Last Day of the Fifty's!

Let them eat cake! I started off my birthday celebration a day early at Taggart's. Some of my fun friends showed up to eat cake with me, Heather, Susan, Marlene, Joan, Lois, and Julia. It was so fun having lunch with the ladies, (I am the last of the bunch to turn 60).

I want to share a lyric with you I love written by Carolyn Pearson. She wrote, "Life is for living, for laughing and giving, whether you're happy or not." I think my header on this blog has revealed how I feel about that. For many years I quoted it to my children as they were growing up and I still feel that way.

I will have to edit my profile to I have just turned sixty! As my husband has told me for several months now, "it beats the alternative, being six feet under". I have a family history of not aging well. Quite a few of my relatives have worked hard at not looking older or feeling it too. One of them still thinks they are the world's oldest teenager at age 85.

I recently went to a conference and the speaker told us to follow this quote from Plato "Life Must be Lived as Play!" He had fifty people enter the room in a different way other than just walking in. I chose to yodel as I entered the room, I never have been a quiet person.

About four and a half years ago I had to have a tumor removed off of my right kidney. I was in shock at the thought of having cancer and not being able to live a full life. For eight days I had to wait to have surgery, the biopsy, and then the report from the doctor. I am happy to report the tumor was benign, I was so grateful to be alive. Emily was out on her mission and I was so afraid I would not be able to see her again. Ashley and Eli were so helpful in greeting me at the hospital and staying with me for awhile to get me back on my feet. My husband was the best through it all. I felt and knew my family was praying for me, along with many friends and ward members. I hope I can always serve with a cheerful heart, to my family, my church and friends. So bring on the decade of the sixty year old. I am so blessed to be at this stage in life and hope to be happy and not ornery into my seventies. (Oh, that sounds crazy).

Cinderella Turns 26

Yes, she did!

Our Cinderella child has reached the age of 26, cant believe it. Yes, you are the youngest, and spoiled but in a good way. You are the candle on the family cake, I think that's why you love to make cakes for other people. You are the pleaser, most caring, and have a special light from within. It does show in your countenance and beams to others in your presence. You have brought many people inside and outside of our family great joy. Your friends will always remember you for your loyalty. Happy Birthday Emily Marie and Happy 1st Anniversary. I wish you many happy years in marriage and your upcoming birthdays! Love you lots, Mama Lama

The Middle Child Hits 33!

Happy Birthday Ashley Ann! I have raised you right, you have those Gypsy genes workin it for you. So glad you got away with your little family most of July and are in the sunshine again. You were a delightful middle child to have organized us all (including your mother). Your Aunt Nell use to call you the bannie rooster, you would run your two older brothers around even before you could walk or talk. I think you only weighed 17 pounds on your 1st birthday and you will always be the shortest one in our family. I was so happy to have a girl after two boys, that the day you came home from the hospital I went out shopping and bought you a new bonnet. You also only wore purple or pink, just like Alice loves now.

However, we are so proud of you and the wife, mother, and best friend to many, that you have become. You are also a faithful daughter to your heavenly father and I wish you many earthly and heavenly blessings throughout your life. Go ahead and eat cake!
Love you, Mom

Rain, Rain and Snow go Away!

This is my post for May! Where is the spring weather? We have gone from winter to more winter type weather for all of May. Yes, I am complaining and I am glad to be alive, enough is enough. We planted two rows of veggies in the garden, they are struggling. It's suppose to freeze tonight, so the garden may be lost. We have such a short growing season, that I may be a frequent customer at the farmers market this year! I just want tomatoes with that great earthy taste. Lots of fun with Mother's Day BBQ, baby blessing, and surprise visit from Jake.

It is also Jakes birthday this month. Everyone loves Jake! From the time he could walk and talk he had a friend by his side. Whether it was one of his siblings or a stray. He didnt care where your lived, or what your parents did for a living, if he wanted to play with you he did.

He has always had an open heart and genuine love for his family and friends. He would go without so you could have what you need. Hope you have a super day and we miss and love you.

I Love my Sixty Year Old!

Well it is official, I am sleeping with an old man, but I love it. My husband celebrated his sixtieth birthday on Sunday. He even let us have a party for him. He had a surprise visit from Ashley and Emery who flew in from Oregon on Friday night. Emily picked them up at the airport and they rang the doorbell at 9:30pm and we thought Doyle was going to cry when he answered the door.

We had all of the kids (except Jake, we missed you) over for a baked potato bar and then the extended family for cake and ice cream on Sunday. LeRoy, Jay, Kay, Rex, JoAnn and Brent came to wish their brother a great birthday, he was really pleased to see his siblings come.

The backyard was full of grandchildren playing ball with their parents. Jared and Chet were trying to wrestle each other to the ground several times, you cant take the boy out of the man some days. The newest addition Adalynn was present to meet some of her cousins, aunts, and uncles for the first time.

I have six months to hang on to 59, and hope to have as much fun and be as graceful turning sixty as Doyle was. Just don't call me Madam, that makes me feel really old!

Fishy Lingerie

Well it's been a year since my mother passed away tomorrow. I cant write about her yet, so I decided to do a fun story instead. Doyle and I went to Oregon a few weeks ago for a spring break to visit with Ashley's family. Matt asked Doyle to bring his fishing gear and he would take him out on the Crooked River to fish. We hand carried the fly rod on board and took a large suitcase with his waders, fishing vest, and other equipment that we checked. Doyle also had a leather bag we took on as carry on. You all know the ones we bought in Mexico years ago, they never wear out. Thank goodness security did not go through the bag. We arrived at Ashley's and started unpacking the bags. In the leather bag was all of Doyle's fishing gear, but in one end there was a surprise. It had some of my lingerie packed in there, (at least he is running around with another woman my size) when he goes fishing! He did catch a few fish as well as a scotch blessing from me.

Prim roses in bloom!

Spring has arrived on the dining room table in Oregon.  I went to the farm store to see the baby chicks with the grandchildren and these prim roses, jumped in my cart.  I brought them back to the local dining room found a wooden bowl to display them in.  Well, one thing lead to another, a trip outside for some twigs, and a trip to the ribbon supply and tada!  A new center piece for the table.