State of my Life

I have been over here at my computer desk dutifully working on homework for the past 3 hours. My brain and my bottom are tired, but for different reasons!

I have so many things that I could share with you, my friends, I just don't know where to start.

I have been very blessed lately. I have been led by the Spirit and I have been supported in decisions I have made about my life. I am making a huge move in my career and I am scared to death, yet thrilled for the new adventure.

I only have 2 more classes in Grad School. Can you say "FINALLY?"

My eldest son learned about the power of prayer and of the Priesthood. He embodied Snoopy. I was so proud (pictures later)

My youngest son went away for 24 hours with his school group to CA to play his violin at the Music in the Park festival. He had a blast and I didn't worry for the entire 24 hours.....another miracle! (sorry, no pictures)

My husband is a good man. He is patient and he is kind. He still likes me and we celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. (again, sorry, no pictures)

My dogs are cute. But, we all knew that! (silly me)

My parents are funny - (my mom has no wrinkles to speak of at 73...this is for LaRae) I do have wrinkles at 42. I was thinking of Laurie Koelliker- she is 52 and looks 32...how does she do that? (I digress....)

I will post photos, updates and follow through on these teasers.....soon.

I promise.

Oh, and I like David Cook....for the WIN!! (but I like Top Chef better!!)

Say good night Gracie. Good Night.

Fullfilling My Tag Request

I've been tagged!

So, I thought I would answer the questions, but not tag anyone else, as everyone has been tagged already!

1. What was I doing ten years ago..... I was working for a hotel, hating it, working too much, making a huge wage that was not worth the time it took to do the job, but loving my growing boys.

2. What was I doing one year ago..... Graduating from College (May 20) and then started Graduate School (June 18)

3. 5 snacks that I enjoy.....

Pringles Popsicles Oreos dunked in Milk Macayo’s chips and Salsa (I ate there today!) White Rice with Sugar and Milk

4. 5 songs I know all the lyrics to..... “I love you I do” – Dreamgirls / Jennifer Hudson Abide with Me – Amy Grant version Imagine – Amy Grant Heal Me! – Melissa Etheridge Shout it Out loud – Kiss (Ok, I admit it...I like KISS~!)

5. 5 things I would do if I were a millionaire pay off my student loans go to Ireland move to British Columbia set aside money for my boy’s future Go to a Debbie Ford “Shadow” seminar ( http://www.debbieford.com/ )

6. 5 bad habits napping too often being quiet when I am mad, stressed, tired, sad....etc. being too hard on myself watching the Gene Simmons reality show buying art (well anything) on e-bay

7. 5 things I would never wear again

a bra - if I didn’t have to shoes – if I didn’t have to 501 jeans braces 2 or 3 inch pumps (or does this count as shoes?)

8. 5 toys I love Legos Lightbright Pick Up Sticks UP Words Rummy King

A Few Things I Love

My friend LaRae and my other friend Oprah gave me the inspiration for this post. I love the O Magazine that appears in my mailbox each month. Oprah always has her list of "things that I love" each month, so I thought I would post a few things that I love as well. My things are not extravegant and really, you could not rush out to Nordstrom to buy them, but to me, they are presious.... I hope this gives you a glimpse in to my life and lets you know me a bit better. Enjoy! My friend's magazine my talking pig clock from Japan (Ohiyo Gozimasu) Pooh - nuff said... Red Pear - great with cheese Art by my boys Dr. Pepper - big shocker, huh? Movies about strong women - my 3 all time favorites - Yentl, The Color Purple, and of course, Dreamgirls Music by strong women - Amy Grant, Diana Krall, Melissa Etheridge, Point of Grace, Alanis Moresette, and Nichole Nordeman - all of whom I have seen in concert....ahhhhh everything Japanese!

BOOKS! a few of my fav titles - (l to r) The Invitation, A Woman's Worth, Sacred Wounds, On Becoming a Person, Possessing the Secret of Joy, The Highly Sensitive Person, The Unfinished Marriage, Adolesence is not Terminal, and Legacy of the Heart; The Spiritual Advantage of a Painful Childhood.... Art by Jody Bergsma - l - Courage and r - an original of pigs I found on e-bay from the 1980's see www.bergsma.com all things PIGS! my very own Sharpies

The Velveteen Rabbit by Marjory Williams the art work is from illustrator Donna Green see http://http://www.donnagreen.com Last, but not least When I was in YW, we had a new beginnings and we all recieved a 'picture' with Jesus Christ. I love this and it touches me to know I will have this very experience some day.... SO, what do YOU love??

By request, more of Wayne's artwork

Micalanne asked that I post a few more of Wayne's pieces of art work. So..here ya go! Enjoy

Wayne (the artist) and his friend KK at Universal Studios

Surfs up

Moonlight Serenity (this is painted on a piece of cardboard)

Free Parking

Abandoned Farmhouse

Shibuya Sunset (this is the city in Japan where we met)

Mid-Winter Morning

This one is for funnies....it is his co-worker. (Side note, when the boys were small, Wayne used to draw pictures of our Bishopric to entertain them..we would all get to giggling so much we got mean stares)

Duck Pond Sunset

Coronado Sunset

Good News!

I had my 6 month check up with my breast specialist, Dr. Spotts (yep, that is her name...) and I got good news. The lump in my right breast has done "nothing of significance" since my last check up. What that means is I am A-OK and don't have to have a biopsy. YEA! I must say that the mammogram process is not pleasant. I actually got a bruise after the last series of 3 pictures. I cried - right there - in the mammography room - that is how badly it hurt. I took a picture with my camera phone, which I won't post as I don't want to end up on some porn site...but damn (yep I swore) It hurt like nothing else! Since I am an adopted woman I have been very careful with my health. I started getting mammos at 30 at the suggestion of my primary care doctor as I have no health history. I have to say, this as well, being adopted is hard - not knowing anything about my beginning is hard and at times, painful. In fact, I have lobbied the Nevada Legislature in favor of an open records for adult adoptees bill, but the big money adoption agencies lobbied against our little group. For more Open Records information see - http://www.nevadatriad.org What I do have is what is called my "non-identifying information" purchased by me from Catholic Charities of So. Nevada, who is the agency that facilitated my adoption. I do know this much...I was the 6th child born to a woman named Barbara when she was 27. I have 5 older brothers, who at the time of my birth were in foster care. And, my birthfather, Bill, was married with 2 children, a boy and a girl. I am Irish and that is about all I know. I love Barbara for giving me the best that she could at the time in 1965....but sometimes, I just ache so much to have her hold me that it hurts. I guess this post turned in to more than I expected....I am thankful for a healthy right breast and a First Mother who gave me a life that she at the time felt she could not provide. Thanks Barbara...where ever you are!

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!!!

We are leaving in the morning for a short Spring Break vacation. I am the last one up...finishing laundry, doing a few last minute things and basically enjoying the quiet of a sleeping home. Sometimes, it is just nice to have time alone and today I had none of that. I felt like no one was helping and then when I got in a "mood," I was the one who was asked, "what is your problem, mom...?" (teens are great and so honest) This comment made me even madder, but at the same time, reminded me to settle down and let go of my need to have help. I just got stuff done and when the boys saw what I was doing, they were quietly guilted in to doing what they knew they needed to do, too. I so do not like this part of my personality - the explode and sulk me. Not pretty and not fun to apologize later on. I wish I would just relax and be OK with life....and often I am, but not today. But, I am what I am and I work everyday to be better, just today, I fell short. BUT tomorrow - I will be on the beach and I will relax, exhale and enjoy my family.... I will post pictures and vacation stuff when I get home in a few days. SOUTHERN CALI...here we come!

A bunch of questions...and answers!

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:30 – Seminary driving 2. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Music and Lyrics 3. What is your favorite TV show? Desperate Housewives, Medium, Amazing Race and anything on Food Network 4. What do you usually have for breakfast? Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal 5. Favorite sandwich? Monte Cristo 6. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Ireland 7. Favorite sport to watch? NFL Football – INDIANAPOLIS COLTS! 8. Favorite saying? “Courage is the ability to walk through fear with Faith!”9. Are you a morning person or a night person? Depends on the day10. What is your shoe size? 9.5 11. Pets? Yes – beautiful girl beagle, 1 old-soul beagle, 1 cute puggle and a goofy cat12. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I have a 4.0 GPA in Graduate School 13. What did you want to be when you were little? Older and invisible 14. How are you today? I rock! 15. What is your favorite candy? Pringles ( I don’t really eat candy...) 16. What is your favorite flower? Gardenias 17. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? May 2009 when I graduate from Graduate School as a Marriage and Family Therapist 18. Do you wish on stars? Yes 19. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green 20. How is the weather right now? Sorta hot, but amazingly beautiful 21. Favorite soft drink? DR. PEPPER 22. Favorite restaurant? A new one – The Grotto in the Golden Nugget hotel 23. Hair color? Blond 24. Favorite day of the year? Everyday 25. What was your favorite toy as a child? My brother’s toys and my cat 26. Summer or winter? Summer 27. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate 28. Favorite smell? RAIN and the Beach / Ocean 29. Plain, buttered, or salted Popcorn? Both – butter and salt 30. What are you most looking forward to? When I am completely finished going to class every week 31. What is your occupation? Differential Response working with families 32. What are you listening to right now? News 3 33. What was the last thing that you ate? Chai Crème Frapaccino 34. Can you drive a stick shift? Yep 35. The last person you spoke to on the phone? My handsome husband, Wayne 36. What was the last book you read? Currently reading Whitethorn Woods and just read A Brief Therapy 37. Hugs or kisses? Hugs from kids and close friends, and kisses from my husband 38. Cherries or Blueberries? Blueberries 39. When was the last time you cried? Last time I saw Dreamgirls 40. What did you do last night? Studied and read until Midnight 41. What inspires you? People who just ‘keep on keeping on...’ despite tremendous odds against them – the human spirit is AMAZING to me. 42. How many years at your current job? 1 ( but I’ve been a mom for 15) 43. Favorite day of the week? Sunday – and the afternoon nap that it brings 44. How many states have you lived in? 2 45. Favorite holidays? Christmas and Easter 46. Ever driven a Motorcycle or heavy machinery? No, but I have jumped out a plane 2 times