The Wilson Family

Please help!

2010-04-03T22:10:00.001-07:00

Hey, would everyone please help me out with something? I'm working with a friend on some research for a new product and am collecting as many opinions as I can- it's a brief, 2 minute survey. If you are willing, fill it out and pass it around to anyone you know who would also help.

Thanks- here's the link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NBSZ6VC

Love you all!

Dallin is improving...

2010-01-10T20:29:00.001-08:00

Yep, you guessed it. He would hardly give us a "normal" smile (in his typical Dallin fashion). It's how we know he's doing better...back to his old self. We're seeing more and more of it each day and we thought it was a good time to post an update and let you all know about his progress. Mikayla is doing well also, still feeling some bruising. Jaris will need one more surgery that will keep her in crutches (and home from work) for 3-6 months.

Happy new year, everyone! Thanks for your prayers.

Dallin is home

2009-12-25T17:23:00.000-08:00

Again, thanks to everyone for all your posts, texts, emails and any other form of social media. Even a few phone calls! Welcome to the modern world! We wish we could answer everyone individually, but a mass posting will have to do for now.
Anyway, there's not too much to report now. As you can see, Dallin is home with his brothers and sisters now and doing well. We all had a GREAT Christmas morning and have had a lot of fun playing. For those who don't know, Dallin came home the afternoon of the 23rd and has been doing better each day, although his recovery never as fast as we want. Thanks again for all your help, concern and support. May the Lord bless you this Christmas season for your selflessness.

Update on Dallin

2009-12-22T11:09:00.000-08:00

We continue to be overwhelmed with an outpouring of love and concern from all of you. It's difficult to keep in touch with everyone, so please accept our apologies for the lack of personal contact as our primary attention continues to be with Dallin. That said, we do feel we owe you at least an update, so here you go:
Dallin is in good spirits, for the most part. He was moved from ICU to a regular room yesterday and has started physical therapy, which consists primarily of small movements to his legs and even getting into and back out of a wheelchair several times now. It's all very painful and he is enduring it as well as a 10-year-old could do. We expect him to be home for Christmas but the likelihood of going up to Utah is getting pretty slim now.
The latest news from this morning is that they found from a recent X-Ray another break in his right arm. You can see in the photo that he's pretty uncomfortable, with two casts. We tell him it will make a good story, but the only story he's interested right now ends in "happily ever after." Today, some firefighters came down to the hospital to visit the children and it lifted his spirits.
I've gotten a lot of questions as to whether or not it would be appropriate to call and/or visit. Please feel free either way. Our only request is that if he's sleeping, let him rest. And not even the nurses know when that kicks in. My last two mornings of visiting him have been staring at the outsides of his eyelids for an hour. But you may get lucky. It's just that darn medication. It makes him drowsy. If he's not asleep, he's certainly alert enough to have visitors and would welcome the attention. He's at St. Joe's Hospital on the 5th floor, room #27. Just up the Camelback elevator and straight down the blue hallway.
But all in all, he is recovering nicely. He'll spend a couple of months in a wheelchair once we get him home, so that will be another challenge, but we're just grateful for all the faith, concern and prayers that have gotten him this far. We have no doubt that he will have a full 100% recovery and that this experience will serve to make him a stronger person in the end. I know it has strengthened our faith.
Mikayla and Jaris are both home and recovering nicely.
Lindy and I wish all of you the best Christmas season possible. Please hug your little ones a little longer than you normally would. Appreciate the blessings you have and let the true spirit of Christmas permeate in your hearts and spill over to those around you.

Matt and Lindy

The accident

2009-12-18T18:26:00.000-08:00

The Lord works in mysterious ways. We've truly been blessed to know how many friends we have. It's funny how you really get to know them through a trial like this. They come from everywhere and offer to make dinner, watch kids and even just be there for a comfort.

For those who may not know the full story yet, last night around 8:30, Mikayla and Dallin were riding back from the school Christmas concert with their Aunt Jaris. She was driving through an intersection at about 50MPH when a 16-year-old boy in a truck from the opposite direction thought he had enough time to make a left turn in front of them. He misjudged and the two vehicles collided, head on. Dallin, in the front seat suffered the greatest injuries.

I got the call back at home and immediately jumped in the car to run down there. Pulling up, all I could see was policemen, fire trucks, flashing lights and a long line of vehicles in either direction. My heart sank. I parked illegally and ran to see what I could. Dallin had already been hauled off and Mikayla and Jaris were being bandaged up. I comforted them as best I could and called Lindy, who had stayed behind with Spencer to help clean up. She met me just as they were leaving and she jumped in the ambulance with Mikayla and Jaris. I followed close behind.

We arrived at St. Joe's Hospital in downtown Phoenix at about 9:30, by my best guess. I didn't really pay much attention to the time. Mikayla and Jaris were taken to different areas of the hospital. Both were considerably hurt, but everyone's biggest concern was with Dallin. All we knew was that he was being looked at and that he would need surgery soon. But we weren't allowed to see him yet. In spite of her injuries, Jaris' only concern was with Mikayla and Dallin. All three got a cat scan and a series of X-Rays to determine the full extent of the damage. Mikayla was badly bruised and had some burns from the seatbelt across her right shoulder/chest. Her collar bone was broken and she had bruises on both her ankles from the seat in front of her. Both Mikayla and Jaris were hurt, physically and emotionally yet we knew they would be OK. Still we were anxious to see our little boy. To comfort him and tell him everything would be fine, even though we didn't know.

After what seemed to be an eternity, we got called in by the orthopedic surgeon for a meeting. He assured us that Dallin would be OK, but that the recovery would be a process and somewhat of a struggle. He broke his left forearm, both bones and his right femur, just below the hip. He also tore open a large part of his forehead. Around 2am, a plastic surgeon worked on his forehead while the orthopedic surgeon put some rods and screws in his leg. The arm would have to wait to allow the little guy a chance to regain some strength. His arm surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 7am. A year from now he'll have to go back in to get the metal parts removed.

As of now, Mikayla is home and doing well. She's in good spirits but still sore and tender. Jaris suffered a nice-sized gash below her knee that has been stitched back together and she has a couple more days before she can leave. Dallin is constantly medicated to keep the pain under control. If you thought he was goofy before, you should see him on morphine. He's been keeping us laughing, in between expressions of discomfort and wanting drinks. When he found out he'll have to be in a wheelchair when he gets home, his feeble response was, "awesome." He has some bruising on his lungs and a cyst or something on his skull they're looking at, but nothing to be concerned about. He's been as good-natured as you could expect a kid to be that is going through this. They all have.

We know it's been in large part because of the prayers, love and faith of everyone we are privileged to call our friends and family. God has truly blessed us through this and will continue to do so. We shutter to think about what would have happened had they not had their seatbelts on. This experience has served as another lesson of just how precious life truly is. It has brought us back to a reminder of what is most important. May the Lord bless each of you this Christmas season for your unselfish love and concern. We'll do our best to keep you posted- feel free to call if you like. We expect a full recovery and to be able to spend Christmas together, whether it be here or in Utah. Either way, we'll be thinking of you and thanking our Heavenly Father that you are in our lives.

We appreciate it and love you all.

More Memories... Love, Mikayla (hey, my MOM doesn't post, so can't I?).

2009-10-11T14:19:00.002-07:00

I've always known Dallin looked like that...

Okay, this is Mom in a very embarrassing position!
Crazy Launi Loo...Mom's Little Sis.
This is Megan and part of Gramalinda-NOTICE: See the edge of the chair on Nutmeg's head that looks like horns...?
Hey, look, Grandma and I even got (part) of Grandpa! And Ellie!

Tiny Little grew up so fast.....
Whoo, whoo! Check out Mamasita!

Uh, err, that isn't me with that weird brother. Nope, not me...

Mom and Daddy in Rome.

I have a weird family...

Evie on her 1st B-Day.

We Love You Guys Buckets Full!!!

P.S. Please forgive our random weirdness-hey, it runs in the family, doesn't it?
P.P.S. Also forgive my mother- Mom's excuses are, "I don't have time." or "I can't find time." and her personal favorite (she says this almost every time I remind her or ask her about the blog), "I forgot."

Memory Lane

2009-10-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

I had some time on my hands and thought you might enjoy a trip down memory lane. Love you all.

To all my fellow Americans

2009-09-17T08:35:00.000-07:00

First off, don't even try to make me feel guilty because it's my daughter that has to post in order for you to know anything about us. I know how much everyone wants to know and see about things that are going on in our lives and I can say that because of how much I love reading everyone else's. However, I need help! I seriously don't know where you all get time to do the blog thing so could you please give me some pointers on how I can keep an updated blog? Time is so precious to me and I just haven't been able to keep this up and all the other mom/wife responsibilities that I have. No, I don't need a pity party, I just need some advice. So, let the good times roll! Love to all xoxoxox

In Memory of Penny....

2009-09-16T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys! It's MJ. Sorry my mom hasn't posted in, well, since July, but I wanted to show Jenny Penny something... remember those chinese take-out boxes you gave me? Well, one lazy Sunday afternoon, me and my friend from church-her name is Melia- took them and made them look SO CUTE! We put stickers on the front and back and put cute beads on the wire handle... they are so cool! THANK YOU, PENNY!

-Mikayla

2009-07-11T00:58:00.000-07:00

Here is our monthly blog post. Not much has changed...still laughing and having a great time in AZ. Don't you wish you were here?

xoxo

Lindy

Introducing................

2009-03-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

I know many of you have been waiting patiently for these photos so........... it is with great pleasure that I proudly present your 2009 Art Director of the Year, my husband ( and pretty sexy one at that) Mr. Matthew Wilson!

Last Saturday Matt and I attended the 24th annual Addy Awards held here in Arizona. The Addy Awards are given to different advertising agencies that have raised the bar when it comes to advertising so receiving one is really quite an honor. There were 744 entries from 52 Phoenix companies and we had no idea that Matthew would be honored in this way. He won the award because of the work he has done this past year, but specifically for the work he did for the Grand Canyon Summer Games. Like I said, it was a surprise and I know I can say this to all of you because I know you know me but I was so proud of him! When they read his name I wanted to cry - in fact I did! I just had a flash of feelings and memories of my cute little husband up late to get things put together for clients, going in much to early to come up with some new presentation because he's meeting with the client in 4 hours and has no idea what he's going to be presenting because they have vetoed everything he has already presented and have given him absolutely no creative liberty - mostly because of budget cuts, or all the late nights of missing the family prayers, or family dinners because he has to tie up loose ends. FINALLY! I finally felt like he was receiving some well deserved recognition. I know that he knows how wonderful and incredibly talented I think he is, but I also recognize how important it was for him to receive that confirmation from his peers.

So, Matthew, congratulations. You will always be the reigning champion in my eyes!

Thought for the day: As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person. Paul Shane Spear

To Matthew, you have forever changed my world - for the best! xoxoxoxo to you!

Needing your assistance

2009-03-02T13:38:00.000-08:00

So, as you all know, we are in the process of finishing our den. Tonight we will be painting the walls and before we do, I am wondering if you could give me some of your opinions. We have a deep dark brown and a creme for the paint. Our desk will be black and dark brown. I'm needing to paint the walls and the bookcase-storage bench so let me know what you think. All opinions will be considered. Yes, even yours, Dad. Thanks for your help! Lindy

Finally on our way!

2009-03-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

I know I have been talking, talking, talking about this blasted garden I have wanted to get going. Well, today was the day! After pricing, buying, building, mixing, pouring, soaking, planting, watering we finally have a garden. Well, half a garden. I'll plant the other box tonight with the boys, after they get home from school. Can I just say, I believe that the prophet has encouraged us to plant a garden for many many reasons - not just so that we can have food to eat and hopefully put up for later. I have had so much fun with Matt planning and purchasing things. I love being with the kids as they play in the dirt and plant the little seeds, even talk to them to help them grow. Just being able to be in the dirt brings so much joy and satisfaction. I know that so much of how I feel about gardening stems from my own roots. Growing up on a farm, being able to see what the different seasons bring as far as planting and harvesting a crop was always so beautiful to me. Even if I did complain a bit about moving those blasted hand pipe. From the second you put that little seed in the deep, dark earth , to when it pokes up its little shoot to when you are able to see a full crop, there is just something so satisfying about seeing something you have planted and tended, grow. And don't even get me started about all the incredible smells that go along with it. The wet dirt - I'm in heaven! This does so much for my spirit.

So, here you go. I thought you all might enjoy some pictures of the process. Yes, it may be slow, but stick with me. Maybe one of these days you just might the the recipient of a beautiful basket of garden fresh veggies. Love you all!

Thought for the day: Carpe Diem!

Crazy day!

2009-02-20T07:50:00.000-08:00

So I don't have much time to write, but I did want to post these pictures. As you can see we are doing some remodeling and are very excited. Matt has needed his own office space and we need to get Ellie out of our room so this is what we came up with. I'll chat more about it later. -Rindy Roo

In memory of Papa Dean

2009-02-04T13:42:00.001-08:00

Ask anyone I know and they will tell you I love making sandwiches. Whether its a toasty tuna with red onion and lettuce, a grilled roast beef with a yummy green chili sauce, or a simple "The works" deli sandwich with everything down to the last pepperoccini, I love sandwiches. Maybe it's the inner need to feed (others) or just the fact that I enjoy making people happy. Where does this come from? Well, today as I was making lunch for the girls and myself, this same question came to mind. Here is what I decided.

A sandwich to me isn't something that consists of simply bread, mayo, mustard, meat and cheese. As you can see from the photo above a sandwich involves so much more, and I don't mean just ingredients. Now I agree, everyone has differing tastes. And understandably so. Just think of all the different types of cheeses, meats, lettuce and sauces. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. However, when I think of a sandwich, the first thing that comes to mind is my Papa Dean.

For those of you who didn't know Papa Dean, let me tell you a little bit about him. My Papa Dean was a very handsome man. He was tall, slender and had a full head of beautiful white hair. His fingers were long and skinny and I loved watching them as he would write, build, create and play with all of his grandchildren. He was an amazing writer - or should I say poet. Some of his poems included things like "Hi Ho The Dillyhoppers Comin". Let me share a little:

Hi ho the Dillyhoppers comin.

I know cause rumblesniffer said.

He's got poppers

And daffadilly hoppers

Growing from the temples of his head.

Sound like someone else you know? Dr. Suess, maybe? All of his poems were amazing. And boy could he sing - especially How great Thou art. He sang it so beautifully, knowing when to take a breath, when to sing louder or softer it was almost as if he had written it himself. And traveling just wouldn't have been the same without the great songs he taught us like, Old Mr. Smith, Toodle-lumba lumba and The Old Mill Stream. Nobody could harmonize like him and Grandma Glory. And boy did he love his family. You could tell by the family reunions that he was in charge of. There was singing, and laughing and story telling and lots and lots of hugging. We knew he loved us because he showed us. By his words and actions. And I suppose that is why I love making those sandwiches so much. You see he is the one that taught me. And it wasn't necessarily that he put on all those great fixins. It was the fact that he let me do it with him. That I was important enough to him that he would take the time and show me how to do something that he loved doing. Quite simply put, he loved serving others. I love you, Papa Dean.

Thought of the day: Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

WAY TO GO CARDINALS!

2009-02-02T15:26:00.000-08:00

So it's Dallin's week for dishes and today after school he and I were working together, loading the dishwasher. I asked him how his day was and how he was feeling about raising money to go to DC. See this summer Mom and Dad are going to be taking Dallin and Mikayla back east and we decided that the kids could pay for the air fare. Mikayla has been able to do some baby-sitting and earn extra money but Dalllin hasn't done much other than combined fund-raising activities with Mikayla. As he sees Mikayla and all her profit, he has been making less then positive comments about how there is no way he will be able to make enough money to go. Today was different.

For those of you who didn't know, last night the Arizona Cardinals played in the 43rd super-bowl. And it was amazing. There was not a dull moment in the whole game and those of us that were watching the Cardinals play for the first time, sorry to say, wished we'd have been more loyal fans. "Our boys" held their own as they made up for interceptions, fumbles and some not so pretty moments. Not to mention some incredible defensive plays. We were able to watch it with some friends, and even though for the most part it was just the adults, every so often the kids would come in a take a look to see what all the yelling and screaming was about.

I didn't think that the game made that big of an impression on Dallin, but I was wrong. You see as we were standing there doing dishes together he told me that the Cardinals were pretty cool because they didn't give up. He said that we shouldn't give up before the big event happens because maybe we'll win and that we need to give our biggest effort.

So, to all you Arizona Cardinals that didn't bring home the super-bowl win, thank-you. In this mom's opinion, you've done more for my son than any super-bowl trophy ever could have.

Thought for the day: Never, never, never give up. Winston Churchill

Blessings

2009-01-30T07:42:00.000-08:00

So here I sit on this beautiful, sunny Friday morning. My boys have gone to school, the girls are upstairs playing and I am finally able to have some yummy waffles. As I sit here pondering what my menu is going to be for the next 2 weeks, writing things down for my grocery list, I decide to call a friend and get recipe . I catch her on her way to school. She is subbing for her girl's class. Now I know that the reason I called was to get a recipe, but that wasn't even mentioned. Instead the topics of our conversation, between all the tears were: my plumbing for the second time is backed up and the toilet water is coming up the tub pipes; someone broke into my car (in the middle of the day, while I'm home, I might add) costing me $800; I haven't been able to make my house payment for the past 2 months so who knows how much longer I will have a home to live in; I'm barely able to pay my other bills and I just don't feel good. And on top of all that, she is a single parent of 2 girls. All I can do shake my head in disbelief. I'm not kidding when I say this friend has been through it all and even in her darkest hour still finds the faith to say, and I think BELIEVE, that everything will work out - that God will make everything work out. Even though she is not a member, she has been one to help strengthen my testimony in ways she may never understand. She is an amazing example and I love her.

So, today I will clean my house, wash my 5-6 batches of clothes, put away my groceries and clean up after little messes left throughout the day from many little people and thank my Heavenly Father that I can because I've been blessed.

Thought for the day: Thank you for the sky so blue, thank you for the green grass, too.

Thank you for the birds that sing; thank you, Lord, for everything.

Try #2 -What's for dinner

2009-01-29T15:24:00.000-08:00

Can you tell I have little people that like to push buttons?

Anywho - so I'm in our ward canning club. They all decide they want to try and bottle chicken and since I have a friend that works at Shamrock, I tell everyone that I can get it at a wonderful price. So after taking orders for 3 weeks want to know the final count? Try 480 POUNDS!!!! I couldn't believe. The whole process actually went relatively smoothly but all I can say is I don't think I will ever be able to look at chicken the same for a long time. That's a lot of chicken, dang it! I was, however, very happy for all the sisters in my ward that were able to benefit from doing a little food storage. Most of them had never bottled meat so it was a fun experience.

So I was reading in the Ensign the other day and had a "truth bumps" moment, as my good friend calls them. It was a quote form Elder Dallin H. Oaks and he was speaking on the Prophet Joseph Smith. He said:

"....The Prophet Joseph Smith had no role models from whom he could learn how to be a prophet and leader of the Lord's people. He learned from heavenly messengers and from the harvest of his unique spiritual gifts. He had to rely on associates who had no role models either. They struggled and learned together, and the Prophet's growth was extremely rapid."

Our prophet didn't have anyone to look to for an example on how to be a prophet. And his friends? Neither did they. I wonder how carefully Joseph chose his friends. I'm sure he didn't "hang out" with just anybody. His choices were deliberate and prayerful. As I read this I thought about my own kids and the friends they choose. Gosh, it's hard enough just feeling accepted let alone trying to reason whether or not some kid is someone you want to make a true friend. I love the quote by President Hinckley were he encourages us to surround ourselves with people who bring out the best that is within us. I then thought about my choice of friends and all I have to say is I've been blessed.

Thought for the day: My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me. Henry Ford

What's for dinner?

2009-01-29T15:23:00.001-08:00

I love Sunday afternoons

2009-01-25T15:21:00.000-08:00

Yes it has been longer than a week - I realize that. I suppose I just need to get the idea that I can only post if I have a picture or two out of my head. I guess if everyone enjoys reading my blog as much as I do theirs, it isn't really that big of a deal.

So these past few weeks have been b-u-s-y! Mom was able to visit for a couple of weeks spaced out between my house, Jen's, Launi's and Jaris's. And boy did we have a ball. Between the dreaded flu bug (which included throwing up, on, over, near, between, under, through and in the boy's bunk beads-and I'm not kidding) ear infections, trips to urgent care and antibiotics for kids and Mom alike we had quite the time. And even though we did have some yucky moments, there were some great times too. Like the girls breakfast we had at a quaint little farmers market. We felt like we were in the back of Granonie's house in California -not at all in the booming metropolis of Phoenix. It was a peacefully quiet, sunny morning with a slight breeze and only the sound of chirping birds and friends laughing and visiting. Mikayla ordered an amazing Belgium waffle with strawberries and whipped cream - the best I've ever tasted. Mom had a maple bread pudding that was more like dessert and I opted for the veggie omelet that included purple onion, zucchini, cauliflower (that they grew right there) and a scrumptious green sauce with goat cheese. Can I just tell you, I would eat there everyday if I could. It was lovely! When we finished our brunch, we walked around the farm and looked at all the beautiful vegetables they had growing in their gardens and what an incredible compost! I am in the process of planting my own garden using some homemade compost and I was so impressed- or should I say GREEN with envy. :) They also had a little shop where art students from ASU could come and display their work. The resident artist for that week was a lady that worked in textiles and wanted to somehow incorporate her work into the community and the outdoors. The month prior she had a community open-house where she invited people young and old to come and knit/crochet blocks to be pieced together into a quilt. Then, with those quilts she took them to this farm and literally wrapped them around some of the huge oak trees they have growing there. They looked like huge tree warmers. Each tree had a theme and I thought they were beautiful. I will go back and see if I can take some photos.

And then to top it off, for those of you who don't know, Dallin and Mikayla are raising money to go to DC with Mom and Dad in May. So, to begin the great endeavor they decided to have a bake sale at the park on Monday the 19th- Martin Luther King day. It was a day we anticipated having the park full of people - mostly kids wanted a treat. So being the wonder-woman Mom is we stayed up making her incredible rice crispy treats (with her special ingredient), peanut butter and snickerdoodle cookies. And thank you to Jaris and Launi for your help. I couldn't have done it without them. I'm sure you all know how these "kid" projects turn out. It's more like "mom, grandma, aunt, dad and anyone else Mom can find to help" projects. It was a good experience.

So my next big project? Since I really don't have that much to do -ya, right- other than planning a family reunion, Matt and I are doing some family room renovating. It's like this - we have one more child than room and we need some space for an office. And since we have a front room we just aren't using, why not make it smaller and put in an office? I'm actually very excited so I'll be sure to post some pictures.

Have you all fallen asleep yet? Maybe this post was more for me than you. It's nice to have what I've been doing written down somewhere. One day I will look back and be glad I took the time, right? xoxox to all! Me

Thought for the day: The more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people. -Vincent van Gogh

If ye are prepared ye shall not fear

2009-01-14T19:02:00.000-08:00

So just the other day a good friend of mine came over for a visit. During the conversation she invited me to a preparedness fireside that she was having that night in her stake, which happened to be my old stake. Can I just tell you, I was not even prepared for what I heard. The speaker's name was Wendy Dewitt and she was phenomenal! I left feeling so empowered you can bet in no more than 4 months I WILL have my years food storage supply for my whole family. People! This is so doable! Everything she gave us was so detailed and exciting. With her program you could be having shepard's pie, sweet and sour chicken, chicken alfredo, apple crisp, brownies, chocolate chip cookies - even bottled citrus (which I am dying to try). She gave us a booklet with all the references and resources that we need to do everything down to the last teaspoon of salt. For those of you who are interested her website is: everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com. Take a look and I know you'll be glad you did.

Thought for the day: A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people promptly announces she never did care for pie. Tenneva Jordan

Don't you love being a mom?

Hooray for Saturday!

2009-01-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

Today I will be spending the day with friends. No cleaning, washing, drying, mowing, vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing, or wiping - other than Ellie's bum. No, today is a day that has been long over due. Mikayla, Ellie and I will be sharing a play date with our dear friends Tanya, Talia and Tianna. These are friends of ours that were our neighbors at our last home. They are some of our best friends and we love being at their home. Plans? For now it will be eating great food, rearranging furniture and just getting caught up on each others lives. Something I have missed. So, to all who still have Saturday chores to do I have one word for you - DON'T! Instead call up a friend and go to brunch at some fantastic little farmers market or if you are lucky enough to live where snow is a frequent visitor this time of year, go warm up, catch up and enjoy the moment over a warm cup of cocoa. xoxoxo to all!

Thought for the day: What not to do - worry. As my mom has told me, worry is like rocking in a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere. :)

Okay - So here I go!

2009-01-08T04:20:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you and to me too! My motto for this year - 2009 is mine! I now take ownership of myself and my decisions. You see for too long I have been listening to all those ugly little negative voices in my head and I'm just now realizing that I do not like where it has taken me. Don't get me wrong. I feel extremely blessed in every area of my life, but I feel like I've just been coasting on good and like President Hinckley always said - we need to be better! So, bare with me while I brain storm a bit.

How-I-will-be-better-not-just-your-normal-new-year's-resolutions-list! WHEW!

1. LIVE ON PURPOSE!

2. Find joy in the little things.

3. Don't be so hard on myself.

4. Send more little notes.

5. Make more calls to family.

6. Develop my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior through scriptures and personal prayer.

7. Look for the good in others and build on that.

8. Exercise everyday for at least 1 hour.

9. Cook and eat healthy for myself and for my family.

10. Read a good book every month.

11. Read the Ensign every month.

12. Post at least once a week on my blog.

13. Take time to stop and listening when someone-especially my little people-need to talk. There are so many things that can wait and body language says so much.

14. Put me back on the list.

15. Have date night with Matt.

16. Have date night with my kids.

17. Bake more bread.

18. Eat more cookies! -Especially the wheat chocolate chip ones.

19. Compliment not criticize.

20. Seek and pray for opportunities to share the gospel.

21. Serve more with my family.

22. Reduce piles.

23. Have bake sales with my kids.

24. Go to the park more.

25. Say "no" less.

26. Love my life!

So there you have it. A few of the things that have been on my mind and things that I want to see happen in my life. And good luck to you and all your ambitious endeavors. I love you all! Thanks for the patience and encouragement with this blog thing. I'll get there. xoxo to all!

Thought for the day: Find a way or make a way - Get up now and seize the day!

A few more pictures of my little world.

2009-01-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

I think I'm getting the hang of this. Thanks for your help Jen.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-06T14:01:00.000-08:00

We finally did it. After I don't know how long we finally got a serious family picture taken. I have been meaning to send them out with our Christmas letter but decided that I just shouldn't wait any longer. So - here it is. Enjoy. And as far as resolutions are concerned, my number one is........... post. I will be doing more of it. xoxoxo to all -Lindy

You've got to hear this

2008-12-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

So pick yourself up off of the floor. It is me, Lindy, not Mikayla, and I needed to post this so you could all listen to this amazing song. A friend of mine sent it to me and I was so impressed by the emotion I felt I knew you would all love it. Enjoy!

www.joytoeveryone.com

Hi

2008-11-07T22:35:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone reading! It is officially yours truly, MIKAYLA WILSON! Ba-para-Baaa!I rarely get to be on the blog, so I want to contribute an article to...myself! Ha! As you all know (but maybe not) November 6th was OFFICIALLY my birthday! So more the reason I should be typing about myself. Hope you all send me presents (That's A joke; take it in reasonably, and breath, 2, 3, 4...)!

Luv U All! Mua!
OXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
-Mikayla Wilson

P.S.: PLEASE don't tell my mother I did this!

Tribute to Matt

2008-10-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

For those of you who didn't know, today is Matthew's birthday. And since I haven't posted in eons, I decided this would be a great way to redeem myself. So...Happy Birthday to my babe! I love you and everything about you. I love our life together and look forward to many many more of those yummy carrot cake birthdays - (thanks Mother Tammy for the family tradition). So blow out those candles and lets dance! Love you the most. Love, Me

Hurry! They're sleeping!

2008-09-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

So i figured I would try to get something written before the wee ones woke up and before the others came home. Today has been quite the day to say the least. The wonderful world of communication never ceases to amaze me and as hard as I try sometimes, more often than not, I find myself either misunderstanding or being misunderstood. My mother told me that there just isn't any more peace in the world and that everyone, yes everyone, is going through some kind of hard time. i couldn't agree more. Therefore, this post, will remain quite simple. You see, someone once said, what do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other? I am grateful for mothers and mothers-in-law who can see the picture clearly and do their best to help you feel like you are doing yours; for husbands who support without judgement and love unconditionally; for friends and family that push through the muck, staying true to their convictions, without questioning the source or the reason . And for best friends that are willing to give me one more chance. I love you all.

Maybe you should sit down.

2008-08-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

Okay so this is it. Last night I was checking my email and low and behold there is an email from Mikayla's new activity days leader. Ladies and gentlemen- if she can do it - SO CAN I! I agree with the fact that this has gotten to be completely ridiculous and even though I have no camera to post beautiful pictures of my children, I can start somewhere. So, here it goes! Just be patient and I'll do my best!

What?! Matt and Lindy posted another blog?!?

2008-07-30T21:49:00.000-07:00

Hello, world. Meet the newest member of our family...

2008-04-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

We are happy to introduce Elizabeth (Ellie) Dawn Wilson. Born just after 2am on April 20th. She weighed in at a whopping 9lbs. 1oz. at the end of a complication-free labor. Both she and Lindy are doing very well, a little tired, but that's to be expected. We want to thank everyone for the phone calls, emails and love. It has meant a lot to us. Even the nurses and Doctor who helped us were some of the best we have ever had. Except for the one ugly nurse who couldn't find Lindy's vein for the I.V.

I know you've been dying to see what she looks like. Well, as you can tell, she really doesn't look like any of our other kids (that we can see). She filled the black hair slot, the only one left after a blonde, brown and 2 reds. Now we're just waiting to see what crazy spirit and personality quarks she brings with her. We haven't ceased to be surprised by the other ones.

Mikayla, Dallin and Spencer are all very excited about the baby. Dallin has been praying for a healthy baby, reluctantly adding "Even if it is a girl." Megan, on the otherhand, is a little more unsure of what's going on. She's got a little Jeckyl-and-Hyde thing going on. One minute she's a Beauty and the next...the Beast. I'm sure she just needs to get used to the fact that she's not the only thing in Mom's life anymore. We'll see how it goes.

Megs goes crazy

2007-11-04T19:05:00.000-08:00

Here's our little Mea Mea in her typical goofy fashion. Maybe she got it from her older brother...

Home Pics

2007-10-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

OK, since everyone has been dying to check out our new home (and we just flat out got tired of waiting for people to come down here and see it for themselves), here are a few photos to tide you over until you actually DO come down. So you know, we now have an extra bedroom for people to sleep in, although it's covered with books and boxes right now. But if we know someone's coming, we'll have that all cleaned up, we promise.

Anyway, we hope you enjoy the pics as much as we're enjoying the new home. Note: the furniture is not ours- these photos were shot before we moved in, bummer I know.

We do love it- it's a better area than our previous home. Some of you have heard a few of the stories. We had to keep a lot of them quiet so as to not upset mom.

Hey, everybody!

2007-10-21T23:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome everyone and Happy Halloween! It's about time you all joined us on this blog thing. Here's a shot of our kids, dressed up for the Halloween party. Lindy and I were the scariest of all.