Friday, December 28, 2007

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!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

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!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

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.
















































Thursday, December 6, 2007

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?

Wednesday, December 5, 2007


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

Saturday, December 1, 2007

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?