New things happening in my world....

Taking a moment to look at the big picture.....

I shared yesterday with my daughter Sara. At Time Out For Women and Girls.
We sat with some of our very favorite people; Jean Harper and two of her lovely granddaughters. The speakers and performers were Awesome.
I am always thrilled that I walk away from any one of these events feeling as though I was meant to be there. But yesterday, was all for me. I needed all of it. I wasn't looking to get answers, I didn't even want them. I was just making an attempt at being a good mom. But yet everything that was said was what I was starving for. I see now that over the past many months I have let myself slip into a state that I was becoming very complacent with my life. I was looking for an escape.
I think that I may have just needed to have my hand held and showed the right direction again.
I needed reminded what I am here for, what the big picture is. If left to flounder on my own, I flounder very very well. Once again, I see that I am not alone, and that there is direction and purpose and love. Not that I can fix my mid life crisis by spending a few hours with others, but I am grateful for the life reminder. I feel like I am facing the right direction this morning.

I met Carl 23 years ago tonight!
Blind date. . . . . My best friend set us up.
ASU Singles dance.
We actually met at Snow Oasis across the street.
I am not sure they still have YA dances there, but I know
Snow is not there any more! Truely a loss.
We didn't start dating right away, it took me a while to fall for him.
But he said he knew I was it from the begining.
I am greatful for my friend, she knew me well enough to find me
Mr. Right. I will be forever greatful to her!
I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband!!!!
Here is to the next 23 years!!!!!

Today is......National Relaxation Day!
Thank goodness it's Friday!

So many things happening!
The kids started school this week.
My Meg is a big fourth grader. She was worried about her teacher and her class. But she has found that she really likes the class and the teacher. Mom and Meg are both happy.
Meg gets to take her cell phone with her to school this year. And may I just say how responsible she has been!
I am thrilled that she is going to be doing some new and great things in this class. She is so aw some.
Mark started High School and Seminary on Monday! And although he had the 'freshman nerves' the first few days, he is doing great. He has been making some new friends and getting to know the school. He is still doing weight training after school every day. He has chosen not to do football this year (14 hour school days are a bit much). But he is looking into other things to stay involved. Today his seminary teacher asked him to be the Freshman Class President! (PROUD PARENTING MOMENT!)
Sara has just taken her final in training at Discover. She did perfectly!!
She thinks that she will stick with this job a bit longer! The pay is good and I think she will do very well.
She is also prepping for her last semester at GCC. She will be taking two classes and a lab. Along with institute!!
She is doing everything great, another Proud Parenting Moment!!
Emmaly and Trent went to see the DR this week. (on Mark's birthday) They got a DVD of Baby Dear! They also found out that we are expecting a BABY BOY!!!!! How thrilled are WE!!!
The Keppner family will be moving into their new apartment on the 22nd! I am thrilled for them. But I miss her soooooooooo much! ; ( But they are doing well, and Trent is doing great at his new job. I am so grateful for his family and how they have welcomed and taken care of my Emma. They are so good to her, to both of them. She loves all of them so much.
Carl's parents are coming in for Mark to be ordained a Teacher this weekend. They are so thoughtful. I am very grateful to have such wonderful in laws!
All is well.
Of course, I have reread Breaking Dawn twice now! But I did go to the library today and got a few new books to keep me away from my Twilight addiction. And I started making Baby Keppner an Afghan. So I am moving away from the addiction! Not too far..... I seem to need a fix every now and then!!!

Today is National Lollipop Day.....

Lets start with the kiddos....

Emma and Trent have been back to see the doctor.
Baby Dear is doing well. So is the little Mommy!
Daddy has a new job, (that makes Grandpa and Grandma Happy).
I do not hear from them often, but Emmaly says they are happy!

Jessette took Carl and me to the Art Institute of Phoenix.
We had the two hour tour. COOL place. And since she will already
have her associated degree before she begins there, she will be
able to concentrate on the stuff she loves. I feel really great about
this school. She can stay at home, and it only takes 15 minutes to
go from school to work. She just started training at Discover.
And she is working on networking!!!! I am so proud of her, she is great!

Mark has been doing weight trainig at the high school this summer.
He is in love with the results of weight training, but the mom can only
handle so much muscle flexing around the home!
He has also got his little sister and his friends sucked into this online
game called "Maple Story". I am the first to say NO to online games.
But this one is darling and Mom aproved! We are in the prosses of
figuring out his birthday, 14, church dances, high school...
do you remember how great it was!!!! And eventhough I am the mom,
I do think he is awsome!!!

Meg has been spending some time with friends lately. Nice little change.
She has enjoyed it, I am thankful for the parents who are so much better
than I am, my children are blessed to have friends with great parents!!!
Meg has been reading all the Ameerican Girl books. She is in love with them.
She did a Mother Daughter dinner in achivement day, her leaders are so great.
I love teaching her primary class!

Two weeks untill the next book comes out. I am so excited!!!! I have read and viewed
everything there is to get mey hands on. I am just glad I am not the only mom who
is so obsessed with Twilight.
I worked 8 days in a row, then yesturday I spent the day at Driving School!
It was not as bed as I thought it would be. Brother Rich was our teacher. He was
really great. I never want to break another law though. I learned alot.
Let me tell you, I need a life!!!

I spent the last week in a new training class for my new job.
I started out in one area and was asked to move up. OK!!!
So I have one more week to finish my training. I think I will like
this area.

I started reading Twilight last Sunday after church. I finished reading
Eclipse yesturday. I was addicted. And it the fourth book was out
yet I would still be reading.
(My children want to burn the books. Because I have spent no time with
them, I did feed them.)
I never play the selfish mom card, ever. But this week was wonderful.
I love this set of books. She is a wonderful writer. I have never gotten
sooooo into any thing as moving as this.
LOVED IT!

Today is Emmaly and Trents 6th month anniversary!
Proud parenting moment, yet I feel so jipped. I feel like I am missing out on all of it.

Last Sunday was Fathersday. Carl and I did breakfast together at 6:30am. The first time
we have had breakfast together, with out kids since we have been parents.
Then he opened the package that Emmaly and Trent sent to him. As I sat across the room
from him, I watched him read the darling Fathersday card she made for him. Then he pulled
a wrapped gift out of the styrofoam peanuts. As he unwrapped the gift I saw that it was a frame.
With the photo there was a card addressed to "Grandpa". The frame holds the first photo of
our first grand baby! Thrilled beyond belief!!!!
Yet again so jipped, they are so far away.
I cryed for hours. Then we called, all is good. I just feel so out of their loop. Waaaaaaaaaa

Baby Dear is 11 weeks this week. We are following the growth on line.
The due date is January 3rd, 2009. It will be so exciting!
Not to mention how spoiled Baby Dear will be!!!!

“The safest place and the best protection against moral and spiritual diseases are a stable home and family. This has always been true; it will be true forever.” --Boyd K. Packer

Today is Sara Jessette's 20th Birthday!
It doesn't feel like there have really been 20 years since the day she was born.
She was the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. (And all mine were beautiful!)
I remember details about the night before her birth, I vividly remember the
events of her birth ( I still marvel that I had more after that). I remember the
people who came to see us at the hospital. I remember how big Emmaly all the
sudden was.
How did so much time fly past. I am so afraid of letting the next 20 whiz by.
I can not express how wonderful this child of mine is. So creative, so passionate,
so delightful. I adore her! She is one of my dearest friends!
I have been blessed with the most wonderful children. They are nothing like
I was at any age. This daughter makes me smile. She curls up in my bed late at night
and makes me giggle, I love so many things about her. I remember when the kids
where small I thought "I am so glad they are mine, I could not imagen not having
them with me" and now that they are getting big and older, I am so glad that we
have had the oppertunity to watch them become who they are. I love them each
so very much.
Sara Jessette June 3rd.... She is amazing!

Family Proclamation Cookie

Make these cookies to help your family learn about the different roles of the family,
(from The Family Proclamation).

When the dough is complete…. Remember that this is no ordinary dough.
This is sweet, because the family is sweet when it is blessed by Heavenly Father.
When each person in the family does what they should, our family is Blessed!

This recipe has to have all the right ingredients in order to work....just like a family.
Everyone can help. Everyone can add some chocolate chips and share ways they can serve their family.

Directions:

1 Husband (one stick of butter)1 Wife (one stick of Butter)Blend these two together (marriage)
Crack open: all the blessings of the Priesthood. (One egg)
Next: crack open: all the things that a Father does for the family.
Provides, Protects, Presides the family in love in righteousness. (Add another egg)
Combine: 3/4 cup of Nurturing love by our Mother (white sugar)
Add: 3/4 cup of Gospel teaching by Mother and Father (brown sugar)
Stir in...2-1/4 cups of Faithful, respectful, Obedient, compassionate Children (flour)
Add one teaspoon of repentance (salt)
- one teaspoon of prayer (soda)
- one teaspoon of forgiveness (vanilla)
Mix well, and add 2 cups of unselfish SERVICE! (Chocolate Chips)

Combine all ingredients and drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 9-11minutes.

Since my pantry is full of cereal I thought I would make a batch or two of this
really yummy snack mix. I got the recipe from Jean Harper, then tweaked it!
We LOVE it, feel free to tweak away!!!!

Crunchy Caramel Snack Mix

3 c cocoa puffs 3 c chex cereal (your choice)
2 c golden grahams cereal 1c peanuts (or chow mein noodles)

In medium pan mix together:

1c brown sugar 1/2 c butter 1/4 c light corn syrup

Cook and stir over medium heat till butter melts and mix begins to boil.
Cook with out stirring for 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in:

1/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp cream of tarter 1/2 tsp vanilla

Por over cereal mix, stirring until all is coated with syrup.
Pour on to large baking sheet. Bake for 30 min at 300 degrees.
Cool Eat Yummmmmmy!!!!!

Today is Emmaly and Trent's 5 month Anniversary!!!
Tomorrow is National Turtle Day........

Our son graduated from 8th grade last night!
It is the third time we have watched one of our children
take the walk from little kid to teen.
And as we watched and listened, and viewed him and all
his great friends I was once again reassured that my kids
are totally AWESOME!!!
It was a very nice program, the best one yet.
And may I just say, my son was the most handsome
young mad there!
We were invited to The Peterson's for an after
graduation bbq. It was delightful! The Peterson's
are Mark's other family. If he were to run away, we would
find him there. (We would probably take him!)
They are a wonderful family, we are very lucky to have
them as part of our sons life. And how many kids do
you know that make thier own elevator music while
on hold.. Kenny Peterson does! We love the kid!

I watched American Idol for the first time last night, it was ok.
I still don't see what all the fuss is about.

I called Emmaly today and thanked her for sending this
WONDERFUL weather down from Idaho.
She is having 40 degree weather and rain. Well she sent
70 degree rain home to us, and we are thrilled!!!

Hope you enjoy National Turtle Day tomorrow!
Hug your kids, take a deep breath, and dive into
Summer Vacation!!!!

Today is National Kite Day....
It was breezy and rainy and lovely.... a good day for a kite!

I am learning much at the new job.
We have had lessons on having good attitudes, on being
nice and on doing the right thing.
Lessons I would love to share with my family. And your family too!
I have also learned loads about the web sights, I do feel like my
brain is on overload. But I seem to do OK on the phones. So I guess
the rest will come with time.

Mothers day was very nice.
The kids made me french toast for breakfast. Carl even surprised me
with boysenberry syrup.(my favorite)
Sara made cheese cake with fresh berries, and strawberry pie!
Heaven!!!!!

My Meg gave me a bowl she painted at school. It is lovely!
She also made me not one but two cards, one with her photo!
And a poem with her love.
My son gave me a letter. (yep, I cried and cried!!!)
Then he gave me a manila envelope. Inside was a piece of
his work from each year of school. From k-8. (yep, I cried and cried)
(I will find the teacher in charge of that and give them my thanks)
My Sara Sue made me the most beautiful ceramic cookie jar, in the
shape of a bunch of grapes. It is awesome. She is soooo talented.
I can not begin to tell you how much I love her work.
My Emma and Trent sent me clothes for my TK bear. They are
from BYU, the are TRENT! We put little Shaq shoes on him to
make him complete.
My kids are all so good to me!! I loves the treasures.

We spent dinner with the Paolacci's and Harper's. Always a treat!
The perfect ending to a perfect day!

Children laughing has to be the very closest thing to angels singing.
I love to hear giggles and belly laughs.
Nothing is so refreshing and wonderful. You can't help but smile.
How lucky we are to have our little ones in our lives.

I took my children to the library this morning. We had movies to
return, and I love to look for a good book.
But Mark found the book of choice today.
He did it quietly, I did not know he was looking for it,
but we were all so thrilled to have it in our
home again after so many years.
"Piggie Pie" by Margie Palatini
Yep we all took turns reading it out loud to each other.
We love this book. I think I need to let Santa know!!!
Now that we have no little tikes, I guess I had forgotten
how grand it is to read silly things to my family.
We are huge on reading, we love a good book on cd
(the second 'Leven Thumps' is in the car, for after school
listening, right now).
We read so many books each year.
Last summer Meg read all the Magic Tree House books,
this summer she is working on the American Girl books.
Mark is working his way through Harry Potter and
the Twilight books (he was put in a reading group with all
girls, they picked the reading agenda).
Jessette reads more books than anyone I have ever known.
It is a passion. I do love it also. I am trying to get Emmaly
to read "Mr. Darcie's Diary", a very good read!!!
Two of my favorite last reads have been
"Remembering Wholeness" by Carol Tuttle
and "The Peacegiver" by James Farrell.
Two life changing books, I think every one should read them both.
I am thankful for the passion that my family shares for reading.
We are truly blessed to have books so readily available to us.

Don't get me wrong, I think my kids love the wii most of all!!!

Discover is a very nice place!
Orientation went well.
I think I will go back....

Mark made me aware of today being the first day of the last month of 8th grade.
How sad and happy all at the same time. He is excited and I am too. But one more
of my babies to grow up. Makes me a bit teary.
Jessette has been bringing home all of her work from her ceramics class.
She has made the loveliest cups and bowls. And she has made the most wonderful
mothers day gift. (I am not supposed to know yet, but WOW!)
My kids are all so creative and talented. I am thrilled. I can copy anything, but
they got the creativity from their dad, cause they just blow me away.
Meg came home from school and showed me the dance her class is doing for
the Beach Party at school. Each year Desert Harbor Elementary has a beach party.
The kids have a blast. This is the 13th year, we haven't missed one yet!
I am so glad to have kids!

Today is National Hairstylist Appreciation Day.......
Tomorrow is May Day....
Friday is Sibling Appreciation Day.....
Saturday is National Relationship Renewal Day....
Sunday is Cinco de Mayo....

I have spent this morning chatting with Emmaly. She and
her Trent are moving out of their Utah apartment today.
They are going to live with Trent's parents while they are
getting the new business started. I am so thankful that his
parents are so wonderful. Emmaly is feeling good about being
there. I am so thankful for the Keppners.

I start my new job tomorrow, so I am cleaning today.
I made the kids banana muffins.
I have been asked by some friends and my married girl,
to post my menus. So I will try to post my weekly dinner
menus. I think it is so helpful to have a plan.
This week our menu has looked like this:
Sunday ~ Enchilada Casserole
Monday ~ Burros
Tuesday ~ Asian Chicken Salad ( Applebee's recipe)
Wednesday ~ Stir Fried Rice
Thursday ~ Pork Green Chili w/ Black beans
Friday ~ Pasta w/ meat balls
Saturday ~ hot dogs & potato salad

Now I am off to clean clean clean!!!

Today is National Hairball Awareness Day....

I have worked for Synergy Home Care for two days this past week.
For a couple that is delightful. I wondered after the first day, 'what am
I to learn from such a short experience'. (I put in my resignation after
two days so I could start working for Discover)
So on day two with Mr. & Mrs. Guy,
I tried to be very in tune with what I was to learn.
I cleaned, and then Mrs. Guy went to lunch with her friends. Mr Guy and
I cleaned out closets and moved patio furniture ( we also chased a
rabbit out of the yard...fun stuff) They Guy's are wonderful.
But all the cleaning and packing was now done, they were ready to
take their trip back east to their summer home.
So I asked Mr. Guy what I should do now.
He made me a fried egg sandwich. And as we eat lunch,
he taught me about finance.
(I have since writen down what he told me and I went to the library,
I am reading 'Women & Money" by Suze Orman.)
I will admit that I have known nothing about finances.
I go from month to month doing the doggy paddle in the sea of debt crap.
I can say I am no closer to financial success now than I was 20 years ago.
Then came Mr. Guy (he is in his mid 70's).
He just started talking to me, I didn't ask for the lesson,
he didn't know I live in a cloud of financial polution.
He taught me about the stock market ( not alot, just enough to
get me started). He told me the most inportant part is to
pay my self first. To me this has never made sence. How do
you pay yourself first when you know there would not be
enough $$$ even before that. But he spelled it out.
You put $25.00, $50.00, what ever, in your savings acount every
month or every paycheck. If you work for a company that you
can buy stock through, have them take out the $ for one share
of stock from each paycheck each time you get paid.
The trick is you can not touch this $.
When you have it saved up, to lets say $1000.00.
Get an investment broker who you can trust ( Edward Jones ect)
Mr Guy gave me his stock choices. (He took out the news paper and
circled the ones he invests in, then he showed me on the financial
channel what other opions are)
( I feel like this page of the news paper he gave me is priceless).
He has been investing with them for years and
he says with a smile, "they make me money".
He has more invested than the three he gave me. But those are
the ones he said are his basics.
I asked him lots of questions, like "How do you live, month to month"
He said he worked for the same company for 32 years. He had a good
retirement program. He also has a great insurance plan. ( his wife has
alot of physical problems) They don't have to worry about money,
I saw that they have PLENTY. They have a great life.
They are in controle of their money.
And although I feel as though Carl and I have lost twenty years of
controle. I think, and Mr Guy agrees, that we still can do what it
takes to have a future.
Both my wonderful sister in law Wendi, and Suze Orman say we
need to start by writing down what we want, what our pasions are,
what our dreams are. We need to set goals. I think I am ready to start!

Jean Harper sent this to me.
Food for thought...

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (Regarding the attacks on Sept. 11). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"
In light of recent events...terrorist s attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.
Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).
We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers,
their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing? Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Just thought Iwould share.

Today is Bus Drivers Day.....
May I just say how much I love my friends.
There is Lynn who is an inspiration to all.
Kristan who makes everything good.
Denise who is so giving and real.
Becki who is so in tune.
Wendi who is so perceptive.
There are so many others, and all of them
touch my life and help me want to be a
better person. I am grateful to them all.
My girls and I got our hair done last night.
I love it!!! I always feel so much better with
a new do!
The windows of Heaven are pouring out on me!
I not only got one job offer today, but two!!
I am so happy!
And the repair man came and fixed my a/c.
I have clean, cool air!!! I am so happy.

Today is Earth Day....
or Arbor Day....
I think they both stand for the same ideas.
Today is going to be a great day.
I just feel it.
I got to see the photos from my Emmaly and Trent's wedding last night.
Wow, they are so beautiful. I cried. The wedding was so nice. We had hick ups,
but it all turned out so nice. I will learn to post photos to my blog and other
sights today, and I will share.
I owe Jamie Harper great and wonderful things for being so fabulous with
these pictures. She is very very talented. I thank her!
We are planning our Summer break, any great ideas for the family who
is staying home this summer?
I think we will plant a herb today, does that coutnt for arbor day?