S~N~O~W

On saturday it started to rain, the temperature was below freezing and it was raining so hard that it couldn't freeze fast enough. Church was cancelled. Sunday about 4:30am it started to snow, and snow and snow snow snow snow!!!! It just wouldn't stop. It was snowing big fluffy flakes. We love the snow!! The kids had no school anyways on Monday so they got out their snow gear and headed outside. YEAH!! Quite in the house. Roads were bad and it snowed again last night, so today school was cancelled. Kids were outside building snow forts.
Mom and Dad came up to visit mom's Brother in Hermiston on friday night and mom's Aunt and cousins that live in Prosser, about 30 min away, on Saturday. They got to our house just in time for the rain to really start freezing. I 82 was closed Saturday and reopened sunday AM (darn). I was hoping that it would be closed so they could spend time with us. We had fun though. They left about 10:30am Sunday and didn't get home until about 6:00pm I think. What a long drive in bad weather. Was snowy all the way to Portland. I am so thankful they got home ok. I was really worried.

Stephanie has a hot date!!!

So Stephanie has a hot date tonight. Steph has set a rule that she doesn't date (I should say "Steady Date") until she is done with college. Sounds good to us. Steph has been on several group dates and has lots of "boy" friends but this is the first time she will be on a one-on-one date. I think she is a little nervous.
Its fun to her "boy" friends come over to the house and have Steph beat them in their own video games and I like making up names for them and Mark likes intimidating them with his big muscles (inside joke). I think its sad that most kids now-a-days think in order to be friends with the opposite sex they have to be steady dating them. I am glad that we have taught the kids be friends first have lots of interaction so they can learn about each other with out the emotional roller coaster that comes with being "boyfriend/girlfriend"..
Stephanie needs help picking her outfit. Which one should she wear?

House Update

Well as you can see by the pictures that the house is slowly progressing and of course our blood pressures are slowly progressing too! When people stated that a construction was the hardest thing to do I thought ~ Na, no problem, we've been through worst. All I can say is never trust anyone no matter how nice they are. Always get everything in writing and if you don't well ~ your screwed!! Now all we have to do is make the best of it. I guess thats life... full of ups and downs. Sometimes a little more downs than ups but everything will work out just fine in the end. Thats where patience comes in.

A little girl time

This last weekend Jer, Stef and Baby Kohen came over. The boys played their obnoxious video games while Stef did our hair and had girl time. Stef did my hair which, turned out to be the best color that I have ever had!! We all feel so pretty. Because Stef was coloring the girls hair (Emme's too!)I had to relax and put alot of trust into knowing that she wouldn't go too wild or extream and she didn't. Thank you Stef!!
I did however go to Macys after feeling so pretty and got make-up and perfume and vowed to Mark that I'd wear it everyday. Upon return I was suprised by Angies short hair which I wouldn't have chosen but I have to realize its not my hair (darn, I hate the fact that I can't make all these decisions anymore ~ my girls are growing up so fast) and she does look soo adorable with it cut short and sassy.

Speaking of Angela.... Here are a few pictures she took of her and the Cat. Steph Had her hair cut short about a week ago too. I'm coming to realize its just hair ~ It'll grow back, Right? Right! I love girl time!!

Rewind to Christmas 2007

OK I have to go back to The Widing Christmas get together. My neice Braley an Mark had a great time. Here are a few pictures of Unkl Mark being a good sport!! Gotta Love that Braley!!

It is going to be a Great 2008

I can just feel it. 2008 is going to be the year that starts the future years to be the best!! As I look over the last few weeks it has been a blessing to be able to enjoy every ones company. On the Widing side we had a nice little dinner and played the left - Right game with ornaments. It was fun to see everyone laugh. Then on Christmas morning We fed the homeless shelter in Albany. We are getting quicker each year. They are so many people in our areas that can use our help. On the Ellingson/Barkley side Stef make a great brunch on Christmas which was really yummy! The day after Christmas we went to HooDoo and Mark, Jason and I Skied while the stronger, limber kids snowboarded. (I'm Sorry Stef I know I call you a kid but your not. Its a habit because that's what I called Aaron and Jer for so many years). I was surprised that we weren't too sore. We were really worried we wouldn't get out of bed the next morning. It was a fun but way too busy trip for all of us.
We rang in the New Year obnoxiously banging pots and pans at 12:am with 7 kidlets!! So Happy New Year to all!!!

Dance, Dance and more Dance

Stephanie has been taking dance classes for the last few months. She is getting pretty good. On Monday she takes ballroom dancing with a friend named Curtis. She loves it and her teacher said she is a natural and always uses her for demonstrations. On Tuesday She has Hip Hop. I don't know if it should be called Hip Hop or Flop Hop. No real dance moves, the body just gyrates around into some sort of pattern. I am not a fan of it but Steph likes its and that is what counts, Right? Then on Wednesday Night is my ultimate favorite, Ballet. I think Steph was born to be a Ballerina. After all she did start walking on her tippy toes first. She has the grace the poise to become very good and I know she will. Here are some photos and a video of dance class.

Funny, funny Mother

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Funny, Funny Mother!


See Mother.
See Mother laugh.
Mother is happy.
Mother is happy about Christmas.
Mother has many plans.
Mother has many plans for Christmas.
Mother is organized.
Mother smiles all the time.
Funny, funny Mother!

See Mother.
See Mother smile.
Mother is happy.
The shopping is all done.
See the children watch TV.
Watch children, watch.
See the children change their minds.
See them ask Santa for different toys.
Look! Look!
Mother is not smiling.
Funny, funny Mother!

See Mother.
See Mother sew.
Mother will make dresses.
Mother will make robes.
Mother will make shirts.
See Mother put the zipper in wrong.
See Mother sew the dress on the wrong side.
See Mother cut the skirt too short.
See Mother
Put the materials away until January.
Look! Look!
See Mother take a tranquilizer.
Funny, funny Mother!

See Mother.
See Mother buy raisins and nuts.
See Mother buy candied pineapple
And powdered sugar.
See Mother buy flour, dates, pecans,
Brown sugar, bananas and spices.
Look! Look!
Mother is mixing everything together.
See the children press out cookies.
See the flour on their elbows.
See the cookies burn.
See the cake fall.
See the children pull taffy.
See Mother pull her hair.
See Mother clean the kitchen
With the garden hose.
Funny, funny Mother!

See Mother.
See Mother wrap presents.
See Mother look for the end
On the Scotch tape roll.
See Mother bite her fingernails.
See Mother go.
See Mother go to the store
Ten times in one hour.
Go Mother, go.
See Mother go faster.
Run, Mother, run!

See Mother trim the tree.
See Mother have a party.
See Mother make popcorn.
See Mother wash the walls.
See Mother scrub the rug.
See Mother tear up organized plan.
See Mother forget gift for Uncle Harold.
See Mother get hives.
Go, Mother, go!
See the faraway look in Mother's eyes.
Mother has become disorganized.
Mother has become disoriented.
Funny, funny Mother!

It is finally Christmas morning.
See the happy family.
See Father smile.
Father is happy.
Smile, Father, smile.
Father loves fruitcake.
Father loves Christmas pudding.
Father loves all his new neckties.
Look! Look!
See the happy children.
See the children's new toys.
Santa was very good to the children.
The children will remember this Christmas.

See Mother.
Mother is slumped in a chair.
Mother is crying uncontrollably.
Mother does not look well.
Mother has ugly dark circles
Under her bloodshot eyes.
Everyone helps Mother to her bed.
See Mother sleep quietly
Under heavy sedation.
See Mother smile.
Funny, funny Mother!


This was read at our Relief Society activity last night.
I had to share, Merry Christmas Mothers!!

Friday Night

I love December. Mostly because it is the Christmas season. I love to bake, listen to holiday music and mostly enjoy the season of giving.
I must admit that I am a home body. I like to stay home and sew or bake. This last few months I have been very busy. It seems like I have spent every waking minute of the day sewing, but of course I have no complaints ~ since its what I love to do.
Since I am a home body we don't do much. I admire my Brother Jason and his Wife
Dana they always seem to be doing fun things with their kids. Not me. It has been a long time since I have done something fun with the kids. So Friday night The girls ~ Stephanie, Angela & Emily ~ and I went out. We had some much needed girl time. We went to see Enchanted (which I would highly recommend), went shopping for make-up at Macy's, did some window watching and went to Cinnebon's where I bought "six Cinnebon Cinnamon Rolls". I was so excited it had been years since I had a cinnebon roll only to get home and be disapointed. They were not how I remembered. Oh well. So I got my cookbook out today and Emily and I made cinnamon rolls. They turned out so good, much much better than Cinnebon's. I made a batch and then Emme made a batch. She did so good rolling out the dough, adding the cinnamon and rolling up to cut with string. It was the best time we have had together in a long while. I needed that. I cant wait till next time.

The House part 2

heres an up date on the house!! The first 2 pictures is the foundation sides finished. The Foundation walls are in the ground about 3 feet with 2" insulation on the inside of the foundation walls.


The next 2 pictures is the plumbing in the ground. The White is the water pipes and the black is the septic piping.

This long pipe out of the ground goes to the AC in the ceiling.

The next phase they will put gravel all over the inside and then pour the final slab on foundation. This may be a week or so since it has been snowing every day since Monday. Thats OK. We love the snow!!

Family...

I have to admit when it come to family I think we have the best family on the planet Earth ~ or is it Mars? Not sure, I think we are aliens for we can all be a little weird at times. I consider family as every person I know ~ Are we not all brothers and sisters from the same father?
I had the best time this last weekend with family. I remember not too long ago a certain young man wasn't very hip on marriage and kids. Just look how things change? Jer has a great family and I am so proud of him. He has really done a great job in choosing such a wonderful wife and mommy to baby Kohen. Jer is a good daddy too. I am so happy that Stef came along for Jer.
We also have a unique situation where Stef's family is as our family. They are family to us. We love them too and I am soo happy to be able to be apart of their lives. Thanks for coming and spending the holiday with us Jason, Lahia, Jeffy, Kohen, Stef, Jer, Julie and Doug. We Love you all!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

I wanted to take a moment and tell you all that I love you!!! I really miss all of you very much and grateful for all the love and support that everyone has given to Mark, the kids and I during the last 6 years. It has been very challenging at times but your prayers and encouragement has helped us through.
We really do have so much to be thankful for. Unfortunately I have been looking at my glass as thought it is half empty and it is not. So what do we do? We need to give more service to those in need, We need to cherish every moment whether good or bad as though it is the last moment we have on this mortal earth. We need to embrace the Gospel and live it.
As we continue this moral journey we have on this mortal earth let us finish it with with humility and reverence towards our friends, family and to ourselves. The one true thing that I am and will always be grateful for is the love our Heavenly Father has for all of us. That I am a daughter of God and I have a noble birthright in his kingdom as a Queen. I truly love my Brother Jesus Christ and all that he has done for us, to show us the way to live, to be the example to us and that he loved us so much. Someday we will return home and live with our Father and I can tell him Thank you for giving me the blessings of living.
I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving, I love you much, XOXOXO

lil' miss Emily

I have to tell you that having Emily has been fun and exciting, She is just soo dang cute!!! Don't you think So??
E~ Energy with attitude
M~ Minds her Manners
I~ Intelligent ,she's reading at 8th Grade
L~ Loving heart and crys at movies
Y~ Y'see Emily Smile. She loves sugar-free chocolate pudding

Emily has been a very busy girl lately. She is doing great in school and always excels she gives alot of effort to do her best. Em is also taking Irish dancing and will be performing next year. Those of you who have been around Emily since birth know that Emily loves to sing. Therefore we thought it appropriate to get Emily singing lessons. She loves it and I love the fact that she is singing in front of others in her class so she won't be so shy. If she can overcome being shy she will go along ways.
I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for allowing Emily to stay with us here on earth. Sh is a joy to have around and I love her so much. XOXOXO Emme, Love Mom

Blessings this week

Life really is Good. Top 10 blessing of this week!
1) We have foundation walls on the house.
2) Emily went to the hospital for severe abdominal pain. She is feeling much better ~ A bout with gastroineritis.
3) We have hot food on our plates and a warm place to live.
4) Mark loves his job.
5) Angela and Stephanie still love eachother and stay up late acting like silly little 5 year old girls.
6) Mark Jr still has an abundance of energy and most always has a smile.
7) Staying on my diet of healthy eating.
8) I am getting alot of sewing done this week. I even learned how to do a twisted nine.
9) My mom is here and has been a great help to me this week. It is fun to sew with her and Emme likes staying up late with Grams.
10) The top blessing is this week is that I am alive and get to enjoy my family. I love them so much!!!

Happy Tuesday to you!!

Happy Tuesday to you!! I have not much to say but I thought I'd jot a thought. Do you sometimes wonder what people really think? I have issues! I love to read people. The only thing I can't read is there thoughts.
I don't believe people when they are asked, "What are you thinking about?" and they respond with, "oh, nothing.". I'm sorry I just don't buy it! I don't believe that a person can just shut off their brain so it does not think. I would rather hear, " Oh, honey I was just thinking how fat you've become and how nice it would be if you were skinny again." or " I really just don't feel like taking to you today". I guess it would make me feel a whole heck of alot better if I knew. But for now body language has to do!! What do you think? Happy Tuesday.

I Love Thanksgiving

I am so glad Halloween is over. Don't get me wrong I love the fact that we can dress up and play pretend, watch scary movies late at night and carve pumpkins (which we failed to do this year). But, I love the Thanksgiving season. For me it is a time to self reflect and think of the blessing that I seem to forget the rest of the year when it feels like I am flying Mach 10. ThanksGiving is a time to slow down, cuddle up to the one you love and drink Hot Cocoa.

THE HOUSE IS STARTING

Well the builder has finally started on our house. We got a call last week and he said that he got the approval with the permits to start. I could hardly believe it. Here are a few photos of the start of the foundation. Warning: House postings may be extreme in the next 6 months.
The first and third Picture is looking West on out property.
The Second picture is looking East.The Fouth picture is looking North West.

It is hard to believe that we are finally building. It feels so right to be here in this area. The new church building is only a few blocks away. I am learning that having patience pays off.

I am so thankful for my blessings for they are many.

Barkley Family Murder Mystery 2007

This year Jer had a 1920 mobster theme. The scene took place on October 27th, 1927 at the pinnacle of Prohibition. The mafia and the criminal underworld ruled the streets in chicago. Today we were held hostage in a small bank while a couple of mobsters, "Mad" Paulie Moretto (jer) & "Pretty" Tommy Piccoli (Mark), cleaned out the vault. In the meantime Robert Worthlin ownner of the Worthlin Bank of Chicago layed on the floor dead from a gunshot.
Who did it? As we played the game we had to uncover the clues scene by scene. In the end we fould out that Mr James Cantwell (Jason) killed Robert Worthlin because he stole Mr. Cantwells share of the Bank. All too fun and can't wait till next year. check out the Photos. I wish I had everyone.

Our Fun Trip

I can't believe it. We finally got away. Mark and I figured it had been about 3 years since we had a trip longer than a quick overnighter. We decided to go to Uncle Don and Aunt Carols new home in Spring Creek. We missed our visits with them every year and it was at the top of our to do list. It was a blessing to be able to see them and look forward to next year.

It was beautiful ~ the pictures do not show the true beauty. We have a full mixture of weather from 75 degree weather on Friday to snow in the afternoon on Saturday.
Friday we went up the canyon where we came across a nice heard of what looked to be Angus Cattle. I think they might have been herding them down for winter (At least that is what I'd like to think for they were way too cute to send to the slaughter house). As we went up the canyon it was so beautiful! The pictures do not do justice. We came to the glaciers and at the bottom was a Boy Scout camp. WOW ~ It looked like the Swiss Alps. We continued to the top which was about 8,800 feer in elevation. Check out the web site I have posted. What a wonderful trip it would be to go hiking there.

Saturday friends on Don and Carols, Ron and Linda old neighbors brought one of the final loads to complete their move ~ lots and lots of rocks. It was fun to sit and visit. Ron and Linda are wonderful people.

Sunday we had breakfast and went into the casino. It was fun. Aunt Carol hit bank on the penny slots and took us to dinner. It was another great day.

Of course Aunt Carol cooked us some great dinners. I can' wait to make them. One of my favorite parts of the trip was the birthday cake Aunt Carol suprised me with for dessert. It was soo nice. Uncle Don and Aunt Carol look GREAT! Aunt Carol reminds me of Grandma ~ So down to earth and so sweet and kind. I love the fact that you can just sit and talk. Both Uncle Don and Aunt Carol have such a great insight on life. We love them alot! Can't wait till next year.

Oh Beautiful Day!!!

It is such a beautiful day today, I feel trapped all stuck inside the house. The sprinklers have just kicked on reminding me that we have such beautiful weather in Richland. I even had to turn the AC on today.
My favorite part in fall is the cool crisp mornings with a cup of hot cocoa, watching the leaves turn from yellow to orange to bright red. Then the wind just blows them around getting in the perfect spot to walk on.
When I was a kid I don't remember ever walking on the sidewalk when the leaves were falling. I do however remembering the old man on the corner yelling at me because I always cut across his lawn right thru the leaves. How rude of me! He probably enjoyed looking at his leaves all beautifully fallen on his yard. I guess I am much more mature to understand that now. LOL.
Anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying the outdoors.
Smiles