Well Christmas is over

and I am sad. It was a very nice one. I had gone to the dentist on Tues. thinking I was gonna die!! They took xrays and couldn't find the tooth, they asked about sinuses and I told them I had just got over avery bad infection. They gave me strong antibiotics and pain pills. I was still feeling not quite myself so we just had our family. It was so nice we decided that is how we want it every Christmas Eve. Bryan played the guitar and we sang Christmas songs and carols, read the story from scriptures instead of a play. It was especially nice because I called Mom and her and Glen joined in the festivites via the phone. They loved it and sang with us. Serenity, because of her broken leg, with her family spent the night(she told us later it was really fun to spend the night-remember last year they went home for the night and came back in the morning). They had Josh's room. Cassandra, Abby, Aden, Josh, and Brinae slept in Brinae's room. Serenity was the one to wake everybody up this year!!!! Gerry spent the night too and loved it. He gets very lonely in the nursing home where he lives. We had our brunch and the Elders came. Cassandra put them to work putting Abby's kitchen together. They called home from our phones and then they were off. We played Rockband COuntry version, played DDR-I still got the moves-NOT!
We bar-b-q'd for dinner. We did not want turkey. It was really a great time and I am so excited-are you ready???? WE HAD A WHITE CHRISTMAS!!! i kept calling Mom and telling her it was a blizzard! It was so cold and pretty falling down. love love love it!
Today was the best Sacrament meeting I have been to in like forever. Joseph McCollum got home from his mission and gave an absolutely beautiful talk. It was awesome. He sure is a cutie for those single girls out here!!
Love to all! B

Merry Christmas!

I know it has been forever since I posted. Things have been so hectic and when I get home from work all I want to do is veg and crash.
Cassandra has both liver failure and type 2 diabetes. She is trying to get a hold of it, it has been scary and hard for her.
Serenity has a broken leg and has been off of it for over a month now and it is still not healing.
I have been working fulltime for this last few months, I can't wait for January when my time will be cut way back. I will be able to be mom and teacher again.
Christmas is here and I am homesick for my family. My mom is not doing well and I miss her like crazy. I wish we could all be together for Christmas. i wish i could see my brother and sister, I am missing them so much.
I am trying to get everything done for CHristmas, I still have a few things left to get, then done.
I am hoping for a fun and loving filled few days with my kids and grandkids.
Merry Christmas to you from me I love ya all!
I am going to do so much better with this bloggy thing in the new Year!!(I promise!!!)

Update

I haven't really had much time to blog or the desire to really sit down and blog. I have been,in my spare time, creating cards and layouts. I need to put them on my other blog.
Serenity fell off her neighbor's porch yesterday and broke her leg. She is in pain and having a hard time getting around. She goes in Monday for her cast. They splinted it from her ankle to above her knee. It is hard to help when I am working every day, Brinae is helping, and I can help with baths and putting them to bed.
Cassandra will get the results from all her tests on Monday, they called and told her a test came back showing her liver is not functioning. Monday cannot get here fast enough is what I think. I love my kids and wish they did not have to go through these kinds of trials.
I have been so tired when I get home from work that all I want to do is veg. My blood pressure is coming down witht he meds-thank goodness. The money has helped, but I miss being home with Josh and Brinae. They are bonding with Donnell and the stories they tell me when I get home.......LOL!
Love to all!

A little update

It has been kind of hectic here. We have had some sickness(headache thing with sore throats, fever, body aches), extra work hours for me, schoolwork, and helping a friend get ready for her babies-yep my co-worker had twin girls on Wednesday and they are adorable. Sara and I went over to Amber's house and got the babies room ready. Serenity came over and helped put the second crib together. We had so much fun and the room is beautiful-pink and brown. I scrubbed her kitchen floors and we vacumed and got the apartment all nice and spiffy for when Amber brings the girls home. We looked around the girls' room and realized it needed baskets for the socks and bibs, so off to walmart we went. It was 11:30p.m. and while we waited for someone to come and cut the material for the dresser top, I decorated the baskets! We used the sewing department's scissors and cut the ribbon and tied bows around the baskets and garbage can. We finally got the material and off we went. We were so excited to do the room that we didn't want to leave. We kept saying one more time and we would walk in the room! We had someone secretly buy her the carseats she had picked out and the bedding she had picked out-Amber had no idea!!! Our new library babies are Aurora(6lb1oz) and Ariyan (5lb9oz)-they have tons of black hair like Momma!
That is mainly what has been keeping me busy and getting ready for the all day crop at the library coming up Sept. 26/ I am teaching a make and take. I had my scrapbooking class last Thursday and had 12 come! I love it!!
I need to go now but know I love you all!

Wow It has been a long time!

i have been busy working on getting stuff to put on my artwork blog I have set up. Nothing is on there yet, but will be very soon.
School has started and with that life has been a little more hectic!
Brinae and Josh are both in Seminary and lovin' it.They are doing homestudy-a long story and I am at work -so not getting into it right now.
I have been creating some awesome cards. I just love playing with ink and paper!!!
Ok girls-those that won something from me I need your snail mail addys so I can get them out to you!!!
I need to go but I love ya all!

Sunday quietness

I had a hour and a half nap late this afternoon and now am just puttering. I taught Relief Society today and loved it. I was just filling in for a sister. I would love to do it more I think.
Today Katie WInborn spoke in Sacrament. She just got back from her mission. She went to Washington D.C. to a Spanish speaking mission. It was awesome to hear her talk, she is more subdued than before she left and yet still Katie-girl. She has an amazing testimony and she bore it in Spanish and yep I cried!
My scrapbook room is coming together, I was rearranging a few things and still have to do some organizing, but I am LOVING it! I can't wait to take pics and post them. I wish Lindsay were here to help with decorating. Whenever I go to her blog and see the things she does-stink' amazing! i just wish she would post pictures from all of her rooms-hey lets ask her!!!! Lindsay, if you see this please do so. Your talents are so incredible:decorator, party planner, cake decorator-you need to hang out a shingle girl!!!!
I have been on Facebook a little more and have had contact with some old friends and some relatives I haven't had contact with in like forever. I just don't get on much.
Brinae and JOsh had a great time at Youth Conference and I am so thankful for the programs we have for the kids. They are helping to build their testimonies and to have fun with one another.
Donnell is starting to get up to go to work so I need to go and help him out the door.
Goodnight and love to all.

Going to hang from the chandelier again!

Brinae and Josh are leaving for Youth Conference in a few minutes. It is only today and tomorrow, they will be home late tomorrow night. So you know what that means-yep hanging from the chandelier!
For those that don't remember I posted awhile back about how I told the kids when they were leaving it gave us a chance to do whatever we wanted, even hanging from the chandelier naked! Brinae turned to Josh and had said, "If we get home and the Chandelier is missing-just keep going and don't mention it!!!!"
I really don't know what Donnell and I have planned. Donnell said he didn't know except to not answer the phone-this was said as my phone kept going off with text messages! A quiet day, NEVER! That's like climbing Mt. Everest, don't ya think?
Cindy is getting to spend her last little while in Florida amid sand and sun today! She is having so much fun, this I know from facebook. I am getting the hang of it abit more.
Mom and others- a prayer for our Sarah-yep the girl "that sat next to you"-her hubby leaves Monday for Afganistan. She stopped by the library yesterday and we cried. Micheal(her hubby) came in and I gave him a hug and cried some more. She will be lonely and I told her to put me on speed dial! He will be gone for six months. He is a Major in the Army. I told her she can call me and we can talk, or watch tv together over the phone-after the kids are in bed! I told her this after I said it is kind of like a divorce, after mine I made it through the day because I was used to him being gone to work. It was after the kids were in bed and everyone else was spending the evening with their hubbies that I got really lonely. Sarah said yes that is how it feels. I told her about Debbie and how if we weren't at each others' houses-we would be on the phone and watching the same shows together!! I am so grateful that I have a wonderful hubby now and is my knight in shining armour! I told Sarah that it will be perfect as Donnel sleeps during evening hours and leaves for work at ten. I just love Sarah and think she is one of the sweetest people I know. We know we will be scrapbooking and card makin' up a storm!!!
Donnell just got home to take Josh, Brinae spent the night at Sasha's. I got to go to see m y kiddos off. A quick story: Sasha came to pick up Brinae yesterday and show off her new car to Donnell and JOsh while I was at work. She was telling them how big her trunk was, so Donnell and Josh climbed in it and they drove around the block, they then traded spots and the girls got in the trunk and Donnell drove them around the block. They called me at work to tell me the adventure! Wacky family, that family of mine!
Love to all!

Vacation pics

It is weird in that it uploads pics not in the order I thought! The above pic is the Crown Fountain in Millenium Park it is so awesome watching it. It is a face one on each end and they are like having a staring contest and then they purse their lips and water comes out their mouth! I am not doing it justice in my description. Chicago skyline to the right and then Donnell with the captain of the Branson Showboat, I took a picture of it in the daytime so yo u can see it better. We were at the beach when I clicked the picture of the Showboat.

Yes, the beach from he_ _, according to Donnell. The rocks near the water and the bottom of the lake were like shards of glass, not rocks. I got so sunburned-even with sunscreen, my lip is still killing me and my butt down is still a nice shade of red!! Allin all it was a blast to spend time with my honey. Best of all the kids had an AWESOME time at EFY and Josh wants to go again-it was a given with Brinae! I promise all of you even though it costs alot to send them, I believe in this day and age, we can NOT afford to not send them. The building of their testimonies and the hings they learn throughout the week cannot have a price on it. I encourage all of you in the Church to send your kiddos to an EFy and blessings just abound. Today I heard them talking about the things they learned and it just made my heart feel good that even after getting home and settling back in the normal stream of life, my two kiddos are still talking about what they learned and how they are bringin it up in our normal everyday conversation. I am so blessed!

pictures from vacation Chicago and Branson

Here are some of our pics: Donnell and I enjoying Uno's pizza in Chicago-the BEST pizza I have ever tasted. We have found out they can ship you some, so go check out their website!!

My other fave place was the Millenium Park in Chicago. It is awesome! I just loved it, we took our picture with the skyline behind us in the reflection egg-cool, eh?
The picture with me and the skyline behind me was taken during our harbor tour on a boat from Navy Pier.

It's late

so I am going to be short tonight. It is a few minutes to midnight and I am still doing laundry(wish Mom were here!!!!!), and I have been dividing Donnell's and my clothes into piles for our trip. We have been cleaning and organizing today also. I just don't like to come home to a dirty house after a vacation.
Tomorrow we are going to shop with the kids and get their final things they need for EFY. We have a bunch of people coming over to celebrate the 4th with us. We always do it on the 3rd as that is when Alma does their big fireworks show. We are going swimming, h aving a bar-bq, then watching the fireworks. It will be so much fun.
I read on Mom's blog, that her and Glen are going to Alaska on a cruise. I hope their health holds out and that they have a great time. My friend Lesa just got back from Alaska and said it is beautiful there. I am so happy for my mom, she has wanted to do this forever.
Well guys, my eyes are getting heavy and my bed is calling my name.
Love to all!

I have not fallen off the planet

I have just let life get hectic and have stayed away from the computer. A few highlights:
Brinae completed Seminary for this year and received her scripture mastery!! She went to Girl's Camp and had a good time. She has been spending alot of time with her sisters and going between houses and having sleepovers(she is hardly home anymore),
Josh had a good time at Boy Scout Camp although canoeing in not deep water is NOT fun-he will tell you! They had to keep getting out and carrying the canoes.
I have been extremely busy with work, I did two fo the libraries art camps and whew I am tired. Each was a week long and from 9 to 12 each day. Thank goodness, my job was storyteller and registration and just all around helper. The art center does the program, an awesome program and all the kids had a great time- Sam says"Grammy, art camp is so fun!!!!" -this from the boy that didn't hink he wanted to do it.
Our van died and so now we have a very pretty bright red Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, I am loving it!
We leave on Sunday to take the kids to Illinois to EFY, then Donnell and I have that week to vacation ourselves. We are staying one night in Chicago(the HIlton-thanks to Priceline!!!!) on the magnificent mile. Then off to Branson for three nights, then back to Bloomington for one night, then pick up the kids and head home. Donnell and I are so excited. We have tickets for the Branson Showboat, we keep looking at everything and trying to narrow it down. I just want to spend time with him. I can't wait!
I have been busy creating and soon I will put stuff on the blog, I have to get a new camera, mine is dead.
I just miss and love ya all!

Just a little update

Today we had the Kiddos(hubby and wife team) come to the library to do our summer kickoff. They were very good and everyone loved singing and dancing along. Serenity bought their CD to play on the way to the Chandlers reunion. I can just imagine;)
I signed up for a yahoo group blog of stampers, I figure that means I have to be more diligent in posting my artwork!! I bet my mom is doing the happy dance now! I need to post some pics so I will try to do that after dinner.
Josh is going on a Boy Scout trip this week, they are going canoeing. Brinae is going to the Chandler reunion with Serenity to help-so Thursday night is Donnell's and my quiet evening(he is going canoeing with the scouts on Friday), I told the kids we were going to hang from the chandelier! Brinae said to Josh, when we come home, if the chandelier is missing-just ignore it!

Love to all,
Bridgette

update

My family have all gone back home to Canada. My mom had been here for three weeks and all but four days-rain and heavy thunderstorms. My brother and sister came for a week-whew shopping, shopping, shopping! I have to recuperate! It was so fun to spend time with them and to enjoy one another's company! I miss them so much and I love them tons! It is very quiet at home now. Come back guys-we'll go to Wal-mart and have Donnell bar-b-q another feast!!!
I am at work and should get going, I have some "creations" I need to post, I'll do that this weekend.
Love to all!

Quick update

I am so sorry for not blogging lately. I cannot believe how exhausted I am. I guess it is my age creeping up one me-I will be 46 this Friday you know.
I am still playing catchup after working 58 hours in one week at work! Can you believe it? Kind of much for a partime job!!!!! The next week I think had almost 30, I never had a chance to catch up. This Friday I have 16 ladies for the card class in Mulberry. My classes are growing like crazy. Cindy is coming over tomorrow to help package the card kits. I hope she realizes they are planned in my head and not made yet!!! Hopefull I will be well on my way with getting them done before she gets here.
It is allergy nightmare right now, I can hardly breathe, my head, eyes, ears, and throat are killing me with the stuff in the air. A doctor on the news said to not open windows or doors. He also said when you come in from outside, strip down, and take a shower-ya right, who has time to keep doing that? Anyway I am miserable and just want it to all go away. I'm hoping the weather cooperates and lets all the plants bloom sop we can go on!

On a more positive note , my baby boy turned 14 on Friday!! I cried at the thought of him growing up so fast. He is a good kid and I am happy to have him as my son. The youth went to the Temple on Saturday and they sang Happy Birthday to him at CICIS pizza on the way home. He is looking forward to his first dance in April.
I just finished mopping m y kitchen floor and I am now heading off to bed.
Good night to all and remember I am sending love to all!

Oh hey Kathy, I read your comment and I had told the kids when I posted it, when Autie Kathy sees this it will be m ailed soon and Brinae and I c an be si[pping tea again soon!!!!!

911

TO MY CANADIAN FAMILY. OUT OF CAFLIB TEA. IN DIRE NEED OF MORE. PLEASE SEND SOME MORE VERY SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



LOVE TO ALL

Always amazes me, my youngest girl!

Brinae has started a blog and is so spiritual. YOu need to check it out. eternalperspectives123@blogspot.com
Donnell, Kay, and Tammy helped me to do the Zone Coneference it was fun and our parmesan chicken was a hit!! Remember those days Lindsay?
It is so neat to be amongst all the missionaries and feel of their special spirit they carry with them. It was a really good day today.
Tomorrow will be another long long LONG day! Donnell and I are taking Brinae, Staci, and Sasha to see David Archuletta in concert in Oklahoma City. We are leaving right after Seminary in the morning. They will be camped out at the center as it is general admission seating. They have plans to make signs, play games, and jam to the music! I had to go get a new driver's licence as mine got lost. Donnell had bought the tickets with my card, so I need ID to pick them up. The girls' were worried that I wouldn't get one in time. They are really excited.
Love to all!

Woo Hoo! 20 lbs!!!!

Today I marked the 20 pound mark. I really wanted to be in new numbers, but I will take the 20 pounds. I am hoping for 4 pounds this week so I can be in new numbers. It will be tough as I have all day training on Friday and it is at a 4H ranch. It is for the children's programs and we go every year, but lunch is cooked there. We also have our 6 - midnight crop on Friday and 10-6 on Saturday at the library. I am hoping I can do more exercise this week. I am feeling almost normal now.
I have to go and drive Bryan to work so I need to get going. We had an awesome day at Church, Elder Hastings came for Brother Zeb's funeral and it was good to see him. He has a wife and cute baby boy. We will miss Zeb, he was funny, sweet, kind, and had the most hickish accent I have ever heard. We teased him and he just teased us back. THe ward will not be the same without him.

Love to all!

First 5 Give away - yay a prize, a present from me!

I read Lindsay's blog and signed up for something made by her. She had signed up under Serenity and I thought "how stinking cool is this?" Most have a sixth restriction stating that y ou have to pay it forward and offer the same thing on your blog or face book. I am not including that as I know some of my readers don't have these. If you want to offer something in your own way through email, blog, or whatever, that is up to you. Feel free to leave me a comment and try to be the first five.

First Five Gimme Gimme
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! my choice. for you. this offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. what I create will be just for you.
3. it’ll be done this year. {translation: you may be waiting a little while}
4. you have no clue what it’s going to be … it may be cards, a poem, a bookmark, something yummy or a complete surprise to you (and me!) … who knows? not you, that’s for sure!
5. i reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

I'm already thinking of so many fun things to make.

SICK, SICK, and Sick

Well, you can tell something was up as I haven't been on here. I cannot remember ever being as sick as I was. I think I had the full blowout flu. I started feeling sick on Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday I had to call in and boy it started, Friday I felt a little better. I had dinner and walked for a mile and then that night got a relapse. I was worse on Saturday and Sunday then I had been earlier in the week. I feel better today, except I feel like a semi has run me over!
I have more to tell some great news and a give away but that will wait for tomorrow as I am dead on my feet or in my chair!
Love to all!

Basketball

We went to see the Mulberry HIgh School game. I had promised Connor that we would go to one, this was the last one. It was very good to see him play. He lives and breathes the game. He is just like another one of my kids. I had a really good time, sitting with Cindy and seeing some of the Mulberry natives that we used to see and visit with. There a couple of boys from Church on the team so it was nice to see them play also. The other team had a mentally challenged player and when they put him in it was awesome watching all the boys from both teams. Our boys stepped back when his teammates threw him the ball and he tried to make a basket. A few times it hit the rim and off . WHen he finally made the basket everyone in the gym celebrated! THe look on his face was priceless, my eyes filled while I watched him take in the moment. OUr boys won and did a super great job. I wish now that we had attended more of the games. Donnell says next year our Connor will be big man on the campus!(3 were seniors tonight)
Breakfast-none(I know bad)
lunch-6 inch sub
dinner- nachos bel grande
snack- only a couple of sugar free sweethearts
water-66 ozs
exercise-walked a mile and a half

I know I did not eat well this week, not by eating bad stuff, but by not eating enough

Sunday is weigh in day.

Mady Grace's Burnin Up Video

Brinae Was watching Mady and they made this video of Mady. Mady loves the Jonas Brother and sings Burnin Up all the time.

Bare Minerals before and after

I bought the starter kit for Bare Minerals. I love how it feels like you are wearing nothing on your face and it is healthy for your skin. Brinae watched the video and wanted to be that applicator. Here are our before and after pics-well are we ready for the infomercial?

Valentine Delivery

Today at work I was preparing for my scrapbook class and I heard the door open. I looked up and saw the balloons and thought Tammy must be getting a delivery. I asked her if I could help her and she said,"I'm looking for Bridgette", I said,"Oh that's me, that's me!" I ran up to the front counter and thought, "who are they from?" I know you are probably thinking what?, but the girls have sent me flowers to work before, and I did not have a clue. Donnell had been there just a little bit before she came. I noticed the puupy sand"Love Machine"! I knew for sure who had sent it then. I cried, my darling man never ceases to amaze me. He is always suprising me and making me feel like a queen. People were asking why I got it early and I explained it was my last day to work this week. He wanted them delivered to be more special. He just kept smiling at me this evening. I love him completely. The girls and the patrons were talking about how he surprised me with deliveries all day on my anniversary in 2007, i mean every few hours something else would come in. He had the girls all helping him, Amy would send me to the back for a book and I would come back up front and there was something else. He is sure a great man. AMy said today that he was putting all the other guys in the dog house today!

The ladies loved the layout I taught them today. The batteries are dead in Serenity's camera. We were only able to get the shot of my gift, I will post them this weekend.

Breakfast-Smart ones egg and cheese breakfast sandwich

Lunch-lean pocket calzone

dinner-a light version-I don't remember which brand-clam chowder soup

snack-2 choc chip cookies(a patron brought each of us a pink goodie bag filled with stuff. I ate the cookies and left the rest there for them), a 100 calorie pack of popcorn

water-100 ozs.

excercise-none other than the up and down and running for the scrapbooking class.

I am off tomorrow, thank goodness. I want to do laundry-correction-I need to do laundry! I want o work on my craft room also.

Love to all!

I feel good...

I had a great day today! Wednesdays are my storytimes at 2 preschools and I love it! I took them Valentine cookies and they thought I was so cool! The library sent me to the bakery for them-I wasn't even tempted. There was cookies everywhere today but nope I didn't eat any!
Breakfast-oatmeal
lunch-ww smart ones pasta primavera
dinner-2 pieces of 45 calorie 9 grain bread and a can of salmon mmm!
snacks-apple, 2 strawberries, a sprig of grapes, a bite of 100 calorie choc cake
a couple of handfuls of Josh and Brinaes' 100 calorie popcorn

excerise-just the running around in the library today-not enough

Jessie I LOVE the comments. I look for them everynight before I post. You keep me motivated girl and I love you so. To answer your question, the only thing I seem to be short of according to my Michael Thurmond is my protein and that is so important. I just didn't any already cooked to take with me these last few days.
Our weight loss support group went well tonight. I hope it keeps growing. I came home and watched our American Idol-love it!
I need to get to bed as I have to be at work early in the morning. It is scrapbooking day.

Oh I need to let everyone know Cassandra had tao take Aden to the emergency room last night. He was having an asthma attack and not breathing very well. He also has double ear infections and the flu. They are sending our a respiratory therapist to update his equipment and he has to have 4 breathing treatment a day- 2 of which are steriod ones. I didn't even know about any of this until tonight when I got home. I guess they called me at 11:30 last night but I did not hear the phone. My poor buddy, please keep him in your prayers. Thank you and know how much I love you all.
It looks like my brother, sisiter, and mom are coming for a visit-woohoo! I can't wait. I read my brother's email at work and yep started crying. I just love my family so much. I can not wait to see them.
Love to all!

New shoes

For my exercise today we went to Gelco and I bought 2 pairs of Nikes! They were having a closeout sale. Donnell and Josh could not find anything they liked and it was 3 pairs for a $100. Brinae found a pair and I got the 2 above-pretty aren' they? I love New Balance shoes, but there was none in the store so I thought I would try Nike. They seem to have a large arch in them-kind of uncomfortable.
Breakfast-oatmeal and fruit
Lunch-a whole wheat bagel and cream cheese
Dinner-6 inch sub from Subway-eat fresh!!
snacks today-apple and a 100 calorie pack of Pringles
water- just over 60 ozs
exercise-went and bought new shoes(plus it is storming out and we are in tornado watch)

Today I worked in Van Buren Library and we learned about a new program we are getting in March. Our patrons will be able to download audio books on their mp3 players from home. They "check" them out for 3 weeks and then either renew it or it becomes unplayable. I love this idea, how cool is that? We can listening to books while we walk-love it love it love it!!
It is 10:43 and I am tired and have to work all day tomorrow, so off to bed I go.
Hey, just to let all know, I took the picture-posted it all by myself-yay me!!!
Love to all!

Daily check in

Well it is 8:45 p.m. and we just got back from walking.
Breakfast-my first mistake-I didn't
Lunch-lean cuisine chicken alfredo with broccoli
Dinner-2 homemade chicken tacos with low fat and low carb fiber tortillas
afternoon snack: 100 calorie pack of pringles
water-70 ozs

I have to make the card for the class at the library tomorrow so I should go and get that done before I crash out. I have a meeting at 8 am and then my class I'm teaching is as 10. Tomorrow night I have an enrichment meeting to attend. Tomorrow will be a full day.
Brinae and I watch the Bachelor and tonight they are in Kelowna. For those that don't know that is where my mom lives, I will watch it later. I hope they show some places that we have been too when we have gone to visit there.
Well for now Love to all!

Consequences, consequences...

Well I had a bad week food wise and even though I enjoyed the frozen yogurt, the fajaita nachos, haystacks, and a lunch at Cheddars, I was mad at myself when I stepped on the scale and gained a pound. Everyone says it is because I did not drink my water like I normally do and throughout the week I had all that salty food. I told them I didn't care what it was it was still a stinking pound gain!!! I have decided that I need more accountability so I have copied anouther blog I sometimes read and I am going to post what I eat and what and how much I exercies daily. If it is out thaere for the whole world to see maybe I will become more strong in saying no when I am with my friends. I told Tammy she could not bring anymore yummy chips(she had a new kind and I said I would try them), and no more Braums with her when she comes to scrapbook. I had a really good time with her this weekend though. It was fun and we haven't done anything like this since late fall. Her husband and 2 of their sons went camping with Josh and Donnell on Friday night/. They had a good time. Tammy brought little Zechariah(10 weeks old) and they spend the night with Brinae and I. Her other 3 boys spent the night with their Grandma. Brinae and I went shopping with her on Friday night and helped her get new clothes.
I am almost done the layout for the library class on Thursday. I will post them all tomorrow. I am going to finish another card for my class and then you can see them all. I have decided 5 cards for $10.00 They are not typical ones. They do different things. I am pretty excited about them.
Brinae had her interview after Church for her Patriarchal Blessing. She is pretty excited. I am really happy for her. She will be able to use it and prayer to help map her life, she has such a strong testimony of who she is-that of a child of God-a daughter of a King.
We went and walked at the track for a hour with Pam, Wayne, Tyler, and Sasha. We did over 2 miles. The time just flew by while we walked and visited.
I had steak and baked potatoe, corn, broccoli & cheese, squash, a hot dog, and a piece of chocolatae acake today. Sunday is our free day.
Love to all, oh yeah I had 1/2 of a peanut butter sandwich also. Back to everything tomorrow!

NEw glasses-help or hindrance?

I had to get bifocals and today was the first time wearing them. I had to take motion sickness pills and working in the library was a little getting used to with them. Do you like them?

It's SNOWING!

It is 10:50 p.m. and it is snowing. It looks so pretty out there, but it is so cold. It is to get down to 14 tonight. We had rain all day today so you know the roads are going to be awful in the morning. I wish my camera wasn't broke, this morning it looked so pretty with the trees covered in ice. It was awful for Tulsa and Fayetteville. Alot of people without power. Our power went off for awhile early this morning. Donnell got home and it was still off, but came back on around 8:30.
Our family room is so cozy, we put the blanket up over the dining room entry , and it is so warm in there. I do my housework and go back in there for a bit, then back to the kitchen to cook and such.
I made the cutest cards tonight-even if I say so myself!! I will see if I can borrow Sereinty's camera tomorrow and post them. THe chances are very high we might lose power tomorrow. Today the neighbors' trees were hanging in the road and with all the rain and snow falling, they will probably be heavier.
We had yummy food today, chicken tacos(with very healthy tortilla shells)for lunch. For dinner, we had pork chops in mushroom soup over rice, steamed broccoli, and corn.
Well it is getting alittle chilly in the dining room so I am off the the family room.
Love to all!

Winter weather

Well today it started freezing rain and the libraries closed early. I had just run in to get Brinae's book and almost missed it. Some of the schools closed early as well. The van had ice over all of it and my steps.
It is below freezing and still coming down. The weather guy said that it is to keep up all night, I don't understand why they wait until morning to announce some closings. We are supposed to have staff meeting in Van Buren tomorrow morning, but I just find it hard to believe we will be going. I would like to not have to set my alarm for early moring. Brinae is excited they already cancelled Seminary so she can sleep in. My thoughts on the ice here is that the pwoer companys should use thicker cable(Canada has very heavy cables to withstand alot of ice and snow), ours here keeps snapping with the weight and they are predicting alot of power outages. I hope we don't as we are all electric. I have a plan though, we can hang blankets in our dining room doorway and stay in the family room and use the fireplace. We can roast hot dogs(have to buy them first!!!!!) It will be like little house on the prairie type stuff-ha ha!
So if I don't post for a few days or if Mom doesn't hear from me she will know we are out of power.
Today was a little harder for me eating wise. I did not too bad, but feel I could have done better.

I got the Josh's school samples sent off to the teacher today. I sent some of his semester tests.

I made shrimp scampi homemade and diet for lunch today. It was pretty good, I love shrimp.

I'm hoping to make some cards tomorrow.

I should go and fill up all the pitchers just in case. I think I'll take a hot bath too.

Love to all!

Wow it is an epidemic of good proportions!

Today at Church word had spread of our weightloss challenge and after Church the kitchen got full of people wanting to join!! We will be a ward of new looking people soon. In Relief Society I had explained how we are starting a weightloss support group on Wed. nights. We will get together and share ideas, recipes, etc. We will take turns taking the motivational binder home-this binder will hold success stories, recipes, etc., they will write how their week is going-what worked, what didn't, they will need to find something uplifting to put in it. They will bring it back the next week and someone else will take it home. I am very excited about it. I explained how we need to take control of our lives and live the way we are meant to. We need to follow the advice found in scriptures and leaders. I told them how our bodies are Temples and mine needs mayor reconstruction!!!! We all laughed and boy those sisters seem excited. I told them that this is the year I am going to lose 100 lbs. I gave them all permission to get on my case if they think I am slipping! So I will only post our Waid challenge totals and todays are:
Wayne-1.2
Donnell-3
Tyler-2
Josh-4.8

Bridgette-3
Pam-1.4
Brinae-4
Sasha-2.6
Serenity-0

Who Hoo to us! I am down 13 lbs in 3 weeks. Brinae was so excited about her loss this week. I believe we are all at the point of no return. WE all WANT this so bad and for so many different reasons. My fear is that I will lose it and because of my age that I will have so much hanging skin. I want to be healthy, I want to run and not be weary, I want to wear cute clothes, I want to be able to see my feet, I want to be able to see what I'm washing in the shower!!!! My list goes on forever!

Another good thing today-Josh got set apart as Deacons' President. He is such a good boy and cute too I might add. I hope and pray that he will always have the desire to do what is right, that he will want to serve others and show his gratitude to his Heavenly Father. I love him and am so proud of him.

Brinae had so much fun at the Church dance last night. She came home all bubbly and telling us all the details. It helped that the cute guy that she likes asked her to dance!!! After the weigh in this afternoon, she informed me this was the best weekend!!!! She has decided that even though she has already earned her Young WOmanhoond Recognition she is still going to go ahead and do the new value that has since been added. The value is Virtue so she is thinking of what projects she can do that would exemplify it. I really am proud of her, she had the choice to do it or not. She is doing both early morning and home study seminary.

We had barbq hot dogs and hamburgers for dinner-Donnell did an exceptional job on them. he also made what he calls armadillo eggs-they are jalepona peppers with cream cheese inside them and wrapped in bacon, he grilled them and they were yummy. Chicken and fish this week again!

I need to go but I love you all!
1.4

Slumber Party!

OUr house is pretty lively right now. Brinae has Sasha, Whitney, and Shelby over for a sleepover. I m ade turkey chili for summer and now they are hanging out in her room. Donnell was teasing them he was excited-he wants to sit around and tell stories!
They have night planned on Rockband, Wii, movies, and games. I found 100 calories packs of microwave popcorn, so even brinae and Sasha can have some.
Brinae and Sasha have Seminary meeting and dance tomorrow night. The girls are alll staying until late afternoon.
Cassandra has a truck at her disposal for finding a job. Hopefully she can find one she likes and that will pay the bills. Her boyfriend Roy is taking the first discussion on Sunday> I hope it all works out, I don't like it that he stays with her, but I amtrying to let her know that we care and love her and the kids regardless. He seems very nice and I hope that he is.
I told Pam today that soon I am going to need my "cheat" day to be on Saturday so we can go out to eat. I am dreaming of Red Lobster-coconut shrimp, shrimp scampi, and crab legs-mmmm!
I haven't had any lean cuisines this week. My fat content for the days have been less so hopefully I have a good loss this week. Sunday is the day!
I need to go and do the dishes.
Love to all!

I've been tagged!!!

Okay here goes:
Donnell's fave 5 things:
1. Me-I'm his E.W.
2. Family
3.DUck Tape-he believes this can fix the universe!
4.Toilet books(Ripleys Believe it or not, Guiness Book of wqorld Records-always reading them while on his throne)
5.Smallville

5 things on his to do list:
1. take me to Hawaii(he really wants to)
2.He wants to be in Ripley's believe or not
3.He wants to be fit and fine in 2009!
4.Someday he wants to build the house he has planned for our retirement.
5.He wants to be more spiritual.

5 snacks he loves:
1. coke
2. slim jims
3. beef jerky
4bar-b-q ribs
5bar-b-q anything

5 facts you might now know about him:
1. He is super smart in math-people call him the human caculator
2.He is super romantic, he plans the most awesome date nights and takes my breath away-even after all these years!
3.He makes the best gravy-just ask CIndy
4.He is so funny and witty-makes us laugh every single day
5HE is a seasoned actor and has been in many community plays.

5 places he has lived
1.California
2 Arizona
3. Canada
4 Arkansas
5 I think Ohio

5 quirky things about him:
1. He is growing his ear hair (for RIpleys Believ or not or Guiness Book)
2.HE likes to eat cauliflower and grapes together
3.He has been known to steal my jeans
4.He can shakes his lips and jaws like a dog and throw saliva
5.HIs motto is "I'm not afraid of it" this is for everything-he will try alot of things
-wearing a tutu, etc

Most of all he is himself and I love him. He really is my bestest pal, the one I can't wait to spend time with, the one that always makes me feel like I am so special. I am so blessed! He is so awesome with all my friends and has always been extra kind to my single mother pals both in Canada and here.
Enjoy and almost everyone has been tagged that i know of, so I tag Melanie.

Love to all!

A filled Saturday

This morning I went to a card class. I made the cutest cards, I will post them later. IT was fun, I miss getting together with the girls in that group. We usually crop all day after class, but I only stayed long enough to make a birthday card. I came home and puttered abit, took a nap, and then when I got up I found Aden here. Donnell had gone over to Cassandra's house and Aden wanted a sleepover so Donnell brought him back. We were enjoying watching him play the Wii, h e gets so involved and does very well. He talks us through each step.
Josh's ears are giving him problems again tonight. Donnell doesn't feel so great either, I think we are all ready for bed.
Tomorrow is our 2nd weigh in-could be scary!!!
Love to all!

Scrapbook layouts and cards I made for my library classses

WInter layout I taught in ALma, I love this paper! Ity says Baby It's Cold Outside Brrr

CaRD and matching envelope for the class I'm teaching tomorrow. i love these colors together.

Another card and this one they can pick between this saying and the pic below.

Valentine card, if this was for my at home, I would be using glitter on the heart and jazz it up. The edge needs to be scalloped, but I couldn't find my scallop scissors.

Matching envelope to the card. Hope you enjoy them.

Love to all!
I

WAID'S 1ST WEIGH IN

Well yesterday we all gathered around the scale after Church to face the music and the results were very good, they are as follows:
Boys Team
Wayne- 11.6
Donnell-12.2
Tyler-5.6
Josh-5.8

Girls Team
Bridgette-5.6
Pam-4.6
Brinae-2.2
Sasha-7.4

It was a very good first week, Saturday night we got together for our "last chance" workout. We played basketball and did the BIggest Loser Cardio-I sweated! Sweat and pee equals pounds-that is what I tell myself!!

Today I did storytime in Van BUren library and had 42 four and five year olds. They were great, I read to them and we sang for a hour. They had a good time it seemed. I loved it of course-that is what I love to do.

I need to go and make my dinner, I think I'm going to have salmon on a piece of whole wheat toast with some vinegar and some steamed broccoli-sound good?

Love to all

Instant Messenger fun

I am working in Cedarville Library today-getting to play head honcho!!!!I had to sign in using my own account , and all of a sudden, Kris(I haven't talked to her forever), my mom, my sister, my neice, my sisterinlaw, were all on-it was a reunion!!!~! It is so much fun to chat with everyone and catch up on things. I miss them all. I brought some stuff to work on for the Mulberry's card class next week, I will try to post them later today. Donnell has taken Josh to the dr, his ear hurts.
Mr. Bill just came with delivery so I need to go and do my job.
LOve to all!

Santa BABIES

Noah*Serenity's youngest) and Anna(his 6 week older cousin). Priceless aren't they?

Rockband pics-don't buy your tickets yet!!!

Abby(cassandra's youngest)

Our family's talent leaves alot to be desired!!!! If fun is the winner that we take all trophies-it is a blast to play. Donnell, Josh, and Brinae have their own band "Strikin a Toon" and have unlocked many songs-they think they are the cat's meow!LOL

A Baby Changes Everything

this song by Faith Hill is amazing! I was driving home from town before Christmas and it started playing, I just started bawling and sobbing, it just hit me so hard, I love the words, the music, the voice and how she sings it. I love the message and how a single event changed the world and led to the event that would allow everyone a chance to gain eternal life. Here I am tearing up again, let me know if it impacts you like this too.
The next new song on my playlist is When you believe by David Archuletta-Brinae says she is going to marry him!! He may have come in second on AMerican Idol, but he is amazing and so grounded for his age. I believe this is a remake but I love the message, and he can reach the ranges with his voice.
Music is the universal language and how beautiful that we can share with everyone, different emotions, memories(Gloria-hahaha), with this medium. My wedding song is Bryan Adams Everything I do-I have to tell you that after 17 years of marriage, when I hear this song, I still get butterflies in my tummy remembering dancing with DOnnell at our reception. Love is grand!!
I am so blessed and I love ya all!
Love to all!

It's on!!!!!!

My sil Pam and bil Wayne came over tonight and said hey lets start the Biggest Loser, our family was going to start ourselves-so yep it is now an official Waid Challenge-girls vs the boys! Pam, Sasha, Brinae, and I are gonna whup some boys(Donnell, Wayne, Tyler, Josh's)butt!! We weigh in on Sundays after Church, so we are all planning our last feasts!!! I believe it is for 6 months-I'm hoping to be a new woman!!!!! My camera is broken, so I will borrow one and take our before pics(yikes!)
Jan. 2nd and so far so good!LOL We have been consistent on family prayer and scripture study! Our goal is daily on both, we have tried in the past and have veered off the scripture road so we are back on it. So many questions can be answered when we study them, I love the feeling that comes in our home when we are diligent.
My neice Jessie-I have always said she has laughing eyes(sparkly and twinkling), has started on the blog journey. It is fun to go and see her family-those little kiddos are growing so fast and will be fun gto see them do so via the blogs. I just miss all my family so much.
Josh is on a freeze out Boy Scout Campout tonight-no tents-they are in a cave-like setting. He has 15 degree sleeping bag so hopefully he will be kind of toasty. It is only supposed to get down to 49 degrees so he will be okay. He likes it cold-so much like his dad.
We are planning on my craft room layout, I can't wait, I will have to post pics as it will take awhile to get it exactly as planned. RIght now we are just working with what we have, it is still going to be cool. Cards and scrapbooks here I come!!!!! I will know where everything is(okay I know what you're saying-hush!)
Love to all!

Year in review

2009- another new year, can you believe another has been here and gone? I have been thinking about this past year and a few of the highlights I am grateful for are:
-Brinae earning her Young Women's Recognition(highest award for a young woman to earn)
-the birth of our sixth grandbaby Noah bear(10 lbs 6ozs)
-my mom going through surgery without too many complication-this gave me the opportunity to spend time with my brother, sister, mom and Glenn
-Cassandra attending Church most of the time with us
-Sam started Kindergarten and is loving it and a hit with the teacher(she thinks he is so funny)
-Josh turning 13 and having his first crush(it's a secret I can't tell who!)
-Brinae earning her scripture mastery for Seminary
-Brinae finish her 3rd and 4th level of Girls Camp
-Josh being called to Deacon's President
-Bryan's job at Beckert and loving it(he is doing great there-he is electrical engineer)
-Brinae being called to Mia Maids President
-seeing Serenity's knitting growing in abundance(this girl can knit anything-she has made her own patterns), she is also the knitting instuctor for the Library
-Brinae learning to crochet
Brinae is sitting beside and helping me with my list, can you tell????LOL

THe list can go on and on.......

I am very grateful for everything, for the joys, and the sorrows, and for the things that I have learned from them. I was so sad to lose our Prophet this past year, for his humor, his love, and his wisdom. At the same time I am grateful for the Gospel that we knew we would gain another loving one, and sure enough we did, Prophet Thomas S. Monson. I love this Man of God, I love his wisdom, his stories, his character, and his testimony.
I struggled alot this year within myself and am getting back on track. I am grateful for the new year and the excitement that it brings. We spent alot of time together today, we made new goals for us as a family. Goals that will help us grow stronger in the Gospel, in the home, and in ourselves. I love my family and am so grateful that I can be a wife,a mom, a Grammy, a daughter, a sister, a friend to many wonderful people in my world.
Love to all!