"Happy, Happy Christmas!"

They're kind of cute.  I think I'll keep them!

The Best Fix

"I have seen what a laugh can do.

It can transform almost unbearable tears

into something bearable, even hopeful. ”

Bob Hope

May we all find a way to find more laughter in our lives. Almost all of my memories involve laughter, even those of my grandparents funerals. My relatives have a way of remembering the good and enjoying the lives of those around them. My poor grandfather was going to be without is wife of 50+ years and we were all gathered around in their home. He was going to miss her desperately, but having us all around enjoying one another helped. Grandpa wasn't able to laugh when we were, but I believe it helped to make things bearable for him.

The best way our family knows to get out of a battle of wits amongst ourselves is to break the tension with a laugh. More often than not, laughing at our absurdities helps us get over the anger. And let's face it, most of our battles are absurd and are based on stubborn pride. Pride that needs to be laughed out to bring it back down into perspective.

Christmas PJ's

Mickey Mouse on Payton's feet.

He and his 2 new buddies will sleep well tonight.

Thanks Momo!

Merry Christmas to all and (hopefully soon...)

to all a Good Night!

Dear Bill,

Seventeen years ago today was our wedding day. It was beautiful, fun, silly, eventful, and crazy! We were married in the morning, had lunch with your family, set up for the reception, partied with all our friends and then went back to our hotel room. The one your parents reserved for us. The one that had the twin beds. Yep, remember that? Our honeymoon suite had twin beds. Just what, exactly, was your mother trying to tell us? Oh well, it all worked out in the end, and they weren't even charged for the broken nightstand.

We didn't make plans for today. No special date, dinner, or movie. It was just another day and that's OK. No cards, no gifts, no apologies, and certainly no obligations. Just the way we both like it. At one point I even thought to myself, "nobody besides us even knows today is any different than any other day." Well, my mom did and I was sure our friend Sue would because she remembers all that jazz. I started to get sad that we didn't do something special to commemorate these past 17 years, but then I knew what I always know: it's not necessary. This day is not the day that defines us. It's all the other times that matter most...

• It was last week when we sat in the chapel at the temple waiting for a sealing to start and I felt like I was 18 and holding your hand for the first time.
• It was the baseball game we attended on an hours notice while I was still pregnant with Payton.
• It was the day you sounded unsure of something on the phone and I met you for lunch and we worked everything out.
• It was the text message you sent at just the right time.
• It was the game you muted to find out how mutual went.
• It was the dishes you did because you knew I'd had a long day.
• It was the way you didn't yell at me when I got the car impounded for being stupid.
• It was the back massage that was just a back massage... and the one that wasn't.

But most importantly, it really was today. This day that I inadvertently made fry bread for dinner. Fry bread reminds me of the fair. and last time either of us went to the fair was while we were dating. You didn't even remember. I couldn't remember who we went with. Then the girls started asking questions. "When was your first kiss?" Like I remember!?! But you did. How sweet was that? "What was your first date?" My face still hurts from smiling so much. And then we recalled the World Series that we watched together and the baseball movies that we shared as a common interest.

We abandoned the table and the dishes, got the kids in their jammies and plugged in a VHS tape of Field of Dreams. I couldn't place why we both liked this movie so much until tonight. That couple is so us. They are nuts and they joke around and poke fun at each other. They get each other and so do we. Even better, Kyra gets it. She sat in the chair tonight giggling when she knew what was going to happen. I've caught her giggling at us as I call you a jerk and you demand something from your woman. I've found myself telling her quite often lately that her parents are nuts. Again, she giggles and tells me that she knows. I believe she likes that about us and so do I. Thanks for not taking life too seriously, it would really be a drag.

I don't remember when I changed from saying, "love you" to "love us". It was probably shortly after I responded to your "I love you" with a resounding, "shut up!" Anyway, Happy Anniversary Babe. Seventeen years and counting. We should throw a party at 20!

Love us,

H

"Bill's Sock"

I was just making a list of things I have to do tomorrow. Oh, stop laughing! I do, in fact, make lists sometimes. It doesn't happen often, but when I have a deadline or someplace important to go, I will make a list of things I need to do before I go. Also, I will make a list if I need to focus and want Bill's help.

So I was making a list of things to do so everything doesn't get put off until Christmas Eve. Today I did a little shopping to get ready for our trip and stuff our stockings. I like to stuff my own stocking with smelly goodness from Bath and Body Works. Their Sweet Pea is bliss and I indulge once a year. (other store brands are cheaper but they are for crap) At the end of the list I put "Bill's sock" because he is the only one left with an empty stocking. (although now that I think of it I have socks to put in his sock so maybe I'm fine) As I wrote the word sock I teared up a little. (Yeah, yeah, I know, hard to believe- me tearing!)

Even before we were married, Bill and I would get a huge package in the mail from his parents with Christmas gifts in it. His mom would wrap them elaborately with lots of ribbon and bows and nice tags on them. The smaller ones wouldn't have anything on them though and would be for the stockings. Scribbled in her very slanted cursive writing would be "Bill's sock" (that would actually be for Billy), or "Big Bill's sock" (that would be my Bill), or "Helena's sock". Bill's mom felt obligated to help fill the stockings because she had made them for the kids. She could knit and she made some beautiful stockings for Billy and Kyra with their names on them. To say that the stockings were HUGE is an understatement. I'm pretty sure we could have put a 5 month old Kyra in her stocking that first year.

I believe that Bill's mom bought the yarn to make Tasha's stocking while I was pregnant but never started it. Then she got sick and couldn't start it. Tasha's first Christmas was an easy one to get through because I had hopes of asking Bill's sister to make one for her and it's not like Tasha would miss a stocking at 8 months old. But then the next year rolled around and the next. I finally gave in and made everyone new stockings at a church super Saturday. Now they hang there, the 4 of them, and Payton is missing one. I guess I'll have to go back to the drawing board for next year since the girls are already concerned with him missing out. Sweet girls.

Anyway. I miss Bill's mom. I miss her sweet stocking stuffers. I miss seeing the word "sock" on small packages and chuckling to myself that there is no way in heck that any one's foot would fill the sock that she made for my kids to hang up at Christmastime. I love you Lorraine Durrenberger! Take care of yourself up there in heaven. Your memory will always live on in my heart.

It's Good to be Back!

Last Friday, as I was driving to drop the kids off to school, I was thinking about all that I needed to accomplish that day. There was a ton to do and miraculously, I did not feel overwhelmed. A month ago I would have been freaking out at the thought of what needed to be done. Well, I take that back, I wouldn't have because there is no way that I would have volunteered to do anything while I was pregnant. I also would have left the laundry for someone else. It felt so good to look back at my week and see that I can function as a normal human being again. Hooray, pregnancy is over and prego brain has officially left! I'm pretty sure I did more this last week than I did during my entire 3rd trimester...

Monday: Carpool kids to school, grocery shopping, actually put the groceries away, put dinner in the crock pot, planned the menu for the week, went to the Tempe Symphony Concert with my mom.

Tuesday: Carpool kids to school, did some laundry, cleaned the kitchen, picked up the Kindergarten kids from school, went to a friends house to make a present for my nephew, stayed there WAY too long but enjoyed some girl time, brought the kids home to Bill who had prepared hamburgers for them, went out to a birthday dinner with my mom, nephew and his wife.

Wednesday: Carpool kids to school, Waffle house with my mom, Christmas PJ and dress shopping with my mom, picked up some much needed baby products, picked up the Kindergarten kids from school ('cuz we were just finishing shopping in the area), took the youth to the temple lights.

Thursday: Carpool kids to school, credit union, hung out with a friend for a while and watched her kids a little, took said kids to another friends house to mix and assemble several dozen grape leaf appetizers for a party Friday night, directed Bill on what to make for dinner while I nursed and took care of Payton, ran out the door for a Parent Rep. meeting and Parent Council meeting at the girl's school.

Friday: Carpool kids to school, got home and put Payton down to sleep, plugged in the crock pot to cook the grape leaves for that night, mixed sugar cookie dough and refrigerated it, did 3 loads of laundry, actually folded and put them away, watched a friends kids and thought about feeding them, cooked some yummy Israeli chicken and giant couscous for the ward Christmas party, frantically sent Bill to church with the grape leaves that were done but stayed home to let the soup cook because I underestimated the time it takes to de-bone chicken, nursed Payton and directed Kyra on a few things at home, went to said Christmas party, cried during the song and slide show, chatted with a few friends, dried some dishes, brought a friend of Kyra's home to spend the night and successfully put all the girls to bed before midnight.

Saturday: Showered (I think I did this other days during the week, but this one was relaxing), made 4 dozen sugar cookies to take to a school fund raiser, went to said fund raiser and worked the cookie kingdom booth for an hour before we ran out of the 10 dozen cookies we had made, cleaned up a little, met Bill for lunch on the early childhood playground (delicious veggie sandwich) while the kids painted something and generally had a good time, stopped at McDonald's to feed the kids on the way to the German Sausage Co. for our annual trip for wieners and salami, came home and rested for about 10 minutes while I put Payton down for a nap, did a butt load of dishes, had friends over for St. Nicholas night, played some cards, and generally had a good time.

Now it's Sunday and I'm grateful for a wonderful Sabbath day. We blessed Payton today and Bill did a great job. My brother and his 2 sons, Kyle and TJ were able to be in the circle as well as Jared, Ryan and Scott. I think Bill said that Bishop Stevenson jumped in there as well. I was glad to hear Bill bless Payton that he would find his sweetheart (he specified a girl later) and take her to the temple, and that he would prepare to go on a mission and teach those that were ready to hear the gospel message. He also told him many times how much he was loved. Sweetness. Bill's dad was able to come and held Payton while he slept for about 40 minutes. That, of course, made my mom jealous and she kept giving me the pouty lip. My brother and Kyra both bore their testimonies and made me cry. My mom was able to come back for RS where the YW sang Angels We Have Heard on High and signed As I Have Loved You for a mini Christmas Program. I was able to nurse Payton and send him home with Bill while I had choir practice. Bill went to his Dad's house around 5, so I made him move some furniture around in the living room before he left. I've gotten most of the furniture where I want it and plugged in the laptop to see if it would work nicely where our new-to-us-free recliner sits. So far, so good. The girls are snoozing, or at least they are in their beds and Tasha has her pink princess tree glowing brightly from the corner of her room.

So now, here I sit with 2 boxes of Christmas tree branches waiting to be assembled. I have some Boursin cheese spread and crackers, some German Sausage Co. salami, and a little cherry coke to get me through the night. The Christmas music is playing and the season has begun.

Life is pretty good. I need to remember that more often. This is a good time of year to stop and do just that. It's good to feel like myself again: able to help people, volunteer for stuff, keep a coherent thought and process it in my brain, roll over on my stomach, and able to hug and kiss my husband without bumpin' bellies. Yep, life is good.

Always Thankful to Learn

Things I've learned this year at Thanksgiving...

• Pumpkin pie tastes better cold
• To avoid turkey spatter in a deep fryer, lower said turkey into fryer with a fork lift (picture available)
• Stuffings vary GREATLY in the amount of time they take to cook
• You can be late to dinner if you have a newborn
• There is a girl sassier than Tasha
• When I put on make-up my kids think I'm pretty
• When Bill puts on a polo shirt the girls think he's pretty
• When we're pretty, the girls change clothes to look pretty
• When there are enough adults at dinner, I get to eat mine hot- even when the baby is fussy
• My brother still won't hold a newborn
• I learned my baby clicking noise (tongue on the roof of my mouth) from Loreen
• Pacifiers/thumbs are a necessary evil for my kids, and a lifesaver for my aching neck
  

Cards

I love to play cards. I always have. When I was about Kyra's age I learned to play double solitaire with my aunts in New York. Actually, I think we played triple solitaire since there were two of them and one of me. It was a lot of fun and I went home with a double deck of Pegasus cards. My Aunt Maria worked for Mobile at the time and if you remember (or were even alive at that time!) the logo for Mobile (before it was ExxonMobile) was a Pegasus. Last year I took one of the jokers from each deck and sent them to my Aunt Yota in New York. I told her how I remembered playing with them and how much I enjoyed it. She was delighted that I still had the cards, had the memory, and thought of her. In the note I sent her I told her I would come pick up the jokers from her, thus making it clear that I intended to visit again. She's all alone now and I think of her looking at those cards and remembering her dear sweet sister Maria.

About that same time I really really wanted to learn how to shuffle cards. I can recall spending an entire summer trying to conquer the "bridge". I can't remember how old I was, but I know it was the age where The Price is Right was a fun show to watch. I'd get up in the morning, do whatever until Bob Barker begged me to "come on down", and sit on the floor of my living room trying endlessly to shuffle and bridge those dang cards. That was sometime before Junior High. I would have been the only one home since my mom was at work and my brother was either sleeping or at work as well. Me, my cards, and Bob. Awe, what a nerd!

Now I've taught Kyra how to play solitaire, double, and triple. It's been fun and she is pretty intense. She slams those cards up when she sees an opening and is pretty good. You can tell it has been a while since we've played because I believe that annoying is the word Bill and I used more often when describing what it is like to play with her. She's pretty intense. I think Bill is very grateful that I am over my double solitaire phase of life. He's getting more sleep now and does not dread the time when the kids are in bed and he hears the cards shuffling.

My current card game of choice is Wizard. It takes at least 3 people to play, but is really more enjoyable with 4-6 people. It has been fun teaching new couples to play and it is a game that Bill and I equally enjoy. Although it takes a bit of skill to know what to do, much of the game is about luck in what you are dealt. It plays a bit like Hearts, with a wizard twist. Fun, fun, fun. One of the funniest nights of Wizard was when Bill and I taught his friend Larry to play. When there are just 3 players the game seems to go on FOREVER!!! Or maybe it was just because it was late and we were all a little slaphappy. Good people, good game, you can't go wrong. Clearly, the couple we've played the most with is the Lee's. In fact, there have been a couple of times that going into the last hand we've all been within reach of the win. Crystal and Bill just really enjoy this game, Jared and I like to argue. Again, what's not fun about that?! I think we would enjoy playing every week if we could. Good people, good game, good fun.

Since it is not possible to gather 4-6 of your dearest friends together on just any given weeknight, I sometimes try to get a little Wizard practice in on my own. I've been told that there is a website that you can play on, but I'm not the kind that is going to sign up and be at the mercy of strangers around the world. I also hear that you can mock each other and I just don't think I can take that kind of a beating from some guy in Japan. So, I settle for the next best thing... Hearts. Heck, that game is loaded on my computer and I play the delightful "west, north, and east". West doesn't seem to be very good, but the other two can hold their own. Tonight I didn't do so well. I don't want to talk about it.

BUT, the real reason I started this post is to nark on Bill. Apparently you can change the names of your opponents to anything you want. He likes to play with some good looking ladies. He named his competitors: Angie Harmon, Julia Roberts, and Diane Lane. The first two were a given, but Diane is a new comer. I think Bill is growing up a little, I'm impressed. She's beautiful in her own way and was fabulous in Under the Tuscan Sun. I loved that movie. What is funnier than anything is that he set Angie up to be directly opposite him at the table so he can look directly at her the whole time. Is this funny, or what? I just love that man, and he's got good taste, see:






I am going to be in so much trouble tomorrow when he sees this but it will be well worth it. I'm sure we'll make up :) It's the retaliation that I fear most. It will probably have something to do with the fact that I would have a hard time narrowing down my Hearts game to just 3 hotties.

75 Years Young!

How do you honor such an amazing woman like my mom?! What can I possibly do to let her know how much I appreciate everything she does, did, and will do in the future? How do I say, "Happy Birthday, I'm so glad you were born and made it these 75 years"? Well, I guess I start by being me and waiting until the day before her birthday to plan anything. (In my defense, she was going to be in Forest Lakes on her actual birthday but decided on Saturday to come down to beat the storm that was headed in) Then I rely on my fallback plan... old friends that never let you down! Friends that I grew up with, my mom raised her children with, and friends that are always there for us...

Edith and LeRoy Harkins

The Harkin's household was definitely a second home to me and their daughters have all been great friends of mine at different points of my life. When I was young and not old enough to be alone, their oldest daughter Kathrine would come over and "babysit" me while my mom went out square dancing. This entailed playing games, eating junk food, and waiting until the last possible second to jump into bed and pretend like I was asleep. Their middle daughter Lacy and I were best friends in high school. We did absolutely everything together, confided in each other, and I counseled her with her boyfriend fiascoes. Eventually I was the maid-of-honor at her wedding the summer after she graduated. She moved away with him for school, but 3 years later she came back to be my maid(matron?)-of-honor. As a wedding gift, Edith made all of my bridesmaids dresses and my wedding dress. LeRoy's brother DJ'ed our reception. Back in the day, birthdays, holidays, and celebrations of any kind were not complete without the Harkins!

Me and Millie

Millie was always the little sister. The one that tagged along. The one that we could dare to eat dog food and she would. Millie was and is fun to be around. When we moved back into this house that I grew up in she was living with her parents (and 2 children) down the street, right where I remember them. I was coming home, but as a grown up. I became pregnant almost immediately and a year later I found myself a stay-at-home mom and Millie and I became the best of friends. We saw each other daily: just popping in on each other; feeding each other; sharing "war" stories of poopy diapers, nursing dilemmas, runaway children, and absentee husbands. I never would have survived a year at home without Millie!

And here I am today... raising my family in the house my mom raised me in! We're doing pretty well, don't you think mom?!

My mom always like to have popcorn strands on her Christmas tree. I can remember setting blankets out on the lawn during the day and stringing popcorn in our front lawn. The neighbors would think we were a little weird, but the Harkin's girls would always come and join in. One year my mom had taken a trip to New Mexico right before her birthday. When she arrived home, she was greeted by a house full of family and friends, popcorn bits on the floor, and plenty of strands to fill up her tree. We all sang to her and I had made a cake for her. I don't remember doing this (much of high school is a blur, simply due to an overabundance of activities), but my mom, Edith, and LeRoy all brought it up Monday night so it must have happened. The best thing of all is that the last minute invitation to come over didn't phase any of these great people in the least. That's how our families work... you are just there for each other. I called Millie on Sunday and she called her parents. Her dad told her mom, "we're going to E's tomorrow night", and she said, "oh, is it JoAnn's birthday?" It's been 11 years since we did this but she knew! She knew like it happened every year.

As the adults strung popcorn and shared memories, the kids all entertained themselves quite happily...

Kyra and Jessie preparing to perform a Christmas song for us:

Max and Tasha, being Max and Tasha:

Alyssa, the loner

To say that we had a lot of laughs this evening would be an understatement. I should post the picture of us laughing, but I have like 3 chins or something and am too vain to put it up. Once we started talking about all the silly things we did, places we went, and mishaps that occurred on our many family adventures together, there was no stopping us. Each of us would jump in with a "oh, and remember..." that was followed by an embarrassing moment or thoughtful gesture. Man when you cram 10-18 years of memories into one night you realize how crazy and delightful things really were.

I told my mom Monday morning over breakfast that I might have a surprise for her that night. When I invited Millie over she asked, "can we bring instruments too?" Of course silly woman! When we were young, we would get together with the Harkins on Christmas Eve and "sing" Christmas carols. What it really amounted to was Lacy and I on the violin and cello, Edith singing boisterously, and my mom and LeRoy mouthing the words. I always hid behind the cello in those days, I was so shy (even around family)!

I thought we were going to pass the buck to our children this year (Jessie plays the viola and Kyra plays the violin), but Millie showed up with 3 violas and a cello! What?! The girls fiddled around (haha) while we were chatting but then their moms busted in on them and joined the fun. They had sheet music for all but the violin so I got to transpose the cello part of Silent Night for Kyra and she learned most of it in about 5 minutes. Edith came back to drag us out of the bedroom and told us to practice in the living room so they could hear us. It was hard enough to get through the song together, so there was no singing on this number. Alyssa knew Jingle Bells, so we all turned to that and had a group of performers that outnumbered the audience for the first time ever! Jessie, Millie, and I started off on the "dashing through the snow bit" and then Kyra, Alyssa, and Tasha joined in on the "jingle bell" chorus. Tasha was so excited to toot that recorder (on the same note) to the beat of a song she knew! She was beaming she was so happy.

After the Christmas songs we ad libbed "Happy Birthday", everyone joined in singing, and we ate cupcakes that Tasha and I made and Kyra frosted. My mom loves traditions and a good walk down memory lane, so hopefully this birthday celebration was an OK tribute to the most wonderful mom I could ever have. I love you mom!!!

Another Graduate in the Family

Bill officially finished the last class of his bachelors degree in August of this year. It was fabulous! BS in Business Management completed. No more b.s.! Except that now he wants to get the Human Resource Certificate to go along with it. Fine, fine. That's what he really wants to do, so be it. He's back in school, taking 4 more classes and almost finished with the first one.

But here's what he looked like the day his diploma came in the mail:

I think he said something like, "that's right baby!"

Is he the oldest graduate I know? Well, I'm not sure. My dad was pretty old when he got his degree and I know I went to school with some cronies, but I don't know that they graduated. Way to go babe! We're all so proud. And in case anyone wonders what took him so long, let's look at everything he's done since his graduation from high school... (drum roll please)...

• moved to New York with his parents, stayed for one winter, hated it, moved back to Scottsdale to live with his best friend Larry
• started school at SCC, worked at Prestige Cleaners, used a motorcycle to commute
• BAM! Run over by a Jaguar, remembers being cold and waking up in an ambulance
• in intensive care for 2 weeks, the hospital for a month total, and 12 months of rehab only to find out that the hurt leg healed 2 1/2 inches shorter than the other one
  
• surgery on the good leg (to shorten it), 12 MORE months of rehab and the good leg hurts more now that the bad one ever did
  
• started working for Paul's Hardware in Scottsdale, took a few classes now that his legs were healed, quit school, started again, yada yada yada
  
• imported to New Jersey to get married to the wrong woman
  
• watched the C-Section birth of his first (and only) son, and fell in love for the first time


• helped re-merchandise a new store in Tempe that Paul's bought out, wore goofy overalls and completely ignored a totally hot redhead that worked there


• got a divorce, raised his son on his own for a year


• helped organized a co-ed benefit softball team with above mentioned redhead, started calling her constantly whenever he needed anything from the Tempe store, got hit in the shin by a softball she hit, started bowling on a team with her, and sabotaged her relationship with another man


• courted and married the most wonderful woman he will ever know and love


• left Scottsdale to live in the fabulous city of Tempe!


• became manager of the Paul's Hardware store in Gilbert


• watched the delivery of his first daughter, wouldn't cut the cord, and fell in love all over again


• transferred to Paul's hardware in Fountain Hills, hated the commute and the people, ended up getting fired from the company all together after 13 years


• became the "highest paid carpet cleaner in Arizona" (that's according to his friend and boss)


• got baptized, then sealed to his wife and child a year later


• tired of the long hours and missing his family he hurt his back on a MOTORCYCLE (duh!)and had to quit the carpet business


• thanks to a great friend and a sad mishap for him, started work at Scottsdale Shea Hospital, 2nd shift


• drove like a mad man to the hospital with his wife in labor, shushed his wife while in the delivery room and she was screaming in pain, immediately felt remorse, watched the delivery of his second daughter, cut the cord, and fell in love all over again


• switched to the first shift at the hospital


• started back to school after a lot of nagging by his wife and encouragement by his parents


• lost his mom to cancer, watched his youngest daughter turn a year old the following week


• was hired on at the University of Phoenix by a classmate, made more money, and better hours with a shorter commute


• was traded to another "team" at work for an employee to be named later, and cash


• had a short stint saving the earth by riding the bus to work, but had to switch to carpooling to get his daughter to school in the morning


• has become known as the "It's Friday Guy" at work, if you want to know what that sounds like, call him at 9:30 am on Friday.


• GRADUATED!!!

SOOOOOOOO, if you've made it this far you are now invited to celebrate with us! He walks THIS Saturday (Novemeber 8th) at 10am and we plan on having a lunch, at our house, around 2pm. RSVP by comment, phone call, or email. No worries if you can't make it!

A Memory Tag

20 Years ago...
1. I started my Senior year of High School at Tempe High.
2. I was working at the Dollar Theatre, dressed up like Rageddy Ann.
3. I recieved 2 Book of Mormons from 2 different guys that I did not date. They were both sort of thrown at me as they embarassingly bolted in the opposite direction. Very sweet. I still have both of them with their testimonies written in them.

15 Years ago (I'm adding this one because...)
1. I married Bill.
2. I started my Senior year at ASU.
3. I lived in Scottsdale and met some lifelong friends, the kind you don't have to call or talk to every day but when you do see them it feels like no time has passed. We love you mokemom!

10 Years ago...
1. Kyra was born!
2. I quit teaching and began the most challenging profession there is, motherhood.
3. I had been active in the church for about a year and received my first calling as a member of the Enrichment committee. (Well, back then it was Homemaking)

5 Years ago...
1. Kyra started Kindergarten and I was pregnant with Tasha.
2. I started tutoring reading privately.
3. Bill had been baptized for 3 years and was serving in the Elders Quorum Presidency. I had been serving in Young Women for almost 2 years.

3 Years ago...
1. Bill went back to school at the University of Phoenix.
2. Tasha was so young (1.5 years) and I was trying to work a few hours each morning which was tough. I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a very loving caregiver and really love what you do.
3. I was in the RS Presidency, had changed positions three times and served under a two presidents. Bill was teaching in the EQ.

1 Year ago...
1. Tasha started preschool.
2. Business was slow for me and Bill was about to begin working at U of Phoenix.
3. Bill and I were called to serve as Primary teachers. We have loved this challenge and the appreciation that the parents show us. I tear up just thinking about the faith they have in us to teach their children. (not that they really have a choice, but if the Lord trust us...)

This Year...
1. Bill graduated. He now officially has his BS. We'll be having a party in November when he walks.
2. I'm not really working. I'm lazy, unmotivated, and want to hone my canning and sewing skills.
3. We're still serving in primary, although we have another spunky group of 5-6 year olds. My testimony has grown SO much in the past 10 years and I LOVE to go to the temple.

Yesterday...
1. Was a funky Saturday with not much on the calendar.
2. I spent an hour digging through our "extra" room searching for a magazine. Extra means the room that Kyra used to live in until she was banned from it because it is such a pig-sty.
3. I went to the temple and saw one of the Young Women I taught go through for the first time. I held it together until the Celestial room where I wept.

Today...
1. Bill made breakfast. (Bacon, eggs, pancakes)
2. We spent time with 2 seperate families of friends.
3. I took a 2 hour nap, woke up at 5:15pm, made a quick meal for a new mom, and now can't get to sleep.

Tomorrow...
1. Is Labor day and Billy's birthday. (he'll be 21!)
2. No school, no school, no work.
3. I hope to paint my hall.

Next Year...
1. Kyra will be 11.
2. Tasha will be 5.
3. And maybe I'll have learned to make plans for the future.

And finally, I tag anyone that was older than Kyra 10 years ago! Thanks Danielle for the jog down memory lane. It was interesting trying to put things on a timeline and remember what happened when.

What is it about Bookstores?

I went in to Borders to buy a boxed set of the Chronicles of Narnia. Kyra's birthday is Thursday, we just saw the movie, she is an avid reader, and heck, I need to read them for MY book club. The set is all together but it's wrapped up in plastic wrap which really makes it less appealing to me. I looked at the individual ones and was tempted. The covers were so smooth. The pages had not been bent. It was a story just waiting to be told, just to me, nobody else. But I went for the set, so the set I bought.

On the way out I considered the buy 1, get 1 half price table. More books with fresh covers. Some had raised lettering, some had pictures, one had a whole in the cover revealing the picture on the next page. Ooh, it has been so long since I purchased a fresh book! And look, there are titles I've heard of. Ones that have been recommended and/or are now movies that I will never go see. Marty and Me, Wicked, Atonement, Those Who Save Us, ...and several others that I can't recall. I want them all! Novels with no purpose other than sheer enjoyment and interest to me. I even think about the many dollars that I owe the library and consider that buying these books might even save me money in the long run. Hmm.

So what is it about bookstores that make you yearn to have these precious new editions of books that you will only read once and then maybe pass on to a friend? Books you are sure your friends own and will loan you, or that you can get much cheaper on Amazon. Books that you know you don't have time to read and might just sit around for a year gathering dust until you finally get to them.

My mother-in-law loved to read. I think she read everything that was ever written if that is possible. If it was on Oprah's list, she had it. If it was a NY Times best seller, she'd read it. I can only imagine her at a bookstore. I can't believe I never went to one with her! I would have left with treasures galore or the promise of, "you can borrow that, I have it at home." Bill's mom was the one that bought Billy all the Harry Potter books as they were written. She had them delivered the day they came out and he was so excited. It was her influence that got me to pre-order the last one.

Nothing sat on mom's shelf unread but she understood when it sat on mine. She was the most understanding and non-judgemental person I think I've ever met. She was inquisitive and could talk to just about anyone about just about any subject. She was a housewife with a high school diploma and a drinking problem, and she was one of the greatest women that I have ever known. She cared about you and your friends and she loved to hear what was going on in your life. I think she really would have loved to talk books with Jaylee and Tori, home births with Crystal, education with April, crocheting with Bridget, politics with Amanda, piano with Sara, mothering with Rachel, Native American traditions with Monique...and the list goes on! She would have taken it all in and loved you all!

So I ask again, what is it about bookstores? What is it that makes you miss people so much?!