No Sunscreen Needed, for about 5 more minutes....

Sure, go ahead and stick that old tongue out,

you won't be getting a sunburn anytime soon....

until about 5 minutes from now, when the

sun will be blasting away,

because I live in

Utah....

And why might this be a significant picture on APRIL 30TH?

Because there was 8 inches of snow outside this morning.

Yes - I live in Utah,

where you can snow shovel in the morning,

or not,

because in a hour or so, (or maybe 5 minutes)

you'll put your flip flops and shorts on

to go out and get the mail,

and break out into a sweat.

Gotta love our state.

Random thoughts on this particularly strange day include...

1.  Snow?  Really?

2.  They're postponing the honeymoon?  Who do they think they are?  Royalty?

3.  I don't care if it doesn't call for bananas - they are going to be black by tomorrow, use them!

4.  Result of Del not going to work this past week - no ironing 100% cotton shirts - priceless...

5.  2 Root canals for Del this week - couldn't think of a nicer guy to have them....

6.  Can I get a lemon in my Coke?  Yes - it's a regular Coke... is the Lemon in Regular Coke Police  in there by chance?

7.  It's ok - I like pizza with only half the olives - using them as an appetizer, is ok - really....

8.  Kenny Loggins tickets for the Sandy Amphitheater are $42.00?  Who does he think he is?  Kenny Loggins?

9.  I had a nap for an hour and then actually slept for another hour, which one counts?

10.  And the reason why they have mirrors in the front of the Zumba class is why??

Time for Saturday Night Live

I needs me some Tina Fey.

... wonder if it's going to snow tonight....

Utah

Taxi.. hey Taxi.... er I mean Carriage... Carriage please....

Just a little, OK a LOT of anxiety about the Royal Day tomorrow.  I do remember well being glued to the TV for Princess Diana and that horse faced man she married - what was his name?  Wait - he later married another horse face.... and they were both banned from having any more children... Neigh I say more?  (wow - that comment was rude and mean and really out of line.....)(but you DO know what I'm talking about right?)  I wonder what Princess Diana will be doing tomorrow - I do think she would be proud of her son.  Prince William is really a great person, and she would be happy to know he's marrying a real sweetheart.  So yes I will have the recording devices rolling at 2 am to capture every single angle of the party.  I do wish them well - I'm sure they know me well enough to know that I'm cheering them on.  I was really impressed with the attention given to protecting Kate from those destructive people that took Prince William's mom.  Kate's had a lot of instruction on Royal Etiquette no doubt - and I close with proof of that.  When Prince William speaks to her - she knows that she needs to only listen to half of the conversation.... Happy Wedding Day Britts - God Save the Queen - (Heaven knows they need something to keep the old chick alive!)



One in a Million - wait - One OF a Million..

Mom:  Why are there 4 lawnmowers in the shed?
Me:  Well - during the winter months, they breed and then in the springtime, they have baby lawnmowers....
(Very seriously said after much contemplation and without cracking a single snicker...)
Mom:  These look like older lawnmowers, not baby ones...

Trips to my Mom's house.... Priceless

My Popcorn is not currently Popping

Ew - I really need to do a less Darth Vader type Blog post ... why are they sooooo gloom and doom?  Whateva....sometimes you just have to type what's in the brain...

It's dark outside - not because it's night, but because a huge storm is coming in.  Yes, another one, it's Utard remember?  My popcorn popping on my flowering pear tree is blowing back and forth and the blossoms are snowing off.  It's a Monday, and it's the end of a 10 hour day.  Ug.  But how grateful I am to have work.  Yesterday - I was able to see all of my kids that live here - and missed those that don't so very much.  Sitting around our Easter table were Del and I, Mandy, Ryan and Big J (the star of the day), Ryan (and his every so handsome smile), and Ashley.... and wait - one... more... MIKE - yes MIKE was there too!  Exhausted but handsome as ever, he's home.  Ashley didn't have to text a million times - she just reached out and touched him on the arm any time she wanted.  Ok - for those that know Ashley and Mike - it wasn't always his arm - sometimes it was his, um, leg.  Never the less - dinner was average, but the company was beautiful, and needed so much in my life yesterday.  I missed Matt, Bethany and the kiddos from WA.  I dreamed them there the best I could.  We ate the eyes out of the peeps - orange peeps.  (Orange you glad you're not an orange peep?)  I carried in my heart an unfortunate experience from church.  (yep - you read that right) Yesterday, a lady in our 'new assigned ward' lashed out about the church during Relief Society.  It was as if Satan came in and sat down.  She shocked and hurt many women in the room.  I decided to raise my hand and ask to talk to her in front of everyone.  I'm not one of great words - but I do trust that when I open my mouth - God will put something in there he needs to have said.  I did express my love for her - I reminded her that the church is not an easy thing to be involved in - but that it was worth it.  She said that she thought we were prideful - and worshiped the temple, the building, and not God.  I reminded her that the temple is the House of God - and that one day her and I would walk in there together and she could feel that.  I reminded her that being in this church required her efforts in gaining a personal testimony - not one that you can buy or borrow.  She would need to turn her thoughts to prayer - and ask the ONLY one that can answer the frustrations and questions she had.  It was pretty quiet in the room - she got up and left.  It was difficult.  I do know that God died for me, and yes - I am a sinner, as I was called - but each day I get up and thank him that he's given me yet another day to try harder, to beg for forgiveness, and to accept his love into my life.  I also told her that if she loved that son like she said she did - she might want to keep him forever, and to do that - she would have to get past the outside of the temple and find the blessings inside.  It would require her to step up and pull her bootstraps up and DO something about obtaining that testimony.  Yesterday - I went from a meeting full of hurtful feelings, and came home to a place where one by one - those children that are sealed to me, and are sealed to their spouses and children, walked into the house, and I could feel of each of their spirits.  Has life been easy for them?  No, not for a long shot. Have they trusted in the Lord? Yes, every second of every day.  As I finish my latest blog ranting... the storm has begun, the rain is turning into hail, and the blossoms are being beat to a pulp.  But never the less - after the storm, the sun will come out.  It just reminds me that during the storms, I'm going to need to hang on just a little tighter to the rod until it ends.  Or unless I can't reach those extra Orange Peeps with my toes.... Orange you glad I'm not sharing them?

I Promise...

To post
a more
spritual
Easter
Post....
when I'm in a better mood,
which is not today.

Good Everything...

Well today holds many things in it. The sun came out - that's a rare thing this year. I didn't get yelled at, at work today - yes - that's another one. It's Friday - always a good thing. Oh - and it's GOOD Friday - always a fishy celebration of sorts. (totaly pun intended my catholic buddies)(you know - you can't have meat on Good Friday but fish doesn't count, nor does chicken...) OH - AND it's Radio from Hell's 'All Day Show' - like - manna from heaven to me - again - just a pun folks... (lightening bolt for me). Above all - it's also been 28 years since I went to the Temple - that's sweet. They don't serve meat there at all, I noticed. But I always come away 'well fed spiritually'. That would mean that.... 28 years ago I married Del too! Just wondering how many of my kids I might have to remind that their parents decided to be their parents that long ago.... and made the right choice. On the subject of meat - we are not eating the Easter Bunny this Sunday, nor are we eating the Easter Chick(en)... but we are killing the fatted pig - and drenching it with brown sugar. We are having the children over - at which time I will just dump all of the Easter Candy into a large Tupperwear bowl and we shall devour it that way - getting away from that sad tradition of picking it out of that plastic grass.....and WHY do they wrap those chocolate eggs in aluminum foil? IT TAKES FOREVER TO GET TO THEM... is that to make me think about the calories I'm about to consume? Now that's just sick and wrong. Well, here's to Good...... sun, work, Friday, meat, (Radio from) Hell (fire and damnation of course), manna, big T's, Anniversaries, Bunnies, Chickens, dead pigs and some Hello Chocolate to top it off. Hope your's is Hoppy - gosh - I really hate it when people say that....

Finally..... Finally.... Finally.....

Well - the God's have smiled and have allowed these two to survive one year apart.  Ok - there was that tiny break in November but hardly  enough time.  It was hard to post things sometimes - because I was worried about Ashley's safety - and we really didn't talk or couldn't talk about where Mike was exactly.  But both of their locations are at the same place as of today.  I think a round of applause would be appropriate here for both of them.  (Yeah!!)  His family had an amazing sign up at the airport and all of them were there.  Except for his brother Brayton - who is currently still serving far away.  He'll continue to be in our prayers.  It will be nice to see Ashley with a warm hand to hold, a large (very large) pair of shoulders to hug, and as you can see here - a bright beautiful smile replacing well, hardly a smile while he was gone.  Thanks Mike for your service - thanks everyone for your prayers.  Our ward, and Mike and Ashley's ward were AMAZING - and full of faith and love and support.  Just wanted to say welcome home - it will be nice to not have to photoshop Ryan Reynolds in every family photo....next to Ashley.... (:  We love you both so much - Welcome home Mike!  Oh - and hopefully the Do Not Disturb sign is up at your house...  (Zoey - cover your eyes)  xoxox

"I See You"

Sometimes I reflect on my posts and think - wow - I actually put that out there into the world?  I realize that I usually share my heart more than the world is ready for.  Today - when I was able to see the tender mercies of answered prayers - I thought I might make note of that.  A difficult day for a young mother we are working with in our Mission.  We met with her Sunday afternoon - preceeding this day - we talked of prayer, and of trust, and of hope.  She shared with us a poem that she wrote, and that she was awarded a major award for.  The poem was about her life, the words were difficult to hear - and yet beautifully written.  She did not know how the events of this day would turn out, but she knew it was coming.  Thus the words of the poem - to share with her children.  About the time that a major surgery was going to take place, I opened my e-mail to a letter written to me by my beautiful niece Betsy.  I don't know how she knew exactly what to say to me today - but then again, I'm pretty sure it was because she lives close to the spirit - and acted upon that prompting.  I honor her for that.  The precious letter was that of comfort and of trust and of exceptional perception of life.  Thank you Betsy for that - you'll never know what that meant to my weary soul.  I wanted to just write one line from the poem written by the young woman.  "Do you see me?"  I want you to know darlin' that I need you to know that beyond words... I see you.... 

Random Whinings, and Other Distractions

My son just came in and sad on the bed - he looked at me and said, "Mom, is everyone just having a bad day?"  Our house was quiet and somewhat sullen today.  I thought about that comment a lot - he's so thoughtful - his desire is to make sure that everyone has a better day and he was trying his best today here at home.  I'm not - actually having a bad day, just a difficult day.  The world seems bigger today, and the weight of some personal issues seems just outrageously difficult to accomplish.  We are asked in our church to serve, and serve and serve.  Somedays you just start serving and on into the day and into the late nights, and then I look in the mirror at my exhausted eyes and ask, wow - did you do ANY good in the world today?  Most of the time there is a beginning and an end.  I have been searching for the end part, but that is so far down the road for me.  I am reminded that to serve is the best thing I can do in my life to insure happiness.  If I give it all away to someone else, then the Lord gives me more strength the next day.  I would love to just get away for a bit.  I would love to find a place where the phone does not ring, my heart is at peace and my body is not so very very tired.  I wish I could play again, and laugh, and be with friends.  It's just not on the 'agenda of life' right now.  But, never the less, the next day - I get up and start again.  I look at the life of my mom - who will be 83 this year, and her life of service.  Her soul is so strong - why would I not want that for me?  I have this little girl in me that still is selfish, I need to break away from that.  I still want to play sports, and ski, and hike, and garden, and scrapbook, and be with my grandkids.  I still want to see things in the world, and eat strange foods, and actually go to school again.  But in my life there is this great big 'back burner' that I've put those things into to simmer.  My bucket list... sits in the corner empty, because I dare not dream.  In a time of remembering the great sacrifices of the Lord, I need to be better at seeing that cup half full.  Ok - so most days it's only about 1/4 full, because someone wanted a 1/4 of a cup of something or other from me.  But I do know that on those awful nights of exhaustion, and frustration, and dissapointment and giving...the... very... last.. of.... me.... I am held tenderly by God.  He does know of my efforts, my worries, and my dissapointments in myself.  The phone is ringing, there is someone somewhere needing something.... and yes.... I will answer it with an open heart.  So to my son I say - nope - it's going to be an ok day - why?  Because after all - last time I spoke with Heavenly Father, he reminded me that I was his daughter, and deeply loved.

Not your Grandma's Sport....

Well - I just wanted to pick up a little slack in the mommy bragging department.  Lately, as Ashley's husband Mike has been deployed, she's found a little 'hobbie'... nope - not scrapbooking, nope - not knitting - nope - not even hang gliding... although I'm pretty sure that's on the list somewhere.  Currently she's developed a real talent for Cross Fit Competitions.  She's currently a Combat instructor for Gold's Gym, but there needed to be a bit more of an 'over the edge' challenge.  I've heard her talk of these workout - with total envy of course, and I've seen how amazingly dedicated she is to her sport.  But it wasn't until I went to see her compete that I realized how freaking high she's ranked in the sport!  As of this competition she was 4th in the South West Region - ok - not an easy feat.   This particular competition involved 3 intense areas - I'm pretty sure I'll butcher the names so I'll just explain it.... And it's out of order... but it's lift, push and jump...


There is a 24 inch box that she had to jump up on for
15 counts - there is a judge/counter there making sure
she's completing each task correctly.  The girl in the back
is one of the owners of Cross Fit 22 from Bountiful.
She was also competing...
(She is also totally beautiful!!!)



The lift - well is pretty obvious... ouch
that's a lot of weight.  You can see the counters/judge
behind her on the floor with another competitor.



The push-ups they do are not the normal kind.
Kinda freaky to watch - you are flat on the ground,
then you push up to full extension, then drop to the
ground and lift your hands - that's 1.  She had to
do 15 in rapid order.

The total rotation of the 3 events are timed to 15 minutes.
I have never seen such exhaustion ever.
This is what they all look like afterwards.
Close by is the Barf Bucket... literally.

This is the sweat left on the floor
after she could actually stand up!

......and then she's ready to go again....

I learned a lot that day about my daughter.  I saw the fierce competitor in her.  The accurateness of her efforts.  The dedication and knowledge of the sport.  I met people there that were kind and considerate - but they could probably move all the weigh equipment with one hand.  There was an amazing showing of  sportsmanship that is rarely seen.  Each one cheered each other on, then competed against each other and then turned around and cheered when they heard each others scores.  There were husbands and wives competing - and brothers and sisters.  I was SO jealous!!!  They all asked about Mike - because they had heard that he is as amazing as Ashley and they want him on their Cross Fit team.  I've also noticed that they have all 'friended' him on face book - encouraging him to come and be a part of them.  I've been active in sports my whole life somehow or another, and this is something I truly need to get listed on my bucket list.  Way to go Ashley - your kids  will be born with muscles, and carrying a protein shake.  You can find out more about Cross Fit and the competitions on Google!  I dare you to try it!

(I think I might indulge!)

Lovin' those freaking cute Grandkids....

Well well well.... this has been an outstanding week to say the least - SO many moments to remember, so many CUTE BABIES around that I just will need to remember them all.  Karin, Keith and Murphy came to visit because Matt, Bethany and the D&Em crew were going to be in town.  We were all excited also because Big J is now home from the hospital and we had a little window of time to visit him.  He's still getting stronger everyday!  We all met up at Mandy and Ryan's home to let the new Aunt and Uncle from Washington take a peek at their new nephew.  Matt had to return back to work but we were able to keep his beautiful wife and those adorable Grandkids of mine for the week to share between Grandparents and Great-Grandparents. Here are some of our adventures..... you're welcome to get some popcorn and enjoy the show...

Wait - this has nothing to do with our weekend...

but isn't it just a grand picture??

Murphy - was completely worn out

Great Aunt Karin - totally full of the sweetest love

Aunt Lee Lee and the D bomb lover boy

I told the Dbomb to take some pictures for me - he's not
too shabby - this is his beautiful mom!!

Ashley and Ryan - wow he actually
got both of them in the picture!

He even got a picture of his little sister,
The M-ster

ok - what's the deal with cutting
Nanna and Baka's heads off?

First picture of all 3 Grandkids.
I want more... more.. more...

New little family - handsome Big J
Mandy made everyone cookies
Ryan allowed all the commotion to happen
Thanks!!

Missing our handsome Mike - so we'll ask Bethany
to photoshop our soldier in!  But by darn - we are
FAMILY

Back at Nanna's house - I get some Mster time.

Matt - I freakin' love you

Murphy - would not let go
We need this dog in Congress

D Bomber did some gardening
Sweet snow shovel babe!

The handsome men in the family were able to
go to the Priesthood session together
for the first time in 2 years.... missions... etc...
I love my Hillary Men!

The Morning Karin, Keith and Murphy left
to return to California - we had 10 inches of
new snow... I think the sky was crying because
they were leaving... Frozen tears

Tuesday was Nanna Day - Bethany, the kids
and I went to the petting zoo at Thanksgiving Point.
You will not see many animal pictures here because there
were WAY WAY too many distractions for little boys and girls.

Mster did some gardening of her own.
(she was so dang cute)

Our day included a ride on a wagon with 2
big horses pulling it.  DBombs response was,
"Those horses pooped on the road!"

Probably my favorite memory was the horse
ride for this little guy.  He picked out his horse,
stood by it - made friends with it and then
got on and rode like the wind.. well kinda.
He would not break out in a smile - he was
TOTALLY SERIOUS

Lucky Pony
Lucky Kid

There were sideways cookies to be made
and sneaky snake bread sticks....
(Elizabeth - loved the extra apron!)

There was a trip to Mendon to visit Great Grandma Bowen
I love how DBomb has his hand on GG Bowen's back.
She was in pure heaven...

Sidewas GGma - and Mstr

On our last day together - we all had lunch together and
took a bunch of pictures.  There was a sweet sounding knock
at the door and Look WHO came!
BIG JMAN!

Cute Mandy Mom - had to fight to
hold her own baby between Nanna,
Ashley, Bethany, Baka, and Ryan..

This is NOT how I looked about 10 minutes later
after these beautiful little ones left.
But for this precisous moment - I smiled...

We LOVE our GRANDBABIES!
We want more....
We would like about 20.



Mandy, Big J and Ryan - making sure
that I didn't lose it too bad.
But then after Mandy left...
The floodgates broke through

What a wonderful week

How lucky, how very blessed

I am to have this family.

Our next Family Picture will

be in September -

Everyone will finally be together again.

Until then - they are always in my prayers,

my thoughts, and my heart.

Matt's Menu

Matt was here from WA - he left his beautiful wife and little ones here to play.  (YEAH!)  Matt had to go back for work (BOO).  His mommy (ME) asked him what he would be eating this week, because his beautiful wife was not going to be there to fix yummy dinners.... here's his menu....

Steak
McDonalds
Steak
McDonalds
Steak
Pizza

Tums anyone?