Goals

Every year I try to set some goals for myself. But this year I am having a hard time finding worthwhile goals to set. I guess that is why I have started so late. But here are a few goals I want to work on. I want to read more often, I want to dejunk my house and keep it that way, keep out of debt(which was one of my goals from last year, by the way I met that goal I have no credit card debt. Yeah!) and manage my time and money better. I would like to spend more time with my adult children, and strengthen my marriage. I mostly want to take care of myself this year by eating right,exercising and taking time to do things that are enjoyable to me. I hope to full fill these goals but if not I will become a better person just for trying don't you think?

fun and not so fun

I haven't kept up with blogging as much as I would like to. So now I have a lot of stuff to blog about.
I have been busy doing many things some of them fun and some not so fun.
Some fun things that I have been up to are girls day out. My sisters took me and my mom out for our birthdays. We went to the Garden Restaurant on the top of the Joseph Smith memorial building. The view was spectacular. They also took us to see the play Home School Musical. I liked it very much. It was my first time at the Desert Star. I liked how they made fun of Napoleon Dynamite and the High School Musical movie. Thank You to my wonderful sisters. You are some of my best friends.
I have a new calling at church I have been called to be the Secretary for the Relief Society. I feel really good about it. I feel that this is where my Heavenly Father needs me. I think that my callings in church have helped me grow as a person. For example I use to be so shy that I would not even go to my mail box across the street for fear that someone would see me or I would have to talk to them. Now I can give a talk or lesson in front of many and it isn't that hard. I can also go up to people I don't know and talk to them. I think that the Lord has blessed me so much. I have more self esteem.
Now for some not so fun news I went to the dentist because one of my fillings fell out and I thought my crown was bad. It turned out that my crown was fine I had a bad cavity right next to it. So last week I went to get them filled and the top tooth was fine. But the bottom tooth was very difficult to numb. I had 4 shots and I was only partially numb so instead of poking me again in the same place, he gave me a shot right in the tooth that was bad. Boy was it painful. But it worked and I was able to get the cavity filled. The dentist felt so bad for having me in the chair for 2 hours and so many shots that he gave me a gift certificate to a Mexican restaurant. So me and Jay went out to eat and the dentist paid the bill.
More not so fun news is that J.J. was laid off from his job as a maintenance mechanic. But he is looking into doing some temporary work. Hopefully it wont be to long before he is back to work.
Getting back to some fun news.
It has also been fun getting back to work and getting back to a routine of things. I have been doing just one thing since I started at the beginning of the year I was in charge of the fruit and dishes. But now my manager is having me do what the other ladies do. It shows that she has confidence in me and she thinks I am doing a great job!
I also want to wish my daughter in law Samantha a happy birthday! Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mom, Felicia and Savannah my nieces Charlie, Matthew my brother in laws.

Where did December go?

I can't believe that December is gone. I wish I could capture the magic moments in a bottle and release them when I want the magic back again. I miss the wonderful Christmases of when the kids were little and the closeness of family and friends. But I know things can't stay the same forever and I don't want them to. I just wish we could keep the magic just a little longer.
But I had a very enjoyable Christmas it was very quite and snowy. This year we tried to keep things simple. Some of the traditions we had when the kids were little have gone and we are trying to replace them with new ones. I try to make them something every year. Last year I made them pj pants and stockings and this year I made them pillow cases and a scrapbook. They were a lot of work but also fun.
We didn't go anywhere for Christmas and a good thing to, we were snowed in. It snowed all day and blew all night. We ended up with 12 inches of snow or more.
We all loved our presents even thought they were few in numbers. J.J., Sam and little Rocky called and wished us Merry Christmas. We also got to talk to Peter ( Elder Riehle)for over an hour. He sounded wonderful and we are all getting excited for his homecoming the 3rd of June.
Jay and the boys didn't even try to shovel us out until the day after Christmas. With all that snow you need a good shovel our old shovel finally broke we only had it 14 years. We were lucky because we bought the last shovel in town and the last of the ice melt.
After wards we had a nice breakfast and then we took Alex the birthday boy to the mall and to his favorite place to eat Mandarin Gardens he loves that tiny spicy chicken.
I love all my children very much but I feel a special closeness with Alex since he was born so close to my birthday. It is hard to let your children go but I want them to have the same happiness I have had.
For the rest of December we hope to have Jay's family over and I am planing going on a trip with Jay again. I took a trip with him the first of the week to San Francisco. I will go if my tooth ache goes away. I am also planing on organizing my home and hopefully have my Mom and Randy over for a visit soon. I am also having a birthday. I can't have another one has come, it feels like I just had one. Oh well, where did my December or year go?

A Wonderful Week!

We had a wonderful week here are a few pictures of the good times with our family.

Happy Birthday J.J.

Today is my sons John's Or (J.J.) birthday.

He is a kind and caring person. He is such a good son, husband and father!

I just want to let him know how much I love him and to wish him a Happy Birthday!

We love you John!

My favorite season

This is my favorite time of the year. When the weather changes the leaves fall and the cool nights begin. I enjoy making warm soups and stews and warm apple crisps. I love to curl up to a good book with a hot cup of cocoa or just watch TV or movies in my pj's.
I am a homebody by nature and I love taking care of my family and my home. Every year I work on projects for Christmas. Last year I made recipe books and stockings and pj pants. This year I am making pillow cases and I am working on scrapbooks. I also plan on making yummy treats and goodies to share with everyone.
I am also trying to keep things simple. By simplifying things there is less stress.
I am also enjoying this season of my life. I have more time for myself and I am able to do the things that I enjoy. I am learning more about myself. I enjoy my grown kids they are fun to be around. It is a great accomplishment to have almost all of my children raised. And knowing that you did your best. I also enjoy being a grandma even though it is a long distance. I can't wait until my son and his wife come for a visit, and of course little Rocky.
Many people don't enjoy the cold days or the long winter nights or the feeling of an empty nest but they give me a feeling of peace and security. I love the holidays and the chance to be with my family and friends in celebrations. I am enjoying this season of my life. What season are you in your life?

Halloween Fun!

My brother Matt and his wife Kelly as Shrek and Fiona

Lacey and her friends after the Halloween Ochestra concert

Halloween Ochestra concert

Lunch lady witches