"I believe I am always divinely guided. I believe I will always take the right road. I believe that God will always make a way, even when there appears no way." -Commander William Robert Anderson
This has been a favorite quote of mine for many years. Joel used to carry it in his wallet on a blue slip of paper which Jonathan now carries in his wallet.
I was busily working on the computer this morning when I hear Haylee screaming "Mommy!! Hurry!!! There is a deer!!!" Now I couldn't tell if she thought that was a good thing or a bad. So, I went to the front door but her screaming had scared them away. She said "they went that way", pointing to the other side of the yard. So I went to my laundry room lifted the blinds and this is what I saw.
They stayed for about 20 minutes and Haylee watched them the whole time. She sat and talked to them, you know she wanted to find out what their names were and where they lived... ha ha!! She was sad when they finally left. I told her that they might come back tomorrow... It was pretty cool!
I loved our prophet Gordon B. Hinckley very much. He was my favorite prophet. I remember when I was 9 years old, my mom had taken us up to temple square. We were on a vacation visiting from New Mexico. We went to the church office building and were walking up the stairs. Coming down the stairs was Gordon B. Hinckley. He was than the first counselor for Ezra Taft Benson but I recognized him right away. I ran up to him and shook his hand.. He was so nice and friendly. He took time to shake all our hands and even answered a question that my mom had. I knew he was in a hurry but it was something that I have always remembered. What a sad but happy time!! I will miss him greatly as our prophet. But, he is with his wife once again...
GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:
1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
6) Don't snee ze when someone is cutting your hair.
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's arms.
GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:
1) Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don't hurt.
3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.
GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
1) Growing up is mandatory; growing old is optional.
2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.
THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:
1) You believe in Santa Claus.
2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3) You are Santa Claus.
4) You look like Santa Claus.
SUCCESS:
At age 4 success is . . not peeing in your pants.
At age 12 success is having friends.
At age 16 success is . . . having a drivers license.
At age 35 success is . having money.
At age 50 success is . . . having money.
At age 70 success is . . . having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . having friends.
At age 80 success is . not peeing in your pants.
Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way; BUT NEVER forget the blessings that come each day.
Have a wonderful day with many *smiles*
Take the time to live!!!
Life is too short
So, my sister Monica got a huge gig up at sundance for a company that is hosting 2 films. She is cooking for them 3 meals a day for ten days. Aubrey and I went up and helped her. WOW! It was lots of work, very tiring but fun. It was an energetic atmosphere. We will be going up again this weekend.
I did come to a realization though... I am so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful that I have a strong grounded testimony. I know where to find my happiness. I know that this seems like a strange place to have this type of realization, not that I did not know this before but I guess I have just taken lots for granted lately. It is good sometimes to get out of my comfort zone and be reminded of these things. There are lots of worldly enticements out there, things that people would have me believe are important. I saw this behavior quite a bit up there, the stars, the "important" people with lots of money.
I am glad for the opportunity to serve for Monica but also the blessing of being able to see and learn.. I know the Lord is willing to teach me and sometimes when I don't expect to be taught.
I have been away from New Mexico long enough that I can really laugh at this..
1. You have been told by at least one out-of-state vendor that they are going to charge you extra for international shipping.
2. You expect to pay more if your house is made of Adobe.
3. You can order your Big Mac with green chile.
4. You buy salsa by the half-gallon.
5. You know what it means when they say it's from Hatch.
6. Your Christmas decorations include "red Chiles, a half-ton of sand and 200 paper bags."
7. Most restaurants you go to begin with "El" or "Los."
8. You price shop for tortillas.
9. You have an extra freezer just for green Chile.
10. You think six tons of crushed rock makes a beautiful front lawn.
11. You pass on the left because that is the fast-lane.
12. You think Sonic is "America's Favorite Drive-in."
13. Your swamp cooler got knocked off your roof by a Dust Devil.
14. All your out-of-state friends and relatives ask if they can drink the water when they come to visit.
15. You iron your jeans to "dress up."
16. You don't see anything wrong with drive-up window liquor sales.
17. Your other vehicle is also a pick-up truck.
18. You know what it means when a waitress asks you whether you want "red or green."
19. You're relieved when the pavement ends because the dirt road has fewer potholes.
20. You see nothing odd when, in the conversations of the people in line around you at the grocery store, every other word of each sentence alternates between Spanish, English and Navajo.
21. You know you are "special" because you're from the Land of Enchantment!
22. You've had Forts out in the desert or forest, which is also your back yard, so to speak.
23. You know what the night sky looks like full of stars and not pollution.
24. You've cooked an egg on the sidewalk.
25. You know what a horny toad is.
26. You've slept outside either on the trampoline, the back of a truck, or just in the yard with friends.
27. There are more people in the back of the truck than the front.
28. You've caught tadpoles every summer as a kid.
29. You know what bartering is, and how to do it in at least 2 different languages.
30. The tires on the top of your trailer are better than the ones on your car.
31. You really laughed hard at this because you know that they are all true!
Okay!! I have heard and experienced the terrible two's but what is going on here? Haylee has been going through something new. I must say it did begin before she was 5 but seems to be getting worse and I have no idea what to do. This is what this mornings scenario was like. Haylee had preschool at 9. I got her up at 8:00 as to give her enough time to get going this morning as she has a hard time beginning each day. So, she is in charge of bringing the snack today. But, the snack that I bought is not what she wants to bring. She wants to bring something else. She doesn't think her friends will like crackers and cheese. WHAT? She wants to bring donuts. So that begins the first meltdown of the morning. The next one comes when she does not like how I have done her hair. This is a constant fight with her. She would rather just have her hair down in her face looking like an orphan child. So, she goes in the bathroom takes out the braids and ponytail, gets her head all wet with water and brushes it straight. By this time it is five past 9:00. My patience are now gone... We are late to school and my child is crying in the bathroom saying "my mom doesn't even care about me." AHHH! The last meltdown was because her belt which was tied in a bow, was to bulky and could be seen under her shirt and she wanted me to retie it. So, I tied in in a knot so you couldn't see it under her shirt and that was TERRIBLE.... (in her words) I want it in a bow. So, I bonked her on the head, took off the belt and put her in the car.. We were 20 minutes late for preschool and I sent her there with red puffy eyes from crying about how mean I am... But, I did try and tell her that I loved her and feel bad that I didn't handle it better... But, what am I to do?
So today for a fun Sunday event we took out the old home videos. First we watched one from 1985. It was "The Dean Family Reunion." It was all done at Grandma's house. Everyone was there. It was so good to see how we all looked so many years ago, how silly my dad was. How silly my uncles were. It was good to see grandpa and grandma together. There were so many great things about it. My aunt Roberta was on there. She had such a great sense of humor. So I thought why do we not do this more? I know that the family has grown by leaps and bounds but I would love to be able to get together for a family home evening or something. I would love to hear and record stories of Grandma's mission or her life with grandpa... Things that really are important to our family and stories that we can pass on through the generations. So, what do you think family? If I planned a big FHE, do you think it would work?
1. Do you like blue cheese
Love it!!! Yum...
2. Have you ever stuck your tongue to a frozen pole?
well, not a pole but when I was young I stuck my tongue on the inside of the big freezer door at the 7-2-11. OUCH!
3. Do you own a gun?
Well, a bee bee gun.
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
Cherry
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
nope, don't go very often... Thank goodness
6. What do you think of hot dogs?
it depends on the dog... I like brauts but not really hotdogs.
7. Favorite Christmas song?
Oh! Holy Night.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
um.... my isagenix shake. That is what I drink every morning. It is full of great nutrition. In fact, that is my breakfast..
9. Can you do push ups?
Do girl push ups count?
10. Do you wear slippers?
Yes, all the time. I have 3 pairs of them.
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
my wedding ring and my opal necklace.
12. Favorite hobby?
refereeing basketball. I love it!
13. Do you believe in aliens?
I believe there are other people on other planets, but I don't know if I would call them aliens...
14. Do you have a birthmark?
Yes, on the inside of my right calf.
15. What's one trait that you love about yourself?
I am empathetic towards others. I truly feel their pain or joy..
16. Middle name?
Susan
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment...
My contacts are dry.
please do not put your smelly feet by me....gross.
that light is to bright.
18. Name 3 things you bought today.
bread
gas
oil change
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink.
water
milk
hot chocolate
20. Current worry right now
hmmm. i can't think of one.
21. Something you hate doing
I hate shoveling snow.
22. Favorite place to be
I have lots of favorite places. home, temple, my bathtub
23. How did you bring in the New Year?
We were up at the Koerbers lodge swimming, playing games, talking till 5 in the morning. It was a blast.. Loved it!
24. Where would you like to go right now?
Somewhere warm so I don't have to always wear my coat. Because I am wearing it right now inside because I am always cold!
25. Who are three of your best friends?
1. Jonathan
2. Amber
3. Julie
27. What shirt are you wearing?
I am wearing three shirts because I am always cold. I have a blue shade shirt, a white polo and a teal sweater... Oh! and my coat
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
I have once in a hotel and I liked it.
29. Can you whistle?
Yes, but not that real cool loud whistle that some folks can do
30. Favorite color(s)?
Teal. It has been that since I was very young
31. Would you be a pirate?
No, I like to bathe regularly and brush my teeth.
32. What songs do you sing in the shower?
Usually don't sing in the shower but when I do it is usually church hymns.
33. Favorite girl's name?
Aubrey, Haylee
34. Favorite boy's name?
Devin, Jerin
35. What's in your pocket right now?
keys, gloves, sunglasses and keycard to Jonathans office. My coat has deep pockets.
36. Last thing that made you laugh?
Girls night out on Tuesday with some friends at Jewel's house. We were playing a card game and having a great time. I can't wait for the next one.
37. best bed sheets as a child?
whatever was clean...
38. Worst injury you've ever had?
I got hit in the head with a boomerang by Parker at a 24th of July celebration in Kirtland. I got a nice deep cut but no stiches required.
39. Do you love where you live?
i do love where I live, I am truly blessed.
40. How many TVs do you have in your house?
4 televisions
41. Who is your loudest relative?
um...wow! This could get me in trouble.. I would say Misty..
42. How many dogs do you have?
1
43. Are you double jointed?
Yes, in my thumbs. I can make them flat like table tops.
44. Did you realize that the number 26 is missing?
I do now... That means only 49 questions.
45. What is your favorite book?
Have lots of favorite books but right now it would have to be "As a man thinketh"
46. What is your favorite candy?
anything with peanut butter and chocolate. ButterFinger, Reeses peanut Butter Cups, Peanut M&Ms...
47. What is your favorite sports team?
Depends what level and what sport... Love the Jazz of course...
48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
I am not sure. How about Before thee Lord, by my great great grandfather
49. What were you doing 12 AM last night?
talking with Jonathan... That is the only time that we have to talk... It was very nice.
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
I got to wake Devin up so he can get his math homework done..
Wow!! There you go.... Some new things about me... How many did you know?
Okay, so that is the only way I can describe how I am feeling right now. Last night I went to an association meeting for all Utah County referees. This was a training meeting on what to do and what not to do. They focused mainly on watching for offensive fouls and staying in the area that we are supposed to cover. Anyway, there were probably about 50 people there and 5 were woman. So, we stood out. But, I thought I was fairly knowledgeable in basketball until last night. So, they were showing some videos and asking us to evaluate it. They showed a play that looked like a defensive block to me. But, I guess I was wrong. It was an offensive foul. I thought I had been trained on what to look for. But, I feel like I just don't know what I thought I knew, especially when it comes to all these veteran men who have been refereeing for years. So, I just shut my mouth and did not say anymore. I really feel my confidence level has dropped. I keep telling myself that I will be fine, that I can do this. They also want me to referee a ward basketball game while they sit by and evaluate me as a referee. That makes me so nervous. How can I do my best when I know someone is watching everything I do and critiquing it? So now you understand why I feel like screaming AHHHHH!!
So yesterday was my grandma's 83rd birthday. We went out to Tooele after church to help celebrate it with her. I enjoy seeing and spending time with her so much. We were talking and I asked her what she thinks of being another year wiser and older and this is what she said to me. "I went visiting teaching to an older lady who is 93 and in good health. We talked for a bit about getting older and her comment to me was The devil don't want me and God has forgotten about me.." It was a funny comment.
We all really enjoyed being there. Grandma spent the time playing hit the balloon with my kids and they loved it, especially Haylee. I think they had 4 balloons going at one time. I am thankful that my kids can know their great-grandma, that they can make fun memories with someone that I have so many great memories with. There is so much that I love about her. I know that she misses my grandpa but I am so thankful that she is still here and that we were able to go spend the evening with her.
