How Did I Get Here?

tap. tap...

2010-10-22T23:12:00.001-07:00

hello... is this thing on?

you know it's been a LONG LONG time ince you've dusted off.. or even looked at your blog whne your cute background is gone!

where do I begin after a very very long hiatus? do i begin again? Fb has kinda taken over. it's short & to the point. and i can just publish pictures stright from my iphoto..

so, should i or shouldn't i? i've got a lot goin on that I would love to share... that is if there's anyone left ot share it with? i guess i could do it for my posterity?

my intention is to start blogging again! there, i said it. don't hold your breath, but i think i just might do it!!!

yes. i'm still alive!

2010-04-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

so much time has passed. i don't know if i could ever catch up on time passed. i hate to say it, but fb seems like the easy place for me to be. i waste so much time there. i guess it's just where i can go and not think or face reality. not good, i know. plus it's a quick way to say hi and catch up real quick with friends.. and not having to commit time to anyone. bad i know, but what ever.

i'm in a funk today. wanting to climb back under the covers and not come out for a long time. i know what i need to do but sometimes that's the hardest part!

we're busy into softball season

and trying to start out business.. did i ever mention that? yeah, we've been working on it for the last year and a half. now that i have my settlelment (broken leg), we're diving into our own money and gettin this thing started just as my dad's store has closed. so no income and throwing money into a new adventure. i can't tell you how scarey it is! but i guess the scarier the better?

i'll leave with a few pics of our latest adventures. i plan to be back much sooner this time!!

happy flippin easter! can't you tell!

Trammell

2010-02-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

Meet the newest member of our family. He's coming home in 5 weeks!

Toffee making lesson... from a professional!

2009-12-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I'm not the professional, but my mom's friend who makes it is!

My mom ha a boutique again, this time in folsom. SHe wanted a toffee maker and I said I would do it. Mom's friend gave me personal instructions, as she is not making it professionally any more. So I lucked out and so did you!

Here's the basics.

Start with a heavy bottom pot. She gave me an old pressure cooker pot. She bought it at a garage sale for a $1. If you are going to make toffee often, use the same pan, only for toffee. She explained that as the aluminum expands, particles of food get trapped as it cools. So If I were to make soup in the toffee pan, it might taste a bit like toffee!

You need 1.5 lbs of butter. Use the bricks from costco. Less unwrapping!

She uses the Dark Chocolate melting dics - like the kind from Wilton.

She explained that if you use chocolate chhips, they have a harder time melting. Chocolate chips are not made to melt smooth. If they were or chocolate chips would be a little different! Winco had the dark chocolate waffers in bulk. Best price. Micheals sells them, too.

You can use a candy bar if you want, also.

And be sure to use the dark chocolate. It cuts the sweetness and adss a richer flaver (but not burned :)

Put the butter and 3 and 1/4 cups of granulated sugar in pot. The best thermometer to use is the kind in the picture, It is the most acurate... unless you have something else, that works, too!

Put heat to just above medium. Let melt. You can stir occasionally.

Meanwhile, turn on oven to warm.

Put chocolate in to pie tin, or whatever you have. Close oven, let melt.

Still melting

Once mixter hits between 160 ~ 200...

(if you miss 200, turn the heat down until the temp drops back down. Easy to fix!)

Get out your hand mixer and mix away!

This is the easiest and best way to make sure the sugar and butter have combined well.

So it won't seperate later!

This is the color you want to achieve.

Once all combined, stop mixing and let cook until it reaches 300 degrees.

Stirring, occasionally. Really occasionally.

At some time between now and 300 add about 1 tsp of sea salt.

You can use table salt, but sea salt is best.

Trader Joes has a big thing of it really cheap and really good.

I've switched to that for all my baking!

Meanwhile arrange almonds on pan.

(now you can individually place them or not use them at all.

It's up to you. Or you can just shake the pan and take your chances!)

300 degrees. No more. No less. I missed and hit 320.

Rebecca said it had a richer flavor :)

It wasn't so bad. My work liked it!

Pour over toasted almonds! I get them at costco and toast them myself.

oven @ 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Be sure you do this way ahead, cause you don't want to pour hot toffee over hot almonds!

this amount will make about a sheet pan and about a 1/4.

you can spray pam on pan, but I found I didn't need it witha ll that butter!

wait five minutes, get out chocolate and spread over toffee!

You want it kind of thin because the chocolate is used as a glue for the almonds on top.

Not to thick, unless you like it that way!

Wait about 5 minutes after spreading warm chocolate on warm toffee.

If your kitchen is cool it might not be that long.

If your kitchen is warm, it might take a little lionger.

You want it to be set but not hard when you score it with the pizza cutter.

The ONLY way to cut toffee in my opinion!

After you score the warm toffee, sprinkle with almonds

(I used chopped on mine, she uses slivered)

Gentley press down so the almonds will stay!

don't put in frige or freezewr right away. I put mine outside to cool. If it's too cold, the chocolate will separate from the toffee when you break it up.

That's it. I can't think of any other tips. I think it's the hand mixer that make the difference.

Merry Christmas to you all!

MIA

2009-12-13T23:40:00.000-08:00

Still not quite with it. So much has gone on in the last few months. Eventually I might try to catch up, at least with photos. i miss my blog.

I started working a seasonal job at this awesome place ...

I hope they keep me! It's been crazy fun and I haven't spent a dime... I would if I could, though! Eventually I'll blog about what's really been going on in our lives, so I can documnet it for our children. The trials of faith are strong and going on. But I'm ready to be done with this set of them.. I hope the Lord is done with this set, too. Guess I'll jsut have to wait and see!

unbloggy

2009-09-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

photo by Rebecca! age 9

So.... I know I'm not alone in the blog world of feeling like just not blogging. I have let go of any guilt associated with it. I want to blog. I really do..... sometimes it just seems like it's just one more thing to do. Although sometimes I feel like I don't do enough.

I have a confession.... I think facebook is easier. I mean you get instant comments and I can jot down a quick note and I know other people see it. Now, I'm not saying that those people are more important that the few readers I have (or had) here. Most of those people I would not have any contact with or even care to have contact with if it weren't for FB.

SO to those of you who have stuck around. Thank you. You are my true frineds... or you just haven't unsubscribed from me yet :)

I really wanted to start a blog for the family preservation that it represents. I don't scrapbook. I don't journal.. I blog. But I found in the mean time, friends, women who I can relate with and we can lift each other up! SO I'm back to make a commitment to myself.. and any of you who want me to commit to you! I promise myself to post once a week. That's not to much, right?

There are a lot of new and exciting and scarey things going on around here. I want/need to document them! especially the notes my girls leave me. One who thanks me for being around so she can talk to me and the other who wants me to know that it's ok if she is my favorite!!

I love my family. I want to pass this on to them. Thanks for hangin on, my true blog friends! xoxo

first day of school... 2 weeks late :)

2009-08-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

last day of school 6/09

(saturday before the first day of school, she has early morning seminary @ 6am..

I was up , butI didn't dare ask for a pic :)

last day of school

first day of school 8/10/09

not much difference, huh?

last day 08

first day

last day

first day!

i love my kids but i'm glad they're back in school. i don't love going through gas a lot faster then over the summer! gee wizz!

ignorance

2009-08-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

so.. i've been kinda done with my arden. i've loved it and all of the fruits of our(my) labors... but i'm kinda done with it. but apparently it's not done with me.....

this is what happens when you don't go out for a couple of days! i think my neighbors would hate me... but i know a lady who likes em this big. zucchini bread, anyone???

wedding pics... lots of them... beware...

2009-08-12T22:39:00.000-07:00

got to be a part of 2 amazing weddings last weekend. here's some of the pictures. i love being an integral part of someones most amazing day. i am thankful for my talents...

car was PACKED full. this is from the back of the car.

WEDDING #1

watering can centerpieces.

i loved these and they were SUPER easy to do!

can you tell that i loved these???

tossing bqt

brides maid's

bridal bouquet

part of the backyard. i want one of these when i get my own house!

WEDDING #2

bridal bouquet

bride's maids bqt

(still in the cooler, but whatever... we were busy!)

flower girl wand for the 2 yr old!

table centerpieces.

i'm sure they were more amazing

after the sun went down & the candles lit!

we didn't do the cake but isn't it beautiful?

just 'cause they looked so good

deco on pool gate.

you had to carefully walk around the pool to get to the food.

i hope no one fell in!

these are some of my favorite decorations at a wedding.

they belong to a family that loans them to friends.

we have used them for several weddings...

katelynn wants some for her wedding reception!

i think we'll get our own from crate & barrel. i want them in my own yard!

and..... Katelynn thinks she wants to be in the "flower biz", too. would i ever take over for my mom and have my girls help me too? even if i had thought of it myself.... i don't dare to dream...

she was having a blast and very proud of her work :)

during a break in the day, we happened upon a farmers market about 4 blocks from where i grew up. mom and i had a fun break and even ran into old friends and neighbors

so if you're in walnut creek on saturday mornings from 8am - 1pm until october... head over to kaiser at shadelands, on n. wiget lane.... huge market and so much fun! yummy crepes, too!

2009-08-06T22:17:00.000-07:00

my favorite sunflower from the garden...

yes, i have a favorite!

i've been a pretty lousy blogger lately. i could make up all kinds of excuses... ones like.... i'm stressed to the gills about our business and why the heck the bank won't hurry up and loan us the $ we need. or things like how are we gonna pay our bills.

but i don't like dwelling on those things. i know there is a plan for us and that we are here where we need to be. it's just hard.

so i fill up, well not really fill up, my blog with things from my garden. i have loved being part of the earth and experiencing little every day miracles out there. it brings me closer to heaven. so here's a couple more pics of the garden ......

getting a little sparse looking. tomatoes are heavy

and i need a good recipe for them!

curly cucumber. so far no luck with a good cuke.

they have all been SO bitter! major bummer

a surprise watermelon!

it tried so hard for so long and now we have success!

(this pic 7/29/09)

(yes, i need a pedicure!)

todays size! 1 week later!

i really want to do a better job of blogging the memories of my family for postery's sake. school starts monday, so i think i'll have a little more time soon!!!

trip to utah

2009-07-24T05:45:00.000-07:00

before anyone gets upset that i didn't tell anyone that i was going to utah, i didn't have time to see anyone but my brother and his family and the event that i went for. i know you are all disappointed and so am i. one day i'll come out there with plans to see/meet all of my friends out there. just an fyi :)

my mom and i took my 3 youngest kids to my brother's to see cousins and attend a conference in layton. i'll post about that later. the best part was the party on friday eve. the band was great but so loud that people couldn't mingle. so there was a dance party for the miles family! PARTY TRAIN is the name of the band. they were totally awesome! the kids had so much fun. it wore them out and even i got out there and shook it! it tired them out so they slept right through the people partying at the bar right next to our room. me not so lucky :)

there were chocolate fountains and eli enjoyed them.

he would go and get a strawberry, dip it, come back to the table,

take one bite then go get another. repeat about 10x

had and amazing conference! then headed back to logan.

enjoyed a restful sunday then off to the waterpark on monday.

emma was so hapy that she could go down the big slides there.

here she's about an inch to short, bummer!

we had fun in the sun

i promised no names on this one, but i was very impressed ;)

then back to their house for a little birthday cake in honor of yours truely!

since i'd be driving home all day on my bday!

all i can say is sam's club does an awesome cake! cheap, too!

had a great time, too short, but happy to be back home. missed my man and missed my girl (who didn't come cause she was hiking 27 miles for girls camp! she's a beast!)

garden update

2009-07-13T23:48:00.000-07:00

just in case you were wondering and just in case you need any large zucchinis!

this is just a smattering of what there is.

i swear everyday there is a huge one that wasn't there the day before!

i wonder how big they will be when i get back from utah!

something had been eating the tomatoes as they got red.

so i put some fancy stars in the garden and it hasn't benn back since!

feeling my roots! and yes, i AM in my jammies :)

my most favorite part of the garden.

SUNFLOWERS!

they are my favorite flower.

I love how tall and thin the stem is

and yet it is strong enough to hold an amazing creation that looks to the sun!

happy bee!

I love my family!

2009-07-05T22:38:00.001-07:00

Here are a few family photos.

I love being together with my brothers and sisters, blood and by law!

(the spot in the middle is for Jonathan who can't be here :(

I love that all 16 cousins pick up where they left off.

Can you see how many boys there are?

Youngest to oldest

(well the youngest is at the end, he can't stand yet and he was sleeping!)

I am blessed to have a forever family.

I am so grateful for the Plan Of Salvation!

The reunion in heaven will be awesome

(just hopefully not for a very very long time!)

God Bless America

2009-07-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

Quick post on the rodeo last night. I can now say I've been to a rodeo... and i never have to go again. Fun, but not my cup of tea... or drink of beer! Getting all 24 of us arranged and settled, took all night :) Hardest on the little kids and our butts!

I did want to share this most of all. This was so magestic . I'll fill ya'll in about the rodeo and weekend later. Like the lady pretending to be security and getting in my sons face :)

the crowd :) (it was sold out)

There's another section to the left of me and the right , just saying.

Parachuter

way high up there. so glad for great zoom!

getting closer

took your breath away

Into the stadium. It was amazing!

(had to share the big hat guy. so glad he didn't sit infront of us!)

they're almost here!

2009-07-02T16:10:00.000-07:00

the family is coming! my kids are giddy with anticipation! i've been cleaning and painting and planting ( i love a deadline :) In a few short hours most of us will be in Folsom, ready to party!

There are 30 poeple in my immediate family. 29 of us will be here. 16 of them are cousins!

We have so much planned and not planned. Mom and i went shopping for food yesterday. 2 stores, 400$. not bad. Easy food, bbq, corn, easy....

our weekend is as follows:

7/2 - mileses, mileses, daphne arrive

7/3 - loseys arrive - go to swim park, play, play, go to rodeo! (there is a real live rodeo in our town, 3 minutes from our house!)

7/4 - mileses arrive - go to beach at river, home for pictures, bbq, fireworks, play play play

7/5 - church - bless baby cody, lunch, play play play

7/6 - every body leaves :(

I'll do a big post when I've recovered!

Happy fourth of july!!! I love america!

Happy Birthday Andrew

2009-06-29T08:47:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was my boy's birthday. I can't believe he's 13. Time flies, that's for sure.We had a busy weekend for him. 2 of his friends from concord came to hang out with him for the weekend. I love these boys. It's like a big band of brothers! Here's some of the events of the weekend...

don't judge me, ok!

their handy work :)

jumping @ sky zone

then off to the rope swing

dare devil sam

i told him i wasn't coming in after him if he got hurt!

a rare smile from the bday boy!

love you buddy!

i pod touch giveaway

2009-06-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

click on picture to take you there!

I don't usually o these, but a good blog friend has started a new website for twitter back grounds!!! And she's giving away an IPOD touch... just to go look at her new site! I might just really start twittering now! Way to go Devri!

garden update

2009-06-23T09:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while... been busy, I guess? Now getting ready for family to descend in Folsom (20 of us for the 4th of July!) It's gonna be fun and crazy all at the same time. So I've got cleaning on organizing to do (like dig out kids rooms so if cousins want to sleepover, they can!)

Thought I'd update our garden..... It has been one of the best experiences for me and our kids.

Remember this post?

Can you find Emma?

Anxiously awaiting the color red!

Had to put a little color in the garden, too.

Anyone want some zucchini? Or a cucumber!

It's like heaven right out side our door!

Just cause

Schools Out

2009-06-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

2 friday's ago my girls and my mom and i took off for the weekend

to spend time with these people!

(this was our view from the hotel. the universal sheraton!)

Cousins who we miss VERY much

And to met our newest cousin. baby cody

my chocolate milk junkie

the fun fountain at city walk

then we headed up to spend time with these cousins for the night

(lucy's missing from the pic)

(thanks for coming with me Katelynn! it was fun to have you along)

while we were in la, we had to stop at one of the best cupcake shops ever.

the before

the after

the end!

Let Summer Begin!

2009-05-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

I just love these random traveling carnivals, don't you?

Where you drop $20 just to go on 3 rides each?

These 2 have been the best of pals all weekend.

I hope it rings true all summer! Cross your fingers xxx

Emma was nice enough to go with this little boy

cause you can't ride alone, you know!

Dad had to ride on this one cause, well, I've had recent surgery :)

Emma was very brave and loved the slide

Becca liked it, too!

Normally we drive right by those and tell the kids horror stories of these traveling carnivals :) But the 2 oldest were out of town so we took the girls, just the 2 of them (it's been a long time since we've only had 2) and treated them to a quick run through the carny. Don't know why it was there, but whatever. I'm assuming to celebrate Memorial day? It's been here since last tuesday! Go figure. Maybe the people of Folsom are bigger suckers than the rest of em. Who knows. But we had fun. We went to the new yogurt place in town, too. It was fun to enjoy my little ones, before they aren't so little anymore!

i hope this is not the beginning...

2009-05-24T17:46:00.000-07:00

but only the end.

The Prophet said to plant a garden

2009-05-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

... so that's what we'll do....

I always sing that little primary song when I go out and water our garden. I have always wanted to plant a garden and now we have the space and ability to do so! It has been so much fun. We check it every day to see what's new. I can't believe how fast it's grown!

before

The planting 4/13/09

see how tiny our tomatoes are?

not so tiny anymore!

almost as tall as Emma

The hill side of squash! Bring on the zuccinni bread!

Still waiting for the watermelon to do SOMETHING!

Any one know about giant cabbages??

Rebecca started this @ school and we kept it alive on the windowsill.

Now that's it's planted... it's gotten HUGE!!!

The first "fruit" of our labors

Progress

2009-05-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

Remember when I did this? Well, I thought I'd give you an update on my recovery... in pictures, of course.....

1 week post op

1 week PO

1 month PO

2 months post op

2 months PO

1st time in shoe so I could walk Emma to school

4 months after surgery

4 months post op

4 months... getting my tan on.... in need of pedicure!!!

I'm doing pretty well. I've been driving for about 6 weeks now!! Who knew one could be so grateful to drive again! I'm still stiff in the am and when I've done too much... like go on a walking field trip to petco last week - it was a little long. I was sore for 2 days later. But more or less, I've fully functional, I just have 2 lovely scars and a slight limp when I'm tired or have over done it! Still can't wear heels yet. Or flip flpos... even though I do, I know I shouldn't cause there is NO support in flip flops! But I got some really cute ones from old navy! Any one know of fome cute, summery shoes that would be supportive??? let me know!

been busy

2009-05-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

Been kinda busy. Not really feeling like blogging. Ever get in the mood to read everyone else's and not take care of yours? That's where I'm at. For posterity sake, and my mother in law! (Hi Michele).... Here's a few photos of things we or I did last month!

Papa and daddy built a garden box!!!

The girls and I planted veggies and flowers. Those plants are so much bigger now!

On a whim drove to Utah w/ my mom for 4 days

(I know those of you who live there might not apprecate this picture

but I love the majesty of the mountains. and the snow... cause I don't live in it!)

While there, watched my nephew rock at soccer!

(he's the one in the yellow jersey!)

Went on a field trip with Rebecca and a bunch of 3rd graders!

Finally made it to the river to let the turtle go!

Had an amazingly chocolate cake that a lady gave my dad cause she returned a chair

(kind of a crazy lady.... the cake cost $72!)

My oldest turned 15. She's counting the days until her 16th.... I'm not!

Where the Swine flu came from

2009-05-02T15:56:00.000-07:00

In case you were wondering how it really started....

(it wasn't Mexico)

(i couldn't get it any bigger. sorry. it's the size i got it in an email.

thought you could use a laugh!)

fyi

2009-04-26T07:06:00.000-07:00

i deleted my followers gadget, not because i don't love and appreciate you all.. but because i have 2 new followers that i have no idea who they are and i've heard rumors about followers with bug... even though my apple is safe, i don't want to risk worms in it :) i'm still following those i was before. i guess i will ust have to asumme you are all still out there, in blog lad, following me!!

THANKS, NEIGHBOR!

2009-04-25T22:08:00.000-07:00

So on wednesday, our neighbor, mark, rang our doorbell. it was dinner time and we had just gotten back from another neighbors house (pimpin gramma (as the kids lovingly call her).... there's a story there...). anyway, we answer the door and mark asks if the kids have pets. i blank on the 2 cats we have (oops) and say no. He then asks if we want whats in the box... can you figure out what it is?

look a little harder

meet Gerard. a turtle.

Emma really wishes he was a little more cuddley!

He won't be staying long

funny thing is...Katelynn wanted a turtle sooo badly when she was about 10.

It was quite a bit of money to set one up. Now. 3 days before her 15th birthday, we get one. What are the odds. Now she can say we had a turtle for a pet.

He is now happily living by the river!!!

Happy Birthday Baby!

2009-04-25T14:55:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I have been a mom for 15 years! I know crazy, huh? I'm not old enough to have a child that old!!! Thank you Katelynn for helping fulfill my calling in this world. I love you! I can't wait for 15 more years and then we'll be best friends! You can't escape that!!!

spontaneous!

2009-04-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

mom and I are running (well, not literally) to Utah tomorrow. It's a business trip. I wish I had time to stay and play with all my new and old friends. We're coming home Sunday. I plan to take my kids back this summer to play with cousins. I promise to hug each of my frineds then.

I'll miss these guys

If you want to know why I'm going, I'll tell you. We are meeting with the Ceo or his counterpart of a business that we are joining. It is a BioTech start up company run by a fortune 50 guy. He's like a grampa! Here's the website. I am so excited for the possibilities that this company holds.... and it's like getting in at the beginning of Tupperware!!!

See you all soon!

I'll miss this guy, too!

Thanks for being the best dad/husband ever!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

I finally got Picasa to work!

2009-04-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

We went to the greatest park after Easter dinner. What a blast to spend time with my little ones! They make me laugh. ALOT, Especially the boy one! Oh my! He was one one.

They are my life's work. Thank goodness I still have time left with them!!!

procrastination..

2009-04-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

this is right outside my front door. the smell is divine.

it is even more open a fragrant now, then in the picture. it's jasmine, by the way!

So, it's been awhile. I just haven't been too much in the bloggin mood. I guess now that I'm driving (can I get an woo hoo!), 13 weeks later. I drove home from Chico last weekend. It was pretty liberating. I've felt like being a little more active. Which leads to a tired leg at the end of a day, but a happy husband, now that he's not the sole driver!

We've been pretty busy. Baseball and softball. Easter parties in school. Spring break this week. Working. Dentist office visits (trying to use it up so I can quit paying for cobra). Been trying to stay out of stores. I saved A LOT of money not being able to leave the house on my own. (I just got back from Target, all by myself. I have a new outlook on shopping. Don't go if you want to not spend money. But it's all good)

I agreed to teach a lesson this week in Relief Society. On Easter Sunday. Singing in the choir. Teaching my Sunday School class, too. (I'm just gonna practice my RS lesson on them:)

I want so much to be a better person. I am working on it. I want to me my true self. Sometimes I don't let her out or acknowledge her. Even though I know she deserves to be present and in charge. (sounds weird, huh? but it's not) I am working on being present with myself. It can be scary sometimes. I have to just BE. Be in the present. be in the moment. there are lots of things that i could be freaking out about right now. But, I'm not. I know that the power of my Savior is with in me. I have and continue to give IT to him. Sometimes not all the way, but I'm working on it. A few of you have helped me along the way. I can forgive my self for not being what I think I should be and accept myself for being who I am.

I am so thankful for my Savior and His atonement. I know that when I fall short, He picks me up and makes me whole!

Happy Easter!

The newest addition...

2009-03-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

Meet Cody. He's new. I can't wait to hold him! I just wish they didn't move so far away!

My sister, Ashley, went in last night for induction. They did started her this morning at 6am and he made his entry at 10:03 AM! No time for an epidural. I know she didn't want it that way but she rocks! She did it. My oldest said she was a "beast" for doing so (she means it in the nicest way possible!)

If you feel like it, stop by and say congrats to her and her sweet little family! I wish I could be there to help!

Take me out to the ball game...

2009-03-28T08:25:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again. But only 2 out of 4 are playing this year, which is a good things since I still can't drive. We're off today for a tournament for Andrew. He's playing travel ball this year.

Katelynn is on the JV softball team and I have enjoyed watching her play up at the next level, for sure! She's awesome and is learning about taking your turn as a freshman on the JV team.

I love watching my kids play ball and I miss watching my little girls play. Next year for sure.

Now off to work on my tan!

( and by no means is this in favorites order :)

Bridal Show

2009-03-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

I know I promised pictures of the Wedding event last weekend, but I didn't get to them before. But I am now! With out further adue.....

Me and my mom!

This the candy bouquet. My mom's favorite

Table centerpiece - we were going in a totally different direction with colors

until we found these chocolate orchids. Amazing!

Our table display

My girls got to have a hand in the creating.

They always want to help during a wedding, but it's a little too crazy to let them.

This was low pressure and we were able to teach them a thing or 2.

This one was made by Emma (6)

This one was made by Rebecca (9)

In no time we'll be able to sit back and let them do it all ;)

This is a before picture. I pulled all these flowers together....

And created this! Spring at it's finest!

Another beautiful bouquet.

We drove for 1.5 hrs to get there, so we left @ 6:30am.

This masterpiece had to be finished at the site. A little too big for the car!

My mom is so very talented!

These are the bouquets I made. I used to hate this.

I am so grateful to love this artwork, now.

I learned at the foot of my mother.

I hope that my children are learning something at the foot of me.

This was the favorite of the show. Every bride loved this one!

It's funny how the colors change from year to year.

I have so many more pictures. Which is your favorite? I'd love to know. It was so much fun. A few friends from the area showed up and it was so fun to see them. I love being a part of God's creations. Being able to add to the beauty of the world around us. I love the time I get to spend with my mom when we do a wedding. We are truly best friends, and I am so grateful for her.

I'm off...

2009-03-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

I'm running down to Los Angeles this morning and I'll be back tomorrow. It's spontaneous, I know!

Enjoy until then...

Spring is here!!!

just seeing if this works

2009-03-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

DOES ANYONE KNOW ANY TRICKS TO GETTING YOUR VIDEOS TO WORK?????

I have tried several times to post videos taken with my camera. But I finally loaded all the videos from our video camera into the new imovie we have. SO I'm hoping it works. This was from our trip to Hawaii last year. We saw so many whales. We were surrounded by them.

Enjoy!

Home Zones

2009-03-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

So my blog friend, Christina, asked about chores around the house and how do others do it. We have 4 kids. We don't pay allowance, much to their dismay. Their pay is room and board, and all the things they do, like sports and birthday parties and such. I think they are ok. Hard work never killed anyone, but don't ask my kids!

About a year or so ago I decided to break up our home into ZONES.

There is the Kitchen Zone:

KITCHEN DUTY

DISHES – unload dish washer in am

help load dinner dishes

COUNTERS – make sure counters are

cleared and wiped off

by the end of the day

TABLE – clear table after dinner

wipe off table after dinner

FLOORS - sweep every other day

Mop 2 times a week

(wed/sat)

GARBAGE – take out garbage

whenever full

The Bathroom Zone:

BATHROOM DUTY

COUNTERS & SINKS –make sure counters are

clear (ok to ask others

to put things away)

wipe counters and sink

daily with wipes

clean mirrors with windex

TOILETS – wipe seat daily

Use toilet bowl cleaner

& brush 1x week

FLOORS – shake out rug

Sweep floor

Wipe floor with wet rag

(all 1x week)

Vacuum hall every other day

Bring recycle/green waste up on Tuesdays

The Family Room Zone:

FAMILY ROOM DUTY

Make sure room is picked up by 7pm daily.

Straighten couch and chair daily

FLOOR – vacuum every other day

sweep front hall every

other day

mop front hall 2x week

RECYCLING – take out when full

take outside can to

curb Monday pm

CATS – clean littler box daily

The Den Zone:

DEN DUTY

Room picked up by 7pm daily

Empty trash can

Vacuum every other day

DESK – straighten daily

Laundry- help fold daily

have others put own

clothes away

help with washing/drying

Take trash can out to curb Monday pm – bring up can Tuesday

Feed cats daily

So, this is what we do. The kids rotate on Sundays, so that means they are in charge of the ZONE for a week. It works pretty well, cause it's all written down and they can't argue with me because it's in hard copy, not just my head. Obviously you would make it to fit your home and your kids. Emma (6) is in charge of the same things as everyone else. She does a pretty good job. We help her with her jobs, especially the kitchen!, but she loves to clean the bathroom. If we have an off week of nothing getting done, then we have a big clean on Saturdays before any one goes anywhere.

Even if they do a half patooty job, at least I know who I can ask to help me in certain areas. As for their rooms. If they can shut the door, I don't really care. It seems like and endless battle. I try to pick my battles carefully. Jut yesterday my oldest had finally had it with her room and clean it up very nicely!

That's it. I shared. I'd love to know what works for others! Now to fold the laundry!!!!!

Wedding Fair

2009-03-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

My mom and I are going to be in a wedding show

tomorrow in Clayton CA. We spent a good part of today creating some of the most beautiful wedding bouquets and centerpieces. It's like painting, only better. I will post pictures of everything this weekend.

I am so grateful to be able to share this with my mom and to have found a talent that I hated when I had to help her when I was a teenager. It's like working with your best friend. We finish each others thoughts and create things the other has visioned.

It will be a long and fulfilling day. Something I need to experience to get back into my life and who I am. I share with you soon!

Check out her website

Still broken

2009-03-10T16:40:00.001-07:00

9 weeks later....

I'm still broken. Trip to Dr yesterday... xray says... still broken. i could see visibly on the xray that the big long screw in my bone is holden the broken part together. Still no driving, but I'm getting around fine.

Some random pics for your viewing pleasure....

Road show just happened. Don't they look like they are having the best time? And the family resemblance is scary!!!

If you can't find the right swim suit for your little ones this year, have no fear, Emma has her own line of swim suits....

They're disposable, too!

would you share?

2009-03-06T13:56:00.000-08:00

If you were introduced to a product that could change our bodies and the way they work (for good), and quite possibly change the world, would you share it?

Sanctify

2009-03-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

Marriage. Today the supreme court of CA is reviewing the vote that we, the people of CA, passed to maintain in the constitution that marriage is defined between a man and a woman. I pray that their hearts may be softened to and listen to their spirits and do what is right before the Lord.

I know not every one may agree and that's ok. But it is what I stand for and what I believe. I know this fight will not be over, no matter what the outcome, but I know who's side I am on!

too funny

2009-03-04T09:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks Jan for sharing this. He is very funny. Thanks for a good laugh today!

Facebook is fun, but it's more of a spying tool for me :) I love that I have reconnected with friends from my childhood. I'm thinking we need to have a YV ward primary class of 90 reunion! And my kids are getting to know my husbands family in MI. Other than that.....

It's been a while

2009-02-25T11:53:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a little while. Life is pretty much the same.

We've had a high school softball game

I know this is fuzzy but K caught a line drive and turned it into a double play. She's not even an infielder. She the catcher! Way to go babe!

A birthday sleepover

R had 2 friends sleepover for her bday. She's so easy to please and really took care of things herself. Dad was out of town, and I stepped off a stool really hard on my bad leg and had to rest the whole night. 2 girls was plenty, by the way!

Lots of rain

A loves to run around in the rain. He gets kinda Crazy and R loves to film him! We (I) have been so thankful for the rain. It is needed and we are blessed for it!)

The Dr telling me that it could take 3-4 months for my soft tissue damage in my ankle to heal (I guess when I broke my leg, I dislocated my ankle and tore every thing and anything in my ankle, too. It's still swollen) Now I have to find a good, inexpensive physical therapist!

Not much else, just day to day. I have started helping out at my dad's store again. So it's nice to get out once in a while, since I still can't drive!

Happy Birthday Rebecca!

2009-02-18T09:47:00.000-08:00

8th birthday in Hawaii! Oh how I wish we were still there!

(it was yesterday, but I did too much and I got pooped!)

My 3rd baby turned 9 yesterday. Her last year in the single digits! Rebecca is such a sweet, caring, loving person. She is always thinking of others. She doesn't like to clean her room. SHe is very artistic. She gives awesome foot rubs. With lotion, too. Sometimes I think she gets the short end of the stick. She's kinda the middle child. She keeps to herself. She loves to go out back and create all sorts of recipes from the yard. She loves to watch the wedding shows with me. (no she won't be having a platinum wedding any time soon!) She loves to watch cooking shows, too. I need to let her cook/help more in the kitchen. I need to teach her to clean up after, too. We love Rebecca so much. She is such an amazing part of our family.

Her silly papa singing to her!

Happy 9th birthday my beautiful girl!

LOVE

2009-02-15T10:24:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I didn't keep up with the love posts. It doesn't mean I don't love people or things. I do, I'm just trying to get back into my life that I haven't been apart of for 6 weeks. (I know no one is judging, I'm just making myself feel better.)

I did want to add a few more things/people that I love.....

I love the weather we are having. The rain is so welcomed. I love to see my girls get excited about a big beautiful rainbow in the sky. My husband, too.

This is a picture of the back yard while the rainbow was in the front yard!

I love my boy. I know he loves me cause he's grown out his hair cause I asked him to. It's so dang cute and curly. And we can play with it!

I love my oldest. She is the one who made me a mom. I love her strength and wisdom. I wish she believed in herself like we believe in her. I love that she is old enough to go to dances with a large group but yet not old enough to single date... (I don't think she loves that, though)

(she's the cute short one, in the blue dress and grey sweater. It was the high school's winter ball)

I love my mother in law. It took some time, but I consider her one of my closest friends. I admire who she is and from where she came. She loves my children deeply and passionately. I miss her all the time!

I love my Rebecca. She is a very deep child. SHe always has been. She is a good friend to everyone. She is always willing to help. She is most creative, too. She loves to watch the Food Network with me - or by herself. I can't wait to see what she grows up to be!

I love my kids cousins. There are almost 16 cousins all together. We used to live 5 minutes from some. We all live apart now. But the love that they have for each other is still there. Even if they only see each other once a year, they pick up right where they left off. I hope it will always be that way!

I love my husband. I am so very honored to spend my eternity with him. He loves my so unconditionally, even when I love him conditionally! He puts up with so much. He has such a desire to right by his family. I believe in him and I know that we will make it through any thing that comes our way. I am proud of him for leaving the safe and venturing into the unknown. I am with you all the way, babe.

I love to laugh with him. We can laugh all day long. He gets me and I get him. He is an amazing father. I love how he loves our kids. He is an example to me.

I love my parents. They have always been there for me. No matter what, no matter where. Their life together is an example of what to do and what not to do! Their love for each other is strong. Their posterity is large. I am so grateful to have my mom as my best friend. I want to be like her when I grow up!

Love #2

2009-02-11T13:35:00.001-08:00

Today(yesterday's) is one of my LOVE'S birthday. 6 yrs ago this little diva came into our lives. We are a better family for it!

Not the first birthday

Second birthday

Happier second birthday

3rd birthday

I think we were all sick for her 4th birthday. sorry baby.

5th birthday

6th birthday

6 things I LOVE about Emma

She loves her family

She is very creative

She is patient with me

She has the best laugh

She LOVES school

She is the best secretary around!

I LOVE you Emma Happy Birthday

I'm in for LOVE WEEK

2009-02-10T10:18:00.000-08:00

Denae is having her second annual LOVE WEEK. Post things you love every day this week.

I LOVE this idea!

I'm thinking I might just do pictures!

My Rebecca, lover of all things beautiful

New babies and my sister having them (this is here 2nd, 3rd will be here soon)

My childhood home

My 1st baby, lover of softball and old enough to start tryouts to day for the high school team! (is this possible?)

My sweetest boy. He is lover of all things boy!

(especially noises coming out of his body!)

This is fun. Can't wait for tomorrow! I love what Julie is doing, too.Maybe next year or next month!

A Give away!

2009-02-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

I don't usually do this but I love these earrings. Go here to enter the giveaway. It's my first time at their site and I' think I'll be spending lots of time there! I even added a button on the side. I've never done that before either. I guess I better do it for all my friends with buttons, now!

Thanks for all your well wishes. It's gonna take time, but at least I'm up and about now. Soon I'll even be able o shower by myself :)

*WARNING** you might be grossed out

2009-02-07T21:37:00.001-08:00

I'm just saying. Don't say I didn't warn you. I just want to post for posterity (and if any of you really want to know what a bad leg break and 4 weeks without shaving looks like)

If your squeamish.... don't go any further....

This is of my leg/ankle before anything was done for it and I was in excruciating pain!

(you can kinda of see a large lump where my ankle is)

This is right after the first cast came off. That's where the incision is from surgery.

This is after my leg was all cleaned up, still with the staples

(those came out a few minutes later)

Here is a lovely picture of the new hardware that will make going through security at the airports lots of fun.

This is my pretty purple cast, that my 2 youngest autographed. I had 3 weeks with this baby!

This is after the removal of said purple cast.

(If you want to be totally grossed out, click on the pic and see how long my leg hair is!)

These are my feet tonight. Can you tell which is which? I'm hoping the swelling goes down eventually, and he real color comes back, too.

Just a pretty little side view.

I can't wait until I can have a pedicure. Sometimes I gross myself out! Thanks to those of you who saw this trough. And, yes, it has not been easy or fun and lots and lots of pain and frustration! But I'll be ok.

4x4 or 6x6

2009-01-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

So this fun post is flying around through the blogisphere and I thought I'd do it, since I have nothing better to do!

I guess you go to your 4th or 6th photo file and post your 4th or 6th photo from within that file and tell about the picture. (I've seen the 4 or 6 going around so I thought I'd do both!

I cheated a little bit. My brother loaded a bunch of photos in to our computer when we first got it and MACs store and sort everything for you in order (which I love) but for this, I wanted pictures that I had taken, not someone else (I had mom's in there, too)

So this one is of my oldest many years ago at the SF ZOO on a field trip. I don't think she liked me taking pictures of her and her friends. She still doesn't!

(I think this is a better picture than the one I shoulda put... an elephants' rear!)

This one (6) is of Emma, cousin and auntie playing patty cake on other auntie's kitchen table. All my babies were budda babies! The girls are 3 weeks apart.

I guess who ever reads this is supposed to go do it, too. So go, do it, it's fun to reminisce!

Thankful

2009-01-21T23:59:00.001-08:00

I am very grateful for this little number here. My dad hooked us up before the "break". This newest member of our family has come in very handy. It is really hubby's chair, but he loves me so much that it's mine for now. It reclines, 0-gravity, it's motorized, oh, and did I mention, it massages, too? Yeah, it's really good for my circulation, since I don't get up from it to often. (btw - do you know how many judge shows are on during the day? just curious. I do, and it's a whole lot!!)

I needed to find a few reasons to be grateful right now. I'm up late cause I can't sleep and I don't want to take any nor-cos. As I was lying in bed I was thinking of all the things I want to be able to do, which I haven't been able to do for the past 18 days..... I hope to come out of this with new appreciation for my body and what it can do for me.

I am thankful to be able to:

stand at the kitchen sink and do dishes

carry loads of laundry to the laundry room and wash/fold clothes

tuck my kids in at night

take a shower by myself

(sorry, no picture of that one ;)

be graceful!

get dressed by myself

drive a car

RUN

(I was going to re-start a program called couch potato to 5k in 8 weeks. I did it before but never finished. I am ready to face a new year and be a new me.)

take my kids to school

go to church

go anywhere!!!

Truthfully, I'm doing ok. My spirits are high & low. The pain comes and goes. BUt the love of my life is right next to me. No matter where I am each day. He has become the mom/dad. He cleans, he cooks (so do the ladies from church :), he taxi's the kids around, he coaches Andrew's baseball team, he's opening a new business, he works for my dad a few days a week, he worries constantly about me (we even have separate blankets in bed so he won't accidently hurt me).

I love you, babe. Thanks for taking care of me. I owe you one!

(see why Im so thankful. now I will be thankful to go to bed and fall right to sleep!)

I'm ok

2009-01-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for your well wishes after my accident. Yes, MY accident, not Katelynn's ;)

I'm still using a walker and showering about every 3 days or so! I'm gonna save you the picture of my leg when the old cast was removed and the new one was put back on. 3 weeks still of no weight on my leg, then hopefully a walking boot or something like that.

Even though I can't drive and don't really need to leave the house, I got a handicap parking pass. Emma was so excited. She said " Are you handicap now?"

(my mother in law had both hips replaced and when she visits she bring her pass. E is fascinated with it)

I hope to catch up on the past couple of months soon, for posterity sake! I just wish I had a laptop to do it from!

I'm still reading you, I just don't always have the energy to comment!

The Ice Skating Accident... as told by Katelynn

2009-01-04T12:51:00.000-08:00

Well this isn't Hillary, its her oldest daughter Katelynn. But my mom is currently not able to share what happened Saturday afternoon at the ice skating rink. Oh. Geez.

So Rebecca and Emma have wanted to go ice skating since this little (and I mean TINY) rink opened downtown. So with Gramma in town we all thought it would be nice and relatively easy to go and spend a day downtown to show Gramma around. We all climbed in the car to have a seemingly good day. Well we got there and it was PACKED. The rink is small and it was like you couldn't move without knocking down a small child. But we figured, we're already here, lets just do it. Andrew and I got on and we were doing good, and I was helping little Emma as she flipped and flopped everywhere. But Rebecca was having some problems, so mom decided she was gonna help.

She went and got her skates, laced them up and began to scoot along the edge of the rink. She had a successful first trip, and most of the 2nd trip. As all of you should know, my mom is a picture FREAK. No joke, she takes pictures of food. But she's never in any of them, so Dad pulls out the camera to take a cute little photo and Mom starts playfully yelling at him. Well I now see where i get my inability to run and yell at the same time from. Mom then loses her balance and falls, but her foot stays behind her. The good news is, we got a picture of her mid-fall :) Unfortunately my Dad and i are computer retarded and dont know how to get the picture off the camera. So ask Mom to put it up here

So anyways. She begins to scream I BROKE MY ANKLE!!!!! Then the pain kicked in and it was all bad. She's still lying on the ice mind you. so Dad pretty much leaps over the barrier and goes to her and from out of no where Nannie and Papa (My Mom's parents) show up so Papa goes to her too and "taps" her. "Tapping" is some mumbo jumbo that supposed to make you feel good. apparently it works, but i think its a bunch of crap. So Mom then yells at Papa.There was kids everywhere to, i wanted to punch them. not really, thats violent. Hahahahha....

Meanwhile a guy who worked there called 911 (This guy looked like he was about 5, but he was in high school) and Papa starts yelling at him and i swear he almost cried. So the ambulance showed up and took mom away. Emma was HYSTERICAL. Sobbing that she doesnt want then ti touch her mommy. Rebecca was upset but controllably, and Andrew was sullen. While I, Super Sister, calmed everyone the heck out!

Well my dad and i took the rest of the kids and gramma home and we rushed over to the hospital. She was in the E.R. for awhile and they gave her some pain medication, the "D drug" as mom called it (she couldnt remember the name). She's all loopy and what not and kind of hilarious. Apparently the ambulance guys were cute, as the drugs tell us. Well the first Xray told us that she broke her tibula and fibula near her ankle. which is bad but not as bad as it could be. Then the 2nd Xray clarified that not only did she break those bones, she broke all 3 bones that support her ankle and dislocated the ankle. That takes talent!

So today at 9 in the morning she went into surgery to fix it. Everything went well and she'll be home tomorrow and probably on the computer to. Ask her about "scrawny jesuseses"

Need a place for Sundance film festival.....

2008-12-28T22:14:00.000-08:00

You could stay at my brother's awesome house!

(or maybe you know someone who wants to go...)

It's like nothing I've ever seen. It's beautiful and all the amenities. Click on the DETAILS. I think the theater room is my favorite!

just helping my brother out :) I want to see them keep the place! It's amazing. Maybe you know someone looking. Please pass it along if you feel the inclination! love you all!

May your Christmas be warm and fuzzy...

2008-12-24T22:52:00.000-08:00

like new PJ's that make your butt look cute! I love you all. Thanks for helping through my life as a mother and wife. I lean on you all for support and I want you to know that I appreciate you all. Have the most wonderful Christmas that you need! XOXOXO

What do you do....

2008-12-17T15:18:00.000-08:00

When 1 child won't smile for a quick family picture? Do you threaten? Do you bribe? Do you punish?

Do you pinch his cheek?

Or do you just pick the one where you, and everyone else, look the best?

We've been up to .......

2008-12-09T18:37:00.000-08:00

My very most favorite ornaments ever!

Not much, except lots of running around, getting Christmas done,

working, shopping, making this, (homemade clam chowder AND home made bread bowls. I know I can hear you now. This was to die for. I linked it for you :)

putting up lights (thanks, babe. He even did it while I was gone. He did it EXACTLY like I asked him to. HE listened to me!)

I know we're all busy, but thank you all for keeping up with your blogs! You're giving me something to do when I should be focusing on what I'm doing! I love this outlet!!

go see my friend Heidi.

2008-12-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

She wrote a book! And it's been published and she's giving one away! She's awesome!

I wish I had the recipe.......

2008-11-29T21:35:00.001-08:00

Katelynn with the much sought after Cheesecake. It really did elude us for awhile, now.

I wish I could share the recipe for the Apple Pie Cheesecake. But, alas, I can't. You have to drive up to Apple Hill and go to Kids Inc. But only on the weekends and not after Dec 14. I bet you could order one and maybe they'd ship it to you. It would be worth it. I might go up again in a couple weeks and get a frozen one. They cost $16.50. Worth every penny. We bought 2 and I think the 2nd one is almost gone! If I ever do get the recipe, I promise to share! (If you ever come this way, I'll even go with you!)

Happy Day after

2008-11-28T11:04:00.000-08:00

A little family football game... Beamishes vs Miles'

The kids table

Pyro # 1

Pyro # 2

The most wonderful, moist, yummiest turkey ever! (see before picture of turkey below)

The aftermath

The coveted Apple Pie cheesecake. (I had it this time and I don't like apple pie... but oh my, this is sooo good)

The whole gang, 'cept Mark, he took the picture. We are very sad that our cousins had to leave this am. We miss them so much and we especially missed Aunt Wendy and Mikaelyn this time. They were in AFRICA!

( Now I gotta go help Mom with a wedding tomorrow. ANd to top it off, I'm sick! At least it waited until after Thanksgiving!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T11:10:00.000-08:00

May your turkey be moist and yummy, like ours is gonna be!

More LA

2008-11-21T00:15:00.000-08:00

So I just read Denae's blog and realized I should be updating MY blog and not reading everyone else's. You all keep me going :)

I'll wrap up the trip to LA now.

We got to hang out with these peeps...

I got to use my bro's ubber cool camera!

Got to drive a couple hours (both ways in 1 day to Palm Desert) to see these peeps......

Got a great big hug from VICTOR GARBER!!!!! He is the sweetest guy! He is genuine and sincere. It was pretty darn cool! (I only wish I had gone to the store with my mom and the girls so I coulda met Steve Carrell!)

Got a cool tour of the set of ELI STONE!!! ( I am so sad for them that it was cancelled, just today. I love that show!)

He, Eli Stone, walk by us and he said hello to my sister and us. (she's the cool one who works as a P.A. for Eli Stone) Katelynn and I stood right next to HIM in the Disney shop on the lot. But I didn't say anything or my sister woulda killed me :)

And had my iMac all pimped out, thanks to my favorite computer guy brother! Love ya Nathe!

More to come, hopefully before my brother and 3 of his kids descend upon us! We are very excited to have them come!

Wicked good!

2008-11-14T22:45:00.000-08:00

Sorry it took so long. It's so hard to get back into the swing of things after a whirlwind weekend. And the fact that I don't have all my old stuff (like 12,000 pictures) transfered into my new and improved mac... I'm dealing. Brother is busy and I will be a patient recipient of an updated system (and all the adobe stuff one could ever dream of....)

The highlight of our trip was definitely seeing Wicked (and then the real wicked people of LA :)

I even got to go with some of my favorite people!

I can't even put into words how much I loved this musical. he only other musical I've seen was Mamma Mia. But this was tops. I snuck a couple pics inside the Pantages Theatre.

This is the ceiling of the Pantages Theatre. It was so beautiful in real life!

The stage before the show started. The visuals were amazing, as were the costumes and lighting and .... everything!

But not during the show. I love the meaning behind everything in Wicked. Are some BORN Wicked or do their circumstances create it? I laughed - Glenda was so amazingingly annoying and talented. She even got Elfaba to break character and laugh - 2x! I cried - but that's not new.

When we got out of the theatre, there was the end of a protest up the street. We had to drive by to get to the freeway. It was a little tense for all of us (especially with my brothers Yes on 8 sticker on the back of the car.)

We made it home, safe and sound, thanks to Samantha and her awesome LA driving! Plus a little hot coco from Starbucks!

I'll give you more details late about the stars we saw.... and hugged! Oh, yeah and the tv set we went on! Got pics of that, too.

Wickedly Thankful Weekend

2008-11-08T16:26:00.000-08:00

So I didn't post about my many things to be thankful for yesterday. I have a really good excuse. Really I do. I was getting a pedicure (so VERY thankful for finding a really good place with a guy who does a really good massage!!), then I had to get my girls, who were out really early from school and take them out to lunch! (Thankful again, for the modern conveniences of life) Then I had to rush home and pack my bogs to go on a whirlwind trip to L.A. with my oldest girl and my mom! We left at 2:30 that afternoon.

Here is what I am thankful for or going to be thankful for this weekend.....

That my oldest sweet daughter wants to hang out with me and her "sweet little old Gramma"

My awesome brother and his wife and 3 cutie patootie's. We got to go to Claire's soccer game. That was fun! And My awesome brother has our mac and is going to mac-ify it! Upgrade and everything. A free service on our mac - priceless!

My baby sister. We are currently @ her little pad near Burbank. Pizza just got here and we're off to see wicked tonight! My sister in law's coming, too. I can't wait!

My other sister in PD. We're gonna drive over there in the am and hang out with her and the girls all day, then out to the Cheesecake Factory for din-din. I am so thankful for family!

I love hanging out with my mom and sister's. I am so happy and filled with love for my baby girl, who wants to hang out with us, too.

I am very thankful that gas prices have dropped significantly, so our trip is a little cheaper!

Most of all, I am thankful, once again, to my husband who is home with the kids and missing me so. I miss him a whole lot, too! Thanks babe, enjoy your golf on Tuesday;)

(I'll have lots of pics from our fast and furious trip next week. Until then, I am so thankful to all of you!!!)

Thankful!

2008-11-06T22:33:00.000-08:00

I won't let today go by without my Thankful post.

Today I am most thankful for my husband. We have been "together" for 19 yrs :o Married for 16 of 'em. I love it when he's home and I have to work. I am thankful that he likes to clean the kitchen on those days :) He's a great cleaner!

I have loved having him around more than usual the past 3 months. Soon we will be so busy with our business, we may not have time to hang out as much.

He puts up with me and my "moods". Which can be kinda bad at times.

I am so very thankful that he chose to join the church and be my eternal companion. I am so thankful that he honors his priesthood and that he goes with me to the temple, even when I sign us up and he doesn't know ;)

I love you, Mark, with all my heart. Thankful doesn't even begin to explain how I feel about you!

Last time, I swear!

2008-11-05T16:07:00.001-08:00

My mom forwarded me this message from our Stake Public Affairs guy. He says it all.

Okay...so this will be my final email about Prop 8. With 86% of precincts reporting and a 52-48% lead, I think it's safe to go to bed. Prop 8 prevailed! Two shorts months ago, we trailed by 15% with a small amount of undecided voters. A 20% turnaround -- we were truly part of a miracle. I wanted to thank you for all you did to follow the counsel of the Prophet and the First Presidency. When we were asked in June to devote our best efforts to protecting marriage and supporting Proposition 8, I’m not sure that we envisioned all that we would need to do. Thank you for your best efforts. I was inspired by your faithfulness, especially when I knew that many of you were not comfortable being "politically active". But you did it anyway, because of your faith in and testimony of a living Prophet.

Your sacrifice made the difference -- walking, calling, donating, emailing, letter writing, calling again, blogging, sign waving, poll working, getting out the vote, calling one more time, babysitting, talking with friends, acquaintances and strangers. I'm especially proud of our youth for standing up for truth in the face of peer pressure, intolerance and some hateful exchanges.

Thank you most of all for the way you did this. You were respectful, positive and sincere. That was missing from so many interactions on
this topic. You represented yourselves, your families, our ward and the church very well.

I know that while we are relieved to have this particular challenge over, I suspect there will be something else around the corner. The
chasm between our beliefs and the beliefs of the world will continue to grow wider, and we will be faced with other challenges, with some
likely being much more difficult than Prop 8.

I hope that you gained a stronger testimony of the personal peace and blessing of knowing that you were doing what the Lord asked you to do
through his living Prophet.
Thanks again,

I was able to give about 3 hours of my time yesterday. It was not hard, I did it with my mom. We mostly sat in the lobby of a retirement home, waiting for the poll updates. As I watched the hustle and bustle, I KNEW that this is the beginning. I have stepped out of my comfort zone and outwardly Followed our Prophet. It is very humbling. I know the fight is not over, lawsuits have been filed, but I am ready to stand up, again, and do it all over again.

Thankful

2008-11-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

I wanted to start out the month with a Thankful post every day. I'll start today.

I am thankful for the beautiful colors of fall. The cold crisp air in the morning and warm breeze in the afternoon. I am thankful that my kids don't have to take jackets, yet, to school, even if I want them to. I love that fall brings cold nights to snuggle with my forever man!

Can't wait to vote!

2008-11-03T21:13:00.000-08:00

We did it! We braved the cold, rain and wind to serve the Lord! And follow our Prophet!

He was great! This kids from our ward and he would cross the street to every corner and stop in front of the stopped cars and jumped and waved his sign and cheered for Prop 8. A little crazy but all for it!!

This is a cute family that came from 45 minutes away to participate tonight! They have 3 kids and 1 on the way. She was so for this and very fun to talk to. (I never did get her name!)

Rebecca not so happy in the rain or cold. She eventually went to the car when it started to pour! (we didn't last much longer after that, either)

Katelynn and friend for Prop 8 (we were all soaked at this point - but anything for a good cause)

I pray that the Lord's will will be done. I know that this fight won't be over, even if it does pass. But I know what side of the fence I stood on.

"As for me and MY house, We will serve the LORD"

Someone else's give away!

2008-11-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

Go HERE for a $50 Target gift card give away! Who doesn't love Target? I love this lady. I found her somewhere from someone and I just found a connection to her. I think it's because she's like who I want to be. Like so many of you are!

sorry, I was wet!

2008-11-02T08:04:00.000-08:00

I was late picking a winner - sorry Celia! - busy Saturday, followed by Adult session of Stake Conference.

My hubby helped me pick the winners when we got home.

Doesn't he look happy to help? He didn't want to be in the picture... never trust a blogger!

The winner of the Slippers is....... Janelle W!

The winner of the tingler is..... utmomof5 ( I know I know your REAL name, but I'm drawing a blank :) ( send me your address and REAL name : to beamishfamily at mac dot com)

I wish you all could've won! I have access to 2 more tinglers, if anyone is interested, I could probably get you a real good deal ;)

I was compelled to do a giveaway because, well, I was in the giving mood, and you guys gave me the highest # of comments EVER! No, really because you have all been there for me a high times and low times and I just want to thank you for that! I love reading and drawing from you strengths and weaknesses. I don't feel like I am alone in the world of motherhood. I love you all and thank you for your friendships - be it cyber or real life!

Now go raid your kids candy!

My first (and probably only) giveaway!

2008-10-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

Do you know what this is? I know you've always wanted one. Do you know how to use it? No, it's not a big whisk for all your holiday cooking.

It's called the TINGLER. It's one of the best head massagers there is! Yours will be brand new!

Here's the next prize. A new pair of slippers. What's so great about that? Well, they are memory foam on the inside (which can be removed to wash), they are good to wear outside, like when your late taking the kids to school or getting the paper in the am.

The only catch is that these are size 5-7. So those of you with small feet, these would be great!

That's it. That's all. These are courtesy of my daddy (who owns a Relax the Back store, from which we get very nice cast offs - like a king tempurpedic bed and a new member of our family - but that's another post!)

Here's how to enter: tell me which one you'd like, 1 or both - but remember the slipper size (if they were bigger they wouldn't be up for a prize :)

You can tell me how you know me or from whence you came! I'm just looking for a little love out there in the blogging world! Hopefully these will help you relax this Holiday season!

( contest ends November 1 @ 12pm)

100+

2008-10-28T14:01:00.001-07:00

So I was counting the posts, knowing I was close to 100. Then I got all caught up in PROP8. I wanted to do a contest, so I will, just a little over 100.

I'll post 2 things to give away. They will both be things that will help you to relieve stress for this upcoming holiday season, and the rest of your life!

I don't use sitemeter, cause that would just be another addiction... but I've always wondered who comes to see me and doesn't say anything (I do it to plenty, believe me). I'll post the 2 stress relievers tomorrow....!

Busy Weekend

2008-10-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Friday was the Harvest Festival at school (for which I made cupcakes for the ever lovin cake walk) Good thing we went cause the power went out @ 5, thank goodness for gas stoves :)

Emma enjoying her sugar stick, bad but oh so good

Rebecca won these too cute pilgrim hat cookies @ the cake walk

(fudge stripe cookies, upside down, yellow frosting, peanut butter cup, orange frosting)

I think we'll make some for Thanksgiving!

Saturday was clean up the house day, followed by our combined Trunk or Treat. I think Emma woulda won the costume contest, if there was one (says she!)

Can you guess what she is????

Keep guessing!!!

You guessed it! The sun is out today for sure!

(I forgot to take a pic of her in curlers. I put them in @ noon and took them out @ 5:30)

My sweet Rebecca, the cowgirl. She is as easy going as they come! Thanks, kiddo, for making things easy on Mom!

Trunk or treat. There were 3 wards doing it together and there were more cars NOT handing out candy than there were that were. I was hoping to replenish my candy but I guess I have to buy more!

The after math of our teenagers hand out candy out of our trunk

(maybe that's why I don't having anymore candy for Halloween!)

Ok, maybe it wasn't the BUSIEST weekend, but it sure felt like it. Maybe that's cause I didn't get a good nap on sunday! But we did have a kickin dinner! BBQ chicken, homemade mac n cheese, and our favorite rice casserole. All out side, too! Sorry no pics,

So funny! (prop 8 style)

2008-10-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know I might be making you sick with all this Prop 8 stuff, but now is the time. This one will make you laugh! Please watch it! It's hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko2-EQss0V4

Pray, pray hard.

2008-10-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

I was checking my facebook this morning and found this on my friends blog. We have to stay strong and bind together more than ever before. I'm pretty sure that Satan is freaking out over this and is using his minions to try to over come the righteous. We MUST know what side of the fence we are on, especially when we have to face these kinds of things. Pray for the people who are filled with rage and hate against us for standing up for what we believe to be true. (Our fast sunday is this sunday, so join with us or next week and fast and pray hard for the Lord's will to be done!)

Dear Friends and Family -

I had a very disturbing experience yesterday that I would like to share
with those of you that live outside of California (or outside of the San
Francisco Bay Area).

This weekend we have stake conference. Our stake conference always
begins with a stake temple session on Friday or Thursday night. Early
Friday morning I received a call from the second counselor in our bishopric
to let me know there would be numerous protesters outside the temple,
and to remind everyone to stay calm and drive carefully. The beautiful
Oakland Temple is located right across the bay from San Francisco, very
close to the city of Berkeley.

Apparently the opposition to proposition 8, the amendment that seeks to
make marriage in CA between a man and a woman again, has realized the
deep involvement of the church and begun to protest right outside the
temple and harass temple patrons.

... As we approached the off ramp, I realized there would be trouble.
There was a backup onto the freeway from cars stalled on the off ramp.
As we moved forward inches at a time, we realized this was due to a large
group of loud protesters who were standing on both sides of the street,
yelling, screaming and waving signs. When we got to the top of the offramp,
ready to make our turn, one protester jumped out right in front of our car.
It took my husband all his self control to carefully maneuver around him to
the left and proceed to the temple.

I tried not to listen to all they were shouting at us, but I was shaking as I got
to the temple front door. Several of the sisters, especially the ones driving
on their own, were crying (which made me snap out of it and go into Relief
Society President mode to comfort them). Later, as I was sitting in the perfect
quiet of the chapel, I couldn't help but think of Lehi's dream, and the people
who mocked the Saints from the big and spacious building but 'we heeded
them not.'

It was a truly surreal experience, I'd never thought that I would have to go
through an angry crowd to get to the temple. As we left late at night, the
protesters had dispersed, temple security (who all looked very large and
Tongan) stood by the gates. I never saw a single police man.

Please pray for those of us in California fighting for prop 8--it's getting kind
of scary out here!

Hudda thunk it!

2008-10-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

My HUBBY just got gas at Costco......... it was $2.87 a gallon! Who woulda thunk I'd ever be happy about that!!!

(BTW - I have NEVER had to wait to get gas at our cute little Costco, right off HW 50! I love it!)

Here's What I Did This Weekend!

2008-10-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

(I started this on Monday. I'm finally getting around to it. UGH!)

I am blessed to be able to work with my mom, who is an amazing florist. She does several wedding a year. She is so very creative and gifted. She says that I have more talent than she is, she's just had more experience. I am starting to take the positive things people say about me and believe them. (I have a hard time doing that!) I love it when she lets me do the Bridal bouquet.

ANyway, we had a really large wedding this last weekend. 17 table centerpieces, bridal bqt,bridesmais bqt, many boutineres, coursages, you name it, we had it. The fun & laborious thing we got to work with this time was fall leaves! The bride wanted fall leaves incorporated into the flowers. We had never worked with them before and we weren't sure how they would last. Oh, and we had to CUT every good leaf off of the branches to get what we needed for the aisle. It was a busy friday and sat (the wedding was in Livermore and we were coming from Folsom!)

Here are some of the pictures I want to share with you!

Right before we're done. Mom gets a little stressed out :) (sorry mom. I had to!)

All packed up and ready for the 2 hr car drive!

The Beautiful bride (I wish I could turn the pic up right, but I can't so just turn your head ;)

The cake table - pre cupcakes!

The cupcakes

The finished product! (made by my favorite cupcake baker)

1 of the 17 centerpieces

the table all set for a wonderful celebration!

the aisle (she wanted fall leaves down the aisle and she got em. we added rose petals, too. it was gorgeous!)

The end (at least for us!)

Here's the plug for the cupcake artist. I had some for my birthday and some of you asked about her. I'm sorry I didn't respond. But, hey, I am now! Her name is SUE FAINA. She bakes out of her home in Clayton CA. Her website is www.suefainacakes.com. Her website doesn't do her justice. She does cakes for all events, too. I wish I coulda had a cupcake. they smelled so good!!!

IMPORTANT! READ NOW!

2008-10-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

I just heard about this! I took it from THIS website. Remember to let the schools know WHY you are keeping your kids home, if you so choose to. It's just another way to make our voices heard. How dare the CTA speak for ALL the teachers in California!

Students! Teachers! Parents!

Join the State-Wide School Sick-Out!

Tuesday Oct. 21st

Protest Peacefully! Show your school how important traditional families are to their survival!

Students, teachers and parents are going to take action regarding Proposition 8 on the same day… Tuesday, October 21st. This story about the California Teachers Association (”CTA”) donating $1 Million to preserve same-sex marriage made many people ill.

Therefore…
1. STUDENTS Many children are coming down with something. Many California public school students are going to be sick and ABSENT FROM SCHOOL on Tuesday, October 21st. This would be a good time for them and their parents to write letters to the editor about how they feel about CTA’s donation. Many are puzzled why the professional group hired to educate them is spending so much money to push their own social agenda.

2. TEACHERS With all those students out sick on Tuesday, October 21st, many California public school teachers intend to DEMAND $300 POLITICAL REFUNDS from their union dues using these instructions here:

(http://www.nrtw.org/special-legal-notice-california-teachers-how-get-least-300-refund-cta-nonbargaining-expenses )

The magic number is 3,333. If that many teachers demand political 0D refunds from their union on the same day, CTA will notice because the total amount will equal the million dollars it wasted fighting to neuter marriage. If these 3,030 teachers turn around and donate their $300 refunds to Yes on 8, CTA’s whole cockamamie scheme will have backfired completely.

3. PARENTS Many parents of public school children are going to try to counter CTA’s meddlesome donation on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, by DONATING $35, $50 OR $100 TO Protect Marriage here: https://www.icontribute.us/protectmarriage/initiative/main . Make sure to put “CTA” in the referral box!

CTA President David Sanchez donated over 1 million dollars of our teacher’s money to the No on 8 campaign. These people fought to take away parent’s right to be notified of gay marriage indoctrination in their schools. Get the facts! Let them know your opposition! Make a difference with peaceful protest!

David A. Sanchez, President of the CTA

Contact David A. Sanchez

California Teachers Association
P.O. Box 921
1705 Murchison Drive
Burlingame, CA 94011-0921
Phone: (650) 552-5305
E-mail: dsanchez@cta.org

Wow! What fun!!!

2008-10-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

I just had my hair cut! She, Emily Blades, just came to my home and gave me, probably the best hair cut I've ever had. She knew how to work with my crazy 1/2 straight, 1/2 curly hair.

Emily moved here form SLC about 1 yr ago and decided she can't live with out cutting hair. She is SOOO good. My mom forwarded me an email from a mom in her ward saying that she just had the best experience while her kids were sleeping, she got her hair done! (she even does color at home!) I've been looking for someone to cut my hair since we moved and I've now found her.

I love my new hair cut. I'll get a better picture of me soon, like when I have make up on!

(I'll try to find a before, but it might be hard :)

Happy Birthday Wendy!

2008-10-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

I have a very beautiful sister in law. (one of 3 :) We used to live close and we became close friends. Then they up and moved to Utah!

I miss her very much. I admire a lot about her. We haven't kept in touch very well because, well, it was hard for her to be gone and she missed everyone and every thing very much. And we both have 4 kids an that keeps us very busy. She and my brother came into town a couple of months ago, so we got to visit. We had fun @ CPK. So, today is her birthday and I want her to know how much I love her and miss her and hope she feels better. (she doesn't read or blog, but I wish she would)

We raised our kids together for the most part. I think that is what I miss most. The relationship we had when our kids were little. It could be bumpy at times, but I know she loved (s) my kids so very much.

I used to feel a bit jealous of what they had and what they offered. I wanted to be the one to take care of others, (financially). But I now know that any help she gave us was pure and righteous. I love you Wendy, thank you for always listening to your heart and mind. I miss you!

Even if you don't live in California....

2008-10-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

this will, affect you or someone you love. PLEASE share this or link it with those you know. (my intention is not to offend anyone, this is very important to me and I believe this with all my heart. I WANT T TO BE IN CHARGE OF WHAT MY KNOW AND WHEN, NOT THE SCHOOLS!)

Please vote and pray that the Lord's will will be done.

I promise not to have this be a political blog, I won't even debate about the Presidential candidates. This is very important to me. Feel free to link this or steal it, the word needs to get out!

Ladies Retreat...

2008-10-02T22:13:00.000-07:00

A couple weekends ago my new ward that we moved into had a women's retreat. I guess they do it every year. My sweet husband said go, so I did. It's hard for me to throw myself into a new situation, where I don't know many people, but I did it any way. (I'm growing up, I guess)

On of the girls in our ward, her mom, graciously has it at her home. As you can see, I'm glad I went. She has the most amazing home. She calls it's style "Victorian Country". I loved it! She didn't have to much Halloween stuff up yet, but she said to come back at Christmas and it's even better.

Here's a little tour.....

To drive up the hill and see this home is like driving into a movie. It was amazing!

Fabulous front porch, with wrap around porch. My favorite style ever!

(see, wrap around porch)

View from said front porch

Amazing kitchen

She had the most amazing things tucked into every corner of her home. It was like being a a real doll house or something (but much bigger!)

Witches to be put out later! (not very churchy I guess)

View of back acres! My kids would love those trees!

The 3 girls I got to sleep with :) (they were in the out side studio with me and 2 other girls. We stayed up gabbing until 2:30 in the AM. I was pretty useless for the rest of the day :)

Thanks for a great time. Can't wait til next year.

Trouble with blurb...

2008-09-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else have trouble when working on their blurb book? I've had my 1st book in my computer for months now and every time I go to work on it, it takes FOREVER to work on each page! It's driving me crazy! Any ideas? I have a mac and I update blurb every time it tells me to! HELP!!! I really want to get this done, so I can work on the next one!

I love IPHOTO!

2008-09-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

I've been playing around with my iphoto instead of doing anything constructive today. I took photos of my girls this morning (it's picture day) cause I want to see who takes the best ones :) Emma was "nervous" cause it was her "first" picture day - "well at least at school" she said.

Anyway... I was playing around with their pics and I think I did a pretty good job. What do you think?

Now I must run, my visiting teachers will be here shortly...

a little obsession..

2008-09-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

My girls and I have found some great hair blogs - courtesy of Paige telling us about them ( a while ago..) I found a new one today and she's doing a give away. She had the most beautiful girls (5)!

Here are some hairstyle's that Emma has rocked from other blogs......

Do the happy dance, just cause you can!

2008-09-24T09:55:00.000-07:00

Today's Message of the Day is:

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly,

Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.

Life may not be the party we hoped for,

but while we're here we should dance.

We are not alone in our Faith...

2008-09-18T15:37:00.000-07:00

Now I have to go make phone calls about PROP 8. Wish me luck!

How Did I Get Here?

tap. tap...

yes. i'm still alive!

Trammell

Toffee making lesson... from a professional!

MIA

unbloggy

first day of school... 2 weeks late :)

ignorance

wedding pics... lots of them... beware...

trip to utah

garden update

I love my family!

God Bless America

they're almost here!

Happy Birthday Andrew

i pod touch giveaway

garden update

Schools Out

Let Summer Begin!

i hope this is not the beginning...

The Prophet said to plant a garden

Progress

been busy

Where the Swine flu came from

fyi

THANKS, NEIGHBOR!

Happy Birthday Baby!

spontaneous!

Happy Easter!

I finally got Picasa to work!

procrastination..

The newest addition...

Take me out to the ball game...

Bridal Show

I'm off...

just seeing if this works

Home Zones

Wedding Fair

Still broken

would you share?

Sanctify

too funny

It's been a while

Happy Birthday Rebecca!

LOVE

Love #2

I'm in for LOVE WEEK

A Give away!

***WARNING**** you might be grossed out

4x4 or 6x6

Thankful

I'm ok

The Ice Skating Accident... as told by Katelynn

Need a place for Sundance film festival.....

May your Christmas be warm and fuzzy...

What do you do....

We've been up to .......

go see my friend Heidi.

I wish I had the recipe.......

Happy Day after

Happy Thanksgiving!

More LA

Wicked good!

Wickedly Thankful Weekend

Thankful!

Last time, I swear!

Thankful

Can't wait to vote!

Someone else's give away!

sorry, I was wet!

My first (and probably only) giveaway!

100+

Busy Weekend

So funny! (prop 8 style)

Pray, pray hard.

Hudda thunk it!

Here's What I Did This Weekend!

IMPORTANT! READ NOW!

Students! Teachers! Parents!

*WARNING** you might be grossed out