Last weekend we had our annual Fisher Family Fondue at Grandma and Grandpa Fishers. We fondued Steak and Deer in hot oil. We also did fried shrimp and fried mushrooms to go along with Cheese fondue covered in vegetables and french bread. It was way yummy. For dessert we dipped strawberries and bananas in chocolate and had a dessert fondue. Your cheese fondue is out of this world, Christa! :) 
Valerie just wants to open presents....
Here are a few pictures of the kids opening presents from Grandma and Grandpa Fisher.
After the festivities it was crash and burn wherever you could find a spot...
I'm not sure if grandmpa got a nap in until all the grandkids left...
Savannah's teacher sent home a note yesterday that says she is qualified for the gifted and talented program in Grantsville. I was so proud of her I cried. I always knew there was something about her... (every parent thinks that about their children, right?) She begs her teacher for homework! Anywho I am just super proud of her and couldn't be more excited for her.
We love you Sissy and hope you excel in everything you do.
The news reports say there's supposed to be a bad snowstorm on Saturday. So I'm letting you off the hook. Stay in your warm houses and bake from there.
I'm going to be doing my holiday baking this Saturday. I'm inviting anyone and everyone over to bake with me. So if you need something to do... Bring your recipes, ingredients, and come have a bakers ball with me. I'm planning on Toffee, Things, reindeer kibbles, and chocolate covered pretzles for starters.
Valerie turned two on Monday. Here she is pleased as punch with her cake and ice cream. Love that toothy grin.
Every year we get on our warm clothes, make a thermos of Hot Cocoa, and hop in the car to go look at christmas lights--and this last weekend we did just that. There are a few houses in Grantsville that look like Santa land. The houses are amazing. The kids enjoy it as well as Richard and I.
One particular house has a sign in the front yard that said to turn your radio station to 102.3 or something close to and their lights in their yard go with the beat of the music. It was incredible. I've never seen anything like it before.
After we saw all the lights we wanted to we took the kids and their letters to Santa Claus over to Grandma and Grandpa Fishers. What happens is we light a fire in their fireplace and put their letters to Santa in the fire. As their letters burn and the ashes fly up the chimney Santa Claus flies over the house with his reindeer and grabs the ashes and takes them back to the North Pole. Then he puts the letters back together and if the kids were good this year they might just get what they asked for.
While we were all huddled around the fireplace we literally heard Santa's sleigh bells outside. (well except for me, I had to slide out the back door and get something out of the car) ;) But Savannah swears she saw his sleigh drive away when we ran outside to try to take a peak.
The magic of christmas was in our hearts that night, but we always remember the true meaning of christmas each season as we remember that God himself came to earth humbly as a baby born in a manger to save us from our sins of this world.
Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas.
It's been awhile since i've posted about family activities. So I'm catching up. Richard and I were able to get tickets to Utah vs. TCU a couple months ago. (Thanks Jen and Jason) It was an amazing game to go to for being my first college football game. Here are some photos of the little tailgating we got to do. We had a blast. As you can see I was very festive and wore my black.
I read this e-mail today and the timing couldn't have been more perfect; However I never felt like God hasn't been with me. I have felt his love and mercy continuously the last couple of weeks. God is Good. God is on His throne. God is continuously pouring out his blessings in my life.
"...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20
Have you ever faced a storm in your life and the frustration was multiplied because it did not seem that Jesus was there for you? The disciples faced this very situation. Jesus told them take their boat to sea while he stayed behind to pray. Suddenly, a powerful storm came up. The terrified disciples faced it for several hours before Jesus, making a pretty dramatic entrance, showed up to comfort them. So, why didn't Jesus come to them right away?
Well, think about it this way. When we are going through storms, it's human nature for us to have the mindset that, "I've just got to work this out by myself!" The disciples knew Jesus was on land and probably assumed there really wasn't anything He could do anyway. But Christ was praying on the shore for the disciples as He saw the storm come up. And you should realize that Jesus is also hearing your prayers in the midst of your storms.
Know this: There is no storm in life stronger than Jesus. The fact is that Jesus doesn't always give us a perfect peace and calm at the very moment that we're pouring out our heart to Him; sometimes the calm comes later. He will bring us His peace in His timing. You can face your storms with courage because Jesus promises that He will be with you.
I’m terrified of our next leaders political agenda.
I’m terrified for all the partial birth abortions that are going to be made legal.
I’m terrified that my hand gun will be taken away.
I’m terrified that my kids and my kids kids will not know the America as I know it today; they will grow up as socialists.
I’m terrified that the constitution and amendments will be changed.
I’m terrified that my freedom of religion will be taken away.
I’m terrified for the economy. The latest economy bail-out was not “American.”
I’m terrified that no matter how hard I work, I’ll never be able to get ahead… He wants to share the wealth with those who choose not to work or choose to just “get by.”
I’m terrified he will help the Muslim agenda. Did you know that many Africans have been told by Muslim leaders that Aids was made up by Christians to keep the Muslim population down?
I’m terrified God will turn his back on America.
However……
God will remain on His throne, governing the affairs of men.
The Bible will remain true with all of the answers to life's questions.
Prayer will not cease to change people and circumstances.
The Holy Spirit will continue be to you all that you need Him to be.
God will still dwell in the praises of His people.
There will still be God-anointed people changing the world.
There will continue to be singing of praise to God.
God will not stop pouring out blessings upon His people.
There will still be room at the Cross.
Jesus will continue to love you and fulfill His plan for your life.
I am a cat for Halloween this year! Check out those cat-eye contacts!
Desiree and I pose for a pic at work. She is an 80's. Zombie off of Michael Jackson's Thriller. Quite Clever I might add! Thanks for dressing up Des.
"For you light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness." - Psalm 18:28
She had been driven crazy by her energetic children and just needed to get away, if even for just a moment. She ran upstairs to her daughter's bedroom and closed the closet door behind her. And there, in the solitude of the closet she cleansed her mind by letting out a long, loud scream. She immediately felt better and opened the door to leave. Blocking her exit, with eyes the size of saucers, were her three children. Her four-year-old daughter spoke first: "Mommy, I told you there were monsters in there."
But the truth is, children and adults fear the dark, the unknown, for the same reason: our fears are intensified when we cannot see what is really before us. Listen to these words from the Psalmist: "Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there, if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."
Like a loving father, God promises us He'll always be with us. He's there to offer us His hand in life's darkest hours. He'll carry us through the darkness and lead us where we need to go. He'll always be with us.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him; who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28
With only twelve official holidays in the USA, it requires a remarkable occasion or success to have a holiday. We have holidays to celebrate our independence, memorialize our veterans as well as contemplate all the things we are thankful for. We also honor great people and their accomplishments. Holidays are so scarce that all 43 of our presidents have to share a single day! When you think about it, there are only two people who have achieved such distinction that they have their own holiday - Martin Luther King and Christopher Columbus. And you know what is strange about that? Columbus failed!
That's right. Christopher Columbus was on a mission to find a shorter trade route to India but instead he missed it by over nine thousand miles. Nine thousand miles! But from that failure put a spotlight on new lands that motivated future explorers, attracted settlers, and eventually resulted in the creation of great nations. It was one of history's biggest blunders, yet we celebrate the failure every year with one our scarce national holidays.
So, the next time you think you've made a big mistake, think about the legacy of Christopher Columbus. You'll see that God can turn your blunder into some unexpected good.
If you know me very well you know I hate being scared. It runs in the family I think. I absolutely hate scary movies. The last scary movie Richard watched he went and bought a hand gun the very next day to keep under our bed.
This morning on the radio they were having people call in and tell them the scariest movie they had ever seen. The first scary movie I ever saw was actually done by Disney. It is called The Watcher in the Woods. It's about a girl who gets lost in another dispensation while she is at a Séance in an abandoned church. A family moves into the neighborhood and thinks they are getting haunted by this girl who is trying to make contact with them. For anybody who has ever seen the movie.... I got one word for you.... N E R A K.
Years later as an adult I still hate to watch them. Remember Christa when you thought it was funny to make me watch What lies beneath. agghhhh!
What is the scariest movie you've ever seen? Leave me a comment for everyone to enjoy.
Have you ever heard the "what's grosser than gross" jokes? Well mine is not so much of a joke. But maybe one day we can laugh about it.
Last night at 2:00 a.m. Savannah came to my bed to tell me she had a tummy ache. I told her to just get in bed with me and try to sleep. (Richard is gone for the hunt so we could share the bed) 30 minutes later she rolled over and cried, "mom" just in time to throw up all over.
I screamed and ran us both right to my bathroom. I put her over the toilet to finish. And I put myself in the shower to wash all the puke off of me. It was down my neck, down my arm all the way down my pajamas. After I showered and scrubbed down a couple of times ;) I put Savannah in the shower to get it out of her hair and off of her face!
I spent the next hour washing blankets and sheets and even had to get the steam vac out and steam clean parts of my carpet. (there was a trail to the bathroom.)
During all of this Valerie heard us and woke up wide eyed and bushy tailed ready for the day! I opened windows, turned the fan on and we opted to go lay down on the couches in the living room. I heard Savannah the rest of the night run to the bathroom every 30 minutes, bless her heart. As yucky as this incident was, it's amazing the things we can and will do for our kids; even as much as letting them throw up on us if need be. I also can't believe I can love somebody so much as my children.
Thank you Grandma Mare for coming over to watch my kids this morning with just a moments notice. You always pull through whenever your needed and we sure appreciate you.
I was tagged back in July by Christa, sorry I'm a wee bit late. ;o)
1) Four places that I go to over and over:
a. Work (Jacobsen Construction)
b. Church (Stansbury Park Baptist Church)
c. Grandpa and Grandma Fishers in Erda and Magna
d. Doctors offices!!!
2) Four of my favorite places to eat:
a. Bucca di Beppo
b. La Puente
c. Cafe Rio, Bajio, Costa Vida (they're all the same in my eyes)
d. Red Lobster
3) Four places I would rather be right now:
a. Home with my kids and hubby
b. Disneyland with my kids and hubby
c. Out to dinner with my kids and hubby... wait just hubby on that one!
d. Camping with my kids and hubby
4) Four TV shows I watch:
a. Friends Re-runs
b. The Office
c. Untamed and Uncut these days Savannah DVR's this on the Animal Planet Channel.
d. The new 90210
Still Growing: An Autobiography by Kirk Cameron
My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoy autobiographies. I give this one 5 stars. Pretty easy reading, yet entertaining. The life of a Hollywood star with ethics and a conscience is always a plus. The end of the book he puts so simply the Gospel... And it is simple. Too many people/religions today try to complicate things when it doesn't need to be.
I also went through The Way of the Master with my family and loved it!
View all my reviews.
The Tooele County Fair started last night. Savannah's friend/and our date night babysitter, Amberly, asked Savannah if she wanted to enter her chicken in the animal exhibit. Savannah watched her chicken egg hatch and has been watching her chicken grow. So ofcourse, this would be a great experience for her besides the fact it will give her something to do before the summer is over!
Last friday evening after work we drove up to South Willow Canyon and found a campground with our friends Travis and Sara and their daughter Tatum. What a relaxing evening! Here are some of the pics we took.
My brother-in-law, Shane, sent me an e-mail titled 40 tips for a better life. I picked my favorite 10 and am sharing them.
--Take a 10-30 minute walk every day and while you walk, smile. it's the ultimate anti-depressant.
--Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
--Try to make 5 people smile each day including yourself.
--Don't waste your precious energy on gossip or issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
--Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
--Your job won't take care of you when you are sick-your friends will; stay in touch.
--Do the right thing.
--Call your family often (or email them to death)
--Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
--Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.
The Wasatch Back Relay held June 20-21 was an experience I won't forget for a very long time.
After finding our way to Logan our team started at 10:00 a.m. Alycia started us out and did awesome. She gave us a great start with Josh following her. I was leg number three at about noon. It was extremely hot and my 5.6 miles led me to mild heat stroke. I was sick all day after that run taking it easy and drinking plenty of water and gatorade. Following me was Tony then a grueling hill done by Cory and Andy.
After our first leg was complete we sent van 2 on their runs. We didn't have long to rest; we found a place to eat lunch in Eden and took a short nap.
My next leg found me at 10:00 that same night. That run was incredible. It was pitch dark with just me, my head lamp and the road. (I was also decked out in glow sticks that my team decorated me with. I was a glowing gal making my way through the night) My van met me at mile 2 of this 4.9 miler and told me that my husband, Richard, called to check on me. It made me so happy I wanted to get emotional but figured that would take more energy than it was worth at the moment. I knew Richard was praying for me at that very second. I turned off my i-pod and prayed to God for the body he has given me and the energy he was providing me with to finish this leg. It was a cool night and the best run I had done yet.
Our van finished our second leg at 1:30 in the morning. Afterwhich, we drove to Summit High School in Coalville where they hosted dinner, hot showers and a place to sleep. By the time I had showered I was too tired to eat and found a spot to lay my sleeping bag and pillow down at 2:30. I wish I would have got a picture of this.... let me explain. They had us packed like sardines on the gym floor. It was dark and surprisingly extremely quiet. I felt like I had just survived a natural disaster and they had us quarantined at the nearest facility. There were bodies sleeping everywhere. In the gym, in the hallways, out on the lawn! It was crazy.
We managed to get a whole 2 hours of sleep and it was time to load the van and head out to our third and final leg. I didn't prepare as well for this leg and I now wish I could do this leg over. I would definitley do it different. I was afraid to eat anthing all morning before my leg because I didn't want to get a gut bomb and get sick. So the lack of energy from not having anything in my body wore me out. Knowing what I know now I would have rather got the gut bomb I was dreading. This was the road kill of all roadkills. I had to dodge 3 dead skunks and 1 snake. (I couldn't help but look at them when I ran by them, what the crap!! Like the smell wasn't bad enough) I barely finished the leg and even managed to sprint the last few strides! :)
Tony ran after me again and did awesome on his uphill climb. As we met up with him when he finished his run I looked over and we were looking over Jordanelle Resorvoir. It was completely breathtaking looking down into the valley. What an accomplishment to make it this far! Cory then took off down the other side of the mountain that Tony had just climbed and we met him right outside of Heber. Andy then finished his leg at an Elementary school in Heber. Here we met up with the Jacobsen Screaming Turtles and chit chatted for awhile. We realized we were all starving and drove into town and ate at Granny's. I got me lots of greasy food and every bite was just tasty as could be.
We drove to the final venue in Park City where I met up with Richard, got a massage and just chilled in the shade. We would meet our last runner here in the second van and at about 4:15 we saw her rounding the last corner. We were all pumped and even ran through the finish line with her.
Savannah got to go camping at Smith and Moorehouse this last weekend. Here is a picture of her and her silly cousins Braden and Sierra.
My top ten list I need Richard for: (in no particular order)
1. To wake me up in the morning; he's my alarm clock.
2. To pray for me.
3. To get me out of the house when I need it.
4. To give me hugs.
5. To think rational for me.
6. To update me politically.
7. To take me out on dates.
8. To do the barbecuing.
9. To do the bills.
10. To tell me when it's time to go to bed.
HAPPY FATHERS DAY RICHARD! YOUR FAMILY SURE LOVES YOU.
Here's hoping to 3 more weeks! I'm tempted to make a paper chain. :-)
Richard showing off his mailbox. But we have to give credit where credit is due.. Great job Jesse, Travis, and Rich.
Front of the house showing off the brick work that you can't see becuase of the suns rays.
Back patio showing off the brick work.
Fireplace inside my living room.
Fisher Masonry does great work don't they?
(my attempt to show my marketing skills)
Savannah graduated from 1st grade today at St. Marguerites Catholic School. Grandma Lisa, Valerie and I were there to see her.
At her teachers award cerimony, Savannah was given the Presidential Fitness Award, Best Conduct Award, and Best Handwriting Award in the first grade! I am as pleased as punch!
Way to go Savannah, your family is super proud of you! We love you so so much.
