Tank is local royalty...

I just got home from being at a writing conference for the district. I checked my voicemail once I got home and what do you know... there is a message from the place that grooms my dog, Tank.

And who was chosen as "Pet of the Week"?

Tank!

yep... that's right. This little guy.

And exactly what prizes accompany Tanks new title?

Well...

• $50 gift card from DS Portraits

We know Ken won't be using that - he hates pictures!

• $5 off your next grooming visit

Ken is a little hairy, but I'll use that one on Tank.

• $10 gift certificate from Rib City

Sorry Tank, Ken gets to help use this one!

Yard of the Month AND Pet of the Week all in June?

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow.

Hilarious!!

Four...

4 weeks from today!

And then there's THIS to deal with...

If you've read my blog for longer than two days you've probably heard my complain about having to move classrooms. Especially because it was only across the hall. As I've said before, it's better than having to move to an entirely different school or been laid off. But, my new room is one more thing for me to get finished before the wedding. I refuse to come back from a fantastic European honeymoon with the new hubby and face this...

Yep. Lovely, isn't it?

That is the current state of my new classroom, and yes, it is ALL my stuff. It's a disaster! I need to get myself to my school and get everything put away. Everything is completely out of my old classroom. That's good. But things are scattered all over my new classroom. That's bad. I need to get organized and situated.

And...

the school is sure on the ball!

Here is a picture of my classroom door. It's looked like that for a few weeks.

and my faculty box in the office.

Evidently, they don't waste time at that place!

And, none of the other faculty have figured out yet that Adams is really Chidester. I have a Chidester "pile" forming in the office since no one can find me. Classic!

In the mail...

Sunday night after our quiet dinner at my house, we climbed into this...

with all of these...

and drove to 3 different cities that had these...

so someone could do this...

and this...

to deliver the invitations to these...

for people find...

so they could come and be part of this!

WHEW!

The wedding invitations are in the mail.

29 days to go!

Lemonade stand...

Yesterday afternoon, the neighbors that live two houses south of me were selling lemonade in front of their house. I was out working in my yard when their cute little 4 year old, Isaiah, came running over. He excitedly asked me if I wanted to buy some lemonade or a popsicle from him. I told him that I didn't because I had just opened a new can diet coke. He looked pretty devastated. I gave him a few dollars and told him to have fun selling his things.

That was yesterday at about 3:00 p.m.

This afternoon, I was sitting in Sacrament Meeting and Isaiah came over to me during one of the speakers. Here was the conversation...

Isaiah: "Hi Sister Chidester."

Me: "Hi Isaiah. What's up?"

Isaiah: "Did you get the lemonade and popsicle I left you?"

Me: "No. When did you leave it for me?"

Isaiah: "Yesterday after you gave me the money. You said you didn't want one but I thought you might change your mind."

Me: "Where did you leave it? I didn't see it."

Isaiah: "On your door. Look there when you get home."

And then he skipped back to his seat.

I don't use my front door. I typically go in and out through the garage. When I got home today from church I went to the front door and this is what I saw...

That Isaiah is too cute!

One month...

One month from today is our wedding.

One month.

Thirty days.

Time is flying!

Charmed life...

I feel a little bit like this lamb right now.

Safe in the arms of the Shepherd who watches over me, directs my path, and keeps me safe.

A few months ago, Ken made a comment that bugged me a little bit. He told me that he felt like I had a "charmed life". I have to admit that I got a little offended at first. I've had a great life, I must admit! I have amazing parents who have ALWAYS gone above and beyond to make sure that I am taken care of. They've always provided their love and support, and I've never once in my life doubted their love for me. Never. I am close to them not only in proximity, but emotionally as well. I know them better than most children know their parents.

But I also feel like I've done a lot of things for myself on my own as well. I've worked hard and earned a lot of what I've have. And, even if my parents provided something initially, I've worked hard to continue to maintain it.

Charmed life? Hmmmm...

But when Ken explained what he truly meant by his statement, I couldn't have agreed more. By calling it a "charmed life", he was referring to the fact that the Lord has been continually mindful of me. He know my needs. He knows what I can and can't handle. And when I am given something that throws me off for a day or two, he truly leaves the "ninety and nine" to rescue me from that which seems overwhelming to me.

Charmed life!

I'm a Mia Maid advisor in the Young Woman's program in my church. This week, the girls have been at girls camp. They come home tomorrow. I decided several months ago that I wasn't going to go with them. It's Stake camp this year, so I knew there were going to be a million adult leaders up there with them. I had a ton of reasons to not go... teaching summer classes, doctor's appointments, wedding stuff. You know, excuses!

I went up for the majority of the day yesterday. It was one of my Mia Maid's birthday and I took up balloons, a cake, and a gift. When I got there, one of the Mia Maids came running over to me beaming. She gave me a big hug and said "Sister Chidester, I have been waiting all week for you to come up!" Lesson learned! Callings are not about me. It's all about those I serve. I certainly had no idea that the girls would "flock" to me the minute I arrived at camp. Maybe I had let them down. Maybe I should have gone all week with them. It's not about me.

But I chose a PERFECT day to be there.

After dinner, the girls did a faith/reflections walk that the Stake leaders had prepared for them, and I joined in too. Talk about incredible! The focus was on The Proclamation to the Family and Eternal Marriage.

CHARMED LIFE!

The Lord has been so mindful of me. He always knows what I need to hear and for that I am grateful. Grateful that there are people who cross paths with me in this life that are "in tune" enough to help scoot me along the way.

Below is a piece of The Proclamation to the Family that really struck a chord with me last night. I've read it before, but for some reason it jumped out at me.

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."

So you know... I am happy to keep my charmed life.

I think the key is to always remember exactly how it maintains its "charmed" status and who is ultimately responsible for it.

It's certainly not me.

I'm truly grateful of a Heavenly Father and Savior who are continually mindful of me.

Charmed!

Five...

weeks from today is our big day!

The invitations are all finished and ready to go!

I'm feeling surprisingly stress free.

Possibly...

BP's last option to stop the oil leak?

Maybe?

Nothing else seems to be doing the job!

Photos and labels and stamps, oh my!

This is the current state of my kitchen table.
It's going to look this way for a few more days, I'm afraid.

The invitations are piling up!
But here's the good news....
We're almost finished with them all!

They'll be going out in the mail in about 10 days.
Wow! I seriously cannot believe we're already to the "mailing phase" of the engagement. Yikes! Ken has been a TROOPER with everything. He seriously deserves an award... other than "yard of the month". He's been a huge help and I love that we've done everything together.

Today I bought myself new temple clothes for the sealing. I've had my temple dress for about 13 years. Time for something new!!
I'm getting more and more excited everyday.
Only 39 more to go!!

Yard of the Month...

I was out working in my yard this evening and got a little visit from the American Fork City Beautification Committee. They stopped by to let me know that my yard is "an oasis in this neighborhood". Evidently I was nominated for yard of the month... again.

I say again because I won yard of the month about 8 years go when I lived at my old house. Last time, all I got was a sign in my yard. It's turned into a big joke over the years. I've had a few laughs with my "yard of the month" comments. I guess it's time for more jokes!

This time, I got 2 signs in my yard AND a $25.00 gift certificate to a nursery that I LOVE.

The gift certificate isn't much but I'll gladly take it! I want to get a hanging basket for the deck in my backyard and that should cover 75% of it.

Seriously though... how difficult is it to take care of the property that you own and plant a few flowers? Have we no pride in our homes? Seriously? Sad that they have to award people to encourage others. Oh well. I guess my work has paid off, according to the city.

I called Ken at work to let him know how much I appreciate ALL of his help in winning my award. Yeah. I hope you're catching on to the sarcasm with that comment. If you didn't, ask Ken about his myriad of gardening contributions. Actually, don't. He'll probably make up some GREAT story about cutting the grass with a pair of scissors to get it "just right".

(I mean... we're not married yet so he truly has no responsibilities here. Ken does make nice comments about my yard. That counts, right?)

And the winner is...

We've chosen an engagement photo!!

(I am marrying the most handsome man, I swear!! I love this guy!!)

Now all we need to do is finish up with addressing the invitations.

Only 47 days to go until the big day!

Yikes!

Ummm... that's not dirt.

Yesterday after sacrament meeting at church, I was standing in the foyer talking with a lady in my ward who is just a couple of years older than I am. Mid conversation, she tells me that I have something on my cheek and she then proceeds to try to wipe it off. She said (and I quote) "You have some dirt on your face but it isn't coming off".

I pulled out my powder compact from my purse to have a look for myself in the mirror. She points and says "right there". I smiled, closed the mirror and politely said "Ummm... that's not dirt. It's an age spot that I've had for a few years now".

I wanted to crawl in a hole and die!

Evidently, I need heavier makeup.

Oh well. I guess I'm not getting any younger.

Here is a VERY unflattering photo I took this morning without any makeup.

Do you like my dirt spot?

I think it kind of looks a little bit like a heart.

I love getting older!

Hal-lay-loo-yah!

Hal-lay-loo-yah my front yard is in!

Oh happy day!

It's not quite as "grand" in some areas as it has been in other years, but I added 2 new pots in the flower beds so I guess it compensates for lacking in other areas... right? Everything's in and it will just continue to get bigger, and bigger, and bigger...

Scenes from the back yard...

it's not all in yet but there is stuff blooming all around!

And would you believe that my lens (the one that was in the shop for 3 months) DIED in the middle of taking yard pictures.

ARGH!

I went in my house, called the camera repair man, and told him I need to use one of his telephoto lenses until he decides what to do with mine... for the millionth time.

FRUSTRATION!!