Yeah, Like This Was Hard To Figure Out!!!

You Belong in 1950

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

What Year Do You Belong In?

Once again folks!!!

If I've left anyone out, let me know, and I'll find a picture with them in it. I tried to get everyone in at least one. Did we have fun or what???????

Can you believe it-More reunion pictures

Even More Reunion Pictures

More Reunion Pictures

Reunion pictures

Tag, YOU"RE IT

I" Tag
i am: So grateful for blessings from Heaven
i know: That I'm a better person today than yesterday, and will be better tomorrow
i want: Get my house sold fast
i have: The best family in the world
i wish: I was skinny
i hate: selfish people
i miss: the energy I had in my younger years
i fear: being poor
i hear: My dog running through the house
i smell: nothing
i crave: chocolate
i search: the internet for new houses
i regret: any unkindness I'm guilty of
i love: my husband
i care: about my husband, children, their spouses, and grandchildren
i always: read, read, read
i am not: unhappy
i sing: to myself
i fight: for my rights
i write: lots of emails
i lose: my patience too easily
i win: puzzle games
i never: like to vaccuum
i listen: carefully
i am scared: to be in a traffic jam on the freeway
i need: kindness, gentleness and lots of love
i am happy about: the prospect of moving
i tag: whoever feels like it :)

Memories

My daughter, Laura did this on her blog and I thought it looked fun.
Memories
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

My Answers to the Tag Questions!!!!!

OK--Here we go.

10 years ago I think I was home schooling Andrew. It was also a year before Dad retired, so we were gearing up for that. I loved home schooling. It was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done with my children. Of course, Andrew was so easy to work with. He wanted this in his life, and did everything he was required to do. It was a special time.

Snacks I enjoy. I like cookies, but I love crackers. Peanut M&M's are good too. But alas, none of these are very good for me. So I rarely snack now. In the evening, I'll have a piece of string cheese; for the protein.

I enjoy reading, playing on my DS, playing computer games, crocheting, doing crossword puzzles etc. I'd like to learn to paint in oils. I want to do landscapes. Oh, I almost forgot. I love to cross stitch.

If I was suddenly made a billionaire, I'd be in shock. Then I'd pay off the mortgage, and all the mortgages of my children. For those that don't have their own homes yet, I'd buy them one. I'd like to do anonymous donating to people who are in need. Maybe a motorized wheelchair for someone who can't afford it, WalMart gift cards to families struggling with bills, college funds for who ever needed them in the family. There are so many ways to make a difference, and I'd try and find them all.

Only 3 bad habits?? I'm addicted to sugar. It is very hard for me to resist it, but it does very nasty things to my body. I procrastinate housework. If I just kept up, then I wouldn't have to scramble when I needed a clean house. I do not have patience for stupid people.

5 jobs that I've had. Counter girl at a candy shop, teachers aide, Convergys, Lakeside Reading Center, mom.

5 things people don't know about me. 1) My feelings get hurt really easy, but I usually keep it inside. If you hurt my feelings, you probably won't know you did. 2) I don't like to make mistakes. It devastates me. 3) When I'm in large groups of people, I'm very shy, and won't say much. But one on one, I'm not shy at all. 4) I try very hard to never think bad about any one. I'm not always successful, but I do try. 5) I'm content with my own company. I don't have to have tons of people around me to be happy. I don't mind lots of people, I just don't need it.

I don't know what all this says about me phycologically, but there I am.

March Came In Like A Lion, Will It Leave Like A Lamb??

This is going to be a 'way' busy week. I need to go through and really clean the house. On Thursday, I teach my last D&C class for the women of our stake. I've really enjoyed this so much. The ladies that come really want to learn, and we have had wonderful gospel discussions.

We've got the big birthday party for Ava on Saturday. I'm not sure how many will be coming, but at last count, I was up to about 16. That will so much fun, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.

Jon flies out to San Diego today. I hope he has a wonderful time. I'm sure he and Andrew will find lots of mischief to get in too. (ha ha) He will be there for his birthday, so we will celebrate it when he gets back. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON!!!!!

Dad has bought his first real estate venture. It is a tri-plex in Ogden. He got it at a very good bargain. We haven't decided if we will keep it, or rehab and sell. The rehab starts today, and we hope to have it done very quickly, so we can get renters into it. They say the first buy is the hardest, and it was a crazy past few weeks. But I'm so proud of him. He did it. The next one will be easier, as he knows what to do, and how to do it.

Thought:
The trouble with being in the rat race, is that even if you win, you're still a rat--Lily Tomlin.

You Are a Pear

You are independent, intelligent, and a free thinker. You can accomplish great things, especially when you do them on your own. You are direct, honest, and sometimes even a bit brutal. There's not much that gets in the way of you and your ambition. While you are hard nosed, you do have a much sweeter side to you. It takes times for you to soften toward someone, but once you do, you'll be their friend for life.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

It is easy to get tired of all the snow that we keep getting. Keeping it shoveled is definately a chore. I have to admit that I'm excited to see it. After spending winter in a desert with the temperatures hiking to 120 in the shade, it is refreshing to be cooler. But when I'm out shoveling the driveway, I'm not quite as enthusiastic.

Life is passing so quickly, and I feel like I'm missing out on so many things. Mostly, seeing my grandchildren grow up. They all live far away. If I could have any wish I wanted, it would be for all my children and grandchildren to live close to me. I miss them so much.

Val and I are plugging along. I'm trying to make a successful go of my web site, and he is trying to become a real estate investor. He has been trying so hard. He was able to make an offer on a tri-plex today. He also has another offer on a home in Clearfield. We hope that they will work out.

I have a lovely new computer (new to me) compliments of my son Matt and his wife Katya. I still haven't loaded any pictures on it, so until I do, no more pictures when I write. Hope you aren't disappointed, but that's life.

Well, I have lots of projects to attend to. Just wanted to check in so everyone would know we are alive and still kicking.

Joyful.Sad Emotions

Last night as we sat watching television, Jon called to tell us that President Hinckley had passed away. We were so shocked. We knew he was so fragile and old. We logically knew that he wouldn't be here much longer, and yet when the time came, we were shocked. There had been no warnings of illness, or hospital visits. He was just suddenly gone.

We loved and continue to love our dear prophet so much. His kindness, humor, strength, and courage are ledgendary. If we all used him as a role model, think of where the church and world would be. His greatness is awe inspiring. I will forever be grateful that he was the prophet during part of my life.

Now a new prophet will be called. We will love and support him. His mission will be to continue what President Hinckley started, and go forward with the mission the Lord has for him. He will be in our prayers. I imagine that he knows what he is in for, and would rather not have the honor, but he will serve and do the will of our Father. There will be no panic, no wondering "what will we do". We know what will happen. The Lord is a God of order. He will lead and guide the Brethren. All will be well.

Isn't our church wonderful? Isn't it comforting to know that the Lord is in charge and He will call a prophet to be his spokesperson on earth? There is great peace in the knowledge we have. Great peace.

www.kdpanda.com

I finally finished my new website. It took hours of work, but I'm pleased with the results. Now I'm going to start putting some of my products on EBAY so that I can generate some income. There should be a link to my site there, so hopefully people will go and see what I have. I've never wanted to have anything to do with business before. But sometimes life throws you a curve, and you have to change direction and try new things. I need to be able to stay home, but I also need to generate income for our family. I hope that this allows me to accomplish both. So anyone who reads this, pass the word. I'm in business. (p.s. Thanks Matt for all your constructive criticism. It really helped push me in the right direction)

January 5, 2007

Time seems to slip by so much quicker, the older I get. I turn around, and another month has gone by. Most of the time I don't mind, but occasionally I want to grab onto it and make it slow down. I feel that way when my famiy is around. I want to treasure every second, savor it, and make it last.

I look back on the past year, and the adventures we had. It seems like a lifetime ago that we were living in Oman, and preparing to come back to the U.S. I'm so grateful for the experience we had of living in the Middle-east, and seeing the culture upclose and personal. I'm expecially grateful we were able to do it in a save country.

The adding of a new grand-daughter was another highlight. She is so wonderful, and we are priviliaged to have her in our family.

We also had the oppertunity to go and pick up Jon from his mission in Jackson Mississippi. We loved seeing Vicksburg, Hattisburg, and Buloxi. Mississippi is a beautiful state. We also were able to visit with Valerie, Jody, Alexis, and Sienna in Conway Arkansas. We then went to Douglasville, Georgia and spent time with Dan, April, Alex, Trevor, and Nathan. Loved all the family time.

It has also been a very hard year. We almost lost Val during a treatment at the hospital. It was doctor error, and it took about 12 minutes of CPR to bring him back. He was in critical condition and in the ICU over night. It has been a difficult healing process, and discouraging because he seems to have some moderate brain damage. He struggles with decisions, problem solving and critical thinking skills. He also has memory glitches that randomly come and go. I think the hardest part is watching the frustration that he feels because he knows that he is different, and can't function the way he used to. I guess we need to accept the changes, and go forward from here. Most of the time we are doing this, but everyonce in awhile, the frustration sets in and we have a bad few days. It has been hard on everyone. But, as with all trials, we must trust in the Lord, and lean not to our own understanding. We must, absolutly must, have faith that all will be well. We will adjust to the new 'norm' and move forward boldly and explore our new existance.

We have set goals for this new year. We both need to lose weight. I think food became our comfort as we struggled with the past three months. But enough is enough and it is time to get better eating patterns, and cut back on our intake. We have also been challenged by our bishop to read the Book of Mormon. We are preceeding nicely already in this goal. We have also decided to read a good book every evening. We have begun with "Gethsemane". It is excellant. We are also going to try and exercise daily. That is a little harder. But with determination we will succeed.

We hope all our friends and family have a wonderful new year, full of good things, and righteous living.