Snow & Ice Queen?

We woke up yesterday morning to a couple inches of snow (@#$!). I shouldn't have been surprised because Spring is a fickle mistress, but after seeing snow and rain forecast all week and then not receiving any, I had forgotten about the possibility.


Then this morning I woke up to a funky, ice mixture of snow that completed coated the front of the house and encased the cars. My mid-winter self would have gone back to bed, but my new and improved self pushed forward and went to the gym anyway (even though it took 15 minutes to warm up the car and de-ice it).


I was so proud of myself for going to the gym, plus I loved seeing my footprints along with those who had gone before me in the ice and snow mixture on the sidewalk. I left my mark! (And the gym left a mark on my triceps!) The ballistic employee was there this morning and I've decided I like the days that she's there best because she makes me work so hard. How about that?

In other news...

Last night I gave our Family Home Evening lesson on prayer. I thought it was a great time to introduce the "Tag Your It" books that Wende made for the kids because after talking about how prayer is communicating with Heavenly Father, I also talked about how it's important that the kids communicate with me and Randy. I thought I had explained the concept of the books pretty well, but a little while later Randy received this note from Whitney.


We re-explained the idea of the book and told her not to tear out the pages, but later we found the book outside her bedroom door with this request for me.


Apparently she thinks this book is her own personal ordering service or something. I "make" her breakfast every morning so I don't know why she felt the need to put in her order the night before. I'm chalking it up to her being excited about using the book. I hope that eventually some deeper conversations will result. Thanks again Wende!!

**Do you think Spring is a fickle mistress?
Where are you leaving your mark today?
Do your kids leave you notes?
How are your triceps?**

Sunday Thoughts

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be. " --C.S. Lewis

I saw this quote on Michelle's sidebar a few weeks ago and felt like it was speaking to me. Our current life situation is most frustrating to me, and though I feel like I have faith that everything will work out for the best and possibly even for the better, I still find myself wondering how long it will take. I realized I'm sporting some sort of timed faith or speedy faith, and I'm not sure that counts for much.

Yesterday while driving to Salt Lake to pick up Becky I was listening to The Screwtape Letters on my iPod. I've posted about this book many times and I have even posted this exact quote before, but it hit me right between the eyes again so I'm reposting it for myself (dang these repeated epiphanies!) and anyone else who needs the reminder.


Premise of the book:
In The Screwtape Letters, one of his bestselling works, we are made privy to the instructional correspondence between a senior demon, Screwtape, and his wannabe diabolical nephew Wormwood. As mentor, Screwtape coaches Wormwood in the finer points, tempting his "patient" away from God.

"He [God] will set them off with communications of His presence which, though faint, seem great to them, with emotional sweetness, an easy conquest over temptation. But He never allows this state of affairs to last long. Sooner or later He withdraws, if not in fact, at least from their conscious experience, all those supports and incentives. He leaves the creature to stand up on its own legs--to carry out from the will alone duties which have lost all relish. It is during such trough periods, much more than during the peak periods, that it is growing into the sort of creature He wants it to be. Hence the prayers offered in the state of dryness are those which please Him best. We can drag our patients along by continual tempting, because we design them only for the table, and the more their will is interfered with, the better. He cannot "tempt" to virtue as we do to vice. He wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away His hand; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles. Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys." --page 42


This week I went to a funeral, a baptism and today a baby blessing so I've witnessed multiple milestones for the parents in these families and can see so clearly the Lord's hands in their lives. I don't doubt His hands in mine, but seem to trying to direct them myself.

**Do you tend to have speedy faith too?
Are you thankful for your trough periods?
Can you see Divine help in others' lives
more clearly than in your own?**

Can't Get Enough Cheese

You're not going to believe this, but I actually got up at 7:00am on a Saturday of my own free will and went walking. I know! I can't really believe it either. This is totally something that my optimistic late-night self would plan, but that my weary early-morning self would laugh at and veto immediately. But this morning I actually woke up at 5:51am on my own (weird) and then went back to sleep until 6:50am. I really can't properly express the rarity and amazingness of this event. It could have something to do with me going to bed at 9:30 last night, but still.

{Photo of my hill, but not taken today.}

My walk was rather nice, though it was my first time tackling the beasty hill so far this year. It was rough. I seriously feared that gravity would push me back down, but I huffed my way to the top like a champ. Woohoo. (Is having the words huffed and champ in the same sentence an oxymoron of sorts?)

Even being up and going so early I still managed to leave the house 25 minutes late to go pick up my new blogging friend Becky. I guess I wasn't stressed about being exactly on time because I was picking her up at her mom's house (as opposed to meeting her somewhere), but I still felt like a putz for arriving late.


We went to Johnny Carino's for a very tasty lunch. I had the 6 cheese tortellini (because clearly I need more cheese) and she had the Chicken Parmigiana. We thought we were too full for cheesecake, but ended up sitting and talking until we felt we had enough room. We got a piece of Turtle Cheesecake and New York Cheesecake with raspberry sauce to share, they were so good.


Becky brought me this multi-pack of mini tissues because she saw them and thought of me. Isn't that nice? I love these little packs and carry them with me all the time.

I had to dash off to make it to Bella's baptism by 2:00. I made it there in time to run over to Adam and Amy's house to change my clothes and then get to the church 10 minutes early, phew.


We gathered at their house afterwards for some good food (though I was still pretty full from lunch). I made Michelle's toffee dip and must say it tasted better than ever today. I don't know what the deal was, but it was fantastic (if I do say so myself). Amy's brother Chris actually said, "I love it, I want to eat all the time." I found this highly amusing, but part of that was the way he said it so you'll just have to take my word for it. Maybe it was the awesome Mexican vanilla I have from Jenn, hmm. Just in case there's anybody who doesn't have this recipe yet, here it is.

Toffee Dip with Apples
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
8 oz cream cheese, softened

3/4 c. toffee bits (3 broken Skor bars are even better)
1 c. pineapple juice
6 Red Delicious Apples cut into wedges
6 Granny Smith Apples cut into wedges
(Any apples are great with this dip, these are just the suggested kinds.)

Combine sugars, cream cheese, and vanilla in a bowl. Beat at medium speed until smooth. Stir in toffee bits, mix well. Cover and chill.

Combine juice (to keep the apples from turning brown) and apples in a bowl; toss well. Drain apples. Place in an airtight container and chill. Serve dip with apples.

So that was my day. It felt a lot like a Sunday because of the baptism and the church clothes, and since I wore church clothes for the funeral yesterday as well my body clock is in a serious time warp. It doesn't feel like it should be Sunday tomorrow.

**Do you make this toffee dip?
Do you enjoy little packs of tissues?
What's your favorite cheesecake?
How would you do with 3 days of church clothes?**

Better Than Expected

We survived the funeral better than we expected (though I still managed to get a killer headache.) Randy helped by being an Usher, so I was on my own. We got there 30 minutes early so I ended up sitting and reading my scriptures and listening to the prelude music. It was quite peaceful in the chapel, and so beautiful because it was filled with lots of brightly colored flowers. It seemed totally fitting that there were so many happy, yellow flowers.


There was a family with 3 little kids sitting in front of me, and they're 5 year old kept asking his mom questions. I cried more listening to him than I did from the rest of the funeral. At one point I leaned forward and said to his mother, "He's really not helping to make this any easier is he?" She laughed and said, "I know he has to talk about things, but this is rough."

Here is a sampling of his questions.

"Mom, why are you crying are you sad?"
"Did Matthew go to a new family?"
"Could this happen to me?"
"Mom, you would be so sad if I died. You would cry and cry and cry until I came back."

The hardest part for me was when they brought in Matthew's little coffin, with his parents crying as they walked behind it and then the huge procession of family members that followed behind.

The actual funeral was fairly dry eyed for me (shockingly so). I don't know if I had run out of tears or if this gave me more closure or what. Matthew was such a happy kid and so exceptional that he seemed too good for this world. They said his life was a series of miracles because they had had a really hard time conceiving him in the first place, and then when he was born he wasn't breathing and almost died. They have felt lucky every step of the way in his life, so even though he was only 5 years old, they are very grateful for those 5 years!

After the funeral, the huge family procession went to the cemetery while the people who stayed at the church made magic happen. It was just like the other night when we put the hygiene kits together, but this time it was taking down 100 folding chairs, then setting up 10 tables with 9 chairs around each of them, putting table clothes, centerpieces and place settings at each place and setting up a food serving area and multiple displays about Matthew. It happened so quickly because there was so much help, it was amazing to be a part of it. I absolutely love it when people pitch in and help and just get things done.

Another really cool thing was that all the 11 and 12 year boy scouts and leaders were there in their uniforms. Matthew's father serves in the Young Men's organization so he's a scout leader as well and would often take Matthew to their activities. So there were around 15 young men in uniform with red eyes setting the tables and arranging things because they were so happy to help and wanted to do something for Matthew and his family. It was the sweetest thing. I found myself thinking about what a huge impact Matthew's death has had on all of us, but especially on these young guys. I'm sure this experience has strengthened their testimonies of The Plan of Salvation and the importance of families. What a gift Matthew has given to them! Here's a link to his obituary.

Thanks for all the prayers and thoughtful comments this week!

Emotion Overload

Goodness gracious, I have certainly been riding an emotional roller coaster this week. Tomorrow is Matthew's funeral and my body seems to be gearing up for it. I thought I was doing okay, but every time I talk about it I well up with tears. I have cleared my schedule, except for the funeral tomorrow because I know I'll be a wreck and will most likely end up with a killer headache.


Our ward is putting together a book of memories about Matthew (his dad used to take him to all the Scout activities with him, so the teenagers all knew him well too) so the kids and I made our pages yesterday. I think both Landon and Whitney's pages are heart-breakingly sweet. I think seeing the finished book, complete with pictures, will induce a laughter-through-tears kind of cry fest.


Our family went to the church last night to help put together hygiene kits for a Humanitarian Mission to the Dominican Republic. There was such a good turnout that we put together over 400 kits in 30 minutes! It was awesome to be a part of it and to see how much good can happen when people work together.


I received some more good mail this week that has definitely lifted my spirits and made me thankful for blogging friends.


Mandy sent me this beautiful card with a really nice note inside. Thank you Mandy!!


Amy W. sent me this itunes gift certificate online, what a nice surprise that was. Thanks Amy!!!


Laurie M. sent me this very cool card she made using postage stamps (great idea), some gardening gloves (reminiscent of our first meeting) and some fortune cookies for the family. I hope these fortunes come true. Thanks Laurie!!!


Whitney's fortune said, "You will soon receive help from an unexpected source." I interpreted this as our family would receive help. I hope this doesn't just apply to her at school or something, ha. The cookies went over huge with Whitney of course.

I'm going to Michelle's house today in place in of tomorrow's Creative Friday. Randy the groove buster is home today so this is really for the best.

**Do you get bad headaches when you cry a lot?
Does your ward do humanitarian projects?
Has a fortune cookie ever been right for you?**

Return of the Weighted Hula-Hoop

I ended up taking an unintentional 6 week break from being gymalicious this winter. I had been doing just fine and then just stopped. I would blame the snow, my icy windshield, my weariness, my lack of desire to go, my check-engine light that came on in my car and anything else I could think of. After a few weeks I stopped even making excuses to myself...not good.


But as of March 17th, I am back in business baby, weighted hula hoop and all! I was actually scared to go because I feared all my weights would be too heavy for me and that starting over again would be painful and unforgiving. Plus, when I got there that morning the ballistic employee was there and there were no other exercisers at that time! I feared for another near-death experience with her.

Fortune smiled upon me though and I was able to lift all my same weight amounts (woohoo) and made it through my ballistic-employee guided workout without having to lie down on the floor to regain composure (victory is mine). She had worked me out hard and shown me some new things to do and I feared the soreness I knew would be coming my way.

As I was leaving
The employee said, "I hope you're not too sore tomorrow."
I said, "After a 6 week break I deserve to be sore."
She said, "Yeah, you do."

I was definitely sore for the next 2 days, but not in a way that made me want to take meds or cry out when doing simple movements. I was amazed and impressed again with how forgiving my body can be, especially when I neglect it so badly.


So I've been back 4 times since then and am doing great. I think the spring weather is great for my morale, my psyche, my windshield and my desire to exercise. I have decided that I'm actually a nicer person when I exercise. It must be a combination of feeling better about myself, endorphins, getting up early, and feeling like I'm working on something important. I have to remember this and stay with it.

After reading Crystalyn's post today I had a meeting with myself and made of list of things that make me feel bad. One of the main things on that list was Being Fat. I also made a list of things that make me feel good, my top answer was Exercise. Does anyone see a connection here?

Happy Birthday Denise!!

**Are you surprised by how forgiving your body can be?
Did winter mess with your exercise routine?
Have you read Crystalyn's great post?
Have you ever made a list of things that make you feel bad?**

Bad breath?

Tuesdays are the anniversary of Randy's job loss so I find myself feeling grumpy and panicked on those days. Today marked week 7! I was wanting to shut down by retreating to the cozy to read this morning, but Tuesdays are my lunch dates with Lori and my day to help at the school--which I've decided is not a coincidence and are most helpful in getting me out of the house.


Lori and I finally got smart and took our self-portrait before lunch so that we were still lip-sticked and not in a hurry. She's smiling all big and cute because she just got done telling me I had bad breath! (I was starving, not chewing gum and had last eaten a piece of candy...oh dear.)

My huge bag knocked over my water as soon as we got to our table, nice.


Fortunately our fabulous food hadn't arrived yet so nothing was ruined. Lori and I split a Waldorf chicken salad sandwich, fries and cheesecake. We don't really go for any of that low-cal crap, ha.

{Whitney's take on Abraham Lincoln}

I did my usual stint at the school today which involved some copy room work (hooray for my iPod) and some flashcard work with the kids. It was really the best of both worlds. I enjoy helping at the school and love seeing lots of the kids from church there too. They pass me in the hall and give me sheepish waves as I greet them by name.

I finished helping and had 15 minutes until school let out so I sat in the car with the windows down and read my Book of Mormon. I recently put a copy in my car for just such occasions, so I was rather pleased to be able to do this today. It was especially helpful because I'm have to keep talking myself out of being irritated with my resident groove buster.

Speaking of the groove buster, the other day he was taking his own sweet time in the bathroom and royally messing up our morning because Whitney needed to take a shower before school. I wanted to record her knocking on the door and saying "Dad, hurry up, you're busting my groove!" but she got camera shy and ended up fogging up the lens and blasting me with morning breath instead, but it's still funny.

I got this Operation Cheer (which I thought was over) mail from Laurie B. today, so that was a nice surprise. I've never seen this book before but it's right up my alley because it's full of great quotes from President Hinckley. Thanks Laurie!!

Happy Birthday Roshelle!!

**How do you manage bad breath?
Would you tell your sister she was less than fresh?
Do you eat low cal when you're out to lunch?
Any groove busters at your house?**

SPT--Eggs-tra Special

I wasn't going to do this SPT because I was thinking that nothing eggs-tra special happened this weekend, but then I remembered that I took this self-portrait of my cried out, make-up less face after church on Sunday. All the women looked liked this after crying for an hour about little Matthew's death. So though I don't want to be depressing on this SPT, this event definitely rocked my world and my weekend. So far this week I'm vacillating between wishing my heart didn't hurt so much and being afraid I'll forget how much it hurts.

Weekend Revisted

We always celebrate Easter with the whole family on Saturday so that the Egg Hunting and less-spiritual aspects of the holiday are kept separate from the real deal. This makes for a much more peaceful Easter Sunday, and this year it was a good thing considering my cried-out status after church yesterday.


On Saturday I thought I was in good form, but it turns out that the chaos of our family gatherings, the drive out to Freakin Eagle Mountain, and my blurred focus on what's important in life were doing a number on me. I hate it when I give into those feelings (but they seem so real at the time). On Saturday I was feeling the weight of Randy's joblessness, our lack of home ownership, lack of Easter Clothes for the kids, and lack of the charmed life I thought I was destined to have. (All of these things seem stupid in light of yesterdays church meeting. Note to self: Focus woman, focus!)


We got all the kids together after the egg hunt, it's cute to have all the cousins together. They got seriously loaded up on candy. Andrew joined in on the search, as usual, though he has no interest in the candy at all.


We also celebrated my dad's birthday. The kids all made him cards (hence his smile), which was pretty cute. Landon's card said, "Pop, enjoy your year of being 59!"

It's crazy that we fill up the dining room now. That table was gynormous when they first bought it 8 years ago, back when Landon and Bella were the only grand kids. (Now if only we could do something to improve the acoustics in there.)


I thought I should point out Amie's house (the brown one) as seen from my parents' deck. She probably knows more about my parents' lives than I do.


I received some Royal Mail from Amanda H. She sent me these darling circular sticky notes along with an English gardening magazine (I'm excited about this) and a Logic book of puzzles (I'm afraid of this but up for the challenge), plus one of her great cards made from an old children's dictionary. Thanks Amanda!!

Sunday Thoughts

It's Easter Sunday and this morning we were rushing around trying to get ready for church on time. I was a little bummed out that I hadn't shopped for any new Easter clothes for the kids, but reminded myself that that's not what Easter is about.

Then we went to church and got the most shocking news. The Bishop said, "I have some sobering news" then went on to explain that the father of a woman in our ward had passed away this week. He had been 95 years old and had been living in a nursing home for a long time. I had heard about his death earlier in the week, hadn't known him and thought 95 was a really long time to live so why is this news sobering? There was more...


Then the Bishop told us that a little 5 year old boy from our ward died last night. The entire congregation gasped. He went on to say that last week this little boy had a fever that wouldn't go away and then got a bloody nose the other night and had some bruising so his parents took him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with leukemia, but then ended up having a seizure and bleeding in his brain and died.

This news could not have been more shocking to all of us. Everyone was crying, especially mothers and fathers because news like this brings everything else to a screeching halt. I was crying so hard that I was making weird noises and couldn't control my breathing. My kids were looking at me in disbelief and fear because they've never seen me like that before (I never cry).


They ended up calling up several people to bear their testimonies, and this proved very emotional. One man had lost a son 17 years ago, one woman has a best friend whose 1 year old son is barely hanging onto life right now, and another woman's father was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. Even though all of these things are upsetting, there was still a great comfort in our knowledge of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and in knowing we will be reunited with those we love.

Then in Sharing Time today the teacher giving it said, "The Resurrection changes death from a period to a comma." Even though I know this, it was still good to hear it again.

I have never had anyone close to me die, and though I didn't know this little boy very well I knew he was angel on Earth. He was always smiling, said the sweetest things in primary, was obedient and happy. I used to be visiting teaching partners with his mother so he was always with us when we went. I feel like his death is something that will change all of us.

**What do you think?**

Creative Friday--Babysitting Edition

I spent yesterday afternoon from 1-6 at Michelle's house, even though she and Marc are currently in San Francisco. Marc's parents have been watching the kids, but had a funeral to attend all day so Michelle's great neighbor Heidi watched Eva in the morning, then I took over in the afternoon.


It was no sweat for me since I'm so comfortable at Michelle's house. Our weekly Creative Fridays have been going on for years now, so I definitely know my way around the house and the kids. Ha. Eva and I played together before her nap (which was successful, almost 3 hours!). She created this game which involved me animating a rhino figurine named Jill and making it scream and flee from her dragon self. This ended up being rather amusing. She kept saying, "Rhino Jill, where are you, the dragon is coming?" After several retreats from the scary dragon I would tickle her. Good times.


Eva had just gone down for her nap when Max got home from school, so I sat at my usual spot at the table and cut out good mail labels while he typed up a paper on the computer. He often spends time at the computer after school, so our positions weren't a stretch for either of us. I didn't want him to feel uncomfortable with me there, but then again I didn't want to leave the room and have him be alone either. I think this worked out well.


Randy picked our kids up from school and brought them over to play, so they were there waiting for Lucas when he got home from school. They played video games and then cracked themselves up on the trampoline. I love it that they play so well together. Max even joined them on the trampoline later.


So it was a lot like Creative Friday, but different because Michelle wasn't there and I didn't bring any chocolate. I ended up getting many thank you notes written and several sets of labels cut out. Not too shabby.

**Are you super comfortable at any of your friends' houses?
What did you do yesterday?
Have you ever played "Rhino Jill and the dragon?"**

Did you know?

It has been fun reading your guesses about which picture is Whitney's. Jenn guessed correctly with her "3rd row down, 3rd one from the left?" guess.


Here is a close-up of Whitney's art. It is so her with all the details and colors. Congrats Jenn, I'll be sending something your way soon.


Kacey sent Landon a book (from the book exchange letters last month) and made it a good mail package with candy for both Landon and Whitney. Thanks for making it so fun Kacey! FYI--I sent 7 book exchange letters, 4 with Landon's name on them and 3 with Whitney's name on them and so far Landon has received 4 books and Whitney hasn't received any...isn't that weird?

Technically if everyone participating did what they were supposed to do they would both be receiving 36 books, but I never expect anything close to that. It's a little disappointing that Whitney hasn't received any though.


I've been working on a multitude of thank you notes lately. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by how many I need to write, I feel excited. I love creating the cards, writing a personal message, addressing the envelopes, adorning them with a good mail label (it's a must) and most of all mailing them! I just love knowing I am sending things all over the country and that they'll be arriving this week. I'm such a mail-nerd.


Nikki emailed me a link to this site. It turns out that HBO is promoting the John Adams miniseries by paying for people to send a card to a friend for free. You might want to check it out. Thanks for the info Nikki.

**Did you know about the free postage?
Do you have seen the John Adams miniseries?
Have your kids received any books from the book exchange?
Do you enjoy writing thank you notes?**

I need to focus...

I have been rather productive today, especially considering that I've been feeling scattered and unfocused. I helped at the school for an hour this morning, did 2 loads of laundry, vacuumed the house, dusted, emptied the dishwasher, partially cleaned the garage (aka my nemesis), filled my car with cardboard and cans to be recycled (which Randy dropped off for me, woohoo), had a marathon phone call with Amie, have made some good mail birthday stationery, made 2 doctor's appointments (our insurance runs out soon), and an appointment for my car to go into the dealer for a recall notice. Phew!


On Monday, Randy and I went into Whitney's class for an hour while the teacher appreciation breakfast was going on. We had the kids make cards for the teacher, read a couple books and made sure they wrote all their spelling words. Since it was St. Patrick's Day all the kids were concerned about wearing something green, so Randy ended up drawing shamrocks on all their hands! They think he's the greatest.


Randy and I were looking at the kids' artwork and trying to figure out which picture was Whitney's. Can you figure it out?? We guessed right.


Whitney took her own sweet time making her card for her teacher. She is very serious about her artwork. I was so pleased.

On Tuesday...


Lori and I had our weekly lunch at Thanksgiving Point. It was oh so tasty. I love bread bowls and soup. I ran Lori back and forth to work 3 times that day since her car was in the shop. It's a good thing I'm so fond of her.

We really need to take our self-portraits before we get in the parking lot...duh.

Last night was my acting debut at our Enrichment Night. I tried to take a self-portrait of me in my shawl, but I was in a hurry and my camera wouldn't focus properly so I didn't get one. The night went really well and I didn't die of embarrassment.

Now for an Operation Cheer update...


Wende sent me this very thoughtful package which included a $20 Target gift card, darling stationery, vinyl lettering phrase, Hershey's kisses, and two darling notebooks to be used to play "tag" with the kids. Her note explained that she did this with her kids as a way for them to ask questions and write things that they may not be comfortable talking about. I think this is such a great idea, it's like a circle journal for me and the kids. Thanks Wende!!!

Kacey sent me this very spring-like package with a Sonic gift card (yum), some tea lights, binder clips and a cute Easter notepad. Thanks Kacey!!!

My sister-in-law Amy sent me two handmade notebooks and a $30 Target gift card and a nice note. Thanks Amy!!!


Jane sent me a Walmart gift card so I could go buy some spring flowers and gardening supplies, along with a nice note. Thank you Jane!!! I have to clean out the flower beds first, but I'm actually starting to feel like I'm ready to get out there and get my hands dirty.


Andie sent me this package and wrote "Project Cheer party crasher" on the envelope. That's so sweet. She sent me one of her favorite conference talks and a nice note. Thanks Andie!!!


Elizabeth sent me this replacement magnet for the one she sent me a few weeks ago that got lost in the mail. Thanks Elizabeth!!!

Linda didn't know anything about Operation Cheer but went ahead and sent me all these fun Easter treats, so nice. Thanks Linda!!!

Heather sent me this nice package and a kind note. She's always so good to me. Thanks Heather!!!

Totally unrelated but I'm wondering--does anyone prefer writing with blue ink as opposed to black? I keep buying big packs of Uniball black pens and end up with a couple blue and red pens but never use them. I'd like to share them if you're interested.

Happy Birthday Liz & Rachelle!!

**Which picture do you think is Whitney's?
Do you like writing with blue ink?
Do you like bread bowls?
Are you busy this week?**