Kristin's Birthday Today!

Happy Birthday,
Happy Birthday,
Happy, Happy Birthday To YOU!

Yay! It's Kristin's birthday today. I totally remember the day you were born! I was babysitting and my mom called me to tell me. Your mom had been in labor all day, so you were FINALLY here. I can't remember the name of the family, but I can see them in my mind and they lived in a brown house on the corner and had a yellow kitchen with a wall phone that had a really long cord!

You were so darling. I had made a white with red dots stuffed dog for you in my home economics class. I was pretty proud of it and your mom would put it in your crib. I used to babysit you when your parents would go out. I had so much fun.

Have a very happy day today. I love you!

Happy Valentine's Day

To My Valentine!

Your sweet smile fills my heart,

Something there sets you apart,

From all the other ones I've seen,

And makes you #1 for me!

You give me hope--

I have no care,

And always is the constant prayer:

I'm grateful your hand reached for mine,

For you are MY Valentine!!

Happy Valentine's Day, Duff. I love you with all my heart!

P.S. To all my other Valentines: I love you too: Mike, Adrianne, Josh, Meredith, Natalie, Robert, Shaun, Christine, and Darla

Happy Birthday Melanie!

Happy Birthday To You-

Happy Birthday To You-

Happy Birthday Sweet Melanie-

Happy Birthday To YOU!

We hope you have a fantastic day! We send all our love and best wishes for an awesome year!

Love, Aunt Cindy, Uncle Don, and the Cali Cousins

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's Off To Work I Go

Not really, but I've found my self 'whistling' while I've worked! So much to do here at home to catch up on EVERYTHING!

The house is getting back to normal, and so are the garages. They were turned in to a florist shop as Aunt Sue did all the flowers for the wedding. I've been washing vases to be returned to those we borrowed them from, drying the thousands of glass beads from the vases and putting them into bags. Consolidating the remaining paper and plastic goods. Got all the outdoor plants and pots watered good. Re-set the sprinklers.

We're all having some tummy 'issues'. Don't know if it's just the accumulation of everything or a bit of a 'bug'.

Christine is overloaded with make up school work from missing last week. We decided to stay home for the 4 day weekend after all and it will be good to rest up and for her to catch up on her assignments.

Mike and Adrianne come home from their honeymoon on Friday and we will watch them open all their presents. That will be fun.

My mom and dad are supposed to come back in to town tomorrow after visiting my mom's sister, Rita, in Wrightwood. I'm hoping my dad has his camera cord so I can download his pictures of the wedding. I truly did not take ONE picture myself I was so busy that day, so he and Lisa are the only ones who have any besides the photographer!

Till tomorrow---

Abraham Lincoln

Today is Abraham Lincoln's birthday. He was born on Sunday, February 12, 1809 in Kentucky. As he grew up, he loved to read and preferred learning to working in the fields which led to conflict between he and his father. He was always borrowing books from friends and who ever he could.


He stood 6 feet 4 inches tall, and was around 180 pounds. He had different jobs as he grew up: store clerk, surveyor, and postmaster. He even wrestled the town bully and earned the nickname, Honest Abe.

He suffered with deep depression. He once said that if all the world's sorrows were combined, they would not equal the sadness he felt. And yet in spite of this he became a respected attorney, and our 16th president of the United States! He was elected on November 6, 1860. He was a man of honesty and compassion most likely developed as a result of his personal trials. He grew and wore a beard at the suggestion of an 11 year old little girl! (One of his trademarks.)

Abraham Lincoln is remembered for his role in preserving the Union during the Civil War, and for beginning the process that ended slavery in the United States. I have always loved Abraham Lincoln. To me he is a great example of humility, and someone whose humble origins but determination and perserverance led him to greatness and our nation's highest office. I have always felt that he was guided by Heaven and played a part in preparing the world for the restoration of the gospel.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT LINCOLN!

Tuesday

I just realized it is Tuesday! I haven't kept track of the days very well lately!

I am finishing the 14 loads of laundry since the funeral and wedding, washing vases and drying glass beads from centerpieces, sent off the last of the family guests from the wedding yesterday, doctor's visits with Shaun, changing sheets on all of the beds, etc.

It is a beautiful day here. In the 70's, blue sky, calm, peaceful breeze. Hard to believe that less than a week ago we were in the middle of a chaotic amount of snow and 1* weather!

I think we are officially tired of pasta. We brought 2 trays home that were left over from the reception and have eaten them everyday so far. Enough. Boy it was good though!

??????????Got a phone call from Natalie yesterday with some 'information' about she and Robert. Batten down the hatches and gear up because it looks like we just might be getting on the 'event treadmill' again by the end of the summer????????????? Have Mercy!

Sunday

The family all started leaving today. The Duffy group left at different times to fly back to Utah. I just have to interject here how grateful we are to them and how much we love them. Jeaneen's sudden death and funeral could have had an impact on the wedding, but the family rallied around us, expedited the services so they could all TRAVEL and BE WITH us and Mike and Adrianne on this very special day.

My family started leaving today too. How grateful we are to them for making a difficult decision NOT to go to the funeral, TRAVEL here and clean up my house, do all the flowers, fruit, and extra errands while we were at the funeral. I don't think Lisa wants to run one more errand! She's tired of being in the car! Cripes Mirandy! (don't know what that means, but my mom used to say it all the time when I was growing up and it just popped into my head). Lisa and Craig and Josh and Meredith and Bob and Gwen all left today. My mom and dad headed for Wrightwood to spend some time with Auntie Tia and Uncle Bob.

Mike and Sue left too, but we got a call around noon that they got bumped from their flight and were headed down to spend the rest of the day with us, stay the night and fly out in the morning. That actually has turned out to be a fun thing to spend some quiet time with them!

Shhh...The 'ox was in the mire' and I didn't get to church today. I NEVER do that! But with so many leaving at different times it just didn't work for me. Duff went to Ward Conferences and then came home. He took Bob and Gwen to the airport and Sue and I drove the kids car to their hotel and Duff met us there and we drove home with him. Wow, what a view of the ocean!

Then another trip to a different airport to send off Natalie and Robert tonight. Sue and I donned our p.j.'s and curled up for some 'sister' talk and relaxed. Boy it felt good! Tomorrow we switch gears again and attack Shaun's diseases with a beavy of doctors visits and consultations.

They're Married!

What a day! Wonderful, beautiful, fabulous. Soooo tired. Family just went back to their hotels and I am off to bed. More later...............

Wedding Dinner

I was so busy I did not take ONE picture!

But the evening was nice and we pulled it off. We had gotten home late the night before from Jeaneen's funeral, so first thing in the morning was switching gears to wedding mode!

We went with a Mexican theme, and had SuperMex shredded beef tacos, chicken and cheese enchiladas, and two chicken party burritos, rounding it out with lettuce, cheese, salsa, guacamole, beans and rice, and their homemade tortillas chips. Yummo! It was Adrianne's family and our family, immediate and extended and we made up quite a crowd--in the neighborhood of 50-60 when the count was finally in!

Victoria (my super-woman friend) called in the morning and asked what I needed that day. I said, nothing--it was all under control--then she started asking me questions like: do you have all your paper goods? what are you serving for dessert? uhuhuhuh.......I hadn't got that far yet (which is so NOT me when entertaining). She promptly replied that she would bring the dessert and paper goods. What a relief not to have to think about that! She made two of her delicious chocolate cakes on beautiful pedestal stands with strawberry sauce to drizzle, chocolate dipped strawberries. Oooooh so good! And they were a perfect ending to the meal. THANK YOU Victoria!

Duff's family all arrived today, and they pitched right in and helped me tidy up, put away the straggler Christmas things that I somehow missed, arranged the candy dishes and set up for the dinner. They also sat outside on the patio and on the hammock and soaked up the warm sunshine, considering they came from snowed in Utah! They were so grateful to have a little break from it and hopefully soaked up enought to tide them over for a while with vitamin D and visions of GREEN grass, bushes, and trees. THANK YOU DUFFY FAMILY!

My family was busy with cutting fruit for the reception fruit table, flowers, flowers, and more flowers, and driving to complete all the last minute errands. THANK YOU DAVIS FAMILY!

Tired, tired, but what a great day!

(journal: I continue to be amazed at the physical and emotional strength I have been blessed with lately. I know it is a gift from God. There has been so much on our plate and yet I am able to move from one enormous thing to the next without a break and handle it all. I know it is related to prayer. Our prayers have increased, been more specific, deeper, and I can feel Father's blessings. I need to continue in this manner, not just during crisis times. THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER!)

I'm BACK!

Quickly--We got back tonight about an hour ago. All I can say is: CRAZY TIMES AROUND THIS FAMILY right now!

The funeral was great(!), the snow unbelievable, and I'll give lots of reports when the wedding is done. I have to prepare for the 'dinner' tomorrow which we are hosting here at the house. Yes, like I said: CRAZY TIMES right now.....

24 hours ago we were having a funeral and less than 48 hours from now we are having a wedding!

!Ay Carumba!

God Be With You Till We Meet Again!

Today was President Hinckley's funeral at the Conference Center. I recorded it on the DVR and have had it on the tv all day today along with all the programs about his life. It is still very hard to believe he has passed away. The service was absolutely fantastic. The spirit was very strong. I especially liked how the program was dotted with appropriate stories of his life mingled with the doctrine and truths of the gospel. It was well balanced. This was a good example to follow. His casket and the flowers were magnificent and fitting in light of his love of gardening.

A 'heart-clutching' shot of President Monson and President Eyring with President Hinckley's chair between them vacant. And yet this is also an exhilirating picture because of the knowledge that Heavenly Father has a plan and we will never be without a prophet here on the earth.

I did very well during the funeral until the closing song. "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" is one of my all time favorite songs and with the video montage of his life played during it I just cried like a baby! I am grateful for his life, example, love, true Christlike behavior, and teachings. The way he could make me feel like I COULD stand a little taller and be just a little better each day--I didn't have to be perfect just a smidge better than the day before.

I WILL MISS YOU PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY!

(journal: I feel much strengthened today. Yesterday I just really couldn't function very well. I'm quite certain it's because I'm mourning for President Hinckley's death and all that, the wedding details, worrying about Shaun, and then Jeaneen passing away so suddenly and at my parents house, etc. I know that a good night's rest helped, but as I was watching the cortege driving to the SL cemetary, I had a very strong impression and heard the words sharply in my mind that my parents had been praying for me and their prayers were a direct result of my renewed strength. I had it come to me twice. I knew immediately that the Holy Ghost had spoken to me and let me have a glimpse of the eternal truth that parenting never ends and is eternal. I have been trying to be more aware of the quick promptings and impressions that come to me so I can recognize the spirit in my life better. I am grateful for this one!

"You Lift Me Up"

Here is another great video in tribute to President Hinckley. I have always liked this song by Josh Groban. I couldn't resist and had to add it to the other videos I've posted.

It's been a long day, but good. Got Duff to the airport EARLY this morning. He and his brother and sisters met with the funeral director and went over details for the viewing, funeral, burial, etc. They planned the program and wrote the obituary. I had another brief wedding meeting this morning to finalize details since I will be gone next week and only get back with about 36 hours before the wedding! But again, my friends have been more than WONDERFUL and everything will turn out great!

I think the reality of her death is sinking in with all of us now that the crisis has passed. The phone lines are busy with all of us just needing to talk to each other and connect. That is actually a good thing, really. Christine and I didn't make it out this afternoon--we just couldn't pull it together--so we are tweaking our plans.

I'm looking forward to President Hinckley's funeral tomorrow. It's now midnight and I'm going to shut things down. Nighty-night!