Happy Thanksgiving Season!

As Thanksgiving Day is over, but we're still within the realms of the Thanksgiving Weekend, I just want to say Happy Thanksgiving Season!

We were able to go see Grandma and Grandpa down south and spend Thanksgiving with them. We got also see Aunt Diane, Uncle Jerry and their family, as well as Ben and Amanda and Shawn. It was great. Aunt Diane and I won every game of Sequence - we have good combined carma. The food was fantastic - I even got my own special dish of yams, without all those nasty marshmellows on top. I took a little bit of everything and still got very stuffed. My green bean casserole turned out fantastic.

I seem to always get so caught up in the excitement - I always forget to take pictures, so I have nothing to show. That night, I got the turkey blues and was sick almost all day on Friday. However, I revived in time to stop at my parent's home. My boys and Garrett ate dinner with Grandma and Grandpa and David and Shayla and kids (I was still trying to starve away the crud that was making me sick...).

All in all, it was a fun weekend and getting sick helped me finish Deception Point by Dan Brown - which was a facinating fictional book.


I'm so thankful for family and friends - and for my wonderful little boys and the great man who gave them to me! I'm thankful for my knowledge of the Savior and his atoning sacrifice. What a lucky girl I am!

My Music List

Ya - so my wonderful brother Joseph helped me learn how to put music on my blog and I have had more fun than I can say. Just so you know, this music is for me - It's all the songs that I really love and I put them on there, so I can listen to them all day long. I think Garrett's ears are in revolt because he's got his headphones on and is tuning it all out in the bedroom. If some (or most) (or all) of the songs are just plain weird to you.....well, too bad - It's my list! Now, I just need to find out if the list can be too big.....?

Happy Birthday Uncle Aaron!

Late on this night, I’d like to write a poem about a boy
Who never said a single word, but always spread such joy!
In every photograph, you see smiles from ear to ear,
And when his family speaks of him, you’ll see both smiles & tears.

For you see, both smiles & tears come from memories they share
Of all the things he used to do – this child with golden hair.
Playing with the wrapping paper, turning lights off and on,
His love of music even stood his brother’s crazy songs.

Of course, he liked getting into places without locks,
Getting in the stroller to go for walks around the block.
He loved to spin the wheels of bicycles turned upside down,
But he wore the biggest smile when his fam’ly was around.

This poem might make it sound like I knew this boy quite well,
But he died two years before I found his brother’s trail.
I look forward to the day when he and I shall meet;
You can be sure, he’ll be on one of heaven’s front row seats!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Slim!

This poem is dedicated to my Grandpa who turned 94 today. A lot of the wording I use in the poem, comes from a book that was compiled from a lot of his writing. The last two lines of the last stanza come directly from a letter he wrote to his mother after she died while he was serving our country during WWII.


I’ll tell you all a story of a man they nicknamed Slim.
Tho’ the name describes his body, it can’t begin to tell of him.
He never sought attention or the praise of other men.
But his life is so praiseworthy – from the beginning to the end!

Born of humble beginnings – as many great men are
In Eastern Wyoming – where rural was the par!
Second to the youngest – Five brothers and a sis.
Hard work, laughter, lots of fun – a few things from his list!

Although he was quite nervous about his preaching skill,
As has been his habit, he bowed to the Lord’s will.
He served a faithful mission – In those days bygone.
His example blessed his fam’ly; This legacy’s passed on.

After serving Heav’nly Father, Serving country was sure trying.
Eyesight, honesty, and timing prevented army ladder climbing.
Did he enjoy his army time? He’d say “No; Parts were “R rated”.
But with hope, faith, and courage – Temptations were abated.

And blessed he was for those hard times; Blessings his fam’ly now enjoys.
The blessing of his choice in wife, then children - three girls and five boys.
And wonder of wonders for this boy who hated school,
He pursued through to his masters – Proving he was far from “fool”.

I could go on to praise his works, but having loved this humble man,
Unending tributes of his life would be much more than he could stand!
I’m sure he’d want it known – He was not a perfect man.
From his birth to age 94; He just does the best he can!

So here I’ll conclude the end of this great tale,
Adding lessons I learned and then I’ll bid farewell
The first one is that our choices ‘tho often made when we are young
Are the melodies from which the blessings of life are sung.

The other great lesson that he simply taught to me
Is that what makes a man noble or ordinary
Is not the wealth to which he’s born – nor his times of courage & coward,
But the way, no matter what, he keeps on pressing forward.

Thanks for your great example - You’re my hero brave & tall
With great admiration, I affect’nately call you Grandpa.
And when my time comes to pass on to the next life
Of the people I will search are you and your dear wife.
And I too will live my life so you both may proudly say,
“She, too, is our family”. This I sincerely pray!

I love you Grandpa!

Happy Birthday Grandma Doreen!

The fairy tales all talk ‘bout wicked stepmothers
And how she always wants whatever’s best for her.
Almost four months ago, we got our first step mom
I must confess the truth – That she is just the BOMB.

From the first time we met, she eas’ly disappears.
And when she’s fine’ly found, each mothers’ heart gives cheers.
For playing with the kids, she seems to have a knack
While the adults are talking – The kids don’t feel the lack.

Doing dishes – cleaning up
In the background she is found
And she seems to do it all
Without one complaining sound.

She’s kind and caring – full of love
She cared for us all right away.
So of this stepmom stereotype
I must raise my voice and say.
If this is what a stepmom’s like
We’ll take her any day!

Happy Birthday Grandma Doreen!!
Thanks for all your selfless efforts on your birthday weekend!

Happy Birthday David!

Since we started getting married in my family.
We've added 1 sweet sister and brothers-in-law three.
The first male addition became Shayla's spouse
Dating & then marriage;
They went on to "playing house".

Of Shayla's smiley David, there's so much I could say.
And now I have the chance, for today is his birthday!
So what's first on the list of all that I can share...?
Well - David's mighty handsome -
With that wave of sandy hair!

But he doesn't stop with looks!
He's got qualities most rare.
He's truly a great teacher
And it's the gospel he loves to share.
As crazy as it sounds, He dosn't seem to mind.
Living close to in-laws. To each, he is so kind!

The thing I noticed first when Shayla's "friend" I met.
David grins from ear to ear - A smile you can't forget!
Getting to know David, you learn that he will fight.
He has determination for what he knows is right.

David, your'e amazing - a strong example for my life.
I'm glad you chose my sister to be your loving wife!

Happy Birthday David!
We hope you have a fantastic day!

Jonathan's Silly Speech

While my mom and dad were here, they drove Jonathan to church. On the way, he let out a long string of jibberish and mom said, "Jonathan, you're being silly." To which he responded, "I'm not silly - I'm speaking Spanish." So, our family is now up one linguist!

My Birthday - and NOW I'm in Training

Well - My birthday was wonderful! My boys got me wonderful gifts which included new bed-time slippers and new left-over containers, which were greatly needed! My parents came over for the weekend and also go to see Jonathan give a part in his first Primary program. It was wonderful. I got some fun calls from family. And Jonathan said he's so glad that I'm 25.

Now - for my next birthday, I promised my mother I would be able to do a flip on the trampoline. She doesn't seem to recognize that it was an "under-age" promise and is not legally binding. However, she is my mother, so I will begin a year of intense training of body and bladder so I can do a flip without making a fool of myself.

If I die next year on my birthday, you'll all know who to blame....

Halloween Costumes

Here's my parent's grandchildren all dressed up for Halloween. Jonathan is the cowboy on the left. Gabe is the scarecrow on the right. Jacob is the little puppy on the bottom row on the right.
And here's a little family picture. I'm the girl.