A MAN OF EXAMPLE

I was reading on Laura's blog and she wrote a wonderful post about life and not taking it for granted. To start living for today. She is related to the Cardall family who recently lost a son/brother. They also have a son Paul who is waiting for a heart transplant. If you want to read a truly inspiring blog, go to his. (I'll list it below) It shows his incredible faith and endurance. There is also a beautiful tribute to his brother Brian. This is the family of Duane Cardall who is a Sr. Executive with KSL. Anyway, I will leave you with this quote that was on Laura's, that was on Paul's. I hope it is okay that I am borrowing it. Anyway, here it is.

"Stop waiting for life to come tomorrow, begin living today. Don’t miss what’s NOW because you are looking for what’s NEXT!" Paul Cardall

Go to LIVINGFOREDEN.COM to learn more about Paul and his battle for a heart transplant. Go to http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/ for his inspiring words and tributes. You won't regret it.

CRAZY WEATHER & DESTRUCTION

Okay, let me explain. I was sitting at the computer this evening working on the RS Newsletter and I could hear the wind outside just going nuts. It even scared Kobe. I thought I heard noises of the garbage cans being blown around so no big deal. Then sweet Heather Hardle calls me to tell me that our basketball stand/hoop has blown over and into Mallory's back window. Oh, so that was the loud noise I heard. Not the garbage cans like I thought. So I went outside to check out the scene and yep, the back window had a basketball hoop stuck in it and the window was shattered. Meanwhile, my whole family is away. Cameron is at Scout Camp and Troy and Mallory are in Logan doing the MS Bike ride and Michael took the boat up to Bear Lake. So, I am home alone and thinking what can I do? So, I tried to call our great friends the Rigby's and they weren't home so I called our other dear friends the Schroephers. Justin was more than happy to come down and help me take care of it. He was so incredibly helpful that it made me want to cry. He was just so sweet about it. He pulled the hoop out and we both wondered how Michael's car wasn't even scratched by the ordeal because his car was right next to Mallory's. He didn't even get a scratch. Anyway, I was very worried about Mallory's car getting all wet inside because of the rain, but good ole handy Justin, moved things out of the way in the garage and was able to pull Mallory's car into the garage. Then he proceeded to shop vac the glass out of the back of Mallory's car. He went totally beyond the call of duty. We are so blessed to have such good friends. Ones that I can just make a phone call and know that they would do whatever it took to help me. So, bless you Justin for saving me from this because there was no way I could have physically done what he did. You have earned bonus blessings tonight. I would have taken pictures, but unfortunately, I LOST MY CAMERA IN SOUTH CAROLINA! So, I am little bugged about that. So that was my evening. I hope the rest of you were able to weather the storm without any mishap.

OKAY....HERE ARE THE PICTURES....SHEESH!

Thanks to my "nagging" daughter I am finally getting around to adding pictures from our trip. But sadly, I lost my camera while in South Carolina so I had to wait for Mallory to get these pictures downloaded. I had some really cute ones on my camera too. Oh well. Sniff, Sniff. I'm too old to remember exactly what pictures I had on there so I guess it's no big loss except for the camera itself. Enjoy these few pictures of Mallory and I in SC. Remember, I was sick and so these aren't the best of me.

Mallory happy to be there!

If you like Boiled Peanuts, this is the
best place in SC to get them!

My sweet Mallory always happy! I look sick and
ready to go to bed.

"Five Guys, Burgers and Fries" Awesome!

Gary and Lorna. Gary showing you his "5"
for Five guys! (He ate paint chips as a child)

This is the famous "Rocket" at the fairgrounds.
If any of us kids ever got lost, we knew to
meet our parents at "The Rocket".

Beautiful Mallory
(on the way to the reception)

Mother & Daughter on the way
to the Reception! It was so hot
and humid!

Whitney (The Bride) and Grandma Mona

My Dad with a family Friend John Keller

Mallory and Grandma Mona

Bride and Maid of Honor
(The both looked so Beautiful) Did I
mention that Mallory caught the bouquet?

Mallory's first time to eat Real Crab!
(She isn't a seafood lover)

I think this was at Bennett's Calabash at Myrtle Beach.
Best known for their Seafood. Mmmm Good!

Does Mallory look a little sunburned?
Too much playing in the ocean.

Lorna and Mallory. We had so much fun
at Myrtle Beach with them.

Giving my Daddy a big hug and kiss before
we leave for the airport. I always hate to
say goodbye to my Daddy. I love him so much!

WE'RE BACK FROM SC

It was a nice trip but I wish I could say that I really enjoyed it. I was sick the whole time with a cough, runny nose, and sore throat. I swear I just went through this a month or so ago. But it hit me again. I didn't dare get too close to my Dad because I didn't want him to get sick. He isn't feeling very well anyway. But the wedding reception was nice. Myrtle Beach was awesome and the plane ride home sucked! Having to be sick was bad enough but our connecting flight out of Cincinnati was schedule to leave at 8:00 p.m. but was delayed until 11:00. p.m. NOOOO! My body was saying. But we were given 2 $7.00 food vouchers for our inconvenience. We used one of them for cinnamon rolls and were going to get more food later. But did we know that everything was going to close at 8:00? NO! So, we lost out on more food. Oh well, just get me on the airplane and get me home. Then a small bit of good luck. They changed the departure time to 10:00 p.m. instead of 11. Yay! However, before we actually took off it was way after 10:30. We did have an inflight movie. "He's just not that in to you". I haven't seen it before so that was nice. It helped the flight to go by a little faster. Then sweet Michael picked us up at the airport at 1:00 a.m. I couldn't wait to get myself into my own bed to die. (That is how I felt) I am still sick but hopefully this stuff is on it's way out. I really am tired of being sick. Anyway, that's my story. I'll add some pictures later. It's good be home.

SOUTH CAROLINA HERE WE COME!

Mallory and I are leaving tomorrow for South Carolina to attend my niece's (Whitney) wedding reception. Mallory is her maid of honor so we thought it would be fun to have a Mother/Daughter trip and do this. Can't wait to see my Daddy too. He hasn't been feeling well so I am anxious to see him. Bye ya'll!

HAPPY "23RD" BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!!!

At 9:35 p.m. tonight it will be exactly 23 years since my sweet Michael was born. It has been 23 years of love, laughter, happiness, frustration, tears, and more laughter. He is a wonderful young man and we are so proud of him. He is going to school and working and still living at home. So, we hope that this birthday is a great one. Who knows where he will be next year. Hmmm....... !

8 lbs 3 oz. 20 1/2"

HAPPY NEW FATHER

HAPPY NEW MOTHER!

HAPPY PARENTS!

WENDY & BABY MICHAEL

NANNIE (MY MOM) AND BABY MICHAEL

BEAR LAKE WORK WEEKEND!

This Memorial weekend was spent up at our cabin at Bear Lake but it wasn't our traditional playing in the water, boating, etc. weekend. WE WORKED! It has been over 20 years since the place has been painted and it had blinds the same age. It was time to clean, clean, clean and paint, paint, paint. We all were able to get a lot accomplished. I really can't include myself in a lot of the work but I did a lot of the purchasing of items before we left. I consider that work. I'm not very good at painting, but I did what I could as far as cleaning. I'm pretty good at doing dishes. So, I had little small jobs. But my kids and Troy and his sister's and their families worked fiercely to get the place painted. Andrea YOU ROCK! Good thing she had those Rock Stars to keep her going. So, the place looks nice. Actually, everyone really rocked! DeLynne and her kids and inlaws are very hard workers. I was impressed. There is still so much more to do. The work week is continued next week but we aren't able to go because my niece Whitney is getting married. on Saturday. It is going to be an awesome day for her. Well, I am tired so I'll head to bed. I've got more shopping to do for Bear Lake. Blinds and more paint. Does anyone know the best place to buy good but inexpensive blinds? I'd appreciate any leads for that. I hope everyone had a great Memorial Weekend. I can't believe that June is right around the corner. CRAZY! Hey, I'll post pictures of our improvement sometime in the near future.

REMEMBERING JENNIFER

Today is the anniversary of my younger sister's death. I just wanted to pay tribute to her and not dwell on the fact that she died. I want to pay tribute to the fact that she lived. She was an amazing woman. She had 4 beautiful children who were her life. They were her heart. She was an awesome mother and her only regret was that she wouldn't be here on earth to watch her kids grow up. She was a loving sister. She was proud of the fact that she was the baby of the family and that she was somewhat spoiled. I can attest to that because growing up I spoiled her. I love her and I miss her but I know that she is with our mother and I know that she is happy and I know that she is also able to watch over her children and I know that she must be very proud of them. They are such beautiful children.

Joseph (19) Serving mission in Kentucky

Mellissa (17) Going to school and such a
beautiful young woman.

Stephen (15) so handsome with a cute,
happy personality

Crystal (12) Jennifer's "Baby". So adorable
and growing up too fast

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - Dec. 1st 1982

Troy left for the MTC/ mission on August 26,1982. (Headed to Rio de Janiero, Brazil) He was suppose to spend 2 months in the MTC to learn Portuguese. However, there were Visa problems and he was there for many weeks longer than he was suppose to be. At this time, I was going to school at Ricks College and so if his Visa came, he would be leaving the following day. The chances of me making it to the airport to see him off weren't looking good. Then Troy got his visa and I was frantic to try and find a way to SLC (in a snowstorm) to say goodbye. Well, as luck would have it, Troy's companion had a girlfriend at Ricks also and so I was able to hitch a ride with her and the companions family. I made it to SLC at 3:00 a.m. and then I was able to say goodbye to my sweetie. And yes, even though it was against the rules, he did kiss me goodbye. (He thought of it as a camel getting his last fill of water before going out into the desert). It was AWESOME! You can tell that we were both a little sad.

BOY'S ANNUAL TRIP TO THE GREEN RIVER

This past weekend was the annual fishing trip to the Green River. This trip is like Christmas according to Justin Schroepher. He is a maniac when it comes to fishing and this is one of the highlights of his life. Sad, it kinda makes you want to say, "Justin, GET A LIFE!". Just kidding. We love Justin. From what the boys have told me they had a great time. Randy Allen came up on Friday to fish with them. I thought the weather might bring them home a little early, but NO! Nothing will keep them from this fishing trip. However, I felt a little jipped. Usually this is a vacation for me as well. Usually all of my kids go. Cameron was not able to go because of his ummm (grades). Mallory had to do a Bridal Shower for her niece so she didn't go. So, it was just Troy and Michael. So, my annual time off from being a Mom was sadly interruppted. I usually LOVE this particular weekend every year. All I have to say is that next year I better have the house to myself! I NEED that time to myself. I did manage to have a girls night out with some friends and we went to Asian Star for dinner. It was awesome and fun to get away with some great friends. Here are a few pictures from their trip.

TROY DOING SOMETHING, I DON'T KNOW WHAT.

TROY CAUGHT ONE AND THEY BOTH
SMILED FOR THE PICTURE.

THIS IS A CLOSE UP OF RANDY ALLEN'S CATCH

RANDY ALLEN WITH ANOTHER VIEW OF HIS CATCH

MICHAEL WITH HIS CATCH!

JUSTIN WITH ONE OF HIS CATCH

JUSTIN WITH ANOTHER ONE OR THE SAME ONE
(DON'T KNOW, DON'T CARE) JK
WE LOVE YOU JUSTIN!

JUSTIN WAS LIKE THE ENERGIZER BUNNY.
NOTHING COULD STOP HIM FROM FISHING.
HE WOULDN'T STOP FOR SNOW, RAIN, LUNCH, DINNER,
AND MAYBE EVEN THE BATHROOM. WHO KNOWS?

RANDY ALLEN FREEZING WITH ANOTHER CATCH

RECIPE

Yesterday Mallory and I had a bridal shower for my niece Whitney who is getting married at the end of May. Anyway, I made a yummy dessert for it and a lot of people wanted the recipe so I decided to post it on here for them and anyone else who might want to try it. Anyway, here it is and it is really easy to make.

FROZEN STRAWBERRY DESSERT

CRUST: (Heat oven to 350)
1 1/2 C. Flour
1 Cube Butter + 2 T (soft)
1/4 C. Brown Sugar
1/2 C. Chopped Walnuts

Blend it all together and then place into a 9x13 pan. Bake for 15 mins. and stir it around every 5 mins. (Reserve a little of the crust to sprinkle on top)

FILLING:
1 Pkg frozen strawberries (thawed)
1 C. Sugar
2 T Lemon Juice
2 Egg Whites
1/2 Pint Whipping Cream (w/ 2 T sugar to sweeten)

Combine first 4 ingredients & beat on high speed until stiff. (Usually takes about 10 mins)
Whip the cream & fold into filling. Pour and spread over cooled crust. Sprinkle the reserved topping. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight. Enjoy!

IT IS SO YUMMY!

HURRAY FOR CLEANING LADIES DAY!

I know that I have mentioned this before, but the last couple of weeks have been extremely hard on me. I have (stupidly) fallen down. First I kind of slid down the stairs on my bum and really messed up my back (not to mention the tailbone) then I fell during the night and hit my head really hard on my night stand. So as you can imagine, the last thing I feel like doing is cleaning my house. I love these ladies and they do such a great job. So, they help me to feel a little better because I know I don't have to clean. They get all the deep cleaning done for me. Now, I wish I could find someone to do my laundry.