Happy Birthday, Nate!!!

It's hard to believe that 27 years ago today, Nathan joined our family. He came very easlily (2 hour labor) into this world. He was a bit reluctant, as he was nearly 2 weeks overdue, but he was in every way worth the wait. He was our first son and what a joy he has been! He was a healthy kid, too!

As Nathan grew he had his fair share of challenges. Luckily, one of the most challenging, came while he was still young enough that he doesn't remember most of it. The staph infection he picked up in his knee when he was 2 led us all on a journey we would have rather not gone one. I feared that he would never walk without a limp. This brace he had to wear was BAD. UGLY. PAINFUL.

But, prayers were answered, good medical care received and he healed. Thankfully. We loved watching him grow. He played soccer (until he announced he didn't really like to run all that much), then he played baseball and was really very good. In high school, he played football & vollleyball. One of the best things about Nate is how he loves to spend time with his family; his siblings, cousins, even old mom & dad.

Time passes in a way that we can't even comprehend, sometimes. He went on his mission, met the woman that fits right into our family (and whom we love, tons) and brings him joy. Now, Nate is a GREAT dad, a Police-man, husband and super-son! He has brought more joy and happiness into our lives than I can even express. We're so proud of you, Nate! Happy birthday.

Something to be thankful for

Yesterday and today have been really stressful at work. As many of you know, the economy in Nevada has taken a serious hit. The people aren't coming, spending and filling the state cofers. So, when funding for our school district is cut, cut, cut, eventually those cuts mean people are going to lose jobs. It's finally happening in our department.

Yesterday about 30 people got notice that their jobs are being eliminated. It's a complicated thing, but depending on who you speak to and how you interpret what you read, some of these people may not end up actually unemployed, but they could be placed in jobs that have NOTHING to do with their current job. Or, maybe they will be unemployed, I'm not sure. All I do know is that, FOR NOW, I still have a job. I'm grateful for that job. I've always been grateful for it, even on days that I'd just rather not get out of bed and go to it. Even on days where things go wrong. Over the years I've made a lot of friends and acquaintences and it's so sad to me to know that some of these people are experiencing the consequenses of this economic downturn. Single mothers. Single fathers. REAL people. People who have worked at their job for years. YEARS. And, for no fault of their own, might end up without a job at all.

So, today, as always, but maybe especially today, I'm grateful for my job. And, my friends. And all my blessings.

I got pictures AND a letter!

Is this the best Saturday, EVER? WEll, maybe not ever, but it's pretty darned good. These are a few pictures we got from Michael,today.

Next to Michael is Elder Hutchings, who Michael trained, and the Elder on the right is an Elder that Elder Hutchings trained. Michael says he's a "grandpa" now.

The missionaries got new mattresses, compliments of a member, so in Michael's words, "So what do you do with four mattresses you don't need? What else?"

This is a missionary version of "EXPANDED Risk". They made their own continents. One of them looks suspiciously like a volleyball :)

And finally, This is Michael, his companion and another set of Elders on New Years Eve.


It was SO good to get these pictures. He'll be calling on Mother's Day, which will be here in about 6 short weeks. Woo hoo! Go, Elder Garrard!!!

Happy Birthday David!

So, 25 years ago yesterday, David James Garrard came into this world. Our world would never be the same.

David is a joy bringing person. He finds humor in things when others don't. As a little boy, he was the MOST sharing child I'd ever known. He got a lot of joy from sharing his candy, toys, whatever it was. He's still a pretty giving guy.

David is spontaneous, lively, fun loving, caring, kind, and sweet. Of course, this is a post from his mother, so what would you expect.

I gave this to David for his 25th birthday.

Twenty-five Reasons Why I Love You

1. Your smile.
2. Your sense of humor.
3. You like my cooking.
4. You are generous.
5. You are athletic.
6. You are enthusiastic.
7. You tell me you love me when we say goodbye.
8. You say “Please” and “Thank you”.
9. You are polite.
10. You are charismatic.
11. You have a great, strong spirit.
12. You care about how you look.
13. You are a great uncle to your nieces and nephews.
14. You love your brothers and sisters.
15. You are smart.
16. You are caring and kind.
17. You respect women.
18. You aren’t ashamed to give me a kiss.
19. Your eyes. I love how they crinkle when you laugh.
20. Your laugh.
21. You like to read about various things.
22. You love sports.
23. You are adventurous, even in the kitchen!
24. You tell a great story.
25. You’re MY son and you will always have my heart!

Happy Twenty-fifth Birthday, David!
Mom

And the Winners Are.....

Leah
Jerolyn
Jeannie G.
Megan C.
Marsha N.

Congrats! Well, maybe. You don't know what I'm getting you, do you??? Neither do I! Guess we'll see what transpires!

It's not original...but I like it

I got this from Julina's blog and I like the concept. So, here goes:

Pay attention kids!

Here is the deal: The first five people to comment on this post will get something made by me.My choice.For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2- What I make will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be photography, I may sew or stitch or bake something. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5- I reserve the right to do whatever I want!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your own blog and offer the same deal to 5 of your own lucky blog readers. So, the first 5 people to leave a comment telling me they are in, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it.

Support is nice

It's a little unsettling to be, if not in the middle, definitely connected to, some negative drama. I'm not going in to all the details. You can read Sarah's blog for that. I'll just say this:

I have had shown to me, twice today, how important it is to have ALL facts before drawing a conclusion. I struggle all the time with that. I THINK I have all the facts, make a conclusion, only to sometimes find out that I didn't. And, if I knew before, what I later learn, my conclusion would have been different. And, to use a term I gladly credit Sarah with, I could have been more...GENEROUS with the other person...give them the benefit of the doubt.

We all have good days, better days, bad days, worse days and THE WORST days. In the overall scheme of things, having someone slander you or your intentions is seldom the end of the world, or even close to it. But, it can be upsetting.

This weight loss challenge that Sarah put together has proven to be a great motivator for many people. I'm glad of that. I look at Sarah and wonder WHERE in the world she finds the motivation to make it to the gym in spite of her crazy, busy schedule. And, all you have to do is look at her and see it's paying off, BIG TIME. I'm a joiner. I crashed my daughter, Erin's book club, for example, and really look forward to that experience. I go to parties. I love a fun time. And, because of that,I'm looking forward to the Weight Loss Challenge dinner on April 15th. However, I have NO delusions of winning this. Not because I'm not being good and sticking to my diet. I'm not going to win, because I would have to be on the REAL Biggest Loser and live in a gym to lose enough in the few short weeks before the final weigh in to actually BE the Biggest Loser in this competition. But, that's ok. I'm in this for the long haul. I'm losing 2-3 pounds (3 pounds would be great, but it's more like 2 pounds a week. That's not very dramatic, is it? But, I hope to continue to lose 2 pounds a week for a year. That's my goal. This is not a rapid weight loss program for me. This is a slow and steady weight loss program. I joined the challenge initially looking for whatever motivation I could get. And,if I managed to win (what were the odds?, great. However, believing that I'm not going to win, I'm more than happy to contribute $20 if it helps motivate others to lose their weight like I have struggled for years to lose mine.

I have a lot of people rooting for me to be successful. For lots of reasons. Very low on the list of reasons is about how I look. I think though that I'd be kidding you and myself to say that isn't a perk I'm hoping to experience! I've learned through sad experience that when "how you look" is your main motivator, unless you are AMAZINGLY vain, it's not long lasting. The real motiviation (to accomplish ANY goal) HAS to be much more long term and health based.

I appreciate support, as we all do, in whatever form it comes. Everyone has their own battles to fight. Some are obvious, some aren't. I thank all of you who have voiced your support, written it or even just sent me a positive thought.

Here's to meeting our goals...whatever they may be.