A Quick Trip

We got outta town this past weekend. We went to Utah for several purposes. Two reasons were planned several months ago. The first was to go to the blessing of my newest niece, Samantha (Sami) Jane Eastman. She is Hebe and Carley's pretty baby.

The second reason to go to Utah was to pick up our 1/4 of a beef. We add this to our 40 pounds of chicken, and this is the most meat that I've bought at one time. We've never stocked up on this much meat. I've had a mental block about filling up my freezer ever since living in Guam where the power can go out on any day and for indefinite amounts of time. I'm getting over the fear of losing my frozen food. It has only taken 7+ years.

The third purpose in going to Utah this past weekend turned out to be the most important reason to me. I got to be with my mom. Sure, I would have visited my parents anyway, but with my mom's breast cancer diagnosis several weeks ago and her surgery last week, this trip down to Utah came at a very important time. I'm so glad I only live 5 hours away from them. At times, I wish I was even closer, but I'll take 5 hours in a car. It sure beats a 14 hour plane ride.

We asked my dad to give us a tour of the Family History Library. He is currently serving as a missionary there two days a week. We had never been inside before, and it was pretty impressive. Matt has gotten into geneology this past year, so he did a little searching for more info on an ancestor from Finland. Josh began his family history merit badge with my dad.

After the library, we met up with my big bro Erik, his wife Kimi, and two of their kids, Vanessa and David. My younger sister, Heather, came too. We ate at Hagerman's Deli right across from Temple Square. It was nice to be with them even for the short hour it was.

Snow came during lunch. And it continued during the drive back to Syracuse. It made the mountains even more beautiful. And an added bonus to our quick trip...

Seeing Jeremy and Tyler Moore. My oldest nephews, sons of Matt's sister and brother-in-law, Samantha and Ken from Virginia. Tyler just returned home from serving a mission in Guatamala. I'm so proud of him. Both are currently attending BYU. Jeremy will leave on his mission this summer. They are great guys.

I'd Like Matt Lauer's Job, Please.

What was amazing to me today? This glorious place. I MUST go here someday.

This is the "Top of Europe" in the Swiss Alps. Take me there NOW!

This is how I would get there. I would have to take a two hour train ride to Europe's highest rail station at Jungfraujoch's Sphinx Observatory. It sits at 11, 745 feet. Oh my! Click on this TODAY SHOW link to watch a little video of Matt Lauer this morning. This is where he was on Day 4 of "Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?"

Yum

This is what I am cookin' up tomorrow for Young Women In Excellence. I was assigned to bring a pumpkin or apple dessert. Our Best Bites posted this recipe yesterday for Layered Pumpkin Pie Toffee Cheesecake. I can't wait to taste it. It looks absolutely divine. I love pumpkin pie and cheesecake. I've made Pumpkin Cheesecake With Pecan-Ginger Snap Crust last year. But I think I will love how the cheesecake and the pumpkin pie are separate in this new recipe. Throwing in a little toffee makes it even more appealing. I will let you know if it is as amazing as it looks!

No Coincidence

Today my amazing mom had surgery. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last month. Thankfully, it was found early and that really ups her chances to kick it in the rear. I know she can do hard things.

My mom's surgeon is our friend from medical school, Joe Jensen. When my mom found out who would be performing her surgery, she looked him up online to find out more about him. She saw that he is a D.O. and graduated the same year as Matt. It didn't say what med school he went to, but she wondered if we knew him. She told me his name, and I flipped out with happiness. We loved hanging out with Joe and Nelly in Kirksville. Matt and Joe and some other guys used to play golf together. They are great people. I have been very happy to know who would be my mom's surgeon. She's in good hands.

Baby Alive

Simply amazing. My daughter is a mommy. How'd that happen overnight?

This baby has had to eat five times since 5:00 pm. He has also had several diaper changes and burped a few times. You don't know what this is doing to my nerves when I hear his cry get louder and louder as Chelsea tries to figure out what he needs. I know that it's a fake baby, but the sound of that cry really triggers something in me.

It's For "Old" Women, Too

This past Sunday, I finally let the bishop know that I was ready to receive my Young Womanhood Recognition Award. I was a little hesitant to award myself with a medallion since I'm the young women president. I also didn't want to get up in sacrament meeting and be the center of attention. But my counselors encouraged me to receive it in front of everybody just like the girls. I knew they were right. It would be an opportunity for me to set a good example for the girls and their mothers. Hopefully, it would also help my kids to remember that their mom has a testimony and that she works hard at being a better woman and servant of the Lord.

I got up and explained to the congregation that this program is for "old" ladies, too, not just for young women. I shared my testimony of personal progress and that it helps us to come to know our Savior better and become more like Him. Since I have already made sacred temple covenants, it helps me to remember and keep those covenants. It also has helped me to strengthen my own family and hopefully other families. I also shared one of my value projects which was to write in my journal every week for one year. After being horrible about writing for many years, it was an awesome experience for me to take that time each week to write about myself. It started a great habit that continues today, three years later. Being up at the pulpit wasn't so bad. As I tell me kids, it's the anticipation that is the worst part of things. I'm grateful for the opportunity to earn a YW medallion for the second time in my life. Now I get to start working on my Honor Bee. Forty hours of service (which includes helping a YW with her own personal progress) and re-reading the Book of Mormon. I should be done with that in no time at all.

Behind the Wheel

What amazes me today? My one and only boy started drivers ed this afternoon. Two out of my three kids are now behind the wheel. Am I really old enough for that to happen? Here are my two drivers and their "instructor" getting ready to drive at the indoor go-cart joint here in town last July. I made Matt drive with Chelsea for the first couple of weeks after she got her permit before I'd get in the car with her. I'll do the same with Josh.

11-1-11

You know what I love? The coziness that autumn brings. I love the feeling of a cool fall day. You know what goes with that? A steamer from Moxie Java. Today I had my first of the season, and I chose pumpkin with skim milk. Mmmmm. It was amazing.

Driving around town this morning, I was amazed at how many leaves have fallen from the changing trees. We had wind last night and it continues today. Leaves were blowing across the roads, and it looked awesome. I snapped a picture of a tree in my neighborhood. It's too bad it won't look like this tomorrow.

I'm not big into Halloween, but it is still fun to see my kids enjoy it. This year we went to a small, family owned pumpkin patch near our neighborhood. This is the second time we have gone there, and I think we will continue to go there each year to support it. No pics of the pumpkin picking, but here is a pic of Matt and the girls carving their pumpkins. Josh picked out the smallest pumpkin he could find, so there wasn't any carving for him this year.

Emma wanted to be a nerd for Halloween this year. After stopping at a couple of thrift stores, this is what I came up with. She loved it.

Chelsea went to a halloween party. I bought her a cheap wig that looked nothing like the picture on the front of the package, and she wore a dress that belonged to her great grandmother. It was perfect for whatever she was:)