My Fortune Cookie...

(This picture is a repeat, but I thought it was kind of appropriate.)

So yesterday was a rough day for me as I'm sure my sisters also experienced. I asked Joey to take me out to do something when he got home, just so I could mark Mom's birthday in some way. Uncle Al called me, and I was so touched by his call. I didn't get to sound very friendly to him because I was sure that I would start crying. Almost instantly when I hung up from talking to him, my R.S. president called to see if I had any plans for the night. I think she was looking for someone to feed the missionaries, but we didn't actually get that far in our conversation. Unfortunately, I kind of fell apart. Great timing. I was so embarrassed.

Then an even more random thing happened. About two seconds before Joey walked in the door, I started listening to a message from our Scout Master. Take my advice... Don't ever do that. I thought this was too crazy.

He said, "Brother Ellison, I was just wondering if you could go to Round Table for me tonight. It's my birthday today and I wanted to go see my mom but there was (some kind of important information they were going to announce tonight). Would you mind going for me, because I don't think I can make it. I'll just plan on you going if I don't hear back." This from the guy who doesn't miss meetings and even scheduled a meeting on General Conference Sunday. (I didn't think that was done; is nothing sacred?!) As Joey walked in, I gave him the look. He said, "What? I don't have anything tonight." I shook my head and said, "Just wait till you hear this."

Joey thinks Scout Master is the hardest calling in the church, no holds barred. (You have my permission to debate it with him. He's not much of a debater, so you might win.) We decided he'd go to opening exercises to get the information for Brother Settle. Afterwards, we drove up to Provo and walked around the mall for the twenty minutes before it closed. Then we drove home. Woohoo. At least we were together.

Yesterday was one of those Murphy's law kind of days, and I was not particularly in the mood for it in the first place. Today I was much happier which is typical after a sad day. I took JB to physical therapy because he hurt his back in weight lifting. He always makes me laugh. He insisted that I take him out for Chinese food before dropping him back at school. I tried to deny, but he assured me that he would jerk the steering wheel into China Town's parking lot. Like he'd dare. We really enjoyed ourselves. His fortune cookie said something about him being nothing more than full of ideas. He said just when he starts feeling good about himself he goes to a chinese restaurant to be deflated. My fortune cookie said, "Face facts with dignity." How simple is that?...

Looking Through Old Pics

I know it's way after the New Year, and Jade probably showed this on her blog, but I was amazed at the light display in Nephi this year. They had 80,000 lights at the Old Mill Park. The pictures don't really show it well, but this one is the best. For little old Nephi, it was something to behold . (Hmmm..... I hate not having a camera)

My Other Self... April Fools

Hi All...Ok, I'm here...and I'm not here ...but somehow my words still appear. "Crazy hacker blogger". I can't quite find the words to say how my life is going because...well someone already kinda did that for me. I surely do thank them. More than they can know.

Life is so full of good and special times. One thing I did forget to mention, however, the last time I wrote when I wasn't here was that Saturday, Delila and I were able to go to the General Young Women's meeting and listen to wonderful talks by all the General Young Women's Presidency and President Eyring. We were able to see President Monson, President Eyring, and President... (Ya right...you thought I was really going to attempt to spell it. So, I pronounce it "Ookdorf". I'll have to look it up, but I'm pretty certain that's not the right spelling.) .

Anyway, what I was going to say was that it was such a wonderful experience. The girls' choir from "Cache Valley" (Renee's area) was outstanding. Delila and I were especially amazed by the young woman who played the flute during one of their numbers. She played during the entire song flawlessly even while a huge camera was right up in her face. I said to Delila, "She must have had a lot of experience playing in front of a crowd." DeDe said, "I bet she hasn't played in front of the whole world before." It was so impressive to see in person.

Delila was also particularly touched by the people who were hearing impaired sitting just a few rows in front of us. Actually, instead of having someone do American Sign Language live, they were on a big screen TV. Another one was set up right next to it, also a big screen, with the closed caption turned on. I'm always touched to realize the thoughtfulness and precision that must be involved in presenting general conferences; not only are they thinking of broadcasting by satallite to millions of young women, mothers and leaders around the world, but also they're concerned about the 10 or 15 hearing impaired who come to the conference center to listen. Wow. So many things I could share, because I really was moved by it all. Delila pointed out to me after about half an hour into conference how the whole center was completely filled...it was something I can't even describe...to know that so many had come... and yet so many more were listening from other places all around our great big world. Wow.

And then, to top it all off, we parked across the street from the first apartment that mom lived in while she was in Salt Lake and walked right past it to the conference center. I was flooded with so many fond memories of mom on her mission. I was so thankful to have had mom here for that short time. It meant the world to me. She was my example of living the gospel to the fullest extent, of serving, giving of herself, loving others, and of continuing to learn new things through her entire life. Oh, how I do miss her!

It was a very special night and I thank Delila for her willingness to be with me. She has been my dear other female this last year. I can't imagine how it will all roll out next year with all three of my girls moved away. Life has a way of changing so drastically right in the middle of all the same old stuff. Crazy how that is.

So to end this current blog...that I'm pretty certain is my real true self... I have a little thought to share with you all. I was listening to this commercial the other day and I realized something of great value... One should probably never use the phrase "its the cutting edge" to describe advances in the medical world or dentistry... iiickkk ....

I don't know. Is it just me or what?

Love You All---