worth the wait

Here ya have it! Kev and Nicole's reaction to their Christmas gift." Christmas Gift" is a tradition at our house with absolutely no limits on how to "get it" on someone else. It has to be yelled as loud as possible before everyone else says it. At least one representative from every family tried sneaking in the back door, because of the inevitable front door greeters.

I had wondered why our archway has a gigantic crack - now I know. Thanks a lot Kevin! Christmas Gift!

Part of the "Bowling Bullets" (said in a British accent).

Generally speaking - One continuous party! Confusion, fun, food, festivities!

Anticipation is making me...

Can't wait to see how much our little Parker has changed. Can't wait to see who the donkey is going to be in the Nativity.

Can't wait to show the kids dad's new office,

and Dad's new toy,

Can't wait to see how well the costume boxes work.

Can't wait to see Nicole's reaction to her present this year.

Can't wait to go on a hike.

Can't wait for all the good attitudes,

and to see how much this little gal has grown.

Can't wait! I'm so excited!

Too Good to be True!

Are you kidding me? In my mind, nothing is too good to be True.
My mom is True.
Yesterday was her birthday. I wish I would have taken a picture of her yesterday, because she was so pretty getting ready to have lunch with her temple lady friends. I'd like to give reasons, maybe up to 74 (which is how many years she has been practicing being True) disputing this saying:

First off, she walked uphill in the snow to school all her school days. Then she walked home from school, uphill in the snow. My dad was attracted to her in the snow, and threw a snowball to get her attention. At that time she said that she would be True forever. She knows about cold. She knows about Russian ice and bitter cold, she endured it with a song in her heart and on her lips, with a cheery countanence. She is True.

-True can plan and carry out a party with the best of them. She works up a program and is a great master of ceremonies. She plans food, and does assignments and invitations, often with graphics. It makes her happy to see people eat heartily.

Dr. Lariat, anyone? She knows the value of hard work or "working off a good meal."

-True is concerned about others and treats each person she meets with respect, love, understanding, humor, and warmth. She looks for the good in people.

It truly makes her happy to see her family having a good time.She has been frugal with her resources. Taking care of produce from the garden, making ends meet, not acting like it's a burden but a blessing, is another way that she is True. She also expresses gratitude to Heavenly Father for everything. She is a woman of faith.Once, Dad planted eggplant. She didn't know what to do with it, but she made all kinds of dishes with it. Waste not, what the Lord has given us, is another True doctrine.-True has always sponsored creativity. She seems thrilled when others share talents or anything that they have learned with her.

-True is always all about feeding with good food. She has always been very compassionate and has made millions of meals for others. She does not believe in "meals on wheels" or "grazing" however at her house. You sit at the table to eat off from a real plate, not in front of the TV.

-True keeps traditions going. Except for wearing her fall vest for Thanksgiving this year, making me lose a bet with Marie. (I will pay, I can be True in that way.)


True always lets others help. She makes them feel so important in telling them profusely how nice what they did looks and how they did it better than she ever could (sorta not true).True is true to others feelings. She would put up decorations that someone lovingly made for her, even though she perferred something else, to make them happy. True loves the Savior. She is true to God and her fellowmen. She is quite literally a latter-day Saint. She is honest, true, chaste, benevolent... full of faith and good works. She is virtuous in her thoughts, words and actions. I have never heard her swear or use any crude language. She a lady. She is lovely, of good report and praiseworthy.
Not, too good to be true, but Be True, Be True and stand for the right. That's my mom, True forever.

the least of my worries

Every year when the weather turns cooler or I use too much Clorox my hands turn alligatorish. I usually spread on a thick layer of heavy duty night cream, put socks on my hands and go to bed. My husband thinks this is a strange practice. This morning when I pulled my hands out of the socks I was surprised to see that wearing socks to bed was the least of my worries. What do I do with my ALLIGATOR HANDS?

Ione Memories

Yesterday I received a note in the mail from a dear friend who said she had just come across a scribbly note in her notebook that she had written as she waited in the chapel before Ione's funeral. She mentioned something about good intentions never materializing and apologized for sending it along now.

I think it is nicer now, after the fact. See if you agree.

When I think of Ione Jones I think of a quiet, loving, smiling woman. I knew Ione first as a brand new mother with my first baby. The took me under her wing - she would stop by and give me a casserole or a blanket made of cool cotton for my baby since it was such a hot time of year.

On Sundays she would smile and give me encouraging words. I always looked forward to seeing her. She made me feel like a better person in her presence. More children came to me--another little boy, then twin girls --each time she took special care to let me know she was there for me. Quietly there. Solid and strong, an example of a true mother and grandmother.

She also mentored me in my church service. I had the opportunity to work with her. I learned that a good leader models the behavior you want others to become. I learned from her to become more aware of others and to do for others --to quietly serve. I learned you should be positive - look for the good. She always was so kind and complementary of my efforts. I know I was young. I was inexperienced and yet she made me feel capable and loved.

I am so thankful for the beautiful example and the influence for good that she has been to me. She is a remarkable woman and I love her. Thanks for sharing her. Love, Maureen

Twins?

Aunt Dona says these two dads are twins. What do you think?

I think Alyson has always been so spiritual. Look, she's praying. Maybe she's praying that Chris won't clobber her. Wasn't Chris cute then and now? And look at my adorable Melvi! Aren't proud daddies' the best kind of happiness?

One week until National stretch pants day!

I am so excited for Thanksgiving! These are some of the people who will help us celebrate our blessings.

favorite quote today

"No man is too rich or too poor to play with his children."
~Bryant S. Hinckley, quoted by L. Tom Perry

freeze tag

The best kind of tag is freeze tag. I have been tagged, so here we go with some random facts so that I won't be "it" any more.

1. I have noticed that every now and then I have a mohawk down the front of my leg because I'm am terrified of shaving off my shin bone. I can handle most blood and guts situations but skin off the shin is trauma.

2. I hear myself volunteering without my own permission. Someone calls and asks me to sew 83 dresses with beading and full lining before Saturday, for example, and I hear myself say, "That sounds fun."

3. Pop makes me "arf."

4. I'm a firm pro-lifer. I love growing things. In my garden the other day I tried to thin my carrots and had such a hard time killing all those little babies. They will never have a chance to grow up.

5. I absolutely love lip bumpers. They have a charm all their own.

6. I'm a masterful dilly dallier.

Example : Mom said to Dad, "I'm tired, and it's nearly midnight (9:30). I think I'll go to bed.

She went to the kitchen to make the next day's lunches, then rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for tomorrow's supper, checked the cereal box levels and filled the sugar bowl. Got out the crock pot and put the beans on to soak.

She then put some wet clothes in the dryer and a load of clothes into the washer because "time of use" was at the lowest, ironed a shirt and sewed on a button. She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the telephone book into the drawer. She watered the plants, emptied the wastebasket (recycle day tomorrow), then hung up a towel to dry.

She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. She stopped by the desk and wrote a thank you note, addressed and stamped the envelope, wrote a check for the apple order she had made, and pulled a book out from hiding under the chair.

She wrote a quick grocery list and put it and the note in her purse. She then washed her face with 3 in 1 cleaner, put on her night solution and age fighting moisturizer, brushed and flossed teeth and cut nails.

Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed."

"I'm on my way," she said, then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was off. She looked in each room to make sure all the lamps and TV's were off, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, laid out clothes for the next day, and straightened up the shoe rack.

In her own room, she set the alarm; added three things to her six most important things to do list. She read her scriptures, and said her prayers. She visualized the accomplishment of her day and wondered why she could never get as much as she wanted to done in a day.

About that time, Dad turned off the computer and announced to no one in particular, "I'm going to bed." and he did without another thought.

7. I love people and I love trying to figure out what makes them tick. I love the
"Be a peacemaker" motto. Thanks for that FHE so long ago Melissa.

So now you're all frozen from this long freeze tag session and the games over so now it's time to go home.


Have a great week ya'll.

Okashi Kudasi

Japanese ladies do the splits. Japanese ladies do the high kicks. Japanese ladies touch the ground. Japanese ladies turn around. Japanese ladies get out of town. Did anyone ever do any variation of that during jump rope? Trunk or Treat at Silvergate Park ward was graced by these four lovely ladies. They could ask for candy in Japanese. Rissa called Kevin to find out how to say trick or treat in Japanese and she practiced. I have no idea how to spell it but Rissa had it down and got a bundle of candy.

Okashi Kudasi !

O

Girl Parties

Activity Day Girls Primary Softball is over. Let's hear it for "Silvergate Sluggers." Relief Society Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment is over. Talent Show/ Celebrate the Gifts Within. I recited the Family Proclamation. Major accomplishment to memorize something with so many big words in it. So a definite sigh of relief. So we celebrated with a girl party today. Oakley joined us but he's picking flowers. So happy that Nicole and Natalie could join us today.

Smiling Sophia

Look at this cherib! Who believes that she screams and cries? Not me.

Grandmas are Earthangels!

Generousity and Selflessness! Two blessings I receive from so many. I'd just like to spotlight one such friend. Semi-annually I am blessed with an amazing new plastic canvas creation, lunch out and Arlo entertainment from this friend of nearly 19 (count them) years. Bless her heart, yesterday was no exception~Birthday celebration 2007.

I hope this finds you having a better day!

Jake used to do this to keep cool in the summer. Thankfully, I think we are finally going to see a cooling trend without the refrigerator door open. We'll be able to ride our ponies outside every day. It's going to be fun!

I got a haircut yesterday. I wanted to look like Nicole, but turned out looking like a 7th grade boy. Oh wait, that's not the first time that happened. It has repeated off and on since I was in 7th grade. (Sure was fun having you kids here, can't wait for Christmas for all the fam to be together!)

I'm posting my two favorite "hair" pix in order to feel better.

I'm not sure why Melissa didn't post this on her own, but it made my day better. Thanks, Miss!
Take a vote, does she still look like me?

Jigs!

In case you didn't know that Melvin really does love to dance, here's da proof. He's pretty good at jigs.

Bragging Rights!

Tell me that there aren't bragging rights here! Beth and Chris have the sweetest little gal living at their house, and I think Sophia is pretty happy about here surroundings as well. This shot reminded me of the "Guess How Much I Love You" book where little nutbrown hare says, "I love you all the way up to my toes!"

Beth's parents brought baby pictures that prove that Sophia looks like her mother, but right here I think Sophia looks just like Chris at a week old. Of course, we couldn't find any documentation right off hand. Who remembers when Chris was born? Oh wait, none of you.

For the Love! Is Todd feeling left out or does he just want to share "mom"? Do you think there will be a challenge here with sibling rivalry? I don't. Todd and Willa both run to the bedside if Sophia makes even a whimper. Their ears pulse up and down when she cries. They remind me of Carl the babysitter lab retriever in the kids picture books. I wonder if Sophia isn't quite sure what to think of them yet. Maybe she expresses her emotions with her feet.

So content with Mom. Beth is such a calm, loving, perfect mom.

Yup! I think there are bragging rights here. Sopia has a good mom and a good dad, doggies who love her, grandpas and grandmas, even greats, cousins, aunts, uncles, and lots of friends. And she's cute too.