Valentine's Day

Honesty time here I am not a really big Valentine's Day person. I use to be until I stood in line for dinner one Valentine's Day waiting for an hour and a half then we sat at the table Kimmie had a seizure and we had to go home the minute we got a table. So therefore, valentine's day is a fun day to exchange cards to each other and that is about it. This year we knew we didn't have the money to do anything. There was a stake adult dance and dinner that we planned on attending if we were in the mood to go. Erik arranged the cute girl next door to come and babysit. We had never had her before so I was glad that we weren't going far. Trusting babysitters never has been my strong suit. Anyway she did great and they had a good time but it was new for me so rather hard to leave them. I will use her more often she did so well. Anyway, we got our taxes in! They aren't a lot and a lot smaller than in years past. But I wanted to do something fun for Erik. I bought him a BOSCH about 2 years ago. I love it he still wants a Kitchaid. I bought the bosch instead of the kitchaid for the extended warranty and how hard he is on his kitchen appliances. Anyway I suprised him with the food processor attachment and a cooking class at the bosch store. It was really fun to suprise my husband and put me in a much better mood. I love you Erik I hope you enjoy your new toy!!!

This Week

I don't know what it is about this week. I don't know if it is because crop is over or becuase the kids are off track, or if it is that it has been a bad money week (what is new there) or what. I also had a few meetings I didn't want to have this week and my boss is officially gone at work. I don't know what is wrong with me. Nothing actually is wrong. I am just feeling a little blue as Kimmie would put it. I can't seem to snap out of it. It could also be my SAD (seasonal anti-depression), it has been really icky this week outside. I just wanted everyone that I have been moody with that it is me. Nothing is wrong I am just feeling a little down and I don't know why. I am hopeful that things will look up in the next few days. I am just in a really weird mood. If I don't snap out of it make sure that you slap me over the head and yell or something. But life is fine. My mom and Erik keep asking what is wrong and nothing is actually wrong. I am just having one of those weeks.

Crop Days are over, well for this year

I have been really blessed with a wonderful crop committee to help with all the craziness of crop every year. Like previously said I was on KUTV news early in the morning. Clarissa and Laura came to make sure that I looked okay and everything went well. Laura ended up being dragged on camera. I don't know if she has forgiven me for that yet or not. The night before Clarissa and Laura took me to the mall and put me in a dressing room to try on clothes so that I didn't go on camera in my old cumfy jeans. I have to tell you it is really a good idea to take some of your best friends shopping. I remember why I use to like shopping. They are totally honest about what looks good and what doesn't we had way too much fun! We had tried a few of my local favorite stores and hadn't found anything that fit what I was looking for (not to menchion my big rear end). Clarissa bought me new jewelry so that I would feel cute! With Clarissa's and Laura's help I got a new outfit and looked okay on camera so I hear. I still haven't seen the tape and I am not sure I really want to.

Bethany was my crop co-chair this year. She is amazing! I love and appreciate her so very much. I have been blessed so very much by wonderful friends that surround me in everything and Bethany is one of them. (Not to leave out anyone else). Bethany not only watches my kids while I work a couple times a week I rely on her for so very much. My mom keeps telling me not to take advantage of her goodness. She even put up with me not wanting to give up my registration job for crop. I keep over booking myself with crop and when she said she would do it I thought great. Although it was easier said than done. Giving up my job of 7 years was really hard. She even put up with that stress without killing me. She is expecting her 5th child in June. I can't wait to spoil another one of her kids! This isn't a great photo of me although here is Bethany and I with our cute flowers from Jenn. After I took of my cute necklace (sorry Rissa), also I want you to look it was near the end and my hair is still curled!

I haven't gotten the photos from Laura yet I will add more as I receive them! Thank you everyone for your support. It was so neat to look around and see so any of my friends and family there supporting me. I couldn't do this without you.

Bragging about Erik time

I have to tell everyone what a good husband I have and how proud of him I am. I give him a really hard time but he is really good to me and an excellent Dad. Over the past few weeks with crop he has taken over everything. I didn't need to worry about cooking, cleaning or the kids while he was home. Then Friday he took both kids brought all my things to the expo center and stayed and helped us. When he was done there he packed up the kids and ran and picked up a few more things for us. Then he made two cheesecakes for my crop committee to eat during the crop. Wait it goes on.... After my brief three minutes of fame on morning news he came in and said to my crop committee, "I have a sexy TV star around here somewhere that I need to give a kiss to her." After coming and taking me to lunch and helping periodically throughout the day so it wasn't that he sat at hom I came home exhausted. I got home my kitchen was clean he bought me a sweater I had been looking at and made me chocolate covered strawberries that he put a cute note on! I was so tired I started to cry and told him I was too tired to even eat them. He put me in bed and tucked me in! Then let me sleep off and on for two days. He even missed a superbowl party so that I could sleep.

All of that plus at work he beat the company record for customer surveys not by just a little bit but by a full percentage point and increased all the numbers for his area! When he took over this job this store was last in the district and near the bottom of the company. He is now in charge and it topping the company and district charts. Not too bad for 10 weeks.

Okay I know this is getting long. But one more thing I need to brag about. He has lost weight. The doctor told him about a year ago that if he didn't change he would be dead in 10 to 15 years. I wasn't too happy about that. It took him a while for that to hit him. When it finally hit he has made a complete 180. He has lost 40 pounds and all of his high numbers are back in line. If he keeps it up he maybe able to go off of the diabetes meds!

Thank you Erik! I love you and am so proud of you!

25 Things

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you.
1. I love my husband and kids
2. I have the most amazing friends and family.
3. I have a photo fetish. I LOVE to take them and hate to be in them.
4. I have visited 36 states
5. I think the best way to enjoy a movie is with hot popcorn and a Diet Coke
6. I hate to check my voice mail
7. I don't know how to text message
8. I have a weak spot for my husband bringing me flowers
9. I work at two locations
10. I can't have any more kids
11. I hate spam
12. I HATE to do housework and especially laundry
13. I love to spend my spare time scrapbooking (although I haven't done that in a long time)
14. I started writting a book about two years ago I have never finished it
15. I have a weakness for cookie dough made by my husband
16. I graduated with two associates degrees
17. I keep in touch with a lot of my friends from growing up (FB has helped that)
18. Two of my three best friends I have known for over 16 years
19. I always wanted to be an ice skater in my dreams (I fall the second I put on the skates)
20. I am scared of heights
21. I am scared of the next seizure at my house
22. Want a two seater red sports car in my next life
23. I have had to choose to put a child on life support
24. I have helped get legislation through the Utah legislture
25. I can't talk about myself this much

I can see you but not hug you

Things in my life are always crazy with Crop each year. I miss sleeping and spending time with my kids. By Friday before crop Johnny was as ready as I was to have CBYC over with. Saturday morning I was on KUTV 2 news in the morning. I ended up being asked to do this at the last minute. Then I ended up doing not one spot but two. Erik called right after the spots and the kids talked with me. Johnny said, "I can see you on TV but when you are on TV I can't hug you." I wanted to cry. He is such a cutie.

Today's Miracle

With my life so busy wrapped around crop I haven't had much time to just listen to my kids talking. Yesterday Johnny finally let Erik pull out his tooth that has been nearing the falling out stage for three days now. It was so loose it didn't even bleed when it finally came out. He was so freaked about loosing this tooth. He has lost two before now so why this one was such a big deal I don't know. Anyway, I was laying in bed this morning and I heard Johnny go into Kimmie's room and say, "Kimmie wake up there has been a miracle. The tooth fairy left me a dollar, she really came." Kimmie much to Johhny's sadness says, "I know she has come for me too." Then she proceeds to fall back asleep. Johnny continues, "But Kimmie wake up she came to see ME!" So today's miracle is the tooth fairy came to see Johnny!!!

Getting to know you

Welcome to the 2009 edition of getting to know your friends and family. Change all the answers so they apply to you, and then send this to your friends/family INCLUDING the person who sent it too you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about them that you might not have known!
1. What time did you get up this morning 7:15
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema: It has been way to long to remember
4. What's your favorite TV show? lipstick jungle is my new favorite
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? nothing
6. What is your middle name? Joy
7. What food do you dislike? squash
8. What kind of car do you drive? Dodge Grandcaravan
9. Favorite sandwich? Turkey
10. What characteristic do you despise? liars
11. Favorite item of clothing? my stretchy cumfy pants
12. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Hawaii or Paris
13. Are you an organized person? I try to be
14. Where would you retire to? Probably in Utah boring I know
15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? Good memories or bad?
16. What are you going to do when you finish this? Finish reading all my e-mails
17. Furthest place you are sending this? Tennessee
18. Person you think will send back? Everyone hopefully
19. When is your birthday? Dec 24
20. Morning person or a night person? A night person
21. What is you shoe size? 10
22. Pets? A few fish
23. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Crop is almost here!
24. What did you want to be when you were little? a Dancer or ice skater
25. How are you today? Wishing I was some where else.
26. What is your favorite flower? anything my husband buys for me
27. What are you listening to right now? some co-workers talking
28. What day on the calendar are you looking forward to? February 1st when crop is over for this year
29. The last thing you ate? A chocolate donut on the way to work (yes I had breakfast today despite the answer to #5)
30. Do you wish on stars? Yes
31. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Pink or Green
32. How is the weather right now? COLD!
33. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Bethany
34. Favorite soft drink? Diet Coke
35. What is your favorite thing to do outside? watch my kids play on the playground
36. Hair color? Blonde
37. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbies
38. Summer or Winter? Summer
39. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
40. Coffee or tea? Neither
41. Do you want your friends to email you back? sure
42. When was the last time you cried? I don't know I cry way to often.
43. What is under your bed? A whole bunch of stuff
44. What did you do last night Worked on crop stuff and went out to eat for dinner
45. What are you afraid of? Heights
46. Salty or sweet? Always Sweets!
47. How many years at your current job? 4 1/2 years
48. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
49. Do you make friends easily? Sure
50. How many people will you send this too? I'm not sure
51. How many will respond? Don't know
52. Do you like finding out all this stuff about your friends/family? Yes

A New President

I have to admit I have not been the biggest Obama supporter. Okay, that is an understatement. The short of it is I am behind our president. I don't always agree with the positions he has taken in the past and I don't know that he is prepared for the job although he is our president and I will support him. I hope that he is able to inspire the country into fixing some of the major problems that we have and are headed for in the future. I have enjoyed the historic nature of this week and how far our country has come. Best of luck Barack Obama and our prayers are with you.

Crop Because You Care

I am really hopeful that one day my life will calm down. For now this is what I have been spending every spare minute of the day on. So please come and join me.

8th Annual

Crop Because You Care

Utah's Premier Scrapbook Event for Charity

Crop the day away and enjoy food, games and prizes. There will be gift bags for the first 300 registrants. Enter the raffle for a chance to win a get-away-weekend, bid for custom projects in our silent auction, as well as lots of other fabulous prizes!

Cost is $29.00 pre-registered -or- $35.00 at the door

Saturday, January 31st

10am to 10pm

South Towne Exposition Center

9575 South State Street, Sandy

You can register or print out forms on-line at www.epilepsyut.org.

Registration will close at 5:00pm on January 30th.

All proceeds benefit the Epilepsy Association of Utah

Thought for the day

I just was watching the movie Return to Me. So I am taking my thought for the day from that movie.

Hairly legs are your only link to reality.

Christmas Recap

I have been a little busy working on things for Crop and I haven't updated about our Christmas fun! We were so excited to have Erik's sister Lara come and stay with us for a couple days during the holidays. Christmas eve has always been a nightmare were our families are concerned. I love both families and both of them have their traditional dinners on Christmas Eve. Well with it being my birthday I feel really torn. A few years ago I determined that I was not going anywhere and they were going to have to come and see me. So this year my Mom did the Palmer party at her house the Saturday before Christmas (see Nativity post). That was really nice. On my birthday we had my traditional birthday breakfast with my family. Then we went to Hansen's for a Danish traditional Christmas dinner. I have to laugh at how cute Finn (my father-in-law) was about the whole thing. I can't believe how much he got into making sure that everything was just right. My kids enjoyed dancing around the Christmas tree the most. I am sure that this will be a Christmas they will remember for a long time. Then off to home and bed. First thing in the morning Santa had been to our home and brought lots of presents. Thank you to the extra Santa's for the extra goodies. My kids were really spoiled! The funny thing is that when Kimmie sat on Santa's knee this year she made sure to tell him that Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Lara would be at our house Christmas morning so he needed to make sure to bring stocking gifts for them too. Thank you to Mervyns sale I found really cute new stockings for the extra family to ensure that Santa could bring them something too! She is so cute to think of everyone. That is until Christmas morning. She torn through everything like a little tasmanian devil. Anything that had a letter K somewhere on the tag had to be for her. So she ended up unwraping my gifts. We braved the elements and took the normally 45 minute drive to Grandpa and Grandma's house in about an hour and a half. I was really relieved to actually arrive there. I felt a little guilty unwrapping presents and leaving only a little while after we got there but the roads were so bad getting there I didn't want to get stuck. Although we did a little of that too. We got stuck coming out of my parents house we couldn't get up the street. So thank you Erik, Mike and Dad for pushing my heavy minivan up the hill. I was really grateful to get home and spend a quiet evening just to our little family. Thank you everyone for making this a really nice and calm holiday.

Photos: The Palmer Grandchildren (minus Scott and Laurie) , Kimmie in her Tutu made by Grandma Marijo, Erik in Kimmie's tutu, Johnny with a few of his gifts Christmas morning.