Hillary, Coley & Me


Coley & Tori-Tori got frosting on Coley's Nose


Our Family (And this is only about half of us)


Coley & Me


Whitney, Ada (our newest cousin) & Coley


Coley, Emily & Me (on a mission for some flowers and headpiece for Tori)

Cousins!


First Hug As Husband & Wife


Little Johnathen with my Mom & Dad


Tori, the beautiful flower girl


The G Crew


The CHAD

I'm sorry to all our friends and family that regularly read our blog, for not being very good at keeping this up-to-date. It has been a busy summer, as I said before in my last entry with weddings and making wedding gifts. It has been a good season for our family-full of weddings and engagements-lots of happy times. I'm still working on wedding gifts-I have fallen behind on completing them and getting them out. Today, was Chad and Kylie's wedding in the Salt Lake Temple. I had hoped to go but with others things going on, I just couldn't make it. We have one more wedding in December, but not only do I have that wedding gift to do, but I have four others to do. I thin I've fallen behind because I've gotten a little burned out with all the gift making, but I'm back up and working to get them done.

Once I get the last five wedding gifts completed, I have Christmas to get going on and I need to get busy. I have been burning a slide show to DVD for my family from my Grandpa's funeral last year. I know-it has taken me a long time to get them burned and ready to go out. I've also been working on a family calendar and address book. With all the weddings and new family additions, it is time to get everyone updated. I have 27 to make and mail by the year's end. I'm plan to make our Christmas card this year, too, and I plan for it to be a stitched card. Finally, I have to decide what to do for Christmas gifts this year. I have ideas, but I haven't sat and drawn everything out and made a plan.

As if I don't have enough I'm trying to get done, but I'm still looking for a job. I spend a couple hours each day looking and applying for jobs. I don't know if I'm applying for jobs I'm overqualified for or if I'm under qualified or if employers are weary because I haven't worked for two years. I know the market is still tight, but I haven't even received a call, just emails that my resume/application has been received. I've also picked up my studying for the CBEST too. Teaching is my dream and I need to just go for it. I won't ever be really happy working if I don't do what I love and teaching is what I love.

That is about it, other than hanging out with the neighbors on the weekends out front while the kids play in the cul-de-sac. Now, stay tuned for pictures from some of summer's biggest events for our family.

I can't believe it had been almost five months since I last posted anything. My, time flies when you are staying busy.

We have be staying busy with family activities and the next two months are filled with weddings and traveling to attend them. In between then, we have family visiting us too. First, my Uncle Derek and Aunt Michelle with be here with Blake, Madison, Emily and Porter for the Track & Field Championships that are in Sacramento this year at Sac City College. Emily is the only one this year to make it to the Championships and I'm a very proud cousin-of all of them of course, since this is for the Junior Olympics. Blake was injured or he'd be running too; such a bummer. This trip for them is also a family vacation so we plan to have dinner one night and I'll watch Em run, but I don't plan to take up all their family time. Aunt Teresa and Uncle Paylor will hopefully still come down, too and we will probably do a breakfast on Sunday before everyone heads home.

Just three days after that is all over, Jarom's parents will be flying in for a week long visit. No plans, but then we don't usually have any. We fly by the seat of our pants. They will leave on a Wednesday and I will turn around on Friday and drive with Aunt Teresa and Coley to Utah for my cousin, Kylie's wedding. I'm very excited! I had planned to fly but Aunt texted last week and said her and Coley were going and so now it's a Girls Road Trip!

At the end of August, the High Tech's new building is being dedicated and we will be in attendance to that. Oh, next weekend we are camping at Meadow Lake with friends. Labor day weekend we will be in Prineville, OR for my brother-in-law's wedding. The following week, we are supposed to be in Vegas fro a friends' wedding, but unfortunately, I just don't think with all the travelling and activities going on that we can reasonably afford it. I'd so love to be there with all our friends to celebrate. But let's face it, they all live near their families and don't have to travel out of state much-not like us and so money isn't as much of an issue for them as us, unfortunately.

June was pretty quiet. July 2 my cousins were here for an overnight visit on their way back home from Southern California. Well, my cousin, John, his fiance, Katie and her son, Josh were here. They are planning on getting married next summer sometime, I think. They've only been engaged a short time so they haven't really thought about a date. It was awesome to have them stop since we are just of I-5 and that was the highway they were travelling. Katie and I are a lot alike and we got along famously. We could talk for hours and we did just that. John and Jarom are the same. Josh and I had fun. He played the Wii Fit and then Mario Bros. We had steak, potatoes, rolls, green salad and fruit for dinner and dessert was my Strawberry Shortcake cookies* and/or Chocolate Silk Pie. Josh and I made him a foam bulletin board and then we colored some canvas fabric puppets I had on hand. I felt bad, because it was almost midnight when we went to bed. I knew they wanted to leave early, so I didn't plan to keep them up late. We all just talked so much we lost track of time. I made us breakfast of french toast, brown sugar bacon and fruit in the morning. I was up at 4am so they could get on the road by 5, but I don't think they got out of her until 6am. Oops. :o) Jarom and I left around noon to head down to Watsonville for the 4th holiday. We had a lot of fun-Aunt Teresa had a fairly large party and all the family here was together for fireworks and dessert. (*I created a cookie recipe-that is my Strawberry Shortcake Cookie-I have yet to share the actual recipe with anyone but a few select individuals in my family, but I will soon. I may enter a contest with it-it is my neighbor's new favorite cookie and I have other ideas for cookies, with different ingredients.)

Last weekend, the neighbors had a birthday pool party for Madysen and Trenton. Trenton turned 2 on the 4th and Madysen 5 on the 7th. It was a lot of fun-started at 11am and went until about 6 or 7pm. I even put on a suit and got in the pool. I had a lot of fun with all the kids. I had Trenton a lot. He wanted to be in the pool with all the kids but not just on the step, so he would bounce with me then he wanted to jump in to me. He'd jump in and bounce up and down a bit and then want me to lift him up onto the edge so he could jump back in to me. At one point he was with one of the other girls and got a hold of a water missile, filled it with water and pointed it right at me with a big grim and released the water. What could I do but laugh. I got quite a sunburn though. I sued my sunscreen and kept putting it on but I think I need to move up the SPF from 30 to 100. ;o) I was trying to be so careful. I am now peeling and it itches, but at least I have some color other than my pasty white.

During the week, I'm applying for jobs and finishing projects. I have a wedding quilt to finish and other wedding gifts started that need finishing before wedding in the couple months. A lot are embroidery projects. I'm teaching the YW how to cook some authentic Guamanian dishes on the 28th.

I've decided I'm ready to go back to work. I've been off my antidepressant for a year now and I'm doing really good. My sleeping habits would get better if I had a job again. It doesn't have to be full-time but if it is the right job, I wouldn't mind it. I'm ready to get out of the house and meet new people. I don't much leave the house. It would be nice to have a little more disposable income again, too. It would allow us to do a bit more, although we are doing well on the one income. All around it would be good for me to work again, I don't' have much reason to stay home without children. I'm really excited about a couple I applied for last week, but we will see what happens. There isn't much out there and a lot people applying for the same positions so it is very competitive. This is our one weekend we have nothing going on-a breather before all the activity starts up again-more for me than Jarom, but he has to work all week.

I guess I'll go have some cereal and start working on a wedding project that needs worked on and get it done, so I can work on the next one and the quilt later today.

Happy Summer, everyone!!

Yes, I still have unpacked boxes...even after almost two years. The last couple weekends, Jarom and I have been trying to finally finish unpacking what boxes we have left in the garage and deciding to put things away in the house or donate the items to charity. About a month ago, i cleaned out my closet and dresser drawers and eliminated about half of the clothing I had-we donated that and some other household things (kitchen items, etc.) to the VA. They were coming around the following week to do a pick-up, so it worked out great!

Jarom has found my stash of candles amongst other things. This weekend we brought in the big box full of all my Barbie Collector Dolls. I brought Madysen over this afternoon and showed them all to her. She just kept saying, "Ooh. Aah." I ended up giving her the 10th Anniversary Holiday Barbie Collector Doll and a Tea Party Barbie Collector doll. It was a tough conversation and lesson for her to learn that they have to stay in the box and not to play with them because they are "special" dolls. She wanted to have a tea party with them. To solve that dilemma, I invited her over next weekend to have a tea party with me, suing the tea set my Grandma painted for me when I was about Madysen's age. I will substitute tea with apple juice and we will have Snickerdoodle cookies or chocolate chip cookies-whichever I make while Jarom's parents are here this weekend, too.

In addition to all my Barbies, Jarom found a huge box with all the missing sheets and blankets. We have been wondering we donated them accidentally at some point last summer, but he found them. They've all been washed, folded and put away too. He is so great!

I have been missing most of my craft books and asked if he had come across it, yet. he told me no, so we went out before watching our movie to see if we could find the box. It was the first one Jarom looked in. This box was huge too! We had to transfer its contents to a Rubbermaid tote and bring it in in two loads. I've sorted through it all and it is all compacted into on Rubbermaid load. I have a pile for donation, a pile to shred and a pile to recycle. One day this week, I am devoting to my craft room to reorganize and put all my craft books away, along with a box of stamp pads that I've been wondering if I accidentally donated too. I'm so excited!

Jarom and I watched "Law Abiding Citizen" this afternoon. It wasn't too bad. I was with Madysen during part of it so I missed about half of it. What I did see wasn't bad.....interesting. Tonight, we are going to watch "Couple's Retreat" when Jarom gets home from work.

For dinner this evening, I made a roast pork loin seasoned with garlic, paprika, Lawry's season salt and black pepper. I baked it for about an hour at 350 degrees and it was juicy and oh so yummy. We had baked potatoes with it since I didn't give it any thought as to sides until Jarom asked what we were going to have with it. I made Cocoa Rice Krispies treats for dessert.

I sat down and worked out exactly what I've cooking for meals while Jarom's parents are here. They arrive Thursday and leave next Tuesday, so I needed to plan breakfasts, lunches, dinners and desserts, as well as snacks. I have pot roast planned one night with veggies and fresh made bread; pork dumplings, stir fry veggies and rice; turkey & jack chimichangas and salad; chicken fettuccine and salad; stuffed skirt steaks, baked potatoes and fresh baked bread for dinners. Lunches are going to be very simple-sandwiches with chips, soups and/or leftovers. For breakfasts: waffles; cereal/toast; bacon, eggs, hashbrown potatoes; trail mix muffins; cinnamon orange sweet rolls. As far as snacks go, I have chips and salsa, snack mix, pistachios, and some fruit. For desserts: cookies-various kinds; cookies & creme freezer cake; rice krispy treats; grilled vanilla peaches and ice cream or frozen yogurt. They are meat and potatoes type of people so some of my meal plans are a bit bold, but they should be used to that by now. If they don't like it they will find something else to eat.

I did all this sorting and planning while watching "Law Abiding Citizen" and recorded movies on the DVR from this weekend that were on ABC Family: "My Fake Fiance", "The Wedding Date", "The Karate Kid" and "The Karate Kid II". The dogs have kept me company. I just copied "The Potty Dance" to a DVD-R disc for the neighbor from Pull-Ups. Mr. Trenton is talking about going potty and he goes into the bathroom, but after he has already gone in his diaper. He will soon be learning to go on the toilet and this fun song and dance will hopefully help and continue to encourage him. I've known about the song and dance for about a year. I saw it featured on a show last year while flipping one day when it was really hot outside. The last few weeks, I've seen it in a couple of my magazines, well pictures of the steps to the song and it reminded me of it. I told Leanne about it and I've given her the page out of the magazine and a copy of the video that I downloaded from the site. You can find the video at: www.pull-ups.com.

It's been busy but productive weekend and I suppose now I should get to bed so that I can get up at a decent hour and not sleep the day away.

Finally, this weekend we celebrated with my family, out birthdays. It was low-key and I really dropped the ball as far as my meal and activity planning. It was very relaxed. I just did sandwiched, chips and salsa and carrots for lunch; spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for dinner. I made lemon bars and cheesecake for dessert and we had champagne, apple-pomegranate sparkling cider and Merlot.

After all, we weren't just celebrating our birthdays. We were celebrating Coley and Victor's engagement. Coley's ring is gorgeous and they are so happy and excited. I did a toast to them last night at dinner and then Coley did a toast to Jarom and I for our birthdays.

We made a quick trip to Target to get a specific game everyone wanted to play. The Investigation Discovery channel was on all day until just before dinner when it was changed to the Olympics. We all got to visit and laugh and just be together and celebrate all of the little and BIG moments in life.

Aunt Tracy and Uncle Dustin gave me a fun appetizer cookbook. I can't wait have something to try some of the recipe out on and they gave Jarom a grilling cookbook. I'm always looking for new recipes for the grill, too.

Aunt Tracy and Uncle Dustin had to leave in the evening to get back home to Duke, but it was great of them to come out just for the day. I was so happy they came, because it is kind of a drive for just a day trip.

This morning, us girls went to JoAnn's and returned home just in time for lunch. After I got everyone situated for lunch, I started cookies. I told Victor I'd make him some fresh Snickerdoodles and then Jarom wanted his Oatmeal Cranberry cookies, so I spent the next couple hours in the kitchen making cookies while the rest of them played Phase 10 and watched the Olympics.

The dogs loved all the attention and treats they got, too. After everyone left, Jarom, the dogs and I took a nap, did laundry (which I'm still doing) and I'm updating my blogs. It was a laid back weekend. Nothing spectacular but I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I have a lot planned to do and work on this week.

Today, I feel better than I have in 4 weeks. The phlegm and congestion seems to be all gone. No coughing and my voice sounds more normal again--and all just overnight. Just Saturday I was still having cough fits when I laughed. It's great! I feel great! Jarom bought me "Just Dance" for the Wii and I'm so excited to start dancing with it and getting this weight off, with the Wii, "Just Dance" and "Wii Fit". I haven't worked out at all this year because of this cold and now it's gone and I can get busy!!

Well, it wasn't my idea of a great Valentine's Day but it was okay. It wasn't horrible and I spent time with the munchkins next door for a few hours. I told Leanne and Wallace to take advantage of the fact that Jarom was out of town to have a Valentine's date without the kids. They took me up on that offer and went to lunch together and a winery.

I spent Friday night and Saturday working on Valentine's Day projects making gifts and cards for the kids. I had fun learning projects for them to color and learn with and made fun foam message boards for each of them; in addition to a few other little things-a wooden plane for Trenton that I painted and put together myself. Madysen colored a flower pot and I gave her some seeds to plant in it, too. I made some fun little cards with the cricut, glitter glue, and stickers. I had a lot of fun doing it all and putting it all together. When they returned from their date, they brought me some beautiful flowers-pink and white carnations, heirloom roses, lilies, etc. Beautiful!

Madysen and Trenton and I had fun on our own, too. We colored and played games and had our tickle wars like we do every time we are together.

I gave Leanne her belated birthday gift too. I made a few pairs of earrings for her and gave a devotional book and some hand lotion.

My sweetheart made it home before midnight from Oregon. He had to leave suddenly to take care of some things at his parent's home and it took him away for the last half of the week. When he came in he had a dozen red roses, bottle of champagne and two of my favorite magazines. All I gave him was some chocolate, which I owe him some more because I had a HUGE craving and dug into his. Thankfully, Monday was a holiday for Jarom and I had the whole day together, but we spent it mostly in bed. He was exhausted and I was still fighting this crap. the cold part was gone but I was still battling this horrible cough and congestion and phlegm. I couldn't even laugh without having a coughing fit, but at least I got to spend that extra day with him before he went back to work.