Lisa's Blog

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

It's About Time!

This is the new clock my husband recently bought:

Let me just say here and now that I absolutely don't like it! I mean the clock part is okay. What drives me crazy is the time that's projected on the ceiling. And I mean PPROJECTED. It seems to take up half of the ceiling in our bedroom. It's fine when you first go to bed. It's a good reminder that I should have gone to bed hours before I actually did. (I have a habit of "puttering around" after the kids go to sleep.)

The problem with the clock is when you can't go to sleep or wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep.

That was last night. I was in and out of sleep until 4:00 a.m. watching the minutes on that clock tick by oh so slowly. It didn't help that I was sleeping next to two snorers. (My hubby next to me and the dog on the floor!)

Every time the clock changed it reminded me:

Only a few more minutes until I won't see this guy for two whole years:

(This is a photo of Kade with all the little guys in the neighborhood who just adore him. They come over on a regular basis to see "the big guy" and to eat ice cream, go on scooter rides and wrestle. He will be missed by all! Stay tuned--he gets his mission call either this Wednesday or next Wednesday!)

Only a few more minutes until this guy will be driving:

(Collin turns 16 on Thursday and passed his driver's test yesterday!)

Only a few more minutes until these three teenagers won't be using acne medicine any more!

(This was my "picture of the day" a few weeks ago. I got quite a chuckle when at our nightly family devotional I noticed all three kids with zit medicine on their faces!)

Only a few more minutes until this little gal won't want to have her face painted any more.

Yes--as I watched the minutes tick away in the middle of the night, I realized once again that time goes far too quickly. I must take the time now to make the most of all my minutes.

This quote about time really says it all:

Time, the cradle of hope . . . Wisdom walks before it, opportunity with it, and repentance behind it: he that has made it his friend will have little to fear from his enemies, but he that has made it his enemy will have little to hope from his friends. --Charles Caleb Colton

Hope you're making the most of your minutes today.

Sincerely,

Lisa

P.S. Can you believe that I'm still sick! Over a week later and I'm still dizzy, nauseous and have a terrible headache from seeing the 3-D movie "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." I've been to the doctor (going again today), gotten five shots and taken a prescription. Nothing has helped! Any suggestions?

09:28

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Monday, October 12, 2009

Where in the World is Kade Going Contest!!

I've been waiting for this day for almost 19 years. We've anticipated it for Kade's entire life.

But, it still doesn't make it any easier to know we will soon be saying goodbye. Wednesday is the day Kade will get his mission call telling him where he'll serve as a missionary for our church for two years. He doesn't get to choose where he'll go. It could be anywhere from Boise, Idaho (very close to us), Florida, Greece or Japan. There are 335 missions throughout the world.

A friend (thanks, Cherie) gave me this plaque. This really describes what Kade will be doing:

Another friend (thanks, Shannon) made these cute countdown blocks to use during the time Kade will be gone.

So here's the fun contest! You can go here to see all the places that Kade could go. Choose a place (be specific) and if you're correct, you'll win a pair of my favorite Oobees slippers and a cozy blanket--just what you need to stay warm this winter. Please include your shoe size with you guess.

Here's the deal--he will open his call at 700 p.m. on Wednesday (surrounded by family and friends). Sometime Thursday I will post a a little movie so you can watch the big event too! (I've been watching them on YouTube all weekend and have been bawling my head off!) Soon after that I will post who the winners are!

We've all been guessing around here too. I put a huge Ikea map up for us to guess on.

So where do I think he'll go? I actually have four guesses--Hawaii, Panama City, Philadelphia or Mexico!! Just a mother's intuition. We'll see if I'm right!

Thanks for playing my little game! Hope you're off to a great week.

Sincerely,

Lisa

P.S. Thanks for all your suggestions on how to feel better. After 10 days of feeling very ill, three doctor visits, countless shots and presciptions, I finally went to the chiropractor (first time ever--for some reason I've always been scared to go!) and felt almost immediately better!

P.S.S. The blog posting is slow so if your comment hasn't appeared yet, don't worry. It will probably show up in a few hours!

10:29

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Thursday, October 15, 2009

It's Here!

Yes--Kade's mission call came in the mail yesterday. For the last few days I've been documenting EVERYTHING--from an empty mailbox to memorabilia around the house to the post office calling yesterday morning to tell us it had arrived. Last night around 75 of Kade's closest friends and family members arrived for dinner and to share in the moment of opening the envelope. We recorded guesses and good wishes on our camcorder and ran across the street while one of Kade's best friends opened his mission call (and we recorded him opening it). The moment finally arrived. Kade opened the envelope, read where he will be living for two years and we all screamed and were so excited! Steve then took the camcorder and recorded everyones reactions! We couldn't wait to create the movie for YouTube to share this exciting moment with you. We watched the footage, rewound, watched again, fast forwarded. EVERYTHING was recorded except Kade opening his mission call!!! Somehow the button was on standby, not record, and NOTHING was recorded!!! Okay--it was late last night when I discovered this and at this point I just had to laugh!! Steve had us a record a "fake" opening--very cute! Luckily we found one of our nieces who recorded it on her phone. So--after a little blood, sweat and tears, we were able to get that file today and we'll be making the movie tonight.

Moral of the story--make sure "record" is on when you camcorder something!

Stay tuned tomorrow or Saturday for where he'll be going. Let me just tell you, some of you will be getting slippers and a nice, comfy blanket!!!

02:44

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Saturday, October 17, 2009

Kade's Mission Call!

Watch our little movie to see where Kade is going on his mission. Thanks to Keaton Mitchell for saving the day and getting the big moment on her phone. Also, special thanks to Steve and Kade for creating this movie.

Oh--and there were two winners! Way to go to Skgberry and Susie Lavender who guessed the correct place. Please contact me at steven.bearnson@gmail.com. Let me know your snail mail addresses!

01:34

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Halloween is in the Air!

Thanks so much for your well wishes for Kade and our family.

Just to answer a few of your questions:

Kade leaves January 20th--one day before Sage's birthday and six days before mine! We'll have to celebrate early.

Kade's friend, Blake, will be going to Ecuador. His other best friend, Collin, also got his the same day. He will be serving in Brazil.

The cute missionary count-down blocks (see entry three below) are from Pebbles in my Pocket and can be purchased here.

Several have asked if we can visit Kade while on his mission. The answer is no. But the good news is he and we will write letters every week and he can call home on Mother's Day and Christmas!

Many have also asked where I got the cute dry erase frame that I'm always writing notes on. I got this in Arizona on a trip to see Becky Higgins. A few years later it broke and I was heart sick. It's one of the few physical things that I have that I'm in love with. The manufacturer was on the back and my hubby surprised me with a new one last Christmas. Unfortunately the new frame doesn't have the manufacturer listed and I can't remember who made it. I've searched on the internet with no luck. If you know who makes it, please let us know!

Here's the scoop on the countdown before Kade leaves. Everyone is going to miss him terribly but . . .

* Collin is counting down the days so he can have his car.

* Brecken is counting down the days so she can have his cell phone.

* Sage is counting down the days so she can sleep in his bed.

* I'm counting down the days so I can start counting down the days until he gets back. But--then we'll be sending another missionary off (Collin) and it will be more counting!!

I've never been much of a Halloween person but this year I really got into it! My house is very festive if I do say so myself! This "curtain" hangs over one of the French doors in our main room.

This fun "spooky" tree is from Pier 1 Imports. It's in the entry of our home.

These festive willows are also from Pier 1 (my new favorite store!).

Love Mr. Pumpkin Head--he stands very tall!

I've had these wooden apples since the time we were first married (20 years). Just can't part with them.

I'll be sharing some fun ideas on how we are making this season extra fun. Stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Lisa

05:46

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Saturday, October 24, 2009

Spooky Idea: No. 1

Over the next week, stay tuned for some tips to make the week of Halloween more hauntingly fun! I'm calling them "Spooky Ideas" but you'll discover they're not all that scary!

Spooky Idea: No. 1

For a quick, yummy, festive hot drink, pour apple juice or cider into a sauce pan and dump in a handful of Red Hot candies. Heat on medium until steamy and hot, stirring occasionally. The red hots will magically melt into the hot cider making this drink the perfect blend of apple and cinnamon flavors. If you like a stronger flavor, add more Red Hots. Warning: DO NOT use Hot Tamales. I learned the hard way that they NEVER melt. This hot beverage is also great for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

Other fun (and not so fun) news from the Bearnson household.

Collin successfully went on his first date--Sadie Hawkins (a girls choice dance). The girls were very clever. They had the boys dress up in basketball jerseys and the girls were dressed as referees. Each girl had the last name of her date on the back of her ref shirt.

Sage has been sicker than sick and came home from the Urgent Care on Thursday night looking like this:

She got hit three times: step throat, an ear infection and yes--the dreaded Swine Flu. The testing for the Swine Flu (a swab up your nose) is simply dreadful. She's in quarantine for a week. Not fun!

Until next time, hope you're happy, healthy and enjoying the cooler weather. And hope you don't catch the Swine Flu by looking at Sage's picture!

Love ya,

Lisa

04:51

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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Spooky Idea: No. 2

Thanks for all your well wishes for Sage. She's doing much better--still a nagging cough and ear aches. And--still in quarantine! Today I've got her busy making thank you cards. Gotta love all those scrapbook supplies!

Spooky Idea: No. 2

Last Friday night I went to the coolest Halloween party ever. (It was also a 40th birthday party.) It was hosted by this amazing lady--Bridgette Server (the Founder of Making Memories).

The decorations were just out of this world. Everything was in blacks, grays and whites. Bridgette spent over a month decorating for this event. She truly is a creative genius and should write a book on hosting parties.

And then there was the food (it was a booffet):

It included peanut butter fudge:

and Rice Krispie treats:

Thanks for the amazing party, Bridgette! Can't wait 'til next year!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the next spooky idea!

Lisa

09:22

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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Spooky Idea: No. 3

Spooky Idea: No. 3:

Make cutouts out of cardstock of the Grim Reaper or some other scary character and attach them to the front side of your stairs. This was another great idea of Bridgette Server from last Friday night's Halloween party! So creative--I love it!!

03:57

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Friday, October 30, 2009

Spooky Idea: No. 4 and Happy Birthday, Mom!

Spooky Idea: No. 4

This is simply the BEST smelling candle EVER! I burn it all year around--that's how much I love it. It's called Witches Brew from McCall's Country Canning Inc. The smell is an intreguing blend of clove, cinnamon and gingerroot. (Unfortunately McCall's didn't have a photo of Witches Brew so I had to use a photo of another scent. I would have taken a picture of mine but it's black from being burned so much!)

Also, if you get the chance please leave a quick birthday message for my mom. She's 80 today and we're having a big Mexican-themed bash at my house tonight. She has the energy of a 21 year old--she runs circles around me. Just a few things to know about this amazing lady--she's a professional soprano opera singer, she works out six days a week at Curves, she's an incredible example to all who know her and she takes care of my dad so lovingly. I love you, Mom! Have the best day ever!

Only one more day 'til Halloween! Yippee!

Sincerely,
Lisa

11:13

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Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!

It's late and the treats have all been handed out. No tricks tonight--just lots of great fun. Sage and her best pal, Krisha, dressed up like angels.

They got the great idea this afternoon of dressing their dogs up, too, and taking them trick or treating. We searched our town for the perfect outfit for Maggie. Sage finally decided on a frog. (By the way, the dogs lasted for exactly 13 1/2 minutes trick or treating!)

Peter Pan (Kade) was a good sport and took the girls around the neighborhood on the four wheeler with a little trailer hitched to the back.

Unfortunately I didn't get photos of the other kids before they ran off to parties. And--this is really getting dressed up for me. I know--I should have put on some scary makeup!

Hope your night was great. And--HUGE thanks for all the birthday wishes for my mom. She loved reading them! And--her party was a smashing success!

Have a great night!

Lisa

10:49

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