Cathy's Chatter

Facebook away

2010-01-28T09:08:00.005-05:00

It's been so long since I posted to this that I found out today that Chase has a picture in todays paper winning another award for BPA!!

Actually facebook has stolen my time away. I have totally neglected my blog. I'll try to do better. I still enjoy reading everyones.

Business Professionals of America

2009-03-17T11:16:00.002-04:00

Congrats to Chase. He took second in "Computer Animation" during the State BPA contest. He will be competing at the National contest in Dallas Texas in May.

Happy Birthday Corey

2009-02-21T21:05:00.002-05:00

February 22, 1979

Happy Birthday Corey. I am so proud of you and your family. I am so glad you are back so close so that I can see all of you so often. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and a wonderful year.

(My main computer is down and it has the pics on it so I couldn't do a collage for you)

Chase in Jazz Band

2009-02-15T20:39:00.001-05:00

Pops Concert

2009-02-15T20:10:00.011-05:00

Chase plays Baratone and the Bass Guitar. He played both during the Pops Concert.

Chase's birthday

2009-02-15T19:29:00.023-05:00

Saturday was Chase's 17th birthday. We had a great time. Below is Chase holding Destiny. It was the first time we had seen her because she was born with some lung problems. She is my brother's granddaughter.

Tristen wanted to hold her so bad. Then Trevor had to climb up there and Nan thought it would be a good photo op with the four kids.

Chase looks real comfortable here. He'll be a good dad one day.

Corey, Nicole, Tristen, and Trevor

Corey Nicole and Trevor

Chase getting ready to open presents.

Nicole and Trevor

Chase's ice cream cake.

Tristen

Chase

Well this was a surprise of Nan's and Chase and Tristen both got a kick of out it. How many boxes were wrapped inside the big one til he got to the money?

Trevor

Chase got a new mouthpiece for his baratone. He was showing Tristen what it was for.

Corey gave Chase a bunch of old patches from scouting. Chase loved them.

Happy Birthday Chase

2009-02-14T12:32:00.003-05:00

Chase was born at 2:14 am on 2/14 - 17 years ago. He has been such a blessing to us. He was my miracle child and I can't imagine my life without him. These pictures are from the past 3 years. We Love You Chase! Happy Birthday!!!

Tristen's Birthday

2009-01-17T19:55:00.002-05:00

Tristen turns 5!

2009-01-17T19:07:00.010-05:00

Tristen's birthday party was today (he turns 5 on Monday). He had his usual excitement with just about everything.He especially loved this interactive globe from Nan and Papa. Also....note his favorite shirt. :)

He is such a good big brother. He got a nifty star wars laser for christmas and one of the things he wanted for his birthday was another one for Trevor. Trevor was okay with that!

Trevor climbed up to Tristen with his gifts.

Trevor with an American Flag

Tristen with his American Flag, he loved getting this.

He got several dvd's about, you guessed it, space!

Chief Chase

2009-01-17T18:53:00.007-05:00

Chase was sworn in as Chapter Chief of the Kickapoo Chapter of the Order of the Arrow.He got to wear this Indian head dress

Notice here how intently Andrew is looking at said head dress.

And here others are showing their support (or they just wanted in the picture, one of the two)

Seriously, Chase we are proud parents!

Weather

2008-12-28T21:11:00.002-05:00

Since some have blogged about their untimely weather let me just comment that here in Indiana the week before Christmas we were at 2 degrees. However last week our weather was 65 degrees. Talk about some weird weather.

Reflection

2008-12-28T20:57:00.002-05:00

I am one of those people that always take a moment at the end of a year to look back and see what I could of/should of, shouldn't have/wouldn't have done. I do make resolutions or rather goals for the new year that have to do with my personal progress. Sometimes it is two steps forward, one step backwards throughout the year. But I have learned from years past to set reasonable goasl and not decide you're going to do everything you ever wanted to improve. Baby steps is the name of the game. I am a firm believer is self-evaluation and what a better time than at the end of the old beginning of the new. I myself, keep those goals a little better at the beginning of the year than any other time. So as I do my reflection, I just wanted to pass along this invitation for everyone to do the same. We all need to grow spiritually and this is an excellent time to decide what things we can do to increase our spirituality. I hope for my friends and family that 2009 brings many blessings.
Ring in the New.

More Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T19:14:00.022-05:00

These pics are backwards and I am leaving them like that. We had a great Christmas. It was really special to have all the boys and their families there. As you can see we all had a good time and got lots of nice presents. We had a great meal as always....thanks Nan.
Here's my three sons laughing together, trying to figure out one of Tristen's toys.

Trevor and Grandpa.

Chase got a new camera among other things.

Papa got a new leaf blower well, its more like a leaf vacuum.

Chase was very pleased when he found he had all the pieces he needed to make a new computer.

Tristen began worrying because he hadn't opened his telescope yet and he had told Santa he wanted it. So here you see a sigh of relief when he finally got too it. He even kissed the box he was so happy. I think him and his Dad are star gazing tonight. You may think that it is a hefty gift for a four year old and you'd be right. But Tristen isn't any four year old. Tristen has had a fascination for the planets and stars since he was first able to talk. He can tell you the planets in order, including the names of the moons around them. (I didn't even know they had moons with names) He can tell you all about the solar system. He wants to be an astronaut when he grows up. I'll put nothing past him. Beside the telescope, he wanted a toy space shuttle (which according to him is his favorite space vehicle) and an astronaut helmet.

Corey got a new flat screen monitor from Nan and Papa and the fun thing was he got me a new flat screen monitor. Surprise.

Trevor and Daddy.

This shows Papa, Nan, my brother Danny and Sarge, Coby's dog.

Nan got a beautiful diamond necklace from Papa.

Tristen opens his toy space shuttle that he got from me and Grandpa.

Trevor got a new Cadallac Escalade.

Corey, Lindsey, and Coby.

My boys having fun together.

Coby got saddlebags for his Harley.

Opening gifts.

Trevor helps

Nicole is showing off her two boys but Tristen is showing off his space shuttle he found in his stocking.

Trevor down playing with Coby.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-26T22:47:00.008-05:00

We went to Nan's for Christmas. Corey and I got there at 7:00. Coby and Lindsey and Chase had spent the night. First thing was breakfast. Mom and I made biscuits and gravy, hash browns, and scrambled eggs. It was great

When stockings were opened Trevor played with cars.

And Tristen was quite happy with his space shuttle that he found in his stocking.

This is Braden, Danny and Vicki's grandson.

He thought Corey needed the Santa hat.

Sarge threw the hat off as soon as Papa would put it on. I couldn't get a picture of it on him he was so fast about it. Sarge is Coby and Lindsey's Lapadoodle.

More to come but I thought I'd better break these posts up.

Merry Christmas to all.....

2008-12-24T09:18:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to drop a little blog note and wish everyone a very merry Christmas. I hope that as this holiday comes and goes that you spend it with the people that mean the most to you, that you count all your blessings from the past year, and that you remember our Saviour Jesus Christ through this season of lights, trees, and presents. For he is our Brother and through him all things are possible. I am so grateful for my family, my friends, and the life that He sees fit to give me. I have been blessed so much this year and I know to whom I should be grateful. I am so excited to keep in touch with this blog. Please know that even though I don't always leave comments, I read them all. Here's hoping your holidays are filled with love.

December events

2008-12-14T13:19:00.006-05:00

Chase has had a couple of significant events in Decemeber. He was awarded first prize in the Voice of Democracy contest. And Papa helped present it. He won $325.00.

Papa is especially proud because the essay was all about him and what Chase has learned about his country through him.

And also the Northview Band put on another great Christmas Spectacular! We always look forward to this. And this year Chase had a part in a skit that made everyone laugh.

Chase and the whole band did a great job. They always sound so wonderful. Sure puts you in the Christmas spirit!

Someone turned 2!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-14T12:40:00.013-05:00

Our little angel, Trevor was two on Dec 5th.

Of course, Tristen is always ready for a party!

There were cool cards

And some very exciting ones.

A knot blanket that Nan and Grandma made.

There were toys and clothes galore. But nothing was interesting once he had new crayons. He put them in and out of the box while Tristen and the rest of us tried to get his attention on some of the other gifts.

He did blow out his candle. But didn't let go of those crayons!!

Finally he got down and decided to check out some of the other gifts.

And with a push from big brother, he figured this trike out in no time.

Time Out

2008-11-20T19:14:00.005-05:00

Last Friday I traveled to the convention center in Nashville TN with these wonderful women above, Ruby, Me, Sherry, Linda, and Doty to watch Time Out for Women. They now have a Friday night session which consisted of songs from singer/songwriters Hilary Weeks and Kenneth Cope and then a speaker Chieko N. Okazaki who was just great!!! She wrote "What a Friend we have in Jesus" which I had read. Then Saturday from 8-4 we had speakers and more music from Hilary Weeks who is just the sweetest!! One of the speakers was Chris Stewart who wrote the Great and Terrible series. We are big fans of that and he was so nice. We also had Jason Wright who wrote "Wednesdays letters" that I had read and loved. I just finished his last book "Recovering Charles" which was good but doesn't top "Wednesdays Letters". Also there was Carolyn Rasmus and Emily Watts both with excellent talks and both with books I had read. It was a great uplifting couple of days. I love Time Out!!! And if you're wondering, yes, I cut off my hair a couple of weeks ago. I really like it so far.

Chris Stewart and me

Hilary Weeks

Kenneth Cope on Friday evening

A little update....

2008-09-21T11:10:00.013-04:00

Well the last few weeks seem to have gone very fast. I seem to have settled down into a work, eat, sleep mode. That seems to be what I do.

Chase has been voted into the position of Grand Chief for his Jaccos Town Lodge - Order of the Arrow. (I hope I got all that right)

In Coby's world, Lindsey got a new 8-5 job with a employment service and is enjoying a regualarly scheduled life.

Corey & Nicole and kids had a bad a storm down their way and ended up without power for a few days. They stayed with Nan & Papa a couple of days.

But before the storm, and I meant right before, I must have left minutes before their power went out, I watched the kids while Corey and Nicole went out. Of course I took my camera and this time a couple of things happened. First, Trevor discovered my camera and that it kept pictures in it so when I would go to take a picture of him, he would come toward it. So you will notice a lot of "closeups".

Second, a long while back we got Tristen that kids digital camera. So he decided he'd take pictures too. So we ended up with pics of all kinds of things, toes, ceiling, you name it. We were snapping pics so fast that some came out blurry and are no good. Here's what I could salvage:

Sitting at a computer with mouse at hand, remind you of anybody????

Random pics from the past few weeks

2008-08-26T11:51:00.013-04:00

Last Saturday the whole family got together but I didn't really take many pics. But I got some of my favorite little guys!!!

This is what happened to Trevor when Aunt Lindsey picked him up. Those of us in the background were cracking up!!!!
Trevor didn't mind though, and look at those teeth!

This is one of Trevor's favorite positions and the way he landed with his pants down above.

Here you can see the smile right through the pacifier. This is when the boys came to Grandma and Grandpa's for the day while Mommy and Daddy went to the temple.

Tristen found a little lego astronaut in all the toys I brought out for him, he was in heaven!!

And then these are from when Nan and I went to their house to watch the boys. Here Tristen is showing us how he likes the mini trampoline.

And Trevor looks so serious.

And I think this is a pic I missed putting up of Chase and Coby during Coby's Birthday party.

Chase's last day at Camp

2008-08-26T09:05:00.008-04:00

On the last day they unveiled their paddle. Every year the camp staff paints a paddle and adds it to the cafeteria walls

This shows Chase's area, Aquatics

Rain, Water, Mud-We Even Beat the Flood....really describes summer camp 08

Coby's Birthday

2008-08-26T08:51:00.006-04:00

Here he is checking out his new bat, that Nan & Papa got him.

If you have read Coby's blog, you heard about the bell that he got for his motorcycle

His Ice Cream cake

Dad, Chase, Mom, & Coby

Happy Birthday Coby!!!!

2008-08-07T21:12:00.002-04:00

2008-08-01T06:43:00.001-04:00

As promised, here's a pic of my ice cream cake with the headstone and the buzzard on it. How cute!!

The Big One

2008-07-23T06:11:00.002-04:00

Monday was my 50th birthday. No, I don't feel any different. And I seem to tell everyone I know so I guess it's no big deal. I got flowers at work from Mom & Johnny and Jeff brought me a chocolate on chocolate decorated birthday cake. That was a real surprise since in all the 3 months I have worked there, nobody gets a cake for their birthday. I guess I am special. We had my little get together at Mom's and she had me the cutest ice cream cake with a buzzard sitting on a tombstone. (I will share pics when I get them.....they are in Mom's camera and her computer is down)
I got lots of cool stuff....a Wii fit, Rayman & Rayman 2 for the Wii (I have spent hours on that already), 3 count em 3 pairs of shoes (some flip fop sketchers with blue polka dots, a pair of yellow sandals to go with my many yellow dresses, and a pair of brown sketchers that are adorable), and 3 beautiful boyd's bears. The funny here is that the box I unwrapped was a beer box. You should have seen the look on my face when I came to that! It housed my three bears though nicely. Mom thought she'd get me and she did. From my wonderful hubby I got a beautiful pearl necklace and matching earrings and a card he had made that made me cry. From Chase I got some sweet pea bath and body splash and body lotion. And while in Nauvoo I got a great card from Tristen and Trevor that Tristen made (those are the best!!) and 4 shirts from Corey and Nicole. (by the way...Nicole I have worn all but the yellow and absolutely love them, thanks again.....yellow today) They also took me out for dinner for my birthday. Coby called me bright and early on Monday morning to wish me happy birthday. So I had a great bday. And turning the big 5 0 really didn't bother me like I thought it would. I am still as young as I feel. And though my body lets me know I am not as young as I used to be, I still am not ready for the old folks home! I hope the fact that I have fallen three times in the last month is no indication of my age as Chase kindly suggested. I think each of my spills had a legitimate excuse.
Other things....
Last Friday I went to Nauvoo where Corey and Nicole and kids were already at. Cindy Cunningham's youngest daughter, Hillary got married. I was late for the reception (ok I got lost) and got there just in time to see Hillary and Jake before they left. Hillary was beautiful!!! It was good to see old friends even for a little while. I came home on Saturday. And speaking of Saturday, Chase made his way home late Saturday night and is done with summer camp for this summer. You should have seen the van packed to the gills! Chase came back with a great tan since he was a lifeguard at their lake. And I think he enjoyed it alot.
I have now been on my job for 3 months and can get on their insurance which will be nice. But I am more comfortable there now and joke around with all the guys. I can say that I really enjoy it. The work is all book work and not stressful at all, which is a real nice change. It is real fast pace and I am very busy at work. I had so much catch up to do that I feel like I am finally getting there. It has been an adjustment to being away from home for the 8-5 thing though. Since I worked from home I could plan around things before. But it is good for me now.

The Weekend

2008-07-07T06:11:00.013-04:00

We had alot of fun over the weekend. On the fourth we went to my brother's in Parke County. Corey and his family came out. Coby and Chase both had to work.

Trevor loved the four wheeler sooo much that he threw a fit when they took him off. Tristen was skeptical but decided he liked it too

The boys got to play with their cousin, Braden.

We had alot of great fireworks. The day was cool especially considering what the days before had been. Corey and Nicole went to the temple the next day and I had the kids. The following are some pics from that day.
Tristen got a new guitar and was rocking to it all day.
Trevor had fun too. I enjoyed having them here. There are more pics if you click on the rotating pic at the upper left.

This is the Life Chase Leads

2008-06-11T18:07:00.004-04:00

I mentioned in another post that Chase is working out at Camp K this summer. He has to live out there in a tent and he gets to come home around 10:00 am on Saturday until 11:00 am on Sunday. Family was invited out for an evening meal the first week. So I snapped these pics of the flag ceremony. They also do this in the morning to raise the flag. I should have gotten more pics but after dinner there was a threat of a storm so we didn't stick around long. Chase is working at the waterfront and teaching the swimming merit badge. This is his second week and he'll be finished July 20th.

I am Pocahantas

2008-06-09T06:15:00.003-04:00

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Here is the link for the quiz

http://www.greatestjournal.com/quiz.bml?Q=16354

Lindsey's Got a Blog

2008-06-09T05:56:00.001-04:00

Coby's wife Lindsey has her own blog now.....http://lindseyshields.blogspot.com/
Check her out!! Yea...Lindsey

Where is the ARK???

2008-06-08T15:55:00.002-04:00

Most of Indiana was hit with major rain into our already saturated ground through Friday night. We all woke up to much rain and water everywhere on Saturday. Most people have not lived long enough to have seen floods like we just had this weekend. Brazil was "shut down", Clinton was declared a disaster area, Terre Haute not only had roads, yards, basements and houses flooded but they had some roads collapse. I70 near the Putnamville exit collapsed and now we have all the traffic in Brazil. You can check out the paper at www.thebraziltimes.com or www.tribstar.com for pics etc. We met at the 9:00 am time frame with the other ward today and only had sacrament and then we had an emergency meeting discussing everyones needs. We have at least one family that has lost everything because water was up to the roof. They even lost their car and was evacuated by the fire department. This was a whole area that had homes completely flooded. Other families have water in their houses, especially basements. One had his driveway wash away and now can't get into his house which is about 1/2 mile off the street anyway. I have water in my basement and have started the process of eliminating it. Bloomington got hit hard also but all is well at Corey's. Muncie didn't get it quite so bad but they got it and again Coby and Lindsey are fine. Luckily Chase was home that night. For those that don't know....Chase is working out at the boyscout camp, Camp K and is living out there, in a tent, until July 20. The time home he gets is after 10:00 am on Sat until 11:00 on Sunday. (He'll be going to the other wards sacrament during this) Anyway last week was a staff work week and he got to come home on Friday night so he was tucked in during the storm. This isn't saying that he didn't spend several other nights/days throughout last week in storms, as I said the ground is saturated. He is doing waterfront.

Mr & Mrs Martin Meddles

2008-06-01T21:10:00.002-04:00

I wish I had pics to share but since I sit here in Indiana and they spent the day in Florida getting hitched, the best I can do is offer warm wonderful wishes to the first of the Meddles Three to get married. Marty and Jen (since two Jenny's are too confusing) were married today with family present. I have met Jen and she is a great person. I think they will do great together. What I know now is that they are staying in Evansville for now where they both have jobs.

On a sad note....for those that don't know.....Larry's Dad passed away very early in the morning on Sat, the same day they were flying out to Florida. I am sure all their emotions are running high right now. His funeral won't be until Monday June 9 at Debaun Funeral Home. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Past Weekends

2008-05-27T06:17:00.010-04:00

Memorial Day weekend started with a long list of To Do's and ended with a somewhat shorter list. Even when it is 3 days, it just doesn't seem long enough. But I have some pics to share from the weekend before when Corey went to New York so Nicole and the kids come to Nan's for the day.

Papa brought out this old hotwheels track and when Chase got there, he added stuff to it. The funniest was when Trevor would get on the track, Tristen would say "There's a baby on the track"

The boys always like playing with Uncle Chase. And Trevor always lights up when he sees him.

Even though his head is chopped off here....(Did Nan take this?)....I wanted to put it up so you could see his fingers. Tristen is alway manipulating his fingers for one reason or another. Sometimes he is acting out a scene of Oobi or something. In this instance he is counting to 100 and I think keeping track of the 10's. He counted to 100 by 5's, by 10s, and then by 1's which is what he is doing here. Tristen can also add single digits.

This is from a couple of weekends before.
And then here is Mr Personality himself.

Super Power

2008-05-23T05:50:00.003-04:00

My Superpower Should Be Mind Reading

You are brilliant, insightful, and intuitive.You understand people better than they would like to be understood.Highly sensitive, you are good at putting together seemingly irrelevant details.You figure out what's going on before anyone knows that anything is going on!

Why you would be a good superhero: You don't care what people think, and you'd do whatever needed to be done

Your biggest problem as a superhero: Feeling even more isolated than you do now

Here's your link: http://www.blogthings.com/whatshouldyoursuperpowerbequiz/

This was actually pretty right about me, but where is my monkey sidekick?????

Generations Collide in the Work Place

2008-05-22T18:43:00.002-04:00

This guy named John was helping out in the office because of people on vacation and such. He is retired military, airforce like Papa. He usually takes care of some kind of pump system we do. I got some calls from his clients before he came into work today and left this note (handwritten):
TT JOHN:
STEVENSON
JOHNSON
He came in and we discussed the clients as soon as he found the note. Then he said whose TT John? We had a good laugh when I explained it meant "talk to" him. It's nice to know I'm still one of the in crowd....................or at least there's an out crowd farther out than I am.

Back in the day

2008-05-19T06:43:00.006-04:00

This is one of very few pics of Corey and I before we got married. NO.................................the reason isn't the unavailablity of photography (I so know how my kids think). The real reason is because we spent a very short time with each other before we got married. This was in California during the first month we met. Actually it had to be toward the end of the first month we met because he had his arm around me and he didn't do that for the first 3 weeks. I had decided I needed a break from my on again off again fiancee here in Indiana so after high school I went to visit family in California. The first night there, I met Corey. It was June 13. We had 2 official dates. My stay in California ended on July 13 as we left California to drive back to Indiana. Corey gave me a single rose signifying his love for me. I tried my best to keep it during the trip and ended up putting it in the cooler. There was some milk in the cooler also and it spilled. So Pat the only adult on the trip dupped my rose a "milk weed" since it spent its trip in milk. Corey told me he would be in Indiana as soon as he had saved enough money. At this point I was a sceptic. I had had promises before and wondered if I would ever see him again. I spoke to him on the phone twice before he arrived in Indiana on Aug 13 when I happened to be in Pennsyvania visiting family. He spent time at a local hang out trying to find someone that knew me and finally ran into someone that knew my cousin. From my Aunt he got the number of my Grandmother I was staying with. He called me in PA at 2:00am but we were still up having a going away party since we were leaving the next day. We returned the next day and before that day was over Corey and I were engaged. We were married November 13, 1976. I have left alot out of this story because so much happened in the month I spent in California and so much happened the night we were engaged and so much happened in the 3 months before the wedding. And as all of you know so much has happened since. But I was going through pics and found this one. Even though it is really poor quality (ok that is because of the photographic quality of the day) I love it. I love thinking of those times. Corey and I were just saying yesterday how we have so many cute little memories that make each other laugh.

Coby

2008-05-14T06:51:00.002-04:00

Coby has finally joined the blog world. www.cobyshields.blogspot.com
He has pics up of taking the jeep mudding.

Cali's Mom Questions

2008-05-12T18:42:00.004-04:00

1.Typically, what time do you wake up? 5:30 to get Chase up for seminary
2. On a good night, what time are your kids in bed? 10:00 or thereabouts on a school night. But let me say that when we had elementary school children, our kids went to bed at 8:00. I think parents need alone time
3. How long have you been a mommy? A little over 29 years
4. How old were you when you became a mom? 21
5. What is your favorite kids T.V show? Oobi
6. What is your least favorite kids T.V. show? Barney
7. What is your favorite chore? No favorite chores.
8. What is your favorite meal to cook? Anything my husband cooks
9. What meal do you cook most often? Chili in the winter, Taco salad in the summer
10. What is your kids favorite meal? They all have different ones.
11. What is your favorite thing your husband does with your kids? Uses his priesthood
12. What are 5 things that make you smile when you’re being a mom? 1)Rocking my babies to sleep 2)Putting highlights in their hair 3)Having water fights 4)Tickling them (after so long they tickle back) 5) Just enjoying everything about them
13. If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be? Hawaii
14. When was the last time you went out without your kids? Went out where? In our house a better question is when was the last time you went out with your kids.
15. What is your favorite pastime/activity to do with your kids? I love it all and each one is different....Chase is watching band, Coby is laughing at his jokes, Corey is watching him with his kids.
16. Name one thing you said you would never say as a mother? "Wait til your Father comes home"
17. Name something you do, that your own mom did? Get down on the floor to play with the grandbabies
18. What is your favorite quality your mom has? Her integrity
19. What is your favorite kids book?Snow white.
20. What is your favorite advice for new moms? Take your time with them, they don't stay little for long
21. What is your most heartbreaking moment as a mom? When they get hurt, both physically and emotionally
22. What is your most joyful moment being a mom? All of them....I love it
23. When was the last time you told one of your kids, “I Love You”? Yesterday....all three of them
24. When was the last time you were told, “I love you” by one of your kids? Yesterday by all three of them

Happy Mothers Day

2008-05-12T06:44:00.003-04:00

I had a great Mothers Day!!! Chase surprised me with a red rose with baby's breath and a card that had his voice recorded in it. Wow that made me cry. Then we headed to Mom's for chicken and noodles, yummy and its not even Thanksgiving or Christmas (when we usually get chicken and noodles). It was a great dinner. Coby was on the phone when I got there so I got to talk to him a while. Corey called later and I also talked to the kids. Trevor babbled something and Tristen talked and talked. He talked more to me on the phone yesterday than he ever has. When I am with Tristen I always try to sit down with him and chat about his life. I guess I want him to know even now that he can talk to me and I will always listen (not at all saying his parents wont).
Another big surprise and more tears came from my Mother. Actually as I was showing Corey my gift from her I cried and cried. First because she was so thoughtful about this and second because it was the last work of Gordon B Hinckley. It's a book called "My Dear Sisters". Mom knows how much I love to read and she really surprised me with this. I admire my Mom so much. She has love abounding. I am grateful I have such a good relationship with her and I am grateful that we get to spend so much time together, most of it is shopping but hey.....that's great too.
I hope everyone spent a great Mother's Day and not one mother had to do dishes!!

To Nicole and Lindsey

2008-05-04T19:44:00.004-04:00

Ok anyone that knows me, knows I wanted a girl and that never happened. I have been blessed with 3 boys. Well news flash.....boys turn into men and men get married!!!! I have to leave a little note here to say I am one lucky lady when it comes to daughter in laws. First off....how fun are they!!! Wow....I so enjoy them both. And secondly.....These two women are 2 of the most beautiful women I know, both on the inside and the outside. I love them so much. For something that I had no control in and had to rely solely on my guys to go find, I did exceptional well.
Well two down and one more to go. If Chase does as well as his brothers, I'll have even more to cheer about.

A Great Day

2008-05-04T17:21:00.013-04:00

Since until recently Corey and his family lived 2000+ miles away from us, it doesn't take much of an excuse to get together now. Coby & Lindsey (and Sarge) came to town for a friends graduation and was able to come for lunch at Nan's. Corey and his family came from Bloomington and my brother Danny and his wife came in from Parke County. Coby has a four day weekend once every 4 weeks and we take an opportunity to see him and Lindsey when we can get it. (I use the term 4 day weekend loosly as he works alot of his days off and even had to work yesterday before coming to Brazil)

Anyway....I am always ready with my camera and ended up taking 50 (yes 50) pics in under 3 hours. One day they will thank me. Uncle Chase made a happy Trevor as he took him swinging.

I must say that no matter when and yes even how we all descend on Nan, she always has something yummy for our tummies. Nan we really do appreciate it.

Sarge got a summer cut or in other words, he got shaved. He looks like a different dog completely.
It turned out to be a real nice day which was great since the kids love being outside so much. Tristen helped Grandpa opened some belated birthday presents just so we could listen to Tristen ewww and ahhh over boxes and clothes and cds again. (See the post about Nicole Birthday if this is news to you) Tristen has a youthful excitement about EVERYTHING that is just joyful to watch.

Sorry this is so chopped up but I had to insert most of these pics three times and it is staying the way it is.

For Cali

2008-04-30T06:58:00.000-04:00

Told ya!

Lovin' my grandkids

2008-04-26T19:22:00.006-04:00

I spent most of the day at Corey and Nicole's while they put up a wooden swing set. I played with the kids most of the time. Though posting all the reasons I love my grandkids would be impossible, I had to list a few.

Things I love about Tristen (age 4):

The way he spreads his arms out and comes running to greet me.

The gift he gave me which was a printed picture of himself with his name hand printed above it and "I love you" hand printed below it. And he had done it all--all by himself.

The excitement he showed when he got the new shirt I took him from Nan.

The way he wouldn't let me help him when he spilled his bowl of fish on the couch. He's so independent and told me "No I'll get it, I'll get it"

The way he says "cheese" everytime I point a camera at him

The fact that he told me he didn't like otters

The fact that he has had to of thought about otters to know he doesn't like them

The way he wanted to watch a documentary about the universe.

And how excited he got when they showed the milky way.

The patience he shows his little brother

How much he has taught me about the planets

The way he draws all the solar system including details on all the planets

The way he sat and chatted with me instead of taking his Dad up on a ride on the mower

Things I love about Trevor (age 1)

The way he'll aways smile if I smile at him

The way I can get him to laugh by just laughing myself

The way we play peek a boo with his blanket

That he still falls asleep on my shoulder

The way he gives me a kiss

The way he puts the ball over his head to throw it but never really throws it, he walks up to me so I can take it

The way he chases bubbles

The way he loves to be twirled around

The way he jabbers....I wish I knew what he was saying

How his little legs look as he is climbing up on the couch

The way he says "two, whee" as you throw him on the couch

The way he walked out of his pants (don't ask me how he did that...I looked at him and his pants were down past the diaper and as he walked, he walked them right off)

The way he runs faster if you pat your legs like your chasing him real fast

Other things I love about today:

The fact that my husband let me fix grilled cheese for supper

The fact that Coby calls when I am wondering about him

The fact that Corey and Nicole would spend a whole day putting up a swing set for their kids

Nicole's Birthday

2008-04-25T06:54:00.005-04:00

This was about a month ago but I had to tell the story. I watched Tristen and Trevor while Corey took Nicole out for her birthday. When they returned, Nicole opened her gifts. Tristen helped! He opened everything for her and was so excited about it. He pulled the paper off and exclaimed "A box" and was so excited about it. It was so fun to watch.

And this is Trevor just hanging out at Grandma's.

My Week in Review

2008-04-25T06:22:00.003-04:00

I wrote a post two days ago and lost it as the blog wasn't available. I had no energy to rewrite it. It's early morning and I thought I'd try it now.
My job is so intense...mentally. I can count on nothing being correct in the computer. I went through 15 months of bank statements trying to reconcile one account. And it is near impossible. Stuff isn't in the computer or is in the computer and not in the statements. He wrote checks in 08 and dated them 07. Did I mention there are 5 companies? And to make more confusion some companies share a bank account. One company is in Illinois which means a whole new set of taxes. I come home and I am so tired. I usually am asleep by 9 which is something for a midnight girl. I am hopeful that this will change when I get things paid up and organized.
Well enough of that. Oh wait nothing else is happening here!!!!
It has suddenly warmed up. The day before yesterday I had my top down. It wasn't the first time this year but it was the first time I didn't have the heat on also.
And they tricked Ozzie on Suvivor. I couldn't believe it. I wanted him to win but then when he walked to the jury and gave them the finger this week I was glad he wasn't going to win. Sore loser. But truth is that now one of those women that didn't really deserve it will win and it sorta is anticlimatic. Of all the women I'd like Ceir (sp) to win it.
And today is the first day in 8 years I get a paycheck paid hourly instead of commission. I hope that isn't anticlimatic also.

Rocking and shaking in Indiana

2008-04-19T14:27:00.003-04:00

Yesterday morning right after my alarm rang at 5:30, we were sitting in bed when the bed started shaking. I was just about to ask Corey "Why is the bed shaking?", when the dresser joined it. Ok I have been through earthquakes before and when the dresser shook I figured it out. My dresser has a large mirror and lets face it--all kinds of stuff on it! I was waiting for the stuff to come off of the dresser but instead it finally quit. Well now my husband lived through the "big one" in '72 in California when everyone ran from their houses in their night clothes. And he found himself in his boxers. So we woke Chase (had to get up at 6:00 anyway) and told him to get up and get dressed in case there were bigger ones to come. The one we felt was a 5.4 with it originating near New Salem in southern Illinois close to the border. We didn't feel anything the rest of the day however, there were several aftershocks. My mom felt one at 11:00 and Corey felt it in Bloomington.
Here is why I post and fully expect my son to explain this since anything like this he seems to be on top of. Next to my dresser sits a small makeup vanity. It has lots of stuff on it and if you walk by and hit it, everything on it rattles or falls. It is maybe a foot away from the dresser. Why didn't it shake? For that matter nothing else in the room shook except the bed and the dresser. Pictures on the wall stayed steady. For all you earthquake experts out there, there's what I want to know.
Also another interesting point is that when we had one in '87, we were sitting at the table eating and the doors of the cabinets started shaking. We were younger and closer to our California experience so we stayed very calm. This time, 21 years later, we are running around like madmen.

New Job

2008-04-17T19:35:00.002-04:00

Well it's been six weeks or so searching mightily for a new job. The mortgage industry has changed so much that I am READY TO RUN. So Tuesday I found a job working as a bookkeeper at Forsyth Brothers. Unfortunately the company had a previous employee that not only did not do a very good job but also stole money. He worked there a year and paid no taxes for the 5 companies this place runs. I started on Wednesday and have been so busy. This is the first job in about 8 years that I won't be working from home. This will be an adjustment. Other than missing the freedom that gave me, I think I'll be ok.
Also it was very important that I took the job that The Lord wanted me to have. I once took a job that I had prayed about and felt awful afterwards. The owner stole my insurance premiums of $1000.00 a month. Anyway, I won't do that again. So it is interesting to tell how I got this job.
I applied through email (as instructed) to this job the very first day I started looking. Several weeks later I was discouraged and was going over some of the many places I had applied, when I mentioned this place. Corey (husband, not son) encouraged me to be proactive and call them. I thought I recognized the name of the person I had to apply to from the mortgage industry. So I called him, he was the guy, and he said to come in that day for an interview. He said that he had gotten 200 replies to the ad and that he had interviewed a few but he wasn't going back through all those resumes. I had brought a hard copy so he didn't have to go hunting for mine. I left and this felt really good. He sounded as if he was going to hire me. Then several more weeks and I called back and they had hired someone else. Then on Monday I got a call from the owner who had found my resume. (see The Lord's hand in this) He wanted to interview me but this time for the position of the guy that had first interviewed me. When I went on Tuesday and found the mess they are in of course, I started the next day. I am happy to be productive again. I was so ready to get out of mortgage. It will also be great to be away from commission and actually be able to budget.

Made my Day

2008-04-07T17:28:00.003-04:00

Without even knowing it......Chase made my day. He was putting a mini trampoline together for me.....you know to exercise with. Anyway, I had to give it a try even though I was still on my conference call with my manager and team (happens every Monday at 4:00) and trying to be very quiet. Chase said something dear to my heart. Especially since this summer I will turn 50. Chase said with a chuckle....."Mom, you are such a kid".

Chase is driving

2008-03-28T17:35:00.003-04:00

There are certain points in a son's life that are significant. Some significant to him, others to his Father, and some to his Mother. One of those points become significant to all three but for different reasons....DRIVING! Obviously the son thinks of it as freedom. And I think the Father considers it a right of passage. But for the Mother, it means that boy that she still remembers being so small, is now out on the road along with all the crazy drivers out there!!!! And there are alot of them!!!! I am not one to really worry most of the time but the idea of my son behind the wheel gives me chills. Well lets just say the Lord hears from me alot more now that he's started driving. I know you think that I have been through it before but that was 10 years ago. And actually maybe since I have been through it before makes it worse. Coby got hit from behind and pushed into the car in front. And Corey went under a semi truck! Not to mention the long list of tickets that at least for one still continues (sorry Corey). Coby shows his badge now. UGH...not pretty things to look forward too. I had alot of faith then and prayed alot then also.
Chase got his license on Saturday and has been on spring break this week. He has gone somewhere each day. I am telling you that as a parent, this is a hard one. But as a parent I guess it is also a right of passage.

A wedding, Easter and ends with birthdays

2008-03-24T09:40:00.010-04:00

Saturday we went to Sara Greek (Lawson) and John Herrington's wedding at the ward the Herrington go to in Macomb Illinois.

I put this picture of Will's family up so he can grab it from here. What a cutie Ben is.It was especially nice to see all the Herrington's since I don't get to much. I love this pic of Sharon, it looks as if she is up to something which she usually is.
Below is Theresa and David Lawson with their son Jesse. Saturday was also a big day for Chase as he got his license. As for Easter, Nicole was sick and stayed home. And Tristen wasn't feeling well and went to sleep after dinner. Coby had to work and they stayed home. But Papa's Easter Egg hunt went on with Bradley and Chase hunting. Hey...there's money in them there eggs and have you seen gas prices lately?

And Trevor found out what great back rubs Grandpa gives.

So it was a busy weekend. Today is Lindsey's birthday (Happy Birthday!)and tomorrow is Nicole's. And so it goes....

Perfectionist vs Procrastinator

2008-03-20T22:31:00.003-04:00

I have been reading a bit about procrastinators and perfectionists. Actually until just recently I thought the two were exact opposites. But after doing some research, brought on by the battle within myself, I have found that perfectionists are most often procrastinators or procrastinators are most often perfectionists. I don't think it matters how I put it.
Let me expand...for a long time I knew there was a part of me that was a perfectionist. The small signs are:
The kitchen cabinets--everything has a place---I have even put hooks on the inside door of my cabinets for my hot pads, my measuring spoons, and my jar grips---then on one of the lower cabinets I have a container attached to the inside of the door where packages go like koolaid, taco seasoning mix, etc.
The clothes closet--I have tops in one place, pants in another, dresses and skirts in another. I have sweaters in a box on the top and one of those plastic drawer things with belts, scarves, etc.
My craft room---Way to much to go into but trust me it's all organized
I have extra plastic baskets downstairs so I don't have to go to the store in order to organize something.
You sorta get the idea. When I clean everything better come clean!!! I know where every nick in my kitchen floor is because I cringed everything I found one.
Now for the procrastination....I am the worse procrastinator I know!!!!!! And I can work around clutter and totally ignore it. I actually get agitated because it got that way. After all, if I clean shouldn't it STAY that way. I think there lies the connection between Per and Pro. There is a huge part of my physic that thinks when I clean, it shouldn't get dirty. What kind of nut am I??? The other thing is I resist getting to it because I feel I have to have the time to get it ALL done. Hence the Per and the Pro. According to what I have read, this is the battle of the perfectionist and a very common battle it is. Just makes me FEEL crazy. There is part of me that doesn't "get" the bit about dishes need done everyday, laundry gets dirty again--maybe not even the same ones. I have memories of organizing the toy closet when I was very young. But truthfully this battle in my head is a real battle.
OH and I forgot to give the other part of getting it all clean. I hate in a big way when one thing is on the counter that isn't suppose to be or one thing gets put on the dining table, or one thing gets put absolutely anywhere. I think that is how things accumulate. I think in my head I just give up picking up and putting everything where I want it. For instance, my sink is dry, my counters are clean and Corey wanted to try grape juice and Certo which is suppose to help arthritis. Frankly I am glad he is ready to try things but I bought the stuff for him and now the Certo is on my counter. That is where he is keeping it. GRRRRR Everytime I see it, it drives me nuts. I did put the grape juice in the fridge.
Believe me I know this is my problem. That's why the research. I am hoping to get over it. I am actually relieved that the Per and the Pro are connected because I have really thought of myself as an anomaly. According to what I have read, there are others like me out there. I love the house all clutterfree and clean. I just have times when items pile up. More than likely my computer desk is going to look like a tornado hit it. I guess this is my way of thinking my way through it. After all understanding is the first step.

The Family all Together

2008-03-16T19:54:00.010-04:00

Last weekend, all the boys and their families got together at Nan's. Along with Corey & I and Danny and Vicky. These pics are the boys playing around. It went like this: Chase jumped on Coby's lap and then Tristen jumped on Chase's lap. I wonder who put them up to sticking their tongues out? Here is Coby and Lindsey This is Coby and Lindsey's dog Sarge. Yes, he really is that big!

This cutie is Trevor. You can see his dimples. Note the linux t-shirt.
And Corey and Nicole are looking at something cute Tristen has done.

My 100

2008-03-14T08:22:00.004-04:00

This if from Cali's blog. This is terribly hard. Let me see if I can get 100 things about myself. (The last 5 were the toughest)

1)I am the oldest child
2)I have three sons
3)I have been married 31 years (to the same man)
4)I have two grandsons
5)I spent most of my high school in Edwards California at Desert High School
6)My biggest pet peeve is drivers who turn in front of you and then go below the speed limit
7)I usually have a chocolate whey and chocolate soy milk smoothie for breakfast
8)I also like the vanilla whey and vanilla soy milk with fruit
9)I wear a diamond ring that used to be a diamond ring of my husband's father's passed down from his father. My husband had the antique diamond taken out of the man's ring and put in a setting that I wear now.
10)I also wear a white gold and platinum ring that was from my husband's grandmother
11)Both of these are on my left hand along with a CTR ring
12)I have a black thumb instead of a green one
13)I wore my wedding dress twice. Once for my civic wedding and once for my temple sealing
14)I was head of the drill team in high school
15)I met my husband in California and five months later, married him in Indiana
16)I met him on June 13, left for Indiana on July 13, He got to Indiana on August 13, and we married on November 13.
17)I made my bridesmaids dresses
18)I talk to my Mother every day
19)I scrapbook
20)Knit
21)Crotchet
22)Macrame'
23)Oil Paint
24)Ceramics
25)Sew
26)I collect Boyd's Bears--plush. I told my husband that if my last baby wasn't a girl, I was going to collect dolls. I decided on Bears instead.
27)I work in the Nursery at church and love the kids
28)I love having flowers sent to me
29)I love to read but mostly read lds books
30)I have never had a broken bone
31)Though I have had lots of stitches
32)I drive a Sebring convertible
33)I have worked in the mortgage industry for 12 years
34)I play Zuma, Bejeweled, Mahjong, and Iggle Pop on the computer
35)I'll have my 50th birthday this year
36)I am currently job hunting
37)I grew my hair long so I could tie it back in the convertible
38)I like to shop at Burlington, The Dress Barn, and Macy's
39)I do flower arranging
40)and cake decorating
41)I have sold both
42)I used to sell Avon
43)My favorite brand of candle is Gold Canyon Candles out of Utah
44)I am a chocoholic
45)My favorite color is peach
46)I have a brother
47)I have 2 half sisters
48)I have lived in Indiana, California, Ohio, & New Jersey
49)I haven't dyed my hair in 10 years
50)and I have no gray
51)I love American History
52)I hate World History
53)I love the tv show Criminal Minds
54)I hate black and white movies
55)I get passionate about shoes
56)I have way to many, at one time 52 pair
57)With a picture of the pair on the front of each box
58)Even though I hate wearing tennis shoes
59)I love skechers
60)I love sandals and wear them into the winter
61)I hate winter
62)I have a shitzu
63)My house has 9 computers that work in it right now and more that don't
64)I love Survivor
65)and American Idol
66)Reba McIntire is my favorite singer
67)I love the Eagles ---even if they went country this year
68)I graduated and got married the same year
69)My favorite movie of all time---tough decision---is "Overboard" with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell
70)I love to watch the last dance from Dirty Dancing
71)I hate change
72)I love cheesecake
73)I am on a diet usually 7 months out the year
74)My favorite actor is Keanu Reeves, first realized that in Speed. Couldn't believe he was the same guy that was in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
75)My favorite actresses are Charlize Theron and Sandra Bullock
76)I discovered PJ's about 4 years ago. WOW Love them
77)My favorite temple is Chicago but I also love Nauvoo and I love Salt Lake's Uggghhhh guess I don't have one favorite
78)Nauvoo is one of my favorite places to go. I have had alot of great memories of there.
79)My first car was a 68 Chevy Nova--wish I still had it
80)My family room is like a photo gallery (family pics)
81)I hate Las Vegas---not a place for a non drinker, non gambler, non smoker type
82)I wear LOreal Mineral Makeup (thanks Nicole)
83)I have always collected clipart
84)Anne Geddes is great! I love her work
85)I have never seen Gone with the Wind
86)Gladiolus is my favorite flower
87)I have never read, never watch any Harry Potter anything
88)I can't stand anything Japanese dupped with English or subtitled in English
89)I love Diet Dr Pepper with raspberries, or I'll take with cherries
90)When my first son moved out, I made his room a craft room
91)I absolutely love both of my daughter in laws
92)People tell me I don't look as old as I am
93)I don't feel as old as I am
94)I love to hear the australian accent
95)I was involved in Boy Scouts for 12 years (I said I had sons)
96)I like to wear hats
97)I love the ocean though I don't get there much
98)I would rather play tennis than watch it.
99)My Mother and I do our grocery shopping at Walmart in Terre Haute every Saturday. If we need to buy a gift or go somewhere else we do that also. My daughter in law, Lindsey, calls it power shopping. She went with us once and about didn't make it through!
100)I have been so blessed by great family and great friends.

Chase, a busy guy

2008-03-08T20:29:00.006-05:00

Chase spent the day at Rose Hulman for the Regional Science Fair. At the end of the day, he took a first place medal, a certificate and polo shirt from the Army, a certificate and $50.00 from the something, something of Chemical Science. When they gave him the $50, his eyes lit up big time.
This is Chase with his friend Chris Taylor who won a trophy. The medal on Chase's band jacket is from his Baratone Solo a few weeks back.

Day 5

2008-03-07T08:55:00.002-05:00

Getting Dressed to lace up shoes-
Keeping our sink shining-
Reading 2 minutes of Reminders-
Looking at our posted reminders in the kitchen and bathroom

Are you hearing any of those nagging negative voices popping into your head? I want you to take a piece of paper and write down what you hear then I want you to turn those ugly words around and say something nice to yourself to negate the ugly words that they said.

Flylady Day 3 & 4

2008-03-06T06:11:00.005-05:00

Sorry Erica...Day 3 is a review day

I have done real well so far. I've been keeping my kitchen clean. It really is amazing how just drying the sink makes you want to continue keeping it dry. Who'd a thought! I am new to the dishwasher thing. Never had one. Even as a child, the only time we had one was in California and we were all so busy, noone wanted to wait for it to get done to put away the dishes. Mom's rule, if you do, you put 'em away. So we only used it on holidays. So about a year ago Corey put one in for me. It is a smaller one, we had to take out cabinets in order to fit it. So it has taken this long to get a schedule going for it. But now I run it after supper and empty it in the morning so I can put dirty dishes in it through the day. So I feel in the last 3 days I have accomplished something.

Day 4

Your next thing is to write these things down on a sticky note and post them on your bathroom mirror and above your kitchen sink. This is the beginning of your Control Journal. The little notes help us to remember the habits we are trying to establish

I am a big list maker anyway so this shouldn't be hard.

Flylady Day 2

2008-03-04T13:55:00.003-05:00

My sink is shining and dry. I keep going back and re-drying it. Now the next step is:

Day 2

I have never been one to follow this since I HATE TO WEAR SHOES and never never wear them in the house. Matter of fact, we all take off our shoes in the mudroom. But I do have a pair of isotoner slippers with a sole that I may be able to follow this with. Specially since it is freezing cold right now and it might even feel comfy. The idea here is that you trick your physic into thinking you need to be doing something since you have your shoes on. Flylady says:

Today I want you get up and get dressed to lace up shoes when you first get up in the morning. This means fix your hair and face too.
In order for us to change ourselves we need to remind ourselves of what we are doing.

Flylady Day 1

2008-03-03T17:11:00.010-05:00

Two of my favorite links that I have added are http://www.flylady.net/ and http://www.messies.com/ Years ago when I worked away from the home (I work out of my home now), I was a flylady/messie junkie and my house was great. I had the routine down and my morning routine included a swish and shine, 6 hot spots, and a little additional duty and off I went. I found a great happy medium between the two housekeeping groups. Well, the last 4-5 years I have worked out of my home and my routines immediately fell away. So I am getting back on the horse so to speak and starting at the beginning. (Since starting all at once hasn't worked) Flylady has beginner babysteps and I thought I'd share how I did here. For a little accountability. The first baby step:

Your very first BabyStep is to go shine your sink. Don’t listen to those voices that tell you that is not going to help your messy house. This is exactly where I started and this little habit has changed my life! Take this BabyStep in faith and go do it. Here are the directions for shining your kitchen sink.

http://flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Shine.asp

After you do this; you will keep it shiny by drying it out after each time you use it and making sure when you go to bed that it is shining so it will make you smile in the morning. This is how I get to hug you each day! That shiny sink is a reflection of the love that you have for yourself.
Our FlyLady system is all about establishing little habits that string together into simple routines to help your day run on automatic pilot. You can do this!

Ok here I go, I am shining my sink!

Special Day

2008-03-02T19:48:00.003-05:00

Today was a special day. There are those times that as member of the church we charish. Chase was ordained by his brother Corey to the the priest office of the Aaronic priesthood. I have three sons and I am telling you it never gets old watching them recieve and perform ordinations. I remember the first time Corey and Coby and Chase passed the sacrament and the first time Corey and Coby blessed the sacrament. I look forward to that "first" next week with Chase. It does a Mother's heart good to watch her sons have hands clean enough to perform the ordinances of the gospel. I was thrilled my Mom could be there. I know it meant alot to Chase. For those of you with sons, treasure every time. It's a great thing to see.
We also spent some time Corey and Nicole, Tristen and Trevor. It's always great to see them and play with the kids.
Chase is counting down to getting his license. He says 13 days if you don't count today which is almost over. Lately there have been several little trips to Terre Haute to the scout office or Gander Mountain or such. I look forward to the time when he can drive on his own. (Did I really say that?)
He got a job for the summer at the Camp K as one of their staff. So he is getting his gear in order.

Fake Cake

2008-02-27T21:28:00.001-05:00

Today I seen something that I just can’t get out of my brain. While showing a decorated kitchen, the fact came up that the two layer coconut cake with a piece missing was FAKE! I just had to google it. Come to find out there are all kinds of fake cakes out there and just about any other fake food you could imagine. I am no novice to fake wedding cakes as for Corey and Nicole’s reception I made a three tier wedding cake with the bottom two tiers fake. The top of course was saved for the first anniversary (yum—hehe). I did this because what they wanted to serve was a layered cake with strawberry preserves in between the layers and I felt this was the easiest way. But the flood of fake food I have found just makes ones stomach spin. There are the ever favorite potpourri pies. But what would you do with a fake pickle, brownie, or pancake? I love those big cookies that can be decorated and they even have those as fakes. (How disappointing that would be!!) And the fake potatoes, donuts, and sandwiches are on sale. You can get everything from soda pop to canolis. My favorite was the fake layer cakes that are really boxes that gifts can go in. Now that was a cute idea. Takes me back to when Corey graduated. We bought him a laptop and I fitted a box over it and then decorated it as a cake. When he cut into it, he realized he couldn’t. SURPRISE!!!! I digress. Ok back to fake cakes, the weirdest one I found was a sheet cake that said Happy Birthday. Who can tell me why anyone would need a fake birthday cake???????

Busy Weekend

2008-02-24T18:34:00.005-05:00

Well we are slowing down from a busy weekend. To Indy Sat morning for Chase's competition and then to Bloomington to celebrate Corey's birthday. Always glad to see Corey and Nicole and Tristen and Trevor. Both the kids are just the cutest. Tristen is still claiming he is going to be an astronaut and can tell you more than I ever knew about outer space. Sunday found us at the chicken noodle dinner put on by the band boosters. Chase played in concert band and jazz band. I served green beans. This is the only activity on a Sunday and Chase has to participate for a grade. So now it's almost 7:00 pm and the weekend is almost over and I haven't done any grocery shopping. Most of the weekends go by fast but this one went zooming by.

I am a "Band Mom"

2008-02-20T19:55:00.001-05:00

Last night I worked the concession stand for the basketball game for the band boosters. I really don't mind but somehow I volunteered for last night, tomorrow night and the chicken noodle dinner this weekend. I am not sure how I managed to do that! But oh well it's for the band. And I am a "band mom" now. Chase has been in marching band at Northview for 2 years now. I can't believe how much I love this band thing!! Chase is the first one of my crew in band so I have been loving it. Saturday morning early we go to Indy for Chase to perform in the State Solo/Ensemble competition. He'll be playing his baratone and I've heard his solo, it's a great piece and he plays it well. I'll let you know how it goes but we are expecting a GOLD~

Dandee

2008-02-17T19:48:00.003-05:00

I have a Shitzu named Dandee that we have had for 9 years. Suddenly she is doing all kinds of things that drive me crazy. First...she has decided she likes soda pop. Everytime I have a drink she does everything possible to get to it. Second...she has a thing about our new dishwasher and she won't go across the kitchen while it is going. Worse, she won't go across the kitchen floor period now unless someone is with her. So she sits at one side of the kitchen and barks until someone comes to go with her across. Third...she has a nasty habit of going under our couch and sometimes getting stuck. Since our couch has an alarm clock, phone, vibration, recliners, and sleeping sofa; there is alot of stuff under there for her to get into. I put the other recliner down to get the phone the other day and when I got back I seen this tail sticking out from underneath. Now nowhere is safe from her.

Book Club

2008-02-17T19:40:00.003-05:00

Somewhere around three years ago, we started a Deseret Book Club. I can count the number of times I have missed it on two fingers. I had a collection of lds books and I had started to read most of them. The trouble is that I would get distracted or disinterested. With the book club, I have read at least a book a month and sometimes more. I find it so easy now and also rewarding. I have read some books that have touched my heart (or head) greatly. I told Corey that book club has done so much for our marriage. So this month we are reading a book called "21 Days Closer to Christ" by Emily Freeman and paintings by Simon Dewey. Wonderful book. You have about 2-3 pages to read each day and then something to reflect on each day for 21 days. The paintings in the book are beautiful.

The Third Son

2008-02-16T19:52:00.005-05:00

I have three sons, ages 28, 25, 16 (just). The first thing people say (or think) when I tell them that is that the last one MUST have been an accident. If I had a dollar for everytime someone asked me that, I'd be rich. I know it seems hard for people to believe but it was actually planned. Well, not really planned to have 10 years between them. It happened like this: We lived in a 987 sq ft house. I said that we had to increase the size of our house before we had another child. It just took us 10 years to do that. We eventually added on 500 sq ft and had Chase. There are several nice things about having such a spread between them. First, instant babysitter with Corey being 13 years older (sorry Corey). Second,Coby got a little of what he gave to Corey. Third, it has been extremely nice having him around after the first two left. Now for the first time ever I have to realize that it won't be too many years until Chase will be leaving and making a life of his own. I know many people of my age relish in the idea of "getting them all gone" but I am not and can't see myself ever being one of those. I enjoy my kids. I am sure that as in all things I will adjust but I am telling all that will read this that I don't have to like it!! Maybe it is "that" birthday that will come this year that has me reflecting on this alot. But truth be known I started thinking about this when Chase turned 14. I cried that day. Speaking of Chase he had a Jazz Band competition today. It was the first performance of the year for Jazz Band. Chase plays Bass Guitar.

The Band did real well and sounded great! I took a video but it is too big to post here. So a pic will have to do.

Nursery

2008-02-15T15:38:00.002-05:00

My church calling right now is in the Nursery. I have had a few trying times in there but mostly it has been very rewarding. We had 11 children before the end of the year where we lost most of the older ones to the Sunbeam class. Now we have majority two or younger in our nursery and it has been a whole new class. The first thing we learned is that anything we do these little ones can do faster than the older ones. IE: coloring--what took a while for the older ones to do using different colors of crayons, only takes the littler ones a moment to swipe the page with a color. So we adjust. We also learned that just about anything occupys these guys, even sitting on the table and waiting for parents. As little as they are though, they get across what they want to do. One little one that isn't old enough to talk yet, went over to the open space and held his hand out for ring around the rosy. We caught on. We go on a "reverence train" to teach them how walk in the chapel. I have to admit that I miss interacting with the sisters but I am learning that there is a time and place for everything. The best thing we can do is to enjoy the time we are in. For those that went to time out.....I guess I am getting comfortable in these pair of shoes!

Bye Bye 2007

2008-02-15T13:16:00.000-05:00

I spent so much time sick in '07 that in alot of ways I was glad to see it gone and here it is only 6 weeks into '08 and I am sick again. Well last year I had several wierd illnesses and this time it is a plain old cold. Last year had some high spots though. Corey and his family moved back to Indiana and bought a home in Bloomington which means my 2 grandboys are close. Chase got his eagle in scouting, though just last week we held the court of honor. OH and what an ordeal that was. (I loved it as you all know I love to do these things) He had the court of honor with his best friend Andrew Bowman from a different troop. So I did have help because his mother and I did everything except the program which the boys did. I picked up two large cakes from Sam's (large as in one was actually a double cake). They filled the back of Mom's new Pacifica. I couldn't imagine all that cake being eaten. We used the new hall that Harmony has and it was a very nice place. We filled it. And we had like 8 pieces of cake left. I couldn't believe it. But the whole thing was a huge success and what a proud moment that was.
Yesterday Chase turned 16. I have mixed emotions. I remember large insurance bills, scary nights wondering when they'd be home, wrecks, and a whole lot of prayers during the years that followed the other boys 16 birthday.
Well this is my second attempt at creating on of these. I tried before but never kept up. I think I am at a point I can do better now.