HAPPY BIRTHDAY


Marc,

Happy Belated 45th Birthday (last Friday).
You are the sweetest guy to be willing to
let me go on a trip for your birthday. I sure missed spending
your birthday with you. It's hard to believe 21 years ago I met you.
You probably don't remember but it was my first
night in PI and Dyce & Maria made me go out with them.
They introduced me to you and Green in a Bar. The sad thing
about that night is I didn't know it was your birthday, but I
never forgot you so I was so happy when we became friends. I guess
the rest is history.

I hope you enjoyed spending the day with B. I enjoyed my
day with all the girls, honestly I would have been happier
celebrating with you.

I Love You and hope we can spend another 21 of your
Birthday's together.

Love you tons !!!

P.S. You still look like you did 21 years ago.

I Love My Job !!!

I never thought I could love this job so much. For almost 19 years I have struggled, laughed, and cried over my job. It was by accident that I got this job and I didn't know if I would ever make it mostly cause of how sick it made me.

I feel I was taught by the best there was in this field but today when I read an article in the Ensign titled What Mothers Can Learn from the Savior. This article talked about how mother's are like the Savior in the things they do for their children. I never had thought being a mom was like the Savior in anyway, but this article explained how it was. I have really been struggling with Johna and Brandon growing up and not knowing what my place in their was anymore. For 19 years my life has revolved around them and doing for them. Now they are old enough they pretty much take care of themselves. My Heavenly Father knew I really have been struggling so he sent me a great article plus little things that made me realize no matter how old Johna and Brandon get they will always need their mom.

Last week Johna sent me a text that read " I just saw a Duck" and I asked her if it was a mommy or daddy. She said a mommy and boy did she quack at me. I then responded by telling her she was quaking at her babies so you wouldn't hurt them. Johna the responded just like you. I began to laugh at to myself and realized she knew I would protect her anyway I could. Later as we talked on the phone she had to tell the whole story over again and we laughed together and celebrated that she had did so well on her test. This was a huge wake up call for me that even though she feels she a big girl now, there are times that she just wants mom to know she is okay.

Brandon has always known how to make me smile. I must admit we spent a lot of time together since Marc and Johna work nights. This last week we have spent a lot of time watching the Olympics and discussing his World War class together. I love talking with him and I am so amazed at his comments about things. But then he brought up a conversation that he and his friends had about parents. Brandon friends could not believe that he enjoyed being with his mom. Then he added " I only enjoy being with you because you make me laugh cause your so short and I tower over you, then he said I Love You can I drive to the store? I laughed and he said no really they can't believe we have real conversations about everything. He then proceeds to tell me that none of his friends talk to their parents about stuff. Wow I must be doing something right.

All of these things got me thinking about my life. Everyday as Johna leaves for school she says "Good Bye Mom and I Love You", and I say the same thing back and wish her good luck on anything she has going that day. I drive Brandon and his friend to school everyday and when he gets out of the car he tells me I Love You Mom and Have a good day. Yes, a teenage boy tells his mom he loves her in public. I also tell him the same thing. Every night now that they are big they come to my room and climb on my bed and we talk about the day and they tell me Good Night and I Love You Mommy. Could I ask for anything more? No, I am blessed to have my kids there is nothing in this world better than them.

I Love You too Johna & Brandon :)

B can drive

So in December Brandon turned 15 so guess what that means? Yep, Learner's Permit :(
He didn't seem to interested in getting his learner's permit, so I left it alone. But a couple of weeks ago he asked if he could go get it. So I gathered ALL the paper's needed, don't get me started about that. They should of just asked for a urine sample too.

So off to the DMV, after 1 1/2 hour wait it was our turn. But to make matter's worse it only took him 6 minutes to take the written test. Once he was done with that, he had to wait again for 1/2 hr. to GET HIS DRIVER'S PERMIT. That's right he PASSED!!! He was so excited and so was I kindda. I thought I would be excited but I was sad that my baby now can drive.

Just let me say this don't take your kid to take their driver's test unless they have studied, I bet that more than 50% of the kids taking the test failed. But the worst of it all is the parent's were more upset than the kids. All Johna and I could do was laugh cause one mother was throwing a tantrum that her daughter failed the test 3 times in one day. I couldn't believe it that she actually was actually like my nephew who is almost 18 months old when he can't have a treat. Note to self: Never throw a tantrum at DMV you never know who is watching and laughing...

Friends...and turning 40



It seems just like yesterday I was graduating from High School. I still remember how I thought my friends and I would stay in touch. How wrong I was, since I am horrible at keeping in touch. But this summer a chance presented itself for a few of us to get together for an evening. I was so excited since many of these friends I had not seen since I joined the Navy.

We met at Ang's house for dinner and we stayed til after 2 AM. What a way to celebrate my 40 Birthday. The first 2 hours of my birthday was spent with some of the most amazing women. I was not looking forward to my 40th birthday but I would have not spent it any other way.

We spent the night reminiscing about high school, friends, and where our lives have taken us. I don't remember when I have laughed so hard and felt like I fit in so well. I find it so amazing that in this group of women you will find Mothers, English Teacher, Pharmacist, Humanitarian, Professional Photographer, Business Owners, Graphic Designer, Secretary. I am so grateful to have women in my life that keep me grounded and make me remember who I am. There is nothing greater than old friends and great times.

It's About Time....

Okay so I am the most horrible blogger there is. It has been over 6 months since I updated this blog. I started this blog only cause my sister said we needed to start one. I did have good intentions to keep up on my blog so everyone could see what we were up to. But unfortunately life gets in my way.

So this blog entry is going to catch you up on the past 6 months of our lives.

Brandon - Since the last time we heard from Brandon he was playing baseball. His team struggled in the post season tournament so his season ended in mid June. So he spent the rest of the summer "hangin" with his friends and doing HORRIBLE chores for me. He now is a Freshman at AFJH. He says he hates school but he is doing very well. This year he wanted to take Ballroom (okay I told him he needed to). There are a lot more girls in the class then boys and he has to dance with 5 or 6 different girls, which he says he hates. I love watching him as he "practices" his dances. But by far his favorite class is German. And trust me you when you come visit you better brush up on your German for he loves to speak to everyone in German. He still loves to yoyo and I love watching all his amazing tricks.

Johna - Over the summer Johna continued to work her 2 jobs. She also decided to run for Miss American Fork. So every Saturday all summer she had workshops and service she had to do for the pageant. Unfortunately she did not win but she did win Miss Congeniality and Committees Choice. This was a great experience for John she has never been a girly girl and for this she had to. We were so proud of her for trying new things. She has started college at the Y and boy did she jump in with both feet. She decided to run for Freshman Council for Multicultural Students. She was chosen to be over all the volunteers for all their Freshman Events. She is loving being at the Y but hates all the studying and homework. She is taking 15 credit hours and can't wait for finals in 2 weeks. She has registered for winter semester and is taking just as many credits.

Marc and I: We took a last minute trip to Oregon in June. Marc's mom has been diagnosed with Cancer and had to have surgery to remove a tumor on her face. So Marc and I felt we needed to be there for that. It had been almost 8 years since I had been back to Oregon. Marc had went back last year. We left the kids to fend for themselves. It was a long drive but I enjoyed spending time with Marc. While in Oregon we stayed with Marc's brother Gary and his wife Tammy. We had a lot of fun. Tammy and I did a couple of things together wdhich was a lot of fun. Marc and I love to go to the beach and just walk around. So one day we took off to Seaside. There was a huge car show going on so we strolled down the main street and looked at all the cars. We walked on the beach a little and I collected a pail full of sand for Kaesen. Marc's Mom is doing well and has finished her radiation treatments. We hope an Pray she continues to get well and beat this.

As a family we spent the 4th of July at Lindsay's at her annual party. It so much fun to get together with everyone and spend the afternoon and evening, visiting, eating, watching fireworks, and watching the kids swim. Lou you are a great hostess and I Love You tons.

Our main family adventure this is was my mom's side of the family had it's annual family reunion in Huntington Canyon. We meet at the big rock and spend 3 days fishing, eating, visiting, playing games and pitching horseshoes. We have a horseshoe tournament every year which is quite the event. We pick teams by pulling names out of hats. The finals came down to my dad and Riley against Harlan and I. I thought after 4 games I was going to die. But Harlan pulled it out for us and we were the Champions. What is so amazing about this reunion is that we get to visit and catch up with my 3rd and 4th cousins. Not many families can say they socialize with that distant of family.

Last but not least here are some photo's of all of our summer adventures.