Guess Who's 14 !?!?!

It looks like this is going to be Ashlee's Birthday WEEK!! On Saturday 3/7 she spent the morning with her Dad and Grandma and Grandpa Black. They went to lunch and then her Dad took her to pick out her birthday gift. With the money she got from him and Grandma and Grandpa she bought Guitar Hero World Tour. Then her and her Dad played that all afternoon. Saturday night I took her to dinner and then we played Guitar Hero when we got home. Yesterday 3/8 was her actual birthday, but she had a very busy church day so we didn't do any celebrating. She sang in sacrament meeting, had her annual interview with the Bishop after church, went to play practice and then went back to the church for a Tri-ward fireside. She was exhausted. Grandma C got to our house late last night so we stayed up really really late so Ashlee is home from school hanging out with Grandma. Tonight we are going to have some people over for FHE and we are going to celebrate with them. Her big birthday bowling bash is this Saturday and she can hardley wait for that. She has invited 32 teenagers to the bowling bash. Pray for me.

Bag Lady

Some people wear different hats.... I wear different bags. Each week I juggle all these bags all day long. My life is so hectic right now that the only way I can possible keep all my tasks organized is to keep them in different bags. So from left to right... let me introduce you to the bags in my life. First the beautiful Roxy bag on the far left is for Primary. It is a happy bag and thus bright and colorful. The reason it looks so good is becuase it only gets used on Sunday and doesn't have to spend the week back and forth. The black bag next to it is the Seminary bag and it it is black for a reason. Tired and worn out it has to wake up really early and stay up really late. It also has to wait in the car all day while purse and work bag get to go inside. Next to it is purse. A happy bag that likes to be busy and get in everyones business. Purse thinks it is the supervisor because he insists on going everywhere with every bag. Backpack feels very important because he gets the most attention right now. Everynight he gets used and he is getting "full of it" cuz he can hold so many books. Work bag is just annoyed. First of all he doesn't want to go there and then to add to it he has to pick up the slack for everyone else. If Primary needs some help with pictures during the week, work bag carries his stuff for a day. If seminary has to look something up, again work bag steps in. He often has to carry purses things when purse is to full to carry his own stuff and don't even talk to him about backpack. Everyday he has to help backpack carry assignments that need more attention than just at night. So there they are the bags of my life. I am hoping to soon meet a workout bag and I have been searching for a chance to meet "carry on bag." Hopefully soon!

Heart Attacked

The Mia Maids came over while Ashlee was gone last Wednesday and heart attacked her room. She was so excited when she came home after a long day and found her room full of love. She is so excited to turn 14 and this was a great welcome into the Mia Maids. I am so grateful for our ward and the great youth leaders. They have been such a blessing to our family and so great for Ashlee.

My Valentines Date

Husband couldn't make it home from school for Valentines so it was Ashlee and I for the big weekend. We went to Grand Junction to see one of our favorite comedians, Brian Regan. The show was hilarious and at one point my eyes were so blurry from crying tears of laughter I couldn't see a thing. Afterwords we ate at Taco Time (Bill hates the place) and then came home and played Wii Cheer all night. We had a blast together and I am lucky that she is my Valentine!

Old Enough to Look 16.

This past month Ashlee auditioned for a play at Magic Circle Theatre. The audition information said they had to by 16 or older to audition, but Ashlee tried out anyway and got a part in the upcoming Cinderella play. I was blown away by her audition. They had to sing, dance and do a reading. I wasn't worried about the singing (obviously) or the dancing, but I had never heard her read a script. Holy Moly was I surprised to watch her read lines with one of the Prince hopefulls. She was fantastic, like it came natural for her. Not one time did she look or act nervous. During the auditions the director kept pulling her and this other 19 year old girl out of the group to audition with the princes looking at chemistry between both of them. I over heard the mother of the 19 year old saying she was a theatre major at Colorado State, and Ashlee was doing great keeping up with her. I was so proud. I think we have found her niche. So the practices begin and the play is going to be in June. I am excited!!

Kitchen Make-Over

For my birthday in October, Mike and Cheryl sent me some money and I decided to use it to make some changes in my kitchen. It has been a long project but the kitchen is finally complete!! So here are the before and after pictures. (My favorite part of the kitchen is the curtain that my Mom made while she was here for Christmas. Thanks Mom!) Thanks Mike and Cheryl for the B-day money!!

Here are the before pictures:

Here are the "during" pictures:

And here is my new and "VERY" Improved Kitchen:

So Proud!

Ashlee is such a great girl. I am continually amazed at her sweet spirit, her natural desire to be obedient (unlike me), and her great gift of kindness. We received this email last week from one of her teachers. It makes me so proud that she is my daughter. I love you Ashlee.



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Ashlee
From: "Kurt Scriffiny"
Date: Thu, January 15, 2009 12:38 pm
To: bill@emailhilliard.com

I just wanted to send out a quick note saying how much I appreciate Ashlee’s awesome
attitude and work ethic. She is one of those students that really makes teaching enjoyable
and fun.
Kurt Scriffiny