Happy Birthday Tessie!!!!

Tessie Quinn Malmstrom arrived this morning at 7:26 am. 8 lbs 2 ounces 19 1/2 inches !!!! Of course as soon as I get to the hospital there will be lots of pictures but until then Happy Birthday little one, I love you already!!!! I so love being an aunt......and the favorite one at that!!!!

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.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLIE!!!!!!

Happy 12th Birthday Miss Elizabeth!!!!! I can't believe that you are already 12.......I remember when we were waiting in the hospital for you to arrive, and it seems only like yesterday!! Kylie is one amazing 12 year old....she has accomplished much in her life already. I can't wait to see what the coming years hold! Whatever she puts her mind to she excels at---what a great quality! She is an avid soccer player. She has a great foot and can kick the ball far! She also is a great defender and plays some great offense. She has recently started playing goalie on occasion and she is going great! I love going to her games and watching her play! And love when she invites me! She is going to rock if she continues playing.

She is also a black belt in karate!!! Recently she passed her test and is an official black belt. This has been awesome to see her excel at! She has done very well and works hard and is disciplined at doing what she needs to in order to move forward. She also loves to read and can frequently be found with her nose in a book! She does very well in school and works hard to learn new things.

Kylie spent the first couple years of her life being tended at our house while her parents worked. This was a great bonding time for all of us and she became more like a sister than a niece! This is also true today since the other granddaughters are much younger then her. She always wants to be included in the things that the sisters do. And we love to have her around! She is a great help to her parents with her younger brothers. She tends often and helps to take care of them. I can't tend them anymore without her help since she is such a great help--she knows how to entertain them and to help get the necessary things done.

Kylie has a strong testimony of the gospel. She is always working hard to do what is right. She is concerned about others around her and wants everyone to be happy. Even though she totally loves "guy" things, she has a tender girl side as well. She is very nurturing and loving. She loves all her younger brothers and cousins and takes great care of them! It has been so neat to watch her grow and mature over the last few years. She has a deep knowledge of what is important and tries to do her best in all that she does!

I am super proud of the beautiful young woman that Kylie is becoming. She holds a very special place in my heart! I find joy in her accomplishments and am proud of the things that she puts her time and effort into. She is a great example to her brothers and those around her---even me, I have learned a lot from her. She cares for people a great deal! Even though she will probably be taller than me one day I love her to pieces! :)

Have a HAPPY DAY!!!! Love you tons!!!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa John......

Today is my Grandpa John's Birthday....Happy Day!!! I have been thinking about him all week and it has been nice to reminisce about his life and the time we shared together. He was a great man!!! It seems like only yesterday that we were spending the summer working in his yard together. He taught me how to garden and to love it. We had many a good discussion while playing in the dirt. When he got too sick to work along side us he made sure that he was out there still as much as he could. He loved his roses and made sure that they were well taken care of. Every time I see a rosebush I think of him. He also paid very well for the work that we did---which helped a great deal!!. I haven't had a better paying job in my entire life!!! Not only did I make a little money but I learned some valuable lessons about life, marriage, and the importance of family. He often brought grandma one rose in from the garden, showing of his love for her.

Grandpa's professional career was one of many honors. He received his law degree and went on to become a judge. His history is full of stories and honors that he has received. The best indication though of the kind of working man that he was is the chance that I have had to rub shoulders with some that he worked with. I am acquainted with a couple of people who worked with him during his judge years and they have only nice things to say about him. He was always kind to those in front of his bench etc. It makes me proud to know that he was such a great person even in his career since I already know what kind of grandpa he was.

A few things were always present when Grandpa was around. He always had the "chicken". He would put the "chicken" in his hands and entertain/tease the grand kids till the end of time! He also sang a song, My Brother Bill (not one that grandma liked) when requested. "My brother Bill is a fireman bold. He puts out fires. He went to a fire last night I'm told, cause he puts out fires. The fire lit some dynamite and blew poor Bill clear out of sight. But where he's gone he'll do alright, 'cause he puts out fire." While grandma didn't like this song very much she could always be seen at the piano creating a beautiful number to accompany grandpa. Grandpa made a great bowl of homemade ice cream. He could be found making it for family parties or gatherings. I always requested that be what he and grandma brought when they came for my birthday in Snowbird. And he always came through and never disappointed.

You could always count on them to be where ever the event or function you were involved in was held. They came to numerous dance, music, and sports events. Always cheering and clapping loudly. Grandpa always had a joke to tell and made everyone around him laugh. Many times he didn't have to say anything he would just smile and bring joy into your life! We slept over often and while grandma took care of the details grandpa was always ready for some fun. One time in particular when we slept over we went to the mall with grandpa. I got a little stubborn on the way down the escalator and wouldn't let grandpa help me. As a result we both ended up on our bottoms at the bottom of the escalator. We ended up laughing a great deal and calming my older sister down, but boy was it fun! I don't think he took us alone very often after that!

Grandpa took up oil painting in his later years. He started to paint portraits of all of the grand kids. He didn't quite make it to me and I truly wish that he had done one because they are gorgeous but I was fortunate enough to get another painting when grandma moved from her house. It means a great deal to me because it was painted for grandma. It is a violin and a red rose. She played the violin very well and as I mentioned earlier grandpa always brought her one rose. This painting is full of love and I count my blessings that grandpa developed such a great talent in his later years.

Grandpa fought a long battle with cancer. Not once did I hear him complain about the disease. I know that he experienced much pain especially in the end but he was always joking, smiling, and making the best of life. What a great example to me!!! He truly cared for others and lived a life filled with Charity-the pure love of Christ. I cherish his history that he wrote. I love to read it and be reminded of what really matters and how we should live our lives. I am thankful that he was able to be my grandpa and teach me many life lessons, many of which I am just realizing he taught me. Happy Birthday!!!

His smile was a frequent occurrence!!!