Too busy!

I don't even know where to start! Life has been full, rich, exciting, challenging and new along with crazy, ridiculous, nerve wracking, exhausting, stressful, sad, tiring and maddening.

I plan to start with February. And then move on to March, April, May, etc. etc. etc.
..............One of these days.

If you're here to get information to use against me (AGAIN) please stop reading my blog. I intend this to be for those who care about me and my family.

Progress

I have been training for....uh hmmm (clearing my throat- and letting my head get a little big) a 178 mile relay race that takes place in June! Logan to Park City, Utah.

I have decided to chart my progress on this blog because I love progress.
I AM making progress. I run easier. A little lighter. A little longer.
Guys- I think my buns are shrinking!

Here's a before picture. Check them out and see for yourself....(about 6 months ago)














Here's now! Look at the difference! -may even be a slight fudge to say they are shrinking.











oh- darn! I'm having issues loading the pics.
(Like I'd EVER publish pictures of my big back end! Had you, didn't I!)

Happiness

mmmmm- One of my favorite things is Dove Desserts Collection, silky smooth chocolate promises. You know- the little candy pieces that have a heart-warming message on the wrapper. Well, I was eating one today, ok-- 5, 6, maybe 7- shut up! (that's a swear word in my house, by the way)

Who would know such a nice message would be inside???

"Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances"

I'm thinking of my family and friends. The circumstances we find ourselves in. I've been helping one of my friends pack up her house so she can move- not because she wants to. One of my other friends' husband is without a job and has been for about 6 months and lost their house, another friend will be moving out of state for work because that's where they could find a job, not because she wants to. One of my friends down the road just had a baby, got deathly sick and had a hysterectomy. One of my friends recently got divorced. I'm thinking of family members who have had feelings hurt by other family members. I'm thinking of family members who's lives have been completely changed by decisions of a loved one.

I'm thinking of all these circumstances that are, for the most part, out of our control, which have brought on so much sadness.

Is it really possible to look beyond our circumstances and be happy? Is it?

I believe so. It's just such a huge challenge! Some days I really wonder!

Not good. Not good at all, if you ask me!

Yesterday I had the day to myself. sigh. It was good. sigh. Not to rub it in, friends but... wow! So I know what you're thinking.....what does a girl do with a day to herself. Well, laundry, laundry, laundry, dishes, a little more laundry and a lot of reading. I loved all of it except for the laundry and dishes.

Geoff was gone (again. He works so stinkin' hard; too stinkin' hard). He was all over the state yesterday, in fact. So I had the day alone.

After laundry and dishes (well to be truthful I mostly didn't do laundry and dishes because let's face it; you put a load of laundry in and have to wait an hour before you can do more) I read. And read. And read. I love reading. I love reading your blogs, I love reading books, short essays, General Conference archives, magazines, blogs of writers, recipes, journals, electric bills, street signs, menus, etc. etc. etc.

I'm getting to the point here. Give me a minute to muse already!
So I spent most of the day reading friends' blogs. Of course they were mostly all about the Easter holiday and how darling your kids were in new clothing and stories of the Easter bunny, what you made as special treats for the kids, Easter egg hunts, candy, candy, candy, the scrumptious dinner you prepared. It was fantastic and I was jealous!

Why, you wonder? Because Saturday night Geoff dear announced to the whole family that the Easter bunny had died. Now... I read one of my friends' blog about how she sunk the entire Easter bunny thingy too but that she was honest with her young kids. She just right out told them that those Easter baskets they see in the grocery stores were for parents to buy to pretend to be the Easter bunny.

And again, I know what you are thinking..... wow! Doesn't she (Lezlie) have older kids? Yes, I do. Oldest is almost 14; youngest is almost 7. But I grew up always believing (or was so told by my parents) that as long as you believe... they will come; the Easter bunny, Santa Clause, the tooth fairy, etc. etc.

Geoff dear and I disagree with the death of the Easter bunny and I wonder if it can be fixed. hmmm- maybe next year we can say that the Easter bunny had a cousin??? I don't know. Death is pretty final.

I was glaring at Geoff dear all day Sunday. Kill joy! Scrooge! Fun taker awayer!
No new dresses, no egg hunts, no Easter bunny.

DID HE HAVE TO DIE? Couldn't he just have needed some time off this year? Couldn't he have just run out of eggs and candy? Or even wounded his poor little thumper leg. Or been delayed with bad weather in Alaska? Or been short on the baskets what with these economic times and all?

We did have a lovely dinner and scrumptious dessert, wonderful FHE on the meaning of Easter, wonderful church meetings and talks. It was a good day.

Would've been better with the Easter bunny.

Sir Easter bunny----WHEREVER YOU ARE----I BELIEVE!!!

A moment of bliss...

Last night as Geoff and I lay in bed after putting the kids to bed we were just chatting with each other when we heard singing. We stopped to listen and what I heard did my heart well. I smile just thinking about it.

We heard Wesley singing the words to the hymn, "Called to Serve Him" while he lay in bed with the lights out. It was as though he were putting himself to sleep singing sweet lullaby's. After a verse of that hymn he moved on to, "Ye Elders of Israel". After that, "I Am A Child of God" and a few other Primary songs.

It didn't even matter that his voice was cracking under the strains of puberty or that he didn't know some of the words to one of the hymns or that he was way off tune. What mattered was that he was singing them. Softly. To the best of his ability and it was good. Powerful, even.

Pinewood Derby

I just love that time of year! The time of year that Geoff gets to make a pinewood derby car for the cub scout activity. Oh! Did I say Geoff? I meant Tyler. Right. Tyler worked to get the car ready for Geoff. Actually- they both worked together to make a great car. Tyler won several races and had a great time.



His car is the "Green Machine"

Katie's Birthday!

Remember in one of my last posts I told you about my crazy friends kidnapping me for my birthday? Well, Katie was one of those crazy friends (I should say IS one of those crazy friends). I did get a little revenge. My other best friend, Stacey and I told Katie we wanted to take her out for her birthday but we didn't tell her that more of her best friends would be at the restaurant to celebrate with us.
We had a GREAT time! We went to Cheesecake Factory. I'm going to try to name everybody:
from the right side of the picture (cut off) is my mom, then Jodi, Lindsay Johnson, Katie, Shelley Wilson, Leilani Alger, Megan Tew.
From the left side of the table:
Susan Cook, Stacey Noel, Jessica Moss, Gayla Mead, Lisanne Steele and Melissa Masitis.

Arizona Sunset

Showlow, Arizona

I was kidnapped!

These are some of my goofy friends. Hey- the goofier the better, I say.
On my birthday (yeah- way back in Feb) they kidnapped me. Here's the story:
Geoff made a plan with me the night before. "Hey dear, let's go bowling tomorrow" he said.
I just looked at him with one eyebrow raised trying to think of the most sarcastic thing to say but only came up with, "are you feeling ok?" It was a Saturday and he NEVER instigates fun on Saturdays; it's for work and catch-up. I can't remember the last time he wanted to go do something fun on a Saturday other than when we're out of town and that does happen frequently. My sarcasm didn't work. He only dug in deeper, "yeah, let's go bowling. We'll take the kids too so don't plan anything for tomorrow around noonish".
Wow! A little reluctant but excited I agreed not to plan anything. I began worrying that his work load had really begun to get at him. I began to worry about his stress level. I just thought something was really "off" with him.


So the next day around noonish I was up lying on my bed waiting for Geoff to finish getting ready for the day when all of a sudden I hear people burst through my front door. I hear, "get down on your knees, this is a hold-up. Everybody down!"
I'm thinking what in the world when all of a sudden these crazy women with nylons on their heads are in my bedroom! They even held guns. It was my crazy friends coming to kidnap me.

I heard later from Ashlyn that Caleb was downstairs when they entered the house unannounced and he was so scared he was trembling!
They took me to lunch, a movie and shopping and we had a blast!
Here are the kidnappers in order from left to right:
Susan Cook, me, my sister Jodi, Paula White, Stacey Noel and Katie Clarke. Melissa Masitis met us later.
Thanks girls! I love you, too!


See, I knew something was wrong with him! He was in on the whole thing trying to make me stay home so my friends could make their plans a success.
A note to Geoff: If you're trying to surprise me you must act NORMAL. Things that you do and say out of the ordinary put up a red flag.
Way to go, dear. Thanks for helping my friends make my day so fun!

Sunrise in Arizona

I have wanted to blog these pictures for a while now. You can see the date on them was from January.
These are pictures of a sunrise atop South Mountain here in Arizona.
BEAUTIFUL!

My mom's surprise birthday

Yes- I'm a little late in posting. Her birthday was February 18th and her party was the 21st.

We decided for her "forever 30" birthday party we had to make it a surprise. We had a great time!

All of you who were there made it wonderful! Thank you for loving her too.

Here is a video we caught. Way to keep her preoccupied Tyler!

We had 40 people smashed into my kitchen area anxiously awaiting her arrival.

Amy Scott made that beautiful cake and my word was it delicious! She sells her goods, you know! Just call her up and order. (for privacy I won't publish that phone number but if you're interested please let me know!) I'm not kidding, guys! It was fabulous!

Full of it!

I'm full of thoughts today.

I was reading one of my favorite blogs to stalk (she's a writer with all sorts of interesting things to read about) and read this. It's blog gossip because I'm telling you something about what she said about something she read.

But I loved it!

Ernest Hemingway:
"Sometimes when I was starting a new story and could not get it going, I would sit in front of the fire and squeeze the peel of the little oranges into the edge of the flame and watch the sputter of blue that they made. I would stand and look out over the roofs of Paris and think, “Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.”-Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

The truest sentence that I know:
Today my sky is blue.

What's yours?

I am a Mormon girl through and through

I'm sure you've all read or heard about HBO's show, "Big Love" and the controversial edition in which they claim they will have camera's taken into the temple.

I was reading the church's official statement that came out a few days ago. You can read it here: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma

I love this direction. When the attacks seem so personal toward something we hold so dear I think it's easy to fall into being offended but I love this statement: "As Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Robert D. Hales of the Council of the Twelve Apostles have both said recently, when expressing themselves in the public arena, Latter-day Saints should conduct themselves with dignity and thoughtfulness."

Nothing reveals true character more than through conflict resolution. The church's message is to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. So they may say awful things about us, they may unrightfully judge, mock and scorn. Living true to our testimonies our response must be made in peace, not in returning an eye for an eye but love. It's the hardest thing, isn't it? To be given such offenses and return love. That is the Lord's way. That is the right way.

This is why you're fat

I was blog stalking today and found this site. It's well worth a minute. Actually, I think Geoff would LOVE having some of these meals! http://www.thisiswhyyourefat.com/

This picture is just a teaser! (to visit the website-not to make your own oreo mountain)

And to think all this time I thought it was the girl scout cookies!

I've really got to lay off the pork brains in milk gravy!

Sewer fishing

Oh Caleb! He had our entire house wired with fishing line. Everywhere you went you got entangled in fishing line. Even in the middle of the night when I had to get up to go poddy I tripped all over the fishing line. It was making me crazy! My cupboards had fishing line hanging out, the pictures on my wall had fishing line tangled around them, the front door was wired with fishing line so that when you came through the front door a dining chair would fall over. It was even outside! Tied all through the trees from here to there---EVERYWHERE!
Fishing line everywhere. But this one took the cake.

I went in to use the downstairs bathroom and this is what I found. He had tied fishing line to the handle of the toilet. I looked down to wonder where the other end was. It was not in sight.

Did you know that if you tie one end of fishing line to the flushing handle then flush the line down the toilet you can let that end go as far as it can and then you can retrieve the line and pull up treasure?

It's called sewer fishing.....a new sport Caleb invented!

Girl Scout conspiracy

Watch out! The girls scouts are out to get anybody they can. That's right. You see them at the grocery store, at the school's health and wellness night, in front of the bank, in front of your favorite restaurant, on the side of the road and my favorite..... my front door!

I'm sending out a warning to all my friends. JUST SAY NO! If you don't you'll be like me.
One sleeve of cookies after the other, box after box after box. There's NO STOPPING!!! They've got me, guys. I can't stop! The bliss of package after package of thin mints is too much. I don't have the will power to stop and frankly don't want to. I buy a couple of boxes here and there thinking I've got it under control, eat them as fast as I get them and then I'm on the lookout for the girls in the green uniform for my next "fix".

The other day I had a whole box sitting on my desk. The next morning I came in to find it was completely empty! Oh boy did Caleb get in so much trouble. The words of an addict..."don't you even think about putting one finger on my cookies". Oh it's bad! The real trouble is that I realized how quickly I eat a box. One whole box to myself in about 15 minutes.
Surely Caleb ate that whole box......DIDN'T HE???? It couldn't have been me!

Beware friends! They'll get you too!

Happy Anniversary!

Today my brother Kevin and sister-in-law, Kristyn celebrate their anniversary.
I hope you have a wonderful day!

Yesterday

OH how I wish I was more eloquent to describe to you what I felt yesterday.

There often comes into our hearts (when we let it) this grand sense of peace and I felt that yesterday.

Earlier in the day I received the kindest email from one of my friends and I won't tell you that her name was Laurel and she's in my ward. It's amazing to me what kind words do for somebody. They bring smiles to faces and love into the heart. Oh the power!

My kids came home from school, well 3 of them. Wes gets home later. I love that part of the day. They are always excited to tell me about this or that- always all 3 of them at the same time too, I might add. Anyway- they got their homework done quickly and headed off to the park. I decided to join them.

This may seem silly but it was so enjoyable. I chatted with another friend, whom I greatly admire and I won't mention that her name is Rachelle and she's in my ward also. I'm awed by her. What a great mom. What a great friend. What a great example. After she left I picked a spot in the grass to sit and soak in the sun. It was almost sunset. It was about 75 degrees, barely any wind blowing and I noticed how beautiful the sun looks on the trees just before sunset. It's that amber color that jumps right out. Looking up into the sky I saw 2 planes, quite far from each other, but they made those white tails that linger in the sky after them. There were a few clouds scattered here and there- the kind that aren't big and fluffy- the ones that are a hint of cloud- the skinny kind.
I heard my kids in the distance laughing with each other and I remembered the kind note sent to me through email and I sat and smiled and smiled and smiled.

It was a deep sense of peace.

Scouts

Tonight Tyler had a blue and gold banquet for scouts. There was a pie making contest althought they didn't give out any awards. Geoff and Tyler made a strawberry pie together. Way to go, guys!

Here is Tyler eating his yummy pie! It was pretty darn good.

Lunch for today was....

leftover birthday cake from my mom's surprise party that Amy Scott made, (IT WAS OH SO YUMMY!)
and to be healthy I threw down some V8 juice.

Queen Creek Stake Women's Conference

We've been working really hard to pull together our first stake women's conference. It's going to be so much fun! Please mark your calendars if you haven't already.
Here are some details:

Queen Creek Stake Women's Conference

"Encircled in His Love"

Saturday, February 21st from 9am till noon

We will have 2 guest speakers, President Clark from the Mesa Temple and sister Nielsen.
I know you are familiar with the temple president. It will be wonderful to hear from him.
Sister Nielsen is the mother of Christian Nielsen. He and his wife, Stephanie (aka nienie) were in a plane crash and survived this past summer.

We will also have 3 mini classes:
Creating a celestial environment in the home
Live simply, laugh often, love deeply
Mothers and daughters

We will also be serving you lunch and dessert!
You just can't miss this- it will be WONDERFUL!

One more Christmas post

I tried and tried to find something for Geoff for Christmas. He's nearly impossible to shop for. With a little help from Ebay and other online retailers I came up with a few things.

He's always in need of shirts. He says he needs shirts that are a little more than plain t-shirts. You know, to appraise in. It's best to make a good first impression. Well, take this one for example.
And I think these pants may be the perfect shade of plum. These match the shirt.

These sweet shoes may be slightly too fancy for him but maybe not for date night. I checked to see what sizes were available. They definately have his size. After all, Geoff IS my star studded hero.Heaven knows he needs a new swimsuit. I found this one. The only problem I see is that Geoff really likes to put his keys in his pockets. I can't see any pockets on this swimsuit.



Or even this one would do. rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (cat sound) rrrrrrrrrrrrr (more cat sound)
But he's not much of a "tassels" (or whatever the heck you want to call them) kind of guy.

After being a little discouraged about trying to find an outfit I settled on a fun, snuggly pet. The kids are just begging us for another puppy! I searched and searched to find the best one for our family. You know, one that we could easily get rid of. We've had several puppies. They grow up and get un-cute and we get rid of them. Here's what I found. This might cure the kids of ever wanting another puppy again!


After so much stress about finding the right gift I gave up. Geoff ended up with one of these for Christmas....... (a big one!)

My favorite person

I love him. I love him. I love him.

The other day I was feeling blue. Geoff and I were sitting in the office and I told him I really wanted to run away and hide out in some big huge city like New York so that I could get lost. I could just wake up and watch people all day and not have a care in the world. I just wanted to run away. Just for a little while. Where nobody could find me.

A few minutes later on his way out the door he took my face in his hands and said, "I'd be lost without you."

He melts my heart. I don't tell him often enough. Whatever have I done so right to have him in my life???

The good days

Yeah- I've got to take a minute and count the good days. Let me tell you about my day last Saturday. It was one of the best I've had in a long time.

6am: wake up and leave for South Mountain with mom and Jodi
7:15: arrive at South Mountain and hike to the top. What a beautiful view! You can see the entire valley. We got to watch the sunrise.
9:30am: home just in time to eat some breakfast and take a shower
11:30am: Pick up Jodi, Stacey and Katie for lunch and window shopping
3:30pm: home for a nap
6:00pm: out the door with Geoff, Wes, Ash, Ty and Caleb to see the zoo lights (Thank you, Sunny!)
10:00pm: home. Watch a little t.v. with Geoff
midnight: snuggle in my cozy bed but not before giving thanks for such a wonderful day!!!!!!!

The best part of that day was no worries. none. zippo. nada. Not even to clean the house.

When life gives you lemons make lemonade?

After my last post I decided that I had better give some thanks for what I DO have!
If every earthly possession was taken away from me here is what I'd be down to:
The gospel
My testimony of the gospel
My marriage
My children

My greatest blessings ever.

There were some good things that happened in 2008. I have had many humbling experiences and so I relied on the Lord and my testimony heavily which strengthened my relationship with Him.
My marriage has been strengthened and we have a stronger resolve to do the things that will keep us together forever in love.
We have strengthened relationships with our children.
We have felt love and support from others who have been so willing to help.
I have a greater desire to reach out to others who may need my help because I have been a recipient of needed support and I know how appreciated it is.
I have a greater desire/need to live simply, laugh often and love deeper.

The past year has helped me see through so much of the world right to what matters the most; my testimony of the gospel, my relationship with the Lord and my family.