Memorial Day

Monday Music Monologue... God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood - (Make sure you lick on it)

For those of you who have never taken the time to listen to the lyrics of this song, I highly recommend it. For those of you who don't know... here's my story.

Both of my grandfathers served in the military, during war times.

My father served in the military until I was 13 - the original Gulf War. I remember traveling around the country.

I remember babysitting for the kids down the street while their father was stationed overseas, and knowing that my dad could go at any second because he had already been desert trained (even though we were stationed in ALASKA!!). I remember the day Major Arndt came back and we played this song for him at the airport.

I remember meeting friends from all over after traveling, and having those ties strengthened.

I remember the day at BYU in my American Heritage class they played this song. We spent the semester watching and learning about the struggles America has gone through. The last lecture we watched a video montage to this song. All 900 of us took to our feet and sang along, with tears running down our cheeks the entire time.

I remember watching as a member of the reserves brought a little airplane car for the kids to ride on Fourth of July.

I remember my brother signing up for the Army reserves, and the willingness he had to serve the country.

I remember watching my friend Jim go to Iraq, and then his return, and willingness to go again.

I remember being held in an airport for an extra hour over Christmas as I watched a fallen soldier unloaded from a plane in a ceremony unlike anything I had ever seen. I remember listening to a few people grumbling about their delayed flight times, and other passengers telling them to shut up. This was important.

I remember sitting in a terminal, in Houston, and looking up to see a friend of mine from work at Gallup standing over me in her military uniform, insignia, awards, medals and all, and realizing that this was not the same girl I knew before, but a woman, out to be her best for the country and all that she loves.

I remember sitting next to a young man, a soldier, in an airport at Christmas, struggling almost to tears because he had to get back to Okinawa where his ship was docked, and he couldn't get a flight because they were all booked. I remember watching as a man he didn't even know walk up, and offer him his first class seat, no charge, and thank him for serving the country.

Last night I saw a commercial I haven't seen in awhile. And know that I have seen this not just on tv, but also in real life.

Last of all, I remember the wives, children, mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends of these soldiers serving our country, and the sacrifice they make every single day on our behalf.

On this Memorial Day, I wish to thank all of these brave individuals, and the ones who love them. May we remember them, and those soldiers that went before.

We love you, support you, appreciate you, and honor you.

27 Dresses Movie Review

I spent the wee hours of this morning watching this absolutely cheesy, completely predictable and totally sappy romantic comedy.

You know I loved it.

I'm a big fan of the Mary Tyler Moore/Julie Andrews musical "Throughly Modern Millie," so this plotline defenitely struck a chord with me.

I'm buying this one...

It may be better than "While You Were Sleeping". I know, you are completely in shock. I cannot tell you how many different times WWYS, a bag of Oreos and a gallon of milk have gotten me through the tough stuff. To think that it might be dethroned gives one pause.

You'll just have to see it to believe it.

Girls night JUNE!!!!

(We might even throw in P.S. I Love You... Bring on the jammies, the blankies, the kleenex, and the chocolate!!!!)

I don't understand....

I am not a stupid person, not am I computer illiterate, so why are my posts and pictures not showing up on my blog??? I may need a tutorial...

Yesterday was very successful for me. I ate all of my food at home (rather than visiting with Ronald, Wendy, or the King - ok - sometimes the chihuahua). Not only did I get the extra time with my family and save myself some green stuff, I am also working on the weight loss thing (for those of you who don't know, my work is willing to pay me $200 to lose 10% of my body mass). I went to excerise class with Rachel, Shauna, Janelle and the Sisters. I went to work and got all of my work done. I spent time with my kids. Now... If I can just keep it up!!! (Why is the first day always so good, and then it goes downhill??? IDK...)

Have a great day everyone - and tomorrow, I will be checking the scale - tune in!!!

Monday Music Monologue - The Simple Things

Happy Mother's Day - four generations of women - and four of the greatest daughters of God I have ever known.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to get to know my grandmother over the last 9 months. She is truly an amazing woman, with so much to share.

I can't say enough about my mom. She is wonderful!!! It is also great to know that as I get older (and so does she - love ya mom!!!) our relationship can change, and I am grateful for what it has become.

SIMPLE THINGS (Jim Brickman)


Hey, time won't wait
Life goes by
Every day's a brand new sky
Every tear


Comes to dry
All that really matters in this crazy world
Is you and I together, baby
Just remember

The first leaves off the tree
The way you look at me
A thousand chiming church bells ring
The simple things are free

The sun, the moon, the stars

The beating of two hearts

How I love the simple things

The simple things just are

So here we go

Let's just dance

Teach my soul to take this chance

Put my heart

In your hands

Out of all the moments that we leave behind

Turn around and tell me baby

We'll remember

The thunder and the rain

The way you say my name

After all the clouds go by

The simple things remain

The sun, the moon, the stars

The beating of two hearts

How I love the simple things

The simple things just are

Oh, the ocean and the sky

The way we feel tonight

I know that it's the love that brings

The simple things to life

The sun, the moon, the stars

The beating of two hearts

I love the way the simple things

The simple things just are

I love the way the simple things

The simple things just are

The simple things just are

The simple things

Just are

This Mother's Day wasn't exceptional, just a little different. I got to spend a lot of the day at work, and church, which was fine. Hailey and Katie offered to fix me breakfast in bed. We didn't have time but it sounded nice.

Wouldn't you know it, though... laundry needs to be done. SO here I sit, waiting for the washing machine to finish a load so I can throw the other one in and it is almost 1AM on Monday.

Dinner tonight was amazing and got me to thinking, though. We had chicken nuggets, tater tots, potato skins and mozzerella sticks. Add a little ketchup, and some fingers, and you couldn't have done much better for me.

My Mother's Day present? The Simple Things - and I already have them... A husband who picked me up - with all my baggage - and loves me - and my kids. Fabulous children who have the sweetest hearts that God could ever bless two people with, some of the best friends that I know I wouldn't be here without (BTW - pic taken with Jim Brickman at his concert December 2006 at the Orpheum, composer of todays piece) and a great job that lets me havethe flexibility to have these things in my life, and lets me work with some of the greatest people I know.

Make sure you listen to all the great mom songs on the playlist. Just click on 'em and they will run. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE!!!!

Thursday Thoughts - Mother's Day

Tough

Monty Criswell/Joe Leathers

She’s in the kitchen at the crack of dawn

Bacon’s on, coffee’s strong

Kids running wild, taking off their clothes

If she’s a nervous wreck, well it never shows

Takes one to football and one to dance

Hits the Y for aerobics class

Drops by the bank, stops at the store

Has on a smile when I walk through the door

The last to go to bed, she’ll be the first one up

And I thought I was tough

Chorus

She’s strong, pushes on, can’t slow her down

She can take anything life dishes out

There was a time Back before she was mine

When I thought I was tough

We sat there TWO years ago

The doctors let us know, the test showed

She’d have to fight to live, I broke down and cried

She held me and said it’s gonna be alright

She wore that wig to church

Pink ribbon pinned there on her shirt

No room for fear, full of faith

Hands held high singing Amazing Grace

Never once complained, refusing to give up

And I thought I was tough

Chorus

She’s strong, pushes on, can’t slow her down

She can take anything life dishes out

There was a time Back before she was mine

When I thought I was tough

She’s a gentle word, the sweetest kiss

A velvet touch against my skin

I’ve seen her cry, I’ve seen her break

But in my eyes, she’ll always be strong

There was a time

Back before she was mine

When I thought I was tough

I know this song is man singing about his wife, but this song has reminded me of my mom since I first heard it. Even now, I can't think the lyrics without crying. My mother's faith is what keeps her going, and she is the best example for me. Thanks, Mom, for everything.

"God could not be everywhere, so he gave us mothers."

You are still our biggest fan!!!!

(Make sure to click on the playlist - upper right to hear Tough and The Perfect Fan)

Monday Music Monologue - Even I Didn't Know

Little boy, in a baseball hat,

Stands in a field, with his ball and bat,

says "I am the greatest, player of them all"

puts his bat on his shoulder, and tosses up his ball.

And the ball goes up, and the ball comes down,

he swings his bat all the way around,

and the worlds so still you can hear the sound

as the baseball falls, to the ground.

Now the little boy, doesn't say a word,

picks up his ball, he is undeterred,

Says "I am the greatest, there has ever been,"

and he grits his teeth, and tries it again.

And the ball goes up, and the ball comes down,

he swings his bat all the way around,

and the worlds so still you can hear the sound

as the baseball falls, to the ground.

He makes no excuses, He shows no fear,

He just closes his eyes, and listens to the cheers.

Little boy, he adjusts his hat

picks up his ball, stares at his bat,

says "I am the greatest, the game is on the line,"

and he gives his all, one last time.

And the ball goes up, like the moon so bright,

Swings his bat, with all his might,

and the worlds as still, as still as can be,

and the baseball falls, and that's strike three.

Now its supper time, and his Mama calls,

little boy starts home, with his bat and ball,

says "I am the greatest, that is a fact,

but even I didn't know, I could pitch like that."

Says, "I am the greatest, that is understood,

but even I didn't know, I could pitch that good."

After the last four weeks, I honestly thought that I had struck out completely. Between the amazing wedding, (I'm so excited about my new sister in law!!!), my granfather's passing, cancelling my Women's Conference weekend with my mom, the memorial service for my Grandfather and all the family drama that went with it, and then a quick trip to St. Louis, I honestly thought that I wasn't going to survive till the end of school. I WAS COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS!!!

It then occured to me that most of my issues are simply that - my issues. There is nothing I can do about someone dying, but I can do something about my responses to everything. I need to calm down, and look at it from another perspective and realize that I am not just the batter, I am also the pitcher and that if I need to let the ball slide occassionally, I probably should. I don't have to round the bases everytime... I just need to enjoy the game.

(I will be blogging pics and stuff soon. I just wanted to make sure I updated my soundtrack!!!)