Jana's Big Trip

2010-10-27T23:13:00.002-05:00

Kitchen Project Almost Complete!

2010-10-27T22:53:00.004-05:00

Mom and Dad finally made it to our house just in time for us to finish what we started in the kitchen. Phil and I had already taken down the wallpaper, textured the walls, painted all the new texture, painted the ceilings, and primed and painted all the trim work! WHEW!

The week before, we met them and Eric in Nauvoo for a great time! How wonderful it is to be reminded of our gospel heritage!

Dad did a lot of work for us! Thanks Dad! New counter tops and tile for the backsplash! New sink and faucet! Next comes the new flooring! I hope to be ordering the cork for the flooring this weekend! Can't wait to see the finished project!

KITCHEN REMODEL UPDATE!

2010-09-09T22:19:00.001-05:00

washroom kitchen

Well, the texture has been sprayed on the walls in the kitchen and all through the washroom! Yeah! That was a big, big day! I have painted the two walls in the kitchen that wallpaper came off of, and also have caulked, primed, and painted the crown mold! WHEW! I still need to caulk, prime, and paint the door facings! Saturday I will be painting the rest of the washroom! I am so excited! I know these projects usually take time, money, and effort, but boy is it worth it!

Remodeling The Kitchen!

2010-09-05T20:40:00.002-05:00

What an exciting time! Remodeling again! This time a different room! The Kitchen! Not to the extent of getting new cabinets, but new counter tops, tiling a backsplash, texture on the walls, paint on the ceiling and crown mold. You know, just the basics! Thank goodness Mom and Dad will be here to help! I can't wait for it to be done! I am already dreaming of what it will look like! I love being in my kitchen. I feel like the CEO of a corporation when I am in there! I answer to no one! So I can't wait until my new diggs are dug!

I think Phil has got to be the most patiant man! He is a good sport and I love him for it! I hope he is as excited as I am! NOT! Tomorrow we will be getting into the heart of the project. I told Dad that we would have our part done before they get here! We better hurry!

2010-08-15T23:32:00.001-05:00

Personalize a digital recipe card

Starting A New Business

2010-08-08T14:31:00.001-05:00

I found a new product that I am really excited about. It is called Shirley J. It is a fast, and economical way to cook with “just add water” sauces, spices, and bakery mixes. I was so interested when I looked at the website that I ordered a sample pack right away. It has been great. I love to cook and make new and tasty things, and it is so easy with Shirley J. I know that I have probably annoyed the mess out of my co workers and family, but I really am that excited.

After working a long day and having a long commute, it is wonderful to come home and get dinner on the table in such a short amount of time. I must add, “home cooked".

The other thing I find a huge plus is that these products have a long shelf life. Food storage couldn’t be any easier. We are counseled to “store what we eat.” Every mix and sauce Shirley J sells was made with food storage in mind.

Anyway, I have updated some of our everyday favorites as well as tried new dishes. I still must say, I am very excited to be a part of this company.

One of our favorites so far; Southwestern Chicken Corn Chowder.

http://www.shirleyj.com/4550. Check it out!

Seminary Graduation!

2009-05-18T21:36:00.003-05:00

The Decatur Ward Seminary Grads! Chris Ferris, Sara's friend and non-member received a 1 year certificate of acheivement, we are sooo proud of him!

The graduate names are: Chris Ferris, Sara Trigg, Adam Holden, Monica and Ashley Jenness, and Sister Debbie Fredrickson, the instructor!

The Big Weekend Slide Show

2009-05-09T11:50:00.000-05:00

The Big Weekend!

2009-05-03T15:52:00.002-05:00

Friday, May 1, 2009, started off with a bang! Stephanie Willis came up from Birmingham to go with us to the hospital for Phil's big brain surgery! Thanks Steph for your support! We had to be at the hospital by 6:00 am and had to fight the weather all the way. Phil was very nervous, but thanks to the priesthood and those who magnify it, he was pretty calm, and all went well with surgery. The surgeon was very confident that he would go home the next morning and that we would see significant results in less than 24 hours. He was right! We are thrilled. Now Phil just has to recover from the procedure. Today is that magical day 3, so he is really feeling lousy.

Saturday, we came home from the hospital and watched Sara get ready for her big evening at the Senior Prom for Austin High School. Julieanne Lowman, in our ward and one of our best friends, helped Sara get ready as I was busy with Phil. We were able to go to her house and take a few pictures as they were heading out. Then we ran home to get Phil back in the recliner. She looked great and was excited!

We are tired today, but so happy that all went well with Phil's surgery, and yes, he has seen major improvement just over the last 24 hours and hope to have continued improvement as the shunt does it's job. Thanks to everyone who has prayed, loved, supported, and physically been able to help! We love you!

A Very Happy Surprise!

2009-04-20T19:41:00.004-05:00

Saturday Jessica and Papa drove away for the great wild west! We did pretty good keeping it together emotionally, but still shed a few tears! My sister and kindred spirit felt my pain and very sweetly sent these beautiful flowers to cheer me up! I think they did more cheering for Phil because he truly had the hardest time! It has been so soothing to come in and see this big beautiful arrangement sitting on the table! The See's candy is from Mom, and might I say with all of our favorites! Thanks for helping to cheer us up!

Leaving Home . . . .

2009-04-20T19:24:00.002-05:00

Here I sit . . . .

2009-04-11T08:43:00.004-05:00

We have been busy trying to get Jessica outfitted and physically ready to leave our home to start her new adventure out in the wild west. Some days have been filled with emotion, and other days excitement. Do you remember days like this? I do!!

Yesterday was a crazy day. Storms everywhere! Really bad weather! But that did not stop us from meeting up in the afternoon at Sam's club to buy some new tires for Jessica's little Kia Sportage. We then ventured to the mall in Huntsville to outfit Jessica with some new blue jeans that don't smell like Big Bob Gibson's! (our dogs love her when she comes home from work!) We stopped at Macaroni Grill for what the girls are calling "The Last Supper" and enjoyed each other's company! We raced home to Decatur all exhausted and ready for bed!

Today, the new tires are going on the vehicle and chores must be done for the new week. I am not ready for Easter, but will be ready by this afternoon. Coaching Jessica to get packed and staying happy will be a chore, but one that can be done! Papa better gear up, he will have a very eventful trip across country with Jessica! We will send him home with a door prize for his willingness to help! I think Peach Nehi will do the trick! Sometimes just thinking about all that needs to be done is a little overwhelming! Oh well, just get started and the rest will take care of itself!

Eric is off at the Rodeo in Salina, Utah this weekend. I know he loves this and enjoys being there and working hard! I wish I could see him in action! He wrote the girls a letter this week and a short note to Phil and I which we really loved! I know he is a crazy mess, but we love him!

Well, the day has started and I haven't. I guess I better get busy! Wal-Mart is waiting!

Thank You Jen!

2009-03-08T00:16:00.002-06:00

Great video that Jennifer McCleod shared on her blog! How touching and inspiring!

What's going on the . . . . in here!

2009-03-05T06:33:00.003-06:00

Not too long ago, (a few months) Phil started feeling, not quite himself. I encouraged him to go see our family doctor. He really did not want to go, but eventually he did. He told me that he felt like an old man in a young man's body and couldn't quite put his finger on it. The doctor ran all kinds of tests. We did find out that he has arthritis in his knees and he takes meds for that now and we also found out that he has a Chiari Malformation and hydrocephalus. This little thing is at the base of his skull and is causing quite the stir. We are now pursuing treatment options with a Neurosurgeon. He has had 1 CT, 2 MRI's, and has seen an ophthalmologist. We also found out that he has some macular degeneration in one of his eyes. I guess he was right. He is an old man in a young mans body! We have always joked about him being the old man, but now I guess it's really true.

One of the things the neuro doc has talked about doing is a shunt to releave pressure and driain fluid from his brain, the other thing is the decompression at the back of the skull. As a matter of fact, Stephanie Willis (Hatch) had this very thing done about 4 years ago. Very interesting! Her experience, which turned out good, is what we are looking forward to. So, right now, we are waiting on the ophthalmologist to send her report back to the neuro and we will see what happens after that.

We have had the opportunity to fast and pray and exercise our faith so that we might have the best outcome. Lisa, here is another story of the "works" part of the faith factor!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold-Chiari_malformation

Here is a link that gives a pretty good explanation of what it is and how to treat it! So, basically, Phil's brain is bigger than his skull! We always knew he was smart, but really!!

RELIEF SOCIETY! YEAH!

2009-02-28T06:02:00.003-06:00

Click on the short video! I love this!

www.reliefsocity.lds.org

Life is like a box of chocolates . . . .

2009-02-28T05:42:00.003-06:00

You really never know what life may bring. You do all that you can and all that you have been taught to stay sane in a world full of turmoil and trials. It is because of the these teachings that we stay on course and rely on our Heavenly Father to help us muddle through! Sometimes even small things seem huge! But no matter what, we have been carried and the trials seem smaller, more manageable.

Our lives have taken quite a shift lately. Of course, Eric has been gone from our home, but not our hearts for 3 years. We miss him and love him, but really it is a good miss! Jessica is preparing to move west. We are proud of her decision and grateful for the support that we receive from family and friends in this endeavor. I am already getting my mind in the mode for "loosing" more child to adulthood! Just thinking about all that needs to be done and following through is very overwhelming. I know she feels that way too. She is her mother's child in that her heart is directly linked to her tear ducts, so needless to say, this has been a very emotional week for us. You never really think when they are small that this time will come so fast! Mom told me once when I was very frustrated with the kids when they were little, "Don't wish this time away." What great advice because I know I have done just that from time to time without really realizing it!

We have been having "do you remember when" sessions lately. How did we ever get through all those years! Have we been good enough parents? Did we teach them all the important things they need to know? Thanks to a wonderful family, they were always surrounded by examples of love, kindess, and charity. Will they reflect that example in their lives?

Not too long ago at church, one of the member of our ward came up to us and said, "Hey, you guys are almost empty nesters!" That was kind of a reality check. I guess that is inevitable. We are fastly becoming accustomed to the idea! What am I crying about! Life really is like a box of chocolates . . . .

One Of My Heroes!

2009-02-01T21:03:00.003-06:00

I have the great priviledge of teaching the 15, 16, and 17 year old Sunday School class at church! What a great group of youth! I love it and them! I am also grateful for the opportunity to study the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History this year! I love the prophet, Joseph, and this little video really hits the mark!

Super Bowl Sunday Again!

2009-02-01T20:34:00.006-06:00

I think this is where I started my blog last year! On Super Bowl Sunday! Again, I find myself chronically my experiences for the last few weeks and realized this momentous event! I have enjoyed reading and keeping up with other blogs this past year, and I am continually inspired by them! I am grateful for friends and family! So this would be a good time to add yet another silly posting!

Yesterday when I got home from the mall with Sara, a package had arrived from Utah. My friend and kindred spirit sister had sent me a package! What could it be! T-shirts! Not just any t-shirts, but ones that attest to the victory for the Utah Utes in the historic Sugar Bowl where they whooped Alabama's can! As you can see, we gladly put them on. Not only did we get t-shirts, but one of my favorite candy bars, the Big Hunk, which you cannot get here in Alabama. Yes, she does know my weakness! I had a really hard time wanting to share this treat, but alas, I did! As you can tell by Phil's fashionable eye wear, we did watch the 3-D halftime show during the Super Bowl!

KIDS DO SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS IN SACRAMENT MEETING!

2009-01-04T20:32:00.004-06:00

Today during sacrament meeting, the Hight family was sitting in front of us. They have three children, with the two oldest being girls. These girls are like bulls! They are stout and loud, but very cute! Audrey, who is three, turned around and said very loudly while pointing to Phil's head, "You're pink!" (I think because he has no hair and the top of his head shows!) Her mother giggled and so did we! We have pointed to his head all day today mimicking Audrey's revelation! I don't care who you are, this was funny! He thought this was very funny too!

Phil was released from teaching primary and today was returning all of his books and picture packets and lesson "helps." All of this was stacked on the bench next to him. On this stack was a yellow bean bag. Katie, Audrey's sister spotted it and very quietly asked Phil for it. He gave it to her and she very quietly said, "We'll keep an eye on it." And then very matter of factly turned around with her treasure.

Santa Brought a Wii for Christmas

2009-01-03T21:27:00.003-06:00

We have had more fun with the Wii! I think Phil and I have had more fun that we thought! We love the bowling and here we are demonstrating our "professional" bowling skills!

The Sugar Bowl

2009-01-03T21:11:00.004-06:00

Nana and Papa are proud owners of Alabama football apparel. They are shown here sporting their new fleece coverings while watching Alabama get their socks knocked off by Utah! As you can see, they are posing in front of the TV showing stats from the game!

Don't you know there were a lot of Alabama fans who were not so happy about the final score of this game! Oh well, as we say in Alabama, "Roll Tide!" Maybe next year!

New Year's and Bunco

2009-01-01T18:38:00.007-06:00

Fireworks

Phil and I went out on New Year's eve and had a wonderful time with friends in the ward. First we went to Mike and Peggy Messervy's for social time and some great hors' de vours (or as Phil would say, "some snacks!")

After the Messervey's, we went down to Jared and Sheila McLaughlin's for more "snacks," fireworks, and some football on the big screen. Here you will see some pictures of the fun! We did not get home until after midnight. The girls were at home with their friends and some "snacks" and called every once in a while to check on us. At one time Jessica asked what time we were going to get home! I found this very ironic!

Every year one of my closest friends, Philomena Jones throws a "Friends and Family Bunco" day on New Year's Day! It is awesome! we have sooo much fun! We eat some great food, hamburgers and hotdogs, homemade mac'n cheese, and we all bring a dessert! I took that wonderful banana pudding that we love so much! It was personally requested as the "Banana Fluffy Stuff" pictured here!

Afterwards, we have cocoa! Philomena is a mean cocoa maker!! We all put a few bucks in the pot and the winners are chosen at the end of the game! All the little kids play and we have a great time! We look forward to it every year! This was our 4th year to attend! As usual, the Trigg's won all the money! This is a running joke! What a great way to start a new year. We are truly blessed with great family and wonderful friends!

Trans Siberian Orchestra!

2009-01-01T18:02:00.003-06:00

A CONCERT FOR CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-29T19:40:00.009-06:00

Did you ever wish for something for Christmas knowing that you would'nt get it? Even so, we still wish and hope, thinking that somehow we will wake up and there it is. Well, Phil wished for tickets to see Trans Siberian Orchestra for Christmas. You see, they were coming to Birmingham and he really wanted to go! He looked on line and saw that the cheap tickets were still pretty expensive and being the good and unselfish parents that we are, knew it was not an option, but still, worthy of the wish.

But wait, there's more! I was driving home from work one evening, commuting from Huntsville to Decatur, when upon the radio I did hear a shout out for "Flash Back Trivia!" I knew the answer! I had to call and get through, because the prize was for tickets to what! . . . Trans Siberian Orchestra! I called and they answered! I was on the radio, and yes, I WON!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! I never get through! We were so excited!

We went to the concert on December 20. It was FANTASTIC! I don't care about the kids anymore, I am going to BUY tickets next time it was that good! I hardly had a voice the next day and we didn't get home until after midnight so we HAD to make sure to be to church on time the next day! It was worth it! I think we will wish this wish again! AWESOME!

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-30T17:35:00.005-06:00

Did I really
eat all that!

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but the memories still linger. We had a great day traveling to Birmingham to have the "Big Day" with the Willis family! We ended up at the church eating with about 40 people! It was great fun and we really enjoyed it! We never get enough time to visit!

The holidays are upon us and we are getting ready with gusto. Our 4th Annual Cookies and Cocoa is coming on December 8, and we cannot wait! Christmas decorations are coming out and excitement is in the air! Let the Holidays begin!!

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS . . . .

2008-10-30T10:27:00.001-05:00

This is great! He did this all by himself! All of us were busting a gut!

2008-10-30T10:21:00.002-05:00

This was at the Excalibur hotel in Vegas. We thought these hats were so funny and decided to put them on. Phil spotted the knight so we had to make this picture! The girls were laughing so hard and were shocked that their parents would do something this silly!

AND WE CARRY ON . . . .

2008-10-13T14:56:00.002-05:00

My "baby" turned 18 on Friday! Where has the time gone! I can't believe how this makes me feel. I actually shed a tear or two on Friday and was very meloncholy for a time. Phil and I talked about all the things that the kids have done over the years and we had a pretty good walk down memory lane. Some of the memories are painful, but what would growth be without some pains from time to time. I do get excited thinking about the future and what choices will the kids make, how will their lives turn out, how much of an influence have we as parents been on them, and most importantly, will they always remember who they are and where they have come from. Not just here on earth, but in the whole scheme of things! Will they remember that motto they repeated every sunday for 6 years in YM/YW? Will they remember those Family Home Evenings where "we were going to get spiritual dang it and like every minute of it!!!" Will they remember all those great family reunions where they realized that this family is forever?

I remember all those things from my youth and have truly come to appreciate them more as time goes by.

Well, enough of that. We can't change what is and what will be, but we can do our part and endure to the end well.

The Bathroom Finale'

2008-09-16T15:38:00.009-05:00

The bathroom has reached the completion stage. We are so excited! I know Phil is! Here is the final product. We changed the light fixtures. We will eventually change the faucet. We textured the walls and painted. We beat up the old tile and put down new. Have started changing out the old drawer pulls. (you might can see the silver one. that is the new one) I scrubbed the cabinets with Restore-a-Finish which really brought the lustre of the cabinets back! Whew!!! The picture just does not do it justice! By the way, I still need to hang the picture! That's me sneaking around the corner taking the picture.

HOMECOMING!!

2008-09-13T09:54:00.004-05:00

Sara was invited to go to Austin High School's 2008 Homecoming. Chris Ferris is the young man she is going with. He is really a nice guy. Notice the very LARGE corsage on her dress! This is the thing here in Decatur (Idon't know about anywhere else!) I had a doosey of a time trying to get that thing on her dress!!! As I was pinning it on her she reminded me that the guy is supposed to pin the flower on the girl. I said, "Well, Chris cannot put his hand where I am putting mine." He said that his dad said he should'nt do it. We kind of got a kick out of that! As the report goes, they had a very good time!

My Temple

2008-09-10T23:08:00.004-05:00

I ran across this Mormonad while I was helping Sara put together a YW project. This is the temple Phil and I were sealed in! I will always love this temple. Not to mention, this is the temple that Grandma and Grandpa McCain served while living in St. George. Ahhh, good memories!

I Know Someone, Who Knows Someone . . . .

2008-09-10T22:55:00.006-05:00

One of my best friends, Julianne Lowman, knew Govenor Palin when. . . . I think that is exciting. As you can tell, I have really become interested in this year's presidential campaign. You can guess who I am voting for!

Take a look at this site. It shows Julianne with Sarah Palin. What a small world! http://www.al.com/huntsvilletimes/pageone/wednesday.pdf

Eric Is A Cowboy!!

2008-09-09T10:18:00.002-05:00

Eric sent this picture from the rodeo in Salina, Utah. He is on the "help" crew and loves every minute of it! We wish we could see him in action. Can you pick him out!

The Poor Pet Dog

2008-09-09T09:45:00.002-05:00

Poor Patchy! He is the cutest, most fun, and sweetest little boy! We had to take him to the vet first thing this morning because he was having a seizure! We had to leave him for a while, and they will call us when he is ready to come home! Darn, I wish these animals had insurance! "OH Where OH Where has my little dog gone!"

It Could Be Worse!

2008-09-09T09:42:00.002-05:00

Last nite, our worst fears came to fruition! Jessica and Sara got in a car wreck coming home from Huntsville. The comment made by all was, "It could be worse!" No one was hurt, except our auto deductible!

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

2008-09-08T07:32:00.002-05:00

What have we gotten ourselves into?!!

2008-09-08T07:02:00.007-05:00

Yes, we started another home improvement project. I always get the bright idea to do something. I become the deconstruction crew and the decorator/organizer, along with being the annoying LET'S GET IT DONE NOW!! crew.

I started taking up the tile in the front bathromm. Couldn't stand looking at the old anymore. If I had been smart, I would have taken a before picture so that we could compare the after. But, I am not that smart!!

So, here are a couple of pitures of the actual work in progress. Bless Phil's heart!! He did a great job!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHIL!

2008-03-25T00:27:00.003-05:00

Phil with Jared and Sheila!

Phil's Birthday!

2008-03-25T00:19:00.003-05:00

We had a great time celebrating Phil's birthday. We invited over Jared and Sheila McLaughlin from our ward at church. Jared and Phil teach the 7 turning 8 in Primary together. We had a good time. We grilled out, (Phil's favorite!) and had cake and ice cream. We are easily entertained and love it when friends come over!.

HOW CAN WE SLOW DOWN!

2008-02-27T13:33:00.003-06:00

My days seem to be so full of EVERYTHING! I wonder if I remember how to slow down? I am going to try this next week to really cut out those things that don't HAVE to be done! I feel like a Zombie on the days that I don't have to go to work. Those are the days that I should be productive, instead, all I want to do is lay down and check out! Good news though, I am going to Utah in April to visit my best friend and will be able to have a little down time then! I can't wait!

This is where I would really like to be right about now. Here we live in the south and we are still having very cold weather. Snow today! I can't believe it! I think the beach would be a great place to relax and renew! Oh well, Hello April and Utah! In the mean time, I will just try to slow down and make the best of it!

Valentine's Day!

2008-02-17T21:44:00.004-06:00

Valentine's Day Homeschool Party! It was a blast!

Andrew Messervey, Jonathon Jensen and Nathan Maloney playing air hockey! I wonder who won! They couldn't wait to get to it!

Katie Messervey and Sariah Maloney decorating their Valentine cookie. For such little girls they have enormous personalities!

Jonathon and Nathan comparing Valentines!

We all decided that we needed to do this more often! Not only is it fun for the kids, but the parents get a little social time in, too!

We played games, decorated cookies, shared Valentines and ate pizza and fruit salad! Hopefully the fruit zeroed out the sugar!

Later that nite we fed the full time missionaries! We had a very full day and I have been in recovery for the weekend! I think this next week will be just as busy as the last!

2008-02-03T19:49:00.000-06:00

Super Bowl Sunday

2008-02-03T19:24:00.000-06:00

Today is Super Bowl XLII! Phil is in heaven watching this game with his girls! Really, I think they are just waiting for the new commercials! There have been a few shouts and hollers coming from the family room! I have enjoyed thier excitement!

Mostly on Super Bowl Sunday, I remember laying in the Labor and Delivery room waiting for someone to notice the pregnant lady in the bed trying to deliver a touchdown of her own! What a long day! Phil was really excited that day, too! I don't know if it was the baby or the game! Wow! What a memory!

This has been a long weekend! President Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints passed away this week and his funeral was televised this weekend on KBYU TV. We were able to watch it via satellite in our home. What a blessing technology is! And what a blessing to have a Prophet on earth today! Praise to the man!!! President Hinckley will be missed!