December 25, 2008. We have alot to be very grateful for. This year have been a busy and stressful one. From kids growing by leaps and bounds to cars breaking down, to having to buy a new truck, to loosing a job, but still having other jobs to rely on. Wow we have been around the block! Santa came to our home while we were delivering papers. Yup we all loaded in the car and met Aaron and delivered in the rain. When we got home the kids were exhusted but I was sure they would want to see if Santa came, but nope everyone went right to bed. That was at 4:30 then a little later at 8:30 the kids slowly woke up. Nik was first! We all were ready and Aaron went in the front room turned on the lights and the kids took off. It was a blast to see all the excitement from them. We went to Aaron's mom and dads first to have lunch. Then Aaron had to be to work so he left and me and the kids played a few games and then headed to my mom and dad's. While driving it started to pour rain like you couldnt see in front of you rain. But we made it there. Spent a few hours with them we called Alan and his family they were in the middle of dinner so he was going to call back. Toni had been by earlier and Chuck had to work to so go home about 5:30. We had his name this year and he had ours so we waited for him to open his gifts and then I was done for the day. It was 6ish and living in Queen Creek you have to plan a 45 minute drive to get home. So off we went. We had a blessed day of joy and love. We hope you all had the same!

As many of you know it was my birthday December 26. And Yes I am feeling my age more and more every day. My family got me the cutest cake it was a Tinkerbell one and some of my favorite perfume VERY SEXY and a pair of CROCS. Let me explain I thought they were the ugliest things ever. Back when I saw them on Oprah when Faith Hill and Tim Mcgraw pick her up a pair at the grocery store. I have since then have become a reformed CROC hater. I love them! They are sooooo comfortable. If I had enough money I would buy a pair for all of you. My first pair are pink and have a warm fuzzy liner. My last days of work before christmas my legs were killing me. So we went and got a pair and it was heaven. So here is to being a year older and some what wiser.

What a weekend......Thanksgiving was great. I didn't have to cook a sinlge thing! Aaron and I went in to papers Wednesday night at 11pm and stuffed that huge paper and loaded it all in the expedition. And among all that it rained and rained and did I mention RAINED!!! 700 papers doubled bagged and weighed 5 lbs each. Ok I am complaining when I am suppose to be giving thanks,.,,,, ok rewind. I am so thankful that I didn't have to cook, and just got to visit family. We went to Grandma Ray's home first. She is a delight to visit. The kids remember Grandpa Ray and always make sure to let us know that they miss him too. After that visit we were off to my mom's. It was a bit quieter there since Alan and Mellanie are gone, not that they are noisy but their kids and my kids together are. I am sure Grandma and Grandpa get a sigh of relief when we all leave. lol. It was nice to see Grandma and Grandpa Walkerman (aka Scott) (cute story why we call them that if you want to know I will tell you). We talked with Grandpa about buying 1/3 of a cow. We have had this idea to buy meat in bulk and freeze it. Part of being self sufficient. We also talked about getting chickens. If our HOA only knew lol we just have to call them pets and we can have them. lol Before we headed home Mom called Alan and Mellanie to wish them a happy thanksgiving, we really miss them alot. Didn't think it would be as hard as it is having them gone ( oh my gosh i am crying boy am i a lush) Ok ok ok enough of that. So now we are on to Christmas. Boy I hope I make it through all this. Hope you all had a great holiday. love to you all.

My JOB

This is why I love what I do! Working with flowers has become something that I have really enjoyed learnig. When my mom first talked to me about designing I was very much against it. I thought that there was no way I could make things so beautiful. But low and behold I did it! And yes to tot my horn I am good at it. I have learned so much from so many people. My mom really got me started in it and taught me alot! My new mentor is Steven. He is so amazing with all that he does. His wife Michelle is also an incredible designer who has taught me alot too. I think that flowers speak to people in a way that words can't. They make people laugh, cry and that all important AWWWWE!!!! I love it when they just stare and are comletely take back by what you have made. I didn't go to school for it I learned from watching the best. Thank you everyone who has helped me become the designer I am. How freakin cool to call my self a DESIGNER who would have ever thought that I would have a title! Remember flowers say it all.

So here is our garden.


We have tomatoes,

broccoli, cauliflower,

bell peppers, and

strawberries.




WE are very excited to

growing so well.

Soon we will get to eat!

My truck

Here it is......finally after 45 days of aggravation. I thought about blogging about the lengths it took us to get this truck but I am trying to be happier with life and talking about what we went through just gets me all fired up. Lets just keep it that I was 100 percent happy with CARMAX and 1000! percent upset with CARMAX!... If you ever want to hear about it let me know it is certainly a story to hear over a ice cold MT DEW. We got this since Aaron's "piece of KIA" died and we needed something and needed it fast. (LOL considering how long it took). We as you know throw newspapers so we needed something that could hold 5oo -700 papers. Back when we had "MEG" (that is my xterra'a name) and the "piece of Kia" Aaron was always having to make two sometimes three trips back to load. So we took this chance to upgrade ourselves. Plus we thougth about how nice it would be to pack up and go camping and have all the room we needed. This had everything we wanted third row seat (we only have 3 kids but they don't fit in a two seater any more) rear ac, and the all to cool DVD players in the head rests. We got a great deal on it. No our money tree in the back yard aint producing but when a need is needed you sacrifice.

long week

I am so glad this week is over a lot has happened to our family, and this country. Some times when things change it is hard to accept them. You begin to wonder what will we do now? How will we make it? That is when you fall to your knees and pray like you have never prayed before. You want more than you can give and it is then you realize maybe I need to be better about noticing what I have. Even if you could start to loose those things too. Just hold on to that rod and keep moving forward and not look back at the what if's.
5 thankful things
1. The price of gas is going down.
2. My work is starting to get busy.
3. The weather is finally in the mmm hot chocolate stage.
4. I got the tinkerbell movie.
5. That I can have a MT DEW when ever I need one (i need alot lol)

Still hopeful!

I know it is still not completey decided and I am still keeping my fingers crossed, but if that OTHER man wins! OMGosh I will just be left to wonder WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO!????? And I voted so I can say anything I want. I can tell you I will not change my flag and I will continue to say the Pledge of Alligence and I will put my hand on my heart and stand and face the flag during the Anthem and shout GOD BLESS AMERICA every chance I get. So again if the other man wins just remember this country is still the best and will always be.
5 thankful things.........
1. Nikolas got all 4's on his daily
2. Emalee went to choir after coming close to being kicked out
3. That I voted and didn't have to stand in line.
4. My paper route is growing (not really but really)
5. That my mom taught me how to cook so even though my pantry was bare I could come up with something to make and my family ate it up like it was the best ever!

Aaaahhhh November!

Wow we only have 2 months left of this year. Very hard to believe. So just want to remind everyone to vote on Tuesday. You may think that what could your vote mean in the grand scheme. WELL it does. They all count. They all stand for what you believe in. That this country is so great that we all have the right to speak our minds and choose. I am not going to tell you who to vote for just to make sure you do vote. Remember you can't complain if you don't vote!

My 5 thankful things....

1.That my garden is growing,

2.That Nathan is now tall enough to reach the dishes I can't.

3.I got my DVD player in my truck.

4.My kids all went to bed on time.

5.That I get to make my voice heard and VOTE!!!!!

Halloween

Halloween was simple this year for us. Thank you to Grandma Foote for getting us our pumpkins. We didn't carve them till Thursday night since the stinky weather has been so hot. Nate had done one at mutual and won the "best pumpkin" award. Sticking with simple our costumes were the same. Nate for mutual carried a bag of potato chips. He was called "all that and a bag of chips". I copied the other two kids from another person ( thanks Michelle) Nik had smarties candies pinned to his pants so he was "smartie pants" and Emalee had clothes that were all different and her hair half up and half down so she was like a beauty queen with the title "MISS MATCH". We didn't trick or treat in our development since our ward was having a Trunk r Treat. Much nicer and went really well. The kids had fun. We didnt' make it to the WW Scott party (sorry mom) it is just so hard living so far away. Hope you all had fun with your halloween!

Didn't forget

Missed a few days for Lacy. Sorry days have been busy, hope you are having fun. I hear there is snow up there is that really true? If so wow wish it was cooler here we are still having 95 degree weather. Bring it home with you ok. Time is flying by. Hard to believe that October is almost gone. My garden is being eaten not by our family but by the crickets. Any one have a remedey for it please let me know. Sunday was Visiting teaching conference. I have to admit I am not one to get totaly involved in that. The thought of women popping over to my house that us 8 of 10 times a total mess is enough to send me into a panic attack. I often catch my self excusing my mess and then they say so sweetly "oh it is ok". I work alot (not more than anyone else I know) but having to make time is hard. But after this sunday I am going to try and be better. Here is the cutest movie that we watched it is a link I couldn't get it to just post on my blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkG1W0GeF_c

JUST FOR YOU LACY!!

LOL I am only posting this for Lacy...............
I promise to do better to keep up on posting so you have fun things to read every day your gone.
So how many days do I need???
Well today I finally got my Expedition. It is white and soooo pretty. It was a long road to getting it. But that is for another post. The weather is getting hot again, bummer it was nice to open windows and almost freeze over the weekend.
Can't help you with the list of things to do in Utah since I myself have only been there 3 times my entire life.
But I hear that the ??CREAMERY?? is a great place to check out.
OH hey if you have room and could, would it be possible to pick me up some caffine free MT DEW? I know I know what is this world coming to that I SHANA MARIE the lover of the DEW would ask for it in that non normal way. But hey trying to change a habit takes time. lol lol

I WAS TAGGED BY LACY!

**8 FAV SHOWS... JON AND KATE PLUS EIGHT, BIG BROTHER, DEXTER, SURVIVOR, CSI (ALL OF 'EM), THE UNIT, HEROS, THE TUDORS.

**8 FAV RESTAURANTS...TEXAS ROADHOUSE, SERRANOS, CHICK FIL A, KFC, RED ROBIN, PEI WEI, NEDS, MY OWN KITCHEN.

**8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY...PLANTED MY GARDEN, SEEDED MY LAWN FOR WITNER, GOT TO SLEEP IN, WENT TO LOWES, HUNG OUT WITH MY KIDS, WATCHED HEROS AS A FAMILY, WATCHED JON AND KATE, UPDATED MY BLOG

**8 THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TOO...GETTING MY EXPEDITION, MY BOYS GOING ON MISSIONS, CHRISTMAS, NOT COOKING FOR THANKSGIVING, EMALEE GETTING MARRIED, AARON GETTING A BETTER JOB, MAYBE MOVING, QUITTING PAPERS.

**8 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT FALL...LEAVES CHANGING, COOLER WEATHER, GETTING TO WEAR A JACKET, HOT CHOCOLATE, COLD NOSES, THANKSGIVING, ALL YOU CAN EAT AND FLUFFY CLOTHES TO HIDE IT.

**8 OBESSIONS/COLLECTIONS...CLEAN COUNTERS, CLEAN BATHROOM, NEVER USING THE SAME CUP TWICE, STAYING UP LATE WHEN SOME VISITS TILL I KNOW THEY MADE IT HOME, BON JOVI, MOUTAIN DEW, BASEBALL, SHOES

**8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST...30 DAY CRUISE, TRIP TO SCOTLAND, LIVE IN PRAGUE, MY CHILDREN TO BE SUCCESSFUL, OWN MY OWN FLOWERSHOP, GET ALL MY HAIR BACK, BE FORGIVEN, BE TWINKLED.

**8 PEOPLE TO TAG...SKEETER,MICHELLE, AUNT ANNALEE, KAREN, TAIRI, HEATHER, MOM, PAIGE

GOTTA LOVES MY BOYS!

Yesterday was fast sunday, and our Bishop encouraged those who haven't given their testimony in a while to do so. And to my suprise my youngest son Nikolas whispered into my ear "mom I think I want to go up there". I told him that he could when ever he wanted to. He then told me that he would wait till next sunday. But then all of a sudden my other son Nathan stood up to go, Nikolas followed behind him. And then it happened both of my sons gave their testimonies. I cried and Aaron cried too. Wow every time you think your children aren't listening they shock ya! Our stake is encourging us to be more provident (i think that is how you spell it) The first month was to stock up on H2O, last month was to start square foot gardens. Which we all are very excited about doing today we worked and worked on them. (pictures to come soon) And this month is Lay up and Store....for those of you who know church lingo lol it is food storage. Yup thats right we are now to work on 3 months of food. If any of you have any suggestions that would be great. Cause the way my children eat I will need a year supply for the 3 months. lol Thanks so much.

What a weekend!!

This weekend was the best. First I got friday off from work(thank you thank you Steven!!) And then I got to watch conference. I watched both saturdays and the last one on sunday. I missed the am sunday morning, stupid throwing papers. Any way WOW another 5 temples! How exciting. I loved going on temple trips when I was in Young Womens. Saving up, planning, and then the 8 hours of driving to Washington DC. All worth the wonderful experience I got when being in that special place. Hearing from the prophet was so special. My kids were in and out listening and not listening but when President Monson spoke at the close it was like they were transfixed and actually were taking in the great and wise words. I loved the theme of saturday morning of missionary work. At least that was how I took it. Bring everyone to the gospel, even thoses who have strayed and the importance of not judging them. I have to admit I have had that happen. It is hard to over come when people look at you and see you one way and cant move on from it. And when you do try to be better they hold on to the old person and keep judging you. Acting surprised that you even had a righteous moment like that is not even possible for you. We are all children of our Heavenly Father and no matter where we stand in line to come back to him AT LEAST I AM STANDING IN THE LINE!!!!!!!!!!!! I love this church and all that it stands for. I am glad beyond a doubt to know what I know. That no matter where I live I have that to go to and it is the same everywhere. How great it is to have faith in something bigger than we are in this world. I loved the statement by Brother Nelson that "salvation is an indiviual matter but exaltation is a family matter" how true. With out them I would be lost. ok ok ok I need to climb down off my box ( i think i just had a testimony moment) takecareyou all hope you enjoyed this weekend too like me! xoxoxo

Birthday Girl

It happened Emalee finally had her birthday. We get the kids a small cake and gift that is put in their room that they get to wake up to. They totally love it, one year we didn't do it and they went on and on about how they missed it. So we are back to doing it. We then have a regular cake that evening with presents. I have to say when it comes to giving gifts and having money as some of you know it is hard. But my kids always amaze me that even when it is just one gift they are happy and grafteful for the gift. Where in my head and heart I wish I could give them more. So any way this weekend we are having a "LEARN TO SHAVE YOUR LEGS" party. Yup can you stand it, it is now that time. Will let you know how it goes HAHAHA!

New week

Last week was eventful to a point. Our eldest became a teenager! It is still hard to believe. This week we take on Emalee turning 11, which the way she is acting is more like the "evil" 13. She is defiantly what my mom and any one else that cursed me with "I HOPE YOU HAVE ONE JUST LIKE YOU" . Only she is supersmart, and is caring when she wants to be, but also does exactly what I ask her not to do. I am learning to roll with the rolling of the eyes. Aaron got a call from a company called INSIGHT we are keeping our finger crossed. Maybe this is the one that will lead us away from the paper throwing business. After 6 long years it is time to be done I hope. Have a wonderful day everyone. TAKECAREYOU

Birthday time

Ok today was Nathan's 13th birthday. I know a TEENAGER!!!!!! I think I am more ready for this than when he learned how to crawl. lol The other pic is of Nikolas on his 9th birthday from back on July 25th. We dared him to put his face in the cake. Nathan didn't have a birthday cake he is a bit different he loves Pumpkin pie that he gets his grandma Stewart to make him 4 years running now I think. Next is Emalee's will post pics for ya'll to see in a week.

UGH

I am not sure how you get to show people you know on here if any one knows can you let me know....thanks. Today I have to vent.......(long deep breath..........)I ordered dsl for our home last monday and decided to use Qwest. UGH!!! Sure I am online now but omgosh what hoopes I had to jump through to get it. Being told oh you are all set to be online friday and then friday came and nothing from Ups. HMM make a phone call and then get lied too. Straight up lied to. Told you should have the modem here is the tracking number. Well with my beloved Blackberry Pearl which the qwest helper must not have known I had I tracked my number and wow to my shock it was not to be delivered till today monday! So another call to explain the lie and got what??? you may ask...yes another lie. So here it is Monday and after waiting all day my modem showed up. So we all were excited waiting standing around Aaron asking over and over are we on, are we on? NOTHING!! So another call and this one told us that nope we can't get on till probably tomorrow the tech was over loaded! OMgosh I was besides myself wondering if I would ever get the stupid thing to work. And after talking to techs and managers you would have thought we would have gotten something in return but no we got a call then he pretened to loose the connection and hung up on us. AND NEVER CALLED BACK. Guess I take matters into my own hands....Aaron was the good cop and now I get to be the BAD COP! will keep you up on this drama.

SEPTEMBER 11th

Just want to let everyone know that I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN!!!
Hard to believe this ever had to become a day that the world stood still. I remember sitting on the couch with Nathan who was 4 at the time and trying not to cry in front of him. Then the second tower was hit as we both watched and Nathan asking me "Mommy is that building going to fall now?" It was the hardest thing to watch yet I was glued to the TV for the longest time. I support the troops and all that they do. I love this country with all my heart and will stand up when ever I am called upon. I love my father for serving this country and all that he showed me as an example as a military person. YES I am an AIR FORCE BRAT!!! and I am proud of it! I am upset when I hear people talk down about our country. TO all those people I say don't let the door hit you on the ASSET!! when leaving this great nation. They should go to a place that doesn't let you drive across a beautiful country with out papers that say you can. Or go live in a city that has a wall around it. That if you walk to close to it you would be shot! Or a country that wont let you worship the way you want! Please go there and tell me how you like it better than here! GOD BLESS AMERICAN AND THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL WHO KEEP US SAFE!!!! I WILL NEVER FORGET!!!

It's so hard to believe that this year is half over. Can you stand that next week is September! So it made me think while I was standing next to my son who is now 5 inches taller than me, WOW where has time gone. I now look up to my son and eye to eye with my daughter. Both who are getting ready to have birthdays in the month of September. I miss the tiny toes, the cute giggles, and me picking their clothes. Now it is "please mom.....I am not wearing that". Then Nate told me I would make a cool grandma! Grandma!!!! hello could he make me older than I want to be!!! But I guess cool is good but I wish for it to be COOL MOM right now. Emalee walks around the house jabbering on the phone and when I look like I might be listening I get "THE LOOK" and a roll of the eyes and then a lipped out with no sound that says STOP IT MOTHER!!!

I am so excited that Michael got his 8 medals. I keep thinking that my little Nikolas would be a great swimmer maybe even the olympics in 8 years?????hhhmmmmm

Here Goes

I decided since All YA'LL have one of these it is the least I could do was to copy you guys. haha
I have read about the people who make money on these things but I can honestly say that wont be my case.
Here and now I will tell you if I make any one mad or upset please tell me right away, cause I dont mean to by any means. It is just feeling and views of mine.
Ok happy blogging EVERYONE