A Birthday is a Blessing

Oh Birthdays.  How much I love my birthday.  I just love to embrace the fact that I'm making it through this journey of life and I'm not messing it up too terribly.  I love being alive and the great blessing it is to live in this country at this time.  {Deep Breath} I love it!

This year really brought a great day.  First off, it was Saturday - which meant that my hubs would be home all day to pamper me and watch the bambino.  He let me sleep in for a few minutes that morning (which translates to me laying in bed longer since I don't really sleep past 7 anyway).  He had gone out with Cameron and gotten donuts and juice for my special breakfast.  I cut up some fruit to try and balance out all the sugar and it all turned out really tasty.  I then went with several of my friends to get our nails done and grab some lunch.  I went with some colors that I don't usually choose and although I'm not sure it is really me, it's jus nail polish so - who cares.

Mark had me open gifts shortly after I got home from my nail date.  Oh man did he splurge on me this year.  He somehow had procured the game that is difficult to find and impossible to know about without having a gaming brother-in-law like me.  I am IN LOVE with Dead of Winter right now and am so excited to now own it.  Later that night, Mark had arranged for a sitter and he and I went to a nice Restaurant for dinner, La Jolla Groves.  Being that every other restaurant had a 1.5 hour wait time, we were surprised to be able to just walk right into this one.  It felt like such a fancy meal, with linen table cloths and roses to boot.  Plus, the place was almost empty so we had a quiet meal and really great service.  We had intended to go over to the Jazz game after dinner, but because I just wasn't feeling it, we changed plans and went furniture shopping instead.  We have felt that our couches have needed to be replaced for months now, so we did a little dream shopping.  No, we didn't buy anything, but it was sure nice to dream.  By 9:00 I was exhausted and we headed home and, yup - I was off to bed.  (Guess this old age is really doing me in). No worries though, Mark and I were up from 1:30 until about 4am with a coughing, snotty, sick little boy who couldn't sleep.  All in a days work.  :)

Such a happy Birthday celebration for me.  Coupled with texts, phone calls, and fantastic memories shared to me on Facebook, all of which made me smile from ear to ear.  I feel so loved by everyone around me, and am so grateful for my happy, healthy life.  Here's to 32 years and counting.

Considering the Oscars

After watching the Oscars last evening, I was reminded of an OLD thought that I had {back in 2008}.  Being that it was 7 years ago, I dug it up and loved it so much {again} that I'm reposting it.  So - without further ado - The Oscars:

The Academy Awards! The night when Hollywood's finest, dress to the nines with all the jewels, glamor, and glitz the movie business can muster. As I sit back on my cozy couch, with my comfy pants, sweatshirt, and a little snack; I watch the stars walk the Red Carpet with the paparazzi, interviews, and E! sizing up how good they look. I must have repeated a million times-"Gosh, what would that life be like?" or "I want to do that, dress up so nice, and be a part of the greatest awards night in the buisness". Then the camera pans inside the great Kodak Theater (today called Dolby), a vast auditoriam filled with people who make more money then my world will ever know. Can we even put a price tag on the net worth of that room? WOW. Again, what would it be like to be a part of that world!

And then I had a rather profound thought! The Academy Awards is the evening when they present the highest honors to those in the business that have achieved greatness. Only invited members of the Academy are allowed to attend. The rest of us can only look on from a distance. Likewise, in an eternal perspective, someday we will be invited to a great "Academy Awards Ceremony." The Heavenly "Kodak" theater will be perpared with a marvelous red carpet outside and only those who have been invited will be dressed to the nines. They will have the life that all envy, with all the blessings and 'glamor' our Heavenly Father has. But only those invited will be allowed to attend. The rest must only look on. Each seat is open; waiting for its occupant to fill. Once filled, the theater's net worth will be incalcuable. As we wait for that great Ceremony, let us never forget that we want to be ones walking the Red Carpet; not sitting on a couch looking on. Let there be no empty seats in the Kodak Theater!

Dino DNA & a "Celebrity" Drive By

Thanks to some darling friends in my neighborhood, we have been invited to several day dates down to Lehi's Thanksgiving Point museums.  This was the first time we have been to the Museum of Ancient History and I'm to really sure how to rate it.  I think Cameron LOVED the sand and the ramps, but as far as the dinosaur part of it all, I'm not sure he grasped the concept.  But, I loved being with other adults and letting the lad run off some energy.  Win's all around.

After the trip to the Museum, my friend was kind enough I forced my friend to drive me past the Brown's old house when they lived in Lehi.  I have followed their Sister Wives show on TLC since they first aired, and have finally taken the time to stalk out their old property. Don't worry, it's on a very easy to find Facebook page so I didn't feel like I was really going out of my way to dig deep! Totally kosher.  I have no idea if the family still owns this land or not {some episodes seem to elude to the fact that they haven't sold it} but it was defiantly occupied when we drove by.  (Sorry dude for the stalkers). I have such a bizarre interest in following the lives of these TLC; D-list celebrities. But alas, it is there, and I stalked out their home to just see it.  Granted, it was super ordinary, not a hint of Polygamist neighbors in the air, and quite frankly just an ordinary house on an ordinary street.  Sadly, it was pretty anti-climatic but; check that one off the bucket list.  Nice!

The Weekend of "Back Up Plans"

A few weekends ago, we had plans to visit my sister in Northwest Arkansas.  Ooooh was I excited.  Couldn't wait to see her and spend a weekend just laughing about life and making memories.  We had found a terrific deal on a flight out of Las Vegas; and were packed and ready for a early morning drive and flight out.  Friday came, we loaded the car, and went up to get our boy.  Sadly, we found him sitting up in bed in a pool of his own sick.  Sad boy!  Mark and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, cleaned him up and threw him in the car.  We did, after all, have a plane to catch.  

Before we could make it 30 miles, Cameron had puked 3 times. One of which was all over him and the car seat.  We pulled over and cleaned it all up in the Maverick parking lot (thanks guys) and made the call to turn around and cancel the trip. 

Saddest decision of my life.  I've always known that parenting called for times when you have to remove all selfishness and make a decision for the child.  I usually correlated this with leaving a restaurant, or not finishing your errands; NOT canceling your perfect trip to Arkansas. 

We headed back to Orem and took a rest stop at Mark's parents house for several hours before heading home to recoup.  We soon decided to re-route our plans to Bear Lake, UT where at least we could enjoy some nice views on our already scheduled time off.

Bear Lake was B-E-A-utiful.  Granted, the town is a summer place so literally everything was closed.  We hit up the hotel's indoor pool twice a day, and drove a bit of the lake once.  Sadly, one day at Bear Lake we were totally out of commission as I was feeling super sick and Cameron was ... needing to be near a bathroom at all times.  Bless that dear man of mine and his holding down the fort in a Quarantine situation.  

We didn't plan on Bear Lake, or the city being totally closed, or getting sick for an entire day. But we were together and we have one picture to document a weekend that didn't go as planned.  Hopefully we can get out to see Tessa before the year is out!

I Have Love

It may take me weeks to get my life together.  I am really usually more on top of things than I have been in the last several weeks.  Despite my consistent neglect to things like my blog, and my kitchen, and my laundry, I have not given up the effort.  A new week, and a new me! 

Valentines Day is very simple in our house, but also very fun.  We only had the breakfast to celebrate as Mark would be off at work for the bulk of the day; so I made sure to make it count.  I made up our little goodie bags and had the kitchen decorated before I went to bed, so as soon as my loves woke up, the day was ready to celebrate.  Mom and Joe were with us as well, so it made for a perfectly full table! We enjoyed French Toast Hearts, juice and fruit with some very simple gifts to remind us that we are all loved.  Mark always outdoes me in his gifting ideas; this year putting together a girls day at the nail salon with my dear friends here.  He really is the best.

And just for kicks, a few other loves I have:

(1) I love long hot showers.  I feel like these are few and far between, usually only getting a quick in and out before Cameron is off and running again.  I sure do love being in a hotel room and just letting the hot water run, steaming up the whole bathroom, with nobody to tell me to get out and no water bill to have to pay in the end.  I love that.

(2) I love My Little School time that I have with Cameron.  I am not consistent, and I am rarely perfect. BUT on those days when I get a lesson planned and we actually have a constructive hour together, I love that.  And I love all the resources that I get to buy to do it.  Keeps my school supply love alive.

(3) I love my day planner. Mostly because it provides all the lines and boxes and spots for my doodling, listing, writing life.  I love the spots for quotes and reminders up on top of each week.  I love the lists of goals and to dos and to gets I make on the side. I love checking off boxes and using all different color pens. I love the stickers and the check marks and the organization it provides.  I love my planner.

(4) I love my neighbors.  Never have I had neighbors that I have been able to have so much fun with. I especially love these sunny days when we all just end up on our front lawns with the kids playing around while we chat about everything.  It feels so "Mayberry" and I just LOVE it.  Plus, Bonus, it makes the time pass so quickly that before I know it, the work day is done and my main love is coming home.

(5) I love the Internet.  Holy moly how did we do this before.  It has so many resources for my life that I simply can not imagine going back to life without it.  Meal planning, kid raising, singing time ideas, organization, printable creative things, date night...Love Love Love.

(6) I still love Budgeting, Office Supplies, Orange Juice, Bagels and cream cheese, good lip gloss, my brown hair, the Duggars (and more recently David and Pricilla Waller), smutty Television like the Bachelor, my faith, my family, and my life.

Happy Love Day everyone!

Hermano y Hermana Cheney

Mom and Joe have received their mission call! This has been a long time coming as they first said they were going to turn in their papers to the Church Mission Office back in August!  Finally, after a few more grandchildren were born, they decided to take the plunge.  They will be serving in Lima, Peru as area auditors for the Northwest South America area.  This includes Venezuela, Ecuador, Columbia, Peru and Bolivia. They will be working with 35 assistant auditors, training and working in the Church office in Lima. Joe knows Spanish from his Guatemala mission but mom will be learning the language in addition to the Church auditing software Lufas. They will be serving for the next 23 months, so much longer than I anticipated. They will train in Salt Lake Feb 5-6 and then check into the Provo Missionary Training Center Feb 9 for only one week before heading to South America!

I am so excited for their adventures ahead.  This couldn't be a more perfect assignment for my mother who loves to travel and see the world!  Although she will be busy working, I am confident she will find time for the 2 of them to have small adventures in the new world where they will be serving.  I find myself wondering what their life will be like.  Not their mission life, but their everyday life.  What will their apartment look like, and their beds, and what kinds of foods will mom learn to prepare.  Will Mark and I get the chance to go and visit?  And then, almost all at once, it hits me that my mom will not be right here.  I haven't lived close to her in a few years now, but it is still really weird to think that I can't just hop on a plane and be in her comfy home in a few hours.  

So very exciting to see my mother go to serve her first mission in her lifetime.  And perhaps not her last!  Love the examples they have shown in putting their lives in order to be able to dedicate 2 years of their lives in a foreign country to the building up of the Kingdom of God.

Lauren / Kaylinn Weekend 2015

 It is always a fantastic feeling to have a dear friend make time in their life to step into yours for a few days.  I've been lucky enough to keep this very special friend despite the changing seas of life and the physical distance between us. Lauren Lewis Kammeyer is truly, as Anne of Green Gables would say, my kindred spirit.

We had two really fun play days in her weekend trip here, and the state graced us with warm and delightful weather!  On Friday we headed up the mountains (and out of the horrendous pollution) to Park City.  Sunny and basically empty, we strolled these streets and meandered the delightful shops.  And you know me, I'm always excited about a little history - and Park City has it's share of it.

We enjoyed lunch a The Eating Establishment, where our table was next to a burning fire and a beautiful photograph of what we guessed was Zion's National Park. Cameron was a fantastic travel buddy, as usual, full of smiles and super obedient.  (Seriously, I couldn't have prayed for a more perfect buddy than he)

Saturday took us down to Provo; our old stomping grounds. (Photos compliments of Lauren being that I was lame-o and didn't take pictures) We went to Tucanos, which is a special event in and of itself.  Then headed over to Campus to walk memory lane there.  The bookstore never disappoints, and Lauren was surprised to see all the construction changes going on around campus.  AND it must be mentioned, part of the fun Saturday excursion was that a dear friend here let us borrow her van for the day.  SO - we got a lux ride in my all time favorite vehicle with some of my all time favorite people.  Thanks Jacie.

I've said it before, Lauren and I are two peas in a pod.  Not a memory of BYU goes by without having her in it.  So cheers to starting 2015 off on a fantastic foot. I'm already looking forward to our next get together.

My Little School

I'm obsessed with teaching.  I really just love the activities that go around teaching.  And so it is no surprise that my young one is now my student.  We try to have "school time" a few times a week.  It isn't scheduled or even consistent even; but we do have a ton of fun.  

When we do it right, which is about once a week, our schedule looks like this:

Calendar time {20 minutes}: sing songs about the days of the week, months of the year, & weather.  Recite scripture of the month.  Identify numbers, shapes, and colors. Article of Faith puzzles and tell one flannel story from the scriptures and bear testimony of the principle being taught.

Learning Center {20 minutes}: We go over to the table and do whatever I've got ready.  Games, puzzles, glueing, cutting, writing, matching...there is SO MUCH on the internet that it really is just a matter of what I feel like.

Reading Time {20 minutes}: Just that.  One library book after another.

PE / Music {20 minutes}:  We "exercise" to keep our bodies healthy.  Usually running around the yard or walking the dog or going to the park.  When we keep it indoors we sing songs, play the piano, and do fun things like build forts or color or dance.

The end!

It goes by really fast and has been super fun.  AND NOW, just recently, I've started tutoring a kindergartner on writing so we actually do that for an hour with the other activities before and after.  Today I spent hours making my own alphabet handwriting practice pages.  Mostly because I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. (Holy wow, I'm ridiculous).  There are plenty of options on the internet for purchase, but just didn't want to spend the money, and I wanted a mix of different skills.  (Although in retrospect it would have probably been worth it.)  But admire me...they did turn out cute didn't they? You want them don't you?

It's been a great outlet for my teaching love, and my need to teach Cameron how I want.  He is growing so quickly, I can't loose sight of this time we have together.  And, I'm putting it out into the world - judge me if you must - but I am seriously considering homeschooling.  EEEK!

Real Snow

We were all wondering if in fact this state was going to get a White Christmas.  Yet, just like a movie, on Christmas morning, we has a delightful flurry of white snow blanketing our lawns and streets.  For the next few days, we got a little more that made for a really great powdery play place in our backyard.  Something that Cameron had never really experienced before.  Sure, we were here last year, but he was a year younger then too.  So it was fun getting to watch him re-discover it all over again.

We tried to build a snowman, but my one memory of building one with my father is very vague and I couldn't seem to manage to put one together.  Didn't matter much; Cameron enjoyed just running around and playing.  He got more and more comfortable with it as the hour passed and was soon sitting in it and throwing it into his face.  My favorite part of the softly fallen snow? The way it lays on the trees.  It only happens when there is no wind and it's just a light snow. So pretty.

Focused in '15

Happy New Year all! I L-O-V-E New year's.  All things about them; I just love.  I am in love with getting started on a new planner. I went again with the Mormon Mom Planner brand because I really fell in love with all the additional pages for notes and organization and the scrappy feel it give me.  Plus, it's LDS based which adds quotes and encouragement for focusing on what really matters.  As for goals - I have many.  I am a goal oriented person.  Like - major.  During the entire month of December I make a huge "brainstorm" list of anything I can think of that I'd like to improve.  I then make 6 categories and select my top choices for the new year.  And I will be Focused in '15!

For example, this year I am going to:
Focus Spiritually by:
- Reading the Book of Mormon (learn more here)
- Indexing 2,000 names (learn more here)
- Do an ordinance in a temple I haven't been in before (learn more here)
- Keep a prayer journal

Focus Physically by:
- Do a 30 day challenge (thank you Pinterest)
- STOP any and all phone use while driving (Texting, calling, mapping - you name it)
- No Soda all year!

Focus Financially by:
- Recording purchases into YNAB at point of sale (budgeting software found here)
- Get our finances in order and buy a house

Focus on Home and Family by:
- One family date Monthly
- Try 2 new recipes each month
- Blog 6 times per month (I had an all time LOW in my number of posts last year. Shameful.)
- Visit Tessa's new house. (AND if we happen to swing by the Duggar's residence...)

Focus on my Hobbies by:
- Plant a garden with at least 3 plants
- Finish a few scrapbooks I started and never finished (Cameron's baby book is WELL overdue!)
- Visit / Travel someplace new
- Make my bed everyday


Looking forward to all the fun things that will come this year; whatever they may be.

Sally Forth, Tally Ho!

2014 Wrap Up

I'm not sure if it's the photo collages that take up too much time, or the fact that my photos in general are less amazing.  (Since straying from the iPhone, I'll admit, I have been less satisfied with the ease of a camera in my pocket).  Alas, I've let the rest of the year go by without anything really interesting to show for it.  Quite honestly, there wasn't a lot going on.  The holidays were fantastic, with a visit from my brother Dave and a turn around visit for me to Arizona. A few weeks and then Christmas with the Morrell's.  And now, here we are - with New Year's upon us.

A little update of our family:

Mark is enjoying his time over at the Utah Jazz organization.  He is working as a VIP manager there, specifically over the suite holders and maintaining their relationship with the Jazz organization.  Its a busy job that lets him exercise his customer service expertise daily.  He is currently writing a second book, which will be entirely his own book about leadership techniques and traits.  He is serving diligently as the Young Men's President for our ward and trying to pick up his Basketball skills again.  He enjoys reading, attending/watching sporting events, and being with his family.

Kaylinn (I) am still loving being at home with Cameron.  I really do try to focus most of my energy and time into raising him.  We have "preschool time" where we sing songs, read books, color, play with play dough, and "exercise" to keep our bodies healthy.  On days when I am not so productive, I like to watch "Reality" TV, scrapbook, sew, write cards to friends, and read.  I serve as the Primary Music Director in the ward and never paid enough tribute to those who have served before me. (It's a LOT of work!)

Cameron is our perfect little child.  We knew we struck gold when first saw his face, and watching him grow has been a daily confirmation of what a blessing it is to have him.  He is a fan of all things Disney.  Refers to Mickey as "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" in all settings.  Has a very strict diet of Peanut Butter and Honey sandwiches, Mac and Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, and chocolate milk.  All other foods are a struggle with his 2 year old opinions.  Really doesn't like meat of any kind.  Addicted to any screen; that's been fun.  Completely Potty Trained! Can count 1-20, knows all the big and little alphabet letters, and has 3 scriptures memorized. AND - has recently started praying on his own. Not going to lie - I'm super proud. Loves his Uncle Tom, and cousins Carter, Spencer, and Bennett.  And the Bouche boys.  Loves going to the park and riding the "blue car" around the neighborhood...there is so much.  Suffice it to say that the is delightfully fun and I love him.

Although the end of the year left my blog high and dry, I do want to continue doing it.  (I'm aiming at 6 per month next year)  It helps in my scrapbooking and keeps my memories strait.  I am beyond excited for a new year to start and all the "freshness" it brings.  I love my happy, happy family and pray that the Lord will bless us with more in 2015.

All Hallows Eve

We had a perfectly fun (and really normal) halloween holiday!  There aren't any really fun stories to tell; but suffice it to say that it was really fun. This was Cameron's first year where he really understood what was going on and what I was explaining to him.  He knew he was dressing up as a "Yo-Ho Pirate" and that he would be getting treats!  So, that was very fun.

Our ward threw the traditional "Trunk-Or-Treat" to kick off the Halloween season.  My boy danced and danced to the music almost all night long! I was actually surprised; I didn't know dancing was really in his bucket of tricks.  Public dancing has been off mine since High School!

We carved pumpkins the week of halloween in an effort to ensure their "health" on Halloween night.  They turned out really great this year.  I, for one, am very much a quick pumpkin carver.  Finding the easiest pattern and just whipping it up.  Mark, on the other hand, is far more artistic and patient.  This year he tried Batman in a cave, shaving off the cave portion of the pumpkin so the light glowed through it.  (This picture was his trial run; he went back and shaved a little more so the "cave" glowed really great)  And Cameron went for the "yo-ho pirate"; no surprise there.  Sadly, the pumpkins only lasted about a day before they were wilted and gross.  We can't win everything.

Halloween night was really fun too.  WE invited a few neighboring friends to join us on our driveway for Chili, bread, music, and trick-or-treaters.  It was really perfect weather and perfectly fun. Getting to socialize with all the other neighborhood members as they took their kids around.  We learned this tradition while we were with friends in California and hope to continue it each year when the weather permits.

So there you go.  It was indeed a very happy halloween.  And I am determined that NEXT YEAR I really will dress up.  I always intend to but then wait until the very last minute to try and find something in my closet.  Never works.  Next year though...just wait and see.

Walt Disney World

As if there aren't enough pictures on the inter-web of this family and their Disney obsession, here is yet another post depicting our love of the Disney Parks! We sure do love them and aren't afraid to spend all our vacation time there! What made this trip even more exciting was that my mom and Joe agreed to join us on our adventures.  We sure did LOVE everything about our trip and can't wait to go again.  So, if you've got some time on your hands, I give you our Disneyworld vacation in oh-too-many pictures.

We stayed at the Saratoga Spring Resort right there on property. Mark spent a lot of his time working at this resort during his College Program days, so he was in deja-vu a lot! We scored a delightful 2 bedroom "villa" which allowed us our own private space yet to be together. The only way to travel in my opinion.

Day 1: EPOCT and Le Cellier Steakhouse: One word-epic.  I don't usually go to Epcot as our first park on the trip; but dining reservations forced us to have it no other way.  I have always loved the World Showcase and meandering through the countries.  We had the disney dining plan again, so we made a stop in at the steakhouse in the Canada pavilion. Holy moly worth it a thousand times over.  It costs 2 dinners on your plan but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. So delicious.

Day 2: Hollywood Studios. Highlights included Mark getting me on Tower of Terror even though I dislike that ride. Catching all Cameron's favorite Pixar characters. And seeing the Home Alone crowbar. Our dining reservations here wasn't anything to shout about, so we'll just breeze over it without much mention.  We ate.

Day 3: The Magic Kingdom: This was a packed day! Since our last visit 5 years ago, the Magic Kingdom has gone under a ton of improving construction.  Specifically, the Haunted Mansion que and Fantasyland. The new Seven Dwarfs mine car had just opened the month before, so we snagged us some fast passes and took a ride on that.  It was a GREAT roller coaster but in my opinion, not worth more than at 15 minute wait.  The 90+ standby line is really not worth it.  We also enjoyed the new Be Our Guest restaurant for our dining choice; fantastic. Although "the grey stuff" isn't all that delicious; my chocolate cupcake was a much better option.

Day 4: Resort day and resting. Swimming and naps had by all.  Much needed and super delightful. Cameron became so much more confident in the pool, I just loved watching him try to motor himself around in the water. Too cute.

Day 5: Animal Kingdom. This is by far my least favorite of the 4 parks.  I'm not sure if this feeling came because I spent so much of my time working here during my college program days; or if it is just the park as a whole that doesn't suite my fancy. Whatever it is, we only spent the morning here and then headed back to the resort for more swimming and resting.  We hit up the Hoop De Doo Review that night and had a hoot of a time there. Yummy BBQ and really fun entertainment.

Day 6: Magic Kingdom. We spent our last day in Orlando visiting our favorite park of them all.  Ate a ton as we used up the rest of our dining plan meals, and just relaxed as we saw whatever we felt like. And I must mention that our good friends the Marcums who now live in Tampa made the trip up to visit us while we were there. It's always great to get together with old friends and renew those ties. Loves.  This was just a super fun trip and we can't wait to go again!

October - Check

Welp - so much for my blogging goals this month.  My priority list shifted a bit and blogging got bumped down the line.  It happens.  So here is a quick re-cap of the month we've enjoyed.

- I've been sewing like a champion this month!  Christmas gifts this year are almost down with everyone's family accounted for! I am loving how they are all turning out.  I've spent most of my sewing hours down in Orem with my Mother-In-Law.  I have truly loved my time there and how our relationship just gets better.

- I started making my own Laundry Soap.  Say what? that's right folks. After reading ump-teenth million blog posts about it, and seeing it on my Pinterest board too many times, I decided to make the plunge.  And, wouldn't you know, I LOVE it.  It took a round of Laundry to really decide that it is great being that there is a whole make it and shake it process involved.  But now that it's been a month, I agree with all the blog posts out there; it really does smell better. It feels cleaner.  And it is LOADS cheaper. (no pun intended.)

- We started prepping for our first Say ChEARS Foundation Christmas.  We've shifted the focus slightly in that now we are going to gift our Disney themed gifts to deserving families every Christmas.  (they will actually experience them during the year). Which means that it is coming up quick!  It'll be a small year being that we just launched, but we are so excited to have our first one. A thanks to everyone who has donated. There will be updates and reports on the family we gift on our website to come.

- Cameron is potty trained! It was a rough go for mom, but he really was a champ. By far the most patience trying time yet; but he got it and now we're out of diapers.  Party on y'all.

- Halloween is just around the corner! I'm a little worried it'll be too cold for Cameron's adorable Pirate get up; but we're braving the weather and we're going to celebrate come what may. Thanks to my sister for sending her son's costume bits. Made my job easy.

- I quit my Tell Me the Stories gig.  Honestly, it was a fantastic run.  I got 14 stories done for Cameron's collection and really boosted my confidence in art and teaching.  So-despite the fact that my only 2 sales were my to sister and Mark's friend; it was a nice thought none the less.

- There is some shifting going on over at the Jazz organization (where Mark works) which is proving to be very interesting. There hasn't been any decisions yet, but there is a ton of dust in the air.  I'm interested to see what it looks like when the dust settles.

- We adopted a dog. That is a shocker, to me especially.  I am not a pet person; so when the whole dog thing came up - I was shocked.  Even more shocked that it was suggested by - yours truly. I know. But, she had been living at my in-laws for her whole life, and we felt that she could be loved on and played with better with us.  So-we brought her home.  So far, it's been a nice fit.  I'm still not totally confident with her, but she'll lick you to death before she is at all dangerous.  So, that's been fun.

- I know it's really early, but I have been seriously considering homeschooling my little ones. (assuming the Lord blesses me with more someday). I can't say I'm totally shocked, it is something I love to do; school and teaching; curriculum and worksheets; learning and fun.  Plus, I would love to spend the short 16 years left I have with my son as much as possible.  And, excuse my tangent, but I have a serious dream about running a "neighborhood home school" out of my house someday.  The end.

I still love my calling at church, primary music director.  It's awesome. I love my neighborhood and ward friends. Seriously, like I never want to move. I am happy, healthy, and things are good.

Off to November.

The Farm

Alright y'all.  Back to blogging.  Don't hold your breath but, I have goals.  So - we're off to a start on this, the first day of the month. 

We were blessed with the chance to spend some time up with Uncle Tom at the farm this summer.  And it was delightful as usual.  I'm not sure how it happened, but now going to the farm equates with "junk food weekend." And we love it.  We dine at Moore's Cafe or Maddox, have bowls of "gaming food" like M&M's and Twizzlers, and always make Granny's Frosties.  This time around I made a Pinterest find, Salted Carmel Cookies.  Yes, they too were yummo.  Sure, we leave feeling fat and sick, but in the moment, it's totally worth it!

 This particular time around, Mark's project was working on the water pipe that had broke in the shed. I laughed as I sat in the recliner and supervised while Mark relived his Pool Man days.  He does a good job!  Sad that we didn't have a onsie for him to work in.  Gramps always worked in a onsie and the boys sort of loved that.

I also ventured to a new corner of the farm and found a huge collection of cars in what appeared to be a car graveyard.  No, these didn't belong to gramps, but rather an uncle who inherited the property after Gramps died.  And now, here they sit.  All old and abandoned.  Be still my history heart.

We sure love our time at the farm and are planning on stopping by again before the snow hits.  Delightful.