Happy Holidays 2009

To the best and the worst of 2009! Looking forward to 2010!

December Blessings

On Sunday, December 6th, the Young Men's president in our ward at church came to collect fast offerings. His name is John Lee and he is a fantastic guy. He asked if Tyler was home. I ran upstairs and told Tyler that John Lee was at the door and told him he asked to speak with him.

Tyler came down to the door and spoke with him as I was getting a check for my fast offerings. After the conversation was over, Tyler turned to me with a glow on his face and asked me if I had heard the conversation. I told him no, I was not listening. He told me that John asked Tyler to baptize his son Jacob who had just turned eight. I asked Tyler if he was worthy to baptize Jacob and he said yes, he was. I asked him if he was planning on baptizing Jacob and he said yes.

Saturday, December 12th came and Tyler went to play football with the youth from church who were playing some of the men in the ward. Afterwards he went to John Lee's house to get the clothes he needed to be able to bapitze Jacob. The baptism was scheduled for 4:00 p.m. We got to the church at 3:40 and Tyler sat nervously and waited until the time to baptize Jacob.

Everything went as planned - it was perfect. There was a new found light in Tyler's eyes. He was glowing as if it was his own baptism.

There was a gathering at the Lee's home afterwards. We attended for a short time prior to Tyler spending the evening with his girlfriend. He told John at his home that he would see him at church on Sunday.

Sunday morning Tyler got up and got ready for church. He attended for the first time in months.

I am grateful for the Lee's, for inspiration and for small December blessings.

Why do some things not work out?

God's will is not always our will.

Being Happy

Love Me

Wednesday

Face your fears.

Today...

Climb every mountain!

Halloween!

Tyler spent Halloween with his girlfriend, Danielle. They were Ron Weasley and Hermoine Granger from Harry Potter.

HaPpY 16th to TyLeR

Today is my Tyler's 16th birthday. He is off with friends and we are going to dinner at bd's mongolian bbq downtown tonight. More birthday posts and pictures later! I love you Buddy!

Yeah Me!

I am an administrative assistant for a financial investment company here in Denver. I have worked here for a little more than 3 years. I just had my mid-year review with my boss. Out of the 180 client facing administrative assistant that work here, I am NUMBER ONE! Not only do I take a tremendous amount of pride in my work, I always give 110%! It has paid off as far as recognition!

I could not have made it with out fabulous advisors who have helped me, mentored me and motivated me to be the best I can be!

Happy 44th!

Birthday cake - from Dee (one of my favorite advisors at work)

Just a post for me!! Today I am 44!! My favorite number x 2 - YEAH ME! When Tyler was a baby, I thought about how old I would be when he turned 16. He will be 16 in 4 days and I feel like I have reached a milestone in my life. Sixteen years of being a single parent - would not recommend this to anyone! This has been the toughest challenges I have ever faced in my life so far.

I came close to being married a few years ago - a great guy - he just could not commit. He moved back to Utah almost 4 years ago and we haven't heard from him in for 2 years - exactly 2 years ago today!

I am thankful for my many blessings and for friends and family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

For the Beauty of the Earth

It doesn't get much better than an sunset walk at the park! Hot July Days... Cool Evenings... Colorado Beauty! Love it!

Mormon Tabernacle Choir

The Prophet of our Church, Thomas S. Monson

Blessed with talent

Amazing Red Rocks

The Choir and Orchestra

Moon over Red Rocks

On Monday, June 29th, my friend from work, Anne and I went to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform. It was amazing. The spirit was strong, the Prophet of our Church, Thomas S. Monson, was in the audience and my non-member friend Anne, was truly touched.

We went to dinner at Mimi's Cafe prior to the concert and then headed to Red Rocks for a beautiful evening of spectacular music.

I was able to answer some questions about the Church that Anne. She was very impressed by the music. My favorite songs were "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing", the title of their latest CD, Come, Come Ye Saints, God Bless America and the encore, God Be With You.

Even though Anne is not a member of our Church, she holds high values, she is an amazing person and I thankful to call her my friend.

Four Years!

Four years - seems like yesterday and yet an eternity to me. Four years ago I said goodbye to my very best friend MarLa. She passed away after complications to surgery at the age of 43. She was a mother to Shawn and Dylan, step mom to Laura and Julie, grandmother to Jaden and McKenna, wife to Frank, sister to Greg, Kevin and Ron, aunt and my best friend for 18 years. We spent many days and nights talking, laughing, crying, getting in lots of trouble and just being wild and crazy. She had a sad life in so many ways, yet she had a way of changing my outlook on life. I miss her every day!

Sometimes, even our trials are meant to be, they are there to guide and shape our lives. Though often we can’t see the blessings through the storms, God still looks after His children. He does so in His own way, on His own time, and His ways are often mysterious.

A Face Only A Mother Could Love!

Six Months Old...Freshly Bathed...A Profile Pose...Gives Hugs....PUPPY LOVE makes me happy!

Tornado

On Sunday afternoon about 4 miles from our house, this is what we saw! Growing up in the mid-west, I hated the spring/early summer weather, because it always included tornadoes.

When I was in high school, there was the Thornton tornado - June 1981. We were in a lock down situation and didn't get home until almost 5:00 p.m. that day. The tornado did so much damage between 90th & 88th and Washington, many of the houses there experienced severe damage.

Growing up, I remember when we lived in Iowa and we were outside playing. All of a sudden the skies turned an ugly brownish green. The air got very heavy and still. The rains came along with hail and horrible wind. It sounded like a freight train was coming through our living room. A tornado went down our street and damaged random houses on our street. Our house was not damaged, but I just remember thinking I was reliving the Wizard of Oz.

Boys and a Movie

UP - The newest Pixar Movie!

Ty sporting his 3-D glasses

Mugs waiting for the movie to start

Mugs wishing for ice cream

Finishing a Haagen-Daas treat

Saturday I met my Diane, Dan, Ty, Blake, my mom and Janet at the Movie to see UP! What a fantastic flick! I loved it - even though it is a KID movie! It was awesome. I laughed and cried. This was Ty's and Blake's first movie in the theatre. They did fantastic.

We did a little shopping after the movie and ended with an ice cream treat for Ty because he was so good!

30 Years

City of Northglenn, Colorado

Northglenn High School

EB Rains Memorial Park (Webster Lake)
I live right by this park

June 3, 1979 is the day we moved to Colorado. My dad had purchased a house in Northglenn, moved us here and decided he didn't want to have a family after a couple of months.

I was almost 14 when I moved here and my youngest sister was 4 months. I started 9th grade in the fall of 1979, which was still in Northeast Junior High and then went to Northglenn High School and graduated in 1983.

After living in 5 other states, I can say Colorado feels most like home. I was born in Provo, Utah, lived in Byron, Wyoming, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Park Forest & Park Forest South, Illinois, St. Charles, Missouri and Northglenn, Colorado.

Each one of my siblings was born in a different state, with the exception of Colorado: Colleen & Lynette - Provo, Suzanne (deceased) - Byron, WY, Janet - Fort Dodge, IA, Cheryl - Chicago, IL, Diane & Deann (deceased) - St. Charles, MO.

People always ask if my dad was in the military - he wasn't - just liked to move, I guess. I always was a little envious of my 3 youngest sisters, as they got to go to the same schools throughout their growing up years. They knew kids from elementary through high school.

I never thought I would like in one place for so long. Tyler only has two more years before he graduates, so I will likely stay in the area until he graduates from high school - then we will see.

Nephews

Blake at Easter - 7 months old

Blake - 7 months and Ty - 3 1/2 years

Matching jammies

These pictures are of Ty and Blake. Their mom is my youngest sister, Diane. She is blessed enough to be able to stay home and raise these precious little spirits. The boys love my Tyler so much. I love these little boys!

An Eternal Perspective

It was 9 years ago today, I went to the temple for my own endowment. Although I have never married, it was the happiest day of my life. My favorite grandma had passed away about a month earlier, but she was with me that day. I know she was cheering for me from the other side of the veil.

When life tends to take over, we must remember the real reason we are here... to be tried, tested and prove ourselves worthy to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

I remember when this great temple was dedicated in 1986 by Thomas S. Monson, our living prophet.

I am thankful for my knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for my testimony and for the atoning sacrifice of our Savior.

Puppy Love

Freshly bathed with a princess bow!

How about that underbite?

Who could ask for more than unconditional love! I love these dogs... Sadee is my very favorite and Panther is trying to follow the rules.

A Sick Boy

The IV

He's out!

Monday evening after taking my mom to dinner, I took Tyler to urgent care for a migrane. The doctor was of no assistance and told us we should take him to the ER for a CT Scan on his brain. This made Tyler uneasy and he decided we should head to the ER. We got to Children's at 8:15 p.m., got a room at 11:00 p.m., they did an evaluation, asked lots of questions and decided there was no need for a CT Scan. They gave him an IV with prescription meds and fluids and released us to go home at 2:40 a.m. The headache was gone after the fluids and meds.

I am thankful for faith, prayers and modern medicine. I am happy Tyler is better and is back to his normal 15 year old boy behavior!

Happy Birthday to Mom!

Birthday!

Dinner at Olive Garden

Monday, May 11th was my mom's 67th birthday. I took her to dinner at Olive Garden, which was very delicious. It was just my mom and I for dinner. She is steadfast and a great example. She raised five girls on her own, is the mother to two angel daughters, and loves her 11 grandkids.

All that I am, I owe to my mother! I love you Mom!

Happy Birthday Janet!

Janet's Chocolate Eclair Birthday Cake

Mom, Colleen, & Janet - 3D Alien Glasses

Shopping - Tyler's new hat - NOT!

Janet with her new hair and Sadee

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JANET - The middle sister is now 38!

She can make anyone laugh, she loves to shop. We love to watch "What Not To Wear" together and then go to the mall and pick out candidates for the show. She loves my dog Sadee and always gives her belly rubs and knee massages.

She spent the morning getting her hair done and then off we went for some shopping at Flatiron Crossing. She chose Carino's for dinner - YUM!! We ended with a movie - Monsters vs. Aliens! It was a very cute movie! Sunday I made yummy chicken enchiladas and made her a Chocolate Eclair Cake - DELICIOUS!

Some of my favorites!

These pictures tell it all - some of my very favorite people!

My mom, my nephew Mugs and my princess puppy girl, Sadee!

Life and What is Important

How easy it is to be distracted in this world. This past General Conference was so inspiring me - it made me realize what we need to focus on and the things that should be important in our lives each day!

When the world leaves us in the fog, the gospel truths help to build our own firm foundation in order to rise above the storms and lead us in the righteous path home.

I Am Capable

I am capable of hard things. And so are you. This life won't always give you what you expect and what you want. But there will be moments of sheer joy and moments of accomplishment after much working and waiting that will whisper to you that there is always hope. Someday you will understand how much I love you.

A Warrior Amidst Adversity

Mothers are warriors. They fight the worst most intense war imaginable. They fight for their children's lives every single day in some way or another. They have casualties again, and again, and are expected to keep fighting. Their lives are bloody, literally. They are not only emotionally connected to everything, but literally, physically connected, and any loss is a loss of part of themselves.

The past month has been a battle. I must fight the fight amidst every kind of push back and adversity. I have renewed strength from the spiritual nourishment I received from General Conference this past week. I love the messages I heard... I believe they were all for me. I am grateful the our church leaders, prophets, seers and revelators. They are truly inspired from our Heavenly Father.

I can appreciate the love our Father in Heaven has for each of us despite our shortcomings and failures. I love my son, despite his shortcomings and failures. He saved my life, now it is my turn to save his!

My Sister Diane

This is for my youngest sister Diane! Today is her 30th birthday. She had a rough beginning into the world, a twinless twin, very premature (3 lbs. 11 oz.), a month in the hospital, never knowing her dad and having 5 moms (1 mom and 4 older sisters).

Today she is a beautiful daughter, sister, mother and wife. She is also a Great Friend, who I love so very much! She makes me laugh, listens, and loves. She is Kind, Generous, Fiesty, Strong willed, Super Smart and Beautiful.

I am 13 1/2 years older than Diane, me being the oldest and she the youngest. Once when Diane was in high school, someone asked me if I was her mom! I didn't know what to think. Looking back on that, I laugh.

Happy, Happy Birthday to you my sweet Diane!

Sibling Rivalry

Will someone please play with me?

Panther sees his shadow, confirming six more weeks of winter!

Sadee telling Panther to stay away from the house!

Sadee is still not a fan of the new addition, Panther. We spent the day at Diane's house on Saturday and Sadee and Panther came along. Panther was locked in the kitchen to prevent any accidents on Diane's carpet and Sadee was allowed in the living area with the rest of us. Panther thought he was in jail. We let them both outside to play and Sadee would not let him up on the patio. She was "yelling" at him and I can only image the lecture she was barking to him. It might have gone something like this: "who invited you here, this is not where you belong, nobody wants you here, please go back to where you came from". She growls at him at "Grandma's Daycare" and won't let him come near the couch if she is sitting next to her grandma. At home if they have both been outside for a potty break, she stands by the front door and won't let him come in. All he wants to do is play with her and she wants NOTHING to do with him. He is definately a PUPPY and wants to play, chew, chew some more, play and run. I thought he would help her be more playful, but all he has done is put her in a BAD mood. Oh the joys of SIBLING RIVALRY!