Christmas Joy

Nothing makes me happier than time spent with these five beautiful people (and their wonderful parents!). We had a grand Christmas this year. Thanks to our Heavenly Father for all the blessings He pours down upon us! Thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ, for making it possible for me to live with my family forever and ever... That is the heaven I dream of...

Making Memories

We made gingerbread houses a couple of weeks ago. The little kids would put one candy on the house, two in their mouths! A and J were quite serious, though. And L got a LOT of help from his good daddy...his was a masterpiece! All 3 were beautiful and unique. Fun times for this Grammy...

Dear Santa...

My sweet A & A waited in a long line to give Santa their wish list. He'd better get right back to his workshop and get busy! Merry Christmas from the Grammy with the BEST grands ever!

Blessing(s)

Olive's blessing day a few weeks ago... "Count your many blessings, see what God hath done..."

Happy Halloween!

How do you like these punkins?? Hope everyone has a wonderful Halloween! We are headed south to the baby's blessing this weekend, so we're excited to be there for all the festivities. Can't wait to kiss these cheeks...

Moved!

It has been ten days since we moved our little family into a beautiful new home, and I am loving (nearly) every minute! It's a new subdivision, so there are workers and dirt and dust and noise early in the a.m., but other than that, this is our new "heaven on earth." (How many times shall I use the word "new" in this post??) We are happily unpacking boxes, squeezing in what's essential, getting rid of what's not, and living in a little dream world where it's all our very own. We are truly blessed...

Precious Baby

Announcing my 3rd little granddaughter! She was born on September 14 and is beautiful and healthy! I got to spend a week with Chelsea and this precious little spirit. It was a blessing. Sweet big brother L has had his world tipped upside down, but he is a trooper. As long as he can "play football on the grass", he's happy as a clam. Welcome to the world, Little Olive Lillie!

Scentsy Supports Small Businesses

At our recent Scentsy convention, we were invited to participate in a wonderful project to bring revenue to family-owned, small businesses in our hometowns. I have taken a pledge to spend $50 on October 12, 2009 at a small business of my choice, and I want to invite YOU to do the same. Scentsy would like to see 100,000 people-plus take this pledge and help our friends & neighbors in this challenging economic time. Go to www.ScentsyContribute.org to check out the details and make the pledge. Together, we can make a difference! Thanks!

August Babies

Both my sweet little grandgirls celebrated birthdays in August. They make me smile! I love you, A & A! And by the way, my grandGIRL ratio will double in the next 6 months. Grammy can't wait...

Sun Valley, ID

Yesterday, I sang at the Sun Valley Music Festival with the chorus. Simply speaking, it was awesome. Beautiful scenery, appreciative audiences, inspired music, wonderful friends. No wonder I feel so blessed today. Only God could paint a picture this lovely...

Summer Smiles

Who could ask for more than water, sunshine, and three adorable smiling faces? "Summertime...and the living is easy..."

Last Day of Kindergarten

Can't believe my little grand princess is done with Kindergarten! Way to go, sweetheart! I am so proud of you for learning so much this year, especially to READ. You are so smart! I hope your summer is wonderful, and that you love 1st grade just as much as you loved Kindergarten. I love YOU!

Proud to be an American

Thanks to my friend, Cindy, we rented this AMAZING movie the other day. I had no idea what to expect, but it was one of those things that has changed my life. HBO's "Taking Chance" will make you cry, will make you proud, will make you want to stand up and cheer for the men and women in our armed forces. I loved it. Watch it...and be prepared to be moved.

Celebrations

It has taken me over a week, but my life is finally coming back to a normal pace after some pretty hefty celebrations. First, my birthday. Not just any birthday, but a BIG birthday. I'm not telling, but anyone reading this probably already knows how many. Doesn't hurt too much so far. And what did I do for this milestone birthday? I sang. Bernstein's "Mass" at Abravanel Hall. Maestro Lockhart's final concert as official music director. Not half bad to share the night with a sold-out audience. My sweet cousin, Bobbie, and her family brought me these beautiful roses. We also celebrated Dean's BD and J's graduation from 6th grade. No, not my baby! How dare she? Summer is upon us, and if the rain quits long enough for a picnic in the park, that's on the agenda. Time to sigh and be grateful for a simpler life...

Toes!

So, I know I'm not the most savvy person out there, but would you believe I've never had a salon pedicure or manicure before? UNTIL YESTERDAY!! I walked right into that funny little salon where the Chinese ladies were talking 200 mph and got my toesies done. Hooray! It felt marvelous. Soaking in warm bubbly water, getting my nails and cuticles snipped, then the scraping, filing, slathering of lotions and massages (both feet AND legs!) and 30 seconds of painting bright red nail polish (I declined the $3 painted flowers this time...maybe next). I actually had CUTE feet! I wore sandals today, even though it was only 50 degrees outside. This may have to go into the budget now for sure. (CD, I'll be ready to go with you soon!) What's next??? Eyebrow waxing???

Happy Birthday!

Today is my beautiful Chelsea Diana's birthday! Happy Day, sweetheart! I wish I was there to celebrate with you... I love you and miss you. You are a sweet, talented, creative, loving, beautiful daugher, and I am blessed to have you in my life. Look how cute you were at 5 years old!! You've only become more beautiful and special with each passing year. My wish for you is a year full of happiness, dreams come true, precious gifts, and more blessings than you can count.

Love, Mom

PINK!

Chelsea's ultrasound was today...and we're getting a GIRL!! Yipeeeeee! Time to shop for PINK!

Easter Blessings

This picture was taken for Easter in 1978 of me and my siblings. I am 18, Troy is 17, Laura is 15, Patti is almost 12, and Dionne is 6. Wow, what a bunch of cute young things! Happy Easter to all...may our hearts be full of gratitude for the blessing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as we celebrate His sacrifice for our sakes. "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me..."

Happy Birthday, Son-shine!

Today we celebrate 29 years since our family of two became three. Two seconds after birth, Aaron looked at me with those same big brown eyes, and I was hopelessly in love. He was an angel baby, a curious & delightful little boy, a caring & obedient teenager, a faithful missionary, and is now a wonderful, loving husband, dad, and provider. Happy Birthday, Aaron. I count my blessings every day that I was chosen to be your mom. You have made my life rich and full of joy. I love you!

Come, Spring!

Spring is the Period

Express from God.

Among the other seasons

Himself abide,

But during March and April

None stir abroad

Without a cordial interview

With God.

-Emily Dickinson

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

When I get feeling a little blah about the snow outside (yes, in March!) and the freezing temps, I only have to look at these four faces to feel warm inside! These are my rays of sunshine. They keep me going when I just want to crawl in bed and disappear. Can't think of anywhere I'd rather be than right where they are...

Guess What??

Yep, L is going to get a sibling in September!! We are so excited! Grammy-hood is the BEST!

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Cute Boy!

This is one of my favorite pictures of my little grandson. His facial expression just warms my heart! He celebrated his 2nd birthday on Monday, and we were able to be there to share his birthday cake and presents. He is a great little guy, and we love him so much. Happy Birthday, sweetheart, from your Grammy...

Happy Anniversary

February 9, 1979: Young, adorable, naive, ready to do all/be all, dreaming of our eternal family.

Look at us now, 30 years later. Our family has grown to ten. We've had successes and failures,

great joy and heartache, laughter and tears. The temple is the symbol of our dreams.

We will be together forever. We count our blessings...and know that they are endless.

Happy Anniversary, honey.

I Love My Job!

Okay, how many people do you know who can say that??
I currently work part-time for a company called Voice2insight as a transcriptionist. I cannot tell you how blessed I feel to have this job. My office is downstairs in my home, so my commute time is about 3 seconds and eight steps. I am usually dressed in my fuzzy slippers and my comfy jeans. No one cares if I have makeup on or not. I don't have to talk to a soul, and if I need help I can "jabber" (chat) instantly with the folks at the office. The best part are the people whose voices come over my headset. They come from all across the country (and Canada) and from all different types of companies--manufacturers, financial planners, the medical field, sales, travel, etc. I definitely have my favorites: John, from a chemical company, who spells out every word (how else would I know how to spell ethoxylates and oleic acids); Adam, from a manufacturing company, who makes me laugh by talking more about his sister's boyfriend than the sales report he's filing; George, a financial planner, who never fails to say "thank you very much, transcriptionist"; Amy, a pharmaceuticals rep, who enunciates every syllable and speaks clearly; Jaime, who tells me when he wants a new paragraph; Virginia, a sales rep, who giggles when she makes a mistake and usually has music on in the background; Lance, who puts on a funny Texan accent when he gives the locations of his sales calls; and Kelly, who works right here in my home state. And then there are those who drive me bonkers because they talk too fast, too soft, never spell names or unfamiliar words (we do have a glossary, thank goodness), don't follow the report outlines, forget to tell me where the business is located (when there are 100 listings with the same name), and so on. There are times when I cringe to hear how much a client has lost in the stock market, or how business is dead for a residential contractor, or how the only interest shown to a busy salesman in a Lunch & Learn presentation was in the lunch; but other times I cheer when a big sale is made or a school is being retrofitted with energy savings lighting or 200 people showed up at the booth at a conference. All in all, it's a treat to sit at my computer and see a familiar name come up on the screen and hear his or her voice in my head before they even start to speak--they've become that familiar to me. And it doesn't hurt that I'm making more per hour than I have at any other job, and that my company is always quick to compliment and make me feel valued. How lucky can I be? Believe me, I know.

History Buff

I know I lag behind when it comes to the movies or television shows REALLY worth watching, but I just finished watching the seven-part HBO series of "John Adams", and I am changed. I rented all three discs and watched in the comfort of my warm home and recliner, but the effects of this wonderful dramatization haunt me, with pride and with regret. Thank heavens we had men like John Adams to stand up for freedom, to sacrifice so dearly, to never give up even when it would have been easier to go back to his farm and his family. I regret that John Adams has not been more fairly judged--why don't we have his image on any of our coins or paper money? Why is his name skimmed over when we honor the rest of the noble men of the Continental Congress, like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington? It is said that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were the "pen and the voice" of the Declaration of Independence. Why have I never heard that phrase before? I was aware of John and Abigail's great love for each other before watching this series, but could not have imagined how closely they confided together as true partners. I applaud David McCullough for writing such an amazing account of an amazing man in our country's history. It was made even more pronounced to me as I watched our modern-day inauguration last Tuesday of President Barack Obama. Everything in our nation's history--the fight for independence, the pursuit of religious freedom, the emancipation from slavery, the declaration of unalienable rights--all show God's hand in preparing this land for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the reign of His Son someday upon the earth again. God bless men and women like John and Abigail Adams, and may we never forget their legacy.