Happy Father's day to all the Fathers I love

Happy father's day to all the men who take fatherhood so seriously (an not so seriously), from my son Mark who is a daddy to his son Kamden. To......
My son-in-law, John Henderson who is a wonderful father to Caleb, Davis and Beckham. To---

My son, Brian who is a stupendous father to Ashlynn, Briggs and Tennyson. To.....

The Father of my children, Larry Lee Rober, the best father any child could have, just ask his own kids. Larry made our house a home. Last but not least to....

My father, who is still alive, but his mind is going. He wasn't all the father he could have been, but that wasn't totally his fault. I'm still glad he was my dad and I love all of you very much.

Babies, how I love em

Today I am babysitting Savannah, doesn't look like too hard a job. I'm typing and she is lying asleep in my office right next to me. I gave her a bottle about a half hour ago and she finished off the whole thing. I don't think I have heard her cry yet. I did have a jolt of de ja vu a little while ago, while I had her sit in the boppy chair, I looked over at her and I could have sworn I was looking at my sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No joke either,

We went over to Marks the other day, and Kamden took a bath. Because his mom and dad keep his hair a little longer than a traditional little boy cut, it's hard to 'see' his little boy face. So, Lisa washed his hair and gave him a 'do' and now we can see the little person he is really starting to be. Don't get me wrong, I like his hair, I'm not suggesting his parents do anything about it, it's just my take on things.

Everyone needs a Daughter - Happy Birthday Lisa

June 16, 1978 was a most jouous day for me. We welcomed a beautiful daughter into our world. Lisa Ann Rober. She weighted 8 lbs 10 0z. Lisa's Birth was the only one I ever got to plan for. Both of our boys were total surprises, but Lisa was wanted!

Then, as she got older I was able to play 'dress up' with her. She looked really cute in all the clothes she had. My mother kept her in frilly dresses and I kept her hair styled really cute.

When she started school, I was pretty happy, as Lisa was very smart and opinonated. She wasn't the easiest of my children to raise, but she has always been the spark in our family!

Lisa in 1st Grade, Lincoln Elementary, Torrance, CA, Mrs. Oliver's class. She was smart! This is her 3rd Grade picture, she is starteing to loose teeth. Starting through the awkward stage of trying to be a girl, wanting to be a boy and caught in the middle!

This is her 8th Grade picutre. All the boys really liked Lisa, but she wouldn't have anyting to do with them. Most of Marks friends came around to see Lisa as well as Mark.

Here is her 11th Grade photo. She can really cook and dance. She used to go swing dancing with her girlfriends to Disneyland.























This is her graduation from Brea Olinda High School.

She took a trip to Romania, a two week European Train Tour,And then she graduated from BYU in Child Development. She is now married to the perfect man (for her) with three of the most beautiful children you will ever see. She can save $ like no one else! She is the blogger queen of my posting, and I love her with all my heart, she is the 'light of my life' and I mean that. Happy birthday sweetheart!

Brain never told me - Happy Father's Day

Brian nor Kate sent this little bitty thing to me. They probably didn't think I'd be interested or that it was bragging. How grateful that Susie Sokel, a lady I have been an acquaintance of for years through the school system. She went on to be fairly famous in Brea, I went into obscurity. She was kind enought, and smart enough to know Brian wouldn't have sent this to me, so she called the other day, asked for my address and said she saw this in a newspaper in SLO. She said that Brian was her banker and that he was a wonderful young man. He evidently fixed up a snafu that she had encountered on one of her properties up there, and she thinks he is the next best thing since sliced cheese, and so do I. I'm proud of my son, not just for his accomplishments, but for who he is, his kindness, his integrity, his willingness to serve the Lord. I'm most proud of his ability to be a GOOD husband and an even BETTER father. Hats off to every Father who makes a difference in the lives of their family this Fathers Day.

What it means to be a visiting teacher

Yesterday, I got a call from one of the ladies I visit teach. She had a problem with her computer, she had picked up a virus. Would, Could I come over and help her out.

So, today at 4:00 pm, I left the family history center in Orange and went to Estella's house. Sure enough, the computer was acting weird, but they could still get on the internet, just now use Microsoft Word. Every time they opend work, a black streak started on the right, and before you could do anything more, the whole screen started changing places, and graying out into muted colors, the cursor wouldn't work, and the whole computer just quit at that point.

Before I went into their home, I prayed. I always do that when I'm tring to understand a computer. I went out onto the internet and updated Avast antivirus- the free version. Then I noticed that something called memeo Sync Backup kept trying to install itself. Along with Washer and Web Root Spy ware, all trying to vie for the front seat in a start up! 5 hours later the computer finished the scan. Then I tried 4 different ways to uninstall this memeo junk, and it wouldn't uninstall! Oh, the virus scan did catch one suspicious file and 4 questionable ones, that I had it quarantine. Then I noticed they also had Norton Fix Tool on their computer. I finally found where that file was hiding and uninstalled it! So, she had 4 virus, anti spy software and none of them were updated. Through all of this she fed me a nice salad for dinner and nachos with homemade salsa. Still, it wasn't until 10:30 that I finally tried Word again and guess what? It works! I didn't do anything to word special, I just cleaned up the startup items that were interferring with each other. Still, Estella had family home evening, and the missionaries over for dinner, all during this time I am working on her computer. I know it was Heavenly Father who helped me, because I was teaching her 15 year old son, how to do maintenance on the computer. She keeps her computer under password protect every since her husband got into pornography. She didn't want her boys seeing that. So, she keeps a very tight eye on them, to the point that Ammon really didn't know much about computers except how to search the internet.

So, I guess I did my visiting teaching this month with Estelly.

Sad news

My sister just called to tell me that our 41 year old cousin, Lucretia has died of a herion drug overdose. I think she lived in Michigan. I am sad.

What's really, really sad to me is that out of my Taber 1st cousins 3 have died of suspicious circumstances and drug overdoses.

All the cousins I now of:
Little Jim DeWitt
Joyce Lucretia Taber (they said she killed herself, but we think it was murder)
Melody Taber - married, no children
Donnie Taber - married, 2 kids, happy married, living in Sterling Heights, MI
Johnny Taber - Died of a drug overdose
Caroline Melissa Braxton - me, happy as a lark, with three kids and a happy marriage
Pamela Jaye Braxton - my sister, same as above
Darlene Ruth Taber- 4 marriage, but seems to be happy
Lucretia Taber - died of a drug overdose
Sherrie Taber - married, don't know where living, but had 3 beautiful daughters.

Face Book

Ok, I said I would never do Face book but Larry's LDS cousin invited me and now I have a face book page. I am not going to post on that what I post here though, so you can all feel safe (I think)

North Carolina Remembered

This is Shirley and Howard Braxton, they are the couple who has the 'Bigg Bible' that belonged to William Braxton, Howard is my 4th Cousin once removed. They showed us all around the area and took us to all the 'Quaker" or Friends Meeting houses and to all the graveyards. Howard and his sister still own the home that his line of the family inherited.
This is John and Judy Braxton, they were the ones who knew all about the Braxton history. They were both born a Braxton, yep, a Braxton married a Braxton. They are 4th cousins 1 x removed just as I am to them. When you get Howard, Judy, John and I together, you are looking at all of us being related as 4th cousins 1 x removed. They don't have TV or a computer, so we just call each other, but I don't think anyone knows more of the family history than Judy knows!

This is me, standing in front of the Braxton Monument in the Friends Cemetery. When I went back there, it was amazing how much I felt apart of the family and the land. It was a really cool feeling of 'going home'. I wished my dad had it all together in his mind, because he would have loved to go and visit.

The aftermath of Traveling

OK, I'm excited to be home, but it's overwhelming! There is so much to do and sort and put away that I am totally discombobulated. I really don't know where to start. Since we got home early Sunday morning, I have been unpacking, fixing, refilling, organizing into piles, reading, errands, Thank you cards, pool parties, and I have already given two lectures since I got back. I'm quite sure I had more time when I had little kids running around the house. So, mothers, take heed, life only gets more hectic and your forget how to handle it when you get older.

On another note, for no apparent reason, I miss Shilo today. I miss him coming up to me, wagging his tail with his head down to get a pet. I miss his exuberance at the smallest of pleasures. I miss him 'bugging' me. I just plain miss MY doggie!

North Carolina Travel Log Day 5

Today was a great day! Why, because I spent it in the 'Old Buncombe' Genealogcial Society Library while Larry Golfed with people from NY. I researched the whole day and they had 'make your own sandwich' makings for lunch so I didn't have to leave their library. It was as big as the ORFHC! The ladies were very knowledgable and kind.

After Larry came to pick me up we came back to the room, and then decided we had to do some laundry. Well, the laundry mat is one freeway ramp away, so we loaded the clothes in the car and went to see a movie. We say "Angels and Demons" and it was very good! If you get the chance, go see it, just close your eyes at the murder scenes- the first one is awful.

After the show, we went to the Laundry mat and started our wash, then walked down the little walk to a pizza place and had some pizza (we have had some very nice meals out and just felt like somthing not quite so filling tonight), after eating, we went back to the Laundry Mat and changed our clothes to the dryer and went back down the mall walk to the liquor store and got ice cream bars. Back to the Laundry and folded clothes. Now we are home and I'm not doing any more genealogy on this trip!

North Carolina Travel Log day 4

Today we moved from Greensboro, NC to Asheville, NC. Home to the WARD genealogy (I hope) because this is for my client where I will try to prove once and for all, if the family came from Buncombe County, NC. Today I hit the Buncombe County Court House, and the Downtown Library.

Dad helped me a bit, and went to see the sights in the car. It's beautiful here because it's mountainous, it is right close to the Cumberland Gap. The weather was beautiful too, 75 degrees and no wind. We walked all over downtown. They still have a store with the Woolworth still intact, I at first thought they still had a working Woolworth store, but the just kept the facade and put tiny stores inside. This is really an artsy-fartsy kind of town.

Right outside of town is the "Biltmore" home, America's Largest Home. I hope Larry and I get to go tour it, it looks really beautiful in the photo's. Google it and you will see.

Tomorrow sounds like it will be a beautiful day too! I can't wait, I'm going to the Historical Society tomorrow.

North Carolina Travel Log Day 3

Well, did anyone ever say "Mom can't get enough of dead people"? If so, your wrong. I am now saturated. I have 4 books, hundreds of stories and videos to prove I have been 'home'. Today we went to Guilford College where I had a relative named Dr. Algie Newlin who was a History Professor there for many years and he used to write to me in the 1970's. I still have those letters in my file. While in the research room, I found another distant relative related to me through the Lindley line. If your Quaker, you just might be related to your own daddy!

Then we went and got my photo taken at at a street sign named BRAXTON Lane. We went back and met with Judy and John Braxton where John told stories and Judy and Larry played the Dulcimer's. That is a type of musical instament. It's so fun to find a relative on ever corner.

North Carolina Travel Log day 2

Today was a great day. Larry and I went to North Carolina University Chapel Hill where I did some research for Sara Ward, my client.

Then we went to Duke University and WOW what a compass. After that we went to visit with John and Judy Braxton. John Braxton married Judy Braxton. So they are double Braxtons. Sounds like my Taber's doesn't it??? Well, because they are from William Braxton also, they have TONS of stuff to share, I don't know if I will ever catch up! Anyway, it's late and I need to get to bed now, but look for an update tomorrow!

North Carolina Travel Log, day 1

Today, we got up and lookie looed through North Carolina University at Chapel Hill. Pretty impressive.

Then we drove out to meet and spend the day with my 4th cousin, 1x removed. I had never met him before, but it was really nice. For a 73 year old guy, his is pretty good looking and so is his wife. His name is Howard T. Braxton, born and raised in NC along with all the relatives of our Braxton Ancestors.

First of all, he has in his possession the first and original land grant issued to our William Braxton in 1756 from John of Carteret Lord Grandville. That was really cool. Then Howard and his wife (Shirly) took us around and showed us where everyone had lived, took us to 3 Quaker Churches that all had graveyards of our family and we could go into the churchs and look around because they don't lock up the Churchs around here!

He took us out to the home (that is no longer lived in), that he grew up in and as we went from room to room, I was flabbergasted at all the antiques they had in there that were worth a small fortune! OK, then to top it all off, he opened a trunk and pulled out a Bible that we at first though might have belonged to our earliest ancestor, William Braxton, b: abt 1721, m: 1744 d:1771. Well, it wasn't and had no date page in the front. It was in terrible shape, but really old, so we thought it could be a possibility. But then his wife pulled out a white trash bag from under the bed and said look at this. Well, it was a bible too, about 14" high and 8" wide. It had a cover on it and it looked and felt old. I said it was a special bible but no markings in that Bible either. So we kept poking around and then we took it home to their house, after we went out to dinner and I had a great dinner.

It turns out this IS the "Bigg Bible" as William refered to it in his will which I found in the NC Archives this week. In his will, he states "and I leave my Bigg Bible to my son Thomas. No one seemed to know where it was. But as we opened it up and started looking at it in the light, well, on the front cover, very, very faint it reads: ...son Wm Braxton 15 of June 1742! I squelled in delight when I read this date, because before this someone had said that they had a bible they thought belonged to William, but couldn't have because the date of publication was 1776. Then on the back cover it said: "Thomas Braxton, left to him by his father in the year 1772". So, we solved the proplem of "Where was the Bigg Bible?" I love the Holy Ghost.

North Carolina

Here I am at the Raleigh Convention center and loving it. I have an ancestor that I am researching and trying to find his parents; His name is William BRAXTON, the planter. He was born about 1721, married 1744 in Old Swedes Church, Wilmington, Deleware and died 1771 in Chatham, NC. I have already found his original Will and 3 more land grants that I didn't know about.

I miss my honey, but he is coming after the conference and joining me where we will go and see my long lost 4th Cousin, Howard BRAXTON, who is about 70, and still lives on the land originally obtained by William Braxton from Lord Granville in 1763.

I will also visit a possible relative for my client who still lives in Buncombe County, NC about her WARD line. This lady is named Doris Ward and she is 90. I sure hope she can tell me how this WARD line connects together because otherwise, I'm kinda stuck and my client really wants me to find out WHO her relatives are and put them in the correct order, well, I'm trying because I keep making connections. Between BRAXTON and WARD, I'm not lacking in anything to do.

Happy Mother's Day

This is for all the mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, and woman who will someday be a mother and every female on earth who has nurtured anybody at all anytime. God Bless You!

REMEMBER, OH REMEMBER,
The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world!

"Mother"
To one who bears the sweetest name,
And adds a luster to the same,
Who shares my joys,
Who cheers when sad,
The greatest friend I ever had.

Long Life to her for there's no other
Can take the place of my dear Mother.

I'm grateful to have been a mother and now a grandmother. I'm grateful for my own mother and the grandmother who nurtured me into the kind of person I always wanted to be. I hope the legacy I leave will be as profound on my posterity as my grandmother's influence was on me.

My New Recorder & my pretty blog

Well, after the Priesthood Blessing, I haven't had a nightmare since. Anyone with nightmares or nigh terrors should get a Priesthood Blessing, it works!

Brian and Kate gave me an Ipod recording devise that works with my Ipod and it is truly amazing and wonderful! It was the easiest device I have ever used. I am having fun with it and I will soo learn how to add audio to my blog, then watch out! Thank you so much Brian and Kate for the wonderful little devise! I am thinking of a million ways to use it too! Now I have to go have some fun with it. It's a perfect little birthday and mother's day give. Thank you, Thank you. And while I'm at it, Thank you to Lisa for making my blog look descent and interesting. I don't think I would blog if she didn't get my hind end out of a few pickles. She truly saves my sanity when it comes to blog sense.

Nightmares

It's not funny. For the first time in my life I am having real, honest to goodness, body chilling nightmares! I have had nightmares for 3 nights in a row and this morning at 4:30 I woke up after a nightmare where Larry and I were stalked by some murderers! When I finally woke up every nerve in my body was on fire! I was so scared and messed up! When Larry work up this morning I told him about the nightmares and he gave me a priesthood blessing. Let's hope tonight will be better. I don't know how many more sleepless nights I can have without having a nervous breakdown!

Rober Hotel back in Business!

Last night I got a call from my sister, Pamela. She is in Hawaii and has been for 2 weeks. It seems she got a call because my dad was MISSING! The Police found him at 1:00 am sitting in Denny's drinking coffee. Pam didn't call me until they had found him. I guess he tells her he is lonly.
So, today, Larry and I drove out to Palm Desseret and retreived good old Grandpa. He is now staying with us until Sunday, just so he won't be lonly.
I had just finished washing the sheet to the guest bedroom from our last guests, so I put them right back on for the next round.
If you are planning on staying at the Rober Hotel anytime soon, I suggest you call in for reservations first, you never know how full we will be.

Blah, Blah, Blah

I am taking a 'break' now. I have nothing important to say except when I get stressed, I read your blogs and comments and it renews my faith in humans.

This is the least busy week Larry and I have had in several months. Good and Bad. I am now back to typing the 'book' that I said I would retype. A bit more than I thought it would be. So I just spent about 5 hours reading, typing, correcting, re-editing and ugh, I needed a break!

Now, if I can just get my mind back onto my clients genealogy I will be doing well. That project I will work on tomorrow. One project a day and I have 2 going at the moment. So, every other day is as boring as the other one. I have a bad attitude right now, sorry. I'm on page 29 of this 209 page book. I don't think I will ever finish, but I committed myself and so I must perservere. Thanks for letting me rant.

Happy Birthday to Me

Today I am 57 years old. I feel pretty good for an old lady. I'm "working" now and making some money. Today I am cleaning my house. Tonight, I will pick up Larry from LAX, he has been in Texas. Tomorrow night we will go out to dinner for my birthday celebration. I was going to order some clothes from Lands end, but on Monday, Larry had to call out an air conditioner guy because our Air didn't work. We spent $11,000 of our retirement on a new Air condition/Heater system. So I won't be buying anything. And tomorrow we will go to Black Angus because we have a 2 for 1 coupon.

I thought about why I used to let my kids have a 'free from work' birthday. I made it a habit that they never had to do any work at home on their birthdays. I guess it was always something I wanted in my own life. Growing up, I never remember a day when I wasn't cleaning the house or making dinner. I felt like a slave growing up and although it was my job to teach my kids how to work, and every child will think they are slaves if their moms make them work, I wanted them to feel like a queen or king at least once a year on their special day.

Once in a while my kids would try to do that for me, but I could never really enjoy it very much because of all the guilt I would feel. So, I'm back to cleaning and washing.

Two Weeks of Grandma hood- loving every minute

Let me tell you about the last two weeks of my hectic life! We had the best time with our kids and their families. I have to say I'm a bit tuckered out now, but it was all worth it.

First our Daughter Lisa came home with her family and I took Caleb to Disneyland by himself because he was 5 years old. I did that with my kids and vowed to do it with my grandkids. Caleb and I had a good time and we went on Buzz Lightyear 3 or 4 times I can't remember, but we did Star Tours twice.

Then Brian came with his family and that was a blast because of all the grandkids getting together, they are so much the same age and can really have fun together. They love throwing balls at Grandpa!

Then I took Briggs to Disneyland and now I know I'm getting old! But we did Buzz 4 times and Start Tours 4 times, and by now grandma is pretty done with Star Tours! I'm getting better at Buzz though.

Mark came late Friday night with his family and Kamden is getting so cute! We don't have enough beds, so we get Mark and family a bed at a bed and breakfast type of place.

They didn't come early enough for Kam to dye Easter Eggs with us, but we all had a good time anyway!

Saturday Morning the kids all hunted for Easter eggs. That was a hoot!

Larry is always proud of his boys (does he know who really raised them to be such good men?)

My sister and her whole family came over and we had an adult Easter Egg hunt which put me and Pam back a couple of hundred dollars, but it was really fun to see our kids act young again, and believe me they did!

I never thought I would see Matthew with any baby in his arms, let alone two!!!!!

Sometime during the time they were all here they swam in the pool, had a bonfire in our new firepit, went to the Sports Park where it looked like the boys raced like boys and then they used their kids as bats for a soccer ball!

They rode bikes, can't you see Davis keeping up with everyone else on two wheels and him on 3? Too cute for words!

and we Blessed Beckham on Sunday. Brian stayed with his family and their friends Joe and Brook Brundige came down for a visit and they took over our house for the rest of the week while Larry and I went to Pams Palm Springs home to relax!

The really surprising thing is that we came home to a very clean house! We love sharing time with family and sharing our house with friends. Thank you all for such a wonderful time.

My cute Grandkids....

A happy house full of rug rats

Our kids have been arriving today. It is so fun to see the cousins interact with each other and the daughter & daughters-in-law talk so much about every subject under the sun!

The kids dyed hard boiled eggs and are pretty excited for the Easter egg hund in the morning. I think I'm just as excited!

Today, the kids swam in the Jacuzzi, but Ashlynn, Briggs and Caleb, didn't stay in it, they went straight for the cold pool and swam for 5 hours! They were prunes when they got out for supper.

I fixed my famous 'Mac & Cheese', cole slaw and steamed baby carrots. It was a pretty good dinner, even if I say so myslef.

My firstborn Child

This is Brians High School Graduation photo!

This is my son Brian at his birth. Today is his birthday and I am very aware of how blessed I have been for the last 33 years. There is something about your first child, I think it is because you have no one else to take your attention away from them. You remember a lot more.

Brian at 3 months

Ever since Brian was born, he seemed like the perfect child. Always alert, happy and communicative. He said his first word at 9 months "Twee" as he pointed to the Christmas tree that was in Dr. Gurfield's (our peditrition's) office.
Brian at 9 months
Once he started saying words he never stopped, and by 18 months he was a full on conversationalist and could communicate effectively. At 2 years almost 3 years we came home from Church one Sunday, where he was in the Nursery (with me because he wouldn't leave my side- even when I went to the bathroom!)

He got very serious and started telling me the story of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ! He laid it out in a very logical manner and told me that Jesus had died for our sins! He was very animated and his big brown eyes were very serious with the telling of that story, as if I didn't really understand what it meant to me. It was the most touching moment of my existance to hear that story from the mouth of a babe!

Well, from that moment on, no one could tell me that he wasn't the most wonderful child Heavenly Father had sent down to earth in a very long time. I loved my son unconditionally then and still do today. He has grown up into a fine man, a good husband and I hope an effective father! (That remains to be seen)

Brian in Kindergarten

Sunday, the day of Rest

Today is Fast Sunday in our Church. I had to work like a dog to get a substitute for my primary class today because I was asked to train the Brea 1st Ward in the New family search program for their 3rd hour which was 11:00 am.

It's also fast Sunday.

Then at 6:00 pm tonight I am to speak to the Fullerton Stake and answer questions about New Family Search and give them a 'shot in the arm' so they can go out and teach their members.

I'm not getting a nap today.

Two lectures that I'm not getting paid for.

Oh, well, it's all part of the Lords work.

aww...the Blessings

It's wonderful to feel like the most blessed woman in the world.

I'm involved with the two loves of my life right now and no foreseeable future to be stopped from enjoying them.

1. Family History
2. Primary

I know I'm a little different from almost everyone I know, but I am who I am. I love family stories, pictures, puzzles to figure out, and people to help- I'm in Heaven!

I also think that as I serve with love in Primary, I get back 100,000 more blessings than I give. Those four year old children just 'make my heart sing' every week. I truly am a blessed woman.

Reading your blogs

I woke up this morning very worried that I am not accomplishing what I promise I would accomplish and how I am going to break news to some certain people.

I can't believe how busy I am teaching, doing, advising, lecturing, makeing power point lectures and answering the phone 'help' calls that come in daily! What did I do before Genealogy? How sad I don't really remember.

So I read my scriptures, said my prayers, walked, took a shower and went to the computer. 1st thing I did was make myself a list. I e-mailed my friend in KY about how I didn't finish retyping his genealgy book but hope he lets me keep it and I will have it done by end of summer. Then I answered e-mail. Then I typed 4 pages of the book. Next I started the washing. I updated 2 power point presentations: 1) Overcoming Dead Ends 2) Organizing your Genealogy (don't anyone laugh at that, I know how to do it, I just don't take any time to do it for myslef! )I called my ladies and made appointments for Visiting Teaching. Changed the Wash. Made lunch for dad and myslef. Cleaned off my desk of a financial problem I had- I gave it to dad. Answered 1 phone call. Prepared a new lesson for next Sunday that I will give to Brea 1st ward and packed my stuff for the lecture tomorrow. Then I called in some Rx refills and will pick them up later when I go give blood at ''bleed & feed'' which is at the Church Blood Drive. I will then fold the clothes and mail a birthday card.

Now that I've listed all the things I do in one day, I'm feeling a bit better now, then I go to the blogs and start right down the line looking to see if anyone had put new info on them. Then I read them, comment on them, enjoy them and now I am relaxed. I don't know what it is about connecting with all of you that soothes my soul, but it does. I hope you get some of the same feeling from reading my blog as I get from yours. You are all very important in my life and I love you all- and your families!

My Husband

Today was a very busy and stressful day for me. In fact the week has been that way. In fact the month has been that way.

Tonight I noticed my husband, Larry. Not that I don't notice him every day, but today it was very apparent to me how much he supports me and helps me.

I ran out of the house this morning to go to Mission Veijo to give a lecture. I had spent days turning my 'old' overhead transparencies into power point. Larry did the wash for us, 4 or 5 loads and he hung up all the items that needed hanging. All he asked me to do was to separate it for him before I left.

Then I came home exhausted and took a nap. Larry went out to check out the hotel for Mark and Lisa to stay in when they come for Easter and the Blessing. He also went to the store for some specials he saw in the newspaper.

I got up and went into the computer to learn a new program to help my client who is coming here tomorrow to record her parents. Larry reminded me to download the program Mark had told me to download, "Audacity". While I stewed and read and tried and failed to make the program work, in other words while I learned how to use the program, Larry cooked a delicious dinner. Larry also did the shopping and has done the meal planning.

While I ran out of the house after dinner to go to a Stake Primary Training meeting, Larry cleaned up the dishes and juiced Lemonade for me so I could offer it to my clients tomorrow.

During the day, he stopped me several times to just give me a hug with words of encouragement.

This is indicative of Larry's love for me and I feel like the luckiest woman alive to have him for my eternal companion.

I seem to have days like this a lot lately. God Bless Larry for all his meal planning and shopping and cooking and washing and cleaning and vacuuming. I couldn't do today what I do without him. In fact I might just starve to death, because meal planning, shopping & cooking are way down on my list of likes and necessities.

He also took time to blog and work on his own business and the house budget.

All in all, I am one blessed woman. I love you Larry.

The Winning Limerick

Today, Larry had family home evening with the Singles Ward. It was a contest on who could wright the best limerick. Well here is the winning limerick! I'm so proud, and Ashlynn will be too!

"Ode to Papa Robe's Stache"
We like Brother Rober's upper lip,
The ladies find his 'stache very hip;
A fine shade of gray,
We want it to stay,
Oh, never give that moustache a snip!

written by O'Doyle Rules

Happy St. Patricks day

Yes, truly we are very much Irish. At least in our tempers, right? Just kidding. On my side, I have Emma Lee Swan from County Cavan in Ireland, and James John O'Brien from County Cork in Ireland and then on Larry's side we have Annie McKean and John Glass both from County Tyrone.

So, wear the green of Ireland and have a great St. Patricks day, just don't celebrate the way the Irish do!

This is serious, I'm being stalked!

It seems like it was about 6-7 years ago, when a black man walked into our Sacrament meeting and sat alone. I felt sorry for anyone new in the ward to look so out of place and friendless.

That first Sunday, I plopped myself and my family down next to him and proceeded to be friendly. That day they were giving talks on the Articles of Faith. So, like a good member-missionary, I took out my Articles of Faith card from my scripture case and gave it to him.

It seems now that he has taken the "light of Christ" I try to exhibit and turned it into something ugly!

Everywhere I go, the Family History Center, Church, Store, I see him there and staring at me. He makes excuses to talk to me, send me notes and love letters and I thought I put a stop to it a few years ago by talking to the Stake President, Bishop and my husband. They all had talks with him and it seemed to get better for a while, but now he is worse than ever!

He was asked to change shifts at the ORFHC so we wouldn't run into each other. He refused saying "I won't change shifts and that's final. I want to give Caroline another chance!" The person who called him was flabbergasted!

Now Beth McCarty is going to tell him not to come back to the ORFHC- ever. We don't need him to volunteer if all he wants to do is bother me! I have told him off, insulted him, talked to him, ignored him and walked away from him when he was trying to talk to me.

Last Sunday, I went to Church late because I was just tired (we meet at 9:00 am), I just missed Sacrament, and went directly to the Primary room, and received my class while they were coming in. He had the audacity to peek through the glass partition in the door of my classroom to see if I was there! That is the last straw! I want that man to stay as far away from me as possible. In fact I hope he gets into some accident and can never walk again! This is a living hell for me and I won't go to Church or the ORFHC anymore if that man shows up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got 'clocked'

No kidding I really did! I was getting ready for the day, I had just come back from walking, and I was about to brush my teeth.

The door to my shelves was open and I slammed it shut, no harder than usual and the clock on the wall came crashing down and bounced and slammed onto my nose. You would be so proud, all I said was "Oh, No! But it smarted a bit, mostly it just surprised me.

A Little food for thought

A Story:
Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away.
I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom ina house dress; lawn mower in his hand, and dish-towel in hers. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio,screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep. It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that were-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meantaffluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in thewarmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets allused up and goes away...never to return.
So... While we have it... Its best we love it... And care for it....And fix it when it's broken..... And heal it when it's sick.
This is true... For marriage..... And old cars.... And children withbad report cards..... Dogs and cats with bad hips.... And aging parents....And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.... And so, we keep them close! I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've shared it with the people I think of in the same way, my blog friends. Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

An Inspiring Message for our time

Ensign March 2009:
"Franklin said, 'The foundation of all happiness is thinking rightly.' This may be more important in the future as the world continues to spiral downward and crumble into moral decay."
I just read the article on Self-reliance: Spiritual and Physical in the Ensign today. It so made so much sense to me, that I want to challenge every adult who reads my blog to take some time (I do my best reading at the breakfast table) to read this article and apply what it says into their lives.
I have a testimony of this latter-day work and the goodness the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings into our lives. I hope the Lord will bless all my friends and family as we all strive to do what is right in these last days.

Happy Valentine's Day 2009

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is the love of my life. My very one Valentine.
For the last 34 years, I have been the one to set a nice table, make a nice meal and provide everyone with valentine's galore on their plates. Tonight, my honey did it for me. Yes folks, that' a 5 lb. box of See's Candy sitting on my plate. He is fixing Steak and Lobster, Baked potatoes and chocolate dipped strawberrys. Brian, Lisa and Mark, eat your hearts out!

I love Primary

I love teaching the CTR 5 kids. I have 4 in my class, but last week only 2 were there. They are so hungry to learn and very good kids. They LOVE my stories. I can have them absolutely mezmerized by being melodramatic, which seems to come naturally for me.



This is Avery Hancock, Kim Mitchell's little girl. She is a doll and very good in class. She is making a face here to amuse me.

This is Jack Matheson, and what a doll. He will have the girls crying in a few years. Right now the two girls in my class could care less!

R S V

They say that you got it from your kids. Most of the time people are talking about insanity. No me. I am talking about RSV. My dear daughter is dealing with this in her three kids and it's not a fun thing to do. She worries all the time. I know how miserable I am with this cough, and they say it will last for up to 6 weeks. UGH! So, today I opened up my e-mail and I had a forward from my friend Barb Glaysher. It was from some Pastor on the meaning of life. I thought it was sort of profound, so I am copying just a part of the interview I though was pertinent. So enjoy the quote, it made me remember why we are really here.

One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.

School with Caleb

Today was a special day for me. I was selected to take Caleb to his preschool. They were learning about animals that migrated, hibernated and lived through the winter. It was pretty cool and he made this cool diarama. So, I took him to lunch at In and Out Burger afterword and he had to take his diarama into the restrauent. He just smiled as we walked in and kept saying "see what I made today? It's a di ama!" Everyone was really polite and just about everyone in the place knew about Caleb's spactular diarama. It was pretty fun and I really like this pre-school Lisa found. It's run by LDS and they say a prayer and the pledge of allegience before they start every school day. Thanks Caleb for letting me go with you to school again, it was fun. Tomorrow Lisa will be left alone with her 3 cute boys.

Relationships

I look at everyons blogs almost every day. Mark and Lisa haven't blogged for a few days, but I did see a quote on their blog that just seemed like the most correct analagy of how a woman sees love. Since I am one of those women, I recognized just how true this statement is. It's no our fault, it's just how God made us and He did it to make Men better creatures than they already are. See below. I don't know who Chris Rock is, but he has insight- now I wonder if he uses it!


On love: "Women are like the police. They could have all the evidence in the world but they still want the confession. "
Chris Rock

2 New Babies

Here I am in SLC and I'm excited because today Kelly welcomed baby Savanah Jaye Rogers into the world. She was born at 8:44 am, 20 1/2 inches, 7 lbs 10 inches- exactly what Brian Rober was when he was born.

Then Lisa welcomed Beckham Lewis Henderson at 2:14 (I think), he was also 20 1/2 inches but he was 8 pounds 15 ounces. What a TANK! Horray for Lisa that she birthed him so well!

They were both reported to come out wide awake, eyes open and lookin around! They both had black hair too!

I'm convinced that they were best friends in heaven and covented with each other to come to earth at the same time so they would never be seperated! WOW! Now my sister and I only have to remember one birthday for the 2 newest twigs on our family tree! I'm so happy and excited!

Kelly's shower

Today was Kelly's Baby shower hosted by my sister Pam. It turned out really well, and Pam even cleaned up before she left, but she left us a ton of food! John should have been here. Here are some of the photo's I took. Her friend Emily also did a wonderful job of decorating and making sure we 'mormons' had something to drink besides wine and coffee!

Kelly had a headache most of the day though. It was so fun to see all the pink things she got!

The food table was to die for- leave it to my sister who loves to eat!

This is Brian and his brother Aaron, good Mormon's sitting at the poker table!

Christmas is officially gone & the END is coming

Well, everyone knows how much I DO Christmas, so everyone wants to know how do I ever get it all down and put away?

This year I repacked a few things and a few boxes. I also weeded out a lot of stuff that was old and NOT of sentimental value. Then I took my time repacking and it feels so good to have a spankin clean house! I think that is why I enjoy taking it down, I know I will have the cleanest house in town for at least 2 days unless my darling grandkids come to visit.

Also, I talked to my sister Pam today and she is sure she knows when the end of the world is coming. At least we both agreed that we are living in the last days. She has been watching the History Channel and they have been going over "End of Times". I thought it was interesting that the Mayan Calendar does end on Dec. 11, 2012, at 11:11 o'clock. (didn't say am or pm). Then I guess Nostrodomus also said that is the date the world will end. In fact when I googled Mayan Calendar, I got a lot of stuff I have never got before. I know the prophets have said that no man knows the time, not even the prophet. I'm not so sure about that though. Seems like I heard a talk about that recently. Anyway, anyone of you have an opinion on this?

FIRE!

Don't panic, there really isn't a fire.

I have suspected that for 33+ years of marriage, Larry IS Caroline deaf. It's so sad when you think you are going to spend the rest of eternity with someone who doesn't listen to you, or even acknowledge you.

When Larry talks to me, even across the house, I try to acknowledge him by saying something like: OK, really, your kidding, mmmm..., wow, thanks for letting me know, I'm sorry about that, what are you going to do?... the list is endless. Even if I can't think of something to say, I grunt, or go mmmm, or uh, huh.

Not so my husband. I was talking to him about something important to me today when he went off into the other room. It wasn't a real heart to heart conversation, so it was OK for him to wander. But I keep talking and then I ask a very important question and..................................I ask a very important question and.........................................I ask a very important question louder and......................then I yelled FIRE! You should have seen him come running! So, I guess I am destined to find my very imortant outlet for talking to the women I know. Or, my Bishop, but he is just like Larry and doesn't know how to "bounce the conversation back and forth''. Maybe it's just that most men are that way, but I have actually met some who were not. Why couldn't I have fallen in love with one of those?

Holiday Baking

Well, I always wondered how it would feel to bake goodies all day long. Today I did it! In anticipation of a big party here tomorrow with Mark, Lisa, Kamden, Pam, Rick, Kelly, Brian, Matt, the Mitchell family including Kevin and family. I am so excited I baked the following goodies: My Chocolate Chip Cookies, Skor Cookies, Peppermint Bark, Chocolate Fudge with nuts, Chocolate fudge with nuts and heath bar bottom, Rum Cake and Almond Roca, which is the only thing that didn't turn our exactly right! The rest is delicious!

I sure wish all my kids could have come home, but I know it's impossible and I do understand.

I have never been with: No children, No Grandchildren, No shopping left to do, No wrapping to do, and nowhere to go, so I guess it was time to try my hand at some things I have wanted to do for years, but never had the time or energy to do! Martha Stewart, eat your heart out!

I just wanted to whet your appetite and brag, it is delicious, even if I say so myself!

I got this in an e-mail today and thought it was so pertinent to what has happened to us Grandmas since my grandmother's time. Enjoy this and I can just imagine what your poem will be like when you are all grandparents!

Grandma Today
In the dim and distant past,
When life's tempo wasn't so fast,
Grandma used to rock and knit,
Crochet, tat and baby sit.

When the kids were in a jam,
They could always call on Gram.
But today she's in the gym
Exercising to keep slim.

She's checking the web or surfing the net,
Sending some e-mail or placing a bet.
Nothing seems to stop or block her,
Now that Grandma's off her rocker.

Holiday Time is my favorite Time of Year

Now that we are grand childless, we feel it our duty to celebrate each day of the week with another party at our house! Monday night we will be having the P4 Singles Ward over for a Christmas Karaoke Celebration, complete with homemade Chili, cornbread, hot chocolate and lots of goodies that I baked.

That's right, I have WANTED to bake and cook this year. So far, my culinary talents have featured Homemade Rum Cake (mmm...delicious), Caroline's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, Fudge, Skor Bit Cookies, Sugar Cookies, Cakes, and let's see what I can get into tomorrow! I have some candy cane chips that I don't know what to do with. Does anyone have a good receipe for 'Bark'?

And you wouldn't believe how hard it is to get through our neighborhood now! We have always been known for our lights, and this year we even got a letter from the Brea City Council telling us how much they appriciate our Christmas Decorations. So much so, that they are scheduling the Brea Trolly to make 3 nightly tours through our neighborhood! Don't you think someone would give us a break on taxes then?

Well, have a great season and please feel free to come on over for some good food, good conversation and good fun!

Especially for LIsa and John

I got a call today from Lisa in tears, she requested some photo's of her kiddos. I understand how that feels. When Mark was a baby, I got put on bed rest and the Relief Society came and took my kids for 3 weeks. By the time I had all the rest I needed, I was stir crazy missing my kids! So, here is a video, and a couple of pictures. Since my blogs don't act the way I want them too, I will explain first. Video taken at Brian and Kate's home on Thanksgiving, even Kam is doing it! Second photo is of Ty and Davis on the jungle jim at the park while at Thanksgiving. The last photo is of Grandpa today, after dinner, bath time, then it's time for a little Super Y television to unwind with. We love these sweet boys and think they are just as sweet as they can be. Caleb got a letter from Santa today too, and he has been jazzed ever since. Way to go Santa.