My page...

I've had some questions about the pages I upload to my blog. I'm new at this and still experimenting but I have put a lot of thought into my current system of documenting life...

I don't have a lot of time and I didn't want to spend a fortune on printed books or supplies to scrapbook (plus I hate the mess of papers and cut-outs around my home). So I've come to the following solution...

I create 8.5 x 11 scrapbook pages in adobe photoshop. I print out the pages with my new high-quality photo printer and insert the pages into clear protectors in a leather binder. Then I post the pages to my blog to share with all of my family and friends. I LOVE my new system because it only takes me about an hour a week to update my blog and scrapbook! Plus I always have an updated book in my home at all times. When I have kids I will probably just print out an additional page for each child and make their own family history/srapbook. It's also quite cost effective, each page costs about $.44 for paper and ink.

So that's my time-reducing, penny-pinching, easy-as-pie solution to blogs/scrapbooks/journals/histories/etc.

Here's some tips...
Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 is $80 at WalMart or Costco. The program is amazing and will help you edit photos and create scrapbook pages. But there are lots of other programs out there too.
Photo printers have come down in price and Epson, Kodak, Canon and others offer nice printers for $100-$200. I chose a printer with 6 ink cartridges - makes more vivid colors and saves money by only replacing the cartridge that is low.
Digital Scrapbooking has become huge and there are hundreds of websites that offer free supplies. I check out those sites and download paper and embelishments to use on my pages.

Hope that gives you some tips and some insight into my madness.

Winter in Mesquite

Merry Christmas

Toys & Parties

A special thanks to my little friend Hailey who helped me shop for 32 kids! We made trip after trip and she was such a trooper! Well besides the golf tourney, shopping for families, and attending a few parties... I also read all 4 of the Twilight books. So Mark hasn't been fed a decent dinner in weeks. Sorry! But 'tis the season and I'm enjoying it.

Golf Fore Kids

I help run a tournament each year that raises toys for needy families in the area. We usually raise around $40,000 - $50,000 in toys and we had a wonderful response again this year. Three golf courses participate and donate the course for the day. The only fee to golfers is to bring toys. We have a luncheon afterwards that is donated as well. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible!

Lights and Losing a Bet

This will be our 4th Christmas in our home - but our first year with lights! I finally talked Mark into putting them up. And I love it!

And another funny thing... Mark likes the Cowboys and our neighbor boy (Carson) likes the Steelers. They are always giving each other a hard time. Mark lost a bet and had to wear this jersey around today. He is such a character.

Birthday Girl

Thanksgiving Weekend

WEDNESDAY we left for my parent's house and got there about midnight. We stayed up talking and laughing, it's always nice to be home.

THURSDAY we had Thanksgiving lunch just after noon, I love my mom's Thanksgiving meal, it just seems perfect! Mark and my brothers decided to have a weight contest to see who could gain the most pounds during dinner. We had an official weigh in before and after. Mark won by gaining 8 pounds!!! Yes, that's correct. But have no fear he lost it by the morning - which wouldn't have happend with me! The family hung out the rest of the day and Mark went to visit his mom and some family that was at her house.

FRIDAY Mark and I took Derek into Salt Lake and spent the day shopping. We also went to Temple Square and met Mark's family to see the lights. I love Christmas and especially the lights around the Temple.

SATURDAY was a busy day! We had a dance lesson in the morning by my parents and grandparents. Travis and Kyle invited dates and we had 7 couples total. We learned the fox trot, swing, waltz and salsa. My parents and grandparents are wonderful dancers and it was really fun. I've danced quite a bit, but it was Mark's first time and I was way more impressed than I had planned on. It turned out fun and to be a really good workout! Afterwards we had lunch at my mom's and got to know Travis and Kyle's dates a little better. then my grandparents, mom, sister and I went to see Ballet West perform the Nutcracker. When I was little I danced in the Nutcracker 6 times and I have always loved it! They had a live orchastra and I found myself watching the violins sometimes. In the evening we dipped homemade chocolates, another favorite Christmas tradition. We made almond joys, mint, cherries, carmels, turtles, peanut butter, mint clusters, and chocoate centers. It was a full day!

SUNDAY Mark and I went to the Salt Lake Tabermacle to see Music and the Spoken Word. It was very nice and again I was excited to see the live orchastra and watch the violins. It makes me want to practice. We stopped my Mark's Mom's on the way home and visited for the afternoon. It was a fun filled weekend and always great to see family.

4 Trees in 1 Week!

Festival of Trees

This week was busy as usual. Tuesday I set up an auction tree for the Festival of Trees, I think it turned out really cute. Wendesday I went to Bunkerville to attend a YW in Excellence Program - just there to represent the stake. Thursday I went to the Festival of Trees again to support Roberta, one of my YW, who was playing the viola. Kyle and I met Heather there and we spent a while looking at all the cute trees and craft booths. Friday I got all my Christmas decorations out and put up the tree in my house. I love Christmas!
Saturday Kyle and I went to St. George to have lunch at Cafe Rio and do some shopping. We then went to Hurricane and both Kyle and I got to see some old friends. Onjali and I went to a wedding reception to visit another friend Leesha. It was so fun to visit with the girls from middle school, brings back old memories. I completed my Math class this week and finished my economics reading. So I am really close to the semester being over!

Las Vegas Baby!

Since it was Veteran's Day this week, Mark didn't have school on Tuesday. He switched days working at the Pharmacy and got Saturday off... a rare occation. So we had a fun filled day and enjoyed every minute we had. Mark, Alex and Kyle got up at 5:30am to go golfing. Heather and I met at 8:00am for Breakfast at Wolfcreek. We then went to get pedicures at Skinvinsible. I took a picture of my toes - and they just aren't really pretty close up. I wouldn't say I have ugly feet... just didn't want you looking too closely. Anyway, after the spa and golfing Mark, Kyle and I headed to Vegas. We did a session in the Las Vegas Temple and it was really beautiful. We drove down to the strip and had dinner at P.F. Chang's - which is my favorite! After lettuce wraps, mongolian beef and lo mein we walked around for hours just visiting and seeing the sites. We especially liked the Bellagio watershow which is always beautiful. We had a nice day together but were glad to get home and get to bed!

A Birthday and YW Excellence

My great-grandma really is great! She turned 99 yesterday and is still going strong. My Grandma Florence is classy and has "outfits" not just shirts and pants. She always has chocolate for us when we go visit and always insists that we eat it. When I was younger we used to play in the canal in her backyard and play dress up in her basement. I have lots of fond memories of riding my bike to her home when I was little. Grandma has always been great companies and is fun to talk with because of her positive attitude. Happy Birthday Grandma!

We had our YW in Excellence Program tonight. The theme was "Steady and Bright as the North Star." A few of my beehives came over last night to help me make these cute stars. It was sad for me because it will be my last real week as the 2nd counselor in our Ward Young Women's Presidency. I cried, big suprise for those of you who know me well. I sure love my girls and will miss them lots!

Quick Summary

Here's a quick summary of the week...

TUESDAY my Beehives came over to help make decorations for YW Excellence. Mark and Kyle were really nice to help out. We were making origami stars and they took awhile. Then we went for Baskin Robins Ice Cream - $1.00 kiddie cones on Tuesdays!

WENDESDAY I went to my Photoshop class then went with the Young Women trick or treating for cans. We were helping the high school interact club restock the food bank before the holiday season.

THURSDAY I had a Stake YW Meeting (yes I am trying to do both ward and stake for the time being). It was a nice meeting and we got lots accomplished... which means I have lots to do!

FRIDAY I took a Proctored Math test then Kyle and I helped at the Zone Soccer Tournament. We were part of a greeting committee that handed out goodie baskets to all the coaches and welcomed the teams to Mesquite. We have new soccer fields and it's a really nice location.

SATURDAY after cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping, Kyle and I took the Jones and Peterson kids to see Madagascar II. It was pretty cute and quite entertaining. Plus I love movie theatre popcorn! (Yes, I know how bad it is - but I only have it a few times a year.) When Mark got off work we headed to the St. George temple then went to eat at the Olive Garden.

SUNDAY I visited another ward and sat in on their Young Womens. Then I attended our ward. I have a meeting tonight to help plan next summer's camp ruth.

Kyle and Mark are playing Pac Man and I'm thinking I might need a quick nap to get me through next week!

4th Picture Tag

So, Laurel tagged me. I was supposed to find the 4th picture from the 4th folder in my pictures folder, explain, and then tag 4 other people.

This picture is from last spring when we drove to Salt Lake with our friends Alex and Heather and watched the Jazz vs. the Bulls. Alex is a big Jazz fan and Mark (was) a Bulls fan because he likes Big Ben Wallace! (This is Ben warming up before the game.) I think Mark actually just likes his hair... see the picture below. Mark was bummed that Ben has his hair in corn rows instead of fro'd. We had great seats (thanks to my boss Brian who has connections) and it was a really fun weekend.
Sorry I cheated and posted more than one picture. I tag... whoever wants to do it.

Happy Halloween

Wednesday for Young Women's we painted pumpkins. They turned out really cute and individual. I will really miss my little girls!

Thursday we went to Thriller at Tuacahn and I loved it for the 3rd time! It is such a great show, but I love anything with dancing. Odessey dance company is amazing and if you haven't seen it, you should!

Luckily the freaky girls mostly left us alone... they did sit on Kyle's lap once.

Friday we handed out candy. We are kind of boring and don't dress up or anything. Luckily Kyle carved two pumpkins for us so our house looked kind of festive.

Big News!

(And no I'm not pregnant... ) I have a new church calling! I will be serving in the Stake Young Women's Presidency. I have been called as the Stake Secretary and I am really excited. It's bitter sweet because I will really miss my girls, but I will stay involved with my ward's activities and sit in on lessons occationally. We met on Sunday and were set apart by the Stake Presidency. The women I am working with are wonderful and I am really looking forward to the new advanture. I just hope I can stay sane with all the new responsibility. I am thinking of all the firesides, standards nights, camps, trek, camp ruth, etc. and I hope I can contribute and make a difference. Wish me luck!

Ward Party

Last night we had a ward party: chili and cornbread cook-off. We brought our neighbors, the Jones, because their parents were gone for the day. It was a really fun evening. I don't make chili and the only cornbread recipe I have is off the back of the cornmeal - really original! So I brought chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

I ended up being a judge for the chili contest. And I told them I shouldn't be a judge because I like everything! The food was really good and I enjoyed it all. My cookies ended up winning first place for the desserts, so thanks for the recipe mom! We played a few games and some people carved pumpkins. The Jones had two pumpkins and my brother Kyle was great to find them cool patterns online and help the kids carve. It was our homecoming this week as well. We attended the parade but skipped some of the other events. They had an amazing program for the students to help discourage drunk driving. They reenacted a crash scene with medical personnel and a fight for life helicopter and everything! They even "killed" a few students and booked one into jail. I heard it was really emotional and hopefully the kids remember it.

Well, hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!

Park City!

I left last Wendesday to spend a long weekend with my family. I met them in Park City and we stayed for a few days and had lots of fun just relaxing! We swam, walked around the old town, rode the trolley, shopped at the outlets, and went to the olympic village. I really like Park City and especially the outlets which were having killer deals. Mark wasn't able to come because of school and work and my brothers missed him.Saturday early morning my mom, dad, brother and I went to the Ogden temple to do a session. It was their stake conference weekend and the entire session was filled with their stake. Several people thought I was Jamie and were wondering how she got in the temple. We look similar but I don't think that much! Saturday afternoon we went to Quinn and Derek's soccer games. That evening we attended the stake adult session of conference. And Sunday we drove to the Ogden Tabernacle for the general stake session. It was a busy weekend but it was fun to see my family.

I brought my brother Kyle home to live with us until Thanksgiving. He's waiting for a torn ACL to heal before he can leave on his mission. He's working with me at the golf course to keep him busy. So we are going to try to do some fun things while he's here.

To Do Lists are Overrated

Sorry for the last semi-depressing post. But I do appreciate all your comments and suggestions. I thought I would share what my dad e-mailed me. He's very insightful.

"Lists belong to each of us and they do help us get things done, but it was also a very detailed list the Jews had that was criticized by the Savior when he called them hypocrites and sinners. In many ways, their “list” caused them to look beyond the mark and not recognize the Savior for who He was. We all must be careful about that—to not think that exaltation comes from accomplishing a list, but by trusting and believing in a Savior who is the author of our salvation."

So to those of you who may tend to be a little obsessive compulsive like myself, just remember LISTS ARE OVERRATED! My boss once told me a joke and said "I just found out what's wrong with you Mindee, you're CDO." I said, "Don't you mean OCD." He said, "No you're CDO because it is OCD alphabetized!" I just laughed because everyone at work teases me.

If only I had time...

I'm trying not to wallow in self-pity, I'm just kind of depressed that I don't have time to do some of the things I want to. I am very thankful for my life and all the things I've been blessed with. I just wish I had an additional 10 hours in my day!

My weekdays start just before 6:00am and I'm to work by 7:00am. I work until 4:00 or 5:00pm and head home. At that point I want to relax for a few minutes, but instead I hurry and do some homework. I take a break at 6:15 to try and get something fixed for dinner by 7:00pm when Mark gets home. Some days the creativity in cooking is pretty weak! I usually do homework for another couple hours, go for a quick run, read scriptures, say prayers, brush teeth and pass out. Wednesday's I teach three piano lessons and have a YW Activity which takes 2 hours by the time I pick up and drop off all my girls. Saturdays I clean, do laundry, pay bills, grocery shop, and work on any large school projects or papers. Sundays we mostly sleep and I occationally sit down for a few minutes and play the piano.

I am super lucky to have a wonderful job. And even more lucky that we can live in a beautiful home and drive reliable cars. We are blessed to be able to go to school and have church callings working with great people. But needless to say I want time to do other things.

My list of 10 things I would do if I had 10 more hours!
1. Read just for fun -Not because I have a paper to write or test to take.
2. Take a fitness class at the rec center - They offer lots of great classes that I would like to try including spinning and kick boxing.
3. Paint - I have taken quite a few classes and really enjoy doing acrylic on canvas, but I haven't completed a painting in three years!
4. Help coach the high school girls soccer team - I used to play, but don't even know if I could kick a ball anymore.
5. Try new recipes - I enjoy cooking but have hit survival mode meals. Only quick and easy dishes get prepared in my kitchen anymore.
6. Attend the temple once a week - we try for once a month, but even that doesn't happen some months.
7. Start a garden - I have grand plans and I'm determined to make it work next spring.
8. Piece more quilts - I have made three small quilts and I would like to do more, it's really rewarding once you're done.
9. Play the piano and violin more - I'm lucky if I play my instruments even once a week.
10. Take an institute class and learn some new doctrine. I need the extra boost of spirituality.

I could go on and on... but I'll spare you. I don't know how you moms do it! I can barely keep up with me and Mark and have no idea how it will work to have kids... hence the fact that I don't have kids. I'm just not sure what the formula is for superwoman. I mean how do you get an education, develop talents, serve in the church, get foodstorage, stay out of debt, invest for the future, eat healthy, work out, attend enrichment, take the YW to do baptisms, have a clean home, raise good kids, etc, etc. It just seems impossible to accomplish everything we are supposed to!

Sometimes I get tired of the same busy schedule week after week. I get tired of being overwhelmed and stressed and running 100 miles an hour from 6:00am until 10:00pm. But I'm trying to heed the talks from Conference, especially "to laugh" as Elder Wirthlin suggested. And to enjoy today as President Monson counseled. He's right, "If you're always looking for tomorrow you'll have a whole lot of empty yesterdays." I am happy, I guess I just wish I had a few more hours today!

Weekend

BAPTISM-Saturday Mark and I both worked most of the day but got off at 4:00pm to attend 2 baptisms. Maddie Seery is in our primary and she adores Mark. She calls him "Mystery Mark" and when her mom asked her why she said, "Cause you never know what you are going to get!" The other boy is deacon age and will be in Mark's class now. Mark was able to be a witness for the baptisms and stand in the confirmation circles. It was a really nice program.

NEW YW-At 5:00pm I had an appointment to meet with Paytan Williams and her mother. She turned 12 yesterday and will be my newest Beehive. She is really excited to be in Young Women's and the other girls are excited to have a new friend as well. Paytan is really cute and I'm excited to get to know her better. I should have taken a picture... but I didn't.

SUSHI MASA-We tried a new Restaurant this weekend. It's a new Japanese Sushi Cuisine in Mesquite and I highly recommend it! They have other things besides raw fish. Mark got a Teriyaki Chicken Combo and I got a Teriyaki Salmon Combo. It came with Miso Soup, California Rolls (semi-sushi), vinegarette cucumbers, rice, tempura shrimp & vegetables, and salad. I know it sounds like a lot of food and it was! The prices were really decent, it was $10 for each of our meals. So... if you live in Mesquite you should try it.

MUSIC FINGERPRINTS-The final thing I want to show you is the adorable gift that the primary gave Mark. He helped with Jr. Primary today before he had to teach in YM and they gave him this cute picture frame. The notes are the fingerprints of all the kids! I thought it was so thoughtful and kind of them. We are going to hang it in our piano/office room. Thank you primary!

Mark or Allen?

We hear the question a lot... What is his name, Mark or Allen? Well I'll give you a quick run down. The official name is Mark Allen West Jr. Growing up he went by Allen and is still called that by most of his family and a few high school friends.

I first met my husband and he was "Elder West" serving his mission in Chicago. He was in our ward for 8 months and we stayed friends after he went home. One day I asked him what his first name is and he said, "My real name is Mark, but I went by Allen growing up." I laughed through the phone and said, "You don't look like an Allen." Then he said, "Well you can call me Mark then."

When we got off the phone I told my family about the converstation and they all agreed that he looked like a Mark. For awhile I still called him Elder West, because that's what I'd known him as for so long. His mom used to kind of laugh when I called and asked to speak with Elder West. And I still call a lot of his Chicago missionary friends by Elder (Weston, England, Lever, etc.) Eventually I just started calling him Mark and I have ever since.

My family and all my friends call him Mark because that's how I introduce him. The ward members that knew him as Allen have mostly switched over to Mark. I try to call him Allen when we're around his dad's side of the family because it gets too confusing with two Marks, but sometimes I forget. One of his cousins called the Pharmacy asking to speak with Allen and they told her that no one works there with that name!

So basically you can call him whatever you want. Mark, Allen, Jr (his mom calls him that when he's in trouble), West (from the guys at the water district), AfroMan (the neighborhood kids), Music Teacher (Junior Primary), or just hey you. He'll respond to anything as long as he's not watching sports, because if he is he just doesn't respond to anything!

We Love Monterey!

After being gone for 10 days it took me a little while to get caught back up on things. But I wanted to post about our Anniversary trip to Monterey. I took a million pictures and added 7 new posts. So keep reading, or just looking at pictures.

SATURDAY SEPT 20 - I flew into Salt Lake for my Grandfather's funeral. I stayed with my family for the weekend and enjoyed seeing my siblings. Mark had school and work so he stayed home for a few extra days.

MONDAY SEPT 22 - My mom, dad, grandma, papa and I drove to Winnemucca, NV and spent the night. We passed the Salt Flats and a few other interesting sites. But mostly just desert roads.

TUESDAY SEPT 23 - We arrived at our resort in Marina, CA (few miles North of Monterey). We stayed in a beautiful condo right on the ocean. That evening we bought a few groceries and watched the sunset. I don't know what it is about the ocean and sunsets, but it's addicting!

Downtown Monterey

WEDNESDAY SEPT 24 - We checked out Fisherman's Warf. We walked along the docks and shopped, sampled clam chowder and enjoyed the sites, smells and sounds. There were sea lions and seals on a floating dock and they were barking like crazy! We all bought a few things and ate clam chowder in a sour dough bread bowl (the first of many bowls of chowder).
We toured some of the old downtown Monterey and saw the old restored buildings and learned about Monterey's history. They historic district is very well presented and we learned a lot.

We then drove around Cannery Row and stopped to take a few pictures and see a few things. We drove through the old, beautiful and pricey neighborhoods and all dreamed that we were millionaires!

Mark had school Tuesday and Wendesday and then drove out to meet us. He arrived just before midnight to joing the festivities.

San Fransisco

THURSDAY SEPT 25 - We left early in the morning and headed 2 hours up the coast to San Fran. We took Hwy 1 along the coast to get a scenic drive and avoid traffic. It took a little longer but was really pretty.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE - We drove the Bridge just so we could say we did it. We should have got out and taken better pictures, I only got a few shots through the bug splattered window. The second picture of the bridge is when we were on the island.ALCATRAZ - I have always been fascinated by Alcatraz Island and really wanted to go. We took the cruise ship out to the island and spent 3 hours touring the jail facilities. They have a movie, displays and a 45-minute audio tour of the jail cells narrated by prior inmates. It walks you through all the areas of the jail and tell stories and details of what daily life was like. I highly recomment it because it was superb!

PIER 39 - Like any tourists we walked to Pier 39 and checked out the sites. Again we saw sea lions & seals, ate wonderful seafood, did a little shopping and enjoyed the fresh air.
LOMBARD ST - We had to see the famous curvy street. It was beautiful and decorated with gorgeous flowers! But the real excitment was driving up and down the other steep streets around the city. I got a little nervous a few times that we would make it up the hills... I wouldn't want a stick shift car in San Fran!
OAKLAND TEMPLE - We make it a quick day so we could catch a session in the Oakland Temple. Each Anniversary trip we've done a session together and I was glad we could get it in on this trip too. The temple was beautiful and it was fun to be there with three generations and appreciate the sealing of families.