Friends

I have been thinking about this post for about a week (probably a little bit more). And for those of you that need a warning-it will probably be a little bit sappy. Just warning you. Some of you needed the warning, right?

The photo to the left is from our trip to Peru. These are our friends Oscar and Klira (how beautiful is Klira?) as well as Garth's mission president and his wife (Presidente and Hermana Alvaradejo). We were in Peru a total of 2 weeks. That's it. And yet I love Oscar and Klira. They are two of the kindest people and are so sweet to us. Garth and Oscar served at the same time but were never companions. Thankfully the internet allowed them to get in contact with one another before the reunion and we have had a great time keeping in touch since. (Oscar is sweet enough to let me practice my Spanish on him.) My point with this whole narration is that it is amazing when and where friendships form.

I could post so many picture of the friendships that have been so meaningful to us. (Or you could just look in our blog archives.) The Pulsiphers, the Behers, the Ericksons, the Holmes, the Shoemakers, the Youngs...I could go on and on and on (so please forgive me if I didn't type your name in). We have been so blessed to have friends that love us, are kind to us, and who we miss daily. Not a typo there, I really do mean daily. Great friends are like that. You can't help but miss them. And you drive, let's say 1 hr+, every time you can to see them. (Like this Friday?)

Back to now. I broke my foot. Almost two weeks ago. Talented, I know. And while I am doing okay I have found myself wishing my parents lived closer, that Kerity was next door, just the normal stuff. And then today a friend called. And she is so sweet and was just checking to see if I needed dinners this week. You see, we are so lucky to have friends here too. Because after that phone call this morning I went to pick Ry up from preschool and another friend offered a ride for him on Thursday so that I don't have to crutch it to and from the car. And this afternoon another sweet, sweet friend dropped off divine goodies just because. And this is just today. Last week I had wonderful, wonderful friends bring dinner because it kills to be on my feet too long (and Garth finally has work and has been getting home late). And yesterday a friend called to see if she could drop by pizza and root beer floats (can you say heaven to my kids?). Friends gave the kids ride to and from mutual and scouts. Today I am thankful for where we are right now. Here in this town in this ward. We love where we have lived and we love where we live. Everything really is a new experience and we have grown, and hopefully learned, in each new place. And I feel blessed-which is amazing considering everything around us seems to be breaking (literally). And yet I feel blessed. And I am thankful. So if you are my friend or our friend and you are reading this, thank you. From the bottom of my heart I love you.

Nice notes

I love remembering nice things people have said when I am having a bad day. Do you? For example, I was perusing through a friend's etsy store and saw a necklace named after, yep, me. (She names a lot of her jewelry after women in the ward.) And you know what? She said I am a happy person. Just what I needed to hear. With all the stress of being us lately I have wondered if anyone knows that I am happy. I have been wondering if I always seem worried or if I do indeed reflect the fact that, even though things are terribly stressful, I am happy. I feel blessed in ways that I can't express. Reading that this morning was reassuring. And hopefully true. :-)

FYI:Visit CrystalB's store by clicking here (or on her name, or on the word store, or on the word necklace-I gave you lots of options because I love her and she is a very talented woman!)

Oh, and one more thing. This is one of my favorites (to the right). The story behind the phrase, the fact that it is applicable to my life right now (heck-just having kids makes it applicable, right?), and just because it is beautiful. Something I have learned is that carrying on is the key. Through the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, and trying to keep calm and make the most of the ride. For example, I have Ry chanting "I don't want to go" as I am typing this right now (to speech preschool in case you are wondering). And all because he has decided that he wants a hot dog for lunch. Not one I have made-but Wienerschnitzel (sp?). One of those embarassing things about me is that I love Wienerschnitzel too. I love corn dogs. I know, sad. What happened to my taste buds? I have no idea to be honest. But I like to think I have just expanded my options...along with my waistline if I eat them too much-they are HORRIBLE for you ;0). To get back on track...keeping calm is something that would come in very handy right now. That and duct tape. And now I will carry on...because I am thankful. And happy.

Christmas Programs

As far as Christmas programs go, I think our school has it down. They do them all in one day-so it take a complete day, but it is over and done with. Just like ripping a bandaid off, right? ;-) Garth was home that day, so he was able to enjoy the "festivities" with me. It was wonderful.

Trevon smiling from across the room. We had to RUSH to get back for his performance (after dropping off Ry at preschool).
Starlee had classroom activities too. And LOVED having both parents there. Can you tell? (During the first half of her classroom events Garth was in Trevon's room for his stuff-thank goodness there were two of us and that Ethan's teacher didn't have anything!)

And then she performed.

Ethan right before his class performed. And before he felt faint. And before his Mom had to come up to the front to get him and take him back to class because he looked like he was going to pass out (thanks Chessa for beating me up there). Garth says it is because he locks his knees or the heat from the lights. Either way-we headed home with him.

And Trev is now 8! Wow, it is GREAT!

Trev had a birthday, shout hooray!

He wanted a scooter and received a red one! Yeah!

Red velvet cupcakes made his day!

And the cub scout oath he learned to say!

We're proud of him come what may!

A Christmas Play

My friend, Sarah, took on the daunting task of putting together a Christmas perfomance this year. She majored in theater at BYU-so she gathered a bunch of kids, wrote a play, taught them their songs, their lines, cues, etc. and my kids loved it! I wish I had taken some better pictures (well, I wish my camera lens hadn't been broken by a certain cute adult in our household...but whatever), but these were the best I could get (until I get a new lens that is).

At home...not sure what I did to make Ry mad. Probably touched something I shouldn't have.
A little happier.

Starlee and her cute friend Rory. We love Rory (and her family).

Ryden with friends Carson and JT. I love that grin (and the ears).

Trev. The rest of the picture was so blurry, so I cropped it out. Look at his smile. He is so handsome and I love the green in his eyes. They remind me of my Dad. He and Starlee both sang small parts ALL ON THEIR OWN. And they did great. I was proud of them. I still couldn't do that.

Ryden on stage. (And he didn't run away-those that know Ry are probably a little surprised.)

Starlee's part.

Thanksgiving and Salmon=Sacramento (in a good way)

We went up to Sacramento for Thanksgiving again this year. Our family loves visiting Sacramento-I could do this every year. Sacramento has a lot of fun things to do (and just outside of it is my favorite-the Jelly Belly Factory. I love candy factory tours!). While we were there Jason & Ashley hosted Thanksgiving (thanks for letting us barge in) and we visited the Salmon Farm with Jenna, Casey, and Weston. We had fun-thanks for letting us visit and crash on your couch, floor, every square inch. (AND-how could I forget-THANK YOU for taking the kids for a night and sending Garth and I to a hotel. Words can't express how much we appreciated it!)

The table ready to go!
Jenna getting Weston's plate and the Isom kids lining up for the yumminess!

Jenna's beautiful pie.

And now to the Salmon Farm because Garth's camera doesn't take the best of pictures...

Just in case you didn't think going to a fish farm is fun.

My kids. I love smiles.

Starlee and Dad

I love this man.

Best buddies.

I think Weston is wondering why his Mom isn't lucky enough to have wrinkles (or gray hair)! ;-)

Our family

And all of us.

Thanks to the Tanners for a great trip!

New Moon and Phoenix-the two kind of go together, right?

Yep, Garth and I went to the midnight showing of New Moon. I should have "borrowed" a group picture off someone else's blog since we sat with a lot of friends from our ward. This is us sitting on the curb waiting in the LONG line to get in. We brought Garth's ipod to listen to music/watch a movie (thus the earbuds). And we froze our tails off. But we had Red Robin and the chicken sandwich was the perfect combo of spicy and sweet. And the movie was fun! Really fun! Especially seeing friends from church too-it just made it all the better! And thanks to Brandy for thinking ahead and getting some extra tickets-without her being so fantastic we would have missed it! (Although the next morning we were WIPED!)
That following weekend we had to go to Phoenix. And we visited this candy store (Smeeks)! LOVED this candy store. How could you not-it is fun to just visit the outside! And the inside is just as cute. Novelties, candy, you name it, tons of fun stuff. And a sweet staff. As you can tell from the picture, Trev wasn't "thrilled" about the stop. He started smiling once we got inside and let the kids EACH pick out a $2 item. We are generous. Or at least they thought so. :-)

Halloween, Garin's Birthday, Ward Halloween Party, and anything else I can fit in

I am proud to say that the woman that sets up the backdrop for this every year is my friend. Her name is Heather and she is talented. I am pretty sure she did put the backdrop together with just the talent in her pinky. She has skills. Just imagine this back drop with editing and then you get the picture later. She is wonderful. Just sayin...
My Mom made Starlee's costume to her specifications. (Blue and purple being 2 of her favorite colors right now.) Isn't she cute?

Ry loves Thomas. (Deja vu from last year?)

Trev decided on Harry Potter. I think he is quite handsome.

Jonathan was in town for Garin's ordination. We all LOVED having him here (with my parents). He is an amazing uncle. Such a blessing.

And while they were here, my Dad and Garth fixed the mantle and my Mom painted it. I LOVE it!! And they did it in time for everyone to come over for dinner after Garin was ordained a teacher. (Which I don't have a picture of those that were here-again, lame.)

Garin on his birthday opening a gift. He is 14 now...where has the time gone? I am so thankful for this kid!

And the kids on Halloween (just like last year, Ryden changed his mind and wanted to be a monkey again. I think in '10 he will need to be something different...unless it still fits.). Blurry, but there it is. Shelby is a zombie. The YW did the Thriller Dance for our ward party (I'd post it-but the camera didn't do so hot) so this is what she looked like. Lovely, huh?

The BYU game, kindness, and gratitude

Our family at the BYU game

This is a story. It may or may not be long. We'll see. I'll start at the beginning. I have a love/hate relationship with facebook. I love that we can keep in touch with others near and far. I hate that is sucks up time. I am trying to find the balance. One of my efforts has been to not check as much (unless I have nothing better to do-like when Garth is on the phone while we are driving and I am bored...just as an example). So, we were driving home from the temple and you'll never guess what. Yep, Garth was on the phone and I was bored out of my mind. Facebook it is. I notice my good friend, Polly, has posted "Anyone want 2 tickets to the BYU game in SD? First to comment gets them." (Umm...heck ya, I am thinking) So, I comment. And Polly emails me. I am thrilled to go to the game and have a date with Garth. I know the kids are going to be bummed and I feel a teensy bit guilty, but to tell the truth-I knew I would get over it and so would they.

Polly and I email back and forth and then I get

the strangest message on my phone.

"Janelle, this is Polly. How many kids under 10 do you have?" What? (I should mention that Polly is amazing-but she doesn't live in SD anymore and hasn't seen my kids since Ry was less than a year old. So, that she needed to ask their ages was not a surprise.) I call her. She lets me know that the tickets were actually her parents. When her Mom found out that we had kids she decided to purchase tickets for our kids as a surprise and then because Polly's parents are so kind and sweet she purchased tickets for our whole family to attend the tail gate party beforehand. In one generous act she humbled my heart, made my kids' year, and testified of the fact yet again that our Heavenly Father loves us and looks out for us. Really.

Construction hasn't been the greatest through
this economy. And there are things we just can't do. I know everyone is probably shocked, but 6 kids can be expensive. And ours aren't very spread out. (But we love them...don't mistake that.) So, this kind, sweet couple gave us the gift of kindness and BYU football. Literally the only football we watch. (Well-that and the Super Bowl.)

I know there will never be an adequate way to repay Polly's sweet family or Polly for being my friend. But I hope that one day Garth and I will listen to that prompting of the Spirit when a family could really use kindness (and BYU football) from afar. Because I know how it feels to receive it-and I can only hope to one day give it.

We are so thankful for the Smith family (who doesn't read our blog...). You have touched my heart. I am so thankful for the lesson not only I, but each one of my children, learned.

Labor day and visitors

Jenna, Casey, and Weston came to visit in September. I didn't take pictures. Lame, I know. But, on the last day I did get a few of Weston loving the motorcycle and the scooter. He loved speed. And we love nephews.

Ryden's first days...his own post just because

Ry is attending 2 preschools this year. Speech (just like last year, but new teacher) and Mom preschool (where we rotate between houses).

Ry-I just loved the picture.
Ms. Jenny (so nice)
SPEECH

Ms. Anna (we had her last year too-she is fabulous)
SPEECH

His friends at Mom preschool
(he LOVES it)

And on the first day he made a caramel APPLE (A). He loved the apple (I loved that he shared. Which is probably why he gets his very own post.) ;-)