Can I get a description of your dress?

Working at Lifetouch Photography is quite hysterical sometimes. We work the High School Dances and some of the outfits are outrageous. (Most of the time we hope that the girls don't drop anything because we DON'T want to see them bend over and pick anything up....) Sometimes we have questioned the High School 'learnin' system as we hear comments by these teenage wonders. Ryan was working with us on Saturday night at Skyline High. We are to identify pictures by the color of dress worn by the female party of the two. Ryan asked, "Can I get a description of your dress, you know - explain the color?" She looked at him really funny and her face lit up and she said, "Well, like, um, like, um it's Sparkley and Fun!" So by darn - that's what Ryan wrote. We're headed to Taylorsville High - could someone warn them ahead of time? My funny for the day - have a sparkley and fun time.

9/11 - 7 Years - where were you?

Remember? I was just headed into the Jordan River Temple - Ryan called me (then a 12 year old) and said that something blew up and it was all over the TV - I told him to not be late for school - never thinking the impossible had happened. I told the ladies in the temple that something horrible had just happened, and I felt bad that I took that spirit into the temple that day. During my session at the temple - they started closing it and sending people home. I don't remember most of the next several days afterwards, I just watched it over and over and over again. I wanted to keep my children close to me. I wanted to scream out loud, but I had to look tough for my kids who needed someone to be strong for them. I didn't sleep much. Anything that was ever wrong in my life would never be as bad as this. Over the years the images creep in my mind, and that's not a bad thing - it reminds me why I grateful that we have the freedom to mourn, and honor people, and try to make it all stronger. I mourn for those that never got to know their fathers or mothers. I honor those that serve our country (love ya Mike). I try to make it stronger by teaching my children that you still need to stand tall, put your hand over your heart and say the Pledge of Allegiance with conviction - and heck yes, wear that little flag pin on your jacket lapel... You all might not like Bush - but I think that he did what he needed to do - and I would hope that the least of us would be able to stand up and say - let's go get em'. Don't forget to walk through the healing field flags again today - you've had 6 years to do it - hope it never gets tiring. Being a part of setting up the flags over the years found me in tears yet again. Today sky was a brilliant blue again - beautiful and peaceful - ugly can happen fast. 9/11 stop and think - where were you?

Hangin' with Andypants

Grandma's day with Drew and after a graveyard shift at work there needed to be a leisure shopping trip to Toys r Us. Drew picked out several purchase options and I liked his taste in toys. No sharp objects Drew.... Age Appropriate Please... Matt called me and asked me to pick out some 'noisy toys for church'. Gotta love Matt... We checked out a wagon, jumbo leggos, and GI Joe - Matt said - NO HELLO KITTY! Hey Matt you had Tory growing up - your Cabbage Patch Kid!

Drew decided on the Little People Farm Animals. Bethany said he could hardly wait to play with it! Don't tell your parents I bought you Fries and a Coke at McDonalds Drew - it'll be our little secret! (ya right!) Thanks for visiting Grandma today - thanks for the kisses and slobbers - and for making the world just a better place to be today. See you next week! I think the Harley Shop is open!

Oh my Gosh Bob!

Happy Freakin' Birthday to you,
Happy Freakin' Birthday to you,
Happy Freakin' Birthday Dear Michael,
And you smell like one too.....

Oh Hey - It's Mike's birthday today - and so I must drop a note in about him on my blog. Michael fits into our family so perfectly that I cannot even remember when he wasn't a part of us. He is a gentle giant and a warm wonderful husband to our daughter Ashley. You can be around Ashley and she's all happy and smiling - but when Michael comes along she turns into this bright, brilliant glow - she's crazy about him - and you want to be around them because they always have their magnegic personalities in warp drive. Mike has come to my rescue many times. Whenever I have a bad day - zap - there's a beautiful flower delivery waiting for me when I get home. One time at school when the world was caving in on me he came into the room full of faculty members and our principal and he brought me flowers and stood by me. Needless to say - looking Hottata in his military yummies. I love that he has never ever let us down with his promise to take care of Ashley. His mom said that he was a true blue guy and he has lived up to that. I have loved this guy, worried about him, prayed for him, laughed at him, pinched him, and cooked for him. Pinching being the most favorite activity mentioned here. He is small when complimenting his accomplishments (2 tours of duty, training special ops, another tour probably in the wings, and serving the Lord on his mission), and yet large in stature - 6'4". He is the scariest person in the world if you harm anything he loves, and yet as tender as ever when he plays with his nephew Drew. He is Grant's (one of his other nephews) hero in every way, and he is a good one to have. So Michael - I just wanted to say Happy Birthday - and that you are truly loved by our family - and have been a wonderful, handsome, sweet branch to add to the family tree. You didda good Ashem. Time to hit La Costa and celebrate - 2nd set of chips are on me....

so Ashley - how about gettin me those weddin pics eh? Love to show them off....

Exqueeeeeze Me Mandy.....

Don't touch my shiny toy guns, you Ludo.....
Love, Mom

Alice Cooper - your song is over for the summer

Yep - you rowdy children need to gather up yer school supplies and head back to skool. I've had enough of your dirty wet swim towels, peanut butter n jam sammie smears all over the winders and havin' ta flush the.... well you know how ya are. Wish this were the case - I only have Ryan at home and he's, well, never home and he's, well, clean as they come. Today marks a milestone in my life - kind of feel like either sitting down with a Kleenex box or running to the local McDonalds for my very own Coke without having to share it. My youngest started college today, right after that - I plucked a gray hair from my head and almost loaded the gun. But I get to tend my grand baby tomorrow so I need to stick around! Thankfully I am FINISHED with JORDAN SCHOOL DISTRICT and SCHOOL BUSES! Now I just have to wave goodbye to the UTA bus headed south.... Just a shout out to my 4 kids and my 3 in-law kids. Of the 7, 5 are at BYU, 3 working on their Bachelors, and 2 finishing their Masters Degrees. My 1 of the 2 left is a BYU Graduate and is finishing up her Masters at the U of U - but we won't hold that against her. My 1 left - is defending our country - but will get to use his Army Stockpile for school very soon. I am married to Mr. Masters of Science. Me? I'm checking in to see if there are any skiis on sale..... hey - I might look stupid, and sound stupid, and act stupid - but that doesn't necessarily mean that I AM stupid! I did raise a bunch of smart #$%#'s though - and I love them very much. Now - get out and GIT TO SKOOL! Don't forget to turn and wave and blow me a kiss as you drive off in the car that.... well isn't really yours.... I think Dad still pays for 'A's so be sure and cash in on that! Yer mom luvs ya... I'm going to have to post both of these logo's or Elaine won't read my blog any more - see how smart I am?!

He pushed the Button....

Ok - so tonight Ryan pushed the button - the one that submitted his Mission Papers to the church. His availability date is December 17 - so anytime after that he could be sent - any where in the world. Last week he was set apart as an Elder in the Church - our whole family was there and it was a sweet spirit that accompanied the blessing. So..... why not start speculating? It seems as if most families hold a "where do you think he'll go?' contest - so why don't we! You can post your ideas here and we'll keep track of them. Ryan starts his freshman year at Brigham Young University - his major is Biology - and his minor - is keeping busy until he leaves for his mission! He has school and work and soon he'll add HOMEWORK - and HOURS OF BUS RIDING! Matt will also be commuting so it will be a great time for them to be together. I tell you - I'm really going to miss this kid - he's an amazing person. You won't find any finer than Ryan. When I can't find him - he's serving at the Bishop's Storehouse, signing up to clean the conference center, or getting his home teaching lesson ready (but he hates it if anyone knows that!)(that's what I love about him) I can't wait to see where his future will take him - he's prepared to go, and do, and serve the Lord in anyway he needs him. When he returns in 2 years - the sky is the limit. (Watch out for this one you BYU girls!) Let's see....passport, physicals, eye exams, missionary pictures, becoming an Elder, preparing for the temple and now pushing the button - I put him in the Lord's hands.