darla's day

Happy Birthday to our darling Darla.
I hope you have a wonderful day.  And some how
you get spoiled.  I wish you were coming up!!  We
will miss you like crazy, the party just wont be
as fun without you.  
          I love you……meagan    

ColoradoBennett

You are right, Darla. The sun is shining as I blog. Adam is out there shoveling away and hopefully he can get his truck out of the driveway soon. There is so much to do (with our callings) before we leave. Blog out...

povo wife

Hey to all. Congrats to Jan on going to Italy!! Of course we're all jealous! Who wouldn't want to go to Italy on their mission? Wow. And I had to laugh at Mindi's comment about it being so much better than something like, I don't know, Canada. Poor Geof. (: Dayne and I have been sick the last few days so if you haven't already heard Cam (i called moni), we'll be staying tomorrow night only. Yes, a bit of a mix up but oh well. I, like mindi, did not want to miss out on your terrific breakfast. Honestly. Things are going better than expected with Geof. gone. I've been blessed for the most part with more patience (on the MOST part) and play time with my kids. Dayne and I slept most of the morning and I felt so guilty but I didn't want to be sick when Geof. came home. So when I finally got up I was expecting poor Cole to be sitting in front of the T.V. bored out of his mind. Fortunately, he had built a fort kind of thing and was playing with his new pirate ship his friend brought over yesterday (he's really been spoiled). Cole asks for gifts everyday and I'm a little worried about his greediness. My sister said to not worry about it. He's still really young and to be honest, this is kind of his first year REALLY understanding the whole Christmas concept. And he LOVES it. As for Geof., he flies in at 11 pm tomorrow night, and then he leaves around 2 on Christmas day. yes, short and sweet. I told him I won't leave his sight for the whole 2 and a half days. we'll be spending most of it up in logan at my brothers. My sister and her fam are coming in from Cali. so it should be nice. what else? oh yea, Meagan, THANK you for the hat and gloves for the kids. your mom must have told you we needed them (: Maybe I should have saved opening it until Christmas day but we'll need it before that. Thanks again. Mindi and Adam, Colorado is crazy!! I can't believe your snow! We have a ton here too but not quite that much. Hopefully we'll see you soon. If I know Colorado though, the sun will be shining soon and everything will be melting. I gotta run. love to all. Darla p.s. Brooke, I'm REALLY sad we're missing you in WA.

ColoradoBennett

Yesterday morning.

This morning.

Blizzard of 2006! This storm is unbelievable. I tried to get out there and shovel this morning, but that was just a joke. I couldn't even walk from the back yard to the front yard. I waited for the girls to wake up and we went out to take some pictures and build a snowman. They flaked out before we could get one built, plus the snow is too soft to even make a ball. I know there is at least 25 inches out there plus a few 4 to 5 foot drifts around. Max loves the snow and walks around and around even though it is up to his ears. Diesel the Danger Dog doesn't care for the snow at all and she just stays in the laundry room, chasing her tail all day (diesel is the pit bull that showed up in our yard last week and Adam still hasn't taken her to the pound because he thinks she is a "good dog". Yeah, a good dog that will turn on the kids and bit their face off). Anyway, we are snowed in for a while, but I have faith that we will make it to Utah in time for Cameron's Saturday morning breakfast! Congratulations to Jan on the mission to Italy! What a beautiful place to go, much better than Canada, jj. I've had a little time to read my new book. It is called "The Price We Paid: The Extraordinary Story of the Willie & Martin Handcart Pioneers." With the storm whipping around outside my feelings were particularly tender for those poor handcart pioneers. I spent a lot of time weaping. Aside from that, it is an amazing book and I hightly recomend it.

Jan's Mission Call

I wanted Jan to post where he was going but I don't think he knows how. I hope it's ok with Jan but I am going to say because people are waiting!
Jan has been called to serve in the Milan, Italy Mission and will be leaving for the MTC on March 7, 2007!!! He is really excited as this would probably have been one of his first choices if not the first. We are also very excited for Jan and proud that he made the decision to serve.

Joel will be home in just a few weeks so we are excited for that as well. It will be great because Jan and Joel will have almost 2 months together before Jan leaves.

The rest of the family is doing great. Monica held her first showcase last Thursday for her voice students and it was amazing. Her students have really improved and Monica, Jordan and AJ all performed (AJ played the piano). I lay in bed at night sometimes and wonder what it would be like to be dripping with talent like this family and then realize that I'd better hurry and fall asleep so that I can dream that I too have amazing talent!

Jordan and Michelle are doing good. They haven't finished their apartment yet and I think they are getting anxious to get into their own place. Otherwise I think their doing great. AJ is just AJ. The conversation with him almost always leads to cars and I don't know much about cars so I just nod my head in agreement and act like I do. Kel is a blast. He purchased tickets to the Las Vegas Bowl on Ebay and has been so excited for the game. I honestly don't know if their is a bigger BYU fan out there. Monica is staying busy trying to keep up with 3 kids, housework, voice students and trying to get ready for Christmas. I don't know how she does it but she always seems to pull it off.

We will be having a birthday party tonight for Harley. She turned 5 today, I can hardly believe it. We get to have Darla and the kids stay with us tonight and we thought tomorrow night as well but maybe not. I hope Adam and family are doing ok. That storm sounds pretty wicked, we'll be praying that you make it out of Colorado ok. I know that the cousins would like to see Adam and Mindi. They hopefully will be here for a couple of hours on Saturday morning and anyone is welcome to come over and visit. I'll make a big breakfast and we can all sit around and chat for a while.


We want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas!!!

Bavaria

Okay Cam, I waited patiently, now you have to post.

Adam and Mindi, how are you? Are you gone already? Are you stuck?

where?

Yes, he better blog, we can’t handle the suspense.
---meagan

Crabb's

I know that I am the only one of the Robbins that ever gets on here to post but I will make Jan post a little something tonight. I am not going to say where because that is for Jan to tell but I will say the he received his Mission Call today and I couldn't be more excited for him and proud of him. He is going to make one amazing missionary!

Cam

Bavaria

Hi Family,

I hope you are all doing well. Adam, I can't believe all of your wounds. I'm so sorry. I hate hurting my hands because then I feel like I've lost my sight or hearing or something. Everything is just not quite right. I hope you feel better. I'm glad you had Geof. for the weekend. I'm feeling very worried about two of my brothers right now.

I finallly got a hold of mom and dad last night to try to work out our schedule for when we are in Wa. Adam, will you please tell me what days you will be home? I'm trying to work out a fair schedule for the two families so that Mike and I don't want to slit our wrists-or each others-by the end of the trip.

Okay, I have no time but I have to tell you about Sadie's Christmas present. When we were at Toys R Us last month she saw a great big, giant Ariel. It is the size of Ellyn and it sings the chorus from "Part of Your World" in this weird alto voice. Sadie started begging for it for Christmas, we told her that it was too big and that it was creepy. Sadie was furious and off and on all month she has told us that all she wants for Christmas is the giant Barbie. We didn't hear about it for a week or so and Thursday night we were talking about having Christmas Saturday morning. I asked Sadie if it was going to be alright if Santa didn't bring the doll. Sadie looked at me and said "Oh Santa will bring it, Santa knows what's in my heart." Yeah, so Friday morning I'm calling over to Toys R Us in Regensburg and trying to find someone that speaks English and having them hold Ariel for me. Next, I drove an hour and a half, loaded Sadie and Ellyn into a cart, put Mike's fleece PT cap on Sadie's head, over her eyes, and handed the woman at the customer service desk a note with the word "Ariel for Brooke" on it. They nodded knowingly and brought it over for me. I told Sadie that we were picking up a present for Jane and that I didn't want her to see it either so they could all be surprised. It seemed to work- trusting little thing. So Christmas morning Sadie had her doll and it is now her child. She adores it and takes very good care of it. She carries it everywhere and it is almost as big as she is. It is hillarious. She is so cute.

The girls were very happy with their Christmas. I found "the fillers" I needed and we got everything put together quite nicely. I'm sure all of yours will turn out the same way. Otherwise just set them in front of the computer while my kids aren't around and show them all the pictures of Disneyland!

Well I have to go visiting teaching. Jane's home sick and Sadie doesn't feel too great so I am just dropping off a little something. Jane came into our room with a burning fever last night but this morning the fever is gone and she just feels worn out. Mike didn't feel great this weekend. I hope we all get it through our systems before we get on the plane. Except for me, I can't get it at all, I have too much to do.

Darla, how are you doing? What are you doing during Christmas? How is Geof.?

Jess, you've inspired me, I've closed down my meth lab. You know, now that I have Christmas paid for there isn't really any point. I would just get materialistic.

I love you all.

Love, Brooke

Adam

I just barely checked the blog or else I would have offered my house. We would love to see you while you are in town though. We will try to hook up Friday night or Saturday morning. Drive safe.

Love Jess

ColoradoBennett

Geof. flew in to visit us on Friday night. We had a great time feeding him and playing with him. Friday night he ate more that I've ever seen a man consume in one sitting. We stayed up REALLY late (after midnight) playing "Settlers of Zarahemla". Then Saturday Geof. came along for the Gurr family picture (my mom's side). There were no big fights and even though it was freezing cold, everything went well. Then we went to the Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo. We had a huge group of people and pretty much everyone managed to get lost. About 20 minutes into it all my Grandpa looks at my Grandma and says, "What am I doing here?" So they promptly left. I spent most of the time in the gift shop, nursing Tristan and visiting with my uncle Dave. The girls were wrapped up snug and warm in the strollers and enjoyed all the lights. I think the thing Geof. did most often while he was here was flip open his phone and look longingly at a picture of Darla. It just broke my heart. I can't imagine being separated for so long.
Thanks for taking us in, Cam and Moni. We look forward to seeing you guys. Jess, please email me your new address. I had it at one time but my address book was erased recently. Well, little bubs here just filled the o' diaper and I think I feel something on my leg. Blog out...

Crabb's

Adam, I'm sure you've already had several offers but you are mor than welcome to stay with us. We have no plans that night and plenty of room!
Cam

Seattle Bennett Living in Colorado

As I look at my sisters blogs and regret buying anything for my kids Christmas as we have decided to head to the Great NW for the holidays it is only reinforced more by my rapidly depleating account balances, and we haven't even gotten to the holidays. I could save hundreds by just saving the happy meal toys as we journey north-westwardly, wraping them up and Merry Christmas.

Our kids are so spoiled they go to Church and the librarian gives them candy, their teachers give them candy, the YM and YW give them candy and by the time we get home they want nothing to do with lunch and we have to force them Ipecac syrup to fight off their self induced sugar comas.

The holidays have been rough on me this year. 2 weeks ago as I was hanging lights on the front of our house my bench went out from under me and fell into my window well banging my arm and knee pretty bad however the x-rays show nothing torn or broken. 5 days later while making glass block Christmas ornaments (look up Househacker.com) I was blowing one out with my air compressor and it blew up in my hand. So over my first nuckle on my right hand I have an 1-1/2" gash to the bone and while it didn't hurt nor bleed for about a minute after the explosion both Mindi and our exchange student couldn't look at it without feeling like they were going to pass out. So my trusty Bishop patched me up and its as good as new, by the way super glue works if you don't really want to pay a doctor to stich you up.

However something good came early for Christmas I came home from work a week ago and found a beautiful little dark brindle pit bull in my back yard so I coaxed her over to me and after trying to find an owner to no avail, Max has a new buddy to hang out with, until we can find her a new home or do something with her.

Last but not least we are going to be driving through Utah and are looking for a place to crash Friday night I know this is a big time for parties but if their is anybody that can handle a couple of vagabonds getting comming in late and leaving mid morning please let me know

Blog out Adam

bg life

Oh my goodness Christmas has come early.  I was checking the blog reluctantly, out of guilt, because I have not written for so long and low and behold three new blogs.  As an added bonus one is from the ever elusive, Alicia. I really don’t have a lot going on, no parties to speak of and I don’t visit teach so nothing to do there, it’s just pretty boring around here.  No I really am going to do something for our v.t., h.t. families, and our neighbors, I just haven’t decided what kind of mess I want to make.  A colorful, crumbly mess with sugar cookies or an ooey, gooey mess with caramels.  So many messes, so little time.  If I do cookies I would probably have to include my children and I try not to do that.  If I had to do “floor time” with any of my children it would go something like this… yeah you are on the floor what more do you want?  I guess that is why God gave our sweet little Ellyn to Brooke and not me.  So while I am on a role (by the way I have a very high self worth I just think this is funny), Jackson asked me this morning if I had any talents.  I said I didn’t really know I couldn’t think of any right then.  He said, come on mom everyone has a talent, like I can draw and tell stories and dad can play the piano and lots of other stuff, so what is yours?  

We had a huge windstorm last night.  Our neighbors right next door had a tree fall on their house, across the street a tree fell on their car, and behind us a tree fell blocking their driveway and uprooting the transformer.  Thankfully we had our trees taken out this fall or we might have had a bit of damage ourselves.  Although if it had landed on the ol’ Monty I wouldn't have died.  You know if it had really taken it out and I could have gotten a newer year.  I shouldn’t be saying this about my trusty ride, but it is having an issue that is driving me crazy.  Every time I turn it off it won’t restart without a jump.  Not has convenient as you may think.  We can’t get it fixed until Monday so without a car for at least four more days.  It’s ok I can walk we have only had high wind warnings, hail, rain and snow.  And that has only been in the last four hours.  It just makes me more grateful for our pioneer heritage.  

I just had to quiet Hazel back to sleep.  She has had a terrible time lately.  I think it is her iron drops because I haven’t been giving them to her and she is doing better, not great, but better.  And poor Benny, she is the lightest sleeper and has to share a room with her, so every time Hazel wakes Bennett wakes.  Mom, being the caring women that she is suggested putting Hazel in the laundry room where no one can hear her cry.  When I told her I thought that was a terrible idea, because it is so cold in there and there was no room for a crib, so Hazel would have to sleep in a laundry basket, she said that if I didn’t want to try it I shouldn’t complain.  There must be an easier way.  

Ok now that I have babbled about everything I can think about (actually I could start up where Brooke left off about the whole disappointing Christmas thing, because our kids are truly only getting one ok present and one lame present) I will go take a shower, because I only have 25 minutes until I pick Jack up from school and I have a rule that I can only be in my work out clothes, at the school once a day.  However, I break that rule at least twice a week, but not today my friends, not today.

                         Blog on……….me      

Merry Christmas!!!!

Rigby Family Update

Merry Christmas! We hope you are all doing well. Here’s a little update on the Rigbys. Dad is doing very well. He continues to work his second job off and on- staying out too late and engaging in way too much manual labor, but he likes his boss so he sticks with it. Luckily he shoot a 4 point deer this year so that happiness helps him get through the slump he feels while his drivers take their vacation. NASCAR Forever!!!!
Mom has probably made the most progress this year. It seems an uphill struggle with her stinking knees. She still has a lot of pain but she’s doing 100% better. She joined weight watchers and has lost 50 pounds!!! She is more beautiful then ever and we’re way proud of her.
Kev and I are doing well. Kev stays busy with work and is looking forward to opening a lot to put all their cars on. He went on the hunt this year as well and in accordance with my hopes he didn’t shoot anything. (I don’t want that crappy meat in my freezer!)
Chloe is getting smarter everyday. And thankfully has gracefully passed out of the horrific 2’s and has turned into an absolute darling. She is so mature that most times we have to remind ourselves that she’s only 3! The other day she told us Little Maddie Boo is our little angel however; she felt the madness void and is doing her best to fill it. She had a wonderful mentor who apprenticed her into the craft of naughtiness and has taken to it well. She likes to get right in Chloe’s face and do this loud annoying yell. It infuriates Clo and makes Maddie laugh. She doesn’t say much, but is signing a lot. We’re very happy and feel very blessed to have such healthy cute kids.
Jess and Tony bought a house in February and surprised us all by getting pregnant a few months later. They are expecting a little girl March 13th and we all couldn’t be happier. Jess now works for a sign company here in Kaysville and is fondly looking forward to the day she gets to be a full time Mom. Tony is still working his brains out with school and work. He has one more semester and he will be a radiology tech. He then has one more year to finish up before he plans on attending P.A. school and if my prayers are answered it won’t be out of state!
Lydia has the job that I literally used to have dreams about. Well, aside from the actual work part that is. She works for Crystal Tones, a company that sells those musical meditation bowls. Her bosses love her and take her to a lot of their trade shows. The latest show was in Germany and they paid for everything. She also is in school at Salt Lake Community and painting whenever she can, that is till skiing starts and then we will never see her again! That’s about it. We love you all, The Rigby’s, Hatch’s and the Smith’s

Bavaria

Hi family. Geof., your stories were hillarious. Mike especially liked the new dog one. That's right, my husband is home from the field- a couple of days before I expected. Very nice!!! He's just in time for our ward Christmas party which he is absolutely thrilled about. If you believe that you haven't spent enough time with my husband.

Cameron, I'm really glad the wedding went well. I just got my invitation a couple of days ago and they look really cute- by the way- it probably came about two weeks ago but Mike normally goes to the mailroom for our mail on the way home from work and so I only went once. There isn't too strong an incentive when you pay your bills online and no one we know sends letters.

We are having Christmas early here to minimize what we are taking back and forth to the States. Mike thinks we should have it tomorrow so the kids have time to play with their toys before we go. That stresses me just a little bit. We have the main things but not really the fillers. I will have to see what I can get done today. It may just have to be in a few days. I'm afraid that it might be a bit of a let down because Santa isn't bringing tons of stuff because our trip is our big present. Besides that they won't have their presents from family and they are so used to the huge piles Christmas morning. While they might understand perfectly well, they might still have a little bit of a feeling of disappointment. We bought some really neat things that we know they will love but we have tried to steer clear of toys. We have SOOOO many. I just hope they are happy with it all. I'm stressing, can you tell?

Well, we leave next week. I can't believe it is already here. I have so much to get done. We have several Christmas parties between now and then and a million loads of laundry and stuff to get to our ht/vt families and teachers. I know, just the normal stuff that everyone else has as well.

Ellyn finally slept through the night again last night. She didn't sleep through the night once while Mike was gone. Actually, she did wake up last night, but she didn't cry. I could here her babbling for a bit and then she went back to sleep. I don't know if it's because Mike was home or we went for several long walks in the sunshine yesterday or what.

Okay I have to go get my kids dressed. Sorry, this is a completely boring blog. I love you all. love, Brooke

Juror #9

I was summoned to court on Monday for jury duty and was 1 of 12 people out of 53 to be on the jury for a criminal case. It turned out to be a very interesting experience. We were to determine if two men were involved in selling meth and cocaine. Monday and Tuesday we listened to witnesses and on Wednesday we heard closing arguments. We then deliberated for 5 1/2 hours!!! It was madness. I was ready to punch one guy right in the face. We found the men guilty and I felt sick as we read the verdict. I felt like we were dooming them to prison but what did they expect. So the moral...don't do drugs and don't be around people that do them or sell them. It really scared me to think this is going on all around us and it will probably only get worse.

Monday night we helped mom put up her Christmas decorations. I can't believe it is so close. I was in panic mode about gifts but we went shopping on Saturday and found a lot of stuff so I can calm down now. I almost have everything for everyone that I need.

Tuesday night was my work party. It was very fun. The food was great and I won an iPod shuffle. It is adorable, the new ones are so teeny. Chels and Joey were there and Joey was a part of the entertainment, it was hilarious.

Well I accidentally took a two hour nap after work today so now I need to get some stuff done so I better run.

Love you all!

Love, Jess

povonst.louis

okay so it kind of sucks in ground. not like i wasn't expecting it. they hand you a ton of manuals and it's kind of like learn this or don't move on. i live in a hotel with two room mates. nice guys and we pretty much just study and sit around all day studying some more. ahhhhhhhhaaaahhhhhaaahhhh. but anyway i got to see st. louis this weekend. a lovely city which you can tell has a lot of history. today i heard a funny story in ground class. a lady had her dog stuffed and took it on a flight with her. the animal was carried in an animal cage. well when the plane arrived the baggage handlers thought the dog had died on the flight. they told the lady the dog was on the next flight went to the pet store and got a similar dog. well they brought the cage to her house and she freaked out thinking her dog was resurrected. next story. the faa allowed a woman to bring a 300 lb pig aboard a plane with her because a psychiatrist prescribed it to her saying it would help her fly. it went down as a service animal similar to a see and eye dog. well the captain didn't want to do it but had too. as soon as they took off the pig decided he didns't like it and ran up and down the aisle crapping. that is so funny. i honestly wonder if the shrink did it to see if they would let huge freaking pig aboard a commercial flight. well i miss you all and wish i was with my family but such is life. all is well.

Crabb's

It's been awhile since I've posted anything and I have just a few minutes so I thought I'd throw up a quick update.
Jordan and Michelles wedding was a huge success. It really was a great day and with the advice that the sealer gave at their sealing as well as the advice we heard at Ellyn's wedding we have had a lot to ponder the last few weeks. It has been good to see everyone but I'm sorry we didn't get to stay and hang out after Ellyn's wedding.
We had a great time in Cali for Thanksgiving. We spent a lot of time in the ocean and even a day at Disneyland. Since we came home life has been non-stop with Christmas coming up and all of the activities that go along with that. If anyone is having a hard time getting into the Christmas Spirit come on over to our house. We are all decorated and loving this time of year. Bill and Paula got us a new Nativity this year that is amazing and I have purchased several more Santa's to put around the house.
Hope everyone has a safe and fun December (Darla, come North when you're done with finals and we'll entertain you while Geof is away.)

almost forgot...don't forget his name (of course) and his room number 317. (:

lonely geof.

This is Darla again. Poor Geof. was stuck pretty much ALL day in his hotel room with his two roomates who he says both use poor language, and who have sat around all day watching T.V. Not really his idea of a good Sabbath day. The reason I'm telling you this is so hopefully you can drop him a line sometime (especially on Sundays) and just talk to him. I'm gonna give you his address as well even though I know it's almost impossible for most of us to send REAL mail anymore (except for Mindi). I know how much you all care about Geof. and hopefully we can let him know how much we love him these next 2 months so he doesn't get too low. THANKYOU!!! Darla
Geof.'s address: Pear Tree Inn
10810 Pear Tree Lane
St. Louis, Missouri
63074

Question

This is Aunt Jack
Do we know that this can be googled and that anyone can read this?
Maybe I missed the memo and I'm just a little slow on the uptake and everyone knew what I'm just finding out. And if we did know this are we sure that we want just anyone who wants to read it to be able to? It is your blog, but I had to ask. I love you all and it has been great to see everyone so much the last little while! Love Aunt Jack

Mindi, you're incredible. I hope you're week went by okay. Those light/glass blocks that Adam's making sound really cool. By the way, he's called 3 times this week and I'm SORRY I haven't called back. It's been too crazy and i just haven't been able to talk. Please pass it on to him. Tomorrow's our Christmas party. I should be excited to go, but I'm not really. iT's like torture to get my kids to actually sit down for a dinner (my fault, I trained 'em), and without Geof.'s help...I just don't know. Speaking of Geoffrey George, he just told me tonight he doesn't know if he'll make it home for Christmas (weekends are already out) because he doesn't want to pay $400 for a ticket. I guess flight benefits don't kick in until AFTER his 2 months training. Wish I known that before...So he said he'd try to make it home for New Years and we'd do something really fun to make up for Christmas. Crazy. I guess I can't complain. There's too many people I know that deal with no husband around (Brookie) for substantial periods of time, and I need to be grateful he has finally started his career. Brooke, by the way, you sound like you're having fun. I'm glad you play with friends a lot and get out with your girls. Oh how I wish I was your best friend out there. We'd have SOO much fun. well, I gotta run. I finished all my homework for the week (i only have 2 finals next week), but I still need to type up my evaluation on my 2 speeches. I guess that makes me NOT done with homework, but I'm ALMOST there! I miss you all and can't wait for warm weather and cute husbands to be here. ~d

Bavaria

Wow Meags, I feel severely chastized. I did however write Darla back. Things have been a bit crazy here. When are they not? However, I think this particular week Mindi has me beat. Mike is in the field and we have been making occaissional cookie and laundry runs. I've also been finishing up with the end of the ball business since Mike is gone.

Tomorrow my friend and I are taking our girls to the Nurnburg Christmas Market. It should be totally crazy crowded and fun. We have reservations for the train so at least we won't have to park. I'm just excited for hot chocolate, brats, gingerbread. No, I won't be eating my way through the day or anything.

Okay, Marianne is here for dinner with her kids and so I will write more later.

Love, Brooke

P.S. I have no idea who wrote the Def Leopard quote

Guess Who

"That's like saying Def Leppard has a problem with awesomeness. Pour some sugar on that!"

ColoradoBennett

Sorry Meags. I've been thinking about blogging but I wasted a ton of time that I didn't have trying to post a video only to fail miserably. I cried like a baby watching the video cory put on. Right now Sierra is laughing at the snowman pillow (she's really crazy), Kaia is asking me to pet the imaginary bird on her finger, and little T is spitting up more milk than he consumes. They are all wonders. Tonight is Young Women In Excellence and my head is spinning trying to put it all together. We are also performing in the ward Christmas program and need to practice for that. Plus getting the Angel Tree gifts together for all the needy families in our ward. Plus taking the Joy School kids to the old folks home tomorrow to perform a bunch of songs none of them know. And the list goes on, but I'll spare you. My husband is busy getting his craft on. He and another girl in the ward are making glass block Christmas gifts. He drills a hole in the glass block, fills it with lights, ties a beautiful bow on it (his bows put mine to shame), and voila. I went to book club last night and Adam stayed home with the kids and did crafts with his friend. Too funny. Well, I've got to rush out the door and pick up pizza for tonight's not-so-healthy/eat-as-fast-as-you-can meal. I can see it now: balancing three pizzas on one arm, Tristan on the other, herding two cats in and out of the pizza place. Awesome.

bg plea

Wow guys, what’s up with the blog?  Is everyone so busy that they don’t have time to stay in touch with their lonely sister, cousin, sister-in-law, cousin-in-law.  I know that this is a very busy time of year, but we can still write.  Look at all that Darla is doing and she still wrote.  We finally got our Christmas tree done last night and it is beautiful, despite the fact that I ran out of lights before I got to the last branch in the back, forgot one branch completely near the top, and half of one string of lights is out in the middle.  Well I hope all is going well I heard the wedding was beautiful, I wish I could have been there.  If someone could post some pictures I would love it.  

                         Blog on my people………me

A Good Story...

meags has aksed me to run this on the blog. darla e-mailed it to her originally. i think i've seen this guy in something else before. this is amazing stuff. c.dog.

thanks Brooke!

Perfect. After I posted, I actually thought, "you know, I'm sure if someone' s willing to give him a ride they'd probably eventually offer dinner". Not to disregard your advice Brooke. You're great. Things are going well this week. Last night I set up Cole's GINORMOUS Thomas the train set that he got for his bday. It took me an hour and a half but it's well worth the fun he's having with it. Now the trick is keeping Dayne from falling all over it. Poor thing, she's just not as coordinated as Cole is (not that many people are). She loves Cole SOO much and always tries to give him loves, from which he pushes her away and hits her. We're working on it though. He's getting better. As for the fridge thing Brooke, they're gonna try to get a microwave and fridge. I still feel sorry for him though. There's nothing like a good home cooked meal, even if it's just once a week. Not that that would be much different than how it's been at home. LeAnne's here for Jordan's wedding. She came over with Ellynn right when I was getting Cole off to school. So she proceeded to do laundry and mop my kitchen floor. All while I'm sitting on the couch in my PJ's studying for my Bio. test this week. I'm almost done with both classes and will be SOO happy to finish my finals as well. I love school but could there be a worst time? No husband, sick and pregnant, and FREEZING cold weather. no, I'm not complaining. And of course life couldn't be that bad if I can still find time to blog.

Opinion

Darla, I think it would be a good idea to call and ask the bishop if there is someone in the ward that could assist Geof. in getting to church. I think many times when people give rides the dinner invitations naturally follow. At least that has been our experience with single soldiers needing rides to church, especially if they know how long he's going to be there.

Also, does he have access to a microwave or a fridge? With his hotel having a continental breakfast they might let him keep microwaveable meals in a fridge (in small quantities so they don't get stolen). Mike and I have had hotels offer us their fridge. It could just be because we looked tired and haggard and they felt badly for our poor travel worn children. I don't think it would be bad to ask for a couple of meals but it might make Geof. feel uncomfortable, I think I would feel a little awkward. I hope that helps.

I hope you are doing okay, two days down. If it makes you feel any better Mike is gone for the next two weeks. So when you are losing it with your kids you can think of me losing it with mine halfway across the world (Sadie spilled about a quart of milk this morning at breakfast- it was with great effort and a quick silent prayer that I kept any amount of cool). Now she's begging me to push letters on the keyboard so this has come to an end. Love, me

I meant give him rides to CHURCH, not work.

lonely wife in Povo

I don't have a lot of time to post but I wanted to ask you all your opinions. Geof. left this morning at 4 am. He'll be living in a hotel for 2 months with some other pilots. From what it sounds like, he won't be coming home most weekends. I want to get a hold of the bishop (or RS Pres.) in the area where he is and see if they can get some families to feed him (and give him rides to work!). He can't eat fast food every day right?!! So what do you think? Is that weird? let me know. Thanks! Darla

lonely wife in Povo

I don't have a lot of time to post but I wanted to ask you all your opinions. Geof. left this morning at 4 am. He'll be living in a hotel for 2 months with some other pilots. From what it sounds like, he won't be coming home most weekends. I want to get a hold of the bishop (or RS Pres.) in the area where he is and see if they can get some families to feed him (and give him rides to work!). He can't eat fast food every day right?!! So what do you think? Is that weird? let me know. Thanks! Darla