Busy Week

This has been a busy week, from start to finish. Actually, that's what every week feels like lately.

Let's start with the RAD simulation. John is a certified RAD for women instructor. RAD stands for Rape Aggression Defense. He's taught the class several times and this time he invited the wives & daughters of the police officers in his department. We spent 3 weeks learning the skills and Monday night we put them into practice. This is the before picture. I'm smiling and hugging him. A few minutes later he was a creep trying to attack me, so I was kicking and punching him. I hope I never have to use any of it, but it was a very empowering experience.This week we took a few of our Young Women to the Draper Temple Open House. What a beautiful temple. The celestial room was incredible!Finally, we ended the week with a super quick trip to St. George. We drove straight through to Mesquite and had dinner with Mom & Dad. (Thanks for the pasta feast Mom!) John got loaded up on "carbs" for his BIG ride today. He rode 103 miles from Bloomington to the entrance of Zion National Park and back. 6 1/2 hours on the saddle. Way to go Johnny! While he was sweating, Mom, McKelle, & I went shopping - what a girl thing to do.You're my hero babe! Someday soon I'll be ready to join you on the road...

I'm Hungry

Lately, I'm having a hard time getting motivated to cook, especially anything that takes more than 10 minutes or 2 steps. Luckily for me, John doesn't complain or seem to care if I cook the same 3 things every week (thanks babe), but I feel like I need to branch out. I did get a new easy recipe from my friends Boyce & Natalie (they don't go together, but they both shared the idea). Chicken pillows/squares. Very tasty and easy.

I need some fresh new easy ideas with relatively simple steps and no weird ingredients. Anyone?

A little catching up...

It's been a busy past few weeks. Here are the major highlights:
Jake turned 16 and John ordained him to be a Priest. We had a small birthday party at the same time. Here he is praying over his cake. Okay, he's just thinking hard about his wish.
Jyson has been practicing hard for his second grade patriotic program. He said he could wear a Scout uniform if he had one. He turns 8 in two weeks, so we went ahead and bought the full Cub Scout uniform. He was so excited about it. My two favorite Scouts. You gotta love a man in uniform.One night we were playing hide-and-seek. I heard Jyson go inside the linen closet. I opened the door expecting to find him standing there. Instead I found this:I absolutely loved the second grade program. They sang various patriotic songs and finished with some square dancing. Cute from beginning to end. This was the whole reason why Jyson wanted to wear a Scout uniform - so he could salute.During one of the square dance songs, the kids who weren't dancing started doing a "yeehaw" call and swinging their arms. After a few minutes, here's what the little girl next to Jyson looked like:John's parents came with us. Thanks for your support Grandpa Bob & Grandma Joy.If you really want a taste of the program, you gotta check out this little clip. So cute.

And finally, as an addendum to my last post, we attended our first adoption meeting at the Provo office. As it turned out, we are actually in the American Fork office boundaries so we got to attend their meeting as well. I feel very well oriented. Basically, we need to fill out a lot of paperwork. From there, they'll do a home study. Once approved the waiting begins. I'll keep you posted.

Serious and not serious

I've been thinking about this post for quite some time and not sure where to start so here goes...

Johnny and I have been trying to get pregnant for quite some time. I've always felt hopeful and had no reason to think otherwise - until our doctor's visit last month. I'll skip the details and numbers. Suffice it to say, the doctor said it would be a miracle if John and I got pregnant. That dashed all the hope I've held to this point and I cried buckets of tears. We didn't tell anyone right away. It's not the happiest conversation starter. All that said, I'm quite at peace now.

We may consider in vitro but we'll more likely adopt. We feel like there is at least one more child that still needs to join our family, however he/she chooses to arrive. I'm not sad anymore. I can't be, really. I have an incredible husband and 3 wonderful step-children who have given me the opportunity to mother, in at least some sense of the word. I have no qualms about adopting - I know that child will be mine. So, I'm putting the word out. John and I will attend our first adoption meeting on Wednesday night with LDS Family Services and we'll see what happens.

On a much lighter note, a much, much lighter note, John has joined facebook. It's been quite fun to watch him check for "friends" and write on "walls." I may have to set a time limit for him so I can have a turn on the computer too.

a trip without pics

This week began in bed, sick. No, not the morning kind. Sigh. Just the sneezy, achy, yucky nose kind of sick. No fun.

Wednesday night we (my sweet Johnny & I) drove down to St. George. I attended a 2-day conference for mentors. I helped present at one session. The best part of the conference was hanging out with the other coaches from my district - we are fun people.

Friday afternoon John & I drove to Hurricane and hung out with my friend Rachel. She and I served in the same mission but were never companions. We regularly begged the president to put us together, but it never happened. Rachel & hubby Jeff have an incredible home. It was fun to meet her 3 kids and catch up over dinner.

That night we stayed at our favorite little hot spot - The Desert Pearl Inn just outside Zion National Park. It was nice to breath in some FRESH air before returning to the haze of Happy Valley. We wanted to hike in the park, but the trails were pretty icy. I brought my camera, but alas, dead batteries. So, no pics, just memories...

2008 - the year in review

Can you believe it? Two posts in one day -I'm outta control.

How long ago was Christmas?

So, this is what is feels like to be a blog slacker - guilt every time I open my blog to catch up on others' blog. I'm sure I could come up with some great reasons. Oh wait, I know... NO TIME. Yeah, isn't that what everyone says. Okay let's just get some new pics up and move on. First, before Christmas - the ward party with Santa. Are you ever too big to sit on Santa's lap? How about Santa on your lap?

Now I've never seen Michael Flatley, Lord of the Dance, but I think Jyson could take him.


Don't you just love Christmas morning?


Santa brought us some SERIOUS nerf guns this year and my dad, Jyson, & I had a great battle. (Don't you love the safety glasses? Gotta set the example.)
Two weeks off for Christmas break was DELIGHTFUL! We finished 3 rooms downstairs and bought a bedroom set for the upstairs so we can finally have guests stay at our house. My parents came and stayed with us for 3 days. Talk about party animals - they were out later than us one night. We had our Oxborrow post-Christmas party at Jill's. Sadly, no out-of-town siblings could make it, so we partied small.

New Year's Eve we attended the annual Lloyd family party at Julie's - BUNKO all night long! Love it. I wasn't one of the big winners this year, but I still LOVE to play.

And now the holidays are over and I'm back to work. Sigh. Until the next adventure...