Birthday Celebrations

We went to the Snells to celebrate Caleb's 5th birthday. Grandma made donuts because that is a Halloween tradition so Jeanene used them for his "cake" to blow out candles. A great idea! It was fun to see the kids and snap some pictures. Bradeigh and Grace shared some fun in the rocker and posed for a cute picture. They are growing so fast and getting cuter every time I see them. Happy Birthday Caleb! I love you so much. I can't imagine a world without that adorable boy!

Ward Family Trunk or Treat

Our ward is growing so much, so many new families moving in, yet we still feel like a large family! It was fun to see the kids (and parents) all dressed, ready to party at the Ward Trunk or Treat.

Alexandria as Belle Mortenson Family

New Layouts

Taking another online course from Jessica Sprague. I love it. I love learning and it is so much fun. I don't know which I like better, paper scrapping or digi scrapping. Guess I am lucky I don't have to choose!

That Saturday

It is funny how events can help you "reckon" time. I will always remember 2010 as "that" year and will view life differently because of it. Not all of it bad, it just changed me. Saturday October 16th will be that way as well, although not to the same extent. We have been using that Saturday as the point of reference for few minor things like, we have had the rental car for "blank" weeks since that Saturday. Our patio construction, Maryn's bruises and scabs, getting ready for the El Tour and even to do lists are all referenced back to that day. I don't think it will always be that way. The car will be fixed, construction is moving forward and soon there will only be faint scars left to see. Normal will return!

And I am absolutely aware that it could have been much worse! Still counting my blessings that no one was seriously hurt.

But just for the record here are some pictures of that day!

Extraordinary

When I saw Brianne's senior pics that Melanie took, I couldn't help but think how fun they would be to scrap. In one of my online classes I found the perfect opportunity!

Learning to be Optimistic

I am trying to learn to be optimistic. Really putting some effort into it. As much as I hate to admit it I am a half-empty kind of girl. I always thought I was just the opposite! But now that I know I am working on changing that. I want it to be my natural reaction someday, not just the thought out choice after a uhmm...excuse me there is something in my throat...different reaction.

My natural "woman" is so happy to see this year end. It has been a tough one. The only thing is, as this year really does come to an end, I worrying about the new one--it might be worse! See what I mean? Kelly and I were driving the other day and I expressed to him how good it felt to finally breathe a little easier. But that naturally, (because it comes so naturally), I was on the look out for that proverbial other shoe. I told him I was trying not to think that way. That I was trying to just appreciate the feeling of having a burden lifted and to just enjoy that feeling without keeping an eye on the sky.

Then Saturday happened. Although, technically I am not sure it really counts as the other shoe. It was definitely not one of our best days. Even my nephew Noah who is 8 recognized it as a bad day. As I sat down on the row behind him, Noah greeted me with "Aunt Danette, I am sorry for your bad day yesterday". How sweet is that? When asked why he would say that he explained to his friend next to him that "both of her daughters were in an accident yesterday--one on a bike and one in a car". Then he concluded "I would say that is a bad day!" And he is right. It was a bad day, but not the worse day.

I saw the good in the day! Maryn, though scraped up and bruised all over, wasn't broken. She cracked her helmet but didn't even have a concussion. Her body will heal and she will be completely whole, no lasting effects. Kelsey's accident involved two other cars and no one was hurt. Three cars had to be towed away, but no serious injuries. Prayers were answered and that is always a good day.

That night after we got some dinner and settled in to just do some relaxing. Kelly told the girls about his feelings the night before. We went to a movie and as we were walking out of movie theatre, just talking and laughing, he said he had the impression and the thought: "My girls are going to be just fine". Then with some tears in his eyes he said he still felt that way. He expressed how grateful he was that they were not injured in the events of today. How it could have been so much worse. But there we were all together. And I was feeling the same thing! All I could think about was how grateful I was that it was not worse. The only tears I shed that day tears of gratitude for prayers answered.

I guess this past year has taught me one more lesson. When really bad things have happened, when you have had a few bad months, you can handle a bad day with not only optimism, but gratitude!

A Little Secret

Kelsey and I kept a secret for almost a whole week! She arranged a ride to come home for the weekend, but she wanted it to be a surprise. So, we kept quiet, even when the topic of what to do for the weekend came up. It was just our little secret. When she arrived in Tucson, I went to meet her and came up with a fun way to let Maryn and Kelly know that she was here. We snapped this picture with her phone and sent it to them on their phones. Surprise! It worked great. They both called within a few minutes wondering how and when we took that picture. We drove around making visits to Grandpa and GG at the mission office, then to see Maryn at work. Kelly met us there and we came home to do her laundry and visit. We grabbed pizza for dinner on our way to go to the movies. It was great to spend time as a family doing what we used to do before she left.

I didn't get very many photos of the weekend--even though it was fun and quite eventful (next post!). I managed to catch a "duck, duck, goose" game with some cute little visitors and a sweet moment just before it was time to go.

Are you ready for some football?

Saturday afternoon, Kelly and I went to the U of A game! We had so much fun. It was great weather. We had great seats. Perfect company! :) And the game was a good one. They kept the score close and our hopes high for a win all the way to the end. The score ended up to be 29 to 27 our loss, but both teams were in the 400's for yards--so they kept the ball moving. Can't wait to do it again.

 

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Fall Storm

We had a wonderful fall storm on Tuesday night. There was lightening, thunder and lot's of rain. It was our best monsoon storm of the year. The weatherman said it was technically  a "Midwestern" storm instead of a monsoon--no matter what it was called it was a welcome respite from the hot, dry weather we have been having.

And it was just in time to create a beautiful sunset!

Looking forward to Lemonade

Look at my lemon tree--the lemons are pretty good sized and they are starting to turn yellow! I can't wait till they are completely ripe and we can pick them. You can bet I will take a picture of the harvest! Mmmmm....I love fresh lemonade.

Double Baptism Day

Still doing a little catch-up with the blog!

The last Saturday of the month means stake baptisms. It hasn't always been that way, just since Kelly has been serving as Bishop. We have come to love it! Not every one of those Saturdays has someone from our ward who has turned 8, has gathered family and is anxiously waiting for their special day to arrive; but thankfully this Saturday did. This special Saturday morning in September belonged to Kiplin. We have watched Kiplin grow up, in fact it was hard to believe that eight years and passed by since she was born! I remember her coming to primary as a new sunbeam and so nervously giving her first part ever in the primary program. Today she was all smiles, no nerves. Radiant.That afternoon we had a convert baptism. The last one for Sister Howard. She was busy right up till the end! I didn't get a picture of Vince, but we took this picture when Sister Howard came by and we had to say our goodbyes. She has been a wonderful missionary, serving so faithfully, we will miss her.

EEK! Spiders! gHosTs!

Time to start pulling out some Hallows Eve Decor! Here is something new I made this year, inspired by this http://www.sawdustandpaperscraps.com/2010/09/halloween-subway-art.html