Weekly Wrap-UPs!

Monday December 1- I have started waking up at 6:30am most mornings to run on my eliptical. I get in about a mile and a half before the house turns into organized chaos. I have soo much work to do to get to where I want to be...gotta start somewhere right?!

With the boys & I getting our hair cuts during Thanksgiving break, I got scissor happy and trimmed Dacie's just slightly. I am so scared to cut it. As you can see she was not thrilled with the whole ordeal! A few little side swipe bangs-to follow their natural growth pattern ...and she did NOT want to show off the 1/4 inch of hair I took off in the back! She is such a drama queen!
Ryland was in preschool that week at his friend Addison's house. Her mom is "oh so crafty" and made these elf's with them. Ryland lovingly calls him "hairy" because he had no hair and is trying to grow some for Christmas! Check out the photos below

It is a phenomenon to walk out every morning and see it grown inches! It took about a week for him to "sprout" his new hair. Now if only Dan (and some of his friends) would have the same luck in sprouting some hair for x-mas-ha ha

Tuesday December 2- Basketball practices started for Colton. I get soooo jealous as I drop him off. I would LOVE to be going to practice some hoops for an hour. He is the 2nd tallest on his team and one of the only ones who can even make it in the basket--lets hope this continues!

That evening we had our Enrichment Christmas party. We went to a local elderly care home and sang carols and delivered gifts (lap blankets)--that some of the sisters had made earlier in the month. It brought back so many memories of spending time w/ my Grandma Roth in her latter years, while she was at a care home. It also made me so sad. Some of them are so forgotten!

We ended the evening at the church with a serious yummy tamale dinner (a traditional Spanish Christmas dinner) it even had home-made salsa. I was IN HEAVEN! Ryland came with me that evening to capitalize on the free babysitting and give daddy one less kiddo at home. It was fun for me to spend one-on-one time with him. My kids would be so well-behaved IF they were only children-ha ha. He even helped me stop by the store after and get ground beef on serious sale!

Wednesday December 3- Was a half day at school. I do not remember allot from that day-despite the fact that having the older kids home definitely throws off the little ones naps and lunch schedule!

Thursday December 4- I DO NOT remember the exact day BUT our clothes dryer died! It has been making some awful noises as I have started it--but Dan went to do a little laundry (he touches it about once every 3 months) and it broke! We really have considered ourselves lucky, since I had purchased these machines over 4 years ago from an elderly lady at a garage sale. We knew our days were numbered. Knowing our washing machine is on borrowed time as well. I posted them on craigslist and they were gone by Friday afternoon.They were actually donated to a family in dire need, who are handy with machines and felt they could fix the dryer. I was happy to be able to help someone in need.

...Then we started looking at prices of a new set! AAAHHH! It is outrageous. We also started researching and reading reviews. We are realizing that they are not making them like they use too-sturdy, simple and reasonably priced.

About the same time this all took place. Dan's car has needed repair for a noise it was making. It was going to cost us 300 dollars, just for the part--and we had someone working on it that Dan treats at work. Well-the noise got REAL LOUD, so putting off the fixing of it became a necessity.

To top it off I went to plug in my blow dryer I had bought before we were married and it had died as well. It just seems they all break it at the same time, at CHRISTMAS no less. Our fridge started making noises too--(so I talked to it nicely asking it to hold on a few more years).

SO... for the first time since we have purchased our home and car, we were out a couple of thousand dollars in a few short days.

Well- I am happy to say we FINALLY decided on a washer and dryer and they are being delivered on the 18th of December (got to pay for delivery when there is not very many options in a small town!), until they arrive-- we LOVE Cara!

Our car ended up NOT needing that one part fixed so we returned it-- and went down to a $50 part instead--whew! There are blessings!

Colton had basketball practice again that night!

BYE BYE washer and dryer--you have served your family well!

Friday December 5- Today I was helping in Colton's class. I went in to catalog books for testing and ended up helping the kids with their writing. I LOVE being in the class again, but then sometimes I realize there are some aspects of teaching I do not miss. Like hard-to-handle kids.

The following week Colton was nominated as the Star student for 2nd grade in his school and will get his picture in the paper.

Dacie's hair looks like it is getting sooo long some days!

Saturday December 6- We attended our annual tradition of the Cottonwood Christmas Parade (w/my sister this year). My brother Chad lovingly calls it the LONGEST PARADE in the WORLD (as he came to it a few years ago). It is quite long, but we have always enjoyed every minute of it. It always makes me so proud of our small little town! We came away with lots of smiles and sandwich bags full of candy.

The mountain men!
Our Elementary Schools float--and Wiley Coyote their mascot
The purple hat ladies are always a wild bunch!
Cool hat!...and some candy to boot


The biking group-They were quite the crazy crowd pleasers this year w/ a unicycle riding violin player, some serious tricks, and decorated bikes....oh, and a few drunk guys who just jumped into the parade on their bikes.

Our friends the Taylors(not the ones I work for--they do the residential, we do the commercial)

This is what Dacie thought of the Ambulance and fire engines!

...of course the rest of the day we tried to get our outside decorations put up, and some touch-ups on the inside ones.

Our group date this month was an ugly sweater contest Christmas Party. Dan and I got a babysitter and went to laugh. We wanted to wear ugly sweaters BUT could not bring ourselves to paying 5 dollars each (that is how much they want for those at Goodwill) to only wear them once. However, they did have funny human tricks and I got Dan (to bend his hand in half, curl his toes under his foot and bend his thumb all the way back) and Cara (went into the complete splites) to do a few of those. No one wants to sit too close to me or I volunteer you to do stupid things! Oh, how I love our friends!

Oh what do you do with your Thanksgiving/Halloween pumpkins? I got this idea from a magazine and tried it out while we were decorating this year!

Sunday December 7- We got a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen on their way back from a weekend trip w/ friends in Prescott (so I missed my stake SYC meeting--that is allright, I needed to be home more). They stayed for dinner and to watch the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. I always LOVE the devotional. I never feel like the season has really begun until we watch it. What tender and true messages about the real feelings and meaning of Christmas.

Monday December 8- I had gotten a little side job of watching my friends 2 children after school for 2 days a week. Her son is one of Colton's best friends, and her daughter is in Sterling's primary class. It was so nice to have since I have NOT been answering phones for the trash business-(they have been getting hit hard w/ the economy and are having to cut back in as many things as they can). But today was my last day watching the children--as my friends husband got laid off totally unexpectedly that afternoon. She came to my house sobbing.

I am so sad for my good friends getting hit so hard financially. It is so hard to watch--I have had to watch it for a majority of my life with my own parents.

Not having the 'extra' money has been difficult for me too (and caused very LONG discussions w/ Dan and I while budgeting) BUT that is NOTHING in comparison to what they are having to worry about. I have stability and job security in a constant, same-income with my husband's profession, and my extra earnings were not for necessities.I was grateful for my talk on hope and peace in uncertain times that I was preparing for this week--it helped put things into eternal perspective!

FHE was putting up the tree. Typically by the time Dan gets home and we eat, we have very limited amount of time to have FHE--We barely got it up and the train track around it before it was bed-time. The kids were super bummed. Dan and I stayed up after to put on tinsel and some extra lights (since it is pre-lit) so it would be extra sparkly. We never got the rest of the ornaments on it until tonight 12/14. The tree is definitely a 'process' in our family.

Tuesday December 9- May have been the busiest day in December for us (hopefully). Dacie had a follow-up ear appointment at the doctors, where everything checked out clear. I then headed straight over to a camp meeting w/ the stake camp director. The stake runs camp here--it is not ward run. I am going to serve as the assistant camp director. We decided on a theme and got together names to submit to the stake presidency this evening. I stopped by the post office on the way home to mail off some holiday packages. Then at 3:30 I had a visiting teaching appointment. We had the Elders (missionaries) over for dinner at 5 and I was at a stake meeting at 6:30 until 9pm. I felt like I was stretched in so many different directions that day. Dan always has so much to get done on his days home. Today it was money, shopping and couponing--we went to bed late!

Wednesday December 10- Hmmm, another blank day on my calendar and no pictures. I know I have not had time to call friends back or take phone calls. I am always going and doing-- and shopping (according to Dan ha ha). OR cleaning up cat poop that got smeared all over my house (read past post below). I kept Ryland home from playgroup b/c he had a barking cough. Tis' the season. I am not stressed, just busy!

Thursday December 11- Another day at preschool (they always go on Mon. and Thurs., even when I do not mention it). I stood up a lady I visit teach that morning. I even had it on my calendar. Aaargh! I have had more and more of those forgetful moments.

That evening after we dropped Colton off at basketball practice, while the other kids, Cara, and I headed over to our favorite grocery store--Fry's. They had a "four hour" sale while the kids got to sit on Santa (what do you tell your kids when you know they are NOT getting what they want b/c it is way too much money? while other ones are getting it b/c it is NOT allot of money), write letters to Santa (on super cute stationary might I add), eat and ice sugar cookies, get balloons, and some face painting. I thought it might have been bedlam, but it was pretty much a fun, free thing AND I got the kids M&M's for their assignments (for their class parties) --at less than a buck a bag w/ my coupons and the sale! (as well as 50 cent hotwheels cars).

Dan picked up Colton after work and met us at the church building for tithing settlement. Our new Bishop had made us all fudge to take home-how sweet is that?

It was a late evening--thank heavens I had fed all the kids cereal at 4:30. What do you mom's do about meals when your evenings are 10 times busier than mine?

So Dacie would talk to Santa and look at him BUT forget sitting or being close to him!

Want some cookie to go with that icing?

Friday December 12- I was back in Sterling's class today helping--we did glitter angels and some writing with the more "difficult" students.

Dan had his gift exchange at work and got an i-tunes certificate and walmart gift certificate. Life does not get much better than that for him!

That evening we had our pizza and movie night-The Island of Nim. I went and picked up some friends kids from karate that evening as well, and took them home to their babysitter b/c their parents were at a work party. It started getting quite cold and a bit rainy!

Saturday December 13- I got off my last out-of-town package. We also had our ward party this evening. It was Sunday attire...so we had to give the kids baths before we left. Just after I got Dacie all beautiful in her dress and blow-dried her hair flipping up, w/ a sweet poinsetta in it--she started acting super sick. We were not sure if she was going to throw up. We were all bathed and ready to go-so I just grabbed some plastic bags, towel and some extra clothes just in case.

They had a really yummy, formal sit-down dinner. As the dinner progressed Dacie looked more and more unhappy, and got that glassy look in her eyes. She was on fire. Dan took her home early and stopped at the store for some sick meds on the way. I stayed with the boys for the rest of the evening.

They had done a FANTASTIC job. Our 3 wards that share the building get together and do the decorations and program outlines the same. Then we each take a evening on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to have our individual wards party's (with the same theme).

Last year we were literally in Bethlehem and dressed the part. This year they had us go from room to room where they had done ELABORATE decorations (I wish I had my camera) portraying Christ's life.

The stage was a live nativity w/ a real brand new baby. The next room was Mary looking for Jesus and being told he was in the temple behind her. The next room was the Sea with a boat, water and sand. The next room was the Last Supper set up jsut as the painting portrays-- even w/ a basin & towel. The last room was the tomb. You receeived little items at each one, like scrolls, nativity stickers, shells, etc. We ended in the chapel w/ a movie (done by the photgrapher that took pictures of Christ-he is from Arizona and took most of the pictures in Arizona--many of you have seen these as I have gotten forwarded emails of it) they have been featured in temple visitors centers. Then we had a singing solo, and a quick message from the Bishop. Lastly, it was back into the Gym for tables and tables of desserts. It was a HUGE amount!

Aunt Kerri showed up on her way back from Winslow at the end of the party and came and rescued me picking me up with the boys. We all drove home and Kerri spent the night!

It was a beautiful evening and I felt the spirit stronger than I have in awhile.

Sunday December 14- With Dacie (and Dan and I's) not very restful sleep, Dan had to stay home with her from church. She is running a raging fever and we were blessed with NO stomach symptoms (yet). I took the kids to sacrament and left them w/ and older couple friend of ours (the Mooseman's) while I went and drove to Sedona to speak with the highcouncilmen in that ward. My talk was on hope and peace, and I ended it with the story that my family will never forget about a Christmas 17 years ago when my last little sister arrived. There was not very many dry eyes, including my own. My goal is to get through a talk without crying- ha ha ha! I LOVED giving the talk, parictularly around this time of year.

We all got good naps, except for Dacie who would not sleep-- and Dan who loved hanging out in his pj's all day!

We got the tree done finally, and Dacie has already been awake 3x's tonight. My goal tomorow is to get her fixed!

Well, to all a good night!

*It is so hard NOT to catch the kids enthusiasm for Christmas. We have been talking about giving rather than getting as a family, and sweet Sterling took all his allowance money and bought some small items at his school Christmas store, they put on every year. He wrapped them and took them over to the neighbors who he said "dont; have very much". I have yet to go over there and explain why they got feather pencils and beads...but I could not stifle that desire. I LOVE it when they are giving and childlike. Every day they have wanted to wrap something when they get home from school. Luckily, I have found some fun presents for them to give to friends that I can let them "go to town" on their own, so they are not driving me up the wall trying to wrap every toy in our house and using all the tape(well, they still are using all the tape like it is water)! ha ha LOVE MY KIDS!

ThAnKsGiViNg WeEk!

Monday November 24- Preschool was at our home today. The mom (whose turn it was to teach today) was going out of town, so we swapped days-- and I got to do the T-day PARTY! We used up good ol' popcorn balls from Halloween and made our own TOmMy the Turkeys (above). The kids got to hear the morbid story of Tommy-no crying (b/c the turkey does get eaten in the end)... so that was a positive. We played throw the candy corns into the muffin tins, and drop them into a glass pumpkin bowl (used up my left over candy corn supply from Sterling's b-day...sweet!), counted down days on the calendar...and they pretty much wanted to just be playing outside. I was not complaining. I LOVE it when I can get my kids outdoors voluntarily. However...keeping them off (legal safety)the trampoline was another matter!


We ended the evening by doing a FHE lesson on thankful feathers and we made them for our family's 'naked' turkey. Colton's were really sweet this year. I LOVE it when my children tell me they are thankful for each other (brothers and sister) with NO prodding from me! I was NOT feeling well at all that night and fell asleep super early...only to wake up with a raging fever and sore throat. I LOVE antibiotics (there is NO TIME to be sick when people are counting on you!)

Tuesday November 25- I was able to go into Sterling's class and help with his annual Thanksgiving feast at school. One of his teachers LOVES Thanksgiving, so she puts on weeks of activities with these kids. We get to make vests and drums at home. The kids make homemade bread, homemade applesauce, and homemade butter in the class for it. I was able to make phone calls for donations and help cutting the apples. I helped at Colton's feast 2 years ago....and believe it or not I still had the pilgrim attire saved! ha ha ha The antibiotics and Motrin had kicked in--I was feeling better.

Wednesday November 26-Was a crazy, busy kind of day cleaning the house, and getting ready to leave for Grandma Sorensen's that night.It had turned into winter/fall and was rainy, downcast and windy all day. The boys had NO SCHOOL today either.

I pulled out all the kids clothes and packed up the summer ones, replacing them with the winter ones. I cannot begin to describe to you what a task clothes is for me. It takes HOURS to pull out tubs, try on clothes, re-hang and FIND a place to store it all. Not to mention the unwilling participants in the whole affair. There are mounds and piles of clothes EVERYWHERE (remind me next time to take a picture). I have 3 boys, 3 different sizes, and at the same ages during 3 different seasons. 2 of them are in similar sizes now. I have about EVERY possible option in boys clothes. IF I knew we were done with children I would UNLOAD it all on some lucky person!ha ha BUT we aren't...soo the house gets even smaller. We are being taken over by clothes!

Dacie had been running a 102 fever the last 2 days, so I got her into the pediatrician that evening before we left. Poor little girl had a severe ear infection. It was so bad that the Dr. told us, that if she had been seeing an ENT he probably would have poked a hole and drained it. It was almost perforating the ear drum. I guess I better stop encouraging her to go underwater during bath time. Once again, WE LOVE ANTIBIOTICS!

Dan got home that evening and we pulled into PHOENIX super late. The kids were surprised by Grandpa and Grandma's completely renovated upper part of the house...(it does not even look the same)!

THANKSGIVING DAY!!!!

We started out the day with some Macy's Day Parade watching while I gave all the boys much needed haircuts. The men got in some football game watching, and I think I even got a brief nap. That is ONE thing I have to be grateful for, is that I have never had to make a Turkey solo yet! I was able to help with some dressing and clean up...but not even half of the work it would have been in my own home! We celebrated Sorensen Style w/ a majority of Dan's family there, dropping by, or calling on the phone. YuMmY!

The boys wore their Indian outfits while Grandma Dawnster was the lucky pilgrim girl at the feast! ha ha

Dan and his Dad loaded his truck w/ a new couch (from Uncle Clint) for us, some guns and hunting gear and took off for Cottonwood. Dan got drawn for the Elk hunt this year for area 6A (our neck of the woods). I opted to stay in Phoenix and PLaY (& have loads of help from Grandma and Aunt Kerri)!!!! Dawn and I laid the "worked up"kids down for bed and took off for the outlets in Anthem at 11pm. IT WAS NUTS!!! The exit on the freeway was backed up and people were STILL going strong (w/ kids & babies mind you) at 2am. We dropped into bed at about 4:30am. Whew!!! We got some good deals BUT definitely NOT worth it. The boys are stocked in jeans now--AND children (even the grown ones) are no respecter of shopping-late-night-momma's. We were up and going at 7am!!!

The next couple of days at Grandma's house were a blur of:

LOTSA' SHOPPING, returning the jeans for different sizes ( a nice 2 hr. trip w/ traffic back there), getting my hair cut and dyed real DARK, a movie with the boys (Madagascar 2), lots of playing in grandma's toy filled basement, pj parties, getting spoiled by Aunt Kerri, trips for kids Christmas pictures (what an event that was--I figured out AFTER the photo shoot I had the wrong store for my coupon-aah what is few more bucks after this weekend, right!?), watching movies and TV and being away from all responsibility. Now I can do hunting season more often IF it is like this.

~Getting Dacie ready for the kids expensive Christmas Pictures~

~Oh yeah, I got myself a CowGiRL!!! ~

Filling Aunt Kerri's shoes

I think Dacie drug every pair of Aunt Kerri's cool shoes (she has a great collection of them) and wore them, as well as dragged them all over the house.

Dan came back down on Saturday night after seeing a whole bunch of Elk....all cows (girls). He drew his gun but could not shoot, darn it! There is always next year right? We enjoyed church in Dan's old ward, and a Sunday dinner as a family. Then we sadly packed up our presents and returned home with a whole bunch of sleepy heads.

We have SOOOO MUCH to be grateful for. We have stability in our lives amidst a time of much insecurity. We are grateful for our beautiful little family, and a cozy little home that we fill. We are grateful for our WONDERFUL extended families. We really are supported and loved from all sides.We are grateful for modern medicine and the comforts it brings, rather than having to battle sickness solo. We are grateful for "LITTLE" things we never knew we were thankful for like a washing machine, clothes dryer, hair dryer, and working 2nd car...until we lose them (not the car permanently).

.... stay tuned for one of the most expensive days in our lives-- until next week!

We are thankful for YOU!!!!

Serious Weekly Wrap-ups!

Monday November 10-I made about 1 million phone calls to make appointments, change oil, etc. Running a household is a full-time secretarial position. I don't mind this aspect of things--however when you are trying to juggle it between, taking care of children, feeding, clothing, household chores...it can be the one more thing of the day!I had success with my phone calls however! We had FHE and that is about all I can remember!Tuesday November 22- My tooth had abscessed this past weekend and I was on antibiotics. SOOO I got in pretty quickly to an Endodontist in Prescott. It was my first visit there and I was impressed with their kind receptionist on and off the phone, how quickly they got me in, and the care package they sent me home with after --strawberry chapstick, travel Motrin, breathe savers, and a bottled water-How cute is that?(I guess when you pay them that much, even the littlest gestures are kind). He determined that the root canal being done was NOT the tooth I thought needed work on it #30 BUT the one right next to it #31 (my molars)-you wanna know how he found out? Oh yeah, this super cold stuff on the tooth--I KNEW immediately as I about went through the roof! I LOVE Dr. Smith! He fixed it !!!! Once again my roots changed directions numerous times, as well as had four canals rather then the typical 3. It took him allot longer than average. He understood why the other root canal on the opposite side had not been successful two plus years ago (the tooth that was removed and put back in). When we are down and out I am going to start selling my teeth. They are the most expensive thing on me!
The kids had off of school that day-so Dan did fatherhood solo. He makes it look easy, but I wonder IF he had to do it more than one day in a row IF that would last? However, I do come home and have to get the house reorganized. His expectations are a bit different with cleanliness and projects getting accomplished!
I got home after LONG stop to ROSS, in enough time to cook dinner and immediately leave for a stake YW and stake YM meeting/w the stake presidency. It was OK that I had missed dinner, I was hurting by then and thought that I might NOT ever chew on that side again (that only lasted one day--then it has been heaven!)

Dacie and Jocelyn hugging

Ryland doing his moon craft

Wednesday November 12- Sweet Jocelyn spent time with us today. Jocelyn is my friends (who passed away a little over a year ago) baby. She is going to daycare at a phenomenal friends house (Carol Langford--who took my kids while I was at Girls Camp). Carol had a hair appointment that day. We took Jocelyn to playgroup with us. It was a fun goodnight theme play day. We wore our pj's, ate cookies and milk, read stories and made moon and star crafts. I actually made it today because we did NOT have to be dressed! ha ha IF every play group could be that I probably would come more often. She ate lunch and took naps with us too! We have really missed her and have worried about her. It was allot easier to watch her this time around then when both the girls were babies (they are only a month and a half apart)!

Dacie and Jocelyn coloring their moons at playgroup

Thursday November 13- This evening we had stake auxillary training meeting. It was our first time meeting with the wards collectively since we had been put in as a presidency, and most of the wards had completely new presidencies. It was our chance to train, get on the same page, answer questions, and introduce the new YW theme for 2009. Our theme for the evening was "following in his footsteps" (does the invitation look familiar Candy?) We had footprints everywhere, handed out socks, passed out invitations with the socks that fit in the shoe, etc. We have been planning quite a bit for this and were a bit nervous. I felt like I did very little besides give"the talk" that evening. We also were in charge of the refreshments for all the women auxillaries that were meeting that evening (RS, primary and YW).Have I told you I LOVE the sisters I work with? Good thing, since we spend so much time together huh?

Friday November 14-Today was Sterling's birthday! See the previous post for today's happenings. I don't think him and I STOPPED all day long!

Saturday November 15- This morning Colton had to go to the middle school for a basketball evaluation. BASKETBALL HAS STARTED for our fam and I am excited--this is a sport I can handle FOREVER. They evaluate all the kids before they play to make the teams even!

Later that afternoon I went to a baby shower for my good friend Kelli Bargar (we had our last babies a week apart). It was amazing to think that this could be me--but I am glad it is was not my turn yet. She is having a boy after 2 girls and her hubby just got called as Bishop to boot!

We had cancelled the stake dance this evening. After our pres. meeting on Tues, a night in excellence on Wed. (that some of the presidency attended), training on Thursday and a fireside on Sunday--we were NOT going to ask leaders to drive to the stake center (as some wards live over an hour away) yet once again. We do know how to say NO!

Sunday November 16- We had a stake youth fireside this evening and it was GREAT! We had 3 recently returned missionaries speak. They had all been buddies in High School,, and one was able to baptize the other one while in HS. One went on a mission a little over a year after becoming a convert to the church. The two (who had been able to baptize the other) had gone on missions at the same time and had done a fireside in the MTC w/ Elder Scott-- there was not a dry eye. IF anyone was doubting serving, there should have been no question after tonight. They were excellent speakers.

Monday November 17- Oh we started the two part Thanksgiving Family Home Evening. We had the traditional flannel board story of Tommy the Turkey. Dan actually read the story this year (even though it had been a tradition in my family) AND did quite the rendition of it. The children were in hysterics and pretty worked up for bedtime!

Tuesday November 18- My good friend Natalie Taylor (incidentally she is the stake YW pres. and whom I answer phones for) gave me a day of babysitting for my birthday to do anything I wanted. Dan and I decided to go down to the temple! Dan's parents house is under remodeling construction so we avoid it right now with the kiddos. We left at 10am and did not get home until 7:30pm! (2 hours down, and 2 hours back up...with no traffic--yeah right! 2 hour session and a quick bite to eat, as well as a stop at the distribution store to buy a new temple dress and tie). It was a LONG day-for us, I can only imagine what it was for Natalie!

Natalie even went and picked up the boys from school, fed all of them, and had Dacie take a nap. She already has 6 kids of her own--so this was DEFINITELY a present to me. It was so nice to go at a less busy time for the temple. We were also able to be the witness couple which we have not done for awhile. It always makes you pay more attention. The whole world was right in such a troubled time, and it is always nice to be able to put names on the prayer roll for those you know are struggling.

I missed an Enrichment night of a "pre-Thanksgiving" feast where we were taught to do a turkey ( I heard it was to die for)--it was worth it for the temple. Besides I am not cooking the Turkey this year and I got all the info.!

Good thing Dan enjoys attending fake Thanksgiving feasts and making popcorn ball creations with the kiddos-he did all this as he gets to spend extra alone time with the kids while I am at my calling!

Wednesday November 19-Dan is famous! His picture appeared in the local newspaper today doing physical therapy on a patient. They were running an article on the new clinic. It was a fairly good size picture, and Dan is even trying to stand up straight! The kids thought it was THE COOLEST thing EVER that their dad was in the paper.

I went and got an oil change today that I had totally space last week. I had "stood them up", so I am glad I got it done today (but ouch for the checkbook) in time for Thanksgiving travels.

Tonight I went and visited my "home" ward's Young Women Night in Excellence for the stake . They were doing a Miss Value Pageant. They had asked me to speak for 10 minutes on Divine Nature. It was so well done!! The best I have seen. They even gave me a rose and crown at the end!

Thursday November 20- The great thing about having a sister in town is that I can go on long field trips with the kids classes! I decided to volunteer to go on Colton's class field trip to Dead Horse Ranch State Park. I really enjoyed it. We went on nature hikes, listened to animal sounds and tried to match them to pictures, roasted marshmallows, looked at animal furs and skeletons, at lunch, etc. However, it was a different story getting there--we lost MOST the lunches (in the cooler-they accidentally got taken by another field trip), had a mom "freak out" about it and get off the bus and leave, and half way there had another kid throw up, so we turned around and went back. It was quite the adventure!

Friday November 21- Today is my regular day to volunteer in the boys classes. I am starting to rotate between the boys classes. My secret is out with my sister, so other mom's are starting to capitalize on her too. Cara was babysitting elsewhere, so my friend (Desiree McDowell) took the 2 kids for me this morning. It was a BAD morning-we were running really late. I had started not feeling well (which turned into strep throat by Monday), woke up late, had kids screaming for a majority of the morning, I pulled out of the garage while yelling at the screaming culprits and ripped our front rear view mirror while doing it. After getting to the school and helping the classroom kids slice apples and make home-made applesauce-- life was good and back to normal.

That evening I was meeting my friends at 4pm for our twilight night out. My sister Cara (who was going to watch the kids) had fallen asleep on her couch, I finally got her to wake up at the time we were suppose to be leaving. It had just been weird kind of day and this suited it. As you an see all went well (in the past twilight post)!

On a sad and serious note an older patient had a massive heart attack while at Dan's work. They had to do CPR. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. That is the first time Dan has watched someone pass away.They closed the clinic down for a bit to get the ambulance in and have some meetings as a staff. They did everything right, and it could not have happened at a better place with access to defib's, trained staff, as well as the hospital right by. It was a introspective kind of day for Dan. We got to talk allot when I got home later than evening and again in the morning. Life can be gone so quickly.

The Twilight Mommas

Saturday November 22- My visiting teachers came and visited me on Saturday morning. One of them was in the Twilight mothers group BUT it is nice to have them make an additional visit with me just to talk about spiritual stuff too! I went and checked out a early black Friday sale at a local boutique and ice cream shop. I was proud to say that I walked away with only buying a candle!

That evening we went and had the BYU tailgate party at the Hoggard's house-(read past post)

Sunday November 23- I was not feeling much better today. I was going to try and go to another ward's sacrament meeting (after our ward) to watch the Black Hills YW put it on, BUT I was feeling too sick. So I took a much needed nap instead!

WHEW!---It was a fantastic couple of weeks of it!