There's a chance...

.....of this tomorrow...

which makes me feel a little better

inside.

My tomatoes are hiding under a blanket,

and my Teva's are calling my name.

I might even

smile

tomorrow...

warm wishes!

Yerp - she's a smrt Gril.

Been really behind on my blogging - I own guilt in a serious way. I'm frustrated at my fun new camera - because it won't download any of my pictures.  Pictures help me tell my stories - but for now I'll have to use my words.

Ashley Michelle (Hillary) Doxstader - is now the proud owner of a Masters in Chemical Engineering Degree - determined, devoted, and darling.  She towered up over the other graduates - 5'11" and add 5 inch heels - she just had the best view around. (So sorry about the people behind her!)  She started devoting herself to her schooling many years ago - never missing a beat to become all that she dreamed of being.  To those sotty Jr. High kids........ check her out now - don'tcha wish you'd been nicer then? (:  I love that Ashley put her blinders on and believed that she could accomplish anything she put her mind to.  During her Bachelors from BYU and Masters from U of U - she:  met and fell in love with and (whew lucky for all of us) married Michael.  They both survived a tour in Iraq - and bravely lived vicariously through their computers to communicate.  Surgeries in Germany for Michael, safe returns home, school, school, school, finding a new home, (decorating it!) (filling it with shoes), supporting family on both sides every chance she could, and  recently losing a bit of heaven as she gave back to Heavenly Father that which she could not have.... just yet.  This mom's day is a tough one for all of us.  But never the less - there she stood - in honor, and beauty and total attitude - and walked across that stage, and became what she believed she could be.  She sat there listening to the speaker saying, "You are part of a graduating class that is effected 100% by the poor job offerings...."  HellOOOOO jerk speaker!  She has actually been working at what she does best for 2 years now!  WHEW!  So - not only a degree, but the job no one said she would have!  (refer back to Jr High people)  So - pictureless - I will still congratulate my cute baby girl - and wish you all of the Chemical Engineering dreams you can find.... way to go Lee Lee!

Mom-isms and other things

It's Mom's day - Mandy just posted the sweetest blog - and a picture of Gma June, herself and I.  I look like freaking old.  Been riding the roller coaster down hill too fast and it's stretching my face out in the wind.  I do like being a mom though. I hope all mom's have a great day today.  Especially my cute daughter in law Bethany - who brought into our family Andy and Emma - perfect little mixture Hillary/Stimpson youngins.  So blessed - her for becoming a mom against all odds - and me for being able to cherish the fruits of her labor!  I love being a Grandmom, ok but it's not fair that I'm recognized as the one with the squawking bird.  I also recognize my mom today - I love her so much I want to kill her.  She takes her mandatory driving test on Tuesday to see if they'll let her continue to drive.  I'd freak out too if an 80 year old lady was coming towards me in a vehicle in my lane.... So I would also like to thank the local police department for doing that which only they could do.... save many lives.  Wow - squirrel - distraction... I love my mom though.  No one would believe her stories - one day I will write them and become famous.  You'll all want to read about her I just know it.  It will also include the million and one ways I am exactly like her.  I'm always making fun of Del's mom - Molly.  She's one hot momma. She's also 80 - but she doesn't pick up pine cones under the pine tree and fall and break her nose all over her face  - wait - I had better wait to tell you that mommy story in the book.... Molly is a girly girl kinda mom - kinda fun to have one of those.  We don't see each other much - unless my Mr. Hillary (because Molly had her own for many years so I have to identify mine as 'mine') does something and I call him "Molly" - and he catches himself and laughs (when he's not Molly - he's Ed....).  I'm pretty sure that I'm not even on her top 1 list of favorite daughter in laws - even though my Mr. Hillary is the only one of 5 brothers that are married.  I just can't beat those odds can I?  I don't think I'll write a book about Molly - it might frighten small children.  I did give her 4 amazing grandchildren... I believe the last time they saw her was when she was in the hospital, and I knew that my prayers had been answered.  No, not because they were able to see their grandmother, but because she was in the hospital..... (burnin' for that one).  I need to shout out to a particular daughter that didn't get to be a mom this year.  Because Heavenly Father wasn't finished with the one he was sending and had to keep it.  Yet - I know that with all of the practicing going on - he'll have no choice but to send one quickly.  So - you will be blessed beyond all things by just desiring to be a mom - and when that day comes - it will be - all that and then some I promise you sweetheart.  Every woman is a mom - it is genetically linked to us by our Heavenly Mother - lucky us.  Ok - let me venture off to a new area that some of you might not consider a 'good thing' but I can...the in-law mom of your childrens' spouses.... I have to give some serious kudos here.  Kathleen, (including Gma Beverly), Ruth, and Pam.  Seriously - these are wonderful women!  How fun it is to compare stories of our kids - and to know that our grandkids will have some fun times ahead.  How interesting to see what each grandchild will call us..... Nanna, Ama, Grandma, MeMaw (that's for Elaine), and or 'Hey You with the cookies and candy' - you know - whatever works.  I love being a mom - but I'm sad because being put out to pasture is difficult.  Empty nest my Arsenal (of Kleenexes)!  I have no one to yell at, lecture, nag or put to work!  (Poor Mr Hillary)  I do look forward to continuing my talents of yelling, lecturing nagging and putting to work with my grand kids - ok - be it from a wicked wheelchair - but someone must carry the torch!  Now - like I said - I like being a mom - because I'm finally right.  I don't even have to say anything - they come to me and tell me stories and I just look at them - and they say - HOW DID YOU KNOW?  They think I have a sixth sense - I don't tell them any different - they are just growing into their own skin - it's fun to see.  I like being a mom - I like to sing really loud in public places when I am with my kids - they just die.  I love singing opera in church during the hymns - it makes Mandy pee laughing.  My son Matt and I have a favorite song we love to sing, "Rally round the family" not particularly a FHE song - as it continues, "with a pocket full of shells".  I love my gangsta son.  I love to hang out with Ashley - she reaches for things for me.  She can also hurt people - with her eyes - and her eyebrow lift.  I always feel safe around her.  I love Mandy for the fact that she yells things out the window while you're driving - particularly like, "Look!  It's Jaffar!" - ok - and this is at a red light and I can't get away.  I love Ryan - because well in about a hour or so - he'll give me my very last Missionary Mom phone call - and we'll talk about everything and I'll cry - and tell him how much my heart aches to see his face.  I'll tell him that I can either afford the new garment tops or bottoms but not both because I'm broke.  I'll ask him how he's doing health wise - and he'll lie and say he's doing great - but the X-Rays speak volumes different.  I'll tell him to not go without anything he needs - but please don't use his debit card or he'll won't have enough money for college.  It will be a loving a fulfilling phone call - if it ever happens..... sometime between 4 and 10 - wait - is he working for RC Willey as a delivery person?  I love being a mom - because in my case that comes with being a parent - and I'm lucky to have a partner in all of this.  Mr Hillary is an omlette maker - like beyond yum omlette maker.  This morning he poured me a bowl of cereal.  I love being a mom.  Did I mention that?  I love that you can change out the cereal pourer.... but your kids cannot change out their mom.  I think that I stood in the right line in heaven to pick out my 4 children.  I think that for the 26 years now that I've been a mom - have been worth every single moment.  Did I say every moment?  Yes, I know I did.  I love being a mom.

My New Life

How is your day?

Mine has been enriched daily

by this woman,

this precious life,

and the hope she gives

me to make everyday

magical...
I've made her a part of my life
for a long time now.
She has changed me.
Now the whole world is
getting a chance to meet her
as she is published on the
LDS website.

It is 8 minutes and 21 seconds....

but you'll spend an hour watching

it over and over,

then... you'll make her a part

of your life, your... new life.

Thanks Stephanie - every day... thank you.
I am so proud of you!

My New Life

xoxoxo

Neatly tucked away....

So - for 3 days now I have been yelling and screaming at my computer, it is unacceptable that it is not cooperating with me - I mean - I realize that 'I' am the one that tells it what to do for me - but it's NOT LISTENING!  Consider for a moment how excited you would be as your new little toy arrived in the mail just in time for Grandchildren to photograph, Daughter in Law visiting, and you Daughter's graduation to capture! All of my wonderful pictures are tucked neatly away on this new toy...

AND.... my computer will not accept the new hardware so that I can download them just like everyone else did with Grandbabies, Beautiful Daughter in Laws and Mandy's Graduation....  BUT... alas.... my mind is full of those sweet moments and as soon as I down load both my camera and my mind - I'll recall those moments.  Until then you can sneek a peek on Mandy and Ashley's blogs - (Bethany's is private) - and enjoy how wonderful it all was.

To Emma - welcome - I fell in love with you instantly.

To Andy - Moo.... phft...

To Bethany - you are such an amazing mom - thanks for going the extra mile for all of us.

To Mandy - I'm so happy and proud of you - you did it - and you did it beautifully - my BYU Graduate.

....also to Mandy - you know - not everyone gets to graduate with Tommy Hawker...

To my camera.... snap out of it...

Better posts to come - better moods, and less angry vibes.... you @#*($U computer....

Wanna Git Hitched?

April 22, 1983

Salt Lake Temple

...a couple of 27 years later...

4 kids

3 in-law kids

2 grandchildren

lots of amazing memories

more to come

Love you Mr. Hillary

Moving day...Missionary Style

So.... Elder Hillary might be a very busy Spanish Speaking

Missionary over the next few months.  He was just transferred to

the Gila Valley Temple area - and hopefully will be part of the

open house and dedication of the new LDS Temple there.

(Hummmm..... wonder if there are tickets still available?)
He had many places that the thought he might be sent to...

but this is a precious gift at this point of his mission,
and a well needed change of scenery.
He currently has 8 months left to serve.

He has not been to a temple since the MTC in February of 2009,

and his heart aches to go.  (Part of being a Hillary Kid).

So - pack your bags son - I think you might get to

see President Monson - and he loves his Missionaries!

Gila Valley is the home of President Spencer W. Kimball's

hometown - and he was my 'growing up' Prophet.

Who's your favorite Missionary?  That's an easy call for me.

Thanks for all of the kindness and love offered his

way from the people of Hatch.  You will not be forgotten!