Wow!

Obviously, I am terrible at this blog thing! Haven't written anything in almost a year. So much has happened during this past year that I hardly know where to start. I guess I'll start with David and work my way through the whole fam dam'ly...

David is now consulting for an owner running a plumbing company and two restoration companies. He really enjoys the training aspect most of all. He is still on the High Council and continually gets new assignments.

I am still working at Kravitz and have just recently changed to working 4 hours on Friday (8 hours each day Monday through Thursday) - the reason for this will be written about in a few more paragraphs. Life has not been dull this year.

Heather & Cody still live with us. Cody is going to school and working at In N Out. He should be done in another semester or so. Heather continues babysitting for a couple families as well as doing some bookkeeping for a construction company.

Derek and Naomi welcomed their fourth child, Callen Kenzo Morris, on January 19, 2011. Ethan just turned 6, Tai is 4, and Evey is 2. They are a busy little bunch. Ethan and I recently had another Grandma day where we went shopping for school clothes and supplies, just like last year. Tai can't wait for his turn next year!

Nathan is working hard at Pharmacy Board Shop. He has helped them open a couple of new shops in Hollywood and Las Vegas. He will be moving home for while until he figures out where he REALLY wants to live - really, what could be better than here? (Just ask Heather & Cody!)

Jesi and Shane welcomed their first bundle of joy in March - only 1 1/2 hours too late to be the perfect birthday present for Grandma (darn it!). Her name is Kenadie Brianne. She has come to this world with some health issues that we are saddened by but we are overjoyed that she is part of our family and we know that no matter what, she will be part of our family for eternity. I have the great pleasure of being with her every Friday after I am done at work.

And last, but not least, Holly... Yes, Miss Holly is getting married this year. We are excited that Scott will be joining the family on December 17th.

So much more to say, so many pictures to post, but alas, I must go. David and I are off to Salt Lake City tomorrow to attend General Conference - I am sooooo excited!

Challenges

There is a line in a song I recently heard that says, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans." Since I plan ahead for almost everything, I'm pretty sure my life has kept the good Lord in stitches.

Our most recent challenge made me pause and take a step back. My typical reaction is to get upset, cry, scream, and "plan" what should come next. This time, however, after much prayer and thought, it came to me to just let it go. I know this feeling of peace is directly from Heavenly Father. Whatever happens, happens and this challenge will not change what is important to me - my purpose in this life and where I am headed after this life.

So as David likes to say, "Bring it on Buttercup!"

Ethan's Special Day

My grandson Ethan will be turning 5 in September. This is important because that means he now attends kindergarten. But before school began, Ethan took Grandma for a little shopping. He wanted to be sure he was properly prepared for his first day. So off we went to the mall...

First, we needed fortification. A cheeseburger Happy Meal seemed to do the trick. Only problem was there was a TV with a cartoon on behind me so Ethan was a little distracted.

Isn't this the cutest face?

Next, we went to Build-a-Bear. Grandma forgot to get the camera out because she was so distracted by all the cute things. Ethan "built" a Wolf. He was fascinated when the lady told him to rub his wolf's "heart" on his muscles (so he would be strong), then on his own heart (so he would have love), then on his tummy, forehead, and nose (just because).

Our next stop was the shoe store. Everyone needs new shoes for the first day of school! Ethan decided on the Star Wars shoes, Iron Man socks, and an Iron Man backpack. Then off to Sears for some jeans and a Spiderman T-shirt. He had quite a conversation with the cashier about school and when we left, Ethan turned to me and said, "Grandma, she was a silly lady, wasn't she?" I couldn't help but laugh!

Then as we were leaving, we decided we needed a picture together and this is the "background" he chose. Isn't it just ducky?

After leaving the mall, we headed to Target for school supplies. I am fully aware that they don't need too much when beginning Kindergarten but it was such fun and he was so excited I couldn't help myself. We got some paper, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, a folder, some glue sticks, and some "safe" scissors. I explained to him that the glue and the scissors would have to be put up and used only when Mom or Dad say it's okay.

We ended our day at Berrystar Frozen Yogurt (one of Grandma's favorite places). Ethan's concoction was quite impressive - chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry frozen yogurt, with just a dollop of pistachio (because that's what Grandma had and he was SURE he loved it). Then some strawberries, one orange, some m&m's, rainbow sprinkles, and to top it off - graham cracker crumbs! Personally, I LOVE graham cracker crumbs on my frozen yogurt. The kids laugh at me because they think I have a little frozen yogurt with a lot of "dirt".

"Look Aunt Holly - a FIESTA!"

All in all, it was a super fun day. We took our packages home and Ethan told me "Thank you for your kindness Grandma." At every store, without fail, as Ethan took his package, he would tell the cashier, "Thank you." I was so proud of him - such a polite little fellow!

Thanks for taking me shopping! XOXOXOXOXOXO

My Dad

Carvel B. Stephenson Jr
March 24, 1934 - February 24, 1993

For some reason, I am feeling particularly tender today about my dad, who returned home to our Heavenly Father more than 17 years ago. He was a great daddy. He did so much for us. Many, many evenings were spent at baseball parks and in basketball gymnasiums, coaching my brothers and playing. When I was older, we played tennis every Tuesday night. He loved sports of all kinds. I remember him playing softball in the "Over The Hill League" in his 50s. His team name was The Pacemakers.

Yes, he loved sports, but he truly loved his family above all (even golf :o]). He was taken from us much too soon at age 58. Jesi had a very special relationship with "Papa", as seen in the next picture.

Oh, how I miss him and wish I could talk to him. So on this Father's Day 2010, I will remember him with love, especially when I hear the primary songs in church today about Fathers.

I love you and miss you!

The Colors of Spring

I must admit that Fall is my favorite season - the weather is getting cooler, the holidays are coming, baseball is winding down and football is beginning. But during a recent trip, we passed a hillside with some of the most amazing colors I have seen, all together in one place - purple, yellow, orange, green - it was beautiful (the picture does not do it justice). For some reason, for the rest of our trip, this made me take notice of all the wonderful colors Heavenly Father has blessed us with, especially during Springtime. I have no photography skills but decided to take pictures of things I saw that made me pause and thank Him.












What a wonderful world we live in, if only we'd stop and take the time to notice it.

Can it really be April already?

Where does the time go? They say that as you get older, time seems to move faster - I must be 80 because time sure flies!

The year began with an eventful time celebrating Heather's birthday. Later in the month, we had Jesi's bridal shower with lots of fun and games.
For Christmas, Nathan gave David and me, along with my two brothers, Cary and Brian, tickets to a Laker game so off we went in early February.

Next, we celebrated Evey's and Tai's birthdays. Tai is 3 and Evey is 1.

Isn't that the greatest smile!!

Evey is sharing her cake with Uncle Nay-Nay - isn't she sweet?

On February 13th, Jesi and Shane took out their endowments in the Los Angeles Temple. It was a very special day. The feeling I had seeing my children in the Celestial room was amazing and brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.

Then on February 20th, Jesi and Shane got married in the Redlands Temple. Another amazing day!

There is a very funny story behind this picture - you should ask Holly about it sometime! :o)

The girls...

The boys...

The month of March took us to Las Vegas - twice. The first time for a baptism, the second for a funeral. At the end of March, we went to the Hollywood Bowl with our good friends, Ron and Lori McFate, to see Paul McCartney perform. He sure puts on a great show!

David, Jill, Ron, Lori

Then on March 31st, David and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. He had the day planned and we had a great time. First, I received a dozen red roses at work. Next, we had lunch at Barone's (my favorite Italian place), then went shopping for several hours (poor David!), then for some ice cream, and then to the Marriott for a night all alone!

It has been quite a busy 3 months. We are so blessed with a wonderful family and great friends!

The Happy 101 Award

I received the "Happy 101 Award" from Holly and being the happy, play-along kind of girl that I am, here are 10 things that make me happy (not necessarily in this order):

1. My family
2. Rain
3. Primary songs
4. The color red
5. A good book
6. Listening to my children and grandchildren laugh and tell funny stories
7. Clocks
8. Being in the Temple with my children
9. White cake with cherry frosting
10. David

The list could go on and on because there are so many things that make me happy but I'll stop there. And now I'll ask - what makes YOU happy?