Happy Birthday Lilly!!!!!

Eating her yogurt!

Happy Birthday Lillian Elizabeth Parry!!! Today is my little niece Lilly's birthday! I tried really hard to get her here on my birthday but it just didn't quite work that way!! Even before she arrived here into our family I knew she would be special---she has proven that time and time again! Oh this little girl is amazing! She was born with some health problems and has been a trooper the last 4 years as she has had a few surgeries and one of her ears is a little ear. She loves to talk about her belly button that the doctor made for her and her little ear. She is confident in who she is already----which is a good thing!

For the first few years of her life my mom tended her part time while her parents worked and it was fun to run home while I was living there to see her. I hated to miss her and had to see her at least every day or so. She makes you laugh at EVERYTHING she says! I don't know where she has gotten all her brains from but she is smart as a whip and has an imagination gone wild! I love tending her and playing what she has thought of! I am always laughing hard when I am there. She never disappoints in her creativeness! The other day I was tending her and her room was a mess making it hard to play in there. I told her that we needed to clean up a few things so that we could play better. She said it is so boring to clean! I explained that if we picked up a few things we could play a lot better. Her response to me was, "I want to do something exhilarating!!!" When I looked at her with a question in my eye how she knew that word (as I am sure her parents don't use it on a daily basis!) She says, "It means fun and exciting!" When I questioned her parents how she knew the word they had no clue! Maybe she reads the dictionary!! I wouldn't be surprised if she did either!

She loves to eat yogurt! Rarely can she be found without a cup of key lime pie yogurt in hand! And she loves sweets! I knew I liked her! She has a hard time eating much else but junk food......but she is skinny so she can get away with it! Just the other day we were having dinner and she asked her parents if something was junk food---they have been reading Bernstein Bears books to help her with a few things. And she is trying to be better! She plays well with all kids no matter their age. She is usually the center of attention at most family functions because she has some act or another that she has to show us. Many times we don't have anything else planned but dinner and watching Lilly! Oh what a joy she is to be around!

Lilly was named after my grandmother's sister and my mother. And it has been fun to learn more about her and see that they have some similarities. One of which is love. You can feel the love that Lilly has for many people. She is usually willing to give a big hug to you and make you laugh! She has such a calming spirit about her......she brings such a great peace into our family. She has made a huge difference in all of our lives!

She loves to read books.....she gets this from her mother! She is always trying to get you to read one more book to her before bed!! I know that she will excel in school because of this love. She has such aspirations for future. She wants to be an artist, a doctor, a painter and on and on. Every day it is something different. And I have no doubt that she will become something great!

Lilly I am super proud of you and all that you do! What a great blessing you are in my life and a great addition to this family!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! May the coming year be great! Love you lots!!!

Love that smile!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

Today is my birthday and while I am not going to blog about myself I want you who read my blog to leave a comment about me! Tell me what you like about me, what makes me special, something you admire about me, etc! You know leave comments that I want to come back and read when I am having a bad day!! Thanks to all of you for making me someone terrific!!!

The last few days....

I have been busy the last few days.......but boy have they been great! As you can see from the previous post Sarah my younger sister had her baby on Wed morning. It was a long day of work as I anticipated going to the hospital and spending time with her! What a doll she is!!! I had Fri off from work but at the last minute decided to take Thurs off as well and make a nice weekend of it and help my sister out a bit. I was super glad that I did! I had fun holding the new baby, playing with the rest of the nieces and nephews, and doing what really matters in life---enriching relationships w/my family. I love new babies and the reminder that they give me of what is important and to SLOW down!!! I had Audrie overnight one night and while it was exhausting I love talking with her and laughing like a child! She was so attentive to her new sister and will be a great help I hope! It was exciting for me to take Sarah home from the hospital....what a great feeling to bring a newborn home and while I hope one day to have this experience for myself I was thankful for the opportunity to participate in a bit of heaven on earth!

I got them settled and headed to Park City with a couple of girlfriends! Oh how I miss working w/Haylie!!! And oh how I needed that afternoon of shopping!!! It was fun to shop for some clothes that were needed and find some good bargains as well! Thanks girls for a great day!! I headed to Logan on Sat to pick up some couches from my old roommate and that was a fun day....although driving there and back in one day was tiring. I am super excited to have the couches I have loved for a long time! And look forward to the accessorizing!!

We then had a Larson Cousin party that night. But before we headed there we went to see Brooke & Kelly's new house being built! It will be nice when it is done but hard that they will be farther away from us all! It was fun to chat and catch up with my cousins about their lives.....I sure do love spending time with my family and we missed the ones that weren't there! It was nice to do some of those important things that get pushed to the side at times! Love you all!!

I ended the weekend with dinner at my parents on Sun. It was fun to spend time with them and play cards with them. Something that I miss living on my own. I need to be better about having them over for dinner and games on occasion! Sarah and John came over as well and it was fun to visit with them as well as hold little Tessie for awhile. Oh how it makes everything in life better!!! I could cuddle all my nieces and nephews all day long if given the chance!

I am thankful for times when I can leave work behind and do things that really matter!!! You know like spoiling my nieces and nephews rotten! I love being with my family and doing things with them! I look forward to another busy week but thankful for the time that I can spend with people who influence me in good ways!

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!