LIFE

I have been so bad this year about blogging. It has been an extremely hard year for me. I have had some hard trials, but I am finally to the point where I can say things are good. I am so glad to be alive. I have the greatest family a girl could have. My kids are extremely great!!! AJ( Elder Glad) has almost been gone a full year, but it has seemed longer than that. Todd is doing great. He is going to college and working at Pizza factory. Karrilyn is also going to college and helping out every chance she can. Angela is actually going on her first date this weekend. My kids teach me something each and every day. We have so much fun together.

Even though this year has been real tough for me, I have learned so much from it all and I am a better person. Todd just received his Eagle Award and I need to blog about it. I know. We have some great pictures about it. I also got a new kitchen and just love it. I have my braces still and can't wait until they come off, if that will ever happen. This year we went to Disney World again and it was so fun, just like a fairy tale. Mike is in the middle of many transitions in his life and we don't know what will happen at this time, but we are along for some bumpy roads.

I was just released from my two callings and called to be the Primary President of our ward. I was thrilled. I love Primary and especially the kids. I hope I can make a difference in their lives. I have the best counselors and secretary and I already just love them to pieces. This calling came at a time when I really needed it. I am so thankful. I have been subbing in many schools and I still just really enjoy it. The kids are SO fun and I just love it when they run up to me in the hall and give me a big hug. Yes it is worth it. More than anything I have learned to live each day to the fullest. I have tried to do this. I love my kids and wonderful husband so much. It is so nice to know that I can be with my family for eternity. We are a team and together we can make it back to heaven.

We all have missed our Elder Glad but he is doing SO good that I just want to scream from the housetops. Thank you thank you, for watching over my Elder. I love him so much and long for the day to get my BEAR hug from my AJ Bear. I sure love being a mom, I can't imagine my life without my kids and my hubby that is my biggest chearleader. He has been beside me this whole year as I have dealt with LIFE.

I am so thankful for who I am and how I have come to be ME.

My TODDEROO, it is your day!

I am so excited, my family gave me a copier/scanner/printer for my birthday and it is great because I can actually post pictures of my older kids. Yeah!!!


Today is my son, Todd's 18th birthday. I can't believe it. Todd is so awesome. This picture is one of my favorite pictures of him. Isn't he adorable???

This is one of his baby pictures. He was such a delight as a baby and still is.

Here is a picture of Todd last year. He has grown up so much. Todd can do anything. I remember when he was in sixth grade and they presented him with the Hope of America award, I was so proud I could just burst. Todd, is great because he treats everyone the same. He believes in being nice to everyone.

I would never believe it now but when Todd was in first grade, he would cry because he didn't want to go to school. Now he has just graduated from high school and he already has his Associates at the college and is going on as a Junior. He just got his first job and is working at Pizza factory. Todd is one of my best friends. I remember when he was a baby thinking he was so beautiful that he must be a girl, because he was such a beautiful baby.

I am SO thankful that I am lucky to be his mom. As Todd always says," Mom, I know I made a good choice in my best friend." I love you Todd, I just wish you weren't so grown up so fast. Have a super day, you deserve it.

I Wish

This year has been quite the adventure. SO many things going on and I am not being very good to write or update any of it. I must say part of that is because it has been a year of hard trials for me, but I won't go into that because it really doesn't matter.

I finally graduated, Todd graduated from high school, my baby got her driver's license. My husband just bought his first real fun toy for him since we have been married, a Spyder motorcycle. I had braces put on my teeth. We just got a new kitchen a couple of months ago and we got to go on one of the funnest vacations of all. We went to Disney World for ten days. It was so fun.

Among all of the main events that have happened in our lives, it has been a hard year. I have struggled with so many things. Some of them very personal and other ones just stupid. It has been hard on me to see all of my kids grow up. I will be sad when they all move away. They are my life, what I have worked for my entire life and my love. Along with this trial, there have been many others along the way but I won't even start into them. I have learned a lot from all of these. I have learned to trust in my Heavenly Father and that things aren't going to be easy at all but that he is there to help me along the way. I have learned how important real friends and close family is and that we are here for a reason. I have learned how hard it is to see your kids struggle with life and their many trials that they have to be put through.

I love my life, but I have learned that this year has been a testing time for me and I am sure it is not over. Can I meet up or do I give in? I know my answer. I hope you have gained new ambition in your life and in your trials, because I have also learned that everyone have trials and they may look harder or easier than our own but they are just as hard to that person.

I have also learned how much I cherish the perfect day!!! and how in a small way the imperfect day are important too but just not cherished as nearly as much.

I also feel like I am in this body that doesn't feel this old but is starting to look this old and how did I get to this point, because I still feel like I should be 25 or 28. I am so excited for all I have learned and for each new day and for the time I have to spend with those I love.

I know this has been a big blog of rambling, but this blog is for me to be as a journal and sometimes you have to figure no one really cares but these are things that I need to write. Thanks to all of you who do REALLY care, it means a lot.

I bet you can't top that ONE!!!

In May, my Todd graduated from Cedar High School. I just can't believe it. If you don't know Todd, you should because he is amazing!!! Todd has worked so hard in school. He graduated with an Associates at Southern Utah University before he graduated from high school. He graduated with a 3.9 GPA. He was also the computer Sterling Scholar for Cedar High. Todd was in the Honors Society for all years and also went to Success Academy every day for four years. Todd was also on the Cross Country Team and he was involved in seminary. Yes, and he is a great son and friend. We were so proud of him. His graduation was another special day for us this year.

Can you see all of the stuff he has hanging on him. I know that is because of his hard work.

Todd with his two sisters. They just adore him.

THis is a picture of Todd with his Grandma and Grandpa Covington who were able to come down for his graduation. We felt so happy they were able to make it and help us celebrate Todd.

Have you ever given a gift and hoped that the person would love it. Well, we gave Todd Leatherby's ice cream with Leatherby's carmel for his birthday and you can't get it here in Cedar city so we had to have it delivered by my parents. Todd has been saying all I want is Leatherby's ice cream but all the time just kidding.

Well you can tell how thrilled he was to get ice cream. I think it was worth the effort.

Here is another reaction to Leatherby's ice cream and carmel. Todd we love you and you made it all worth it. You are so awesome and will really make a big difference in this world.

Better Late than Never

This year has been filled with many many eventful days. I would have to say one of the highlights of our year is back the end of April when I graduated with my bachelors in Elementary Education and was able to graduate with two of my children. Todd and Karrilyn both received their Associates degree the same day. We were able to walk together when we graduated. It was awesome. Todd graduated from college before he even graduated from high school, which is another great even for this year.

I have been so much of a slacker, this year has been hard and I felt like I needed to try to get at least some of the most important things blogged about.

This day was so exciting for me. I never thought I would actually go back to school and graduate with my bachelors and I DID IT. I have always had the dream to be a teacher. I hope that now I can find a job as a teacher.

This picture is of Karrilyn(my oldest daughter), Todd( my 17 old son), and I am in the middle. It was such a beautiful day. I couldn't have asked for more.

Karrilyn on graduation day. She is so happy, which you can tell by this picture.

This is of Todd on graduation day. He is such a cutie. I am so proud of both of them. They have worked SO hard.

Here is a picture of me with my two sisters, Kami and Kristi and my two kids that graduated with me. This day was very special. My mom and dad came down for the graduation and Mike's parents did also. We also had my two sisters come down and Kami actually brought her two kids too and then Mike's sister and brother in law( Anna and Fuzzy) came down too. It was a day I will never forget.

The Pickle Jar

I know this post is a little long but it impressed me and I wanted to share. This reminded me of the impact that my parents have made on me by their many ways of teaching me through the years. This story totally sounds like something my own dad would do. He was all about teaching us about life and helping us along the way. I love you mom and dad.


The Pickle Jar

The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom.
When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar.
As a small boy, I was always fascinated at the sounds the coins made as they were dropped into the jar.
They landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as the jar was filled.
I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar to admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom window.
When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the bank.
Taking the coins to the bank was always a big production.
Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck.
Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me hopefully.
'Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill, son.
You're going to do better than me.
This old mill town's not going to hold you back.'
Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier, he would grin proudly. These are for my son's college fund.
He'll never work at the mill all his life like me.'
We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping for an ice cream cone.
I always got chocolate. Dad always got vanilla.
When the clerk at the ice cream parlour handed Dad his change, he would show me the few coins nestled in his palm.
'When we get home, we'll start filling the jar again.' He always let me drop the first coins into the empty jar.
As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other.
'You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters,' he said. But you'll get there; I'll see to that.'
No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even the summer when Dad got laid off from the mill,and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was taken from the jar.
To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than ever to make a way out for me 'When you finish college, Son,' he told me, his eyes glistening, 'You'll never have to eat beans again - unless you want to.'
The years passed, and I finished college and took a job in another town.
Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose and had been removed.
A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood.
My dad was a man of few words: he never lectured me on the values of determination, perseverance, and faith.
The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the most flowery of words could have done.
When I married, I told my wife Susan about the significant part the lowly pickle jar had played in my life as a boy.
In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had loved me.
The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild.
Jessica began to whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms.
'She probably needs to be changed,' she said, carrying the baby into my parents' bedroom to diaper her. When Susan came back into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes.
She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into the room.
'Look,' she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor beside the dresser.
To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins.
I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins.
With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the coins into the jar.
I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slipped quietly into the room.
Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt.
Neither one of us could speak. This truly touched my heart.
Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings.
Never underestimate the power of your actions.

Some days I wonder, why can't life be a little easier!!!

I wonder why...

Why do mother's hearts ache for their children when they know they are doing what is right?

Why do children grow up so fast and not want to snuggle like they once used to?

Why can't a parent when they have given everything to show their love for their children still feel like the child doesn't see it?

Why do boys have to leave for a wonderful mission to still have their mother long each and every day to hold her son again?

Why can't we see the whole picture and know how it will all play out?

Why do we have to have our closest friends move away or us move away when they have so deeply touched our soul and we miss them always?

Why can't we understand that we each are trying to help each other and never would on purpose hurt others?

Why when we pray does it seem like that usually we don't get the answer to prayers that we want?

Why can't we express our deepest love in a way that is best understandable?

I sometimes wonder, why can't life just be easier, even though I know the reasons.

WHY?????

Just Get Back Up

This is the story of MY life.

I had an experience last week that I just need to write about because some day it might just help my kids to hear this story.

It was fast and testimony meeting at church and the spirit just kept telling me to get up and bear my testimony, but I kept avoiding it. It is hard for me to get up but I finally gave in. I started to walk up the aisle as my heart was pounding and all of a sudden I realized that my whole leg was asleep and I figured just keep walking it will shake out. Well, needless to say it didn't.

All of a sudden I went flying through the air. I have always imagined if I fell that I would not remember anything but that wasn't the case. I remember seeing everything going flying as I flew through the air. It was scary. Before I knew it I realized that I was on the floor and that I hadn't broken anything that I could tell.

I remember thinking to myself what do I do now. I just have made a fool of myself and the whole bishopric looked like they were going to have a heart attack. Well, I put on a fake smile and walked the rest of the way up to the pulpit and bore my testimony. The first thing I said was "if you were asleep you aren't now". I can't believe after all of that I was able to get up and bear my testimony. How humiliating, how humbling!!!!

When I sat down, my husband asked me if I broke anything. I replied, " just my pride." It was a very hard day for me. I just kept thinking about what I fool I had made of myself. I know that I am a little crazy but to have everyone know it now, was not what I had in mind.

I hope that I can always remember and teach my children that when you fall and you will so many times, you need to get up and do your best and make the best of the situation. As a little girl, this is one of the things I remember most about what my dad taught me was that you can't just stay down. You HAVE TO GET BACK UP!!! This summer has been a very, very hard one on me and maybe it is for me that I had this happen, so I can remember I just need to not give up but get back UP!!!!

My Happiness, My Joy

This is a picture of my family. We had pictures taken just before AJ left in December and I am so GLAD that we did. This picture says it all.
My family is my happiness, and my joy. Without them I wouldn't be anything. They have been my life, my job, my ambition for over 24 years. Each day brings new challenges and also many great rejoices. This last year has been so hard to have AJ gone but it has made us grow stronger and closer together, it has strengthened us. I can't say it has been great but I wouldn't want it any other way. Many times I find myself looking around and wondering why and I know it is because there is someone missing. AJ is with us wherever we go.
I truly am blessed to have the greatest kids. I must say they are not perfect but pretty close. There are days that I say is it all worth it but they keep reminding me constantly in so many ways that it has all been worth it.

Many years ago, I decided to stay home and not work and be with our kids as they grew up. At that time it was very hard for me because I am quite social, but I do not regret any day spending with them. They are my everything. Our family has been blessed so much by this great opportunity that I had to stay home. We haven't been the richest but we have always had what we needed and my kids know that mom is there for them. I hope and pray that I have done and taught them everything that they need to know for this life. I greatly miss my kids being small and easy to snuggle with and hold but I am so glad for the great adults they are becoming and the love that they share to those around them. I hope somewhere they have learned a little from me being there for them. I am very GLAD to be a Glad.

The Glad Life

Life around here has been crazy. We keep waiting for Spring and it doesn't seem to be coming any time soon, but we decided to take an afternoon and go up to Kolob Canyon. It was beautiful even though it is still really cold. What a beautiful drive.


Easter has come and gone and we did enjoy. My kids even though they are big still enjoy getting candy and having a Easter hunt. It was a great day to remember the resurrection of our Savior one of the greatest gifts we are given. This year Easter was also on General Conference weekend. What an extra treat. I can't remember a year when I felt we were taught better than this year. It was so great. I am always reminded of how much more I need to do as a mother and how much I haven't done but at least it gives me something to work towards. We all were thinking about AJ and hoping his Easter was great. He told us that he actually received an Easter basket from one of the families in Ohio. We also sent him an Easter basket. We sure miss our missionary, our AJ BEAR.

At our house it is always a tradition to have yummy treats for General Conference and it is also for Easter so this year we had an extra amounts of treats. What can we say. We all need to diet now.

Todd has been real busy with Sterling Scholar preparations for months now and it finally all came to an end last week. He has been having mock interviews, putting together his portfolio and many other things to get ready for it. We even bought him a suit. He looks so handsome. One of the last things we had to do to prepare him was to get his hair cut. He wasn't real excited about this but he knew it needed to be done.
Here are some before and after shots of his hair cut.

Before

After ( does he look happy about it???)

What a handsome looking guy. Todd is such an exceptional kid, young man. We went to Dixie State College last week and had a dinner and then program where they presented the Sterling Scholars that won for regional competition. Todd didn't win the regional competition but we sure thought he should have. You can tell he is a little stressed. He looks so awesome. Times like this is payment for moms. I can't believe that I have such an awesome young man. What would we do without him and his great desire to excel and give the best in every thing that he does. Todd you are a winner!!!

This last Saturday we also had the chance to go out and show how slow we really can run, just kidding. We had to do our annual 5K ROTC run. I actually felt like I had trained for it this year and it has been a while since I have felt prepared for it. It was a great run to do with my kids. We ran up Canyon Park trail. The bad part about that is it is almost all uphill and I am an old lady and those hills are really hard to run up. This is a tradition that we have been doing for about six years now.

I actually placed third place. That was kind of nice. This made me think twice about possibly doing the Cedar City half marathon in a couple of months but not sure I am up for it.

OTHER: A little more about life here in the Glad home. AJ is doing good on his mission. Our highlight is hearing from him on his email every week.

I have been trying to substitute and not getting as many calls as I used to. I really need something to do. I have been feeling quite lonely during the day and just not feeling needed. I hope to find a job for this next year, I hope you are all praying for me. I need something to keep me busy and I don't think getting pregnat is an option.

I am getting used to my braces, and I can actually eat. I do get tired of carrying around my food when I eat, always very self conscious of if there is food in them after eating out. I actually lost weight too. That is an added bonus.

We are starting to plan our graduation that is coming up in three weeks. Todd, Karrilyn and I will all be walking at SUU. I am getting my bachelors degree and Todd and Karrilyn are getting their Associates degree. This is such a big accomplishment for all of us. It will be quite an experience to have my kids get to graduate with me. I sure love them and I am so proud of them. Now for arrangements for graduation. I need to decide what to feed my family that is coming in for the graduation. ANY IDEAS???

In COLOR

Our family had family pictures taken and Mike and I also decided to have our picture taken together. I know that I have posted one of us but it was without color. I really love this picture of us.
I can't believe how much I TOTALLY love this man, even after all of these years!!!!

He is the Man

As most of you know, my son Todd was made Sterling Scholar at Cedar High School. Last week they had a special banquet for him and all of the other sterling scholars. This is him with his new suit on. He wasn't excited to have a suit but he sure looks handsome. Sterling Scholar was sure a lot more work than we all figured it would be. They each have to come up with a portfolio and then they also had to take part in the banquet that they had. Todd being over Computer Technology was in charge of the video for the Sterling Scholars. He did a great job. We are so proud of you Todd and all of your many hours of work. You are truly amazing. You will go far with this kind of ambition. Good luck at region.

So Here You Have It

So here you have it, I have been TAGGED. I really don't know why because my life isn't that interesting but Sherrie that she can tell that I am needing ideas to blog about. I haven't been tagged for a while and many times I am not too good at actually doing it , but how can I say no to Sherrie.

Here is how this meme goes. It is called Picture This.
Here are the instructions:
1. Go to my Pictures.
2. Open the first folder.
3. Post the tenth picture and tell the picture about it.
4. Tag 4 people.

So here goes:

This picture was on AJ's 13 birthday. He looks so young and of course I love writing about my AJ.( as well as all of my kids) He is so cute.

Here are the pictures that go with the day. He had a swimming birthday party with some friends and of course our swimming parties were always out at Camp Williams because Mike worked there for years and it was so nice and so cheap. You can see that it looks like we have the entire pool to ourselves.

This picture is of Angela and AJ at the party. Don't they look so young. Where did my babies go?

In this picture is one of AJ's best friends and he is coming home from his mission next month. His mom is still one of my very best friends. Man this brings back so many memories of my kids when they were young and my close friends that I miss.

Thanks Sherrie for making me do this and think about my kids.

And now I am tagging four friends of mine so go and check their blogs out:

Kristi

Rachel

Rae

Kristin

Finally the Pictures...

Yes, I actually have posted my braces/new hair picture all in one. This was at the end of last week. You can tell that I definitely have braces and that my hair is a little darker.
What do you think???

Braces for me

Ok, well I did take pictures of me and my braces but I look awful so I guess I will just tell you about them.
I finally did it. I had braces put on this week on my teeth. I was very nervous but I have always wanted straight teeth. Two of my kids have had braces and Angela still has hers on. I went in on Wednesday morning and they put them on. It took about an hour. It wasn't too bad until I decided to try to eat something. I was a little nauseated when I got home so I just had chicken noodle soup for lunch.
It is now Friday and it hasn't been too bad but they are definitely pretty sore and I keep taking the Tylenol to help it out but I really miss food that isn't pudding or mashed potatoes. Everyone keeps saying it will be worth it and that I will never regret it. I hope so. Fourteen to Sixteen months sounds like a very long time. I just hope I can actually bite down on something yummy in the next four weeks. This will get real old real fast. I think if I have too much ice cream I could put on more weight than I really want to. The only good thing right now is that people say it makes me look like a teenager. Is that good?
What yummy food can I eat today??? I will probably just starve.

Skiing at Brianhead

Have you ever seen one of those photos of people when they are out in the snow or go skiing and it just makes you cold? Well here is one of those.
Mike took Todd skiing to Brian Head a couple of weeks ago and of course it was a day that the rest of us had to work and go to school. It was a stormy day and they were getting snowed on as they were skiing. Mike definitely took a hold of some of it on his face. Brrrr.

They had so much powder that it was harder than normal for them to ski. They had a great time, even though the weather was not the greatest. I am so glad that they were able to go skiing together especially when they are so busy with everything else going on in Mike's and Todd's life right now.

My Valentine Baby

Sixteen years ago, my Valentine Baby was born. Angela Nicole Glad. She was born the day after Valentine's day. I was so thrilled to get her here and have loved every minute of her being with our family. She adds so much excitement, happiness, and drama to our family. Angela cares about everyone and will always stick up for the underdog. She doesn't want anyone to feel unloved or left out. She is very talented but works hard at everything. She still plays the flute and the piano. She is in Success Academy for part of the day an if she keeps it up she will graduate with her associates at the college when she graduates from high school. She just finished Driver's Ed and is so excited to get her license if we ever get enough hours for her to get it.
On her birthday, some of her friends decided to surprise her and meet us at Brad's Food Hut for lunch. We never go there so we had to find a way to make it sound like it was just a fun place to try. She went for it and when we walked in her friends were there waiting for her. They paid for her lunch and they chatted for quite a while, then we drove them to see Percy Jackson's the Lightning Thief. It was great. After the movie we came home and she played games with her friends like Rock Band, board games, Guitar Hero and others. We actually had a big cake, and it was bought. That was a first.

Here is a picture of all of her friends that came to help celebrate the big sweet 16 day.

Here is Angela's cake with balloons. She can be happy with anything, especially if it involves cake.

To top it all off, Angela got her big sweet 16 present. When our kids turn 16, they get one nice big present. This year Angela chose a nice dresser for her bedroom. It is beautiful. She was I think even more thrilled when she opened up her own cell phone. She has so many extra curriculuar activities and we can never know where she is or when she needs to get picked up. She just kept saying how great her day was and it was.

Angela you are the greatest. I love you tons. You have such a special way of showing those around you that they matter. Thanks for being our Ang.

Still Loving Me

Just a picture of me and my honey. YES, he has definitely changed since last year.

No one can take your place

Have you ever wondered why some people come into your life and make such a difference in your life to have them move away or you to move away??? Do any of you have those friends that have made you a better person by knowing them?

Lately, I have been missing certain friends and many family members. There are special friends and family that mean so much to me that it is hard to not be with them. I have been so blessed with wonderful friends but they are the kind of friends that you just don't want to be away from. There just are people in this lifetime that have treated me like family and have made me feel so loved and needed. I miss them. Yes, sure I have made a few friends here where I live but I have such a hard time even after all this time letting go to people that have touched my life so deeply.
I also have always lived close to my family, my parents and brothers and sisters and now I live quite a ways from most of them. It is hard to not be a part of their lives. I miss that. I miss seeing my parents and my brothers and sisters. I miss my nieces and nephews knowing who I am. Yes it is hard to love and be so far away from those that mean so much. There must be a reason that our paths have parted for a while. I have wondered this for quite some time and I think it is because we become so comfortable with certain loved ones and friends that it is just easy to always be just a part of their lives and not be willing to make a difference in other people's lives. If we don't have those friends or fewer of them we are encouraged to make other friendships and strengthen friendships that we live close to. I guess I just need to continue to push myself and that is why for a time those people that have made remarkable difference in my life don't live in closeness to me. Hopefully someday in the future if not in heaven we can all sit down together and reminisce and enjoy being together again. I hope.

What a great day!!!

I know that I have been awful getting on and keeping my blog up to date. It has been hard because I like to use it as a journal but I know there are many of you that might not like what I write, I apologize for this.
This last week has been crazy at my house. Todd has finished his portfolio for Sterling Scholar with his banquet rapidly approaching.

I changed the color of my hair because of the many grays that keep appearing.

I enjoyed a great evening with my husband at the temple. I am always amazed in the spirit that is felt there.

Angela had me take her to the beauty salon and had her hair chopped off. Well, it is not all the way chopped off but it is so different for her. It is very cute though. I will try to post a picture.

Mike and I took Angela for a long road trip to help get some of her hours for driver's ed. She is so anxious to get her license but I am such a basket case when it comes to driving with my kids when they are learning.

Mike and I went to the adult session of Stake Conference and were again spiritually uplifted. We also went today with the kids and it was wonderful.

Today has been such a wonderful day. I just can't explain in words. Todd had his patriarchal blessing given to him this afternoon. The spirit was SO STRONG. I have never had or seen a patriarch with all of my kids and myself that has become emotional and he was. Todd is such a giant when it comes to being spiritual and I know the patriarch felt that. It was a beautiful experience. Todd was given such a wonderful blessing. There are so many blessings that he has been given if he lives worthily in his life. WOW and he is my son. I feel so humbled by the great spirits that I have been given responsibility over here in this life. They are so wonderful.

I really enjoy my Sunday afternoons, snuggling with my husband and taking a nap and just being together as a family. It is so hard to want to do anything else. I have felt so much peace in my home in the last few months it is wonderful.

I am Jealous

I just can't believe it. My youngest brother just bought this cute, cute baby goat and is getting into having goats as pack goats so they can hike more. All I can think about is cute and it reminds me of when I was a little girl. Oh how does it remind me of being a little girl. I remember how much fun it was to feed the baby goats by the bottle. They truly thought we were their mommas. Baby goats are just so much fun. This is a big part of my life and wow this has just taken me back there so quick. SO many memories of growing up on a goat farm. I wouldn't change it for anything.
I think my husband wouldn't agree with me if I said we needed to get a baby goat but it would be fun. The only problem is that they grow up just like baby kittens and baby puppies, but they sure are fun while they are little. Maybe in the next life I can have baby goats to hold and love.

Much Needed

It is amazing to me how sometimes we have one experience right after another that we really need and then there just don't seem like there are any for a while.

One of the great experiences I have had lately is that I have just finished reading the book "The Undaunted". It is very good. I encourage all of you to read it. It is a long book but I learned so much and really enjoyed it too. I know one thing, I am glad that I was not a pioneer woman. I really enjoyed the history that was in this book about the " Hole in the Rock", and there was also history about Cedar City, Parowan, and Panguitch. It was great.
I also had the great experience to go to EFY with our stake in my church, which is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. EFY is for the youth of our church. Two of my own kids were able to attend. It was last Saturday and it was early. I was not looking forward to getting up early on a Saturday, but it was well worth it. There were about 700 or so youth there with their leaders to hear these three speakers. I knew it would be good but we were really in for a treat. The speakers were saying things that I felt pierced my heart and that they were just for me. Todd and Angela also were touched. They really felt uplifted. There are sometimes things that are said that you will never never forget. One thing I learned is that we need to be better than good. This really made me think. I know I have a lot of room to grow and I need to not be complacent but always looking for ways to strengthen my testimony and to improve who I am and the things that I should be doing.
My son, AJ, that is on his mission also has challenged us to read the Book of Mormon in 50 days and to also underline any place where it talks about the Savior in any way. I have been doing that now for 3 weeks and it is hard to read eight pages a night but my testimony of my Savior and the scriptures has so been strengthened. I love it.
I also had a great experience yesterday. I have been needing to go to the temple as we all do and finally found some time to make the drive. When I arrived in St. George and went into the temple there was an hour and a half wait for initiatories. I knew that wasn't going to work because Karrilyn was waiting in the car. They asked if I would like to do sealings. Sure, I said. What a great experience. What a great valentine experience for me, to be reminded of the promises that I have by being sealed to my spouse for time and all eternity. This is a gift that I am ever ever so thankful for. I wish I could express the happiness and peace this gives me. The spirit was so strong in those beautiful sealing rooms as we did sealings for people that have passed onto the other side. I really enjoyed every minute of it and I am so thankful for this blessing in my life.
I guess I should also that I am teaching primary in my ward and I just LOVE it. There is nothing better than being in there with those cute kids. I have the 5-6 yr olds. They are so cute and want nothing more than to do what is right, and they teach me so much about life, our Savior and how we should be.

Enough about all of that, I hope it isn't boring you to tears but this is my way to keep a journal of things that are important to me. Thanks to all of you who care. You are appreciated.

Valentine Soft Sugar Cookies

It is that time again, Valentine's. I just made some of these yummy cookies and sent them off to my missionary and thought I would share them with you. If you make them and just love them comment and let me know. They are definitely a favorite in our house.

Sugar Cookies
6 1/2 cups of flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup butter( or margarine)
1 cup sour cream(I usually use 16 oz of sour cream)

Sift flour, baking soda, salt. Cream the rest of the ingredients. Add flour and mix. Chill. Bake 8 min at 400 degrees. Do not brown. ( ROll 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick)Frost. YUMMY

Frosting
2 cups of powder sugar
3 Tablespoons of butter or margarine
warm milk
food coloring
Mix powder sugar, margarine together and then add warm milk and mix in. Add until the consistency that is desired, also add a couple of drops of food coloring as desired.

Happy Valentine's

Sterling Scholar for Cedar

Last month I received a crazy call, one of those calls that you really love to have as a mom. One of the teachers at Cedar High School called and said that my son Todd was going to be made Sterling Scholar for Computer Technology for Cedar High. We were both so excited. Mike and I was invited to the assembly when they announced the Sterling Scholars. It will be a lot of work for Todd but he can handle anything. He is such an awesome kid and a great student. I am so proud of all that he has done with his schooling and for going the extra step. There are so many awesome things about Todd, I guess you just have to know him. One of my neighbors saw me at the gym and said "your son Todd, he is so funny and so smart, he really has a lot going for him" This is true. Todd you are awesome and you will do great many wonderful things in this life.

A little different Christmas last year

Our Christmas was a little crazy this year and real different. For the weeks before Christmas we were trying to get AJ ready for his mission to Columbus. We spent a lot of time shopping, playing, preparing etc. Here is one of AJ's pictures in the MTC with his great friend Craig that just happened to be in the MTC when he was.

Yes, AJ was in the MTC during Christmas so we had to celebrate his Christmas before he left. His report date was Dec 16.

This is a picture of AJ helping to decorate the tree. For some reason there is always the tongue.

During that month, Mike and I took AJ to Salt Lake to shop for missionary clothes and to also take him to a couple of temples. We went to the new Draper Temple and the Salt Lake Temple. It was great. This picture is of Mike and AJ at Leatherbys. You just have to go to Leatherbys if you have the chance.

My kids, ever since they were little, usually get a Christmas outfit during the first part of December. This is a picture of them all with their new Christmas outfits. They know that time is running short and they are all going to miss their brother.

We had many friends and family come down for the missionary farewell. We were so overwhelmed with the love and support that we felt. AJ did a great job. SO many people commented that he spoke like a return missionary instead of one just going out. Of course we had to have great food to celebrate. We had a brunch with muffins, fruit, breakfast casserole and other great yummy food.

We did have a special day for AJ's Christmas. He is such a cutie. His Christmas wasn't that exciting, because how exciting can ties and shirts be but we still had fun.

We have the greatest bishop in the world. Anyway, this is a picture of AJ on the night he was set apart as a missionary. We invited our bishop to come too. AJ and Bishop Wilson have a great relationship.

The day that AJ went to the MTC we woke everyone up early and headed to Dennys for breakfast. It was early but well worth it. We had a great time but it was real hard when the kids had to say good bye.

This is a picture of AJ and I at the MTC when we dropped him off. I am trying to look happy but this is definitely a bitter sweet moment.

A picture of Mike and AJ the day that we took him to the MTC. As you can tell it was a hard day. AJ will be a fabulous missionary.

Christmas morning, Angela doesn't look too awake.

Todd is so excited about his external drive and really knows how to show it. He must be from my side of the family.

Christmas morning with Karrilyn is always a blast. She is always so happy about what she gets even though she is my oldest. My kids definitely love Christmas. Wonder who they got that from.

Christmas Eve checking out where Santa has been on the computer. We have to make sure we are to bed on time. Haha.

Christmas morning, my kids are so cute. It was definitely different without AJ for Christmas but we tried to make the most of it. This picture is of Angela, Todd, and Karrilyn. Merry Christmas.

Christmas tree, you always have to have a picture of the Christmas tree. New Year here we come.