Pine Wood Derby.....for scouts or leaders?

This was such a funny picture I had to post it! Poor Abby being "dressed up" by Tyler & Brenden with some beany. Brenden took this picture -to funny!This was such a cute shot that Brenden took of Hailey & Abby on the horse taking a ride. Hailey's giving Bren the "tumbs up"! The girls love riding!

Tuesday evening was the annual Pine Wood Derby. It was the last one for Brenden so I was pretty excited. Yet, it wasn't fun!! Not for the parents or the kids!! We have a new cub master, she was at the top of the track and her husband was at the bottom. They raced all the kids cars! The boys couldn't even hear if it was their car being raced. All the boys were pretty upset and so were the parents! I went and told the scout master that they couldn't hear their names- she made the guy who was saying what cars they were talk louder but it was still sad for the boys not to be able to race their own cars!! (Don't get me wrong - I love the scout master, just didn't like the way things were ran.) All the boys were so upset they just went a played - You can see Brenden off to the right just playing - Heidi is there too, they were playing with Hailey & Abby.

Having Hope during this time......

I don't know if anyone of you know who Dave Ramsey is but a few nights ago he held a town hall meeting and it was broadcast here at a church in Weiser (not LDS). It was christian based and I would like to share a few things with you.

Failure if it's chasing you makes you run to excellence.

Failure needs to happen it's part of life and being an adult

Success is standing on a pile of failures.

You need to learn to say NO! to yourself, your kids, and everything else.

During the depression the unemployment rate was 25% Right now it's only 8 1/2%

3 Things to help you regain hope:

#1- Get up and get busy! Take action! Be proactive. The best place to go when you are broke it to work.

#2- Don't participate in LOSER TALK! If you hang out with losers you will become one. Your 10 closest friends your income will be within 10% of theirs. Read the Bible and the Newspaper to see what both sides are doing. Be careful what you put into your mind. Read good books and have good friends.

#3- Learn to give again. Not just with your money but your time. You will regain hope as you sit in a nursing home reading to someone who can't. You will realize just how good off we are.

HOPE DOESN'T COME FROM WASHINGTON! HOPE COMES FROM THE NAIL SCARRED JESUS!



(if you want to get more about this go to townhallforhope.com)

Guilty or Not Guilty??

So, today I had jury duty. I am a huge fan of Law & Order and all those shows.....but ........ not the same! I have never had to go before! So at 35 I went. We listened to everything all day then we went to the jury room to talk and there were alot of us more outgoing than others. For what ever reason they said they wanted me to be foreman. I said no....... then they voted...and I was made foreman! Crazy! Well, the trial was over today and we found him not guilty on both counts. It makes you realize that sometimes you just need to step back in a heated situation. Crazy! but I am counting my blessings that I am where I am in my life.

Easter & Everything Else

Hailey & Abby got these "bunny glasses" at an Easter egg hunt we went to. I was in the kitchen and Hailey had put hers on then helped Abby with hers. They came around the corner of the kitchen yelling "hop .... hop .... hop" jumping up and down. It was so cute! I ran them out front to take their picture!

Hailey was totally into Easter! Abby was just trying to keep up with her.

Brenden was the only other one interested in Easter. Greg and Ashley were like "what ever!" Tyler was passed out in bed until 10am (due to a late night at a dance). Heidi just wasn't sure what to do about everything - it was that she wanted to be "to big" for Easter but, she didn't know quite how to go about it. (it was kind of funny) Melanie & Natalie just acted weird about the whole thing. They looked in their baskets after 45 min. of being up and only because I was upset that they weren't interested and said something to Howard. He finally told them that if they didn't want them he would take them back. They sat at the table looked through their baskets - put everything back and went to their rooms to read or play I'm not really sure. I was pretty upset. Howard finally went and lectured them for about 1/2 hour. Then they came in the living room with everyone else and just paced back and forth. Howard after a while of them doing that took them outside and lectured them - I don't know what he said but when they came back in they were both crying. After lunch they started to act fine. I don't know what was going on - but, it was disturbing! I finally had to ignore it and just concentrate on those that were interested in Easter and be focused on them. It wouldn't be fair for everyone to be upset over those two!

On to more pleasant things......... Here's Howard helping Hailey decorate eggs. I think he was more into it then her!

Ok this happened yesterday....

I decided to start potty training Abby (I know 20 months but, hey!) So, I brought her "potty" into the living room and told her to go potty. She went and got a cow magazine and a book then, sat down! I thought I was going to die laughing!

She is totally her fathers daughter!

This is Hailey and the new dog!

Hailey is not sharing very well and Abby keeps pulling her hair to let her know she is not happy.

It was really cold last night so we let the dog sleep in the house. I woke up this morning to it up on Hailey's bed cuddled up to her. I thought ohhhh how cute! Then as I got off my bed I stepped in a puddle of dog pee! After cleaning up myself I went to get the kids up and get the cleaner for the carpet and barely missed a pile of dog poop!

Great way to get up this morning!!

(I don't know Summer this dog might go back to your house!)

Thank Heaven for Temples!

Howard & I went to the temple again last night. This time we went with the Elders Quorum Pres. (Howard is the 2nd counselor) and his wife (who is my VT partner).

I had one of the most wonderful spiritual experiences of my life there last night. I was so grateful for the experience.

To loose yourself in service is what we took away from conference and I have to say, I am so grateful. I lost all my problems there and just went and felt like I was making a difference for others. Wow! What a great feeling to do something for someone that they could do on their own. It feels like you have a greater purpose and need to stop worrying about my little self doubt problems. It would be worse waiting for someone to help so that you could progress in the life after.

I did have a wonderful experience which I don't feel should be shared here. But, people need us to help them, so go and loose yourself in temple work!

I know 2 blogs - 1 day - new house-opinions wanted again!

This is what our new house will look like. The front pillars will not be white but, natural logs. I haven't picked out an outside color yet, I am thinking some kind of tan with black trim. (open to ideas)

This is the main level. The porch and screen porch will be pushed out and make the main bedroom and living room larger. The nook will become a full dining room. The dining area will be a formal room with built ins to be used as a bedroom. There will be a 4th bed and a shower in that main bath.

This is the upstairs (there will not be a basement because it would be over 3100 sq. feet and need a sprinkler system) As you see it the total is about 3000 sq. feet. As for the upstairs - there will be the gameroom. Then in that bathroom we will but a wall and sliding door between the sinks and toilet/tub area. This way more kids at a time getting ready. We had this when I was a kid and I love the idea.

If you notice - all the bedroom closets have windows to bring in the light and help reduce electricity. Also we will be putting up a solar system. Evenually we will and wind energy but it's all pretty pricey.

-So we are meeting with the contractors tomorrow for a final run through and final changes we want. Does anyone see anything they would change - I don't want to get done and wish we had done something else.

Thanks again! Angela (see it would be fun to just be shut up in the house all day! LOL)

In a Funk

I've kind of been in a bad funk for the last couple of days. Living in a small town with everyone voicing their opinions about you and what they think your life really is. It drives me CRAZY! I take everything sooooo personal that I honestly can't handle it. I have spent the last 2 days just crying. I got into this mood where I don't even want to leave my house. I don't take calls - nothing. I would like to shut out things but, I am just not very good at it. I've never heard so many negative things about myself, 99% aren't even close to the truth. I know it's not just me - everyone has an opinion about everyone else. It's amazing how in the church we are told to not gossip and to be uplifting in our speech and actions yet, for some it is so hard. Here I think that it's about making themselves look "good" so they say crap about others. The funny thing is that in the last 18 months plus - I only talk to people in my ward if I need to help them or if I am passing them in the hall. I don't hang out with any of them, I don't call and visit with them nothing. I just keep to myself! Yet, some can still make judgement and run with it. I just don't get it! Let me give you an example of what I am talking about- in a Bishop's meeting (with all the aux. leaders) someone (in all of their great wisdom!) said- you know what Angela doesn't show enough affection to Howards kids. Someone needs to talk to her and make her. It's just not right! ............ now of course I didn't know they were in a meeting or even who was is this gossip fest......... as they walked out there I was with my arm around Greg in the sacrament room because he was getting ready to pass sacrament for the first time and was so scared. I put my arm around him and gave him some advice and told him he would do fine. I heard that all of these ward "leaders" choked on their words as they walked in. Now, why would they even say that in the first place, they don't live in our home! And in public my poor Tyler won't get to close or he is afraid people will say he's a "mama's boy!" LOL So in public I don't even show Tyler affection (for fear that he will be embarrassed).

I am writing this so, I can get your "opinion" as my dear friends of how to pull out of this funk before I never leave our house again. (we have 5 acres so I could keep myself busy).







Howard's solution is to take me to the temple so we are going tonight. I know that will make me feel better but, I still have to be able to want to walk in the church doors.



Thanks for letting me vent - Love you all!

Happy Birthday to Jesus Christ - Our Savior!

I am so greatful for our Savior - today I have thought about making sure that my thoughts are on the birth of our Savior. I am so greatful for all that he has done for me personally. Summer & Bill and their kids are coming over for FHE and we are going to watch a movie about his birth and life then - have cake and ice cream. Hailey is pretty excited about the cake and ice cream and that it's a birthday party part. Though she is VERY upset that it's not her birthday. She has been looking forward to it since Christmas. (it's not til the end of June- poor girl!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!

Proud Big Sister

Ok I have to take a minute to brag about my "baby brother" James. He called me a couple of nights ago to tell me that he was just hired as a fire fighter for the National Forest Service. Way to go James! I am so proud at 21 yrs old he is fulfilling his dream job. So, James has it all now - dream job, caring & loving personality, and great looking. - I have even had some of my single friends (that are my age) meet him and want to date him!
(I will have to post a picture when I get one scanned - it was a long few last days with the RS b-day dinner!)

Also a shout out to SUMMER - HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL! For my birthday she made me a nativity scene out of barn wood. It's so beautiful. So since December I have been trying to figure out what to do. She is my only really friend who lives in small town Idaho - I do have lots of friends here but not like Summer - I tease her that we were separated at birth because we would have been to much trouble together until this point in our lives. We have known each other for just over a year and finish each others sentences half the time. We are so much alike that it's scary! The funny thing is that we are so much the same - but our biggest difference is our husbands. Bill will talk up a storm -Howard you will hear crickets because he is so quiet. (until he gets to know you then he will be pretty friendly and tease you).

So to wrap this all up! Congratulations baby bro.! I love you and am so proud of you!
And Happy Birthday Summer!

So many places, so little time!

Howard & I took off 2 weeks ago and went to the Oregon Mail Handlers State Training. We took "our" girls with us. He goes to meetings all day for 2 days so, I take the girls and get to spend time with them (our whole trip is 4 days because of travel time needed). Plus I am not ready to leave the girls. We make 2 of these trips a year, it's been fun to see all these different parts of Oregon. It's Howards home state so he loves showing it off to me. He took me to Portland- country boy and traffic don't get along and SCARE ME!! So we didn't do much I was ready to turn back to go where we were going. We stayed in Warm Springs, OR on a reservation. Hailey and Abby got spoiled by the morning cook because he made them Mickey Mouse pancakes with chocolate chips and whipped cream. We had a great time! The other kids all stayed home with different friends. (we must have great friends because twice a year they take our kids- though it's about 5 different places they all spread out over) They even offer to take the younger two but, I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have them with me. Plus I already missed the boys so much that if I wasn't with my babies I would just panic.

Since we got home we turned around last Thurs. and took off for SLC for 4 days. I am tired of being in the car!! So I might have to go to Cali soon but otherwise no more trips until June. (The trip to Cali is because Fern is not doing well! Things don't seem to be getting better)

Here's the girls having a blast in the warm spring water.

Here's the girls at the playground having the time of their lives. Hailey (above) is into the "push me to the sky" faze. Abby (below) on the other hand finally realized that she wasn't going to fall out so, then she had more fun. (she is usually in the "baby" swing but they didn't have one)

Here's a picture that Hailey took by her self! What a 3 yr old!!

Hailey and Abby were totally excited to see horse on "bacation"

It was funny because we have 3 at our house!

Here we are hitting sites. This is Mammoth Falls the 2nd largest waterfall in the U.S.