We are grateful to have arrived to our destination in safety after a few close calls. On our way out of town on tuesday night we were in weiner schnietzel (sp?) and almost got smashed by somoeone backing up (into the drivethrough). We then traveled through hours of packed two way traffic and almost got leveled by a huge truck. The drive was fun, minus those incidents. Now we are planning the same drive back. It has been great spending time with my family who we do not see often enough. It makes me homesick for my siblings, parents, nieces and nephews, the beach, etc. It is so weird, but when we entered California and I saw "Bob's Big Boy" a rush of childhood memories of "special" dinners there came flooding back. It was our family spot for birthdays, graduations, etc. I remembered my dad always telling us "we are not ordering drinks...just water" and "just the burger meal". The rest of us were too scare, but my younger brother, when the waitress would arrive, would invaribly order a large soft-drink and ranch dressing "on the side" for his fries. What guts! I took a picture of the big bob statue just for the memories. We are going to Seal Beach today. Aubrey starts her play tonight in Utah. Break a leg Aubs. We want to thank so much all those who continue to vote for her once a day. http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

QOUTES OF THE DAY***Thanks

One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind. ~Malayan Proverb

Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls. ~David Thomas I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks. ~William Shakespeare

The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you. ~John E. Southard

I just personally feel filled with gratitude for the friends, family, and neighbors we have around us. I feel blessed to live amongst such people(who are either proximally close or not). So many have been so kind to Aubrey to look her up and vote for her. To put her plea on your blog, to help her get a facebook group (when I am so lame at things like that), to help her so she isn't in the bottom of the pack. The other people in the contest are so good. There are others in the competition from American Fork...our city just has so much talent. We love you that so warmly have thought of her. It is a most precious thing for me to experience the giving and loving natures of so many and I think it is especially poignant to see such giving towards my child (who I feel so much love and protection for). So thankyou.

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

Brynna was also so grateful and excited for today. Today she got to have a Thanksgiving feast at school in the lunchroom. Usually she is slow to get up but she jumped up early today and got ready quickly. When I picked her up after the feast, she looked like a pilgrim, and while physically jumping up and down told me she had "mashed potatos, chocolate milk, a roll, celery, turkey and even pumpkin pie." I don't know that the real holiday comingup can possibly compete. What a great school we have.

Also we have some excited people in our home about twilight tonight. Should be fun. Can't wait to hear what everyone thought.

DREAM BIG...KEEP VOTING ONE TIME A DAY...Thank you.

One thing my daughter Aubrey has taught me is to dream big and that a consistant focus on one's dreams can actually make them come true--at least in part. Since she has been very small (2-3 years old) she has been singing at the top of her lungs at all times and places. She gladly sang at my sisters wedding when she was three. I still remember her trying to climb into the TV so she could "be on TV".
Aubrey is now in the showcase contest at mormontimes.com (per my last blog). She and her teacher worked so hard on it...I never even imagined it would be the work it was. The rules say that people can vote one time a day. So if you feel so inclined log on and vote. Aubs is so excited about it. As biased parents we think her song is beautiful. We are grateful to her teacher that it turned out so well. Her teacher is going to enter next month. (Aubrey also likes the song by pots and pans with the guy riding the bicycle...he sings a song about dying in line at airline security). I guess some people have voting campaigns going on facebook and voting "groups". Here is the link http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?nocache=1 . Aubrey's picture will be down below with the contestents. If you don't know how to log on...there is a "need an account" tab at the top of the page. You click on that and enter your name, a password, and e-mail. Then you go to the top and log in by putting in your e-mail and password. It is really not as complicated as I just made it sound. The website is affiliated with deseret news (we haven't received any spam).
We (and especially aubrey) are grateful for all the support from family and friends and neighbors. As a mentioned before, this is a huge dream of hers. She has such a passion for singing. Parenting her as been an experience..trying to support her but barely being able to keep up with her. This is my attempt. So have a great day, and if you get a moment vote for your favorite...and by that I mean Aubrey (just kidding).

VOTE FOR AUBREY...PASS IT ON

I know this is a strange request but Aubrey and her voice teacher have been working really hard to enter a vocal competition at mormon times.com. It's sort of like a mormon american idol. http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php. This address should take you to the entry page. Her name is listed below. You can listen to all the contestants and see who you like and vote for them. The winner is based on the number of votes each contestant gets. (I think you have to make an account to vote. It is quick and we registered over a month ago and have not recieved any e-mails.) We don't care if she wins, but I think she would like a good showing. Anyone with an e-mail address can vote once per day. Aubrey did her own version of Amazing Grace. The pianist is named Stephan Nelson and he was really "amazing". His accompaniment is his original composition. The song is really pretty...but then I am probably biased. So if you get a chance, log-on to mormontimes and vote and if you like Aubs you can vote for her (someone else if you like someone else). People can vote one time a day for 30 days. Please pass the word along to others as well. Tell anyone and everyone to vote (only if they want to). The voting goes everyday from Saturday November 15 through December 16. Also for family who check the blog, we found out this week she is in the mon, wed, friday cast with saturday matinees on saturday December 6th and 20th for HCTO. She has a small part so don't feel that you have to come. I know the holidays are busy. This girl keeps us sooooo busy.

GRANDMA aGAIN!

Melissa has let everyone know now that she is expecting again. She is about 10 weeks along but has been pretty sick. She is due in June. I was thinking I could play off being a kind-of Grandma....having one grand-child. But having two grandchildren probably means you are 100 percent totally a GRANDMA. I am going to have to start baking, wearing aprons and fixing my hair into a bun. We are excited. The kids in our house can barely contain themselves. Aubrey has been trying to scrape together all the money in the house (pennies and nickles in the couch or dimes or quarters in mom's change container) so that she can fly to San Francisco in the summer.

Who will I be, If I'm not who I think I am

Hey I don't mean this post to be preachy or anything--just loved the message in this person's talk.

I had the opportunity on Thursday to go to a day long conference at BYU on Spirituality in working with children and families. The best part of the day was a talk given by Cathy Chamberlain. She is a CEO and has spent over 25 years researching women's attitudes and values. She discussed women's identities and what they really want. She titled her talk "Who will I be, If I am not who I am? She reported that in a study she did that 75% of the women in the survey seek first to be valued. She discussed these certain trees in Arizona that frequently die...but the ones that don't die live forever. The ones that die have in common that their roots go shallow and outward in seeking their source of water. The ones that live have to send a "tap root" through a very hard layer of soil. Once they are through that layer they have a deep and continual source of nourishment. She then likened this to people who seek to be valued through external sources such as titles, popularity, etc. no matter how much validation they recieve it is never enough. on the other hand individuals who go through struggle and pain and find their tap root in the savior never thirst again. (Sister Chamberlain spoke of pain as a blessing). She suggested that women (and i guess men too) be vigilent in praying and asking god "who am i and how do you see me" rather than be as concerned about how they are seen by others. Though i think it is difficult to remember to be more concerned about how god views us than others in our world i think it is a worthwhile goal. She also discussed that in a huge research study conducted with a random variety of "American Women" that the most important goals in women's life were 1. believeing in god 2. being part of a happy family and 3. having a good marriage. However women's time was primarily spent trying to achieve financial success and trying to become skinnier and more fit. She suggested that we get caught in the thick of thin things. Though i think most people ultimately care about their own validation and how they are viewed to some extent i hope that i will be able to not make that define me and take my time from what I value most. Her survey also concluded that 92 % of women "in America" believed that there was a higher power that knows them personally. In sunday school last sunday brother Ashworths comment that when you come to believe and really believe that there is a god that knows you and watches over you your life cannot help but change. I loved that. The answer found in the tap root will satisfy our desires.

SNOW!

Kindness is like snow- it beautifies everything it touches.

Just thought our california family would be so jealous if they saw that we already have snow--especially lance. It was seriously like a blizzard this morning as I left for work at 6:45. My co-worker came in at 8 because the two cars in front of her were in an accident and she slid to the side. I must say the california in me always comes scrambling to the forfront during snowstorms...I feel rather cold and insecure...especially while driving. But I think I am not alone, it seems the first snow always tends to be a wild and unexpected occurrance for other people as well. I was just glad my boss was blasting the heat, because by the time I made it from my car into the office I was soaking wet. My hair was history for the rest of the day. It is always beautiful though. I love looking at it, the snow not my hair, from the comfort of inside framed like a beautiful picture out my window. Alternately the kids like to be out in it...especially the first snow. Brynna was rolling around in it, digging her face in it, basking in the joy of it. I couldn't make her come in even though her cheeks were red and her lips were quivering.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM/GRANDMA

Happy Birthday mom!
We hope you have the best day ever. Here are some things me and the kids love about Mom/Grandma...
1. Always has salad on hand.
2. Beautiful artist (love the painting in my house and I love looking at the one in my office-for hours everyday...it reminds me of you).
3. Good at helping me remember to pull weeds (Matthew).
4. Always makes me feel good about myself.
5. Teaches us art lessons.
6. Reads me stories.
7. Gives us special treats.
8. Taught me to be a much better mom than I actually am.
9. Always made me what I craved when I didn't feel good.
10. Helped with all art homework.
11. Her fun laugh.
12. Good example of doing service and having good values.
13. Always looks "Jazzy"
14. Taught us to stay away from "Hoodlums".
15. Always made/makes birthdays and holidays special.
16. Always thinks I'm funny even when I'm just being weird (Aubrey).
17. Plays games with us like rook, and yahtzee.
18. Let's sleep over when she is in utah.
19. Loves all birds.
20. Always has cookies,v8, or popsicles on hand
21. Gives us hugs.
22. Sings pretty
23. Thinks I'm great
24. Talks to me about alot of things.
25. Beautiful person inside and out.
We want you to know that you are our best gift. Thankyou for all have done and continue to do for us. We hope you are feeling better and can't wait to see you hopefully at Thanksgiving. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!