General Conference

 My brother, Jeff, was kind enough to get tickets for our family for the Sunday morning session of General Conference.  My other brother, Ben, and his family were in town too, so we were all able to be there...sadly we sat seperately and didn't see each other, but it was our first time as a complete family to go to a session in the Conference Center.  Yep, even 6 yr old Ammon.  We weren't sure what to do with the little guy, because we were meeting up at Jeff and Alice's house afterward.  So we rolled the dice and took him in.  Luckily, it was chaotic and he wasn't questioned about his age (need to be 8+).  He was a challenge, but I had plenty for him to do.

Tried to get a good picture (Rian ducked out and Ammon and dad were on the other side of me).

Afterward, I was glad to get this picture of us altogether. 

We all met at Jeff and Alice's house for the afternoon session.  Scott was there with Hunter for a little while too, and Matt and Tana also came over.  Total: 21 kids, 9 adults...30 people!  But you know what?  I love chaos and it was a lot of fun being together.  We had candy bowls up by the TV and I had Conference 'Cash'.  I took notes and asked questions after each speaker for them to earn their cash to 'buy' candy.  Although it was hard work for me to pay attentions to all the speakers with my kids and others distractions, I think this helped them listen and learn 100 times more then before.  That made it worth it to me!

Love when family is together and learning together.  I cherish these moments.

Priesthood Session

 The boys (dad and Jarom) were off with Gpa Wardwell and the other men in the family.  Because they get whinned and dinned, it's always good to have a 'party' of our own.  

Made our own pizzas -- Yummo!

Had to mask! ... and make funny faces with it.  Painting nails...

And of course... can't forget dessert!  Hot coco and...the best ice cream e-ver!

100,000 Miles

Our family member of almost 9 yrs just hit the 100,000 mile marker.  Our red fire engine, the mini van, has hit an all new high.  It has taken us to so many places and through so many adventures, it is apart of our family.  I hope to run it until it dies, but as kids get larger and take up more space, who knows what may need to happen.  But for now, it's here to stay and will continue to gain more miles for our family.

First Teeth Out

 This little guy was so excited to get his first tooth... in?  He had a tooth come in, but behind the baby tooth, so nothing was coming out.  This is a regular story with all of our kids.  We had a dentist appointment soon anyway, so at the appointment he had both bottom teeth removed.  Now he can let the tooth fairy do her job!  He was so brave and did a great job.  Such a blessing to not ruin his excitement to get more teeth out.

Yep, the tooth fairy made her appearance!  He was so excited, he took his 'gold' coins to school to show it off.   Such a fun time in his life... I'm sad he's our last to go through this.  Precious moments.

KANO

Jarom's birthday present...from 5 months ago...FINALLY arrived.  It was projected to launch in July, but was pushed back until now.  He was pretty excited to get started on programing.

Student Council Fun

 Westlake High School had invited several elementary school student councils to join in their homecoming parade.  I am proud of Tarin for being active in school activities and joining student council.  Our school are the SHARKS...it was fun to spread school spirit and walk in the parade.

Ammon had fun tagging along too...purple and green are our school colors.

Gotta love the school spirit

getting ready to walk

Raegan 5th Grade Camp

Raegan had the fun opportunity to go to 5th grade Clear Creek Camp.  I can't believe she is in 5th grade already!  Luckily, this camp was in September and not end of the year like Tarin's last school year.  This gave the kids good bonding time to last all the rest of the school year.  I loved having the chance to go with her.

Getting ready to load the buses

fall was taking on it's colors when we got there...so pretty!

                              Selfie and teacher, Mrs. LaFevre, then Raegan on her bunk...it changed location as the day went on...

me and my girl!

Raegan's cabin crew...sun was really bright, hence the reason for some scowls

Michigan RoadTrip

It's that time of year again, Michigan fans go wild...meaning Trent and his brother and buddy, Jason.  They decided to take the offer of free tickets, to an at home game in Ann Arbor, Michigan through his cousin Dennis.  How did they get there you ask?  Well, they wanted to be conservative (since plane tickets are over $500) and drive...yes, drive from Salt Lake City, Utah all the way to Ann Arbor, Michigan.  How long was their window of driving?  Well, let's just say there wasn't much sleeping and a lot of driving.  They all had jobs and couldn't take much time off, so yes, they left Thursday evening, and drove all through the night and all through Friday arriving that night.  Lot's of caffeine was consumed... 

Saturday afternoon was the game so they toured campus and frat houses and enjoyed every minute of it. 

Game started and they loved the atmosphere... but their team wasn't doing too well, and the long drive back haunted them.  4th quarter was a rain delay, but with them loosing, they decided to hit the road anyway.  

 They took off, drove most of the night and hit a hotel the last few hours of the night, got up and drove all through Sunday.  About midnight or 1am Trent came strolling in.  Not sure they will do that again, but road tripping usual builds unique memories that cannot be obtained any other way.

Arizona Time

With things very stressful and unsure in my life, I needed a break.  I felt the prompting that I needed to go back to my AZ home and visit with family and get some fresh air.  I know I'm quirky, and I just needed to be around my 'quirky' family to remember who I am and what I know to be true.  It was a nice time to catch up on some sleep and put on some needed pounds, and gather a few spiritual books from my dad's extensive library.  

Because I was going to be gone, I wanted the kids to know I loved them even when I was away.  I took the time to write each child a note for every day that I was gone.  They had something to open up each morning with a treat inside to make them smile and know that I love them.  It was worth every minute.

While out in AZ, my parents were deciding on granite countertops.  Now, remember, my parents have been in this house for about 40 yrs!!  It's old and out dated...I love it!  But I love how they keep improving the place and making it home from their own hands.  So I went with my mom to look at the granite they picked out.  It was fun being with my mom.

My brother, Dan, and I headed up to my parents cabin that weekend.  I wish I lived closer to utilize that wonderful place.  So any chance I can get, I'm going to take it.  Saturday we did some hiking up by the Mogollon Rim.  Then later we headed to Woods Canyon Lake (love that lake as a kid and still do) for a picnic lunch.  Oh how serene it is up there.  Lots of people, but it still brought back great memories.

creek on our hike...then on our way to woods canyon lake we saw elk and the one in the water was playing and teasing the other little calves...so cute.

Later we headed to Willow Springs Lake close by.  We just wanted to sit and read.  As we did this, it was fun to watch the storm roll in.  I can't get enough of nature.  Wish I could do so much more to see the beautiful earth the Lord had made for us.  I feel so close to him when I'm here.

Sunday we stayed to visit the Christopher Creek Branch.  Most people that live there are retired.  I love that place, because I've gained such a love for elderly people.  They are so wise and full of knowledge...and even their goofy personalities (whether grumpy or long winded) I just love to smile and watch their body language.  I also love seeing their cute wrinkles.  Weird, I know, but seeing their weathered, spotted, skin it reminds me how much history they have lived and experienced...and all of their hard work they have endured.  I admire their stories and talent.

Don't mind my weirdness, but this is Wanda West Palmer.  She is in my family tree, I'll save the navigation of that tree, and is so talented.  I don't know her well, but I had to get a picture of my heritage.  She helped write a lot of the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant and many other musicals in the church.  What a great lady.

I also had the fun time talking to...oh I forget his first name, but Mr. Rore.  This man, so long winded and full of theories of government conspiracies.  So entertaining to listen to.  Anyhow, this guy, loved his powder blue suit and drives a Prius.  Can't be more opposite then that...but love the contradiction.  Such a good man.

On the drive home, I had to get a snap shot of my beautiful, desert Arizona.  We drove to my brother, Ben's, house for the Palmer monthly fast Sunday dinner.  It was so good to see everyone.  How I miss seeing my family.  Love them so so much.

Next morning, at 2am I woke up to down pour of rain and major thunder...I loved it!  It was nice to listen to and go back to sleep to.  But when I did wake up, it was still raining hard!  So hard it was flooding all over the valley.  Cars were getting stuck in underpasses on the freeways, drains were overflowing, retaining feilds were filling up... luckily my parents yard is equipped for holding water (irrigation) so there wasn't any damage to them.  of course my dad snickered that he will have to mow again soon...poor guy :)

This is about 8am.  The rain didn't really slow down and stop until 10am.  They recorded a record of close to 6 inches of rain.  For a desert not equipped for rain, this was pretty significant.

This is later in the day, the streets were just overflowing with water.  This retaining feild was just full all the way up to the tree branches, you can see heads of people swimming over to them...there was a full size soccer goal (out of the shot) and the water was all the way to the top of the goal bar.  What is that...8-10 ft high?  Crazy!

My brother Dan was so good to me while I was there.  He took me to lunch and such, and then took me shooting.  It was fun to try out three different guns at the facility.  Thank you Dan for being such an awesome brother...kind of glad you aren't married, so I can have you all to myself when I visit ;) wink wink

Finally, I had the amazing opportunity to do an early morning session Tuesday and then a double session Wednesday before leaving.  I have names a lady here in Utah gave me and I wanted to finish their work.  With my parents working in the temple those days, I decided, what better place would I be?  Traci joined me for the last session.  Then my mom took us to lunch then back to the airport to face reality again.  I love the temple dearly, and can't imagine my life without this knowledge I have.  I love the lord and all He's done for me.  I feel the words of Ether 12:27 in my heart.  Weaknesses are manifested, but I feel humble and feel I'm stronger and a better person.  This strength that I've obtained has been a painful journey and continues to be, but I stand as a witness that he is with me and makes my burdens light Mosiah 24: 14-16.  I know my eyes aren't equipped to see the spiritual beginning and end as our Lord has, but I know I will be blesses D&C 54: 2-4.  I know I know that this gospel is true and that the Lord Jesus Christ is our only way through Salvation.  I love the scriptures and I am learning "the mysteries of God" through study and prayer.  He leads me and guides me.  I'm human, so I will make mistakes, but I learn and feel His spirit keeping me on path that is best for my own growth and progression.  I know my Savior Lives and Loves me Too.

Gassing up the car on the way to the airport, I saw this...  I couldn't believe they are still around!  We would see RoadRunners all the time in our pasture growing up.  But the city has grown all around that I didn't think they were nearby.  It was fun seeing this little token of my childhood.

It was great getting back to my kids.  I missed them terribly and needed to be back being their mom.  I still have a long journey, but I know who I am and what is necessary for me to have joy in my life.

Labor Day Weekend

As you all know, I'm very resourceful.  I pride myself on making due with what I've got.  I want to have a fire pit in our backyard one day (even have a pinterest idea in mind) and instead of waiting around to make the nice one I have in mind, I decided to just make a temporary one.  I went out and dug a big hole and places stones all around.  We have an abundance of rocks and dry weeds, so kindling was provided and add a few charcol coals and whal-la, a fire pit.

Smores was on the agenda, and fun sticky mess was a must.

Ahh, seeing my kids have fun together is what makes my heart soar.  Conversations get a little nutty, but nothing else makes it worth it.

Filling My Time...

All of my kids are in school, so now I have time to do laundry, cleaning, run errands...  and maybe some more free time.  I've had this road bike from my birthday, and never used it.  It was time to change that.  I road about 13 miles round trip on the Jordan River trails.  It was fun, but wow, my bum is not use to that seat.

I'm also finding time to do some projects around the house.  Really, these could be a Saturday projects, but with limited resources and time, I have to take this a little at a time.

BEFORE

This is the basement bathroom.  I thought I'd do my experiment job on a bathroom that not too many would see.

The studs didn't exactly make things symmetrical, but oh well, it looks artsy.  I'm new to making these boxes, I'm improvising.

AFTER

I'm realizing how much I could use a table saw.  My hand saw skills are a bit shaky.  But over all, I like it.  A coat of paint and I have a complete project.  I think I did great for my first time. :)

My next project...

BEFORE

 Decided to try the upstairs kids bathroom.  I saw something on pintrest and wanted to put my own twist on it.  If anything, pintrest ignites my own projects.  I really don't like the bland bathroom and cheap towel bar that, potentially, will fall off soon.  So I thought hooks would be better.  Storage is also an issue.  So here is the before...with my probing stud finding holes...quickly remembered to get a before picture.

I found the studs were equal distant, a plus, and cut out the cubby holes.  Debated to do a fifth hole, but decided against the extra effort that would be hidden by the door anyway.

Wanted to do something horizontal.  I love the horizontal look!  So I bought the beadboard paneling.  I wanted to try out tongue and groove boards, but this was more cost effective (about $100 project).  I sanded down for a more vintage look.

This doesn't have the sanded down feature, this was my 'see if it fits' attempt, and the only picture I snapped before moving on.

Finally, functionality.  I used my compressor and nailed it all into place and mounted the hooks.  I love it.

Yes, I still need the shelf and boxes to do... but I love it!

PRE AFTER

I still have the boxes to do, that is more tedious and time consuming with my limited tools, but the shelf is in and this can be used until I get to the boxes.

wow this picture didn't turn out very clear...sorry.