Tickle Me Pink Tuesday - illustrated version......

It's time to point out the things that are "tickling me pink" today.....lucky you, it's illustrated today.....
1. If you follow Facebook - and saw my status updates on Sunday, I was having a tich bit of a melt-down. COULD NOT FIND MY USB CORD!!!! As a blogger, you know, to not have the ability to download your photos is akin to telling you to stop breathing. Well, I am "tickled pink" that my favorite shark came to the rescue and loaned me a spare one of hers!! (and if you aren't on Facebook, get there and friend request me for crying out loud!)

2. My uber-ugly gloves that serve as both fingerless gloves and mittens depending on what you need. I know, I know, they are super dooper ugly, but you know what? My hands are warm whilst driving and that is all that really matters.

3. My Yankees blankie! For some reason the last week or so, I have developed an SEVERE intolerance to the cold. Now, I'm always cold, I realize that. I'm the girl on the beach in Cancun wrapped in a blankie. But lately, I don't know what it is, I am FREEZING! To the very BONE! ALL THE TIME! I am "tickled" that I have such a great blankie to sausage wrap into before getting into bed. Think cocoon.

4. And while I have been mocked mercilessly by those whom I "thought" were my friends and whom I "thought" would be more respectful of my feelings, not naming any names Shark and Giggler......I am "tickled pink" by my uber-cool wrap around sunglasses. Yes, they were designed to go OVER your prescription glasses so that while you are driving around in the blinding sun, you can ease the glare and not end up with a wicked bad headache. Really, they're not that bad are they? Are they? Even if they are, I'm old enough, who freakin cares? MUST.SEE.

What's "tickling you pink" today??

Missionary Monday - update

What a difference a week of patience, fasting and prayer make!
Here's Elder L's latest update:
parents,

well well well, great to hear from you guys. sounds like things could have been a little bit on the difficult side this week. but i hope that things go good for you guys this next week. i am guessing that you are probably wondering about transfers eh? well here is what is up.....

I am a trainer!!!!! I was called to train this transfer! wahoo!! i am not ging to lie to you ghuys that i was a little bit nervous at first, but that i got my comp, its all good. my companions name is Elder Poujol from Honduras. he really is awesome and we get along just great! it is really fun training! it is something really diferent cause i remember how it was for me to start,and now he is passing through the same phase.being scared to talk to people, struggling to teach. at times not knwing what to say.haha i remember it all. the cool thing is, my comps b day was yesterday! i secretly planned with a family here to eat lunch and have b day cake. it was a suprise for him. my comp was a little bit touched haha and he was truly happy. it was interesting cause he told me that he prayed to the best possible trainer for him, and told me, the lord answers prayers hahaha. about the sector, we are ripping it apart. now that we can really work, god is blessing us a lot. we should have a baptizm this transfer. its my goal, and gift that i want my comp to start his mission with a baptizm. i think that would be soo cool. the members see the difference in us also and have a lot more confidence in us. really its amazing to see how things can improve that fast!!

i have some great pictures with my comp, that i will NOT be able to send beacuse this comp is soooooooooooooooo slow haha. i seem to get bad luck with that. but i hope that yu gusy got the ones that i sent earlier. i got the package that you guys sent me with the scriptures and the oil containers and everythign!!!!! wow thank you guys soooo mcuh for that honesly! the lady was so happy and the kids that i gave the oil things too. wow it was great. thank you guys soo much. i am going to re send the package that i sent home. i guess that i did something wrond or something like that, but i need to re send ithaha. could i ask you guys another favor? and you guys can use my money for this. but could you guys send a package for my companion?? you could put like treats and maybe a cd or some other random stuff from the us that a latino would like? that would be perfect. fam. this guy is great and really is a great friend of my. i am going to write his fam and tell him how good of a missionary he is. i think that will make the family happy. :) he speaks really good inglish also. things here in the mission have improved tons!!!

to answer someof you qwusetions. i really actually havent gotten to sick here, but when i do get sick, i always ask for a blessing and then i work haha. here there are no days off. and about chruch ball, that is great that you guys are winning and stuff,but at the same timewould be n ice to have alll of the kids play. i guess that is why they come to the games. to play, and to win. haha.

thank you guys soooo much for all of the love and support that you guys give me every week. that really helps me out, a lot! there are not a lot of missionaries who have that... so thanks :) hope tthat you guys have good week! Love you guys!

ELder Catmull

ps sorry so short, i dont have too much time today. my comp needs to do a lot of things today haha ;(

We can see how much happier he is. This email was a HUGE burden off our shoulders!

So I guess my project tomorrow will be getting a package together for Elder Pouljol. I am so happy for L an all that he is doing. The kid is a freakin rock star! And since we are now down to 11 month left, all is well in Catmull land......

Another proud Mom moment.....

You too may be this lucky one day.
I'm driving home from running some errands and get a text from my oldest son C informing that he is on his way to get his ears pierced. I quickly call him. "Come again?" I ask where he's going, his plan etc. but have decided that I can either wear my frowning disappointed face with him all the time, or I can find things that are positive. The second route is going to help our relationship.
So I tease him about his earring choice - please no silver - bad for your skin tone. Please no gauges or huge BLING.
And this is what he came up with.
Now, I realize you can't see his earrings here, but I did want you to know the Jesus picture in the background.
His right ear
His left
Why is he covering his mouth you say? Because once I pointed out that Jesus was looking on behind him, he got the giggles.

All I can say is thank heavens that they are not those awful huge gauges! I can live with these little ditties if they make him happy. Now if he comes home next and tells me his new significant other is named Steve, we'll need to talk again.....

Do you ever feel like this?

Sometimes two binnkies just isn't enough!

Superbowl Sunday Fun

So did you party like it was 1999? Superbowl at our house is not a HUGE deal, but we do make our favorite snacks, pick a team to cheer for and hunker down for hopefully a good game and funny commercials.
Our menu?
A little ditty I like to call "The Most Awesome 7-Layer Dip Ever"
All I need is my own bag of baked Tostitos and I am set!
Tuffy's personal favorite are the lil Smokies that simmer for several hours before game time.

And then something that we all enjoy - Shrimp Cocktail
mmmmm, a little cocktail sauce and really, we could eat these bad boys all night long!

Have to say that Faith Hill looked beautiful and did a great job with God Bless America. However, Jennifer Hudson NAILED the National Anthem. Really. Girl has got pipes! In fact, if you closed your eyes, I could sometimes hear Gladys Knight. It was an amazing performance.
I was getting a little bored by half time, and I am usually not a fan of the halftime shows, but it came on and we were still sitting there watching. And then, the funniest thing of all night! Bruce Springsteen comes on stage, tosses his guitar to a stage had who barely catches it and does the two step shuffle trying to keep his balance and not drop the guitar.....I realize that this picture is dark and does no justice, but really, it was HYSTERICAL! We re-wound it and watched it like 4 times. Hilarious! I think a certain someone might have gotten fired from the E-street band for this one!

The game sure took an exciting twist there at the end, and I really wanted Arizona to win, but hey, it still was a fun afternoon, with family, food and the big screen!

Spiritual Sunday - Best letter EVAH!

If you've been following Elder L's saga, he has been struggling as of late. We have been worried about his safety in his sector and most of all, his safety with a mentally ill companion. Saturday we got this amazing letter that not only uplifted me and made me feel so much better for him, but totally gave me a lot to think about. He's been out a little over a year, and I can't believe the change that has taken place.
You can click on the picture to get a better read.......

After wiping the tears, I decided that this kid is just one awesome human being and I am so proud of him for sticking it out. Especially when it has been so hard. I think I really have gained a ton of appreciation for him and feel it a privilege to even be a part of his life.
AWE.SOME!!

Basking in the sun

Seriously, if we weren't completely different species, I would swear we are twins. We both talk too much, have weird eating habits, love our bed, and most of all, LOVE laying in the sun! Summer just can't come soon enough!!! Truly, my doggie soul mate!