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!