It's a bad idea to read past posts sometimes...

Since I posted about Louie 7 months ago, we have gotten a new pup - Cooper.  And Cooper is very much Danielle's dog.  I still miss my lil Louie.  But a friend at work did a painting of him for me.  And then another friend had me for a Hidden Wings gift exchange - Hidden Wings was about angels.  Well she got me a little memory box with an angel on it, and some words of encouragement about those who leave this life.  Louie will always be in my heart, and I might always shed a tear thinking about him, or seeing old pics of him, or even when friends post that they've had to put down a beloved pet.

But in the same sense, reading past posts shows me how much I have grown.  With the different tests I face in life.  How I react and how I come out stronger.  And I am stronger.

All dogs go to heaven

After almost two months of fighting, tests and drugs, we had to put Louie down today.  We'd gotten him just over four years ago, during the midst of our struggle with infertility.  He was my baby for those four years.  We loved on him as much as he loved us back.  When we came home with Danielle, he wasn't so sure at first, didn't wanna share his momma.  But then after I was in NY for a week with just Danielle and came back, Louie became her protector and friend.  Her lil shadows that would see if she left any food for him.  And she did.  Danielle would feed Louie whatever she was eating.  And he would make sure that her face was clean.  The last few weeks he was having problems with not making it outside before he'd go potty.  So we had him sleeping in his kennel, bc the house was getting stinky.  Then the last two days he slept on the bed again, so I got some cuddles with him.  It was time, it wasn't fair to him to keep having him go through procedure after procedure.  My brave lil Louie knew it was time for him to leave us.  And I'm so grateful that we got to have him for as little time as we had.  

Sewing bug

I've gotten into sewing dresses now, and I love it!  

And 

I'm also gonna make a thanksgiving dress for Lil D!  Using this fabric:

Infertility

I am borrowing this from a close friend's blog.  She had just posted and told all that she and her husband are infertile which is tough.  I loved what she said about things that had been asked of her, Steve and I had been asked and told similar things and I wanted to share this:

  "I will keep this part short but it needs to be said! During our marriage we have been asked and told some very rude and mean things. All those posts and blogs about what not to say to an infertile are very true.
I promise you all:
-Us relaxing will not solve our problem,
-IVF could help us but unless we can find an extra $24,000 + per try that isn't going to happen any time soon,
-Yes I would take your child in a heart beat if you offered it to me (I think I freaked someone out once when they asked me if I wanted there baby.. I told them I will gladly take her off your hands. Don't offer it if you aren't willing to follow through.. Hehehe) 
- Even if we stop trying.. It will not happen. 
- And YES! I see the importance of having children. (I was asked once why I don't see the importance of having children -_- ) 
-We have tried and tried and tried and tried and lost lots of money in unsuccessful pregnancy " http://justinanddebbiedoyle.blogspot.com/2014/10/we-have-exciting-news.html?spref=fb&m=1

And I would like to add:

- Just because we have adopted now does not mean we will get pregnant. (Yes it does happen sometimes but you still shouldn't say it).

- Yes I love my girl as if she were my own flesh and blood

- Yes it still hurts to see friends announce their pregnancy

- Yes I have doubts just like any new mother would have, I'm not perfect

Please remember when you talk to someone you know who has no kids, don't assume it's because they don't want them.  That might be the case, it's totally possible, but it's also possible that they can't get pregnant and have been coming to terms and grieving for that.  It's also possible that they have expierenced miscarriage after miscarriage. 

Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ

So last Sunday, Steve and I were given that topic to talk on in church.  I had told my sister I'd send it to her to read- she was interested in what I wrote.  So I thought I'd share it here:

Good Morning brothers and sisters! Many of you know us, especially if you’ve had a son in cub scouts these past two years.  But for those that don’t, Steve and I have been married eight years this may.  We have two four legged kids, Koko and Louie and in five weeks, we will have the opportunity to adopt a baby girl.

When Brother Hughes called and told me the topic, and conference talk, I realized that there were many different ways to approach it.  Personal Strength through the Atonement.

I hope that I can convey how I’ve gained personal strength through the Atonement, and how I’ve used the Atonement in my life.

When I was younger, I saw the trials my sisters each went through, and being naive, I wondered to myself why I didn’t have any of those trials.  Going to church, fulfilling my calling in Young Women’s was never difficult.  At night, I would ask God what my trials would be. 

Ten years ago, I was engaged, but a week before the wedding it was called off- I was hurt, but I knew that I would be married someday.  I had gotten my patriarchal blessing when I was a youth, and I held onto the promises in it. 

That fall I met Steve, but we didn’t have the best first impression of each other, a story for another day.  The following fall, things changed between us and we started to get to know each other, and eventually got married shortly after he graduated.  I could see the promises that Heavenly Father gave me coming to pass.  When we knew it was time to start our family, I knew it wouldn’t happen that following month.  But I never imagined that it would not happen, at least not in the “normal” way.  I was envious of those around me, who were able to have children.

Looking back on that today, I see that this is one of my biggest tests.  How I would react, and how my testimony would be tested, and how my faith in God’s plan could help me.  I read and re-read my patriarchal blessing, because I’d been promised that I would have joy and rejoicing in my posterity.  That small phrase, I held onto it, because I knew that I would have children.  I just didn’t know how my father in heaven would bring this blessing to pass.  I held onto that hope.

My journey in trusting Heavenly father, and leaning on the Savoir and his atoning sacrifice started with one word.  One word that I really hated to hear: patience.  I use to call it the dreaded p-word, because I knew I wasn’t patient.  I wanted to know how the events in my life would go, and I wanted to know now. 

But I learned that things don’t work that way.  Heavenly Father’s plan doesn’t work that way.  At my Savior’s lowest moment of weakness, pain and grief – He had patience.  He said “Father remove this cup from me, but not my will but thine be done.”  Christ knew that all things are done according to the Father’s will.  It took me in this test to realize that, that Heavenly Father has a plan for my life.

I have found great comfort knowing that the Atonement isn’t just for those sins I’ve committed or will commit – I’m not perfect, but it’s for all my pains, trials and grief.  Jesus knows my struggles; he knows the righteous yearnings of my heart.  He has felt the anguish I’ve felt, and he knows the pain that I’ve had for the past while. 

In a BYU devotional address given by Michael D Barnes, he says “Weaknesses are not choices but are hallowed gifts from God, and thus they are not sins.  God-given weaknesses do not require repentance, since they are gifts to help us humbly rely on God and love and assist others.  Fortunately, the Atonement is always available for you and me when we depend upon Him because of our sins and weaknesses.  Thus our weaknesses become another important way for us to rely upon the Lord’s Atonement throughout our lives.”

I love music, and in I Believe in Christ, there’s one part I want to read: I believe in Christ, he ransoms me, from Satan’s grasp, he sets me free. And I shall live with joy and love, in his eternal courts above.  Music is so powerful, and on days where I’m struggling, all I’ll listen to are EFY tracks, or the Pandora, where I have a channel for Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  I believe that the songs that are played help to answer questions I have, or to calm my fears and remind me that my father in heaven loves me, and is conscience of me.

One thing that the Atonement has given me is hope.  In the 1998 October general conference, Elder Neal A Maxwell said “unsurprisingly, hope is intertwined with other gospel doctrines, especially faith and patience.”  In Mosiah 24:15 it says “the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.” 

There’s that word.  It’s easier to talk of patience than to really have it.  Over the years, I know that I have more patience with some parts of my life, but I’m still trying to have it with other parts.  When I read in the scriptures especially that part in Mosiah- where Alma and his brethren are preaching the gospel they endured so much, because of the choices the Lamenites.  But they relied on the Lord, and he helped them.  And I’m learning that he helps me too.

In the 1988 October general conference, Elder James E Faust said “We still don’t know how the Savoir was able to take upon himself and bear our transgressions, our foolishness, our grief, our sorrows, our burdens.”  But Christ tells us in Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”  He wants to help us, he’s at the door knocking, and we just have to let him in.

During the darkest moments, I wondered why, such a change from wondering what trials I may face.  I didn’t want this test.  I thought that I’d rather have anything else.  I remember a story that was told when I was in young womens, that if we were to go into a room and pick a different trial, that our own would look small in comparison.  We are not given more than we can handle.

You’re Not Alone, a song sung by Meredith Andrews has some lyrics that fits: “You cry yourself to sleep Cause the hurt is real and the pain cuts deep All hope seems lost with heartache your closest friend And everyone else long gone You’ve had to face the music on your own But there is a sweeter song that calls you home, saying You’re not alone for I am here Let me wipe away your every tear My love, I’ve never left your side I have seen you through the darkest night And I’m the One who’s loved you all your life.”

Christ doesn’t leave us alone.  He is there with us, walking beside us and sometimes carrying us when we feel we can’t go on anymore.  My favorite poem Footprints, says “One night I dreamed a dream.

I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."

In Believing Christ by Stephen E Robinson, he tells us, “We have a Savior who can save us from ourselves, from what we lack, from our imperfections, from the carnal individual within us.”

One night after going to a relief society activity, I realized that I was depressed.  I remember coming home and telling Steve.  I made the appointment to talk with my doctor about it, and she recommended therapy and medication.  I’d been in therapy before but never really thought it would help with the depression.  As I started seeing the therapist, I noticed a change in my perspective.  It didn’t happen overnight, it’s an ongoing process, and through it, and a gospel based support group, I’ve started leaning more on my Savior for his help and comfort.

In the conference talk last October, Elder Richard G Scott said “the joyful news is that the Lord sees weaknesses different than he does rebellion.  When the lord speaks of weaknesses it is always with mercy.”  Because of the Savior’s Atonement, he is able to protect us from our weaknesses and strengthen us.  Revelation 21:4 says “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.”

James E Faust also said that people cannot help but wonder how many of those drops of precious blood each may be responsible for.  It’s incomprehensible to think about.  But Christ died so that man can live.  He died so that I can have peace through the trials and tribulations that have come and will come in my life.

The other day, I was sitting in the temple, and I realized that all he asks of me is to do all I can and he’ll make up the difference.  That’s what the Atonement is, to me, making up that difference that I cannot pay on my own.  In my studies of the Savior, I have come to understand how the Atonement has impacted my life, how it’s given me the quiet strength to endure the trials placed before me.  Because of the Atonement, I can become whole. 

After telling what he calls the parable of the bicycle, Stephen E Robinson also tells us in Believe Christ, “At some point we realize, “I can’t do this!” At that point, we taste the sweetness of the gospel covenant as the Savior proposes, “All right, you’re not perfect. Give me all you have, and I’ll pay the rest. Give me a hug and a kiss—that is, enter into a personal relationship with me—and I will do what remains undone.”

There is good news and bad news. The bad news is that he still requires our best effort. We must try, we must work—we must do all that we can. But the good news is that, having done all we can, it is enough—for now. Together we’ll make progress in the eternities, and eventually we will become perfect. But in the meantime, we are perfect only in a partnership, in a covenant relationship with him. Only by tapping his perfection can we hope to qualify.”

Another song that has helped me to understand the Atonement is: I need thee every Hour.  I want to read two versus: “I need thee, every hour, stay thou nearby.  Temptations lose their power, when thou art night.  I need thee every hour, in joy or pain.” 

There are many wonderful hymns we have, and there’s one that I tend to recite in my head often – more often when I’ve been struggling, is Be Still My Soul: “Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side; With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; In ev'ry change he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end. 2. Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake To guide the future as he has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below. 3. Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on When we shall be forever with the Lord, When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored. Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.”

I am grateful for the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for me.  For this gospel and what it has done to help me learn and grow so that I can return to my eternal home and know that I did all I could to live with them again.  I know that the Atonement is real, and powerful.  Without it, I would be lost. 

I am grateful to be married to my best friend.  I love Steve, and I love that the tests and trails we have faced together, strengthen our marriage, and our trust in Heavenly Father’s plan for us.  I love that he has the priesthood, and is able to give me blessings from my father in heaven when I need them.

I have a testimony of the love my father in heaven has for me.  Of the atoning sacrifice Christ gave so that I can know when I’m in the midst of trials, there is one who knows perfectly how I feel and knows how best to comfort me.  I have a testimony of the power of prayers; Heavenly Father answers them in his time and through other people. 

I am grateful for my cubs, and the leaders I get to work with.  I love watching them learn and grow.

I want to close with another part of I Believe In Christ: I believe in Christ, he stands supreme, from him I’ll gain my fondest dream, and while I strive through grief and pain, his voice is heard, ye shall obtain.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Many blessings

Last fall, Steve and I were told that a birth mother has chosen us to place her baby with!

Its a baby girl!  We'll be able to head down to where she'll be born.  We are so very excited and the best part, is it's an open adoption.  Meaning that baby girl will have a relationship with her birth family as well.  She'll be one well-loved little girl!

I know that this road hasn't been easy for us, but we both are prepared for the road ahead.  We know that many have said prayers on our behalf and we are truly grateful for that.  With God, all things really are possible.

Universal Studios Orlando

We may have had a bit of fun at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures!!!

Yes, we really went on that ride!!!

Christmas with mom and dad!

Spent Christmas with my parents last year.  This is Harley- their puppy!!  She's so stinking cute.  Sam, their cat, wouldn't let me get a picture!

Watching the sun set on Christmas Eve!!  This is over the Gulf of Mexico.

Mom's tree!  

Playing X-M-A-S with Mom's friends!  I got out early, it's been a while since playing basketball!

We took this one when sending pictures to my sisters Christmas Day!

Mom's friend had gotten her kiddos this awesome bike!  I loved it!!

Why do I post this cute baby outfit?  Well, Steve and I were told back in October that a birth mother has chosen us to adopt her baby girl!  Baby Girl is due in April!  :)  We are so excited for this!!!

Fall is here...

And I'm 30 now!  Not sure what it is about those who hate getting older.  I'm excited to be 30!  Espically when people say I don't look it.  Maybe that's why I don't mind getting older.

Work is still good, loving the trips I've been able to do. 

Koko and Louie are still getting into anything they can.  I love those two mutts! 

Hubby has gotten the truck working!  We're really excited about that.  Now we just need to get it cleaned up, and then we can sell the old blue kia.  Gonna miss that car.  Had it for almost 10 years now! But I wouldn't trade my new red kia for anything!

In a better frame of mind

As I let time pass, I'm getting closer to a better place for me.  I'm learning to trust my instincts and learning to have faith and hope that someday I will be a mother.

Steve has this faith and hope, and he's been lending it to me.  But he does let me figure things out for myself.  

In other news, I get to go on a business trip!  Can't wait for that!

Louie has gotten the same issue in his ear that Koko had.  But he's learning to let us clean it!

Huh...

Talking with some friends, they told me about a couple of different sites where you can see children who are in foster care.  Adopt US Kids is one, it's for the whole country.  Then there's the Wednesday's child here in Idaho.

Can I be honest, sometimes it bothers me when people ask how the adoption is going.  Right now, all we are doing is waiting.  There's not much excitement in that.  It gets more discouraging with each passing month.  Knowing that by October, we'll need to re-do everything again, so that we could still be considered.

Things that do help though, there's two different facebook pages that I look at, both deal with adoption.  There are some amazing stories, quotes and understanding there.  They understand that there's a lot of emotions in adoption.  Doesn't matter if you are a birth mother or father putting your baby up for adoption, or you are adopted, or if you are the adoptive parents.  So many emotions play out. You can go from being angry, to happy to content.  It's a rollercoaster for everyone involved.

It's been a rollercoaster for me.  And my one rock, my hubby.  He's been the one to stablize me.  He grounds me and he doesn't mind when all I want to do is cry. 

Don't get me wrong, I love my nieces and nephews, and I love my sisters and friends who have children, but sometimes it hurts seeing those pictures.  Images from ultrasounds.  I envy them.  And sometimes it makes me wonder what's wrong with me.  Why I can't carry or have my own.  Even with waiting to see if our name comes up at Health & Welfare, it hurts. 

I do take solace in the knowledge I have.  I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I know I'm a child of God.  I know that He loves me and has a plan for me.  I know that He gives me prophets who speak for Him and give me words of encouragement.

One such is from Jeffrey R Holland: " If you are lonely, please know you can find comfort. If you are discouraged, please know you can find hope. If you are poor in spirit, please know you can be strengthened. If you feel you are broken, please know you can be mended.

In Nazareth, the narrow road,

That tires the feet and steals the breath,

Passes the place where once abode

The Carpenter of Nazareth.

 

And up and down the dusty way

The village folk would often wend;

And on the bench, beside Him, lay

Their broken things for Him to mend.

 

The maiden with the doll she broke,

The woman with the broken chair,

The man with broken plough, or yoke,

Said, “Can you mend it, Carpenter?”

 

And each received the thing he sought,

In yoke, or plough, or chair, or doll;

The broken thing which each had brought

Returned again a perfect whole.

 

So, up the hill the long years through,

With heavy step and wistful eye,

The burdened souls their way pursue,

Uttering each the plaintive cry:

 

“O Carpenter of Nazareth,

This heart, that’s broken past repair,

This life, that’s shattered nigh to death,

Oh, can You mend them, Carpenter?”

 

And by His kind and ready hand,

His own sweet life is woven through

Our broken lives, until they stand

A New Creation—“all things new.”

 

“The shattered [substance] of [the] heart,

Desire, ambition, hope, and faith,

Mould Thou into the perfect part,

O, Carpenter of Nazareth!”¹⁹

May we all, especially the poor in spirit, come unto Him and be made whole, I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, amen."

 

I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!

From him I'll gain my fondest dream;

And while I strive through grief and pain,

His voice is heard: "Ye shall obtain."

I believe in Christ; so come what may,

With him I'll stand in that great day

When on this earth he comes again

To rule among the sons of men.

          I Believe in Christ by  Bruce R. McConkie

Waiting

We also got the last of the paperwork in for Health & Welfare.  Now waiting on both.  I was chatting with my MIL the other day, and she told me that she's hoping we get a call before the end of the year.  That's not much time if that does happen. 

I'm not too worried.  We've waited this long, I think we can handle a little bit longer.  I'm just glad all the paperwork is in.  That's a huge weight off our backs.

Cub Scouts is almost complete with leaders.  I'm excited bout that.  I was helping with all the dens, but now I'm just helping them when one of the leaders are sick or not able to go that particular night.  It's still fun being Cubmaster.  Those boys are so much fun.  I'll have to add pictures from Day Camp this past summer.  It was so much fun!

It's up!

Our profile is up and running on itsaboutlove.org!!  I'm so excited for this next chapter. 

We've also been getting closer to having the garage finished.  Walls are painted and most of the lights are up!  Just a few more electrical things in the third stall, and then no more drywall/paint dust!  My kitchen won't have footprints anymore leading from the garage.  Steve has worked so hard on it.

OH, and the quilt I've been working on with the Quilter's Coven, we've gotten the top finished and it's on its way to getting sewn together!

A funny thing happened the other day...

Monday I wasn't feeling so good, so I stayed home from work and slept just about all day.  Well, Steve called me to leet me know he was on his way home.  I got dinner started, and then I get another call from him.  The truck ran out of gas, on the freeway.  So, get some shoes, stop dinner and grab the gas can.  I stopped by Shell's to fill it up, and the stupid pump was being crazy.  I had used my pre-paid visa because it was what I had on me.  Well, I get going on the freeway, turn around from an exit and then stop behind Steve.  We get the truck enough gas to get to a gas station.

As I leave, I took the gas can with me, in the trunk of course!  Let me tell you something about Idaho drivers...  They have to slam on the breaks whenever they see a cop.   Because going the speed limit isn't good, they have to go 20 below the limit.  Needless to say, that day, it happened.  I slammed on the breaks, and heard the can go thump.  Within seconds the Kia smelled like gas.  Now, being sicky all day, this smell did not help. 

When I got home, I checked the balance on my card, $140 was gone.  That put me over the top, and I just started crying.  I couldn't stop, and when Steve got back to the house, he asked what was up.  So I told him.  Instead of making dinner, he took me out to eat. 

Now, when we got home, the windows on the Kia were down a little bit, like 2 inches and 1 inch.  Last night/this morning, it rained.  Not the sprinkle kind of rain.  But the kind that wakes you up in the middle of the night rain.  When I got outside to go to work, I had to come back in and get some towels for the seat...

I figured, ok it'll be fine, the sun will be out in full force anyways.  Nope, within an hour at work, maybe two, it was a downpour.  I ran outside to roll up the window...  Now I was soaked through.

BUT, the sun did come out.  All that's left is the gas smell, which will probably be there for a long while.

On a good note, we just are waiting to set up a home study!!!  So close to finishing our side of the adoption process.  Once that happens, we'll be "published" on the site, and our info will be given to Health and Welfare!

Well, Hello there!

LOL, yea, you could say it's been a while. But it's been a crazy while! So, instead of going on about the last two-ish years, I'll just start with this year! Steve and I are planning to adopt! We cannot have children the good 'ole fasion way, but that's not about to stop us. We've been getting the paperwork together for the past few months, and have now moved onto phase 2! So excited! But I didn't realize excatly how much paper work is involved!!!! Sunday was awesome though. Steve had asked if I could teach in Gospel Principles (he's the Sunday School 1st Counsler) and I did. But then as I was chatting with some friends, Steve came up to me and said that Julie had a present for me. I wasn't excatly sure why Julie would have a present for me, then it dawned on me. I would get to hold Madeline!! Her little girl! I practically ran down the hall at church and found her. Julie said that she'd been trying to get Madeline to sleep. I told her it wouldn't be all that hard for me! ;) I managed to keep Madeline asleep for 30 mins, but quiet for all of Relief Society! Right now, I'm working on making a ton of HST (half square triangles) for a quilter's exchange. I've done about 140 now. And we're also making a baby blanket for a gal in our group who is due this summer. I've been working at Challenger Schools for the last two years, which has been awesome. I love being around those kiddos! They are so stinking cute! Well, that's it for now, I will be writing more later, espically as kids really do say the darnest things! :)

Minder, Adversary or Legacy giveaway!

So one of my favorite authors, Kate Kaynak is doing another giveaway at her site!! You could win Minder or Adversary or even an ARC of Legacy!! If you like sci-fi, then you need to read these books!! Head on over to to Books Complete Me to read my review, as well as the other ladies I do that blog with! Then head over to Kate's to enter the contest!!

Rocks

I love rocks! Just ask anyone who knows me! When I spent the morning/day with Lizzie a few months back, she bought some fabric to make me an apron:



Isn't it wonderful? Also, while we were shopping, I bought some fabric to work on a geology quilt:



And then one of the gals in the Twilight Quilter's Coven sent me a yard of really pretty fabric that had all the above colors blended in it! I had sent her some crystalline fabric. As I've been cutting out blocks (6" finished) I figured that this quilt will be at least as big as the last one I did. I guess I'm into the big quilts! LOL

Nothing beats a...

So yesturday was exciting, well not really. But a lot did happen.

I was heading to work and got rear-ended. I'm ok, just sore. And the Kia... It doesn't look like anything happened. It was stop and go traffic, so we weren't going all that fast. But still, got checked out by a doc, just in case.

Then I got TWO books in the mail. ARCs! Adversary- Thanks Kate! and Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters. When I'm done with them, both will be posted on my book blog.

Also, grams and gramps sent me the "mommy" bathing suit I bought when I went down to visit them. Never went swiming, so I'm taking it back to wally world and getting my money back.

Then Steve and I went to the fair! We got $2 bills back as change. Which we're not spending! And then had corndogs, elephant ears and cookies. The cookies were really good.

Teach a man to fish

Well, I may or may not have a permanate job... We'll see by tomorrow! Oh, but it won't be teaching men! LOL little men I guess, it'd be the preschoolers! ;)

Steve and I had a talk in church yesturday, I think it went well! Except for the fact that I talked longer than Steve. And he was all worried about me taking enough time, espically since I talk so fast.

You ever do the word count in Word? I did, I had over 2000 words for my talk! Ohh, let's do some math:

2147 words, total time of 15 mins... so...

2147 words/15 mins=x words/1 min
143 words per min!! LOL guess that's pretty fast.... Oh well, it's done for now. Hopefully for a while.

The week before was my first time teaching Relief Society (the 3rd hour of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints sunday meetings, for all the women 18 and older). It was a little itimdating, but they all participated!

I've been working on a quilt right now, though I'm not sure how it's going to look done.... I was thinking of doing it in a wall hanging, but I'm not even halfway done with the BOM (block of the month) for it. I've just added/done many blocks in different colors. Yes, it's a Twilight quilt. I showed Steve some of the blocks I've done so far and he realized I was doing a Twilight themed quilt. Oh well, it keeps me busy!