Anticipation

It seems that these days kids get what they need/want at the moment. They don't have to wait for birthdays or holidays to get their heart's desires. But there are times when they are left to anxiously anticipate events to come. It is very fun to watch the process and even better when the event meets or beats the expectations.

Aubrey and her best friend, Hannah, received a fun Christmas gift from their moms. (Is it okay to just say that Heidi and I rock?! That feels wrong! ha, ha!) They were each granted a certificate good for one lunch at the American Girl Store in Los Angeles. They knew that we would drive them, and pay for lunch, but it was up to them to save their money and purchase what they wanted. They were thrilled! (And yes, Heidi and I accept that we're cheap and love that our girls are okay with that!)

The girls even dressed up for their big day. They are growing up so fast and are so beautiful. The cafe is beautiful and the chandeliers are over the top. I bummed I didn't get a picture. Note the cute high chairs they give the girls to put their dolls right up to the table. It was pricey, but it was so fun.

One of the things the girls did was leave their dolls at the store to get their hair done. The wait was over an hour before their dolls' appointment, so we went out shopping at "The Grove". Great weather, great company, great girls' day! We got home tired, but we all loved it!

We went 3 years ago, and the girls were so excited. We noticed that the luster of the dolls has worn off as the girls are growing up. I'm sure this will be their last trip to American Girl, but we are already planning to keep this a tradition of a girls' day. We'll have to come up with something new next year! :)

Moving on, Jon has been anxiously awaiting the day when he could compete in the Pinewood Derby. He got his car and started on his design right away. He worked with Brian who taught him how to cut the wood, sand it down, paint the design, and perfect it as best he could. He named the car Shark Bait.
He proved to be a really good sport. He didn't pout when he lost a race, and he didn't boast when he won. The people in charge of the event did an amazing job decorating and organizing it. With the computer set up to rank the races, it was very quick. Jon was thrilled when he learned that he came in 3rd place!

More Home Improvements

I was just going to label this entry, "Home Improvements", but I think I've already used that one. Besides, I have a feeling there are going to be many more of these same types of entries throughout the next year. :)

1. Bees Were Buzzing ...


This by far was the most interesting and entertaining. When we moved into the house we knew there was a bee infestation on the roof. We were told it had been there a couple of months and we were credited some money to get rid of the critters.

We finally got someone out to see if they could remove them all without killing them. Turns out the bees weren't in the roof, but rather in the wall behind the chimney. The only way to get them out would be to open the wall into the living room and let them free. NOT an option. We decided we'd be okay if they killed the little guys.

When the guy opened up the wall, the honey just started to drip out. He said there were probably 10,000 bees in there and they must have been there for more than a year. While the man was scraping the honey combs out I asked him how often he gets stung. He replied by asking, "what, you mean right now? Uhhh, about 4 already." He didn't even flinch.


In total about 4 or 5 honey combs were removed. No telling how much honey. Sadly, we have oleander trees in our back yard, and were advised the honey could be poisonous. It sure smelled sweet in the house though. Kinda reminded me of one of my favorite books, "The Secret Lives of Bees".


2. Pond Scum ...

We didn't do good with before and after pictures here. When we moved into the house we were a little nervous about the cute pond with the little bridge in the backyard. We had no idea how to take care of it. There were fish in there, but no telling how many. We couldn't see them. The previous owner told us we didn't have to do anything for them (regarding food, etc) that they just ate what was in the pond. It was so over run with lily pads and gunk, there was no telling what they had to eat. Our only hint was the time Chance jumped into the pond and came out smelling something like ROT.


The nicest guys came out to clean out the pond. These bags are all filled with the gunk on the bottom of the pond. Seriously, there was a least 2 feet of scum on the bottom. They said they'd never seen a pond so neglected.

There aren't any after pictures of their awesome work since it's basically just an empty pool. We can't replace the plants until spring, so I'll try to put in an update when it looks nice. The good news is we are now able to see that we have at least 15 fish and will inherit 3 more (thanks to our new friends at the pond and garden shop). Another bonus is that now that it's so peaceful to sit by the pond and listen to the water fall, I was back there long enough to notice a hummingbird fly to its nest. I guess our neglected trees have been a haven for little birds. I wonder how many little birds we'll have around come spring.

Holiday in Review

I thought I would have updated the blog by now, but I'm a little slow. Let's do some catch up.

1. House Guest

Brandon wanted to bring this cute little guy home from his science class. He's a boa constrictor, about 6 feet long. Not all that cuddly, but pretty cool. We got to feed him live rats, which about made me hurl. I used to have rats as pets, and watching them become dinner was a little sad. Seeing how quick the snake went to work on them was very impressive.


2. Projects

Over the holidays, I decided to make this baby quilt for a sister in the ward who just had a baby. I'm her visiting teacher, and not quite sure if we're connecting. She's not a member, but is super nice. Aubrey helped me pick the fabric. It was a fun project and turned out pretty cute.


3. Family Traditions

I think Brian is still shocked by how beautiful the weather is here during winter. For the last few years we've made it our Christmas Eve tradition to go on a family hike. This year we went up a new trail that ended at a nice lake. It was a fabulously warm day. The kids were extra eager, and Chance was thrilled to be part of the fun. To be honest, we started the tradition with ulterior motives. The long hike would leave the kids exhausted and fast asleep very early so we had lots of hours to take care of things. This year it did NOTHING! The only ones tired from the trip were me, the dog and Brian. Aubrey stayed up until after 11:30 pm and Jon woke up at 4 am because he was too excited to wait. Brian and I didn't go to sleep until after 1 am. We were busy putting together the new foosball table. (Fun Fact: during college I earned the nickname "Kimbo the Barbarian" because of my mad foosball playing skills.) I guess next year, we'll have to re-think our family hike. It might be a family triathlon in order to get these kids tired! Ha!


4. Holiday Quiz

We were a little late with this one. We decided to make gingerbread houses this year. We did the graham cracker version. And we finally got around to it way after Christmas. Still, it was a fun family night. Brandon got a little graphic with his war scenes. The gummy bears impaled with candy cane sticks were a little too much for this G-rated blog. So, you get to see this creation. Can you guess what famous building it is?

Joy In The New Year

I stole this picture from a girlfriend's blog (thanks, Trish) as it really intrigued me. I'm not really a resolution setter, more of a goal breaker within a couple of weeks. However, I really like this thought of creating JOY in our own lives.

"JOY" is our family theme during the holidays. During my mission, my mission President's wife gave a lesson about using JOY to help direct our focus. Things should be done in order:

Jesus first
then Others
finally, think of Yourself.

Trish used this phrase in a UFO (UnFinishedObjects) challenge regarding sewing/craft projects. What a great relief to get all those things that have been started, but not finished, out of the way. I was thinking about all our projects, and in a new house there are MANY, but I was also thinking of relationships. How many unfinished resentments, grudges, or appreciations do I have stored up about people that I need to get out? Just plain letting go of the negative, and sharing the positive with those who really need to hear it.
Consider this a challenge for your own UFO's.

Another New Years idea that I read about was picking a word for the year. Then tacking that word up somewhere so you'd remember to live by it and help you make a change. Some examples were: "finish", "persevere", "nurture". I think my mantra for 2010 will be "DO IT". I know it's an oldie, but it's still a goodie. There are so many times when I feel inspired to talk to someone, reach out, or want to try something new, but fear holds me back. This year I want to step out of my comfort zone and grow a bit in different areas of my life. And also, use it as a motivator to get to work and do the things on my list, not just keep adding to my list. :)

However you mark this New Year, I really hope for you peace. Whatever trials/pains, joys/happiness that comes to you, I hope you have a good foundation to get you through. Peace is such an amazing gift, and I'm grateful for the peace that I'm starting 2010 out with.

Chop Shop

I have a girlfriend who decided to add a little color in her hair. She has pink bits going through and it looks great on her. I have another friend who went in for a color and she got a shock when her hair turned out much darker than she planned. (In her words, "goth", but I think it looks good). It had me hankering for a change, but I was not as bold as my friends. Here's as far as I went ...


Just short! (Don't you love the close up on the wrinkles? Ha!) I haven't been short like this in years. I am still trying to figure out how to make it work, but I love that it takes so little time to "fix" in the morning. My hair is so thick it takes forever to dry. So far I am lovin' the change.

House Warming

We have been in our home for over a month, and I've gotten so much grief from family and friends about not posting pictures. We had a FABULOUS house warming party last week. We estimate that at least 70 people came through the house, shared treats, and then walked through the neighborhood. It was so fun to share the holidays with friends.

In order to appease the far away friends who aren't able to visit, here is a little snippet of what the house looks like.

Here is the front yard. Believe it or not, we already removed 10 trees. Crazy! Can you see the little elf on the window? Click on the picture to see it close up. Aubrey and I painted that. Then the rains came and washed half of it away. (Note to self, install rain gutters before next year.)

The house is full of stained glass windows. I can't decide if I like them or not. It's kinda cool that it's custom, but it also seems a little "grand motherly". Our hope is that we'll live here forever, so someday I'll be a grandma and then it will fit, right?!

View from front door. The banister is so much prettier with lights and Christmas garland. :)

Good thing we took pictures before we moved in. It hasn't been clean enough for pictures ever since. :) We hope to change out the lights soon, but for now it's very functional.


This is the upstairs laundry room. We almost bought this same model house back in May and decided we would move the laundry room upstairs. These kind people did it for us. It's bigger than I would have planned, but it is so nice to have extra room and extra storage.

Not the best shot of the pool, but it's still pretty. You can't see it well, but the far side has a pretty water fall coming off the rocks.

My favorite spot in the yard, the fire pit. I love how they made seats out of boulders.

Holiday Photo

Our ward did a great money maker for the Young Women's camp fund. A guy in the ward did family portraits behind the city hall. I've never seen that area, it was really pretty. Most of the money goes to the girls, so we couldn't resist helping out.

This will probably be as close as we get to sending out holiday cards this year. We definitely feel blessed that we've made it through the year with our health and family in tact. Brian's job is going well. The kids are doing good in school and activities. We are all very happy with our new ward and new home.

We hope you all have an amazing holiday season. Full of love and the spirit of giving and hope. From the words of one of my favorite people: "Life is good. It may not be easy, but it is always good."

We love you all!!! Merry Christmas!

Teacher Conference Vent Session

Today was the final of our parent/teacher conferences. We weren't much surprised with what the 2 teachers had to say about our kidlets. However, there was one part that irks me sooo much, and I can't let it go.

Aubrey is brilliant. There, I said it. If you don't believe me, just ask her. She has so much (often false) confidence in her own ability that she is almost unteachable. However, math is her strong subject. She (usually) loves it. This is why it's been such a concern that she comes home every day telling us that math is boring. This is where I just don't get public school.

The teacher tells me today that the new math book that the entire district is using is kinda lame (paraphrasing the teacher). They start at the very basic of an idea (stuff these kids learned in 2nd grade sometimes) and then go forward. Aubrey hates wasting a couple of days on stuff she already knows, and then gets so frustrated when there are kids that are asking questions ... when they should have learned the material in 2nd and 3rd grade. (yeah, she's really patient too). I ask the teacher if there is something we can do for GATE kids that are losing interest. She says "no, this is the book we have". So, my kid is literally being turned off to math because "this is the book we have". Seriously?! There's no extra work that can be given to her? No other way of teaching "outside of the box" when you see a kid is walking away? If she was a low scoring kid would that be same response?

We're at the point where we are just going to do extra math lessons outside of school. Fun stuff that challenges her and keeps her motivated. If any of you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment. While I really do like her teacher, seeing a kid turn off and allowing it to happen is intolerable. Am I wrong here?

New-ish Calling

We've been in our new ward for 3 Sundays now. I was called into the Bishop's office last weekend and given my new-ish calling. Guess what it is??? C'mon, I'll give you a hint.

You got it! Young Women's!!! I'm the Mia Maids Advisor. In all my adult years of marriage, I've been called to serve with the Mia Maids in 3 different wards. I love the YW's program. I love the opportunity to help these girls grow their testimonies, and seeing my own grow.

On the other side of the coin, I feel like I'm clearly not learning something that I should have 2 wards ago. So, is it wrong to have a heart to heart with Heavenly Father and just lay it out on the table. I wanna tell him, "Um, here I am ... again. Seriously, I don't think I'm getting it. It's just not going to happen. Whatever lesson I'm supposed to learn from this calling is going to have to be MUCH less subtle. This is a thick skull you're working with."

Whatever the reason for me being here, I'm going to relish the fun and the adventures. This ward seems to go a little more hyper on themes and matching napkins. I'll have to step it up for this. I'm so looking forward to getting to know the girls. My attitude right now is: BRING IT!

They called the entire family into the Bishop's office this last Sunday, but only to ask Brian and I to speak. I love that we get to speak on the same Sunday. Brian is a little restless without a calling. He's so used to being busy at church. He'll get his soon enough, I'm sure.

Halloween Creep Fest

It really happened ... and I was there! (dim the lights and move in close for story time)

A few weeks ago, Aubrey was having her soccer practice at a local soccer park. At the back of the park there is a little stream and a path that is rather hidden from the park. Jon likes to go explore, but can only go with a buddy. This particular day, I was his only option, so we went exploring together.

The stream is very small and the mosquitoes were buzzing around and bugging us (pun intended). There was a very strong stench coming from the tiny bit of water. I don't mean to brag, but I have what some might call a "super smeller". If you've seen Psych, you know what I'm talking about. I have a pretty good sense of what I'm smelling, and I could almost swear I was smelling a dead animal decomposing. Jon and I had our fill of exploring and we quickly returned to the fresh air by the practice field.

Fast forward about 3 weeks later. (start reading here with a spooky voice) It's Halloween morning ... around 8 am. It just so happens that Brandon is assigned to play his soccer game at the same local park. As the parents are sitting on the sidelines cheering, we are talking about all the noise that the tractor is making over by the little stream. It appears that it is clearing out the brush in the area. All of the sudden, the tractor stops and shortly there after blaring sirens of an ambulance and firetruck are getting nearer. They come right into the parking lot, along with 3 police cars. (insert suspenseful music here)

It turns out that a body was found by the tractor worker. It was a suicide that appears to have taken place a few weeks ago. The body was very badly decomposed. Could it be that the awful stench of dead animal that I smelled was in fact a poor man's body hanging in the trees not far from where we were exploring???

It is a very creepy thought and I am still a little queasy over the possibility. It makes for a great ghost story, huh?! I just wish it was something I read and not something I was that close to. ICK!