There's A First Time For Everything

Well, as you can tell from the title, I had a "first" today...

I got pulled over!!!

I couldn't believe it, but knew the minute I went around the corner and saw the cop car that I was toast! I had just been to WalMart and had found this HUGE clock to go on my wall. I was in Kevin's truck, so I had to put the clock in the back (too big to fit inside) and was on my happy way when he got me!! The conversation went something like this:

Him: (slowly walking up to my window) Excuse me ma'am, do you have the time?

Me: (thinking to myself: sooooo not funny right now) I would if I had some batteries to go in the clock.

Him: Do you know what you did wrong?

Me: Um, well, yeah, I have an idea.

Him: You made an illegal right turn. You crossed over too many lanes.

Me: Well, yes officer, you are exactly right. I sure did. (giving him my best suck-up-to-the-officer-voice and sheepishly smiling)

Him: I'll give you a warning. Make safe turns.

Me: Absolutely officer. I won't ever do that again. (again, smiling)

Him: Licence and proof of insurance.

Me: (thinking, SHOOT...where does Kevin keep that???) No problem.

5 minutes later, still waiting, lights flashing, neighbors waving as they pass...you get the picture.

Him: Have you ever heard of ____________(a name of a city I had never heard of)?

Me: No sir.

Him: Someone with your same name and birthday has a warrant out for their arrest. I don't think you are Native American, and I don't suppose you live on the reservation.

Me: (laughing) No sir.

Him: OK. Drive Safe.

Me: (rolling up my window and realizing that I have to cross over 3 lanes of traffic to make a left turn....PANIC!!!)

Tate: Mommy? What was that?

Me: Nothing baby. Thank you for being so good while mommy talked to the officer.

Me: (thinking thank goodness he didn't see you in the back seat NOT in a car seat!!!!! (I should clarify that he was buckled in, but his car seat doesn't fit in the teeny tiny backseat of the truck)WHEW!!)

What a morning! Can't wait to put the clock on the wall!!!

My Very Favorite Cookies

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1 C. softened butter
• 2 c. flour
• 1 tsp soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 1/2 c. oatmeal, blended to a fine powder
• 12 oz. chocolate chips
• 9 oz. Hershey bar, grated
• 1 1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Cream butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar, and nuts. Roll into balls or scoop onto cookie sheet and bake for 10-11 minutes at 375*.

Yummy!!

Reflections

“I know as surely as anything in this world that someday I shall die as to the life of this world. But I have an absolute certainty in my heart that I shall go on living and doing good and having the association of my beloved companion and my children” (President Gordon B Hinkley,meeting,Guayaquil, Ecuador, 31 July 1999).

I feel so lucky to have lived in the era during President Hinckley's service as the Prophet. I have been reflecting on his life today, and can't believe the mixed emotions I have experienced. I am so happy that Pres. Hinckley was able to reunite with his sweetheart on the other side. I am so happy that I was able to attend General Conference in SLC last October and watch him smile and joke around before addressing the congregation. I was always amazed how the Lord would buoy him up as he spoke. In October he hobbled to the podium, and when he began to speak his voice was soft and shaky. But, after a couple of minutes his voice was stong and sure, and I could swear that he even stood a little taller as he spoke to us with love, concern, and conviction. But, I also feel so sad that he is gone. He became the prophet shortly after Kevin and I were married. He's the only prophet my children have ever known. It broke my heart to tell them, this morning, that he had passed away. They loved him, and they will miss him, too. He was a beautiful, remarkable man and I know I'm not alone today in the feelings I have had. He will be sincerely missed.

You can view a tribute to President Hinckley here. It was made by some BYU students.

Some Sad News...

LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley Dies
Last Update: 8:18 p.m.

The 15th president of the LDS Church, Gordon B. Hinckley, passed away on Jan. 27, 2008 following nearly 13 years as the LDS church prophet. (Photo: LDS Church) SALT LAKE CITY - The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints died on Sunday at the age of 97.It was announced on Sunday evening that Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the LDS Church since 1995, died from issues related to his age.Born on June 23, 1910, Hinckley ascended to the church presidency on Mar. 12, 1995. For years, Hinckley served as the 15th prophet of the LDS faith as a successor to Howard W. Hunter.Hinckley became the oldest president in LDS Church history on Nov. 2, 2006 -- surpassing David O. McKay.Hinckley might be best known for his aggressive attitude in building LDS temples around the world. As of an. 2008, 124 LDS temples were operating worldwide. Prior to Hinckley's presidency, there were less than 50.

Scouting Camp-Out

Well, Tanner left this afternoon for his first overnight camp-out with the 11 year old scouts. It's all he's been talking about since he turned 11 in November. I had to take some pictures of his pack, because, honestly, I have no idea how he's going to hike with it on. It is a big as he is, and looks like it weighs nearly as much. He was really ticked that I was taking his picture, and told me that I'd better not put it on my blog, but he's only 11 and I'm the mom, and I can put anything I want on my blog, right???!!! (Notice how I used the, "I'm the Mom" excuse...I swore I'd never do that... ha ha)

We weighed Tanner before he put the pack on. He was 84 lbs. So that means the pack weighed a whopping 30 1/2 lbs. Poor guy! He's going to be soooooo tired tonight!!!

This is a picture with our darling next door neighbor, Duncan. His pack is as big as Tanner's, but he's also quite a bit bigger than Tanner...

I'll post an update tomorrow when he gets home. He may never want to go on a overnight hike again!!!!

My Friend, Amy

My beautiful friend, Amy, was here visiting a couple of weeks ago and it's taken me forever to blog about our time together...probably because I'm still trying to figure out how she could be here for 3 days and I only took ONE picture of her. And, it's not even a picture of us together. I'm so lame!! Anyway, here's some of the things I love about Amy.

• She's just cool. Really, there's no other way to say it. She never gets frantic or stressed out (ok, not really never, but she handles it all so gracefully!!). She's cool. period.


• She's an awesome mom. Her kids texted her constantly while she was here because they missed her so much.


• She is beautiful inside and out. I mean, really...look at her gorgeous eyes!! I was always jealous of her big, amazing eyes!!


• She is super talented. She cooks, sews, quilts, scrapbooks, keeps an imacculate home, etc...the list goes on and on.


• She is an amazing friend. We're going on 30 years of friendship and even though we don't see each other as often as we'd like, when we get together it's as time hasn't passed at all.


• She always thinks of others. A Mother's Day, birthday, or Christmas never passes without a wonderful card or gift from her.


• She has an infectious laugh and an incredible sense of humor. We laughed a ton!!!

What I love the most, though, is that even though we weren't born into the same family, we're like sisters and I am so thankful that my life has been blessed with her presence. She loved and supported me through all the drill team and cheer try-outs, my big...no, HUGE hair, the craziness of my pageants, all of my awful boyfriends and even one or two good ones. And even thought she may not have agreed with some of my choices, she never judged me or gave up on me. She's just the best and I feel so lucky to have her in my life! Thanks for a wonderful 3 days, Amy!! Let's do it again real soon!!! Love you!!

Joy In The Journey

OK~ so, I was called as Camp Director for our ward's Young Women's Camp this year and I'm freaking out a little bit. I mean, I haven't been to girl's camp since I was 18 years old. That was a LIFETIME ago. The idea of thinking of stuff to talk to girls 12-18 years old about literally freaks me out. I could tell you anything about the Arizona Diamondbacks, or the Suns, or little league, and I know tons of stuff about dirt and bugs (which may come in quite handy at camp), Transformers, Harry Potter, and The Backyardigans or Diego, but I'm in the dark about teenage girls.
Our theme is

Joy In The Journey

Our scriptual reference is Phillipians 4:13--I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me
I have to come up with a camp name by Sunday. No pressure...just SUNDAY which is 5 days away, and I have to PRESENT it...cutely, with frills. I'm sooooooooo not cut out for this job. I can practically see you all nodding your heads in agreement, because I'm pretty much a no-frills (translation: BORING) person. I don't think I can do this.
So here's the deal...
I need help. Nope...I'm not too proud to ask for it, so let the opinions fly. Our camp name is supposed to be something within the "journey" theme. It can be transportation, or anything that has to do with a journey. So if any of you have a suggestion (or twelve) please send them my way. I could really use your help and creativity!!!!
And while you're at it, please remember to pray for me...
I'm gonna need it!!!!!!

The Man Cold

Can You Relate?

A Gentle Reminder For Me

'What win I, if I gain the thing I seek?

A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy.

Who buys a minute's mirth to wail a week?

Or sells eternity to get a toy?

For one sweet grape who will the vine destroy?

~William Shakespeare

Last night at the adult session of our Stake Conference our Stake President referred to this quote by William Shakespeare. In his talk he was reminding us to live providently, to gather our resourses, put together our food supplies, and to be a more prepared people. He reminded us that while so many things in this life, while fun or desireable, are things we can do without and that we need to ask ourselves what we will win if we gain the thing we seek. Is it something that will give us lasting joy, or a sense of fulfillment, or will it only give us momentary happiness?

So, I've decided that this is going to be my creed, my theme, my motto, whatever you would call it...for this upcoming year. I despise New Year's Resolutions, so instead of a resolution I'm going to try, daily, to keep my life, wants, and wishes in perspective by asking myself...

What Win I If I Gain The Thing I Seek ?

A Day At The Zoo

Yesterday we spend the morning at one of my kids favorite places...

The Phoenix Zoo!!!

We had a great time and were able to spend some time with some fun friends. It was quite the "boy fest", but thanks to cute Taylor Nikolaus there was at least one girl there!! We had a great day!!

Extended Christmas

We were lucky enough to have two Christmas celebrations this year. We had decided to head up to Utah on the 27th of December, but due to the lovely stomach flu (NOT!!!) and not wanting to sicken all of our loved ones, we ended up staying home. Kevin's parents decided that just wasn't going to be o.k., so they got in their car and came down to see us. They got to our house at about 9 p.m. on Friday night, so when the kids woke up on Saturday morning, there was MORE presents under our tree. Tate couldn't believe that Santa had come again!! We're so blessed to have such an amazing family! Thank you Bonnie and Vaughn...we love you!!

We all know that the Holidays wouldn't be anything without a major feast...so we had another one!!! On New Year's Eve we cooked up a whopper!! It came complete with Kevin's infamous baby back ribs, king crab legs, jumbo shrimp, and, my kids favorite, sticky rice!! It was great and OH BOY do I need a DIET!!!

I'm An Auntie...AGAIN!!!

I'm excited to announce Trisha and Jacob's newest addition

Jane Magdalena Sorber

December 28, 2008

8 pounds 4 ounces

I can't wait to meet her!!!