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.

It takes me too long

While I am in the process of trying to get caught up with my blog, life continues to go on and on. I substitued in fourth grade at Enoch Elementary today. I think this will be my life for quite a while, not knowing when I will be working and when I will be home. The kids are great and yes I still want to teach.
I don 't know how many of you even care but if you ask how are you doing???? The last six weeks has been very hard for me. The last three weeks while AJ has actually been in Ohio has been a little easier but still hard.
Here is a picture of my boy right before he left.

I just get thinking that I am doing good and then I have a day when I REALLY miss him. I just can't describe how hard it is to have your son leave and not know every day how he is doing. AJ is one of my best friends and that makes it even harder. When he was home he always wanted to know how I was doing and always tried to cheer me up or make me laugh if I had a bummer of a day. That is just my AJ. I miss him SO much and I have so long to go. Having a missionary leave is such a sacrifice. It is so good for them but it is really hard. I just can't imagine life without him for two years. That is a long time. I hope I can hang in there, because today I wonder.

Student Teaching 09

I finally finished my student teaching in November of 2009. My first placement was in first grade at Enoch Elementary. I was really worried about first grade at first but I ended up really loving it and I really enjoyed the teacher that I worked with. She was a great mentor to me. The kids are so cute and so loving. I wish I could post some of their pictures but I haven't received permission from them. I learned a lot in first grade. First grade would be very hard to teach. There is so much to teach the first graders and you are so busy because you have so much that they need to learn.

My second placement was in the same school but in fourth grade. I really enjoyed it also. Fourth grade is definitely different, but they kids are great. This class had 31 students in it. There is so much that is expected of the teachers these days I don't know how they can keep up and do all that is expected. I was required to teach four lessons in each grade that were evaluated but I was mostly teaching all of the time. It is crazy how each teacher is so different on how they discipline, how they interact with the kids and just how they run their classroom. I learned many things that I won't do and many things I will love to try when I get my own classroom. I can't believe how fast the twelve weeks went by, at the time I kept thinking will this ever get over with and now I miss it. I miss the kids, I miss teaching, I miss making a difference. I just hope that I can find a job soon so that I can actually teach.