Good Book

I've found a new author that I love to read: Jennifer Chiaverini. During Christmas break I was really into reading feel-good-read-fast books. One of the books I picked up was "The Christmas Quilt". It wasn't a fast read (mainly because school started back up and life got in the way), but it was VERY good!!! Last Saturday I picked up "Cross Country Quilters". I finished it and I'm starting on "The Runaway Quilt". They are all good, wholesome...and with a description like that you may think they'd be dull and boring, NOT SO! They are very entertaining.

I'm so glad that there are real people books out there. The real person really doesn't want smut and garbage in books. I consider myself a "real person" and I like to be uplifted and entertained. There are many writers who are "uplifters", but I don't always want to be uplifted in a self-help way per se. Sometimes I just want to read a story. (I don't want to have to work at it too hard either.) Does that make sense? If that's the mood you're in try one of her books. I think you'll like it.

On another note: today was Stake Conference. There are 27 missionaries out right now from Provo East Stake. Next Conference in 6 months, it's likely that Dibs will have his call or even be in the MTC. Tears run down my face...a mix of joy and sadness!

Sunday Thoughts

So what does it mean when I'm sitting in R.S. and I notice my chin aches. I felt like I had been smiling too long...and then that pain intensified and traveled from the right side of my jaw to the left. I could feel the pain "wave" across. I had to hold still and concentrate until the pain finally left. It's Weird. I thought--what does lockjaw feel like and WHY am I feeling this way. I'm not sure WHAT they were teaching at that point. That was interesting!!!! I'm guessing I should call and talk to my doctor tomorrow?! Maybe he'll tell me why my eye is (undetectable to others) twitching...so annoying!

Yesterday Dibs took a portfolio of his ceramic work and some of his paintings to the Springville Art Museum. Colleges from all over the state were there meeting "Artsy" High School Seniors . He really enjoyed it. He has fun showing his work and talking about it. He really is good and I think he's impressive for being so young, and having a fine collection of art he's created.

(I think I'd better eat something. I was Visiting Teaching earlier when they had food.)

Have I mentioned how much I truly love Sundays!!!! It's busier in some ways than a weekday, but it's good busy!

Jeff gave talk today in Church about the new Family Search Program. He is so fun to listen to. He has an interesting approach and gets people laughing, but feeling the Spirit too. I Love my Jeff!

I'm even gladder---yes the correct term is "more glad"--than I was LAST week, that it's the weekend. The air quality in Utah County is YIIIIICCCKKKKYY! It faintly reminds me of the movie "Soylent Green". I have a headache and I've had a throat-ache a lot this week.

Jeff and Dibs are at a Scout Biathlon (skiing and shooting). They get to pretend they are James Bond for a morning. Clarence is off to a Winter-guard Competition...flag and rifle twirling. She really enjoys it. Wacky is helping at Church where a sweet lady (Lilian Hayes) in our congregation is celebrating her 90th birthday. Side-note: yesterday there was a funeral in our building for another sweet lady who was 90....hmmmm.

The rest of us are here at home. Googs is persistently pleading to know when she can start selling Girl Scout Cookies. I am so happy to be inside the house and I'm going to kick Lila off of the sofa so I can take a nap, or maybe I'll go to bed. This headache is not fun! Googs just asked again. urgggg--adding to the headache.

Tonight Jeff and I are scheduled to go on a date. I hope I feel okby then and that he's not too worn out from the Scout thing. :)

Hallelujah! it's Friday!!!

This first week back to school has been LONG!!! I called and talked to Jolene the other night. She said Liberty Schools were to have reopened for school on Tuesday 5 Jan, but it was a "snow day". Wednesday was also a "snow day', AND they had called off Thursday & Friday too. So they had a 3 week break. Hopefully, it won't be closed on Monday.

I get to babysit a cute tiny baby today. Yeah!

Campout @ Jordan Pines in Little Cottonwood Canyon --- 28/29 December, 2009

They built their caves at the juncture of picnic tables. They slept under the tables---already made hollowness. SMART!!! As they slept another 6 or 8 inches of snow fell.
Standing around the firepit Jeff made from an old oil drum. Logan is on the far right.
Mark being protected from the falling snow. The central igloo opening in back. You can see the flatness of the tabletops just above and to the sides of the opening.
Burrowing...digging...

Jeff's comments on the campout: "We made a big snow cave and slept in it. Those that were prepared had a better time, but all had fun and learned a lot. We noticed that if you are prepared, ye shall not fear, but the fact you are not afraid does not mean you are prepared." He may have been referring to the guy who attended the campout without a sleeping bag?

I'm so glad they're home and safe!!!! Glad they had fun!

I am SOOOOO thankful to be involved in the Baptisms every month. It's such a good experience. I was honored to give the talk on Baptism today at the service. I gained insight into Baptism and its' sacredness that I can't express fully. Let me just tell you: I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They are real and they love .....me.... they REALLY do. They love YOU too!!!! Pray about it with real intent and you WILL get the answer. I so testify, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Happy 2010

Okay, I think it's an attainable goal to blog at least once a week....even if it's just a sentence.

Last night we were at Norm and Ingrid Sorensen's ringing in the New Year. Devin and Bethany Patrick were there, too. What an enjoyable time. Plenty of tasty snacks: pigs in a blanket, veggies and dip, fabulous salsa & chips, muddy buddies, crackers, juice....

By the way, It's so nice to have good friends who have children that get along well with our children!!! Blessings!

Balderdash is a fun game. It was funner last night because I was winning when we quit, but it's fun anyway. Ingrid noted early on in the game that the couples gave similar answers. It held that way throughout the game. Funny. We were on the same wave lengths---as well we should be. Blockus (or something like that) is another game we played. It was fast moving, simple, yet challenging. I think we need to get it.

The kids had a dance in the Dining Room. The teenagers went to the Umpteen-Stake-Dance and they came home by 11:30 to continue dancing. When Midnight hit the operative word truly was "HIT". The Young'uns grabbed every available pot and pan (and even the pizza cutter) and ran outside to hit and bang, and make as much noise as possible. After that Ingrid brought out some Fizzy Lifting Drink (otherwise known as Martinelli's Sparkling Cider) and we all sipped the yummy stuff. The dance lasted a tad longer, we took our cue from the Patrick's and we knew we should go home.

The ONLY problem with hanging out with the Sorensen's (and it was that way with the Patrick's last night, too) is that we eventually have to leave each other. We like being together so much, it's a downer when we have to part...that's the way I feel... I know that might sound weird, but it's our reality! Kindred Spirits. :)

This year should be fab! Here's hoping it's fantastic for you, too!