Happy Birthday to both of my moms!

Today is both my mom's birthday and John's mom's birthday. I think this is a somewhat unique situation. The advantage is that I only have to remember one day--February 6. The disadvantage is that usually I am not creative enough to come up with 2 separate ideas for gifts (sorry Mom and Jean), and I hope they don't mind. By the way, watch for something coming in the mail! It probably won't make it there by today.
I wanted to post of few pictures of and say a few words about the most important women in my life. And of course I need to start with my own mother.

My mom, Sharon, is a wonderful, kind caregiver. She has always been there for me. Even in high school I wasn't afraid to share my life with her. I could always count on her. I was fortunate to have her be home for me when I was growing up. Even now, when I call home, I expect she'll be there. And when she isn't, it kind of throws me off.

.MY MOM--DON'T YOU JUST LOVE HER SMILE!

She has always been a person who wanted to take care of those who needed her. When she was growing up, her mom always had to check her pockets before washing her clothes because she would keep her pet worms in there.

. My mom was the 2nd child of 7. These are a few of her siblings. It has been a blessing in my life to know and be part of this family.
. She has always been a great example of hard work and service. She is wonderfully creative. Because of her I have my love of sewing and doing. Her patience is endless. She raised 6 children to be decent and compassionate adults. She loves her children and her grandchildren with all of her heart. Some grandchildren can hardly bare to be separated from her. I love her and wouldn't trade her for any other mother.
Happy Birthday, Mom!

John's mom, Jean, has been a go-getter from the day she was born.

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She was the baby of the family, and the only girl. Her mom said that she had to send her to school early because Jean drove her crazy. She wouldn't go and play like most kids, she always "wanted to do something really." By the time she was 4 years old she could completely clean the kitchen: dishes, counters, floors, everything!

.I have never seen anyone work harder or faster than my mother-in-law, Jean. It is amazing! She can do more in a day than I can do in a week! She loves to travel and "do things really." It is fun to be with her.

. She has taught me so much in the last 23 years, and she has loved, accepted and included me as one of her children since before I shared her last name. I love her and am proud to be part of her family.

Happy Birthday, Jean!

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I'm in over my head!!!!

I have been attending an advanced footwork class being taught by Gary Larsen. He is an amazing and talented dancer, and it is an amazingly difficult class. This is the dance that we have been working on.

We started with clogging, and now we have moved on to tap. I am not getting it very well--I haven't had any tap dancing since I was 12 years old. I guess I can't expect to do anything like Gene Kelly without significant training! (obviously) I am thinking about sitting out for awhile and working on championship solos (clogging). I also need to concentrate on my own studio--we have our first show coming up Feb. 28. I love taking lessons from Gary, but I think I am in way over my head right now! After tap, the class will move on to Irish; I may try my hand (or feet) at that!

It is a ski trip day--wish me luck!

To be continued...my first ski trip!

Well, yes, I did survive my first attempt at skiing. And I am wimpy--I admit it. I have pretty much mastered the bunny hill, including the rope tow (I didn't fall down once!), and upon seeing this my sweet hubby, who wanted to increase my fun level, talked me into going on the chairlift and up the mountain. I was pretty nervous, but peer pressure got the best of me (Everybody's doing it...) and I got on...and fell off at the end, causing concern among those around me that there would soon be a pile up. They (strangers included) succeeded in turning me upright, and then John tried carefully lead me back and forth across the hillside. But to go back and forth you have to be able to turn, which I skill I lacked.

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After many crashes, I did start to be able to make about 50% of my turns without ending up on my back. But my biggest problem is my fear of SPEED. Which I knew was going to be a problem from the first place, 'cause I don't even like to go sledding very fast. And it is hard to ski down an incline without going at a somewhat quick pace. So...

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I have determined that I need to practice going as fast as I can down the bunny hill so I can get used to the feel. And I need to practice being able to get back up on my own. It is embarrassing being stuck all of the time.

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Total change of subject---I have ordered sweatshirts for my little clogging group and this is the logo.
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I am kind of excited...okay alot excited! We'll look like an actual team when we go somewhere to perform.

My first time skiing...

More to come...

Front yard skiing...

This is Saturday afternoon in our front yard.

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The run is short, but it is convenient.

We got 4-6 inches of snow yesterday, and another 4 today.

Side Note:

I slipped and fell going down our front steps to get in the car for church. I hit my head on the bottom step, but luckily not hard. It produced a few tears and a bump on the back of my head, but no lasting damage. I got in the car, went to church and taught 3 year-olds like usual. Next Sunday I am definitely going through the garage to get to the car.

On this next Friday, I am going to give the skiing thing a shot. This is the question: If I can't stand up without falling down without skis on, what are my chances of being able to make it down the ski hill right side up? Just something I've been pondering...

Snowflake upon snowflake...

This morning we woke to beautiful, huge white flakes pouring down onto our Eastern Idaho soil.

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It is easy to complain about the cold and the slick roads, but it is beautiful to see and wonderful to behold, and certainly needed. Plus we have taken up a new pasttime...

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Confession...

Madi really did want me to post something...but I was the one who picked the chicken joke. She just thought that it was about time for me to do a little blogging. But it was I who was less than mature. (Hope you at least smiled a little!)

Special Request...

Madi wants me to post something. So here it goes...

Why did the hen cross the road ?
To prove she wasn't chicken !

Off to BYU...

It was Friday night. Boxes lay, some open, some shut and full, around the living room--a maze amid the left-over Christmas clutter.

"Mom, will you give me a haircut?" This is the final step of preparation. Seth is going to BYU-I in the morning.

His dark curls hit the floor sporadically, his will bent to comply. This is a chore that has been repeated for 18 years, over and over again. In the past couple of years it has been less often, leaving his mass of dark, unruly curls to find their own place.

After sister-hugs, the morning led us into a crisp Eastern Idaho, down a well-traveled highway. 15 minutes later we drove down the University exit.

At the end of the day, I returned alone.

Yes, he is only 20 minutes from home; a hop in the car away. He reminds me that it is easy to ride his bike there.

But, he is not here. He has taken one more step away from us. One more step towards "all grown up."

Happy 21st Birthday, Bethany!

She is now completely legal! And it is fun to have her here in Rigby on her special day! We love you, Bethany!