The Sweetest and the Best... (every baby)

One of my beautiful babies,

had a beautiful baby of her own.

Couldn't be more proud.

On Sunday, someone special had a special day.

His Daddy, Grandpas, and Uncles

held him tight and

gave him a name and a blessing.

The Mommy, Grandma's, and Auntie

sniffled and cried.

It was a perfect day

for a perfect little boy.

Big J

Yep - I'm sideways - because my belly and

the cute rolls on my legs prohibit me

from being right side up.

 

This was a little tradition that was pretty sweet I think.

These little white shoes were give to our

family by Elsie Bowen.

Big J's Great Great Grandma Elsie is his mom's, mom's,

dad's, mom.  Got all that?

His Mom, Uncles, and Cousins all wore them.

I'm pretty sure they bring good luck.

Our Three Generations.

(I freeeeakin' look tired, and old, oh ya -

I'm the Grandma!)

The Auntie Ashley - Uncle Mike

is in the back ground and Uncle Ryan is

next to him - don't you just love their pictures?

Ashley LOVES being an aunt - and she is a good one!

So Big J - you've just won the Superbowl

of Days... where are you headed?

(ok - maybe after Graduation from BYU Law School)

We had such a sweet day.  Ryan, Big J.'s dad really

gave him a beautiful blessing - and it was sweet

to see all of those big strong men that would

be a great influence on his life.

Grandpa Randy Merriman, Grandpa Del Hillary,

Uncle's Mike (Doxstader), Ryan (Hillary),

and Kevin (Merriman).

Missed, but equally important:

Matt (Hillary)(in Washington),

David Merriman (Texas),

Elder Kyle Merriman - South America

And the special Aunties and cousins...

Aunt Bethany Hillary, D & Em,

Aunt Ashley Merriman
and of course the Grandma's
Ruth & I!
WE ARE FAMILY

Can't wait to see all of this little boy's

dreams come true!

He is gone - thank you.

I wanted to blog quickly on this historical day.  It is the day that I found out that Osama Bin Ladin was killed.  Normally I don't cheer the death of people.. but I also recall a day that I had to comfort my family from the sights and sounds of death from innocent people on  9/11.  I recall the day(S) plural, that my daughter had to kiss her soldier goodbye and watch her broken heart weep.  I recall the years and years that a brave son in law gave of his life to fight for this country because of that day - years that will never be given back to him.  I recall the fear of terrorism, and the pat downs at each and every airport because of security.  I recall the 47 thousand soldiers doing exactly what they were asked to do and never returning to their families.  There isn't an evil enough place for a person that could cause all of this.  I remember putting up the thousands and thousands of flags in remembrance of those lost in an instant.  I am aware of the other countries that were brave enough to join with us.  I recall a shocked look on a President's face as he read to little children - and how he was brave enough to go in with the big guns and make this day happen.  I do not credit Obama for this - he is a chicken in every sense of the word - President Bush took all the harassing about his revenge - but I was always proud of him for that. I am grateful that I will not be Osama's judge.  The signs of the times are here - and I need to hold strong to the beliefs and council I have received and are vital for my family's future, the future of my grandchildren.  So today - I'll blog for the last time about an evil man,and I will not post a picture of his face on my little niche of the world, and that I'm glad the world is rid of him.

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.