My Grandmother passed away this week and so Phillip and I decided to drive to CA for her funeral. It was nice to be reacquainted with family that we haven't seen in a very long time, some who Phillip has never met before. Although the week had been overcast with the sadness of her passing, I was glad to hear the stories about my Grandma and come to know her better.

San Diego, California

Me and then above My sisters and myself. Yes, I am counting Heather as one of our sisters :)
These are really the best kind of pictures because the smiles are genuine
somebody said something funny
Christine
After the viewing we all went to la lolla coves it was sunset so it got dark pretty quick so the pictures are not great.


Phillip and I went to the Beach just the two of us

Here we are at the Temple. It was amazing, and I am so glad we were able to make it there while in San Diego
Wendy
Annie at the restaurant where we celebrated her birthday
My amazing husband, Phillip
Bobby
San Diego Temple

Just a few more months

Sports

My boy has got talent! It is amazing to me that he can even lift the ball. Its pretty heavy.
We like to go to Phil's youngest brother, Ben's, football games. Lyon walks back and forth in front of the bleachers, almost like he's saying:
"check me out, you know I'm cute!"
and people laugh and smile. He totally takes the attention off the game :)
Phil watching a game with Lyon
Yeah, I have fun too!
Bear would rather be playing the game instead of watching:)

Kids make me laugh

We had a pie in our freezer and Bear really wanted to have some so I told him we needed to let it thaw/unfreeze first so I put it in the fridge and told him we'd have it after dinner. He wanted it sooner so when my back was turned he went and put it on the back porch and then came and told me that the pie would be done soon because he put it outside. I told him that was not going to happen and put it back in the fridge. This happened several times and I decided it was picture worthy. It was just so funny seeing this pie sitting there. And the fact that Bear thought it was a good idea was even funnier. :)
Bear was really mad at me so I told him I was going to take a picture of his anger. This is what he did just as I snapped the pic. I figured it was appropriate for the occasion, he's an angry Bear. He has the ferocious roar and claw going on.

So I had gone to a movie and had some popcorn that I didn't finish. I brought it home to save for later. The next morning Bear came running into my room so excited to have found some popcorn. It was really early and my movie had kept me up really late so I wasn't to worried about him eating popcorn for breakfast. Well, he brought the bag into my room and then told me he needed a bowl to pour the popcorn in. Later when I finally rolled out of bed this is what I saw. This is what Bear had been calling a "bowl" If you can't tell its a muffin pan! :)

9/11

A tear slowly rolls down my cheek
My breath is gone I cannot speak
Where is the love that should reside in hearts
What some are capable of has torn mine apart
Sadness enfolds me, there seems no relief
Frustration and anger at the lack of peace

America my country for which I have cried
We hold our flag high showing our pride
Strength finds me here and I must go on
I've remembered the words to my country's song
I dry my eyes and my head I raise
This is, "the land of the free and the home of the brave"

Where were you?

I have noticed on a couple of blogs, people reflecting on the events of 9/11 and couldn't help but add my share.
Where was I?
I had been volunteering at the local high school and had been invited to help with a lab in a sports medicine class. I remember having to get up early to make it there on time and having no interest in the news at the time I didn't even bother turning it on. When I arrived at the school I had no idea what was going on. A girl I was "working" with asked me what I thought about what had happened I had no idea what she was talking about. When she told me the World Trade Center was no longer I didn't grasp the enormity of it all. It wasn't until later that I realized that the World Trade Center and the Twin Towers were the same thing. I sat down waiting for class to start and instead found myself mesmerized by the broadcast that they had on in the classroom. The administration soon asked all the teachers to turn it off. They were worried the students would react badly if they watched it. I didn't agree with that worry, I wanted to watch, to know what was going on in the world. I am sure most, if not all, of the students wanted to watch also. It wasn't until about 2 yrs ago that I finally watched the footage. It is a horrible scar left on the face of our country, along with many others.
The thing that I find funny is that back when it happened every one I heard talking about it said something to the effect of "let's get em" and once we did many people were angry. So much sadness and anger. Something that initially brought the country together as one now seems to be tearing it apart. I don't like it at all.

Success

This is what he had been waiting for his hand trembled as he reached for the phone. There were only two reasons he could be getting a call from this number. He was either accepted or rejected. One meant utmost joy for his whole family, the other meant another couple of weeks or months or years of waiting and trying again. He'd tried so many times over the years and been rejected so many times they had lost count. He had almost grown used to the pattern of hope, excitement, astonishment at the choice that was made and then the disappointment that was inevitable. He'd dared to hope again and put himself forward, vulnerable to someone else s choice. Could he take another disappointment another stab at his pride? He could, he would and he would do it again and again his strength would not fail he was indestructible in this, a hero in his own right. He took a deep breath and dove in.
"Hello"
He spoke for a few minutes and then quietly hung up the phone. He looked up at his family, knowing they would love and support him either way. His eyes met those of his wife, full of hope, waiting.
He smiled, she did too.
He got the job, and life was altered in every way.
He was the victor, triumphant in this race!


Yes, Its true! In case you didn't get that, Phillip just got a new job at USSynthetic as Purchasing Agent. We have been waiting a long time for this and we are so excited. So I hope you will all join us in thanking Heavenly Father for this great blessing that He has bestowed upon
our family.