Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad...

I came home to find a dozen red roses and a card with a POEM inside. I was thrilled. What a sweetheart. I'll get him to sing to me one of these days....

I Don't Dare Ask...

My sweet husband who left for work this morning at 4 o'clock to take care of the snow removal at the hospital just came home and cleaned off my car, shoveled the driveway and cleared off the front porch and sidewalk. He took a break from work just to do that for me. I gave him a kiss as he said "Happy Valentine's Day". Is this my present? I didn't dare ask. Stay tuned. I'll let you know. I think he's doing everything he can think of to get out of writing me a poem. Ya think?

My Funny Valentine

My sweet husband took me out last night for a romantic dinner. It was wonderful. Then he took me to Deseret Book to spend my gift card. There were so many items on clearance. I found some great things. Cookbooks, books, games you name it. In fact a game that I was going to buy at Christmas, and they were out of, was 1/2 price.

Ricardo did tell me that I really should have given him more than one day to fulfill my Valentine request. It is true. He hasn't had time to write me a poem. He did only have one day and most of those hours were spent at work. (It's not like he's busy or anything.) So we'll see what happens. But it really doesn't matter. I love my Valentine. He is the best friend, husband, father, person, hardworker I could have ever hoped to find in this life. I am truly blessed. I couldn't ask for more. I love you.

Tell Me Whatcha Want...Whatcha Really Really Want

Ricardo and I had this conversation yesterday....

I don't want flowers or candy or even diamonds this year

I want Ricardo to sing a song to me AND write me a poem. He USED to do both. But that was 14 1/2 years ago. Wouldn't you say...It's about time?

I'll let you know tomorrow what happens...

He reads my blog. So we'll see.

I love you Honey! Happy Valentine's Day

What are y'all asking for for Valentine's?

Employee Of The Year!

My wonderful husband just won Employee of the Year at the hospital's annual appreciation dinner. Out of 450 employees that's awesome. I'm so proud of you honey. And I got it all on video. I've had to keep it a secret for over a week. Hubby's boss called me last week and told me that I HAD to get him to the dinner tonight. Even after cactus in C's bum he made it home from their hike in record time. I don't even want to know how fast he was going to get home that quickly. Congratulations Honey! You're #1 with me every day of every year.

I'm Miffed at Mitt

If I wouldn't have just voted for the guy two days ago I wouldn't be so miffed. But I am. He could have at least waited a little longer to drop out of the race... don'tcha think?

Myth or Fact..Not Sure...But Had To Share..

I received this in an email this morning...I hope this is really accurate and not just forwarding like wildfire on the internet. I did however, get the email from a "reliable" source.

Click on this link to read the hymn lyrics: http://www.ldsmag.com/radio/images/WhatIsThisThingThatMenCallDeath.pdf

During President Hinckley’s funeral the Tabernacle Choir sang a hymn text written by President Hinckley which I set to music in December. I would like to share the story of it with you: Janice Kapp Perry

About two months before my niece Kathy Blacker died, on January 11, 2008, she found a three-verse poem by President Hinckley among her files. Although she was resigned to dying, she had some fears about the dying process and his words greatly comforted her—especially the second verse which descibed exactly what she was feeling. She wrote to Pres. Hinckley’s office to ask permission to have the poem printed on her funeral program, and she received a very nice letter from his secretary Don H. Staheli saying that President Hinckley gave his permission for her to do so. The letter also conveyed some very comforting words from Pres. Hinckley which were helpful to helpful to Kathy in her final weeks, and he said he would remember Kathy in his prayers.Then Kathy suggested that I write and ask permission to give the poem a hymn setting. I did so, and Brother Staheli conveyed President Hinckley’s permission for me to write the hymn. After offering some heartfelt prayers that I might be able to write appropriate music for his profoundly beautiful and moving text, I wrote the hymn setting and sent a copy to President Hinckley’s office for approval at the end of December. I received so immediate response.Kathy passed away January 11 and after her funeral I sent a copy of her funeral program to President Hinckley’s office so he could see how nicely his poem was displayed along side my brother Gary Kapp’s painting of Christ.
When I heard President Hinckley had passed away last Sunday night I was feeling a little sad to think I hadn’t received a letter with his official approval. But the very next day after his passing, the hoped-for letter arrived with his approval, his permission for me to publish it in a future volume of my series Inspirational New Hymns for Choir and Home, and leaving it to my discretion as to whether to submit it to the Church Music Division. The timing was so unusual and I was extremely grateful to receive the letter as a tender mercy in my life.Then on Monday afternoon Craig Jessop, Tabernacle Choir Director, heard about the hymn and had his office call me to obtain a copy of the hymn for consideration for President Hinckley’s funeral. On Tuesday, while travelling in California, I learned that the hymn would be performed by The Tabernacle Choir at President Hinckley’s funeral on Saturday.Having seen the great comfort this hymn brought to my niece who died just two weeks before President Hinckley passed away, my great desire is for people throughout the world to have a free copy of these magnificent words of President Hinckley to comfort them in times of the loss of loved ones. This is just one more way his influence could be felt down through time.

Are YOU... talkin' to ME?

A Touching Story...

Pres. Hinckley's Friend Passes Away On Same Day
January 28th, 2008 @ 9:18pm
Carole Mikita reporting from KSL dot com

LDS Church President Hinckley conveyed a warm personal touch toward all the Latter-day Saints. They considered him a friend. This is the story of one of those friends who shared a love of faith and good humor with the man he called prophet. If President Hinckley ever would have needed a personal public relations man, Norman Rothman would gladly have stepped forward. They often shared stories. Both loved faith and family, and their time on earth ended the same day.

So often called "The people's prophet," President Gordon B. Hinckley enjoyed meeting and greeting. Friends and neighbors say he felt comfortable in his own congregation, which met in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Annette Rothman, a member of President Hinckley's ward, said, "Every time I would go to church, if Norman wouldn't be there because of the pain in his back or something, President Hinckley would say, 'Where's Norman?'"

Annette Rothman is talking about her husband, Norman. In 2004, they traveled back East to be with President Hinckley as he dedicated a new temple in Manhattan. At the time Norman Rothman said, "This is my town. It isn't that I don't love Salt Lake City and the prophet, but this, New York, this is where I was born and raised and educated, the son of a New York City cab driver."

Annette Rothman said, "Two weeks ago, President Hinckley came to the ward in a wheelchair. [It was the] first time we'd ever seen him in a wheelchair. And when he saw me, he stood up out of the wheelchair and he said, 'Annette, how's Norman?' I said, 'President, he's still in a coma,' and President Hinckley said, 'You tell him we're praying for him.'" Then Sunday night while visiting Norman in the hospital, she learned President Hinckley had died.

"Then I leaned over to Norman and I said, 'Sweetheart, I have to tell you something. President Hinckley passed away at 7 o'clock tonight. Now you can go.' Tears came down his eyes, and he died within minutes," she said. Annette says one thing Norman promised her was that he would never die before President Hinckley, and he kept his word.

Annette Rothman said she and her family have decided to hold Norman's funeral on Saturday afternoon, the same day as President Hinckley's.

I just had to share this story. I'm sure we'll hear a lot more stories like this over the next few weeks.

What a Sweet Reunion....

A Prophet of God with a great sense of humor, knowledge of the Gospel, and of everything eternal.... and now a perfect knowlege of everything ..

They just announced on the news that President Hickley has passed away. All I can think of is the wonderful reunion he is having right now with his beloved wife. I can't really be sad. We are so blessed to have the knowledge that life is eternal and families can be together forever. President Hinckley....a great example to us all.

“Under the plan of heaven, the husband and the wife walk side by side as companions, neither one ahead of the other, but a daughter of God and a son of God walking side by side. Let your families be families of love and peace and happiness. Gather your children around you and have your family home evenings, teach your children the ways of the Lord, read to them from the scriptures, and let them come to know the great truths of the eternal gospel as set forth in these words of the Almighty.” ( “Selections from Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, Mar. 2001, 64.)

While The Cats Away...

Just one look at this face and you know there is trouble a brewin'... The kids have really been great these past few weeks while I've been working my rear end off. My sweet husband has really been picking up the slack. I've been in my PJ's for two days. I can barely see. My laptop is keeping my legs warm. And I'm so glad we're done having children because I can feel my ovaries frying from all the computer radiation. But the end is in sight. Whether I like it or not. Quarterlies, W2's and All Year End Reports are due on Thursday. So I have NO CHOICE but to be completely finished. YIPPPEEEE!On their way to the Dinosaur Tracks...

At the tracks...
A Track...

Ricardo has been doing fun activities with the kids while I'm working. They went on a very fun four wheelin' trip. They enjoy going without me. I'm the worry wart. We are hoping that it doesn't snow next weekend so that we can go south to thaw out. The kids think that 36 is warm lately. They play outside when it's over 35. We need a big outdoor playplace during the Winter so the kids can get their energy out. I do have a key to the church so we may go up there this week and let them run in the gym.

Stop The Insanity!

We Cannot Let This Happen

“Those who stay away from the election think that one vote will do no good: 'Tis but one step more to think one vote will do no harm.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Only Two More Weeks!

I've got about THIS much to do and organize for all of my clients before the 31st of January..

Wish me luck!

I'll try to keep you updated on my progress.

If I can find my computer

A Reflection On Me? Couldn't Be, Then Who?

It's not like I'm sitting around all day doing nothing...



(I really should recycle these cans)


OK...all of us have had these days...you rush out of the house, leaving a "little" mess because you know no one will see it until you have a chance to "spiffy" it up. On days I leave my house like this....(well never this bad), but you know that if it's a little messy it feels this bad-if anyone were to see it. This is how I left my home yesterday. No big deal, it's my only day I work out of the house, and I've been busy....really busy and my house and family are feeling very neglected. I know...but it's tax time and I'm getting everything ready for all of my clients.


We are looking into a computer program that helps you pay off your mortgage faster. I've done tons and tons of research and we are trying to figure out if it's the right decision for us. In the meantime I'm getting all of our ducks in a row in case we decide to go for it. We needed an appraisal, well a drive by appraisal as they call it. No big deal, a few pictures of the outside and they are gone. I was expecting a call in the next few days. But wouldn't you know it....on the ONE day I leave my house in disaray, the appraiser calls Ricardo (not me) at work to set up an appointment. "Sure", says Ricardo...."Come over this afternoon, when my wife isn't home".



I call Ricardo after I've left the house and THAT'S when he tells me about the appraiser guy coming by. I FREAK! "Honey....are you kidding me?" Ricardo says..."What's the big deal?" Oh sheesh. I remind him that if our home is messy it's not a reflection on HIM it' a reflection on ME. He assures me that there is no need to worry. The pictures will be on the outside. Then he call me later and says...."Well, he needed inside pictures too!"



I have 5 bushels of laundry in piles on the downstairs table. I left dishes in the sink. My work junk on the couch in a two foot pile. Potatoes bed is not made because he had wet the bed the previous night. The other boys didn't make their beds, and their Nintendo is all over the floor. LUCKILY I made our bed, but there are piles of work stuff all out because I need access to everything these next few days to get it all done. There are a few dishes in the Kitchen sink, but the floor isn't swept. All of us have had days like this right?


Am I over-reacting?




On A Pefect Day

This is how I usually look....





I usually have it all together...I'm Super Mom.

OK, I'm really not, but I like to think so.


Do You Think The Appraiser Will Let Me Send Him These
"ACTUAL" Pictures of Our Home?


Our Master Suite

Our Gourmet Kitchen

Our Great Room

Well a girl can dream...Can't she?

It's still not fair....

You Might Be A Utahn....

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Utah.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Utah.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Utah.

If "vacation" means going anywhere south of Salt Lake City for the weekend, you live in Utah.

If you measure distance in hours, you live in Utah.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Utah.

If you have switched from "heat" to "A/C" and back again in the same day, you live in Utah.

If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked, you live in Utah

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Utah.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in Utah.

If the speed limit on the highway is 75 mph -- you're going 80, and everyone is still passing you, you live in Utah.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in Utah.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Utah.

If you find 10 degrees "a little chilly" you live in Utah.

If you actually understand these jokes ,you live in Utah.