Sister's Retreat 2010

Here are my beautiful and oh so crazy sisters! And this is how they greeted me when I came off my flight to Utah to meet them for our 2010 Sister's Retreat.After arriving we went to Regina's house and I made them pose the same way they greeted me so that I could get a picture.  Regina's (the Actress) idea...The Charlies Angels pose. Dorothy,Theresa and Regina my crazy, goofy, and beautiful sisters!

We started out the event with dinner of Carnita's taco's to celebrate Cinco De Mayo at Theresa's and then we took some pictures of all of us together with our eye glasses on.  Yes, we are all aging.  Fun times!

On Thursday morning we traveled to the Oquirrah Mountain Temple where we had fun taking more pictures....

That was a lot of fun!

Then we traveled over to Gardener Village where we took a tour of the shop that Theresa sells her jewelry....Anastasia's Attic. So unique!

This is where her jewelry is displayed.  She makes necklaces, watch bands, and braclets.  She is so stinkin' creative!

Then we went for lunch at Archibalds and had fried green tomatoes and fried avocado's for an appetizer...yum!

From there we went to the Cottage Retreat Day Spa for pedicures!  Thanks to Regina!

This is Betty...she was my gal.  She is super cute and she did a great job!

Gotcha Betty!

When we were done, Regina made the girls do the infamous Charlie's Angels pose....it's always the Charlie's Angels pose with her.  But they did it!  They were all so cute and nice!

That was such a treat!

Went to dinner at MOm's that night and had a nice visit with her then headed over to Regina's Play practice for "Annie"!  We were good and tired after that and went home to get some shut eye.

Friday was scrapbooking day in Theresa's basement.  I've been saving pictures of our Sister's weekend's for several years now and we finally got to put them in our own individual scrapbooks!  At first we were a bit frazzled as to where to put what... but after a while we didnt want to stop!  They are soooo cute!

 

Well, after about 5 hours of this...we decided to head over to the theatre to see "Clash of the Titans"  oh, that was gooooood...we never saw so many men look so good in short dresses before...ooh baby!

On Saturday we went Yard Sale shopping!  As you can see the truck was pretty full!  I think I spent about $20 total. 

Regina and I laid all our treasures out on her kitchen table (minus the car/bed she got for her grandson).  We got some really good deals including the table cloth on this table that I got 2 of for .50 each.  Now that's what I call a bargain!

And here is Zachary with his Grandma!  He was so stinkin' fun and cute!

I miss that little boy's kisses! 

And here are my sister Theresa's boys Christopher and Joseph. They are a lot of fun and quite entertaining! Christopher can really jam on that guitar! Joey is just funny...never a dull moment when he is around!

On Saturday night we got together for Mother's Day and showered Mom with gifts.  (sorry, my camera died at this point) I was also very surprised when my sister's decided to celebrate my birthday early.  Wow!  They gave me some really nice things and made me feel special.  Then we played a new game called "Things"...oh that is a fun game....I gotta get it!  The next day was Sunday and I headed back to Cali and that was our sister's retreat for 2010!  We'll do it again in 2012.  I miss my sister's already!

Mother's Day phone call from Australia

Well, the much awaited phone call happened on Mother's Day at about 6:30 pm.  It must have been about 11:00 am or 12:00 am Monday morning in Australia.  We gathered around the phone and asked Elder Nelson lots of questions and shared everything that is happening here.  It was such a fun time for all of us! One of the  things he said really made me think.  I asked him, "were you ever homesick?" and he replied, "oh Mum dont worry about it", and I replied, "listen Michael, you have been gone for almost a year now.  Before you left I knew everything going on in your life and now I know nothing...this is so hard!"  and he replied, "I know isn't it great, the apron strings have been cut".  Then he proceeded to tell me a little bit about his adjustment, which wasn't a difficult one for him.  He truly has been blessed with good experiences and a positive attitude to get him thru.  He said he has never had a time when he has wanted to come home or anything.  He was so happy and upbeat the whole time.  He is really having a great time and loveing being a missionary.  But he really made me think....my son is really and truly his own man now.  His testimony has grown and has been so strengthened, and he has his own convictions of what he knows.  He can take care of himself with the help of his Father in Heaven and has a relationship with him all his own.  He is so independent. The apron strings are cut....that was a sad and happy moment at the same time. 

I think the highlight of our visit with him was before we hung up the phone.  Bryce was talking to him for the last time and Stephen suggested to me that we have family prayer with him over the phone (like we used to do with Mike when he was in Utah) and I thought that was a great idea.  So, we asked Michael and he said yes, of course.  We asked Michael to say the prayer and he did.  Wow!  That was such a great experience!  You could hear his Australian accent and you could feel his spirit.  His prayers are more meaningful and much more Christ centered.  It was the neatest experience!  Both the boys got pretty emotional.  Sweet boys!  I love my boys and I am especially proud of our Missionary!  What a great Mother's Day treat!

Happy Mother's Day

Just flew in from Utah this afternoon to this!  My boys showered me with sweets.  They kept saying "Mom, are you gonna open these now?"  (you can probably guess why).  Now we are waiting for a special call from a Special missionary! 

We spent some time at Mom's in her new place in Utah on Friday night talking with her about the gifts we see in eachother.  Mom has always been one of the girls.  She was my best friend growing up and  has been such a strength and support to me my whole life.  She raised 8 children, sent 3 on missions and has seen 6 sealed in the temple, so far.  She loves her family with all her heart!  That is what being a mother is all about isnt' it?  It's the greatest calling on earth! 

Let the good times roll!

May is my month!

I leave tomorrow to spend the next 4 days with these beautiful sisters of mine...and I cant wait!  But today I need to prepare.  I have so much to do to get ready.  Leaving the boys is always risky business but sometimes it just has to be done.  We have not had a sisters weekend together in about 5 years...and it's about time!  I am the luckiest girl alive to have these awesome sisters for my own!  Let the good times roll!

farewell facebook

Ran into a very old friend of mine, whom I really admire and respect, the other night in the temple.  We chatted a bit and then as I was getting ready to leave I asked him, "are you on facebook"?  and he relpied, "oh, I've been a Bishop for the last 5 years, I dont have anything to do with facebook".  hmmmm.  Well, with that along with the time waster that it is and the numerous stories I've heard of people who I thought had solid marriages that ended in divorce because of fb, I am done with facebook...farewell.

Better than Caffine

So, lately I have started taking naps.  I love how Mike can just fall asleep anywhere.  Not me.  I have to get into my nice cozy bed and take mine....and that is what I have been doing lately.  This past month I found myself extremely tired all the time.  I have not been sleeping well and I wake up anywhere between 3:00 and 4:00 am every morning regardless of what time I go to bed and then of course the alarm goes off at 5:15.  So, I realized that I just dont get enough sleep at night.  I have been so tempted to start drinking caffine sodas again but that is usually just a temporary fix and leaves me feeling anxious and wiped out in the long run.  So, I just started taking naps at about 3:00 pm every day this week and I cannot tell you how much better I feel.  I only sleep for about 20 mins and I get my second wind and I feel energetic again and I dont feel anxious or wiped out.  The best part about it is that Mike and I went and did a session at the temple at 8:00 on Tuesday night and I didn't fall asleep!! Yahoo!  That's a first in a long time for me!! I guess I'm getting old and I just have to admitt it but that's okay as long as I know what I can do to keep myself going.  I know that exercise helps too...but since I've started working I have yet to find the time to fit it in.  So, that is my next goal.  So, here's to taking naps....It's better than caffine!   

Memory Lane

"...therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters." (Ether 6:5)

And so
You can think of this journey
As a walk down Memory Lane
See the rough times
That lead you to the right times
That make it worth all the pain
You hear yourself start to pray at the end of everyday
And in your heart you feel a change

The wind still blows the strongest tree
The same wind will carry me
And when I set my fears aside
There's still a voice inside
When the storms are gone
The sun can find me

Sometimes
You're not sure where you're going
'Cause you're stuck in Memory Lane
If we could see the end so clear
We'd surely lose our fears
But when I'm still I feel Him near

The wind still blows the strongest tree
The same wind will carry me
And when I set my tears aside
There's still a voice inside
When the storms are gone
The sun can find me

Here
It's not far in the distance
Where you are and where you'll be
You're standing taller on your knees
He's hearing all your pleas
I guess this road is a two-way street

Now the wind still blows the strongest tree
The same wind will carry me
And when I set my fears aside
There's still a voice inside
When the storms are gone
The sun can find me