Soup, Energy, and a Pretty Van

Google image.  My soup had no carrots (we were out) or noodles
or green specks.

On Tuesday I decided to make some soup with the things I had on hand.  I used canned chicken, and canned broth, green onions, and some garden potatoes and tomatoes, and some seasoning stuff (technical name for spices).  It really wasn't anything special, except I thought it turned out surprisingly well considering my celery was brown and limp, so I threw it away.  I was thankful I liked it, but more thankful that Dan did!  He had three helpings while exclaiming over and over that it was delicious, and one of only four soups he likes (I have no idea what the other three are).

I am perhaps more thankful for that because my children take after me, and are a bit on the picky side. It's a lot more normal to hear "Ewww", or "Oh darn, not that!" or something along those lines than to hear exclamations of joy -- and for the record, my cooking is not that bad!  I gave my Mom so much trouble over food that I'm pretty sure I don't deserve anything but the "Ewww" comments (or frowns) I get, but it sure is nice when a complement comes my way!

Wednesday Jake was home sick again and I was really thankful to wake up feeling better myself.  I didn't have a headache all day long, and I woke up with a plan for handling a day with Jake.  The day went quite well, and then, when I was tired, I didn't end up having to go to a cold, outside meeting after all.  Hooray for so many tender mercies in one day!

Finally, today we got our white van back.  In June I was rear ended, and though the person who hit me was driving a car that was insured, and the police report clearly put her at fault, the insurance company fought paying for it. (For the record she was really nice, and it was an accident.  Those things happen).  Finally, at the end of October things were worked out, and today the van's bumper looks lovely and new.  My pretty van is pretty again and I don't have to call that insurance company back any more and try to convince them to be reasonable!

This is not my van, but it looks a lot the same.
The collision company even cleaned the inside for me.
Awesome.

Dan Says....

...When I was at Travis' house I watched all of the seasons of Scooby-Doo.  I am awesome!

Hanna-Barbera's Scooby.  Image from Google

The Travis Dan is talking about is his brother-in-law.  I am thankful that Dan still says things that make us all chuckle. We are glad to know it's not as hard to be awesome as we thought!  All we have to do is watch all of the seasons of Scooby-Doo!

When the Clouds Roll In

It is a good time to be thankful for fireplaces, and warm houses, and all of the comforts of home.

Connor and Jake were home not feeling well today.  Derek went back to work even though he's not 100 percent better.  And I am still stuffy and tired.  Still, I was thinking today as I drove home from the store, that this is a good time to be sick.  By that I mean that we have a comfortable house, more than adequate blankets and pillows, medicine to help us feel better, and entertainment at our fingertips. We aren't pioneers having to get up and plod along in a feverish state.  Even when I have to go to the store I get to drive -- and I have seat warmers!  I love those seat warmers!  True, being sick is still not fun, but it could be a LOT worse, and I am very grateful that it isn't.

Daily Bread

Today I am thankful that we got to see Kayli a little bit this weekend.  She was in town for less than 24 hours, and at our house mostly to sleep, but she makes beautiful music when she is awake and is kind, and thoughtful, and fun to be with.

I was thankful that Derek walked Jake home from church early when Jake wasn't feeling well, because it sounded like a long walk to me at the time.  It might have seemed like a longer walk to Derek than to me since he still has his cold too, but he did it anyway.  I am also thankful that, when Jake was feeling better, Derek helped him make bread while I took a long nap.

Finally, I am thankful that we could eat that bread with our dinner while Dan exclaimed about Jake making the best bread he has ever had.  I decided not to be offended even though Dan has eaten my homemade bread before.  The bread was good, and Dan really loves his big brother Jake.

Catching Up

I just remembered that I had planned on writing what I was thankful for every day.  Sometimes things come up, like terrible colds, or pounding headaches, or even nice surprises like phone calls, to mess up the reporting part.  Here's to catching up!

Thursday I was thankful for school counselors and teachers who care about my kids, and try to help them if they are having a hard time.  Helping my kids helps me!

Thursday I was also thankful for a chance to visit with my long time friend Shannon.  I always enjoy time with Shannon.

Dave and Shannon:  I saw him too since I went to their work to pick up Shannon.
This picture was "borrowed" from facebook 

Thursday evening I was thankful for the chance to skip to pack night with Dan.  I don't figure he'll be willing to skip with me much when he gets older, and it was his idea this time.

Friday I was thankful that Tia was able to take a friend and go help my parents move into their new place in St. George.  Since we couldn't be there, it was good to have a cheerful representative and her friend whose big muscles were very helpful.

Today I was thankful to feel well enough to be able to enjoy Super Saturday (a craft activity at church) all morning.  Derek, Connor and I have had awful colds the last couple of days, and mine waited until I got home to hit me again.  We're getting better though, and that is something to feel thankful for!

Tuesday and Wednesday's Thankful Things

Here's what I have been thankful for the last couple of days:

Tuesday I felt thankful to live in a country where we get a say in what happens and who leads.  I was also thankful to go to the polls and find so many friends there exercising their right to vote.  It reminded me that I am blessed to associate with many good people.

My polling place was at our elementary school and was a little, really warm (by afternoon) room
This is not my polling place.  I didn't really take a camera with me.

Tuesday evening I was thankful for music, and particularly for the way good music affects me.  I was able to play my flute for a while, and it helped me to feel less stress and more peace -- not that I have much to be stressed over -- it was late in the day and I create my own stress at night time!

Wednesday morning I was feeling thankful for my girls, and their gift for listening.  I called Trisa and she chatted with me, and helped me feel more ready to meet the day.  I could have called Kayli or Tia too and they would have been happy to listen and to chat.

I need to get pictures of my girls together!  Tia is probably feeling like her Harry Potter pose is stalking her!  Sorry Tia!

I was also thankful for my friend Michele who called.  I had been missing her, and was glad she called to talk to me.

This is Michele.  She's great.  I'm sure she totally won't mind that I stole her picture from facebook!

Wednesday I picked up Connor from school and went up to Garland to help my parents who were loading up a moving truck for their move to St. George.  I was thankful for Connor and his willingness to load heavy food storage as fast as he could so that my Dad wouldn't have to.  I was thankful to visit with my Mom, and to have them both feeling happy to move to St. George.  I was also thankful for safe travel, and for Connor's company as I drove.

This is not their truck, but it kind of looks like it.  You should have seen how tightly packed it was!

I am thankful for a lot of things today (Thursday) too, but this post is clearly labeled "Tuesday and Wednesday's Thankful Things", and so I'll wait until tomorrow!

The Thankful Turkey

I do not know that any of my kids are big fans of eating turkey.  It can be tolerated.  But they don't mind a good "thankful turkey".  Each year we make a turkey, and put feathers on him that all say something we are thankful for.  Here's our lopsided turkey.  We'll write on more feathers as the days go by and he'll start to look less like a half plucked gobbler.

This turkey looks a bit timid!

Yesterday for family home evening we had a lesson on Gratitude.  One of our activities was a treasure hunt of things that I like.  I thought it was funny when the boys read something like "I have lots of keys that don't open anything".  They ran to where we keep the keys to the cars and such.  It took a bit of a hint from Derek before they took off for the piano.

We made the thankful turkey next.  Dan wasn't feeling up to writing his five feathers, but he plans on putting "Bearry" the big bear on one.  I think it's funny that Connor is thankful for "Play Station 4" even though we don't have one.  He was also thankful for bacon, pandas, music, blankets and pillows, and food, "especially bread bowls".  (Guess what we had for dinner?)  

I was thankful for Derek's amused look (which he gets when he thinks he's been funny), my sword, and my princess puppet, along with the more usual things of music and my family.  Jake is thankful for family, animals, friends, exercise balls, and legos.  And Derek is thankful for "Chewy's People, Cedar's Hair Artist, Girl From Snow,  My very own Precious, and My Awesome Ninjas."

Here's one of Derek's ninjas.  Dan in his Halloween Ninja costume.

I am thankful for a tradition that helps us not to turn into ungrateful turkeys!

I'm Thankful For....

...a lot of people, and a lot of things.  But here are some things from this past weekend that I am thankful for.

...my boys and Connor's friends who did a lot of work in our yard the last two Saturdays.  It was especially nice that they helped this week because Derek rolled his ankle and was sitting on the couch with his leg propped up, or alternately, with his ankle being down in freezing cold water, all the while wishing he could be helping get things done.

This is the Saturday before last -- before Derek hurt his ankle.

...my children's 61 cousins.  They are friends that my kids love, and are loved by, pretty much from birth!  Saturday Dan got to go to his cousin Noelle's party.  The other guests were all cousins too. What a blessing to have cousins nearby!

...Derek, who limped around to go on a date with me, and who shared his testimony of our Savior and the gospel on Sunday.  Since I love Derek, and Jesus, and the good news of the gospel, what could be better?

...Dan, who got sick on Sunday, and has been really sweet to have around.  Another thing I love about Dan is that he cares about others.  A week or two ago a girl in Dan's school class broke her collar bone.  I love that a couple of days in a row he prayed that Alexis' collar bone would heal quickly.

...Kayli who was home and was busy chatting with, and trying to be helpful to her friends.  I also love to watch her with her brothers.  I love that my children are friends with each other.  That is a great thing.

Kayli at her college home with her roommate Maddie.  Aren't they beautiful?

...And finally, my Sister Jenny, and my nephew Seth, who came late Sunday night.  It is always so good to have a chance to see them, even if it is for a few minutes before bed, and a few minutes after waking up!

Goodbye Shady Friends!

A little over 16 years ago we planted two Cottonless Cottonwood trees in our yard.  When my Dad first saw them, I think he told us that we should take them out -- but we didn't.  They have, in many ways, been good trees.  They have provided shade, which, it turns out, kept our neighbor's siding from bending in the sun.  They have provided branches for my children to climb in, and leaves for us to rake, and rake, and rake, and jump in, and rake some more.  Unfortunately, they also provided roots that lifted the sidewalk, broke the curbing around the yard, and made it really, really hard to mow, or even to walk across the lawn without tripping.  We decided we'd better take them out before they damaged something else.

This is Dan saying goodbye to the tree by the driveway.

The tree by the mailbox must be given equal consideration!

Here is our tree, and the truck that would help take it down.

Last Tuesday, the trees came down and were hauled away.  Every now and then I stepped out the door and snapped a picture.  I could feel the ground shake when the big pieces of branch came crashing down!

The boom is up.  The first branch is down.

Notice that the big giant trunk is not touching the ground.  It left a few minutes later.

The second tree -- already half gone.  Sad.

This was a Mater like truck that hauled the branches and trunks away.

Our view has definitely changed!  We see the mountains better -- and now I see my neighbor's house out my front window again!  It's extra sunny in the front yard too.

The next day, with all of the leaves and branches gone, our nice tree cutter came back to grind the stump down -- and some of the massive roots.

Saturday the cleanup started, including pulling the giant root out from under the lifted sidewalk.  It had grown along the whole eight foot length of sidewalk, and was probably 5 or 6 inches in diameter. It took the truck a lot of yanking to get it out.  Unfortunately, the sidewalk didn't sink back to its original level!

 Our yard is still a mess, with orange and black bags of trunk shrapnel all over.  We still have roots to pull out, and a yard to level.  We also need to dig through the rocks, clay, and roots to plant new trees so that we can start growing some more shady friends :-)

Trisa's Birthday

Trisa's brother-in-law got married the day before Trisa's birthday, and so after his reception Trisa and Travis came to celebrate Trisa's birthday with us.  Hooray!  They brought Chewy, the dog, who is always popular and who was very well behaved even though he could not figure out why we weren't letting him in the house.  Poor Chewy!

On Trisa's birthday she opened presents, had homemade brownies and homemade peach ice cream and helped with the Christensen family (extended family) Halloween Party.  We have a large enough family that we can staff a haunted woods, and give three trailer's full of kids and parents rides through it!  I have heard that Trisa got the giggles when she was being bewitched and couldn't turn into a haunted horse as fast as she was supposed to.

We love to have Trisa and Travis come.  Here are some pictures from the birthday celebration.  I, predictably, didn't even think about taking my camera to the Halloween Party!

Trisa and Dan with her birthday goods on the side.

Trisa with her representation of 24 candles.

Cousins to help celebrate.

Not the best picture of Travis, but you needed to know that he was really there!
This is what happens when you look away from the camera, you get a picture of your profile posted on my blog!

Cousin Haven

Cousin Weston

Weston also helped a lot with the birthday lasagna, and then they had to go home before we ate it.  It was very yummy lasagna.  He and Kayli did a good job.

It's Spring!

I wrote this song the same week that I wrote "Sunshine".  I must have needed sunny songs that week! 

Click here to hear me sing the song.  Oh how I work to avoid coveting other people's lovely singing voices!  Still, you can hear the tune, and maybe you can sing along!  Words are below.

It's Spring!

Take Spring with you wherever you go

The sun will be shining

There'll be melting of snow

The birds will be singing

The grass will be green

It's Spring!

Take Spring with you wherever you go

The air smells like blossoms

A warm wind will blow

Children are laughing

You'll be wanting to sing

It's Spring!

It's Spring!  Oh, yes it is Spring!

It's Spring!  Oh, yes it is Spring!

The sunshine is beaming right out of your face

Your eyes have a twinkle

Your smile is in place

Kindness is given

Love and joy you will bring

It's Spring!

Wherever you go there is a bounce to your walk

Your feet feel like dancing

Your mouth wants to talk

Your ears want to listen

To the sound of good things

It's Spring!

It's Spring!  Oh, yes it is Spring!

It's Spring!  Oh, yes it is Spring!

So take Spring with you wherever you go

You'll spread lots of joy

To the people you know

Springtime is catching

Take it with you each day

I say.  It's Spring!

It's Spring!  Take it with you each day!

It's Spring!  Give some Springtime away!

It's Spring!

It's Spring!

Sunshine

Sunshine

Sun shines in the morning

And in the afternoon

And sun brings on the happy

I hope it's coming soon.

Oh I love everybody

But especially I love you

And I hope lots of sunshine

Is coming to you soon

Do not be discouraged

Upon a stormy day

For rain is necessary

To help us on our way

And when the clouds are heavy

And seem to have no end

Know that sun's above the clouds

It is there for you, my friend

For sun shines in the morning

And in the afternoon

And sun brings on the happy

I know it's coming soon

Click on Sunshine, to hear me sing the melody.

The usual disclaimers about my voice apply.

Thanks for listening.

Sher 

Birthday Week -- Plus a Little

I like to really enjoy my birthday.  If you are going to have one, you might as well enjoy it if you can! Here are some of the ways I got to celebrate.

First, my good friend Shellie ordered a book I had mentioned I'd like to read -- probably right after I talked to her.  It came a few days before my birthday.  What a nice Shellie.  She took me to lunch too.

Next I got to go to St. George with Derek and celebrate my sister Jenny's birthday with her.  They made it a double party, and we had a really good time getting to visit with them.

Seth played the violin while we sang.

Jeff made us a cake.  We blew out the candles, but we had eaten out and were too full for cake until the next day!

Jenny came with me to do Tai Chi.  We were late.  It's a good thing she's brave or we wouldn't have gone in!

Nice cards were waiting for me to read on the morning of my birthday, including some from my kids, and one from my parents that came a couple of days early.  I saved it until my birthday to open.  I was going to open it with my presents, but present time was delayed so long I couldn't wait any more, and opened it. What nice parents I have.  They say such nice things.

My birthday was on a Sunday.  The super nice people in our new ward have treated me like the long lost, but well loved relative, who has finally returned.  Lots of people wished me a happy birthday -- including all who attended Relief Society, and the friends on my block who are in the new ward with me.  Church was at 9:00 a.m., and everyone was so kind that it was a good start to my day -- even if I missed my good friends from the 1st ward.

I was spoiled by Derek who made me a puppet tree, and had brought it in and put a big bow on it for my birthday.  I was also spoiled by the fact that 3 nieces and a nephew came to play, and enjoyed watching me put puppets on the tree.  The hamburger puppet that my sister Tina made me a few years ago is a big favorite.  You can see it sitting on the tree.

You can almost see the tree behind Jake and Dan and Me.

I was spoiled by the fact that Derek bought me presents to read, and watch, and enjoy.

I was spoiled to have Kayli home, Travis and Trisa call, and Tia send me some beautiful earrings and a nice note in the mail.

A few family members came to Derek's parent's house to sing happy birthday to me and have dessert.  My sister Tina called, my brother Brian called (by then I was tired and whiney -- but I was still glad he called).  Friends and family took me to lunch (not on Sunday), brought me flowers, bought me clothes, or called me.  Some people texted me, and left me nice messages on facebook.  You can see that I am very blessed with good family and friends.  My birthdays are good to remind me how very blessed I am.

Happy Birthday to Me!