As the ticker shows at the top of my blog....It's almost Valentine's Day!  That means Pink, Red, Roses, Hearts, and Lace are available in stores.  I love to walk into a store and see the delights they offer:  Candy wrapped in pink papers, Romantic cards expressing love, Trinkets, and such.  It all makes me smile.

Friday Craig and I celebrated the 42nd anniversary of his proposal of marriage.

 Contained in here are the dozen red roses Craig gave me that day!

 That moment in time unlocked the door to doors and doors of happiness.  I would never put forth that all 42 years were filled with days of only happiness for certainly we have had struggles of one type or another.  But, by in large, happiness is our daily reward because we have Decided to be happy.
Happiness is a decision.  In fact it is a moral obligation.  We owe it to others to be happy.  I know that when I exude happiness it affects others especially Craig since he lives with me.  And it affects me as well.  We all have reasons to mourn or complain or even feel down in the dumps but still it is a decision to be happy.

For example, if I am feeling crabby I can still answer the door and greet the person there with a smile or a kind word.  It is a choice.  I choose to portray happiness rather than crabbiness.
SIDE NOTE: I had no intention of pontificating on this subject.  Oh well, maybe it will help whomever happens to read this little blog of mine.

Rebecca arrived Wednesday with her youngest, Ledger.  They are visiting for 10 days.  Rebecca has meetings and appointments to attend so Craig and I are the babysitters.

Although Ledger is only 3 he has learned the power of suggestion.  More than once he mentioned that he loves the macaroni and cheese at Red Robin.  So, guess where we went to dinner last night!
When the waitress asked what we would like to drink Craig and I each requested water.  Ledger said he would like Sprite.  As she walked away there was a look of surprise in his eyes.  Then he confessed that Daddy does not let him have Sprite!  Apparently we should not have asked what he WANTED but rather what he was ALLOWED to have!  Here is Ledger enjoying his Sprite.  He said Mommy can see the photo but not Daddy! 

 Ledger was invited to pre-school taught by my dear friend, Anita.  So Shannon, Rebecca and I had a few hours to go shopping.  It was a pure delight having two of my girls with me.  We talked and laughed and helped each other choose wisely.


It was a great week.

Enjoying the Drought

We're having a heat wave.  Droughts in January are so pleasant but slightly difficult to fully enjoy knowing the ramifications that come later.  The Governor has declared California in a state of emergency!  The temperature has been in the 80's for days. People are going to the beach, having picnics, playing outside and wearing flip flops.
We have two tomato plants still bearing fruit! Imagine that!

Michelle, my friend of 32 years and 5 months (!) had a birthday.  I hosted a birthday luncheon for two.


Jan  (my friend of 34 years) and I went to downtown Riverside to window shop at our favorite little stores, Mrs. Tiggywinkles being the main one.  We lunched at a Mexican restaurant and ate outside (you know the drought).  We had a lovely day, unfortunately there are no photos to remember this day by!  But, here is a recent one of Jan with Kelli (my daughter of #@ years (you're welcome Kelli).  Don't they look coordinated? 

A curious thing happened this week.  While composing a document of my favorite scriptures and how they connect I wanted to find something I had written several years ago.  It involved Sheri (my friend of 49 years (wait we aren't even that old!)) and I knew she would remember the year the event happened. Since it was early in the morning I knew not to call and disturb her slumber so it was tucked away in my mind to call her later.  Imagine my surprise that she called me just a few hours later to ask me if I could send her that very story I had written (Turns out I wrote it in 2006!)!!!  SO, with her help I found it and was able to send it to her!   How do those kind of things happen?  Her call was the answer to a prayer I hadn't even uttered!!!!!

Ashlynn

A sweet little girl has joined our family bringing our number to 20.  Ashlynn was born November 22, 2013.  She was adored by her older sister, Makayla and brother, Micah from the moment Joel and Lori divulged the news that there would be a baby.  They both were willing to give up their bedroom for her. Neither cared whether she would be a girl or boy.  Just having a baby was the greatest of joys for them.

The morning of her birth 9 year old Micah greeted the day with, "This is the best day of my life!"

Upon returning home from the hospital after Ashlynn was born 11 year old Makayla exclaimed, "Today my best friend was born!"

Thus, Ashlynn, has been warmly greeted and greatly loved every second of her existence.  Perhaps this has contributed to her peace and gentleness.  Hardly a one has heard her cry.  She makes a peep and instantly her needs are attended to by someone.

Being just a month old she made the long trek from Utah to Grandpa and Grandma's house for Christmas and stayed a week!   With the entire gang here one must wait in line for a turn to hold her (well, just about).  One night I hid away in the upstairs family room with some of the grands.  We watched a movie and held Ashlynn the entire time!  Heaven!

Lori's California family and ours gathered to bless Ashlynn at our home.  Her beautiful gown was made by Cheryl (the other Grandma).  It is gorgeous!  Ashlynn isn't much for posing for cameras.  None of her photos really capture her beauty and sweetness.

A new phase in my parents life began today.  After Dad being released from a convalescent center Mom and Dad drove to my sister Suzanne's house to live with she and Bob.  This is an interim period.  In a couple of months Cindy and Scott (my brother) will have remodeled their home to accommodate Mom and Dad permanently.

Mom is being very brave.
It must be hard to give up your
independence,
solitude,
rooms filled with a lifetime of memories,
roses,
neighbors and
friends at church.

It is for the best.
No more worries about:
Dad has fallen and she can't get him up,
being the chief cook,
taking care of the details of a household,
or all the responsibilities are that have been on her shoulders.

I marvel at the strength of my Mom.  She accepts this new phase:
with appreciation that her family is there to help her,
with realization that her prayers are being answered,
with peace from Heaven,
and a happy heart that her husband is still by her side.
Every minute with him is precious to her.  She said so.

Every day of my life (except one) I have had the comforting strength knowing that my parents adored each other.

May Day 2013

The May Day Fairy
left a SURPRISE
at my door.

Thank you!
They are beautiful.

And then flowers from my Man!

 But, the best thing about May Day is it is the day
Cooper was born.  This is Shannon's youngest.  He is 6 today.  According to Cooper, "6 is the perfect age."

I awoke with a Hymn in my head in the middle of the night.
It was on my mind in the morning.
It has resurfaced several times throughout the day.
Surely, this is a message for me...
Hence I "Humbly" acknowledge it publicly:

"Be thou humble in thy weakness, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee,
Shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers.
Be thou humble in thy pleading, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee,
Shall bless thee with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares.
Be thou humble in thy calling, and the Lord thy God shall teach thee,
To serve his children gladly with a pure and gentle love.
Be thou humble in thy longing, and the Lord thy God shall take thee,
Shall take thee home at last to ever dwell with him above.

August 2012

Even though this is a new month we still have out of town visitors.  How can I contain the joy?

 Another day at the beach.  Not all these people are staying at my house.

Can you see the dolphins?  We did!

Beautiful Newport Beach

Yes, we touched a Pelican

  That evening we had our traditional Talent Show.
 Since no one is talented Since we love to entertain ourselves it was a zany night.

A great video belongs here but failed in downloading 

BooHOO.

It would explain why I ended up looking like this at the Talent Show!

 

Some of us went to Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour.  We ordered a HUGE concoction.  It arrived at our table with whistles, drums and sirens. 

After we ate the whole thing we followed our waitress by running around the table as all the other patrons clapped for us.  It was quite a show!

   Being the generous Grandma that I am I splurged and bought the grands chocolate covered bugs.  They all had a 'bite

     '.

 Soon after....they all went home. 
Fortunately, Corbin and Cooper live nearby.

These two fellas received shooting a "BB" lessons from Grandpa one Sunday.

Another Sunday we went to the LA Temple Visitor Center.  I tried and tried to take a photo of Corbin and Cooper with Christ but there were too many people around.  They were embarrassed.

 A couple of August Sunsets in Norco

Every day I endeavor to develop a talent that yearns within.

Watercolor Painting!

A year ago watercolor classes were offered on a cruise we took to Panama. 

 Ever since I have devoted a portion of each day to learning more.

Here is a sample of one of my pieces.

Good-bye Beautiful August