Hmmm

Have you ever wondered..........

IT IS HERE!!!

I woke up Tuesday morning fully convinced that it was Friday. I felt like I had already put in a week's worth of work on Monday alone (perhaps because I got up at 3:00 Monday morning and kept right on going until about the same time Tuesday morning). So when I realized that Tuesday was what it was, I was sorely disappointed and didn't really know what to do with myself. But alas, Friday is here now! And a great weekend we have planned for ourselves. A shindig tonight for a dear great aunt, Comedy Sports tomorrow night, and hopefully a few minutes with Jodi. Then homework. Then Sunday! Oh, how I love Sunday! I tell you, Heavenly Father really knew what he was up to when he stopped on that seventh day!

I got done earlier than Jodi last night with class, so I rushed over to the laundromat to get things done. She joined me when she finished with her classes, and we decided to let you know what it is like in Provo these days. Well...not really, but it is a nice dream! The background photo is of an area in China that we will be close to while we are in Nanjing. I have always wanted to go to the area of China that has the cute little mounds that randomly stick up everywhere...

Have a fabulous Friday, folks! Love you so much!

Joe

I was reading in my World Religions text book about the religion Zoroastrianism, and well, Joe, this is for you...

"Traditionally...one had to be the child of  Zoroastrian father in order to receive navjote (like a bar-mitzvah, admitting you as a member of the religion).  But then a so-called liberal group of Zoroastrian priests performed the ceremony in New York for Joseph Peterson, a native Minnesotan who is well versed in Zoroastrianism.  This caused widespread disagreement...at a time when Zoroastrianism was already in decline."

This is hilarious!!! A must watch.

Ebay

Heather We Miss You! :(

I, especially, but also we had a such a great time with the Petersen clan. We, including Michael and Joshua, and Jacob, really miss you! We have found a few things you left behind...a camera (ouch), some socks, a Nauvoo rope, and Ethan's special shoe (which we hope you never need again.)

Here is my seminary report:

The Bishop attended our first class and explained to the kids about the change in teachers. That was a good idea.

You should have seen the faces of the kids when I told them they were getting graded and would receive report cards. ummmm, yeah. I think they were totally in shock.

We did a little scripture mastery and Dad gave a great lesson on Corinth and the meat and milk of the gospel.

The future of seminary in the Front Royal Ward is still TBD. It was exciting to be back teaching seminary. I remember I really do love it! Maybe they will let me teach again next year (of course, that will not include being the YW President.)

First to post. Yeah!

He Everyone

My internet is working...lucky me...so I thought I would make a post, uneventful as it may end up being. Not too much excitement in our world and I don't mind a bit. I'm still babysitting and already tired of it, but it is going to help pay debt and that is worth it. I'm still mostly a single mom but were surviving. Only about 6 weeks of school left. We're gonna make it! We actually worked in the yard on Saturday. It was very fun and satisfying. It still doesn't look great, but believe me, we,ve come along way. I've been going to the chiropractor and it's about wonderful. Today he is going to break up all the scar tissue in my shoulder....ummmm owwwwww! I'm sure Ill be good as new in no time! Happy Birthday Mom and Happy Birthday Bryce...if he ever reads this. All my love.

Collin the Puppy?

I don't think so....

Happy Birthday to Me!

I walked out of the cultural hall during young women's last night and glanced right down the hall. Grandpa was walking towards me with a cute little blond boy in his arms--yup! Collin! And close behind April, Chloe, Ethan and Heather. I have never been so surprised ever! You all did a great job keeping this one a secret! It's lots of fun! Grandkids for 2 1/2 weeks, first the Petersens then the Hutchings! What Grandma could ask for a better birthday present!

Always Love

I saw this short video on my Borders sight this morning and thought you might enjoy it.

Opera!

If you haven't had a good dose of opera recently, I highly recommend "Le nozze di Figaro" by Mozart. We watched it today in class and it's just too funny! Here's a shot in which the count has been doubly tricked and is apologizing. So good.


-- Post From My iPhone

And so the saga... oh blah blah blah

We are home. We enjoyed a wonderful trip to Nauvoo. Thursday, we left early enough to make our own dinner that night. We planned to watch a movie and just relax, but spring was in Nauvoo and the kids wouldn't come inside. We played outside until the sun set. Even then, the kids put up a fight. Friday came to us sunny and beautiful. I believe it was around 72 degrees. We couldn't have asked for a better day. We were also pretty much the only people in Nauvoo. That was AWESOME. We never had to rush, or share the cool stuff you always get. The elder missionaries were also pretty excited to talk. We went to a show Friday night, put on by the elder missionaries. It was hysterical. The kids really liked it. We had a big thunderstorm that night, but it was dry Saturday. Though cooler. I would like to say we had a wonderful and UNEVENTFUL vacation, but that just wouldn't fit with our current well, life! When we went back to the condo on Friday for dinner, Joe came in and told me he didn't think we were going to make it home. Ummm......K. Turns out, we had a huge leak in a radiator tube. Joe was hoping to dry it and duck tape until we got home, but he was soaked trying. We overheated just getiing to the show. Luckily, the owner of the condos was a counselor in the YM and the president happens to be the only mechanic in Nauvoo. An hour later he showed up to look at it. He met us Saturday and opened his shop to fix it for us. We made it home without any further incident. Ethan is doing better. He has started to walk some. Hope all is well with everyone. I will post pictures later, when Joe is home.

Foto Friday

Foto Friday

I saw something this morning, that reminded me of all of you. I am going to try to post it here. We'll see how this goes. Check it out!



Sorry, I don't know how to make it link, but it's worth your time!

Taxes

I think I'm finally done with my taxes.  Unlike most I do enjoy doing my taxes, but this year I was a little disappointed to learn I would have to actually pay money instead of receiving a nice refund.  Though I love all of my jobs they each tax me assuming they are my only employer, so when we add all of the income together I have to pay a higher rate.  In the end it didn't turn out so bad.  I only did my taxes about 5 times, then I went online and found an efile program, filled in all of my numbers and compared.  I was pretty close!  Yippee!  But because I owe money I have filed my taxes away and will mail my checks out in April but at least I know they are done and how much to save away for them!  If anyone else needs tax help let me know!  I even learned how to do an itemized deduction--it was awesome!  Past are the days of standard deductions . . . 

soooooo

i got Dorothy Gale! yayyyy!!!!! :D that's it. that's all i have to say. so yeah...The Wizard of Oz at Skyline High School will have Marquie Hutchings as Dorothy. :)

My photo friday but way early. 'Cause I'll be in Nauvoo!

Happy Birthday!

Sorry to be late, but Happy Birthday, Yesterday! James!!!!! The BIG 30! Love you!

My happy place!

Sorry it took me so long Michelle, but I figured it out. My happy place is in my children's laughter. Not that little giggle, but the full out laugh. You know what I mean! We spent some time freezing our batooties on Saturday. We went to the Festival of the Sugar Maples. I was just really cold, even in my marshmallow coat, but the kids liked it. We learned the history of tapping maples, how they tap them now, and even got to taste some fresh syrup. Ummm..... YUM!
We also spent the weekend job searching. Who isn't... We found about ten jobs to apply for. One in the west (didn't specify), Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, and maybe New Jersey. I can't remember for sure. It will be interesting to see what the Lord has in store for us.
We are looking forward to our trip to Nauvoo this week. The weather looks pretty good right now. We will keep you posted.