The Gift of Music

I was excited when Gracie decided to learn to play the flute this year.  Music is certainly important to me, but this was extra special since I started the flute when I was her age.  She has had fun with the once a week class at school.  Last night was her first band concert and she looked so professional in her black pants and white shirt.  There were seventy six beginners this year so they only played a few simple songs - what a great start!  Once again I found myself thinking of how Charlie would have loved to have been there.  It was after the concert that I came to believe that he was.  Lorien, Hannah, Gracie & I got into my car and as I started the engine the song "Open Arms" by Journey was playing on the radio.  That was OUR song.  It was the one we requested to dance to, the one we would stop what we were doing and cuddle if we heard it, the one that we always said "I love you" to.  It's not a song that you hear all the time since it's over 20 years old.  Tears came to our eyes and I knew that I was getting more than one gift of music last night.  

Jenna is 4!

Jenna turned four on Saturday and she had two parties - one the Saturday the week before at Build a Bear and the second on her actual birthday that was just family at the house. We had a great time at Build a Bear - the kids had fun picking out their animals and accessories. Jenna really loved giving her new beagle a "bath". Afterward we gathered in the food court for pizza and cake - and presents!

I kept wishing that Charlie was there taking pictures - and I couldn't help but think that Jenna was only 2 1/2 the last time she saw him. It warms my heart when sometimes out of the blue she says "I miss Grampie". I love this shot I took of her at her party - I think Charlie was helping...

What Have YOU Done?

I found this and thought it was fun. Copy and put in the color the things you have done in your life. Enjoy!
1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Watched an animal be born

7. Been to Disney World
8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Australia
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child - I didn't but I am adopted

16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping - many years ago in a previous life
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Been skiing

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Visited the Taj Mahal
54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie (home movies don't count)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class - does watching my son's count?
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Have a life-threatening allergy
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Earned a pilots license

99. Been inside the Pentagon  

100. Been stung by a bee

I Did It!

My car kind of resembles the old game where you see how many people you can fit in a VW Bug, only it's not people, it's presents, and it's not a Bug, it's a Camry. There were lots of presents, several of which were on the LARGE size, but I started with the biggest and just kept adding until voila - they were all in! I even managed to leave the driver's seat empty for me. Hmmm....now the trick is getting them back out.

Angels Who Watch Over Me

If I had to pick one word to describe my life, it would have to be "busy". I like everything I'm doing (even my job, I just hate having to be there full time) and busy is good, but I miss having time to do all the other things I used to do. One of the things I just didn't seem to have time for is putting up my Christmas tree. I managed to carry the tree into its room (with only one big bruise to show for it), but the box just sat there. I'm blessed to have some angels in my life who saw my need for help and without my asking - or even my being there - put my tree up for me! These same two angels also saw the multitudinous packages that were waiting to be wrapped and came again and helped me get them done. I'm not the type of person who easily asks for help and I can't begin to say how much it means to me to have angels who watch over me. Thanks H & F!!!

Can it really be 30 years?

Ashlie and I put our heads together and decided to throw a surprise 30th birthday party for Lorien.  It was kind of crazy working out some of the details (especially what time everyone should be there), but we had a lot of fun getting ready for it - Ashlie is great at preparing for a party!  With some secret help from Sam, we had access to their house for several hours to decorate and cook.  We had almost 30 people there before Lorien arrived - 17 of which were children.  The kids were all upstairs playing and when Lorien pulled up we had all of them come downstairs and hide with the adults to help yell surprise.  You didn't realize how many kids there were until they all came down the stairs at once.  Jon couldn't help but ask how many kids everyone had - and I jokingly reminded him that after all, we were all Mormons!  It was unbelievable - the kids were totally quiet waiting for her to come in the door.  Not a sound. I loved seeing her expression when she opened the door and we all jumped out to welcome her.  What great fun.  

It's strange to realize that I have a child who is 30.  I can remember turning 30 and that it was a tough birthday for me.  And it doesn't seem that long ago!  One of my birthday presents to her was a video of some highlights of her 30 years on earth.  It was really hard narrowing down the pictures and there were so many more I wanted to put in, but the music just wasn't long enough.  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGqaIXX_CGs

Hard day

There hasn't been a day that I haven't yearned to have Charlie back.  It's an ache that stays deep within, never gone, but is made tolerable by the belief that we will be together again.  I know I am a strong person and I don't want pity.  I see others  that have it so much worse than me and I am grateful for the many blessings that I have been given.  But today was one of those days when that ache rises above all and all I can do is cry and plead for Charlie to come back.  Of course the holidays have something to do with it.  But mostly it's because I'm sick.  I miss having him take care of me.  I really want him to give me a blessing.  And a hug.