Easter Egg Vase

Easter Egg Vase
Start with a large-mouth clear cookie jar or canister and place a clear drinking glass in the center. Gently stack dyed, hard-cooked eggs between the glass and jar, alternating egg colors. Fill the glass with water. Cut the stems of your favorite flowers (they used roses, gerber daisies, tulips, hyacinth, and bells of Ireland) to the desired length, and arrange them in the glass.

(from Better Homes and Gardens)

I thought I would share some Easter ideas each day because, well, you know I LOVE Easter! I'm off early this morning to go to the Moran Eye Center.....I've had a twitch going on in my eyelid for a month. It is SO WEIRD getting closer to 100 than one! One funny thing after another! I don't really mind the twitching eye...it kind of tickles. I just want to make sure there isn't something else wrong. David's friend, Sid, from Idaho Falls came in last night and they are getting ready to go skiing today. We stayed up late and laughed over old college stories. Today is my Jesus the Christ class...can't wait. Then I "think" my writing group is today. I actually wrote a poem....it isn't edited but this is the best that I can do until after class.

THOUGHTS IN THE WAITING ROOM

When young, she house sat for an eccentric
that collected clocks. Timepieces gathered
from a world of traveling, gifts bequeathed
by relatives and friends. They ranged
from a miniature alarm that nestled
in the palm, to larger-than-life grandfathers
brooding each hallway like sentinel soldiers.
Cuckoos darted and serenaded the hour
while great cogs-and-wheels churned wall-to-wall.
She thought the man crazy
or certainly would be after spending a life
within the home’s ticking.
When you are young, you have no need
of pendulums to count your day.
The only time that matters
is the large round face
of the schoolroom marm
whose trembling second hand bounces
your way to freedom from teacher’s grasp.
Each day is a sack lunch,
packed plump with minutes
waiting to be devoured in pleasure.

When you are young, you do not value
the sands of the hourglass except
for things of play. You never know
the frantic vitality of guessing
how much is spent, how much left?

When you are young, you know not
each man wears a timepiece, each friend,
each life you gather in the rooms
of your heart are ticking, ticking.
She closes her eyes and pictures the eccentric,
almost frantic as he runs from room to room,
winding, rewinding, thinking that if just he ran
faster, if he just ran faster.
If he just ran faster.

Marilyn Darley Williams

Tulip Delight

I love tulips but I can't plant them here since the deer think they are dessert. They won't eat my daffodils. Each year I used to have to think hard to remember which ones the deer liked and which ones they didn't. I would think, "Two-lips eat flowers." I loved this picture I found in a magazine. Probably Martha,Martha, Martha. It is easy enough and looks beautiful.

Put the eggs in a clear glass bowl, add water, and arrange tulips so the stems are in the water. Gorgeous centerpiece for Easter!

We had a nice weekend. Of course, I came home Friday night from St. George. A nice surprise was that David's trial settled so he didn't have to work all weekend like I thought he was going to have to. Saturday night we went to Orem, to dinner at an old roommate of David's. This roommate was also a boy that I used to date in college....at the same time I was dating David....only I didn't know they knew each other. That was kind of crazy when we figured it all out (at the time)....they weren't actually living together that semester but moved in together the next. He is now a philosophy professor at BYU. We had a great time together visiting. His wife loves art so we could talk that and it was fun to catch up on our families and friends. Fun evening.

Church yesterday was lovely. First of all, I have been preparing since last week for my lesson with the littles. Really, I spend hours and hours preparing for my class and it can be destroyed in a second! That's what teaching 3-4 year olds can do! We are still on the creation lessons...and this week was animals. So fun! I made safari hats for all with animals cutouts stuck on. I made binoculars out of paper cups for them. I had about twenty riddles about animals printed on paper and stuck all around the church. We would have to creep down the halls (ha!) so as not to frighten the animals and find an animal and guess what each animal was. Then a matching game with Noah and the ark. I love my littles...they actually did talks for the first time yesterday and I was so proud of them. But I'm exhausted after Primary each week. After church, Brandi and Ryan and kiddos came for dinner. A fun time.
I have antennas on my head
And a neck that grows real long
You have to look up real high
To see me when I yawn.

What Animal Am I???

Sacrament meeting yesterday was exceptional. The spirit was beautiful. Many shared thoughts of the temple. Rob Gibbons shared a missionary experience. He went to Columbia on his mission. He worked in a little town, high in the Andes with about 30-40 people in the branch. The branch president (I can't remember his beautiful Spanish name) was probably about the most wealthy man in town, humbly speaking. His house was a titch larger, they actually had a car (which they parked inside their home) and more furniture than most. But Rob noticed that every Tuesday, this man and his wife would spend the day making homemade tamales and then his sons would go out selling them. Week after week. Rob thought this was kind of strange considering he was probably the most affluent in the town. One day Rob asked him why they did this? The president replied that if they worked faithfully for 3 1/2 more years, and saved every penny, then- in 3 1/2 years, they would sell their car and furniture...so he and his family could fly to Washington DC to be sealed as a family in the temple! They would sell all that they had to be able to go to the temple. And they did. Now, of course, they have a temple in Bogota...so now they can go to the temple much easier....only a 3 hour ride in a chicken bus to Bogota!

It was humbling to think about. Here we are in the midst of almost a dozen temples within minutes to a few hours. I'm thinking about the scripture that says, "Where much is given, much is expected" and feeling like I'm coming up short!

Well, happy day. BFF Cathy just called. She couldn't go to St. George with us since she had family in town. We're meeting for lunch. Big surprise! And guess what? Easter is almost here! Of course, my lawn is covered in snow again. Big storm yesterday and more snow this morning.

And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here. ~St Augustine

Growing Easter Grass

(These two pictures are from BH&G's)

Wheat grass is a beautiful centerpiece for your Easter table. I used to grow mine...then got lazy and now go to Good Earth and just buy what I need. You can probably find wheat grass in most stores now, but I'm not sure if they have flats. But it is CHEAP and easy to grow. Whatever your container is, make sure it has drainage holes in the bottom. You use whole wheat (grass seed works as well...I don't think the grass is as thick) ....which I soak for a day in lukewarm water to pre-soften. You can fill your tray with clean soil or vermiculite potting stuff. (Do you like my technical term?) Plant the seed about 1/8 inch deep. Water about every 2 days. Put your tray in a warm window with sunlight and it will sprout in a few days (tiny) and will be Easter grass tall in about eight to ten...so it is about time to get going! Don't you think this centerpiece is darling? For further instructions on this particular centerpiece, here is the link (Martha Stewart.) They've just stuck the flowers into the grass along with eggs and candy bunnies...set everything on a rock base. I love it! http://www.marthastewart.com/article/wheat-grass-centerpiece?backto=true

Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. ~Clarence W. Hall

And The Winner is.....

Peggy from Arizona....not to be confused with BFFC (Best Friend From College) Peggy from Oregon!

Peggy, send me your info and what kind of gift certificate you want...and I'll get it off to you! Congratulations! It was great hearing your comment!

Girlie Trip to St. George

(Note: for anyone reading this who is not familiar with Utah geography, St. George is in the southern region of Utah close to Nevada. It is about a 4 hour drive from Sandy. The climate is very desert dry...it is much hotter there than Salt Lake...a place to go for the sun. It is desert and surrounded by magnificent red rock cliffs. It is a great place for vacationing, second homes, all things outdoors-hiking, biking, golfing. It is a wonderful place for winter pick-me-ups! It gets Arizona hot in the summer and you could cook a lizard on your porch...which we have never done...but you could if you wanted, I'm sure. It has lots of art shows and galleries. We heart St. George!)

We got home from our girlie trip last night. Just a couple of fun, fun days! Brendalyn, Valene and I enjoyed a leisurely trip down (Kathy W. and Debra S. were already there)....we stopped in Provo to tour Jon McNaughton's art studio (it is at the City Centre Mall.) Jon is an artist that we've taken lots of workshops with. It was fun to talk to him and see what he is working on now. You've seen a lot of his stuff on covers of the Ensign in the past year. Kathy and Debra were just finishing up golfing when we got there so we unpacked the car and then we all headed to Santa Clara...where another artist, Julie Rogers, is painting a fabulous mural in the city building. Kathy and Debra had already been there and got to visit with Julie (another artist most have workshop-ed with...I couldn't go on that trip but Julie is the one who we had come to a garden party at Kathy's last year and she's painted several pictures of my great-great-grandfather, Archie McPhail) ....again, a lot of her work is in the Ensign...she does marvelous pastels. The mural she is painting, which chronicles the immigrants from Switzerland, crossing the ocean, crossing the plains and settling that valley...is fabulous! If you are in the St. George area, it is a must see. Hopefully Julie will be there so you can hear the stories of all the individuals in the picture...which "ancestors" posed for. 

After the mural, we hit a few stores in Santa Clara....loved seeing the trees in blossom!



One day we did a wonderful hike in the hills. Here are a few pictures from that adventure.

We hit several quilt shops since several of the girlies are into quilting. This is a quilt a couple of them are going to make.

We:

-had a fabulous meal at the Pizza Factory...one of our favorites

-made delicious noodle bowls at home another day....tradition

-our "serendipitous" find was cheap movies at Big Lots. We found one of Valene's favorites "Cold Comfort Farm" with Kate Beckinsale and we each got one. It is QUIRKY and delightful and terribly British and the rest of the trip someone would say in a funny voice "I saw something nasty in the woodshed!" (you've got to see the movie!)

-And watched just part of Australia

-Made tons of darling cards

-Made an Easter craft as an idea for kiddos to make/or for place settings at Easter (I'll show later)

-Had beauty treatments...I took my NuSkin Galvanic spa and had everyone do a treatment. This is a new NuSkin product that I'm newly crazy about! I cannot believe the difference it has made with my skin. Honestly, it is WONDERFUL! Travis is a distributor and I was the biggest skeptic EVER...but now I'm the biggest fan.

-Laughed our guts out. We laugh at everything. We make terrible fun of each other and have the greatest time.

-Krumpets, gift store, is always a favorite. (similar to a Rodworks.)

We five got to ride home together since Linda Shepherd (the driver on the first week party) had to come home earlier. Even the traveling in the car is crazy fun. Being with friends is the BEST!

“We don't stop laughing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop laughing."

Spring Contest

Contest Time- Let's hear 5 things on your spring agenda. Just 5 easy questions!


1. A place you're going to go: Washington
2. Your favorite thing to eat in spring: strawberries
3. What you're going to miss about winter: not shaving my legs!
4. What is a spring tradition: Easter Egg Hunt
5. What does spring look like at your house today? We're covered with a blanket of snow!

You choose the gift certificate....$25 to where?

"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush." - Doug Larson

The Bags Are Packed, all ready to Go!

Here's yesterday's memo about St. George:

Dear Girlie Girls: Here's the info about Wed. I'll pick you up, Brendalyn at about 10 to 9 . Then we might go out for early bird breakfast....bagels and cream cheese at Rich's with a tall Diet something with vanilla or fresh squeezed orange juice. Then Valene, I'll pick you at at 9:00. Brendalyn and I will have to snarf the bagels and get rid of the crumb evidence. I think we can make a McDonald's run....bacon, egg and cheese biscuit...minus the bottom part of the biscuit since I'm dieting....before picking up Michelle (are you REALLY coming????? Hope so! Hope so! Hope so! email me back).....shortly after we vacuum the biscuit crumbs out of the car. Hopefully, if you all are really ready on time, maybe we can stop at the Sev for treats for the ride. I know you are sooo excited. I have now about 549 pictures of my new grandbaby. Hold on to your hats. Tomorrow I might run out and buy a car DVD player and if I can find a good deal, I'll stay up all night and put together a really cute, really fabulous video of my baby. It will make you swoon. It will be so tender it will make you cry. I think I have enough pictures that the DVD will last all the way to St. George. But JICOE....(Just in case of emergency)....I will see if Travis will loan me his video of the entire birth captured on film...complete with sound effects and fabulous color! In case we have any extra time! Woo-woo! Does that sound like a party or what? love you all!!!! Fun times ahead! Marilyn

p.s. I'm thinking we all need to bring our scissors ....I know what you are thinking...to cut our wrists! Not really, but for our card projects! Tricked you!

************************************

So, I'm mopping my way out the door. It is snowing but hopefully it won't affect the roads. Sunshine here we come. I'll post a contest for tomorrow. As friend Jan would say, "Gotta wiggle!"

"Each leaf,each blade of grass vies for attention.
Even weeds carry tiny blossoms to astonish us."- Marianne Poloskey

Tuesday Thoughts

I forgot to share that this weekend David and I went to the Symphony. Normally, this is not something that we do (except occasionally when the Symphony plays at Deer Valley) but one of the docs at the University Hospital had given David two tickets....it was to a Cowboy Jamboree....I called it the Little Buckeroo Symphony. I guess the doc thought David was a little buckeroo. No, he knew that since David is part cowboy/part attorney, he would enjoy the western music. And we did. They had a narrator (Frank Oden- a playwrite and performer from Colorado) that kept the program rolling along with humor and cowboy poetry. He did a great job. My favorite thing was out in the lobby of Symphony Hall, they had an Instrument Petting Zoo! They had stations all over with different instruments that the kids could blow or strum and try out. What a great idea!

Yesterday, during a snow storm, I drove to Layton to meet friend Sophia. We had the best day together. Taipan is always first on our agenda although I had just Taipan-ed it in St. George. Some of the Taipan's sell V chocolates and I had Sophia taste one that Cathy got me hooked on....it is a caramel, dipped in chocolate...with a touch of sea salt on top. The saltiness and chocolate and sweet caramel is a fabulous creation! We had lunch at Firehouse Pizza and Pasta in Clearfield...always amazing. Since I needed to come up with a few cards for St. George, Sophia was KIND ENOUGH to actually do one for me (and make ten packets!) and we needed a few more items, so we hit a few craft stores, Target (and we had a beauty makeover in the car...funny!), J and J nursery (fabulous! It is worth the drive!) and another store that I have blocked out of my mind. It is raining/snowing. We are driving on a frontage road....trying to find an address when I see lights behind me. I get PULLED over! He took my license and insurance so I was sure he was going to give me a ticket (apparently I was going faster than the speed limit...which was 25 but how would I know that?)...but he was nice when he saw I was from Sandy and really didn't have a clue where I was going (actually, I think he probably felt sorry for me since I'm closer to 100 than one)....and pointed out the place we were trying to find....and we got there...and it was CLOSED! After all that trouble! We had even called to ask directions...and they told us how to get there...and didn't tell us THEY WERE CLOSED!!!! Nutso. But, undeterred, we had a wonderful day together as friends, already planning our next grand hurrah! Here are two of the cards that we are going to do:


This morning was our focus group that is studying Jesus the Christ by Talmadge. Today's chapter talked about the many names of Christ and the meaning of those names. I read my chapter on Sunday, when waiting in the temple for the dedication, and it was even more meaningful when I realize this book was actually written in the temple. I love my Savior and am so happy to study in depth, with wonderful women, the ins-and-outs of His life, His sacrifice and His love for us, individually. I feel like my testimony is continually being reinforced. What a lovely part of my day.

Tomorrow......heading out for more fun. Details to follow. There will be a contest on Thursday. I'm thinking and pondering what a good one would be.

“When you turn your heart and your life over to Christ, when you accept Christ as the Savior, it changes your heart." George W. Bush

To-do's

Just a quick little list this morning. It is snowing like crazy....my beautiful yard work dumped on again. I'm going to venture out and meet friend, Sophia in Ogden for a play date. I might have cancelled except she already thinks I'm a ninny for cancelling during the last storm. Actually, she's borrowing the wedding tablecloths for her daughter's baptism celebration and so we really need to meet. It would cost a fortune to mail them.

Last Friday, during art I got a phone call from friend Cali, who happened to be in town (from Cedar City) for a short visit. We actually got to go to lunch and visit....talk 3 million miles per hour to try and get everything in. She is my friend that got me hooked on oil painting. She's a marvelous artist. It was funny because she lugs all these packages into the house. She laughs and said, "These are your birthday gifts from the last three years and I'm sick of them littering up my house!" There were darling treasures....a darling funky figurine of a cook stirring a bowl with chocolate all over her face (she said it reminded me of when I write about just licking up the Chocolate Almond fondue with a spoon), a 'bee" flag for outside...and two enchanting children's novels. One of them is called "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane." Edward Tulane is a china rabbit that gets lost. Have you read it? It is suppose to be wonderful....a New York bestsellar. I can't wait to read it and then pass it around to my kiddos. I think Joshua would love it. Her grandson did. The other book is called "Rabbit Hill" (Cali knows I love rabbits)...and she searched and searched for a used copy since it is out of print. What a darling friend that knows me, knows the things that would delight me. We had the best time together, just sharing our hearts. And I got presents too!!!


Yesterday was wonderful. It was the Draper temple dedication. David and I and my MIL had tickets for the 11:00 a.m. in the temple. The dedication was lovely....I loved being in the temple although we were in a non-descript room (everything was televised room-to-room)....our Stake President, a man I adore...Steven Miles gave the opening prayer and Charles Dahlquist, general president of the Young Men's (and married to my cousin) also spoke and did a great job. I took notes during the talks that I will share later.

I had better get going. I am leaving for St. George again on Wed. for a girlfriend trip. Lots of things to do before then. David is in preparation for a trial so it is a perfect time for me to go. The weather was suppose to be wonderful there but I think it will be overcast although warm. Here are some of our emails:

To Everyone: Hi girls, Marilyn and I are whipping up a short trip to St. George and we want to invite a few of our favorite people to join us. The main purpose of the trip is to soak up some valuable vitamin D and to see Julie Roger's mural in Santa Clara. (Also to laugh ourselves silly and eat all of the best food in St. George and of course to take brisk walks to wear it all off.) We want to go next Weds. morning and return Friday afternoon or early evening. Can any of you swing it? Let me know and we'll make plans. Kathy

To Everyone: Hi, Debra had a great idea for St. G. Do you want to make cards? Why don't we bring the makings for 2 cards of the same pattern for 6 people. That sounds a little confusing so here is what I am trying to say: We will all design one card and then bring everything to make 12 of that same card (2 cards for each person.) The six people going to St. G. are: Marilyn, Brendalyn, Valene, Debra, Linda Sheppard, and me. Linda is not for sure but she is trying to swing it. If you don't have time to bring the stuff for a card, don't worry. Linda, Debra, and myself will already be in St. G. so could one of you other three drive there? Let me know who is driving and how many can fit in your car. The size of the car will determine if we drive home with you or we take a separate car. It is going to get cold again next week so St. G. is going to feel great. Bring some good walking shoes and if you want to swim or sun bring a bathing suit, although I must warn you that I am at my all time fat so it could be a little horrifying. I am leaving early Monday so if you have questions then let me know before we take off. I'm so glad you are coming to join us!! Sun therapy here we come. Kathy

Marilyn says: I would LOVE to make cards!!! And even if Debra wants to design a couple, I would be happy to cut out the pieces. I am happy to drive. I have a-not-so- fancy Jeep....in which I will try and clean out the petrified bits and pieces of Happy Meals and dried sippy cup spills. 5 can fit if 3 don't mind riding in the backseat up-close-and-personal. So excited! So excited! Did I mention I'm excited!!! I only have 937 pictures of my new baby so that should almost get us to St. George....I PROMISE I'll take a few more hundred so we can look at them all the way home. I know it will make the trip go by SO MUCH FASTER!!! Anyone want to paint a little project? I bet we could do an acrylic painting very easily and it would be dry. Valene, I think you need to cook a tri-tip and bring the stuff for noodle bowls...and I'll bring the stuff for strawberry cream cheese cupcakes since Kathy and I are at our cutest-ever-chubbiest and therefore will be free to eat whatever we want plus the kitchen sink. I can't think of St. George now without thinking of noodle bowls and strawberry cupcakes since I KNOW we will need the calories for energy for the walk (hike) Kathy will lead us on.....since I have learned from experience that a small brisk walk in the hood means 40 years of Israelite-style trekking in the wilderness. Love you all, girlie friends! M.

Kathy says: My stomach hurts from laughing.


Marilyn says: I'm game if everyone else is or whatever. I think B. REALLY needs a getaway. We will have fun with just us. Talk Debra and everyone into staying! I loved Sheron's pictures of you guys planting the tree. (Our Bucket group bought a tree and took it and lunch to Gayle Miller's to plant in her yard. The tree, not the lunch.) I'm sorry I couldn't go but I'm so happy I got to have bonding with my two little guys. My baby is ADORABLE and we feel blessed that she's healthy and perfect. Sometimes you know there is nothing more important than you can do than to sit and hold these little kiddos and love them and make them giggle. Today was Nash and my day! M.


Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends. -- Cindy Lew

They make my heart sing!

Travis sent me this picture of the new sisters. Rylee (almost 4- year- old Boston calls her "Rally") and new little Sadi Jo.

Dry Earth/Spring Rain

So, a few months ago, I sunk into the after-wedding-scary-state-of-affairs-of-the-union-feeling-vulnerable-since-turning-closer-to-one-hundred-than-one-blues......
in my prayers I have been discussing with God my "what now? stage. What in the heck now stage? I have told you I've been feeling like "Bolt"....the wonder dog that suddenly finds out he doesn't have super powers after all.

I have found myself on the outside of the ring, the watcher of action, the displaced, replaced, floundering stage of being where I am. Having your baby get married and leaving the nest does that. It isn't that I'm not busy. Hell-o! But I haven't felt meaningful or that there was a right "place" for me. My place.

So.....

in the last two months, David and I were asked to work several days in the open houses of the new Draper Temple.....in the sealing rooms sharing our feelings (wow!)

and then we were asked to be ordinance workers at the new temple (we actually can't until David retires....)

and asked how I would feel to be called as an advisor to one of the sororities at the U (not sure if that is it.....)

David and I were asked to be in charge of our Ward Youth Conference in June

I was called to do oversee food for the Stake Girl's Camp the end of June (you know me and cooking!)

I was asked last week to speak at a Stake Primary meeting in South Jordan next month...to cheer up and motivate the worn-weary-in-the-trenches-Primary-workers

and on and on and on.


Does the phrase "be careful what you pray for" come to mind?

I honestly feel like this was just a little God wink.....in conversation He's let me know He still has a few things left in His bag for me. My heart is healed a little more recently (traumatized by the world) and I'm open to new adventures.

Spring does that to me. Does it do that to you? This week has been spring beautiful. I've been outside raking (and whining) and celebrating new sprouts of green grass and I swung in the swings high yesterday playing outside with 4 of the kiddos and you can't not be happy swinging or "swunging" or whatever you do in a swing. I love the fresh air. Love having the doors open. Love that it's not hot or cold....just perfect. It is called spring!

Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again." Sarah Ban Breathnach

“Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come." Robert Shuller

Our Limerick Winner!

the winner of our limerick drawing was from Nevada!
the W* family said...
There once was a wee little girl and boy,
Who thought a leprechaun would bring them much joy.
So a trap the did spring
But, alas!, the trap did only bring
Pots o' gold of candy, not soy.

Send me all your info so I can mail you your gift card:mdwillpoet@msn.com

Catching Up

So many things have been going on lately that I've wanted to mention so I thought I would play catch-up today. First of all, last weekend, while we were in St. George, my cousin's daughter, Trista got married. They had the reception the night before in Idaho, then were married in the Salt Lake temple. For the reception, I did a couple of big candy jars with red and black candies (no licorice!) and also Strawberry flavored water. I hear everything turned out wonderful. I was sorry I missed Trista and Tobin's big day.....I've gotten attached to these two kids since they are living in Provo. Here is one engagement picture and one wedding.

Tuesday night was our Relief Society birthday party. Our Ward hosted with 3 other Wards...a wonderful dinner preceding a Jenny Phillip's production of "The Parable of the Princesses." The decorations turned out cute (and they were able to utilize my wedding tablecloths)-

I picked up BFF Cathy and Lori (her cute daughter-in-law that is part mine) and we met Brendalyn there. The program was wonderful. I was impressed with this lovely parable....I hope you all have a chance to see this. It is available through book form through Deseret Book and other stores. The story tells of three princesses who are instructed by their father, the king, that he needs to be away from them for awhile but gives them instructions of what they should do in his absence. The girls are distracted by many things....a mirror, all the fun going on around them, friends, different choices. It is a great analogy of life.

(this is from Jenny's site-)

In this parable written by Jenny Phillips, three sisters-- Ebony, Sara, and Hazel-- are daughters of a king. "Do you love me?" the king asks. "Yes, Father," they all cry. "Then build me a castle while I am gone, and do not forget me. Someday, I will return." Almost immediately, though, the princesses are faced with temptations and trials and deceits. Who will remain true and receive their father's approval, "Well done my good and faithful daughter"?

Loved it!

Yesterday I came home from the hospital and the sun was shining, which meant I had to put on my work shoes. Which brings me to the willow tree.

Now, I love willow trees. I thought. I had a willow in my childhood home......and was brokenhearted when years later it was cut down. How could ANYONE do that? Well, now I know. We inherited this giant willow when we bought this property. In in leaf it is absolutely gorgeous and so big, I can't wrap my arms around the trunk.

But......it is DRIVING ME CRAZY!!! It is the messiest tree in the world. Every time the wind blows, branches break and are either so high up in the tree we can't reach them or our lawn is littered with twigs and branches. This is what I found yesterday when I went out, after the winter snow has melted.

There's a tree that grows in Brooklyn. Some people call it the Tree of Heaven. No matter where its seed falls, it makes a tree which struggles to reach the sky. It grows in boarded up plots and out of neglected rubbish heaps. It grows up out of cellar gratings. It is the only tree that grows out of cement. It grows lushly ... survives without sun, water and seemingly without earth. It would be considered beautiful except that there are too many of it.- Betty Smith, 1896-1972

Today I have Boston and Nash while their mommy is still in the hospital. They will play outside this afternoon when it warms up and I will keep raking and raking. And growling. And complaining like I do. Every year I threaten I am going to have the tree really pruned....of all leafing branches and just leave a bare tree sculpture.....around which I will wrap a million lights. I think it would be beautiful, don't you? And no limbs to keep cleaning up.

But somehow, having a tea party out in the whimsy garden just wouldn't be the same....

And lastly, one more picture during delivery. This is Dr. Terry suctioning out baby Sadie. She hadn't even made a peep yet! Dr. Terry delivered 2 of Grandma Jo's babies, he delivered Tanner, all four of Tenille's and all of her sister's babies! We heart this Dr. who makes you feel like you are the most important patient in the whole world.

“Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything."

"When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half." Gracie Allen

and finally, my BFF from college, Peggy....the one who would search the world to make sure I was okay (even if I was just in St. George) ......is leaving this week for this place.

Roatan, Honduras to go scuba diving with her husband. I'll try REALLY hard not to think of this when I'm cleaning up my messy willow........

Oh Happy Day!!!

This is our new little punkin, 15 minutes after she was born!

Today is a beautiful day....one that I will remember the rest of my life. I will celebrate with cake and ice cream the life of a brand new little miracle.....born about 12:40 today. I dare not say her name until it's official. But Sadie Jo sounds pretty darn cute. Jo would be after her other grandma.

6 lbs. 7.5 oz. 19 inches long

They were planning on starting Tenille this morning ( her due date isn't until next week) but she went into labor on her own which made it so much better. Tenille is such a trooper in delivery (it helps that her labors are short)....I'm so proud of her! And I love that she invites me in to the delivery.....I've seen 3 of the 4. Everyone missed Boston because he just came so darn quick, the anesthesiologist delivered him!

More Happy P Day Contest!

To inspire you (ha!)

There once was a girlie named Tenille
Whose tummy was ready to spill.
Induced she will be
Tomorrow at three
4 kids! I can't believe it is real!

See how easy that was? Well, I just made up the "three" part cause it went with "be"...that is the pitfall of rhymed poetry. And I just realized that it might read that she is having quadruplets. Just one. But her mom did have quads. But you know that. So, you get the drift! The contest is on!!! Read the last post for details. And it really isn't a contest...it's a drawing. How easy can THAT be?

Keeping It Green!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Did you have green juice and green eggs and ham like I used to fix for my kids when they were littles? Do you believe in shamrocks and good fortune? Are you planning on eating some corned beef and cabbage today? I want to hear about your agenda OR about your life...in a typical St. Patrick's mode....a limerick! Now, don't panic.... here are the rules to a limerick.

Limericks - The form Limericks consist of five anapaestic lines.Lines 1, 2, and 5 of Limericks have seven to ten syllables and rhyme with one another. Lines 3 and 4 of Limericks have five to seven syllables and also rhyme with each other.

I can tell some of you are hyperventilating over the word anapaestic. Forget that...you ALL can do a limerick...I am SURE of it! Remember back to elementary school.....most of the limericks you ever heard began with...."there once was...."

Here's a complete one-

Limerick
There was an Old Man with a beard,

Who said, 'It is just as I feared!

Two Owls and a Hen,

Four Larks and a Wren,

Have all built their nests in my beard!'


Limericks kind of have a bawdy reputation...but since I'm not a bawdy, let's keep these "G"rated. I'll give you two days to work on them. The winner will be drawn on Thursday morning......And okay...for all you ninnies out there that WON'T do a limerick, just tell us what you like to do special on S. Patrick's day or share a St. Patrick's Day joke with us. Clean as can be! Here's mine-

A man is driving along in the Irish countryside, when he comes to a petrol station, since he's in need of petrol, the man decides to stop. He says to the attendant at the station, "Fill it up, will you?". The man says "Sorry - we're right out of petrol." So the man considers, and says "Well, I'm a bit low on oil, would you mind topping that up?" And the attendant responds"Sorry, but no oil either." The man thinks, and asks the attendant to wash his windscreen, to which he gets the by-now predictable response that he can't do that. The man at this point is fairly mad, so he asks the attendant "Just what kind of petrol station is this ?" The attendant then looks both ways, and very carefully whispers to the man "To tell you the truth, this is just an IRA front." The man then says "Well, in that case, you can blow up the tyres !"

Out of Sight

When I first went away to college, right off the bat a cute guy in a Corvette convertible kept cruising through the apartment complex. We met, he asked me out for the weekend....a drive to Island Park where we stopped at a bridge and fed the fish bread, drove through breathtaking scenery, toured the little church in the pines. It was perfect. Well, until on the drive home, he pulled off the road and attacked me! I remember being horrified...and realized that when I didn’t come home, my new roommates wouldn’t even notice until morning and I’d be dead. I instantly recognized that my parents always knew when I was home or not home and it really made me MISS them desperately!

Well, I did make it home...what a jerk, jerk, jerk....

And why am I sharing this horrible story? Well, now I know if I fell off the face of the earth, I would know that Peggy (my second year college roommate) would call me from Oregon to make sure I was okay. And others too. Thank you for even noticing I haven’t been here. And I didn't even have to smack anyone!

Last Thursday I went to Art and Soup with friends. This is a major fund raiser for Hospice and Kaleidoscope kids (Hospice for kids) where they feature about 20 artists who show their work and about that many restaurants who "create" a soup and you walk around and see the art (which is for sale) and sample all the soups until you are so stuffed you can’t eat another bite. I go every year...this year Debra Simmons, Jonna Stanworth, Lisa Morley, Jan Kirkham and I went and then met Brendalyn, Loretta and Michelle Coleman there. I love this event every year and it makes it exciting to get pumped up for art.

Then Thursday afternoon, I got home and ran a dozen errands for us to be ready to go to St. George. David had the Utah Bar convention there and my MIL has a home in Hurricane and was anxious to go and collect some more of her things. I called Aunt Pat (not my Aunt) and told her she needed to get off work (at BYU) so we could play and Cousin Casey (not my cousin) decided David would need someone to play golf with so we picked them up in Orem. What a fun weekend!

Highlights-
-I bought a new winter coat for next year at 60% off AND a bathing suit for this year. Talk about extremes!
-bought fun supplies to make a new Easter Hunt sign.
-saw the movie "New in Town." 
-fun eating at Pizza Factory and Texas Roadhouse
-I spent 3 ½ hours weeding my MIL’s gravel lawn. The first hour was fine. The second hour was grueling. The third hour was torture. The last half an hour, I felt like I was on Pioneer Trek....that I had just crossed the plains pulling a handcart. Cousin Casey helped so we have been able to commiserate together. Honestly, I have found muscles where I didn’t know I had them and they are SCREAMING! Still! But we got the job done. Now we need to get someone there to SPRAY! Marta, if you know of any lawn (rock) companies, would you please forward names on to me? Or anyone? Anyone? (Ferris Bueller anyone?)
- spent another couple of hours cleaning the house and was happy my MIL could go through more of her things there.
We got home about 4 yesterday and later Brooke, Tanner and Annee and Ben and Susie came and had dinner. Ben and Susie stayed for games- bowling and Aggravation so it was a fun time together. The sun is shining here....a beautiful spring day. I think it is suppose to be nice here this week, which means I need to get outside and do yard work. Yikes! I wish I could get it all done in 3 ½ hours. I could work constantly for 3 ½ days and not see the end in sight. But I have to keep chanting, "Egg Hunt, Egg Hunt, Egg Hunt" for motivation.

Contest tomorrow...stay tuned!

Yard work

GOD: Francis, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there in the USA? What happened to the dandelions, violets,thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect, no-maintenancegarden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But all I see are these green rectangles.

ST. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites.They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

GOD: Grass? But it's so boring. It's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs and sod worms. It's temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?

ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning anyother plant that crops up in the lawn.

GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy. ST.

FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it, sometimes twice a week.

GOD: They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?

ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.

GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?

ST. FRANCIS: No, sir -- just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.

GOD: Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

ST. FRANCIS: Yes, sir.

GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.

ST. FRANCIS: You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stoke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life.

ST. FRANCIS: You'd better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.

GOD: No. What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter and to keep the soil moist and loose?

ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.

GOD: And where do they get this mulch?

ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.

GOD: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?

ST. CATHERINE: "Dumb and Dumber," Lord. It's a real stupid movie about..

GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.

Lies

Through the years, my husband has had tons of interesting, sad, funny, unbelievable law cases. There are some that should be in the movies. He has been very involved in the Parker Jensen case that has been big news here for several years. After many years and almost a million dollars in court fees, the Federal court and State courts have both thrown out the suits with no merit. But since we were suppose to go to San Diego last weekend, it brought back a funny (not) memory of another visit there. A guy had a skiing accident many years ago and sued the hospital for something later. He said that his leg was unworkable, he couldn't work, he couldn't walk without terrible pain and limping and had to constantly wear a leg brace. He was from California and so that is where we went for the depo. Unbeknownst to the guy, David had hired a private investigator to run some video of the man's activities. He was following the guy to the deposition, when they came to a red light. The man hopped out of his car, ran around to the back to the popped trunk where he got out his leg brace, snapped in on, then hopped back into his car. When he got to the building where the deposition was to be held, he limped all the way in! When he was later showed the footage, he and his lawyer were both so indignant, they upped the settlement price. (After all, the investigator also had footage of the now "unemployed" disabled man out shopping for a new BMW that he was hoping a big settlement would pay for! Also footage of the man playing in a park with his dog.) I guess the best defense is an arrogant offense! They went to court and the guy didn't get a dime.

The world is full of truth and lies. I think of how a certain television show recently has gone back on their word (ha!) and plans to add sacred temple covenants to their already raunchy television show. Anything for sweeps week. And the church is fair-game. Just like in a law case, sometimes justice isn't received until years later. I hope these "producers" are ready to pay the price.

Short and Sweet Tuesday

Things today-

I am cleaning with Jan, then hurrying to my first (it started last week) focus group where we are reading and studying the book, Jesus The Christ. I'm excited to really get into this book.


Afterwards, Berty W. (one of my V.T.er's) and Debbie Stowell and I are going to Simply Splendid (in American Fork or one of those towns) and to Dear Lizzy's (oh, heart be still) and lunch. Love these two friends.

Then I need to run to Rodworks and get black beading to finish the candy jars for Trista. I'm doing two...one filled with red chocolate milk balls and black M &M's and the other filled with red sour cherries. Obviously her colors are red and black....

and make sure I have all the ingredients for the flavored water for her wedding (strawberry)

and I'm taking around a petition for our young friend that is in prison...who has a parole hearing scheduled in a few weeks (keep him in your prayers)

and then tonight I have Girl's Night Out. Tauna is hosting and taking us to an Asian restaurant. It is always fun to be together.

I feel like I am running today. It makes me a little anxious. There is a little Chinese tale tells about a bookworm that was once walking slowly in the heavy rain. A passer-by asked, "Why are you walking so slowly in this heavy rain?" "What's the use of hurrying?" the bookworm said leisurely. "It's raining ahead too."
Well, the story should read, it is "snowing" up ahead! We really got dumped on yesterday! Although I am totally ready for spring, we really need the moisture so I'm happy.

To get all there is out of living, we must employ our time wisely, never being in too much of a hurry to stop and sip life, but never losing our sense of the enormous value of a minute. Robert Updegraff


The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us, and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone. George Eliott

Meme

I'm bummed my trip to San Diego is over. Over in that it never really got started. Thanks, Sophia, for this meme. I don't have a working brain cell in my head this morning. It's called Daylight Savings time/insomnia....grrrrrr!
1) What is your salad dressing of choice? Always changing- but maybe a honey-based homemade one
2) What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Cheesecake Factory or Silverfork in Big Cottonwood Canyon
3) What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it? Potatoes- fixed any way at all.
4) What are your pizza toppings of choice? Fresh, cold tomatoes
5) What would you like to put on your calendar today? Anything fun.
6) How many televisions are in your house? Three...our large one is going out....the small one that used to be mounted over the treadmill somehow is now in David’s office and my MIL’s downstairs
7) What color cell phone do you have? Blue
8) Are you right-handed or left-handed? right
9) Have you ever had anything removed from your body? Just five babies and had a torn shoulder fixed. I have a whole bunch of "something" that should be removed!
10) What is the last heavy item you lifted? A dining room table being moved back into position (with help)
11) Have you ever been knocked unconscious? Just when I opened a $1400.00 heating bill for one month.
12) If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No
13) If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Gosh, I haven’t played this game since I was a little girl. My favorite name then was Lexie (Alexis)
14) Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t.
15) How many pairs of flip flops do you own? 4, two of which I’ll wear again
16) What’s your goal for the year? Tons of stuff- exercise, weight, temple
17) Last person you talked to? David
18) Last person you hugged? Probably Sid (David’s friend when he left) or one of the littles yesterday in Sunbeams.
19) Favorite Season? Spring or Fall
20) Favorite Holiday? ThanksgivingChristmas....all one holiday
21) Favorite day of the week? Friday
22) Favorite Month? May
23) First place you went this morning?I haven't left the house today- it’s Monday morning. I'm going Visiting Teaching later.
24) What's the last movie you saw? Shopholic at the movies. Night in Rodonthe on DVD
25) Do you smile often? Alot
26) Do you always answer your phone? If I can run fast enough or find one.
27) It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? My phone doesn’t text.
28) If you could change your eye color what would it be? It is blue, I’d just go a different shade of blue.
29) What flavor drink do you get at Sonic? Vanilla diet-Coke
30) Have you ever had a pet fish? I used to have goldfish (or turtles) named after boys I was dating. They are all fossils now. My dad and Tanner thought they’d be funny last summer and put goldfish in my fountain. I think a raccoon got them.
31) Favorite Christmas song? The song from the Grinch...."Where Are You Christmas?" Or (at Church) the chorus of "Angels We Have Heard On High."
32) What's on your wish list for your birthday? I am NOT ready for another birthday! But gift cards anywhere.
33) Can you do push ups? Nope
34) Can you do a chin up? Well, maybe with one chin but I don’t think the other two can get up.
35) Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Nervous
36) Do you have any saved texts? I’ll have to say messages on my phone...since I don’t text. The oldest is one from my nephew Dee a year ago, telling us my MIL was in the hospital. I can’t bear to erase it. Can you believe my FIL died almost a year ago.....
37) Ever been in a car wreck? Just fender benders...nothing big and scary.
38) Do you have an accent? None at all.
39) What is the last song to make you cry? Can’t think of any songs. I cry at commercials.
40) Plans tonight? Nothing exciting.
41) Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? No.
42) Name 3 things you bought yesterday. Yesterday was Sunday. I no shoppee on Sunday.
44) Current hate right now? Hate would be a strong word. I’m dissatisfied with my body.
45) Met someone who changed your life? Lots of people.
46) How did you bring in the New Year? with David and a group of best friend couples.
47) What song represents you? "Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath"
48) What were you doing at 12 AM last night? Daylight savings time drives me nuts. I was wide awake and looking up dumb information on the computer. Went to bed at 12:30, and still awake at 2:25 WITH a sleeping pill. Bad night.
49) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Wondering how much snow we had. We were suppose to get a storm but it looks the same as yesterday. Oh, hello. I just looked outside. It is snowing.

Okay, I didn't have any fun answers here but this is a dang funny joke I found last night at 2:00 a.m. Well, it WAS funny at 2:00 a.m.!
A seaman meets a pirate in a bar. The pirate has a peg-leg, a hook and an eye patch. "How'd you end up with a peg-leg?" asks the sailor. "I was swept overboard in a storm," says the pirate. "A shark bit off me whole leg.""Wow!" said the seaman. "What about the hook?""We were boarding an enemy ship, battling the other sailors with swords. One of them cut me hand clean off.""Incredible!" remarked the seaman. "And the eye patch?""A seagull dropping fell in me eye," replied the pirate."You lost your eye to a seagull dropping?" the sailor asked incredulously.Said the pirate. "It was me first day with me hook."

A Fish Tale

Well, instead of taking a Sunday walk around the pier of San Diego and watching the boats or a drive to Coronado over the big bridge, I am teaching my Sunbeams about fish. Jonah and the Whale. I'm actually cheating a little since this is next week's lesson...but since I prepared both to take to my substitute, I loved this lesson best. See how selfish I have become?

So...last week we talked about water (these are the Creation lessons) and they loved squirting the water with their hypodermic needles (plastic) from one cup to another. I guess we talked about too much water since at the end of class, one of my darling "littles" exclaimed, "I HAVE to go to the bathroom!" Class was just about over...and I suggested mommy would be there in a minute. Too late! The perfect ending to our water lesson...we had a flood!

Today I will be a little smarter and take all my little fishies to the bathroom at the beginning of class.

Today I get to share one of my favorite (each week they are my favorite) scripture stories...about Jonah and the fish (it doesn't actually need to be a whale.) Sometimes when I look at the world around us, I wonder why God doesn't just wipe us all off from the face of the earth. But then I remember (thank goodness)...that He loves ALL his children and will give us every chance in the world to repent and start making good choices. Jonah just didn't see the potential that God saw in the people of Nineveh. He wanted them to be punished for their mistakes. The Ninevehites (Assyrians) were adept in weapons and were fierce enemies to the children of Israel. I found in my studies-

Jonah’s apprehension at being called to preach repentance to Nineveh is easier to understand when one learns of the cruelty for which the Assyrians were known. The Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II, for example, made known how he tortured captives, including women and children. Some were left to die of thirst, while others were imprisoned or burnt alive. Still others were impaled on stakes, flayed, and left to dehydrate in the sun. The now-famous wall panel of Sennacherib from Nineveh, depicting the taking of Lachish, shows Assyrians torturing Israelite captives in this manner. The luckier ones escaped with minor tortures, such as amputation of a hand, an ear, a finger, a nose, or having their eyes put out. Jonah’s fear of the Assyrians, then, was not without justification. It was only after suffering through a dangerous storm at sea and the harrowing experience of being swallowed by a fish or whale that he decided to brave the wicked population of Nineveh.

No wonder Jonah didn't want to go preach to them and tell them to repent! I find it interesting, that while on the ship (and asleep) he put others on the ship with him in danger. I think of how our bad example can really influence those around us and cause them harm as well. And that the sailors on the ship found out that their "false" Gods...their idols that they prayed to or believed in ...couldn't do a thing to save them. And I've tried to imagine Jonah floating around in the belly of that dark and stinky fish...never knowing if he would see daylight again. There have been times in my life when my "darkness" has been overwhelming and I've wondered that as well. But the Lord prepares a way. People can repent and change (including ourselves!) God is a merciful God of second chances! I find it interesting that after the people repent, Jonah is actually ticked off! He wanted Israel's biggest enemy to be destroyed! He fell in a slump and wanted to die (read about the gourd and the worm.) Do we harbor resentment when those we despise start doing good? Do we blame our troubles in life on everyone else?

In a talk that I studied called “Lord, Is It I?”—What I Learned from Martin Harris and Jonah (James M. Perry and Robert J. Woolley) - there was this great correlation:

If your family life seems to be sailing on stormy seas, could it be that one of you—a Jonah in some ways—is making the storm rage?

As with Martin Harris and Jonah, the Lord usually leaves it to us to identify areas that need improvement in our own lives. If we have problems in any relationship—whether it be family, neighbor, quorum, Relief Society, or even the entire ward—we might remember the example of Christ’s Twelve Apostles at the Last Supper. Elder Boyd K. Packer commented on the fact that, when the Savior told the Apostles that one of them would betray him, “They did not, on that occasion, nudge one another and say, ‘I’ll bet that it is old Judas. He has surely been acting queer lately.’ It reflects something of their [apostolic] stature,” Elder Packer continued. “Rather it is recorded that ‘they were exceedingly sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?’ (Matt. 26:22.)” (“That All May Be Edified,” Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982, p. 237.)

This is a question we all might ask ourselves. Though we think our problems are because of our spouse, the quorum president, or the bishop, it is contrary to the spirit of unity to criticize others. Introspection is the example the Apostles set for us. If all our thoughts are of “Is it I?” we need not worry about “Is it he (or she)?”

While I was on my mission, I was given a new companion who had a reputation of being hard to get along with. He continued to have problems while I served with him.

After a few months, I described to my mission president all that my companion had done wrong and all the patience I had shown in putting up with him. After I had finished, I sat back to hear the mission president’s response.

“Elder,” he said, “you must get to the point where you acknowledge that 95 percent of the problem is with you.” That was not exactly the sympathetic response I had expected! Then he said, “The Lord has placed you in a position where you could have experienced tremendous growth, but you have denied yourself those blessings by letting yourself feel like a martyr.”

He challenged me to be more Christlike and to try to respond positively to negative feedback.

That interview changed my outlook completely, and I did improve myself. I had been spending all of my time up till then brooding and saying, “Lord, it’s him,” instead of “Lord, is it I?”

Perhaps my companion had been a bit of a “Jonah” in some ways, but if so, my preoccupation with his faults had prevented me from recognizing that, in some ways, I had the same faults, too. I should have followed Paul’s counsel: “Be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

So I have enjoyed studying about Jonah today. I have lots of thought in my mind and heart but my littles won't understand more than this is a fun story about a man that got eaten by a fish and they will think that is icky and scary but they'll love the part about Jonah getting burped out of the whale. They'll love the figures I have mounted on popcicle sticks that they can hold and take turns being Jonah and everyone will want to be the whale that has a mouth that opens and shuts. And we'll color a whale and have a little cutout of Jonah that slips in and out of the whale's mouth. Then I have a paper aquarium (laminated of course!) to stick on the wall...and we will "pin the fish in the aquarium" instead of the tail on the donkey. And then we'll fish with a little fishing pole with a magnet on the end of the line and catch fish in a bucket. But before they fish, they have to eat a worm. That's tradition. My littles love worms. Then for snacks we have Nemo gummies and fish crackers and juice. All in all, it sounds a little "fishy" to me... Burp!

Winner

And the unstressed winner is.........

Heather Davis!!!!!!

One of Brandi's darling friends and neighbors! Yeah!!! I'll send your gift certificate over with Brandi this week!

Virtual Reality

I know I have shared this story before but you know me, I tell the same stories over and over again. Once I was talking to some people....and we were talking about our favorite places to go in California and I mentioned that one time, on a girlfriend trip to Newport Beach/Carlsbad, we had driven past these Ranunculus fields...and telling whoever I was talking to about how BEAUTIFUL they were....just miles and miles of gorgeous flowers! Valene interrupted me to say, "Marilyn, we were there in September....not March when the flowers are blooming. The fields were just plowed under when we saw them."

Oh.

Well, you know, sometimes imagination is a wonderful thing....

Cousin Casey just called to see what was going on. I said,"The weather here in San Diego has been a little breezy....as you know, I've never been hot here, so I had to wear a hoodie but it was still great." He asked if I had been to Sea World and I told him today David had depositions so I was on my own. That I spent hours wandering around Seaport Village, especially The Crow's Nest bookstore and that there were several new stores there I hadn't seen before. He started laughing, "You even IMAGINE new shops? "
I didn't let his laughter deter me. I continued. Tonight when David and I headed to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner, I mentioned while walking to the car, how convenient the parking was here....so close to our rooms and nice and secure. David said the price was right, as well. He's not big on valet parking.
Cousin Casey then said, "Well, I just wanted to make sure the hotel wasn't locking up early tonight in case I dropped in."

I'm pretty sure the lobby is open 24/7.

I'm putting treats on his pillow and turning down the sheets.

Sometimes imagination is all you have.

So today.....I did have oatmeal...with bananas but not creme brulee. David's best man from our wedding, Sid Jensen, flew in from Idaho Falls, and stopped here on his way to Florida to spend the night and go skiing with David today. After they left, I put on rose-colored glasses and pretended to be in San Diego. I got a little sun on my nose, did some inline skating all along the bay, rode the carousel. I then headed back to our hotel, took a little catnap, called room service. They never showed up. I was VERY disappointed so I didn't leave a tip. That will show them!

The reality was, instead of Seaport Village, I went to Sugarhouse and Jolley's....Voila! right by YOU! By myself! Just hoping you were there! I wish I would have known about the creme brulee just across the street! And then I went to Home Goods or whatever the houseware's store of TJ Maxx is in Brickyard Plaza. Once, when BFF Cathy and I took Tanner and Kevin to California (I believe that was the "last trip before the missions" trip or maybe it was the "Tanner's finally graduated trip" or perhaps the "let's just get out of town" trip...whatever excuse we used that time)....we dropped the boys off at Knott's Berry Farm and we found this shopping area and it had a Home Goods store there. I found some darling funky green saucers and bought all I could lift and had to carry them all the way home on the plane so they wouldn't break. The postage would have cost more than the dishes. A few years later and we have our own Home Goods. Today I didn't have to carry anything on the plane. Boo-hoo. That's when things went from bad to worse. If I were a member of AAA or something, that would have been the time to call a friend. But BFF Cathy was at lunch with some OTHER friend (since I was supposedly in California) and before I knew it, I whipped into a Harmon's grocery store (on the pretense of buying more sour cherry candy for one of the candy jars for Trista's wedding...which I did....)
and before I knew it, all these bags of plastic Easter eggs just starting jumping into my cart. And tons and tons more Easter candy. I couldn't stop myself. I knew that people were looking at me and whispering and feeling sorry for me but I couldn't help it....I turned junkie right there in the grocery aisles. Thankfully, Annee was off of school today....and for some reason, when I picked her up to watch her for a few hours this afternoon, she made me go to Shopko (my LEAST favorite store) and buy even MORE eggs and MORE candy. But at least we got them all filled. I think we are up to 1800 filled eggs now. I can hardly breathe with excitement. And I'm sorry but when I go to my next EEA meeting (Easter Eggs Anonymous) I won't even feel bad AT ALL! Sometimes when you have had your heart set on sandy beaches and room service....and then your plans are cruelly dashed to pieces, you just can't expect to have self-control as well. Do you agree?

But David did try to make it up to me. After skiing and dropping Sid off at the airport, he took me to The Cheesecake Factory (I pretended it was at Fashion Island instead of Fashion Place) ...and waited the 1 1/2 hours to get in without TOO much complaining...and we had a great time together. He's the best part of ANY trip.

So....how was YOUR day?
Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere. Carl Sagan