Where is Dayna?

That is the big question. I do realize that that I suck at singing. But hay on your birthday you just need to put up w/ me. It's all done in love....definetly not talent. I'm not sure if Natt(typing error meant to read Matt... though Natt would be a better story) wisked her away for a romantic birthday. But hay break away from well what ever people do on romantic weekends and at least pick up the phone and let us sing our little hearts out. I'm sure after hearing Grandma and Grandpa's (plural) rendition's it was easy to use the excuses we all do...my phone was on vibrate....my battery died....I must have left it at_______ you fill in the blank. But hay give a poor Mom a break I want to sing out my love to you on this one day of the year that is all about you. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAYNA DEAR HAPPY DAYS WILL COME TO YOU ALL YEAR IF I HAD ONE WISH THAN IT WOULD BE A HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU FROM ME.....I know you can hear my voice..............

Wow you're old

Wait a minute, that means I'm way old. Today is my 1st born's birthday. Twenty nine years ago today our little Matthew came in to the world. From the beginning he had the need to freak his Mother out. I think showing up a few months early was just his way of letting us know who was in charge. You'd think I'd learn. He is usually teasing me but needless to say he usually gets the reaction he enjoys. He really hasn't changed....OK he's added a few muscles to his body and his brain. He is tender, obedient (but just like his mama likes to kick a bit along the way), generous,sensitive and likes the last word! Hm where did he get that from? Happy Birthday Matthew Lee! Hope you know how much I love and respect you....though you are a Husband, Father and well respected military man you will always be my baby!

November 15th... Happy Birhday Lexi Dawn

Wow has it been a year since our Lexi came in to the world? Being in the delivery room with David and Jen was one of the most special experiences of my life. Well... and emotional, there is something about seeing your daughter go through child bearing that rips ya all apart. Poor David, the Mama bear wanted to protect,defend and take care of her baby in pain. But David was a good sport and I tried to keep quite...oh come on I tried!! From the on set our little Lexi has been filled with joy. She is just a bundle of smiles and happiness. I just love her. She will just have to get use to the fact that I am her best friend....in high school she might get a bit embarrassed that I am with her at lunch or we (Grandpa included) are with her on double dates...but in the end she will come to understand how cool it is to know that of anything else in this world she is adored...always!!

Election Day 2008

And thank goodness!! By tomorrow it will be over. It has been a source of contention for months in our happy little home. We have been split in two...parties that is. Yes I voted republican for no other reason than I figured to follow my core values. Brian a Donkey....do I need to say more? Please don't get me wrong, I don't like McCain or his running mate. I spent a lot of time trying to find pure truth through all the propaganda. All I know is when I spend money on my credit card I get the bill in the mail at some point and Robin hood was Kevin Costner in tights. We need a 3rd party bad. What ever I wake up too I just gotta believe the Pres. elect looks in the mirror and says "crap I got the job...now what?"

Now you know why I don't claim to keep a journal

So it's been awhile...who haven't I heard that from. Let's see since I last inspired you all, we've finished (WE is used figuratively) the basement window! Have a shutter on order. I was willing to wait until Brian came home one night and noticed I wasn't sitting in "my" chair in the basement. I explained it felt freaky that someone could be starring at me through my big window.... the next day the order was in. See girls just let them think they are in charge!! Jen had her Big 27th B-Day...as she informed us it is boring being an adult on your birthday...we celebrated for her w/ a few of her favorite things (Pepsi was thrown in just for swallowing purposes). I do have to say trying to make a "grownup" child happy is thankless and overrated. I thought what would totally be Jen that she wouldn't do for herself...HMMM. She is a couch potato like her Parents.... so we (again figurative...B says men don't shop it's the women's job!) found her the first season of Bones to pass her evenings away. David informed me right before it was delivered they rented it and were about finished w/ the season...well of course!! Then the 2nd gift on the way would surely get the wow factor. But I'm no idiot I sent the receipt in the box just in case. New Sunday shoes. She thought they were some I bought for myself and sent to her....another way of saying "they're old Mom, they look like you!!". Brian kept saying just send a check. I told him that was totally impersonal. Matt, Dayna and David, your next... don't worry about shaking the box!!

We are in the hole!!

We always seem to be in the hole but this time it is a literal hole. About time if you ask me. I finally get my window in the basement... YAY!! Brian has spent weeks digging through our great Utah clay. Finally after backaches and a rich new vocabulary the hole is complete. Tomorrow the cement cutters come. We will then have a hole in the house! Wait a minute when do I actually get my window? Brian assures me that Tuesday he will install it. Lucky for me I will be at the church cannery helping the needy and hoping it will compensate for the continued use of the new vocabulary. Can't say I'll miss being here to see and feel the stress. So today he drew lines in the basement to show how big the actual window will be. Then he says "I think it's going to be to big". Ya right! Do you remember his thought on his big screen TV...you get my drift.

Back to the unemployment line

OK so most of you are saying......back?? I started a little part time job that lasted 2 whole days. OK so anyone in the know, knows I mentally lasted pre 1st day. But in my own defense as I sat stocking shelves on Monday morning.....at Tuesday Morning...keep up...I kept seeing all this stuff I didn't know I didn't need. What started out as a way to get a good deal (employee discount) was already starting to make me wonder how I lived so long w/out all the new stuff coming in. I had one of those you know spiritual moments...yes every once in a while it happens. So then as I actually prayed about it I had my answer.... go to your husband for council, stop wanting for more than you have and stop spending money. Don't you just hate when it's not what you want to hear? I recall Brian's first words when I came home with my news of employment, "you will spend more than you earn". So I sucked up my pride (well some of it) and told him he was right. He's relieved knowing I'm embarrassed to show my face in Tuesday Morning and wants to know if I'll apply and quit at Ross and TJ Maxx!!

SO BIG

What a difference a year makes! We just love you Emme. First of all it seems imposable a year has passed and here you are 1 yr. old. You came with a gift. I have spent the last month or so trying to sum it up in a word and I finally have it.....contentment. What a special and rare gift. Wish we could be there to celebrate your day.....lots of hugs and kisses.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Good old Harley!

Can't you just read her mind? "Get this kid off me"......."That's right kid just keep looking but don't get to close"...." I liked you better when you were a little bit afraid." Can't say enough good about the butt head...as she is affectionately called. She has learned the perks though....food dropped and shared, faces to lick clean and the peace when they all go home!

All is well in Zion

Its true what we're told in the Book Of Mormon. Just when you start to get complacent and think all is well ......they attack! We probably let down our guard. Having to much fun, not doing the day to day important things, not keeping a look out. Maybe even welcoming in the enemy. Thinking they were cute.....letting them get close. Before we knew it they had control. Matt our soldier in the family came prepared. His laser pellet gun came in handy. When he and his brother weren't shooting each other in the butt. We had the enemy running scared...by Sunday no one was safe. Even Dayna was ready to shot anything moving. Joel thought Grandma was out to kill. David thought we were all a bunch of red necks. I knew it had to stop......I threw up the white flag and surrendered. They could have it all. Every last Marshmallow Mate. But don't even think about the Milky Ways you might take one of our strong holds but I'll never give up the chocolate!!

The Youngs attack the Gorge....

I have officially turned in to one of those Grandmas...I want my family around me. Yes I want to tend them on nights out, I want to take them out for special shopping trips, I want to make fun food together and yes I'll say it I want to have them all over for Sunday dinner......ahhh every week! The weekend at our family favorite fun spot didn't detour me. The butt cold mornings didn't or the amount of food we inhale....not to mention keeping Pepsi stock up. OK I admit it that's mostly me. I love each one of them....parents included.

YUM!

Pictures say it all......

I just love this kid

How can you not? If we're all born with a spiritual gift then Jo's is a no brain er...one word says it best....LOVE. It comes natural. He makes you feel like your his favorite person in the whole world. Which works for me! He considers everyone his friend. He reminds me so much of his Dad at that age. Hopefully he'll turn out as good as Matt! I just love ya Jo....thanks for being my best Grandson!!!

Love is spoken here

Brian and I have spent the last month or so reading the book Love Languages. Jen saw the need for her Dad and I to speak the same dialect. We spent every afternoon on the front bench reading a chapter aloud. It was good to finally understand what said "I love you" to each other. Gee its been 30 years....we're a bit slow! It was a total shocker for me to discover B's love language is physical....who would have guessed! Come to find out mine is quality time. After a few weeks of seeing great success Brian said he was doing something very special for me.Thoughts of tickets to some fabulous place came to mind, a hike in the Uintas, camping for the weekend. A colonoscopy was not on my list of special experiences shared. Lets see is there anything in the day before prepping for the procedure that would fit in? Thanks but I'd rather not join you in starvation. Spending the night in the bathroom hmmm...no! I did enjoy the drive to the hospital. Hearing the nurse say he can leave as soon as he passes gas......maybe amusing. But please don't share. So in the end what have we learned......Brian is good to go for another 10 yrs and learning a second language is going to take some time!!!

I am an olympian

well at least in my own mind! I sit on my butt from 7pm to midnight every night watching the Beijing games. I'm an addict. I have taken things very personally as they under score my girls in gymnastics. I bite every one of my finger nails as my boy Phelps swims for yet another gold. I take pride as if I had something to do w/ his amazing ability. If you really think about it we are related distantly! I feel a strong bond w/ my sister Torres. She gives me hope...false as it might be....that I am as fit as a 20yr old. Of course every time I take a needed nourishment break (hay it takes a lot of calories to expend such energy!) my body kicks me back to reality. What will I do in a week when the games are over??? Maybe I'll start training 2012 is just around the corner.

Brian's brave

Today after 3 weeks of being in pain w/ every step I hang up my running shoes. OK you know me better than that. I mean for one week. Brian had the guts today to sit me down and try to see logic. I know your are either laughing at him or praying for his safety. I suggest you continue or start the prayers. It has been a tough year for me w/ injuries. I'm sure my diligence is a strength and a curse. But after hobbling way behind the girls this morning I have to admit.....it's just not working for me. So I will try the alternative completely staying off it.....AHHHHH. The girls and I spoke this morning about old age. We decided instead of ending up in "the home" we would live in a house together and have a nurse come in once a week. We will find funny hats to wear.Well Susan said she won't wear one. But we told her that her mind would be gone so she won't know. I'm so grateful the morning ended that way.... look what fun I have to look forward to...just a little sooner than I thought!

"I have a vision"

Brian hates those words. It started w/ Matt's/David's old room needing an update. The dark blue wall paper came down a few months ago.....don't even get me started on how I hate wallpaper. OK so I started, never do it. This is for my posterity. Words coming from my grave.....don't do it! Don't buy a house w/ wallpaper, don't ever put it up and don't even try to take it off once it is up....just don't do it.
The room only needed to be painted. Well of course the trim looked terrible so......then the ceiling was a mess......I've always hated the closet doors. What were they thinking in the 70's, slats that collect dust and are impossible to clean.Then the carpet....between two boys leaving their mark and Ninja our cat finishing it off... From the look of it either the cat was trying to claw her way in or out. I vote the latter.
So back to my vision. I'm thinking a contemporary feel. The trim and ceiling are now white. The walls (first coat finally done) are taupe. The closet doors will have their middles cut out and replaced w/ grass paper. My brain said a carpet remnant installed would be maybe $100 bucks and I could "find" that somewhere.....don't ask for logic on that statement. Come to find out more like $400....I can't even "find" that much. But thanks to an amazing husband and youtube we are on the lookout for a cheap remnant.
My vision has become his vision? I think not. He has just learned that once I'm inspired....

Lets Ponder...

Today in Sunday school we discussed the spirit world. The lay over before our final destination. The Atonement, of course it being the central part of everything. But as usual somewhere along the course of class my mind started to drift off course and ponder important questions.
If my Mom was my sister before I came here then who did I look like? After I leave here will I look like Sheri prime post earth life or back to somebody (name not known) that was me before I came here? If we are going to be staying in a gated community until judgement will I feel closed in? Who was that man on the back row that left in the middle of the meeting?
Don't ask I don't get it either and please don't share any doctrine w/ me....my mind can't handle anymore pondering!

Lesson learned

Last night I had the opportunity to float the Weber river w/ some of the YM and YW from our ward. What could be better a warm summer evening, beautiful scenery and for the most part good company (the wiener in the group will be left nameless). I knew what I was getting into with my friend Amy coming. I would be soaked and if possible dunked! Her husband Al would be the one to keep us all in line. Even Brian participated as the captain of our boat. Can I just say it's true what they say about a man in uniform. Brian has never looked so handsome. As most know I prefer always being in charge and I am claustrophobic. So letting the current take us, sometimes w/ out much control and needing to re lie somewhat on wiener boy was a challenge. Also I had been informed one bridge to pass under was so low we would have to lie flat on the raft.....at the same time as guiding the boat away from the side! I am alive to say I managed doing all the above w/out incident. Toward the end we were informed we would be coming to a spot where the freeway passes overhead. We would need to stay clear of the pillars and maneuver through. We felt pretty confident by that point in the trip. The instruction coming from the wheel house was to follow the boat in front of us. As a faithful crew we did just that. As they ran head on into a pillar. Threw every one on their boat into the current plus 1/2 our crew. I held on for dear life! I could go on and on about the efforts to release the boat from the grasp of the pillar, the deadly current, the blessing of no one getting hurt, only losing one Orr and the miracle of the Ram truck. Many lessons could be learned from my night at sea. But one will stand out above all else....I am a survivor not a hero. You know how you hope you'd be that guy that jumps in and saves the drowning child? Yep that's not me! As everyone else scrambled to save cargo and crew........I held on and saved myself! Moral of the story, if you go anywhere w/ me cover your own back....cause I'll be taking care of my own!

A salute to our military

My son Matthew is being deployed this weekend.......to Venice....Italy! Such a hardship, how will he manage. I will worry daily until he is home on safe ground. Okay reality..... Dayna is the one that needs to be saluted. She is on the firing line. Day after day being attacked on every side. If its not chemical warfare disguised as dirty diapers, its incoming missiles thrown by a very clever 4 yr. old. Along w/ that she must keep the barracks clean and feed the squadron! I have always wanted to go to Venice (the one place in Italy I haven't seen). Its on my must see before I die along w/ running on the great wall of China. By the time I get there it might be a hobble but I'm OK w/ that. I am sure Dayna is as sick of not being able to go w/ Matt as I am....no more I mean she is his wife and all. The up side for me in this whole crazy world is I get to see them when she fights enemy lines to come to Utah. Hmmm Utah Venice that's a no brainier!

Can I just say I love summer?

Feeling rather lonelly, picked on and blue tonight. My first antidote was everything sugar. After that turned on me I decided to get off my butt (which seems to be getting larger) and mow the lawn. After sticking in my earphones and turning my tunes on high I was off. What is it about great music, a warm summer breeze and just moving that can turn me around? Wish I'd try that before all that Hostess produces!
I seriously thought the heavens were trying to tell me something when the last 2 times I've tried to go to the temple they were closed (Ogden being this morning). But tonight as the skies were magnificent and the wind blew in my face I new that all was at peace.
Much of today was spent thinking of my Son David as he took the dental boards. I can't even imagine the brain capacity the boy has. I couldn't retain or concentrate that much if my life depended on it. I salute you and admire you! Just know one of those donnettes was in your behalf......

Hello I have a life....

Nag, nag, nag! Where does she get it from? You'd think that I sit around all day doing exactly what I want to do w/out any responsibility. I must meet my friends at 6:30am where we dutifully discuss all that's wrong w/ the world and our knowledge on how to make it right! Then there is breakfast on the patio which requires gathering it from the kitchen. The pots must be watered....if not me, who? I could go on and on but it just exhausts me to think about.


On top of my frantic life I adopted a new pet. We already have Harley the very needy big yellow Lab. But when I heard this one requires no attention I thought that's the pet for me. They always tell you that just to get it home. Then when you are already attached the truth comes out. At first its once it feels at home you can put it in the fridge for up to 18 months w/out feeding it and it will live and be happy. Oh no! If you want it really happy and healthy every 2 days it needs to be fed. Also it multiplies......every time you feed it, it doubles. I can't just kill it's twin by putting it down the toilet or garbage disposal (I do have a heart!) So 2 choices wrap it nicely and adopt the offspring to some unsuspecting sucker or eat it! The latter being what I'm ashamed to say I've succumbed to ....3-4 days a week until I can truthfully say I'm addicted. Once you acquire a taste its hard to ever go back. I haven't named it yet any ideas?? I'll post a picture so my family will know whats taken over my affections........Hmmm who's the golden child now?

I am WHO

This just happens to be the theme for our Church young women's girls camp so I ask myself "who am I?" I have actually pondered this question a lot lately so here goes........ I am a child (who still needs her Mommy). I have been a wife for longer than I was single and plan on continuing this role forever (though there are days I do want to hand in my 2 week notice). I am a Mom, though in a new job description. I am a Mother "in law"(I happen to just consider myself having given birth later in life to 3 adult children). A Grandma, this one has no negative anything. A true friend to a pack of 5. A little sister and an Aunt. A defender of the underdog. A debater of everything. I am creative. Have a tendency to bore easily. I am persistent to a fault. I am very sensitive.

My dear husband says I should change the wording to obsessive/compulsive and crazy....though he threw in cute!! Hmmm where is that 2 week notice form??