Welcome Jaycee Sharp!!!

When we ask for God's blessing, we're not

asking for more of what we could get  for

ourselves.  We're crying out for the wonder-

ful unlimited goodness that only God has

the power to know about or  give to us.

from: The Prayer of Jabez

by: Bruce Wilkenson

 Joshua, Jordan and Jaycee Sharp

Blessing day

December 21,2014

While eating dinner together the other night, My Builder, my Rock, my wise one, summed up our new life in our tiny home perfectly. He said, "I think we're comfortable in our cozy tiny house, but we're not yet satisfied."
 I agree with this statement...because I am indeed grateful for what we have right now...our tiny home in our tiny mobile home park. It is a blessing, for now.  (more on our tiny home to follow)  BUT...on the other hand we must remain convinced that there are still better things to come for us in the future.  We live and breathe hope.
(How's this for a long-winded preamble to last Sunday's blessed event?)
One of the very best things about living in Utah happened again last Sunday. My Builder and I traveled south for an easy hour and 45 min drive to Highland to take part in the blessing of the newest baby Sharp!!  Chubby, cherubic  Jaycee was given a name and a blessing by her newly devoted and darling daddy!! It was a momentous occasion for dear Joshua. First time Mormon daddies dream of the day they will someday bless their children.  It a beautiful tradition we have...blessing and welcoming babies into the world and into families by pronouncing blessings that they wish for their children upon their sweet, innocent heads.  Asking for God's watchful care, protection, and guidance on divine little spirits that are entrusted to us to care for and nurture  while here on earth is a wonderful thing. What a joyous occasion...having dozens and dozens of family and friends surrounding you and you small infant to supplicate God for His richest blessings on a newborn!! It is a beautiful thing indeed!!! We were so blessed to be apart of it!!
Merry Christmas Jaycee!!
Welcome to this world and to the family!!!

 Bro Joe...the newest Grandpa in the family!!

"...for one of the nicest things about mathematics or anything

else you might care to learn, is that many of the things which

can never be, often are."  You see," he went on, "its very 

much like your trying to reach infinity.  You know that it's 

there, but you just dont know where-but just because you

can never reach it doesnt mean that its not worth looking for."

from: The Phantom Tollbooth

by: Norton Juster

Two Times Doth a Tradition Make?

Then my good brother and I are well on our way to forming a fun tradition. Why didnt we start sooner!!!?? Come rain or snow..we wont be deterred!!  And yes there was snow this week...two days of it.
For 2 months now my bro and I have made the time for a lunch date. Its a wonderful development. We've enjoyed 2 great meals plus fun and interesting conversations. We catch up, we compare notes.
The first time I took the shuttle to him..in So Salt Lake. We went to one of his favorite Mexican restaurants..and it was delish!  We downed  a lot of cold Cokes and faitias and talked for two hours!!
This week we met "1/2way" which turns out to be in Layton,  where a friend recommended  we try Gabors-an Italian Grill. May I just say...we will trust KC's recommendations every time...it was divine!!!  This was GOOD pizza, plus some really yummy soup which warmed the cockles of my cold bod..for yes..remember.... it was snowing in March. We even shared a dessert ... "Better Than Sex"chocolate cake.  Bliss!!
I learned that my brother loves being a bishop for  a BYU student ward but that he's going to love not being a bishop too.  His time is drawing closer to its finale.
Meagan has a boyfriend....and a dance coming up soon. Meagan is beautiful and is loving her CNA class.
Amber is going to Washington DC with her mom..a Mother- Daughter tradition.  Amber is just about fluent in Chinese...she can read it, write it and speak it. Awesome.
I learned that Josh may have a bum shoulder...but it wont stop him from playing basketball and that  Jordan is a devoted big sister to both Meagan and Amber.
I learned that Debbie doesnt really like to garden..and that sometime in the future she wants them all to move back to California. Who can blame her...on both counts!!
I meant to ask Joe if he misses the Navy.  I guess I'll wait till next month to ask...for we have this lovely new tradition...and we'll be sharing lunch again soon!!
Of course we talked about my wonderful family as well..I gave him a rundown on all the kids. We talked about the rabbit food business and about my new hopes for Isagenix.
We enjoyed our waitress. Arent good waitress just great!!??  Our Cokes never ran dry.  She warned us about the grouchy business owner next door..."no parking in his spaces!!" She made the perfect food recommendations and wished us a speedy return...all with a great smile and a sense of humor.  Arent good waitress GREAT!!!
The rain and snow had subsided by the time we were ready to head out.
Lunch dates are the best and so are road trips... hour long road trips even qualify.
Sometimes I blare country music as I drive and sometimes I want only the peace and quiet that being in a car alone can bring.  Wednesday it was Rascal Flatts crooning on the radio and a sense of gratitude for all of my family as I sped home and back to reality.

 I hope its 'fair' to choose a picture from my file that is years old...its my blog..I guess I can do as I please...but I like this picture..so Im using it!!

Let there be music.  Let there be a bountiful feast.

 Let there be dancing in the streets. Let the misbegotten

sons of peasants who inhabit this dreary

 place pay homage to a Princess.

from: Papa Married a Mormon

by:  John Fitzgerald

My Builder and I took a lovely 24 hour jaunt to Salt Lake on Friday after work.  Saturday morning was the baptism of  and celebration for Amber.  We weren't  going ;miss that happy occasion!! And oh what a joyous event it was! Amber is 8 yrs old going on 15. A wise and beautiful soul with the tenderest of hearts. Her parents have raised her well; as she has raised them well too. I am blessed to have such a tender niece. I am blessed to belong to such a wonderful family. Im so grateful my mom and dad would travel up for this occasion as well.  I miss them.
Baptism is a big deal. Its a lot to take in and understand for 8 yr olds.  But I feel certain that this particular 8 yr old understands more than most.  Her big brother, Josh, gave a beautiful and personal talk on the importance of baptism.  And her dad gave a thought provoking talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I plan on remembering some of the things he said- Like when you want Gods advice in your life, all you need to do is ask and then get up off your butt and go serve! In the process of serving others, that is when our answers will come.  Genius!

I spent a few tearful moment on the phone on Sat with my son Joe. He and his family are moving back to St George...lucky them...and Saturday was the first leg of moving day. They loaded a trailer with a  load of things and headed out. I had been hoping to see them and see the boys before they left...but it didnt happen, and it broke my heart.  Natalie and the boys will be back...for a while.  Joe needs to find a place to live down there and then they will join him.  And I will make every effort to get back to Salt Lake to see those boys...and perhaps kidnap them for a few days and bring them back here with me before they all leave for good. But on Sat. I was just plain sad about it all...and Joe heard me cry.

Its amazing to me how much fun one can cram into a little over 24 hours of time though. Friday night was spent with Clark and Jenna and Brian and Mericar.  I wanted pizza...and boy oh boy did I get pizza and a good time.  A favorite place of Clarks is The Pie...up by the University.  So we all piled into a borrowed mini van and headed up there to satisfy my need.  Can I just say...YUM!!!
Then we rented a James Bond movie-Skyfall- and went back to 'Hotel Ehlert' and watched it on their big screened tv and ate popcorn.  FUN!!

Saturday evening I landed 2 tickets from a very generous lady...you know who you are ...mother of Jordan...Ms Margo!!...for the Relief Society general Meeting in the Conference Center downtown. I looked over at my mom and just knew I needed to take her down there with me and attend. The 3rd ticket materialized...and so I called Brians girlfriend, Mericar...who is thankfully a spontaneous soul, and she joined us too!! We were all spiritually fed ...and the train ride home was a fun adventure. Way to go mom for jumping in and going along with the craziness!! It'll go down as a most memorable night.

Happy Sabbath 

Giving is more joyous than receiving not

because it is a deprivation, but because in the

 act of giving lies the expression of my aliveness.

from: The Art of Loving

by: Erick Fromm

My good brother sometimes sends me sweet emails...just to check up on me.  I appreciate him so much.  I dont know what it is about the Sharps...we arent great communicators...and thats not really what I mean..To be more accurate, I mean we arent chatty.  Sometimes I wish we were.  But I think its a learned skill...and I believe we may be too old to learn new tricks.  But I do know he's in my corner...and thats enough.    I miss him..we dont see enough of each other.
And now I'm done complaining.  Just had to share this blast from the past with you.
My brother Joe and my two oldest boys...Joe and Rob; many years ago.
Peace

BIRTHDAYS REMEMBERED

Sure, the universe is large, but it isn't all that

complex. It took an impressive series of geniuses,

but now the secrets have been exposed, the

universe is not so hard to fathom.  Strangely,

I think that some of the mechanisms within

the universe - like you and me- are much more

complicated than the universe itself.  ...its easier

 to understand the Big Bang and galactic evolution

than it is to understand human thoughts and emotions.

from: Fizz

by: Zvi Schreiber

This is my darling grandma, Helen Myrtle Swenson Sharp...she was darling when she was young, and I thought she was darling when she was my grandma.  Havent a guess to how old she'd be in the above photo...but I bet it was taken way before she was married.  Late teens maybe?  It causes one to wonder what her dreams and aspirations were at this age...to marry, have babies, and see the world? She did all those things..and became a beloved grandmother as well. 

I remember our grandma Sharp being so proud and so happy on this day...watching her handsome, uniformed grandson, marry the woman of his dreams.  She was an emotional lady...like me...and was quick to cry at the happy times and when she was sad.  I loved her for that. And I also remember she had the most amazing charm bracelet...loaded down with charms from all the places she had visited in the world. That thing probably weighed 3 pounds! I was fascinated by the stories that went along with each unique charm. She dearly loved to travel. 
(I also remember the times when I used to like to sew. I made the dress Im wearing in this photo...and I was actually pleased with it...I wore it often.  Those were the days.)

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!

i know you would have loved being a great grandma!!!

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A generation that cannot endure boredom will be a generation
 of little men, of men unduly divorced from  the slow process
 of nature, of men in whom every vital impulse
 slowly withers as though they were cut flowers in a vase.
from: The Geography of Bliss
quoting: Bertrand Russel
by: Eric Weiner

WILLIAM HENRY WARNER

William was My Builder's great, great grandfather on his father's side.

William was born in Ipswich, Mass. on Aug 20th 1827

He was always interested in farming and in learning the best methods of sheep and cattle ranching. 

He loved to sing and was very interested in genealogy workand was  a great reader, enjoying most, reading to his family .  His history also talks of his love for flowers and gardening.

William joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 25 yrs old, in 1852, along with his first wife.

 Soon after they trekked west to Utah and settled in Nephi, Utah. There he married his second wife...(yes, we're talking about polygamy here) This dear woman is the mother of  Mary Ann, who was My Builders great grandmother.  

William died July 19th, 1902.

William was an upstanding, hardworking, devoted husband and father.  He was the father of 13 children and by now, innumerable great grandchildren and great, great, greats!!!

Here's to remembering you William...and wishing you a Happy Birthday!!

He was one of those chuckling men you meet
rarely, able to stave off time by perpetually
staying in such high humor that the years
didn't want to interrupt him.
from: English Creek
by: Ivan Diog

Happy Birthday to my Favorite Brother!!

Love you Mightily!!

HOPE MY FRIENDS HAVE A TRANQUIL WEEKEND

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BLAST FROM THE GOOD OLE' PAST!!

Is that my mom and dad shak'in their bootie!!?
Why yes it is!!
Joe and Debbie's wedding in lovely No. California!
Good times!!!!

Respect is not fear and awe: it denotes, in

accordance with the root of the word 

respicere=to look at, the ability to see

a person as he is, to be aware of unique

individuality...means the concern that

the other person should grow and unfold as he is.

from: The Art of Loving

by: Erich Fromm

 Logan...a wanna be cowboy

If dirt is any indication of a good time...then dear Liam was in HEAVEN!!

Beckham is a NOT wanna-be cowboy...at least not yet!!

There is nothing like sitting on the back of a horse and racing along a trail to help  forget ones troubles. Arent simple pleasures a blessing.  I am so grateful when they come my way.
Once again, while My Builder stayed home, building and getting his hands dirty and a kink in his back doing a landscape job...I went  and played with horses and the grands.    I can make myself feel less guilty about my behavior by thinking about my future and how 'constricted' I may soon be feeling once I get a full time job. When this happens I will no longer have weekends like the one I just enjoyed. So eat drink and be merry for tomorrow I may be employed!!
So play I did!!!
I rode horses without boots...until I scraped  a few layers of skin off the fleshy soft spot on the inside of my ankle. I played 'til those old, long neglected riding muscles began to protest....especially on the inside of my knees.
I played with the grands and my brother at the community pool, even though I couldnt rummage up my swimsuit anywhere...I got plenty wet any way.
In a way this all feels like a last Hurrah for me. Brian played, Joe, Rob and Clark too...all before school starts...and work begins for maugh!!
So My Builder and I reveled in the company of the grands as we watched the neighborhood fireworks for the 24th...Pioneer Day!! Ending the long weekend with a BANG!
Im so grateful for our family that lives in Salt Lake; who are so willing to bunk us, feed us and sometimes entertain us too.  I was rodeoed, and walked; I relaxed, read, visited, got rained on and soaked in some rays.
Returning home meant returning to reality. It's reminiscent of those days of yore, when you knew summer was almost over and school was looming.  Im feeling unsure about what's in store...or at least unclear on the details. But I feel the change coming.  Full time employment will cramp my style but at the same time it'll open new possibilities, challenges and unknowns....all things I enjoy, usually.
So stay tuned...for further updates.
Peace!!

MIMI MONDAY

We must love the world, and what is in it, as

we love all that feels and all that moves.

Once again a withdrawal doctrine is trans-

formed into a participation doctrine.  The

World itself is a composition of the Love of God.

from: Four Essays on Love

by: Truman Madsen

Mimi and Popa had a wonderful weekend in Salt Lake!
Seeing and playing with the grands is where its at.
Pioneer Day in Salt Lake is also where its at!!

 First a great parade in Bountiful!! Which had scary clowns and loud floats that spooked my dear Olive a bit!

 (im only holding my phone...not using it...Im out of minutes anyway!!!)

Then it was on to the park for an impressive fireworks display!!

The next day was fun in the sun at the pool!! Good times and even better company!!!

 that would be clark...dropping from the sky!!

Mimi lives for weekends like these!! Thank you good family for making the effort to hang together and share good times!! I love you all more than words can say!!

 ...he was often made uneasy by this modern age

of affection, young men and women holding hands

in public, kissing good-bye on the subway trains.

There was nothing about these gestures he had 

understood.  He had believed that what a man

felt in his heart was a private matter and so 

should remain within him, but he had never 

had so much in his heart before.

from: Bel Canto

by: Ann Patchett

 We had a wonderful couple of days in Salt Lake...
The highlight was the charming wedding of  my cousins daughter Christie.
The ceremony was held up Millcreek Canyon...at a lovely setting ....Log Haven.
It was wonderful to reconnect with family that I havent seen in years.  It makes me sad to think how easy it is to let these connections go.  Christie was a BEAUTIFUL bride...and her husband seems to be a dear man, who was not embarrassed to shed a few  tears of joy as Christie appeared through the trees in her gorgeous gown...glowing with happiness.

being with Joe and Debbie is always cause for fun!!

 Peter and JonPaul are to the far right.

chill'in at the Ehlerts- with Uncle Matt and the tractor...

Feel'in so grateful for family once again.  For the Ehlerts easy hospitality and for Clark and Jenna taking the time to come up for a visit. For spending time with friends and nieces and nephews...for all the rich blessings I enjoy!!  And for the  great beauty that surrounds us here in Utah.  Simple pleasures!!!

Peace Friends!!!

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