A Morales Minute

Mom has been wanting to do another theme movie night with us. A day this week suddenly came available since basketball games were done. I told mom we could do it this Friday and she was on the go getting things ready for it.  Her themed foods were so cute. Look at this porcupine! It was a yummy dinner and then we watched Harry and the Hendersons. Aidan and Tyler had never seen it and it's been years since Jaime and I watched it. So it was a fun movie to watch. The boys said they actually liked it, like they expected not to like such an old movie. hahaha.  

Time for our annual family Valentine's Day dinner. What turned out as something I did for my kids when they were little has turned in to something that they look forward to as teenagers! Picking different themes for the dinner is always fun. Fondue is still the favorite I think but they enjoy whatever it is I end up doing. This year we went with an Asian flare food dinner. Aidan and Tyler were excited for it.  We had spring rolls, chicken dumplings, wonton soup, fried rice, steak and cabbage stir fry, orange chicken, and broccoli. It was all delicious. I didn't make it all though. We bought the dumplings, spring rolls, wontons, and orange chicken. I made the steak and cabbage stir fry, and fried rice. But then I made desserts too. :) Not asian desserts just yummy treats. I made strawberry marshmallow filled chocolate cookies and strawberry Rice Krispies treats. Then I placed coconut rolls and strawberry yogurt covered pretzels alongside them. I had a bowl of fortune cookies jus...

Kindra Whitemarsh was one of Lindsey's young women leaders. She's always had a way with teenagers of making them feel like they matter. She loves them with all her heart. She was going to Rexburg to see her son and stopped in to see all "her girls." I gave her Lindsey's address and she stopped in to surprise her with a Valentine's hug. I loved it! I'm grateful for the people who have positive impacts on my children's lives.   

I started the year off running. Maybe not literal running but I spent a lot of time getting things lined up for Olivia and Chaz's wedding. Looking for venues, contacting the florist, rental companies, photographers, caterer, bridal shop...list keeps going! Some days I'd spend well over an hour just making phone calls, answering texts, and writing emails for planning the wedding.   We're doing things a little different this time. Rather than me planning it inch by inch. We've rented a venue and that pretty much comes with the caterer and wedding planner! A lot of the smaller details are included in it like dishes, linens, set up and take down. Having made contacts for Lindsey's wedding I already knew where to turn to for flowers and photographer. However our photographer ended up not being able to help us out so we've looked elsewhere from recommendations of friends. I think we have booked an excellent photographer and she will be taking photos of the "first...

Two months ago Aunt Laurel (my dad's baby sister) received a brain cancer diagnosis. It was an aggressive and non classifiable type of glioma. It affected her optic nerves resulting in complete loss of vision. Radiation efforts proved ineffective. January 30th our brave aunt lost her battle with cancer. She is finally able to rest and be at peace. I'm glad she's no longer suffering and can see again. I know she was happy to see her parents and her sister who she said just a back in November when she was in the hospital that she was missing them.  Dad rented and 8 passenger SUV. Thursday morning Jaime drove me, Dad, Mom, Elizabeth, Jocelyn, and Lori to Malad, Idaho. Uncle Curtis was supposed to be the 8th passenger but unfortunately he came down ill and wasn't able to go.  Friday morning Jaime, Brian, and I went for a walk. We walked by Grandma and Grandpa's old house. It's barely changed and it made all our childhood memories come flooding back.  The funeral was...

My little buddy just hopped up on the barstool next to me. He really is my shadow. The cutie meter just peaked and is overloaded!! He's just too perfect and cute! I love him so much. 💚