Bees

I was looking out ate my kitchen window while I was washing dishes. It is something I do it often because I like to watch the woodpeckers fly in and out of their homes. I noticed something different on the tree. I couldn't figure out what it was so I went into my neighbors yard and saw a bunch of bees flying near the tree. When I got closer I could see that it was a huge beehive. My neighbors didn't know it was there. I have learned so much since that day. I wanted to share the information with you.

It took about 4 months to build the hive. There are about 20,000 bees living in the hive. There is one queen bee per hive. In this hive there are only about 100 male bees and the the rest are female. The males don't sting, they have a different job. So when you get stung by a bee it is a female. A hive will create a new queen bee about every 6 months. A worker bee lives for about a month. An active queen will live about 6 months. A lazy queen lives for about a year. When bees are moved their new home has to be 5 miles away. Bees fly about a 2 mile radius around their homes. Hives hold babies (magets) and honey. It is best to extract bees on a cool night. The keeper vacuumes them up into a box. Once the queen is in the box all the worker bees will happily follow their queen into the box. Once bees are removed any that were left will try and build a new hive in the same place for up to 6 months.

If you need to get bees extracted from your home it will cost you about $150.00.


Another thing I have learned is that girls and boys are different. How you ask? '

Girls will see the hive and and give a little shriek and not want to look at it for very long.

Boys will ask for a rock so they can throw it at the hive to see what they will do.

This has been the coolest 'backyard science' thing ever.
We all need bees in our lives. The end.

Perspective

Mom's - It's early morning and an unexpected rain comes during my 3 mile walk. It is great fun getting wet in the rain knowing I have the luxury of going right home and taking a shower. I get back to the car in the church parking lot as seminary is just ending. So Kellie doesn't have to get wet because she has to go to school, I move the car closer. I park in a place where she may not see me so I move the car again so I can be within her view. As I move the car I see a YM I know who is sitting in his car and wave a friendly hello. Then I wait happily listening to country music and reflect on the exilerating walk in the rain. Kellie comes to the car a bit earlier then I expected. So I asked, "why so early?"

Kellie's - Kellie gets out of seminary and is enjoying standing in the rain chatting with friends. Sees that I have moved the car and continues to chat with friends. Sees me move the car again and wave, she hurries to the car. Her answer to my question, "Why so early?" You moved the car close to me and waved me over so I hurried.

The moral of the story; try to remember there is ALWAYS more then your side of the story. Before we rush to conclusions, try to look at things in a different way. It may elemenate so much 'stuff'.

Have a great day everyone!!

Grateful for Service

So yesterday was one of those cleansing days...not that my house got super clean but my soul. I cried at every little thing and cried at nothing. By the end of the day my eyes were super swollen and I was exhausted. I was productive during parts of the day however, I caulked and painted door frames in my house that was started over 2 years ago. So basically I caulked, cried and was productive. Today with all the tears gone something great happened...opprotunities to do service. The Elders called and needed dinner. After dinner a great friend called and needed a ride home from work because her car was in the shop. These were simple things that allowed me to serve. What a great blessing after feeling so yucky yesterday to feeling so grateful today. A good cleansing helps put things in perspective and opens the way for a grateful heart.

That kind of day.

Today should be a Pride and Prejudice day. All my girls should be home and we should hang out in our sweats, make cookie dough, close all the blinds, giggle about silly things and then watch Mr. Darcy...well do his thing. I'm not talking about the 90 minute version. I am talking about the only good version, the 6 hour one. We could remind Paul there are sports in this version too. You know the hunting and fishing part, those are sports and then watch him roll his eyes and get out of the room as quickly as possible. After the movie we could have some Orange Chicken and go to Kellie's concert and watch her blow her horn. Sounds like a perfect way to spend the day. Girls, are you ready???

The Girls

Today was one of those days that reminds me I'm a mom of 5 girls. I was blessed to talk with each of them today. Each daughter is full of life, lots a good stuff and a bit of yucky stuff. That is to make sure they don't get bored with their lives. All live outside of the home now except one, the youngest. Each daughter is great. Each has unique talents and gifts that make them wonderful and so different from the other. People would ask me if it was easy raising 5 girls because they must be all the same. I think my girls have a few things that are similiar but have LOTS of things that are so different. And that can make things kind of spicey around here for all of us. But today I was reminded, that even though we are different there is one very important thing that we all have in common. We are a family, an eternal family. And even though we may not always agree with eachother or like some of the stuff eachother does....we all love eachother. What an amazing gift. And in the end we all support eachother. That too is a gift. So thank you to my girls for reminding me that this life is filled with challenges and things that make us stretch and grow but that we will ALWAYS have eachother to help us through the stuff.

This mornings walk

Almost every seminary morning I drive with Kellie to seminary and meet Aunt Janie and we walk for 3 miles AND talk for 3 miles. After we walk I go another mile to my house with my shuffle(music). It is great fun and I love that my excercise is over before 7AM. The "subject of the day" was medical stuff because my nephew Brent just had some teeth implants put in because he is missing 2 permanent teeth. It has been a long process for him, a few surgeries, and they only have one more thing to do and it will ALL be done. Janie asked me some questions about when Julie was having her 5surgeries, what the tons of Doctor appointments were like, what the family went through, etc. I started to tell her one story about Julie's experience and began to cry...I couldn't even talk for a bit....silly me. I shared with her the time we all went to pick Julie up from the hospital to take her home after she had been there for a week when she was 8 years old. The doctor wanted to take one more x-ray before we left. We wheeled Julie down the hall to the day-room. The whole way there Kellie, who was 3 at the time, had her hand on top of Julie's being very gentle and rubbing her hand which was on the wheel chair arm rest. To me it really shows the big heart these 2 girls had and still have. Julie was willing to let her sister hold her hand and Kellie wanted to show her sister the whole ride down the hall that she loved her. If that moment could get any better, it was Easter time. The local firemen and policemen (dressed in uniform) came to the hospital that day to give the children stuffed animals and high fives. All of them were lining the hall when we were wheeling Julie to get her final x-ray. They all had smiles on their faces and were sending Julie good wishes. She couldn't smile because her face was swollen... she did wave to them and show her appreciation....Julie in her pretty pink nightgown. These 2 mental pictures will stay with me always. And now..typing it....tears. Tears that our family is so blessed with a Julie, Kellie, Holly, Shelley and Carlie.

Disneyland

You all know I love going to Disneyland. Especially when I take my girls and their friends and I know they are having a great time. Last Friday I had a very new and enjoyable experience at Disneyland. It really warms my heart. My nephew Brent wanted to surprise me and go to Disneyland the same day I was going. It was a GREAT surprise and we met for dinner and chatted for almost 3 hours. He told me a bunch of stuff and he asked me tons of questions. It was truly magical.

So here is the break down of the day. I picked Emily L., Jessica Adcox and Kellie up from school. We got into the park around 4:30. The girls ran off to play and I sat and watched the ceremony that they do when they take down the American Flag. (If you haven't seen this I highly recommend it.) I love the marching band playing and the quartet singing patriotic songs. They encourage the audiance to sing along too. They honor the men and woman who have served our country and invite them to circle the flag pole. Old and young come and stand military style and salute our beautiful flag. I love this and am a bit silly and get teary every time. Then I met up with Brent at the Hungary Bear and we chatted. A wonderful and inspiring talk. By the time we finished it was dark. So I walked over to get a mint julip (with extra cherries) and then waited for the fireworks. Again, I get a little teary even though I have a huge smile on my face because I love the fireworks...and then I try not to have too silly of a look on my face when I see Dumbo fly!!! After the fireworks I went to buy some Mickey Mints (very delicious) to share with the ladies at work for being so sweet to me around my birthday. Then waited for the girls looking down main street near the train station. It was a very special trip and I am so grateful for family and friends who enrich my life.

The youngest has her license.

2 big things happened today. Caleb and Holly celebrated their wedding anniversary. What a BIG day for them!! Congratulations...your gift is in the mail. (sorry it's late)

The second BIG thing that happened today is Kellie got her driver's license. Some moms might be thrilled at this happening because they don't have to drive their children every where, etc. I however was always a little melancholy when each of my girls got their license. That means we won't get to have chats in the car as often. I loved picking my girls up from school, church, or any activity and instantly knowing their moods when they got in the car. I loved hearing thier stories and simply enjoyed being with them. It seems that once they can drive themselves, from the time they leave shool and get home the activities of their day seem less intersting to them so they feel I won't want to hear....and if they do tell stories it is way less animated. However, when I got my license and could get myself places and didn't have to rely on others I was super excited. So although it changes things for me....I love that they want their independence and that they are growing up to be competent young adults.

The thing that really is strange about today is that this will be the second to last thing that kellie does before she has total independence and of course the last thing will be when she graduates from High School. This is definitley a mile stone...and one that changes my life forever.

So what did I do this evening while Kellie went driving over to people's houses (and yes, one of the visits was to Marshall's)? I scrubbed my kitchen floor grout. Paul was at meetings and Kellie was gone...so I cranked up 5 for Fighting and scrubbed away. It looks amazing by the way. I have a feeling with all my free time while Kellie and Paul are gone I will clean and organize. Fun times. =/ I am happy to report that Angela and Emily came over to visit me and we made some fun plans for the group...so all is not lost.

So here is to changes...and to exciting things in the future.

Kellie's Birthday

Yesterday was Kellie's 16th birthday. I gave her the date idea book I have been working on for months. Thanks to all of you for your help. It is never too late to add more ideas..so if you hear of some great double/group date ideas let me know. She also got some fun gifts from her friends. One of the most thoughtful was a loaf of bread, peanut butter and honey from Emily Lawrence. I guess when Kel goes over to her house that is what she always eats there. I love thoughtful gifts like that. Kellie invited a group of kids to share her special day. The 3 boys offically asked out the 3 girls and it was all of their official first dates. So journal entery for each of them!! The boys picked up their dates and met at our house. Then I drove them all to Disneyland since non of them can drive eachother yet. haha Kellie got a birthday pin and Marshall got an "I'm Celebrating" pin since he was on his first date and has waited so long to do so. And the cool part is he actually wore it. The boys paid for the girls lunches and were quit gentlemanly towards there dates. It was sweet. I met them for dinner, a jungle cruise ride and then off to see the fireworks. I was sad that Dumbo did not fly last night during the show. Kellie got her b-day gift card to spend and had to use it that day. Marshall and Kel went off to spend that and the other kids went on one last ride. We all met to find Kel has spent most of her money buying each of her friends a "thanks for coming to my party" gift. We took a few last pictures (which I will post on FB) and then we were off. These kids are so great and were so gracious I feel blessed that I know them. I also feel very happy that Kel has such great friends. I feel very blessed that I have such a great family and wonderful friends too. Thanks to all!!!

Service day

Today started out with taking the young women to clean a friend's house. We had so much fun. While we were there this friend asked me if I would mind watching a pot of homema'made spaghetti sauce while she is on holiday for 2 days. So tonight she brought over a large pot and now my house smells great. All the ingredients are straight out of her garden. Doing service is so much fun and smells delicious.

Julie will stay for one more full day and then back to Utah she goes. I am so grateful she came down and I hope she had a great time. But I know there is so much more partin' to be done in Provo. So I'm glad she has a fun place to go back to with such nice people.

This is Kellie's last week of summer school. She is getting an A in the class!! Next week she will turn 16 and get her driver's lisence. Big things instore for my little girl who is growing up.

Sunday night Julie, Kellie, 'Someone' and I took a stroll around the University of Redlands campus. We saw things we didn't even know were there. It was a beautiful evening in Redlands and I'm grateful we have such a beautiful campus to enjoy so close to our home.

Here's to wishing great things for my loved ones in the month of July!!

Wide Awake

We took Julie to the beach today. Shelley and Jett met us. Jett looked so cute in his swim trunks and muscle shirt. He loved watching the pigeons and liked watching the water but wanted nothing to do with getting in the water. Julie did not get at tan but she did not get a burn either. That is always good. The weather was perfect. Carlie got some good news today! She passed her AP test. With all that goodness, I am unable to sleep. Luckily my son-in-law lent me a book about Wallace Whipple that is so funny. Lots on my mind. The good news is the fever blister is done and my throat is feeling much better. The big question is: What is around the corner?

Party time

I feel like throwing a party....a pity party. I don't have these parties very often....and don't expect any balloons.

I have been sick for 2 weeks. I got sick right before my husband and I left for our 25 wedding celebration. I kept a lot of meds with me and tried to be perky, even though I felt like my face was extra large because of my sinus'. When I got home from that I could feel a fever blister coming on and boy did it turn out to be a doosy. It hurts to smile or laugh. I can't have any kissing parties with my 2 grandbabies. That makes me sad...'cause I won't see Jack until Thanksgiving. It is getting better, but it is in that gross getting better stage where it looks really yucky. So up to Utah I go with my awesome fever blister and still feeling a bit like a hot air balloon with huge lips. And I think I am starting to sound like a man....my throat is so sore. But I put a happy face on and get to work getting Carlie settled. I even tried to put happy toes on too. I am currently wearing bright yellow nail polish...some may think it is a bit loud, I think it is fun and wacky. I will be going home on Monday...the house will be VERY quiet after a month with ALL the girls home and the 2 babies. I am glad there are things to do when I get home like rearrange my entire house. And there are still 3 birthdays to celebrate.

Some may not be happy with me having parties for Kellie and friends. But they may also not understand that I get my energy from that. I love the anticipation and planning of the party. I love hearing laughing and people having a great time. I will only get this for 2 more years. That is such a crushing idea....2 years....and quiet. It will be great with Paul and I home alone....but the reality is I will be home alone....a lot.

Party over. Medication taken. Looking forward to going to the Provo Canyon. I bought a book about President Lincoln that I will enjoy reading today. And I get to spend one more day with Caleb, Holly, Jack and Carlie. No matter how yucky the day is....if you look you will always find rainbows!!!!!

A little recap of June.....it was the busiest June of my life...

I would have to say it was even busier then the June I got married 25 years ago. We took lots of fun pictures...but they are spread out on everyone's camera's, so I hope you enjoy these few. This life is such a gift...even when it is busy...or should I say...full of adventures.

It was soooo great having the babies together...I am so excited for when they can run around and have lots of fun together.

Julie having a BYU buddy come and visit her...isn't he a cutie??!!!

A super cute Sunny-D spokesperson...makes me want to buy some.

The boys playing football at the duck park. (Ford Park)

Jett meeting Mickey is like the "Best thing EVER!!!"

Of course a trip to California means a trip to California Adventure and Disneyland. This is my favorite picture. Sad to report that dino Jack just got torn down...still a great pic.

The girls have all learned how great it is to have brother-in-laws. Especially Kellie.

This is Johnny Thomas. He is golden. All the Chatfield's love him!


It was great having my girls all together for the month of June. They are beautiful individuals but carry such amazing strength together.

Change

Change is such a big word. When one thing changes so many other things follow and change too. I will be taking my 4th daughter to college in 2 days. She will go through lots of changes. Some of the changes will hurt...kind of like growing pains. Holly and Julie will go through changes just by having Carlie in Utah with them. By Carlie going to UVU, Kellie will be the only one left at home and she will go through changes. Paul and I will only have one child at home. Which means only one child schedule to keep track of. Kellie will be driving so I will not get to take her or any other child around. That is a big change and I will really miss it. I have loved taking my girls to their different activities and have loved the chats we have had. This change will not be a good one for me. Shelley will still live in Pasadena which is so close to here, but she will get more involved in her ward and her baby will be able to have little friends who will park play dates with the other kids and their mommies....she will visit, but as Jett gets older she will go through changes. How will I deal with the new changes? Will I use my time wisely? Will I do all the things I said I would when my children got older? The one change that I really want but don't think will ever come is to have a certain person respect me. Change...ready or not...here it comes.

June

June has been a fun filled action packed month. Holly and Jack coming for a month long visit. Shelley and Jett hanging out with us some of the time. Carlie gratuating from Redlands High School and preparing to go to UVU. Lots of awards nights that Carlie sang for and Kellie played her trumpet for. Julie coming to stay from June 10 to July 1st. Grandma Chatfield coming for graduation. Kellie preparing for girls camp as a first year YC, I was preparing for camp as the certification specialist and Paul was preparing to go to girls camp as THE Priesthood. Then we actually went to camp. During camp Kellie also started summer school and new member training as the brass captain of the RHS marching band. I drove her up and down from camp every day. Talk about a girl who did a great job balancing. Paul and I celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. A couple of trips to Disneyland. Caleb coming for a couple of surprise visit which led to trips to El Burrito. Throw in a sister sleepover that Shelley hosted in Pasadena. (Thanks Shelley, you are great) Holly and Shelley each gave spiritual thoughts in YW and Julie and I each taught a lesson in YW. To add to the fun a couple of root canals and visits to the Doctor. The last Sunday that our family is all together we will singing in Sacrament meeting. A final farewell dinner to celebrate Carlie's graduation and the Holly, Jack, Julie and Carlie will be taken back to Utah by Paul who will hopefully stay up there and relax for awhile. I love when all my family is together. I am also thrilled that they have lives away from mom and dad that they enjoy and are active in the gospel. As a mom what could be better, happy children and a great husband!!

"Extreme Makeover" Youth Conference Style

I was super lucky this weekend and got to be a leader at youth conference. It is always a privilage and so much fun to spend time with the youth of the stake. We gathered at the Live Oak Christmas Tree Farm. Set up our tents...and yes, Paul had to come and set up ours because I was not having great success. Brother Brice and his helpers provided a great meal as always. We had 3 speakers. One was on faith. How you have to have faith to overcome trials and to have faith that things can be "madeover." The next speaker was very powerful, she spoke on sharing. Sharing your wonderful self with others, opening your mouth and sharing the gospel, sharing the peace and the power that comes because of the gospel. And the 3rd was a man that is a plastic surgeon. He spoke of how he gets patients that have actually gone through the make-over process BEFORE they come to him. Many of his patients loose over a 100 pounds and they come to him to get the stretched out skin taken off. But he let us know that they have already made the important changes in the way the live their lives. And that is what we need to do...make ourselves over...make improvements that will be life long changes and not quick fixes. I am grateful for the powerful messages these wonderful people shared with us.

Next was a dance under the stars. It was lots of fun for most. One boy finally danced with a girl that he has admired for 2 years...they are both seniors and this was pretty much his last chance before they go to college. The photographer got a great picture and so that moment has been caputred forever. There are always those at the stake dances that have a good time no matter what..they make it great for themselves and those around them. Then there are those that expect people to make it great for them. And there are others who will not have a good time no matter what. I feel sad for those kids....where ever you go, have a good time, be happy, be the kind of person people want to be around. I had a fun time watching these kids interact, be kind to eachother and just have a good time.

We all slept in tents, had breakfast, we all had on our lime green extreme makeover shirts on and off we went into Redlands to do service. We layed sprinklers, pulled out trees, cleaned up some orange groves, layed 5500 sq ft of sod, played bingo with the elderly, painted playground equipement, and on and on. These kids worked hard. We ate lunch at a park, and then back to finish all the service. When all was done we headed back to the farm to eat dinner, have a testimony meeting and finish things up with a slide show. It was wonderful to see these youth being so supportive of eachother, to cheer eachother on, to be strengthened by eachother and to see testimonies grow. The gospel is so beautiful. I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. I also feel blessed that Kellie didn't complain...because they put her in my family. She could have easily demanded a switch, but she went with it and had a good time. I am super grateful my girls don't mind me being around.

Another highlight of the weekend is having Holly, Caleb and Jack come from Utah. Having Shelley, Rick and Jett come from Pasadena. And to see every one enjoy eachother. It will feel complete when Julie comes June 10th. To cap off this great weekend Carlie graduated from seminary Sunday night. She was part of the choir and also sang in a quartet and did a great job.

New fence & Blessings

This weekend has been full of blessings. Friday we had boys show up from the ages of 15 to 83 help tear down our fence. Watching them work was wonderful! I was trying hard to not be 'a girl' and start crying. These guys showed up happy and ready to work. They got down to business and the job was done in 2 hours, including cementing the new posts and the clean up. A wonderful man lent his work truck to haul the old fence to the dump. Johnny and Micheal stayed for a few hours and hung out with Paul and I. We took them to El Burrito! We sat outside and talked about all kinds of stuff. It was great fun.

Saturday morning Kellie and I woke up to get things ready for more guys to come. We had watermelon, donuts and lots of icy water bottles. The weather was perfect. Paul and Carlie spent the morning at the Bishop's storehouse fullfilling our wards youth assignment. Men came from the ages of 8 to 83 and the fence was up in a few hours....and it looks great. The posts for the new patio cover were put into place and that project will be done in a week or so.

The fence looks great and the men did such a great job. The best part for me was watching these men having a great time working with eachother.

Paul and I spent today putting the raspberries back into place, cleaning up the old bricks, mowing the lawn, and then sat in the back yard enjoying the cool breeze, watching Henry (a hawk that lives in the big tree across the street) in his tree and enjoying the smell of Jasmine. This weekend has been full of blessings. And how great on this weekend when we honor the people who have made it possible for us to live in this beautiful free land.

Julie is the BEST...

And I was about to go on about how incredible I am, but I think I'll dedicate this blog post to the lady who started it all, my MOMMY! Joelle Walker Chatfield is one of the greatest women I know, and I count myself one of the five luckiest girls in the whole world to get to have her as a mommy. She's always been a great example to me, and I love her with all my heart! So to all you readers out there, please make a comment about a special memory you have with my mom. Here's mine:
One day several years ago, my mom and I spent the day chilling at Downtown Disney. We walked around looking in stores, and had dinner at the Jungle Cafe. Nothing too extravagant or eventful, but I remember it as one of my best days. Thanks Mom!

25 years ago we didn't look this old.

My sister Wendy and I helped my mom celebrate her 70th birthday, and what better place then Disneyland. We spent 2 days there and had a great time. We stayed the night at the Candy Cane Inn which is right next to D-land. We had a fun and relaxed time. Looking at the pictures however...these are not the faces I see in my minds eye when I think of me, Wendy and my mom. My minds-eye sees the faces of these girls when we lived together 25 years ago. I am very gratrful that we are still here together regardless of age (and wrinkles). What a great life we have.


Speaking of the minds-eye image. I had a friend find me on Facebook. He was in my ward (and no I never dated him) when I was a youth. He had the coolest hair and looked like a surfer guy. He and his parents were always super great to me. Since he has found me we have chatted a bit. Weird that this teenage boy (in my mind) has 8 kids, been a Bishop twice, owns a home and has very little hair. I'm not really feeling old, it's just weird to see every one else looking old. Because of this new fb connection I have conneted with a few of my other youth friends....even Micheal Jackson. Fun times!!

So here is to OLD friends and relatives!!

And always remember the motto: It is better to be any age then in the box.

Tred Mill

A blog post is usually more interesting with a photo. This is Kellie and I at CA Adventure during our mid-week get away.

I just wanted to let you know that I have gone back to the tred mill. I ran 2 miles yesterday and 2 today. Thank heavens for my Ipod and Advil. It is the only way I am able to run. My modivation....my 25th wedding anniversary is in 2 months, I am a grandma and want to be one for along time, and the snowman look is way out of fashion. My goal is to continue to walk 4 miles in the morning with Aunt Janie while seminary is in session and come home and get right on the tred mill. I will have to change my routine in June when seminary is over. Wish me luck!!

It's a Small World

Today I was driving home from Seminary where I meet Aunt Janie and she and I walk for 3 miles. For some reason a memory popped into my head about when we were at Disneyland and Shelley and Jett were with us. We went on the It's a Small World ride. Jett was doing fine when we got into the boat and we started down the little river, as soon as he went into the building his eyes got SOOOOOOO BIG and the expression on his face was WOW!!!! there is so much to see. His eyes stayed that big for the entire ride. It totally cracked me up. So when I was driving home today that thought popped into my head and I started laughing out loud. Thanks for the memories Jett. Maybe we can go on that ride tomorrow and see if it happens again. haha

Too Longs

Wow, it has been too long since I have added to my blog. I think the whole picture thing has discouraged me, so I need to keep the faith and just do it. Life has been great for the most part. Lots of trips to Disneyland thanks to Uncle Jim, Aunt Ruth, my mom and Holly's birthday. It was great to have Jack and Jett meet. They are both super cute boys and their mommies are super cute with them. Carlie had a great time in New York. Kellie is chillin' with the group. Which I heard a great story about the group. A mom of one of the kids that comes over came up to me at church. She thanked me for having the parties. She said it's been a great thing for her child and all the others. She really appreciates what it has done in helping her child be more social and have great kids to hang out with. That made me feel great. Well, that's all for now. For sure next time I will add photos.

Simply Beautiful

As I promised, more Senior Carlie.
Josh Bloom was the photographer and I think he did a super great job.










Here's to Carlie the graduate class of '09!!!

Milissa and Edward

I work with a super cute girl who made reading the Twilight series so much fun.


She thought Edward was such a dream boat she had him tattooed on her ankle.

Milissa is so pretty, so fun and incrediably talentd.

Scandia and America

For New Year's Eve Eve the youth in our stake and surrounding stakes get to spend the night at Scandia (an amusement park) for their end of the year dance. Julie and I have started a tradition of driving these fine kids and then she and I go on a hot date. So great times are had by all.

I think all these kids are super great. Here's to a new year!!

New Subject:
One month has passed since I have put anything new on my blog. One reason is I am discouraged. For some reason when I upload a picture, the only thing that shows up on my computer screen is a very lengthy code. Which means it's really hard to talk about the cute pictures because I can't see them. It is very sad for me. I may have to break down and get a new blog. That makes me sad too, because I don't know how to preserve what is on this one.

A Great Subject:
I wanted to add a post on this historic day. President Obama was sworn in as the new President of the United States today. I wanted to let you all know I feel so blessed to be an American. I feel so blessed to live in such a great land and beautiful land with wonderful people who strive to make the world a better place. I love the beautiful flag that represent our amazing country. I feel so blessed to be an American.