Conference Saturday

I watched both sessions of General Conference today with Kathy and Darell. So uplifting for me. I tried to figure out in each talk what Heavenly Father would have me learn. I know I need to do better so that's what I'm going to do. It was peaceful and calming.
In between the sessions we went to Costco. What a mad house. So many people everywhere. I just don't like crowds of people. But Kathy got the stuff she needed so it was a good thing.
Then we went out to dinner to Chinese food with Kathy, Darell, Kristen, Josh and their three little kids. It was a very fun time. The little 3 yr old Camden was ticked off because no one got him broccoli. He is just so cute. Kristen has some pretty awesome kids.
Kathy and I went to Walmart tonight and I got ink cartridges for my printer and then we went to a kitchen store. Nellie bar the door, I love kitchen stores and found two canisters with red lids for my kitchen. I have been looking for them forever. Then we went to the Distribution Center and I got a new Temple Dress.
Now it's time for bed for me. I'm tired of running around all day.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the words of the Prophet and General Authorities. So powerful and just what I needed.

Arrived in St George Safe and Sound

On the Road

Kathy's

I left at 7:13 and got into St George at 2:15ish. It was an easy but long trip. I took this picture of going down the road because the sun was shining on me just making me warm and happy. And a picture of Kathy's house, with artichokes growing in her flower beds. Gotta love St George in the Spring.
We talked for awhile them went to dinner and to Wal-Mart. where Kathy got a ton of Tomato plants for her garden. Then more talking and off to bed I'm going.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for a safe trip here and Heavenly Father watchful eye on my behalf. I am truly blessed.

Packing My Ditty Bag

Today I did my laundry again and started packing to go to St. George to visit Kathy. I also balanced all my accounts and paid my two bills.
It rained so we were stuck in the house most of the day. I made baked chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner with corn. And of course, the dishes just keep coming. You'd think they would wear out from all the trips through the dish washer.
So that's been my day and now it's time to watch American Idol and then get some sleep so I'm all rested up for the 8 hour drive. I plan on stopping along the way. I'm very excited to spend some time with Kathy. We have so much fun together and laugh alot. I need that...
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my friend Kathy. She is so dear to me because she loves me no matter what. Heavenly Father knew I needed her in my life.

Social Security Office

Tommy and I went to the Social Security office in Idaho Falls this morning to change our bank. We are trying a new one. It's a credit union and I like those so we shall see. And (drum roll) we were the second in line and only waited a couple of minute.
I came home and did some laundry and made Tommy a Pineapple Upside Down cake, Chocolate Chip cookies for the kids, Lasagna and Focaccia Bread. Now that was a lot of time in the kitchen. Time to go watch American Idol.
And I'm coughing up a lung again but this is from my sinus' draining. What next. I'm sick of coughing.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for The Book of Mormon. It is my favorite book.

Scrubbing My Floors

I spent the day vacuuming and steam cleaning my floors. It was good to get it done. They really needed a good cleaning. I also took the kids to YM/YW and Austin to his last Pow Wow. He got his two merit badges so he's a happy camper. I made hamburgers for dinner and now  it's my bed time.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful today for the Scouting Program and how good Austin is doing. Thank goodness for good leaders.

Going to Winco

Bailee was home sick today so I made her go with me to Winco to get groceries. I almost have my pantry filled up. It feels good to have a supply of everything I need. After we got home it started raining and continued all afternoon. Yesterday was so beautiful and today winter is here again. Spring will come, I just know it. Tommy and I were going out to measure my garden so we can start but not now. And it's supposed to rain all week so I guess it will have to be next week when I get back from St. George.
I made fish and fries with coleslaw for dinner and now I'm watching Rizolli and Isles with Janna.
Harley has her first baby goats born yesterday. A set of twins. They are tiny and so cute.
Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for my pantry. I'm so happy with my storage. It just makes me happy to go in and look at all the shelves filled with food. Small things make me happy.

Sabbath Day Without Me

Scones

I didn't go to church today. I had already got a sub and I wasn't sure if I would start coughing teaching my class so I stayed home. Bailee had come home sick on Friday and she still had a fever today so no one went.
And for the first time I made Scones. I got a package from "The Prepared Pantry" right down the road. They were pretty good. I think they had too much cinnamon. So I'll be making them from scratch and do the one's I think the kids will like. But I was so bored that it took up some of my time.
Now I'm all caught up on my journal. I'm going to try to keep up.
Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for the power of prayer. I love the way Heavenly Father gives me peace and comfort.

Back Deck Ready for Barbecues

Barbecue's Coming

Tommy and Janna finished our deck. Isn't it gorgeous. Garth even came over and help screw the boards down. He is so funny. I'm glad he likes us. Tommy is going to do his lawn this summer. He has just did too many things for us. We have to pay back in some way.
Austin had all his friends over today. They had so much fun. I made him a chocolate birthday cake, his favorite.
I walked around the farm a couple of times just to get out of the house. I think the pills are working. I'm not coughing as much. It was beautiful in the morning but by the afternoon the wind started blowing and it wasn't quite so nice. But it was a good day.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my sweet mom. I have been dreaming about her and she is up and walking around and I hate waking up. She was my biggest fan all my life.

Going to the Doctor

I have had a terrible cough for over a week now and I have to take Austin to get his stiches out so I'm going to have the doctor see me while I'm there. It was pretty neat because they just put Austin and I in the same room so I was there when they took out his stitches. The doctor listened to my lungs and said I had Bronchitis. He gave me some heavy duty antibiotics and cough syrup. Tommy is tired of listening to me cough all night long and all day so he'll be a happy camper.
And it just so happens when the doctor looked at Austin's stitches he had pulled them all out when he fell on them last week playing basketball again. He needs to live in a bubble when he has stitches. But the inside had healed so it will just not look very pretty on the outside but really, elbows are ugly anyway so no worries.
I took him back to school and came home and had to call my scrapping buddy, Heather and tell her I wouldn't be able to come. I knew I couldn't make the drive and I also had to call Kathy and tell her I would be going to St George either. It was a bummer but I knew it wouldn't be any fun when I couldn't even talk with out coughing.
Grateful Statement: Again I am grateful for Heavenly Father that he gave doctors the knowledge to help us get better.

Austin's 12th Birthday Party

New Bow

Bailee and I

Mom, Dad and Harley

Today Austin is 12 years old. We had a family party for him. He got a bow from mom and dad so he can go shooting with his dad. He will love it. And he gets to spend lots of time with his dad. He used all his birthday money he got from everyone and mom helped him our and found an ipod on the internet. So he is a happy camper and he gets to have 6 friends over on Saturday for pizza, movies, basketball and Capture the Flag.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for this wonderful family I get to live beside in my cute little house. It's good to be needed.

Austin Getting Stitches

So Brave

Finished

I had to go get Austin from school and take him to Community Care to have 5 stitches put in his elbow. He fell on it playing basketball. The doctor had to take tweezers and pick out the asphalt from his elbow. He was so brave and just let the doctor give him a shot. Then the funny boy chose a pink bandage to wrap it in.
This all happened as I was trying to get my computer fixed at the local computer shop in Rigby. The guy did something that fixed it and didn't even charge me. Now that's service.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for doctors that can fix a boys arm. And I'm grateful for Austin. He really is a sweet boy.

Happy Chickens

Happy Chickens

Tommy finished the chicken coop and the chickens love it. They are laying eggs and it's so easy to gather them. No more laying them in the field and all over the barn. I really love fresh farm eggs and I really love gathering them. It reminds me of when I was a kid and my job was to gather eggs every night. Sometimes the rooster would try to peck me but I gathered them anyway. Good memories!

Time to sit on the porch.

Tommy also finished my front porch. He put down Trex. You never have to do anything to it. Just my kind of deck. I am one lucky lady to have such a handy hubby.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for Tommy. We have grown old together and it's nice to have all the same memories to share.

The Newest Member of the Family

Cleo

Meet Cleo our newest animal on the farm. She is an LGD (livestock guard dog) and huge. I guess fainting goats need someone to protect them incase they faint at the wrong time. Who knew. A lady brought her to Harley from Sun Valley. Harley is so in love. Now we just have to get Molly to like her.
I went to Winco this morning and bought groceries. Then Tommy and I had to unload them and I put everything away. What a job.
It was snowy all day and the roads were so slick. I had to go a million places in it. But I made it and now I'm ready to go to bed.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for this sweet dog that makes Harley so happy. Heavenly Father knew what to create just for Harley. She is very blessed.

Influenza Struck

Tommy and I went to the Doctor on Tuesday and the doctor gave him a reference to a Cancer Center to decide what to do next, radiation or surgery. So that's our next step. He also got his records so he can take them to Dr. Collins in Payson if he decides he needs another opinion.
After coming home from the Doctor I made dinner for the kids and the Stake Relief Society was visiting sisters in the ward so I was a choosen one. It was nice to chat with them.
Sometime Tuesday night I woke up shaking and freezing. Tommy got me lots of blankets but nothing worked. I put on sweats and socks and everything. That was the start of the flu. Tommy had been sick over the weekend and bless his heart he shared with me. What a week. I'm not going to church today because I still have a back ache that I'm sure is cause by sleeping around the clock for 4 days. My body doesn't like laying in bed very well. I can't wait for tomorrow. I know all will be well and I am leaving this house for sure.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for all Heavenly Father has given me. I am going through a refiners fire and I am learning so much about myself. Some good and some bad. But we can't change what we don't recognize. I have a loving Heavenly Father that loves me. That I know. I have a Savior that died for me. That I know. I am led by a latter day Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. That I know. I am blessed through trials. That I know!!