Happy Birthday to Summer (and little OLE' me)!!!

Notice the emphasis on the OLE'!!! I am getting old!!! I am freaking out a little bit. I just turned 37 and I can see 40 lurking around the corner. I don't like it. Eeeeeekkkkk!!!!!

So, this post should dwell on Summer's Birthday. She is so much younger than I am and I am so jealous. We had a weird birthday this year. Lame family party. Four of my siblings ran off after scooping dinner into their mouths to see a Sundance movie. Stupid Sundance! The rest of us sat down to dinner and then sang a weak version of happy birthday. Cham made me the "Better than you know what cake" so, I did get a cake. We didn't take any pictures or blow out any candles. So, technically I didn't get my wish. And, I definitely NEED my wish this year. Summer got a kaluah cream pie from Marie Calendars. No candles and no song for her but, she was one of the siblings that ran off to Sundance. We may have to do a make up party. Will keep you posted.

So, here is the Happy Birthday to Summer!!!

Things I love about Summer:

(Not the season although I lerve that too!)

• She is so dang funny. She keeps me laughing all the time. It's amazing how she helps me laugh at the terrible stuff in my life.


• She moved back to Utah. I know it was just for me. Thanks for re-arranging your life to fit mine!


• She is really laid back. She is my example. I am learning from her how to "not sweat the small stuff" and it really works! I call her the "whatever" girl. As in, I say, "should we do this?" Summer replies, "whatever." "Should we eat here?" "Whatever." You get the picture. My life is more relaxing now and I just "go with the flow." (Most of the time. I can't change everything at once!)


• She corrupts me. But, I am the good example for her. It's give and take.


• She invites me to hang with her and her friends when I am lonely.
• She thinks I am nerdy and so weird. I don't believe she would be my friend if she weren't genetically forced to be with me. But, alas, she shares my DNA and she accepts me anyway.


• She is my fashionista. She is honest and doesn't let you walk out of the house looking stupid. If you see me and I look ridiculous, it is because Summer wasn't home. She is also good at buying herself clothes and doesn't mind if you borrow them. (That's the "whatever" in her.) I, on the other hand, am a clothes and shoes nazi. You borrow them, you better bring them back. (That's not the part of me that "goes with the flow")


• She loves Papa Murphy's Veggie Delite pizza. We get it all the time.


• She used to run with me every night last summer...until she didn't! (She got sick at the end of summer and could hardly walk. Stupid "col-onhs")
• She won't let me be a "Debbie Downer" wha-wha-whaaaa.

And those are just a few of the reasons I love Summer. Happy Birthday Summer.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

I was watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition on Sunday which is already a little sad mixed with a goofy happiness. The local news breaks in around 7:20 pm and informs us of President Hinckley's passing. My sister and I start texting everyone. And, everyone starts texting us. Crazy technical world.

Pres. Hinckley's passing is so sad for all of us. We knew this day would come, but always hoped we would get just one more conference. I looked forward to and loved hearing him speak. Fortunately, we had a regional stake conference last summer during which he spoke. It seemed as if he was always speaking directly to me and during that particular conference, he did speak to me. He is an amazing person and did so many wonderful things. He is the only prophet my children have known. Although there have been 5 prophets during my existence on this earth, Pres. Hinckley is the one I remember the most. Here are some of my memories and his accomplishments:

• He brought about the concept of mini-temples. What a brilliant idea. I have only had the opportunity to be in two of the mini-temples. They're great.


• He instituted the "perpetual education fund." What a great way to help members in other countries and in turn help those countries.


• He had a great sense of humor. He proved you can have humor without being crass or inappropriate ever.


• He was sweet and endearing to his wife and honored all women. He always spoke of honoring women.


• He was a very positive person and always reminded us to be happy and enjoy life.


• He has done many television interviews and national press publications. He was always educating others about our religion. He always had the perfect thing to say to any interview questions. He most definitely was inspired.

His daughter spoke to our Relief Society and I felt like I knew him better after hearing her. He was just a great person. She spoke so highly of both he and his wife. They were great examples to all of us. They were very normal people with regular problems and yet good people.

One of my favorite quotes from Pres. Hinckley:

"In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life's to be enjoyed, not just endured."

I also loved the phrase his father told him when he was leaving on his mission (I believe that was when he told it to him!) It was: "Be not afraid, only believe"

I was watching a "Faith for all Season" which was televised during Pres. Hinckley's funeral and in that show, he tells of an experience while he was on his mission. He writes home to his father and tells him that he is very discouraged and doesn't feel like he is doing a good job out in the mission field. He feels like he is wasting his time, the Lord's time and his dad's money. His dad writes back to him and says "Forget yourself, and go to work." His dad sounds like a very wise man. I guess he would have to be to prepare a son to be the prophet.

There is a funny story with this picture. A few years ago, I was visiting a friend and asked her where she got that picture of President Hinckley. She told me but explained that when she first saw it at her friend's house, she thought to herself "oh, what a cute grandpa!" Then she realized it was Pres. Hinckley. I have since seen the picture in many homes all over. There was a story about the picture on KSL. Here is the link if you want to read it: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=288&sid=2596141

Some of my new favorite things...

Of course, my most favorite thing is my kids. I know all mom's say this but, my kids are so awesome! They say the funniest things and make me laugh. I just look at them and think they are soooooooooo cute. It makes me tear up sometimes just thinking about them. I always have to wipe away tears when I hear how well they are doing or see them accomplish something. It doesn't take much. I am a total crybaby, especially when it comes to my kids. I am a proud mama.

This past year I discovered MAC makeup. I mean I had heard about it, but I would NEVER buy things like that for myself. I love it! Summer started buying it and I am loving it. The only problem so far is that I haven't dared use the crazy greens, blues and pinks. But, Summer does and it looks awesome. I have never been big on makeup and products for myself, but now I am loving them.

I am still watching Grey's Anatomy and waiting to see if it's gonna tank. So far, I'm still in. Only time will tell. Hmmmmmmm!

The other thing I loved this past year is white chocolate with white filling Lindor truffles. I am in heaven when I bite into these things. It's so bad and yet so good!!! I can't stop!!! I think I just ate my last one so I can officially join chocolate addicts anonymous and end the madness. But, I soooooo want more.

I love Zupas! It's a sandwhich place. It is delish!!! I had a panini with muenster cheese and pesto sauce and tomatoes. Yum. I had a salad too and that was good but the panini was to die for!

Another thing I have really loved is my camera. Not just this past year, but since I got it. I just love it. I need to learn to use it to it's full capabilities but for now, it's all good. I love being able to grab it and take pictures of anything and everything. I love this digital world and I love capturing every moment.

I love high speed internet. We have had dial-up since 1996. Dad got high speed for Christmas and I think I love it more than anyone. I can do everything so much faster. I can't believe how much time I wasted sitting there waiting for things to download. The kids love it too. Now they can chat with friends and check email and do the webkinz thing and all. I love technology. (You know you're all singing it now...) I do realize that with the new high speed comes all the troubles regarding the kids and internet safety. That part has me on constant alert and worry.

I also love blogging. I love doing mine and reading others. I love being able to blog from home and not drive to the college, pay for parking in the meters, run out and feed again after time runs out, then drive back home. So, dumb! I love technology.

And, of course, I love Hawaii. There is no better place for me. Well, I haven't been anywhere worth talking about. I tried Mexico a few times but it does not compare. Hawaii is like heaven to me. It's beautiful, warm, sandy, beachy and awesome. I can't explain it. You'll have to go and then you'll know.

I had to add DVR. I don't know how I would live without it. I can record things, watch them when I have time and stop and rewind and pause and everything. I also am addicted to reading the guide to see if I want to watch things. It really is a time saver. This was the best invention. My kids are getting so used to pausing and rewinding and laughing at things over and over again. I don't know how we will live without it. Talk about withdrawals.

My New Year's Resolution.

I think New Year's resolutions are dumb. So many people make them and don't keep them. The gym is always packed till February. I don't like it. I think you should make changes for the better all year long, so I don't bother doing it at the first of the year. However, I read an email about two words that would change my life. Those two words were "THANK YOU." So, I decided that I would focus on having more gratitude this year. Gratitude for the small things and the big things we take for granted. A chair, bed, towels, soap, oven, toothpaste, carpet, a job, clothes, shoes, coats, computer, pictures, food, electricity, running car, music, religion, roads, planes, phones, etc. I also have gratitude that I can think, laugh, see, smile, run, play, enjoy, breathe, walk, sleep, love, I'm alive and I am me.

A quote from the email:
"There are two words that, when spoken, have the most unfathomable power to completely change your life. Two words which, when they pass your lips, will be the cause of bringing absolute joy and happiness to you. Two words that will create miracles in your life. Two words that will wipe out negativity. Two words that will bring you abundance in all things. Two words which, when uttered and sincerely felt, will summon all the forces and vibrations in the Universe to move all things for you.

The only thing standing between you, happiness, and the life of your dreams, are two words...
THANK YOU!"

I am grateful that I know there are two words that can change my life!!! Thank you to all my family, friends and neighbors that love me and support me through it all!!!