Back 2 School

The kids started back to school this last week and.... I'm sorry but I can't believe I have a high schooler! AUGHGHGHGH... and early morning seminary is kicking my rear!! Josh is having a blast and Jessica is enjoying her friends... a little stressed about classes but happy. Jessica went to her first HS football game Friday night with her friends and LOVED it!! Apparently, in the mid-west EVERYONE including parents go to the games even if you don't know anyone playing... they parents sit on one end... then the middle schoolers... then the high schoolers... pretty funny actually. So, we will be out there cheering on the Centerville Elks too!
I am grateful for: Some seriously awesome schools and the chance for my kids to get a fabulous education!!!

Jessica's YW Recognition Award Weekend!
I have to journal how very proud I am of Jessica! She decided when she became a beehive that she wanted to get her YW medallion as a beehive and before she started high school. I really didn't think she would get it done because it is soooo much work, but she amazed me and spent July finishing up the program... including the Virtue goals and project which are not required if you receive your award in 2009. (I kinda didn't tell her that part until she finished reading the whole Book of Mormon though! LOL)

G'pa & G'ma Hilliard came in Friday night to be here for this special recognition on Sunday which was followed by her receiving her Patriarchal Blessing that she asked for Ken, I, Josh & G'pa & G'ma to attend. What an amazing experience. It was such a spiritual experience and the Patriarch was wonderful... he really spent a lot of time with us. This experience has really increased my testimony of God's love for us and the fact that he truly knows each one of us. Patriarch Carter had never met Jessica nor her family before Sunday but the things in her blessing clearly indicated that the Lord knew her well!! I was a bit worried about her getting it this young but am so excited that she chose to do this now and came away wanting to be a much better mother for my children... I realized that is all that truly matters!! I love my children so much and am so grateful that I had the opportunity to provide a body for these two special spirits. It was such a wonderful day and it was so special to be able to spend it with our grandparents too... we all came home from a long day of fasting, ate and then just sat and visited... no TV! It was such a wonderful day.

Jessica with her YW Medallion

Ken, Josh, Jesi & Debi
G'pa, Jesi & G'ma

GLEE!! That's what describes the look on G'pa's face... he was letting Daisy kiss him all over his face and then she snuggled up on his neck... I think he's PUPPY HUNGRY?

I am grateful for: My family and so very grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for a daughter who made the Personal Progress Program a priority in her life and for her desire to receive a patriarchal blessing. I am so thankful for grandparents who are always supportive and bring such a sweet spirit with them. I am grateful for two children who try hard to choose the right and follow the savior. I am very grateful for a husband who honor's his priesthood and loves his family!

Happy Aniversary BABY!
WOW... the years have been good to us!! LOL
16 years have flown by.......

I am grateful for: My man... he's a great teather in life and I'm glad to have him forever!!

Oh ya... We got a dog too...

Daisy... or Daisy Doodle as Ken calls her. She's a ShiChon or Shih-Bichon or Zuchon or Teddy Bear or Fuzzy Wuzzy they call them many things I found when I googled it.

The 1st "Project"!
The entryway was bad... 30 year old wheat stalk wall paper that just had to go! In fact... it was what made me a little skiddish about buying the home until Ken said, "it's only wallpaper... we can take it down." Well... 30 year old glue backing is some serious stuff let me tell you!!! AUGH... it was a HUGE undertaking.

The finished product... we used a technique called "Tuscan Accents" on the small wall.

The scary ladder! Yikes... Ken had to do this part!
The kids actually helped to peel the first layer that came off pretty easy... it was the glue paper backing that was a killer!

I am grateful for: the fact that this project is done!!

Cousin Jared's Visit
My nephew Jared came back with us from Colorado to stay for a week and we really enjoyed his visit. Here's a few pix's of our week....

Apparently there is no back seat driver in this car?!?!

OK... Jared would have ridden this the whole week had we let him! :) He is WAY into cars!

I am grateful for: family... again. Just love the fact that we are all stuck together!

A Baby Blessing!

We went back to Colorado for my nieces blessing... Meghan Lea Yates. She is such a cutie and such a good little baby. We had fun visiting with everyone... Susan's family and G'pa & G'ma Hilliard along with Fred's family!

I am grateful for: The chance to see my family... I love 'em and wish we lived closer but I'm so grateful when I get to see them!

ODDS & ENDS

Before the furniture ever came the kids were building forts out back with all of the sticks!

Jessica loves painting on the back deck!
We all love the red tractor... it's actually fun to mow the yard!

We have deer in our yard here too!

My new "thing"... fish piles= mashed yams, fish, green beans! YUM!

TIME TO CATCH UP!

We're settled and loving Ohio! The week after our movers came my G'ma & G'pa came to visit and help us get settled... so nice of them and we really appreciate them taking the time to be with us! They are great decorators and know how to take your stuff and put it all together in a new refreshing way!! THANK YOU!! We decided to take an overnight trip up to the Amish Country and it was AMAZING!! It was a relaxing drive and scenic adventure.

Beautiful Ohio Hills

Our Amish Buggy Ride
A HUGE horse!!

Amish Mom "Minivan" LOL! (there's a little girl behind her too)

Buggy Parking Lot

I am grateful for: The opportunity to call Ohio home. We have really enjoyed it here and just love the people, they are so welcoming and it is soooo peaceful!

One last photo of the kids at Asilomar!
I got several more and may post them later but really liked this one of the two of them... it kinda looks like they are saying "goodbye"!

We're homeowners again....
It's official... we closed on the home today and received the keys, 2 garage door openers and 30 YEARS of Payments! LOL Soooo excited to have our own place again and we hope that we see many of you as you go back and do the church history tour... since we are right in the middle of it!!

I am grateful for: The last 3 1/2 years of chaos... I know that sounds crazy but I am NOT the same woman I was 4 years ago and I think I'm better for it. I have learned a lot that has made me reach higher heights than I ever even thought I would try! (& I'm literally afraid of heights) I do know this... I could never make it through without my family both near and far!

So long my YW friends! (sigh).....

Our Brief YW's Presidency... Meghan, Samantha, myself & Brenna

Sunday night the Bishop asked me to attend one last fireside... I guess I should have know something was up but I wasn't prepared when he asked me to talk to the youth one last time... hmmm.... I'm sure I was a blubbering fool but I really will miss everyone even though our time was very short. After I was done blubbering, Brenna (the new YW pres... she'll be amazing) presented me with a photo album of the past 8 months along with a beautiful photo book of the Monterey Peninsula that was signed by all of the YW & leaders that was put together by Stephanie Overfelt (you sneaky woman!). I was so humbled by all of the comments and so grateful that I have had this experience and will always hold such fond memories of the youth in the Monterey Ward... I just can't believe we're leaving.

I am grateful for: The opportunity to work with the youth in the church and especially the opportunity to work with some stellar YW who honor the essence of womanhood!!

Congrats to the Yates! (My sister Susan's family)
I have a new niece
Meghan Lea
April 25 - 11:36pm
8 lbs. 9 oz. - 20 inches
www.yatescircus.blogspot.com

Happy 10th B-Day Josh!
This year Josh wanted to celebrate his birthday at Rocky Point which is off of HWY 1 near Big Sur... great choice Josh! It's hard to believe that both of the kids are getting so grown up. We are very proud of Josh... recently, he was chosen to attend their schools leadership group that meets on Fridays... there is about 6 kids in the group.

Jesi & Josh at Rocky Point

Josh & his traditional "apple pie" with one candle that was lit 10 times because we couldn't find the rest!
Josh with the traditional gift...."Lego's"

I am grateful for: This fantastic kid who has taught me so much by being his mother. I love his smile and dimples and the way he sees the world and expresses what seems to be obvious in a new way. I love the way that he sees outside the "bubble" and his curious nature and am so grateful to be on life's ride with him!

Jessica made my birthday cake this year and it was very yummy! I came home one evening and there it was!! Thanks Jesi... love you!

This bird was posing... so I just had to take the pix!

CRAZY Wind & Waves!
It has been sooooo windy here... really strong winds! I was thinking yesterday that I better snap some pictures of the turbulent ocean because there is a strong change that there won't be another wind storm like this before I leave. When the strong winds blow like this the ocean is just amazing!

Snap shot from up in our neighborhood

Yes, I am CRAZY for leaving such an amazing place, I know. And yes, I will deeply miss the spectacular beauty that has surrounded us for the past year. Monterey will always, always have a special place in my heart. The last place my mother enjoyed on vacation before she passed away was 17 mile drive here in Pebble Beach and shortly after we got back to our home in South County that evening she started to lose her sight. My father flew her home immediately where my sister Susan and brother Bill were awaiting them to help her get into bed... she never got out again.

I am so grateful for: The opportunity to come back to Monterey... though bitter sweet.

EASTER!
I love spring... tulips, daffodils, even those annoying dandelions that pop up in the grass. I love seeing all of the deer and their fawns around our house. Especially though, I love to celebrate the resurrection and the eternal life that we received from Christ's atonement.

We had a fun day today.... after church we went to a ward potluck at the YM Pres. ranch in Carmel and it was a blast. Josh chased and caught a chicken and Jessica pal'd around with her friends from church. This year Jessica MADE her Easter dress and she did a fantastic job... see what you think from the pictures!

I am grateful for: Christ's atonement and 3 wonderful talks in Sacrament Meeting today that inspired me to be a better person. I am so grateful for my family and feel renewed with a desire to be a better mother, wife and woman.

Just a Random Ramble.....

I Love Pink...

So... yes, I love pink and I'm not afraid to admit it. I have a friend who can not stand pink (she's awesome) and because the sister missionary meal sign up list is on pink paper... only the elders get fed at her house LOL!! Anyway, I love pink so much that when I was a junior in high school I had my parents paint my room pepto bismol pink... yes! I even had a border along the top with pink flowers. Pink means soft and feminine, new baby girls, fluff and fresh, spring and rest. And according to what I found online it means feelings of caring, tenderness, self-worth and love, acceptance. I just love PINK.......

Just one of my favorite pictures of Jesi & Josh.

Josh Drive By....

I went to lunch with my friend Samantha today and she told me the funniest story about Josh that happened on Sunday and I just have to journal about it. For those of you who know our Josh... you will understand the humor in it.

Sunday we got to church about 5 minutes late and Ken was in Ohio. We had to park at the top of the hill because there are no parking places in the lot unless you are 10-15 minutes early for church. As we got out of the car, Josh took off booking down the hill as I yelled at him to wait up. When we got into the building I could not find him anywhere so I told Jessica and her friend who had come with us to find a seat in the overflow and I'd be back with Josh.

As I searched I found him rushing out the front door and got his attention, scolding him for taking off. He was highly strung and said, "OK, I've got us seats but we need to hurry before someone takes them!" I told him I already had seats in the overflow and we could just sit there. We was soooo insistent that we go to the seats he got and I told him NO, the girls are already sitting in front of the overflow. Needless to say he was a bit distraught and I had to pull him into the overflow as he insisted that he already had seats.

I couldn't figure out why he was so fixated on these seats... until today when Samantha explained Sunday's JOSH DRIVE BY as she put it. It went something like this:

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Josh came ripping into the chapel during the opening hymn... crouching down but noticeably anxious. He quickly spotted 4 seats behind Samantha and next to some of our friends. He scurried over to our friends in a tactical way and explained that we were on our way in and could they save these 4 seats and not let anyone take them and that we would be right there. When they agreed to save the seats he quickly thanked them explaining that he was going to go get us and then instead of exiting the row the way he came in, he climbed over their family to go out the other way. Then Samantha looked back at the family behind her and they exchanged a giggling glance.

This all played out in the matter of a few frantic, crouched over seconds.
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So... today as I listened to Samantha replay the JOSH DRIVE BY I was rolling! Although... I am very touched that he was thinking of us; knowing that I don't like to be late because we can't sit in the chapel (our ward is huge) and that Ken wasn't at church earlier than us to save a seat.