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.

I Miss my Daniel!!!

So...I haven't written in a little while...I've been busy sending letters to my missionary son, Daniel, through dearelder.com. lol

I write to Daniel every day...I don't want to miss a day...and sometimes I write to him twice. :) I am dealing with my emotions and my missing my dear son. I know that Daniel is where he is supposed to be. I am so grateful to him for being willing to sacrifice his life as he knows it to go and serve the Lord for the next two years. We discussed this before he left and how he felt like it was forever and I explained to him that it is only two years and not that much time that is required of him, especially compared to the amount of time we are given on this earth. We never know how long we will be here but we owe everything to our Heavenly Father so it's a wonderful thing when a young man or young woman choose to serve. So...I write to Daniel every day and encourage him and make sure he knows how much he is loved.

So...my birthday was September 3rd and my dear friend, Elaine, went to Disneyland with me for it. This year you get to go to Disneyland for free on your birthday and I thought this would be a lot of fun. I wanted to be adults only so Christina couldn't come with me with the grandkids...Catherine had to work...so Elaine and I went together. You can only choose one park so I chose California Adventures. The attendant questioned if this was the park I wanted to go to but yes, this is where I wanted to go so Elaine and I went in. We took our time...went on a few rides...called Christina and got the first email from Daniel read to me on the phone while I sat there crying...and wandered around some more. It was such a fun day and I am so glad that I went and that my good friend Elaine was with me. We ended up getting home at 9:30 but it was such a wonderful birthday, especially hearing from Daniel...that was the icing on the cake, or so I thought! So...the next day we got the mail and there were letters from Daniel along with a birthday card for me from him. Oh my gosh...I sat and read his card and letters and just cried some more. It was so amazing to be able to hear from my son.

On the 4th we had a family celebration where we met Christina, Ray, the kids, and Catherine at Olive Garden for dinner. It was a delicious dinner and then we went over to Christina and Ray's for cake. Ariana, Alex, and Camden made a wall banner for me that said "Happy Birthday" and it was so neat! I loved the drawing that they did on it. They did a great job for grandma. We just sat around and visited and had such a nice time. I had a wonderful birthday and got lots of cards and all day at Disneyland I was wished a Happy Birthday...it was such a great day.

Well...I miss my Daniel, and that's okay. It's okay to miss my Daniel even knowing that he is where he is supposed to be. I look forward to these two years being over but I also look forward to the journey and the growth that we will all go through. I love the Gospel and I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love it that my son is continuing in following the examples of his father and brother in serving a mission. I love the Lord and I love my family and am so glad that we can be together forever!