Lyn-a-gin's having a beh-beh...!!!

So, my babiest sister is having a baby, that's craziness to me! I've known about it, of course, but to see her was a whole other thing!!! I didn't think I was going to be able to go, but at the last minute decided that i just couldn't miss this... it's a milestone after all, and she's my sister! So the day after Thanksgiving I flew to Phoenix (flying in i felt like i was coming home... I miss the valley of the sun!) Anyway... Saturday was the shower. A couple of Lynn's sweet friends were the hostess', and everything turned out fantastic... what sweethearts they are! So- here is a little bit about the shower, and my very short but sweet visit home.
Here she is with the daddy... that would be my brother-in-law Jake... I think it is pretty cute how he loves her growing belly!

The cutest little nut buckets... with a quote about celebrating Lynn's little peanut! ... her friends did a really great job with the entire shower!
They did a fabulous job with the decorations.... bravo girls!
What a beautiful cake!!! My niece is Annabelle, in case you're having an especially slow day... and Marci's aunt did this "sweet" cake! It was beautiful, and Marci's attention to detail is so great that the lettering even matched the script on

the napkins...... here is my cute mom with one of her AZ grand babies- this is Avery ... she's got to be one of the happiest babies I've ever experienced... what a blessing she is to her family... well, to our whole family- but especially her mom, dad, bro, and sister!

After the shower we went back to Marie R.'s house to change and say goodbye before we hit the road for the long drive home. I was glad because it gave me a chance to see Jason and his kids before heading out. I didn't get a single pic of Tash... but here are some of the ones i did get- enjoy! Scott and Hunter... Devan holding her sister Avery... Cayden (sp?), I love the face he's making, it's like he's trying really hard to get a drop of drink off of his face or something! I don't know what he was doing, but he wouldn't turn for me to take a pic- so that's what i got! ...and of course, my big brother. I don't get to talk to Jason enough, distance and time restrict that... but it was sure good to see him for a moment, hopefully a longer visit is in the not to distant future...

Hey friends and family- I've been a little "poster girl"... meaning i've posted about 4 new things tonight at this sitting... so this one is not the only new one. If you don't want to miss anything, read on! Love you all!

T.

Thanksgibbens Day!

Thanksgiving was suppose to be Slade-side... but for a variety of reasons it ended up in ID with the Gibbens side. McKenna helped... She loves to be in the kitchen, especially with her "Papa Carl" (who did most of the cooking) it was nice that he was able to be in town.
Matthew helped. He and I hunted in the morning and came back to the house just in time to help a bit and eat. Here he is holding Reanne, a niece- daughter of Leneita Colleen, his sister.
Games were played in the backyard. Given recent events, no one was sure who would actually come to dinner. It was nice that family conflict could be put aside for a day (well a few hours).
The mighty hunter napped. He needs a haircut! It was a good day.

I am so blessed... time for Thanksgiving...

What am I thankful for? So much, and some of it may seem silly... but here are some things...

1. Family- I just love my family. Hubby, kidd-o's, mom, dad, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, 45th cousin removed... any family!!! I was cut from a cloth that prefers family time to just about any alternative. Whether we are watching a movie, playing a game, talking, eating, laughing, crying... I love any time spent with them... how blessed I am to be sealed to them for eternity... which leads me to...
2. The true and living gospel of Jesus Christ. How dark this world and this life would be without it's light and truth.
3. Food
4. Friends
5. A war, home and a comfortable bed
6. Clothes to wear- they may not be up to the minute (or the year) in fashion... but they are warm
7. general good health of myself and those i love
8. UFC
9. DVR
10. Matthew's job and his drive to succeed
11. My job, and the hope that i may not always have to do it! ( I aspire to be a house wife and stay home mom...) read on...
12. My education- I may not love to work, but I'm thankful for my education that gave me the skills needed to help provide for my family when I've been called upon to do so
13. The priesthood
14. Animals- they are awe inspiring in nature and puppies make everyone happy...
15. This season- I love looking at my nativities- I love thanksgiving because it gets me in the right spirit for Christmas...
16. I'm so thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. His miraculous birth, life, death, and resurrection, and for his love for me.
17. Family... i know I've said it- but i just heard the pitter-pat of my 6 year old's feet and I'm so thankful for that- ooh, which leads me to
18. my senses. Taste, sight, sound, smell, touch... i can't imagine my life without any of them!
19. Music- it touches my life in so many ways. It lifts me- and I hope this doesn't sound egotistical- but I'm so thankful that i was blessed with the musical abilities i have. I'm amazed at the sounds that come out of my mouth and it delights my soul that it's lifted others too. And to be able to share talents and musical moments with my family... my sisters... i love it.
20. My car- transportation of all kinds- and 5th wheels for camping!
21. literacy- I love to read and I'm excited to watch as Jocilyn learns
22. My calling to teach relief society... I love it!
23. The kindness of others- there really are still a lot of good people out there
24. The internet- Christmas shopping online, less travel, stores, people, and hassle
25. My life and it's challenges- I know the lord must love me and have faith in me because he sends me trials- I just hope I get through them in a pleasing maner! .... and then I'd like them to STOP! (just kidding- sorta!)

Well... I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving filled with good food and family. I just wanted to post this before the end of the month! Love you all!

Thanksgiving week...

Jocilyn had the cutest school program. They sang songs from the 40's (ish) like: "Bicycle Built for Two, 5'2", Eyes of Blue... has anybody seen my gal? and Skinamirinky Dink"... Now, those titles may be all wrong, but the entire 1st grade did a fabulous job with them. All of the children dressed in their parents clothes- the girls were cute, but the boys- how cute were they in their dad's collar shirts and ties? Toooo cute! I didn't think i was going to get to go, but at the last minute my boss gave me the go ahead to miss a couple of hours of work! I loved it!!!
I got my hair cut... again... bad pic- but you're up to date now...
I'm a hunter..... All of Matthew's hunting friends were busy or out of town Thanksgiving week- so i went out with him two days and hunted... all we killed was time. He ended up killing on the last day of the hunt- out by himself! I was so nervous about that all day. I was sure he'd fall and break his leg and die out in the cold wilderness! And I mean COLD!!! The first morning we went I didn't notice the temp when we got out of the truck in the morning... but when we got back to it to go grab some lunch it was 19 degrees!!!!!! NINETEEN!!! That's cold!
Here is the mighty hunter on the second day we were out. Lucky for him this was a "road hunt" so most of the time we were in the Rhino. I am not a hiker... there's no way i could've hunted like he does with some of the guys, miles and miles of walking mountains... huh-uh! But it was cold riding along in this... it needs a windshield, heater, doors, seat warmers, probably dual climate control too so we don't argue..... I had a good time- it was great just to spend time with him. What a beautiful earth Heavenly Father gave us to enjoy... so blessed.

Why are we mean?

I can't sleep... because of all I'm thinking...

I've been laying in bed for an hour trying to get to sleep. I am very tired, but the desire of my heart (sleep at the moment) eludes me. Perhaps because my mind is reeling over recent events and ongoing drama.

Most of us love someone or something in our lives with a fierceness that's hard to explain. Those of us with children know how it is to have our emotions all tied up in their well being. If they hurt, we hurt regardless of the source of the pain. This happens in marriage too. Our instinct to protect our spouse, guard them from pain, embarrassment, or any discomfort seems to grow as time goes on. Unfortunately, we can't always protect our loves from all of the things that would hurt them. Jocilyn has had a bad week at school because someone saw where she had written a boys name who she "loves," and this has led to laughter and teasing and has caused her a great deal of anguish... and mom can't fix it. She is a tender little heart and this is only the first of many social growing pains to come.

I love you more...because of the way ...you treat the "loves" in my life... thank you.

I think what is bothering me worse is the pain that we cause within families. There seems to be an abundance of this happening right now in our family (Matthew's and mine extending in all directions...) It should be an interesting Thanksgiving. My heart hurts right now because of things that are being done to people i love. Brothers striking out at brothers, in-laws toward in-laws. Things intentional and unintentional. I hope that I haven't hurt any of you through my actions or inactions- I'm realizing how easily feelings can be hurt and if I've hurt any of yours, I'm sure sorry. My family is the most important thing in the world to me and I'm so thankful Heavenly Father sent me to the Slade and Gibbens families- it is a blessing that continues to afford me many opportunities for growth and development.

How these people are treated means so much to me...

I'm going to try and sleep now.... I hope you are all healthy, happy, and well wherever you are! Thanksgiving is next week! Can you believe it? And- (now that I've told Lynn I can tell the rest of you) I'm going to be in Mesa for Lynn's shower!!!!!! I'm so excited I can't wait!!! I'm excited for the shower, for the friends and for the family- It will be a fast trip- but at least i get to come and celebrate a happy time with my sweet sister! Our family is growing! Another niece is on her way- another daughter, cousin, friend... I celebrate her and her mama next Saturday in Mesa!!! See you there! (yea!!!!)

Sorry this is so random... I just couldn't sleep... and i tried to get some of my feelings out. Matthew would have had to listen to my rantings if he were in town... but alas he is not.... and so they were directed at the unsuspecting partakers of the blog... goodnight.

Sister, sister, sister...

No pics on this post. I'm posting from Marie's computer. Our men are out of town this week. Oregon called, they needed a fence. So the boys are there for a week.

Meanwhile, just like any other time they are out of town, time spent with sisters is increased. The kids play, we talk, laugh, cook, and feed said kids. I really love living so near a sister. I wish like crazy that our little lyn-a-gin was closer. I miss her to death... and her little belly (i want to see it everyday, watch it grow, and feel those sweet feet kicking)! That's what sisters do! How lucky i am to have my siblings, my friends. I'm so thankful that they love me.

How blessed i am to have the family i have. Parents who set a great example from before I can recall to forever ahead of me. They are on a cruise right now... there's an example i'd like to follow!! (sooner than later!) And- get this- it is with my aunt and uncle... that would be fun, a cruise with a sibling or two. So, how about it? Jason? Marie? Scott? Lynn? Lets do this! (I'll add it to my wish list!)

I guess there is no real point to this post. I had pictures of my most recent hair cut... yes i did it again! But if you read the girls blog you know that i had my latest pics didn't download so smoothly... que sera, sera.....

T's Halloween fun

Halloween at work was fun. I went as a JW... they don't celebrate... my costume wasn't a hit, but i was comfy in my jeans!!! I was handed a witches hat and this mask at different times- my co-workers felt i needed help in "costume design..." I kinda did...

Thoughts? Ideas? Input? please share!

Hello All!!! So I've always loved to write. Now it's been put to me more than once that i should maybe try my hand at writing... like a book. I love the idea, and the past few nights ideas just run through my head... but i'm not sure what kind of book would be of interest... any input? Maybe this silly notion won't ever come to fruition, but I'm enjoying the thought of it and would welcome fodder for my thinking of these thoughts... Have a happy Halloween all!!! Don't throw pumpkins at your friends... or maybe just don't throw pumpkins...

The talent of my mother amazes me still!

So... my house is lacking a lot of things- I've improvised window coverings thus far and it hasn't been good. Here is a pic of the front room (technically the dining room, but we use it for more of a formal living)... this is "before" my mom made roman shades for the entire first floor of our home.
This is another window in the same room (formal living). We currently have our computer in the opposite corner- and the glare through this window made it impossible to see in the day time. So this is a very crude, ill fit, awful looking sheet used to cut the glare... doesn't get any prettier than that! ... not. These are the new treatments in the formal living room... and no glare from the window on the right!
My eating area... I love these toppers! She's crazy tallented! I just need to "string" the backs of all the new window coverings and turn them into functioning roman shades... what a mom.

Here is a before of the family room (there were tan curtains over these light blocking shades.... but they'd already been taken down when i grabbed the camera... it hasn't looked this bad the whole time...)And now... freshly steamed (see the steamer in the corner?) Here are the new mom-made treatments!Last window on the main floor of the house- we will match this to the ones in the eating area- and paint the wall behind red... I'm loving this!

Mom~ thank you so much for all of the time, dreams, and hard work you put into this for me. I really appreciate all you do for me- i'm so blessed to be your daughter... you are the most talented lady i know and i love you!

Jocilyns hair cut and mom's new do!

So... finally here is a pic of what the front of the new do looks like... I've hacked at it here and there- decided to let it grow out just a bit because i'm notorious for being a "pen head" at work. What that means is that i store my pens in my hair... then i don't lose them as much. But to do this you must be able to pull the hair up because I have to slide them through... I'll take a pic sometime... it's unique.
Jocilyn was finally allowed to get her hair cut to her shoulders- and i must say, it is very cute on her!
I look a little tired here... probably because i am. In this pic I was about 3 days into a respiratory infection... now i'm a week and a half and it's not getting a whole lot better... today i stayed home from work and spiked a temp of 102... fun for me...

Look what a dork!

Lynn, this is a total compliment to you... but yours truly is an idiot! I like the top of your blog (see above if your confused)... so i saved it thinking i could use it... ummmm.... the name is not transferrable!!! and i can't modify it... as soon as i hit "save" i thought- "oh, good one, that SO won't work out!!!"

So, how do i find such cute things to put on my blog... with my name?

And did you see? I answered your question- i have read all 3 of Stephanie Mayers Twilight books... love you sister!

Okay, okay, alright, okay...!

Alrighty amigos y familia!!! here is an update-e-ooooh!!!



My baby went back to school... 1st grade... Here she is stepping off of the bus. Hunter Chesley is right in front of her- some of you should recognize this handsome kid... what's with all this growing up stuff? getting older? Who's getting older? only the kids, not this mama. Kenna helped me drop her off... ...i needed the support- 1st grade was harder for me than Kindergarten... yes, I was teary for at least a week leading up to it!



I cut my hair. It got past my shoulder blades- the longest my hair has ever been in my life- and now i'm back to the real me again.
Here is a pic of the back of it now, My face looked scary in all of the ones i've taken since the cut- i'll try another for you tomorrow when i'm ready for church- maybe i'll be able to pull off a decent look... but even from the back, you can tell, cute cut, no?


This week me and the girls have all been ill with whatever the respiratory bug dejour is... Monday and Tuesday Jocilyn stayed home from school, not to worry- she studied architectural engineering... my children are brilliant...



Sorry i haven't posted anything new in a long while. I know how disappointing that is. When i first started blogging I was insane about it. I felt like a geek, consciously limiting myself to only one post a day... and frustrated that all of my friends and family weren't posting as often as i was checking! .... and now look at me! ... pathetic, i'll try to improve... love you all!

marie's testy thingy

Apparently this is who i am.... enjoy!

You Are An INFP
The Idealist You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world.Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships.It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close.But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop.In love, you tend to have high (and often unrealistic) standards.You are very sensitive. You tend to have intense feelings.At work, you need to do something that expresses your personal values.You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.How you see yourself: Unselfish, empathetic, and spiritual When other people don't get you, they see you as: Unrealistic, naive, and weak

Jeremy Lucas: The Memorial 13 Aug 2007

There should not be a "babyland" in a cemetery... this is going to be more of a photo tribute to Luke.... Because it is important. What a comfort to know that families CAN be together forever.
Julie (the mom) saying goodbye... from experience i can vouge for the difficulty of letting go of these little ones we had such dreams for... and never got to meet... there isn't a sorrow like it that i have experienced before or since, nor would i want to. Can you believe how small the casket is?
Jeremy (who is deaf, and also the father of Luke) was so great with Julie... here she is signing "help"... I'd like to believe that it is help from our Father that they know is available.
For Jeremy, and this is only my guesstimation, i imagine that the whole experience has been that much "darker" because of his deafness. When i arrived at the hospital on the 8th, Julie was delivering and there wasn't an interpreter for him... i can't imagine the lost feeling that must be. Here is your wife going through something so huge, and you losing a child... i just can't imagine it from his view.... But he's been really great with her. It is amazing how different all of these boys from the same family are.
What a comfort.... to have one another...



This is not all of the family. Julie is from a family of 13 children (all living) and Jeremy is the 2nd of 10 (all living)... there is a lot of support, what a blessing. Anyway- there was a "balloon ceremony" for Luke- where balloons were released into the sky for him as a way to say goodbye, and also, as Julie said, "to give him something to play with!
Just again, an idea of how tiny he was...

Those I'm lucky enough to have. My mother and father in law were very concerned about my feelings- and i appreciated that. It was much like picking at a scab.... if that makes sense... my losses became quite fresh once again.... but i know i will have them back, more children to raise in the hereafter! Busy, Busy!

Sunglasses were counted as a blessing... the smile... well, because what else do you do?


Heavenly father needed you back sooner than we were ready... but we will trust in him... and love you just the same... (the balloon ceremony referred to above)

Jeremy Lucas Gibbens, still born 8-8-07

Memorial 8-13-2007 at Hillcrest Cemetary, Caldwell, Idaho