Getting creative

Yesterday when I was getting ready for my Premier Designs Jewelry party, I wanted to make some cookies. Of course I can't make any cookies or much of anything really requiring a stove or oven.

I remembered, when I was little I had wanted to make cookies at Grammy's house with Nina. Grammy pulled out her recipe book and showed us a recipe for cookies made with a waffle iron instead of an oven. It was a hot summer day, so naturally, Grammy didn't want the house to get hot, but far be it from Grammy to tell us we can't do something creative. Grammy always had something fun for us to do, or showed us something fun to do :) Nina and I made these waffle cookies and had a wonderful time making them and then going outside with the portable radio and listening to it under the shade of one of the lilac bushes and ate some cookies :)

Although, I don't have the exact recipe, I adapted it to make them with a brownie mix and used my belgian waffle maker. The cookies were so yummy and so full of memories :)

Today, Dallin wanted to make the cookies and have some more to share with our family :) yummy yummy yummy!!!!

FOOTBALL!!!!! Big day at BSU!!!

The boys had a wonderful time at BSU saturday playing football!!! This year, we didn't have to be there super early or stay super late. Josh had his game at 11:30ish. Dallin had his at 12:15 ish and Kyler at 1ish so it was a rush to get everyone to where they needed to be for pictures and games, but we were all able to watch everyone play. The only exception was that Dallin had to be with his team while Josh played, so Dallin missed watching Josh.

Josh #67 played offensive line and did very well. He got in on some tackles. He didn't get to play on the blue turf this year, but he did get to play in the field house...the practice field for BSU. It was nice to be able to get up closer to see him and get some closer pictures :) He didn't look like so much of an ant this year :)

Dallin #24 played hmmmm... he plays both offense and defense line. I don't remember exactly which one he played saturday, but either way HE'S A MACHINE!!! I would NOT want to be tackled by that boy!!! When he hits, he hits hard!!!! Dallin did very well and got some good tackles, even though they lost their game... they played the toughest team they'll play all year. This other team was from woodriver. There aren't many players, so they combined the sophomores and juniors, so kids that are Josh's age that can make weight in the sophomore range can play. It was intense and brutal, but they did very very well :)

Kyler. #8.. when he focused he did very well. lol He is really a huge social butterfly lol. When his team was lining up on the line to play, he was standing there talking to the ref like they were bff or something hahahaha...what a goofy boy!!! Kyler did well at working on getting flags :)

The games are going to be interesting this year... getting to them anyway. We're hoping they're not to complicated, but it sounds like they might get that way in October....fingers crossed

hahahah oh yeah.... we also saw the BSU football team :) They were down where all the players were and stopped and talked to them and shook hands. It was so cool for the boys!!! Although, I don't think that they shook any of my boys hands :( They thought it was soooo awesome to see Kellan Moore!!! although he's not in this picture... he's #11

FOOTBALL!!!

Tomorrow the little boys will be playing at BSU!!! They start their season of games with a jamboree! They've all been working and playing hard... it's going to be a great season!

Dallin is the main tackle on defence. Josh is playing offensive tackle. And Kyler... well... let's hope he just focuses and plays lol.... not with the grass or other kiddos lol.

It will be a whirlwind morning, but looks to be a great one for football!!! Let's go Huskies!!

Pictures to follow

Grateful for LITTLE things!!!

We are moved into the house in Middleton, yet we have no stove...but that's not stopping me from cooking a home cooked meal for my family.
I am so grateful for small appliances...especially my rice cooker and my Foreman grill. The other day, I was thinking to myself... "I need a stove so I can cook dinner..." Then I thought again "wait a second, I have a griddle, I have a rice cooker and I have a foreman grill and a bbq grill" What wonderful inventions these have been :)

Just a little food for thought... it's not the BIG things that make life sweet, it's the little things and mean A LOT!!!! We did truly enjoy our homecooked meal tonight... after a week of micorwaved meals or quick fix dinners.

My favorite place in the house

I have found that my favorite place in the house is on my knees. Anywhere that I'm on my knees and speaking directly to my Father in Heaven is my favorite place to be.

Over the span of my life, I have always found great comfort and peace in prayer. I know this is a blessing and am so very grateful for this blessing. I'm grateful for the personal relationship that I have with my Heavenly Father. I have always felt very close to my Father in Heaven and have had some very special experiences... which I'm not going to speak of here..this isn't the place.

For the past few weeks, I've felt an even closer connection with Him when I kneel to pray and throughout the day as I'm going about my work.

I don't know why I'm writing this here and at this time of night, but I felt impressed to do so. I feel that I need to share.

I love my Heavenly Father. I know that He has blessed me from the beginning with a keen sense of knowing exactly who I am and where I came from. He has been my closest friend along with my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that I have been blessed with miracles beyond my comprehension many times. I know that there is a specific plan for me here on this earth. I feel and know that Heavenly Father has placed specific people in my life at certain times to bless me and for me to bless them. His plan is perfect and we are all part of it. I know that Heavenly Father has blessed me with a big heart capable of loving all unconditionally, yet capable of being hurt and feeling indescribable pain and anguish for my own sins and for others as well. I love with all my heart and soul... there is always room in my heart for more people to love... it's who I am.

I can not express my gratitude enough for all that I have been blessed with, for the miracles, friends, loves, everything. So many songs come to my mind as I think about and feel this gratitude and love. I am so very grateful that I can have access to my Father in Heaven wherever I am and whenever I want...all I have to do is open my mouth and heart. No words need to be uttered, only the speaking of my spirit to Him. He hears prayers, He answers prayers, He wants to bless us with blessings beyond our understanding. He wants us to come to Him, to talk to Him.

You who read this and those who don't, you are in my prayers always. I love you all beyond words. If you were ever in my life and heart, you will always be. I am so grateful to have you in my life and share this earthly experience with you. I am grateful for every memory that I have been blessed with and look forward to many many more. I am grateful for the love and look forward to expanding this loving heart that Heavenly Father has blessed me with.

I'm not trying to brag, just filled with so much emotion and gratitude that I had to share. I love you all. May the Lord bless you with those blessings that He desires to bless you. Let Him in your heart and lives.

HOME

For two years we've called this place "home" . It felt right when Colleen Higley told me about it. It felt right when I saw the online ad and pictures. It felt right the whole time during church that sunday when I could focus on nothing more than this house in Emmett for rent. That day, Diane Brissette was texting me, telling me that their family was going to sacrament meeting and then heading to Hermiston to help us pack and load up.....

After church, I got on the phone with the property management company to find out about the house. Another friend from New Plymouth had found another house in Fruitland for us to look at. We made an appointment to see the house in Emmett for tuesday sometime.

Monday, we loaded the trailer and emptied the house. Tuesday, we drove to Idaho with no solid deal for a home to live in. We saw the Fruitland home, then the Emmett home... as we walked through the doors of 1158 Kaetzel way, we knew we were home. We were moved in and settling within two hours of our first seeing the house.

Now, two years later, we are preparing to say goodbye to this home we've loved for this time. It is a bittersweet farewell. We knew the time would be short when we began to rent this house. Now the time has come that we have an amazing opportunity to finally be able to save up to buy a house and cut our rent in half...literally... We are sad to leave Emmett, but the boys will still be playing for the huskies through optimist football :) The coaches...Dallin's coaches were not on speaking terms with us for a while until we told them we were going to bring the boys back to play each day :) It's going to be quite an adventure leaving this home we've loved, but we are so grateful for the chance once again buy a home in a year or so.

We went to our new ward yesterday and were welcomed by so many. There are family and friends already in our ward and in our new town of Middleton Idaho. It will be a great new experience for our family.

Aaron is looking forward to a new larger marching band and football. All of the boys are excited to go to a new school and be closer to some fun things and meet new friends and keep the old :)

What a blessing this is going to be for our family.. I am so very grateful to my dear friend Colleen for finding this Emmett home for us two years ago. It has been such a blessing to be closer to family and friends who have loved our family and supported our family throughout these two years.