Good Times A Comin'

So excited that today I will be heading off to....This is the 3rd year in a row that I will have been able to go and it is such an amazingly spiritual yet incredibly fun experience. I get giddy just thinking about the good times to be had. So farewell to my sweet blog for now I know that I will have so much to talk about when I get home.

Third Times The Charm

Apparently I didn't get it right the first two times. I'm talking about my new calling I just received. Not even 4 months into my new ward and not knowing everyone yet I know this calling had to have come from the Lord(which I know they all should but have seen otherwise) so I am assuming that I just haven't got it right yet.

What is your calling you ask?
....Well I am the 1st counselor in the YW Presidency (again).

Don't get me wrong I do love this calling. It is so much fun to be a part of helping the girls grow into such wonderful young women not to mention the good times we usually have. It is an extremely busy calling though and I have always felt so inadequate like I don't have much to offer these girls. So when I was called this week I thought to myself I guess I still have something to learn.

When I mentioned to the bishopric that I have had this calling before and that I must not have done it quite right they tried to reassure me that it was because I was good at it. I do love their answer and want it to be true but I know myself to well to really believe it fully. I just hope that the girls will learn to love me as much as I will love them.

During my setting apart today I really felt like this is where I am supposed to be though so I will happily do my best. The bishopric also said some amazing things to us about our being called so that made me feel even better. The Lord works in mysterious ways and I'm glad he thinks I am good enough to be apart of this one.

The funny thing about my threepeat calling is that this isn't the only one that it has happened with. Enrichment and CTR 5's are the other two callings that I have done 3 times. Isn't that funny. I guess I love repetition. I think maybe I just need 3 chances. They always say the 3rd time's the charm. So maybe I will actually get it right this time.

Wish me luck and if I am never home when you call now you know where I will be.

Curious About My Chocolate

What Your Taste in Chocolate Says About You

You are sweet, mellow, and easily satisfied. You don't like anything too intense and dramatic. Deep down, you're a kid at heart... and you're nostalgic for the past. You are mellow, spiritual, and philosophical. You are a true humanitarian. You enjoy helping people. Your heart can be too open at times. You sometimes over-extend yourself. You love being by yourself and thinking. Developing your own theories and ideas is fun. You feel lost when you're forced to be social. Being with other people can be lonely for you.

The Chocolate Oracle

I am a chocoholic and when I saw this questionnaire I thought this one is for me. So I guess this is what my chocolate says about me. Hmmmmmm

I totally agree with most of this except for the last part. I love being with other people and no I don't feel lonely. Unless I am secretly repressing something ...but then that would require therapy and I don't have time for that.

Blog Makeover

Anyone who knows me knows that I hate making decisions. I am just not good at it. I don't know why for sure but I'm just going to blame it on genetics. It takes me way too long to decide what I want and then I just get mad at myself because I think it is just so dumb to not be able to make a decision on my own. I know it's a terrible disease...luckily not contagious so don't worry.


Well, I found myself at a small decision making crossroads - whether or not to fancy up my blog which seems to be all the rage. I am not one that likes to fall into the peer pressure thing but when I look at all these cute blogs I just think alright I am going to do it. Unfortunately I can be pretty easily swayed, another bad disease. The worst part for me is which cutie pie layout to pick. There are some really cute ones to choose from people.


In my panic mode of too many choices I decided that I may not have to settle on just one(technically this is considered a decision even if it is a weak one....hurray for me). I am going to try out a few different styles over the next few weeks and see what I fancy the most. So my decision problem over for the moment (sweet relief) and I think it might be fun.


And if I ever learn how to use my Photoshop better I may just surprise my blog by putting a cute header with pictures and fancies on it like all the cute ones I see out there. Not that I have time to just fancy up my blog all the time but this is kind of a keeping up with the Jones' world and I know I can't keep up so I will just try to walk behind in the shadow.

So who knows what you will get when you check out my blog next time.
I do love a good mystery.

The Blankie

I haven't quite figured out the extreme attachment someone can get to one specific thing. What makes an item so appealing that you just can't live without it. I guess I've never really had anything that special to me to understand what it is like. Chase and Kiana never got attached to a binkie or the bottle or anything for that matter(well unless you consider my boobs but even after a few months that wasn't appealing to them anymore). So I didn't think anything of wrapping McKenna in a super soft pink blanket when she was born. It was cute, pink and velvety smooth and I thought she might like it to sleep or be cuddled up in.

It didn't take her long to get attached to that blanket and it probably didn't help matters that I used it as her sleeping blanket. Well as she grew instead of sucking on her thumb(which she tried) or sucking on a binkie(which I really wanted her to try) she began sucking on this pink blankie. Which I feel was a bit odd but who's to take something away from a crying baby.......EXACTLY!

Fast forward 3 years and that blankie is the most valuable thing we own in this house. If she doesn't have it before bed - look out! If she gets hurt the first thing she wants is that blankie(what ever happened to Mommy's kisses making it all better). If we are going somewhere and we might be gone for a while the rule is ALWAYS grab the blankie. The sad thing is this once beautiful pink blanket is not so beautiful and pink anymore. It doesn't matter how many times I have washed it the hours of sucking on it right after eating chocolate has really taken its toll (Did I say chocolate ...I meant green vegetables). It doesn't matter how dirty or stinky I think it is it is heaven to one little girl. Even to the point that the eyes roll back in her head when she gets to put it in her mouth. And I'm not talking a corner of it either it is a whole mouth full until I think she could gag herself. If you have seen it you know what I mean. Quite funny actually.

I have thought many times I definitely have to break her of this blankie thing someday. But how to go about it is a mystery to me. It is such a part of her life that I am afraid I would scar her if it just came up missing one day. So until she hands it over and says "Mom I don't need this anymore" (like that is ever going to happen) I guess the blankie will remain the most valuable thing in our house.

Do you see the pure joy in her eyes

.....it is all because she has her you-know-what.

So now if you ever see me carrying around something that looks like a pink blankie you will know why (and it has nothing to do with me not being the boss at my house) :)

Don't answer the phone

Note to self - when someone from the ward calls whom you don't know very well it means they want you to do something so ....don't answer the phone.


I mean I really already knew this. It happens time and time again. But I don't like to be rude especially after they have already called and left a message and this is the second call. I didn't know who this person was so I couldn't even prepare myself for what they might be wanting. And why do people have to be so vague on their messages just say what you want so I know if I want to call you back or answer your phone call. I hate the "this is so and so, give me a call, my number is" and then the hang up. Why should I call you back I don't know what you want. I can't purposefully call you back knowing I could be fed to the lions. No, if they really want something from me they need to tell me right then or more than likely they will have to make that second call


So then it is the debate when that second call comes to really answer it if indeed you are home. Which unfortunately I was. I have to say in my defense though that I did hesitate and there were at least three rings almost four which would have gone to the voice mail had I hesitated longer. So like a dumby I answer it and here is this sweet older ladies voice on the other end explaining to me that she had heard in my talk in church(which who answers the phone when the Bishop calls - of course that would be my DH apparently he doesn't know the phone rules although he got in trouble the last time he answered a Bishops call...go figure) that I sang with my sisters growing up. (This info. I gave in my talk has gotten me into more trouble than I ever imagined I have already been called out on it before so beware what you say in your talks but that could totally be another post)


Then she asked if I sang solos, which I quickly replied "yes I have BUT not so much anymore, I'm much more comfortable in a group or choir setting". So at this point I thought ok I think I am good. She must be in charge of the musical numbers for the ward. Which I am ok with I do enjoy a good song.


Then she asks about Jon and his singing abilities. Alright maybe she just wants ask us to join choir which she did plug for about 5 minutes. So ok phone call should be over.


Then she asks if I play an instrument. I really felt like there were already too many questions at this point but then I couldn't be rude and not answer so I said piano but not really all that much. Then she delved deeper into if I could play hymns. I said a few but with a lot of practice time. This is getting a bit too personal.


Then she asked if I can lead music. Yes I can lead (enough already). Ah ha she perks right up and says great could you lead in church this Sunday? I'm like what? This Sunday? Lead in RS? No, this would be in Sacrament meeting. Oh curses, this is no innocent call... what have I done.


I tell her well I have lead in RS and Primary I'm not sure if I have lead in Sacrament though(trying my best to dissuade her). Oh it's not any different she says. Uh ya it is! There are like a million people more. So of course I agree to do it because I am nice like that.


Then she gives me the songs. First two are easy I know them so no problem then she rattles off the last one and I am like what? I have never heard this song. Curses. So now I am stuck with not only getting to church on time, which for us is impossible, but I also have to look like I know what I am doing up in front of EVERYBODY.


I know this is nothing major and I am not going to die by doing it but it's definitely a lesson learned. Hence the note to self...next time someone from the ward calls that you don't know DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE.... (and of course I probably will).

Happy Birthday Dad

It has been 11 1/2 yrs. since I have been able to say Happy Birthday to my dad. But there is not a year that goes by that I don't think about him when his birthday rolls around. I think about how much I miss his smile and his laughter and his silly made up songs. He was always such a hard worker and busy most of the time so there wasn't always time for fun but when there was and he was happy and laughing it was contagious. I just wish my kids could have known that about him too.

So, Happy Birthday Dad, I'm sure your having a better party up there anyway. I love you!!!

And yes, that is my Chase. One of the few precious moments they had together. (salty tears...must go)

Where oh where has the excitement gone

I told myself the minute I decided to create a blog nothing exciting would ever happen in my life and I would have nothing to blog about. Case in point the last few days I have waited for that moment when something great would take place and I could think - Oh I just can't wait to blog about this. But alas nothing. No funny comment from my kids to make fun of, no tragic event to speak of (thank goodness), not even me falling down the stairs to mention. I thought maybe I could talk about my workouts(which the step class did kick my butt today) but I have already posted about working out. Maybe I really am as boring as I am finding out. Come on Pam there has got to be something else. So here I sit pondering and thinking. Maybe I could just make something up. Nah that wouldn't work. I'm really not creative enough to spin a wild tale of romance and intrigue and who am I kidding my loyal readers would see right through it they all know me too well. I'm just sure something fabulous is going to happen soon though and if not, for the sake of my blog, I will make it happen. So until then I will wait and leave much anticipation for that next spectacular event in my life that is worth blogging about.

2 hours of torture

Jon always asks me why I don't do more of the shopping during the day instead of waiting til he gets home(I'm pretty sure he thinks that I am trying to avoid him or something, I do feel guilt for leaving when he gets home so most times I make him tag along with me for so called "quality time"). I always forget the answer to his question and think "yeah I guess I should get it done during the day"...until I do something crazy like take my 3 yr old to the store. The answer comes rushing back as I endure the painful experience. I think I let enough time go by between episodes that I slowly forget what happened last time and that it really isn't a good idea(kind of like having a baby, isn't it amazing how we can forget the pain and nine months of ugh and get excited to do it all over again) well I'm pretty sure the shopping experience has the same effect.

So I thought to myself I will just run into Ross (first mistake - note to self don't think). I knew exactly what I wanted and needed so this should be fast right (second mistake - apparently I was still thinking). What should have been a 1/2 hr. - hour tops stop turned into a 2 hr. torture test of patience and act nice parenting while others are watching skills. All I have to say is no matter what under no circumstances do not let your toddler out of the cart. This is where the downfall behavior begins. At first things seem alright(false sense of security I assure you). Then there is the "please stay by Mommy" sweetly stated. Along with "come back here please" do you like how please is still interjected in this early phase. There was a quick game of hide and seek among this time as well. Mostly her hiding and me seeking of course. Whatever you do do not pass by children's toys, clothes or shoes. BIG mistake. Off come the shoes to try on every pair in sight(I will give her a little space on this one she is a girl). Try to avoid the dressing room also this is another trap of torture. Of course my little darling wants to try on something too. And of course she insists that she pick it out, expect to stay in that department for awhile. "No that isn't your size", "I said only one sweety", "Please just pick something already".

The dressing room is another phase completely. Were talking small space - loud voice and it isn't always what you want to hear. Like "Mom I see your underwear". Not to mention the almost opening of the door while in undress and the looking under of the stall. Sorry neighbor stall lady. The 1 item that I did allow her to try on I thought was a brilliant idea until it was time to take it off. Then when I did coax it off of her she wouldn't get dressed. She just kept sticking out her bum at the mirror and said (always with the loud voice) "Mom, look at my bum bum"giggle, giggle. At this point much time has passed and I am extremely irritated. There is absolutely no luring her back into the cart the snacks where gone 5min. into the store and who needs shoes at this point. They mop there floors right? I just want to get to the front of the store as quickly as possible so I ditch the dress that she tried on(I never intended to buy it) and we hurry off. But apparently she is no oblivious 3 yr. old she looked our cart up and down and realized that dress wasn't there. Arms fold in a huff and she starts back toward the dressing room. AAAAHHHHHH! I am starting all bribery at this point. "I will give you a special prize later if you will just come with mommy." It worked, well enough to get to the front of the store. This is when she insists that I hold her. Standing in line waiting alright I think I can handle this. Unfortunately you need two hands to properly check out so I try to put her down and I get the tight arms around the neck and the dreaded leg lift. Need I remind anyone about the loud voice. I insist that I can't hold her the checkout lady is waiting and watching. She lets go in a huff and walks away. At this point if I can see a glimpse, hear her voice and watch the doors I am feeling pretty good. Checkout really was the quickest thing in the store. Hallelujah for that. You may think this is the end, I have made it, that wasn't so bad. Well getting out the door and into the car was a whole other test that I wasn't aware was required. The test goes something like this. With a smile on your face(people are still watching) chase down your daughter with a big purse and bag in your hand oh and don't forget her shoes. Then get out of the store and proceed to carry your screaming child with everything else(dang Ross doesn't believe in letting their carts outside) to the car. Find the keys, open the door, avoid the fist and fight for your life to get the buckle of the car seat fastened. Shut the door and wipe the sweat off your brow take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that you are not going to forget this. Well at least until I somehow magically forget.

And this is why I magically forget. How can you not love a face like that? The sweetness is all there. And I guess if I have to experience the 2 hrs. of torture every few weeks to have this pure joy then bring it on.

You just wait

til you see me in 3 months.
That is all the time I am giving myself to get this big behind end into shape. Well, that is all the time I have at the gym but I'm hoping that it will be enough time to give me a new excitement about getting back to and being in shape when I don't have the gym anymore. It has been since I had McKenna 3 years ago that I really have gone downhill and I can't stand it anymore. I was really thinking the losing of the metabolism wasn't going to happen to me (who died and made me queen...apparently nobody) and I hear it only gets worse. I am also the worst junk food eater so if I don't do something now....ya the picture in your head is probably the one I have too. Gross huh?
So my friend Jo and I started our 3 month trial at the gym today :) I am proud to say we made it though the sales pitch portion of our first day (which we were both dreading)and we didn't even cave into the year commitment which for us is a big deal. Maybe we shouldn't be so proud I'm sure a year would be much better for us but who can commit to something so far in advance. What if I break my leg and am out for 3 month not to mention I have commitment phobia on things that I don't know if I will like. We did flounder a bit not knowing what to start on but all in all I think our first day was successful. We did end up sweating and I think that is always a good sign. There was a bit of a blonde moment when we lost 50cents in the locker room because we couldn't figure out the locker key but we decided we got such a great deal on the trial that we could spare the extra cash (so maybe it was just a semi blonde moment).

Tomorrow is personal trainer day, yeah the yucky weigh in and body measurements day. Very scary but necessary I suppose. I don't really want to know the whole truth and nothing but the truth but this is what I get for letting myself go. I will endure the bad to hopefully get to the good.

So why am I blogging about this?... well
1. it is part of my life right now and that is what blogging is about right??? and
2. I want to be motivated and knowing that you all know now and will be expecting to see results has now added that extra motivation.
At this point I need all the help I can get. I am just glad I have someone wonderful to go with.

P.S. A special thanks to beautiful Kelly, you are the one who made this all happen. Maybe we can share sweat space someday? I promise I will try to keep my sweat to myself :)

Trash to Treasure Continued

I am not one who likes to wait long (eg. August is way too far away to wait for the 4th book in the Twilight series people) so I will just finish with my re-purposing tale so as not to be so cruel.

This project came about by a few different factors. One being the Pottery Barn catalog... I mean who wouldn't want any of the fabulous stuff you see in there. Although I could never bring myself to actually pay those prices. I do have a great love for trying to copy some of their stuff. The other factor was my fabulous family in Utah. Locker systems work and I have seen it in their fancy new homes. I loved the idea of a place for all the kids stuff whether it be their school or sports stuff. So with a great idea and the actual picture from a magazine I went to my sweet, most helpful hubby and laid out my plans. At first we had it in our minds to make it from scratch until one day when we were cleaning in the garage and came across our not 1 but 3 old ugly bookcases that I refused to put into our new home. They had also served their purpose in Jon's office eons ago and then were a useful eyesore in our last house. But I just couldn't do it again.
Here is a picture of what they looked like (the internet is amazing when you need a picture of something. This looks just like the ones we had)


So here they sat taking up too much room in the garage and that's when the lightbulb went off. Ah ha I had it. These were about to be our new lockers. I explained my vision to Jon who seemed to think that it was a good idea. Woo Hoo! Anytime I can get him to see my vision usually means the project will get done. I will give all the measuring, cutting, nailing, painting credit to my dear hubby because he really ended up doing most of the work. He even went the extra mile and made a shoe holder to go with it. Gotta love those handy men. So it sits in my garage with a new purpose now and I love it. It may not look as good as Pottery Barns but it was free and you can't beat that. Anyway, here is the picture of the finished project. (Sorry the picture isn't all that good but you get the idea).


No more "mom, where are my shoes?", no more "mom, where is my backpack?", no more "mom, where is my jacket?" and no more messy house ....who am I kidding that would take much more than a few lockers.

So for now my projects complete....well at least until I stumble upon my next junkie garage treasure.

Trash to Treasure

I have had a few requests for pictures of the projects I have been working on. So I thought I would share. Viewer discretion advised: if you are into fancy home decor that only the highest price tag can afford you may not want to look.

I am probably the biggest cheapskate that I know of (OK I do know a few others but their names will go unmentioned) and my motto is how can I make something for less. So after moving into a new home with no extra money and old furniture I was in makeover overdrive. Not to mention some of the things that I previously had didn't match my new darker wood home. Example - I had a sofa table and two end tables that were in great shape but didn't match. I figured if I tried something and ruined it I wouldn't be too sad because I more than likely would have D.I.ed them anyway. So with multiple cans of black spray paint and a whole lot of hope I went to work and here are my results.


I included a before picture for your viewing pleasure....




What they look like now:

I sanded down the edges to get that very in shabby chic look. I love how they turned out and it was dirt cheap. Mission accomplished.

Then my next project surfaced as an old ugly brown (not the cute famous browns of today) 8 1/2 x 11 paper holder that Jon had used in an office ages ago which had been collecting dust in our garage for so long that I thought for sure he wouldn't even let me move it here. But I knew it had some potential and I was going to find out what it was. So with some more spray paint in hand and a bit of creative cutting and tweaking it became my 12x12 scrapbook paper holder. SOOOOOO much cuter than before.

Sorry, no before picture on this one.

I love it when my crazy ideas actually turn out.

I do have one more project that I will display but that will have to be the next post. For now it is the dreaded......to be continued.

Reality TV at its best

These days I can hardly wait for the 7:00 hour because that is when my Reality begins. Reality TV that is.

Monday (sadly I have to admit that FHE has to begin and end before 7 or Mom is the one throwing the tantrum). Dancing With the Stars starts the week off followed by the funniest Bachelor yet with his English accent and all(a man with an accent - I'm swooning).
Tuesday brings me the biggest night ever with the flipping at commercials and the VCR recording (yes we still live in the stone age) just to watch all my faves because American Idol, Biggest Loser and Dancing Results shows are all on.
Wednesday does not disappoint with American Idols Results show but that's where the week tends to go downhill until...
Thursday brings back my Grey's Anatomy which the countdown is on. Only 2 more weeks. I know Grey's is not a Reality show but you can't live in the real world all the time ...and can you get any better than the eye candy on that show - I don't think so.
Friday is a bust nothing good on so I just have Jon take me out(which I'll admit is better than any TV show) :)
Saturdays don't need TV shows they are more for watching good movies.
Sunday is AFV - still laugh even if it's a rerun. Extreme Makeover Home Edition - still cry. Oprah's Big Give - great Sunday show with all that service and giving, and the Newlyweds - only one show left, boo.

Well, that sums up my week of too much TV and lots of entertainment.
Now that I write all this down I see that I may have a slight addiction. Oh well at least I admit it and isn't that the first step to recovery?!!!!