Family is Everything!

High School Politics

Melanie is running for the office of Executive as a Student Body Officer at Logan High School.  She is fortunate and dang lucky to have two VERY talented and willing sisters to help her with her campaign. The rules at LHS are very strict when it comes to what is allowed in a campaign:  Four posters, One lawn display, One lobby display, and a 1 1/2 minute video.  

Nicole and Chelsea have literally saved Mel's bacon with their fabulous ideas and artistry.

Poster 1:

Poster 2:

(Yes, Melanie really did go skiing in a cow suit to get these photos!)

Poster 3:

 I thought we needed a close-up of the chicken!

Poster 4:

(Photos of the lawn display and lobby display will be posted at a later date - like when they're completed!)

GO MELANIE!!

And many, many, many thanks to Nicole and Chelsea!

(Final voting is not until April 16th, so hang on to your hats!) 

Zits

I love this comic strip!

It mirrors my life so well that it cracks me up on a regular basis.

For Christmas, Melanie and Dustin gave me a Zits daily calendar.

This is today's comic:

(Sorry about the blurry shot.  I am not a photo guru.)

Frame 1 says:  "Sorry, Dude. My mom said I can't go out tonight."

Frame 2: Friend asks, "Are you sure?"

Reply, "Positive.  She used the 'F" word."

Frame 3:  "Family Time."

I LOVE IT!  The comic and Family Time!

Even Moms Make Mistakes

As I was perusing my past blog postings, I realized with horror that I had allowed my infatuation with becoming a wheat bread making guru to keep me from posting yet another memorable milestone in our family.

On March 12th Nicole and Talon officially celebrated their wedding anniversary!  One whole year of wedded bliss!

My two sons-in-law have made being a mother-in-law much easier than I had anticipated!  In fact, it is just plain easy!  They are my boys, and I love having them as a part of our family!

OCD by Color

In an effort to be more productive, I've taken to color-coding my lists.  Specifically, the crossing off portion of my weekly list.

We have already established my fondness for lists.

We know that I have several lists strategically strewn about my house.

I have a total projects to complete sometime in my lifetime list.

And I have a things to take with us in the event of an emergency list.

I have a daily list.

And I have a weekly list.

It is this weekly list of which I speak.

We have also established my fondness for crossing stuff off of my list(s).

I have implemented the colors pink, orange, and green into my crossing off strategy as relating specifically to my weekly list.

For items completed I use a pink highlighter.

For items partially completed, or in progress, I use green.

For items not in any way, shape, or form completed, I use orange.

I'm trying to stay away from orange.

And although I look pretty cute in green,

Pink is my best color!

At the end of the week I am readily able to ascertain how well I did in accomplishing those tasks set before me in blue ink on my weekly list.  It gives me a reference point from which to begin my new list for the next week.  And I really like how cheerful the page looks by Saturday night :-) 

P.S.  Nicole has informed me that I don't really have OCD, because I don't allow any of my "obsessions" to interfere with the advancement and productivity of my every day life.  Whew!  That's a relief!

And did anyone catch the chiasma in my color usage?  Hmmmm?  Just trying to keep the mundaneness of my life interesting and colorful!

What do you think?

In an effort to keep my son updated on the goings-on in our lives here, I copy my blog posts, along with Nicole's, and Chelsea's, and Aunt Dana's, and mail them to him in "Tico land" as he fondly calls his mission in Costa Rica.

In our most recent e-mail from our missionary, he said, "My comp also wants to say that Melanie's date's tie was really ugly."

Dustin thinks Chase's companion has no taste.  

What do you think?

 

Unrelated side note:  In the same e-mail Chase commented, "Both my comp and I want to know what the heck a Bernina is."

At least I am not the only mother that has not sufficiently taught her children of the finer things and joys in life. Elder Jones' mom has missed the mark on Bernina knowledge as well!

I will not say a bad word, I will not say a bad word ...

It's snowing -- AGAIN!!!!

Two or three new inches on my driveway and lawn.

And it is still coming down.

I will not say a bad word, I will not say a bad word, I will not say a bad word ...

Door Stops - Be Gone!

I made a delicious batch of whole wheat bread.

All by myself!

And it tasted good!

I would show you a photo of the bread - but we ate it!:)

My confidence has returned.

It's been a year

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the death of Melanie's friend, Jocie.  As a parent, it feels like someone has ripped the carefully placed band-aid off of my daughter's heart and exposed her wounds again.  But I know that this year, although painful, has brought change and growth in the lives of my daughter and her friends.  They have a greater understanding of the infinite atonement of the Savior and of the comforting influence of the Holy Ghost.  So although my Melanie has been mourning, I think she also has renewed hope and understanding.

The dad of one of Mel's friends wrote a song in memory of Jocie that he wanted to share with the family at this difficult anniversary time.  He asked Melanie to write and play a violin obbligato and our sweet friend Hillary Dodd to provide the vocals.  After much rehearsal and help from big sister Nicole, the song was recorded.  Pure Light by Mark Firth.  The girls were able to go with Mark to present this gift of music to the Garlick family.  Music speaks a language and conveys a message that is otherwise often not expressible.  All who participated in and received of this gift were renewed and comforted. 

Although sorrow continues, I thank Mark for allowing my daughter the opportunity to use her music, together with his, to speak words of her heart that she was unable to express verbally. Healing will continue. 

(Melanie with Missy and Autumn at Jocie's grave.)

Got my dancing shoes on!

Yup! Our Aggie's are going to the big dance!

It may be a short dance.

But dance they will!

Tomorrow morning at 10:30AM Mountain Standard time!

GO AGGIES!!!!

Bread Failure

I have a batch of freshly baked wheat bread that is available for door stop usage!

Don't try to throw them.

You'll be in to see Greg for a rotator cuff tear if you lug and huck these wheat weights!

For some reason I don't seem able to perfect my newly acquired "skill" without the teacher.

First batch = door stops

Second batch = can be eaten, but I'm still skeptical about the density

I'm losing confidence and am afraid to try again :(

Maybe, in the words of Scarlet O'Hara, "I'll do it tomorrow!"