More birthday stuff, lots of pics

I wanted to add some additional pictures, so here they are. The flowers were a pre-birthday gift from Jason, and they smell better than they look. I got alot of great gifts; a new CHI flat iron, a Cropadile (for scrappin it up!), a much needed Wilton icing tip, a new Featherweight bag (for cake deco), my super wonderful Flip cam., and my gift to humanity was that I bought myself a pair of Spanx :). I loved everything and especially all the sincere birthday shoutouts on FB have been wonderful, as well as the emails. Thanks so much everyone for making a great birthday exceptional !!!

Happy birthday to ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took this video on my new Flip cam that Jason gave me for my birthday. He followed all of my subtle hints, like "hey I want a Flip for my birthday." and "Jason I would love you to buy me a Flip for my birthday." I know, it seems really forward, but Jason needs the less than subtle hints, and honestly I believe that if you want something you should say it and not just expect your spouse to figure it out. Annnnyway, I have been having a great birthday despite the fact that Sam gave me my present in the form of vomit as I was getting ready to leave for Church. Michael was puklicious yesterday so I asked Jason to keep him home today. I felt awful that they have been sick, but I am prone to believe that it must have been some sort of odd bug, bc after they get sick all the boys have been just fine. I hate seeing my boys sick, especially since they are all such active kids.
I will post pics of my bday cake that I am working on later.

Turkey day

I hope that everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving. Our family went to Ogden to meet up with Aunt B and Uncle Ben. We had our Thanksgiving a little early due to the fact that Ben was on duty that night, he is a Murray City police officer. So instead of dinner we had a magnificent Thanksgiving lunch. It was a little sad to be at Grammie's without her. I could feel her watchful eye over my shoulder as I prepared the mashed potatoes. She was usually in charge of the potatoes and green bean casserole. She was a great cook and she was definitely missed. Ben asked if he could make the turkey since he had never done one before. I have to say that I had zero quams about him doing it. Jason and I have been making it for the last eight years so someone else doing it was a relief :) He did a fantastic job and the turkey turned out wonderful. The kids played games while the adults, I use that term loosely, talked over dessert in the kitchen. As we were talking I thought for just a moment, wait when did we become the adults?? It seems like it wasn't that long ago that I was eating my Thanksgiving meal at the "little kids" table while my brothers squeezed mashed potatoes out of their thin pressed lips.
I can recall all the work that went into Thanksgiving Day at our house growing up. My mom would be up late prepping all the things that went into her amazing stuffing. It wasn't until late in high school that I really learned what went into that stuffing. I won't post it online, but it tastes much better than the ingredients would indicate. My sister and I would clean up the house, while my brothers pretended to be cleaning. When everything was cleared off we would set the table and side buffet. I can remember how warm the smell of the turkey was. My older sister was generally caught picking at the turkey skin claiming that she was just checking for quality purposes. In elementary school, the holidays carried a wonderful feeling. Not only was there no school, but there was also great food, and laughter. I hope that with all that has happened in our last year that my kids still experienced a bit of what its like to be surrounded by loving family and great moments. I pray the memories that we are creating are ones that reflect the true gratefulness we hold for this years opportunities. Never in my life would I have imagined that I would have had a year like this. One that would allow me the opportunity time and again to re-affirm my faith, and my love for the Savior.

I have always like Emerson and I think that he expresses it best when he says,

For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!


Everything that we have is a gift. Every moment, every breath, and yes every life that silently ends is a gift. I appreciate all that I have, and all that my Heavenly Father sees in me. Especially the things that I am too clouded to see in myself. Hope. He has some for me so I should have some in Him.

HaPpY bIrThDaY mIcHaEl !!!!!!!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Monkey-Moo!!! Michael was up bright and early to see what presents he got. For his brithday Michael got two new outfits, Handy Manny's Toolbelt, Legos, and a remote controlled Bounce n' Go racer. He is taking a friend to Toad's, indoor rec area, for some go-kart racing and tons of fun!
We are so happy that you are in our family. You are such a fun little man with lots of energy and smiles. We are excited for all your future birthdays. We love you Moo!

To Grammie with love

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"
"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: 'Here she comes!"
And that is dying.
Henry Van Dyke

I found this poem and instantly thought of Grammie Hazel. She was never one to think herself "beautiful", but I found her to be the most beautiful person on the inside. She was a loving grandmother, caring and thoughtful. She recounted a few days ago with Jason about our first meeting in May of 1996. I had nearly forgotten that we asked her to lunch and she was unable to attend. Since then I have laughed with her. Learned from her. Mourned with her. Rejoiced with her. Any finally, just enjoyed her. Serving her as a caretaker was easy because she was so thankful. Sometime there were challenges as she would resist help, not wanting to be a burden. I would tell her that it was no problem, and for her nothing was too difficult to do. In my heart it made me happy to hear that she would not let others help saying, "I'll wait for Mindy." Knowing that she could depend on me felt good. It was when I KNEW that she considered me every bit of family as her own bio grandkids. Not an easy feat. She loved her family and cared about their lives. I have to say that in my heart she has created a template for an attribute that I aspire to, enduring to the end. She would be in agonizing pain and just "buck up". In her last few days her eyes were more telling about the level of pain that she was in, but her mouth wouldn't utter it. As I wiped her tears today all I could say was that I was sorry she hurt. It was difficult to look at her without feeling a wash of overwhelming compassion fill your heart. Truly elect in many ways. She chose to live everyday without complaint. I think that is why up until the very end she could smile. I know she knew she was loved. I hope that she watches over me and my family with love and tells Joseph all about his family on earth. She is beloved to me and will always be my Grammie Hazel.