As of late.....

Same old same old around here. Not much has happened this summer except me working---I have been doing a lot of that!! This hiring freeze is for the birds!! But I do have a job so I am thankful! We did have the chance to go to Logan for the 24th and had a fun time being hosted by the Bailey Family. Never a dull moment with the water slide, zucchini toss, and family! My air conditioner broke last week and that was not pleasant! I realized that I am spoiled, but was glad that the problem was covered under my home warranty otherwise it would have stayed not usable for awhile!!! I am officially old......I am moving my records to the "older" singles ward this next week and while I am looking forward to meeting new people I never thought that I would be one of those people!! Oh well life is what happens when are busy making other plans!! I have a lot of blessings to count even though I might not have all of the ones that I would like.

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new niece in a few weeks......I know Sarah would like her to come now but if she can just hold out till my birthday she won't be sorry!!! That baby will be spoiled!!!!! :) And I am looking forward to meeting a dear friends new bundle this week, now that both are home from the hospital and doing well.

I am looking forward to a trip in October to New Mexico and a trip to Ghana Africa next fall! I am saving my pennies to visit the Abu family! And a lot of pennies is what I will need!

Happy Birthday Sarah!!!!!

Happy Birthday Sierra Sue!!! Today is my little sister Sarah's birthday! I don't know where to begin....she holds a very special place in my life. One that I don't even think she realizes. She is 5 years younger than me and yet we are the best of friends. She is the one in the family who can get us rolling on the floor in laughter by what she says....she is quite humorous! Or really by what she does....she ALWAYS has some kind of ailment going on! Broken arms, backed up bowels, numerous bug bites......the list goes on!! Sarah and I had the chance to go to college together for a few years. She had gone to USU right when I came home from my mission and she tried to convince me for a long time to come. Finally I decided to go and it was the best decision that I have made. We had such a fun time! We roomed together for most of the time that I was there and we truly made some great memories. I am so glad that she pestered me to go!!! We had a few rough times as any sisters do but we learned a lot and grew closer. She made college life easier to deal with and fun was always had when we were together!

Sarah has a very caring heart. She cares about others and I guess this is what lead her to go into Social Work. She worked for awhile after college for the State of Idaho as a social worker. She was good at what she did and I know that it has been hard for her to move to Utah and stay at home because she loves to help people! She takes after Dad in that regard I guess. But she is also a great mother! She has a darling daughter who tests every ounce of her patience but she does well with her. She is a great mom who works hard for her family.....and soon she will welcome another daughter into the family which I can't wait for! I am in awe of the patience and love that she shows on a daily basis for her family. What an example to me!

She has an intuition of sorts....she knows/can sense when things are going to go wrong. She has been able to help others and keep her from danger at times by her sense. I know that it is an adherence to the Spirit that does it! And she has a great testimony! You can feel the power of her words when she talks.....she is a great example to many.....many in her own family.

Before I went up to USU with her we were in a car accident. I broke my arm and was in need of some serious help from others during this time. She stayed home that summer and helped me and mom. She did my hair all the time and I know that it wasn't always easy for her and I was at times a burden but she gave of herself so freely to me. She drove me places, did my hair, and helped me cope with having to be dependent on others for so many things. I think secretly that she loved that she got to drive my new car!!! :) I am glad that we had this time to grow closer....it was partly during this time that I solidified my decision to go to USU.

I know that I can always call Sarah for a good talk or drop by for a visit. I feel such a love from her that I need, she makes me feel like a part of her family and I appreciate it. I love that we live close, only a few short minutes, and that we can share time together frequently. We have had many a dinner, walk, laugh, shopping trip, cry and so on. I am very lucky to have her as my sister but blessed to have her as my friend!! Even if I did break your arm when we were kids!!!

On this your birthday Sarah please know of my love and appreciation for you! You are a blessing in my life and a glue in this family! You have such an influence for good in others lives and I know that you will continue to do so! Have a wonderful day and great year.....you deserve it!!!

I think I am cursed.....

EVERY TIME I go to Chili's someone near me gets fajitas. No matter the time of day or evening or which one I go to, someone at a nearby table orders them. This isn't a horrible thing per say I just hate going back to the office or my house smelling heavily like food! Today was no different!!! I was fajitaized!

A walk back in time......

Today has been a very fun day, one filled with lots of reminiscing! I started the day helping my sister mow her lawn (she is 7 months pregnant & her husband is out of town), now this normally wouldn't be too exciting but she lives in my grandparents house. I spent many summers mowing the lawn for grandpa. When it got too hard for him I would come by, mow the lawn, and help him a bit in the house. He always gave a great deal of instructions on how to do it best, when to empty the bag and so on. I really did enjoy spending the time with him and helping where I could. And normally I would go inside and do a little vacuuming and dusting. After which we would walk over to the corner gas station and get a "soda water". He always paid well and gave you a little extra money for gas. The times were great and the memories many.

So today as I moved the lawn and was flooded with memories I decided that I needed to make the experience complete. After I finished the lawn I took a little walk over to the gas station for a drink. And since it was on my sisters docket to clean a bit, I decided to stay and help so that I could be reminded of the good old days when life was so much easier and less stressful! I can't begin to explain what it was like to reminisce. The mower was its old stubborn self and I didn't wear gloves so that I could come away with a calluse or two. I shed a few tears thinking of the conversations that grandpa and I had and the things that he taught me. And as I drank my "soda water" I was thankful that I was able to spend so much quality time with him before he passed.

To celebrate the 4th we had a little BBQ with some of the family. My niece was on one and had so many funny things to say. She could be a stand up comic!!! She kept saying, "Be Honest....Tell me the truth!" And the funniest was her reaction to the a burnt hot dog (which is normal with Dad @ the BBQ) "What kind of a hot dog is this!?!?" And yesterday as we were having lunch and she was sipping her root beer she says, "This is the life!" Of yes Lilly it is the life!!! We spent time laying on our backs looking at the clouds and sharing what they looked like to us. She truly helped me to feel like a kid again!

We took a lot of time reminiscing of the years growing up and the things that we did as kids. It was great to be reminded of the things that we enjoyed and laugh at the funny things that we did! I am truly thankful for the family that I have and the things that we have shared. We have been through some good times and some bad times over the years but we have been there for each other through it all. I have enjoyed the last couple of days spending some much needed time with my sisters; laughing, shopping, eating, and enjoying one another company.