Happy Valentine's day!!!

So the morning of Valentine's day, Matt woke me bright and early to give me my gift. He gave me this beautiful heart watch to match the heart necklace, and bracelt I have. He was very thoughtful! I was trying to give him hints of what he could get for me. A watch wasn't even in my mind at all. He remembered that the battery in my other watch died a few weeks ago, and so that's what he wanted to get for me. he knows that I like watches so he couldn't go wrong there. I just was touched that he remembered my other jewelry and didn't get me gold. He also gave me a single red rose in this heart shaped balloon. It was funny because he bought everything a couple of days before valentine's day. He asked me where he could put it where I couldn't see it. I told him just put it in our bedroom closet and put a coat over it. I said I wouldn't look, besides that I had his gift under a coat in there already. So the rose was wilting when he gave it to me. If I had known that he had gotten me a rose, I wouldn't have suggested to put it in a dark room with a coat over it!!! Oh well he's still a great husband anyways, it's the thought that counts right?!! For my sweet husband I gave him the third book in the Leventhumps series called the Eyes of Want. To go with it a card, and his favorite Dove's Dark Chocolate hearts. He was absolutely thrilled when he opened his gift. I love it when he is happy!!! I love you babe!


When I was growing up my Mom always liked to do something for all of us kids for valentine's day. We would go to school, and then come home go to our rooms to put our stuff away and there on each of our beds was a valentines package! Each year it was different. I always looked forward to it! I wanted to do it for our girls this year. So I went to the store and found them the perfect items. I got them each a stuffed animal, heart necklace/bracelt, heart m&m package, some hugs and kisses, and a cute fur bag for each of them to put all of the items into. It was so much fun giving it to them. They absolutely loved it!!! McKenzie's Unicorn is named Lilyanna, and Madisynn's bear is named Angelina. They have carried them everywhere since Valentines day. We didn't do anything special this year, which was okay with me. We had a lot going on, but at least we were able to celebrate it a little! Happy late Valentine's day to everyone. I hope you had a great one!!!

Valentine's sugar cookies

This is my Sister Kate rolling out the cookie dough. Love you sis!!!

Another one of the projects me and my sister wanted to do together when I came over to her house was to make Valentines sugar cookies with the kids. So we each prepared our own batch of cookie dough. I doubled mine because I let my tastebuds get the best of me! McKenzie and Madisynn had a blast helping to dump all of the ingredients in to the bowl. When my sister and I got together again to bake the cookies she had only made a single batch. It made lot's of cookies, that now I'm regretting having around our house. The little kids McKenzie and Sammy helped us cut out the cookie dough and bake themand also eat the cookie dough. I can't believe how much they ate. Everytime we turned around they had some in there mouth. We kept telling them no more. Yeah right like that's going to happen. Eating the cookie dough is the best part!!!

So anyways when the older kids got home from school they helped decorate them. We all had fun! This time my girls were interested in eating the cookies and candy like any normal kid. I swear back in December when they wanted nothing to do with cookies and candy, I was thinking this isn't normal! I was hoping that I wouldn't have to force my kids to eat cookies and candy! Yea they made my day!!! When we finished decorating I forgot to take pictures of the finished project. I was so tired, I didn't care at the time. My Grandpa got pictures of it though. I'll have to ask him for a copy when they get their pictures developed. It was a very fun day again!

Valentine's

Lately I've been going to my Sister Kate's house out in Cedar Fort. It's been so much fun going to hang out with her. We have definately grown closer together because of this. We decided on one of the day's that I came over we were going to make valentines together with all of the kids. It was a lot of fun!!! The older kids liked it more than the little ones of course. The little ones mcKenzie and Sammy just wanted to eat the candy! We helped them make some for my Mom, and for their other cousins Gabe and McKell. That's all we could get them to do, better that than nothing at all. I also made some for our sunbeam class. I delivered them on Valentines day, and it was so cute and fun to see how it made their day! They are so cute, but also a handful!!!

I was tagged again! The ABC'S of Me!!!

I was tagged by Margarite
http://imalwaysrite.blogspot.com/


A- Attached or Single? Happily Attached

B-Best Friend? I don't have just one best friend, I have several. I would have to say all of my friends are my best friends. I hate choosing, so that is how it is!!!

C- Cake or Pie? Pie unless there is Chocolate cake

D- Day of Choice? Just one! I don't have just one. I like Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the Weekend

E- Essential Item? My watch, it drives me crazy when I don't know the time.
F- Favorite color? Red
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? Worms they are much more fun to eat, and play with!
H- Hometown? Clinton Utah
I- Favorite Indulgence? Chocolate and Peanut butter
J- January or July? July, it's warm and their is nothing like the 4th of july in Evanston Wyoming!!!
K- Kids? 2 cutie pie girls. McKenzie, and Madisynn
L- Life isn't complete without? Family
M- Marriage Date? August 2, 2002
N- Number of Brothers and Sisters? 3 Brothers and 1 sister
O- Oranges or apples? Oranges
P- Phobias or fears? I'm afraid of the dark, Spiders, Throwing up,

Q- Quote? "Happiness does not depend on what we have, but on what we are." I don't know who the author is. It's on a tile square that sits on the piano. My Mom gave it to us for Christmas. It's a beautiful quote!!!

R- Reason to smile? knowing that I have a family. When they're happy I smile!!!

S- Season of choice? Spring, because it's the perfect weather, and all of the pretty flowers are blooming!

T- Tag? Yes I played tag all kinds of tag; Freeze tag, kissing tag....! I also hate the tags on shirts, they scratch me up and make me itch like crazy. Besides that I hate having it stick out the top. Why can't they go to the printed tag on the inside on all shirts???

U- Unknown fact about me? If I told you I would have to kill you! No just kidding, what do you want to know????

V- Vegetable? I used to hate vegetables while growing up, but I absolutely love them now. My most favorite would be squash and zuccinni.

W- Worst habit? Cracking my neck and back. I know it's gross, but it feels so good. I have tried to quit several times, I don't think it's as bad as it was. Blast the girl in junior high who taught me how.!!

X- X-ray or ultrasound? I've never had an X-ray before, so I don't know on that one. Have had plenty of Ultrasounds. Not very fun when you have a full bladder and the technichian is pushing hard on your bladder. It's much more enjoyable on an empty bladder, especially when you get to see your baby of a peanut for the first time and to know that it's alive and ok!!!

Y - Your favorite food? Breakfast foods: I love love pancakes and waffles
Z- Zodiac sign? Tauras

I was Tagged

I was tagged by Jennifer

http://lipstickandlaundry.blogspot.com

You must post the rules before you give your answers.You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name.Each fact must begin with that letter.If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name.After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers.At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details).

K: Kind I have been told by several people that I'm kind. It's a good trait to have! I wouldn't want to be known as a mean person.

O: Obsesive compulsive. I'm very OCD I like things organized and done my way. It drives Matt bonkers. I think I'm starting to relax more and let things slide by.

T: Tenderhearted. I have always been tenderhearted. My Mom always tells this story of when I was young, probably like 2 or so. Anyways my Mom was very sad one day, and she was sitting in a chair crying. I guess I saw her crying, and went and got her my blankie and said here momma this will make you feel better. I have always been a cryer, and I especialy hate to see other people cry. It's even harder when it's someone I love dearly.

T: Teased easily( is that a trait???) Anyways I am teased very easily. Always have been. I could tell you several stories of my brothers teasing me. I would get so mad, and frustrated. My dad would always tell me they tease you because you give them a reaction. I remember at my wedding luncheon my father in law had everyone stand up and introduce themselves and tell how they knew either me or Matt and tell something about us. When it got to my older brother of course he had to say something about teasing me. He said I must have a sign on forehead that says Please Tease Me!!! Everyone laughed. Of course my family and those who know me best continue to tease me often.

E: Energetic. I love to exercise, it makes me feel great, and feel better about myself. I get very energetic when I play volleyball. I absolutely love playing. I've been playing 1 a week with people in our stake for almost a month now. I always have so much fun, and look forward to it every week.

R: Religeous. I believe in God. I value my faith. I feel very guilty when I don't attend church. I love to hear our prophets and church leaders speak. I think it's very important to have religion in your life.

I tag: Heather, Ashley, Melissa, Darci, Elise, and Margarite.

I look forward to seeing what all your middle names are!!!

A crazy couple of weeks, and among other things McKenzie did a big NO NO

Things have been crazy the last couple of weeks. First my Mom has been in the hospital trying to fight off Namonia. She's had it for almost 3 months. She didn't find out that she had it until the middle of last month. She has been in Georgia with her sister and husband. She went with severe depression, stress, and bronchitis. The Dr. has been telling her to get out of the state, and take a break. I'm so glad she listened, we were all so scared for her. My mom hasn't really had a chance to deal with things the right way. She fineally has accecpted it, and feels at peace. I don't know why her dr. here didn't find the Namonia, but I'm glad it's fineally been detected. She was getting better, and then she took a turn for the worse. So she has been in the hospital since the end of January, and is waiting for results from a lung scope to see what kind of Namonia she has. They were giving her antibiotics, but they weren't helping which is why they fineally determined that she had a different kind of Namonia. If she has the Namonia they think she has they can treat it with steroids. Hopefully we'll find out Wednesday, and she can be treated get out of the hospital, heal at her sister's house for awhile, and then head home. I feel so bad for her, and I hope things will get better for her.
Why do things always have to go wrong in mulitiples??? First our Microwave breaks. It's crazy how much we use a microwave. It sucks haveing to warm things up on the stove, in the oven, in hot water. I can't wait to have our microwave back. Next I decided I was going to go to Walmart and get Valentine stuff. While I was out having fun, Matt had told McKenzie to pick up her toys. She ignored him and decided to go use the bathroom. She comes out awhile later totally naked and soaking wet saying daddy the water is coming out. Matt gets up to see what is going on. It turns out McKenzie decided to flush a whole roll of toilet paper, and of course overflowed it. She has never done that before, why now??? She is so lucky I wasn't there. I probably would have beat her. So Matt cleans it up. I get home to see McKenzie all sad on the couch, a mess in the kitchen with wet towels, and wet pajamas. Matt tells me, and my heart drops. I clean up the mess, get the kids ready for bed, we have scripture and prayer, and while we're doing this, I asked where all the water went from the toilet. Matt hadn't thought about it. He said lot's of water went down the heat vent in the bathroom. He went downstairs in the basement to check it out, and the floor is soaking wet. Water is still dripping from the doorframe above the furnace, and waterheater area. The bathroom floor is soaking wet. The carpet by the bathroom is soaking wet, and part of the ceiling bubbled up from the water. I was so mad. We really couldn't do much, it was about 1030 or so time for bed. We soaked as much water up as we could. We didn't have any fans so we just opened the windows and turned on the heat to try and dry things out. I stayed up until 2 or so doing laundry of dirty soaking wet towels that I didn't want to sit and mold. I didn't sleep well, all I could think about was the damage and my mind wouldn't turn off. In the morning I checked out the damage. At least the dripping had stopped so that relieved me a little. I got the girls ready for the day, and decided to plug in the space heaters, and get a blow dryer and start drying the carpet as best as I could. I had McKenzie help as punishment. When I got tired of doing this, I knew that I had to make the dreaded call to our landlords. They didn't answer so I left a message. About a half hr went by and I recieved a call from our landlords parents. She was really nice about the situation. She had asked if we had renters insurance, and I replied yes, she said call them and see what they will cover. I don't know why I didn't think of that, I felt stupid. Well now I know. Anyways I called to report it. They told me to wait for someone to contact me. They said it could take from 24 to 48 hrs to hear back from them. Luckily it was only a couple of hrs. They told me when they called back that they would have to investigate it further, take mckenzie's age into account. They told me I had no deductible so that was good. The lady told me to wait to hear back from somebody else because she wasn't qualified enough to help me. Well while I was on the phone our landlords mom calls back and asked what was going on now. I told her. She said we need to get a carpet extractor to come and test the carpet, walls, ceiling, for mold, and to get it dry. I had to call my insurance back and try to find somebody to help me because it was close to closing hrs. When I fieally got a hold of someone they told me that the insurance would cover up to a $1000 worth of damage. She then told me that I would be really lucky if it didn't cost that much. When I got off the phone I was just relieved to know that the insurance would cover it. I called the carpet extractor people to get someone over here. It's great they work 24/7 they had somebody here in the next hr after I called. They were nice, and very helpful. The water accident happened on Wednesday night. I made all the calls the next day. The guys that came to clean us up tested everything to see how wet it still was. They lifted the edges of the carpet and stuck a couple of fans to blow underneith the carpet. It was pretty neat because the air lifted the carpet off the floor a couple of inches. They tested the lanolium in the bathroom to see how wet it was because water had gotten under it somehow. They told me that it takes 72 hrs. for mold to grow. They said they would test it then and if it was still wet they would have to tear up the lanolium because that is the only way to get rid of the mold. I started to feel a little sick to my stomach then. All we could do was pray. The guys told me they would come back in the morning to set cut 2 small circles in the ceiling where it was wet to put a dryer in and dry the ceiling out. After friday they set up another appointment to come and check it on monday. All we could do was wait, pray, and let the fans do there magic. Sunday comes around we get home from church. We started to make lunch, and had to get more bread from the freezer in our garage. I went out to get it grabbed the bread and relized it wasn't frozen. I went in and told matt, I don't think I freaked out as much as I could have, but I still freaked out. We have no idea when it stopped working. Matt said maybe you left the freezer door open a crack. We didn't know. I had matt check it later again, and he said he thought it looked better. I still had that aweful sinking feeling and had to check it again. I told him it wasn't getting any colder in there. He told me to shut the door and keep the cold in. He said it would be ok until today. I checked it this morning, and things were definately defrosting. I got ready hurried to the gas station by us and bought 8 bags of ice. Got home and started emptying the food into coolers. I called my sister to see if she had room in her freezer she said she had a little bit. She told me to flip the breaker to see if it would turn on the freezer. I told her we already did it. I did notice that there was breaker that had tripped, but I didn't want to mess with it because I didn't want to mess up the fans at all. She told me to have the guy that came to help me do that if he would and to let her know what happens. So the guy came today, I was nervous to find out if we had mold. He checked it and NO MOlD in the bathroom at all, or in the floor, or in the ceiling where it had bubbled. He said it was still wet in some areas on the ceiling, and still very wet in the area by the water heater, and furnace. He said he needed to tear off the door frame to see if it would help dry it out a bit. He aimed the 2 fans that were drying out the carpet up at the ceiling area to also see if that would help dry it. He's coming back on Wednesday to check everything out. He says if the area by the water heater isn't dry they're going to have to tear out the drywall. I'm nervouse, but I know I can handle it if they have to tear out the drywall. It's not a very big area, and it's easier to fix dry wall than lanolium. After he was done getting things set up he helped us with our freezer problem. He flipped the circuit breakers a million times while I stared at the freezer waiting for it to turn on. He came back upstairs and I told him no luck. I said the lights were turning on and off in here when you flipped the circuit breakers. He asked me if he could help me move food out of the freezer, and move it out of the way. I told him he didn't need to do that, he wasn't getting paid for it. He insisted and said he had extra time. I said don't worry about it thanks though. I then asked him the route to take in getting a freezer fixed. He wasn't sure, but he said that he would move the freezer out of the way and try plugging it into another oulet. He then asked again if I wanted his help. I fineally agreed. We got it all set up and plugged into another outlet and you know what it turned on. It was music to my ears!!! I'm so glad he insisted on helping me. He was very nice. I was grateful that I didn't have to make a trip to my sister's house to try and find room in her freezer. Also grateful that I didn't have to use the coolers. The guy told me it might be the fans taking up to much power and is making that outlet no work. It's weird to me because the oulet is no where near to where the fans are. I hope he is right though. I guess we'll find out on Wednesday if we have an electrical problem. I sure hope not. In spite of all that has happened we are alive and well, very annoyed, aggravated, but WELL! We have learned our lesson, and I hope McKenzie has too.

It's been a Year: In loving memory of Van K Kotter

Today Jan 31st was the year mark for my dad's death. In the previous post I was going to Mention it, but I wanted to have a special post to my Dad. I woke up this morning and was very close to tears, then I thought to myself. You know what Dad wouldn't want you to be sad, he wants you to be happy. I knew he was happy where he was, I know he is waiting for us to return to him. I know that he is sad that he left us, but everything will be alright. I wasn't going to celebrate his death, I was going to celebrate his life. I love my Dad with all my heart, and I miss him so dang much it hurts. I was happy for the rest of the day, and I did a killer workout dedicated to my dad because he loved to exercise. It kicked my butt, but I felt so good and accomplished after I did it. I know that's how he would have felt after a workout. My Dad was a great example and he still is. He was good to me, and he was especially good to our kids. He loved and treasured them. It was so fun to watch him with McKenzie, she absolutely adored and loved him. Oh it makes me cry. He didn't get the opportunity to get to know Madisynn to well, but at least I have a picture of him holding her.

It wasn't until the year before he died that I started to get a better relationship with him, and I will always treasure those times I had with him. He had changed his life around, and he was just the best!!! I know he is watching over us, and I hope to feel him near me one day. This pictue I'm so grateful to have. It was the last time I saw and hugged my Dad. I'm so thankful that i respected him and loved him, he was the best Dad and I wouldn't have it any other way. I know it gets better and easier as time goes, and I also know that we will still continue to have times where we break down and cry because we miss him so much. We are strong, and we can do this. Heavenly Father doesn't give you more than you can handle, so obviously we can handle it. I love you Dad, and I'll see you soon..... =)