My Utah Kids are Here

I got my hair cut this afternoon and Janna got her's woven. It's always a two hour job. Then I did some shopping and came home and when I got home Dean and the boys arrived. It was so good to see them. We chatted for awhile and Janna and I made dinner and Dean and his dad watch the BYU game. The kids watched movies at Janna's. Janna paid her bills online and I vegetated on my couch.
More pictures to follow tomorrow and more fun stuff to report.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for Dean and Amie and the kids. They are so sweet and just make me happy. I am glad they came to visit.

This is why...

This is why I love this man. Here he is washing our windows. He is always so willing to do things for me. Yep, that's why I love him. I did bookwork all morning. All my accounts are balanced to the penny and I paid my three bills I have to pay each month. Gotta love that! I also organized all my recipe and printed out new ones to put in my book Amie made for me. I love my notebook. Keeps me organized.
I picked up the kids from school and went to the market to get some yeast so I can make pizza for the kids. I made Chili Mac for dinner and baked yams for Tommy for lunch. That's been my day.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for this wonderful man I married, oh so many years ago. We've had some ups and downs but always got through the hard times together.

More Pantry Shelves

I cleaned all my floors today. I love my shark. It took me about an hour to do all my pergo floors. So much easier than my big old house in Elk Ridge. Tommy worked on more shelves in my pantry. I love my pantry. We still have to do the other side, but it's really coming together. One day we will be all done and we won't know what to do with our time.
I made delicious Brownie's today for Harley and Beans and Corn Bread for dinner. It has been a terrific day. We took our car in this morning because the back stopped opening up. Come to find out there is a switch on the dashboard that was turned off. So they flipped the switch and I'm back in business.
Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for my house. I am grateful that I have such a cute little place to call home. I am blessed, especially these cute grandkids I have to take care of.

Unpacking More Boxes

Today I unpacked boxes from the garage. I found all sorts of lost things. My best find was my warmers for my Scentsy wax. Now my house smells so good. And I found my jewelery box and now have all my fun stuff.
I made BBQ chicken breasts, brown rice and Focacia bread. Then I took the kids to YM/YW and picked them up. Now I'm watching "Chopped Champions" and then I'm going to bed.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the journals my mom kept. She recorded all her daily activities. I read some of them today and it made me feel so close to her. And I guess I called her all the time because she writes that I called her a lot. I'm glad I did that. She was my best listening ear ever. I miss her!

Hanging Stuff on the Walls

Today Tommy hung my calendar so I can do my pages and put them in. I just need to find my pictures so I can make them and send them to be printed. I just have to keep plugging away and my house will be decorated. 

I took Maggie and Molly to the groomer today and got them all shiny and clean. When I went to pick them up they were together in a kennel. They looked so cute together. I do believe they are the best of friends besides being sisters.

I looked out the window this afternoon and this was the sight I beheld. Grandpa and Harley having a discussion about something. I think they were discussing the irrigation water that wasn't coming in very fast. The neighbor up the road hadn't shut their gate so not very much water was coming our way.

I didn't make anything for dinner. It was a free style dinner and the kids love it. They can have cereal. That has been my day. I did cook a spaghetti squash that Denise gave me. I baked it in the oven and it was delish for lunch with spaghetti sauce. So very good.

Now it's time to go to bed and get some rest. Good night Journal.

Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for my hubby that can hang things for me. What would I do without him. He can fix anything I need him to. I always knew he was a keeper.

Lesson Over With, Whew

On Saturday we worked around the farm and house. Here is a picture of the nest boxes Tommy made for the chickens to lay in. They are doing pretty well laying in the boxes. We still find eggs in the stalls but less everyday. Next year we will have a cute chicken coop.

Harley spent the morning trimming hoofs on her goats. Tommy and Janna worked on the barn. Such busy people around here.

In the afternoon Janna, Bailee and I went to the mall in IF. On the way there she had to check on one of her probationers. When she got to his house he had trashed his mom's house and took off on the run. She had to call the police and we spent about an hour waiting for her to finish up with the police. The mom had a cute little dog tied up on the front porch so Bailee had a cute little furry friend to play with.

We finally made it to the mall so Bailee could spend her birthday money on clothes and Janna finished getting her school clothes. We came home and gathered up everyone except Harley and went to dinner at the Mexican place in Ririe. Then it was time to relax. I spent some time off and on all day preparing my lesson for Relief Society. I got so tired I went to bed at 9pm. I was tired.
I woke up at 6 and finished my lesson preparation. I took my shower and went to church with Bailee and Austin. Janna and Harley had to move horse to pasture today. I taught my lesson and I wasn't too nervous. I just have a hard time with Conference Talks. There is so much good stuff to choose from but I did it and I am glad it's done. After church I had to take Bailee back over at 3:30 to have her birthday meeting with the Bishop. But the Bishop was with someone and finally at 4:10 we went home. Bailee didn't want to wait any longer.
When we got home I made Bailee's favorite thing. Fettucine in Alfredo Sauce. It was so yummy. Now her birthday is officially over.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the opportunity to teach in Relief Society today. I wish I could teach like Susan but that's not my gift so I do the best I can. I know Heavenly Father is glad I tried.

Computer Up and Running Again & Bailee is a Teenager

I finally had to order yet another cord for my computer. It came and now it's working wonderful. The other cord was a faulty one so I didn't have my computer this week. But now I'm all set again. I was so excited to scrap when I got home but when my computer cord stopped working I about gave it up. But now I'm in business again.
What has been going on:
Saturday I drove home from Idaho without incident.
Sunday the kids and I went to church. Austin did his part in the Sacrament program and did really well. He sang all the songs and just looked darn cute up there.
Harley and Janna went to a Goat Show in Plymouth, Idaho. Isn't Harley cute with her goat and his ribbon. They got back Sunday afternoon late. Harley had a good time and got lots of advice and help from fellow goat raisers.

Monday I haven't a clue.
Tuesday I took the kids to YM/YW and Harley's leader came and got her. She went again. Wow, we have a pattern starting. I'm glad for her friends that care enough for her to come and take her. The Gospel at it's best.
Wednesday I baked some "Billy's Vanilla Vanilla Cupcakes" for Bailee's birthday party. I have made this recipe 3 times and it never baked right. I used a big muffin pan instead of a cupcake pan, which is probably part of the problem, who knows. So I'm putting it in the round file and finding another cupcake recipe that will work for me. It looked so good when he demonstrated it with Martha Stewart. I did have one batch that worked so that's the ones the girls will be decorating.
Thursday I can't remember much either. I know I worked on my lesson that I am teaching in Relief Society on Sunday. But without my computer I couldn't copy and paste so I can make changes. I ordered another cord and just decided that I couldn't wait any longer. It's on it's way and should be here by Saturday. And sometime this week Tommy started on my magnificent pantry. It is huge, which I need for all my stuff. Here is the first section for my canned goods. 3 more sections to go and one side will be done. I was so happy to get all my canned goods and stuff out of boxes and on the shelves. I now know what I have.

Today, Friday was a very busy day. Janna and I went to Winco shopping and got the stuff for Bailee's Birthday Party. We will be picking up all the girls at 3:30 from school and the party begins. I can't believe she is a teenager. What happened to that little cutie pie that stood on grandpa's feet all the time. Time it does fly, yes siree!

 Here they are posing when we got home and playing a game where they eat chocolate candy with a fork until someone rolls a double with dice. Crazy game.

 A little time in Bailee's room listeneing to tunes. What silly girls they are, but fun. Bailee is having a great time.

 The very best part for Bailee was when she got a Cell Phone. Janna called her number and the package kept ringing. Bailee looked at it with the funniest look on her face and then she realized it was her present ringing. Priceless expression on her face.

 Here she is figuring out how it works with Ron and Janna. I don't think she could have gotten a better present. She loves it!!

They played night games and Harley helped them ride horses. It was a good party and I'm glad it's over with. Denise came down to check on her kids and stayed and visited with me. She is now my VT and I'm hers so we considered it done for September. She is a sweet lady. Her son Jon came to Bailee's party. The only boy there because Austin went on an overnight campout with the Scouts but Jon came anyway. He is so cute and fun. I think the girls liked him here and I think he liked being with all the girls. Too funny.
Now I'm done and ready for bed.
Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for Bailee and what a wonderful young lady she has become.

Harrison and his Backpack

I got up this morning and got ready for scrapping. Harrison had put on his backpack so I could take him to school. I had to take a picture of this. I don't know how he carries it around. It looks too heavy to me.

I made this page. I talked so much and laughed so much and had so much fun that I only got one page done today. I'll do better tomorrow, maybe.

 I picked up Heather and she came and hung out with me for awhile. She brought some pictures and we begged for paper and made part of a page. It was fun to hang out with her. We went to Pizza Factory for lunch with Heather Merrill and Gerri. It was very yummy.

I spent the rest of the time after taking Heather home so she could take a little nap before she had to go to work scrapping. I just am not very motivated today. I am having too much fun visiting with my friends. Now I'm going to my room and get some sleep. I am sharing a room with Heather and Gerri. They are so much fun.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my Heather. I have loved this girl since she was a baby with all my heart. My very first grandchild. She is so sweet to her grandma. I am blessed to have her in my life.

In Utah for some Fun

I left around noon and headed for Utah. I stopped at a rest stop to stretch my legs and at a gas station and one more stop in Salt Lake because I was getting sleepy. But I made it. The traffic and construction was pretty bad but I made it through.
I met John at Denny's in Springville where Heather works and we had dinner so she could serve us. She works there on the night shift. She looks so good and gives her grandma the best hugs in the world. And I didn't remember to take a picture. How bad is that. But I'm going to see her tomorrow so I'll get one then. But I did get a picture of my room at Dean and Amie's. Isn't it Ritzy looking.

And I have my computer to blog on. What more could a girl ask for.

I talked for a long time with my bestest friend Kathy tonight. I just love that lady so much. She is truly my best forever friend. We have a history together. We can remember when for 30+ years.  She was my visiting teacher. This is why it's so important to do you visiting teaching. You may be missing out on a forever friend.

Now it's time for me to go to sleep so I can scrapbook all day tomorrow and the next day too.

Good Night!

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for Kathy. She always lifts me up and make me feel happy. And she has a heart of gold. I am blessed to have her in my life.

Janna is Home

I spent lots of time in the kitchen today cooking. I made wilted spinach with garlic and butter. Tommy liked it but I have never liked spinach but it was okay. Then I made blueberry muffins for the kids. I put on a pot of black beans so we can have black bean burritos tonight. I have got all the kids and Janna eating black bean burritos. I love them. Only Tommy is our hold out. He still only likes refried beans so I make both.
I talked to Dean, John and Janna today. It was nice to hear their voices. Then I got to talk to Judy. She called me and we discussed "Bountiful Baskets" and desserts. It was so good to hear from her. Can't wait for this weekend to spend time with my friends. Janna is going to be home at about 2 today.

I really am going to have to have a talk with Harley Annie. I really can't have goaties on my back porch. She had to show me how cute they were. I do think they are cute. Especially this one eating. My favorite. Dinner is done and now I'm going to do nothing.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for this little farm I get to live on. It is fun. I am where I am supposed to be but not for the reason I thought when I started building my cute little house.

Making Granola

Today I made granola and oatmeal cookies. This granola is so yummy. I will be making this often. It will be good in my yogurt in the morning. I also roasted vegetables for Tommy for lunch and made stir fry chicken and rice for dinner. Today it seemed that I was in the kitchen all day.
I picked up Bailee at 4:30 from school. She had a class activity finding bugs to pin. Her best find was a frog. She loves critters of all sorts.
Then I fed for Harley because her YW leader and her friends was picking her up and taking her to the Visitors Center at the Temple. I was so pleased that she wanted to go. I took Bailee to YW and Austin to Scouts. He got his tenderfoot rank tonight and I wasn't there to have him put the pin on me. I wish I would have went now but it was a very busy day and I was very tired. Then I went back to pick Austin up at 8:30.
Janna texted me today and she will be home tomorrow. She talked her boss into leaving tonight and driving halfway home so she can get in tomorrow. We really miss her so we are glad she is coming home. That's been my day.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the YW leaders that care about my grandkids and good Scout leader. I am so blessed that these kids are willing to be active. I know this is what I am here for.

Board of Review for Austin

Austin, Bailee and I went to church this morning. Janna had left to drive to Moscow. It is about an 8 hour drive so she needed to leave early. They did a Board of Review with Austin so he should get his Tenderfoot on Tues. They have new scout leaders and they are wonderful. Austin was so happy. His leader gave him this scarf and had made a bolo for him. Isn't he just the most handsome boy.

They gave us the new book of the History of Relief Society. The meeting were very good. I had studied the Sunday School lesson so it was very interesting to hear what people had to say about it.

I came home and spent the afternoon just doing nothing. We had leftover Lasagna for dinner. Everyone ate it except Tommy and Bailee. But I was too tired to cook.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for Austin. He is such a sweet boy. I am blessed to have him in my life.

Happy Birthday to Janna

We celebrated Janna's birthday one day early because she has to go to Moscow, Idaho on Sunday to attend a convention with her boss. It was so fun. We celebrated all day long. It started off with Harley giving her a goat named Rosie for her birthday. It was so sweet to watch the kids make their mom a card and put it around the goats neck. Then they snuck it out to the front yard and put a note on mom's door so when she came out of the shower she would see it and come out to the front yard where Rosie was waiting for her. 

When Janna came out it was so fun to see her face. Her kids love her so much. She is one lucky girl to have such loving kids. They have worked hard to make Janna's day just the best. I think they succeeded.

Now this is a happy mom. Who could be more loved by her kids.

I spent the day making Janna a German Chocolate Cake with Pecan Frosting from scratch. It was delish. I also made her a pan of Lasagna. That is what she wanted so that's what she got.

Here is her outfit we got her. It is very cute. The kids also got her a necklace tree for all her necklaces. She had a good birthday. After dinner she went out with the kids to play wiffle ball. The dogs had more fun getting the ball than the kids did.

That was our wonderful Saturday. Now it's time to clean up my kitchen and relax. I can feel "Chopped" calling for me to watch it.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for this daughter of mine. She is really the best....

Finally we have a Final

The inspector came today and signed our Final on our house. We are done, now I can hang my pictures and really "move in". What a relief. Tommy can't figure out why he put 1 bath when we have 2. But I don't really care. I am on cloud nine. We are done with inspectors. Wahoo!!!!
Janna and I ran errands this morning and then waited for the inspector. After the inspector left I put my house back together. I had put everything away so it didn't look like we lived in it, so I had to put everything back and wash my sheets to put back on the bed. I didn't want to get fined for living in it. Bad me!
Then I made mashed potatoes for Harley and chicken nuggets. These kids ate everything. There was one nugget left that I cut up and mixed with Molly's dry food. She was a happy dog. After dinner Janna and I went for a walk. Now I'm done with dishes and going to watch "Chopped". I really love this show.
Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for the final on our house. It is so good to be done. I am blessed.

Plumbing Final

The plumbing inspector finally showed up this afternoon and gave us a final. Now only one more to go. Janna set up the last final for Friday. Then I can hang my pictures and really live here.
That's what we have done all day. Wait for the inspector. I did make Shepherd Pie for the first time ever in my life. It was pretty good. But the kids just wanted to eat the mashed potatoes by themselves. So I told them I would make just mashed potaotoes and chicken nuggets for them tomorrow. I also tried a quick wheat bread roll recipe. It was like a biscuit so I won't be making that again. Now it's time to clean up my kitchen and watch a little TV.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my hubby today. He works so hard to get things done. I am blessed.

HVAC Final

The HVAC inspector came this morning and signed off on our final. One more down, now we are waiting for the Plumbing inspector. My cookie jar was empty so while I waited I made Peanut Butter Cookies. My oven bakes so perfect. I just love it and I really love to bake cookies. I always have. And I love having these kids to eat them so I don't have so much temptation.

After the kids got off the bus we went to "Bed Bath and Beyond" to get a birthday present for Janna. They have everything in that store. I got another oil bottle for my canola oil and a napkin holder for my table. Slowly but surely I am getting it all done. The plumbing inspector never showed up so hopefully he will come tomorrow.

I have to take the kids to YW and Scouts tonight. Bailee's class is going to an assisted living place and she is really excited. I think going to visit great grandma all those years helped her not to be afraid of old people. I am so glad all my grandkids spent time with my mom. They will never be concerned if they have to visit someone. In fact the very last family to see my mom on this earth were Harrison and Hayden. They gave her a hug and a kiss and said goodbye. What a blessing they all were in my mom's life.

Grateful Statement: I am blessed beyond measure with my kids and grandkids. How much I love them and how precious they all are to me.

Working on the Barn

Don't mess with a woman and her nail gun.

 Putting on the tin. With a hurt hand, no less....

 Austin is building a windmill and Bailee is helping Grandpa with something.

 Harley girl working with her goats.

 These two babies got separated from their moms. They are not happy!

Today was the day to work on the farm. Janna and Tommy went out to the barn and spent the day putting up OSB board on the ends to get ready for the sheet metal on top of the barn. The kids worked along with everyone. They are the best workers ever.
I made French Bread from the recipe of Michelle Stevens. I don't think I put enough flour in mine because it really spread out and was very thin. I am going to make it again and use more flour so it has more body. I made spagetti to go with it and Janna topped it off with homemade ice cream. We spent the evening watching "The Closer" and "Rizzoli and Isles". It was fun. We were all snuggled into my little TV room. It's amazing how much I don't need a ton of room. We make it just fine in my little house. I also signed up for the Bountiful Basket in Rigby so next Saturday I will go get my first basket. I'm excited to see what I get. Lots of fruit and veggies, yummy!
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my life. Sometimes it gets a little hard but most of the time I am so happy I need to pinch myself. Heavenly Father takes great care of me.

Beautiful Sabbath, Day of Rest

Molly is keeping the Sabbath Day holy....

Janna, Bailee, Austin and I went to church today. It was a good meeting and great lessons in Sunday School and Relief Society. I talked with the RS President and she is going to change partners for me. I told her it would be nice to have a partner that actually wanted to go visiting teaching. She said she was going to make a bunch of changes anyway so she would do that. I have one sister that is inactive and I need a partner to go with me. We'll see how that goes. I hope they change Janna's too. She has lived her for 2 years and never had a visiting teacher come into her home. Her VT stopped us on the road one day when we were walking and gave her some cupcakes. She has stopped by a couple of time but Janna has been working. What happened to setting up appointments. I think this is our test.
We spent the rest of the day resting. Janna rode the rip stick with the kids and jumped on the tramp. It is so good to see her feeling better. I made Black Bean burritos and everyone in Janna family including her had one. I always make refried and black beans. I was pretty inpressed. And the liked them. Now I can make black beans more often.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the gospel. I love it with all my heart. It is my anchor in this world that sometimes can be hard. I am blessed to have been born a member of His church on this earth.

Organizing Food Storage

We moved a shelf out of Janna's laundry to the garage and started organizing food storage on it. It held a ton. And then we took all the boxes and put them together so all the wheat is in one spot, etc. What a job but what a wonderful sight to behold. I can find all my food storage and access it all. What wonderful helpers I have in Janna and her kids. Then we just kept on going and tore Janna kitchen cupboards apart and organized all her stuff. We were on a roll.
Janna found a cord for my camera so I can put on pictures while I wait for my computer cord to come. She has every kind of cord in the world. I can't believe they make computer without an SD port. I love the one in my computer. Makes it so easy to download pictures.
After all that hard work Janna and the kids decided to wash our cars. My car was very dirty from the trip to Lagoon however long ago that was. Now it is so shiny. Look at the kids getting all the bugs off the front.

The kids are teaching Janna how to ride a rip stick. By the time the evening was thru she could do it. But she was always able to do whatever she set her mind to.

That has been our awesome day. Austin made waffles for dinner and Bailee and I made Buttermilk Syrup. Then I realized only Bailee likes it. And as we were making it I didn't realize you needed a BIG pan to cook it in. So it boiled over and I had to clean my stove. What a mess.

Grateful Statement: I have to be grateful today for Janna and her kids that help me so much. I love them to pieces...

Shopping Day

Janna and I went to Walmart after the kids went to school today. We got some groceries and I got a Cookie Jar. My kitchen needed a cookie jar for the kids. Then we went to the restaurant supply store. I looked at their baking pans but they were so expensive. $30 for one pan. So we went to Bed, Bath and Beyond. What a fabulous kitchen section they have. I found my baking pans for $7 each and got a olive oil bottle, so cute setting beside my stove and I found on the internet that you can freeze eggs so I'm giving it a try so I got two ice cube trays to freeze them in. Then you thaw them out and use them. Maybe we can do something with all these eggs we have around here.
I came home and got all ready to make meatballs with barbecue sauce for dinner. I have decided that I am finally learning how to cook again. I spent 10 years doing real estate and I didn't get off work until 6pm so I never cooked. And after a while you can't remember how to cook. I really love to cook for this family. And I love to watch cooking shows to get inspired. What fun I'm having.
Janna made homemade Rocky Road Ice Cream tonight. It was yummy. Now it's time to chill as they say...
Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for my kitchen. I love cooking and baking in it. It's just the right size and my stove is fabulous. I am blessed to have such nice things in my life. I acknowledge Heavenly Father's hand in my life including my wonderful kitchen.

Wednesday and Thursday-All in One

The kids caught the bus at 7:30 on Wednesday for their first day of school. They were excited and nervous at the same time. I wish I had gotten a picture of them standing in a line waiting for the bus. Harley first, Bailee second and Austin was last. Little ducks in a row. They didn't get home until 4:30. What a long day they have.
While they were at school two of the horses got out. They had broken thru the fence so I couldn't put them back in. I had to call Janna and here she came in her high heel black patten leather sandals. So very cute. But she brought her co-worker Garth with her so he took one horse and she got the other one and they put them in the round pen. Next time I'll know what to do with loose horses. Life on the farm....
I got a wonderful email from Cindy Dalton. She is just so sweet. She said she couldn't post any comments on my blog. I'll have to work on that. I haven't changed anything so I don't know what happened.
Today I was pretty lazy. I made Snickerdoodles for Austin and Taco Soup for Bailee. I also made some oven roasted vegetables for Tommy for lunch. I had a yam and some red potatoes. It was delicious. I added carrots and onions and olive oil and some spices. It was so cool today that my house didn't get hot with the oven on. It felt like fall. So wonderful.
Janna had slammed her hand in the door at the jail when she was visiting one of her probationers. It was swollen and bruised. The doctor said it wasn't broken but it really hurt. It's a little better today but still so sore.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful that I am able to live here and help with my grandkids. I loved my grandma so much, I just hope I can get better at being patient and kind like she was with my brothers and I.