Education Week

Last thursday I had the chance to go with my brother's wife, Krista, to a few classes at education week. It was such a fun experience, although I was just there for a morning. Thanks again for the invite Krista! I thoroughly enjoyed both classes, and would highly recommend going to anyone who has ever even thought about it. I plan to try and keep going every year, if possible! It was just so nice to have some "me time" and have some peace and quite to think about what the teachers were saying. I was jotting down all the notes I could, and was wishing that I could have gone for the whole week. It was a good, spiritual, uplifting time. And I could not believe how much things have changed. I never attended BYU officially, but I was there all the time with my cousin Krista. I couldn't stop thinking about how many fun times we had together there. Miss you every day, Krinspy!
And if humanly possible, get there early enough to find yourself a decent parking space. I was running late after seeing Logan off to school, and taking Autumn to James' sister's. I had to park clear over at the stadium, and book it over to the Wilk (and YES, I used to live by the stadium, and walk to BYU) but boy am I in some horrible shape now. I had shin splints for three days after and my hips hurt. Needless to say, I am not looking forward to the next b-day, and starting a new chapter in my life!

Our Big First grader!

Wednesday August 20th was Logan's first day of first grade! She was so excited. She wanted to sleep in her clothes the night before. She even went to bed at nine instead of seven, when we wanted her too, because she was just so excited.

What a grin!! We love it!

Here is my big girl. She looks so grown up!

And off to hop onto the bus.....

Bye Logan!! We love you! Have fun!

And now I have finally reached the day I have been waiting six years for! What a nice break, we both needed it from each other! I am really excited for her though. I know she will love it. I cried when she left for Kindergarten, and I was about to cry this time too, but I know she will have so much fun. You just can't help but worry about everything they have to deal with and hoping it's all going to be okay. Plus it's so hard to see them grow up so quickly. Before we know it, she will be driving and dating. We are sure enjoying her littleness, while it lasts!

Good luck Logan! We know you will do great! You are such a wonderful girl and you bring us so much happiness. Knock em dead!

Stolen Goods

On monday night I was working and I was on a break and had to go out and put some gas in James' car so he'd have gas the next day to get to work. (There is a fuel center at the grocery store I work at). So I am walking out in the parking lot, and I noticed that my car was gone. I thought for sure James was playing some sort of joke on me. I looked all over and couldn't see it, or even our other car there. I started panicking and went back inside to call him. Sure enough, he had no idea what I was talking about, so I had to tell him that our car had been stolen. We were both in shock. We couldn't believe it had happened to us. We called the police and our insurance and filled out the paperwork that they needed.
Last night we got a call from the police. They had found our car in Salt Lake and it was being towed to an impound lot. So far the only thing I had heard from James this morning is that they stole everything that was inside, and punched the steering column to start it. That's all I know. What an ordeal. All we know is that we are for sure going to have to pay a $500 deductible to insurance, or just pay for the damages ourselves, all because some crazy person decided to steal our car.
In high school I had my CD player stolen out of my car at home, and a few other things in the car, and I have the same feeling now as I did then. Violated. The only thing that brought me any satisfaction is KNOWING they WILL pay someday. I may sound a little mean and revengeful, and maybe I need to be better at forgiving, but I just have NO patience or understanding for stealing. Am I wrong to feel this way?
James just called me and he says we they left him half a tank of gas! No MP3 player and some CD's and a hunting knife that he had left in there though. He had taken out his golf clubs and hunting bow and some speakers just the night before it happened. He says he payed for the towing and impound costs and now the steering column will probably be about a hundred. So I guess we won't be paying our $500 deductible, but STILL, all for nothing. It could have been much worse to say the least!

Nursery

Last tuesday (the 6th) Autumn turned 18 months! We actually took her into nursery a few days before she turned 18 months just to practice. The leader said she did great and didn't even cry at all. This last sunday, however, they had to bring her to me. She was screaming and crying, and by the time they found me, she was doing the whole sniffling thing. She looked so sad. So I took her back after a few minutes and stayed in with her for a few minutes. Then I tried leaving for a few minutes and checking back. She was, of course, screaming the whole time. So I ended up staying the rest of the time. Bummer. I thought she was going to do so well. You look forward to it for so long, and then you still can't have any peace and quite time at church! Oh well. We'll just keep trying. She'll learn one day, that it's way more fun in there!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!!!!

Happy 33rd Birthday honey! We hope you had a great birthday. We had fun celebrating it with you. We love you so much and hope your day was full of fun! Thanks for taking us all out for lunch and for going to the movies with me! We are so blessed to have you in our lives, and we are so grateful for all that you do for our little family. Your girls love you so much and are so happy whenever you are around. You are the best husband and father that anyone could ask for. You truly are my best friend and I love you for all that you are and all that you do!!


James and his girls enjoying his b-day gifts! We are having cake and ice cream tomorrow with his mom and dad. Autumn sure was a fan of the snickers candy bars we got for James. She took one and opened the wrapper all by herself and took a big bite. Maybe too big, since she ended up spitting it out on the floor. She was sure begging for little bites of James' earlier in the day though! Happy Birthday sweetheart!

Payson up in FLAMES

Payson is going up in flames right before our very eyes. This huge fire burning right out our front door. It started around 3pm this afternoon, I heard it was possibly started by some downed power lines. It started out pretty small, and then it just got picked up by the wind and is spreading so fast and still going.


View from right out our front door.






I was at work for 6 hours tonight and I kept hearing from everyone how much it was spreading and that they evacuated a bunch of houses and all the camping areas up Payson Canyon. I kept hearing how everyone was out driving around looking at it. I have never seen so much traffic in Payson in the 5 years we've lived here. Everyone was standing out on the streets taking pictures and video taping it. It looks even worse the darker it gets!





This is a view I took right outside of Logan's bedroom window when I got home from work at about 11pm. Scary stuff, but I think we are far enough away. Some others may not be so lucky as we are. I'm sure the hills are going to look so sad tomorrow. I'm very sad about having to look out my windows and see this happening, and tomorrow it will just be an ugly burnt hillside.



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back to solids

Just to update everyone, I am feeling much better after having my tonsils removed. I had so many wonderful friends and family that were able to help me out! Thanks to everyone for all your help. And just so everyone knows, that really was a melted popsicle in that cup, not blood. Thanks for the funny post James!! Oh, and I had no slurring of speech or any wild ideas while on my pain meds. I did have a few weird dreams though. Hey, I couldn't help it. I was in pain, what else could I do?!