Happy Birthday Alaina!

Goodness, wasn't it just last week that we brought you home from the hospital with all your black hair and red Indian-like skin? Didn't I just cut your curls for the first time and walk you around the corner to preschool yesterday? Wasn't last night your first dance recital with you adorably dressed in a traslucent white skirt and shiny black tap shoes? Didn't we just put you on a plane to visit Oma and Opa? Wasn't it yesterday when we sat in the sand and built sandcastles in Mexico and just yesterday that you sat next to me in a PCMC waiting room as the moments ticked on endlessly like a timebomb? Wasn't it just a minute ago that you drove off in a little white car with your sister to start High School and a minute later that we found the perfect wedding dress and ordered the Root Beer bubbles for your wedding cake? Wasn't it a second ago that you became a wife and a mother and an eternal family?

Time. Where does it go to? It flows out of the baby pictures and the school pictures and drifts up when you open the dance recital programs and the wedding announcements and the grandbabies pictures. Time is encapsulated in the feelings of the heart and the memories of the mind. Where did yesterday go? Its in my heart where you will always be. Happy Birthday Alaina--you are a wonderful woman, eternal companion, mother, sister, daughter and friend. I love you forever and always.

Newspapers..what a way to start the day!

This morning I thought I would pick up the newspaper and take a look at what was going on the world; or should I say what the reporters say is going on the world. I don't watch the news on TV much as I am convinced the news, both local and national are the most violent programs available on TV. So, I picked up the newspaper. Here are a few of the headlines:

• Dog owner is arrested after scuffle over doo


• Trial date set in 2005 bank-fraud case


• Man finally charged in May shooting at home


• Teen slices his hand during attack on man


• Man jailed in stabbing of relative with pen


• Hotel staffers, maid with mop tackle man


• New details emerge of deadly traffic stop


• Man's kin sue hit-run driver who killed him


• Engine failure blamed in jet crash


• Both parties try to woo women voters


• Motorist on sidewalk kills 1 man injures 2

Iwas just about to sink into the depths of depression when I saw it--it was in an inconspicuous bottom corner on the last page of the sections I was reading. You may laugh at me but I think this is great. Why don't they put more good in with the bad? Have the editors found that we don't read or watch the news if it isn't degrading, violent, morbid or sensational? I like to know what is going on in the world, but I don't believe for a second that it is all bad. I know there are terrible things that go on but I also know that there are good people with good motives that do good things. I see it everyday around me; why don't those stories get reported? Would the world read and watch; I know I would.

Me and my girls!

A Mother's Deepest Dream

Motherhood is an interesting thing. It seems that you grow with your children. Genuine happiness has always been what I have hoped for each of my children. Second on my list of desires for them--ongoing, fullfilling relationships with one another. Last weekend I was totally taken off-guard by a HUGE surprise party that the girls had planned and carried out together. I cannot do it justice by just writing about it in my next blog I will "show off" what they accomplished; but for this one I wish to express to my sweet daughters how deeply I was touched by your desire to work together to do this for me. I was so overcome with emotion that I didn't dare get started for fear of never stopping. I still have not been able to verbally thank my girls for the gratitude runs deep, fills my heart and comes brimming to the surface when I even think about saying something.

So here goes--girls, there is nothing, no nothing you could have done to make me happier. I certainly do not deserve to have such wonderful daughters; but I am eternally grateful. You are my dearest friends and confidants. When I watch each one of you and your individual talents and gifts, I continue to be amazed that I am so blessed to be your mother. Thank you for working together for me.

There are so many ways that you are similar to one or more of each other, yet you are each so very unique--please always celebrate your differences, though they sometimes make you crazy. You each have gifts that can help one another in the difficult times of your lives; remember what I have told you since you were just old enough to seek out other companionships-- "friends will come and friends will go, but your sister will always be your sister." When the time comes that I am no longer around, it is one of my greatest hopes that you will always have one another to love and cherish and to comfort you.

So here's to you Breeana, Alaina, Jenna and Kara! Just when I think my life could be no more blessed; you have given me yet one more thing to be so grateful for. Thank you just doesn't seem to work for this, does it? Oh, how I love each of you.

Is It Christmas?

This morning I awoke to such an exciting sight--when I turned over I saw it!!! Breeana and Kara were able to get wristbands to the Barnes and Noble Book Release Party. I am not sure how much of a party it really was in a store with hundreds of people and not enough air conditioning. They were in group number 5 out of ten. Kara could only get one book and she gave it to me! Thanks a ton girls. (Alaina and Jenna--come visit Mommie; I have a 700 plus page surprize for both of you!)

Using the Internet for Good

I have had a lot of time to read in the past couple of weeks. While reading this month's Ensign I really studied Elder Ballard's article entitled Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet. I read it once and thought, "hey, did I just read what I thought I read?" So I read it again. He said, "Ours is the world of cyberspace, cell phones that capture video, video and music downloads, social networks, text messaging and blogs, handhelds and podcasts. This is the world of the future...How will you use these marvelous inventions? More to the point, how will you use them to further the work of the Lord?" He went on to say, "Make sure that the choices you make in the use of new media are choices that expand your mind increase your opportunities, and feed your soul." But what struck me so significantly that I thought my name was printed in front of it was, "Now, may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration."

What a wonderful opportunity and responsibility I have to bear testimony in my words and actions. Isn't it amazing that someone across the world can pull up a blogsite and read how we feel and see what is going on in our everyday lives. I hope always that the things I post will be uplifting and a good representation of where my heart really is--the truths I believe, the people I love and my desire to be a better person.

47 Questions

Sorry--I just now noticed that I was tagged a very long time ago.

1. Were you named after anyone? Yes, my maternal grandmother, Anna Mae Lee and they called her Anna Lee.

2. When was the last time you cried? Two days ago when I found out the Margaret was in the hospital.

3. Do you like your handwriting? Most of the time.

4. What is your favorite lunchmeat? Smoked turkey

5. Do you have kids? You better believe it! Ten.

6. If you were another person would you be friends with yourself? Most of the time but I would probably have a few things to say to myself about myself if you know what I mean.

7. Do you use sarcasm alot? I am ashamed to say yes, yes I do.

8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes, two of the only removable things I have that haven't been removed.

9.Would you bungee jump? Maybe off the couch.

10. What is your favorite cereal? Fiber One

11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Yes, I have to. My feet won't come out if I don't.

12. Do you think you are strong? When I am in the right frame of mind I can deal with almost anything. As for physically--I used to be.

13. What is your favorite ice cream? Moose tracks. That sounds disgusting when I write it. Perhaps next time I want to eat it I should consider what moose tracks really are!

14. What is the first thing you notice about people? Their spirit and if they are happy.

15. Red or pink? Is this as in favorite color or what my eyes look like after a long night?

16. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My tendancy to slide into the "glass half empty syndrome."

17. Who do you miss the most? My dad and my mom.

18. Do you want everyone to send this back to you? For the life of me I don't know what this means. Send what back?

19. What color shoes are you wearing? None, its the Indian in me, I hate wearing shoes if I don't have to.

20. What was the last thing you ate? How embarassing. I ate two Oreo Cakesters. I know I know, now I will hear about this from some vigilant person. Do you read blogs Kathleen?

21. What are you listening to right now? Silence. The hum of the computer, the grandfather clock chiming, the air conditioner clicking on. Thank heavens for air conditioning. I am such a wimp.

22. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Definitely blue so I could make a perfect blue sky for everyone no matter where they are or what their circumstances might be.

23. Favorite smells. Jim's pillow. The air on an early morning walk. Baby's hair washed in baby bath. My kids. They each have their own smell and I love it.

24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Jim, saying good night from Las Vegas.

25. Do you like the person who sent this to you. Yes, and I love her too.

26. Favorite sports to watch. BYU football and Heber's soccer games.

27. Hair color? Hmmmm. Brown highlighted with blonde and menaced with some gray.

28. Eye color. Blue

29. Do you wear contacts? I should. People on the road would be a lot safer.

30. Favorite food. Lettuce wraps from Pei Wei.

31. Scary movies or Happy endings? Definitely not scary. I am a WIMP. Can't sleep after one. Not necessarily happy endings, they are nice but I like drama.

32. Last movie you watched? You mean in its entirety without sleeping? College Road Trip with the boys tonight.

33. What color shirt are you wearing? Orange and wow is this a first.

34. Summer or winter? Until this year winter. I have loved working in the yard this year. Go figure.

35. Hugs or kisses? Definitely hugs. I don't like slobber.

36. Favorite dessert? Well, lets see. Anything chocolate or frosted or glazed or anything.

37. Most likely to respond? Alaina, she has an unfair advantage. She works all night so she generally sees all the posts first. Its also unfair because she doesn't get to sleep! Probably in time all the girls.

38. Least likely to respond. My dog Leska. Her sight is weakening and with her arthritis she just can't seem to hit the darn computer keys.

39. What book are you reading right now? The Holy Secret and Stolen Innocence. Yikes.

40. What is on your mouse pad? Emma and Parker.

41. What did you watch on TV last night? Well considering I was up until 3--Monk, Ace of Cakes, Oprah, Mythbusters.......

42. Favorite sound? Wind through the aspen trees in the mountains, laughter, Jim's voice.

43. Rolling stones or Beatles? Hmmmm. Rocks down a hill or bugs? How about neither. I'm not that old!

44. What is the farthest you have been from home? New Zealand

45. Do you have a special talent? I love to write.

46. Where were you born? Fullerton, California

47. If you could go anywhere where would it be? Israel again but this time with all my children. It was the most incredible experience and I would love to experience it with them.

I tag Carol, Danielle, Breeana and Kristi R. (please disregard if you have been tagged already)