So I've Been Thinking.......

Today is my Dad Birthday.  He would have been 79.  I miss him.  Here are a few things that I miss about him, in no particular order

When ever I look back at this blog it just makes me wonder why I dont do this more often.  I love the history of it.  I love that it captures moments....hopefully my love for it will inspire me to continue......

A few years ago I decided I was too busy for Easter Sunday....so I told the kids, "I am canceling Easter". They were horrified...thought I had lost it...didn't believe I would stoop so low....But I Did...just for that year mind you. The kids have never let me forget it. Each year they ask me if it is canceled this year again.....

This year was my last year that all three girls will for sure be together. My last easter to make sure they all matched. So I was able to pull together a couple of outfits and loved seeing them match today.

I love Easter. I love the message of the gospel. I love that I know my Redeemer Lives, what comfort this sweet sentence gives. I love My Savior.

So having my kids in matchy clothes is so fun for me. Teaching my kids about the gospel and true meaning of Easter.....so much better.

Here are a few pictures, just to prove that in 2013 Easter was not canceled.

I bought my mom tickets for Barry Manilow this year for her Birthday.

 Long story short, I owed it to her.

 A few years ago in MN I won tickets to his concert on the radio....I was so excited...Flemming was a little less than excited and suggested that I fly my mom out for the show. Well, best made plans, her plane did not make it...so Flemming had to go to the show with me. I think a part of him became a "fanilow" that night....

But this time it was Moms turn...
Who knew that a 78 year old women, who has seen hundreds of Broadway Shows, had never been to a live concert. She Loved It. Best Birthday Present Ever.... and I loved being there with her. My Mom loves big events. She loved the unity in the room. She loved how loud it was so we could all just sing along and not bother anyone. She loved the dancing. Her word for the night...Liberated....She just felt so Liberated. I am a little worried she may become a groupie....

and yes those are tears coming down her cheeks ... she was so happy

This picture just makes me so happy.....my daughter is growing up and prom is a right of passage. One of those High School moments you always look back on.

There was a lot of stress and planning and tears and stress and planning going into this event (plus the next 2 she will be going to in the next few weeks)

Maddie is a great, beautiful, witty, so witty, smart, insightful, loving, spiritual, girl. If she would just believe in herself as much as we do ..... there would be a few less tears and stress.... But how do you help them believe in themselves and work on that confidence...one way.... You dress them up like a Princess and tell them to go out and have a great time.......

.... As soon as I got her out the door on Saturday she had a great time and forgot about all of her doubts. Her date was a good friend from school, he was such a good sport, did not know any of the other kids at the Mormon Prom. Or even what Mormon Prom is all about. But fit in so well and reported to have a good time himself.

It was fun to go through the first High School prom again .... I would not like to go through High School doubts and insecurities again ... But Prom... Yea that was fun....and that is why that picture just makes me happy....

So I've been thinking....about blogging again.... In the past I have turned to my blog for various reasons.... One because friends have bullied me into making post....(no names mentioned..you know who you are)

Two, I do feel terribly guilty and I do think it is a good source of record keeping that I am not doing....

Three...I have many clever friends that blog, and I do aspire to be like the friends I have around me....

But my reasons now for posting are a bit different....they are as follows

1. my favorite social medium, FaceBook, sometimes is not big enough for all I have to say...I have a lot to say.... To myself that is ....

2. I wake up in the morning, and pretty much through out the day, I have full conversations / lectures with myself that I feel need to be written, if only for prove one day when I hear someone famous say it I can say... Hey... I said that.....

3. In times of transition there is always a lot going on in my head that I need a place to let it out... And I am pretty sure my husband is sick of listening and guess what...he doesn't read the "family" blog....and his listen has decreased a bit because he is not living in the same state...

4. But the number one reason is because my fb network is getting to close to my daughters network and so I am constantly worried that if I say something too embarrassing it will ruin them for life..... So I am taking the embarrassment to the blog....because I know they don't read it...nor their friends... If you see several post in a row it is because I am trying to hide the posts.....so let the blogging begin....again....

Happiness Today Is

.....Driving back to dc to be with my family.......

........Having Maddie drive (btw, she is an excellent driver, takes after her old mommy).... She drives, I sit in the back and dj...it is wonderful.....

.........looking forward to a week of remembering my dad....so hard to believe he is gone, because rembering him is rembering someone that is just so full of life.....and joy.....

.......... Having a wonderful hard working husband who has faithfully struggled thru a year of unemployment....starting a brand new adventure tomorrow, we are all sososo excited....not just for a job, but for the joy he will feel to work again......

.......... Three beautiful girls that daily inspire me to be a better person. In all their teenage angst....I love them....they are funny, funny, funny....they are kind.....they are super courageous (middle schools and high school is not for the faint of heart....never has been....I would not go back)

......... A working GPS..... With all the miles lately there is no better tool......


......... 4 brothers who I love and adore and admire. They are all so different but I admire each one of them for different strengths that they have. And let me tell you I have not seen any better fathers than these guys.....


........ Friends that support and care, I have some amazing friends, I appreciate the joy they bring In my life.....

So that's the happiness report for today.....