Royalty

Lauren...Homecoming 2005...Liberty High School

Skyler....who knows when...some alternate universe...he held out on us....we didn't know he was royalty also. Thank you Facebook

This is why I love my son in law.

I realize that this is probably only hysterical to me, I saw it on Facebook and nearly bust a gut laughing. Posterity post. Their kids are going to love this someday.

Four people...eight days...two continents....

Sounds very fun huh?

It's fall break around these parts, and per tradition...we leave Brentwood for a week.

This year we took two separate vacations, something new for us!

Scotty and Byron went to England and Scotland.



Scotty's grandparents take all their grandchildren on a 12 year old trip to anywhere they want to go. England has two of Scotty's most favorite things....Soccer and the Beatles. It was a "dream come true", (nice to have all your dreams come true at 12!)

Jeff and I went to Idaho; (which is like a foreign country isn't it?)

Just in time for the potato harvest and before the first snow. Have I mentioned that my daughter Lauren and her husband Skyler are having a baby in 9 weeks?



I went to help set up baby's room and to sew...to craft...and to help my daughter nest. A grandbaby!! All my dreams coming true at 50!!



Let's compare trips................

Byron and Scotty flew in a luxurious airplane for 22 total hours with instant drinks and snacks and movies.


Jeff and I traveled 28 hours across the Nevada desert at a leisurely pace of 55 mph. Thanks to the 164 miles of road construction and ample highway patrolmen to keep us honest. The slower than average speed allowed us to see the sagebrush and sand so much clearer than usual. Lucky us.

Road construction in Cali also.....

Scotty and Byron went to Harrod's department store. It is a full city block and five stories of wonderfulness.

Jeff and I went to the newly remodeled Rexburg Wal-Mart. And Porter's, three times.

Scotty got real English soccer jerseys and Beatle's apparel.
Jeff got a BYU-I sweatshirt.

Scotty visited Beatrix Potter's and Anne Hathaway's homes.
Jeff visited Deseret Books and a couple of quilt shops and Sno-Oasis.



Scotty and Byron visited castles and quaint little villages rich in history. They ate true fish and chips and pasties and meat pies and yummy chocolates.



Jeff and I went through Winnemucca, Elko, Wells and Pocatello where we visited the oh-so-delectable McDonald's. To be fair we did go to the Cocoa Bean in Rexburg for a cupcake, but Mill Hollow never had the right flavor of Fro-Yo so we missed out on that.

Byron and Scotty hob-nobbed with royalty and the British.




Jeff and I had dinner with the kids from home and lunch and dessert with Lisa Marie and family!! (we won on that one....)


Lisa Marie's little Meg after ice cream...too cute!!

Byron and Scotty visited and toured Soccer stadiums where Scotty's dreams of a career as the next Pele' or Beckham were fueled.



Jeff and I watched our beloved Giants go down in flames and dreams of a post-season doused.

Scotty got his picture taken a bazillion times.
Jeff's mom lost her camera and consequently did not take even one picture.



Scotty slept in fancy hotels on snuggly beds.
Jeff slept in a sleeping bag on Lauren's floor.

Byron and Scotty learned so much about English history!
Jeff and I learned about the potato harvest!

Scotty and Byron learned to understand the Queen's English and various cockney accents.
Jeff and I wondered when Idaho moved to the southern part of the US as we marveled at all the y'alls and southern talkin' in Idaho.

Scotty and Byron didn't see all they wanted to see which gives them something to look forward to someday on a return visit.

My return visit to Idaho will be complete with a new little yummy baby grandson.

I win.

A sweet little story

Several years ago I read a story about a young girl with Down's Syndrome that was elected Homecoming queen at her high school in Murray, Utah. The story warmed my heart because of the generosity of spirit of the kids in that high school. In the world today with all the negativity about the youth, it's wonderful to hear something positive.

We have had such an experience at our high school this week. It's Homecoming at Liberty...and the kids got it right.

Here's the story:


(With her permission), Meet Katelyn.





She is a wonderful, very talented girl. But, she didn't always act wonderful. In fact, her first two years at Liberty she was a brat. A snotty, mouthy little brat and we butted heads constantly. Sometime in her Jr. year she had an epiphany. One day she came in to the office and sat down and apologized for her behavior. To tell the truth, I wasn't very nice, I was in a stinky mood and probably wasn't very gracious to her. I felt horrible after and sent her a note apologizing for my poopy attitude. Since then, we have become friends. She has become such an incredible young lady that is a little power house on our campus. She was voted as one of the Top 10 for our Homecoming this year, and I couldn't have been happier for her.

AND THEN...

This is "Mike" (not his real name as I do not have permission to use his name but I did ask him if I could write about him, he was thrilled...)



He is one of our special students on campus. He has Asperger's and a few other disabilities. He is a sweet boy that is so friendly to everyone on campus. When we have noon-time activities he dances and has so much fun, he tells all the girls how pretty they are. He's funny because he wears ties and bow ties to school for special occasions. Everyone loves Mike. He was voted as one of the Top 10 for Homecoming, and oh, he was thrilled!!!


The first thing after the Top Ten rally Katelyn ran to "Mike" and offered to be his Homecoming partner. One of the first obstacles was that Mike belongs to a church that doesn't believe in celebrations of a personal nature. The second was that his parents are Spanish-speaking. The third was transportation and last and most important, helping Mike know just what to do!! Miss Katelyn was NOT going to be deterred. She arranged to have a translator go to Mike's home and explain everything to his parents and get their permission. She offered to give him rides to and from practice. She helped him choose his clothes and put together their Homecoming skit using all Mike's favorite songs. She got together other kids at school to be back up dancers. When I asked Mike how things were going and if he was having fun he said, "Oh yes!!! Katelyn is helping me handle everything!" She even chose a modest dress out of respect for his beliefs! When most girls want to look sexy, she wanted him and his parents to feel comfortable. Bless her heart.




At the rally when they were introduced it was loud, loud, loud!! Everyone cheered louder for them than any of the others. Not to take away from the other kids, Mike is just loved at Liberty.

It came time to open the boxes of flowers, Mike needed help from one of the other guys. When he saw the red rose, he didn't know quite what to do...He won!!!!



Katelyn was thrilled, she didn't win Queen, but I honestly don't think she cared. Every member of the Administration was proud of her, every staff member was proud of her. Her motives were not selfish, she didn't take "Mike" under her wing for glory or attention but because she wanted HIM to have a great experience. She may not be Homecoming Queen but she had an experience that will last much much longer than a shiny crown. True compassion towards another is priceless.

But wait!!!! There's MORE to the story!



The young lady who DID win has Cerebral Palsy. It has affected her physically but she is an excellent student and has been class president and a leadership member. She was in a wheel chair until seventh grade and when I met her three years ago she walked with crutches. She has endured surgeries and physical therapy throughout her life that has enabled her to learn to walk. She is an amazing young lady who has overcome much adversity in her life. To see her walk in her special way across the football field to be crowned Queen and to see "Mike" walk over to be crowned King...words escape me. You should have heard the roar and clapping from the crowd.

Katelyn, I am proud of you and proud to be your friend.

Liberty High School...you got it right and I couldn't be prouder!!

Beautiful

This makes my heart happy.


Picture by Jennifer Lucas/Idaho Falls

After THE FALL

Remember when I told you about a little fall I had at work?

Three months later, numerous braces, trips to my physical tortureist, Dr. visits, ice-amundo, swelling, limping, whining and complaining...I'm going under the "knife" or probably a laser, and getting the problem fixed.

I tore my meniscus in two places, cracked my knee cap which healed incorrectly and may have damaged my ACL. I didn't know what a meniscus was until I hurt it~ who knew what a pesky little thing it was?

It's my first surgery ever. I'm a bit nervous. It's out-patient and I'll probably be home in 6 hours or so, but I'm still nervous.

I'm also excited!!

I will be able to bend my knee again!!!

I won't be miserable anymore!!!

I get two weeks off work!!!

I don't have to wake up at 5:15 for Seminary!

I get big time drugs which means I will get sleep!!

Be thinking good thoughts for me on Tuesday...7:00 am surgery time.

PS. if you are in my ward reading this....I don't need anything REALLY!!

50 is Nifty...Best Birthday Ever!!

Whew! What a day. I hope my old ticker holds out.

I woke up this morning, my 50th birthday, and found pieces of paper all over my house with little sentiments on them...Jeffrey had called family and friends to ask them what they liked/loved about me!! He had 50 different things from people all over the house. What a sweet birthday surprise and I loved it!!!



You bet I am~~!


Validation....finally.



This is from one of my nieces, they all call me Aunt J. Now I'm old aunt J.

Then I went to Seminary to take doughnuts to my favorite bunch of 15 year olds. They are adorable. Absolutely adorable.




I went to work and on my desk were flowers, a cake, balloons and cards. I am loved by my office. I forgot to take a picture. oops. bad blogging. See....I'm getting forgetful already.



I was just working along when my office door opened....in marched a bunch of drummers and then percussionists and brass players. Liberty High School's Jazz band then performed a rousing version of Happy Birthday and God Save the Queen! It was hysterical.

Then my gorgeous, funny cousin Jeanette brought me lunch. Yummy.

For dessert my sweet friend Marty brought me WARM chocolate chip cookies, loaded and packed with chocolatey goodness!!!!



Mitchell called, Lauren called, Bro Mark called......

THEN... I go home.

THIS is what awaits me.....


Click on the picture to make it bigger for the full effect.



I laughed so hard I needed protection!



Absolutely, without a doubt...THE single funniest joke ever played on me.
This lovely garland on my garage door for the world to see.



I'd like to thank the little elves who provided me with Granny Panties so now I can truly fit the part. I have an appointment for my violet rinse and perm on Wednesday.
(Trisha? Kelli? Emma?.........) Jeff knows who and won't spill the beans.



What did I get this year?



An i-phone is coming to me soon. I hope I can figure out how to use it.



I got these from a friend whose love of Scotch Mallows rivals my own. Nice way to sabotage my dieting friend.....

Phone calls from Rachel, Gabi, Andrea, Karen and Diane!!!!
How blessed I am to have met so many amazing women blogging!!

Flowers and chocolate and industrial sized Diet Pepsi from lovely Erin (out visiting from DC).

Dinner out with my in-laws who are the two kindest, most generous people I have ever known. I am blessed to have them.

A call from my mother who lives in Africa and my siblings rounded out my day.
I am happy and tired. What a fabulous day. What more could I ask than to be surrounded by those I love and who love me.


Tomorrow...round two. Dinner with friends.

Cue the Fireworks....I'm 50

Happy 50th Birthday to me!

It's my birthday.

I really didn't have anything to do with the day, I just showed up. Thank you to Judy and Dick, my parents, for making me and bringing me into the world. And for in their own way, giving me roots and wings.

To tell you the truth...I'm not real happy about this birthday. Oh I know...50 is the new 40... but I am really weirded out by the realization that my life is probably half over and that the next part of my life is all down hill...the body breaks down, the memory fails, the wrinkles sag and the hair turns gray.

BAH HUMBUG

SO...

My mom always said that if you're sad sing a song that you love or think of things that make you happy. My kids hate it when I sing.

50 things that make me happy...

1. My faith and the hope that comes with having faith.

2. My husband

3. My kids (most days)

4. My sense of humor

5. My son-in-law

6. The prospect of being a Grammibelle.

7. Memories

8. My siblings

8. Chocolate

10. The sun

11. Colors

12. My friends

13. Telephones

14. Sewing & Fabrics

15. Cooking

16. Reading

17. Cars (thank goodness I don't have to ride a horse)

18. Other peoples' talents

19. Shrimp

20. Flowers, especially Daisies, aren't they just a happy flower?

21. Anything Red, except ants and sunburns

22. Giving service

23. Teaching Seminary

24. Camping

25. Looking at the stars

26. TV Reruns

27. Pictures

28. Laughing (and through tears is even better)

29. My co-workers

30. A new pair of shoes

31. My kitty purring

32. Rachel giggling

33. A clean house

34. Diet Pepsi

35. Digging in the dirt

36. Warm summer nights

37. Cool summer mornings

38. Holidays

39. Traveling

40. Learning something new everyday

41. Music

42. Old Musicals

43. Making new friends

44. Sleeping

45. Hair Dye

46. Water

47. Listening

48. Those last few moments before falling asleep

49. Singing out loud

50. Blogging

I'm feeling better already...happy day to everyone!!

Eat a piece of chocolate to help me celebrate.