Where friendships are formed,
and families are grown,
where joy is shared a
and true love is known.
Where memories are made
and seeds of life are sown.
This is the place
that people call home.
-auther unknown
Home!
1
Category Archives: Love
Nifty, Nifty, Look Who’s 50!!
It was my 50th birthday, and I was feeling old, and unappreciated. Mostly by my hubby who hadn’t said much about the day. I think my birthday might be my favorite day of the year, next to Christmas and Halloween, and basically all the holidays. So I was wondering if my sweetie might do something special with it being a fairly significant one, but when not much was said I was thinking, “Oh well, maybe being with my most favorite person is enough.”
We went to dinner at Bella’s it was wonderful, then went home. Really nice, but not super special. The house was quiet most days, with two of the kids on missions. When we got home the house was quite dark and I could tell no one was home. I thought we might watch a movie and just finish the evening quietly together. When we got in the house and walked past the kitchen I noticed a cup sitting on the hutch and said, “Hmmm, that’s weird.” and continued walking. As I past the living room all of a sudden…
Suprise!!!!
My darlin arranged for lots of family and friends to be at our home to surpise me when we came home from dinner! That stinker! He really got me! They all got me! What a neat surprise!
I loved it! It was so nice of all of them to come, and celebrate my birthday with me.
I love you all!!
Here are all my cards and gifts! I think this has been my best b-day so far!
What a great 50th Birthday!
Heart Attack!
So sweet!!
What every mom loves to hear!
#26
Today my darlin and I have been married for 26 years. He was my friend, before he became my sweetheart. And we have been best friends since we fell in love.
We were reflecting today on the last 26 years, and thinking of all that’s happened. Wonderful memories like, the birth of each of our four children. And the birth of our granddaughter. We talked about the places we’ve visited. The fun memories we have of seeing new things and sharing it with each other and our family.
Mingled in the fun and wonderful memories are all of the heartache and struggles we have had over the years. Some really hard things we have gone through together. Mostly though are the everyday frustrations of living in this world. At any given time in all our lives we are dealing with cars that break, children who are struggling and wanting us to give them the answer, financial difficulties, sickness and more. We have been challenged all along the way.
When I look back I am amazed at where we’ve been, and what we’ve accomplished, together.
I have a best friend, lover, sweetheart, and confidant that I have been able to share my journey with, a journey that is wonderful and challenging, a journey that will continue -forever!
I love you, darlin!
I am glad you’re mine!
Father’s Day!
Any man can be a father,
but it takes a special person
to be a dad.
-Proverb
My Dad is awesome!
When I was just a little girl, I remember my Dad was always a busy man. He used to say, “I’m going to get on my horse and ride off in all directions!” Our house and yard was the most popular in the neighborhood. Dad built a small cinderblock castle in the yard. We had a teeter totter that was built on the axel of two old wagon wheels, you could move it all over the yard. Awesome! We had an old nose cone from a bomb, that my Dad made into a doghouse. We would turn it over, and climb in and spin each other around. Great fun! When my Dad got home from work each day, he would spend the rest of the day light hours in the yard, making it beautiful. When I was about 5 years old, he was building a home (pretty much by himself), working full time at the nearby college, and getting his PhD. I didn’t see much of him that year, but our whole family was amazed at the things that he could do. He always finished what he started. Our family moved into that beautiful home and he got his PhD. Later, he had an urge and built another home. And made it so beautiful. My reception, when I got married, was in the yard my Dad had created. It had terraces, decks and rock and wood pathways all over this acre lot. People would say, “Did he do this all himself?” Others would say, “No, this was done by a professional landscaper!” Actually, he did do it all himself. He just had a knack for it. I say he had, because he doesn’t have a yard anymore. He has always been active and healthy. He used to play handball everyday at lunch, now he plays three days a week. He is 77 years old. Amazing! He has always loved God, and has done his best to live a good life. He is an example of “love your neighbor as yourself.” One thing about my Dad, that means so much to me, is that he loves my Mom. They have been married for almost 56 years. When my Dad retired from his full time job, he was able to work on his family history more, and he began volunteering to help others do their family history work. He now is the Director of the “Family History Center” where he lives. That means he is working for no pay, many hours a week. One of my favorite things that my Daddy does, is take me on a date once a month. Just me and him. He has done this for many years.
What an amazing man!
Happy Father’s Day
My Dad is awesome!
When I was just a little girl, I remember my Dad was always a busy man. He used to say, “I’m going to get on my horse and ride off in all directions!” Our house and yard was the most popular in the neighborhood. Dad built a small cinderblock castle in the yard. We had a teeter totter that was built on the axel of two old wagon wheels, you could move it all over the yard. Awesome! We had an old nose cone from a bomb, that my Dad made into a doghouse. We would turn it over, and climb in and spin each other around. Great fun! When my Dad got home from work each day, he would spend the rest of the day light hours in the yard, making it beautiful. When I was about 5 years old, he was building a home (pretty much by himself), working full time at the nearby college, and getting his PhD. I didn’t see much of him that year, but our whole family was amazed at the things that he could do. He always finished what he started. Our family moved into that beautiful home and he got his PhD. Later, he had an urge and built another home. And made it so beautiful. My reception, when I got married, was in the yard my Dad had created. It had terraces, decks and rock and wood pathways all over this acre lot. People would say, “Did he do this all himself?” Others would say, “No, this was done by a professional landscaper!” Actually, he did do it all himself. He just had a knack for it. I say he had, because he doesn’t have a yard anymore. He has always been active and healthy. He used to play handball everyday at lunch, now he plays three days a week. He is 77 years old. Amazing! He has always loved God, and has done his best to live a good life. He is an example of “love your neighbor as yourself.” One thing about my Dad, that means so much to me, is that he loves my Mom. They have been married for almost 56 years. When my Dad retired from his full time job, he was able to work on his family history more, and he began volunteering to help others do their family history work. He now is the Director of the “Family History Center” where he lives. That means he is working for no pay, many hours a week. One of my favorite things that my Daddy does, is take me on a date once a month. Just me and him. He has done this for many years.
What an amazing man!
Happy Father’s Day
to my wonderful Dad!!!
I love you!
(My Dad’s book:
“The Book of ON!”
You can find it here!)
(My Dad’s book:
“The Book of ON!”
You can find it here!)
———
Happy Father’s Day
to all Dad’s!
I love Mother Teresa!
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people my accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.”
-Mother Teresa
Fifty Fifth!
A very happy thing happened on this day, 55 years ago. My in-laws, Nancy and Pearce were married. We went to celebrate with them tonight.
(I’m taking the picture, that’s my darlin on the right and all my in-laws)
What a great accomplishment, to be married for 55 years! They are examples of
true love!
I love you both!
Happy Anniversary!
Love, Joy
Hugging!!
Hugging is healthy: It helps the body’s immune system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it’s invigorating, it’s rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.
Hugging is all natural; It is organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients and 100 percent wholesome.
Hugging is practically perfect: There are no movable parts, no batteries to wear out, no periodic checkups, low energy consumption, high energy yield, inflation-proof, non fattening, no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, theftproof, non-taxable, non-polluting, of course, fully returnable.
-Author unknown
******
When my children were little they would play a game called “Slug Bug”. I’m not sure if it is an official game or not. When the kids would see a VW Bug, they would say “Slug Bug” and then they could hit the person next to them. I of course wasn’t going for this! “We don’t hit each other!” I would say. So we made our own game. It’s called “Hug Bug”. Whenever we saw a VW Bug, the kids could say “Hug Bug” and then they could hug the person next to them. Awh, now that’s better!!
Give a hug to someone you love!!
I am going to get mine right now!
“Hug Bug”!!! 😉
It doesn’t matter
where you go
or what you do
or how much you have,
or how much you have,
what matters is
who
you have beside you.
—————–
Celebrating 25th years together!
I love you, sweetheart!
Lessons: A True Friend!
Riley and Taz -Dec 1999
It has been 4 days since our sweet Taz passed away. I had an idea that it would be hard when his passing came, but I really didn’t fathom it completely. Taz came to live with us as a puppy back in November of 1999. What a cute little ball of fur. He was mostly black, back then, with white patches here and there. The very first night we had him, I thought for sure he would cry all night. Nope, he hopped right in his bed, and slept till morning. He was potty trained in days and was always ready to greet people who came to visit.
Bear Lake 2008
When he passed we were visiting friends in St. George. We usually took him with us when we traveled. He loved to ride in the car. He hadn’t been feeling well, and for a second, we thought about leaving him home.
Grandma would come and check on him often,
but he would be by himself.
We took a vote and decided to take him.
After all he is part of our family.
I stayed home from church on Sunday and kept him close, patting him and talking to him. Telling him how much we love him and telling him it will be okay. He was such a sweet dog. He didn’t eat at all on Sunday and drank very little. We had planned to take him to the vet, first thing in the morning.
2009
I put him in bed, and told him to be a good boy and that I would see him in the morning. The next morning my darlinest got up before me, and went to check on Taz. He was gone. When my darlin’ came in to tell me, we both cried and cried. He said, “I asked Heavenly Father to take him in my prayers last night.” And I said, “Well, I asked Him to help Taz feel better.” We both laughed a little, and my sweetheart said, “Well, He answered both our prayers then. Taz is gone and he is feeling better.”
The lesson is this, when we take a chance and love something or even someone, we know that someday they may/will leave. It won’t hurt when they leave, if we don’t love them so much. We have loved this little furry friend for almost 11 years. He has been such a blessing in our lives. He has followed me around the house and yard for 11 years. I couldn’t even go to the bathroom without him wanting to come in with me.
2009
He was always the first and sometimes the only one to greet me when I came home. His little tail would wag so hard his whole bottom end would wiggle. I knew I was his whole world. Now that we’re back home, I miss him more than ever.
He was always here. He would sit by me on the couch. He would somehow get a hold of and chew on my quilts, only later would we discover his expensive chew toys. He would bark when people came to visit. Now the doorbell rings and nothing. ouch!
The thing is, I would never trade all the years of love and happiness with our little friend Taz, for not feeling lonesome and sad for him now. He has been such a blessing in our lives and we wouldn’t trade a second of it.
