Giftyness Meme

My cousin Cassi did this on her blog, and I was one of the four winners! I'm on a roll this week, I also won a free dinner at Carrabbas! Had to listen to a sales pitch but hey, it was Carrabbas.

The first 4 (four) people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

-What I create will be just for you.- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! (I will make every effort though)
-You will receive your item by the end of the year. (or sooner).
-You will have no clue what the item is going to be. It could be a story or poetry. It could be a piece of handmade jewelry or another handmade craft. I may draw, paint, collage, or crochet something. I might bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
-I reserve the right to do something extremely strange (completely possible, but not likely, afterall- I DO want you to like it!)

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you have to repost this meme and make and send out FOUR surprises of your own. Remember these can be anything, even just a plate of cookies! And you have almost a year to do it! (Heathers note: I will not hold you to this, I would be happy to make you something even if you don't have the time or desire to repeat the meme.)

So -- who's in?

Barrett Blog

For anyone that is interested, my parents started a blog and have actually posted some family letters and pictures on it! So if you are interested, it's open to anyone:
www.alanandkathy.blogspot.com

Crazy head

Sometimes I have to wonder what goes on in the mind of a very strong willed 7 year old. Savanna came home from school Monday and informed me she was going to a boy's home and she knows where he lives and see you later. She walked out the door despite my protests. I called her back in but she had already located the stranger-to-me and had started scooter races with him. Fiora, Weston, and friend Alexis all followed her outside. So out I went with them nervous about the playing in the front yard because of the busy street. After some time I realized Savanna was in the snow still lingering on the side yard IN HER SUNDAY SHOES. I ordered her in the house and to get some decent shoes on. When she never came back outside I went in to find her playing ice hockey on the kitchen floor with huge blocks of ice she'd created in the freezer and ice cubes as hocky pucks. What are you doing now??? I ask. "It's my experiment, freezing cereal in ice to see if it makes it hard." I threw a fit about the mess on the floor and she put the ice blocks in the sink and watched them melt, and the cereal was still soggy. After informing her she was driving me crazy, I realized it was time for gymnastics so hurry and get ready, and she complained the whole way over that she hadn't had her snack yet...no time for food when there's messing around to be done!

Weston knows his letters

Can you guess what letters he is creating with yard sticks? My favorite is "i"

trailers, temples, a trim

We finished the makeover on our hall bathroom yesterday. Jared did most of it. I taped and painted a little, but he painted, trimmed, chair-railed and reassembled it. Really brightened it up in there. Fiora has a haircut and is modeling it in the bathroom for us.




Have you ever read "The Princess Tales" series by Gail Carlson Levine? I have been reading them with the kids and they are so hilarious! I usually criticize the life out of books, but I don't think I would do a thing different with these. Fun twists on otherwise shallow fairy tales. Of course while I'm snickering the kids are like "Wha?"
Birds, I have been hearing birds chirping outside a little. I'm not the only one who wants spring now. All this shivering makes me tense. When its barely 40 degrees outside the kids think its so hot and go out without their coats on. Maybe that would explain the runny nose and coughing that has been going on for the past 2 weeks. Still too cold for me.
We took the kids to the Draper temple open house. They were way more excited about it than I thought they would be, that is, until we had to wait until 8:00 PM just to get on the bus that shuttles you to the temple. Savanna was walking through the temple like a zombie, Weston periodically climbed on our backs, and even Fiora asked to be held. Yes, 8:00 is usually their bedtime. But despite their tiredness and thirst, they seemed happy to be there and didn't whine. Weston zonked out on the bus ride out of there. Jared and I thought it was a beautiful, magnificent place, the glass art, murals, and celestial room were exquisite.


Jared bought a trailer to haul his ATV's. Yes, he bought a 2nd one. I don't know, as long as I have money for tuition in the fall. I know it is fun to ride them and the we are very blessed.

Fiora is 6

Fiora celebrated her 6th birthday yesterday, Friday February 13. I spotlighted her in her class the day before and we had our traditional family breakfast and gifts on her day. Kelsy and Karli joined us, and even though it was a "hurry you have to go to school in 10 minutes" situation she was happy. She looked so cute ready for school I snapped a couple of pictures. I helped in her classroom with the Valentine party and walked her home. She spent the rest of the afternoon asking when her party was. 3:30 PM the little girls started trickling in. It was lots of fun! We decorated flower necklaces, danced, hit a pinata, and of course present time. She loved all her gifts. After the guests left Jared and I took her on a parent-daughter dinner date to Rib City. We picked up the mail that night and there were two cards in the mail with MONEY in them, one from Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Neil, and one from Great Grandma Rappleye. Nice they arrived right on her birthday. That evening when we thought all the fun was over Justin and Shawna stopped by with another gift! She definitely felt special. Today we are going to brave the snow and travel out to Eagle Mountain to have cake and ice cream with Granma and Granpa Barrett. Fun for our favorite fabulous Fiora!


Oh, and Happy Valentines Day! Jared has promised to be my Valentine again this year.

ALL DONE

This week was insane! Jared and I were both wiped out this morning, but the kitchen is so beautiful. We couldn't be happier with it. Jared stayed up late last night touching up paint and caulking. It was a fast and furious process. Even a week with no sink and dishwasher was difficult, I'm glad it wasn't longer. We also put in a new vanity cabinet and granite top and new sink in the hallway bathroom, but we haven't finished painted the bathroom yet so no pictures today.

Jared's new toy

On Wednesday, in the midst of all the kitchen work, Jared came home with a yellow Honda ATV. Its a smaller one, I was able to ride it comfortably and it only fits two people on at the most. Jared keeps saying he bought it for me, although I haven't asked for an ATV even one time in my life. Jared is so happy with his new toy. The previous owner accidentally rammed it into the back of Aaron Schauers truck and shattered his back window while trying to load it up. That dampered Jared's excitement a little. But I understand Aaron was monetarily compensated. Jared's friend took the yellow toy up to Eagle mountain in his truck for us so we could ride it around by my parent's home. We rigged a sled behind us and I learned to drive it quickly. It was a blast! The kids love it, and we even got my mom on there.