No time....but the present

There is no time like the present, to write because if I don't take the time right this very minute it may be another 4 months.

Life changes each day, I sometimes don't know if I am going or coming. Since September there has been visits from Melissa, Madeline, and Natalie. Halloween, Thanksgiving and the day after shopping, Christmas and the fun of all that, New Years Eve.

There has been life changes, as Samantha and the girls have moved back in with us. Scott and Cassi have moved and bought a new house in Herriman.

Natalie has decided to move back in March from Hawaii, and Melissa's baby is soon to be here, so I will be on my way to Hawaii Feb 25 until the 24th of March. (Tough job, but Mom has to do it! hehe!)

Grandpa has been back in the hospital, with some major problems, but you know, all will be as it will be. Life goes go and so we will just live each day as best we can knowing that each of us are watched out for by our Heavenly Father. Oh, that plan of Life.

The "Girls" as we have been called had decided to head to San Fransisco this year for our trip and spend a week, and then last week we changed our minds (as women have the right to do.) and so we have booked a crusie. So, Baja Mexico watch out.... it should be a lot of fun. We will spend the last two days of our week back in California and go to Disneyland or just wander the streets, who knows what we will do, and that is how we like it. The unexpected. They are so determined to show me the world. Who knows what we will be doing next year.
I have enjoyed so much these past three years of traveling with them and the fun and friendships that have come of it.

Well, this is just a start of what has been going on since September... but the time is late and the mind is tired.

WHAT A GREAT JOURNAL ....

I never realized how important these blogs are.... Each of these post are something that has happened in my life over the past couple of years. It was rather fun to go back through them and remember the good times and the not so good times... Thanks everyone for helping me remember what blessings I have and have had in my life.

I guess I need to finish catching it up...

TABBY IN THE FALL

I don't know why this is underlining again... oh well..
Just returned from Tabby and it was great... I had Qyncee and Gracee and Hunter with me, and also Grandpa and Grandma.

It is that time of year to start closing up the place for winter...It was been a good year out there, I know Grandma and Grandpa have really enjoyed it since Grandpa has had his halo off. It all ends to soon.

This week has been alot of fun with the kids there... we had our fires, and games, and talk time. I think I will have a grandma and grandkid day next year.... any takers?

Some of these pictures may be boring, but I think Melissa and Natalie will enjoy each one, because in Hawaii you just don't get the season change and I think they miss that. Love you all!

HAWAII

I don't have pictures yet...but when I get home I will! I still have a week here in Hawaii and it is going to be bitter sweet to leave it. I have had so much fun with Melissa and Jimmy and Madeline and Natalie. We have seen so many wonderful things and enjoyed the beach and the sites here in Oahu.
It has been rainy and cloudy I would say most of the time I have been here. But, I have enjoyed the time I have had to spend with the family. I miss this part of the family a lot. I have enjoyed just relaxing and doing what I want and when I want. I guess I do that at home also, but at home, life goes on. Here it is as if it stands still. You know you need that down time once in awhile.

So, just thought I would post something. There is a lot of catching up to do on this blog since the last entry. (miss you Pat!).

Thanks for the memories.....

A special thanks to one of the greatest and dearest friends I have ever had. She loved so much of life and we had so many laughs and good times together. Thank you Pat for being my friend and one that would listen to not only my words but also my heart. I love you and miss you.

Patricia Ann Mellor Garrard

1961 ~ 2009

Our loving wife, mom, and grandma returned home to our Heavenly Father Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by her family, after a 7 year courageous fight against cancer.
Pat was born January 26, 1961 in Spanish Fork, UT to LaVelle and Virginia Adams Mellor. She graduated from Orem High School in 1979. She married her eternal companion, L. James Garrard, in the Manti Temple on March 15, 1980.
Pat was a member of the LDS Big Canyon Ward. She held many callings in the Primary, Young Women’s and Relief Society Presidency, but her most favorite calling was in the nursery. She will always be their “Grandma Pat.”
Mom loved being surrounded by her family and friends. She held a special place in her heart for all of her nieces and nephews. She loved walking around Brighton in the fall, snowmobiling in the winter, planting her flowers in the spring and camping at Potter’s Pond in the summer. She loved to cook for her family, quilt with her friends and will always be famous for her homemade salsa.
Mom was the most selfless person we have ever known. We always knew we could count on her for help with anything from babysitting grandkids, cooking meals for neighbors or finding lost items.
We love you, Mom. Your courage and your strength have been such an inspiration to us all. We take such comfort in knowing that Families are Forever and that you are having a beautiful reunion in Heaven.
Pat is survived by her husband; children: Josh (Leeann), Cameron (Brittenay), Brittney, Cody; Grandchildren: Bailey, Ryleigh, Avery, Luke, Presley, Kaylana, Malia, Landon, Carson; brothers: Dennis (Barbara), Steve (Cindy) and sister: June (Merrill) Thomas, Mother and Father in-law: Leslie and Janet Garrard and many brother and sister in-laws.
Preceded in death by her parents and Son: Jared.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the town of Lake Point for all their service, Dr. Xylina Greg, Dr. Anna Beck and hospice services.
A Viewing will be held Friday the 22nd from 6 pm to 8 pm at the LDS chapel - 57 West Porter Way Stansbury Park and a short viewing Saturday 11 am at the Lake Point Chapel, prior to the funeral. Funeral services will be held Saturday the 23rd 12 pm, at the Lake Point Chapel. Interment will be the Lake Point Cemetery.

Events of the weeks....

These are my dear old dad and what he has to be in for the next 3-6 months, he is a trooper! It is tough at times but he sure is doing good at handling the fact that we have to help him more than he is use to.




As soon as Natalie's computer arrives in Hawaii, she will fix my blog page...

It has been an eventful couple of weeks.... Natalie has moved to Hawaii, Dad fell and broke his neck in 4 places and now wears a Halo neck brace, lost my friend Craig, the tracker's starter went out, Chloe was in the hospital with dehydration, my Niece's appentices burst and whatever else could happen did. But we are all still happy and have each other so that is all that matters.

So keep smiling things could be worst!

fun for you and fun for me...

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

fun for you and fun for me...

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be.

The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

NEED SOME NEWS?

Christmas has come and gone. It was an exciting one.

The New Year has begun on the right foot.

Dad and Mom are doing pretty good. Melissa and Jimmy and Madeline are in Hawaii and doing really well. As for the rest of the us, we are making the most and the best of everything.

The weather is warmer, and I am excited to get out and work in the yard. Just a few more months and Dad and Mom will be able to spend their time in Tabby again and that will be good.

School (work) has been good this year again. I have enjoyed working with the people I do and with the kids. They are all pretty awesome!

LET IT SNOW , LET IT SNOW?????

Who was it that thought of the song Let it snow, let it snow. I think we were dumped on. We received 21 inches on the 26th of December. I think I spent 3 hours out there shoveling, and then finally had to quit, not because I wanted to, but because of the pride of my Father. It is so hard for him to watch me shovel the snow, but he can't do it anymore. Like I told him, I would rather do it than to have to bury him because of a heart attack.

Life is strange how the cycle goes. I love my Dad, he has been the greatest example in my life. To be able to give back some of what he has always given me is blessing to me. I just wish he could see it that way, and not think that he has failed at what he is doing.

I Love you Dad!

WANT TO VOTE????

I was going through some pictures again in the new ones I just had developed.... so the question is do I stay the color I am now (as this is what comes with "mature" age) or go darker like I use to be....(I think the dark was a hair dresser mistake actually ...)? All comments will be considered.

FISHING

I was going through some stuff and ran across some film that I hadn't developed yet and so off to the store I went.... and what should come up, these lovely pictures of when Mark and I went fishing in Tabiona.... I just had to share them with you. And one day we will have spring again and I will get to try this all over again.! But just like always, Mark always get the biggest one. Grandpa I am sure enjoyed that one.

Christmas Break....

Where can you go to work and love being around the kids and then have 17 days off for Christmas, and almost 3 months for summer. Only at a school..... only draw back is the pay!

Christmas Prom

Christmas at Hartvigsen....

It was the Christmas Prom at work with week. The kids get so excited. They ask their dates and dress up. The kids love the dances and look forward to them.

Our staff decided that we would dress up also, mainly because we never get to do it. We found our grandmothers jewelry and I ended using the dress I wore at Melissa's wedding, (that was 2 years ago) so now it has been worn twice. We had a lot of fun. We danced with the kids and by the end of the 2 hours we were beat....

I have the best job in the world I believe. Kids with special needs are the most teachable, humble, and great examples for us that think we have so much trial in our lives. I see these kids and the challenges that face them and they don't give up, they just move forward. If their feet or arms don't work, they find another way. If their thinking doesn't come out straight, they excuse themselves and try harder. How many of us could do the same? I watched as they were given gifts from each other, a pencil, or a ball and thought they had been given the best gift in the world.

I hope at this Christmas time, each of us will reflect on the blessings that we have. The joys that are in our lives. I am so thankful for my children and the way they have taught me over the years. Some of those teaching moments haven't been easy, some I would of rather not had but I really am thankful that after all was said and done that we still had each other and loved each other. I am thankful for the Christ child whom we celebrate at this time. Christmas, joy, peace, love. Let's celebrate it thought out the year.

I love you Brian, Scott, Cassi, Melissa, Jimmy, Mark, Heather, Natalie, Samantha, John and all the little ones that come along with this bunch.

Oh, How I have changed....

This is Terri (me), Robin Anderson, Nichole Button..
Hartvigsen SINKernized Swim team

You know not too long ago, no one would of ever seen me out of my comfort zone. But, I have learned what fun is that. So I am sharing with you a laugh, (I have learned to laugh at myself and it is great.) This is from the Hartvigsen Halloween Contest. Each class is suppose to come up with a theme ( this is the staff that does this, the kids come all dressed up also and it is alot of fun.) and then we are suppose to have a skit to do with it. Well, Barbara the teacher in our class loves to make us dance ( she use to teach tap, ballet, etc). So we choose that we would be the "SINK"ernized swim team from the school.. ( and that in itself is another story). The sink part is because even in the ocean in Capri I still sink... and not knowing how to swim, we decided to put the sink in it. Anyway, Barbara had us dancing around and on the floor flapping our legs and whatever you can think of. We were laughing so hard, I am not sure what we did. But it was alot of fun. And because we danced so very well (haha) we won 1st place.

So, don't wait 50 years to learn to laugh... and if you are 50 and haven't learned how yet... just do it.

Family Pictures at Last...

After 12 years we finally have family pictures.... (I don't know why this is underlining or in blue, but....) I thought it was hard 12 years ago with just 6 kids and Me. But that was nothing compared with 12 grand kids and my 6 kids and spouses.... trying to get everyone to look at the camera and smile at the same time. And also the photographer was Natalie and we needed her in the pictures also. So here we are...

Thanks Natalie!

Love you forever....

A Mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held him, she sang:

I'll love you for ever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The baby grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was two years old, and he ran all around the house. He pulled all the books off the shelves. He pulled all the food out of the refrigerator and he took his mother's watch and flushed it down the toilet. Sometimes his mother would say "This kid is driving me CRAZY!"
But at night time, when that two year old was quiet, she opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor, looked up over the side of his bed; and if he was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you for ever,
I'll like you for always
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The little boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was nine years old. And he never wanted to come in for dinner, he never wanted to take a bath, and when grandma visited he always said bad words. Sometime his mother wanted to sell him to the zoo! But at night time, when he was asleep, the mother quietly opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep, she picked up that nine year old boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang;

I'll love you forever,
I"ll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a teenager. He had stange friends and he wore strange clothes and he listened to strange music. Sometimes the mother felt like she was in a zoo! But at night itme, when that teenager was asleep, the mother opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep she picked up that great big boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

That teenager grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a grown-up man. He left home and got a house across town.But sometimes on dark nights the mother got into her car and drove across town. If all the lights in her son's house were out, she opened his bedroom window, crawled across the floor, and looked up over the side of his bed. If that great big man was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Well, that mother, she got older. She got older and older and older. One day she called up her son and said, "you'd better come see me because I'm ver old and sick." So her son came to see her. When he came in the door she tried to sing the song. She sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always....

But she couldn't finish because she was too old and sick.The son went to his mother. He picked her up and rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And he sang this song:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living

my Mommy you'll be.

When the son came home that night, he stood for a long time at the top of the stairs. Then he went into the room where his very new baby daughter was sleeping. He picked her up in his arms and very slowly rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while he rocked her he sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm kliving
my baby you'll be.

Thank you my children.... as life gets so busy and crazy at times. As work schedule, life in general and the many things you have to do, take the time to rock those babies and let them know how much you love them. They grow up too quickly. I love you, Brian, Scott, Melissa, Mark, Natalie, Samantha and all those that are so much apart of my life.

Dreams......

Every mother's fear is when their child get hurt. It doesn't matter what age they are at, they are always your child, and those fears don't go away as they get older.

But, fear is something that keeps you from living and experiencing life also.

My sweet Scott, the boy with "no fear" when it comes to experiencing life, lies in a hospital bed at this moment. Desert Peak Motor cross Track is where he experience this moment of his life.

I guess it is not that he does not let fear stop him, it is that he is good at what he does, but like sometime in life, things don't go as you had planned and you end up getting hurt.

Scott was born to ride, he has been since the day he first received his tricycle. As he advanced up to 2 wheel bike with the power in his legs to make them go and then on to the little honda 90 and the yamaha, and then on to the many other dirt bikes he had. The bigger the hills the better. Scott soared over those hills. ( His mom cringed) but nothing stopped Scott.

Scott, has experienced many set backs with the many injuries he has received over the years, but he just gets back on that bike and carry's on.

I love my Scott, and as life experiences comes his way, I know he will learn from each of them. Sometimes the lessons will be easy and sometimes the lessons will be hard to take, but I know that what ever Scott is to learn that he will take those lessons and apply them and even if they are hard choices, I know Scott will make the best of it. I love you Scott.

Wee Witches....

We little witches were everywhere! Samantha, Abbey, Chole, Baylee, Deegan and I headed out to Garner Village to enjoy the sights and sounds that come out this time of year. The witches were fun and quit funny. There were people young and old dressed up like witches and the music and activities everywhere. Abbey and Baylee loved the witches, Abbey loved it so much that she was dancing with the rest of them. Abbey loves to dance! We had to put 3 in a chair because the other stroller was left home. But it was the "closeness" that made it fun.





Baylee and Abbey were excited to get out by the witches, Deegan on the other hand wasn't to happy to see those green faced ladies at any distance.



And the great pumkin patch was a good place for pictures... except for the sun in Baylee's tender eyes!!





We ended our visit with the witches and headed to McDonalds to feed our little "monster" and play.

A Good day is a day shared with family, especially the little one.

Red or Blonde? Oh what do I do?

Okay now what do I do.... All I wanted to do is get rid of some of the gray/white.... I guess vanity has its consequences and mine was going back to the red head I hated to be..

Let me tell you I was not to thrilled at what the box had done to me. I had thought if I buy a color that matches my hair that it would take care of it.... but no, within 15 minutes I was in trouble!!!! Real trouble. Here I tried to save a buck and it is going to cost me... Anyway, I had to wear the red for a day. Then thank you "Sally's" for color remover. The only problem with that is.....color remover does just that...any color that you have ever added to your hair is now gone. So now I am totally blond! Don't like that either, so thanks to April, she will rescue me before family pictures this week.

So lesson learned...to just pay the cost of someone doing it, or just believe that growing old isn't that bad and just let it go.

It is okay to be vain sometimes isn't it?

Thanks to a Cousin....

Thanks to Carol my cousin I was back in the canning business. She told me she was getting tomatoes and I said I could use another bushel, and as things goes in our family we do things big, she brought me 2 bushel of tomatoes, some peppers and hot peppers. The next day she came back with another bushel of tomatoes, some pears, apples and alot of other stuff. So thanks Carol!

I bottled another 63 pints of salsa, this time it is a bit hotter, but it still wasn't hot enough. Next year I will get it right the first time.

Saturday Grandpa Horrocks turned 80 years old and we went over there. Grandpa and Grandma Horrocks had a friend for years, in fact Grandpa grew up with Gloria. Anyway long story made short..... Gloria and Grandpa are now together, Gloria has been good for Grandpa since Grandma died. So they had a big party for Grandpa and I made him applesauce pies. Grandma use to make them for him. It has been so long since I have made a pie I think I miss it and will do it again, in fact Grandma White and I think we will make them for Thanksgiving.

Anyway, it has been a good, but busy week!



Only two more weeks and Missy and Jimmy and Maddy will be here !

REFELCTIONS

REFLECTIONS OF CONFERENCE

Today was a different type of General Conference around here, there were no crock pots, no extra family..(Natalie came down and I loved that), no Grandpa and Grandma ( they are in Tabiona), and Natalie decided that we needed something besides cottage cheese and yogurt for dinner. So I pulled a surprise casserole out of the freezer ( surprise because I wasn't sure if it was chicken enchilada's or what) and I made rolls and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
The surprise casserole ended up being Chicken Lasagna, so that was good.
So Natalie and I watched conference together and enjoyed it. I think this is the first in a long time that I was able to watch conference with out interruptions. I was touched with the spirit of the meeting and I believe that they were talking to me. I know that I need to have more faith and hope in my life and not worry about the tomorrow so much. They are important but I need to put more faith in my Heavenly Father and know that He is there.

Scott and Cassi came over between conference on Sunday and it was good to see them. Baylee and Deegan are so much fun. They go a hundred miles an hour. The weather was nice and we went outside for a bit and blew bubbles, they had fun.




REFLECTIONS OF CHRIST DISPLAY

After the second session on Sunday Natalie, Wendy, Kristal and I went to the Joseph Smith Memorial building and walked through the display of Reflections of Christ. The photographer Mark Mabry was there and we talked with him a bit. He is an amazing photographer, the pictures he created had such a spirit about them. How would you feel if you had the opportunity to play the role of Christ or the other people that were displayed. I know the feeling that it gave me to just see the art work. I know that I need to put more of Christ in my life and not get so caught up in the the world, and the things that are on my mind all the time. I need to know that the trouble I have within my family will be taken care of in His due time.

So if you have time and want an amazing experience, so to his website... reflectionsofchrist.org and check it out. Wash the video, and read about the people that are creating this work. I think it could change more people hearts if they really remembered about the things the Savior did for us.


REFLECTION OF MY FAMILY......

EACH ARE YOU ARE WONDERFUL AND

I LOVE YOU ALL!

FALL

Fall is in the air.
These are a few of the pictures from Wolf Creek Pass.
It was beautiful. When I went up on Thursday it was mostly yellows. But coming back on Sunday the orange and reds were there. I don't remember ever seeing it so pretty. Natalie and I will make a trip back up there this weekend and get some good pictures for you to enjoy.

GRANDPA'S PILLS......

Tabby was a lot of fun this time.... we went to close things down and ended up having some time on our hands....

Deniece for some reason has in her makeup bag a bottle of hair dye... now why would someone do that? But, we found it came in handy this weekend for entertaining us girls..

Wendy, Deniece and Julie and I and of course Grandma were up a little later than the men (Grandpa and Jeff), so we decided to dye Grandma's hair. We tried this on Grandpa many, many years ago when he was Bishop and dyed his hair black.. that is another story.
Anyway, we had fun and Grandma humored us and it turned out rather nice.

The funny thing about this hair thing came later. When we were all finished Mom went into the bathroom and when she came out she said she had done something stupid. That is when she announced that she had taken Dad's pills instead of her by mistake. Well, what would a heart pill and a high blood pressure do? So we called Kelly's Jacob and decided that one pill wouldn't hurt her.. we headed to bed. The next morning when we ( Grandpa, Jeff, Deniece, Terri) were building the new steps on the deck Grandma came out and said to dad..."Myron look what your pills did to my hair." Grandma has some funny wit lately, but this was funny because Dad believed her, and she let him believe it most of the day. So if you want your hair to go dark.... try some of Grandpa's pills.

End of Week and Start of the next.....

Well, this busy week is over. I am not sure what free time is.

Work has kept me moving. With the changes there it seems like we never stop.


This is what my schedule is like around here:

Monday: Worked. Then came home and cleaned house. I finally had time to get in and get some things done that haven't been done for a while. Dad and Mom were to be home Wednesday so I had to get it all done.

Tuesday: Went to work and then came home and went to the temple... I went to the early (4:40 session) and I am glad I did. When I was finished it was so crowded.


Wednesday: Went to work and then I stay on Wednesday for Community Ed so I don't get home until 9:00 p.m. (long days) This week we had them paint a picture frame and took a picture of them for it. They had fun doing them. For the second class we play games and it is so nice. We played Bingo. I am sure glad we changed that class to games it sure makes the night a lot less hectic.

Thursday: Went to work. Then Carol and Pat, Nicki, Robin, Bev and I went to a German restaurant and had dinner and talked about our Europe trip and just laughed and talked. It was so much fun. I am glad that things are good with all of us again. They are a fun bunch of girls and we are planning our next trip for next year. We will call it vacation on a shoe string. We will take $200.00 cash (and a credit card for the hotel) and a coin. The coin will tell us where we are headed. Flip the coin and head that way. With our luck we will go in circles or just land in Provo. But it will be fun. We will also take a tent just in case we end up in the middle of no where.

Friday: Went to work. Busy day at work. We had school elections. The students had their skit and then everyone vote. We give them a bean and we have a paper cup with the candidates pictures on them and they put their beans in the cup. Hey, maybe we should try that with our elections, it would get the same result....guessing. Then Robin and I made BLT's and sold them to the staff for a buck. ( that pays for the stuff). That night I went to Cyprus High Schools football game with my sister and brother and watched Jazz play and Whitnee do half time stuff. It was a lot of fun to just get out with the crowds.

Saturday: Sewed 25 aprons for a couple of ladies at work, started Maddy's elephant costume for Halloween, finished a dress for me I started months ago, went shopping with Samantha for about an hour before it was raining so hard she headed for home. So I finished up my sewing and headed to bed about midnight.









Sunday: I love Sundays!! They truly are a day of rest. I have enjoyed this day. I went to some good church meetings and came home and took a nap, and have been reading a good book.

Well tomorrow it all starts over..... Have a great week everyone.