I'm just so exited about some news I received today. My mom has bought a plane ticket and will be arriving in San Francisco on the 1st of March.... she leaves Prague on the 29th of February, but I'm not quite sure if she will get to San Fran the very same day or the next day.
And my sister Nadia got a part time job with benefits....it means more hours for her as well. Yay! She has been waiting for this quite some time. I'm happy for her.
My sweet little daughter worked so hard on her first book report. It was on The First Settlements. She did great in my opinion. We'll see what Mr. Jeppsen will think of it.
Gevin had tumbling today. He can do a perfect back bend now. I'm so proud of him:)
Greg is trying for a promotion really hard. I sure hope it will be a great experience if nothing else. I appreciate all of his hard work.
Well and me... I am pretty pleased with all the work I did on the yard today and getting it ready for a storm with strong winds. We'll see how everything will hold up.
Cathy called today to let us know how everyone's doing up in Seattle. Dad is in the hospital but should be released soon. He will get to go to his Seattle home instead of a rehab. He will have to go to the hospital to receive his IV antibiotics on daily basis for a while.
Grandpa Jeffs' condition has worsened a little. He can only go one week between blood transfusions:(
Mom (Cathy) is holding up fine. She is a great care giver and enjoys helping out:)
Better be going. I've got turbo kick class early in the morning.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Moments I don't want to forget
Just the other day, Katlynn got ready for school early enough she wanted to walk. Gevin had to get a ride. When I dropped him off and started heading home, I saw Katlynn crossing the street. She noticed me too and we blew kisses to each other. Somehow that little moment caused me to be teary eyed. I saw this beautiful tall blond girl and was so happy that she's mine:)
I absolutely love to cuddle with Gevin. He is still small enough I can lift him up and carry him in my arms or hold him on my lap. I know I don't have much of that left since he is growing so fast. It was just last Friday, exactly a week ago, when I was physically totally drained, tired and felt like I was getting sick. I spent most of the afternoon resting in bed. I later apologized to Gevin for not being a good mommy that day. He said that it was okay that he has to get used to it anyway for when he's going to move out in 10 years :)
Every time I drive home from work I take the Main street through Brigham City and go by the temple. The tall chain-link fence and green fuzzy strips weaved through it prevent the curious people passing by to see the busy construction going on around the temple. I saw two older ladies peeking through the little openings in the fence trying to see as much as possible of what was going on on the other side. I had to chuckle a little when I saw the desire of one of the ladies to see the sight as she was on her tip toes with her face leaning into the fence. It's great to see people's excitement and anticipation of the temple being built, and its completion getting closer to the end day by day ... right here in this little town. We love seeing the beautiful temple and are so thankful for it.
I absolutely love to cuddle with Gevin. He is still small enough I can lift him up and carry him in my arms or hold him on my lap. I know I don't have much of that left since he is growing so fast. It was just last Friday, exactly a week ago, when I was physically totally drained, tired and felt like I was getting sick. I spent most of the afternoon resting in bed. I later apologized to Gevin for not being a good mommy that day. He said that it was okay that he has to get used to it anyway for when he's going to move out in 10 years :)
Every time I drive home from work I take the Main street through Brigham City and go by the temple. The tall chain-link fence and green fuzzy strips weaved through it prevent the curious people passing by to see the busy construction going on around the temple. I saw two older ladies peeking through the little openings in the fence trying to see as much as possible of what was going on on the other side. I had to chuckle a little when I saw the desire of one of the ladies to see the sight as she was on her tip toes with her face leaning into the fence. It's great to see people's excitement and anticipation of the temple being built, and its completion getting closer to the end day by day ... right here in this little town. We love seeing the beautiful temple and are so thankful for it.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Gotta love a day like this one (8/15)
Just wanted to capture the events of today as quickly as I can so I can go to bed in decent time and still feel good about getting this done.
- My mother-in-law Cathy celebrated her Sixtieth..... yes, I wrote SIXTIETH birthday. I know it's hard to believe. She looks so young for her age. We know she's away from home and missing being with her girls, Debbie, Tanya and Cassandra and all of her grandchildren in Oregon. We tried to help her feel special today and I sure hope we succeeded. Katlynn and I got up early to decorate the main living area with streamers and balloons. Greg and I fixed her favorite meals and of course the kind of cake she prefers (spice cake and a peach up-side-down cake)
- Greg and I have signed up for yearly gym membership. Great shout out goes to Greg for making that step. He would like to join a group of guys that go every day after work. And for just $10 more a month I can have lots of fun going and working out over there as well. So, starting tomorrow we will take a first baby step toward leading better, healthier lives.
- Katlynn had a last softball game of the season. She sure enjoyed it this year a lot more vs. last year. Her coach was very good in spending one on one time with her. I hope she'll want to continue to play.
- Today was the DAY we found out who Katlynn's and Gevin's teachers are going to be this school year... and also who is going to be in the same class with them. Katlynn's very happy with both the teacher and class mates. She will be back with her very best friend Rayne. Gevin's very happy about his best friend being in his class also:) What we found very interesting is that Lake View Elementary has only two .... as the kids call them... "boy" teachers. Katlynn has Mr. J., and Gevin has Mr. Little:) We are looking forward to working with them.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Katlynn's talent
When I came home from work today, it was explained to me at the dinner table by Mom and Dad that they discovered Katlynn's talent of singing. I'm not sure how it came about, but Katlynn sang lots of primary songs to Grandma playing piano and Grandpa enjoying it all. I had a chance to hear for myself when Mom set down behind the piano and played a few of Katlynn's favorites. It was truly wonderful to listen to Katlynn sing:) I knew that she could hold a note and was able to sing with the correct pitch as well. But somehow her sweet voice sounded even sweeter. Gevin joined her for a bit too. I loved the happy feeling that moment brought. I could sit and listen for hours.....
Thoughts of today
- Katlynn seems taller then me when she wares her roller skates.
- Gevin is so good in batting! He contributed to his teem with a single, triple and a home run. Go Milwaukee Brewers!!!
- Just can't do it all in one day. Take your pick of what's most important.
- Need to get more sleep. REALLY!
- Life is so much better when Greg and I love and forgive:)
- Glad I ate healthy all day:)
- So need to do better as a Scout den leader. The boys deserve it!
- Art lessons with Katlynn, gotta think of what to teach her tomorrow. She is hungry for learning. Katlynn told me she is actually ready to go back to school!!!
- I love my kids!!!
- And I actually adore our cat .... even when she's so mischievous at times. (Gus, you too:))
- The juice from celery, pears, snap peas, carrot, mango and kiwi was very tasty after all and a very welcomed snack at work.
- Clean sheets! Going to bed is so much nicer when it's freshly made.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Summer update
This summer is going great for our little family. At the very end of June, beginning of July, we were able to travel to southern Utah, and spend some good quality time with Tanya, Paul and their children. We try to do this every summer. Since our move to Brigham City 5 years ago we have only missed one year, 2010 due to our trip to Honduras. Paul's family has a big ranch near Mount Carmel Junction and Zion National Park with a cabin that was built by his dad and his grandpa. It's a nice place to hang out. It is very quiet and remote and when at the cabin we can enjoy gorgeous view of red cliff mountains and a green valley bellow. We stayed for just a few days, but they were so much fun. Last time we saw everyone was last Christmas in Oregon. So we had some catching up to do. Tanya and Paul's kids are growing as fast as they can. It was so nice to get reacquainted with them especially the little ones like Rachel who was born after we've moved so she doesn't know us that well. Greg spend some time with Paul golfing (and also with his two boys Kylar{12} and Andruw{11}) while us girls (Rachel{3}, Marissa{5}, Emily{7}, Katlynn{10}, Alisha{14}, Tanya and me) and Gevin{8} hung out the the cabin.
Some of the funnest things that our kids got to do is playing with their cousins of course, riding a four wheeler around the property with daddy or uncle Paul, visiting the horses every day, target shooting with their cricket 22 rifle and swimming at Kanab's public pool one day.
Katlynn
Marissa
Gevin
Emily
Alisha
Rachel
Gevin
Emily
Alisha
Rachel
After returning to Brigham City, Tanya, Paul and the "guys" stayed at our house for a couple of days. It has become a tradition to go to MotorVU, an outdoor movie theater in Riverdale, together. We went to see the movie Cars 2 and Pirates of the Caribbean. This theater had 4 different screens so since Paul and Greg didn't want to watch Cars 2, they ended up watching Transformers 3 instead.
Tanya showed me how to save a lot of money on grocery shopping. I wish I could be as good as her finding the greatest bargains!!! We went to Smith's where I was able to buy 4 cases of Minute Made fridge packs for only $8.24 which gave me $3.00 coupon off the next shopping trip. Next time I went to Smith's, I was able to get the four pack for only $5.24. I would have payed $19.00 at Walmart. Thanks, Tanya!!! I sure enjoyed hanging out with my sister-in-law .... and everybody. We are looking forward to next year's visit with them.Monday, May 23, 2011
What a nice weekend
I see I have lots of catching up to do. I'll have to devote some time to do that, but tonight I just wanted to mention how nice of a weekend we have had as a family. We didn't do anything out of the ordinary but it was very pleasant. I remember Saturday was a gorgeous day. We have been having lots of rain showers fall here in northern Utah, as a matter of fact it is raining right now. It was pretty much raining since the beginning of last week but Saturday was warm and sunny. We have enjoyed nice diner Greg prepared for us(eight or nine layer dip and chips) We ate outdoors in our back yard and enjoyed our new patio furniture Erik and Alyse gave us:) We also read a little under the shade of the maroon umbrella that came with the furniture set. Greg and I played catch for a bit which was way fun!
The nice weather also brought Vicky, a lady that I work with in QA and her husband over to our house to get our treadmill that they decided to buy from us. We wanted to make more room in the guest room since Greg's parents are coming down to visit for a couple of weeks. My Systems coworker Roberta and her husband also came to help with loading the treadmill into the truck. How nice of them.
Sunday, May 22nd was a very special Sunday for me. Gevin had interview with our bishop, Kerry Norman, for his baptism. Greg and I had also interviews for temple recommends. We were able to be interviewed by President Fuller from the stake the very same day just a few hours after the first. Greg and I can again go to The House of our Lord, the temple:) It gladdens my heart and I cannot wait to make it to our first session after 4 1/5 years. I cannot believe it's been so long.
Today was a nice day as well. We were able to have a family night during which we watched a movie about Gordon B. Hinckley. It was very inspiring and it sure reminded us how much we miss our dear prophet.
I told myself that I would take a better care of myself and try to go to bed in decent time. I need to have some time to read a book I'm trying to finish before my in-laws get here. It is theirs and I'd like to return it to them. It's called The Undaunted, written by Gerald N. Lund. I'm about quarter way done. It's a great book. Well...
Hope to return to my blog soon:)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Gevin's Special Day
Here are several pictures from Gevin's Birthday and what fallowed.
Katlynn sure loves her brother. She used her own money to buy him a gift all by herself.
Gevin's brand new bike, that he loves to ride everyday. When the weather permits he rides it to school and back.
Gevin got to open a package him and Katlynn got from my mom. She like to send goodies and this time she included a pair of slippers. In Czech Republic they still sell the same style of slippers (indoor slip on shoes) that I used to ware when I was little. It was just a thing to wear these anytime at home and school. I remember how my mom was always after me if she caught me not wearing them.
These were very cute centerpieces at the Blue and Gold Banquet last Saturday. The theme for Scouts this year is B.U.G.S. ("Building Up Great Scouts") Both Katlynn and Gevin got to bring one bug balloon home:)
Gevin is being welcomed into Cub Scouts by receiving a Trappers Trail Patch. It also included eating two candy powder sticks. They had me pour them into his mouth all at once. I guess that's the tradition that makes everything official:) They were sour by the way. It was fun to watch Gevin's funny faces he was making.
Here are two presents Gevin got at the Baptism Fireside from his Primary leaders. A booklet that will help us to prepare him for baptism and a beautiful picture depicting The Baptism of Jesus Christ.
We have decided that even though he turned 8 already, we will postpone his baptism by a few months and plan a trip to Oregon and baptize him there so family can be present.
We have decided that even though he turned 8 already, we will postpone his baptism by a few months and plan a trip to Oregon and baptize him there so family can be present.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
There are so many things to be happy about. Greg, my awesome and handsome husband is so good to me. Gevin and Katlynn are as healthy as can be... even though Katlynn stayed home from school Thursday and Friday with a mild case of the cold. It wasn't bad at all. She didn't even run a fever, but just felt yucky and tired. Maybe she just needed to catch up on some sleep because Friday she felt a lot better:) Katlynn and Gevin sure have grown again. After measuring them a few days ago I've found out that it is really inevitable for them to keep growing .... Katlynn measures 59.5 inches and Gevin is at 49.5 inches. Both have added at least half an inch to their hight in the last two months.
We are at a beginning of a very busy week.
Gevin's 8th birthday is quickly approaching and with that several events that will take place this weekend. He will be joining Cub Scouts! This Saturday (Gevin's Birthday) is the Blue and Gold Banquet and we all will be attending as Gevin will be welcomed in:) We took a little family trip to Logan in pursuit of acquiring the basic uniform he will need. First we tried to look for a shirt in a couple of DI stores, but found none. So we went to the Scout store and got a brand new shirt with his troop number patches, scarf, Woolf Den Handbook and a another patch he will need from the very start.
Gevin will also turn the age of accountability and will be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This Sunday is a Baptism Fireside for all the baptism candidates and their parents. Turning 8 is a really big deal for a little boy like Gevin:) and for us as parents.
Greg and I have decided we will postpone Gevin's baptism till July when part of our family will be in town. (Tanya, Paul and their kids). It is always great to have family participate in such a special event.
And then there is Gevin's birthday party. He would like to have a Pirate Party, which I'm not ready for one bit. I know he would like to invite his very close friends ... I just need to get on the ball this week and plan some fun activities and make it a really fun day for him.
I must mention that Friday will be Greg's and mine special date. We will get to go to a concert of Linkin Park thanks to my sister Nadia who bought us a couple of tickets for Christmas during her visit here. Greg is taking the night off work. We will redeem a certificate for a deluxe get away for two in Hyatt's Hotel in down town Salt Lake City. It will be a super treat to have all this time with Greg. And what are we doing with the kids? They will be spending the night at Cathy and Pat Cook's house. Cathy was very willing to do this for us and we so appreciate her.
In all we have some very exciting days ahead of us and we are so looking forward to it.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Gus and Jazzy
The house is so quiet, it's almost 6 o'clock in the morning and I'm enjoying it so well I don't even want to go back to sleep. I have been up for a while and probably got 4 hours of sleep the most. But I'm starting to feel a bit of exhosstion, so I know I won't be up much longer. I so have the need to post on my blog. It's something I have decided to do since the beginning of the year and the end of January is quickly approaching and so I simply have to do it. ;) -- This is me right now with only one tired eye opened :D
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Okay, long story short, I had really good intentions of finishing my post, but due to lack of sleep I didn't make it and fell asleep shortly I wrote the first and last paragraph that morning.
Today is the last day of January and because of my procrastination problem I have a lot on my mind. Today is going to be a busy day. But I'm hoping for having fun at the same time:) Monday is probably one of my favorite days of the week since I get to spend it primarily with Greg. Both of us have Mondays off and kids are at school for six hours. Greg has a dentist appointment at 10 am and during that time, I'll try really hard to prepare for visiting teaching I'm suppose to do with my companion Joyce. We talked about making cookies and making cards with this month's message. Joyce will provide the cookies and I will make the cards and then get together to deliver them sometime today. I sure hope we will do a lot better next month.
Then in the afternoon, Gus and Jazzy have their check ups and shots. Poor babies. I hope they will do OK for the doctor. I have to give Gus a bath for sure, because he really needs one..... and I'll give him a quick trim too. He's got this funky long hair on his chin and by his eyes. If I cut those off he not only can see better, but he looks a little bit younger too. He has gotten pretty gray over the years. He will be 12 years old in April. He is getting up there. He is a good pup ... for the most part. He does like to bail on us once in a while.... he knows when a good opportunity arises he takes advantage of it. That is whenever we let him out the back door so he can do his business in the back yard. He has been so good in coming back to the back door after he is done.... I give him a bacon treat every time he is a good boy like that. But lately he would just take off to the street and run as fast as he can and would not listen to my calls ... nothing. He is sneaky with it too. At first he pretends like he goes to the back yard but then when he is beyond the shed he turns the other way, starts running, runs through the carport and out to the street. The second time he did that I tried to catch him but wasn't successful. I was able to grab him, but he had a good speed and got out of my grip very easily. And that was the last time I let him out without having him on the leash. That reminds me.... I wanted to walk him this morning. We do more of a walk/run around the block. He likes to check on his spots to see if they are still his or if he has to remark them. He's always so happy when we go out:) The kiddos walk him too after school, now that he is a city dog he cannot just roam like he used to do in Oregon on our 5 acre lot. I bet he missed that kind of freedom. He does enjoy the rides back home after I franticly run inside to get my key, jump in a car and go look for him hoping he didn't get very far. Then his punishment is a lock up in the bathroom. Oh he doesn't like that one bit. But anyway.... how did his post get to be about my pets?
Okay I guess it's Jazzy's turn. Our kitty is a cat that's quite unique in my book. She does have a personality of her own. She has a weird way of showing affection. She likes to bite after she licks my hand a couple of times. It's lick, lick, *bite*. Ouch!!!!J Jazzy is a pretty social cat. She likes to be around someone for the most part. When she does, she likes to hang out with me when I do laundry or on the computer and always at night. She brings us rubber bands or my hair bands and wants us to throw it for her and play fetch. Her favorite toys are bouncy balls but she has lost all that she had so now she goes and gets my hair bands in the bathroom or she scores with a find of a rubber band. I have learned that she likes to drink out of my glass of water that I put on my bedside table. I saw her dip her paw in it and then lick her paw since she couldn't stick her head down far enough. I laughed at first but then I stopped thinking how many times she must have done that without me knowing and I took a drink after.....
I normally don't spoil my pets with toys or fluffy beds or furniture, but this one was necessary. I bought Jazzy a scratch post. She already has one downstairs but when she is upstairs she like to claw the living room furniture, so I got her a nice one to use in the living room instead of the furniture. She is a good kitty and uses it quite regularly. She went nuts the first time she got it. There is a little feather toy attached to it and she played with it like it was a bird. I could tell she was in her element.
I've got to admit that our pets have brought a lot of joy and laugher into our home. Katlynn and Gevin love Gus and Jazzy. They make good companions. Gus is keeping the monsters away at night and Jazzy is the entertainment for them during the day:) Even though they have their moments that are not so enjoyable sometimes, it is still very worth having them.
3/2/2011
I went down late tonight to check on my kids and this is how I found Katlynn. I think that someone is loved:)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Happy New Year

I am so glad for the opportunity to have a fresh start. Every day I wake up, it's a new chance to do better than the day before. Even with the beginning of a new year I feel a renewed motivation to do better in many things, particularly in keeping this blog up to date. Blogging is a great way to keepsake the precious moments in our lives. I don't want to forget the things my children do when they are with me, growing up, the fun times I have with my husband and also the things all of us do together. This is one of my commitments to a better me this year.
Let's all have a wonderful year 2011:)


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