WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE??

How do these bloggers that blog every day or so do it? It has been at least six weeks since I have blogged and I had to force myself to do it. I just need to get better at this. The month of January was a busy one. We spent a rather boring New Years here at the house alone just hanging out and watching football. It was Walt's birthday on the ninth and Grandma and Grandpa came for the weekend and took him to this Chinese buffet that he loves in Yuba City. It was fun to have them here. We have had a couple of "getting ready for the cruise" get-togethers at the Stutzneggers and anytime we hang out with our friends, it is fun. I taught a Homemaking lesson at Relief Society on "Eleven in Eleven" and it was all about setting achievable goals. But by far, the best thing that happened in January was Kaylee coming for about four days. She brought her mother-in-law with her and it was so fun getting to know Chris' mother, Deanne. How nice of her to come clear from Blackfoot, Idaho to support Kaylee. She was such an easy guest to have in our home. I worried about the house not being good enough, clean enough, quiet enough, organized enough, etc. I worry about what she will think about me...I am fat, a little on the mouthy side, a little on the insensitive side, a little abrupt, maybe a tad bit outspoken. But she was great. If she thought any of that, she didn't show it. She made herself at home...which I loved because I forget to be a good hostess. If I am not thirsty or hungry, I forget that others may be. She was perfect and within minutes after meeting her, I was not worried at all. This is a picture of her...the one looking at the green outfit. And next to her are two Gridley people. Cindy is on the right. I have known her forever. She used to be my roommate in Chico and here she is at my grandson's baby shower. Since Kaylee was here we decided to throw her a baby shower. We were shocked at the turnout since it was on a Saturday, but there were tons of people here.

Olive was with her dad for part of the time, but since we were having a shower for Kaylee, she got to spend part of Saturday with us. Kaylee is going to hate all of these pictures but I think she looks so pretty in them. She had lots of help opening gifts from Olive and two of Olive's friends from Gridley.I tried to get Olive to smile for the picture, but what a surprise, she wouldn't. Still so cute though.
This is Olive explaining something to Kaylee and Kaylee being a good mom and acting interested. The little one in the background is Olive's friend.
Some of Kaylee's friends....and mine.
Becca was the recorder of the gifts and she did a great job with the help of Candy. I was so thankful to my girls....all of them. I don't like doing things like this and I hate to entertain and I am not creative at all. Erica did such cute decorations and made up a game all about famous Georges and bought the cutest plates and cups all in Kaylee's colors of aqua and brown and lime green. It all looked so cute. Candy was the best at helping with all the food, cutting it up, getting it ready and making it look cute on the table. And she made George such a cute quilt. Becca helped with the food and the kids and was the best gift recorder ever. Than and Sam were great to take all of the kids to the school to play while the shower was going on. So the shower was a great whole family effort. Also a great big thank you and shout out to Annette Robertson who came over early in the morning and made ALL of the crepes. She is an amazing friend who is always there when I need her and it usually involves cooking. Thanks Annette. The crepes were delicious. And not to forget Lisa....she made such a cute flower decoration for the table....three peas in a pod with George's name coming down the middle. It was amazing, like all the things that she does. Notice that Becca still writes like a kindergartner.
More friends and great-grandma to George. I am glad that I got a picture of her and I was so thankful that they made a second trip to Oroville in one month....that is a supportive grandma to Kaylee.
I love that Sylvia Brock came to the shower. We still miss her and wish that she hadn't moved to Gridley. I am also thankful that my office work friends came. What great friends they are. We have so much fun together in the office. We seriously laugh all day. It is a great place to work if you have to work.
The two posers. I wonder how many pictures there are out there of these two. I love that people from around here stay close. I am so grateful that so many people came to the shower, not just to show Kaylee support, but so I had the chance to see them. I am so excited that Kaylee is having another baby. It has been almost four years. She is a lucky girl...who is going to have her hands full with two three year olds and a newborn.
And what would a blog post be without a picture of this handsome guys? He got this suit from someone in the ward and he LOVES it. He sometimes wears the jacket with his jeans when we go shopping. He thinks that he looks like a spy....not a general authority or a missionary...a spy.
Here he is all dressed up for scouts. The dreaded scouts. I hate having to do THAT all over again, but I guess I signed up for the whole package when I adopted him. But he loves it and he loves his uniform and is so proud when he wears it. He has just been diagnosed with ADHD which I am sure will come as no surprise to anyone. He is on a very low dose of Adderol and he is doing much better. His teacher says it is a miracle and he is a changed boy. He still has his times and I wonder if the pill is working, but the doctor said it is to be expected to have bad days. So we are excited to get him some help for school. His behavior is much better at home too. If he has too many bad days, then the doctor said we will adjust his medicine a little. He asked why he has to take the pill and I tell him to help him be happier. When people say anything to him now, he usually says, "I take a pill now. It makes me happier and nicer."
The rest of the month passed quickly. The only other thing I did was speak at stake conference. I don't mind speaking but I hate the preparation and writing it out. But it went okay and I am glad that I did it. The other news is that we have a new foster girl living with us. She is sixteen, from Oroville, and her name is Amanda. We are not sure how long this will be, but so far, so good. She is nice and kind and puts up with Scotty ..... well, most of the time. The rest of the month has been spent getting ready for the cruise. Yep, that's right. In five days I will be in the Caribbean. Walt has been packing for weeks. He can tell you in hours, how much time until we leave. And he walks around singing, "All my bags are packed, and I'm ready to go"....constantly. He is a happy camper. But I have to say, I am even getting a little excited, well except for that plane trip to Puerto Rico. Not too thrilled about that!! It was fun at church today seeing our friends.....the anticipation was in the air. Anyway, I am going to enjoy every minute of the time. I am pretty much loving life right now. I have so much to be thankful for.