Friday, December 28, 2007

Slowly but Surely!

Slowly but surely I am making some headway!! I have de junked our bedroom and my closet. I got rid of at least 4 or 5 pairs of shoes, 1 purse and lots of clothing, and all of the socks missing a mate. I organized my closet and under the bathroom sink. I left a pile for Kris to go through so we will see how he does.
I also got through the craft room, which took about 2 hours. LOTS of stuff got pitched in there!!
Then vacuumed and vacuumed...the living room, the hall, the bedrooms etc. I got rid of 3 huge garbage bags of stuff and cleared off the table. The kitchen is almost done as is our bedroom
Included are some pics...I wish I had taken before pics, but I am sure there will be more de junking to document!!

Gearing up for 2008

After reading some things on Deanna's blog...I remembered her thoughts from Julie B Beck on mothers who know. Basically reminding us that mothers who know reduce the distractions from the world in their homes and focus on the needs of the family and making the family unit the 1st priority. So in an attempt to become more focused, I must get rid of some of the distractions. One big distraction for me is the clutter in my home...So it is 8:30 AM Friday morning and I plan on dejunking as much as I can today. If I havent used it in 6 months...Out it goes (Unless you know...its one of those things that should not be parted with...like tools and heirlooms...:))
I will update this at 5 pm and let you know how I did...Maybe I will even document with photo's-- how fun is that? Wish me luck!
Cheryl

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas to one and all. It is a beautiful, clear, crisp, snowy morning here in Utah and an absolutely gorgeous Christmas Day!! I thought I would add some pictures of the mornings festivities.
We awoke at 6:45 to the kids laughing and giggling downstairs. Apparently Nick and Caitlyn woke up at 5:45 and were just waiting for the golden hour of 7am to wake up mom and dad!
So they came up and got us up and we made our way out to the living room to see what Santa had brought. There were lots of stockings and many, many wrapped presents to sort through. Now, being the kind parents we are, we put a secret code on each package. The kids had to first, decipher what the code was about and then try to pick our which present had a code for them and then they had to solve the code. The codes ended up being different Nick names of the kids or things that they were interested in and then we scrambled the words. It took a bit and with the help of the cheat sheet from mom, we finally solved them.
Nate got an entire new Guitar set, including an Ibanez electric guitar, amp, bag, headphones etc. He was pretty excited and has seranaded us with parts of songs from AC/DC, Led Zepplin, And some Jimmy Hendricks....He must have a lot of his Uncle Mark in him!!
Nick wanted this huge lamp from Ikea and so that is what he got...along with a big papasan chair to sit and read in. He got lots of clothes and such
Caitlyn got a really nice mp3 Player and lots of clothing and new black boots with a 3" heel...so she is really excited and feels taller!!!
She also colored her hair a brighter red.
So, it has been a nice and wonderful Christmas day!
Email us and let us know how your Christmas was!
hugs
The Polson Family

Monday, December 24, 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house
Many creatures were stirring
Thank heavens-- no mouse
The elves were all busy
Getting everything done
For a birthday evening that would be so fun
Yes, Happy Birthday to Kris
On this glorious day
With snow a blowing and Santa on his way
But to all of our family, related or not
We wish you a Merry Christmas
Whether its snowy or hot
May your holiday be merry
And joyous and bright
And to all a great evening
And a most fun filled night~!

Friday, December 21, 2007

5 days and counting

Well...I can't believe it is only 5 days until Christmas! Time sure does fly. And I must say that it has been so wonderful to be off today and know that I have a big break to rest and feel better. And I must say that I am feeling so much better! It seems to me that what ever funky thing was making me feel so yucky, finally is taking the hint and leaving!! Kris and I even braved the snow and cold last night to do some last minute shopping. I think we are almost done. I have to finish up my neighbor gifts and get my christmas cards labeled and mailed and finish up a gift for the grandparents...then I am done (well, except for Kris' birthday...which is Christmas Eve)
I just thought I'd include some pictures of the beautiful snow we got last night! It is sunny and bright and beautiful today...then we should be getting more snow.
Hugs to all
Cheryl

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Home sick

I mean that quite literally. Im not homesick...I'm just home...sick....
I think I have run myself into the ground by not taking my own advice and saying the word "no"
"no, I can't" "No...I have another committment", "No...I just don't want to"
Now, don't get me wrong. I love helping out. I love sharing and giving. But I have to understand when I have reached my limit! I did that last week. I had a choir concert that I was directing at school and on top of the 3 perfomances in one day, we had rehearsals every morning from 8 until 8:45, which meant, earlier mornings, earlier drop offs for the kids I car pool. Making sure everything was in place, microphones, sound systems, scripts, music memorized, kids happy, 65 choir kids being nice....you get the picture!! And then I was asked to do a few other things..very worth while things...but I forgot to say "no" and said yes (with enthusiasm, I might add) And now..here I sit...with days of feeling really under the weather under my belt.... I think it is a combination of some flu like viral thing and a grumpy gallbladder. I have been having some pressure under my right ribs and my back has been aching pretty bad. So...after feeling guilty all morning...and after getting up and showering and getting ready to go to work, I couldnt find the car keys...a phone call to Kris confirmed he had them...The perfect excuse to stay home...(Because I have this thing about..unless I am throwing up, or fevering...I have to go to work) So not having car keys, was the ticket! So, here I sit..In my warm jammies and a hoodie, typing on my blog...just to let you know that I did it...
I STAYED HOME!!!!!!!!!! It really is a small miracle..( Now,..if I can just figure out how to finish all my shopping and get everything made that I am making....I will be all set) hahahahaha!
Hugs to all
Go put on your jammies and put your feet up, remember to say "no" every now and again!
Hugs
Cheryl

Friday, December 14, 2007

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas One and All!
I finally have all 3 of my school Christmas concerts done and can devote some much needed time to our family blog! I have included some recent photo's of the folks who dwell with us and hope you enjoy them!
My school choir, which I directed, has rehearsed for the past 3 months and they just blew me away last night. (Thursday the 13th of Dec) They sang a variety of songs, from Kwanzaa, Hanuka, Winter and snow songs, to a great gospel song about the birth of the Savior. It was comprised of 4th, 5th and 6th graders and I have just come to love and adore them. This has been my first year with these kids as I changed schools this year, to Layton Elementary. The kids are awesome and were a joy to work with!!
I could not have done it with out two amazing helpers, Gayle Barnes and Shelly Marquardt. They work at Layton with me and are awesome!!
The photos I have included are of the three kids in front of the tree and then one of Caitlyn at her Night in Excellence for Young Womens. Young Women's is an organization at church that teaches the girls ages 12-18. They focus of different values like, Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and accountability, Good Works and Integrity. They help the Young Women develop a relationship with the Savior and a testimony of him. They work on different goals and have sunday lessons as well as a mid-week activity too. This night was to showcase the girls and the talents they have. You can see most of Caitlyns revolve around music and the arts!!
I need to post some of my boys with their merit bagdes they have earned in Boy Scouts!!
As I taught music at school this past week, I was able to teach "Up on the Housetop" ANd "Jolly Old St Nicholas" Both reminded me of my dad. I remember him singing Up on the Housetop when the grandkids were little and being the louded one with his "Click, Click , Click"
I miss him this time of year. As well as always....
I am giving you all a challenge to remember to BELIEVE this year, not only believing in the joys of the season, or Santa or in giving, but Believe in the Savior, even Jesus Christ. Believe that he is, that he does live. Believe in the power of the Atonement, that as you work each week to do better and to live better that you can be forgiven and that you can go on and forward. Believe and have faith and hope.
We love you all and wish you a joyous season!!
Please send us your physical addresses to my email so I can get Christmas cards out!!
Love ya
Cheryl and family
nut4scrapping@gmail.com

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Well. This is for Brittany. I am working on the blog...and after an hour, this is how far I have gotten!! :)
So for now...this is it! But tomorrow is another day and I promise to post more!

Friday, November 9, 2007

Well, After sucessfully playing around, I have managed to post some family pictures as well. The BIG one at the top was take a year ago at Halloween time. I was in the Clue the Musical and we had just finished a performance (hence ALL the makeup I have on) I was noticing how much nick (orange sweatshirt) has grown. He almost as tall at Nate (5'8- 5'9) and weighs about 20lbs more than nate! Gosh, when they decide to grow, the really take off!
I encourage everyone who visits to post comments and let us know how you are!!
I will add a bit more about what we are all doing.
Kris- busily working/training at Taxworks. He is the corporate trainer and is busy busy busy. They are located in Kaysville, Utah and they company just moved to their new building just west of the freeway by the big new sportsplex! He is also still building recumbant trikes with his dad, you can check them out at www.what-a-rush.com
He is 2nd couns in the Elders Quarem presidency and is busy with that as well. Sometimes we see him. I enjoy his schedule this year as last year he was traveling and gone most of the autumn, clear up until christmas!
Cheryl- Still teaching music. I switched to Layton Elementary this year, and after a bit of a rough start, I am enjoying it. I love being on a traditional schedule and being home when my kids are. I am looking at going back to school someday, sometime with an emphasis in communications and graphic design! I am out of Young Women's for the first time in a LONG time (now that Caitlyn is in) I am now secretary in the Primary. It is a busy busy calling!
Kris and I are co-directing the Clearfield Community Choir and that is providing us with some time to share our talents and yet, with ONE more thing to accomplish in the week!
Nate- Nate is a sophomore this year and is loving life. He recently acquired a free car that he is working on and fixing up with the hopes that someday he will get his liscence and will be able to drive!! ( we are not in any rush) He is still playing the cello and I think he is going to persue a degree in engineering. He is growing up way to fast for me, but it is fun at the same time!!
Nick- is in 8th grade. He is doing so well in school. He loves art and nature. He has thought about being a landscape architect or an architect when he grows up..who knows. He is very creative and has a huge heart. He is definately the peacemaker in our home. He is loving scouts and is working towards his eagle as is Nate
Caitlyn- 7th grade and quite the drama queen. and I mean that in the nicest way. She is doing lots of theater and singing when ever she can. She sang the National Anthem last year for the ribbon cutting ceremony at her school. That was quite and honor. She is doing dinner theater at school and gets to sing "I can hear the bells" from Hairspray for one of the numbers. Her goal is to either be on broadway or to own her own pet spa! She loves all animals (and I mean all) She is the only person I know of that can peacefully get a wasp out of our home!!
Zoe and Zeus-- The two black terrors! We have to lab mixes at our home.(like one wasnt enough) They are very funny together and they love to spend time outside running the backyard) They love treats and sleeping up on the bed until dad kicks them off!
Well, that is it for now!
Please leave comments and such and let us know how you are doing!
Much love
The Polson Clan

Sunday, November 4, 2007

getting started

I am so grateful to the Szymanski's for showing us their blog spot so we could create one as well. I have been wanting to create some type of family web site for a while now and this will get us started. I encourage you to check back often and leave us lots of comments.