Technology passes the Mama by and we have a new addition.....

We have a new additon to our family.... I never thought it would happen, but I guess stranger things have happened. We are now the proud owners of a gorgeous Shitzu puppy. His name is Mozie. He is more fun than I ever thought possible. He is well behaved and doesn't bark and 80% of the time does his business outside. Mariah needed a new buddy since Jalyssa moved out to college. This just fell into our laps, and we could not resist. Everyone loves him and Denver has even adjusted to him. Connnie loves the company during the day, and it gives her a reason to get up and move during the day. I have really been pleased with the whole outcome.

Things are just moving along in our little family, Jalyssa is enjoying school and doing well. She loves all the socializing and the college life. I am so proud of her.
Mariah is doing well in school, she has been overwhelmed a little with all the demands on her,but she did incredible in the school play. They did the Music Man and she played the part of Mrs. Paroo. She really nailed it, everyone said she got the accent down perfectly. We were so proud of her, she worked really hard and it showed. Elder Killpack is coming up quickly to the close of his Mission. My how time has flown by. He will finish the end of January, and he will really be missed by everyone on his mission, and they have truly grown to love him.

I have just been doing what I do best...work, young womens, clean house, take care of my family, and hang out with my best friends. I love everything I do, and everyone I do it with. I am still working on learnig the computer and it is a slow process,although I have coined a new phrase, it is "Techno Tard". That is me!! There are so many new things coming out that I am being left behind; fast and furiously. My children know so much more than I, it is amazing. I am lucky if I can remember how to turn on the computer. With Blogs, and facebook, and twittering and so many things I have never heard of, I am truly a techno tard. This blog and facebook are all I have learned to attempt,with a small amount of skill. I know there are things that I am missing out on even on these sights. I do not know how to post videos,and I can not figure out how to post pics on facebook, I just can not get it to work. Luckily, I still have my cell phone and I definately know how to use it.
Kelly has been the rock of our Family and helps us stick with our budget. He has also been working on a side job, doing plumbing and has realized he is not as young as he once was. It takes a toll on your body, but he is strong and is doing a great job, and feels good about putting his skills to use, besides making some extra cash.

We are all looking forward to Christmas. This year has been stress free and totally worth all the sacrfices to make it that way. I love spending the Holidays with Family and Friends. I doubt that I will blog again before Christmas... So Happy Holidays to all and have the Merriest of Christmas's and a Fabulous New Year!!!

Life is flying by.....and I am hanging on for dear life!

I do not think I would ever make it without this fabulous group of friends. I am so grateful to have them all in my life. We all come from very different backgrounds are all dyfunctinal in our own special ways. That is probably why we are all drawn together. We have so much fun when we are together,and we love every minute of it. We are there in the hard times, and there in the good times, our own little support group. With life flying by so fast, it is good to have something solid to hang on too. And let me tell you these girls are it!
We have had such a crazy summer, and it is nice to have it behind us, and I think we are ready to settle down, and just be....But life doesn't work that way. Just when you think things are going to be calm, someone swings a bat at your window (literally), and the terror takes over. I think that it is good that we do not know the future. Because at this point, I don't think I could handle it. We never know what is around the corner. My family and friends are the most important things in my life. I just want everyone to be safe and happy. Is that so wrong? I am feeling very frustrated with life right now, and I am on edge. This makes me weary and not at my best, so be patient with me. Again, I thank my friends and family for putting up with me, and keeping me from losing it all together.

Don't blink, or 4 months will disappear...

Where did the time go? I have been so consumed by millions of things the last four months, I think I blinked and they were gone! Does this happen to everyone? I think so. From this beautiful picture you can see that Jalyssa has graduated from High School, and is ready to move on with life. When did that happen?
Oquirrh Temple Celebration was a huge success and all our kids did fantastic, singing and dancing their hearts out. They made us so proud.
The kids have all enjoyed serving in the Temple and we look forward to the dedication. What a great blessing in our lives.
My cute Hubby flexing his muscles, on a quick boating day with Grandpa and Grandma D. We had a blast and have the sunburns to prove it! We were so happy, when the weather finally turned warm by the end of June. Hopefully we will get in a few more boat trips this summer. Please Grandpa? My next entry will be exclusively about our Pioneer Trek adventure, so tune in soon, I may get a chance to blog again real soon............

Sweethearts Dance

Jalyssa went to the Sweethearts Dance with Zach Stone, they had an incredible time. They went with some crazy friends and spent the whole day dating and preparing for the dance that night. But the whole thing could not of come together without the help of good friends and family. We had help with every little thing, like picking the ribbon for her dress, to a friend cooking their yummy meal, and another friend doing Jalyssa's hair so beautiful. We also could not of done it with our Grandma D's help, she took over when Mom and Dad had to leave town. Everything turned out perfect, but like I said we could of never done it without everyone's help. So we say a BIG THANK YOU to all! They made a really cute couple and had a wonderful time.

I still can not believe that Jalyssa is a senior and ready to go off to college. It is really killing me. She is an incredible Young Woman and so much of life ahead. I am so happy that she gets to have these wonderful experiences and spend time with good friends. Sometimes people think that life ends when they graduate High School, but truly it is just beginning. Here's to a bright future Jalyssa, I love you!!

Another New Addiction...

I now have a new favorite hobby, it is good and bad. My dear friend Melinda and her Husband got a WII for Christmas and a WII fit for Valentines, this has been my downfall. We have a standing invitation to come play anytime. The reason this is good is because it is free entertainment and it is really fun. The reason it is bad is because it is free entertainment and really fun. I love playing the Wii and challenging the family at tennis matches and bowling and cow racing. (which I am horrible) The Wii fit is a whole other thing... When they introduced us to the Wii fit, it became my enemy. It is really hard. With aerobics and weight training and hula hooping. And a fitness test that weighs you and gives you an age dependent upon your stamina and strength. This computer has a lot of nerve. Now really... what business does a computer game have telling me I am obese. How dare it! It even plumped up my Mii, (You're not alone Holly) It has the audacity to give me exercise tips and weight loss suggestions. It is a love/hate relationship. All my friends who we play with, are all in the same position, so at least we are all harassed together. We have decided to do a biggest loser kind of thing. To check in once a week and do the fitness test and see if we are in any better shape than the week before. Or at least come out younger. So I am determined to get in better shape, just to show the dumb computer game.. what is what! Like I said it is a love/hate relationship.

Pictures can be so decieving...

I updated my cut and color a couple of weeks ago, and then took some photos of myself. I wish I could get glamour shots from Jen's photographer, he made her look so fabulous.(Which she is) Anyway, I have had so many comments from people that say, "Wow, you look so young", just like High School. I about fell out of my chair, what a load of crock! Like I said pictures can be so deceiving. Although I do not mind the compliments. Unfortunately when I look in the mirror, I see all the blossoming wrinkles, the well earned laugh lines and the encroaching crows feet. I do admit though; I have more confidence and self esteem than I ever did in High
School, so that has to account for something. Oh the wisdom of many, many years.
Approaching middle age is so frustrating, because I have to act like an adult, yet I still feel so young inside. It is about killing me that Jalyssa is graduating and ready to head off to college. I still remember college so clearly, like it was yesterday. Oh well, life marches on and unfortunately it keeps marching across my lovely face.

All right, quit bugging me...

I know I haven't blogged in quite awhile. But honestly it is not my fault. I have been so busy doing many wonderful things, that I really have not had time to sit down at the computer and spend much time. I have also been coerced into another Internet time sucker. Yes, the almighty FaceBook... Who knew I had so many relatives and friends on the World Wide Web. In the last 2 weeks, any time I have set down to the computer I have quickly logged on to FaceBook and checked to see who is new to my world. I have found cousins and shirt tail relatives and friends that I have not seen or heard from in years. In that way it has been great, but I am shocked to see how much time people actually spend on the computer. But hey, who am I to judge.
Life goes on as usual, and despite my few minutes on the computer, we have had a great month. The girls and I were able to attend the Draper Temple Open House. It was a wonderful experience to share with them. They were thrilled and excited to have the opportunity to go. We loved the spirit we felt, and are really looking forward to the Oquirrh Temple Open House, as that will be our Temple.
Jalyssa is looking forward to the upcoming Sweethearts Dance, she finally got her answer from her date, Zach. He strung yarn all over the inside of the house. It was awesome. He did a great job. Jalyssa was thrilled and of course he said, YES.
The dance is coming up in February, and so now we get to find a dress and do all the fun stuff of preparing. The fun of being the parent of a teenager girl. Oh, and before I forget, which I won't... Jalyssa has been accepted at LDS Business College. She will start this fall. Talk about excited and proud, You know it!!
Mariah has also had a great month, she has been named 1st chair violin in her Orchestra class. We are very proud of her, and now she has decided to also play the Bass Clarinet. She just keeps increasing her talents. She is incredible. Have I said lately, how much I love my kids. Well, I do! I will try and be more current on my blogging, but with Face Book and checking my e-mails, and this, it requires lots of computer time. So wish me luck!

The Reason for the Season...

This entire month has been consumed with so many wonderful events, it is hard to blog about them all in one sitting. So I will just say it all with, how blessed our lives have been and how grateful we are for our Savior and the sacrifices he made for us and without this knowledge in our lives we would be lost. I am so grateful for family and friends who enrich our lives everyday and make this world a beautiful place to be. Never forget who you are and who you represent. Be proud to be who you are and always be happy. My love to all and may you begin the New Year with Peace in your heart and a Smile on your face and dreams that will come true, if you let them.