It's Hard to Say Goodbye

It's so hard to say goodbye and let go, and it's hard to see it end....but the memories I have of my good friend Rebecca will be with me forever. I will miss her beautiful face, her heart warming smile, and her bubbly personality. I am thankful for her love and the gift of her friendship. I smile when I think about her and the times we shared together. The lives she has touched have truly been blessed. God be with you 'til we meet again, my dear friend. I DO believe in angels!

Six Candles for our Princess

If I could pick my favorite princess, who would it be... Would it be Snow White with her beautiful voice,
Or maybe Sleeping Beauty, it's such a hard choice!

I've always loved Jasmine with her big brown eyes,

and of course Cinderella, that would be no surprise!

Belle is beautiful and so very smart

and Ariel has such a kind and gentle heart.





Who would I choose as my favorite one?
It's all very clear, my search is done!





The answer is easy and plain to see...
It's our Taylor, of course, who else could it be!
She'll have six burning candles on her birthday cake
and must think carefully about the wish she will make.
Her wish, I am certain, will surely come true
Because wishes made by princesses ALWAYS do!

Happy Birthday Princess Taylor! We love you!

Are you Desperate?

Have you been awaiting the return of Desperate Housewives since the writers strike, or are you desperate for spring to arrive? Whatever you're desperate for, you might want to check this out...Kimberly is hosting a Desperate Housewives Swap. I'm sure we all agree there's nothing like getting "good mail"...so may I suggest you hop on over to her blog right away and get all the details. This is my first swap, but I've read about others. I'm in...so maybe you'd like to try something new too! Sounds like fun!

Diane's Big Day

Here it is, Diane’s 28th birthday again. April 8th has been a day I treasure and enjoy for only one reason; I get to help Diane celebrate her birthday. I promise not to make this too gushy or Diane will not let me forget it and will blog about me in some way that would be incredibly embarrassing. You might ask why a man of my age would marry someone so much younger than me. It’s easy; I was looking for a trophy wife. I knew she would always look good. One thing about living in Tennessee and being away from my forever youthful children is I get Diane all to myself. OK, I’m being selfish and if the kids will move here then I will share her with them. I have an opportunity to make sure Diane has a good day. I get to make sure she is enjoying herself. I get to make sure she has a good time. Of course I have to let her talk to the kids. We still have recordings on our answering machine from last year where Taylor our oldest grand daughter, then Kimberly, our oldest daughter and her kids wished her a happy birthday. I guess those are treasures we don’t want to lose. My purpose on Diane’s birthday is making sure she has a good time no matter what. I’m guessing on April 9th there will be a blog telling about what I did to ensure her good day.

What is it that makes Diane special and why is it I love her so much. Occasionally you might see on Diane’s blogs to me and my occasional blogs to Diane with the letters ILYSM. Michael asked what these were so I thought I better reveal our secret. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. It’s been our code for a while. I truly do ILYSM when it comes to Diane.

My favorites regarding Diane are:

• She is a great cook when I let her cook. OK, for a while I’ve had this thing called meetings at the church and we got into the habit of eating quickly (fast food) so I could be at a church meeting. She really is a good cook. I just need to let her do it more often.
  She looks good in whatever she is wearing. I have the blessing of sitting on the stand when I’m in our ward and I look at Diane and smile knowing she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.
  
• I can’t think of anyone I would rather hangout with. When we moved to Tennessee I wasn’t assigned a home teaching companion. I now take Diane with me to visit the Oakley family and another sister in the ward, and we absolutely love visiting their homes. I could say I have the best home teaching companion in the church.
  
• Diane is the kindest person I know. She has more compassion for the other person than herself. If there was one thing she taught our children growing up was “you may not like them, but you have to be nice to them”. She worries about people’s feelings a lot. She loves people.
  
• Diane will serve and serve and serve in whatever way she can. She loves the young women of the church. She’s served in young women’s longer than anyone I know. No matter where we live she’s called to serve in young women’s in some capacity. I guess that is why she has remained 28 years old. She found the fountain of youth.
  

• Diane loves her children and now grandchildren more than anything. She worries, she frets, and she prays and pleads for the well-being of her children and grandchildren. When Michael was in Honduras on his mission, he contracted Dengue Fever. I tell people it was the pleadings of a mother to a loving Heavenly Father that caused Michael to heal so quickly and not have any lasting affects from this illness. Diane lights up when the kids come to visit. She has done a remarkable job in rearing a righteous generation. It certainly wasn’t me who taught them to be so good. I have been blessed with a wife who loves her children beyond measure and will do anything for them to ensure their well-being and happiness. She talks to each one every day. They check on her and she checks on them. Diane truly is their best friend.

• She encourages me to find a way to move closer to the kids. I keep reminding her we have to have a job. She loves Tennessee, but misses having her kids close by.
• Diane gave me three beautiful and wonderful children.
  
• Diane will do anything for me when she knows I’m in a bind. My life has been a little hectic lately. She’ll have dinner ready so I can eat and run out the door. She’ll do research for me on the computer for topics on any subject I need.


• Diane is as loyal as the day is long. She loves her parents and siblings, and nieces and nephews, and my nieces and nephews. Diane would give anyone whatever they needed when she sees the need.

• We have fun just being with each other.


• Diane has a deep love for Jesus Christ which I so admire. She truly does want to be just like Him. Her compassion equals what the Savior taught in Matthew 25: 40 when He said: “In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
  
• Diane is my best friend who I want the best of everything for.

Diane, happy birthday.

ILYSM always

Tina's Birthday.....A Memorable Day!

Some birthdays you never forget. My niece, Tina, was born on April 3rd. Every year on that date I remember back to the events of that day. She was born with a condition that made it necessary for her to undergo four or five hours of major surgery immediately after birth. The hospital she was born in did not have the capability of meeting her needs, so she was airlifted to Primary Children's hospital where she remained for several months. Her birth was a very anticipated event in our family. After all...her arrival meant my brother and sister-in-law would become parents, my parents would become grandparents, and my sisters and I would become AUNTS! Her life is a miracle, and we are so blessed to have her in our family. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA!

A Big Thumbs Up to Michael...Happy Birthday!

According to a very good source (Bob) great people are born in March. Those born on March 14th fall under the Zodiac sign of Pisces, which says they are romantic, emotional, a dreamer, receptive, honest, affectionate, and generous. So in honor of Michael's birthday, I'd like to share with you some of the things Michael has in common with some of the other great Pisces men born on the same day.

• Prince Albert of Monaco: Royalty


• Michael: Well.....almost?!


• Kirby Puckett: Led the Minnesota Twins to two world series championships.
  
• Michael: Helped lead the Blue Jays (little league) to victory....just a few years ago.
  
• Billy Crystal: Comedian & actor.


• Michael: Have you read his blog? He could probably host the Academy Awards. and as far as acting goes....he was in the school play all four years for crying out loud!


• Frank Borman: Headed the First team of astronauts to ever circle the moon.


• Michael: He sets some pretty lofty goals, which I guess you could say he "shoots for the Moon!" He hasn't been in a spacecraft, but has sat in the cockpit of some pretty cool airplanes....
  

• Les Brown: With his band, recorded "Sentimental Journey".
  
• Michael: He likes old music, and is pretty sentimental! He lives the sentimental journey!
  

• Quincy Jones: Composer of many film scores and hit songs.


• Michael: Loves music! He can make up lyrics with the best of them (his sisters, I mean). Together they make a pretty mean trio.
  
  
• Hank Ketcham: Painter/cartoonist. Created Dennis the Menace.


• Michael: Need I explain?!

• Albert Einstein: Physicist, genius. Formulated the theory of relativity.
  
• Michael: Is this taking it a bit far? He does, however, have a photographic memory. If we want to remember something exactly as it happened, we ask Michael.

Michael,

You may be 23 years old today, but you are still my baby boy! Thank you for making my journey through parenthood so much fun! I thank God every day for sending you to me. Thanks for the memories! You are a GREAT son, and I love you! Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Michael,

Your mom really knows you well. What could I add to what mom already said.

You are truly a wonderful son. Thank you for the example you lead, the desires you have for your life. The desire you have for learning. I'm grateful you have an opportunity to attend school and gain an education. You and your education will benefit not only your family, but those you seek to serve.

Keep being the great young man that you are.

Besides, who is going to look after us in our old age.

We love you Michael

Happy Birthday :-)

Put Another Candle on the Cake...

Yes, it's the big guy's birthday tomorrow, March 10th, and we'll be adding another candle to the cake. He's turning 52, but really he's still a kid at heart. In honor of his big day, let me share with you the top ten things that keep me his number one fan..

• He has lived through my many moods, and still likes me!


• He is really good about keeping in touch with friends and family. Once a friend, always a friend!


• He looks pretty hot in his sunglasses and leather coat...especially when sitting behind the wheel of a really hot car.


• He loves to drive fast with the top down...says it takes years off your life. He has a reputation for driving a little on the fast side. A young man in our previous ward was in a car with his mom following him one day. His mom said, "Hey, that looks like Bishop J." In response, the young man said, "no it can't be him.....he's driving too slow". Needless to say, this is a reputation he has earned. His son seems to be following in his footsteps. Not too long ago Michael said that he wished his friends could ride with his dad just once. If they did, they'd understand why he drives the way he does. Give them the open road and a fast car, and instinct just takes over. Give them a parking lot covered in snow and ice, and it just calls out for some donuts to be spun. That's just the way it is!


• He is very sentimental, and romantic. (Girls like that you know) He cries on a dime when he talks about his family, or things close to his heart. He loves us, and we all know it!


• He has NEVER agreed with me when I've said "These pants make me look fat!"


• He loves cars! It's no wonder he loves his work.


• He would do anything for anyone. He'd rather be on the giving end if there were any question about it. Not too long ago, a man came into the church (clearly looking for a handout) and he literally gave him all he had in his wallet. Many times, we've passed by people asking for money. He doesn't question, he just gives.


• He is a hard worker, and never complains about the things he has to do. Whether it be at church or at home, he NEVER complains.


• He has a strong and firm testimony of the Savior, and desires to follow in His footsteps.


• He just keeps getting better with age, and He's mine! (OK, that was eleven instead of ten. There's one extra to grow on.)

So.....the fire burns brighter on the cake tomorrow!!! Happy Birthday Bob! ILYSM!

Who's knocking at my back door?

I was expecting some workers (if you can call them that) at my house this morning, but was a bit surprised when I heard a knock at the back door. When I looked over, I jumped as I saw something big walk by! I didn't know what it was at first. Then as he turned around and began to knock again.....this is what I saw... Luckily I came to my senses just in time to get this picture. Then as I snapped it, the doorbell rang and I let the real turkeys in the front door.

Every once in a while, I am reminded that I do, indeed, live in the country.

My Friend Gwyn

Last Friday, February 29, my good friend Gwyn Carr left this mortal existence and made her transition from time into eternity. If anyone was worthy of slipping through the veil quickly, it was Gwyn. One can't help but smile at the mention of her name...she was definitely one-in-a-million. If service is the rent we pay for living, she had most certainly paid up with extra to spare.

She was always thinking of others and performing little acts of kindness. She was very unpretentious and would cringe at the use of the word "perfect" being used to describe her, but in my eyes she was the perfect example of faith, hope, and charity. She chose to see the best in every situation. She loved people and believed in them. She especially loved children. If you were lucky enough to have been in her CTR B class in Primary, you would have received letters and packages for many years to come. I'm sure the Placentia Post Office knew her well.

Everything she did was done without fanfare or a desire to attract anyone's attention. She simply lived and left everyone she touched better than she found them. I am deeply grateful for the privilege of knowing her. When I count my blessings, Gwyn is one of them. I will miss her. This is a picture of me, June (Gwyn's mom), Gwyn, and Bob, taken before leaving California.

A Birthday "Shout Out" for Luke!

Dear Luke,

This is a important day...it's your birthday!! So in honor of your big day, I'd like to share some of the first things I thought of today....

I remember the first time I held you after you were born. You were our very first grandson. You were born on the first day of the month.You have always been the first with a huge smile and a hug!

You were there to help us celebrate our first Christmas in Tennessee.You are always first to have a great time wherever you go. You even let your grandpa give you your first shave.

So let us be the first to give a BIG birthday blog shout out HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! We love you!