spent most of the day in Mesa yesterday. I had to drop off the explosion to get fixed and so my lovely friend Kerry came and picked me and Haley up, took us to her house, let me scrap and fed us! yum! Nice time. Then we headed back. Haley didn't have one accident--the whole day! I was amazed. This was her first time for a trip in the car and she was awesome! Gotta love it. Here is the layout I did at Kerrys. I also finished up an album for my daughter--but I'm not mailing it--ya gotta come and pick it up! bribery is highly underrated.

and now--another deep thought by Jack Handey. just in time for the end of school.

Instead of studying for finals, what about just going to the Bahamas and catching some rays? Maybe you'll flunk, but you might have flunked anyway; that's my point.

later...L

Another layout I did today. Love this picture of Carson, Anna and Haley Rose. Only one more week until I get to talk to Dallas!!! Haley is still doing pretty good on the panty gig...L

happy NSD!! That's National Scrap Day for all of you non-scrappers!! I did a layout! Love it. Love that pic of Anna even though she was facing the sun. She is getting too big--she told me today that she did not need to come and sleep in my bed anymore--she was a big girl now. She must have forgotten that convo tonight--she was begging to sleep in my bed just an hour ago.

Another reason to celebrate: Haley decided to potty train herself today. She got up, put on panties and only had one accident. Hallelujah, praise the Lord and sing hosanna!!!! I don't want to count my chickens before they've pooped but gosh darn I hope this trend takes! How lovely would that be...L

hump day--at least for my missionary it is!! Dallas has been gone one year. Hard to believe--I've been an emotional wreck all day. I don't know why it has made me so weepy. Maybe because he's been gone a whole year already and I still have another year. Maybe because it is just a reminder of how much I miss him. Maybe because PMS rears its ugly head on days when I need a little peace. Anyway--I miss him, I'm proud of him, I love him and can't wait for another year to go by--I've heard it goes fast now--I can only hope! we are eating italian tonight! Here is his email from yesterday:


Man, time does flys by pretty fast. I feel great. Ive learned more in the mission then ive learned in about all my life, but I feel like Iam finally getting a hang of this thing and its almost over. Ha. Well im so grateful for your example and love for me even though I was a little difficult at times but I know you guys are seeing the blessings of your hard work(a two year vacation away from me).ahhaha. I thank you for your prayers. I know that they have helped me soo much and I know that Heavenly Father listens to all of us and he will always anwser us if we ask with faith. Well Dad I love you and I pray for you every day(b/c i know it must be torture with all those women).

Love
Anziano Gilbert


love that boy! ciao...L

just a little one i did for myself to go in my album. when you open the card it says (in my own handwriting!!): I am a girl. I like to shop I must admit. Not just any shopping though. Clothes, shoes, purses. That's what i love to get. My favorite purchase so far--my jimmy choo shoes that David bought me on vacation at south coast plaza--to die for! Oh--let's not forget scrapbook supplies--shopping and scrapping--my two faves!

just a layout i did about trying to find enough time in the day...L

journaling reads:time. or the lack of it. always a major force in my life. how to get more of it, stretch it, and make the most of it. well, unless I discover some unknown law of physics I think I will always have 24 hours a day. then it hit me this morning as I was rushing around again trying to make everything work. I have enough time already—I really do. all I have to do is to find out what is important enough for me to make time for. this is what I decided:

I have time for God. I have time to pray, read my scriptures and do my church callings.

I have time for my husband. time to tell him how muappreciate him, kiss him good morning, give him a shoulder rub at night.

I have time for my children. time for kisses and hugs and dancing in the family room. time to call just to say hello. time to write an email.

I have time for me. time to scrapbook, journal, take pictures, read a good book, email a friend, exercise.

these are my priorities—these are the things that I need to put on my TO DO LIST everyday. everything else is a non-priority. do I have time? time for the important things in my life? all the time in the world...

another project from saturday

can you play? most definitely...L

me and heidi swapp! yesterday at Scrapbooks, etc. what a fun class! I took two classes from her. one was on her philosophy where we made a "she" frame kit and got an album and lots of fun stuff and the other was on her products and I finally used a mask and spray paint. Got an album in that class as well and made some cool coasters and a cute summer page. too much fun and I loved meeting her and talking with her and getting inspiration from her. But my hugest thanks goes out to David--whom was up all night sick as a dog, throwing up and still told me to go and have fun and stayed home with 4 girls! Gotta love a man that does that for you!!!!!MWAH! I will post my pictures of my projects when they are finished...L

a few disney pics!

been a while since I posted. went to disneyland. came back from disneyland. i have been stuck in laundry hell ever since! finally think I am almost caught up. disneyland was fun--a little too crowded but we all still had a good time. i think my fondest memory is the bug's life movie that is in CA adventures. bug's land is this little area reserved for the tiny tots. the little kids that are too afraid of the big rides. a safe, fun, no somersaults in your stomach kind of place. we decided to take the kids to the bug's life 3D movie. mind you we are traveling with friends (hi Sueann) whom have 4 children there as well as our 4. in the entrance to the movie i see that it says "loud, foggy and scary". well, i think, this is for little kids, how scary can it be? well, here's how it went--3D animation, bugs spray you with acid (water shoots out and hits you), bees fly in your face with wind machines simulating them being too close, stingers pop out of the back of your chair to sting you, yada, yada, yada. Now just imagine what life would be like if you were in a crowded, enclosed setting with 100 or so SCREAMING kids. the kind of screaming as if you had just been invaded by aliens. this is what happened--every child in the theatre was screaming their hearts out. what was i doing? laughing hysterically. i mean what else could you do? there is no way out and the thought that this is supposed to be for kids and the said kids are terrified did nothing but make me laugh so much that tears were streaming down my face. my girlfriend was doing the same thing. the only one unfazed was Haley. David kept asking her if she was ok and she just nodded her head yes.

the key things about disneyland this year were: Carson rode all the rollercoasters this year...and loved them! haley would have rode any ride in the park as long as she could sit on my lap. not sitting on my lap--freak out time! the parks were very busy--that was the flashing sign we saw every morning we went. we bought some art at my fave place "off the page", we bought "the evil queen" and a tinker bell one (love tinkerbell!). we found the best italian restaurant in Fullerton--Angelo and Vinci's. can't say enough except for MWAH! that was good food!

ok--then we went to south coast plaza on the way home and all i can say about that is that i came home with a pair of jimmy choo shoes. 'nuff said about that except thank you to a wonderful hubby that spoils me!!!!

this weekend i'm looking forward to getting Carson's braces off (today) and attending a Heidi Swapp class (tomorrow). can't wait...L

Happy Easter everyone. What a day. Beautiful weather--a little windy, but nice. We colored Easter eggs last night--fun for the whole family. This morning the girls got their Easter baskets and the fun began! David's sister Debbie was down visiting this weekend and came over at about 11--right after the girls had thrown off their Easter dresses after my picture taking attempts. I actually got quite a few good ones for the time of day and background I had! They were so cute and if you see a smiling photo well let's just say you weren't behind the scenes witnessing the yelling, bossiness and overall fun Easter attitude!! Whew--and I'm not talking about me!! HA HA Too much sugar maybe? After Deb arrived we hid eggs. The girls found all the eggs I hid in less than 10 minutes. Then Taylor and Carson hid the eggs. Let's just say that Anna, Haley and I gave up after an hour of searching and not finding all the eggs.

Then we had a glorious Easter lunch consisting of leftover pizza, mac and cheese, tamales, ciabetta sandwiches and Dora the Explorer chicken soup! Let's not forget the Dr. Pepper Berries 'n Cream soda! Could Dr. Pepper get any better after the vanilla/cherry version. YES! Immediately after the "traditional" Easter lunch we took Debbie to the airport and went to see my parent's whom took us out to a nice Easter dinner at Mimi's. It was pretty good and my Uncle Delta and Aunt Rose, whom I haven't seen in forever, met us there. Pretty nice. Then back in the car and home. Now I am officially worn out and ready for sleep. Nighty night...L

nothing like getting a little scrap time. Just what I needed too! Not quite sure I like what I am making but at least I am CREATING!!! Made these layouts from a little gift package I got in the mail yesterday--thanks, girlies! Got all my plants potted and sitting in my courtyard. Have to take a picture and post it because it looks too pretty. Just need a little bench now to sit and enjoy. Full moon tonight. I was told from a reliable source that it is a PINK MOON because the native americans named the April full moon pink because everything was in bloom. So there is your history lesson for the day. Do yourself a favor and go outside tonight and enjoy your pink moon. I know I will...L

What a beautiful spring day yesterday. An absolutely lovely perfect Saturday. I have a love/hate relationship with spring. I love the weather and everything blooming--the type of day where you can sit outside and sip a cold drink and watch your children play and have nothing better to do than enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately for me spring brings allergies and that is total misery. But they haven't hit yet so I'm going to enjoy it while I can. Plus I miss being able to pull out my warm comfy sweaters that I've worn while it's cold and sitting down and drinking some hot chocolate and having a big bowl of hot soup. So as much as I love spring, I hate to see winter go.

But yesterday we had a great day--Taylor and Carson tried out for softball and Anna had some tutoring so David and I took Haley and went to Home Depot and picked out some bare root trees, flowers and plants. That is probably my most favorite part of spring--picking out new flowers and such to plant. We picked up some crab apple trees and some bowles mauve plants, we even bought wisteria--I got some stock flowers which I love to smell and we got a lilac bush and some live ladybugs to let loose! We also bought some honeysuckle and mounding juniper to put on our slope. Later that afternoon we went to the nursery and let the girls run around and picked up some more plants. We bought some awesome trees--quaking aspens, red maples, redbud, globe willow, a small flowering japanese tree and a beautiful contorted japanese cherry tree--to die for!!! We also got some autumn sage, blackberry, boysenberry and strawberry plants. We have already planted roses, pine trees, dogwood, butterfly bush and rosemary plants. We spent all day outside moving our plants to where we want them and thinking about how they will look. The yard is starting to come along--David is putting a pond our back with a waterfall. It's going to look beautiful. And the best thing about Prescott is we will be able to enjoy it all summer! It won't be hot like Mesa was! That's the best part...L

Got an email from my son today--he totally rocks!!!! Here is the email:


Hey its been a while since ive written one of these soo yea I decided I better write all of you today. Well the conferece was a blast. We didnt get see all of it because on saturday our ride to the church in Vercelli cancelled on us and didnt tell us until it was time to leave for the conferece and the trains that were departing didnt arrive untill the conference was over sooo yea that was kind of a bad day for us. then on sunday our ride told us that he decided to go to Torino for the conference and we werent allowed to go to Torino for the conference and we had to take the train and we arrived late to the conference and missed about half of the priesthood session and then we didnt watch sunday afternoon because it started at ten at night untill midnight and we had to sleep because we had interviews the next day. Man we were on a luck streak or something. The conference was awesome though. Iam so grateful for the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. Hes so amazing and hes done sooooo much for the church. Man he is so humble if I was him I would be struting my stuff but he always remembers the Lord and the many blessings hes recieved. What a stud! Well keep journals and read your patriartical blessing often(i think i spelled that wrong but you guys understand anyway). Speaking of blessings we are having a baptism on friday. Jennifer was interviewed and she is ready to make this covenant with God. Yea I really need to send pictures, soo today I will buy a cable that hooks up to the computer so I can start sending photos to you guys. well love you all and remember "Gospel Sharing Homes"

Anziano Gilbert

Love to get his emails. The other day I read an "LDS gem" that brought tears to my eyes. It totally captures the way you feel about your missionary.


"On occasion I have observed parents shopping to clothe a son about to enter missionary service. The new suits are fitted, the new shoes are laced, and shirts, socks, and ties are bought in quantity. I met one father who said to me, 'Brother Monson, I want you to meet my son.' Pride popped his buttons; the cost of the clothing emptied his wallet; love filled his heart. Tears filled my eyes when I noticed that his [the father's] suit was old, his shoes well worn; but he felt no deprivation. The glow on his face was a memory to cherish." (Thomas S. Monson)

It is so true--there are no words to describe the many feelings I have about Dallas on his mission--but pride, joy, happiness--those pretty much sum it up. No amount of money or material things could ever replace the learning, service, commitment and blessings that come to a missionary and his family!

That's it for today...L

well, couple of things...first, I just found out I'm pregnant!! WOW! Plus, David has decided to move the whole family to Ecaudor where we will be living out our dream of organic farming/missionary work. We have also decided to homeschool all the kids and give up all our worldly possesions to try and live more fully...to really LIVE! Not just to exist but explore our relationship to GOD and the world. We are going to call ourselves the "life people" because "the lifers" was already taken! And to say we are just people really doesn't quite cut it! Really--it hardly covers what we as humans really are!!!





APRIL FOOLS!!!! Hope you have a good day!!

hey--where you going with my coach purse??? I was just kidding!!!!


later days...L

Busy. Busy. Busy. That has been my life all week. Taxes are done finally. All of my photoshop homework is about caught up. Laundry is almost caught up. Now I can take a breather I hope. Just seems my life has been pretty hectic and crazy this week. I need to have some sanity for a while. Sometimes it feels like life is always insane, but I guess I do have some relief in there or I wouldn't be sitting at my computer writing this--I'd be locked up somewhere taking strange pills and eating jello.

Yesterday Haley and I were sitting in the car waiting for David and she had her barbies (4 total) that she was playing with and having conversations with. I grabbed a pen and whatever paper was in my purse and started writing. Here is above said conversations with dolls. I will call it "conversations with dolls".

"can you give me some breakfast and coke?" (no clue where that comes from? ;))
"sure--here you go"
"oh thank you"
"you're welcome"
"how does it go?"
"good" (kisses)
"I like you--you're sparkly"
"mother, can I have some coke?" (again--no clue!)
"sure" (Haley proceeds to give all her dolls drinks)
"mother, I'm sick" (probably all that coke for breakfast!)
"sorry"
"so we have pants at home"
"mother, let's go get some."


That was it--then she noticed me watching her and writing stuff down! Too funny. The funniest thing is that she never calls me mother. That is reserved for play time I guess. The whole time she is playing she intermittently gives her dolls kisses. That's my baby.

I took a class at the gym today called "pumping iron" why they don't rename gym classes by their true meaning is beyond me. It should have been called "come on in suckah and I'll teach you what pain really is!" Actually it was a great class and I didn't go overboard trying to keep up or punish myself. It was dumbells and a bar with weights. You worked out each body part during one song. Great '80's songs too but you were glad when they came to an end. I liked how you can add more weights as you get conditioned. I think I'll take it tomorrow and then the yoga class on Saturday. If I'm still moving that is...L

What day is it? It's limerick day of course. Not really, but Carson brought me her homework last night and they had to write 3 limericks. Not hard right? After all I am Irish! The hard thing was there were already words in place on certain lines...so you're getting my drift. Not as easy as you first think. So after a few hours of David and I both helping her, busting out a few limericks not intended for nine year olds and calling her teacher a few names we finally got the limericks done. Whew. But that got me on a limerick kick. I came up with a few for her to take to school today but wouldn't you know a sarcastic limerick is lost on a nine year old girl! So I will share them here. If you're offended by swear words then stop reading!

Limerick One: the one I tried to get Carson to take to school.

The limerick homework was dumb
It really was not at all fun

It sucked and it bit
the whole thing was shit

And you can shove that up your bum!

Limerick Two: Said after asking Carson if she had bathed the night before

There once was a girl who was dirty
none of the boys would be flirty

she stunk and she smelled
told them all go to hell

Hey--I think I look rather Purty!

After that limerick I announced to the family that I would now speak only in limerise!!!!

Limerick Three: Written on Carson's lunch bag after she complained I never wrote her notes

There once was a girl in school
she was pretty awesome and cool

her lunch box broke
it isn't a joke

Brown paper lunch sacks rule!

And now another deep thought by Jack Handy:


If you're ever shipwrecked on a tropical island and you don't know how to speak the natives' language, just say "Poppy-oomy." I bet it means something.

later...L

ciao! hey those pictures are too cool. Yea mom lets keep the stories of (deleted to protect the innocent) within the family. I dont even want to know what you tell the members at prescott about me. WEll you guys are really having fun while iam gone, man i should have know that would happen.hahah. Well how is life for all of you. How is the ward in prescott? The members are nice i hope. O yea thank the young women for sending the package it was greatly appreciated, but one question whats with the corn nuts? Is prescott like known for corn nuts or something? You guys send me corn nuts and then they sent me a bunch. Lasciamo perdere. well i still love you guys even if youve become corn nut junkies.haaha Well the mission is going great I was going through a pretty rough period but the Lord has conforted me and has let me know that iam doing fine. Well iam cant wait till conference in april. yea i know that sounds weird but iam excited for conference its kind of funny b/c before i just want to sleep or watch sports. The power of the atonement of Christ is just amazing it can really change anybodys life. I hope you guys still read the scriptures togther and pray togther everynight. It will really help you all stay united and help you confront the trials in your lifes and most of all it will bless the girls the most because they will start a habit reading the scriptures and praying and it will bless them for the rest of their lives. Well I love you all so much and thank you for always being there for me even when i wasnt the perfect son(which was most of the time). Iam going to mail a cd with all my pics from the mission so mom can go crazy with the scrapbooking stuff. ciao

this is what I live for...email from Dallas...L

more beach pics...L

back from the beach to...SNOW! What fun--can't believe we celebrated the first day of spring with a snow storm. Much needed and loved. It is still very surreal to see it snow.

California--no other state like it. Beautiful scenery, weather and of course, the ocean. We went to the San Diego zoo, the ocean and the Stephen Birch Aquarium. All very lovely and fun. Debbie and Dennis drove up on Saturday and had a picnic on the beach with us. It only rained on Friday night and a little Saturday morning. It did however pour on us on our way home Sunday. And as we got home it was snowing. The girls got a 2 hour snow delay for school the next day--they loved it! But I do love the ocean. We stayed at Hotel del Coronado--always had a desire to stay there. Built in 1866. so cool!

I will add some more pictures later. Now back home and in the swing of things again. Off to do more laundry...L

took a picture of Haley in the snow. Well, actually I took a LOT of pics--but here is one. Snow is now melting--funny how what can be so beautiful at first can turn into a slushy, muddy yuck--that gets tracked in all through the house! But the girls did have fun on their sled! Haven't heard from Dallas in a few weeks--that always makes me sad. I'm sure he's fine--but I miss him. Had to cancel our dune trip as well since there is supposed to be a major snow storm coming. So I don't get to see Brianne either. Major bummer. But we are going to San Diego so that should be fun. Look for more pictures...L

more snow pics. David has decided to stay another day in CA as the roads are pretty bad and it was supposed to snow more here. It hasn't snowed again though--just pretty to look at and very cold outside! We got 13 inches of snow here--so wonderful! We needed it badly! Just awaiting the dog trainer for Max then I'm scrapping...L

my layouts I did at Shanna lamba ding dongs...L

some pictures I hope will show up here...L

Woo Hoo--SNOW DAY! yeah, baby! It's a beautiful thing. I mean we move up from the furnace of hell to this lovely mountain place and then it doesn't snow...whaddup wit dat? So it started raining in Mesa last night and rained all night and Haley and I drove home to a snow storm. OK--technically not a blizzard or anything but I am calling it a snow storm gosh dang it! It has been snowing all day--there is at least a good 4 inches of snow all around. So Haley and I are living it up..movies, hot chocolate, fireplace a'roaring. Gotta love it.

So yesterday was fun. Haley and I drove down to Mesa--said hello to my old bowling team, of which only one was there!! But it was good to talk to Judi. Then Haley and I went shopping and then the fun really started! David had told me he would buy me a right-hand ring--probably because I cried I didn't get anything on V-day and that he never bought me anything, yada, yada, yada...so in order to shut me up he told me he would buy me a ring. I found one I liked in the mall and he finally went with me--'course then I wanted to "look" around. So when I went down to Mesa I popped in the jewelry store that I had found a ring before that I loved. Of course said ring was a 2 carat yellow diamond that had two half carat trillion diamonds on each side. $25,000. yep, didn't get it. Probably why I have a lack of jewelry in the first place. Too much expensive taste! So I went in yesterday and found this beautiful pave, white and rose gold way-awesome-unique-totally cool ring. I had the girl write down the info and left the store. I called David on his cell (like a normal person--not on the walkie-talkie boom box) told him I found the ring I wanted. Conversation then went like this: Me--I found the ring I want, D--How much is it? Me--$$$, D--Why don't you just buy it, Me--are you sure? you don't want to get it? D-you're still at the store aren't you? Me--NO! I'm in the car! D--well, go get it honey if you want it. Me--really?, um,OK!! Then I swerved the truck and I think I caused a pile up trying to rush back to the store so I could get me ring!!! Wearing it right now and it is very cool. Later that night D called me to ask if I was mad at him that he didn't buy it himself and I had to get it. Nah, I'll give ya another chance!!! :)

Afterwards Haley and I went to the mall, had lunch, went to our old house and checked it out, dropped cards off at a friend whom was sick in bed, went to the scrap store and then went to Shanna's. We had dinner, scrapped, laughed, doodled--just kidding--I absolutley did NO doodling--I'm anti--doodle. It pains me to say that but it is true. Only if you are a scrapbooker will the above sentence make any sense whatsoever! We had fun and Haley watched the Barbie Rapunzel movie about a gazillion times. The really sad part was that Shanna was singing all the songs whilst she doodled. She does have a nice singing voice so I won't make fun of her. Thanks for tracing my heart!!!!! She does draw a nice heart and she has a good one herself.

Will end this by another deep thought by Jack Handy--courtesy of my daughter whom sent this to me...L

There's always been a good explanation for everything.
When that owl attacked grandma and started biting her
head, at first it didn't make any sense. Why would an
owl attack grandma? But then we found out later: a
mouse was living in her hair.

-Jack Handy

Ok--so there's no snow. Yet. I'm still waiting. I thought I was going to wake up to a blanket of white. Major disappointment. Woke up at 4:30 a.m. and nothing to do so I made myself some hot chocolate (mint) and decided to blog. Couple of things to note. Here they are.

I'm in photoshop class last night at the local college. David is in Temecula. David calls me right during our teacher's presentation last night, not with a regular ring that could be muted--oh no--ON THE WALKIE TALKIE! Which is very loud! I must preface this with the fact that David bought me this phone because I never answered my cell and he joked that this way I had to answer! Anyway I sit at the front (like the good student I am!) and right in the middle of class I hear HELLO? blasting over my cell, which even inside my purse is still very loud! I quickly jump up and dash out of class, only after trying unsuccessfully to mute the darn thing. Still talking on the walkie talkie I remind clueless that I am in class--you remember, the one you dropped? The best part was that Debbie's dogs were going psycho in the background from the loud voice coming over the walkie talkie. No mention of said disruption from anyone in class!

Finally went to the doctor yesterday. The orthopedic doc I should say. My shoulder has been killing me for over a month. The doctor is a neighbor so that made it nice. Told him what was wrong. He tells me I have bursitis. Come again doc? Ain't bursitis an old people's illness? um, yep! Best part--don't get any pain meds--I get a shot of cortisone in my freakin' shoulder! Bloody Hell!! Well, it wasn't too bad and he said he wouldn't hurt me as he didn't want to be run down in the neighbor hood by the big rig! He did put some numbing stuff in it though so for a few hours it felt pretty darn good! Then it wore off. 'nuff said. Hope it gets better soon.

Speaking of physical pain brings me right back to my husband again. J/K. David found out yesterday that a co-worker's mom died. Suddenly and unexpected. He felt bad for him and said that Manny started to tear up telling him. David talked to him and told him how bad he felt about it and that he knew how hard it was. So the good part is that when David is telling me this he told me he wanted to get Manny something--like a gift certificate for dinner so that he could have a night to out and be able to think about something else for a moment. David said that he usually would feel bad for a person that was going through a difficult time and then let it go and not do anything for that person, like most of us do, but this time he actually was going to do something for someone. Very proud of him. I was very moved.

One other thing before I try to lay down and go to sleep for hmmm, about an hour before I have to get up. Haley is so cute right now. Ok, she has always been cute from day one--but right now she's even cuter if that can be possible! She loves to play with dolls, Barbies, polly pockets, etc. She has a huge Dora house that she loves to play with. Well, while she plays with said objects she likes to carry on these long, elaborate conversations. They are cute, funny, downright hilarious! I need a video recorder or a tape recorder to get these. They are involved to say the least. I think my favorite part is when she is playing with the Dora house and rings the doorbell and says "hola". Too cute! That is my mission now--to get those conversations down on paper!

Today is the fun day...L out

happy day--this is the forecast for Prescott this weekend:
significant winter storm system due to arrive by this weekend...a powerful winter storm system will begin taking shape along the west coast today. this storm will begin affecting much of arizona by friday and then last through the weekend. the first part of the storm will produce very windy conditions...as gusts to near 40 mph are expected to be common across northern and central arizona friday.rain and snow showers will develop over higher terrain late thursday night into early friday morning...and will become more widespread friday afternoon. snow levels will rapidly fall to between 3500 to 5000 feet by friday afternoon...before dropping another 500 to 1000 feet on sunday.as the storm develops...rain and snow will become steady and heavy at times from friday night through early sunday. at this time...the heaviest period of precipitation looks to be during saturday and saturday night. it is still too early to pinpoint exact snowfall amounts and locations...but some areas above 5000 feet are likely to see in excess of 6 inches of snow...with certain locations above 6000 feet around a foot or more by sunday morning.this is a large and potentially dangerous storm. most areas in northern and central arizona will be affected. in addition to heavy snowfall potential...this storm will be packing strong winds and the seasons coldest daytime temperatures. areas of blowing and drifting snow will be possible...along with extended periods of low visibility.travelers and others with interests in northern and central arizona this weekend should stay tuned to your favorite media sources for updates on this developing winter storm.

We finally get winter in March...L

Tomorrow starts a long-girlfriend-scrappy weekend for me! David is taking 3 of the oldest girls to CA tomorrow and Haley and me have us some plans! First day--not much, second day--heading to Mesa to see some old friends (a surprise!) and then a day of uncontrollable, giggly, scrap 'til you drop night with Shanna!!! And whomever else wants to join us. Then Haley and I will head back to Prescott so I can take a scrapbook class at my local store! YAY! Then the rest of the day is free, and a quiet Sunday--will sure miss my honey and kids but I love it when I get some alone time. Plus it is supposed to be stormy this weekend. I'm all about the stormy.

Speaking of...it snowed today...all day. Didn't stick but it was very pretty coming down. Loved it. The girls and I tried to catch snowflakes on our tongues.

Went to Mesa on Tuesday and scrapped most of the day with kerry. FUN! I got two layouts she made for me. {Note to self--leave more photo's accidentally at Kerry's} They are so cute! I love them. A big MWAH to you Kerry! I'm posting them for all to see. Until next entry...L

just wanted to share an email my daughter sent me tonight--too funny...L

before shoe shopping,calm yourself by meditating in the center of your closet. place a woven mat of green sawgrass in the center of the room. light incense and darken the room. sit on the mat with your legs crossed. clear your mind of all extraneous thoughts. breathe slowly and deeply. focus your mind on what you hope to accomplish. chanting is optional.

possible chants:
"do you... have these... in red?"
"will you... take another...10% off... if i buy two pairs?"
"i saw them first...b iach"

when you feel refreshed, relaxed, and at one with your shoes, go forth and shop.
-from the feng shoe book

I have seen other blogs with quotes from movies or books, etc. and I was thinking today that I would start putting up some of my favorite deep thoughts. So look for these periodically and have a good chuckle--I know I will. And now, another deep thought by Jack Handey: When I die, I would like to go peacefully, in my sleep, like my Grandfather did. Not screaming and yelling like the passenger in his car. Gotta love that Jack Handy...L

Today was a good day. One of those days that just goes nice and smooth. Started out with David taking me to breakfast at Casa Sanchez. What's not to love about chips and salsa and huevos rancheros early in the a.m? Then we went to check out a preschool for Haley that also happens to be a private school from pre-K to 5th grade. Lovely school with a great teacher to student ratio and a very Montessori feel to it. They get to take yoga, fencing, swimming, get taught sign language, french and spanish and have great field trips, local artists--just a lot of wonderful things. No testing (which I am soooo against) and just a lot of life experience and learning opportunities. We are seriously considering it. When I told Carson about it she wanted us to sign her up sight unseen! We told her we would take her to the school and she could decide. She had a hard transition going from her beloved Montessori school in Mesa to the public school here. Which brings me to my next subject. Carson had some artwork from school chosen to be displayed at the district office--going to go look at it this weekend!

Went to Costco and found a ton of really cool new things. David found a smoker that I'm pretty sure he is going go back and get. Then I went to my photoshop class and learned how to retouch photos. Very cool stuff. When I got home I had a package of shoes to open! That's right--SHOES! Yum! Can life get any better when you can order shoes online? The answer is no if you live in a virtual shoe drought in a tiny town! So I am off to try and get at least 4 hours of sleep tonight, I have been having a week of sleeplessness--not fun...L

just a few more...L

more pics from Utah...L

I’m back from Utah. I can’t even begin to describe what a fun time I had. I had a great flight and Brianne picked me up from the airport and we then went directly to eat, of course! Then we went shopping at the new (to me) Gateway mall. We had a great time shopping at Anthropologie. Loved that store! Then we went to a wonderful scrap store, Paper Creations. After that Brianne surprised me with tickets to the new Joseph Smith movie. That was the most wonderful, beautifully made movie. Incredible acting, beautiful cinematography and just a lovely movie. Made me appreciate our prophet in a whole new way. Then after that we went to dinner at the Melting Pot (David calls it the fondue pit!) and had a wonderful dinner—our waiter looked like a younger, cuter version of Donny Osmond.

The next day we went and hiked Sundance. We were going to go all the way to Stewart Falls but found out it was closed. We still enjoyed our hike and found a nice slope to slide down on our aspens! LOL Later we had dinner at the Bombay House and then went to the mall and had massages at the Aveda store went to cold stone creamery and then went home and promptly fell asleep!

Day 3 of our adventure found us in Park City. Beautiful area of Utah, where the ’02 Olympics were held. Lots of shopping, more eating, getting lost a few times and then heading back to where we enjoyed a sub sandwich (yummy!) and then went back to Brianne’s apartment where a few of her guy friends showed up and we talked about music and I gave them a lecture about how they needed to settle down! HA HA they were very nice and hopefully one of them will wake up and smell the coffee and start dating my beautiful, talented daughter!!! J

The next day I went home. Over too soon but glad to be home and see my other honeys! A big shout out to my dear husband whom took care of everything in my absence and had everything in order at home. He did try to tell me he had potty trained Haley, but all the girls promptly shot down that story!! Brianne—love you, miss you and so very proud of what a wonderful woman you are!! Love ya...L

Well tomorrow is the big day--UTAH here I come! It is supposed to be cold my daughter says...I can hardly wait. I'm packed, I picked up the dry cleaning, wrote down a schedule for David (of which I'm sure he will not even glance at!), cleaned the house--oh, who am I kidding about that one--I never clean--it just sounded good! :) and finished the laundry--of course in this house laundry is never, ever finished--it just takes a breather for a nano second before doubling in size. I had to include this pic that Carson took of me at the lake this weekend--she did a good job and I'm putting it in my next layout--that unfortunately has to wait because the printer uncontrollaby and unexplainably told me to take a hike. Guess I'm not the techno geek I thought I was going to be...L

Here is my day: Wake up at 7:47 a.m. Realize that Anna must catch the bus at 7:55 a.m. Bloody hell! Jump up, wake up Anna, rush to get dressed, make her lunch and out the door to be greeted right by the bus as the bus driver kindly stops while he sees Anna and myself scurrying out the front driveway. Just as I am putting Anna on the bus I see she has no coat--I calmly tell her that I will bring her coat to her. I run in the house, grab coat, rush to the truck and drive like mad (I mean very cautiously and slowly) to get to the bus and follow it until the next stop where I can give Anna her coat. I miss the bus stop and I'm praying that there will be another stop before the bus leaves our neighborhood. The bus driver surely recognizes my truck and pulls over and stops--not at a normal stop but one where everyone knows some lame mother is trying to get something to a child so she will not have to drive a half hour out of her way to go to the school and drop said item off. So there is the bus stopped and me in my jammies making my way very publicly with coat in hand to my sweet Anna who would surely freeze to death shortly if not properly dressed. Of course my Anna could not have sat at the front of the bus--nooooo, she has to be at the very back! After getting her coat to her and mumbling thanks and offering up my first born child at the bus driver's graciousness I haul my butt back to my truck to go home. Not until this very moment did I realize that I was rewarded tremendously by not having Carson and Taylor on the bus--oh the humiliation they avoided today!

Speaking of my little Anna--tonight she asked me if Natalie was "norman". I was almost afraid to try to decipher this one but finally figured out she meant "mormon". I told her that Natalie was not "mormon" (we've had this discussion before--along with the "turtleteck" discussion). Anyhoo, Anna then asked me if "norman's" watched R movies. I replied that R movies weren't really good for anyone, being the good parent that I am--ha ha. She then told me that R movies just weren't for "norman's". Ok then--that is where we will leave it.

Took Max to the vet today to get neutered. Happy to say that everything went well and he now has a chip implanted in him as well in case anything should ever happen to him. I will sleep much better tonight knowing that my puppy can never really get lost and/or if he should, that heaven forbid, he couldn't impregnate every female dog along the way.

Best part--my house is clean, quiet (except for the new Live cd I bought today) and I actually burned a cd with my digital pictures on it all by myself! Look out world, I'm a gonna turn into a techno geek...L

So I just had the best weekend ever! Seriously--too fun! Dennis came down and we had such a good time. We went to the lake, rode quads, ate, ate some more, watched the olympics, looked at toy haulers and trailers, bought a trailer, had a picnic, relaxed, enjoyed marvelous cool weather, got deserted with two small children while others went and took a leisurely hike, looked at the stars and found Uranus, got Max a dog trainer, heard the name Lindsay Jacobellis a gazillion times and I think that might be it! All in one very long and exciting weekend. In fact, it was so fun that David, Taylor and Carson had to keep the party going by traveling back to CA with Dennis. Have fun with them Deb!!!! Debbie and Dennis are supposed to be moving here sooner than later I hope--can't wait for that to happen! That will be positively a joyous and long awaited event! Keeping the home flames burning and anxiously awaiting my trip to Utah...L

So I got this sweet present in the mail from my good friend Kerry. Thanks Kerry!! Love it!! She is one talented scrapper that woman! If I had half of her talent!!! Anyway I adore it and found a great place for it on one of my shelves. This scan might not do it justice but it will do for now. Nothing beats having great friends in life--truly it is a treasure...L

Well, I did it--I actually scrapped a page--about me!! I took an online class last month and I'm finally getting around to making the page. The picture was one my sister took of me on our Alaskan cruise--she sent it to me last month and I had to use it somewhere. Funny thing is I don't even remember her taking it!! Oh well...L

David left this morning at 5 am to go to the cannery and then off to Glamis--poor thing! A three day weekend with the boys and their toys. I'm a little jealous--I would love to be riding my bike this weekend but I'm glad David has a hobby and friends to go and relax with for a little while.

Me and the girls went shopping at the new Joann's superstore here in town--yawn!! Not a big deal, but it did have a few things. Then off to McDonald's for a fun lunch that ended in spilled soda, fry's and not much eaten--but the very cute "purple dew" doll was enjoyed thoroughly!! Then off to see the new Curious George movie which was awesome!! We all loved it and went directly to Target and bought the lovely soundtrack which is sung by Jack Johnson!

Now I am worn out and tired like I have been all week--think I'll go to bed and hopefully scrap some tomorrow...L

So we had a superbowl party yesterday--mostly friends and family--and lots of food. I spent all day in the kitchen cooking. I did take an hour out of my day for a short nap which was heaven! The day before my parents came up unexpectedly and I spent the afternoon with them. We went to lunch and then I took them to see Joe's house ( the one that David built for his father). We stayed and visited with him for a while and then my parents left and went home. Short but nice visit. David however missed them as he was at the boat show in Phoenix with Dan!! He did not come home with a boat as that very morning he had his Raptor quad delivered--he went down Friday to get a new jet for my bike and called me three hours later and started stammering out some nonsense at which point I asked--Did you just buy a quad? Hmmm, two in fact--one for him and another one for the girls. So in the next two weekends we will be going riding with my cousin Todd and his family--good times!!

So while I am in random mode I finally looked up where my son was in Italy going off a tip from Dennis whom told me to mapquest it (DUH!) Anyway it looks like it is only 20-30 miles from Turin--where the Olympics are being held!! Very cool. Hopefully you will be able to see it in the corner. I'm also heading to Provo in a few weeks to spend some time alone with Brianne!!! I can hardly wait. She has already planned a day of shopping and eating in Salt Lake and then we are going to hike Sundance and we're getting massages!! WOO HOO!! I am excited! This is the first time I have gone up and visited her. All because my hubby told me to plan a date and go--thanks, hon...L

So this was my birthday present from my husband--pretty sweet! Don't know which is worse--the 43 year old woman that wants a dirt bike or the man that buys it for her! Either way it's insanity! I just got my helmet, boots, knee pads and gloves--the pants and jersey are being shipped--yeah--it's pink!!! HA HA Have only ridden it in the back yard as we have to take it to be re-jetted--won't start up here in the high altitude! Watch out when I get mobile on it though...L