My Darling...

It was one of those moments of tenderness and tears. I was having a rough morning and I let it all out in a phone call to Shane. I know he was busy at work, but he listened and took all the time I needed, that alone made my day so much better. When he came home from work, he quietly slipped in the door, and when I came into the kitchen I heard a soft rustling sound as he quickly put something behind his back. He gave me a nice lingering hug and then brought a lovely white rose from behind his back as he said, "I love you." I couldn't help but cry...he loves me!

Umm B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!

Just One More...

Mother's Day post,

I promise...

For Mother's Day, Katie gifted me with the gift of Skype,

It has been a delight.

It is hard to wash dishes, do laundry

and other things I do when I am on the phone,

but dishes and laundry can wait.

I love watching her smile and laugh

as she says, "I know Mom."

It is a real person visit!

Being able to Skype is a priceless gift.

"Back in the day" :) when I was a young wife and mother,

two-thousand miles away from my family;

long distance phone calls were expensive

and calls home were few and far between.

When I was really homesick, I would go in the woods

behind Grandpa Cruzes's house and cry.

It was pitiful...

I endorse Skypeing to everyone!

Computer internet connection +

Webcam +

Skype (http://www.skype.com/) = Pure joy.

Go to the store now and buy a webcam.

Better yet go to http://www.walmart.com/ and order one.

"Only on line. Not sold in store.

$19.54 plus .97 cents shipping to home."

They will deliver it right to your door!

Don't just sit there, GO...buy one now,

RIGHT NOW!

Highlights from Mother's Day

This



PLus This




PLus ThIs




Plus This




EQuaLs This

I ATE it all!

A Comeback

Katie ordered a corsage for me for Mother's Day. I was pleasantly surprised. It was beautiful. She had read an article in Southern Living about some of the traditions that have been lost over the years, prompting her to order a corsage for me. I quote from the article:

"The Mother's Day Corsage

When I was a kid, if a mother came to church without a corsage from her children, the whole family went on everybody's prayerlist. Now almost nobody buys one, and that's a shame. Here's how it works. You choose the flowers for your mother's corsage based on whether her mother is living or dead. If her mother's living, she wears roses or carnations in pink or red. If her mother has crossed over, she wears white or yellow roses or an orchid. Everybody gets baby's breath. it's just the right thing to do."

Continuing on,

"Take the Pledge

Preserving our heritage takes commitment. We have to band together. So, ladies, wherever you are, stand up, raise your right hand, and repeat after me: I, (your name here), pledge to do my part to bring back the Mother's Day Corsage. I pledge to order corsages right this minute, before the florist runs out of the good stuff..."

This is the first time I have ever received a Mother's Day corsage, and I felt so special and honored. I was the only mother at church who wore one. I love that Katie read about this forgotten tradition and did her part to bring it back. Rachel thoughtfully helped her by picking it up from the florist. She was so excited for me to see it and with sparkling eyes she said, "There is something in the refrigerator for you from Katie." I appreciate that Shane offered to pin it on, but admitted very quickly he didn't know how and sent me across the drive way for Lori to help me.

It was amazing how one beautiful pink rose, combined with tiny flowers and some greenery could make me feel so special.

I am a traditionalist and gladly take the pledge and will help my sons teach their children to honor their mother's with a Mother's Day corsage each year for the rest of their lives.

Just so you know, because I didn't, you wear your corsage on the left shoulder...

Thank you, Katie, for taking the pledge and doing your part to bring back the Mother's Day Corsage!

There's No Place Like Home!

After spending 8 weeks with Suzi, it feels great to be home. I can't even begin to describe her strength. The surgery and radiation were devastating to her physically, emotionally and mentally, but her spirit lives on! Her sense of humor wore a little thin, but I loved when it popped out. We spent many, many quiet days, while she slept and slept and slept and I read and read and read. On her good days I taught her how to dance the Shuffle and we danced away! We made several friends who are suffering from cancer too, the bubbly gift shop lady and finally won over Dustin, the parking garage booth person, by giving him cookies and candy. I know he will miss us, or at least the candy and cookies anyway! I left Utah with a desire to become a much better person by being more attentive to the important details of life that seem to get lost in the everyday shuffle. I will always be thankful that I was blessed to share this experience with Suzi, it was very difficult to watch her suffer, but how powerful her example was as she gracefully accomplished all that she could do so that she will live longer and bless all of us with her life. The Lord has been kind in allowing us to have her here with us, it is a special blessing. So here's to Suzi, in the words of Spock may she, "Live long and prosper."

This Is a What?

This is an Aplet.



This is a Cotlet.

I know they look alike,
but Aplets are sweet.

and Cotlets are a little tangy.

Dad loved them,

but, as a child, they weren't on my list of favorites.

I had forgotten all about them until last Thursday, when Shane came home with a box of Aplets and Cotlets from Bishop Carlin. Stating, "He said you would know what they are."

It was a magic moment.

And instantly memories of Dad loving them filled my mind.

So, to honor Dad's memory,

I ate one...it was better then I remembered!

So I ate another one and then throughout the week

another and another...

In fact, I have acquired a taste for them.

And I ate them all!

One of the great things about them according to the box:

"One reason to love Aplets and Cotlets is

because they have a third less calories than chocolate!"

I would still take chocolate over Aplets and Cotlets,

but Dad would be proud of me for enjoying all of these for him.