Happy Birthday Matt!

Eat your heart out world - this is my son! Wait....Holy Freak you're 25? I'm not that old? I'm still of child bearing years - NOT! In the midst of the tests of the heart from this weekend - I am finding a new set of tears. Some happy ones for a son that 25 years ago left a beautiful place and became stuck with me as his mom.... tragic. Lucky for me though!


I just wanted to tell you Matt that you brighten up the world. In doing so - you provided another generation with a brighter world also. There are just not words to express how much I love you and how proud I am of you in every way. There is a kindness and joy that only you have. You have battled all odds and have been victorious. I see sacrifice, devotion, faith, love, and a beautiful family all because of your sweet heart and passionate desire to take care of those around you. You ARE my sunshine - you Utiawanianasingtonite. Happy day... you are loved. Skeletonz hates you, and Mory wants to go for a ride with treats.... I'll be waiting for Bethany to post the videos of you with only your shorts on, sitting in the high chair, eating YOUR cake with your hands.... dare ya, double dare ya, Mandy calls you out as a chicken if you don't....bawk bawk bawk..... get 'em Mandy! Wear your helmet... der der der der der.....

Gonna need some help here folks....

I'm not really one to reach out and ask for help. I'm pretty stubborn that way - but I need something from each of you tonight. This afternoon my handsome Elder was taken to the ER in a Provo hospital with a collapsed lung. He is to have surgery tomorrow asap. I was somewhat confused as I received the phone call from the Emergency Room doctor who told me that Ryan was in the hospital - I instantly thought that it was my son-in-law Ryan and that he had been hurt somehow. The Doctor said - this one has Elder before his name, and my heart sunk. Most moms would love to have a little glimpse of their missionaries - but not in a hospital gown, in a hospital bed with wires and tubes and monitors all over him. What took me by surprise was the enormous smile on his face when I first saw him - he didn't want me to be worried, but in his eyes I saw fear. He was actually running yesterday and had a little ache in his chest, and today it just wouldn't go away. Elder Hillary was sent for an X-ray and before they knew what hit them, Elder H and his companion Elder Davidson found themselves on a magic carpet ride to the ER. His companion never left his side. In fact when President Dean came to the hospital he was surprised, but grateful to see them still side by side. It would be the last time they see each other - as they just received their flight itinerary today for Mexico as they are to leave on March 2nd at 6:00 am and be in Mexico by 1:00 PM. Ryan will now be recovering for the next 4 weeks after surgery. I was able to meet his companion and to feel of the amazing spirit and love between the two of them. Elder Davidson said that he couldn't leave him and that they had already knelt in prayer - he said - it will all be ok Sister Hillary. The news traveled fast in the MTC and in his zone, where each and every missionary has dedicated a fast in his behalf tomorrow. His personal belongings were brought down from the MTC and inside next to his clean socks were scribbled notes shoved in there by fellow missionaries - thank you Elders! Ryan's concerns are not for the surgery, or the time he has to wait, but in the unknown territory of where he will serve. He wants to still serve in Mexico - but the Lord will decide that, as it is now sent to the First Presdiency and they will decide, we need not have a say and I trust them with all my heart (and with my son) - but we do have faithful prayers that can be offered up. So to whomever you pray, what ever religion you have chosen - there is someone bigger than life to you, would you join in prayer for this amazing human being, my son? I left him tonight late, but laying over the chair by his bed was this white shirt, with his name tag still in place (apparently it was red tie day) I looked back at my son before I left and there he was, comforting me, just like the person he is. I want to thank my children who instantly joined their love together for him. President Dean said that this would be a great trial time for Elder Hillary, and that he would probably have his first baptism before he even leaves the MTC. I live in a ward of miracle workers - and so I'll leave you to do what you do best. Thanks everyone, I'll keep you updated. Gotta go hit the knees....

Random Bragging Rights...

Just take a look at this beautiful child! This is Mason - he is the grandson of my best friend Elaine, and son of her daughter Erin (the AMAZING super hero cape maker - see www.plumpearapple.com and get yours ordered today!) (or you can log on to ''Mason and Family' from this blog for the rest of the story) Erin had some wonderful pictures of Mason taken by her friend, the photographer, and the publishers of this magazine asked to feature the photographer - and the photographer said she wanted to feature Mason! I love my own kids, and I'm crazy about my grandson - but I am a true believer that we should always have room to brag about others 'happy moments'. So not only should you STAY IN and order your super hero capes from Erin, you might want RUN OUT to see if MeeMaw (Grandma Elaine) will part with one of the magazine from the boxes full of magazines she bought.... or you can see if you can find one in a local store.

"Every baby is the sweetest and the best"
(Marilla Cuthbert - Anne of Green Gables)

This just takes the cake...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!

It was partae time with both of the Hillary family and the Stimpson family as we came together to celebrate Andy's 1st birthday. First of all we feasted on Schloppy Joes, (must know your Saturday Night Live Clips) and yum-o salads and cupcakes from the Stimpson homestead. Ashley created an amazing drink from scratch that we devoured, and Mandy.... well you ask Mandy to just bring a salad.... and she has no boundaries as an artist and so we awarded her with the Food Network Grand Prize and then decided to included her creation to the feast. instead of just looking at it. Bethany had made a cute cake for Andrew and we were curious as to why the kid was being 'clothing optional' readied - let the games begin..... it took about 4 minutes to go from this:

to this:

and in case you don't believe me here's the proof!

It was so much fun celebrating the first year of this little guy's life. He has brought so much love and life into the world. The best things in life for me are certainly being a mother, and now a grandmother. Here's the cute little family with one of I hope many of my grandchildren to come. Hey- and I didn't even have to clean him up! (The Aunties all fought over him to do just that) See you all next year when there certainly will be more stories to tell. See you in April for BYU Graduation - thanks for making the trip to Utah! .....and Bethany.... you owe me cupcakes (: tee hee....

Tunz...

Da gurl has talent..... wanna see first hand? Join us as we experience her joy and her gift of music. Tuesday, February 24, 2009 @ 5:30 PM - Madson Recital Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Campus. Featuring Mandy Merriman in her Junior Recital. I'm pretty sure that you'll find it by all of the smiles on the faces of those that love and admire her dedication and total committment to making the world a better place one beautiful note at a time.

We all walk to the beat of a different drum or whatever...

Seriously folks - these guys are so amazing! I hadn't even noticed that they were playing the drums they are all so dang cute! My friend Elaine (Blinkin) sent this to me. I would suggest you play this late at night when everyone is asleep and see how long it takes to wake everyone up. It only took about 8 seconds to wake up Del... try it and let me know how it goes. This is posted for my favorite Nick who returns home from his mission in Switzerland today - great job Nick! The Swiss Army Drum Corp..... I say we need a calendar of these guys eh?

http://www.biertijd.com/oudbruin/content.php?article.668hp?article.668

and when I'm really brilliant at this I'll figure out how to download it so you won't have to paste it into your http - sorry. Just beat it..... ya beat it....

Positions Filled

Winkin - Me
Blinkin (er Drinkin) - Elaine
Nod - Betsy - sorry Grandma June you acted too slowly, Huh?
Partae...

Then I found this - and thought it would be nice to rattle the brains of the senior citizens that read my blog. Remember this? (I don't) (:

~Winkin', Blinkin', & Nod~

Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod, one night sailed off in a wooden shoe;
Sailed off on a river of crystal light into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going and what do you wish?" the old moon asked the three.
"We've come to fish for the herring fish that live in this beautiful sea.
Nets of silver and gold have we," said Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song as they rocked in the wooden shoe.
And the wind that sped them all night long ruffled the waves of dew.
Now the little stars are the herring fish that live in that beautiful sea;
"Cast your nets wherever you wish never afraid are we!"
So cried the stars to the fishermen three - Winkin', and Blinkin', and Nod.

So all night long their nets they threw to the stars in the twinkling foam.
'Til down from the skies came the wooden shoe bringing the fisherman home.
'Twas all so pretty a sail it seemed as if it could not be.
Some folks say 'twas a dream they dreamed of sailing that misty sea.
But I shall name you the fisherman three - Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod.

Now Winkin' and Blinkin' are two little eyes and Nod is a little head.
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies is a wee one's trundle bed.
So close your eyes while mother sings of the wonderful sights that be.
And you shall see those beautiful things as you sail on the misty sea,
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three - Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod.