Been So Long

Wow, I can't believe that life has been so busy and it's taken me this long to even write anything. The last time I wrote in here was in May. There has been so many things happening for us. Some not so good and some as been an adventure.

Let's see..at the end of May, we ended up adopting a dog so that Aeris would have someone to play with so I could get stuff done around the house instead of always playing with her. The dog we adopted is named Layla, she is a full bred german sheppard but the smaller bred. She is only a month older then Aeris is. She is very much like a guard dog. She doesn't play as much as Aeris does and she is always on guard even if she is laying down or if she is just watching me doing stuff. We got her from the Pocatello pound. She is very sweet and loves meeting new people now. Layla didn't really like Aeris at first but that's only because she just got fixed and was very sore. But now they are best friends!

June...nothing much happen. We was adjusting to having two dogs around the house and making sure that they got a long. We worked on the garden a lot. It is now finish. We laid the bricks for the walk way and it looks really nice now. I keep getting comments about it and how good it is. Oh...Cale, Allyssa and Bryson where also in town.

July...there was the fireworks. We actually had a family bbq at our house. We invited everyone from my side of the family over. Afterwards, we watched the fireworks at the soccer fields and then held our own show. It was a lot of fun. I got to spend a lot of time with Cale, Allyssa, and little Bryson. The weekend afterwards Oaklen had a birthday party. This time he had gotten one of those huge blown up watersides. It was a lot of fun. The week and a half later I found out that my grandma was in the hospital and no one knew she was there the for 4 days. She was there because she didn't keep up on her diagnosis. She spent the rest of the month there trying to get her body from breaking down.

August...My grandma's condition was then realize...it was much worst then what the doctors had thought. She needed to get a heart valve transplant because the diagnosis had caused so much calcification that the valve wasn't working the right way.  The heart doctor recommend that we sent my grandma to SLC for heart surgery or she would died within a month to 6 months. She decided to go for it and was transfer around for a while until after the surgery was performed. We call and checked up on her a lot. While this was going on, I ended up getting pregnant again but lost it without realizing that I had gotten pregnant until afterwards. In a way, I am thankful that it didn't happen like the last time.

September...on the 3rd we rushed down to SLC because we was told that my grandma was worst to the point that she was on life support. When we got there, we found out that she was doing really well. Hardly had her oxygen mask on. Let's just say, I was not happy at all with everything and the mix messages that we was getting. So we meet with the doctor and the case manager and decided that we wanted Grandma to come home asap. We then told my mom and her siblings what was really going on. After meeting with the doc and case manager, we went and talked to grandma for a while and my mom and uncle talked to her. We stay for a little bit longer before heading home. That Saturday night, she passed away. I spent a lot of the time helping my mom put the funeral together and putting together her life sketch as best as possible. The next saturday we held a graveside services for her and I gave her life sketch. I was happy she wasn't in any pain anymore but it hurt to see her go. Due to my grandma passing, we didn't do anything for our anniversary. The rest of the  month didn't have anything going on.

October...Shami turn 17 this year. She didn't really do anything for her birthday but we did get her a present. Followed soon afterwards was Brooke's 18th birthday. A week later I found Opa had to be rushed to the hospital early in the month  because he thought he had kidney stones. When in to surgery and had his gallbladder taken out along with some stones but the ones that where causing all the pain they couldn't get to. So Opa had to wear a bag while they flushed his liver and panaceas clean to remove the stone for about 3 weeks before they came out. The doctors then tested the stones. At the end of the month, we was told that Opa had liver cancer and it was spending to his panaceas pretty fast and there was nothing that they could do. So we spend as much time with Opa as were could.  On the 27th, Brooke and Grayson got married thru the courts so that he could be back in time for they wedding. It's was really weird reason but it had to be done. I ended up being one of the witnesses (Grayson father was the other one).

November...Korey flied back at the begin of the month. We was up at the house almost nightly. It was hard to see Opa getting ready to pass as the days went by. The first friday night, we went up on the hill to see him like we usually did when things took a turn for a worst. It hit me really hard, so hard that I didn't want to leave him. A lot of the my male cousins, uncles and Logan gave Opa a blessing. My own mother came up soon afterwards and took me out of the room after getting chewed out by Opa (it was pretty funny. That was the most that Opa talk that night). Soon afterwards, we went home. I was very much tired and had a lesson to finish to prepare for my primary class. After church the next day, Korey and Logan was acting strange until I figured out that Opa had passed around 3 and gotten a text from my dad about it. We then held his funeral the following Saturday. Korey got to tell half of Opa's life sketch. I had never cried so hard since I lost my great grandpa brown when I was 7 or 8. I still cry over the fact that Opa is no longer here but I know he is happy. The same day as the funeral, Mom had a Thanksgiving Dinner at her house because Grayson was heading out to Boot Camp and wasn't going to be here until around christmas then would be back until June. Thanksgiving Day was spend at Logan's Mom's house with all of Logan's siblings and nieces. It was a nice change of pace for us. Our cute little nieces were growing so fast and getting prettier by the day. We helped put up Barbara's (Logan's mom) christmas stuff. The next day we when back over and had our Christmas day with them and opened presents. From Katlin and Nathan, we ended up going out and eating dinner on them and Logan's Mom took all the siblings and couples to The Forgotten Carols (which by the way was Logan and my first time to see it). I told Logan that we should look into going ever year to it.

That is pretty much what has happen up to December. The only thing that has been done this month was putting up our christmas tree. This week is the Gilbert's Christmas Party and in another week will be Katlin's and Nathan's wedding anniversary along with Oma's birthday.


Well now you are back up to day. More to come soon.

Christmas 2012

Christmas was a little different this year. My family decided to get together here at our place considering that my Dad is living with us for a while so he can find a new place. Also all of the siblings had gotten together and did pictures...in freezing weather.

So our Christmas really started on Sunday. I had thought of getting Dad a family photo of all his kids with their families would be nice. He had always loved the thought of doing family photos and we hadn't done one in years! We had also did photos for my Mom, Trina and Nana & Papa (some family friends that kind of adopted us into their family). We had trouble getting everyone there for the photos too, considering one of my brothers was in the Marines that wasn't going to be back until that  afternoon. We kind of winged the color scheme too. I wished we had more time to plan it a little more but all we could do was what we did. They turned out great but there was some bad ones due to the fact that my niece wasn't cooperating with us. We got the photos done in 2 hours and than we went back to my place and picked what photos we wanted give them. Here are the three photos:

For Trina and Lints (Nana and Papa)

For Dad

As for my Mom's photo...it was a pain. When we got back the actual photo from it being printed it looked so bad!! I had no clue if it was because it was from my end or Walmart's end because my computer ended up losing the edited photo. So I edited the same photo and sent it in and it came back with everyone having yellow teeth! But here is the third time...hope it works like a charm.

For Mom

After the photos were picked we went to Logan's Mom's house to plays some games with her and Nathan, Katlin and the girls. They were here for the holidays so we figured that we should get some time together with them before they have to go back to Cali for a while. We kept playing Acquire because Katlin really wanted to win, which she did on the last game.

On Monday, Logan had to work for part of the day and Dad had to go to the doctor's office for therapy for his back. As for me, I had to make dinner for that night when everyone came over (I'll post the recipe on my health blog here soon). Along with that I had to edit the photos so I could get them into the store to be printed off but I couldn't do that until I went and took some pictures for Amanda's family and this time Taylor ended up doing what we wanted her to do. Here are some of my favorites from her session.

Taylor and Oaklen

Steve and Amanda

I love how this one turn out to be.

After that I spent most of the day editing pictures so that we could get some printed off before Walmart closed for Christmas. Somehow I made it. By the time I got them in it was time for everyone to start arriving so I left Logan to host. When I got there I waited for a few minutes and when to get them...well, here is the thing. Out of the 4 orders, I only got one of them. The other three was lost in the process so I had to go back home and re-order the other three. While we waited for that, we had dinner with everyone and opened presents. About an hour before the store closed, Logan ran and got the pictures. Dad really enjoyed his family picture. He almost cried. I don't usually see him cry. But everyone was jumping Dad to see the picture because no one saw the end results.

We were supposed to go up to Oma's and Opa's for the Christmas get together but the roads were pretty bad until you got up on the hill. Amanda went home instead because of it, so Logan and I got a ride from Dad because his truck has 4-wheel drive in it. We was up there for about 2 hours. Logan and I ended up buying one of the last two clocks that Opa makes. After the party, we went home and opened presents here because Shami and Brea was being picked up at 9 in the morning. Dad also pointed out that we was opening presents at the same time as people in Germany do. It was pretty cool. In the morning the girls opened their stockings while Logan and I slept a little. (I only slept like 10 hours those 3 days.) Before the girls left, we got up to see if they enjoyed their stockings and helped them get their things together. Around 1, we headed to my Mom's for Christmas. We ate a little and opened presents. After that we went to Logan's Mom's house to open some more presents and spend more time with them. Carolyn and Joseph wasn't here this year but they said that they will be here next year.

I also have to say that I am pretty proud of myself. I only gained a pound during the holidays. ^-^

It's Finally Done!!

So...not this last year but the year before so 2010, I decided to make my little sister Shami a blanket. As most of you guys know I was still in school and in my last year which was the hardest of the years. Anyways, I finally finish it!!!! It looks amazing and I do have to say that for my first time make a blanket. ^-^ Even though I took so long on getting it done (which I feel really bad about) I am happy that I turned out like the way it did. Here are some of the pictures that I took (along with Shami in them).

Right after I gave her the blanket, she ran got a book and curled up in it and started to read. Fun, huh.

Christmas 2011

So for you that don't know this but Logan and I really have Christmas on two days. Christmas Eve and Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we go to my dad's side of the family for christmas along with a few other people's house. But this year, Korey got to go again along with Amanda, Steve and the kids. It was such a blast. After the Christmas party, we went to my Dad's and talk with Korey up until about 11:30pm. We than left for home because we had a long day a head of us. By the time we got home it was about midnight, so Logan and I decided to open presents from each other. I got a lot of stuff for baking and making flowers for cakes along with a cd, two movies, gift card to B&N and german chocolate (my favorite!!). Logan got a cd, a movie, a card game and lots of candy.

We than went to bed, woke up early and went to church. We than went to my mom's house and handed out presents there to my sister Brooke, brother Char, mom and brad. About 2:30 pm, we headed over to Logan's mom's house. We was there early and Nathan, Kat, and Nat didn't get there until closer to four. Anyways, somehow I ended up fall asleep on their floor and woke up at the moment Nathan and everyone got there. It's was pretty funny but I also felt really embarrassed about it too. We than handed out present and opened them. We also play a few games before we had to go to the next place. It was a blast. The last place that we had to visit was my Dad's house. Again and for the last time this year, we handed out christmas presents. Everyone loved their presents! I know that I didn't get some of the presents done but I will! I was just over packed with things and appointments and watching my niece and nephew. But even though it was hard for me this year, I really did love the holidays and I always will too. I hoped everyone had an amazing Christmas! ^-^

Craziest Christmas Yet!!!

So quick update on what I need to the last week of Christmas. I had to finish make some scarfs and hats, Shami's blanket from the year before. shop for Logan, my mom's scrapbook and a few other family members that aren't so hard to find some thing for.

I think the most important thing this year that I learned about Christmas season is to always shop earlier. I had started all the christmas stuff the day after I graduated from college and I can tell you now that I won't ever do that again. The holiday season is so crazy!!!

The Story of "Pattern Of Love"

Pattern Of Love

By: Jack Smith

I didn't question Timmy, age nine. or his seven-year-old brother Billy about the brown wrapping paper they passed back and forth between them as we visited each store. 

Every year at Christmas time, our Service Club takes the children from poor families in our town on a personally conducted shopping tour. I was assigned Timmy and Billy, whose father was out of work. After giving them the allotted four dollars each, we begin our trip. At different stores I made suggestions, but always their answer was a solemn shake of the head, no. Finally I asked, "Where would you suggest we look?"

"Could we go to a shoe store, Sir?" answered Timmy. "We'd like a pair of shoes for our daddy so he can go to work."

In the shoe store the clerk asked what the boys wanted. out came the brown paper. "We want a pair of work shoes to fit this foot," they said.

Billy explained that it was a pattern of their daddy's foot. they had drawn it while he was asleep in a chair. 

The clerk held the paper against a measuring stick, then walked away, soon he came with an open box. "Will these do?" he asked.

Timmy and Billy handled the shoes with great eagerness. "How much do they cost?" asked Billy. 

Then Timmy saw the price on the box. "They're $16.96," he said in dismay. "We only have $8."

I looked at the Clerk and he cleared his throat. "That's the regular price," he said, "but they're on sale for $3.98, today only."

then with shoes happily in hand the boys bought gifts for their mother and two little sisters. Not once did they think of themselves. 

the day after Christmas the boys' father stopped me on the street. The new shoes were on his feet, gratitude was in his eyes. "I just thank Jesus for people who care," he said. 

"And I thank Jesus for your two sons," I replied. "They taught me more about Christmas in one evening than I have learned in a lifetime."

The Mood of Christmas Joy

Logan and I have been in such a great Christmas mood lately. We always love it about this time of the year because we get to see friends and family and enjoy blissful times together. I also love the peaceful Christmas music! The music also helps so much with my finals as well, because it buts makes me so humble. We also love reading Christmas stories. We love the fact that you learn so much from them. I was thinking of starting to post the stories that we think are the best.

We put up our Christmas tree the day before Thanksgiving because we was going to be in Idaho Falls all days and we wouldn't have the time to get it after Thanksgiving because of dead week and finals. It pretty much takes up 1/3 of our living room, it's really funny. Logan doesn't remember the tree taking up so much room last year...but than again it was fake. I love it, it's silver and green...but I think I'm going to stay with silver and blue or maybe even try purple....I'm not sure yet. We are almost done with our Christmas shopping too. I only have two or three more family members to do. We got Korey a present this year too! He had asked for the Forgotten Carols book and soundtrack, so we got him them. I really spoil him sometime, but I think the reason behind this is because I never see him since he is on his mission and I miss him so much. By the way, he comes back in 11 months!! I can't wait! ^-^

This coming Monday is dead week for school. WE ONLY HAVE 2 WEEKS OF SCHOOL LEFT!!!! I can't wait for the holiday break. I need it so much. I'll have so much fee time to catch up on things that needs to be done. I'm also hoping to pass all my classes this semester but I really don't know my grades because none of my teachers post the grades online so I can never check them. But right now, it doesn't matter...I'm really working on the fact of passing my finals...they will help pass all my classes. I think I'll be done with Finals on the 16th. I have a final on Monday for my accounting class, and may be Thursday for my Psychology class. For my final in my advance cooking classes I have to do a mystery three course meal (appetizer, soup and entree). We will have four hours to get everything done. Wish me luck!!!