To Whom It May Concern...

WE HAVE CABIN FEVER BIG TIME....and
We really want summer to come.
We know that since we live in Rexburg spring doesn't really exist.
So we are cutting straight to the matter at hand and asking for summer to come early this year.
IS THIS TOO MUCH TO ASK?
We don't think that it is and this is why....

We want to be able to leave our apartment.
We just want to be able to breathe when we go outside.
We just want to wear shorts and T-shirts.
We just want to take nice long walks without snow blocking our path.
We are bored with all of our toys...
We just want to maybe play in some water.
We just want to feel the sun warm up our toes and our noses.
We don't want to have colds.
We want to eat snow shacks instead of mom's healthy smoothies.
We are sick of paying high electricity bills.
We are bored of pulling out all of the dryer sheets and then shoving them back in the box so mom doesn't find out.
We are done with 20 degree temps.  The sun being out has helped... but it is still too cold.
WE ARE TIRED and NEED SOME CHANGE.   ASAP.

Now we know that we live in the freezing cold of Idaho.  We like the snow during the Holiday Season but it is time for it to go and to warm up.  We sure would appreciate it if you could fulfill this little favor of ours.  If you do then I promise that Thomas will sing "If your happy and you know it"  just for you. Actions and all.  These should be incentive enough.  It is really cute when he "shouts hooray".
Please get back to us as soon as possible because Thomas is peeling all of the wrappings off of his crayons and throwing them in the air and letting them rain down on his little face as I type this and I can't take it for too much longer.

Sincerely and with plenty of LOVE,
Sadie and Thomas

LOVING

Today I am LOVING... 

       These cute push pins by Marta over at martawrites.  Wouldn't they be fun to hang up pictures of the ones that you LOVE this Valentines?  

(picture also by Marta at martawrites)

These adorable mini diaries that are also handmade by Marta.  Isn't she so talented and has such classy tastes? I think so too.  I also think that these diaries would make such a cute gift to give to someone or be given.   

Vintage Hems.  Have you ever fallen in love with a dress or a skirt only to realize that it is just a tad too short for our choice of underwear?  Me too, and I hate it.  I recently found these and think that they make the perfect solution.  I haven't had the chance to try them out but I do believe they would be fabulous.  

This painting by Janet Hill over at janethillstudio.  Doesn't it just make you want to go out and get some adorable heals instead of your snowboots that are so warm yet unattractive.  I also wish I had a place to wear some heals like these.  

TODAY I am loving that Daniel actually gets to spend time with us doing whatever we want to do.  I guess I should say whatever I want to do since I planned our whole day.  City league basketball in the morning.  Naps.  Sledding.  Hot cocoa.  Homemade BBQ pizza.  Baths and then a movie to snuggle up to.  Who knows plans may change.  As for now the babe just woke up from his nap and that means it is time for me to go kiss his rosy cheeks.  Another thing that I am loving today.  

Unexpected Surprises

Yesterday I was enjoying a wonderful lunch of Mac and Cheese (with peas) with Thomas, a dear friend and her son.  Dreyton was surprising his mom by how much he ate and Thomas like always was devouring his meal by rotating between a spoon in one hand and the free hand scooping in any that fell off the spoon.  I am sure that we were having wonderful conversation although right now I can't recall what we were discussing.  As we were enjoying our goopy cheesy mixture we heard a knock at the door.

I opened it not expecting anyone in particular, but to my SURPRISE I saw a friend from my apartment complex standing there with a plate full of banana muffins.  On the top of one of the muffins was a candle that she had lit at her apartment and protected all the way over to my apartment, even while it was snowing outside.  As I took in this glorious sight she yelled HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I got so excited that for a minute I thought it might of been my birthday, but then I came to my senses and realized it definitely was not.  You see my birthday is in October.   I invited her in and THANKED her for her sincere kindness and gently tried to break the news that it wasn't actually my birthday.  I was quite hesitant to do this not only because I was afraid to embarrass her but I really wanted to keep the muffins and I was afraid she would take them away from me, the non-birthday girl.

She looked confused and said that she ha read in the ward bulletin that Sadie Jo Boring's birthday was on January 26th and she asked if it was the 26th?  I told her that it was the 26th but that my name is Sadie Packer.  She felt embarrassed and told me she was sorry a few times.

I was actually really excited because it was such an UNEXPECTED SURPRISE that made my day so special, even more special then if it really had been my birthday.  It was such a sincere and genuine act of friendship that it made me want to look for others birthdays and UNEXPECTEDLY SURPRISE them.  It made me laugh out loud, even to myself, at least 10 times the rest of the day.  Plus it made my birthday last all year long and I think that is the way it should be anyway.

Thank you Mana for your example of goodness and your delightful UNEXPECTED SURPRISE!

TODAY...

TODAY Daniel rolled over in bed and said, "Happy Anniversary babe"!  Asked if I could reach the phone.  Then fell back asleep rubbing his feet together.  

TODAY I "made" marshmallow mateys and hot chocolate for a gourmet breakfast.  Thomas spilled his.  

TODAY Daniel has to work all day.  He gave me a "good" kiss before he walked out the door carrying some laundry and a power rangers lunch box.  

TODAY I get to babysit for a friend.  Visit with my V.T. They are always such good company and the children do so well together.  I am also still in my pajamas.  Hair is ridiculously undone.  

TODAY Thomas is still in his pajamas and is eating plain pieces of bread.  He just laid by me on the couch and sang me a song wearing my head band star trek style.  

TODAY it is sunny and about 38 degrees outside.  

TODAY Daniel will take me out for a fabulous night on the town.  Which will most likely include tasty food, good conversation, and maybe even a movie.  

TODAY is what THREE years of marriage looks like in the Packer home.  

(Daniel and Sadie January 13, 2007)

THREE years ago TODAY I was sealed to Daniel Dennis Packer in the Idaho Falls Temple.  

THREE years ago TODAY Daniel was wearing a stunning suit that fit him perfectly.

THREE years ago TODAY I was wearing a simply beautiful white dress with a red bow around the waist.  My hair in loose curls pinned back.  I did it myself because I wanted to look like ME in my pictures.  

THREE years ago TODAY Daniel gave me LOTS and LOTS of good kisses, even in public.

THREE years ago TODAY people were congratulating us and following us with cameras to document our LOVE.  

THREE years ago TODAY Daniel played his guitar and sang for me at our luncheon.  He wrote the song just for the occasion.  It was a surprise.  It is titled Really in Love.  

THREE years ago TODAY it was -14 degrees (during the day) and -30 degrees (at night)

THREE years ago TODAY we danced to a live band. Ate cake.  Drank punch.  Greeted a lot of friends and family while standing under a chandelier.  

THREE years ago TODAY both of my grandmothers cornered me and gave me "wedding night" advice.  Something I never really wanted to experience from these two fabulous women.  

THREE years ago TODAY... it was a MAGICAL day filled with LOVE.  A day to celebrate and remember.  A fabulous day that represents the start of the rest of our MAGICAL days together.  Even if TODAY I am still in my pajamas and we ate cold cereal for breakfast.  I know that our lives are filled with love and laughter and are MAGICAL in their very own way.  

                        (Sadie, Thomas and Daniel summer 2009 in Utah)
I am lucky that THREE years of marriage looks like TODAY!

Happy Holidays

The Holiday Season is in full swing.  Christmas shopping is being done.  Radios and choirs are blaring the cheerful comforting music of the season.  Snow is falling.  Trees are up.  Stockings are hung.  There is a feeling of joy and LOVE in the air, even through the hustle and bustle.  

I LOVE this time of year and everything about it.  The memories I have of ice skating with my family as a child, riding on grandpas sleigh singing Christmas carols, reading the nativity each Christmas Eve and always getting to be the angel are all things that I will cherish and hold dear in my heart forever.  But they aren't the main reasons that I love this time of year.  I LOVE it because it is a time that we get to reflect on Christ.  We get to remember his humble birth, we get to remember his life and ministry here on the earth, mostly we get to remember to be more like him.  We remember to give a little more and receive a little less. We remember to enjoy and cherish the important things in our lives.  We remember to LOVE as Christ loves each one of us.  

We would like to wish you all a HAPPY HOLIDAY season and let you all know that we LOVE you and are grateful for your friendships and examples.  

Here is a quick update on the happenings in the Packer homestead during 2009.  

Daniel finished out his last few semesters at BYU-I with a bang.  He is now working cleaning carpets for a company called Heaven's Best.  He is still a "BEAST" on the basketball court and can be found at the Center Stake playing often.  He is starting to teach guitar again and serenading Thomas and I as we dance and sing.  His favorite music artist at the time is The Swell Season.  He is in the scouts in our ward and can do a mean round of applause.  He also says he is the BEST of the BEST and I must agree because he just got done doing all of my dishes!

Sadie also graduated from BYU-I this summer and is so glad to finally be done.  She now gets to focus her full attention on Baby T and Big D.  She has definitely become a fan of all things beautiful, Audrey Hepburn, vintage, the color aqua and of course clothes and eating fabulous food.  She is also in the scouts with Daniel and has learned a lot about little boys and what it takes to keep them quite and happy.  The answer is usually a snack believe it or not!  Her favorite song at the time is definitely 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin Groovy) by Simon and Garfunkle, but the new and improved version by Danny D. Packer.  She dreams of owning her own washer and dryer someday and asked for kitchen supplies for Christmas.  

Thomas is officially not a baby anymore.  He has reached the ripe old age of 19 months and is growing like a weed.  He loves to color on anything.  He is a really fast runner and can throw a ball way better then I can.  He likes to dance, sing, play the piano and guitar.  He loves going to nursery and borrowing their crayons.  His favorite thing at the time is Elmo and his favorite song would have to be either Popcorn Popping or the Crocodile song.  This year for Christmas he wants a bike or an electronic truck (you know the ones that you actually drive and are every kids dream).  We will just have to see what Santa brings this nice little boy.  

This has been a fabulous year for the Packers.  We are still living in the Burg and loving being spoiled by our families.  We can't wait to see where 2010 takes us.  

xoxo the Packers

My Sissy

This is my sissy ALISA.  Some of you may know just how COOL she is, but for those of you who don't know her let me introduce you.  

Alisa is very SMART....SMRT and one of the best teachers that I know.  I someday hope to be half the teacher that she is.  She is tough and she always says all the right things.  

Alisa has great tastes in general.  Growing up I couldn't always say this because she tried to be uniquely funky with her style but it just came out as horribly mismatching in every way.  Don't worry folks she has blossomed (thanks Grandma Dunn) and now has impeccable tastes.  I also think it is fair to say that we share the same favorite store... ANTHROPOLOGIE.   Alisa loves loves loves shoes... 

Alisa and I growing up (and still) are very very different.  But thats what makes us get along so well because she definitely picks up my slack.  

Alisa LOVES to read.  She reads really really fast and she always has a book in her bag.

Alisa likes adventure and to be outdoors.  As a hobby not a lifestyle!  

Alisa has beautiful freckles and the longest eyelashes ever that curl perfectly.  

Alisa has a great sense of humor even if she likes to torment certain little brothers, but who doesn't?

Alisa likes to craft and create, but she isn't obsessed she just likes beautiful things!

                                                     NYC

                                           San Francisco

Alisa knows how to think in a crisis.  This is one of the number one reasons that I LOVE my sister.  She isn't emotional and so when crunch time hits she just digs in and gets dirty and does what needs to be done.  For example she came with us to dinner tonight at Bajio's.  Which have I ever mentioned that I LOVE.... well I do even if that is besides the point.  So we were eating our fabulous green chile stuffed quesedillas and enjoying one another's company when Thomas started coughing right after putting some yummy rice in his mouth.    This caused him to gag and in turn throw up everything he had just eaten.  I am embarrassed and don't know where to begin cleaning.  Should I clean up the table and then take Thomas to the restroom, or should I take Thomas to the restroom and clean him up and then come out and tackle the table.  It was about this time that I feel my throat get all tight and tears welling up in my eyes (remember I am the emotional one in the family) when I realize Alisa was forcing napkins into my hands and then whisking Thomas away to the bathroom.  She is so level headed and doesn't even blink an eye. She is the person I decide to always have with me in a crisis from now on.  

THANKS ALISA for being my life saver tonight, it was messy and smelly but that didn't stop you.  I think that you are pretty COOL and I feel pretty lucky to be your little sis.  

xoxo

Surrounded

My life is surrounded
with cars, stinky socks, basketball, blue, balls, hats, stinkers (you know what I mean), actions figures, with "saving the world" sound effects, green, dogs, sticks and dirt.
My life is surrounded with a man and a man child..
... which means that all of my christmas shopping is MANLY.  
NO bows
NO pink
NO beautiful
NO glitter
Just MANLY shopping.  Which looks a little bit like this.

VERY manly right.  Not only did he find a football that he couldn't let go of.  He found a broken ball that he decided made the perfect hat and wore it all around the store.  I thought it was adorable and hilarious.  Even if my life is surrounded by manliness it is moments like this that make it perfect.  PERFECTLY MANLY.