Snow Day!!

Last Monday, we woke up to at least 4" of snow, and at least that much fell throughout the day. We got the driveway, sidewalks and porch cleared, and it looked great. The next day, we woke to find another foot or so had fallen overnight, and it was still snowing!! The power had gone out during the night, and so none of the alarms went off, and we all woke up late. I couldn't believe how much snow had fallen. We checked the news, and they were saying buses weren't running, but schools would still be open and to use our own judgement whether to send our kids or not. The next thing we knew they were announcing that all schools in our district were closed!! In all the time we have lived in Utah, we have never had a snow day. The older kids were pretty jealous that they never got one, and thought it was really unfair that they still had to go to work when the little ones didn't have school.

The snow was so heavy and wet, the snow blower kept getting jammed up, so Dennis pulled out the tractor to clear most of it away. The kids had a ball sledding, and making sugar cookies. Let the Christmas vacation begin!!

Stocking Completion!!

Several years ago, my mom began making Christmas stockings for all of the children and grandchildren. That's 20+ stockings if anyone is counting. Well, we have loved them, and the kids won't even consider any other stocking. When Jennifer got married, she told me that I would have to make a stocking for Adam. Haha, ok, no biggie. I looked a little to see if there were any clearance ones I could pick up, but never did get one. Then about October, she reminded me again that I needed to make Adam a stocking. Ok, ok. So I found one that would be great for him and ordered it. Finally the package comes and when I opened it, I wanted to cry! There were so many little pieces, sequins, beads, embroidery floss! I needed a magnifying glass to read the instructions. There were over 145 pieces to the stocking, all of which needed to be embroidered, beaded, sequined and/or stuffed. Where was my mom when I needed her??

The longer Mom has been gone, the more I realize I took for granted. First of all, I assumed she would always be here. Secondly, I assumed she would always do all of the things that she always did. If you didn't know my mom, she was wonder woman. Well, now I am trying to fill her shoes, and more and more things keep popping up that mom always did, and now it's my job to do them. I am so lucky to have had her teach me all of the things she did so that I can carry on some of these important traditions with my family.

I finished Adam's stocking today, I think Mom would be proud.

Thanksgiving Gratitude

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. It was a little quiet, but it was so nice to have our family with us. With Michael on his mission, and Scott's kids at their mother's, we were a little small this year. It was still nice though, and we have so much to be grateful for. We are so blessed, and sometimes the feelings are so overwhelming of how much my Heavenly Father loves me and blesses me.

I am so grateful for my family. I was raised by wonderful, loving parents who taught me the gospel, and taught me to love and serve others. My mom is gone, but I am still grateful for her influence in my life. I am thankful that my dad is still with us, and still able to do most of the things he wants to to. I am glad he lives close by so that we can spend time together. He's always been my favorite lunch buddy! I'm thankful for a wonderful husband, who loves me and our children. He is a great provider for our family, and takes good care of us. I am grateful he puts up with me and loves me just the same. I have been blessed with six (seven, eight?) terrific children, and I love all of them with all my heart. They are all different and they all bring a special blessing to my life. With their unique personalities and qualities, I am constantly amazed by the fact that Heavenly Father trusted me with them. I am thankful for my brother, Scott, and that we can be such good friends. We weren't particularly close as children, unless you count when I beat up the neighborhood bully for picking on my baby brother, but we have become close as adults, and he brings a special joy to my life to have him nearby. I am thankful for extended family. We are blessed to be able to re-connect and remain close because of the technology of the modern world. I have always loved spending time with Aunts, Uncles, cousins and nieces and nephews, and I am grateful that we still can and do. I am grateful that they care enough to stay in contact. They are a blessing to me.

I am grateful for the gospel, for my testimony of it, for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for his redeeming love for me. I am thankful for the calm assurance I have that He lives, and that through Him, my family can be together forever. I am grateful for the peace of the gospel and the many blessings it brings into my life. I am grateful for my son Michael, who is serving a mission to the people in Ohio. I'm thankful for his strength and testimony and his willingness to bring others to a knowledge of our Savior and His gospel.

I am thankful for this free land we live in. I am thankful for the freedoms we have, and for those who fight and have fought to keep me free.

I am grateful for good friends. Friends who know me, and love me anyway. Friends who we consider family. Friends who will always be there for me, and friends who will let me be there for them. Friends who know what I need, even when I don't and friends who tell me the truth, even when I don't want to hear it.

It seems so inadequate to try to put these feelings into words, but I would feel even worse if I didn't try. I know that all good things come from the Lord, that He has given me all this and much, much more. Sometimes I can't comprehend all that I have, but I am grateful for it all.

Jordyn Plays Soccer, sort of....

Kindergarten soccer isn't really soccer, it's more like gather ball. We had 18 kindergarten teams. I think every single child in Mapleton played soccer this year. They play 3-on-3 with no goalie. It helps a little with the bunching, but not much. They actually conned me into coaching Jordyn's team. Hahaha. Yeah, I know, really? It was actually kind of fun, but I'm ready to be done. The kids are cute and fun, but spacey. I can't tell you how many times I had to pick a kid up from somersaulting on the grass. How many times I had to remind them that we were playing soccer. It was funny to watch them. The most important issues to them are, who brought treats and who gets to kick the ball at kick-offs or penalties. I finally had to make a rule that they weren't allowed to ask if they could kick. There were times they were all "too tired" and didn't want to play. Maybe the games are a little too long? Jordyn had fun though, and I guess that's the point, right?

Matthew Soccer

Matthew had a good, but tough fall soccer season. Mapleton played 6-man soccer for Matt's age with no offsides rule, so it was a totally different game. Matthew's coach was great, and taught him a ton. I've seen great growth in Matthew this year. The tough part came because the league is 6th-9th grade. Our team was all 6th graders, so it was pretty hard playing teams with older kids. They weren't able to win a game until the final two games of the season, but Matthew was able to score in two of the games. Go Matthew!!

Really?? Who does this??

We knew we got a bargain when we bought our new house, and we knew that there were a lot of things we needed to fix. One strange thing we noticed was the extreme temperature swings in our bedroom. (No wisecracks from the peanut gallery!!) It would be freezing in the morning, and really hot in the afternoon, while the rest of the house stays pretty constant. With fall mornings and waking up to seeing our breath in the air, Dennis cut an access panel (no, we didn't have one of those either) in our closet to see what was going on. Guess what? No insulation. None, nada, zip. Who does that? Who "forgets" to insulate one whole section of the house? Evidently our builder does. Since we bought the house "as is" we really have no recourse, good thing there is a great rebate program right now. Wonder what other surprises are in store?

Play Group and Play Doh

When school started, Jordyn was asked to be in a little play group with some other 5 year old girls in our ward. We were both thrilled!! Jordyn loves to play with her friends, and she goes crazy when she's here alone with me in the afternoons. In our old neighborhood she didn't really have any friends to play with, so this is great! It was our turn today, and the question was, what to do? We have very carefully avoided play doh in our house for the past 16 years or so. I'm not sure the boys have ever even played with it, ever. The main reason was that we had carpet under our dining table in our last house. Ever try to get playdoh out of carpet? Yeah, not so fun. Well, Jordyn pointed out to me that we have a wooden floor now, so we can have playdoh, right? Ok, I took a deep breath and took the plunge. Now I remember why I never buy playdoh. Actually it wasn't bad, despite what the pictures show. The girls had a ball. They played and giggled with playdoh for 2 whole hours!! We cleaned up what we could, then I swept the floor and table and ta-da! We were done! So, how do I top this for next month?

First Week of School

Yay!! Everyone is finally in school!! Ammon and Matthew started last Tuesday at their new schools. Ammon is in 9th grade at Mapleton Jr. High, and Matt is in 6th grade at Mapleton Elementary. It was a big change for both of them. Ammon had a rough couple of days, but he seems to be adjusting and doing better. Matthew has been great. Of course, school is boring and stupid, but I can hardly expect 12 and 14 year old boys to be excited about it.

Jayme started on Wednesday and is carrying quite a load this semester. She has 23 more credits to graduate after this semester, so she is working hard to get done. You go girl!! Jenn and Adam started on Monday and are both working hard. It's so great to see my 'adult children' progressing toward their goals and doing well in school.

Jordyn, the most excited of all, was the last to start school. She finally got to go to kindergarten yesterday!! She was so excited, here she is at the door, ready to go!
Of course, we got to the bus stop early, and Matthew was a little horrified that she was so excited. Here she is waiting for the bus.

Here she is getting off the bus, look how happy she is. She had a great day, it was a "piece of cake"! She loves her teacher, and is making new friends!!

Michael's Blog

I started a new blog where I will post Michael's letters and my 2 cents (of course) ;) The address is www.michaelsmissionadventures.blogspot.com

Michael's Mission Farewell

We had Michael's missionary farewell on Sunday. He spoke in Sacrament Meeting and did a great job. I am so proud of him and the man he is as well as who he is becoming. There were lots of years when I wasn't so sure, but I think he's turned out pretty well.

After church, we all came over to the house for lunch and to visit. I think we fed over 100 people. We have been blessed with such good family and friends over the years, and it was wonderful to have all of their support. All of them have helped shape my children, and I am grateful for their influence in our lives.

Michael has also been fortunate enough to find a good group of friends these past few years. Again, many years of worry and praying for good friends finally paid off. These kids have been such a strength and support to each other as they have struggled through all sorts of challenges. All of the boys have helped each other prepare for missions, and the girls have been good examples and support for them. I am so grateful for them and what they have been for Michael.

He will enter the MTC in Provo tomorrow, where he will spend the next three weeks learning how to teach the gospel, then off to Cleveland, Ohio for the next two years. Godspeed and God bless!!

Trees, Trees, Trees!!!

We are slowly but surely making progress on our yard. So far, we have planted 22 Junipers, 3 flowering plum bushes, 7 flowering pears, 2 sycamores, 3 honeylocust and 2 maples!!

We went to get compost in Michael's truck, it really became a "beaner" truck then! It was riding pretty low, and we had our own work crew shoveling out the mulch.



Then we had bark delivered and Dennis moved it over to the trees so it could be spread around. Thank goodness for tractors! It would have taken FOREVER without it.












Here is proof that my boys really do know how to work. They've been a great help this summer getting everything done!









One finished project!! The junipers form the property line as a natural fence between us and our neighbors.















The flowering pears line the parkway.

















The auger on the back of the tractor really helped speed things up! They were able to plant 5 trees on the hill in record time! When they grow, they will provide a great shady area as well as privacy from the street.









That only leaves 2 japanese maple, 2 dappled willow, 2 flowering pear, 1 honeylocust, 5 sycamore and 2 maples left to plant this year.











Oh, yeah, and 12 junipers...

Good times!!

Matthew's Birthday

Apperantly I am not only a bad blogger, but a bad mom too. Matthew's birthday was last Sunday, and he turned 12. It is so strange to think that what was supposed to be my last child is 12 years old. He received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained a deacon by his dad. Also in the circle were Bishop Peterson, Grandpa Johnson, Uncle Scott, Michael and Adam.

Matthew got to choose his favorite dinner since it was his birthday. What did he choose? No, not steak, lasagne or ribs. Matthew wanted french toast souffle, sausage and hash browns. It was very yummy, even if I do say so myself! :) We also had cake and ice cream later to celebrate.

Matthew was able to go to young men's for the first time this last week. It was a combined activity, and they were going boating. Being newish in the ward, and the newest deacon, Matt doesn't really know any of the older boys. And, since we aren't boating people, he was a little nervous about that whole thing too. After we finally convinced him that he would have fun and it would be ok, we got him to go. The first thing he said when he got home was, "That was so much fun!!" Huge sigh of relief from the mom.

Today he passed the sacrament for the first time. Michael and I were watching for him to do something to goof up, but he did great!!

Happy late Birthday Matthew, we love you!

Good Bye to a Cousin

Last month I got a phone call that made my heart drop. My cousin, Jennifer Wilson Moss was killed in a car accident. Jennifer is the youngest daughter of my Aunt Kathleen. We were never especially close, but we were family. I remember lots of holidays and family bbq's at Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's house. We also had cousin sleepovers with just the girls. We had lots of fun together.

It was a horrible, tragic accident that didn't need to happen. She had just dropped her son off at vacation bible school and was going home. As she was waiting to make a left hand turn on her street, a distracted driver rear-ended her and pushed her into oncoming traffic. I believe she died instantly, and there wasn't a mark on her.

My dad and I were able to make the trip to Colorado Springs together to be a support for the rest of the family. It was heartbreaking, and gut wrenching, and every other cliche I can think of to see her family grieving so hard. She left behind 5 sons and a husband in addition to her brother, three sisters, and her mom. I wish I could have been more of a comfort, give more reassurance of the things I know to be true. I wish they knew with the surety that I do that families are forever. It isn't just a phrase or a nice thing to say, it is real, and it is true. I pray that they will be able to find the peace and comfort that only the Savior can give.

It was a long drive, but it was nice to be able to have the one on one time with my dad. We had some good talks, and it was really enjoyable. It was great to see my cousins again. I can't remember the last time I saw the girls, I think it was Grandpa's funeral. Judy and her husband Hussein, and her daughter Nikki were there. Janet and her girls, Jennifer and Danielle, came from Houston. JoAnn & Chris and their children drove from Illinois. Jim and Jill and all of their family were there too. We had some good visits, and some good bonding time. It made me realize how much I miss having family close by. We talked about trying for a reunion next year, we'll see if it happens. I hope it does. We need those family connections.

Michael Gets his Mission Call!!

Michael has been so excited to get his mission call and go on his mission. He turned in his papers as soon as he was able, 120 days before he turns 19. We were told that the papers needed to be submitted and processed, the missionary committee meets on Thursdays, letters are put together and mailed on Monday, and calls are usually received on Thursday. Well, one week came and went, no call. Then the next week came and went, still no call. Finally, the Bishop told Michael that his call was on the way. We expected it on Thursday, and made plans for the family and Michael's friends to be here when he opened it. On Wednesday, I picked up the mail, and to my shock, there IT was! I was shaking so bad, I was nervous and excited for Michael. I got home and yelled that he had mail. He was just as shocked as I was. He was so excited, he wanted to open it right that second. There was no way he could wait. He called his friends, Jayme called Jenn and Dennis, I left to get Grandpa. There were a few glitches in the half-cocked plan, like life. Jenn didn't want to leave work early, Dennis couldn't leave work, Adam was on the way to Salt Lake, and JR was working.

It didn't matter though, he had to open it right this minute!! I got back with Grandpa and the cousins, Chet, Shay, Matt and Kailey were here, Jenn left work, so then we were waiting for JR. Michael got so anxious, they called JR and told him that he was opening it without him! He was just a few blocks away, so he proceeded sloooowly.....












While everyone waited nervously to see where it would be. We had a world map on the wall, and everyone placed their guesses.
















Finally, JR got here. Jenn was on the phone with Adam, and Michael read his letter. He was called to serve in the Cleveland, Ohio mission. He reports to the Missionary Training Center on August 11!! So soon! He won't even be 19 until the end of September!

After the initial letdown of not being called to someplace exotic (read Hong Kong, Russia, or Africa), we are all super excited for Michael. He realizes that this is where the Lord wants him to be and that there is a reason he is being sent there. As he keeps telling me, "God doesn't make mistakes"

I am so proud of Michael and the choices he has made. He is chomping at the bit, and so anxious to begin serving the Lord full time. We were able to go to the temple with him for the first time last week. It was a very good night with Dennis, me, Jenn, Adam, Grandpa and Bishop Peterson. Michael was a little shell shocked, but then I think we all are our first time. There is a lot to absorb, and he is ready to go back.

I am so grateful that he has good friends who support him and encourage him to be good. These boys go to the temple together, mission prep class, and help each other be better. I have always prayed that my kids would have good friends, and Michael has been blessed with the best! Go forth and serve my son, you will be an excellent missionary!!

How Did a City Girl Like Me End Up in A Place Like This?

We've been doing so much work on the yard, I wanted to take some 'before' pictures. We are on an acre, which is a ton! We were on 1/3 acre before, and I thought that was a lot! Here is the front yard from the street.




















You can see that there is lots for us to do! The ground has been totally un-tended forever. It is full of rocks and very hard clay. Fun!


















There are bumps and grades all over the lot, it's not flat anywhere. There is a slope down from the house to the street, and to the right there is a pretty good slope down too.


















This is the back, our yard goes back to the neighbors yard. You can see the back boundary by their rocks, and the fence on the far side.



















And what does everyone need to put in a new yard? A tractor of course!! It's been a great help, and Dennis and Michael love to drive it. I've tried it, I guess it's a guy thing.


















The thing I do love about living here is the feel of being in the country. We have quail, pheasant, grouse, and deer in our yard quite often. For now, I love watching the deer. Once I get my yard in and they start eating it, I may not like them quite so much.