Weekend at Beebsie's

Last weekend I got to visit family in Salt Lake. Scott stayed here in Chicago and watched the kids, bless his heart! I flew out Thursday morning. United has new planes they're flying into Denver (they'll be international planes soon) - - they have a new configuration, and the business class seats not only lie flat, but they have large tv screens (as big as a computer screen, and a bit wider). Everything is digital and you get a remote so you can choose from among about 30 movies, 30 tv shows, and a bunch of games for kids or adults. I watched the movie, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas." Not a great airplane movie, but then I only watch movies on airplanes. It was a wonderful show, but incredibly sad. I recommend it to anyone that's not too sensitive (Heidi, you shouldn't watch it). I'm surprised it didn't get more press, because the acting is truly stupendous. But it did have a dampening effect on my spirits.

I got to Salt Lake at noon and Beebs (my sis) picked me up. We went home and just hung out for a while. I hadn't seen her or her kids since the fall, and it was fun to see how they'd grown (the kids, not Beebs - - she's as skinny as ever). She and her hubby went to the temple Friday night so I got to spend some time with W and A and B (ages 5, 3 and 1). I was a little concerned, because they're somewhat wary around strangers, and I hadn't spent much time with them before, but we had a great time! Friday morning I watched them while Beebs went to a dr. apt. We had most of the rest of the day to hang out. We played a bunch of card games (Phase 10, so fun) and talked and laughed and ate. Even though she's 6 years younger than I am, Beebs and I get along so well and have so much in common. She's in an interesting phase of life, with 3 little boys running around, but she does great. She's so patient. And what a cute house they have. Every time I go I think, "if I ever build a house again I'm going to do that and that and that . . ." Also her hubby is very hand around the house and actually put in a wooden floor while I was there. Scott and I don't even like to change light bulbs :)

Friday night my sister Heidi and my mom drove down from Idaho. I hadn't seen them for a while, and it was especially great to see Heidi, who is pregnant, and so fun despite her constant nausea! We stayed up late talking that night, and then got up to go shopping on Saturday. We spent quite a bit of time at Ikea. There's an Ikea here where we live, but I never go there. They have some really cool things. We ended up not buying anything, but we got a lot of good ideas. We had a yummy lunch, Mexican food, which made my stomach hurt the rest of the day. That evening Beebs and hubby went to stake conference and Heidi and Mom and I played with the kids and cleaned the fridge (note: isn't it interesting that it's so much more fun to clean when it isn't your house and when your friends are there with you?)

Sunday was stake conference, and I was really impressed by the boys' good behavior. It's not easy to sit for 2 hours, but they did well. Then we went home and had delicious lasagna and monkey bread for dessert. Monkey bread is Ethan's latest recipe from his life skills class - - I'll post the recipe on cousin's chronicles (or better yet, I'll have him post it). Mom and Heidi had to leave after dinner, and I was sad to see them go. But we'll be going out to Idaho for spring break, and I'm certainly looking forward to it.

Monday Beebs and I went shopping before she took me to the airport. I was so excited to go to Deseret Book (because of course there isn't one here) - - I got a couple of books for the boys and Beebs bought me some scripture marking paraphernalia and another book. We also went to Borders, and then to Chick-fil-a for lunch (I always have to get a chicken salad sandwich when I go there).

All in all it was a wonderful visit, even though I missed Scott and the kids. I love being with Beebs because we laugh so much (also with Heidi and Mom). I wish we lived closer to family!!! But we'll be seeing everyone in May when my little bro get married. I can't wait.

Thanks Beebs!

Noah

Had to post a pic of my cutie. He had a great Valentine's Day, loved the cards from his friends and teachers and gave me all the candy - - you can't beat that!

Young Women's Sleepover

Call me brave (or foolhardy), but I volunteered my house for the first annual Crystal Lake 2nd Ward Young Women's Conference/Sleepover. The boys get to do scout camp-outs, but the girls just get camp in the summer, so we thought this would be fun. Our stake theme for the year is "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12) So the theme for our conference was the word and conversation part. We had talks about virtue (the new word in the yw theme), gossip, standing up for your religion, etc. We played getting to know you games and had all kinds of sugary/salty snacks. The first picture shows our fireplace mantel. Going along with our theme, we are giving the girls candles each month or so, with the colors representing the different yw values. Gold is the color for our new value, virtue, so we found some beautiful gold candles with pretty holders (Ikea). We lit them all and then had a testimony meeting. They looked so pretty up on the mantle that I may buy some myself and make it a permanent decoration. The only drawback was when we blew them all out it set off the fire alarm and woke Scott up (it was about midnight). It is a very loud alarm, not just a siren sound but a scary voice that says, "fire in the house!" Anyway I went up to bed (ah, my own bed) soon after that, Katie and Jen (other leaders) slept in the basement along with the 13 girls that came. There was plenty of room, everyone brought blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, etc. Most of the girls stayed up all night. I wish I had that kind of energy! I went back to bed after everyone left this morning and stayed there for several hours.

Anyway in the morning we had a wonderful breakfast. Jen had made these awesome casseroles (1 bag of tater tots, thawed and mashed up, 2 cups milk, 2 eggs, and 2 cups cheese, with a little chopped up ham, cook at 350 for 50 minutes - - delicious!) and we also had fruit, OJ, hot chocolate, muffins, and cinnamon rolls. Cleanup was quick and easy, and I really think the girls had a nice time. I sure did. These young women live at a challenging time, and there are very few LDS kids at the schools here. It can't be easy facing the peer pressure that they do, but they are remarkably strong. They all get along well, and I am so glad, because they need eachother. One of my friends told me that as Ethan gets older, make sure he goes to activities, parties, etc., with his church friends, because they can be his greatest support. It was so different for me growing up because my church and school friends were the same. But living in the missionfield is not like that. Ethan has great school friends, and so far hasn't had problems with peer pressure, but I know that will come, and I'm so glad he has a bunch of great church buddies to hang out with as well.

Anyway I feel privileged to work with such wonderful women as leaders, and such valiant, beautiful young women. I love getting to know them and seeing their beautiful spirits shine through. Each is an example to me, and I just hope I can help them as much as they inspire me!

Happy Valentine's Day! (This is a real potato!)

Cute Free Stuff to Print

One of my favorite sites, stealsdeals.blogspot.com, directed me to another site with cute things you can print for free, like notes for your kids' lunch boxes, gift tags, cards, etc. The site is www.gingerbreadnook.com/shtml .

Also, Noah won the Pinewood Derby! Big surprise, we certainly weren't expecting that. This year all of the Achievement Day girls participated as well. Huge turnout, and great fun for everyone. Noah was very excited.