What the???

My heart is broken.

Happy Birthday Jodi!

My niece Jodi is celebrating a birthday today. Only five days ago, she celebrated another birthday...this one was one where she actually gave birth. (Bless her!)

I love this woman. We have had a special relationship throughout our lives. Jodi lived with me a couple of times throughout her young adult life.

I made her vail for her wedding.

She is a very special person.

I have many pictures of Jodi, but do you think I could find even ONE of my own?? NOPE!

I had to steal all of these from Facebook and other blogs. So, Jodi, when I finally locate my many pictures of you, you'd better watch out!

I'm posting them here.

But, for now, enjoy these beauties.

Jodi is dressed in red with her sister Keri (notice the holes in her pj's) and

her brother Steven (notice the licorice covered face!)

This is Alycia. She is Jodi's beautiful daughter. I adore this little girl.

We are great friends.

Jodi with her children: Alysia, Dylan, and Justin

Some of the Talbot clan: Jodi is in the pink shirt, her husband Steve is leaning against the roof of the vehicle.

My niece Adrianne, little Alycia, and Jodi (who is pregnant in this picture)

at our family Christmas party!

Five days ago, Jodi gave birth to this little guy!

Ryker.

The birthday girl's family.

Happy Birthday Jodi!

I just threw up a little bit...

I am not happy. During one of my school meetings I discovered that Utah (good ole Utah) spends the least amount on their students. (WPU) It used to be that we (and I'm a little embarrassed to say "we") were pretty average in comparison to the rest of the 50 states. I could always count on the fact that there would be a few states worse off than we were...Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, and the rest of those "back woods" states.

Well my friends! Not anymore. Utah is dead LAST! We spend the least amount on our precious students when compared to any other state in the union. And not by just a few dollars, but by thousands. Utah loves their students so much that they are willing to pay $5463 per student while, New York, Virginia, and District of Columbia, pay more than $12,000 per student. Bringing the national average somewhere close to $9000 per student.

And, here we are just shy of $5500. What a disgrace.

So, there you go parents. We love your kids so much and are so confident that they will be excellent leaders and competent citizens that we will pay $5500 per student to educate them each year!!

You're welcome.

All For Her

Every once in a while, I come across a little project that speaks to my soul. This post is about one of those projects.

About three months ago, Eden brought a show and tell to school that I couldn't stop thinking about. It was the cutest little sewn bag that held an array of fabric dolls, clothes, and accessories. They reminded me of the precious paper dolls of my childhood. Paper dolls were my favorite toy. I would cut them out of the Sear's Catalog. Every once in a while, my daddy would bring me a book full of paper dolls that I would punch out of the perforated pages, inevitably tearing one or two of them.

I thought about those dolls all through the holidays and then into the new year. I HAD to make them for my little grandgirl Isabel. Her birthday would be in March and there was no question that I needed to make them for my new little six year old.

So, I contacted Eden's mother and she told me how to make them. Her family owns a shop here in Provo that sells beautiful quilt fabric. She brought me the pattern for the bag and I was on my way. Honestly, every minute I spent making them was a joy. My family got a big kick out of me as I cut each doll from the fabric. I would hoot an holler and make everyone look at each piece. I got to use my NEW GOOD scissors for the job...that was probably half the joy! Having a good pair of scissors that actually worked. (thanks Mel Rae)

So, below, you will see this blessed project. To read more about the darling girl they were made for go here and here.

Here are the dolls...

...the clothes...

...the accessories (shoes and hats)...

...and the bag both with the dolls and without.

Eden's mother told me the other day that they just ordered the fabric for CHRISTMAS outfits for the dolls. Shhhhhhh...don't tell Issy!

A Favorite Picture of Mine

Here's my mother being uber cool.

I wish I would have known her then.

More Pictures of Mike and Gaby

It's my OTHER nephew's Birthday!

I have been searching for my little folder of photos of my nephew Mike. I have some awesome photos that I doubt anyone has seen. One of them is from a time that his sister Janna and I dressed him up like a girl...complete with make-up and the works! Do you think I could find them?? NOOO! I'm disappointed and you should be too. They were great.

As a result, I had to resort to stealing photos off of everyone's Facebook pages. I discovered that there are not a lot of pictures of Mike. Most were group photos. What have I learned from this exercise? I need more pictures of Mike. Plus, he needs to accept my friend request!!

So, here are the photos I gathered. You should know that Mike is my oldest sister Rhonda's youngest child. He was an excellent student (just like his siblings). He has a great sense of humor (just like his aunt...ha!) He served an LDS mission in France (?). He is just so dang cute. I've always thought so. I love him and I miss him. If I could, I'd jump in my car and drive to his house. Except...I don't even know where he lives now. (I'm counting on Alissa to tell me. She is my connection the the rest of the family.)

Enjoy these photos, in no particular order)

Mike and Gabriel

(How did he snag such a gorgeous wife! :) )

Mike's best side.

(just kidding)

This photo was taken at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary.

See Melissa and Erika in the front row?

Man, that was a long time ago.

Mike in Argentina.

Leavitt Family team for the softball tournament.