Home on the Range

Alex's class performed their yearly music program a few weeks ago. It was filled with songs, dancing and some speaking parts. It's the 3rd time we've seen this particular program (since Hannah and Haylee did the same one) but it was still fun to see Alex in it. He was very excited and proud that night. Alex loves to perform and just lights up when people are watching him. He, and the rest of the 2nd graders we know and love did a great job!

He Is His Mother's Son

This is Aidan at the Orthodontist's office. The earphones are for the movie he is watching. I guess playing the Gameboy isn't exciting enough- he has do to both.

Finding Joy & Meaning in Temple Worship

I attended a Stake Enrichment Meeting on Saturday. The theme was Temples. I had looking forward to it for about a month. I guess it's been awhile since I attended an Enrichment Meeting. Do you ever have those times in your life where you're just "thirsty"? That's how I've been feeling lately. I've felt like I'm coming out of spiritual drought and I'm thirsty all the time. It's unquenchable. I can't get enough. Anyway, I was literally giddy all last week about my upcoming Saturday. I knew I would be going to the enrichment meeting and then later that day we had plans to attend the Draper Temple Open House.

The Stake Enrichment did not disappoint me. Let's face it. You never quite know what you're going to get with these things. It's like a movie that everyone tells you about- you're afraid to get too excited so it won't let you down. As parched as I was, I doubt I could have been let down, but it was fabulous!

The first speaker, Sis. Hepworth, shared passages that we should read before going to the Temple and while at the Temple. I wanted to share them.

Before going to the Temple: Read, study and understand (may take a lifetime): Exodus 26:29, Leviticus 8, 2nd Chronicles 6, Moses & Abraham.

While at the Temple (in the chapel prior to a session, etc.): D & C 109

She also shared that those going to the Temple for the first time should be familiar and be able to define the following:

Anoint
Atonement
Christ
Covenant
Fall
Sacrifice
Temple

Another concept that she talked about was "berith" or binding ourselves to God. She talked about us being in an undesirable form but once we "berith" ourselves to God, he can guide us, lead us, teach us to go where He needs us to go. I plan on studying this concept more fully- it fascinates me.

I also wanted to paraphrase a story she told about the Logan Temple. The details are a little foggy but I think I'll be able to communicate the "gist" of the story. I think it came from an Apostle or Temple President. One day (and this may have been a dream or vision... not sure...), a pack of horsemen arrived on the grounds of the Logan Temple. They tied up their horses and began congregating around the Temple.

The Temple President went out to greet them and said, "What are you doing? Who is your leader?"

The leader of the group responded, "I am Lucifer and we have come to keep your people out of the Temple. We will remain here until the Temple Work is stopped."

The righteous leader said to him, "You cannot stop the work. It is the Lord's work and we will keep doing it until he tells us it is done."

The leader then commanded Lucifer and his group to leave and while they were leaving, Lucifer told him that he would distract his people and slow the work down.

The Logan Saints had a hard time for about a year after that getting to the Temple. A brother would arise every morning and announce, "I'm going to the Logan Temple today." But without fail, every day that he announced that farm equipment would break, cows would get out, and major farm troubles would ensue. He finally got smart. He stopped saying it out loud that he was going to the Temple. He would wake up as early as he could and get all of his work done. After he finished milking his cows he would drop his bucket and run to the Temple.

"Drop your bucket and RUN!"

Run to the Temple- that was the message of the story. I'm sure I slaughtered it but I doubted anyone would have a frame of reference if I just told you to drop the bucket and run.

Simple sentence..... but not simple to do. I'm going to try it though. And I do think Satan works as hard on us, if not harder, than he did the Logan Saints so long ago. He doesn't use physical problems with farm equipment and cows and stuff but he uses distractions. Subtle distractions that we don't even know are distracting us from doing what the Lord would have us do.

I'm going to the Temple this week. I'm not going to tell you what day or when. But I'm going. And in my case, it's "Drop the computer... and Run!"

Draper Temple Open House

We attended the Draper Temple Open House with the Woods on Saturday. It was such a great experience. Of course, "great" is a relative term meaning the best that could be expected when you're waiting for 2 hours with 10 children. It would have been 11 children but Alex went and stayed at Grandmas house because he was really sick. (He and I are going to the Temple tomorrow morning so he can have a chance to see it).

Us 4 adults did so good staying calm during all the meltdowns and the kids reported the following day what their favorite rooms in the Temple were. The most popular answers were the Celestial Room, the Baptismal Font, the Sealing Room and the Bride's Room. (What little girl doesn't just fall in love with the bride's room, huh?)

It was a special day for me (see next post) and I will definitely be increasing my Temple attendance this year.

Our New Super Hero

Ed and I surprised the kids last night with their Valentines Present- a Golden Retriever puppy.

We named him Clark. As in Clark Kent aka Superman.

Ya.... no super hero freaks around here, huh?

Clark is 8 weeks old and is a very mellow puppy. He plays for about 5 minutes and then has to take a 2 hour nap. His favorite spot so far is under the bookcase.

And I'm happy to report that we've already had 1 successful potty trip outside. So far, so good.

I hope your Valentines is happy and special and maybe a little less work than mine! I really don't mind it- as with most things in life- timing is everything.

What Are You Afraid Of?

Alex: "Hey Mom! I know what you're afraid of."

Me: "Ya? What?"

Alex: "Obama, Osama, and Yo' Mama!"

I thought it was pretty funny. Alex is so animated and charismatic- it made it even funnier. I love it when they figure out how to tell a joke. He definitely has some charm. Heaven help the ladies in about 5 years!

A Favorite Quote and a Bold Prophet

I taught the lesson, "Leading the Lord's Way" from the Joseph Smith manual yesterday in Relief Society. It was one of my favorite lessons so far and the whole time I was preparing, I kept thinking of one of my favorite quotes:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

- Marianne Williamson

I kept thinking that the Prophet Joseph was bold and he was strong. He didn't play small to avoid hurting other's feelings. He led and taught with the Spirit. And because he did this, others had the courage to let their lights shine as well. I know that all of our talents and gifts come from our Father in Heaven and we should use them every day to uplift those around us.

My Most Important Job

My kids all have tell-tale signs when they are not getting enough personal attention. But with Haylee, it's very obvious. She makes a big deal out of everything and incessantly picks at her brothers and sisters. On Monday, I reminded her that instead of acting up, she should just talk to me. She opened up and I promised her that I would make time by Saturday to spend a couple of hours just with her.

Today just happened to be one of those days. You know the kind where everything I had planned ended up taking twice as long as I thought it would. And then just when I finally thought I was making progress, I realized that I left the thing at home that I needed to bring to do the thing I was planning on doing.

I finally walked in the door to eat and then get prepared for my last task of the day- my coupon shopping. There was Haylee with her 2 Utah Flash tickets that she got for free from a field trip. The game started at 7:15 p.m. I wanted so badly to tell her that we would go some other time.... but the thought came to me that in 10 years I wouldn't remember that my shopping never got done but she would remember that I kept putting her off. She would remember that she wasn't a priority right that moment.

So we went and we had a great time. She talked the whole way there (that's another tell-tale sign she is craving attention). I couldn't even follow a lot of the conversation - I just kept nodding and hmmming. And we both enjoyed the basketball game- we joked around and had fun.

And what's a basketball game without one of those huge fingers?

College, Here I Come!

Well, I'm officially a college student-again. Although it's definitely different than when I was in school in the 90's.

In fact, my classes start today and I have been to campus exactly once. I have done most everything online- application, register, apply for financial aid (which is $0), and both my classes are online so I'm going to college in the comfort of my own home complete with my new plush robe and slippers!

I remember at Ricks trying to register with the phone system- what a chore that was. And while you were on the phone, there were 200 other students on at the same time snatching up your classes. Oh how technology has grown in the last 15 years!

Anyway- it feels good to finally be going back to school. I'm excited for my classes and that I have finally found a major that I can see myself actually doing. It will be a slow-going (and expensive) road but it will be worth it when I'm done.

Wish me luck!

Oh and just for fun... here's a picture of me almost exactly 16 years ago at Ricks:

These are a few of my favorite things....

No brown paper packages tied up with string on this list! I just thought it would be fun to list my top ten favorite things of 2008.

Of course my tendency when I look back on 2008 is to think about the big and serious things- the things that will last- the things I learned about myself and my relationships: my marriage, my family and my friends.

But this is a fun list- a snapshot of food I've discovered, new things I've tried, products I love, places I've been, and don't forget new technology! I'm not going to say this is a "TAG" but I would love it if everyone who reads this, does a similar post on their blogs. And if you read this and you aren't a blogger (since now I know you are out there and reading me!), e-mail me. We women have to help each other out and we could all use some new ideas for 2009!

So here they are (in no particular order):

1. Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Body Scrub- this is a spa trip in a jar!

2. The Pizza Factory's Chaz pasta with no-carb noodles- world's best grilled chicken sauteed with mushrooms, artichoke hearts, onions, zuchinni, olive oil and italian seasonings over zucchini and squash noodles

3. Disneyland- no explanation needed!

4. Facebook- one place to connect with everyone from your past and present

5. Gap Low-Rise Curvy Jeans- the world's most comfortable jeans- it probably makes a difference that these were second-hand jeans but I want to wear them everyday!

6. Couponing with www.grocerysmarts.com- I have saved hundreds of dollars just since August doing this program!

7. The Palm Centro cell phone- my whole life in one little device- genius!

8. Coaching your kids' sports teams- who knew how fun this would be?

9. The Twilight Series- talk about escaping to another world....

10. Photoshop Elements- not just for editing pictures but creating all sorts of word art, cards, blog headers, etc.

Twas the Night Before Christmas....

This is all of us in our Christmas pajamas. We are all cozy and warm. Our Christmas Eve wasn't really this calm or without chaos but this is how I choose to remember it. And since it snowed all day Christmas Day, we just stayed in our jammies and played with our new toys. .

A Tale of Two Christmas Cards

Christmas Letter 2008:

Dear Family & Friends, 12/15/2008

Christmas cards mean a lot to our family. Each night in December when Ed or I check the mail, the kids huddle around to see which family’s yearly update and picture was delivered. Some of you have even developed somewhat of a reputation for being funny, clever and creative- which just adds more fun and anticipation to the activity.

Consequently, our own anxious behavior has caused me to be a bit obsessive when preparing our family’s Christmas Card. Every year the pressure of choosing just the right combination of pictures has me lying awake at night planning and rearranging. This year, the self-inflicted pressure has been even worse since I re-connected with my college newspaper friends.

So after hours on the computer, I created the Perfect Christmas Card. It was beautiful. The picture of Ed and I made us look like we were Parents of the Year. The boys looked like little GQ angels right out of a catalog. The girls’ picture was absolutely stunning. Everyone was so perfectly posed that we looked like the Perfect Family. I felt happy and proud that I had accomplished what I set out to do.

However, as I carried the file around on my flash drive, it seemed to haunt me. I never could make the time to get it printed.

And then I realized that the card that I had painstakingly created to be absolutely perfect was not a true reflection of our family at all. And that I had gotten lost. I realized that I spent so much time worrying about how the card looked that I didn’t remember to worry about the message it carried. Families aren’t perfect- least of all ours. Despite our many shortcomings and weaknesses, we love each other. We serve one another. We laugh and have fun together. We pray together and we pray for one another.

During this time of year when we celebrate our Savior’s birth- that’s what I want you to know about our family. I want LOVE to jump right off this Christmas Card and give you a big hug. If you’re struggling, I want our SMILES to buoy you up and encourage you to keep on going. If you are sick or otherwise afflicted, I want you to know that we will be here to HELP you.

So I headed back to the drawing board to create a new Christmas Card. This time I didn’t worry about the pictures being perfectly posed or perfectly groomed (obviously I didn’t worry too much about appearances since I’m not even wearing make-up in one of them). I used pictures from our October California vacation with the Grovers, instead of our posed family pictures (which I love but are better suited for our living room wall). I created the card with love and care to represent how we feel about each other. And most of all, to represent how we feel about you- our family and friends who have all shaped who we once were, who we are and who we will become.

We hope that this letter and “imperfect” card finds you enjoying this Christmas season. We know that our Savior lives and loves us. We hope that during these uncertain times that you too will feel comforted and uplifted by this knowledge.

Love,

The Huhtalas

First Draft, the "Perfect Card":

Elf This!

The kids and I made an Elf Yourself video but I'm too cheap to pay for the download so go to these links to see the kids disco:

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/8FeTaWMJ7Kfj1X6D

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Close Call

A storm rarely slows me down.

Most of the time, it never keeps me from doing what I had originally planned.

Today was not any different- although it could have changed my outlook forever.

Ed and I made plans with his parents about 2 weeks ago to attend "A Christmas Carol" playing at the Hale Center Theater in Orem. We had given them a gift certificate last Christmas which we were sure they hadn't used yet so we invited them to go with us.

Today it snowed most of the day and we ended up with 8 or 9 inches of snow (just a rough guesstimate). We traveled to the show as planned, leaving more than an hour before the show started to give us plenty of time.

The roads were icy in parts and traffic was thick but we arrived in safety. The play was excellent and we had a great time.

On the way home, probably since it hadn't been snowing for awhile, the interstate was dry and we made our way without much adaptation in driving speeds, etc.

Between the University Ave. exit and the first Springville exit, the car directly in front of us braked and spun around. It crashed into the median directly in front of us and ricocheted off headed straight for us. It barely missed us. As Ed tried to slow down to offer assistance and I started to dial 911 for help, he looked in our rear view mirror where he saw cars skidding and trying to get control. 2 cars missed us by inches- one on the left and one on the right.

I think the driver of the car hitting the median was okay but I still called 911 to give them her location. I explained that we tried to stop to offer assistance but the black ice was so slick that we were unable to stop safely.

I'm so grateful that we were protected and spared from an accident. And it humbled me enough to learn that even though you are most careful, do everything right, educated about how to drive in rough weather, accidents will still happen. And while you can't rearrange your life (especially in Utah) around the snowfall- it is still wise to be prepared and cautious.

It also reminds me, even though I had no such feeling or prompting tonight, that we should listen and give validity to the promptings we have to reschedule or cancel certain events. And that we should remain close to the Spirit so that we may receive those promptings when they will keep us out of harms way.

A Quote to Live By

This quote was on our Relief Society bulletin this week and I love it. I'm going to post it on my fridge to remind me everyday to simplify and only worry about the important things.

"Sisters, do not allow yourselves to be made to feel inadequate or frustrated because you cannot do everything others seem to be accomplishing. Rather, each should assess her own situation, her own energy , and her own talents, and then choose the best way to mold her family into a team, a unit that works together and supports each other. Only you and your Father in Heaven know your needs, strengths, and desires. Around this knowledge your personal course must be charted and your choices made."

- Marvin J. Ashton

George Lucas- My Hero!

So he came through.

Rather, his secretary came through. Get real. That's who runs the show anyway.

So while George Lucas is cool and all, Anne Merrifield is the true hero in my book.

Anyway, Alex got his letter and a complimentary Star Wars magazine. Which I thought was just perfect!

And in case you're wondering, "Mr. Lucas has indicated that he will not make Episodes 7, 8, and 9 because he feels the story has a good ending when Darth Vader is redeemed in Episode 6."

Oh- and she signed it "May the Force be With You!" Alex thought that was way cool.

Ta Da!

Thanks to Amberlyn, I have "one of those" trees.

When I say "one of those", I'm referring to the trees that don't look like they belong in a house full of 5 roudy children and 1 horse (I mean dog). You know, the ones that look like they should be on the cover of a Martha Stewart Magazine. Amberlyn calls them "Ta Da!" trees.

I have been rebelling against the "Ta Da!" tree for quite some time. With 5 little ones, I thought, "What's the point?" And, why? since everyone else does it? Why should I try to keep up with the Joneses? (Let's face it, put my decorating skills against anyones and I pail in comparison....)

Well, 2 years ago, like 4 days before Christmas, our Charlie Brown tree (the opposite of Ta Da!) broke. One leg of the stand completely busted off and the tree fell down. Refusing to go buy a new tree and re-decorate it so close to Christmas, we duct taped it to the wall. Don't I wish I had a picture of that for my blog!

So last year, we bought a new 12-foot, pre-lit tree at Sams Club. Brigette accompanied me to Taipan Trading and assisted me in picking out some ornaments. She informed me (I had to put this advice to use on my pot shelves and fake walls that I displayed last month as well) that I shouldn't be all "matchy-matchy"- that I should change up my textures and colors. This is after I had filled my cart with mostly Americana-type ornaments. She recommended the red jewels and said I should buy a ton of them. Going against my better judgement, I listened to her. And WOW!- even last year, pre-Amberlyn- the tree looked pretty good!

Today, Amberlyn and I hit the 60% off sale at Shopko to add some more sparkle. It turned out fabulous! I'm glad Brigette and Amberlyn know what they are talking about.... I would have completely ruined this gorgeous tree. In fact, it would have looked better right out of the box with just the lights on it than with my choice of ornaments.

I'm so glad that there are people out there that can help me learn how to decorate! Thanks Brigette and Amberlyn for your wonderful work.

Without further ado, here is (drum roll please....) Amberlyn and the Amazing Christmas Tree!

(I should write a cartoon screen play for that title- the Charlie Brown Christmas, while a classic... needs some competition! Plus, I'm living proof that the Ta Da! trees are much more in fashion!)

Hannah Banana- 11 years old!

Happy 11th Birthday Hannah!

Here are 11 reasons why Hannah is so fabulous:

1. She is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside.
2. She is very talented.
3. Hannah is thoughtful and serves others.
4. She loves the Gospel and is always striving to live it.
5. When she feels the Spirit, she acknowledges it and shares her thoughts.
6. Hannah is very helpful around the house.
7. She loves her brothers and sister.
8. She is funny-- everyone has a good time when they are around her.
9. Hannah puts others' feelings and well-being above her own.
10. She is a great student.
11. Hannah is a very hard worker.

Hannah is one of many joys in my life and while part of me wants to stop time and keep her from getting any older, I am enjoying watching her become a beautiful, smart, and accomplished young woman. I love you sweetie!

Turkey Bowl

If you're in the area and in the mood for a good 'ole fashioned Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl (football game), come to our family friendly version Thursday morning at 9 a.m. at Spanish Oaks!

We will play rain, snow or shine. I'm going to bring a batch of hot chocolate and maybe donuts if you're lucky!

And family friendly means it's not just the boys playing. It's moms, daughters, sons, grandma's, dad's- EVERYONE!

Hope to see you there!

My New Favorite Store

So I'm still losing weight and finding it frustrating to buy new clothes to have them fit for a month or two- what's the point?

And thanks to Amberlyn, I am now under the impression that the only jeans I look good in or fit me are Gap ones. So since those are $50 or more per pair, I had to find a new way to find clothes that I love, look cute in, and feel cute in. As you know if you've every tried to lose weight that feeling is the most important feeling in the world to keeping the weight off. If I start to feel fat again, well, I'll just become that, right?

DI

That's it! It's perfect. My friend told me she only buys her jeans at DI. So Amberlyn and I took a little trip yesterday up to the American Fork DI (cuz that's where the rich people are) and it was fabulous. I got 3 pairs of jeans (1 Gap, 1 Old Navy, 1 Levi's) for $6 each. I also bought a cute sweater for Sunday ($3) and a Gap jean skirt ($5) AND 1 Gap jean jacket (so cute!) for $8!

And the best news of all? The jeans were all a size 14, the skirt a 12, and the sweater and jacket a size Medium.

Yeah!

Oh... and I've now moved from the "obese" category to the "overweight" category on my Wii Fit.

I'll post a picture once I wear one of my new DI pieces of clothing.