I wish I had some super awesome excuse as to why I haven't blogged since September. But I don't. Truth is, I kind of forgot about my blog. And I'm a lazy slacker. But I'm sitting here. Alone. On a Friday night, watching cheesy Christmas movies on Hallmark and Lifetime and decided I should finally take a few minutes to catch up on my blog. Thank goodness for Instagram which allows me to remember everything I've done! (*Beware: long post below!)
The primary presidency was reorganized a couple weeks ago, but I'm still in as a counselor. I put together some activity packets for the kids to do during general conference. I actually really like being in primary. The kids are so cute and eager to learn, and they continually crack me up with their answers and perspective on life and the gospel.
We decided to do two garage sales in October. We have so much stuff! They both went really well and I ended up making over $100 on things I was getting rid of.
Love this little chunker! She's getting so big. We've had several family get-togethers the last couple months with birthdays (Barbara and Megan), Halloween, and Thanksgiving. We also got three baby announcements! Esther, Kristen, and Faith are all having a baby!! They're all due within about 6 weeks of each other this summer. It's going to be so fun to have three new little ones all together.
I love this quote. I wish my two best friends lived closer. I miss both Katy and Kristy :( I am counting down until February, because I'm going up to Utah for a weekend to see Kristy and go to Rootstech (a big family history conference). I'm really excited. I need some Megan & Rachel time. Plus there's a French bakery in SLC that I really want to try out. I've heard they have amazing pastries!
I named the two little geckos that hang out by the front door. Francois and Columbus are really cute. I love them. They're next door neighbors (as Barbara pointed out). Francois lives behind the siding around the front door, and Columbus lives in one of the corners by the front window. They are often out having dinner together - enjoying all the tasty bugs attracted to the porch light.
The Phoenix temple is finally done! It's been a long road, but so worth it. We were able to drive out and go through the open house and participate in the dedication the beginning of November. It's such a blessing to have so many temples now in Arizona. And there's another one on the way! Once the Tuscon temple is built there will be 6 here in AZ!
Julia was in charge of Halloween this year. We had a fun themed family dinner. I made mummy dogs. This picture still makes me laugh. The dog on the left looks like he just got out of the shower and is wearing a towel turban on his head! LOL!!
I decided I want to go to Disneyland for my birthday next year. I also want to lose the last 50 pound to get to my goal weight. However, that is turning out to be easier said than done. I joined Weight Watchers, hoping it will help to keep me on track and more committed, knowing that I have to go in once a week to weigh-in. So are, I've only lost 4 pounds in the last 3 weeks.
I went to a one-day family history conference put on by the family history library here in Mesa. It was held at the Tempe institute building and was really interesting. I learned lots and it got me really excited for Rootstech in February. I've been working hard on the McLaws line of my genealogy. I really want to find the missing link that no one has been able to find to further that line. I'm hoping to get some inspiration (a visitation would be helpful) on this one soon...
Thank goodness for Hallmark channels and they're cheeserific Christmas movies every year! There have been a couple of really cute ones this year (A Royal Christmas, The Nine Lives of Christmas) and one HORRIBLE one (A Cookie Cutter Christmas). There was also a really ridiculous one of Lifetime that we watched: "Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Movie Ever." Don't waste your time on that one...
MATT MEESE! Dad's cousin, Jef Rawls, owns an awesome improve theatre and they had a special event with guest actor Matt Meese (from the BYUTV sketch comedy show Studio C). It just so happened that the show was the weekend that Aunt Jeri and Rachel were in town for a quick weekend girls trip. It was really fun to spend the weekend with them and go to the show together. Matt is hilarious and I love him.
We introduced Jeri and Rachel to the wonder that is Bahama Bucks. It's the best shaved ice ever!
While Jeri and Rachel were here they slept in Julia's room, which meant that Julia slept in my room. We were up late one night and trying to take funny pictures in bed. This was the result...
Veteran's day also happened to be the weekend Jeri and Rachel were in town. We decided to go to a special memorial service that the city of Mesa does every year at the City of Mesa cemetery. During WWII there were some members of the Royal Air Force training at Falcon Field, here in Mesa, when a training accident happened and some were killed. They are buried in the Mesa city cemetery and every year there is a memorial service to remember them and all the veterans who have served over the years. This was the first year we'd ever gone to the memorial service. We decided to go this year because J.R. is a drummer in the Mesa Caledonia Bagpipe Band and they were playing as part of the service. It was a very special event and one I'd like to attend every year. While we were there we stopped by to visit Grandpa Benjamin F. Johnson's grave.
I can't believe another semester is almost done! Two more weeks, three lab reports, and two finals left and I can check another semester's worth of classes off my pre-requisite list. One more semester closer to being able to apply to the ND program! This semester has been fun. I've learned a lot of interesting things. In biology we did a semester-long experiment on plant genetics. I'm taking a genetics class next semester, which I'm looking forward to.
One of the other classes I took this semester was a three week course on aromatherapy. It was very interesting. I learned a lot. I love the fact that there is so much healing potential all around us in nature, if we just learn how to use it! As part of the class assignments I had to make a room spray and a massage oil blend. I decided to make a room spray to use at night to help me relax and sleep using peppermint, orange, and lavender essential oils. I love it! And it really works! The massage oil I made is one for pain/inflammation relief using tea tree, cedar wood, and orange essential oils. This one works too and I use it when my lower back pain starts to flair up. It seems to stop it in it's tracks, which I love.
Thanksgiving this year was very nice. We had our traditional formal night on Wednesday with the traditional turkey dinner and all the fixings. Yum! Thursday some of us went to the park for lunch and to play for a few hours, then went out for the annual BUTT (Blowing Up of The Turkey). I love our family traditions!
Really awesome book I started and finished Thanksgiving weekend. Mitch Albom is one of my favorite authors. I love his writing style and choice of words and phrases.
Finally time to pull out the Christmas music. It's not Christmas without the boys!
I am resolving to try and be better about keeping this blog updated. Since I'm using it as my journal I know it's important, for family history purposes, and I haven't been doing so well lately. But, I'm going to be better. Sometimes I think my life is really boring and no one would really be interested in my mundane life and goings-on, but I'm repenting now and going to do better! So, until next time... :)
