Out with August...In comes September

I can't believe another month is gone. Time flies so quickly anymore. We are all good, with the exception of a few colds. The girls seem to enjoy school so far. Jaycee likes her Spanish class and he TV class. Jordan joined the pep club and is excited for that. The girls both start soccer again this week, so that is always a busy time.

Today Greg & I spoke in church. Another couple was to speak, but got sick. Not sure how I did, but Greg did great. Just feel bad, cuz I took more time than I thought I would have so he had about 5 minutes to speak.. Go figure...

Tomorrow is Labor Day and I am sooooo excited for a day off work. The girls are home and Greg is home so we will see if we do anything or just have a nice relaxing day.

Have a nice week.

School Days

Hurricane Charlie was devistating to our area in 2004. We didn't live here at the time,however it did major damage to several schools in the area including the High School & Middle School. Both schools were destroyed and have been in the process of being re-built. The Middle School was just completed this summer and the High School is to open next school year.
Tonight was Jaycee's open house for her Middle School It is a very nice school with the latest technology. It is soooo cool. Here are a couple pictures of it.

Jordan's High School is to be completed by next school year. Jordan is going to Charlotte High, which is just around the corner from the middle school. Here are a couple pictures of it as well. Below is Charlotte High under construction.
Here are also a couple pictures of the girls from tonight. Jordan is proud to be a Tarpon at Charlotte High, and Jaycee loves her new school. It is so nice.
The girls are growing up so fast, I can hardly believe it. I love my girls.


Here is a picture of the High School as it is being re-built.

Summer Olympics-2008

So, I really didn't think much about watching ANY of the summer Olympics this year, at first. HOWEVER...the more I watched it and got the feel for the people, customs etc. I really loved the Olympics in China this year. I really wasn't excited that it was going to be in China, and I really very opposed to Pres Bush going there with the political situation between the US leaders & China...With that being said, I have really had a change of heart and have learned much about China. Although I don't agree politically with their leaders, I have once again learned that we are ALL God's children and that we all are brothers & sisters of a God who loves us...)


There were and are always so many wonderful stories of the athletes and their trials and stories of their lives. I also listened to many stories of the Chinese people and some who are now US citizens. It has been a real eye opener to me. Tonight, I am watching the closing ceremonies and am a little sad it is over.

I feel that when one event can bring so many people from all over the world together in PEACE and love for one another, it can make an effect on the world. Even if it is just for a couple of weeks. (I know...So sappy)

Ok, so I am done with my little bit on the Olympics...Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. Let me know your feelings on this 2008 Summer Olympics.

Busy week

It has been an interesting week. First the threat of Tropical Storm Fay and all of us getting the day to be home and prepare for that. Luckily we were spared any flooding or major weather for those couple of days. I feel for those who have been through the storm and haven't been as fortunate. It is hard to believe that the same storm that was so mild for us could do so much damage in other cities in Florida.

Jordan started Seminary on Wednesday. We leave the house at 5:40 am so she can be to the church by 6 am. She is adjusting to the new time. She was spoiled last year. Middle School didn't have to be to the bus until 8:30 am, so she could sleep in until 7:40 or 7:50 and still get to the bus on time. Now she is leaving early in the morning and school starts an hour earlier. I can't believe Jordan in now in High School. WOWWWW!

Jaycee started Middle School and is in 6th grade. She is the first class to get into the brand new building of Punta Gorda Middle School. In 2004, Charlotte High and Punta Gorda Middle School were destroyed by Hurricane Charley. Jaycee loves the new school. It is beautiful.

They are still re-building the High School and Jordan may or may not be there when the High School is complete. Not sure what the timeline is for the High School to be completed. So for now, it is portables for most of the High School classes still.

The girls start soccer next week and are looking forward to that.

All is well. Tomorrow is church and then back to the work & school week.

ONE WORD TAG

This is a fun questionnaire. Got this from Allie's Blog. Tagging Leslie, Sista, Jaycee & Tara...

The Rules: Answer the questions using only ONE WORD. Then tag four others.

1. Where is your cell phone? CAR
2. Your significant other? GREG
3. Your hair? CURLY
4. Your mother? KIND
5. Your father? ARTIST
6. Your favorite thing? KIDS
7. Your dream last night? ALASKA
8 Your favorite drink? DT COKE
9. Your dream/goal? SAHM (STAY-AT-HOME-MOM)
10. The room you’re in? BEDROOM
11. Your hobby? BLOG
12. Your fear? HURRICANES!!
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? HERE
14. What you’re not? RELAXED
15. Muffins? MORMON
16. One of your wish list items? BEACH HOUSE
17. Where you grew up? UTAH
18. The last thing you did? DVD
19. What are you wearing? PJ'S
20. Favorite gadget? LAPTOP
21. Your pets? THREE
22. Your computer? LAPTOP
23. Your mood? CALM
24. Missing someone? LADAWN
25. Your car? TRAILBLAZER
26. Something you’re not wearing? SHOES
27. Favorite store? YANKEE
28. Like someone? FAMILY
29. Your favorite color? PINK
30. When is the last time you laughed? TONIGHT
31. Last time you cried? NO IDEA

Final Update on Fay (o:

Today's tropical storm was very mild, at least for us in Punta Gorda/
Port Charlotte. South of us in Fort Myers & Naples, (our Stake) had flooding and got the biggest part of the storm early this morning.

We had a lot of wind, but only got 1 1/2 inches of rain. We usually get more than that during our afternoon summer rain storms. We are very thankful and very blessed though. Not complaining AT ALL!!! If this is all we get for the rest of the season, I will be one happy Florida girl...

Here are a couple pictures of the days storm. As I said, we really didn't get much in the way of rain, but we did have wind all day and throughout the evening. Looks like it is still moving up central Florida and could possibly go back to the Atlantic and re-form as a hurricane...Let's hope not.

Thanks for all the emails and phone calls...Nice to know people are watching out for us. The girls start school tomorrow and are excited to go back. Today was to be their first day back to school. Schools, banks & government offices were all closed today.

PS..Just watched the news updates and saw that Fay has strengthened as it has gone up to Central FL. Now they are expecting Fay to hit the Atlantic and swing back into the East Coast of FL. There were several tornados that effected many people's homes. My heart and prayers are with those still in the path of the Hurricane. May you all stay safe...

Tropical Storm Fay

We were happy to wake up and find out the Fay didn't turn into a hurricane. It is a tropical storm so we are prepared for the winds and tornado warnings. Right now we are starting to see the winds and rain. Naples and Fort Meyers got the worse of it this morning. There is flooding and with high tide coming in that will bring more flooding.

Here in Charlotte County where Charly hit in 2004, we are just starting to see some winds and lots of rain. We are very lucky so far. I will post some pics soon.

Last night Jordan & I went to pick up some last school supplies for school at the mall. Not knowing the mall was closed...as in boarded up and hurricane shutters up. It was very strange for us. Never been thru this before so to see more than just homes boarded up was very weird. Wal-Mart & Target and grocery stores were open, but anything other than that was pretty much closed.

Today is a good day to stay in PJ's and watch movies (o:

First Day of School....Hurricane Day

The girls were to start school tomorrow, but much to Jaycee's disappointment they will have to stay home for a hurricane day. Tropical Storm Fay is to hit land tomorrow morning in our area, and hopefully only going to be a Cat 1. Tonight it was actually slowing down, but this changes constantly.

Jordan was sooo happy that they get to stay home tomorrow, but Jaycee is very disappointed. She loves school and wanted to go so bad. But hopefully it will only be one day and they will be back to their first day of school on Wed.

Greg is running all over from Venice up to Palmetto. His stores are getting prepared for the hurricane and are trying to close by 10 pm, but will probably be open until midnight. They open back up tomorrow morning.

Our office is closed due to the storm, so I get to be home with the girls tomorrow. Hope the storm is minimal and that Florida will be spared another year.
See you tomorrow.

Burrowing Owls & The Movie 'Hoot'

I know I already posted today, but this afternoon while I was watching to see where the tropical storm was at, Jaycee & I decided to watch a movie. We have seen the movie 'Hoot' several times, but I saw it at the library the other day and felt like watching it again.

So after we saw the cute little burrowing owl on the movie, Jaycee & I drove over to where we have seen them before. Tonight there were 4. I've never seen that many out of their burrow at one time. They are just so darn cute!!!

After we watched the movie, I looked to see what parts of Florida they filmed the show. The end of it is filmed at Gasperilla Island at Boca Grande Lighthouse. This is about 40 minutes from where we live. I have been there twice. It is beautiful there.

Here is a picture of the two littlest owls that Jaycee & I saw, then a picture of Boca Grande lighthouse where I took Greg's Mom when she flew out here the first time.

Have a good weekend..Keep the hurricanes away..(-:

Olympic Metal Standings

GO USA!!!

Olympic Medal winners at NBC Olympics.com!

Saturday Shopping

Saturday Greg & I went car shopping. We have had my Kia Sportage for two years, and lately it is costing a lot of $$ in repairs. Greg said if I got it cleaned out, we would go car shopping...
So within one day, it was clean as a whistle. (-:

We looked on line to see what was out there in our price range and found quite a bit. So Saturday afternoon we went shopping with Jaycee. We only had a few hours, since Jordan would be coming home from Youth Conference.

Anyway, long story short we found a 2004 Chev. Trailblazer with 33K miles on it. We got SUCH a good deal on it. Luckily Greg worked it out with the sales people while I took Jaycee to get some lunch. (I don't do good at car lots, bad experiences) We are excited about it. There is a lot more room for the girls and we hope it will last us a long time.

Here are a couple of pics. When I got home from work today, Jaycee asked if she and her friend Melanie, could open the back and sit in it. It was cute.

I live for MEMORIES!

I got this from my friend Stacy, who passed the idea on from her friend. Thought it would be interesting..
--Shalee (- :

1. Leave a comment on my blog of a favorite memory of you and I together. Whether we know each other a little or a lot, just anything you remember.

2. Then, do this same post on your blog and see the fun memories that people leave about you. If you leave a memory on my comments, I will go back to your blog and write a memory about you. Fun stuff!

Happy Birthday Greg!!

Happy Birthday to Greg!!
Aug 10th will be Greg's 41st b-day. WOWWWA!!! I can say that this year. Next year, I won't be so happy about my b-day...seeing how next will be the end of the 30's for me...

Jaycee is making his cake. She is quite the little baker. She loves to cook and bake. Thank goodness she gets her baking skills from Greg. I can cook, but if the girls want something sweet, it has to be Greg. Greg has done well at teaching the girls how to make cinnamon rolls, cookies and cake. Ever since the girls were old enough to stand up, he would have them standing on a chair while he taught them how to bake.

Greg's Mom even made them both little aprons that they would wear when they were in the kitchen with Greg. Very sweet! It will pay off to the lucky guys that will marry them.

Good Things Come In Fours...

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1-Karmel Korn manager
2-Bookkeeper AP
3-IRS, Lead & Manager
4-Mom

Movies I Would Watch Over & Over:
1-Star Wars
2-Camelot
3-Fiddler on the Roof
4-Psycho

Four Places I Have Lived:
1-Clearfield, UT
2-St George, UT
3-Shepherdstown, W VA
4-Port Charlotte, FL

Four TV shows I Love To Watch:
1-24
2-Dexter
3-Intervention
4-Monk

Four Places I Have Been On Vacation:
1-Disneyland & Disney World
2-Yellowstone National Park
3-San Diego
4-Hood River, OR

Four Of My Favorite Foods:
1-Seafood
2-Mexican
3-Italian
4-Cheese Cake

Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now:
1-The beach.
2-Disney World
3-Washington DC
4-Sleeping

Four Favorite Prophets:
1-Moses
2-Joseph Smith
3-Gordon B Hinckley
4-Nephi

Four Favorite States:
1- Florida
2- Oregon
3- Virginia
4- Utah

Four Favorite Things:
1-My girls.
2-Sleeping in on a rainy day.
3-Going to Disney w/Jordan & Jaycee.
4-Going to lunch with friends and laughing so hard my side hurts.

Tampa Bay Rays Game-Aug 2, 2008

We had a busy but good day. This morning I got the normal grocery shopping and errands done. Then took Jordan & Jaycee shopping for school clothes again. Actually, mostly Jordan. Jaycee finished up here shopping on Friday.

Around 3:30 pm we took the girls to 'Friendly's' for ice cream, then we headed to St Pete for the Rays Game. Tonight they played the Detroit Tigers. Tampa Bay won 9-3. It was an awesome game. Longoria had a great homerun hit and the team did wonderful on the field & at bat tonight.

The picture above is Raymond, the Rays team mascot. The other pictures are pretty much self explanitory. We had a good time as a family. Jaycee was hoping to catch a ball, but nothing came our way tonight. Darn it! Jordan was sitting by me, just not in the pics. Towards the end of the game, she was busy reading her new book. It was a fun day and just nice spending time as a family.

Tropicana Field