Warm Fuzzies

I was shopping in Sam's the other day and ran into President J - a counselor in the Stake Presidency...

We visited for a little while about how the families were doing, school, vacations, etc. You know, the normal stuff but, as we were parting ways do you know what he said to me?!?

"I am so glad that I ran into you, seeing you always makes me smile."

It gave me the warm fuzzies. Hope someone says that to you today!

"Give" - Little Stream

At church today Brother Smith gave a wonderful talk about the importance of giving and not just during the Christmas Season. It truely touched my heart and made me want to do better. So, just as in the words of a well loved Primary Song,

1.

"Give said the little stream,

Give oh give,give oh give.

Give said the little stream,

as it hurried down the hill.

I'm small I know but wherever I go

The fields grow greener still.

2.

Give said the little rain,

Give oh give, Give oh give.

Give said the little rain,

as it fell upon the flow'rs

I'll raise their drooping heads again

As it fell upon the flow'rs.

3.

Give then as Jesus gives

Give oh give, give oh give.

Give then as Jesus gives;

There is something all can give.

Do as the streams and blossoms do

For God and others live.

Singing, singing all the day,

Give away oh give away.

Singing, singing all the day

Give oh give away!"

Remember, no matter who you are, you have the ability to give of yourself to others. And others will love you for it. I know that I do.

A TRUE Vacation

When JP and I got married, we moved into a new city. The church ward that we moved into was fairly large and we were enjoying getting to know some new people. One day about six months into our residence there, Bishop Peterson came up to us in the hallway and said, "Are you guys new? I have not seen you here before..." We had a good laugh and introduced ourselves and went on our ways...The next week we were both called into his office and were given our first callings as a married couple - Ward Missionaries if I remember correctly...

And thus began the very long stint of different callings. Everything from missionaries to primary presidencies (Sunshine) and the Bishopric (JP) plus just about everything you can imagine in between.

My most current calling was that of the Primary Presidency in which I was first counselor. Before that I enjoyed teaching Sunday School to the 14 and 15 year old youth in our ward. A calling I had for the better part of three years. Well, the week before General Conference, I was released from my Sunday School calling and placed into Primary.

Now keep in mind, with my Sunday School calling, I was able to go to Relief Society for three years straight. If you are not familiar with the church, that is the class with the women. A wonderfuly spiritually feasting hour without the children. THREE YEARS PEOPLE - can we say HEAVEN? So when the Bishop asked me to go to Primary (two hours with ALL THE CHILDREN) I felt that it was my "time" and was happy to go after THREE YEARS of Adult lessons.

That was the last weekend in September when I was given this new calling. January is my month to teach Sharing Time...UNTIL TODAY! Yes, ladies and gentleman, I was released and only two months into my time! And, for the first time in the twelve years that I have been married, I DON'T HAVE A CALLING!

And no, there is nothing that I need to repent of that would have precipitated this release ( you know you were thinking it and shame on you for that!).

The Primary President was called to be a Seminary teacher and when they release the President, they release the counselors as well.

NO CALLING! :) Did you hear me? I am truly on vacation! No school, no lessons to prepare. And if JP is anything to believe, there is nothing in the works as of today...

Too bad I am married to the first counselor in the Bishopric, otherwise, I think that my favorite game would become "Dodge the Bishop" at least for a little while!

Post note: If you are not familiar with the church, we are a lay church which means that the members of the church are given "callings" in which we teach each other. Everyone from the Prophet all the way down the line are not paid for our time or services (unless you count blessings, then I would be a MILLIONAIRE!) I myself have had the opportunity to teach in every aspect of the ward (local congregration) and have thourghly enjoyed each of the different callings and was sad when I was released. There is a saying that I have heard before that states that the Lord calls those who need the growth most to teach, and I have found that to be true in every calling I have had. I learn so much from those that I serve and feel that each calling helped me to become a better person, if I let it. If you would like to know more, go here.

Memories...

On December 18, twelve years ago, JP took me to the St. Louis Temple where we were married for Time and All Eternity.

Sorry, no picture of the happy married couple on their day...

my scanner isn't compatible with the new computer and all the pictures are "old school" -

Three years ago this past week, we brought home the cutest little puppies "for the kids" (JP?)

Hannah Montana and Harley Davison

December 2006

On December 18th this year, our puppies were called home. They loved to chase rabbits, mice, whatever ventured into our yard, out. They loved to play catch with us and with each other and were always up for a really good belly rub.

We loved them, we miss them, and we will never forget them.

Finals Week...Christmas List

OK, so if you didn't know...THIS IS FINALS WEEK.
(Can you hear the angels singing too?!)
Monday, I was studying in my room.
Ralphie is watching a movie in the Living Room .
(Yes, that is how we spent that day...WAY MORE THEN THE RECOMMENDED 2 Hours of TV)Jake comes home from school -"Hey sweet guy! Mommy is studying go ahead and make your self some popcorn and finish the movie with Ralphie."
(Girl's are still at school)

10 minutes later...

My house is filled with smoke...
Not just smoke.
Smoke so thick it is only three feet off the ground and burning my eyes and throat.
WHAT IS GOING ON???
Seriously, I thought the kitchen was on fire....
After we got all the windows open (30 degrees NOT counting the wind chill) I get the story.
Ralphie cooked popcorn...
Jake cooked popcorn....
Ralphie cooked popcorn...
The problem???
They cooked the same bag...THREE TIMES!
Apparently, Ralphie cooked it. Jake thought that he didn't start it so he went in there and without checking it cooked it again...then Ralphie thought that Jake put a new bag in and WITHOUT looking AGAIN...cooked the popcorn....

Funny story right? Are your toes curling from the thought of popcorn so very burnt that it doesn't even smell like burnt popcorn anymore? Can you imagine what my microwave looked like? (Yes you are going to have to imagine because I forgot to get the picture of my mess).

Fast forward...now I get to clean the microwave. It was awful...The smoke was so very sticky and yucky.
Now, I thought,"The best way to clean this is to steam a little water in a cup and then wipe it out"
Sounds good - RIGHT?

OK, so that is what I did. I put about 1 to 1 1/2 cup water in a glass cup in the microwave, set it for 3 min and walked away to let it do its magic...

And magic it did! I hear JP call from the Living Room..."Um, Sunshine, you better get in here your microwave just did something!"

I go in there, there is water POURING out of the bottom of the microwave...I swear it was growing!
What happened?
Mystery to this day...
I asked JP about it and all he said that there was a gurgling sound then a bang then a sizzle...I told you it worked magic!

So, as I am pondering on this occurance, I pick up the microwave to move it to clean up the expanding puddle underneath (and yes the cup was fine and there is still water in it - truely a mystery!) and water just comes pouring out from some hole in the bottom and JP says,
"Um, I don't know much about microwaves, but I am pretty sure it isn't supposed to pee."

LOVE HIM!

So, what does this have to do with christmas lists???
All I want for christmas is this and three new kitchen outlets to replace the three that got FRIED!

Friendly Celebrity

This is a fun commercial that someone dear to me got make for their grocery store! This is a rough draft, when I it in the mail, I will put a clear copy on! Enjoy!

CHOCK IT UP TO OLD(ER) AGE

So this evening as I was getting in the shower I decided that I wouldn't wash my hair because I am going to exercise in the morning.

(OK probably not but a girl can pretend! )

So I get in the shower and realize that the girl's have taken my shampoo and conditioner so:

I get out of the shower

Run to the other bathroom

Grab my stuff

Run back to my bathroom

Put it back where it belongs in the shower

Only to realize...

I don't need it - I'm not washing my hair tonight.

OLDTIMERS AT IT'S BEST! :)

Have a great day!

Great Escapes...

OK, so if you have ever used a Cricut? If you have, you know why I am trying to win one. Great Escape Meme is a contest from TodaysMama and Cricut in which you (I hopefully) can win a Cricut machine...AND I REALLY WANT ONE OF MY OWN. So, I am sharing the love and if you decide to enter too, and you win instead of me...I would hope that you would share the love and donate it to me (hehehe). Just putting that out there...:)

1. If you could escape to anywhere in the world where would it be? Hawaii…little hut on a private beach with all the amenities..
2. What song do you play when you are by yourself in the car? By myself, what is that? I do love that Rock Star song from Pink
3. If you had a night to yourself, and money was no object, what would you do? Go Shopping…in Paris
4. What is your guilty pleasure? Blue Bunny Ice Cream…Bunny Tracks
5. What is the farthest place you have traveled away from your home? Oregon
6. Last book that you couldn't put down? Harry Potter 7
7. When you want to escape into another time, what movie do you watch? Pride and Prejudice
8. What is your favorite local escape? The Nature Center
9. How do you escape on a budget? Pop in a movie
10.Best food you've ever had while on vacation. Seafood at Papadeau’s (spelling?) while in Galveston, TX.

Conversation with Matilda

Mom:
I think that I am a little biased with how pretty you are because you are starting to look like I did when I was younger. I will have to show you a picture when I dig it out...

Matilda:

Was it in color?

Conversation with the water guy

OK so we have gotten A LOT of rain over the past few days and while I was walking out to my awsome van yesterday I noticed that there was a lot of water around my water meter pit so I lifted up the HEAVY lid (can you see my muscles?) and found that the whole pit was filled with water and there was this ssssssssssss sound. So I call the water dept and they say it is probably from the rain but to call back tomorrow (today) if it is still full because it should drain out.

Fast forward to this morning...I am taking the kids to the last day of summer school (good bye freedom!) and I step in soggy grass again. I lift up the lid again and it is still full and ssssssssssssssing. Call them back and this is the conversation:

Lady: City hall how can I direct your call?
Me: Water dept.
Guy in Water dept: Hello City Water dept.
Me: Hi, my name is Sunshine and I live on Wonderland street and I called yesterday because the water pit was full of water and today it is just as full.
Guy in Water Dept: OK, well let me get MY CLOTHES ON ( ok...what did he just say?) and I will come on out and check it.
Me: (Laughing hard)
Guy in Water Dept: I mean, let me get out of my street clothes and get my WORK CLOTHES on and THEN I will come out and check.

I don't know about you...but I am beginning to wonder what my tax dollars are going to here at city hall...ha, ha

It's all for Caty

OK Caty...new post coming soon!

Do you know what kind of whirlwind my life is right now??? Even now, I am taking time away from my beloved homework to post this for you! I hope you feel guilty...(HA, HA)


Here's something to tie you over!

Really Good Giggle...

I was searching through a blog this evening and found this...click on the news story link and be sure to read the comments after the story, it gave me a giggle! Thanks Crazy Times!

TRAVELING...Through Time

Oh my goodness! Matilda got to sing the National Anthem with her school choir tonight at a local college basketball game so we got to go watch the games. We made it a girl's night and left Dad home with the boys (they are still sick). OMG we had so very much fun. I forgot how exhillarating basketball games are (when they are live)!!!

It made me think of the old days - do you girls remember that? Practing two hours a day and then playing in the games? The home coach got mad at a call tonight and started stamping his foot on the ground...Do you remember when Coach Eddie did that and the heel of his shoe went flying across the floor?

Why can't old women have pick up games like the guys? Except you K.M. - I will forgive you for the next 6(?) months or so...I miss it so bad tonight...What great memories...

The girl's and I had alot of fun...sorry, no pictures I forgot the camera (yes, I know that was pretty loserish but hey!...it will remain in my memories - right?)

To all my girlfriends from long ago...I really miss you all...Hope you have a great week!

Late night thoughts...

The house is quiet. It is 11:30pm and I am able to think on the goings on of the past few days. What did I learn? LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT. Sammie has been sick for about two weeks and yesterday I had the thought that I should make an appt with the Dr to make sure that he is ok. I put it off…last night at 7pm, Sammie starts complaining about his ear hurting…by the time I get him to the doctor this morning at 9am, his left ear is so bad that the doctor fully expects it to burst in the next couple of days. Yes, I know I could not have prevented his ear getting infected, but if I would have listened to the promptings, he wouldn’t have had to go thru so much pain. Lesson Learned.
I have made it a goal to read the Ensign every day along with my scriptures. I am really enjoying it. There is such a wealth of peace and knowledge in reading it. What a blessing for me.

Blogging Fiend

Yes, I know that I have blogged more in the last few days then in a while but you know how mommyhood happens!
Anyway, I was on a friends blog and she always has the coolest buttons on the side. Tonight I (am supposed to be doing homework - shhhh) and found this one and I really like it. It has alot of products that are helpful, handy, or just plain cool! If you have time check it out (especially the OnTray thing...it is really cool!)

A Convo With A Four Year Old...

Ralphie with Grandma B on his birthday...

With all the conversations with friends that I have posted as of late...
(And yes I still call them friends because they laugh with me not at me right?)
I thought I would add a little blip that Ralphie had with me .

R:"So, where are we headed now Mom?"

M:"Home"

R:"And home is where the heart is..."

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

What's Up With The Friends?!

OK, so I have another friend that called today laughing about my blog about my friend who told me I could never be perfect...She was worried all of my readers (all three of you - hee, hee) would think it was her - silly her. I told her it wasn't...
Anyway, later in the conversation the topic of moving as children came up. Her MIL (Mother in Law) or someone who shouldn't have said it told her that she did not think that it was healthy for kids to move around alot growing up...that they would never get settled or turn out right or something silly like that. So I (trying to reassure her that it was ok) told her, my dad was in the military and we moved about every three years and I turned out ok - right?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT SHE DID?

SHE WAS QUIET

THEN I HEARD HER TAKE IN A SHORT BREATH...

AND THEN SHE LAUGHED...

AND LAUGHED...

AND LAUGHED!

What is up with that?! What kind of friends of do I have???

Ohhhh The Things They Will Say...

The other evening, JP was watching watching TV with the kids and an infomercial came on. Apparently, it was about some exercise or diet thing.

ANYWAY, on the show there was a woman talking about how she wanted to lose weight for years.
So Audry says, "Dad, I think she needs to get in shape..."
At which Jake promply replies..."She is a shape, she is round..."
JP couldn't speak for a few minutes.

Just Random...

The Paraphrasing of a Conversation with a friend on the phone:

ME: "I REALLY REALLY want to be one of those women with perfectly clean homes and no clutter."

Friend: "That is a really hard thing...I can't see you being one of those. "

ME: I am sure I can do this, it will just take determination..."

Friend: "OK"

10 MINUTES LATER IN THE CONVERSATION...

ME: "Sure Ralphie, you can have an orange, here I cut it for you. But mommy is cleaning the kitchen and dining room so go eat your orange in the Living Room..."

Friend: "You will never have one of THOSE houses (as she is laughing hystarically at me)"

ONE DAY...