Beardall Family 2012
Monday, January 25, 2010
And the winners are....
Drumroll please... The winners for my blog giveaway are: Melissa H., Lindsy, Bri, and Marie! And yes, I decided to draw for 4 instead of 3--I couldn't help it! I found an extra board and decided to do one more. Winners- if you haven't already, send your address on an email or post or shoot me a message on facebook. If you want it personalized, include the names you want on the tags! Thanks. I really do feel bad that I couldn't get one to everyone who entered though! I really feel like this was a great idea and wanted to share with everyone. It has helped us! If you didn't happen to win, and are still interested I can send you the file for the book, or I might be persuaded to send you down a set anyway sometime later, like say as a birthday or other major holiday present. Let me know if you're still interested. I'll see what I can do. Thanks for entering everyone!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Last Call on my giveaway!
LAST CALL! Anyone, anyone? Last call on my giveaway. Have no idea what I'm talking about? Refer to post (RS Superwoman). I'm drawing Monday, so don't dawdle! So far I have Evelyn, Jeigh, Amber, Bri, and Melissa. Shoot me a message or comment on here.
Beardall Law?
Why is it that out of the entire 2000 square feet of my house that my kids have to be in the same 6 square feet that I am?:) I think I'll call it Beardall Law.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
A Day in the Life of Heather
My friend Laura decided to post a typical day on her blog through pictures and a blog post. What an insightful, fun thing to do. She challenged her readers to do the same--take around a camera and capture your typical day. So I decided to take her up on it! And hey, if you feel like trying it--go ahead! It was SOOO fun! I've realized that I do a lot more in a day than I give myself credit for, and I captured some fun moments and photos. So here it is: A day in the life of Heather! C'mon, take a peek... You KNOW you want to!
My day starts typically at about 6:45 a.m. when Ryan wakes me up as he is heading out the door. He's such a sweetie, he gets the kids up and puts them at the breakfast table and makes their lunches as he's making his to take to work. He lets me sleep in a little (and by sleeping in I mean like 10 or 15 minutes longer)and then wakes me up about then and I take over the morning routine with the kiddos. Every once in a while Ryan can't get little Jarom to wake up enough to sit at the table with the kiddos and so he puts Jarom in with me while the kiddos finish up breakfast and I will myself to get up.
Around 7, I'm finally fully awake and roll out of bed and nag the kiddos to finish eating and clear their places. This continues for anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on the grumpiness of the kiddos or myself. On to baths! Can't get them in, and then can't get them out. SOOOO frustrating. On to nagging them to get dressed, dressing Jarom, then moving on to making sure thay are all dressed appropriately for the weather, that lunches have made it into their backpacks, and that we make it out the door with hats and gloves, and homework and any extra things for the day.
Most mornings I have to start the car and scrape the windows. 
Wyoming weather! Grrr... Out the door and into the car..
After wrangling them all into their respective carseats and buckling them in, we head up to school! I would send them both on the bus, but they would literally spend 45 minutes on the bus EACH WAY and have to TRANSFER buses once coming and going. The 7 minute drive is so much more justified. Two kiddos in school. YAY! 
Jarom and I head home. Once or twice a month little Jarom and I grab a hot cocoa at the exxon on the way home. Special treat just for us. Today was the day! 
Quick stop at the bank to cash a check and get Jarom a sucker. Aw, home! I get Jarom situated in front of Dora and *I* get to get ready for the day. Oh wait, gotta change batteries in the camera. Oh yeah, AND let Sammy out.
Okay, let's get ready! Shower power, blowdry that hair! 
Brush those pearly whites! !
And torture those eyes! 
Er, uh, I mean, get those contacts in! Tada! On to hair and makeup! Much better! Not bad time today! On to dishes! Unload and load 'em up! (First batch of two today.) 
Let Sammy out AGAIN. What IS that smell? Second diaper change of the day. Let's get that poopy diaper outta here. Can't wait until he's potty trained! First trash of the day out the door. Blake'll take that to the dumpster later. Down to laundry. Washy Washy. And unloading the dryer.
Am I boring you yet? I'm bored myself. But look! More to do! 
Gotta get Jarom out of the water first though... 
On to the folding. But I DO try to make that at least a little more interesting. I decided to try something a little different this year, and it's working GREAT! I put the scriptures on my ipod and I listen to a few chapters a day while I'm folding laundry.
You should try it! So far so good. Jarom decided to follow along today. 
Too cute. Jarom "helps" fold laundry but gets bored pretty easy. And inevitively gets into something. Today it was the tupperware.
AGAIN Sammy? Really? Usually we spend lunch at home over some PB&J or mac n cheese or something, but today we went to lunch at BK so I could meet with one of the counselors for Relief Society so we could plan out classes. It was fun. Feeding and chasing kids, planned classes and 2 hours later, we got back home. Jarom was a little bored and Heather was feeling a little fat from her cocoa and BK binge, so we decided to take a bike ride around the neighborhood. 
1/2 hour later Jarom had a good short nap and I had a good workout. Time to chill. Check some email, surf the web. And answer the phone. Telemarketers, grr… On the do not call registry and seriously? It’s from the same company that I ALREADY subscribe to. Heather’s eyes rolling. Chill out 'til pickup time for kiddos. A little HGTV please. Herd Jarom out the door to pickup the kids, wait for a parking spot, and on the way home again. Check the mail on the way. Grab a snack for the kiddos, and pour through backpacks and Take Home folders. 5:00, Ryan's home--Finally! I love it when he comes home. So nice. I'm so thankful for a schoolteacher schedule. I couldn't imagine dealing with anything else. Ryan is truly the cook in the family, although I do cook as well. Most of the time we end up sharing the cooking. I do prep and cleanup and he does the main part. So we make dinner and clean up, and veg in front of the tv.
It seems like Emmalee always has homework. And has since kindergarten-- I swear. They like to send home "family activities" and reading assignments all the time, so she always has something. Usually Ryan signs off on everything and we listen to her read. It's part of our go to bed routine. We usually try and get Blake and Emmalee in bed by 8:30 so they can get up for school in the morning, and that seems to be working very well. By then they are tired enough that they will go to sleep, but not so tired they won't. Jarom is still a work in progress. If he gets a nap, he's up as long as mom and dad are (10:30-11:00 usually), but if he doesn't get a nap in he'll go to bed the same time as the other kids (which rarely happens--darn it all!). We have scripture and family prayer and read books and brush teeth. We've discovered that when we have a set routine for going to bed, it makes it a LOT easier to get them in bed. They actually ask for the routine now and won't go to bed without it. For years we struggled with getting them all to bed, and a while after Blake was born we started this and it works well for us. So there you have it! A day in the life of Heather. This is of course my usual everyday stuff, and it's always changing depending on what is going on that day. Usually we have something going on at night (meetings, school events, R.S. events, family events, etc.)and when I'm motivated, I try and go workout at the rec center three or 4 nights a week. Sometimes Jarom and I go see daddy at work over lunch. I don't ALWAYS get ready in the morning--there are days I don't get a shower or at least don't get one until like 7 at night. A few days a week I take my kids to school in my pjs, and there are days where I skip the laundry and the dishes and work on some project. But there you have it. Did you enjoy Heather's day? I sure did, but maybe I'm biased:)
My day starts typically at about 6:45 a.m. when Ryan wakes me up as he is heading out the door. He's such a sweetie, he gets the kids up and puts them at the breakfast table and makes their lunches as he's making his to take to work. He lets me sleep in a little (and by sleeping in I mean like 10 or 15 minutes longer)and then wakes me up about then and I take over the morning routine with the kiddos. Every once in a while Ryan can't get little Jarom to wake up enough to sit at the table with the kiddos and so he puts Jarom in with me while the kiddos finish up breakfast and I will myself to get up.
Around 7, I'm finally fully awake and roll out of bed and nag the kiddos to finish eating and clear their places. This continues for anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on the grumpiness of the kiddos or myself. On to baths! Can't get them in, and then can't get them out. SOOOO frustrating. On to nagging them to get dressed, dressing Jarom, then moving on to making sure thay are all dressed appropriately for the weather, that lunches have made it into their backpacks, and that we make it out the door with hats and gloves, and homework and any extra things for the day.
Most mornings I have to start the car and scrape the windows. 
Wyoming weather! Grrr... Out the door and into the car..
After wrangling them all into their respective carseats and buckling them in, we head up to school! I would send them both on the bus, but they would literally spend 45 minutes on the bus EACH WAY and have to TRANSFER buses once coming and going. The 7 minute drive is so much more justified. Two kiddos in school. YAY! 
Jarom and I head home. Once or twice a month little Jarom and I grab a hot cocoa at the exxon on the way home. Special treat just for us. Today was the day! 
Quick stop at the bank to cash a check and get Jarom a sucker. Aw, home! I get Jarom situated in front of Dora and *I* get to get ready for the day. Oh wait, gotta change batteries in the camera. Oh yeah, AND let Sammy out.
Okay, let's get ready! Shower power, blowdry that hair! 
Brush those pearly whites! !
And torture those eyes! 
Er, uh, I mean, get those contacts in! Tada! On to hair and makeup! Much better! Not bad time today! On to dishes! Unload and load 'em up! (First batch of two today.) 
Let Sammy out AGAIN. What IS that smell? Second diaper change of the day. Let's get that poopy diaper outta here. Can't wait until he's potty trained! First trash of the day out the door. Blake'll take that to the dumpster later. Down to laundry. Washy Washy. And unloading the dryer.
Am I boring you yet? I'm bored myself. But look! More to do! 
Gotta get Jarom out of the water first though... 
On to the folding. But I DO try to make that at least a little more interesting. I decided to try something a little different this year, and it's working GREAT! I put the scriptures on my ipod and I listen to a few chapters a day while I'm folding laundry.
You should try it! So far so good. Jarom decided to follow along today. 
Too cute. Jarom "helps" fold laundry but gets bored pretty easy. And inevitively gets into something. Today it was the tupperware.
AGAIN Sammy? Really? Usually we spend lunch at home over some PB&J or mac n cheese or something, but today we went to lunch at BK so I could meet with one of the counselors for Relief Society so we could plan out classes. It was fun. Feeding and chasing kids, planned classes and 2 hours later, we got back home. Jarom was a little bored and Heather was feeling a little fat from her cocoa and BK binge, so we decided to take a bike ride around the neighborhood. 
1/2 hour later Jarom had a good short nap and I had a good workout. Time to chill. Check some email, surf the web. And answer the phone. Telemarketers, grr… On the do not call registry and seriously? It’s from the same company that I ALREADY subscribe to. Heather’s eyes rolling. Chill out 'til pickup time for kiddos. A little HGTV please. Herd Jarom out the door to pickup the kids, wait for a parking spot, and on the way home again. Check the mail on the way. Grab a snack for the kiddos, and pour through backpacks and Take Home folders. 5:00, Ryan's home--Finally! I love it when he comes home. So nice. I'm so thankful for a schoolteacher schedule. I couldn't imagine dealing with anything else. Ryan is truly the cook in the family, although I do cook as well. Most of the time we end up sharing the cooking. I do prep and cleanup and he does the main part. So we make dinner and clean up, and veg in front of the tv.
It seems like Emmalee always has homework. And has since kindergarten-- I swear. They like to send home "family activities" and reading assignments all the time, so she always has something. Usually Ryan signs off on everything and we listen to her read. It's part of our go to bed routine. We usually try and get Blake and Emmalee in bed by 8:30 so they can get up for school in the morning, and that seems to be working very well. By then they are tired enough that they will go to sleep, but not so tired they won't. Jarom is still a work in progress. If he gets a nap, he's up as long as mom and dad are (10:30-11:00 usually), but if he doesn't get a nap in he'll go to bed the same time as the other kids (which rarely happens--darn it all!). We have scripture and family prayer and read books and brush teeth. We've discovered that when we have a set routine for going to bed, it makes it a LOT easier to get them in bed. They actually ask for the routine now and won't go to bed without it. For years we struggled with getting them all to bed, and a while after Blake was born we started this and it works well for us. So there you have it! A day in the life of Heather. This is of course my usual everyday stuff, and it's always changing depending on what is going on that day. Usually we have something going on at night (meetings, school events, R.S. events, family events, etc.)and when I'm motivated, I try and go workout at the rec center three or 4 nights a week. Sometimes Jarom and I go see daddy at work over lunch. I don't ALWAYS get ready in the morning--there are days I don't get a shower or at least don't get one until like 7 at night. A few days a week I take my kids to school in my pjs, and there are days where I skip the laundry and the dishes and work on some project. But there you have it. Did you enjoy Heather's day? I sure did, but maybe I'm biased:)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Getting back into the groove...
We started a Fitness Challenge for Relief Society that I get to help head up. And although I could have been perfectly content sitting on my rear end and have been dragging my feet on going back to the gym again, it has given me the opportunity to get back into my workout groove. I was on SUCH a great workout schedule before I ran into all my health junk this last year. I lost 20 pounds in 7 months, and I felt great. I was looking better, getting less headaches, and I just FELT better. It's just A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. how quickly you can get out of a routine and unmotivated. 4 months of one health issue after another, and I gave up on my workouts completely. I just thought, Why bother? Excuses, excuses, excuses... And the longer you give up on it, the harder it is to start back up again. SO I'm VERY thankful that I've been given the opportunity to "have" to get my self in gear again. A little push. Just what I needed. I'm happy to say that I've been "back in the saddle" again for two weeks now! YAY! And hopefully I can continue it. Wish me luck!
For Cereal?
Got a good laugh at the store yesterday, thought I'd share. I bought my tax software yesterday and the cashier asked me if I wanted to buy the 1 year protection plan on it for $3. Seriously? On 2009 tax software? That I'm going to use for a few hours and not have any use for afterwards? Yeah, sign me up for that one...Not! Really? Sheesh.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
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Getting the Mail
Every day after school, on the way home I swing by the mail box down the street and get the mail. EVERY day my kiddos tell me to let them know if they have mail. They are obsessed with it. And most times, there is nothing for them unless it's around their birthday. Occasionally I'll hand them an ad or something, and they always whine that *I* always get mail. To which my reply is usually that my mail is not fun mail, it's bills. Today I checked the mail and there was none to be found at all! So of course when the kids asked if they had any mail I told them that nobody got mail today. To which my daughter Emmalee replied, "Not even any bills for you mom?" Me: "Nope." Emmalee: "So can we celebrate?" Me (laughing): "What?" Emmalee: "We could go celebrate and go buy toys since you don't have bills to pay today!"
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The Last Ten Years... Is it really 2010 already?
WARNING: This post is way long, if you wish to read my novel--proceed!:)
Has it REALLY been 10 years since 2000 rolled around? Crazy. My husband Ryan and I were pondering New Years Eve over everything that has happened in the last ten years of our lives and with so much having happened it has opened a new world of possibilities for the next ten. It has been such a crazy and both wonderful and devastating ten years in different ways, but very eventful nonetheless. So I thought I'd put it out there as to everything I have done, experienced and gone through in the last 10 years-- the good and the bad. Here goes:
2000
Worked at KRIC as a news producer and DJ.
Had my own radio program on our student station at Ricks College called "Ricks Kicks".
Found out my mom had cancer when she rolled her car after falling asleep at the wheel.
Had my appendix burst and had surgery to remove it.
My mother had surgery for her brain tumor the same week.
Dated and broke up with the first guy I ever kissed.
Took a guitar class and recorded some dumb songs on a CD.
Worked as a copy editor for the award winning school newspaper The Scroll.
Graduated from Ricks College with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Print Journalism.
2001
Went to Disneyland with my mom and my dad and my brothers and sisters.
Tranferred to ISU from Ricks College after finishing my associates degree.
Taught my roommate how to drive stick shift in my Festiva.
Met my husband for the first time at a dance at Institute.
Worked at Annie's Pizza and Subs.
Majored in Photography at ISU for a year.
Got engaged to Ryan in May.
Moved to Cody Wyoming in June in the middle of a huge snowstorm.
Worked at the Cody Enterprise as a "flyer" and "stuffer".
Went to the temple and got my endowments on July 12th.
Got married in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 14th.
Got in a fender bender (her fault) with another girl named Heather on the day that I:
Found out I was pregnant with my first baby!
Moved to Pocatello so Ryan could finish school.
Watched in horror as a plane hit the twin towers on 9-11
Worked as an On Air announcer and Play-by-play announcer (ISU volleyball!) for KISU.
2002
Went to my first Professional basketball game ever- a JAZZ game in utah.
Had my first baby! Baby girl Emmalee.
Took finals the next week.
Had Emmalee blessed the same weekend as Ry's graduation.
Moved back to Cody when Emmalee was 12 days old.
Stayed in Cody when Ryan was offered a job that fall at Cody High School.
2003
Started school again through UW outreach.
Bought our Toyota Landcruiser
Bought a Pontiac when our Bronco blew up (valve went through the piston--it's on display)
Bought our first home!
Had my wisdom teeth pulled
Became pregnant with my 2nd child!
Played nurse for three weeks to Ryan and Emmalee (nasty flu that amazingly I didn't get!)
2004
Went to school full-time and watched Emmalee at home while Ryan worked.
Officially graduated from UW with my Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences Communications.
Had my 2nd child--Baby Blake!
2005
Went back to work part time as a delivery driver for Pizza Hut.
Bought a purple Chevy.
Was put in as Primary President for Cody First Ward.
2006
Got a misdemeanor (that was later dropped) for "furnishing alcohol to minors" when I took out a beer for a server at Pizza Hut after she told me she had carded. Long story short--I was charged, the server was not. I quit my job after that one. They still haven't changed their carding policy--you'd think they would learn. Caused a ton of stress and I should have sued the company over it.
Went to Europe! Me and Ryan took 50 high school kids to Europe for a Foreign Language trip.
We went to Spain, France, Monaco, Germany, Switzerland, and drove through Austria and Italy.
Found out Ryan's dad had pancreatic cancer.
My grandfather, "J" Robert Loveland passed away.
Took a trip to Salt Lake City to visit Ryan's dad after surgery and take the kids to temple square.
My father-in-law Galen Beardall, passed away in December that year.
Found out I was pregnant with baby #3.
2007
Got an inheritance from Ryan's dad. Payed off a lot of bills. Started updating house.
Also inherited Ryan's dad's dog Otis.
Bought a 2003 Chevy Truck.
Took a trip during spring break to Disneyland with the kids. Emmalee was 4 years old, Blake was 2 and a half years old, and I was 3 months pregnant.
My mother, Robbie Ricks, passed away in March that year.
We paid for the funeral expenses with part of Ryan's inheritance. Such a blessing.
Got rid of our ugly pink carpet in the living room-- put down wood laminate ones.
Had baby boy Jarom in August!
Emmalee started kindergarten the same day!
Took Jarom to see a pediatric cardiologist the day after he was born.
Found out he has "funnel chest syndrome"-- mostly cosmetic, caved in chest.
Sent my brother Ray off on his mission.
2008
My sister Shirlee got married!
Got granite countertops in the kitchen!
Learned how to lay tile in the bathrooms.
Had several problems with our dumb Chevy. Poured thousands of dollars into it. Got rid of it.
Bought a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Mega Cab. Love it.
Went to Disney World with the kiddos. Ryan had a foreign language conference in Orlando.
2009
Had a new roof put on when wind damaged the old one.
Painted the house green outside.
Our dog Otis died.
My sister Cora got married!
I trained for and completed a sprint triathalon. 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 5K.
Lost 18 pounds in 7 months.
Had my 10 year class reunion.
Found out I have DES (Dry Eye Syndrome)
Had outpatient eye procedure done--had punctal plugs put in.
Was released as Primary President, put in as RS Enrichment Leader.
Blake started kindergarten--2 kiddos in school!
Had a miscarriage in September.
Adopted a dog from my dad, Sammy.
Got kidney stones the end of November.
Had outpatient surgery for my kidney stones the first week of December.
Gained back 10 pounds.
What an eventful 10 years! Can't wait to see what the next 10 years brings.
What would I like to see in the next ten years?
One or 2 more children.
An addition to the house or a new bigger house.
All my kiddos in school.
Less debt.
Emmalee getting ready to graduate high school.
My boys working towards their Eagle Scouts.
Finished projects.
A skinnier me.
A healthier me.
A career.
Anything else life throws at me!
Has it REALLY been 10 years since 2000 rolled around? Crazy. My husband Ryan and I were pondering New Years Eve over everything that has happened in the last ten years of our lives and with so much having happened it has opened a new world of possibilities for the next ten. It has been such a crazy and both wonderful and devastating ten years in different ways, but very eventful nonetheless. So I thought I'd put it out there as to everything I have done, experienced and gone through in the last 10 years-- the good and the bad. Here goes:
2000
Worked at KRIC as a news producer and DJ.
Had my own radio program on our student station at Ricks College called "Ricks Kicks".
Found out my mom had cancer when she rolled her car after falling asleep at the wheel.
Had my appendix burst and had surgery to remove it.
My mother had surgery for her brain tumor the same week.
Dated and broke up with the first guy I ever kissed.
Took a guitar class and recorded some dumb songs on a CD.
Worked as a copy editor for the award winning school newspaper The Scroll.
Graduated from Ricks College with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Print Journalism.
2001
Went to Disneyland with my mom and my dad and my brothers and sisters.
Tranferred to ISU from Ricks College after finishing my associates degree.
Taught my roommate how to drive stick shift in my Festiva.
Met my husband for the first time at a dance at Institute.
Worked at Annie's Pizza and Subs.
Majored in Photography at ISU for a year.
Got engaged to Ryan in May.
Moved to Cody Wyoming in June in the middle of a huge snowstorm.
Worked at the Cody Enterprise as a "flyer" and "stuffer".
Went to the temple and got my endowments on July 12th.
Got married in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 14th.
Got in a fender bender (her fault) with another girl named Heather on the day that I:
Found out I was pregnant with my first baby!
Moved to Pocatello so Ryan could finish school.
Watched in horror as a plane hit the twin towers on 9-11
Worked as an On Air announcer and Play-by-play announcer (ISU volleyball!) for KISU.
2002
Went to my first Professional basketball game ever- a JAZZ game in utah.
Had my first baby! Baby girl Emmalee.
Took finals the next week.
Had Emmalee blessed the same weekend as Ry's graduation.
Moved back to Cody when Emmalee was 12 days old.
Stayed in Cody when Ryan was offered a job that fall at Cody High School.
2003
Started school again through UW outreach.
Bought our Toyota Landcruiser
Bought a Pontiac when our Bronco blew up (valve went through the piston--it's on display)
Bought our first home!
Had my wisdom teeth pulled
Became pregnant with my 2nd child!
Played nurse for three weeks to Ryan and Emmalee (nasty flu that amazingly I didn't get!)
2004
Went to school full-time and watched Emmalee at home while Ryan worked.
Officially graduated from UW with my Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences Communications.
Had my 2nd child--Baby Blake!
2005
Went back to work part time as a delivery driver for Pizza Hut.
Bought a purple Chevy.
Was put in as Primary President for Cody First Ward.
2006
Got a misdemeanor (that was later dropped) for "furnishing alcohol to minors" when I took out a beer for a server at Pizza Hut after she told me she had carded. Long story short--I was charged, the server was not. I quit my job after that one. They still haven't changed their carding policy--you'd think they would learn. Caused a ton of stress and I should have sued the company over it.
Went to Europe! Me and Ryan took 50 high school kids to Europe for a Foreign Language trip.
We went to Spain, France, Monaco, Germany, Switzerland, and drove through Austria and Italy.
Found out Ryan's dad had pancreatic cancer.
My grandfather, "J" Robert Loveland passed away.
Took a trip to Salt Lake City to visit Ryan's dad after surgery and take the kids to temple square.
My father-in-law Galen Beardall, passed away in December that year.
Found out I was pregnant with baby #3.
2007
Got an inheritance from Ryan's dad. Payed off a lot of bills. Started updating house.
Also inherited Ryan's dad's dog Otis.
Bought a 2003 Chevy Truck.
Took a trip during spring break to Disneyland with the kids. Emmalee was 4 years old, Blake was 2 and a half years old, and I was 3 months pregnant.
My mother, Robbie Ricks, passed away in March that year.
We paid for the funeral expenses with part of Ryan's inheritance. Such a blessing.
Got rid of our ugly pink carpet in the living room-- put down wood laminate ones.
Had baby boy Jarom in August!
Emmalee started kindergarten the same day!
Took Jarom to see a pediatric cardiologist the day after he was born.
Found out he has "funnel chest syndrome"-- mostly cosmetic, caved in chest.
Sent my brother Ray off on his mission.
2008
My sister Shirlee got married!
Got granite countertops in the kitchen!
Learned how to lay tile in the bathrooms.
Had several problems with our dumb Chevy. Poured thousands of dollars into it. Got rid of it.
Bought a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Mega Cab. Love it.
Went to Disney World with the kiddos. Ryan had a foreign language conference in Orlando.
2009
Had a new roof put on when wind damaged the old one.
Painted the house green outside.
Our dog Otis died.
My sister Cora got married!
I trained for and completed a sprint triathalon. 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 5K.
Lost 18 pounds in 7 months.
Had my 10 year class reunion.
Found out I have DES (Dry Eye Syndrome)
Had outpatient eye procedure done--had punctal plugs put in.
Was released as Primary President, put in as RS Enrichment Leader.
Blake started kindergarten--2 kiddos in school!
Had a miscarriage in September.
Adopted a dog from my dad, Sammy.
Got kidney stones the end of November.
Had outpatient surgery for my kidney stones the first week of December.
Gained back 10 pounds.
What an eventful 10 years! Can't wait to see what the next 10 years brings.
What would I like to see in the next ten years?
One or 2 more children.
An addition to the house or a new bigger house.
All my kiddos in school.
Less debt.
Emmalee getting ready to graduate high school.
My boys working towards their Eagle Scouts.
Finished projects.
A skinnier me.
A healthier me.
A career.
Anything else life throws at me!
Christmas Time 2009
For Christmas this year, we decided to just stay home here and have a family Christmas. We have always gone to Idaho right after Christmas but since my dad has moved to Utah now, this was the first year we didn't go! We thought about traveling down to Mona Utah to visit my dad still, but considering I'd just had surgery and I really didn't feel like traveling with 3 whiny kiddos that LONG way down there and in the icky weather, we stayed put. Sometime this spring or summer dad! We did go to the Bighorns (about 2 hours away)the weekend before for our annual Beardall party. That was a lot of fun. We stayed at The Passage up there, and the kiddos got to spend time with cousins and grandma and go swimming and sledding.
It was a fun weekend. On Tuesday the 22nd, we had our RS Christmas dinner. I think it turned out fabulous! I was so nervous. I hate having to speak, just because I get so nervous, and I had put together a video for it as well. But it turned out so good! it was awesome. We did soups in bread bowls with cherry cheescake and a chocolate pie dessert, and we did the Secret of the STAR. We had 5 people (including myself) do a point each for S.T.A.R.S. Seek, Tesify, Act, Respect, and Strengthen. It is our new focus for the year. We're excited. It turned out so nice! I think everyone enjoyed it and we did some caroling on a hayride after. The kiddos got out of school half day on the 23rd, and Santa spend the 23rd and 24th getting all ready for Christmas. For Christmas Eve we had a roast dinner, drove around town and looked at all the lights, had the kids act out the nativity while we read the Christmas story and hung up stockings. 
The kiddos also got to open their presents from each other and relatives. Christmas morning was mayhem. Wrapping paper everywhere! The kiddos all got new bikes from mom and dad. We got a family gift of a karoake machine, and the kiddos also got a little laptop computer to share. Blake got his much wished for shake 'n go extreme track, Emmalee got her Chixos and snuggie she wanted (yes- a snuggie--she wanted it!) and Jarom got a Leapfrog table and a car ramp toy. And of course a ton of other toys and goodies! Santa spoiled them as usual! Heather got a new backdrop to toy around with her photography skills, and Ryan got a year of Sirius sattelite radio in his truck.
The kiddos have break until Tuesday the 5th, and Ryan goes back on the 4th for inservice. It has been nice having everyone home. We've done some fun things like sledding and going to the Alvin and the Chipmunks Sqwequel and we've gone swimming and watched movies and played and took a Billings trip. Emmalee and mommy got to take a girls day and get their hair done and have lunch together, and the boys went to McDonald's and played. It has been a fun break, but mom is ready for the kiddos to go back to school. It is a hard thing to keep the house from being destroyed with everyone home for 2 weeks straight during 2 holidays! Our schedule has been torn to shreds and needs to come back down to a somewhat normal state! No more late nights and sleeping in! We had a great Christmas break. Hope yours was fun too! Sorry, we didn't get Christmas cards out, but we may get out a yearly newsletter sometime this month! We'll see. Have fun!
It was a fun weekend. On Tuesday the 22nd, we had our RS Christmas dinner. I think it turned out fabulous! I was so nervous. I hate having to speak, just because I get so nervous, and I had put together a video for it as well. But it turned out so good! it was awesome. We did soups in bread bowls with cherry cheescake and a chocolate pie dessert, and we did the Secret of the STAR. We had 5 people (including myself) do a point each for S.T.A.R.S. Seek, Tesify, Act, Respect, and Strengthen. It is our new focus for the year. We're excited. It turned out so nice! I think everyone enjoyed it and we did some caroling on a hayride after. The kiddos got out of school half day on the 23rd, and Santa spend the 23rd and 24th getting all ready for Christmas. For Christmas Eve we had a roast dinner, drove around town and looked at all the lights, had the kids act out the nativity while we read the Christmas story and hung up stockings. The kiddos also got to open their presents from each other and relatives. Christmas morning was mayhem. Wrapping paper everywhere! The kiddos all got new bikes from mom and dad. We got a family gift of a karoake machine, and the kiddos also got a little laptop computer to share. Blake got his much wished for shake 'n go extreme track, Emmalee got her Chixos and snuggie she wanted (yes- a snuggie--she wanted it!) and Jarom got a Leapfrog table and a car ramp toy. And of course a ton of other toys and goodies! Santa spoiled them as usual! Heather got a new backdrop to toy around with her photography skills, and Ryan got a year of Sirius sattelite radio in his truck.The kiddos have break until Tuesday the 5th, and Ryan goes back on the 4th for inservice. It has been nice having everyone home. We've done some fun things like sledding and going to the Alvin and the Chipmunks Sqwequel and we've gone swimming and watched movies and played and took a Billings trip. Emmalee and mommy got to take a girls day and get their hair done and have lunch together, and the boys went to McDonald's and played. It has been a fun break, but mom is ready for the kiddos to go back to school. It is a hard thing to keep the house from being destroyed with everyone home for 2 weeks straight during 2 holidays! Our schedule has been torn to shreds and needs to come back down to a somewhat normal state! No more late nights and sleeping in! We had a great Christmas break. Hope yours was fun too! Sorry, we didn't get Christmas cards out, but we may get out a yearly newsletter sometime this month! We'll see. Have fun!
Friday, January 1, 2010
RS Superwoman!
I've been put in as RS Enrichment leader, and so I get to plan all enrichment activites and do craft projects and all kinds of fun stuff now. For December, we decided to do FHE boards and FHE grab bag books. I am so excited we had the opportunity to do these! They turned out great. Man they were a LOT of work though. Good thing I was bored to death sitting at home recovering because it gave me time to put together everything for the books. We made 23 boards and 36 grab bag books! Man, I never knew people had to put so much effort into these craft days! I'm so much more grateful for those people that have done them in the past. Wanna see how they turned out? I did some for my sisters too. Take a peek. 
I've decided that I loved this project so much that I've been inspired to give away three sets to people who would love them as much as I do! So I'm having a giveaway! If you're interested, post your name and your address or send me a message on facebook or shoot me your email so I can get it out to you if you win! I'll throw all the names in a hat and draw three that I'll send out the end of the month!
I've decided that I loved this project so much that I've been inspired to give away three sets to people who would love them as much as I do! So I'm having a giveaway! If you're interested, post your name and your address or send me a message on facebook or shoot me your email so I can get it out to you if you win! I'll throw all the names in a hat and draw three that I'll send out the end of the month!
Drink Water! And lots of it...
So I really hate kidney stones. Yup. Hate. I said it. I'd so much rather have a baby. Really. I'm being totally serious. Even without pain meds. Kidney stones are NOT fun. So in case you don't want to experience them, drink lots and lots and lots and lots of water! Grrr... And even then, you might get them, who knows. Hasn't seemed to help me, and I guzzle water all day long. I've had kidney stones 3 times now, all times of which really sucked. But this one took the cake. The last week of November, I spent an entire week dying of pain, passed one stone and then got sent to the surgical center the first week of December to have the OTHER stone that wouldn't pass removed. Yup. So got to spend an entire week keeled over and the next week recovering from surgery. I seriously didn't think that I'd be that out of it for a so long from an outpatient surgery, but it ended up that way. But it worked okay. Ryan was a sweetie to me. He actually took a few days off and helped out a TON around the house. He watched kiddos, did dishes and laundry and everything. I could just not function at all so I was grateful. And I maxed out my deductible in December. Go me! Ha ha. But I'm doing better now. I got through all my december junk, and made it recovered by the time Christmas rolled on in. Crammed it all in! Time to catch up on my workouts now.... :)
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