uniquely qualified...

Something I've been thinking alot about these days. Are my kids going to make it? Do they have a fighting chance? I'm talking about making it through childhood and teenage-hood without falling. Without giving in to all the temptations around them. Without giving up on the gospel. Without getting deeply hurt. There are so many things in this world that could hurt my children. I don't want them to hurt. I want them to be strong enough to make it. I want them to have the confidence to say NO when they need to. Am I teaching them enough? Do they know I love them...no matter what?

I sat through a sacrament meeting yesterday...and actually heard every word...despite Molly's attempts. It was an amazing meeting. One man that spoke quoted Winston Churchill when he said, "There comes a special moment in everyone’s life, a moment for which that person was born. That special opportunity, when he seizes it, will fulfill his mission – a mission for which he is uniquely qualified. In that moment, he finds greatness. It is his finest hour." He talked about the conversations he and his wife have about their children...about them "making it". He then said, "They are uniquely qualified". This is their time. My 4 can do it. They can handle what comes their way... and I realize that some of that may be pretty crummy, but they are qualified. That completely moved me. My children are qualified.

me yike sugar...

OK...so there are a few things I can take away from this picture...Molly eats too many sweets...and I MAKE too many sweets! I was making Gunnars famous pancakes (german pancakes for you non-family readers), and she saw the shiny silver bowl. She saw that bowl, grabbed a spoon and worked her way to the counter. I mistakenly thought she wanted to stir, so I didn't stop her. Instead, she heaped that spoon with a tasty mix of flour and sugar and took a HUGE bite. She instantly grimaced, and tried to get it out of her mouth which resulted in flour puffs. Once it was all out, the camera was put back on the shelf, and we were all done laughing...she kept saying, "me yike sugar, me yike sugar". Just a reminder, in case she gave the wrong impression. She is hilarious.

my friend...

My dear friend Joice lost her mother yesterday. I thought I would write a little about this friend of mine as I think about her and hope that she is OK. Love you too Jerry, but this is all about your wife. I love Joice and she loves me. I know she does because of how she treats me, things she does for me. Joice is a shopaholic. I'm going to come right out and say it. The woman loves to shop. She knows where the deals are, who has sales what day. The thing that's cool though, is that she's generally shopping for other people. We have been friends for years, and she hasn't forgotten a birthday (including my husband and 4 kids), an anniversary. She treats us with special things on holidays, and sometimes just because. It's those "just because" gifts that mean so much to me. They are unexpected. When I ask why, her response is usually...because I like you. Joice compliments you alot. If she thinks you look pretty, she tells you. If she loves your haircut, she tells you. Wouldn't this world be wonderful if we all tried to share loving compliments more often? Joice loves her family. She is so proud of her 5 children. They make her happy. Her grandbabies are her treasures. She smiles whenever they are brought up. Joice is passionate. I love passionate people...probably because I AM one. When she loves something, you know it. She doesn't care what people think, she just keeps on loving. She is passionate about Fideo Fridays at Cafe Rio. Don't know if she ever misses one. She is passionate about reality TV. Me too. One of my fondest memories of Joice is going to the Idol concert last year (she treated me...was there any question?). She was about to pop she was so excited. I couldn't stop watching her when Blake Lewis came out on stage. She was rocking out. I was giggling, smiling, so happy...seeing my friend so happy. I am so glad she is in my life. I love you Joice.

our david...

Happy birthday daddy! We love you. 38 today...WAHOO! No, our grass isn't this green yet, this picture is from Alex's birthday last year, but I love it. It makes me smile. Dave is our rock. We are so grateful for him. There have been times in my life when I have been nearly overcome with anxiety, and all I needed to slow my breathing and bring me peace was Dave. Gunnar has said that Dave is like the oil that keeps the machine which is our family, running smoothly. That's exactly what he is. He is a kind father. He works so hard for his money (the generations network scored with him). He is hilarious. We laugh together ALOT. We usually are laughing at the kids whether they are trying to be funny or not. We find humor in the same things. Dave is calm. I am not. It's a really good balance, especially in trying to raise 4 children. The man can cook...those of you who have been fortunate enough to taste his creations can agree, I'm sure. Great with recipes, but even cooler, he's great without. He can look in the fridge, the cupboards, and put together something AMAZING! Whenever he does, I say...did you write that down? They usually can't be created twice. Dave is helpful...I'd venture to say more than most husbands. Diapers, dinner, middle of the night trauma with the kids. I am so grateful that Dave is my husband, that we met eachother all those years ago working at RAH, and that I had the guts to ask him out! Happy birthday Davey!

heaven help me...

This is my first time...so here we go. If I didn't love you so much Christy...

What is his name? David Martell.
How long did you date? 9 months.
How long have you been married? 10 years…yowza!
Who eats more sweets? Me…I could eat the stuff through an IV.
Who said I love you first? Neither of us can really remember…are we lame?
Who is taller? Dave by about 6 inches.
Who is the better singer? Pretty equal…I sang a lot more in high school, but Dave is a great baritone..
Who is smarter? I’m thinking I did better in the “grade” side of things, but Dave remembers everything!.
Who does the laundry? Usually me.
Who pays the bills? Usually him.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do.
Who mows the lawn? I’d like to say that I do b/c his allergies are so hideous, but I can’t.
Who cooks dinner? Usually Dave unless I’m REALLY planned out. Loser.
Who drives? Dave
Who is more stubborn? Do I really have to answer this?
Who kissed who first? Davey doo.
Who asked who out? I asked Dave…seriously, I couldn’t wait any longer!
Who proposed? Dave
Who is more sensitive? Me…I love to cry..
Who has more siblings? Dave (13), me (8)
Who wears the pants? OK…it’s me. Lighten up Amy!

I tag...seriously...I don't even know who reads this blog...OK OK...Brittney H., Kim K., and Laura (get yourself a blog girlie!)

WHAT?!...

Not much to say here. We have laughed at these more than we should. Hysterical. Yeah Davey for finding the humor in that silly piece of glass!

my emily...

I just realized that my sweet little Emily is the only one that doesn't have her own post. She is my lover girl and she needs one. This little girl is sunshine. A smiley, energetic, beautiful girl. Sometimes I just sit and watch her. I wonder what she will be like as she gets older. Hopefully just a larger version of her 7 year old self. What a woman that will be. She makes me laugh! Naturally funny, especially for her age. She has just got it. This cute little girl is a writer. She fills up pages of paper every day, with stories, lists, letters. Little treasures...and I want to keep them all. My treasure box is overflowing. Emily is happy...almost all the time. That makes ME happy. So happy. Of all my kids, Emmy is the one that has really taken to the camera. She knows just how to smile. Just how to tilt her head. Pretty much perfect for every picture. It may be partly because she knows how happy it makes me. She likes to make me happy. My little buddy. Forever.