VISITING MOM

Labor day always brings the celebration of my mom's birthday.  This year she turned 84.  We spent last weekend in Salt Lake.  

About a month ago I checked the RSL Soccer schedule and realized they had a home game on September 4.  We went!  It was a fun game and the boys loved being there. I wrote the play by play to Isaac just like I always do for the boys games.  Earlier in the morning Rakai, Ammon, Karamea and I strolled the Farmers Market.  I love that place!  Fresh produce, fun merchandise and hanging out with my kids.  It's just so great!

But the real reason we were there was for Sunday and to celebrate mom/grandma.  Moana was up from Arizona so she and I prepared a delicious dinner.  Mark and Garry and their families came and we enjoyed spending time together in Mom and Dad's backyard.  Good thing Asa mowed the lawn the on Saturday.  Before everyone arrived Grandma came out back to watch the boys play on the swings and do flips off the mini tramp.  The weather was beautiful.  

We drove back on Monday and stopped at the One Man Band in Nephi for lunch.  It was a wonderful weekend of family and fun.

CLEANING CLEAN

In the stress and busyness of last week I failed to post the one serene event that made me pause mid-week.  Wednesday December 23, 9:45pm (yes that's almost my bedtime) I reported to the St. George Temple to ENJOY 2 hours of cleaning clean.  This is also the day to celebrate the life of Joseph Smith.  As Hamilton continually reminded me, it was his 204th birthday.  Happy Birthday Joseph.

I arrived at the temple in regular temple going clothes and was immediately given white scrubs to change into.  After changing we met in the chapel for a prayer and thought before going on to our assignment.  I was assigned to the baptistry.  It was quiet and peaceful and there were times I would visualize the fact that I was cleaning the House of the Lord.  Incredible, to say the least.

This will be a peaceful experience and cherished memory.  Then Christmas happened 2 days later.   

BENJA'S FOR MY BIRTHDAY

My mind has been a swirl of emotion for the last week. Getting Isaac ready then sending him off...I took four days off work and today - on my birthday - I had to catch up.

Today was a good day, a busy day, but still a good day.

I love everyone!

MATERNITY MEMORIES

March 11, 1984 - After twenty three hours of labor Rakai was born. My first born son. Even after that I kept having babies.

Twelve years later, Asa decided he was done in the womb and wanted an early escape. Life or death he was gettin' out. And near death it was. He arrived by emergency c section, 6 weeks earlier than planned and one day before Rakai's birthday.

Rakai wasn't real happy about it cause he had a "ditch-school-for-a-ski-day" planned with his dad. Needless to say, the happy birthday ski trip was postponed.

Click here to view the birthday celebration slide show.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!