1.17.13

Where would I be without my friends? Seriously.

Crazy. Kooky. Perfect. Each and every one of you.

1.16.13

This weather is killing me. Killing me. I forgot how much I needed the sun.

1.15.13

One of the milestones of turning 16 is driving. Mikayla has had her permit for almost 9 months and will soon be ready to take her driving test. 

I have to say, I was really looking forward to having Mikayla drive, but I didn't realize how nervous I would be to have her actually be behind the wheel.

I can't think of anyone more responsible than Mikayla and I am happy that she will soon have a little more independence. 

But really...it doesn't help at all! 

1.14.13

I am choosing. I am choosing to do better. I am choosing to be different.

And I realize that I need to get healthy and waiting until tomorrow is not an option.

I choose to go back to the gym today.

Go me. :)

1.13.13

Sundays are a great day.

Not only because we get to go to church and be uplifted and edified.

Or, in today's situation -- when Joe gave his first talk in sacrament meeting -- when we get to be mocked and ridiculed. lol.

No, really, he did a great job and he only threw me under the bus once.

But, really, Sundays are a day of rest.

A day our whole family is home.

And a day we try and have people over and enjoy the time getting to know them better.

And of course, Troy made our guests play the piano and be generally ridiculous.

Mission accomplished. lol.

1.12.13

Basketball has started again. I have such a love hate relationship with church ball.

The girls really enjoy it, but it's all consuming for 3 months of Saturdays.

At least they have fun and they've gotten their friends involved.

1.11.13

Troy had a couple of days off -- and it was so nice.

I love the chance we have to reconnect and be together.

He is such a good man....we are so lucky to have him.

Nothing better than a lunch date with my love.

1.10.13

We had our first "real" camp meeting today over lunch. 

It was so great. 

I have really enjoyed this calling and felt very blessed in the decisions that we are making. 

We are going to try some new things -- it's scary to be responsible, but I am working with such good people, I can't help but feel like it's going just like it's supposed to.

1.9.13

I was in charge of the Relief Society meeting tonight. It was supposed to be a healthy dinner, so I made a couple of salads...but I wanted something small and simple and decadent, so I went with these triple chocolate sea salt truffles.

YUM!

I am not a great candy maker, but this recipe was so simple and easy and delicious.

It's from Pioneer Woman, and you can find it here.

It calls for 8 oz each of bittersweet, semisweet and milk chocolate. I used Ghirardelli's - found right in the baking aisle. I used 9 oz each and it turned out about 50 truffles. I also bought some lovely pink himalayan sea salt from costco. The grinder is adjustable -- and I ground it thickly into a bowl to sprinkle onto the truffles. 

The only thing I would have done differently is bought more of the milk chocolate -- there wasn't quite enough to cover all the truffles easily. 

And...the meeting was fantastic. We had three really great speakers and I learned something from each of them. 

1.8.13

We woke up early to do chores and get the kids to chess club.

Becky and Josh love and work really hard to get everything done so they can get to school an hour early for the meeting.

It gives me and Katie a little mommy and me time. Too bad we missed the bus and had to drive the carpool to school.

And poor Katie. The one day she has to do carpool and Josh and Becky aren't there to help her. Luckily...she made it in the building.

1.7.13

Family home evening.

1.6.13

Dinner. #yum

1.5.13

Troy and I got to spend some quality time together...driving kids around and even going on a date.

Life is so busy now. There are some days that pass when we hardly see each other...so we are trying to make the most of the time that we have. The moments are precious and few - but they mean so much.

Snapped this photo if Troy this morning. #lovehim

1.4.13

Joe and Emma had to go to the orthodontist yesterday.

They weren't too keen on hurrying back to school...so we stopped to have breakfast and spend some time talking.

I really love what amazing people they have become. They are growing up. I just want to hold on to them a little longer.

1.3.13

I am not a big fan of being in photos...but I spent a lot of years not being in them...and I realized that my children don't care what I look like or what I weigh...they love me and they will one day be sad that I wasn't in any photos.

So I have tried to take a few more photos of myself...in that vein...

1.2.13

Troy and I got to enjoy one more day of vacation without the kids.

i know!

1.1.13

Katie came downstairs...she was scared to go to bed because she thought the cat in the hat was going to come out of her closet.

We put Dynamite in charge of keeping her safe.

#fingerscrossed

So much to catch up on.

Things have been pretty much chaos around here this last week. So much so that I actually forgot to pick up a camera and take a 365 picture. I mean, I only took like 2000+ photos this week, you would have thought that somewhere in all that, I would have managed a photo every day. But no.

So, I missed the 18th...which was the day I spent hanging out at the Kunz house, mooching off their macaroni and cheese. BTW, thanks Andrea and Rob!

77/365 Nothing to Show For It

Thursday was the wedding, which was so wonderful.

78/365 Personal Assistant



Andrea was a great assistant. I am thinking that this may be a necessary position in my household from now on. Any takers?

And Friday was the reception. I am still in the middle of editing the reception, but here's a couple of my favs so far.








Saturday was a very special day. As soon as Troy came home, we were able to attend the Crosby sealing and it was just perfect.

80/365 Temple Blessings



We left the temple as the sun was setting...it was beyond beautiful...and I felt so blessed to have been able to be there for Selvia and Lyndon.

Having just attended the Hanson wedding a couple of days before...temple blessings were fresh on my mind.

For those of you not of my faith, we believe that temples give us the opportunity to create (or seal) a union that will last not only in this life, but in the life to come. It is a most sacred rite and ordinance. Troy and I were married in such a ceremony and it was one of the things which I knew to be possible before I ever even knew of the church's existence.

There are few things in this life that seem important enough to have eternal consequence, but love and marriage are some of these things for me.

And it was wonderful to see fresh, young love create such a union on Thursday, and I felt privileged to be there. But, watching the Crosby's create such a union on Saturday was extraordinary. As they took these steps to bind their family together forever, and when their children were brought in...I still can't find the words.

It really made my faith and my religion come alive.

81/365 Freeze



And today I stayed home with Josh, who hasn't been feeling well. It was just a lazy day at home, and everyone was super excited to have Dad home, even if it's only for a couple of days.

They got a good game of Freeze dance going. Silly kids. (Silly dad.)

Well, hopefully this week won't be quite as crazy, but I won't count on that. Of course, the craziness just adds to the fun. (At least that's what I tell myself.)

I appreciate your thoughts and prayers about my grandmother. She has been moved out of the hospital into a rehab facility...where she is finally eating a little and able to move. She still cannot speak, and I hope that changes for her. But, she is much better overall.

I am sure that I will have another marathon post soon.

Smile for the Camera

You know the saying: the cat's away...the mice will play.

I know, you're asking yourself what naughty thing I did...well, I bought a new flash...and it's been so fun to play with.

75/365 Smile for the Camera...or Not



This stinker won't do anything on command, especially not smile...but she's cute, just the same!

I love the flash...and just in the nick of time...because today I took my first set of bridals.

WOW! The pressure. Never has a photo seemed so important. If this is what the bridals feel like, what am I going to do on the wedding day? eek.

But, I am happy with the results. Hopefully the bride to be is happy with them!

Hurry and Catch Up

Well, we have started a long season of what may one day be known as the mac and cheese months...as Troy is off globe trotting once again. And we have begun with a whimper.

As I got to the end of the day and started thinking about what I might take a photo of...I wished I could photograph the silence...because it is really lovely right now.

Yikes. It's only day one. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come!!

74/365 The Sound of Silence



The children are in bed and all is quiet. I enjoy the noise of the children, and the life in our house...but sometimes...silence is golden.

73/365 Chocolate Milk, Beatty Style



Did you know that you cannot enjoy chocolate milk in the Beatty house without a spoon. mmm.mmm.good.

72/365 Look Out Papa John



The preschool took a little field trip to a pizza parlor. The kids got to make their own pizza and take a tour of the kitchen. This is my kind of field trip!

71/365



I have needed new glasses for a while, and I finally got around to it.

70/365 Hoochie Mama



This little girl takes her clothes off every chance she gets...and dang if she doesn't try to take the diaper too. ack. But, she's cute, isn't she?

69/365



We were driving down the road and the sun had started to set. I thought that it would make a great picture...but even before I could suggest it, Troy asked if I wanted him to stop so that I could get a good shot. LOL! Apparently, he's learning.