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1. Look how big and handsome my "little" boy is!
2. I was worried because I didn’t "work" with Neal over the summer on school stuff.  I let him be a kid (sort of … all the times I left him!) and he’s okay.
3. Neal’s teacher was very impressed with his reading and other skills.  She says he’s a grade level ahead in all areas.
4. After his first day of "all day" school …
5. Neal had his hair messed up and was kicked in the stomach by the "school bully"
6. He’s realized that he’s going to like Amber again since they don’t HAVE to get married (long story)
7. He is still friends with the same kids from last year despite not playing much with them over the summer.
8. He’s made new friends already.
9. Riley REALLY misses Neal.
10. Neal has declared that he’d rather go back to Preschool.  When he was asked why, he stated "Because it’s only two hours long and I’d only go two days a week."  He IS smart!
11. On Thursday, he and his friends "Cured the bully" by telling him how what he did made them feel.  The boy apologized and all is forgiven.  I told Neal this boy just wants to be friends and to include him in the group.
12. Friday …
13. There’s a new "possible" bully.
14. I watched my two nephews (Rand & Caleb).  Rand kept saying:  "Is Neal STILL at school?"  I’d say yes.  And he’d ask again.  When Troy picked up the boys at 3:10, I told Rand that Neal would still be at school if it wasn’t early day.  Weird.
15. The boys were great.  I even allowed Neal to have two friends over.  It was cute … six boys playing together (one 7 year old, two 6 year olds, one 4 year old, one (almost) 3 year old and a 15 month old).  Bryan was a little overwhelmed at the number, but they did a good job.

Here are some shots from day one.  After about 5 pics, Neal said "Mom, I’m done having my picture taken."  FUNNY, I wasn’t!  😉  Amber

Hey guys!  Boy am I tired!  It’s the middle of the day and I need a nap.  I was up until 2:00 last night designing my project for Studio 5 on Thursday, typing instructions & taking photos of that project and prepping my appearance on Good Things Utah.  It’s funny, Reagan asked me if I was one of those crazy scrapbookers who stayed up late at nights scrapbooking and all I could do was laugh.  I knew what she would say if she knew the truth.  I need to go to sleep before 11:00 tonight for my sanity!  Click here to view my segment, if you’d like.

Now I’m off to the dentist for Neal.  I am hoping that he will let McKay (Packer, our dentist) fix his cavity.  We went last week and he wouldn’t open his mouth, so we went home unsuccessful.  As his consequence, he has not been able to watch TV since (except when he’s been at his grandparent’s … grandparent rules).  I hated doing it, but it’s not fair for him to waste McKay’s time.

Have you heard about the HUGE sale AMM is hosting Wednesday, August 22 – Saturday, August 25.  Click here to see the info.  Making Memories (wow!) is not on the flier, but they have sent such good stuff that we will be replenishing the store with it!  This is the ONLY SALE that Basic Grey has EVER participated in!  50% off Basic Grey & Making Memories!  Woo Hoo!

I’ll see you there!  Hugs!  *A*

Hey guys!  Class registration begins tomorrow morning, August 15 at 10:00 am!  The Expo is held Friday, September 28 & 29 at the South Towne Expo Center Sandy, UT).  To register online, please visit http://www.scrapbookusaexpo.com/classes.php. 

HINT:  Look tonight and get your schedule set, your favorite classes will go fast!

Tamara is teaching "So Happy Together".  To see her class, please go to the AMM Blog or Tamara’s blog (give her some time, she’s designing!)

I am teaching "Enjoy the Moments".  My class features Making Memories products!  The class is held Friday, September 28 from 4:30 – 6:00 pm and Saturday, September 29 from 12:30 – 2:00 pm.  Class Cost: $25

p.s.  AMM is having a FABULOUS sale!  I’ll put the info on the blog tomorrow!  *A*

I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to post more before leaving … please visit the AMM blog to see the post I just finished there.  hugs!  Amber

During the Trek, there were a few things I heard often or that kept running through my mind.  Here’s what they are:

1.  "I couldn’t do that".  I heard that over and over while we were trekking.  I know that we can.  Whatever it is, we can do it.  The Lord provides a way for us.  (see 1 Nephi 3:7)  In my life, everytime I’ve said "I could never handle ________ challenge".  I’ve had that challenge and the Lord has helped me through it.

2.  "I couldn’t walk away from my loved one knowing the wolves were going to eat them."  The Martin Company camped for 5 days Martin’s Cove.  In that 5 days, Fifty-six people died.  Their bodies were carried over a bank on the other side of the cove and buried in snow as the ground was too frozen to dig their graves.  As they turned to leave their loved one’s bodies behind, they could see the wolves circling the cliffs to eat the bodies they had just left.

That’s what parents do.  We raise our kids and teach them everything we can (or at least do our best), then we let them go and hope the wolves don’t devour them.  We hope they choose to not go where the wolves are.  Our children are being fed to the "wolves" everyday.  But, if do the wolves get them, we will do our best to save them.

3.  Temple work.  The pioneers came to Utah because their prophet asked them to, true.  But they also came because they wanted their Temple work done.  With the persecution that the saints had experienced, they came west to have religious freedom (what our founding fathers wanted when they left England).  Their temples (Kirtland & Nauvoo) had been destroyed and they wanted the blessings of the temple.  It was worth traveling by foot to Salt Lake for.

4.  "Why didn’t the Lord save them?"  He had the power to and didn’t, why?  and then I thought … He didn’t save Christ.  Why not?  The Savior suffered for our sins.  If he hadn’t suffered for us then there would be no way back to be with Him, no forgiveness.  Why then didn’t He relieve the suffering of the Willie & Martin Companies … for us.  They did what they did because of their faith.  We too need to do our part.  We need to stand up for what we beliefs.

5.  "All is Well!"  In the song, Come Come ye Saints there is a line that says "and should we die before our journey’s through, happy day!  All is well!"  While singing that with our family after about 13 miles of trekking … I finally get that part of the song.  They had done their part it didn’t matter if they died.  I hope that I will always live my life that if I were to die at any time it would be okay.  You know, NO regrets.

Thank you for indulging me.  I hope you enjoyed reading this.  Amber

Just after being put into our "family" On the way to Martin’s Cove Our last moment as a "family"

Coming up … 12 years!

Okay, I know I am a HUGE SLACKER!  Yes, I’ve been gone a LOT and I’ve been really busy trying to catch up when I haven’t been gone … but, you are right, I COULD have posted.  Let me tell you why I haven’t done it until tonight.  The experiences I’ve had in the past month have been spiritual and personal.  How do I share them with you?  Do I keep them "sterile" for those of you who many not want to be "preached" to … or do I share the experiences I had and the feelings I felt (at least a little bit) with you so that you may feel a little of what I have felt.  I was on Christy Tomlinson’s blog yesterday (Christy was a HUGE inspiration to me when I first started scrapbooking) and she shared her Trek experience.  I decided after reading hers that I needed to share my feelings and the experiences I had through my eyes.  You are welcome to visit Bryan’s blog to read what he has to say.

I am LDS (Mormon).  In July, 1856 two companies of Mormon (handcart) Pioneers left Iowa City, walking and pulling carts to Salt Lake City.  They left much to late to safely complete the trek in time to avoid the winter storms.  Winter came early that year and brought about great hardships.  The Willie Company arrived in Salt Lake on Nov. 9, 1856 and the Martin Company arrived Nov. 30, 1856.  We were lucky to Trek/visit some of the same places that they walked.

We were asked to be a "Ma & Pa" in January of this year.  We started preparing physicaly and spritually then.  I asked President Allred if he would promise me that I would not be going to Girl’s Camp and Trek as they were only a week apart.  He promised me that they would not ask that of our family.  In May I was called to be the 1st Counselor in the Young Women’s Presidency (girls ages 12-18).  That meant Girls’ Camp.  After I said I would serve in YW, I asked the Bishop if I needed to attend camp as we were going to Trek.  He said I didn’t.  But, as soon as I asked I had the feeling come over me that I needed to go to camp, that if I did as the Lord asked me, our family would be blessed and the boys would survive that much seperation.  They are doing better at adjusting to having me home.  They don’t think they need to go to bed and they think we should go to Burger King at least once a day.  It is getting better … we may be back to "normal" by the time Neal goes back to school at the end of August.  But we have been blessed.

I have to tell you, that I cried for three days straight.  I cried while we were at the Martin’s Cove Visitor’s Center , the river crossing , in the Cove , during the Women’s pull , at Sage Creek (6th Crossing) , Rocky Ridge , when we arrived at Rock Creek Hollow after Trekking for 15 miles , and in the Rock Creek Hollow Monument .

Our Trek "Family":  When we were leaving the Visitors Center, one of our boys was crying … and that’s when it happened ~ I began to love the members of our "family".  They said it would happen, that we would be bonded because of the experiences we would share together.  And they were right.  One of my most favorite experiences that we had was after we arrived at Rock Creek Hollow.  We had just treked for 15 miles and had gone over Rocky Ridge (aka the Trail of Blood because it took 20 hours in snow & freezing cold for the Willie Company to pass) the highest point and one of the hardest terrains on the trail to the Salt Lake Valley.  We went into the Rock Creek Hollow Monument which President Hinckley dedicated in 1992.  15 people are buried there.  President Hinckley said that we should treat this area as we would a temple.  The spirit is there in the land, you can feel the reverence.

We pulled out a handkerchief filled with 4 oz. of flour.  That is how much the pioneers rations were reduced to prior to being rescued.  For a visual reference, 4 oz. of flour is about enough to make one biscuit.  That was an entire days food.  We asked the kids to imagine walking what we just walked and instead of the large meal that was waiting for us, that was all you had.  And, unlike us, you would need to get up the next day and travel that far again. 

Bryan’s mom and I were talking about why so many of the men died.  That is why.  After walking and pulling carts all day, they gave their ration of flour to their wives and children.  They would then they would stand guard all night and do it all the next day.

We asked the kids in our family to remember the way they felt while we were trekking and take the example of the pioneer’s strength into their own lives.

I will share more tomorrow so it’s not so much at once (and add pics) … *A*

Hey Amber, I think you have had enough time to plan you lesson and get your talk in church over with so it’s time to update the blog!!!!! 🙂  I’ll keep checking back.  Sherie

Thanks Sherie!  I am finishing up some Scrapbook USA Expo stuff & will post soon.  I am grateful people care that I haven’t taken the time to post recently.  It’s awesome!  *A*

I’m off to Girl’s Camp … bright and early tomorrow morning (6:30 ~ that means I need to wake up at 5:30!)  I am so not a morning person! 

Okay, I’m leaving for four whole days better double check everything is done:

• Babysitters for the boys … check!
• The boys are sleeping at Grandma & Grandpa’s … well, they’re there, no guarantees they’re sleeping
• My Scrapbook USA Expo Class is designed and the product donations request is turned in … check!
• Write an extremely long-winded email to Jodi … check! check!
• AMM Blog … NO.  Can I blog twice this weekend!?
• Girl’s Camp craft … check!  (I’m so worried I forgot something … I can’t take my whole house with me, you know)
• Update the blog (did you think I forgot you!?) … check!
• Pick up my car from the shop last Friday … check!
• Drop off Bryan’s car at the shop today … check!
• Blog about why both cars were in the shop … after camp!
• Food in the house … No … they can fend for themselves, right!?
• It’s my 80 minute/3 days week on the treadmill, did I exercise today?  No.  If I exercise twice on Saturday does that count?
• Do I have my mind?  No … I lost it years ago!

I’ll check back in this weekend after I’ve recovered slightly from camp … wish me luck!  *A*

I need your help!  My younger brother, Geoff, is getting married next month and my mom would like to do a favor for the wedding luncheon.  For my wedding, we had boxes filled with 4 hand-dipped chocolates (Hatch Family Chocolates, of course!) and we’ve done seed packets for three other siblings (in-laws count … and, Rebecca started it).  What have you seen that’s not too hard to put together? 

Thanks, in advance, for your ideas!  Have a GREAT weekend!  *A*

p.s.  Class sign-ups went great yesterday!  If you didn’t get signed up, do it fast!  To register, you can either go in (767 East 12300 South, Draper) or call (801)572-9199.

Also back by popular demand … it was so nice how many of you had a hard time without "Possibilities!" and wood letters!  Thank you for patiently living through the hard times {wink!}. 

Do you recognize this!?  I inspired myself.  The colors in this layout are so soothing, yet the orange adds a touch of vibrance!  I’ve wanted to share this with you since I designed mine in February.  Don’t worry!  I won’t make you sew the hibiscus flower like I did.  We’ll use a pattern for the flower, Heidi Swapp Stamps, flower & puffy center; My Mind’s Eye paper & embellishments; Imaginisce bling & flower.  It’s perfect for your beach photos!

I loved this paper the moment I saw it.  So perfect for our macho boys and daredevil girls.  Don’t worry about the swirls, you can draw your own or use my stamps.  We’ll use Creative Imaginations tatoo paper, My Mind’s Eye papers, Heidi Swapp foam stamps, 7 Gypsies "" stamp, Superstar & star bling and fun ribbons.

One of my favorite Scrapbook Designers is Rhonna Farrer.  She designed this fun paper.  Isn’t it fabulous!?  We’ll add Heidi Swapp Kiwi green flowers and photo corners; Making Memories hibiscus flowers (have I told you I love these!? only about a million times!) and epoxy buttons; Imaginisce bling (the large blue center) and a polka dot brad (Bazzill).

I love the crown paper and the fact that it’s blue & brown!?  mwah!  All the paper, title, tags and bling are by My Mind’s Eye; the Large Rick Rack is from Karen Foster.  (and, yes, we will be selling it!  yummy!)

• Thursday, August 16
• Tuesday, August 28
• Tuesday, September 18
• 6:00 to 8:30 pm
• $26