Last Minute's

This year December must have come in condensed - because before I realized what had happened, it was just a week and two days before Christmas. So I set aside impossible visions of doing the 12 Days of Christmas for someone (too late!) and focused on more pressing and achievable tasks. And amid caring for my kids and a few others, finishing the shopping both in person and online, and tending to menial household tasks (aside from laundry) I was able to do some FABULOUS "Last Minute's" - and do them, well . . . let's just say better than most planned and drawn out projects!
Last Minute Christmas Card:


Last Minute Primary Worker Gift:


Last Minute Friends & Neighbor cookies:


The best part is - I enjoyed it all SO much this year - I don't know how to fool myself into not seeing it all rushing at me again next year.

I got cards out in time for delivery before Christmas, made 22 gifts and threw in 6 more for family members, got all the cookies delivered before Christmas Eve, took in two ADORABLE kids Christmas Eve day and hosted Christmas dinner at our house.

I share this all not to brag, but to share that MIRACLES still DO happen. They happened in our home the week and two days before Christmas - and not for what was accomplished - but for my joy in doing it all!!!

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!!!

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A Night In Bethlehem

I love a good holiday party; music, white elephant gift exchange, Santa visit . . . It's all so fun and festive. But tonight our ward had a Night In Bethlehem. It was really wonderful. It made me sit back and think about what this is all really about.

All day I was worried about my heating system gone awry and getting 300 pitas sliced in half and opened and watched kids and chopped lettuce - and finally threw together some surprisingly good costumes.

Then I got the chance to serve up the chicken salad filled pitas and see almost every ward member - and enjoy the Nativity - and hear all the primary kids sing - and well, it was a peaceful, memorable night. I think my kids will remember this one.

It's truly a beautiful season. I am grateful for the freedom to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world - and of me. I cherish the knowledge I have of what He did for me, for us. What He taught. How He served. What he sacrificed. What He overcame. And what He will do for me personally at that day when He stands to explain, judge, and ultimately defend me. I love Him.


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Whew - what a day!!

Today was non-stop jam-packed. And I held it together!!

During early morning family scripture reading, I got a call from my friend who had an emergency need for childcare. So while taking care of her two girls, I did the following:

-Defrosted & cleaned the freezer.


- Made my very favorite pastry cookies - a recipe that has been a family tradition and brings thoughts of sisters, mom, aunts, grandma & cousins. Mmmm!





- Did a load of laundry.
- Cleaned the downstairs and all bathrooms.
- Collected all the trash.
- Talked on the phone with my favorite sister.
- Ref'd a number of quarrels with the increased number of children.
- Straightened up my scrap room.
- Finally took a shower and got ready.
- Hosted a baby shower for a dear friend.
- And now I'm spending a moment with my husband in a dim room with our lit Christmas Tree.


It's been a VERY good day.

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Thankful For . . .

So many things -

1. My husband - without whom I would be a horribly uptight and anxious woman. He removes the "horribly" from my title.



2. My children - beautiful, joyful, entertaining and mine!!

3. My home. 3 years ago we moved into this big beautiful house and not a day goes by that I don't think of one, if not many reasons why I love it!!

4. Good friends - we are so lucky to have amazing friends who might as well be family!! We love inviting people into our home!!



5. Family - although far away - we think of family daily and pray that all's well with each one.

6. My Sister Taisley - yes she's also in the family category, but gets a number of her own! She's my best friend, someone who gets me - more than anyone else, and no matter the distance or time between us, we can truly comfort and humor each other.

7. Brayton Primary - I LOVE those children. And I am so grateful for all the teachers & other workers who make it all happen so we can focus on sharing our love with the kiddos!

8. Freedom. Of religion, speech, education, associations, and more.

9. Literature. Love "The Help" "Hunger Games" and The Book of Alma lately.

10. Music. Loving Taylor Swift, Jon Schmidt and Brandon Flowers right now.

Plenty more to be thankful for! But we have visitors! : )

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I took a sick day

I didn't have a voice 4 days out of the week - I've been coughing sneezing, sniffling, and don't get me started on my exhaustion. So Thursday I took a sick day and stayed in bed.

I still had to be doing something so I started to crochet a scarf. Then yesterday I made a hat to go with it.



Hopefully they'll keep me warm enough to get over this crummy cold and keep me from future colds.

I can hope!

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No Denying . . .

It's winter.


Yesterday I was just cold down to the bone. It doesn't help that I've got a cold and lost my voice. But I think I could feel it coming.

This morning we wake up to this. A real snowfall. And the kids got ready so fast, even helping each other, so they could play for a few minutes before heading off to school.

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Before & After

My boys are destined to a lifetime of bad haircuts if I keep trying to do it myself.

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My Daughter the Designer

My Emery is so very creative. She scrapbooks, draws, even her make believe is super creative. Now she's designing and hand sewing clothes for her American Girl Doll. She amazes me. Not only are they cute, but she makes a point to ensure they're modest. I'm so proud!!






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My New Favorite Room

A few years ago I found a great set of Camo quilts at Walmart, of all places. Now that the two youngest boys are in a room together, the ideas have been formulating. I painted quite a few months ago and couldn't have dragged out the finishing touches any longer - but it's finally done. With the help of my Cricut and some vinyl, I cut the border shapes. I want the boys to have pride in our country and those who protect it.






Have you ever started a project that you see in your head only to find that it looks pretty pathetic when it's implemented? I'm used to that. So when things turn out even better than what I see in my head, I'm ecstatic! LOVE this border!!


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Family Room Renovation

So the kids have loved their artistic freedom:












So where are we in the renovation? Well, we have finalized our decision on carpet. Made a selection of paint for our stand-out wall . . . All that's left is to have the room measured for carpet, choose the other wall color, paint the ceiling and walls, order the carpet, put in new floor trim . . .

Oh but wait, Dan made a discovery today that may put all those steps on hold indefinitely.






A bubble in the ceiling became a gaping hole after he touched it to see what was going on. Must be a leak up in our bathroom - so budget-wise, we may be enjoying our children's art and shuffling around on plywood floors for some time.


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Awesome Mom-ness

So - many of you know I'm not the most relaxed mother on the planet. I like cleanliness and order and propriety. Therefore, anything that falls outside my comfort zone as a mom is note-worthy!!

One of my vivid memories as a kid was when all propriety went the way of the shag carpet!! My parents did a major remodel and renovation of our home in Bountiful. The red shag carpet and heavy velvet curtains came down and were replaced by early 80's modernness - country cottage blue style. In the midst of ripping down old wallpaper, we began murals of pure art. Stick figure family portraits. Doodles. Who knows what else - I think there may be a photo somewhere. Wish I had it.

So after we ripped the carpet out of the family room this week, I felt nostalgic which morphed into proprietary rebellion. I told the kids about my memory and gave them the "maybe!" when they asked if they could do it.

Tonight - after the WORST teeth cleaning of my life, (never going to her again!) and with the pull of showing E's friend that I can be cool - I let the kids pull out the markers. And they are having a BLAST!!!!!!! This falls under the best-mom-ever category. Why not, right?



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Family Home Evening

Tonight's Family Home Evening was centered around ripping out carpet, trying to keep little fingers and toes from puncture wounds and the occasional outburst of reprimand for a swinging tool almost larger than the operator.

Hardest worker award goes to Jackson - that little man pulled up almost all the tack strip himself. With only one tiny finger poke all night.


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The Hut

Last year Daniel began a crazy project - an above-the-shed-hut. I was amazed when I saw the amount of materials he unloaded after a trip to the home improvement store. I realized it was more serious than I first understood. So this summer he finished it and the kids absolutely LOVE it - they had their first night sleeping in it last night - before it gets (any) cold(er). Aidan came in by 11:00 pm, Jack by 2:30 am and Emery by 6:30 am. Harrison was the only one who made it all night.








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R&P Photography

I love these gals! Ronalyn and Paula of R&P Photography - they have taken our family photos for three years in a row now and this year was just magical!! There were no melt-downs or non-cooperative tantrums. Just happy kids - mostly following directions and smiling.


I purchased a CD of our shoot and also got this CD case and box full of prints. I am in love!! If anyone in Alaska needs good family photos - and want to meet two of the sweetest, most fun and talented girls - check them out!!

www.randpphotography.net

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My amazing husband . . .

So the man that gives me perpetual butterflies turns old today. As old as me. And here he is . . . out fixing our mailbox. A friend of ours backed into it today and totally took it out. I hope she doesn't feel bad for more than a second because I just keep laughing every time I think about it. (Harrison keeps commenting that I must be in a good mood today - I am, but it's also just one of those things that hit me more funny than upset.) So I knew he could and would fix it - however, I was a bit concerned about: 1-what the mailman would do with our mail today and 2- what it would look like once he fixed it.

No need to worry because the minute Dan got home he went out and started working on it - and then when I went out there to see his progress, the wood matched perfectly, its more sturdy and it looks better than it did before.

Then - as Dan's finishing the last screws, the mailman pulls up and Dan opens the mailbox door for him.



He's such a good guy!! I honestly don't know how I got so lucky!!

And these kinds of things aren't even the top reasons I love him - he's forgiving and supportive. He's kind and considerate. He's a gentleman and confidant. He's dedicated and compassionate. He's fun and real. He's plain amazing!! So these kinds of things (like fixing the mailbox) are just icing on the cake!!!

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He's 5!!!!

I can't believe how much technology has progressed in my lifetime - nowadays a ((5)) year old knows his way around a laptop. I'm not fully worried though - he's still naive enough to delete and accidentally rearrange files.


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J-Man

I'm a bad mom. Not all the time. And surely not on purpose. But Jack has wanted me to go to the school playground with him and push him on the swings. I made him a promise that I'd meet them Friday after school at the playground and push him on the swings. Problem was - I got to cleaning my house. Top to bottom, the whole time fueled by hearing about two nurses at a local hospital helping a very large man into his hospital bed - and finding cockroaches between his belly-rolls. So yeah, you can imagine how distracted I was in trying to secure a clean home.

When Harrison got home, he told me Jack was angry with me. I felt truly awful!!

So today - after a VERY successful family photo shoot - we went to the playground and I pushed him on the swings. I even helped him learn how to pump a bit - and with a little practice, he'll be flying to the sky in no time.


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Cutie Bug!

A couple weeks ago I told Aidan he looked bigger after a good night's sleep - that's one way to get kids to bed, tell them they only grow when they are sleeping.

So he responded with, "I'n big enough for a bike now."

Well - we had been talking about finding him a little bike for a while. So I went on Amazon and found the classic trike.

He loves it. Ya' know - it's fun to watch a child learn how to pedal. Something we forget that we had to learn. He did a good job. He's very independent and really wanted to figure it out himself. So when he stopped and couldn't go again, he'd try to pedal slightly backward to get him momentum. And it worked. Ah - learning cause and effect and being positively reinforced for it.

He's such a cute little bug!!!!

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The Wildlife is Back!!!

Not only did the kids say the bear has been wandering the neighborhood again - but we continue to see the momma and baby moose!

If it looks like a subdivision . . .

If it looks like a subdivision and sounds like a subdivision and is used as a subdivision . . . it doesn't necessarily mean it is!! That is, of course in Alaska. Someone set up shop here right in the middle of nature, with its wildlife, critters and foliage. Historically, when man moves in to nature, the wildlife move on, or worse, become extinct. But not here.

I am regularly reminded that not only are the people of Alaska hearty, but the wildlife is too!

They still live and move through Alaska - with no care for the humans or his/her aesthetical desires for a garden. (Is that a word?)

I have to remind myself of that when I feel the wildlife gets in my way. I think in reality, it is US that gets in their way.




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It doesn't count . . .

If the sun is hidden by FOG!!!



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Oso (Bear)

Got a recorded message from our principal tonight. Apparently there was a big brown bear just about a block away this morning and went into the woods between our house and the school.

The kids said a teacher was out on their path just into the woods on the school side. She asked (very non-chalantly) if they'd seen any wildlife this morning. They thought it was weird that a teacher was hanging out there. Not so strange now that we know why. They did give the kids a couple updates throughout the day.

Not to worry, the kids told me the cops came and scared it away. Problem is - If they scare it AWAY from the school, they very likely scare it TOWARDS our house. I'm not sure I wanna let my little morsel children outside. Ever.


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Before & After

When I was a little girl, I had the immense blessing and pleasure of living near both sets of grandparents. My Grandpa Forsberg was an amazing woodworker and I've had this adorable little rocking chair since I was very little. Unfortunately it saw a bit of wear. My sweet dear husband secretively sent it to a friend's for repair. Sadly, about 3 years later I start asking where my rocking chair is (almost frantically) - so he brought it home, without repair. I know how that goes, things get put on the back burner, right.

So - in trying to find a solution, I go to a few furniture/antique repair shops - just to find out that it's not an open industry. You have to call and set up times to meet up - so I decide to try other means. My BIL sends a link to some DIY site and I start figuring out how to repair it myself.

A couple set-backs and some lessons learned, and I have a beautiful chair once again.

Makes me miss my grandpa!

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Back on the blog

I found the BlogPress app!!! Which means the two of you that keep checking back in hopes of finding entertaining posts will get your wish!!! I will be blogging ALL THE TIME! I just love my iPhone!


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Do camels stampede?

A couple days ago I'm headed to the store with my favorite little shadow-buddy and out of nowhere he says,

"Why is it called 'stampede?'"

So I say, "That's just the word that is used. You know what a stampede is, right?"

He responds, "Yeah. Do camels stampede?"

So I tell him it's a great question and we'll have to ask our friends who live in Saudi Arabia.

So Michelle, Zach & Ethan, do camels stampede?

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"Oh, it's on!!"

So I took Jack on a little date this afternoon and as he sits down to put on those stylin' shoes, he taunts me saying, "Oh, it's ON!" this kid cracks me up!!!

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First Day of K

Oh yeah! He's gonna do fine!

First Day of School

August 20, 2010
Aidan and Jack were excited to walk the kids to school yesterday. It was finally sunny after 31 days of measurable precipitation - meaning LOTS of overcast-ness!!!! So it was a bit more cheery to go while the sun was shining.

Both Harrison and Emery said they really like their teachers, and as we can vouch - the teacher makes a WORLD of difference!

Jack starts next week but meets with his teacher (who was Emery's 1st grade teacher) tomorrow.

Just Aidan and me at home now. Hope I don't bore him senseless!

Air Show

A couple weeks ago we went to the Air Show on Elmendorf AFB and had a GREAT time - it was a mostly sunny day and pretty warm.

I absolutely love the feeling when your heart vibrates from the sound of REALLY LOUD jets. It was a blast for me - I think the kids were about half as impressed. But everyone did get their own funnel cake - which honestly was a mistake because we threw away at least half of each one.

I feel lucky and blessed to live in this country where people are self-less enough to fight for what we believe. Our freedoms are priceless!!

Chewbacca

So yesterday the kids are enjoying our GORGEOUS Alaska summer weather - sorry Utahn's!!! and they are dressing up and playing with neighbors and having a grand time!

I go outside to check on things and see this:

Me: Hi there, cute lion!
A: I'n not a yion! I'n Twobacca!

Then he proceeds to destroy Darth Vader aka: Jack

Man, they're cute!!!

App for kids

I got this new app on my iPhone - Elmo's Monster Maker. The boys love it - and apparently so does Em - I had to tell her to turn it off yesterday because after you choose the hat, eyes & nose - you can make them dance with all sorts of music. It's kinda funny and keeps them entertained.

My Little Princess

While we were on vacation, my beautiful Em turned 9 years old. I can't believe what a sweet and grown up lady she's becoming. I'm so grateful for a daughter. I always wanted boys - but she made me so thankful to have my one girl!!! I love her creativity and smile. She's sweet and kind. She's so very helpful. I just don't know what I would ever do without her!!!

Love you Em!!!

Life is moving forward . . . no matter what I do!

So a couple months ago I closed down my store - yes, my life-long dream to own a scrapbook store came to an end - a bitter-sweet end - by the close of February. And since then, my designers and I have been working on the evolution of More Than A Memory - and as of right now . . . you can see what we've become!!!

I'm so very excited to start our online store. I've been creating like crazy - actually working on all the ideas that have been piling up in my head for the last year and a half - and I'm loving it!!!!

So if you get a chance - click on the More Than A Memory link in the sidebar.

Ahhhhhhhhh - working entirely from home. Getting more sleep. Playing with paper. THIS is the life!

As of late . . .

The past few weeks:

Scramble to finish projects and laundry
Fly to Las Vegas via Seattle
Drive to St. George
Enjoy time with brother, sisters & cousins/bro-in laws
Parks, Zions, Movies, Bakugans, Dino Tracks, Lake, pool, popsicles, Pirate Pizza
Drive to Provo
Enjoy time with Kent side (2 new babies - SO DANG CUTE!!!)
Drive to Martin's Cove
Pull a Hand-cart and climb Independence Rock with Grandma & Grandpa F
Drive to SLC
Stay w/ sister and nephews, Thanksgiving Point
Drive to St. George
Shop outlet mall, pool again
Drive to Vegas
Visit Shark Reef, eat at Excalibur Buffet, walk like zombies through casinos
Sleep in hotel
Fly to Anchorage via Seattle

With only approximately 2.5 meltdowns - it was a HUGE success of a vacation. We absolutely loved it and had such a fabulous time with all those we were able to see. Family is just too far away!!! We need visits in Alaska!!!

Glad to be home - but REALLY had a good time!