family pics

While Jordan was in the MTC he gave us the challenge.

"No Empty Chairs"

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Turning 50

I know...who really talks about their age, out loud anyway. But it is true, I did turn 50 this year. Some lucky people aren't bothered by age, normally I'm not but the big "50" scared me. One day about 8 months before I would turn that page, I had a thought...What if I counted other things than years. So I sat down at my computer & listed 50 people who had an effect on my life. It was really a very good experience. I want to keep improving that list. I wrote experiences with people, it was very pleasant. Then I thought of other positive things that made me happy like candy bars...so I listed 50 of my favorite candy bars...ya I know you wouldn't think that there are 50 but actually I found lists on the internet that had over 200 different types of candy. That was a very fun distraction. Then I made of list of 50 temples I want to go see before I die. That led to a goal for Mark n I to do before our 50th wedding anniversary. I had other "50" lists I wanted to create, like hikes I could take, things I wanted to accomplish, places to visit, things that I want to learn about, favorite quotes, favorite foods, books to read, songs I love, favorite movies & things I'm grateful for. Top on my list is my family. My husband...is my anchor, Each one of my children bring me joy & I love their wives & our darling grandchildren. They all exceed my expectations.

Ok so cut the crap you all know what makes turning 50 so worthwhile...ya it's really those GRANDBABIES!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all those great family members I did have a very happy b-day. Mark took me out to the Lakes LV to stay at the Montelago the night before. We ate a very amazing dinner by the lake side. It was so peaceful & wonderful. The next day we took a long walk around the resort talking, laughing & taking pictures all the while enjoying texts from all my favorite people. We had gone to the store to get some fruit & the checker said, "you guys look too happy, are you going on a trip". Ya we were pretty happy. Afterwards we went to the LV temple & I saw an old friend who shares the same day of birth...that was fun. At about 4:30 we headed home for a very happy surprise. Jayden's friends had made me the best chocolate cake ever!!!!!!!! As I was changing I'm hearing them all yell for me to come out of my room & there they all were holding a cake & a poster full of wishes, singing. What a fun surprise!!!!!!!! Thanks...Alex, Chase, Travis, Brett, Robert & Jayden for picking such great friends. That was really the best part of the day. That was followed by Janea making some very yummy chicken alfredo & pudding poke hole cake with strawberrys & whip cream...yum!!! Then....grandbabies!!!! Yes Jacob & Rachel came by with flowers & those darling boys....Easton & Teagan. Day complete!!! Thanks everyone for helping age have meaning. One final thing no one mentioned numbers. lol

No comments:

Post a Comment

Disney pics

All about our family

I thought I'd give an update since I just found some friends on facebook from 20 years ago.

Well to start off the Church is still the center of our lives. I wouldn't have it any other way...well maybe when I was RS Pres & Mark was YM pres...no even then it was the best, too busy to really enjoy it though.

Mark works as the Training Director for the Laborers Union. He is the past president of our neighborhood association & president of our condo association & on about 3 committees for the union. He loves hunting, quading & anything outdoors.

We have 6 children.

Jeramy who is 30 has a wonderful exwife, who I just love. Together they gave me my 1st grandchild.....Sofia. She has us all wrapped. She is 5 1/2 & you can check out her pics on Patti's facebook. She loves to make chocolate chip cookies, go to McDonalds with Graysen & Brinley, swim & go see the horses among other things.

Jeramy is a recovering heron addict. 4 years clean. Hey I don't like skeletons in the closet, they scare me. He is doing good now. He has about 30 college credits, is an amazing artist, is 6'4" & weighs 240. Just think he was a 6 pound baby. This journey of his has been good for me & our whole family to watch as Father in Heaven does His thing. He indeed has a perfect plan even during the times we cry the hardest. I'm a better person for having Jeramy as a son.

Bree is my favorite ex-daughter in law. She works as a sec for a law firm. She is very responsible with her two girls. After their divorce she had another daughter, Darhma. She is soooo cute! I watch both of the girls on Wed & Thurs.

Jared, 26, graduate of BYU in civil engineering & will have his masters finished this Dec. He is married in the Las Vegas Temple to Jen, a girl who is near & dear to my heart. She is such a doll. They are such a gentle, compatible couple. If you want to see cooperative...watch them. It makes me a better person being around them. Right now they live in Provo until he is done with his master. They just bought a condo & go to a family ward now.

Jen also graduated from BYU in Clinical Lab Science, she works for Intermountain Healthcare as a Medical Technologist. She works 7-10s & then has 7 days off. I am so pleased that Jared has Jen for his wife. I love having another daughter!!! She is pregnant, due in June 2010. Janea & I have had fun taking her shopping for maternity clothes.

Jacob 25 who went on a mission in OK, where he said it's the largest trailer park in the world. He said it was the million dollar experience he wouldn't pay a nickel to do again. I admire the sacrifice of these 19-26 year old boys for doing the un-ordinary thing they do. I mean what 19 year old leaves the world behind to serve their God like they do? Amazing! He is now the Assistant 11yr old leader. He works for Help of SN, helping people qualify for government $.

He married a darling gal, Rachel, on Feb 27, 2010. She brought into our family two wonderful boys...1 yr old Teagan & 4 yr old Easton. They live with us right now & we just love it. It is giving us a chance to get to know them all better. I must say that I fell in love with them right away.

Jordan 18, left his mission on Sept 23 to the San Antonio, TX, spanish speaking mission. He graduated from the College of Southern Nevada High School with 40 college credits. He loves the film industry. He took a bunch of classes in film. It will be interesting to see what he does later in life in film.

Janea 17, is a lifegaurd at Silver Mesa public pool during the summer. She is the one who keeps me on track when I want to break the mission rules & call or go see my boys. She's a fun & happy girl. She is an amazing student, soccer player, orator, writer, the list can go on forever! She is amazing!

Jayden is 14 & has grown 4 inches or more this year. He is taller than me, which I know isn't hard to do. I am so glad that he is going to A-TECH like his brother Jared & is doing the law program. He is also a fun & happy kid.

We all love going to our condo in the Beaver mts at Elk Meadows for long weekends to quad, paddleboat, or just pick wild flowers. In the winter we love to build snowmen, make snow forts, tube just outside our door & snowboard at Brian Head. With Mark in our family we laugh alot & the high points in my life is when we are all together.

Having 5 boys has entrenched us in the Scouting program. 4 of our boys are Eagles & Jayden is on his way. Mark, Janea & I worked on a Cub Scout Day camp for the past 5 years. It is the funnest hard work we have done.

The bitter/sweet part of my life is when our children grow up & not live here. Of course as I'm getting older there is no way I could do 15 loads of laundry, cook for 8 people & deal with the big family chores. Then at the same time I miss everyone soooooo much. Of course I like a few hours of peace & quiet but all the time, that's hard. I had my kids to love & enjoy them. I'm grateful for memories.