A Heart Full of Love

Valentine Blessings!!!!

I feel ever so blessed tonight! It's been a busy and blessing-filled day! I will forever smile when this day comes around again! It will be hard to top this year....

• Planning a wedding; the hustle and bustle
• Family gatherings - grandbabies, friends, and loved ones!
  
• Temple blessings with my family!! Yep, it tops them all!

Being Jennie's escort in the Mesa Temple today was a dream come true for me. When Ben and Jenn came up for the day it made it even more sweet. Seeing Jennie with Kyle, well, it just makes my heart just about overflow with love. WOW!! This is such an awesome thing!! I know what it is like to be married to your best friend and Jennie will have that opportunity too. Married in the temple for time and all eternity, yep, just about perfect!!

There were no chocolates, roses, or little cards, but real emotions, hearts full of service and caring for one another; affection that ran deep. Two families are joining together and we are creating another "Forever Family!" It's awesome.

I count my blessings as family, friends, and my relationships - both earthly and eternal. Wow, I really am rich in the love department!

Bountiful Blessings

Twice a month we get two baskets of great fresh produce with an organization called Bountiful Baskets. It's been a great blessing for us; providing us with terrific produce for virtually pennies; $15.00 for all of the above produce! This group is non-profit and based on volunteers who participate in a buying co-op and anyone in the valley can participate. Every two weeks we meet at a near-by park early in the morning and pick up our goodies! It kept our grocery bill down a lot this last summer when our garden was supplementing us as well. I made a deal with myself to stick to what I got from BB and not buy any additional produce. It helps me ration it out, use it up, or plant other things in the garden!!It's awesome. The organization is growing like crazy in these economic times but it seems there are still people out there who don't know about it.
My new calling has offered me many blessings through service this last month - hence no blogging time!! I am so thankful to be able to notice and appreciate my blessings. Even more, I am grateful to be able to have enough in my own "well" to share my time and service with others. I attended a seminar in January that spoke to the healing power of service. One counselor stated that he regularly prescribes "5/50" of service to his patients who suffer with depression. It includes the following prescription:

One act of service be done daily
It can last no more than 5 minutes
Cost no more than 50 cents
It must be totally anonymous and illicit no recognition
It must be written down.

The patient then re-reads the service journal entry each day, re-reading the past days of service until 50 entries have been made. The therapist stated that service actually (chemically) affects the brain and allows people to grow in their own self worth! What a great by-product.
I am assisted in serving others both by my great husband and by terrific women who model for me what true compassion and caring looks and feels like! I am humbled by their caring and concern. I recognize my own heart and see that I have a long way to go to be like those whom I serve with.

Wedding warning - - - fast approaching!! I can't believe that Jennie and Kyle's big day is SO close! Yikes!! They got their marriage license this week and Jennie is going to the Temple this coming Saturday!! Wowee! She celebrated with a terrific bridal shower a week ago where she was literally "showered" with gifts from great friends and family. The food was amazing - thanks Jenn (Jennie's sister-in-law!) and the games and fun were just perfect (thanks Barbara and Catie!) I guess this is really happening now. Jennie and Kyle have a wedding "chain" that they count down everyday. I should probably get one myself! I love watching them. I will miss having them around all the time. Can't Kyle just move in upstairs?!?!?! Truly, the plans are moving along quickly. The familyroom is overflowing with items and we are adding to it daily. Wow, there is a lot entailed in giving a big party!! What fun!
Jennie is indeed one of my Bountiful Blessings. I am so proud of her, happy to be with her and amazed at her! I see pieces of me in her and I want her to rise above me and be better than I am, I see portions of her dad in her and smile that they are so much alike. And finally I see her Heavenly Father in her and see the potential that she has.

Day-planners, calendars, to-do lists.....
It seems I am always looking at, writing in, carrying one, or checking on the next task. What did our fore-mothers do without one?!?! I am grateful that I am willing to set them aside and enjoy days like.....
The Saturday we dropped everything and ran away to Oatman and enjoyed the bed-races!! Day-planners and calendars are a great tool, but building relationships bring far more blessings than a checked-off list!! What a blessing it is to realize this!

It's the Holidays!

Belly laughs, cuddles with Opa, a great dinner together and no electricity and you have our Gingerbread house making night!! The whole neighborhood lost power for about 45 minutes to an hour! In an all electric house we couldn't even get out the garage!! Needless to say dinner was a tad bit late - but the party went on! There's not much that can go wrong when you combine graham crackers, frosting and a lot of candy!

Some houses become structural masterpieces while others require a little more frosting!! The concentration level for everyone goes up and the candy consumption by the tiny ones soars through the roof.

A finished masterpiece!!
The little ones enjoyed building trains instead of houses and squealed with delight at being together. (I must admit that with tile on all the floors that the noise level is a LOT higher but cleanup is still a breeze!) They were probably pretty "high" on all the candy that was dropped on the floor but no one complained.
Christmas came all too soon for us!! I was in a flurry of Christmas buying and Rich worked hard on two oak wagons for Noah and Jase. Long hours in the new "man cave" (shed) were worth it all when the kids spent the morning loading the wagons up and pushing and pulling them everywhere. Each wagon can hold 3-4 kiddos!! Of course they were well tested Christmas morning as Quentin pulled the tribe down the block!!

Christmas came with all the trimmings and the good family feelings. Unfortunately Paul and Ben were not feeling the best, but they were troopers and good daddies so they pretended that all was fine. I'm sure they both just wanted to be in bed (with a good book and a cup of cocoa though! Colds are a bummer!) I love the kindness of everyone! We all played games, ate cinnamon rolls and talked. Presents were a hit as always!! It's fun to see what everyone has plotted and planned for each other. This year the kids all drew the name of one other person to buy for instead of giving to everyone. I know that some were concerned about it but it was wonderful. Each person tried to be so tuned into the person they were buying for and I was so intrigued with how they got the perfect present for them! Gracie can recognize the "G" in her name so was especially interested in what presents were hers!! She helped me be "Santa" this year and pass out all the gifts. Kyle joined us and I'm sure that he thought we were a wild a rowdy bunch! So true! The kids were so generous to me. Jennie and Kyle even gave us a "Photo shoot" for our present!! It's to recreate our "engagement" pictures that never turned out 32 years ago!! I hope I turn out looking like a "young engaged couple" then!! I will definitely need a new hairstyle, new clothes and ... oh heck, a new me!!

The rest of our Christmas day was quiet!! It's a new discovery for us as our nest in emptying. All the kids and their families journeyed off to other celebrations - even Jennie!! A big rainstorm hit as well and we spent the rest of the day napping, reading, and watching movies together. It kind of reminded me of our first Christmas together 32 years ago. We were married at Christmas time and spent Christmas day in Greer in a snowstorm!! This Christmas seemed almost as quiet and laid back!!

I spent 6 hours with a dear friend this week as she oriented me to my new calling! Can you guess what it is?!?!? I was so touched by her compassion and concern for those she has served and for ME! She knew everyone by name and situation and could spend 5 minutes telling me about each and every person! I fed her lunch, we hugged and cried together and I now wear a heavier mantle of concern for those I serve and love.

To complete a few days of play and parties we journeyed to Tucson to help celebrate Emma's 6th birthday. I was so touched that all she wanted for her birthday was a day with us! We partied hearty at Peter Piper Pizza, went to the movies and then home again for a Spaghetti dinner, cake and presents!! The weather was ever so chilly as we bundled up and cruised the neighborhood in the new wagon! Emma smiled, laughed and loved having us over to "play"! She has grown into such a sweet and kind young lady. I feel it an honor to be her "Big Moma"! Although I miss having them so close it is wonderful to see them all blossoming in Tucson. Thank heavens for highways that are widening, good gas prices and a great car to travel in style!

Rich and I are still on vacation!! Each day we have something fun planned - - good books, good food, good friends and family and so many blessings to count. It's awesome!!

I'm excited to welcome in 2009! Ready for some football and nervous for planning a wedding but that's what keeps life exciting and interesting. I am spending my days with my best friend .... what could be better?!?!

Peace-filled Weekend

I loved the peace that this weekend contained. It was full of family, friends, and visiting the lights at the Temple. There is nothing like it! It seemed that no matter the night nor how busy and crowded the grounds were, the Spirit was peaceful, happy, and reverent. We heard a great choir from a local school one night and a flute quartet the next time we visited. What a great place to walk, hold the hand of one you love, and remember the real reason for the season!! I wish all of my family could/would take the time to stroll the grounds.


Jennie and I began our wedding cake tasting expedition this week. What a hard job!! We laughed as we ate our way through two slices of cake while sitting in our car and licking off our fingers. Not quite the professional way but fun nonetheless! Jennie's still very open minded about styles, shapes and colors. We have even thought of cupcakes! Now to find the right taste and price!! More tasting ahead this week. I guess that means we will diet Monday through Friday!!


Aisling of Eire by Dorothy Keddington arrived via Inter-Library Loan this week! Ya gotta love this great service. This copy comes from the Sandy, Utah library!! Wahoo! I can't wait to jump in and enjoy. I have been waiting a very long time for it! I am currently reading Gravity by Tess Gerritson but I may have to put it aside -- I am awful at waiting! I love book choices!! Christmas break means some more time for reading. Yippee!


Rich and I have decided how we are going to spend our anniversary this year. We are going to take the light rail downtown and enjoy the shops, art galleries and a nice lunch at Durrants. Yum! We are going to go over Christmas vacation when the light rail is free for everyone! Sort of a field trip! Pretty low key but just a fun adventure together! Wanna join us?!?!

Wedding announcement ordering was fun! Jennie was very creative and she and Kyle chose a variety of shots for the announcement. It will be fun to see it all put together! She also WON a free wedding shoot from a very talented wedding photographer, Nikaela Curtis (www.nikaelacurtisphotography.com). WoW!! We are so excited. Even better, the friend who took her terrific engagement shots will be an assistant for the shoot! All of this was a result of blogging too! Isn't that amazing?!?!? A pretty great week!

Tomorrow we meet the future in-laws. I'm a little apprehensive .... you'd think I was the bride! I wish I was a cooler person! Guess I'll just have to go as me!! Yikes!

I love a Love Story

Jennie + Kyle= LOVE!!


I am one lucky person!! Watching these two fall in love has got to be the neatest thing and I marvel at it daily. They are so much fun to be with, to watch, to talk with and play with ... gosh darn it I am lucky they are patient enough to play with me.

Jennie has found her knight in shining armor! They are both so darn photogenic that choosing engagement photos is going to be tough - boy, who knew that this would be the hardest part of the wedding planning! But what fun! I feel blessed!

Don't you love the tenderness in this black and white? Gosh, I LOVE love!

These two are always touching, laughing, playing --- they will have a happy life together! Don't you want to be there with them??

They both love sports, eating, chilling, going to the Temple, and laughing. They have the same goals, dreams, and desires. Yep, it sounds right to me.

Jennie is such an amazing daughter. Her dad always told her that she was in "princess training" - just preparing for the guy she would marry. She said that she was so surprised when she met Kyle that she kept repeating to herself..."princess training, princess training." I love to here her stories and make her repeat them over and over. Boy, her life is as much fun as Twilight!!

Don't ya love the crinkle in their eyes!?!?!

My sweet friend, Mary, photographed these two the day before Thanksgiving --the weather was cold, cloudy and even brought a rainbow! Isn't that just about perfect? I'll just be quiet now and let her terrific pictures do the talking!


WOW! Thanks Mary! You outdid yourself....

Long Time No Log - In

Yep, Long time no log - in!! Or, in other words .... that's what happens when life gets in the way!!

School started again and in first grade the first 2 1/2 months are the hardest!! It's getting back into the mode of teaching , modeling all the procedures for these little ones and coping with little "chicks" who can do so little by themselves - - in the beginning! Now, we are well under way and they are blossoming! I am still dealing with all the hassle of the new ELD program that the state of Arizona demands for English Language Learners but when I put it into perspective it is just another hoop to jump through. Argh!

Life hit me right between the eyes when our youngest went off to college!! Here I thought I would love and couldn't wait for an empty nest....NOT! I was not prepared to deal with all of the emotions and heart ache. I do believe I followed my husband around like a little puppy for the first few weeks. I still do! I couldn't think, concentrate or read! Yes, that's right! For me, reading is my solace and I was unable to even pick up a book. I still struggle with a changing of the job description in my life but I am eternally grateful for an understanding husband, good kiddos, a dog who is excited to see me, and friends that have reached out to lift me up. A dear friend, Mary, was there (unknowingly probably) when I really needed it, phone calls arrived when my heart was saddest, and letters and text messages became life-lines.

Yep, life just got in the way!!

Now our college kid has returned to our roost (but only momentarily!) She is engaged to be married!! Yep, life will get in the way once more - but we are so happy for her! Her fiancee is awesome! He's everything you would want for your precious daughter. Truly a man who treats her like a queen!! She's one very lucky chica! (And she knows it.)

I finally feel ready to blog a bit again and this list of questions was what prompted it! The post has taken me ALL night - I take my book reading seriously!! Completing the post has provided great insight and reminded me what a blessing reading is!!

(I was challenged to complete the post and take the scriptures out of the running!)

1. If you could host a party with 7 literary characters who would they be and why?

First for sheer fun and charm would be two irascible men, Joe Harmon and Gus Mc Crae. Joe's a dedicated worker, fun loving and in love with the land. Gus is a sharpshooter, a card shark, and a charmer! Every lady at the party would thoroughly enjoy themselves with them around. Harry Potter from book #1 would also make an appearance. His thrill and joy of discovering magic and another world would be contagious! I would invite Dashti along as well. She is upbeat, dedicated and loyal. What more could you want in a friend? Her curiosity would make her the perfect conversationalist! A book struck Queen Elizabeth II from The Uncommon Reader should most certainly make an appearance. How I loved her discovery of literature. She and I would/could talk books for hours. I hope the other guests don't mind! Junior (Arnold) Spirit would be a great companion for Harry and fun to just josh with. He is the best kind of nerdy boy; fierce, fearless, funny and dorky all at the same time. He and Dashti and Harry could keep the party young and fun! Last but not least Ani, Princess Anidori Kiladra Taliana Isilee, from The Goose Girl would be on the invite list. She is not afraid to make friends with anyone!!

Joe Harmon from A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute
Gus McCrae from Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Harry Potter from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Dashti from The Book of 1000 Days by Shannon Hale
Queen Elizabeth II from The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
Junior (Arnold) Spirit from The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Ani from The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

2. Which literary house would you like most to live in?

I do believe that I could be more than comfortable in Anne's home in Green Gables!! My mom actually visited there and said that it looks just like we all imagine it to be!!

3. Which literary couple would you like most for parents?

Please oh please don't let my mother be Mrs. Bennett in Pride and Predjudice!! If I could hand-pick a dad though Jean Valjean personifies devotion and unconditional love. Would he be attracted to my mom? I would pick "Mama" from Mama's Bank Account . She always knew how to solve a problem and what would work out - gosh, just like my mom!!

Elizabeth Bennett’s mother in Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Jean Valjean in Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Mama in Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes

4. Pick 3 literary characters you would like to have as siblings.

Jenny Weasley, she would always have your back! Jacob in the Twilight series, he would be a great body-guard too! Lastly, Hattie Inez Brooks, from Hattie Big Sky. She would love to have siblings too!!

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowlings

Twilight (the series) by Stephenie Meyer

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

5. Who is your favorite literary villain?

I do not like bad men; however every story needs one. I guess I would say the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.

6. Name a character that most people dislike, but that you do not. Why do you like them?

Javert from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. We can all be misled by misguided intentions. Javert became so wrapped up in doing his job that he missed the mark in seeing the noble man Jean Valjean had become. Javert is me at times! I miss my marks.

7. Name 3 books that you rarely see on people’s favorite book lists that are on your own.

Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan

A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute

One In Thine Hand by Gerald Lund

8. What is your favorite literary name?

I guess names don't influence me in a book as much as I thought. But I can tell you what NOT to name a baby based on a student I have had! But characters in a book ... now that's hard. I love the character Wyl Thirsk from Myrren's Gift by Fiona McIntosh. Because his character is so cool I guess I love the name.

9. What is a book that changed your life?

I don’t know that I can say one book changed my life, but many have definitely improved it. I often reflect on advice given in Corrie ten Boom’s books - she was so inspiring for me. I also loved the inner journey in The Mutant Message Down Under.

11. What is a book that you’ve read more than once?

I read a few books more than once. Probably the ones I have read the most are childhood books or ones I have read to my kids and then classes of kids.... Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, Castaways in Lilliput, and finally one that I have read since I was a preteen, Jubilee Trail by Gwen Bristow. I think I'll pull it out again! It's been years!

12. What is a book that you’d want on a desert island?

A big, thick, detailed, how-to book on gathering and planting seeds, avoiding wild animals and directions for tying knots, starting a fire by friction and building that Swiss Family Robinson tree house. It better be a Reader's Digest compendium too, the ones with the condensed books in it for long afternoons when I might have some time to read!!

13. What is a book that made you laugh?

The Clothes They Stood Up In by Alan Bennett - laugh out loud funny!

Prize-Winner of Defiance Ohio by Terry Ryan: envisioning the mother standing at the ironing board melting her girdle back together with the iron is a hoot!

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie!

SkippyJohn Jones by Judy Schachner - grade school hysterical

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems - how can speech bubbles and a one eyed bird be so hysterical?? Gales of laughter peal from 1st graders to adults each time I read it to anyone!

14. What is a book that made you cry?

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Old Dan, Little Ann . . . how can you not cry in that book? Old Yeller by Fred Gibson. Why do dogs have to die!?!?

15. What are you currently reading?

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Just finished The Shack by William Paul Young (for Book Group)

16. What is a book you’ve been meaning to read?

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas has been on my list for years!
Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series (Book 1). Finally we have selected it for next year's summer read in Book Group!! Yeah, I will finally read it!

17. What is a non-fiction book that you have enjoyed?

Candy Freak by Steve Almond - funny, irreverent and it makes your mouth water. Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand - it reads like fiction!

18. What is a book that you don’t enjoy?

Sheeps_Clothing by Josi S. Kilpack - just not worth my time. Too preachy!

19. What is a book you remember as a real page-turner?

Boy, there have been lots of those!! Tell No One by Harlan Coben was fantastic - it consumed me as many a suspense book will. Love Walked In by Marisa De Los Santos - her prose was like poetry!! I loved reading her words. Austenland by Shannon Hale - fun and funny, pure chick-lit and I don't even "do"that!

20. Who is your literary role model?

With all of his misguided foibles Jean Valjean, of Les Miserables, is still my literary role model. Of course I still want to be as positive as Anne or Green Gables and as enterprising as Nick Allen in Andrew Clement's Frindle, but for pure humanness I still aspire to be Jean Valjean. Boy, did that book have an impact on me!! (I read it only recently and it has flavored every part of me!)

Some journal thoughts

List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 facts about yourself.

Joys

1. My family! They are a source of heartache AND joy but the good certainly outweighs the bad! Each of my kiddos have so many talents and together we complete each other. I love laughing with them and finding out what's up and important in their lives!

2. Rich - my husband is my best friend.

3. The gospel of Jesus Christ. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is my foundation. My love of the church and the gospel continues to grow every day.

Fears

1. Not having my family with me for eternity.

2. Going blind.

3. Feeling out of control - ie. when someone is driving too fast, when I don't know what is happening.

Goals

1. Learning Spanish - I would love to conduct a report card conference in Spanish this year.

2. Keeping my house clean..it should get easier when Jennie's at college, but who will pick up after me???!?!

3. Working at being a better teacher. I want to be more effective in teaching small groups and keeping stations active and appropriate. I'm excited to really work on this in an ELD classroom this year!

Obsessions/Collections

1. Getting lost in the "Time-sucker" (the computer!) I love reading other people's blogs (I guess I am just nosy) and listening to music on iTunes and youtube! I can't believe I'm admitting this!

2. Reading - I always have a "flood" book with me - in case I am caught out in a flood somewhere and don't have something to read. I keep a book in my purse, one upstairs and one downstairs. I love reading!

3. Listening to Jennie talk about her life - I love hearing about her dates, her fun times and her discoveries!

3 Facts

1. I love to staying in bed in the morning and reading!! Add a cloudy or rainy day and that is just about my favorite.

2. I love football season and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday - food, family, AND football!!

3. I adore the people I work with. They make me laugh, cry, giggle, guffaw, and they are the most supportive people around. I am so very blessed!!!

What a great introspective this was. It was a terrific journal idea for my gratitude journal. Thanks for the idea Holly.