Monster Hail

Last night, here in north Texas, a quick storm passed through leaving us with a few reminders of it's visit. Luckily, for us, it's just a shattered sky light. Here's a few pictures of the biggest hail I've ever seen! It actually sounded like rocks were dropping from the sky. They were. Just big large frozen ones.

Crazy!

So THIS is what golf ball sized hail looks like!
(And why you should ALWAYS park in the garage!)

Not the best picture. The large hail was everywhere!

Florence Choir Sings Disney

The all volunteer choir at Florence Elementary put on their final performance of the year last night. It was a night of Florence Sings Disney.

It's always such a treat to watch one of your own kids perform. It doesn't matter if they are the lead in 'Cinderella' or a simple flag carrier during 'It's a Small World'. The joy you feel inside is still the same. Kellie sang her heart out to 'Colour of the Wind', 'Supercalifrajalistics...', 'Hakuna Matata', 'Under the Sea' and a few more.

The voices of children are naturally sweet and even just a little sweeter when one of them is your own.

My sweet Kellie.

The best flag carrier, ever!!
It's a Small World.

The flag carriers carried their flags up and down the aisles. (Isn't it fun to be the star of the show, even for a minute?)

The Florence Falcon Choir

"Hakuna Matata" It's a wonderful day!!

Kellie and her friend, Joanna, who is in the Florence Chime Choir as well.

Grateful Sundays

"Gratitude creates the most wonderful feeling. It can resolve disputes. It can strengthen friendships. And it makes us better men and women."-- Gordon B. Hinckley

Here are a few things I'm grateful for this week.

* Frequent Flier Miles. My Handsome Husband spends much of his time traveling around the globe doing business. This week I am the lucky recipient of some of his frequent flier miles that enabled me to 'jet' down to Houston this week and spend time with my dear friend, Jan, and her sweet baby twin girls. To American Airlines, and the opportunity to 'cash-in' some frequent flier miles, Thank You.

* Friends. True friends are ones where distance of time and space doesn't matter. I am so lucky to have such friends. Being with Jan this week was so wonderful. For the blessing of friends, both near and far, Thank You!

* A Cold Snap. I know. Nobody likes the cold in Texas. But this week it was a welcome surprise that enabled my life to be simplified. If the weather had been warm, my Handsome Husband and The Best Boy in the World would have been on an overnight camp out (which they would have loved) but I would have had to totally figure out the carpool thing with Kellie's soccer game, and a few other obligations. Thanks to the cold weather, the overnight camp out and the soccer game were canceled. So, a morning that looked like a logistical nightmare was somehow now very manageable. For the unexpected cold snap, Thank You.

* Primary Teachers. Today, my presidency facilitated a Teacher In-Service in a ward in our stake. We shared with these wonderful teachers the blessing of the calling which is theirs as Primary teachers, the importance of their stewardship, a variety of teaching methods to use in their lessons and also how to prepare spiritually for their their lessons each week. The Spirit was strong as we testified to them of the importance of their calling. President David O. McKay has said, "No greater responsibility can rest upon any man or woman than to be a teacher of God's children." For caring, loving Primary teachers who love the children of the church, Thank You.

* Beautiful Music. Today, in sacrament meeting, the choir sang a beautiful arrangement of "God So Loved the World". It was absolutely lovely. Then, a sweet sister from a neighboring ward, played an unbelievable arrangement of 'I Know That My Redeemer Lives' on her violin accompanied by my sweet friend, Angi. The Spirit was so strong as each movement of her bow testified of the Savior and his love for each of us. For beautiful music that literally puts a lump in my throat, Thank You.

God Could Not Be Everywhere, So He Created Mothers

In the Bible Dictionary under miracle it reads, "Miracles were and are a response to faith, and its best encouragement. They were never wrought without prayer, felt need and faith." So it is with my dear friend, Jan's miracle. Not once, did Jan ever lose faith that one day her arms would hold her own sweet children who would someday call her, 'mama'. Her story truly is about faith and the miracles that follow.

Meet Annaliese Gayle and Mittia Sue Skousen. My sweet friend Jan and her 'Handsome Husband', Jeff, have eagerly awaited these sweet girls arrival for nearly twenty years. And on March 12, 2009, they finally arrived. It was my pleasure to take a quick trip to Houston and spend a couple of days with Jan and these babies before she takes them home to Arizona for a lifetime of love.

What a special treat to undeniably feel close to heaven these past few days as we held these two precious spirits, listened to their whisper breaths and watched with amazing awe the perfectness of each tiny finger and toe. To my special friend, Jan. Thank you. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for letting me peek into heaven this week with you. You are amazing...and I love you.

Mattia and Annaliese

Oh, to be the mother of a newborn again.

Double the Joy!

I wanted to take them home. (Almost!)

I wish you could all meet my sweet friend, Jan.

You would adore her!

And you would be her friend for life!!

Spring Break - New York City Style

What could be more fun than Spring Break in New York City? How about Spring Break in New York City with a bunch of silly Middle-Schoolers? Sydnie and I spend four jam-packed, fun-filled days in the Big Apple with 77 others middle-schoolers and some of their parents. We had a fantastic time!

For me, life is all about making memories. Hopefully, someday, my kids will look back and remember all of the special times we spent together. Spring Break in New York City will be one I hope Sydnie will remember forever. It's not every day you turn into a real-live teenager, on Saint Patrick's Day, in New York City!! Happy Birthday, Little Leprachan Girl!

Me and Sydnie with our friends and roomates, Jana and Andrea.

The Little Leprachans eagerly awaiting our showing of 'WICKED'

Enjoying a chance to sit down at Trinity Church across from Ground Zero.

Inside Trinity Church are numerous memorials of 9-11. This picture was one that imediately caught my eye. This brave, young firefighter lost his life on 9-11 rescuing his fellow New Yorkers from the Twin Towers. To me, this picture represents the all that is great about America. Our willingness to help our neighbors, our youth, our courage and our willingness to die for what we hold dear.

Inside Trinity Church, across from Ground Zero. Interestingly, this church was built in the 1700s and is one of the few buildings still standing from this era. This was one of the most moving places we toured.

A 9-11 memorial inside Trinity church.

A view of Trinity Church from Ground Zero. Over 3,000 firefighters and police were fed and sheltered here during the months following 9-11.

Inside the main building at Ellis Island. I am so grateful for my ancestors who made their way to this freedom-loving country so that I might have the opportunity for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness here in America.

The New York Stock Exchange.

Don't ask. Suppossedly, this picture will bring us good financial luck! Cross your fingers!!

One of some cool statues on the small island where we visited the Statue of Liberty.

A beautiful spring day with my Little Leprechan Birthday Girl.

Sydnie at the Statue of Liberty.

What a welcome sight by so many of the people who came here to make our country great.
After the American flag, the Statue of Liberty is the next most recognized symbol of freedom in the world.

Our tour guide, Angie.

You might recognize her from her days as an Apprentice with Donald Trump's, Street Smarts vs. Book Smarts. Angie was so funny, friendly and SO New York!!

(She could be Sarah Bahr's twin!!)

Sydnie and Andrea.

"Luck o'the Irish to Ya Birthday Girl!"

I love this girl!!

No where on earth like Time Square in New York, City!!

If you ask Sydnie, the highlight of the trip for her was 'scoring' a Channel purse behind one of the 'moving walls' in China Town.

Do you recognize it? The diner where Jerry, George and Elaine hang out.

What about this famour fountain? Does "FRIENDS" ring a bell?

Strawberry Fields in Central Park.

Close your eyes. You can almost hear John Lennon sing.

Jana and I waiting for dinner outside Mars 2112 in Times Square.

The weather was beautiful!

Last stop before heading home, Grand Central Station. Beautiful.

What a fantastic time we had in one of the most amazing cities in the world! But truly, there is No Place Like Home. After a long nap on the plane, it was good to be home, Deep In the Heart of Texas!!!

Oh, To Be Nine Again...

Wouldn't it be fun to be nine again? Your biggest worry is if you should ride your bicycle or your scooter to your friends house? Or who is cuter, Zach or Cody? At nine, you're still little enough to play with your American Girl Doll, yet old enough to take care of her and dress her in the most trendy outfits. Nine-year olds still want to play games, still want to lick the bowl when your famous chocolate chip cookies are made and most importantly, they still like to cuddle. I'm so glad today is my nine-year old's birthday! She is the Light of My Life!

"What kind of cake do you want, Kellie?"

"ICE CREAM CAKE!!"

We all know, with birthdays, it's ALL about the presents!

Nine, glorious, nine!

This should keep her busy.

Now she can watch her favorite videos wherever she wants!!

My Birthday Girl receiving long-distance birthday wishes.

Nanny and The Birthday Girl!!

Grateful Sundays

"Gratefulness and simple living go hand in hand. When we are grateful, we appreciate life’s free gifts: friendship and solitude; movement and rest; Nature’s bounty and her spare winter introversion; our own alternating sonata movements of joy, sorrow, and joy’s resurgence. Through this appreciation, we find contentment." - Anonymous

Just a few things I'm grateful for this week.

* Cool, Gray Days. What is it about the low gray sky shedding its tears upon the face of all the land that makes us slow down, step back and focus inward on what matters most? This week, we thankfully received an abundance of rain. Looking out the windows, life just seemed to move a little slower and all of the many errands I thought I needed to run, suddenly didn't seem so important. I found myself putting on a favorite CD, peeling potatoes for a delicious homemade soup and grinding wheat for some delicious homemade bread for my family to enjoy later in the day. There is something so innately satisfying in finding joy in the most simplest of tasks. Cool, gray day, for reminding me that what matters most is always found at home, Thank You.

* A Priceless Gift. Nearly 20 years ago, my life's path crossed with Jan Marie Skousen. She and her husband Jeff, and some other friends, Dave and Michelle Pack, and my Handsome Husband and I found ourselves all newleyweds together in Mesa, Arizona. We became the best of friends. Traveling together, spending weekends together, and just basically becoming each other's family and support system. Michelle and I became mothers for the first time a year apart, while having a baby seemed to always elude Jan and Jeff. Nevertheless, 'Aunt Jan' was the BEST 'Aunt' we could have asked for. Years went by. Moves were made. Precious children continued to come to Michelle and I.

A true Texan by birth, Jan genuinely loves people, children in particular. I have learned more about unconditional love and service from her than possibly anyone else in my life. Jan would literally give you the shirt off her back, the last can in her cupboard or the final nickel in her wallet if you needed it. And you wouldn't even need to ask, she would just GIVE it. On Tuesday, my dear friend Jan became a mother for the first time. Not just to one baby, but to twin baby girls, Annaliese and Mattia. This was a gift priceless gift given to them by the way of an incredible woman; a special friend; a miracle; a surrogate; ...Susan. Susan has given Jan and Jeff the most priceless gift of all, the gift of an Eternal Family. The anticipation over these two little girls has been over 20 years in the making and Tuesday the wait was finally over. To Susan, the giver of the most priceless gift ever given, Thank You.

* The Healing Process. Last week, Dad had another eye surgery to reattach the retina in his left eye. Thankfully, my dad has the best care he could ever want or need from the specialists at the University of Utah Medical Center. After another 90 minute surgery, his prognosis is favorable. We are still praying for a full and complete recovery but we are extremely grateful that he has kept the sight in his remaining eye. We have all learned so much through this trial. Service. Patience. Gratefulness. Love. And above all, Faith. For the many lesson we have learned and continue to learn, Thank You.

* Birthdays. Today is Kellie's 9th birthday. Kellie is our baby and affectionately know in our house as 'Littlelicious'. She brings a smile to our face and laughter to our lives. Birthdays remind me that we all deserve to feel special; that every day and year are precious; that life goes by way too quickly; that you're only little once; and that it's always okay to eat cake and ice cream on your birthday. For all of the joy you've brought to us Birthday Girl, Thank You!

My Beautiful Girl

A daughter is...

the happy memories of the past,

the joyful moments of the present,

and the hope and promise of the future.

- Anonymous

Last night was the Priest & Laurel Prom for youth from all over the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. No dates, just plain fun with people you know and the hope of meeting many others who share like values. My Mikenzie was so excited to go and had been counting down the days for weeks.

Half the fun of any big event is the anticipation and actually getting ready. It was fun helping Mikenzie get ready for this exciting night. These days are passing far too quickly. I know I will look back on these times with fondness and wish I could have my 'little girl' sitting in my bathroom again, helping her with her makeup, curling her blonde hair, and talking about silly things that only mothers and daughters talk about.

Mikenzie looked beautiful from her curly blonde hair (which is naturally bone straight) to her lovely rose-colored dress to her strappy silver sandals. She had a fabulous time in true formal 'Texas' fashion. The food was delicious Texan barbeque and the band played everything from country to pop. There was even an mechanical bull for those who were brave enough to try. She got home in the wee hours of the morning, barefoot, with strappy sandals in hand and a big smile on her face. I'm so glad she had a wonderful time!!

Mikenzie? She's as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside!

The Perfect Meal on a Rainy Day

It's a cold, rainy day here in North Texas. The drizzly rain makes me want to hibernate in the warmth of my home. What could be better on a gray, rainy day than a simmering pot of Homemade Baked Potato Soup and the taste of soft, warm, fresh-baked Whole Wheat Bread? Nothing.

Six loaves. Enough to eat and share with friends.

Creamy Baked Potato Soup.

Smooth, Silky and Delicious.

Oh, my goodness. If you could only smell it!

Pure satisfaction.

The perfect after-school snack!

(Personally, I like mine with honey.)

Nothing says comfort like a meal of Homemade Baked Potato Soup and Fresh Baked Whole Wheat Bread.