Food Drive

This past week has been pretty focused on the food drive that our Branch was doing.  I signed Matt and I up for two areas (about 250 houses total).  We had to go around on Monday and Tuesday and deliver fliers to each house in our area to let them know about the food drive.  We had two perfect fall evenings for the walk around the neighborhoods.  It was beautiful.  Maitland was so cute in his stroller and happy as could be to hang out with Dad and Mom and walk around Lloyd.  I actually thought it was pretty fun until I stepped off the step of one house and sprained my ankle.  Just call me grace! haha What a mess.  Anyways I walked it off and continued on my way.  Matt was way faster than I was and we were finished our area rather quickly.  Once all the fliers were delivered we had to go back to our areas and pick up any donations that people had left on the doorstep.  Matt was working today so I recruited one of the YW to come with Maitland and I to help out.  I was quite disappointed with the first area we went and picked up in.  Only 5 houses out of over a 100 left donations.  We had better luck in our second area but not much.  I was pleasantly surprised when Mandy (my sis-in-law) called and told me that a guy on her route had filled the back of his pick-up with cases of soup and left them for us to collect.  That was impressive.  When we got back to the church it was amazing to see all of the food we had collected from around town.  There was a lot!  We had to go through each bag/box and check all of the expiry dates and then sort the food into different categories.  This took a long long time (several hours).  Once we had them all sorted and put into banana boxes we loaded them on pallets and then into the back of a semi trailer. We took the loaded trailer to the Salvation Army and proceeded to unload all of the food.  I went to help with this...bad idea...jks!  We ended up having to lug each box of food ( and most were NOT light)  I was put into the line at the top of the stairs...had to hand each box down to the next person in line (sorry Indie for almost dropping a huge box on your head!).  I may have slipped and let a cuss word or two slip...most of those boxes were freaking heavy!!!  I was amazed as I watched one of my friends from the ward work so hard to pass the boxes.  She is a petite woman and was born with only one arm.  This didn't deter her from doing her share of work or trying to lift even the heaviest boxes.  I did laugh a few times as she was grunting to heave the next box on to the next person in line.  Very inspiring to watch.  Warms my heart to see all of the amazing people in our area who are so willing to give of their time and effort for others.  It took just about an hour to unload the trailer and we had around 140 boxes of food to donate.  It turned out to be a very successful event and I think it can only get better with repetition.  I had a lot of fun spending the day with the members of our Branch and serving our community.  I hope the people who need the food get it and are able to appreciate all the work that went into that donation.  And I hope that my back recovers swiftly!!!

Another trip south...maybe we should just move back.

So this past week Maitland and I made the big trek south again.  We got to Lethbridge on Tuesday afternoon just in time for a lovely dentist appointment.  I dislike going to the dentist but really like our dentist in Lethbridge.  Does that even make sense?  Anyways, I found out I had a small cavity that was making life difficult for me and made an appointment to get it filled on Thursday before the wedding.  On Tuesday night I hosted a bridal shower for my best friend Amanda, who was getting married on Friday.  It was a lot of fun and she got some pretty interesting gifts.  Wink wink! : )

Wednesday Maitland, Mom and I drove to Cardston to the ranch to visit with my Grandparents.  I have been working on compiling my grandpa's personal history and we are working to get it ready to print before Christmas.  I have found it very interesting to read all of the stories and experiences that my grandparents have endured.  We are a very blessed generation to have what we have and the conveniences of modern living!  Anyways, it was a good visit and grandpa made Mom and I both try out the new chair lift that was installed to help Grandma up and down the stairs. 

After we got back from Cardston I went over to my sister's place where she was having a "shoe party".  There is a home party business where they order a ton of shoes at a serious discount (up to 75% off retail) and then sell them at these parties.  It's kind of hilarious to see some of the styles, total 1980's retro, super skinny stilettos, knee high boots and even some sensible flats!  It was fun and I even found some boots that fit! 

Thursday was spent at the dentist getting my teeth fixed and then decorating for Amanda's wedding.  It was a fun day and everything turned out beautifully.  When the decorating was done we went for dessert at the Cheesecake Cafe to celebrate Amanda's last night as a single lady.  It was delicious and we had a great time visiting.

Friday was the crazy day!!  I couldn't find anyone who was available to watch Maitland for my hair appointment so I had to take him with me.  He was soooooooo good!  He played in this little pink excersauser for pretty much the entire thing.  

Erin and Teyah watched him in Raymond while I went to Cardston to the Temple.  It was raining the entire way there and I really just wanted it to stop for Amanda and Blaine.  The ceremony was beautiful and made me miss Matt so much.  I am so grateful that I have been married to my best friend and the love of my life for eternity.  It just wish Matt had been there to share the moment with me.  Anyways, Amanda and Blaine took the plunge and were sealed that afternoon.  After the ceremony I was almost sure that the rain would of stopped by the time we got out of the temple...no such luck.  In fact, I think it was raining even harder than before.  Sad.  We were able to get a few pictures but mostly it was too wet and cold to stay out for very long.  So we headed back to Lethbridge for the reception.  I picked Maitland and Teyah up on my way and dropped them off with Mike and Britt to take to Fort Macleod (didn't think either of them would enjoy sitting at a reception all night).  The reception went really well and they had a huge turn out which was great! 

And I got to see my favorite people, the Toone's, which always makes me happy!  I also got to visit with our other bestest friends Trev and Whit.  I was just sad I didn't get in more time to chat but duty called!  I promise next time I come Whit we will make time to hang out!!  Anyways, after the reception was over and we had done all of the clean-up it was off to find my baby boy.  Of course he was asleep by the time I got there.  It was a great day.  Nothing makes me happier than to see someone I love so much (Amanda) find true happiness.  It was so fun to be a part of their special day.  

Saturday was turkey day for my family!  Yeah!  I think thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  The food is just divine and it much less work and stress than Christmas.  We had a perfect dinner at Liisa and Corey's place.  All of the kids got along (young and old) and we got to start the planning for our family reunion that is coming up next summer.  I learned a new card game that I hope I can remember because it's hilarious and crazy and tons of fun!  It was a good day with the family.  Fun to see everyone and catch up.

Sunday was driving day.  Boo.  I hate that drive now. It annoys me.  But we made it home in record time and got here just in time to enjoy turkey day #2 with Matt's family.  It was delicious also and really hit the spot after being in the car all day.  Grandma Jane and Papa brought Halloween jammies for the kids so we got them all changed and took some pics.  

 

So cute.  Thank you!!  We finally got to come home and just relax last night.  It was nice to cuddle with Maitland and Matt and be together as a family. I have much to be grateful for and never want to take anything for granted.  I hope everyone had/has a great Thanksgiving and that yours is a little more relaxing and less hectic than mine was!

Family Pictures

This summer when we were home for a visit we had our good friend Trevor Thomas take some pictures for us down at Waterton.  We got them back today and I am in love!  I honestly thought that having a "family" wasn't in the cards for me a few years ago so to see where life has taken me really warms my heart and makes me even more grateful for the many blessings I have in life.  Here's a few of my favorites!

Forget Me Not

This week I have spent a lot of time thinking about Pres. Uchtdorf's talk from the RS Broadcast.  I will be completely honest and say that the previous messages of the evening left me underwhelmed and bored.  But when Pres. Uchtdorf began to speak I listened.  I loved the symbolism of the small forget-me-not flower and ourselves.  I have often felt forgotten and alone.  When Matt and I moved up to Lloydminster I made a decision that I was going to try my best to get involved and be a "doer" in our new ward.  In previous wards that we had attended I constantly felt like a visitor and not a member of that unit.  I always felt like I was on the outside and I hated that.  Many of you that know me know that I love to make friends and am a very social person.  So when we were not readily accepted into our previous wards I really took this to heart and found it very difficult to fit in.  One of the biggest blessings I have experienced since moving is the branch here.  I have been constantly amazed at the immediate friendships I have made and the instant acceptance into the lives of the members here.  We have amazing new friends and I am constantly thanking my Father in Heaven for this blessing.  As a new mom I have had a bit of an identity crisis over the past couple months and this talk from Pres. Uchtdorf really hit home for me.  It really helped me to focus on the things that matter most and to be satisfied with who I am and where I am in life.   

When we moved I also decided that I was going to make a conscious effort to be happy.  I really do feel that it's a choice that we make each day and I was really going to make the choice to be happy.  Pres. Uchtdorf talked about our "golden ticket" and the checklist of items we think we need to attain before we can be happy.  My checklist used to be a little different than it is now but I have come to realize that the things that matter most are the things I already have.  I have a loving and devoted husband and a precious and sweet little boy and I have the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I think that qualifies me to be happy.  I admit that I have my moments (usually daily) and I forget this pep talk that I gave to myself...but for the most part I remember that right now I really do have everything I've ever wanted in life and to count my blessings.  I hope this clip from his talk let's you feel the spirit and love of our Heavenly Father.  I know I did.  I love this gospel and am grateful for not being forgotten.  A blessing I am reminded of each day.

Nap time!

So we have been working on trying to get Maitland to nap in his crib during the day instead of me having to hold him for the entire time.  This video shows how he woke up from his nap this morning.  He's just so cute I thought I would share.  Hope you enjoy.

Sweet deals!

Matt has had the past few days off of work and we have been going in a million directions.  On Saturday we went into Edmonton to get our Temple recommends renewed and hit a Costco.  Good thing some missionaries were at the Stake Center when we got there because Matt and I had no idea where the Stake offices were and got pretty lost looking for them! lol  Once the business of the day was done we were on our way to some fun!  We hit West Edmonton Mall and I felt liked we walked the entire thing but Matt says it was only a quarter of the mall.  Mickey Mouse was there too!  He must of heard we were coming.  After all that walking we were starving so we hit up the Olive Garden.  I wanted it to be amazing...it wasn't.  I mean don't get me wrong the soup and bread sticks were delicious.  The pasta was a let down.  I think next time we should try Red Robin.  Maybe we should go right now...do you think Matt would be up for that?!?!   Nope.  We did finally make it to Costco and it was a zoo.  They really need to get one in Lloyd so that we don't have to deal with the insanity of the Edmonton ones.

Sunday was just another day...just kidding!  I taught YW's and the lesson was all about marriage.  Such an interesting topic to discuss with high school kids.  The girls were more than surprised that I was 29 when I got married and they totally didn't believe me that I am currently 31.  I can't believe it myself sometimes but the time has rolled on.  If you ever want to have an interesting conversation then go get yourself a teenager and talk about marriage.  Your in for a good time!  The girl who said the closing prayer even thanked Heavenly Father for a funny teacher...is that a good thing or a bad thing?  Sometimes I'm not quite sure.

After church I decided it was time to put my new pinterest obsession to good use and I made a new recipe.  I tried the peanut butter chocolate trifle.  It was quite the process to get it all put together.  We invited our friends Mark and Kalinda over to try it with us.  I think they lied when they said it was good...but whatever! It needed some work to say the least. The peanut butter layer was way to rich and sweet and I couldn't handle eating it all.  I think if I ever make it again I'll have to fix that mistake and make the layers more thin instead of getting it all in a single layer.

Monday brought a whole new set of tasks to complete.  We had gotten a call that our roof was going to be re shingled so we got up nice and early to get the cars moved out of the way and all that.  Then I got to work cooking again.  One of the sisters I visit teach had a baby last week so we were going to visit her and take dinner.  I made a lasagna and chocolate chip cookies to take to her.  My poor kitchen was an absolute disaster after the trifle and the lasagna and cookies!  I have the most amazing husband who did all the dishes to help me out while I was visiting teaching.  When we were at the first sisters house (they had just bought their first house) she told me about the deal they got on a dining room table.  It was only 98 bucks at the Brick! I couldn't believe it.  So when we were done with all our visits Matt met me in town and I suggested that we go and see if they still had some of these tables.  We were in luck because they did!!  You can't go wrong saving $500! Now all we need are some chairs.  I think that is on my list of things to do today.  We'll see what we can find in Lloyd.  I just have to say that Visiting Teaching has never been a favorite activity of mine. I have an amazing companion right now and we have a great time visiting with our sisters.  It makes it so much more enjoyable!  And getting tips on good deals around town never hurts either!  Blessings really do come to us when we do what we are supposed to be doing.  I love the Lloydminster Branch and all of the amazing people that are apart of it.  We are certainly blessed to be members of the Church and even more blessed to have found such a welcoming and friendly branch to move into. 

Pinterest?!?!

Uh-oh!  This might not be a good thing at all.  I've seen people posting things all over facebook about this new site and mostly ignored it...until now!  I'm obsessed!  It's so fun to look at all the things that my friends are looking at and finding.  I have so many ideas now for crafts and diy projects.  I now need to get going and accomplish some of the things that I've found on there.  Matt is going to kill me because I go on the site after Maitland goes to bed at night and ignore him! haha opps!!  I better get to bed now.  Let me know what you all think about this new craze!!