Happy Holidays from Sheila & my “Gang”


*****

Violet Jean was last to come
On Mother’s Day she made her run

All smiles until you drive the car

Her squeals are heard so don’t go far

Pearl Catherine likes to paint and draw

And dance and sing and sip a straw

Her boyfriend Jace will be her groom

She picks her dresses from her room

Stacey busy mom with two

She takes great pictures not a few

Her little girls she teaches how

They know the songs of Jesus now

Kelly goes to school and work

He teaches scouts and doesn’t shirk

He writes as Dignan for the Jazz

And “Sports-Cave-Live” is real pizzazz

Kobe is the youngest twist

He plays football and shows his fist

With yummy cake he does approve

The treats lock now he will remove

Brooke loves fashion and the bling

At school her grades make teachers sing

She loves to dance and do her best

Just watch and see her pass the test







Now Mason is a funny Teen

His sense of humor is not mean

He loves baseball and has the knack

But in the winter snowboard’s whack!

The light of Jenny always brings

The little ones on running wings

She volunteers at church & school

She drives the car and is soooo cool~

Cory works all through the day

Then climbs upon a roof to play

He cheers the Jazz and BYU

He likes a slurpee, not a few

Michael now is total Two

On Buzz Lightyear he sticks like glue

He likes bananas, swimming, gum

His brother is his favorite chum.

TJ has kindergarten down

He likes to ride his bike around

He’s trying to make milk his friend

A Hershey bar helps it to blend.

Kaylee is reading out the door

Her mind and smile will make you soar

Her room as many ponies in

She wants to ride a horse and win.

Cher has patience well appraised

She golfs with Troy and crafts ablaze

She runs and reads with kids on knee

A soccer mom she cheers with glee





Troy busy with the Stoneridge Course

His lessons are the best on source

His PGA he has acquired

He teaches Cubs who all are wired.

To pre-school Derek goes today

He’s four and loves to laugh and play

He’s game for wrestling with his Dad

But eye gouge come on when he’s mad

Devin bikes and soccer plays

He’s fast as lightening, we sing his praise

He gives good hugs to all who ask

Nothing scares him in a mask



Britney’s soccer is Number One

Teammates like her are cute and fun

She cleans her room and picks up toys

And helps her mom to watch the boys!

Jill runs each morning rain or shine

The school crosswalk she guards on line.

The soccer car wash and yard sale

She gives her all without a yell

Jason works both south and north

He cheers on Brit and Dev…”Go Forth!”

He fishes in both pond and stream

His rod and reel are on the beam.

Kelsey likes to sit still, not

She skips and sings and likes to trot

She whips her hips to and fro

She dances high and dances low



Katelyn has those big brown eyes

She likes chocolate and French fries

Her ballet skills are coming fast

She always holds the babies last

Emma runs with hair a flying

Soccer balls are hers for dying!

She keeps her room and bed so neat

Her baptism was a special treat

Maegan flew with Peter Pan

But fell to earth and Austin ran

She marches down the Church’s aisles

Rapunzel gave her “Tangled” smiles

Jacob won the Football Crown

The news with picture in his town.

He helps his parents with the girls

He works at school and tends the rules.

Amy gets all five to school

She posts the job chart and the rules

She cleans the clothes, the dish and shelf

For treat she gets some time for self!

Austin works and grows the seed

His pumpkins are a sight indeed.

He helps the Young Men in his ward

Obey the Oath and love the Lord

Lindsey, Horton, Jewkes’ & King

Twenty-seven in my ring

And so you see why I’m so proud

They may be many and be loud





But Love I have for each one’s part

They are my Family and my heart~



Merry Christmas, Love Sheila

December 2010

~ENJOY~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OExXItDyWEY

~Merry Christmas~Thank you Jason & Jill~

We all met at King's home for refreshing Christmas punch, ham, potatoes, Austin's fruit, Amy's cheese-ball, Paul & Shelly's caramel corn, a new delicious hot dip & lots of chips, gingerbread cookies and of course the "namino's!"  Jason & Jill had a real tree this year and it was beautiful & tall!!  The kids listened to Grandma tell about the gifts the Savior has given us - we talked about a service project we were doing as a family and then the kids got to change into their new Christmas pj's!  All that is except Katelyn, she prefers nighties!  The cousins enjoyed each other, we got to laugh at Jen & Nicky on the "Ellen Show" when they were dancing in the audience on a trip in September~~Jill had taped it!   So fun to get together!  We missed the Blanchard Jewkes and Kel & his family in Long Beach but knew they were having a wonderful Christmas!

~A Fun and Busy Week~

This has been a busy but fun week~Troy came into town for a flight to Florida last weekend - of course we made the usual LA & In&Out "double-double's" stops with siblings, neices and nephews~  Troy was joined by his little brother, Kelly for a couple of "LA" mexican dinners as well.  He returned to SLC saturday night and Kel & Stacey and the girls came over, we had lots of laughing when those two Jewkes' brothers get together!  Pearl really seems to like her Uncle Troy and gave him the best hug~ He is working on compelting his PGA class requirements held in Orlando and will return two more times this next year.  He was homesick for his family and should be there by the time of this post - 

While he was here he got to see his neice, Britney play soccer - now he realizes how good she is!

I had the fun opportunity to see two little granddaughters dance this week.  Wednesday, Katelyn showed her ballet skills as a five year old and she is a natural!  Saturday, Brooke had a Christmas recital and my goodness, Gram was bursting her buttons watching the beautiful talent she has worked so hard at all year.  

Next week all kids and "kids at heart" like me will enjoy the celebration of Christmas.  don't you just love when someone looks right into your eyes and wishes you a Merry Christmas?  I do! 

December 19th

Happy Birthday Jill!

I loved bringing home my little Christmas Angel 35 years ago....What a special time it was to rock you by the lights of the Christmas Tree while everyone else in the house was sound asleep~~You were so precious!

I love you sweet daughter~Many happy returns of this day!

~December 14th is Brookie-Day~

Happy Birthday Brooke,

So glad you came to earth eleven years ago

for your mom to have a cute daughter

and all of us to love!!



~Happy Anniversary Amy & Austin~

Happy Anniversary

Austin & Amy

December 14th

~Best Christmas Advice~

I hope everyone got a chance to hear President Uchtdorf's Christmas message last night.....

let's simplify and enjoy the treats, music and love of family at Christmas....we always say we will, but then start letting the hustle and bustle  get to us!!! (I know I do!)

When I remember the sweetest Christmas's of my life either as a child or adult it was enjoying being around the people I love the most~~laughing, eating & hugging!!!

*notice how eating is always in there?*

I am now a traffic sign

December 4th I entered my sixth decade of life!  (this really can't be happening)......."smile"

I went to lunch with Jen & Cor and Amy & Mom at Robintino's - then we all went out to the Hale Theatre and met up with Kel & Stacey to see A Christmas Carol.  The play was wonderful!  Thank you Stacey for getting the tickets all together!  wow - I love live theatre soooooooooooo much!  Hale Theatre probably has one of the best set designers around - it was amazing!  Afterwards we all went over to Amy's for cake and got some great pictures of families and grandkids with their 60 year old Gram~~Katelyn, Kelsey and Pearl helped Grandma open some lovely gifts and my favorite activity was hugging grandkids - I even got a big one from Derek.........I'm wearing him down!! ( smile )  Brooke got my waterworks going when she gave me a poem she had written - ah yes the writing talent is continuing on in the family!!  It was a great day~ I'm so glad I've had sixty super stupendous sensational years and the blessings that go with it!  Thank you fam for a wonderful birthday!!!     We missed Troy & Cher and family but plan to get together with them this summer for sure - since it will be Kaylee's turn to be baptised!!!

December 1st must mean......

A good-looking Blonde is turning 10!!!

Happy Birthday

Kobe!!!!!



Boo's big day~

Happy 10th birthday

Britney!!!

Carl Bloch Exhibit at BYU

I will probably never see in person, Da Vinni's Mona Lisa or Monet's "water lilies" or even Michelangelo's ceiling at the Sistine Chapel in Rome, but I had an amazing opportunity to witness up close and personal Carl Bloch's altar paintings and sketches.  The Museum of Art at BYU has the priceless opportunity of presenting these paintings produced in the 1800's~  They are magnificent!  These all have been reproduced and seen on several of the LDS Church magazines, i.e. Ensign, New Era, etc over the years but the detail, from those small prints, believe me is missing.............when you actually see the brush strokes that produced these masterpieces, I was blown away.  You stand back and see this wall sized painting of the Savior with a little brown-eyed child standing by his side.  I thought to myself, they are real, that is an actual photograph......but then as you walk towards the painting and getting closer and closer, you see details in the eyes and hair and hands and skin that were made by paint!!!  What a God-given talent Carl Bloch had and developed.  He studied from age 15 to 25 with the Masters in Rome.  I remember reading that Rembrandt had a unique talent for portraits and faces.  Take the opportunity to see another master's work ---Carl Bloch born in Denmark paints faces as if they could almost speak to you.  I'll never forget what I was privileged to see.  I'm not an artist, my "Pictionary" attempts are always met with boisterous laughter....but you don't have to be an artist to appreciate the Touch of a Master's Hand.   

Thanksgiving 2010

In a Thanksgiving Nutshell:
1) Kobe made his first banana cream pie all by himself!!  He did a great job!
2) Kobe, Brooke and Grandma fixed some beautiful pumpkin pies the day before thanksgiving - it was a good thing we needed a sliver because although they looked beautiful, they were lacking sugar!!!!  So we got to make them all over again.  
3) Brooke helped me peel 10 pounds of potatoes - that's KP duty - she needs a medal!
4)  Jill made Amy's famous squash - which tickled Violet because she was a few pounds heavier after her Thanksgiving dinner~~~  I'm sure Stacey has pictures to come.........she LOVED the squash!!
5)  Stacey brought a southern favorite, jalapeno jelly/cream cheese - we had to watch Mason with each cracker to keep him from the "double dip"!  DELICIOUS!
5) Cory picked up extra tables & chairs
6)  Jen fixed the raspberry/pretzel jello - Brooke had 4 or 5 helpings!! ( smile ) she can do that, she's a dancer!!
7)  Jenny & Brooke lovingly prepared 72 deviled eggs~~~there wasn't a single leftover......~
8) Jen had her house decorated for the holidays - so much fun to eat by a beautiful Christmas tree!
9) Grandma P. brought her sherry cake, a favorite among us wine-bibbers....and the always popular green bean casserole.  Aunt Shelly brought coconut custard pie -
With the Cowboys playing and the aroma of wonderful food~none of us left hungry!! ( smile )  In fact after a movie date of all the mom's and dad's it was time for turkey sandwiches~ YUM~
Until next year the memory of hot mashed potatoes, aptly named stuffing, turkey, cranberry, rolls, pumpkin pie and whip cream~~ will remain just that..............a memory! 

I did learn a secret about Derek.....he eats pumpkin pie just the way his Grandma J. does ~ (forks are for novices, right?)

NOW anyone for a salad with light dressing? 

Happy Birthday to Michael

It doesn't seem possible that two years ago Michael Roger Jewkes was born in Spokane, Washington!  I fell in love with him at first sight - when I flew up there to help take care of him and his brother and sister while his sweet mom had to have some emergency surgery~He was beautiful then and at two is still GORGEOUS!!!

Sorry Michael, it's a grandma thing..............but you are such a cutie! 

I hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving and you blow out all "2" of your birthday candles!  Birthday gift is on its way - along with treats to share with TJ & Kaylee!

So thankful you came to earth November 24th, 2008!   We love you sooooooooooo much!!

~Happy Birthday~

What a great way to kick off the season!!!

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2852416

Five little girls at a Play

Amy and I took Maegan, Emma, Katelyn, Kelsey & Pearl to a stake production of Savior of the World at the Bountiful Regional Center Friday night.  They were adorable, three of them had their hair up in Piggie buns...so cute.....it's a girl thing!  They were so excited to be there and whenever Jesus was on the stage whether as an infant or resurrected Lord, these little girls would become absolutely still and transfixed.  It was obvious  they know Him and love Him!

November 13 -

Jake's Bountiful football team won their championship game on saturday.  All four Lindsey girls were there with GO BRAVES on their headbands and even though we were wearing four layers of clothes so we wouldn't freeze - we were grateful at times for big blankets to wrap up in! 

Congratulations - Jake

it was GREAT!

Let's celebrate~

Happy 1/2 year old Violet got to eat some cupcake Tuesday night!  She danced on the bar, if you hold her up she jumps with her feet and loves the feeling of bouncing up and down!~~she smiled and posed very appropriately for a birthday girl!    Pearl is definitely the big sister and loves her little roommate very much!

Now Michael and Britney are the only November babies - so their birthdays are coming up!  Michael 2 and Britney 10 - pretty exciting!!

Other exciting news - Britney's soccer team continues to beat soundly other teams!!! The indoor arena is wonderful now that winter has hit!   Jake's football team plays for the championship this Saturday - Brooke was chosen to represent her school as a member of student counsel, quite an honor for a fifth grader!  - she just spent a whole day at BYU with John Bytheway and other leaders teaching them~

All of my grandchildren bring such joy to their families ~ We love you soooooooo much!

Keep choosing good friends, read lots of good books and give those parents a hug once a day!!!

November 1, 2010

Halloween was a fun and spooky night at the Lindsey's!!  We had ghosts, witches, cats and the "MOON", goblins, dead soccer players, clowns, lady bugs, fairies and Peter Pan even flew by! ~ Delicious soups, cornbread & honey butter, Lindsey cantaloupe and lots of chocolate made it a great evening.  I'm sure Jenny, Amy & Stacey got lots of "scary" pictures that will be forthcoming~~the rain didn't dampen the spirits of the trick or treaters.....Uncle Jason did the car-hop as Derek and Devin dashed from house to house to gain their stash!...........Violet's first Halloween and she loved it!! she would stare and then laugh at all the painted faces talking to her~

Now on to one of my favorite holidays~~~THANKSGIVING!

October 19th - D-Day

This Grannie should be in bed, but I was thinking about five years ago when Jill brought little Derek into the world.!     He will get to have a "friend" bowling party tomorrow on his big day ~ the little guy is a big guy now!       If you have ever sat eye to eye with Derek while he explained something to you, like the plot of a favorite movie or watched him play his WII or ride his bike or scooter, you will know this five year old is all about intensity!!!  But if you are patient and just listen and try to keep the smile off of your face when he is telling you all about it.........it is sheer delight, what a treat!   He's a busy busy guy and has made great strides in his sociability this year at preschool.   (I happen to know he likes a special little girl in his class who has "tiny hands")

Happy Birthday Derek!!!!

Grandma has a surprise for you ~ I love you soooooooooo much! 

Do you need the "Halloween Spirit?"

check out Jenny's facebook

for some ghoulish fun...

It will provide SCREAMS

of laughter!!!

~Happy Halloween~

Emma's change

Emma Lindsey turned eight October 4th-----------but the real change in her life will begin on October 9th at 5:00 pm.  She will be baptised into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  She will take upon herself baptismal covenants with the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ. 

Emma, you will begin a new life with baptism.  A life of purpose, to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.  You will begin to be responsible for the kind of life you lead.  You will want to help others just as Jesus went about helping people. Jesus has provided a beautiful bridge for you to come back to be with Heavenly Father one day.  He has provided a plan for repenting when you make mistakes and to feel forgiven when you ask for his help.  He will give you a friend to be with you at all times, the Holy Ghost.  You will never have to feel alone again in your life.   It will help you make decisions and feel good when you do what is right.  It will comfort you when you are feeling frightened or sad.  It will testify to you that Heavenly Father is real and that his Son, Jesus Christ loves you.  When you feel really happy and good inside about your family or friends or Jesus, that will be the Holy Ghost testifying to your spirit that what you are hearing is true.  Sometimes it is so sweet to your heart that you will feel tears in your eyes.  It is a beautiful feeling. 

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain

And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain

I want to be the best I can and live with God again

I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away

And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

This has become my favorite primary song!  I love you Emma.  I am proud of you. Happy Birthday eight year old!   love, Gram

To my youngest....Happy Birthday Kel!

A son is born

Life goes on

No one knows

Just when it happens

But one day

A miracle happens

The child has changed

The child is no longer

A man has taken his place

All grown up

Ideas have changed

Responsibility comes easily

Parents sit back and admire

The person he has become

Apron strings cut long ago

You cannot help but wonder

Will you always feel

The way you do now?

Prouder than anyone

Of whom he has become

Admiration beyond imagination

A mother's love

Enduring all else

Wanting to be needed

Knowing when to stand aside

A fate hard to accomplish

Needing to be wanted

As if the man has not emerged

The life he lives

Has room enough for all

The thoughtfulness in his heart

His caring ways

New hobbies he shares

With friends old and new

The man shines through

My son, my child

You are a man, this is true

To me you will always be

That child in my arms

Whom I loved from the start!

~getting plenty of sleep~

I always thought I got my share of good quality sleep especially the last year or so...........well Folks, I'm here to tell you there is a sleep world out there, you have never heard of before.................Dad & Judy are here visiting to attend conference, and we are all getting lots of rest!  I'm afraid their good habits of going to bed early are rubbing off on me.  This past week I have been in bed by 9:30, reading because I didn't want to keep them up with noise, i.e. dishes, cleaning or TV~~(smile)  I'm sure I was asleep before 10:00 most nights, arising at about 6:30 or 7:00 AM and according to my Tally that is 8.5 to 9  hrs per night.  Now, I have not logged 9 hours per night since 1978 when pregnant with Troy his dad and I went to Portland Oregon for a vacation and I slept through the night and took delightful naps as a pregnant sleepy lady in a quiet Hotel!

It's almost funny, when around 8:45 they start their bedtime rituals - but who knows maybe they are the wisest of us all.  They both have extremely good health, eat a banana a day which dad maintains your heart needs and don't even say the word soda pop, it's whole VIT D Milk for this kid from Bluewater, New Mexico!

It has been interesting and delightful because almost all of our conversations revolve around family and the Gospel.  They went to both the SL & Draper temples and have been very easy non-demanding guests.  I hope I have my dad's temperament more and more as I grow older.  He lives, loves and laughs and that includes at himself!  I love him so much.  He and Judy serve as ward missionary leader and primary organist since they have been back from their mission in their home ward.  They are and always will be an example of unselfish service to me. 

~General Conference~

I don't know about you'all but....................I'm definately......

Looking forward to this weekend!



~ Happy Anniversary to the Kings!

Happy Anniversary Jason & Jill!

September 23rd

Everlasting Love

For every time you’ve listened

And for every caring thought.

For loving me just as I am –

Despite what I’m not.

For giving your opinions

And for never being judged.

For every vote of confidence

And every gentle nudge.

For all the many generous ways –

A soul mate and a friend.

So in return I give to you

My Love that’ll never end.

A very very special weekend

Kelly and I drove to Idaho last Thursday and had an amazing weekend with the "Incredibles'"!

I'm still floating on air because of the spirit and love we felt while visiting with this precious family~Nothing is as important as having the amazing Gospel in our lives~

To be able to be a part of the happiness and joy we all felt makes me realize no amount of gratitude can equal the blessings poured out in abundance to those I love!

Happy Birthday Devin!

I hear you got a new bike for your birthday!!!  way to go buddy~  You are 7 now - wow really getting up there~ Hope you got my card, Grandma was traveling over the weekend.  Did you go to Blockbuster and get a game and treat? 

I love you so much Devin.  You have a very sweet spirit and so good to Grandma with your hugs !

Happy Birthday Devin!!!

~Marjorie~

The first time I saw Marjorie Hinckley was in 1984 at the Ensign Peak Ward.  She drove herself to church in a jeep!  I fell in love with her at first sight!     ...enjoy her wisdom...
"Be a Mother who is committed to loving her children into standing on higher ground than the enviroment surrounding them.

Mother's are endowed with a love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley



"The family is eternal.. Love must be nurtured. It must be spoken. We must put away our pride, our haughtiness, our shyness, our misunderstandings, and with humility say, "I love you. Is there something I can do to help you?" You can never be completely happy under any other circumstances."

-Marjorie Pay Hinckley



"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley



"Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley


"Think about your particular assignment at this time in your life. It may be to get an education, it may be to rear children, it may be to be a grandparent, it may be to care for an relieve the suffering of someone you love, it may be to do a job in the most excellent way possible, it may be to support someone who has a difficult assignment of their own. Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time. Don't take them lightly. Give them your full heart and energy. Do them with enthusiasm. Do whatever you have to do this week with your whole heart and soul. To do less than this will leave you with an empty feeling."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley




"I know it is hard for you young mothers to believe that almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with your husband. You had better be sure you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive.. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley



"As we got closer to marriage, I felt completely confident that Gordon loved me. But I also knew somehow that I would never come first with him. I knew I was going to be second in his life and that the Lord was going to be first. And that was okay. It seemed to me that if you understood the gospel and the purpose of our being here, you would want a husband who put the Lord first."

-Marjorie Hinckley


"There are some years in our lives that we would not want to live again. But even these years will pass away, and the lessons learned will be a future blessing."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley


"The thing about growing old is that when you wake up with a new pain, you can just about count on it becoming a permanent part of your life!"

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley



"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.

I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley



"Elder Neal A. Maxwell once said, "We are here in mortality, and the only way to go is through; there isn't any around!" I would add, the only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

~how great and grand is the Gospel!

Now everyone knows at work you have good and bad days.............I've had my share of both, but today is grand.  Across from my desk all day long receiving training on computer programs the church uses in its Natural Resources are two young men, probably in their late 20's or early 30's.  One is from Africa and one is from Hong Kong.  They are most pleasant and speak English beautifully albeit with their respective accents.  The light in their faces and enthusiasm as they glean information to help them in the work of the church in their nations is amazing to me.  I catch myself tearing up as I hear them discuss various issues.  The young man from Africa is planning on drilling his own well for his home use as well as for the meetinghouse he will be taking care of. 

Can anyone not believe this church is rolling across the world, it doesn't matter that the economy is down or Satan has unleashed his lies and profanity across the internet, the TRUTH just keeps rolling forward!  We all need to catch some of these new member's enthusiasm............and remember what we are a part of!!!

~Happy Birthday Amy

She made me a mommy

and today her name is mommy too!!

Happy Birthday Amy! 

I love you so much and am so proud of you~as you take care of your sweet family!

Have a fantastic day - get a large diet coke - enjoy yourself!!!

Love you,

mom

Troy's canvas~

"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw

all the paint on it you can."

...Danny Kaye

It is 8:30 AM and 32 years ago at 7:30 AM ~ Troy-boy announced his arrival.  Of course he would come early in the morning because then he had the whole day to play!

Your love for life and wonderful laugh has always made you so much fun to be around~~Happy Birthday son-   So proud to be your mom and so proud of the man you are, taking care of your precious family!  I loved seeing you last week!

I tried to get the Chef at "LA" to fly up to Blanchard and prepare you some smothered burritos but.....they were detained somehow today?!!

~Happy Birthday Troy~

~Pearl and her cousins~

Troy, Cherlyn and kids stopped over on their way back home Thursday evening.  We went to dinner and Kaylee and I were sitting together in a booth, when Pearl came in with her family.  I think she thought, "hey that is my place",...........but she was so sweet and kept waving to us across the table!   Well she asked me if she could come to Grandma's house and of course I said yes..........but forgot to ask mom and dad and they were going to meet some friends for a movie in the park!  which sounded like lots of fun.  But a little three year old couldn't process all that and just saw Grandma putting other grandchildren in the car with her.  She was sad and so was I, but I knew she would be happy when she got to the park.  Kaylee and TJ and I were talking and to our great surprise when we pulled into the driveway there was the big white pickup and Pearl got to come to grandma's for a sleepover!!!  we were both relieved.....We had a lot of fun and when Troy was packing in the gang to head for home, Pearl came over and gave him a hug and said "bye bye Uncle Troy!" 

That night we ate watermelon (of course), drew pictures, colored and then when the lights went out - I went into my list of every song learned in Primary~~~~when that was over, Pearl was asleep and we had a good night's rest!   The next morning I got up early and did some medical transcription while she slept, then when she woke up we had a bowl of cheerios together.

~There are good movies!~

I recently saw three wonderful video's..............Something the Lord Made, The Blue Butterfly and Temple Grandin.   Please if you want to see true inspiring heroes, rent any one of these and prepare for an uplifting evening's entertainment.

Something the Lord Made is about Dr. Alfred Blalock, a heart surgeon at John Hopkins who works with Vivien Thomas, a carpenter and develops the time-tested surgery to help "blue babies" in the 1950's, still used today saving many infants lives.  This is a story of a white prideful physician and a black man with an amazing inquisitive mind. 

The Blue Butterfly is about a ten year old's request to go into the Amazon looking for the blue moroph butterfly with a world famous entomologist.  The problem is that he is suffering from brain cancer, this is a true story and even kids will love this filmed in the rain forest.  ( great ending!)

Temple Grandin is about a woman diagnosed with Autism in the 1950's who went on to earn her BA, MA and PHD in animal husbandry/science.  She invented amazing machinery used in the cattle industry, is an author and teaches today at the University of Colorado. 

~The Incredibles hit North Salt Lake~

Troy is on his way to Las Vegas for the Pro-Golf Expo.  This is handy because Grandpa Jewkes lives there as well as Cherlyn's sister, Melanie and her family.   It was wonderful to spend some time with their family!  Great-Grandma Perkins came down and we all went to ....where else..... "LA" for dinner and then back to grandma's house for ice cream.   It's always great to get all these brothers and sisters together and hear the stories!~enjoy the laughter and memories.  What beautiful grandchildren have come through all these families!
Michael has changed since June, is talking much more now and the Incredibles got to meet Miss Violet!  Michael was quite infatuated with "beebee"'s eyes, nose, mouth, etc. 

~Happy 30th Birthday Jennifer Jewkes Horton~

Land Sakes Alive Can Jenny Be 30?

8-8-80 brought a short labor by previous standards only six hours.....and baby Jennifer came....but it really can't be thirty years ago?  How is that possible?

Jen, I love being your Mom and having your light in our family!!!

Thank you for your wonderful and loving example to your own children~

Happy Birthday Sweetie-

August 6, 1933

Happy Birthday Mom,

77 years ago you made Clyde & Lucille very very happy!!   Gosh I'm glad they gave you a name like Barbara.....With Grandpa & Grandma Lacey's Christian names, it could have been a lot worse!!!(smile)

I hope your day is wonderful~ Happy Happy Birthday

and many happy returns!!!

...so proud of your recovery from open-heart surgery six months ago!

love you,

your "firstborn"

~I love these thoughts - some good wisdom~

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.

And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting...'

Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day.....like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.

The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:

'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'

'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'

'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'

'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'

'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'

'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back...'

'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'

'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'

'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back...'

'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn..'

'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

~July 25th~Stacey's day

Happy Birthday Stacey,

The last few months I'm sure have been a blur for you!!  Your second baby, parents being called to California-Long Beach Mission, urgent gall bladder surgery & moving!   

Hope this year will be a wonderful one for you! 

We are so thankful you said yes to Kelly so we can have you part of our family too!!!

Thanks for being such a sweet wife and wonderful mommy to Pearl & Violet!

Hope today is one of those birthdays where you get to enjoy a NAP!! 

~watch it~!

Many users of social-networking websites inadvertently put themselves at risk by sharing too much information.


1. Address and birth date. Disclosing your home address or your place or date of birth could make you a target of an identity thief. Your home address even could attract a burglar or stalker to your home. If you're throwing a party and need to provide directions, do so through email.


2. Year of graduation from high school or college. These can help scammers pretend to be former classmates, a common way to win victims' trust.


3. Business contacts. Professional networking websites typically let people on your contact list see the names and IDs of everyone else on your list. An unscrupulous competitor, dissatisfied customer, or former employee could send a damaging message about you to everyone on the list.


4. Mother's maiden name. Businesses often use your mother's maiden name to confirm your identity, so it's prudent to keep that name as confidential as possible. (Keep in mind that pet names are another common security question.)


5. Travel plans and schedules of groups you belong to. If you mention the dates of an upcoming vacation on a social-networking website, or that you've joined a Wednesday-night book group, you might unwittingly have told a burglar when your home will be vacant.


6. Your valuables. Don't discuss your expensive art, antiques, or jewelry. It could make you a target for a burglar.


7. The name of your doctor or dentist. If a scammer learns where you receive medical treatment, he might attempt to obtain your insurance information. This could be sold to someone who lacks health insurance, who would then pose as you to obtain treatment.

...shall the youth of Zion falter....NO!

I attended a West Bountiful Stake Fireside last Sunday evening which was quite amazing.  Amy's ward had participated in a stake youth conference where over twenty re-enactments of the Book of Mormon were done during the week.  This culminated with the Savior's visit to the Land Bountiful and needless to say watching the video of the youth and their activities hearing the testimonies that evening brought a beautiful outpouring of the spirit.  She had told me a lot about it when she returned home Friday, but I had no idea that over 8000 hours of service and five months of rehearsal and planning had gone into this major event for their youth throughout the stake.  It made me long so much for the youth in my own stake to have this opportunity.  I hope in the future this will become a possibility.  The stakes who attempt this "pay it forward" in training future stakes for this activity.  Their stake president said they wanted to #1) increase the youth's understanding of the Book of Mormon and #2) show them the power of the Savior's love for them individually.  From the testimonies I heard that evening I would say mission accomplished.  It was a wonderful Sunday evening spent enjoying the strong Spirit that was there.  http://www.2010strong.com/

~Hanging in there~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nczw6xHJ0Ihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nczwyxHJOI

~My Character House~

..."A man's character is like his house.  If he tears boards off his house and burns them to keep himself warm and comfortable his house soon becomes a ruin.  If he lies to be able to do the things he shouldn't do but wants to, his character  will soon become a ruin.  A man with a ruined character is a shame on the face of the earth."....                    Ralph Moody, author of "Little Britches"


To my delight I found a book I loved from 5th grade in the library recently and couldn't put it down!  Mrs. Jarnigan my fifth grade teacher would read one chapter of Little Britches and then the sequel Man of the Family to us after we came in from lunch recess.  You could hear a pin drop in the room as she read of a family of six children and their parents coming from a prim New Hampshire community to ranch outside Denver, Colorado in the 1900's.  We were spellbound ~ listening to this true account of an 11 yr old telling us about his family, ranching, horseback riding and Two-Dog, the Indian.  But the most profound stories are about the relationship between Ralph and the wisdom of his father.  If you want to have a wonderful summer read, please check out Little Britches. 

~Apathy~

Apathy = lack of feeling or emotion, lack of interest or concern, indifference.

This has been a prevailing theme lately in my life, perhaps because I needed to think about it....Our Bishop gave a most energetic and impassioned plea against apathy among members of the Church and in particular to our ward a couple of weeks ago, including the youth.  I also have been talking to a co-worker of mine and he shared some scriptures from the D&C that kind of jumped out at him.  As I read and pondered them, they revealed to me how the Lord feels about apathy as connected with how important the Gospel of Jesus Christ should be in our lives.

D&C 112: 23-26      Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.  Behold vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whilwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, said the Lord.  And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;  First among those among you, said the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord. 

I believe this is telling us, that indifference starts within the members of the Church first......the fence sitting is over.  Choose ye this day whom you will serve ....

I get a little more relaxed as summer comes, in every way.  I hope that I can avoid being indifferent or lack the feeling I should have for something as important as following the Savior who put everything on the line for me.   Prophecy can be turned away....."even though your sins be scarlet, they can become white as snow"....... prophecy is given us so that we can avoid pitfalls as we keep the commandments.  We can be recipients of His mercy.

I don't know what the antonym of apathy is?    ................   But LOVE comes to mind as the generator to keep it at bay.

~He did it!~

Troy is one step closer to his dream!.......His two day 36 hole per day testing for Golf-Pro status was the first of this week in lovely Missoula, MT!!!  I talked to him while he was driving home to Idaho and he said it was not so taxing physically as it was mentally!  He was pretty pooped!  But HAPPY!!   Said he was putting "lights out"~ ( all you golfers must know what that means) (smile)  He's worked very hard for this and we are all sending a proud shout-out to him!  WAY TO GO TROY-BOY~

He said he still has over the next couple of years to complete some seminars in Florida  and written exams, but the really hard part is done!! yippee.......

Congratulations Son~.....and congratulations to your amazing wife and kiddos for all the support they have given you!!

ly

~Father's Day~

Well Violet was born on Mother's Day so it was only fitting she would be blessed on Father's Day!  She was blessed by her sweet daddy at her great-grandfather's home. ~ What a legacy of love~

Her Uncle Johnny was given the Melchizedek Priesthood just before and so he was able to surround her with her father, grandfather, great-grandfather and many more wonderful worthy men to bless and name her.

Stacey's sweet mom and aunts provided a delicious lunch and lots of pictures were taken of the newest Jewkes girl~   Violet and Pearl's wonderful Papa & Nana Bubert will be presiding over the Long Beach California Mission soon - so glad they were able to be here for this wonderful day!

Each time I see one of my little granddaughters or grandsons come to earth has been a joy beyond anything I could imagine.  Sometimes I think,"did we play together before we all came here to earth?", "did we sit and talk and hug and laugh together?"............I like to feel we did. 

~It's a Very Happy Day~ Kaylee Jean Jewkes is 7!!

Kaylee,

It is your day, kiddo!!!

June 23rd you made Troy and Cherlyn

 mom and dad!

I'm wishing you a wonderful day

It's so great to be turning 7!!!

WOW!!!

~Happy Birthday~

watch your mailbox....

Visiting the Jewkes Family in Idaho!

What a wonderful trip to go up through beautiful country in Montana and Idaho to see Troy, Cherlyn, Kaylee, TJ & Michael!  The Horton's took Grandma along and I thoroughly enjoyed traveling with them~We made enough "bladder & treat-stops" that made it very enjoyable ... you know..."easy travel".   It was so much fun to see the Jewkes family again!!  Their home is beautiful, on the first hole........... and Troy is literally a few steps from the clubhouse~~(not fair when you think of our commute here right folks?)  Kaylee and TJ have grown so much~Kaylee is proficient on the computer, while there she had an interest in both the Titanic and Alexander Graham Bell~~for a first grader, let's just say she really pulled the brains lever when she left Heaven!!!  She's read 46 AR books, the closest classmate to her had read 14 for the year!  TJ is equally bright and such a sweet face when he is explaining something to you.   We went to a matinee with the Horton Family while Kaylee was finishing up her last couple of days at school. He helped me when we played scategories and came up with some amazing words!!! TJ and I took Michael in the stroller for a nature walk and we really got into the nature, finally TJ said, "Grandma I think this is a dead end"............I agreed since the stroller was wider than the path!  We got the opportunity to see Kaylee do a talent show as an adorable cheerleader, what a great job she did and she and her little school chum were dressed in of course COUGAR BLUE!  Now about Michael, he is the splitting image of his dad at this age and also looks and acts so much like Mason did as a toddler.  Big blue eyes, so absolutely cute you want to eat him!!!  But, here is the deal....he likes the guys, and except for his mom, doesn't want any females feigning over him!!  They have to keep all the chairs around the table on their side as he is a climber of gigantic proportions!  His laugh is so cute- his favorite was Kobe!!  Cory, Mason, Kobe and Troy got lots of golf in~~The kids swam and we ate well!!!  Troy's signature chicken "hot" tacos and a new recipe Cherlyn invented with Chicken and Portuguese sausage that was delicious!  We had lots of watermelon each day, which is my favorite!  We played "catch phrase and even Kobe and Brooke were in on the action!!"  Cherlyn showed me some amazing coupon sites.  She is ggooooooooooooooddd at this..  she said it took her a lot of time to get it down but now she "coupons" like it was second nature!  All too soon it was time to pack up so Cory and I could be back at work the following Friday.  It is always hard to say goodbye to someone you won't see the very next day..........I'm so proud of Troy and the sweet and precious family he and Cherlyn are raising.  We drove the 12 hours home in one day coming back but it really wasn't bad.  Mason, Kobe and Brooke are pretty good travelers from their days as babies going back and  forth from Denver!!  With plenty of water, some cherries, cookies and sunflower seeds everyone seem to be happy!   I'm going to attempt to get some of the great pictures I caught onto my blog............we'll see...........I may need Jen and Stacey's assistance!

Pretty Pearl Pause on June 2nd

~ Happy Birthday Pearl ~

3 is a great age to be!!

~GO WASATCH~Memorial Weekend

Britney had a grandmother and a great-grandmother watching her team win on Saturday~  Even though we had to huddle under a blanket supplied by her mom~~ and it was "Rock Springs" like weather, she did great and all those amazing little girls didn't feel the cold at all with all that running around! 

Mom just returned from a wonderful visit with  my two sisters and all my nieces and nephews in Sacramento.  This from an open-heart patient just a few months ago!!!  ...I come from good stock!

Monday night, Lindsey's all went to see 3 Musketeers at the Hale Theatre, so soon to be 3 yr olds, little cousins' Kelsey and Pearl came over to Grandma's and we did it all!!!!.......ran in the grass outside, danced, popped popcorn, jumped, laughed, had some chocolate, watched videos - lots of fun!   

~~after work~~

Thursday I hurried up after work to see Kobe play baseball.  His team is undefeated.  He's a pretty cute tow-headed baseball player!  Played Catcher, got two hits, stole bases ~ all in all a good evening!  We all went to Arby's afterwards and ate off the $1.00 menu~  I ate for a $1.00.  Jenny had to fork out several dollars' worth in Mason's meal!!!(smile)

Wednesday evening I watched Emma and Maegan's baseball team play.  These girls have the only distinction of being the only "all-girls" team in their league.  They've beaten several all-boys's teams this year.  Maegan got her first hit!!  pretty excited, her mom leaped up and ran to the fence cheering her on!

Tuesday night we enjoyed a wonderful summer evening temperature wise, watching Jake play baseball.  He's the best shortstop-always makes his play!

If all goes well work wise, I'll be heading up to Blanchard to see the "Incredibles" next weekend!!! Can hardly wait!!  I'm hitching a ride with the Horton's and you all know how Cory drives.........pray for us!

Congratulations

Hey this is a shout out to Brooke & Katelyn~

Loved seeing you two dance in your recitals!  I'm being completely unbiased when I say that you both did a fantastic job and were probably the girls with the most beautiful smiles on stage!!

ly, gram

Happy Birthday Maegan Hope Lindsey

Happy Birthday Maegan!!

It was so much fun to share in you and Kate's birthday last Thursday!

May 24th is one of my favorite days, it is the birthday of my little sister, Sharon!!!

Happy Happy Birthday to you!!

I hope your school party when Mom came today with the M&M's was FUN!!

I'll bet daddy will take you swimming tonight if you ask?!  (smile)

love you soooooooo much!

~Violet Couplet

A lovely flower, the Violet

Its colors fair and bright

A sweet and precious secret

An early morning sight~

With soft brown curly hair

She came on Mother’s Day

A darling chin and tiny hands

Arrived the 9th of May.

This pretty little moppet

Has captured hearts of all

A cuddly little Violet

When hungry, she will call~

Her dreams are lace and eyelet

Her feet are pulled up tight

A pretty little Violet

We hope will sleep tonight!

And so within this sonnet

Our love is here and true

Our beautiful tiny Violet

From heaven now brand new

Three books to consider....

Bounce by Matthew Syed
...Think you might have a Mozart, Federer, Picasso, Beckham on your hands?.........Mr. Syed shows that not genetics but 10,000 hours of practice with dedication and heart usually brings out the genius in a young protege. It is an interesting book with lots of studies cited about our basic competitive natures and human behavior. He shatters some myths long held about mediocrity, talent, performance and the mind. Really interesting!

The Reluctant Spy by John Kiriakou
Mr. Kiriakou is a former CIA Agent involved in the front lines of the mid-east war on terror. It is a fast read and one unable to be put down!! The chapter he describes being in CIA headquarters the morning of 9/11 is amazing~~He was on the raid in Pakistan when they caught Abu Zubaydah along with a raid on the Taliban embassy and al-Qaeda safe houses in Pakistan. I'm a little bit of a political junkie and loved this book!

Joseph Smith, Rough Stone Rolling by Richard L. Bushman
Finally finished this 560 pg "not a fast read". It is more of what the culture was during the Prophet's life and the start of Mormonism. It is a good biography of Joseph, learned some things about that time in America which I had never known before.

~In This Very Room~

I've sang this many times in ward choirs but it never fails to touch my heart.  The words and music bring a special spirit to any meeting!!  Today was no different...............

In this very room there's quite enough love for one like me,


And in this very room there's quite enough joy for one like me,


And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom,


For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.






And in this very room there's quite enough love for all of us,


And in this very room there's quite enough joy for all of us,


And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom,


For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.






In this very room there's quite enough love for all the world,


And in this very room there's quite enough joy for all the world,


And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom,


For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.

~~venting.........

On most days I usually count my blessings ~ get through life and its challenges as pleasantly as possible....but
there are those occasional days when nothing seems to go right! ~ like today.  I've spoken to two angry Stake Presidents telling me their girls camp needs this and that before June, grouchy managers who I think secretly had words with their wife and come in ready to "kick the staff",........new interns and missionaries coming in for training that obviously have never even put their hands on a keyboard before?.........how is that possible in today's world?........and lots of work mounting with the pressure associated with it. 

Like I said, I can usually take the good with the bad, but right now at this moment I would like to be in Hawaii with my eyes closed lying in the sunshine and listening to the soothing waves coming in!! ( smile )

In the old days, an ice cold Coke on the rocks would have helped or maybe a slice of Black Tie cheesecake certainly would have helped.  I took a break walking around the fountain, looking at the beautiful flowers and still coming back wishing I were on vacation!

I probably need to hold Violet ~ just to feel that nothing in life is so important as these little ones who come filled with love, trailing clouds of glory.............

I guess we do what has to be done, but some days it isn't very much fun!!!

Advice from Bill Gates

Love him or hate him , he sure hits the nail on the head with this!


Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

Rule 1 : Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2 : The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss

Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6 : If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault , so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7 : Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8 : Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9 : Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10 : Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11 : Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

~Granddaughters are Fun!~

I've had some time to spend with granddaughters lately.........Pearl and I went to the library, then the grocery store and when we got home, we watched a movie and made a pie.  Or I should say Pearl made her first pie!  She really did.....  As I cut the bananas, she put them in the pie shell.  When the pudding was ready to go in, she poured it on top of the bananas.  The best part for Pearl was when the whipping cream was done, she poured it on top of the pie and then with little fingers proceeded to clean the bowl. "Yummy"...........I think I heard a couple of times.  A kitten cleaning up cream couldn't have done a better job on that bowl!

A couple of days later I'm having sleep-overs with the Lindsey girls while their folks and Jake were on a little weekend trip to St. George.  Britney came the second day to help ~ We had a great time - hide & seek, baked a chocolate cake, another library trip, Hayley Mills film fest with Pollyanna & The Parent Trap, donating some stuffed animals to D.I. and dinner at Carl's!  I haven't eaten there in quite a long time, the burger was actually pretty darn good!

Even though this grandma may need to take a nap after these excursions~~spending time with family fits with "joy in your posterity" ~  grand-kids hugs and kisses are just GREAT!!

May 12th is Katie Day~

Dear Katelyn,

Happy Birthday

Five years ago you came to earth, just six days after your mommy's little brother got married.  Oh my, were we all excited to see you arrive.  Your mom got sick with Bell's Palsy after you were born but a little over a month later you, mommy and grandma were on our way to Cedar City to see your cousin, TJ get blessed.  One night in a motel there while I snuggled you close to me and we slept, mommy had to go to the Emergency Room.  She had pleurisy and had to get some strong medicine to make the trip back home.  You were such a good baby!  Loved to eat and sleep!!

Now five years later you're the big sister to Kelsey who has managed to survive your "love" for her and you are preparing for your first ballet recital!!!  I'm so excited that you have been going to preschool and next year will get to go to Kindergarten!!! yippee.........

When you were just a toddler, you would get in a bad mood, and when I would try to get you to be happy, I would ask you, "Katelyn what do you want?"......and you would say in a little tiny voice, "chocolate". 

I knew you were my girl!!! because chocolate always makes you feel better doesn't it?  

Happy Birthday Katie~~ I love you soooooooo much.  I love your beautiful big brown eyes and shiny dark hair and I love your smile and I especially love your laugh!