Introducing Hallie Avery Carlson

 Grammie and Grandpa

 Favorite Aunt Natalie and Uncle Clint

 Favorite Aunt Kallee

 Favorite Aunt Kenzie

 First Shot

 Savoring the moment

 Peaceful slumber

 Grandpa and new Daddy Josh

 The New family

 Proud Grammie

 Yet to be named Baby Carlson  7 lbs 12 oz.   20 inches long.  April 19, 2012  8:25 am

Thinking about Heaven

I like, I love, I don't

I love reading blogs.
I don't post as often as I would like to.
I just finished reading, "Heaven is Here" by Stephanie Nielsen
Our garden is starting to grow.  It is Spring.  I love springtime.
I love seeing the new growth on trees, daffodils and tulips blooming.
I love hearing the birds chirp in the morning.
I am then reminded that springtime in Utah also means uncertain weather.  It snowed this week.
I  love hearing the neighborhood kids screaming with delight outside.
Our cat, Sukee, can still growl at the other stray cats that come to eat her food.  She is old.
She still has spunk and knows her territory well.
I love the sound of lawn mowers and trimmers.  Fred is hard at work.  Josh helped him today. Smiled.
The yard is taking shape.
I don't love the clutter in the garage or the "hot spots" in the house that need attention.
It is okay.  It reminds me that I live here and not in a model home. 
Kenzies date said our front room looked, "interesting"
I guess he was not used to seeing animal mounts on the wall.
I chuckled.  I paused and reflected.
This is who we are.  Not like everybody else. 
I still dream about becoming a better photographer.  I need help here.
I need to pull out my photoshop notes and practice.
I love to look at the work of family photographers and marvel at their talent.
We may have a new grandbaby this week or next.  Heavenly Father and the doctors will decide.
Life comes at us fast.  I wish it would slow down.
I turned a speed limit this week.
My mom and dad came to visit.  She made me a corsage.  She grew the orchids.  It was beautiful.
She is 84.  Dad is 87.  I cannot put into words the gratitude of that simple gesture. 
I'm trying to dejunk my life with useless clutter.
I rode my bike again this week.  It felt good.  Then it rained.  I went to the gym instead.
Days with G.A.D. are hard.  I try and get past the fear.   I'm thankful family is around.
I'm a wife and mother.  I treasure that blessing more than anything I have.
I am humbled.

Baby Shower for Caraline

 family and friends gather as gifts are opened. 

 Our wonderful friends and neighbors!!  Lindsay,Jackie, Olivia,Maddie and Sue

 Vivian, Colleen and Claudia

 Denise, Melanie, Jenette, Liz and Kallee

Debbie, Dixie and Kerry

 Nancy Burton

 Annette Brady

 Sheila Glandon admiring the gifts for "our" new granddaughter:)

 Caraline and Amanda (friend)

 My mom

My mother received a tender mercy of good health and came to the shower.  She has been so ill and practically flat in bed for almost a year.  This was a real blessing to all of us to have her come and participate in the fun.  She doesn't look 84 does she?  We are looking forward to a new family member in about three and half weeks.   Wow...guess I'll have to get used to a new title in life..Grandma, Grams, GMA, but please not granny....

March 2012

Chocolate apron, quote and tag for my friend.  I don't know what craft number I'm on.  However, the apron did look like chocolate bliss...the tag was made from things I had around in the craft room.  I took the quote off of pinterest and put it in a $3.00 frame.    It ended up being a very cute gift basket.

 Lazy Dog assuming her spot on the stairs

 Kenzies' candy bouquet to her friend.

 The surprise entrance on our 29th wedding anniversary.  We just came back from RC Willey's where we purchased a new stove after 25 years.  It was time.  After all I had thoroughly worn it out and freaked out my relatives when I would have to manually light the oven each time.  Maybe it was the smell of gas that gave that away.

 A re-creation of the "Reams" sign from Provo.  When Fred and I were dating we would often stop in at Reams and grab a .10 hot dog and drink.  It was a fun and  cheap date.  Kenzie took us down memory lane as a gift to Fred and I.  It was very thoughtful and turned out to be exciting and fun.

 Part of the twenty-nine memories that she had gathered from family members and placed them on a colorful banner in the entrance of the kitchen.

 The TV is not normally there.  The kids grilled hot dogs for us, had bottled orange soda and chips on hand to devour.  While we feasted on our meal the Carlson Movies were playing.  We enjoyed watching home movies all over again.  I think Kallee must have them all memorized.  She could recite, act and tell you what was coming up next. 

 My first reaction...always with a tear.

Limmie and her favorite spot....the place where she shouldn't be!  On the furniture, any furniture.

We are super excited that most of our children are currently residing in the same county as we are!  A friend reminded me that it was a real blessing to have family close by.  I have always been around family.  I grew up living next door to my grandparents.  I enjoyed the frequent cookie and treat runs to grandma's house.  Her tidy kitchen often smelled of home-baked yummies just waiting to be devoured.  I loved being able to go over and eat freshly made donuts or devour a creamy cold vanilla malt shake.  My mouth still waters thinking about it all.    Nat and Clint purchased a home in East Layton.  They have received a warm welcome to their "empty nester" ward.  Who wouldn't love a fun and energetic young couple to spice things up a bit?  They are excited for this new opportunity and though sad to leave dear friends behind in Ogden they do not miss noise or wild neighbors in the area.  Kallee is as busy as any beehive in YW and Duncan is working 65 + hours during tax season.  They are excited for new carpet, spring and a baby girl in July.  I was delighted that Kallee invited me to go with her to her doctor's appointment.  It was fun to watch her baby move all around and to listen to her heartbeat.  Josh and Caraline will soon welcome their baby in April.  They live across the street and have settled in to their home and new ward.   I think our lives are going to get very busy again!!  It will be a welcome blessing in our lives. 

still alive

I am sitting here wondering what to post about.  My mind is blank.  I'm looking forward to spring, having new additions to our family, helping Natalie settle into a new home, enjoying visits with elderly parents and cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning.  I am making progress with my 2012 goals.  I have not abandoned them.  It feels good to give my 12+ effort each day.  

Guess what I've been doing?

Cricut fun with Claudia today.  Creating together was so much fun.  About three weeks ago I made the love frame in one evening.  I challenged myself to only use items that I could find around the house.  I painted an old wood frame with leftover paint.  I used the polka dot fabric from my fabric pile. The heart was made from some felt that I had stashed away from some old primary project years ago.  I found the metal saying in my scrapbook supplies. The heart has a unique shape and may not be symmetrical but I like the look.

 I had cut some hearts out (from the same primary project years ago) added some stuffing and sewed a decorative edge around them.  I didn't have any fabric that I liked and so I decided to just used one inch felt strips.  It's fun and whimsical. 

 I used part of my gift card from the family to purchase this kit from Thimbles and Threads.  I have a few favorite quilt shops that I frequent for ideas.  I made this heart banner in one afternoon.  I am looking forward to making another one for fall. 

Words letters that Kenzie gave me last year in February and I just finished them in January.

With two granddaughters being born this year I am going to be one busy grandma!!

Chocolate Bliss

FGO (for girls only) Milassco family event took place January 28, 2012 at my home.  My friend Kari came and instructed us on how to dip chocolates.   We dipped homemade caramels, almond joys, chocolate mint and orange truffles, cinnamon lips, nut clusters, homemade turtles, and peppermint patties.  I haven't acquired the art of dipping chocolates.  I need lot's of practice!! 
Those that attended were Amanda (Kenzie's friend), Kenzie, Claudia, Monica, Kari, our instructor
Kallee, Colleen, Natalie and Char the mom. (and Alison )  Lot's of fun. 

It's all in the number

• complete 12 craft projects  (three done)
• add an extra 12 to physical activity; minutes, reps, weights, miles etc. 
• increase personal study by 12
• divide home into twelve areas.  Purge and clean one area each month. (On top of daily cleaning)
• stop chewing nails by 12 (December)  so far..so good.  
• Ask myself, What can I do in 12 minutes? 
• Take 12 for me in 2012

This is working for me.  If I don't do it perfectly it is okay.  At the end of each day I know I've accomplished something worthwhile.   At school we are celebrating our achievements.  Our goals are posted on a bulletin board and now they are on my blog.  Caraline also shared with me that water doesn't boil at 211 degrees.  But with one more degree it boils at 212 which then produces steam, which produces energy and gives us power.  There is some movie about 212 degrees.  Anyhow it all fits with my "It's all in the number" theme I have going on for myself. 

Exciting news....

I am excited for Josh and Caraline.  They are expecting a baby girl in April.  Caraline has had many health trials so far during this pregnancy and I am pleased to report that the doctor checked out Baby Carlson and she thinks she is doing well.  I am amazed at the technology available.  Fred and I were able to see the ultrasound pictures of her and she looks a lot like her daddy so far. 

Kallee and Duncan's wee little one is about 1 inch long.  Baby Shelley is due to arrive late July/early August.  They are excited and are doing well.  We also saw pictures of the little peanut.  That is Kenzie's nickname for their child. Kallee enjoys her calling in the YW and Duncan in the primary.
He will be training in Boston for his new job and is working for an accounting firm in SLC. Kallee is a very gifted hair stylist and enjoys her job at the Bella Boutique and Spa in Roy.

Natalie and Clint are doing very well.  They are happy and healthy for which we are so grateful for.  They are working hard in the church (Nat just got called as YW President, Clint, executive secretary) and at their respective jobs.  I suggest that you play the game called, "The Logo Game" with Nat.  You are guaranteed a few laughs that will nearly knock you off your chair.  She is also a professional when it comes to crafting, beading, jewelry, life coaching, wellness coaching,cooking, etc.

Kenzie attended Weber State, LDS institute and works as the Head Shift leader for Downeast, Co.
She is working this semester and will enroll again in the fall.  She writes to about four missionaries and has fun with friends.  She is a CNA and hopefully will find a job in that field for now.

Blake is stationed at McGuire AFB in Trenton, NJ.  He is a PR and works on C 130's.  He is in the Navy but works on the plane.  He will be there for three more years.  We all had a great visit with him over the holidays.   He sure helped his Dad a lot while home and fixed the truck with Fred.  The boys went shooting which is something he is really good at and enjoys very much.  He was able to visit with many of his friends and I believe had a great break from work and Navy life.

Fred and Char work, eat, sleep, and teach the four and five year olds in Primary.  We love our calling.
We love our family and look forward to the new chapter in our lives called, "Grandparents"