As the World "Kerns"

Liberty Spikes

2011-12-26T11:46:00.000-07:00

Spencer learned how to put his mohawk in to Libert Spikes....It takes at least an hour. He uses a blow dryer and lots of hair GLUE and spray. Do I like it.....I really like the boy under the spikes...the spikes keep it out of his face...but I am praying it's a faze. How fun to be 16!

First Day of Preschool

2011-12-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

Neal started preschool at Spring Lake Elementary on December 5th. He was very very excited to ride the school bus!

He's not sure he likes the gel mom put in his hair.

Still unsure about the gel..you get a little glance at his Elmo back pack.

Trying to patiently wait for teh school bus.

ON THE BUS!!!!! Mommy was a bit scatter brained and forgot to actually get a picture of the BIG BUS, but as you can see by the look on Neal's face...He was in HEAVEN! He loves riding the school bus and is anxious for Christmas break to be over so he can get back on the bus. I haven't been able to get him to tell me much about school yet. I say, Neal did you have a good day at school....and he shakes his head yes then says, "mmmmmhhmmm"

ME

2011-11-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

I try to do things to help myself feel better...like paint my toe nails pink.

Color my hair RED

And SMILE!

Guess Who?

2011-11-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

NEAL

2011-11-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

Neal is a BUSY 3 year old!

He found the camera...this is just one of his shots!

CAMILLA

2011-11-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

Crazy Hair day

Shower Time...learning to do more for herself.

Happy 10th Birthday with her Best friend, Camilla Adams.

Bringing Eric's Mom from Pueblo to Payson

2011-11-13T10:47:00.001-07:00

In August Eric and I drove to Pueblo Colorado and brought Eric's mom, Dottie, for a visit. This was my first time to see where Eric grew up. This is a photo of Eric near the River that went right in front of the home they lived in. There is a nice River walk there now.

On our way home from Pueblo to Payson, We stopped in Fruita and visited with Dottie's aunt and cousin. It was a fun visit.

Eric, Spencer and Taylor went back in October to move Dottie to Payson. This is a picture near the home where Eric grew up...or it might be his grandma's house..ha, ha. I better check.

Here is his elementary school.

This is in front of the home Eric grew up in.

The River walk area.

Another home he lived in.

I should have had Eric write this..maybe he'll amend it some day. We have Dottie here with us now and are thankful for the help from Chad Argyle, his son and Taylor for going with Eric to bring Dottie here with her few belongings. We know this is a BIG change for her and hope that it will be a good one for her and us. We love having her here with us.

Carving pumpkins

2011-11-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

Our annual pumpkin carving family home evening. Neal enjoyed making shapes with help of his dad and then he would put them in and out of his jack-o-lantern's face...he got upset when we told him that it was time to put them out on the front porch..you can see his frustration with us.

Spencer and Porkchop

2011-11-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

This last Winter and Spring, Spencer raised a pig for FFA. He helped to feed, clean pens, give shots, groom etc. The pigs at the jr. high pig lab. Then he chose a pig. He trained the pig for a show and auction. These are the pictures from the show and auction. He used a cane to teach the pig how to walk where he wanted him to, most of the time. He won a ribbon and sold his pig. Might I say, Porkchop, was very tasty. Spencer was able to earn some money and he enjoyed spending it over the summer.

We are still here

2011-11-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

Spencer beginning High School..10th grade.

Camilla beginning 4th grade.

Neal at home playing the badmitton racquet as a guitar.

I haven't blogged for several months. I am having a difficult time uploading pictures on my desktop PC, so I borrowed Eric's laptop to upload a few. We had a nice summer break. Began school in August and now we are looking forward to Thanksgiving in Las Vegas. I am still on tamoxifen and have had to deal with side effects that are bad on some days and okay on others. I've gained about 20 pounds which I hate and hope that I can have the will power and ability to change or else I'm not going to be able to move. We have Eric's mom living here with us now and my parents will be coming soon to stay for the winter months. FULL HOUSE. Eric is busy with his position at Santequin Elementary, he is the Title 1 coordinator. Enjoys the people he works with and it's challenging.

All the leaves are falling...we cut down one tree in our front yard. Yes, it's snowed a few times, but as of today we don't have any on the ground here..we have a wet leave filled front yard!

Surprise!

2011-05-05T09:09:00.000-06:00

My daffodils didn't freeze...they bloomed!!!

Guess who this is?? Camilla made me a pretty either necklace or headband, for mother's day. I decided to wear it in my hair today. I am beginning to come out of hiding. I have kind shown my face and self in my neighborhood this week. Getting out of the house for walks with Neal and little jaunts here and there. I think I am blooming too..starting to feel like I'm coming alive again. Me, in a different sort of way..some things are different about me, but I am still Inez..I think. For awhile I have felt like maybe some of my brain was removed when my mastectomy was performed. I haven't done any research, but I was wondering if some of a woman's brain is connected to her breast? I know I'm being silly, but I truly didn't feel much like myself.

I am getting the urge to write more and maybe blog more. I felt good when I got out of the shower today..that is usually the way I felt before, I have to have a shower to feel awake..kind of like a cup of coffee for some. I even did a bit of dancing this morning with Neal and Camilla as we prepared for breakfast. Still cold cereal...but breakfast. Reading is getting easier again...for awhile, it was a bit hard. Maybe one of these days I'll pose for a portrait...Probably not, but maybe.

So did you figure out who is in the picture???? Ha, ha...Yep, It's ME!!!

April

2011-04-27T12:05:00.000-06:00

This was the beginning of April..broke off a tree limb.

This is TODAY! The tulips are coming alive with color. At least this bunch is; soon the others will as well. My daffodils froze..poor things. So far it's been a rainy, snowy, cold spring...

More rain is on it's way, but today we will be happy for the sun.

March update!

2011-03-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

March is here. It seems that February came and went so fast; of course it is a short month. My unbirthday was nice. I received the Thomas S. Monson Biography and a new electric can opener! I enjoyed spending the time with my family.   Neal gave me some nice long birthday kisses, Camilla made me a few cards which were very colorful, Spencer helped with whatever I needed. Eric brought home dinner and chocolate cake!!

Yesterday I went to Dr. Rich (For some reason I keep typing Rick..ha, ha. DON'T I WISH!). He had the results of the oncotype Dx test. I don't understand all the graphs and numbers, but basically from what I understand and with help from Lisa and Eric. I am in the category of low risk for reoccurence of cancer. 9%. Since I am in that group, the test shows that I would not really benefit from chemotherapy. GOOD NEWS FOR ME!!! So we made the decision all together, with MINE being the BIG SWING VOTE, that I will not receive chemotherapy. Tamoxifin does show it will be of benefit to me in keeping the risk of reoccurence down low. Tamoxifin is an estrogen blocker and estrogen is a fuel for my kind of cancer. So Dr. Rich started me on it last night. I will be on one pill a day for five years.

Next I took a blood test ,which if my insurance will cover the test, I will find out more about my genes and cancer. Which will help me as well as my kids; relatives. My lungs are free of cancer. Still checking on my liver; he didn't have the results yet. I will return to see Dr. Rich every three months for two years and then I believe it's twice a year for three years.  The pharmacists told me not to take soy products or any herbal products because they help produce estrogen.

So now I will be going to see Dr. Bishop, the plastic surgeon, on Tuesday and find out more about continuing the reconstruction of my breast. We'll be able to move forward faster now that I don't have to go through chemotherapy treatments.

Spencer, Neal and Camilla are all sick. Some kind of virus, running fevers and a bit of a runny nose. I am hoping it doesn't spread to all of us.

My mom and dad are at a doctor's appointment. I'm thankful they are here with us. Hard to see them go through trials, but I am blessed to have them so close during this time.

I continue to feel greatly blessed with a wonderful family, great friends, good neighbors, great doctors and lots of support.  I feel the Lord's hand in my life daily.

A few pictures and short update

2011-02-15T12:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a shot of Eric and I on surgery day. Waiting in a little room to be wheeled in to another waiting room for surgeon's and anesthesiologist. Yes, I'm still affected by his sexiness..Eric and the anesthesiologist. I appreciate a good looking man! My brother-in-law, Michael was kind and patient enough to wait with Eric during both of my surgeries.

These are the beautiful flowers that were waiting for me in my room after surgery! Thank you Sande.

Spencer died his hair the same color that I died mine! We are both Cherry Chocolate for now. He's such a GREAT young man.

Here's a recent picture of my mother and my daughter. They have necklaces that match. Camilla's say's Granddaughter and mom's says Grandmother. Two strong souls in my life!

The update is that I am awaiting a Oncotype DX test. Testing being done on tissue from the mastectomy to determine if I would benefit from Chemotherapy. I have met my oncologist, Nathan Rich. Went through a few hours of waiting and answering questions and feeling anxiety and enjoying the company of my sweet Lisa. I am ER and HER2 positive, which means I have been advised to take tamoxifin; but we are waiting to see what or if I need intraveinous chemotherapy. I did get my drain taken out last week and that was HEAVEN. I have felt better each day since. I am sore on my left side; feel like I'm carrying a heavy load..literally on the left side where the breast used to be. I go to the plastic surgeon again tomorrow.

I was able to go to church on Sunday with my family and that felt wonderful. I enjoyed seeing so many friends and people I love as well as feeling the Spirit of worshipping in the way I am accustom to.

Today I feel tired. Not as good as I have in the past few days, but still better than I have. I am trying to take it easier today and rest more.

February!

2011-02-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

Goodness; we're already 6 days in to February. So hard for me to believe. I love February. Neal's third birthday was yesterday. He was showered with love, a few balloons, a few presents and a fun monster cake. The monster cake was made by a special friend, Thank you so much Twila! I will post pictures on a different day. Valentine's day, Robert and Carol's anniversary (hope it was happy), Chad's Birthday, Miranda's Birthday, Ray's Birthday, Lisa's Birthday, MY BIRTHDAY!!!

I'm a little tired tonight, but wanted to do a quick update for those who might be checking on the blog.

Tomorrow I will be visiting with my surgeon, Dr. Hill. I feel much better than I did a week ago. Infact, I'm not even sure I can remember a week ago. This has been a hard two weeks, but since Thursday I have been feeling a bit more "alive".

On the 24th of January, I had a left mastectomy and beginning of reconstruction surgery on that side of my chest. All I can say positive about surgery is that I had an EXTREMELY GOOD LOOKING..SEXY, Anesthesiologist! I woke up with a corsette of some sort on the top half of my body. I was told it's a surgical bra, but all I can say is it did some serious damage to my ribs and it squoze me so tight I thought I was incapable of breathing. I was able to take it off last week...I have bruises! I know I was on some pretty heavy pain medication, so I didn't feel much at first, just out of it! I can remember seeing Eric, Lisa, Bev, Wanda and Michael after my surgery..when I was wheeled in to my private room. I also had some beautiful flowers left there for me by my sweet friend, Sande. I brought them home with me and enjoyed them up until yesterday when they finally had to be put out. My only real recollection of that first night is Lisa staying with me until 2am. I remember her reading to me, talking to me and when I had the urge to move, she walked with me hand in hand down the hallway in the hospital; I must have been high on drugs, because I was chattering loudly and we both decided to be a bit more quiet since everyone else was sleeping. Lisa and I met as freshmen at BYU in 1982; to my knowledge that was our first time to take a walk holding hands with my fingers clutched to an IV pole and the other clinging on to the warmth of one of my best friends. Lisa promised me that she'd hold my hand through this experience and she literally has been. I love her so much. We made it around two times and then went back in to my room because my bloodpressure cuff was beeping..or something like that..it needed to be plugged in.

I was so bandaged. I really had no idea what I might look like. But Eric did tell me that the surgery went well. Both surgeons were pleased with the outcome and Dr. Bishop my plastic surgeon was able to inject more fluid into the expander than he had originally planned..so I was told by Lisa that I was giddily trying to show myself to Eric and anyone else that would take a peak. Ha, ha. I don't remember that, but I do trust her. I am not flat on the left side, there is a bit of a small mound and it is heavy. Feels foreign, is numb..kind of like when you go to the dentist and have your one side of your face numbed. I can touch my skin and it feels like my skin to my fingers, but I can't feel my fingers on my chest.

In the hospital I was treated very well. I like Mt. Timpanogas Regional Medical Center. However, I had a mishap. The day nurse was going to show me how to strip my drain. I have a little bulb drain attached under my left breast area so that fluid can drain. The night nurse drained it with her fingers and emptied the little cup so I had had the experience once already. The original drain was attached to my surgical bra on the right side..so it was fairly long. This nurse decided to take out a pair of scissors. She proceeded to tell me to take the blunt end of a pair of scissors and she held the tubing to begin pushing the fluid through and all of a sudden it snapped! Broke off and fluid was running out of it on to me. I was horrified. So was she. She began mumbling about that never happening before and other things..all I could think was..."Oh please, Lord, let there be a way to drain off this fluid without me being opened up again." So she left me with a cup under the tubing and called Dr. Bishop. He talked to her about how to attach the bulb to it again and luckly she was able to. However, the drain has been a bit of a problem this week...I had to have it suctioned out a few times. I am really hoping it will be removed tomorrow..we'll see.

I had several days that I just don't remember. I slept and still sleep in my recliner. I am so thankful for it. I have a pillow on each side of me and a little blanket rolled up under my head. I cover up with a fleece blanket and rest, sleep, think...sometimes I cry. Wednesday was the worst day that I can remember. I felt horrible. Lisa took me to Dr. Bishop. He drained more fluid, changed my medication and talked kindly to me. Lisa bought me a sandwich and we sat in the car and I ate. I thought to myself, "I don't know if I can do this." Then Lisa smiled at me and talked to me and somehow she got me home. At some point I began calling people. My mentor who has had a double mastectomy, she is a sweet lady who told me there is a light at the end of the tunnel; that I am normal and it's okay to fall apart when needed. I talked to Dr. Bishop's nurse she talked me through some of my fears. Then I called my stress management Dr. as well and he helped me to work through a few stresses I had.

My little boy was sick and I felt horrible. My sister, Wanda, came and took care of my kids and was here in my home and I was so thankful for that. My parents have been doing what they can to help. My visiting teachers are AMAZING! My dear ward sisters have been taking care of my kids..driving them where they need to be, taking care of Neal, picking up Spencer from school, cleaning, bringing food and treats, blankets, toys for the kids, calling with sweet messages. I love my ward (church) family.

I have spent many, many hours in prayer. I am not sure if my thoughts were legible to Heavenly Father, but I felt His love for me, His warmth, His Spirit getting me through the dark moments. I know there may be more dark moments, but I just keeping praying that my faith will not waver. I have a picture of the Savior, Jesus Christ, right above my chair that has been moved in to my bedroom. He's smiling and I look at it whenever I have my eyes open in my room. I know, He knows me, He knows what I feel, what I have been through and He has gone through so much more. I don't understand the purpose in cancer for me yet; but, I do know that when I get through this and I do plan to get through it, I will be different. I am learning to love myself and my body in a way I never have been able to before. It's too bad that it has taken losing a portion of my body to realize that it is very important. I have always had a body image problem, a struggle with feeling beautiful. In the last week I have had more people who matter to me, tell me that I am beautiful that I ever remember in my life. I also am learning how silly it is that I have spent any time at all comparing myself to others. We are all so individual and beautiful in our own right. I have been trying to embrace that for several years now, but it seems to just be a part of who I am now; I can honestly say that I feel love in a new way than I did a month ago.

Okay, well, that's about all I can say at this point. I would never want anyone to go through what I have been going through in the last 6 weeks or so; but it is my life, so I am going to try the best I can to embrace it. Be positive when I can. Love who I love with all my heart. Be a better wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, neighbor, friend, person. I hope that all who have been praying for me and thinking of me and my family will be blessed with what they desire and stand in need of. I also hope that I can be comfortable just being me and know that, that is enough for the Lord. He will make up the difference and provide for my family and friends what I can't.

I have extreme gratitude in my heart for all those who are serving me and my family. Thank you.

May this week be EVEN BETTER!! (Just thought I'd share a fun picture from when Eric and I got engaged! 1994)

Surgery Day

2011-01-24T09:31:00.000-07:00

I have received many well wishes and lots of support. My friend, Dawn, has Neal and took Camilla to school. She'll have both children until Eric comes to get them this evening. I did have a blessing last night which was very comforting. I guess I'm as ready as I can be. Surgery is scheduled for 12:3o pm. The surgeons told us it will at least be two hours.

What December brought

2011-01-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

I am not really sure the best way to do this; share something that is extremely personal yet demanding of support from many; since I cannot possibly move forward alone, nor do I want to. I apologize to those of my friends and perhaps family that are finding out about what I will write for the first time. I wish I had the strength and ability to talk to each of you personally.

On December 17th I was diagnosed with Invasive stage 2 ductal carcinoma. Breast cancer in my left breast. It was a shock to say the least. On December 23rd I had a lumpectomy. My centinal node was taken and tested, it was clear. The margin around the tumor that was taken was also clear. However, my surgeon, Dr. Bruce Hill..who is amazing...found some tissue that didn't look right to him and he took it as well and had it tested. Two and a half weeks after my surgery I was told that I had more cancer. Fico, small tumors that began on their own and eventually will grow. I don't understand it all, but to summarize. I now am scheduled for a mastectomy of the left breast on January 24th, at Timpanogas Regional Medical Center in Orem. The hospital I had Neal in. I have also made the decision to begin reconstruction of that breast the same day. I just found out about the procedure yesterday and it will be a process that may last 6 to 9 months. I have also been told that I will have to have chemo therapy, but I do not know what kind or what that will be like. I've been told that within three weeks after this surgery we should know what my therapy will entail.

I am so thankful for my husband, Eric. His support, care and willingness to listen to me and go with me as much as he can to appts; is invaluable to me and I love him. I have my three wonderful kids, who I love more than I can express in writing. I have a wonderful extended family in the Sanders', Duncan's, Nelson's, Kern's, Durfee's, Mom Payne, Fagans, Stolzer's etc., etc. I have a handful of close friends that I have had since college who have been consistent in their calls, encouragement, visits and allowing me to share with them my journey. I have my sweet friend, Lisa, who has come with me to my appointments and helps me by writing notes and asking questions and helping me laugh when all we want to do is gasp in disbelief! How I love her. I have amazing friends that I had in my youth, who have corresponded with me. I have a ward family, through the Church of Jesus Christ, who have and are serving me in so many countless ways from taking Spencer and Camilla where they need to go, watching Neal, bringing meals and cleaning as well as praying, fasting, and giving me courage with their hugs and special visits.

Is this something I want to go through? No. Do I plan to write about? I'm not sure I will on this blog, but I hope that there will be some way to keep those who want to know updated. I have met or talked with a few women who have been through their own battle, I believe I will meet and make friends with some incredibly strong, humble, beautiful women. I know that there are many, many individuals who have had or have their own battle with cancer. I will do the best I can to stay positive, to keep my faith, and when I have no strength to rely on my support for strength. My center is Jesus Christ. I know He knows me. I know He knows suffering and pain. I also know He has sent me comfort and continues to bring me peace in my moments of weakness and discouragement.

With much love, Inez

Christmas

2011-01-19T16:58:00.000-07:00

A few Christmas shots.

SNOW!

2011-01-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

Neal, Camilla and Spencer playing in the snow in December.

A few Winter shots

2011-01-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a LONG time since I posted anything on our blog. So I am trying to post some pictures from the last few months. Camilla and Neal were able to ask Santa for their heart's desires after Camilla perfromed with her singing group, Tavaci. She did a great job.
Then the snow fell and we were very excited for Christmas!

We received over two feet of snow in one storm. Eric, Spencer and dad did some shovelling. More to COME....

Happy Veteran's Day!

2010-11-11T21:24:00.000-07:00

I know it's late in the day...but I just wanted to say "Thank You" to the Veteran's for their service to our country.

I am thankful that we can fly a flag in front of our home.

I'm thankful that Spencer has spent the last two months practicing patriotic and American classic songs on his saxophone. His performance last night at the special concert honoring Veteran's was wonderful.

Happy Birthday!!!

2010-11-01T17:43:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday to our Rock Star!!!

WE LOVE YOU.

Today

2010-10-28T14:41:00.000-06:00

Last night this very NICE man made sure that our kitchen was clean. He's very good to clean the kitchen with help from another nice guy that lives in our house, but last night he did it alone. I really appreciate it when he shows up and cleans my kitchen. I do try to feed him first, when I can.

Today, this very sweet little girl had to miss her Halloween costume parade at school because she is sick.

She has been laying around, resting and putting on a puppet show for an audience of stuffed animals, dolls and ....

This little guy. He doesn't sit still for very long, but she did manage to entertain him for a few moments. Little guy is sick as well. Red, runny nose, a bit of a cough and I believe he has ants in his pants. He can't seem to sit in one place for very long. He has been running, throwing, jumping, climbing, emptying drawers and shelves of their belongings, tumbling, screaming and he can't seem to rid himself of the ants in the pants virus...he even tried washing his hands in the toilet.

I have been sitting at a table looking through recipes, making menus and shopping lists for the month of November. While I was there at the table busily being a good home economist, and from time to time jumping up to check on my two sick children as well as drop a note or two to my friends on line, something AWFUL happened! An EVIL DEMON got in to my kitchen and destroyed all of the Nice guy's work.

I know it's almost Halloween and that I may have disturbed the calm tranquil peace of Payson when I set out on my Witches adventure a few nights ago, but REALLY...did I deserve this????

I guess I'll have to try wiggling my nose when I come back from picking up the Teenage Werewolf from Jr. High School. I hope my broom has a enough fuel in it. It is the end of the month.

PAYDAY TOMORROW...Oh I just I hope I can get through TODAY.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

2010-10-25T16:33:00.000-06:00

Camilla was invited to a costume/halloween party on Friday evening with a group of girls in our neighborhood. She had fun dressing up as Cleopatra....but shhhh don't tell anyone that this is also her halloween costume!

She decorated cute halloween cookies and cupcakes and played fun games with her friends. Came home with goodies. She declared, "I HAD THE BEST TIME!!"

Isn't she a cutie patootie Cleopatra?!?!

Well, I didn't want her to out do me, I like to dress up too!!!

I was invited to attend the "Grand Witches Council".

I went on an "Amazing Race" kind of adventure with a group of Sister Witches.

It was two and half hours of trapsing through the outer swamp lands of Payson, orchards, railroad tracks, a haunted bandstand in the park, and and an OLD SCAREY MUSEUM; looking for the special ingredients to make the Witches Brew.

I was not on the winning team, but I was on a fun team of extremely beautiful, young, vibrant witches.

I was truly the WICKED OLD WITCH!

I had a few mishaps with my hat and tights, but I won't go in to that.

I was sure I was going to spend the remainder of my days stuck in the mudd of Riley's orchard, but I managed to get out of the muck and continued on with my team.

Next year I'm wearing sweats and I'm gettin' me a broom...

Just for your entertainment...one of my old favorite daycare halloween songs...

I'm a mean old witch with a hat.

and I ride on my broom with my cat

My shoes are pointed

and my chin is too.

You better watch out,

Or I might scare you......

BOOOOOOOOO!!!

Randomness

2010-10-20T12:04:00.000-06:00

Spencer and Neal out in the Hail storm.

Camilla with the cake she decorated at the daddy/daughter party.

Neal and Camilla enjoying some of her cake.

Spencer in the hail storm.

Handy Manny at Farm Fest 2010

2010-10-20T11:55:00.000-06:00

We spent a few hours at Payson's Farm Fest this Fall break. Eric dressed Neal in his Handy Manny costume to see if it would fit, right before leaving. He loved it so much he didn't want to take it off. So, Handy Manny went with us to Farm Fest.

Neal did not enjoying waiting in line!

He was very serious about finding his way through the maze!

Handy Manny at Farm Fest....he lasted about an hour then needed a NAP!!!

While I was on the phone...

2010-10-20T11:48:00.000-06:00

I'm sure I was only on the phone for a few moments with Lisa and when I got off this is what I found.

A two year old enjoying the FUN of a roll of toilet paper!

Happiness is being married to your best friend.

2010-10-19T22:02:00.001-06:00

Days are growing shorter, Nights are getting longer.

Fall is here.

Eric is wearing his orange tie!

Somewhere in the beginning of our marriage, Eric and I purchased a little framed saying.."Happiness is being married to your best friend". It hangs over our bed. It's not as easy to spend time with each other the way we did before children came along and all the busyness of life. But somehow we still manage to find moments to talk over the kitchen counter.

I look forward to our Friday night dates. Most of the time it doesn't matter to me what we do, just as long as I get to spend time with Eric.

I am thankful that the Lord blessed me with the wish of my heart; to be married to my best friend. I do believe, for me, it has made all the difference.

I am thankful that Eric encourages me to continue to have other friends as well. Friendship is important to me. Being married to my best friend, and having a few close friends; does make me happy!

Fun Family time between Conference sessions

2010-10-10T10:37:00.000-06:00

Last weekend was General Conference for the LDS church, we enjoyed watching 4 sessions of it. This year we recorded the conference with our DVR and in between sessions we made a trip to Provo Canyon, had a picnic and did some exploring. We enjoyed seeing the river and the changing of the season to Fall. It's a beautiful canyon and we really enjoyed our time together. Just thought we share some of the photos with you.

Update!

2010-09-27T09:46:00.000-06:00

Just FYI, Spencer did earn 100 extra credit points in Agricultural Science. He recited the 5 paragraph FFA creed, in front of his whole class! He missed three words, but his teacher had the class vote and since he was the ONLY one who even wanted to attempt reciting it, he was awarded the points.

He also did very well on his vocabulary test and was able to recite a scripture from the Doctrine & Covenants all on the same day!

But do you know what he is most proud of accomplishing in the last three days???? Riding his skateboard. His friend, Jordan, worked with him on it and he practiced and practiced...he showed off yesterday and did a pretty good job.

Camilla also took out her bike and road it up and down our street several times. She hasn't been able to master the bike without help until now. Still with training wheels, but if she keeps this up I predict they will come off soon.

Neal also took his little push four wheeler, road it around outside and decided to head in to the garage with it. Next thing we knew he was barreling down our somewhat steep driveway and flew in to the road..he managed to stay on and we all had a good laugh. Well, he decided he liked it. Kept doing it and soon learned he could slow himself down a bit if he wanted to, Fred Flintstone style..with his feet. That little guy is a FAST mover. I honestly can not keep up with him.

No pictures this time...but good stuff anyway.

Blue Ribbon Vegetables and 15!

2010-09-24T13:41:00.000-06:00

Spencer is taking Agricultural Science. He is also a member of the FFA, because he is taking Ag. Science. None of us had any idea what we were getting in to. Spencer's first big project was to turn in homegrown produce to the Utah State Fair. So because we did not grow a garden and do not have fruit trees, we asked Grandpa Sanders if there were any vegetables left in his garden to harvest. Yes, carrots and beets. Since Spencer helped plant and weed in grandpa's garden, he was able to use vegetables from this garden. Spencer with the help of grandpa and cousin, Lorin, dug up 5 carrots and 5 beets. He cleaned them up and presented them to his teacher. The vegetables were then trucked to the Utah State Fair in Salt Lake City.

Spencer was able to attend the fair last week with his class. He found out that his/grandpa's vegetables were presented with blue ribbons. So grandpa grows blue ribbon vegetables in his garden! Spencer received an "A". Now he is talking about raising a PIG~~
He also just memorized the 5 paragraph FFA creed and hopes to be the first to say it to his teacher an earn 100 extra credit points. I HOPE HE DOES IT!!!

In September we said goodbye to summer. HELLOOOOO FALL!!! And watched Spencer blow out 15 candles on his birthday cake. Yep, my first baby boy is 15. Old enough to get his driver's permit. He is anxious to learn how to drive. I am moving slowly as usual, I am a slow moving procrastinator except when it comes to Rick Springfield concerts or Red Sports Cars...those two things make me move fast. I move fast to get to the front ROW at a concert and I like to drive fast....or have liked to drive fast and dream of a RED SPORTS car to drive fast and far!!! Well, we won't mention that to Spencer now will we? I am also the world's best driving instructor. I taught Eric how to drive and so far so good. So, I will find the proper geer....crash helmits, brakes/steering wheel installed on the passengers side of our Honda. Then I will take Spencer to the church parking lot and we will begin a year of adventure. Perhaps that adventure will take us back to Nevada and the Cold Creek Canyon road and well as the Kyle Canyon road and the ever amazing I-95 stretch from Mt. Charleston turn off to Indian Springs. I do believe that my son needs to have the experience of driving on the roads his mother learned on....yes, and his dad. I took my beloved on those roads to learn the fine art of driving. And after 16 years of marriage, I have let him drive on occasional dates and always to church!!! So soon Spencer will be on the roads.

I love all my children the same. There truly is enough love in a mother's heart to go around equally to all of her children. However, Spencer made me a mother and for that I will love this boy eternally. He is a wonderful young man. He has amazing side burns, a quick wit, loves video games, rap music, hip-hop, basketball, movies, WWE wrestling, reading a good book, pizza, Coke, sleeping in the family room, magic, he plays a sweet saxophone, likes airsoft wars with his friends, wants to be a BOXER and wants to be RICH. I hope this is a WONDERFUL year for you Spencer. Keep working hard and making good choices.

A New Bed for Grandma and Grandpa Sanders

2010-08-30T11:36:00.000-06:00

Neal has moved back in with Camilla. So far, that is working out well for both of them.

A new bed was delivered last week for my mom and dad.

We put it in the room that used to be Neal's.

On Saturday Eric and I went shopping for the bedding.

I hope grandma and grandpa like it.

Next we will work on putting up pictures and looking for a dresser and some night stands.

Your bed is ready and waiting Grandma and Grandpa!!!!
P.S. I snuck in a 20 minute nap last week and might I say, "It is very comfy!"
Hope you like the bedding MOM!

I'm the Lucky One!!

2010-08-27T11:48:00.000-06:00

Happy Anniversary Eric!!!

Before Picture

2010-08-26T21:56:00.000-06:00

Here is a before picture of our wedding cake. I found this cake at Smiths! Funny to think of that now...

The Funnest Party Ever!

2010-08-26T21:47:00.000-06:00

The party began August 27, 1994 at the Las Vegas, LDS Temple.

Eric and I were married, sealed for time and all eternity.

Eric joined my family.

I joined his family.

Because it was August, we left Las Vegas and headed to Mt. Charleston.

Here we are standing right outside the home I grew up in.

This is where our reception was held.

There was a ring ceremony.

Ray Farrer officiated at it.

Jim Taylor sang three songs.

Here we are with just a few of our closest family and friends.

Exchanging wedding rings in front of the lilac bush that grew in the corner of our front yard.

Yes, you do see a school bus parked behind me. It is the school bus my mother drove for many years. My dad did video the event.

We had a delicious barbeque. I learned from attending many receptions, Eric and I would be at the front of the food line or else we would not eat. I did not wait 30 years to get married just to starve on my own wedding day. So here I am ready to eat.

We did not have the traditional wedding line. We mingled among our guests. It was a very informal occasion. We wore our wedding attire because you really only get to wear it once!

The sun went down and the dancing began.

Here is Eric with his mom, Linda.

Here is Eric dancing with his mom, Dorothy.

Me and my dad.

Eric and I sharing a dance.

There was a lot of dancing that night.

Line dancing, Electric Slide dancing and even Chicken dancing.

Eric managed to take the garter off..yes, with his teeth.

We just attended a reception and watched the same kind of performance, it brought back these fun memories.

We did share some wedding cake.

Yep! We shoved it into each other's faces! And might I say, it was SO MUCH FUN!!!!
Our song; that we were suppose to dance to right before leaving, was "I'm the Lucky One" by Amy Grant.
We were interrupted several times by a sweet family that Eric home taught. All of the children had some very special needs and they LOVED Eric; so much that I was beginning to think I'd have to grab some other guy to dance with. We managed to end the song dancing together and soon made our way to a honeymoon suite to begin our time together, in the "Time and all Eternity" as Mr. and Mrs. Eric Kern.
16 years later, I still think that's the best party I've ever attended and I know I certainly am the LUCKY ONE!

I love you Eric.
Happy Anniversary!

Oh my goodness is that Linde and Lisa standing next to the sexiest car you've ever seen???
You two are so BUSTED!!!!!

Back to School 2010

2010-08-24T15:55:00.000-06:00

Spencer, prepared to start 9th grade. Yes, he's in mourning, summer break is OVER.

I did get him to give me a bit of a grin.

Eric is beginning his 10th year in education! (Wonder if he'll get a bonus?)

Camilla, prepared to take her first walk to 3rd grade.

This year there are no pictures of Neal and I. We were too busy crying!!!

Actually, once we got Camilla to the door of her classroom and she disappeared from site. Neal and I dashed out to the playground. He's become very fond of the elementary school playground. So we spent some time there and then slowly made our way home. Once at home he threw the soccer ball down the stairs several times and worked to retrieve it, watched a few "Little Bear" episodes, loaded the washer and dryer, danced, played cars and during lunch a new bed was delivered to our home for Grandma and Grandpa Sanders. They are going to come spend some time with us soon and now they have a brand new COMFY bed to sleep in when they do. We are all wishing it was our bed. I have only allowed the kids to touch it. Don't tell anyone, but maybe tomorrow, after I get the sheets on it and I lay Neal down for his nap, I think I might just give it a try! I need to get a new card for the camera so I can take some more pictures. I only had these four left.

Both kids came home very happy that they did not have homework.
Camilla said her first day was "LONG".
Spencer said, it was "GOOD"

Eric has not made it home yet, I would have to say, he has the LONGEST days out of all of us...as far as school is concerned.
I hope it's a GREAT SCHOOL YEAR.

One week left

2010-08-17T10:17:00.000-06:00

Only one week left of summer vacation. School will be back in session. I will have to drag my lazy body out of bed at 5 am to exercise so I can be showered and ready to wake my children for breakfast, so they can have their most important meal of the day. Lunches will need to be packed and backpacks filled with their work that needs to be turned in on TIME. Homework will be a daily task for ALL of us. Not to mention scriptures read, article or two from the Friend and Era. The saxophone will make it's melodious noise again in our basement. Singing lessons on Mondays. There will be a bedtime once more. Looking forward to the weekend will begin on Tuesdays and I will be left to teach, entertain and play with Neal (Which isn't bad, I'm not complaining, just preparing myself) No more long leisurely mornings. No more waiting to shower till noon. No more spending hours on the computer just catching up on facebook, blogs and talking to my friends. (I'm sure I'll find some time for that). I'm going to miss my Spencer and Camilla coming to find me during the day just to tell me something, or asking me to watch a movie or TV show with them. I'll miss seeing Eric during the day, once in awhile. I usually look forward to school starting, I like routine for the most part, but for some reason this year I am kicking and making a fuss about ending the summer and starting back to school.

This summer has been simply fun and relaxing! We will all miss it.

We still have one more week of parties, boating, swimming, sleeping in and staying up late. No boo hooing around here!

This is what happened when I mixed up a batch of Nestle's toll house oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies and forgot to add a WHOLE cup of flour. Yes, me, the infamous cookie baker. I added 3/4 of a cup of flour. I must have been using my bad eye, because I saw it as 3/4 of a cup instead of 1 3/4 cup of flour. The dough was so absoposilutely (Tigger) delicious and sweet; I still didn't even think I'd done anything wrong when I spooned it on to the cookie sheet..but when I pulled them out of the oven and saw this..well, there was no denying that I had made a MISTAKE! I put the rest of the dough in the refrigerator and my family enjoyed munching the cookie dough.

A little glimpse in to my morning.

2010-08-13T08:59:00.002-06:00

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A Story..

2010-08-10T23:47:00.000-06:00

Once Upon a Time in 1984, I met this boy. He was in my family home evening group, infact I think he was the Dad. He was funny, nice, smart, a good listener, kind, thoughtful, rode a motorcycle, cool, older than me, silly, strong, helpful, easy to be around and nice to look at. Through my last year of college in Provo, I got to know this boy or young man and he became a friend.

Somehow, Linde, my room-mate was able to talk him in to going to Preference with me in the fall of 1984; I'm still not sure how many cookies or pies she had to make him as payment, but I'm sure there must have been some sort of payoff to get him to go with me. See, I was not very confident, didn't date much at all, always carried around extra weight, wore big glasses and had skin that was either broken out with pimples or blotchy because of being extra sensitive. So I really couldn't compete with all the "BEAUTY" that was on the BYU campus and elsewhere in Provo. However, I always had a dream that someone might come along that would look beyond the surface and find something to be attracted to. (Someone did..but that would be 10 years later!) So, when Linde told me that Butch said he'd go with me to preference, I was in shock! Actually, I was so nervous I thought I might throw up. To be that close to someone that good looking for a whole evening, I wasn't sure I could even stand up. I'd probably known Butch for a few months and I'm sure he was very kind, but I honestly don't remember much up until that particular moment when Linde gave me the news.

I wish I could tell you that it was a magical evening, in which we danced all night and I lost my glass slipper at the stroke of midnight, he found it and searched the campus for me, found me, the shoe fit and we lived happily ever after...but that would not be true, or my life story. I don't have the best memory. I do however, remember wearing a purple jumpsuit. Sitting in the front seat of Dallas's car with Linde and Dallas; while Butch sat in the back seat with Lisa and Steve. I can say that I remember Butch and I danced most of the time we were at the place we went..which was called Xenons (LOL). I can say Butch was a pretty good dancer and I am sure I had a good time, because I have a ward bulletin that Lisa and I wrote notes on to each other the day after the event, and the things we wrote indicated that it appeared to be a success. To my knowledge that was the only time I ever did anything that would be considered a date with Butch. I do not have any pictures of that event. It is the only Preference I don't have pictures of. I didn't really even write much about it in my trusty journal. I said I had a good time, and that I'd write more about it later..but later didn't happen. I went on to have a few days worth of a crush on Butch and then soon someone else came in to my view and I set my sites on him.

I can say that Butch did accept invitations to be my "guest" for dinner from time to time, and I always appreciated that. I can also say, that Butch and I became better friends as the school year went on. He was my brother, but not really, cause I did always kind of have this attraction to him that I don't really feel for my brothers.

I left Provo in the Spring of 1985 to return to Las Vegas and work. Below is a picture that was taken the day I left. Mike, another FHE brother and friend, on my right and Butch, on my left. Yes, I had a ,RED, BYU shirt. I can remember that Butch gave me a ride on his motorcycle that day and I cried when I said goodbye to him. I honestly thought I'd never see him again. I had hopes that we'd keep in touch, but I wasn't going to expect that.

Well, one year later, in the summer of 1986 I returned to Provo. I was able to get back in touch with Butch. Actually, I don't think we really lost touch that year. I think we talked on the phone a few times and Bev and I visited him on a trip we made during that year. We would see each other from time to time during the next 2 years and again, he'd come to dinner when he could.

Below is a dinner in which room-mates were inviting guys they wanted to get to know better or were interested in and I invited Butch to be my "guest"

Bev, Ken Nealy, Julie Hopkin (Nealy)..yep, they got married! Butch and I. The pic. is old and dark, so I lightened it a bit on the computer. I think this is one of my favorite pictures that we are in together, probably because I actually got to sit by him.

In this pic. Bev is sitting by Bill, the guy she wanted to get to know better!

I think this was on a visit Bev and I made to Provo before moving back in 1986. As you can see Butch liked motorcycles and I wore BIG glasses.

In 1988 I left Provo again. This time for good. My sister, Bev, remained in Provo going to school. At some point she lived in the same apartment complex as Butch, so we still kept in touch.  That summer Butch agreed to come to Fairview, Utah and hang out with our family for the 24th of July. We went to a rodeo and camping and fishing. It was then that I noticed that I had a different kind of feeling when I was around him than I'd had before. I was single, he was single, we'd known each other for a whole whoppin 4 years. But, alas, I was living in Las Vegas and he was living in Provo for the time being. Plus, to my knowledge he wasn't having that same feeling. Soon I found out that he had made the decision to enlist in the Army. I was interested in that decision and at a later dinner at Bev's apartment, I listened to him tell his reasons for going in to the army. I do have that written in my journal and it's Butch's story, not mine, so I'll leave that out. However, when I found out that he was going in to the army, I had this distinct impression that I wanted to do something that would keep us connected. So, at the time friendship bracelets were in style and I learned how to make one. I made two, one for Butch and one for me. They were blue, grey, green and maroon. I don't have a picture of them. I just didn't take many pictures back then, I'm not even sure I had a camera. I do remember giving it to him and how it felt and recently he told me he wore it for quite awhile. I wore mine for a few years and one day took it off. I thought I put in away in a jewelry box, but I've not found it. I talked to Butch before he left to go to basic training in 1988 and I wrote in my journal that we both told each other that we loved each other. That was the last time I would speak to him or hear from him until the beginning of the year 2000. That was the year we bought our first computer and I was introduced to the internet and email. One evening Eric was looking on a website that had information about the area he had served his mission. He showed me how he'd found some old mission companions. I really don't know how...but somehow I remembered which mission Butch went to and I looked for him, and still to this day I am so surprised that I found him and that he responded to my email. Well, over the last 10 years we have corresponded with hundreds of emails and instant messages, talked on the phone and gotten together for "meals" with other old friends, he even agreed to attend a Rick Springfield concert with me, Lisa, Linde, my sisters and their spouses (It's okay, Eric would have gone if he could have, but he was getting his Master's degree at the time). Butch has spent time with my family, my parents, siblings and really we feel like Butch is just another "Sanders".
I won't tell you Butch's story, because this is my story, but I will tell you that life has not been easy for my friend.  These days, I find him to be funny, smart, kind, a good listener, interesting, easy to be around, thoughtful, generous, cool, strong, supportive, patient, a loving father, charitable, cautious, someone I confide in and trust, someone I share off the wall things with, he's well read, long-suffering, still riding motorcycles when he can, contemplative, older than me, spiritual, charismatic, hard working, still nice to look at and one of my best friends.
Just last night he came to dinner as our "guest".  (And yes, I forgot to take pictures) I don't get to see him as often as I'd like, but I truly value each time I do get to be around him. I enjoyed listening to Eric and Butch conversing with each other. I told Butch I wanted to make him a survival bracelet. I'd learned how for a relief society retreat, I had to learn how and teach other women how to make them. From the first time I actually made one, the memory of that friendship bracelet, the only one I ever made, came back to me and I wanted to make a survival bracelet for Butch. When I told him about it, he wasn't put off by it, he didn't tell me to go jump in the lake or pond, he said he was excited and he'd wear it. So I made one for him and I know it has it's purpose, ways that can help a person survive if need be out in the wilderness. However, when I helped him fasten it on, for me it became a full circle moment. A symbol of being connected, another friendship bracelet. I know a bracelet, ring, jewelry or any other outward symbol does not keep two people connected. It's actually years and years of working at it, of wanting to be connected, of prayer, of not giving up even when disappointments come, forgiveness, acceptance, saying "I love you" over and over and over again and meaning it every time, listening to the person as well as to promptings that come from a higher source, and realizing the worth of a beautiful human soul. As I made that orange and black survival bracelet it reminded me that we are given friends as gifts to help us survive this wilderness called our earthly life. Friends make it more bearable on the hard days, happier on the good days and sweeter as we say goodbye to our youthful days. I hope and pray that friendship will go on in to the eternities, that the connections made here will continue after this life. I know what it's like to be disconnected from my friend, Butch, and I prefer being connected.

(This is the Reader's Digest version of "A Story", someday I might just write the intricate details in a book, but only if Butch will let me.)

August..Pro's and Con's

2010-08-08T22:00:00.000-06:00

It's August and I have mixed feelings about the month of August. So far there have been more cloudy, stormy days than sunny, hot days and that is good and bad. I tend to feel some of the symptoms of depression when the sun doesn't shine for long periods of time or when the weather is TOO HOT or TOO COLD. So I've been a bit up and a bit down this first week of August.

Some of my favorite guys have birthdays in August. Happy birthday to my nephew, Jeremy Duncan; my long time hunk of a friend, Butch Bradburn and my life long obsession, Rick Springfield.  I hope all three have fantastic birthdays and know that they add happiness to my life.

August is the month Eric and I celebrate our anniversary. 16 years! Yes, I still love him. Yes, he still has the ability to make me laugh (SOMETIMES), Yes, he's gorgeous! Yes, he is the kindest, most thoughtful, patient, hard working, unselfish, loving, silly, man I know. Yes, I still LOVE his smile and dimples. Yes, he still dances to the beat of a different drum than I do, but he has learned how to "SHAKE HIS BOOTY". Did I mention that I LOVE him? Yes, he's a great dad! Yes, I love doing things with him..anything except looking for lost keys or lost children.   Yes, he lets me be me, even when I'm not sure just who that is. Yes, he is still 6 years younger than me. Yes, he can lose weight way faster than I can, he can jog 10 miles and I can not walk 10 miles! Yes, he is FAMOUS in these parts, he was a TEACHER of the year a few years ago...I am still not famous, but I sometimes dream I am famous.   Yes, he likes my friends, even the guys I call "Sexy Men". Yes, I am okay with him working around mostly females and children ALL DAY LONG and wearing that cologne that makes him smell so good. Yes, I am blessed to have been married to Eric for 16 years so far and hope I'm good enough for him to want to be with me for eternity.

August is when school starts. Good and bad. Since Eric is a teacher, it means he has a job to go to each day, GOOD. Our kids need to continue on with their education, it's important, GOOD. Homework..I HATE IT...BAD, Bad, bad for me...booooo. I'll also miss having my Spencer and Camilla around and so will Neal, he will miss his brother and sister ALOT, which means I will have to PLAY, which I am not so good at. I keep trying, I really do.

August is when we have to register the kids for school and come up with all the FEES, register the Honda and come up with the FEES. Buy shoes for school and any of the clothing that is necessary. I would really rather spend that money going to See John Mayer in concert on the 31st for our anniversary, but I won't and I won't complain about it anymore. I've seen him once, that's enough for a girl..plus whenever I say I like John Mayer, someone always says, "I hear he's such a jerk"..to which I think, "All good songwriters, awesome guitar players and amazing vocalists are either depressed, mentally ill, jerks, drug addicts, alcoholics, womanizers or all of the above...except of course Rick Springfield who has evolved in to the perfect celestial Rock God over the last 40 years". By the way, his biography is coming out this fall..I can't wait to read all about him. Okay, sorry, that is so off the subject. Back to August.  August can be very expensive!

The long summer nights start getting a bit shorter in August. The grass is all shades of green and a bit yellow in August and all the weeds that haven't been pulled are taller than me in August. But I do think there are more Pro's to August than Con's. Fall is just around the corner and I think Fall is absolutely gorgeous. So August, I may have mixed emotions during your month, but I will do the best I can to be happy about you more than I am sad or anxious or angry about some of the stress I feel in August.

Camilla's Birthday Cake!

2010-07-29T08:22:00.000-06:00

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Build A Bear, or Horse or Kitty...

2010-07-27T17:27:00.000-06:00

Camilla decided she would like to go to the Build a Bear workshop to celebrate her 9th birthday. She invited her friend, Camilla Adams. Here is a shot of them after they picked out their bears...oops, I mean Camilla Pearl picked out a horse and Camilla Rose picked out a Kitty Cat. They are standing in front of the stuffing machine.

Camilla Pearl picked out a heart for her horse and pushed on the foot pedal and the white puffy stuffing began to fill up her horse and make it come ALIVE. Camilla Rose did the same for her kitty.

After the animals were properly stuffed and sewed together; the girls washed and groomed their new best friends. Then they set out to find clothes and shoes for them. After they were clothed in the latest fashion, Camilla Pearl, named her horse, Beezus, and Camilla Rose named her kitty cat, Crystal. They both received printed birth certificates and everything!

Here they are the two little princesses with their new Build a Bear Worshop hand-made kitty cat and horse.

After the workshop we dined on hamburger, fries, chicken and shakes from Iceberg. Then we went to the movie "Ramona and Beezus"..it was very cute! It was a fun day. Camilla said "It was a lot of fun, but the bears were much bigger than she thought they'd be." She explained to me later that she was thinking she'd just make a cute little cuddly bear, so when she saw how BIG they were she decided to get a HORSE.

Today is Camilla's actual birthday. She had breakfast in bed. Eggs over medium, toast lightly buttered and a berry smoothy. Camilla asked for Ramen Noodle for lunch, which I delivered. Now I will be preparing her favorite dinner entree..Spaghetti!

Happy birthday to our 9 year old daughter! This morning she told me she was a little sad to say goodbye to 8. I told her to remember all the fun things she did when she was 8 and then let it go and EMBRACE "9". She said, "I am!" So, I left her for her brief moments of silence and returned to my job of making her birthday wishes come true.

Thanks Camilla Rose and Dawn for celebrating with us yesterday and making it so much FUN!

A funny picture of Neal

2010-07-25T22:26:00.000-06:00

I came across this picture today and it made me LAUGH. I just had to share it.

Neal is 2 years old..well, almost 2 1/2 years old.

He is a HANDFUL.

At church he is up and down and over and LOUD.

He likes ELMO.

He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

He likes his...let me rephrase, he LOVES his blue kitty blanket.

He still likes his blue binky.

He likes to sing, "The wheels on the Bus, If you're happy and you know it, 1, 2 buckle my shoe, Popcorn Popping, I have a little Turtle."

He gives kisses on the lips, sometimes.

He hits.

He can almost jump with both feet off the ground.

He climbs.

He runs.

He runs away from me when I ask him to come to me...

He has a temper and he screams.

He laughs.

He dances.

He says "hi" to people when we walk by them.

He wrestles with Spencer.

He plays with Camilla, usually.

He likes to take walks with Eric to the park.

He rides in the stroller while I walk to the school, then he hops out and plays on the playground until I say.."Okay, Neal, mommy is ready to finish her walk, get back in the stroller and you can have your blanket and binky"

This evening Neal ate cookies dough from a fork as I was making cookies...he kept saying,"Mow pease?"

Neal just said his own prayer at bedtime tonight!

Some days I have to remind myself just how far he's come, days when I am at the end of my patience, energy and don't think I'm going to make it to bedtime.

I have a friend who has a little baby in the NICU. She's been staying in the hospital feeding him and preparing for him to go home with her. Listening to her, even though her story is different than Neal's, brings back memories. Memories of the prayers, support, two and half months spent driving back and forth to Mt. Timpanogas Regional Medical Center. Staying home for months after he came home, during flu and cold season for two years. All in hopes that Neal would be just who he is today!

Neal begins my day and ends my day with pure happiness.

Summer..SunBURN

2010-07-22T11:04:00.000-06:00

Eric took Spencer and Camilla to the Payson pool and they put sunscreen on, but probably not enough or not often enough. All three of them came home sunburned.

Neal and I were saved because we didn't go. SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN!!!

4th of July

2010-07-20T19:43:00.000-06:00

Spencer and the Linx

Neal and the Baboon

Camilla and the Reindeer

For the 4th of July we went to Provo and experienced Colonial Days. Camilla enjoyed meeting Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln. We spent a bit of time there and then headed to the Bean Museum at BYU. As you can see from the pictures each child had their favorite animal.

Summertime SALAD

2010-07-15T09:51:00.000-06:00

I posted a picture of this salad on Facebook and got a lot of responses, as well as request for the ingredients. It is REALLY good. I didn't even use the dressing, shared some with Lisa last night at the park and we just drizzled a tiny bit of BYU reduced ranch dressing! Eric said the dressing is good and sweet. So give it a try and let me know how you like it!

I served rolls with it as well, and Lisa and I shared an Oroweat bagel..the flat kind.

Erlene & Maranda's Spinach Salad

Dressing:

Mix hours ahead; it keeps for weeks

2/3 Cup white vinegar

1 1/4 Cup Corn oil

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

3/4 Cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 Tbsp poppy seeds

Salad:

Mixture of salad greens: spinach, red leaf lettuce, romaine, and iceburg lettuces

2 cans mandarin oranges, drained

Feta cheese OR cottage cheese OR Swiss cheese (I used Feta..LOVE IT)

Slivered almonds, toasted (I used whole almonds)

Bermuda onion, thinly sliced (If you don't like onions I would suggest still putting some in for the flavor)

Craisins

Mushrooms (optional)

Can also add...sliced carrots, cucumbers, chopped apples

I made the salad about an hour before eating and let it sit in the refrigerator to blend the flavors together a bit more (Nez)

(Erlene Curtis Fairview 1st Ward Relief Society Tried and Treasured Recipes, 2006)

Summertime personal pizzas

2010-07-13T19:14:00.000-06:00

I discovered that I could use Rhodes Rolls to make personal size crust for pizza. I let them sit out to thaw for maybe 30 minutes, then flatten them with my hands, kids can help, and then top them with spaghetti sauce, cheese and whatever toppings you might like.

I like to use my pampered chef pizza stones and bake them in the oven 350 degrees for about 15 to 18 minutes.

They turn out with a thick crust, they are DELICIOUS and the KIDS LOVE THEM.
So, so, so easy.
Just thought I'd share.
You can find the recipe on the Rhodes Rolls bag as well..so I didn't just think it up all on my own.
They are fun to make and fun to eat.

More Kern Summertime...

2010-07-13T15:43:00.001-06:00

My friend, Lisa, and I decided we'd like to take a trip and attend a temple endowment session at the Manti temple. So, we planned it out and we were SO EXCITED to have this opportunity to go to that historic temple together and spend the evening together. So I took extra time to get all ready and was looking forward to my time with Lisa. She called me when she was leaving work and asked if I'd like a salad from the Trolley in Springville...Of Course..I love them. So she planned to take some ice and put the salads on ice so we could enjoy them at a park somewhere in Manti. I was so happy to be able to spend this time with my friend. As I finished getting ready, all of a sudden this thought sprang in to my mind.."The Temple might be closed because of the Manti pageant". The pageant is held each summer in June. So I got on to the internet with the help of Eric we found out that the temple was CLOSED.

Deflation hit my soaring spirit.

I hurried to call Lisa.

Both of us quickly decided we still wanted to attend the temple.

One of the blessings of living in Northern Utah..or Central, is that there are temples close by.

We decided to go to the Mt. Timpanogas temple in American Fork.

Still planned for the salads..YUM, and we would still have our time together.

Lisa and met in Springville.

Lisa had found a BOX full of old photo albums and momentos from the past.

If you know me, you know I LOVE going through old letters, pictures and anything that brings back memories and tells the story of a person's life.

So I began looking through albums, which were filled with photos and cards and notes written to Lisa from others and it was so much fun..Somehow, Lisa was able to stay on the road and we didn't hit anyone. We laughed and she shared memories with me, some I was a part of, but there were many photos and memories that took place long before I came along, hee, hee.

When we arrived in American Fork, we stayed in the car and looked through all of the albums and other items Lisa brought to share. It was AWESOME!

I gained even more love for my dear friend.

Well, we had sat there for so long that it was a bit difficult to get out of the car. Plus, my bladder was FULL. So as we stretched out the kinks in our joints and began walking to the temple there were two things on my mind. One was that I had not done an endowment session in this temple and two was that Linde was married there. I remembered Lisa and I sitting together feeling so happy inside for our dear Linde.

Oh one more thing..I was praying hard that we'd make it to the bathroom before I couldn't hold it any longer!

Well, we made it. We had a wonderful time in the temple and since I brought my camera we took a few pictures together.

CHEEEESE!!!

A nice man took this one for us..it was so windy, we opted for sunglasses, so our eyes wouldn't be squinting and watery!

We are so COOL!

After the session at the temple, we found a park right across the street. Found a picnic table and enjoyed our salads, mine was so GOOD, and talked till dark.

Dear Lisa,

Friends don't get any better than you!

Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with me.

Can't wait till we can go to Manti together....

Love,

Your not so secret admirer

Summertime..Kern Style

2010-07-13T15:03:00.000-06:00

There was a day in June that Grandpa Kern came to visit. He brought his brother, Nick. We had a great time together. Grandpa brought a rocking horse he made for Neal and a blanket that was made by grandma for Camilla. We went outside and sat in the shade. Neal and Camilla swam in the baby wading pool...well, they played in it. We had our friend Camilla Adams over as well. All of a sudden the ice cream truck came around the corner and started down our street. Grandpa quickly got up from his seat and took off with the kids to purchase a tasty ice cream treat. Something that mom's and dad's don't do..at least this mom and dad. So, I quickly said, "That's what grandpa's are for, they bring things in to their grandkids life that are treats." As you can see, Neal, the two Camilla's and Spencer enjoyed their ice cream from the ice cream truck! We enjoyed our visit with Grandpa Kern and Uncle Nick!

This morning!

2010-06-30T22:30:00.000-06:00

This morning I woke up very early.

Why?

Well, because it is the last day of the month and I needed to register one of our cars.

Oh.

So I made it to the Provo, DMV by 7:20 am and was finished by 7:25 am.

Nice!

Yes, VERY NICE. So much nicer than the days I waited for a few hours in Las Vegas.

This is also Pay Day.

Yippee!

On the last day of the each month I am either making menus and shopping list..or I am shopping from my list.

Today, since I was already going to be in Provo, I decided to do my Costco shopping in Orem.

One problem.

What?

Costco does not open until 10 am. I had to think of something to do for two and a half hours.

Oh.

I had brought a book along with me, but I didn't really feel like sitting in the car and reading because it was so beautiful outside.

So I got in the car and started driving. I went East on Center Street in Provo. I enjoyed driving by all of the beautiful old homes, most of which had flags waving outside preparing for the 4th of July and the Freedom Festival. The flowers were LOVELY. Lawns so green. It was thrilling.

Then, I turned left on 900 East..or 9th East as we Utahns say.

Went past some familiar sites...like "Laundry on 9th", "Gold's Gym", The "BYU Creamery", The "MTC", and the "Provo Temple". When I passed the temple, I soon came to Canyon Road...I turned right and decided to head to Provo Canyon. The thought came to my mind in this way....
"Hey, I could drive to Canyon Glen and read"

Cool.

So I drove up Provo Canyon, passed Canyon Glen because I didn't see the sign quick enough. Turned around at a park named Nunn's Park and headed back to Canyon Glen.

The parking lot is so much bigger than I recall..so I drove to the edge of it, nearest to an open park area. I saw GREEN and more GREEN and paths, beautifully paved path's. I know I'd never seen those before. A pavillion with lots of picnic tables, an amphitheater, and more picnic tables scattered throughout the park. So, instead of grabbing my book to read, I grabbed a different book. A little book I like to write in and a pen. Locked up my car and headed through a little gate in to Canyon Glen.

Let me tell you that as soon as I walked through the gate, a few memories flickered in my mind. I spent a bit of time at Canyon Glen in the 1980's. Some of those times were with friends, other times were alone, like today. I would write in my journal, pray, think, just appreciate being able to find a way to pull myself away and retreat to the mountains, just for some rejuvenation. I'm like that, I've always been like that. I love the beach and ocean as well, but I've not had as many experiences at the ocean as I have in the mountains. I like to think, ponder, dream, talk to God and try to listen, and just be quiet and listen to nature. So, when I was in college and also when I returned to work in Provo, Canyon Glen became a retreat for me. Not far in to the canyon, but far enough.

As I walked along the path that lead me in to the park, the memories began to fade and I found myself pulled by the sound of the river. The Provo River. I made it on to a nice walking/running/biking path. I followed it and headed farther in to the canyon. It was so green, cool breeze and people were jogging and biking past me, but I just kept up my solitary pace and enjoyed each moment, each leaf, each glimpse of the river's flow, each bird, each cricket and the majestic moutains. I walked for awhile, then decided I better turn back. So I did and when I came back to Canyon Glen, I followed a smaller path back down in to the park and found a picnic table to sit at. Pulled the pen out of my pocket and opened my book and wrote.

That is awesome.

I'd like to share this park with my family now. I think Spencer, Camilla and Neal will love running in the green grass. Eric will love the paths and beauty of the park as well.

I also hope to return with friends.

I promise to return alone as well, on another day when I need to find a retreat, a place to recharge what is deep within me. I hope to return and write more.

Here are a few pictures of Canyon Glen and the path...I didn't take them, I didn't have my camera. These are in Fall. I look forward to returning in fall. Today was overcast, green and cool.

A PERFECT MORNING!

Canyon Glen

The foot bridge that you can cross to get to Canyon Glen and the walking path.

P.S...I did make it to Costco by 10 am and shopped for all the items on my list for two hours, went home to put it all away and then went to Walmart to finish my shopping there. I do not enjoy shopping, but today, I actually didn't mind it...hmmm.

A little something...

2010-06-29T12:44:00.000-06:00

Spencer cleaned his room in preparation for our friends to come stay. He was able to fill 3 1/2 white garbage bags with school papers he saved through out his 8th grade school year. His teachers told him to save the papers, "JUST IN CASE". My mom has my shredder or else we may have shredded, but probably not. It's hard enough to get a 14 year old to clean our his closet and room, shredding would probably be asked a little too much. All that hard work just shipped to the dump. His room looks nice though.

Camilla came out of her room one morning shortly after school was out. She was dressed for some summer fun. She decided to sit and tell stories. She loves to tell stories, she makes them up, or changes stories that she knows just a bit. This day she told about the "Ugly Duckling". I have a movie, but don't know how to upload it yet. Eric decided to snap a few pictures of her and this on is my favorite. She reminds me of "Mother Goose"

Neal really loves his HAT! He's very good at keeping it on. Which I am so thankful for, it has saved him from a summer sunburn so far. There are many things that Neal does NOT LIKE to do that I'd like him to do, but this is one area that we agree on. He should wear his hat outside.

Today I am working on making out a menu for the month of July. I Have accomplished the menu. Added a few new recipes to try. Now I am prepared to make the Costco and Walmart lists for the month. Tomorrow is Pay Day! We are so thankful that Eric has a job and that we can look forward to a Pay Day.

This month, by the 20th as I was rechecking our account balances. I discovered that I had not calculated correctly for our June living expenses. So we had $10 to live off of until the 30th...which is TOMORROW!
Guess what???
We are still alive!
June has been an AWESOME month.
I'll be gone most of tomorrow so I would just like to say....
I loved spending time with my family and friends this last month.
Hope to catch up with more family and friends in July.
There are a few friends that I haven't seen in awhile and hope to catch up with them in July.

I look forward to Eric having a few weeks off in July as well.
Thanks for working so hard!

It's an Affair of the Heart

2010-06-28T16:27:00.000-06:00

It was July 9th, 2005, Las Vegas, Nevada. We had front row seats and back stage passes! The last time I saw Rick Springfield in concert.

I LOVE RICK SPRINGFIELD!

It is an AFFAIR OF THE HEART!

The draught needs to end.

I need to get to a Rick Springfield concert in the next year...rush the stage, scream, dance, sing, and totally go crazy.

He has been to Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and soon Idaho.

WHY NOT UTAH??!!??

I feel the need....

The ITCH...

Gotta make it happen!

I want to see a RICK SPRINGFIELD concert.

I know, I do appear to be a quiet, sensible, mother of three, happily married and actively engaged in church service...I am!

But I'm also a middle-aged, crazed, FAN!!!

Five years is WAY TOO LONG!!!

Some how, some way I will get myself to a concert and scream as he plays the beginning riffs of "Affair of the Heart" on his electric guitar and takes the stage....

I can almost feel it!

It's gotta happen this year!!!

Helping Dad Water

2010-06-25T12:23:00.000-06:00

Neal likes to help his dad water the bushes and flowers.

Eric reports that he's a pretty good little helper.

But, he wants to drink the water from the hose.

We keep telling him "Don't drink that poopoo water!"

It's irrigation water.

One Enchanted Evening...

2010-06-24T13:59:00.000-06:00

Our friends Scott and Stephanie Church came to spend a few days with us last week. We were able to enjoy time with friends from college days, eat good food, tour the Peteetneet museum, hike and enjoy visiting. One evening we thought it would be nice to have our children stay at home and just the four of us take a nice romanticstroll around Salem Pond. It was beautiful. A little cloudy and cool, which just added to the romantic feeling in the air. The surroundings were perfect. Adding to the ambience was the opportunity to spend time with another couple that we love so much.

The intense sweet aroma of honeysuckle enveloped us as we slowly walked on the path near the pond.

We were not content to just gaze upon it's beauty, but had to taste it's sweet nectar.

The nectar reminded me of light, raw honey.

Not long after tasting the nectar of the honeysuckle flower, our romantic walk began metamorphasizing in to something a bit different.

Scott and Eric became inseparable for a short amount of time. Becoming almost irate if we tried to seperate them.

Steph's beauty became intoxicating to me and she wanted to engage me in the "KOOKY MOONSTRUCK" dance. As you can see it was quite fun!

The moves are tricky. I was concerned that Steph would fall from the fence in to the pond. Just when I thought she would jump, we both broke out in song....the lyrics were something like, "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell..." and "don't keep me hangin' on" It was almost as if we were in our very own musical.

Then it was as if the clouds were going to burst and begin pouring water down on us, and next thing I knew I was standing next to Scott. He looked and smelled just like a ROCKSTAR! A sense of euphoria overtook me and all I could do was giggle like a silly school girl. Scott was soon overcome by the same sense of glee and he too joined in the uncontrollable laughter.

We were hanging on to each other so tight trying not to fall to the ground in abandoned merriment.

At the same moment that Scott and I were trapped in uncontrollable laughter; Eric and Steph discovered that they were both in black. They began a period of mourning for the fish that was dangling from a lone fisher-woman's pole. We do not have a photo of their weeping because Scott and I were laughing so much we just did not get that shot.

Finally the solemnity of the occasion. The dead fish. Pulled us out of our enchanted trance and we were able to bring back the romantic mood we had begun with

As you can see,

ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.

A Good Father

2010-06-19T22:41:00.000-06:00

What makes a good father? I've been thinking about fathers a lot today. I know tomorrow is Father's Day and that is part of the reason I have been thinking about fathers. The other reason is because I spent the day with my dad, mom and sisters.

We are going through mom and dad's home and cleaning each room; working with dad and mom to either throw things away, pass things on to family or Deseret Industries. It's not an easy task. Not a job that can be done in one day or two. This is the third month we have worked on this project. We have cleaned a computer/craft room, my parent's bedroom and closet, two bathrooms, closets in the hallway and some of their livingroom. Two of my brothers, John and Robert, worked on the kitchen last weekend and did a wonderful job.

I'm not going to go on and on about this project, but I bring it up because going through items that have been in my parent's home and in their possession even before they lived in the home they are in today has made me reflect a lot on my life and how I grew up. My parent's live in the home that my grandpa and uncle built in the 1970's, there is a lot of family history and memories there.

I grew up with a loving father. I have memories of my dad being fun, funny, supportive, hard working, and willing to help almost anyone. There are many things I remember about my dad. Sometimes I agreed with him and his perspective and other times I did not. As a teenager, I didn't always appreciate his point of view. As an adult I have appreciated his constant concern for my welfare as well as the other members of my family. I have appreciated his willingness to continue to work hard and serve others. I have watched him give a lot of care for my mom as she has gone through different surgeries. I have watched him drop whatever he is doing to go help one of his children who might need extra support.

I'm now in the process of watching my dad age and have some experiences that are very difficult for him. Now, I am watching us, as his children try to follow his example of being supportive, helping him accomplish some projects that he's unable to do himself and take some time out of our daily routines to spend time giving him some extra support.

What makes a good father? A man who practices what he preaches. A man who loves his family. A man who serves others. A man who honors his wife. A man that puts his arms around his children, no matter how old they are and gives them a hug and kiss and says, "I love and appreciate you". A man who teaches you about Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, Prophets, Prayer, Testimony, Scriptures and Enduring to the end.

A man who tries his best.

I am blessed to have a good father.

I am blessed to have married a good father for my children.

I am blessed to have had many good men in my life who have been and still are good examples of fatherhood to me.

I am blessed to have a good father in law.

I am blessed to know I have a Father in Heaven.

Happy Father's Day to the Men in my Life.

Spencer, Neal (Who is not very happy), Eric and Camilla

The only professional family portrait we have. Taken, in 1991 shortly after John returned from his mission. This portrait hangs in my parents bedroom over their bed.

Dad and his girls. Bev, Wanda, Dad and me.Bev, Mom, Wanda and me.

Happy Father's day to my love, Eric, may your kids love you as much as I love my dad!

Thank you, Eric, for being a GOOD FATHER!

Happy Father's Day!

Behind the Music

2010-06-16T23:47:00.001-06:00

*Caution, what you are about to read may shock you...may be hard to believe....may even make you say "hmmmmm"...but go ahead and read it anyway!

Once upon a time, in 1982, I was fortunate enough to meet up with Scott Church, Linde Safsten and Lisa Dew. We met at BYU, all freshmen, in the same BYU LDS Ward and we became friends and started a POP-ROCK BAND. Because Scott was the only male in the band, we decided he could be the lead singer. The name of our group was POLE IG A ME. I believe Scott said it was french for "one guy and three girls"...who were we to question him. He seemed to know everything.

We were together for one year and didn't have much success. Infact our biggest audience was in the lobby of May hall, on Monday evenings as FHE groups were gathering. So because of lack of talent, the band split up and we all went our separate ways for a summer, then we met back up fall of 1983, and decided to just be average, ordinary, every day college students...oh and we said goodbye to Scott in 1984..he went on a mission.

Somehow that BAND bound us together and though we've had days, months, sometimes years of separation, we always found our way back to each other and we try to jam...but that never gets us anywhere so we eat good food, talk and laugh.

Prepare yourself to fast forward 27 years to 2010.....

The original members of POLE IG A ME...

Lisa, Linde, me and Scott. DO NOT TRY TO ADJUST YOUR SCREEN, WE REALLY ARE THAT SEXY!!!

Browsing through old photos and reminiscing...

Along the way we added people to our group like my sister, Bev.

A few spouses....Eric and Stephanie..not pictured are Brad and Jason.

We still don't seem to be able to make sweet music together, but we are pretty good at being FRIENDS!!!

In the Blink of an eye

2010-06-09T14:18:00.000-06:00

The teenage mind is marvelously a mystery........

This afternoon as I informed Spencer that he was going to get a haircut today,

He moaned and groaned about how he didn't want to.

I said "at least get a half inch cut off, please"

I said, "It's summer, you might want to try something shorter...for swimming and airsofting."

He pondered what I said.

Then he announced...

"I'm going to get an army buzz"

I laughed.

He said, "Really"

So, an hour later he walked through the door

A changed young man....

Very handsome both ways..but I love seeing my boy's eyes!!!!

Grandpa's Garden..continued

2010-06-07T12:22:00.000-06:00

Spencer was the last to have the tiller in my first post...he passed the tiller on to his dad, my sweetie pie, Eric.

Eric really put some muscle in to his portion of the tilling relay.

Looking good honey. I think in Eric's next life he wants to come back as a FARMER! Hee, hee, hee, hee. Haw, haw, haw!!! HEE HAW...

The next to grab the tiller was William, he almost looks like he's riding the tiller instead of pushing it, but I know he was working hard.

Peter was a little more serious minded about his turn with the tiller. I believe he only had to push with one arm...look at the strength of that BOY and he's not even 14 yet.

I would have to say that the award for the person who had the most FUN tilling was definitely Jeffrey! I could have sworn I heard him singing..."I feel the earth move under my skin...."

It appeared that Taylor would be the last tiller to take the field and he had total concentration..trying to get that last row done just right and win the adoration of the coach!

But to our surprise, Jared pulled up the rear after the coach.."Grandpa" said, "You can NEVER till too much" So Jared finshed up the tilling portion of planting grandpa's garden.

It was a joy to watch!!!

Swimmin' in Payson

2010-06-03T14:55:00.000-06:00

It's in the 70's!

Partly..well ALOT cloudy.

$15 pool.

$30 for new swimming suits.

Three happy kids.

PRICELESS!

Grandpa's Garden...Step One...Tilling

2010-06-01T21:21:00.000-06:00

This is Grandpa. THE COACH

This is Grandpa's Garden, THE TRACK

Grandpa said that the garden needed to be tilled, so he brought out the TILLER.

Michael was the first to begin the tilling relay.

He took his position behind the tiller, and marched it down the perimeter of the garden. Michael is a mathematician and computer genius, you can tell by the precise way he turned the corners at the edge of the garden.

Here take a closer look, you can see him counting out his steps as he decides to turn the tiller, but keep his body straight forward until he had counted precisely to 35...

Rachel and Joseph were marching behind their dad as his "backup". If he were to lose control of the tiller, Rachel would SAVE the tiller and continue tilling her dad's row, and Joseph would get his dad out of the way! Michael always has a backup plan!

Michael passed the tiller to his oldest son Joseph, who had a little different style of tilling than his dad. Joseph spread his legs a bit, bent his knees and pretended like he was on a jet ski; he gave it gas and dirt went flying. There is just a slight grin on his face. He knew he was there to work, but Joseph believes in "enjoying the ride" and putting the "pedal to the medal"..so watch out mom and dad when Joseph takes the

wheel!!!

Grandpa (the coach) decided to come give some tilling instruction to Spencer. I think he shared a few tilling secrets.

Spencer got behind the tiller and it was almost like the tiller was pulling him instead of him pushing the tiller.

As you can see he is really getting the look of a true Tilling man. Spencer has his own technique, he has one arm turned with wrist facing up. I believe he learned that from weight lifting in school this year. He is tilling and daydreaming about the airsoft war that will be taking place once Grandpa's garden is planted.

Stay tuned...we have much more coverage on the tilling relay.

School's out for SUMMER!!!

2010-05-28T09:30:00.000-06:00

Spencer's last breakfast of 8th grade! I believe we began the year with a photo of him eating breakfast. Spencer does love a good breakfast. I enjoy making it for him because he's always polite and say's, "Thanks Mom" that's all I need as payment for my cooking.

Eric wanted to get in on the "last day of school" pictures, although it was not his last day. He still has new teacher trainings to do in June and a few in July. He does look very happy though, so he must be excited to have a few breaks this summer.

Camilla on her last morning of 2nd grade. She wanted to share treats with her classmates. We found a bag of chocolates on sale, so she put them in her backpack with a little gift for her teacher, Miss Evans. Camilla will take summer school three days a week in June, but she is happy that it is only 2 hours a day. She said, "It will be just like kindergarten!" For her that is exciting, she LOVED kindergarten. Not sure she understands it may not be as FUN as kindergarten...

Camilla and Miss Evans, her 2nd grade teacher

Can't forget Neal..he's excited too! He gets to have his brother and sister around MORE!!!

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!!

Enjoy a little ROCK-N-ROLL...go ahead you know you want to...just click on the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giEFZVY-VYw&feature=related

A day or two in May

2010-05-25T14:26:00.000-06:00

These are my columbine! I love them, they make me think of Mt. Charleston, The Farrer's house. When we stayed there the summer of 2005, they had a little hillside covered with columbine. Someday I want columbine to cover my planter in the back yard, for now they are in a barrel.

Spencer received a certificate of honors last week. His grade point average stayed at or above 3.5 for three semesters. We are so proud of him.

Camilla was in the 2nd grade patriotic program. We took some pictures before she left for school that morning. Can you see the special flower in her hair? It's red, white and blue. She did a great job! I love when Camilla laughs, it makes me laugh too; just thought I'd share a few pictures of her laughing.

School is almost out for the year. We are looking forward to a bit of a summer break. Camilla will attend some summer school in June; but she seems to be okay with that she said it will be like going back to kindergarten, since it's only a couple of hours.

Stuff

2010-05-18T13:18:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Neal discovered Ranch dressing. I noticed he was having a hard time eating his apples. So I decided to try ranch. He likes the ranch, LOVES it actually, sucks it off the apple..dips his fingers in it and just devours the Ranch! He likes Ranch dressing and chocolate cake! Interesting taste...

We have baby birds in a nest in one of our our trees. This is second spring we have had this priviledge.

This is an oatmeal chocolate chip cake! It is DELICIOUS!

Neal has decided that he really likes this hat! It was given to Spencer by his grandpa Kern, but Neal has claimed it and walks around with it on often! He now brings either Eric or myself this cowboy hat to wear at the same time.

Dream House

2010-05-14T10:46:00.000-06:00

So HGTV is giving away this home, $100,000 and vehicle in their Spring sweepstakes and I enter to win each day. It's in New England.

I've always loved Light houses and this home reminds me of a lighthouse. It would be a nice vacation spot..or maybe a permanent residence??? LOL. It's fun to dream.

We're Friends

2010-05-13T11:15:00.000-06:00

OH... Facebook is an amazing form of technology; it's made friends of Rick Springfield and I! Today this really great picture was there for me to look at. It made my day so I thought I'd share it with you, my Blog friends.

On days like this I enjoy living in a fantasy world. In my fantasy world I've pulled up a chair right across from Rick and I'm ready to watch and listen to him strum that guitar!!! I will be very good and just stay seated in my chair.....

Yes, it's 50 degrees outside and it's gorgeous! But little guy, Neal, and I are in the house resting from his surgery. He's napping now and I'm listening to Rick. We'll hopefully be heading back outside by next week. But for now, I am so thankful for the man who repeatedly sings to me that he's in love with an "Ordinary Girl"

That and reading the new General Conference issue of the Ensign gets me through days like this!!!

Surgery Day

2010-05-11T12:57:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was Neal's surgery day. The day began early and Neal was in good spirits. He enjoyed playing with the toys..thinking he was on a grand adventure. By mid morning when he was trying to come out of anesthesia, he was not HAPPY at all. It took three nurses and myself to keep him from pulling his IV out. He is much more like himself today, but he is not enjoying the recovery process of a circumcision and neither am I; hopefully in a week we will all be doing better. The people at Primary Children's are truly wonderful, amazing and I'm so thankful their are such wonderful doctor and nurses who work with children!

40 something

2010-04-23T13:16:00.000-06:00

When you're in your 40's things begin to change. Skin is not as elastic as it was in your 20's and 30's. Life's experiences begin to show on your face and neck as lines, wrinkles, moles and age spots. Hair begins to have gray twigs that take over the hair shafts. When you wake up in the morning it takes some stretching and moaning to work out the kinks that linger in the joints after a night of REST.

Being in your 40's is a HAPPY time of life. There is much joy in the 40's. Some people think you are old some people think you are young because you are in the middle of life somewhere. And when you are in your 40's and married to your best friend, life is good.

When you are 46, as I am, you may one day wake up and decide that you want to change something. For me it was my hair color. I no longer wanted to be any form of blonde. Or streaked blonde and gray and brunette. I wanted something DIFFERENT. I do that from time to time. In the past when I felt this way I changed my furniture around, bought a new couch, moved, had a baby at 43. But a few days ago, it was a change in hair color I wanted and since I had the opportunity given to me to do it with no cost to me, I took it. My husband still loves me, my kids don't seem to care one way or the other and I am no longer a blonde.

So if you are in your 40's or above I'm sure you can relate in some way to what happens in your 40's. If you haven't made it to that decade yet, just you wait and see. When I turned 40 the adventure began and I find it very refreshing, most days. When I am chasing after my two year old I sometimes find myself muttering.."I wish I were still in my 30's....ha, ha"

My husband entered the 40's just this last birthday and I think he is and extremely handsome 40 year old man!!! I found this picture today, it was saved on the computer and all over again I got that feeling inside that I did when I first saw him, He is such an attractive man!!! I love him for always encouraging me to be "ME". I also am very glad that he is now in his 40's so he can experience the pure joy of it all!!

I'm back!!!

2010-04-21T12:17:00.001-06:00

I have been on a bit of a BREAK..Spring break perhaps..or just lull in blogging break. My picture card is full on the camera and I have just been---doing other things. While I was taking my "break", Spring made it's entrance. As I walk my neighborhood I see flowers blooming. This time of the year it's daffodils and tulips for the most part. I LOVE TULIPS. Since moving to Utah I have developed a deep abiding admoration for tulips and I am so grateful to have a few in my front yard. Mine opened up yesterday! So for my pleasure, I took a few pictures and decided to share them with whomever reads my blog.

My one and only Yellow tulip.

My pink tulips

My coral tulip.

Here are a few pictures of Neal, Spencer and Camilla coloring Easter eggs. Neal enjoyed every messy minute of it!!!!

I have to get back to other tasks, so that's all for today, but I did enjoy spending just a little snippet of time dowloading pictures and typing...hope you enjoy it too!

Happy Birthday Linde!

2010-03-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

Lisa and Linde at May Hall; they both liked SMURFS!!

I met Linde when we were freshmen at BYU. She lived two doors down from me in May Hall in Helaman Halls. We quickly became friends and at times we were inseperable. Linde, Lisa and I became close friends that year and had many experiences together. Once our freshman year was over, we ventured to living off-campus in apartments; we settled on living in Moon Apartments which is a few blocks south of the BYU campus. Linde and I became roommates and I learned that Linde liked to hit the snooze button just to have a few more minutes of sleep each day. She learned that I liked to have pictures of men on my wall; like John Travolta and Rick Springfield. Linde was such a great roommate, she liked guys, chocolate, guys, pizza and making cookies for guys..which I loved joining in on, dancing, guys, having guys over for dinner...oh the memories. Linde was and is one of the best conversationalist I know; she knows how to begin a conversation with just about anyone and keep it going; she is genuinely interested in people. We enjoyed similar things, so it was fun having two years to solidify our friendship by being roommates.

Mark, Lisa, Linde and Rick

Moon Apartments 1984

Linde, Lisa and I have managed to remain close friends through out out life thus far. We have had some really wonderful experiences together and I look forward to many more.

The three of us try to get together as often as we can.

We turned 40 in 2004 and the three of us spent a few days in California together and we all planned that we'd spend our 50th together doing something fun like Hawaii!!!

Linde found her "true love", Jason Wong and they were married in February of 2006. Linde became a mome when her cute little Jacob was born in 2008. We felt we were aging gracefully until we both had babies at the age of 43/44. Now we have days that we feel VERY OLD or VERY YOUNG as we join in running around with our little toddlers. It is wonderful to know I have a friend, who understands exactly what being a mother to a little one at this point in our lives, feels like.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Linde; it sums up who she is to me. A beautiful, vivacious, fun, happy, amazing, kind, intelligent, hard working, inspirational, patient, spiritual woman!

I love you Linde!! Happy Birthday you Sexy Woman!

Stuff

2010-03-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

Two more cans created for Lisa for her birthday.

Camilla wearing a flower clip created by her fancy and fabulous first grade teacher, who is retired at the moment, Paige Archer.

Camilla with four of her classmates at the second grade field trip. We attended together yesterday! This was at the Earth Science museum at BYU. We also went to a play at the Scera theater in Orem, "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie". We all had lots of fun!

Happy MARCH!!!

Happy Birthday to Lisa and Me too!!!

2010-02-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

I met Lisa when we were freshmen at BYU. We spent lots of fun times together that year and were able to begin a friendship and sisterhood that has continued to this day. Lisa and I attended a few concerts together that year, some religious devotionals and firesides, skied, laughed, talked and tried to get a tan laying on the roof of May Hall along with Linde and maybe a few other friends. We have spent all the years since then building upon the friendship we began as college friends.

Lisa is physically beautiful; and when we would walk anywhere together guys would crank their heads so far around you'd think they were owls, just to take a longer look at her. Infact, just the other day when we were walking on the indoor track at the high school, a young man turned around and ran backwards just so he could have a good look at Lisa! (hee, hee) I appreciate her beauty and quickly learned that her personality is even more beautiful and bright than her beautiful face. Lisa was always fun to be with in college and I have found that to be true every single moment I get to spend with her. I always come away from time spent with Lisa feeling better about myself and happier for having spent time with her.

Since we moved to Utah, Lisa and I, have been able to spend more time with each other. We only live about 20 minutes apart and it's been so wonderful having more time to share moments of our lives together. Lisa is the kind of friend that simply makes life better for me. When Lisa was called and informed that I'd be taken to Timpanogas Regional Medical Center by ambulance because of complications with my pregnancy; she showed up. She was there and even though I do not remember seeing her, the last thing I heard before everything went black for me, was Lisa whispering in my ear to let me know she was there. I've heard her and Eric speak of that moment in time and how thankful I am that Lisa was there for Eric at a scarey time.

Last year when I had to have hernia surgery, she would come in the mornings and take care of Neal. It was so much fun to hear her cooing to him and giving him a bath and I could rest knowing that she was playing with him and taking such good care of him. I have admired Lisa's love for children the entire time I have known her and now she get's to begin showering that love on grandchildren, yes, Lisa is going to be a grandma!!! She is so EXCITED! I am excited for her and for her family. She will be a fantastic grandma.

Lisa has done several things for me over the years I've known her, and there is no way I could put down on paper what all of that has meant to me, but I count her as one of my greatest blessings and am thankful to be one of her friends.

Lisa was born on February 28th and I was born the day after, the 29th in 1964. She was born in Wyoming and I was born in Nevada. Is is possible that we may have known each other in the Spirit World that we lived in before coming here to Earth??...it will be fun to find out someday. All I know is that I am so thankful and it brings me so much happiness to know that we will go on building our friendship eternally. To have a friend that I can call sister is so precious and the best kind of gift.

I love you Lisa Dew. Happy Birthday to YOU!!!! (and me too!!)

Crafts and me....

2010-02-19T15:03:00.002-07:00

I am not a crafty person, I have a really hard time using a glue gun, cutting straight, following directions etc.,

etc.

But, I saw a few things and so I decided to try my hand at it to keep my hand from grabbing food and depositing it in my mouth. This is what I did this week...

A ladybug barret for Camilla

A ladybug ring for Camilla

Then this is what I worked on today...I burned my finger tips and I cursed in my mind and I was really ready to throw it away..but I finished it. It's made with an old formula can! I found the directions on a website, so it's not my original idea at all..I'll have to see how I feel tomorrow to see if I want to make anymore..I have a lot of formula cans that I saved just incase I might want to do something with them.

You don't have to tell me how well I did, but please don't tell my fragile ego how easy these are or how horribly I messed up the ribbon that I glued on TWICE. Oh and also...I AM FEELING VERY TENSE NOW!!!
Gotta go..time to pick up children. Oh and by the way...Neal was not happy at all that I spent time crafting...he's is darn tired of taking care of himself....LOL!!!

Really GOOD Chocolate chip/Craisin cookies

2010-02-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Chunk and Craisin Cookies
Prep: 15 min Bake 9 to 10 min (electric range) time may vary with gas oven.

1 ½ sticks butter softened
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. raspberry extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
¼ salt
1 large egg
1 cup craisins
¾ bag nestle chunks

Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix flour, baking soda and salt until well blended, set aside.Beat butter and sugars in large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Do not over beat. Add egg and extract and beat until well blended. Gradually add flour mixture, beating until well blended after each addition. Stir in chocolate chunks andcraisins until well mixed through batter. With clean hands drop dough about the size of a heaping tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake 9 to 10 minutes or untillightly browned. Bake in center of oven. I usually check cookies at 8 minutes. Cool two minutes, transfer to wire racks. Yields almost 4 dozen cookies.Gooey Butter Cookies1 stick of butter

I thought I'd share this recipe with you, I received it from a friend I made as a young girl living on Mt. Charleston. Back then she was known as Kim Chaliha; now she's Kim Fisher and she's a gorgeous woman who is a fitness trainer in Phoenix. I couldn't find raspberry extract here in Payson, so I used raspberry syrup, a little more than 1 tsp. and I added about 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract. I also used chocolate chips, I didn't have chocolate chunks. I'll be on the look out for raspberry extract. BTW, a HIT with my kids and their friends after school today!

I want to write a Valentines memory. I looked and looked back through my journals for some good Valentine stories from the past when I was single. There was the story of the guy who gave me flowers, candy and stuffed animals in my office..but I didn't write much about it; I guess because I just wasn't that in to the guy. However, I went to look for a story that surely would include Eric in 1994...the year we got married. However, I laughed as I read about Valentines Day of that year. I actually wrote about preparing for a box dinner that our ward was having; girls made the dinners and guys picked them and joined them. For whatever reason, which I don't understand at the moment, my friend Val and I went to dinner before this event. I wrote that I was there; things were fun. I also wrote that I received a Valentines Card from Michael Nelson. Some of you reading this may not realize that Michael Nelson is now my brother in law..Yes, Wanda's husband!!! I thought he was a pretty great guy and at the time I had some interest as single ladies are allowed to have, and I was pleased and it made my day. Well, it wasn't long after that, that it became apparent that Michael and Wanda were very interested in each other and soon to be engaged!!!

I have TWO very amazingly wonderful brother in laws!!! I had friendships with them both before they began dating my sisters. Chad's birthday was yesterday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAD!!! I'm so thankful that my sisters have such great husbands! So, that brings me to another kind of love...family love....extended family love. I'm so grateful for my extended family..parents, siblings and their spouses and most of all MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIRANDA..my beautiful niece!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO MY EXTENDED FAMILY!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Make these cookies for each other...they are REALLLLLLYYYY GOOOOD! I've only had one!!! ;O) I promise..

Happy Valentines Day!

2010-02-12T13:09:00.002-07:00

The Valentine Box

2010-02-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

Camilla worked diligently to create a special Valentine's box.

This box will collect all of the valentine cards handed out by her classmates tomorrow.

She was a bit concerned that she might have the BIGGEST box.

However, I told her that it needed to be that big to properly display her artwork!

She's very excited for tomorrow's party and the cards and treats.

These are the cards she will be depositing in her friend's Valentine boxes. Camilla said "I know the boys will not like the fairy cards, but they will like the suckers".

Oh to be back in 2nd grade making a Valentine box or card holder and knowing that it will be filled with cards expressing sweet nothings and treats!!! And having the ability to deposit cards in everyone's box without someone wondering if it "means something".

I remember loving Valentine's Day in elementary school. Not liking it so much in Jr. High, when it became a bit awkward. Feeling left out most of the time in High School with Valograms and Flowers...every now and then a sweet girl friend would send me a carnation or something. Then always having my hopes up in College that some certain someone would perhaps think of me on that day with a card, or flowers, or candy and not experiencing those dreams coming true. One Valentines day I received an office filled with cards, candy, flowers, stuffed animals etc., etc...a real dream come true for a girl like me...but NOT FROM THE ONE I WANTED IT FROM!! LOL.

Luckly Eric came along and restored my love of Valentines Day!

Well, enough of that..back to the Valentine Box. Wouldn't it be nice if we all had a Valentine Box outside our front doors and they'd get filled up with cards and expressions of love and caring. But I guess that those kinds of boxes are better left for 2nd graders and in classrooms where the teacher makes sure everyone is remembered.

I hope all those who read this post feel loved and remembered and hopefully not just on Valentines Day, but every day. And even if you don't have a Valentine Box this year...hear's a special Valentine for you from ME!

Just for fun!

2010-02-10T15:10:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I've been playing around with Smilebox today...enjoy.
There are two videos and 3 photos...so click next a few times.

Neal Turns TWO!

2010-02-09T12:12:00.001-07:00

On Friday, February 5th, Neal turned two years old.

He played with balloons, and his new chunky tonka cars/trucks. He had a GOOD birthday and was lots of fun to watch. He runs all around and for the most part really enjoys life, until all of a sudden, something does not go his way...then it's a scowl and a scream! Yeps, Neal is TWO YEARS OLD!!!

Dawn

2010-02-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

Since this is February, the month of LOVE and the month we celebrate Neal's 2nd birthday. I thought I might share some "love stories", do a bit of reminiscing and remembering the blessings that "LOVE" has brought in to my life and the lives of my family.

Friendship love is sometimes indescribable. What do I look for in a friend? Well, most of the time I don't really think about it. The people in my life that I would call my friends have been put there by some unseen gravitational pull....a FEELING!

One Sunday after moving here to Payson, I can remember having that "FEELING" to sit by a beautiful woman, who radiated a spirit of pure kindness and humility. So I asked her if I could sit by her. I had seen her, watched her with her family, but had not yet had the chance to really meet her. That is my first recollection of Dawn. Little did I know that, Dawn, would become someone that would make a tremendous difference in my life. There are many things I could write about Dawn, but today I'm going to write about an experience that took place two years ago today.

I was pregnant with Neal. Very sick, high blood pressure and Neal was not doing very well. I really had no idea just how serious my condition was and wouldn't until a day later. On February 4th ,2008, I got up, went to the doctor for a check up and was hoping that the medication I was taking had helped lower my blood pressure and that perhaps I would not have to be on bedrest any longer. That was my hope. I'm sure that Dawn was taking care of Camilla..unless she was at kindergarten. I was told that my blood pressure was too high and things were taking a turn for the worse. I was also told by my doctor that he was going to transfer me to a doctor in Payson. My heart started pounding harder than usual and I felt fear. He then said, "I believe they will put you in the hospital and I think you need to be closer to home for that." I was seeing a doctor in Provo which is about 20 minutes from home. So I complied and went to those doctors, who confirmed what my doctor had said and they told me they wanted me admitted in to the hospital right away. I thought I heard them say for 24 hour observation.

My friend, Dawn, took care of my children for me so I could go home and lay down and prepare for Eric to take me to the hospital. Eric took me that evening and stayed with me until it was time to go home and help my parents, who came to help with Spencer and Camilla. When he left I began to feel very uncomfortable. I tried writing in my journal, reading, praying and soon I started feeling pain. Pain in the upper right hand side of my abdomen..which was right under my chest at that point and pain in my head and back. I told the nurse and she tried to help me as much as she could. I HATE being in the hospital, but I was trying really hard not to think about the WHITE walls and the chlostrophobic feeling that was choking me.

I don't know what time it was, but it must have been evening, time for little ones to be put to bed and in walked, Dawn. I just remember that I felt a calm feeling sweep over my body when she walked in the door, smiled at me and began asking how I was. I could tell she was very concerned, worried and I knew her well enough that I knew she wanted to do whatever she could to make me feel better. That's just who she is.

We talked for awhile and I don't remember what we said, I do remember laughing a bit. Then as I told her about feeling so much pain in my shoulders and head; she began to massage my shoulders and head. She told me that I probably was experiencing a build up of gas and it wasn't releasing. I had no idea that could possibly be what I was dealing with. As time went on I felt some comfort and she continued to rub my shoulders and head. I think the nurse gave me something to help with the gas as well. Finally I told her that I was feeling enough relief that she could stop.

I'm not sure if Dawn stayed much longer than that, or what happened next. I do know that I was able to sleep.

There are MANY things I could share about Dawn's ability to just "BE THERE" when I need her and I know there are many things that she did for my family when I could not be there for them. I appreciate her more than I know how to express in words.

But in this one act of kindness and "LOVE" I knew that Dawn was there to serve me in a way that Jesus Christ himself would have if he were in that room with me. The Savior washed his apostles feet because he truly loved them. My friend, Dawn, helped me know that night of suffering, that not only did she love me, but that Jesus loved me too and was not going to leave me alone. That is who Dawn is to me, the very reminder that I need that I am not alone.

And that is the one love story I hope everyone gets to experience in their lives, to know they are NOT ALONE and that Jesus sends friends to us to help us through life.

I LOVE YOU DAWN!!!!

Spencer plays B-ball

2010-02-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

Spencer has a basketball standard outside in the street, right in front of our home. He loves to shoot baskets when the weather permits. He wrote a paper about wanting to be a pro-basketball player. So when the city posted that Basketball season would begin and that it was $35 to play. I asked him if he wanted to play on a team. He said, "YES". So each Tuesday he practices with his team and each Saturday, beginning in January (But I didn't write about it because I was talking about ME) he has been playing Basketball with his team. The Kings. The Kings have won two games and lost two games so far. He has four more Saturday's to play. Spencer is not an aggressive player, he's not an aggressive person, but he enjoys playing and he is having a good experience learning to play on a team. He wants to try out for 9th grade basketball next year and I am encouraging him to do so. Eric is along for the ride as much as possible, we just informed him on Saturday that you can not make 10 points when you make a basket. So Spencer is enjoying this sport and I'm thankful he has a great coach, who is great with all the kids on the team.

GO SPENCER!

GO KINGS!

RA RA REE!!!

Spencer is #15

Final score was 52 to 30...KINGS WERE THE BIG WINNERS!

First haircut!

2010-02-02T10:27:00.001-07:00

Neal is almost 2 and he received his first haircut a little over a week ago. Here are a few shots, sorry, I'm not the best at taking pictures these days!

He was so good!

His first outing after the curls were cut off...his brother's basketball game!

Goodbye January...

2010-01-31T21:33:00.002-07:00

The last night of January. The month has gone by so quickly. I did spend some time talking about me and tomorrow I'll go back to commenting about me sometimes, but sharing things about my family and friends and other things that might come to my mind.

*Neal and Jan last year when Neal turned one!

I am excited to be heading in to February. I love the month of February. I love Valentines day, mostly because I love hearts and I love chocolate. I love that Neal was born in February. I have a niece, Miranda, who has a birthday in February. My brother in law, Chad, and my sister in law, Carol, each have birthdays in February. Lisa was born in February, Ray was born in February and I was born in February. Eric's mother was born in February...ALOTOF birthdays to celebrate! My brother, Robert, and his wife, Carol, have their anniversary in February. Jan, my wonderful next door neighbor has her birthday on the same day as Neal.

The month of February represents love to me and life, because of Valentines and all the birthdays..especially mine. I like it better when there are 29 days in it, but I will accept and have learned to enjoy celebrating my birthday on the 28th, I get to share that day with Lisa, one of my favorite people in the UNIVERSE!

Okay, so I'm saying goodbye to January, it was fun to talk about me...just a little bit. I will head in to February thinking about my little almost 2 year old miracle baby, wearing RED as much as I can, what to do for Eric for Valentines Day, saying "I love you" to all the people I do love more often, getting valentine cards for Camilla to give out to her classmates and friends, sending birthday cards or e-cards to my loved ones who's birthdays are coming up, and remembering that Spencer still needs a valentine, even though he acts like he's too cool for one. I will undoubtedly remember all the boys I've ever loved before, because I seem to do that around Valentine's day.

I'm hoping for a BIG PARTY on my birthday and when I open my present I'm sure it will be a TICKET to a Rick Springfield concert! I also keep hoping to go down on the scales and not up! I hope February will be full of lots of HAPPINESSSSSSSSSS for everyone.

Goodbye January 2010....HULLOOOOO FEBRUARY THE MONTH OF LOVE. If I give you a kiss this month, don't get any funny ideas, I just do that in February...it happens!

Mindless Munchies

2010-01-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

M&M's they get to me. I don't remember the first time I ever tried an m&m, but I do remember hearing about how they "melt in your mouth and not in your hands" at a fairly young age. However, I don't think I appreciated m&m's until I was older, much older. Infact, just today I realized as I walked through the store, I was stopped in my tracks by the valentine display of candy, and I looked for the red, pink and white m&m's that come out at this time of the year. I do believe that the RED m&m's taste the very best, my personal preference. Each holiday m&m's comes out with wonderfully colored m&m's just for that holiday that I just have to have for my candy dish. I love red, so I caved and bought one bag for my candy dish. I could not find the peanut m&m's in the red, pink and white, so I had to settle for the plain chocolate m&m's. I also bought a bag of regular colored peanut m&m's. Just because. I did it mindlessly.

That's what I figured out today, I bought them mindlessly and I eat them mindlessly. M&M's stand for Mindless Munchies. It's hard to mindlessly eat a Snickers bar, I mean I like them just as much as I like M&M's, but I have to think about buying them..they don't really go in to a candy dish, unless it's the small bite sized Snickers, which I would just rather not bother with. A full size Snicker's bar takes some thought. I have to purchase it just for myself, because no one else in my household really cares for them, then I have to take the time to peel back the wrapper and take time to chew each bite of carmel, peanuty goodness. So every now and then I allow myself that pleasure. M&M's,on the other hand, are bought for the candy dish. My hand, as well as others, dip in to it. So I'm doing something selfless for my family and friends who might come by and want to dip their hand in to the candy dish.

Prepare for ranting...The problem is that I am here all day long dipping mindlessly in to the candy dish or if there is not room in the candy dish, a plastic container...WHO CARES, I just dip in and then I pop them in my mouth,and my mind is numb to what I'm doing until all of a sudden my stomach YELLS OUT, "NO MORE YOU LUNATIC, I'M GOING TO BE SICK!!!"

I'm a little calmer now...At Weight Watchers last night we talked a bit about changing behaviors that cause us to be unsuccessful in our goals to lose weight. It all makes so much sense to me. It's just putting all that great information in to daily practice that I seem to be struggling with. So today I am owning up to the fact that I eat some foods mindlessly, without any thought. Just because. I LIKE IT, or I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING ELSE, or whatever other 100 reasons I might have for just tossing an m&m in to my mouth. What am I going to do to change that. I'm not sure yet. I don't think I'm ready to say I won't ever buy m&m's again. I suppose I just took the first step by taking time to STOP, PAY ATTENTION, WRITE IT DOWN and take a time out from mindlessly popping them in to my mouth...it is hard to pop and type at the same time.

Tell me, how do you set a goal and tackle it, I mean a real life changing goal? How do I make myself stick to what I want to do, but have never been able to do..at least not for any extended length of time. I've got to figure this one out because I can't keep doing what I've been doing for 45 years..it's not working.

The next thing I just need to throw in to this post is that the other day Camilla dressed in red and wore her red sequined shoes that I got her for her halloween costume. She was a bit unsure of wearing them to school, but I convinced her that they looked cute and it's okay to wear those kind of shoes when you are 8 years old. So I took her picture and she liked how it looked too. I just have to post it.

Just Dance

2010-01-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

Last week at Weight Watchers, yes I just admitted that I go to Weight Watchers...I finally said it on my BLOG! Anyway, our group leader suggested that we put more movement in to our days, meaning exercise. She had people give idea of how to add exercise in to their routines, especially people who do not like to exercise..which is the majority at a place like Weight Watchers. The suggestion that stuck with me all week was to JUST DANCE. That totally is something that I can do and love to do. So as the week moved on I added more dance music to my playlist and when I was cleaning or hanging out somewhere around my computer I would turn up the music and just dance. Sometimes I had a little partner...NEAL. He is a very sassy dancer I must say.

Today I thought of how much I have enjoyed dancing over the years. I remember turning 14, the official public dancing age of the LDS church, and being able to go to dances. School dances and stake dances. I remember standing on the side lines or sitting in a chair, which was so much worse, because in a chair you can not even pretend like you are dancing, and WAITING endlessly for some boy to ask me to dance. I remember being a college student and loving to dance and dancing a bit more than I did at high school or younger. Still I never danced as much as I really wanted to, at least not in public. I went to dances from the time I was 14 until I got married at the age of 30. Then public dancing more or less ceased to exist. Eric and I did make it to a few wedding receptions that had dancing and one valentine party, I believe that's what it was, that had dancing.

Anyway, today I thought of the time I finally decided I wanted to dance whether I had a partner or not, so I paid to take dancing lessons. Country dance lessons to be exact. I paid $500 for them. I had SO MUCH FUN for about 5 weeks or so, then Eric asked me to marry him, I was elated. So I added him to the dance lessons, so we could learn a few dances for our wedding reception..that is another story. I remember how much fun I had just dancing with my instructor..he was really good and I loved being lead around the dance floor by him. Some day I want to take dance lessons again and be led around the dance floor. I also just love to turn on music and DANCE, no matter what it might look like.

There are a few men I would love to JUST DANCE with...

1.. JOHN TRAVOLTA
2..DONNY OSMOND
3..LANCE MALONE
4..KEITH URBAN

AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST....RICK SPRINGFIELD!!!

But for now I am enjoying my new dance partner ...MR NEAL KERN!!!

A Temple

2010-01-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

I remember when the Temple in Las Vegas was announced and the excitement that was felt in my heart and in my family! I remember dreaming of the day I could be married in that temple. (THAT DREAM DID COME TRUE). A temple in Sin City...Can I just say it is the THE MOST GORGEOUS TEMPLE, and I am not one bit biased.

Yesterday, I was able to feel that excitement all over again as I found out that President Monson, the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, announced a temple will be built right here in Payson, Utah! Only about 2 blocks south and ten blocks west of us. Within Walking distance!!! WOW. It's hard to express the gratitude and excitement I feel.

I once again found myself contemplating the fact that my children very well could get their endowments and be married in the temple right here in their hometown. I also look forward to spending much time there. Temple attendance has been sporatic for me since I began having children, but I know that there is a season for each phase of our lives and soon the time will come when I can spend more time serving in the temple and soon I won't have to go very far at all. Not that Provo is very far, but still I am so grateful that the Lord is blessing me and all the people who will benefit from a temple in Payson Utah!!! WOW!!!

What I really want....

2010-01-25T11:48:00.001-07:00

This is the skirt I really want when I lose ALL my weight and it's

$56

And this is the CAR I want Honey!!!

Of course I'm not good at being frugal when it comes to cars...I want it red, I want it sporty and I want it to be FAST and NEW!!!

Why?

2010-01-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'm just wondering to myself, "Why didn't I come up with this skirt and charge $294 for it?"

One more week

2010-01-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

Well, this is the last week of January and the last week I'm going to talk about me. I'd rather talk about my family and friends and other such things anyway.

If you have a questions you'd like me to answer about myself, go ahead and ask it and I'll try to address it this week. If not, that's okay too.

It's Monday morning. I'm cleaning bathrooms today and doing laundry. I'm also hanging out with Neal..he's reading the Ensign.

My little guy

2010-01-23T22:44:00.000-07:00

This morning Neal headed in to the laundry room with curls!

This afternoon he headed in to the kitchen to take care of some garbage, NO CURLS!!!

HAIRCUT! Looking smart, tough and ready to rumble. My baby is turning into a two year old in two weeks!!!!
Yes, he placed those glasses on ALL BY HIMSELF!

Letters

2010-01-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

I used to spend hours writing letters. Not necessarily hours at one sitting, but sometimes I'd write several pages at one sitting. In the 1980's/90's I wrote several letters. I enjoyed pulling out a piece of lined notebook paper and filling it with whatever came in to my mind. I also enjoyed buying stationery. Sometimes I'd think of a particular person as I purchased the stationery and I could hardly wait to get home and find my comfy spot to sit down and write a letter to that person. I can also remember the anticipation I always felt going to the mailbox hoping for a letter. Sometimes I would receive one, sometimes on a VERY GOOD day, more than one.

Letter writing has just gone by the way. It's a lost art..at least for me. I do still try to remember to send a birthday card, but sometimes I even allow myself to forget to get in my car, drive to the store which is about 4 or 5 minutes away, and stand in the card section to look for a card and think about a person. I have all kinds of excuses. One of the excuses is e-cards. Just like I have stopped writing letters because I discovered e-mail. I type much quicker than I hand write, but here in the last while, even emailing has become a bit tiresome.

It is a cloudy day, a bit drizzly, my mood is also a bit cloudy, tired and drizzly. I get that way from time to time. I feel a little colder today than I have in awhile, I found myself even needing to turn up the heat, just a few degrees. As I was standing at my sink to load the dishwasher, because I try hard not to hand wash any dishes unless I absolutely have to, I stopped dead in my tracks and thought of the pleasure I used to get from writing and receiving letters. I wonder if my children will ever know what it's like to write letters to a pen-pal..I used to have one in elementary school..I don't remember where she lived, but I remember having one. I would meet people when I visited my grandma, and I met a niece of my dear friend Sister Farrer and they became my pen-pals. We'd send each other little letters. Then once in awhile we'd get to see each other again. I loved writing to missionaries and receiving letters from them with their "goings on in far away places" and to read their testimonies. I wrote letters to my parents and siblings when I went away to college and I'd tell them each detail about life at BYU, my version of it anyway. Then I'd eagerly await their letters and read them over and over again to feel a bit closer to home when I was far away. Calling on the telephone was much more expensive than writing a letter, now it doesn't cost me any more or less to pick up my telephone and call my family. I remember writing letters to the friends I made at BYU and then waiting for responses to hear what their lives were like, some were still at BYU, some had moved on and gotten married and sadly some I lost contact with.

I was single for 30 years. From the years of 18 to 30, I wrote many, many letters. I have an accordian file folder of letters I received during those years as well.

When I met Eric and after establishing that we had a "THING" for each other, we began writing to each other. Sometimes cards, sometimes letters written on pieces of stationery and sometimes sticky notes. I love it when he takes the time to write something to me in a card or on a gift he's given me and I can go back and re-read it as often as I want to.

I wrote some letters even after marrying. However, as email and other forms of communicating have become more popular and easy, I have almost STOPPED writing letters. It's kind of sad.

Well, I need to get back to loading the dishwasher and drinking something hot to warm me up. Will I write more letters?? I sure hope so.....hmmm.

Just because....

2010-01-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

Some days I just feel like going to a Rick Springfield Concert, no explanation, that's just the way it is. So thanks to technology, I was able to spend 5 minutes with.....Well, if you have 5 minutes hang out at the concert with me...go ahead, it's okay, you know you want to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS0TNma43vA

Every single day...

2010-01-20T11:57:00.000-07:00

ERIC KERN

Every day since we met I have gotten to know him better. Every day he has blessed my life. Every day I thank the Lord for him. Every day I LOVE HIM MORE

Every day I'm so grateful for the day I became Eric's wife.

In love

2010-01-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

When I first took a look at our home, I fell in love with the architecture, the upgrades and most of all how I felt in this home. I fell in love with the way the previous owner displayed the kitchen. I can remember a Kitchenaid mixer sitting in the corner of the countertop and that stuck with me. When we moved from Las Vegas to Payson I decided that one purchase I had to make was a good mixer. I had a mixer that broke a few years after receiving it for a wedding gift. I had a hand held mixer and then my mother in law gave me an old Bosch mixer, which held up for a few years. So soon after making the move I headed to a sale at Kohls with my sister ,Bev, and I found my mixer..WHICH I LOVE!

Yesterday, I mixed up a batch of big chocolate chip cookies to go along with my primary lesson. We talked about how Heavenly Father created our spirit bodies and then he sent us to earth to receive a physical body. One of the wonderful aspects of having a physical body is we get to taste and eat food. So I made these cookies to help the children remember how much fun it is to have a physcial body that can eat chocolate chip cookies. My lovely mixer helped me accomplish the mixing portion of the task in just a few moments of my time. Have I mentioned I LOVE my mixer!?!

My lovely model, Camilla, was kind enough to demonstrate how beautifully BIG these cookies are and volunteered to test taste them to make sure they were good enough to serve to my primary class.

Now I do enjoy the few THINGS I/we have acquired over our 15 years of marriage, but more than the "things" that enhance our lives. I absolutely adore our children. Yesterday I called to Camilla that it was time to get ready for church. Camilla has required help in dressing most of the time and it's just something that I plan in to my morning routine. Well, she told me that she was going to brush her teeth and wash up..so I waited, then I said, "Hurry up Camilla it's time to get dressed"...well then my Pearl came out to the livingroom all dressed, shoes and socks and she had a nice turquiose headband on. I was so surprised and my heart filled up instantly and I got tears in my eyes. For some this is not a big deal, for me and my Pearl it IS!!! I did ask if we could put some curls in her hair for church and perhaps use something to hold her bangs back since they are a bit too long and maybe it could be lavendar or purple like her dress, she thought about it and then agreed to let me have my way. So here is my Pearl, the girl I love most in this world. The special, beautiful spirit that Heavenly Father sent to me (and her dad) who has taught me so much in her short 8 years of what a blessing and priviledge it is to be the mother of a girl.

I am in love with my mixer, I appreciate it and what it does for me. I could live without it though....
I AM IN LOVE WITH CAMILLA PEARL KERN!!! I appreciate who she is in my life, I look forward to watching her continue to grow, develop, learn and blossom. I am thankful that she will FOREVER be my daughter and that I can FOREVER be her mother.

Organizing continued....

2010-01-15T14:53:00.001-07:00

At the beginning of the week I posted pictures of my bedroom in the process of trying to unclutter it and organize our things and make it look like a bedroom. Here are the results and remember I had no money to spend.

Isn't it amazing!!!

Okay..so that's a dream bedroom kind of like that shoe closet. (However, I would need some red in my bedroom)

Here is the real bedroom:

I did get rid of all the trash and found the top of my dresser again. It's a good feeling.

Neal has taken up reorganizing the kitchen. He has been rearranging cabinets, This photo above is just one example of his skills..pretty smart using a muffin pan to hold sippy cups and having them low enough that the sippy cup user can reach it all on his own! Even Mickey thinks it was a good move..Thumbs up to Neal!

I wanna talk about last night

2010-01-14T22:19:00.002-07:00

Last night I went out with Lisa, my friend, we get together once a week, I'd love to talk about that, but I found incriminating photos of what took place at home while I was away, so I decided to post them..here we go.

Camilla was served a GIANT size portion of spaghetti, with a little itty bitty bit of sauce on top. Eric said she was in HEAVEN, but in the end she could not eat it all!

Neal had a run in with a bowl of blueberries and they took over his hands and face leaving him a nice deep shade of purple.

So, even though I did have a very enjoyable time with Lisa, it looks as though there was a PARTY without mom last night! I'm wondering what happened to the photo's of Spencer?? Or was he the instigator or the co-conspirator with the Chief party meister!!!

For the love of Shoes

2010-01-13T14:56:00.007-07:00

Can I tell you a little shoe story??? Well of course I can, this is my blog.

When I was growing up in the mountains of southern Nevada, I had one pair of school shoes and one pair of church shoes. As I got older I began to realize that there were people who had more shoes than that, especially when I entered High School. When I went to work in the summers I would buy myself a few more pairs of shoes. When I went to BYU I realized that there were girls who had alot more shoes and clothing than I did, and some had shoes to match the clothing! I wanted that.

When I became a working woman I began my quest to purchase shoes that would match outfits. I enjoyed shoe shopping much more than clothes shopping. Being of a petit and stature, and larger than a size 2, clothing has never been one of my passions...I have to wear it and so I try to find articles that fit me. However, being single until I turned 30, I managed to attain some shoes.

When I was pregnant for Spencer, my first baby, my feet expanded. In length and width. I thought they would go back to "NORMAL" for me after some time of post-natal care. Didn't happen. I gave most of my shoes to my friend, Lisa, on one of her visits. I told her to come with an empty suitcase and she filled it up with what she wanted. So I said goodbye to my shoes and began to collect a new variety of shoes. I could no longer wear inexpensive shoes and since I had to learn to live on a teacher's salary, I began to revert back to my childhood. One pair of everyday shoes and one pair of church shoes..maybe two. I found shoes that were comfortable because I could not stand up in anything that wasn't comfortable. I found brands that worked for me, they were no longer the pretty little pumps and cute shoes of the moment, they were practical and long lasting. I still love shoes though and I enjoy brousing through a shoes store from time to time.

In my effort to organize my bedroom, I began with our closet a few weeks ago. I organized my shoes. I put them in pairs, instead of just laying anywhere they had been taken off on the closet floor. I also discarded a few pair that I did not wear any longer.

Today, I received a nice helpful email from HGTV on getting organized. I looked through the photos and instantly froze when I saw the organizational tip for SHOES...so here it is, the way our shoes should be put in their place. Below that picture you will find what I did to my own variety of shoes. Get ready..this is GOOD!!!!!!!!

TA DA!!!

My REAL closet and my REAL shoes

FOR THE LOVE OF SHOES!!!!