Hey.

Happy Birthday to Autumn today. Did you break up with your boyfriend yet? I spent so much time dating boys that I liked OK... but mostly I just went out with them because I didn't want to hurt their feelings. What a lot of skinny-me time I wasted.

I still find myself "sacrificing" so someone else won't feel uncomfortable. Yesterday at the bank I wanted to do a variety of transactions, cash a check, pay of my credit line, put some in savingss, put some money in a CD so we can go to Honduras when they dedicate the temple (hopefully it will be in more than a year!) and I wanted to open a savings account for my girls. The more transactions my teller completed the slower she got. When I thought she was done with the CD, I started talking about S's savings. It took me a couple of minutes to realize that she wasn't done with the CD yet! When she finished the CD, she was so proud to be done that I just didn't have the heart to tell her I wanted to do more. So, I just left. Poor S, will she ever get a savings account?

I took all of the cats to the doctor today. It was R and L's 18 month check-up. The had to get four shots each! I hope I remember to keep them loaded up on Tylenol. I always give them some right before they get the shots. I just remember when I got all of my shots for the mission. I was miserable and in quite a lot of pain and discomfort! My arm ached so bad from the tetnus shot, I also felt tired and naseous. I hope R and L don't feel like that.

Before I left I made appointments for B's big number 5 (lots of shots : ( he wil be sad), R and L have to go back in 6 months and I asked if I could just schedule S with them. The receptionist said that the doctor recommended seeing only two kids at a visit. So, of course I caved and made a separate appointment for S. We wouldn't want to inconnvience the doctor. Why do I do that? Now I will take them all with me in February, May, and July... and lets not forget the WIC appointments in February, March and June.

Next week we go to the dentist. The kids loved it last time we went and I love the free toothbrushes. I wanted to call them teethbrush. Funny.

Jodi... I haven't called you yet to tell you that I don't have your photos. You probably sent them when my mail box was full. I kept deleting things, but it stayed full. I was so confused. Then I realized that I had to empty the trash folder. Shamefully, it took me weeks to realize what the problem was. That's what happens when your life isn't your own.

It is snowy hear today. I love it. We haven't had very much snow this season. Elias has only cleaned the driveway once so far. The Elders cleaned it the other time for us in exchange for me telling them who is inactive and who has moved out of our branch. Good Trade.

Well... love to all!

Wow... it has been awhile. I am getting as slow as an old lady with arthritis stuck in molasses. Is that how the saying goes? In all fairness to Alma, I should not be making arthritis jokes.

Life is good.

Today I was pleased to see the amount of learning that took place with my children watching their television programs. After a "Blue's Clues" on different environments around the world, B informed me that..." deserts are hot and have a lot of sand and Cadillacs. A Cadillac is a tall, green thing with spines.:"

After an episode of "Backyardigans" where they visit a luau and the volcano sisters. He ran in to tell me that "voka-pele" means the volcano is going to blow in Spanish. I said I thought it might be Hawaiian... He just looked at me and shook his head, "I don't think so, Mom." Funny cat.

I received a little shock opening the pantry and finding three Care Bears looking at me (the work of S). Last week I kept finding Chevron cars smiling at me every time I opened the pantry door (that would be B). I opened up the "lazy Susan" (no offense meant to our dear sister, who we know is not lazy) to get out some raviolis for lunch and I found an empty can of black beans that had disappeared out of the recycling trash (this I owe to L, she loves to play in the canned goods). I have also found the trick-or-treating pumpkin and shoes, among other things, tucked away amongst the canned goods.

Alina called me today! She is settled in her house in Moab and enjoying the craziness. We who grew up in Blanding know that Moab always has been a little... you know...

Alina said the nicest thing and I am tearing up now getting ready to type it. She said the other day she was thinking about the injustice of us not being able to have our mother's things. How sad it is that many things have been lost or ruined (like all of her recipes, jewelery, and who knows what else). Then it came to her that those things are not even important. Our mom is so proud of us for being good wives and mothers (fathers) and good members of the church. That is what matters to her most, not if we have her "stuff". We are honoring her with our lives.

Do you see why I love Alina so much?! I am so glad that she can receive revelation for me. All joking aside... I feel the truth of what she said.

We are just good, aren't we. Not that we aren't still waiting for the stuff : ) We've waited more than 20 years, we can wait a little longer I guess.

My mother-in-law came back from Honduras last week. Now the contest begins... Nahum wants her to take care of his daughter (she really needs someone to bathe her regularly... they keep trying to "manipulate" me into taking care of her... I probably shoud, but the thought of it makes me so tired and sad... it would mean goodbye to the Treehouse and library... enough about me) Maribel wants to finish beautician school and needs my mother-in-law to take care of her kids (she has a brand new baby that is so cute!) and Marlen wants her to stay with her kids. I'm guessing that she will be hear for a month then go with Marlen for a couple of months, then come back again. That is what awaits us all. Our children fighting over us to take care of their kids.

My fiesty ex-counselor just had a baby. She refused (and said many unecessary rudities) to take a meal to a lady she visit teaches a few weeks ago... So we are pouring it on. We gave her a baby shower last week, the next day she gave birth. They didn't want to tell anyone from church, but we called when they didn't show up for church. They were inundated with visits yesterday (our RS presidency included) and they are getting meals taken in for a week! We'll teach them to not want to serve others.

Well, I am working on the family calendar. You will all have it before January ends. I need pictures from Steve, Jodi and Ticee... email them to me :) Hopefully it will work.

Love to all!