I'm cool 'cause I'm related

I wanted to post a pic of my cousin but the only one I have is when we were 10 and we were totally decked in my Grandma's clothes and jewelry posing as what else but Charlie's Angels. When we would play Charlie's Angels my cousin insisted that she get to be Kelly Garrett (aka Jaclyn Smith) because her name is Kelly. I agreed to it but secretly inside I was still Kelly because our first real names were the same. Anyhoo, I posted the next best thing and that is a pic of her flower boxes which I want to copy...someday.

If you haven't guessed this post is about my very cool, very hip cousin, Kelly Sansom. As kids we only got to see each other once or twice a year because we lived in California and then Oregon and she lived in Utah. But that didn't seem to matter because as soon as we got to Utah (okay I usually waited a day.... or a half hour because I didn't want to hurt my Grandma's feelings) I would call her and then spend the next two nights at her house. She had a cool room because it was all hers, she didn't have to share, and she had that cool poster of Rob Lowe hanging in her room. I know what you're thinking....she was an upstanding LDS girl, she faithfully put up a post-it to cover up his cigarette. I would live vicariously through her boyfriend stories, because she always had a boyfriend and an ex...I always had neither.

I write this post because technology has made it possible for me to get reacquainted with her in ways that distance normally negates. She has a blog which she shares with others not only her quirky thoughts and feelings but also her amazing gifts and talents. She has a lot of very fun ,very yummy, recipes. And through reading her blog I found that she makes pretty things and sells them...check it out!! If I had to choose a favorite...hmmm I would have to choose three. Triple threat because they say "I'm here and I'm ready to have fun" something I try to live by. Next would be Be a Blessing because it reminds me of what Sis. Kimball said "Never Suppress a Generous Thought" which after Saturday's R.S. Meeting is a new favorite motto. Last I would choose The Light Within because that is my whole point of this blog. I have gotten to know her in ways that I never would have normally because of our distance. She has tried a lot of things and has perfected many. I am sure she has had her fair share of crappy dinners, and lame looking crafts. She would probably be the first to admit it. But she has not given up on trying, and I have benefited by what gifts she has shared by finding the light within. I admired that from afar and thought "Hey, I'm related maybe I have some of that mojo in my corner. I do, but it is different. I have a light within because I am a Child of the same Heavenly Father. Not just because we each have a piece of Frank and Relda Bringhurst in us....although it doesn't hurt ;)

This post was long, sorry, I hope it has ignited a spark to look with in yourself and find that little something that could turn into a big something if you give it a chance. If not...so you won't think reading this was a big, fat waste of time, go to her blog, try her couscous and you'll thank me...and if you make it for other people, tell them I gave you the recipe!

Happy Birthday Beckett and Evan

This picture still makes me laugh at my sister's neurosis. Juliet had just mopped the floor when someone spilled a can of bacon grease. She was fried (haha) and while she was cleaning up, G-rat walked right through it. She had W pick him up and carry to be washed in the sink....only to have him walk through it again. Mind you, there is a lot of kaos going on because of the upcoming baptism/birthday party. I come into the kitchen and walk through it as well. She didn't take to that kindly and picked me up and carried me to the sink while yelling for someone to take a picture and to come clean my feet. This picture is "G" rated the one I didn't post isn't. Pretty sure there were some obscenities being thrown around...won't tell you by whom...will I purple?

Is that the look of a happy birthday boy or what. Love you Bucket!

Evan was so thrilled to get a Cars coloring book, a Lightning McQueen and a Cars shoe box that it was wrapped in. A guy couldn't be happier.

And speaking of happy. Miyakawa cousins surprised us and showed up 30 minutes before the baptism. How we love our cousins!

L.J.'s Baptism

If you ask her, this day took forever to come. If you ask me she still seems three. It comes as no surprise to my kids that I hate that they are growing up. Anytime anyone asks Halley about kindergarten and being such a big girl she says "Quiet!, We can't talk about it in front of my Mom, it makes her sad". What I am grateful for is the choices my kids are making as they do grow older.

Lindsay was baptized along with three of her classmates; Leilani, Emma, and Dallin who they are watching get baptized now.

Look how they are beaming. That is what it looks like when a child enters into the waters of baptism and takes upon them certain covenants or promises that they make to their Father in Heaven. That is the joy that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bring into your life.

Here is the group of family members that made it to the baptism. How lucky we are to have such a wonderful family.

Too close for comfort

Shane came home at lunchtime to take Spencer out for his birthday. Saturday was the day but he was still convalescing from strep throat and Shane didn't want to leave me as I had just had my tonsils removed. We noticed black smoke pouring from over the hilltop a little too close to where we live. Our first thought was to pray for the pear farm. This local pear farm provides our church with all the pears they need for their welfare system world wide. We live a short jog away and the fire was getting very close.

This house was doused in an effort to help save it.

It has sounded like WWII over my house. So many planes and helicopters trying to do all they can to stop the spread. Today was a day off of school due to budget cuts so my heart goes out to working parents whose children are at home alone. I hope they were all able to evacuate safely.

A Time to Be Still

I have always considered myself pretty laid back. I do like to get things accomplished but I don't have to be going all the time. I have found though with 5 kids, a lot of what I like to do gets pushed off to the side. Nothing earth shattering, but I have had 600-ish pictures in my camera waiting to be uploaded to my computer...blogs in my head that I have not published...magazines left unread...you get my drift.
I don't know what I have been waiting for, it just seems that I can't get it all done. If I had my husbands personality all things would be on a list and systematically crossed off when accomplished. Good in theory but not my style. I guess I needed something to come into my life to urge me to finish tasks that have long since been pushed aside and gathered cob webs.
Last Thursday I had my tonsils removed which I have pushed off for years but finally had taken care of. I have found now that rather than lay in bed and fear my next swallow I am distracting myself with small mindless tasks that needed my care. These are things that no one else will notice but me, but I have found that it is putting a smile on an otherwise pale face. I guess I should be grateful for this chance of renewal and a chance to look deeper. I'd say thank you but in reality my throat still really hurts...maybe in a week or two.