"My" cute grandson!

No w0rds are really necessary. Katie calls this the "Attack of the Aunties" to see more pictures click on Katie's blog. They are sooo cute!

Pity Party

I have to apologize for my last post. I guess I was having a pity party and I was the only one invited. I guess I'll chalk it up to instable hormones and move on. I think that is the message anyway. Just move on. No two days are the same, they always bring something different. Yesterday at church our Bishop in his message gave this quote, "The futures a mystery, the past is gone, and thats why today is a gift, it is the present." something to that effect. Not that anything has changed much since Saturday, its just different today.

Chin Up

Does anyone else have trouble keeping their, "chin up"??? I could use some help on this. You know just new ideas as to how to get threw the day to day. Don't get me wrong, I'm saying my prayers, trying to show more faith, reading my scriptures, working my Sunday lessons way in advance of Sunday, etc. but with all that is going on in the world and in my personal "Mashoonga!" world I find it harder and harder. And I hate to say it but money would help. So often no one comes out and says that awful truth: I need more money in my life! There I said it, if you say it it will come. I don't know that yet but we'll see. For me the burden of pressure that sits on my shoulders and just stays there seems to be finding a permanent place. I know the self help stuff, music, a song in your heart, cast your burdens on the Lord, but I come back to this lethargy that paralyzes me from "doing". I usually would garden or make something for someone, or visit a friend, or go to lunch, or shop, or take a class, or do service. But as our funds have shriveled up, and all gone to our business, there isn't anything left. No hair cuts, no contact lenses, no lunches, not even a costco card! This sounds so trivial, and I know there are so many with so much worse, physical pains, death, accidents, trauma, abuse, addictions, jail, prison, homelessness, oppression. I am grateful for my trials, I just wish I could afford them. So if anyone knows of some investors or has ideas to send me back to my possitive nature PLEASE respond!

A New Year

Thanksgiving has come and gone, Christmas too and even New Years Day is behind me. The three biggies. And yet I have not found the time to update my blog. Funny thing is Jim and Luke think I do it all the time. Not true at all. While I am on the computer, I'm usually reading everyone's blog and that takes a long time. You are all so cleaver, and the lay outs and pictures are so fun. So the creative procrastinator in me dreams about how I could improve, I try out a few things, press enter and.. you got it, I forgot to press save! Ugh. I think I can remember that now.

As I review all that has gone on in the last 2 months I'm amazed at how much we pack into a season. And the times I love the most are when I'm with family or friends, and the times when I have quiet reflections. Although I have to be careful with those reflections 'cause often I just end up in tears!
So I think I'll just post a few of my favorite pictures that come to mind as part of our holiday starting with Luke's birthday at Disneyland.

1. Talking to Elder Bogner when he flew to S. Korea, and on Christmas Eve- what a joy it is to hear from him. He has an exceptional Mission Pres. and his wife has a web site for the families of the missionaries. She posts regularly pictures and even videos of whats happening in the field. It helps to make the miles closer!

2. Baby Ryan! what more can be said about this cute little guy. I just can't get enough of him. And when he was here over Christmas I had to share him! I wish I had a fairy godmother who could grant me all my wishes and fill my bank account so I could go see him and have him come here too!

3. Our Thanksgiving on the beach with Carly and Luke.


4. The First Annual Guacamole-Off
staring "the Captain", Spencer and Ryan.
Guess who won?









5. Of course Christmas morning, well the whole day. I just love my family so much!


so
what else is there......hmmmm.. those blasted goals for '09....

maybe next time!!


Happy New Year!

Learning new things

So I feel pretty confident about putting this on my blog, since it is not read very often. But just in case, this is an experiment to see if I have the process of putting a video on the internet. katie has the cutest video of Ryan and she sent it via the phone so I'm learning how I could put that on the big screen. Meanwhile, this is Max up at Stanley Idaho this summer. What a great time we had.

It's November

So I am trying to be more creative with my posts. There is quite a learning curve here for me. Heidi tried to show me how to up load pictures so they are not all on the side. Still trying to get that, and as I read the younger generations blogs I'm envious of how clever you all are! Especially all you young newly weds, new mothers or mothers to be! I could barely get the laundry done and do dinner, and there is no way I would be able to do all that you juggle. I guess that's why there is a season for all of us to do what we do.
What a big week we have had in our nation! A new President, a bit of history. Now whether you voted for Obama or not, it was pointed out to me by a daughter that it is cool to have someone to believe in. She said that my generation has had Kennedy, Reagan, and others that have been an inspiration in the political world. But that her generation has always been a bit embarrassed by the leadership they have seen and that now there is excitement and an unknown to Pres. elect and the hope for good leadership and inspiration. I sure hope so. All of us need to do more to insure our freedom and be part of the changes that we want to see in our country. Recently as I get mad while reading the newspaper I have be emailing papers, TV stations, and politicians about my opinion. Our opinions count! And we need to use our free speech for the benefit of our lives, our country's future and that of those to come to this land. We have so much and need to protect those values and freedoms that we already have. I urge you all to do your part in using your voice to better this country and your futures.
I've included a quote from one of the leaders of our church that tells it like it is.

Elder Maxwell made these statements at a BYU devotional in 1978. His talk was then published in the Ensign in February of 1979.

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'
"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.
"Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened....Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was,till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat.--Elder Neal A Maxwell

Time Marches On

Well I can't believe its been 6 months since I last blogged. Wow!! But what a 6 months it has been. Lets see; a blood clot/stroke, days in the hospital, learning to shuffle, walk, not drool, smile again, accept each day for what it is, soooo much gratitude!!!! For family, friends, flowers, phone calls, cards, dinners, fish recipes, fish tacos, flax seed oil, swimming, encouragement, patience, love, sleep, rest, and more and more. And that's just daily living after a stroke!! Then there was the birth of a beautiful baby boy on May 28! Yes that made me a grateful grandma! And what a beautiful time of life that was. Summer with the announcement of a wedding. Our beautiful Laurel to the handsome and very smart Ryan Plewe! Planning and more planning. But lots of help with the help of great daughters. They took over and did for me at a time during which I could barely remember what I had just done or not done. Thank you so much! Ah, the wonderful, fantastic, surprise of finding out where Max was going to go on his mission! That was also beautiful and a great memory for any Mom... In case you don't know Elder Bogner is going to Seoul, South Korea!! Yeah, Max IS speaking and reading Korean! Then on August 3rd baby Ryan was blessed at church followed by a nice party at home! The whole family together. Those times become more and more important as you look to the future and know that you won't be together for 2 years! A few days later we all went to Stanley Idaho for a family reunion with my side of our fam. There is nothin like the Salmon River to set some peace in your soul. I love watching Luke and Max fish. It's freeze framed in my brain. Now it was time to get Max those new suits that he would be wearing for the next 2 years. Man he looked so handsome! (I can say that cause "I'm the Mom") a few suitcases and all too soon it was time to say goodbye, Sept 10Th 2008. Hard to say see you later, I still shed a few tears-so happy, but I miss him so much. Never under estimate how important you are to your family and friends. We all leave our mark in the sand. Home again, school has started, Luke is a sophomore and playing JV football! If only we could freeze our children... And all too soon it's time for flights to bridal showers, seeing old friends, meeting new ones, more showers, Laurel so happy and definitely in LOVE! Working on the garden, (wondering if I have OCD when it comes to Mother Nature). At last the big day arrives with family, flowers, friends and a beautiful day, weekend. Then its over. Just like that. OVER-no wait...we fly to Utah for another beautiful reception and the first snow of the season. Home. Now it's over, aah. What a season of life its been. Each day a new lesson, a remembrance, a smile, some love or kindness. I have been encircled in the love of the Savior each and everyday. Thank you all for all your prayers and kindness toward me. They helped me to smile each and every day and know that all would be well. Thank you, thank you.