Thank You For Coming!

Well, it's been a while since I've written anything of substance and I'm so sorry. If you're reading this I'm thrilled you haven't given up on me!

Luckily I've been substituting quite a bit. I'd like to be busier with more jobs but I'll take what comes. I do love teaching! All next week I'll be a Special Ed. teacher at a school I love. I've covered for this teacher in the past and I know most of the students because I've been a sub in their homeroom classes too. I'm looking forward to it!

NEWS UPDATE: I just talked to Steve and he's preparing to board a plane to bring him home from SLC. He had an interview with a company in Park City. They've been trying to get him out there since mid December but have had to wait for "the powers that be" to sign off on things. It sounds like the interviews went very well and the people he spoke with all said they have a real need for experienced engineers. They even floated the idea of placing him in a group leadership position which I know he'd be great at. Sounds good, right? Now we wait for "the powers" to move again. I think if it were up to the people Steve spoke with today things would move much quicker.

I've been trying to live my life through hope, faith and gratitude. I have so many blessings I feel petty when I feel picked on. Prilosec helps a lot as does keeping busy. Take today for example. I've scrubbed bathrooms and crocheted more than half a baby blanket. I feel accomplished. Now if I could just figure how to keep my hair from falling out...?

I promise I will gather my thoughts and post more often. At least those are my intentions. Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead. After all I do need to finish that baby blanket.

NEWS ALERT....

There will be a "real" post coming this weekend (I am typing this from an elementary school library...). Thanks for your patience, if you've checked in.

Super Bowl???

What the @$##? Does anyone else think the referees in this years SuperSucker Bowl had blinders on? I don't feel very Sabbath so I'm signing off....

Happiness Is...

In searching for songs for the girls to use in musical auditions and concerts I ran onto an old friend, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." It comforts me to remember how easy it was to be happy once upon a time...

Happiness is finding a pencil, pizza with sausage, telling the time.
Happiness is learning to whistle, tying your shoes for the very first time.
Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band.
And happiness is walking hand in hand.

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream, knowing a secret, climbing a tree.
Happiness is five different crayons, catching a firefly, setting him free.
Happiness is being alone every now and then.
And happiness is coming home again.

Happiness is having a sister, sharing a sandwich, getting along.
Happiness is singing together when day is through,
And happiness is those who sing with you.

HAPPINESS IS MORNING AND EVENING,
DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME TOO.
FOR HAPPINESS IS ANYONE AND ANYTHING AT ALL
THAT'S LOVED BY YOU.

Happy 2009

There haven't been many new things to write about. The girls started school again this morning. Mom is home (yea). Steve has a few interviews happening. I'm subbing on Thursday. The sun is shining but the wind is cold. How am I? Busy? Dazed and Confused? Sure, but aren't we all? I'll try hard to have something to write about.

ps. I forgot! Charlie the Schnauzer turned 2 yesterday but he received a new stuffed duck that honks (thanks, Mom) and a rawhide chew bone instead of a cake.

It's the Little Things That Matter the Most

It has been so crazy around here, and the stress! Oi to the vey! I'm so grateful for the things that have made me smile in the last week.

1. Getting to talk to Christopher on Christmas evening! We had been invited to a dinner that night and I called the mission home to give them our cell phone number for Chris to call. Sister Jensen said, "Oh, Elder Faria! I love him so much! I'm going to hang up and call him immediately with the phone number." That's when I cried. I loved hearing his voice, his laugh and his good spirits. He's doing such and awesome job and he is dedicated to working hard.

2. Having time from the craziness of the world and spending time with my husband and kids. Relaxing, playing games, staying up late, napping, wearing our pajamas until all hours of the day, watching movies with popcorn, catching up on books we've been wanting to read and basically milking our Christmas break for all it's worth.



3. Having loving parents who care about us.






4. My sweet sister Marianne e-mailing me photos of my birthday cake from Mom's camera card in UT. I think it turned out pretty cute.








5. Nick and Diana came for a visit! We had the pleasure of them staying the night with us on their way to Nick's parents home in Colorado Springs. Even better they came back and spent Saturday and Sunday with us. Thankfully the Denver Art Museum was here to lure Diana back to the Denver area. They are too fun to have around.

6. Watching family members on the Wii Fit. There was some pretty intense training going on! Nick really made the most of his time with the apparatus and I'm glad he did because it taught me a lot about how to do things.

It's a Wonderful Life.

I'm having a calm moment this afternoon which makes personal reflection much easier. One of my favorite things to collect are nativity sets. It's such an easy reminder to me of what the holiday is all about.

Well, Guitar Hero World Tour just started up again. This time Allison is practicing on the drums. "Beat It," Alli. Em has been having a great time of it and is giving all kinds of pointers, as Alli did for her with the Wii Fit (which I will definitely be setting a PIN on to access my 'personal' information, thank you!). Ah, Michael is on the PS2 in the basement (Star Wars Force Unleashed) and Steve and I are going to make bread sticks for a dinner we're invited to tonight. Life is good.

I've added a few pictures and comments in the side bar to share a bit of our day with you. Love to all!

PS. the gingerbread house is a replica of my Mom's childhood farm house... she recognized it immediately which pleased Allison to no end.

Do You See What I See, Mom?

Here it is, Helen... give me a call.