Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Wordless Wednesday


Monday, February 23, 2009

I miss you my friend!

Today is my good friend Barbara Quinn Shelley's birthday. She passed away after a very brave battle with cancer 3 1/2 years ago. My life seriously changed when I met this woman and was honored to call her my friend. I first met her serving together in our church's Young Women's program. I had the privilage of being 2 of her daughter's leader. It didn't take long before we became friends.

Barbara was one of the most amazing, talented and classiest people I've ever known. She was so willing to share her talents with me and others. I'm not sure I have ever met anyone more organized than she was. I learned so much from her.

We began a Craft Club with 6 friends and we met once a month and took turns teaching each other crafts. We all shared our birthdays together, traded Christmas gifts and even went on a few trips together. We always looked forward to our times together.


A few months before Barbara passed away we all wrote her letters for her birthday. As far as I know she never read those letters. Whatever her reasons it is ok. It was very therapeutic for me to write my letter to her expressing my gratitude for all that she had done for me and remembering some of the funny things we had done over the years. I have so many good memories. She was always willing to share, always willing to listen and always thoughtful of me.

There are many things in my home that she has given or made for me that are little treasures that remind me of her. I'm so grateful that I was able to know her and to have my life touched by hers.

I miss you my friend!

Friday, February 20, 2009

A New View

For Christmas I got this cool bird feeder that hangs on the outside of my office window. These pictures are not that great but it's the best I could do- the little guys kept moving! It has been so fun seeing so many different birds come to have a snack. I cannot believe how much bird seed I go through in a week!

Sometimes I have up to 6 or more birds fighting to get to the food. I have named one of them Marvin. He is a very strange looking bird and I can always pick him out of a crowd. I named him Marvin after "Messy Marvin" because he gets in the food and just flings it all over the place and makes a mess. Guess I'm a pretty cheap date but this has really been entertaining for everyone in my office. We've decided we are going to have to start Weight Watchers for the birds cuz they eat ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Thankful Thursday!

Wow! I have not done Thankful Thursday in a LONG time. Sounds a little ungrateful doesn't it? Truly, I'm not!

I am thankful that my job seems pretty secure and I pray for all my friends and family that are struggling with being out of work, having hours or benefits cut or the stress of looking for a new job.

I am thankful that my daughter is finally feeling herself again and started back to work this week!

I'm thankful for all the people- especially those that don't know her very well- that brought food and hugs or just came over to say hi. Amazing people!

I'm thankful that Rod and I were able to go to the temple last night and that we were able to stay and talk awhile after. Made my day!

I'm thankful that tomorrow is Valentines day and I can do some little random nice things for the boys at my house without them thinking that I'm being all weird and mushy! LOL

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

SPT


I think it would be romantic to walk on the beach with my hubby. Simple request isn't it? The problem is I don't want to be around a million other people. I want to go to a private beach! I have ALWAYS loved the beach! I could sit or lay on the beach forever. I've always wanted to spend romantic time walking and talking on the beach. And a new little hot body would be helpful too.

Monday, February 9, 2009

I Feel My Savior's Love


I am not one to share real personal things but I had an experience a week or so ago that really made me know without a shadow of a doubt that I am loved- even if I don't always feel it.

There is a Kenneth Cope song that without a doubt makes me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear it. It doesn't matter what kind of mood I'm in- tears will just start flowing. I was having a particularly bad night and was feeling more depressed than I ever have felt when this song came on. It touched me to the core! I was able to pull myself up by the bootstraps and feel that overwhelming feeling of love that if I didn't matter to a single other soul that I mattered to HIM.

The song is called Broken. Here is a cool video of it. Be patient the video starts after the intro.



And here are the words...

Broken Clouds give Rain.
Broken soil grows grain.
Broken bread feeds man for one more day.

Broken storms yield light.
The break of day heals night.
Broken pride turns blindness into sight.

Broken souls that need his mending.
Broken hearts for offering.
Could it be that God loves broken things?

Broken chains set free.
Broken swords bring peace.
Broken walls make friends of you and me.

To break the ranks of sin.
To break the news of Him.
To put on Christ til His name feels broken in.

Broken souls that need His mending.
Broken hearts for offering.
I believe that God loves broken things!

And yet our broken faith-our broken promises
sent love to the cross.
And still that broken flesh-that broken heart of His
offers us such grace and mercy.
Covers us with love undeserving.

This broken soul that cries for mending.
This broken heart for offering.
I'm convinced that God loves broken Me!
Praise His name-my God loves broken things.

So broken cloud give rain.
and broken soil give grain.
Broken bread feed man for one more day.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Matty G's B'day!!!!


My firstborn is 23 today. I feel so old and yet I really don't feel much older than him! I can't believe that he is 23! He has been such a blessing. It seemed like we waited forever for him to come into our lives way back then but we were so anxious to have kids!

Matt has always been the quiet, thinker of my children. He stays more calm than anybody else in our house. He has a hard time making decisions because he beats all the options to death first. He has to REALLY think things through!



He has always had lots of friends and girls always seem to swoon over him. In High School, I remember Kami saying that she was so tired of hearing how HOT her brother was by all her friends! LOL (not so much in the picture below ha! ha!)


He has a fun personality and loves sports- especially basketball and more recently softball. There isn't a day goes by when there isn't a basketball game on at my house. He stays busy with school and part time work right now and trying to figure out what he wants out of life.
He made us very proud when he served his mission. That decision really helped our entire family out while he was gone. He loves kids and has a fun personality around them. He is also very close to his brother and sister. It's so fun knowing that they all turn to each other and try to help each other.

Matt is a man of few words-many times it drives me crazy because I want to know what is going on in his life and I ask lots of questions and he gives one word answers (if that). I hope he knows how much I love him and how much having him part of our family has blessed us.

Happy Birthday Bud!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Stolen!


If anyone has seen this car please let me know! Cory bought it 2 weeks ago and it was stolen last weekend from Arrowhead Mall. Yup- he had it less than a week! The worst of it is that we loaned him the money until his other car could get sold. So WE are out the money and obviously he can't sell the other car now. It's so frustrating! I'm sure it is in some garage stripped and parted out by this time but GRRRRRRRRRR. (that's my mean face!)