Firm Hope

Hope is not Knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us.

a little of everything!

I haven't been blogging all that much, so here is what has been going on!

Sadie's birthday with Darren's Family.
Sadie's birthday with her friends.

Sadie and her best friend Miley at the school Halloween parade.
Cole as a dead baseball player!

Madison as a Cat, and Hannah as a Witch.

We are getting ready for the big boutique coming up on Sat. Oct.17th at the Southtown Expo center. Its free admission and if you send me your email address I will send you a invite & coupon to use at are booth. You can also use the coupon at the Christmas gift and craft show coming up on Nov. 27 & 28th at the Spanish Fork fair grounds. Remember the coupon can only be used at the Stinkin Cute Boutique booth. (smeggles8@gmail.com)

Sweet little girls!

A few pics from are boutique. We will be updating the boutique blog soon and posting are event dates, times, and places.

Stinkin Cute Boutique!

Finally are boutique blog is up and running (http://stinkincuteboutique.blogspot.com/ ). We still have a lot of work to do on it, but you can view are products. Also look at http://www.luvbugbows.blogspot.com/ for more products, that's one thing we are working on is putting the two blogs together. Hang in their with us, will get it straitened out soon!

a trip to the hospital

What a fun Saturday I had. It started out at 7 in the morning when my friend Jenna and I had a boutique at her sisters house. After sitting outside in and selling a few things Jenna and I decided that we would clean up and head to the Hobie lobby( I needed to make a longer dress for her sisters baby). As we started to clean up I felt some pain in the right side of my back. I thought to my self "no big deal, I get this pain often its just another small kidney stone". Well I was dead wrong!!!! With in the next hour and standing in Hobie Lobby, I was in so much pain. I looked at Jenna and said " we need to leave, you have to take me to the hospital". I called Darren at work and told him what was going on. After I got signed in at the hospital, we waited for what seemed like hours they finally got me in. Another 2hours later they took me back to have a CT scan. And much to my surprise I didn't have just 1 kidney stone I had 3!!!!! They let me go home high on morphine to pass the one that is stuck in my urethra, and wait out the other 2 to roar their ugly heads. So I have a few people to thank, Jenna thank you for all you help, and to your husband Dustin for taking care of Sadie. And to Darren for waiting in the hospital with me for 4 hours. Sorry if this doesn't make sense, I still have some morphine in me!

4 years and 60+ to go!

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life! 4 years ago today I became a wife and mother and I love it! We will be staying in this year and hanging out with are girls, Cole is going to be with his cousins.

Darren,

You truly are the love of my life, you are everything and more. Thank you for putting up with me for the last 4 years and many more to come. I love you with all my heart.

Love,

Your Hot Momma.

Weight update

It's been a while but I weighed yesterday and I have finally hit 30 pounds lost. I am now in the 120s and have 8 more pounds to go.

So many things, with little time to do it!

This summer vacation has been super busy, here is an update on most everything

June:

Darren sister got married on the 20th to a great guy. The kids love their new Uncle Tyler, and the wedding we beautiful.

Hannah got baptised on the 27th, and we also had a great BIG birthday party for Cole, Hannah and Madison. Also that night we went to Taylorville days and watched Neil Diamond(impersonator) and the fireworks. Thanks Lynn and Judy for the fun night. Lets just say this day was crazy!


July:

On the 4th of July Darren and I got to have a date night out at the Rock Mountain Raceway. If you haven't bent out their you should. You will be in for a real treat! It was really fun watching the race cars and different events that they had. The kids went with grandma Kathy to the West Jordan Rodeo to watch their cousins ride the sheep and rawhide. They also did fireworks. Thank you Kathy for taking the kids and letting us have a date night.

Yesterday I took the kids down to Yuba Beach so their could play with their cousins on my side. They had tons of fun, I am glad that we only went for one day I cant stand getting sand in places that it should be and I have the worst sunburn in my life.

With all that done we still have more events coming and only 2 weeks till the kids go back to school (I can't wait). Madison starts first grade this year she is a little scared, but I know she will do just fine.

One more thing,
A friend of mine and I are starting a boutique together, I will have a blog up and going sometime soon but if you would like to see what are boutique is all about she has a blog ( http://www.luvbugbows.blogspot.com/).I will update more when my life slows down.

Another Monday update

A short update on the weight loss. I lost the 1 pound I gained last week. I'm going to start walking to the kids school and back (31/2 miles) everyday. Hopefully this will help me get the last 10 pounds off.

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Yes, we had another birthday! Miss Hannah "Tana" is what Sadie likes to call her. We had Hannah's friend birthday party on Saturday afternoon, 8 girls out of the 11 she invited came, not a bad turn out. We painted toe nails, made shaggy flip flops, and made a cute picture frame for the picture of all the girls in their flip flops. What a blast they all had. I do have a few people to thank for helping this party go so well. First to my sister and best friend Laura, she came up from Provo to help with the party, I would have gone "NUTS" without you. Second to Judy and Lynn for taking Cole and Madison off my hands, having 2 less made a big difference. An last to my mom for letting me use her picture printer so the girls would have a picture for their frames. I forgot to put in that Hannah also got her hair cut before the big party, she looks so darn cute!

And again on Monday we had a little family party for Hannah. She picked Hobo dinner and homemade Oreo cookies for her dinner/treat. 2 of her dads favorite foods. Before we ate dinner Hannah had a treasure hunt to find her gifts. I lost all the clues to post them but she really loved it.

To my cute little Hannah Montana,

I'm so grateful that you are in my life. You are a great helper and always by my side. Thank you for looking out for your little sisters and caring about everyone feelings. I'm so happy that you are getting baptized, and that you are willing to make that promise to Heavenly Father. I love you with all my heart.

Love,

Mom

P.S.

Update on my weight! I'm sad to say I gained 1 pound this week!!!!! I blame it on the birthday party's and all the yummy glorified food that over took me. And on the rain! Now it is time to step up to the plate and get this last 10 pounds off for good!

You asked, I tell!

So some of you have been asking me how I am losing weight and why is it coming off so fast. Well here is my BIG secret!!! I have 2 important rules that I live by everyday. First one is you must exercise, I do some sort of exercise 6 days a week (I take Sundays off). It has to be a workout were you have a hard time talking while doing it or its not worth it. I normally do the elliptical for 30 min. then a workout video(kicks, punches & abs) or I walk out side for 40 min. then the video. And the 2nd rule is I never eat over 1,200 calories a day. I read somewhere that a woman's body burns 1,200 calories a day with out exercise and a mans is 1,800. So if I burn more calories then I eat then I lose weight. It's not all that complicated but it is hard and you will need willpower. I hope this is helpful to the ones that asked.

A Very Happy Birhtday!

Today is my 26th birthday (yes I know I'm still young) but I really feel the oldness coming on. To celebrate my wonderful in-laws had a birthday dinner party and yummy cake. Darren and the kids gave me a 3 person swing for the patio, I have wanted one for the past 3 years and I finally got one. Also my sisters are coming up today to hang out and have lunch, sad my mom cant come but I know she loves me. Every birthday she calls me and sings "you are my sunshine", Thanks mom for letting me be your sunshine. I also gave a gift to myself today..... another 2 pound loss!!! 28 pounds GONE!! Still 10 more to go but I am seeing that light and the end of the BIG tunnel.

Nothing much

Update on my weight loss for those of you that care. I lost one pound this week, 26 total. I started to walk outside after the kids go to school...... and it is kicking my BUTT! On the other hand it feels so good to get out and Sadie and Mr. Puppy like it too.

Grandpa & Grandma's 60th Anniversary Party

Sunday was my Grandparents 60th Anniversary party. 4 of my aunts and uncles came from other states to celebrate with good food and lots of talking. Here are some pictures.
one missing from the photo line up.

When your in need

This last month has been hard for are family and showing no signs of getting better. Just trying to make the best out of what we can, keeping are heads up and having faith. Last night I received a little note from a very kind friend and neighbor. The note was very sweet, loving and made me eyes tear up, in this note my friend had also reminded me that Heavenly Father is aware and loves me. Something I tend to forget during the week when my life is full of craziness and to do lists. So this is to you my friend that has so sweetly reminded me of are Heavenly Fathers love and awareness to are lives.

I also receive an email from Daily Gems today. Helpful messages and or quotes from people in the church. Today's message really hit home for me, something I need to work on and will help me through the trying times ahead. It said:"President Gordon B. Hinckley believed in the healing power of service. After the death of his wife, he provided a great example to the Church in the way he immersed himself in work and in serving others. It is told that President Hinckley remarked to one woman who had recently lost her husband, 'Work will cure your grief. Serve others.'"Those are profound words. As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness." President Lorenzo Snow expressed a similar thought: 'When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated'. "In today's world of pop psychology, junk TV, and feel-good self-help manuals, this advice may seem counterintuitive. We are sometimes told that the answer to our ills is to look inward, to indulge ourselves, to spend first and pay later, and to satisfy our own desires even at the expense of those around us. While there are times when it is prudent to look first to our own needs, in the long run it doesn't lead to lasting happiness."

Birthday's all around

This Wednesday was Madison's 6th birthday! What a fun day we had. She invited her friend Calvin over, we went and had lunch at Burger King with Darren and then I took her and Calvin to the mall to get Madison's ears pierced. Calvin's mom gave him money to spend so I took them to the dollar store to spend it. On their birthday they get to pick their favorite dinner, Madison pick Hawaiian Haystacks. After dinner she opened her gifts and was in love with her new night gowns. I have seen on other blog, people post about the day their child was born. Being that I wasn't their that day, I will tell you about my first day with Madison.

Madison was 21 months old, she had brown hair in pigtails that curled at the ends. She was in a white and pink outfit that said "daddy's girl" on it. That day was also my first date with Darren, he came to my door with a sleeping Madison in his arms.

To my little mighty mouse,

I love you with all my heart, you are such a fun and loving girl. You are always so helpful and a good big and little sister. I'm so proud of your school work and how smart you are. You really are a princess. I'm so glad that Heavenly Father gave me the chance to be your mother, I love you, you have blessed my life with happiness.

Love,

Your mom

Cole's Birthday was on Thursday. He is now a big 10 year old, oh how time can fly. Cole had school so we didn't do anything in the daytime. Cole wanted to have ribs for his dinner. After dinner we I had a treasure hunt for Cole to find his gifts. This is how it went,

#1 Fairy, Fairy, quite Contrary, where should you go? knock your self in the mouth, and then you will know.(pillow)

#2 Water & Light I need to grow, you can find me by the window.(plant)

#3 Some take me in the morning, others take me in the evening, but one thing you should know, that when I am taken, I do not go. (shower)

#4 I have a sound that does beep, and while the time I do keep, my main function involves heat.(microwave)

#5 One, two, three, you'll find me where Sadie goes pee pee.(bathroom)

All the kids had fun with this,the girls want me to do this for them.

The first day I met Cole was on my 3rd date with Darren. We went to Kathy's for dinner and I met the all the family. Cole really didn't like you much he always stuck his tong out at me, he did this for the first year. I think by that time he figured out I wasn't going anywhere. And now we are best buddy's.

To Mr. Cole boy,

Thank you for being you. You are a great big brother and are always helping me out. I love to watch you play baseball and rockband, you can always give me a good laugh. I'm so happy that I can be your mother, I love you with all my heart.

Love,

your mom

Still going

In the last 2 weeks I have lost 3 more pounds, I think that puts me at 23lbs total. I wish I could say I felt great but at this moment I have got a cold, I so wish the sickness would end! This is going to be a short post, with Madison's birthday tomorrow and Cole's the next day I will be posting more.

Check your gas tank!

Of all the dumb crap that people do, this has got to be at the top. Today after I went to the store I decided to fill up on gas, as I opened the door to the gas tank a Cigarette butt fell out! WHAT THE CRAP! Who in their right mind did this and don't they know that fire and gas DO NOT go together! I am so mad and sick to my stomach about what could have happened. Who & when this happened I have no idea, it just adds one more thing to check before I get in my car every time! So a BIG THANKS to the idiot that did this.

Anyone want some FREE KFC chicken!

That's right, go to (www.oprah.com/kfc) and print as many coupons as you like, you only have till 12:00 pm tonight! Sorry for that late notice, but if your a late blogger like I am you still have time.

This and that

Besides me shedding the pounds, other stuff has been going on in the Thomas house hold.
Madison got to do an animal report for school, she is always so excited when things like this come up. Not me, we had 3 reports due in this one week!

And this is Sadie on the potty! I started potty training about 2 weeks ago when I had finally had it with her taking her diaper off and doing messes on the floor. She is doing very well, she still has accidents but most of the time she will come tell me. One morning she got me up at 6am to go and the next morning it was 3am, I'm just glad she tells me.

Update

"You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be". I love this quote, it has helped me to become the person I want to be. And now that is is Monday I have lost another 2lbs. I have now lost 20 pounds and still going!

5 weeks and a ton more to go!

I had to quit jogging for health reasons...My thighs were rubbing together so much my underpants caught on fire. I saw this on a website and couldn't stop laughing. Of all the excuses that people come up with (me being one of them) to not exercise. Today is my 5th week on this weight loss journey and I have lost another 3lbs, a total of 18! Sweet, I am now a little over half way to my goal.

2 more down!

Well it's Monday again and I have lost another 2lbs. I have now lost a total of 15lbs. It's a big loss for me but yet I have a long way to go.

The next Hannah Montana

Madison is always singing and her favorite place to sing is in the shower. This day I thought it was so funny so I got the camera. Sorry its sideways, I need to figure out what way to hold the camera when recording video.

Another 2 bite the dust.

Well today is Monday and the day I weigh in day. I lost another 2lbs, that makes a total of 13. I guess staying away from the Easter candy paid off. Another week and hopefully a few more pounds.

The night before Easter... and Easter day!

The night before Easter and all through the house, not a kids would hold still, not even..... the dog. We had so much fun coloring the 5 dozen eggs, I know that sound like a ton but Darren and the kids have already ate all but 5 eggs. After Sadie got done coloring her eggs she got out the plastic ones and put them in the egg carton. She played for 30 min with them.


EASTER MORNING...
The kids got us up at 7:30 and could not wait any longer, the Easter Bunny hid the baskets, and mom and dad hid the eggs with money in them. They also got new swimming suits and a few small toys.


After church we went over to Great grandpa and grandma Slaugh's (Grandma Judy's mom) house for a B.B.Q. I forgot to take my camera. The kids had another egg hunt with candy and money. Grandpa and Grandma Aardema gave the girls dresses, Cole got a new outfit, and Sadie got a doll house for her little people play set. Thanks to everyone for the fun Easter!

The MOM song!

This is so funny! My sister sent it to me and told me that all she could think about watching this was me. I have to say, I see my self too! Oh, when its over, don't hit the stop button their is a bad add on it, just hit the pause button.




YouTube - The Mom Song - Celebrity bloopers here

Go White Sox!

Yes its that time of year again. I just love baseball season, going to the game in 45 degree weather, sitting on cold metal benches, bundling up in everything but your snowsuit (not a bad idea for next game), and most of all kids crying because it is "too cold". But with all that said, it was a great game last night. Cole got to play 3rd base(not in the outfield, for once) and he did so good, he also got up to bat 2 times and hit both times and made it all the way to home plate before the inning was over. I now can't wait to go to another game, and this time I just might be in my snowsuit. Oh, and in the pictures if you cant tell, Cole has to go to the bathroom so bad he left right in the middle of the game. I don't know why but this happens every game, it has becoming very funny.

Early Easter with Grandma and Grandpa Thomas

This Sunday we had Easter with Darren's mom and dad because they are going out of town to see Darren's brother Lance and his family. The kids had a blast, Kathy put money in the eggs and then had candy hidden. The kids went for the money then they went back for the candy(Sadie went for the candy first). Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the fun Easter Party!

Easter at Grandma and Grandpa Wilson's

We had Easter early this year with my mom, Why? I don't really know. But we had a lot of fun. Grandma Connie had doughnuts and hot chocolate, and a really big egg hunt for the kids. After the egg hunt we went to my sister Collene's house for a BIG sleepover. Their was 5 mommy's and 14 kids, I love getting together with my sisters, staying up till 3am, playing games and
Rockband. Good times girls!

Love Languages!

I feel loved when...

The Five Love Languages

My Primary Love Language is Physical Touch

My Detailed Results:
Physical Touch:	11
Words of Affirmation:	9
Quality Time:	6
Acts of Service:	3
Receiving Gifts:	1

About this quiz

Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.

Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.

Take the Quiz!
Check out the Book

I will do it!

A few of my friend have been blogging about their weight loss and they are doing great! Reading their blog has help motivate me in to doing my own. I started a little over 2 weeks ago, I am counting my calories and exercising for 60min. every day. I weigh my self on Mondays and I have also measured myself. In the last 2 weeks I have lost 11 pounds, I have lost 1inch on my stomach, 1inch on my butt, and 5inches on my chest(what is up with that). I feel so much better about my self and I have so much more energy. It's going to be a long road but well worth it.

April fools day fun!

What a great April fool day! This year Darren thought he would get me back from last year, and he did a great job. It was about 9:30am and I was doing my daily workout on the Elliptical, when I got a phone call from Darren's Boss.

Meg: hello
Boss: I Meg this is Rick Stubbs, Darren's boss
Meg: Oh, hi
Boss:I just wanted to let you know their has been an accident at work and Darren is on his way to Jordan Valley Medical. I guess they were messing around and something happened. Don't worry the our Insurance will cover everything.
Meg: WHAT, WHAT, I DON'T UNDERSTAND!(my heart rate was already up from my workout and now I thought I was going to pass out, I started crying)
Boss: Oh, by the way APRIL FOOLS! Here is Darren.

I couldn't even talk, I was stunned and crying my eyes out. By that time Darren had got on the phone and was laughing, I had to hang up till I could calm my self down. What makes this prank so real for me is that their has been things happening at work the has but Darren's life in danger. So when I got this call it was all but fake. But thanks to Darren it made the kids April fools a good one. Oh, I almost forgot, when Darren got home he keep the funny pranks going with my sister and his Mom. Best April fools Day ever.

Like father like son.

Guitar Hero "Metallica" just came out and Darren and Cole had to get it. I think it is so funny to watch them play. My two Rocker Men!

Cole got his Bear!

Cole has been working hard this last year to earn his Bear in Cub Scouts. He needed to get it before moving on to the Webelos in May. It will be sad not having him at scouts, I love you Cole and I'm very proud of you!

MEG-OLOGY

My sister had this on Facebook and I thought it was fun, so I thought I would post it about me.

***********FOODOLOGY***************
What is your salad dressing of choice? Ranch
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Texas Roadhouse
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? Toast
What are your pizza toppings of choice? Pepperoni and pineapple
What do you like to put on your toast? Peanut butter

***********TECHNOLOGY***************
How many televisions are in your house? 6 "holy poo"
What color cell phone do you have? Black and Pink
Do you have an Ipod? yes

***************BIOLOGY******************
Are you right-handed or left-handed? Right
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? Cartilage from my knee
What is the last heavy item you lifted? 50 pound bag of Salt
Have you ever been knocked unconscious? no

************DUMBOLOGY******************
How many pairs of flip flops do you own? 5
Last time you had a run-in with the cops? When Cole got shot in the head with a Beebe gun
Last person you talked to? Laura online
Last person you hugged? Darren

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************
Season? Summer
Holiday? All
Day of the week? Monday
Month? June

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************
Missing someone? Darren, I hate being home alone
Mood? Sleepy
What are you listening to? Cold Case Files on T.V
Watching? Same
Worrying about? What the next few months are going to be like

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************
First place you went this morning? To get the girls up for school
What's the last movie you saw? I don't remember the name
Do you smile often? no, I need to
Sleeping Alone Tonight? No

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************
1) Do you always answer your phone? Most of the time
2) It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? Laura
3) If you could change your eye color what would it be? Sky Blue
3b) If you could change your hair color, what color would you change it to? I like my hair color, Darren wants it Red. lol
4) What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I don't know, I don't eat at Sonic
5) Do you own a digital camera? yes
6) Have you ever had a pet fish? Yes, Collene's old fish
7) Favorite Christmas song(s) Jingle Bells, its so cute when Sadie sings it
8) What's on your wish list for your birthday? A day off
9) Can you do push ups? yes
10) Can you do a chin up? I don't think so
11) Does the future make you more nervous or excited? nervous
12) Do you have any saved texts? yes
13) Ever been in a car wreck? yes
14) Do you have an accent? no
15) What is the last song to make you cry? Woman's Work
16) Plans tonight? Watching Lost
17) Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? More that once
18) Name 3 things you bought yesterday? nothing
19) Have you ever been given roses? yes
20) Current worry? everything
21) Current hate right now? body fat
22) Met someone who changed your life? yes
23) How did you bring in the New Year? With Darren and the kids
24) What song represents you? I don't think there is one
25) Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? yes
26) Have you ever dated someone longer than a year? yes
27) Do you have any tattoos/piercings? ears
28) Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now? I hope so, lol
29) Does anyone love you? yes
30) Would you be a pirate?yes
31) What songs do you sing in the shower? I love mommy, she loves me, with Sadie.
32) Ever had someone sing to you? yes, Darren
33) When did you last cry? its been to long
34) Do you like to cuddle? anyone that knows me would say YES
35) Have you held hands with anyone today? Sadie
36) Who was the last person you took a picture of? Sadie
37) What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school? I cant remember
38) Do you believe in staying close with your ex's/prospects? no
39) Are most of the friends in your life new or old? new
40) Do you like pulpy orange juice? yes
41) What is something your friends make fun of you for? Shoveling the snow in my Pj's and Slippers
42) If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? no
43) If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I wouldn't
44) Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? no

Tower of cans

I don't know why, but Sadie loves to play with the cans. On this day she decided that she didn't want to play on the floor with them so she put them all on the counter and them climbed up. She sat and played with them for 30min. this girl just cracks me up.

Kid Burritos

The kids were playing in the blankets, so I showed them what my sister and I did as kids. They thought it was so fun they played for hours. What I thought was funny is their faces, it was like the were never going to get out.

maybe the end

On Monday I finally decided to take Sadie to the doctor, and thank goodness I did. She has a ear infection along with a miner cold. I'm so glad I took her, I don't think I could have made another sleepless night. Right after I got home and gave her the antibiotic, she got back to her normal self. I do believe I can see the end of the sickness. So kids don't bring anything home from school now.

Sick of the sickness

Seriously I have had it. The sickness has been going round and round the family for the last 4 weeks. It first started with Sadie having croup, then I got the stomach flu, then Sadie got it. After that I thought we were done, I was wrong! Hannah came down with a 103 temp. it only lasted one day for her, but the next day Madison got the fever and sick tummy for 3 days. Then I thought to my self "ok, now we are done" wrong again. Cole, Sadie and I all came down with the fever and sick tummy's. So finally yesterday I started feel back to normal and again I thought "we are over being sick" and again I was wrong, Sadie and I woke up today with fevers and sick tummy's. I have really had it, I have been pushed to the end of my sanity.

"Hey Copper Hills how do you feel? We feel good, oh we feel so good."
Hannah has been singing this song for the last 3 days. She loves to do the cheer clinic at the high school, thanks to Aunt Kristin so gets to do this.

Childhood pictures

My Aunt Lisa put some pictures of are family on her facebook page, I just had to take them and post them here. I have never seen these pictures until yesterday, so thank you Aunt Lisa. As I was posting this Sadie came up and said " Look mom, Sadie" and she pointed to the top pictures.

As you can tell this me and the girl next to me is Laura.

In this picture, top left: Laura pushing me in the stroller.

Top right: My Aunt Mary(who I'm named after) my mom and me.

Bottom left from left to right: Meg, Leann, Laura, Collene(above us), Chris,

Aunt Lisa, My mom, and my brother Jackie(above them).

Bottom right: Meg and Laura.

Ok and on this one, Top left: Laura, cousin Jamie, and me.

top right: Leann and I.

Bottom left: Me holding me nephew Garrett.

Bottom right: My mom's side.

Book your blog!

So some of you have asked me about the book blogging. Here is some of the web site I found. I haven't chosen which one that to use yet, but I hope you find this helpful.

http://www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook

http://www.lulu.com/en/products/paperback/?cid=eng_pub&gclid=CLLMwq716JgCFRBbagodzjnv0Q

Getting ready for Valentines Day

Over the last week we have done a lot to get ready, the kids writing out their cards, making boxes for school, and my favorite making cookies. This year was special to me because my friend of 24 years and my sister Laura came up to help. Thanks girls for coming up I love both of you.

Friday was the kids Valentine party at school, Hannah and Madison wanted to wear their dresses that grandma and grandpa Aardema gave them for Valentines. They are so beautiful, and of course Sadie had to get in with her big sisters.