New Years Eve Trauma

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole-Roger Caras

This is the way Indy spends New Years Eve (as well as 4th of July) -shaking in the bath tub or under the bed, desk, etc. The only thing we've found he is truly afraid of is fireworks. One of his quirks you could say. It's okay, though... Indy (short for Indiana Jones) came into our life unplanned six years ago. He needed a home and we were afraid what might happen to this puppy that was brought to us if we didn't find a family for him. Surprise! That family became us. Joel's sister said she'd take him, but when it came time to hand him over, Joel and Caleb couldn't do it. He has since weaved himself into our hearts and will remain with us the rest of his days. Somehow, I became his number one. I wouldn't change that! He is my running companion, my nurse and listener. When I am terribly sick and lying on the bathroom floor, it's Indy that gently pushes his head and shoulders under me and tries to lift me up. Although he gets carsick, he was my companion on the long, slow, drive when we moved to Tennessee and he never threw up in my car! When I'm home, he seldom leaves my side. He's quite fearless- other than fireworks. Last spring he even chased a skunk. The result was Indy trying to run away from the smell on his nose. Unfortunately, he left the fragrance everywhere he ran in the house. Ugh!! He is a McNab-which is basically a short haired border collie. This means he is highly intelligent and easily learns new tricks. It also means it's hard to outsmart him when playing!

Our other dog is Archie. We got him at the local animal shelter in CA. They said he has chihuahua in him but we think he is more a mixture of whippet, terrier, and maybe min. pinscher. He has a sweet, lovable spirit. A week after we got him, he fell off the couch and broke his leg. Archie weighed a grand total of 3 1/2 lbs. with his cast on! He has since grown to weigh about 10 lbs. Indy and Archie get along much as a big and little brother.

I have always had a dog although not as spoiled as ours are now. Yes, I read Marley and Me. And yes, it made me cry. I'm not sure when I'll have the guts to see the movie- it was hard enough watching the Walt Disney movie Eight Below. I truly believe that a reflection of a man's character is how he treats a dog. I have had some wonderful furry companions in my life. The question is- will they be happily waiting for me on the other side of the veil?? I hope so.........

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.
-Gilda Radner

Christmas 2008

"At the focal point of all human history, a point illuminated by a new star in the heavens revealed for just such a purpose, probably no other mortal watched--none but a poor young carpenter, a beautiful virgin mother, and silent stabled animals who had not the power to utter the sacredness they had seen. Shepherds would soon arrive and later, wise men from the East. Later yet the memory of that night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph--and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby--that's how Christmas began...."-Jeffrey R. Holland

Christmas 2008 is over but the memories will remain. We enjoyed seeing Lukas experience his first Christmas. And we were happy Caleb and Heidi were able to spend the holiday with her family in Minnesota. Memories of past Christmases have a special place in my heart and I'm so thankful for this special time of year. You can't avoid a feeling of love for others during the holidays. I do believe that we each feel the desire to be close to Christ. This desire is perhaps never stronger than during the Christmas season. The goal for me is to really try to keep that desire alive. We weren't given the chance to be led by a star as the wise men, or to hear the choir of angels, or to kneel before the manger like the shepherds. But what we can do is to live our lives as Christlike as possible. We can strive to keep the feelings of love and goodwill that we feel during the holidays with us always. If we could do that, wouldn't it be fantastic?!! I hope each of you had a special, memory making Christmas!!!

Lukas wanting to desperately have some Christmas Eve dinner!

Lukas with his new walker. Yep, he is only 4 1/2 months but boy is he strong!!

Christmas Spectacular!

Our kids did a really sweet thing for our anniversary. They all scraped some money together and bought us tickets to the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular show in Nashville. It was very thoughtful of them because they know we don't very often splurge on something like that for ourselves. So Friday night, Joel and I went to the show and thoroughly enjoyed it! It was such a fun production. The best part was at the very end when they had the living nativity scene- complete with camels, sheep, donkeys and beautiful costumes. I'll admit, I was kind of emotional. It was a beautiful tribute to Christ! The Grand Ole Opry House was full of people on their feet during the wonderful scriptural narration. What a great way to feel that fantastic holiday spirit! Thanks kids! You're each so awesome!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

I love this time of year! It brings back so many good holiday memories- doing Christmas drop and runs for needy families with my family when I was little, baking yummy goodies with Alayna for friends and neighbors, singing "Silent Night" as a family at the doors of neighbors, watching the excitement of Caleb and Alayna when they were little, etc. So many memories! And this year the cycle begins again as we get to enjoy everything through the eyes of a new little one. Life is good! I am so thankful for so many things! Merry Christmas!

Some Paintings I've done:

I'm posting some of the paintings I have done (the paintings lose some of the details and color when photographed)--

This is one I just finished-

This is my copy of a Monet-

This is one of a pair of chefs I did for Alayna (of course)-

And this is a watercolor I did for Caleb (he likes fantasy stuff)-

I'm trying to get myself to spend more time painting! Hope you enjoyed them!

Give Me An Eagle!

Joel and Caleb just got back from a scout campout yesterday. I was thinking today how happy I am that they are both Eagle Scouts. Joel spent many years as a ScoutMaster and I never really resented the time it took him away from me- especially since he was guiding Caleb along his scouting path. (Caleb went on his first overnight at 18 months old.) His troop in Oregon has left us with many treasured memories. If any of you guys read this, we still laugh at the stories about your campouts!! :) I am amazed at the knowledge Joel has about scouting and the outdoors! I especially like the fact that he does all the cooking and pot scrubbing when we go camping....hehe... If I were ever stuck in the middle of nowhere.....please let the guy next to me be a good Eagle Scout!! It would be almost as good as having McGyver (you know-the 80's t.v. show?) Or better yet!! Please make it Joel!!! :)

“A Scout smiles and whistles under all circumstances.” --Sir Robert Baden-Powell

I'm Quirky- Tag

Okay... so I'm suppose to list 6 quirky things about me.....

1. I don't do well with messes. What I mean is that when the house isn't clean and mostly uncluttered, I'm not happy or comfortable. Just ask Alayna...when she's baking in our kitchen, I'm constantly cleaning up behind her. It drives her nuts sometimes because I'm putting things away before she's done with them. Hehe....

2. Along that same line, when Joel and I are done cleaning the house...I get the urge to bake some cookies or something. My kitchen is clean, and I get the urge to make a mess! I know! It means another mess to clean up. (I do make a big mess!)

3. I'm always reading something. I can't go to sleep at night unless I do at least a little reading. Sometimes this means a loud thud as my book falls to the floor because I've fallen asleep!

4. I hate to write on the chalkboard. Always have. Don't know why. Just ask the Young Women in our ward. I do avoid it when possible.....kind of weird....

5. I don't know my cell phone number! I never call it! But don't ask me for the number when I'm on my cell phone....Jeepers- haven't figured out how to handle that!

6. I'm constantly straightening things that are even slightly crooked. Like...pictures on the wall, scatter rugs, dining room chairs, etc. -although I'm not obsessive about it. I should have a little level attached to my hip for convenience. (That kind of sounds obsessive, doesn't it?!)

Okay, so I tag Lynne Blaisdell and Heidi-I know-it's only two!

Talents Take Courage

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. ~Pablo Picasso

I can still remember the first time I was able to color a picture and actually stay within the lines. I was maybe 4 or 5. It was early on a quiet Saturday morning and my family was still asleep. I proudly showed everyone as soon as they got up. It's amazing I still remember! My whole life I've been finding creative outlets for myself. The one thing I don't spend enough time doing is drawing and painting. I could be so much better. I've always doubted myself and my abilities when it comes to art but I've come to learn that even the best of artists doubt themselves- especially when venturing in what is new territory for them. We all need to develop our talents. I am so glad that I have a family who appreciates and supports me. Thanks, Dad, for being the first one to actually pay me for one of my oil paintings. :)

All art requires courage. ~Anne Tucker

Pieces of My Heart

Home is a shelter from storms - all sorts of storms. ~William J. Bennett

I love this quote. Our home has always been my haven. When life is tough, hard or confusing, my refuge is home. Yes, I am a homebody but not because I avoid the world. I love people and serving others. I consider myself a homebody because I love the physical and emotional comfort home gives me- second only to what I feel inside the temple. Joel and I work hard to make our home the kind of place that tells others when they walk in the door-"Come on in, put your feet up, feel safe and comfortable." That is what we, ourselves, need to feel when we open the door to our home. When asked where we have lived that feels most like home, I have a hard time giving a definite answer. You see, any house we have lived in was home to us. But each place we have lived still has a part of my heart. I thought it would be fun to tell a little bit about the places we have lived and what I miss about them.

So, even though I was born in Washington, I was so young when my family left that I have no memory of it. I've lived the majority of my life in California. I do kind of consider myself a California girl and am kind of sad about some of the ways it has changed. But here are pictures of things I miss the most about California (besides the perfect weather).

One of our favorite places to go was the Monterey and Carmel area. It was only about a 45 min. drive. I will always miss those long walks along the shore and pier.

Another place we've lived which is very dear to us is Kalispell, Montana. Both our kids were born there and it was a wonderful place to live.

Glacier National Park was less than an hour away. It is beautiful and fun to do some hiking-just remember-there are grizzly bears there!


Some of the things I miss most about Montana are haying the fields, hiking up the snow covered mountains to cut our Christmas tree, and quiet moments in the middle of a lake in our fishing boat.

We also lived near Salem, Oregon where we found lifelong friends that we miss dearly.

It was so green and beautiful- of course that green comes at a price! Lots of rain!! I miss our 100 year old home that we renovated.

Now we live outside of Nashville, TN. I'm sure that I will find it unique and special in its own way. I'm anxious to see the historical sites in this part of our country.

Mostly, I wish I would have really treasured the time that we lived in those unique and pretty areas. Yeah....they each still own a piece of my heart......

Husband Tag

1. Where did you meet? In Montana- Knew who he was in High School-thought he was a stuck up snob- Thank heavens I was wrong!! :)

2. How long did you date before you got married? Close to 2 years

3. How long have you been married? Okay-this will age me! 30 years this November 4th!

4. What is your favorite feature of his? His strength!

5. What is your favorite quality of his? His sensitivity and-believe me- his humility.

6. Does he have a nick name for you? Nope.

7. What is his favorite color? 30 years and I can't answer that. Perhaps because he has never had a strong preference. Makes decorating and stuff much easier! ;)

8. What is his favorite food? Prime rib.

9. What is his favorite sport? Hockey- go San Jose Sharks!!

10. When was your first kiss? Can't remember for sure. But as shy as I was, it certainly wasn't the first date....Hehe.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Anything we do together- as long as it is stress free!

12. Do you have children? Yep-two. Caleb-25, and Alayna- 22.

13. Does he have a hidden talent? Trumpet playing, swimming, cooking, etc.

14. How old is he? The big 5-0. (I am younger than him-should that make me feel better?)

15. Who said I love you first? Probably him.

16. What is his favorite type of music? Classic rock-the best concert we ever went to was the Eagles!!!

17. What do you admire most about him? What a strong, kind, loving father and husband he is.

18. Do you think he will read this? Yeah- he just started looking over my shoulder. :(



I tag Meredith and Heidi! Go girls!!

First Grandbaby!!

Someone once said-"Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old". I'm so excited to be "Grandma" to a new little person. Lukas is such a sweety. When he was just a few days old, I was holding him as he slept and Alayna and I could see his eyes wandering behind his closed eyelids and his mouth form cute little smiles. As we sat there we wondered what he could be dreaming of. So, tell me---how can a baby just a few days old be dreaming and smiling with so little life experiences? We both came to the same conclusion at the same time. He was dreaming about his experiences before he came here to earth. They say the veil is very thin when one is very young. Wow! Lukas, to me, is proof of God's plan! I am so excited to be "Grandma"!!

This is my first blog so I'll keep it short. Joel and I are truly blessed. Our son and daughter and their families live within 2 mins. from us. Can't beat that! Especially since we are new grandparents. Lukas was born Aug. 18th to Alayna & Vincent. He is a doll, of course, and we're having so much fun just cuddling him. It brings back memories of when Alayna and Caleb were just babies. How time flies! I'm just so thankful that my best friend, Joel, is right by my side enjoying it! We really like it here in Nashville even though it is far from where we both have spent our lives. Just hope our business will flourish. I know we've been blessed in many ways. That's it for now- will write more soon.