Pathway Program

And so it begins...

I decided to give the Pathway Program a try.

Today while I am reading how this will all work one of the first things we read is this:

A. Have a positive attitude: “We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, we may choose a positive attitude.”

B. Believe in yourself: “You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.”

C. Face challenges with courage: “There will be times when you will be frightened and discouraged... At times you may feel like David trying to fight Goliath. But remember, David did win!”

—President Thomas S. Monson, “Living the Abundant Life,” Ensign, January 2012 

So here I go. I will have a positive attitude and I really am excited. I'm sure daddy will get tired of me yaking about my experiences.

I'll keep myself you posted as I go.

I also start a new calling as team teaching with Ann Wager for 14-15 year old youth in Sunday School.

Doran's Christmas present

For years and years when Mother Nature sends this....

we are always in awe at the beauty of the sight.

If we could

stay home 

enjoy our nice warm fire

drink hot chocolate

watch Hallmark

I could be a happy camper.

We continue to enjoy the fresh clean snow until we have to do this...

This year Christmas was on Sunday so we didn't mind getting out and shoveling (sort-of) so we could attend church. We were only having sacrament on Christmas and our ward didn't start until 1:00 pm. 

Since we don't have any kids at home our Christmas this year was a little different. 

New traditions I guess you could say.

We didn't even have any grandkids to visit today since they moved FAR AWAY.

We were up early enough to get half of our drive done and then we went over to mom and Krampa's house to help them a bit.

Doran got to use their snow blower while mom and I shoveled some areas.

Then we headed back to finish ours.

When we got done there we went next door and did No Bawlin's driveway.

By this time we were getting pretty tuckered.

At mom's we used their snow blower.

The rest we shoveled and it was heavy snow.

The plows were even having a hard time keeping up.

We saw them pass once down one side of the street and then they disappeared. All I can think is they were focusing on the main highways. It wasn't until that evening that they came by again.

We had to help one van get out that was stuck in the snow on the corner of our road. I don't know how many others got bogged down when we weren't outside.

When we were done with No Bawlin's we went back and our driveway and walk way needed it again.

We finally took a break and went in to get dry and get something to eat.

The snow kept dropping all day long.

We heard that some wards canceled church but I'm glad our ward didn't.

We enjoyed the music and the speaker. 

We even got out a little early but it was so nice to spend a little bit of Christmas with our ward family and really focus on the meaning of Christmas.

The next day....

we went shopping.

Look what we FINALLY got daddy.

For years and years he always talked about getting a snowblower

but then he would decide against it.

Sometimes shopping with him drives me crazy.

He wants something, then changes his mind.

This year it was all up to him whether he got one or not.

He is a happy camper.

He decided on this one because we can both lift it up in the truck if we need to haul it to "not-so-close" neighbors and I can run it myself if needs be.

Talk about easier on the back and a lot faster to make a path!

Cookie is 12

Happy Birthday Cookie!

This little stink turns 12 today.

She is such a fun, loving, easy going kid (except when it comes to school work).

She is a perfectionist.

You should see her drawers.

Even her underwear are folded neatly.

She is a ham and always has a laugh and a hug for us.

When she comes up missing, no need to look "around",

you need to look UP.

She will most likely be in a tree.

She seems to always have a book with her or nearby.

She is not perfect, just like all kids but she is my favorite Cookie!

We love you so much Cookie!

Happy Birthday!

I am not very good at remembering birthdays, so please remind me when it's your birthday so I can put on here as well.

Improvise Grabber

When we bought our new truck there were a few IMPORTANT things that it needed.

*Heated seats

(the heated steering wheel was a bonus)

*Navigation

*A PLACE FOR MY WATER MUG

*Tow package to pull our trailer

 *and a few other essentials under the hood

(I don't know much about them but I'm sure they are important)

HOWEVER...we failed to pay attention about the "grabber"

This vehicle does NOT have a "convenient" grabber.

It has one clear up by the windshield but you can only grab it when getting in and out of the vehicle.

So on my way home from taking presents to the kids in Caldwell

I made my own.

It worked but after awhile it cuts into my hand.

I must think how to make a thicker and less tacky grabber.

(It didn't look to tacky to me from the inside

but from the outside...people couldn't figure out what was flapping)

Sooo....Until then...

feel free to patent

or least just use my expertise thinking

You're welcome

Merry Christmas "Card"

Every year I say I'm going to send Christmas cards.

Last year I actually did...at least I got a few of them done.

This year I did it again. They "saying" part.

So until I get this card sending down,

THIS is our 2016 Christmas card wishing you all

A Very Merry Christmas!