Moving

Moving

As you know, a few months ago Laren took a job in Utah. The kids and I have stayed here in Colorado with Laren coming home just every other weekend. We have been trying to sell our house, to no avail. Laren and I recently made the decision to move the kids and I to Utah to be all together as a family and we will continue to try and sell our house in this crazy market.

So, I've been busy, busy, busy with getting things ready for Christmas, mailing packages, getting the kids withdrawn from school here and getting ready to move. We are scrambling to find a rental over there. Blogging has taken a backseat to all of the above, but I just wanted you to know that I haven't given up on it or you, I just haven't had time for it!

Hopefully I can sit down and do a more detailed post soon. But in the meantime, MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!

Coming Home

After 3 sick kids and another with pink eye this last week. Look who's coming home tonight!

The House

The House

So many of my friends and family have been asking us if we have had any "bites" on the house yet. The answer is, unfortunately, no, we haven't! We have went for long periods of time where we have no showings at all and then the showings seem to crop up in clusters.

So, I've been trying to ignore the fact that the house hasn't sold yet, and I'm trying to focus on other stuff. Stuff that I can have control over. One of those things has been Christmas shopping. It brightens everything to think about this special time of year that we have to celebrate our Savior and participate in giving to others.

Another thing I've been doing here and there is staging my house. Yes, we've had it decorated, etc... but some things I've just let be because of time and money (my excuse for almost anything!). So I've kind allowed myself some fun and time and expense lately of buying a few more things to stage our house.



One of those things was this little nightstand I got on Craigslist for $10. For the almost 15 years of our marriage, most of our furniture has been made up of stuff like

this white dresser that we got that is basically junk furniture. But that is all we could afford at the time. And when we could start affording more, we got another vehicle, or moved into a bigger house or added another child to the family, instead of upgrading the furniture. Not all of the furniture we have is "junk" furniture. It's mainly just the dressers now.

And today, after some painting projects the past 2 days, I spent the morning and early afternoon baking cookies for our Card Group cookie exchange tonight. After I was done baking, I cleaned up my cookie mess. But I didn't bother with the aftermath of the hurricane that builds when you don't focus on cleaning the house for 2 days to paint furniture.

And this morning we awoke to a steady and accumulating snowfall. The first real one we've had so far this year in Denver. And I thought to myself that I really needed to clean my house, mainly taking care of all that laundry and vacuuming . But I decided after all my cookie work I would sit down and check my Facebook for a few minutes.

I did that and then my oldest daughter came home from school. We chatted and then I headed out to get my 3 middle children from school. The roads were slippery and the unshoveled sidewalks at the school made a quick trip into a lengthier one. We were all home and sitting in the family room. I was attempting to read some books to Tyler after assigning chores to those who didn't have homework and was receiving lots of backlash about it.

Just a few moments later the doorbell rang. Kyle went to get it and someone started to open the door. I heard a lady asking, "If your Mom is here, so I can show the house?" I put the books down and ran to the door. I told her that I was unaware a showing was scheduled and that I would be happy to show my house but that I needed some time. I asked if they had any other homes they wanted to see nearby so they could come back to ours.

She said, "No, that she didn't mind the mess." That was the "Looker," not the agent. I said if you could just give me five minutes to tidy up then they could come and see it. They finally agreed to wait in their cars for 5 minutes.

In the meantime I had all the kids but Tyler quick at work cleaning and bickering. After 5 minutes, the doorbell rang again. It was the "looker". She said they would look at a couple of other houses and come back. Relieved I closed the door. My kids and I spun through the house like we've never done before, placing all sorts of things in all the wrong places, like a pair of gloves in the kitchen cupboard. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

We didn't have it perfect, but it would have to do. The Agent and her Lookers came just as we were leaving. I'm sure that nothing will come of the showing, because that just seems to be the market right now. But I'm proud of the kids and the way they helped me in a pinch!

And as for why I didn't know about the showing sooner, I'm debating getting rid of T-mobile asap, because all of the showings go to my cell phone and it doesn't ring half the time in the house. And for the life of me, I cannot figure out why all the Lookers want to come on the days you least expect them, like the day after Thanksgiving, or the snowiest day of the year so far?

Decorating the Tree

Decorating the Tree

Tonight the kids and I put on the Christmas Music and got out the ornaments and decorated the tree. Oh the fun memories brought about by Christmases past when we found an ornament Kayla painted in Joy School 8 years ago, or an ornament Kyle's nursery teacher made and gave to him 6 years ago, or that Rilyn or Alyssa made at school. Tyler was cute enough to come and ask me if his cute paper ornament could go on the tree - of course it could!

Rilyn was sad that Dad could not be there to decorate the tree with us. She wanted to know if it was okay to do it without him. I assured her that he gave us special permission. While we decorated, we did our part in adding to the holiday cheer by consuming our share and then some of sugar cookies and Jelly Belly flavored candy canes. Unfortunately, I didn' t get any pictures of us decorating because I was videoing it for Dad. Maybe one of these days I will figure out how to upload the video from the video camera to the blog?

Decorating the tree, what a great start to a fun month!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We are home from our trip to visit Laren in Utah. We spent pretty much the entire past week there! Despite us all cramming into a tiny studio apartment in Orem, the kids were so much more settled than they have been for the past 2.5 months. It goes to show that it does not matter what kind/size of house we live in as long as we're together as family. It was hard to keep them quiet so as not to disturb the neighboring apartments though.

The night before we left, we got some bad news about Laren's project: that it may come to a standstill due to less sales tax revenue for roads (and just about everything else) in Utah. I will admit I spent a few hours silently weeping over that. Usually being a civil engineer is a pretty stable line of employment, but this bad economy can even affect stable jobs, apparently. It was hard for me to have the energy to get my house in perfect condition and get everything packed and loaded for the trip we had previously planned. But my 12 year old daughter came to the rescue and helped immensely with anything and everything and away we went!!

While we were away we looked at a ton of houses to buy or rent. Most definitely we will be renting until we have job certainty, one way or another, and until this house sells. We also got together with Laren's sister's family in Payson a couple of times. And what would be a trip for us to Utah without a game of bowling at the Wilkinson Center? Afterall, our favorite University houses it! And equally satisfying was some good, cool sweet treats courtesy of the Creamery!!

We rolled in tonight, right before Costco was closing. I had Laren stop in hopes that I could find some Pumpkin Pies, but no such luck! They were completely cleaned out. So I sucked it up and came home and baked my own instead of falling straight into bed. But the smell wafting through my house right now while they bake, is quite a reward for my efforts already!

I hope you all have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Something Fun!

Something Fun!

When I went on my Girls' Weekend a couple of months ago, we not only stayed up late gabbing, went shopping, ate a bunch of junk food, and played games, but we also went to Park City and checked out the Olympic Venues.

We rode the Zip Line down the mountain, after the ski lift took us up. It was exhilerating! I would do it again in a heartbeat! Lots of fun!!

Me in front of the Ski Jump pool.

When we were there, they had some time trials going on for Professional Ski Jumping. This is at their facility in Park City. They actually practice going down these slopes during the warm months since there is no snow in the warm months.

It was actually quite fun to watch. They do all sorts of twists and acrobatics before they fall cleanly and perfectly into the water. They have bleachers that you can sit on and see the whole thing. We were on our way to the Zip line so we didn't stay for more than a few minutes, but I could have stayed and watched for a long time. It was fascinating! Much better to be there in person, rather than just watching on tv.

Blessings

Blessings

In counting my blessings, today I added the following two.

First, this little guy was saved from drowning in a pond while I was visit teaching. He went out into her backyard with a friend, and unbeknownced to me there was a pond there. I was worried from the beginning about his safety, especially once he was outside and out of earshot. This guy is H-E double toothpicks on wheels.

So, after I couldn't hear them for about 10 minutes I interrupt my visit teachee mid-sentence and tell her I must check on the boys. She is muttering something about not looking at her messy house, my only focus was on my son. As I approach the sliding glass door I see the other boy, but not my Tyler. Then I see him. He is drenched, head to water-filled shoes. In a panic, I run to him and immediately see the pond where he got soaked.

I still do not know exactly how it happened, but he said he was reaching for a rock. I suspect he just fell head first into the water. He had a gash on his head and a big red mark on his right shoulder and 2 big red marks on his back. Poor guy, he was freezing despite our warm 78 degree day today here in Denver, in mid November no less!!

I count it as a great blessing that he didn't drowned by getting knocked unconscious by a rock on his way into the water. His friend didn't seem concerned at all about Tyler falling into the water. I don't think he had any intentions of letting us know. But, what can you expect from a 3 year old? After the incident, I took Tyler's clothes off and wrapped him in a borrowed, much-oversized robe. We came home and I put him in the bath. I think I remember her saying her teenager had a dead fish in that pond, ewwww!
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And the second blessing of the day came tonight. We are Black Friday shoppers, much to Laren's aversion to it. I had read late last week that one of the best deals this year on Black Friday would be a Kenmore Front Loading washer/dryer pair for $599.

So I researched it and I found a "pre-black Friday Sale" at Sears on a great front loading Samsung washer/dryer pair on sale on Saturday for $899.00 at Sears. It was a much better model than the Kenmore set. And, as luck would have it, our current washer/dryer is 13 years old and have been threatening going out for the past few months.

The only problem was the sale was on Sunday only, a day we don't shop. So, we found a kind sales clerk who made it work for us and we didn't find out until tonight that we got what we wanted - only better! They sold out of the Samsung model that was on sale so they are going to upgrade us to the Samsung model with ionization or the #1 ranked LG model.

Thankful Heart

Today I have a Thankful Heart -

Specifically for my great big, little family. They are just special little munchkins. When I went to blow out my candles on my birthday cake over the weekend, Kyle (8) said, "Mom, I bet you are going to wish for a Forever Family." Rilyn said, "I bet you are going to wish our house will sell." Though I reminded them both I couldn't share my wishes or they wouldn't come true; I will share with you that these sweet little kids know me perfectly well!

And my Prince Charming Husband did so many kind deeds for me over the weekend, like chauffeuring our kids around for me, coloring my hair, making my birthday cake from scratch (substituting applesauce for the oil), doing yard work, cleaning the carpet where Tyler melted a fudge bar, changing the brakes and rotating the tires on the van, and obliging me by standing in line early in the morning with 16 degree temps to get free flu shots.

Update

And the very day I posted that last post my little child #4 started coming down with a temperature. It was very mild at first. Then the weekend came and it was much higher. Then she got pink eye on top of that! So maybe she wasn't making all of that up in the nurses office last week?

My Sister, who is also trying to sell her house to move out of state, sold her house over the weekend! I'm so happy for her. A little depressed for myself. But I am glad to know that there are houses selling out there in this terrible economy!

It's Monday and after my kids being, well kids - for the sake of terms that I probably shouldn't call them, I woke up this morning after a bad nights sleep to a messy house. That is usually my welcome to a new week, even though I always hope for more! And the cherry on top was my unwelcome monthly visitor arriving to herald in this new week too. She chose to present herself on a day I chose to wear my whitest of whites. Lovely.

So, I'm turning this week around! My house is almost put back together. I need to mop still. And I have a major trip to the Goodwill planned to get rid of all the excess stuff I am getting rid of after going through my basement clutter over the weekend. Speaking of the weekend, I did manage to read a good parenting book while I referreed the kids yesterday. It is called Screamfree Parenting. I'm hoping it sinks in by osmosis! My kids are hoping too.

"Hi, this is Mrs. School Nurse calling and I just wanted to let you know that I've had your #4 child in the nurses office every other day for the last 2 weeks."

"Okay."

"This time she said she was sick, that her side hurt and when I asked her to show me, she pointed to her thigh."

"Her thigh?"

"Yeah, her thigh."

Then I was given a laundry list of reasons why she has come to the nurses office in the past few weeks - a rash on her throat (never any evidence of that), a non-existent fever, overall not feeling well, a headache, etc...

Mrs. School Nurse said that none of Child #4's visits have been consistent with a certain time of day, etc... So she is not avoiding math everyday, or something like that.

I then asked her why Child #4's teacher kept letting her go to the office if they all seemed to be "phantom symptoms." She had no explanation. It is a seasoned, mature late 50 something teacher.

I then tell her this is my #4 child out of 5 and that I had another daughter do this about the same age and that really, sometimes this goes with the age and a child wanting more attention. I told her "Thank You" and that I will talk to child #4 about this when she gets home after school.

What I didn't say, but was tempted to, was that her Father is working out of town and she is likely acting out because of the un-normal home circumstances for us. But for the time being, we are here, he is there and none of us like it but that is the way it must be!

We are doing good. Really. Except for these little things that crop up more often than I would like.

Just a little randomness

My 8 year old son has been going to early morning practices for his school Halloween Program for the past month or so. Kyle has enjoyed every minute of it. Today, we got to go and enjoy it! It was great!!

He is in the middle there, with his head turned, wearing a yellow shirt.

On the way home from the Halloween Program we were out of milk so we made a detour through the store. Every time we go to our local Kroger grocery store, my little Tyler wants to ride on this horse.

Tyler riding the horsey.

And I always let him, because it only costs $.01. There isn't anything that only costs a penny anymore! I remember when I was a child all of the grocery stores having these horses and carousels next to the door going out. It always beckoned me to ride, everytime I walked by it, but my Mom rarely obliged. You don't see these around much anymore, and certainly not for a penny!

And on our way home, I happen to look over and notice my favorite cheap gas station and the price was only, $2.33 per gallon!!!

My favorite gas station.

I had to hurry and snap a picture, but it was not a good one thanks to driving and having my window rolled up.

Lastly, our weather here has been the BEST weather lately! I couldn't ask for better weather at the end of October. We are supposed to hit 75 degrees F today!

Since I was getting a little camera happy, I snapped this picture out my car window on my way home from the store. Gorgeous Fall weather that I will take any day!!

I should be cleaning, but I'm blogging instead...

I should be cleaning, but I'm blogging instead. I woke up at 2:00 am last night and couldn't go back to sleep...until time to get up - of course! So I'm sitting here at the computer to keep me awake. I don't dare try to snooze with my active little Tyler running around and besides I doubt I would be able to nap anyway. I just can't be productive if that makes sense!


This past FRIDAY my SISTER Kallie and I went to a CRAFT FAIR in her "hometown". It was lots of fun, we shopped until her baby, my cute little nephew Zach, about made both of our arms fall off by passing him back and forth and so then we stopped and went to LUNCH. Then we had to immerse ourselves into more craft fair goodness!


When I was there I came upon this amazing booth that I will attempt to post some pictures of, which trust me - do not do it justice! The booth was one in which they sell those pre-made mixes that we've all had before and that many of us have probably made ourselves. The difference between hers, mine, yours and any others I've seen? PRESENTATION. Oh my! Her stuff is a feast for the eyes. And then she let us sample several of her items, it was heaven to my taste buds too!

Sorry my pictures don't do these things justice, my cell phone camera and me just do not make a good picture taking pair! But I did buy some of these as gifts and my kids keep asking if they are for us. I think my favorite feast for the eyes is that one in the glass candle holder above with the green taffeta bag. But my favorite feast for the mouth was the PUMPKIN BREAD- YUM-MY!!

I have to give a big shout out to my friend Kris who made my cute blog template. In fact she made my last blog template too. She makes lots of cute templates and they are free!

She says on her site that she will also make you a header for your blog if you'd like. She also has a link on her sidebar that has links to other site with cute templates if you're interested. I think that is so nice of her to list the other sites.

I'm going to try and get a button put on my sidebar of her One Cute Blog site, but in the meantime you can follow this link.

Thanks Kris, you do such a great job!!

What do I love

Have you ever been out and about, maybe going into the Post Office or walking in the mall and you happen to feel that force pulling your glance downwards? It's like a magnetic force that steels your eyes and they are affixed and can't look away.

I have found that it's happening more and more often to me. I am trying to figure out if it's getting worse with age or what. I've never really been one to be impulsive. But lately, I have this new found love affair that I just can't seem to shrug off.

I found myself on Sunday feeling that magnetic force when I should have been listening to the Sunday School lesson. (Don't worry Tara, it wasn't you teaching!) My eyes couldn't hardly look up and it wasn't because I was sleepy.

What were they doing? They were looking and lusting after all the cute shoes. Have you ever noticed? Why, I've never before paid much attention to shoes prior to the last 12 months, I will never understand. Because lately, I pay more attention to shoes than I do someone's outfit.

Now that I've pretty much admitted to coveting, in church nonetheless, I will show you what has caught my eye.

These were some of the ones I saw and loved at Church, though she had them in a different color (chocolate). And in case you're wondering, this picture does not do them justice, at all. (Thanks Kim, for sharing!)

And when I went to buy the aforementioned pair, I found these and just had to have them.


Even the insides say, "Put me on and wear me!"

The problem is, before I found either of those 2 pair, I had already found these red ones online and purchased them. They just weren't here yet.

My new favorite shoes.

They kind of remind me of the Naughty Monkey red pumps that Sarah Palin wore that got so much press recently. Only these, of mine, came from the lovely Target, for a whole lot less $$.

And since I'm spilling my shoe loving guts, here is another pair I've been coveting:

Five for Friday...

Us at the Zoo, Kayla was taking the picture so that is why she is missing.

Five for Friday...

1. I had 3 parent-teacher conferences this week. I will admit they are not my favorite thing, and I don't know exactly why. For the most part, my kids are good students. There is just something about them I don't like.

2. On Sunday, we found out our ward (at Church) is getting split - again. We have lived here in our little suburb for over 6.5 years and this is the 3rd split since then! I've never enjoyed ward splits!

3. I took the opportunity to go and browse in Barnes and Noble this week, something I haven't done in over a year! It was a fun excursion, minus having to chase Tyler around the aisles and keep him content while I browsed.




4. Our weather has really taken a turn for the worse (meaning cold) this week! I had to turn our heat on. But, on the brighter side we have warmed up for the weekend back into the 70's!!

5. Laren came home last night! We have all loved having him home. Today we took a trip to the Zoo with him and then he and Alyssa went to the Daddy-Daughter Sock Hop!

The Monkey's who live in our "Monkey House" (notice the sign).

This pretty much sums up my feelings

Sums up my feelings on the Mortgage Crisis. Any comments?

Making Bread

Making Bread

The other day as I was wiping the counters and sweeping the floor, decluttering papers and washing my sink I came across some overly ripe bananas that had been gracing my kitchen island for a few more days than I appreciate. I'm no fan of overipe fruit, particularly bananas.


As I was about to toss them into the trash, I stopped and thought better of it. 'I really should make some banana bread,' I told myself. But I didn't want to take the time, nor did I want the temptation of any scrumptious carbs lying around to tempt me.


I have a weakness for carbs, particularly breads. Though cinnamon rolls are my favorite type of 'bread,' I like pretty much any type as long as it's not rye or pumpernickel. But sweet breads are an especial favorite of mine. Banana bread is in that classification.


It would make a good snack for my children, I thought, as I argued with myself. I decided that was reason enough to do the baking. Tyler had wandered in from making a few messes of his own, both inside and outside of the house. I decided maybe I could distract him from that and he and I could have some bonding time while the other kids were in school.

When I asked him if he wanted to make some bread, the answer was an immediate, "YES!" As I got out the mixer, a large mixing bowl and some ingredients Tyler scooted over a chair from the table.

After the eggs, sugar, flour and a few other ingredients were out I turned around to see Tyler doing this:





When I asked what he was doing, he said he was "Making Bread." Apparently his idea of what type of bread to make was different than mine?

Up and Down

The Up and Down in our lives...

Life is so full and busy for us lately. I haven't made my computer time a priority since having Laren gone, I have felt a greater pull to be with my kids - wherever they are - even if it's in the other/same room! I have a whole new appreciation for single Mom's.

The Ups: Listening to General Conference
Watching Kayla play Volleyball
Saying prayers and reading scriptures with my kids

Listening to my Girls practice their piano
Playing in the yard with Tyler
Reading to Rilyn and Tyler

Watching Kyle be a great big brother, to Tyler
My morning walks and talks with Tara
My personal nightly scripture study in "The Book of Mormon Made Easier" (I still
highly recommend this book - it keeps my mind engaged in what I'm reading!)

Following the Presidential Election (just a little hobby of mine)
Going to Kayla's Choir Concert
Making Cards for my Card Group

The Downs: Missing Laren
Getting the kids to do their homework, reading done, etc...
Cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning

Breaking up sibling squabbles - 'nuff said!
Figuring out little things that Laren has always done - like changing the battery
out on smoke alarm after it beeped all through the night (and we didn't have any extra 9 volts). Those things are tricky to change, at least in our house (no laughing! I'm being serious here!!)

Having to attend parent-teacher conferences by myself
No back and foot massages, ala Laren
Less sleep

Knowing my Numbers

HEALTH

I've never paid a whole lot of attention to my numbers, really. I just figured if I was eating "decent" and getting exercise 5ish days a week, on the average, that I was fine. But having turned 35 this past year, and being on the verge of turning 36 soon, I decided I better pay closer attention.

I recently had a conversation with my brother, Rob, about health after another Aunt of ours died a "young" 57. Of course, for her, she had other health problems too that were contributing factors, probably not related to genetics. But Rob and I both agreed that we need to pay better attention to our numbers.

So, before Laren quit his job here and started his new job I got us all in for all of our appointments. When I saw Laren's LDL levels at 115, I told him that though it wasn't "bad," it certainly could be improved upon. In my mind, I attributed it to his, almost nightly, dish of ice cream or his love of BLT's.

I never took a second thought to consider that my own cholesterol might be similar, or exactly the same! So after reading and researching my own results, I was astonished that my "attempts" at being healthy weren't as successful, based on my cholesterol numbers, as I had thought.

I eat oatmeal for breakfast, almost every morning. Though, this morning I had some delicious high fiber toast with a little butter on it and some diet hot chocolate. (Yeah, where is my protein and where is my fruit? Hey, we all need a break every once in awhile!! :) ) Isn't eating oatmeal or cheerios supposed to take care of all of a person's cholesterol problems? (ha ha! That seems to be the message these days on some of the commercials on tv).

I had some steamed summer squash and tomatoes from my garden for lunch, along with a few pieces of Halloween licorice and tootsie rolls from the stash that has already turned up around here. (It is only the beginning of October and we already have the candy around - I guess I passed my sweet tooth onto my kids!)

And for dinner, since I haven't eaten yet tonight I will tell you about last nights dinner. I ate a veggie burger sandwiched between 2 slices of my delicious high fiber bread with a little ketchup and relish in there. That was before we had a dinner appointment at my daughter's middle school for one of the program's she is in. There they served pizza. I picked at the pizza, eating only a few bites and declined the soda and cake. Aside from the candy, I have snacked on some pecan pieces that I keep around for baking, and some homemade, wholewheat banana bread that I made.

Some days are better with my eating and some days are worse. But I think it's a pretty good "snapshot" into my eating habits. So, I'm wondering how all of this translates into my cholesterol levels: HDL 47, LDL 115, Total Cholesterol 173. So, I'm on a mission to find out. I know for some people, if they had these numbers they might be satisfied. But it makes me nervous to see these numbers at my "relatively young" age. I'm wondering if there is a genetic factor that comes into play here, because of course I can't take ALL the responsibility for my health now can I? ;)

So if anyone has suggestions for how to help my cholesterol (and my husbands), I'm open to them. And do you know your numbers?

I Love to See the Temple

This morning my little 6 year old, Rilyn, was singing this song all morning - so I decided to capture it on video.

Today I'm Tired!

The Day in a Life of a Crazy Mother of Five...

We are crazy busy around here. I'm so tired! My "Girlfriend Getaway" set me back on sleep and then yesterday I just woke up at 4am thinking of stuff I had to do. And this morning when the alarm sounded at 5:30 I was SOOO sleepy - but I meet my girlfriend, Tara, to walk every morning and so I had to get up, that's probably a good thing! I feel like I'm dragging today, though.

This keeping the house clean is good and bad, it's a pain with 5 kids, but it's nice to have everything spiffy all the time! It is good until we have to do something like make and eat dinner, breakfast or lunch, or do laundry. Or if the kids want to do anything slightly messy, like play Legos, a game, or Pet Shop. In other words, it's clean except for when we have to actually live in here! We'll see how long it lasts! I just got back from Michael's and Costco.

Tyler LOVES Costco! I am not completely sure why, but I think it's all the food samples they have in there! But I hate that I can't get out of there without spending at least $100!!

I did manage to make this Crockpot Cake Recipe today. It is done baking and I tasted it and it is rich! If you really like Chocolate, it is for you! (Ahem, Denise.)

Officially on the Market

For Sale

Yesterday the Realtor came over and put up the sign in our yard. The photographer also came over and took pictures of our home. I'm so sad to sell it. It has been such a great place to call home for the past (almost) 2 years! And we, most especially Laren, have put in A LOT of work to make this place what it is.

But I just keep reminding myself it is a "moth and rust corruptible". It is just a thing, what I love about it more than anything else is that my favorite people in the world reside here and that's what makes it what it really is!

Back Home!!

Over the weekend, some girlfriends and I got together and rented a huge house in Heber City, Utah (outside Park City) and had a fun girls get together!! No husbands, no kids (except nursing babies) = fun!!

I took quite a few pictures - but after trying to upload them and having blogger mess up and lose all my pictures, here are just a few!

Alisa and I taking a self portrait.

Me and Krista.

The house we stayed in.

We played games, had a gift exchange, ate out, went to Olympic Park and went down the Zip line (that was a RUSH!), we went shopping at the Outlet Mall in Park City, stayed up late and did what girls do best: chat and eat!! We were concerned for our friends, Tamara and Mel, who had to survive the Hurricane in Houston.

And the day before I left for Utah, one of my favorite friends of all time came to Denver to visit me - all the way from Houston, Texas!

Me and Julie taking a self-portrait at lunch at Qdoba.

Julie and I were neighbors when we lived at Wymount Terrace at BYU. She and I would go walking together in the Smith Fieldhouse and push our babies, who are now 12 years old, in their strollers. She is the type of friend who inspires me to be better and every time we talk or get together we can chat just like we never missed a beat!! I'm glad you guys are safe after Hurricane, Ike, Julie!!