I saw this on someone's blog and for some strange reason, I like answering these kind of things. I know that is weird, but I just do. I think you can find out a lot about a person this way. So if anyone reads my blog (all 2 of you) you know a little more about me!

Actually I am a little bored tonight waiting to watch the finale of the Biggest Loser!)

1. Would you rather host party or simply attend a party?
I like hosting but my house is small so I will have to say attend.

2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to.
I would have to say a surpise party (luncheon) given by my friends in Mission Viejo when I turned 40.

3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life?
That my family will all be there.

4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine?
Being able to go for a walk and see all the flowers blooming.

5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift?
Bring my own gift.

6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family?
Having meals cooked.

7. What song describes your mood today?
"Singing in the Rain" Is it ever going to stop raining here?

8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use?
This is a toughie. The only thing I know that I still have are a few of my dishes and my ironing board.

9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is?
It has never changed - Rocky Road

10. When was the last time you felt "tested?"
I feel tested everyday. Isn't life a test?

11. "[Fill in the blank] is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop.
Just about anything sweet, but I will have to say brownies

12. "-----" is the best motivation.
Family

Over the HILL - way over!

That dreaded day came and went and I am still alive to blog about it. Being 60 is really not all that bad I guess, but it still sure sounds old. I remember when I was a teenager and when someone was in their 60s I thought they had one foot in the grave. 40 years ago, I guess 60 was old and out to pasture, but now that I am 60, I don't feel much different than when I was 40 so I guess you could say, I still have a lot of life left in me!

So much has happened in my lifetime. Here are a few highlights of the last 60 years.........

Color TV

Stereos

Tape Decks

VCR

ATM

Atari (the first video game)

Computers

Cable TV

Digital Everything

Central Heating & AC

Man on the Moon

Camcorders

CD Players

AC in cars

Seat Belts

Disneyland

Cell Phone

And the list goes on and on. So much has changed yet so much is the same. I don't feel like I have changed that much over the years. Yes, I am older and a little wiser, but I still have the same beliefs and the same passion about life. I would not want to go back and do anything differently, because what has happened to me over the years has gotten me to where I am today. I have so many wonderful memories that no one can take away from me and I am so grateful for all that I have. especially my family. I am so blessed!

DISNEYLAND 2010

I never get tired of Disneyland and this year was no exception. It was so great to be together with the whole family for my birthday and Mother's Day. I am so grateful to my kids for making the trip so special and so much fun! Here are a few pictures....


Jordan, Erin & Jackson
Kristine & Shauna
Me & Erin
Megan and Lincoln

Justin, Megan, me Coleman, Kristine & Jordan

Justin & Lincoln

Erin, Jordan & Lincoln

Erin, Lincoln & Shauna






Erin & Jack

Me, Coleman & Kristine









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Coleman all tuckered out!

Happy Mother's Day to ME!!!

I L O V E being a MOM (sorry this picture was the only one I could find - we need a new one)

MOTHER-IN-LAW

and GRAMMY... There is nothing better I could be. On Mother's Day I celebrate the joy that motherhood is to me. Since I was a very little girl, all I ever really wanted was to be a Mom. It wasn't easy getting there, but I wouldn't change a thing and I am so blessed to have the family that I have. My kids are the greatest and I love them so much. They make my life special and they give me so much to live for. I am so grateful that we were all together last week and that we had so much fun! Thank you everyone for making my birthday, and Mother's Day so special. They say Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, but whenever we are all together wherever that is - that will always be the happiest place on earth to me!!!

Adventure to Utah!!

Made the long trek to Utah via Orange Cove, Las Vegas, Nephi then Provo. It was a long ride but we finally made it. It started Wednesday when I drove to Orange Cove to meet up with Kristine's parents, Julie & Kevin. They were so nice to let me squeeze into the pickup truck. Poor Julie with her long legs up against the dashboard and her rear in the uncomfortable middle seat. I never would have been able to go if it hadn't been for them. We drove most of the way in the rain until we got to the Tehachipi Mountains where there was a snow storm. Is it really the end of April?? Next stop Vegas where I was able to spend the day with my my 3 favorite little boys. We left Vegas at 6:30, stopped in St George for a Blizzard at Dairy Queen (YUM) and arrived in the beautiful city of Nephi at 1:00 am where we stayed at the lovely Motel 6.

The front desk was closed so I had to ring for help and out shuffled Uday Shah, toussled hair, bare feet & all. We unloaded the van in 36 degree weather and called it a night - and a short one it was! Coleman had a hard time getting to sleep so it was a rough few hours. We drug outselves out of bed at 5:30, showered and washed our hair only to discover Megan had forgot the hair dryer! We made the best of it and after packing up the van once again, locking outselves out of the with Coleman asleep inside, we were off to Provo. By this time it was raining pretty hard so our hairstyles really didn't matter at this point. We met up with Jordan and took our seats waiting for the graduation. It was a nice ceremony and of course the best part was hearing Kristine Gildea Lewis announced and watching her walk across the stage to get her diploma. We were so proud! Megan and I took turns chasing Coleman up and down the stairs. We just love our little Coleman!

Next stop was lunch/breakfast at Kneaders with the Gildea clan. Since we were so exhausted we pretty much relaxed in the afternoon, took a short trip to the mall and had dinner at Cafe Rio. Saturday was a beautiful day so we went to the mall again, had lunch, went to the Distribution Center and then packed up the van and headed out. It sure was nice to see the skyline of Las Vegas and we actually made it home before Megan wet her pants!! I left Vegas on Sunday morning with the Gildea's and arrived home at 9:30. My bed never felt so GOOD...
It was a tiring trip but we would do it all again, and we will - this time next year when Jordan graduates!!

Mothers

As I was watching General Conference, I was impressed, as always, with the wonderful messages that were given. One message that I seemed to hear in several talks, was about Mothers - Honoring and loving our mothers. I felt very touched by these talks and prompted to think about my own mother and my feelings about her. I have not always had the best relationship with my Mom which has always bothered me. I always wanted her to be a certain way and like the mothers of my friends. I now realize that my Mom did the best she could and she was a loving mother in her own way. She may not have been affectionate or good at expressing her feelings, but I do know that she loves me and that she appreciates me and as I watch her fail in her last years, I know that I need to cherish my time that is left with her on this earth. I will never again take for granted the love of a mother for her child.

This picture was taken in about 1945 and is of my Mom and sister Karen.

There is no greater joy in my life than being a Mom. I cherish that calling and loved every minute of the years my children were growing up. The years go by so fast and I can never get those precious years back. I am grateful that my children are leading happy, productive lives and I hope they know how special they are to me and how much I love them and miss them. I pray for them and think about them everyday. I am so excited to have us all together in a few weeks!!

I Love to See the Temple....

Shauna painted the Los Angeles Temple and the Salt Lake Temple. I really love them. They are so unique and have such character. I am anxious for her to paint the Sacramento Temple. She is so talented.