ginny talking

So Ginny is finally talking. Which is great, and really darling, except now we're discovering how demanding she is! Cup! Cup! Juice Juice! Bubbles (candy) Pease (please) ! Swimsuit! (She has decided she doesn't want to wear clothes, just swimsuits.) No!
She's singing a few more songs--head shoulders knees and toes, jump little froggy, and the Say BOO song from veggie tales.
She has also learned how to say Sam's name, and Emily's name. We're still learning on getting her to say Max's name.
Also, she likes to color in little notebooks, then she'll proudly hold up her picture and say, "See!" In fact anytime she has done something she is proud of she says, "See!" It's really cute!

happy moments

I was talking with a friend about happiness, and how since that is the goal of our existence, why is it that I always feel more stressed out or worried than happy. The scriptures say that man is that we might have joy. They also say that keeping the commandments brings us joy. Now, I think I do a pretty good job of keeping the commandments and living the gospel--not perfect, but I do try pretty hard. So, I got thinking about the first commandment, to love the Lord with all my might, mind, and strength, and I think that I need to work on letting go of all of the busyness and stress of the world, and re-focus on spiritual things, taking care of my relationship with God and family. Also, my friend said that she thought it was important to take a few minutes to recognize our happy moments. So here goes--my top ten, recent happy moments.

1. Sam giving me a huge hug and saying, "I have the best mommy in the whole world!"
2. Talking to Max on the phone, and hearing him tell me all the details about how he had earned his Tae Kwon Do belt (camo). He was so proud and happy--and knew that he had worked hard for a goal and accomplished it.
3. Putting Ginny to bed, and have her snuggle her head on my shoulder as I sang to her.
4. Emily's happy chatter, telling me about her stories and computer game as I wash dishes.
5. Visiting my sisters in Provo--holding Nancy's sweet baby, and hugs and kisses from my nieces and nephew.
6. Coming home from my trip, to the hugs and kisses of my own kids. And, finding the house clean and an apple pie!
7. A nice conversation with Trevor, discussing the books we were both reading--about Joseph Smith and Abraham Lincoln
8. Attending the RS session of conference, and discussing the principles afterward with a friend.
9. Playing the piano--I was practicing a lot to play for a wedding. But it was really fun to spend a lot of time at the piano.
10. Playing games with the kids--lite bright, puzzles, and coloring with Sam and Ginny--reading with Max, uno and upwords with Emily.

back from Utah

Just got home last night at about 10:00 p.m. I had a really fun time visiting Nancy and her kids. It was really fun to be there at the same time as Sandi, too. Nice to spoil my nieces and nephews--and her little baby Lance is such a snuggly little darling. He is is so TINY! I mostly played with her kids, helped with cooking and dishes, held Lance, and canned peaches. Anna and Leah really liked the liitle skirts I had made for them and their dolls. And Nancy and Sandi really liked the sweet picture of mom that I had blown up and framed for them. I wish I lived closer to both of my sisters. When I got home last night, the power was out, and it wasn't fixed until about 2:00 this morning. So we lit a whole bunch of candles and slept all together on the living room floor. I was really happy to see Trevor and the kids. The house was pretty clean, and they had made me an apple pie! It was a nice homecoming.
Too bad everybody was so crabby this morning. Back to real life! Everybody was just tired from the late night.

photos

Sam's cowboy outfit, pirate hats, etc.

Here is the cowboy costume that I sewed for Sam's birthday. Also, Sam and Ginny had fun with newspaper pirate hats one day. Tutu and Papasan sent the cute robin costume for his birthday. They love to dress up!

photos of kids

these are some recent pictures of the kids. Dressed up for church, etc.

picture of me and my sister

I've been working with some old photos, etc. Here's one of Nancy and me right after we moved to Utah in 1976. I'm about 6 and Nancy would be 3 or 4.

busy week

It's been a busy week--although not with my usual things. I was able to have some good visiting teaching visits. I also visited Suzanne M. who used to be one of the sisters I visit taught. She had a stroke awhile back and is not doing very well. Today I'm going to Peoria to visit Julie O. at the hospital. She's expecting triplets and is stuck in the hospital until their arrival--still many weeks away. It's actually been nice to not be so busy with my classes etc that I actually have time to do some of these other things. Yesterday was mado's birthday--so I baked some pumpkin bread and took it over to surprise her. I think she was pleased. Trevor and I have decided to go ahead and try to sponsor her sister and her fiance to come to the United States. I don't know if they'll approve it, because it's not like we have the greatest financial resources, but we can at least try.
So, I'm trying to get the paperwork done for that.
There was a terrible Hurricane (Katrina) in New Orleans--much of the city is under 20 feet of water! Oil reserves are affected, so the gas prices now are appalling! over $3.00 per gallon! Trevor rode his bike to work today, and I even used bikes last night to return videos and take Mado her birthday treat. Max came with me on the bike ride and did really well. Sam rode behind in the bike trailer.
Emily had her friends over after school yesterday for a book club. Reminds me of the book club I had with my friends when I was about her age. She's a lot like me. They talked about books, ate oreo cookies, and then jumped on the trampoline. Emily's always got grand ideas.
Ginny is talking so much!
New phrases--"Here it is!" "Come in!" "I want some." "Cup please." She's become a little parrot--echoing what everybody says. It's funny how kids start talking just all of a sudden. She also looks more grown up because her hair is getting longer and we can put it in pony tails, etc. She also loves to put on "make-up" when mommy gets ready in the morning. Girls are so different than boys!