Spring is here

Well it is officially spring and I am so excited. We are seeing much warmer weather less snow on the ground and it is time to start prepping the yard and garden for growing and blossoming.
In a few weeks it will be time to get my seedlings into the ground and start working outside more. I have been looking toward spring and more sunshine for a while now. This has been a tough winter with all I have had going on and I always feel better when I can get outside and soak up some sun and get a little dirty. Ahhh spring. I love it.

Onto other things. We had our winter retreat to start planning camp and we got so much done. The girls have decided that our theme will be "Arise and show your strength in virt'you' " They have some fun ideas to incorporate virtue into camp and with it being the new young women value we thought it would be important to focus on it. It is so much fun to spend time with these young women. They are so full of energy, crazy, silly, goofy fun. We laughed all night long and it got so silly. The girls are a totoal crack up. I feel like I get to know their personalities in a different way when we are in a different environment than a tuesday night activity or church on sunday. They are so smart and creative. I learn so much from them. They also made it to the championship basketball game for our area and in that game we had two girls sprain their ankles within a couple of minutes of each other. All this time I have been in this calling with no injuries to anyone and we have two seperate incidents in 3 minutes. Fortunatley they are up and walking around 24hrs later so nothing serious. One of them has an upcoming gymnastics meet and might not be able to compete. Now we are gearing up for our futsal season. This is one of their favorite sports. For those of you who are not familiar with futsal it is indoor soccer.

Matthew is getting ready to start baseball season. He is pretty happy about that. He will be on the same team he has been on for the last 3 years. His coach is great and really knows how to teach baseball and work with kids. It is always fun. He is also getting ready to turn 10! It is just around the corner. It happened so fast. He is now officially as tall as I am. He wears a shoe size that I swim in and I no longer buy his clothes in the boys department I have to go to the young mens or mens department. Still as sweet as ever and oh so cute.

Big Matt and I are both doing well. not a whole lot to report. He has been having a bunch of tests like his sleep test and blood work and a few other things. He had an EKG and they thought he had a few mild episodes so he was sent to have a stress test and his heart is very healthy and strong. What a relief. It scared me to think there might be a problem. I am such a worry wart, Iam always preparing myself for the worst case scenario. I guess that makes me a pessimist. I better work on that.

I love all your blogs and am so glad I have found a way to keep up with what is going on in your lives. Until next time Be well and HAPPY SPRING!

And Days go by.

I just got an e-mail from my sister reminding me that I have a blog. I have had so much happening I haven't even thought about it. Sorry. You would think with all that has been happening I would have something exciting to share, not really. It is all regular day to day stuff. The highlights of the last few weeks are that 1. I have been to the draper temple open house twice. Once with my family, Matt Matthew and myself. That was so amazing. I loved being in the temple with Matthew and Matt. I have always thought of the day I would be there with both of them and even though the temple is not dedicated it gave me a glimpse of what it will be like to go as a family. Matthew had lots of good questions and We were able to share witht him some of the important things that happen in the temple. I also wnet with some of the youth in the ward. That too was an awesome experience. One of the young women I was walking with had so many questions and had a good knowledge of the temple and what happens there. It was nice to talk with her as we walked through the temple and share some of the things that happen there. The temple is beautiful and as some of you know my dad was one of the men who helped build the Draper Temple. He retired during the construction of the temple and so his first time seeing it completed will be when he goes to the open house. I am not sure, he may already have been there. On a clear day from the Draper Temple you can see the Oquirrh Mtn Temple and the Jordan River Temple. I can't get over what a beautiful sight that is. I remeber when we moved to Utah Matt was so surprised that you could see several church spires from so many different places in Provo and Salt Lake. It took him a long time to get used to that sight. Now we have an even more amazing sight and that is three temple spires in one view. It is a miracle to me. We are so blessed to have the temples here on earth and available for us to come closer to our Heavenly Father. It is such a peacful and beautiful place to be. I love being able to feel the love and blessings that come from attending the temple. I don't know how I would get through some of lifes challenges without temples. They are a manifestation of the love of our Heavenly Father.

Now more mundane. Matthew is sick today. Poor guy. I hate to see him feeling so yucky. I hope he gets feeling better soon. He is vomiting and diarrhea. I am sure it is the flu. Not much to do but let it run its course. He is sipping some chicken stock and watching Ice Age to pass the time. He is not fond of the saltines or sprite but I think it is helping him anyway. He is thrilled with his new school. I hate to beat a dead horse but everyday he tells me how happy he is and how glad he is that we moved him to Wasatch. I know some of you were asking where he is going now. Wasatch is another school within the school district. Some of the kids in our neighborhood and ward attend Wasatch so he knows a few kids there and a few teachers that left T.O. Smith now teach at Wasatch so he knows sevral of the staff and He told me that he doesn't even miss me or his playstation when he is at school. I feel honored to be mentioned in the same sentence as his playstation.

More of the same with big Matt. He is plugging away with the website for printelligent. He loves what he is doing and learning so much. It is good to see him happy. He spent the night at the Dr. office this week for a sleep study. He was told by the nurse that in the 17 years she had worked there he most definetly rated among the top 100 of the worst snorers she has encountered during her time there. He had to hear it from someone besides his wife who has resorted to earplugs in order to get any sleep. According to the nurse he has very abnormal sleep and will be invited back for further study. I don't know what they will do, Maybe try a c-pap machine and see if that will help him.

I am looking out my office window and it is just beginning to snow. I don't think it will stick long. The temps have been warm for this time of year and it has felt like a mild winter here in Ogden.
I am looking forward to spring. I just started some seeds for my garden and have a few sprouts. I have 20 tomato plants, 2 pumpkins 4 cucumbers, some cataloupe, and lots of herbs. I need to start a few other things too. I don't want a huge garden but I do want to be able to make lots of fresh salsa and salads as well as have a year round herb garden to use in cooking. I want to do some sugar snap peas and some green beans. a little lettuce and zuchini. I think that will keep me busy this year.

I guess that about sums up the news from here. Like I said not a whole lot of exciting news but we are in good shape and thankful for that. Until next time I hope you are well. Toodleloo.

New School

Matthew started at his new school yesterday and was happy as can be about it. I was afraid he would be a little nervous or have some anxiety but when I dropped him off he gave me the usual hug and kiss and off he went never looking back. I kept my phone by me all day long just in case he called and needed some comfort or something and I was right he called but it was not for reassruance or encouragement, no, it was because he had wet socks from playing out at recess and wanted me to bring him some dry ones. I was so relieved that he was so happy and when I took the socks to him he changed them quickly and was gone again. He came home so happy and excited. He said he teacher is sooooooooo nice and he says the teachers there really care about the students. He said no one was yelling at the students or being mean. He even made a friend that he played with at each recess. He can't remember the boys name though.
Today they had "Donuts with Dad" day so Matt and Matthew went in early to eat donuts and read a book together. This was big Matt's first visit to the school and when he called me he talked about how calm the atmosphere is there and how friendly everyone at the school is. He was floored at the contrast from the previous school. We are both so relieved to have Matthew in a positive learning environment. He his happy and comfortable we know he will learn better and enjoy his education rather than dread it.
Yippe -ay- O- Kay- ay ! One less thing to cause concern. Health wise hope is in sight, improvement is the current condition. One of my medications causes diahrea (yuck) and the Dr. says it is normal and will last about 6 months to a year but it will be worth it. He assures me that if I hang in there I will not be dissapointed. So Pepto is my constant friend and I am learning to deal with it in way that doesn't interfere with my life so much. The never ending period finally ended and is getting into a normal pattern. So maybe as spring rounds the corner I will be able to join the well and healthy. I am looking forward to things getting back to normal.
Today the sky is blue and the sun is shining after our all day long snow storm yeasterday. It was beautiful then and it is now but today I feel more hopeful and optimistic.
I have to say how thankful Iam for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it is true. I know Joseph Smith restored the gospel to the earth and was a prophet of God. I know President Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today and that Christ lives and he loves each one of us individually. I have felt his love these last few months. I have had so many prayers answered and so much happen to sustain me through all that has been going on. I can not deny the beauty and the hope that comes with living the gospel. I know I have much to learn and much to improve. Even though I am an imperfect being I know God lives and there is a plan for each one of us to return to be with our Heavenly Father and elder brother Jesus Christ. I am also thankful for the temples. My trips to the temple that last few months have been my refuge. The place where I go for reassurance, hope, peace and answers. I am ever grateful for all that I have been blessed with and thank my Father in Heaven for being mindful ofo me.
May God bless and keep each one of you and know that I love you.

Paper crafting fun

I spent most of the day making cards. It was nice to get a few new ones made and so much fun too. I hope you enjoy.

Excitment!

I have been running around all day today getting things ready for Matthew to change schools. Next Tuesday will be his first day at his new school. He is so excited. I am so excited. I don't know who is more excited. I have met with several of the teachers. Matthew already knows about five of the teachers there since they moved to this school from his previous one. He also knows several of the people who substitute teach. Everyone is so positive there and no one is afraid that as soon as they walk in the door the principal will start yelling at them. One of the teachers who used to work with our troubled principal actually said that to me today. That she doesn't go back to the other school because she doesn't want to be yelled at by the principal for walking in the door. If a teacher feels that way is there any doubt that the students feel it too? I am so thankful that this has worked out. I know we are not the only family moving our student to another school because of this beast of a woman who rules the school like a micr-managing control freak. I am just glad we could find a place that had room and the wonderful atmosphere that is conducive to learning.

I took Matthew over to look around the school and meet his new teacher. When we left I asked him if he had any questions and his comment was only that he didn't want to wait a whole week to start. He wants to start today. We walked around the school and everyone we met knew who Matthew was and said how excited they are to have him there. He met the librarian who showed him where all the different types of book are and made him promise to come check out some books on his first day of school next week. He said he was so happy his face hurt from smiling. Now that is just what every parent wants to hear about the school their child attends.

I feel like I have been able to conquer a major crisis, now if I could only find the solution to world peace. Ha Ha. Just kidding. I will be happy to get dinner on the table at a decent hour and get to my young women activity on time tonight. If I can accomplish that then I will be satisfied that I have done a good days work. All in the life of a mom.

Back in the Swing of Things

Well needless to say the last two weeks have been a little out of the ordinary. I think things are settling down a bit now and I am glad to be getting back to some of my routine. I do much better that way. Usually we have a very quiet little non-complicated life and already this year we have had more excitment and drama than we are used to. I do hope February proves to be less eventful.
Although as I look at my February calendar I see that we are busy everyday all month long there is so much happening and March is filling up quickly.
I am anxiously awaiting a phone call right now about Matthew being transferred to a new school. I have struggled to keep Matthew at his current school over the last few years for a variety of reasons but this year when we got a new pricipal, who has a great deal to be desired, all chances of his remaining went down the toilet. We are trying to get him in a different school but the problem is all the schools are crowded and there is little room for him. I have a Very nice pricipal who is trying her best to get him in her school and if not I will have to file an appeal with the School District. Since I have already made several formal written complaints and had a one on one chat with the superintendant I don't think they will force Matthew to stay at his current school. I just would prefer to get this situation resolved and move on. I think Matthew is a little stressed from it all too but is handling it like a champ.
Matt finally has his webpage ready for release. He is thrilled! He has worked so hard on it and the company he is working for is very happy with the progress. He still has 3 to 4 years before the whole project is complete(maybe the economy will be better by then)so job security is a relief. Last year the company met or exceeded their annual goals with no layoffs in fact they hired through out the year. So we hope Matt will be stable during this economic crisis. He is currently doing a bit of fine tuning on what he has completed and will soon start on the next phase. He loves his work and is very happy with the new company.

Me, Well my house is a disaster. I have so much to do. I have every room to scour and scrub. Spring cleaning seems too far away and I think I will get a start on a few things this week. I would love to get some a painting and a few little improvements done as well.We will see what the finances allow.
I just got the call! Matthew is going to a new school. He starts next week.
Well. I should stop jibbering on and go get something done. Later today when I have more time I will update a few other items on the blog so check in later.