I really am alive..

So, I am struggling a tich on the blogging. I really am alive, I have just been neglecting the blogosphere as of late. Life is good - we are happy and healthy and excited for Spring. I have been busy - here is a random sampler of what I have been up to.

• I am starting a Special Olympics team. There was not one in our town, and I have decided that needs to change. I have gotten a great team together and we start practicing next week.
• I own a small social work agency. I bill Medicaid for the social services I provide. Unfortunately, my State - like every other one in the nation - has been experiencing significant cutbacks. With these cutbacks, the pay structure and requirements for my business is changing dramatically. I have decided to close my agency. So I am in the process of transitioning my clients to other agencies.
• Dan and I both had a horrible week long virus that made us both feel as though we may die at any moment. Luckily, my sister-in-law Heather took my older kids to Rexburg for a few days because I could hardly get out of bed. I am happy to report that we are both well.
• Halle's preschool rotation has been at our house for the past two weeks. We had a great time - even though we struggled a tad at coming up with lesson plans for letters Y and Z.
• We spent a great weekend in Boise for my little brother's State basketball tournament. We had a great time with my whole family and cheered Madison to the championship game.
• Dan had a basketball tournament in the thriving metropolis of Mud Lake. We spent the weekend watching and cheering him on. We are proud that he is still a basketball star.

Life is good and I so grateful for my wonderful husband and three darling kids. I will make a goal to keep up the blogging a tad more.

My Elements Jewelry

Do you like beautiful affordable jewelry? Well do I have I site for you! Please check out myelementsjewelry - I promise you will love it! It is all handmade jewelry made by my fabulous friend Jenny. It is all inspired by elements in nature. I have a few of her pieces and they are great quality. I get many compliments whenever I wear them. Check out her site - you will be impressed!

"Brag on Your Man" Wednesday

A radio show I used to listen to had a morning where women would call in and tell something great their husband/boyfriend had done for them - Brag on Your Man Wednesday. Well -this is my blog version. It started last week when I came home to a puzzle piece taped to the garage door. The kids were excited to lead me on a scavenger hunt ending with this:

Dan and his brother and brother in-laws planned a fantastic Valentines Day date. It was a reminder of the many high school dances that we went to together. On Valentines day, our date started with a video scavenger hunt, followed by playing volleyball and basketball, we then changed into dressy clothes, took "dance pictures," and had a fantastic dinner. The boys had decorated to the hilt. I was so touched by all of the planning and preparations Dan put into the night. It brought back many memories of MHS 1997. I am the luckiest girl in the whole world! I love you Dan!

This is what I made for Dan for Valentine's Day. A book out of CD's listing 100 things that I love about him.

Thank You Tip Junkie!

One of my very favorite blogs is tipjunkie. Here are two fun Valentine's projects that I have created with inspiration from this site. The first is a heart wreath for my front door. It was a piece of cake and turned out darling. You just cut little squares of fabric and dip them in glue and push them into a Styrofoam heart. Tada!

The second is a fun craft that Heather and I spent the day doing. It is hand sanitizer bottles decorated for Valentines. Perfect for Kyler's teacher. Thanks for the craft day, Heather! Check out Tip Junkie and see who inspires you. These tips were submitted by just a girl and little birdie secrets.

My Baby is ONE!

1997 Inauguration Memories

Do you ever have those moments when you think, "Did I really get to do that?" Well, I have been reminiscing a great deal today about one of those moments. You see, in 1997 my jumprope team was asked to represent the state of Idaho in President Clinton's Inaugural parade. In the above picture, I am the one on the right turning the double dutch ropes. If you look closely you can see Bill Clinton and Al Gore standing up. Pretty Cool, huh?

I remember how spectacular the whole experience was. There was so much excitement and enthusiasm in the air. Washington DC was wrapped in a blanket of red, white, and blue. It was a sea of waving flags. The feeling of patriotism was palpable throughout the streets of DC.

The parade route went through DC and culminated with a march down Pennsylvania Avenue ending right at 1600. The temperature was mid 20's - but after jumproping for over 2 miles in fleece flag jackets - we were all plenty warm, and plenty tired.

The night of the Inauguration, the city was filled with limo's of fancy couples headed to Inaugural Balls. I wondered what it would be like to be in one of those limo's headed to a black tie affair.

I am grateful for that remarkable experience. I told Kyler about it today and his eyes got huge. He asked, "Can I tell my teacher tomorrow?"

I enjoyed watching the Inauguration festivities today. I am not Barrack Obama's #1 fan, but I respect the office and understand the gravity of his responsibilities. I adored the pomp and circumstance of today. I thought Michelle Obama looked regal - but don't you think she could have worn red or blue? I was not a fan of the green gloves. My biggest question of the day - Ms. Aretha Franklin - did your hat have to be THAT big?

A special thanks to my sister, Clarissa, for finding and sending me the above picture.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Our Christmas break was fantastic, with the exception of 3 unfortunate events.

1. The day before Christmas, Dan and I were in the couples sled race at the cabin. I jumped on the back of his sled and bonked my head on the back of his head. I fell off the sled and before I came to my feet, my eye was swollen shut. I had quite a shiner for about a week. I think it was my first ever black eye.

2. Kyler woke up sick on Christmas morning and threw up while opening presents.

3. We tried to drive home from Rexburg in a snowstorm. We got 1/2 hour passed Pocatello and felt as if we were risking our lives. I was absolutely terrified. We turned around and drove back to Pocatello and stayed in a hotel for the night. We left Pocatello mid-morning and drove home for church the next day. The road was still treacherous and the visibility was 0%. We later found out that they closed the road minutes after we went through. I have never been so grateful to make it home in my life. I have decided that we will not be traveling until June. I am so grateful that our prayers for safety and protection were answered.

Rachel and Bryant's Wedding

Rachel and Bryant were married on December 19th in the Rexburg Temple. The day was perfect and the bride was beautiful. We are so excited to have "Uncle Bryant" in our family.

Christmas Pics

We spent Christmas with my family at the StoneFly Lodge in Ashton. We were there for Christmas two years ago, and loved it so much that we went back this year. We had a fantastic time sledding, snowmobiling, eating, playing games, and celebrating Christmas. The snow fell all day on Christmas and we truly felt like we were in heaven. We are already excited for Christmas 2010 when we will all be together to celebrate again. We missed you Rissa!

12 Days of Christmas

The following are pictures of our 12 Days of Christmas activities. These activities made for a wonderul December for our family. I hope that 12 Days of Christmas will be a tradition in our home for years to come. Made a Christmas Chain. Made "Hand Print" Santa's.

Went to see the lights in the South Hills.

Made popcorn treats for our neighbors.

Had a family movie night.

Made our own nativity set.

Wrote Christmas cards.

Did a Christmas craft.

Went caroling to the Nursing Home.

Had a family Hot Chocolate night.

Went to see Santa.

Made Bread Dough Decorations.