Happy Halloween Party #3

Happy Halloween...well, in two days. I have been in the bahumbug attitude this year...and right before our big bash?!? I finally found my costume today, but I cannot tell you what it is for I am sure my sis in law is going to read this and we are having a costume contest. It is probably not my first choice, but it will do. I also just got done coloring 20 BINGO cards for the little one's bingo game. They are sooo cute and if any of you are needing a fun Halloween game, I suggest this. I also suggest printing it in color as it took me 3 hours to color all of them. The website is: www.dltk-cards.com/bingo. Very cute stuff on there. But, I am stuck for the grown-up games. We bought the prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for three games. But, we have no games. So if anyone has ideas, please let me know ASAP. I have only tomorrow to finish getting ready. We put up spider webs today and the boys thought it was the best thing ever. However, while I was decorating, I put the bowl of candy corns from the entry table to Troy's desk and evidently it was not high enough. I heard a funny noise and went to the LR and found Tevan eating candy corn and pumpkins as fast as he could, spitting most of them out after one bite. I just laughed. What a character!!!

I guess that leads me to another part of my blog...mostly for journal purposes, so feel free to skip this portion. I am a very uptight person when it comes to the way things are. I get angry very fast and I am more concerned with my house being clean than I am with some of the important things in life. So, about five days ago I decided to relax a bit. And it is going very well. It is amazing that the attitude and tone of my house is so much better. My boys behave better and we get along splendidly. We still have our ups and downs, but I have chosen to lower my voice...if you know me you know that I can be very loud and my voice carries. I haven't raised my voice for those five days. This might not sound huge, but to me it is. I have started to spend a bit more time with my boys and really take time to get to know them. I think it is so easy to get wrapped up in the "things" in life that we often ignore the most important people. I cannot tell you how many times I say, "Just a minute" or "Wait until..." or the worst: "Mommy is busy". Looking back at those times I have said it, I get very sad. I get so sad my heart hurts. My job is my children. I might be just a "Stay-at-home-Mom", but I am a teacher, a nurse, a walking encyclopedia, a super-hero, a healer of wounds and broken hearts. I am a mom to the most beautiful children in the world...what is more important than that? NOTHING. Period. We live in such a bad, bad world. We are up for some scary changes in our beloved United States. We have the adversary to fight against not only out there, but in our homes. I am so proud and honored that I get this chance to raise my children. I don't have to take them to daycare everyday and HOPE that someone is going to teach them something good. I know every second what my children are learning. I am the one who gets to moderate them. I get to teach them to pray...something that is no longer "allowed". I am so thankful to Troy that he works so hard to provide for us. He supports me fully. He is such a good man. I guess I am a very spoiled woman as I don't want for much. I also have my gracious Heavenly Father to thank as he is the one who gives me strength every single day to make it through. I know I would fail without Him picking me up. I have so much gratitude in my heart right now that I could go on FOREVER. I grew up in a home where my mother was able to stay home. There were times that we were extremely poor. There were times my parents struggled to get where they are today. But no matter how hard those time got, she satyed at home and raised 4 children. My dad worked a lot of shift work and he was gone a lot...especially during med school. My mom had a lot of weight on her shoulders and made it through. I am so blessed to have that example. I know the importance of being at home with my kids. I know it is the most important job any Mother could have. There are times I want to quit. There are times I want to cry...there are times I have cried. Those are the times that I am being taught patience and long suffering. I would not trade this experience for the world. I am sad that it took me this long to appreciate what I am able to do. Daeson is three years old. No one could have told me this is what it would be like. I am sure many tried to tell me. I used to feel like it was a strap holding me down. Now I see mother hood for what it really is and I am slowly learning to embrace it. I still have moments when I want to lock myself in the bathroom just to finish a chapter in my book, or just to plug my ears and have silence. But those times are becoming fewer and fewer as I am becoming less selfish. It is not about me...it is about my two wonderful children and my wonderful husband. I only can pray that one day my children will look back at their childhood and be happy. I do not want them to remember me as someone who was "there". I don't want to be remembered as the one saying, "Just a minute", "hold on", and especially, "I don't have time." If I don't have time for my children, my priorities are very out of order and that calls for some re-evaluating.

Flu update 2

Troy was able to get up at four this morning and go to work...and the boys slept all night long. I got sick about 9 p.m. last night, but I was able to get up this morning and get on with it. I don't think that Troy is even 50% yet, but he is getting there.
Today I get to do laundry from all the blankets, towels, and clothing that got yucky. At least we don't have a lot going on today and I can get it done before tomorrow.
Oh, does anyone have a super yummy recipe for cranberry stuffing? Tomorrow we are having a "Thanksgiving" dinner at Troy's parents. They are by themselves this year, as the rest of us are going to our homes...Dani and Todd are in UT and can't get off work, I am not sure about Adam and Kayla, and Heidi and Brad will be in Kentucky by then. So tomorrow we are having dinner at Grover's. I actually would like to make cornish hens with stuffing, but they are so expensive...$4.00 each and I would have to get at least 10 of them. So, I think I will just do regular chickens...on sale at FM for .89/lb. That sounds much better. So, Kayla is doing a veggie salad, Peggy rolls, banana cream pie and squash, and I the chicken and stuffing, and pumpkin pie. Yumm-o. But, I do need a recipe, so if anyone can help that would be great!!!
I need to get pictures uploaded, but my comp downstairs is not functioning properly...and Troy doesn't ever have time to work on it, like the mechanics car is always broken :). As soon as it is done, i will get some on here. For now you are stuck with extrememly boring posts :).

Flu update

Tevan is still holding strong...he's done really well today. Daeson has thrown up about 25 times, and I feel sooo bad for him. his eyes are dark and his lips are sooo chapped. He tried to eat something and actually held it down for about 10 minutes...that's a start I guess. Troy is still in bed, he has been there since 10:30 or so this morning. These are the times that I will myself to be well. I know I am fighting something. I was able to take a nap this afternoon while everyone else slept. My house wreaks of sickness. I just hope and pray this passes soon. My poor boys!!! This is the time I wish I was the one sick and everyone else was healthy. These are the times I wish I had closer family to help out. Let's hope tomorrow's report is so much better!!!!!

We're back

We got back on Wdenesday night from Gville, well Richfield technically, about 6:30. Troy took us to dinner and then we went to the toy store. Tevan got his Halloween costume...Elmo. He hates to wear it though. He carries it all over the house saying, "Melemo, Melmo" but try to get it on him!!! Sheesh!

We had a great surprise this morning...everyone has the FLU!!! Yes, our family has been hit with something. Daeson started off this morning with throwing up, and then Troy. My tummy is not so hot either. Yeah, what a fun day. But the bummer part is that we have to miss the Archer Elementary Halloween carnival. We have gone every year for the last 8. I am so sad to miss it, but better miss it and get well than to go and eat junk and get more sick...and of course I would not want to spread it around. I guess better this weekend than next.

I will update more later...we are laying around today, not even wanting to answer the phone. I am sure this will blow over. I hope Troy gets better, he has no choice but to get up tomorrow at 3 a.m. and work all day. If he doesn't go, we get in big trouble with the stores.
Hope everyone else is healthy and well...I have more throw up to clean up so i will be going now...BYE!

And we're off...

Well, tomorrow is the day we are off to Gville. I am still doing laundry and packing, but I hope to be done by midnight :) . We have snow today...and it is sticking. I am a bit nervous, but according to the internet weather sources, we should be fine. I think once we get past Boise...maybe even Twin...it should be nice, about 64-68 degrees. The boys are very excited. Or at least Daeson is. Tevan isn't sure what is going on. I am sure if he did, he would not be very excited. 10 hours in the van is not his cup-o-tea. But, I will pack every Elmo movie I can and hope that gets us by. Daeson cannot wait to visit Papa Ty and Grandma Cindy. It will be a good trip for all of us. Wish us luck! I will update as I can. TATA!

Busy Busy Busy

It started off as a regular week-- not much going on, until Wednesday. I had my sister-in-laws-sister's kids on Wednesday. She has three kids, 8,6,2. I had them from about 8:30 a.m. til about 9:30 pm. It went pretty well. They are good kids, but I think it was overload for my kids. I was happy when I crawled into bed at midnight.
Thursday Troy and I took the kids out to his mom and dad's while we went to a movie and ate dinner. Thank you for taking our kids Mom and Dad G!!!!! We watched Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. Troy and I both decided it could have been a really great movie, but it probably was a renter. The popcorn was good... We then went to Da Pineapple Grill in Rexburg. We had never eaten there and thought we would give it a try. The waitress was really nice. Very bubbly. I had the teriyaki chicken...not my favorite...and Troy had the curry. He loved it. The portions were very good sized. We had a sushi roll that was really good as well. It had coconut shrimp in it and I don't like shrimp, but this was really good. It was really nice to spend time together. Our friend Nathan went with us. Then, Annette brought Heather to meet us.
Heather is staying with us until tomorrow. I has been fun. Last night we watched a movie and got settled in. Today she helped witht the kids. I had to get a couple bills paid, so she played Rockband. She did really, really well. She is dubed as the new drummer. After Tevan's nap, we went to the library and she had fun picking out movies and CDs. Then we picked Troy up and went out for pizza and pasta. We stopped at PetSmart and Halloween Boutique.
The kids are in bed, Heather and I just finished Justin and Kelly. It was pretty cute. Now she is watching Kidsongs and I should be getting my lesson ready, or packing done. Grandma Tom, the kids and I are taking off Monday for 10 days to visit Mom and Dad. I am a little uneasy about the trip, but I think we will be fine. We are leaving early so that we can beat the fog on the Whitebird pass. It really is a pretty drive...except from Pocatello to Boise...UGLY! But, it should go well. Tevan is addicted to Elmo and he has plenty to keep him busy. It will be a good trip. Daeson is soooo excited to see Grandma and Grandpa...and I think they are excited too. ; ). We will miss Troy very much.
Sunday I am teaching another grueling lesson. It is lesson 18 in the Joseph Smith book. I will need all the help I can get. WOW, these Joseph Smith lessons are sooo deep, but they are very good for us. My last lesson wasn't too good, so I am hoping this will go so much better. Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants is a big portion of it. Wish me luck.
Oh, BTW, I got my cubicle exchanged and Troy built the new one for me today...only had to ask him once!! LOL! Thanks, babe!!!

BAH!!!

Angry. I bought a drawer for my scrapbook nook September 22. Since that day I have asked Troy, almost daily, to put it together for me. So, tonight I decided to take matters into my own hands. I BROKE THE DUMB THING!!! I am so mad right now. After I tried to get the first drawer built, I couldn't get the front to go together. I tried and tried. Finally Troy came down to see what I was doing. Then he offered to help. How convenient. After coming to the conclusion that it was broken, I had to repackage the parts...which never go together right and you have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how they got a drawer to fit in a small box...and then find the receipt. It was buried in my scratch paper drawer. So tomorrow, I have to figure out how to get this very large drawer package and two kids, one which has to be carried, back to Robert's to exchange it. It would have been nice three weeks ago to know it was broken. This would have been all done and over with. Then Troy tells me that I should have asked him to do it. AUGHGHGHGHGHG!!!!!!!! MEN!!!!!!

Malad High School Reunion Class of 1998

I have been accused of being bold, and last night I was talking to Janet and Gillian at the reunion. We decided I should be a gossip columnist...it would be perfect for me. Not that I like to gossip, I just like to be in the know! :)
I had a great time last night catching up with all of my classmates...or the ones that were there. We missed those who were not. And, honestly, I had forgotten some. Brad had a slide show last night, and I was sooo surprised to have forgotten so many names! I took my cake but no one would cut it. So, I left it on plates in hopes that someone would take it home.
I got the boys' pictures taken. She did a great job and Troy is so excited about them. I just need to get them ordered now. Annette is a very talented photographer and a great friend. I was sad that we didn't get to see Heather, but I hope to see her next week.
I was an hour late for the reunion...my "short visits" were not so short. And in return, I was and hour and a half late for pictures. The weather was yucky, but Brad's cabin was huge and it accommodated us all very well. We did a group picture (good idea, Janet!) just with our little cameras, but not everyone stuck around for it. I will see if I can remember who was there: John Allen (wife Camille), Megan Daines (baby), Tyson Daniels (wife Jilliene?), Mandi Davis, Brooke Blaisdell (husband Shawn), Gillian Farley (husband Seth), Eric Buehler (wife), JaRon Crowther (husband Andre and kids Reagan and Adam), Mindy Griffiths (daughter), Brad Horsely (wife Kristen and son), Victor Hubbard (wife), Kenny Peterson, Clint Price (wife), Chris Jones (girlfriend?), Cort Jones (wife and son), Trevor Neal (wife?), Brent and Brian Schow, Jamie Scouten (husband Tyrell), Janet Tubbs, Bryan Seamons (wife Alicia), Janita Showell (husband and kids), Myself (and kids Daeson and Tevan), Tanya Ward (husband Danny), Brian Thomas (girlfriend), and Burt Willie (wife?). I am so sorry if I forgot anyone!!! Those with question marks I didn't meet and are speculations. It was a lot of fun and I am so glad now that I went. I did get butterflies though. Seeing classmates from 10 years ago is always awkward. I was happy to see everyone. In the earlier post about everyone changing, it is true. We are not in high school anymore, and for the most part we are all grown up and headed in the right direction. I am proud to say that I am a graduate of the class of 1998. We have all done well and it makes me smile.
It was hard going back to Malad. No family there anymore. As I drove by my old house, I was saddened to not stop. It looks good though, they have put a lot of work into it. And, they can park in the garage!!! :) Just kidding, Dad. But, it does look good. A lot of people asked about my parents and that made me happy. It makes me know that despite the hardships they had, they were liked and loved by the people of Malad. My dad was a great asset to Malad and did a lot of services there. It is just sad that they were often overlooked and more often than not overworked.
Now for some pictures. Believe it or not, I only got a few! October 4, 2008:

Okay, not sure why it is sideways, hmmm. This is the picture on the cake.

Not too big of a pic, but I will try:
Back Row: Janet Tubbs, JaRon Crowther, Mindy Griffiths, Tanya Ward

Middle Row: Brent Schow, Brain Schow, Burt Willie, Tyson Daniels, Brad Horsely, Trevor Neal, Brian Thomas, Cort Jones, Victor Hubbard, Clint Price, Megan Daines, Gillian Farley, Bryan Seamons, Chris Jones

Front Row: Brooke Blaisdell, Mandi Davis, Jaime Scouten, Jandy Smith, John Allen.

Well, there ya go. The Malad High School Class of 1998 10 Year Reunion. Good luck for the next 10 years...it might be that long before I see many of you again. Thanks to all of those who helped and put it together. I know it was a lot of work...it was appreciated!!! Thank you!

What to wear???

Okay, so I decided to go to the reunion after all. I know there are bigger problems in the world than what I am going to wear, but this is the problem at hand. We are going to a cabin, so I think it might be a bit chilly. Do I wear a sweater and some jeans? A polo and jeans? My cute...not so dressy Eddie Bauer pants? AUGH! I just don't know. I have not seen many of my classmates for 10 years, so I would like to look good. I had hoped to have lost more baby weight...for crying out loud he is 15 months!!! I lost the weight way faster with Daeson. So, er goes the dressy, cute pants. It looks like I am going to root for jeans and a top...not sure which ones, but I will pick tomorrow as I am frantically trying to get ready.
I am making our cake right now. I will post a picture of it later with all the other ones. I decided to have our high school graduation picture copied and I will put that on the cake. I hope it turns out. I am not real thrilled with the picture, but it will do...and I accidentally broke Kevin Wangsguard's head...sorry Kevin!!!! But, either way it will be delicious.
There are many things going on tomorrow. I have to stop in Blackfoot at Ridley's to get some case goods. They are WAY cheaper than Broulim's. And, I don't like to shop there since I quit working there...it left a terrible taste in my mouth. But, after we stop there, we will go on to Pocatello to visit family. Then to Malad. Oh, Malad. I would like to stop at Thomas Market, I loved working there. Dennis and Jerry and Brenda were the BEST. Then off to get the kid's pictures taken. So, I have to decide what they are going to wear, too. Oh, boy! I will get to see my very good friends, the Hess family. Then I thought about asking the Flynn's of I could show the boys where I lived. I hope they let me. I never really got to say goodbye to our house. A lot of memories happened there. A lot of good and bad. A lot of hellos and goodbyes. I lived there the most influential time of my life. HIGH SCHOOL. The good ol' days.
I gotta run, cake buzzer just went off. DELICIOUS!!! Wish me luck!

High School Reunions

This is the tenth year I have been out of High School...Good ol' Malad High. In fact, high school is the only time I lived in Malad...I moved right after graduation and I didn't go back...except for the time I moved home waiting for winter semester to start at Rick's College. Now my parents have moved, my brothers no longer live there and the only ties I have are a handful of friends that remain there. My dilema? Do I really want to go? I know there are some people I really want to see. There are, honestly, some people I couldn't care less to see. And I am sure there are those who couldn't care less to see me. That is how itall works. There were 86 in my graduating class...I maybe have heard from five of them. Janet, my friend from High School lives in Twin...but even when we lived three blocks away we only saw each other a couple of times. I am sad about that. I think that is the bottom line...people change. I have changed. Not that I am better than anyone else, I am far from that, but it is well known that the only thing that is constant is infact change. I can assume that there are those members of my class who have changed as well. But I am sure there are those who have not. Those who have remained the same. I was speaking to Janet on the phone the other day when we found out about this reunion. We speculated over what it might be like. Do we take our kids? Are they invited? What will people think when they see that I personally have gained a TON of weight? Do we even care what others think? I think inside we would like to think we don't care, but I know that we do. So, I am torn...do I stay or do I go? If I go, I am going to visit a very special friend, Heather, while I am there. And, I am going to see if our very favorite photographer can take my boys' pictures. But, then I have another problem...there is not a hotel in Malad and I have no family to stay with. So, that means that I make the two hour drive there, and the two hour drive back in one day...meaning four hours in the car with my boys. If it wasn't confrence weekend, I would stay the night somewhere and visit the ol' ward. But, I am sure that has changed as well. TORN!!! I have three days to RSVP. I know Troy can't go...or I guess he could, but he doesn't want to. So, I will be solo with my kids. Humph. I would like some feed back on reunions. Those who have gone, could you maybe give me some insight. Those who didn't go, could you let me know if you regret not going? Thanks, I am stumped here and I would like to know what to do.

Shh, it's a suprise!

It is 11:30 p.m. and I just finished painting my front door a very pretty sage green and my bathroom trim a orange-rusty-peachy color. Troy was asleep when I returned from Home Depot, so he will have a suprise when he wakes up T 3 a.m. for work. Tomorrow is his birthday, so I wanted to suprise him. I just hope he likes it.
So, Troy turnes the big 3-0 tomorrow. We were supposed to go out to his parents' for cake and icecream, but who knows what we are doing now. He doesn't know if he wants to do that. So, Friday his mom and dad are taking him shooting...they shoot clay pigeons up on the dry farms. Then they are coming to IF for dinner. Troy picked Carino's, so that is where we will go. Maybe we will have cake and icecream then. ??? I just hope he has a suprisingly great birthday...ya know 3-0 can be pretty discouraging. Me? I am not that far behind him!!!
I have a post saved that I need to finish...one day I will actually get to it. It has pictures, too. :) I am really tired, but I cannot shut the front door yet. I am afraid the paint will stick to the weather stripping. So, I am sitting in my front room...which looks like an office...wishing I could hit the hay. Oh, BTW, I bought Troy a shed for his birthday. He and his dad worked on it today. I am very excited for it...maybe this winter we can park the car and the van in the garage!!! That will be nice. I have an awful mouse in that there garage. YUCK!! I saw it run by my foot a few days ago. It will be nice to have all the tools etc. in the shed so that we can keep the garage much tidier. So, I guess you could say that I was a bit selfish when I picked out the shed. But in my defense, he has wanted one for a few years and just won't spend the money. So I made the executive decision and bought him one. We are also getting one side of our vinyl fence in the next week. It will be so nice. I am excited aboout all the projects. There are still plenty more, but it is nice to get the little things out of the way.
I will get that other post finished. Maybe. For now, this is what is going to be posted. Good night to all of you still awake and sweet dreams to those sleeping.

PEACHES PEACHES PEACHES

It is 2:00 a.m. right now and I am waiting for my peaches to finish bathing. The original plan was to do them at 6 in the morning tomorrow, but I thought, "Hey, why not get a head start?" Unfortunately they are taking A LOT longer than I thought. I had to blanch, peel, cut, fill the jars, wipe the jars and then steam bath them. WHEW! But, I guessed pretty good on the peach count for the batch. I had a couple left over that I thoroughly enjoyed with some cottage cheese. YUMMY!!! So, in about 30 minutes I will be able to crawl...and I mean craw...into bed for about 4 hours of sleep. I tried to recruit some help with this plethora of peaches, but no takers. I have 3 bushel of peaches...some have already gone bad...to do and 115 pounds of pears. What was I thinking????? I think I was thinking that I want some yummy fruit this fall...and I think peaches and pears will be delicious! So, no pain no gain...Right? I actually I enjoy it. I get to stand over the sink peeling and thinking about life. I do a lot of my pondering while I can. We picked apples last night, so I get to do some more applesauce and apple pie filling this week too. It should be easy enough. Troy should be able to help with the kids so I can fly through them!!!
Tomorrow we get an additional driveway poured to accommodate our trucks for Troy's deliveries. We have hired our neighbor and he will run the Blackfoot-Shelley-West Idaho Falls route. I hope it works out. Troy went to Boise this last weekend to buy a new truck. He is excited that the business is expanding and I am excited he didn't try to do it all on his own. He is now also delivering Steve and Harry's coffee and soon Dutch Boy cookies. He has big plans and I am thankful he is so driven so I can be home with my babies. He is so good to us...he does everything he can to make us happy. What a guy!!
The kids are doing well. Tevan is still figuring out how to walk. He has it down...but he gets lazy and falls to his knees and crawls. He is trying so hard to be like Daeson. Daeson is trying so hard to get away from him :). Actually, they really get along most of the time and I can get some things done during the day.
Oh, and a BIG congrats to my sis-in-law, DaniDell, she and Todd are expecting a baby in April!! Hooray for them...I get two new nieces and/or nephews this spring. Come in Kayla...your turn!!!!!!! Just kidding! Congrats to Todd and Dani and Jesse and Carlie.

Defeated

It is 11:55 a.m. and I am already home from church...IT STARTED AT 11!!! I have been sitting in a classroom for a half an hour with two very unruly children. I am defeated. I actually left sacrament meeting in tears today. I guess it all started this morning when Tevan sliced his fingers open on my paper cutter blades...then to be told that I need to start keeping my crap put up high. As if I didn't already feel like crap. Then we were 10 minutes late to sacrament meeting becasue of it. The only seat was in the front row. YUP, right smack dab in the middle. If you have ever been in an LDS chapel, you know that voices travel and it doesn't take much to hear every thing. As soon as the deacons sat down, we left the chapel and the tears fell. I really hate it...going Sunday after Sunday by myself. I hate not having any help. Every Sunday I go and battle this unbeatable battle. I am beginning to wonder if I should just stop going all together, but I know I have a stronger testimony than that. What kind of mother can't even handle her own children for an hour in church? If ut was just a few Sundays I was defeated, I probably wouldn't feel this way...but Sunday after Sunday I leave church feeling 10 times worse than before I went. I know it is not supposed tp be that way, but for me it is. I am also tired of everyone blaming Troy for not going. It is his choice to go or not. I am not his mother and I will respect what he does. He is my husband, he is my children's father and I will not stand for judgement made against him. I love Troy, he is a GOOD!!! man. He would do anything I asked, but I also love him enough not to pressure him into going. I tried that for six and a half years and it almost broke us apart. Does it make me sad that we don't share that same eternal goal?? Yes. It does...very sad. It makes me almost heart broken. It makes me ache every time our three year old asks me why daddy isn't going. I can't answer because in all actuality I am not sure why. I am not even sure he knows why. Enough said on that. I need to get back to the church to get my stuff out of the chapel. This might just be the adversary pulling me down, and today HE won. Maybe next week I will win, who knows. All I know is that today I am defeated and I feel like a failure.

Give those to the cows...

Daeson is starting to put things together. Yesterday we went to the fair...Grandma Tom, Tevan, Daeson, Barbara, Austin and Cameron...and the kids were able to see the animals up close. We even got to see the goats being milked. The kids thought that was great and I didn't think anything of it until last night. I was getting in the shower and Daeson said, "Mom, Tevan doesn't drink milk from *those* anymore, so you need to take them off and give them to the cows." I thought this was the funniest thing, he has made one more comment about them. A few weeks ago, he said, " Mom, Tevan hungry and him want milk." I said, "Daeson, we just had breakfast." Daeson, "No Mommy, him want *those*, your milks." I said, "Mommy doesn't feed Tevan like that anymore." Daeson very quickly replied, "Then why you still have them!?" I guess this is the fine line that parents don't realize exists. I am going to have to be careful, he is picking up on EVERYTHING!!! He is so stinking smart...he can put anything together. THe other day we drove by a gas station, the one he usually has to pee at and proclaimed he had to go. Troy and I told him it was closed since we were a couple blocks from our house and we were not going to stop. He saiud, "Uh, uh, it not closed. Why is there a car there then Dad?" Explain that! I wasn't going to post this blog, but I thought it was sooo cute, and because I use this as my journal, I didn't want to miss out on this. It is so easy to forget! Have a happy Friday, I am off to set up the yard sale....YIPPEE???

YUM YUM!!

About 30 minutes ago I finished my apple pie filling (yieling 6 qts) and my tomatoes my sis-in- law (Thanks, Dani) brought from her garden in UT. I got 9 pints...they look good! So, applesauce, pie filling, apricot syrup and jam, green beans, and tomatoes are all done. Now I have peaches, pears, peach jam, pear butter, apple butter, and more pie filling to do...WHEW!! I spent most of the day yesterday on a ladder picking the apples from my neighbors' trees. Thanks Nancy & Alan and Mike & Sandy!!! As soon as my garden is ready, I will have all the ingredients to make some yummy salsa with my neighbor and best friend Barbara. She is amazing with this kind of stuff!!! Oh, I bought one of those apple peeler, corer, and slicer gadgets...WONDERFUL!!! I could peel, slice, and core an apple in 20 seconds with it! Apple pie filling was a cinch!!! And, I still LOVE my steamer instead of the waterbath...FANTASTIC! When I am all done, I will take some pictures...and as always, I am more than willing to help people with their canning...so if there is something that you are wanting to can, let me know!! :)

Molly 2 met her maker today...

We have some sad news at out house today, Molly 2 died. I just got done canning and I went to change their water...there she was: DEAD. Daeson doesn't know this yet, he is taking a NAP (can you believe it, this is rare). So, when he wakes up, I will tell him. When Dr. Suess died, he just thought we should go buy another. I guess I am not a pet person!!! I can't keep anything alive...my kids are in for it! Actually, Molly 1 is still thriving! I think Molly 2 ate too much...Daeson fed them this morning. I'll keep you updated on the living fish!

Finally some pictures!!!

July 16...I love the "asleep in the highchair" pictures...

July 24--Austin's b-day party... Daeson swinging at the pinata. Barbara did a great job on the party and it was so fun!!

I found these cute Indian toys in West Yellowstone when I wen with my 'rents and Gma. Daeson thought they were great...Tevan, eh.

It made noise...???


July 30, 08

Daeson and Emma became good friends...Daeson thinks he has to be a BIG BOY all the time...by then I was pulling my hair out!



Oh, This was at the Lish reunion...Island Park. My grandparents have a cabin up there that we all stayed at. It was fun. The cousins got to play and get to know eachother. The grown-ups caught up, too!


Aug 1, 08

The paintballers...Jaden, Jess, Troy, Justin, Dad, and U. Dirk...what BRAVE MEN!! :)_


Aug 2, 08

Grandpa promised to take Daeson fishing...so on the last day, right before breakfast they went. It was fun, Thanks Dad!!

Aug 2, 08

This was the second 4-leaf clover I found up there. If you know me, you know that I LOVE 4-leaf clovers and I can almost find one anywhere. I gave one to Grandma Lish and the other to Grandpa.

There is a cool elk farm in Archer...out by Troy's mom and dad's. Daeson thought the "reindeer" were sooo cool. We had to drive by two times!!!

Aug 2, 08...I just realized the dates on my camera are off, so give or take a day on the dates...that will really screw me up when I go to do my scrapbook!!!! GREAT!!!! URG...

A million things going on...

I don't know how many of you have seen the cubicle/organizer/desk thing at Robert's, but I am in the process of buying the ones I need to make my scrapbook/computer/bill paying station. Therefore, I have my computer in parts...some of it is on my bedroom and some is downstairs waiting to be hooked up. This is the explaination I have for having no pictures. It has been a mess since I started the project. I have to buy my cubbies one at a time because they are stinkin' expensive. So, one day (I am hoping this month) I will have it all together and I will be able to post some pictures.
Troy and I went to see House Bunny. For all of those who thought it looked good, it was okay. Like most movies all the funny stuff was in the previews. They say "B****" a lot and she drops the f word, which I feel is unneccessary in all movies. It definately could have been more modest, I got tired of seeing everyone's navels and butt cheeks. I cannot say that I would highly recommend it. If you go see it, plan on thirty or so minutes for previews.
We have two new members of our family...no, this is not an announcement. Peggy gave Daeson a dollar coin the other day when we were headed to Wal Mart. So, what did he do with it? He bought two 28 cent goldfish...both named Molly...and a 26 cent ghost shrimp named Dr. Suess. Daeson has an obsession with the name Molly...thanks Mom!!!...but I was quite pleased that he came up with Dr. Suess. However, yesterday Dr. Suess was found belly up in the bowl. We said good bye and gave him a royal burial. Molly 1 and Molly 2 are doing very well and actually getting bigger. Molly 1 has a black mohawk and Molly 2 is white and orange...like a creamsicle. Daeson has done a great job feeding them and he has helped me change their water. He is so excited and it is nice for him to have something to look forward to. However, we recently watched Mulan. If you are familiar with the movie, you know that when they sing the song I'll Make a Man Out of You they show the soldiers with spears trying to catch fish. I walked into the kitchen Saturday and Daeson was "trying to catch a fish". What? I know...three year olds are like a sponge. I thought it was funny though.
Tevan is trying still to walk. Everyday he gets better. It is so funny to watch him. He hardly says two words...I think his vocabulary consists of Mom, Dadda, Num-num, All done, and he smacks his lips if he is hungry. Once in a while he says Daeson. I hope he starts talking soon...grunts are not going to cut it much longer. It drives me crazy!!!
Sunday was a rough day for the Grover household. I battled with my kids before church, during and after. I bought Daeson new church clothes...shirt, tie and some cute pants. So Sunday I got his shirt all buttoned up and you would have thought it was the end of the world! He pulled at his shirt, screamed, told me he was going to "rip it off" and threw the biggest tantrum. So, I undid the top button and told him he couldn't wear his tie. Once again another fit. I knew I was going to leave Tevan home because he had to take a nap. But, Troy was 10 minutes late getting home, so I was late for church. The only bench open had two other families on it. Because Daeson was so naughty before church I told him he couldn't have anything during church. I think that was more punishment for me than him. He was so terrible that I left. I was soo tired of the battle. Then we got home and Troy was in a mess trying to move his desk in from the garage and the ugly table out to the garage. My living room looks like a reception area. Just until the den is finished I keep telling myself. After a few hours, Troy finally took the kids out to his mom and dad's. I, once again, broke the Sabbath and made jam. I bought some apricots on Friday, and Saturday we had some very exciting company( my aunt and cousins from Preston and Texas, and my Gma Tom), so I left jam until Sunday. I would have waited if the apricots would have, but they were already starting to go bad. Out of thirty pounds, I threw out about 5 lbs. Not bad I guess. I got 23 half-pints. It took about 5 hours. I did buy a new steam canner. It worked pretty good...except I ran out of water on the first batch and the pan kinda burned. But, you don't have to lift the jars out...they just sit on a tray, you put the jars in...it holds 10 half-pints, or 7 quarts... and then you put the steam dome on and start timing. I liked it. My VT came over for a bit and it was great to have someone to talk to. So, my first canning venture this year. I was quite pleased and the jam is delicious. Lemon juice, apricots and sugar...it can't get much easier than that!!!! Now I have corn, beans, peaches, pears, peach jam, applesauce, apple pie filling and pumpkin to do. I would like to do more, but I think that should do me in.
Well, as I think of more crazy stuff to post, I will. I hope to be able to put pictures on soon. I have some super cute ones!! Oh, I forgot the funny thing Daeson said at church. We sat behind out neighbors, the Johnson's, and they have a cute little girl named Lindy. Daeson said to me, "Mom, I am going to marry Lindy and you. Then I will have two people I be married to. Is that okay, Mom?" I thought it was soooo funny. He says the darndest things sometimes!!!!

Stages of Life

We are all in differents stagees of life...but Tevan is in the fun stage. Sunday we were hanging out in the nursery at church and Tevan decided to take 5 steps. Everyday since then he has started to be more brave and walking from furniture to us. He is still in the very early stages, but it is so fun to watch him grow and learn everyday.
Daeson is in the sassy stage. Three is a hard stage for me...and i am sure three is a hard age for Daeson. He is such an independant child. He has to do everything by himself. I think that stemmed from the Barney song, "I can do it by myself." He sings that song when he is trying to do something challenging. He is also learning how to ride a bike. I think that if I worked hard with him he would be able to ride without training wheels. He cruises on his little bike. It amazes me that he goes so quickly.
Troy is in a stressed out stage of life. He works hard for us and we are in the process of buying another route. That means we have to hire somebody and that means that I have to figure out how to do that. My sis in law does it for her husband, but she is smarter with computers and such.
I am in the stage of life where I just want a small vacation. It has been a LONG time since Troy and I have gone anywhere for fun...even with the kids. I think the last time we were even in SLC was a couple summers ago. Now with him working everyday, it will be another couple years before we get to go anywhere. I guess I should just buck up and stop boobing about then vacation thing. Back in the day there were no vacations. I need to just make LIFE a vacation. Right? I am sure there are plenty of things that I can do around here. Like right now I should be getting ready for the apraiser to come...he will be here at two. I leave at 12 to go to the temple for initiatory work. I guess they know that houses are lived in. Troy did get the trime finished last night...the basement is all trimmed except for the window and Troy's dad will be here at 10 to help him do that. Slowly but surely it is all getting done. It will be soooo nice to have it all finished and looking good.

TGIF!!!

I am soooo glad it is Friday! I am not sure why, the weekends are filled with cleaning and cooking just like the weekdays, but there is just something about Friday's. Last night Troy and I had date night. He took me to a restaraunt here in IF called the Cellar. IT was FABULOUS!!!! If you are in a hurry, don't go here because your food is brought out in courses and it is very slow-paced, yet formal. I liked that aspect. Troy and I talked...we were there for two hours. The food was simply delicious and fresh. Troy had crab-stuffed sunfish with capers and lemon. I had a cucumber-apple salad with gargonzola dressing. It really was a great treat to enjoy our meal together and without kids screaming or fussing. So, if you do go out, try the Cellar. The pricese were not too bad...plates started at 18 and went as high as 38, but what do you expect? It was fine dining at it 's best. Idaho Falls is getting nicer restaraunts, and it is refreshing. We had a great time.
Tomorrow there is a big celebration at Taylor's Crossing. I am hoping it is fun for the kids. We were going to go hiking tomorrow, and we got all decked out to do it. We got hiking shoes, a babybackpack, camelbacks and hats. I am worried that Tevan isn't going to be too fond of the backpack so I think we are going to try it out tomorrow at the Taylor's Crossing events and see how he does. He hated the bike trailer at first, but not we can go for almost an hour in it. Today we even went off road down the canal and he liked it. I think we have adopted that as our new route. Hopefully he will like the pack and we will be off next weekend on a grand adventure. Picnics, bugs, bears and the wilderness...sounds great to me!!! Troy and I used to backpack overnight, but haven't gone since we had kids...oh, and gained 60 lbs!!!LOL. I am hoping to get back into shape...Heaven's knows I need to...and have fun with my family at the same time.
Sunday Troy gets set apart as the EQ Assistant Secretary and I as a teacher. Then the Grover's are coming over for a potato bar. It should be fun to have the cousins all playing and to hear about their trip to the Oregon coast. THe weekend will fly and before I know, it will be Monday and I will be cleaning rooms, washing sheets and doing laundry. Oh, the things we keep busy with. I forgot to mention the flu went through our house...luckily not the kids, although tonight Daeson has an ear infection. I have to take him to Community Care tomorrow morning. But I also had a job *interview* the other day. I know. I really would like to take it, but Troy is draggin' his feet. The position is Activities Director for a retirement center. I thought it sounded fun and the pay was good. I am not sure Troy will ever agree to me going to work, but I would really like to. It would be nice to have a break from the monotony (SP) and let Troy bond with the kids. Anyway, have a great weekend!!! It will be busy as summer winds down, but enjoy them while we can...right? HAPPY WEEKEND!!!

Phew, first lesson over

I taught Relief Society today for the first time since my calling was issued (today I was sustained)...and now that one is done. It actually went okay. I wasn't sure how participation would work, but it all went really great. The class had a ton of thoughts and comments. The lesson was out of the Joseph Smith manual, Words of Hope and Consolation in Times of Death...or something to that effect. Lesson 14 anyway. I really am grateful for the calling. It will encourage me to be a better person and read the lessons. I read the lessons when I was chorister, but got out of the habit when I was released. Now I get to read them again, and try to find inspiring thoughts to share with the sisters in the ward. I am excited and nervous...but it really isn't THAT scary up there.
Happy Sunday to all of you. May God bless you all...He LIVES! He loves us and He is there to listen to us. Wonderful talks in Sacrament Mtg today...I got to listen because Tevan was at home sleeping with Troy :). Faith is an action word. It doesn't come on it's own...we have to work on it daily. But, if we truly seek it out, we will be blessed. The Lord knows us and loves us...He will lead us into life eternal. I know this to be TRUE. I know that there are blessing that come from doing right. I also know that I am not perfect and have a LONG way to go...but I know that HE will guide and direct me as long as I am worthy of HIS spirit. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is on the Earth today. It is God's church. It is the TRUE church...I am so thankful for that knowledge. I am thankful for the principles it teaches. I am thankful for the Book of Mormon, if you haven't read it, give it a try. You will be amazed at the things in it. They are true. I know it. May God be with each and every one of you.

Looking for part time...

I know that Troy would never expect me to go to work, but I have decided to go back to work part time. First, I need to find a job. :) Now that Troy is no longer selling insurance (his boss won't let him work part time, and the Mission tortillas take up most of his time), he is home every afternoon. It is not that I don't want to be home with my kids, but more of an opportunity to allow the kids more time with their dad. I want Troy to know what it is that I do all day...I don't sit around and eat bonbons...and I only BLOG when my chores are done (most of the time). But, I want to keep up my resume also. I feel like my brain is going to mush. I need something challenging in my life...mentally. So, I am applying at Fred Meyer because they have benefits for part time people. Now that Troy doesn't sell insurance, we need to find something that isn't 400.00 each month...and something with better coverage. We don't even have maternity...no, I am not prego and won't be for a while!!! I am okay with Troy not selling insurance for a couple of reasons, but I am ticked off for a couple reasons, too. The benefits? He is home around 1 p.m. everyday. Give or take an hour. And there are no more late nights. The things I am not too happy about? He worked his butt of for the company for three and a half years. For what? Yes he will still get residules, but we were supposed to go to Dallas this December for a big award. He worked hard. I just don't see why they won't let him work part time. He has been for a couple months now...not officially, but he only worked a few hours a week. He still turned in more paperwork than the others in the office last week. Go figure. You would think that his ex-boss would rather make a little off him than nothing. Oh well. I guess now I don't have to have papers all over cluttering my cupboards. Not more meetings for Troy, and a lot less pressure for him. It is a good thing overall. He was not happy with my decision to go back to work, but I am excited. It will give me a few hours of alone time and maybe I will learn to appreciate my children more. I know it will be a change, but for the next two years I am hoping to have a little break from the house. Then, if we decide to have mre babies, I will stay home until they are old enough for school...then I will do a fun job like jewlery or a craft store :). Who knows what the future will bring. So, if Fred Meyer doesn't pan out, I will be looking for something different. Or maybe by then I will decide to just stay home...I am kinda fickle that way. :)

Christmas? Already?

Okay family, here are the lists. The giver is listed first, then the receiver. I know Christmas is a bit away still, but I want to get an early start. If anyone has ideas for gifts, let us all know. So here you are...

Smith Side:
Justin: Jandy
Hailey: Jesse
Jandy: Carlie
Troy: Hailey
Jesse: Troy
Carlie: Jaden
Jaden: Justin (he wants a paintball gun :P )

Grover Side:
Adam: Brad
Kayla: Heidi
Troy: Kaden
Jandy: Adam
Danielle:Troy
Todd: Kayla
Heidi: Jandy
Brad: Danielle
Kaden: Todd

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

How could I forget!!!!?????

How in the world did I forget to blog about THE concert? Three Dog Night was awesome!!! It was so great to hear the music LIVE. We had awesome seats and the sound was so clear and crisp. Troy's parents sat by us and my parents had VIP seats...within the first four rows. I was so disappointed, however, that no one was getting in to it. I was wiggling in my seat, screaming and clapping my hands. I couldn't help it...it was just great. And all those fuddy duddys sitting by me did just taht...sat in their seats. The people in front of us didn't even smile...got figure. But, I LOVED it and we had a smashing time. Our babysitters did great while we were gone. The kids were sound asleep in their beds and well taken care of. We love them, they are great girls. It was just a fabulous night all around.

Am I alive?

Okay, I know. It has been a LONG time since I posted my last blog..what like 2 weeks. So for all of you who think that I have fallen off the face of the earth, I have. We have been so busy that this is the first time I have sat down to blog. I have 200 pictures that I would love to post, but I won't.



My mom was here for a week. We had fun. We shopped, went to the temple, and ate out. It was a lot of fun. My Grandma came up and stayed for two days also. She too went to the temple. We had a great time, I wish there were more of them. My mom was here from the 19th of July to the 27th. My dad came with her and then left...they watched our kids for the not so romantic anniversary trip. We then went Preston for a homecoming.



My cousin, Nick, came home from Tahiti. He is a handsome guy, Ladies!!! And single...even better. We had a great time visiting family and friends.



The 29th we went to my Grandma Smith's for a family get together. My aunt and cousins from Tx were here. We had a great time and once again had fun visiting. I have pictures...but you will have to wait for them. No time now to post them.



The 30th was a great day. I got to go to the Playmill with my mom, dad, and Grandma. We saw Hello, Dolly. It was fabulous!!! I was in that play after I graduated High School at the Malad Theater Guilde. The Playmill actors did a GREAT job...and of course, the fudge was fantastic as always. I even brought some home for my family. I found the boys some cute trinkets also.



The 31st was a crazy day. When we got home the night of the Playmill, I moved Daeson into his own bed (he fell asleep with Troy). When I moved him, I realized that his pull-up leaked (so much for the expensive brand) and he had peed through to the mattress. So, I gathered some blankets and headed for the couch. The next morning was filled with laundry, packing and shampooing the bed. I hadn't even thought about packing before this...what was I thinking? We had to get groceries and coolers packed too. I am never this unorganized. But, finally about 2ish or 3ish we headed out, stopping at BK along the way to get some lunch. Tevan fell asleep before he got his kids meal...did you know that BK has apple fries now? They are little apple sticks. Healthy choice, but they cost more. Oh well. Cheaper than a heart attack down the road. We finally got up to the cabin and got settled. I stayed in the cabin with the two boys, and mom and dad slept in their camper. It was beautiful up there.

I don't know what we did on what days. The kids were filthy...if you know me, you know that I don't let my kids get dirty. It grosses me out. However, by the time we left the cabin they had their lifetime dirt fill. Troy came up on Saturday after work. He got there just in time for paintball. My dad, Justin, Jesse, Jaden, Troy and my uncle Dirk all went out. They had fun...and a few days later they still have welts. HAHA. Daeson got to go fishing with my dad. Jaden took the boys and I on a short 4 wheeler ride. And several others took my kids. It was hard being up there without Troy, but we had lots of help. Sunday we came home, and had 13 batches of laundry to do. YIPPEE!! I am almost done with them.

We had a bit of family news also. I am going to be an aunt again. I won't say who it is becuase they are being funny about the whole thing...not telling some people and telling others. I don't know who they want to know, so I will leave it annon. Speaking of family... I could get on my soap box and tell you how it really was up there, but I won't. Some things are better left unsaid. I will say this: I am not sure why we are nicer to everyone else, but mean to our own families. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Should we not love eachother enough to overlook flaws...and not backbite and speak ill behind one another's back? We are supposed to love each other, not despise. So, on that I will close my rushed blog and fix my baby some lunch. I am thankful that Troy over looks my flaws...there are MANY! I am also glad that he helps me be a better person. What a good man. I don't tell him enough how good of a person he is. So, tonight I am suprising him with a date. How exciting. I will let you know how it goes...hopefully better than our last date. :)