HAVE A COLORFUL WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

LAST... BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST!!!

I dont know what it is about February....but we have a LOT of birthdays this month. Im grateful I didnt shut down completely for the whole month. There would have been a Lot of catching up to do!! Im so happy to be wishing this beautiful girl the very happiest of birthdays today!! We love her so much, and so enjoy her company whenever we are able to get together. What a marvelous batch of niece's and nephews we enjoy!!! I wish you all the joy and luck in this new year for you, Lexy!!!

What happens to all the things you might

say or want to say, but don't? Well, they

dont lie about in your head indefinitely,

waiting to be let out. For a time they may

stay there quite patiently, but then they

shuffle off and fade until you cant locate

them any more, and you realise they're

not coming back.

from: Half Broken Things

by: Morag Jos

Im not sure how to 'catch-up' on whats been happening around here for the last 3 to 4 weeks. My days werent wasted, but they weren't blogged' about, and so I feel differently about them than all the weeks since blogging became such an integral part of my life.
I've seen other bloggers go through reflective periods. Why do we blog? How much time should I spend blogging? Should I continue to blog?
At this point Im quite certain that that I'll continue blogging. Otherwise my thoughts will shuffle off and be lost. Understand that my respite is quite easily explained.
ANNA IS HOME!!!
Im enjoying my rose colored glasses.
Its also interesting to note that because my camera is busted....(it was sat upon) I have come to realize how much picture taking is a part of blogging for me. Im learning to overcome this deficit and carrying on anyway.
My regret is that I have been negligent in 'documenting' the re-entry' of Sister Anna into the world. And since I dont really believe in regrets, Im going to attempt to share some of the highlights of the last several weeks with you now.

One- Our temple attendance has increased. Thats a good, good thing.

Two- Family scripture study really has been enhanced by a returned missionary's presence.

Three- There is much less tv going on in our home. And when I do indulge (LOST is back!!!) I feel guilt. And since I dont do guilt-I try and DVR and watch when shes not around!! Also, I've been waiting 19 months to watch a couple of movies with her. Two down, one more to go. First it was "Enchanted" which I think she really enjoyed. Second there was "Hairspray" which I think she thinks Im crazy for enjoying as much as I do. (I get such a kick out of that flick!!) One for two; not the best of odds.

Four- There is lovely piano music in the house. We now have THREE ivory ticklers under the roof. And the repair man came and fixed some keys and tuned the ol upright, and all is well.

Five- My commute to work is now shared with my daughter!! (Really, I ask you again, how much better can a job get!!!???) Plus...said daughter complained of being out of shape. BAH!!! She is hiking with the advanced group of hikers now, more often than not!!

Six- Our mailbox holds an anticipation of excitement and news and friendships. When the land phone rings, its very possible that its someone in Texas or someone connected to Texas!! Oh how she glows when this happens. Her life fills ours as well.

Seven- We are now living with the food police!!! I now have a pile of food stacked up, waiting to be returned to the stores- at Annas insistence. "Nobody can eat this stuff; its full of trans fats!!!"
All our yummy food is slowly being weeded from our diet. DRAT!!!! (speaking of police...anyone have connections at the impound yard?? There's a four-wheeler there waiting to be picked up. Now there's another story for a post. Now I bet your curious! )

Eight- Bri-dogs' love and admiration is apparent. Which every mother longs to witness between siblings.

Nine- There have been and will be some fun road trips.

Ten- Because of a road trip, just recently taken, I had the privilege of finally meeting Annas mission president and his wife and several kids. Its blatantly obvious why Anna loves them so!!! WOW!! Wonderful people to be sure.

Eleven- Not only has Anna succumbed to the wiles of ROCK BAND, she now has added the addictive power of FACEBOOK to her life!! Oh how quickly they fall. (Just Kidding Daughter!)

Twelve- We've added yet another member to the family. Meet Zoey. Shes a dog we rescued from our local shelter. Shes a gem and we already love her to death.

WELCOME ZOEY!!

Thirteen- We have an interesting threesome going on here. They have a lot of fun together, and they often get Bri-dog to join them too. The other night they rallied together, gained courage, and ventured out to a 'Stop Light Party' at the local college. It took a lot of encouraging and prodding to get them to go...and the finally conceded to try. But.....they didnt get any farther than the parking lot of the gig. They judged quickly by the attire of the attendees, that this wasnt the type of party that they'd grace an appearance with. So they came home and played ROCK BAND together!!

What I Know:
Im sure there will come a time when Im not writing about my daughter....????
and
LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!

OOPS......I DID IT AGAIN....I SPACED!!!

STEPHEN HAD A BIRTHDAY AND A MISSION CALL!!!

The nineteenth year seems to always prove to be a great one!!
We are so pleased and excited for you "Elder" Hill!!

We look forward to hearing great things and adventures from you in the next two years!!
Bless you forever and always!
All our love and support is directed your way!!

Happy Birthday!! (belated)

BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!

wE aRe SOOooooo LuCky To HAve ThIs SwEEt NeicE liVE sO clOsE By! We aRE WaTChIng HEr GroW iNtO sUcH a BeaUtIfuL YOunG LadY!!! HaPPY BiRThdAy MaYci!!! We LoVE YOu!!

Rebecca Had a Birthday!! And I Missed It!!!

"I will not be governed by time.
Time does not march; it swirls
and leaps. Time is a dancer,
not a soldier."
from: Ahab's Wife
by: Sene Jeter Naslund

Becca is a dancer!! Im sure she dances in her sleep. I will dance with her in the next life!! I love this girl!! And her cousin too!!
Sorry for spac'in your big day Becca!!
Im back on track....hopefully!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

"There's such a lot of different Annes in me.

I sometimes think that is why Im such a

troublesome person. If I was just one Anne

it would be ever so much more comfortable,

but then I wouldn't be half so interesting."

from: Anne of Green Gables

by: Lucy Montgomery

It was 3 weeks and one day.

And shes "fallen"

Some here at the house seem to think that she's fallen hard.

And it wasnt the bad influence of her mother, or the tv or her siblings or even our lovely houseguests....

She fell.

In our basement.

With the big screen.

With last years family Christmas gift.

She fell due to peer pressure and cute boys.

Aha!!

We shouldnt be surprised should we???

The allure of boys playing musical instruments with finesse....

And wanting to keep up.....

ROCK BAND pushed her back into the world.

It was the first big step.

Plus the mp3 player with earphones (not allowed on a mission) and dancing in the kitchen (also not allowed on a mission.)

SHE'S BACK!!! AND WE'RE LOV'IN IT!!!!

THE TONGUE IS LOOSENED

"Real isnt how you are made." said the Skin Horse,
"Its the thing that happen to you. When a child
loves you for a long, long time, not just to play
with, but REALLY loves you, then you become REAL."
from: Velveteen Rabbit
by: Margery Williams

So. I've been tortured beyond belief. I was told over a month ago that we were going to have another grandchild....but that I couldnt tell anyone yet. The green light has been given, so... "WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER GRANDCHILD!!!!!!" Rob and Chelsea are adding to their lovely family!! L is going to be a big brother!! Our joy is full!! Who can describe "grandma love???" Its all about gratitude and fun!!!

If you want to see some real beauts of said grandson/big brother...click here to see the handsome boy.

Lindsay Having a Birthday!!

THE NEWS OF THE HEART, ASK THE FACE.
-Guinean Proverb

IM BACK!?!?!?

"This house is your kingdom and palace.

Within its walls all living things are your

loyal, loving subjects." Mei Li sighed

happily, "It'll do for a while anyway."

from: Mei Li

by: Thomas Handforth

I've been distracted this week.
I dont have my customary back-up of posts on tap.
Thank you so much for your inquires about my whereabouts!! (its nice to be missed)
All is well!!!
All is wonderful!!!!
Anna is my perfect distraction.
We are doing our best to keep her busy and distracted. (so she wont miss Texas so much...its not working as well as I'd like.)
We have also had an unexpected death in the family....my sweet sister in law, Debbie, lost her mother this last week. So we headed north for the funeral and to be with them a few days.
Anna will continue to be my blessed distraction, but I have missed writing and blogging....so...."I'LL BE BACK!!!"
Love you all!!!!

CELEBRATING L!!!

Today is my grandsons birthday!!

He's 2!!!

Hes not even remotely terrible!!

He's every bit of wonderful!!!
Im so blessed to be able to celebrate his presence here on earth with us all; and to do it with lots, and lots of wonderful family!!

There will be cake and pizza!!

There will be presents and photos.

There will be soccer in the hallway and tons and tons of kisses.

Happy Happy Birthday Bubba!!!

We love you so very much!!!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

By Popular Demand:

Minestrone Soup

1lb of Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage

1 Tb olive oil

1 cup diced onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup sliced carrots

1tsp crumbled basil

2 sm. zucchini, sliced

1 lg. can chopped tomato's, undrained

2 cans 103/4 oz beef broth + 3 beef cube bullion and 1 1/2 cup water

2 cups finely shredded cabbage

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 can Great Northern (white) beans

chopped parsley for garnish

Brown sausage in oil. Add onion, garlic, and carrots and basil. Cook for 5 min. Add zuc. and tomatoes with liquid, cabbage and salt and pepper. Simmer for an hour and then add beans.

YUM!!!!!!

thanks pam!!!

Once a Hippy, Always a Hippy

Some of my family mock me when I scavenge my household garbage's looking for AWOL plastic, glass or metal that could be recycled. Every other day or so I visit our new, convenient recycle bins at the park down the road and unload what I've collected from our home. I do this because I can and because I really do care about this glorious planet we have been given to take care of and enjoy. I will do my part to help it stay as glorious for my grandkids as I feel it is. It's easy. There is no real inconvenience to sorting-which I really dont do, cause I dont keep it around long enough to have it become unmanageable. I have a box for paper in a bottom drawer in the kitchen and I hang one of those annoying plastic bags that we all get at the grocery store, from a knob of a cabinet, and when its full, I take it to the bin, on my way to or from work. Mock me all you want family...it wont stop me from trying to make a difference.
Read on to learn what garbage mak'in beasts we have all become!! Maybe you could change your mind too??!

-- the average person in the United States produces about 6.5 pounds of trash every day?
-- at the rate Americans are generating garbage, 500 new landfills will be needed every year?
-- in 1991, the Great Wall of China became the second largest man-made structure in the world? The largest is the Fresh Kills Landfill serving New York City. It is now the highest point on the east coast.
-- one third of the paper mills in the United States use recycled waste paper exclusively?
-- every three months, Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild the nation's commercial air fleet?
-- if you throw away two aluminum cans, you waste more energy than is used daily by each of a billion citizens in poorer countries?
-- the energy saved from one recycled aluminum can will operate a television for three hours?
-- it takes 95% less energy to make aluminum from recycled scrap than from virgin materials?
-- making new paper from recycled paper requires 30-50% less energy than making paper from trees and it reduces contributions to air pollution by 95%?
-- every ton of recycled office paper saves approximately 380 gallons of oil?
-- if Americans recycled just one-tenth of their newspapers we would save 25 million trees a year?
-- the energy saved from recycling one glass bottle will light a 100-watt light bulb for four hours?
--Every year, we make enough plastic film to shrink wrap Texas.

How long it takes the following to degrade?
A banana peel? 3-4 weeks
A paper bag? 1 month
A cotton rag? 5 months
A piece of wood? 10-15 years
A leather shoe? 40-50 years
A tin can? 80-100 years
An aluminum can? 200-500 years
Disposable diapers? 500-600 years
A plastic jug? 1 million years
P.S. Did you know that Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour?!
Glass bottle? unknown
Styrofoam, like a "clam shell" sandwich container? It will last forever!
WHAT I KNOW:
I hate cutting down a tree in my own yard!! Anything I can do to 'save a tree' for my grandkids...why not!!?? Im happy to do my part.
image from flickr

A MISSION CALL!!!

The envelope arrived to COLD, COLD, BITTER Rexburg, Idaho,where Stephen is attending BYU Idaho. Family, stretched across the country were eagerly awaiting its arrival. And now the news is out; Hes been called to serve in the
Brazil Recife Mission!! He reports to the MTC in Sao Paulo on June 24th, to learn Portuguese. Congratulations Stephen!! We are thrilled for you!! (Sorry about the long wait before beginning though...what the heck is up with that!!??? )

....is for House guests!!!

If you come cheerily,

Here shall be jest for you;

If you come wearily,

Here shall be rest for you.

If you come borrowing,

Gladly we'll loan to you;

If you come sorrowing,

Love shall be shown to you.

Under our thatch, friend,

Place shall abide for you;

Touch but the latch, friend,

The door shall swing wide for you!

by: Nancy Byrd Turner

We've been so blessed to have a home that spoils me. (Yes!! I am spoiled on all sides!!) Blessed with a home that is larger than our needs.
A home that brings us pleasure and backaches with the never ending supply of home improvement projects!!
And, though the future sometimes looks a little foreboding, Im of the attitude that my cup is 3/4's full, not 3/4's empty. And because I have been greatly blessed, its easy for me to share what I have.

And so-- We have two wonderful surrogate 'kids' living in our home. And we have been GREATLY blessed for having opened our doors. We now have two of the finest young people to grace this planet, with us.

You may wonder what some of the benefits may be??
*uncommon companionship
*help with groceries and meals
* cars in the driveway
*lively discussions about various topics; a favorite being about just how dumb boys are!! wink wink
*enlightening scripture study
* more playmates for L
*help with chores
*more smiles and appreciation
* glorious youthful influences
*one cant have too many friends- of all varieties!!

Each of these guests have found themselves out of their comfort zones.


We have our beautiful southern bell-Lynley; who has now landed in the center of our scorching desert, that sometime freezes in the winter, with nary an eligible Mormon man to find!! (YET!!!)

A sweet southern bell who misses her family and her mommy's cooking and sharing adventures with her dad. She misses her nieces and nephews too. But each morning she arises early (really, really early!!!) with a strength and determination to make the best of living here. I think she has come to love the desert too, in a short amount of time. With all the unknowns before her, she still smiles and giggles and has become my best dang, indispensable, spell checker there is!! She cooks a killer broccoli casserole and a spicy sausage concoction that has become a favorite around here!! She has been a joy and delight every moment shes been with us!! We are blessed to have her and to call her family!!

Then there is Justus. Another gift to our humble household. He's become a brother to Brian. A brother of a caliber that I could not have raised-but who we have needed here with us. He's easy to talk to. He adds a perspective to our sometimes silly, sometimes serious discussions that Im not accustomed to having come from a teenage boy. He's tender and receptive to the Spirit. He insists on living each day so that the Spirit will stay with him. A tough thing for a handsome teenage boy to accomplish. He has a beautiful friend that's a girl, who adds spice and variety and complexity to his life.

He misses his family too. He has many brothers and sisters and amazing parents who live in cold cold Idaho. Our home must feel like a tomb at times; without the pitter patter of little feet and the commotion of many bodies coming and going that happens in large families. I sometimes wonder if one of my insignificant roles as surrogate mother to Justus is to help him learn to lighten up a bit. But...at the same time I shudder at the thought of influencing him in any way to change much of anything about him!! He must err on the side of soberness, rather than my side of frivolity. NEWS FLASH!!...I can be frivolous!!! How about that???

Justus has high goals and aspirations. And he'll achieve them all Im sure. I just pray that we here in this home, will do something right to help him along his way. We are blessed to have him, and call him surrogate son!!!

WHAT I KNOW:

Where much is given.........GIVE BACK!!!
Generosity is a two way street. We receive so much from our fun house guests!!

I THINK IT MUST ALWAYS BE SUPPER TIME!!!

"Eat your dinner," his mother would
say, when Torchy was just a little
flicker, "and some day you will grow
up as big and as bright as your father."
from: A Firefly Named Torchy
by: Bernard Waber

HAVE A HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!

TODAYS PHOTO

Time is peculiar
And hardly exact.
Though minutes are muinutes,
You'll find for a fact
(As the older you get
And the bigger you grow)
That time can
Hurrylikethis
Or plod, plod, slow.

Waiting for your dinner when you're hungry?
Down with the sniffles in your bed?
Notice how an hour crawls along and crawls along
Like a snail with his house upon his head.

But when you are starting
A game in the park,
It's morning,
It's noon,
And suddenly it's dark.
And hours like seconds
Rush blurringly by,
Whooosh!
Like a plane in the sky.

by:Phyllis McGinley

Beautiful Meagan!! Happy Happy Birthday to YOu!! I cant wait until we can get you and Anna together again for some fun girl time!!! She'll be so amazed at how grown-up you have become, and how wonderful you are!!!
WE LOVE YOU DEAR GIRL!!! HaVE A great day and a great year!!!

ITS BEEN A WEEK AND A DAY!!!

"Im not a bit changed---not really.
Im only just pruned down and
branched out. The real me---
back here--is just the same."
from:Anne of Green Gables
by:Lucy Montgomery

Sweet Sister Anna's Milestones

* She drove a car and a club van all by herself; without a backup guide!!
* She got a hug from a boy...."freaky"
* She spent a mediocre amount of time on the Internet..."weird mom!"
* She took a short walk to the administration building...by herself. "I didnt like it"
* She's sleeping (kind of) in a room by herself.
* She stayed up later than 10:30 pm (not much longer)
* She's talking to boys on the phone. "weird mom"
* Shes carefully chosen some 'secular' music to listen to.

What Anna is still not comfortable doing yet!!

*No movies
*No TV
*No radio
*Not comfortable walking past someone without experiencing the urge to speak to them about the Church.

My joy is full. Our home is full of a comforting, inviting spirit since she has returned.

Hallelujah!!!!!!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

BLAST FROM THE PAST

ARRANGED

What does a stunning Jewish Orthodox girl and a gorgeous Muslim girl possibly have in common??!!

hint: note the title.

DELIGHTFUL!!

iT GOiNg ON MY faVOrITES LIst!!

mAKes yA tHINk

wHAT trAdItIOnS DO YOu HolD firM TO??

Give this one a try-you wont be disappointed in the least!!!

Its the 'cleanest' movies I've seen in a long time too!!

Im giving it an A+ or ***** stars!!

JOY AND REJOICING IN MY POSTERITY

My antecedents support me here as the
old wisteria at the corner supports the
house.
from: Angle of Repose
By: Wallace Stegner

It took LESS than 24 hours before I began feeling the expected repercussions of having a righteous return missionary among us. Im already longing to be a better person!! And who better to help me than my own sweet daughter?!

Reality here is almost too much for her. You may know the look...A doe caught in the headlights....
But she is so strong, so wise, so close to the spirit. She's going to be fine...Better than fine really; shes going to be GREAT!! Shes going to carry on being the best example to me and her family and all those she meets.
Here are the major highlights thus far:
-There's the large, loving crowd at the airport to greet her as she arrived in sunny St George.

-Then there's the babies, and more babies. Her nephews-one she hadnt even met yet and the other one so big she hardly recognized him. And then there were good friends with their own babies in their arms!! And best of all, she spent the first evening snuggling with the adorable babies. A pleasure not to be enjoyed while serving. This helped to take some sharp edges off the real world. Bliss!!!

-I am being followed around by the most adorable lost puppy dog girl. She is so missing the security of a constant companion. She doesnt feel right without one. (I personally hope this residual by-product of missionary service lasts a long time!! I LOVE being followed by this sweet thing!! We're having 'sleep-over's' for a few nights!!)

-Her gratitude is palatable!! Phone calls, blog comments, prayers, and blessing are overwhelming and so appreciated. You are all so awesome!! Thank you Thank you!!! We all feel your love and support. Also; as she unpacks the boxes that were stored away for her here, she is shocked at how spoiled she was/is by the quantity of clothes she owns. She is embarrassed by the excess.

-Rising early in the morning with her. (Good thing hiking has gotten me well acclimated to this procedure) Breakfast together. Her daddy hid away a few precious servings of 'Grandma Granola', since Christmas time, just for her to enjoy. You should have seen her eyes light up when she saw that little bag of the most tasty morsels!! And fresh blueberries were an extra bonus!! YUM!!!

-Watching her struggle with the restraint she feels when she would rather just walk up to the folks sitting on the bench or at the table next to us, and strike up a conversation about the Church. Its breaking her heart that she feels like she cant do it the same anymore.

When I begin comparing (I know, I know, shame, shame, shame on me for "comparing"!!) my life to the life of a valiant missionary who has served faithfully and with such heart, for 19 months--I realize what a sloppy mess I am!!
Boy do I waste too much time in a day
I listen to the wrong music
I watch ridiculous things on tv
I speak too loudly
I dont look at people when Im talking to them. Meaning, I dont REALLY look at them with penetrating eyes.
Already she's become a catalyst for change around here! Already!!!
Friday morning we were out the door and headed for the St. George Temple. We had 6 of us spending time together there!! We spent a good part of the day there, at least for those that didnt have babies waiting for them at home. (Thank you, thank you dear Joe for watching the babies, so that we ladies could all do this together.)
If you want to disconnect from the world....or at least avoid reconnecting for as long as possible, head to the nearest temple; with people that you love, love, love, and bask in the spirit of a loving Heavenly Father. Ahhhhhhhhhh.....
Life is so good!!
It is so, so wonderful to have Anna back with us!!! Though it is quite obvious that she left a HUGE hunk of her heart in Texas!!

WHAT I KNOW:
Im grateful for her example and all the previous example in our family of great missionary service. The blessings cant be numbered that we have enjoyed because of their service and sacrifice in behalf of our Savior. Rich blessings. How delightful it'll be to watch now, as blessing for Anna unfold before our eyes!!