WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE MY HUBBY IS GOING TO IRAQ !!!!!

I got an email yesterday from Lori Spence. It said KBR had contacted her husband for a plumbers job in Iraq and they needed electricians. I sent it to Tony and he emailed them.
We went to Toscano's last night for dinner and on the way in Tony was saying he was a bit disappointed because he has never been able to actually speak with anyone. It's all been email and nothing ever happens!
Well, we had a wonderful dinner and a great time with one another! When we got home I noticed the light on the caller ID was blinking so I looked at it and there had been a call from KBR! I told Tony and he said he wondered WHY they didn't call his cell! He'd given them both numbers! Then he looked at his cell phone AND THEY HAD CALLED HIM! We were so intent on eating ...lol.... we didn't hear it!
He got up this morning and called them early! They said they have been desperate for electricians and he told them he has been in their system since spring! They didn't know how they had missed him! They said they wanted him to send an attachment with his passport , driver's license and his electrical licenses. He did and then the gal said he was to call back at 9AM for a conference call. He did and now has a bunch of paperwork to fill out and it looks like he'll be flying to Texas on the 11th of October!

IT HAPPENED SO FAST! MY HEAD IS REELING!

I'm nervous but we are happy that he finally heard from them and has a job again! It will be good in the long run! We can pay off the house and hopefully when he returns the work will be here again!

I just got to thinking......when Rowan's birthday party was over and all the guests had left, Heather did a balloon launch. She had Tony and me and her and Jon and Rowan all write a wish on the balloon with a magic marker. Then we let them go! Tony wrote he wished for a job! Guess that balloon reached HEAVEN!

OUR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND OTHER GOOOOOOD STUFF !!!

Tony and I left for Utah last Tuesday night after I got off work. We arrived in Ogden around 8:30 and were greeted by this little tyke! I was so glad his mommy and daddy let him stay up a little later so we could see him! (Sorry about the red eye)
On Wednesday we got up to a wonderful breakfast of crepes with strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream! Mmmmmm, it was delicious!

After breakfast we drove into Ogden City Park and took a big long walk! Tony thinks we went 6 miles but I think it was more like 4. Guess we'll never know! LOL

It was beautiful with the Wasatch Mountains in the back!

There was a playground where Rowan played on the slides. Grandpa and Grandma had as much fun as Rowan!

After our walk we went to Taco Bell and had lunch. Heather had a bunch of "Free Taco" coupons from the Jazz games so we ate a cheap lunch and then we went ........BOWLING !

AND I WON!!

It was only 118 but I scored the highest! Totally fun! I hadn't bowled in ages! We have the bowling alley so close to our home so we'll have to go again! I'm sure I won't be so lucky next time! LOL

When we got home, Heather fixed me my "Birthday dinner" ..... She also made me and Rowan crowns and so naturally we wore them! Rowan's looking at me like "Who is this strange woman and why is she in my space?"....

Heather made BBQ ed spareribs, baby red potatoes with walnuts, blue cheese and scallions and asparagus! It was to die for!! She's quite the little cook!

Afterwards she served the birthday buddies Angel Food cake with whipped cream, Raspberries, Strawberries and Blueberries! Rowan loved it! So much that we had to give him a bath .......

He got a bathtub toy from me and Grandpa so he loved his bath too! LOL

On Thursday we went to the Hogle Zoo! Rowan was fascinated with the animals!

My sister Lorie met up with us there and it was great to see her and catch up!

Rowan's favorite part was the carousel! He rode a Polar Bear and he was smiling the entire time!

After saying good bye to Lorie, we left the Zoo and went to the Joseph Smith movie in the Joseph Smith Building in downtown Salt Lake! Rowan was pretty good the 1st half hour and then got restless so I took him out to play so the other 3 could enjoy the show. I had fun playing with him out on the lawn. When they were finished we walked to "The Star Of India" and had Indian Food for the 1st time! Mmmmmmm, it was good!

On the way home we stopped at "Zeppe's" in Ogden and had Italian Custard! Man, these kids know how to party!!!

On Friday morning, Tony and I took off for Derek and Rachel's house while Heather got ready for the "BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY" on Saturday!

We stopped off at the Hill Air Force Base Museum! It was very interesting!

They had added a new section since the last time either of us were there and we were really excited to see the "Hall of Fame" where they had a big write up about Bernie Fisher. He now lives in Kuna and Tony and I had gone out to meet him a couple of years ago and had him sign a book that we bought for Jeff and Chris. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.

We drove down to Kern's and went to Derek and Rachel's. We had a good visit with them and enjoyed seeing the kids! Here Gideon is playing on the computer and showing off his toothless grin!

Derek and Rachel ! Happy as two bugs in a rug!

Sarah, Teancum and Helaman! They were all so cute! We visited for a couple of hours and then played games at the kitchen table! It was fun to see them all!

We got back to Ogden around 8:30 Friday night. I helped Heather ice cupcakes and get the last of the preparations done for the party.

Saturday morning, Jon took pictures of Rowan and me and some of Heather and me & Rowan and Tony and me and Rowan. We decorated the patio and then people started showing up.

We had pizza and fruit for lunch. Heather made everyone put on clown accessories for a picture and IF you participated you were rewarded with a cupcake! It was fun! Rowan got to have his very own cake which (as you can see) he dove into! LOL He ate all the M & M's off the cake and then took to it seriously! Miles was cleaning up anything Rowan dropped!

This is the patio before the party! She went all out on Decor! So cute!

A GREAT TIME was had by all! Thank you Heather and Jon for a wonderful Birthday!

It was sooooo much FUN!

A BIRTHDAY PARTY AND A VISIT......1 WEEK APART!

Last Sunday, the 13th , we went to Nate and Melissa's to celebrate Livie's 4th birthday. She was excited to have us arrive!
Aunt Becky took a picture of the three of us as we were entering the house.

Livie's favorite gift was her new Heffalump from her mommy and daddy! She looks so pretty riding her new toy!

It was big enough to ride! As a matter of fact, all the kids loved it! She was one happy little girl!

It was a nice evening and the oreo cookie cake and ice-cream were to die for......that's what happens when your dieting! Those sweets are so gooood!

Tonight, Tony had a Regional Single's meeting in Kuna so I went out to see Jason and the kids!

We went outside and played for a while so I got some pictures of them out doors.

The inner tube gang! It will be the 1st day of Fall on Tuesday and this evening it felt like it! After this picture, the girls went in and got jackets for all of them! The wind was blowing and it was pretty cool!

Andrew loves to ride bikes and the 4 wheeler now! Sophia kept him smiling by giving him a ride on Isabel's bike.

Andrew loves to be outdoors.

Posing on the slide. The 4 of these kids get along so well. After playing outside we went in the house and played a game until Tony was done with his meeting. I hadn't seen them for a while and Andrew is saying some words now. ie: ride, wa wa (water) mom, dad, me me for Isabel, Sophi, Daden (Caden) cookie, and his all time personal favorite....MINE!

It was great to spend some time with them!

A MOST EXCITING EMAIL.....I WANTED TO SHARE

I got this email from my sister Donna this morning! It reads:


Subject: Fw: actual photo of Joseph Smith

Wow! Have you guys seen this "new" discovery of the ONLY photo ever taken of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
The Reorganized Church only recently uncovered it in their archives and asked our church to help authenticate it.
The church has stated that it is "Almost certainly authentic". All existing "photos" of the prophet are artist conceptions, most of which were taken from models made from the death mask after Joseph had died.
This photo is reportedly taken of him at the time of his incarceration in the Liberty Jail. The article in Meridian says the church has actually had the photo for a couple of years working on its authentication.....
I am in awe ! I have so much love, respect and admiration for the Prophet Joseph. He gave his life for the restoration of the truth . It is incredible to see this photo ! His eyes are piercing! He looks so calm and at peace. I love this man!

"NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER" ........:(

I was surprised as I opened up the Internet last night to find Patrick Swayze had succumbed to his cancer. I knew it was inevitable when he was diagnosed but WOW, he was only 57! MY age!
I loved him in "Dirty Dancing " and especially "Ghost"!
He's in a better place and will not suffer any more!

HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT BUT NOW WILL NEVER FORGET IT !!!

I was at work yesterday and I was sooooo excited to get off at 3PM because my girl friend, Cheryl Bishop bought me a ticket to "TIME OUT FOR WOMEN" for my birthday!

I got a golden ticket! All SMILES!

We met at 4PM at the Towne Place Marriot just down the hill from the Train Depot in Boise!

There were 5 of us. Cheryl, her mother, her daughter Sariah and her daughter in law, Mandy! Cheryl paid for the tickets to the event, the hotel .....AND........................

DINNER AT PF CHANGS! I was treated like a queen! Thank you Cheryl from the bottom of my heart!

We then went over to the Center on the Grove for the Friday night event! I had never heard of TIME OUT FOR WOMEN! Let me tell you ....it was so awesome!

UPLIFTING, ENTERTAINING, EXCITING AND DOWN RIGHT FUN!

Hilary Weeks sang and shared her testimony through stories and song! She is hilarious! She has a beautiful voice and a great sense of humor! I enjoyed her so much!

The four of us at the Center during a break! From the left: Cheryl, Me, Carol, Sariah and Mandy. Both girls are expecting!

As we were leaving the center on Friday night, we ran into Cherie Call. She had done a couple of numbers to wet our appetite for Saturday. She was kind enough to pose for pictures with us!

She is an incredible performer and song writer and has a way of talking about things in song that we all want to talk about but can't find the right words for! Like I said, she sang a couple of numbers on Friday night but was on the program all day on Saturday!

Mark Mabry was one of my favorite speakers on Friday night! He lives in Arizona and his wife is due to have their 4th child. She told him to go on this speaking engagement and she would be fine and when he was speaking he said she had been having contractions all day! He was awesome! You could tell how much love and respect he had for his wife! He is a photographer and does "Reflections of Christ".....his photo's are beautiful !
We found out Saturday that he made it home safely and she still hadn't had the baby so we were happy he was going to be there!

We went back to the hotel on Friday night and we talked till 1:30 in the morning and then had to get up at 6:30 AM! The five of us shared a bathroom and got ready for the day. We had a nice Continental Breakfast at the hotel and then headed for the Center again.

Emily Freeman was actually the last speaker on Saturday and she had us all in tears with wonderful spiritual stories of her life! She was another of my favorites!

S.Michael Wilcox was another favorite! His knowledge of the Savior and the scriptures are incredible! He invited us to "Draw Near to Christ" .

He said as we come to know who Jesus Christ is, our ability and desire to draw near to Him increase. He talked about the many examples in the scriptures of Christ's personality. A personality full of acceptance, assistance, sensitivity and sustaining love. I loved his presentation!

Emily Watts was another fun speaker! She also was funny as well as informative as she spoke about the fruits of motherhood! After our lunch break we came back in and found her standing in line at the restroom! She was funny when I asked her if I could have my picture taken with her.
She said "as long as the picture wasn't taken with the toilet sighs in the background!"

She was a great speaker with a fun personality! We also heard from Wendy Ulrich and Laurel Christensen, who also had great messages to share. It was a wonderful week end and I love Tony for letting me go and enjoy time with my friends.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND.......

We had a quite Labor Day week end. A lot of the family went to the cabin but Tony and I decided to stay home partly because we have missed several Sundays this summer and we felt like we needed to be here for our Sunday assignments. Another reason was because my nephew Jacob and niece Charcie came in Sunday evening from Astoria Oregon. Charcie was catching a ride back to BYU Idaho and needed to meet up with him in Meridian.
We had a nice evening with the kids, visiting and watching a movie. Charcie was suppose to be in Meridian Monday morning at 8AM to leave. We asked her if she could call Matt and ask him to come for breakfast so she didn't have to leave so early. Matt was happy to, so we all enjoyed a nice breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs and then Charcie and Matt left for school.

It was great to see them. They are two of my youngest brother's kids! GREAT KID'S!!!

After Charcie left we took Kim Black (one of the gal's we visit teach) to the store to buy a bike and then the 4 of us (Jacob, Kim and Tony and I) took a 13 mile ride. The weather was cooler than Saturday and of course the ride shorter by half so all was good!