the joyful nest!

I don’t know if you remember, but one of my first posts was about “choosing joy”.
It is what I do.
I have come to a time in my life,
when the chicks are mostly grown.
Time flies when you’re having fun, and
I know that in just a few years the nest will be empty.
OUCH!
I feel a pain in my heart. I’m OK, it’s just so hard to have my childers growing up and leaving. What’s weird is, I have been looking forward to this for quite sometime. I just didn’t know it would come quite so quickly. Being a mom has been the greatest, hardest, most amazing experience. When they were tiny, I would give anything (pretty much) for a break. Just 20 minutes! You know, run to the store by myself, take a shower, eat MY food by myself. I think all I did was feel overwhelmed and worry. Come to think of it, I still worry. But now they’re gone alot and doing so much, I worry when they don’t come home at the designated time. Did the car break down? Have they even looked at the clock? These days, I miss having them all safely tucked in bed by 8:30 pm.
After all is said and done, life is wonderful. It is a challange, and I love it. I choose to love it, all of it.
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I sent my oldest son off to boot camp on Tuesday, he has chosen to serve his country. It’s going to be a great thing! I will miss seeing him for a while. Then my second son will be leaving on his mission in July. Oldest daughter is at a crossroads, as well. Bonus baby just turned sixteen on the 19th and had her first date all in the same week. Wow! I  know that I’m still their mom and hopefully they will always come home to the nest for visits, bringing lots of grandbabies and sharing love and  togetherness.
When I first heard Eva Cassidy sing the song, “Who Knows Where The Time Goes” I cried….I sobbed. I thought of my darling children flying away. It’s hard, but when it’s time for them to go, I know it. I have to have faith in them and in God. I know I have taught them, and loved them, and they are amazing!!
I had a friend tell me once, “Joy, you’re not the only one who loves them.” Father in Heaven loves them even more than I do. They will be just fine!!!

One year Blogiversary!!

Today, it has been
one year
 since I started my blog.
I feel pretty good about it!
It isn’t the most famous, or the most impressive.
 It is however mine and I have enjoyed so much sharing the past year with anyone who stops by.
 One of my goals, was to do posts encouraging others to do their Family History. I did write “37” FHF posts, and if I didn’t inspire anyone that’s OK. I reminded myself, of the love I have for my ancestors and their legacy. They are amazing to me and I hope someday to meet them and to tell them how much I love them. Maybe, they will tell me, they think I’m amazing too?
I have also written very fond and wonderful memories of my life and family. I’m always happy to share my stories and the lessons and things that life has taught me, but it is also for my posterity. How will they know…unless I tell them.
So if by chance you’ve happened by, thanks!
 I hope to see you again and get to know you. I have gotten to know lots of amazing people, and am very grateful for all of you.
Happy Blogiversary to ME!!

My Baby is 16!!!

birthday was on the 19th.
We gave Emily a surprise party!!!
It turned out pretty great, and I think she was surprised.
We had fondue!
Cheese w/ ham, broccoli, cauliflour, carrots, pretzels, crackers, and –chocolate w/cinnamon bears (my personal fave), nilla wafers, pretzels, teddy grahams, marshmallows, bananas– also caramel w/ apple slices, pretzels, and all the stuff that was dipped in the chocolate. YUM, YUM!!!
what a darling smile for the camera!! Not!!!
(In case you were wondering, Emily is notorious for silly and crazy faces.)
Rachael forgot the “D” in birthday,
but did an awesome job decorating!
Then the kids watched “Zoolander”!
Emily calls her friend Linsey, her twin.
They were born on the same day,
April 19th, about 4 hours apart.
Linsey’s mom is one of my best friends, Lilli.
The girls have had their picture taken every year on their b-day,
since their b-day!!
Happy Birthday darling Emily!! I love you!!! oxox

My Elder!!

My son Alex
got his mission call
yesterday.
He is going to South Africa!!!
Amazing!!
Mission call opening party!!!
Hurry Alex, Hurry!!
Reading…….
There it is!! South Africa, WOW!
Mom can’t help but hug!
So proud!
Here it is!!
We are so please with our son and his decision to serve the Lord
for 2 years!
I love you, Alex!
You’ll be an awesome missionary!!

Sin City Suckers?

I went to Las Vegas last week for work,
and found something interesting to
bring back for my kids.
 When I saw these, I laughed!
Check out the name!
(I saw a few suckers there)
I had such a fun time.
Before last week, I had never actually been to Vegas. I’ve just driven through a few times. I don’t gamble, but the hotels and stores were amazing.

My Momma!

My Mom on her wedding day! Beautiful!

Today is my Mom‘s birthday. She has lived a long and amazing life. I asked my grandma once how my mom was as child, and she said she was always a sweet child. I believe that. She has always been a sweet momma. When I was a teenager I had the usual struggles, (I call the teen years, especially jr. high, the arm pit of life.) I remember my mom sitting at the foot of my bed, and listening to me. She would encourage and counsel me. She loved me as I struggled along. She has always been a good listener. Growing up, she was my always there for me. And, as I have become a grown momma myself, she continues to be a source of encouragement and love. I can always count on her to build me up and tell me what an good mom I am.
She is super creative and ambitious. She is a great example to me of getting a lot done. She volunteers in the community and teachs classes about doing your family history. She never stops learning and reading, then sharing it with others. While other people her age have slowed down, she hasn’t. If I live to be at least her age, I have 30 years to contribute to society. To find and complete all of my life missions. I have alot of things I’d still like to do, and she is great example of “doing”! I feel so blessed and thankful to have such a wonderful mother. She is the best mom for me.
Happy Birthday, Momma!!

Little Red Wagon

Like I’ve said before, when I was a little girl, I used to spend quite a bit of time by myself. It’s not a bad thing. Although at times in my youth I would get quite lonely. Every once in a while my mom would suggest that I go on a picnic. She would pack me a lunch and I would ride our little red wagon down to the bottom of the hill that our house was on.

I would sit in the wagon next to the little creek at the bottom of the hill and eat my lunch. I never felt alone then. I would sing and eat and watch the water trickling down the stream.  I would spend quite a bit of time there at the bottom of the hill. Noone ever came by, but it was almost as if the wagon became my friend. I would sit in the wagon in the sun until I got too hot, then I would move to the side of the creek in the shade. Every once in a while, a breeze would come by, adding to the experience. Finally, I would pull the wagon back up the hill to our home. It always felt so peaceful there in the little red wagon by the creek.  I remember another time using the wagon as a sort of wading pool, plugging up the holes that were there for drainage, filling it with water, and sitting in it on a hot summer day. Awww, refreshing!! I loved our little red wagon. It’s too bad I got too big.

5 Faves on the 5th

1- Four leaf clovers!
I found one once…I’ve been lucky ever since!!! 😉
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2-19 year olds!
What a fun guy!!
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3-Having a MOM!!
I’ve had a Mom for 48 years. I think I’ll keep her.
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4-Spring
A time of new beginnings!
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5-the color green
I love it!!!

Happy Birthday!!! My Flexy is 19!!!

Well his name isn’t really Flexy. He just asked me to call him that when he was about 5 years old. It has been 19 years today, since he was born. When I had Alex, and they handed him to me, they said, “Here is your baby“. I was quite overwhelmed, because I had a 19 month old baby at home. The first thought I had was…”What was I thinking?” Well, I must have been thinking…”This will be fun!! Let’s have another baby!!” I remember going to the grocery store with Riley in the front of the cart (you know, where I probably shouldn’t have put him), Kelsey in the baby seat and Alex hanging off the front of me in an infant carrier. GOOD TIMES! I only left the house to go somewhere, if I could take my time. People would pass by and say, “You look like a busy, mom.” Honestly, it has been fun. Alex has been such a fun little boy, teenager and young man. He is getting ready to go on an LDS mission and is soooo excited. We’ll let you know where he gets his call when it comes!!
I love this darling boy!!!
Happy Birthday, Alex!!