Last Week

Justin sent us an email telling us about

a sweet moment with Eliza and Annie. 

He said:

"On Sunday morning Eliza was reading to Annie in her cute big sister/little mom tone of voice. At some point Eliza said, “Did you know that mommy’s sisters are angels?"

I have a visual snapshot in my mind of Eliza reading to Annie because I have seen her do it many times.  When she reads a story she uses much emotion and animation and puts emphasis in just the right places.

(I think Eliza is a beautiful angel herself in this picture)

Thank you for sharing that story, Justin, and thank you, Eliza, for remembering our two daughters in Heaven.   Just thinking about those daughters makes me want to be a better person.  I know that at this point in time they are much wiser than I am.   Sometimes I wonder how life would be different had they lived, and there's no doubt it would have been.  But then, we wouldn't have had the blessings of adopting Natalie, so I think there is a plan and that it works the way it should.   Annalee would be celebrating her 31st birthday on the Friday (Feb 26).   

Who knows, maybe we'll have a grandaughter born on that day.  Or maybe a little boy? Or maybe Misty doesn't want to wait that long?   Due date is one week from tomorrow, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

How

cute (and delicious) is this?

We had been home from St. George

for just a few minutes tonight when the doorbell rang. 

There at the door were two of my favorite people,

Martha and her daughter, Caroline.

They were bringing us this beautiful cake.

Caroline had made and decorated this cake. 

It looked like it had been done professionally. 

It tasted like it had been made professionally.

Only better.  

What enters my mind (besides how much I appreciate it)

is the thought of how generosity begets generosity.

Caroline had learned to decorate cakes at Activity Days.

Her leaders had very generously made each of the girls cakes

and then taught them how to decorate them.

Caroline and Martha had passed that generosity on

by making and giving us this beautiful cake.

Because I don't have a closet as big as the one 

in the Parade of Homes,

I had been forced to clean out my closet.

I had shared some of my (too many) clothes with Martha.

I wanted to share with Martha, because I appreciate her so much.

She has been very influential in Natalie's life.

She was her singing teacher for many years.

She not only helped her vocally,

but has always built her up

and given her encouragement and support.

When Natalie auditioned for

(and got the part of the witch in "Into the Woods,")

Martha practised with her and accompanied her at the tryout.

Just thinking about the difference she has made in

Natalie's life brings tears to my eyes.

Just last week, Martha called to tell Natalie

that she should audition for a play at the Scera Theatre.

 She's getting together with Natalie 

to help her practice a song to audition with.

Now, I feel so much gratitude for the cake and the support,

that I want to give back (or forward).

Yup.

Generosity begets Generosity.

If

I had this kitchen

would there be enough counter space

to 10 times my cupcake recipes?

Would my clothes fit in this little closet?

I'm not sure about either of those questions.

I guess I'll save my 3.5 million dollars.

As a side note, the contractor of this house in the Parade of Homes

is a former coaching associate of Gary's.  

He told Gary he quit teaching in '03 and couldn't be happier.

Gary thinks he could probably get a 5% discount,
if anyone is interested.

On second thought,

maybe we should reconsider.

  I can never pass up a sale.

You

have to live with yourself, and so.

You have to be fit for yourself to know.

You need to be able as days go by,

always to look yourself straight in the eye.

Or it goes something like that.

I'll have to look it up when my internet access is more reliable.

That poem has been going in my mind all morning.

I remember it (somewhat) from 5th or 6th grade when we had to memorize it.

  We're in St. George, and last night on the way down we listened to "Standing for Something," on CD.  The book was written by President Hinckley.  I'm not sure if I've read it before, but it is very thought provoking.    He points out 10 virtues that are important, but that are missing in our modern culture.  I'll have to list those once we're done listening to the CD.

So, I guess thinking about the book on CD has triggered that poem in my mind.  It is interesting that I really seldom look myself in the eye.  I will look in the mirror as I put on my makeup, do my hair, or see how my clothes look.  But to really look myself in the eye, is not something I do often.  I don't know if that is deliberate (afraid of what I'll see?) or a result of just not thinking about it.  

Anyway, that sounds like a good exercise to do each day.

In our relationships class, the point has been brought out that if we look closely in the mirror, that it will turn into a window where we can not only see and love ourselves more clearly, but also see and love others more truly.

So, that is something to practice I guess. 

Looking ourselves straight in the eye.

Getting

Excited to have a new grandchild soon.

(Due date is March 2)

Misty posted a picture of herself on her blog

so I could see how big and uncomfortable

she was at 37 weeks. 

She does look very pregnant,

and she does look like she must be very uncomfortable,

but she also looks very radiant and beautiful.

(I hope she doesn't sue me for copyright infringement.

I copied and pasted this from her blog)

And just so she can't be too upset with

me posting the picture,

I'll also show this one of me

when I was pregnant with her.

(August 1975)

Oh my, that was a long time ago.

We're all rather hoping for a girl.

She has 3 boys and 1 girl already.

If she has a girl, they are going to name her

Charlotte Rose.

Charlotte after my mom

(though mom's name was spelled "Charlet.")

Rose was Dan's grandmother's name.

But if it's a boy, we'll be equally happy.

We know they do both kind really well.

I've finished the quilt, nursing covers, and carseat cover.

I haven't finished the MuMu to replace

the old one of Mom's that Misty inherited.

Misty has worn that one until it's falling apart at the seams.

So give me a few days to finish the MuMu, Misty.

Then I give you permission to have

our new grandchild.

(yeah, like she needs my permission?)

After

Gary's debut as an infomercial participant, we went to dinner with Gary's sister, Margie, along with husband, Lance, and son, Michael.

We always enjoy spending time with them

and don't get to see them very often.

Today we will go to church with them and have dinner at their home after.  We'll be able to see most of their 10 children and their families then.   Margie and Lance have 32 grandchildren.  I can't even imagine having that many grandchildren!  (I guess I won't have to imagine it, unless each of our daughters have 10.5 children.)

After dinner we drove over to see my niece, Jennie, and her husband Ryan and their two children, Brooke and Cole. 

They are such a cute family, and they recently moved into a nice new home.  Brooke made some brownies, and she and Cole were excellent hosts as they served us the delicious brownies and ice cream.  We were so happy to see them.

We're having a busy and fun time,

and way too much food!

P.S.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Easy

Money.

Here are Gary and I making some easy money yesterday.

Sitting in the airport. 

We opted to get bumped off an overbooked flight. 

We got to Phoenix a few hours later than orignally planned

(after a brief detour to Reno),

but we're $775 dollars richer in travel vouchers. 

Pretty sweet.

That is in addition to the all-expense paid 

weekend get-away so Gary can do his little

testimonial for an infomercial.

Can you imagine a more likely candidate
for an infomercial than Gary?

For anyone who doesn't know Gary well,

I'll tell you that he is an infomercial junkie.

Not that he purposely stays up late to watch them.

Just that while he is up late working on his computer,

he's been known to order some very interesting products

that were just too good to be passed up.

Gary was told to bring 4 or 5 different outfits
to the filming so they could decide what would look the best.

Here he is when he left the first time.

Here he is back in the room to
change into the shirt they liked best.

If you can't tell, he also has makeup on.

I would certainly buy

from this good-looking man.

Even if he was selling snake oil.

Wouldn't you?