Monday, July 21, 2008

Gwen and her swimsuits

Gwen has to wear her swimsuit if she sees it! So she has it on under her clothes quite a bit. She is so cute blowing bubbles in the hot tub at my mom's and she loves to play in their wading pool!

This last week July 14th -20th

So I didn't get to this Sunday so we'll see how far I get this morning on the update. Last week Taran and Timo ran their soccer clinic at the park by the elementary school. This is how they earn money. They had a good experience and the kids who participated did too. Emily, Izak and Micah went. It's a great 2 hours of exercise. I bring popsicles over half-way through. Anyway, I hang around so I can be available. Timo and his friends (fellow scouters) weeded in the afternoon at the widows' in our neighborhood. They like it since they have so much fun together. After dinner we went to my parents' and we worked in their yard and then the kids swam. It was fun and they were grateful.

Tuesday Zane actually went to the summer dollar movie with his friends Katie and Sarah. It was Alvin and the Chipmunks. Our kids love that movie. He stayed over after at their house and played with another boy Jason who was visiting. He finally came home in the afternoon. I took Emily, Izak and Micah to the dentist right after lunch. So Timo stayed home with Gwen who was sleeping--I think he slept since he was out late playing night games the night before. Taran went to his friend Scott's and they do all sorts of stuff--Rockband, Weird Al movies . . . Timo's friend John got his teeth pulled so Timo and some of his friends got him some shaved ice that is all the rage right now--it's a new place in Alpine not far from here. Tim took them and tried it and he loved it too. We worked in the yard still doing what we can to get some of the rocks moved. I actually sprayed weeds and bugs around the yard.

Wednesday in the afternoon I went to the movie theater to get Timo and some of his friends tickets to see The Dark Knight opening day since the midnight show was sold out. I also ran errands since I was out. Taran and his friends hung around a bit. That night they had scouts, Timo didn't.So Tim and I went on a date. We went to Lowe's to check out a wheelbarrow. Our's needs to go to the dump. We ended not getting one since it was more than I wanted to spend. I had 2 giftcards but there were other things I wanted too--I was discouraged. So we borrowed my parents' wheelbarrow. Teresa left her truck at our house so we could get it. She and my parents went to Idaho for the Temple Open House in Twin Falls. That is were my mom grew up. She also took her cousin and her brother to it. They had a great time.

Thursday I am drawing a blank. I remember taking Taran and his friends to the movie theater at 8 PM, they were seeing The Dark Knight. They wanted to hang out before it started at midnight. They took turns standing in line and playing or getting food. Tim and one of the other dads, Duane, met them at 11 PM. Both Tim and Duane had meetings so they really couldn't go any earlier. But I doubt they would have gone that early. They got home just after 3 AM. They all really liked the movie.

Friday after lunch, I dropped Timo and his friends off at the theater (they were seeing The Dark Knight) and did some errands. Timo's friend Tommy's mom picked them up. I took the kids to swim at my mom's for a couple hours. I weighed myself at my mom's since I don't have a scale. I lost 6 ponds this last month. YIPPEE! Then we went home and Taran made them dinner while Tim and I went to dinner. We were going to try the new El Pollo Loco but it was still very crowded. So we ended up at Bajio's. It was good, of course, Tim gets the shrimp taco and I tried the fajitas. Something was wrong with the sweet rice for some reason but usually it is AMAZING! It was crunchy! Anyway we went back to Lowe's and got some recycled shredded rubber ground cover for around the trampoline. We also took back some stuff and had a treat at Cold Stone--Tim had a couple of leftover gift cards. I tried their sorbet, it was very good. Then we came home and worked in the yard until late.

Saturday I worked out with my friends--I did all week but Thursday. I still worked out at home that day. Saturday Taran had a scrimmage in American Fork but because it was their city celebration and the parade it was hard to get around so some his team didn't make it so in the end they didn't scrimmage. He and Tim came home and helped us work in the yard. After and hour the kids were tired of working in the yard so Taran took them in and they cleaned the house while Tim, Timo and I worked outside. Tim had some sprinklers that were too high so he had to dig below them. Timo and I were working on the sod that the cutter didn't get. The kids moved rocks. It's coming together. We went swimming at my mom's after that. Then we came back for more yard work. Tim also needed to take thank yous and choir reminders around. I helped him with that. Taran went to a dance that night. Tim picked him and his friends up. We saw the end of the American Fork fireworks from our window-- pretty cool. We can also see the Pleasant Grove ones too. Anyway between it all Tim and I watched August Rush while he ironed and I folded laundry. It was really interesting and enjoyable. My friend gave it to me for my birthday. Taran watched the end with us after the dance--we paused it while Tim picked them up.

Sunday Tim went hometeaching and had choir before church since they were singing. It was great. They did a great job even though they were missing a lot of people on vacation. Church was wonderful, we have some really inspired teachers. We talked about coping with death in Relief Society. It was very reassuring. I missed last Sunday because Micah was sick so it was great to be back. It charges me back up! Our hometeachers came over after church and brought cookies--YUM! Taran had presidency meeting. Then we went to my mom's for dinner. We had a great visit and the food was good. Amber showed us the girls dresses for her and Keith's reception. We talked about ties for the boys and men. Gwen mostly wanted to swing. So the kids pushed her on the swings. It was a good time!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Taran's church talk (7-13-08)

Good morning brothers and sisters. My name is Taran Pew. I am the 1st counselor in the Teacher's Quorum [the president was out of town that's why Taran had to speak & why he is explaining his position-he's not bragging]. I was asked to speak on our Varsity's [scout group name] summer camp this year. Just to give you a little background on what we did, we went the first week of summer down to Moab for a 3 day rafting trip down the Colorado River. Then we drove to Zion's National Park and did some hikes before coming home. It was easily the funnest scout camp I have ever been on.
I would like to share an experience we had on the river. It was our second day on the river and we were getting close to the place where we were supposed to get out of the river and make camp for the night. Our guide didn't know the exact spot where we were supposed to turn off. So she was watching the lead boat. The lead boat ended up missing the turn, but by the time we found that out it was too late, we were already racing down the river at about 30 miles-per-hour. We had to quickly turn the boat around, paddle against the current, and then a few of us had to get out of the boat and pull it through the bushes (which scratched up our legs). Finally we were able to get to shore and tie the boat to a tree before joining the rest of the rafting company at camp.

As I think about this experience I've realized how much the river trip is like life. We are dropped off at a place we have never been before and our goal is to make it back home. In the river trip, there are things that stand in our way, such as eddys, rapids and other boats full of people who want to throw water on us. In life we must withstand the temptations of Satan. In life, like on the river, we make mistakes or miss turns that send us off course, and the only way to get back is through repentance. Repentance is not an easy thing, just like peddling against a current or walking through sharp bushes wasn't easy, but if we didn't do it we would have floated down to Mexico where nobody speaks English, and you can only imagine the mess that would have been. The same is true with repentance. If we do not repent, we will not be able to live with our father in Heaven again.

Ezekiel 18:30 ". . .Repent and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin."

I am grateful for the chance we have to repent so that our iniquities will not be our ruin and we can return home to live in heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Clarification

I realize that not everyone who may read my blog are Mormon, or in other words, belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. So you may find some of my jargon strange. I do have friends not of my faith who know the jargon because they know me and have learned it. If you have any questions about anything you can email me or go to www.mormon.org. It is a website created solely to answer questions about our church, no one will solicit you for anything. We do believe in sharing the message that Jesus Christ lives and that His church is restored on the earth today. We are in no way perfect but I feel most of us, as in ALL people "mormon" or not, are doing our best to be good people.

Busy week, what's new?

So what do you think of my slideshows? I am trying out the free Smilebox since I am looking for software that makes slideshows out of photos--this got the best free review but I don't think I can burn it to a CD or DVD. I really like the templates and ease of use! Anyway. . .

I already wrote about the sprinklers but I didn't write what else happened. Timo had to be to carpool for scout camp early Monday morning and Taran had soccer early as well. So Tim took Taran and I took Timo. I ended up working out at home yoga and my elliptical (I usually do everyday if not 2 times a day). Emily went to a movie with her friend Kassie inhonor of Kassie's birthday. They went and saw Kit Kittridge (An American Girl). They really liked it and then they went to ice cream at Maggie Moo's. Emily had a lot of fun.Taran's tummy strted hurting and he threw up about 11 PM. Luckily that was it for him and he was just weak the next day.

Tuesday morning Tim went to the dentist and then worked putting the main waterline on the sprinkler system. I worked out with my friends. I went out to my mom's in the afternoon and took all the kids but Taran. We went to Costco and bought drinks and ice cream novelties for the people coming to help on our sprinklers. The kids styed the night but my mom brought Gwen home. I need to get a good after photo since Tim mowed Saturday. I didn't get a photo of everyone that worked on it since I was trying to work and take photos too! The kids watched Nanny McPhee at my mom's and went swimming in the pool and hot tub.

Wednesday morning Tim went to work. I picked the kids up after I worked out. Taran and Gwen went with me to pick them up. We ate lunch, the kids swam before we got there. After lunch we went to Staples to help my sister who is a teacher get the one cent folders--you can only buy 10 at a time. After me and my kids went through with my mom we were done! We stopped at the scout store and got Izak as new book and got Taran the driver's manual from the DMV. He isn't super motivated on that yet! That night Tim came home sick but didn't throw up until that night. After I got the kids to bed I went out side and raked some of the rocks--mostly the front and put things away we couldn't see the night before in the dark. Tim didn't sleep well that night even though he only threw up once.

Thursday he stayed home and tried to work from home. He napped later since he was so exhausted. In the afternoon I started feeling yucky but never threw up. My mom felt bad too. Tim was able to tweak stuff on the sprinklers and get them working right. I did read a lot and I slept too. This was in between helping little people. I finished the General Conference issue of April 2008. I just loved it. I was sad I finished. I am so grateful for inspired church leaders who teach us as our Savior Jesus Christ would teach us. I am so grateful for the spirit that I feel as I read the talks. I have passed my copy on to our older boys. Emily made dinner so that was a huge blessing to me. Taran had a scout party, they watched Remember the Titans and had a lesson pertaining to it. He had a blast then they played night games afterward so he got home late.

Friday I felt better enough to work out and then I ran to the doctor's to get my lipids tested--you have to go fasting. Dumb me I left my keys in the car when I ran in and so my mom ran to Tim's work for me and got his key and brought to me! I am so lucky to have her, she offered. She was feeling okay until after she helped me then it came back and she went back to feeling bad. I got home in time to get the kids on task and make them lunch and then I hopped in the shower and met my friend from our Orem condo days, Cathy King. She lives in Highland and we still don't see each other. She is in school to become an RN and she has 6 kids! She is amazing in many ways. She is very talented. We had a great visit and I hope not the last for another 5 years! That afternoon my friend's son came over and the boys had a blast playing with him. The boys (and friends)have had a lot of Nerf wars this last week!
Taran made dinner then played night games that night. Tim and Rob (our Bishop) finished up the electrical by getting a hole drilled into the house to run the sprinker wire. It was done quickly.

Saturday morning the kids had a Primary activity, Pioneer Trek. They played games then we met up with them later to walk the trek. It was very cute and the kdis enjoyed it. They dressed up and we turned our wagon into a covered wagon. Timo was home from scout camp when we got home adn siad that he had a fabulous time! Tim took stuff to DI (like the Salvation Army) and recycle. He also returned stuff to the plumbing company about $100 in stuff he didn't need besides some extra sprinkler heads we didn't even pay for--50 or so! Those he just gave back of course. So we are FULLY automated! I took the kids and Emily's friend Madi to my mom's to swim so Tim could work from home. Taran and Timo stayed, Timo mostly slept! We went out to Chadder's (In and Out copycat). It was good and then ran to WlaMart. Timo lost his Nano cord in Idaho and Taran wanted a new basketball and I needed a couple of things too! Taran and his friends played balla until late and Timo actually hung out with us. We got stuff ready for Sunday and then Micah threw up. He threw up again later in the night so I stayed home today. Tim was sweet and cleaned it up with our Little Green Bissell a lifesaver with these kind of things! Tim went hometeaching this morning before church and Taran spoke in church. Everyone said that it was really good. I read it and I will post it if I remember! We had choir this afternoon. I kept Micah upstairs and there weren't any kids so hopefully we didn't pass it along! We had our devotional after dinner and Tim took the kids to his parents and I am blogging instead while Micah recovers. He watched Joseph King of Dreams by Dreamworks. It's a nice show.

I can't stop thinking about how grateful I am for these automatic sprinklers. I feel so blessed in so many ways. This was no coincidence that all this happened now. It would take too long to type the many miracles that went into it but I know Heavenly Father and our Savior love us and want the best for us and if we are patient and not to say I was completely but obedient doing our best they aremerciful. I don't deserve the help but I am extrememly grateful!!!
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Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Erika is 17!!!

Today my niece Erika is 17. I was thinking about when she was born. We had just gotten married the week before and Tim's sister Shellie had fought toxemia the last while. Poor Shellie was miserable but we were all so excited to meet this beautiful little one who is now a beautiful young lady! Tim and I went to the hospital on our way to our Honeymoon/reception in California. Erika was the only local grandchild so we all enjoyed holding her and playing with her. I also remember Juan, her dad, being so proud and thrilled at the moment. It was a great day! Hopefully today was a great one for her as well!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

SPRINKLERS!

We have sprinklers. Our yard still needs some raking and tweaking. Monday we paid a guy to come trench. He was awesome! He got it all done in an hour. Tim dug all day for the Pressurized Irrigation stub or PI is what we call it. It was so hard to find he got very discouraged. My cousin stopped by on his way to an appointment in Cedar Hills and chatted and confirmed my thought that the yellow pipe was probably the gas line since the gas line was marked with yellow paint just above! Tim called the city and a guy came out and told him to try another spot but until our friend Kevin came over around 4:30 PM then they found it! I went shopping that afternoon for a little bit and got another pick-I broke our new one last year, a new shovel--I walked away with the wrong shovel after our service day at the creek and it's not as good. Anyway, that night we had the kids help us get rocks out of the trenches for Family night--fun well the little boys thought so! Timo is at scout camp this week so he's missing all the fun. Taran watched Gwen and eventually they were inside watching Water Horse which we had rented--they liked it. While we were out there neighbors ended up coming over and helping us too so that's why the kids escaped the work! It was fun to visit and work. Then today Tim worked on thing all day and around 5:45 PM men started showing up to help. We had about 25 men and a couple of boys who helped. So a lot got done and quickly most where home by 8 PM. It's so exciting! I am so grateful to Kevin who offered the help of the men of our neighborhood. His wife, Stephanie, my friend confessed she approached him with the idea of helping us. Tim had always wanted to just pay someone to do it but we always spent the money on other things. So we are so grateful to all our wonderful friends and neighbors who made this possible! I can't wait to start planting!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen

I forgot to write that I finished the book late Friday night. It was great! I really enjoyed it but it does have a sad ending--sorry if I spoiled it for you! The author is Syrie James. I think she really captures her personality and style. So if you are a big Jane Austen fan you will REALLY enjoy it!

Our Week

So I am going to see if I can write about this week here instead of an email! Here it goes!

Monday Tim and the kids returned from Idaho at 4 PM. I spent the morning getting some things set up for our yard. In the afternoon, Zane and Micah went to friends while Gwen slept that was nice. Tim vacuumed out the car rental and I drove it back because he had to get to Micah's baseball game (he plays coach pitch) at 5 PM. The car had to be back by closing at 6 PM. My mom met me there and gave me a ride back. I was pleasantly surprised that the internet code I found worked so the rental was $78! So I highly recommend AVIS car rental! That night, for family night, we watched Tim and I--our wedding video the one Tim made for our wedding luncheon. It was a lot of fun. Tim and Taran took treats to their hometeaching families. Tim had tried to get appointments but with their vacations and our schedule it didn't work out.

Tuesday I was able to return to working out since Tim was home. We had dentist day from 10:20 AM-2:30 PM. We had our check ups the week before so we were back for fillings. I was back for fixing something that is bothering me not a cavity. They were all small fillings mostly between the teeth so it was relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, we still have one more trip coming but then we should be good to go for six months! That night Micah had baseball practice also involved Tim since he's the coach. I had started reading The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen and I was enjoying it. I also got my new vacuum--our 7th vacuum! We now have a budget category for vacuums so maybe we can buy the one we REALLY want! So far I like this inexpensive one from Hoover which got the best review for inexpensive uprights.

Wednesday I watched my friend Merrily's twins, Zane's friends: Katie and Sarah. They played well and then after lunch they played in our little pool which was leaking all over and also ran through the sprinklers. They had a lot of fun. Gwen, Emily and Izak joined in the fun as well. Merrily was able to finish painting her laundry room. It looks fabulous! Taran went swimming at the PG swimming pool with his friend Chad until almost 6 PM. Timo went to the creek with his friends.

Thursday was our anniversary. Taran and Timo went to the temple to do baptisms. My sister Teresa came over and watched the little kids so we could go to breakfast at the temple and then we did sealings. It was very nice. It's so peaceful and relaxing there! Tim ran errands when we got back. I piddled around at home. My sister and Mom took Emily, Izak, Micah and Zane to the Freedom Festival Colonial Village. They had a great time! They got yummy treats and fun stuff. Izak got a patriotic tie, Emily and Zane small furry animals and Micah picked Nachos. In the evening Tim and I went to dinner at Los Hermanos and we both got fajitas--he got shrimp and I got steak. We only ate half of it and had it for another day, yummy leftovers! We picked up some movies from Blockbuster on the way home. Izak went to a REAL Salt Lake soccer game with his friend Bryson while we were gone--it was set up before. When we got home we got the little kids to bed then Taran left for a party at his friend Breton's they made homemade ice cream so they went around asking for ice and we actually had a full bag in our freezer left over from the last time we made ice cream. Taran said that it was delicious. Timo came home from swimming while we were gone and went to his friend John's they all pitched in and bought pizza and hung out. We watched Stardust. It was weird but entertaining. There were a few parts I could have done without but otherwise good. Just as we ended the movie Izak got home--they stayed for some fireworks so it was late. He got car sick and threw up, lovely. So he showered while we did laundry and profusely apologized to our friends that took him!

Friday was the 4th and we had a neighborhood breakfast at 7:30 AM with a patriotic program. Tim took the kids while I stayed with Izak--I wanted to be certain it was car sickness. He ate breakfast and then slept a couple of hours. The breakfast lasted a while and some of the kids stayed behind to play. I was able to get stuff done for later in the day so it was just as well. We went to a park by my parents and it was a lot of fun. The little kids played on the playground and swings while Tim, Taran and Timo played tennis with Katie and Charl. Teresa also joined in and later Emily. Keith and some friends played volleyball there too. Amber came to watch. My mom came for a little bit then went home with Emily, Micah, Izak and Zane to play in her pool. It was cloudy and humid but when the sun came out it was HOT! I came later with Teresa, Gwen and Anders (nephew). My dad was filling the pools (my mom bought a little one that ended up having a hole in it). The kids had a blast even though it was cold and settled into the hot tub. Gwen loves the water so she was eager to get in the hot tub with them. We ate lunch and then we visited. Keith, Amber, Charl, Katie and Tim and the big boys came home and got into the pools and ate lunch too. It was a lot of fun and then we ate dinner later , a BBQ. We did our own little fireworks which was sometimes too scary for Anders and Gwen. When the kids were doing SNAPS Gwen was saying, "That's awesome! That's awesome!" She surprises us all the time what she says! We got home before it was too dark and the kids watched more fireworks from neighbors while Tim and I got ready to cut sod by marking cut lines in the grass. Then we got everyone to bed. It was a fun day! Side note Emily threw up that night but was fine later, we have no idea why.

Saturday Tim rented a sod cutter and cut it all out in a couple of hours then our neighbor borrowed it for a small patch. Tim returned it. Taran and I rolled and cut the sod and stacked it to move. Timo helped the little kids do their chores and they got done relatively quick. Emily went to see WALL E with her friends Madi and Kassi. Emily liked it more than she thought she would. After lunch Tim picked our neighbor/hometeacher's trailer and we loaded it up with the sod. Several kind neighbors and kids friends came over and helped. One was our busy bishop, what a sweet guy. My mom even came over after going to the temple and helped for a little bit. We didn't let anyone know we needed help--I didn't think it would be as much as there was. We still have a lot of sod but it looks good. Tim did the overall design. Taran and Timo accompanied Tim to the dump. They got back in time to go to the Pew family party at the Cranes--Tim's sister Amy's. We had pizza and presents for June and July birthdays and we visited with Tim's brother Erick and his family who were visiting from Idaho. It was really fun and everyone was so generous. The kids went to the park by their house to play so that was fun. Liz and Erin did a fireworks show for us which was fabulous! It's too bad Tim's mom wasn't feeling well so they left early. I remembered on our way home that Timo needed a lunch for scout camp on Monday morning so I ran to the store when we got home. Tim ironed after getting the kids to bed. I stayed up late trying to register Taran again for soccer. They lost it so I have to redo a ton and our printer is dying so it was tricky! I hope they don't lose it again!

Sunday morning Anna (Erick's daughter) came over to talk to a girl in our ward about Armenia. They seem to have. I am out of room so I'll say the rest of Sunday was great! Timo got ready for scout camp and Tim did interviews with some of the kids! Until later!