Yourself

What a nice weekend it was. I went to the movie the Emma Smith Story last night with Nicole, her mom, Whitney, and Shawnee. There was a part in the movie that rang true for me. When Lucy was talking to Joseph after one of their children had died and he was watching Emma out the window mourning her loss. Joseph said, "She is a strong women!" Then Lucy in return said, "Being a strong person is often lonely." Or close to those words. How many of us appear to be strong yet we are so lonely? I had to give a talk today about who we are. I hope what I said helped those who listened. I know I came away with a greater sense of who I am. I remember all those times when mom or dad would say, "Remember who you are." as we were leaving the house. Good words to ponder on. I loved the praise from the 'Princess Diaries' "Pray to see yourself as He sees you." On that note, I pray you will all see yourself as He sees you.

Kids playing red light green light. This is the dough for the scones! Yummy!

What a fun evening! The other night I had Navajo tacos and invited several family and friends. I made four batches of scones to help feed everyone. The kids all had a great time. Ivy and her family were in town so they were able come and enjoy the evening also. Even my brother Lloyd came. What nice surprise. He is not much for social gatherings. We had quite a few little kids there and missed the ones that couldn't come because they were out of town. It's fun to see the next generation playing and enjoying each other.

Tourists

Just returned from going to Shawnee's graduation. I am so proud of her. It takes courage to quit your work and go back to school full time. Way to go!

On my way there I got to witness what it means to do the tourist thing. Mind you, I'm talking about buffalo as the tourists. There at fishing bridge were two big buffalo meandering across the bridge swinging their heads from side to side taking it all in. The approximate speed was 1 mile an hour. Next, I saw an elk. This elk must have had a huge headache! His antlers were at least as tall as he was. I couldn't count how many points there were because I personally am not a tourist and don't stop to take in all the wonders of the world. All I could think of was how must that must hurt carrying all that weight around. Then, I came to the west entrance of the park. Boy was I glad I was headed West and not East. The line just inside the park was over a mile long with everyone crawling at a pace of about 10 miles an hour. At the entrance there were cars lined up four lanes across and a fourth of a mile deep. I started counting my blessings at that point that I was not going that way. One of the highlights of the trip was watching Shawnee go across the stage. It brought back memories. Another highlight was going to the temple with her. Rexburg's temple is beautiful but a person could get lost in there. After the temple we loaded some of her things into the van for me to bring home. Thank goodness she had some nice neighbors who were willing to help. Over all the trip was very nice but of course I am glad to be home.

I feel so dumb. Mike came over last night to do some taping and mudding in the bathroom, and of course I couldn't find the tape I had bought last month to finish the project. I searched for over an hour and still couldn't find it. I think in one of my cleaning sweeps I threw it out in one of the many loads to the dump, unless it got up and walked away because it knew it would have to work sooner or later! I think the plug-ins walked away with the tape because I can't find them either. Thank goodness one of the many stores here in town had more tape. I did have to go to Cowley to get some of my supplies because good old Lovell didn't have any. Some days I wish there was a Wal-Mart closer than Cody for moments when my dumbness over shadows my smartness. :)

My Boys

Another week come and gone! Where does the time fly? Mike came over and we he got the dry wall up in the bathroom. Yahoo!!! I told him I needed my own bathroom. I can't believe how hard it has been to share after your use to your own space. (personally going through 3 doors to get to the bathroom is a little much) Selfish of me I know. I can't wait to get it all done. I just hope the money holds out for me. So far I have been able to pay for everything we have done with money I have saved up and my summer school money. I just didn't want to go in debt for it. Thank goodness I have wonderful boys who can do the work for me and they are GOOD FOR NOTHING! Bless them.

Battles

Kirk is home again this week. I took him to a new Dr. yesterday and they put him on more medication for the seizures. Hope it works. He did pretty good only a few blows. Of course when he came home on Wednesday night we had to go to Red Apple and buy CAT FOOD. He wanted sour cream but they didn't have the kind he likes so I stood there for five minutes while he continued to look for it. He wasn't satisfied with just the cat food so we started around the store yet again. You'll never guess what he chose this time! Something I don't use again. STRAWBERRY QUICK MILK so I'll save it for any of you out there that have kids that love it. That is if I can get it away from him. I choose my battles and that is not one I wish to fight!

Feelings

I love Sunday's. They seem to calm my spirits. I think it gives me an opportunity to be more in tune to the Spirit. I had a teacher during one of my classes tell us that we were not suppose to use the word feel when we explain something but sometimes it is the only word that describes the inner emotions the Spirit gives us. I really think he needed to do more feeling and less thinking. Shawnee was home on Saturday and left this morning. I am getting excited to have her home. I enjoy talking to her, she may tell me to go away. She went over to Bryan and Chelsey's to see Hayden and Hannah. She is one proud auntie. Of course I am a proud Grandma also. I was going to go over and see them also but decided I needed to stay home and take care of things here. I am just so grateful for family. I talked to my sister Laretta for a little tonight. I miss having my sisters close at hand. With Pauline's and Mona's passing it made me realize how fragile life is and we never know how long we will be here. Knowing this and understanding how important family ties are, Juanita and I started having a sisters night once a month. If any of you are in town the last Wednesday of the month come and join us. Most of the time Carrol, Lesa, Claudia, Juanita, Linda and myself show up. I know some of you are saying Carrol and Lesa are not my sisters but they feel like. I love them like my sisters. Most of the time we just talk and catch up on every one's life because we are all so busy and if we don't take time to meet it doesn't happen.

Yummy

Boy is it hot! I have been hiding in the house not doing much of anything. I was so bored yesterday that I made oatmeal cookies (sugar free). Of course I had to turn on the air conditioner just to stand the extra heat. I need to come up with something other than baking to do in my spare time. The problem is, I have lots to do, I just don't want to do it. Ever feel that way? I went to the family breakfast yesterday. It was yummy! Talked to everyone for a few minutes. Most people know how uncomfortable I am in social situations so it is a surprise I show up at all. Kevin painted some of the outside of the house this morning while I was out watering. Shawnee showed up at about 11:30. It's fun so watch her sleep and give me a dirty look when I make a noise that wakes her up. (She is a light sleeper!) I watched fireworks from my back yard, it's less expensive that way but just as beautiful. Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th and counted their blessing for being able to live in this beautiful land God created for us. If I were real smart Linda, I would have stock in Ritz crackers, Cheetos, tang, shorten, sour cream, chocolate milk, nacho cheese, etc..... at least I have a years supply if I ever get a cat or need a little extra for my meals! If I ask you to dinner keep your eyes open, you never know what might be in the food

Grandpa

Erik came over last night bringing me a page showing when my Grandpa Haggen came over to the US with my Grandmother. It was so exciting to see the date as well as a picture of the ship they sailed on. Grandpa actually lived in the US and obtained his citizenship June 18, 1913. He then went over to Norway on a mission. At the end of his mission he came back to the US. They left April 21, 1923 on the Stavangerfjord and arrived May 1, 1923. It was fun to see both their names on the list of people who came through Ellis Island. The house is at a stand still right now. Mike and Nicole are in California and he is the head contractor! I've done all I can (insulation) until they put up the drywall. I have been taking care of their yard while they are gone. They put it on the market hoping to make some money to build a new one. Lots of luck to them.