The big 4-0

I am entering a new decade tomorrow, I'll be forty! I am excited about the day because my mom, and my sisters Jenny, Amy, and Christy are flying in to celebrate with me. Adrienne, Camille, Dorothy and Lisa are all working so hard to make this a great weekend reunion. What a party - I can't wait!

The thing I'm not looking forward to is everything you hear about how your body starts to decline in your forties and beyond. Other than the physical, when I look at what my life has held for me in the past forty years, I feel like I have learned so much and hopefully I'm at a place in my life where I can deal with problems that arise and also be of help to those around me. I hope that I am making a difference in the lives of my children and family and those around me.

Actually, I'm pretty excited to be forty. I have forty years of blessings to be thankful for. I am blessed with good health and I have a loving husband, kids who I genuinely enjoy being with, two loving parents in good health, and a large extended family that I can rely on and learn from. I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and why I'm here on earth that gives me purpose in this life and hope for the eternities.

I will enjoy this weekend with my sisters and family. What a treat, I can't think of a better way to celebrate! I just hope the next forty are filled with as much love and happiness as the first forty.

In honor of my forty years of living, I have chosen a new playlist, with songs from 1969 until 2009. Enjoy!

Spring means...

Planting a garden! We skipped doing a garden last year, and the year before we didn't have great results, but we are both excited adn optimistic for our garden this year. Tom and the boys rototilled and got the boxes in place. Tom and I chose out a few plant starts (Adrienne, my seeds didn't do as well as yours!)for watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, zuccini and pumpkins. We mixed in composted manure and planted the plants. Now, we just have to water, weed and wait!

Mother's Day

Hooray for moms! What would we do without them? I am blessed with a loving, selfless mom who raised me in a home centered on the teachings of Jesus Christ and lots of fun and love. What an irreplacable gift that is in life! I also have an awesome mother-in-law who really has my back in the day-to-day events of raising my family.
This morning I was treated to a delicious breakfast in bed, made by my children. We all piled on the bed to watch a slide show that Lauren. She used picutres of our family from the years set to the song "Best Day" which is a daughter's tribute to her mom (listen to it on my playlist!). I got nice cards and thoughful gifts from my children and Tom is making dinner that we will enjoy with the Birds after church. It really is the best day!

I've had many family members and friends who have helped me and influenced me as a mom. Thank you for your love and examples. And Happy Mother's Day to you all.

Tommy's Accident

Tommy called us this morning on his way home from seminary saying he'd been hit by a truck but that he was o.k. A semi-truck ran a stop sign and hit Tommy's car on the driver's side. I don't know how Tommy was so protected, but he was. After filling out accident reports, getting the car towed, and a visit to the ER he just wanted to go back to school and to his game tonight. He is sore and has a lump on his head, but he really is fine. We feel unbelievably blessed.

The car didn't do so well, as you can see. The side view mirror is gone and it looks like a lot of impact right at the driver's side door. It's actually hard for me to look at them right now; it makes me so very thankful that he is all right.

Current Apostle Song

Virtue Hike

For our YW activity, as an idea from the General YW broadcast, we hiked to the top of a mountain and unfurled a gold banner for the new value Virtue. We had great warm weather, but as you can see, it was so windy! When we got to the top, we read the scriptures for Virtue value experience #2 and discussed how we can have the Holy Ghost with us. The girls promised to write it in their journals to compelte the experience. We all had dirt in our mouths and eyes, but despite the wind, it was a successful activity.

Star Gazing

Nathan, the ultimate stargazer, tipped us off about a recent meteor shower. He brought his girls out to watch one evening, and brought s'mores goodies. We enjoyed an evening of treats, great spring weather, and quiet time with family watching the sun go down and the stars come out. We laid on the lawn and saw many constellations and a few meteors too. Thanks for the fun evening Nate!