So Great to be 8!

Our dear, sweet Quincy turned 8 this month so the official reason for our Phoenix jaunt was to join in the celebrating of her birthday and her baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I cannot believe that she is 8 already! I remember going down to Phoenix for her birth and it just doesn't seem like it was that long ago. It was HOT then too! I stayed 12 days and 9 of those days the heat was over 100 degrees (you might sense my HUGE distaste for hot weather).

 

Quincy was so excited to be getting baptized. She was literally counting down the minutes from the time she woke up Saturday morning until her Baptisimal service which began at 2 pm. She was in a super good mood and just smiled non stop, which is very evident in our precious family photo. The only way it could have been any better is if the rest of our kids and grandkids could have arranged to get down to PHX too. We knew they were all there in "spirit" regardless.

You may remember that I gave Quincy's two older brothers quilts for their birthdays this past year so I wanted to do the same for her birthday. I got started on this quilt probably back in February because I thought I was going to have to ship it off to China. What a bonus to be able to hand deliver it myself. These bright, colorful, cheery fabrics remind me so much of Quincy's personality. She is always happy and full of enthusiasm for everything. She is always singing; usually a song she has just made up. She has a really beautiful voice (which did not come from our side of the family). Quincy was so appreciative of my gift and she immediately ran to her room and laid it on her bed. It was really satisfying to me to see her sleeping soundly on it every night we were there. Hopefully she can feel my love and hugs each night.

 

Ready...Set...Go!

 

 

 

Thank goodness for this pool! We just got back from an awesome weekend in Phoenix at the Casa del Swapps and the highlight of every day was pool time! Capri (2, almost 3) and Conner (1, almost 2) could stay and play here in the pool 24/7! Sunday and Monday and I'm sure today, the temperatures were 105 - 106 degrees. Yikes ... it is only May! The kids don't even seem to notice the heat but it drains the energy and stamina right out of Grandpa and Grandma. Thanks to everyone for such a delightful few days together. We even enjoyed Family Home Evening outside under the stars last night and for dessert we roasted marshmellows and made s'mores in their ourdoor fireplace! (probably should have made homemade ice cream considering the heat factor!) Tomorrow I'll tell you the real reason we went down for a visit... stay tuned...

Glitz and Glamour!

So have you been over to House of 3's website and checked out the fabulous, new Jewel Wall Art? I have to admit that I got a little "mother of the designer is an advantage gift" when Heidi met up with us in St. George a week or so ago. She came with multiple boxes of her new home decor products to share with me and Katie and LaRane. I have had soooooo much fun deciding where to incorporate them in my house.

Here is the delightful lamp design. I don't usually have anything set out on my staircase landing but I wanted to feature this unique lamp where it could be seen as you walk in my front door! So I moved my cute tablecloth covered side table up there and applied the lamp right to the wall -- no electrical outlet necessary as the glow and sparkle comes from the jewels on the lampshade and not from a light bulb!

 

Next I applied the frames on the mirror and the wall right there in the entry way as well. Adds just another dimension to what I already have on display and it doesn't take up any extra room.

 

I have always wanted a chandelier hanging in my bathroom and now I have 2! How fancy and unique is my shower surround now!

 

If you would like to have some of these fun and unique Jeweled Wall Art, I hear there is a special promotion going on right now but I think it is only until May 7th. It is buy 2 designs and get the third one free. So perfect because I don't know how you would choose which one to buy just by itself. Did I mention they are repositionable too! You can use them and move them as much as you want! Check out Rhonna's blog for her suggestions about where to us them and how to apply them. Who doesn't just love a little glitz and glamour in their daily life?!

Springtime at Temple Square

 

I had to deliver some mission papers to the Church Headquarters in downtown Salt Lake yesterday and I was so rewarded for my efforts. I had forgotten how stunningly beautiful Temple Square is this time of year! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints really goes all out with year round landscaping but I think Spring time is the peak season. The only thing better than these gorgeous photos is the delightful fragrance that fills the air. Amazing!

 

 

When Paul & I received our mission call a few weeks ago, our calling said that we were called to serve in New Zealand as Area Auditors in the Pacific Area but that our assignment could be "modified". Well, about a 10 days ago our call was modified and we now know that we will be actually living and working in Fiji! Now, New Zealand was a great assignment but we are really excited about this opportunity to go to Fiji! We understand that we will still get to go to New Zealand a time or two so it is definitely a win-win situation! We have been busy filling out our Fijian visa application forms and reading up on the Fijian culture! If you have been to Fiji, we need to hear from you; we are overwhelmed trying to figure out what we will need to bring with us and what we can get "in country". I'm expecting to simplify our life. I just need to convince myself that I can live without most of what I think I need. I'm guessing they probably don't have a Costco or Target over there!