276 days to go

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I is for "I am lewis"...

Refer to past blogs for the reason.

277 days to go

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is for... Hooray for a fun family. Tonight's get together with our extended family was so fun. No I didn't get a goal, but I did play some pretty amazing frisby. Spell check is telling me I should spell it Frisbee- is that right? Oh well, you know what I mean. I am glad we had so many people come and I think it is amazing how we all came from the same little grandma Lillian. What an exciting group... hooray for a fun family!

278 days to go

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is for goalllllllll...

That is what I plan to get many of tomorrow. It is our first extended family get together of the year. We are meeting at a family member's ward. We will playing indoor soccer, basketball and volleyball. There will be board games for those who don't want to sweat, as well as treats to share. I sure hope everyone comes. I know it would make grandma smile to see us all together even though she is gone. If anyone has any other fun ideas for next year be prepared to share them tomorrow. We will start compiling a list of possibilities now. Don't forget next month is dinner at the Roof across from Temple Square!

279 days to go

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is for fruitcake...

I admit it, I like fruitcake. I am the only one in all of North America who does. I'm not sure how they feel about it South America or the rest of the world. I have never been given one, while those who hate them receive them all the time. I feel so much better having confessed. p.s. I have actually bought one before, imagine that.

280 days to go

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is for Exhausted...

sorry guys, we just got done with our tax man and I don't know why but I am exhausted. It really drains me. The good news is that we do get a refund! My head is spinning with numbers and questions. I will do better tomorrow on F day.

281 days to go

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is for DARN taxes...

We just got done getting all my business paperwork in order for our meeting tomorrow with the tax man. So I am stressed and tired. I will see you tomorrow on E day!

282 days to go

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is for Chickadee.....

A chickadee is a small bird in the titmouse family. They have a unique song that sounds like chick-a-dee-dee-dee. I can remember hearing their song a lot up in Afton Wyoming. There was a large pasture behind my dad's house there. Every morning I would be awakened by the lovely song of the ckickadees. Afton is a beautiful small town where my dad was born and raised. When his mom died he got the house he grew up in. As a kid we spent many weeks there as he remodeled and worked on the house. I was able to know many of my "kin folks" in Star Valley. The house still stands and I wish I could take a trip back to that beautiful valley to hear a chickadee's song.

283 days to go

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is for boys

Obviously I love my girls, all three of them have been a pleasure. I have to admit though, it is so fun having these 2 boys join our family. It is a whole different world. I would love to have known them when they were little. I can imagine Steven playing with his transformers. What about a "little" Jon? That is funny to imagine. Anyway, they have been a blessing to us; Chelsea loves her big brothers. I am so proud of the way they take care of my daughters and granddaughters. These "boys" have become outstanding men.

284 days to go

26 days of me... A to Z

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is for APPLE.

When we lived at our house on Lovely Road we had an apple tree in the back yard. I loved that tree. In the spring it had the most beautiful blossoms. It would literally be covered with them. If you stood under the tree and looked straight up, it was like a canopy of pure white. In the summer the girls enjoyed climbing the tree. Crystal would spend hours there. She would take books and a treat and a soft blanket and I would not see her for hours. In the autumn we would all go out and rake up the leaves. I have some cute pictures of the girls jumping in huge piles of leaves. One year Crys and Anj decided they really wanted a trampoline. They came up with a plan to sell apples from our tree to help pay for the new trampoline. We made some cute brown bags and packaged the apples. The girls went about selling and believe it or not they did well. I can't remember how much they made, but it was a good chunk! They got their tramp and, I think, enjoyed it even more because of their contribution.

285 days to go

I am babysitting the babies of children I babysat! Say that 3 times. One little girl I tended in the early 80's has a set of twins. They are 2 years old and are now coming to my daycare. They remind me so much of their mom at that age. The little people I spend my day with are so genuine. I am lucky to know them before the world gets ahold of them and begins to change them. I feel like I get to know their true selves. I am lucky to be so trusted by their families. I love my job!

286 days to go

When I was a little girl my mom had to work an afternoon shift which ment she was not home in the evening. My dad was at home, but was usually out working in his shop. My big sister, Shonnie was the one who ended up bathing, feeding and putting to bed Paul and I. She was a teenager at the time and I am sure there were a hundred other things she would have rather been doing. I have never told her thank you for being there for us, but now I do realize what a sacrifice she made for my brother and I. We never felt any resentment from her only love. Thank you Shonnie.

287 days to go

I will catch up tomorrow.

289 days to go

It is funny how a hot pot of bean soup can bring our family together. This time it was my turn to provide it and everyone came over to enjoy a favorite meal together. The recipe is one Miguel grew up loving in El Salvador. Luckily, my son in laws also enjoy eating this yummy soup. It has to cook all day, so by the time it is ready to be eaten all our mouths are watering. Some ripe avocados and sour cream along with fresh made rice equals heaven. Andrea, time to be a grown up....

290 days to go

It was Chelsea's turn to choose lunch and a movie today. Surprise she chose the Little People, Big World marathon and Taco Bell. I have to admit I have a great time hanging out with that girl. Funniest thing she said today... "Dad your belly is distinguished". Silliest thing she did today... she asked for a ride to a neighbor's house (hasn't she seen that commercial?)Nicest thing she did today... she gave her dad a back message after work .

291 days to go

We have a new camera, thanks to my girls, and I have taken some really cute pictures. The problem is getting them from there to here. Be patient I am working on it. That is this weeks goal. I have some more reading to do in the manual so I am signing off!

292 days to go

I just got done playing with Chelsea on i tunes. What a funny girl, she bought albums by Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Johnny Mathis and Patsy Cline. Where did she come from? She could probably share tunes with her friends at orchid society.

293 days to go

The earthquake in Haiti has got me thinking. Time to get ready people! Things are happening. We have been given warning after warning. As I have been reading the Book of Mormon with Chelsea, I have been impressed that time is short. I will be going to the Sandy dry Pack each month again. I am shooting for the first Tuesday of each month. If anyone has been thinking about going, but may be a little nervous about going for the first time; come with me. I can show you the ropes, it's easy and even a little fun.

294 days to go

I have been working in my day care room. I am sorting and thinning out toys and curriculum. Feels good. I think it is going to be a long process. Tired. Goodnight!

395 days to go

Is the date really January 13th, because I am pretty sure I have spring fever. Today I took some clippings from the impatients I brought in last fall. They are sitting on my window sill and by June they will be amazing out in my planters. I am so glad that I have developed a love for plants and flowers. Sometimes I feel so happy when a beautiful bloom opens up. I love the miracle of putting a small seed in a bit of dirt and ending up with a beautiful plant. It is also fun to be able to share a little with Chelsea as she is becoming so wise about her orchids and other plants. If you have ever wondered about your own green thumb , I highly suggest checking it out.

296 days to go

The family blog has been redone and is now public, so you no longer need and invitation to view it. You can get to it from my blog favorites. Family members, let's use it. Please check it often and pass word along to others it is open. Hope to see everyone at this months get-to-gether!

297 days to go

So the plan is to have a little date with Abs and Ads once a month. We will choose a different adventure and document it with photos. At the end of the year we will have a photo book 12 pages long to remember our "Year of Adventures". As Chelsea mentioned tonight was not quite what we had planned, but we all agreed it was FUN. We will post pictures later. Man did it bring back memories of past adventures with my own two little girls. I don't know how I did it then, thank goodness for Chelsea tonight!

298 days to go

3 things I like about you... Sunday

1. We now have, as Chelsea calls it, the golden hour. That is the 11:00 time slot for church.

2. The "lalligag" as we call it around here. Translation: not feeling as though there is pressure to get a lot done. Just relax.

3. Recharged to do better this week than the week past.

299 days to go.. .in the two hundreds!!!!!

Happy Birthday Miguel.

-lunch at Red Lobster with all the kids

-birthday cake from Sooo Cupcake with Nielsen's frozen custard

-new Blueray player and Star Trek DVD

-a family who loves you

300 days to go

Out of town for tonight . I'll blog more tomorrow.

301 days to go

Crystal and Abby came over for a visit and brought me lunch today. I sure do miss that little toad when Crys is off track. The kids were laying down for nap so we were able to have a lovely visit. Another reason I love my job.

302 days to go

Seeing Abby's picture on crystal's blog brought back memories. The photo is of Abby swimming with her dad. Way back when Crystal was a baby, she loved to go swimming with her dad. I was pregnant with Andy at the time so I would sit in the bleachers and enjoy the show. We lived at 1593 Major Street at the time. This address happens to right across from South High School on State Street (now the south campus of the Community College). They had a lovely big swimming pool and sooo cheep. It was a great way for a little daddy daughter bonding on a budget. He was very tender with her and she loved having her dad all to herself. Oh the days before DVR and the busy lives we lead.

303 days to go

I guess she wasn't board.

304 days to go

Tomorrow the state office of child care is sending a student from USU to my house. She will be doing a 4 hour observation of "Quality Child Care." Really? Sure hope I don't disappoint. She might get board and leave early- good plan!

305 days to go

BLOG POST IDEA...

Advice I wish I hadn't been given

When I got married I was given the sage advice to never go to sleep mad. Might be great advice for some people, not for me. All it did was make for some really long madnesses. I say, go to sleep and quite possibly in the morning you won't even be in the mood to be mad!

306 days to go

I want to go look for Bald Eagles. It is one of my favorite things to do. If you head south on highway 89 this time of year you will see them. That is not exactly true, I can't tell you how many people just whizzz by when right in front of them is a national treasure.These amazing birds in the wild will take your breath away. If you take a minute and enjoy their majesty, you will feel your heart beat a little faster and will understand in that moment, why this bird was chosen to represent our brave new country!

307 days to go

We are about to have a video evening so I will be quick. Today we went out for lunch with anj and steve at mimi's.DELICIOUS .

New Years eve was so quiet and peaceful. That just sounds wrong, but it was fun to spend it quietly with the one I love. Party next year for sure. Code words " It will be so weird to not use a one anymore..."