Christmas

Merry Christmas to you! I love this time of year with all its lights, decorations, music and good smells coming from the kitchen. I am not a big shopping fan however, just didn't get that shopping gene. My mom had it, but I knew from an early age that I didn't really enjoy it. I remember going with my mom and having to try things on and wait for her to finish, I just wanted be doing other stuff...although I always enjoyed going to lunch! So, whenever Christmas comes around, it is a struggle...not so much the shopping...but getting ideas of what my family would like. That is the hard part and wishing I had tons of money to spend, which I don't. I love my family and hope that they all have a good Christmas and that they remember the real reason we celebrate this time of year. We are so blessed to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and have the gospel in our lives. May we remember the Savior during the hustle and bustle of this busy season. I love you all!

Summer

I LOVE SUMMER!
It took me about a week to not wake up paniced that I was going to be late for school. My life is on such a major schedule that I still wake up about 5:00 but I know I don't have to get up unless I want to.
I love being outside in the early morning. It is quiet and peaceful. However it has been really windy and that is the one thing I do not enjoy. Today though, I was laying in bed and I heard the planes flying over the crops and I new that it would be a calm morning. I jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes, put my hair in a pony tail, (yes it is too long) and got out side about 6:00 am and it was glorious! Birds singing, the sky is blue and no wind!! I planted my blueberry and blackberrie bushes that Sarah bought me for mothers day and also planted some strawberries and cantalope and watermelon. I am a bit late on some of these so I hope they survive. I love digging in the dirt and doing little projects. I am not big on weeding however...I try to do things so that I don't have to weed. (pots, mulch, plastic and grass killer) Hopefully I will get everything in shape before it gets really hot!
Now I am off to town because I forgot the stakes to keep the plastic down around my plants. It is not windy now , but you know it will be back!

Just not that into writing!

I really find it hard to think of things to write about. My life doesn't seem that interesting. I go to work, come home, clean house and fix dinner. Randy and I watch a little tv and then go to bed. I usually have a good book to read and church stuff to do.
I have had a bacterial infection and haven't been able to work because it is really infectious but I don't want to go on about that. (sounds old womanish) Anyway, all I can say is if I wanted to be home I would want to feel good enough to get things done.
I am working on being out of debt. I listen to Dave Ramsey and like a lot of his advice. His main "rant" is getting rid of the credit cards. As I watch the economy crumble I realized I have too much debt. So I am working on it!
Here are his 6 main points: (To be done in order)
1. Have a $1000.00 emergency fund. Sell stuff, what ever but do this first and then get rid of the cards.
2. Pay off your debt. Smallest to largest and snow ball the payments. (after the first one is paid off add that payment to the next one)
3. 3-6 months of expenses in savings. (after all bills but house paid off)
4. Invest 15% of house hold income into Roth or pretax retirement. (no bills left so extra money should go here)
5. Pay home off early. (wouldn't that be nice?)
6. Build wealth and give generously! Invest in mutual funds and real estate. (yes even in this economy)
Pretty simple stuff but people every day call in a yell that they are debt free! It might take me longer than most or not but I am going to use these principles and see how it works.
For me I am on a spending freeze. Making a menu and a good shopping list helps alot. Like Sarah, I like knowing what to fix during the week and I don't seem to spend as much when I have a plan.
Ok, so I did have something to write about. (I ususally feel like such a blog dud) I am glad that March is here and I hope to see all of you this month. (at one time or another) I do love my family!!

Happy Valentines Day!

I love Valentines day! Tomorrow is our Valentine Party at school and it is so fun. We get lots of Valentines and treats from some of the children at the school so we even get to make card holders for our Valentines. Have you ever noticed how excited kids are when they have something to give? Most of my Valentines usually say to Mrs. Tubby, but I still like them. Several of the ladies that work at the school are having a cookie exchange because our Christmas party was cancelled. I think Valentine cookies are the best! I am going to make strawberry cake cookies with white chocolate chips! I hope they turn out good.
As for the romantic part of Valentines day??? Who knows. Randy and I are babysitting for Sarah and Riley so they can go to their wards Valentine dinner. We love taking care of the shorty's and wish all of you were closer. (As do you sometimes I am sure)
Well, to all those I love and to those who happen to love me back...I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's day!! Appreciate the many blessings you have in your life. (Husbands, wives, children, friends, and parents that love you)
Mom Tovey

A Quiet Moment

I sure appreciate the quiet moments that I have in my life. When you work all day in a busy office with phones ringing, copy machines copying, fax machines beeping, quiet time is hard to come by. Besides this we have 2 way radios for recess and other times we need to contact custodians or other personel within the building so we don't have to use the loud speaker to find someone. We are the ice pack and bandaid (with a little sympathy thrown in) central and most every day have a bloody nose or two also. It is a busy place to work and you have to be able to tune alot of it out just to get your work done.
But when I come in the kitchen door, quiet greets me! (Unless Randy is home, who hasn't talked to anyone all day) Even so, our home seems like a sanctuary. A safe place. A comfortable place to be. It is our home and there is no place like home. Really!
Jeremy and Molly, Rich and Debbie, Sarah and Riley, all have nice homes. They feel like home when we visit. I know they work hard at making their houses a "home" for their children. You all have so much more than your dad and I had when we were young parents. I am very proud of you and the good parents that you are. I am aware that you don't have a lot of quiet in your lives either. I hope you appeciate this time. It goes along quickly.
Now I have quiet, but miss the pitter patter of little feet. Christmas was fun! (I still have'nt taken down the tree) Maybe we will put valentines on it! Ha ! I love you all and am thankful for your love!