Incredible Surprise!

October 11 was supposed to be a girls' day with Laura, Cami, Angela and me going to Gardner Village for lunch and walking around enjoying the colorful fall/Halloween decorations and festivities there, but my DEAR children really had other plans in mind, like giving me a Surprise 60th Birthday Party!!!!!!!!! My real birthday is October 15.

It's taken me 2 weeks to try and assimilate the day in my phyche (look that word up in the dictionary). INCREDIBLE, AMAZING, THOUGHTFUL, LOVING, OVERWHELMING, MEMORABLE, and HONORED are just a few words that describe my feelings surrounding the SURPRISING event that still brings tears to my eyes and a swelling in my heart!

Apparently, the party was in the planning process for the past 9 months! My family and friends can either keep secrets better than I thought, or they are all accomplished liars, or both....who knows?! After attending at least 3 surprise 60th birthday parties this year, I announced to my children not to even think of giving me a party, that as nice as the parties were, I'd had my fill of the 60 theme! How did I get to this age??? While I look my age, I certainly don't feel my age, at least in my head, as my body begs to differ!

Cousins Mike, Liz, and Becki, and Nelda and Laura worked tirelessly gathering pictures of my life, my parents, and grandparents for an INCREDIBLE slide show (by Laura) and a BEAUTIFUL Heritage Quilt (with pictures, pieced by Cami and bound by Laura) that were presented to me. The time and talent it took to accumulate and put together these AMAZING gifts are beyond my comprehension, and I am forever GRATEFUL to everyone involved!

The party itself at the Dalton Home was EXTRAORDINARY! Angela did LOVELY centerpieces of pink roses for the tables. She also made the favors (my favorite peanuts, M&Ms, party mints) and YUMMY punch and tossed salad, as well as hostessing along with Laura and Cami. The violet, yellow and white balloons were soft and festive, too! Ed and Nelda brought DELICIOUS honey roasted turkey breasts and dutch oven potatoes all the way from Price, much to everyone's delight! We had a FABULOUS lunch, needlesstosay, and Cami's pasta salad (a family favorite) was enjoyed by all. The cake was PRETTY and TASTY! If I left out anything else that was served, I'm sorry.....everything was INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL!

Being surrounded by LOVING and FOREVER family and friends warmed my heart and soul! Everyone took time out of a busy Saturday to celebrate my life with me and words can never express my total APPRECIATION and LOVE I have for my family and friends who sustain me daily. I was HONORED to be in their presence and to have each one in my life!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED!

Family:
Curt, Angela and Nolan Cloyd, Suzanne Izatt
Laura, Jeff, Ella, Ty, Crew Dalton
Cami, D.J., Hazel and Violet Gardner
Nelda, Ed, Stefanie and Blake Grundy
Uncle Joe, Aunt Betty Harvey
Sid, Linda, Linda's Mom and Marie Harvey
Clay Harvey and family
Carol and Natalie Harvey
Liz and Katie Kourianos
Carr and Shawn Harvey
Sharon, Dick and Eric Grotepas and Shantell
Becki Mangus
Vivian Stamatakis
Misty and Alexis Mathews

Friends:
Pam Conover
Terri Tubbs
Robynn Fausett
Karen Marshall
Fay Wrathall

I was given a VARIETY of lovely gifts and cards, and I TREASURE each one.

I also received cards and phone calls from those who were unable to attend for various reasons, and I've been so touched by their SWEET sentiments!

Hopefully Laura can do one more thing for me, and that is to help me post pictures to go along with this blog!

I am INCREDIBLY BLESSED! I thank my Heavenly Father daily for giving me such a LOVING, CARING, AND AMAZING support group here on Earth! I receive far more than I am able to give to my Lord and to my family and friends. THANK YOU DEAR ONES!

Life is Good!

I haven't blogged since Violet's birth, but my blessings continue to multiply, and I will attempt to reveiw some of them.

The end of April and beginning of May, I moved with the help of wonderful family and Ward members to a cute little house in Lehi (actually Saratoga Springs with a Lehi zip code). I'm only a few blocks away from Cami's family and just a few miles from Laura's. Being that close to them is a blessing for me. I'm still not too far from Curt's family (10-15 minutes). The Summer has passed, I'm still not quite settled, but I am happy.

I was able to transfer to our Lindon office front counter, so I don't have to commute to Sandy! This has been a blessing in many ways...I was gettting burned out at the call center, and then gas prices went sky high! I've been there since May 19 and have no regrets!

June gave me the opportunity of watching Laura's kiddies for about a week while she and Jeff went on a Caribbean vacation with Jeff's family. Thanks to Cami and Angie who watched them during the day while I worked for 3 days. I really love all of my grandchildren, and I was able to bond with Ella, Ty and Crew during that time. We had a great time. They are precious, and I was exhausted!. We have since been informed that they will have a little brother in December!. Ty still loves anything with wheels! He asks sooooo many questions! We went on a date since then to the car wash and to a car dealership. It was so fun...he was most facinated with the manual window rollers in one particular jeep. He's now in pre school and doing great! I love it when Crew gets so excited to see me. He runs to me saying Yia Yia Yia Yia, jumps in my arms and gives me the best hugs!

Ella turned 5 in July. She had a very successful pool party with her friends. I was able to celebrate with her and family at Check E Chees after work. She is a very smart, loving and pretty little girl. She's started Kindergarten and is loving it! We go shopping together and she helped me clean house yesterday. She dusted and helped clean cupboards and the fridge!!!

Nolan's 1st birthday in July was a blast. I stayed in the shade poolside with Violet while the rest of the family enjoyed the water. It was such a fun day, the pizza was good. Nolan LOVED his cake...and he wore it from head to toe! Nolan is still a Mama's and Daddy's boy, and occasionally he will let me hug him, but only if his parents are gone! His smile lights up the room, and he walks all over the place now!

I get to watch Hazel and Violet sometimes when DJ and Cami go on motorcycle rides or if they both have Church activities at the same time. Those little girls are so cute! Hazel has the cutest walk (arm swinging) and the sweetest voice. She answers No when she means Yes, and she is quite mischievous! She putting sentences together, too. Violet loves her bottle and usually wants it right now! She doing great on solids now, too and she's just plain sweet!

Payton and Hudson live with their parents in Reno. Cara sends lots of pictures via email showing how they are really growing up. I haven't seen them in almost a year, and it breaks my heart! Hudson just turned 1 last week, and seems like such a happy guy...always smiling! Payton would rather have a little sister, so I'm told! She is such a talented artist! I'm amazed at what she can draw and she's only 4!!!!!! Maybe I can scan and post the picture she sent me....we'll see!

Some of the High School friends met last month at RaNae's beautiful home. I wish all could have come, I really missed Pam, LouAnn and DeAnn. It was great seeing Trudy again! I'm so glad Bessie came. Myra is always delightful, and Cathy made wonderful bruchetta! We ate yummy salads and had such a good time! RaNae's husband Barry (also a fellow classmate) played the piano for us. I'm looking forward to reading the book he has taken over 10 years to write. It is about he area where we grew up along with dutch oven recipes!

That evening after our luncheon, my cousin Becki threw her cousin Cathy (and her twin Rick) a surprise 60th birthday party. Cathy is one of my high school friends, and since we share cousins, we consider each other cousins too. It was such a fun evening. Cousin Harriet came all the way from Montana! I haven't seen her in at least 20 years. Cousin Sharon and hubby Dick were there too...I love being with them! Becki has a beautiful home, I'm so proud of her. It was good talking with Brenda, too....she did great at the bbq, and was anxious about maybe being a Yia Yia that day (but didn't happen until later). Angelique and Tia are absolutely gorgeous! It was good seeing everyone.

The previous month, high school friend Bessie was surprised with a 60th birthday party given by her children, sister and nephew. Bessie was really surprised. I hadn't seen her since high school! She has raised 2 beautiful and loving children and has made a wonderful life for herself after some serious setbacks. The food was fabulous and tasty..best dolmathes I've ever tasted!

I enjoyed a short visit with a friend of mine from Boulder City, Shelley Garrett Schofield. We went to dinner and got all caught up! Life is crazy in her world (as usual!) but she is in love with her husband Bill and enjoys her kids and grandkids, too! She caught the wedding bouquet at Laura and Jeff's reception, and was married to the guy she didn't even know then within 6 months after cathing the bouquet!

My sister and Ed are good to me, and hopefully Iwill be able to spend some time with her around my birthday next month. She always shares Blakeisms that I enjoy! Blake cracks me up. Chris, Natalie and 1 1/2 year old Carson will welcome a little girl into their family in January...congrats! Joelle is working in California. I haven't seen or her or heard her shoes clunk for a while! Stef is working hard and enjoys performing in different musical venues. I will have to see/hear her perform some day!

I almost forgot to mention Cousin Sharon's surprise 60th party in May. (It happened as I was moving!) She was late because we was playing WII! Eric and Lisa really did it up right! The catered BBQ was fabulous! We all love Sharon....all my Utah kids/grandkids came to help her celebrate!

I've celebrated enough 60th birthdays (surprise ones, no less) this year! I just want a regular, out to lunch or dinner or just cake and ice cream with my family. with no emphasis on the 60!

I will post more as I remember more. This blog is really my journal, and for my benefit. I am truly blessed with a wonderful life with loving and supportive friends and family!

Granddaughter Violet Sue

This has been such an exciting, surprising, wonderful day! Cami, D.J. and Hazel welcomed Violet Sue into their family today about 11:05am! They surprised me with her middle name, and I am very touched and honored! Violet came the first day of Spring and is definately a ray of sunshine! She's 7 lbs 9 oz and 18 1/2 " with lots of light brown hair and I'm sure blue eyes. She is perfect in every way! Cami is doing so well and looks beautiful and D.J. can't believe his good fortune of being surrounded by three such beautiful girls! Violet hasn't invaded Hazel's world yet, so Hazel has been so cute with her and has even given her kisses! It's going to be so fun watching these two cute little girls grow. We are all truly blessed with another gift from Heaven.

Old Friends

Last Saturday I met some friends from high school for lunch. I had such a good time! They haven't changed a bit, but I certainly have. I was nervous to see them again as it's been over 35 yrs since I've seen or been in contact with some of them. They are all so nice, I'm glad to have reconnected with them. We'll be celebrating our 60th birthdays in May. I'm going to try and post a picture, but it may not happen......

Tagged

This tag is asking a lot! If I had been good at keeping a journal and/or had a great memory for detail it might be easier, but here goes:

20 years ago, March 1, 1988:
I was living in Boulder City, Nevada raising children ages 11,10,7,5. I enjoyed watching their personalities and little bodies grow. I enjoyed being involved in their school, sports,dance, church and neighborhood activities.
I was serving as Relief Society President in the Boulder City 2nd Ward. The sisters were warm and accepting. We enjoyed Homemaking Meetings and planning various activities and serving the families of the Ward. While I have many good memories of this time, I recognize where I fell short, also. I thank Bishop Tobler for his confidence and support. He was truly a Bishop who united the families with many creative activities!

10 years ago, March 1, 1998:
I was living in Springfield Oregon. I have wonderful memories living in that beautiful area and of the people and friends I met there. Cara and Curt (although he tried the Oregon thing for a while) were living away and Laura was back in Boulder City finishing high school, and I missed them. Cami was an 'only child, but I think she liked that part of it. I was working for a satellite company. Little did we know that in a few months our town would be put 'on the map' because of a horrible school shooting. It was very traumatic.

5 years ago, March 1, 2003
Newly divorced and living back in my home town of Price, Utah since November 2001. It was comforting being near my sister and her hubby Ed. I will always be grateful for the opportunities there. I was working at Peczuh Printing , grateful for a job I think they made up for me! A few months later I was offered a job by Mike Jensen, attorney, a friend from high school. He trained me as a legal secretary and took a big risk on me. I was truly blessed. Cami was living with me, but she had met D.J. and really spent all her time with him! I didn't have a car, and we lived on the outskirts of town and D.J.made sure she had rides to CEU and everywhere she needed to go! They got married in June after knowing each other about 6 months! Now they live happily ever after.

3 years ago, March 1, 2005:
Still in Price, and working for Mike. Love his wife and kids! I was missing being away from my kids and their families,though, especially after Ty was born and I couldn't see him for 2 weeks after because of winter weather conditions. Curt and Angie were living in Draper, Laura and Cami were in Utah County. I could only visit Cara periodically anyway in Soda Springs, CA.

1 year ago, March 2007:
Thanks to Curt and Angie I was able to move to Draper July 2006. They have provided me with a beautiful home and car, computer and cell phone, and the opportunity to be near them and the girls' families. Last year Cara and her family were living in Utah County, too and so I had all 4 of my darlings and their families close by for a year or so! Heaven. Crew Dalton(Laura's) and Hazel Gardner (Cami's)were born in January, Curt and Angie had Nolan in July, and Cara's Hudson was born in September, so 1 year ago I was looking forward to enjoying all 4 new babies! 7 grandchildren 4 and under!

2008
I have been working at Comcast since 8/06 and enjoying my children and grandchildren whenever I can and/or have the energy. I like friends and family to visit and stay with me!
My dear Aunt Terry passed away Jan. 21. She was the last of my mother's family to go. I loved her very much. It's hard knowing I'm part of the 'oldest' generation now!
Now I'm looking forward to another granddaughter, thanks to Cami and D.J. ,who should be here by April 2! 4 girls and 4 boys! I just can't wait!!!
I am meeting up with some high school friends for lunch in a few weeks, many of whom I haven't seen since graduation!
I have the pleasure of teaching 6-7 year olds in Primary.

My life is good. My health is ok, considering. I am truly blessed! I look forward to meeting or talking to many friends and family this year, just to keep in touch.

Crazy Kids

Laura and her three Ella(4), Ty(3), and Crew, and Cami (8 mos preg) and Hazel (1), drove to Boulder City yesterday. Barry's Aunt celebrated her (92?)birthday last week, so they surprised her. They are staying with Cara, Mark, Payton (3) and Hudson(5mos) for 2 more days. It must be crazy there as well as lots of fun. Payton's birthday is on 2/28 so they are going to Chuck E Cheese tomorrow for her party. Payton and Ella are Best Friends and Best Cousins, they say. Ty is Aunt Arline's pet. Crew said Arline's name and says Hazel, too. I just got off the phone with Laura, so I'm just repeating some of what she said. I'm sure they will have plenty to say on their blogs. I'm glad they can make great memories for the little cousins and themselves. They are truly brave (crazy). I mean, Cara and Laura took Laura's 3 and Payton to Disneyland last summer when Cara was 6 or 7 months preg! What's next???? Stay tuned............

Swiftly Fly the Days (quote from the song Sunrise Sunset)

I can't believe February is almost over and I haven't written since the 5th. This short month has flown by. For the most part I am quite a happy and grateful person, but this cold, snowy weather has almost broken my spirit!!! I am seriously afraid to drive on snowy, icy(when you don't know it's icy) roads, and the stress wipes me out!!! I am so grateful, however, for a nice safe car (thanks to Curt and Angie) and for the moisture this desert desperately needs. I hope that last sentence makes up for the previous negativity!!!!

Our Primary Presidency gave a wonderful breakfast/teacher training meeting this morning, complete with a chocolate fountain with everything imaginable to drizzle!!! We also were presented with the CUTEST bags to carry our Primary materials....so thoughtful (and homemade!). My Ward is great. The people are so kind, friendly and are raising or have raised wonderful families. I have been blessed in every Ward I have been in with truly remarkable role models and forever friends. I presently team teach (every other week) the CTR 6-7 year olds. They are such a smart, good-looking group! Love them!