Tuesday, August 30, 2011

It's not about the eternal journey, it's actually the 4-wheel drive ride there...

I feel the personal need to explain this shell shocked picture on this day - August 30, 2011.  This is Mandy and Ryan right after they were married in 2007.  One of my most favorite memories with Mandy and Ryan was when we all (Ashley, Ryan H, myself, Mandy and Ryan M) decided to go to the ward camp out.  A simple trip up the Provo Canyon, and up to the top of the mountains on the Heber side of the valley.  We loaded up (literally could not see out) the 4-runner with all of the camping gear, clothes and food, and the 5 of us headed out about 5ish.  After 3 hours of driving, we finally arrived - but not until after circling around the Park City area and almost back into the Salt Lake Valley. Apparently there was a simple way in the backside of Provo, but we had passed that road hours earlier.  Towards the end we just decided to take a random road that would perhaps lead us into the canyon we needed.  We headed up the mountain.... in 4 wheel drive - with me behind the wheel.  When the boulders in the middle of the road became SO HUGE that we looked like those psycho Monster Truck drivers in the 4th of July parade................. the laughing started.  It started and for a solid hour we laughed until we were all hysterical.  Now under any normal circumstance, this is exactly how our family is - but in direct view of my rear view mirror - was my new son-in-law Ryan M.  The look on his face was a variety of fear, frustration, confusion, and unbelief that all of this was going on.  I, personally, would have thought that having my life in the hands of my new mother in law was bad enough.  Ryan learned that day, perhaps, that his mom in law, was a freakin' good 4-wheeler.  He also learned, perhaps, that crying while laughing is the sign that our family was about to snap into hysterical oblivion.  Hopefully he learned that day that, perhaps, it was a good thing he had an eternal marriage with Mandy because it possibly could have ended right there and then.  Overall, and the moral of the story is...... Usually it's wallpaper that decides the fate of a marriage, but in Mandy and Ryan's case... it COULD have been tossing and turning in a car in the Nevada desert, it COULD have been Driving cross country with a 5 month old child, nope - I think that quite possibly, it will always be the Ward Camp out Adventure.

4 years ago today - I joined in with the rest of all of the people that love Ryan and Mandy as they were married in the Salt Lake Temple.  We threw an adventure into full gear in the back yard for their reception.  Today, we celebrate a new little family, and all of the adventures to come with Ryan, Mandy and Big J.  Love to you all, pass the marshmallows, shift it into high..... and keep your arms and legs in the ride at all times.  xoxoxo Bob the Monster Truck Driver....
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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Who's pushing your wagon eh?

I don't talk much in detail about my Mission with the church.  Mostly for privacy reasons - many of our experiences involve legal issues and such, so they are taboo to post.  But today I feel it is important to share the experiences of this morning.  There are 800 members in the ward I serve as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (you know, the Mormons)  There are only about 90 active members, there are about 50 endowed members, 95% of the members have needs.  Our (amazing and overwhelmed) Bishop followed the Prophets request to have a Community Clean-up Project.  Our area is littered with scrap metal 'collectors' (for some their only income), and littered with sheds and piles of very interesting items.  We also have 3 Gangs prevalent in our area and they make themselves known with their artistry.   800 fliers went out - 8 people came from our ward.  We stood there in the parking lot - after announcing, and fliers, and calls, and preparations.  We had dumpsters, and trailers lined up and water and Popsicles galore.  8 people stood there.   The need is so great in this ward that there are 4 Missionary couples assigned there.  One of the couples said... just wait one more minute... we all stood there looking at them wondering what kind of miracle they were going to pull off.  One by one, truckload after truckload, youth, parents, grandparents, shovels, rakes, and hearts of gold started pouring into the parking lot.  The Carvers had contacted their ward and 130 people drove in at the same time ready to work. Ready to serve the Lord, ready to sweat in the heat, and become filthy dirty working in horrid places, ready to give their hearts.  I stood there in tears today, as they drove in honking their horns, lights on, waving.... we all were overtaken by the spirit.  Today - our ward was cleaned from top to bottom, sheds came down, trees were removed, 6 dumpsters filled, and most of all, miracles happened.  I could not tell you the names of the people that I worked next to today - but I could have sworn that they all had angel wings hidden under their sweaty tee shirts, and that their hearts were made of pure gold.  How unfortunate that the people that they served were the very one's that should have been out helping, but instead hid in their houses and let others do the work.  How fortunate, that those 130 people that came - had their lives changed by a simple yet powerful service project that they 'made a choice' to do.  My children experienced Trek - they told me about the mountain that the women had to pull the wagons alone up - and the men stood at the top and could not help them.  Each one bore testimony that the 'unseen angels of God' were behind them pushing the wagons up that hill.  Today - I witnessed first hand, someone pushing a wagon from behind.  Today -serve someone - give someone 5 minutes of your life - give it away - promise me you'll never miss the chance to serve, to grow, to give.  That's when we become the human beings that God wants us to be.  It is then that he showers his blessings upon us.  Thank you Brother and Sister Carvers ward - whomever you were today - you saved my soul, you helped me believe again.
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Thursday, August 25, 2011

Now you mind your P's and Q's ok?

The last Hillary child is moving to greener pastures at BYU tomorrow morning.  What to do with his room... hum...  I have some mixed emotions about losing this guy yet again.  It's not like he's leaving on that 2 year Mission again, I mean - he can come home now and then, and I can call him every single hour of every single day right?  I use to LOVE getting the school supplies for the kids for school.  I did find myself buying crayons, glue sticks, 2 pads of paper, scissors, and a package of #2 pencils just for fun.  Ok - I know that Ryan will be a Sophomore at BYU, and he didn't need any of those items, or even the pencil box I got him in Cougar Blue.  But what to do with my thoughts about him leaving (yep folks - I'm very aware that he's 21, lived away from home for 2 years, and needs to go have that college experience)....but then there's these thoughts...

I won't miss:  the light being on at midnight, watching him drink from the milk carton, shrinking all of his clothes when I wash them - because I needed to fill up the batch of clothes, having him move all of my cutesy things out of the bathroom and making it a man's room,  the can o nast under his bed (yes Ryan, I know about your under the bed stash o stuffage), watching him going to church alone with total strangers, those oil spots on the driveway (: ,  waiting up worrying because he runs in the gully at night with the coyotes and snakes, the dance we do in the morning in the kitchen trying to make our lunches and breakfast and being in the same place at the same time, watching 40 granola bars disappear, and hearing about how 'really good Mexican food tastes'... whaddeva homeboy... 

I will miss:  his smile, his kindness, watching him trying so hard to be a good person to so many people, the smell of his cologne, his crisp white shirt and black suit on Sunday mornings before he goes to church, watching him eat most of my cheese - so I won't, listening to his stories of the day as he sits at the end of my bed before we call it a day, walking by his room and seeing him kneeling in prayer at night, giggling because he kneels in bed under his covers in the morning for his prayers, having someone to trust, his Christlike insight, his concern for my life and my heart, his hard work at the garden in Mendon, trying to make the best out of every situation, and knowing that if it's a Friday night - then he is in one of the 3 Temples in the valley because he's worthy to be there.

Good Luck Ryan - you've served the Lord for 2 years, gathered up your schooling again, worked so very hard all summer long to earn your own tuition, and paid your way.  Congratulations on your scholarships - they know a good thing when they see it.  Make amazing friends, don't kill your roommate, eat your beans, and brush your teeth.  Now and then..... call your mom.  I love you son - kick some Cougar butts.... (oh - can I say that?)
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Friday, August 19, 2011

My Commentary approach - if I was ever asked... on a TV program....

I was SO excited to hear about what they may or may not have found in Ely Nevada this morning.  When nothing happened, I was all.... what?  What's with the human desire to know of dread and doom or hyper happy of others lives?  I certainly didn't want them to find any like bones with a red shirt around them or something - but I also thought that if they found her living in some apartment under the name of Suzie Q, I probably would have killed her for doing this to everyone.  And what's with that husband of hers?  How freaked out are those kids going to be?  I know one thing - if my husband was known for going camping in subzero weather in the dead (no pun intended) of winter... I might have just slipped something in his Koolaid.  Hello - and let's drag her parents through yet another sighting!  Ok Ok Ok - if you are Elizabeth Smart - please forgive me - I know that the first thing I said (and don't deny it - you did too) among the 4 million people that heard and also replied with me when she was found was... "NO?! REALLLLY???!!  It's just that these things usually never have this kind of ending and WHAM there it was.  I'm really glad she's back - and the creepy guy is forever in prison, hopefully with Jeffery Dahmer, or Warren Jeffs or someone like that - you know - real friendly folks. So this is my commentary, and remember folks - if your husband buys 4 new fans, to dry the carpet he's decided to 'clean' in the middle of the night... run fast, and don't forget to take the kids!  Have a nice day.    
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Monday, August 15, 2011

Twilight Zone - er it seem like it....

I'm kinda in a funk tonight - I feel like things are swirling up in the air and I'm trying to catch glimpses of everything I feel I need to catch before it falls.  There's no real central thought - just such random things that maybe if I put the words down and out of my mind I could sleep....

*  Laughed so hard at the pictures that Bethany sent me of Emster and Dbug from their Ocean Shores trip.  Laughed even harder hearing that Matt only had to be towed from the beach once... and that Bethany was the one that may or may not have said a swear..... and I missed them all over again, and I wanted to hold those little ones and squeeze them tight, and it was hard letting that thought go.

*  I loved seeing Ashley this past weekend in Mendon - as she came to her cousins wedding shower.  It was a beautiful sight to look over and see her relaxing, and visiting with family, and enjoying the day.  I missed Mike - and I wonder if there is any possible way to find that open door again.  I spent a lot of time thinking about the person I need to be better at being.  I have a long way to go.  But I did get to tell my daughter how much I loved her, and my eyes were sweating when I did it.

*  So grateful that Mandy, Ryan and Baby J are home from Washington - they've been through an amazing experience together this summer as Ryan has worked his tail off on an Internship through the BYU Law School.  I've watched and smiled as their experiences have been memorable, visiting historical places, breathing in our Nations Capitol, and seeing first hand the beauty of a new home, and a new world for the summer.  I've worried - about their safety, and about the heat, and a million other things - but I really didn't need to worry - they are amazing and they have grown so much.  I get to see Jman on Wednesday for a bit and I think I'll be crying all the way there, I'm missed that little critter, I've missed his mom too. 

*  I'm excited to see Ryan heading off to BYU.  Mandy and Ryan H (we have two Ryan's and Mandy is married to Ryan M) were my only two kids that lived at BYU.  Was it because we wanted to kill them and made them move out?  Possibly the answer - but no... Mandy lived there because of her music and Ryan is going there because those handsome Missionary sons have a strange time living at home after 2 years of being away.  I will miss his hugs.  I will miss buying whole milk, chocolate milk mix, hot pockets, granola bars, and watching them disappear in a day or so.  I will miss his Priesthood in our home... I felt safe with it here.  I am very excited for him though - I can still text and call, and call and text and text and call right?  I think he'll be just fine - ok - he did say tonight that he would miss my cooking... (bazinga).  I love my Ryan more than he'll ever know.

*  I get frustrated at times trying to still be a mom.  I know I'll always be a mom, but now that they are all in their 20's - they are into all of the things that I said - "Go and DO!"  They have all become that which I had hoped they would become - except they went ahead and excelled in every way MORE than they even dreamed - I always had faith in them.  When I see my mom - and I think of the times that I left home to go on my adventures, I never realized the sorrow that I left behind.  Not that I was anything special (like my kids are to me), but I see now, as she talks to me of those times I wasn't at home, how difficult that was for my mom.  I feel it to the core of my heart now, that sorrow, and strange mix of pride and happiness for my children.  But the quiet of the house is about to happen again, the locking of the door after you come in because there isn't anyone left to come home.  Setting the table for 2 again.  Washing 2 bowls, 2 cups and silverware.  It's not like I'm on a pity party - it's just that change is very hard for me.  The changes that come from kids growing up and venturing off (or should I say benturing), you want to keep them under your wing - but that means that you take theirs away.  Knowing that things will never be the noisy way it was for so many years is difficult.  I hope that you little punkers know of all the joy you brought me.  Of the laughter and the moments that I thought my soul would burst with pride because of all you have accomplished.  I can't wait to hold my 3 grandbabies at the same time in a few weeks - I might just squeeze them until they toot.... yep - actually I think I'll just plan on that.....  I will hug my in-law kids and tell them that they are loved.  Then one by one kids, I think I'll just hold you all tight for an extra minute before the world steals you away again.  I'll think of how soft your hair was as a baby, and how you called out my name a million times over the years, and how I loved to hear what stories you would tell me.  I think I'm pretty lucky.   I love you all so much.... xoxox Bobby Shew
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Monday, August 8, 2011

What's in YOUR compartment.....?

So... ok - I like to put things in my car door compartment.  It drives Del NUTS.  His cars are perfect - a fly would starve in his vehicles.  Mine?  I have enough stuff in there to support a small country.  Today - just for fun - and ok - under watchful eye of husband, I took out everything in my drivers side compartment - make sure you've read that right - JUST the drivers side... Here are the results:

2 packages of peanuts from McDonalds Sundaes, 2 Carl's Jr Strawberry Banana coupons, 3 X96 RFH Stickers, one flashlight, 2 plastic spoons, 4 plastic straws, 2 acorns, 3 suckers, 1 package crystal light (strawberry energy of course), 8 packages of Equal (why?), 1 package of salt (for McDonalds fries - duh), Lip Gloss (every Cosmo girl knows), 1 package of Kleenexes, 8 paper clips, 6 bobby pins (I think they are Mandy's), 4 toothpicks (2 used, 2 unused), 1 plastic knife, 1 random dead battery, 2 3X5 cards reminding me to clean up the car, 1 handicap placard (?) (useful at Disneyland), 2 large sharpies, 8 pens, 5 pencils, 1 large writing pad, an Articles of Faith card (in case I'm carded), and 3 unidentified items, and finally a part of a broken headstone from the cemetery. 

For some reason... it's now very very quiet on the drivers side of my car, tough luck for the passenger side
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Friday, August 5, 2011

Happy Sexth Anniversary

That title is for you Mike (:
Just thinking about 6 years ago today.
My daughter had fallen in love with this amazing guy,
we had all fallen in love with him actually.
August 5th - they married in the Salt Lake Temple
forever - to be together.
She was a stunning bride,
He, a tall handsome soldier.
Both inseparable.
Today I wish for you
love, and continued devotion
to each other,
and to your
dreams.
You bring the light into our family,
you bring joy,
you give love.
Oh Happy Day.
All my love,
Bobby Shew
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Monday, August 1, 2011

Everyone say 'Cheese'

I'm about to admit something just thrilling about me.  Yes - I'm about to give away one of my soul bound secrets to the world.  I love to kill mice.  A few years ago a few critters lived in our home, I know, creeeeepy.  They come in from the gully next to our home and they hit the houses along Dimple Dell.  So I lead an all out assult on them, killed every last one of them. and their little dog Toto too.  I pulled out my FAVORITE things today to get them ready for those itty bitty monsters if they show their whiskers.  I call them my death traps... I have .... a few.  They come in different styles - I have the 'snap your heads in one snap' ones... and then just for fun, the slow death ones.  I've used peanut butter, and a really stinky cheese.  Oh - I LOVE going downstairs and finding their little quivering bodies with their little teeth on their last bite.  BWaHAAAHhhahah!!!!!!!!!!  If I was in the Harry Potter movies - I would NOT be allowed to have Ron Weasleys Rat - because I would kill it.... bwahaahaa.... So - keep your doors shut - the mice will indicate how bad the winter is, and they are knocking at the door as we speak.... would you like some 'whine' with your cheese?  I heart killing mice.   (warning - this is not to scare off potential house guests)(I'd be more worried about Grandma rocking in the rocking chair up in the attic, and the guy behind the shower curtain with the sharp knife...)  Maybe I should get a cat....
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