Another Week Just Flew Right By!

This week I have really tried to stay off the computer. Sometimes I feel like it monopolizes my time way too much! I knew it was bad when Wesley started getting jealous of my laptop! I have for sure been able to get a lot more done staying off it! I am going to start putting limits on it...LOL. So here is a catch up on a few random events of the last week.

Celine Dion:
I had the privilege of seeing her in concert last weekend. It was AMAZING! Seriously it was breath taking. When she first came out on stage she took 10 minutes apologizing that she had to re-schedule this concert last November. She was very sincere. She thanked Utah up and down for being great fans. I was fully impressed with her apology.
She sang all of her powerful ballads as if it was the first time she had ever sung them. Her voice is so beautiful....even better live! I don't think many singers are as good live as in their recordings, but she truly was better. She sang each song with so much emotion...this is a concert I would go to again and again. Which, does surprise me because I get bored easily. It was well worth the trip. Wes having seen 30 plus concerts said it was the best he had ever been to. He also gave me permission to blog that!

Shopping:
I have really struggled with decorating my house since we moved back into our house. I just wanted it to be the same as it was before we left. I had put so much time and energy into decorating it and making it homey. It took a long time to collect all of my decor. I have done a lot of browsing over the last couple of months without getting too excited over an of the decor I have looked at. Wes finally put his foot down. He took me to Rod Works and Tai Pan Trading Co. It was so sweet of him. He kept saying if you like it buy it! So I did. Once I started getting into it I had fun! I am still far from done, but at least I put forth a little effort and now my house isn't so blah! Also when I was browsing at Tai Pan, Wes snuck away and purchased me a very hefty gift card. Then after we had already broken the bank and were on our drive home he handed the gift card to me! How SWEET it that, I love him!

Desktop:
We have finally gotten a new desk top computer. Hayden is over joyed! And so am I! I got sick of the whole family hauling my laptop around. We opted for a Mac. I really think we made a great choice too. It does not have a tower, everything is built into the monitor, and the best part, it is completely wireless!!!Hooray! I hate cords they drive me crazy!

Health:

So somehow Sophie has picked up Thrush (yeast infection of the mouth) this has just devastated me a bit. I don't know how it happened. I have done a lot of reading and it looks like it could have happened in many different ways. I am hoping goes away soon and never comes back. All I can say is no matter how sanitized you think everything is, germs are still inevitable!

Also on the subject of health. I am really struggling with my diabetes. I can't keep my sugars in order! It is really getting me down. Recently Larry H. Miller passed away from complications of type 2 diabetes, this has really scared me to death! I am going to see my endocrinologist in Ogden at the end of March, I just don't know if I can wait that long cause I am really not feeling well!

Church:
My testimony continues to grow. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to attend church. It has been rough getting there lately due to illness...but when I do get there I feel so much peace. I am so impressed with Wes and his testimony. Last night as we laid in bed, I was reading a novel and he the Ensign. He was so touched and excited about what he was reading that he kept trying to discuss it with me. He is an exemplary person. A wonderful example to me. I could not be more blessed in the Husband area :)

I think that is all for today. I haven't figured out how to do photos on this Mac, so I am going to switch to my laptop now. If you read this before I get the pics up check back. I am posting pics of my works in progress, my office and the living room. Suggestions are welcome! ~E

Saturday Mornings

It is a FANTASTIC Saturday morning! We all woke up happy and so far there has been no contention, so far....

Saturday were always the best days of the week at my house growing up. They always started out with my mom getting up and singing something about sunshine. She would usually park herself in front of the heater vent in the morning and eat graham crackers and hot chocolate while we all talked about the adventures of the night before, laughing and giggling. Then we would all get up and decide what chores were who's sometimes fight about who had to clean the bathroom and who got to dust. We always cranked a stereo, and in the spring opened the windows. There was one thing that was always void but not missed....the TV. We really never watched TV on Saturday mornings.

Not always did things go fabulous on the Saturday mornings, but I am so very grateful for the ones that did.

I sure hope that I can create memories like this for my kids.

The picture I am posting is of Gracie, while she was cleaning her room she came up with this new idea of where to put all her stuffed animals. Funny Girl!

Happy Day to Ya!

~E

Blog Post Ideas...

I have decided my blog is super blah-zay. So today I have been surfing the Internet trying to find and interesting topic to blog about. I have seen a lot of good ideas. The best idea I saw was to sit down and write 50 blog topics in 50 min. and post them. Do not think about what people yo might offend, or favor, just list them right off the top of your head 1 topic per minute. I don't think I could name 50...but I will do my best here goes ....

• What are baby thinking when we talk to them in baby talk?
• Why do so many people like diet coke better than diet Pepsi?
• My favorite teacher in school was great because
• Does my Italian heritage really affect how passionate I am
• How does my Mothering style compare to my Mothers
• Why do people have to put up with rude employees at wal-Mart
• How can I help people understand Depression
• How was my life affected by not having Brothers
• Can you learn anything from your parents marriage?
• 10 good deeds you noticed this week
• Why in the 80's did men decide they wanted to look pretty?
• My childhood dreams....did I make any of them happen?
• Life's top 15 lessons up to this day
• How I see each of my children's personalities blooming...and where it will take them
• My Friend Idols
• my biggest pet peeves
• reasons why I dislike going out in public
• my obsessive compulsive disorder
• How I find comfort even though the economy is imploding
• 100 things that I must have in storage
• The coziest memories that I have
• My best memory of my childhood
• Tornado's don't just happen in the Midwest and South
• Great white sharks know no fear.
• My fears of traveling
• I know you by heart

OK, that is a good start! I plan on blogging some of these topics soon. I encourage all of my fellow bloggers to take some time and make your own Topic lists. I am seriously flabbergasted as i read over my topics...I had no idea some of them were bouncing around my head!

Ciao Bella ~E

4

I am just doing a 4 list, because of the following four things...

Toothache~starting root canal today!
Sever asthma started 3 days ago. I went to the doc yesterday and my blood oxygen was 68 (should be 93 or higher)
Wes sweet Grandma had a heart attack and congestive heart failure Sunday night.
Gracie has a constant belly ache (reminds me of Hayden's appendicitis)

4 things I love:

My Fam
My Treadmill
Reading
Playing Bunco

4 Things I Need To Get Done

Find some cute dresses for me to buy
Finally get a desktop computer
Replace our video camera
As always laundry

4 Things I am looking forward to

A weekend with Wes
Celine Dion in Concert
Spring Break
My Phylox blooming....or could be phlox can't remember!

4 Things That are Always on my mind

A friends recovery
My Kids
The Economy
Getting my storage for 1 yr.

4 Things I pray for every night..

Health
Safety
My Fam
To be guided to make the right decisions

The 8's Tag

Here are the Rules:
1)Post rules on your blog
2)Answer the six "8" items
3)Let each person you tag know by leaving them a comment

8 Favorite TV Shows
1. 24
2. Office
3 Lost
4. American Idol
5. ER
6. Life
7. Fringe
8. The Mentalist

8 things I did yesterday

1. Dishes
2. Made 2 batches of lasanga
3. Made Tacos
4. Read my lesson for Sunday
5. Took a nap
6. Watched Kath and Kim
7. 2 loads of laundry
8. Talked to my Mom

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To

1. Celine Dion in Concert
2. Bunco
3. Having a date night with Wesley
4. A vacation with Wes and one with the whole fam.
5. a GNO
6. Easter
7. Spring
8. Summer Vacation

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Cafe Rio
2. Culvers (midwest)
3. The Sun (El Sol)
4. Mandarin Garden
5. Maddox
6. Subway
7. Chili's
8. Arby's

8 Things on My Wish List

1. Wood Floors
2. Getting every room in my house painted
3. For my thyroid to all the sudden work right
4. Some popcorn right now!
5. New Cabinets
6. A tan
7. Time to read
8. sleep

8 People I Tag
1. Janelle
2. Kim M.
3. Sophia
4. kara
6. Vikki
7. Ruth
8. Juli

TGIF

I really don't know why Fridays are so fabulous? It really doesn't slow down that much around here. There's never enough time to get it all done. I think I just love the weekend because we are all together, and of church. Church is always such a nice start to the week!

These last 2 weeks have been crazy for us, I don't see things slowing down anytime soon. My blog has suffered the consequences. I have been too busy to sit and do it, but, also I have lost a little motivation. I think the weather is definitely getting me down. Maybe just enhancing my feelings. I am ready for SPRING!

Last week I gave 3 talks. One in Young Women on Tuesday, One for an Enrichment Night for another ward and one Sunday night at our Fireside. I think they all went well, and maybe they were worth the worry. We had a wonderful turn out for New Beginnings. My sister's enrichment night went well I was surprised at how many showed up to hear about our Iowa experience. I think we had more to that than to the fireside on Sunday. All of our dearest friends showed up on Sunday night. And some of our Family, even one of Wes' coworkers showed up! Wes' Grandparents came and it's always nice to see them. It is amazing to me that they love us so much. My Mom came for the second time. Both times she heard different stories. Wes and I can't fit all the miracles into 90 minutes if you can believe that.

I am not sure how many more we will do. It is very hard to relive the events, it brings everything back to the surface. But, on the same token we know that Heavenly Father wants the story told. We were so fortunate and all because of our Heavenly Father. It's been hard because there are those out there who feel like we do it just for the attention, that hurts. Someone said we were just "Tooting our own horns." After everything we have been through and are still going through, it really is like being kicked in the gut. Enough negative, I am sorry. This week has been fun. Much less stressful! We all watched American Idol together on Wed. (still can't believe Tatiana made it through) Then last night we all watched Survivor. I think this on is going to take it's toll on the contestants. It looks harsh! 120 degrees sounds miserable!

Today I am going to Gracie's class as a room Mom to help with the Valentines Party! I made Bingo cards that I will not be taking a pic of as I am not real crafty! Oh and yesterday I went to the dentist with a toothache....and....I am going to have to pay 1500.00 out of pocket next week to get it all fixed...yowza! Oh well, it's like Wes said...it is what it is. Thanks for being Loyal and reading my blog, come back next time and I am sure things will look much brighter=) ~E

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my Mom's birthday!!! She doesn't read my blog, but I think there are people that do. So they can relay the message. I am going to do 25 Random Facts about my Wonderful Mamasitta-

1. She always screams the loudest at scary movies, lots of the time she is the only one screaming!

2.She can wear her hair in any style and still look fresh and pretty!

3. She is a comedian especially when she doesn't mean to be....like when she is asleep = )

4.She is the best seamstress I have and will ever know.

5.She has read the Book of Mormon so many times I think she has it memorized.

6.was forty two when she became a grandmother.

7. She only listened to Niel Diamond, Helen Reddy, Anne Murray and Sam Cooke when I was growing up.

8.She is a Southern Bell at heart having spent her childhood growing up in the deep south.

9.She picked a lot of cotton in her youth, so much her fingers would bleed!

10.She makes the best brownies in the world.

11. She loves a good hot bath!

12.She loves her little dog izzie bamma bell, almost as much as she loves me.

13.She is half Italian. That's why she will randomly kick us out of her house, it's just the Italian showing it's flare....hahaha

14.She and Wes have a "Love/Hate" relationship. They can't help but tease each other, but at the end of the day I think they truly do respect one another.

15.She comes from a family of 13 kids, no kidding I am telling the truth!

16. She is the best picture poser that I know ,next to my little sis Natelli of course ;)

17.She loves her children and grandchildren immensely.

18.She has 16 grandchildren and would die for anyone of them.

19.Recently someone asked me if we were sisters.

20.She is not a very good driver, she likes to speed and has had numerous speeding tickets.

21.She raised 3 girls, worked full time and earned a four year degree simultaneously...that is multitasking at it's best!

22.She is the strongest chick I know.

23.She has never told a lie that I can remember

24. She has an unwavering love for the gospal.

24.She has very real relationship with her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

25. She is my Mom and Friend and I am very proud of her!

Need to clarify....

This just proves I should look at the finished product after I post. Half way down the post you will notice a couple lines in dark green, these were on the original post but couldn't be seen because for some reason they were in black ink. So, the list I made is for me, if I could give myself a lecture when I was 16...anyways maybe it will make more sense. I didn't give this list to my girls. They are all leaps and bounds ahead of me when I was their age!

If only

I started this post 2 days ago, and I am finally getting around to finishing it, it's been a little challenging for me.



Last night was The New Beginings program for the Young Women in our Ward. This is a time for us leaders to introduce the Young Women Program to the girls. My part was to introduce the Young Women Theme, Logo and Motto.



I told the girls that these were things that Heavenly Father gave them as guides, Maps for their lives. The theme points them in the right direction. It is something that all Young women say each week when they attend their Young Womens Meeting. It let's them know that they are daughters of God. That he loves them. That they have the responsibilty to stand as a witness to god, at all times and in all things. As I spoke to the girls I was also speaking to myself, when I was 14, 15, 16.

Hind Sight is always 20/20, but if only I could tell my young self 10 things this is what I would say:

1. You are beautiful. Don't listen to the people who are tearing you down. You have nothing to prove, your Heavenly Father loves you, and that is all that matters.

2.Smile more. Don't hang your head down. Be proud of who you are and let your light shine cause someone needs your star.

3. Be nicer to your sisters because they will be your best friends forever.

4. Always remember who you are. You are an example. People are watching you, good or bad they see what you do. Make good choices.

5. Having a chip on your shoulder and holding grudges will never get you anywhere, it only hurts you. Learn to forgive.

6.Write in you Journal!

7. Don't be such a clean freak.

8.Ski more, go to the tanning bed less. Wear sunscreen.

9. Don't be so excited to grow up!

10. Don't starve youself, eat more, laugh more, don't worry about things you can not change. No matter how bad things might be sometimes, someone always has it worse. Things will always work out in the end as long as you stay close to heavenly father and have gratitude for what you have.

TMI!!!!!

OK. So this little experience that I am going to relate is kind of personal. So if you are not interested by all means read no further. If you are anything like me you are like...oh I don't want to read it....but I want to read it.....

So I was going to just leave the issue of my biopsy alone. BUT, the story is so odd, and kind of interesting. So I have decided to share just because, it is really odd.

For the last several months, I have had a lump on my skin. It went into my flesh. It was hard, red and extremely itchy. Kind of like a spider bite that would never go away. And Yes it was on my breast...Hollywoodhooveywhatey...did I just type that, I am blushing. Because of the location of the "lump", I gave in and decided to go to the doctor. I have to admit I was a bit nervous. So I go and the Doc says we definitely have to biopsy it. It was strange because in the middle of it, deep down there was a black shadow. The idea that it had to be biopsied was a little un-nerving. Wes was way more worried than I, because heaven forbid If I were to die he would have to cook! JK Wes, I know you were worried about me too. Oh I just realized when he saw the TMI he probably stopped reading, LOL.

I had the biopsy done. It went fine except for some reason I can not be numbed. Got a few stitches and off I went. After 5 days I got a call. The Nurse said good news, no cancer. YAY! then she proceeded to tell me it was an infection caused by a bug bite, and that I could talk to the Doc about getting a prescription when I came in to have the stitches removed. Cool, so everything is fine.

Now, here is the weird part. The doc came in and asked if the nurse had told me everything. I told her what the nurse said. The doc said oh right it is from a bug bite sort of. Remember the black shadow? Umm yeah I said. Well it was part of the bug. WHAT...EWWWWW that is disgusting. Of course I asked if it were a spider and she said she didn't know. Just typing this gave me the chills and the heebeegeebees! Anyway she thinks it will just keep healing, and was very glad that she had removed it with the biopsy.

BAZAAR...don't you think. SO GROSS! I really hate bugs and I had one festering in my skin....argewwwyukkk!

So there you have the results of my crazy biopsy. The Doc kept saying " I am so glad you came in, I am so glad you let us do the biopsy" and all I could think was EWWWWWWW! ~E

SuperBowl Sunday Ramblings...

I have decided to just sit and blog as I watch the Superbowl. I am anxious to see the commercials because I have heard they have been scaled back do to the economy.

As I have said before, I am a people watcher so I have decided to write about some of the people I have watched lately.

Last week I was driving down a very busy road in Logan. It was lunch time so super chaotic, and crazy. As I was driving white knuckled down the road, I saw a very tall man walking down the side walk. He was tall, but that is not what I noticed first. I noticed amongst all the busy hoopla, that he had a very peaceful look on his face. Not a huge smile, but a serene smile. My first thought was, how can that man be smiling...as I got closer to passing him, I noticed something that struck me. He was walking with a walking stick. This man was blind. he was making his way down a busy street (on the sidewalk), amongst drivers who were rushing here and there, going along with their hectic lives. To me the smile on his face was like a pillar of light, it just struck me at that instant and made me feel strength. Strength I needed to feel at that moment. Because when I looked at him I saw strength and peace.

There is a woman who I see almost on a daily basis. Every time I see her she is preforming some type of service. Walking a neighbor girl to school, or babysitting for a young mother. She also sews quilts and makes other household goods. She visits the Elderly too. I watch her from afar and notice all she does and it inspires me to want to serve more. She has no Idea the impact her service has made on me.

A little while ago Wes and I pulled into the parking lot at Sam's Club. Wes was delighted to have gotten a front park! While he was jumping out of the car, I just sat there. I noticed a van parked three stalls away from us. In the van were some senior citizens. I couldn't help but laugh. The reason was because they were both fast asleep. It was cute.

I wonder how many people have watched me. More importantly I wonder how I have been judged based on my actions.


~e