Launch Honoree 2008

My Dad works at a company that helps build the solid rocket motors for the space shuttle. He has worked there since I was in 1st grade. I have always been proud of the space program and I find it very exciting. When it was time for me to do science experements for school, I always went to my Dad for help. Dad would provide pictures, patches, and sometimes actual melted rocks from test fires. It was always fun to work with Dad and exciting to me to think about space.

Everyday my Dad gets up early and goes to work without complaint and does his job the best that he can. Then he comes home, and works around the house. He is such a good guy. I am pretty sure i've gushed about my love for him on my blog before...but just so you know, my Dad is top notch. This year he was awarded the launch honoree award. It is the 2nd highest award he can recieve at the company. He was able to fly with my Mom to Florida and watch the launch that was successful last night. Dad has been sent to Florida a couple of times before to help fix a few things, but has never seen a launch himself. Last night was the first time for him. When the speakers rang out...'WE ARE GO FOR LAUNCH'...I couldn't help but beam with pride. All these years and all this time...and he's finally seeing the end result. When I spoke with him thismorning, he told me that there wasn't a word to describe it. I told him that there wasn't a word to describe how much I love him, and how proud I am of him. I do believe that our loved ones from the other side can be with us when events in our lives occur and I do believe that my Grandpa was with my Dad last night. Grandpa was always proud of my Dad and loved the space program as well. Grandpa had a belt buckle with the shuttle Challenger on it, and Dad had it with him last night. I know that Grandpa is proud of my Dad, and so am I. He's has achieved so many things in his life, but nothing so great as that of being a GREAT DAD.

Dad is in Disneyworld today with his wife...the Queen of Disney. He called and said that they were eating lunch between two families with kids. He wanted me to tell his Grandkids that he loves them, and misses them. I love that he tells us so much how he feels about us. We don't ever have to question it. I hope he doesn't ever have to question our love for him, too. We love you Daddy...

Proud to be an American...

I've heard recently a lot of people that are saying...'i'm FINALLY proud to be an American..'

Does this upset anyone else? I hope they don't mean that they weren't proud before...because i've been proud to be an American since I was a little girl watching parades where the old soldiers walked down the street with the American flag. It brought tears to my eyes then, and still does now. I have been proud to be an American since the space shuttle Challenger blew up and all the American flags came out of homes and were displayed. I have been proud to be an American since I was little and said the pledge of allegiance with my classmates. I have been proud to be an American since I worked in the scouting program and was able to salute the flag with my boys. I have been proud to be an American since 9/11 when those towers fell and America came together to support eachother because if it's one thing we have in common, it's the fact that we are ALL AMERICANS. Despite our differences we are all brothers and sisters of the same God that gave us life, and we are all here on this blessed land to learn and grow together.
I am proud of America for wanting and needing equality in this last election, however it is not just the fact that we've elected the first African American president that makes me proud. I am glad that America has gotten passed prejudice, but it's the fact that I have lived here all my life, and i've always been proud to be an American where at least I know i'm free, and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me and I proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today. Because there ain't no doubt I love this land. GOD BLESS THE USA!

Blogging Safety...

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4699330

I saw this story on KSL the other night, and it made me need to change my blog...
So from now on, i'm not going to list my kids' names or too much more info about my family. Hope you can keep up with the initials instead...THANKS Monica for posting this on your blog as well...

JS is 5 years old!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my hansome JS! We love you big guy!!

What did you say??? Halloween is over??

Here's JLat her school parade...Thanks Jenny for getting this one! Sooo cute!


TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!!! JS as Buzz Lightyear!!! Isn't he handsome? And What?!! He's turning 5 tomorrow!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET JS!!!


It was kinda a silly costume, but cheap! And here's Jaden Terrel dressed at Terrel. Hehehe! My Dad was pretty surprised, too. Soo funny...and I taught him to say DADBURNIT!! Which is the closest thing to swearing i've ever heard my Dad come.



JL dressed as a spider witch! I am not sure what she's doing with her cheeks there...but yeah. She and I had a lot of fun doing this costume. Thanks Angie for letting us borrow it, and for the fun idea! It was a blast to do her hair and make up, she's so dang funny and cute! Love that girl!

Finding joy in the journey...

Thank you to everyone who left NICE comments on my last post. I was really having a bad, bad day, but I am feeling much better thanks to good people like you and my sweet friends and family.

Today I was excited when the mailman came with my copy of the Ensign's conference report. I have really wanted to read President Monson's talk on Sunday morning. I guess I could have looked online at LDS.org but didnt. I'm glad I read it this afternoon. In his conference talk his remarks are about enjoying the journey that we are on. He talks about how the one thing that is constant is change. It is so true that life comes at you fast, and it can change in an instant. But his remarks are about those changes that happen gradually, like that of raising children. I just want to share a couple of his quotes:

"...If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will-to your surprise-miss them profoundly."

He also talks about telling people now that we love them... "...Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It's so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they're gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of "what if" and "if only." Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, "The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone."

I want all of my family and friends to know how much they mean to me. I will try to be better at letting you know this. I will be a better daughter, Mother, Wife and friend. I know i'm not perfect, and I definately am not allowed to have a bad day, but I am trying. I am trying to do what my Heavenly Father needs and wants me to do. I have 3 fantastic children and an amazing Husband who loves and cares for me. I love my extended family and Steve's as well. I know that they don't think i'm great, but we are all doing the best that we can, and for me...that's all I can do. I know that I am a daughter of God. That I was sent to this Earth for a purpose and that if I continue to stay on the path i've chosen, then I will be blessed beyond measure. I can look at myself in the mirror everyday and know that God loves and cares for me because I am His daughter. I have asked Him to help me feel of his love for me, and I feel it. I know He is there. I know He loves and cares for each of us individually. He knows our hurts, our wants and our needs and I am going to be better at finding joy in my journey.

Trying to smile...

Why is it that everyone around me has exactly what they want? Or at least it seems that way...? I mean, I do what i'm supposed to do...I pay my tithing, I go to church, I have Family Home Evening, I pray, I ask and I beg for help...for something to happen to change our situation. And still...no matter what happends, everyone around me is happy, healthy, and moving along their path very well, and I stay put. Right here. Right in the same spot. Never moving. Always sticking to the same lonely place. Why? Why am I still in this rut? Why can't I have what I need? Why do I have to have these problems?
I know I sound ungrateful, but I am grateful. Is it so wrong to want something better for myself and for my family? Am I a horrible person for wanting a safe place for my children to grow and learn? Is it wrong to want more? I want more. I want a place for JL to grow...a little room for her. I want a little backyard without any drug needles in it. I want to be happy.
I've always thought that happiness was a choice, and i've chosen to just be happy for a long time now. I think i'm tired of faking it. I'm tired of pretending that it's all ok. It's NOT ok, but i'll keep trying to smile.