OUT LIKE A LAMB?

(This is the sun leaving as the storm rolled in this morning)

I thought March was suppose to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb? What happened to our lamb?

Oh well, at least we know the end is near and soon some of us will be complaining of the heat. I love every season and look forward to each change. I am glad that we don't have the same weather year round like Daniel who is sweating it out in Hawaii in 85 degree temperatures, poor thing!

FEED THE BIRDS

Don't you just love my new bird feeder?

My Nana always had bird feeders and bird baths and I think I learned a lot of my love of nature from her. It has been so fun to watch the birds come and feed every day and to see all the different varieties that we have around here. (It's funny to watch them come and try and find the food when it is covered with the snow we have been having lately!) I am getting so anxious to put my hummingbird feeder out, but that will have to wait for warmer weather.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EASTON

Saturday was our cute boy Easton's birthday. He is now two! I can't believe that he has been with us for two years, the time has gone by so fast.

What a joy Easton has been. He is a bit more independent than Carter, but he has a sweet tender heart and always a happy smile. He has just recently developed a fondness for Grandma's house and cries when they get close by and don't come.

We celebrated by going to McDonald's for dinner and then to Christine's for cake and presents. He got the cutest smile on his face when we were singing to him, it was so cute! He could even blow out both candles all by himself. Happy Birthday Easton!

THE FIRST GOLF OUTING!

I gave Scott new golf shoes for Christmas, (which we didn't get until February because they had to special order his size 13A foot size). Ever since he got them he has been counting the days until he could go out and use them. Since we had such a beautiful week this week, he got my Dad to take us out Tuesday at Thanksgiving Point.

I was feeling so much better that I even got in a few shots before the energy was gone. I spent the rest of the time being a caddy for my Mom. She decided that she liked having a caddy and wants me to come along with her every time and do that for her.

We had a great time (even though I couldn't hit the ball straight) and I am already looking forward to the next time we can go! I've got my lessons lined up and my new shoes so I will be comfortable. I am going to get better at this game this year!

BIRTHDAY & CHEESECAKE FACTORY FUN

We had a great time at the Cheesecake Factory when we went for Christine's birthday dinner. The food was fantabulous and we always enjoy being together especially on birthdays.

Everyone got their piece of cheesecake for dessert and there was a lot of whip cream on each of the plates. Those that didn't want all of their whipped cream started piling it on this one plate. Christine being the tease that she is starting pretending and threatening to put it in someone's face. Scott was the only brave one to pose for this pictures. The rest of us know Christine all too well and knew that we were setting ourselves up for some whip cream in the face if we posed. As it was Scott did get just ever so little on the tip of his nose. It was just too tempting for her!

Carter loves whipped cream and he immediately wanted the plate when he saw it. He didn't even use a spoon he just stuck his tongue out and licked it up! He had us all laughing our heads off as he showed us "how the little piggy eats".

GARDEN TREATS IN MARCH

Look what we found out in the garden. Scott pulled them up and we had them for dinner on Sunday and they were so wonderful! It is amazing to me that they could have stayed in the ground all winter and still taste good. There is nothing like fresh fruits and vegetables!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE

29 years ago I became a mother for the first time to a beautiful daughter. I still remember that overwhelming feeling I felt when they placed her on my stomach and I looked into her eyes for the first time. I immediately counted all her fingers and toes and then it hit me, I am a mother, WOW!













Christine has brought me so much joy and has taught me so much over the last 29 years. I have been so grateful for her especially when her father died, she gave me a reason to keep going.

Christine has become a beautiful young woman that any mother would be proud of. She has accomplished a lot and still drives herself to accomplish more.

I love you Christine!

WHERE IS DANIEL?

For a week now I haven't known where Daniel is in Hawaii. He was transferred last Tuesday to either the island of Hawaii or Maui. He will also be the District Leader for his new district. He was feeling a little overwhelmed last Monday, but we know he will do a GREAT job! Today, we will finally hear where he was transferred and how things have been going. I am so relieved!

IT ALL CAME TOO FAST!

Two days ago Jason brought home a box with his graduation announcements in them. I sat down and had a good cry.



I remember the days when I was changing diapers on two kids, Christine was struggling with her teenage years and I longed for the day when I would be all done. Now that it is here I don't know what to do with myself. Not that there isn't a lot to do, but I am just not needed by my children like I used to be. There schedules don't determine my days and my nights. Somehow it just isn't as glamorous as I envisioned it to be!

Well, I guess it's time to start reinventing me and my life without children in the house.

THE LAST EAGLE

Yeah!!! Jason finally received his Eagle Scout Award last Sunday. As is with most boys, Jason left it until the last minute and we were all pulling our hair out. If you have boys, have them get their Eagle before they turn 16. After sixteen they just lose interest because there are so many distractions.

It was a nice evening and we had so many family members and friends that came to help celebrate! It is so nice to have so many family supporters!

Steve Chindgren (The Eagle Guy) came with his bald eagle named Liberty. He does a wonderful presentation liking the eagle to the eagle scout award. It is so amazing to see this bird close up! When he is done he holds the eagle in front of each of the candidates so that you can get great pictures. Steve does a show at Hogle Zoo with his eagles. I would like to go see it sometime.

We are so proud of Jason and his accomplishment. The most touching part of the evening though is that with the set of pins Jason received there is a mentor's pin. Jason can give this to someone who has helped him with his scouting or who has influenced his life. Jason thought of about three people and then he decided to give it to his brother Daniel. In his comments that night Jason announced that he was giving it to Daniel and gave a wonderful tribute to his brother and the influence Dan has had on his life. As a mother could you ask for anything more?! You always want your children to be close and to love each other so much. It was great to see Jason receive his Eagle award, but I think the best reward was brother's honoring each other and loving each other so much.

I NEED YOUR HELP!

So we are updating our kitchen, first of all because it needs it and second because we plan to sell soon (in the next 5 years we hope) and we know that it will help the resale value.

My dilemma is this. The space for the fridge is very, very small. I can only fit a 20 cubic foot (33" wide) in the space for the fridge. To get one this small is more expensive than a bigger one by about $100.00 - $200.00. We plan to put in a new stove, microwave and dishwasher all in the stainless. My current fridge is black. Scott says that we should just keep the refrigerator we have because we can just use it as a second fridge at the next house and spend our money on a bigger fridge then. I say why not get the new fridge so that I can enjoy it? With the new fridge I could fit bigger platters and things in it instead or using the garage when it is cold or bringing up a cooler when it's warmer. When we sell the house it would be a great selling point to just leave the refrigerator with the house because nobody has one that small. (When we moved in I had to put my bigger fridge outside in the garage and buy a smaller one to put in the house.) Or if they are first time buyers they might not have a refrigerator at all.









You can see how close the fridge is to the dishwasher, so is it going to look bad to have the black fridge next to it?

What do you think? I need your advice! Stay with the black or go with the stainless and hope we get our money out of it when we sell?

SIX MONTHS ALREADY

We received a box from Daniel the end of last week with some discs that had pictures and videos that he took on his camera. We have had so much fun looking at them. One of them was of him burning a tie. I guess that you burn a tie when you reach the six month mark on your mission. I hope to find out more about this from him. I am also wondering which of his ties that he burned! (Isn't he so handsome?!)



I loved this scenic photo he took. I can't wait to go to Hawaii and see it for myself!