find joy in the journey

sights of England

. . . .captured by Scott.

the famous red telephone booth

the english countryside (taken during a 3-hour train ride from London to Hereford)

When you travel to England for work, spend your time in the office & meetings all day, only to come outisde when it's dark . . . . there's not much to see (or take pictures of).  He told me that when we go together someday we'll both be seeing it for the first time. ;)

Although, he did get to experience their famous fish & chips!  He also brought home little gifts for the kids -- everything adorned with the British flag.  And several boxes of shortbread and some Galaxy chocolate bars (I guess they are pretty big over there).  Scott was showing the boys some coinage when Payton asked, "is there chocolate inside?"  He thought they were candy coins.  You can see what his focus is right now.

So now I just need to get my passport application in so the next time one of these trips come up I can go along and take all the pictures my heart desires!

59 things about Scott

1. He was born and raised in Twin Falls, ID.
2. Is the oldest in a family of 4 boys.
3. Majored in Economics at BYU.
4. At first he thought he wanted to be a Math major . . . . .that is, until he saw and smelled the people who hung out in the Talmadge building.
5. Works for an accounting firm, but is not a CPA.
6. He thinks it would be cool someday after he's retired from his real job to be a junior high or high school economics teacher.
7. Served a mission in Melbourne, Australia.  But he spoke Vietnamese.
8. After his mission he worked in the MTC as a teacher for nearly 3 years.  He loved every minute of it.
9. The one and only Vietnamese phrase he taught me (while we were dating) translates to, "baby, baby how are you so good looking?"  Keep in mind, this was meant for me to say to him. ;)
10. His family gave him the nickname "Wussboy".  {It's also printed on his bowling ball.}
11. He got this nickname because he was always a sucker for the ladies. In high school and college he always preferred dating to anything else.  And he did it a lot.
12. He was always on the lookout for cute girls and any & all opportunities to ask a girl out . . . . including the time he "met" and asked a girl out while driving down I-15.  She was in another car. . . . . or when he camped out (tent and all) on a girl's front lawn until she answered his request to go to a dance.  I think he even had pizza delivered to his tent during that one.
13. We met because he moved into my ward -- says he had dated everyone in his last ward and needed a "crop rotation". 
14. He could be described sometimes as passionate, driven, and intense . . . and he does not flake out on commitments.
15. When my dad said to me "I don't accept phone calls" (referring to the time when Scott would ask for my hand in marriage) Scott hopped on a plane two days later and flew out to CA to speak to my dad in person.
16. He is also very laid back, loves to laugh, and enjoys his chillin' time.
17. His idea of a perfect Saturday is staying home with nothing to do.
18. He plays golf -- but not near as much as he would like.
19. He's excited for Conner to turn 8 (next year) because then he'll be able to bring him along and that will be all the more reason/excuse to go.
20. Worked at a golf course in high school and college.  Once we moved here it was difficult for him to get used to paying for golf.
21. Likes to bowl.  In fact, he has his own bowling ball & shoes.
22. At one point bowling was one of his standard first dates.  That way if the girl wasn't a match, then at least he got to do something he liked.
23. Loves to snow ski. 
24. But he wouldn't ever go on his own / without the family.  So he's determined to get our kids skiing too to make it into a family event.  (I've tried it with no success -- so I'm sure I'll be sitting in the lodge enjoying the fire and taking care of any cold or tired kids).
25. He's very protective of our family time and maintaining that "work-life balance."
26. In fact, they put him on the Work-Life Balance Committee at work because he is so vocal about it.
27. He has many phrases or "Scott-isms" that are all too familiar around our house:  "not too shabby", "that ship has sailed", "for the love!!", "that's not a party", "frickin' days!", "butt-crack of dawn", and random quotes from Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, The Jerk, and Austin Powers.
28. He has a playful sense of humor and is great at turning just about any situation into a game/party.
29. Loves mashed potatoes.  He can't help himself - he is an Idaho boy.  Although he's kept it under control and it's been a long time since he's had mashed potato explosion.
30. He hates surprises.
31. He got his Eagle when he was 15.
32. There was a family rule that you couldn't get your driver's license until you earned your Eagle.  And you kinda need to drive to date, so . . . . you can just guess how his mind was working.
33. Right now he is the Scoutmaster in our ward.
34. He takes his church callings very seriously.
35. He says he hates books.
36. But he has read over 115 Star Wars books in the last 18 months
37. He had a Darth Vader shrine (poster and countless toys & action figures displayed on a shelf) in the garage, but he had to take to down a few months ago to make room for storage.
38. Under the file titled "crazy things he did in college" we could add:  the time he dressed as purple man (head to toe, complete with face and hair paint, cape, and staff) and attended a BYU football game; the "10 Faces of Fish Death" video; the Karo Syrup attack on a group of girls who provoked him with whipped cream.
39. Luckily, he got the crazies out of his system before he met me. ;)
40. He had sinus surgery a few weeks before we first met.  Says it was the worst experience of his life.  {That's what got the crazies out of his system.}
41. Some of his favorite music groups are:  Metallica, Alice Cooper, Nirvana, and Violent Femmes.
42. But he also really enjoys more refined music:  especially Mozart and the King's Singers.
43. He was in the Men's Chorus at BYU.
44. He plays the piano and guitar.
45. He makes the best, most perfect pancakes.
46. Favorite TV shows right now:  How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, The Office.
47. He says he gets plenty of drama at work so he just wants to come home and watch something light and funny.
48. Although, he loves the fact that he gets paid to argue with people.
49. He's afraid of bees.
50. One of the best days of the year for him is "The Pig Out".  College bowl games + lots of food + lots of chillin'.
51. Refuses to eat cheesecake.  If you ask why, he will cite "The Cheesecake Incident of 2001."
52. He is very particular about his lawn care and has an arsenal of fertilizer, weed killer, and bug killer in our garage.
53. He has a pair of red one-piece long johns (the kind with the flap on the butt) that he wears camping, to play football on Thanksgiving , and at Conner's soccer game last Saturday.  I guess I should mention that he does wear a t-shirt and shorts over his long-johns.
54. Watches romantic comedies with me and even likes a lot of them.
55. Had a photographer tell him once that he should be a tuxedo model and even offered him a job.
56. He hates to talk on the phone.  He won't even answer it unless it's his parents or I yell enough at him. :)
57. LOVES milk.  He goes through withdrawal when he's out of town and doesn't have regular access to it.
58. LOVES his luv sac.
59. He enjoys a good blanket and even names his favorites.  There's "the flaming purple cape of death" (it was actually orange), "scratchy", and "instant warmth".

Thanks to Paige for sending out this challenge to create a list about our husbands.  I waited to post mine until Scott had a chance to read it, edit any facts, and I allowed him the power of 5 vetoes.  But he enjoyed the list very much, laughed through the whole thing as he was reminded of his past and his quirks.  He didn't use any of his vetoes, said that this was a pretty well-rounded picture of him, and then thanked me for catching him up on his journal for the last 10 years.  Success!

my Scott is back in town

We have had a great weekend with Scott back home with us.  We've played, shopped, eaten out, watched movies, and even went out on a date.  But now as I think about it, probably not the most relaxing weekend for him after spending a week on the road in West Virginia.  And with plenty of misadventures:  a 6 hour delay on his departing plane, then missing his connection, which meant renting a van and driving the rest of the way, arriving at 4:30am only to show up at the client site at 8:30am.  And then there were the bed bugs . . . What he really deserved was a big nap.  But instead I gave him a haircut, which seemed almost equally appreciated.

Friday night we went to a Blazers game.  Scott won two tickets at work -- I guess he was really good at the game where you have a celebrity's name on your back and you have to go around asking questions to figure out who you are . . . he was George Bush.  Some prize!  It was a fun date.  Definitely something different.  One of the most fun parts of the night was near the end and the Blazers had 98 points on the scoreboard.  Everyone in the stands starts chanting "cha-lu-pa, cha-lu-pa".  We were clueless, but I guess when they score 100 points everyone at the game gets a free chalupa from Taco Bell.  With less than a minute to go the Blazers scored a 3-pointer and the crowd erupted into cheers.  And sure enough, as we exited the arena there were attendants passing out coupons for a free chalupa.  Thanks Taco Bell!

and for my local ward friends . . . we found out that Brother Q. moonlights as an NBA referee.

Saturday, Conner had a very rainy soccer game at 9am (he scored 7 goals -- with 8 and 3 the previous two weeks).  Then we all went into town together for errands.  At Joe's Scott updated the kids' winter/ski clothes -- can't believe it's almost that time, and that Payton is going to start lessons this year!  I'm a little bit nervous for him - he's so little!  Then Costco where I got the new Josh Groban Christmas CD.  Love it.  And finally, our favorite kind of lunch -- happy meals for the kids, Chipotle burritos for mom and dad.

A good weekend, busy Sunday, and the kids are quietly in bed.  I think it might be time for us to enjoy some apples & caramel dipping sauce.  Because you know that's the only way Scott would ever think of eating an apple. =)

groove on

so now you know what Scott and I do after the kids go to bed. =)

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

what do you get . . .

What do you get when you bring together Daisy Duck, a Beavers super-fan, a clown, two pirates, two witches, a tree, a prom queen from 1975, a doctor, an angel, a Braves baseball player, and a rocker chick . . . . Bunco!!

We had such a blast tonight.  I threw out the invitation to dress up for our October Bunco and was so happy to see so many people get into character.  Thanks!

one of my favorite pics of the night -- can you guess the theme?

Sheila, I'm a bit concerned for your safety here.  Aundrea looks like she's ready to beat someone up.   And Aundrea . . . wow.  I'm not sure if I'm going to have nightmares tonight or if you just might be the first person I call if I find an intruder in my house.

Love the Daisy Duck -- I just want to shake that bean bag belly.  Does that sound wrong?  Sorry, Paige.

and me as Prom Queen 1975.

This is my mom's actual prom dress, circa 1975.  Add a tiara and a make-it-yourself sash and you've got a Halloween costume!

blurb update

For those of you who may have started your own blurb books, or have at least downloaded the software . . . . go to this link:  http://forums.blurb.com/forums/3/topics/790

and get the update (1.9) that was released yesterday.  For some reason they aren't going to publicly announce it for awhile.  Sounds like they want to work out some potential glitches and get feedback.  The only weird thing I've discovered is that you can't see the new 45+ layouts unless you start a new book -- they aren't accessible in a book that you've already begun in the old software (1.8).

poo party

ahhh, the last few days . . . .where should I begin.  I'll try to give the condensed version.

monday -- from 7am to 7pm Payton had a low-grade fever (100.9) and was complaining of abdominal pain.  All day.  No choke-up or diarrhea, though.  Just a very sore belly that many times reduced him to rolling around on the couch or floor, just writhing in pain, screaming and crying for 10 minutes at a time.  We went into his doctor at 5pm and had the appendicitis talk -- that it can be hard to diagnose in a 4 year old, usually develops over 2-3 days, some things to look out for (have him jump to test his sensitivity), and if things get worse, take him to the emergency room.  Scott gave him a priesthood blessing and we sent him to bed for a very sweaty night of sleep.

tuesday -- Payton is back!  His normal, silly, run around self.  Completely 100%

wednesday -- Still doing good, he went to school and everything.  Then halfway through lunch he left his plate to go lay on the couch saying his belly hurt again.  We had a few errands to run, which he did okay for, but the fever came back quickly and towards the end he started breaking down.  Once home he was back to rolling around in pain (sooo sad!) and he wouldn't jump for me because it hurt too much.  I knew it was time to take him to the ER.  I called Scott, he started making his way back home and I dropped Anna off at a friend's house (literally, dropped her off and ran).  And Payton and I were on our way to the hospital.  We arrived at 3pm, were triaged pretty quickly and taken back to a room. 

After the doctor examined him she said the things we're considering are appendicitis, kidney stones, or some kind of virus.  By now, Payton was in sooo much pain and could barely handle being moved from my lap to the bed, let alone a doctor poking and proding his tummy.  The first step was to start an IV to get some drugs and fluids in him (in case it was a virus).  He didn't like that part, but did surprisingly well.  Once the morphine kicked in he was happy, loopy, and very enthralled by the IV tubing.  They took blood for lab tests and a big highlight for Payton was getting to pee in a cup.  Next there was an abdominal x-ray where he got a bouncy ball for being good. 

Then the doctor came in with the diagnosis . . . . poop.  His system was waaaaaayyyyy backed up with poop.  I saw the x-rays and it was pretty amazing -- up to his ribs in poo.  So there was an enema to get things moving and then we were discharged at 7pm.  Pretty crazy afternoon, but so glad that it was nothing more serious.

today -- He woke up feeling not that great again (but not as bad as wed or mon).  We hit the grocery store to pick up his prescription, prune juice, some very high fiber tortillas for snacks, another enema just in case, and BeneFiber tablets that will become part of his daily routine after the Rx runs out.  Today was designated as "Poo Party".  I even made my famous poo dessert (chocolate pudding pie).  Our goal, to get his system moving.  And the eagle landed . . . .twice.  By lunch time he was feeling much better, appetite is still a bit iffy, but he is back to being Payton.

Today we were loading up in the van when he said, "Maybe we should go to that doctor again." referring to the ER doctor.  I asked him why.  "Because it was fun."  Why was it fun?  "It was cool to watch that tube put water in my hand."  Go figure -- a 4 year old who wants an IV.

show and tell

Here's a few new things that have popped into my life this month.

A small bucket bag by Elisa Lou.  It was meant for my birthday, but didn't arrive until last friday.  Scott ordered it a month before my birthday but it took the full 6 weeks for production (plus shipping time).  Isn't it so cute!  I love it.  It's not too big -- enough room for my wallet, keys, cell phone, calendar, a snack, and lip gloss -- which is really all I carry in my purse anyways.  And that Amy Butler fabric . . . . need I say more?

My blog book!  Ahhhh!!!!!  Can you just hear the angels singing down from heaven?!  That's how this book makes me feel.  I love it, love it, love it!!!  Thanks to Blurb I have a professionally printed, bound, hardcover record of my blog from 2005-2006.  After Christmas I'm planning to start one for 2007.  I showed this to my mom when she was here this weekend and she was just drooling over it (so was I).  Blurb is just amazing.  The idea is awesome, the software is so user-friendly, and if you wait a bit I hear they are coming out with updates to the software sometime this month.  Oh and I almost forgot the best part -- they are sooo super fast.  Get this . . . I clicked the "order" button on a Tuesday morning.  This book was sitting on my door step on Friday afternoon!!  3 days from printer to me.  Granted, I did select the two-day air shipping, but the stinkin' book was published in just 24 hours!  That is what I call instant gratification.

Speaking of my mom, while she was here she made these darling "witches brooms" with the kids.  Take a brown paper bag and cut strips in it all the way to the bottom, leaving the bottom intact.  Stuff a second paper bag inside (no cutting on this one) and fill it with candy or other goodies.  Add a stick and tie it all together with twine.

 

Ta-da!! My family room make-over.  New paint, new clock from Target, new rug from ebay, and new pillows made by me (just need one more pillow form).  The paint color we used was Devine Macadamia, but mixed into some Benjamin Moore paint so I could pay $22/gallon instead of $38/gallon.  The change was shocking at first.  I missed the green for a few days, but now I'm completely over it and love the results.  What I love most about this paint is how soft and pillowy it makes the room look and feel.

I told you this quote was going to make an appearance in our home. 

And no, our calendar is not really that empty -- although, wouldn't that be nice.  Our month is wide open thanks to photoshop.

what i learned in general conference

. . . that I need to show more love and charity as taught by Elder Wirthlin.  But so beautifully demonstrated by Elder Nelson as he stood and steadied a shaking apostle and friend through the remainder of his talk.

. . . .to remember to write down daily the ways the hand of God has touched my life and the life of my children.  I want those memories to be there when I (and my children) most need it. 

. . . . that "women who know" use less.  They allow less media into their homes, less activities that take children out of the home and away from family time, and less social activities and commitments for herself. 

. . . to serve more -- more than just the "call me if you need anything".  As Steven Snow shared, "It is better to do things of seemingly little consequence than to do nothing at all."

. . . that what my children really want for dinner is me.  I think "good . . .better . . . best" is going to make an appearance in our home.

eeeek!

I just about freaked when I saw this little (big) guy hanging right outside our dining room window!  Lately it seems that I have been spotting giant spiders everywhere.  I open the backyard gate and there goes a big spider scurrying under the garbage can.  I turn on the hose to water my flower pots and a giant black spider disappears into the coils of the hose.  I have just about given up on walking down the path on our sideyard because I am almost always stopped by a giant spider web that spans the 5 foot space between the fence and the house.  And I don't think the phenomenom is limited to just our house.  Other friends have shared their harrowing accounts of finding giant hairy spiders even inside their homes!  I just can't figure out what is going on.  I had Scott spray for them a few weeks ago all around the house, but there seems to be some survivors.

I lifted Payton up to the window to show him this sucker and he immediately began wiggling in my arms to get down, fast.  I don't blame him.  Then, as I'm standing there very close to the window, trying to get a good shot . . . .which is completely unnerving, even though there is glass between us . . . and I'm startled by the spray of Raid hitting the window smack in my face.  Across the fence stands my hero of a husband, armed with a can of wasp, bee & spider Raid that can shoot a good 15 feet.  We all watched as our unwelcome visitor ran up his web to the roof, tried to get a hold of the gutters, and finally succumbed to the poison and dropped dead.

Sorry if this story is a little too morbid for you, but I have no compassion when it comes to spiders.

In the spirit of Halloween, here's a b&w version of our picture of the day to get you in the mood.  Or not.

creamy chicken spaghetti

• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 lbs. chicken breasts or tenders
• 1 package dry spaghetti mix
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 8 oz. cream cheese

Pour melted butter into a crockpot.  Add a layer of chicken, sprinkle dry spaghetti mix on top, more chicken, more spaghetti sauce, etc.  Cook on high for 3 hours or until chicken is cooked.

In microwave melt together the chicken soup and cream cheese.  Pour over chicken and let it cook 1 hour or until sauce is hot, stirring occasionally.

Serve over noodles or rice.

Delicious!  We especially love this with refrigerated/fresh linguine noodles.

**And I'm trying my best at food photography, so bear with me -- it's amazing how difficult it is to make food look appetizing!

creamed peas and potatoes

Melt 1 cube butter in a saucepan.  Add 1/2 cup flour - mix well.

Add 2 cups milk.  Bring to boil stirring constantly.  Add more milk if too thick (I usually use 3 - 3 1/2 cups).  Salt and pepper to taste.

Stir in:

• 1 cup peas, cooked
• 6-8 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 2-3 large potatoes - peel, dice, & boil just until cooked/soft

Scott eats it plain.  I eat it over biscuits (see below).

This is one of our "you-can-always-count-on-a-full-belly" dinners.  It's funny though, because both Scott and I grew up eating this in our families with a slight variation.  Scott's family ate it with just potatoes and peas.  My family ate it with just peas and eggs.  So we stuck them together and it makes everyone happy.

Angel Biscuits

• 1 pkg. active dry yeast
• 3 Tbsp. lukewarm water
• 5 cups flour
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 4 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 cups buttermilk

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water.

2.  Mix dry ingredients together.  Fold in shortening; add buttermilk, then yeast mixture.  Stir thoroughly until moistened.

3.  Knead a minute or two.  No rising required.

4.  Roll out to desired thickness ( 1/2 inch suggested).  Cut into rounds.  Brush with melted butter or margarine.

5.  Bake on ungreased pan at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

*The dough will keep for 1 week in the fridge, so use what you need. (I usually make up just enough for dinner, then roll out and bake a few more the next day so we can have them fresh).

This heavenly recipe came from a woman in my ward (she shared it in a RS cookbook).  These are probably the best homemade biscuits I've ever had - love them.

more of anna's birthday

4 minutes with our family. This is what I call real life, unedited, noisy, goofy at times, and often with Conner providing the musical score.

Watch if you dare. I added this video mostly for the viewing pleasure of the grandparents. Enjoy!