Happy Birthday, Dad!

72 years ago today, my Dad was born in Wichita, Kansas. My Dad had a pretty rough childhood, moving to California at some point while he was still fairly young.  He was the only child of a second marriage, having 4 older sisters and one older brother. He lived in San Fransisco as a child and had to get a job to help support his mom when his Dad died while is San Quentin. My Dad was 12.

He was a hard worker who loved his family. He was in the Air Force as a policeman. He became a salesman. He loved sports. He was once offered a "loan" by an acquaintance who was in the mafia in Detroit. He once had a phone call from Magic Johnson's mom. She wanted to build a swimming pool. He thought it was a fake so he didn't take her seriously. No pool.
He was involved in Indian Guides (Anybody remember that?) and hockey with my brothers. He was involved with my drill team.

When I was 21 I fell in love with Kevin Bacon and I had  seen "Footloose" 3 times in one weekend...it was true love! Shortly after that I came home from work and taped to my bedroom door was the PEOPLE magazine with Kevin Bacon on the cover...my Dad had bought it for me :0) I still have that PEOPLE magazine.

My Dad had several reversals in fortune. He was in a car accident that left him permanently disabled--the other driver was at fault and had no insurance. He started his own business with a partner who then ran off with all the money leaving my Dad severely in debt. He was trying to go back to school and support 3 kids. It was very difficult, but only now do I appreciate how difficult.
When I got married, I wanted my best friend to be there as my Maid of Honor as I had been hers. She was a young mother of 2 children and not living in the same state. She would have to fly, but that would be a hardship on her tiny families' finances. Without much fanfare, my Dad sold our camper and bought her ticket so she could be there.

 My Dad's legacy lives on...he was a terrific and generous man who loved to laugh and be outside with his family eating a good meal.
I love my Dad. He left us too soon. I am so grateful for the knowledge of the Gospel and the promise of Eternal Families. I am glad that now my Mom is with him and they are with their grand-daughter, Reagan.
I still miss you...I wish you and Kian knew each other. I know you would have been buddies and  you would be proud to see how your example has blessed my life.
Thank you Daddy, for living a good life and fighting the good fight!

P.S. Tonight we're having Brownies for your birthday :0)

I Know the Scriptures are True

What a great day at church! It was a rough start with us running late and Kian being really uncooperative. But once I get there the spirit is so strong, the children are so beautiful and sweet. We learned in Sharing Time about Heavenly Father's plan for us and that plan is found in the scriptures. We have a living prophet to speak to us the things that Jesus wants us to hear and learn.

The kids were so reverent and their songs were lovely and I have come home ready to make this week better than last! I love my Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ and I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit to teach me, testify of Christ and and guide me through my life.

What?! Again??

So I must have forgotten how this works. Kian came running home from Rosie's today yelling, "Hey, Mom! I lost another tooth!"
"WHAT?! WHERE?!"
Yep, while eating a Cheeto he lost one of his bottom teeth that I didn't even know was loose.

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

We tried to get his second tooth out on Christmas Eve...we thought it would be fun for Santa and the Tooth Fairy to meet up at our house, but he was not interested.
However, on Christmas Day he could deny it no longer...that tooth was practically jumping out of his mouth!

The Best Christmas Party Ever!

Yesterday was Doug's Test Out Christmas party. This is by far the best company he has ever worked for. See last year for the low-down on our first work party :0)
This year we went to The Roof restaurant in Salt Lake City at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Our view was fabulous and I highly recommend the Creme Brulee...it is the BEST I have ever had!!

While we were eating dessert, the owner got up to welcome us and talk about the upcoming 20 year anniversary of the company. Beginning in November they have a monthly event until 11-11-2011! They fed a family Thanksgiving dinner, they bought lights and decorated Main Street in Pleasant Grove and they are set to offer 200 licenses for product to LDS Employment services in January.  But he wanted to celebrate BIG...
He decided on a cruise. We looked at each other...did he say cruise? For all of us?
I was thinking, Cool, I've never been on a cruise to Mexico!
Then he said he asked his friend who has been on tons of cruises which one was the best.
Ah, the best cruise? Sweet, I've heard Alaska is an awesome cruise!
His friend said there is a number one cruise, a number two cruise and then there is all the rest.
What is he saying?? We would have to wait, because he began to weep. He was so emotional, the president of the company had to take over.
We were told the BEST cruise is a Mediterranean cruise!!
OMGosh!! Did we hear right?? Did he say Mediterranean? Then did he say ROME??
YES!  The cruise leaves from Rome, Italy.

 I was literally stunned, speechless. We couldn't believe it. I mean this is once in a lifetime. Then I cried...
To think of where we were just over a year ago and all those years before.
I had just recently been thinking of our hard years and why was it so long? And why didn't we get answers sooner? Why didn't we get the inspiration to make a change before we lost everything?
The Lord really does work in mysterious ways and if we had not had those years I'm not sure I could be as grateful as I am now. Our cup is over-flowing with blessings to the point where I don't even feel worthy.

After this bombshell we were treated to White Christmas at the Pioneer Playhouse. It was a good performance, but not nearly as enjoyable as last year's NunCrackers (I thank Kathryn Laycock Little for that!)

Doug and I stayed over and enjoyed the peace and quiet and poured over the cruise guide we had received and wondered when we were going to wake up from this amazing dream!
The next day we went to have Bar-B-Q at Q4U in Kearns...here was Doug's ribs lunch~

 

My pulled pork sandwich was delicious :0)

Then Doug agreed to check out Ikea for a Swedish Angel Chime set I was hoping to find. When we pulled into the parking lot, there were flags! Doug complained it was "Damn Disneyland for adults".

Can you hear the angels singing??

He quickly lost his fake enthusiasm and I have vowed to NEVER go there with him again! I was relatively happy (for awhile anyway...) because I found Marabou chocolate!

It's from Sweden and it's my favorite...

Words could never convey my gratitude and happiness and excitement...October 11, 2011 I will still be wondering if it is REAL!!
Thank you God for showing us this wonderful work opportunity and for being patient while we worked it all out. We are so blessed to have a home, a great job, wonderful kids and the love of our family and Heavenly Father.
This is already the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!

Lost Tooth

Kian has been struggling with school. It is "too long" and I think he is just b-o-r-e-d!
He drug his feet out the door today with a kind of sad resignation.
Then I went to pick him up after being a little worried all day, and this is what I saw:

"Mom!! I lost my tooth at school today! I have it in an envelope!"

His other top front one is really loose, I am hoping that soon he'll be singing "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth"

I Want the Pink One!

 I just found out that on Saturday while at the grocery store, Kian was asked if he wanted a balloon. there was a purple one and a pink one. When the checker asked him what color he wanted he said "Pink".
Doug said "Are you sure you want pink?"
With all of the sweetness that he has he said, "Yeah, I want to say Hi to Reagan!"
That's my guy...