Building a Snowman

The group of munchkins gathered a good amount of snow--so they could build the first snowman of the year. WE LOVE THE SNOW!!

Mariah and Haley

Haley's father is in his last semester of law school--they will be leaving soon. Mariah will be devastated--and so will we! We have loved spending time with these great families. Haley's family will be heading off to Wichita where her father just got a fabulous job. This law-school experience is filled with a lot of short-term relationships. We sure are grateful we've had time--even if it's short--with Haley and her family.

Prepping for the SNOWBALL FIGHT!

Amber and Michayla horded large amounts of snow for snowballs and a snowman. It's wonderful enjoying the winter perks with the Johnston family and great neighborhood kids. The kids always get SOOOOO excited when the snow comes!

Sledding Time in Topeka, Kansas

Cody was extremely anxious to get bundled up and run outside so he could play in the snow. Our family loves winter time. I think it's the best time of the year!!

Winter Quarters Cabins

We were amazed how many COOL displays we were able to be PART of!! This display was the most memorable for me because of the recording played inside the small cabin. The cabin was just big enough to fit two beds side to side and one bunk bed above. There was room enough for one table and a fireplace--where all the food was cooked. In the recording, the woman explained how two families--sometimes 16 people--would live inside the small cabin. She expressed how she praised God daily for her palace. As the kids and I squished into the small cabin--what most people now-a-days wouldn't consider a suitable room for any one person---we felt so grateful for our large "palaces" with 3 bedrooms, basements, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, microwaves, electricity, etc. What a life we live!

Looking at the Winter Quarters Temple

These kids had so much fun learning about church history and just spending extra time together. Hunter had served a mission in Omaha, Nebraska---so he had a great time showing the family around town.

Pioneer Family 2007

While Brent and Michelle were in the Omaha--Winter Quarters Temple, we took their kids and our kids back in time!! The Visitor Center had all kinds of great dress-up and hands-on activities for the kids to enjoy.

Come, Come, Ye Saints Song Writer Display

Modern-day saints. Quite the cute bunch!! Hunter found all kinds of ways to keep this group entertained!

Teaching the kids about the wagons and hand-carts

Hunter is such a fabulous teacher! The kids worked hard trying to load the miniature items in and out of their wagons. They couldn't figure out how the pioneers had fit all that they needed into such little spaces. What a valuable lesson!

Gingerbread Ninjas!!

Cody and Blakester can karate-chop, punch, and kick with the best of them!!

Allyson and Julie cruizin' throught the Gingerbread Display

Hunter and I watched Brent and Michelle's kids while they went to the Winter Quarters Temple in Omaha, Nebraska. While we had the kids, we took them to the gingerbread display in the basement of the visitor center. Some of the displays were absolutely phenominal!! Creative is an understatement---more like revolutionary gingerbread making!! :-)

Nauvoo Temple Exhibition

Michayla, Amber and Mariah led our group around the Visitor Center.

Laporascopic Surgery--November 7, 2007

I went under the knife last Wednesday in hopes of solving my 14 year pain problem. The Doctor had told me that I had symptoms which led him to believe I had endometriosis and interstitial cystitis (which is a chronic bladder disease where ulcers form all along the bladder wall and rupture sporadically). Unfortunately, when the team of medical pros went inside my tummy, they found both diseases. The good thing was that the endometriosis wasn't as bad as I had expected. They only found a mass of endometrios (which is like a tumor which inflames and bleedes each month during my cycle) on the left lower side of my pelvic area. The bigger bummer was the fact that they were able to verify that I had a bad case of IC (interstitial cystitis--or "Painful Bladder Syndrome").

The IC may have developed over time--or I could have been born with the disease. The sad part is that there is NO cure. IC is in the reasearch stage. All medications (except Elmiron) have proven to be inconclusively unhelpful. Elmiron--for SOME reason proved to relieve some of some peoples symptoms after 3-4 months of use. Elmiron's side effects are worse than the IC though. It also makes me sick to my tummy--to the point that I can't sleep. I could have hair loss, too.

It was a really tough blow at first--because I was REALLY hoping to be healed and relieved of my pain, but that may not happen. Even the pain medication made me WAY nautious and I had to go back to Ibueprofin--which doesn't even touch the pain. WELL--now, a little over a week later, I've been determined to beat the depression that seemed to eat me whole the first few days after surgery. I was called to be the 2nd Counselor in the Stake Primary Presidency in our Stake---so obviously, the Lord isn't planning on letting me sit around and mope and say, "POOR ME!" YES--the pain may never go away, but I am still perfectly capable of living happily, right??!

I have thought a lot about acquiring the full and complete faith to be healed. I'm not there yet, but I certainly believe the Lord is capable. I know that HE has the power--I'm just not sure if I'm supposed to go through this for a reason, and if the Lord's will is to keep my hurting. We'll have to see. If I know it's the Lord's will for me to be healed--I'm ready for it!!

McCarter Elementary Sock Hop

SOCK HOP FUN with Hunter!!