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---

I know, I know...

So, let me start off this post by apologizing for not posting in so long. I have to say, I have been so busy that, when I get on the computer, it's to frantically check on my daughters and grandson (soon to be grandchildren), and see what's going on in their lives. Then, as I notice that I'm running out of free time, I zoom over to my sisters' websites and ooo and aww over their adorable posts...then, as one last, 'okay, i'm getting off, hold on', i click on my neice's website just to see a couple of pics...and then, it's off to something new. I feel like my life is just whizzing on by and I can't quiet get a hold of it. But, I do promise, I am around...

So, some exciting news, I guess...Jadie, my lovely second daughter, and her adorable hubby Tim have recently found out that she is expecting...so I am going to be a grandma x2 (i know, i already mentioned that, but i wanted to say it again)...I cannot wait until my little rannagan grandbaby gets here...Finally, I'll have one close to me...I only wish the other one was just as near...sigh...maybe some day...one can only hope...haha!

Another exciting announcement, delila, my lovely youngest daughter is...AHHH!...graduating from highschool! I cannot believe it...only two more to go (my awesome boys) and I do not have to deal with the whole dramma of highschool anymore...not that I want life to speed up any more than it has already...

The boys, JB and Charlie, are as crazy as ever, keeping me on my toes every day. I love them though. They keep life exciting. I cannot believe that I have another child (JB) that is old enough to date and drive...can life get any scarier...tell me...And Charlie is speedily coming up behind JB (in november, he turned the whoppingly old age of fourteen...I don't think I've announced that yet...isn't that crazy)...Part of me wants to hold on to them a little longer and yet part of me is saying, "you're still here?"...Don't know which part is stronger today...

Joey and I--you know, I feel like I'm writing one of those Christmas letters ("this year brought a lot of changes to our family") it's kind of funny...seeing as, I've never really done that before--Anyway...Joey and I are enjoying what time we have with each other. Just a couple of days ago we were able to spend the night at one of our Worldmark resorts (yay for timeshares!)...it was nice to get away with each other...as always...and then...YAYAYAYAY! I cannot wait...we are going to HAWAII for our honeymoon...I am so excited (even more yay for timeshares!)

As for my already-too-far-away, but still lovely, daughter, Lacy, and her little family, Jason and my little grandbaby Lukie, are leaving the beautiful west coast and heading for the east coast. That's right, all...my daughter who thought Provo was too crowded (she's like her father sometimes) is moving to MANHATTAN! She's going to live right, smack-dab, in the middle of the island...go figure...As if I wasn't stressed enough out about her being too far away...now she's moving across country...Isn't there any other way?! P.S. her hubby is going in to New York University's LLM program--don't ask me what it is...ask her...

But, all-in-all, our life is good, and we enjoy our family...And our love grows more each day as more people are brought into it...So, what does life hold for us now?...(in keeping with the Christmas letter theme..."I cannot wait to see what the next year brings us"...)

Well, I know it's a long post...and it's only words...the author doesn't have any pictures...but I promise...As soon as i find a way...and some time...I will put a post up with all of our beautiful smiling (highly stressed out) faces!

Until next time...

Family Picture!

Hi All!! Merry Christmas. HaHaHa...I'm actually posting with a new picture (and we just took it tonight). This is our family photo for our Holiday get together this year. We had a big ol' feast today, then went and saw National Treasure. DeDe volunteered to watch Lukie because she saw it on Saturday. Bless that child; She cleaned the whole kitchen and dining room, too. We ended with a family photo shoot. Luke was getting a little tired of our experimenting with the lighting and position of everyone so we had to call it quits. Not bad for our first ever color coordinated, do it yourself jobber. Love You All, Family. Take Care. Wendy

I know, I know

So it's been a while since I posted...okay...it's been two months since I posted. I'm sorry. My life has been crazy. I also stuck my pictures on the shutterfly website and am in the process of getting them off. So, you'll have to do without pictures for a while. But I thought I should update everyone on the life...Things are good here in little ol' Nephi. We're feeling the usual warmth, cold, excitement, and pressure of the holiday season. We're looking forward to Christmas break because Lacy and her family are coming out to visit, Jade and Tim will be here to spend time with us, and we'll get to have the whole family together for a while...enjoying each other's company. It's going to be an enjoyable few days. We're all good here. Just trying to battle colds, flus, and the regular battles we face every day! Hope you all are doing well, and, I promise, I will get pictures up soon! Take care!

Alright, Alright...Gimme a Break...Tort

What I am doing is waking up at 3:00 in the morning because I can't sleep and then trying to take a nap whenever I can find my bed during the day because I haven't slept. Why can I sleep at noon but not at night? I don't know. I don't get it. Apparently it has something to do with turtles...or at least Tort. I went on a lovely two day trip for my anniversary and didn't have a bit of trouble sleeping. I guess because Tort stayed home. I got home on Monday and then woke up that night and worried about Tort being moved into the house. Where did Charlie put him? Is he on my carpet somewhere? Does he have a cage of some kind...I don't think so....I need to get him something. What about his food? None of that makes a bit of difference at noon but let me tell you at 3 AM, the troubles of Tort are paramount. Unfortunately I can't actually sleep at noon either because I have to work or go visiting teaching or homeschool Charlie or run north to help Jade...or something, something. So I find my bed again about 11 pm and 3 am hits again. Does Tort have any water? How do you water a Turtle in the house? What a mess it's going to make. How many days can a turtle go without water? I bet Missouri turtles need more water than our desert variety. All that water and humidity. Do we have a desert variety? I don't think so.