Special Moments With My Grandchildren

80 Years Young

Congratulations Mom and Henry are engaged

I wasn't surprised when I got the phone call. Mom

sounded excited and at peace with her decision to

remarry. I did reminisce a little about dad and all the

great times he had with his family, and laughed inside

thinking of his sense of humor and how funny he was.

It made me feel sad for awhile. I'll always miss my dad.

Life isn't to be spent alone and mom has been alone for

10 years. Henry is a wonderful man and I am happy for

them both. Mom can wake up every morning now and

have something to look forward to....a companion!

I found you on Desperate LDS.org

Happy Birthday Great Grandma
Mom reading cards from grandkids with her friend Henry
The band "Reminisce" was a great blend of salsa, oldies and romance
My brother Daryl who is the gourmet chef
Kimberly and Kent tieing on the "Bills" to the money tree
Great dinner at Log Haven up Millcreek canyon
Front..Me, Mom, sister LuAnn. Back.. brothers. Brad, Daryl, Randy
Mom with her desert.. a piece of chocolate singed Happy Birthday

80 Years Young

Recently My siblings and I had the privledge and an honor of celebrating our mothers 80th birthday. It was comical when we all started e-mailing back and forth as to what to do for mom's birthday. I often thought , "wait a minute, what ever happened to talking on the phone?" since I'm not real savoy when it comes to computers, however I'm learning a ton having this blog. When it was all said and done.... it was still not all said and done! But we pulled it off, high 5 to all. We took mom to a classy resturant up Millcreek canyon called Log Haven. The atmosphere was perfect and the food was like none I've ever had before. I think the waiter had to explain everything on the menu, TWICE! The food was French and the menu had names of dishes that were, well, French. The food was divine, the company was great. Too pricey for my budget to ever go there again, at least not again this year. We presented mom with a Saphire ring which was gorgeous, and fit to boot. Sunday afternoon we had a fabulous BBQ at my brothers house. The weather was perfect to sit outside, listen to the great band, "Reminisce" and visit with family. All the great grand and grand kids hid in the garage just before mom showed up. She was asked to get something out of the freezer which was in the garage. She opened the door and, you guessed it, SURPRISE! It was a lot of fun. Mom was presented with a money tree from the grandkids. Estimated to be around $250.00 and a book of tributes written to her from all the family members. The next surprise was when "ACME SINGING TELEGRAM" came and did a comedy act. I've never laughed so hard. The guy was dressed like a total nerd with a capital N! He brought mom a baloon boquet and said he found her on the internet under, ''Lonely Mormon Women.Org." It was absolutely hilarious since her girl friends put her profile on a singles site just for kicks and she found someone and has been dating for 3 months. The act went on from there. I highly recommend Acme they are worth your money. Acme Singing Telegrams. com We listened to more music, then went in to watch a dvd that was put together with pictures of mom over the years that family had donated, Kleenex's anyone? We served cake and ice cream. Sorry mom, you didn't do well blowing out all the candles. No there was not 80 of them. The night was a huge success. It was one of those times where you sit back, take a sigh of relief and count your blessings that you are a member of an amazing family. With all the differences and uppity attitudes that come with a large family, when it comes time to party or honor someone our family Kicks Butt!Especially when my brother who lives in Vernon Washington drives up with his entire family,with high gas prices for the occasion. Thank you Brad and Trudy.I know first hand how that can be when money is tight and no longer growing on the tree.I love you both. Thank you mom for your compassion,love and example.

DEBATE

I gather that everyone watched the Presidential debate on Tues night. If not, shame on you. They actually got to the meat of campaion finally and sitting down was a very good idea after the last debate when McCain walked in front of Obama blocking the camera a million times.Good job. A little heated at times when McCain wouldn't give up the "Who slammed whose campaion adds?" Okay, you big baby. I watched adds from both parties slamming each other, so whats new? It's politics. I'm not saying that I agree with their behavior, I just don't pay attention to it and try to focus on the real issues. Obama tried to put it to rest, but McCain's temperment just wouldn't let it go. I learned a lot about both canidates, especially health care,and was a little disappointed. I'm not sure Oboma's plan is the best way to go. McCains idea on the school vouchers and education was pretty poor. It was a good debate though and what I concluded after the debate is this...
The majority of Congress is Demecrate, so who ever is elected President needs the support of Congress to get any bills passed anyway. And I'm sick of hearing about the national debt! I shouldn't have to pay for their freakin debt. Go after the money grubbing jerks who approved all the crapy Mortage loans to people who couldn't afford it. And all the hoity-toity government idiots who over spent.Go after those who profited!!! Take away their big fancey homes and their Hummers and sell their yaght's, vacation homes, and whatever else to help pay back the debt. Make them accountable for their GREED, and not the average American who work their butts off just to keep their humble little home, pay taxes and high gas prices! I want a President who will make them PAY and step up to the plate and take their medicine.

My trip to Oklahoma

A statue of Christ outside Memorial. "And Jesus Wept"

This is a fence outside the memorial. This is how loved ones remember their friends and family that were killed

The time of the bombing is etched in the wall 9:01 a.m. Buiral grounds for those who were

killed in the bombing

My chillin with Uncle Landon

Diane, Lacey and I

Kim and I putting on fabulous nails

Mya, Coleman and me at Lacey's

Eating ribs at Van's Pig Farm

Playing CRUD was a blast

Smootching my Cole buddie
Lacey reminicing
Tummy time for Mya

I have to say driving 20 hours straight to get to Oklahoma wasn't the most preferred way to travel; especially after the gas hike; however the end result was worth every mile traveled.The Doctor I work for was taking a week off and when he is gone on vacation I don't work, so rather than stay home all week and clean my house I planned a trip to Oklahoma to visit my daughter Lacey, her husband Chris and their 20month old son Coleman.
It had been nearly 3 months since I'd seen them last. They were out in June to help with my daughter Kimberly when little Mya was born.
Three months is a long time not being able to see, cuddle , and play with my grandson. He has gotten much taller and gibber-jabbers 24/7. It was fun for me to see how intense he was when he wanted something and in his own language leaving it for me to figure out what he was trying to communicate. It was so clear to him, yet if I didn't responded correctly he would get upset and cry. When I looked into his big blue eyes I could see the thoughts constantly going on in his little mind while he tried to communicate with me. Coleman is also mister gymnastics. If he can climb on it, he will and balances himself till you grab him from falling. If he can grab and hang from it swinging his legs, he certainly will. He is too young to know his limits, so he tries everything. There was never a dull moment, except when he was asleep. I have to give my daughter Lacey a huge round of applause. She has done so well handling the little fire ball.
They live on the 3rd floor in a 4 bedroom college apartment. Hundreds of apartments filled with SINGLE college students. The apartment basically is Colemans playground and his Mom is his best friend.
Lacey does a fabulous job. It was such a comfort to me to witness the great teachers Coleman's parents have become. When it was time to read scriptures every evening, my heart would swell watching Coleman fold his arms in reverence, and sit still! He tries to be a good boy even in his moments of yelling No, No, No, he will give a sheepish grin, as if to say, "I'm really kidding with you". I saw the joy in his face every time we went to the playground at the park. He would run to the fence and yell his gibber to the other kids, turn and strut his little body like he was King of the playground and he has just arrived! I loved it.
I know the struggles Chris and Lacey have had getting an education and staring a family. But I have to say that it has surely helped prove their already Great Character. Being students and both serving missions has built a great foundation for their little family to which I am truly grateful. Chris and Lacey are firmly planted in the right place doing the right things for their future. I wish them the best.
Also on my trip were my other daughter Kimberly and her 3 month old daughter, Mya, and my youngest son, Landon. Kim was willing to drive their new Journey all those miles. It is equiped with a TV to watch movies and Satelite Radio with no advertising, how great is that? Thank you soooooo much Kim.
We kept it a secret from Chris that Landon was also coming with us. Chris really wanted him to come visit so they could hang out but Landon had just had some minor surgery and told Chris he would not be coming on the trip. When we got to their apartment Landon hid in the computer room so when Chris came home from work he would walk in the room to dump his books and see Landon and be real surprised. However, when Chris came home he visited with us for so long that I finally said "You might check the computer room, Coleman was in there a minute ago". He quickly rushed to the room, to check out Colemans destruction. Landon yells from behind the door and literally put Chris on his knees. From fright at first, then pure JOY that he was going to have a Buddie to hang out with and wouldn't be hangin out with us women after all. SO LET THE GAMING BEGIN....and it did for 9 days.
We all had a great time taking in a movie, going to the Purcell High football game, and visiting the Oklahoma Bombing Museum. Oh! I have to mention the fabulous Italian restaurant we ate at in Oklahoma City. ZIOS, it's the best. Their Italian Nachos are to die for! Also VANS PIG PEN in Norman Ok, has the BIGGEST (of course,we're in Texas),the most tender, juicy, smoked ribs in the world!
Lacey, Kim and I had fun putting on some fabulous acrylic nails, shopping, eating out, filming and playing with Coleman and Mya. Mya was a little angel the entire trip. She sleeps through the night, cooo's and smiles in between naps and barley whimpers when she is hungry. I love seeing my daughters and their children spending time together. I truly hope that some day they can live closer to each other. I've never really bonded with my only sister, and I've missed the friendship that sisters can have.
I also got to see and spend time with Chris's family which is always fun. I love Diane Chris' mom so much. She has been like a sister to me since the day I met her. We always have a laugh and lots of fun. I'm always invited to do things with Diane's family and treated so nicely. I love them all. I loved my trip, and I already miss everyone tons!