Chocolate Pretzels

Chocolate Pudding 

Pink Punch with heart ice cubes!

 

The girls had fun putting pudding all over their faces and then posing for pics. They were all really cute and polite girls. WE had no fights, tantrums, and everyone was included what more could you ask for with  8 girls all in the same room at the same time. All in all it was a good party worth the stress and time to see JO smiling all day long.

 

JO got some great stuff for her birthday. I have to say thanks to everyone for all she got. She is really spoiled. She has more barbies then I think alot of 5 yr old. She is up to 14 barbies, 1 ken, 3 kellys, 1 baby, 4 dogs, a lot of pet shops that she uses for pets, lots of cool furniture to go in her awesome new house Grandpa and ma Herbert built her, a pool, a dr set, and more! ANYONE wanna play BARBIES! 

Thanks everyone for all her stuff! Especially Rykers first girlfriend! AKA my size barbie pictured up top!

JIM... well he was a great sport to spend time doing stuff for me and my mom his whole day. After my work party that night, we went to Toys R US! Jim is such a kid. I left him for a minute and came back to a cart full of transformers! He got 2 really awesome transformers to play with. It amazes me the skill it takes to transform some of them.

His birthday celebration is just been postponed. It's a busy week and so we are gonna go to dinner @ Tucanos and have a real date for his birthday after he gets his Scouting Klondike over this weekend.

I just have to say....

I am so glad I have these 2 people + Ryker, in my life. They are so special to me! I can't imagine life without them. As this world gets more unstable and wicked I have to say family is what matters and that face that I get to be with mine forever brings me so much joy and peace. I have really come to focus and rely on this concept and blessing. It gives me the strength and hope to go on living my everyday life. I love my family.. each and every one!

 

Happy Birthday JIM

Thirty-two years ago today, 02-02-77, my man Jim, the love of my life, my main squeeze, my eternal companion, my partner in crime... was born in Provo, Utah to sweet, innocent, and humble parents Jo and Jim.

I am soo thankful that I became best friends with his sister in high school. (only because I liked her friend Garit, :(  ) but...WOW little did I know how great she was, what other great friends I would have b/c of her and what an impact she would make on my life. We became and are the best of friends and now it is soo much fun to have her as my sis inlaw. PLUS we only got in 1 big fight in high school, I think that would be a record for some people. hehe: )

After going to college down in Cedar City at SUU for 2 years I decided it was time to come home and get ready to serve an LDS mission. In the summer Angela Innes (his sister), Mary Braithwaite, Mandi Evans and I all moved out together and what an adventure it was! :) Jim, who I had met at another siblings wedding in April  lived close and soon became our Mr Fix It! He came over all the time to help us out with silly things and to "hang out." Finally one day Angela told him just to ask me out already. Well we went out, 1 month later we were engaged, 4 months later married, and the rest is history and obviously I didn't go on a mission, but thats for the future!

I had a hard time falling in love, giving up the thoughts of going on a mission but I knew it was meant to me. Why put off the inevitable? I learned then that when you try to plan out the game of Life, the Lord can throw in a few curve balls and if you just hang on tight you will enjoy the ride.

Jimmy works so hard for me and my kids to have what we want and need and we are so grateful. He puts up with all my crap, does my honey dos and tries to keep a smile on his face all at the same time. With his calling at church, working 2 jobs, being a dad and hubby to me life can get pretty hectic and stressful. He is good to just "go along for the ride" and try to find something funny to laugh about. He has a great sense of humor. He is an over- achiever in all he does which makes him a favorite of a lot of people, including me. There are so many traits I would like to have that he has. I love that he tries to befriend all and doesn't like contention. He doesn't "have to be right!" He doesn't have to fit in, keep up with the Jones, stoop to a low level and is just a good guy to be around.  AND he always makes us feel special.

One of the MANY things I really admire in Jim is that he is just a great big kid. He knows how to have a good time. He loves toys, surprises, and puts lots of "extras" into the grocery cart hehe! On gift giving holidays he has to have at least one toy among all the useful and functional stuff and it's fun to watch him get excited and play all day with it.

His favorite things to do, besides spending time with me... ;) is fly his remote control helicopters, watch movies, build new helicopters, be with family and friends, BS with his heli buddies, travel, transform and un-transform his 30+ transformers, build legos or k'nex sets with JO, build puzzles, go to "helicopter fun flys" and play with his kids.  (I am sure there is more but it's 3AM)

He is a great dad and our kids just love him, even though "mom" is the favorite at times, dad is MUCH more fun ALL time. Dad takes time out of his day to play while mom works on the computer all day. (I am working on this) JIMMY loves his kids and it shows. 

When his birthday comes around  he always has to share it either with Jo or the SuperBowl which he loves but still it's fun to have just your day. Even today, he is sharing his day with Jos friend BARBIE princess party and this evening a work party of mine. What a good sport promise we will make it up to you babe! 

Happy 32nd Birthday Babe!! We Luv You!