Shout hooray! Meems is 25 today!

Today is a special day for one of my best-est friends in the whole world! Today is my "Meemsy" whose real name is Amy Pectol Oberhansley's BIRTHDAY!!!Amy is one I adore spending time with. She knows how to fulfill my "time" love language better than most anyone because she is hardly ever in a hurry. She is always content enough to sit down and chat or snuggle you and just talk, watch TLC with or chat about cooking or yummy food with. She is a great listener and really helps me work through the thoughts in my head a lot because she listens and is truly interested. I love that when I come around she doesn't have to be busy! She totally just sits and enjoys the time and if for some reason she has a busy day, she just takes me along with out me feeling like I am putting her out! You will never know how much I love you for that my Meems.

Amy is an people person. She never wants to make anyone feel bad or left out. Unloved or alone. She is the first to say sorry and to explain why something was done or said and she won't rest until all misunderstanding is cleared up. She is a peacemaker.
Amy is the snuggliest person I know. If you are sitting next to her or even walking next to her she is touching you, cuddling with you or holding your hand. It goes to prove that she has much love to give. She also will never hang up the phone or say goodbye to you without saying love you. I can always count on her telling me a few times a day that she loves me!

Amy is artistic and creative. She is a very accomplished artist. I keep telling her she needs to submit her church art to Deseret Book. It is touching and amazing!

(Wanna see more? Visit www.amypectol.com)

Amy is a born leader. She puts her heart into anything she starts and she follows it all the way through. She took me on a trip with her to her fav non-profit organization that goes to Mexico orphanages several times a year it is called, Kaaizen. Amy left several pieces of her heart with those children in Mexico. Not only did she love them and spend many trips there serving them, she also drew murals all over their orphanages to brighten up their days when she was away from them.

Amy has a natural desire to be obedient. She is always striving to make correct choices and to be the best that she can be. She has a strong testimony and love for God and shows that through choices in word, deed and art.

Amy made an absolute gorgeous bride. It has been so fun to see her transition to her wife role. I am ever more excited to see her as a mother. She has made her house such a beautiful home which will continue to grow as she adds to her forever family.

Best of all Amy is my dear friend who I love and cherish. She is so easy to love because she loves you just as deeply back. She is fun to tease, laugh at when she trips or says something funny, she likes a lot of the same things as I do, she is a great story teller and always has a dramatic memory to share, she is fun to plan things will and travel with as well.

Meems, I am thankful for our many fun memories and making it through life's ups and downs because each one makes us closer and love each other more each time. Thanks for taking the time to know me, love me and teach me things that I need to know.

Your birth is celebrated not only in Utah but in Mexico as well.
Feliz Cumpleaños my dear friend.

Sunday WILL come

I will never forget this talk from conference Oct 2006. I remember the feeling vividly. It was one of those, "this talk is for me" feelings and I needed to cleave to this talk the way that I cleave to the talk "Cast not therefore away thy confidence."

I love when you have those teaching moments from the spirit. How I am thankful to know that this is true. I have seen so many Sundays in my life and have felt that relief from being broken and being renewed with hope and knowing that those darn Fridays won't last forever, that Sunday does come and so does the comfort, relief of pain, and understanding.

Some of the promises that I like that he makes in the talk are..

• No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come.
• In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.
• Because of our beloved Redeemer, we can lift up our voices, even in the midst of our darkest Fridays, and proclaim, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
• That we may always know that no matter how dark our Friday, Sunday will come

We all have these "Fridays" in our lives. But we also have these promises that if we endure them, we will have a heightened joy because of our Redeemer. There are many more Fridays that will come to each of our lives. I am just thankful for that Sunday that comes every once in a while to remind you of the blessings that you have and focus on the end result, peace and happiness in the love and sacrifice of the Savior of the World. The Fridays seem worth it then.

For any of you who are going through your Friday right now. Know that I love you. I know you can do it! It is worth every second of heartache, darkness or sorrow for the light that will shine when all is said and done!

In My Lifetime...

I decided today that I needed to start recording the things that future generations will read about so that they know that I was alive at that time.

Although these current events this week aren't necessarily earth shaking and everyone has mixed feelings about how they feel because of the character of one, All celebrities that died this week have been legends in their own right.

Ed McMahon gave millions away for Publishers Clearinghouse. I remember seeing him on TV all the time with his jovial smile and wishing he would come and give me that money! I also remember him as a host on Star Search, co-host in telethons as well as TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes. He passed at age 86.

Farrah Faucett was a female icon since being one of Charlie's Angels on a hit TV series and sadly she lost her 3 year battle today with cancer at age 62. I remember all the rage in 4th grade was to have the Farrah Faucett feather hair do. I have pictures to prove it!

Michael Jackson, The King of Pop music, so they call him, also passed away today of Cardiac Arrest. I grew up listening to his music and watching his dancing. STill my favorite of his music above all is from the Jackson 5. ABC and Ben were in my favorites of that era. The ones I remember most is of course Thriller, Black and White, Bad and also the song we had to sing in elementary which I don't know what it is called but has the chorus "make this a better place. For you and for me and the entire human race.."
Michael was only 50 when he passed away today.

I am glad that I am going to start chronicling the things that take place while I am alive. I know that I have loved to hear my family talk about events that took place when they were younger and I want to have that for my generations as well.

Father's come in all forms

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY -- 2009

Today is Father's Day and for a girl whose Daddy hasn't been so much a part of my life I am still so blessed with some great Father's in my life.

My Heavenly Father. I go to him more than any of my other Father's. He always knows the right answers and the right ways to love and care for me. He knows the right storms to send my way and always finishes them up with great rays of sunshine. He knows how to love me where I am at and also is the best at putting me in my place. He will never leave me, I have him for eternity!

My Birth Father. After we reconciled when I was 18 he has tried to be more apart of my life. I have talked to him more, spent more holidays with him and even had a visit a couple years ago in Utah with him for a whole week. Although this relationship still isn't where I want it to be, I am thankful that my Dad helped create me because I love my life.

My Mother-Father. Have you ever heard of that? Well if you met my Mom you should know what that is. My Mom wore all the hats growing up. She not only nurtured us the way Mom's do but she also fixed flat tires of all kinds, played sports, made pinewood derby cars, cooked on Mother's Day, Did all the scouting things, mowed the lawn, worked FT, paid the bills you name it!

My Grandfather. He took me to Daddy-daughter dates, helped us financially where he could, took me shopping for Mother's Day gifts for my Mom, disciplined us when it was beyond Mom's control (OUCH), sang to me, told silly corny jokes, spent all my birthdays with me, protected me, supported me, picked me up from my mission and always encouraged me to be my best self.

My Self-Adopted-Father's.These men have been there to lend a hand or a much needed hug. A kiss on the forehead. Given me blessings in time of trial or illness. Been my biggest cheerleader. Make me believe that not all Dad's are absent Dad's. Teach me when I needed to be taught. Counsel me when I needed correction. Rejoice with me in good times. Pray for me in bad times. Help me see that heaven really closer than we ever knew. Shared their own families with me and let me be a part of them.

Father's really come in all forms and I am so thankful that I have been given many to watch over me throughout my life cause every girl wants to be a Daddy's Girl!

Displaced...again!

Have you ever felt displaced in life? Have you ever wondered what is supposed to happen next? Too much changing too fast? Just when you feel settled in somewhere-- you get all shook up again?!

That has been my realization of my life for about a month now. I thought I was safe for awhile since I have finally lived somewhere for 2 1/2 years but with the help of non-communicating neighbors, I am going to once again find myself homeless.

I am really trying not to complain because I have been blessed so GREATLY the last 2 1/2 yrs by the ability to live in the gorgeous house my brother bought (in hopes that he and his family could move in). We (rommmates and I) moved in here just as we had been kicked out of living in my Grandma's condo due to a loss of my cousin's husbands job. Luckily for me at the time my brother would buy his in-laws house and I would live here until the sale of their recently built house. Due to a crash in the selling markets just months after he purchased this home my 6 other roommates and I got to stay in what was supposed to origionally be "temporary housing". My heart has stuck here as I have taken care of this beautiful home. In January however something upset my neighbors (still not sure what) and they tattled on us to someone who called and told my brother we had too many living in our house (although room wse we have plenty of rooms for the number living here) and that he needed to become compliant to housing code.

Basically it has been a downward spiral since then and I am now living in a huge home all by myself and my Brother and his family will now be moving in the next couple of months (this decision was made this week). Which means, I will once again be homeless.

Being 31 and homeless is pathetic, I know! Just the thought of it makes my anxiety levels quadruple! Here I go being displaced once again. There are so many unknowns for me at this moment. And for a person who doesn't handle change well, my emotions are in a frenzy!

I was barely starting to build a new business of wedding catering and now what am I going to do? I won't have a kitchen with the ability to cook like I have. I am now back to square one!

Am I going to be able to triple my nannying business so I can survive and just eliminate weddings all together for this time? I won't have the storage space nor the kitchen space to continue with this type of business anymore.

I guess I just naively thought that this was going to work itself out and I would be able to continue my life as I've known it so it kind of caught me off guard when it worked so different than I thought it would. It came at a really trying and changing time in my life already and I really just don't know what to do with all this right now.

I really am just sorting this all out in my head as I type so I am sorry if this seems so random to anyone that is not in my head right now.

I would give anything right now for a consistent life with my own family and kids and not having to feel so transient all the time. I know that life also has many struggles and hard times but you go through them with someone else there with you, you aren't fighting it alone. Having said that, before you all think I am faithless, I do believe in the Lord's timing. I do believe all of this will come in his time. It doesn't make it any easier believing that. Only helps as a reminder. Although sometimes that reminder does give the glimmer of hope to many lonely nights-- don't get me wrong.

Regardless of how I should feel or not feel the bottom line is I feel displaced. I feel confused. I feel like everything that WAS just a month ago, is no longer. I feel challenged. I feel frustrated. I feel like a has been. I feel weak and I feel scared.
I know that none of these feelings are coming from the right source. I know that I need to get the peace that I can get from a higher, brighter source. Believe me, I know all these things! But first you have to face the hardship before you get around it or through it.

This next few months are going to be months of great change and challenge for me. There is so much going on in my life and I was ready for the other stuff until this new challenge hit now I am just full of so much confusion and can't wait till the peace comes.

I know everyone has felt this way throughout their life at one time or another or maybe you are going through this now. I know that great trials bring great character building. I have learned that many times throughout my life. I just need the courage that I have seen in so many of YOU to make it through yet another displaced moment.

Happy Mother's Day!

No painter's brush, nor poet's
pen
In justice to her fame
Has ever reached half high
enough
To write a mother's name.
~Author Unknown
We are all so blessed to have Mother's! There is not a species on this planet that doesn't have a mother. Whether we get our Mom for our lifetime or for just a short time, we are all blessed greatly by having a Mother that loves us no matter where they are at this given moment.

I write A LOT about my Mom and by seeing the videos I have posted lately I have heard a lot of you comment about my sweet mother and how she is so amazing! I would have to agree! She is always just where I need her to be, when I need her!

This Mother's Day, I am in Boise being a 10 day single "mother" to 5 children! I have been teary all day seeing how hard my Mom really had it! Single Mom's have an added element of hard when there isn't a second person around to lift the burden's of getting the kids fed, dressed for church, keep them getting along, making sure their needs get met. This morning was one of those days that I realized such hardships my Mom went through on her own as she tried to balance us, church and work. Mom, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for being EVERYTHING to us. You wore LOTS of shoes around our house and I am glad that you were blessed to get through it! You are a remarkable person and I am so proud to call you Mother. I am excited to have our girls nights once again with season passes to The Scera. Those are some fun/funny memories... you know what I am talking about! hahaha

There are SO many Mother's who too have touched my life! Although I may not have a chance in this life to be a Mother of children who bear the name that I named them, I can and do have a Mother Heart! Thank you to ALL you Mother's who share your kids with me and allow me the blessed opportunity to feel like I am contributing to society in just a little way! Whether your children are big or small, so many of you allow me to be part of your families and I am so THANKFUL for the blessing your kids, grand kids, and families are to my life.

I hope all you Mother's don't allow yourself ONE MINUTE to get discouraged or hate this day in which we celebrate you. Take it for what it is worth.. YOU ARE LOVED... JUST AS YOU ARE!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Monica... They say it's your Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET MONICA WHITING!!I just arrived into Idaho and had to rush into the house to make sure to give this women a tribute that she deserves!

Monica is so much fun! She always has some adventure brewing! This year alone she has gone to Mexico, Las Vegas , a cruise, women's conf and who knows where else!! This women is a jet setter extraordinaire!!

Monica has created a family that plays together! They have a blast together! They are always coming up with themed parties, fun vacations, date nights and they set some awesome spiritual goals together.

Monica has a desire to learn and is always increasing her knowledge in parenting, scrap booking, cooking, genealogy, jewelry making and even attends institute each week.

She is a go to girl. Everyone is friends with Monica and values what a good friend that she is.

I will NEVER forget the love that she showed me on my mission. I was the luckiest sister in Ohio because of the AWESOME care packages I got from Monica. She didn't ever miss ONE holiday. I even got to celebrate St. Patrick's day with green lotions and fun decor! I owe her my life for keeping those packages coming... they were some of my brightest days!

A really cute talent that she has is making Swarovski Crystal necklaces. Check out the one one she is wearing in this picture. She made a black and white one for me and so far it has been to Cabo with me, St. Lucia with my friend Sarah, and now Spain and Italy with Jolyn this week. I call it the Sisterhood of the traveling necklace ( I will do a blog about that later). It is truly a coveted necklace!

As you can tell she doesn't look a day over 25 yrs old... I am sure she gets accused of that all the time! Monica you look great! You are great! And I adore you! Thank you for being born!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Who says that?! Oprah what is up with you?

So.. this blog is SOOO overdue! I have been fuming about this for over a week right now.. and I think that it is such FALSEHOOD that I need to speak up about it. And yes, Oprah is getting a letter from me.

Beware this is adult material so if you have a kid that reads this, please use caution as to what you want them to read.

Anyone that knows me, knows I have been an Oprah JUNKIE since I was 12 yrs old. I would buy all magazines with her on it, read her auto biography's I just really connected with her. And even though there were shows on that I didn't want to watch, I loved the heart that she put on her show.

It seems as though Oprah this past year has traded her feel good-family viewing and sold her viewing network to the Liberal people. Sad to see the feel good show that I love come to an end and be traded for politics, worldly garb and liberal philosophy's.

This past week she did a series on Talking about Sex with your teens. There were some good segments until she brought Dr. Laura Berman on who suggested such a RIDICULOUS philosophy about what you should do for your teens that I had to turn off the show and have been fuming since, wondering what the best forum would be to STAND FOR SOMETHING! And let them know what they would be doing.

To spare those who may not want to see the video details and to help you understand why I share this next story what she suggested was forms of "Self Love". I am going to show you this clip because I would love for all my readers to write to Oprah and others and let them know what a ridiculous thing it is that they are suggesting!
http://www.momlogic.com/videos/?autoplay=true&mediaKey=5b8c2a25-fa81-43fa-a710-21c414f0f002
Besides the OBVIOUS reasons why I DO NOT think this is okay. There is an experience I had while living in Illinois that made this so clear to me why we are counseled by our church leaders to not give in to the "natural man" and how sexual desires are appropriate and essential within the bonds of marriage of a man and woman.

I lived in Illinois for a year while my best friend Jen was attending grad school. While their I worked at a Residential Treatment Center for kids with Brain injuries. I sure loved those teens. I loved the things they were learning retrain themselves to get back in the real world after their traumatic injuries and live back with their families. It was a very organized, structured and safe program. Sic months after working there, we received a new program director. She made "self Love" an accepted behavior. The youth were told that they just needed to tell staff that they needed "personal time"and that would be appropriate in their rooms. What happened when we embraced this concept? All hell broke loose. ( I don't know another term that more adequately describes what happened!) We had kids molesting each other because they didn't know how to control themselves anymore. The state was called in so many times because of rape reports that had to be filed. The center that was so recommended and so respected started to come under major scrutiny. I saw with my own eyes that if you give girls free rein to masturbate in all forms you create sex addicts and teen pregnancy rates will rise.. you mark my words.. I watched it flip my rehab in 3 months time!
I want to protect the innocence of children and teens. I want to make sure that the world doesn't put these promoting ideas into their heads. These rituals are NOT OK, they are NOT normal. Those feelings should be saved within the walls of marriage period.

So for now, Oprah.. I am sad to say goodbye to a show that has brought such sweetness into my life with the guests that it has featured and the stories they have told. Let me know when you come back to your senses!

Happy Birthday Melba Dear...

How I love this girl! This is my Melba Faye Latu and today is her Happy Birthday! Merba and I have been through so much together and have helped each other through many obstacles.

Merba is amazing! She is so motivated, dedicated and when she puts her mind to something, she does it! She even completed law school a couple of years ago!

Merba and I love to have girls nights, eat yummy food together and have unplanned sleepovers!

I have seen such spiritual strength in this tongan sister of mine. Not only has she conquered overwhelming trials and accomplished more than anyone would have said she could, She served a spanish speaking mission in California, she stays close to the spirit and is now serving as The Relief Society President in the tongan singles ward.

Merbs is the queen of asking fun, thought provoking questions and sometimes it catches you off guard and really makes you have to stop and think hard. These questions are like, "If you had to marry someone tomorrow who would it be? If you could change 3 things in your life past, present or future what would it be? etc" It always gets us laughing and keeps good conversation.

Melba/Merbs, I totally celebrate your birth! I am so thankful for ALL the memories, chats, food, and testimony that we have had together and look forward to a lifetime of those things and more!

Ofa Atu' My dear sister!

***This song is one of Merbs and my favorite. This song was played on constant repeat when melbs was in the hospital. At the time it was a little annoying but it was all that she wanted.. now it provides sweet memories.. ***

If YOU Care to Share Blog... check it out!

So my wonderfully, talented sweet Ang (the one that edited my BL audition video) has started such a FUN blog for Mommies, Nannyies or Grammies what ever you are and ALL are welcome to contribute to the blog!

Here is what she wrote to introduce the blog.... www.ifyoucaretoshare.blogspot.com

Hello bleader family! I have a new idea, and a new website as you can see! I wanted a blog where parents and homemakers can share ideas, hints, and maybe even some how-to's that they've figured out along the way. I know there are so many of you out there with great ideas, but you just haven't created your own blog yet! Well, I've done it for you! This blog will allow many different authors and I'm going to keep it public so anyone can get ideas from it.Now, don't be shy, send me your e-mail address or just leave a comment and I'll add you to the authors list.

This will enable you to post on this blog too! Then, go for it! Whenever you figure something out, find a new way to do something, find something creative for a school project or holiday, or just have something inspiring to share, you can post it here! Or, if you have a question, that you just know there are mom's out there who could help you find the answer, don't hesitate to post it too! We're all in this together, and with each other's help, we'll have lots of fun ideas, traditions, or maybe something fun to laugh at.

Now, don't worry if you don't know how to blog, just call me and I'll walk you through the process. It's quick and easy and lots of fun! Come on gals...if you care to share!

Wanna Join?
Do you want to join our panel of mom's? Send your e-mail address to supersullis@comcast.net along with a little bio and a picture and you too can "share!"

Nannying fun

Since I was 12 I have always told my Mom that I would be happy to be the mommy of a Down syndrome. I used to watch the sweet Robbie Mcclellan and loved every second of the things that he taught me. Since the first day I watched him, I wanted to one day be blessed with such an amazing spirit in my home. I got another little sneak peak of how great these sweet ones are when I was able to watch this family of three for 11 days. I had a blast and loved every minute of it!

Meet the sweet Macy

This 18 month old baby has my heart! She is so much fun. From signing more food to me every 3 seconds to her "gollum" crawl. I had a piece of heaven in my midst for those 11 days. I had fun playing dress up with her, laughing and snuggling. And even when she threw fits, there was still things to laugh about!

Now on to the two adorable boys. Andrew and Even ages 4 and 5. These two are such good pals. They love to play dress up and play games together. We had many adventures. We went to Color me mine, The Air force Museum, Fun center, Chuck-e-cheese and some fun restaurants and such. Can you tell they were having fun?! Evan was my pal. He loved to snuggle, watch movies and tease me. Andrew was a true BIG BROTHER. He was SOO helpful and really wanted to help with anything that he could. Another great time with some great kids!! Thanks Family H for the great experience!

Working with kids with Disabilities

FAMILY H

I had the blessed experience to work with the H family from March 27th to April 6th. I had such a great experience and a great time with these 3 cuties!

Macy is the sweetest of the sweet and was born with Down Syndrome. If you haven't goten the chance to be around a child so precious as this, please make time to do so.. they will melt your heart!
Evan was a sweet heart. He always wanted to be by my side and cuddle, watch movies and tease me by thinking of different names to call me. He always had me chuckling!

Andrew the oldest brother loves sports. He wanted to watch March Maddness and loved the sports that he played. He also was such a great helper and always willing to bring me items that I needed.

All in all the 11 days flew by quickly and we had SOOO much fun! We did a TON of activities. Played dress up at the airforce museum, went to chuck-e-cheese, made bowls at Color me mine and bounced at the fun center!Thank you for letting me love your kiddies for some fun packed days!! Hope to see you again!

\

Meg

The Vacation Nanny

I didn't make the cut...

I just thought that I would let all my supporters know that I didn't make the cut... I got the information just seconds ago. THANK YOU EVERYONE of you that believed in me!! It means the world to me and I love you ALL SOOOO much!

I believe in dreams coming true... just don't know how or when!

I STILL BELIEVE!

The Video is in....

I just wanted to let you all know that this will be the last update from me about Biggest Loser. I just wanted to let you know that since the 3rd of April at 1:55pm my Audition video for Biggest Loser 8 is offically in the hands of the NBC casting directors. I tried to make my envelope stand out and Angie tried to make my video stand out! I think we did a great job!

The next step of the process is hush, hush so you won't be hearing from me about any of that till after I win season 8!

When they decide they want to know more about me, I will recieve a call (sometime this month) and then after that I can't say a peep about what is happening! Basically you meet with Casting Directors somewhere in LA and you are sequestered (held without any outside communication) in a hotel till they decide to use you or not. If they do use you, you go straight the ranch and start kickin some trash! (Atleast that is the info I read by a casting director)

PRAY ME ON!!!

I REALLY want and need this experience!!

Thanks for all the LOVE and support!

Grandma's 76 TODAY!

Seventy-six years ago today one of my best friends was born. You've got it right,

My Grandma Schroeppel.

I got the awesome privilege to spend A LOT of time with my grandma growing up, since Mom had to work. I talked to my Grandma about everything. She taught me to cook, she played games with me and taught me my first lessons in service! Gram was ALWAYS serving someone.. everyday. She would write letters to missionaries and orphans, take in food ALL the time to the needy, drive people places, take her kids and grand kids (Pat and I) to places. My Gram taught me how to drive, I could always sucker her into to let me drive at least, she has been a pillar of strength and love to me all the days of my life.

Gram is Patient. A little background... When I was 9 months old my parents divorced and my grandparents moved my family (Mom, Pat and I) plus their other 10 children to Utah. I grew up with uncles around similar ages as me. One uncle is one year older than me and an uncle one year older than Pat. Grandma jumped right in and helped take care of us in any way that she could while Mom went to work to financially support us. Yes as you can tell, Gram has the PATIENCE of Job!

Gram plays with her grand kids. Some of my fondest memories include cooking with my Gram, playing dress up in all of her heals and handbags (someday I want to own them!), visiting people in her ward, hanging out with her when I was sick, her homemade popcorn, Sunday night popcorn and caffeine free Dr. Pepper for dinner, her sneaking homemade popcorn in the movies in the shoulder's of her coat, glass bottled soda pop, her swimming pool and the hours of fun and recreation that brought to us, her chuckle (her whole body shakes but not much noise come out), singing me silly songs, taking naps with her and hearing her snore, The red mercury and all the many adventures we had in it (pushing it down the hill with fireman, forgetting to take out the gas hose and pulling out the whole gas pump as we drove away, and then finally me ending up totalling it).

Grandma has a Mother Heart. I always admired Grandma's nurturing spirit. She always had needy friends and she loved them where they were at. She would let them talk to her on the phone for hours and never complained about it. She has for sure written and sent out hundreds of get well cards in my lifetime. She would give anything to anyone and has been reprimanded by our family for being too nice and getting taken advantage of.

Gram is selfless. Gram lives in St. George(Ivins) and really gets homesick there and wishes she could be with us in Utah County but stays and chooses to be happy cause that is what Gramps needs for his health. She has quite the people that miss her while she is gone. 11 children, umpteen grandchildren and we aren't even going to try to count the greats!! SHEESH! She is the WOMAN. (When Gram let's me know the counts after reading this, I will post the real numbers!) Growing up I wanted to have 12 kids cause Gram made it seem so easy and so I thought could get one more and be OK.. as you can tell, that isn't going to happen, but I thank Gram for letting me believe it were possible.

Grandma loves unconditionally. EVERYONE that crosses paths with my Gram has nothing but POSITIVE things to say about her and that always makes me feel so proud to call her Grandma, in fact anytime that you introduce her to any of your friends she says, "Hi, my name is Grandma!" and that is what they call her.

Grandma is prayerful. I don't know of any other women alive today that prays as long, as much, and as individually as my Gram does. I remember as a child waiting forever to talk to her in the morning cause she was saying her prayers. She is a spiritual giant and the FIRST person that I want praying for me when I going through something.

As you can tell, I have the best example, the most Christ-like friend, the most patient person in my life and it is an honor for me to call her Grandma!

I love you FOREVER Gram!!

Happy Birthday!