HAPPY BIRTHDAY NONNY!!!

Sunday, March 2nd is Ian's Birthday and for some reason when he was a baby, we would sing to him and call him "Nonny." He was our baby for four years until we had Carly. I don't know if I can even begin to describe Ian. He is loving, caring, family-oriented, and yet, is a happy wanderer. I spent most of my young motherhood tracking him down---never knowing where to look because he went everywhere making friends, hanging out, and "visiting" all genders, all ages, all over. He still does this, only now, Kelsee has to track him down!

When Ian was in junior high, we noticed that he was always popping aspirin and when we questioned him, he said that he had a stomach ache...but he really didn't complain. Because he kept taking aspirin, we took him to the doctor who said he thought he would just go in as a precaution and remove his appendix if it looked bad. When the doctor opened Ian up he found out that his appendix had burst multiple times over a long period of time and a large growth had formed and attached to his colon. In an emergency procedure with a specialist rushed in, Ian had a significant portion of his colon removed along with the growth. He was up in no time walking around the hospital with his bare behind blowing in the breeze as he pushed his IV along visiting everyone. His cousin, Heather, was in an accident and he even went to another floor to visit her in the emergency room never giving a thought to the startled visitors he passed! That's our Ian.

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT IAN:

1. He brought Kelsee into our family.

2. He brings Lilly to entertain all the grandchildren.

3. He calls me, "Mama" and Michael, "Daddy."

4. He does this as he is giving you the biggest, smothering bear hug imagineable.

5. His Birthday is very important to him and he started planning it weeks ago.

6. He will help anyone when they are in need.

7. He is low maintenance and is fun to travel with.

8. He loves Kelsee, children, babies, and his dog Lilly.

9. He always tells me he loves me and he means it.

10. He is passionate about the Colts.

We love YOU, Ian. Happy Birthday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARLY DOLL!!!

FROM TUBES TO TOE SHOES TO TACKLING

THE THIRD WORLD!!!

Carly is 23 years old today and she has packed so much into a very short time. This will be the first birthday that I have not spent with my baby girl and it is very emotional for me. (Thanks Ty and Holly for having us to dinner--it will really help.) Carly had a rough beginning and we almost lost her to Hyaline Membrane Disease, but through faith and prayer and bartering with a Higher Power, Carly recovered.

Carly has always had advanced thinking skills. When she was four years old she asked me. "Who is Heavenly Father's Father?" (Anyone? anyone? with an answer for that?) When she was five, she asked me where our dog, L.A.'s, belly button was? The whole family looked and we couldn't find one!

Carly, I am so sorry that you thought the present shown above was a super-powered Barbie Car when it was really a filing cabinet! I think Dad and I have made it up to you by providing the finest dance instruction anywhere with Ballet West Conservatory, a summer of dancing in Seattle with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and a month in Europe!

I am so proud of Carly and the way she tackles life unafraid. She has always sought adventure and learning new things: working in Maine, spending spring break doing humanitarian service, rock climbing, learning Spanish, and now helping native Ecuadorian Indians to improve their lives.

Things I miss while Carly is in Ecuador:

1. Snuggling on the couch.

2. Editing her college papers.

3. Oliver

4. Talking and laughing with her.

5. Coming home to find her working on her laptop in the family room.

6. Her total honesty and non judgmental opinions.

7. Sharing world events with a girl who does not listen to talk radio, have a T.V. or newspaper.

8. Long discussions in my bedroom while Oliver "grazes."

9. Kisses and hugs.

10. Being with Carly and Oliver.

Dad and I love you very much and

we can't wait to be with you!

HELAMAN 13:31

I don't fully know why, but, for some time, I have had issues with jewelry. People who know me, know I don't wear or have a lot of jewelry. I rarely even wear earrings, but I do have some nice rings. My father gave me a beautiful emerald cut ruby as a young girl, later I was given my Grandma Violet's ruby and baby pearl ring, and when I was married Michael gave me a stunning ruby ring for my birthday one year. Mia lost two of these on the USU campus, and Maeve lost one at the Sommerset Pool! None of them were ever found and I still mourn their loss, not because of the monetary value but because of the sentimental ties I had to them. As a young mother, I lost my diamond wedding ring at the Green Valley home years ago and only found it through prayer and hours of hunting. It turned up in a paper cup in the garbage! A few years ago for my 50th birthday, my children all went in on a beautiful mother's ring which had all their birthstones beautifully set. I went to put it on one night and couldn't find it anywhere. I searched, I prayed, and a voice said (really), "Go to the Farmington car wash." It was nightime and I thought I was going crazy because it had been missing for over a day by now. The next morning, even though I felt strange, I went to the carwash as soon as it was light. I thought, "This is impossible. It is summer, hundreds of cars and powerful water sprays would have taken it away." I drove to the spot where I had dried my car two days previous and there it was lying on the ground! It was a miracle and I knew it. I also knew I had just had my fair share of miracles. So, after a meeting with all the principals in the district and walking through two feet of freshly fallen snow, I was eating soup at the Bun Basket with two of my favorite principals when one said, "Beth, there is no diamond in your ring!" I was horrified. This was different than losing a ring...it was my beautiful oval diamond that Michael had given me 37 years ago, a classic that has never gone out of style. The very same one that I had lost in Green Valley only now I was looking for a detached stone. I searched my coat, my purse, the small restaurant, the snow. I back tracked and had everyone left at the Kendall building helping me look where the meeting had taken place. I searched the car and the parking lot, getting sicker and sicker. I knew my prayers had been answered before, but I also knew that this was going to be different. I called Michael and told him something terrible had happened. I knew that there was no way in the world that we could replace that diamond. He reassured me and was relieved that no one had died--his first reaction when I called. I prayed but accepted that His will would be done. I went home to check to see if somehow I had lost it there...nothing. I took my purse and took every item out and shook every item...again, nothing. I had been carrying around some loose papers, handouts and an agenda from my meeting, and even though I had looked through them previously, I shook them one by one on my bedspread. I took a look and saw something catching the light. There was my diamond laying on the bedspread! I said, "Oh, my hell!" Then I quickly apologized to God because I had been so blessed AGAIN! I never swear and it was just so amazing that the diamond came out from loose papers that had gone in and out of my purse all day. The only way I can explain it was that the static electricity from the cold winter day made it stick to the papers. Heavenly Father was looking out for me and I don't know why I deserve it. I took both my rings (my wedding ring and the ring my mother left to me) to the jeweler. He put on new crowns to securely hold the stones, he sized them, and polished them until they looked brand new. They are so beautiful and sparkly (these pictures don't capture it.)

I feel so humbled by this. Have your diamonds checked at least every year!

MAD ABOUT MITT!

I can't stand that Mitt is out of the race and I can't stand that McCain and Huckabee are still in!!
It is just too much this week to have to lose a Prophet and lose our only hope for a "profit"!

TEN REASONS WHY I WON'T VOTE FOR JOHN MCCAIN:
1. He is anti-Mormon (i.e. his 90 year-old mother's public rant on the Mormons was vicious and so mean spirited. He responded by laughing!). I know he put her out there to say things that he couldn't and be politically correct.
2. He is OLD.
3. He distorted and lied about Mitt's position on several issues.
4. He conspired with Huckabee to keep in the race and drain off votes for Mitt.
5. His wife shows waaay too much cleavage.
6. His wife looks like his mother (who has a pinched, mean face).
7. He is not conservative.
8. He was not a leader in the military, he just happened to get captured. (I will give him credit for enduring the time as a POW.)
9. He can't win.
10. He's supportive of Huckabee who is blatantly anti-Mormon.
TEN REASONS I WILL PROBABLY VOTE FOR OBAMA:
See list above.

SUPER BOWL BASH

We started a tradition many years ago on Super Bowl Sunday. I told my boys we would have ribs and lots of yummy treats for the Super Bowl game if they attended church that day on time and stayed the entire time. Our longtime neighbor and best family friend, Bill, started coming over to get his share of ribs. I made him bring his family over, and also included our other family friends and neighbors....the Helm Family. Rob Helm and Bill Payne helped raise my boys and were such a great influence that they remain very close to our family. Our families have grown and we now usually have 40 plus big and little people. The kids love playing together as they run crazy through the house pulling out all the toys. The guys are glued to the game....it was great this year...and the gals watch occasionally, talk, and catch up. The babies are passed around and even friends of friends are always welcome. This year Rob and Pam were on a cruise and their children and grandchildren still came because it is a tradition and because we have good food.

We served:

Baby Back Ribs by Michael (Honey Barbeque and Terriyaki)

Honey Baked Ham by Bill

Creamy Potatoes by Maeve

Italian Salad by Lisa

pasta salad by Nikki

baked beans by Beth (wish Mia was here to make them)

shrimp dip and chips by Ty and Holly

salsa and chips by Jenny

vegies and and clam dip by Beth

assorted deserts , munchies, and a special pretzel crust/raspberrie dessert by Kelsee

lots of pop