One Krazy Kat Lady

A Birthday Wish

2009-09-04T08:12:00.004-06:00

I am taking a brief break from my break to wish my beautiful Pumpkin Pie Girl a Happy 18th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Madie, I love you forever and for always!

Taking a Kat Nap

2009-08-12T10:22:00.008-06:00

With all the things currently going on in my life, I have decided something has to be set on the back burner.

I will be taking a little blog-vacation. I hope to still be able and stop by and find out what is going on in the blogging world. I still want to do some blog stalking and because I am a little (OK, a lot) snoopy, I still need to know what's going on.

See you on the flip side! (Don't I just sound like Dick Clark??)

And a BIG thanks to Manic Mariah. For wonderful support and understanding! Thanks for your being my sounding board and for being a great blogging friend.

Sunday Sermon

2009-08-09T07:54:00.005-06:00

Heaven

Recently I received an email at work that showed a little sign fight between a Catholic Church and a Presbyterian Church. Their banter starts out fun and cute and as the signs progress it gets a little testy. At one point the Catholic sign says, "All Dogs Go To Heaven". The rebuttal from the Presbyterians was "Animals don't have souls. Read the Bible". We all laughed at this exchange until Friday.

My co-worker has a little wired haired Jack Russell Terrier. She has had him for 10 years. He has been with her through the teenage years of her daughters, her divorce and her ex husbands tragic death, through dating and was an excellent judge of men! Her little Jazzman got cancer. He was a very sick little guy and spent the last three weeks with us at work sleeping under my co-workers desk. He was a sweet and well behaved dog.

Thursday night he took a turn for the worst and she had to have him put to sleep. She is, of course, broken hearted. Those of you with pets can understand how she feels. We are all sad at losing Jazz. He was one of those Great Dogs Of The World.

The timing of the email fight between the Catholics and Presbyterians was a bit ill timed. My co-worker is not a religious person but finds spiritual things all around her. She believes there is an afterlife and found some peace in her belief that she will see Jazz again.

I personally think that Heaven will be like the Garden of Eden. Humans and animals living in peace and love. When I pass on to the other side I like to think that I will be greeted by my Dad, my Grandparents and friends I have lost. But I would be sad to think that all my babies would not be there too.

I hope Tammy and Sime, my pets from my childhood, would be there. That Matues and Moose, my St. Bernard's would also be there to jump up and give me big wet slobbery kisses. And all my kitties would be there too. Jasper, Nibs, Cream Puff, Cracker, Puma and my sweet dog Haddie.

I miss them to this day.

I find comfort in believe that and I know my poor sad co-worker does too. Because, after all:

All Dogs Do Go To Heaven (And even Kitty Kats)!

Wordful Wednesday

2009-08-04T21:14:00.009-06:00

When you have a blog you have a certain amount of power. When you don't post as many times as people (say your Aunt) thinks you should, you have in your power to post things about her. So for today's Wordful Wednesday, I am going to feature a picture of my amazing Aunt Marsha. And some of your should beware, she is a blog stalker! And a pretty good one too. Plus she is on Facebook too.

My Aunt Marsha is only 10 years older than me. When I was a little girl I always thought she was so cool and hip and words like that that we don't use anymore! I remember as a teenager, she was a newlywed and had her own apartment. She took me there one night and gave me the dress that became my most favorite piece of clothing in the world!

When I had my babies she came to visit me and always brought my beautiful Grandmother with her. That always meant the world to me. I wasn't very good at visiting myself. I can't quite tell you why but I missed out on a lot of family stuff but Marsha would always keep me updated!

Here is a picture of Aunt Marsha, second from the right , in 1959. We were celebrating my sister Marrla's 4th brithday. In the front row are my cousins Karen and Nancy, Marrla and me. In the back row are my aunts, Brenda, Bonnie, Jeanene, MARSHA and Diana.

Every year for my birthday and for everyone else in the families birthdays, she will call and sing Happy Birthday. I have a lot of cousins. And that means a lot of singing.

And finally, if I pass away before her, she will be the only speaker at my funeral. I want tears brought on by laughter, not by sadness.

My Aunt Marsha is the best! The best Aunt, the best support, the best everything. Love you Marsha!

For more Wordful Wednesday posts see Angie.

5 Things

2009-08-01T08:22:00.008-06:00

Melissa B, who just happens to be one of my very favorite bloggers (and please, if you haven't been over to visit her, run, faster than a speeding bullet, right now! I'll wait here for you!) had a post the other day where someone had given her 5 things to think about and then right a post about that has to do with just her. Now Melissa is a gifted and talented writer. Someday, I hope she writes a book. I would be her biggest stalker. (I mean fan.)

So, after thinking about this for a few days, the following, is my take on 5 words and what I think about them.

Cats! (Or Kats, as this Krazy Kat Lady likes to say)

My love affair with kats began when I was barely able to walk. When I moved to Utah (I had been born in Germany and then lived in Lacey, Washington) I was barely a toddler. In Salt Lake we have the Hogle Zoo. A great place for a toddler. The animals were all lovely, but the moment I walked in and saw Shasta, my little heart was set a twitter. Shasta was a liger. Not the liger from Napoleon Dynamite fame, but a real live daughter of a tiger and a lion. She was beautiful and I was hooked. Shasta died when I was 16 years old and I cried to think my good friend was gone. She now resides at the Bean Museum at BYU. It's free. You should go. You should blow kisses at her for me!

This isn't Shasta, but I would have loved to give her a hug!

Over the years I have had some pretty great kitty kats. Sime when I was young, Jasper as a newly wed and Cracker and Stripers in my middle age. To be honest I have had so many kitties I really can't list them. Let's just say if my hubby were not deathly allergic to cats, there would be a couple here to keep me company!

Family

As I have said before, I come from a pretty amazing family. My Dad has six sisters who are the best in the world. My Mom only has a brother. My Step Father has more brothers and sisters than I can count. But more importantly, I have 5 sisters and 6 brothers. I would like to tell you that we have a wonderful perfect family, but I really can't. What I can tell you is my family has come through some pretty tough times and most of us are pretty functional. I have some wonderful sisters and have been blessed with a great sister in law! I have a little brother who really is my favorite. Nieces and Nephews who are the best.

I have some family members that are now ex, and it broke my heart to lose them. But I get to see them all in three weeks. A Neice is getting married!

Two years ago I married into another huge family. Now, like many of my friends and my oldest sister, I have Grandchildren. And I really do need that sticker that says, "My Grandkids are cuter than yours!" Because, now, that is completly true!

And lastly, I do have two Sons and a Daughter. There was a time when I wanted 12 children. I know now that someone up above, knows us a whole lot better than we know ourselves and blessed me with the 3 I should have. The best thing about my children is I know they love me. And hopefully they know I love them. Somewhere along the way I do hope I did something right and taught something good and important.

This is my side of the family on my wedding day. In this picture is my mother, step father, step mother, three sisters, two aunts one uncle, a cousin and neices and nephews. Also, my three kids! Check out Alex. He is fourth from the left. He looks so young!

I learned that there are times in your life when you need your family more than anything else. You need their love and support and understanding. We've had some big changes in my family over the past 5 years and we have all pulled through and now have happier lives.

My Friends

I have one friend who has been my friend since we were in 4th grade. She has been my rock during times when I didn't think I could cope. She has been my cheerleader through so many of my adventures. She has been my inspiration during difficult times. Hers and mine! She is an angel sent from Heaven to help me here on earth. I owe her more than I could ever return to her. And I haven't seen her for much too long. She lives in Idaho and I am here in Utah. Pretty close huh? We stay in contact and have through most of our lives. She is a sweetheart and I am lucky to have such a friend. Sidlet, I love you!

When I was young, friends were my life. They were a way to escape the world I lived in and enjoy some time as a real child or teenager. Most of my memories are of the friends, who like Calgon, took me away from it all. Lucky for me, my friends were good kids.

As I got older, married, had children and settled into life, I have made new friends. Some come and go, move on and pass away. My friend, Carla, has been here for me through all those rough roads you travel as an adult. I owe her so much for being a listening ear and having a loving heart. She is the most compassionate and kind hearted person ever. She gave me the courage to make hard decisions and is always supportive of my choices. Love you Carla! Let's go get a shake!

And I can't forget my blogging friends, many who I have never met. My thanks to you for actually stopping by and reading what I have to say! You are the best.

Community

Homebody should be another of my middle names. I prefer to stay at home close to the people and things I get comfort from. Not to say I don't love to travel, it's just so nice to be home. During my early years of life I moved 6 times, went to 6 different elementary schools and made dozens of friends. But, I lived in my past home for almost 30 years. That is where home is to me. There with the people who were 20 somethings, newly married, having babies, building careers and trying their hands at yardwork.

My new home is across the valley from my former one. It was a hard transition leaving behind the familiar and the comfortable.

I have discovered that no matter where you are, if you have a sence of community and well being, you are where you belong.

Last weekend it was Pioneer Day here in Utah. We had already been to one celebration on the 18th (The Grass Roots were there, my friends! Well, at least Rob Grill was. It Rocked!) so we made the decision to just stay home. We have a darling family who lives across the street with three little boys. The youngest of these boys loves my hubby. He will stand and yell at him until he acknowledges him. So very cute! This family was doing a little Firwork display. We dragged the lawn chairs out to watch the show. These cute little boys ran over to us, crawled on our laps and spent the evening entertaining us with the tales of their lives. This is what a community is. Feeling a part and sharing your love with those who are around you.

Amy Tan

As you may or may not know, I won the book, The Opposite of Fate, from Melissa during the SITS Spring Fling. Reading is the only real hobby I have and this book is so very good.

If you have read other Amy Tan books, and enjoyed them, this book will be a delight for you. She tells stories of her life and has such a positive spin on how things work out by either Faith or Fate.

Her father was a Christian and her mother a Buddist. Her life was built on her fathers faith and her mothers crazy antics. As I read I thought for sure she would be a completely disfunctional adult. Her mother would rant and beat her and tell her she was going to kill herself. Not the best enrivonrment to be raised in. But Amy Tan has a wonderful outlook on life. She has taken the bad and changed it into good. She has serious health problems that she deals with and moves on.

I found this book to be so uplifting. Amy Tan, and her family, has overcome the worst life can hand you and turned things into blessings. Thank you Melissa for sharing this with me and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good summer read!

Thanks to Melissa for giving me something to write about and for letting me do some real thinking about important things in my life!

It Takes A Little Patience

2009-07-27T08:42:00.000-06:00

I am off today with Alex to do some school shopping. He starts High School in less than a month and he HAS to look good. Plus we are going to spend some time in Park City and Heber City. I just can't seem to get enough of either place this year!

So have a great couple of days until I get back to work.

And for your viewing enjoyment....a very cute kitty showing how to be patient!

Sunday Sermon

2009-07-26T08:00:00.001-06:00

Miracles

Since this Sunday Sermon post is titled Miracles you would think that I would be posting about Miracles from the scriptures. Things like turning water to wine, Virgin Births, healing the sick, raising the dead and parting of seas.

Today I'd like to expand that into little everyday miracles. Just missing a car accident, finding out that the test that at first came back badly actually turned out to be just fine, having your wayward child start to change their life or maybe finding a $10 bill in your pocket. Little things that happened all the time that, to you, are miracles.

I had my own little miracles taking place in my yard this past month.

You may remember my Wordful Wednesday post a while back when I posted shots of my "wildflowers". They looked like weeds. Many hours were spent in the backyard chatting and signing to those motley looking weeds and lo and behold....a miracle happened.

My normally brown thumb has turned to green and I have flowers!

Here is a snap of my tomato plant too. I actually have a red tomato.

So you see, there are miracles everyday. In every step we take and in every breath we take. Great things that proceed out of that which is small. (Quoting from one of my favorite scriptures!)

In Job 8:7 it says:

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

And I know they are not talking about flowers and tomatoes it's still nice to remember that little things can make a big difference!

Writers Workshop

2009-07-23T10:57:00.003-06:00

Mama Kat is sponsoring Thursday's Writer's Workshop. Stop by and check out all the great posts.

This week I chose: What are YOU giddy about?

Ah, the Utah Jazz.

Capturing my thoughts and mind for most of the year.

It is time for renewing contracts and starting practices again.

My very own Paul Millsap’s contract was going to expire. He was going to be a free agent. We could lose him.

HOLD THE PHONE!!!

We cannot lose Millsap. He is my baby, my superstar, my chubby checked little babushka! And last year was a great year for him.

I need to let the Miller family how important it is to me for Millsap to be kept in Utah. Yet, I don’t want them to think I am unstable. They cannot know that I have thoughts of hanging out at the ESA trying to capture a glance of him. They cannot know that I dream of him driving up to work in his fancy smancy car and whisking me away to be his personal assistant. They cannot know that when he plays, I smile and think unpure thoughts! They cannot know the depth and breadth I will go for Millsap! If they did, they may request that I be locked up for the season.

My hubby calls Millsap “Your Boy”. As they say in “Holes”, if only, if only! Hubby is so intuitive.

Paul, if you are reading this (in my wildest of all fantasies, Millsap stalks me!! So cool) please know that if I had $10 Million to give you as a signing bonus, I would. If I was able to pay you what you are worth (which in my opinion is more than that nasty Kobe!) I would do it.

SIGH!

The Jazz did get Millsap a tasty little contract that makes both of them (and me) happy. He will be staying in Utah. My little heart is all a twitter.

GO JAZZ!!

Wordful Wednesday

2009-07-21T20:38:00.004-06:00

Payday is coming up this week. This means that Baxter, the canine helper here at work, will have a job to do. He is our in house Mailman. (Or being politically correct, Letter Carrier.)

Here you go Baxter, take Marrdy's paycheck to her.

Come on Baxter! Bring it to me...without much slobber please!

Hairy and handsame and always a good boy on payday!

(And every other day too.)

For bringing me my check you get a treat!

This is what happens to the mail when there are no treats around!

More Wordful Wednesdays at Angie's!

Sunday Sermon

2009-07-19T08:45:00.004-06:00

Charity

Yesterday I had the chance to see Charity in action once again. We were at a parade and a family was bringing "Grandma" to watch. It was hot and we had almost an hour to wait for any floats or bands to march by. When others saw the struggle this family was having getting Grandma where she needed to be in order to be shaded and comfortable, several people jumped in and lent a helping hand.

During a time in my life when things were difficult, I had a family and friends step in and help in ways I couldn't imagine. These people saw my need and proceeded to help without being asked and really without knowing the story of what was going on. One Relief Society President (the leader of the women's organization in church), gave me an incredible gift of charity. I still am amazed to this day that she knew exactly what was needed in my home and how to get things there.

I swore during that time that someday when I had the means and opportunity to return that amazing gift of charity that I would let nothing stand in my way.

1 Corinthians 13

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.

Having Charity for others is so easy for some but receiving Charity is hard for me. Maybe I am too proud and feel like I can do it all myself but accepting love and help from other really is a great gift. I owe much to my family and friends for watching over and taking care of me during the difficult times in life.

Have a Beautiful Sunday!

I Married Mr. Clean

2009-07-16T08:38:00.006-06:00

Mama’s Kat assignment this week had four too many items to choose from. Indecision is my middle name!

So, I thought I’d try to come up with something original of my own. But the summer heat is sucking all the logic out of my brain….

UNTIL

…..my sweet hubby found a spot of mud on a wall in our ½ bath this morning and proceeded to clean it up while trying to get out the door to work. That sparked an idea for a post.

A little background of me first.

I am not Suzy Homemaker. The first time I went to visit my hubby he was merely the father of a friend I was visiting in Albuquerque. During said visit, a little spark that had been sleeping came roaring to life. On my return, I told my sisters about my stay. They laughed (hysterically) and told me I was in trouble.

Cute new hot love interest was MR. CLEAN. I was Ms. Shove it somewhere so it can’t be seen and use lots of Lysol Spray.

My hubby had three towels in his spotless kitchen. A bar towel to dry off the counter tops, stove and refrigerator. A hand towel to dry your hands after getting them wet in the sink. And a dish towel to dry any dishes done by hand. These towels were not to be mixed up. If they were used for anything other than their designated duty they were to be put in the dirty clothes hamper and a new towel used in its place.

I had one towel at my house that I used for everything, and I mean everything!

All items purchased from the grocery store had to be cleaned off before they were put away in the kitchen. All veggies and fruit were scrubbed clean and put in their proper place not just thrown in the crisper in the bag they are brought home in.

When drying clothes they must first be taken out of the washer, shaken and folded and than laid gently in the dryer. (What?!)

The lawn mower and weed whacker both must be cleaned with water and scrubbed after every use. Anything that has cement on it must be swept off including the curbing around the planters.

Every piece of paper must be sitting in its correct place, in it’s correct order. And not on the bar!

He had no stuff! No magazines, no newspapers, no empty pop cans, nothing.

My life was chaos and I was going to date Mr. Super Organized. The man my neighbor now calls the Cleaning Nazi. The man who is like the Energizer Bunny, he just keeps working and working and working. A man who has everything in order, a place for everything and everything in it’s place.

My sisters were right, I was (am) in trouble.

By the way, my baby sister has started a blog of her own….stop by and say hi!

Wordful Wednesday

2009-07-14T21:06:00.012-06:00

While on our honeymoon 2 years ago we stopped in Spokane Washington and spent some time in the City Park. It was a sweltering day. We road the Merry Go Round, ate Hot Dogs and Snow Cones while sitting in the shade trying to keep cool.

There is an amazing fountain there and everyone seemed to be playing in it. We saw a couple of interesting shots and just could not resist snapping some pictures!

Does this make us demented? I would love to think my cute, semi perfect hubby is demented!

Go over and visit the other Wordful Wednesday's at Angies!

Sunday Sermon

2009-07-12T08:08:00.001-06:00

Matthew 7 is filled with so many wonderful stories and wisdom. The first scripture I ever memorized (besides the Lord’s Prayer) was Matthew 7:1. It was a hard taught lesson from a girl who felt wronged by some of her friends. I have never forgotten that. And I have never forgotten the lesson taught of the foolish man who built his house upon sand.

Matthew 7

24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it

No matter what our foundation is, if it is not firm and strong it will crumble beneath us and wash away in troubled times. Whether your foundation is your children, your spouse, you faith, your knowledge or whatever you choose, make sure it’s strong and you continue to build on it. You never know when you will need its strength to hold you up.

We saw this house, that was actually built upon a rock, in Couer d' alene, Idaho while we were on our honeymoon two years ago this past Tuesday. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to get a shot of it. Have a wonderful Sunday. It's sunny and beautiful here in Utah and I am off celebrating my 2nd anniversary with my wonderful semi perfect hubby. One of the strong foundations of my life.

Wordful Wednesday

2009-07-08T09:20:00.015-06:00

To celebrate the 4th of July my hubby and I took a trip on the Heber Valley Railroad. It was a beautiful day. Sunny and warm with a breeze.

The round trip took 3 hours. We both had such a relaxing time.

We saw these birds nesting on a telephone pole and couldn't figure out if they were eagles or hawks or possibly something else.

Then the Bad Guys robbed the train. The robber above got caught with his pants down!

This guy was looking right at us and REALLY wanted to shoot us. Lucky for us he took pity on us and passed us by.

And a trip to Heber City is never complete unless you eat at the Dairy Keen. I swear these are the best burgers in the whole world...OK, maybe in Summit County (oops, Wasatch County. Sorry)!

I also looked for Amy , Park City Girl, the whole time I was there. I was hoping we bumped into each other.

For other Wordful Wednesday's stop by Angies.

Wordful Wednesday

2009-07-01T14:24:00.004-06:00

Before the loss of innocence!

This picture was taken Easter Sunday in 1959 or 1960. My Grandmother was visiting us this morning. She had brought her boyfriend Harvey. I loved Harvey and thought Grandma should have married him. I still do. I think she may have been happy.

My mother had made my sister Marrla and me matching dresses. I did have gloves but they probably got put into my purse.

I always loved Easter.

I loved getting a new dress, new shoes and new gloves. I always felt like so girly. I was able to pretend I wasn't really a tom boy at heart.

More Wordful Wednesday's over at Angie's!

Wordful Wednesday

2009-06-24T09:27:00.005-06:00

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

2009-06-21T08:31:00.008-06:00

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

2009-06-19T13:37:00.005-06:00

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

2009-06-17T08:30:00.006-06:00

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

2009-06-15T14:05:00.007-06:00

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!

2009-06-13T08:43:00.011-06:00

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

2009-06-11T09:12:00.004-06:00

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

2009-06-09T16:16:00.010-06:00

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

2009-06-07T08:50:00.007-06:00

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

2009-06-03T11:49:00.010-06:00

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.

Memorial Weekend Wedding

2009-05-25T18:51:00.011-06:00

We spent Memorial Weekend in Albuquerque for a Wedding. One of hubby's Grandson's was marrying and invited us to share the festivities with them.

This was the view from our hotel room windows. We had a gorgeous view of the mountains to the east of Albuquerque. (A huge thanks to Linda and Bill for our great room!)

This was the Bishop's first wedding. He was a little nervous but did a great job!

Here is the beatiful bride, Jessica and her handsome groom, Ben.

Here are two of the lovely bridesmaids, Alexie and Kaeli, sisters of the groom. And that darling flower girl is Corine, the grooms little cousin.

The rest of the bridal party, the grooms brother A.J., the bestman, the lovely Jessica with the ever stunning Ben, the grooms oldest brother Josh and another brother Matt. (Can you see the flip flops?)

Sunday we all met at hubby's youngest daughter Sandy's house for a BBQ. Look at the handsome devil I found residing there. His name is Max and he and I became close friends.

Sandy's entire family is very talented. In so many ways that it would be hard to list them all. Here is the drum circle they had after dinner. That is Sandy's hubby Marshall to the left, hubby's son Scott in the middle and the very studly Jake the grandson on the right. These guys were amazing!

We all got together for a family picture and here is our practice shot. I actually really like this one. Shows how wiggly we all were.

And here is our official picture.

From the left, backrow: Marshall, Sandy, Scott, Jake, Cindy, Me, Hubby, Linda, Bill, Connie, Scott, Melissa holding Ella and Decker.

From row left circle:Alex, Chelsea in the back and Sarah, Lilly and Rachel in the front.

From row right circle: Sam and Rochelle in the back and Corrine and Henry in the front.

I did not get ONE picture of the Phoenix family. Never had my camera when they were around. They left Sunday morning and we missed them at the BBQ!

Congrats to Ben and Jessica. Thanks for including us in your happy day!

Writers Workshop - Love Letter

2009-05-21T16:40:00.008-06:00

I don't mean this post to be a poor pity me post...just want to tell my baby how I was feeling and had Kathy give me the chance!

Writers Workshop once again. This week is easy.

One of Mama Kat's assignment is to post a love letter.

Madie wrote me an amazing letter for Mother's Day. It was nice to hear that she loved me and was glad I was her mom. I have been having some very serious MAJOR issues with Madie. Tough stuff that I thought my kids would never do. Unfortunately, sometimes they do. The letter doesn't make the matter any easier to deal with but it does lessen the pain when I read it because I know, somewhere inside my mixed up, screwed up child, is the little girl who did everything with me and loved me more than anything else. I just hope I can find her before she is lost to me forever.

Dear Madie-

The letter you wrote me on Mother's Day means the world to me. Sometimes mom's feel used and abused and it's always is nice to know that what we do is appreciated and acknowledged.

Right now my heart is breaking for you. I am lost. You are lost. I am trying to find you, trying to find my Madie in this insane world you have entered. I am sad and I am confused.

I had big dreams for my children. The whole white picket fence and yellow gingham curtain thing was going to be mine and I was going to share it with my angelic children.

Life has thrown us some wrenches and we ourselves have thrown in a few screwdrivers and hammers. You just emptied the whole toolbox. We are all now dodging dangerous weapons. This was not how life was going to be.

When you make mistakes and take huge falls in your life, you don't hurt just yourself. You hurt me, your Dad, your Step Dad, Cole and Alex. Right now we are all scared for you.

I remember the day I found out you would be a girl. I cried and felt so blessed. I was to be the mother of a daughter. What could be better? I told my co workers the great news and my friend Mickey gave me a kiss on the cheek, a kiss I was sure you could feel...because she had a daughter and she knew how I felt.

You are not alone in this fight. You have a great support system, but you have to let us help you and not to enable you to continue on. Things are going to get alot worse before they get better. But we are all going to be there for you.

Come back to us Madie, come back to Mommy. I love you more than life itself. I want my Madie back and I will go to the depths of hell to get you back.

I"ll love you forever,

I'll like you for always.

As long as I'm living (and forever more)

Your Mommy I'll be.

Always and forever,

Mom

Wordful Wednesday - Family

2009-05-19T20:30:00.007-06:00

My Step Grandmother passed away on the 14th of May. She was 90 and had lived a full, happy life. She was a sweet lady and took such good care of my Grandpa and made him so happy. We traveled to Kemmerer, Wyoming to attend services for her and as always visited with my amazing family.

These are my cousins from Morgan, Utah. Actually, these are only the girls. From the left in the back is Linda in front of her is Georgene, Kimberly, Jennifer, Uncle Morris, Tiffany and Janeal. (Please forgive me if I spelled your names wrong!)

Here is my favorite Aunt Marsha (she paid me to say that!) whose name I suddenly forgot during the viewing. Must be my demitia kicking in again. On her left is my sister Kristin and her hubby Mark.

And here are my totally awesome, amazing Aunts. You all should be jealous that your aunts aren't as wonderul as mine! From the left is Merla, Jeanene, Brenda, Marsha and Diana. Missing is my Aunt Bonnie who lives in California. My Dad had all these sisters all to himself!

And finally, here is the rest of my family. The two sisters missing from last weeks picture. You can see who got the tall genes in the family and it definatley wasn't me! Again, from the left, Kristin, Marrla, my Step Mom Betty, Stephanie and Me.

The service was very nice and afterwards there was Ice Cream and Donuts!

Here is what Alex did for the 2 1/2 hours back home. I think this is his best side.

Check out other Wordful Wednesdays over at Angies!

The Boys In The Band

2009-05-17T19:02:00.004-06:00

Friday we attended Alex's last Junior High School concert. (Please excuse these dark pictures.)

He has decided not to continue on with the High School Band, so this really was his last concert.

The program was great and the trumpets did an especially good job.

So thanks to his teacher who taught him to read music and play an instrument so he could tell me in church that when I sing I am sharp. (And he doesn't mean smart!)

These are two of the other trumpet players. These two boys are so cute and so much fun! I will miss them along with Alex being a musician.

We stopped by Arby's afterwards for a our last band supper. And hasn't Alex taken over the surly teenager role so well!

Alex you did a great job in your three year career in band. I'm proud of you!

Say No To Crack!

2009-05-15T15:01:00.004-06:00

Last night I picked up Madie to take her to the Mall to get another phone. Her 5th phone. Yes, folks, that’s right 5 phones. She actually blamed this phone breaking on Alex. (Mom always knows Madie, remember that!)

We ran to the grocery store first to get some much needed liquid refreshment and were pulling back onto the main road when a motorcycle pulled by us.

I had my glasses on, Madie did not.

I gasped.

Really.Truly.Gasped!

I have heard the jokes, seen the pictures and read Nikki’s I Wish Wednesday post, but I have never been bumper to tire with what we saw.

Madie looked up and lets out a squeal and with an ear piercing voice says, “Oh For Gross!”

For it really was……Gross.

We had motorcycle Butt Crack right in front of us.

We slowed way down. Nothing makes you want to obey the law like a hairy, exposed, butt crack.

I suggest Janice and Liz and Karen stay at home. Do not venture close to Harmon’s. You may see more than you really want.

You have been warned!

Worldful Wednesday

2009-05-13T08:17:00.008-06:00

We were not the Brady Bunch nor the Partridge Family!

Let me introduce my family from about 1970.

From the left is Jill, Jack, David, Shelly and Kelly (I can't tell which one is which in this picture), Steve, Mark, Me, Marrla and Doug.

This picture was taken about 5 years after my mother and step-father married. I used to dream of being an only child and it's no wonder with 9 siblings! Plus I have two half sisters, that at the time of this picture, I didn't even know existed!

My mother had made us matching shirts. Even she and my step father had shirts that matched. I remember this day like it was yesterday. We made quite a stir when we went out in public. Doesn't Marrla look so dang cute in her Levis? And Jack and Jill as little kids? I miss them being little. Steve doesn't look too happy and Mark is , as always, hiding his face. Doug, on the far right, was the neighborhood bully. And my mother married his father. Crazy!

Check out the other Wordful Wednesday entries at gspot.com/">Angies Seven Clown Cirus.

I've been a pretty bad blogging friend this past week. Work is busy with a new software system and home life has been educational.

I can't figure out why no one gave me this apron for Mothers Day!

Writers Workshop

2009-05-07T19:59:00.004-06:00

This week one of Mama Kat's assignment was to write a poem to your Mom. I am not much of a poet so I thought I would share a poem my oldest son wrote to me for Mother's Day when he was about 13 years old.

This is the Fat Cat Striper-Viper

THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD

You have a fat cat named Viper,

You even changed my stinky diaper.

You're there for me when I am sad,

You're there for me when I was bad.

All and all, you're the best Mom in the world.

And mean the world to me.

You were there for me when I felt blue,

And on this special day I want to tell you,

I Love You!

Thanks for the great poem (10 years ago when I got it I cried!) I love you too Cole!

Wordful Wednesday In Court

2009-05-05T21:33:00.006-06:00

Don't have much time to post...have to show up for Jury Duty tomorrow morning. 8:30 SHARP. Don't be late! And don't bring your kids, your guns or your knives. But bring something to do. In other words I may be sitting around a lot tomorrow.

For Wordful Wednesday here is a shot of downtown Salt Lake.. which is where I will be.

See that building right in the middle down toward the bottom of the picture? That will be where I will spend the day. Visiting the Third District Court. I'm hoping it's just part of the day. Maybe I should take my gun. (If I had a gun!)

See other Wordful Wednesday entries at Angie's.

Writers Workshop

2009-04-30T08:11:00.007-06:00

Once again I found something from Mama Kat's Writers Workshop that tickled my fancy. Go check out her blog and all the great entries.

Is plastic surgery an option? Without being vulgar, write about the body part still attached to you that you would most like to dis-attach and replace with a better one.

During our Easter Party my mother turned to me and said, "What did you do to your face?" This is a question I have been asked several times in the last month. I emailed my much older sister to tell her the story and to see if she knew any "good" Doctors. She is getting older and couldn't remember the doctors name. Could be the first sign of Dementia.

When I was a teenager I hardly ever had a blemish on my face. Once in a while I would get a zit right in the middle of my forehead. Nothing hideous or gross, just a zit. Below is evidence of my blemish free complexion. I was lucky. I don't think I ever washed my face with Noxzema like a good 70's girls would have done.

Back to my mothers comment. I had a woman at church ask me if my hubby had been hitting me, (Which DID NOT sit well with him. He now thinks everyone thinks he beats me! Poor guy. And he really is just the sweetest thing ever!), then a guy at work I hadn't seen for about six months walked in a few weeks ago and said, "What's that thing on your face?" then last night at dinner, after my mother sat down at the table, my sister (who really is a smart alec!) said to me (In a very loud voice) "What did you do to your face?" Then she laughed, an evil laugh. My mother, who is sitting next to me, wheels around, stares at my face and says the very same thing. The same thing as before. I gave my sister an eye roll. If she had been closer I would have kicked her. HARD.

I have never thought of having plastic surgery. I am pretty much OK with my sagging parts. And I have had three C-sections already. I am not interested in surgery. But lately I have been thinking more about going "under the knife" or at least having a chemical peel or burning this thing off my face.

Here is the HIDEOUS mark on my face that my mother keeps mentioning. This is covered with concealer and makeup! I am looking for a Dermatologist in Salt Lake County. Anybody know any good ones? My sister is keeping hers a secret!

Wordful Wednesday - Happy Birthday Mom

2009-04-28T19:46:00.010-06:00

Today is my mother's 76th birthday. She lives in a little town in Northern Utah close to Logan. She is coming down to Salt Lake today to watch the taping of Good Things Utah. Because I work during the day, I have never watched the show but my Mom LOVES it! For her brithday, my step father and I, decided to reserve a spot for her and her cousin, Donna Jean, to see the taping. (You can't take your purse into the studio....what will my mother do??? She'll have a nervous break down without her purse! It's like her best friend...she takes it everywhere!)

In honor of Mom's birthday here is a little Wordful Wednesday Wish for her!

Here is Mom with my dog Moose in about 1975.

Mom loves animals more than anything else. Honestly, more than anything!

This is Tammy. The dog we had during my childhood.

I'm sure she liked Tammy more than us. Tammy minded her!

My mom has only one sibling. My Uncle Tom. I cannot even

imagine having one sibling.

These seven were the kids she had when she married my step father.

Her own three Marrla, second from the left and Steve and me on the far right.

Shelly and Kelly, who are in the front, Mark who is on the left and Doug who is between

Marrla and me were her new step-children.

Here are Jack, Jill and David.

Ten children in total....and we lived to tell about it!

To make up for having only brother and no sisters, Mom has "adopted" her cousin Donna Jean.

Tonight we are all meeting up for dinner at Guadalahonky's in Draper. Her favorite place to eat PLUS it's Mexican Food...good for the soul!

Check out the other Wordless Wednesdays entries over at Angie's Seven Clown Circus!

An Award & A Swap

2009-04-27T15:28:00.005-06:00

While I was visiting SITS on Sunday I noticed a link to The Nut House. Shannon, the hostess of this cute blog is hosting a Swap. I have wanted to join in a swap but I don't have very many domestic talent genes so haven't found one I could actually do. Shannon has a swap where you exchange something unique to where you live and exchange with someone who lives in an area you would like visit. Here is the information that Shannon posted, but please go visit her and see this post for yourself and join in if you'd like!

If you are interested in participating, comment here to let me know. Then, to verify your commitment to the swap, send an email to nuthouseshannon{at}gmail{dot}com with the following info:
your name
your mailing address
your blog name and blog address
an area of the country that you've never been to but would like to visit

My intention is to match partners by where they live and where they'd like to visit. For example, Blogger A lives in Tennessee and would like to visit New England. She could be matched with Blogger B, who lives in Maine. BUT, this doesn't mean that Blogger B would necessarily be matched back with Blogger A. Make sense?

Now, as for what goodies to send... this is completely up to you, but the items you send should pertain to areas of interest from your hometown. To give another example, I could send my swap partner items from the Tennessee Aquarium or the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

The Rules:
Entries for this swap will not be accepted after 11:59 p.m. (EST), May 6th.
Since this is my 1st time hosting a swap, I've decided to open this up to U.S. bloggers only (I apologize for any inconvenience!)

You will be notified by email of your partner's info no later than May 9th. You will only be told the identity of the person you are to ship to... you won't know who got your name until you receive their package!
Again, what you send is entirely up to you... I only ask that you spend no more than $30 but at least $20 (and this does not include shipping costs).

Mail your package no later than June 6th. This gives you four weeks from the time you get your partner's info to the time you need to ship your package.
Please do not sign up for the swap with the intention of receiving a package and not sending one!
When June 6th gets here and packages start being delivered, I'll put up a post with a Mr. Linky... blog about your goodies and link up so everyone can see what you got!
And the last rule is... BE CREATIVE & HAVE FUN!

Doesn't this sound fun? I've never been east of Denver (well, except one trip to Chicago) so I'm sure my choice will be somewhere back east. Check out Shannon's post if you are interested.

I have received an excellent award from Xazmin from the blog This is the Year. Here is the award and the rules:

Here's what you do when you have received the "Super Blogger" award. Copy the picture on your blog in a post. Pass it along to 5 fellow super bloggers, and comment on their blog to let them know how lucky they are today!

When you present your Super Blogger awards, link back to the super blogger who gave it to you.

So there you have it. (And don't you just love the Masked Mommy??) Thank you so much Xazmin, I enjoy your blog and I am so glad I found you (or you found me...however that worked!) Plus, it's her 100th post and she's having a very cute give away. Go check that out too!

I would like to pass this award onto: WepRuminations , The Family Awaits, Seven Super Summers and Ritch in Love .

Wordful Wednesday

2009-04-21T20:54:00.007-06:00

This is my first kitty of my "adult" life. His name was Jasper and he was the best most awesome cat in the world. We also called him Bop and Bop a Weno. Don't know why for sure.

When I would read the newspaper he was just like Garfield and lay right on top of the part I was reading. I would move him off and he would plop right back in the middle of the paper.

When he was five years old he got some nasty bladder stones. Nasty for him and nasty for my house. Turns out he had to have surgery and had a stone the size of a thumb nail removed. Poor baby. That costs me $200 which in 1983 was alot of money. But he was worth it.

He lived to the ripe old age of 16. He helped me through my years of infertility and turned out to be a great feline friend for my first born human child.

To this day I still get teary eyed when I think of him. This picture shows exactly what kind of cat he was. A total and complete stud muffin! Way too cool to sit around and act like a cat. (And do you love my couch and carpet? Can you say 1970's?)

Check out the other posts for Wordful Wednesday with Angie at Seven Clown Circus.

Wall of Fame

2009-04-17T07:52:00.011-06:00

Tracy at The Journey has posted a request to her blogging friends to tell about when they were Heroes to their children or other children in their lives. Below is her request. Pop on over and see what Tracy did for her children and see what else the blogging world has done!

Unfortunatley, I was having some computer problems and didn't get this posted....so here it is almost two weeks late!! Thanks for the great idea Tracy. You really do inspire me!

Please join me for a fun event beginning Monday, April 6. I will be posting a "Mr. Linky" Wall of Fame to link to YOUR post about something fun you do to connect with the kids in your life. You may very well already have a post somewhere that you could link us to. I hope you'll play along and invite your friends, so we can all get some fun new ideas!

Primary Program 1996. This happened to fall on my 40th birthday so we celebrated with a cake!

When I mentioned this to my hubby he said, "Well, that will be easy!" I told him to tell what he thought I should write about since I couldn't think of a thing. So, he reminded me of all the girls (and a few boys) I have taught and worked with at church. Hundreds of girls starting in 1978 until this very year. Every year I have been involved with the youth. Girls who are now approaching 50 down in age to girls who will be turning 10 this year.

My very first group of Young Women in 1982.

I have been their teacher, their friend, their camping buddy and their spiritual leader. Hopefully, somewhere along the way, I have taught them something important. I hope they know that they are important and have added so much to my life. Mostly, I just hope they know they have a Savior who gave His life for them. That they have a loving Heavenly Father who knows and loves them. Hopefully, that is what they will remember and that I love them.

Girls Camp 1995, Brighton Meadows. We got scared by Moose and skunks tried to eat all our food!

Wordful Wednesday

2009-04-15T08:41:00.003-06:00

Several of my blogging friends participate in Wordful Wednesday that is sponsored by Angie at 7 Clown Circus. Since my blogging brain has been slow lately I thought I would start posting pictures for Wordful Wednesday too even though I'm not quite sure how it works.

Stop by 7 Clown Circus and check out all the others posting pictures today!

Here I am in Germany, less than 2 years old. Looks like we’re out for a picnic and Marrla is standing around topless. She’s probably already started her daily exercise routine and look at me, doing my daily routine, eating. And, yes, that is a beer I have hugged to myself. Wonder what my parents were thinking? Probably thought it was all so very cute!

Happy Easter

2009-04-11T09:36:00.004-06:00

Have a happy and joyous Easter Weekend!!

Oh, To Be A Dog

2009-04-02T19:04:00.004-06:00

Baxter, my canine friend at work, has the kind of life I sometimes wish I could enjoy. Especially when all I really want all day is a nap.

Today was one of those days.

But no nap for me. It's the end of one month and the beginning of another which means it's time to close the books. Being an accountant not only makes me a nerd, but it also means that each and every month the books must be closed. No matter how tired you are. Add a conference call to that and anyone would be sleepy!

Now, Baxter doesn't have a job. He does make some deliveries in the office and I really need to get a picture of that.....too, too cute!! So what Baxter does, besides beg for food and bark while I'm on the phone is, SLEEP!

Here is what Baxter did today. He slept while dreaming of eating.

No one ever said he didn't know how to multi-task!

Where Is The Compassion?

2009-03-26T14:03:00.004-06:00

This morning in the park next to the building where I work two homeless people died. They were found frozen to death next to the Jordan River.

We work in an area where so many bad things have happened. We see things everyday that most people should not see. Homeless people live here in a camp close to the river. The police are here throughout the day, every day. And not just for trouble with homeless people.

Today we knew there was something, once again, going on. There were fire trucks, a paramedic truck, dozens police officers and three TV station trucks plus the Medical Examiner. When the Medical Examiner pulled up, we knew it was not going to end well.

The story first appeared on KSL TV’s website. You can leave comments about any story the station broadcasts, which I know is normal for all news agencies. The heartbreaking thing about this is what the first people to make comments on this story said. Many of these comments were cruel and totally uncalled for. I don’t understand people. How can they be so callus and uncaring. The people, who died today, never intended to become homeless. Some tragedy happened in their lives to force them to assume this life.

Where is the compassion that people should have? Where is the understanding and caring? Even though these people are homeless does not mean they don’t have families somewhere. Families who may read what has been written on KSL. And the homeless are also children of God, just like the rest of us, and should be treated with respect at the time of their deaths

My own brother was a drug addict and a homeless person for part of his life. He roamed the US looking for something that was missing in his life. This was a choice he had made. The only one he could have made to try and deal with the cruelties of his world. He died, just as these two have died. After a long hard and painful life. Fortunately, Mark died inside a building. Not in his home but not next to the river, during a snowstorm either.

It was heartening to see that now, a few hours later, more people are showing that they are human. Leaving comments to the family, expressing sympathy. God bless you and all those who have compassion and empathy for those less fortunate than you.

I Have A New Tan

2009-03-24T21:13:00.005-06:00

Yesterday, when I arrived home from work, a package was waiting for me. When I saw the return address, I knew it was the prize I had won from Melissa over at The Scholastic Scribe. Melissa had a giveaway on SITS Spring Fling day and was offering a copy Amy Tan’s The Opposite of Fate, A Book of Musing. As a big fan of Amy Tan, I was very excited to win such a great prize. Plus, a book of Musings is a perfect gift for a blogging giveaway. My thanks to Melissa who thinks I should write a book review when I’m done. (If only I had Melissa’s gift for writing.) She is such a wonderful writer. Someday when Melissa is a famous author we can all say…”I knew her when she was my blogging buddy!”

This is the darling card Melissa sent along with the book. I think Melissa has an insight to my soul to include a kitty card. I am having this framed so I can admire the kitty (and think of Melissa) always!

Plus as a side note, one of Amy Tan’s books is called The Chinese Siamese Cat. This one I haven’t read but sounds right up my alley!

Thanks again to Melissa! I think everyone should pay her a visit, she really is an amazing writer!

Edward, Bite Me!

2009-03-20T09:36:00.006-06:00

My thanks, once again, to Heather for saying, “Edward, bite me!” and to Adiel for bringing Twilight to work and letting me borrow it. This is your entire fault.

Tomorrow is the day. Twilight is coming out on video. And I am going to buy it! I missed seeing it in the theatres. I know, how lame can someone be? A true Twilight fan would have stood in line for hours to make the midnight opening day show to see her beloved Edward. Not wait until March 21st and than make a mad dash to Wal-Mart to buy the cheapest (meaning least expensive) one around.

But Edward is waiting for me. He wants me, he needs me, oh Baby, oh Baby! (OK, maybe not.)

I will probably be watching this by myself. I do not think my hubby will want to watch a movie about vampires. He had a hard enough time while I was reading the books.

So, tomorrow is Edward and Marrdy day. I know he is looking forward to it and I have been patiently waiting for this day to arrive.

Welcome Edward. Pull up a couch, borrow my cozy blankly and settle in for some viewing pleasure.

A Little Help Please!!!

2009-03-16T19:44:00.004-06:00

Last night just before I fell asleep I sat straight up in bed and hollered, "SHERRI!" Now my hubby was quite surprised because his name is not Sherri. But, Sherri is the name of the blogger who I won this wonderful spa basket from. So, my apologizes to Sherri for not remembering I had won this on her blog and a huge thank you for such a great gift. Mystery solved!

On my way from work tonight I stopped by the Post Office to pick up our mail. My hubby was working late so I was dawdling a bit. I opened up the box, after fighting with my key. (For some reason, this box hates me. I can never open it on the first try.) Sooooo...

I open the box and pull out the mail. Hooray! My flex spending check is here. I am solvent again until payday. But wait, what is this? A key to a bigger box? We have a delivery that won't fit in our box. This is odd. I know I don't have anything bigger than what would fit in a regular box coming and my hubby hasn't said that he ordered anything or was expecting anything either.

So, I wander around trying to find box HH. I walk by the cabinet that has the boxes but there are only single letters. A, B, C, D, etc. No double letters anyway. (I hope the video of me walking back and forth like I am lost in a small space doesn't make it to YouTube. This was so embarrassing.)

Finally, I start looking a little closer and in the opposite corner of where I am looking I find box HH! I unlock it and pull out a box. I read the return address and it says, My Blog Spark.

This confused me. Who was sending me something? I couldn't imagine.

When I opened the box this is what I found! A wonderful spa gift set with a free Fiber One coupon. What a great surprise. I love this!

But, this is where the HELP!! comes in. I do not know who sent this. There was nothing in the box but the spa set and the free Fiber One coupon. So, I went back to SITS Spring Fling thinking that I had won something and missed it. But my name was not listed on winners of any spa giveaways. I went back and re-read all my comments since last Tuesday and found NOTHING.

If you sent me this wonderful gift so that I can spoil myself, please let me know who you are so I can brag you up and properly thank you.

In the meantime...whoever you are....Thank you so very much!

And The Winner Is.....

2009-03-11T21:44:00.008-06:00

It's time to announce the winner of the Target gift card. I so wanted everyone to win. I read each and every comment and even visited some of your blogs. So many wonderful exceptional SITAS. (225 in all!!) I wish I could give you all your own $50 gift card. That would cost me $11,250. Um , I'm a little short of THAT much cash so I'm sticking with the orignal plan.

EXCEPT!

Alex is still under the weather so I decided to let Ramdon.org make the decision for me!

I am pleased to annouce that Rachel at One Day At A Time is the winner. I stopped by Rachel's blog for just a minute this afternoon and what a sweetheart she is! Congratulations to Rachel. Enjoy your Target (or Tar Jay as so many of you said!) shopping spree.

SITS Spring Fling

2009-03-10T11:04:00.008-06:00

Today is SITS Spring Fling! If you don’t know what SITS is, take a peek here and you can learn all about it. It’s the #1 place in blogland to meet some amazing, fun and new friends.

As part of their Spring Fling today (which I almost forgot about) I am giving away a $50.00 gift card to Target. You love Target don’t you? All you need to do is leave a comment and I will then have my faithful assistant, Alex, help me select one of you lovely ladies to win the prize!

And stop by the rest of the give aways by clicking over here and choosing what you would like to win! AND join in with the SITS fun. Sign up today and get and give some comment love!

Good luck and have a great SITS Spring Fling!

As I post this I have had 186 SITAS visit my blog today! I just cannot believe it. I am trying to get to visit as many blogs as I can but there just isn't enough time. I was going to have my lovely assistant, Alex, help me draw a winner, but alas, he is ill tonight. So I will close the giveaway at Midnight Mountain time tonight (March 11th). Then hopefully Alex will be better tomorrow and I can let you all know who has won the gift card. What a fun and exhausting day this has been.

A Weekend Wedding

2009-03-07T15:55:00.017-07:00

The Bride, Marrla and her new Goom, Roger.

My oldest sister, Marrla, got married Saturday morning. We were told to be at the Church at 10AM sharp. They weren't going to wait for anyone. (Including our mother who is notoriously late!) Marrla kept saying she wanted it Simple, Simple, Simple. And low key. Everyone arrived on time and things went along very smoothly. The Bishop who married them was more nervous than the Bride and Groom, but he was pretty funny. Gave them some good advise. He told Roger (the groom), he only had to remember three words. Of course, we all thought it would be I Love You but, what he said was, Sorry, I'm wrong! Too funny! After the short ceremony we were treated to refreshments provided by Roger's mother and sister. It was all over and we were out of the church by 11:30. Fastest wedding in the west.

From l to r: My brother Steve, Me and Marrla. My Mom's cousin Donna Jean, Step Dad (Bob) and Mom (Marrdella) and Me, Steve, Marrla, Roger, Jack and Jill

Marrl's oldest son Jeff with his son Gage. Kyle, James, Corbin, Gage, Jeff and Ashley. Marrla's youngest son James with his sons Kyle and Corbin.

Marrla with her kids and Grand kids, James, Kyle, Gage, Corbin, Marrla, Ashley and Jeff.

Kristin and Jack & Scott, Jill and Chelsea.

Roger and Marrla with Roger's parents.

Madie and Alex...what is with the gangster sign??

And someone under 25 explain this one to me? What is the thing with taking many random shots of yourself? (Adiel? Maybe you can tell me why this was on my camera.) This is Madie in the bathroom at church.

And finally, here is Chelsea. I included two pictures of her because she just looked so dang cute!!

I did notice I did not get one picture of my hubby at this event. Sorry, cute guy. I still love you far more than I can tell you!!

And look what my youngest sister Jill found....a picture of me & my hubby. I look pained but he looks really good! Thanks Jill!

Sisterhood Award

2009-03-06T08:42:00.005-07:00

Once again, Veggie Mom has give me a wonderful bloggy award! And just last night I had some popcorn sprinkled with Butter Flavored Poprs'. You have got to try these. Especially if you have little kids. They are like Pop Rocks for your veggies or anything else you can think to put them on!

Per the rules and regulations of The Sisterhood Award, which was originated, BTW, by Diana Rambles, I need to pass this Bit o' Bloggy Bling along to a well-deserving bunch. Here are the R&R, first off: (By the way, I actually store this exact paragraph right from Veggie Mom. She says it so much better than me.)

Put the logo on your blog or post. Nominate at least 10 blogs, which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude! Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Since this is a Sisterhood Award I thought I'd keep it all in the family. I have the best, most wonderful Step Granddaughters in the world. I have grown to love these girls with every fiber of my being. (Sorry, sounded like I was in church there for a second). So I would like to give this award to them:

1. Misty. Unfortunatley, this blog is private so you really can't go check her out. She did such a sweet post on her "Wicked Evil Step Grandmother." Just because I said she should buy Mrs. Fields Fudge Cookies, or some such thing.

2. Amber. Amber is mommy to two of the sweetest boys in the world. They are a little under the weather right now so here's hoping a little award will make everything feel a little better.

3. Emily. You have seen pictures of Emily and her cute little family on my blog before. She just lives too far away with that precious little Kambri!

4. Adelia. Adelia, her hubby and her youngest recently spent a few days with us and we had such fun with baby Paxton. Alas she too lives too far away. (Or maybe we do!)

5. Elise. Elise too, lives far away and has a handsome boy named Brig. Her last entry on her blog shows that he really is all boy. So cute!

6. Afton. If you know any super cute hot guys who live in DC our cute Afton is single and enjoying her many adventures in our Nations Capital.

There you are, one more than half as many as the rules say but that's OK. Rules were meant to be broken!

Pay It Forward

2009-03-04T14:45:00.005-07:00

I saw this on Nikki's blog and got all excited because we all know Nikki is very talented and anything she would make would be totally cool. Alas I was #56 on her blog. But I also encountered it on Tulsi and Julie's blog. I think it's a great idea and could be so much fun.

The rules are simple:

1. Be one of the first 3 people to post a comment on this entry. If you are (and you follow the second rule), you will receive a gift from me sometime during this year. When and what are a surprise to the winners but they will be handmade by me. (and I must add, you will need patience, I may be slow but I will be done within a year!)

2. Then, copy and paste these rules into a post on your own blog & come back and leave the link in comments here. It's that easy!

Only the first 3 folks that leave a comment AND Pay it Forward on their blog will get a prize. PLEASE leave me a comment...

Please include your favorite color with your comment too. I want to make you happy!

(Update on Alex. No surgery, no cast. The no cast really made him unhappy. He was looking forward to getting a neon cast!)

March Madness

2009-03-01T19:15:00.004-07:00

Wep at WepRuminations is having a March Madness challenge. Here is all you have to do:

It's a six step program, customizable for you.

Step 1: Set a running/walking goal that you will achieve in the month of March
Step 2: Pick a food you REALLY like. You know the one you eat/drink EVERY DAY? The one you start getting the shakes without? Yep. Cut back to one a week.
Step 3: Pick 1 food you really DON'T like. But one that's REALLY good for you. Eat it at least once a week. Your reward is Step 3.
Step 4: Do one thing each week that is just for YOU. Not the kids. Not the spouse. Just for you.
Step 5: Read one good book this month. One of those classics that you were supposed to read in high school.
Step 6: Do one nice thing for someone else each week. Something that serves you no purpose, but delights someone else.

Here are my choices for this week:

Step 1: Ride the new Recumbent Bike at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes.
Step 2: Give up Diet Coke. It has been almost two weeks so I have a bit of a headstart!
Step 3: Fish. I most all fish but I know it is good for me. This will be a true test.
Step 4: I got in a nap today.
Step 5: I am reading a book called The Historian.
Step 6: I taught 6 9 year olds at church today. Can that count since I didn't plan anything?

I could be crazy, but if you'd like to join in head on over to Wep's blog and leave your info on her Mister Linky post. Good luck!

A Night At The ER

2009-02-27T09:11:00.004-07:00

Sounds romantic doesn’t it? Much like A Night At The Movies, A Night at The Opera, A Night Sitting On The Couch Like A Vegetable….

When I picked Alex up after work last night, he comes bounding down the stairs, prances across the lawn and throws his backpack into the car. When he flops himself into the front seat he says:

Him: I think I broke my hand today.

Me: Really? Why?

Him: I slugged a guy. We were kidding around so I slugged him.

Me: And broke your hand? Let’s see it.

He holds it up and it does look a little swollen. I think that he must have just sprained it.

Me: Can you wiggle your fingers? (I ask this because I know all those medical things and am pretty sure that if anything is broken you can’t wiggle it.)

He holds up his hand and wiggles all his fingers. He then pulls on his little finger.

Him: I can’t pull this finger down very far.

Me: (BIG SIGH) Ok, we’ll go to After Hours when we’re done with dinner.

No sense rushing into these things and he does look just fine.

We go home, fix dinner and then eat dinner. Hubby says that we should go to the After Hours clinic while he cleans up dinner. It is now 7 PM. Above slugging happened at 8:05 AM, almost 12 hours.

We both knew this was going to be a long night. We only had to wait an hour and then were seen by the doctor.

Dr: Looks like you broke you hand.

Me: (Snort)

Dr: Are you in pain? Have you taken any medication for pain?

Me: (In my head, so the Dr doesn’t hear me. Why didn’t I ask that? I am out of the running for Mother of the Year now!)

We get an x-ray done and lo and behold, there is the break at the fifth metacarpal near his growth plate. He got a temporary cast and will need to see an Orthopedic Surgeon and possibly have some surgery since the break is so close to the growth plate.

This child is an angel. And after my first two, I deserve an angelic child.

Happy Birthday Baxter!

2009-02-23T13:42:00.004-07:00

Today is my good friend, Baxter’s Birthday. He is turning four.

I stopped by the grocery store this morning and bought him a gift. He loves cheese curds and pea pods so that is what he got. He also received a platypus toy from someone else in the office. He loves food so my gift was a hit and the platypus squeaks so he loves that too.

Here he is sitting up and crossing his little paws so he can have some birthday cheese.

These are the doggy pizzas his mom and dad got him. These smelled good enough that I could have eaten them for lunch. They were chicken and double cheese pizzas. Pretty nice food for a dog.

Mr. Baxter waiting patiently for his Chicken and Cheese Pizza

And here is Baxter sitting pretty in a chair being a good dog waiting for his pizza.

I think he had a good birthday!

News Flash

2009-02-20T07:55:00.004-07:00

Just in case you missed it....

the UTAH JAZZ

beat the Boston Celtics last night

at the Energy Solutions Areana here in Salt Lake.

AND

just nine days ago they beat the Los Angeles Lakers too!

And all without Carlos Boozer!

So, please do not tell me the Celtics didn't have Kevin Garnett to help them!

GO JAZZ!!

Now back to your regularly scheduled blogging!

Loving Cats

2009-02-19T11:11:00.011-07:00

Cats make me happy and just today I received an email from a co-worker filled with cats. It made me smile so I thought I would share it with you.

You Might Be Having A Bad Day If:

1. Your new diet doesn't seem to be working.

2. You pulled a muscle while trying to exercise.

3. Your new hat looked better on you at the store.

4. You keep losing things.

5. You feel like you're in the wrong place at the wrong time.

6. The boss chews you out at work.

7. You got caught in the snow at lunch.

8. You feel trapped somehow.

9. Traffic on the way into work was brutal.

10. You think you might be coming down with the flu.

11. You're home alone and you hear a noise in the basement.

And finally, for your viewing pleasure, my very favorite cat in the world, Stripes, along with his favorite boy, Alex.

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T09:18:00.004-07:00

A Happy Valentines Day wish to all my bloggin' friends.

I hope your day will be filled with happiness.

Last night, after running Alex and Madie around, I came home to find these on my dresser along with a beautiful card.

See that cute little puppy? My hubby is allergic to dogs and, sadly, cats so here is my new puppy.

I have named him Butterscotch. He is very quiet and never does his "business" in the house. He is the perfect pet.

Have a wonderful day.

A Toothache and True Love

2009-02-09T13:38:00.002-07:00

Many years ago, I was treated by a dentist who did a very bad job on my teeth, my children’s teeth and traumatized Alex so badly that to this day he hates both Doctors and Dentists. This guy was truly a Quack! But he came highly recommended so we trusted him…for a while.

Fast forward to December 2008. I had a crown on one of my molars that started to give me problems. I have a wonderful new dentist and he took a look at it and informed me that Dr. Quack had not put it on correctly. There was a gaping hole between the tooth and the gums. Now the tooth was infected.

I foolishly chose to wait for treatment until January 1st so my Flex plan would be full of money.

BIG MISTAKE!

Come January, after festering in my mouth this tooth was so painful that Ibuprofin 800 didn’t touch it, Tylenol 3 didn’t touch it, Loritab didn’t touch it they all just made me sick!

I was suffering big time.

Enter my wonderful semi-perfect hubby.

My hubby was married to wonderful woman who passed away after suffering from bone cancer. This man lovingly took care of his sweet wife. He retired from his Real Estate job to care for her full time and make her last days as comfortable as possible. He fed her, he bathed her, he gave her all the meds she needed and stayed by her side until the very end.

I hadn’t slept through the night in the three week prior to my appointment. (I should have just gone back in and paid for the procedure!!) I had to sleep sitting up and finally wound up sleeping in hubby’s recliner. He would wake up several times a night to make sure I was covered and warm. He fixed me soft foods that I could eat. He went to the store and bought me every kind of toothache medicine he could find. He called me during the day to make sure I wasn’t in too much pain. He held me when I couldn’t take it anymore and would cry. Plus the day of the inauguration, when I went home sick, he drove me to the Bank Robbery, sat and waited in the car for two hours and then followed me while I drove our “victim” home. He babied me and that was something I wasn’t used to.

I finally got in to have my tooth worked on and things did not go well. My tongue was cut, my gums were screaming and my mouth was full of cankers! So once again, he went off to the store and bought every brand of canker medicine around PLUS got a prescription for anti nausea medicine. And once again took care of me all weekend until I was all better. Thanks to my sweetheart of a husband, whose love language is service.

How lucky am I?

Welcome to Town

2009-02-03T19:27:00.006-07:00

The Charlotte Bobcats stopped by the Energy Solutions Arena last night. I took my boys with me to see the game. Hubby was sure we would all snooze through it. In fact, I gave him the tickets for his birthday in December thinking it was a great idea. Something he couldn't take back, exchange of give to charity. The perfect gift for someone who has everything. He loves the Jazz, I love the Jazz and I really love seeing them at the ESA. BUT..he kept saying his nose was bleeding, (and I hadn't even hit him for being a brat) he kept saying he could actually see the players on TV and his couch was much more comfortable than the ugly green chairs we were sitting on.

So, we were prepared for a boring wipe out of a game.

We missed the Jazz introductions but made it in time to hear that Raja Bell was now playing for the Bobcats. I love Raja Bell. He is a great player and is a real gentleman player. (In my opinion) Why would the Suns trade him? Why did the Jazz trade him to the Suns? Deep questions of the universe. We also discovered that D Will was injured again and wouldn't be playing. When will this suffering end?

The game starts and the Jazz stink! They had no defense. They had no offense. They had nothing!

The first half was painful. The Jazz were down the whole time. Where was our team, where was the boring blow out of a game they we were expecting?

Dear Charlotte Bobcats,

Please stop playing so well. Give it up and go home!

With Deep Respect,

Marrdy

Sometime in the 3rd Quarter the Jazz returned. Nikki and Adiel should be proud of their boys. Korver and Harpring were the come back kids. The team came together and gave us an amazing 2nd half. It was exciting and much better than sitting on the couch watching it. (no matter what my hubby says.)

Here are Cole and Alex scraping their heads on the ceiling! Alex is trying to get out of the picture. What a weirdo!

So thanks Jazz for giving us some great entertainment and thanks to the Charlotte Bobcats for giving it a great fight!

I'm # 200!!

2009-01-29T21:09:00.011-07:00

Cue the dancing girls. Tell the Cheerleaders to grab their pom poms and bring their megaphones. Strike up the band and start the parade!

I AM # 200!!

Nikki who is mommy to these cute little guys gave me a prize.

On the right is Crumpet and to the left is Ozzie.

I borrowed these pictures from Nikki's blog....I hope that's legal!

These two keep life hopping over at Blah, blah, blah, blog...

I just happened to be the 200th person to follow Nikki's blog. And she sent me a prize just for doing that. Isn't she the best?

This is my amazing prize. It's a beautiful antiqued box with a sliding drawer. This picture just does not do it justice. She also sent along this cute card. I do believe she has more talent in her little finger than I do in my whole body. Plus she is soooo funny! I love reading her blog because she always makes me laugh. And another plus....she is a fanatic Jazz fan. She's a Utah girl originally and moved all the way across the US but still watches every game.

Here is the box all closed up and ready for my jewelry to be nestled inside. There is a mirror on the front of the drawer and it's such a great color. My hubby thought I was totally insane when I was opening the box. He knows all about Nikki and her boys. I tell him all about her posts and he thinks she pretty awesome too!

When I opened the drawer I found there were Candy Cane Kisses. I'm trying to remember if I ever mentioned that I love Kisses on my blog. I think Nikki can read my mind. I have hidden them away so no one can eat them but me. I don't think that's selfish, do you?

Thank you Nikki for such a wonderful gift and thanks for sharing your life and those major cute dogs with the blogging world. If you haven't read Nikki's blog, you need to head over there right now.

100 Things

2009-01-22T19:57:00.005-07:00

I have been feeling under the weather for the last week and just didn't have the umph to do any blogging that taxes my brain. I saw this over at INfertile Myrtle and decided to borrow it. You can borrow it too if you are having a blogging brain cramp!

If you do play along, leave me a comment so I can see your list. Bold whatever you have done.

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. (Does crocheting count?)
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
.31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie. (Training movie at work!)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. (The Bobsey Twins, got it in 1965 and still have it.)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job. (Laid Off, the same thing.)
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved someone's life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake. (Um, I don't think you swim in the Great Salt Lake!)
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

There you have it. 100 things and I have only done a handful. Nothing in an exotic place. Guess I need to get out more!

A Day To Remember

2009-01-20T19:00:00.004-07:00

First of all, my congratulations to the new President of the United States, Barack Obama. I listened to part of his speech this morning at work and was inspired to hope for a brighter future.

During the speech of the President with my co workers, I knew I needed to go home. I was sick and getting sicker. Nothing serious, just an infection with antibiotics that weren't working fast enough.

I had just gotten home, changed my clothes, crawled into bed and was on the verge of sleep when my cell phone rang. It was one of my closest relatives. When I answered, it was actually the Branch Manager of one of our local banks. He told me who he was and said my family member had just been robbed. Suddenly my adrenaline kicked in and I was no longer sick. I could hear her in the background sobbing. "Could you come to the bank?" he asked, "Are you in Salt Lake?" I told him yes even though I was on the other side of the valley. I told him I would be there in 20 minutes.

I do not understand why people rob banks. The tellers do not keep much money in their tills so it is of little value to rob them only to be caught and spend 20 years in prison for armed robbery. We have had a rash of robberies lately. Maybe it's the economy that has driven people to do this. Whatever the reason, someone had now just hurt my family.

My hubby was away from home and I frantically called him so he could run me into Salt Lake. We (he) drove like maniacs or tried to. But we made it there in record time. As we pulled into the bank parking lot there were 6 or so police cars and 2 TV photographers. I hardly let the car stop before I was out of the door.

I was stopped, of course, by the police and explained who I was.

I walked into the bank. I am mature, I told myself. I am older. I cannot be weak, I cannot cry. When I saw her standing there shaking I crumbled inside. I just wanted to hold her and make sure she was OK. Physical she was still in tact but emotionally she was horribly shaken.

A man had walked into he bank, waited in line and she had asked to help him. He handed her a note that she really can't remember EXCEPT it said he had a gun. She turned to her till and gave him all her money. Not a fortune, like many people think. Defiantly not worth the threat on her life and not worth the price he will pay for doing this.

What upset me the most is this person has now destroy the feeling of safety and well being of this entire family.

I hope no one ever has to go through this or have a family member or close friend go through something like this. Customer Service employees, no matter what they do, are not paid enough to be held up and have their lives threatened.

With the new beginning in our country fresh on our minds I hope this little family can deal with this the best way they know and move past it to a better and brighter tomorrow.

For those who rob banks and threatend peoples lives.....I hope you enjoy stripes!

I Stole The Things In This Sack

2009-01-15T19:42:00.005-07:00

Mama Kat has a Friday Writers Workshop each week and I have decided to participate once again. Go check out all the other entries, they are great!

The year was 1965. My parents had just gotten divorced and my Mother had married my evil Step Father. (Don't worry, he's a pretty nice guy now!) We had moved to Salt Lake and I had just started 2nd Grade in a new school. My teacher was young and pretty, I made a really nice new friend and the cutest boy in the 2nd Grade sat next to me. My mother also gave birth to my first half sibling.

I guess I felt like there was some attention lacking or maybe I was just young and wreckless and wanted to live on the edge. The edge of what I'm not sure, but I took a giant step forward in my criminal career.

Troll Dolls were big in 1965. Lucky Lockets weren't far behind. I loved both of these items and would wonder the toy aisles with lust in my heart for them.

The lovely Lucky Locket.

Alluring Troll Dolls.

My new family was pretty poor. We couldn't afford cool fun toys like the Dolls I loved! We lived just down the street from a store called Grand Central. We could walk up the alley behind our house and be there in a few minutes. I used to drag my older sister along. We would roam those beautiful toy aisles and wish they were all ours.

Being a clever, imaginative and creative child I made up an elaborate story that I would share with my sister. I told her we were doing a special project in school and when you wanted something from a store you would simply say this magic stuff and the clerk would just hand over whatever you want. My sister believed this. Would you?

So I stuffed many Troll Dolls and Lucky Lockets in my book bag and took them home with me.

Enter Evil Step Father........

Dum..dum..dum..dum........

Above stated Step Father found my stash of pilfered items. Off he drags us to the Store Managers Office to show him what rotten children we were. The Manager was very sympathetic and told us that if we promised to never steal anything again he would let us off the hook plus let us keep all our loot. Such a nice guy. Evil Step Father was not so nice. He got paper lunch bags, put all the stolen items inside, put a string through the top and wrote "I stole the things in this sack." We had to wear these for a week, everywhere we went, including school.

Lesson learned. I soon hated Trolls and vowed to never steal anything ever again.

It was about this time that I began to collect kitties instead of Trolls. It was a very wise choice! I wouldn't like living at the Point of the Mountain with real criminals.

Lemons to Lemonade

2009-01-12T20:30:00.004-07:00

Katie, who resides over at Ritch in Love has given me a very sweet award. One I'm not sure I deserve, but one I will accept because Katie is just the sweetest thing ever. Please go over and visit Katie. She is a girl right here in our backyard. Katie is a true blue (red) Utes fan. She could be the biggest Utes fan I have met. She has also got the greatest stories that she shares and she really does make Lemonade out of Lemons.

As always there are rules:

By now we should all know what the basics are! but in case you don't know here ya go!

1. Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great attitude or gratitude!!!

3. Be sure to link your nominees with your post.

4. Let them know they received the award by leaving a comment on their most recent post on their blog.

5. Share the love and link this post to the person that gave you the award!

Blogging is such an amazing way to meet new people. It reminds me of the Pen Pals of my elementary school days, only now you get instant feedback. I get to keep in touch with all my friends from the "old neighborhood" which is very high on list of important things. I have "found" people I have lost track of and keep to spy on other people and they don't even care! So, here is my list of some wonderful, caring blogging friends who are grateful for so many things and always try to see the best in everything.

1 - Veggie Mom at Eat Your Veggies! who is an awesome blogger and a great business woman. Plus things are poppin' over at her place all the time!

2 - Adiel at It's Because I Think Too Much, well, because I just love Adiel and if I could add another daughter to my family it would for sure be her!

3 - Sherrie at Kaysville Mama who is another neighbor to the north! Sherrie always has an upbeat blog and the greatest adoption stories I have read.

4 - Pam at Colorado McEwens is just over the hill from me. Her blog is uplifting and her life is filled with her serving others. She amazes me!

5 - Angela at My Dogumentary. Go visit Angela and see her cute doggies. She loves dogs as much as I love cats and there are always happy things going on!

6 - Tracy at The Journey. I so enjoy visiting Tracy's blog. She is always positive and has such wonderful things going on. Tracy's blog is great if you need a lift.

7 - Melissa at the scholastic scribe. Melissa's blog is where I go if I want to brighten my day. She teaches High School and deserves a Congressional Medal of Honor as far as I'm concerned!

8 - Liz at Livin' The Dream, who thinks no one reads her blog. Everyone should read her blog. She has the funnest adventures, the cutest kids and one fine looking husband. (Don't tell him I said that!)

9 - Tulsi at The Family Awaits. I just BARELY met Tulsi and haven't even finished reading her blog but she is great. What an amazing lady! And what a cute family.

10 - And because I hate to leave anyone out, I am following Katie and saying that I would like to give this to all of you. So if you know someone who deserve such a nice blogging award...take this and pass it on.

P.S. Janice, if you stop by and read this, I would really like to read your blog but you are private. If it is OK, can I play too?? Please? My email is drammac@yahoo.com. Just don't give it to the crazy people in the world.

The Miracle

2009-01-06T19:04:00.017-07:00

When I was a teenager all I wanted to do is get married and start a family. I had of list of the children I was going to give birth to. All 12 of them. I had birth dates and names for them all. I had even included two sets of twins. But when I got married at 21 life didn't work out the way I had planned. All around me my friends were having babies, neighbors were having babies and teenagers I taught in church were having babies.

I went through every kind of fertility test available. I took my temperature every morning for years. I scheduled intimate moments for my most fertile time. (So romantic!) I took drugs, I had surgeries and then I volunteered to be a Guinea Pig at the University of Utah. My doctor at the U finally told me that I had multiple problems and my chances of ever having a natural child were so slim he wouldn't even give me a percentage of any chance. He told me to try adoption.

Those of you who have ever had fertility problems understand the turmoil you go through to accept the fact that you will not have natural children. It was a thought that was difficult to work around. But try for adoption was the choice. Two private adoptions fell through just weeks before each new baby was to be placed in my arms. Even today this is difficult to remember. Those of you who are going through this now, my heart goes out to you and I hope your time will be short and your ending joyful!

My doctor called once more and told me he had one more option. A new procedure that may work, or may not. So I scheduled the surgery for the Friday after Mothers Day 1985. Luckily for me, I was so sick on Mothers Day that I didn't have to face the dreaded Mothers Day Program at church. I knew that my time of the month would arrive that day. But it didn't....it didn't the next day or the next. I was as regular as a clock. Never even a second late and here I was getting ready for another surgery and my system was messed up.

During my pre-screening at the hospital they asked if there was a chance I was pregnant. I wanted to laugh, instead I cried and they took my blood anyway.

And a miracle happened......the hospital called and asked if I was Marrdy, yes I told them I was. They said your test is positive. I asked what test and they said my pregnancy test. I told them no, my name is Marrdy, that can't be my test. They then asked my full name and said yes your test is positive. I cried and cried and I still cry when I remember that day. One of the very best days of my life.

8 months later after 2 months of bed rest and 22 hours of labor I delivered a little boy by C section. A 5 pound 8 ounce, 18 inch son.

That first day was difficult. I was sick and Cole had been born with Poland Syndrome. No one, not the doctors, not anyone in the hospital knew what was wrong with him. They sent a nurse to sit with me that first night, just in case he didn't make it. He was born missing the middle bones of his fingers on his left hand and those fingers were webbed together. He was also missing his left peck muscle and his heart was pushed to the right side of his chest. I had a wonderful Pediatrician who researched this and came back to the hospital to give me an update. He was not sure what Cole's life would be like. When he was 9 days old he had his first of many trips to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake to have his heart looked at. I was drowning in self pity. Poor me. I had waited all these years for a child and may be loosing my baby. What a humbling day. After that day I was grateful for every moment I had with Cole. Grateful that his "problems" were so minimal. So very thankful that the Doctors said he was going to be fine. Just couldn't play football. (DANG!! Not.) Cole had to endure two surgeries to have his fingers separated and some plastic surgery. Plus follow ups with the Cardiologist to check his heart.

So today, January 7th, Cole is celebrating turning 23 years old today. Happy Birthday to the very first miracle of my life. The very answer to my prayers and the fulfilling of my dreams!

A Great Day To Be From Utah

2009-01-03T15:23:00.006-07:00

Did anyone miss the Sugar Bowl last night? You did? Well, let me be among the hordes who are tooting their own horns and say that

The University of Utah Running Utes

beat Alabama in such an amazing game. The team played great and it was a pleasure to watch them win. They really do deserve this win and they had a wonderful, successful season. Way to go Utes!

But wait....what happens when we change the channel to FSN and start watching the Jazz?

Well, to start off with, they were playing the Lakers. I dislike the Lakers mostly because of Kobe. I can't even stand to look at him. I used to enjoy the Lakers. It was an honor to play and beat the Lakers. It was even better when you played the Lakers in the playoffs and took them to 7 games! Now those were great games with players who at least tried to be gentlemen.

I think I may be the only Jazz fan left who still likes Fisher. Fisher was once my favorite player (during his short time here in Utah) and I still like him. It's just so sad that he is a Laker.

The Jazz were down 20 when we first turned it on....they rallied to within 4 but just couldn't pull it off. It was really pretty sad.

BUT

The good news.....Paul Milsap is back from being hurt. He is playing again and my little heart is a flutter. And in case you missed it, he fouled Kobe and Kobe rubbed his neck and whined! I wish he would have made him cry instead. (Just kidding...I would not wish bodily harm on him....or would I??)

So, being in Utah and having the Utes win after their awesome season AND having Paul back has put a nice start to 2009.

Good riddance 2008, I don't think I will miss you. Especially the last 4 months. Time to move on, eat better, exercise more and enjoy life in general more.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Lazy Days of Winter

2008-12-28T14:41:00.005-07:00

Here are Hubby's Great Grand kids from his oldest daughter (minus two babies and plus Grandson in law Matt) the day of their Christmas party when was hubby was dubbed, "The Crazy Guy!" All I have to say about that is, you have no idea how crazy!

We had a wonderful Christmas. It started snowing Christmas Eve, snowed 12" by Noon Christmas Day, stopped snowing long enough for my children to arrive and continued on after that from early afternoon until long after I went to bed.

Here is Cole putting together the only toy he got. Sometimes it's hard to pretend you're a grown up!

Here is Madie showing off her new DC's (shoes). You can't see them because she had already packed everything up in anticipation of going to see her boyfriend.

And here is Alex with the make your own John Deere Bear that Madie gave him. You can't tell from his face, but he really was excited about it.

Lucky for me I didn't have to get up and drive on those snowy roads on Friday. But, my oldest child decided he HAD to drive to Park City, Christmas night, to see a "girl". I did not sleep until he called to say, after over an hour, that he had made it down the canyon. If I had been closer to him I would have hugged him and cried and then knocked him upside the head!

So, Friday morning I slept in and had the house all to myself because my hubby had to work. I actually showered, made the bed and ate. After that I laid on the couch watching "Mama Mia!" TWICE. It was heavenly.

Four days off from work. It was so nice and I know I could get used to staying home, if I was rich that is!

In other pressing news, I finished "Two From Galilee", loved it, again! I watched the Jazz win one game and lose another in double overtime without my precious Paul Milsap who is hurt. (I'm betting they are going to call me any day to help nurse him back to health!) Saw the parentals...I know someday my mother is going to be like the crazy aunt in Christmas Vacation bearing "interesting" gifts. But my mom will have her dog wrapped up and covered in Fruit Cake. My siblings and their spouses know this is true!

Can You Say Snow?

2008-12-19T13:39:00.005-07:00

It's snowing here in Utah. Great big fat flaky snow. The kind of snow that multiplies when it goes over the Great Salt Lake.

We are getting a ton of this stuff. It's supposed to snow all afternoon and all night. Five inches before rush hour. And then we'll all have a long commute.

It is so beautiful. I love the snow. But it's what comes after the snow that I don't like. The cold. This weekend our low will be 9 degrees. Sounds fun, huh?

And I still need to finish my Christmas shopping. Still have to find something on this earth that my hubby doesn't have. This is a chore. He told me to get him nothing. That is too easy and such a cop out. Over the next 5 days I will be a shopping fool during my lunch hour.

Since I can't take many of you with me (won't fit in my little Honda, sorry!) here is a picture of Baxter for you to enjoy. He likes the snow too and wears booties to protect his tootsies.

Two From Galilee

2008-12-10T13:17:00.006-07:00

First of all, my apologizes for such a downer of a post last time. That post was the reason I just couldn't do anything for a couple of weeks. And I appreciate all your lovely kind words and I know her family would too.

Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year. I love the music, the food, the lights, the smell of the trees, the presents....both giving and receiving and I love the traditions.

Since I left my old life and started a new life, many of my old traditions have been left behind and some new ones have been picked up. Take this weekend for instance. The Baxter side of my family always has a Christmas party. I can remember this back to before I can remember much of anything else. My cool, hip, young exotic aunts, who I always wanted to grow up to be just like, were a big part of my memories of Christmas. My Grandma always had the most beautiful Christmas tree. I even inherited a wreath that she made. Now I just need to convince my hubby that he loves pink and wants to hang it on the front door. (he really does, I'm sure, but he loves to fight it!)

So...back to the subject of traditions, this weekend we have the Baxter Christmas party! A lifelong tradition and always so much fun! Three years ago I got invited to my new family's Christmas party and it is this Saturday. This one is really fun too. Such cute little kids running around and my hubby's oldest daughters wonderful children. So the start of new tradition.

One tradition that I have kept since I was a teenager is reading the book, "Two From Galilee, The Story of Mary and Joseph" by Marjorie Holmes. Marjorie Holmes is a wonderful Christian authur. She writes uplifting, inspirational books that I love. (you should also try "I've Got to Talk to Someobody, God!") I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is the original Christmas story. Well, actually, the pre-Christmas story. This is a love story. The love story between a young 13 almost 14 year old girl and the 21 year old man she loves and cannot live without. It has been called the Greatest Love Story of all.

Even if you don't believe in Christmas, this is a touching and heartwarming book and I highly recommend it. If you have already read it, read it again. If you have never read it, you can borrow mine in a couple of days!

Where Can I Turn For Peace?

2008-12-09T14:37:00.011-07:00

Over the years of my life I have lost friends and family to death.

Some I have grieved for and continue to do so to this day. Some I was glad their suffering was over and they were off on a new journey.

Others have made the choice to leave us. I used to sit and shake my head and wonder why we couldn't help. Why we couldn't stop them.

I believe from the bottom of my soul that every person living on this earth today, those who have gone before us and those who are yet to come, make their own choices. I believe that is God’s plan for us. To choose our own way.

Two weeks ago on November 23rd a friend of mine made the choice to leave this world behind.

I have known her and her family for 30 years. I knew her when she was a frazzled young mom, a harried mom of teenagers, as a proud Grandma and an even prouder Great Grandma. And I knew her as her life started to unravel.

I taught all five of her children in church. Her daughters were like my daughters. I love them like they were my own. Her son was involved in the youth programs I taught in. And now my heart aches for them.

I understand the depression that can grab hold of you when life just seems too hard. I can understand wanting to leave it all behind. To leave those you love. To leave the world you love and to really want to go back to your heavenly home. I made it through my depression. Others don’t, even though they try hard to see their way back.

This sweet lady went through hell. She fought hard, her family fought hard and her friends fought hard to keep her here. But she couldn't take it any longer. Her family says she has let them know she wishes she would have stayed. We all wish she would have stayed.

At her funeral we sang a hymn called, “Where Can I Go For Peace?”. I had another friend pass away from Breast Cancer 9 years ago this month and this was her favorite hymn. It helped me through those dark days when I didn’t think I could make it. It helped me when my sweet friend died 9 years ago and when we sang it at the funeral of my friend who left us, it helped me there too. She knew she needed help and she tried, she really did. But her choice was still to leave us.

Her family has found their peace. They have great faith. They know they will see their wife, mother and grandmother again and that she is close by and watching over them and telling them to hold onto that faith.

Every single time I saw this friend she would kiss me on the check and tell me she loved me. She made me feel loved and special. Turns out she did the same thing with everyone she loved. How blessed I am that she shared this beautiful side of her with me? I will miss her and the love she shared.

Here is a video done by Mormon Missionaries of the song "Where Can I Turn For Peace?" This is not a professional performance, but this is from the heart. I hope you enjoy it and it gives you all a little bit of peace especially during this crazy busy Holiday Season. I wish all of you Peace in your lives.

I would like to encourage everyone who reads this to share the kind of love that my dear friend shared. Tell those you love that you do love them, now, while they are here with you. I told my friend everytime I saw her. And I know that she loved me. She shared that with me everytime we met. Lucky, lucky me!!

Psalms 30:5

.. weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Annual Migration

2008-12-07T14:43:00.009-07:00

I took a little sabbatical (again) from blogging and maybe my next blog will be about that (and thank you Tracy for noticing I was gone.).

In my family it is tradition that the first Saturday of December is set aside for the "girls" to go shopping. I'm not sure how long we have been doing this, maybe 12 years. We started when Madie and her cousin Ashley were little girls. We'd get up WAY TOO EARLY (because my sister Marrla is a morning lunatic!) and we stop for a Krispy Kreme donut and then head off for shopping.

Here we are at Krispy Kreme. Did you know that Krispy Kreme has Pepsi and not Coke. I should write them a letter! From the left is Marrla and Ashley, then Madie and Chelsea and the whole gang: Kristin, Mom, Chelsea, Madie, Marrla, Madalyn, Ashley and Jill.

We always go to the same mall. Provo Towne Center. One year we went to the Gateway, which is an upscale outside mall in downtown Salt Lake. We froze. So we are sticking with the old stand by. Provo may seem a strange choice but it is our choice because we actually have to travel a bit to get there.

This year we (hubby did anyway) rented a 15 passenger van. After we picked it up I thought I'd better try driving it since I would be putting my family at risk with me driving. Alex was with me and I kept asking him if I was in the lane. I honestly couldn't tell. The van was a beast compared to my Honda Civic.

Here is my view of the van. It looks (and felt) like a bus! Madie here wtih Kristin who I know is probably wishing she could have stayed in bed a little longer on a Saturday.

Saturday morning Madie and I drove over to pick up Kristin. This is Kristin's second year of shopping with us since she only joined the family 16 months ago. First thing she wanted to know was why we had to leave that early. We all know it's Marrla's fault. Normal people don't get up before the chickens but Marrla does.

Here are Madie, Marrla, Madalyn and Chelsea pretending to be mannequins. They look so natural don't you think?

We then met up with my mom, Marrla (the evil morning person), Ashley, Marrla's granddaughter, little sister Jill, her daughter Chelsea and Chelsea's friend Madalyn. (Kristin's step daughter, Bronwen, couldn't make it this year...bummer.) We pulled into the WalMart parking lot and loaded up the van while the South Jordan police watched us.

We were off for some hot Krispy Kremes and then off to the mall. We stopped at Penney's and by 10 AM I was in desperate need for Diet Coke. McDonald's, I love you!

Here is Madie at McDonalds trying to drink upside down to get rid of her hiccups! (Once again, thank you Tracy!)

We shopped until those of us almost 40 and older were draggin around and the girls and the teenagers were still gun ho for more.

We had quite the time and I am very glad that no one got car sick in a van that was possessed by an evil spirit and weaved while I tried to keep it under control and my knuckles turned white. We all got home safely!

And here we are at the end of the journey! And see it looks like everyone is smiling and still in one piece!

We dropped Madie off to meet up with her boyfriend and though it would be great fun to embarrass her. What else fun can you do with teenagers? We all went into the pet store to meet him. He was a good sport and even took a picture with us.

Now I can't wait until next year!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T19:19:00.005-07:00

Thanksgiving is just 4 1/2 hours away! I love Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday with my favorite food.

I hope each of you have a wonderful day. I will be thinking about checking my blog all day but will have to resist or see the sulky face of my cute hubby. Thanksgiving is no time for sulking!

We will watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I'll run to the store and buy a paper so I can dream about buying all the things that will be on sale. We will eat, and eat, and eat. Then we will lay around and wish we had eaten less. Maybe. We'll probably just eat more!

And this will be me tomorrow afternoon. After I have eaten too much turkey, too many mashed potatoes with gobs of gravy, too much stuffing and then forcing a piece of pumpkin pie covered with whipped cream down my throat. I will lay on the couch and smile. And wait for next year!

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am grateful for all of you!

Dear Utah Jazz

2008-11-20T20:07:00.005-07:00

Head on over to Secret In The Sauce to check out other open letters today!

Dear Utah Jazz Front Office,

Now that our (notice how I say 'our'? All sports fans think they own the team don't ya think?) season has begun and we are 8-4 I think there may be one thing that needs to be added to the team.

Our starters are amazing. Our bench is the best ever. We are on our way. I'm sure you did notice that Fox Sports ranked us #6. Very nice. I think we should be #1 but those other pesky teams were voted before us. We have the worlds best fans too. But, as you already know, I am the best fan you have ever had or will ever have. (And don't let Nikki at blah, blah, blah blog tell you she is the biggest fan...maybe she is the co-biggest fan!)

So this is a going to be a great year.

Have you noticed that over the years there have been some really HOT players. Players like Bobby Hansen, who used to grab the front of his breakaway sweats and rip them off his body! Or Blue Edwards who was just too cute for words. (Plus those three super duper guys, Stockton, Malone and Hornacek!) But now we have Paul Milsap. (Small pause to catch my breath here!) Paul Milsap makes my heart flutter. I'm sure you saw his interview the other night without his shirt on, and I am here to tell you that the man is SOLID! Hmmmmm...

So, here is my idea. Paul needs his own person Fan Girl. (So, I'm not a girl, use your imagination!) I need to stand right by Paul during the games and fan him with one of those big ole feather fans. I know he gets hot and really could use some cooling down. The best part of this is that I will volunteer my services. You won't need to pay me a dime! I will even furnish my own fan. In Jazz colors of course.

Now, so you don't think I'm some crazed lunatic I want you to know that I am an upstanding citizen. I work a full time job, am the mother of three children, have a wonderful husband and have been entrusted every Sunday morning to teach 12 ten years at church. I swear I'm not the stalker from Hades! You can trust me.

Plus, I know that Paul really wants me to help out. He hasn't actually told me using any words, but I can "feel" him reaching out to me. Much the same way as Donny Osmond and all those baby animals. He wants me!! He needs me!! Oh baby, oh baby!!

So please just give me a buzz and let me know if I should start on the 24th against Chicago. I can be at the arena a little early so you can give me keys to the locker room and Paul's car. Just for safekeeping, don't cha know?

If Paul has any opposition to this please let D Will, Korver or Matt Harping that my fanning services are open to them too. Actually, if we really get down to it, just let me inside and I will fan the whole team, Jerry and the other coaches included!

Good Luck tonight in San Antonio. I will be stalking, opps, I mean watching you here at home. Waiting for your return!

Go Check out Paul at his own website http://pmillsap.com/.

Enjoy The Journey

2008-11-16T15:50:00.005-07:00

Today at church I had an amazing experience I would like to share with you. And, no I am not going to go off on some wild tangent trying to lure you into my way of thinking. So relax, sit back and let me tell you about what I learned. Things I have learned before but things that actually hit me hard today. Things that made me wake up and think that I was being spoken to.

We had such a cute speaker today. A young mother of four little children. She started off by telling a story of one of her most trying days. A day that begins quite normally. Two children off to school, Dad off to work and Mom trying to at least get a shower. Her two year old starts off by pouring syrup all over her new couch and Family Room carpet. She deals with this incident and the two year old lives. Next child # 3 goes off to Pre-School and leaves Mom with the two year old. She is still trying to finish getting herself ready for the day when she hears nothing. Every mother in the world has surely heard the dreaded nothing. Two year old makes an appearance and states that there is Big Trouble, Big Trouble, his hands covered with white out. She discovers that her hardwood floors also have white out on them. So she scrubs until she has no fingernails. And the two year lives. Everyone returns from school and work. There is a quick kiss for Dad along with a short hug, dinner, homework, laundry, baths and more cleaning. She goes to bed knowing that tomorrow it all starts again.

We have all had days like this. Days when we barely make it through. I have been very unappreciative lately of all the good things in life and had made a pledge to myself to be grateful for those good things.

We need to Enjoy Our Journey.

This cute young mom gave us 4 things to do so we don't miss out on all the good things going on along with all our trials.

1 - Slow down and open your eyes! When was the last time you played in the rain? The last time you laughed out loud? You read something just for fun? The last time you laid on the grass on your back and watched the clouds? If we can find those things we used to, and still can love, we can renew our spirits. We can have a greater purpose in life.

2 - Find ways to serve others. Cute Mom has job charts for her four children and has added a line for service. She is amazed at what her children can find to do to help others. Things she had never thought of. Shouldn't we try to teach our children how to slow down and help those less fortunate, ill or struggling? Shouldn't we be doing that too?

3 - Pray, Meditate and Study Uplifting Writings. When we take time to understand that sometimes there are greater forces at work in our lives we get the chance to learn and grow. No matter what our beliefs are we can always get strength when we take a few quiet moments to reflect and be appreciative of what we have. A few quiet moments alone with our God or whoever or whatever brings us peace will give us the strength we need to carry on in this crazy world.

4 - Gratitude. As adults we are over sometimes overburden with the have to's in life. We have to get up in the morning, we have to go to work, we have to go grocery shopping, do the laundry, clean the bathrooms, walk the dog and on and on. This is where I have been stuck. I do not want to get up and go to work. I do not want the drudgery of what I see as a hopeless situation. But, (and I cannot tell you how many people have told me this!!) I should be very grateful that I have a job, that I can pay my bills, that I am healthy, that I have clothes to wash and a car to drive. We live in a world where we get the opportunity to be challenged everyday. I am going to start looking for that challenge.

So take a few minutes and take a look around and see how blessed we all are. See, if like me, you have been missing out on some really good stuff. Everyday stuff going on all around you. And hug someone you love every chance you get because someday that someone may not be here to hug.

Blog Slacker

2008-11-12T20:32:00.007-07:00

Blog Stalking used to be my passion. I followed so many blogs and felt like I knew what was going on in the blogging world.

Now I don’t have time to do much stalking and for the last two weeks I have struggled with even following the blogs I normally do on a regular basis.

It is now time to snap out of the slump I’ve been in and get back into the old routine.

Last night I attended a program at Alex’s school and was hit by the realization that I have so much in my life to make me happy.

So, here is a little list of those things:

*Alex played in his first Band Concert of his final year of Middle School. They did such an awesome job and I wish I had a camcorder so I could share it with all of you. I am so lucky to have such a great kid!

*Hubby and I talked about our little being a “Jerk” moment and he thought that he had been a “Jerk” too. All this over a stupid jar of pickles. (Hmmm, pickle juice…)

*We had Adiel over for Dinner last week. It was so fun and it felt like she just belonged there at the table with us. (Hope she felt that way too.) Plus Alex said one of his classic 16 word prayers. It was just what I needed to get over the sadness of my old branch closing down.

*I received my very cool necklace that I won during the SITS blogathon from Twisted Silver. I finally wore it on Saturday. It’s so gorgeous it makes me nervous to wear it. Thanks to Heather and Tiffany and Twisted Silver.

*I won a candle over at SuperWAHMZ. To Noelle at Cabin Fever Candles, thank you so much!! The candle smells so good and is so cute. I keep burning it so long that I am going to have to buy another one soon. Maybe a Christmas scent.

*Plus I won some Popr’s from Veggie Mom! It was an executive decision between Alex and me on what the final flavor should be. I can hardly wait to try these!

*I paid under $2.00 a gallon for gas. Actually, $1.97. It was a thrilling experience!

*Tomorrow is Friday. The day after is Saturday. I love Saturdays. This is what I am going to do!

*There are three stations (that I know of) playing Christmas music. Felix Navidad...sung at the top of my lungs. Sorry Liz, I know you really hate it but it does make me so happy!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Mucho Gracias

2008-11-09T17:01:00.009-07:00

One of my new favorite bloggers has given me a blogging award. I met Kathryn during the SITS blogathon. She has an amazing way with words and I love her stories about the University of Utah (and BYU fans!) Go visit her over at Ritch In Love.

Rules: post six things about you and then bestow the award to 6 more bloggers and list them in this post.

1. Now that it is Basketball Season I am giving myself up to the Utah Jazz again. Isn't Paul Milsap just the cutest thing you have ever seen? Go Jazz!

2. I think every baby animal I see wants me to take them home with me. (They really do want me. They tell me!! Just like Donnie Osmond.)

3. I love the mountains. I can't imagine not living without mountains surrounding me.

4. I love big, fat, fluffy snow. I love the way it looks and feels. I just don't like the freezing temperatures.

5. My number one comfort food is boxed Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup. (No chicken pieces please.) Whenever I am sick it's the only thing I want.

6. I am excited for November 26th so I can go see Four Christmas'. (I think that's what it's called) I love Reese Whitherspoon! And who couldn't use a good laugh?

So now I would like to forward this award on to Julie over at the DJtatertots. Julie just gave birth to beautiful triplets. I know Julie won't have time to pass this on, so on Julie's behalf this goes to all those people who have gone beyond friendship to showing her and her family the pure love of Christ. Congratulations!

Tagged!

2008-11-09T16:50:00.005-07:00

Liz tagged me. This was difficult. Should have been easy but my brain has been a little slow for a couple of weeks. Time to snap out of it!

The 8 Things Tag...in no particular order

8 T.V. shows I love to watch:
1. House
2. Utah Jazz (I know, not a show, but they are on several times a week)
3. My House is Worth How Much?
4. House Hunters
5. Murder, She Wrote (At least until Comcast took Hallmark away!)
6. Property Virgins
7. Football (Actually, the Packers)
8. Fox 13 News

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Carvers
2. Geeko’s
4. Rocky Mountain Pizza
5. La Puenta
6. Café Rio
7. Chili’s
8. Black Angus

8 Things That Happened Today: (I’m going to use Saturday, nothing going on today!)
1. Slept til 8AM! (YAY!)
2. Picked up Lifesavers for Church
3. A quick trip to Kmart
4. Took Alex and Madie to the Mall
5. Looked at houses for sale with Alex
6. Made Irish Stew (the Scottish way!)
7. Ran Alex to a friends
8. Hurt my hubby’s feelings (I am a jerk!)

8 Things That I Look Forward To:
1. Next weekend – No work
2. Christmas shopping with the girls on the 6th
3. Thanksgiving dinner at Misty’s
4. Lunch Wednesday (I hope) with my former co-workers
5. Putting up my Christmas Tree (After December 1st)
6. Losing 20 pounds (Perhaps I should actually start this one)
7. Getting the day after Christmas off
8. Christmas Day

8 Things On My Wish List:
1. A pair of sweats (Already asked hubby for some for Christmas)
2. Replace my black shoes
3. That the Jazz win on the road (not like today!)
4. That I finally “get” work
5. To sell the house
6. To find another house back in the “old” area
7. Gas being under $2 a gallon
8. Being able to attend Twilight on the first day

8 People I Tag:
Anyone who reads this and feels like sharing all this info with everyone else. I’d like to get to know all of you better!

Good Bye My Friends

2008-11-02T12:55:00.006-07:00

Halloween was going to be filled with fun. I had my costume all ready and had just finished putting the last attachment on it when I sent Adiel a text asking if she would be in the office by 8 AM. No sense stopping by if she wasn't going to be there. After her response I decided to stop by about 10:30. But she sent me another text about 8:00 telling me that her life, and the life of all my friends who I left behind, had changed in an instant. Now they are all gone and there is nothing left but an empty shell of a building.

We work in an industry that has been hard hit by this rotten economy. It has taken it's toll on other working friends but now it has hit way too close to home.

Now Adiel, Bob, Steve and all the rest are gone. This has been such an emotional blow. Now instead of being just 12 blocks away, they are spread all over. Some I may never see again. Some I better see at least once a month! (Adiel, did you hear that???)

We had some good times, busy times and trying times as things began to change. But I know in our hearts, we will always be friends.

Each of you deserves only the best and I wish you well.

So, because Adiel and I didn't get to poise in our ultra cool Halloween costumes, here is a picture of us from last year!

Adiel is the young hot Military chick on the left. I am dressed up as Mrs. Rogers, spouse of Mr. Rogers. Which is another work story! Good Memories. (Oh, and I stole this picture from Adiel's blog....shhhhh, don't tell her!)

The Devil Made Me Do It

2008-10-29T13:40:00.011-06:00

Since arriving at my new place of employment I have been lonely...mostly for Adiel. I am also missing noise and several other normal things. This is the quietest place I have EVER worked! Besides all the quiet, there is some serious plotting going on around here. Some evil is lurking just under the surface here.

I have discovered why that is.

These people are really something that cannot be seen at face value. Underneath their regular day to day clothes lives something very sinister. They seem so nice and normal but I discovered the truth. Just yesterday I arrived back from lunch to discover DONUTS. Filled with fat, filled with calories, screaming my name. This is the second box of donuts this week. What is going on? It's like I have stepped into a Stephen King book and I can't get out. You can see from their pictures that everything I have said is true.

See these smiling faces? Notice the horns?

Here's a sly one...encircled in horns!

Plus this guy just came from Vegas...reeking in sin!

Here is sweet and innocence in disguise. Don't be fooled!

And this little teddy bear of a man has HORNS...can you see them too?

These two are in charge of this coven of horn wearers. They look so innocent...but they are the donut devils!

And look what they have done to poor Baxter!

No more Guardian Angel for me.

You have to help me out of this den of overeating before I can't fit into my car....I need someone to rescue me!

You're all too late! Look what has happened to me. Can you see all those fat calories oozing out of my eyeballs? What Kitty Kat is going to like me if I smell like donuts?

Thank you Veggie Mom!

2008-10-26T16:40:00.004-06:00

Much thanks to Veggie Mom for such a lovely award. (You know Veggie Mom is a great Packers fan. She even lives back there and sometimes she and her family get to go to the games. I am totally green with envy. Did you see that 99 yard pass interception that ended with a touchdown last Sunday?? No, OK.)

Well on with this award. I would also like to thank Melissa B. who created this award and then gave it to Veggie Mom who passed onto me. Melissa is at the scholastic scribe and is one of my favorite bloggy reads. This was the award she made for her 200th post.

Now I must pass this on to five other bloggers who deserve to be recognized for their writing efforts: Here are The Rules, as stipulated by the Award's Creator:

Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit This Post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

This is the hard part. So many Blogs that I love to read. Filled with laughter, tears, inspiration and they always making me happy.

1-Tara at Mucho Matagi. I know I mention Tara a bit but I just love to read her blog. The things she blogs about keep me entertained for hours.
2-Emily at The Krazy Keston’s. Emily moved into my neighborhood and I swear she was 12 years old and already married. (She wasn’t really, she just looked so young!) Somewhere over time she became the mother of four children and has adventures that never end.
3-Liz at Livin’ The Dream. I have given Liz a blog award before and she said she was surprised. I don’t know why. Her blog is so entertaining. Her last one about Belle (her daughter) running off with a crotchety old man (her son) had my hubby and I laughing all night!
4-Tracy at The Journey. This is one of those feel good blogs. Tracy is so sweet she shares so many inspirational thoughts on her blog I really look forward to being there all the time.
5-And finally, Lynn, the Piggy Bank Painter. Now I have spent HOURS nagging Lynn to take it easy and get a nap in with all her work. And she works HARD. She finally listened to me but she was sick. Does that count? She is creative and ever so funny. She also makes a mean piggy bank!

There you are. Thanks again to Veggie Mom and GO PACKERS!!!

Tagged!!

2008-10-22T16:06:00.012-06:00

As some of you may know I actually won a prize during the SITS blogathon. Didn't even know it until someone left me a comment and said Congratulations!! As a result of this prize I was also tagged with a meme from Texas Mom who also won a prize during the blogathon. She tagged all the winners. I have been such a blog slacker that it has taken me SOOOO long to get this done. But, since today is Friday and I have two seconds of free time I will finish this up!

So here are the rules are:

1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.

3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.

4. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So here we go. Seven Random Facts all about me!

1 – I have six night lights in my house. If you remember from my birthday post, I am scared of the dark and my hubby understands. He put all the night lights up before I moved in. My older sister lived with me for a time before I got married and said that my hallway looked like an airport landing strip because of the lights. I assure you she exaggerates most of the time. :)

2 – Every weekday morning I enjoy a lovely glass of Bold & Spicy Bloody Mary Mix. (without any alcohol) I got addicted to this on a flight from Denver to Salt Lake when I asked for a V8 and they only had this wonderful Bloody Mary Mix. I was hooked. (And yes I know it has lots of sodium and is really not good for me but the only other vice I have is Diet Coke.)

3 – I think it is most hilarious when people scream. At movies when people scream I laugh and always at the most inappropriate times. Plus I love to hide and scare people, then I laugh hysterically. I know there is something sadistic about this. Good times!

4 – I love pickle juice. But not any old pickle juice. It has to be from Hamburger Dill Chips. My new favorite is Vlasic Oval Cut Hamburger Dill Chips. The bottle at home is almost empty with very little juice because I drink it right out of the jar. I have a hankering for some right now.

5 – In rush hour traffic I start to freak out if I have to stop on an overpass. I always try to time it so I don’t have to be at a stop right on top of it. I am sure it is from seeing bridges collapse after California earthquakes and the bridge collapse in Minneapolis.

6 – I love to read True Crime books even though they scare me to death. Anne Rule is my favorite by far. I have read every Ted Bundy book I could get my hands on because he killed a girl I went to High School with and ruined the security of my teenage years. Also read every book about Mark Hoffman, the Mormon Bomber. I worked in downtown Salt Lake when all that happened. Very Scary!

7 – I cannot stand the smell of the meat department in grocery stores when they are cleaning for the night. I’m sure it’s the Clorox mixed with all that meat processing. Truly makes me sick. I have to cover my nose and almost run away as soon as I get a whiff. This all started with my first pregnancy and I never got over it.

So now victims to tag.....

1 - How about Tara at Mucho Matagi. Tara is so funny and I really want to know all those random things that she hides so well!
2 - Tonya living the dream in San Diego. OK, she works just like the rest of us but her adventures with her boys are hilarious. Plus I am sure she has some stuff we all need to know.
3 - Sherrie at Kaysville Momma. Sherrie is having a writers block so I thought I would help her out. I know she has done this before but really doesn't everyone have more than seven random things??
4 - My sweet step granddaughter Emily. Emily and her cute baby spent last weekend with us and she posted the cutest picture of us on her blog. Thanks Emily! Must know more about you.
5 - Adiel's little sister Steph. She is pregnant with her first baby, a little girl. I think I would like to know a little more about her, wouldn't the rest of you?

Sorry, that's it for my list. Two short, but I am sure we will learn some mighty interesting things! Enjoy!

Also, head on over to Rhea at Texas Word Tangle. She is having a giveaway that you don't want to miss out on! She is giving away a new Stir Fry Pan! Go on over and check her out!

I Do!

2008-10-19T10:36:00.023-06:00

We had a wedding Saturday. This is the first big family gathering since hubby and I got married 15 months ago. It was the wedding of my cute hubby's second daughter's oldest son. (Whew, did you get that?) The whole family lives in Albuquerque except for Josh, the groom, who lives in Salt Lake. He married a black haired beauty named Molly. These two are so cute together! We had quite a diversified group of people attending the wedding. Hubby's youngest daughter said it was a little like the Democratic National Convention on one side of the room and the Republican National Convention on the other. It was pretty funny because that was exactly what it was like. Thank goodness we aren't all the same. Life would be mighty boring! And this wedding wouldn't have been as much fun.

The wedding was held at the 23rd Floor of the Wells Fargo Building in downtown Salt Lake. This is the view. The first picture is to the Northeast, the second is to the East toward the University of Utah and the last is to the South. I couldn't get a picture of the North because there is a huge building blocking the view, but, if I had I could have posted a picture of Temple Square. And the setting sun was shinning in the West windows so I couldn't get a picture of the Great Salt Lake either. You'll have to just use your imagination. Needless to say, it was breathtaking.

These lovely ladies were the Flower Girls. They are the twins nieces of Molly. They were so darling as they walked down the aisle dropping rose petals.

Here are Josh's sisters Alexi and Kayli dancing to the awesome DJ at the reception. The middle picture is the groomsmen's. Josh's youngest brother A.J. is first followed by the Best man. Sorry Best man, I cannot remember your name. Next is our handsome groom Josh with his other brothers Ben (who is getting married in May) and Matt. Matt is one funny guy! This last picture is of the young lady who caught the bouquet dancing with the young man who caught the garter. Unfortunately, Kayli and A.J. are brother and sister, but what good sports they were. The DJ wanted A.J. to put the garter on Kayli's leg. Very funny looks on both their faces!

And here are the bride and groom. First cutting their cake and then dancing their first dance together. Finally, here is Josh taking Molly's garter off with his teeth. Ah, to be young

These little darlings came over to visit us before the wedding. Alex and Jaden live in Idaho so we don't get to see them often. The last picture is of Alex and Jaden's Grandpa Jim taking a nap with their baby brother Paxton.

This little sweetheart, Kambri, stayed at our house with Grandma Gwen, (hubby's third daughter), Grandpa Jim, her Aunt Mary Jo and Mom Emily. She is so funny and we miss her already! (And the rest of our visitors too!)

And here is a picture of Matt, Misty and Emelia. I noticed when I downloaded the pictures I didn't get any family shots....just Matt and Misty. Thanks for letting me take your picture until I got one that wasn't fuzzy.

We really did have a good time and Hubby and I even danced. Now that was very exciting!

Thanks to Molly and Josh and their families for sharing their special day with us. We wish them much happiness and love for their new life together.

Welcome Home!

2008-10-17T10:28:00.003-06:00

Sargent Bill, Welcome Home!

My sweet friend Donna, who lives in Minnesota, sent her son off to Iraq. She sent him knowing there was a chance she would never see him alive again. Bill is her first born, her baby, the only Bill she will ever had. Her heart broke and her eyes cried. I honestly don’t know how she was able to do this. But Bill was a Marine and wanted to serve his country. So off he went. Every time there was a news story about bombings or deaths or any of the horrors that go along with this war, I would wait and pray that Donna’s boy would come home safe. I know Donna always prayed for Bill, we prayed for Bill, many, many people prayed for Bill. Now, Bill is home. With Donna's permission I wanted to share his homecoming with you.

Bill arrived at Camp Lejeune finally at 6:30 PM on Wednesday! So happy to be here to welcome him home... he is one happy Marine to be in the good old USA! At one of their stops, about 300 Vets greeted them with cheers, clapping and many handshakes at the airport when they deplaned for a short layover. The town of Jacksonville, NC (where Camp Lejeune is) is just full of Marines and families welcoming them home...very heart warming to see the wives flying in to their returning hubby’s arms, the kids and babies being hoisted up and the smiles are miles wide! Bill is happy and very tired.... Thank you to you all for your prayers and support ... I am so grateful to have my son home.

Her is Donna with her boy Bill.

Thanks again my friend for all you prayers and support from you and Dick and your family. I can’t even adequately express what that means to our troops and their families!

I met a young Marine at the airport right out of boot camp on his way to combat training – of course me being me I introduced myself to him, told him how grateful I was for him and his brave service... and told him about Bill; he shook my hand, hung on the whole time we talked and grinned and told me how grateful he was for my words to him and thankful that I would pray for him... his name is Alexander...please add him to your prayers ... he was so young looking, sitting there with his music playing in his ear and this look of pride and youngness on his face... I wanted to just go with him and watch over him! Ha! The mom thing you know...

Flying back tomorrow morning... going to be hard to leave Bill, but not really... he is so much safer, and not long before we put him in our car and move him back home as a civilian. Yipppeee!

I cannot adequately express my thanks to those who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces. My prayers go out to all of them along with their families. Thank you Bill for your service and thank you Donna for being an inspiration to me. I love you!