Vday fun

I loved Valentines this year. It was nice to spend it at home with the kids and those I love!

We turned our house into "The Love Cafe".


The kids waited on us over a candlelight dinner. I never imagined they would have loved it so much, they took their job seriously! They loved waiting on their grandparents and aunts and uncles too.


We finished off the evening with our usual cookie decorating. My last real sugar high! Yes folks, still going strong on my no sugar. I loved love day this year....Can't wait to do this again!

I LOVE Candy

If you know me, you know I love sugar. LOVE. IT. Love it so much (you know the old saying...I could marry it). Seriously, I can't remember a day in the last few years that I haven't had some sweet treat. Mmm. Love treats, a lot.

But I am giving up sugar for the next 40 days!! Can I do it? If you see me...remind me or ask me how I am doing. I am just going to appologize right now if I am grouchy. Sugar brings out the best in almost everything about me (except my waistline!).

So, here goes craziness...

The first step back is the hardest...

Really, 10 months ago was my last post? Wow!! Honestly, I have been trying to think of some super fabulous post as a comeback... But, superfabulous just hasn't been me lately!! Not. At. All.

But the sun has been out this week,

Richard and I did go to Hawaii over my blogging hiatus, (proof of my love of the sun)and I feel a part of me coming back. So, we will see if I can EVER make it back to blogging. Seems like a long shot. I so love the spring and summer. And, I so loved blogging at one time.

So, what do I do...update you on my life for the last 10 months? No...I'll spare you that. I love quotes. I love that a few sentences can move me, inspire me, and push me to change. I love that a couple of lines can make me laugh, cry, and lift me. And so it seems fitting to come back to blogging with a thought...

“If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance.”
-- Andrea Boydston

Well, I am breathing and here goes another shot at blogging...

Getting to it, finally

1. Crafting. I really love creating things, but there are just so many other things I need to do that I rarely, if ever, craft anymore. But, I got a little crafty for valentines, look what I made
2. Organizing. I love everything organized and in its place! I am so very far from organized right now. But I finally got Karissa's bows organized. I saw this on someone's blog a year ago, and finally got to it!

3. Don't laugh too hard, but I took a dance technique class last week. Crazy as it was, it was fun, until the next day when I couldn't walk down the stairs. I forgot how dancing uses so many muscles. Any takers in going to the class with me? No pictures from this one!

4. Home projects. Since we moved into our home in WJ we have kind of decided on just letting it be. We did so much in our last home and then we moved. Since we aren't sure if this is our forever home (if only I had a different driveway!) we have been layed back on the home improvements. But, our neighbor built us some shelving in the kids closets and Richard and Sam painted. Loving them so much!

So, it feels good to have a couple of things checked off the "would like to do" list.

I've been a bad friend...and something free from me...

So, on my blog break, not only did not update MY blog but...I didn't update myself on anyone else's blog either (sorry, but I still love all of you a bushel and a peck). I was tagged a few times and totally intend to respond to those tags.

This wasn't really a tag (responses to other tags coming...)but I want a homemade item from my cute friend Kacee, so I thought this was fun. And, in Stephanie's words, like paying it forward or something. Kind of wondering if five people will even respond since I have fallen off the face of the blog world for 3 months, but here goes....

Lucky you!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. {might be a little while}
4. You will have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or maybe even some creation I haven't even invented yet (but heaven knows it will most likely be totally fabulous and creative... :). I may draw or paint something (no, I really won't do that). I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!* *Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!* *

I have a blog? What Joey needs...

I really have meant to post every week for the last three months, but for some reason I just couldn't bring myself to do it! Avoiding for some reason. Maybe because I can't think of anything interesting, funny, witty to say.

So, to start off the year right I thought I would bloglift from someone funny and witty (thank's Jane)! My list of what "Joey Need's" according to google...(you can do this too, just type your name and needs and post the first 10 findings)

1. Joey needs some Nikes (so true, I need new aerobic's shoes)
2. Joey needs to shoot more
3. Joey needs formula (hope not)
4. Joey needs some help (always)
5. Joey needs some encouragement (yes)
6. Joey needs a sidekick
7. Joey needs a nap (love it)
8 . Joey needs to start a blog (amen, or just update)
9. Joey needs an angel
10. Joey needs a home (how about just a clean one)

What a week!

A quick recap of important events last week!

Monday: had TWO root canals. Finally out of pain, and money (Merry Christmas to me!).

Tuesday: Voting! Went at 7:30 am and found out I would have to wait two hours! Wow. I came back at 2 pm. No wait! Voted mostly Republican, I still believe in the basic tenets my party was based on. Namely, family values, LESS government, free market/free trade. Okay so I could go on but I won't. Like most Americans I haven't been too thrilled with the way things have gone the last few years. But, I hope we don't have too much CHANGE, there are millions of things I love about my life. Crossing my fingers...

A funny story about the elections. The kids did a mock election at school and were so into the results. They totally wanted to watch the news all night. Sam said, "Mom I know why everyone wants OBAMA to win, he's going to give everyone money." I was totally confused about the statement, then upon further prying Sam said, "I heard it on the radio, Obama is going to give everyone change!" It put a smile on my face!

Wednesday: My crazy neighbor Paige talked me into doing the first 100 at the new Chick fil A. I in turn talked Candace into coming. We had a blast! It was seriously fun until about 1 AM at which time it did not seem like such a great idea anymore. Okay, so it was the COLDEST night of the year and we slept in tents with ice on top. We didn't really sleep because it was sooooo cold. But we got our amazing free year of Chick fil a and lots of memories. Love you girls!

Saturday: took the kids to watch Richard's dad do the weather. He is retiring in a couple of weeks. It was a neat moment! The kids were so excited about the event. It is bittersweet. We will miss seeing him on TV but we will enjoy seeing him more in person!

Sunday: wished my cute cousin off to serve a mission in San Francisco at his farewell. He gave such a wonderful talk that truly made me want to be better. You are going to be one awesome missionary Brian! Good Luck... Then off to the Primary Program in our home ward. It was awesome, especially since we have only been a ward for a month and a half. I love Primary and my calling!

Phew, here's to this week.