19?? Happy Birthday Aly!

We have finally broken tradition, and did not spend the birthday at the hospital!  Or sick.  It's a new beginning and even though Aly's birthday was on a Sunday, she has enjoyed the quiet of the Sabbath, spending time with her family, talking to friends, and just enjoying a very pleasant day.
Having a birthday around a holiday also gives Aly a chance to have a 3-day celebration of sorts.  So, I asked her on Saturday what type of day she wanted to have.  Since we couldn't go up to Mt. Graham just yet, she decided to pamper herself.  I thought that meant....sleep in....eat a leisure breakfast....enjoy some "lazy" time.  I should have known better. 

Aly was up for an early run and then we enjoyed some breakfast with her good friend Britney.  Massages completed the morning and then the afternoon was spent with her friends who treated her to an amazing BJ's Pazookie.  It was an awesome day for her!

Sunday was also relaxing as friends came by to wish Aly a happy birthday.  We always have a celebration at Grammy and Grampy's in the evening with a favorite dinner, a few gifts, and a favorite treat.  Cousins always make the night a happy occasion!

(that is a "one" and a "nine"  -- if you couldn't tell!)

Mississippi Mud - a favorite no matter how old you are!!

I think this was the year of shoes.  She is trying to explain to her dad while he is recording why shoes are so important and why guys only have a "few" pair, and girls have....a.....few....more!!

Our youngest is 19.  That is hard to imagine, and yet, here it is.  She has grown into such a beautiful young lady.  One that we are so blessed to have in our family.  Her experiences in the past year have helped her develop a deeper love for the scriptures and a stronger bond with her family.  She is a great example to me in so many ways and I absolutely love her dedication and persistence to improve and accomplish all she dreams.  She has a love for family and friends that is contagious and many feel blessed to call her a friend.  I feel blessed to call her my daughter!  Love you Aly!!
Happy Birthday!

Valentine's Day...updated

Have you ever had one of those weeks/months/days where you "envision" all these great ideas, but somehow, they just don't pan out?
I started having these great ideas at the end of January, thinking that I would surprise my family with a wonderful Valentine's dinner.  After all, it was on a Monday, a work-day and I thought I could pull it off.
So, first I made cute little invitations:

Then, I decided on a fun meal that all would enjoy and started to prepare.  I even had a few moments with Jade in the morning...it couldn't get better than that!
Except
a migraine the size of twice my head developed.  I couldn't see straight and was nauseated.  It wasn't a great way to prepare food and all the little things I wanted to do for my family.  I had been thinking of my love notes to my children this year and thought of scriptures and/or scripture heroes that each of my children reflected in their own personal lives.  I shared those special thoughts with each of them.  That was fun to write!  Savannah and Jacque came to the rescue and pitched in and our dinner was a success.

No, it wasn't how I "envisioned" it to be.....it was better.  I read something for one of my school classes that describes this Valentines' Day.

We create a vision of what our dreams are going to be.  We visualize a clear, detailed picture.  And we are usually told that if we visualize it clearly, strongly, and often enough, it will happen. 

Well....it MAY happen.....or it may not! 
"Live is what happens when you've made other plans!"

I love this saying.  What do we do with what really happens?  I watched our family enjoy helping each other, pitching in, and sharing some time together.  Does it get better than that?
My mom came by and made her "Valentine's"  drop-off.  I love the fact that my sweet mom takes the effort to make each holiday a special one for each of her grand-kids (no matter what age they are or how far away they are) and also her own girls and their families.  She is a great example of love to me!

It was a great Valentine's Day after all!!

Funnies and Reminders

FUNNY #1:
Aaron helped in Primary today.  Both he and Savannah are some of our nursery helpers, but today, I needed an extra man helper, so I pulled Aaron.  Here is his Primary Conversation with a very precocious CTR 4 yr. old:
Sophie:  Are you a kid?
Aaron:  NO....
Sophie:  Are you a parent?
Aaron:  No
Sophie:  Are you a teacher?
Aaron:  For today, yes.  If I'm not reverent, my mom is going to take me out and that's not very good.  And you are going to have to come with me.
Sophie:  Where's your mom?
Aaron turns around and points to me:  "There she is...right there!"
Sophie:  OOOHHHHH  You don't want to go outside...that is no fun!
(I think she has had some experience in this area)
During Primary, she keeps looking around and saying:  "Your mom is watching you!  Be good!"  And then she would take Aaron's hand and hold it....she was there to keep him good!
Primary is always fun, exhausting, and something I look forward to each and every week!

FUNNY #2:
Jacque gets up quite early for a 12-hour clinical twice a week.  She leaves very early, and it's dark inside the house and outside.  Sometimes, she is late.  Can you believe that??
Friday was one of those days.  She is hurrying-scurrying trying to get out the door before 6:00 a.m.  She grabs her things - mind you it is dark and she has barely been out of bed very long - and she RUNS to the garage door to get to her car.....BANG!!  She runs head-on into the pantry door, which someone had closed.  HEAD-ON!  She hits her forehead, cracks open her toe and hobbles out to her car - trying to figure out what just happened and who-in-the-heck would close the pantry door????  Remember, the door has been there for a very long time.  To her credit, it is usually open.  But still....a door!!

On the positive, hooray side - Jacque found out where she will be doing her preceptorship.  What is that you ask?  It's a supervised experience at a hospital.  Practice as a real nurse.  She was hoping to be with a pediatric unit in the hospital.  She is going to be practicing in the PICU - the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Maricopa County Hospital.  She is frantically trying to remember all her Spanish!  hahahahahaha
Jacque is going to get alot of practice at this hospital.  It was her first choice, and another step closer to her goal as a Pediatric Nurse!!

Since I have been in the Primary, I have had the opportunity to be trained 3 times so far by the General Authorities and the general Primary President.  How lucky is that?  Twice, I have had the blessing of attending World-Wide Training, and then the privilege of listening to Sister Rosemary M. Wixom.  My notes are long and my to-do list is even longer.  I'm so glad I get each new day to improve and learn!  I saw a theme run thru the training...I'm sure there were many.  But the one that struck a chord with me was Spiritual Daily Preparation
This isn't just a quick morning prayer.  After all, our wells - without water, cannot help those around us that we love!  This is going to be a major adjustment for me, as I am a nightly reader.  I've got to find time in the morning to replenish myself and prepare to receive spiritual promptings throughout the day!  I've decided that when thoughts come into my head, if there are good thoughts and "nudges" to help someone, call someone, or re-think something, those are promptings that I need to recognize and act upon immediately!
Most of the Apostles who spoke, Sister Wixom, and others urged everyone to "seek revelation".  How many conference talks were on this topic?  I am always grateful reminders and admonitions to become closer to my Heavenly Father and seek His spirit to be with me at all times. 
Each day is a new beginning and I found out that the "Lord loves beginners!!

Things that make me Happy

A couple of weeks ago, my 2nd blog book came in the mail.  Every two years, I take my blog and put it into a book.  It's like family history.  We all look thru it, reminisce, laugh and say.... "I remember that!"  It justifies my blogging!

It got me thinking about the whole blogging thing.  I don't have a lot of meaningful things to share.  I'm not a writer.  But I love to record the everyday life of my family.  There are a lot of moments I don't want to forget.  That is why I blog.  So, my goal is to blog life moments, things that I want to remember and laugh about in 20 or 30 years.  It doesn't have to be a big event.  This week, I looked for fun moments to record.  My "happy thoughts" for the week.  So, this blog post is about the things that made me laugh, made me smile, and brought me joy this week:

My mom starts the best traditions.  All to spend time with her daughters and her family.  On our birthday - or around that day - my mom treats us to lunch.  Birthday girl picks the spot and we enjoy some time together.  We all have busy, crazy lives, but a few times a year, we get together and enjoy some sister time. 

(Sis #3 needs to come down from Utah more often!!)

This scene is a weekly one that I shake my head at every single time.  This is Aly's study regime.  She lays it all out and conquers it one pile at a time.  I'm always amazed at what she starts with - her scripture reading and her 3 institute classes.  Her spiritual nourishment is always first. She sets a great example to me.  But even in studying, this daughter is one organized person!

Jacque is not quite as organized, but she studys constantly.  As she completes her last semester at ASU, and prepares to take the Nurse Exam, studying is critical.  Jacque has many friends that she studies with, all different, all unique, and all very special to Jacque.  This is Brooke.

On a Sunday evening, you will find various cousins giving back-rubs to each other.  It's a ritual they all look forward to.  I love that they are all so close and share so many fun memories and moments together.

Tonight, we were ALL over at Grammy and Grampy's home for a birthday dinner and of course to watch the Super Bowl.  Not that anyone had a favorite team, we all picked one to cheer for and the fun began.  In the end, most were happy with the results!

Since Aly's been home, we finally remembered to "treat" our family to a delicacy found in Teahuacan. They are Mexican Worms and when we were introduced to them, were told they were expensive and an "acquired" taste. We introduced our family to them tonight :)

Perfect Moments of Life

Is my life perfect?  No - far from it - but every once in awhile, moments happen, events that when reflected upon bring a smile to your face and can lighten any mood.  We had one of those on Sunday.  I wish I had more pictures to share.
Usually, on Sunday, my wonderful parents have their family over on Sunday evening for an amazing meal that they have usually spent most of the day preparing.  It always includes warm, homemade bread, a wonderful main dish - or as we say - "a culinary masterpiece", and the best part - all family who can come.  Sunday evenings are a tradition.  I look forward to this special evening with my parents and family.
On occasion, all families have other conflicts.  So, Sunday evening, our family of cooks created a meal for Grammy and Grampy at our house.  We have some very talented cooks amongst us, so we cooked up an Italian taster's delight.  Aaron worked on the meatballs and spaghetti - I was put in charge of "watching" the sauce.  This is what happens when you do NOT watch the sauce!

(hmmm....no....it's balsamic for Jenny!)

We also had "Chicken and Shrimp with Panceta Chimichurri" which is grilled chicken and shrimp with the delicious sauce with pancetta sprinkled on top.  Jacque whipped up her "Fusilli with Spicy Pesto" - all handmade and de-li-cious!  Jenny created a salad with greens, fruit, and a wonderful poppy seed dressing.  And of course - Grampy brought his bread sticks - seasoned to perfection for an Italian dinner!

After, we were all stuffed past being comfortable, so we rested awhile and watched old movies.  After all these years, Brad finally found a program to his liking and now......

drum roll please.....

Our old movies - OLD movies - are on our computer and can be accessed from our TV....WA-LA!!

We cracked up as we watched Aaron perform Tae-kwon-do, Tyler battle for the last chair playing Musical chairs on his 8th Birthday, Jacque performing and remembering how little she was, and Aly - her hair and her low "man-voice" when she was small. 

During this time...you ask...what was Jade doing?  Oh, she found a new toy amongst a few we have accumulated...it was the drawer all the toys are in.  Funny, Funny little angel!

Dessert was created by Savannah - some yummy brownies with ice-cream.  A perfect ending to a perfect meal and a wonderful evening with our family.  Life is good and sweet - I plan on relishing these moments for a very long time!

Can I Brag??

Yes, of course I can!  It's my blog!
This past week, Aaron came home with ANOTHER award.  This guy is making a difference in his company.  I don't think he has hit the one year mark quite yet, but already is accomplishing great things.  Around Christmas time, Aaron received 2 awards - which was quite unusual for the company.  He received the "Shining Star" award, given to 1st year employees who have excelled and are making a difference in the company.  He also received the "Moving Mountains" award - given to those who have done good things and have helped the company to progress and succeed.  WOW!
THEN
Aaron came home with the "Employee of the Quarter".  As you can tell - Aaron loves his job and he is quite good at what he does.  All that computer knowledge is really paying off.  Many of us laughed at times at Aaron's abilities and tinkerings with the computer - but now - we are smiling at all his accomplishments!
Just goes to show you that there is a niche for everyone- and everyone can succeed at what he/she enjoys doing.  I'm just glad he will still help me when my computer is not playing well with the operator (me!)

CONGRATS to Aaron - as a Mom - I'm very proud of his accomplishments and desire to do his best.

I Want a Birthday Present Like THAT!!

Jacque gave Aly the best present for her birthday LAST year.  After all, Aly turned 18 and they needed a way to celebrate.  It was a gift certificate for SKY-DIVING!!  However, life flies by, summertime ends and still no time to schedule this amazing event.  All of a sudden it's Christmas time and Jacque realizes that the gift is a TAD expensive, so she gives another gift certificate - this time with a date and time attached - and the waiting begins.  Friday, January 7th is the day!!  The day comes, and I decide that I want to go and be a spectator and also make sure they land safely - (yes, I know I can't do much from the ground!!), but I can always treat two very brave daughters to lunch AFTER they have jumped.  We traveled to Eloy, where they were instructed for about 5 minutes, headed out to the plane, and had the jump of a lifetime.  They are saving their pennies for the "next" jump!

Here is ALY'S Experience:

This is JACQUE'S Experience:

The pictures in the sky came from the professional that jumped with each of the girls.  My camera caught them both just as they landed.  Yes, they would both DEFINITELY do it again....crazy, crazy girls!!