Pine Trees, Rain & Togetherness

July 3, 2011...Relaxing at our cottage in the pines. Enjoying a cool breeze coming through the screened porch and the smell of rain that left its mark on the tips of the pine trees and the fine red dirt that all around. I love these days. I'd call today a lazy dazy day where I can choose just what I want to do within the confines of our little fenced in cottage in the pines.

As I was reading the first installment of my newest self help series {a future post} I would take a few minutes here and there to observe the outside beauty that surrounds us. A cute couple, I am guessing in their 60's just bought the cottage across the way and I can see them bustling around to quickly turn it into a home where they too can enjoy the comfort that I am enjoying. Sweeping the porch, cleaning window sills and blinds, beautifying the yard, they are keeping busy and they ARE enjoying what they are doing! I KNOW this! How do I KNOW they are ENJOYING this work? Well I KNOW. OK! On two occasions I noticed them stop their work and affectionately give each other a hug and a sweet kiss. I felt their happiness right there! Personal experience also helps me to KNOW this. It reminds me of Kirt & I. We have always worked well together. Most home projects we do together, sometimes we cook together, clean together and of course relax together. No matter what it is, when done TOGETHER it is so much more enjoyable. And then there are those times that we just want to do something for the other on our own because we know it feels good to do, and also receive acts of service.

{This is my "stalkerish" view through our screened in porch. I felt kinda like Gladys Kravitz the nosy neighbor from Bewitched...}

We share this place with Kirts parents and they also "work together" to make life enjoyable. His parents owned a lot that they used with their little trailer and they would spend some time up here in the summers. When the lot next to theirs became available they asked family members if any of us wanted to go in on it. Kirt and I were the only ones taking them up on it, and we are glad we did now. When we first got this place Kirt was excited... and I, on the other hand wasn't too much. It was small and old and needed a total re-do. We share this beautiful mountain retreat with several other lots with other cottages, trailers, and homes of sort and it just didn't feel like home to me at first. We started out by gutting the whole inside. We made decisions together about new deigns for the interiors. We painted, Mom P made cute new curtains, and Dad painted the porch a yummy buttery yellow color. Kirt & I would come up on weekends to install floors as well as kitchen and bath cabinets and fixtures. We searched our own homes and sales for the perfect furnishings for the interior. When we were done we have what I like to call our own little Marriott. :) I love it. I'm glad mom & dad can come up for a week or two at a time throughout the summer. Kirt and I come up on occasional weekends, usually holidays when we have a 3 day w/e. 'Tis July 4th weekend, and I'm LOVING it! Gonna go see fireworks tomorrow! :)

Motherhood: PURE JoY :)

First off, being it Mothers Day I want to give a "SHOUT OUT" to all the wonderful women in my life!!

MY MOM: "Seeta" who is truly an amazing women. We can read my post from October to be reminded of that!
My MOM IN LAW: She has always been so good to me and shown me love, not to mention that she raised an AMAZING son KiRT!!
MY SISTERS, SIS IN LAWS and NIECES: We have shared many special times together and they are ALL wonderful examples to me!
MY FRIENDS: They are all so good to me and an INSPIRATION and EXAMPLE to me!

NOW... (MY DAUGHTER)

Oh! The JOYS of Motherhood!

My Mother once told me prior to having children that there is "no greater joy to be experienced in life than the love you feel for your child". I remember holding my newborn baby one day and suddenly...

*I GOT IT!*

What she said was true, and I felt it! It was so
A M A Z I N G and I to this day will never forget that moment! I have been able to experience many more joys of motherhood in the last 20 years. I was only able to give birth to one child which was a trial for our family at times, yet we were so blessed to experience so many wonderful things with this child. When the doctor gave her that first check up he said, "She's PERFECT!", and that she is still to this day in the eyes of her mother! I could not ask for anything more than what she is and has become.

I LOVE YOU BRiT!!

She has gone from this...

{At two she was always at the center of attention. She had a grand sense of humor and she would be surrounded by adults who couldnt get enough of her cuteness!!}

To this...

{fifth gade "Dancing Queen"}
To this...
{ninth grade "Sweetheart"}To this...
{"Sweet-Sixteen Darlin"}
To this...
{"Senior State and National Champ"!}
To this...
{HS gratuate with many great honors}

To this...
{"Happily Ever Married"}

Currently....

She's got a BABY bump all her own!
(future post-ha!)

Do you wanna know what I told her ?!

Hmmmmm... Well I told her this...
"Soon YOU will be able to experience the greatest JOY ever!
That is to feel the love as a mother for your own child!"

I couldn't be HapPieR for her! :)


**Please see Motherhood: PURE JoY (part 2 and 3) below...

Motherhood: PURE JoY :) (part 2 and 3)

A different kind of Motherhood...

I have never been very open or public about this but felt I needed to record my thoughts on another type of Motherhood: Pure JOY that I have been BLESSED to experience in my life. When Brit was very young, I knew I would not be able to give birth to any more children. This was a challenge and a trial for our family. As we took steps toward adoption, I never felt quite right about that either. It was a long process and things were not moving very quickly. Then, I had this experience which brought my niece April into our lives in a way that would change our family for the GOOD :).

One Sunday afternoon about nine years ago, I was contemplating whether to take my niece, April into our home. April was living in Utah at the time and had been struggling with life since her Mothers passing away a year earlier. It was a difficult decision for me because I knew she was struggling with many challenges at the time and it would require much of my time, effort, and support. I was also involved in the process of adopting another child and felt I had to make a choice as to where to put my focus. As I was contemplating my decision, I felt the presence of her Mother and this song came to my mind very clearly…

Because I Have Been Given Much

Because I have been given much,

I too must give;

Because of thy great bounty,

Lord each day I live

I shall divide my gifts from thee

with every brother that I see

Who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered,

fed by thy good care,

I cannot see another’s lack

and I not share

My glowing fire, my loaf of bread,

my roof’s safe shelter overhead,

That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed

by the great love, dear Lord,

I’ll share thy love again

according to thy word.

I shall give love to those in need;

I’ll show that love by word and deed:

Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

The words hit me like never before and I knew without a doubt that she was meant to be in our home. Through sacrifice, challenges and many many great times, I am forever grateful for this experience. I have been so blessed in my life and I have been given so much. I now realize more than ever that April has also been a great blessing in my life. She has become such a big part of our family and we have been able to share so much together. I’m grateful that her mother allowed me to be here for her at times when she can’t. I really am her biggest fan!! (along with James of course hahah) April has become someone who I truly admire and respect for her strength and abilities. She has overcome many challenges and obstacles and amazes me daily with her wisdom and goodness. We have been able to learn and grow from each other so much in the last 9 years.

April became the sister that Britney thought she would never get and they have such a special relationship. A very strong and true sister bond. They tell everyone that they are sisters… and they are! April at 6’3” with dark brown/black hair, and 5’4” blond Britney. Hahahah I love seeing them together and the bond they share!

As I worried about bringing her into our home I had similar thoughts at having her leave and get a place of her own five years later… Will it be over?... (NO!) Will I ever see her much? (YES!)... I since have realized that she is truly a part of our family forever!!! After all I have ditched my friends to go to lunch with her (hee hee, that is BIG). We enjoy Sunday meals together as well as holidays, vacations and other fun adventures.

We immediately fell inlove with James when he and April dated and saw them through their wedding, and a move to Utah. The distance didn’t keep us from still enjoying holidays and

vacations together and exchanging regular phone calls and texts.

The GOOD NEWS is that they are moving to Arizona, to the 85203 this week!! YaY!!

In November our family spent Thanksgiving in Utah and I was able to stay a couple of weeks and help her bring her twin boys into the world. Oh what a JOY they are. (That again, is another blog… with a very FUN twist!!) She is the most incredible Mother! Twins are NOT easy and she now makes it look that way!

Roman & Rocco

Such Cuteness!

Aren't they so so "dissshhhable"

I LOVE YOU APRIL!

Happy Mothers Day :)

OK! Quick story to show how connected we are :)...

April usually sends me lots of pics and videos of the boys.

Well, it had been awhile since I had received one and I was laying on

my bed thinking about them at the moment and missed them.

So... I text April this message

"Will you send me a picture of the boys?

I need to dissshhhh them" (K-Thx-Bye!!)

THEN! Just as I was hitting send

I had just received a picture text.

What was it?!

A PICTURE OF ROCCO & ROMAN saying

"LOOK WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW" !

OMG! How cool is that?

Then we were like Whoa! Freaky!

And we ended up on the

phone for a few minutes!

I needed that experience this week :)

Motherhood: Pure JOY (part 3)

I have to mention my son in laws… Jesse and James!

I have grown to love them both as my own and am so glad that Britney and April have these wonderful spouses! These two are characters and boy can we have FuNnnnn!

We talk. We l a u g h. We play.

Looking forward to sharing much more of life together!!

Our HaPpY Family!

Oh Happy Mothers Day!!

She's BACK!

"Oh, the things you can find if you don't stay behind!"
~Dr Seuss

Well... I am a bit behind!
I have not blogged, or read blogs in much too long.

But, guess what?!

I'M BACK!!!


I am ready to F i N D myself again in blogging!


{There IS a story behind these pics! It will surely be a future blog!!}


Stay tuned...

HaPpY BIRTHDAY Mom!

TODAY my Momma turns 81!

I have not posted in so long and maybe this will get me started again but in honor of my Mom, I am re-posting something I posted on her 80th birthday. She is such a FABULOUS women who has touched so many lives in her 81 years.
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Those who have already read this:
Enjoy it again, you will appreciate it.
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Those who have not yet read it:
You will surely get inspired by this women. :)
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HaPpY BIRTHDAY MOM!

I LOVE YOU!!

My mom just turned 80!

In honor of her and all she has accomplished in her life I want to share something I wrote about her. Those who know her will enjoy reading this. If you don't know her, well, it may be LONG but...

This tells what a truly WONDERFUL lady she is!!

She really has made a difference in many lives... and what an example she is...

and here is why!

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STORY:

“WHO I AM MAKES A DIFFERENCE”
I’d like to share a personal example of someone who makes a difference in my life. As I often do this time of year around Thanksgiving time, I ponder on the many blessings I am grateful for, and I think of this person. This person makes me want to be a better person. She reminds me of my Savior Jesus Christ, because I know nobody who is a better citizen or more Christ like than her. Her example has been a great influence on me. I have said “When I grow up I want to be just like my mom.” I feel like I am still waiting to grow up because I know I have so far to go, but I am thankful for her example. I know that she has influenced numerous people and her community for good.

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**She taught school for many years. I observed her go well beyond the expectations of a teacher. Although she has been given many honors and awards, her greatest honor is in seeing the influence she had on people. She supervised student council for many years. Today, after decades of service, the Gilbert public schools has a “Student council seminar day” named after her. She has a particular group of 4 student council officers that she worked with more than 20 years ago. She has had the opportunity of going through the Temple with them,seeing them married, and writing to them on missions and at college. They still visit her in her home, and now bring their children. These past students are ones who now, also make a difference in their communities. I know my mother had an influence on them.

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**She served the youth of the church for 40+ years straight. She took in her home many troubled teens in past years. In fact I can hardly remember a time growing up that we didn't have someone living in our home, whether it be an abused spouse, a troubled teen, or someone just needing a helping hand in life. Our door was always open and we always had a bed to spare. She was nearly 70 the last year she went to girls camp. At the age of 73 she directed the roadshow. She’s kind of like the energizer bunny… she just keeps going...and going...and goooingg!!!

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**One of my mother’s neighbors was an elderly woman named Pearl. While Pearl was in her 90's, my mother would see that meals were taken in to Pearl daily, otherwise Pearl wouldn’t eat. She saw that Christmas lights got put on Pearls home each year, this made Pearl happy. She saw that the 2 cars that sat in Pearls driveway for over 20 years without being driven got washed occasionally. She was a listening ear for Pearl. She checked in on her often. Our family would invite Pearl to family gatherings and a highlight of Pearls was a visit from our family on Christmas eve. Pearl saw her 100th Birthday before passing away.

Mom, of course threw the

P A R T Y!

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**My mother is known for her picture taking. But she doesn’t necessarily do it for her own benefit, she does this for others. She spends much time at her “scrap booking” station in her home. Of course Gilbert schools have many books she’s done. For years, her 6 children received a set of pages each month with pictures of family gatherings or special events we’ve attended. She not only does this for her children but she will usually send a page to someone whose party, reception or other honor she has attended.

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**She has made Family heirloom books for both sides of her family with old treasured pictures, stories etc... She has held an annual "Backyard Bash" every february in the last 15 years to honor my dad on his birthday since he passed away. This brings together my daddy's family and many old and dear friends. She always has well over 100 in attendance. She is the "highlight" of the annual Clegg reunion each summer. So many grand nieces and nephews are EXCITED to spend time with Aunt Jean!

[Mom with a great nephew and his son at the Clegg reunion]

YUP! She dresses up in her "piggy" gear and plays her accordian for the traditional parade. She plays piano and accordian BY EAR. That means NO READING MUSIC. You hum her a tune and she will play it with accompaniment! AMAZING...

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**OK lets talk about CARDS…

she sends at least 1-2 Birthday, or other occation cards each day. That is hundred’s of cards a year!

REALLY! NO EXAGERATION!
This is one thing she does that comes with many happy returns. She has received some wonderful letters back saying… I got that on just the day I needed to hear your message, or telling her what a great influence she is. And you better have a little extra time to read her annual Holiday letter cuz it isn't short. hahah! I think that list is also well into the hundreds! ;)

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*** May I add that several of her grandchildren that went to Mesa High could be found at her house with their friends at lunch time. They know that her door is “always open”. Many of her grandchildren just want their friends to meet her cuz she is just so “COOL” . She has got a fun sense of humor and they arn't afraid to say anything to her. She understands and accepts teenagers! WOW!

AWwwww... My MOMMY and my BABY

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This is why I proudly honor my mother…

I could go on and on even more but we all get the point.
She makes a difference for the good and touches lives whether it be in her community, at church, with a neighbor, family or friends. She has given so much and I am grateful for her example.

We had a Birthday party for her last week. Over 300 people came. (This was even during presidential debate #2 -haha)

She LOVED it!

Momma always loves a

P A R T Y

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

I LOVE YOU!!!

No BIG parties this year. Just dinner with MY family.
BOY are we LUCKY!!!

Forget the bride and groom haha

Ok I need to post but haven't
quite gotten around to it yet

but...

IT'S GONNA BE GOOD!

another door closing on pop culture...

OK I just had to do it!

Pay a tribute to Farrah that is.

There was a day when I was just mesmerized by this women.

I wanted to look like her.
I wanted to talk in a little quiet sweet voice like her.
I wanted to bat my eyes like her.
I wanted to have her golden tan.
I wanted men to swoon over me like her.
I wanted my teeth and smile to look like hers.
I wanted that HAIRSTYLE of hers!


Well, this was as close as I got! Not too bad for a 15 year old huh! hahah!
Well Ok not EVEN close but it was still fun when I came across this picture the other day.


Judy & Jill 1978

Yes, I am the one with the amazing Farrah bangs :)
Oh! and that shirt was a gift purchased at Nieman Marcus in New York 1978. You know...where the STARS shop ;)

(don't hate me-haha!)

HaPpY FATHERS Day to the most amazing man!

I can't help but feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful Husband and Father to Britney! The night before brit's wedding, she gave letters to her dad and I. With permission, I am posting exerpts she wrote to her daddy. I feel it is such a nice tribute to Kirt and tells what kind of person and FATHER he is.

Awwwww... just loveLOVElove this!

So here goes!!

Dad

Wow. What can I even say to you? How do I even begin this? You are the most AMAZING father in the whole entire world. I can’t even tell you how lucky I feel to be able to call you my dad. I really truly am so blessed to have you in my life. I can’t tell you how many times my friends have commented on how awesome you are. It’s no secret that I have the best dad around. I get that ALL THE TIME. I’m not even kidding you. Every single friend that has gone on vacation with our family has said that you are the most amazing man they have ever met. And it’s so true.

You have such a strong testimony of the gospel and the light of Christ shines through you. You are honestly the most Christ-like person that I have ever met. You have raised me with the gospel and have taught me right from wrong. You have helped me gain a testimony for myself and have helped me get to where I am today. I love your enthusiasm about learning more about the gospel. You are always reading some church history book or prophecy book or something. I LOVE this about you. You are so dedicated to learning more and bettering yourself. You always give 100% into your calling.

You are also the most selfless person that I know. In our home, it has always been apparent that mom and I come first. You never complain when we ask you to do something, you just do it. Because you know that it will make us HAPPY. And usually these aren’t very fun tasks. But you do them anyway. You also show this selflessness in your interactions with other people. You are constantly serving neighbors and friends when you already have a full plate of stuff you need to accomplish. But you never hesitate to stop and help someone in need. You are the most honest person that I know. You run a great, honest business and treat everyone around you with respect.

Thank you for ALWAYS making me feel loved. I have never doubted that you love me with your whole heart. And thanks for always making me feel beautiful and talented. It’s really true when they say that a girl’s self-esteem rests upon her relationship with her father and how he treats her. Thank you for that.

I can’t thank you enough for ALL that you have done for me in my life and for ALL that you have taught me. And I also can’t thank you enough for giving me the wedding and wedding dress of my dreams. You are AMAZING! I love you so much Daddy!

There you have it!

The GREATEST dad
in the world
according to Brit and Jill :)

I have thought about my father also so much lately and actually think of him often even though he passed away 16 years ago. I came accross some fun old pictures of him and I am going to post on him soon. I would like to give him the time he deserves probably later this month...