Wordful Wednesday

After almost a month of rainy days, yesterday was beautiful and sunny and actually felt like summer. I decided I better inspect my attempts at gardening. I was pleased to see I have tomatoes on my veins.



I was also pleased that my Violas were still hanging in there. My older sister calls these little guys Monkey Faces because they look like little monkeys to her and I have always loved them. They only have a few weeks of life left in them which makes my hubby so happy. He happens to dislike my pretty little violas. It could be because they like to take over every spot of the garden. And that is why I love them. They grow fast and spread out and just make me happy.



Then I stumbled upon these things. They look like weeds but are supposed to be "wildflowers". We shall see.




Check out other Wordful Wednesday posts at Angies.

Sunday Sermon

A long time ago I had a missionary (not going to mention which denomination) come to my door and tried to convince me that my then spouse should be the head of me.

It seems I understood the scriptures just a little differently then she did. I asked if she was married and she told me no. I told her to come back and we’d talk about this when she had been married for a while and had some children of her own.

I believe the scriptures are right when they say a father should lead righteously in his family. But that is a lot different then him being the head of me. I want a husband who is my partner and who treats me with love and respect. Not a husband who treats me like his property.

But more important then that, I want a husband who treats my children with the same respect. Some one who is a good Dad. A good example of a man who helps his family become better and grow stronger.

My Father in Ft. Hall Washington about 1957.

This song relays just how I feel a Dad should be.

I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye

Fighting was against the rules and it didn't matter why

When Dad got home I told that story just like I'd rehearsed

And then stood there on those trembling knees and waited for the worst

And he said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love
A secret that my Daddy said was just between us."

He said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then

It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen."

When I became a father in the spring of '81

There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father's son.

And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end

I took my Daddy's secret and I passed it on to him

I said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love

A secret that my Daddy said was just between us."

He said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then

It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen."

"Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates

When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake

If they know half the things I've done, they'll never let me in

And then somewhere from the other side I heard these words again

And he said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love

A secret that my Daddy said was just between us."

"You see, Daddies don't just love their children every now and then

It's a love without end, amen."

Thank you George Strait!

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad’s in my life. My Dad and my step father, my Grandfather, my brothers, my uncles, my cute hubby and even the father of my children. Enjoy your day and know that even when you make mistakes in being a parent, your kids still find love for you! For you children of Dad's, please give them a call and tell them how you feel before they are gone from your lives and you no longer can.

My Father at the end of the Vietnam War, about 1974.

Have a beautiful Sunday and a wonderful Fathers Day!

Hometown Swap

Shannon at Welcome to the Nuthouse, recently sponsored a Swap. This was to be a chance for Bloggers who wanted to visit different areas of the country to swap with someone who wanted to visit their area.

This was the first swap I had ever joined in on and what a fun time I had.

I chose to "visit" the Northeast area of the US. And this is the package of goodies I received from Sarah at In The Trenches of Mommyhood. Sarah lives in Massachusetts, I place I would someday love to visit.


Here is my Boston Package. There were wine bottle tags, the cutest watermelon candles, salt water taffy, a lobster sucker (which Alex now has), napkins and plates, a Sea Breeze Yankee Candle and a postcard showing Fenway Park that my co worker Jim is totally jealous of.

This was a package filled with things for a great party, celebrated the way they do in Boston. (We will supply our own Lobster, of course!)

Thank you so much to Sarah. It was so fun opening up our box and seeing all the treasures she sent!

Wordful Wednesday

Fifteen years ago I was in a local hospital watching the LAPD chase O.J. Simpson around the LA freeways. All in slow motion. There were only 5 TV stations plus the hospital station and those 5 stations were showing the OJ chase. The hospital station was showing "How to breastfeed your baby." I was in the hospital because I had just had a baby. And I already knew how to breastfeed and I was SICK of OJ! But I had a treasure that helped take my mind off the boring TV.

When I got pregnant in the fall of 1993 I was not a happy camper. Things were "complicated". Having a baby was the last thing I needed or really wanted. This came from me, a person who had tried everything to even have one child. This baby came along with no drugs, no surgery no temperature taking...nothing. This baby came because he wanted to and he was supposed to be here. He was another miracle to add to the other two miracles in my life.

I was old and tired and sick. I did not want to be pregnant.

My boy decided he wanted to be born a little early and tried to force his way out about 3AM the morning of June 17th. My water broke and I started into labor dreading what was to come.

Around 7AM Alexander James entered my world. I was pretty doped up from the C Section so I didn't get a good look at him plus later in the recovery room someone handed him to me and I almost dropped him since my arms too were numb.

BUT.....

Later one of the nurses brought him to my room. She picked him up, turned him to face me and my heart melted. I remember saying to him, "Oh, it's you!" And it was him. I knew he was supposed to be with me. This baby who came at one of the worst times of my life was a blessing that day and continues to be a blessing today.

Happy 15th Birthday to my chubby, curly headed baby and the best boy (teenager) in the world....please stop growing up!

More Wordful Wedneday over at Angies.

Kaysville Momma

I had the opportunity to meet my first blogging friend LIVE and IN PERSON. Sherrie, who is our own Kaysville Momma is a budding photographer here in Utah and as part of getting her business off the ground had a great offer on her blog.

Madie has been bugging me to have her pictures taken for many months so when I saw Sherrie's post about this I jumped at the chance.

Here is the only picture I got of Sherrie with Madie. Not a great shot since I took it with my cell phone!

We met Sherrie in downtown Salt Lake at a park called Memory Grove.



In the day, (circa 1974) Memory Grove was a favorite place to hang out. (It used to have Gravity Hill and a Ghost that would fly toward your car!!) It's so beautiful and quiet there. They have changed many things about Memory Grove since those blissful days of the mid 70's, but the biggest change is the entrance. I actually got lost trying to find it. The old entrance that I used to use is now a one way street...an exit not an entrance. And the other entrance is now hidden by a park and a gate.

We met Sherrie here and she is so sweet and ever so cute and has the to be the pillar of patience. If you check out her blog just know that her pictures do not do her justice. She is one cute Kaysville Momma. Me, I forgot my camera, so I don't have a picture of her to show you!!

My thanks to Sherrie. It was a joy to meet you and Madie had a wonderful time and even how nice you were. She loves the pictures and can hardly wait to show them off! You are the best.

Time For A Celebration!

We have a WINNER!!

Congrats to Kari from Alas 3 Lads.

Sorry for posting that wrong Kari!

Today I am going to bypass my Sunday Sermon because it's time to Celebrate!

This is my 101st post. Saturday was my 1 year blogging anniversity.

I still remember, as I started to write my first post, trying to get my heart to stop beating so hard, waiting for my hands to stop sweating and my brain to get a grip and realize that when you blog some people may actually read what you write. But, Adiel convinced me. Blogging was a great way to make new friends. And hadn't I stalked too many people for far too long? So I went ahead with that first post and hit publish....and started to shake.

I Knew No One Was Going To Read My Blog.

I was going to be a failure. But to my surprise I had 10 comments. Ok, 8, since I left two of my own!

It's been a fun year of meeting women I now consider my friends. And a special welcome to my regular readers and anyone visiting from SITS! This has been an amazing year. I even met my first blogging friend this past week. And guess what? She wasn't crazy or homicidal! She was sweet and kind and was was helpful and patient with my daughter. (More on that in a later post.)

As an anniversary gift to the blogging world I am going to give away a $30 gift card to Bath and Body Works so a fellow blogger can have a break from their busy lives. (And during June they are having a HUGE sale!)

All you have to do is leave a comment. Easy as can be! I will be choosing the winner Sunday at 8PM MST by the handy dandy ramdon number generator. I will let you know if you win and get this gift card out to you first thing Monday morning so you won't miss the big sale!

And thanks for stopping by!

Writers Workshop

Once again it is time for Writers Workshop brought to you by Mama Kat.


The assignment I chose today was:

Name your current addiction...we can get through this together.

SHAMELESS PLUG UPCOMING

Recenlty, I entered a contest at Eat Your Veggies! If you haven't been over to visit Veggie Mom you have got to go. Not only is she one of my favorite bloggers she is the family spokesperson for Poprs! AND if you haven't tried Poprs! rush right over there and order a few bottles! Especially if you have little kids.

I have become obssesed with Poprs.

It's a truly embarrassing addiction. Poprs add wonderful flavor to any food or drink you add them to BUT they are like Pop Rocks and explode in your mouth. So very cool!

My new favorite is Color Burst. It is a fruity flavor and I cannot get enough of it. Since I only have one bottle, I hide it from Alex because he likes it too. Get some of this and try it on Vanilla Ice Cream. But be careful, you too will be addicted.

Butter is my next favorite flavor. I put it on potatoes, veggies, popcorn and anything that butter goes with.

You should see the faces of little kids who try Poprs. Priceless!

Go on over a visit Veggie Mom and check out this clip they were even on the news!

Wordful Wednesday

Good Bye Adiel!

My Adiel is leaving Utah and moving to California. She has landed herself a job at Kabodle. Those of you who know her, will know this job is right up her alley! She a shopaholic and a fashion pro.

I am very happy that she has a great job to look forward to but I am "concerned" that she is moving so far away.

I looked up the city she is moving to on Wikepedia and found out that it is in the top 10 safest cities in the US, according to the FBI. So, I think I am OK with this. Actually, I don't think that I have much say in the matter, but I like to humor myself in thinking that I am her second mother.

I started blogging because of Adiel. She was making cool new friends from all the world. She was winning give aways. And having a lot of fun. So I started a blog too and met cool people myself. I met Tracy and Amy on the day Adiel and my picture showed up on Mama Kat's blog. I met Veggie Mom through Adiel's blog. I stalked all her friends and finally met Courtney last Saturday night. I signed up for SITS because Adiel wanted to win a camera. (And I can't begin to name all the bloggers I have met through SITS)

I have included her in many of my posts. From the day she danced around the office to the day I left our branch and thought the world would end and the day someone left mean comments on her blog. Her name is throughout the history of this blog.

I will miss her. A LOT! But at least she is only a text message away, a quick look at Facebook and of course there is always her blog. Plus she is coming back in a month to move some more stuff.

Love you Adiel...take care of yourself.

Check out other Wordful Wednesday posts at Angies.

Sunday Sermon

Latley I have been spending a lot of time feeling bad for myself and my lot in life. Honestly, I have a wonderful life. One I never thought I would be given the opportunity to enjoy. And yet, I can find dozens of things to grumble about.

I have so much to be thankful for.

My sweet step-daughter gave me a book for Mother's Day. I have read it several times since that day. It's about the woman at the well that is found in John 4.

She goes to Jacob's Well to get water. She probably chooses this well to others closer to her home because she is a Samarian. Despised by the Jews. As she approches the well a stranger is waiting and asks her for a drink. Proper manners at that time was to give a drink to those who ask for it. She is taken back a bit because she sees this man is a Jew and they normally do not even speak to Samarians. As she gets his drink he tells her this:

"If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."

John 4:10

She is told here that Jesus can give her eternal life and she need never thrist for truth again. She than asks for this water and Jesus tells her about her life and she is astonished that he knows her so well. (He knows us all equally as well.) She is then told that He is the Messiah. The Woman at the Well leaves and teaches many of her fellow Samarians about the Messiah and his gift of eternal life.

So, why should I spend so much time with self pity in my heart when I know I too can drink the water Jesus offers and never thrist for truth and have eternal life? Seems like pity is a waste fo time.

Have a beautiful Sabbath.

Wordful Wednesday

Words really have not been my friend lately. I can find lots to think about but little to say. Thank goodness for Wordful Wednesday.

Here is a cute picture of my Mom and her only sibling Tom. I used to dream about being an only child but now that I am an adult (cough) I would miss my sisters. Everyone should have sisters (and sisters in law!)

This picture was taken about 1937 when my Mom was 4 years old and Tom was 3.

I love this picture. It shows how really innocent childhood could be and should be.

Check out the rest of the Wordful Wednesday entries at Seven Clown Circus.

Just an FYI, I have decided to try my hand at committing to a weekly post of my own so beginning this Sunday I will begin a feature called Sunday Sermons. I promise these will not be sermons. Even though we ALL have so many hard times in our lives we all have a lot to be thankful for. That is what I hope to spotlight with Sunday Sermons.