I knew what Derek was getting me for my birthday – it's something I've been requesting for a couple of months.  It's a FLIP video camera – the size of a phone and easy to use.  I love them!! But what I didn't know was that he was going to get me a customized, one-of-a-kind,…

Yesterday afternoon, I made the impromptu decision to take the kids to the Pumpkin Patch after school.  It's a yearly tradition, but usually something I do earlier in the month.  With it closing today, I knew I needed to act fast!  So we headed out and enjoyed a wonderful afternoon  – feeding animals, taking a…

If you are LDS and have a Young Woman in the Stake, you might be thrilled to know that the Stake Staff is already hard at work on the details of next June's Girls Camp.  And I'm so thrilled to once again be a part of it.  It's at a new location and today we…

  young Mer, age 5 Today I celebrate 33 years of a charmed life… …born to wise and noble parents who were devoted to me (and still are) …treated to a generous and loving extended family …given two younger brothers to raise – oh, wait, that was our mom's job, I just treated it like…

Despite the melodrama of Sunday (we’re all doing better today, thanks), we actually had a great weekend.  On Friday night Audra came over and the Crane kids (Abby, McKenna, Zachary and baby Gavin, who slept most of the night) joined us for our annual carving of the pumpkins.  We had pizza and root beer, decorated sugar…

It's quiet now, but what a scene we've had today. I am sick – again.  Derek took me on a date last night and we had mexican food.  In the middle of the night I was throwing up, and spent the day in bed trying to recover.  I have rarely missed church to sickness (other than…

He sweetly folds his arms when he prays (just as we've taught to encourage reverence):   He looks like he's saying "shhhh" here, but he learned this in music class – it means "listen".  Whenever he hears a sound, he does that and I whisper "listen"!   Peek-a-boo…an old favorite:   He's also able to…

Last week was crazy around here and one afternoon Jacob was sensing the craziness and sweetly volunteered to take Samuel outside to play.  I was so grateful and at one point looked out the window to watch for a little while.  It was a big brother sweetly playing with his younger brother – trying to…

Last night Caleb had his first belt test.  He is "invited" to test when the teacher feels he is ready – he was going from white belt to yellow belt.  It was an hour long test and he had to do things with his group but also on his own.  Poor little thing would blush and…

About a month ago Jacob decided he wanted to run for Student Council…an opportunity for 3-5 graders at his school.  Each class elects two representatives and they can campaign only with a poster.  Thankfully…with his charm and leadership abilities…he was elected!  And he is taking his responsibiities VERY seriously…even praying that he'll be "able to…