Happy Birthday, Hula Girl!

Six years ago, when I was new to Texas, I was assigned to visit teach Sister Stacey Williams.  Little did I know then how this sweet sister would come to bless my life.  She is beautiful, strong, funny and talented. No wonder everyone wants to be her friend!

Stacey and are are both moving away from our beloved Texas at nearly the same time next month.  What fun it was to celebrate her last birthday here in Texas with all her friends, Hawaiian Style!  We ate, we danced, we sang and we just enjoyed being with 'Our Stacey'.

If friends are the flowers in the garden of life, Stacey surely is one of the most beautiful and special to us all. Happy Birthday, Dear Friend!!

Happy Birthday!

What's a party without the food?

We enjoyed grilled terriyaki chicken and pineapple, fried rice, fried shrimp, Caroline's awesome Chinese chicken salad, Leslie's delicious Greek rice salad, Christine's tasty Asian lo-mein salad and colorful veggie tray and Lauren and Beth's beautiful and yummy fruit kabobs and pineapple boats.

And for dessert, Christine's famous cocanut cream cheese cupcakes, Lana's lemon bars and Marybeth's out-of-this-world Buckeyes.  And we couldn't call it a Luau without a Pina Colada, or two.

Michelle and Beth... Pizazz with a capitol 'P'.

Chris and Claudette...

My friends, Christine, Melanie and Lauren...  Love Them.

The Birthday Girl and our sweet friend, Diana.

Present time...

Fun!!

Our group gift to Stacey was Del Parson's beautiful picture of the Savior with the children entitled, "Perfect Love".  It was perfect!!  I hope Stacey will think of all of us fondly whenever she looks at it and know how much we love her!

Okay...Now it's 'Party Time'!  Hawaiian Singing Bee!!

We love these girls!!

"Key Largo, Montego... Baby why don't we go down to Cocomo.  We'll get there faster if we take it slow....Down to Cocomo...

Fun...

Very Fun!!   (And yes, girls, she CAN Hula!!)

Thought For the Day

Here are a few beautiful roses from my yard. 

I've waited four years for my pink rose bush to finally bloom.

I think it's a Tender Mercy just for me.

Thank You.

Enjoy this little story...

LOVE THIS MOMENT   by Lisa Frost

One day as I trudged wearily down a path not far away,

I came upon a bright old man traveling the other way.

He walked along with a jaunty step that was so free and light,

While his smile shone like the fullest moon upon the darkest night.

When our paths did meet I begged of him to stop but a little while,

For I had to ask in bafflement, "Dear sir, why do you smile?"

"For I walk this road every single day through wind and rain and sun,

And for each heavy step I tread I wish the journey done."

The man replied in a merry voice that was music to my ears,

"My friend, I've learned a thing or two throughout my many years."

"While it's great to have a purpose from which you do not stray,

More important by far it is to love your journey along the way."

To that reply I looked askance and voiced my inner doubt,

"How can you love a well-worn path that rambles all about?"

"For it does not run straight and true towards my desired goal,

Instead it wastes my precious time with all its bumps and holes."

"And do you know the worst thing of all, that makes me quite lose heart?

While every morning I reach the end, each night I'm back at the start."

That wise old man smile knowingly and gently turned to say,

"You won't travel very far in life marching the same track every day."

"You think that to gain your far off dreams this path needs to re-arrange,

But there'll never be a different end unless you decide to change."

"To reach a dream that seems remote, you must round every bend,

Instead of always turning back to retrace your steps again."

"And once again I say to you, if I might be so bold,

While the dream may be the silver, the journey is the gold."

"For every person's true desire throughout their very soul,

Is to live a life of love and joy.  To be one and true and whole."

"It is our hope most precious to connect with all the Earth,

To feel life's energies within all moments from our precious birth."

Then he answered my next question, which was very simply, "How?"

"Just live each day inside your heart.  See the beauty of right now."

"For no matter if the path you step is an old one or a new,

Behold it with the eyes of your soul to find wonder in all views."

"When you are grateful for all the world as a gift from up above,

You'll realize that what you're doing is simply allowing love."

"And when that love completely fills every crevice of your heart,

Your journey will be one of joy - What you wanted from the start!"

Then satisfied he'd made his point this great man turned away,

To continue down the splendid path of magic every day.

Since that encounter I have walked many roads towards my goal,

With forever his gift inside my heart; to love this moment with all my soul.

Grateful Sunday

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

                                                               Ralph Waldo Emerson

On this quiet Sunday evening, here's a few things I'm thankful for this week...

* "SOLD"  On Thursday, we accepted an offer on our home here in Texas.  It was a little bitter sweet.  But it is a sweet relief to look forward with anticipation and excitement to our move to Pennsylvania.  I am so happy to know that the family that bought our home is excited.  They actually came four times to visit the house, and the last time the new owner actually left me a note.  It read, "Mrs. Fitzpatrick, Your home is beautiful and we are so excited!  It will be well cared for!"  I am so grateful to know that this home will hold many more happy memories for a family that will love it and take care of it as we have."  For our Texas Home that is Sold, Thank You.

*  My Health.  With allergy season in full swing here in Texas, I am so grateful for my health.  Sydnie must have inherited her dad's allergies.  She is coughing and sneezing up a storm.  Except for a bum knee, I have always enjoyed pretty good health.  Nothing makes you appreciate your health more than being sick or being injured.  For My Good Health, Thank You!

*  It's A Girl Cousin!    My sister is expecting her fifth child, due in September.  She found out this week that she is actually having a girl.  I love her post on facebook.  "A little girl's deepest prayer comes true...Lila is having a sister!"  I'm sure my sweet sister, Danae, cried tears of joy, too!  She is the amazing mother of 3 wonderful boys and one adorable girl.  Now their family just might be complete!  For the Blessing of a New Baby Girl Cousin, Thank You!

* Just Hanging Out With Kellie.  I had promised my adorable Kellie at least three weeks ago that I would take her to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  Things just kept getting in the way.  On Saturday, I knew I couldn't take hearing, "Mom, when are we going to the movies?  You promised!" one more time, so off we went.  Kellie loved the show and I loved being with Kellie.  For a Fun Afternoon, Just Hanging Out With Kellie, Thank You.

* A Thoughtful Boy.  This morning as we were getting ready for church, I reminded Blake that I needed to iron his new church pants and shirt before he got ready this morning.  He said they were fine (even though I knew they were wrinkled.)  I told him that now that he was a Deacon passing the sacrament, he had an important job to do that required him to always be, act and look his best.  I reminded him that before the Savior was crucified he instituted the Last Supper and served bread and water to His disciples in remembrance of His body and His blood.  And that as a deacon, he was in fact, acting in place of Christ, serving the sacrament to all of us in the congregation, because we are His disciples here on earth.  He understood the significance of his calling a little bit more and quickly got his clothes ready to be pressed so that he might look his best performing his priesthood responsibilities.  For A Thoughtful Boy, Thank You.

Race for the Cure

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world. It affects women more than men. Each year 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in United States alone.

Did you know the exciting thing about breast cancer is that your chances of getting it are now only one in twelve women? (Up from the previous number, eight.)  And that's directly from the Breast Cancer Institute. The other good news is that it is preventable and 90% of women diagnosed in the early stages go on to lead normal, healthy lives.
 
In celebration of our Nanny, Mary Fitzpatrick, a 18 year breast cancer survivor, the kids and I ran (okay, walked) the Race for the Cure in Fort Worth, Texas this perfectly beautiful spring morning

With each passing year, I have even more hope and optimism for a cure for this disease in my lifetime.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if someday breast cancer was thought of the way we think of Polio or Mumps today.  I think it's possible.  Truly possible. 
 
Here's a glimpse of our morning...

  

It could not have been a more beautiful day in Fort Worth, Texas

Why do we walk....  For Nanny

Balloons filled the sky during the National Anthem.

At the starting line.  The energy is electric!

We're ready!

On your mark, get set, GO!

Isn't it amazing to feel a part of something

so much bigger than yourself?

The Best Boy in the World.

We made it!!

What a fantastic start to a beautiful day!

40, Over the Hill? Never!

My sweet friend, Angi, (that's right, there's no 'e'), turned the BIG 4-0 in March.  And you just can't have too much of a good thing, so we're still celebrating!  Krista, Angi and I enjoyed The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas this week.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is probably most noted for his musicals, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, Sunset Boulevard,  and Jesus Christ Superstar.  But I was pleasantly surprised to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Starlight Express and a few others in the playbill. 

Selected songs from these amazing musicals were sung by previous Broadway singers whose voices were phenomenal.  I enjoyed watching the Dallas Symphony Orchestra preform just as much as the vocalists. 

All in all, it was a fun night spend with friends who are in the "Fabulous Forty Club!!"  (And I'd say, we look pretty darn good!)

How can one man have so much talent?

Fabulous and Forty!!

Bravo!!

Grateful Sundays

"If you want to feel rich,
just count all of things you have that money can't buy."     

 Anonymous

On this rainy Sunday afternoon in April, here's just a few things I'm thankful for.

*  A Handsom Husband.  Bob was in town the last part of this week for the Army Aviation Association of America (Quad A) conference held here in Ft. Worth.  How nice it was to have dinner together as a family this week and just hang out together.  I am so grateful for Bob's new job, which he loves.  It's so wonderful to see his passion for life and his love of aviation in in full swing again.  For A Very Handsome Husband, Thank You.

* A Pennsylvania Home...finally.  We were finally able to close on our new home in Pennsylvania.  Bob is living there now, doing lots of touch-ups and things that need done.  We have loved living here in Texas and I have loved this home.  But I am ready to let it be loved and enjoyed by it's new owners.  Instead of feeling sorrow leaving this wonderful place called Texas,  we are happy and excited that we will take the best of Texas with us to share with others.  For Our New Home In Pennsylvania, Thank You.

*  A New Calling.  It has been a long time since I've had a calling in Young Women.  I am excited to be the Personal Progress leader for the Beehives in our ward.  I am so excited, because not only will I be encouraging and helping the 12 and 13 year olds, but I have started on the journey of completing my own Personal Progress.  One of my biggest regrets of my teenage years is thinking I was too big, old or important for Church.  I wish I would have stayed where I knew I should have been and been doing the things I know I should have been doing.  For A New Calling That Gives Me A Second Change To Complete My Own Personal Progress While Motivating Others, Thank You.

*  Boys Who Love To Camp...  Blake and Bob went on the Scout campout Friday night.  Even though it has rained nearly non-stop for most of the weekend, just being together, I'm sure, they had a great time.  Blake was in charge of breakfast.  His dad said 'He made some mean scrambled eggs.'  Blake served some very welcome breakfast burritos with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese and and salsa, along with fried potatoes, cinnamon rolls, bananas and orange juice.  Let me just say, nothing came back home.  For Boys Who Love To Camp, Thank You.

* The Miracle of Spring.  What a wet weekend we've had.  The pool is nearly over-flowing.  But I think Kellie said it best, "Mom, I bet the trees and flowers really like this rain."  I think she's right. After the dull, dark and cold of winter, spring brings with it renewed hope of sunshine, and an opportunity as things once perceived dead come to life again.  For The Miracle of Spring, Thank You. 

Pride and Prejudice

Little did Jane Austen know in 1811 that her novels would be favorites of one, Mikenzie Fitzpatrick, almost two centuries later.  If she were alive today, Mikenzie would be the president of her fan club!

Last Friday evening, Mikenzie, Kellie and I attended the opening performance of the Fort Worth Community Arts Center's production of Pride and Prejudice.  We had a wonderful time.  The theater only seats 100 or so,  Of course, we had to have front row seats.  The performance was fantastic.  I have a renewed respect for the talent and skill that these actors and actresses have.  Just memorizing the lines alone is enough to make my head spin. 

Miss Elizabeth Bennet was a gem, played by a fiesty red head.  (Gee, who does that remind you of...)  Her hair was true to her character.  And of course Mr. Darcy was as handsome as ever.  And when they finally kissed at the end, well, let's just say, we all were swooning!

What a fun evening spent with two of my girls.  We've got to do it again, soon! 

"I have no pretensions whatever to that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man."

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

"Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously.... Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us."

The small, intimate audience seating.

"How little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue."

The stage.

"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."

"Best Buds"

Grateful Sunday

"Be thankful to God for all of your life's experiences.  The good ones are easy, but the negatives are the ones that will change your life!  With loving gratitude, you can soar to all levels in life.  Don't ever let anyone tell you different.  And never, never let anyone steal your dreams!"  

Christina Perry

On this second Sunday in April, here are a few things I'm thankful for...

*  A.Wonderful Stake Relief Society Women's Conference.  The sisters in the Colleyville, Texas stake were spiritually fed yesterday as we attended "Mary, Martha and Me"  We learned that it's okay that sometimes we feel like either Mary or Martha, as long as we always remember the 'one needful thing'; staying close to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We attended 3 workshops, enjoyed an awesome skit and ate a fabulous boxed lunch.  For wonderful talented sisters and being reminded of my value as not only a Relief Society Sister, but also as a Daughter of God, Thank You.

*  Surprise phone calls from an 'old' treasured friend.  What a surprise when my special friend Jan Skousen called me on the phone this week.  We met our dear friends Jan and Jeff Skousen over twenty years ago when we were newleyweds in Mesa, Arizona.  Have you ever met someone and just knew you've known them before?  Well, that's how I feel about Jan.  It took us 20 years to connect again on earth and I'm so grateful we did.  She is definately a life-long friend!  I have been thinking so much about her lately.  She is the mother of twin baby girls, Annaliese and Mattia.  They turned 1 in March.  It is so much fun to catch up and express the concerns, challenges and joys of our hearts with each other. For Special Friends, Thank You.

*  Five Showings on our home.  After a long dry spell, the home buyers are finally out and about.  What a joy it is to actually keep my home clean for someone to see other than us!  The comments on our home are great.  Keep your fingers crossed for a quick sell!  We are excited to be together in Pennsylvania!  For the Abundance of Showings on our Home This Week, Thank You.

* Talents.  I would have never believed as a kid that I would ever be thankful for the many dollars spent by my parents on piano lessons in my behalf.  As an adult I am forever grateful for this gift that allows me the ability to serve others.  I volunteer to play the piano at Florence Elementary for Mrs. Knagg the music and choir director.  The children preformed their Spring Concert last Friday and again this coming Monday.  They are singing numbers from The Sound of Music.  How fun it is to hear the sweet voices of chidren!  For the Gift of Sharing my Talent With Others, Thank You.

* Visiting Teachers.  Visiting teachers?  And it's only April 11th?  Yes.  And they actually came on the 7th!!  I have the best visiting teachers ever.  Krista and Karma have been my visiting teachers for well over a year now.  I truly look forward to their phone calls and visits.  We love catching up on each other's lives.  But I love our amazing gospel centered conversations the most.  What a blessing it is to me to be able to learn and grow from such amazing, wise women.  They have shared some tender moments with me over the past six months.  They have definatey been on the Lord's errand.  I know I am in their prayers.  I know they love me.  And I truly love them.  For Special Visiting Teachers, Thank You.

Oh, To Be Young Again...

Tonight is the Multi-Stake Priest and Laurel Prom.  It is being held in Arlington, Texas. We had a grand time picking out a dress, curling those golden locks and putting fancy makeup on.  I'm sure she'll have a fantastic time!

Mikenzie's smile lights up the room!

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.     -- Author Unknown

Spring...

Here is my first Yellow Rose of Texas

from my rose bush this spring. 

"We all have a divine mission on earth.  Let that mission be to inspire love and embrace the light within.  Let that mission be to have peace in our hearts as we create heaven on earth.  Let that mission be to seek empowerment through transformation and to breathe joy into everything we do.  If we allow these things to be our mission the golden light of the sun will shine on our souls and change our world forever."        ...Michael Teal