I want cookies!

Another Tuesday come and gone.  I started my day a little off... after getting to school I realized that we had forgotten all of our school gear I .  After sitting in theory for an hour listening to 18, 19 and 20 year olds talk about nonsense I had to get in my car and drive back home to get our stuff.  It was a blessing in disguise though because I was able to take an extra 10 minutes to pay a couple of bills that needed sending off.  Our morning was quiet slow so I had someone give me a scalp treatment and a hair trim.  It was so relaxing.  Mine and Emma's afternoon got much busier though as we both were booked the whole time and we had to finish a clients hair and didn't leave school until almost 7:30.  When we got home we found the cute little sister sound asleep on the couch.  Emma and Elle are now off to see Phillip so I am having some nice down time all by myself.  I think I am going to go make cookies and then go to sleep myself :)

I am grateful for my parents who help me so much with Elle!  I couldn't go to school without their support!!  I love you.

Sleeping Beauty or sometimes she is called Elle.

The Attack of the Gnats...Ughhhhhh!

I had the opportunity to go into the new City Center today.  It was a beautiful day.  The sun was shining and warming the earth.  It was a nice time.  I met my sisters in there and we had a great lunch with my mom at the Cheesecake Factory.  It was yummy and I would highly suggest the raspberry truffle cheesecake or the key lime pie cheesecake.  One was very sweet and the other was very tart but they both were sooooo good!  After the cheesecake lunch my sisters and I found ourselves on the couch in the women's lounge of Nordstroms.  It is here that my sisters and I really bonded as they made fun of my very lovely large zit that is growing smack dab in the middle of my check.  I love my sisters with all my heart. 

I then came home to watch a little girl while her mom helped Emma with her horse.  The little girl's name is Aurora.  Just like the princess.  She is so cute.  We took a little walk around the block.  And then the nightmare happened.  I would like to now share with you the worst part of living in Grantsville.  In the spring when the weather gets just right and when I mean just right I mean beautiful, sunny and warm suddenly this town is swarmed with what is known as gnats.  These are very small very annoying much hated insects that swarm your head mostly the eyes, nose, ears and then of course the hair.  Oh My Gosh it is the worst thing in the world.  The weather is finally beautiful and I can't even enjoy it.  The gnats will be here for probably two or three weeks before they die or just move on somewhere else.   I have always hated this time of year because of this problem.  My mom use to have us kids wear nylons on our heads in an attempt to not let the gnats get to us so badly but it didn't really help at all.  We use to practice softball during this time of year and get eaten alive with the monsters.  Let me say again...I HATE THEM!

I am grateful for the chance to get to know my new friends Aurora and her mom Anika today.

I love my sisters!  Allison one year younger and Katie 8 years younger.  Yes that makes me the old one!  And I am the only one that still gets zits!  Can you see the cute one on my face?  (Hey girls at least I am not losing my hair!! hahahaha)

Catch Up :)

Today is Sunday.  I have had an interesting and great weekend.

Let me just say that I am sorry if any of the pictures in the last blog were upsetting to anyone.  I had a couple of personal comments that made me question if my last post might have been over the top.  After reviewing it carefully I have decided that I would change nothing.  It is what it is.  A horse getting a procedure done to his boy parts.  I think all the men in my life should just get over it.  JS hahahaha.

1.  I had one really bad night on Thursday night.  I suffered through 1 and a 1/2  hours in line at WalMart after stopping to just pick up a few items.  It was a nightmare that I endured well only to be more aggravated by something one of my daughters did to upset me.  I made it through that evening with minor mental health interventions.

 2.   I woke up on Friday to a beautiful day. came in for a scalp treatment and hair cut.  I hope I have convinced him to never see any other stylist ever again (if he does I will consider it a serious infraction in our marriage and may have to divorce him!! He should never ever be disloyal to his wife and stylist!!)

3.  Saturday morning I had a wonderful time golfing with Scott!!  It was a most beautiful day :)  It was fun hanging out with Scott and a couple of other people.  I think for my first time out in 18 months that I did pretty good.  I am really excited for this season of golfing.  It will be interesting to me to see if golf becomes more important then car racing to Scott this summer???  Later in the day we met Phillip (Emma decided on a name for her horse!) the the new horse boarding facility.  He is officially in the care of Emma.  This went very smoothly and she had had a chance to go and visit her horse today.

4.  Finally I am sitting here on a Sunday night after writing my weekly email to Tanner.  He has been sharing with us in his last couple of letters how he feels about the topic of Charity.  I really enjoy his letters and learn so much from them.  They make me think deeply about gospel principles and I appreciate his thoughtfulness he puts into his letters.  So that is a quick update of my last few days.  I have a lot to look forward to this week!  I am so excited for my day tomorrow.  I am going to meet my sisters for a little lunch at City Creek.  It should be another beautiful day :)

The beautiful sunset I enjoyed tonight as I walked the dogs around the block.

CRUNCH, CRUNCH! Warning graphic photos :)

Tonight Emma and I met the vet at the place where her horse is.  He had to get "fixed" or as Emma would put it "lose his man card".  It was all very fascinating and horrific at the same time!  I didn't think there would be any sound effects, but was I wrong.  The crunching of the pliers when they "cut" his balls was a sound to behold.  Oh my gosh it sounded like a couple walnuts were being cracked.  I hope you all enjoy the pictures.

I am grateful for Elle.  Most of the time she makes really good choices.  Sometimes we argue about the choices she makes especially when it comes to attending our youth church activities during the week.  She dislikes those greatly.  But tonight she surprised me when I told her she had to go to the activity and I was not going to be home to make sure she followed through because I was watching in horror and awe a 700 pound horse get his testicles removed.  I had little hope that Elle would actually go to the young woman's activity.  To my great relief when I got home I found that Elle had attended the activity!  I am so proud of her for making the right choice :) (She even walked to the church in the cold by herself to attend)

Before "the procedure"

the vet checking to see if he has 2 testicles :)

After a little medicine to put the horse in LaLa land he is slowly falling to the ground.

The vet has pulled those "balls" right out of his boy part, notice the position that the horses legs are in....does it look a little familiar to you ladies??  it reminded me of the gynecologist office! JS

That tool hanging from the horses male part is a huge pair of pliers!!  When the vet clamped down on the testicle it made a deafening crunching sound, just like it was crushing a walnut with a nut cracker.  Oh that's right it is a nut cracker!!!

Both testicles!  They looked like something that would be a delicacy served up in China!  No chance Emma's little horse will be making any baby horses in the future :)

How come the dr. never gives me a towel to put over my head when he is doing "special procedures" to me?  Next time I am in the stirrups I will be requesting a blue towel to cover my eyes with!!

Emma's little guy was just fine afterwards.  It took him about 15 minutes to recover and get up.  We are told by the vet that it will be just like nothing happened to him afterwards...why don't I believe him??  I think that is what all doctors tell their patients whether they are human or horse...I wonder if the doctors have ever had such procedures done on themselves??  If they have they might not make such statements!!  Hahhahaha

Just another Tuesday, I love Tuesdays!

Tuesdays are back to school day.  I am enjoying school very much.  As you can see by the pictures below I  was the "man" for our shaving practice today.  Emma was teaching a new student how to do a shave and they roped me into being their "real person".   I feel like everyday I learn something new (which is how it should be).  Each day brings me one day closer to graduation which also means Tanner will be home soon :)  Both of those milestones will take place very close together.  Woot Woot!!

So Emma has been thinking of names for her horse.  So far she has come up with:

1. Mr. Darcy
2. Cedric Digory
3. Dodge Charger

She is giving herself until the end of the week before she names him.  If any of you have suggestions you should text her.  My personal favorite so far is Mr. Darcy.

Tomorrow night Emma's horse will be gilded (this means he will be castrated!!)  It will help make him a much calmer horse (not so much testosterone in his body).  I will be happy to post pictures tomorrow.

Well that is it for tonight.  I must now write my email to Tanner for the week!  He is going to think we are all crazy when I tell him what his sister got for her birthday!

I am grateful for the rain today.  Everything looks a bit greener :)

The Gift

We couldn't wait to give Emma her birthday present!!  I love surprises and because this was a big one I just couldn't wait to give it to her.  Plus we needed to go pay for the present and so we brought Emma with us so she could meet her gift :)

You will find the pictures of Emma's great new love.  I want you to notice in the background the beautiful mountains of Utah.  Sometimes I am overwhelmed with the beauty of this earth. As I looked at these pictures I found myself marveling at the majesty of the world our Heavenly Father created for us.

P.S.  EMMA LOVED HER PRESENT!

I am grateful for sweet baby girls that grow up into beautiful young women.

No name yet...Emma wants to think about it.

This pretty boy is only one year old.  Still a foal.  

Emma will have to wait two more years before she can ride him.

Sometimes a price can't be put on love.  We were advised not to do this by many people but they just don't understand the desire Emma has had for many years to have a horse 

and the joy this will bring Emma.

(picture of mountains)

We will be boarding the horse at a stable in Grantsville.  I have no doubt that we made the right choice by getting Emma a horse.

Words of Krystine and more importantly a prophet!

I am so excited to write my blog today.  I don't know why.  I just feel a strong desire to write today.  I have had such a great day and great week and great month and great year and great life!

I went to church today and had  time to reflect on my week and what I have to look forward to this coming week.  I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to renew sacred covenants and remember my savior and all he has done for me.  I also got to sit close to my favorite person (that would be Scott) in sacrament meeting and I feel so blessed that he is my husband.  My girls were good and reverant (I don't know if I can count on my fingers the Sundays when I have not had to lean over and still ask my girls to be quiet, remember they are 18 and 15 almost!).  Elle wanted to come to mine and Emma's sunday school class (12 year olds, they can be a handful to say the least).  I love having my girls close by me. 

When I got home from church I made dinner and then I took a couple of hours to study and ponder on a few talks from this last general conference.  I love to listen to or read the talks from our prophets!  How blessed I am to learn from modern day prophets!!  Seriously, what a blessing :)

This last week has been a great one.  I enjoyed getting back in school and doing what I do....hair :)

My baby sister come out to Grantsville last week because her kids were out of school for spring break.  I had the best time with Katie.  We always have to much fun (is there such a thing??  Sometimes with Katie that is possible, it should be against the law!!)

I am getting so excited for Emma's 18th birthday!  It is coming up on May 3rd.  I can't believe Emma will be turning 18.  She has grown into an amazing young woman.  Scott and I have a huge surprise for her and I can't wait to be able to share it with her and my blog!!  She is going to be so surprised :)  I don't think I have ever been this excited for a birthday surprise EVER!  Oh My Gosh!! 

Here are a few of the quotes from the talks that I read today.  And I will end here. 

I am grateful for living prophets!

The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is to see a husband and his wife and their children happy at home, protected by the principles and laws of the gospel, sealed safely in the covenants of the everlasting priesthood. Husbands and wives should understand that their first calling—from which they will never be released—is to one another and then to their children.

Pres. Packard  morning session

 Some have come to think of activity in the Church as the ultimate goal. Therein lies a danger. It is possible to be active in the Church and less active in the gospel. Let me stress: activity in the Church is a highly desirable goal; however, it is insufficient. Activity in the Church is an outward indication of our spiritual desire. If we attend our meetings, hold and fulfill Church responsibilities, and serve others, it is publicly observed.

By contrast, the things of the gospel are usually less visible and more difficult to measure, but they are of greater eternal importance. For example, how much faith do we really have? How repentant are we? How meaningful are the ordinances in our lives? How focused are we on our covenants?

Elder Hallstrom Pres. Quorum of the Seventies Morning Session

Just as the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ is at the center of the plan of salvation, we followers of Christ must make our own sacrifices to prepare for the destiny that plan provides for us.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks Morning Session

If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up.¹⁰ And He always keeps His word.

Elder Henry B. Eyring Morning Session

MINNESOTA!! Spring break....Great Times

I have missed my blog sosooooooooo much.  I hope none of you have given up on me.

I am having a love hate relationship with my new computer.  Most of the time I haven't been able to get my internet working.  Oh well.  Here I am on a Saturday morning trying to catch everyone up on my exciting last two weeks.

The girls and I went to Minnesota for a great spring break vacation.  We had a great time visiting with many dear and missed friends.  I was able to spend most of my week with Ann and she was such a great hostess always feeding me and making me laugh.  I also was so blessed to visit other special friends and catch up on what is going on in their lives and basically I had the best time!!

Emma with one of her best friends from Minnesota.  Edna surpassed us with a visit (she now lives in AZ) so fun to spend time with Edna!!

Ann and ME!  I love this person :)

The Buman kids!!  LOVE LOVE LOVE them!  The Buman family was gone for the week and let us stay in their home while we were there.  It was so awesome and kind of them to allow us to use their home!!

Valeri and Finley :)

Elle with two of her best friends Sierra and Paige.  Elle enjoyed her vacation lots!

A very special dear friend.  Heather with her baby Cam.  

Heather's oldest son Caiden.  We have known and loved him since he was 1 year old!  I can't believe how big he is and how smart he is!!

Cheese curds!  I love these and miss them so much!

Elle with BEST friend Amra.  Good Times!

I love this woman!  Emily one of Tanner's best friends who is now my best friend!!

The girls having some fun in the toy store.  They love super heroes.  Emma can't wait for the Avengers to come out for her birthday ;)

The annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Barlow's.  So fun but a little cold.  It was a beautiful sunny week until our last day a little cold blew in.  This is my favorite friend Jeannine.  I left a special piece of my heart in Minnesota for her!

The "egg hunt" in progress!  There were about 100 kids searching for eggs in this beautiful wooded area.  (notice the green starting to grow...amazing for Rochester MN this time of year)

All the ridiculous shoes that the girls brought to MN.  Really no need.  They only wore 3 of the 13 pairs of shoes that they brought!  

Stuff....

I am home on a Friday.  We didn't have school today because the TATC had a teacher development thing going on for all teachers.  I am excited to be home and spending a little time with Scott.

We (the girls and I) are going off to Minnesota tomorrow morning bright and early...it might actually even be dark and early.  We have to be at the airport at 5:00 am!  I am excited to see some friends and just take it easy for the week.  I hear it will be beautiful weather in Rochester and that makes me very very happy.

I don't have much to say....so enjoy some pictures that I took at school yesterday.

One of my favorite activities at school is having Emma wax my face :)  I am blessed with the wonderful trait of having lots of blond facial hair from my Grandam Virginia on my Dad's side.

More waxing!!

Silly Emma

My new little friend Natalie.  She took the picture of Emma above :)

We had a birthday party for one of the girls at school.  I made the Texas Sheet Cake.  Yummy.  One of the young girls asked me if I made the cake all by myself, funny.  (I wonder if her mom makes cakes all by herself??)

Life lesson, be kind :) even to old ladies

I have come to realize that some young women in my school are not very smart, they always turn down clients...

I am in cosmetology school to learn.  I would think that all of the girls in school are there to learn.  How do you learn a trade like cosmetology??  By doing.  Most of the girls who are there are very, very picky about what kind of services they will do and who they want to do them on.

In cosmetology school we learn to do all kinds of things...
1. cut hair
2. color hair
3. perm hair
4. nails
5. feet and hands mani and pedi
6. waxing
7. eyelash extensions
8. eyebrow tints, eyelash perms
9. makeup
10.  up-dos and other hair styling

...and I am sure some other things that I can't remember right now.  Many of the young girls only want to learn to do color and nails.

I am so surprised during the day when I hear a girl complain that she doesn't want to do a service for a client.  It happens all day long.  Today one girl came up to me and asked me to take her appointment because she didn't feel like doing an "old lady".  It was a hair cut.  I asked her what she was going to do and she said she was going to have her friend come in and do a hair color on her.  I told her sure I would do it.  I love to have "real" clients.  I learn so much from each one.  I love to cut hair.  This sweet woman came in and I had the most enjoyable visit with her.  She has worked for the school system as a school teacher for the last 28 years.  She is almost ready to retire.  She told me all about how her husband and she are looking forward to retirement because they will travel and go to car shows.  This opened up much conversation because my husband has just gained a new interest in cars and he would LOVE to go to car shows.  We also talked about her daughter and how she almost lost her life from a complication from having surgery and how she has lived with her for the last year.  I learned so much from this woman.  I got to know her.  I gave her a head massage while shampooing her hair.  She said none of the other girls even offer to wash her hair.  After cutting her hair she left by giving me a $5 tip.  The girl who was suppose to originally cut her hair saw this and then came up to me and said that she has never left her a tip before and on top of it her friend never showed up to have her hair colored.  It is not about the tip to me.  It is about the smile that was on my clients face when she left that is more important to me.  I made a friend.  I had my life enriched by my association with her because I took the time to sincerely care and get to know this person.  When these young girls learn this then they might be successful.  Until they learn that I am happy to take any of the clients that they want to give away...that is more smiles for me and more money too!



I am grateful for a life that has taught me to be kind to people.

Emma and Grandma, two important women in my life!  

These two have taught me much about kindness and patience :)

My mom just got home and shared this "Mother Tree" with me.  Today is the anniversary of the death of her mother, my grandmother Elaine Palmer.  My aunt Luann did some research and has been able to trace back to a woman named Sally with no other info besides that.  I never knew before today that this line of maternal grandmothers originally came from Scottland!  WOW, I am a Scott!!  I love genealogy :)