Time-Out

Just a quick post to let you all know where I've gone. We've moving and I'm losing internet service for a couple of weeks. So, I'll have to come back and post later. FYI--we are in our new house. I just finished cleaning the old one tonight--thanx to two awesome women from my ward! I couldn't have done it without them. They even did the worst jobs--the bathrooms and the moldy window sills! Thank you for angels!

I'll post again as soon as I can!

Day 149

We got our certificate of ownership!!!

And the key!!!

Time to move in, baby!!!

Liza Lou is more than two!!!

We celebrated Eliza's birthday this week! She wanted everything dog, but she turned her nose up at all the cute dog cakes I found online. She wanted a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting--and her little toy dogs standing in the frosting. Do ya think she wanted to lick the frosting off her toys? She's all about the chocolate! It was chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate ice-cream! Death by chocolate!

Can I tell you how many of us finished our cake and ice-cream? Only Eliza, I think!

The little girl that lives next door to us (In our new home.) has a birthday the same day as Eliza, and they're both the same age! Fun coincidence! So, we all went to the park. The day was perfect--70 degrees, and it was a half day at school. It couldn't have been any better!

And, as an added bonus--and a surprise for Eliza!--her cousins from the Valley met us at the park! Since it was all about dogs that day, I made chocolate pudding with crushed oreos and gummi worms--and let 'em dig like a dog! They loved it!

However, I'm not thinkin' she was too thrilled when she opened a dress for her present?!

Her sweet sister spent a couple of weeks writing a story, illustrating it, painting the pictures, and binding it into a book to give Eliza for her birthday.

"Horatio's B-Day Surprise"

Kate worried that Eliza wouldn't like it because it wasn't a toy, but it was a hit. That was our bedtime story that night.

I LOVE her enthusiasm--for everything! What a great smile! Thanx for the sticker book, Grandma!

I love this picture! Thank goodness for grandmas and grandpas--we love 'em!!

I love my little girl! I love her smile. I love that she skips everywhere she goes. I love her hugs, and that she ALWAYS wants to share them. I love that she is so considerate of others--especially her sister. I love that she's a tease--and she lets me tease her. I love that Heavenly Father sent such a sweet person to our home--to teach us, to love us, and to help me be a better person. I hope I'm all that I need to be to help her return to her Heavenly Father--and that I get to go with her!

I love you Eliza!

Day 148

I LOVE my door knobs!!!

I know. I know. I'm probably a complete nut, but I love 'em! They are the thing I like the most--right now! I loved the wood floor (the most) when Lehi did that. I loved my light fixtures (the most), too. But, right now it's the door knobs!!!

Aren't they awesome? (If you don't think so, don't tell me. Just let me enjoy. Thanx.)

Day 147

Look what my awesome husband did!!! He tiled our shower--all by himself, and I think it looks awesome! That got done yesterday--yippy! I'm thinkin' it looks pretty good!

Top 'o the mornin' to ya!

Green eggs & ham!!!
We like them, Sam I am.
At the table, with my toast . . .
We'll eat 'em 'cuz we like 'em most!!!

Chicken & broccoli fettucini alfredo--green style!!
Complete with garlic toast, sprinkled with parsley & green noodles!!

Our St. Paddy's dinner was a hit!

Success!! . . . of sorts

I found this great idea for FHE the other night! It was using a shamrock to teach about the Godhead. As you know, we believe that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate, distinct individuals. However, they are one in purpose. We wanted to help the girls understand those concepts, so we began by having them recite the first Article of Faith:

"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."

We had made "yummy"? cookie dough. We took three pieces and rolled them each into a ball, placing the balls close together on a cookie sheet. As we did this, we explained that each ball represented a separate individual in the Godhead. Then, we smashed all three balls (with the bottom of a cup) until they were touching each other--and became one unified mass. We explained that they were now united, much like the Godhead being united in their ultimate goal--to help us all return to live with God forever. However, they were still separate pieces. Of course, this design made a shamrock (Thus, a great object lesson for a St. Patrick's Day FHE.).

The girls were so excited to taste our shamrocks, and I was equally excited. However, they were definitely NOT the best cookies we've ever made! The recipe we tried used lime jello to flavor the cookie dough and to help turn it green! Let me just tell you--lime jello in cookie dough gives it a rather sour taste (Kate kept saying it was too salty!), and that combined with the sugar just doesn't work!!! So . . .

We successfully made disgusting cookies, and we also successfully had a great FHE! I'm just grateful our Heavenly Father, our elder brother, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost leave a much better taste in my mouth and feeling in my heart! The Gospel is true--and I LOVE the Godhead I know is true!

CuRAAAAZY!

As if St. Patrick's Day isn't enough, tomorrow is "Crazy Sox Day" in kindergarten!

Eliza decorated her own socks today--and I think she did awesome! (I did sew on the "hair" at the top.) Her enthusiasm for EVERYTHING is so life-giving to me! I don't know if that makes sense, but I think her zest for life will help keep me young. I love that girl!

I hope her toes have a great day tomorrow!!!

Day 145--Swish!

Now we've got running water--through our house! The toilets flush! The sinks can be cleaned! The tubs and showers work! We even have a garbage disposal! Yah! A working one!!

I stressed and stressed over our plumbing fixtures. I wanted some really cool ones--and I have an absolute disdain for chrome. I really spent a lot of time (probably WAY too much) trying to find ones within our budget. I still don't know if we stayed in budget, but I did only have to get one chrome fixture--our kitchen sink one. I would've loved oil-rubbed bronze, but I'm happy with the brushed nickel in our bathrooms. I like the "vintage feel" of the style we chose. And, I know pedestal sinks aren't the most useful, but they're certainly the most cute!! It's in our half-bath anyway; we don't need a lot of storage there.

Karson (our builder) started the gravel drive today, too! This is really coming together! Lehi's almost done tiling our jacuzzi tub, and we're supposed to get our certificate of occupancy late this week or the beginning of next!

Yahoo!!!

Day 142

And, the carpet's in!!!

The girls are just bouncing off the wall they're so excited! Kate's counting down the days. I told her it would be a couple of weeks--a few days ago. I forget you should never tell a kid things like that because they hold you to it! Now, when she hears me say it's going to be two weeks she corrects me and tells me, "No, mom. This is the last week, and then we're moving in next week!" So, I hope, hope, hope! We need to do a couple of things to get our certificate of occupancy, and then we're good to go!

This is really a lot of fun!

Day 140

The carpet padding got laid today. It's getting closer!!!

And, the bathroom sinks got installed! It's startin' to look real!

Sarah--the leprechaun

For FHE we did Eliza's homework.

In honor of the upcoming holiday, she had to decorate a potato as a leprechaun. Thank goodness for creative girls--Eliza wanted "her" to be on skis (tootsie rolls); Kate wanted "her" to have a pot of gold (foil with goldfish crackers that had their tails cut off), and mom wanted "her" to be dressed (tootsie roll wrappers).

It was a fun FHE.

Day 139

We're plugged in!!! We got power! The lights work, the well works!

It's really going to happen!

She's young for her age!

If you know anything about me, you know I love senior citizens! I love them for all you can learn from them. I love them for the history they’ve lived. I love them for the stories they can tell, and they stories they love to tell! I love them for the times they represent—the simplicity they lived through. I love them for their spunk, their drive, and their independence. I even love them for their “grumpy-ness.” They make me laugh. They make me cry. They teach me. They make me feel loved and appreciated. They inspire me!
Every once in a while you meet someone with whom you really connect. I met one of those about ten years ago. Her name was Jeannette Egan and she’s been an inspiration in my life. Yesterday I learned she passed away on March 5th; she was 101 years old. I don’t know if she adopted us or we adopted her, but she was “Grandma Jeannette” to my daughters—and we loved her!
I worked at an independent care facility, “The Manors of Scottsdale,” as the activity coordinator, and that’s where I met Jeannette. She was not your typical resident. She NEVER let anyone know how old she was; in fact, I never knew she was a centenarian until her son called and invited me to her 100-year birthday party in 2007! I was amazed! I knew she'd seen many years, but I thought she was in her early '90's. This woman came to EVERY exercise class I held at The Manors—whether it was Tai Chi, water aerobics, or sit-and-be-fit. She was there everyday—faithfully. And, when I quit working in order to have a family she moved to another facility and walked the halls of that facility every day. In fact, when she finally had to get a walker, which she did so very reluctantly, she continued her walking. She believed that if you took care of your body your body would take care of you. And, she took care of her body.
She was well-educated, always asking me and my girls how school was. She graduated from Vassar, during the Great Depression. The pictures I’ve seen of her during that time are beautiful! She stressed education for her own children, and both of them are extremely successful, with great ambition. For Christmas, she gave my girls a subscription to “Highlights” magazine—an educational and fun magazine for children—for at least the past four or five years. They love that magazine! I love her love of education.
She came to every activity I planned that promoted education, culture, the arts, or music. She loved discussions, current events, history, politics, reading. Every time I went to her apartment she had countless books, the TV tuned to a news station, and the desire to get my opinion on what was happening in the world. She wanted to talk about anything and everything—travel, religion, politics. She was a wealth of knowledge. She would suggest books for me to read—her recent reads. She shared with me the experiences she had as a working woman, a mother, a wife, a volunteer—in the community, her children’s school, her church. She didn’t work while her children were young; she believed it was important to be at home for her kids. And she taught them the importance of balance; they are classy, well-educated, down-to-earth, refined, kind, thoughtful, good people. I feel blessed to know the Egan family. And, I feel blessed that Jeannette helped teach me how to be a better woman, wife, and mother.
Since we moved nine months ago I haven’t kept in touch with Jeannette. Before that, I would take the girls and we’d go and visit her. When she was still well, she’d invite us to lunch. She even came to our house once! She would always proudly introduce us to all of her friends as her “adopted family.” The girls loved going to visit her, eating lunch with her, and getting to see all of the neat things at Grandma Jeannette’s. They loved giving her hugs, and I think she’s the reason they enjoy visiting care facilities now. They have no fear of seniors; in fact, they have a special love for them. I’m grateful to Jeannette for that!
So, why is she an inspiration to me? I think it’s pretty obvious. It’s not every day that you meet someone who lives to be over 100 years old—and does so gracefully! Jeannette was one of those. Jeannette lived life. Jeannette loved life. And, Jeannette not only made the most of life, but GOT the most out of life, as well. She’s an inspiration because she valued important things—family, God, education, strong values. I’m going to miss her, but I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with her and the love she shared with me.
BTW, when I told Kate that Grandma Jeannette had passed away she remembered attending her birthday party a year-and-a-half ago, and she said, "Boy, she was old for her age!" I laughed because I believe Jeannette was young for her age! She was awesome!
Good-bye, for now, Jeannette.

Day 137

This picture should be at the end of this post, but I added it after-the-fact. Oh well.

I love this picture.

Lehi's trying his hand at masonry--a first-time event! I love the way he did it because it looks rustic--just like they would've had in the 1800's! That's the look I'm goin' for! Thank you, man!

And, here's what I worked on all day--both bathroom floors.

It's all comin' together! It's getting exciting! I just hope it doesn't kill us first!

Stretch your lips!

We are young!

We are strong!

We are fit!

We are awesome! . . .

We are dead!

In defense of Lehi, I have to explain that it was me who was behind the camera--thus, no pictures of my awesome strength . . .
or my aches and pains!

It's funny how you can do less and less as you get older. I'm sure it has nothing to do with not being in shape!? It was so bad last night that as I sat on the couch Lehi tried to bend over to give me a kiss . . . and he couldn't reach me. He said,
"Stretch your lips!"

I have to say--squeezing his legs and his arms has NEVER been so fun!!

"OWWWW!"

"OHHHHH!"

"UHHHHH!"

I think every time he rolled over last night he moaned!

I'm just glad our lips aren't too sore to stretch!
Kiss me baby!

Day 136

Look what I did today! I put in the vinyl/tile floor in our laundry room--all by myself!!!

It's interesting how good it makes you feel to do something you've never done before and have it turn out halfway decent.

I was there all day by myself. The wind was howling outside--gusts around 40 mph at least!--so I could hear it whistle through our house. It was eerily comforting. Is that possible?
I took some time to stare out our windows at the winds and the dark sky. I saw the woodpile we've started. I saw the rooftops of our neighbors'. I could see the mountains in the distance. And, I decided I'm really going to like it there.

The sunset was gorgeous tonight!!

There's something about working on your home that makes you love it. There's something about knowing that this place is ours--hopefully forever.

It was a good day!

Sisters!

"Sisters. Sisters. Nothing can come between me and my sister!"

The other day I was telling the girls about a blog I found about a family who has decided to live very frugally and without all the modern-day conveniences. (It's actually quite an interesting story if you want to go check it out! I'm very intrigued.) One of the things they are doing is home-schooling, and I told our girls about that. Kate said she wanted to be home-schooled, so I told her it would be harder for her to make friends because she wouldn't be around other kids as much. I told her she probably wouldn't have as many. She responded VERY quickly, "I would rather have MY sister than one million friends!"

I love my girls!

On a side note, if you look closely you'll notice in the above pic that BOTH of them have an "owie" in the middle of their foreheads! A week ago Kate was playing on our land while Lehi and I were working. There was a gooseneck trailer that was being used to haul the garbage and she didn't see it. She ran smack-dab into it and banged her forehead pretty good!! I guess Eliza was jealous of the lovely scar that makes Kate look like she's from India, because yesterday she (Eliza) bent over and banged her head on the corner of a brick--giving herself a beautiful mark right in the middle of her forehead, too!

So, either we have two girls that have joined some Indian religion, or two girls that have some weird initiation ceremony that has to be performed in order to be a part of their club, or maybe we just have two girls that love each other so much and are so connected that whatever one does the other HAS to do too!

Did I mention that I love 'em?! I do!!

Day 131

So, CPS is probably going to come after us, but the girls WANTED to carry 100 bricks up our stairs! We promise!!!

Remember . . .

"We are women!!! Hear us roar!!!"