Wow! Life Sometimes Feels Like a Rollercoaster!

Pres. Thomas S. Monson said, "Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not." My dear, sweet daughter is going through a hard change now. But as her mother who loves her daughter with all her heart, I am glad she is safely out of a bad situation. Yes, I had sleepless nights where I just waited to hear all was okay. On a positive note, she is doing good and we are looking forward to attending the temple in the next few weeks with her for her first time! This gives me much peace and happiness! Joel and I were talking the other day and I mentioned how this life hasn't been easy. Not that I expected it to be, but I hadn't anticipated some of the events in our lives that have happened. What life has taught me is that we each endure our own hardships. Everyone has trials and for the most part, we don't know what others may be going through. So, I hope that I am learning to be more patient and empathetic with others.

I know for a fact, that the most important thing in life~ is family! They will be by your side through the ups and downs of life! I have always loved this quote:

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there. ~Barbara Bush

I hope that I can accept and embrace changes that will most certainly come my way. I am striving hard to find joy in this journey- sometimes it is easy- sometimes not. And yes! It does sometimes feel like a rollercoaster- but I'll admit- I've always loved them!!

Life Happens........

Yep, that's my excuse for neglecting to post anything for so long. I know- poor excuse. More than half a year has gone by since the last post. Yes, things have happened both good and not so good. But I'm still thankful for all I've been blessed with. Let's see....in our family, there have been some sad and hard moments as well as moments of happiness and contentment. The first of May brought terrible flooding to the Nashville area- we only had to deal with 5-6 inches of water in our basement when others lost so much!

Later in May, Joel and I made a trip to Oregon to spend some time with his parents. This was followed a few weeks later with another trip to Oregon for his mom's funeral.


Between the two trips, we moved into a new place on 2 acres. The bonus- a very big shop for Joel and all his building and woodworking tools. He's happy- I'm just anxious to do some work on the house. We also made a trip to Montana for the Schaffer family reunion on Flathead Lake. Jeepers! It was so nice to get away from the humidity!! Yes, it made me homesick but I know that we are where we are suppose to be at this time in our lives.



And of course, there have been those special moments that only grandchildren can bring.....

This is Lukas on one of his trips with Grandma to the park.












Alayna and Lukas- he wasn't too sure about that cold Flathead Lake water!




Annabelle seems to always be happy! Here she is taking a bath in her great-grandma's kitchen sink.

I'm a little tired and stressed but I very much appreciate all my blessings.......and I choose to be optimistic!!

Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. - Grandma Moses

Family!!

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there. ~Barbara Bush

Wow! I am so thankful for family! It's been a wonderful month or so- and all because of family. Christmas was so nice and peaceful with good food, fun times and especially because of family. Having my parents come from Montana and stay a few days just made it that much more special. Yep, a great Christmas!

Then, on Tuesday, Jan. 12th, our family welcomed a new member- Annabelle Thelma Sims. She was born at 12:30 in the morning and weighed 9 lbs, 12 oz., and was 21 inches long. She is a doll!! I love seeing Caleb hold her. He definitely has another love in his life. It's so much fun to see our family grow and we love our kid's little families.

Lukas continues to be a wonder to us all. He is so active- but in a good way. What a cutie! Grandpa Joel is Lukas's best buddy. We love how he does his little happy dance when he sees Joel. He has everyone at church wrapped around his finger. Speaking of church- Joel was called to be the second counselor in the Bishopric on Jan. 10th. What a shock! But boy oh boy do I like seeing him in a suit! :)

I so appreciate the knowledge I have that families can be together forever. What a comfort that is! No matter what happens in our life, our family will continue.

I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich. ~Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford

Gratitude

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. ~G.B. Stern

I have so much to be thankful for and during this time of year the gratitude in my heart is even stronger. So I will list some of the things that I am grateful for so that my gratitude isn't silent.

I am so thankful for family! -A wonderful husband who supports me in whatever I do- he is truly my best friend. -Two children who are such a huge part of my life and are just plain neat people. -My children's families and how special it is to see our "family" grow!! My parents who I have always known have loved me despite my imperfections. My in-laws who raised such a kind and wonderful son.

I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ! I'm thankful for the opportunities I have had to serve in the church and for how each calling I've been given has made me stretch and grow. (I will miss being the Young Womens President but-despite the disbelief when Bishop Bell called me into his office- I know that I will love being Primary President. My first Sunday in Primary felt really good!) I am very thankful for the prophet, President Monson, and all the leaders of the church. Today Bishop Bell was called to be in the stake presidency and I will miss him being our bishop but he will be wonderful in his new calling. I'm thankful for the years of service that President Ostermiller gave and I'm so excited that he and his wife will be new nursery leaders. (I'm especially excited because my grandson, Lukas, will be in the nursery in a couple of months and I've seen how wonderful President Ostermiller is with children!) I'm so very thankful that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been such a light in my life!

I am thankful for my health and all the comforts I enjoy in my life. The warmth of a home, good food, a comfortable bed, a beautiful world, this country, etc. There is so much I take for granted and I have to stop and think about others who go without many comforts at all!

I'm not sure why I've been so blessed, but I am truly grateful. I am very thankful for the knowledge I have about the plan of salvation and that this life- with all its bumps - is only a small part of my existence. My favorite scipture is Mosiah 2:41-

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and a happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Oh, how I want to dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness!! And- as it says on a wallhanging I once made- If you have a little attitude, Try a little gratitude!!

Lukas the Pirate! Halloween 2009

-I Survived!-

Okay....so it's been two weeks since I finished the Moab Utah Half-Marathon. Yep! I did survive! And yes, it was hard. I finished in 3 hours and 19 minutes. Not very fast- but under the limit. At least I did it! The whole 13.1 miles!

I was pretty psyched out about it I think. I only had about 3 hours of sleep the night before, was stressed and nauseous the morning of and to top it off, we were shuttled to the starting point which meant we rode the route in the van and so I was well aware of the awful hills from about mile 7 to 10. I'm sure the altitude difference made it a little harder. Yikes! I had my stopwatch with me so I was totally aware of the time and probably didn't push myself as much as I should have. But I did it! Every now and then, as I was moving along I would remember to look around at the beauty along the Colorado river. I've never been in that area before and it was beautiful in a totally different way!

Alayna finished in about 2 hours and 38 minutes. It was awesome to have her meet me the last half mile or so. For me to do a half-marathon is- as those of you who know me well- quite out of character for me. But I am so glad I did it and it was neat to do it with Alayna, my sister, Zonda, and her daughter-in-law, Tara. Would I do it again? Well....Alayna and I are planning on doing the Music City Half-Marathon here in Nashville next April. Anyone want to join us?????

"I Really Lived"-by Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I don't want to drive up to the pearly
gates in a shiny sports car, wearing
beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair
expertly coiffed, and with long,
perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station
wagon that has mud on the wheels
from taking kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with grass stains
on my shoes from mowing
Sister Schenk's lawn.

I want to be there with a smudge of
peanut butter on my shirt from making
sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children.

I want to be there with a little dirt
under my fingernails from helping
to weed someone's garden.

I want to be there with children's
sticky kisses on my cheeks and the
tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really
here and that I really lived!

More Paintings.....

I'm still painting. Not as often as I should.... I'm having fun though! My pictures are all different because I'm making myself try new things. Enjoy!!

Oh My Goodness!

Jeepers! What have I got myself into!? Okay, I know what I got myself into but I'm a little nervous about it. See, I signed Alayna and I up for a half-marathon in October in Moab, Utah. We are going to join my sister and two of her daughters, her two daughters-in-law, and sister of one of the daughter-in-laws for the half-marathon. Before we moved to Tennessee I was running 4 miles four times a week and it was to the point of being fairly easy. But since the move to Tennessee, I've only run a few times. Yes, I'm out of shape and definitely have some extra pounds to prove it. It took me some time to register for the half-marathon because I knew if I did, I would have to commit myself to getting in shape. I want to be able to run all or most of the 13.1 miles. Yes, it will be good for me- and I really want to do the Music City half-marathon next April. And so the pain begins.......

Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed. ~Charles Schulz, Peanuts

I Love Fireflies!

Okay, maybe I don't "love" them- I really don't like any kind of bug but fireflies are so cool! Last summer was my first experience actually seeing fireflies. Growing up in the west, I guess I kind of thought fireflies were like a Disney invention. I was so excited to see them last summer for the first time! They're real!! Joel thought it was pretty funny when we were out on a walk and I actually got to see them for the first time twinkling in the yards. I was happy to see them again at the beginning of June this year! I do know they aren't really flies but beetles. It's funny to see our little dog trying to catch them. It is one of the things that I love about being here in Tennessee. Such a little thing- but they make me happy. Alayna and I really need to catch some and put them in a jar for Lukas!

Celebrate!!

Last night, we celebrated Joel's birthday. He is a wonderful husband, father and grandfather! I'm so thankful for him! We have been married for over 30 years!! Wow!! We may be older but we're also wiser. There is a quote that says, "Newlyweds become oldyweds, and oldyweds are the reasons that families work. " Well, we must be oldyweds now, and somehow this family still works! Joel holds this family together whether he realizes it or not. I fell in love many years ago with a strong, quiet, loving young man. He may be a little grayer (okay, a lot grayer :) ), a little bigger, more talkative (because he has to be), and wiser, but he is still the strong, gentle spirit he has always been. Joel brings a lot of laughter to our family and so I will add this quote: "I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life." ~Rita Rudner. Hopefully the Lord will bless me, and the whole family, with many more years of laughter amid the annoyances -compliments of Joel!! J/K We love you, Joel!!:)

Being "Mom".......

Alayna & Caleb 22 years ago

Today in Young Women's, Jenna taught a lesson on self-reliance which kind of focused on the girls becoming more independent of their parents and strenghthening their relationship. She wanted Alayna and I to talk about our relationship and what it was like when Alayna left for school and how that felt, etc. Alayna couldn't be there because Lukas is sick. I would have liked to hear how Alayna would have answered Jenna's questions.....but then again, maybe not. I know I'm hard on myself, but I do know I'm not the perfect parent and deep inside, I realize that is okay. I've tried. What I can say is that Caleb and Alayna have grown to be wonderful adults- people that I like to be with! They are both loving, caring people. Motherhood has been both extremely hard and extremely rewarding. There have been times my heart has been broken, and better yet, there have been more times of overwhelming joy! I'm thankful everyday for my children and I'm so lucky to have them near!!



Alayna, Caleb, Diana & Joel 2005

While we try to teach our children all about life,Our children teach us what life is all about.~Angela Schwindt

Just Thinking.....

I've been feeling a little nostalgic today. Just thinking about when Joel and I first started our life together. We were young, inexperienced with life (mostly me) but we knew what we had would work. We didn't have a lot going for us- no college education, no fantastic career, etc. But I realize that didn't matter. I had faith in Joel and myself even when others weren't so supportive. It seems not so long ago, and yet...here we are 30 years later. Has it gone the way we had dreamed it would? Not always. It hasn't always been easy and we've had some learning lessons we could have done without. But isn't that what this life is all about? Would I change some things? Yes. But I would never change who has been by my side on this journey. He has loved and taken care of me better than anyone could have. No one knows me like he does. He puts up with my quirks and understands that I'm kind of an introvert. I've told Joel that what I would like is to be sitting on a porch in the country in a rocking chair with him beside me....just soaking up life. I don't need anything else....just him and our family nearby. I guess as I've gotten older, my vision gets clearer as to what is really important to me. And so...the journey continues....

Still Painting........

Just a few paintings I recently finished:

This is from a photo Joel & I took in Monterey, CA. The building to the left is our favorite restaurant- The Fishhopper!

This painting is now in the office. It has meaning to me because of the two eagle scouts in my life- Joel & Caleb!

The Happy Boy!!

Babies are such a nice way to start people. ~Don Herrold

Everyone comments about how happy Lukas always seems to be. Yes, he is a happy little boy! We have so much fun with him. I'm so glad Alayna is such a fantastic mom. I'm sure she deserves a lot of the credit for his happy disposition. It's amazing how much having a little one around adds to life!

Chocolate...Mmmmm.....Good!

All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! -Charles Monroe Schulz

So....we've introduced Lukas to homemade chocolate chip cookies!

Yep! He liked them!

More please?!!

Here's Alayna at 10 months old enjoying a little chocolate.

Is a love of chocolate hereditary? Or is it learned? Who really cares!! All I know is it's really good!! And, I'm addicted!!

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