From one corner to the other!

Distance between Anchorage and Orlando ? ? ? ?
3808 MILES

And in two days, we begin our travel to get there . . . first stopping in Seattle for a "layover" that necessitates a night in a hotel - and we'll arrive in sunny Orlando Monday evening. The kids can't wait to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (among other parks also) . . . I can't wait to see my family . . . Dan can't wait to golf . . . it's going to be fabulous!!!

I'm in the middle of an icky cold that has already taken my voice for three days last week and threatens to take it again today. My skin is so darn dry and itchy, my fingers are cracking. We didn't ease into winter this year - it was dumped on us and it's been cold!!! So this little va-cay is SO very needed.

I usually don't complain (too) bad about Alaska - for the most part, I'm an indoor girl anyway . . . so who cares as long as my light bulbs don't burn out and my on demand is pushing heat? BUT this year - it's time . . . we've had two not so exciting summers in a row and in the middle of the second drastic winter. It's time I get warm all the way to the core.

Our home is going to be taken care of by some very dear friends, my shop is in Vacation mode, Primary is in tender hands, all that's left to do is tie some short loose ends and we're off!!!!!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

Oh Jack Jack!

Jack began his 1st grade year yesterday. K & 1st start a week later . . . so the kiddos can meet the teacher and the teacher can assess the kiddos . . . I'm not quite sure I agree with doing it in 1st . . . but that's beside the point - he started yesterday . . . and is VERY excited! Getting to ride his bike (all TWO wheels of it) was a highlight - he is in a combined 1st & 2nd class with a new teacher who seems like she'll be AWESOME! I think it was hard for Jack to see his older brother & sister go a week earlier, but he's in the swing of things already . . . and was VERY exhausted last night.

We also celebrated his birthday recently. Problem is . . . the plan was to go to Chuck-E-Cheese's the night before his birthday . . . well that happened to be the night after my eye surgery . . . and I wasn't up for it . . . so the night of his birthday Dan took all the kids and went since I STILL wasn't up to it . . . and I'm so sad I missed it. Another thing that got overlooked was a cake. Hm . . . how did THAT happen? I love cake! Anyways - Jack mentioned it a couple days ago - so we got a cake and actually had it for breakfast last Saturday. I can't believe he's SIX!!

This kiddo is VERY lovey - VERY emotional - VERY extreme . . . so if he's not kissing on you, he's in turmoil or something similar . . . I just don't even know what this was about the other day - but it cracked me up so much that he started laughing too!!! That's what I mean - traumatized one moment and giggling the next. He's SO very sweet! I love the stuffin's out of him!

Emery's Projects

My sweet Emery has a knack for crafts & projects - like her momma. So a few weeks ago while at Joann Fabrics, she started picking out fabrics to make her brothers blankets - without any knowledge of how . . . another thing she gets from her momma.

(With only help putting them on a frame) she tied them - then (with a little help pinning the trim) she sewed the trim.

Her brothers LOVE them!!!
And I'm pretty proud of her!!!

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Another First Day

Here are my 5th and 6th graders . . . holy cow! Are they really THAT old? Yep . . . and THAT tall . . . and THAT grown up. It's amazing now to me - mostly because though I have a horrible memory, I remember a bit about 5th and 6th grade.

Our boundaries had changed and in 5th grade, I found myself at a new elementary - not fun. The night before school started, a friend, Jana I think, called to ask me what teacher I had and unfortunately I had to tell her I'd been a victim of the boundary change. Bummer. But I got to MUIR Elementary and things were a bit different - We had a large "pod" type set up with 3 teachers and all the 5th graders in the same general area. I ran for class office and my slogan was, "Vote for Tonya or BEAT IT!" accompanied by a snazzy Teen-Beat picture of a Red-leather Jacket donning Michael Jackson. I did not get elected.

The big thing about 6th grade was the Renaissance Fair we did . . . we drew for "characters" and instead of being a maiden or a queen or anything beautiful like that . . . I drew NUN!!! Hated it. But tried to be a good sport. I got to interview people and find out a little more about Nuns - and yep . . . I got the full Nun clothing. I did however get to shed that Nun character when I played Lady Macbeth in our shortened version of "Macbeth" - I even got to swear because it was in the script. It was a very great experience for me to be in that play. It gave me a lot of confidence and I was told at the ripe age of a 6th grader that I was really good!!!

So now as my oldest kiddos are asking me every 2 minutes if they can go yet . . . I reflect on how fast life moves. How quickly kids grow. How much I just want my 5th and 6th grader to have a good experience and gain the knowledge and confidence they need for life.

Next week . . . my first grader begins!!! Argh! This is all going to kill me!

Color!

I've been keeping myself extremely busy!! It doesn't help that my little sister has introduced me to some amazing DIY / thrifting / creative crafting / home decor blogs! So . . . I've been DIMyself-ing, thrifting, creative crafting and home decor-ing.

This is a taste of the first phase of my informal dining room.

F * U * N !!

Fun Sunday Project!!!

The Sunday before Independence Day that is!!

I really like going all patriotic - and making my family join me - I just can't seem to justify paying for a half dozen shirts that may or may not be worn but one day a year! So I decided to just make my own. AND I LOVE THEM!!!

SO easy! I just cut pieces from scrap fabric and zig zag stitched them on! Easy Peasy! My only cost was the 4 for $10 shirts on sale at Michael's - Sweet, right?

HAPPY 4th OF JULY TO EVERYONE!!!

Jewelry Drawer

So just a month or so ago, I was so excited for my new jewelry display - mostly.

It's fabulous, but wasn't quite big enough - and didn't really hold a variety of jewelry . . .

And since moving my store to Etsy - I'm checking it out regularly.

I found an old letterpress drawer. It's in great condition - and perfect as a jewelry rack -

Then I found some unique hardware including curio knobs, eye screws and decorative hanging pieces.

BEFORE:


DURING:


AFTER:






I love it. If I didn't need to go to bed I might just sit and stare at it for hours!!

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Cake

Tonight is our annual Youth goods & services auction.

I'm not a baker by any stretch of the imagination - but I'm pretty good at copying something relatively beginner!

Hope it brings in big $$!


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The thing about Cancer is . . .

It never inflicts the worst of the worst. It doesn't take down the world's worst tyrants or evil doers. It's been my experience that it finds the most pure hearts to feed on.

My father has been hit with the "inevitable" prostate cancer and my favorite cousin (just a year younger than me) with breast cancer.

My heart hurts that these two amazing people have to say their bodies allowed that horrible infestation. But in all honesty, the more I see cancer in the lives of those close to me, the more I realize it is the strong and amazing who are given the cancer challenge.

Maybe it's because those amazing people can show the rest of us what it is to endure the worst possible scenarios with grace.

I'm sure both my father and my cousin will make it through to the other side of cancer labeled "survivor" but before then, I will be praying unceasingly that the will feel less burden and more support and love than necessary.


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Tied to technology, who me?

Technology's an interesting thing - I remember when email was an up and coming form of communication - for I have print outs of early flirtatious with my now husband. I also remember feeling pretentious and a little guarded in using my first cell phone in public.

Today I have my beloved iPhone - the "old" 3G - and conduct most of my communication, education, entertainment and organization from this little device.

But I am lamenting my even older iMac! Apparently it's not compatible with the new external backup drive Dan was determined to install in order to save all our network data. Now all my iMac data is inaccessible - and I've been without my computer for weeks.

I'm realizing just how dependent I am on all the information, images and resources I've organized on that machine.

Sometime soon (cross your fingers) I'll be getting a new computer - and wonder with each new step in technological advancement - if we really ARE better off??? And frankly, I don't look forward to learning the in's and out's of a new machine.

But - inevitable, I guess.




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Pioneer Clothing

My husband and I were chosen to accompany our church youth on a Mormon Pioneer trek. So for the next few days I'll be making bonnets and aprons and dresses - and man clothes. Here's what I did first.




I'm so excited! I've always wanted a Pioneer bonnet! Can't wait!


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Been Sick

Sunday I woke up with very achy shoulders and neck accompanied by sniffles and a sore throat. However, as Primary Teachers & Leaders, we had a musical number in Sacrament Meeting so I couldn't stay home.

Well- I've been mostly in bed since (that's almost 4 days!) and my poor family hasn't had much more than a lethargic supervisor.

Anyway, we watched a movie Monday night and I lay there with my box of tissues. Aidan pulls a tissue out and is working with it for some time when he pipes up proudly, "Hey, I'm like mommy!"
Charming.




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Twinkles

You read that right. TwinkLes.
That's what Aidan has been asking for - and it's a tribute to me that I haven't indulged him daily. But tonight we finally did.



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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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