V-DAY among other things

 Michael and I celebrated v-day last night at the windmill.  We didn't get reservations for the 14th soon enough so we just went last night which was fine.  There's an awesome family in our ward and the mom wants her 11 yr old to start babysitting but doesn't think she's ready so the mom asked if the both of them could come babysit free of charge.  We were glad they offered because we think they're the greatest.  The dad is in the bishopric and the mom teaches adult Sunday school and they've made us feel so welcome in the ward.  The kids has a great time and dinner was good too!

 I came down with a cold last night but I whipped some valentines for the kids and Michael and made some treats for dad and v-teachers.

We had pink french toast that morning and had special visit from gpa Simmons bearing valentines and treats.  Gpa played a couple games of guess who with Stetson and showed me some family history he's been working on.  Thats the reason I'm trying to keep up with the blog, because this is our only journal and having a record of family times will be priceless to us one day.
Matthew and Charlene came a couple nights ago since he's been looking at jobs in MT and surrounding areas.  We were more than happy to have them stay with us.  We had tacos for dinner, then Michael and I conveniently had temple recommend interviews that night so we were glad Matthew & Charlene happened to be there to babysit for us. :)  When we got to the church, there was another young couple with 3 little kids really close in age and as I watched the parents struggle and try to keep their kids quiet and under control, I wanted to tell them that they weren't bothering me a bit and that I can totally relate to them.  It felt so good to me so sit and not wrestle kids for a few minutes.  I was interviewed by Lyle Knight who is actually a friend of dads.  He asked me to say a prayer to invite the spirit and it just felt good to sit with that worthy priesthood holder and answer those questions.  I really feel like as a young mom Heavenly Father pours his blessings to me and shows me unconditional mercy and love more than I deserve, but because of the load I bare as a mom.  I honestly feel surprised when I attend sacrament every Sunday and still feel the spirit so strong.  I feel incredibly lucky that despite my many weaknesses Heavenly Father still blesses me so much.  The first question was something like ' do you have faith in god the eternal father and in his son Jesus Christ?'  My answer was a resounding yes and I could't have meant it more, because I feel like I need God so much and I am so dependent on him and his son.  I always wish I was better though.

beautiful girl turns 5

I am biased but I sure think this girl is great.

Here Kandace is, Monday morning getting ready to go to preschool where she would share these cupcakes with her preschool class.  I was glad her bday fell on a school day so she could share treats and get sung to and all that fun stuff.

When Kandace came home from preschool she wanted her pic taken in this chair. In that pose. Oh my.

Kandace had 2 friends over, Liz Chlemow and Isabelle McDonough.  Liz and her family are good friends of ours and Isabelle is in our ward and is in Kandace's primary class.  The girls made their own pizzas.  while the pizzas baked they did a couple crafts and then ate their pizza, had cake and opened presents.  It was a fun and simple party.

On the night before Kandace's bday (Sunday) I baked the cupcakes and tried to make Kandace's cake.  Ummm it was supposed to be a castle.  Whoops.  The last time I did a cake like this was last year for her birthday.  We did a butterfly cake pan and just frosted it with a flower tip and it was easy peasy.  This year not so much. I think my tips were too big and well, what can I say, I'm an amateur.  Michael says, "why don't we just do a square cake the says 'happy birthday kandace?' "  Good idea honey.  In all honesty, we will probably do square cakes from now on. :)  I was stressed when I was making it, realizing it wasn't turning out so Michael went and got Kandace from bed to get her approval (that's all I really want) and she looked at it with sort of a confused look and said, 'where's the windows and door?'  I was glad that was all she noticed that was wrong with it.  I was looking at old bday posts of hers on my blog that night and thinking how this fancy diva girl of mine probably would have liked to have been born to a craftier, handier mom but I sure am glad beyond expression that she was born to me.

Stetson and bball at the YMCA

 Stetson started bball last month.  He has practice once a week and a game every Saturday.

You'll notice in the 2nd pic Stetson has his hand to me indicating that he does not want his picture taken.  Stetson has more fun at practice than the games.  He struggles with the "big picture" concept of bball and doesn't pay attention to possession or which direction he's supposed to be going.  In all honesty I just want my kids to find something they like and can become successful at.  I want my kids to be involved in extra curricular and learn teamwork and learn to reap the benefits of hard work.  Everyone says that for your kids to have a shot at sports in the "big city" you have to start them out young.  I have no idea what Stetson will end up liking or end up good at but I'm trying to give him a taste of different things and even though he doesn't always like it, I think its a good learning experience for him. the end.

Great Grandma Mildred Asay

Last week Michael and I had the privilege of picking up Michael's gma Asay from the airport so she could stay at her house in Lovell for a couple weeks while her daughter Sylvia is vacationing in Argentina.  I think this lady is pretty amazing.  When Michael brought her out to the van he brought her in a wheelchair which surprised me because she's never needed one before, but apparently she had a cortozone shot in her knee recently and the long plane ride made it hard for her to walk.  Anyway, she's almost 100 now so she suffers from some ailments but she never complains (at least to me) and is always chipper and optimistic.  She raised 9 children.  On a farm.  In Wyoming.  I admire her so much.  I love the way I feel when I'm around her.  She makes me feel important and there is always a special spirit in her home.  She's never waivered in her faith in Jesus Christ and has remained productive and hard-working even into her old age.

We met Stan & Jan at our house afterwards so they could take her to back to Lovell.  They brought a bday present for Kandace to open and then Stetson and I had to take off for a school function.  We love when Michael's parents come.  They are equally as inspiring to me and are so special and I'm so proud to be their daughter in-law.

weekend getaway

 A couple weeks ago, Kandace and I went home with gpa Simmons after one of his temple days so we could watch a bball game in Burlington and stay the night at his house then ride home the next day with Daniel & Kasi who were coming to Billings for a family member's endowment.  It was nice to just be with Kandace, always super fun to watch some bball and relaxing to have someone else fix my meals. :)  Gpa Simmons even polished Kandace's boots.  He is good about paying attention to detail and he must have noticed some time that weekend that he boots needed polishing very quietly got out the polish Saturday morning and got to work.

painting

 Some time in January, Dad, Brenda, Joel & Kambrie came to help us paint.  At the end of last year, Michael had a long break from school so we got all the popcorn ceiling off, re-textured and everyone who came helped us repaint the ceilings and we decided to do the walls and give everything a fresh look.  We did gallery beige for all the rooms and them vanilla steam for the hallway to tie in the cool color (gallery beige) with the warm(the brown wall going downstairs).  Kambrie and Brenda gave me a good lesson in color pallets and matching.  Good thing for that because I was way in the dark. :)  I bought a black and white chevron bed set to for our bedroom that goes well with the new colors.  We also re did the floorboards and doors.  It looks way better.  BUT painting is a ton of work and I'm glad I wasn't doing it by myself.  And I'm glad for family members who help me. ;)  I also have great plans for Janelle's room in the decorating department but we'll see if it happens.  More than anything I just want my house clean, and then when that happens (uh..maybe never) then I'll think about more decorating.