Socks!

I knit those socks.  Yep.  All by myself and everything.  I love the colors, and I'm so happy I am finally finished!
One small problem: they are a perfect fit for Hyrum.  So I'm trying to be happy that they fit somebody in my family, even though those feet are not mine.

Gratitude List:
* snowblowers
* Jared is home < 3
* Freshly baked cookies
* yummy leftovers for lunch
* Walker is practicing his tuba upstairs.
* I have a lot of sock yarn now.
* Also, enough yarn of one color to knit a sweater for (hopefully) me!
* My kitchen is mostly clean
* Dinner is in the crockpot (shredded BBQ elk)
* Laundry is folded and put away
* House is warm
* Family is healthy
* God is good

Happy times

Random happy things:

* Jared was home for Valentine's Day this year.  I think that makes 4 times in our 15 years of marriage.  :)
* My in-laws are looking at houses near us.  I'm pretty excited about that.
* I went shopping for yarn with friends today.  I laughed so hard in the car I almost couldn't see the lines on the road!  Plus I have lots of beautiful new yarn.  (pretty sure yarn fumes make me high)
* More snow at the house, and more shoveling, and hot cocoa afterwards.
* Everyone is healthy.
* Kids are reasonably happy.
* We have plenty of food to eat.
* Jared is home for the rest of February!
* I unpacked another box.
* Walker went camping with the scouts, in the snow, and had a wonderful time.  He's sacked out on the couch now.
* Jared's making dinner tonight :)

Stay home!

One of my favorite things in the world is fog.  It turns an ordinary street into the gateway to a fairyland.  It makes dead trees appear mysterious.  It opens up so many possibilities because it hides what is normally in plain sight.  Fog gathers around rivers and lakes (I know the scientific explanation but it isn't what I wanted to blog about), and we have one of each of those near our house.  So, we get a lot of fog here.  And I love it.  I just have to remember that I need to leave earlier in the morning, so the kids get to school on time!

Yesterday, in addition to the fog, there were a few other obstacles that made leaving my house a bit of a challenge.  We had a fire a few blocks away, and it was a huge, flame-shooting, black cloud-billowing spectacle.  I think everyone in the entire town showed up to watch.  It took me 10 minutes to detour around the block that was closed off, because the streets were choked with cars.  No, not cars that were driving, cars that were parked so people could take pictures and check out the flames.  This seemed a bit odd to me- don't you run AWAY from a fire?  But yeah, one of the many interesting things about small-town life!

Last night I went to pick up a plant that needed a new home.  I pulled out of our driveway, and there was a MOOSE.  It trotted away as I slowly drove down the road, but circled back through the yards and I lost track of where it was.  But it likes our neighborhood (who wouldn't?) because the kids saw it again this morning.

After I thought about it, though, I began to wonder if maybe I should just stay home.

Gratitude List:
* Good music.
* I have a washer and a dryer that work.
* Email and texts, and how easily I can stay in contact with family and friends.
* There are more pictures on the walls now.  Slow and steady, right?
* Another box (fabric this time) is unpacked and sort of organized in my craft room.
* A family that is loving and supportive.
* Visiting grandparents.
* I rearranged my living room.  It isn't perfect, but the layout works better than it did before.
* I am blessed in so many ways.
* God answers my prayers.

Lots of knitting

There has been a lot of knitting going on here.  I know I have other things to do, and somehow I forget.  Or I put them off, thinking I'll get to them later.  Also, I got a nook for Christmas, and after I figured out how to transfer my knitting patterns to it, I kind of got lost for awhile. 

I found this tree at a craft store over the holidays. I desperately wanted to take it home, but it was a bit fragile. That, plus the 8 hour drive with 2 dogs and 3 kids in the car, decided me against the purchase. I had a better chance of winning the lottery (which I did not enter) than of bringing home that tree intact.






We also added to our menagerie over the holidays.  Walker got 2 gerbils, both male (we hope), and has them secured in a nice large cage with all sorts of climbing/running/burrowing places.  He named them Hercules and Ladon.  Hercules was a Greek hero, you may remember, who was given 12 challenges, or labors.  One of those challenges involved taking a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides.  The apple tree was guarded by a never-sleeping, hundred-headed dragon named Ladon.  Ladon, depending on which version of the myth you believe, was either overcome or slain by Hercules.  So, my myth-loving son named his gerbils after a hero and one of the monsters that hero fought.  Is anybody else seeing a problem with this?  Oh, and his other choices for names were equally disturbing: Beowulf and Grendel, or Siegfried and Fafner.  These pairs are also one hero and a monster that the hero killed.  In Siegfried's case, the hero ATE the monster after it was killed.  Gerbils can be cannibalistic.  I don't really think they need the added encouragment of being named after mortal enemies to fight with each other. 

Hyrum got a betta fish.  Just one, though, so the chances of it fighting are slim.  He named it Fireball, since it is red. 

Morgen got a poinsettia plant, to go along with her gecko and crickets.  Random: I love Morgen.  I vehemently dislike her arguing with me every.single.time I ask her to do something.  And the worst part?  She is currently working on her science fair project with her dad, and just made a suggestion.  He countered it, and she didn't argue with him at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (this is me going crazy- garble arble blaaarrrrrrgh)

Also, I am unpacking/organizing my craft room, which means I have lost: all of my birthday cards, and the workspace I need to make more.  I dislike purchasing birthday cards, however, which prevents my sending any type of paper message.

Jared was in Germany for 2 weeks in December.  I am always hesitant to post when he is gone, because I'm afraid I'll slip and say he's gone, and having that information out on the interweb makes me a bit paranoid.  Anyway, he made it back safely, bringing us candy and treats (enough to fill half of his suitcase), in plenty of time for Christmas. 

Gratitude List:
* a warm house.
* hot cocoa and homemade soup with bread- best part of winter, that!
* good music, old favorites and new finds.
* a new yoga class.
* making meditation time for myself.
* wikipedia- I know it isn't the ultimate source of information, but it is a great place to begin.
* chocolate.
* neighbors who clear our driveway, because they claim that staying inside drives them batty.
* my nook.
* 15 years of (mostly) happy marriage to my handsome, sexy, smart, funny husband.
* lots of snow outside.
* getting order from chaos, ever so slowly, in my craft room.
* my family and friends.
* good books, and The Good Book
* my blessed life
* God

Pictures catch-up

I just noticed that there were a few pictures missing from this blog- and although I am great at procrastinating things, I'm also great at feeling guilty about it until I finish up the procrastinated things.  So, because today I have the time, AND the energy, AND I remembered I was supposed to do this, and I managed to do ALL THREE of these things at the same time, here we go:

This is from a short hike up the canyon from our rental house, which I bothered the family into taking so I could scout out the picnic area.  I had no idea what was up there, and we had planned a youth activity there for the following Saturday.  I wanted to check it out before the actual event.  In case there were bears or something, which there were NOT.  Just many gorgeous maple trees and birches, and a nice and easy hike.  There was also a difficult and slightly dangerous hike across the rock slide.  Which one do you think my family opted for?  (I'll give you a hint: it involved the rock slide.)

Next is the deer Jared bagged.  He was inordinately proud of this buck, and I'll let him tell you the story about the long and difficult hunt, and how he found it after he'd finally given up and was headed back to the car.  (okay, so I told it.  His version has more details, and the excitement of the chase mixed in with the facts.)  Also, he's paid to get it mounted, and I already picked out an appropriate spot for it above the fireplace.

 These next two are Morgen and Hyrum, posing before their latest karate testing.  They were both awarded orange belts, and are getting much better at hitting their forms correctly, as well as paying attention in class.  I'm proud of their efforts!  The poses were their idea :).

 If you did not eat Thanksgiving dinner with my parents this year, you missed out on so much great food!  And you also missed a very exciting puzzle challenge, and some pretty good company.  This is the delicious pie I brought:

 (there were other pies, but this one was the prettiest of the ones that were made by me.)
And lastly, here is what I did today:

This is another reason why I enjoy winter so much.  I can bake to my heart's content, and all it does is make the kitchen feel more cozy.  Those loaves were made using my Grandmother Giles' bread recipe.  It makes pretty darn good bread, BTW.  You know, just in case you were wondering.  (and if you know where I live, and want to drive over, you're welcome to a taste.)

Gratitude List:
* We had to speak in church last week.  As a family, it was easier than doing it alone, so I'm glad that we got to do it together, and that we won't need to do it again for a long, long, time.
* I got to sleep in on Saturday.  I also got to have a nice, long, relaxing bath on Saturday.  Then we all watched Avatar: The Last Airbender all day long (there was a sick child to pamper) and had pizza and soda for dinner.  (except for the sick child, who had tiny amounts of ginger ale and no pizza at all.)
* Most of my Christmas decorations are up, and I've broken out the Christmas music.
* We have enough room in our house to have a Christmas tree up without having to move any furniture.  This is a true luxury for me.
* Overhearing Morgen talk about an "intervention," then an "interlusion" (sic).  She meant an intermission, as they were putting on their version of "The Nutcracker Ballet," complete with music and creative costumes.
* I have a lovely yarn stash.
* I also have a lovely craft room (or the beginnings of one) thanks to my husband.  I have lights and power.  Oh, and shelves!  Now I just need to unpack everything...
* Freshly baked bread.  With real butter and local honey, it  is  was delicious!
* New boots- not snow boots, just boot boots.
* My kids are not yelling, screaming, fighting, or angry right now.
* I unpacked another box.
* Daily scripture study, to keep me centered and focused on what is truly important in my life.
* 3 reasonably healthy kids (who are all suffering from colds, but who are also not throwing up anymore).
* A handsome, handy man who built some walls, hung some sheetrock, strung some electrical wire, and mounted shelves to the wall, so my craft room would be ready by this week.  And he did this instead of working on his truck, which could really use some work.  He is awesome.
* My faith in God.

Why I love winter

Snow.

Actually, lots of snow.  And hot cocoa, and marshmallows (sometimes), and being forced to stay home because
the blizzard that ate my house
is coming and nobody is allowed to drive anywhere.  One of my favorite things about winter is the snow days.  I have my knitting (and laundry to fold, but that's boring), and movies to watch on Netflix, and lots of hot cocoa.  I don't have to go anywhere, our heat is working, and there's plenty of food in the house.  I could probably last a week!

Anyway, it is no longer snowing here, and I am not as excited about shoveling as I should be, I guess.  But I love this weather. 

Gratitude List:
* Snow.
* and Winter.
* Books to read.
* My kids are not fighting right now.
* hot cocoa.
* hot showers.
* Jared is on the ground safely.  (not home, because yesterday's snowstorm hit shortly after his plane landed, but he's safe.)
* Good visits with family.
* A nice big house with plenty of room for visitors.
* No school today, so no driving kids around.
* Audiobooks- right now we're listening to "The Books of Umber: Dragon Games" but we also got "The Candy Shop Wars." 
* Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming soon.
* My kids are mostly well-adjusted (notice I do not claim they're normal), and I love them very much.  (Except when they decide that a JUSTICE LEAGUE marathon is a wonderful idea.)
* Holding my newest little nephew, and talking to his brothers.  I love the things I learn from them!
* God is good. and I am so blessed.

Snow!

Jared spent last week hunting elk.  Well, and moving stuff, and putting up shelves in the garage so we could store things on the walls instead of the floor of the garage, thus leaving room for a CAR in the garage.  But other than that, he's been taking it easy (or not).  He finished the shelves Saturday, just in time for two days of rain, followed by snow last night.  As usual, his timing is impeccable!

I've been unpacking slowly, while also keeping this new house semi-clean, organizing things, doing laundry and cooking, and meeting our new neighbors.  I'm just down the road a bit from my mom's Aunt Nadine, and I stopped by today to visit with her.  She had some wonderful stories about her mom (my great-grandmother) and brother (my grandpa), and also about my own mom.  She remembers that whenever Kaye (my grandmother) would find a new recipe she wanted to try out, she'd cut out the recipe, give it to my mother, and also give her enough money to buy the ingredients.  My mom would go to the store, buy the food, and return home.  Then she would make the recipe for her mother.  I know that my mom likes to cook, and that her mother taught her to love cooking.  Having this story about my mom when she was younger is a sweet reminder about the power that parents have in the lives of their children.  Anyway, I had a nice visit with Nadine after I dropped kids off to school. Now I'm avoiding the laundry that needs to be folded :)

Today I have:
* made a list of errands I need to take care of tomorrow.  Mostly they involve getting supplies for Morgen's class Halloween party (which I am in charge of coordinating).
* cleaned my bathroom and the guest bathroom.
* moved a bunch of empty boxes to the basement.
* eaten a lovely bowl of homemade chicken soup, left over from the other night's dinner.
* talked with my neighbor Bob about getting old and staying active (he was outside doing laps up and down our street).
* eaten some oreo cookies dunked in milk.
* researched some cleaning supply recipes on the internet- I absolutely LOVE having all that information at my fingertips!
* found my stash of birthday cards and mailed (late) a card to one of my nephews who is 4 years old today.
* checked my email, done some laundry, read scriptures, cleaned the kitchen,  showered, and backed my SUV into my garage without any help at all.
* found that one of the kids put something red into my counter-top fountain. Grrrr.

And, here's the Gratitude List:
* The snow on my driveway melted without any shoveling help from me.  Hooray for beautiful snow, and above-freezing temperatures!
* The hat and fingerless gloves I made last fall are still just as toasty warm as I remembered them being.
* My washer and dryer are working quite well.
* My dishwasher, while not as cleverly designed space-wise as the one in our rental house, is extremely good at cleaning dirty dishes.
* Jared and I went for a walk last night (getting to be a regular nightly thing with us), in the snow, and it was gorgeous and quiet and peaceful and fun!
* My church has free podcasts of General Conference.  It's a wonderful way to listen to the counsel given by my religious leaders again, and keeps me distracted while I'm cleaning house.
* iTunes and iPods- well, really, the whole Apple technology thing.  That company has the best ideas!
* I know where my postage stamps are now.
* Another box has been emptied!
* Friends and family who love and support me and mine.
* Watching Annie (the puppy) experience snow for the first time.
* God is good.  I am so blessed.

Moving In

So we're moved in, but not unpacked yet.  I do have internet access again :) but am pretty busy finding things.  Church on Sunday was interesting.  M got dressed fine, as did I.  H was missing his belt (I found it in my room), Jared's dress shoes went missing (found those in a duffel bag).  We couldn't find W's shirt or trousers, and we ended up being 20 minutes late to the meeting (they were both in the pile of clothes in his room).  Church was bittersweet- we'll still see most people, as we just moved across the valley to a different town, but it is hard to leave friends.

Gratitude List:
* New House!!! 
* I know where all my yarn is, and most of my scrapbooking stuff as well.
* We've met some of our neighbors, and they're very nice. So far we've gotten cookies and pumpkin bread.  I could get used to this!
* I have internet again.
* My bathroom is mostly unpacked.
* The kids all have curtains and beds, and they're working on unpacking their belongings.
* We have a gas hook-up for our dryer now, which means I can dry my wet clothes.
* I have a stack of empty boxes in my living room (this means I am actually making some progress moving our stuff into this house).
* The kitchen is unpacked- hooray!
* Lots of family help when we moved.  I have a wonderful family!
* A new nephew- Jared's brother and his wife just had their 3rd boy :)
* my faith in God.
* I am truly blessed.

WE GOT IT!!!

We are signing papers on Friday, and moving next week!  *sigh*  Our new Home Sweet Home :)

**if you want my new address, send me an email.

House Pics

Here's the front of the house we are trying to purchase:

Here's the family room:

Here's the kitchen:

And here's the dining room:

We're still waiting to hear back from the appraiser, and inspector, so we haven't signed any loan papers yet.  But this house is beginning to feel like our new home :)

In other news, both of our vehicles are currently in the shop, waiting for repairs.  Murphy found out we were buying a house, and is trying to move into our spare bedroom!  Thank goodness for our emergency fund, and for rental cars (even when they stink of smoke). 

Gratitude List:
* Cool fall weather- my favorite!
* Our almost-new house (although packing is NOT on my list of things I enjoy).
* Car repair shops.
* Emergency funds.
* A sense of humor.
* This weekend is my church's 180th Semi-annual General Conference and I'm enjoying the spiritual messages I've heard so far.
* Jared's parents are in town, and we get to host them today and tomorrow.
* God has blessed us so much.