Nice, huh?!
He can't stop laughing...at himself 
Showing off his guns
Yep! the dork is all mine! 
Here is the find that I was telling you about last week. It's part of an old door with a shelf attached at the bottom. My plan is to put family pictures behind the window panes. I got an assortment of red, white and blue shirts for everyone to wear and I'm doing a family photo session on Saturday. I have to get it done while Chad is still here. I thought that red white and blue is perfect, not only because Chad is a soldier now, but because it will look great in the family room. Pretty dang cute, I think! I'll share pictures later this weekend.
I started taking Vemma 2 months ago and I told you I'd update you on how it's working for me. I can honestly say that I haven't remembered to take it every single day, but I do notice when I don't because I'm tired and just seem to be a bit scatter brained, so I always regret forgetting. I like to take it with breakfast because it starts my day off right. I do have more energy, I need less sleep at night and I don't take naps in the afternoon anymore. I get far less headaches, I feel like my thoughts are more organized and I'm more productive, plus I've lost 4 pounds through all the holiday eating and it's not even made for weight loss. All of these things have blessed my life. I am the BIGGEST skeptic and I really didn't want to try it when my dad showed it to me, but now I can't imagine not having it. I function in everyday busy mom life so much better now. I love it!
Here are some testimonials of some people that my dad started on Vemma for anywhere from a few weeks to 2 1/2 months...
If you have any questions you can call my dad's 1-800 # (he's had that number for years) that way it won't cost you any money to call. He just knows more about it than I do. I just know I like it and I need it...ya'll know I'm a simple girl. :o) Ron Peters 1-800-736-7198 or email him a rpeters2@cox.net Here is a link to my website (you get a website free when you sign up) and also to the testimonial website to see how it's helped other people. I know that plenty of people don't care about any of this, but I've gotten some emails about it so I know that some of you are interested in feeling better in a healthy all natural way. I also put my dad's phone number and email addy on my side bar so it will be easier to find once this post scrolls down into the archives. Thanks for listening to me ramble.
Kim J...Thank you for commenting on my previous post. You commented a few months ago and I followed your name to the website you set up to honor the life of your son. That night I sat here looking at his sweet pictures and listening to the music. I cried and sobbed for the better part of an hour. I couldn't even collect myself enough to go to bed that night. I can't imagine the loss you must feel and how hard the holidays have been for you without him. I've thought of you many times over the past 2 months, so thank you for letting me "see" you again.
P.S. I still can't comment on typepad blogs...not even from Mark's computer...so sad! :o(
Mark, Chad, Sandy, Cole and Chad's friend Chris rode motorcycles up to south mountain the other night. Mark took like 50+ pictures. The silhouette of Chad and Sandy kissing with the city lights behind them is my favorite. I don't like to ride in the cold, so I'm fine with seeing it in pictures.
Last night we went to a wedding of our good friends son. We have been close to this family for so many years and have been on several vacations together as well. I sure the love the Stokum family. This is Landis who is not only handsom, but a great young man as well....and his beautiful new wife Keara. Their reception was outside...which normally isn't a problem here in Arizona, but we got rain, so the beautiful decorations and tables were abandoned as people huddled under whatever shelter was available. I wanted to get a picture of all of them, but it was pretty squishy where they were standing to be greeted. It was still a lovely reception, although a soggy one.
Every Saturday we go out to breakfast, but last Saturday we had fog. I know some of you see it all the time, but we never get fog, so I thought is was very cool! Still too cold to ride the bikes for me, so I followed behind in the truck and took pictures of them riding in it. I know...not the safest thing to do. :o)
Just a quick post to share some more Christmas pictures of the kids opening some presents. Even on a tighter budget this year, they were happy with what they got. Cody and Cole both got heeleys. They have been practicing...which has involved several wipe outs but they are getting better. Cody has spent most of his time drawing pictures with his new art kit. He was so excited about getting a ream of white card stock. I had to laugh about that. Chad loves his Army jacket, we loved having Sandy over too. Kyle got some new soccer gear and Ipod accessories. We got Brek and Mark a cool new drills that is small but powerful. I got Brittany a Sunday dress and a couple of maternity shirts. I also made them a sign with their name on it. I got the red kitchen aid pots and pans that I wanted from Chad and Sandy. Mark hasn't got me the photoshop yet, but plans to. I got a really soft robe from my sister Julie and a precious moments figurine of a couple on a motorcycle from my mom. It's so cute! We did get several things for each kid, but also got a lot of family games. Mark and Cole are downstairs right now putting together a new puzzle. We like to play games as a family so I'm glad we got more to add to our collection.
After we all unwrapped our family exchange gifts at the Christmas Eve party, Sandy had one small present to open. Good things DO come in tiny packages!
Chad got down on one knee in amongst the torn wrapping paper shred's with dozens of people watching and asked Sandy to marry him. It was so sweet to see it and have them share the experience with all of us....so neat for everyone!
They hugged, they kisses, they cried, she said YES! :o)
Here is a picture of her ring and also of Chad's basic training graduation ring.
They are the cutest couple...don't you think they look great together?! I sure do!
Here is an even closer close up. It's white gold with thin bands on yellow gold. I think it's a gorgeous ring and so does Sandy. She keeps saying "I love my ring"
Yes...we even had an appearance from the most adorable mini Santa. Ignore the fact that I was wearing a dirty apron and just look how cute baby Mark is. We sure love that sweet baby...and we love Sandy, our newest addition the family.
I have been so touched by the kindness of others. I got 6 darling red handmade angel ornaments from Teresa (blogging buddy) I hung them on my little scraproom tree that sits in the window seat. Now I can look at them all the time. That was just so sweet...thank you Teresa!
Then Ellen (another new blogging buddy) noticed that I liked barns, so she sent me these 4 barn cards. Isn't she a fabulous photographer. I love them and they will not be sent to others. They will be framed and hung in my barn themed scraproom. Thanks so much Ellen!
Look at all the beautiful cards that thoughtful people have sent me so far and I know there will be more in the mail tomorrow. They are from real life friends, family and blogging buddies. They are so wonderful! I love each and everyone. These cards will stay on my door until February 1st. Just so you know, I NEVER throw away cards. I have every card ever given to me. I just can't see throwing something away that someone cared enough to send to me. Every year I look through all the ones of years past and they bring me happiness.
Tonight was our enrichment night for the ladies in my ward. We had a yummy dinner. I made 2 pans of chicken cordon bleu lasagna casserole and there was lasagna, salad, breadsticks, and I had some ladies make my recipe for pumpkin freeze desert. After dinner we had a beautiful program with music and talks about Christ, Mary and Joseph, etc. It was a really lovely evening and a much needed one for me. At the end they gave us each a gift that had our 2007 lesson manual in it and a picture. Their are several different ones. When I opened mine and discovered it was my favorite one of Christ sitting on a bench with a wayward teenage boy. It brought me to tears because this picture means so much to me. I have a larger print on my wall that I got because of how hard it's been to raise all these boys. It helps me feel that I'm not alone in it. My friend Lori gave me a great smelling candle too called Days of Christmas. That was so sweet and un-expected. I've had such a crazy busy day, that by the time I got around to cooking I was in tears from feeling overwhelmed because I've never felt so far behind this close to Christmas. At that point I had to decide between making the dinner or going to the post office to mail Christmas packages. Well I had to cook, so it looks like I'll be doing that in the morning and paying through the nose. The added emotions could also have a bit to do with Chad going away for a year to a scary place, being a grandma again, helping Chad pick out an engagement ring for Sandy, figting off a bug...don't feel horrible, but my voice is almost gone, the day to day running of this family with holiday stuff thrown on top of it. It was all just too much for me. Today is sweet Brittany's birthday. I took her and baby Mark to lunch, and I got her a set of scriptures with her name engraved on them and also a statue of a dad holding a baby on his lap. She has always wanted that one. I've got her collecting them now since I got her one of a man and woman dancing for their wedding and a woman pregnant when she got pregnant with baby Mark. They are really beautiful! I just wanted to make sure her birthday wasn't over looked during the holiday rush.
This evening enrichment was held at my friend Kelly's house instead of the church. She and I have the same taste in decor and we both loves barns, roosters and all things country. Those big barn doors is her fridge and freezer! I so love that! I also love what she did to her cabinets. I've been wanting to paint mine out, but have been afraid to make such a drastic change, but I love how hers turned out, just to darn cute...her whole house is serious cuteness!
Just found out today that I'm going to be a grandma AGAIN!!! HUGE surprise to everyone. Brittany went to the doctor today and she is due July 18th. Baby Mark will be a big brother at the very young age of 10 1/2 months. I KNOW! Pick up your chin off the keyboard, I can't believe it myself....this family is growing FAST! 
Happiness is having my boy home...if even for 2 short weeks. Gosh I missed him!
He had lots of hugs to go around. I didn't let go for a long time, so the boys had to share hugs.
Kyle's not much of a huger so they wrestled instead...boys! :o)
We baby sat Mark today and took him to church with us. Cole sure loves him. He'd fed him and burped him too. Such a good uncle.
This is the first time Chad has seen him because he was still in the hospital when Chad left for boot camp. Sorry, I forgot to turn the picture and I'm too tired to re-do the whole thing to fix it now....tilt your head and it looks just fine. :o)
Grandpa Mark can always get a smile from baby Mark. :o)
Chad and Sandy. Such a cute couple. They really love each other.
These were taken after church. Chad wore his class A uniform and looks so handsome. The colored bar is for entering in time of war, he got a metal for sharp shooter and another one for expert in grenades. Chad already has his orders. On January 3rd he goes to Fort Brag North Carolina for 10 weeks of training, then a 9 month tour in Afghanistan. That news breaks my heart and also makes me proud. It's so scary to me and it's such a long time. Sandy cried half the way home. She is trying to be strong, but knows it's going to be so hard to be without him for a whole year. We should get to see him for 2 weeks inbetween the training and leaving the country. Let me just say that two weeks is not long at all.
WOW! 62 comments! You girls really impressed me! I feel so loved! Now did you see just how easy it is to comment?!...now maybe I will see more of all of you...I sure hope so! As you can see I printed up 14 pages of comments and had the boys draw out names. Cody didn't want to smile, but I made a comment about a girl he likes giving him a kiss and he fought hard to hold it in. The winners are Briana and Julie! Congratulations girls! Send me your addresses so I can get your goodies in the mail. I hope you enjoy them! I honestly wish you all could have won....seriously, I do!
I slaved away for 2+ days from morning till late night working on the catering job. I made soooo much food! It turned out beautiful and sweet Camille was appreciative as were her dad and step mom who hired me. Now I have the money to finish my Christmas shopping. For that I'm so thankful. I'm glad I was able to be a part of making her big day special. There were only 2 casualties. I broke a nail and my nephew broke the lid to my glass water jug as we were bringing everything back in the house. So sad!
Lets celebrate my chattiness with fun give aways! I thought I'd share my love of candy cane kisses, so I filled 2 of the jars I decorated with vinyl and ribbon with my favorite little treats. I also took time out of my busy day today and made these ornaments. I will write down everyone's names who comment to this post and have Cody and Cole each draw a name out of a bowl. Post #200 deserves 2 winners. :o) I wish I could give them to all of you, but I'm only one woman and don't have lots of money. :o) By the way...between the Zicam nasal swabs and doubling up on my Vemma, I feel great today...even after grocery shopping for 5 hours at 3 different stores for the graduation party.
Each winner will get the jar of kisses and 2 ornaments
Close up of the Jolene original ornaments. I used the bazzill bling paper...that's why they are sparkly.