Happy Birthday to... ME!!!

Sunday is my birthday. I must be the luckiest 56 year old girl in the whole wide world. I still love having birthdays, even if I don't much like the numbers. I have so many fond memories of my birthday. I think I was about 8 when Mom bought me my first Barbie. I was so excited. Mom has mentioned her disappointment that she didnt get me a real Barbie (funny... there is no such thing as a real Barbie). But as for me... I was thrilled. So thanks Mom. I remember my 15th birthday. I dieted the summer before and started 8th grade slim and trim. Mom bought me a beautiful sweater that year. I really did feel beautiful. Thanks again! When our kids were little they always made a big deal out of my birthday... and they still do. Thanks kids. Fred has tried various interesting ways to surprise me. Like the year he left to go "pick up dinner" so I wouldn't have to cook. Then he came home with a vibrating back massager (for me???) and a pizza from Sam's Club. Thanks Fred... I think. Sorry I couldn't resist mentioning that one, but it was the exception to the rule. He has always found ways to make me feel loved and appreciated on my birthday. And always tells me he thinks I am beautiful then laughs when I roll my eyes. When I turned 40 Mom and Fred planned the perfect celebration. No crowd ready to jump out and yell surprise. No embarrassment. Just my family, gifts, funny stories and lots of love. My friend Lynda never forgets my birthday. Not even the year she was away on a Disney Cruise. This morning beautiful flowers arrived and no surprise the card said "Happy Birthday Susan, from Jim and Lynda". Mom always calls to sing a few lines of Happy Birthday, no matter where I am. My Grandmother also used to call me every birthday and send me a card with 2 brand new 1 dollar bills. Its been 23 years since she passed away, but I think of her and it makes me smile even though I miss her. This year is bitter sweet for me. Its the first year that I will miss hearing Dad call me Sue Lynn and wishing me a happy birthday. I think about him every day and miss him so very much. Even though my heart hurts, I am so very grateful for him and look forward to the day I will again hear his voice. Loving parents, my sweet Grandmother, a devoted husband, wonderful children and grandchildren- truly the best family ever- plus good friends. I really am the luckiest 56 year old girl in the whole wide world.

Gratitude for new friends

Meet Elder and Sister Grover.

Our dear new friends. They run the mission office. I think they actually run the mission, but don't tell President Pfile.

The Grovers have served for over two and a half years. Guess what? Just when they were about to be released, they immediately put their papers in to serve another two years. They are amazing. They live about 75 miles away. Each weekday morning, they drive their car to a Park 'n Ride and catch a bus to Colorado Springs. More than an hour later, they get off the bus, hop into their other car and drive straight to the mission office. They reverse the process at the end of the day. Day after day, week after week, and now year after year. They just don't understand why EVERYONE doesn't want to do the same. They are so much fun. Everybody loves them, especially us. We just wish we could keep up with them.

Grateful for traditions

Don't you just love the Holidays? I especially love traditions. Most families have their own versions Here are just a few of our traditions.

Years ago I began decorating my kitchen cork board with family pictures embellished with seasonal decorations. Not very long after we were settled here in Colorado, I realized I really NEEDED a cork board in this kitchen. Here is my Thanksgiving display. Sorry for the glare- but I couldn't eliminate it no matter how hard I tried.

For the third year in a row, we are holding our Christmas Jar contest. All through the year we throw our loose change into a large jar. Near Thanksgiving we post a picture of the jar on our family website and invite everyone to guess the total. The person with the closest guess receives the amount in the jar. It has been over $150 each year. Its so much fun to see what the little kids guess. One year our grandson Kaden guessed "3 minutes"- he almost won!

Every Christmas, Fred's mother would make hundreds of popcorn balls. She was careful to make sure each family had plenty of their favorite kind. Personally, my favorite is raspberry. My sister-in-law, Candi, started a tradition in her honor. Sometime in November, family members who are available gather and make her famous popcorn balls. Her birthday is November 13th and I know she is smiling down to see her posterity remember her in this manner.

I guess that will do for now.... but be warned... I am just getting started.

Grateful for joyous memories

Yesterday we drove out to Fort Carson to check on a young family. The address sounded familiar- with good reason. It soon became clear that we were visiting the very home we had lived in over 35 years ago. It was an amazing experience to walk through those doors and have memories come flooding in. The kitchen where I cooked meals for our little family of four. The yard and playground where 4 year old Leslie and 2 year old Randy played. We were young then. We were broke most of the time. Yet this home is Holy ground for us. It was here that Fred was taught and excepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Most of last week was spent attending Zone conferences. One in particular brought tender memories. As we sat in the Relief Society room at the Broadmore Building, I was overwhelmed as I recalled that it was in that very room I came back to the church after years of inactivity. I had met Elaine Rice at a Squadron party. She invited me to attend RS with her. At that time it was held during the week. She came and picked me up. I was a little nervous walking into the building, but the minute I heard the hymns of the Gospel I knew I was home. I am so grateful for her simple invitation.

Grateful for our Leaders

Meet President and Sister Pfile. They may well be the busiest people I have ever met. When I drop to the couch at an end of a busy day, I often think about them. For there really is NO end to their day. You could say they have about 150 children to watch over. Adult children, but children still. They counsel, advise, lift, inspire, motivate, serve, pray for, cry with and ever love their missionaries. Despite all these demands they radiate joy in all they do. They are truly filled with the Spirit and an abiding sense of gratitude. So as we prepare for Thanksgiving, we want to express our gratitude for the opportunity to serve with these wonderful leaders. We feel their love and our Savior's love as we labor daily in this great and marvelous work.

Ahhhh... Zone Conference

We are in the middle of Zone Conferences. If you have no idea what that means, picture a family reunion of totally unrelated people who love each other and are thrilled to spend a few hours together. Then imagine that it is a group of about 30 people where the vast majority are between 19 and 22 years old. Think energy, enthusiasm, motion and Spirit. Remember to picture just a few older missionaries less entergetic - but who still have the enthusiasm and Spirit. What do we do? We learn of Christ. We share stories of success in spreading His word. We are taught how to show His love to others by the way we treat them. We laugh together. When touching stories are told, a few tears may fall. There may be a few practical jokes. Or even some gentle scolding from our Mission President. In short, it is a wonderful inspirational experience. We are motivated to try harder. We are filled with love for the Lord, for each other and for all those we serve. We LOVE Zone Conference week. Elder Faihurst and I inspect the mission vehicles and train the young missionaries about vehicle safety. So we get to go to several zone conferences every six weeks. I hope the spirit of these occasions comes through in these pictures.

Foxy visitor

We looked out our window today to see a

red fox crossing our street.

A real live red fox. He seemed pretty brave to be wondering around among the cars and the humans. When I stepped out on our front porch to snap a picture, he turned and looked at me. I am not sure if it was me or my fuzzy pink robe, but something scared him off. I wish I could have gotten a closer picture. I hate to think about it, but I am pretty sure that the fat squirrels in this neighborhood keep Mr Foxy around.

Calling All Grandkids

The play room is ready. Thanks to Walmart, Target, Craig's list and the Flea Market! We have cars and trucks, ponies and dolls, dinosaurs and plastic heroes, legos and books, doll houses and stuffed animals. Pretty much something for everyone. We just need some grandkids!!!