What a wonderful day it has been! OK -- it's my birthday and I'm not even at home but I have had so many phone calls from family and friends. I know sometimes a phone call is so hard to even fit into our day and yet it has meant so much to me. Just knowing that you all are thinking of me at that very moment. So, thank you for all your thoughts, love and phone calls!

I have been working at Stampin' Up!'s Convention for the past two days. I have always loved convention and still do, but it is different this year with some of my friends not being there. One friend retired a couple of years ago, another friend was laid off in April, and another friend changed positions at the company and is no longer involved like she was. There is a special relationship that is developed at Convention working with fellow employees that you don't have on a day-to-day basis at the office. I have found myself getting closer to a couple of the other girls but in a different way since they are like in their 20's.

I, of course, forgot to bring my camera, so I don't even have a picture to post of this event. You would be absolutely amazed. There are about 3,000 people attending (mostly women) that all love to scrapbook and make cards. You wouldn't believe some of the ideas they come up with. They are so creative and talented. I learn a lot from them.

I'm also anxious to get back home. Ernie seems to be a little bit lonely without me there. Not sure why -- because in the evenings he's usually in his office and I'm in mine -- each of us doing our own thing! It is nice to know though that someone else is in the house. I'm anxious to be together this weekend.

Anyone have any ideas of what we should do for my birthday this weekend? I think we should celebrate!

Summer Days . . .

Today was a beautiful day! It was so nice outside. I wanted everyone to quit running their lawnmowers, edgers and chainsaws so I could just enjoy the quiet. But you know, when this is everyone's only day to do all that stuff -- it seems that it starts really early!

My sister, BryAnn and her husband were with us quite a bit this week. We had a good time. To celebrate Mother's Day (and Mom's birthday) I had my brother, sisters, their spouses, and Mom and Dad over for dinner last Sunday night. We missed not having Craig and Brenda with us. We had such a nice time! I wish we all lived closer and could do that more often. It was an easy meal with Ernie's barbequed chicken and Kneaders close!

I'm excited for Shalise and Devin to drive out in two weeks. It will be fun to see them again. They were here at Christmas, but that was the last time. Now that she's pregnant, yes pregnant . . . it will just be different.

Well, Ernie and I are doing something different tonight and watching a video. Something we just don't do very often. I rented Benjamin Bear (which I understand is pretty long) and Yes Man. I hope he likes them! I'll have to let you know what we think. It's so hard trying to pick a movie out. Gotta run . . .

You would think with my husband being a photographer, that I would post more pictures than I do. Oh, well . . . I don't have any photos of us -- unless I take them myself!

So, layoffs were announced at my office this past week. They are going to do them the middle of April. Tension and stress has been at a pretty high level lately! Guess I have felt that I just need to keep doing my best and hope that everything will be okay. I'll have to let you all know.

Today is the last day of my school quarter. I am off until April 6th. I'm looking forward to the break this time. I really like school -- I would just like to be able to do other things for a little while.

Ernie and I took Kelsey and Murray out to dinner the other night for Kelsey's birthday. We had so much fun at Tepanyaki's! We then came back to our house for homemade hot fudge sundaes and played a few rounds of Phase 10. I'm really enjoying our one-on-one night outs with our kids. It's been a really fun time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELS!

Grandma Thornton is having surgery on April 1st, so Murray suggested we should have a family fast. So, Sunday it is for anyone who wants to join in. I told her today that we were going to do it and see seemed to be grateful that we would think of doing that.

Maybe . . . Spring is on it's way!

Can you believe it's the end of February? I'm excited to see spring -- our bulbs are starting to come up through the dirt, the snow is melting, Ernie and I ran my car through Scrubs today and Ernie took the Christmas lights off the roof. All definite signs of spring!

Jana and Kyle and families came over for a last minute barbeque this afternoon. We were hoping Dylan and Emily and Kelsey and Murray would be able to come as well but they already had plans. Hard to plan last minute stuff with everyone. Guess we'll take whoever we can!

We put hamburgers on the barbequer. They tasted so good. I bought the best buns at Allen's today -- they were so fresh and homemade tasting. Anyway -- it all tasted good. My parents happened to stop by right before everyone came over so they stayed and ate with us too. They enjoyed seeing everyone especially the great-grandkids. I'm so glad we have family close by. Wish Daelyn and Shalise and their families were closer.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, MOM!

It's so hard not being close to those we love on holidays. We had so much fun with Ernie's Mom during the Christmas season. She stayed for about two weeks and during that time we could hardly pry her away from the fireplace, warm blanket and her fuzzy slippers. Coming from warm Arizona into snowy Utah is not always the easiest thing to do at that time of year. The snow was beautiful, though.

Mom, you add alot to our family and and we are so grateful that you are a part of our lives. We appreciate all you do for us -- your love and concern, your phone calls, and the fun messages on your voicemail. You add a spark to the group whereever you are. We are all better people for knowing you and being able to associate with you.

We love you and miss you and wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!

TIME OUT . . . WITH OUR CHILDREN. We have decided to try something new with our children this year around their birthdays. It seems like when we get together as a family, there are so many of us and kids running around, that we really don't get time to visit. So, around either our children's birthday or their spouses, whichever time works best, we will take that couple out to dinner. This way we will get some one-on-one time with each couple during the year. We're excited about this!

Our first one is this weekend. We are going to take Jana (her birthday is Friday, the 6th) and her husband, Dale, out to dinner. They get to pick where they want to go (within reason!). We don't plan on paying for their babysitter, but I do think it will be fun to be able to visit with each other on a one-on-one basis. We don't ever get a chance to do something like this, so we're really looking forward to it. I can't believe she's going to be 37 years old!

I don't know how the stars were lined up this past week but it has been quite the week! My girlfriend's husband was killed in a tragic construction accident, then a grandaughter of a friend at work passed away -- she was only 13 days old. Then if you read Jana's blog, that will fill you in on what's been going on there along with Kyle's son, Brigham having RSV and it turned into brochioitis (that's different than bronchitis).

I'm so grateful for my family and the joy they bring to me. I'm also grateful for the plan of salvation and knowing that we will see each other again after this life. Life is so short -- forget some of the little things and enjoy!

What a day! Serene's mother, Lois, came into town a couple days ago and we haven't had a chance to visit so we invited all of them over for dinner today. Jana then called and said they wanted to come over today as well, which was great -- they could pick up the file cabinet I had for them.

Before the morning was over, Kyle called and they weren't coming because Brigham has RSV. He had been up a couple times during the night and they really didn't want to take him out. Can't say as I blame them with all that is going on sickness wise right now.

Sidney then called and asked if we could go down and pick she and Cole up because Rett just had a seizure and their parents were headed to the doctor's clinic with him after having the ambulance there. Pretty scary . . . this has never happened before!

I definitely don't like it when two of the babies are sick!

Lois, Cole, Sidney, Ernie and I ended up eating this great turkey dinner! It wasn't quite the same but it worked out okay. At least we had plenty of food and we were able to send food home to the others. Lois, the kids and I even got in a few hands of Phase 10. We had a fun time.

I guess I should tell you that Rett ended up being okay. After calling the ambulance and then taking him to the clinic themselves, it was determined he had a feveral (not sure I'm spelling that right or not) seizure. When we took the kids home this evening, he was still pretty pale but did sleep for a while after getting home. Said he now has a 50% chance of having another seizure at some point. That's not very encouraging.

Hopefully Brigham is feeling better as well. This time of year is so hard on these little kids. There seems to be so much "stuff" going around with everyone lately. Lots of sinus and respiratory infections.

I was so glad we were all able to get together and get a picture of everyone! Kyle and Dale were working on the Provo Temple so we all met there and found this beautiful spot. It was so cold! We had fun, though. The kids all used it as a good excuse for us to take them out to lunch afterwards. We had a hard time finding a place open for lunch on New Year's Day but finally landed on Olive Garden. We had such a fun time!

Shalise and Devin came home for Christmas for two weeks from DesMoines, Iowa. Daelyn and Dirk then decided to drive up from Arizona the week after Christmas so they could see everyone too. All the kids seemed to enjoy being together and doing various things with each other. I know times like that won't happen very often so I enjoyed it while we had the opportunity.