I'm back ! mostly because sannas home to help me out again and because I feel out of the loop. She taught me how to put a picture on my blog so I chose this one mostly because I like to talk about Mike and he is more amazing today than the day I met him. I can't imagine living without this man. He is my life. He continues to impress me with his drive, abilities and the way he handles life. If I were single I would snap him up in a heart beat. That may sound a little corny since wev'e been married for nearly 24 years but the truth is he's uncomparable He's handsome he's thoughtful he's hard working honest, genuine,smart,spiritual great with children and even teens. There's a boat load of other atributes, the point is he amazes me and I love him to death.

I have found the one who my soul needs.

4th of july 08' Fireworks! you betcha! We still got it. I love to sit in front of you every year and lay back in your strong arms and watch the magical sparks fly. Ging and Scott's: Ike's farewell. This is the smile that first caught my eye. You have always supported my family in every way. Baptisms, birthdays, blessings and the like. My family is important to me and you always find a way to get me with them.
Tough guy on the outside oh so tender on the inside. This guy's just a big cry baby and I love, love love that about you.

The beginning of quite a ride. We married 23 years ago in the Logan Temple, we have lost a baby. Baptized 5 girls,moved 21 times,Graduated 2 daughters,supported 1college student,and sent our baby to a foreign country to serve the Lord. We have owned 4 businesses,lived in 3 states and burried 2 dogs. We have bought 4 trampolines owned over 20 cars and trucks and landscaped 2homes. We have made countless friends,prayed together,played together, and stayed together.

John and Felicias wedding: I love this picture. you cooked the chicken on the barbie. I hardly see you looking so serene. you run circles around anyone I know. you have always been willing to help anyone at anytime. you are the King of service. you have taken hours off of work to help dig ladies and girls cars out of snow banks. scraped ice off the windows of cars in the wee hours of a frosty winter morning for college students. paid for groceries for those less fortunate than youreself. built, added on and remodeled homes, garages,sheds and apartments for friends and neighbors for the cost of friendship.

You have a sense of humor. mostly in front of your children and myself. Hiking your pants up an d acting Geeky is a family favorite. ( gee my room is messy, so not like me)

You have played basket ball for over 20years. I have watched you win championships, lead the game with the most points, hold out a hand for your fallen teammates, break your nose, wrist, turned your ankle countless times and at last count you could still slam the ball.

Fourth of July with sparklers in hands and mouth: For some reason no matter where we go you become the intertainment. you love the neices and nephews and always wrestle with them and make them giggle and laugh and even cry.

You are the most handsome man to me. you have beautiful blue eyes. you look good with wiskers and shaven. you love the outdoors and dislike crowds. you have spent most of the best times in your life in the mountains. fishing, hunting,camping, fourwheeling, snowmobiling, hiking, thinking about life, and just enjoying God's greatest creations.

Occasionally it's good to see you do this sort of thing. I've always wanted to buy you a shirt that says RELAX. This looks like it could even be a little strainuous.

Andreas wedding: Brit's best friend. Savanna caught you with this expression. one thing I reallylove about you is that you always make people feel comfortable around you even when your hurting inside or have had a bad day. I really love that blue shirt on you too.

My 40th birthday: It all started with a foot rub. A day at the spa and salon. You ordered a tux and got me a nice dress. you orderd out and sprayed the floor with flowers into the barn where we were served dinner from a menu you had created from our early years in Arizona. The girls served us dinner. there was music and a beautifully set table with martinellies and flowers. We also had icecream cake served to us. If that wasn't enough each daughter brought a beautifully wrapped package. I recieved a coat a jacket a dress and nice heels. We danced. I was so overwhelmed from the day all i could do is smile and think how did I get so lucky. You had to finish the rock wall around the fireplace to make it all complete and so that morning when you locked the keys in your pickup you broke out the window so you could complete the job and get the propane ran to the fireplace. whew ! I'm tired just thinking about all the planning that went on to make my day so special. you have never forgotten a birthday or anniversary or valentines day in 23 years.

Mexico: This is where I always want you. Right by my side.

On our way to church in the farmington stake. You were the Elders Quorum president at the time. You have always taken your callings very seriously and have made it a point to reach out to those who struggle with their faith and be a good friend. To this day home teaching has always taken you an hour per family. Everyone always enjoys your visits and loves your sincerity. Thank you for honoring your priesthood and magnifying your callings.

On our way to the Kloepfer Christmas party. yes it's 2 hours away. We got a new beginning and after fighting to save your business decided to move back to Idaho and become the manager of the ready mix plant for Kloepfer concrete. The Lord answers our prayers in his own time and he was very mindful of us. Thank you for always qualifing yourself to find or create good jobs to support our family. your honesty and integrity have always blessed our family.

What a Hunk!

You have carried me through the storms of life and I find great peace in knowing I can always trust you to lead and guide our family in a way that is pleasing to our father in Heaven. I have always know that if I rely on the Lord and we do his will that with your strength we can get through anything.

Our beautiful yard in Plain city: we planted and weeded and mowed this place for over 3 years and we left it all behind. It wasn't easy and I knew your heart ached that things could not have kept us in our wonderfully remodeled and landscaped home but to me wherever you go thats my home.

Sometimes life can be kinda scary,it throws you some curve balls and you dont know what way to go. Change has been a part of our lives and I think the Lord knew that Mike Landrum needed to touch the lives of so many so he sent us all over the place so the lives of many could be blessed by your friendship and generosity of heart.

So this is it ! The one in whom my soul belongs with. I love you. Happy Anniversary Honey.

Its finally here!

Now post those comments!

The moral of the story

Last night we were sitting around having a nice family moment. Everyone was laughing and enjoying one another. We then read in the scriptures, Jacob to be exact, and upon request explained to Maddie what a concubine was and what whoredoms were. Then, we asked GJ to explain some of the chapter we read. GJ said that they were being warned to keep their standards high. I said, "yes, their morals - Olivia, can you explain what morals are?" Before Olivia could respond Maddie excitedly said, "Oh, I know what it means, we have been learning about morals at school." I think all of us had the same reaction to her statement and carefully listened for what she possibly could have learned!

She continued, "Morals, like fairy tales".

HUH?

"You know, where they teach you a lesson".

We all laughed and laughed. Maddie continually makes us laugh. We were all very pleased that it was "the moral of the story" version she was being taught.

painted up cupboards

so about 2 weeks after moving in, which is when i was "settled" so to speak I began painting my white cupboards. As you see from the photo red on top black on bottom. In the future Knotty Alder with beadboard in the center and painted, distressed and glazed. Maybe like this until all my children get married and or graduate from college. hee hee.

Here I am enjoying raspberry,blackberry crisp with whipped cream. I am so bad! Mike says I excercise so I can eat this kind of stuff. Really I just love fruit and butter and cream. Hello! Tips from a personal trainer: Always share your dessert with a friend or one of your cute children. Mom thanks for sharing my black tie mousse cake at olive garden. It's so good you gotta share the love.

Beauty in the Beastly weather

Flakes as big as your house!

The most exciting part of my day...a drive by crash, its sort of like a drive in movie only more destructive.

What Burley wind can do to your standard...

So what do old farts talk about? The weather. Now that Im an old fart lets talk about the weather. First rule of living in Burley- dont bother fixing your hair. IF you leave the house when its only slightly windy be assured that a half hour later when you come out of wally world it will be snowing like crazy. See that basketball standard? As we were coming home from Utah on Tuesday we saw it tipped over in the yard. We wondered who would be so rude as to push it over. Then we saw part of the shingling coming off our well. That is when we realized it was the WIND! I think mother nature was born and raised in hawaii and has an evil step sister in Burley.
I think we will just leave the basketball standard down until it stops blowing so hard. Oh wait, that aint gonna happen. The large flakes must have caused this accident on overland and about 16th. I thank my photographer for the pictures. She takes very nice self portraits, doesn't she.

Im sorta depressed I cant have cute wallpaper on my blog cuz Jen's sight rocks but apparently its not working and they keep denying me the right to beautiful orchids or even a simple sunset.sheeesh. No pictures today just a little something to share with all my fam. you too Queen kelly. The fellowship of the unashamed

I am part of the fellowship of the uanashamed.
The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I won't look back, letup, slow down or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.
I am done with low living, small talking, colorless dreams, tamed visions,
Cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need the preeminence, positions, promotions, or popularity.
I don't have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded , or rewarded.
I now live by faith, lean on his presence, walk with patience, am uplifted
by prayer, and labor with power. my face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is heaven.

My road is narrow, my way is rough. My companions are few, my guide is reliable, my sission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popoularity, or meander in maze of mediocrity. I wont't give up. shut up, or let up unitl iI have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ.

I msut go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till he stops me. And when he returns for his own, he will have no problem recongnizing me, my banner will be clear!

All I want for my birthday - some more hair!

I was feeling wealthy the other day and just went down to main and overland and got some hair extensions. mike just loves them and now he only has to work Saturdays and christmas for the next 15 years to pay for it. J.K. Maddie is behind me. I just wanted to know how Amy feels with all that luxurious hair that has crowned her head off and on for the past 15 years. If I never cut my hair until 2011 I could actually have this. I promised Mike that I would not cut my hair until Brit got home. 5 more months, not that I will cut it then but I have been faithful to my promises. I have had a trim or two and it has grown form just below my chin to just below my collar bone. I probly wont be one of those ladies who is 55 and has grey hair half way down her back or a braided bun perched on her head but for now long is where it's at for me. As I look over the pictures of the past and see my dear sisters and there locks as well as my own 5 girls I admit that being a women and knowing just where your hair looks best is an ongoing thing. i dont know which day you just cut it all off and say this little cut will last till I'm dead but I think for now none of us are there . mom even gave a go at long hair for a while. that was fun eh mom? I think she got in a very short pony tail and at some point she figured Oprah winfrey had more money and hair than she did and went back to her Grandma bonnie do. I like it just the way it is. I really like Molly's new color and the length. Amy's justs flat lucky and Terries hair has changed since the fry and dye days of the 80's and becomes her and is shiny and un trendy. I remember her saying someting like who said that hair do was good when she saw a women in P.F. Changs on my birthday 3 years ago and it was up in the cockatoo spike thing in the back. Jen has a way with hair and that just anint fair but her daughters are way so lucky and now matter the length she seems to pull off cute. I hope you are not loosing any more these days. Em like amy flat lucky and always willing to push the limits of what some of us whips will do with hair. Kudos for always taking a little risk. Ging, I love your hiar straight and again how come you and amy and em got the pretty red hair and me and molly and jen and ter got the what the heck is this color and which shade do i pick this month.

I'm pretty sure this would sum up my thoughts on men in long hair. yuk! double yuk! Maddie is standing behind him giving him this fabulous look. He hates loosing his hair. we took Garyn prom dress shopping and he saw himself in a mirror and said " do I really look this bald" I smiled . The next day he parted his hair on the other side from which his hair has known for the past 22 years and it helped get him through chuch. Those red hats Kleopfer gives him keep him satisfied on the week days. we love him no matter how much hair he has. I am certain that Randy Travis's song of olden days about loving you for your looks or hair is so much less important than the stuff that really matters. I love him for the priesthood he holds and honors, for the hard work and dedication to any job he has ever had. For his integrity in a world of crooks and cowards. For his constant thoughtfullness to every one in his life. For his guidance direction and concern for his children. For his support of myself in all that I endevor. I would never ever want his job. I was ment to cook and clean and take life as it comes to me and enjoy the ride while he trugges through perilous storms and pitfalls yet continues on faithful and valiant to his call as a Father, Husband, son, friend, co-worker,hometeacher and brother. We love him so much and just look at him. Whats not to love.

I thought i'd write a little about my day with mom. Mike and I drove to ut. tues. morning and mike dropped me off at mom's and went to his appointment. I got the good end of the deal. meet with an attorney/go to lunch and shopping. I win! Mom and I headed out. We went straight to Dillards. Nice to have a mother with expensive taste cuz if it was me we would have been headed for wally world as mom so lovingly puts it. I admit that Dillards has nicer shoes than walmart. She nearly forced me into these lovley shoes. I had picked out 4 pair. One navy mary jane, one dressy black heel with a flower on the side and some shoes that resembled crocs but were more pricy and once i had them on not attractive at all. Berkenstocks are the ugliest shoes to me. However they do have some very interesting shoes out there and If I had the money and the eclectic wardrobe i may have tried some flowered high tops or pink embossed Doc. martins. I felt like a little girl getting those black patten leather mary janes. mom buying them and all and me being so very old helped me feel a little younger just then. I must thank all my sisters who were willing after the fact to pitch in and help buy those sweet suckers cuz they were not cheap and i love having lots of siblings so we can spread the love around. I was actually considering some flip flops for about 40 bucks but i just couldn't do it. I'm kringing a little knowing I have a pair of shoes that could have bought some food storage for a shelf in my basement but admit that in the past 10 trips to the grocery store I have been very focused on rice beans and pasta and so enjoyed the articles in the new March Ensign on self reliance and the new way to look at it. I think the bretheren were right on the money with helping people understand that we at least need to do something no matter how small . If i keep at it the way I have been my next fall I should have a year supply. Before moving i ate away at my storage cuz who really wants to move another thing. A quick update on that. 21 moves, 22 years, 4 semi loads, 2 enclosed trailer loads, 2 flat bed loads 3 garage sales and a bunch of stuff we gave away or just left there. Our home is smaller and our shop is packed. We have stuff at Kloepfers storage unit even. I cant belive what you can live without.

expanding my horizons

so.... i'm going to give this blogging thing a whirl. Mostly because I want to communicate with my sisters and brother so I don't feel left out of the loop and because I could really talk on the phone for hours with each of you but really cant afford the bill. o.k. Jen don't worry i think Jared will resuscitate you without complaint. hee hee. I hope this doesn't take up all my free time. I rather enjoy reading ensign articles over again and making appointments for my children so we can spend all of our money fixing them up, just to get rid of them and have them come back and live with us until were 80 and broke. I think I will officially begin chating tomorrow because it is dinner time and I have been at dance lessons and tumbling and grocery shopping for the last 4 hours and I have no more time to sit and be idol. I am certain I will love blogging yet I must keep my rigid scheduale of reading, excercising,cleaning,driving children around and taking my nap. And then when I feel i have that all handled I do scrap and write to Brit every week. so for now sweet dreams and dont pass out I'm 43 and it's about time I use the computer with more proficiancy than a 4 year old. love ya all . wendy

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