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?