This Is The Year

I am SO sorry! I have been so sick, and my son has been so sick, and it's Halloween, and overall I'm just a slacker! I failed to do a Mod Podge Mania project or post! Even though I don't have a project to share, I'd still love to see what everyone else has done! So sorry it took me so long to post! Please...Link up!

Well, my son is doing much better - thanks everyone for the words of concern. As for me...well, my lungs are on fire, and I feel like they're going to burst out of my chest every time I have a coughing fit which is approximately every 1.4 minutes. I feel like there is a semi truck parked on my chest. I seriously cannot remember when I have felt so crappy. In spite of this...I'm feeling pretty blessed today. Please bear with me as I tell you a story. The story is about my dear friend Heidi. Actually it's about how the Lord used my dear friend Heidi as an instrument to bless my life. Heidi is a neighbor and friend whom I have known for years. I was her son's nursery leader, our husbands are friends and we even were assigned as visiting teaching companions. However it was just this past summer that Heidi and I became close. She was realeased from the Young Women's Presidency, and I was called to serve in the YW's Presidency. These girls really steal your...

Well...I haven't had a chance to watch Tuesday night's competition for SYTYCD...I had Young Women's and Board interviews that night...HOWEVER...I did find out some devastating news. Really. Remember I told you Billie Bell was just incredible to watch? I honestly think he was the best dancer in the competition. Well...he's out. He's out due to illness, and he didn't even get to compete once! I am so sad. Especially because usually once you make it to the top 20, you're not allowed to audition again. Hopefully they'll make an exception in his case, since he didn't even get the chance to compete. I just wanted to share my sad news. And of course leave you with a video in honor of Bille Bell! Skip to 0:41 if you want to just see the dance. We'll miss you Billie!

Man, this only getting 1 blog post in a week has got to stop! I can't stand it! I'm going to make up for it by doing a super long one with lots of videos today! Of course the parts I want you to watch of each video are only 30-45 seconds long. I had to make time today to share my excitetment that the competition is REALLY underway now! Have you been watching So You Think You Can Dance? If not, you are at the PERFECT time to tune in! The top 20 have been named! The top 10 guys and top 10 girls will begin competing on Monday! I'm so excited! I will be using "!" a lot throughout this post! I'm especially stoked because so many of my favorite's made it in! Including 3 Dancers from Utah! Go Utah! First my fellow Utahns. We have a married couple, Ryan and Ashleigh DiLello. The are fun just to look at because they are so gorgeous! Skip to 1:21 if you want to bypass the "introduction" piece. Next up we have Mollee Gray. She's just this adorable littl...

I know I said I was getting back on track...but I just can't seem to get everything done that I need to! Hopefully the busyness is winding down though! I did have a fabulous time last night with my cousin J. We went to the parents' Discovery night at my childrens' school. Discovery is a program in our school that encourages children to discover new interests, talents and abilities. The session runs 4-5 weeks, and the kids are given a choice out of several different courses. Then they have Discovery 1 day a week for 2 1/2 hours. After the month long session, the children have a whole new set of courses to choose from for the next session. The courses are taught by experts from the community and chaperoned by parent volunteers (this allows teachers to have this time for teacher planning). Often children travel away from the school to participate in Discovery. Here are just some of the courses that students have been able to choose from: Taekwondo, Ballroom Dancing, Robotics, ...

Ha ha. I'm so clever. Okay...I was having a hard time coming up with a title. How the heck has everyone been? I haven't visited any of you in FOREVER! But, I had to stay home from church today because my little Pixie is sick. And since I don't ever do Ribbon Blossoms work on Sunday, I have the best reason to spend my time getting caught up with y'all! I can't wait to get around and get visiting! Nothing too exciting to report here. At the kids' school we're still on the hunt for a new director to replace our current fabulous one. I can't understand why "Dean of Education" is a more appealing position than "director of a tiny charter school". So it's a really prestigious position, and a lot more money, for a lot less work...so what? I guess that's the risk of hiring someone fabulous, there's always someone else looking to steal them away from you! Last night had a girls' night out with Tanielle. We did a littl...

Hello Ladies, No time for chatting...have 6 more tutu costume orders to fill! If you want to place a costume order you have 1 more day. Go Here . I just wanted to take a quick second to let you know that the winner of the Handmade for Fall Giveaway is Deb, Cards etc.! Congratulations! Please email your shipping info to ribbonblossoms@aol.com . I hope everyone is having a fabulous Friday!

I didn't participate in EM:ME hosted by Amber last week, because it was Mod Podge Mania . BUT I am goin' strong. I've been walking with my mom - although we need better consistency! I am down 3 lbs - so that's good...although I did have some birthday cake and spicy sausage and potato soup at my daughter's birthday dinner last night...I am so weak! But today I'm being super good! I've got a new little addiction that is helping to motivate me. Do you ever see REALLY cute outfits in catalogs, or on mannequins, or on T.V. and you think "that is so CUTE!" but it is immediately followed by the thought "that wouldn't look cute on me, because I'm fat". Yeah - that's me all the time. I love clothes - until I try them on, that is. So, as shallow as it may be, the idea of wearing cute clothes motivates me. Last week I decided I would put together a collection of great stuff I'd like to wear and look good in - only I could only find ...

Dear Monkey, Wow. I can't believe you are 3 years old. It seems like just yesterday we brought this chubby little bundle home from the hospital. Your brother and sisters ADORED you. In fact, Pixie was so enamored of you, we were constantly having to tell her to "back off!" Consequently, "back off!" was one of the first things you ever said. True story. You have been such a source of joy and laughter in our home these last 3 years. Despite your antics, we couldn't imagine our family without you. You are so smart (too smart!), funny, and full of spirit. We feel so honored that Heavenly Father trusted you to our care. Thank you for blessing our lives and always keeping us on our toes! I hope you have a wonderful birthday my beautiful little girl. I love you! Okay...I had the best video of her telling about her birthday...but stupid Blogger won't upload it. If I get it to work, I'll update...have an awesome Tuesday!

Okay, I'm pretty sure I'm safe to write about this, because I don't think my cousin "J" reads my blog. If you're reading this, J, stop right now! I mean it! Okay so J is staying with my mom and dad while she goes to school here in Utah. She LOVES soccer. So a few weeks back her parents sent her some money to go to a ReAL Salt Lake game. ReAL(pronounced REE-AL)is our MLS team. I LOVE ReAL games. Hubby and I bought tickets and the 3 of us went. Of course it was awsesome. For J's birthday, my brothers and I decided to get her a ticket to go again, and then we would all get tickets and go with her. Only my brother "D" thinks soccer games are boring. "They only score like twice and the game is 90 minutes long!" as he puts it. And it would be kinda pricey to get a ticket for each of my family of 6. So we decided to just get 2 tickets for her, and she could invite a friend, or a date. So guess who she ivites? MY BROTHER D! Yeah the soccer comp...

How blessed I feel to be able to sit with my family every six months and listen to the words of Prophets. I love General Conference . I love the feeling of renewal, rededication and recommitment to living the gospel more fully that I get each time I sit and listen to conference. I love the spirit that fills our home as we sit together as a family and hear the things the Lord wants us to know. Sure, we have to often "shhsh" the youngest ones, or remind the kids (and ourselves) once in a while, to sit up and pay attention. But the spirit is stronger than these distractions and talking with our children about what we've learned, and how we can apply it in our family is such a gift, one I am repeatedly grateful for. Sometimes we have our children draw pictures of whoever is speaking at the time. They are able to use the T.V. as a reference yet not be too distracted to hear the message. Sometimes they get to write down 3 things that the speaker talks about, or draw a picture o...

First I want to remind everyone to enter my Handmade for Fall Giveaway - here! Next, I am sending a question out to all you blogging experts: I have a friend who is the principal of a school. He keeps a principal's blog. He would like to find a way to create a list of his staff members' birthdays that will automatically post a happy birthday message to them on the day. Does anyone know if this is possible? I know he can do scheduled posts for each of those days, but I'm wondering how far in advance Blogger will allow you to schedule, and how many posts? Also, just wondering if there is an easier way than manually scheduling each separate birthday post. If you have any advice for me...I'll love you forever!