Many Blessings

This weekend, I have realized the many blessings which are mine. The gospel, my Savior, my children, and my sweet husband.
This past weekend, I have been sick. I feel like I was was just beginning to get better and then I wore myself out. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen on Saturday bottling my last batch of salsa, and then taking care of kids...dinner, baths, bedtime. By the time I finally went to bed it was midnight. It may not seem so bad but when your getting over a sick bug, I've discovered it's not so good.
Sunday, I was pretty much down for the count. I felt like a train had hit me head on. My sweet husband, came to my rescue. He made me....and when I say made, I mean MADE me crawl into bed. He said he was going to take care of everything. I felt bad for being in bed when I heard him with the kids. With four kids, sometimes things can get a little crazy around here. He was trying his best to stay calm during those moments, and he did a much better job than I ever do!! He made and cleaned up breakfast, lunch and dinner. He even brought dinner in to me. He made sure that I wasn't disturbed when I had fallen asleep. He even kept coming in to see if I needed anything else.
I know that he has a lot on his plate when it comes to work, and he has been traveling a lot, so I know it was a huge sacrifice for him to be up and down all day with the kids. But I am so very thankful to him. He is MY knight in shining armor!

Uplifted

This past weekend was General Conference. I am so thankful that twice a year, we can sit at home, stay in our "Jammers", and listen to our prophet and apostles. This past weekend meant more to me than others have in the past. Lately I have felt beaten down and tired. I told Kevin, that I feel like my spirit was in desperate need of some "Good News".
I am so thankful to a Heavenly Father who hears and answers our prayers. He has answered mine. I feel so humbled when he does. I still find it amazing that He knows who I am, and is concerned about me and my feelings. I love Him and am trying my hardest to be the kind of daughter I should be so that I might one day return to Him. I am thankful for the prophet and church leaders who were inspired to choose the topics that they did. I felt that many of them were for my benefit. I feel uplifted, and re-charged.

Re-conneted

This weekend was so much fun. I wish that there were times that could be relived, because for sure last weekend would be one of them.
All week long Kevin and I were planning on going out on an "official" date on Friday and I was really looking forward to it. Kevin and I haven't been out for a while. Lately it seems like we've been taking care of everyone else, and by the time things slow down....we've both crashed. Unfortunately, I began getting sick on Wednesday and we weren't sure if we should go or not. By Friday evening I was feeling o.k., not completely better, but well enough to just go to dinner.
We had so much fun!! We went to Paradise Bakery. YUMMY!!! Kevin had never been there, so I had to introduce him to their yummy cookies!
You know when you just feel like you've reconnected? That's totally the way I feel. We spent the evening just talking away. Early Saturday morning, we went for a drive downtown to watch the sunrise, and talked more.
It was so nice....no interruption from the kids, no phone calls. It really was Heaven!!

Writers note: Isn't it sad when the latest picture I have of the two of us is dated back in December??

Back to Reality

Coming back from vacation is sooo hard!!!! It's taken me three days, but I think I finally have a handle on things again.
I was able to fly to Chicago last week and spend a few days with friends. It was so much fun...almost surreal!
First, I was completely panicked to be flying BY MYSELF! I seriously thought I was going to die. Somehow, I made it safely on the ground. Luckily Derek was just coming home from a business trip so his copany would drive us home. Imagine my surprise to be riding to the Crowther home in a LIMOSINE! And not just any limo, but a looooooong stretch Excursion!!!! It was awesome!
It was so much fun to be able to see everyone. I think I Lindsey and I became new BFF's while I was there! They took me to Wisconsin for shopping and the Jelly belly Factory. Yes, I even tried some of the yucky flavors! Boogers....eww gross!!
I experienced real Chicago style pizza...the kind you have to eat with a fork!! It was so very fattening, but oh....SO GOOD!
We also ate at the Cheesecake Factory. (My first time!!) The food was yummy....but the best part was the cheesecake. It was some Kahlua cocoa chocolate stuff.....just thinking about it makes my mouth water!!
On Saturday, we headed into the city! YEAH!!
I do have to say that Chicago is amazing...The buildings have SO MUCH character. We checked out some of the sights, and tasted some of the foods. I was so excited to be in a big city with nobody to worry about, other than myself. When we stopped for lunch, I didn't need to worry about what everyone else was eating....I just ordered and ate. It felt so good to be able to eat an entire meal without one of my kids hanging on me.
I honestly thought that the day couldn't get much better...little did I know how much better it was about to get. As we were walking by the Oriental, Derek surprised Heather, Abby and myself with Wicked tickets!!! I was stunned...And can I just say that I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!!!! It was incredible! It was Abby's first time going to the theatre and I was privileged enough to be able to share that with her and Heather. Thanks again Derek!! You rock!!!!
Sunday, after church we were able to kick back and relax. We attempted a walk into the forest, until I jumped at a sound and almost flew across the trail. (Now, I know that wouldn't have happened had I been expecting Edward.) The mosquito's didn't make it very nice either.
Sunday night, Heather and I were up until 1:30 just talking. That by far was one of the funnest times I had. It was nice to have "girl time", to talk and realize that I am not alone in this big crazy world. I really miss having her here. I loved having her and her family just "pop" in for Chinese, or hanging out after school and talking while the kids played. Heck, even cruising Target at 9:30 at night for sweats. Maybe one day...
By the way, thanks Grayson, for letting me steal your room. Your the best!!!

Family dinner

Funniest thing happened last night...our family was sitting around the table eating dinner, when Boomer just announced that he wished he could shake the prophet's hand. Our oldest son, Champ, explained to him that that would mean he'd have to shake all 85 of them. I told champ that there were not 85 prophets. Then he asked who the quorum of the seventies were and why were there not exactly 70 men in each quorum. Kev started explaining what it meant, and Champ was just not getting it. Finally Kev asked, "What happens when you turn 12?" Kev told him, "You get the aaronic priesthood, and are a deacon, next you will be a teacher and then a priest." Then he paused, Boomer picked up right where he left off, and very matter- of-factly said, "Next you are a banker...." That's all it took, we all busted up laughing.

Political what?

I am embarrassed to say that I'm not really into all of the politics. I don't follow what's going on, because honestly, I feel quite helpless. I feel that the government is only there for themselves. To make themselves look good, to gain power and wealth. I think they have lost the true meaning of what it means to create laws, and make them binding. The problem seems too big, and really, what can a woman, raising 4 children, here in Utah do? I know that's really no excuse, but it's the truth.
A fire has been started within since John McCain announced that Sarah Palin would be his running mate. I have found a bit of hope for this country. She is a woman with FIVE kids...not 2.5, but FIVE kids!!! She knows what it's like to have a large family. She knows what it's like to try to clothe and feed all of her children. If she knows what it's like, why in the world would she vote to raise taxes? Whether it be business tax or income tax. I'm tired of having men with low morals, men who stand up for nothing which is right, men who only fight for that which the lobbyist tell them too, men who have no idea what it takes to raise a large family nowadays, tell ME what is best for my family and I. I want someone who knows...someone who has been there, and is still there!! Already I feel like I have someone in my corner! She is not afraid to take on tough topics. She is for the right to bear arms, and is AGAINST abortion.
Another reason I am really excited about her is the fact that she's a woman. I am one who believes that a woman can do things as well as a man, sometimes even a bit better. She doesn't come across as this career driven woman; the opportunities have come to her! Yes, she has children at home, but she also has a VERY supportive husband. They both seem committed to each other AND their children. If Sarah Palin wants to be outside of the home and work, isn't that her decision? Isn't that what America is all about? Freedom to choose? The media has taken it upon themselves to tell us that because she was not at home, taking care of her children, that she is to blame for her daughters pregnancy. This is NOT the case!!! Her daughter has just as much agency as Sarah Palin does. Let me ask a question...if it was Hilary Clinton, and her daughter Chelsea was pregnant at 17 what would the media be saying? Would they be criticizing Hilary for being a career woman? I'd bet a million dollars they wouldn't. They would probably be praising her for standing alongside her daughter and supporting her...the way a mother is suppose to.
The media needs to make up their minds. Are they for women staying at home, or for women having careers? It can't be both!! It doesn't matter if one woman is liberal, and one a conservative....they BOTH have their right to choose and they don't need to be criticized for that decision.
The media has also taken it upon themselves to keep saying that she has no experience....well I believe that experience is NOT the deciding factor. Experience means, you know how to do things...but if you've been doing something wrong for the past so and so years....what good is the experience? The government is full of "experienced men and women" yet things don't seem to be getting any better. I love the fact that she hasn't been involved in government for a long time...that means she's fresh and still excited, she hasn't become corrupt like so many of them. She has new ideas and old fashioned values.
If anything I must thank John McCain for putting a woman like Sarah Palin in the spotlight. It has made me excited for the first time in my life about politics I feel that women like her/me, have been silent far too long. It is time to find our voice!! Time to be excited, and time to start making things right!

Edward???

Last night while I was browsing the web, I checked out Stephenie Meyer's website. (it's one of my fav's) She's posted a very long paragraph explaining that Midnight Sun (the book from Edward's point of view) is now on hold indefinately!!!!!!
If you want to check it out, here you go...http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/

Anyhow, to say I'm a little disappointed is an understatement! I was sooo excited for this book to come out. I couldn't wait until I could get inside Edward's head.
Alas, it is not meant to be. Maybe another time and another place....

Jam, Jam and more Jam

OK, so I've never really been into the whole canning thing. My Mom used to bottle every fall, she did all sorts of things. It never really held any interest for me. I honestly thought that it was a waste of time and, to me, the food didn't taste as good. What a moron!!!

Lately, I don't know if it's because I'm getting older or what, but I have really wanted to try bottling. I even had Kev build me a garden so I could try this fall. I am happy to announce that I have found a new hobby. I really enjoy the whole process. (I'm sure it's because it's something that I don't have to do, so..."is for fun!") I have been making jam these past two weeks. Last Friday I made a batch of mixed berry jam...it's pretty good. This week, I have made numerous batches of plum. The best part was that the kids and I picked the fruit ourselves from my Mom's plum tree. Plum jam is now a family staple!! It is by far our favorite!

Next week, as soon as I get a few more tomatoes, I'm going to tackle salsa!

New Beginnings

I love the Fall season. I love the coolness of the air, and the changing of the leaves. I love the bright reds and oranges and the sound of them under my feet after they fall to the ground. I love being able to pull out my fall decorations, and burn a fall scent in the candle warmer. Fall is also one season closer to the most wonderful time of the year...need I say more?

But, the biggest reason I look forward the the Fall is because it means we are back on a schedule. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE summer time. I love the laid back, carefree days, but after a while it feels good to get back into a rhythm. This year however is a little different.

I dropped my two oldest off at school today. Usually I look forward to the beginning of the school year, but this year...not so much. The biggest reason? Our Princess went to middle school for the first time. I feel really old now!! What am I doing with a 12 year old? Really, it seems like only yesterday I was sending her to pre-school....now it's middle school, before I know it she'll be sending off her own babies.

I need to settle down I know. Perhaps Christmas music may help...

Peer Pressure

due to much pressure...I am now up and "blogging."
...more later...