Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is your 70th birthday.

I've thought of you today.  It's been painful because I miss you. It is hard sometime to accept that you are not here. I exist on the belief that you have to be here somewhere. You just have to, because my own existence is defined by it. I close my eyes and I can see you. I hear your voice on the other end of the phone. I cry and then quietly beg and plead for you to come back. Please just come home and walk through the door. Please just call and reassure us that everything will eventually work out.

Everywhere I go, I am reminded of you. I can't escape it. I never expected that my memories would haunt me with the reality of what I have lost for the future. It's as if the deepest part of my soul has gone missing and can't be replaced. Why has that happened? How can it be fixed? I'm sure there is no answer to satisfy my questions. And even if there were, the pain would still remain. It's present more than I would like. The prickly edges of the pain have slightly worn down, but its core is fixated inside me. I don't know if it will ever leave.

On this day I want you to know of my love for you--my gratitude for being your daughter. We all now work to live the kind of lives that will take us to where you are. You set the standard and we are trying to reach it. after you left, I prayed and asked you to wait for me there. Someday I will feel your hugs again and hear your voice. Until then, I will wait. I will think of you and teach my  children all that you taught me. I will wait.....
I love you mom

Kara's got 1st place on both of her Reflection entries!

I have been in charge of Kara's Reflections at Elk Ridge Middle School for the PTA.  Kara entered two entries that I DID NOT judge and she won 1st place on both of them. I felt a little bad for some of the others that did literature because Kara did her entry in 20 minutes, but the judges said it seemed to really get the meaning of what Reflections is.    I thought I would share it with y'all.

Diversity is….

            What would life be like if there was only one flavor of Starbucks, or Skittles? Breakfast would be bland if we ate plain oatmeal every morning. If the only thing that ever seasoned your food was salt, can you imagine how your taste buds would react if they encountered ginger. The moment would be like a toddler on Christmas morning.

            I sometimes put it in this way of thinking. When Columbus’s shoe first made the imprint on American soil, what went through him? His emotions must have been stirring like the blades on a helicopter, to know that he was the first of European descent to set foot on this land. His life and Europe’s life became more exciting that day. The islanders he interacted with were exciting. The same excitement as your first day of Kindergarten.

            Life is colorful for a reason. The beautiful hues in fall, the glistening reflection on a summer pond, the steel structure being manufactured in a bustling city and even the instance of interacting with someone who’s skin color is different than yours. After all, kids prefer the 64 pack of crayons much more than the 24. There’s beauty in color, and color is a gift.  Our differences as mankind are meant to be embraced. Take a look at the NBA. Probably the most multicultural sports association in America. Their players have connections to practically everywhere on the face of the planet. One team is not the best. Like how one race is not better than another. For a matter of fact, the NBA teams have oriental men, Slovakian men, American men, African American men, Latin men, and many more.

            In my opinion, Diversity is a holiday. 

We had our extended FHE at our home on Sunday night.  Before that we had my niece Jessica Mackey and her fiance, John Morrell.  They just recently got engaged.  She is the first one on the Mackey side to get married! She is getting married in the Idaho Falls temple on Saturday, May 5th!   We are so happy for her.  I had Jessica and John over for dinner and my brother Matthew and family too.  My SIL, Suzanne, is in Argentina visiting her parents who are serving a mission there.  It was fun to have them over and then Mark and family joined us.  Above is a picture of Spencer holding my youngest nephew, Jett!!!!  

Scenes from the Season

It took me a bit of time the last few days to remember where all my Christmas decorations went last year.  Finally, I gave us trying, but decided to take pictures this year, so that next year I could just decorate!

Above we need another garland!

My chandlier!!!  This is one of my favorite things to decorate!

Decorating the fireplace took the most time! 

Twinkling lights, this is what makes the season bright!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We spent Thanksgiving at my brother Matthew's home with their family and some of Suzanne's extended family.  We are so grateful to have you as our family and friends!!!!  Thanks for being YOU!!!!!!

Goals

 

I've been thinking a lot about goals lately. See, I have a brother and sister in law that have ran a lot of marathons. They both set goal to do this a long time ago, and so they ran. Not my favorite kind of goal, if you ask me. Anything that makes you sweaty is ridiculous and those running outfits just aren't pretty. No one, I repeat, no one looks good in spandex. Ever. Did you know you actually have to PAY to run in a marathon?  I definitely remember both of my brothers using the word 'death' to describe their marathon experience.....AND THEY PAID FOR IT!

I actually did a half marathon with my sister in law Suzanne.  Honestly, I just didn't get what the fuss was about.  Even now, their goal has got me thinking about my goals. A couple of years ago I set a goal to floss more than I had the year before--which wasn't going to be that hard. How could I do anything but improve? I flossed 52 times that year.  Lately I've had a goal to not use as much hairspray. If anyone knows me that well it's quite a stretch for me, but like I said....overachiever. I'm thinking about setting a goal of decreasing my sugar intake by a teaspoon or two. This one is a toughie, so I'll have to fast and pray about it before I commit.

The new year is just around the corner. I should set at least one goal for 2012. It definitely won't be a marathon--the only reason to run that far is to a shoe clearance at Nordstroms. But I do think I should reach beyond any of my previous goals. You know, really stretch myself. Maybe I'll try to floss 14 times. In a year. Always, always an overachiever.