My Cute Babies---I love them so much....

My favorite things about them; Hudson--the slobber on his chin, the two front teeth he always shows when he smiles, the way he thinks he is in charge, his beautiful brown eyes and great hair. Roman--his chubby cheeks and tummy and chin and legs and..., the way he is starting to coo and yell out when he is excited, the way he always gets mixed up and thinks whatever touches his face could possibly be a food source.

Infinite-Power-of-Hope

I'm feeling so much gratitude today for the Gospel and the Hope it gives me in my life. I know there is power in having Hope and I know the Lord loves each one of us and if we go to him in prayer and hope, he listens and answers our prayers.
Take the time, if you can, to listen to this beautiful message below;
Infinite-Power-of-Hope

It doesn't appear that family members or others are getting on Brooke's blog. She went "Private" and apparently when you are private, your status does not update on others blogs. So make sure and look her up when you are blogging.

I want to go private, but am wondering if my blog will be looked at since my status won't update--Hey Blogger people, can't you fix that?????

Sweet Little Roman Michael Housley

First family photo--Kaila worked so hard and long during her labor. Kaila and Michael are so happy Roman has arrived...Alot of others are too.

Reflections

With the sudden, unexpected death of Ned's younger brother, I have had so many reflections this past few days. Life can change and be taken in the blink of an eye. Jeff will be missed--he was so funny and had a big heart. He also had a lot of pain and had a hard life with his mental illness.

I have thought so much about all the relationships in my life and felt so grateful for them.

I don't know how I would cope if Ned or my children were taken from me--but I guess when it happens you just have to deal. I'm so grateful that I know that our relationships and life continue beyond the veil.

Today, in planning a funeral, I've seen how important it is that we prepare ourselves for this thing called death--spiritually, AND financially. If someone dies without any savings or life insurance--it leaves a big burden on the rest of the family. We know we are going to die and we know, if we don't pay and prepare, those we leave behind, are going to have to cover for us. Ned and I decided that next week, we are going to go buy plots and pay for a funeral plan. We just don't think it is going to happen to us--but it will.

Love you all.

I love, love, love books

I really like stories, especially true ones, of strong, righteous women--this looks like a good read and I'm hoping to secure this book.

Ellie is my favorite chef. She has easy, delicious, healthy, whole foods in her cookbooks. I already have "Food You Crave" and am wanting this one too!

I've been looking for a good book on women and weight lifting, especially for post menopausal women...this is a possibility...need to do some more checking though.

Zac's Visit and Halloween

At lunch with Zac the first day he come to the land of cold and snow. He kept his facial hair to help him do better whilst deer hunting. It was shaved later but the long locks stayed.
Pumpkin Carving ensues--a little competition going on with Mike's BYU and Andy's U.



Hudson looks so cute in his little skeleton Halloween outfit



I think Zac won the pumpkin carving contest with the Palm tree, surfer, sun scene. Although we didn't get a pic of Brooke, she was with us.

Me Too!

I think I'm not blogging much because I have felt weird putting personal things on my blog... Brooke gave me the push I needed to make by blog private. So, if you want to see my blog, please give me your email address. I can get all the family emails off of Brooke's "private request" list. So no need to put them on mine, if you have given it to Brooke.
Is there anyone who looks at my blog that is not family???
Thanks!

Hudon on his blessing day....can he get any cuter?

Summer Update...

Just a little update on the summer goings on. I started out the summer with incredible fatigue and vertigo. I let it go for about a month--hoping they would both go away, but they didn't. I went to the doctor to get some help. I had gone off my HRT's for about 2 months previous to the doc visit just to see how I would feel and I also wanted to try "bio-identical hormones". The doctor talked me out of the bio hormones because they have not been FDA approved and so I started back on my regular HRT's. She also ordered multiple tests. Some tests are because of my age; Colonoscopy (Fun-Ya gotta get your first one at age 50 or earlier if you are at high ristk), Dexascan, Mammogram. And other tests because of the way I was feeling; Blood Work, UA and an MRI. Every test came out great--no problems except my blood work came out with low Vitiman D. She put me on extra Vitiman D. I still had alot of Vertigo so I went to the ENT and was diagnosed with Benign paroxysmal position vertigo-if I understand this correctly it's when the crystals in your ears come loose and get into the semicircular canals and that makes you dizzy. I just had to do some weird "chiropractic like" moves in his office and I need one more session and it should be taken care of. I'm still somewhat fatigued and am hoping that being back on my hormones and on multiple supplements and vitimans that I get my energy back. I'm really, really trying to eat more healthy and more natural foods too--knowing that will make me feel better.

I'm having so much fun playing with and holding Huson and spending time with my girls. I actually made myself wash all my windows and blinds yesterday (I will admit that I've lived here for 2 1/2 years and just did it the windows for the first time--they were dirty!) I have a great window washing recipe for the outside of your windows--no wiping and they come out beautifully--let me know if you want it.

My new project, that was supposed to be started at the first of the summer--but was not because of the way I was feeling, is learning Spanish. I ordered Rosetta Stone to help me out. Wish me luck--this will be a challange--and the brain doesn't work like it use to! I have decided for job security, I have to learn this language. If I stay with the school district--they may just keep me if I can speak Spanish and if I have to look for a new job next year becuase of more posssible budget cuts, I need an edge if I have to interview with 30 other social workers.

Things I'm looking forward to;
Seeing Zac--some time in the future
Watching Kaila's tummy grow
Going back to work (well, that is a big lie)
More Summer time fun
Harry Potter this Saturday
Reading all your blogs and FB comments
Feeling energetic
Speakingo Spanisho

My Two Cents...

Ned and I taped and then watched the Michael Jackson memorial today. Between watching that and watching all the specials this past week I have to say that Michael Jackson was an incredible musician and performer! He has had so very many great songs such as, Gone Too Soon, I'll Be There, Human Nature, Say, Say, Say, Man In The Mirror, Black or White, Heal The World, etc... Many of his songs have important messages--many about uniting. He was a humanitarian, he supported many charities, a civil rights activist and tried to break down barriers in racism. I don't know about his personal struggles--he had many. I don't think we have any proof of the allegations made against him regarding children--God will judge that one. I think I'm going to download some fantastic Michael Jackson music on my Ipod and ENJOY.

"DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF EQUATING EASE OR POSSESSIONS WITH HAPPINESS."
Quote from David McCullough, author of John Adams, etc.

David McCullough spoke at BYU graduation a few weeks ago. He made this statement, which has stuck with me ever since. Sometimes this is hard to believe, but I know, as I look around me, it's true. I thought I'd share it with you!

Hudson comes into the world.

This pic of Kaila and Hudson is supposed to be posted down lower in the sequence--but I can't figure out how to move it--so here it it--the first posting of many I'm sure of my new grandson!!!!!



This is near the beginning of a long day of labor for Brooke. Brooke looks like she is about to pop here! Brooke was a trooper and did a fantastic job! I was very impressed. Andy was soooo attentive and patient and sweet. I can tell they are going to be wonderful parents and they help and support each other so well.



Brooke in "labor". Yes, she really is--doesn't she look beautiful?



Brooke in Labor--an epidural made labor much easier.




Us in the waiting room when Brooke and Andy went in for the C-section...waiting, waiting, waiting...

After a long wait and some trauma, he finally arrives! This child has been a long time coming and we are all so excited.























Brooke, Andy and Hudson

Just Stuff and Crap from the past couple of months...

I KNOW THIS IS A BAD PIC--BUT I HAD A VERY FUN TIME BEING WITH BROOKE AND KAILA AT BROOKE'S BIRTHING CLASS. ANDY WAS OUT OF TOWN, BUT HE ATTENDED THE OTHER TWO CLASSES.



BROOKE'S SHOWER AT G'MA B'S.
























WICKED!!!! WE MISSED YOU ZAC!


ANDY'S AFTER GRAD PARTY AT COLDSTONE.


CONGRATS TO ANDY--U OF U GRAD!

CONGRATS TO MIKE AND KAILA--BYU GRADS!

First I was dying to finish high school and start college.
And then I was dying to finish college and start working.
And then I was dying to marry and have children.
And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could return to work.
And then I was dying to retire.
And now, I am dying ... and suddenly I realize I forgot to live.

Weekend Projects

Well, I have been off for Spring Break part of this week. I have done some great deep cleaning, changed furniture around, moved bedrooms and sewed this apron! I bought the pattern and material last Summer--so it's about time I got it done. I've been wanting to work in the yard, but it's been too wet and cold. I think tomorrow, Saturday, is finally going to be nice. We are getting some nice, black compost to cover the beds and plant a garden. I hope I'm not to late to plant some vegetables! I did do some enjoyable things today--exercised, had a nap, browsed Barnes and Noble for 2 hours, went to Joe Bandido for dinner. I'm having company next week for Kaila and Michael's graduation--nothing like company to make you clean and get organized.
Happy Spring!