Feeling Like it's Threes

Today, it does indeed feel like bad news coming in 3s. I've learned today about two other friends experiencing great hardship and grief and I'd learned of another very serious medical condition a friend is experiencing in just the last couple days.

An older lady in our ward was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I've always had a special fondness for her and recall warmly the time and attention she would give my children in Primary - especially during that time I wasn't even a member. She always was kind and attentive. Her heart has weakened with age, they're not sure what her cancer treatment plan will be but she will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Another friend, she had been my VT for a long, long time way back when - I just love her - has been afflicted by a stroke and is not doing very well. She waited in the SL hospital for hours and hours (I heard 48 hours!) without seeing her doctor and her husband finally took her from the hospital and drove her to Phoenix for medical care. I am just heartbroken that she didn't get first rate medical care and saddened that she and her family are enduring these grueling circumstances.

The third friend facing a very difficult situation is especially heartbreaking for me. My friend learned just this morning, when the phone rang about 8:30 this morning as she was walking out the door for church, that her son had died yesterday in a hang gliding accident on Mingus Mountain. I am so grateful to have had all the hours together she and I have shared while serving others. We've had many talks - I know that she will find a way to draw upon her loving testimony of the Plan of Salvation to find peace through her grief.

I'm reminded of the words and sentiment of a song I heard at the end of a TV show recently. My sister, the Sassy One, has recently started collecting angels and I located the lyrics to send to her a few days ago.

We're trying, we're hoping

We're loving and we're hurting

We're crying, we're calling

'Cause we're not sure how this goes

~Calling all Angels~

I love these friends dearly. They and their families will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Ryan's Farewell

Ryan's farewell will be September 14th. If I've read the Meetinghouse Locater correctly, their ward meets at 2:00pm in the old Lehi Road meeting house.

The timing is perfect, Mike & I will already be in the valley for Maria's baby shower (13th) and his doctor appointment (15th)!

If anyone hears something different on the time and locale, please do let us know.

Baby Book Club

I have happened onto some of the neatest little blogs and web sites in the past day or two. You'll be reading and hearing about some of them in the not-too-distant future. :-)

This idea/suggestion for a Baby Book Club sounds like loads of fun - there wasn't much more than Doc Spock back in the day - Now, there are so many great reads for young moms and what better way to learn/read about baby and young child things than with a group of young moms?

Well, okay ... asking not so young moms for tips and suggestions would earn plenty of brownie points along the way but it'd still be fun to do little get-togethers and chat about a particular topic and a specific read.

Enjoy!

Congrats Maria!

Okay, so I know you are going to have my head for this picture - it's the only one I have that shows your belly (our little Davis) and everyone is anxious to see his growth!

Congratulations on completing your Business Administration degree!!!

How you managed to keep under wraps that you'd finished up on Friday when all of us were together on Saturday is beyond me - I sure couldn't have stayed quiet about such an amazing accomplishment, that's for sure! I am so proud of you and all the effort you have put into staying on your educational track even through planning your wedding, first year of marriage and now, nearly two years later, expecting your first child. You've sure had your plate full during much of this time and yet you have done it, completed your degree. We love you so much, Maria, and are so very happy for you that you'll be able to reflect on the satisfaction brought forth by your hard work and dedication to completing this goal.

Baylee's Birthday

Baylee had a blast gobbling up the birthday cake her Mommy made for this special day. It was so much fun spending the day with John and Kelly as they celebrated Baylee's first birthday. She is so cute and she was just loving all the people and attention ... and the birthday cake she had all to herself!

Cute Pic

A young family I know posted a new header pic on their blog and I just love, love, love it! It is the cutest picture of their three little ones. I love the pic of the kids but I also love that type of picture and had a bit of fun altering the picture to add just hints of color on the eyes, lips and cheeks.



So, do you like the effect? (You'll need to click on the picture to see full-size.)

Indulging in Foods Mike Doesn't Like

Several days ago Mike and I went out for dinner and I took advantage of an opportunity to order something I don't really cook at home anymore. Mike does not like liver & onions - at all. I love it! As a young person, liver & onions was something I prepared on a regular basis. Not so in recent years.

Dinner was super! I really enjoyed the meal and the dinner companion. :-)

Today, I baked a couple acorn squash and have just finished one half, Mike the other half. He said, "I may as well eat it. You're not going to cook something different for me."

I didn't tell him about the HUGE potato baking in the oven! LOL

This picture shows squash baked with brown sugar and butter with a bit of maple syrup. I used olive oil to coat the inside surface and edges of the squash then seasoned them with a bit of chili powder, generous sprinkle of pepper, and a bit of sea salt then covered the baking dish with foil to cook for one hour at 350 degrees. For the last 15 minutes of baking, I added just a pinch of brown sugar. They are so good! Even Mike said they weren't too bad.

Mamma Mia!

Okay, here goes ... everyone who knows me knows I do not do the movie thing. Prior to tonight, the last movie I'd seen at a theater was Star Wars, December 1980 because that's what John wanted for Christmas. He was a Star Wars follower from a very young age. He was fascinated with all the lights and special effects. I indulged. Well kind of. I didn't run out to track down the show from the start but when it played in Show Low I did take him over to see the movie. Before that, the last movie I'd seen was Jaws. Seriously. And we won't discuss that one at all.

In the days before taking her home, I did watch Wizard of Oz on the television with TJei. She just loved that show and she loved hearing that her mommy was about her age when she saw the movie. Jodie, too watched it on TV using our newly acquired VCR player. That was my first time seeing it as evidenced by all the laughs Mike has had since then about me being convinced the VCR player was broken - the movie started off in black & white and the video cover showed it being a color movie. I had so much fun watching the movie with TJei. She is so animated!

Tonight, believe it or not, Mike and I went to the movies! Yes. Seriously. We went and saw a movie - together - in a theater, the smell of popcorn but we didn't indulge. Serious about that, too!

AAAAAAaaaa! We saw Mamma Mia! I've seen commercials for this show. I hadn't really saw or read any critiques of the movie. When I came home and went to look for a graphic I could use (made this one by piecing together a couple screen grabs) I did locate this critique. As you may guess, I don't agree with the commentary or the reasoning but there you go. If you want a critique, go for it.

I just loved this show! It was worth a 25 year wait for Mike and I to go together to a movie! I laughed out loud ... again, those who know me ...

Okay, so I do laugh - just no one gives me credit for laughing!

Watching this movie, I laughed! Yes, there in the theater. I loved this movie. It was so lively and upbeat - ABBA, everybody loves ABBA songs, even those who deny liking the group at all. They were a fun group and the songs were fun. Meryl Streep is so, so talented and oh my stars, Pierce Brosnon - he is so ... When he started singing, I was using my hand to fan my face. Seriously. Not because he can sing all that great, just because it was PIERCE BROSNAN serenading in the movie. Oh my stars.

After we left the theater, I said something to Mike about him (Pierce, but Mike's cute too) being so darned cute. I patted my chest and just said, "Oh my heart" about him singing. Mike brought me back to earth, "Yeah, they had to make sure they got someone who didn't sing any better than Meryl Streep."

Okay, so neither of those stars are known for their singing. They sure did a great job of making this movie fun and playful. I just loved it!!!

I'll be watching for the DVD on this one and may even get the soundtrack. :-)

All That Glitters ...

... is not gold. Sometimes it's just the sun reflecting off smooth surfaces. And sometimes it's silver, like in Silver Anniversary ... at this point, more precious than gold. Silver is here and now - today. Gold is in the future, Today, we celebrate the Silver.

I love you, Mike. You're a wonderful husband, a caring dad, and a loving grandpa. I am so grateful to have you in my life.

Best Wishes

Happy Anniversary, John & Kelly

I hope your day is as special as the two of you!

Finally!

I called the title company and learned things have finally completed - the house is ours. Curiously, Sharon at the title office said she had sent an email message to the realtor earlier in the day and she should have notified me. So far, no word from the realtor.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Weren't you just an adorable little fellow? Jacob, you have been a special part of our lives and we are so glad you are part of our family. I especially enjoy your spontaneity and creativity. You never fail to fail to surprise me with unexpected acts of kindness and thoughtfulness. You wrangle fun in unexpected ways and enjoy taking on challenges.

Life is moving quickly for you right now with school, work, a new home, school, work, an old home, school, work, an adorable wife and soon, a new baby boy. Make opportunities to slow down and enjoy this time in your life.

For today, enjoy your special day. I love you - we love you! Happiness always.