I can't leave her out

I pointed out that I had some favorites in my last post, and the NWP (Next Way Paver) pointed out that she wasn't on the list. I don't want to be responsible for another potential topic she brings up with her therapist, assuming she has one, so, I will simply post one of the most gorgeous pictures you will ever see.

This is a picture of Carolyn and Mom in 1958 when Carolyn was just a few months old, most likely at Christmas. She has THE best hair ever. Seriously, what baby has hair like that? In fact, Dad likes to tell the story of when Carolyn was born and he was at the nursery looking at her through the window. Standing next to him were these two older ladies and one says to the other, "Oh, look at that darling little Indian baby with all that hair!" Dad corrects them that she was HIS baby. We're not sure where she gets the hair.

Gosh, I just love this picture of my mom. She reminds me of Grace Kelly in this picture. She was just always so polished and put together. The ultimate of matchy-matchy. And guess what? I have those earrings and bracelet of hers. In fact, I wore them to church two weeks ago. When I miss my mom, I wear her awesome vintage jewelry that is so trendy now, and which she probably got at Woolworth's for a few dollars. To me, it's priceless.

Miss you Mom. And NWP, you're one of my favs, too. ;)

Can you believe.....

It has been 6 months today since he left.




Looks like the teaching is going well, huh?

MIA? Not possible....

See the way I like to do things in my life is making things as exciting as possible. Like hoping lots of people will check your blog often to see if you have updated yet. I really do want to update my blog more often, just figuring out how to get pictures in here effectively from the photo manager I use. SO....here's what we've been up to, even though I seem like I've been MIA.

Krista got her Patriarchal Blessing on Sunday. One word: Amazing. Here is a picture of her with our Patriach. Is is amazing, spiritual and adorable all rolled into one:



This is Gracie. She likes to get heat anywhere she can. This just happens to be under the sink in the kitchen. It has been cold, for sure, but seriously, what is it with my pets laying right where I am ALL.THE.TIME?


This is everyday of my life. In fact, it almost needs no words. :) Jordan and Krista just....being. And Krista looks thrilled, doesn't she??


Now, you may think this is an odd picture, but to me it represents a lot. It is my front entry. It's where everyone takes their shoes off. Lots of shoes at the front means there are lots of people in my home. And usually there are lots of shoes that don't belong in my home, which means there are my kid's friends here having fun. It means my life is very full!


Jordan has been on the swim team since the beginning of the school year. He has his last meet today. 3 of his best friends are some of the best swimmers in the area, yet he hasn't been intimidated by them at all. He has done such a great job and has been committed and in his words, "Swimming has kicked my trash". Here's a great shot of him swimming.


It has taken me a long time to take all of the decorations from Christmas down this year. Mostly because I just love them and all my little Department 56 houses are still out. Rachel and I have decided that they are "winter houses" now that Christmas is over. I mean, we've had so much winter, it's appropriate. Anyway, this is the way the fireplace looked for about 2 weeks after Christmas. It was fun with the Nutcrackers that remind me of my mother, and the empty stocking that is Scott's. We missed him so much. Did you get that we missed him? We did, however, get to talk to him for THREE hours on Christmas Day. It was awesome.

I love these people:



Two of my besties, Trisha and Tammie

Rachel at Courage Reins where she volunteers, which is a therapeutic riding center which helps handicapped kids. She also takes lessons here. Here she is with her boyfriend, "Hank". Doesn't she look happy? Um, yes, she would be happy if she was here every single day riding this horse, or any other horse.







AD and Krista on Halloween. They actually cut a hole in the bottom of the cauldron and then when the little kids would come over, AD would pop her hand out of the bottom and scare them. Awesome, huh? I'm pretty sure Mere has videos.

I'll be back sooner this time....promise.

Quotes from the Primary Room

So, I have no pictures for this, so bear with me.

I have been writing the Primary program for our ward that will be coming up in the next few weeks. I have been in the Primary for about 2 years now, and in those two years, I have heard some of the funniest things, that I thought I should write them down because they were too good not to share.

This year our theme in Primary is "I Am a Child of God" and we have a monthly theme throughout the year. I ask each of the children to tell their feelings on a variety of subjects. Their answers will be their part in the primary program.

One of the questions I asked a boy was "I know that my Heavenly Father loves me because..." and he answered, "because he made me real good at sports." :)

Another one: "When I pray to Heavenly Father at night, I can ask him..." and a little girl wrote (who has 2 little siblings about 13 months apart), "to help keep the babies asleep because they are very loud at night".

A few years ago I was teaching Sharing Time, and I was talking about prophets. One of the cutest little girls in the primary, was SO eager to answer my question of who were some on Lehi's sons. She was raising her hand so hard....you know, the one where she almost stands out of her seat. I finally called on her and said, "Do you know who one of Lehi's sons was??" and she replied, "Yes, there was Laman, and, and, and, and, and.......LEMON!" Cute girl!

My sister Cathy has an all time favorite story that comes from a good friend of mine's son, Sam Dunaway. Sam is now 16 and a handsome young man, but at the time, he was about 6 or 7. Sam was a very funny boy, and would come up with some whopper stories...some which bordered on, well, extreme imagination. :) His family was in the car and everyone was being really loud and talking and jabbering and making noise. (He's the youngest of 6). Pretty soon, Sam yells from the backseat, "HEY, EVERYONE.....BE QUIET!! I CAN'T HEAR! The spirit is trying to talk to me!!" Stacy, in her ever present, calm voice says, "Sam what is the spirit saying to you?" Little pause, "I have no idea, he's speakin' in Spanish". Love that boy.

The Pearl Awards

So, Ron and I were invited to the Pearl Awards this year because two of the bands that he is in were nominated for multiple awards. Joshua Creek and the Nashville Tribute Band. This is a really interesting awards show, because it's kind of more like a popularity contest. Still, it's still fun to see people we don't see often and listen to some really great music.

This year, Nashville Tribute Band was the only act on the program. They were awesome, as usual. Even Alex Boye' was dancing in the aisles! The funny part about the whole thing is that Ron and Jason were on the front page of the Daily Universe. Ron said he never made it on the cover during college, but did as an alumni! If you'd like to read about it, and see the pictures, click here:

http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/70245/8425

And for posterity's sake, Ron and Jason are making sure that everyone knows they don't have any cavities. :)

The Way Pavers

I have two seriously awesome sisters. They have both done some amazing things for me over the years (including a few choice events that I worked through during therapy), and since it was Carolyn's 50th birthday last week, I thought I would tell you a little about them. First of all, they both know how very much I love them.

We have a very unique relationship...my sisters and I.(me?) We are all 5 years apart, and I don't remember much about when Cathy lived at home. She moved to college when I was just 7. For being so many years apart, we are all very close. Our children love each other (I think), and we really love to spend time together. Each year we have a "sister's trip" where we leave home and go somewhere fun so we can do things like go to Target and Walmart together,overdose on HGTV and check out every quilt store within a 50 mile radius of where we are at the moment. We buy material for projects we don't finish, but we have just in case (following the brethren's admonition to have a year's supply) there is a fabric emergency of some kind. Like some people take photographs...my sisters and I buy projects and fabric to remind us of our time together and every so often we take them out of the closet/drawer to pet and to remember where we were when we bought it, and where we went to lunch after we were shopping. :)

Anyway....Cathy, the eldest, aka "The Original Way Paver" is constantly telling Carolyn and I that the only reason that we have it so easy in life is because she came before us, and paved the way. Without her there, our lives would have been SO much harder. I mean, she did teenagers and weddings without her own personal W.P. That's right, people...she is the consummate W.P.

So, automatically, since Cathy is the original Way Paver,(hereafter referred to as W.P.) then of course, Carolyn is the next one. Note: not the "middle" W.P. or even worse, the "second" W.P., but the "next" W.P. So, if I have had two WP's before me, then my life ought to be disgustingly easy and worry free, right?? You'd think so.

Really, I love my sisters and admire them so much. They are both awesome women, and we love so many of the same things. Before I came into the picture, Carolyn was the youngest. Doted on by a 5-year old sister, Carolyn had it pretty good, I imagine. She was like Cathy's little doll. Cathy has always been the Chief Mother W.P. (seriously, ask her if you don't believe me.) I'm just glad Cathy was there to pave the way for Carolyn to know how to be a big sister. lol

I was going through some pictures from slides that my Dad, with Carolyn's help, put onto CD's last year, and I've had the best time looking at all these old photos.
As I've looked at some of my baby pictures, it's obvious to me that when I came along I must have really cramped her style. In these photos, she seems to have always had a little bit of an impish grin on her face all the time. The picture below was a Halloween that I remember. I wanted that sucker SSSOOOO bad. I never got one. Imagine that, a whole bag of candy, and I whined because I didn't have a sucker like hers. Go figure.

But, just read Carolyn's body language in the photo. "Honestly, Dad, hurry up and take the picture! My peeps are waiting and I gotta ditch the short witch!!"



My first birthday. I love how the girls are crowding around me and once again posing for a picture.
Cathy: "Look at mommy, Cal!! Look at the camera!! It's your birthday!! What a big girl!!"
Carolyn: (thinks to self)...."let's see....if I bend it back this way, then everyone will just think she fell down or something! I have got to get ahold of this situation, and if it means hurting her...so be it!! I will NOT give up my position in this house!!!! She must always learn who is boss!!!" Okay, so maybe that wasn't what she was thinking. You never know, though.



This last picture is with the girls at Christmas when I was maybe 18 months old?? Not sure. They got Troll dolls. I didn't. Enough said. (Please, for my benefit, notice the smug look on Carolyn's face as she holds the Troll doll just out of my reach! And then, please notice Cathy's unfortunate choice in eye wear.)




All jesting aside, I love my sisters so much. They would do anything for me. They have done so much for me. They love me unconditionally. They have taught me so many things. They are SO generous with their time and talents. The have both offered me life changing advice...some of which I have taken. ;) They are great, virtuous women who have strong, unwavering testimonies of the gospel, and they are doing an amazing job of carrying on our family's legacy. I'm just SO lucky to have 2 such amazing W.P.'s at my disposal when I need them...and when I don't.

To be honest....I'm really glad I'm not Chief W.P. I would really stink at it.

Like scrapbooking?

I have way too many things, and I thought I would clear some things out. So, I'm having my own little virtual Scrapbook Yard Sale. So, go to "Created by Calli" and that's where you will find things listed. I will be updating regularly, so check back often!

Kitty

I'm so sad today. My kitty....Kitty, had to go to heaven today. It all started a few days ago when he was acting very un-kitty like. He was whiny and lethargic and overall seemed very depressed. Last night, I let him in from outside, and he walked in the back door, took about 8 steps and laid down on the carpet and laid his head down. :( So, I called the Emergency Vet in Salt Lake and they told me some things to look for so that I would be able to take him in this morning.

I took him to Dr. Lamb, my fabulous vet, and he said he needed to keep him for a little while so that he could take some blood and watch him and then he would call me. He called me about an hour later and said it was bad news. He was in kidney failure and the vet said he didn't give him a 1 in 10 chance of survival even with very expensive treatment. He said he had either eaten something poison, or that a mouse/rat that he caught might have been poisoned. He also said that his levels were so high on his kidney test that he was surprised he was still alive. He had never seen a cat with that high of levels in his 20+ years practicing. He said he was in pain which was my main concern. With my vet's direction, I made the very hard decision to have him put him to sleep. I am so sad.

We got Kitty when he was just 4 weeks old and our friends had found him in their wood pile, and his mama was no where to be found. They nurse him with a little bottle and then we took him home...he was tiny. He could fit in the palm of my hand. He was such a snuggler, too. At first we thought that he was a she and Krista and Rachel named him "Sugar Muffin Star Princess Fiona Chocolate". Then one day my friend Carrie Moore said, "Um, I think that she is a he." What to do!? There was so much invested in his name! We tried to name him Dallas, but honestly, he's just always been called Kitty.

Kitty was an awesome hunter...often leaving presents like mouse tails, heads, feathers and beaks at various places in the garage or outside. I once saw him catch a bird out of mid air! When we lived in Oregon, he could catch moles as well! They are fast! Then we moved to Utah, and Kitty went into retirement. He got fat and lazy. However, he still brought me his token present here and there. So, until I find some more awesome pictures of Kitty, enjoy the one below. He really was just a big baby at heart.

I'll miss him.

 

Photos of Scott

I posted some pictures of Scott on his blog. The address is:

http://saltymission.blogspot.com/

Have a good day! And leave me a message.....Meredith. :)

I thought I'd take a couple weeks off.........

Yes, hard to believe that it has been a month since Scott left for the MTC. It has seemed so much longer having him gone! It has been a real change for our family, but a wonderful blessing to have him there and working and loving it. I have posted new information on his Salty Mission page.

So, in our life.....Ron is getting ready to go to Australia tomorrow for 2 weeks. He is going to play for the desendents of Joseph Smith with the Nashville Tribute Band. They have been requested to come and do the Joseph concert. If you'd like to visit their webpage, see the sidebar. Ron, Jason Deere and the guys from Due West are going. Dan Truman isn't going as he has commitments with Diamond Rio. He will be missed.

So, we've had a few things going on the last few weeks. This last weekend Jordan went to prom with his cute friend, Becca. They had a great time. That's all the information I can get out of him. :)


Krista will be attending the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City in a few weeks and will be participating in some of the clinics there, and performing a monologue as well! She made the Shakespeare team at the Jr. High and continues to be super busy in school, drama and on the Student Council.

Rachel is spending time at Courage Reins, a therapeutic riding center where she volunteers and does all the amazing things like clean stalls, work horses, take care of tack, etc etc etc.

I, am just trying to hold it all together, and sometimes incredibly very unsuccessfully. One of my adopted son, Curtis, from Oregon, who is very best friends with my boys, has been basically living at our home the last few months until he went on his mission. He just left last Wednesday for the MTC and then on to the Sydney Australia mission. While he was here, he did a lot to help get my house on the track to being painted. It is coming together and he almost got it done before he left. I am trying to get that finished in the next few days so I can get things back together. I am also trying to get the Primary program finished and finish a myriad of projects that seem to move from one to do list to another week after week.

Having lived out of Utah for the majority of my life, I have come to accept that there are many things that strictly fall into the category of "Only in Utah". Some of the things that I have seen here or that have happened to me since I have lived here have often left me completely awestruck. I have decided that I will bless you all with the occasional picture or experience that can proudly be labeled, "Only in Utah." The following picture needs no explanation:

Got a letter!

Check out

http://saltymission.blogspot.com/

to read it!!

Scott's address is:

Elder Scott Saltmarsh
MTC Mailbox #263
FL-JAK 0820
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

Write him! :)

Torture?

Off to Lagoon today with kids and cousins! How come Evan and Ron (the dads) aren't going??

Saltymission

I started a new blog today. It's called Saltymission and I will be keeping it up during Scott's mission to keep family and friends informed about what Scott is doing. Check in my sidebar for Saltymission and that will take you there. If you post a comment, I will be sure to send it on to Scott....er, Elder Saltmarsh.

Today was a hard day, but in the end, there is nowhere I would rather have him be than in the MTC. Those 3 weeks were some of the most amazing of my life. I'm so excited to have him be there and taking it all in.

Love you Scott. Miss you, too.

This picture pretty much says it all here:

Step on my heart

I'm just so so so sad today. I feel like my heart has been ripped out and stomped on. :(

Nashville Tribute Band

Cut and paste this link to see my facebook album pictures of the concert of the Nashville Tribute Band.

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2004704&l=5d0eb&id=1031135735


Here are a few teasers:

Labor and Delivery

Busy today, of course!

BUT, I just had to tell you about a very funny site someone directed me to. It's called Tales from Labor & Delivery. Check it in my links on the side!

Funny pics for you!

This Week:

This Week:

Jordan is at EFY at Snow College!

Scott is working and getting ready for mission stuff. 9 days to go.

Rachel is playing with friends and volunteering at Courage Reins, an equestrian therapy place.

Krista is singing Les Miserables and Wicked incessantly. :)

Ron is working. :) Hopefully writing new amazing songs to share with the world!

Me....I'm taking Xanax. Lots and lots of Xanax.

Missing Mom

Happy Birthday Mom!




Today my mom would have been 76 years old. Hard to believe that she has been gone just a little over 4 years. I'm glad she didn't have to suffer any longer than she did with Alzheimer's. But, I don't like to think about my mom when she was sick, because it wasn't really her.

In fact, I like to remember my mom like this photo shows. I know I wasn't even born yet, but I have absolutely loved this photo my whole life. My dad is graduating from BYU and I believe Cathy was maybe one of two. But what always stood out to me was what an amazingly stunning sense of style my mom had. Look at this amazing dress. And look at her hair!!! Totally groovy and gorgeous! All slicked back and sleek. And those heels! Hot mama! Look, from the dawn of time, mom obviously had an obsession with shoes (which apparently passed to both my sisters!). One time I remember counting her boxes of size 5 shoes and she made me quit when I hit 100 or something crazy like that!!

But, more than a style icon, I was was doing something around the house and realized I was doing it the exact same way as my mom. Then I realized that most of the things I do in my daily life are because my mom taught them to me. I have often started sentences to my girls with, "Well, my mom taught me to do it this way....".

So, Mom, I miss you. I love you. I appreciate all you did for me. Thanks for making me do stuff I hated. Even when it made me mad. Like practicing the piano. Oh, and one small confession, you know the crystal goblet in the china cabinet? Well, I had a little dinner with some of my friends while you and dad were out of town, and I broke one of them off at the stem. So, yes, it was super-glued even though I told you I thought it looked totally fine.

I guess you knew that by now, though, right? :) I miss you.

Love, Cal