Beating the Winter Blues Idea #3!

I've been working today on my new web site. The countdown is on--It won't be long until I'll unveil it to you. I can't wait to share some cool new things I've been working on.

So--I woke up this morning and it was kinda sunny outside. And--it's actually been in the 40s today--so a lot warmer. But--winter is still here so I've got to continue sharing fun ideas.

Today I did something that made me soooooo happy! Sage got home from school early and I taught her how to made these:

Peanut Blossoms might possibly be the most heavenly cookies on the face of the earth. And--they are so easy to make.

Brecken learned how to cook at a very early age. But, somehow Sage has slipped through the cracks in learning this skill. So today Sage put on an adorable apron (thanks, Carrie Heaphy), played her favorite "happy music" (Enchanted) and we danced, sang, measured and baked our way through these cookies.

(The darling photo above would have the ugly vanilla bottle in it!)

I know your probably already have the Peanut Blossoms recipe, but just incase:

Peanut Blossoms

Beat well:

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

Add the following and beat well:

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. peanut butter

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 3/4 c. flour

1 t. soda

Form balls and roll in sugar.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8-9 minutes.

Put an unwrapped Hershey's Kiss

on top and cool.

Enjoy. Until tomorrow, stay warm!

Lisa

P.S. It would be fun if you shared your "Beating the winter blues" ideas with us. Leave me a comment!

My Fun Missionary Idea, Beating the Winter Blues Idea #2, Plus Hurry--A Fun Contest to Enter!

The response for my missionary idea was a lot more than I anticipated. I was so excited about this! Some of you left a message that you'd love the idea for an overseas military husband or a child who's an exchange student in a foreign country. Well--this got me to thinking that this is a perfect idea to do for any person who is gone for an extended period of time.

I will tell you the idea like I sent to Kade. But--please know you can adapt it for anyone.

So here's the idea. I sent a small box to Kade with 12 different colors of thread, fiber, twine or ribbon tied around the outside of the box. (I sent this the week after he left.) It looked like this:

I included a note on a tag that said:

"Red, yellow, pink, green, purple, orange and blue.

Then there's black, brown, white, gray, and don't forget Fuchsia too.

Every month (for the next 12 months) a package you'll receive,

Where every item in the box the same color will be.

Enjoy all the stuff but be sure to remember this one important thing.

You must cut a ribbon from the box; the color of contents will be the key.

In one year the ribbons will be gone,

and you can finally open the box.

A special something will be revealed,

No--I promise it won't be a pair of clean socks."

So--once a month for the next twelve months, our family is sending Kade a package that's all color coordinated. He got all green stuff in the month of February (new missionaries are called "greenies" so I had to do green first!).

For March we chose the color orange. Here's some of the stuff he's getting (Peanut Butter Captain Crunch, Cheetos, an orange tooth brush, dried mangos his favorite acne lotion which happens to be in an orange box, etc.). Next month will be purple, May will be red, and so forth--you get the picture.

I've been collecting fun tins in all the colors. This will have notes from our family tucked inside (of course written in orange pen).

This card will also be included. I added a chalked sun.

The really great part of this idea is it provides a fun theme to send in packages. We already are gathering stuff in all the other colors--and my girls are always on the lookout in stores for fun stuff. And, it's fun for Kade to look forward to a color-themed box each month with the anticipation of opening the small box after a year.

So, what's inside the box? For Kade's box, I cut out a small picture of Christ and matted it on white cardstock. (It fit exactly inside the box. Just measure the box size and cut down your picture accordingly.) On the back, I wrote Kade a note as if from Christ Himself, thanking him for his service during the past 12 months, telling him of His love for Kade and reminding him that he only has a short 12 months left. So--to keep working hard.

You could adapt this idea and write a note from a family member, a relative that's passed on , an unborn child, a hero, etc.

Okay--so there's my idea. Thanks for letting me share. It's been a super fun family activity.

So--here's idea #2 for Beating the Winter Blues. (We got so much snow today--BLAH!) I got this cute journal for my birthday (thanks, Stephanie) and decided to write in it every night.

Instead of writing the normal journal stuff, I write some type of service I did for someone that day (outside of the norm--no laundry can be recorded here). Maybe it's as simple as a text message to someone who needs cheering up or more elaborate like surprising the mail man with Krispy Kreme doughnuts! I also record five things I'm grateful for. I've LOVED this--it's easy to keep up on, reminds me to serve and makes me realize what a wonderful world we live in.

So here's the fun contest. Just check these out:

All it takes is your Silhouette, heat transfer, an iron and the item you want to add heat transfer to. And--a roll of this amazing stuff will be sent to FIVE lucky winners. But--you must act fast. Kerri is choosing a winner at around 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Go here to enter. Hum--I just might have to round up Kerri to help make girls camp sweatshirts!

Tomorrow I'll be back with another "Beating the Winter Blues" idea. I'll keep doing it until I see some serious sunshine!

Sincerely,

Lisa

The Legacy of the Sack Lunch. Plus, Beat the Winter Blahs Idea #1!

I went to the most uplifting funeral yesterday. Brent Pribil, a wonderful man who lives in my neighborhood, passed away at the young age of 44. He left behind a beautiful wife and three children. The entire services was very upbeat and I left feeling spiritually fed and like I could conquer the world. This was the front of the service program:

And this is the back:

While there were many incredible things said and I learned so many things I'd never know about Brent, this is the thing that has stuck most in my mind. In the foyer of the church, a memorabilia memorial was set up that consisted of different aspects of Brent's life. I loved it all but this one thing really hit me hard. In fact, I had to run home and get my camera to share with you.

Every morning, Brent packed a lunch for each of his children. And every day, he wrote a note, quote, word of wisdom or a little joke on a note card and stuck it to the front of the bag.

This is an original quote from Brent. In fact, it also was printed on the program.

I think he wrote this just recently--right after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Thanks, Brent, for the wonderful example you were to many people in this life. And thanks for reminding me that the simple things really are the big things.

Okay--so I've really got the winter BLAHS! This is what it looks like outside in my backyard today! It's hard to see but it's been snowing all day!

But--I can always get myself in a chipper mood despite what the weather's like outside. For the next few days, I'm going to give you a few tips for beating the blues and getting into a happy little mood.

Tip number one? Light those candles! Really--lit candles around my house just puts me in a great mood. I love the ambiance, smell and it really just makes me happy. I used to save candles for special occasions, but now I light them all the time!

This is one of my new favorite candles. It's from my favorite store, Pier One Imports, and the candle scent is Ember. Love this--it's clean and yummy. And--the Ember pillar candles are on sale right now!

Just one more thing. I had such a great response to my last blog posting that I decided to share it on my blog. I realized that it's such a fun idea, anyone could use it for a loved one who's away. So--look for the great idea tomorrow. And--another way you can beat the winter blues.

Sincerely,

Lisa

Nope--I Shouldn't Have Done It!

I made a couple of mistakes today. Last night I was at one of my favorite scrapbook stores (Heartland Paper in Bountiful, Utah) with this cute gal, Marcella Ryan from Orlando, Florida (here we are posing in the tabernacle where the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs) when . . .

I saw this kit (made by Pebbles, Inc.) and Sage convinced me to buy it. It's a fun way to countdown the day Kade will come home. All the letters have a countdown number where the sticker dots are placed. (There's also one for female missionaries.) I got the stickers out today and put them on the 31 days he's been gone. Hmmm--I just don't think this is going to work for me for a while. Looking forward it looks like a long time and made me feel kinda blue. But--stinkin' cute concept I'll resume in about a year!

Then I went up to Kade's room and made the mistake of opening his closet. "His" smell is still on some of his clothes--a combination of cologne, deodorant and probably a little sweat.

Then I made the mistake of listening to one of my favorite CDs by my pal and fellow scrapbooker, Hilary Weeks, called "If I Only Had Today."

Here are the lyrics to the song "If I Only Had Today":

It seems like I've watched a million sunsets

And stared at a thousand full moons.

Sometimes it feels like I've been here forever

And sometimes it all feels brand new.

I could never count the heartbeats

From the day I was born until now.

But not a single one goes unnoticed

By Him who breathes life in me somehow.

But if there were no more tomorrows

If I knew that I could not stay.

I know how I'd spend every moment

If only I had today.

I'd hold you and listen

And I'd let the dishes sit in the sink.

I'd tell you I loved you over and over

And for once I'd just let the phone ring.

The I'd remind you of forever

And how our love would never change.

If I only had today.

I'd wake up before the sun did

And I'd watch as you quietly sleep.

I'd pray for time to move slowly

Knowing the moment won't keep.

All the gifts that Heaven has given

Every blessing that's come my way.

Wouldn't mean anything without you

So if I only had today.

I'd hold you and listen

I'd memorize every detail of you face.

I'd tell you I loved you over and over

I wouldn't let excuses get in the way.

Then I'd remind you of forever

And how our love would never change.

If I only had today.

There's no time like the present.

Life doesn't come with any guarantees.

The sun will set and time won't wait

So while I have today:

I'll hold you and listen

And I'd let the dishes sit in the sink.

I'll tell you I loved you over and over

And for once I'll just let the phone ring.

The I'll remind you of forever

And how our love would never change.

If I only had today.

The only recording I could find on the internet was from a funeral that Hilary recently sang this song at. You can go here to hear the song.

Okay--so after all these "I shouldn't haves" today, I was feeling a little down about Kade being gone for so long. But then I realized the last verse goes to the present--"I'll" rather than "I'd" in the previous verses. Although Kade isn't here for the next two years and yes I do miss him, I do still have three other kids who I'll let the dishes sit in the sink for and I'll let the phone ring while I'm engaged in activities with them. It was a good reminder that we do have today and lucky for me I still have three other children at home!

Hope you're living in the now and enjoying today rather what was or could have been.

Happy Weekend!

Lisa

P.S. If you have or soon will have a missionary "in the field", do I ever have the neatest idea for you! It's a super fun thing I'm doing for Kade that I thought of during a sleepless night. Leave your e-mail address on a comment on this post and I'll share this cool idea with you at the first of next week!

Love Idea #7!

Tonight was a wonderful ending to a wonderful week. I invited my parents, Steve's parents and our good friends, Pam and Myron Gebhardt, over for a Valentine's Day meal. Brecken and I were in charge of the menu:

Italian Chicken

Vegetarian Lasagna

Strawberry and toasted almond tossed salad

Raspberry Fluff

Freshly Baked Italian rolls

Cherry 7-Up slush

Chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream smothered in hot fudge sauce

We all wore red, white or pink and took pictures of this love note for our missionary (Kade is called Elder Bearnson while on his mission).

I'm sad Valentine's Day is over. It's truly one of my favorite times of the year. But now I have something else to look forward to! Spring!

Thanks for joining me this week!

I'll write again soon.

Lisa

Love Idea #6!

Brecken and I have been busy little beavers wrapping paper and ribbons around the Pier One Imports white candles. We secured it using straight pins. Brecken got really creative and put pins through the candle in random hearts.

I just had to use the flowers that I showed in my post below on the candle sticks.

Here are some smaller candles. Each dinner guest will have several at these at their place setting tomorrow.

I've also been setting the table and cooking up a storm, getting ready for the big Valentine's Day meal. The beautiful roses are from my hubby . . .

. . . and these came in the mail today from my sweet Steve too. Yummy! They did have my name on it. Do I need to share???

Just had to put a smile on your face. This is Kade's little buddy, Donovan. He was Kade's constant companion for six months before Kade left on his mission. He lives a few blocks away and has been missing Kade really bad. This morning he called at the crack of dawn (seemed like it to me on a Saturday) to see if he could take Maggie on a walk. I readily agreed and he came and got the dog. Ten minutes after they left, I looked across the street and there was Donovan sitting in the mucky, rainy-snowy water trying to get Maggie to move with no luck. That dog wasn't going anywhere without one of the Bearnson family! I went out and tried to get the dog to go with Donovan. No luck! So I grabbed my camera and took a picture to send Kade. Poor Donovan and Maggie--they never went on the walk!

Now for the answer to my little question below. You all were right! It's "Head over Heals in Love." Usually I have a big "LOVE " and "head" and "heals" going through it. But, I couldn't figure out how to do this in this blogging program.

Enjoy a night of fun and love tonight. My hubby and I are going to a movie, then out for Red Mango yogurt. We are opting to stay home for dinner. It's crazy busy out there on Valentine's eve night!

Lisa

Love Idea #5!

What is this?

head

love

heals

(Send me a quick reply to see if you know! I'll post the answer tomorrow!)

Brecken did not want her photo taken here but I did it anyway! Okay--check out the adorable flower clip in her hair (can also be used on a jacket lapel).

My girlfriend, Dana Lyman, popped by yesterday to bring me and the girls these Valentine's clips. How clever is she? Different fabrics are cut into a flower shape using Ellison's Big Shot. Dana then folds them in fourths and sews them together, layer by layer. A cute gem is added in the middle.

She did a whole lesson at church to the young women on being the bright spot in another person's world. She made them all a flower to keep! (She used gray and black material signifying trials and hard times that others go through.)

Until tomorrow--hope your weekend is just lovely!

Lisa

Love Idea #4!

Sage goes to an activity day every other week with a church group her age. Yesterday she brought home this for our family for Valentine's Day. Love this clever idea! The can is from tomato sauce (covered in paper and decorated with hearts and ribbon). It is half filled with rock salt, then a styrofoam ball covered with Easter-type grass is placed on top of the salt inside the can. The flowers were cut from the Cricut and a Dum Dum sucker was threaded through the flowers and the sticks were pushed in the styrofoam ball.

Here's a close up of the top of the flowers. You could use bubble gum suckers, Tootsie pops or any type of sucker. They could be given as a favor with just the flower and sucker. So cute!

Just one more quick idea. One of the most loving things you can do with your family is play with them. I just picked up this favorite childhood game when I was in Ohio last week. We played it with friends and family on both Sunday and Monday nights--that's how fun it is! You can play with up to eight players and all ages have fun.

I haven't forgotten about sharing the candle/paper/ribbon idea. I just ran out of time today to execute the project!

Hope you're having a week filled with love and laughter.

With love,

Lisa

P.S. We got a note from the couple (called mission presidents) who are in charge of Kade. He is living in Durham for the next several weeks. If you are from there, let me know! Maybe you can give him a hot meal : ) and give him a hug from me!

Love Idea #3!

Sage went to a party a few days ago and brought home this:

I was quite smitten with the idea and it has just given me happy tingles all week. If you want it to look more like Valentine's Day, you can use a grapefruit for the base. Think how cute this would look on your Valentine's Day dinner table this Sunday!

This photo shows how the flower is in a vile of water and placed inside the fruit. Also, pins were used to attach the ribbon. Clever!

Tomorrow's idea has to do with these candles. (These are on sale right for around $4.50 at Pier One imports. The are regularly $20.00. Great deal!)

Also, these adorable ribbons . . . (American Crafts--Love it):

And this cute paper. (This came in the American Crafts Valentine's Kit along with some of the above ribbon. Hope you took advantage of that great deal! See details in a blog post below.)

Can't wait to show you what we do!

Love,

Lisa

Love Idea #2!

I gave you the perfect idea for a present for you spouse (see below). Now I wanted to give you a suggestion for your children. This doesn't look like a Valentine's Day book. But honestly, it is. A friend, Lori Chadwick, gave it to our family and it's the perfect book about love. The story is simply adorable--a must-have in every home's library.

Miss Brecken had a big change happen in her life today. She was excited about getting braces but as of this afternoon I think she's changed her mind! I made her smile big so we can get the full effect!

Stay tuned for love idea number three tomorrow!

With Love,

Lisa

My Amazing Trip. Plus Love Idea #1!

Hey Everyone!

I'm going to give you a brief (okay long) recap of my trip to Pennsylvania (Amish Country), St. Louis and Ohio. But first, this is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It's the week of LOVE and I LOVE it! Last year I showed some decorating ideas around my house. This year I'm going to share with you some of my favorite things--gifts, treats, sayings--all having to do with the big Valentine's Day.

Okay--so I'm always looking for the perfect gift for my sweetheart. I was in Ohio visiting family when two of my nieces told me about a book that's sweeping the nation. It's called "The Love Dare"--a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love. It's based around the movie "Fireproof." So--I went and bought the movie (never have seen it) and the book "The Love Dare" and can hardly wait to give them to Steve this Sunday. What a perfect gift for the two of us.

For example, day two challenges each of you to do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness. You then have a place to report your findings. Day nine has you think of a specific way you'd like to greet your spouse that day (it has to be with a smile and enthusiam).

This just seems like one of the neatest gifts you can do together. I highly recommend this book.

My trip to Amish Country was so amazing. If you ever want to go on a girl's trip, here are some of the things you should see and do (contact me if you want more information).

This is Rebecca and Sam Riehl. They are old-order Amish and their parents are good friends of mine. (The children can be in photos if they aren't baptized.) They invited us over for an Amish meal (the brown-butter noodles are my favorite!). The Riehl's have a quilt/gift shop behind their house and they love visitors. You can also check out their big red barn and see first hand the milking process. Go here for more information. Tell them Lisa Bearnson sent you! (Sorry about the not-so-good quality of photos. I took Collin's new Christmas camera and am not impressed with the results. I think it will have to go back to Costco. Thank goodness for their wondeful return policy.)

Another favorite place to visit is the Old Candle Barn in Intercourse (yes--there really is a city named this!). Missy Hurst is the owner of this wonderful gift shop and she also happens to be a good friend of mine. Tell her I sent you and she just might give you a tour of the candle-making process! It is located next to Kitchen Kettle Village--another favorite place!

You MUST stay at the King's Homestead bed and breakfast. We actually rented the cottage right next door and it was simply one of the nicest places I've ever stayed in. And--right across the street is the coolest gift shop AND scrapbook store. They are owned by this sweet lady, Miriam King, and her husband, Les.

Miriam took us to her Mennonite/Amish church in Bird in Hand. I loved the feeling there. Really a once in a life-time experience. (Visitors are welcome. The main service starts at 10:00 a.m.)

My friends and I also ate the best Italian food at this sweet gal's house. I met Therese Givens (fourth from the left) through scrapbooking and she's become a wonderful friend! By the way, the gal on the left, Jennifer Beckstrand, is a friend from high school and is in the middle of writing a Christian Amish romance novel! I took her to Lancaster to do some research. Make sure you look for her book this summer. Annette Mortensen is next to her, and my pal, Ann Hewlett (third from the right), is the girl who set my hubby and I up over 20 years ago!

I also have a dear Amish friend who cooks and serves an authentic Amish meal in her home. Let me know if you're going out that way and I'll send you her information.

There are so many other things I could tell you about my trip, but these are some of the highlights of Lancaster.

Next I went to St. Louis to be with Annette Mortensen and her family for several days. We decided to take a quick trip up to Ohio to see family members. While I was there, my niece convinced me to go to a Zumba (Latin aerobic class) at the YMCA in the small town of New Bremen. There were 20 people in the class including the instructor, my niece and me. Little did I know that the class was filled with mostly scrapbookers (not on purpose). One by one, gals were asking me at random times during the class "Are you the scrapbook lady?" or "Are you Lisa B.?" The kicker happened when I was leaving. Two ladies came running up to me and asked if I was Becky Higgins!

Okay--the really funny thing happened a few hours later. This cute lady found out I was in town and where I was staying and came by to say hi. (In a round about way she knows my nieces!) She brought her children plus two of her friends children to meet me (along with a Creating Keepsakes magazine for me to sign)!

A little while later, she brought her sister in law over. I love meeting new people and was so honored they came by to say hi.

What a FUN day! Who would have know there were so many scrapbookers in that part of Ohio. Cara, Heather (both pictured above) and my niece Chiara are thinking of putting on a charity crop in Minster or New Bremen probably next fall. For sure I'd have to go! Drop me a note if you're interested in coming (it's about an hour from Dayton) and I'll keep you posted on the details.

I also hooked up with these dear friends--Virginia and Jim Laudenbacher from Zanesville. Their daughter was a good scrapbooking friend of mine and tragically passed away a year and a half ago. They have become second parents to me. I simply adore them. (Virginia made my necklace out of church bulletins!)

Annette, Megan (Annette's daughter) and I stayed with Rachel Heaton in Air Force housing in Dayton. She was the perfect host and is a great little scrapbooker.

I also was able to have lunch with my friend, Michael Lazorchak, and his aunt, Palanita, and the local Marion, Illinois scrapbook store owner, Judy.

Michael presented me with a belated birthday gift--framed scrapbook pages with photos from our recent cruise. This is one talented guy. Love his style! Thanks, Michael.

Sorry for the long post but I just didn't know what to cut out. I'll be back tomorrow with another LOVE idea.

Until then, be warm and safe.

Sincerely,

Lisa

P.S. We were able to talk to Kade this morning (at 6:00 a.m. to be exact!). Missionaries are allowed to call from the airport on their way to their assigned destination. He's so happy and loves being a missionary. His foot hurts and the cast is a pain but he's surviving. It was so great to hear his voice. He's in Raleigh, North Carolina tonight safe and sound!

You Guys Are Too Smart!!

Okay, you guys are way too smart. The majority of you guessed the correct answer. Yes--the "celebrity" I saw in the Salt Lake airport was John Gosselin from "John and Kate Plus Eight." (Bad photo but you know how airport pictures go!)


I have to admit that he was super nice and wanted to know the name of my blog so he could see the photos. Hey--maybe he'll be the next scrapbooker?! Maybe we can all help him with all the scrapbooks of his children!? I asked him why he was in Salt Lake City and he said he's now living in Park City.

So--here are the winners of the Valentine's kit!

Colleen (Stafford, Texas)

Theresa (5:11 a.m.)

Sarah (10:48 p.m.)

Amanda P. (7:23 a.m.)

Jennifer (4:05 a.m.)

If you are a winner, please e-mail Steve at steven@bearnson.net with your snail mail address and American Crafts will end you the Valentine's Day kit ASAP.

Also, if you aren't a winner, you must take advantage of this wonderful kit. It's packed with all types of LOVE fun. Really a stellar deal. You can contact Joyce and Joyceg@americancrafts.com. I'm not sure how many more kits there are to go around so don't delay.

Thanks for all you sweet notes in support of Kade. Long story short--he doesn't need surgery and it's his foot that is broken, not his ankle. He is scheduled to go to North Carolina next Monday (he's been in a missionary training center--MTC--in Provo, Utah for the past two and a half weeks) but the doctor determined that his trip there must be delayed and that he should stay in the MTC for four extra weeks to heal properly. This news was devastating for Kade and after much prayer and several phone calls, his leader in North Carolina (called the mission president) made special arrangements for him to still travel on Monday. He will be in a cast and on crutches for several weeks but will have a car with unlimited mileage (he would have been riding a bike). So--the Lord always provides and Kade is super happy. Thanks for all your prayers on his behalf.

I am still in Missouri but will be home Saturday night. I'm very anxious to tell you all about my trip. I'll write all about it at the first of next week.

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Lisa

"Who's the Celebrity" Valentine's Kit Contest???

I've been on a girls trip in Philly and now in St. Louis over the past few days. Wow--It's cold here in Missouri! But--love it here. Am visiting with my pal, Annette Mortensen. She's such a trooper. I'm so amazed by her and her sweet family.

The day that I left, Marci Leishman and her hubby, Robb, brought by the most WONDERFUL doughnuts in the world. (They are from Beyond Glaze in Draper, Utah.) It was like opening a box of chocolates and all the different flavors were indexed on the lid! There were twelve different kinds: German Chocolate, Raspberry Tarte, Grasshopper, Upside Down Pineapple, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Dipped Strawberry, Apple Crisp, Blueberry Bliss, Maple Madness, Peanut Butter and Jam, Coconut Cream and Gourmet S'More. Yummy! Just had to share the sweetness! (Sorry about the little square! I've tried everything to get rid of it!)

Speaking of sweetness, the Valentine's Day Scrapbook Kit from American Crafts is one of the sweetest finds around. Press here and scroll down to "Happy Holidays Contests" to see what the Valentine's Day kit looks like. My girls and I are making our own homemade valentines this year and this kit has it all! Really--there are so many pieces (all super quality) it's hard to count. What a fun project for the whole family.

So--Joyce at American Crafts has 100 to go around for the sweet price of $20.00 per kit. It's worth over $100.00. If you want one, e-mail Joyceg@americancrafts.com. (If you purchased the Christmas kit a few weeks ago, it's that big of a kit and has a similar look and feel except it's all Valentine's Day themed.)

Just wanted to give you a chance to win one too. I met a celebrity at the Salt Lake Airport when leaving for my trip. N0--I've never really watched this person's show. But I recognized him from a lot of recent publicity.

So--there are two clues:

1. He recently was on a television show. Yes--"was" is the key word.

2. And yes--it's a he.

Three other clues

1. He has a "few" kids. (Okay--a lot of kids.)

2. He now resides in Utah (or so he told me).

3. His ex has one of the most recognizable hairstyles in show business.

Okay--so you have until midnight Thursday to come up with the right answer. Post it and I will choose FIVE lucky winners on Feb. 4th (my sister, Becky's, birthday).

Oh--and I can't wait to tell you where I went to church on Sunday and about my trip to Amish Country.

Oh--and I just got bad news. Kade broke his ankle playing basketball in a exercise class at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) on Saturday. He has a cast and is on crutches. An MTC doctor called us today and said he's going to a specialist to see if he needs surgery. Please pray for him!

Love,

Lisa