O-kay.....your total is $18.00

Yes!!! I got this skirt and pair of shoes...plus nylons for 18 bucks!! Here's the scoop......On Saturday, Bob and I headed to Salem for a CES (Church Education System) conference. The invitation said to wear clothes that would be comfortable for a day-long conference. I personally don't consider wearing a dress or dress pants as "comfortable". Soooo.... I opted for a nice dark blue pair of jeans and a nicer t-shirt with a sweater. Bob told me that I should probably wear a dress. But, of course....I didn't listen and fervently tried to convince him what "comfortable" meant. He stood by his morals and wore a nice shirt and dress pants. We got to the place a little early, so we sat in our car for a while...watching to see what people were wearing. I started seeing people walk into the building. They were wearing suits and ties and skirts!!! Oh my goodness!! My heart started racing, palms started sweating.....what was I going to do??? It was 8:35, the conference started at 9:00.....hmmm....I saw a Walmart on the way in.....would they have a skirt? I told Bob to go in and register us and that I was going to run to Walmart for a skirt. He rolled his eyes and thought I was nuts....but...off he went. I frantically ran into Walmart...there were a couple of skirts....nothing else....I went back to the skirts and noticed that one was brown....I had on a brown t-shirt....it might work!! I tried it on...hurray it fit (not too flattering...but good enough)!! I ran around looking for nylons and brown shoes.....then off to the check out counter....the lady said, "OK...your total comes to $18.00" I got big wide eyes and said, "Are you SERIOUS??? That's fantastic!!" She gave me an odd look and said, "Yes, Walmart is a wonderful place to shop". Ha -there you have it! I ran into the bathroom (yes, the Walmart bathroom.....desperate times call for desperate measures) ...made a quick change and headed back to the church. I shuffled in right when the opening prayer was being said. Bob was amazed!! Actually....so was I! Later that day I went into the bathroom at the church and looked at myself in the mirror. I was horrified at how HIDEOUS I looked!! (although, the picture doesn't look that bad) The flowers on the skirt looked soooo big and bold (plus they were bright red and orange...I didn't notice this before!). I also didn't notice the length was a little too long for my short stubby legs....it was almost to the GROUND!! My shoes were totally the wrong color of brown and were KILLING my feet. After a little chuckle to myself....I sucked in my breath and headed out the door for the rest of the conference. Lesson learned......if it has to do with the church....dress your best...you'll never go wrong!! But hey....you can get a pretty good last minute bargain at Walmart!

Learning the gospel can be fun!

Today was the last day of the semester for my seminary class. Boy-oh-boy I have had a BLAST!! These young men and young women are so excited about life and the gospel. I have also really loved reading the Old Testament.....can it be?? (Bob....you can now pick your jaw up off the ground.) My testimony and understanding have taken off to amazing heights. Wow!! I will miss a lot of these kids next semester (good ole shifting of new class schedules). It's been great to teach again and I'm forever grateful for the opportunity to get to know each and every one of these fantastic and amazing teen-agers!! Now...on to next semester!!! I'm off to study the book of Ruth. Click on the pictures to make them bigger so you can see all their fun faces....they are sooo much fun!!!

Showing off our daily scripture reading tracking "ARK" We managed to bring in the majority of animals....phew...thank goodness!

Who can explain this?

60 women vs. 3 men

It was Friday afternoon, Bob comes home for lunch and finds me staring at the computer, still not dressed, dishes still in sink, house a mess. What does a guy do?? Well....He proclaims with a strong voice, "Julie, I am going to get off right at 5:00 today and we're going on a date!" Hurray!!! (not the romantic days of college.....but, I'll take it!) I tell him there's a new movie out today called 27 Dresses that looked kind of cute. He, of course, is not really into the girly, chick-flick movies (those should just be seen on DVD....why do you need a big screen for those.....it's Borne Ultimatum, Harry Potter, Pirates.....those are big screen ones!) But, after looking one more time at the house, and then at me....remember, no shower yet....He agrees to go.

As we walk into the movie theater, all we see are rows and rows of women...HA!! Bob makes an under-breath sarcastic comment about being the only guy and I start cracking up. Walking to my seat, I see an older gentleman sitting with his wife....see Bob, you're not the only one. Later, I see another guy slunched down with his sweatshirt hood on (I think that's what Bob wanted to do!) Anyway....that makes 2+Bob=3. That was it! After doing a quick "look around the room" count....there were around 60 women. I look over at Bob and just feel giddy. What a great guy!

The movie was fun and we liked it....but had a few too many swear words for my absolute stamp of approval. It was just sooooo much fun being there with Bob (and 60 women + 2 other guys). I seriously left that movie theater feeling like I wanted to skip. I know that must sound pathetic! I am finding that these little moments of joy are what matters most to me. Oh, I love the grand scale trips to the coast or Hawaii...but really, it's just these fun and dorky dates that can completely turn me around. And, to make the evening even better.....when we came home, we heard the vacuum cleaner going.....The kids had the house practically cleaned!! Holy Cow!!

Can't fool me!

I'm dedicating this comic to Bob. Ha-Ha!! Bob and the kids have relinquished to the fact that whenever we go to Utah.....I just HAVE to go to a few of my favorite stores....otherwise any kind of delay or other activities are considered a blatant plot to keep me from going. They can't fool me!!! I almost laughed my head off and squeeled with delight a couple of years ago when Bob came into the room with our budget for our trip to Utah and there was a little line-item for shopping. Bob....you're the best!!

Nothing's impossible for the Boy Scouts of America!

For a person who prefers to be in a motor home for her camping experience.....this adventure is just plain phsycotic!! But, to boys....it's fun. Nathan and Bob headed up to Mt. Hood and spent Friday night in the snow for a scout campout. There were 13 boys and 3 leaders who managed to survive the freezing temps. I had the worst night sleep because I was worrying about them and then I woke up early to turn on the news....was there a story about having to rescue a lost, idiotic scout troop who thought it would be cool to pitch tents in the snow? No....They all managed to have a blast. They loved throwing snowballs and making snowmen. Everyone was drenched and cold....but...nothing could be better!

Pounding down the snow so they could pitch their tents....Were did Nathan go?? (right) Littlest boy in troop disappears in snow!

Wow!!! Look how much work. Now I hope it doesn't rain...it will be a floating tent in the snow bowl.

It's over...the fun...it's just over

Yesterday Nathan came home from school and dropped on the couch with tears in his eyes. I asked him what was wrong and he said, "Ohh...it's over." My mind started racing....what was he talking about.....did he have a girlfriend all this time I didn't know about??? So, I asked, "What's over?" He said, "The fun....it's just over" He then sadly told me how he had almost started to cry several times throughout the day because Christmas break was over. Poor guy had so much fun over the Christmas holiday with his dad, playing with friends and just hanging out.....now nothing is good.....just back to school, homework and piano. You know, I feel the same way!!! But, life is still fun....just have to find/make it. He was up this morning revin' to go. I just love my little sensitive home-boy :)

2008...2008...GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!!!

I can't believe it's 2008!!! We have determined that this is going to be the "year of the Nate"

(because Nate rhymes with "8").

Our New Year's eve started off with Nathan and Bob driving around the neighborhood for 4 hours collecting Christmas trees for their Scout fundraiser. Then, the rest of the afternoon was spent getting ready to PARTY!!! Amanda planned out a "pre-stake dance" party with a couple of friends.....and we were lucky to have it over here!!! Special thanks to Mom and Dad Tomlinson for the fondue fountain....super fun for parties!! Boy was it fun to watch all these fun teenagers goof off and socialize. Even Nate and Toby got into the action. When they finally all left for the dance... it was dead SILENT!! We turned on the TV and just layed on the couch watching Dick Clark's Rockin New Year's eve. At 12:00 Nathan, Bob, Toby and I all toasted with our sparkling grape juice and cheered. Then, I text-messaged Amanda "Happy New Year" and she texted us back.....yes....I have succumbed to being part of the text-message world. It is very, very difficult for me and my big fat fingers!! But, I am determined to at least try :)

The fountain works!!

A little "Wii" action, some on the floor ping-pong, and the other side of the room was a mad game of foose-ball. Lot's of people....tiny room.....priceless!

A classic!

Fun Gang!!

Partying with the Bobster. I just can't have any fun without him!!

Now....here's a partying group. I don't know what's going on with my smile???? I think I was hypnotized by the light on the camera or something. Although, looking at us again...we all look a bit off. I wonder.........?????