Spring Break

M2B =) days 760 - 766.  Friday, March 16th - Thursday, March 22nd happiness:

Friday, March 16th happiness:  Today was spent getting ready for the cabin trip tomorrow.  Although we were originally going to leave today, plans changed when Joe decided to go on a camp out with Grandpa's ward.  Michael was going and Joe wanted to go with.  So I spent today shopping and packing and cleaning.  Excited to spend some time with my family at the cabin.

Saturday, March 17th happiness:  Cabin day!  woo hoo.  We didn't leave until late this afternoon.  The boys got home from their camp out.  Joe showered and packed a few things, and then we picked up Michael and were off to the cabin.  Brian was happy to be here, but did not want his photo taken.  I LOVE IT HERE!

Sunday, March 18th happiness:  I am mostly happy because we decided to shop for groceries last night on the way up because some time around 1 a.m. it started snowing and it did not let up all day long.  

by the evening it was like this:

Love the snow!

Monday, March 19th happiness:  We are most definitely snowed in!

It snowed most of the day again.

Finally, by late afternoon the sun decided to come out.

Tuesday, March 20th:  The boys have been keeping busy playing rock band, and 5 crowns, hearts, and scattergories.  Good times.

Well, as much as we love the snow, it did prove to be a problem today.  The cabin was running seriously low on propane and so my dad called a truck to come out and re-fill the tank.  And, of course he got stuck in the snow.  He was literally there for hours.  Finally a tow truck came and they were able to get him out.  The bad news:  we did not get our propane.  It was quite a bit warmer today, and the roads are completely muddy.  The propane guy said that he would come back early Wednesday morning.  We were seriously concerned that we would run out of propane.  

The boys were happy it was warmer today, and they finally made it outside for a bit.

Wednesday, March 21st happiness:  The propane truck made it in this morning.  Just in time too.  We were down to 1%.  

You can tell how much warmer it has been the last 2 days.  The snow is melting seriously fast.  On the plus side, more outside time for the boys.

 I pretty much spent my cabin time working on scrap books for my 3rd graders.  I got much accomplished. =)


I love it here.  The days seem so long.


Thursday, March 22nd happiness:  As always, all good things must come to an end, and we headed home today.  We enjoyed our winter wonderland trip to the cabin.




Happy Day!

M2B =) days 750 - 759. Monday, March 5th - Thursday, March 15th happiness:

I just keep getting farther and farther behind. Going to try to catch up some this week.

Monday, March 5th happiness: I honestly don't remember what was going on here, but this is the only photo I took today, so here it is:

I love Joe!

Today's happiness is music. Well, to be honest, most days happiness involves music. I LOVE it. I heard one of my all time favorite songs on the radio this morning on the way to work. Instead of being grumpy that it is Monday, it put me in a fantastic mood. Hearing a great song first thing in the morning really sets the tone for the day.

Tuesday, March 6th happiness: No mutual. =) Don't get me wrong. I love my girls. They are awesome. But, sometimes it's nice to have a day off. We have youth conference this weekend, so they canceled midweek activities. Yay!

Wednesday, March 7th happiness: Today was cool and cloudy. My kind of day. I didn't even mind having to do 2 lunches on a day like today.

Tonight, Brian, Joe and I went and saw Wicked. I was feeling lousy after school (what I didn't know was that it was the start of 9 days of sickness. Bronchitis and Sinusitis AGAIN. Sheesh.)

Anyway, even though I wasn't feeling so hot, I still got ready and went. I have been looking forward to this for months. I have seen Wicked before, but it was Joe and Brian's first time.

It was fabulous, of course. Loved every minute of it.

Brian bought me some cute cupcakes to take home.

Thursday, March 8th happiness: The moon was ridiculously huge and awesome this morning on the way to work. Sadly, I did not have my camera with me.

I got sent home this afternoon from work. They could tell I was not feeling well, and some major sicknesses have been going around the school. So about 1:15, they pretty much kicked me out. I am happy to have co-workers that care.

Friday, March 9th happiness: I didn't go to work today. I got to sleep A LOT. Tonight was the start of youth conference. All the leaders were taking shifts for different activities. One of my shifts was tonight. The youth went bowling. After sleeping all day, and taking some meds. I was feeling pretty good.

I love the youth, and I love bowling, so it turned out to be a fun night.

Saturday, March 10th happiness: I am happy for the church and the good people in it. There is always someone you can call who will step in when needed and help out, even at the last minute. I was supposed to be at the service project this afternoon for youth conference, but I was just so sick. I went to the doctor instead. Thankfully someone else stepped in and took my place, so I didn't have to go.

Sunday, March 11th happiness: my bed.

Monday, March 12th: I am happy that it is spring break, so I can rest.

Tuesday, March 13th happiness: I am happy to have company while I am sick:

Wednesday, March 14th: Starting to feel half alive again. I got out of the house today. Took Joe to get a haircut and then went to Tillys. That's about all I could handle. Went home and went back to bed.

Thursday, March 15th happiness: I have regained my senses of smell and taste! It has been 5 days without them! Woo hoo!

That's it for now.

Happy Day!

Feb. 27 - Mar. 4

M2B =) days 743 - 749. Monday, February 27th - Sunday, March 4th happiness.

Monday, February 27th happiness: Tonight, Brian made dinner while I scrapbooked at the kitchen table and Joe read. It was soooo nice to not have the t.v. on. It was nice to have a quiet evening. And it was SUPER nice that Brian made dinner so I didn't have to. I LOVE it when he does that.

Tuesday, February 28th happiness: And now, following my post about no t.v. I will talk about watching t.v.

Tonight after dinner, Brian and I cozied on the couch and watched the Amazing Race. I love hanging out on the couch after a long day. And I love that Brian and I like the same shows, so we can watch them together.

Wednesday, February 29th happiness: Early release day! Woo hoo! I had one whole hour to myself this afternoon before I had to go pick up Joe. I loved it.

Thursday, March 1st happiness: Tonight was MELS (or book club). I am sporadic about going, but this month I actually read the book and couldn't wait to go.

This months book:

It is about a woman who was born into the FLDS church and at 35 years old, finally found a way to Escape with her 8 children. Escape is the correct term too, because her husband pretty much hunted her down after she left. It was an interesting read. I was horrified by the conditions that these women and children live in and how they are treated. It was a real eye opener.

Some of the girls really got into the spirit of the book and dressed like the FLDS women would dress and do their hair. It is really scary how natural it looked on some of them.

I didn't take this photo, I snagged it of of facebook from one of the girls who posted it.

I love book club.

Friday, March 2nd happiness: Today was Read Across America Day, in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday. This afternoon, the entire school went out onto the playground with our books and we sat and read for half an hour. I don't get to read nearly as much as I used to or would like to, so it was really nice.

I took a lot of photos too. Here is one I got of Max reading with his friends:
I heart reading.

Saturday, March 3rd happiness: Did some much needed cleaning today - especially the Laundry room. It always gets neglected because it isn't one of those rooms that will be seen if people come over. It felt good to get it back in order.

Watched Castle tonight with Brian. LOVE it.

Sunday, March 4th happiness: Family Home Evening.

Addy looks so cute with her 2 front teeth missing:
I loved Max's face in this photo:
Ruby helped give the lesson:
So did Josh:
Rowan sang a song, but for some reason, I didn't get a photo.

I did get one of Darrel though. Can you tell he likes to get his picture taken about as much as I do?
Holly was happy to see Joe. That dog loves him.
Happy Day!

birthdays and movies and FUN.

M2B=) days 736 - 742.  Monday, February 20th - Sunday, February 26th happiness:

Monday, February 20th happiness:  Today was Sheri's birthday!  Happy Birthday to Sheri.  Tonight we went and saw The Vow.  I love Rachel McAdams so I was excited to go.  I laughed, I cried.  It was all good.  

Tuesday, February 21st happiness:  We put in a Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Wallflower recently and my house smells awesome.  I love that I can smell it right when I come in the door.  Since you can't really take a photo of a smell, this is the next best thing:
The only problem is, that it is a Fall smell and it makes me think that Halloween and Thanksgiving are just around the corner.

Wed. February 22nd happiness:  Today was the Fun. at Zia Records appearance.  I took Joe and Alex and Ben with me.  The NOT fun part was waiting in line for like 2 hours outside of Zia.  It was hot and the sun was in my face.  On the plus side.  While waiting, I made the boys stand in line and I went in Zia and shopped.  I picked up the new Nada Surf album for Brian.  It was the last one in the store.  Score!

Joe and Alex saw someone they knew from school farther up the line, so they took Ben with them and ditched me so they could have a better place in line.  Actually they didn't ditch me.  I told them they should go if they wanted to.  The best part was, when they started letting us in, the way the store is set up, and they had to squeeze us down the aisles, I ended up getting a better spot than they did.  I was right by the door where the band came out!  Ben worked his way through the crowd back to me.  We got to slap their hands as they came out on stage.  Awesome.

I also stood next to Nate Ruess's dad and grandma.  Cool.  

One of my all time favorite photos of the band FUN.  :

They played a few songs and Nate talked to the crowd a lot and really got them into it, and told some funny stories and was really just such a good performer.  It was totally worth the wait.

Also, seeing how happy Ben was and watching him sing the words to every song was awesome.  

After the show, we got back in line so we could meet the band and get autographs.  Thankfully Dallin, Cody and Michael weren't too far back and they let us cut in.

What an awesome night.  I loved seeing the band, and I loved hanging out with Joe and with my nephews.  They are awesome.

Thursday, February 23rd happiness:  Still on a Fun. high.  I have been listening to them all day.  I can't wait for the concert in March.

Friday, February 24th happiness:  Brian and I went to see This Means War.  I think he liked it a little better than I did.  It did have some really funny parts in it, but also some things I didn't like.   Over all, I would say it was pretty good.  Not on my favorites list though.

Saturday, February 25th happiness:  Since Joe's birthday falls on a Sunday this year, we decided to celebrate mostly today.  He didn't really want a party or anything, so we just took him to lunch and then shopping.  We picked up Michael and then went to The Olive Garden.   Then we offered to take him shopping anywhere.  We ended up getting him some new shoes, and then going to Tilly's, where he didn't buy much, just a jacket.  He is easy to please.
It was a fun day.  I love hanging out with Joe.  And Michael isn't bad either =)

Sunday, February 26th happiness:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!  The best day of my life was they day you came into it!  Even though we had birthday day yesterday, we couldn't do NOTHING on the actual day.  So we did have a couple of surprises for him.
We got him a comforter for his bed.  He has been wanting one forever.
Also, I got him a frame for his signed FUN. poster and cd cover.  

 
We hung it on the wall right away.
Brian made blueberry pancakes for Joe this morning, and then he made him Chicken Fried Steak for dinner.

I love that Brian likes to cook.

Joe  facts:

*He is 15 and a Freshman in High School.

*He LOVES music (in case you couldn't tell).  Some of his favorites right now are Guster, Fun., Panic at the Disco, Jason Mraz.

*He plays the guitar and writes songs.  

*He writes great lyrics.  

*He loves to go to the beach, and to the cabin.

*He asks me almost every day when we are moving to California.

*His favorite colors are purple and black.

*His favorite shows right now is Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory and Happy Endings.  

*He is currently into longboarding, and can't wait to long board on the boardwalk on Mission Beach this summer.

*He gave up sugar in early December and is still going strong.  I don't know how he does it.

* His favorite food is any sea food.

Happy Day!

Valentines Day - FHE

M2B =) days 730 - 735.  Tuesday, February 14th - Sunday, February 19th happiness:

Tuesday, February 14th happiness:  Happy Valentines Day!

Joe woke up to his room being heart attacked.

3 of my kids brought me flowers today!

I got all sorts of fun valentines from the kids today.  But I think this one may have been my favorite.
It's Harry Potter, and it looks so cool!

The weather today was a Valentines Day present for me.  It was gorgeous.
Also, if you didn't know, Ben is hilarious when he is on a sugar high!  I quite enjoyed our ride home from school today.

Tonight we did our usual Valentines Day tradition.  We ordered in instead of going out.  Have you TRIED going out on Valentines Day?  It is ridiculous.  Brian got me an awesome little hand held camera for my present.  Now when I go to concerts and things, I can bring a little camera with me.  Woo hoo!

Wednesday, February 15th happiness:  I went to the dentist again this morning.  While getting impressions done of your teeth isn't exactly fun, I was excited because it means soon I will be getting my invisalign and I can FINALLY get my teeth fixed.  Woo hoo!

Also, on Wednesday's I cover 2 lunches.  It was a plus today because the weather outside was absolutely gorgeous.

Thursday, February 16th:  Today was not my best day so far.  It wasn't even a good day.  What did make me happy today?  Sitting on the couch tonight and watching Modern Family with Brian.  

Friday February 17th happiness:  Friday at 3:45 is my favorite time of the week!  I LOVE Fridays!

Saturday, February 18th happiness:  Today I needed the Valerian Root.  I am so happy that I found this stuff.
Sunday, February 19th happiness:  Family Home Evening.  Yes, I list it every month, but I love that my mom does this.  I used to get to see my nieces and nephews all of the time, but now that I am working, not so much.  I love that I know I will get to see them at least one day during the month.  I love my family.

Watching a video as part of the lesson:

Michael brought a buddy with him.
Joe and Dallin performed a song.  

Happy Day!

Full moons and big hearts

M2B =) days 725 - 729.  Thursday, February 9th - Monday, February 13th happiness:  

Thursday, February 9th happiness:  Today was a 1/2 day.  11:30 release.  Woo hoo!

Also, on a side note, I had a dentist appointment today.  And I looked on my school calendar and do you know what it said?  Today is National Toothache Day.  Not good.

Tonight the moon was gorgeous.  It was ridiculously huge.  I tried to capture it, but the photo simply does not do it justice.  

Friday, February 10th happiness:  Another half day!  I love it!  I went to the doctor this afternoon and then ran some errands.  Tonight's happiness:  sitting in the hot tub.  It felt so good on my sad aching body.

Saturday, February 11th happiness:  I tried to have a day with Brian.  We went to IKEA.  We bought a new picture for the kitchen wall.  After that, I cam home and crashed.  I took a LONG nap.  I love me a good nap.

Brian took Joe to a movie and then went grocery shopping for me.  THANK YOU BRIAN!

Sunday, February 12th happiness:  I've said it before, but the one downside of my job is that I am sick ALL the time.  I seem to pick up every germ those kids have lying around.  Which is really lame because before this, I rarely got sick.  Oh well, it is what it is.  The good thing about being in bed all day, is that I got to read, which I almost never get to do anymore.  I may just finish the book this month and get to go to book club.  Woo hoo!

Monday, February 13th happiness:  Every year for Valentines Day, Brian and I heart attack Joe's room while he is sleeping.  We stay up late the night before and cut out a ton of hearts and hang them up all over his room, and then we put in a ton of heart balloons.  I love this tradition. 

Happy Day!

productive, happy, sweet days

M2B =) days 717 - 724.  Wednesday, February 1st - Wednesday, February 8th happiness:

Wednesday, February 1st happiness:  The gym.  It is a pain to get there, but afterwards, I am always glad that I went!

Thursday, February 2nd happiness:  Happy Groundhog day!  This afternoon, Sheri and I went to see Grandmother.  We took a couple of boys with us.  

Any day that I get to visit with Grandmother is a good day!

Friday, February 3rd happiness:  The mere fact that it is Friday makes me happy.  I never appreciated TGIF very much until I started working.

Saturday, February 4th happiness:  We had a MUCH needed cleaning day today.  Brian tackled the garage.  He gutted it, took several trips to the dump and we got rid of a lot of things.  It is fantastic.

Joe was my super helper.  The things he was required to do:  Clean the mirrors in both bathrooms, sweep the front porch, unload the dishwasher, vacuum the family room, help with the laundry, and clean and vacuum his room.

He really did a fantastic job.  He even added some new Nightmare Before Christmas pictures to his room:

Now, here is the list of things that were NOT required, that he did without being asked:  Cleaned the sinks and countertops in the bathroom, and helped me paint the wall in the kitchen.

I love Joe!

I paid bills today, and tackled the wall in the kitchen! 
All we have to do is to get the chair rail up, and we are done!  Woo hoo.

A productive day is a happy day.

Sunday, February 5th happiness:  Our lesson in young women's today was about being happy.
I loved it, of course.

Monday, February 6th happiness:  Even though we are no where near easter, the Cadbury mini eggs are in the stores.  
So yummy!

Tuesday, February 7th happiness:  CLOUDS!  I love me some clouds in Arizona.

Wednesday, February 8th happiness:  One of my laurel's has a birthday today, so brought her a cupcake and wished her a happy birthday.  I volunteered to pick up the cupcakes.  Any excuse to go to Sweet Daddy's.  One of my former beehives had a birthday yesterday, so I picked one up for her too.  Oh, and it's also Stacy's birthday, so I had to get her one too.

I also picked up a raspberry lemonade one for Brian, and a chocolate one for Mrs. J.  It's teacher conference week.  I thought I would bring her a little pick me up!

I wasn't planning on getting one for me, until I saw the maple bacon one.  Then I knew, I must have it.
Maple is one of my favorite flavors ever.  I watch the Food Network show "The Best thing I Ever Ate."  One of the "best" things featured is an apple, maple bacon donut, that a place in San Francisco makes.  It looks so delicious.  I dream of going to San Fran one day, just for that donut.

So, when I saw the maple bacon cupcake, I knew I must try it.

It did not disappoint.

Happy Day!