Talk about family resemblance!

Lauren

1952

1960
1968
1990

Kayley

1950

1964

1968

1978

1980

1996
Jacob

1990

1994

(And no, I don't have anything better to do)

Visiting in Homer, LA

Yesterday kids didn't have school, nor did Shawn have to go to work. We've been trying to get to Homer to visit Mamaw Davis for a long time, but it just never seem to work out. We decided yesterday was going to be the best time even if Josh couldn't make it. We had a great time visiting Mamaw Davis in the nursing home. Mamaw Davis had hundreds of Mardi Gras beads, and gave them to the girls to play with and keep. Kids entertained them all with singing, playing the piano, running around, being cute...

and playing with the wheelchairs! Kids had a great time! The little girl sitting next to Joey is Emma Katherine, another great-grandchild who lives in Homer. She and Joey are 4 1/2 months apart, and were so cute playing together.
Joey has found a hat that actually fits him well. I thought Mimi & Grampa would be proud!

21 months old

I have been really bad past few years of getting pictures done on schedule. I really like this one of Joey. I just did it B&W on my computer, but I am going to get it printed in color. I think it's very cute of Joey. I need to get Lindsey done soon too.

Shawn was feeling left out...

1988~ Year Shawn was on his mission.

1976~ Shawn actually looked like this in 1984-86...

I'm trying to decide on a new hairdo...

1996 look

1994 look

1984 look

1970 look (year I was born)

What do you think? Any suggestions?

In today's local paper

Helping hands

Local church group helps clean up after recent hurricanes

By: Rhonda Morrow - Texarkana Gazette -

Published: 09/27/2008

Submitted photo Members of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently volunteered in Baton Rouge for hurricane damage cleanup. They are, back row from left, Joshua Miller, homeowner Monica Chedville, Mark Hoskins, Robert Anderson and Brandon Jenkins; middle row from left, Kevin Platt, Ricky Bowman, Henry Platt, Steve Davis and H.J. Platt; and front row from left, Michael Anderson and Mark Tew.

Sometimes work for the Lord is done in such a way the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing.

Then there are times when the sound of the chainsaws makes it impossible to be discreet.

Such is the case with members of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-

day Saints who went to Baton Rouge to participate in clean-up after the recent hurri-canes.

The group was one of several hundred from the denomination that took their chainsaws, tools and ATVs to help with the cleanup organized by Martin Luther King III, son of legendary civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The younger King is the founder of Realizing the Dream, which spearheaded the cleanup. His vision for the organization is to help fulfill his father’s dream of creating communities where people are united and help each other as they work to eradicate poverty.

Local volunteers helped at the home of Darryl and Monica Chedville, who own the 10-

acre Lucky Plantation. The plantation was home to large pecan and live oak

trees destroyed during the storms.

Initially, the crew was given two work orders for their two-day stint, but by the time their two days were completed, they had actually assisted seven families.

H.L. Platt, leader of the local church, thinks the experience was an example of true religion cited in the Bible at James 1:27.

“I feel like we have participated in what ‘true religion, undefiled’ really is,” he said.

The local Latter-day Saints volunteers are part of a much larger crew working with King’s organization this weekend in Houma, La. King’s request was for 1,000 volunteers—a number Jileen Platt, local spokeswoman, said was exceeded.

Fact for the day by Heidi

Did you know that when you buy Hershey Bars w/Almonds (6 pack), they are only made with 8 whole almonds? And they are lined up in a row right down the center of the bar? And that the almonds aren't even big for the price you pay for the candy bars, and that you can almost eat the whole candy bar before even eating an almond if you eat it just right?

A new wallet

When I turned 18, my friend, Kenna, gave me a wallet. It was black and really nice since I had never had a new cool wallet like that before. I think the wallet I had before that was red, and I got it when I was like 11, so it had been a long time. I used that black wallet until 1992 (I think I actually still have it in my cedar chest!). Mom worked at a resale shop ran by the Junior League, and those rich ladies had to donate so many $$$ of clothes a year. Mom would call me whenever someone brought in nice stuff (especially from a few ladies who had sons just a bit older then Josh). The money that was made at the store was then donated to the community. The prices were never high, and quite affordable to a student's family. One day, a lady dropped off some stuff, and in her stuff was a blue Liz Claiborne purse & wallet. I loved that purse until it just gave way years ago, and used that blue wallet until last Saturday. That was 16 yrs! This is my new Liz wallet:

I got it at TJ Max's for $12. I am really excited for it. I love it! The inside is even pink, my favorite color! It has tons of pockets for my credit cards (LOL!), and a place for pictures. It came with a checkbook cover, but I couldn't get it to work with my duplicate checks, so I tossed that.

Guess what I did?

LOL! I crack myself up. So last night I'm at Walmart @ 11pm, and I am going down the aisle of all the kitchen/household stuff, dreaming and dreaming some more. I then head over to the food aisle to get a couple of things, and pass the jewelry counter. That's where they have the gift registry for "Baby", "Wedding", or "Wish". I click "WISH" and add my personal info, and tonight I headed back to Walmart. I got the little black hand-held (oh, BTW... found my Soduku game in Joey's toybox). and went to the same aisles as last night. Added stuff that I wanted! Yep, sure did! Even the $300 something Cricut (makes those vinyl letterings for cool projects), and all the supplies to go with it!! For the "date" I put my 20th Anniversary... 8 September 2009. LOL!! I'm heading to Target next, and maybe Bed, Bath & Beyond.

If anyone wants to buy me something over the next year, you know where to look now! Also, now I should be able to get something decent for Christmas since all Shawn has to do now is go print my list! LOL!!!!

So not fair!

My dad is in Hawaii. Unfortunately by himself as my mom couldn't go because it's work-related. Even staying by the PCC and the Temple.

And he has a condo to himself, so all Shawn & I would have to do is get tickets over there, and rent a car, and stay with him! How cheap would that be? Not very... ain't going. Take pictures for me Dad! I am jealous!

Funniest thing I have ever read

(well, at least today it is...)

Because we all know what Bill Clinton was really saying when he said Palin was hot!

Happy 36th Todd!

Happy Birthday to my brother, Todd. Man, 36! We are so old!! This is the only picture that I have of you in my computer. I tell ya, people are lucky that my scanner is down! I have an awesome picture of Todd at age 12 or 13 being a goof. This picture is of Todd and his daughter Camryn. Todd lives in Idaho. Sadly, we don't see much of them.

Have a great day, Todd! Love ya!!

U NO IT

After months, or I should say years(!), of being poor, I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Shawn and I are getting our debt under control, and when we got our credit report, it was actually better then thought. Shawn decided it was time to get a new truck. After many hours of searching for the right truck, he found it. Yes, hours. Some people actually take a few days to ponder about something big, let's say, for a truck, but not Shawn. He wanted this one (because afterall, "it's the one I've always wanted!"), and decided to buy it on Monday (mid-life crisis?). Only problem was that he had to work Monday, so I bought it. Since the truck is in my name, I told Shawn I was getting some personalized plates that say "U NO IT" on it, but he didn't like that. Neither did Josh (since Josh thinks it's his). LOL!!

Maybe I should do " NOT PD 4" or "U JELUS" or "ALL MINE" or "HEIDI" ?

Mormon Helping Hands

If you live along a coast line that has been hit by hurricanes, chances are you have seen the Mormon Helping Hands, or you have been one yourself. Josh has been able to be one a few times... with Hurricanes Katrina & Rita back in 2005, and then this past weekend with Hurricanes Gustav & Ike. This weekend our stake went to Baton Rouge, LA. They left on Friday night @ 6pm, and just returned today @ 6pm. About 400+ men from various stakes showed up to help. A few that we know... Uncle Mel (Stake President of the Ft. Walton, FL Stake), cousins Jesse & Kelly from the Alexandria, LA Stake, and then cousins from our stake as well were all there along with Josh. Josh said it was kinda cool to see them there... almost like a mini-family reunion.

Apparently or Supposedly, either the Rev. Al Sharton or Martin Luther King III, called SLC and asked for more Mormon Helping Hands to come to Houma, LA next weekend. The stake presidents that were in Baton Rouge (BTW... all were camping at the stake grounds adjacent to the Baton Rouge LDS Temple) area were called by SLC requesting that their stakes get more men for next weekend. SLC wants 1000 Mormon Helping Hands in Houma, LA next weekend.

If you can and are able, search Map Quest for Houma, LA, and please plan going all weekend (48 hrs). Josh loves going to be able to serve the people of the communities there.

Hail to the new Prez!

Ellison High School Freshman Class President, that is!

Way to go Tyler, EHS c/o 2012!

My alma mater... Ellison Eagles c/o 1989

(Tyler is my nephew... Heather's oldest! Heather is lucky that my scanner is down. I totally have her freshman picture that will make everyone laugh... exactly 20 years before Tyler attended!)

A couple of things I've been meaning to add...

#1) Remember the fair? Well, you get paid when you a prize! They sent us checks the other day. I thought it was wild. I got $8.00; Lauren got $3; Kayley~ $5; and Jacob made a whopping $2! I'm going to enter more stuff next year! LOL!!
#2) I forgot how good air-popped popcorn is! I haven't seen an air-popper at the store forever, but then again, I haven't been looking. I bet you can find some on eBay! Anyway, yesterday I made some popcorn for Lindsey, Joey & me (as we were going to watch the new Ariel movie for the 100th time!), and I added some melted butter and some salt, and it taste sooooooo much better then the microwave stuff! I remember growing up, and all my parents bought was the popper that you added oil too. I loved that too, but when the air-popper came out, I wanted that so bad! Parents never bought it, but like I said before, I got it when I got married. When I was doing the popcorn yesterday, Lindsey thought it was the coolest thing. She was mad at first because I wasn't putting the popcorn in the microwave, but when she saw the popcorn popping up and out, she loved it! She kept telling me though that it tasted funny. LOL!!

Popcorn Popping in the...

air popper?

I took my old one that I had (and got when I got married 19 years ago!) to church last night. I did Activity Day for the 8-11 yr old kids @ church, and I decided to make them some caramel corn. I've always used the air popper even though my sister says to use the microwave butter ones because it makes it taste better. Anyway, so I had to drag it out of the storage room, and it was covered in dust. To tell you the truth, I don't know the last time I used it. I've saved it from the trash can many times since Shawn feels since I haven't used it in years, it needs to be tossed. I am at the church starting to pop the kernals, and Kayley walks in. She thought it was the coolest thing ever! I asked her if she doesn't remember me using it, and she says no. So, there you have it~ almost 12 years old (Kayley is) and doesn't remember me ever using it... that's how long it's been!

Easy Caramel Corn

*Pop 1/2 c. popcorn kernals or microwave 1-2 bags of butter popcorn. Remove all unpopped seeds as you DO NOT want to bite down on those. Place in big bowl.

*In saucepan, melt 1 stick of real butter on med-low heat. Add 2/3 c. brown sugar. Mix well until smooth. Add 13 jumbo marshmallows.

*After all melted and smooth, pour over popcorn and mix well. Best when eaten warm. Enjoy!

Happy 8th Jannie!

Happy Birthday to the cutest 8 year old niece that I know!

You always love to make us laugh (along with Rachel!)! I had some more silly pictures I wanted to post, but they wouldn't load on here. I love your Elvis look, and your "pulling strings" trick.

Hope you have a great day! Don't forget to save me a piece of cake! Bring it to me at Thanksgiving!

More Pixs...

This is Cow. While most kids will sleep with a teddy bear, a doll or some other stuff animal, not Joey. He has to have Cow. I know... weird kid! Want a cow like this? Target for $1!

Joey loves playing with Cow.

Another musician in the house. Kayley started baritone this year. By the end of the year, I am going to be "tone" deaf. Let's just say, the french horn and baritone don't make

nice music together.

Krissy with her birthday cake just about as big as she is! That's a 3-layer chocolate candy-bar cake~ homemade even! How impressed are you now?

Blow that No. 7 candle out!

Krissy reading a letter that Jacob wrote to her.

Krissy, Lindsey & Jacob posing with the new bike that Krissy got. She was so excited! She also got some books, some sparkly things for her bike and some new socks. Ok, so I was poor and couldn't get her tons of stuff, but she needed socks, and I got a great deal on them at Walmart. 12 pairs of Hanes LOW-CUT socks for $2! They were the leftovers from Back-To-School sales, and they were selling them for $2! The 6 pack were $6 something! I got 36 pair of socks for my kids for $6! I was pleased!

Activity Days here I come!

My mother-in-law is having knee surgery on Tuesday. She is the Activity Days leader in our ward. Kayley & Jacob love her! Reason why Jacob is going is because right now there isn't an active Cub Scout group in our ward because Jacob is the only boy in this age range that is active. He is starting a Cub Scout group in Ashdown this week. Anyway, so because my mother-in-law is not going to be able to do this for a few months, I told her I would do this for her. I am doing her Sunday class too. We do Activity Days on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays. This week it's the 3rd, so since it's close to Conference time, I am doing something on Following the Prophet. I got Bro. Hanson (see post below) to be King Benjamin for a few minutes at the beginning. I hope the kids enjoy it. I am hoping that all 11 kids will show, but I feel only 4-5 will actually come.

Past few weeks I have been teaching the 12-13 yr olds Sunday School class. I have really enjoyed it. I think it would be fun to teach that group all the time. I don't mind Primary... I just hate sitting in Sharing Time (always have!), and thru the Primary Program.

Primary Activity on September 6th

Our Primary had a service project for the soldiers in Iraq. Each child was asked to bring 1 of the following: a chapstick, a toothbrush, travel-size Q-Tips or travel-size wipes. My children couldn't decide, so they brought one of each. My sister gave them a name of a soldier serving from her ward, but the Primary president has a nephew there too, so I don't know who the lucky soldier & unit will be! But whoever it is, I am sure they will love it! Our kids worked so hard in making cute cards for them.

~Krissy & Cole (future son-in-law from what I have been told) and Jacob~

~Lindsey, Krissy & Jacob busy at work~
~Some of our cute Primary kids including Kayley in the back~

Happy 7th KRISSY!

Happy Birthday to my most favorite daughter turning 7 today!!

You always have the best poses!

I think you could win the Miss Pouty Contest!

Happy Birthday Krissy! I love you! Hope you have a great day!