Happy Halloween!

Halloween 2008. Quite a different experience for me, now that my kids are either grown and gone or busy. I have spent my day driving kids and scoping out possible half price finds for the sales tomorrow. As I spied a costume clad person here and there, I remembered the fun of making costumes for the kids - remember Chicago Bears Football, The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan themes, kids? - the class parties I did for them, the fun of trick or treating. I will be spending our night at the final football game for the North Pointe Falcons, and Kayty will be slaving with last minute partiers in Party City. The sad part is that the dinner I planned - Dinner in a Pumpkin - would have had no kids to eat it, so we are just eating leftovers. I will put those cute Halloween plates, forks, and spoons away and save them for next year. Nathan will be playing football again, so perhaps we should celebrate before he begins...but that would be in JUNE!! Aaargh! Anyway, have a great trick or treat.

Wow! I just couldn't believe it when I saw Kathy's blog and saw that it was Thankful Thursday again. Boy, this week has sure gone by fast, but I guess that is because I was not here for part of that week!
First, I am so thankful for cars that can get us from place to place. I got to see my sweet grandbabies this past weekend. I cannot imagine saying goodbye and never seeing them again, as many families did during pioneer times. I am thankful that we got there and back safely and that Kayty and Nathan did okay and got where they needed to be! (Thank you Grandma and the Meikle Family!!) I am so thankful for Adam and Gracie and just the wonderful little people that they are. Adam is smart and he thinks things through. He knows just what he wants in life. He is fun to be with and fun to play with, and he reads so well! And Gracie, well, other than the fact that she is very good at looking for Papa all the time (I am not mad at her saying "Papa" over and over...just jealous that there were only a few "GRammys" mixed in there. But Papa just adores this, and has reminded me of it FREQUENTLY this week!!)anyway, she just is the cutest...she always has that adorable smile on her face and she, well, at the temple she saw some butterflies and just wanted to touch and to see, and that is what she is. She is sweet and curious and just the most wonderful little butterfly herself!! I am thankful that they are cared for by the most amazing mother and the most dedicated father in the world. As a Grammy, I am truly blessed.
I am thankful for all the things we can do with our time and that we have the chance to develop our talents. I just completed outlining the last 25 of my 125 Christmas ornaments that I make every year. I should finish them tomorrow...and meet my goal. I took pictures with my camera this week. My husband and son have worked on their respective vehicles that they are restoring this week. Nathan has played football all week (last game is tomorrow...anyone ready to shout hooray!!), Kate has sung and sung and played the piano and listened and played the piano...well you get the picture. When Dee was in India, their daily life was full of just working to survive...to eat, to wear clean clothes, and to keep the weather off of them. No hobbies, no cultural events - other than the Hindu celebrations for their various gods - no pianos, no cameras, no baking cookies... Our life here gives us so many opportunities to try things, to see things, to make ourselves better, and I am so very thankful for that!!
And, finally, for today, I am so thankful for all the people I have gotten better acquainted with through this blog. I was at such a low time in my life, and then Allison shared blogging with me, I lurked and looked, and I now have more dear, sweet wonderful people in my life than I possibly could have imagined. Thank you, dear Annie, Jannicke, Catherine, Kathy, Chantel, Danyel, Allison, Amber, Cherise, Brynn, Alisa, and...well I just cannot possibly name everyone, but I am thankful for your sharing your life and your loves with people like me. I am so grateful that I can call all of you my friends. I am truly blessed!!!

Copy and paste the words. Bold the things you have done...
Thank you, Annie, for a wonderful idea!!
1. Started your own blog 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyland 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a Marathon 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset 31. Hit a home run . 32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 35. Seen an Amish community 36. Taught yourself a new language 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person 39. Gone rock climbing 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David 41. Sung karaoke . 42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant 44. Visited Africa 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight 46. Been transported in an ambulance 47. Had your portrait painted 48. Gone deep sea fishing 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling 52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud 54. Gone to a drive-in theater 55. Been in a movie 56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business . 58. Taken a martial arts class 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 62. Gone whale watching 63. Got flowers for no reason 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma 65. Gone sky diving 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 67. Bounced a check . 68. Flown in a helicopter 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial 71. Eaten Caviar 72. Pieced a quilt. 73. Stood in Times Square 74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job . 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 77. Broken a bone . 78. Been on a speeding motorcycle 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person 80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper 85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House . 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox 89. Saved someone’s life 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous 92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one 94. Had a baby 95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake 97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee


Now, that is me...for Dee, you can add: stood in Time's Square, seen the Alamo, and been stung by a bee( he was trying to save it from drowning and it got him!!)

It Wasn't Easy, But It Was Worth It

I am just learning photography. I am still stuck on "bigger number-smaller aperature" (I am really trying, Alan!) Anyway, we got to spend a little time with our grandbabies and their wonderful parents in Vegas, and I took some pics of them for our Christmas Card on Sunday at the Las Vegas Temple. Now, I love to look at blogs and see poses, and I thought I would try a few. No one said, that in order to get this...


You get to enjoy this first...





It was so fun with sweet Grace. Adam patiently waited while she waited for the right moment! She truly is my little butterfly...always a new adventure, always new fun, always new smiles!

I will post more about this fantastic trip later. A big thanks, though, to Allison, my wonderful daughter and her sweet hubby, Mike, for putting up with me! And super, duper thanks to my wonderful, cute, awesome, handsome, and most fantastic chauffer...my hubby, aka Papa! (Grace asked for Papa so much, that I now refer to myself as "Not-the-Papa!")

Tag...You're It! Five Things

5 Things I Was Doing Ten Years Ago...
1. I had all six of my children in school: Allison, Ethan and Doran at Mountain Ridge, Morgan was at Hillcrest, and Kayty and Nathan were at Las Brisas Elementary (Nathan in Kindergarten!!)
2. Dee left being a machinist at work and became a Six Sigma Black Belt (this is significant because he had classes and homework and everything in our lives changed, since he moved from blue collar to white collar and I have very few pics of anything from that time except birthdays, Easter, and Christmas.)
3. I spent my days driving kids to and from scouts, school activities, etc.
4. All else is a total blur!!
5.

5 Things on Today's "To Do" list...
1. Take pictures of Kate at Saguaro Ranch Park
2. Drive Kate and Nate to and from school and football
3. Load car for trip to Las Vegas - gotta fit that surprise for Adam and GRace in the back seat!
4. Go to Fry's and get chickens to put in the smoker
5. Go to Nate's Football game at Scottsdale Christian High

5 Snacks I enjoy... (Now, I may not eat these at all now, but these are my favs)
1. Sugar Free Banana Popsicles from Fry's/Kroger
2. Goldfish Crackers
3. Sugar Free Kroger Pina Colada Yogurt
4. Dill Pickles
5. Sunflower Seeds

5 Things I Would Do If I Were A Millionaire...
1. After tithing, put money away in savings (not stock!) for at least 3 missions
2. Finish the house (new roof, stucco/rock the outside, finish my bedroom damaged in the storm 10 years ago, finish all projects inside and out.
3. Finish Dee's truck the best way it can be, not the "this will get me by" way.
4. Buy all my kids houses
5. Save...save...save!

5 Places I Have Lived...
1. Phoenix, Arizona...that's it
2.
3.
4.
5.

5 Jobs That I Have Had...
1. Babysitter
2. Receptionist at YWCA Health Club
3. Personnel Clerk at Valley Distributing
4. Receptionist for Doctor
5. Day Care Center Employee

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, Let the person that tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog.I tag: Anyone interested in doing this!! :)

A Night of Music

Music was on tap for our family tonight as we attended Kayty's first college concert. She is in the Women's Choir and the A Capella Choir. They did such a fine job. It was so nice going to a performance of people who were all so talented and who were doing what the wanted to do! And the best part was watching Kayty. She loves to sing! And we love to listen. So it was just a perfect evening!!

Thankful Thursday

While reading a dear friend from church's blog, she wrote about her sister including things she was thankful for and calling it "Thankful Thursday". It sounded like such a perfect thing to do, especially now. Then, as I investigated further, I found many who do this, every week. So, I am joining the many others who are thankful today, and always.

I am thankful for so many things. First, I am thankful that my Mom pursued her interest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was a rebellious 13 year old, and that we were blessed with the Gospel, for without it, I would have nothing else. I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father and all He has blessed me with. I am thankful for my savior, Jesus Christ, and for his atoning for my sins. I am thankful for the Holy Ghost and his constant protection, comfort, and guidance.

I am thankful for a wonderful, smart, gorgeous, and nearly perfect husband. He is the love of my life and I am so thankful I get to share my eternity with him, if I live worthily. I am thankful he has a good job, and that he works so hard at it, as well as his other jobs, to provide for us. I am thankful for his love, his patience, his example, his leadership, and his determination to always do what the Lord would have us do. He is just...well, he amazes me, and my love and gratitude grow for him each day.

I am thankful for my nine wonderful children. Allison continues to just make me so very thankful to be her mom. She is the best wife, the best mom, the best student! Michael is so good and steadfast. He blesses my daughter and my grandchildren every day and he leads their home in righteousness. Ethan is the hardest worker I ever have encountered, and I am thankful for his constant striving for the best he can be. I am thankful for Cameo's gentle beauty. She brings color to a world that can sometimes be drab, and she is always willing to try anything! Doran, III is my stalwart and I am thankful he is just always there to help us. He makes things work that don't work and is always ready to lend a hand. I am thankful for sweet, wonderful Danyel. She is always ready to just help me with anything...washing dishes, getting a recipe, finding a felt stocking that I had given up on. She is the sweetest person you could ever meet. I am thankful for Morgan and the spice he brings in my life. With him, life is never dull, and I know he will always, no matter, what, tell me that he loves me. I am thankful for Kayty and her music, and her drama, and all that she does for me. She keeps me on my toes. She is unplanned and unpredictable, yet she is good and sweet and kind. I am thankful for Nathan. He never gives up and is fervent in the knowledge he has. He admires Nephi and keeps me on the straight and narrow. He is such a good person.

I am also thankful for my three grandbabies. Adam is the love of my heart. He is practical and logical, and yet he makes my visits there so very fun. HE is patient when Grammy can't figure out the video game and tries to help me with my math when I can't do it fast enough. He makes me smile all the time. Grace is, well I call her my butterfly. She gets into her share of mischief, but not deliberately. She is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face! She makes things pretty, just like she is. I am thankful for Charles and for the few moments I got to hold his tiny little body. I know he watches over all of us and anxiously awaits our return to him.

Well, that is enough for this Thankful Thursday. Next week, more...

Today, So Far

Well, so far, it has been a productive day...I tell you this blog should not be a daily diary, but my going to the dentist alone and not running is quite an accomplishment for me!!! Crown is prepped now, and I go back in November for the rest. New treatment plan starts in January when I get new dental benefits ($1500 per year doesn't go very far.) Word to the wise: never, ever chew ice...you will pay the price! (Hey, I made a rhyme!) Since I was going to be in the area, I drove the van to the dentist and then took it to emissions check and registered it for the year. I just love that van!! Too bad it only gets 10 miles to the gallon! That was my vehicle, so now I am just a squatter driving Dee's Jeep or Dee's Car. Oh, well, they are paid for!!! Then stood in a ridiculously long line to replenish our supply of Sudafed (now, I ask you, why do I have to stand in a line a pharmacy just to get some nasal decongestants? I sign for them like the are a narcotic! Has any crack been taken off the street as a result of these silly regulations? I doubt it! But I get to stand in a line with a runny nose just to get relief. And, if it is needed after the pharmacy closes...well, you are sure out of luck! Better find a crack house!)
Well, it seems that I have been on a soapbox for too long! Sorry for the lecture, but thanks for lending an ear!!

Week Ahead Full of Good and Not So Good

Mondays are so busy for me! First, getting the kids back into the school routine nearly kills me! Fortunately, Nathan only forgot his mesh football shirt this morning - don't know if he can play with just pads or what, but I guess he will figure it out! They just refuse to get ready the night before...but, I digress, this lecture needn't be given to all! Cleaning is a big time chore on Monday, especially since on Saturday we attended a funeral and Dee played a block party. You would think that nothing would get messy with many of us gone (Nathan and Ethan were hunting elk - not successful), but I guess no one here means no one here to clean up. However, I just love to get my house clean. I spoke with Dorrie this morning and she remembered her mom saying "I hope you are having fun cleaning that brand new car!" and she thought then how nice it was to have a new car to clean. I don't mind at all cleaning up after Dee...the memory of India still is fresh, so I don't mind at all the signs that Dee is here and not gone!! But those two kids, now, I don't need evidence of their existence!!! Oh, well, I love Monday big mopping, etc. I still have bathrooms to do, but that will be okay when it is all done.

Now, my week has started well! My visiting teachers from church are coming tomorrow...then the phone rings with a reminder that I have a dental appt. tomorrow. That darn crown I have put off twice is just haunting me...So I better just get it over with. YUCK! I'll call Stacy this afternoon to reschedule! Good things: ornaments 75 to 100 are almost done...5 more to outline, then varnish and embellish all. I hope to get 100 - 125 done in 10 days...not too probable! Plus, Good thing: Kate has a concert this week - women's choir and a capella choir! Bad news - I still have to hem her dress!! Good News: Dee may get to take Friday off of work to work on panel truck. Doran can help him that day. Great news: going to Vegas on Saturday and coming back Sunday - get to see Adam's Primary Program. (You know, there is nothing better than seeing those two grandbabies of mine!! And I have a full shelf of stuff and things to take to Allison!) Bad news - still no substitute for my nursery on Sunday! (If any of you reading this want to volunteer, I will be ever in your debt!!) Good News - Nate plays football against Scottsdale Christian High. He will probably get to play (he got to play in the first half the last game - but that means that they were losing, so the 2nd string came in...lost the game 50something to 6 - but the second string didn't let them score many points) Bad news -Scottsdale Christian is another private school, so we may lose again, but it is still good if Nate the Great, as his coach calls him, gets to play.

I guess that's it...at least for what I KNOW will happen. Now what is going to surprise me...

I Hear Candy Corn...

Years ago, I gave up sweets...me.. a self-confessed chocoholic gave up sweets. I began to exercise and run and hike. I lost lots of weight and I work every day to keep it off. I have passed up Texas Sheet Cakes, Christmas Fudge, you name it, I have said no...and did it without any trouble. But, there are sweet treats filling the pottery bowls around my house this time of year that never before caused me even a second glance, but now are beckoning me at every step. I was dusting, and they called me...I was washing dishes, and they called me. Those sweet, orange and yellow and white tasty creamy wonderful morsels. CANDY CORN! I need to stay away. Last Friday and Saturday, I punished myself for indulging by running 4.5 miles instead of my usual 3, but there is not time enough to do that during the week. I wasn't going to buy any more, but then they were there in all their goodness at Fry's...I felt that I was stronger than these little candies... I have not given in yet, today, but this evening...I just don't know. I need help!!

Our Garden is In...Now to Keep the Animals Away

Well, Dee and I did our part tonight to try to be more self reliant. We planted our garden. First, we planted sweet peas. These flowers are special to us. When we were dating, Dee would go next door to Grampa Ethan's house and get some sweet peas that Grampa had cut and prepared for him to bring to me. I loved having them in my room...they smelled so good. Grampa always had the best flowers, the best garden. He was an amazing man! Dee has planted them a few times here. I realized awhile back that the time he spends prepping the garden and the great care he takes in getting them to grow is one way he demonstrates his love for me. Of course,some years have been better than others (weather sometimes played a key role, but lately it has been those darn chickens of Nate's! ) I cannot wait until they get to the point that I can walk out and cut bouquets of those wonderful flowers and put them on the table and in the kitchen window.

We also planted snow peas, swiss chard, and collard greens. Now, since Dee makes the best Chinese food in the world, the snow peas are something we all will eat.

However, when it comes to leafy veggies, I love salad with nice, crispy iceberg lettuce. I am not into eating wilted greens, either raw or cooked. However, Dee served his Church mission in Georgia, so he is a southern boy at heart. It isn't a problem...I will cook, and he will eat. Sounds like a plan.

We are going to plant cilantro, but in a container. Nathan wants to make some of his salsa...the stuff is hot enough to take paint off a barn, but he loves making it.

Now, if the birds, chickens, and those two pesky squirrels we have in our yard will just leave things be, we should have a good outcome! But, if them thar' squirrels make a showing in my yard, I may get that ol' pellet gun out and...well, the implied actions are not appropriate for nursery children to even think that Sister Rice would do!!! You get the picture, though.

Wish I Hadn't Have Wished!

My sister, who lives in Riverton, Utah, was talking to me on the phone the other day about shopping for food, and how she shops the case lot sales. I had never heard of them, and she was surprised that we didn't have anything like that here. Well, leave it to Fry's...their new ad features a case lot sale. So, after I dropped Nathan at his school, Kayty and I stopped at Fry's for me to experience my first case lot sale. Well, no rushes of crazed shoppers (the store is pretty empty at 7:20 A.M.) but I did get kidney and pinto beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and peanut butter. I loaded the cart up (thanks for the help Kayty!! - I am being sarcastic...at load up time, she disappeared to buy silly string), paid for my goods and we filled the jeep. I dropped her off at GCC and then returned home. Uh oh...no one home to help unload. Trip after trip later, I realized why they have these sales in Utah - lots of children to help unload. Then came the task of moving stuff around in the pantry to accomodate the new cases of food. After shifting and shifting and sweeping and sweeping (Nathan got mad a while back when a box of Reese's Puffs would not fit on the shelf, so he smashed and smashed the box until it fit, sending Reese's Puffs everywhere. There is rarely a day that I do not find a piece of that cereal here or there...on top shelf by the jello, on the floor behind the laundry soap, scrunched up next to the sacks of wheat and rice. The memory of his temper tantrum lingers on and on!!) it all fit, except for one five-gallon bucket of honey. Now, where do I need a new table....

11.21.08 What Day is That?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1GbukZnl1Y

The Passing of a Dear Friend

We found out on Sunday night that a dear friend of ours, Randy Black, lost his battle with cancer. It was a short battle...I looked back at my emails from their family and the first one that explained his disease came on March 5, 2008. He had lung cancer and it had spread. It was amazing to his doctors that a man who never had smoked contracted lung cancer. He was very ill at first. He lost much weight, the treatments to prolong his life left him tired, but he did improve and we were so blessed at church to hear him speak just a couple of weeks ago. He was strong, as he spoke of The Articles of Faith (a list of the basic beliefs of our Church). He joked about how his hair had grown back...sort of in a mohawk style... It was the Randy we all knew. It was a talk that touched me and I will always remember.

Dee and I were thinking on Sunday night after we heard the news. Of course, I was so sad for Joy. She has lost her beloved husband, but isn't it a blessing to know that he is doing the Lord's work on the other side of the veil, and that their marriage will last both for this life and for eternity since they were sealed in the holy temple. They will be together forever, though they are separated now. Randy was our bishop for years. I served as a counselor in the Primary, and as a Primary President during this time. I was responsible to attend all the 8 year old baptisms.
One year...there were 24, if I do remember correctly... I loved it when he would speak at the baptisms. He spoke a lot about the Holy Ghost and how he is there to help us make good choices. He told about how the Holy Ghost speaks to us in a still, small voice. He would quote the scripture found in 1 Kings 19: 11-12 about how we are guided by the Lord through the Holy Ghost and the still, small voice. He would tell them a story about a toy he had when he was a child...kind of an action figure of sorts...and it had a toy cobra with it. One day, he lost the cobra and looked and looked to find it. He said a prayer and listened and was led to where it had fallen. He told them that the cobra was not as important to Heavenly Father as it was that he knew that prayers are answered. What great counsel he would give...those kids are now in their 20's but the message is true today. Randy would always be there for advise and counsel when we sought it. Since both of our dad's have been gone many years, we would look to him for counsel when we needed it. He was always there for anything we needed.

We will surely miss him, but we take comfort in knowing that life does not end here, and that he is healthy and safe on the other side, being with family who have already passed on, teaching the gospel to those who want to know, until he can one day be reunited with his dear Joy and their children. We are so very blessed to have been able to know such a man! I hope to live a life like he lived.

Articles Of Faith

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
-Joseph Smith

Playlist Explanation

Due to the fact that I have borne 4 "grinchy" sons (well, maybe not Morgan...he doesn't check my blog so he has not filed any complaints, as of this moment), I have added songs that are "appropriate" for the season we are in now, hence, Halloween. I refuse to remove my Christmas music..."Santa Baby" used to be the ring on my cell phone when my sweet hubby called me, that is until we got an LG phone and I could not record my own ringtone...They will just have to endure, hopefully in silence!! There you go, sweet sons - especially Nathan - Halloween Holiday music, mixed with Mom's favorites! And may the Great Pumpkin pass by your pumpkin patch this year!! Remember, a happy Mom is a Mom who gets you Christmas presents!!!

Challenge Met

Well, I finally finished Kayty's room. (I just needed to sew the dresser cloth...she tends to spill on the furniture, and this seems to help.) When she asked for pink camouflage and skulls, I was rather hesitant. None of the older kids were ever even allowed to wear black (I confess, kids, I have thrown in the towel here.)

However, she so happy with her room, and I still hear her in there laughing with the movies she loves to watch, and singing Broadway show tunes and playing her keyboard, so I guess I will survive this challenge.

She wanted more black in the walls, but I won on that one. Now, watch, six months from now, she will want to be blonde and for me to paint the room sage green and have a floral print bedspread. If she does....

Another Friday Night at the Football Game

Nathan's team played the team from Camp Verde High School last night at Glendale Community College Field. The game did not have a great outcome for the team (lost 54-3) but Nathan got a chance to play. He did so well on this play, he tackled the guy, and the next thing I knew his name was being announced over the loud speakers as doing a good thing!! (I looked at these photos up close and he tackled someone...maybe the quarterback - not sure) I was so excited.

Now, I know I was supposed to be trying new camera settings for my camera club tonight, but I got all mixed up, so I just set it on auto, though I did try to "follow the subject" when Nate was running on the field. I did better, too...not so many blurry ones this time.

Seven Things About Me

7 Things I plan to do before I die...
1. Serve full time Church Missions with Dee, at least one to Bangalore, India
2. Be in the temple with all six of my children and their spouses, who are/will be as dear to me as my own children.
3. Go to New York City and see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the beautifully decorated store windows
4. Hike the Grand Canyon
5. Learn to paint so that I can paint paintings
6. Play with many grandchildren (come on, you married ones...Allison gave me two grandbabies...with only two each, that would give me six in the next few years...)
7. Be A Great Photographer

7 Things I Can Do
1. Drive - I transport kids a lot!!! and there are only 2 still at home
2. Paint - From Christmas Ornaments to Camouflage Walls in kids' rooms
3. Cook - I love to cook for Dee and to try new things...and he never complains about the experiments!
4. Schedule and Organize - I love my lists... I clean by lists, I have a spreadsheet (not made by me - husband works at Honeywell...nuff said!) for our budget, our years supply
5. Do my exercising, and running or a hike
6. Help Dee with house and car projects - I have stuccoed, tiled, scraped grease from a front end, put together an engine, layed block walls, sanded, scraped, etc.
7. Camping

7 Things I cannot do
1. Be apart from Dee for more than 4 days (India trip proved that one big time! I still cannot go to sleep unless I have my hand on him!)
2. Run more that 4 miles...3 is my usual, 4 is pushing it
3. Eat okra - a vegetable complete with its own snot!
4.Figure out Excel
5. Hunt with Dee without being a "girl". Okay, when I went dove hunting with him and I finally got one, I jumped up and down and cheered for myself...until I saw the other hunters near us looking with horror on their faces...Apparantly, jumping up and down and screaming is not appropriate "hunter behavior".
6. Stop worrying about ALL of my kids; Allison, Mike, Adam, Grace, Ethan, Cameo, Doran, Danyel, Morgan, Katelyn, Nathan...you are always in my thoughts and prayers
7. The most important...stop praying. I would not be able to survive without being able to communicate with my loving Heavenly Father and pouring my whole soul out to Him. He is ALWAYS there for me and has blessed me in abundance!!

7 Things That Attracted Me to Dee
1. His gorgeous crystal blue eyes- they are beautiful and they show his pure heart and soul
2. His hard work - I remember when we met at Phoenix College Institute, he was in an engineering class and had built a bridge out of toothpicks and it was still a little wet because he went to school full time, rode his bike miles to get to and from school to save on gas, worked many hours at a grocery store, and still was trying to keep up on homework. He was so cute in that brown sweater as he worked on that bridge so he could get it to class. That just was a foreshadow for years of very hard work, working 3 jobs at times, to take good care of our family.
3. His spirit. He loves the gospel and it always shows. He was converted to the church from reading the Book of Mormon. He loves the Lord and dedicates his every action to honoring Him.
4. His sweet smile - It just lights up my heart!
5. His dedication - nothing stops him...He thinks and thinks and then conquers. When he was made editor of the Phx. Institute Newspaper after I had been it, he just worked and worked until he could get it just right, and that was before computers!
6. His voice - that is the first thing that made him stand out. We were in a Doctrine and Covenants Class. He was behind me. I didn't even know what he looked like, but when he answered a question and I heard his voice, something from within just...well, I didn't recognize what was happening at the time, but it was like in Saturday's Warrior..."...I've heard that voice before..." He is so calming when he talks. He has gotten me through 5 labor and deliveries with no medication and that calming voice (thank heavens for epidurals and Nathan). And when he sings...I just can't get enough.
7. His looks...hey, he is sooo hot! No one even comes close for me!

7 Things I say most often
1. Wake up...
2. Stop it Kate and Nate (constantly fighting!)
3. When do you have to be at ... ?
4. Let's go Falcons!
5. I love you
6. Who are you?
7. Nathan, bring those stinky clothes out to the wash!


7 Celebrity Admirations
1. Sarah Pallin
2. Beau Bridges - I swear he came in the delivery room when Allison was being born!
3. Julie Andrews - I am a die hard Sound of Music fan
4. Sandra Bullock
5. Robert Redford - the early years
6. Martha Stewart
7. Paula Deen

7 Favorite Foods
1. Raw Cauliflower
2. Salad
3. Chimichangas from TeePee Restaurant
4. Red Devil Pizza - the old restaurant on McDowell and 24th Street
5. My Mom's turkey dressing
6. My Mom In Laws Cauliflower with Cheese
7. Chocolate- though it gives me a terrible headache to eat it now!

7 people I think should do this
1. Allison - but I know how busy you are
2. Jannicke
3. Danyel
4. Jackie
5. Sharynn
6. Annie
7. Kathy

Fun With Photography

I am in a photography club at church, so now I try to think differently when I take photos. It was interesting...as I was looking over my camera manual, I found that I had buttons to help me take pics...portraits, sports, landscapes, etc. and the camera would "pre-set" for the conditions. It did help, just a bit, but I have a long, long way to go before I can photograph any sporting event of any consequence.


The school he played at had visitor bleachers that were just right on the field...no elevated seating here, so I just went right out on the field and sat down...me, an old lady down on the field on the grass taking pictures. Nathan couldn't believe it...and was even more surprised when the team didn't just run over me...so was I!!






This is one of my favorite warm up drills...looks like he is bringing a basket of goodies to Grandma's house!!


This was one of those "picture tells a story" shots, though I should have moved the camera either way...there's this thing called the rule of thirds. Anyway, the guy was telling Nate something about being a tight end, at least I think that is what Nathan just said.

Alas, the old lady had to stay in her seat, at least periodically. But this was such a good pic of Nathan's coach giving him instructions.

Now, as you can probably tell, since Nathan got to play, the team either was creaming the other team, or was being creamed. (It was the latter situation...final score 45-3) But, Nathan is getting really good at this football stuff, if I do say so myself. He's a sophomore playing varsity football, so next year...watch out!!

Photo Op

Kayty came out this morning, ready for school, and said, "My hair worked today, if you want to take a picture." Well, it was two minutes before we had to leave to get Nate to seminary, but these words had never crossed her lips before, so I jumped at the chance. I set my Nikon for portrait (amazing what you learn about that dial on the top when you read the manual!) and took a few pics. Ain't she a beauty!!

Now, I am in our Thunderbird Hills Ward photo club, so I used her to accomplish a few of the ten different pics I need to take this week. Thanks Kate...

Halloween/Fall Are Here!

Well, it is finished...I am putting up before and after pics...hopefully you can see the changes! The little pictures are the "before" pics...

New jack o lantern cookie jar, bats from the chandalier, fun tablecloth, and lots of pumpkins and ghosts that you cannot see very well. Also, Candy Corn in the dish in the window, in the entry, and in the living room. (Allison, I am trying to lure you back to Phoenix...can't you tell!!!)

Jack o lanterns, fall leaves, ghosts, witch on the table, Fall and Halloween pillows.

Witch, pumpkins, bear on the fireplace

Shelves are full of all sorts of things...Frankensteins, Candy Corn, Ghosts, witches, fall leaves, pumpkins...

Adam, Grammy did it...and I didn't get any wonderful help like Mommy has with you!! I remember when you were a tiny baby and I bought you a little pumpkin, just your size, when we went to Albertson's. Every time I see baby pumpkins, I think of you!! Ask Mommy put some pictures up on your blog of your house, when she gets some time.