Welcome Home My Oldest from China - a few weeks ago!

B. my oldest came home from China and we were so excited! Here are the exciting pictures of her after her almost 24 hour trip. We waited with a big group. Some were for the returning teachers from China and some were waiting for returning missionaries! So it was quite a large gathering at the bottom of the escalator. We are so glad to have safely home!

The Best Sister in the Whole wide World

I wish a Happy Birthday
to My Sister, Suzzy Q.
Born on the 4th of July!
When the 50th State became a state!

It probably wasn't easy to have a little sister, but I knew at one time you really wanted one - when our brother was born. But a few years later I came along and it looks as if you didn't mind me. I watched you growing up and was always anxious to do what you were doing. You took me many places I remember. I don't know if it was by choice or not, but I don't remember you ever complaining. You were always doing the right thing and doing everything you did so well. I don't remember a time you getting in trouble. I always wondered how you did that? Growing up behind such a great sister was hard, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

I remember when you were a teenager, you took me with you to some of your friends house's like for a Halloween. I remember going Tee-peeing with you. I loved going with you, even it meant opening the hatch of the Gremlin and climbing in, so I didn't have to walk to Chorus in the morning.I also remember that a lot of times we went on vacation when you were older you didn't go, because you were so dedicated in working and getting what money you could to provide for yourself. I was always amazed how determined and mind set you were in getting what you wanted out of life. You always were so strong, even though you didn't always get what you wanted, but always seem to have a positive look on it. When you wanted to go to BYU and you work so hard in college and got straight A's, but still couldn't go because of the cost of what you didn't get in scholarships. You just went on. Your talents are amazing. When I was young and saw all the Peanut Character you drew I was mesmerized by your talent. I am still amazed of how many talents you have from being organized to doing all the ornaments you do. I tell people I don't need to buy any Christmas decor, my sister makes so many beautiful ornaments, I don't need too. You strive to accomplish what you do each day and I am amazed at all you get done, with running here and there and everywhere.

It could have been hard being the older sister, with such an ANGEL for a little sister! (hahahaha) There may have been times that you might not have wanted me around, but you never did show it. You were so trusting of your siblings. We would climb up the wall and kind of block the hallway, you would ask us if you could go underneath, if we promised not to drop on you - we would agree and then you would try and down we'd fall on top of you.

Over the years I would come to visit with all my big crew and you would never complain. We would love to have you come and visit us too. I still remember the day when you thought my husband had ties with getting the prophet at sacrament meeting when we went downtown and he was there! I am so grateful for your example in the Gospel. You have always been strong - accept for when we were first joining and I think that was the only time you ever rebelled. But I don't know a more faithful servant of the Lord than you. You strive to do what ever is right even though it might not be easy.
I was always bragging to people how my sister was so perfect! She had perfect grades, perfect
handwriting, could draw perfectly and just did everything so well. It was hard to compare to. But I think you biggest challenge came when you had all your little ones. But again I was amazed of how well you did. With your husband working so many jobs and gone so much you managed. I appreciated when you would call on me to help and when I would come and stay with you when they were young. I loved that more than you knew! I fell in love with your little ones. But you were so loving and caring no one could match you. You did everything right by your children and don't ever think otherwise. They are loving and caring people because of how much love and care you gave them. You made and did so many things for them and I think the most thankless job is one of a mother. But someday maybe when you gone they will realize all you did and how much you taught them. I know after having my kids I have a better appreciation for our Mom. You have been the best example to me and one of the biggest supporters. I am grateful for the many years we have talked and comforted one another. When we were young we didn't get the opportunity to be as close since we always seemed to be a different place in our lives. But I know I have the BEST SISTER in the whole wide world and I am glad that God gave me you! Have the happiest of birthday's and remember that the FIREWORKS are for my Birthday not yours, because I like them and you don't! But I wish we lived a lot closer than we do and I am so appreciative of the times you came. The best thing you ever said one day is that you were coming to Ben's blessing, it made me SOOO happy! The other time I know was a sacrifice, but again it was well appreciated. I have always enjoyed your family visits too and you family is just WONDERFUL. You are such loving and caring person. Of your children that are married have found wonderful people to be with and that is attributed to your love and care you showed them. Your children always have treated me well, even though the were always told they could go live with me -"the ROCK." You have a wonderful husband and I am grateful you have him. You support him and your family well! So have a happy day and do what you want! To the Best Sister in the World - Happy Birthday - one more year and your half way there! As my mother-in-law always says you will never taste of death you live as long as a tree!

Love, the younger sister,

Sharynn

I would have posted more current pictures, but of course I don't have any!

Today, I am writing to thank all the father's out there that have been an example to me.
The first one is my Heavenly Father. He has always been there for me. He has always help me along the way, even if it's just a little thing as turn this way. I know now to always listen to it. My children will ask me why are we going this way and I say because something told me too. When I don't listen, it usually delays me in some way or another. I have learned that Heavenly Father is always aware of me and is some I know to count on for everything. My relationship with him is probably a little different than most, I seem to discuss things with him(I don't want to say I argue with him, but in some cases over the years it has been that way) daily, I ask him all the time for direction, inspiration, and just plain help. He always provides it, but maybe not in my time frame or the answers I want, but I know it is what is best for me. I can be a little stubborn, but I know I need to do what is asked.
The second father in my life, I have not seen in over 30 years. That is probably the most difficult one to mention. What I remember is the love he share with me as his "little cherry blossom."(I was even thinking of naming H. Cherry). I remember the nights sitting with him, when he was sick. He would tell me, "You don't have to sit here, you can go in the other room." I would just tell him, "I liked sitting her," but it was mainly so I didn't have to go sit in the other part of the house by myself, while everyone was gone. My memories of him are short, mostly pictures that I remember. But there is a special place in my heart for him that will never fade. I might not have known the man, that was my Dad, but to me he was the best!
The third father in my life, is my husband. He is one of the biggest teases on the planet. He is loved being a Dad from day one. By day 2, he would say, "Is that all they do?" But by the time the 3rd child came along by day 2, he would say, "That is all they do!" From all the times of being jumped on, climbed on, rammed in the "begonias", spit up on, and everything else, he was grateful for the love he could share with each child. It was always nice to see my husband laying on the couch with a child laying on him and the both of them fast asleep. Which at our house has been a weekly occurence for the past 21 years! He loves when they want to help him in the garden, kitchen, and a lot of other place, but at times it takes a lot of patience on his part to be so willing to have them around him at every waking hour on the weekends. He always has been willing to help out whenever is needed, if it is before 9pm or after 5 am (he basically is a like the pumpkin from the Cinderella story between those times). But he is always willing to lend the hand that is needed in all things! He fixes, repairs, remodels, paints, changes, and just about anything you can think of for our family! He is patient with a talkative, loud, and bossy wife. He is the most routine man I know, and that's a good thing everyone tells me. He finishes everything he starts, but look out if it is the warmer weather - it needs to be outside tasks then, but when winter hits he is back to finishing the projects he had started before in the winter. He is a very hard worker at isn't recognized very often for all that he does. His sister once asked for his work boots to put up at her house. So my husband wrapped them up and gave them to her for her birthday. My children saw the present and were confused why she would want such a gift. She went on to tell them behind her tears, that everytime she looked at them it reminded her of all of his hard work. Some people might have things to show there hard work, but she would have his boots to show her how hard her brother works to provide for his family and nothing could be better. I know he works hard for us and I don't think that he could ever get paid enough for how much effort he puts in to his job, family, and callings. I think he is wonderful and I am glad he is the father of our children and my husband.
The last fathers that I will mention in my life are the ones that showed me what a father should be. I had a lot of fathers in my ward as a child. They took me on campouts, boating activities, and just treated my like a daughter in their families. I will always honor and respect the father's of my girlfriends. Each holds a special place in my heart - to Randall, Bob, and Blaine - thanks for being there when I was around!
One special mention was to 2 father's not forgotten. One was my step father, who I didn't really realize how much he did teach me until he was gone. Even though he was pretty mean at times, I realized after he was gone, how much he loved my mom and how much he wanted us to learn respect - especially to our mom. By the time I realized that, it was too late. I wished he could have a better experience as a father than he did, with his own children. But I do appreciate today what I learned. The last father, I have never known, but without him I wouldn't be here. My biological father, I will probably never know in this life, but I hope you are doing well in your life and are being a good father today!
Father's Day was the most difficult day for many years! But now I always want to make it special, because I can and I have someone to make it special for. I hope my children learn that showing, telling, and giving your appreciation for someone is the best thing you can do. Learning to appreciate the things you have when you have them is better than realizing you have lost that chance to show that appreciation.

Easter Weekend

This Easter weekend was an enjoyable. Saturday, we went to our local market, Petersons and the 2 girls did the egg hunt. They divide up into age groups from ages 1-8. Each child went to hear aisle for her age group. The 5-6 year old only had one aisle, but the 7-8 year olds had two. The put streamers across one end of the aisle and half way down had another streamer across the aisle. All the kids lined up behind each end. The parents were everywhere on the ends, behind the kids. In between the two ends of streamers was all kinds of strewn all over the floor. They had put candy, plastic eggs, pencils, pads of paper, frisbee's from Zion's bank, full size candy bars w/wrappers that said Happy easter, and tones more. Then over the load speaker they kept saying in just a minute we will begin. The hunt started at 8 am. The announcer told everyone ready set go, and it was a dash. I was watching the 5-6 group, because I thought my 8 year old was old enough to handle the hunt herself. The 5-6 year old hurried somewhat in and mine started looking at what she wanted rather than just gathering. I told her grab the pencil and just hurry and grap stuff. Most of the parents told the kids head toward the middle. Then one of the parents got in there with her son and took him to the front part buy us and she kept telling him to pick up everything! He was going to town, he must have had 20 or more things buy the time it was done. We headed out of the aisle looking for my 8 year old when all was said and done. It was quite crowded. I found her and she got a few pieces of candy, she said, everyone grabbed everything and she said all she saw was candy on her aisle. I guess I should of looked to see what was on her aisle, but we had gotten there and found where they were suppose to be and it was almost time to start, so not much time for checking out strategy. (It seems you need to have strategy to do easter hunts) I thought my 5 year old maybe would have gotten a couple of duplicate items since there was so many pencils and stuff. So I asked her how many pencils did you pick up. She said, "One, I need to leave some for the others." My sweet girls I guess are the competitive type. They are the sweet ones, which is a good thing, but not for hunting. I ran into someone we use to know from our old part of our ward and their kids baskets where overflowing. I said something to her about the competition and she said "Ya, mine are a little competitive when it comes to things, I guess." My girls left with about 8-10 things in their bags, which made the older one a little dissappointed, but I told her we have the church hunt at 10 and now she was warmed up!
At 10 we could now go to the one at the park down the street. But it started getting cloudy and the wind started up. It looked like rain. This time we brought my 2 boys and 2 girls. They had an area roped off for the 5 and younger. I looked at the eggs and all those little ones and thought they might get 5 eggs if they are lucky. The guy said, oh there are about 500 eggs in there! I was looking and going ok, but I don't know. They started out and the 5 year old was on doing a lot better this time. Now it was the 2 year olds turn to look but he didn't have a clue what he was doing! So we got a few for him and by then everyone had moved over to the rest of the park where the older kids were searching. We had more luck there because it was spread out and he kind of new what he was doing. It was getting really cold and even started to sprinkle a little. We had donuts, juice, and milk - the best part for the parents. We took some pictures buy the slide and headed for home.
Today, we had an enjoyable day! We were going to eat our turkey,(the last of the bunch, my husband slaughtered yesterday, while I was out)but he only weighed 15 lbs after all was said and done. We've had him almost a year and he was quite pretty, for a male turkey. But I guess because of the breed, they don't get that big. Live and learn or Die and learn which ever the case may be for the turkey. I realized today I couldn't cook him because we didn't have a roasting bag to cook him in. I didn't want to try it without it, because I didn't want it to dry out. So tomorrow is roasting turkey day! We did have pork roast though and it was good. We were planning on having cheese cake with strawberries for dessert too. My littlest girl kept asking all day when were going to take the family picture, because we always take one on Easter. I kept telling her later. Finally after about the 4th time, I asked her why she kept wondering? She said because after that we could hunt for eggs and have cheesecake. The 2 things she kept looking forward too all day long. The other question all day I kept getting asked was can we eat our chocolate bunny and kept telling them NO! Each one of them asked and I guess they said something to the others about not eating it. Mind you I had told them all the same thing when they asked but my 2nd son asked for himself, why can't we eat it? I said again, "until we take the family picture I don't want that big thing of chocolate to get all over your white shirt." Oh, now he understood. So if you look we all had white shirt on in one form or another, so chocolate does cause quite a problem, but my youngest got a strawberry and had a nice strawberry stain on his vest and shirt. But with him I was lucky to keep him clean as long as I did. We did take the picture after awhile. We did hunt for eggs after my 3rd son hid them, but my 2 year old didn't want to hunt for eggs unless they were a ball. He loves outside and that's what he's wanted to do for most of everyday is go outside - clothes or not, rain, snow, or shine, get on a pair of shoes and a coat and off I go! We have to be real careful he likes to escape out the back because he can open the door! Today we only had 2 escapes and

then he went out with us and had a ball even if he only found 3 eggs! The others had a ball

hunting for eggs! It was a nice day, but I think the easter bunny went a little overboard on the candy! But it takes a lot of candy to divide it 9 ways and you never know if you have too much or not enough!!