Sock Bermuda Triangle

I realize that we all have to "pick our battles" in our relationships. But I must say-- I really don't have any with my sweet spouse of 20+ years. We have known each other since 1985. Yes that is a long time & we are getting old. But, I needed to post this little cute story about our little "sock bermuda triangle" in our home, because all of a sudden, his favorite sock, a low boy black nike dri-fit sock that----YES is labeled L & R, not because he needs to be reminded which sock goes on what foot, but the socks actually conform to each foot----- for some strange reason 6 of the L socks are missing the R's? So, where are they? hmmmm. Well we have a little girl in our home that likes to borrow her Daddy's socks--- but, why isn't she borrowing the L & the R? I really don't know why, but guess where I found 4 of the R's-- yep, down in the basement-C.J's room (A.K.A. the Sorority house). So, initially 4 were found there, and I have since found 1 in the laundry upstairs and I am still missing 1. I am sure we will find it with the little girl's stuff.
This is what makes the man in our home happy- so whatever works, right? There are a few things that he is very specific about & one of them are his Left & Right low boy black socks! So, I must say-- I was happy when I had accomplished finding 5 out of the 6 missing R socks.

How much fun is this??

Okay so there is this website that I found, well it is more of a blog--- called House of Smiths & it is this FABULOUS blog of this gal named Shelley Smith that is an AMAZING decorator, she writes for HOME.COM, she is an ORGANIZER- i will be posting pictures someday.... when we move of my pantry that I will be totally using her pantry as a template for mine. She has her own line of vinyl that she sells on her BLOG-- she is just all around pretty dang cool-- so anyway- I got this super cool Vinyl- decal for my blender from her blog. I think it makes my blender so HAPPY, I pulled it out of my closet & it is on my counter full time.... yay!!!!

Happy New Year 2012

I have never been here, I only know what I feel in my heart when I read the story of the "first vision". I imagine the Sacred Grove is an amazing place & is peaceful & quiet & SACRED. So, read my post about our new years resolutions about getting our home ready for our missionary. I know my home will never be as "sacred" as the Sacred Grove or the Gilbert Temple or the Mesa Temple or any temple for that matter---- but I sure would love to at least try to make an effort to get close to it.
Gilbert Temple---- being built about 3 miles away from our home. We are so excited for it to be done--- we have been driving by at least 2 or 3 times a week to watch it's progress.
One of our goals to attend the temple more often this year.

Wow, another year come & gone! I have to say I have never looked forward to celebrating a NEW year than I have this one! Do you wanna know why????? Because our MISSIONARY comes home this year!! YES he does. I know what you are thinking, WHAAAAAAT????? Yes it has already been 15 months since Elder Galvan has left. He only has 9 months left. HOLLA!!!!!!

So, this year the GALVAN family have some new years resolutions to work on:

Family Prayer

Scripture Study

Family Home Evening

Attend Temple more

We have a MISSIONARY coming home in the beginning of October & we need to get our home & FAMILY ready for him. (his room is ready :)

So feel free to check in on us. Call us --- email us-- whatever!!!!

Christmas Pictures

So, in case you don't already know---- yes, mama misses her missionary. Our photographer Heather actually thought of this last year before Val left on his mission & we have been waiting 2 Christmas's to use this idea. The reason we didn't use it last year was we had taken our pictures with Val right before he left & I didn't want to do another photo shoot with her a month later, so I thought since this would be his LAST christmas gone, we would do it this year.

So here we are.... still standing on solid ground waiting for him.

We took our pictures in a kind of sort of wheat/hay field. Heather thought it would be awesome to put on our card .... the field is white & ready for harvesting. (or something along that line) But, I was such a crazy mess when it came time to do my card- I completely forgot about it... YIKES..

I do love our pictures-- the girls are growing up so fast & they are just amazingly beautiful!!!! What an awesome year this has been. Thanks to our friends & ward members in both of our wards-- Grove 3rd & Greenfield 2nd. We love all of you. Thank you for your prayers for our Missionary-- and please continue-- he has 9 more months as of today. I can't honestly believe that it has gone by this fast.

I am grateful for him & his desire to serve our Father in Heaven. I am grateful to my Savior for his Atoning sacrifice, I need it in my life daily- for I am still learning & making mistakes. I am grateful for my loving husband & best friend- who loves me, who honors his priesthood, who is the best father & the most handsome man EVER, who is ALWAYS forgiving, who has the best sense of humor & did I mention is my BEST FRIEND???? I am sooooo grateful for my two beautiful daughters- who continue to surprise me daily with their beauty, their humor, their divinity, their virtue, their benevolence & their grace! I am grateful for my parents-- my siblings-- all my family! I am soooo grateful for good girlfriends-- who love me even though they REALLY know me-- LOL! Oh and I can't forget my little nixy poo-- so grateful for him-- he loves me no matter what!

BABY GERMAINE IS HERE!!!!

Jack & Crew on Thursday morning the 8th of December. I went & picked up Natalie to take her to be induced @ Gilbert Mercy Hospital. Joe was going to get Jack off to school & Crew over to the Nielson's for the day. They were both so excited to meet their new brother.
The Germaine Family---
Natalie's new home for the next day or so.
Green toes w/snowflakes-- cute, huh?
Me, Natalie & Stacy. Stacy & I entertained Natalie & Joe for most of the day & evening. Stacy stayed pretty late and kept them laughing-- she has some awesome stories from her new job as a flight attendant.
Awe, look how sweet the new parents to be are.
Okay, Natalie is a true-- pioneer woman! So, we got to the hospital at 7:30 on Thursday morning and she delivered her baby at 11:03 a.m. on Friday morning. YIKES---- I think she pushed for like 4 hours or more. Seriousness---
Crew taking a look at his new baby brother----
He has some big feet--
C.J. & the new baby


I am already in love. He is so cute & snuggly.

The baby has a little bit of jaundice, so he has to go into the tanning bed. :) C.J & I walked down to the nursery with Natalie and took some photos of him in there.
It makes me think back to when Lil Val was born and he had to go under the lights. I guess I am just missing my little boy this holiday season. We are all happy that the baby arrived safely and healthy.

Oh Christmas Tree........

Ok, so these pictures aren't even the most recent of the tree- but I am trying to get my blog updated. I have added a ton more stuff at the top & the green stuff around the tree is actually even tighter if that makes sense??? I went a little CRAZZZZY this year-- but I LOVE it.....

I wanted to have a little fun. So, we added some spice to our tree called the color neon green.

I can't even tell you how happy it made me feel when one of my most awesome friends sends me a text after she had stopped by the house & said that she loved my tree & thought it was the best she had seen--- awe!!!!!!!! then she told someone in our ward about it- yay! I finally decorated my tree right for the first time in what? 20 years or so????? LOL!!!!

HOLLA---------LAST CHRISTMAS WITHOUT OUR MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving-- last one w/out our Missionary!

Our tradition is to get a Honey baked Ham, but-- Val wanted to get one from the store this year and bake it & himself. So, here he is & it actually was pretty yummy. I love the fact that my husband likes to cook & my daughter is going to be a better mother in the kitchen than I was/am.
Our little Julia Child's (Kenzie) wanted to make something of her own to take to Nana & Tata's for dinner-- so she found this recipe online for creamed spinach- it was the Ruth's Chris recipe. She made it with some help from Dad & it was awesome!!!