Updates

About 5 days after I heard my friend was on hospice she died.  It was so quick.  Unfortunately they are having the memorial service for her on the 23rd and I will be on an airplane heading to New Mexico to see my Aunt Donna.  I am so excited to go.  I am going to meet up with my 2 sisters in Albuquerque and we are renting a car and driving up to Ruidoso.  We will be there for 3 days and then home again...it's going to be so much fun.

This last week I ended up sick.  I was sick from Friday to here it is a Sunday...so 9 days of being ill.  I am finally getting my strength back...it was a doozy!  I didn't even go to work all week.  Well, I went on Thursday for 45 minutes and then left again.  I just couldn't function.  I was so weak and jittery...it was so crazy!  I am so grateful to be on this end of it and finally feeling like I have some strength again.  It's been about a month since I saw my grandchildren and I am going crazy about that but yeah...this illness that is going around is so bad...it's hitting everyone and taking at least a week to get over.  I like to feel strong and that didn't happen this week.

I am working on getting my faire outfit redone due to my weight loss.  It's so nice to be taking it in rather than working on letting it out.  Such a difference and one I haven't had to do before.  It's quite a change and one I am grateful for. :)

Sad News today...

     So today I found out that a friend of mine is on hospice.  I have known her for about 11 years or so and it made me so sad.  My heart is hurting for my friend.  She has cancer in the jaw and it is back with a vengeance and there is no longer any hope.  She has weeks or months and my heart just breaks for her and her family.  She is one of the sweetest women I know.  Always so kind and gentle...I love my friend so much.  It's just so hard when life hands these lessons out.  I know it's all part of life's plan but oh it is so hard to bear sometimes.  I am hoping my mom will give her a hug for me when she gets to the other side.  I always gave my friend a hug and wish I could now but she needs time alone with her family and she is pretty wasted away from what Christina tells me.  I am grateful that I can think of her when she was in full health...my prayers are with her and her family.

On my journey...

My journey continues with it's ups and downs.  One week I am on the top of the world and then the next I am frustrated.  It's all a part of life and no reason to fret...that's why it's a journey.  There are ups and downs and side roads and it's all good.  It's as it is and I am grateful for what I have done and what I continue to do.  I got on the scale this morning and it was up a few pounds.  It is so frustrating to see it but I do know that it is what it is and next week it will be down those pounds and more.  Sigh...sometimes it is hard to keep on my journey and be strong and know that this is all going to happen.  I know it will all be well as I am committed to continuing on my journey and will continue to do all I can to make it happen.  This is a lifelong journey and it has it's side roads but I plan on staying on the right road and seeing the progress of the journey.

Life's Challenges

Sometimes there are just challenges in life and it has nothing to do with a journey I am on.  I guess it's a different type of journey...one of getting along with those you work with.  At least one in particular.  It is a part of my life and my challenge and I am constantly trying to change my attitude and not worry about anyone else's attitude.  I know that the only person I can change is me...no one else, just me.  I feel so inadequate at times and fail so miserably but at least I keep trying, right?  I know I have to concentrate on my blessings and I do try to do that. 

I am proud of myself because I was able to take in some blouses that I haven't been able to wear yet as I am losing weight so yeah...I can wear 2 blouses my sweetheart bought for me over the summer that are long sleeved for winter.  I took them in on the seams and they look great.  I am really excited to wear them now...and the best thing is they only cost $5 and I still get to enjoy them. :)  I took in the seams on some skirts too so they aren't a total loss or going to someone else.  I love these skirts and I am so happy I get to still wear them.

Oh...the good news is that I lost 3.6 pounds over the holiday season and I have lost a total of 35 pounds now.  I am so proud of myself and plan on continuing on my journey to get to where I want to be.  

New Beginnings and my journey...

It is January 7, 2013 and I can't believe how long it's been since I wrote on my blog.  So much has happened since my last post.  Daniel came home from Chile, was home a week and then we took him up to BYU Idaho to go to college.  That was so hard...to have him home a week and then to take him away again.  I knew that this was the right thing to do and I love my son so very much that I knew we had to do it.  I am so glad I listened to the Spirit when I was told he needed to go there.  In March 2012 while he was there he was at a church activity and riding on an ATV and ended up going off of it and got a broken collar bone that required him to come home for surgery.   That was such a crazy time as we got the call about the accident and the next day we were in the car heading up to Idaho to bring him home...in pain and pretty out of it but that's another story. He was home for about 7 weeks and went back to continue in school.

The biggest thing that happened is that I finally decided to take control of my life and my weight.  Back in August I started getting the thought that I had better do something about my weight or I was going to have a heart attack and die.  Worse would be to have a heart attack and survive and go through the challenges that would entail.  I just knew that I was too young to have a heart attack and die and I didn't want to go through that if I could help it.  Besides that it was getting harder and harder to get my big body off of the couch...that was pretty scary to realize that I was having a hard time getting off of a couch.

So...I knew that the Spirit was telling me I had to take care of myself, that I have to lose weight or bad things were going to happen to me.  I really didn't want something bad to happen to me and know that I am too young to die...I have children to get married and grandchildren to love so I knew that I had to do something...but what?  I had briefly joined Weight Watchers on-line and didn't know what to do so I ended up cancelling it.  I kept thinking it was a good way to do the weight loss thing but knew that I couldn't do it on-line by myself and figured the meetings were in Victorville and I didn't want to drive that far.

Well...my friend, Kathryn, told me that she and Donne were going to go to Weight Watchers on September 4th.  I had been thinking about it so I told her I "might" come with her and made sure where it was and what day, time, etc.  So it gets close to the day and I tell Kathryn again I "might" come with them as I got in my car and drove over to Kathryn's house to go to the meeting with her and Donne.  As we were going to the meeting I said I "might" join and how I was going to check it out and see if I want to do this.  We got in line to check in, I filled out the paperwork and handed over my credit card so they could bill me monthly.  I stood there saying I "might" do this as I sat and listened to the meeting.  I got the paperwork, books, information and we left the meeting.  I headed home with the ladies and was wondering what in the world I had gotten myself in to.  I wasn't sure what to do and what to eat and when to start when I realized, "Just do it now".  Okay...so I got home and figured out what I could eat for dinner, how many points it was and off I went.  I had my birthday the day before and had Costco carrot cake and I wasn't going to just throw it away.  I was told I could eat whatever I wanted, just consider the portion size, so I figured I was going to finish my birthday carrot cake and see how things went.  I proceeded to figure out what I could eat that first week and enjoyed a piece of carrot cake every day until it was gone.

The following week I went to the meeting wondering if I had done any good and got on the scale...I couldn't believe it when they said I had lost 3 pounds.  Oh my goodness...I lost 3 pounds and still enjoyed my carrot cake slice every day.  I was sold...I knew that if I could lose 3 pounds the first week and eat my carrot cake too this was for me.  It's pretty funny because that first week I would look at the portion size and wonder where the rest of my food was and wonder how it was going to fill me up and how I was going to get through this.  I had to tell myself as I took a bite, "this is so delicious, it is so much food.  I will be so stuffed when I am finished with this...skinny people eat this much and they are satisfied.  This is so good, I can do it...it's plenty of food."  I had to do this quite a bit to make myself understand I was eating plenty of food and it was all okay.  I figured out that it is partly a mind game and mostly portion control in how much food I am eating.  Also it's in how great the taste is.  I figured out I can eat a little mini bar and take little nibbles and enjoy the delicious taste of it and be satisfied when I am done.

I stopped drinking soda and found that I don't have problems with heart burn that I was having.  I was taking an antacid every day due to heart burn and now...nothing...no heart burn.  I really believe it was the soda that was doing it to me.  My boys had told me that soda caused heartburn for them so I figured I would give it a try in giving it up and it worked.  I was so happy!!!

After so many months of working on my journey I have lost 33 pounds so far.  I have gone down 2 to 3 pant sizes and am feeling so much better.  I find it easier to get off the couch...I love it how my face is thinning out and look forward to losing my double chin completely.  I have more energy and feel better about myself and the way I am looking.  I love it that I can fit in clothing that I haven't fit in to for many years.

I finally realized it was time to let go of the pain and grief of losing my mom.  It has been 10 years and I was ready to let it all go.  I gained 30 pounds after she died and it was time to let it all go.  I am wearing clothing that I haven't worn for so long...I am so proud of myself.  I am proud of myself for letting go of the grief and pain.  I choose to celebrate the life of my beautiful mother and celebrate my life in being healthier.

It's a journey...a lifelong journey...but I am on the path and look forward to continuing it and celebrating every success in this journey.  I was so proud when I got my 25 pound charm...so proud when I got my 10% key chain from weight watchers...so proud to look in the mirror and see a skinnier face and a more fit body.  I know it's going to take some time but I look forward to the journey and know that with the Lord's help I can do it.

I am proud of me!!!

Time just keeps on slipping...slipping...slipping...into the future...

Wow...here it is January 25th...and Daniel has only 7 months to go before he comes home from Chile. He has grown so much, he is such an amazing young man. He has gone from being my little boy to being a man and the journey has been so wonderful to see.

Right now I am dealing with a bum left shoulder. I think it happened back in July when I was trying on a shirt at Wal-Mart and couldn't quite get it over my head. I moved my arm to get it off and hurt something...well...it's taken months but it has gotten worse. I now have very limited use of my arm, can't put my arm behind my back and the pain can be excruciating when my arm gets jarred a certain way. The pain just keeps getting worse and I finally went to the doctor as I couldn't stand it any long. So I got an x-ray and the doctor said I have osteo arthritis. It's not any better and I went in again and now have had an MRI. We'll see what that tells us. I take 800 mg of Ibuprofen and vicoden and it isn't really touching it. Oh well...I don't want to be a complainer so we will see what the test results are.

Catherine is doing better right now with clients booking more often. Her clientele is growing and our prayers are being answered. She is looking to go back to school to become an MA and then nursing...that seems to be the plan for now anyway. She needs a job with benefits and a steady income so I am thrilled that she is working on getting back in school. It is fun having my Catherine around.

Michael is a senior at BYU Provo and working hard to complete his bachelor's degree and then on to Physician's Assistant College. He's such a wonderful young man...I just loved having him home for Christmas and getting to see him for 2 weeks. I so love my Michael.

Daniel is just doing so fantastic on his mission. He doesn't want to think about coming home in 7 months and I encourage him not to. He needs to concentrate on what he is doing and continue to do a great job in Chile loving the people and bringing them the gospel. I so can't wait to see him in 7 months though...I miss my gentle giant. He has lost so much weight and is looking amazing...he will have to work at keeping it all off after he gets home, that's for sure.

Christina is such a great mommy and is sure making a name for herself in the digital scrapbooking world. She is such a talented artist.

I just love being a grandma...my grandkids are just the best! They bring sunshine to my heart...they are my sunshine! :)

I am so blessed even with the challenge of my shoulder. What would life be without it's challenges? It's how we get through them that matters most.

Life seems to go by so quickly!

It's been a while since I posted. Life seems to go so quickly...it just is flying by. It seems like just yesterday school started and here we are at the end of the school year. I knew it would go quickly and it has. Daniel has been out for 9 months now...9 months...in some ways it is so quick and in others it is forever. lol

Daniel is doing great though...he just got transferred after being in Loncoche for 6 weeks and the day before he left he left his camera on the table and went to buy something and when he got back it was gone. Yep...someone stole his camera. He broke rule #1 though...he took his eyes off of a valuable item that was important to him. Oh well...lesson learned and I doubt that he will do this again. My heart hurts for him though because he was so upset. I love my dear Daniel and hurt for him when he is so upset. Now he has to get another camera...hopefully he will get a good one for a good price.

Christina has to get a biopsy on her thyroid...that will be within the next few weeks. Alexander has to have an MRI to see if he has a tethered spine...he's gone through so much and still has some more to get through. He is so amazing though...he has such a wonderful outlook on life and is so full of energy, everything is spectacular to Alex. He's such a joy to be with. I love my grandson so much. I know that with the Lord's help he will be fine as will my dear Christina.

I interviewed for yet another full-time job the other day...it was hard to deal with the rejection once again and then Christina asked me the most simple of questions. She asked me "Mom, why do you need to work full-time?" I hadn't thought of that...she asked if being a mom wasn't enough. Those words were so enlightening to me. I knew that I wasn't supposed to work full-time...I knew it because the spirit told me so but I had applied because my husband thought it was a good idea. Well...those words kept ringing in my ears and in my thoughts and I did tell her that I don't have to. I know that my family needs me, that just because they are all grown up it doesn't mean that they don't still need me. I know that my mood dictates how the home mood is and that it's more important for me to be home and work the part-time hours I work than to be stressed in a full-time job. I am so grateful for the Gospel and the influence it is in my life. I love my family and am so grateful we are going to be together forever. So...no more full-time job interviews...I'm not going to do it...I am a full-time mom with a part-time job. Life is good...it's the way it's supposed to be.

Life goes on...and on....and on...

Well, it's been a while since I have posted so I thought maybe I should put an update on my blog. Time just seems to fly by most of the time. I can't believe it's already the 19th of January. Just thinking about the time that has passed makes me marvel at how quickly time can fly.

Daniel is in Chile on his mission and is on his second area. He wasn't in his first area for too long, just 2 1/2 months. He has had 2 companions and now has a third. He said that the Lord doesn't want him too comfortable and it is so true. I think it's good though because it keeps Daniel on his toes to move him to another area and a new companion. He is doing so great on his mission and working so hard. I am so proud of him and how great he is doing. He is working through his homesickness and is great about not thinking about his family except for just a little at night for prayers and holidays. He made it through the holidays and is moving forward...he's such an awesome young man. I am so proud of him and the choice he made to serve a mission for the Lord.

Michael was home for the holidays and that was great. I realized how much I miss having my sons around here at home. It was great getting to spend some time with Michael and enjoy him for a few weeks. I'm sure he was glad to get back up to college but I sure enjoyed having him home.

Catherine is keeping busy with her spa and still figuring out what else she might like to do in life. I am really loving having the opportunity to spend time with her as she lives at home once again. I don't worry about her now that she is living in California around family and am so proud of her for all that she is striving for. She is teaching Gospel Doctrine in her ward and is doing a great job. Catherine is such a wonderful woman.

Christina and Ray and the kids are a joy to me. I love, love, love to have my grandchildren come over. We get together every week and it is such a joy to me. Christina is talking about when they move to Idaho and I just pray it isn't for another year. I dont' know what I will do when they move so far away from us but know that we will follow as soon as we can.

It's so strange to have a count down to retirement for my sweetheart. Just a few more years and he will be able to retire from teaching at his high school. We laugh about when he graduates from high school we will buy him a class ring. It will be such a great accomplishment...he is such a wonderful teacher. I just hope that he will be able to continue to teach, maybe at a college, after he retires. I think he will go crazy without the classroom to go to.

Me? I'm just loving having a chance to be with my family. My favorite thing to do is hang with my family and my friends. Life has it's challenges, it's ups and downs, and when it is the down times I try to remember the good things and count my blessings. I am grateful for the experiences that I get to have, especially knowing that I can be with my family forever. That's what makes it worth it to get through the down times that I experience.

Today it is cloudy out and we are being blessed with rain. So much rain at once can be challenging, but what a blessing to have the moisture for the earth. I love it that we finally get some rain but also love how nice the weather is where we live most of the time.

Yes...life has it's ups and downs but with the Lord all things are possible. It's all in how we look at it, right? :)

I am so Grateful...

I have to say how grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father and the fact that he loves us so much he gave us families to be a part of. I am so grateful for my family...they are so amazing and I love them so very much.

I am so grateful for a husband that loves the Lord, that loves me so much, and that loves his family. I am so grateful that he honors his priesthood and is willing to do as the Lord would have him do. I am so grateful that he gave two years of his life to teach the people of Germany the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that he has been such a great example to our children. I am so grateful for him sharing his missionary stories with our children and for the support that he is for Daniel on his mission and was for Michael on his. I am so grateful for the wonderful father that my husband is. The other day I found a journal that my sweet husband had started and in it he wrote about how he met me and the journey to our engagement. He wrote this 30 years ago...it was December 1979! I read it and it just made me feel so good to see what his thoughts were at that time in our life. It's so crazy to look back on 30 years of our life and all that has happened. I am so grateful to be where we are now and for all of the many experiences we have had and look forward to looking back on where we are in 30 years. :)

More to come...

I LOVE Monday's!!!

So...I have to say how much I LOVE Monday's now...I will for the next two years! :) I am so grateful for Monday's and being able to hear from my son so quickly. It is so wonderful to hear how he is growing and loving the Lord. I am so grateful for his choice to serve and his willingness to go and love the people of Chile even though it has been emotionally hard on him. Daniel is so wonderful and tells us how much he can feel the Lord's love and that's what makes it all worth it. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I am so happy being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and wouldn't want to live my life any other way. I have been so blessed in my life and continue to be blessed.

I must say how grateful I am for all of my beautiful friends...they are such a blessing to me in my life. Near or far I love my friends and will be forever grateful for them all.

A Phone Call...

So I'm on the phone with Catherine and think it's Chuck calling home so switched over and there was a lady on the phone asking if this was the mom of Elder Oversby. I said yes and she said that she had just been in Chile and seen my son. I couldn't believe it! This sweet sister got the phone numbers from the elders so she could call the moms and tell them she saw their sons. I started to cry I was so happy that here was a mom that had just seen my sweet son. We talked for a while and I apologized for crying but she said it's okay, she was too and she didn't know why. :) I am so grateful for this sweet sister calling me today...it meant so very much to me. I never thought I would hear from someone from Daniel's mission and here this sweet sister called. She lives in Orange so it's not too far away and she had gone down to pick up her own sweet son from the mission. She told me how sweet the people are there and how warm hearted they are. She told me what a wonderful mission it is and it just confirmed what Chuck and I knew...that Daniel was sent where he needs to be where the people will open their hearts to him and he can open his heart to them. I know this is going to be an incredible experience for Daniel and am so happy for him.

Thank you Anne Olson for being so kind as to call a mom who is missing her missionary son. What a blessing!!!

I love hearing from Daniel

So...I got my first email from Daniel in Chile...it's so crazy that he is finally there. We waited for so long for him to actually get on his mission that it's so crazy he is finally in Chile and getting things done. I have been anxious to hear from him to see how he is doing and what he thinks of it there. I was also anxious to see where he was assigned to serve. He is doing very well and adjusting to his new environment.

I know that in such a short time this will be normal for him...living in Chile and teaching the Gospel. For now though, it's the strangeness of it all. He told me to count down by fast Sunday's so we officially have one down and 21 to go. I was so happy because I knew that I would hear from him today...it's just the best time of the week to get a message from my Daniel. He is just such a gentle giant of a man...he is my baby and he is so amazing! I am so proud of him and his willingness to do what is right. I am blessed in that my children all strive to do what is right...I am so grateful for all of them and the blessing they are to me.

On Friday night Chuck and I were at the Halloween Party at the church with the grandchildren. It was fun to see them all dressed up and having fun. When it was almost time to leave I stood up and had a strange pain in my left side...ovary area. Well...I thought maybe I pulled a muscle or something so figured it would go away. The stupid pain woke me up during the night Friday night and I still have the pain. I figured out it's probably my left ovary and I figure I might have a cyst that is acting up. I have been putting off calling the doctor even though Christina told me to. She is very worried about me. I finally figured out today that I have gained about 10 pounds the last few months without reason so maybe it's all related. I told the lady I work with about this and she told me to call the doctor too. So...I finally got a hold of the doctor and will be going in next Monday to get it checked, unless it gets worse then I'll get in sooner. When I first called they didn't have an opening until the 30th of November and I told them, "Uhhhh..that's not going to work." I had to explain more fully why I wanted to see the doctor so they are getting me in in a week. Whatever, I figure it's all okay and I will be fine. I always think that and don't like to go to the doctor because I don't want to be told it's because I'm so overweight or it's all in my head. lol...the pain really is in my abdomen, not in my head...lol

So...I had a nice time with Catherine today running a few errands. It's nice to spend some time with her. I love spending time with my girls...they are such a riot to be with!

Daniel is flying out tomorrow!

So my Daniel is flying out to Chile tomorrow morning. He will be flying down to LAX...just 1 1/2 hours from home...then on to Santiago and on to Concepcion. I can't believe the time is finally here where he will be leaving the United States to go to Chile to serve the Lord for the next 22 months. He is so amazing and has grown so much. He is a beautiful young man and I am so pleased and happy for him. I am so grateful that Daniel is willing to sacrifice these two years of his life to serve the Lord. I am so grateful that he knows this is the right thing to do and is willing to do it. This has been a hard journey for Daniel but he has done the right thing and is being blessed to know that he is. I can't wait to talk to him while he is at the airport tomorrow...just to hear his voice will be so wonderful! Then it's only 2 months more and I get to hear from him again.

I love you Daniel...forever and ever.

It's been a while...

So...it's been a while since I posted a message...I have been too busy sending letters to my son, Daniel, instead. I write to Daniel every day on dearelder.com. I read about another missionary mom sending her child a letter every day and I thought, what a good idea...so there it is...I've been doing it every day since he went in to the MTC. I can't believe it's almost time for him to leave the MTC. It's so exciting though as he will finally be able to be out in the field teaching the people of Chile about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Daniel has grown so much and is making such wonderful strides. He went in scared and not sure if he could do this...and will be leaving the MTC a confident missionary, ready to bring the Gospel to the people of Chile. He is so amazing and I am so proud of him. I look forward to all of the wonderful stories that I will get to hear after he is in Chile. It's kind of nerve racking as he will be so far away but I know that my Heavenly Father is watching over him and will keep him safe as he does the work he was called to do. I wouldn't want Daniel anywhere else in this world than out serving my Heavenly Father. We promise to give our all and this is one of those things where I can say I have given my Heavenly Father my all in giving Him my son to preach for Him for two years.

We have Catherine living with us but it's working out great anyway. We consider ourselves empty nesters because Catherine lived on her own for 7 years and is living with us once again. I enjoy having Catherine around and am glad we can be here for her. She moved back to California and I haven't worried about her at all. When she was in Utah I constantly worried about her...it's good to have her back here.

Michael is doing great in Utah at BYU but I don't worry about him at all. He is such a great young man and working so hard to keep his grades up. I'm so proud of him and the great job he is doing also.

I love my family so much!

Happy Birthday my Sister!

So today is my big sister, Janet's, birthday. Happy Birthday Janet...I love you!!! Janet is eight years older than me and basically helped raise me. Janet is the oldest in the family of five and my other sister is only 15 months older...so Janet's help was so needed with a 15 month old and then twins. I love my sister Janet and used to call her mom as a small child. She is so awesome and I hope she has the happiest birthday ever!

I love Thursdays because I get to hear from my Daniel. He is doing such a great job in the missionary training center and I am so proud of him and the growth I have already seen. He is learning so much that I could never teach him. I have been busy writing to my Daniel every day so he knows we love him and think of him every day so I haven't gotten a chance to blog lately. I can't believe it's almost time for Daniel to be out in the mission field. I am so happy for him though because he said it's like groundhog day in the MTC for 2 months. He is going to have so many wonderful experiences on his mission along with lots of challenges. Without the challenges you can't enjoy the happy times so it's all good. I know that my Heavenly Father is watching over him and Daniel is learning things that will stay with him the rest of his life. I am so happy he is serving the Lord for the next two years and will be even happier when it's all done! :) It's such a blessing to have him serve.

My family is everything to me and I love them all so much!

It's Friday...

So here it is Friday and I am so looking forward to the weekend. I am looking forward to doing what I want and a few that I don't...but I am looking forward to spending time with my sweetheart.

I have been writing to my son, Daniel, every day and I figure it's a good thing as it is a good way to journal. Daniel tells us in his letters to keep the daily letters coming as it helps him too so I am happy to oblige. I love reading at how much Daniel is growing...I miss him quite a bit too. I'm glad that my heart is doing better but I know I will always have moments in the next two years when it's hard...but I am grateful for this time I have to feel this way because it means that my dear son is doing what he is supposed to do. I an so grateful to him for his willingness to serve the Lord and do what his father, brother, grandfathers, uncle, and cousins have done before him.

My family is such a blessing to me. I am so grateful for them.

Sunday

So here it is Sunday...it's been a good day so far. Church was good and I am happy to be home. We are relaxing and then we will be going to Christina and Ray's to visit and see the grandchildren. They are so much fun to be with. Ariana is so excited to have us come over...I just love spending time with her. I will have to make sure I take the UNO game so that I can play that with her. She loves to play UNO...she's so cute!

On Friday I went to Disneyland with Christina, Ray, Alex, Ariana, and Camden. It was so much fun but oh so crowded!!! I couldn't believe how crowded the place was and it was cooling off but it was still so muggy. Wow...what a time that was. I LOVED being there with my family but I hate the crowds that were there. We had a very good time but the lines were horrible and the crowds were so large but it was still good to be together. Alex had been wanting to go on the Toy Story ride so that's the first thing we did. Then dinner and then over to the other park to go on another ride. Alex wanted to go on Buzz Lightyear so we got a fast pass and went over to go on Small World. We waited in line and finally got to enjoy that one and then back to Buzz. That was also fun but the lines were so bad we decided it was better to go ahead and leave and not worry about the fireworks show so we got in the very crowded line to leave. Boy, that was an experience...getting through with a double and single stroller...fun times! :) We were just so glad when we could get out of the madness and head for home. The kids were so tired and so were we but it was all good.

So on Saturday I was absolutely DEAD from Disneyland so all I could do was sleep and sit around...no energy whatsoever...lol I'm glad to finally have gotten enough sleep and it was great to go to church and home again. I look forward to going to see the grandkids and Christina and Ray...that's the best end to a Sunday afternoon.

The Wedding...and other things

So...on Saturday we went to the wedding of our friends daughter, Kay...and it was something else. We got there early so Chuck could take some pictures of the decorations and all. I got a seat and Chuck went around taking pictures. I found the seats to be at an incline so we were all a bit nervous about sitting down...if we toppled over we would take out the people on the other side of the aisle! :) That was interesting...but it was great seeing some people that I know that I hadn't seen for a while.

The wedding was about an hour but they started when they could. The groom comes out after his groomsmen and there are all of Kay's brothers behind him carrying shotguns. It was pretty funny and they were enjoying themselves with it. Greg, the groom, likes camoflouage so that was incorporated in the wedding decorations so having the brothers with the shotguns was a funny touch. Kay came out with her dad and said how happy she was that Greg showed up. :) The wedding got done and then on to pictures. Unfortunately, during the pictures a guy friend of Kay's gave her some Grey Goose Vodka (I don't know anything about alcohol) and she came out for the reception totally smashed!!! She hadn't eaten all day and this vodka wasn't a good idea. She later said she didn't want any hard alcohol at the wedding but the wedding place had it for people to purchase. So...the reception was so different...I have never been to a reception where the bride was drunk and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I felt so bad for my friends, Chuck and Elaine. They were pretty embarrassed and all I could do was sit and reassure them it was okay and we still love them and Kay. Oh well...this is what happened so we got through it and helped stay to clean up and got things taken care of before it was even supposed to be finished. The guests were leaving in droves as so many were unsure of what to say or do and were uncomfortable...it was pretty hard to see.

So...on Sunday we went to our friends house after stake conference to give them some moral support and they invited us to some lunch (food from the reception) and Kay came in. She looked so sheepish and so embarrassed and was ready to cry. She apologized and we told her we love her and she was so apologetic. She said she doesn't remember anything and that is the saddest thing of all...she doesn't remember her beautifully decorated reception with all of the family and friends there and all of the memories she should have as a new bride. She knows it is her fault and takes responsibility for it. I feel so bad for her but yet know that it's good she realizes what she did...we all learn from our mistakes, right?

So...Elaine and I went to Disneyland on Monday with Catherine. I figured Elaine needed to get out and relax and quit thinking about what happened on Saturday. We had a great time and I got my season pass since I'm not going for a full-time job anymore. Today I am so EXHAUSTED! It was so much fun but I am wiped out! :)

I must say how grateful I am for my daughters and their good choices they are making. There are good times to concentrate on from Saturday and I told Kay to remember them...that's what matters. I think it will be so wonderful when Kay and Gregg go to the temple some day...I pray that will happen sooner than later. There is so much that happened on Saturday but it's not for me to go into all of the happenings...just know that the wedding ceremony was the sweetest and I am grateful for that memory to overshadow all of the others.

I am adjusting to my Daniel being gone on his mission and I know that he is adjusting too. I think that's why my heart is calmer...at least I hope that's why. I am grateful to Daniel for his willingness to serve even though this is the hardest thing he has ever done. He is so AMAZING to me!

It's a Saturday...and a Wedding Day

So...here it is Saturday and my friend's daughter, Kay Cripps, is getting married. I am so happy for her and her new husband. We will be enjoying the wedding and reception in Wrightwood at the Wrightwood Guest Ranch. I guess the guest ranch isn't a very good company and I would warn anyone wanting to use their services, but hopefully everything will work out for the bride and groom today. I do look forward to going and being a guest at the wedding and reception though.

I interviewed for another full-time job yesterday and went through so much emotion knowing I probably didn't get the job. So...last night I got a blessing and was told that I am not supposed to be working full time...my focus is to be on my family. It's such a good reminder to know where my focus is to be, and it's not on making money. That's my husbands job...to make the money...so I help in my part-time job and know that I am doing what I am supposed to. I have decided no more interviewing for me...I'm not trying for another full-time job unless the spirit yells at me that I'm supposed to, and I don't see that happening. lol So...I told Catherine that we would go to Disneyland on Monday and I will purchase a season pass if I didn't get the job so guess what, we are going to Disneyland! I get off at 11:30 am now so I have plenty of time to go and play at Disneyland so that's what I am going to do. I got birthday money from my in-laws and dad and his wife so I decided that was a great way to use the money...lol...it will be so much fun! :) I am really looking forward to going and doing this.

My Daniel is doing so great and working so hard on being a good and dutiful missionary. I am so proud of him and the work and sacrifice he is willing to do. I know he will be a fantastic missionary and is being sent to Chile to touch people's lives that may otherwise not have been touched. So...I continue to write to my Daniel every day and pray for him every day. It is such a blessing having him in the mission field and yes, I am counting down, but I wouldn't want him anywhere else than where he is. As much as I have missed him I would HATE it if he was home...he is where he is supposed to be and I am so grateful for him and this gospel.

So Chuck is enjoying the BYU football game today and then we are off to the wedding and reception. It is a good day!

I got a letter from my son!!!

So...here it is Thursday and Daniel's p-day and we got our email. I am so thrilled!!! I LOVE t hear from him...he makes my heart soar...he is so AMAZING! He is doing so great and adjusting...I am so proud of him.

Check out his letter at missionsite.net/danieloversby

Daniel is doing so great and working hard and it's all I could ask of him. I make sure he gets his letters and encourage him as much as I can. He's doing so wonderful and he loves to hear from people...it's all great.