I KNOW!!! I KNOW!!

Your lives have all been ON HOLD for the last few (or six) months waiting for me to update this blog with updates on the Sheffer family.  I really don't know how you survived. I'm glad you had things like the release of season 3 of "The Walking Dead" and the resurgence of the Bird Flu to distract you.

But do not fear, loyal readers.  I have once again resolved to make a meager attempt to increase bonds of friendship and love by attempting to maintain a little more contact with my friends and family members by posting my weekly project life layouts on this site. Basically what I'm trying to say is that I hope by posting here every week or two we will have something to talk about next time we see each other.

Sample conversation:
YOU:  So, I see by your totally fascinating blog post that your washer broke and the repair man found 2.3 million bobby pins in the pump.
ME:  Totally.  Which explains Elizabeth being shorn bald while she slept.

All kidding aside, I think it should be easier this year as mom and dad purchased me Photoshop Elements for Christmas (actually they slipped me a Franklin and this is what I bought on Amazon... which makes me deliriously happy as I've wanted this program for a while but have been unable to purchase it because of life always happening like paying appliance repairmen. So thanks mom and dad).  I have purchased a few templates which should make things easier to share.

I really am serious when I say I hope this increases bonds of friendship.  I regularly follow several blogs and it really does make me feel closer to the writers.  Plus it is better to read what is happening with them and their families than it is to surf aimlessly on the internet at two in the morning because I can't sleep which is happening a lot lately (thanks Dad... great genetic gift you had to pass on).

So here is the cover sheet for my 2014 project life book. I don't LOVE it but I'm trying to decide why. Last year my color scheme was so much more muted. And I got bored with it. So this year I went bold. And now I'm thinking maybe it is all a little TOO much.  But anyway... here you go.  Of course next week will have PICTURES with it.

June 09 - June 15

 

May 12 - May 18

Click to Enlarge
 

May 05 - May 11

 

April 28 - May 04

Click to enlarge
 

April 21-27

 

Reflections Literature Winner

** CLICK TO ENLARGE

E2 recently won the school literature contest conducted by the PTA. 
She is always busy working on one writing project or another.  
We are so proud of her and her beautiful soul.

Pinewood Derby 2013

N had a blast with his buddies at the Pinewood Derby today. He took second place with his BYU blue car. This was the EXACT place we were hoping for.... (good enough that your kid isn't bummed out but not so good that you have to kill yet another Saturday as the winner advances to the Regional race... in fact one dad put it this way... "Only at the Pinewood Derby does the winner really lose"... HA)
E2 helped launch the cars and E3 helped at the finish line. If I would have known E3 would be helping at the end I would totally have dressed her "Grease" style with capri's and a scarf tied around her neck... like this... but cuter.
 

APRIL 13 - APRIL 19

 

CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE

We had a busy week ... especially E2.

She had school, the student body election assembly, drill team tryout practice, piano, dance, and worked at the pool.... all in ONE day.  Her entire week was like that.  This next week should be a little bit better.

She won her election for Student Body Historian.  What a girl!

She is through with her Red Cross Lifeguard training and is now taking classes to enable her to teach swimming lessons.  

N started regular league play this week for baseball. His first game was scheduled for Tuesday but as the snow picture above was taken on Tuesday, it was no surprise that his game was canceled. His next game was Thursday and they won the game 11-8. He had some great hits.  His coach is our neighbor and I've been so impressed at how great he is with the kids. He is teaching them a lot while still making it fun.  His son is on the team, but broke his elbow last week and likely won't even be able to play this season.  Considering his own son won't be playing I'm even more impressed by our coach's dedication. Actually I was impressed by my own dedication on Thursday... and Darren's... and Grandpa's.  It was SO COLD. I had on my heavy coat over layers plus my winter snow boots and I was still FREEZING. I could NOT get warm that night after we got home.

Friday night N played the game that had been canceled on Tuesday.  The temperature was much better.  N was upset as he had three "at-bats" which all resulted in three outs. First he was tagged out at first,  then struck out on another. He made up for it his third time at bat when he hit an amazing triple.  A few plays later his coach had him steal home and he got tagged out. It was really close and really exciting.  The picture of him running towards home base above is where he got out.  He was SO FOCUSED.  I was really proud of him.  His team won their game 6-3.

Today (Saturday) we ran ran ran. Darren cooked us all breakfast and it was a good thing as we needed the energy for the rest of the day.  Darren, N, and E3 got their haircut... then we all went to the pinewood derby... then we went the music store... then we went to the SVC where the girls both danced... then we went to Wal-Mart... then Big 5... then the music store again.... then Fresh Market... then Maverick.  We were all glad to be home.  N played with his friend.  I read a book and then watched the RSL game. Darren worked on computer stuff.  A busy day... but a good one.

April 7 - April 13

 

March 31 - April 06

 

March 24 - March 30

 

March 17 - March 23

 

The ZOO - March 16

 

March 10 - March 16

 

March 03 - March 09

 

February 24 - March 02, 2013

 

February 17 - 23

February 10 - February 16, 2013

 

 

This week flew by.

We got ready for Valentines day, which came and went in a flash.  It was a busy week....  I am embarrassed to admit that we fed the kids pizza  THREE nights this week.  Sad but true.  We are all sick of it.

E2 has been taking life-guard classes at six a.m., getting done just in time to be at school.  She danced several times this week at games, going to Orem two days in a row to perform at the boys and girls State basketball games.  She did squeeze enough time in to get her schoolwork done and get her BRACES OFF!!! YAY!!!!!!  If it wasn't for Grandma it never would have happened.

E3 was sick with strep throat this week but is recovering nicely. 

E1 came home for the long weekend. She got here Friday and we are so happy to have her here.

We didn't have our traditional Valentines breakfast until Sunday(today) as we couldn't get everyone in the house at the same time until then. 

Hope you all have a great week!

February 03 - February 09

 

 

What a fun week!

On Sunday we attended church. I can't describe how incredibly satisfying it is to have all four of my children in the bench with me at church. I know I sound like an old fogey but it really is true.

After church Darren was assigned to do home-bound sacrament so the kids helped me chop and dice and stir and make SUPERBOWL treats. Yay!! We are definitely a football family. We don't watch hardly any NFL (we watch college football for the most part) but really wouldn't it be un-American not to watch the Superbowl? I love that my kids know the sport. They talk the talk. They have watched and attended enough games to know that the game this year was really kinda weird and kinda wacky and really kinda wonderful with the 108 yard kickoff return, the safety, the sibling head coaches, and the power outage.  It was a great game.

We all wanted the Ravens to win because of number 88 - Dennis Pitta. He was a favorite of ours when he played for BYU. It was a pretty exciting moment when Pitta scored a touchdown.

E1 got a late start as Darren had to work on her car for a bit. She won't appreciate me telling that she ended up talking the wrong exit and wandered the streets of Springville for a while late late Sunday night/Monday morning. She thought she had lost her phone while on her date last weekend but really it was in her car the entire time. Too bad she didn't figure this out until Monday... AFTER she had already found her way home.

Monday we went to the church to clean it. We cleaned the bathrooms and vacuumed the chapel. I seriously never realized the impact of sparkly clothing. One bench looked like the entire chorus line of Cabaret had been sliding up and down the cushions. It took forever to vacuum it up. The kids were good sports.

Tuesday and Wednesday passed quickly with work and school and Young Women's and dance and piano and etc. You can read my previous entry about E2 dancing at the ball game and N's week long struggle to learn his piano piece.

Friday we followed our normal routine. After work and school we cleaned house, did laundry, and got everything done so we could PLAY. E3 played with her friend Elyse and they let N join in. E2 went to a movie at Katie's house.

 

Today the kids cooked scrambled eggs for breakfast and then scrambled eggs for lunch.... I better go make them a meal before they have to resort to scrambled eggs for dinner.    N and his friend Will were able to get together for an "epic" battle on the computer.  I've been working on my lesson for  tomorrow and doing my Project Life scrapbook.  Darren is at the SVC working all day for State wrestling.  E1 called and said she'd gone to State swim to support her old team.  She was heading to the mall to have dinner with them.   She got to see Grandma and Grandpa this week while they we up north. She has fallen in love with Zupa's and got Grandpa to hook her up. 

 

Have a great week!

E2 and N

We have a hard time getting information out of E2. Not sure why exactly.... I don't know if Darren and I are extremely unobservant or if E2 doesn't think through things. An example of this was in December. She came into our room Friday night and asked for a ride to the school at 6 am Saturday morning. We asked her why.... and she informed us she had a Drill competition in Delta the next day and this was the time the bus was leaving. We were like huh???? We asked if she needed lunch money. She was like, well I guess that would be a good idea.... (ya think???).

Fast forward to a few days ago.  Thursday morning she is running out the door to school and has on her official Drill team "dress-up" outfit consisting of cute skirt/blouse/heels. I ask her what is going on. She indicates they are dancing for half-time that night at the girls basketball game.  Neither Darren or I had no idea this was happening.

The fact the team was dressing up for school should have alerted me more was going on as they obviously don't dress up every school day that the girls or boys basketball team plays.  Darren and I go to the school that night to watch her perform. They are doing a simple little routine they learned back in June at camp (and probably had to relearn as they haven't done it since football season). She performs. She looks great. After they perform their instructor comes out and they honor each girl with flowers and announcing their name to the crowd. We had no clue this was going to happen either. After it was over the team gathered for pictures.  We just had to shake our heads and wonder if we live in the same house as our busy girl and how we miss out on the necessary information.



The video below is of N. His piano teacher is also his primary music leader. She is hands down the BEST music leader I've ever experienced in Primary and that is saying something as I've had the opportunity to work with some amazing women. She does a little activity every year where she "switches places" with the kids for singing time. She randomly picks children to lead the music while she sits in their seat, and the pianist switches as well and has one of the kids play.

Sister Blake ensures that the pianist picks children that are her piano students and who she has preassigned a primary song. The kids think it is totally random so that is part of the fun.

 N has loved being part of the "trick" and has worked extra hard on his assigned song. At the beginning of the week I could hear him struggling with the song. He was really frustrated but kept trying with so much dedication. I didn't know at the time that Sister Blake had asked him to participate in her little "switch-a-roo". I tried to help him for a bit but he just couldn't do it. We were literally doing the first two measures over and over again. As often happens, something "clicks" and by learning the first phrase he could make his way through the rest of the song.

 He has been diligently working on it all week. I am really proud of him and his hard work. And I am thankful for a great piano teacher and music leader that helps inspire my son to learn and grow (and have a fun time doing it).

January 27 - February 02, 2013

Sunday night was the Young Women's "New Beginnings" program.  It was a beautiful night celebrating the new theme "Stand Ye in Holy Places".  This is from the scripture D&C 87:8, "Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen."  One of the Young Women prepared a slide show of the girls standing in their "holy places".... their homes... their schools ...with their friends. It was beautiful.  The leaders gave each girl a cute coral-colored tee (see E3 wearing hers above).  E3 wore hers to school the next day and reported her entire Young Women's group was wearing theirs as well.

 

Tuesday E2 and E3 truly did stand in a holy place as they had the chance to do baptisms in the Manti temple.  E1 is a great example for them as she and her roommates have made it a goal to go to the temple once per week.  They have been fairly successful considering the demands on their time. 

 

E2 and E3 got home in time to help us film N's entry for the Reflections contest for his school. Yes, it was due the NEXT DAY.  For one of his Webelos projects he wrote a puppet show and made puppets for it so we decided to film it for an entry in the contest.  It is a story about aliens, and honestly it doesn't make a lot of sense to us old people but everyone under the age of 12 that has heard the play thinks it is pretty darn funny. 

 

Wednesday was N's last basketball game. He has grown a lot as a player. He hadn't really wanted to play but decided it was pretty fun after all.  Oh I love it when I'm right.  One of the mom's of his teammates approached me about sending him to Jimmer's basketball camp this summer with her son so we'll have to check it out.

 

Darren took N skiing Thursday.  Darren reported this was the cheapest skiing trip he'd ever been on as Eagle Mountain doesn't charge for lift tickets on Thursday, we had the skis already so didn't have to rent anything, we received a $50 rebate on our contact lenses which paid for the gas, and he packed a lunch.    N LOVED the experience and reported his all time favorite sports are now:  FOOTBALL, SKIING, SWIMMING, and BASKETBALL.  The weather was gorgeous, there were few skiiers, and the skiiers they did see were mostly friends and neighbors.  It was a perfect day.

 

Friday E2 left for State Drill. Darren worked at the event center.  N did his chores and then played with his friends. Sonja cleaned house and did laundry.  Can you say EXCITING??  I was actually motivated to get my work done as E1 came home Saturday morning for the weekend.  She is full of energy and just makes things fun at our house.  She took N to a chess tournament (another Webelos activity) and played with him.  She took E3 and N to dinner and bowling while D and I attended our friend Blake Zobell's 50th birthday dinner and party.  His wife Susan and I get mixed up for each other ALL THE TIME and from the picture of the two of us above, it's easy to see why. 

 

I hope you all had a great week!

January 20 - 26

Sunday morning we had the privilege of being with E1 as she received her patriarchal blessing.
It was a sweet, tender experience. My testimony that we have a Heavenly Father that knows us and loves us was reinforced.   I love my daughter with all my heart and am so grateful for the person she is.  These past few months have been pretty tough on her, but she "keeps on keeping on".  I am so proud of her.

Monday Darren took E3 and N ice-fishing at Fish Lake. They came back sunburned and happy.  I am thankful for Grandma Roxey and her willingness to have the fish cleaned/stored/and cooked at her house.  She wrote on one package with sharpie, "Invite N over to eat" before she stored it in the freezer.  He thought that was pretty cool.   I am also grateful for a husband that taught an excited little boy how to clean a fish. 

I went to the grocery store as the kids were getting worried about the barren wasteland that was our refrigerater.   Plus to scrapbook I needed total SNACKS okay?    Then I locked myself in my office and got an a roll finishing my 2012 Project Life album.  Between the work I put in Monday and the rest of the week I am pretty much there. I ordered a few specialty sized sheet protectors and am waiting for E1 to send me a few pictures then I am DONE.  I am really happy with how it turned out and it makes me so happy to see the kids poring over it. 

Also Monday I made my first recipe for the new blog I want to start of the Richfield 2nd/5th ward cookbook recipes.  It was called "Fishlake Meatballs".

Tuesday was region Drill Competition.   E2 was awesome. Their team took third in Region. They were disappointed as they won last year.   E3 and N were good sports about being there all night with the booming music.  The picture above is N going to town during the break when they played "Gangnam Style".  It was SOOOO Funny.  He's got some moves. 

Being at these drill competitions brings back so many memories. It seems not so long ago I was in the circle pinkie locked with my teammates while we waited for the results of our efforts.

The rest of the week was a blur of school and work and Library Board and a baby shower and housework and grocery shopping and Darren working 13+ hours straight at the SVC.   Darren and I did sneak out to see Lincoln Wednesday night and I really really liked it. I came right home and started reading more about Lincoln.  I had no idea what had went on to get the 13th Amendment passed.    To imagine the pressure Lincoln was under was thought provoking. 

January 13 - January 19, 2013

I had a mildly stressful Sunday as I taught Relief Society for the first time.  It was nice after it was all over to be able to go to Grandma's and have a relaxing dinner with them.  She made the most delicious ham. The kids of course hung out with Grandpa and took possession of every Apple device they own. With three kids at home now, all three can be satisfied as they have two IPad2's and an I-phone.  I don't even have a smart phone so it's sad my 63 year old mother is more hooked up with technology than I am.

 

Monday we took the kids to the pool for Family Night.  We had them practice with the snorkel and mask to get ready for our family trip this October. We need to find something smaller for N.  It was so cold outside that I really did not want to get in the water but it ended up being really fun.  My new swimsuit is freaking awesome.  Darren has been swimming nearly every morning for the past few weeks. 

 

I really am so tired of the cold. I just ache. I don't want to exercise as I don't like being out in it. I have a treadmill and tons of exercise videos but all I want to do is hibernate.  We heard a booming noise out in the garage this week and it was my cans of soda exploding from the cold. That is craziness.

 

N has a few more weeks of ball. His team got skunked this week but he made some great lay-ups. He was awesome.

 

We had more car problems this week. Our expedition is running really sluggish and I admit I typed the following words into a search engine this week, "Should I worry if my car smells like it's on fire?"  Ya.... pathetic.  It has this burning smell like burning wood, not hot electrical.  And it's leaking oil everywhere.  And then Thursday morning I drove E2 to early morning drill practice after seriously being up all night worrying about things and I left the lights on in the truck when I got home. So here we are Thursday morning trying to get to work and the Expedition is frozen and not working well and the truck is dead as a doornail.  It makes me crazy and honestly kinda weepy.

 

I had so many opportunities for pictures on Friday that I can't believe I didn't take any.  E2 danced at the big rivalry game, E3 and her friend hung out at the game, N and Will played all night. I cleaned house like a crazy woman in prep for the weekend.  I was really motivated as I have Monday off.  It seems lately that my "To-Do" list gets frisky and starts breeding like a rabbit, but even though we went to SLC Saturday and home Sunday I actually don't have anything I HAVE to do Monday. So I am going to go gangbusters finishing the journaling of last years Project Life book.  All the pictures are in but I'm only to August on the journaling. I am really excited.

 

Anyway, we went to Provo Saturday and picked up E1 and headed to SLC for Darren's dad's 85th birthday party.  We had cake and ice cream and visited and laughed and got to celebrate this wonderful man that I have the honor of having in my life as a second dad.  I love him so much.

 

The party wrapped up early so we hit "Les Miserables" at Jordan Landing.  I have been waiting to see it on a "real" theatre so I was excited to have the chance. The whole family went... my plan was for the girls and I to just go while Darren and N visited longer at his parents but he wanted to go too so N got drug along.  We all liked it except E2.  The first half was a little too heart-wrenching for her.  We have been singing the "Do you hear the people sing?" song all day. It reminds me a bit of the RSL chants.  I read on the internet that the show is coming back to Broadway in 2014.

 

E1 had a special day today but I will write more about that NEXT week :)

 

January 6 - January 12, 2013

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E1 returned to school Sunday. This was the first time she'd driven a long distance by herself, so she was nervous.  We are so proud of her.

I stayed up waaaayyyy to late watching the start of the next season of Downton Abbey. Yay!

 

We only have one car now as our Expedition is broken down and E1 took the little car.  This is not usually a problem but Monday by 9 we'd driven E2 to 6 a.m. drill practice, picked up E2 at 7:15 as she'd forgotten her clothes, took E3 to school as she had missed the bus, took E2 back to her school, dropped of Darren at work, took N to the eye doctor to pick up his new glasses, dropped him off to school, hit the grocery store for lunch items as I'd spent an hour of work time in the car so now wouldn't get lunch..... you get the idea.

 

We took the Expedition into the mechanic Tuesday and found out that the repair would only be $75 dollars. Yes we had gone without it for almost THREE MONTHS for a repair bill that only ended up being $75..... sigh..... 

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E2 was required to attend the basketball game Tuesday but got done in time to go to Young Womens with E3 to make darling necklaces with this year's theme.  I love the women that serve my girls. They are fun and faithful. I appreciate them so much.

Wednesday is E2's busy day. She goes to drill at six, school at 8, drill after school til 4:30, dance class from 4:30 to 5:30, piano lessons from 5:30 to 6. Twelve hours straight of run run run. I took these pictures as she was running in the door from dance lessons all pink cheeked from the cold and running to the cabinet to get her piano lesson materials.  I am proud of her.

Wednesday night was N's basketball game. They play 3on3 which I was worried about at first but has ended up being such a great way to give the boys experience. The game ended in a tie but we are pretty sure the scorekeeper missed a few of our team's points.

Thursday E2 did flag at drill. I was sick again and spent the evening on the couch.

Friday I made it through an hour of work and then had to come home.  I am so tired of being sick. The only good thing is that it  gave me time to study my lesson for Relief Society on Sunday.

Darren worked all night at the drill competition. E2 helped out as well.

Saturday was the Richfield Invitational Drill Competition. As the Azurettes host the competition, they perform their routines in each category but don't really compete.  E2 did awesome. I shed a few tears I admit....

Darren worked all day long. We were hoping he would get off in time to go see LesMis but he got home too late.  Maybe next week.  I watched the exciting end of the Bronco's/Raven's game while cleaning my room and bathroom. Yuck.....

 

December 30 - January 05

 

 

I was still feeling pretty sick on New Years Eve so we skipped the parties and stayed home.  I made Darren's favorite roast beef sandwiches for dinner and E2 made her yummy cheeseball.  The kids settled into playing an "epic" battle of StarCraft with Darren, while I organized pictures on my computer, making a final back up for the year.  I was working away on my computer when I heard booming noises. I looked at the time on my computer and it was past MIDNIGHT!! We had all been so absorbed in our activities that we had MISSED it.  I was a wee bit bummed.

We ran upstairs and the kids ran around wild outside (barefoot... in the snow) which was all good and fun until E1 pushed N into a snowbank.  Good grief....

 

The rest of the week we spent getting back to normal.... cleaning up Christmas and starting back to school. I could not have done it without E1.  She cooked and cleaned and took down Christmas.

We had pack meeting Thursday and Friday night the Crowthers fed us and entertained us with games and good times.  Darren worked all day Saturday. I am starting to feel ill again and so we skipped games with our friends and enjoyed a night at home with E1 before she returned to school. We flipped channels between the USU vs Idaho and the BYU vs USF basketball games. Both were exciting.