My Wish for Today

Oh how I wish I could just stay in my warm bed this morning and sleep just like Sandy! It is soooo cold outside and I don't want to go out there into the bugger freezing weather. But alas I am a mom and there is no such thing as staying in bed (at least today) when there have been many commitments made on my part I must endure and brave the cold. (Besides it is garbage day and someone has to take out the Christmas garbage)

I am thankful for my warm house, a warm coat, warm gloves, warm (and cute) hat, and warm boots.

P.S. Sandy has a 6th sense to know when his picture is about to be taken and he is deathly afraid of it. Please imagine for a moment if you will our little white poodle all cuddled up in my comforter dreaming away because the second I got my camera out and turned it on he jumped out of bed and ran away!! Way to ruin a great picture that would have gone with my blog this morning Sandy! Sandy is dumb :)

Can anyone guess who these toes belong too?

I believe these toenails have been used as weapons! Would the mother of this child please get some some clippers and teach this child to trim her weaponry :)

Another Years Goals...I can do it!

My Goals For 2010!

1. Read from the scriptures EVERY DAY! If I can find 5 minutes to watch TV during the day then I surely can find 5 minutes to read the word of God :)

2. Pray EVERY DAY! I am not very good at daily prayer and boy do I need to stay in contact with Heavenly Father....I need Him every hour!

3. Blog EVERY DAY! I want to keep it simple most of the time and mostly if I don't have any stories to tell I am going to be journaling about what I am grateful for. I would like this to be my year of GRATITUDE. Because I have so much to be grateful for and I don't think I express it often enough. It also helps me to notice the small things in life that I take for granted.

4. Do a KIND DEED DAILY! I think I serve others because I have to...this year I want to serve because I want to! I will find someone each and every day and purposefully do a kind deed for them it could be a stranger or someone that I know. I am very excited about this goal.

Well there you have it. I want to keep it simple and I will be reporting back weekly on how I have done on my goals for the week. I hope to become a better person by achieving these goals and grow closer to my Heavenly Father. Wish me luck and perseverance!

I am so grateful... that school starts today!! :)

We All Are Strangers To Someone

Our ride up to the airport yesterday. Tanner is sleeping, not knowing what lies ahead in trying to get him a ride to school....read below for details!!

So we sent Tanner off yesterday (sad) to an island called I don't know what (I just call it Hawaii, the one with BYUHawaii on it, usually my many Mormon friends know what I am talking about) without a way to get him from the airport to the school!

Not a good idea you say....what you say is correct! I thought Scott had it all under control, being the under control guy that he is. But the thing is if you don't reserve a spot on the school shuttle like I am guessing probably a month in advance (best thing to do is once your ticket is purchased you should immediately call the shuttle and reserve a spot on it for the correct time of arrival) but noooooooo not us that would be way to easy for the Greers we like to do things the interesting way!

I do have to say that the shuttle stops running at 9:30pm and Tanners flight didn't get in until 9:45pm so even if we had tried to reserve a spot for him in an appropriate time frame (a month ago) he still most probably would not have been able to get on (this is the logic Scott uses, I am sure I would have been able to sweet talk them into waiting for my only son that is thousands of miles away from me at the moment).

So to make a very long and frustrating story short....at 11:30pm our time we still didn't know how we were going to get Tanner to school once he landed on that great island of Hawaii. Tanners plane would be landing at 1:30am Minnesota cold time (in two short hours!!) Well I had just signed on to the computer and wanted to check my emails for the last time because I had been gone all day and just hadn't had the chance to do that earlier. When to my surprise I had received an invitation (from FB) to a party for a missionary who had served here in Rochester (Sister Lamb to all those who know her). I clicked on the face book link and to my surprise Brooklyn Lamb was on face book at that very moment. You are all wondering so what! What does this have to do with your poor story of Tanner being stranded at the airport all night long without a ride to school (lame parents he has!)

My heart began to race because to my great luck at that moment I knew the only person who could possibly help me at that moment was a one Sister Lamb!!! She had just returned from 6 months of working and much playing on the same island as Tanner was now getting ready to land on! I asked her with much begging and pleading as I could muster (which wasn't difficult at all because the fact was I was desperate!) if she could help me out and find Tanner a ride from the airport to school. And.......to my great relief she said she would try!

A half hour later she called me and said that she had contacted her singles ward RS Pres. (have I ever told you only saints get called to RS President) and this Saint had agreed to go pick up this strange boy she didn't know all because Sister Lamb had asked her to do it! I love the networking abilities in the church!! So just a half hour before Tanner was to land far, far away from me we had arranged a ride!

I wish I could tell you that it was a fairytale ending after that but no, alas Tanners luggage is lost and he doesn't have a toothbrush to use today or any of his nice Christmas presents he got from Santa but he did have a ride to school dangit!

I hope that there is a lesson learned here....we may all get something different out of this story, perhaps one lesson is don't procrastinate (Scott), or perhaps do things yourself instead of leaving them to your husband to do (Krystine) but the best lesson I learned is that there are caring people out there in the world who are willing to do nice things for total strangers because they are followers of Christ. This I have started to rely on that while my kids are far away from me their Heavenly Father is watching out for them and taking care of their needs by using angels on earth to do that. Don't forget that you may be some mothers angel by doing a kind deed for some random stranger! Lets all be kind and help those in need!

Today I am thankful for Brooklyn and her friend Amy who helped me out in a real pinch! Thank you and may Heavenly Father bless you as you blessed my family!

My Heart Has a Crack In It and I Am Thankful For...

Tanner is leaving today to go back to Hawaii. I am sad. I wonder if my heart will ever feel the same again. It literally feels like it hurts. I hope Tanner achieves all his goals maybe that will help heal my heart knowing that he is doing what he loves most...learning about the world and other people. I love you Tanner! I am thankful that Tanner is not afraid and isn't homesick (really).

What Winter Means In Minnesota To Me!

I am getting ready to go out and do my grocery shopping...in -1 degree weather! I love Minnesota! (I am grateful that I have money to buy my family food there are many that don't)

Elle just had her last day as a paper girl!! She is so happy! She no longer has to worry about dying in -40 degree weather! (I am grateful that Elle is happy, it makes my life much easier)

What winter means in Minnesota....a thousand pairs of shoes by the back door! (I am grateful that I have so many pairs of shoes to choose from)

Happy New Year! We made it :) I am very excited to see what 2010 will bring into my life. I am sure we will have some ups and downs but I will hope for many more ups then downs. I wanted to share with you a few pictures of what life in Minnesota is like in the winter. I love Minnesota and even find ways to enjoy the winter.

This year I am going to blog about what I am thankful for. So where there is a gray cloud I am going to try to see the silver lining. Minnesota winters mean I get to spend more time with my kids because they don't go out with there friends as much because if we can avoid being outside we avoid it! That's why I am thankful for Minnesota Winters!!!

Ending Of A Great Year!

It is Jackson's dream to "never hear Krystine say do the dishes, hang your coat up, only use one cup, put your shoes away, clean your room again!"

It is Elle's dream to "never hear her mom or dad say anything about her bangs in her eyes again"!

It is Emma's dream "to have a boyfriend wearing the hat on her head"!

It is Tanner's dream to "never wake up in Minnesota again"!

It is Scott's dream to be "Splinter Cell" for real!

First I would like to say this year has been terrific! The biggest event in the Greer family was that Tanner graduated and headed off to college!! I didn't realize that I would feel such sadness when he left. At the same time I also feel much joy and pride that he has left home and is spreading his wings and growing into the young man I always hoped he would become! He has left such a void in our family that sometimes it is just to painful to think about it but each day gets a little bit easier to have him so far away. I never truly understood the term bitter-sweet until this year. I wonder if this is how our Heavenly Father feels about each of us when we leave his presence. It is the only way we will continue to grow by coming to earth to learn while being apart from Him. I feel that for Tanner to continue to grow he must have the opportunity to learn on his own and explore what this world has to offer him as well as what he has to offer the world! I love him so much and have been so happy to have him home for a short visit during Christmas time!!

Tanners graduating and college life is probably the biggest milestone hit this year but there were other many little things that made this year wonderful. I just have to say I have the best husband in the world and am so grateful to him for all his love, support and patience with me (especially when I want to act like a teenager!) He has been working so hard this year with little time off. The economy hasn't been the best but he is still selling his hotels and making money for his company! Scott was able to take a little time off this summer for us to take a small family trip to the Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It was a great time and we made lots of memories. The best family trip by far was to Utah for Thanksgiving in Nov. This was the first trip back to Utah for Scott (as a vacation) in 3 years. It was so great to visit with family and enjoy the Holiday with those we love and miss the most. I think Scott truly enjoyed his visit to see his favorite sister-in-law Kate!

The girls have kept me on my toes this year!! Emma completed 9th grade is already half way through her sophomore year! She is getting ready to do some really great things in the next few months...first she gets to take drivers ed!!!!!!! She got pretty good grades this semester and earned the right to drive!! I love how hard Emma has been working to get better grades this year. Emma also started her first real job. She works in a little convenience store right below Scott's office (Scott gets to check on her daily and buy all his mints from her). Emma is also getting ready to take a trip to Europe in June!!! She applied to a program called People to People and was accepted. She and I have been working on fundraisers to help her earn all her money to go on this trip. I am very excited for her to see this part of the world. It is something she has always wanted to do.

Elle has been discovering who she is and what she wants to become and I am so proud to be her mom. Elle works hard in school and loves to get good grades. She is very inquisitive and loves to learn. Some day she wants to live in Africa and I have no doubt that she will do that! Elle loves her friends and tries to do what is right most of the time...she slips sometimes but learns from her mistakes and tries to do better after she falls. Elle just completed her 2nd year doing the paper route (it is a very harsh job here in MN as you can imagine) Elle has been asking if she can stop doing the paper route and I told her as soon as she starts to make as much money babysitting as she does the paper route that she could quit. Well Elle has achieved her goal!! She has become a great little babysitter! She loves to play with the kids and she is so crazy and fun the kids all love her! So this is her last week doing the paper route!!! Hurray for Elle (and her mom)!

Both girls are my friends and I love to hang out with them, snuggle and just talk as well as go to midnight showings with them!! They make me laugh and cry and my life would not be complete without them! I am so happy the Lord blessed me with such great daughters! I love them!!

Well that about sums up our year except for me! I am happy healthy and content! I decided not to go to cosmetology school after many talks with Scott. I am going to be looking for a part time job to help pay for some expenses that a college boy and teenage girls incur as well as have more fun money! I love fun money!! I am still busy as can be with my calling as 1st counselor in RS presidency and also we have two additions to the family....Jackson and Hannah. Both have been here for 6 months and we have our ups and downs but we are happy they have joined us and hope to see both of them graduate this year.

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!!

I am going to be changing my blogging format this year and hopefully that will help me write more. I will be experimenting with some different styles as the year begins. As those that read this know I love you all and miss my family in Utah so much. I hope that this new year of 2010 brings you all peace and health as well as good times!

What 40 means to me!

Elle's trip to Utah was different then mine...I got to fly, she got to drive!

Katie and Kylee know how to have WAY TO MUCH FUN!!!!

Katie and Kylee goofing off with Grandma while she is trying to catch some sleep!

Elle had some good times before she got sick at Aunt Allisons! She will never forget this trip and either will Allison!

Two of my favorite girls! "Little" Emmy Kate with her sister Chloe. I couldn't get enough of these two darlings!!

On my birthday "The Sisters" went to get a pedicure while Grandma watched Emmy :) we love you Grandma! It was the best treat!!!!

After our pedi's we meet up with Grandpa and had a great dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory. It was such a great day!!!

Allison was stuck in the middle of Grandpa and Grandma. I can't think of a better place to be stuck!

I love my Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I made it!!! I have been looking forward to this year for years!!! What 40 means to me....

1. I now have time for golf!

2. I am a more compassionate person.

3. My children can dress themselves and even make their own dinner as well as do a load of wash!

4. I am more forgiving.

5. I have more fun.

6. I have more love handles for Scott to hold on too!

7. I have a stronger testimony of Jesus Christ and his church.

8. I have laughed more.

9. I have endured trials that have made me stronger.

10. I love Scott more deeply and unconditionally.

11. I have seen many wonderful sunsets!!!!

12. I have more patience.

13. I don't let the little stuff stress me!

14. I have to go pee more often!

15. I have read some great books.

16. I have seen more of the world!

17. I have made some really, really great friends!!

18. It's okay to have 10 loads of laundry to do...they eventually get done!

19. That my kids are growing up and away from me, but they will always be close to my heart!

20. I love who I am!!!!

I can't wait for the next 20 years and what they hold in store for me. I know that they won't be easy but I Will find joy in the journey :)

Trip to the Dells!

Newest member of the family, Jackson!!

Don't we look dorky?? Something Clark would do right...

Boat ride around the Dells! Probably one of the best activities! Boy did we get wet!!

The great top secret White House attraction! Wasn't so great afterall!!

Scott got his head stuck in the elephants butt! I am sure it was pretty dark in there!

Family pose!

Emma loves to make fun of her "dumb butt" dad!

Tanner and Emma enjoying the great outdoors.

Elle was the only one that "dared" to go surfing! She did great!

Elle was the great picture taker here!

Well lets see...where should I begin?? We just got back from a great 3 day trip to Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It was a great get away and just what Elle ordered for her 12th birthday. We left Sunday morning it was a two and a half hour drive (just the right amount of time before you start to go a little crazy in the car with 3 big kids). It was a beautiful area of the United States. It was very green but much more trees and hills then we have here in Rochester. This town was tourist trap USA! The whole town is made of swimming parks some outside some inside (for the winter crowd). We stayed in a place that wonderfully offered both options. We took the inside water park route. The kids enjoyed the playing in water while Scott and I watched in disbelief at the lack of swimsuits that women had on (or should I say didn't have on). We also enjoyed a great boat ride around the lake in the area (I can't remember what it is called) and we did lots of sight seeing. The best part of the trip was an activity we did on our last day there called Wizard Quest in which you play an interactive game in teams where you try to solve riddles and find 4 wizards before your time runs out. The Greer team was unable to accomplish the task in the allotted 90 minutes we went over time by 5 minutes much to Elle, Tanner and Scott's disappointment! Overall this was a terrific trip with fun to be had by all (even Emma).

We now have our newest member of the family. Jackson moved in about a week ago and so far it is wonderful to have him around. I am sure it will continue to be a great experience one we will look back on with much fondness. It is going so great that his sister Hannah has decided she too wants to move back to Rochester and give it a try with the Greers! We are looking forward to having her move here as well!!

I have decided to return to school again!! I know you are all thinking "I think I have heard that before" but really barring any unforeseen circumstances I will be going back in November to get my cosmetology license. I am really excited to take this step in life and look forward to the many great experiences this will bring into my life.

What a Great Summer!

Emma and Eddie being silly girls!

My beautiful girls at Harry Potter opening night. To much fun to be had! We will for sure do this again!

Girls camp in June. We were rained and tornadoed out...which means we had to come home early! But it was a great time!!

My BFF!! Ann is always a sport when I drag her on all my goofy outings! This is Harry Potter opening night midnight! We got to the movie theater at 6:30 and were the first in line with our friend Autumn. 6 hours of fun and games then we got to enjoy Harry Potter! It was great!!

Tanner got his eyes dilated and thought he looked so cool in his specs!

Elle's birthday poster...12 reasons why we love you!!!

Elle on her birthday. We went out to lunch (just mommy and daughter) and then shopping. The real fun begins next week when we go to the Dells for 3 days (largest water park in USA) for her birthday!

Emma and BFF Edna making homemade tortilla's (for a boy, of course)! After they finished their cooking skills they decided to have fun with the flour.

Emma and friend Kaylee from New Mexico. They had a great time at EFY and then playing around Rochester.

Hello fans, family and friends!! Has it been forever or what?? I have been busy having fun this summer and so that doesn't leave much time to blog. But today I have made time to catch everyone up on life and share a few photos of life in the Greer family.

We have been busy with one visitor after another so far this summer but know are coming to an end of that. We have loved every moment of Grandma(s), Grandpa, Kaylee and Ceri's visit. We had grand trips to the Mall of America, movies and just visiting in the living room. Thank you everyone that came and made our life fuller this summer.

Tanner has been busy playing with his friends all summer long. I think he realizes he is moving into a new chapter of his life soon and he is enjoying saying his farewells to his many wonderful friends here in Rochester. He has also been taking dancing lessons and passing on his new found love of dancing to his sister Emma by teaching her what he is learning. (Katie do you remember what he danced like in Kindergarten??...he has come a long way!) Tanner will be leaving for Hawaii in Sept. he has to be at orientation on Sept. 14 (his birthday!). I still have my many moments of quiet crying and don't think it will become any easier as I see him prepare to leave my life (as life is now). I guess I have been getting ready for this moment from the day he was born. I guess I never realized how quickly it comes.

Emma is such a joyful teenager this summer!! Not even being sarcastic!! The only thing she whines about is taking her to Burger King all the time! She is having a great summer with EFY, New Mexico friends visiting, midnight movie showings, youth conference, dances, flour and whip cream fights! She seems to really be enjoying herself much more this summer then she did last. The girls are still taking horse back riding lesson and enjoying it again this summer. As I see Tanner getting ready to go off to school I am realizing that Emma will not be far behind. I am already starting to miss her before Tanner is even gone. I know I need to live in the present not the past or future but it is still painful to understand that my children are growing up and soon leaving. Emma is so great and I love her!

Elle just turned 12!! I remember the day that I realized that when I was 40 Tanner would be 18 and Elle would be 12. This was when Elle was 1 year old! I didn't think that I would ever get to this stage in my life. I know that my kids need me more then ever now that they are teenagers but it is so different then when they were babies. I think I also need them as much as they need me. Elle is going through some hard times and trying to figure out what she is all about going into her teenage years. We are just doing our best to help her in this hard transition into teenage years. Elle has had a great experience at girls camp this year as it was her first and her mom was the camp director she is also thrilled to move out of primary and attend young womens with her sister! Elle has also started to offically babysit and earn money from it. I am looking forward to the next 7 years of Elle growing into a beautiful strong woman. I love my baby!!!

We are getting a new family member!!! Jackson Minton a family friend of ours will be moving in with us next week. He has lived in Rochester for the last year with some family members of his who are no longer able to offer him a place to live. We love Jackson and he is a great kid and we are looking forward to all the great times and lessons in life we will be able to learn from opening up our home to him. He is 18 and will be attending Century High to finish getting credits to graduate from high school. Jackson will fit well with our family because he is laid back and lots of fun. We are truly looking forward to having him join us!

Well I know lots of things have happened this summer but most of all we have had a grand time and felt lots of love! I will begin to write more often as my life has slowed down considerably. We are only half way through with our adventure this summer and so I will keep you all posted on our activities and thoughts. Just know now I am happy and truly feel blessed to live the life I have been given.