Grateful...

I know it's not Thanksgiving anymore, but my heart is so full of gratitude today, that I feel that I need to put it down in writing. I am sure that many of the people I am writing this for never read my blog, so I'm hoping they will feel a gentle "tug" telling them to check in (because they all have access!) As many of you know, Our family is in the process of moving to Snowflake. So, I'm sitting here on my parents computer, waiting for another load of our stuff to arrive. What started me thinking, was a book that I finished reading this morning. It got me to realize that I am terrible at sharing my feelings and expressing my gratitude. I need to change a lot of things about myself, so, I'll start with this.

First of all, I need to thank my "long distance" friends that have offered me so much moral support through e-mail and phone calls these past few months. You know who you are, so I'm not going to name names. Just know that I am forever in your debt and will do anything I can to return the favor if it's ever needed.

Next, I never got the chance to properly thank all the MANY friends that helped us with our move to St. David. To the young women of our ward that came and helped clean the house and made little going away presents for me, thank you so much...I think of all of you almost daily. There were so many people at our house in Camp Verde to help us load up, that I felt that all I did was direct traffic. And then, to top it off some of those families drove several hours pulling trailers to St. David, and then helped unload...that's what I call "going the second mile"! Again, there were so many people there to help us, that all I really did was tell them were to put the boxes. Thank you, thank you, thank you, a million times, THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Now to our most recent move. My parents are angels right here on earth! I will never be able to do enough for them to repay them for all the help they have given to us, especially this year. I don't know what I ever did to deserve such amazing parents, I just know I am truly blessed!

I have so many mixed feeling about this last move. I am so excited to be moving back to Snowflake, but again, so heartbroken about all the friends we're leaving behind. I'm so grateful for our friends that came to help with the packing and loading. It's no small task, as Steve and I are both "pack-rats". I am so thankful for family that traveled long distances to help us out. Steve and I would have been at it for weeks if it weren't for them! Then yesterday, as my brother-in-law, nephews, and dad and I were unloading, friends just showed up and started helping. My mom even made the comment "It's not often that you see a land-lord help move in the new tenants."

There are some amazing people in the world, and I am so blessed to know many of them!

Our daughter, the tortured genius...

This picture is of Jennah at a school concert. When all the other kids were talking and having a good time, there was Jennah, doing her favorite thing...reading! Before I start, I need to tell you a few things. First of all, I'm going to be bragging on my daughter, so if you don't like it, don't read this. Second, I need to make it very clear, that Steve and I, in no way, put any pressure on our girls to get straight A's in school. We just encourage them to do their very best.

That being said, yesterday, when Jennah got home from school, she was looking over her schoolwork that she brought home and started crying when she saw the grade she got on her book report. When I asked her what was wrong, she just got mad at me and said "I told you to correct my book report!". After calmly telling her not to talk to her mother that way, I asked her to let me look at it again (because I did look over it before she turned it in). After seeing what she was upset about, I almost started laughing. She missed only 5 points, out of a possible 200! It took Steve and I a good 5 minutes to get her calmed down, and for those of you who have heard my kids high-pitched cries, you know it was a LONG 5 minutes! What finally calmed her down, was when we informed her that she would still get an "A" on her book report.

On her last report card, Jennah got 100% in math, and most of her other grades were in the 96%, with nothing under 92%. All of her teachers so far have made comments about her academic achievements. We got the greatest comment from her 1st grade teacher (who was BY FAR the best teacher I've seen) when she told us she wanted to be there for all of Jennah's graduations, because, in her words, "I can't wait to see what she does, in all my years of teaching, I can't remember such a gifted student" We're not sure where she gets it from, because Steve and I struggled in school...especially math, where Jennah is strongest. If I didn't know better, I'd think she was switched at birth.

Steve and I have been really blessed when it comes to our kids "smarts". All three are doing so well. Kirstie does great in school also, but she doesn't obsess over grades as much as Jennah (thank heaven!), and Stevie, well, I have a feeling he's going to be a bit more like his oldest sister. He already knows (without the help of pre-school or mom) the sounds of the letters, and is starting to teach himself to read...only two letter words, but still, he's only 4 and won't start school for another year and a half.

Okay...bragging's done!

Going home...

For those of you who didn't hear yet, we're moving to Snowflake the first of the year. As with any move, we have mixed feelings. We're excited about being back home, but once again, we have to leave our great friends that we have made while here.

Things were going great the first 7-8 months while we were here in St. David, but lately work was not going so good for Steve. We tried to tough it out, but funds were getting low, and the bills continued to keep coming in. We considered all our options, moving back into our home in Camp Verde that still hasn't sold, trying to find new work in St. David, or trying to find work in Snowflake while Steve gets his teaching degree. We had no answers. Then last week while Steve was helping my parents, things just fell into place...one of those moments when you just know...THIS is what we are supposed to do!

Trying to be "crafty"

I got this idea from my oldest sister Laurie, so I can't take full credit. In all the MANY places we've lived, we've usually had an obvious place to hang our Christmas stockings (knit by my amazing grandma "Pete"). Well, our new house has some complications that necessitated me making this...

...not bad for a budget of $0!

Mad-Hatter BEWARE... the Self's are in town!

Next to my dad, Steve is the biggest pack-rat I know. The other day, Stevie found a box of Steve's old hats. He, of course, only wore one at a time, but his sisters....that's a whole other story! Keep in mind that most of these hats Steve had BEFORE I married him!

This could be the next fashion trend don't you think?

Our Thanksgiving

We left for Snowflake Tuesday after Jennah got out of school, so we could we could be there to help make pies!

Here's a priceless moment with Jennah and Gramma making pies...and great memories! Thanksgiving day...we had a small group this year, just the Self's, Brent Webb's, and Gramma and Grampa, and Grandma "Pete". It was a quiet Thanksgiving compared to other's we've had, just 14 of us this year.

Here's the "kids" table...Kirstie, Jennah, Chandler, Marissa, BreAnne and Stevie. (poor Kirstie had a terrible ear infection the whole time we were there, so she didn't enjoy her Thanksgiving dinner much)

...and the "grown-ups" table...mom (gramma) Josh (he's officially a grown-up now that he's 18 and going to college), Melanie, dad (grampa), Brent and Suzie

Our "spread"...there was sooooo much food!!!

We have a family Thanksgiving tradition that started back in (I think) 1978. My mom and grandma "pete" made a tablecloth that everyone puts their hand print on. The original tablecloth was at the ranch when it burned down in 2002, so my mom made a new one. It's sad not having the original, but as fast as the family is growing, it won't take long for this one to fill up!

While we were cleaning up, Brent was snoring away on the couch, so I had to get a picture. We had a wonderful time being "home" and visiting and playing with family. I absolutely LOVE this time of year!!!

**Update** On the trip home, while driving through the reservation past Globe, there was a hill with some patches of white dirt showing through the desert brush. All three kids yelled out, VERY excited, at the same time..."SNOW!!!" I had a hard time convincing them that it was NOT snow, and they were so bummed. You know you've lived in the desert too long when your kids see white dirt and think it's snow!

Thankful Tag

I got this idea from my cousin (Thanks Misti), to have my family each list 10 things we're thankful for. We did this last night for FHE, and it was one of the most fun times we've ever had! It was a difficult thing to list just ten! Since it's Thanksgiving time, I decided to make it a tag so my friends and family could join in on the fun!

STEVE: The Gospel, Temples/Temple marriage, Family (eternal family), food, shelter, love, friends, beautiful days, beautiful sunsets, and freedom.

MELANIE: Family, the Gospel, Jesus Christ, our prophet, music, friends, health, vehicles in good condition, beautiful fall weather, and home.

JENNAH: Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, my family, my friends, the Temple, the Church, this world, to be free, and our home.

KIRSTIE: Me, our house, books, family, daddy, mommy, Jennah, Stevie, school, and the world

STEVIE: Heavenly Father, bees (because they make honey), exercising (to get really skinny), people, living (being alive), toys, bricks that we build walls with, paper to color, chips, and eggs with salsa.

Now I tag ten people...Emily, Ryan, Racheal, Joele, Andrea, Natalie, Cherie, Shawna, Jenny, and... everyone else on my list! Have FUN!!!

Steve's 50th

Well, Steve hit the half-century mark this last Thursday. We didn't do much celebrating yet, we're saving that for when we're together with family for Thanksgiving. Steve requested homemade Tacos for his birthday supper, so that's what he got YUMMY! Steve thinks it's not a birthday cake if it isn't devil's food with white frosting. I think he'd shoot me if I ever forgot that. I didn't want to use black frosting on his cake, so I figured that black candles were enough ;) I had a hard time deciding what colors to use, and after I started with the red and blue, I realized that it looked like a 4th of July cake...oh well. Steve's a very patriotic person, so I guess it was appropriate! I had to put this picture of his "old man" face on here...he's starting to show his age!

Friday morning we went to see "Twilight" (he promised to take me MONTHS ago). I'm sure he would have much rather seen the new James Bond movie, but he's such a sweet guy that he gave in. After the movie was over, there was a LONG line of women waiting to come into the theatre. Steve couldn't resist the urge to shout "It was GREAT!!! You're going to LOVE it!!! (I wish you could hear the tone of his voice...somewhat feminine) I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at any of their faces, but Steve said their expressions were just hilarious!! Their audible reaction was enough to make me start laughing hysterically...so hard I had tears running down my face! He's such the comedian!!!

Steve is gonna kill me for this...

...but this is too good NOT to share!!!

(BIG sigh......) I'm taking Steve to go see THE movie tomorrow morning for his birthday, and he's soooo excited!!! Alright, he's actually taking me, and I'm the one who's completely lost their mind! Thank you to Emily, Racheal and Teddy for getting me hooked on "Twilight". (Steve says a very sarcastic thanks a lot too!)

Follow the Prophet

Last night, instead of having 'Family Home Evening', we had a sleepover. So tonight, we had a mini-FHE. The kids got into my box of FHE games and found some pictures that I made - well, colored- for one of their primary talks over a year ago. They had a lot of laughs, while learning a little about Book of Mormon and Bible prophets. That's what I call good family fun!

Our family comedian

Today while eating lunch, I noticed that Kirstie was putting her feet on a very large book (of nearly 1000 pages). When I realized that it was a Petersen genealogy book that my grandma "Pete" had compiled and had published, I told her to please put the book away. When she asked why, I explained to her that it was a very special book written by her great-grandma, she just smiled and said..."WOW! She must still be tired from writing all that!!"

**update** 11-8-08: Last night Kirstie told me that she was "checkin' out my cheeks"
"WHAT!" I said. Then she pointed to her 'tushy' and said (with a very mischievous grin) "these are your cheeks".
To which I said "where in the world did you learn that!?!"
"From a movie...do you like my cheeks?" (UUGH! I REALLY need to be much more careful about the movies they watch!!!!!!)

Our Halloween

Once again, I made the kids costumes. Sometimes I wish I didn't know how to sew, but I do love making things for my kids that make them happy!

Steve, once again, was Elvis, Kirstie was Mariposa (for those of you who don't know...it's a Barbie character), Jennah was Belle, and Stevie was Batman!

We (meaning the kids) had tons of fun! We spent the night at the football field playing games and going trunk or treating. Steve just stayed with the "trunk" because he didn't feel much like walking around...he's still nursing a broken rib, poor guy :(

Tag...I'm it!

Emily tagged me a while back (sorry it took so long), to list 6 quirks. I'm usually a pretty guarded person when it comes to "personal" stuff. Maybe that's why it took me so long to decide what I was actually WILLING to put on here :D. So here goes...

1. Every time I see a green hill (or a green field for that matter-not many hills in AZ) I imagine myself running around on it singing..."The Hills are Alive!"

2. I have weird insomnia, I fall asleep almost the moment my head hits the pillow (usually around 8:30). Then I wake up around 1 am and have an almost impossible time getting back to sleep. (Maybe I should start making better use of that time :D).

3. I love the smell of bleach...Clorox Clean-up to be exact. I'm not saying it's my favorite smell, but it's pretty high up on the list. Nothing says clean like the smell of bleach! I think it started with my "nursing home" days...I'm such a germ-a-phobe!

4. When my kids clean their rooms (which almost never happens), I do, what we affectionately call, the "mommy dance". Never NEVER ask to see it...it's for their eyes ONLY! (I do all I can to hear them laugh=D)

5. I have OCD with the most unnecessary things like...I have to take the eggs out of the carton symmetrically. I'll even add an extra one to what I'm cooking sometimes so the carton is "balanced". Another is the dishes it the cupboard...they have to be put away in just the right order, or it TOTALLY bugs me! (It's just to bad I don't have OCD about the kids toys, clutter, or other things that really matter)

6. I usually don't talk much, especially in public, except when I'm extremely exhausted. Then it's next to impossible to get me to shut up. Steve started calling me "Rambling Rose" when we were first married, now he'll just hint by saying "okay Rosie!" to let me know that it's time to be quiet. So steer clear when it's past bedtime...I just might talk your ear off :D

Well that's it...now I tag anyone who hasn't already done this and is willing to share!

Our busy week!

The girls were out of school for a week for "Fall break", so last weekend our family went up to Snowflake to spend time with family for the entire week. These next few posts are all about our time up there.

For once we left early enough to stop at the bottom of Salt River Canyon. I have been wanting to stop there ever since we moved.

The picture with J & K is on the old bridge...the one that I would drive on (back in the old days) when going to and from college. It's now just a pedestrian bridge that runs next to the new bridge. It made me a little nervous while we were on it though, because they have yet to make it "child-proof". I was a little on edge the whole time we were on there...thankfully we were only there for a few minutes.

the new bridge

...and my cute kiddo's!!!

...playing with cousin's and 2 birthday's on Monday...

Monday afternoon my sister Lynnette and I took the kids to the Primary school to play on the playground there while Lynnette ran some errands.

That's Stevie on top of the slide.

They had lots of fun on the merry-go-round! My kids just LOVE their cousins!!!

Later that night we went out to Eva's (YUM!), and went back to my parents house to have a birthday party for my dad (who just turned 68!), and Lecia (who is now officially a teenager...YIKES!). I can't believe that she's only 13 and several inches taller than me...just one more niece to pass me up (although it's not really a hard thing to do).

...blessing day Sunday.

I was just too busy visiting with family to remember to take pictures, so I only got two. Jennah was just DYING to hold Paisley! (We really need another baby in our home!).

Lynnette made Paisley's dress, and my amazing mother did all the embroidery on it.
The Lunt's have the cutest little kids chairs at their house. Just the right size for Kirstie :D

...baby shower on Saturday

I threw a baby shower for my sister Lynnette and her daughter Paisley on Sat. the 11th at my mom's house in Snowflake. I was really pleased with the turn out, and all the creative gift giving. It was an ABC shower and the "gift-givers" had to come up with a gift that started with or represented the letter of the alphabet that I put on the invitations (and yes, I used them ALL...even X). We had a great time visiting and enjoying each other's company.

Here's the guest of honor...baby Paisley!

Natalie was being too cute, so I just had to get a picture of her on here!

Here's Lynnette holding Paisley. To the left is my Grandma Cheryl, and to the right is Aunt Tricia.

This is my Aunt Joyce (in the pink) with three of her girls Brindee, Kimberly, Barbara, Barbara's daughter, and my Aunt Pam.

Another shot of some of the guests. (Grandma Cheryl didn't want her picture taken, so you just get to see the back of her head.)

Milestone

For the very first time ever, Kirstie said family prayers tonight totally by herself. It's been frustrating for Steve and I because we were expecting this to happen MUCH sooner (she 6 1/2 now). We were patient though and always told her that whatever was in her heart, that's what she should say. There's nothing sweeter than hearing your child say a prayer. It finally happened tonight, and we couldn't have been more proud!

Hmmm...

3 months ago, I highlighted my hair, and as those of you who have done this know, it was looking pretty sad. Yesterday I bought some dye that I THOUGHT matched my natural hair color. I decided to use it today and well, I guess because of the highlights, it turned out auburn instead of the color I was hoping for. Weird thing about it is that my eyes used to be brown. Now with the red hair, they look totally green to me. (I know, this picture is LAME, I'm just not very photogenic)

So...does red work for me, or do I need some serious help?!

Hope...

Could there be any doubt that our church leaders are called of God? This last session of conference was exactly what I needed! Even though we had computer problems, and fighting kids, I was able to get more out of it than I normally do. Of all the talks, Elder Holland and Elder Uchtdorf touched me the most. I often have feelings of self-doubt, insecurity, and inadequacy. Elder Uchtdorf's talk about hope...I'm not good with words, but the words he spoke seemed to be meant just for me. I loved Elder Holland's talk about angels, and it got me to thinking, who are my angels? He left me feeling comforted when he said, very powerfully "God NEVER leaves us alone!" And of course, our wonderful prophet. Some of the things that really struck me that I had to write down were..."Make the most of today. Find out what is most important" and my favorite..."Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved". I can't wait until the conference Ensign gets here so I can see and read the words that were spoken!

Of one mind...

This is for my benefit only...so it probably won't mean much to anyone else...

Last night after supper Jennah was doing her homework at the table while Steve and I were talking in the kitchen. Out of the blue Jennah said "daddy, I'm drinking strawberry milk". To which Steve and I broke out into song at the same moment and ALMOST in the same key, to our own version of the BEATLES tune "Strawberry MILK for-ever"...then burst out laughing! Jennah kept asking what was so funny, and when we explained it too her, she just looked at us like we were out of our minds. We often have moments like these when we're "on the same wave-length"...like we can almost read each other's minds. Sure makes life FUN!!! (now if only his quick-wit would rub off on me...)

Goals

This morning I woke up around 4:30 and couldn't get back to sleep. After laying there in bed for 30 minutes, I decided to get up and go jogging. I left the house at about 5:15 and it was still dark outside, and as I've said in another post, I'm totally afraid of the dark! That was one of the scariest things I've ever done. There are NO street light here, so I was running blind. It's a good thing that this town is so small, otherwise I would've been to creeped-out to go. I think maybe it turned out to be a good thing, because my heart-rate was increase just by the adrenaline alone.

My goal is to be at my target weight in a year, but I'm making small goals every month so I don't become too overwhelmed by the enormous amount that I have to go. Hopefully some day my body will look like this again...

...minus the sequined dress and big hair :) I can dream can't I?

My Day

The 26th was my 36th birthday...YIKES! I remember very vividly growing up thinking that anyone over 30 was just OLD. So I guess that's what I am...but at least I don't feel it =)

Well, in keeping with tradition, Steve and the kids woke me up singing "Happy Birthday", and bringing presents. We did get pictures, but I'm vain, not insane, so I spared you the AWFUL site of me first thing in the morning...it wasn't pretty!

Steve and the kids did pretty good this year. I got three CD's- Rascall Flatts, and two Michael Buble' (I know, weird combo, what can I say...I have "music ADD"), and 5 movies (on two DVD's), chick flicks of course=D

My WONDERFUL friend Emily sent me some LOVELY "bling"...Thanks Em!!!!

Necklace, earrings AND a bracelet...LOVE THEM!

And of course, my WONDERFUL parents sent me a card with money so I can go shopping!

We didn't make any plans to go out, because Steve wasn't sure when he'd be home from work. When he got home, we decided to head to Sierra Vista and decide where to eat when we got there. Here's Steve and Kirstie, enjoying the drive...Kirstie with the typical wad of gum sticking out of her mouth.

and Jennah and Stevie. Apparently Stevie had more important things to do than get his picture taken =p

Steve's sister Fonda recommended "Texas Roadhouse", so that's where we went. I just LOVE Kirstie's expression in this pic...NO, I don't drug my children hahaha!


This is us inside, waiting for our table...

They have the coolest mural's in there, HUGE and very realistic. Jennah and Kirstie thought they'd try out their cowgirl poses. Before we knew where we were going, Kirstie was insisting on wearing her cowboy boots and hat. I told her the boots were fine, but not the hat. Now I'm wishing I had let her wear it, it would have been very appropriate, and she looks sooooo cute in it!

I don't know if you can tell what this sign says, I thought it was pretty funny. So I took a picture of the "outhouse". I know..."simple minds are easily amused".

While the girls and I were in the "outhouse", Steve thought he'd be sneaky and tell our waitress that it was my birthday. I was completely embarrassed! They have a saddle that they make you sit in while one of them YELLS at everyone to give a big Texas "YEEHAW" to the birthday girl...I didn't want to be alone in my humiliation, so Stevie joined me on the saddle.

Even with the last few embarrassing moments, I was glad we decided to go there. The food was good, and it was VERY noisy inside, and peanut shells EVERYWHERE (on the floor), so I didn't have to worry one bit about my kids making to much noise OR making a mess...every mother's dream!! (and no dishes either!) It was a GREAT day!!!