New Years Eve

I'm not a big fan of New Years Eve, truth be I think it's kind of a stupid Holiday! I struggle with change and the New Years always brings plenty of that, plus it's kind of boring. I'm pretty sure we will spend the night eating food and watching movies. Maybe we will play a game or two - Dave will love that - NOT!

My goal for this upcoming year is to be more organized. I haven't been good at that lately, hence the huge stack of papers that need to be filed or shredded. 2010 I'll be better at keep things organized. Wish me luck!

Happy New Year, may 2010 be a year of good things and joy!

Hurray it's down!

I always love to get all my Christmas decorations up and my tree decorated, but even more so, I love it when it all comes down. Everything feels so empty, bare and CLEAN! I'm not completeley to the clean part, but everything is down and put away. Tomorow I need to finish dusting and vacum 1 more time. I usually wait until after New Years to take all my things down, but it is a great feeling to have Christmas "put away" - so to speak. Now we can begin the New Year clean and organized. Maybe that's an indication of how the upcoming year will be - haha!

Last night was our Griffin family party. That's my mom's side of the family. Although we don't do much with them now that my mom and grandma our gone, it was alot of fun spending time with my cousins and aunts and uncles. We did a pot luck dinner - always interesting. Aparently alot of us thought alike. 3 crock pots full of little smokies. After dinner we played a game. Everyone had to bring a $5 gift that started with the letter "G" (Jenny's idea, it's kind ofher thing this year - whatever!) I ended up with grape jelly, Dave got goldfish which he traded with Jessy because she got a dvd of 17 hours of "gore". Kassy brought home germX hand sanatizer and Cody was the biggest winner with 2 6 packs of gatorade. Which I brought, but he wasn't willing to trade. He has almost half of them gone already, he has shared with Kassy, nice little guy! All in all it was a fun night. Would have been better had mom and grandma been there, but still it was good to be around family for the holidays.

After the party, Jessy ended up going to Kelly and Michelle's for a sleepover with Bailey. When I went to pick her up, she was a zombie. Michelle said they had stayed up late and watched "Twilight". What the heck. I admit openly that I am a HUGE fan of The Twilight series, but I haven't let Jessy watch it yet. I told her we would 1 of these first days - TOGETHER. All I can say is, "they are darn lucky she slept the rest of the night". Jessy is a pretty sensitive girl, doesn't like scarey AT ALL! Oh well, what do you do. Life moves on and on and on!

Speaking of moving on and on - it's almost 2010. Still can't believe it. where does the time go?!

Griffin Family Christmas Party

Had our annual family party with the Griffin's. Super fun - give more details tomorow. Night!

"Im so Bored"

How is it that only 2 days after Christmas my kids are already complaining about being bored? How can that be possible? I don't understand!!!! It could be a long week!

Last Day

Sad day....it was my last day in young womens. I miss the girls already!

The Day After

All the hype and now it's over. I can hardley believe it. My recycle bin runneth over with all the packages and paper from everything we have opened. I think the kids have tried out everything!

I start to get antsy after it's all over because of all the messes. Even though I will be sad to see my tree come down, as well as all my Christmas decorations, I love it when things are all put away and back to normal. Don't get my wrong, I love it when it goes up, but everything has it's season and the Christmas season is about over. Next week, it all comes down and the new year begins. To 2010 - may it be a great year!

Took the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks - The Squeakqual. Hmmmm, interesting. Dave didn't come with us because he and his brother were putting lights up. No not Christmas lights, canister lights around the house. They look AWESOME! Yea!

Merry Christmas

It came, it was Merry, and now it's over!

Meet Kalea

It's Christmas Eve and I wanted to take a quick minute and inroduce you to our new dog Kalea! She was an early gift to the kids!

WELCOME KALEA!

Merry Christmas!

READY!!!

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to pull everything off, but I did. I am ready for Christmas!!! As for Dave, that is another story. Him and the kids are going shopping tonight. That should be interesting!

Almost there!

Just spent the last couple of hours wrapping presents and Hooray, I am almost done. Gotta go run and grap a couple of last minute things and then I'll be ready. Good thing, Christmas is only 3 Sleeps away!

Whew - What a Day!

Got lots done today. Started at the gym at 5:30, came home got kids off to school, next took a shower, then wrapped, wrapped, wrapped. Can you get Carpel Tunnel from wrapping? I feel a little bit better about Christmas being 4 sleeps away. I helped out in Jessy's class, ran a couple of errands, picked up kids, rushed home, got Jessy ready for gymnastics, picked up a couple more gifts, dropped a few gifts off, grabbed a pizza - gobbled it down quick, went to Cody's 1st grade concert. May I just add he was the best singer there, and so stinkin CUTE. What a stud. After that we wasted a few minutes at Jordan Landing until it was time for our friend Lexi's dance recital. The kids are now all tucked in their bed. Blog entry is done, and I am going to go CRASH. Night!

1 last thing. I was sad to hear about the passing of Brittney Murphy. I thought she was a great actress. 1 of my favorite movies stares her and Ashton Kutcher - Just Married. If you haven't seen it, do, it's funny! Sad to see such a young stars life cut short.

A Day I was Dreading and Other Stuff

I've known for almost 2 weeks that I was being released from Young Womens. To some this might come as a relief, but for me it was DEVESTATING! I asked Brother Egbert several times if he was sure this was what was supposed to happen. He assured me that it was. I'm going to have to reley heavily on faith to get me threw this release. STRUGGILING! I miss the girls already. It has been hard to go to Young Womens the past few weeks and not burst into tears. I just want the girls to know how much I love them and how grateful I am for the opportunity I had to work with them. I know they are being left in good hands, but still it was hard to be "let go" after only a year. Just so they know I am sooooo coming to girls camp, even if I have to sneak in a duffle bag to get there!

Quick shout out to Chelsea and Kristen for sharing their talents today in Sacrament meeting. I have always known that Chelsea was a powerful, strong, and spiritual giant, but today she proved it even further. The talk she gave in church today was way beyong her years - impressive to say the least. Way to go Chelsea. Kristen performed a musical number on her Chello - took my breath away. Incredible doesn't even begin to cover how beautiful it sounded. What amazing Young Women. Honestly I feel as if these girls are the leaders not in need of leaders. They are going to do amazing things in their futures. Please continue to include me in your lives!!!! Can't forget LuAnn, Chelsea's mom. Her talk was incredible as well. I have always loved LuAnn and thought she was a neat lady, furthered my admiration for her today. Cody's been lucky to have her as his primary teacher this last year - He loves you LuAnn, he's gonna miss you.

On a positive note, I got put in as the Activity Day Girls Leader. Exciting part about that is Jessy starts coming in January, after she turns 8. I was glad she was excited about me being put in there, I wasn't sure how she would feel about that. I have some huge shoes to fill. Toni Worthington has been the leader for along time and she did the funnest things. Wish me luck!

Tonight the kids went with their Aunt Jenny to help her deliver her neighbor gifts. One of the perks of having kids is having them run your errands! It's very quiet at my house right now. I am expecting them home any minute now. It's a school day tomorow and it's time to get to bed.

While the kids were gone, you will never believe who came to our house tonight. It was Santa!!!! Can you believe it. To bad the kids missed him. I am pretty sure it was the real Santa, his beard didn't even look fake. I took a picture of him and Dave so I would have proof to show the kids when they got home. We saw Santa last night when we went to Grandpa Mike's house. He must be working on the naughty or nice list. Better make sure you are on task because Christmas is almost here.

Here are some pictures of todays Christmas outfits. I think everyone looked FABULOUS. Jessy got mad at something so there is no smiling for her, not like that is anything new. Cody on the other hand was all smiles and Kassy was somewhere in between. Gotta love pictures!

Karey and Kassy

Is that a hint of a smile that I see on not only Jessy's face but Dave's as well? Oh my gosh, it is a Christmas miracle!

Christmas is 5 sleeps away. Almost ready, are you?

SIX More Sleeps

Tonight we went to see the Luminars at the Cemetary. It was beautiful like always. I threw a few kisses to my favorite Angels. This time of year is when I miss mine and Dave's mom the MOST! They both loved Christmas.

Tomorow is the Sunday before Christmas, everyone has a new outfit to wear. The kids are gonna look so cute. Jessy's skirt is the coolest. Kassy and I both wish it would have come in our sizes. Black and Silver is this years color scheme. I'll post a picture tomorow.

Just FYI, there are six sleeps until Christmas!

AGHHHHHH!!!!

Christmas is in 1 WEEK! Are you ready???? I am almost there, got a few odds and ends, but the main stuff is finally purchase! HURRAY!!

Tonight Dave and I are going to Park City with some people from his work - Good Food, Good Friends, that's what the holidays are all about. My little brother and his wife are coming over to watch Jessy and Cody. Did I mention before that they are having a BABY! I am trying to prepare them for the "fun" of parenthood. Kassy is going to a show at the Clark Planatirium, dinner and ice skating with a friend. Talk about action packed evening.


Went to the gym again this morning. I can still barely walk, my legs are soooo stiff. Luckily we worked arms today, my arms aren't as wimpy as my legs. Love the feel of a good work out.

Happy Friday! Just think, in a week from now Christmas will almost be OVER!

Holiday Hussle

I'm smack dab in the middle of the holiday hussle and boy is it crazy. Today was a very successful shopping day, YEA! I wrapped up ALOT of things...it was great! Now if only all those things would just wrap themselves. 1 week from tonight is Christmas Eve, No pressure - haha. I'll be ready and if I'm not, it will come anyway!

My legs are burning something fierce. If you see me walking funny know that it is all thanks to Charity and Sandra, they are wipping me into shape - OUCH, I can barely walk. Gotta love suqats, lunges and dead lifts. I think tomorow is our arm work out, if all goes well I won't be able to move them by Saturday. Don't take me wrong, I am loving it, and in a weird, painful way, it feels great. I am so glad to finally have someone to go to the gym with. It's funner to go with others, plus it helps keep me motivated. Gotta love 5:30 am - NOT!

Not Working For Me

I can't say that it's been a bad day, but I can't say that it's been good either, a bit of both. Tonight, however, it's not working for me. Just can't bring myself to do any more than this. Sorry! Tomorow will be better.....I hope!

Great Concert

Way to go West Jordan Middle School Choirs, you rocked the auditorium! The 8th and 9th graders did a good job, but I have to admit I think the 7th graders totally had it going on! Way to go!! Kassy is a great singer, I am so proud of her, and she looked so dang cute tonight. I wonder if a certain boy (I won't name names) thought the same thing! How could he not, he would have had to be blind not to think so! Thanks to those of you who came and supported Kassy tonight. It meant alot to her as well as to me. We have such awesome friends and family members that we can always count on - thanks again. I took some pictures, I'll have to post them tomorow, Dave is on the computer that I down load pictures to. (Homework Time - OH JOY, and I don't mean the Christmas kind of Joy.)

Today I got a few more things done on my Christmas List. My goal is to have everything done by Saturday so that next week I can wrap, deliver, and spend time with my family. We'll see how that goes. I can't believe that tomorow brings single didget days until Christmas - 9 days, WOW!

Started out questionable - turned out to be a better day

I wasn't sure today was going to be a better day than yesterday when we woke up to discover our power had been out for awihle. It was extra cold in the house and dark, it would have been a perfect day to stay in bed - I was tempted, but we got everyone up and out the door all by candle light. After getting everyone off I began working on my Christmas Lists.....Yea, I love lists!!! I've been feeling a bit behind, but working on my lists helped a great deal! I then made my way down town to get new tires on the Tahoe - my they look good (whatever!) Really, thanks Dave for making sure my car is safe for Utah driving. My little brother (dad-to-be) and I then went to lunch. It was fun spending time with him, I always enjoy our conversations. Did I mention he is going to be a dad in June. I'm a bit excited about that! I then went and did a bit of Christmas shopping. Found a couple of PERFECT Gifts! Made my day as well as helped with my Christmas spirit. Next I ran to pick up kids from school, got Jessy off to gymnastics, home for a quick dinner, than off for a ride to look at Christmas Lights, I LOVE looking at Christmas Lights - I recomend Christmas Street. After a rough start, it turned out to be a pretty good day!

Hope you all had a marvelous Monday! Enjoy what's left off it!

PS. Thanks LuAnn for your comment on my Blog - your comments always make me feel better, and yes Dawn, I think a support group would be a good idea. Why is it that we women have a tendency to see our flaws not our strengthes? Hmmmm, first meetings topic! lol

Great Lesson - Thanks Heather

Today in Young Womens, Heather gave a great lesson. It was a lesson that I needed. I have a tendency to look at all of my faults and the things I am not good at rather then the things I do well and my positive traits (what are those again?) First Heather had us write our names on a piece of paper then put it under our chair. Next, on a different piece of paper, she had us all write down things that we saw as faults in ourselves. I didn't have enough time to write all of mine down or enough paper. Then she had us scratch off things that we couldn't change - I still had a super long list. Why is it that it's so easy for us to see the negative about ourselves, but so hard to see the positive? After going through our lists, we put our chairs in a circle and got our papers with our names on them. We passed the papers around the circle and everyone wrote something down about that person that impressed them. It was easy for me to write down positive things about the young women, they are all astonding girls who do marvelous things and will go places in their lives. However, if I would have had to write down positive things about myself, I don't think I could have come up with very many, if any. It was touching to read the things that others wrote down about me, your kind words helped lift my spirit. I will keep my card forever and read it often - especially on those days when I am feeling down and can't find the positives. Thanks Heather for such a powerful lesson and thanks girls and leaders for your kind words. They really helped me on a day when I was feeling down and not very strong. I love you guys - you really do teach me more than I think I possibly ever teach you.

Have a Super Sunday!

Lucky #13

13 of my favorite things about the Christmas Season:
1. Shopping the day after Thanksgiving
2. The Christmas Tree - when it's all done
3. Finding the Perfect Gift
4. Christmas Cards with pictures so I can see everyones family
5. Giving to others
6. The lights at Temple Square
7. Driving around the neighborhood to find who's house is decorated the BEST
8. Christmas Treats - Yummy
9. Reading Christmas books with my family
10. Spending time with family and friends
11. Wrapping presents
12. My kids faces on Christmas morning
13. Remembering the true meaning of Christmas - The Savior and his love for each of us!

Only 13 days until Christmas!

2 Weeks From Now...

Is it just me, or did Christmas come early this year? I am sure that someone stole a few days from the month cause there is no way that it is already December 11th! Usually by this time I have made lists and lists of things I've done, what I need to do, who has what, who needs what, I've started wrapping presents, and my neighbor gifts are ready to go. So not the case this year!!!! Neighbor gifts are no where near being ready, no gifts have been wrapped, and I wrote my first list today - it wasn't very impressive, Santa would be disappointed, hope he is doing better than I am this year. My question to all of you is, are you ready for Christmas or are you feeling behind like me? If you are ready, lie to me so I don't feel bad. If you aren't ready, I wish you good luck!

Hope this weekend finds you all "wrapping up" your holiday preparations! Happy Friday!

Frozen Pipes

I like snow, I like winter, but even I have my limits and the past few days temperatures are pushing them (or should I say freeeeezing them?) The temperature is a bit cold for my liking. Anything below 30 is just too darn cold. The pipes in my laundry room agree with me! I tried to do a batch of laundry and much to my dismay discovered that our pipes were frozen. Luckily not bad enough to burst. I turned the heat up to 80 and opened the heat vent in the laundry room all the way. Sat the floor heater on top of the washer and angled it at the wall, placed a bin under the faucets, shut the door and hoped for the best! After about an hour the pipes thawed out and water started flowing - glad I put the pins down. YEA!!! Dave said I need to run the washer everyday to keep the pipes from freezing again. Oh boy won't that be super fun! Truthfully I am just glad it was an easy fix. We had this happen once before and we ended up having to tear out the wall! What a pain, so I guess I'll be happy with doing a batch of laundry everyday!

I can't believe it is already Thursday - Wow where is the time going? Only 14 more days until Christmas. Better get your shopping done!

Waiting - Not so patiently

Have a headache that is wanting to be a migraine. Gotta love drugs, now all I have to do is wait for them to kick in. Not happening fast enough!

Snow Day #2 - LOVE IT

Dave came into our room this morning and said, "It snowed last night. I have to go to a meeting, but I'll come home and shovel after I am done - if you want me to, I know you like to shovel." I said, "heck no, I've got it!" I hopped out of bed and went out to shovel. Like I said yesterday, some of you might think I am weird for liking snow while others, I've leardned, like it as well - Yea LuAnn. However, you all might question my sanity when I say I LOVE TO SHOVEL SNOW! I'm not exactly sure why, but I just LOVE IT! My favorite is first thing in the morning when no one else has been out and it's untouched and perfect! I also love it late at night when it's dark, the snow sparkles and makes everything seem kind of magical. Snow like todays snow was the best, not to wet or heavy, I felt as if I was in a snow globe. It was fabulously fun! I will admit I am a bit sore from my shoveling (as well as my arm workout from the gym yesterday), but that is all part of the fun - feel the burn, love the burn! Dave has suggested buying a snowblower, I'm not sure how I feel about that... it might take away from the "fun" of it! Hope you all enjoy the snow - you have to admit it makes everything look beautiful! Just so you don't think I am to weird, I HATE TO DRIVE IN IT!

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Snow Day

I know there are many of you that don't like the snow, but I LOVE IT! Can't say that I love the cold, but I do love the snow. It makes everything so clean and pretty and fills me with HOPE. Hope is one of my favorite things in the world, somedays it's the only thing that keeps me going. Hope that things will work out, Hope that we will make it through crazy times, Hope for happiness in the future, and Hope for greater things to come! This Holiday Season I wish for all of you to have HOPE in your lives.

Have a Marvelous Monday!

Seconds to Spare

Again, laying in my bed, almost asleep, when I realized I hadn't blogged for the day. So.....Blog!
Night!

Just Chillin on Saturday!

Not alot going on today, just hangin out at home. Have a Super Saturday!
(I know pretty boring, just not alot to say today.)

Coke in Hand - Thighs Burning

As many of you know I am addicted to Coca-Cola! My addiction has gotten pretty bad lately, I need to have at least 32 oz of Coke almost every day. Plus it has to be "good" coke, not grossy 7 Eleven coke, theres is terrible. Bateman's is ok, but the best coke comes from Apollo Burger or Hires (with vanilla - darn near Heaven). Do you think it might be time for an intervention? - or not! My coke looks so beautiful sitting next to me, it makes me smile just looking at it, knowing it is there for me to have a sip of when ever I want! Slurp, slurp - ahhh so yummy! Seriously though, don't mess with my COKE! lol Again, slurp, slurp!

I use to be really good at going to the gym, but when I pulled a muscle earlier this year and got migraines, (Which by the way I drank ALOT of Coke to help with the pain! Gotta, love it when the doctor tells you to drink caffine!) I stopped going. Anyway, after that I slacked off. I told myself all summer long that I was getting my exercise with the "stuff" I was doing with my kids. Unfortunatley Jeans don't lie so when I put my favorite pair of Jeans on and they didn't fit right, I decided it was time to hit the weights. I tried the 5:30 am thing again and I just couldn't do it so I started going after I dropped my kids off. I like 8:30 am alot better, but I felt as if I was wasting alot of my day. Still I couldn't seem to drag myself out of bed to make it any earlier. I was talking to my visiting teacher on Sunday and she told me that her and another lady in the ward go to the gym at 5:30 am. I got invited to go with them, YEA, finally someone to go with. Don't take me wrong, I still don't like going at 5:30 am, but when you have someone to go with it makes it alot easier plus, they have routines that they do. Somedays I felt as if my efforts were wasted due to my lack of knowledge of what weights to use and not having a routine! Thanks to Charity and Sandra for including me in their "fun"! This morning we did squats, lunges, dead lifts, and several other leg burning machines. It was GREAT! I honestly love the burn, it feels fabulous! I really thought I would be stiffer then I am, maybe my efforts haven't all been in vain after all!

Hope you all have a fun Friday!

Christmas is here!

The tree is decorated, the decorations are all in place, lights are twinkiling outside on the house (replaced the set that was out), and the calendar is filling up quickly. The Christmas season is here!

Happy Thursday!

Kudos to the YM

Way to go River 4th Ward YM for planning a great joint activity. Home made cards and cookies to be deliverd to people in the ward to boost their spirits this Holiday Season. Good Job!

Happy Wednesday!

Barely Made IT!

11:56 pm. I was laying in my bed, pondering my day, when I realized I hadn't blogged. Can't break my groove, now that I've got it on!

Official Christmas Tree Light count: 2800! That might change tomorow because ! of the branches looks bare, so I might have to go buy a set of 50 to fix it. I don't think I can handle it not being as bright as the rest of the branches. Hmmmm can you say OCD?!

Time is now 11:58. Logging off for the night. Happy 2 minutes left of Tuesday! NIGHT!