Confession

I have a confession.  But before I divulge, here is a little background:

Yesterday, I decided to go shopping.  My diet has been nothing but chicken noodle soup and chili for the last 5 or so meals (oh how I love my Grandma's chili and Mom's soup!).  However, there comes point where you just can't eat either of those meals again for a really long time and yesterday I reached that point.  Sad to say, I was craving something green....lettuce, cucumbers, beans, and anything else that would fit in that category!  So, I headed to the grocery store.  My 'house-mate' Sandy (or however I title her haha) went on a trip this weekend and her daughter was out with friends, so I went alone.

I went to Smith's and started in the 'can' section.  Through my time spent in the grocery store, I have found that I head there first.  Otherwise my bread comes out of the store looking like a pancake rather than a loaf.  After, I headed down to grab some milk and yogurt.  On my way there, I passed the candy isle.  Two weeks ago, it was overloaded with Halloween candy; orange and black decorations were everywhere, and candy was just spilling out of the bins.  I remember thinking that there was probably no candy back in stock because it was all out in the isle!

Well yesterday the tune had completely changed because the middle of the isle was absolutely clear.  The shelves were only stalked half way on each side.  I was on the opposite end, but I could still see the red and green boxes with snowflakes peppered all over them.  Yes.  You guessed it: Christmas candy.  I couldn't believe it!  October is barely half over and they're yanking out the Christmas candy already!!!!

I finished my shopping and came back to the house to put it all away.  I kept thinking about how ridiculous it was that they had already put out Christmas candy.  I finished my day, and thought nothing more about it....until tonight.

Which leads me to my confession: Because I am here at the house alone and I passed the Christmas isle at Smith's, my inner child got the best of me.  I have been blasting Christmas music for the last two hours.

Hopefully this was just a phase, and it won't return for another 42 days.  ;)

Trip to Wyoming

A couple weeks ago, Mom, the girls, and I went over to Freedom to pick up a bountiful basket. After we picked up the basket, we drove to Afton.  We stopped by the Red Baron for lunch and then drove by the area were the Star Valley Temple will be.  I sure wish they would hurry up and get going on it!  We've been extremely excited since its announcement and can't wait until it is built.

The church owns this lot.  We are guessing the temple will be up near where those barns are, but that's just a guess.

It will be somewhere near Skyview Ln.

After, we headed up the canyon to Periodic Springs.

It didn't take long for the girls to find entertainment on the hike up ;)

Who can throw the bigger rock? 

...I don't think the Forest Service would appreciate these photos haha.

We made it up!

Say cheese!

Look! an Idaho rock!

A description of the spring.

Shelby, look over here!....and this is the face I get

There's a cute one!

Hey Mom! Meg! Look over here!...and these are the poses I get

Just silly

and of course lots of giggles...(though there were more when we

looked at all of these photos on the computer haha)

There's a good one!

Group shot!

Cute one of Meg

Say cheese!....no wonder why I can't get the girls to smile haha!

There's a good one! and here are some more:

Mom upside down spells Wow!

I'm grateful for my

Mom

Mom...Best Friend...Same Thing.

Shout out to all the wonderful mothers out there!  I could go on and on about my incredible Momma, but we'd be here forever.  There is a quote that I think truly fits her.  

Even though it is probably over-used a lot, I still think it rings true:

"To the world you are a mother, but to your family you are the world."

I ran across this quote the other day and really liked it:

"I especially wish to praise and encourage young mothers.  The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work...Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, Created for Greater Things

I'm excited to one day become a mother and care for my own children.  I have great examples to look up to, and know that they have helped prepare me for my future role as a mother.  Even though my Mom has had to work a job and not Mom 'full-time' (even though she really does anyway), it's her job as a Mom that makes her my hero.  Happy Mother's Day Mom!  I love you!

and just so ya know, this IS my Mom haha:

Spring Break 2013

Thursday - Last day of classes!!! Wahooo!!!  Went to a basketball game that night.  (see flag ceremony)

Friday - I had practicum all day.  It was only my second day in the class with the kids.  But I'll start full time this coming Monday.  I'm excited to get into the classroom and get to know these kids better.  It's difficult to try and teach them when I don't really know them.  Let's just say that I hope I don't have to substitute for very long because it is difficult.  That night  I went on a date.  It was a great way to end my extremely long week.  Shawn came down to Logan and we went out to dinner at Cafe Rio.  After we grabbed some ice cream at Charlie's.  I had a fantastic time, thanks again Shawn!

Saturday - I quickly cleaned the entire apartment, packed up my stuff, and got out of my apartment by noon.  I drove to Grandma's and we played a few card games.  I taught her and grandpa how to play "Spot It".  They agreed that I need to bring it to the reunion.  It's a really fun game!!!  Of course we also played a game of hand & foot and she beat me...really bad haha.

Sunday - It was a great day at church.  My home stake's patriach and his wife (my high school english teacher) spoke and both did a fantastic job.  I loved the messages they shared.  Listening to their great talks made me excited for General Conference coming up in a couple weeks!

Monday - I've never been so lazy in my entire life.  I did NOTHING all day.  Which I hated cause then I just felt like crap haha.  I did get a few loads of laundry done, and brushed my horse.  Oh my word, he was hilarious looking.  He's lost all of the extra hair from his face, but nowhere else.  By the time I was done with him, I think there was more hair on the ground than there was left on him haha.

Tuesday - Stake Mutual Dodgeball Night! (see previous post)

Wednesday - Dad and I got up early and went to help out at the Annual Udy Bull Sale in Rockland, ID.  We got there at 8:30 to help sort out the bulls.  During the sale, I helped serve lunch while Dad worked in the back.  After, I helped clean up and Dad helped to load the bulls.

Thursday - We recovered from bull sale haha, and didn't do much during the day.  I did get a few loads of laundry and dishes done and then cooked dinner.  This will sound crazy, but I was happy to finally get the chance to cook again!  I have a hard time finding the desire to cook a good meal for just me (death by leftovers) so it was nice to cook a big meal again.

Friday - We left at 5 that morning for boise.  We picked up Grandma Petersen on the way, and drove straight to Northwest Nazarene College where the dance competition was being held.  We were there til 3ish and then we left to grab lunch.  After we checked into the hotel, and then we headed back to the college for the awards.  The girls competed against a dance charter school and 3A teams, so they weren't able to place.  But I was still really impressed with them, because I feel that they danced their best that day.  After, we  shopped for a bit but we were all dragging so then we went back to the hotel.  Dumby me, I forgot to buy cards at the store so instead we just called it a night.

Saturday - I couldn't sleep so I was up and ready to leave at 8. After breakfast, we went to jcp and another little shop.  Then  we spent a couple hours in R.C. Willey and then the mall.  It was partly torture because there were SO MANY PEOPLE!!! but we survived.  After we finally got out of there, we stopped at the chocolate factory to get some goodies and then headed home.  We left at 4, stopping in mountain home for gas, and then made it to poky at 7 so it went really well. We got out to stretch our legs a bit and then came home.

Sunday - We all got ready and headed to church.  It had been a little gusty that morning, but not too awful.  Well, the wind decided to really pick up and Bishop Houseman decided to end church early.  Meg stole the picture below from Kammi.  No joke, this was exactly what you could see from the entry way of the church.  Twenty-four years to the day there was also another blizzard.  I know this because it was Mom and Dad's anniversary and they had a freak storm come up on their wedding too.  St. Patrick's Day sure seems to be an eventful day!  I waited it out and went back to Logan that night; thank goodness it cleared up before I left.

Most people head somewhere warm for Spring Break...but not me.  I head home to snow country and work haha.  But I'd rather have it that way anyways...at least I didn't have to think about reading huge articles or writing lesson plans!  I just made it through my first full week in Practicum and after next week, I get another Spring Break (the elementary school's break)....Yipee!!!  Spoiled I know, but after the 9 weeks of heck  (weeks filled with 3 hour classes and then tons of homework) I feel like I've earned it haha.

State Drill Team Competition 2013

Last weekend was Meg's State Drill Team

Competition.  Luckily, I was able to go because it

fell on the end of my Spring Break.  Her team danced

the best I've ever seen them dance.

Get ready for picture overload!!!

I'd caption them all...but I wouldn't have a clue

what the dance moves are haha, so here goes:

  

Right before hip hop

...how Shelby and I truly felt....haha

But we were happy to be there to support her!

Cousins

Grandma came too!  We had lots of fun.

goodies before awards

There were a TON of dancers/cheerleaders.

In the end, Shelby and I survived haha.

Megan and Sierra did a fantastic job!

Jr. Miss...or I guess it is called now called

Distinguished Young Women...is her next big

event.  It's on March 30th, come if you can!