My New Calling

This past week I was called to be the 1st counselor in the Primary presidency. I feel fully prepared to serve inthis calling as I will now be over the cub scouts and spent two years as a den mother. I also spent the last 6 months teaching primary, so I know a little of how they run things. It will be a good learning experience for me and I love the kids, so it will be a lot of fun too.
The president is on the far right. Her name is Kathy Crosier. She is the mother of my good friend Jen Marx. The second counselor used to visit teach me, so we have gotten to know each other. They are both awesome and I'm super excited to work with them. I hope they are all ready for me to shake things up!
(Note to self...don't smile with the top and bottom teeth. Sheesh, it takes up half your face!!)

Blogging Lull

I am at a small stand still for blogging right now. John left the power cord to the laptop in St. Paul. Since I don't know how to add pictures from our normal computer (and not willing to learn), I am stuck to thinking about the things I want on my blog! As soon as the cord arrives, you will see at least these two posts:

Austin's 6th birthday
My new calling

And maybe a couple others. Check back in a couple days.

Gameday!

Go Cougars!

This post proudly presented by John

Our Trip to St. Paul

John was asked to speak at a seminar in Minneapolis and since some of my very favorite people in all the world live there, I decided to tag along with him. A million thanks to my mom who let us have a quiet and relaxing trip by keeping all 3 of my kiddos at home with her!
So my very very dear friend Charis and her husband Steve were the main focus of the trip for me. Steve and John were roommates both before and after their missions. We were all engaged at the same time and Charis and I have gotten close over the years. Steve and Charis are both in their residency programs at different hospitals in the twin cities. This makes for killer schedules, little sleep, and lots of stress. They are still two of the warmest and funniest people we know. Charis is incredibly ambitious. She is amazingly smart and compassionate, which is the makings of a great doctor. Somehow she manages to be great mom too! One of the highlights of the trip was going to visit her at the hospital and getting a chance to check out her work and see her in action (well, all I really saw was her answering questions to the nurses, but she used really big words!)
Saturday, John was at his conference and Charis was working, so Steve and I got a chance to bond. He has got the very best sense of humor and is an awesome dad to their 18 month old, Tate. He did have to run to work for a couple hours, so I walked around the Mall of America. It was less exciting than I had hoped (probably because I am still shopped out from California). By the time I was done there, John was done too and we all got dinner together at a yummy Thai place. Monday was mine and Charis's day to be together. She took me to Grand Ave, a swanky little part of the town, for lunch and a little shopping. We also drove around to look at the really old massive homes (which I love). Tuesday the four of us spent the day together and laughed most of the time! It was so so wonderful to see a new part of the country and especially to spend time with the Thatchers. Thanks for a great trip! We love you mucho!!

John and I at the Mall of America
Charis and Me

Sorry, I forgot to flip the picture

Just being weird

At the Macy's Christmas display, which was so cute!

The theme was "A Day in the Life of an Elf." This elf is me...in the kitchen "helping" make cookies

John and me at the Christmas display

Charis and me with our last of many cups of hot chocolate we had over the weekend! It was cold there.

Where I At

The Twin Cities...Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota!! I've never been here before and am so thrilled to be somewhere new (no matter how cold) and even more thrilled to be spending a few days with our dear friends Steve and Charis Thatcher. I will have a new post for you in a couple days about my super fun trip!

Obama 2008

I'm not passionate about politics. I know I am conservative and I was hoping for another Republican in the white house, as I have been pleased with Bush. I didn't have high hopes for McCain to win and have never been terribly impressed with him anyway. As I watched Obama give his victory speech last night, I realized that I AM passionate. No, not about who lives in the white house, but about the fact that there is still a more powerful being in this world. He is directing this country, as He always has. I know this and find comfort in it, especially at this critical time. I am honored to live in a country where the people have a voice and freedoms. I have faith and confidence that what happens in the coming years is essential to ushering in the second coming of Jesus Christ. So democrat or republican, I like you all because we are all children of the God who is leading us! And I will support our new president!
PS... I am thrilled that Prop 8 passed in California! Way to go all you who put your time and energy (and heart and soul) into helping this pass. I'm so proud!!

More Space for a Growing Collection...

My jewelry collection is always growing and the cheap stands I have been using to store my necklaces and bracelets I have found to be insufficient. Half of them were hidden and if I did find what I was looking for, it took five minutes to get it untangled. Not mention it made my dresser cluttery...
So I recycled some old shutters I had and found some unique knobs at various antique stores around town and on ebay...and made this...

I have to admit, I don't LOVE it, but I like it and I can find things more readily now. So this is it until I come up with something better. I need something good for my earrings now. Any suggestions?