HAPPY SPRING!

Happy Spring, everyone! What a gorgeous day it has been for the first day of spring! Looks like it's going to be a gorgeous weekend and then really cool again Monday - hey, it's South Carolina and our wonderful weather. I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful and safe Easter weekend spending time with friends and loved ones celebrating this Easter holiday. May we all remember as we see the beautiful blooms around us, the green grass sprouting up on lawns all around us, the signs of rebirth after a cold winter, the decorated eggs, and chocolate bunnies the reason for the very special occasion. It is because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The pain He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and His dying while nailed to a wooden cross is pain that we as mortals cannot even begin to imagine. He loves us so much that he not only gave his life but also paid the ultimate price for the sins of each one us so that we may be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life. I know that my heart aches when I think of Him and the suffering and pain He endured and that my sins contributed to that pain. How grateful also am I for the precious gift of repentance and the knowledge that if I so repent of my sins and obey the commandments of our Heavenly Father I will be able to return to live with Him again. He lives and loves us so much - each and every one who has ever and will ever live. I pray that I may live my life in a way that will lead me back into my Father's presence when I someday leave this life on earth. It's tough sometimes but He never told us it would be easy...but promised that it would be worth it! That to me is a joyous goal. Happy Easter!

Glimpses from last week til tonight...

I completed a new post with all the details of my week last week and something happened when I edited and I lost the whole thing! Bummer! Just so I don't forget here's a quick round-up of last week:

• Addison was sick with strep throat but began feeling much better Friday night after 2 days on antibiotics (miraculous how teenagers recover on Friday nights after an invite to Sandhills, huh?)
• We got a clothes dryer!! Yippee, soft towels again!!!
• Exercising at Curves with Jackie has been a blast! She's so fun and such a great friend!
• Ethan spent the week in Pigeon Forge with his college buddies for Spring Break and then surprised me at home early Friday evening and we had the evening all to ourselves - he's such a great son!
• Becky and I attended the memorial service for the husband of a dear friend of ours, Jean Long, nurse in the ER on Friday afternoon. Jean and her husband were truly lifelong soulmates and had spent a wonderful day together doing things they really enjoyed the day he left this life. It really made me think about appreciating the time we have with our loved ones and not taking time for granted. We love you, Jean, and my heart goes out to you.
• Joey surprised me with lunch at work and then had dinner cooked at my house when I got home from work and Curves before he left for work. He's so sweet and full of surprises!
• Carpooling with Addison was really neat this week - the curb side drop-off and pick-up really has me spoiled! Thanks, Addi! You're a great chauffeur!
• Erika and Jack enjoyed a trip down to Salt Lake City visiting friends visiting from South Carolina--movies, Chic Fil-A (there are none in Idaho and this is Erika's favorite!), and good friends -- what a formula for fun!
• Thank goodness we didn't have damage from the storm Saturday. It was really bad for a little bit and at one point Chloe and I stayed in the bathroom in the center of the house when the wind was blowing so hard. Yes, it made me think twice about emergency preparedness and where our family stands as far as supplies, food storage, our 72-hour kits and the like. I have alot of work to do.
• Saturday night after the storm I had a blast going to the Motorcross at the Colonial Center with Joey and his children, Alex and Abby. It was really cool. Addison stayed with Ginger to help prepare things for the Stake Relief Society Fireside. Thanks, Joseph, for such a fun evening! We all enjoyed it!
• Sunday was just a great day altogether. The talks in Sacrament Meeting I felt were just for me. All three given by Tony, Ruth, and Joe were so inspirational and each of them spoke about something I've either had on my mind this week or answered a question I've been pondering about certain situations. It's really incredible how that happens sometimes. The lesson in Relief Society was just as nice on "Repentance" and not procastinating our repentance. This is always an excellent topic. Channel is a great teacher and I enjoy her lessons. After church we enjoyed lunch at Mom's. It was delicious and she even prepared cabbage and corn beef for St. Patty's Day. It's always fun catching up with everyone at their house on Sundays and spending time with my family. Ginger and Shaun's boys are growing so fast and it's fun to be entertained by them. Joey, Abby, and Alex also joined us this week and made for a very special lunch at Grandmother's house! The Stake Fireside Sunday night was so uplifting from start to finish. We have such a special Stake Presidency and they are so in tune. Again, each one of them said something that touched me, and I am so thankful I was able to attend. I appreciate also President Giles's comments and reminding us of the Young Women's theme and that we as women should remember and apply this to our lives as well: "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love him. We will stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all things, and in all places as we strive to live the Young Women's Values which are Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, and Integrity. We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred coventants, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation. " It was a great reminder and something I'd not thought about much since working with the Young Women several years ago. It was such a great meeting and the refreshments were fabulous! Great job, Ginger and your counselors! You're amazing!!!
• Today it was Monday and it surely felt like it - no denying Monday mornings! Ha! It was a good day, though, saw all my buddies at work and that's a good feeling. After work I took Addi to work and came home to get dinner together. We had the Swails' family, the missionaries, and Joey over for dinner and Family Home Evening and it was so fun. Pizza (Domino's), salad, and Hershey bar brownies were on the menu and then a great spiritual thought by Elder Jacobsen. It was very nice. Then Joey and Derek picked Addison up from work and then we had a great game of "Match" compliments of Michelle and Haley. Haley is such a brilliant little girl and is so full of expression! (She could take Hollywood or the Disney channel by storm!) First she won against me and Michelle while we waited for the guys, then she tied against Derek and Joey. Sorry, Addison, better luck next time! I forgot to take pictures, though, so I'm a little bummed about it. Next time...

Hope everyone has a great week and I'm so thankful we were all protected in the storm. Some of my friends were really close to the worst part of it and I'm grateful all is well. Lots of happenings lately for so many close to me and I pray for much safety, good health, and comfort to you all. Happy St. Patrick's Day and good night...

Weekend at a glance...

This past weekend was such a fun one! Except for worrying about Chloe Friday and my migraine Sunday evening the middle of it was really nice. On Friday night two sisters who served missions here in the 80's were here visiting and spent the night at our house. We stayed up until nearly 2 AM talking about our lives, our pasts, and just life in general. It was so fun catching up and learning all about them and their lives now. Annette lives in Utah and Shirley lives in Nevada. We knew them back then as Sister Lewis and Sister Gunter. Kelli Murphy came over to visit with them, too, and that was a neat reunion, too. I hadn't seen her in a while and she brought over her daughter and her grandson. Shirley and Annette brought over a dessert of lemon pound cake with chololate ice cream on top - yum! I'd never heard of it but it was great! It was a really fun night.


Saturday I picked up Chloe from the vet and came home and did chores, chores, chores. We've had a clothes dryer dilema and I had to go return one Joey purchased for me and now we have to find another one. Therefore, Saturday I had the "redneck clothesline" all over the front porch, the bannisters, and over drying racks on the sidewalk. It was such a windy day so they dried pretty quickly and I'm surprised my neighbors didn't stop and ask prices - it really looked like a yard sale! (However, today we went after work to Byron's lot and picked up a dryer! Yay- I can dry clothes - - it's been over a week since I had a dryer and that's a hard thing to do without when you're used to one!) After the dryer returning, cleaning, and errands I came home to get ready for "Girls' Night." I can't believe I didn't take any pictures but it was really fun. We watched "Why Did I Get Married?" and Tyler Perry's movies are just hilarious. However, Darla's impression of the movie is even more hilarious! She so needs to be on a stage or on Broadway!! She is so funny!! It was a great time and we laughed so hard! Thanks, too, to Tiawanna for those oh-so-yummy brownies! She makes the very best brownies - they are double chocolatey with layer of Hershey's and oh my goodness - chocolate heaven! Thanks for bringing those - they were the best!


Addison had to work some over the weekend and enjoyed some time after work with her friends at Kristen's house. She'd spent Friday night with her also so she had a really fun weekend with friends. Ethan came home Saturday night, went to church with us, then headed off to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with a bunch of his friends from college for Spring Break. I hope he has a great time and sets a good example...Erika enjoyed time with some friends who are visiting Idaho from South Carolina - Jessica, Rachel, and Laura. They had a great time hanging out and having fun catching up Saturday night.


Sunday was nice for the most part. Church was nice and I always enjoy Donna's lessons also in Relief Society. She has such a fun sense of humor and is an excellent teacher. After church we took naps after lunch and just hung around home because I had a headache which turned into a vicous migraine. I got so sick...that's the third migraine I've had in my life and I really hope I never have to experience the fourth one. It is a very sick sick for me...I was so very grateful at 2:30 this morning when I woke up for about the 100th time and realized I felt a little better! What a great feeling and such an answer to prayer.


Thanks to Addison for taking such sweet care of me last night while I was sick. She is an exceptional little nurse already. She's gotten lots of practice between my surgery in December and last night when I was hurting too bad to move. Thanks again, Addi, I love you. And, Joey, thank you for being so kind and sweet to me, too, for the cool washcloth you put on my face and the coke you gave me to drink and the sweet kindnesses you showed me. You are so special to me and you take such good care of me. I love you.


I have much to be thankful for - a great family, a sweet boyfriend, and the best friends you can imagine. Those are the things money can't by and fame can't reward. I love the quote I have high on my wall between my kitchen and dining room which says,
At times I get discouraged when things aren't going as I'd like them to be going or maybe I set my expectations way too high and get disappointed but just like this says, I'm going to learn to more fully enjoy and appreciate the simpler things - the smaller things, because really they are the ones that really count! I saw that over and over this weekend when I reflected back. It is in these small things no matter how small that our biggest blessings usually come from. I'm looking forward to a great week!

Chloe recovers from her ovariohysterectomy...

Okay, I have a confession and maybe a general apology...Here goes...to all my animal lover friends and acquaintances...I really did not know it was so possible to get so attached to a puppy and to love it so much until we adopted our baby, Chloe. I used to almost think it a little odd when others talked about their dogs or cats in a way that sounded too much like little people. Well, I have crossed over to this side and yes, we think of Chloe as another member of our family and we love her to pieces. She is and has been such a sweet blessing to Addison and me since Christmas. I have to admit that even though she was "supposed" to be Addi's Christmas puppy she's sorta turned into my gift.

Friday, we had an appointment with Dr. Tetterton for Chloe's last puppy shots and to have her spayed. She knew all too well where she was when we arrived at the vet's office and held on to me for dear life when we tried to leave her. It just tore my heart in half and I almost didn't go through with it. However, knowing it was the best thing for her Addison and I left her there and went on to work and school. The staff called to let me know she did fine after the procedure and I was so relieved and counting down the time until I could pick her up Saturday morning. When I got there she was as glad to see me as I was to see her!

After my surgery in December Chloe was such a comfort to me on the early days following my surgery. She'd just sit by me with her head on my lap so sweetly just like she knew I was under the weather and needing to just rest. What a blessing she was those first few days after I came home from the hospital. They really have a keen sense about them and know when something's not quite right. She is a doll and Addison and I love her so much. We wish for her a speedy recovery and in the mean time we'll spoil and pamper her while she recuperates. We love you, Chloe.

"Girls' Night In"

"Girls' Night In"

Where: My House

When: Saturday (3/8) at 7:30 PM

a hilarious movie + popcorn and sodas + much laughter = LOTS OF FUN!

Call me tomorrow (Friday) or Saturday to RSVP

Hope everyone has a great Friday and

hope to see you all Saturday night!

Children learn what they live...especially by example...

At Mom's Sunday Ginger brought in some pillows to be stuffed and the stuffing/filler for the pillows. This I assumed is a Relief Society ongoing project that she's working on. (Ginger and Shaun do such a great job with their 3 little boys and Ginger is now Stake Relief Society President -- They're pretty amazing!) Well, the thing that touched me most on Sunday was the excitement and enthusiam demonstrated by Spencer, Ginger's oldest son who just turned 4 years old. He could hardly wait for the "stuffing of the pillows" to begin! He excitedly told me about this project as we were eating lunch and I said, "Spencer, who's going to do the pillows?" With so much expression in his entire face he said, "You, me, and Mommy!" pointing to each one. He was so happy about this service project and the moment was absolutely priceless. As the project began he delegated each person in the room (Grandmother, Ethan, Addi, and me - aka "Mic Mic") a pillow to stuff. In the photo he's showing Ethan how it's done "so you don't get bumps in it."

Ginger, you are such a great mommy and I cherish this memory of Spencer and his love for service already at such a young age. You and Shaun are teaching them valuable life lessons that will stay with them the rest of their lives. Thank you for your example and thank you, Spencer, for this beautiful memory Mic Mic has of you and the Relief Society pillows. I'm not sure where they'll go or who will eventually have them but I do know that these pillows were stuffed with the love and excitement of a precious little boy.

Really busy week...

This past week was really busy but really nice. I accomplished alot, spent some really quality time with family and friends, started something new, took care of some things I've needed to do myself, and had a lot of fun. Also the rental house is now FINALLY vacant after much frustration so I have an added project to do in the near future -- cleaning, painting, and getting it ready to be sold.
Here's a quick week at a glance:
Monday - worked in the morning then off to Dr. Johnson's office for a crown (OUCH to my wallet!) I have a temporary on a back tooth I somehow cracked and go back this week for the permanent crown. Addison began a new job at a different eating establishment (I wasn't very happy about it but she loves her new job.) Had dinner with Joey at Arby's while Addison was at work. Got Addison all enrolled for EFY in Virginia but checking the website daily for openings in Provo at BYU or Rexburg (BYU-Idaho) so she and Jordan can transfer and go there (they just know how charming they'll be with their sweet Southern accents in Utah or Idaho!) They're so cute!
Tuesday - worked then joined "Curves" and set some new personal goals - It's going to be a great journey with exciting results! (Looking forward to the future!!) Talked to Anne in California for a while and wished her much fun on her trip to Hawaii -- she leaves Wednesday (2/27) -- Aloha, Anne!
Wednesday - "Curves" at 6 AM with my friend, Jackie, then off to work, and to church with Addison after work.
Thursday - worked, "Curves" after work with Jackie, date out with Joey (and Tiawanna, Jackie, Lavada, etc.) to the Windmill for dinner and dancing...only the dancing didn't work out - the music was great - a one-man band who was really good but it was SOOOO smoky in the restaurant we couldn't stay after eating and Joey got really sick from the smoke after only about an hour. (Too bad places still allow smoking inside - it should be banned from EVERYWHERE! SO DISGUSTING!!!!! Get with the program, people, this is 2008 and we know the dangers of 2nd hand smoke!!!! Okay, my major complaint for the post! Ha!) I guess we need more frequent dances as ward activities - I was really looking forward to showing off the new line dances I'd learned at the last ward dance activity! ha!
Friday - worked, picked Addison up from school, she went to work, I took Joey to work (first day on night shift - poor Joey, but so glad he's feeling much better) then I went to Sister Oakley's Birthday Party at the Ridgeway Ward. She's 82 years old and looks 55-- she's amazing and gorgeous! It was such a fun

party and the game was really fun. You had to carry a penny between your knees then drop it in the jar -- Daddy got it in first try! You go, Daddy! He's so amazing! It's also been so fun having Janet (Sis. Oakley's daughter) here visiting this week from Seattle.
Saturday - Yard Sales early in the morning (a favorite Saturday activity!), chores/housework (except my clothes dryer broke so we had laundry hung everywhere to dry!) then off to the Boy Scout Chili Cook-Off / Auction where I bid on and won a haircut and style and 3 months of piano lessons for Addison! Yay! That was so fun. Jackie went with Tiawanna and me and afterwards we went shopping at Target where Darla met up with us and we went out to Sandhills to see "Definetly Maybe" (really cute movie - just a little questionable content - why can't they just leave certain things out????!!!!! SO HOLLYWOOD!!!!) We had a lot of fun, though, talking and laughing and just enjoying girls' night out time. Then the last highlight of my day was seeing Ethan went he got home just after midnight. It was great having him home even if just for a day and a half and having him at church with Addi and me today. Chloe got so excited when Ethan got home -- she loves him so much! It was cute!
Today - Beautiful Sunday! Church was awesome as always, the lesson on "Never Giving Up" Laresa gave was wonderful. I needed to hear that and feel the Spirit reassuring me that I can do things and it is by hard work and perseverance that we attain the greatest blessings. "Sacrifice brings blessings" is something Ginger and my mom have said over the years and it's so true. Thank you, Laresa, for this lesson...I think it was just for me. I came home and looked it up and I need to read this several times and keep reminding myself of its message. After church we went to mom's and got to see some family as they were leaving church at the Ridgeway Ward. Jody, Perry, and Kyle got a new PT Cruiser convertible that is just beautiful and we were admiring it. And wasn't today such a beautiful day so they had the top down and I had to get a picture of them. They are so sweet. Lunch was terrific as usual and then we sneaked a few zzzzz's (actually a lot of them) and then headed home after visiting with mama and daddy outside for a while. Daddy was showing us his pretty flowers out back and my favority are the daffodills that are blooming so he dug us up one to plant. I hope it will be pretty like his someday. Once home I visited with Joey a short while before he left for work (two nights down and two to go, Joseph!) and then our home teachers, Brother Adams and Uncle Buddy came to visit before Ethan left for school. We had a fun visit, had prayer, and Ethan left shortly after the home teachers. I spoke to Erika just a few minutes ago and she and Jack are heading to Salt Lake City in the morning to visit some family and to go car shopping there. Ya'll be careful and drive safe. I love and miss ya'll and look forward to seeing you before long. Addi and I are about to call it a day and get some sleep. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe week. Happy March!

Mom with Sister Hoskins, Sister Oakley, and Ms. Maria