Rowley: Reflects ,Reveals and Refines

OH Baby

2012-01-11T14:50:00.000-08:00

23 years ago I brought two of the most fragile little spirits into the world. It was a euphoric day for me. I arrived at the hospital to far into the process to have any painkiller but honestly I don't remember it being crazy pain just crazy. I was in no way prepared for what was to come. We had no cribs diapers nothing, and that was to be the least of my worries! Now we have tripped, danced, jogged down the roads of life and well I still seem to think your fragile regardless of how much you can bench press

Dec 12 I took another journey in the world of parenting I accompanied Becca to the labor room . At first it was all thrilling and exhilarating as we hoped for a quick return on the investment. The time drew slowly on and I watched as laboring really began. I hope I had a brave face on as I would often say"This is all normal ." It didnt feel normal it was frightening and vulnerable and I wanted to be there for her but not prepared to witness her pain. That is true for all of the years of mothering . However the last month has been a very concentrated dose of reality.

I thought we walked right to the edge of survival with Becca's life and certainly with Romans. No food for 48 hours no sleep for 72 nothing left to give battered bruised and broken the fight had to continue. Its as if God wants you to taste many life lessons right there at the pinnacle creation of your relationship with a child. This will be exhausting , you will have to give way beyond you believe you are capeable, your sacrifice is critical to the healthy life of this child, and I will not desert you we will do it together.

I saw the transformation the selfless love of my daughters that week. Kate would not leave Becca's side she stayed every night why I went home to rest. She served in every way she could think of . Becca was in so much pain and insisted that she feed her baby. I took her ina wheel chair to the NICU to meet her baby. It was so tender. I dont really have the artfull ability to capture the magic of the connectivity that happens when a mother meets her child. All mothers know well what I mean because the power of the moment is easily revisited

Babys are a short term treat you get out of the deal that is if you like the smell of powdery little heads and skin warm and tender resting on your chest. I was taught at the hands of the baby lover so I to love tiny people. Kate referred to me as Golum and Roman is my precious . I was kind of hovering over him like he was the last wonderful wriggling fish. He is my stinky face.

I know that this job of parenting is transforming for the parent but it is straight up forming for a child . A precious little blank slate waiting for you to imprint their personal value and trust in the world

I know you can be wonderful at this girls, because you are loving and gentle. Thier are many people of all ages who still need someone to imprint on them that they are valueable and safe. Im so pleased to be your mother today because I see that you have chosen to love wholey fearlessly. You know their is pain for sure with that choice and you do it anyway.

Happy Birthday Katie Happy Birthday Becca

I love you Mom

Thanksgiving fun 2011

2011-12-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

Over the point of the mountain and through the road construction to Grandma's house we go.

I thought this was a particularly good year kids are growning and entertaining themselves , mothers got to sit , sing, and spell. Ginger brought thoughtful gifts from her storage closet. I got cinnamon toothpaste. We had a delicious dinner and for the first time in Idahoan history we ran out of mashed potatoes. However we did not run out of characters and delightful moments. I had a great time.

Dateing Again

2011-10-17T02:19:00.000-07:00

For labor day Shawn and I went to the last outdoor performance at the Scera Schell. We saw what is known as the bestcover band for the Beattles the group was called 1964. Bec and Gabby came along and the night was delightful. The music was all the happy good stuff and Gabby is a Beattles music afficionado so she knew every word. We sang along and held hands under a blanket of stars. It was really a fun change from the dinner and a movie date. And so my wild hare grew from there.

Friday Sept 9 as soon as Gabby got home from school we loaded up our binoculars and blankets and headed for Usana Ampitheatre.I didnt have tickets but felt confident we could by some right at the venue so off we went to see Rascal Flatts and Sara Evans. We were stuck in a traffic jam for the better part of 2 hours but no matter Gabby and I talked and laughed at her elementary pranks. Most I had never heard or had "the rest of the story". Gooey black top on the school windows equals mean janitor apparently. Gab bought most of her own ticket and I upgraded us to real seats not a lawn lover. I had an absolute ball singing and dancing with the noodle and we were in awe of the great performance. My favorite part was Gabby referring to the Lead singer as Rascall Flatts apparently she thinks the band was named after him, sorry Gary. I thought it was so magical that the train kept on rolling.

Sept 13 I tell Tay he has a date with me and itsa surprise. I take him to Olive Garden where he has his beloved soup and a bowl of mussels. The conversation was great. Then we met Amy and Scott for our final destination. Un known to me there seems to be some dislike for soccer in the boys line of thinking due to Lacrosse being a real mans sport so he wasnt so thrilled to see a REAL Soccer game but we managed to find many things to laugh about and notice. Like the number of fowls that seem to be called for what appears to be feined injurys. We also laughed about Tays drunk pants since they wore a womans full cup of beer. The crowd was so enthused they were the funnest part listening to the chanting and drums. After the show one of my favorite bands played One Republic. I liked them even more after watching them perform. What rock bands use a cello or a bass. I had a great time .

Sept 22 I loaded Kate up in the car for her date. She had no idea what we were doing but she was excited for an adventure. We had dinner together at trhe Cheese Cake Factory itwas delicious and then I drove to Salt Lake and she began guessing. Not even close. We had to arrive at the Energy Solution Arena Marque for her to see what we were doing. She was like a little kid. Ringling Brother Circus!! It was A MAZING. Beautiful tigers, elephants, high wire acts on a bicycle, jugglers, strong men, the human cannon ball it was all there. It was enthralling and she was so child like and appreciative. Loved every minute of it.

Oct 1 Bec and I headed up the canyon we rode the chair lift at Sundance. I thought it would be soothing for her. It was tranquil and beautiful and we just swung our legs and relaxed. Then I took her to have coconut shrimp one of her favorites. I think it was very pampering for both of us. We looked at Old Navy clothes and little kids halloween costumes. Bec got osme new boots and we headed home happy and filled.

While that was a very indulgent month for me it was exactly what I wanted to do have some time together with each of my children reaffirming to me what great spirits they have and how wonderful it is to have them in my life. Last week I went for a ride with Shawn around the Alpine loop and we talked about planning some more of those meaningful memory maker dates for us.

Leftovers in their less visible form are called memories. Stored in the refrigerator of the mind and the cupboard of the heart. ~Thomas Fuller

Camp Pine Dell Aug 10-13, 2011

2011-09-30T04:07:00.000-07:00

Its been 7 weeks since the actual family reunion but I opened a file of pictures this morning and I was right back there in my happy place. What a great 4 days we had together. I caravaned with Amy and Scott who rescued us from our cramped quarters taking on Gabby and coolers. Mom and dad joined our brigade as we headed into Idaho. We stopped at most of the known truck stops to man and a few other little places along the way including Costco. There was not one square inch of space left in any car that did not have hot dog buns or a watermellon in it.

The drive through Twin Falls was tapping 30 year old memories . Then we arrived at our destination and the delights began. For me the hilights are often the same with a fresh varnishing of sillyness , love and laughter. So here again are my favorites.

The kids playing unabashedly shamelessly covered in dirt, gogurt, toilet water, soot and marshmellow. If you can wear out a dirt hill sliding down it or a trail to a cabin for another private club party then it was done. I love that Zander delights in being a bouncer( do you have a ticket), Ethan a camp fire choir director with an English accent ( I got some in my caaaw),Bailey a tye dye expert( 4 pair of socks), Chloe the next generations late night game leader, Olivia the fastest thighs to ever sport a pair of Tina Turner leg warmers( you rocked it) .I loved that Ike, Ken, Kate, Bec, Tay all hiked together, that GJ and Tay disappear for and afternoon to share and catch up. That we sit together as friends for hours playing cards, singing disney songs, and bid in a frenzy with one another for a home made pillow or a bag of gummy sharks. Im forever bonded to the Holyoaks via the tail of our night in the mouses house, (get out of our cheezits and dont poll vault onto Gabby!) I love that we can all sing Journey or Jason Maraz songs at a drop of a hat to bolster a talent that needs support. Mostly I love that we are pretty happy together being ourselves.

The Ragnar Conquest June 2011

2011-07-01T15:25:00.000-07:00

I paid my Ragnar hundred, as a birthday gift to myself. The next month I was in a car wreck. It's been a long year for my back. In May I asked Kate if she would take my spot, and do the run to represent the Rowley Clan. Ginger and Scott said I could ride along as the cheerleader for the first 6 stretches. Kates first run would be her hardest. I wanted to see her through it. Kates a gym rat she lifts and pulls things and does some cardi ,but she wouldnt call herself a runner.

Thursday night we gathered and drove to Logan for the night of restlessness prior to the race. At 4:30 I heard Jen from her air mattress say out loud "I might as well get up I havent slept anyway." Then Kate chimed in and I snorted . I was also laying there wide awake. Brit told skinny winny that she hogged all te bed?.... hard to believe. But alas we were up. The car was decorated. Energy was high or maybe that was nerves.

We were the loudest fan club at the starting line. This is where we seperated out the true runners. Back in the car Scott is pulling out packets of energy gel and electolite magic tablets for water. Lucky were those new to the sport who had gatorade and a bagel to sustain them. All were glad to have the Livingstons as their guide. Ging took off and made record time, she made it look like a cake walk. Brits temple hill runs paid off, as she cruised up the slopes .

Wendy was buff and ready, but she said her last mile felt like she was running backwards for 3 miles.

Jen kept on truckin threw the beautiful country side. It was gorgeous. It was a big victory for her and her knees. I was honored to rub her back after for a minute and cry with her about her big success.

Kate ran up hill for the better portion of what would end up being 8 miles. She was hacking and coughing but was determined to fight her way to the finish.

Scott descended the 11,000 feet that Kate climbed. He said you have to learn to be loose so you dont get hurt. It looked like alot of loose paid off.

I dont know what kind of physical effort it takes to ascend a peak at 14000 ft. I dont know how you run 4 miles on blistered feet. I have never exerted myself until I was physically sick.

I would have liked a glimpse into the minds of my" 12 Heros" listening as they talked themselves into pushing onward and finsihing thier journey. Even when they believed their was nothing left to give they kept moving. Carrying beyond the break probably because someoene was waiting for them, counting on them, cheering them on. Waving the flag of their success. I'm pretty proud of the 12 of you for accomplishing this amazing race. I said alot of prayers as I knew each of you were running .

I loved Tristans constant updates. Kates stories are priceless. Spooning on the field. Mom as Aunt Molly is running Aunt Wendy is shaking me screaming thats my sister we couldnt believe how fast she was. Uncle Tristan just kept giving me great hugs he is so supportive of me . Mom Aunt Amy is just happy no matter whats going on. I have all new respect for McFrenzy mom she never complains she never stops. Wendy collapsed on me mom her feet were so bad. It just goes on and on....

So the day before the race Kate said that she didnt want to go she didnt think she could do it, she was'nt prepared. Today she is trying to figure out how to follow Aunt Emily to Nampa Valley for another run. Something must change you out there on the road.

By the Way you did it! I knew you could!!!! Way to kick it A style.

# 6 Disneyland Family Trip

2011-06-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

When the first 2 were known as Katie did and Becca boo we planned our first trip to see the wonderful world of Disney. They were six. No one is allowed to go until they are six , 42 inches high, can walk on their own, and dont need me to feed or change them. After all its a vacation.

Since my kids are all 3 years apart it has worked pretty well to go every 3rd year.

The things that were different this year were that we didnt go 10 days we went 6. We didnt go to SeaWorld , we rented a brand new Van, we got there in 9 hours not 12. The speed limit has changed over the years from 65 to 80, We went to 2 new beaches Laguna and NewPort. Shawn got a henna tatoo, the girls and I played the washboard and The things that were mangificantly the same. The weather 74 degrees with a perfect breeze, the smell of cinamon roll popcorn in the park, the sounds of the brass band, and disney music, dole whips, awesome parades, blooming flowers, and sun burned faces.

We loved the new Aladin show, the Little Mermaid ride, The World of Color and being front row for fantasmic. We didnt love star tours it made some of us qweezy. We walked down town disney and listened to classical quitar, a drummer , and a violinist that was amazing. A balloon artist made a sweet colby bryant hat for Bec and some other fancy head gear for all the kids. The souveniers were reflective of personalities.

Shawn- tiki bar tshirt and sun glasses

Terri- Tinker Bell shir

Kate- Derrick Rose jersey ( had to get that on the internet no wher to be found in Laker territory)

Bec- Lithograph of Peter Pan for the baby room

Taylor- A book about hidden mickeys in disneyland

Gabby- The Yoda backpack

It was great great fun. I wonder who will go in 2014???

Taylor Goes to Prom Graduates High School and Seminary

2011-05-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

Taylor and Joselin go to Prom May 14th. I talked him into shopping for a new outfit 4 hours before Prom. He is such a boy.

Taylor graduated from Seminary May 22 in our Stake Center. On May 24th he was gifted many dollars he desperately needed, a beautiful quilt grandma Carol made, a Lacrosse bear I tried to create, tickets to Lagoon, trafalga and Chevron for gas. We celebrated before the ceremony by going to Olive Garden so he could have mussels and soup. Grandma and Grandpa Rowley, Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, Aunt Joy and her new husband and of course all of our family was there to cheer him on and celebrate this great accomplishment. What a great week it has been for Taylor in the success department.

2011 Lacrosse Championship

2011-05-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Warriors Goal for the year make it to the Playoffs.They take West andNorthridge with big leads.Squeak by Lehi in the semi final . Warriors play regardless of the weather.

Prepare for the big showdown between Timpanogas and the Warriors. A rematch of last years playoff when they stole the game 7-6 in the final seconds. Decorated doors and big awards party get us geared up.
TTay has yertel with him inside the goal for every game this year. Often referee's stop to look at whats inside the goal and then shrug and laugh. Its his personal turtle mascott

Game Day Park City. The first sun of the season May 21??? We are painted in red war paint, waving flags and stomping on the bleachers as we chant defense..defense! Very Tough first quarter ends 4-1 Timp is all over us. The Half ends Timp still ahead at 6-3. It looks bleak. Taylor is a wreck. He called it the worst half he has played in years. His coach says you need a short memory Rowley forget about the last half and go play a new game.Then the magic happens. We tye up the game in the third quarter. Goalie Rowley and his mad defensive team keeps them edged out of the box as our offense continues to score. 4th quarter we score number 7 they score number 7 and then in a crazy last minute play Timp trys to score but Taylor stops the goal, and then he throws it as far down field as it can go. One man alone from our team is down there (Big Head) Jake Merrill catches the pass from 3/4 of a field away. Timp is running mad to catch him. He makes it to the goalie who sees him coming and steps out of th crease to stop him. Big head is nearly past the goal post and shoots it from behind his head over his shoulder and it sinks in the pocket. Score 8-7!! 9 seconds left turnover and Taylor again throws the ball as far down field as far as he can.... time up. Warriors in a crazy upset take the game. I miss the dog pile as the team runs for the goal tackling Taylor in wild celebration. I cant see with my glasses off covered in tears. What a great day!!!! And what is my son doing as they line up for the presentation of the trophy? Comforting Wilkie his friend in lacrosse and the opposing goalie.

Little country towns can have imprompto parades and so they did. 3 fire and 3 rescue trucks and 2 ambulance all blareing their sirens.

Life

2011-04-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

Dear family and friends;

It is important that we share with you some untimely but joyful news. Becca is expecting a baby. We have ruminated for some time as to how we would go about sharing such a sensitive and personal message. Becca cannot bare calling each of you to discuss this . We know there will be many feelings, insights and questions all very normal responses. In all honesty we are hoping you can work threw those thoughts and emotions and approach her with love and support. This choice comes with many consequences, some already very profound and painful, all are Rebecca's to carry. I expect she will move threw emotions and decisions continuously over the next several months and years.

Shawn and I are prepared to support her decision. She feels at present that she wants to raise her baby, even if that is a task she has to do without a loving partner. Becca had a sonogram recently and it appears that we are expecting a grandchild in December. That part is beautiful and exciting. There is nothing shameful or disappointing about a precious child. Becca is our precious child and we love her immensely. Please keep her in your prayers. We will keep you updated and now Shawn can post his true baby countdown on his facebook.

2011-04-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

Up at 5:30 to see his first patient and then off to BYU for ward council. Conduct church, share his testimony . Count tithing for a couple of hours. Have some dinner and a cinnamon roll or two with a candle in it. Watch Tarzan for movie night because Becca wants to. Walk the dogs. Walk with Taylor so he could talk. Give a child a blessing. Rubs my achey foot, plans to talk to a young man in need over breakfast at school in the morning. Study for a test and write a paper . Go to Sushi with Kate after school tomorrow.

This is how my husband spent his 46th Birthday. Doing or planning to do good. I love you Shawn . You are a luxury in my life.

Our Personal Savior

2011-04-07T08:08:00.000-07:00

A long while ago Kenz posted this wonderful talk. It was so moving to me I transfered it to a file. I feel impressed that I need to reshare its content. It beckons to the heart in need . So if you are the one this is meant for , please know Heavenly Father is very mindful of you.

"Well, my dear sisters [and brothers], the gospel is the good news that can free us from guilt. We know that Jesus experienced the totality of mortal existence in Gethsemane. It's our faith that he experienced everything- absolutely everything. Sometimes we don't think through the implications of that belief. We talk in great generalities about the sins of all humankind, about the suffering of the entire human family. But we don't experience pain in generalities. We experience it individually. That means he knows what it felt like when your mother died of cancer- how it was for your mother, how it still is for you. He knows what it felt like to lose the student body election. He knows that moment when the brakes locked and the car started to skid. He experienced the slave ship sailing from Ghana toward Virginia. He experienced the gas chambers at Dachau. He experienced Napalm in Vietnam. He knows about drug addiction and alcoholism.Let me go further. There is nothing you have experienced as a woman that he does not also know and recognize. On a profound level, he understands the hunger to hold your baby that sustains you through pregnancy. He understands both the physical pain of giving birth and the immense joy. He knows about PMS and cramps and menopause. He understands about rape and infertility and abortion. His last recorded words to his disciples were, "And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20) He understands your mother-pain when your five-year-old leaves for kindergarten, when a bully picks on your fifth-grader, when your daughter calls to say that the new baby has Down syndrome. He knows your mother-rage when a trusted babysitter sexually abuses your two-year-old, when someone gives your thirteen-year-old drugs, when someone seduces your seventeen-year-old. He knows the pain you live with when you come home to a quiet apartment where the only children are visitors, when you hear that your former husband and his new wife were sealed in the temple last week, when your fiftieth wedding anniversary rolls around and your husband has been dead for two years. He knows all that. He's been there. He's been lower than all that. He's not waiting for us to be perfect. Perfect people don't need a Savior. He came to save his people in their imperfections. He is the Lord of the living, and the living make mistakes. He's not embarrassed by us, angry at us, or shocked. He wants us in our brokenness, in our unhappiness, in our guilt and our grief.You know that people who live above a certain latitude and experience very long winter nights can become depressed and even suicidal, because something in our bodies requires whole spectrum light for a certain number of hours a day. Our spiritual requirement for light is just as desperate and as deep as our physical need for light. Jesus is the light of the world. We know that this world is a dark place sometimes, but we need not walk in darkness. The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, and the people who walk in darkness can have a bright companion. We need him, and He is ready to come to us, if we'll open the door and let him."(Chieko N. Okazaki, Lighten Up, Preface, p. 174)

Conference April 2011

2011-04-04T03:40:00.000-07:00

I love Conference every bit of the idea is perfect. Sleeping in, sweat pants, fleece blanket, the smell of warm muffins,heavenly choir voices, (Loved The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning). Talks about service and more service.The purpose of suffering and pain, Love more love. Its so good I just get full up with its testifying power and the spirit that whispers continually that it is true. Soup, Wendy's blondies the non brownie treat, dog asleep across my feet, orange juice, snowy blanket over everything outside, perfect for a day spent inside. Wake up, sit up, the prophet is speaking, more temples, more members, more welfare doing good everywhere.

Saturday morning we were there. Just like sitting on a green hillside right at the masters feet and they pass around the loaves and fishes. Exquisite opportunity to stand with my arm around my daughter and sing I know that My Redeemer Lives and feel his presence in my personal life. I hear her sweet voice singing a testament of truth that I know, she knows. Iclose my eyes the water squeezes from eyes down my cheecks. Just want to stay in the softness of the moment. Parenting class section 500 not so bad, fear not so consuming, life has more color after a weekend like this. When will my May Ensign be here?

Now it is Monday and Im dizzy from all the reminders of being more loved more deserving than I remembered, more needed, more responsible, more committed. But the snow is still here and I want to stay warm inside with the memory's . Time to do, time to dress , time to go, time to serve, time to follow the Prophet.

The Adventures of Kate and Gab

2011-04-01T06:04:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks Helga G and noodle have been out seeking new adventures. I doubt that my Helga (Kate) knows what this means to Gabrielle. She loves spending time with any of her siblings and especially when they are 7 years older it can be a real treat to be included. Even with the years they share a lot of the same adventureous qualities. So yesterday I got a laugh when the two of them came bustin in the door at dusk carrying fishing gear and their days catch. After about an hour of empty luck they asked a man at the reservoir what he was using to catch fish. He sent his sons on ahead and set with them for 20 minutes teaching them the tricks of weighting their line and the right bait. They came home with 4 fish and promptly went about cleaning and cookin up their mess of fish for dinner. Their was some bloof curdling screams when Kate touched the eye ball and Gabby started screaming cause kate was screaming,but other than that it went really well. I love that.

Car ee

2011-03-27T21:58:00.001-07:00

In March of 2001 I drove my first new car home. That was back when they looked like this:

In March of 2011 that same car turned over 220,000 miles. Last week I heard a noise that told me I needed to call Steve (mechanic) right away. I said Steve Im worried it sounds like she is making the death rattle. I left it and he never called back. 4 hours later I called him to ask what he found. He said I didnt want to call you its not good. And that was it Car ee was officially finished serving. Now maybe you shouldnt be attached to an inanimate object but Iam . This silly chestnut colored car has carried my family from the time Gabber was 5.

Being a very emotive person pardon me if I cry a little over the events of a decade I shared with a car.

If your going to live in a car as a chauffer you should like your car. I loved my car it came from the show room and in to my driveway.Idrove home listening to Diana Krawl and was certain everyone on the road was admiring my new ride. Every car before it was bought with over 100,000 milesa already in place. It was my incredible luxury van.

My children grew up in this car. One day I jumped out with her running and ran into the house to collect kids. Kate ran out and as she got in it started to roll backwards. She tried to stop it with her little self holding it back. The open door took out the fence as she went into the road. Luckily Kate was fine.

All my children learned to drive in this vehicle one of them drove Caree through the garage door and she was right as rain. I ran her into the tail light of another van, a motorcycle ran head on into the passenger door, and a ford focus tried to take of her bumper , but she prevailed scars in tact.

We have been to Boise Idaho, Sandiego and Anaheim California , Yellowstone Wyoming and all over Utah. If it was important she carried us to funerals, showers, triathelons, blessings , weddings baptisms and camps.

We enjoyed so many moments as a family together in that car. The VCR was on many trips playing Disney movies or Harry Potter. We made it 3 times to Disney land blareing Journeys "The Wheels in the sky" every time.

Saturday we struggled with buying a another van or SUV to fit us all, or an economical car that will carry me all over the county every day. I have a lump in my throat realizing that we are beyond driving little kids to practices, and lessons. 3 of my children have a car. So we bought the car a professional would drive to work. She isnt a peacock but she is awesome to me. After all she heats up! She has great gas mileage, and she has a 100,000 mile warranty. I do like the sun roof and the keyless start ( its a pretty big deal) So I introduce Mia. She is me az new kia. I know Im rediculous play along. I hope she is half as reliable and magical as my Car ee

Was It Positive Velcro or The Luck Of The Irish

2011-03-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

So I be wonderin in the wee part of the week if I bejenxed or I be up for havin a bonie good time. Apparently the good times be dancin a jig at me door.

Monday I picked Gab from school late so she could work on a sewing priject. When I got there she was with a friend and said she couldnt leave. Her friend looked very concerned and tearful. it turns out she had a missing sister andd they had been looking for sometime. I said noproblem and waited for 45 more minutes till they found her. I took this picture of noodle as she tried to climb the fence and look in un assuming places. They finally found her . I was so pleased that Gabby knew when it was time to go beyond the mark for someone.

Tuesday i went to my morning meetings and was approached by our Director Casey. He gave me tickets to the movies and a certificate for employee of the month. My supervisor had said these great things about me. It was so gratifying to have my work acknowledged.

Terri is saving DCFS hundreds of dollars a month!! She is working with one family and about 7-8 individual clients per week clinically. She is an amazing RFC.

Terri is available to her families on the weekends for emergencies. She truly cares for the foster families and foster children that she works with. She does extra things to help them with problems or issues that they are having (One foster child who struggles, she often takes for an ice cream cone so that he can have a few minutes just to talk with someone about how his day is going. He is 9 and likes the extra attention as there are two other foster children and four bio kids in his home. ) She has 26 level three homes that she works with to do what is best for the foster children in their homes. If it is best for a foster family to keep a child, she will meet with that family as often as needed (even daily!) to work on issues that will keep the child in the home. If there is an issue with a foster family, she will work head on with the family to confront the issue or to encourage them to make necessary changes as needed. She attends CFTM's and court hearings to support caseworkers, children and families. She is always willing to go the extra mile to help out. She is one worker who tells people that she loves her job!

Thanks Terri for being a valuable member of our Region!!

Wednesday I got pulled over leaving a meeting and the officer said he liked me and gave me a ticket for 5 not 20 over the speed limit now thats positive velcro doin over time.

Thursday I got up dyed the milk green and baked all day for the Relief Society dinner and the Lacrosse dinner. Then I spoke about sister Barbara Smith the General Relief Society President for 1974-1984 she was amazing. Taking on Phil Donahue, ERA, and bringing Relief Society to the world in a 3 hour block schedule. I had a friend approach me saying "I was freezing I had to go diggin threw the coat closet to find something to wear. I looked at her and said I have been looking for that sweater for 3 months. We both got a great laugh out of it. Sweater found!

Friday the Warriors won 2 of 2 games in their tournament.

Saturday I rode with Amy up to the baby shower. Felicia is so pretty her complexion is flawless and she is ready to hold her daughetr. Mom was gracious and we had lots of food and fun. Gabby made this bib for the baby. I got to see nieces and nephews and lots of family.

Saturday Taylor could have up to 4 more games. It was so cold and they were rippin around that field. Every game was an elimination and they just kept playing. I got thier after game 2 Taylor was stellar. They played several division 1 teams . Olympus took the title from us 3 to 1 in the last game but we were elated with what we saw from our kids. 8 of the 40 boys are in my ward. Its great to sit together and use our lacrosse voices. Taylor was given one of 4 most valueable player awards given out to over 18 teams. They gave him a new head for his stick. In fact the very head he has wanted even his cherished orange. We celebrated with soup and lots of breadsticks and of course mussels for Taylor at Olive Garden.

What a really really good week .

I Need Spring

2011-03-12T10:39:00.000-08:00

More than ever before Im so happy to see the Vitamin rich SUN. I have had the dreary blues and I can start to feel little twangings of a happier spirit. Taylor had his first game in Riverton it was so fun to sit on the grass and cheer them on. Im going to do the spring grass treatment today and I see the tulips are bursting through the earth. Thursday I get to die our milk green and make green jello cake and mint brownies for 45 hungry boys. Saturday next I get to celebrate the soon to be spring arrival of JP's and Felicia's little girl. I also bought my husband with the $500.00 he won his first real live brand new Ipod Touch he is so happy. Im half asleep and he jars me awake to look at footage of the tsunami and tidle waves in Japan. It will be Easter and conference weekend soon. And Aidy gets baptised in just a few weeks. Life will be wet, green musical and joyful........... Truth is I havent felt very pleasant and Ive noticed unpleasant is a magnet for more unpleasant so Im going to put on my positive velcro and test the theory. Maybe just thinking in pleasantries will create pleasantness.

Bull in a China Shop

2011-03-03T05:34:00.000-08:00

Before

After

Perhaps you have heard of Gabbys bucket list. She gets razzed about it by many its quite large. Once someone asked" Are you dying soon?" she responded "No Im living!" So when her friends took her to the free buck off at the rodio grounds she watched in amazement as young and old rode the bulls or bronks. Then she found out for a mere $15.00 anyone could try. And so it was on the list . We avoided the decision but said we would check it out. So on Monday I let her sign up. When her dad got there and watched he looked at me like I had put his precious china on the back of a snorting 1000 pound china crusher. We watched many a man dodge a bullet by not get stepped on or speared with a horn or even rolled over. Shawn said" I didnt bring my 45 I cant shoot that bull if it tries to hurt my daughter." He was a little sick watching. I told him with uncertain confidence that no one was gonna put a 15 year old girl in that much danger,(but I was nerveous). She walked over to get in the line up, the only girl to ride. They padded her up and out of the shoot she went. I counted 3 seconds start to finish that she was on that bull. But she throws her arms in the air like its a great triumph. I said "Noodle well how do you feel now?" she says"accomplished" Are you kidding me? Accomplished. I take another lesson from a child. I set the bar so high and so far out on the end design I forget about the journey. I want to take one piano lesson one water color class one day of dieting and end it with my arms in the air saying "accomplished!" So here goes This is my 100th blog....accomplished! What a gem of an experience. Gabrielle Geneva you are pure inspiration because your unafraid of persperation. Fear before a difficult situation is being timid, fear and flight during a difficutl situation is called cowardly and fear after a difficult situation is called courage. That was so courageous.

Of Prodigal Sons and Daughters

2011-02-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

So recently I have been heavy hearted with weighty matters. Usally I keep a pretty level perspective in regards to being responsible to people and not responsible for them. However when you share intimate life space it can be precarious. A week ago I had an honest and sensitive conversation on the heart pains of raising young adults . The struggles and choices of my children are more obvious thanks to the daily updates of the virtual world. It would be so much easier on me if thier struggles and imperfections were hidden from public view, but I also relish the fact that nothing is ever hidden in regards to my children. So the conversation danced a little on my heart as I spoke outloud about things that are personally painful. Can we do that? Can we speak of our own pain and inperfection without isolating and alienating ourselves. I think Im starting to understand why lepers kept themselves hidden. People naturally gravitate towards perfection. Symetrical faces are more beautiful. Symetrical lives easier on the eye also.

So Saturday night when I went to the UVU basketball game and caught in my vision the sight of one I loved dressed in something I didnt love, well I let it irritate me the entire game. Ive been working on my come to Jesus speech for when she shows up for Sunday family dinner.

Luckily I found my February Ensign and just happened to begin with the article titled" Parables of the Lost and Found" . Heavenly Father is constantly dropping seeds of greatness for us but not always is our soil fertile enough to receive them. Today the ground was tilled with the churning of my acheing and angry heart and the tears of my soul were ready to nourish the Fathers message .

I realized that there are three players in the parable of the Prodigal son. 1) a contrite and seeking sinner 2) a loving, vigilant, compassionate father and 3) a selfrighteous, judgemental son fearful of the inequity of treatment.

Who am I in the story?

How about all of them.I have wandered paths unbecoming a daughter of God and left my parents fearful of my future. I have held so many broken hearts physically and professionally. There is a saying "take your shoes of your about to walk on holy ground" That is the work I do every day with sorrowful hearts and in the walls of my home. Yet somedays . I really want to give a lecture show distain and intolerance. After all I raised you better and your actions are a reflection of me...right.

Wrong... Heaveny Father is the true keeper of our souls our very individual sorrowful misguided souls. He has no ill will as to when we come unto him only joy that we do so. So today I can embrace her at dinner enjoy her sweetness and leave the fairness to him. He reaches into the darkness and sees all pain he searches for every bleeting spirit. This answer feels so much better

UVU Homecoming Surprise

2011-01-28T16:20:00.000-08:00

Jan 27 , 2011 Texting conversation

Shawn: Want to go to the Basketball game with me. its Homecoming
Terri: I dont know Im sick and I will just be getting done with work.

****Hours Later****
S: I just flunked my Theatre test. I thought I aced it. Im so upset i cant talk about it.
T: It will be ok honey you still want to go to that game.
S: Sure why not (dejected)
****Hours later*****
S: I put my name in for the student drawing again.
T: Cool , Hey look Justins the Home Town Hero tonight. ( Beccas friend)
****Hour later****
UVU to Shawns phone: Your a finalist in the drawing
T: If you win dont be a pickle puss get all excited I hate when people just stand there
****Hour later****
UVU wins 84 to 61 against Chicago State
UVU: Over loud speaker: Shawn Rowley your the winner of the $500.00 Pinnacle prize come on down.
T: Hoot hollar! (Shawn fists in the air high 5's folks in the crowd as he descends the stadium)
****After Game****
Justin autographs Shawns check. A good night for both of them
****Ride Home***
UVU Testing Center: We are sorry the test you took earlier today was keyed wrong you did not get a 58% you have 100% sorry for any inconvenience.

Im thinkin if he hadnt failed the test I might not have wanted to be so cheery and go to the game. Had we not gone to the game well...you get the picture.
Things are always darkest before the Pinnacle Check

22

2011-01-10T18:52:00.000-08:00

And so we are there. Two of my children have reached the age where I married. Based on that awareness I have to wonder why didnt my parents tie me up and hide me in the fruit room. Surely they knew I was in no way prepared to enter into such a contract, commitment or covenant. Yet I did. We made eleven thousand dollars that first year and still felt it was enough to treat ourselves to a California vacation, complete with a moldy bug infested motel.

For there birthday we had an early celebration Sunday of balloons with two dollar bills and each got one of their favorite childhood movies Pocahontas.

So what is just around the riverbend on 1/11/11?

Taylor asked me last night ,"So what was so great about your 22nd year of life"

Noteworthy is the fact that my first year of marriage happened during my 22nd year of life.

But of greater importance are the things I learned that year.

I learned about pain and fear as I discovered the invasion of a life force I could not control entered into my young body. The big "C" cancer became my new life.

I learned about grief and loss as I lost the ability to shut my eye, close my lips, or complete a smile. Everything balanced and symetrical about my every day girlish face turned into drooping and noticeable loss.

I learned about surrender and humility. I recently heard that the surest way to make God laugh is to tell him what you have planned for your life. I hated not knowing the plan or how long the plan would hurt and feel hopeless but there was always one sure source of knowledge that could comfort and uphold me . Always through prayer rather on my knees or with hands on my head there were messages of comfort and hope that he knew me and my pain personally.

I also learned about recue and relief . Some things I could not do on my own. Your dad, my parents, siblings, nurses, docotrs, all acted as ministering angels carrying me through places and paths I could not go alone.

I learned that things get better but never all better. Not that there are no happy endings but that our story never says "The End" So while I can close my lips and shut my eyes I still have a droopy half smile and problems with my radiated teeth and ear. Some pains we keep with us.

It might sound more poetic if I could back up the magic of 22 with a fairytale honeymoon but we could only afford a weekend in Salt Lake . It would be great if I could tell about the condo we bought but we rented for the first 12 years of marriage. It would be super cute if I could talk about our new lifetime career, and pink bundles of joy but we had to wait 3 years before we could have you and well I finished school at the age of 44 and your dads hoping for his second career to launch before he is 50.

So the hope I have for you my daughters in this 22nd year is that you will realize the purpose of the pain and the sorrow is the growth. The enormous potential you have is achieved through pretty giant failures. Learn from them and move on with that great awareness. Every fine characteristic you have came from definitive moments. Life is hard and unfair for reasons you have yet to know. I can look back now and it is all clear. I no longer feel the burns or nausea of radiation but I recall that tender time and all he did to shape me.

Here is my favorite version of His Eye Is On The Sparrow it reminds me just who and why Iam when Im unsure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eAboY5zfYE&feature=related

I love you the mostest. Im your number one

Mom

A whale of a good time New Years 2010

2011-01-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

Have you had dinner and played a friendly New Years Eve game of Who wants to be a Millionare, Family Fued, or Scrabble with the family?

May I suggest that thier is much gluttony at these New Years Eve parties. One person on the boy versus girl team suggested that their team(boys) could sit out the next round and we women folk could add both the past game and the new ones score and they would still have more points. Now thats just treating us princesses like we are gluttons for punishment

Have you ever had ham, carrot sticks, artichoke dip, cake balls, cream brulee, coconut macaroons, chocolatechip craisin cookies , vienese cookies, toothfairy cupcakes, eggnog, lime slush, and not a cup but a bowl full of midnight party juice for dinner. Well thats being gluttoners .

Have you ever had a writer and his evil redhead cohort argue and litterally giggle at you for using your skills at scrabble. While you were creating beautiful words . Then when you are right say thats the urban dictionary and it shoudnt count. Thats gluttonly behavior as well .

The next morning Jan 1, 2011 after you awoke from your eggnog coma have you ever felt a need to set the record straight cause if ya did well thats gluttonous revenge. Consider yourselves walloped, thrashed, licked!!!

But you know Ill be back next year for more insatiable ravenous fun. Cause I love ya

Mirriam or Mrs. webster said

Definition: whaled
Part of Speech
Definition
Verb
1. Of Whala.[Websters] 2. To be cued. [Eve - graph theoretic]3. To have thrashed, licked or lammed. [Eve - graph theoretic]4. To be welted. [Eve - graph theoretic]5. To have cannoned or gunned. [Eve - graph theoretic]6. To be tanned or curried. [Eve - graph theoretic]7. To have starred or aced. [Eve - graph theoretic]8. To have cracked, banged or thwacked. [Eve - graph theoretic]9. To have whopped or lambasted. [Eve - graph theoretic]10. To have walloped, whacked, pounded or sloshed.[Eve - graph theoretic]
Verb Past Tense
1. Past tense conjugation of the verb whale.[Eve - graph theoretic]
Verb Base(whale)
1. Hunt for whales.[Wordnet].2. Base verb from the following inflections: whaling, whaled, whales, whaler, whalers, whalingly and whaledly.[Eve - graph theoretic]

Name her

2010-12-28T16:18:00.000-08:00

Im not particularly savvy on the computer or my free time might be better designed facebooking or looking at you-tube videos. As it is I have to think out of the box so tonight Im working on naming my niece.

Heres the process:

Start with the obvious merge the parents names

Jeloncia or Fohn hmm not good

2nd names of Chilean girls stir the mission memories.

Adrianna, Carmen, Daniella

Third think what kind of people are the parents old world, simple, biblical, or Frank Zappa crazy .

So here we go i have centered on the creative. I noticed that Felicia and iI share a love of birds at least thats what the pottery barn decor was telling me so I went with it "bird names."

And so it begins

Robin

Aletha

Starling

Loras

Raven

Lark

and my favorites

Wren & Sparrow

Fourth find creative and mash it with sentiment

Sephora meaning female bird

Lolani meaning bird of Heaven from Hawaii

Lastly you could always honor those that paved the way, brought hope into your life and greeted you first at your birth..........................................................................................................................................................

TERRI now thats a name.

Ok Ill go do the dishes now funs over :(

Anyone else got a name for Anderson baby number one?

Wintertime

2010-12-22T18:43:00.000-08:00

Oh what do you do in the winter time, when all the world is gray?

Do you wish and dream for what Christmas brings, or lazily stream uncle Scotts you tube themes sitting on your flanks while the snowflakes fly? Is that what you do so do I.

Do you trim your tree with jewels, and have silly girls who hang a bethlehem star up high? Is that what you do so do I.

Do you starch your red suit and wear big black boots so you can flirt with Bec at a basketball game? Is that what you do? So do I.

Do you mound snowballs as big as cars until your snowman reaches the stars? Is that what you do? So do I.

Oh what do you do in the wintertime when all the world is grey ? Do you pray for a day when the radios say stay home and play until the snow plows come your way? Is that what you do ? So do I.

Another Rowley Moment

2010-11-30T21:14:00.000-08:00

Sir Sampson has been visiting a lady friend trying to create a batch of puppies. He was gone for a week and had no luck. He came home exhausted and had lost 3 pounds.

So after BYU home evening we went to the Creamery. Why we are eatting cones I say"By the way Sams gone visiting Maddie again " Shawn worried said " for how long?" I reply "Just till tomorrow they have already mated twice"

Shawn says" wow what did you do put him in stretch pants and a Gene Simmons t-shirt?"

I snorted and laughed out loud.

Gabby very loudly" Im looking for parents, new parents anyone anyone." I think we are keepers.

Thanks for giving 2010

2010-11-28T09:12:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Molly for the invite to share thanksgiving at her home. Show me someone with more required of her day who is willing to feed another 40 mouths. I love you Molly for always rising to a challenge and doing it gracefully. I wish we could have been there .

Our Day began the day before as so many do at Thanksgiving. Salads to make desserts to bake turkeys to bathe in salt and herbs. We chose to have the big dinner and avoid the lunch rush. Amys oven gave all she had and died in a broiling flame, much to Gingers distress. Turkeys should not be golden 60 minutes into cooking. We baked, peeled, boiled, and roasted at other good folks houses. I decided to run Amys knife across a finger while washing and wore the Michael Jackson glove all day. After many trips to neighbors dinner was served at 7:30 late enough we could have fed them cornmeal mush and they would have thanked us. The kids did the turkey shoot and claimed their prizes. Amy dressed Grace in a lovely white sweater to eat red jello and and wear several cups of milk. One that ran down her head after uncle Shawn bumped her on the floor. It was quite cute she just stood their dripping looking at him like why did you do that. We had 3 tvs going with Barbies magical adventures( at the neighbors), wii games, and Mr. scrooge back at Brownings. Games of Uno and Manopoly were a hit. Scott taught Shawn about electronics , Scotty made me feel like a queen when he ate a near trifle by himself ( love to make ya happy Scotty just bend over and cough). Both Becca and Kenz brought dinner guests . We ate off paper plates and did 2 loads of dishes?? Mostly we had a warm time together. It just felt good laughing and enjoying the comfort of family. The turkey though traumatized was delicious as was the entire meal as it should be when cooked by the girls who went to advanced cooking class together.

I cant wait to go to Johns next year!!!

New View

2010-11-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

I worked from home today. I love to be home on a cold blustery day. Unfortunately I was distracted by the many things that mumble "Look at me, Im a complete mess" I mostly ignored the irritating voices and found other distractions that ate at my work productivity like changing the house insurance and visiting the Chiropractor.

In spite of the glareing mess I decided to try some therapy on myself. I took a camera and went around taking snapshots of all the things that seem to irritate me to distraction and look at them with gratitude. It was so good for me I decided to share the idea.

First a list of the subjective problems threw my lense.

1) The shoe basket looks like a war zone for crying out loud its the entry way and someones going to trip and break their neck.

2) This is decorative candy people why is it always 3/4 gone Marthas isnt touched in the magazine.

3) This is a dining room table it should be for dinner and only on Sunday.

4) My room is suppose to be a sanctuary glorious romantic, ugh

5) The drawers all work son everyone of them opens and can hold things.

6) How many bottles of shampoo should be open at one time and what is this doing in here?

7) Kat a rin your room is suppose to look like a french chateau what the .....

8) Gabber no tape ever ever on the walls

9) Look this piano is for display only but I choose the decor folks.

What I see in the picture objectively

Shoes are a luxury in many parts of the world in my home they are taken for granted like an old shoe. They fit they are in the color and styles we like. Im so greatful to live in this country Im free in so many choices.
Candy is a childs simple joy. I cant begin to express gratitude for having children in my life they are my simple joy. I cant imagine not being able to give them little pleasures.

These things belong to a man who does everything for the good of his family. Heck the screens open to finding a Big O Tire store to help a childs latest tire crisis and he literally dropped everything to help her. He loves knowledge, what a great quality.

Being married to an adventurer is romantic. If he werent here I would never move any of it from the top of his dresser to have a shallow vase of flowers. A gamer who reads his scriptures . Plus he gets himself up and off to school every morning and wears calogne thats a pretty good and easy boy I had to ask why are there googles in the bathtub. Practice snorkleing was her reply. She also asked for eoprene waders for Christmas not for fishing but so she can stay warm in the snow. Oh how I love to laugh and children are the best comedians. If I stop looking at the chaoes I can see the kid. A quote by yoda, pictures of her sisters , letter from her brother, and a good book. Thats just so very insightful and sweet.

. Im so glad she is still a girl in so many ways. She wants to celebrates everythingabout her life. What would that be like to want to demonstrate joy for everything.

Becca forgot her iron pills. Kate forgot her earphones. Gab frogot her stuffed animal and I forgot that picture was ther to remind me to never forget to demonstrate my appreciation for the touch of the Masters hand in my life. Happy Happy Thanksgiving.

Halloween 2010

2010-11-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

Oct 31 st

11:00 am Im making special bags of gummy teeth, pumpkins, candy corn and bats . I filled the giant bowl with little milkyways, skittles, kit kats, and laffy taffy.

1:00 pm A batch of marshmellowy gooey popcorn is complete. Now we wait... I carve another pumpkin.

2:00 study google video to do Tays make up for the dance, oh poor boy I tried really I did.

4:45 the door bell rings for the first 3 rug rats. The dogs are going crazy so off to the bedroom they go for the night.

5:20 its lightly raining and flashes of light streak the sky.

6:00 I demand a child I dont even know come in and watch nickelodeon until the hail and wind reduce from hurricane strength.

6:20 the little mummy heads back out in the now drizzle.

6;45 Shawn rents every Frankenstien movie ever made in black and white. I manage to sit through 2 with lots of doorbell reprieve.

7: 30 Gabs party starts. All crayons leave to begin their scavenger hunt. They must take pictures of certain costumes the first team done wins the box of cereal hey is that ny captain crunch.

8:50 Last call a bunch of gouls in the 16 yr old range.

11:45 Crayon and mime home . I blow out the toothy and toothless pumpkins. Colby Bryant (Kate) and the "UP" Scout have the best time at a dance. Someone trys to steal a balloon of Becs heavy beltloop she turns and says "ask nice." He does she un ties one and gives it to him.

I LOVE Halloween. I hide the left over candy but the sugar fiends will find it and it will be gone .

My Sugar Plum Dreams

2010-10-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

So the budget is sparce this year so I went pretend shopping. I bought all my sisters and mom exactly what I wanted to get them and not what I could afford. Sorry Felicia I actually have you and JP for reals and it wont be as glorius as it is when I window shop. So here you all go . I went looking and got something that reminded me of you, your personality and pazazz. Dont over analyze it . Trade with each other if you dont like it or take it back and get something you REALLY like. Now of course this is all a figment of our imagination, but what fun it is!

To Mom with Love A great chair for your entry to put on our shoes

To Wendy Love Terri A sassy frock fun and frivelousTo Ginger Love Terri elegant and expressive

To Jenny Love Terri so feminine and hotty patotty

To Amy love Terri Simple classic and flirty

To Molly Love Terri Sweeet understated lovely.

To Felicia Love Terri sheek hip tasteful

To Emily love Terri tailored but fanciful fun

To my spouse, father , brother, and brothers in law I got you one of 2 options some will want the bike others can choose to see the Olympics in London England 2012. That should suite you all. So

The sweet children all get to go on a Disney cruise and of course with the whole family to Disney World!This jacket is for anyone who wants one cause its soooooo cute.

Going Going Gone

2010-10-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Gone are the chubby toes

Gone is the platinum hair

Gone is the big wheel you rode with your batman cape

Gone are the power ranger light up tennis shoes

Gone is the bunk bed and lion king sheets

Gone is the Nintendo 64 and The Legends of Zelda

Gone is the Back Street boys and your boom box

Gone are the sleepovers with trips to Nicklecade

Gone is your love for American cheese and spaghetios

Gone is the Disney coon skin cap and wild west rifle

Gone is T ball and Jr Jazz basketball

Gone are the days you put your head threw the folding chair in primary

Gone are the broken nick nacks from Jedi light saber wars with Gordo

Gone are the fights to take a bath or drink cough syrup

Gone are the days of "push me higher and watch me mama"

Gone are the PE clothes you loathed and the pilowcase you sewed

Gone are the sneaky feet covered in footy pajamas headed for one more dinosaur to take to bed

Gone are Boy Scout pine wood derbys and camping in a snowcave

Gone are happy meals and little toys.

Gone are the ways of a little boy

Gone are my fears that you could ever be less than the extraordinary gentle and good man I dared hope you to be.

You like your sisters are a priceless gift to us son Happy 18th.

Love Mother dear

Gabber is 15

2010-10-18T19:39:00.000-07:00

My baby is 15. I have not forgotten the day she was born. She came with quite a fight. a torn placenta, 23 hours of labor, a near c section, and an epideral that didnt work! We were so relieved when Gabrielle made her first appearance. She has had many surprising things to offer us through out her short life time. So here are some Gabby hi lights .

1) Taking a milk carton around to neigbors asking them all if they had seen the missing child on the carton. Detective Day

2) Naked pajamas an invention of hers it requires under pants only if under duress of a mother.

3) Sleeping in a crib until you are 3 and having a royal melt down when your mother sales it. Yell at the new owners all the way down the driveway.

4) Curly hair and the sebasious nephi ( nevi) her word for her pink birth mark under her

curly hair.

5) Going to sister K's when she had cancer and doing apupet show for her on the other side of the glass door because she couldnt leave and you couldnt come in. She loved it.

6) Refusing to get in the car with a stranger when she was 4. So the officer followed her home.

7) Sticky and pine coney named and beloved inanimate objects that lived on your dresser for years.

8) The nest 264 stuffed animals that rested on your bed how you slept in the middle of them we will never know.

9) Conversations regularly with the Orem Elementary principle in his office about what things you thought he could do to improve the school. I think you liked his candy drawer.

10) She sings amazingly in the shower most mornings. I get a new song every Birthday. Lucky me

11) Finished all of her Young Womens 10 hour projects when she was 14

12) Likes to visit the elder care center. Feeds them laughs at their stories and goes often without prompting.

13) Determined : Earned enough money to go to Alaska on a cruise and Hawaii on a plane all of her own money, and we dont have allowances.

14) Is requested solely by the Browns nearly every Friday to babysit. When the kids are asleep she cleans.

15) Loves new things. Orders octopus and wants to skydiving. Shoots her bow at Jakes Archery with her dad and loves to go to DI with me to find treasures.

I love you miss noodle you are a bright spot in our home. Im so glad you are part of our crazy adventures in this family. I loved spending your birthday together at Temple square and eatting fried pickles.

Mom

Choose any 5 for free

2010-10-11T21:32:00.000-07:00

Tonight after all of our home evening guests left Shawn was putting away chairs and kicked a little box. " Whats this?" he said with an eye brow raised towards me. I told him there was a whole bag of them right under the table and thus began the uncovering of the great sham that became my shame. From the Valcor envelope I drew its shiny sleek form BMG Club inticing me with all of its illusory power . Choose any 5 CD's now for free and in very miniscule writing was the devils contract.

The club became my own debauchery. I loved running to the mailbox waiting for my gift of the month. It was the hi light of a wednesday filled with noodle os soup and trips to the trash can with a baggy wrapped diaper. Could you blame my delight. I have no idea what 5 free selections I picked. What I do remember is the unselected by me featured selection of the month that arrived. I could return them but at my cost having opened to view the content. So they kept coming. Marion Meadows Dressed to Chill, Walter Beasley Ready for love,From the Plantation to the Penitentiary, Billy Strayhorn Lush Life. Every funkadelic, soul train selection ever made. I quit openning them. Fed babies, went back to school, left them in thier shrink wrap, attended school carnival, became the wolf den mother. Stacked them in their BMG cardboard boxes in the cupboard, started working for DCFS, and they kept coming and I kept saying I was gonna return them.

Well I didnt. I paid 21.77 for most of the funkadelic selections and for one fine smooth groove $24.76 . I have kept my shame in a gift bag stacked neatly all these years. And tonight Shawn kicked a box and the giggy jig was up. He opened every dad gum box. Then he said we are gonna sit down and listen to this entire CD as a punishment. To make it worse he put it on the DVD player so it grooved through the whole house. Album title The Best of Down To The Bone. This man ( producer)was somebodys blessed child so I aint sayin nothin bad. I just need more than 9 bars of the same beat in a 6 minute 37 second tune. These are talented musicians that landed their mo jo in the wrong house cuz I didnt bother to choose my selection of the month, and I didnt bother to return the selections I didnt want, and I didnt argue when the slightly less than nice man called and said I still owed BMG $108.85 and could pay it or go to collections, I simply paid it.

Well thats been many many years gone by. More than 5 years but not 10 and Im still holding on to my shame. It was nice to free it tonight. I couldnt believe Shawn ripped open every box read every title and did some psychedelic dancing for me while it played, why I died a little on the couch of shame. Gab thought we lost our minds. Shawn tried to get her to disco with him.

So 2 thoughts... There are things you can get for free, they are often very costly; and is anyone having a Christmas white elephant party I could come to?

Car'ee is fine...Me not so much

2010-09-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

A week ago today I was rearended on my way to my night group. I watched from my rear view mirror as the woman was looking left and not breaking. Im sure I tensed up and well I thought from the sound of things and the fact that my change drawer and CD changer were thrown out of their compartments that it was the end of my so named vehicle "Car'ee. But she looks pretty good. I however knew quickly that I was not. So I have not made my bed in a week, mostly because Im in it more than not . I started seeing Dr. Cook yesterday for Chiropractic work and he thinks we will be friends threw the holidays acording to my nerve endings and vertebrae. So here we go with a new chapter in my book that I didnt intend to write. I dont like ice on my back , tingling fingers and legs, nor do I like the sound of my back cracking, but I can do this.

Shawn Taylor Eagle Court of Honor

2010-09-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

Taylor had a promised gift if he would complete his Eagle. He texted his dad at noon Monday to say hey what ya doing today want to take me shootin.

Eagle Scout Uncle Scott helps us figure out the neckerchief.

Gordo and Taylro

Sunday night Taylor joined the 2% who become Eagle Scouts. It was a memorable week of preperation capped off with a beautiful ceremony. Im certain that close to 140 were in attendance. I loved the videography Amy created with my pictures it was touching as she knows I cried when we chose the music it was so perfect for Taylor. Jesus said love everyone/ Armys of Helman. I thought the National Anthem was moving and the assembly of the Eagles nest. I was over joyed it was a perfect night . Taylor giggled out loud when he saw "Gordo" Jordan his friend in a suit.On our way to baptise Taylor Jordon was outside kickinga ball in his yard. I rolled down the window and yelled " Gordo Taylors getting baptised right now." He just took of running for the church barefoot. I love that story. Thank you for coming mom, dad, Justin, Em, Amy, Scott and all your cute kids. Thanks for food, videos, and scout uniforms, handing out programs Cal, and simply suporting us as you have always done, even those who sent happy well wishes. It reallly is that big of a deal. I wish they had a way for men to earn their Eagle Scout I know my husband sure wishes he had that opportunity. I think some things we do in our our lives are what I call a "truth forward" a message we carry about who we are and how we invision our selves. I hope this is one of those milestones that squares the shoulders of a boy moving him froma boy who learns about commitments to a man who understands covenants.

Im Every Woman .....its all in me

2010-09-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

So recently Ive added some demension to my life some more painful than others. I recently took the Ragnar challenge. Im a sucker for a sentimental moment and this proves to be such running a race with ALL my siblings and some other folks I love. I have progressively added 5 minutes a week to my walking. The dogs sure like it but my feet and hips not sa much. I concluded that my payless skater shoes may not be the thing if Im going to be serious about this, and Iam you know...serious that is. So my husband escorted me to the "Sweet feet" thats not its name but it is now. Grace helped me all alone in the store and now I have some AWESOME shoes. I also have a $10.00 pair of socks sweet mercy thats more money than I like to spend on shoes! But none the less Im now moving forward.

Secondly I claim unabashedly (correct my spelling Kenz) Im a recent purse snob. Got a Coach last year as a gift from a friend. Then I saw Jennys and carried it around the mall while I was in Boise. I walked around like I was Parris Hilton only in a shopko sweatshirt . Im a mystery to peeps. So I want to send out a HUGE thank you to the guru of all things classy Missy Karen ( Scottys sister) who went to New York and brought back my new wine colored love and then mailed it to me free of charge. Now lets keeep this in perspective my last pedicure was done by 8 yr old Anna so I dont think Im steppin to far out in the glamour world. But hey its nice to have a classy little somethin...

Eagle Scout

2010-09-12T22:23:00.000-07:00

So almost a year ago Tay started the EAGLE PROJECT!!! Creating Birthday bags for the food and Care Coalition. It was a creative and well appreciated idea by the Scout Board and the community. It took several more months to talk Taylor into writing a paper about his leadership skills and good qualities. Kind of like pulling teeth. I did get to write a letter of recommend and I was honored to do so. I have included that letter because I think he should know how I feel about him as a person not just as my son. Taylor is not one to make a big deal about things. So a phone call from the Scouting Chair tonight to see if we were ready for his court of honor was .....well.. shocking. He forgot to tell us, didnt think it was a big deal.
It is a big deal!

So Im using this format to announce

Shawn Taylor Rowley has earned his Eagle Scout and we will be holding his court of honor Sunday Sept 19th at 7pm. ( If I can hot glue all of his badges on his bandalo in time) Friends are invited to our home at 5pm to share some light food fare, mostly pizza, deviled eggs , and bread pudding if Taylor has his way.

As a family we are so pleased and honored that he has accomplished this Rank in Scouting. We love him dearly.

Below is the flyer he used and the letter I wrote.

In the words of Marie Antoinette, “Let them eat cake!”
Hello my name is Taylor Rowley and I am currently doing my eagle project!
I am gathering the following items:

Cake mixes (any flavor)
Frosting in a can (also any flavor)
Balloons
Candles
Also $5 will purchase a full bag if you don’t have the items!
The reason for gathering these items is to create a birthday bag to donate to the Food bank down in Provo. With the economy the way it is there are definitely some children who aren’t able to celebrate their birthdays. Please help me gather these items so that these children in need may have at least a very small birthday party! Every thing helps! I will be coming around on this Saturday, the 21st of November, to pick up any items you are willing to donate. Please just leave anything you are donating on your porch in bags. For money donations just put it in a bag weighed down with rocks or something else heavy on the porch.
Thank you very much in advance for anything you can donate!

May 15, 2010

To the Scout Review Board;

In regards to Shawn Taylor Rowley. Taylor is my son. It is hard to qualify or quantify what that means in terms of a letter of recommendation. He is the finest young man I know. That may seem like a casual indicator of a young mans qualities coming from his mother, so let me expound.

Taylor is honorable. He knows who he is and is comfortable in his skin. He is not the try and fit in kid. He avoids trouble. His head is level and his heart is most often in a good place.

Taylor is generous. He gives of his time and talents. Willing to help a new neighbor move in on an early Saturday morning. Plays with small children who endlessly jump on his back and seek his attention. He is at the Hearthstone Manor or Pioneer Villa most Sunday mornings serving the elderly. He is the first to hold open a door for a stranger and help them carry something in. He is easy to call upon because there is no sense of drudgery or unpleasant duty from him. If it needs to be done cheerfully, you ask my son. That’s true for chores at home to (minus folding socks, he is no fan of that).

Taylor is a leader. Not the boisterous standout and be seen type. He is silly and lighthearted but typically a quieter person. His example is what draws adults towards him. He knows how to encourage. He does not use guilt or shaming he simply knows how to reach people. Individuals can be in a very bad place emotionally, spiritually or mentally and Taylor will know what to say to sooth and lighten that soul. He will demonstrate the path to follow.

I strongly and joyfully recommend that Taylor Rowley is ready in every way to become an Eagle Scout. When you meet him you will see there is no pretense no hidden agenda. He is soft and easy. He does not sale himself well and dislikes doing so. He is the epitome of what a scout should be. You can observe him at a distance and know he has to be a Scout.

Sincerely Terri Rowley

Week long Party

2010-09-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

So its official Im 46years of wisdom now. That must be a big deal cause I got a week long party. On the 30th my husband put together a very SWEET surprise party. Lots of family and friends. Favorite cupcakes and pizza and a pretty pleased Shawn that he pulled off this giant surprise.I had no idea apparent by the fact I had not showered or dressed for the day beyond my dog walking clothes and ponytail. Thanks to Mom and Dad, Ginger and Amy and their sweet families, the very busy students John and Felicia, and my friend Stacey and her kids for coming. It was so thoughtful and loving.

That night at 10:45 we went to pick Kate up from the airport she had been gone for 70 days. Becca bolted from the car before we were parked and Gab abd Tay were hot on her heels. Shawn and I stayed with the car at the curb. Here she comes I can here her beforew I see her. over and over yelling " Happy Birthday mommy Im home" That was a wonderful gift.

Tuesday was actually my Birthday and most of the day was spent in traffic headed to the John Mayer concert and retrieving Gab from Tooele to go with us. It was a girls day and we had a blast singing and dancing the entire concert. John should sing and not talk .

Wednesday my neighborhood friends took me to Thai food we shared and laughed it was wonderful.

Friday I left for Boise with Mom and Dad. We played list that all the way there. I learned about favorite snacks, prayers they say, daily rituals, influential people. It was great, I cherish those rides alone with my parents . Dawson was baptised Saturday. He is such a sweet boy truely a gentle kind boy. Jen took me to more Thai food to celebrate my birthday Friday night. We ate from appetizer to desserts great food.

Labor Day I was back home and once thge weeding and repairs were done Shawn took me to see Leo Decaprios movie . Apparently Leo isnt my guy thats his second "oh my gosh you got to see that" movie that I thought was ok but not worth a second look. Didnt love the boat movie(Titanic) any more that Inception.

I did love the week because the week sure loved me. My cup is full and I thank you for all for making me feel truely special.

The first Day of School

2010-08-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

Gabber went back to American Leadership Academy on Aug 18. She made the volley ball team. She is taking Geometry, Military History, and a Debate class she is excited about. School lunch yesterday was a very watery bean burrito with some alien meat in it. She intends to never be tortured again by school lunch. Her bus stop is 5 blocks away and when she leaves 5 minutes before it arrives I ask how thats gonna work out for her and she said" Ive gotten pretty good at running for the bus" So begins another year of high anxiety as they both tinker around the house until the bell is nearly ringing in my ear and I practice not reacting but making a plan of action. Like "bedtime at 8:00 if your late."

Taylor I mean Shawn has transferred to Spanish Fork High he needs a handful of courses to graduate. He wanted to be where the Lacrosse team friends were and we conceded. He will be done in Dec. Becca cut his hair and we bought some spiffy clothes that talk about the gang on his street with big bird on them or Dr Seuss stating the Dr. is in the house. This morning he tried to leave for picture day in a shirt that said game over with a bride and groom on it. He drives "the chalk board" leaking a pint of oil a day, to school He ate no school lunch but went to Carls Junior and had 3 dollars worth of spicy chicken sandwichs. He has welding, advanced wood working, auto body, english and more english. His back to school blessing spoke of a faraway people and language in his future he should prepare for. I did not yell out in the middle of it. I constrained myself since I have taught him to make tuna sandwichs and have prepared myself for his Colorado Mission, ( it works best for my psyche). Kate gets home Monday after touring New York and Washington DC when I talk to her she is horse from camp cheers and crying alot because camp is over . Becca has the opportunity to work as a personal trainer for both golds gym and the Orem Rec center and to help with the Timpview track team. Shawn starts micro biology today. Im walking the dogs at a quicker pace than usual because we have to walk a looooong time before we can run. And so it goes...and so it goes....

All to make me happy

2010-08-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

So I had a wonderful weekend . Jenny decided I had hinted and wined long enough about no one coming to my house to visit that she made a very hasty unexpected summer plan to do so. She even told Amy it was "a trip to see Terri" How wonderful is that. Jen asked if we could have a sisters camp out in my tent trailor. Since the poor thing has not been opened this season It was a great idea. Wendy and Maddie joined her and Anna and Paige for the adventure . ALL the kids stayed with Scotty Friday night ( thank you oh patient one) and Amy came over and brought her gourmet tinfoil dinners and up the Spanish Fork Canyon we headed. We ate, laughed, played games, and,did tradsies. Those more refined were gaging in the out house and didnt sit on the seat . It was heavenly fun from sister gifts to crem brulee smores. Loved it all. Im hoping it becomes a yearly tradition for any sisters who wants to do Ninja games and smell like a camp fire, to come to sister camp out in the teeter totter trailor. I wish I had a camera because their were some pricelss moments riding the broom, the mouse who pooped in Amys shoes, "pants on the ground " Jenny, etc. The memory is a cherished one for this summer.

Now if I may combine one joy with another. I want to talk about the man who hooked up the lights to the trailor, charged the battery, cut fire wood, made smores sticks,pulled the thing up the canyon and then set it up alone. The same man who came back near midnight to make sure their was no fowl play happening to us. Went home got up at 6 to be to work early so he could come back and finish his tent trailor clean up. Who does that?? No smore, no fun, no big laughs for him. He just kept asking me if I was happy having my sisters with me. And I was so very happy. A great deal of my happiness comes at the sacrifice of my sweet husband. I dare say most of the things I do would be like eatting cold margarine without his support and love. But for me life is so enhanced because of all he is to and for me . It all tastes like melted butta was added. There is little he wouldnt do to please me. I just want to say Im aware and greatful for the life of ease I have because he gives 125%. Thank you honey for your unconditional love. You really are the wind beneath my wings.

Savanna Lynn Luker July 31 2010

2010-08-11T15:50:00.000-07:00

This one goes out to the girl who shares my name and love of brownies. What a wonderful day! The temple was lovely and placid inside except for Brit who was late late late for a very important date and certain she looked as frazzled as she felt. As usual she was beautiful and should not have been so worried.

The sealer had many things to teach and I just sat across from your father wondering what was going through his mind as he sat their watching you and glancing frequently at your mother.

It was such a warm day and the buzz outside was almost like paparazzi trying to get a picture of you. Becca had 3 inch heels and a pencil skirt on. She a was sweating like crazy from chasing children in a park on a 95 degree day. Bless the hearts of all those who watched little people whywe were inside.

Then we stopped at snowville only to run into you. I cant believe you had to eat greasy lamp heated food out of a deli case on on your wedding day. It made me laugh. Shawn said we did the same thing.

The reception was homemade with love, every bit from flowers to cupcakes gazebos to your music playlist. Every effort was personal for you. I called to talk to what I expected to be your frazzled mother the day before. All I got was serene and happy. She was looking forward to doing all of it for you and sharing with you how pleased she was in your choices.

I loved the puppies crawling on little boys in ties, and children playing in the calvert ditch. I loved the whipped cream frosting that was on my knuckles all night, I loved that Molly ordered pizza and ate it with her kids on the front lawn, I loved the warmth I felt by being there with so many people who cared for one another. I loved seeing Glena Turner and the Green's people dear to my heart. I loved when I left the kitchen just long enough to hug you and I told your new husband that" He got the pick of the litter". I wanted to kick myself 1/3 of a second after I said it. Your not a dog and your sisters are as fine and wonderful as any could be. I just wanted him to know what a catch , a gem, apple of my eye, the sweet thing that you are. I think he got it. I hope he always gets it.

I love you Bana thanks for sharing your wonderful wedding with us.

Just a day in our life

2010-08-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

So its Friday. My day off that means I get to be home and do what moms do.

Sweep, dust, laundry, water garden.Text Kate on her day off. She tells me she will be home for my Birthday and wants to work with special needs kids for a year in a foreign country. I help the noodle by quickly washing camp fire smoked clothing and then sit down with Tay to write a hypothesis for his research paper. Taylor is finishing up an assignment for a UVU Sociology class. It will save him a credit for his one semester fun packed senior year.

Its not lost on me that my children are speeding through life. Particularly today as Ginger is speeding through Salt Lake construction to pick up her missionary. What a long 2 years for a mom, she must be beyond elation to get Iker home safe and having successfully accomplished all he sat out to do .

So I guess I cleaned up the computer desk and "accidentally" disgarded an important log in number for UVU. Tay had to dig in the garbage to locate it and this is the quote he gives me.

" Dont you be waiting for me to leave on a mission so you can clean my room . I dont want to come home and find out you threw a way my pokeman cards. Those things are gonna be worth bank someday."

Oh man I love being home with my kids. Now Gabby's chasing Taylor around the house because he is eatting her giant marshmellows and she didnt say he could. She did just offer to pay for the third year of his mission. Does it get any better.

This is my town

2010-07-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

re
Thats Gabber on the truck bed representing the American Leadership Volley Ball team.

I was 17 the day I loaded up into Loris van and left home . Mom handed me a family picture threw the open car window just before we pulled out. I was all to happy to start a new life somewhere else. Im not sure how far up the scale Rexburg Idaho is on the great escapes list but it was just the ticket for me in 1982. Quite possibly I was telling myself something that I have taken many years to figure out.

Scottish Days are big around these here parts.

Montgomery Gentry put it pretty well.

Where I was born, where I was raised.Where I keep all my yesterdays.Where I ran off 'cos I got mad,An' it came to blows with my old man.Where I came back to settle down,It's where they'll put me in the ground: This is my town

Im a small town girl. I like the quiet, I like to see the stars in a smogless sky, I like the smell of hay. I want more space than I want malls.

Now for some Spanish Fark is country folk for those in Genola its a big city . Today I went to sit out in the neighboring streets to watch the "Fiesta Days" parade . The great thing about a hometown parade is its a snapshot of what the place is all about. I took afew pictures and I have to say I chuckled more than once. Mostly my heart swelled with pride, I liked what I saw and what the city was saying about who we are.

Missionaries and Pioneers sing as they walk

I think some of my family who live in places like Burley ,Kanab, and Farr West know what Im talkin about. You can chase alot of beautiful adventures and see wonderful and unforgetable places, but there is nothing as comforting and healing as home.

Who decides what is a weed and what is a flower?

2010-07-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

Almost every night at dusk I take the dogs for their evening adventure in the fields. I walk and enjoy the surroundings. Most of the field is full of dried pricker bushes and stubby grass but their are also these "weeds" that grow up in the sidewalk or out in the middle of unhospitable dry land. Im quite amazed at the colors shapes and the persistance of a weed. Thats when I thought to myself what makes a flower a flower and a weed a weed? After all the connotations are extremes. Weeds are often knarly, uninvited, misplaced and have glareing in perfections. Flowers are mostly glorious blooms with succulent foliage. They usually demand the best of circumstance to prosper.

Monday Kate called me from the infermary at Camp .

It was 98 degress and 75% humidity there in New York. She is at the pool all day and had been in to much heat. We talked for almost 2 hours. It was wonderful. She talked about her boys with enthusiasum and delight. The dances they do, the songs they sing, how one refers to himself in 3rd person and another dresses in full rain gear every day just in case it should rain. She loves her job and refers to it as a blessing. In the early morning she does instructional swim and it is her glory time. In the water one on one they learn together about one another. I know these "boys" are preteens and some are upwards of 30 years. Kate and I have a kindred bond to the world of Autism. My work at Scenic View with my"boys" was one of the finest experiences of my life. In the learned world and by all accounts and diagnostic criteria Autism is a disorder.

Diagnosis, disorders, diseases they are weeds in a human world. Something that didnt go quite right. A reflection of imperfection. Some days I just wonder who's really in charge of defining what normal is. Why is normal so great anyway? I know why I like normal, it is easy. I am unhindered to move about just as Iam. I Love a normal day no pain , gliding along, almost without thought or requirement. I dont wish for abnormal it can be so painful awkward and tiresome.

But just from my vision I want to say something about those whos lives have taken moments, time periods, or have entire lives of abnormal. Iam touched by the effort, the strain and the daily pain even at the hands of the "normal". Diagnosis, disorders, disease looks pretty noble to me.

God must have known whom of us could still bloom in the sidewalk and uninhabitable places .

Noodle on the Lot

2010-07-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

So what moves at 5 miles per hour in a church parking lot and confuses neutral for drive?

That would be Gabber on her first driving lesson. She needed 5 full minutes to adjust the seat mirrors and steering wheel. Can I just say with loving kindness that kid is squaty. She is also very careful. We had an 8 year old intruder enter the parking lot on his scooter and she put the car in park until he left the lot. She never hit a curb but would have creamed 3 cars in a not so simulated parking situation. I loved how fresh everything was for her. It was fun just to review the steps of putting a car in gear out loud. My favorite question was " Can I ever put the mirror so I can just look at my hair ?" Not if your car is actually moving Gab! Oh mercy mercy.... Anywho the noodle is pushing her way into adulthood and Im loosing grip on the break. Tomorrow she wants to write a contract and open a savings account so we will let her have a cell phone.

My garden struggling beautifully

2010-07-06T17:17:00.000-07:00

There are days when Im at the most peace with my life. I see the world in pleasantries. Im comfortable in my surroundings and accept things just as they are. I love those days. So here are my thoughts on one such days analogy.

Life as you may have heard me say is about struggling beautifully. We are not suppose to expect complete order in surroundings and people we cannot control. The very expectation is the promise of disaray in our mental status. What could it possibly take from us to arrive at perfection in this life and then try to sustain it . Surely that is the work of a more exalted being.

I love my yard because it is a constant reminder of the struggling beautifully principle. The first 3 years we lived here in Spanish Fork I could not get past the misery and embaressment of dirt. All around me neighbors had created visable by my eye "perfect" Garden of Edens, and I was banished from the garden to wallow in the dust. I hated it! Every day I looked at the tv screen sprayed with particles of dirt or I drove into the neighborhood arrived home and only saw the ugly.

When we got grass I went crazy in my euphoria of lushness. I had edging for massive flower gardens placed everywhere. We planted some of the space with smaller more affordable tress and shrubs. Then I proceeded to weed and weed and weed for hours. Every weekend you could find me digging and pulling, with my sweaty wet hair and face sliding off into my shirt . I had so much to do trying to keep up I didnt take time to really enjoy it. I had what I said I wanted but I exceeded my capability.

Now, some things are more established in the yard and well... I have more grounded expectations. I have been surprised each new summer to see what returns and what doesnt. Sometimes things like a mandaville that should never return do and sometimes I kill off a whole bush of shasta daiseys. This year we got all the sprinklers running, paid for chem lawn and we watered to a beautiful lush green. Then over night the lawn started to turn brown in patches. I turned to google and diagnosed a fungus and Shawn treated it and Im excited to watch the grass slowly restoreing itself.

Taylor turned a 5 year weed patch into a whole new flowerbed last week. It doesnt look like the extravagance I had planned in my head and if I had to wait for it to be extravagent it would have been 5 more years . Tay removed rocks, tilled, added dirt and planted little tiny flowers that he picked out (after I drug him to home depot. ) It will take years for the space to fill in so Im back to square one weeding and watching it evolve.

My gardens remind me of people I love. Taylor likes delphiniums and bright annual flowers, Becca loves the smell of a lilac and we have a lilac actually named the Katherine Havemeyer that she picked out to remind her of her sister. Kate chose foxglove and bought me a clematis and a hasta for a birthday present. Shawn has planted the japanese and the October glory maple trees for my anniversary's . Gabby rolls her eyes at the thought of a flower garden that she might have to be involved ins up keep. She did plant 4 different Martha Stewart pumkins for a young womens 10 hour project last year, and not a one bloomed after all her hard work. I have trees and decorations that were gifts from family. I have one very lovely bird house I admire on the kitchen counter that may wait till next year for a home, and Im ok with that. I love the hard earned rewards that usually come in full color . Tullips short stay , swaying iceland poppys, drooping hostas, fragrant lavender, huge tolerant yarrow, delicate oriental lilies, endless purple verbena, bright double pink cone flowers and bushy bright dahlias. All of my yards success is uncertain but promising. It is however garunteed to be struggling beautifully.

Note to Amy I could not add Michael Maclane music to this sappy post. "It is what it is"

POPS

2010-06-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

"POPS" Is my term of endearment for my beloved father. I use it mostly because no one else does. There certainly are many things you could call or refer to him as. In Relief Society last week the question was posed, "what lessons did you learn from your____"? I have to say as far as sit down and give me a lesson memorys I have not much to say about that. Lessons are absorbed over time and usually when we are more like a sponge than a stone in our way of being. So lessons I got from my father were rarely words. After all he isn't a man who lectures, or has been accused of being wordy.

When I called to wish my father a happy 76th Birthday on Saturday I got mom. She said he can't come to the phone now he is out playing with his new roto tiller tilling up the garden. This is worth a giggle. Who does that for their birthday??

Lesson 1. Work is good for ya and he is living vibrant proof.

Yesterday I attended a team meeting for a family where the father has been granted no reunification rights with his children. He has messed up to many times relapsing to his drug of choice. The court will not offer another chance on the governments dime. He is a good hearted man. My heart hurts for him as he wipes the tears from his eyes before they sting his face. But I have more sorrow for the children that no longer hope he will even try.

Lesson 2. Thier are sacrifices you must make for the good of your family.

I remember the pipe dad smoked when I was quite young. I thought it looked a bit distinguished watching him as we drove down the road. Apparently he thought baptising me was more distinguished. Thanks dad I know how hard it is to move beyond our demons.

Lesson 3. Just do it.

I have a head full of want to's, cants, got tos , and donts. They plaque when I try to rest. I sleep better after I clean the fridge, write in a journal or organize a drawer.

My father sleeps like a rock or at least it seems that way. And he should he is a doer. He exercises, eats better, and drains the sprinklers before snow falls. He is just that kind of guy. He doesnt ignore what should be done.

Lesson 4. Because I have been given much I to must give.

I'm not sure what hours of the day (short of the Jazz games) belong to my dad. He is in service mode most of the time. he is sweeping up little kid cupcake messes, repairing dryers , growing produce for the neighborhood and family,filling church responsibilities, helping bring in the sheep with the neighbor man, doing some ones electrical repairs, pumping up a tire with the air compressor he just happens to carry in the trunk.He works on the clock and works off the clock. He pushes wheel chairs threw Disneyland , swims with grand kids, and always hugs real tender and says you know I love ya. He is a gentle giant.

Thats a short list of things my father taught me without ever creating a lesson plan. I love ya the muchest POPS. Happy Birthday to all of us for having you.

Finishers

2010-06-18T18:23:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to spout a word or two about this runnin bug the family has picked up. While Im in no place of body or frame of mind to run such a feat. I have found tremendous joy in attending. Not much needs to be said about how I love to people watch. "Stop stareing!" has been uttered by more than one irritated child of mine.

However gawking is completely encouraged at a running event. Even better yelling out comments is par for the course and they are well received. Watching a "sprint" , triathelon, 5k, 1/2 marathon or a full is IN.. CRED.. IBLE. Im pretty much choked up from the first person thast passes me.

I might be a drama queen here but I think Im seeing a personal goliath to sley for each individual. I know some people run for the timed race but Im wondering about other things based on the demographics. Im not seeing a big group of heavily muscled Impala's. Their are barely tween age boys, pregnant women, crews of firemen, long haired yogi dudes, thin and fit, short, out of shape, full of energy. Some have smiles and fists to the sky cheering themselves on others are barely walking intensely focused.

I wish there were a visor for each runner that had a flashing scrolling banner that said I run because_______. ( Because my sister died of cancer and we need a cure, because I will do hard things, because I have to start believing sometime, because my husband is my hero and he is waiting at the finish line, because my niece needs a heart transplant, because I choose how to handle my pain, because I lost 50 lbs or I need to loose 50 lbs, because if I can rule my mind and body I can rule anything, because I need to see myself anew. Because its on the bucket list, because I need a win bad)

Whatever it is strangers stand along the path with signs, high 5s , water, and encouragement. This might be a gauntlet where you throw down a challenge to yourself. It is definately not people lined up on each side of ya beating ya to death. No one yells you will never make it. That would be absurd . But out their in the big cruel world thats exactly whats happening. Honking, flipping people off, jeers, short tempered , others questioning your intent, your resolve, your capacity. Day in and out off of the marathons asigned trail we run a gauntlet in our minds and it permiates our souls and the resolve of our body. Im just sayin we could use more pathways where their are words and actual physical signs of encouragement, and orange slices when you are tired. I dont know that I will ever run lets face it, I would be dehydrated at 1/3 of a mile from crying. Anyway to those I admire for putting "It" out there, for daring to believe and then letting us all watch the journey. Thank You. Im so impressed!

Just Trippin

2010-06-13T13:57:00.000-07:00

It has been quite a whirl wind of events around here

We have to start with our beloved mini van. It reached 200,000 miles and we celebrated by taking it to the first place we went as a family when it was shiny and new Sonic. We ate treats and watched Aladdin on the awesomest car in towns VCR. Ya its that old and it has supplied us with many trips full of memories. June 1 2010

Then Family Reunion in Island Park and that as I have noted was wonderful.June 3-7 2010

Why we were in 56 degree weather Gabber was in 86 balmy degrees in Hawaii. She is such a pale face her lttle body did not like the blistering sun but her heart now belongs to the men at the Polynesian Cultural Center. She had an exciting trip. June 2-11

Taylor left for the High adventure scout trip to Escelante. He had a lot of hiking and one bad trip that took a toll on his elbow. But the deer that ran out in front of them had a far worse accident that changed his life to post mortem. It was pretty dramatic for the boys as well. June 9-11. Brother Cheetams car is a gonner as well.

Kate spent Friday with me. She wanted to have a trip to the zoo for her final day at home. So in the trickle of rain off we went. We ate some lettuce wraps and shared the day together with the animals. I put on a DI jacket Gabby made me buy just for zoo trips. It takes courage to wear it but I promised. Kate looked at me and said " Can I wear it" Thats so like her.

I learned from Kate to say

" Oh cheese and crackers!" instead of curseing . I learned that bands like Nickle Back sing potty rock because they sound like they are grunting threw the whole song. You can create your own imagery. I also found out that the most deadly animal to humans is the deer. 320 lives a year in car wrecks involving a deer. We got lucky. I had the best time with her at the zoo. June 10 2010

After family dinner we all drove Kate to the airport with her one giant suitcase for 3 months. I bought her some hidious comfortable clothes she picked out at DI to wear at camp. Almost no one should wear shinny Karate pants except Kate. She totally pulls it off and with swagger. We turned Colbie Collett up so they wouldnt hear me crying most of the way there. Apparently I was not alone. Becca has never been away from her twinner more than 2 weeks. She was heart broken . We will all miss her crazy sense of timing and laughter. She landed safely at JFK airport at 7:30 AM. She then got on a bus to take her to camp. She said the humidity is crazy and she sat on a wet seat on the bus. Her initial thought was oh they just cleaned the seats , but she quickly realized from the smell she was now also" pee pants" obviously like the person before her who didnt make it to the bathroom. . Gotta love a New York state of mind. Her new bedroom is now empty and so are spaces in my heart.

That is it for 11 days of trippin. This week is Youth Conference!!

It was a beary good time

2010-06-09T21:15:00.000-07:00

Just another vibrant memory of a 4 day weekend spent with 39 of my favorite people. It was loud and laborius( In the kitchen that is). It was funny and frothy ( in the hot tub of course) It was inviting and intense ( at 7am with one bathroom and 17 bladders). It had silly and spiritual, couped up then wide open. I enjoyed nearly every moment. Some enjoyed lauging at the moment I least enjoyed. ALWAYS look both ways when crossing the street and crouching behind a tree. I loved the miandering buffalo staged along the byway, stinky beautiful spewing pots of mud and water, a wounded wolf slowly crossing the river while his pack waited for him. I loved the trees so thick they looked like moss covering the mountains crest. It was breath taking and wonderful to see my world take shape in a new frame. Being in such beauty, that was created just for us to enjoy helps me take the problems in my shoe box that seem so big and gives them true dimension in the scheme of all things. Thank you for merging together so far from your homes just to be together. The stop at bear world on the way home was the cherry on top. We had a great time and can now say we saw every animal we had hoped to see and some we had no idea we would dare be so fortunate . Black bear, Grizzly bear, bison,deer,elk,wolf,snake,osprey,moose, trout , geese, sheep ,goat, pig,chicken, 3 day old twin fawns and a peacock.

Driving Directions and things you should know.

2010-05-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

Trailers, campers and tents may only be brought in and used for accommodating additional persons with permission only. Additional charges will apply. Most subdivisions do not allow trailers or tents. *Important Information: Cabins ?ARE NOT? equipped with private toiletries like bar soap, shampoo and conditioner for the bath/showers so bring these items with you. Make sure and give everyone in your group a copy of this rental agreement so they are informed of rules and information pertaining to this cabin(s) you are renting. Cabins ?ARE? equipped with: Bedding, pillows, towels, pots & pans, dishes, toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, dish soap, dishwasher soap, detergent for washer, propane for gas grill. *Please call us a few days prior to your reservation so we can e mail you the driving directions and key box instructions to get to and enter cabin upon arrival. Upon arrival into the Island Park area please give us a call. We would love to meet you and take you to the cabin in person whenever possible. Driving Directions are also in attachments below. *The damage deposit will be secured with the credit card you are using to book your reservation. A damage deposit of $500.00 smaller cabins & $750 larger Lodges is required. Our cleaning staff will come in to clean and inspect the cabin right after your departure and if no damage or theft is found and/or garbage is not left behind then nothing will be charged to your credit card. 2. If damage or theft has been found or garbage has been left behind you will be notified before anything is charged to your credit card to discuss the situation. 3. At departure, you will need to take all your trash to the Island Park Landfill. Please walk around the grounds and pick up any trash and/or cigarette butts that has occurred during your stay. Prior to your departure the cabins must be left in a cleaned up manner. Guests are responsible to do your own dishes and to take trash to the dump or additional fees will be charged. 4. Please wash ALL your towels the night before departure and in the morning any towels used must also be washed. 5. Please be honest with us if anything gets broken or damaged during your stay and tell us about it so we are not surprised when we arrive to inspect and clean the cabin. ~May 15 thru labor day closed Wed. ~ After Labor Day to May 1st closed on Sundays. Dump is 1 block West off Hwy 20 on Yale/Kilgore Rd. Look for Elk Creek gas station (Phillips 66) approx. mile marker 389 traveling North /mile marker 390 traveling South on highway 20. Please take your garbage to the dump unless you are departing on the day the dump is closed make sure you take as much as you can to the dump the afternoon before you leave. If you can?t take remaining garbage with you make sure it is sacked up securely and placed where animals are not going to scatter it all over. If this happens you will be charged for the clean up. Sorry, Island Park does not have a garbage service like most cities do. *Noise & Fire arms Ordinance: Fremont County has a noise ordinance that is strictly enforced and shall be obeyed by 10 pm. It is against the law to discharge any fire arms in any subdivision in Fremont County. There are areas for target practice for info- Call: Island Park Forest Service: 208-558-7301 * Ashton Forest Service call: 208-652-7442 *Eviction notice: If guests do not obey the noise ordinance, subdivision rules and/or if we feel damage could occur to the rental property you will be instructed to depart the property immediately. You will be given 2 hours notice to depart the property. *WARNING: NO SMOKING ~ NO PETS $300.00 will be automatically deducted from your damage deposit if you let your pets inside and /or another $300.00 if the cabin smells like cigar or cigarette smoke. All of our private cabins are non-smoking. If you need a smoking facility let us know in advance. Some resorts have smoking rooms. *ATV, DIRT BIKE & SNOWMOBILE USERS When using ATV?s, Dirt Bikes and Snowmobiles in and around the private cabins or resorts, the following rules must be strictly adhered to. NO overnight vehicle or trailer parking of any kind is allowed on the road system within the Resorts or Subdivisions. ATV, Dirt Bike and Snowmobiles SPEED LIMIT on all roads within the Subdivisions and Resorts is 10 miles per hour NO ATV, Dirt Bike or Snowmobile riding is allowed within 100 feet of any cabin and/or condo buildings. Please respect other Private Cabin and Resort Owners property, do not ride ATV?S, Dirt Bikes and Snowmobiles through residential lots located throughout the Subdivisions and Resorts, vacant lots included. The golf course, including the golf cart paths, is OFF LIMITS to all ATV?S, dirt bike & Snowmobiles this includes the cart paths located at the golf course clubhouse. Pulling of any device in which individuals are riding in, or on, is prohibited on ALL ROADS within the Subdivisions and Resorts. *GUESTS MUST OBEY THE RESORT & SUBDIVISION RULES OR YOU WILL BE EVICTED: These rules have been set for your safety and the safety and well being of others. *Hot Tub Waiver: 1.Hot tubs are clean and ready for your use before your arrival. Please call us immediately when you arrive if the cabin hot tub needs attention. Please call us during your stay if hot tub needs to be serviced. We want you to have a great stay and want to accommodate you as best we can. 2.When you rent a cabin that has a hot tub you will be totally responsible if there is an accident, drowning or medical condition during your stay. In the winter months be careful because snow and ice could be around hot tub and you could slip and fall causing injury. 3.You will need to shower before entering the hot tub so hot tub will stay clean. We accept no responsibility if you end up with a rash. You accept total liability when signing hot tub waiver. 4."Please be very alert when children are around the hot tub". If hot tub needs to be drained, cleaned and refilled after your stay there will be a $50.00 charge to your credit card. 5.Legal Responsibility: The Renters will hold the Property Manager and Owners harmless from any liability suit arising from acts or omissions of the Renters while occupying the property. *Rights Reserved: Island Park Reservations reserves the right to offer alternative accommodations without legal or monetary ramifications to Island Park Reservations. We would offer alternative accommodations of equal or greater value in the event of unforeseen complications that might arise in case of an emergency, acts of god, such as but not limited to physical defects that may occur in the Cabin/Lodge/Condo you have booked, such reasons for the move could be adverse weather conditions, mechanical and/or physical complications such as broken or frozen water lines, etc. If alternative accommodations are not satisfactory a refund will be refunded to you as soon as possible. *The Property Manager or Owner will not be responsible for the damage to the Renters personal property while occupying the property. I have read this agreement and understand it?s a legal document and I/we bare responsibility for consulting with legal counsel where not understood. *Finders Keepers! Take a thorough inspection inside and outside of the rental property for any personal items that might get left behind. If items need to be mailed back to you there will be a minimum $25.00 charge. Please call or e mail us if you have any questions: *Island Park Reservations OFFICE: 208-558-9675 ~ Fax: 208-558-9676 P.O. Box 256 Island Park, Idaho 83429 drive directions:

DIRECTIONS
Gps Coordinates-to get to Island Park, Idaho Latitude 44.457735,-111.371375 Longitude N44 deg. 27.4641?,W111deg.22.2825? Please print out this cabin page so you have info about the cabin and so you know what it looks like when you see it. http://www.islandparkidaho.com/TROPHYLODGE/TrophyLodge.html TROPHY LODGE: 4136 Juniper Road Yale Creek Subdivision/SUMMER: Traveling North through Island Park ON HIGHWAY 20 look for mile marker 389 (traveling South look for mile marker 390) look for the Phillips 66 Station on the east side of highway 20. Turn West on Kilgore road right in front of this Phillips 66/Elk Creek gas station (YOU CAN GET trail MAPS & fishing licenses HERE) set you odometer to zero continue west on Yale/Kilgore rd approx. 4.7 miles and take a right on Yale Creek Road (if you get to the shotgun store you have went a little bit to far) you are now traveling North go several blocks and look for Beaver Springs Road, turn right on Beaver Springs and (Set your odometer to zero again and go approx. 5/10th of a mile When looking left you will see a house with a blue roof and you will turn left on Juniper Road. YOU WILL BE TRAVELING UP A STEEP HILL, CONTINUE GOING UP THE ROAD AND STAY TO THE RIGHT, YOU WILL SEE A SIGN THAT SAYS SURGAR PINE but make sure STAY TO THE RIGHT ON JUNIPER. YOU WILL SEE A HOUSE ON THE RIGHT CONTINUE UP THE ROAD AND THE TROPHY LODGE IS THE 4TH DRIVEWAY ON THE RIGHT. LOOK FOR THE LIGHT COLORED BLUE ROOF. YOU ARE THERE!! Tell everyone in your group what the key box combination is so no matter what happens during your stay everyone in your group has access to the cabin by knowing what the combination is so they can enter the cabin whenever needed. If your group gets split up or someone wants to come back to cabin early it?s not a problem to get in. We do not want to have our cabin key lost or stolen so the key lock box works great for our guests and also adds a sense of security for our cabin owners. Your key box combination during your stay will be ___________ Key must be left in lock box at all times. -- Thanks a lot! Cheri Island Park Reservations Office: 208-558-9675 Fax: 208-558-9676 enchanted@islandparkidaho.com Please click on following link and save to your favorites for future reference as we are adding new cabins all the time. http://www.islandparkidaho.com/Yellowstone_cabin_rentals.html

Its almost time for Island Park

2010-05-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

So heres some things you might like to know.

1)June 5th and 6th are National Parks Free day that means we each save $25.oo!

2) there are other deals in yellowstone that weekend for a 5$ coupon for food or shopping go to http://www.dncdestinations.com/ParksSpecialOffers.aspx

3) some of the rooms are small sleeping up to 4 so if you want your whole family to sleep together you may want to bring a blow up mattress. If you dont mind them spread out dont worry.

4) Bring a swim suit for the hot tub, bug spray and your Anderson Family Reunion shirt so we can all find one another in Yellowstone

5) Maybe Em and Shawn will go to the Park with us now that they live near by???

6) your destination should you want to map quest island Park Idaho which is 5 hours and 18 minutes for Rowleys and 348 miles. I will get an exact address when I call the realtor check in is at 4pm

See You SOOON

Leave It All On The Field

2010-05-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

Grandma Bonnie and her booming cheer voice grandpa Ray learning the game as we go. Shawn and I screaming till we are horse, waving our Giggity sign. It was some incredible game Saturday. There was never an inch given either way. We started out scoring 3 to O but they came back and the fight was a serios scrapple like I have never seen. It was amazing. I was so pleased with my Goalie Rowley. He shut them Timberwolves down over and over. 15 saves. I could not have asked for more. For all the effort a trophy would have been nice, but unnecessary.By Laurie MaddoxWSL Special CorrespondentBOUNTIFUL, Utah – Senior middie Braden Lanham brought it all to Timpanogos’ state championship match-up with Spanish Fork on Saturday afternoon: 19 ground balls, nine face-off wins, one goal, one assist – and healthy respect for opposing goalie Taylor Rowley.The Timberwolves (12-5) needed it all to dispatch Spanish Fork, 7-6, and win the Utah High School Lacrosse League Division II state championship in the second game of a championship day quadruple-header at Viewmont High School.Attackman Winston Farley had three goals to lead all Timpanogos scoring, midfielder Jon Wagstaff added a goal, and attackman Stewart Handley provided two when it counted most, scoring both with under a minute left to preserve the Timberwolves’ victory.Spanish Fork (12-3) was led by attackman Algernon Baxter with three goals. Midfielder Freddie Davis added two goals and an assist for the Warriors and attackman David Takasaki added a goal. Lanham, a Division II First-Team All-State MVP, said the game’s outcome was uncertain even to him until the final 11 seconds, when he won the final face-off and shut down any attempt by Spanish Fork to tie the score and send the game into overtime.“They’re fighters, really mentally tough. The toughest thing is their goalie,” Lanham said of Rowley and his 15 saves in the championship game.The victory reversed the outcome of the only other meeting between the two teams, which Spanish Fork won, 8-6, in a regular-season game April 27.“We knew it was going to be our two teams in the championship,” Lanham said. “If you compare both of us, we’re the better team because we have so many contributing players, and they have a few star players.”Timpanogos head coach Mike Schow said he told his players at the final timeout to dig deeper than they ever had before, and the players complied. “It just showed the tenacity and heart of these boys,” he said. SF Lacrosse takes second
Story 2

Spanish Fork and Timpanogos battled for the State Division 2 Lacrosse Championship on Saturday. Warriors took a painful loss (7-6) to end up 2nd in the state.
For a building team, this is an incredible victory. Warriors fought a hard battle against Timpanogos for the Division 2 state title. First to score and ahead most of the game, Warriors' tough defense kept the Timberwolves at bay with goalie Taylor Rowley getting 17 saves.
Timpanogos defense was also strong completely shutting out Zach Christiansen and Tanner Porter who are usually top scorers. Warrior goals were made by Algee Baxter (3), Freddie Davis (2), and David Takasaki (1). Season awards include 1st Team All State Algee Baxter and 2nd Team All-State Tanner Porter. All Conference 1st Team players are Algee Baxter, Zach Christiansen, Dallin Kimber and Tanner Porter. Freddie Davis and Taylor Rowley made All Conference 2nd team.
Congratulations to head coach Jesse Thorpe, and assistant coaches Phil Dunn, Tom James and Josh Thacker. Warriors want to thank the Spanish Fork, Salem, Payson, Mapleton and Springville communities for their support.
They also want to thank Spanish Fork High School for the use of their practice field and American Leadership Academy for letting the team practice on their turf field in preparation for the state tournament.
Warriors also wish to thank the senior players who leave more than just a season, but leave the team they helped to build from the very beginning. These strong players took it upon themselves to attend camps to learn how to play the game, to find fall and winter teams to play with to improve their skills.
They have provided important leadership for the team and we gratefully send them on to other opportunities to lead and inspire others. Go Warriors!

The Year of The Warriors

2010-05-11T22:35:00.000-07:00

Tay in the grasp of the defensive team bear hug.

Tonight was yet another demonstration of what 3 1/2 hours of practice a day will do for a team. The semi finals were held in Park City tonight.Loaded with umbrellas and rain jackets we watched the Warriors consume the field. It was a tough fight for every point in the first half. The Warriors have not played on turf and had some adjusting to do.The second half ended 15 to 10. We are one happy group of mama's and papa's yelling till we were horse and shedding a few tears. I have made banana muffins for the last 2 playoff games and now they are dubbed the winning formula muffins. So Saturday at 1pm we will be in Salt Lake... somewhere, biting our nails. I will load another basket of muffins and go watch the true Final game of the season. It will be a doooozy. Oh how I love Lacrosse because Lacrosse has loved the boy.

Seriously Bad Hair Day

2010-05-05T07:34:00.000-07:00

Hair our joy and the bain of our existence. Color, length, texture. Whatever you got you were wishin for something else at some point. My girls have the most beautiful hair. It has tones of butter, sand, and gold. They begged to color it by junior high. Are you kidding women die for your hair color. I mean litterally kill brain cells sitting under toxic fumes, wrapped in tinfoil for hours resulting in burned off chicken hairs.

Gabby's hair is shared by many an Anderson gene . When she was with Maddie Wendy named them frizz and fuzz when they would walk hand in hand and you were watching from the back.

We make a big deal as you enter the world to note your full head of jet black hair ( cute as a baby monkey) or the fact that you are bald as a cue ball for the first 18 months.

Last month I told Taylor that I would pay his cell phone bill if I could cut his hair. He cringed as his lovely curly ends fell to the floor. He thinks his beattles recreation is a chick magnet. And it is.. but hey Im the mom.

Im considering a yard sale based solely on hair product. After all we have 1/4 inch barrels and 1 1/2 inch barrels, straighteners with steam and ceramic flat irons, perm rollers in tight pink and loosy goosy blue, got to be cream pomade, bedhead, hair goo, big and sexy spray, styling paste and gum, and of course a color spectrum of gel for any hold you want. We have extensions in 3 colors, and no Gabby cant wear black clipped on hair to a charter school so why I ask you?? Headbands, skinny doubles, leather ties, barettes that have ducks, flowery clips, bows and hair bands clear, colored, striped . Depending on your mood you can choose a band with or without a metal bracket depending on how much whinning you crave when you remove the thing at night . Im just sayin whats the dealio?? I have loved Mollyand Ems hair pixie short and loose and long. I have hated Ginger and Amys growth rate why do they get 3 inches a month and I get 1/2 an inch. Grandma Kate had auburn hair well into her 70's I always thought it was her color, really I did. Now at 45 Jenny pulls 5 greys when she did my hair last, say it isnt so! I could care less how many decades I say I have been alive but grey hair now that says old, right?? Or is it wise and distinguished. I have tried to not be to caught up in this torant of tresses thus we have one hair variation at our home some up some down. No fishbone braids or french knots at our house. Still it has penitrated clear to the tub, There stands 5 bottles of shampoo ranging from .97 cents to 9 dollars and seventy cents. Isnt this a dead cell I ask. Why the fuss, the muss the tears, the appointments folowed by more tears. Im just wondering isnt thier something also to be said for a bad hair day. Cant we learn from a bad side ponytail, bangs cut alfalfa short or a clippy that falls loose. Dont you think its a good giggle to see hair in disaray. So I petition you lets join in freeing ourselves of this bondage to our Couf.

What if you had Finns hair front and back now thats something to think about, having a fuzzy but!

Now what do I do.....

2010-04-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

So I decided. Yep made a hard and fast decision to customize my own vanity. I bought a 100 year old buffet made of mahogany. Its beautiful and was one of my greatest finds at $250.00 bucks. Shawn is hesitant to cover the top in marble or drill for a sink because its quite a piece of

dovetailed craftsmanship. So we drive to salt lake load the heavy beauty up, and I cannot wait to see it in the space. Tay and Shawn lug it down the stairs and set it up for me in the skeleton bathroom. I ran downstairs ellated. HMMMMM??? OH ...OH MY Its Big.. well actually ginormous in the space and so now what can I do. Im looking for bright ideas from the peanut gallery. Shawn said cut the middle out and slide it together as he shrugged his shoulders at me. I really love it. I keep waiting for woody Allen to jump out and yell cut. Why is my life a comedy or errors? Would anyone else like to comment on their well thought out life that has a mind of its own?

Food Glorius Food Assignments

2010-04-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

Here is the family reunion assignments.

Thursday

Dinner______________ Jenny

Friday

Breakfast___________ Ginger

Lunch _____________Molly

Dinner_____________ Terri

Saturday

Breakfast___________Wendy ( we could come to you that morning if you want)

Lunch_____________ Amy

Dinner_____________ On Your Own In Yellowstone

Sunday

Brunch____________ All sisters tell me what your specialty dish will be

Dinner____________ Mom

Monday

Breakfast Terri fruit granola or somethin, Wendy juice Ginger 3boxes cereal

Jen 4 boxes of cereal Amy yogurt or some pastry delight from your baking expertise Molly think of somethin or feed a baby Mom 3 gallons milk one chocloate please. Any complaints to bad put on your big girl panties and deal with it. Or call and work it out with another sister.

Things I LIKE to obsess about.

2010-04-21T12:27:00.001-07:00

2 years ago I sat with Jen at a doctors appointment. I looked through a magazine and saw a decorated wall I thought was just to my liking. Ever since I have been on a quest to find these pictures. 2 years I have searched bird art from the 1700's in Sweden. I found them on a european E-Bay. No comprendo the euro or the language. I did find another poor woman who was blogging looking for the same art. Maybe someday I will find this artwork. Or maybe an artful sister could give me a bid.

Likewise I have been designing a bathroom vanity for 3 months. Mind you I promised I could do an entire bathroom for $2,000 dollars when we got our tax money. Thats not a big budget but Im determined so here are some of my ideas. I do love that grey bathroom ever so much.

Im also overthinking what to cook for Bunco next week, how to do food assignments for the family reunion, Should I hire Stanley Steamer or a cheaper carpet guy. I actually like this incesant thought process. Please feel free to contribute recipes for bunco, ideas for deviding food assignments, vanities you like and of course where to find Oloffs bird art. As well I take no offense to the fact Im a bit of a control freak everything has to be just right in my head before its done in real life.

April

2010-04-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful month. Certainly a very poignant month for me. A holiday that comes with its own accoutrements. The earth breaking free of its slumber in beautiful renewal. Its such a poignant reminder to me that I have to wake up and shake off that which is tired and supressing who I can be. I love the whole presentation of Easter.

Spring Break! Kids all home sleeping in I love the noise in the house. I took Gabber shopping with me one day and she has wanted to stop at a dessert only resteraunt called Chocolate. She had two of the most decadently delightful treats. It was fun just to watch her and sit and chat. Its a great week with low to zero expectations.

I also love the 1oth of April. Another day of great blessing for me and mine. A spouses birthday is like having your own. You share their dinner out eat their favorite cake ( or bread pudding) and often their presents become joint propert. Besides Shawn is such a gift in and of himself for me . What an extraordinary day April 10 1965 would become in my life.

April is also Lacrosse season in full swing. All the labors of months of drills running bruises and sprains become evident. This is the big payoff year for a fledgeling team created 3 years ago. The black and red have dominated the field but for one game. I love sitting wrapped in a blanketyelling terms I barely inderstand. "Check him!" " " Keep him out of the crease, out of the dirt, out of the box Rowley" It is crazy fast paced fun we all love to watch the Warriors.

April 17th is another day of consequence in my life. I remember so much about the day. I was 17 years old loaded up in a car full of little girls headed to the Idaho Falls Temple. I waited in a room down stairs in the temple with some attentive temple matrons who read to my sisters and kept them happy. My joy came shortly as we crowded around the two most essential adults in my life. Joined by the flesh of our hands and sealed forever as a family, threw a labor of love and a power beyond my ability to fully comprehend. I knew it was a day that had been fought for. Earnestly, repentent, hopeful, with all they held dear. My parents claimed me forever. Im so thankful for all they have been willing to change or to create anew to keep us pointed towards a brighter day.

The Roller Coaster Is Still In Motion

2010-04-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

In her state of poverty Kate has been donating plasma. Yesterday she got more than she bargained for. While at a park with Becca she passed out. You know the kind where you dont respond or come to real fast. Becca called in a panic. Shawn hurried to Orem and hauled her to the ER. Her blood pressure was 60 over 40. Not good actually pretty scary. It turns out she was very dehydrated and plasma made it worse. she is fine and sassy to day.

I bought dirt for my square foot garden. Apparently the term cheaper than dirt is a falicy. Some dirt and other fine by products cost a fortune. This year my tomatoes are worth $8.00 a piece.

Becca told me she is changing her major from Exercise Science to a Behavioral Science. Social Work!! " You sure honey?" I love what I do but it isnt for everyone. But she will be great at it, she has always been an advocate for the down trodden and needy.

Taylor had a court appearance at 10 yesterday morning. All he had to do was bring proof of insurance and he was good to go. BUT if you forget to go you are in contempt of court. I drove him like a mad woman looking for my own ticket to the court house at noon. We did alot of fast talking to save his scrawny but.

Today I got an email that of the 90 students that tried out for the spring blast Gabber is in a solo group. Who better to sing " Welcome to the sixties" That girls got soul! Tomorrow we make the last payment to her flight to Hawaii. She owes $466.00 and as of this moment she has earned $435.00 Not to shabby for a 14 year old girl.

Its all in a week

2010-04-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

So here is the events of March 27 to April 2

Mar 27--Kate Becca Gabby and Brook make their annual trek to the Color Festival. I traditionally make chicken legs with wingers sauce, for when they get home. They eat alot of legs. I do alot of laundry.

Mar 27-- Taylor finds a job!! Ya working for us cleaning leveling and building in the side yard. He did an awesome job so far. Square foot gardening here we come.

Mar 28-- Shawn invites Brad Wilcox to speak at his ward. It turns into a stake fireside. Phenomenal. After all we ( you and Jesus) can do we ( you and me) are saved by the grace of God. Heavenly Father is pleased with every good choice no matter how small, he isnt waiting for us to get it just right to be delighted in us.

Mar 29-- Gabby home sick day 4!! We spend 4 1/2 hours at the Dr. nothing on the x-ray or in any test. Ginger says we have a history of stomach problems on moms side of the family.

Mar 29-- American Idol and Easter shopping what a great night
Mar 30-- Finn has officially eaten all the pillows on the couch and both of gabbys pair of flip flops!! She wants him gone NOW

Mar 31-- Gabby is laying on the couch with Finn I guess he can stay. I bath both dogs for the 3rd time this week. I love the spring mud.
April 1-- Taylor texts he is in a car wreck. I call to chew him out. Some jokes are not funny. Telling Gabby I was pregnant and she would need to share her room (Now thats funny.) He was not kidding. We drive to Josh's house big scrape down the side of one of those 15 passanger vans and Tays Bumper is completely off. He is very dejected. No need to say one word. His dad just hugged him and I made him a grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich. He couldnt do his homework or eat. To upset. Im so greatful for insurance I sure hate my premium$$$.

April 2---Shawn and I are going to the temple I hope we can make it to Manti. I call Amy for creative Easter dinner ideas. She is making spring rolls and wontons. YUMO I buy a ham and stuff for funeral potatoes.

Moose Mouse Club Reunion Confirmed

2010-03-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

After everyones in put I have made the payment in full for the reunion at the Trophy lodge.

So the dates are confirmed June3 come home June 7. Im very much looking forward to being with you all and having a new adventure. My family has NEVER been to Yellowstone. Thats a crime. Unless the caldera errupts and fullfills Jennys greatest fear we should have an amazing memory together. I already started stocking up on graham crackers for the smores with the moose mouse club.

I would love to say this ones on me. I hope a day comes when I can do that, BUT thats not this year so if you could most swiftly send a check to replenish my bank account. I would be most great ful. There are 2 checks for some people. One to pay for auction items and one that is to cover your stay this year, Everyone has some credit for both the items you purchased and the items you sold in the auction. So while your total amount of fees this year are $200.00 your actual check for the stay will be less than that. I expect to have some money above and beyond the cost of the $ 1,112.oo fees. We can use that for fishing licenses or entrance to the Yellowstone Park. Below is your personal fees. Please send both checks Auction Items made to Ginger Livingston and Lodge fees to Terri Rowley. CONFUSED call me.

AUCTION ITEMS LODGE FEES

Mom $85.00 and $ 147.50

Holyoak $37.50 and $ 94.00

Landrum $ 75.50

If you want you can use your credit toward where you are staying it is $42.25 so just the difference would be owed to Ginger. If you have a change and want to join us it would be

$ 157.75 for the lodge.

Thorne $ 62.50 and $ 149.25

Browning Paid and $121.65

Rowley $ 178.00 and $$51.00

Livingston Paid and $105.00

Can you do the Reunion???

2010-03-23T20:11:00.000-07:00

The place we typically go for family reunion are not available this year for us. Trying to find a place in our price range is more than challenging. We spend about $300.00 a night. You can go to this site for pictures and all the info that is below is on that site as well.

http://www.islandparkidaho.com/trophylodge/trophylodge.html

So I found this lodge for 195.00 a night plus tax and cleaning fees. The man meant it to fill the winter spring season but he is willing to extend the deal for the fist week in June. The 3rd of June a Thursday thru Sunday the 6th we can sleep at the Lodge and leave Monday.We MUST jump on this soon like I should call him This Thursday to confirm if that is what you all would like to do. Can you please do some serios discussion about this and get a confirmed answer quickly. As well the needed funds to go must be collected fairly soon. Ging has that part because some paid for their auction items and have credit and some owe for the auction to get credit. Im hoping it is under $200.00 for a family to get a 5 day vacation and spend a day in Yellowstone. That entrance fee is $25.00 per car to the park.

TROPHY LODGE
Approx. 45 minutes to West Yellowstone
Summer, Winter, Spring, or Fall; The Trophy Lodge is the best bargain in the area for your large group accomodations. It sits on a very private and heavily treed 1.25 acre lot in the Upper East End of the Yale Creek Subdivision. Unlike many local rentals, this cabin has ample parking (for 8-10 vehicles), and you can easily park your larger trailers. The large lot backs up to National Forest Land which adds additional Privacy and a Unique connection to public land that you wont find in other cabins in the more densely populated areas of Island Park. The National Forest land behind the cabin supports a vast selection of wildlife, and a short walk puts you truly in the middle of nature. We have seen Deer, Elk, Moose, and a host of other animals within just 100 yards from the cabin, so bring your camera. In the Winter you can ride your snowmachine right out of the back of the property and end up on the Stamp Meadows Groomed Trail, or for the kids, you can sled on your own private hill behind the cabin. The Lodge has a large covered deck area which means rain or shine you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest. The Lodge is fully furnished and loaded with amenities which will make your vacation as Unforgetable as it should be; there is a Large Firepit with log seating for your whole party. Thereare several TVs including a bigscreen in the Greatroom for you to enjoy many channels on Dish Network. There is also wireless internet availible as well. Whether you are in Island Park to Hunt, Fish, Hike, Bike, ATV, Snow Machine, Bird Watch, Go to Yellowstone, family reunion, or just get away from it all; the Trophy Lodge is not only your most economical option for your large group, but it also will send you home with memories to last a lifetime.

Sleeps 30 bedrooms/3-Baths $400 a night$450 on holidays weekends

BED CONFIGURATION-
Main Level: Two master bedrooms- 1 with a queen bed (2)and 1 with a king bed (2). Both have a climb up in loft with a double mattresses on the floor (4). Both have a t.v., both have a fire place. Both have a private bath with jetted tub/shower combos. Large living room has hide-abed couch (2).Lower Level: 3-Bedrooms-The two smaller downstairs bedrooms has 1 queen sized bunk bed in each Sleeps 4 in each room (8), The 3rd larger downstairs bedroom has 2 queen sized bunk beds(8) and a queen bed (2).Small family room with a hide-abed (2). Sleeps 30 3 bathrooms

Spring

2010-03-21T21:28:00.000-07:00

Spring is such a welcome renewal. I went to IFA to pick up rabbit food and gardening gloves. The chirping song in IFA drew Gabber like the pied piper. Soon she was asking if she could please oh please have a baby duck! Then how about a chicken? I told her Finn would love a chicken. Baby everything is cute. The baby rabbit, Hannah as purchased many years ago. She is less cute now that she needs her cage cleaned.

Becky and Kate are on their way back from "Spring Break. " They had a $170.00 each and a whole lot of peanut butter and bread. Off they went to see Mickey mouse. Both are trained well in sentimental foolishness . They made sure to start at the jungle cruise , sing in small world and cry threw the fire works. Today all were reluctant to leave and return to Utah.

Shawn and I drove up the canyon with the dogs and in light weight jackets walked the camp ground, why the pups ran wild chasing birds and digging for bunnies. I found some trimmed branches with fresh buds and couldn't help but take them to make Jenny's inspiration the Easter Tree. ( My version). Its time to look forward to, to prepare for, to delight in. All those things that the Spring brings.

Orchids

2010-03-09T16:00:00.000-08:00

My Lovely

The March wind blows a howling. The mountains majestic dark and bare. The sky threatens a winter warning as thick dark clouds loom low. My gardens rests in a suspended frost bitten state. Today, I marvel at the curvy growth of a bloom delicate and lovely despite the dim dismay outside. My orchid is so allureing so bewitchng and dainty that one thinks it to be fragile and demanding. Quiet the opposite is true . She asks so little and gives such bounty. The essence of what in life is truely lovely.

By Terri R

Reasons to love being Bonnie's daughter.

2010-02-24T16:40:00.000-08:00

I got a call at 11:00 this morning ( 8 in paradise). I answered singing Aloha eee Aloha oooo. Mom was crying, she stated. "You mark my words within the next 5 years I will take you and your sisters and we will go to Hawaii." She just wanted so badly to share the beauty. She had seen some incredible orange flower, and watched the sunset over the ocean and she wa in awe at the wonder of it all. I love that way to be greatful. Then some little pale faced 2 yr old boy on the beach stuttered out Aloha to her and she said that she just hugged him. I love that to. Everything has its beauty not everyone sees it. Mahalo

PS This is my witness .Please note this as a living testament of her declaration to take us to Hawaii so we can hold her to it!!

Persuassive Paper Day

2010-02-19T20:22:00.000-08:00

Gabby had to right a persuassive argument for her english class. Of greater importance if the paper actually does persuade its intended audience she gets extra credit. She proceeded to write a paper that began

Dear Mother;

I would like to have a day off from school where I can just spend time with you.

So the noodle worked her mojo, and today was her very own day. We started by wandering a boutique. We bought some summer clothes at DI. I then asked her where she wanted to have lunch. She said she wanted to try Indian food. I said " Gab I've made Indian food you aren't fond of the sweet and savory spice combo." She said. " Mom I love buffalo" I started to laugh and said " You're killin me here Gab they dont even serve beef." She replies, " Yes they do I have had it. Indians ate lots of buffalo." Oh my dear child... Indian food is from South Asia not the North American Plains. We ate at Sizzler no buffalo but a very rare steak made her quite happy. I texted Taylor to inform him he was feeling sick and needed to meet us at the theatre to watch the Lightning Thief. I found out on our date that Granny considers pickles and ketchup vegetables and thats one of the reasons Gabby likes to travel with her. I know about her plan to graduate early and join the airforce so she can see the world. I know she has an A in Geography and English and a C in Algebra. I realized that her freckles are lighter and her eyes are slightly greener than the once blue. She had me touch her flaxen hair to verify it was still baby soft in spite of the cheap Suave shampoo. I wonder if she will craddle the day away in a soft memory as I will? Tonight before she runs down the stairs to bed Im going to kiss the bridge of her nose and think.

" Oh pretty baby when did you become a little lady."

It'll do

2010-01-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

This is a tale of a character trait one that I have moments of gratitude for but that also brings me much angst. I try to be easy going. If you dont live directly with me I may have pulled off that conviction. Not overly concerned about getting a fence around the yard or replacing the 11 year old washer . Poor thing just doesnt have the youthful power to fully remove the water from my towels. I dont mind restting it to do a second spin . Some things I can live with . Thats good if you think Im frugal " use it up wear it out" kind of thing. But lets be honest. Saying I can live with that is not always admirable. Their are conversations I should have confrontations I should face habits I could break, shows I shoudnt sit threw, chores I need to do. Jobs I should persue and work I should have left. My husband saw me making pancakes the other day and when he looked at my wire wisk my prolonged procrastination was over. I had actually come to believe all whipped cream takes 15 minutes to whip. Slowly I had been sucked into believing that tool was on par or at least acceptable. When the wisk he ordered came in the mail. I said this isnt right with my eye brows furled. It was huge! Well.. it was right . I was a little gitty I had no idea how sub par my standard had become. Well heres to joining Scott and Jen and others of you who are looking at your life and questioning " It'll do pieces of your life" Maybe it shouldnt do I dont want to die with any song left in me.

Finnigan begin again

2010-01-04T18:20:00.000-08:00

Once in a while I like to look up stuff on KSL classifieds just for fun. Michael Buble tickets, soaker tubs, and english springer spaniel puppies. Well I was doing that last week and found a little add for a FREE 8 month old springer named Duke, who needed a good loving home, papered, neutered, shots, chip FREE. Shawn has said many times how happy Sam would be if he had a friend when we are gone. Im not real hip on the 2 dog thing. But this add called to me so I called the number. The man said a woman had already called for him. I called later to make sure she came for him, she did. I had day dreamed about calling him Dewey or Ducky(shouldnt do that , it makes it harder when it doesnt work). I was sad but relieved. Remember my last blog. "What was I thinking!" Well 2 days later Im back on KSL adds and I will be darned if a new add by a different owner doesnt say all the same things. Duke 8 mo doesnt get along with my lab and we only want $75.00. The add had been up 13 minutes. I called her and told her I had been following the dog but couldnt pay for him. She said come get him.

So after Caleb's wonderful baptism we went to get another ( Im not kidding I have lost my mind!) dog. He is so sweet just looks at the cat. He is 10 pounds heavier an 2 inches taller than Sam. They have knocked over paint, slurped 2 gallons of water in 12 hours, been to Home Depot and Auto Zone and have driven us crazy puppy wrestling . We voted on about 30 names Frodo was a cute accompniment to Sam, but Hobbs won. I liked it but it doesnt fit. I took liberty today and texted the family to tell them that his real name was Finnigan or Finny if your me. It means the little white haired one. So at last we have more males than females in the house. Annie come see the new puppy!

Why did you do this to yourself?

2009-12-30T05:21:00.000-08:00

Im a holiday diva. Love them all love them big and shiny and with much jubilation. I want the perfect surprise to leave someone speechless teary eyed or jumping up and down . That means I have made many purchases over the years in front of a cash register day dreaming of someones delight and not the long term view. That looks like a JC Penny credit line just to buy a ring 30% off at 18% interest. Ithas been toddler toys thast pop, cry and shoot off Star wars light saber noises or fire truck alarms. I have had play dough in my carpet, Shrinky dinks on fire in the oven. I feverishly bid on e-bay for a leapord spotted coat. Begged for by a 10 year old who slipped it on once. Fake fur is "too hot to wear mama". We have un played guitarsand unstrung bows. We own a Cotton candy machine and easy bake oven that are rediculous to clean and need a home equity line of their own to afford the ounce and a half mixes! I have a dog thats had interveneous feedings, a cat that can only have food from one store, and a guinea pig for whom I called every vet and pet hospital in the phone book. I willingly offering a blank check to have a c section performed and save its babies.

In the dark of the night I will wait for a 5 AM stampede to get cabbage patch anniversary edition, DS lite, legends of Zelda and a My little pony whos strawberry smelling hair grows. The hair will be cut off in a jagged pony tail and it will have a new name written on its bottom and permanent marker lipstick and eye shadow within 5 hours of unwrapping.

This year my big surprise was getting Gabby ( formerly known as DOO DA DAY) an unavailable in the USA copy of Song of the South. She cried as I expected and so did I. But my biggest coo was Skull Candy Headphones. Retail $88.00 my price $28.00 "oh yea I rock I say to myself" while Im wrapping them up. But its now 5 days later. I have repeated myself 700 times! The bathrooms dirty, the dog hasnt been walked and no one knows where I have gone. Because they cant hear me !! Apparently it isnt me who rocks.

So Its true Im a sucker for a happy moment. If I have my way, one day light years from now. I will park a big Kawasaki trail bike in the driveway, with a huge red ribbon on it for my husband. He will be so surprised I expect he will squeal like a 6 year old who gets a my little pony. I can see his face now all excited and greatful. Its enought to keeep me from remembering that I HATE the idea of him riding the thing and will be worried every time he varooms out of the driveway. See Why do I do this to myself??

It Is A Wondeful Life

2009-12-24T08:45:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday I went to church with my whole family. ON TIME! We sat on the front row. I got to set next to my husband in the crook of his sheltering arm, that was nice. There was not room for Tay to set with us after he was done with his sacrament resonsibilities. Bec and Gab went over and set in the Deacons seats with him. I asked Kate if she wanted to sit between dad and I ( Something we have rarely let our children do) . She did and was very cuddly, particularly for Kate who is not my touchy feely kid. That would be the boy who wants me to rub his head every night why we watch Everybody Hates Chris. Anyway. The meeting was exceptional the Christmas Choir the small talks. I had water trickling down my face most of the meeting. Kate leaned over and said " Come here you big old wet mop" I had to contain a giggle why she hugged me and kissed my face right in church!!! Later she told me "Im kind of the grinch green on the outside tender in the middle" I said Who Be Whatee . It has been a very generous Christmas full of beautiful happy tender moments. I loved our Anderson Christmas Party it seemed like the kids have grown enough to do some quieter interaction and they were self contained playing grandma and grandpa upstairs in grandmas reading glasses. Eli bounced off of Shawn getting tickled for some time, I held Izzy as one of the lucky few. We delighted in salad heaven and Crem Brulee sin. Lots of warm smiles and soft touches. AWESOME.

I know what my favorite gift is this year and possibly for many years. I just had not taken the reflective minutes to think of its power. It is hope. I have never known one minute of a life without it. There has always been someone I knew who would comfort me hold me encourage me and solve sorrow with me. I have never known true dispair isolation abandonment. I know it exists .I have seen its terror, but it is not my life. I believe there will always be a witness for the importance of me. Just me flawed frightened, insecure, deserving, desiring irritable me. Thank you Lord Jesus for being near me guiding me delighting in my happiness and providing for it to continue evermore.

Making The Best Of Christmas

2009-12-11T21:06:00.000-08:00

We had a lesson in Relief Society and they mentioned the Good Better Best talk by Dallin Oaks. I started thinking about how that could apply to Christmas for me. I often end the year wishing I had spent more time thoughtfully for the holidays. So for Family Home Evening we did a list of things that would qualify in those areas for holidays. I love buying gifts and Santa Claus movies but they are not what gives me the greatest spiritual lift. I really dont remember most of who gave what over the years nor do my children. But a child can tell you what they look forward to and love about Christmas time, and its usually family time together. I hope we do this the best this year along wit some personal choices that will create the BEST Christmas . Wouldnt it be ironic in a year where we have little monitarily to have the most gratitude joy and peace.

FREE STUFF

2009-12-04T12:53:00.000-08:00

Thought you might be interested in this.
I have not yet downloaded some of these but I have a friend who has. They're free. I may download all of them.... Hope you see some you'd like, or some others you know might like. Do pass this on to others who might enjoy these books. The information below warns that this opportunity is not going to continue to be available. Enjoy.
As a part of his doctoral studies, John Hilton III is "studying what happens when books are made available for free." He worked with "Deseret Book and they have made 8 of their books available for free." They can all be downloaded at http://deseretbook.com/free. Several of the books are ones you might be interested in. The books are:

1. Please Pass the Scripture (by John Hilton III).2. What I Wish I Would Have Known When I Was Single (by John Bytheway).3. Women at the Well (by Richard and Jeni Holzapfel).4. Digging Deeper (by Robert Eaton).5. 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know (by Brent Top and Bruce Chadwick).6. Growing Up: Gospel Answers About Maturation and Sex (by Brad Wilcox).7. Saving Kristen (by Jack Weyland). (fiction)8. The Hidden Path (by C.B. Andersen). (fiction).

I recommend that you go download them all and save them for future reference as they will only be available online for free for a short time.
Could you forward this information on to others who might be interested? I want to help share these great, free resources with as many people as possible. Some of the books help you get more out of the scriptures. Others are good for parenting. Some are just plain fun. Go check out .

Seek The Lord Early

2009-11-14T05:06:00.000-08:00

Gabby and Taylor have a temple baptism trip with the young mens and young womens group scheduled for some Tuesday evening this month. Their was also an option to go an additional time at 5 AM on a Satuday morning. I told both of them if they wanted to go they needed to get themselves up and there. No pushing dragging or guilting from me. (Its a new thing Im trying called free will not so free consequences) .

I was up at 4:30 making Shawns lunch, when Gabber rubbing her sleepy eyes stumbled into the bathroom. 10 minutes later Tay was up and at 5:05 they were in his car heading out! Im gonna go back to bed very content that they have chosen to seek the Lord early, very early this morning.

Primary Lessons

2009-11-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

This is my 8 year olds at our class party.

I in very indulged fashion hand picked my class this year all 11 of them. Its been a challenge handling that many chatterboxes during primary, but I would not have it any other way. All of these children were my first nursery class in this ward in 2003. I am deeply attached to them. They are my investment. Im not what one would call a church scholar. There are so many things I have not examined or studied. I know that is a very important piece of my life that I have not partaken of . So its possible as I say this that its me covering for my slackerish ways. When I was called to be the Primary President at 28 I was most un prepared and I let Heavenly Father know it. I laid on my bed with myriads of resources planning a sharing time. This would often take the better part of a day( again not a scholar). So I decided out of desperation that the theme of my presidency was going to have to be simple ... so I decided on love . If I got not one other message to a child then they would know I loved them. On my last Sunday I kneeled a the door and hugged every child andtold them I loved them why I cried huge crocodile tears all over their little clip on ties and dresses. I had no idea the impact it would have on me personally.

Love is now the only measurement of success I use. I have no control over what information makes it to thier little subconcious. They are often busy whispering about Star Wars Rogue Squadron attacks . I dont know if I have strengthened their testimonies while they are leaning back on their chair hitting the wall. I cant measure my impact after primary because usually I need tylenol and a nap. Bottom line at the end of the day I only know that they know I consistently unceasingly love them. Thats what I take home that brings me back again next week. Im sure this sounds like a sanctimonious sermon but my true intention is to say what this has given me. My way of being is better 3 hours on Sunday than at any other time. Im more patient, more gentle, more deligent, more holy than at any other place in my life and I like it... I like me when Im with them!! I could not have done one more thing to be true to who I know I should be. I cry more and laugh more and my heart hurts it is so full . On the first Saturday of most months Im completely uplifted and touched to attend their baptisms and be reminded of the blessed and guided lives they have begun. While I drive home I feel renewed and humbled that I to can have that change in my life whenever I choose it. I want my way of being with those 11 children to creep into every place in my life. Mostly this blog is a testament of the truth that I know. "Where love is there God is also ." Tis love we get when love we bring. Turns out that making the investment in them collected big dividends for me.

Unsung heros

2009-10-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

Heres to mother's who sew, ebay, and teach step arobics at wee hours so wee children can make every wish come true.

Here's to mothers who view every event from behind a lense so someone can enjoy it again later.

Here's to mothers who know what it requires to be a mother and do it anyway!

Here's to mothers who have the patience to teach a resistant child a new skill .

Whole Lota Birthday

2009-10-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

October typically holds 2 Rowley Birthdays. This year we added6 more. Sams girlfriend had puppies. All black and white 3 female 3 male. They were born in the beginning of the month.

I think Birthdays are a big deal. That big deal has gone from a joyous day of celebration to doing what Jen calls " Takin it on the road." Gabbys Birthday spanned a weekend . I took her to lunch and bought her a shirt on Thursday. Friday she didnt have a Birthday Party because I said, "We have had a party every year since you were 3 Gab no party this year."

So she just asked if she could have someone (s) sleep over. Sure Gab 5 giggly girls rootbeer floats and sour patch kids. Movies all night and thats not a party?? By law Gab tells meif their is no invitations cake or presents it does not constitute a party. So Friday we didnt have a party.

Saturday evening we dropped her off at Becca's house to spend the night and go to the dollar movie.

Sunday we had her favorite dinner and Gabby pie formerly known as chocolate almond bar pie.

Monday she got to take her annual birhday off school .

Taylor , who harrased Gabber for her endless weekend has decided its his Birthday all week. Sunday bread pudding and candles. Monday presents and the day off school to play games until your brain shuts down. Kate and Becca take him to the dollar movie and they all share a subway sandwhich they smuggle in his sweat shirt.Tuesday his actual Birthday I will make his favorite Zuppa Tascana and hang the birthday banner. For Wednesday he announces " I shouldnt have to drive Gab to school because I dont have a first peiod and its my birthday!"

Where did I go wrong....... Never mind dont answer that.

Happy october to me what a blessed mom I am

to have these happy good kids. Have a great 1st, 14th, 17th year.

Something out of Nothing Summer 2009

2009-10-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

Basement before the magic

Im not so sure Rapunzel couldnt have spun straw into gold. I have seen amzing things created out of concrete and sawdust. In June WE begun and I say we generously towards myself. But we began the adventure of building another bedroom in the basement.

I started thinking of colors and design and Shawn started hanging sheet rock. He did most everything. I know Gabby swept and Tay helped mud and Kate hung a piece of sheet rock but truely he did it all out of nothing. Im stunned. I had no idea the talent in his hands . I had to go to a home show and see a coffered ceiling I loved with his busines card on the kitchen counter to realize how good he was. Anyway I really have never been very outwardly greatful for this gift, mostly because I didnt see the intricate steps. I just got crown molding magically I thot?

So I chose the carpet and got a free upgraded pad. I agonized over sweet corn yellow or daffodil colored paint bought it and then went back and got pottery red instead. I found sconces after 3 days on ebay and I bought lights and door knobs. My job was excruciating! Oh the mental effort to decide shag or burber. All of this I HAD TO DO. While he framed, insulated, did the duct work for heat, wired for electricity ( with phone calls to dad), hung sheet rock alone on a ceiling, taped, slapped on buckets of mud ( in old world style please) made a window seat book shelves, closet , built in dresser, crown mold, and bead board. Primed then Painted in 3 tone . Hung the doors put on the hard ware and closet rods , knobs and electircal plates. Oh and I HAD TO pick out a mirror and then go get blinds. Of course Shawn hung those to and put together the bed that I bought. I cant begin to tell you what it takes to match beddng to paint and purchase decortive designer pillows in varying textures . It's adaunting task.

But Shawn did his little share to. I love that man he is never credited for the awe and I do mean awe some skills he has that make my life sweeter and easier. I paid for one dryer repair 2 years ago and nearly died. Thank you honey for the free and beautiful labors of love you really can spin

straw into gold. I have seen it done.

Tryin Somethin New

2009-10-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

Do you know why people pay big bucks to go on a vacation. Because it enlivens the senses . You can remember amazing details about vacations because they are new and extraordinary times. Gabber just got done with her cruise to Alaska. Im only slightly jealous but more delighted she had such an opportunity at 13. She saved $800.00 so she could go. Here are some of her pics.

I have hadthe opportunity lately to try a few new things myself. I have an adventureous friend who drug me to go 4-wheelin. Im pretty guarded with my little life I dont ride roller coasters, or peer over the edge of buidings. let alone jump out of or over things. So I went at 13 miles an hour slowly loving the scenery and watching the trail to guard against rocks. I got some laughs over that because thats what the 4-wheeler is made for. So as I got more daring of to the tops of the mountains we went . It was amazing. Im in love with 4-wheeling! Much to my husbands delight. There are views I would never otherwise see. I also learned that at 35 miles an hour if you turn your head just right the air will blow down your nose and throat and you dont have to breath. Isnt that somethin. we stopped to see the run of the sockeye salmon so beautiful and what a transformation they do as they toughen up to make heir journey. I got to go riding again last week and my machine broke down. I sat on the mountain for 3 hours why they retrieved the trailor. I sat watching the sun slowly climb the mountain and disapear. It was very serene. The weathr was crisp and I had some cows for company. The leaves were dropping and so was the snow off the over hanging branches. The smells are a delightful surprise as you pass clumps of sage brush or groves of spruce or evergreens. My senses were invigorated and it was awesome. Sunday Tay and I cooked middle eastern food for a class project. It was an adventure adding cardamon and raisins to my rice and chicken. But it was good and the turkish Pide ( bread) was awesome adorned with fennel and sesame seeds on top.

We watched conference as a family and I was touched to see who has aged into talking from their chair and loved the messages of showing true loving behavior for our savior and how he loves us. I was very pleased with my weekend. I dare say it was as good as a cruise... or close to. It was new and fresh and exhilerated my senses. May I suggest if your feeling a little hum drum try something... anything new. Its great for dates, dinner and depression. Life can be amazing. Here are a few more pictures .

2009-08-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

Boise Idaho Temple where we were married

On Saturday the 22 of Aug Shawn and I have been married for 23 years. About half a year less than Mike and Wendy and almost double Jen and Jared. Saturday we took our laptop to Geek box computer for repairs, watched GI Joe and had a nice lunch together. Oh and got eatten alive by bugs while we atempted some more night fishing. Lots of itching no catching. But the hi light for me was the day before.

Friday night we witnessed our neighbors sealed as a family. It was exceptional. The Sealer said "This is not a temple marriage this is a God like marriage this is a celestial marriage. A Temple marriage is where you pick a pretty temple you want to be married in ." He said so many things that bouyed my soul. I loved sitting there next to Shawn holding his hand. I loved when he squeezed my hand during special parts of the ceremony. I smiled and quietly laughed when they brought in the children in their beautiful white dresses. Shawn said " They look like they are trying to escape from a vat of whipped cream" It was true they were very full gathered dresses. It was an awesome night. Awesome to realize how valueable our commitment is to our salvation to our direction. I love you Mr. Rowley. Thanks for having me and keeping me and honoring me by honoring your covenants. Thats a pretty great gift.

Love Terri