So a funny thing happened while I was laughing at the other people on the church singles sites . . . Tom Turner!
We have been dating now since April with him coming to South Carolina so far and talking on the phone nightly (at least when he is in the country . . . ). I am planning on going to Virginia at the end of July to meet his ward and his family and then we will rotate our visits based on my new calling and the fun and scheduling it is requiring in my life!
Am loving serving as the Relief Society President in my ward primarily because I have an awesome ward, an amazing Bishop (Bishopbric), wonderful counselors and a secretary who has already earned the Celestial Kingdom!
Katelyn and I praying for her Mom's parole next month and are asking all we know to participate in that both by fasting and praying so that we don't have to do this again next year.
How blessed I am for all that my Heavenly Father gives me every minute of every day and for each and every one of his tender mercies, including those I don't know about ... yet.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Just in time for Easter ~
So in preparation of Easter next weekend, my thoughts have turned to all my many blessings.
Since Katelyn came home I am back to reading her a book every night before bed. One of her favorite ones is "the potty book", known to others as the "I Love you always and forever book".
So, of course, I am reading the potty book to her the other night and I make it through about 5 pages and then the bawling starts!
I think of Jeremy sitting on my lap when he came from his mission. I think of the ache in my heart when Jennifer announced her divorce. I think of watching Karen in child birth for the first time. I think of Nathan leaving President Dorny's office just before the gates of hell opened.
I think of the children that were not born to me because of choices I made and those who can be mine if I make enough good choices from here on out.
Then I remember being in the celestial room with all of my babies and thinking my Mom was smiling down from Heaven, having never had that blessing in her life. I think of walking her down the stairs at the Manti temple when Mark was sealed even as my marriage was crumbling around me and what a blessing and privilege it is to have her as my Mom for all eternity. I think of how proud I was to have my Dad and Mary serving a mission.
Then my thoughts turn to my grand children who are the reason I work so I can take vacations and spend time with them, bear hug them to pieces, tickle them to pieces and love them forever and always, just like their parents before them and just like the potty book!
My Heavenly Father must love me always and forever for blessing me to be a Mom and a Gramma/Grammasita!
My Savior's atonement makes it possible for me to have all of them with me forever. Thank goodness no one is disowned from Heavenly Father's family!
:-D
Since Katelyn came home I am back to reading her a book every night before bed. One of her favorite ones is "the potty book", known to others as the "I Love you always and forever book".
So, of course, I am reading the potty book to her the other night and I make it through about 5 pages and then the bawling starts!
I think of Jeremy sitting on my lap when he came from his mission. I think of the ache in my heart when Jennifer announced her divorce. I think of watching Karen in child birth for the first time. I think of Nathan leaving President Dorny's office just before the gates of hell opened.
I think of the children that were not born to me because of choices I made and those who can be mine if I make enough good choices from here on out.
Then I remember being in the celestial room with all of my babies and thinking my Mom was smiling down from Heaven, having never had that blessing in her life. I think of walking her down the stairs at the Manti temple when Mark was sealed even as my marriage was crumbling around me and what a blessing and privilege it is to have her as my Mom for all eternity. I think of how proud I was to have my Dad and Mary serving a mission.
Then my thoughts turn to my grand children who are the reason I work so I can take vacations and spend time with them, bear hug them to pieces, tickle them to pieces and love them forever and always, just like their parents before them and just like the potty book!
My Heavenly Father must love me always and forever for blessing me to be a Mom and a Gramma/Grammasita!
My Savior's atonement makes it possible for me to have all of them with me forever. Thank goodness no one is disowned from Heavenly Father's family!
:-D
Monday, January 4, 2010
2010
What an amazing year I have had! I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father and my Savior for this awesome life I have been given.
I am so grateful for my children, for their obedience, their strength, their love, their laughter, their spirits!
I am thankful for where I have been and that I am not there any more! I am thankful for the Atonement which makes my past just that, my past. I am thankful for being forgiven for those I have harmed/hurt and for being able to forgive those who hurt/harmed me or mine.
I am glad to wake up every morning and to lie down every night having been blessed with another day.
I owe much of who/what I am to those who have gone on before me. They know that and I know and we are the only ones that matter. I am Darla, Mom, Gramma, Sister Perry, Miss Perry (its a southern thing) and I am happy.
I am so grateful for my children, for their obedience, their strength, their love, their laughter, their spirits!
I am thankful for where I have been and that I am not there any more! I am thankful for the Atonement which makes my past just that, my past. I am thankful for being forgiven for those I have harmed/hurt and for being able to forgive those who hurt/harmed me or mine.
I am glad to wake up every morning and to lie down every night having been blessed with another day.
I owe much of who/what I am to those who have gone on before me. They know that and I know and we are the only ones that matter. I am Darla, Mom, Gramma, Sister Perry, Miss Perry (its a southern thing) and I am happy.
Monday, November 23, 2009
I am thankful for . . .
Our sharing time this month in Primary has been to teach the children how to give thanks through service, how to serve and how to show gratitude for service rendered.
Today I am thankful for a mother in Guatemala. Let me explain and bear testimony at the same time.
On Thursday night I packed up to leave the office, grabbed my purse, my phone, my banana and whatever else I needed to take home with me. I went down the hall, maybe 20 feet to the locked woman's restroom (my wife/boss and I are the only women on our floor and you have to have a key to use the restroom), locking my office door on the way. Then I went down to my truck (mine is the first parking space on the left in our parking lot, maybe another 30 feet from the front door) and went maybe 10 blocks downtown to attend a business reception at a law firm by the capital. When I got out of the parking space downtown I went to grab my purse and my phone, only NO PHONE! With a bunch of smelly construction workers standing around and being a little late to the reception I figured I would just look for it when I came out.
After the reception and fishing under both my seats and dumping my purse on the passanger seat . . . still no phone.
Keep in mind that EVERYONE I know and need/want to talk to is in that phone, along with some pretty funky ringtones and tons of pics of my grandbabies! So this phone is "worth" A LOT to me.
So, now I go back to the office, and call my cell from my office phone (it is on fibe but if it is close you can her it "buzz"). Nothing. I go down to the bathroom ... clean and empty. Nothing. I say my little Primary prayer asking Heavenly Father to help me find my phone and walk back out to my truck (slower, even though it is dark and my phone is maroon and still nothing.
I go home and park under the the light of my carport and take EVERYTHING out of the inside of my truck, both front seat and back seat! Then I go next door and ask Miss Virginia to call me from her phone. Nothing. Sweat neighbor that she is she asks me if I want to use her cell phone for the night (she is 78 this year).
The next morning when I get to work I check online (it is now Friday and I am driving up to Greenwood --- 1 1/2 hours each way --- on Saturday and I am in charge of the Priesthood Preview that night and my Primary President LOVES to text me ...) and call the 1-800 to see what kind of deal I can get on my not insured phone from Verizon. This nice call center dude (from SLC no less) gets permission to give me a deal I shouldn't get until next month when my phone is actually a year old. So I tell him I am going to go up to the local store (thinking it will be faster and they will match his deal ... I won't have to wait for his phone to ship on Saturday a.m. for $20 extra). Wasted an hour at the local store only to be told we can't do the deal the phone guy has and we can't break your new phone ($179) down over 3 months and there are no rebates cause I am not getting the deal I would get next month ...
Thankfully the Verizon dude calls me back, gets me the same phone for $79, plus a $50 Visa card (Go Nathan!) and guarantees delivery by noon on Saturday.
I send out a slew of emails about my retarded self/senior moment and then wait till 1:00 (we close early on Fridays here ... it is a Southern thing!). Only my husband/boss decides I need to drive him and our ex-con client down to their hearing on Main Street (just up from where I had parked the night before) so he doesn't have to fight for parking. So I take them downtown and of course he wants me to pick them up (sometime between 2 - 3 p.m. --- long after I want to be out of there) so I go back to the office and my wife/boss has left me a check for $200 for my new phone!
Pretty sweet huh!!! Then I putz around on facebook and clean up my outlook and wait for my bossman to call. All the time my door is locked and I am "closed". Finally go pick up the "boys" around 2:30 and come back to the office and get ready to shut my system down for the weekend when there is a knock at the door. In walks one of my neighbors from across the hall with my phone.
Cartarino, my Guatemalan janitor who tries to teach me Spanish, found it in the bathroom Thursday night and gave it to the neighbors who were still at work. Of course, he and the neighbors were gone by the time I came back after the reception so I missed them Thursay night. I also missed them on Friday morning when they first came in cause I was off to the Verizon store not getting a deal, and again when I was taking the "boys" to their hearing.
SO I am thankful for Cartarino's mother who raised an honorable son, for wonderful hall-mates, for my sweat neighbor for offering her phone, for my wife/boss for giving me money for a new phone (which I got and am keeping the "found" one as a spare in case this EVER happens again) and my husband boss for making me leave late on Friday!
Heavenly Father is AWESOME cause He answered my little Primary prayer!
:-D
Today I am thankful for a mother in Guatemala. Let me explain and bear testimony at the same time.
On Thursday night I packed up to leave the office, grabbed my purse, my phone, my banana and whatever else I needed to take home with me. I went down the hall, maybe 20 feet to the locked woman's restroom (my wife/boss and I are the only women on our floor and you have to have a key to use the restroom), locking my office door on the way. Then I went down to my truck (mine is the first parking space on the left in our parking lot, maybe another 30 feet from the front door) and went maybe 10 blocks downtown to attend a business reception at a law firm by the capital. When I got out of the parking space downtown I went to grab my purse and my phone, only NO PHONE! With a bunch of smelly construction workers standing around and being a little late to the reception I figured I would just look for it when I came out.
After the reception and fishing under both my seats and dumping my purse on the passanger seat . . . still no phone.
Keep in mind that EVERYONE I know and need/want to talk to is in that phone, along with some pretty funky ringtones and tons of pics of my grandbabies! So this phone is "worth" A LOT to me.
So, now I go back to the office, and call my cell from my office phone (it is on fibe but if it is close you can her it "buzz"). Nothing. I go down to the bathroom ... clean and empty. Nothing. I say my little Primary prayer asking Heavenly Father to help me find my phone and walk back out to my truck (slower, even though it is dark and my phone is maroon and still nothing.
I go home and park under the the light of my carport and take EVERYTHING out of the inside of my truck, both front seat and back seat! Then I go next door and ask Miss Virginia to call me from her phone. Nothing. Sweat neighbor that she is she asks me if I want to use her cell phone for the night (she is 78 this year).
The next morning when I get to work I check online (it is now Friday and I am driving up to Greenwood --- 1 1/2 hours each way --- on Saturday and I am in charge of the Priesthood Preview that night and my Primary President LOVES to text me ...) and call the 1-800 to see what kind of deal I can get on my not insured phone from Verizon. This nice call center dude (from SLC no less) gets permission to give me a deal I shouldn't get until next month when my phone is actually a year old. So I tell him I am going to go up to the local store (thinking it will be faster and they will match his deal ... I won't have to wait for his phone to ship on Saturday a.m. for $20 extra). Wasted an hour at the local store only to be told we can't do the deal the phone guy has and we can't break your new phone ($179) down over 3 months and there are no rebates cause I am not getting the deal I would get next month ...
Thankfully the Verizon dude calls me back, gets me the same phone for $79, plus a $50 Visa card (Go Nathan!) and guarantees delivery by noon on Saturday.
I send out a slew of emails about my retarded self/senior moment and then wait till 1:00 (we close early on Fridays here ... it is a Southern thing!). Only my husband/boss decides I need to drive him and our ex-con client down to their hearing on Main Street (just up from where I had parked the night before) so he doesn't have to fight for parking. So I take them downtown and of course he wants me to pick them up (sometime between 2 - 3 p.m. --- long after I want to be out of there) so I go back to the office and my wife/boss has left me a check for $200 for my new phone!
Pretty sweet huh!!! Then I putz around on facebook and clean up my outlook and wait for my bossman to call. All the time my door is locked and I am "closed". Finally go pick up the "boys" around 2:30 and come back to the office and get ready to shut my system down for the weekend when there is a knock at the door. In walks one of my neighbors from across the hall with my phone.
Cartarino, my Guatemalan janitor who tries to teach me Spanish, found it in the bathroom Thursday night and gave it to the neighbors who were still at work. Of course, he and the neighbors were gone by the time I came back after the reception so I missed them Thursay night. I also missed them on Friday morning when they first came in cause I was off to the Verizon store not getting a deal, and again when I was taking the "boys" to their hearing.
SO I am thankful for Cartarino's mother who raised an honorable son, for wonderful hall-mates, for my sweat neighbor for offering her phone, for my wife/boss for giving me money for a new phone (which I got and am keeping the "found" one as a spare in case this EVER happens again) and my husband boss for making me leave late on Friday!
Heavenly Father is AWESOME cause He answered my little Primary prayer!
:-D
Thursday, September 3, 2009
So I have a confession ~~~
If you thought I was a mean Mom, and I hope I was (may you ALL need/get therapy!) ... I am still the tough nut in my Primary Presidency. My president hurt herself at the beginning of the summer showing off trying to water ski and so much of the summer the 1st counselor (very quiet from South Africa) and I have been doing a lot of extra work. Thankfully, we finally got a secretary (didn't have one for like 6 months cause ours decided she just didn't want to any more after her teenage daughter got pregnant again ...)!
So I have a "Cameron" in Primary who hugs me like 10 times every Sunday whose REAL Grandpa came out from SLC to visit and he wanted to make sure he introduced him to his favorite "teacher". Moi!
I have already told SC Cameron that I need to take our picture some Sunday so I can send it to MY Cameron in AZ!
;-)
Then, of course, our Bishop, who has six children, all of whom are Primary or younger, has pistols (boys only ... his girls are angels, mostly, except when they are beating up on their older brother). And Collin, his 5-6 year old WANTS to have ADHD so he can have an excuse for being a booger ... but he just needs a week at "Camp Jennifer". Anyway, I harp on him ALL the time. Sit still Collin. Don't touch Ammon Collin. Turn around in your chair Collin. Quit playing with your tie Collin. Mostly I just mess up his name. His older brother's name is Colby, and what with Cameron and then we also have a Colton who is in Colby's class . . .
Anyway, after a long drawn out Sacrament Meeting practice this past Sunday, when we broke out the treats (their reward for working on and practicing their parts and listening to directions, etc.) Master Collin came up and threw his arms around me (and don't even think I wasn't on him ALL day during the practice!) and says to me ... "Sister Perry you are my favorite "teacher""!!!
:-D
The added highlight to that fun Sunday was surviving another Activity Day Tuesday night (our leader is actually our new secretary and a recent convert to the church and pregnant for the first time ...) with almost a dozen girls this week (two of them bring a non member friend most of the time)including my cousins, the Perry girls, who are new converts (older sisters and Mom have been less active and are coming back into the Fold) make for an exhausting Tuesday. So, we get all packed up and they break down their table and fold up their chairs and one of the oldest girls who is graduating to YW says to me "Sister Perry (don't even make me do my southern accent on how they say that!) will you always be in Primary or will they let you come be our teacher some day in YW?
Proof positive the church is true and the atonement works, both on us and for us!
So I have a "Cameron" in Primary who hugs me like 10 times every Sunday whose REAL Grandpa came out from SLC to visit and he wanted to make sure he introduced him to his favorite "teacher". Moi!
I have already told SC Cameron that I need to take our picture some Sunday so I can send it to MY Cameron in AZ!
;-)
Then, of course, our Bishop, who has six children, all of whom are Primary or younger, has pistols (boys only ... his girls are angels, mostly, except when they are beating up on their older brother). And Collin, his 5-6 year old WANTS to have ADHD so he can have an excuse for being a booger ... but he just needs a week at "Camp Jennifer". Anyway, I harp on him ALL the time. Sit still Collin. Don't touch Ammon Collin. Turn around in your chair Collin. Quit playing with your tie Collin. Mostly I just mess up his name. His older brother's name is Colby, and what with Cameron and then we also have a Colton who is in Colby's class . . .
Anyway, after a long drawn out Sacrament Meeting practice this past Sunday, when we broke out the treats (their reward for working on and practicing their parts and listening to directions, etc.) Master Collin came up and threw his arms around me (and don't even think I wasn't on him ALL day during the practice!) and says to me ... "Sister Perry you are my favorite "teacher""!!!
:-D
The added highlight to that fun Sunday was surviving another Activity Day Tuesday night (our leader is actually our new secretary and a recent convert to the church and pregnant for the first time ...) with almost a dozen girls this week (two of them bring a non member friend most of the time)including my cousins, the Perry girls, who are new converts (older sisters and Mom have been less active and are coming back into the Fold) make for an exhausting Tuesday. So, we get all packed up and they break down their table and fold up their chairs and one of the oldest girls who is graduating to YW says to me "Sister Perry (don't even make me do my southern accent on how they say that!) will you always be in Primary or will they let you come be our teacher some day in YW?
Proof positive the church is true and the atonement works, both on us and for us!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
World Travels ~
So I have to say after being out west in April, May, 1 day in June and schedule to return again over the 4th weekend that I may never get "off world". My Dad asked me the other day if I was made of money (apparently it takes money to fly to and from South Carolina and Utah/Idaho . . . )and I simply told him "I am the Gramma. It's what I do!"
After seeing Jennifer's boys excitement when I surprised them at Easter and then having a whole week with Karen's children after Kaleb was born, there is no doubt in my mind that it is SO worth it!
Not only do I have awesome grandchildren who physically, emotionally and spiritually astound me but my daughters continue to amaze me with their inner and outer beauty!
Guess I will have to start scheduling Tucson and Denver for 2010 and fill up on my "boys" and their families!
As thankful as I am that my children were raised outside of Utah, I am even more grateful that they knew and still know that their grandparents on all sides loved/love them very much!
Proof positive I must have done something right!
:-D
After seeing Jennifer's boys excitement when I surprised them at Easter and then having a whole week with Karen's children after Kaleb was born, there is no doubt in my mind that it is SO worth it!
Not only do I have awesome grandchildren who physically, emotionally and spiritually astound me but my daughters continue to amaze me with their inner and outer beauty!
Guess I will have to start scheduling Tucson and Denver for 2010 and fill up on my "boys" and their families!
As thankful as I am that my children were raised outside of Utah, I am even more grateful that they knew and still know that their grandparents on all sides loved/love them very much!
Proof positive I must have done something right!
:-D
Monday, May 11, 2009
Primary bragging
Okay, so yesterday, because it is my month to conduct in Primary, and the assignments in our presidency have been a little vague lately since our secretary went AWOL, there were no talks.
It turned out okay though because the children are getting really good at bearing their testimonies on fast and testimony Sunday (never leave gaps like you get sometimes during Sacrament meeting ...). So when I opened up the floor for anyone to come up and say why they love their Mom and what she does for them that shows them that she loves them, they lined on up!
Of course, just like at fast and testimony meeting, I get to close opening exercises with me and so when I shared with the children that this was my 34th Mother's Day and that my big baby turned 34 last week and that my baby was turning 30 today and that I had my patriarchal blessing on my first Mother's Day 34 years ago ... the following comments occurred:
Cameron (not mine ...) said "You have a 34 year old son? That is how old my Dad is!"
Tai said "Wow you really are old!"
Samantha (Cameron's sister) said "You must get lots of presents and flowers!!!"
So bring it on! Oh non-singing children, non calling . . . and what about gift cards (Regal or Home Depot) since my neighbor and Friday night sidekick Miss Rita's daughter gave her 3 gift cards AFTER she insisted that she NOT give her anything~
Still bragging each week in Primary that being a Mom and Gramma is my favoritest and bestest job ever!
:-D
It turned out okay though because the children are getting really good at bearing their testimonies on fast and testimony Sunday (never leave gaps like you get sometimes during Sacrament meeting ...). So when I opened up the floor for anyone to come up and say why they love their Mom and what she does for them that shows them that she loves them, they lined on up!
Of course, just like at fast and testimony meeting, I get to close opening exercises with me and so when I shared with the children that this was my 34th Mother's Day and that my big baby turned 34 last week and that my baby was turning 30 today and that I had my patriarchal blessing on my first Mother's Day 34 years ago ... the following comments occurred:
Cameron (not mine ...) said "You have a 34 year old son? That is how old my Dad is!"
Tai said "Wow you really are old!"
Samantha (Cameron's sister) said "You must get lots of presents and flowers!!!"
So bring it on! Oh non-singing children, non calling . . . and what about gift cards (Regal or Home Depot) since my neighbor and Friday night sidekick Miss Rita's daughter gave her 3 gift cards AFTER she insisted that she NOT give her anything~
Still bragging each week in Primary that being a Mom and Gramma is my favoritest and bestest job ever!
:-D
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April Fools!
If it works and even one sucker bites, then it was SO worth it. To the rest who got it, my sincere apologies, because it really was inspired at the temple last night!
:-D
Remember, I DO love you all!
A Whole Bunch!
More than more than more than more than more than . . .
Period.
;-)
:-D
Remember, I DO love you all!
A Whole Bunch!
More than more than more than more than more than . . .
Period.
;-)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Suddenly Scared ~
Okay, I have figured out what scares me. Apparently Primary! Go figure~ I was horrified to teach Activity Day Girls in January (I am the counselor over the 8-12 year olds and we didn't have a leader as my new Primary President WAS the Activity Day Leader). Survived that and the girls all love me (I brought candy). Felt pretty comfortable for the month of February (it was my turn to conduct, so I get to do opening exercises and that's it!) and then the fun began.
February was a short month, and March started on a Sunday and THIS month I am assigned to teach Sharing Time! Aaauuuuggghhh!!! That means two lessons each Sunday, one for Jr. Primary and one for Sr. Primary.
Don't even think I wasn't up until 2 a.m. this past Sunday morning cutting out all my little hand outs (and that was after 3 hours at my girlfriends Shawn's house) so that everyone would have the appropriate number of family members in their "packet" on Sunday.
Of course I have now challenged all the children to remember to bring their "family" with them each Sunday this month while we talk about what each family member's responsibility (job)is.
Thank goodness Carter is giving a talk this Sunday on the same thing, so I shipped him off my handouts and lesson yesterday with a letter knowing he will do an awesome job.
Then, just for the fun of it, I got a call from the neighboring ward's missionary calendar coordinator (I was released 3 months ago . . . ) asking if I knew which week they were supposed to feed the Spanish Elders (we share that set and rotate every other week ...) Apparently no one from that ward has seen the calendar this year so I am feeding all six of my Elders tonight. Gives me an excuse to try out a different mexican restaurant~
Am excited to be going to the temple again this week (trying to get my "sister's" names done and then work on my mechanic's dad's list . . .).
Gotta love life!
February was a short month, and March started on a Sunday and THIS month I am assigned to teach Sharing Time! Aaauuuuggghhh!!! That means two lessons each Sunday, one for Jr. Primary and one for Sr. Primary.
Don't even think I wasn't up until 2 a.m. this past Sunday morning cutting out all my little hand outs (and that was after 3 hours at my girlfriends Shawn's house) so that everyone would have the appropriate number of family members in their "packet" on Sunday.
Of course I have now challenged all the children to remember to bring their "family" with them each Sunday this month while we talk about what each family member's responsibility (job)is.
Thank goodness Carter is giving a talk this Sunday on the same thing, so I shipped him off my handouts and lesson yesterday with a letter knowing he will do an awesome job.
Then, just for the fun of it, I got a call from the neighboring ward's missionary calendar coordinator (I was released 3 months ago . . . ) asking if I knew which week they were supposed to feed the Spanish Elders (we share that set and rotate every other week ...) Apparently no one from that ward has seen the calendar this year so I am feeding all six of my Elders tonight. Gives me an excuse to try out a different mexican restaurant~
Am excited to be going to the temple again this week (trying to get my "sister's" names done and then work on my mechanic's dad's list . . .).
Gotta love life!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Christmas is Love
Had this awesome lesson my last week in Relief Society, now that I am in Primary Presidency its children all the way now~ Anyway, the lesson was about charity and and love and what that means to us as Christians. It was the perfect lesson to start the Christmas season.
I believe that "I love you period" is Christlike love. At this time of year when the world celebrates the birth of my Savior, I am amazed at His unconditional love for me. He truly loves me period. He loves me when I make good choices. He loves me when I make bad choices. He loves me when I am fat. He loves me when I am thin. He loves me when I am married. He loves me when I am single. He never leaves me. He helps me be a Mom. He helps me be a Gramma. He helps me be a daughter, a sister, a friend, a neighbor, a compassionate service leader, a 2nd counselor in Primary, anything and everything.
I am thankful for the Christlike love I have for all of my children and my grandchildren. They are ALL my favorites!!!
Too lazy to light up my house this year. Grateful I finally got all my Christmas cards mailed. Praying I get my boxes mailed on time. But mostly striving to have His love in my heart long after the Christmas season!
:-D
I believe that "I love you period" is Christlike love. At this time of year when the world celebrates the birth of my Savior, I am amazed at His unconditional love for me. He truly loves me period. He loves me when I make good choices. He loves me when I make bad choices. He loves me when I am fat. He loves me when I am thin. He loves me when I am married. He loves me when I am single. He never leaves me. He helps me be a Mom. He helps me be a Gramma. He helps me be a daughter, a sister, a friend, a neighbor, a compassionate service leader, a 2nd counselor in Primary, anything and everything.
I am thankful for the Christlike love I have for all of my children and my grandchildren. They are ALL my favorites!!!
Too lazy to light up my house this year. Grateful I finally got all my Christmas cards mailed. Praying I get my boxes mailed on time. But mostly striving to have His love in my heart long after the Christmas season!
:-D
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
What an AWESOME vacation I just had!
It was wonderful to go back to Colorado and chill at the timeshare for a week with a few of my favorite girlfriends.
It was wonderful to veg and watch a bunch of my DVDs (some day I WILL figure out how to make my DVD player work with my DirectTV . . . ).
Did a little shopping at the factory outlet stores in Silverthorn and buzzed around Breckenridge on my way out ...
Spent some wonderful time at the temple with friends doing some of the sealings from their own geneology. VERY COOL!
Went to Gunther Toodys because one must when one is in Colorado!
Have a day to play with Nathan and Danica and learn how to loose on Playstation 3. Took pictures of them and Duncan and will also try and remember to get them off my camera, either onto disc or hard pics ... or download to hard drive at home ...
Thinking it would be GREAT if we did Breckenridge as a family in 2010. Given the sizes of your families ... you might want to consider if you can and if you want to, cause not all of us will fit anymore . . . (there are three beds, 2 king and one full) and two fold out couches and plenty of eating and showering areas ...) and we will figure something out at the end of 2009!
;-)
It was wonderful to go back to Colorado and chill at the timeshare for a week with a few of my favorite girlfriends.
It was wonderful to veg and watch a bunch of my DVDs (some day I WILL figure out how to make my DVD player work with my DirectTV . . . ).
Did a little shopping at the factory outlet stores in Silverthorn and buzzed around Breckenridge on my way out ...
Spent some wonderful time at the temple with friends doing some of the sealings from their own geneology. VERY COOL!
Went to Gunther Toodys because one must when one is in Colorado!
Have a day to play with Nathan and Danica and learn how to loose on Playstation 3. Took pictures of them and Duncan and will also try and remember to get them off my camera, either onto disc or hard pics ... or download to hard drive at home ...
Thinking it would be GREAT if we did Breckenridge as a family in 2010. Given the sizes of your families ... you might want to consider if you can and if you want to, cause not all of us will fit anymore . . . (there are three beds, 2 king and one full) and two fold out couches and plenty of eating and showering areas ...) and we will figure something out at the end of 2009!
;-)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Your mother's view on conference ~
Can I just say how much I absolutely LOVE General Conference!!! Just when I think the last one was the best, a new one comes along and is even better!
I also love the fact that our ward has a pot luck in between sessions. It is nice to sit and greet each other without a lot of rush.
My favorite Spanish Elder is back in the area and we got to catch up after almost 10 months. He is due to head home to Mexico soon, but promises to bring his wife here, when he finds one.
:-D
Apparently the choir during the Priesthood session was amazing. Might have to sneak in some day and just check out that session . . . just kidding. Much too thankful to be a woman and a mom and a gramma. Have sons who have the Priesthood, and sealed to my Dad who has the Priesthood and I am surrounded my eager young elders through two of my callings, so have enough Priesthood to cover me several times over.
I wrote one note during the sessions; can't even tell you whose talk it was during (they had little lights to clip over the pews so you could see to write --- WAY cool). That note reads "you were raised on I love you period".
I somehow occured to me that my best journal entries were as each of you left home for the first time (Karen, that was Illinois) and how much peace I felt knowing that you knew I love you period. It was my belief then and still is that you (my children and now my grandchildren) can "make it" it the big bad world no matter what because you knew and still should know that I love you period.
I know I have made mistakes and have admitted to as many as I know of. I also know that each of you have made mistakes, and that we will all likely to make some more before this life is over for all of us. I do know that I have peace in my spirit because Heavenly Father and I have talked enough and my Savior has cleaned up what I couldn't/can't fix. I am reminded of this every time I sit in the Celestial room and rededicate my focus on being the best daughter of God I can be (and praying for help to be kind toward other drivers on the way home).
I am so grateful that despite the way I became a Mom, it is by far my greatest achievement. I was not a perfect Mom, but if you are (or if you are a perfect dad) then throw a rock on me. I am a great gramma. My kids and my grand kids are my greatest joy and my greatest blessings.
I hope that 20+ years from now you will be able to write something similar in your journals. You won't stop being a Mom/Dad or Husband/Wife in this life and we are all sealed to each other so we must be a Celestial family here in order to be a Celestial family for eternity.
Cannot imagine eternity without you!
Love,
Mom
I also love the fact that our ward has a pot luck in between sessions. It is nice to sit and greet each other without a lot of rush.
My favorite Spanish Elder is back in the area and we got to catch up after almost 10 months. He is due to head home to Mexico soon, but promises to bring his wife here, when he finds one.
:-D
Apparently the choir during the Priesthood session was amazing. Might have to sneak in some day and just check out that session . . . just kidding. Much too thankful to be a woman and a mom and a gramma. Have sons who have the Priesthood, and sealed to my Dad who has the Priesthood and I am surrounded my eager young elders through two of my callings, so have enough Priesthood to cover me several times over.
I wrote one note during the sessions; can't even tell you whose talk it was during (they had little lights to clip over the pews so you could see to write --- WAY cool). That note reads "you were raised on I love you period".
I somehow occured to me that my best journal entries were as each of you left home for the first time (Karen, that was Illinois) and how much peace I felt knowing that you knew I love you period. It was my belief then and still is that you (my children and now my grandchildren) can "make it" it the big bad world no matter what because you knew and still should know that I love you period.
I know I have made mistakes and have admitted to as many as I know of. I also know that each of you have made mistakes, and that we will all likely to make some more before this life is over for all of us. I do know that I have peace in my spirit because Heavenly Father and I have talked enough and my Savior has cleaned up what I couldn't/can't fix. I am reminded of this every time I sit in the Celestial room and rededicate my focus on being the best daughter of God I can be (and praying for help to be kind toward other drivers on the way home).
I am so grateful that despite the way I became a Mom, it is by far my greatest achievement. I was not a perfect Mom, but if you are (or if you are a perfect dad) then throw a rock on me. I am a great gramma. My kids and my grand kids are my greatest joy and my greatest blessings.
I hope that 20+ years from now you will be able to write something similar in your journals. You won't stop being a Mom/Dad or Husband/Wife in this life and we are all sealed to each other so we must be a Celestial family here in order to be a Celestial family for eternity.
Cannot imagine eternity without you!
Love,
Mom
Monday, September 15, 2008
What a Wonderful September!
So, my summer ended with a wonderful visit to Utah for Carter's baptism! 7 out of 10 grand babies is a good deal. Missed having the Lemons there, but am so very proud of Carter and his awesome spirit!
It was good to see my Dad and Mary again, and spend some time with Grandpa Lemon and Lisa too. And I got an early Christmas present, which Katelyn has already "taken" as HER church bag.
We had a wonderful and long overdue visit with her Mom finally this past Saturday. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, or any more huge gas price increases, we expect to go back up the weekend of the 27th!
Am already looking forward to my trip to Colorado in November. Guessing work will survive and just pile stuff up on my desk (not too bad this last round . . .) and now that I am the "acting" Relief Society music director too ... hoping the ward won't fall apart while I am gone either (November's vacation covers 2 Sundays --- and Elders lost their dinner calendar this round, so only guessing how bad two Sundays will be!).
Waiting now for the next "event" and lottery winnings (hard to win when you don't play!) or an unforeseen bonus at work!
;-p
It was good to see my Dad and Mary again, and spend some time with Grandpa Lemon and Lisa too. And I got an early Christmas present, which Katelyn has already "taken" as HER church bag.
We had a wonderful and long overdue visit with her Mom finally this past Saturday. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, or any more huge gas price increases, we expect to go back up the weekend of the 27th!
Am already looking forward to my trip to Colorado in November. Guessing work will survive and just pile stuff up on my desk (not too bad this last round . . .) and now that I am the "acting" Relief Society music director too ... hoping the ward won't fall apart while I am gone either (November's vacation covers 2 Sundays --- and Elders lost their dinner calendar this round, so only guessing how bad two Sundays will be!).
Waiting now for the next "event" and lottery winnings (hard to win when you don't play!) or an unforeseen bonus at work!
;-p
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
End of Summer
I can't believe that summer is almost over. Given that everything here in the South runs s - l - o - w, summer has just raced past me!
I am so anxious to see most of my grand babies the first weekend in September, that I am now counting down the days.
Other than standing at the front door (glass) and watching a lightening storm or sheets of rain, or trucking the Elders around, nothing much excites me here. I lie. I forget I had my sinks "snaked" this week and am thrilled that I can run water for as long as I want to now in BOTH bathrooms. :)
Am sending one of my Elders home this month to West Jordan, and another one home to Alaska next month.
Have paved my way to the Celestial Kingdom by giving a Sacrament meeting talk two weeks ago, a baptism talk the week before that, and am scheduled to teach Relief Society this Sunday! Being good really is best (not better ... or good, for those of you who paid attention to that conference talk)!
We have Elder McConkie's son, Steven out here as our mission president. That apparently makes us famous, but then his sister, Mary, taught me health when I was in Jr. High, so I am already famous ...
So grateful to be upright and doctor free still. Guess I'd better save up for the dentist next huh ~
I am so anxious to see most of my grand babies the first weekend in September, that I am now counting down the days.
Other than standing at the front door (glass) and watching a lightening storm or sheets of rain, or trucking the Elders around, nothing much excites me here. I lie. I forget I had my sinks "snaked" this week and am thrilled that I can run water for as long as I want to now in BOTH bathrooms. :)
Am sending one of my Elders home this month to West Jordan, and another one home to Alaska next month.
Have paved my way to the Celestial Kingdom by giving a Sacrament meeting talk two weeks ago, a baptism talk the week before that, and am scheduled to teach Relief Society this Sunday! Being good really is best (not better ... or good, for those of you who paid attention to that conference talk)!
We have Elder McConkie's son, Steven out here as our mission president. That apparently makes us famous, but then his sister, Mary, taught me health when I was in Jr. High, so I am already famous ...
So grateful to be upright and doctor free still. Guess I'd better save up for the dentist next huh ~
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
God Bless America
Okay, so I've got to say it. After months and months of being tortured by various doctors (who damaged more than they fixed), I am grateful for a month of being doctor free!
Guess that means I need to see a dentist. Does visiting with or hanging out with Danica count?
:-D
I am relieved to have all my tickets booked and paid for till the end of this year. Am thankful for new tires, new glasses,a new rug for my living room, and finally having rocking chairs on my front porch.
I am scared of the fact that apparently you don't have to "see" someone in your Bishopbric to be asked to give a talk (go ahead, ask about that one) and that they can book you out more than a month in advance.
I am back in the pool and hoping to loose SOME of my southern comfort (caused by comfort food and homemade mac & cheese ... not to be confused with the nasty box stuff). Can't have Jennifer and Shane being the only hotties in the family now can I?
So looking forward to Karen's updated blog ... hint, hint, hint and getting new picture of baby Charlie . . . another hint.
Happy and getting healthier . . .
:-)
Guess that means I need to see a dentist. Does visiting with or hanging out with Danica count?
:-D
I am relieved to have all my tickets booked and paid for till the end of this year. Am thankful for new tires, new glasses,a new rug for my living room, and finally having rocking chairs on my front porch.
I am scared of the fact that apparently you don't have to "see" someone in your Bishopbric to be asked to give a talk (go ahead, ask about that one) and that they can book you out more than a month in advance.
I am back in the pool and hoping to loose SOME of my southern comfort (caused by comfort food and homemade mac & cheese ... not to be confused with the nasty box stuff). Can't have Jennifer and Shane being the only hotties in the family now can I?
So looking forward to Karen's updated blog ... hint, hint, hint and getting new picture of baby Charlie . . . another hint.
Happy and getting healthier . . .
:-)
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Recovering from doctors
So, as most of you know, my quick in and out dermotology appointment last week turned out to be a full blown face trauma, including plastic surgery and a very long week.
The funny part was going to the temple the night afterwards and having my temple president take one look at me and say "skin cancer?".
Got the stitches out on Tuesday and despite the plastic surgeons request that I not put make up on the scars for at least two more weeks(GET SERIOUS!), I look somewhat better with cover girl and some lipstick (despite the bump on my lip . . . ).
Have decided to make the dermatologist hunt me down for a follow up visit, otherwise she gets to see me annually like my GYN doc.
May actually start marketing t-shirts that say "Doctors make me sick!"!! :-D
It is melting here this week (temps to reach 100 before week's end . . .), but love the warmth and the sun (and no, the sun did not cause the face damage ... heritage and fair skin did it all!).
Goal still remains to get my back deck done and enjoy it more this summer. Wish me luck!
The funny part was going to the temple the night afterwards and having my temple president take one look at me and say "skin cancer?".
Got the stitches out on Tuesday and despite the plastic surgeons request that I not put make up on the scars for at least two more weeks(GET SERIOUS!), I look somewhat better with cover girl and some lipstick (despite the bump on my lip . . . ).
Have decided to make the dermatologist hunt me down for a follow up visit, otherwise she gets to see me annually like my GYN doc.
May actually start marketing t-shirts that say "Doctors make me sick!"!! :-D
It is melting here this week (temps to reach 100 before week's end . . .), but love the warmth and the sun (and no, the sun did not cause the face damage ... heritage and fair skin did it all!).
Goal still remains to get my back deck done and enjoy it more this summer. Wish me luck!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Why family matters ~
Okay, so monthly posts are going to be my new goal . . .
And May is family month. My first born was born in May, making for my first Mother's Day in 1975, the same day I got my patriarchal blessing. My Dad was born in May. My last child was born in May, and actually had his birthday on Mother's Day this year! My Granny was born in May, and shares that birthday with my youngest daughter-in-law.
Guess I'll need to have a grand child in May to round out the family calendar for May!
So anyway, I was having a terrible day last week and wanted to pretty much just hide in my house and have a pitty party. Then I got home, and there was this huge box and my back door. Opened the box while wallowing and watching Gray's Anatomy and found a treasure from Aunt Maryina. How nice it was to open this huge box and find my Granny's china tea set! It made me cry (finally tears of joy, cause I'd already cried tears of sorrow at court that a.m. and tears of pain at the doctors after that!)
All in all just made me thankful for my ancestors and who I am because of them. I was born in the covenant and raised in the church. So many people have so much less and have never had any light or hope in their lives. How grateful I am that I can look back over my life and see half full moments vs. half empty ones! Or even better perfect days (when I was sealed, when Nathan and Danica were sealed and ALL my kids were in the Celestial Room together for the first time, when Lacey was baptized, and . . .) when my cup ran over!
And then the little moments, watching Katelyn was my truck with me this past weekend, and remembering doing the same with my grands. Feeding my missionaries breakfast for dinner on Saturday night and remembering the times we have fed so many sets of missionaries over the years. Watching the Primary kids sing "I Often Go Walking" and bawling my eyes out because that was my Mother's favorite song and it truly IS her!
Life just gets better and better, especially when you let it and help it.
Happiness truly is your fault!
And May is family month. My first born was born in May, making for my first Mother's Day in 1975, the same day I got my patriarchal blessing. My Dad was born in May. My last child was born in May, and actually had his birthday on Mother's Day this year! My Granny was born in May, and shares that birthday with my youngest daughter-in-law.
Guess I'll need to have a grand child in May to round out the family calendar for May!
So anyway, I was having a terrible day last week and wanted to pretty much just hide in my house and have a pitty party. Then I got home, and there was this huge box and my back door. Opened the box while wallowing and watching Gray's Anatomy and found a treasure from Aunt Maryina. How nice it was to open this huge box and find my Granny's china tea set! It made me cry (finally tears of joy, cause I'd already cried tears of sorrow at court that a.m. and tears of pain at the doctors after that!)
All in all just made me thankful for my ancestors and who I am because of them. I was born in the covenant and raised in the church. So many people have so much less and have never had any light or hope in their lives. How grateful I am that I can look back over my life and see half full moments vs. half empty ones! Or even better perfect days (when I was sealed, when Nathan and Danica were sealed and ALL my kids were in the Celestial Room together for the first time, when Lacey was baptized, and . . .) when my cup ran over!
And then the little moments, watching Katelyn was my truck with me this past weekend, and remembering doing the same with my grands. Feeding my missionaries breakfast for dinner on Saturday night and remembering the times we have fed so many sets of missionaries over the years. Watching the Primary kids sing "I Often Go Walking" and bawling my eyes out because that was my Mother's favorite song and it truly IS her!
Life just gets better and better, especially when you let it and help it.
Happiness truly is your fault!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Blessings!
What a wonderful weekend I had with 7 of my 10 grand babies! I am constantly amazed at how big they are each time and how awesome they are as well. I have officially told Lacey and Carter to stop growing. Don't know if I dare see how high they come up to me in August when I come back.
Being there and watching Lacey get baptized was the highlight of my grandmother life to date! Scott and Karen have taught her well. Lacey has an awesome spirit and I could not be more proud of her.
It was fun wrestling with all of them. I am getting too old (as Jennifer reminded the kids several times ... while taking pictures of them jumping on me)!
The best part of my flight home was hearing from Carter during my delay in Dallas. Him telling me he missed me already was worth whatever the cost of my tickets.
As I watch each of my babies becoming wonderful youngsters I am beginning to catch a glimpse of why my Mom was always so proud of me and my kids. Its a Mom/Gramma thing.
Only hoping Jeremy and Nathan can join us for Labor Day.
It was also awesome seeing my Dad and Mary again. Mary said I looked happy and she is right. They both look good and talked about serving another mission. I thought of them on my flight out of Salt Lake which has two senior couples on it going to Scotland.
Am thankful to be home and warm again ~
:-D
Being there and watching Lacey get baptized was the highlight of my grandmother life to date! Scott and Karen have taught her well. Lacey has an awesome spirit and I could not be more proud of her.
It was fun wrestling with all of them. I am getting too old (as Jennifer reminded the kids several times ... while taking pictures of them jumping on me)!
The best part of my flight home was hearing from Carter during my delay in Dallas. Him telling me he missed me already was worth whatever the cost of my tickets.
As I watch each of my babies becoming wonderful youngsters I am beginning to catch a glimpse of why my Mom was always so proud of me and my kids. Its a Mom/Gramma thing.
Only hoping Jeremy and Nathan can join us for Labor Day.
It was also awesome seeing my Dad and Mary again. Mary said I looked happy and she is right. They both look good and talked about serving another mission. I thought of them on my flight out of Salt Lake which has two senior couples on it going to Scotland.
Am thankful to be home and warm again ~
:-D
Monday, March 10, 2008
I am a Mom again at 50!
Thank goodness it is weekends (pretty much) for now, except during emergencies!
My best friend from church had to "go away" for a year and a half or so, so I now co-parent her 2 year old (not potty trained) daughter Katelyn with her god mother.
Can I just say, it is really hard to get a 2 year old up and ready for "school" and me off to work and out the door on time, especially on Monday morning!!!
Church yesterday was not as bad as I thought. I was harder today. And she had puked all over her bed last night. Who started daylight savings time anyway???
We are trying hard to be potty trained, but the daycare laughs at me, and the god mother thinks the chunk o' dunk 2 year old (wears the same size shows and clothes as a 5 year old up the street) is a baby doll and still carries her WAY too much.
But we both love her and are trying to keep her safe from her crackhead granny and her mean "I hate your mother" grandmother, who didn't know how to spell her name and only saw her because of probate court (her sweet, my son wouldn't hurt a fly, beat Katelyn's mom for five years before he died).
And blessing of all blessing, Miss Katelyn LOVES to nap. Almost killed my spanish elders yesterday for coming by during nap time and almost waking her up (she sleeps solid for like 3 hours!!!).
Good thing I didn't have and don't want a social life . . .
:-)
My best friend from church had to "go away" for a year and a half or so, so I now co-parent her 2 year old (not potty trained) daughter Katelyn with her god mother.
Can I just say, it is really hard to get a 2 year old up and ready for "school" and me off to work and out the door on time, especially on Monday morning!!!
Church yesterday was not as bad as I thought. I was harder today. And she had puked all over her bed last night. Who started daylight savings time anyway???
We are trying hard to be potty trained, but the daycare laughs at me, and the god mother thinks the chunk o' dunk 2 year old (wears the same size shows and clothes as a 5 year old up the street) is a baby doll and still carries her WAY too much.
But we both love her and are trying to keep her safe from her crackhead granny and her mean "I hate your mother" grandmother, who didn't know how to spell her name and only saw her because of probate court (her sweet, my son wouldn't hurt a fly, beat Katelyn's mom for five years before he died).
And blessing of all blessing, Miss Katelyn LOVES to nap. Almost killed my spanish elders yesterday for coming by during nap time and almost waking her up (she sleeps solid for like 3 hours!!!).
Good thing I didn't have and don't want a social life . . .
:-)
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Pressure Free South
Okay, my retarded disclaimer is . . . I have spent two days trying to remember, find and/or reset my password so I could post, cause I can't take the pressure!
;-}
I haven't written before because I don't want to rub it in the my windows were down (again) at lunch today and I raked my backyard all day Saturday . . . and I am not wearing pantyhose today and it is the end of January!
God Bless the South.
and
God Bless Mitt Romney!
:-D
Am still sad at the passing of our prophet. Has put me in a constant state of reminder of the song "We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet"! And how thankful I am for the gospel in my life and the knowledge that Heavenly Father loves me enough to let me be born when the gospel has been fully restored.
:-)
I am also thankful this week for new prints from Jennifer (3 hot chicks and the naked babies), and Karen's family picture!
In talking to my Dad the night President Hinkley died he confirmed what I have known all along, that I make really cute grandkids! Doesn't mean they get to sleep over in the 5th wheel ... but they are too cute for that anyway.
;-p
Am preparing for the big squirrel hunt coming up this next week. Finally found members in my ward with pellet guns, and not afraid to use them! Or eat them (which is okay with me so long as they are out of my tree and out of my hard. Hacking off some limbs on Saturday to get to the latest low lying nest ...
;-0
;-}
I haven't written before because I don't want to rub it in the my windows were down (again) at lunch today and I raked my backyard all day Saturday . . . and I am not wearing pantyhose today and it is the end of January!
God Bless the South.
and
God Bless Mitt Romney!
:-D
Am still sad at the passing of our prophet. Has put me in a constant state of reminder of the song "We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet"! And how thankful I am for the gospel in my life and the knowledge that Heavenly Father loves me enough to let me be born when the gospel has been fully restored.
:-)
I am also thankful this week for new prints from Jennifer (3 hot chicks and the naked babies), and Karen's family picture!
In talking to my Dad the night President Hinkley died he confirmed what I have known all along, that I make really cute grandkids! Doesn't mean they get to sleep over in the 5th wheel ... but they are too cute for that anyway.
;-p
Am preparing for the big squirrel hunt coming up this next week. Finally found members in my ward with pellet guns, and not afraid to use them! Or eat them (which is okay with me so long as they are out of my tree and out of my hard. Hacking off some limbs on Saturday to get to the latest low lying nest ...
;-0
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