Tender Moments

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Ok, so I really have had a roller coaster month. I certainly feel exhausted. Some things I am ready to share and somethings may take more time.
I am not going to go into much detail, but will share a few thoughts and feelings. First off, I am very grateful to have been able to spend time in California at the end of May with my son Neal and his darling wife Angie. We were blessed to be there when our first grandson was born. Jayden Neal Guymon was born on May 30th. Those moments are tender and priceless. Although his life short, we were humbled to hold him and tell him how much we love him before he passed away.
Following that, Boyd spent more time in the hospital. And my Dad has been in the hospital a month now. I am not sure Dad will ever come home.
So, I am still reeling from many changes and emotions now. But each day, I am grateful.

Don't remind me!! I know I am old!

Okay, so yes, I did reach a major milestone in my life. I am now actually 50 years old. Since I cannot change the fact that I have no control over this aging process, do I have to like it? Because although I have a tendency to be an optimist, I truly do not like being 50 years old! I tell myself that it is just a number. But it's a big number! If this year had been just a bit easier, maybe the number wouldn't actually bother me so much. Despite any challenges the year brings, I still vow not to let the ugly number be a down side to life. I will be honest and say that I do want to do more for myself to be healthy and positive. I am certain I will pay more attention to my wrinkles and try to eat healthier. But I say that every year with my New Years Resolutions, too!

I think I will just make myself repeat daily, " I am 50, and I am fabulous!"

Is it working?? Am I fabulous yet?

Why can't Boyd listen to me like his GPS system?

Last month, we had spent considerable time on the road traveling between our children that all happen to live in different states at this time. Basically, we really do enjoy just getting in the car and taking off without too many cares. (Like whether or not to bring our dog Katie with us) . We often just on a whim will get up some day, and decide to drive somewhere, anywhere~.
But, there have been a few glitches along the way that have started causing some "friction" between Boyd and I. The basic problem is that since my husband is of the male gender, he does not have the ability to stop and ask directions. So, in the midst of our fun and spur-of-the-moments travels, we often find ourselves arguing about which turn off we were to take, and what lane we should be in, and so on and so on.
So, as we are planning many more fun and spontaneous trips, we decided that it might be a really good idea to invest in a GPS. As we all know, I think it is genetic breeding that makes it impossible for men to stop and ask for directions. Although, I am sure he can point out several occasions when I have led us in the wrong direction also! Rare, but true.
The real problem I am encountering now is that the woman that speaks on the GPS system has this beautiful hypnotic angelic voice (according to Boyd). She never nags him, and she is always right. Oh, how I would love to have the same voice programed to accomplish that list I have waiting for him at home! Wouldn't that be great! Oh, well, for now, maybe I can practice training my voice and when he is asleep subconsciously put thoughts in his head.
Well, for now at least I do trust that he is happy with his new voice activated GPS system. And my nagging while he is driving is completely gone! Although, I do have to admit I am the one that programs it!
So, for any of you that don't have a GPS system for your traveling, I do highly recommend one. But, I am still awaiting the home version that will tell him what to do in the same angelic voice. Do you really think that will work?
But, for any of you that watched a particular episode of ER a few weeks ago, you will get a laugh out of this. A couple using their GPS system told them to drive straight in to a lake. And so, they did! They could see the lake, but the GPS system kept telling them to drive forward. They had refused to believe that wrong instructions had been given. Needless to say, we plan on using common sense with this. We wouldn't want our new little assisting angel to lead us astray!

To My Valentine

After over 26 years being married, Valentines Day is still a special time! This last one for Boyd and I was truly a special one! We aren't ones to buy lavish gifts, or even want to spend time eating at fancy restaurants. But this year, just by chance, we ended up spending the weekend in a great relaxing suite in Salt Lake. We did attempt to go out to a movie, but then we just decided to go back to the hotel and relax. We even enjoyed babysitting our 18 month old granddaughter during the day while her parents spent time together. That was funner than any movie!

So, for the great time we were able to spend together, we really have to admit it was one of the best Valentines we ever celebrated! I love you, Boyd! Thanks again for being such a terrific man for all these years! You are still the love of my life!

Happy Birthday Kira!

Today my baby girl turns 21. No matter how old she gets she will always be my baby girl, even if she is married and has her own little girl now! We were so excited to have a girl after having two boys, but I was also intimidated. I was an only girl with 4 brothers, and I wasn't sure what to do with a girl. Luckily, she was an easy frilly girl that loved all the curls, dolls, and cute pink dresses I didn't get to use with her brothers.

Happy Birthday Kira!



• With her brother Nephi being just 14 months older than her, we were often very busy keeping up with him so he wouldn't innocently destroy the world. This, combined with Kira being such a calm good baby, we often tease her that we didn't even notice her for over a year!
  
  
• As a young child, she hated wearing any clothes. One day I found her proudly walking up and down the driveway only wearing a pair of my high heel shoes and a long beaded necklace. Luckily she grew out of that phase and became a very modest young woman.



• By the time she was old enough to have a job, she of course spent most of her money on clothing. But, even then, she would go through her closet and several times a year, she would take all the clothes that she "tired of" and pass them along to some lucky gal that wore the same tiny sizes. Needless to say, she is not one to ever have excess clutter anywhere in her home.



• Kira has always had an extremely close relationship with her brothers. They have always confided in each other, and keep each others secrets never breaking that trust. Although I am still to this day not sure what happened the day Kira came from the bedroom after playing with her brothers when she was 2. She came out with her lip cut open, and her front tooth missing. They all claim they don't know what happened, but I do know it had something to do with jumping on the bed.



• For a girl, Kira was never one for any uncontrolled emotions! One thing for sure is that she was never a "drama queen"! We often wondered if she had any female estrogen because she was never ever moody or irrational. She must not have her mothers genes!



• In High School, her greatest pet peeve was everyone telling her that she looked just like Lindsay Lohan. She still gets that comment made to her, but she is much prettier than Lindsay Lohan!



• Kira and her brother Nephi were inseparable, especially in High School. She spent the majority of her time with Nephi and his best friend Shawn Catmull, along with her best friend Lindsey Hobbs. To this day, Nephi and Shawn are a major part of her daily life.



• Although Kira dated continuously in High School, she was never one to have a steady boyfriend. In fact, she went through so many guys, the rule in our house was "No dating Nephi's friends!"



• The one thing you can count on is Kira always speaking her mind. She is very straight forward and she speaks the truth.



• Thanks Kira, for being such a beautiful person, inside and out. We love the woman you have become and are extremely proud of you! Besides, you are also the best mother ever to your darling daughter Anna.
  

We Love You, Mom and Dad

February Resolutions

As odd as this may seem, I picked up this odd habit from my husband. Many years ago, he decided that New Years resolutions are a big hype. He would laugh as he watched everyone around him start the new year with all their fresh goals. So, his version of New Years Resolutions is to start thinking about what goals and changes you want to make on January 1. But, then he would wait a month, ponder, think about what he really wanted to accomplish, and then he starts his resolutions on the 1st of February. I have never been one to really set any great goals on any certain day, but every year on the 1st of February now, I do actually try and put at least a few new positive actions into my life. Maybe this year I am thinking a bit more about this because turning 50 years old is just terrifying. I remember my grandmother at 50 and think her hair was blue even then. Of course, nowdays there is so much pressure to look and act younger, that 50 really is scary. Well, acting younger hasn't been that big of a problem, as I really should act my age more that I do. Certainly, there are many days when I look in the mirror and I wonder who in the world I am looking at.. when did the wrinkles become so noticeable? Okay, so gravity does effect the body, but I am not running around in a bikini so that doesn't worry me so much. But, I was looking at some pictures that just seem like they were taken days ago, and I certainly was younger then! So, for what it is worth, this year, I am going to set some new plans in motion that I hope I can make more of a habit.


1. Set a better example for my kids.
2. Appreciate the blessings I have. This includes not just a great family, but also a wonderful group of friends that continues to grow.
3. No nagging or whining allowed.
4. Learn something new everyday.
5. Put less whipped cream on my strawberries.
6. Stop complaining about my husbands snoring.
7. Keep my husband from adding things to my post without my knowing (like the last remark)
8. Play more, worry less.
9. Stop procrastinating!
10. Commit myself to cooking meals again! ( Between it only being Boyd and I to cook for and his loss of appetite due to his health this year, it is hard to find the motivation.)
11. And that is all, I know I will struggle with just these!

Getting to know you

I recieved this "get to know you" from Cindy Buxton Miles, and thought possibly I could fill this out. So, for any of you that have a need to get to know yourself of many others better, this is a great questionaire!
Welcome to the 2009 edition of getting to know your Friends.

> 1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:30
> 2. Diamonds or Pearls? No doubt, Pearls
> 3. What is the last film you saw at the cinema? So long ago,I can't remember
> 4. What is your favorite TV show? House
> 5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Fresh strawberries
> 6. What is your middle name? I don't have one
> 7. What kind of food do you dislike? Dead fruit(cooked fruit)
> 8. What is your favorite CD at this moment? Jewel-new country CD
> 9. What kind of car do you drive? 2008 Pontiac G6, or a Jeep
> 10. Favorite sandwich? Turkey-but usually no bread- just wrapped in lettuce
> 11. What characteristic do you despise? negative attitudes
> 12. Favorite item of clothing? Jeans and a t-shirt
> 13. If you could go on vacation anywhere, where? Germany to see friends
> 14. Favorite brand of clothing? No preference
> 15. Where would you retire to? A log cabin somewhere
> 16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? What birthdays?
> 17. Favorite sport to watch? Basketball
> 18. Farthermost place you are sending this? Germany
> 19. Person you expect to send it back first? Kira and Angie
> 20. When is your birthday? May 15
> 21. Are you a morning person or a night person? night
> 22. What is your shoe size? 7 1/2
> 23. Pets? dog- Katie
> 24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I met an adopted
> brother after some time of searching!
> 25. What did you want to be when you were little? A Mom
> 26. How are you today? Great
> 27. What is your favorite candy? I am not a candy person, I prefer fresh fruit
> 28. What is your favorite flower? Daisy
> 29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? September
> 30. What is your full name? Connie Richins Guymon
> 31. What are you listening to right now? My husband snoring :)
> 32. What was the last thing you ate? Chicken
> 33. Do you wish on stars? Yes
> 34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? pink
> 35. How is the weather right now? snow and cold
> 36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? Grandchild-Anna
> 37. Favorite soft drink? Grape Crush in a bottle
> 38. Favorite restaurant? Olive Garden or The Roof in Salt Lake
> 39. Real hair color? Brown
> 40. What was your favorite toy as a child? A Chatty Cathy doll.
> 41. Summer or winter? fall!
> 42. Hugs or kisses? Depends on who I am getting it from
> 43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
> 44. Coffee or tea? Neither
> 45. Do you want your friends to email you back? Yes
> 46. When was the last time you cried? When I got some great news last week
> 47. What is under your bed? Storage/Boxes
> 48. What did you do last night? Watched House,read a bit.
> 49. Fear of heights or deep water? Deep water
> 50. Salty or sweet? Salty
> 51. How many keys on your key ring? 3
> 52. How many years at your current job? Before I retired, about 25
> 53. Favorite day of the week? Friday
> 54. How many towns have you lived in? 4
> 55. Do you make friends easily? yes
> 56. How many people will you send this to? 10-15
> 57. How many will respond? Hopefully, most all of them