Happiness

 Jonah, Ethan and Asher dressed up for Crazy Western Day Elizabeth, dressed up too!   Last week I was a Kindergarten Teacher for 3 days. I was worn out at the end! Some funny 5 year old sayings I heard over those 3 days: "Teacher, are cowboy Princesses real because she says they are and I say they aren't." Student with their head down: "Teacher, how long do we have to put our heads down and be quiet?" "Teacher, he kissed me on the arm." "Teacher, can you build a wall of wood right here (pointing to her desk) because he's bothering me!" A note passed to another student said  "i don lick you" The receiver loudly proclaims "I don't lick you? I don't lick you? What is this?" "Teacher, I need a nap!" (me too) Me: "Boys and Girls, put your heads down." A girl: "Oh, thank you, teacher! I needed a rest." "Teacher, how many books are we gonna read?"...

Five Years ago today, our sweet niece and cousin Charlotte was born. She passed away 16 months later. We miss her and think of her often! More on Charlotte here and here .

   This is from January, but it is the kid's first Running Club meet. Ethan is sandwiched between two kids in red and Jonah is in red wearing the gray cap (it does get cold here!). I know that many of you are super busy and  usually are. Now I REALLY, truly know that. My new calling in the Young Womens and having an aide at school that quit all of a sudden (subbing opportunities) has kicked my busy-ness into full gear. And I'm not even in the Young Women Presidency, whom I know do a lot, lot more. In the past two weeks, we've had New Beginnings (a big activity for all Young Women coming in), a kidnapping-breakfast of all current and turning 12 this year new Young Women (15 of them), Zumba, and a putting up and taking down of American Flags on President's Day. Phew. There's even Baptisms for the Dead tomorrow (which I can't go to) and a Youth Leader Hike on Saturday. Add to that Pinewood Derby Prep (although Josh is doing all of that), Valentines Day Sug...

The other day Josh was telling me a story of how one of his co-workers really put his foot in his mouth and said something embarrassing about another person. It reminded me of a similar situation. When Josh and I were dating, Josh's roommate was planning on asking his girlfriend to marry him. He came over to my apartment and showed us the fake ring that he had just purchased to propose with. We oohed and ahhed over it and he told us his whole plan on how he would propose in the next day or two. We were excited for him and thrilled that he was taking the next big step. Later that afternoon, I went and got my hair cut by our friend who did hair. While I was sitting there, I excitedly told our friend of this friend's happy plans. I prattled on about the ring, going into detail by detail of how he was planning to set the stage and then propose. As I did so, I saw in the mirror the face of the other hair stylist working right next to us. She looked absolutely shocked! I loo...

   Asher and a Playdough Monster  Good Valentine Reads Upon Awakening The Dream Still clings Like the Lingering smell Of Garlic and Onion Or like an old sweater, Worn and tattered. I try to shake The smell, The fell, The taste But it stays Past noon. -I've been busy- subbing in 2nd grade for a teacher who went home with a sore throat and ended up in the hospital for 3 days. She e-mailed her sub plans from her i-phone (go technology!) each night to another team teacher and I would get them 5-7 minutes before class started. I would prep for until recess and at recess I would prep for until lunch and at lunch I would prep until the end of the day. Luckily her class was super good and made it pretty easy for me. Today they were going on a field trip and I was slated to go, but am now staying home with Jonah who may have Strep Throat. I'm learning to be oh so flexible as a sub! -Valentines Day is actually my favorite Holiday, although Christmas comes i...

  Since February is the month of LOVE I am starting out the month with a little of the things that I love. I love Little Ceasers. I love Josh's face when he comes home. I love french manicures. I love hot chocolate powder on my corn flakes. I love fat, chubby babies. I love birthdays. (taken from Amy's blog- Amy and Me) I love good friends and family. I love indoor swimming pools in February. I love new hair color. I love sleeping children. papers Asher brought home with Joseph written on the name  100 Days of School I love working with children.   I found this guys staring at me one morning, made by Ethan in the late night. I love sweet kids who have autism. I love 6th graders even though they can drive me crazy sometimes. I love finishing a project.   Celebrating Ethan's success! I love celebrating.  Asher as a Pirate with a sock beard (he came to the table like this one day. So funny!) I love many, m...

   It was a bit sunny! Last year , about this time, I took all 4 kiddos down Higley St. and a good 15 minute drive west to the newly constructed Gilbert Temple (lds.org). They were only half way done with the facade and we grinned and laughed in front of the cold rebar on that sunny day. Since then, they have finished most of the outside of the Temple and have even crowned it with a golden statue of the Prophet Moroni (it happened last May- a sign that it was half way done!). While there is no finish date for the soon-to-be, gorgeous temple we think it may be ready in the Fall! (Anyone can enter and take a free tour right before it's dedicated. These Temples are amazingly beautiful, gorgeous and so, so peaceful. It would be a perfect time for a visit to the Abbotts- just let us know and we'll pencil you in!)  The Angel Moroni  Love the Palm Trees that are already going in! (this is the side of the Temple)  A lot of the decor is patterned ...