Christian Wins

Hands down. The CUTEST little grandson ever. The Captain and I are enamored with him. He's enough temptation to consider moving to Texas.


At the park on the slide and the swing:

In the children's section at Marian the Librarian's library in Frisco:

Notice, he's trying to rock the hair like his uncle Josh does... but... um, well, it's needs a little more body first.

With Uncle Josh at the River Walk in San Antonio:


And yes, he smiles like that ALL THE TIME. He is the happiest baby I've ever seen. It's rumored he's not so happy when he rides in his carseat... but since the Captain and I were in a different car, we didn't find that out first hand.

32 States

During this past 9-day trip to Texas and back, I saw license plates from 32 different states. How cool is that? Here's my list:

Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Now, of course, that wasn't the highlight of my trip. But, nevertheless... it entertained me on the interstates. So there.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Twenty-six

1 - Having a home to head to.

2 - Having a job to return to.

3 - Having made memories to recall on demand.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Twenty-five

1 - The Hansen family. The one I came from. The one that includes my Grandma Rose Hansen, my uncle Frank and aunt Kate, as well as my mom and dad, sister and brother, nieces and nephews. "My people." My tribe. We are small, but powerful.

2 - The Munson family. The one I married into. My mother-in-law and father-in-law. A million brother and sister in laws. Well, okay, not a million... just a thousand. More nieces and nephews. The Captain's uncles and aunts have also been very kind and accepting of me.

3 - The Holley family. Specifically my sister's family. She, her husband and sons, and one daughter-in-law. They are kind and fun. And they live too far away. (Of course, they'll tell you we're the ones that live too far away.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Twenty-four

1 - My mother. Her spirit, her spunk, her sense of self. Her example, her faith, her ability to 'wait on the Lord.' Her calmness, her experience, her sense of propriety. Her laugh, her smile, her mischief.

2 - My mother-in-law. Her willingness, her determination, her humility. Her kindness, her acceptance, her habit of service. Her sense of family and of heritage.

3 - The proclamation to the world on the family.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Twenty-three

1 - Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, homemade rolls and pumpkin pie.

2 - Leftover turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, homemade rolls and pumpkin pie.

3 - Tums.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Twenty-two

1 - Point and click cameras.

2 - Wireless internet connections.

3 - People I love whose photos and messages I enjoy.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Twenty-one

1 - Little baby boy smiles.

2 - Little baby boy kisses.

3 - Little baby boy laughs.

These three things are worth a 21-hour drive through Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. Worth every bit of it.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Twenty

1 - Traveling cars in good condition. Not having to worry about breakdowns along the road. Heaters and air conditioners. Power windows and power locks. So many things that make a ride enjoyable and comfortable.

2 - Time away from Texas. I left Texas in 1999 with a bitter taste and bitter experience in my mouth. I returned in 2000 to collect my things and again in 2003 for court wranglings with the same sense of dislike. Rather than assign the bitterness where it belonged, I put it on Texas. It became the butt of my jokes and the place I would never go again.

But time has done what it's supposed to do. Texas is a place. To be going to visit family there this month is something I'm looking forward to. Texas is now the place where R & R and Christian live. It's the place Marian the Librarian and her Stalwart Husband live. This year it's the place the turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes are found. Who would have imagined I'd be all about the family reunion in Texas? I might even drive by my old house and neighborhood... motivated out of curiosity. No bitterness.

3 - My grandma's dinner rolls recipe. Four generations of use now.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Nineteen

1 - The end of a work week.

2 - The start of holiday time off. Not having to go to work again for over a week.

3 - Suitcases, pillows, quilts, CDs and packed goodies. They all equal up to "ROADTRIP" -- one of my favorite things to do.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Eighteen

1 - An education. More than just the ability to read and write. The exposure to cultures, systems and times different from my own. The training to process, express and apply. Comparison and contrast. Knowledge, supposition, theory and fact.

2 - Access to quality healthcare. This year many in my family have been the beneficiaries of skilled doctors, clinicians and hospitals.

3 - The U.S. Postal Service. Letters from loved ones. Letters to loved ones. Packages in one piece and uninfiltrated.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Seventeen

1 - Soft sweaters.

2 - Fuzzy warm slippers.

3 - Fires in fireplaces.

...Of The Day

Cookie of the Day: Raspberry Thumbprints with White Chocolate Drizzle

Word of the Day: Pusillanimity

Website of the Day: http://www.bakerella.com/

Color of the Day: Peach

Activity of the Day: Trip to the Library -- return five books, check out four more.

Memory of the Day: Grandma Hansen's Fiestaware in her kitchen in Ogden. I especially loved the pitcher.

Quote of the Day: "Golf is a good walk spoiled."-- Mark Twain

Song of the Day: "My Grown-Up Christmas List" -- Michael Bublé

Rule of the Day: Rule #1 - Be nice.

Scripture of the Day: "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces..." (Isaiah 25:8)

Gratitude 2010 - Day Sixteen

1 - High school theater productions. I went to one last night. Great to watch teenagers sing, dance, act, laugh and have fun. Love to see the light in their eyes when it's over and people come up to congratulate them.

2 - Home canned peaches. When I look at them, I see images of my grandma's basement lined with jars of peaches and cherries. Of course, I also see potential peach cobblers and crisps as well as bowls of peaches drizzled with dulce de leche.

3 - Photo albums. Memories made tangible.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Fifteen

1 - Rob. The Captain's oldest son. Kind and accepting. Quiet warrior with the battle scars and empathy to prove it. The other day as I worked my way through yet another moving box, I found a card I had received from him for Mother's Day along with a bottle of perfume. I sat back, read through it and remembered that day a few years ago. Now Rob has a son of his own. He's a good dad. Attentive and affectionate.

2 - Brett. Stepson #2. Resolute. Not a lot of fanfare but a lot of forward motion. Not afraid of things. Lots of friends. Generous. He's given me his honest opinions and answers when I've asked him difficult questions. He was the one at the hospital waiting for the Captain to come out of surgery. He brought Juliann and Mae to come see him while recovering. Mae lights up the Captain's world so that was a very nice thing for him to do.

3 - Spencer. Stepson #3. A part of my life since he was eleven years old. Funny. Quick-witted. Tender-hearted. We always looked forward to the weekends he was coming to the house. I don't know how many times I had to answer the question, "Is it a Spencer weekend?" The perfect addition to Josh and Jon -- kind of like completing the Three Muskateers. Josh, Jon and Katie adore him. So do I.

Today

In my mug: Chocolate Hazelnut Hot Cocoa

In my spoon: Cream of Wheat sprinkled with brown sugar

In my ears: The sound of rain pinging and clicking on the patio roof.

In the freezer: Ziplock bag full of last week's homemade spaghetti/pasta sauce. Made enough for four meals. So far, we've had two.

On my nightstand: 1. "Winston's War" by Max Hastings (the historical biography not the work of fiction) 2. Alarm Clock/Radio set to 7:00am. Apparently sometime during the weekend, Josh thought it would be funny to change the station to some seriously obnoxious rap music station. Not fun waking up to that noise this morning. But... effective, definitely effective. 3. A half-full bottle of Vitamin Water Mega-C. 4. Reading glasses (2.0 lens magnification)

Anxious about: Getting everything done to leave for Texas on Friday.

Out my window: An uncovered gas grill. Leaves cluttering the yard from all sides. Wet and soggy now from the rain (sigh).

Over my shoulder: The four hold-out boxes that just keep getting moved around and haven't found a home in our home yet.

In my prayers: Katie's safe arrival and an enjoyable time for the next two weeks in Argentina.

On my bedroom dresser: A magnifying mirror and eyebrow tweezers.

On my mind: Sorting through business ideas trying to land on one that will work.

On my grocery list: Dishwasher soap, dozen eggs, Gruyere cheese and Zip-lock bags.

Bing! Bang! Boom!

I have birthed three children. They arrived in rapid succession. When the youngest was born, the oldest was still two. When they were young, it was so overwhelming. It's like they got here so quick. You know... bing... bang... boom.

Hence, we've always referred to them as Bing, Bang and Boom. In fact, they even answer to their corresponding sound. It's crazy funny how suited to their personalities each one's nickname is. Josh is Bing. A sound that is quick-shooting and precise, not real loud but capable of ricochets left and right. Katie is Bang. Yep. Louder. More deliberate. Like a bullet being shot out of a gun coming at you with force. Jon is Boom. Pretty much impossible to ignore. Heard everywhere at once ... with everyone asking, "What was THAT?" 'Nuf said.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Fourteen

1 - My children's independent faith. As I have been prepping my Basic Roasted Potatoes (thanks Rookie) to accompany our grilled steaks for Sunday dinner and reading about startup small businesses on the computer, I have heard the voice of Jeffrey R. Holland coming down the hall. Now, down the hall are located the bedrooms of Bing and Bang (Boom is in the MTC). Bang is getting ready for her mission to Scotland/Ireland.

Yesterday morning Bing, Bang, the Captain and I were all sitting on my bed talking scriptures. I pulled out my marked-up copy of Doctrine & Covenants and referred to the 20th section. We talked about the difference between the statements put forth in the Nicean Creed and verses in Section 20 that declare the doctrines of the Restoration. We talked of the difference between the statement "we believe" and "we know." At that point, Bing referenced a terrific talk given a couple of years ago by Elder Holland. He specifically told Bang about it in the context of her preparation for missionary service. And then we moved on to other things... like who's cleaning the bathroom this weekend and what time the BYU game started.

Now today, I hear the voice of Elder Holland as Bing and Bang listen together to that talk. No parents directing discussions. No assignment to speak in church soon. Just the two of them and their common faith. I am more grateful than I have words to express.

2 - Isaiah. Now, there's a prophet for you. And for me. His writings and prophecies have been the subject of our Sunday school lessons for the past three weeks. It's cool to talk Isaiah with teenagers. Way cool! Since I'm on the subject, I better also express my gratitude for the resource books that have helped me understand Isaiah better. How appropriate that one is titled, "Understanding Isaiah." Ya think???

3 - Rookie Cookie's blog. She no longer actively posts there, but I'm grateful she left it up. Those recipes are wicked good. The simple ones and the complex ones. Were it not for Basic Roasted Potatoes we'd be having regular old mashed potatoes for the third time this week.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Thirteen

1 - The faith of my ancestors. The histories of sacrifice, focus, tragedy, blessings, miracles, perseverance, perspective, hope and audacity. I take pride in them though I can take no credit for them.

2 - The written word of God. Old Testament - covenants. New Testament - Glimpse into the life and teachings of Christ in His element. Book of Mormon - clear and prophetic. I can see my lifetime in it. Doctrine & Covenants - Contemporary and direct. Pearl of Great Price - Amplified first-hand experiences of prophets.

3 - Unplanned moments of conversations with my children about their ancestors and the written word of God.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Twelve

1 - Smells. Yummy ones like cinnamon rolls, chocolate cake, fresh bread, homemade spaghetti sauce, pot roast, etc. Soft ones like perfumes and flowers. Familiar ones like ocean breezes and mountain winds.

2 - Books. For enjoyment, for education, for escape, for entertainment.

3 - 'Nessun Dorma.' My, what a sound. Brings me to tears as the final chord resolves -- every time. Every. Time.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Eleven

1 - Friends from long ago. I was going to say 'old friends,' but I didn't want to offend them by calling them old. Besides, if they're old, then I'm old and that can't be possible. Plus, one of them didn't get the chance to grow old. She was gone at 31, dead from brain cancer. Today is the 14th anniversary of her death.

Facebook helps us keep windows into each other's current day-to-day lives. I'm not saying "reconnect" because I was never "disconnected" from them. One of them recently referred to our teenage years as 'idyllic.' It's an apt description. Loved them all then; love them all now. Grateful for what they added to the foundation of my life.

Oh, and 'Nae, your children have grown into beautiful people (I'm sure you know that). They are smart and kind, friendly and service-oriented. They are talented and so very loved by their aunts, uncles and grandparents. But, of course, you know all that, too.

2 - The nation's soldiers, past and present. On Veterans' Day, it seems appropriate to acknowledge all they have done. Grateful for their service and their sacrifices. I know a few first-hand. I know their families. I have seen the impact on both. Their service comes with a price... sometimes a high one. Sometimes the ultimate one. The experiences they have, the images they see, do not just go away once they have come home. They carry them in memory... and sometimes in body. It's a lot for a nation to ask of people. We should be more grateful.

3 - The Hill family. Kyle, Tanya, Rutger, Kylee and Porter. See item #2 above. My friends for 20 years. My neighbors for 17 of those 20 years. I am grateful for (Orem): impromptu Sunday meals in the yard between our two houses; help setting up a swingset; joint rental and tilling of gardens side-by-side; hilarious memories of dealing with the drug dealers and punk teenagers from across the street; night-vision goggles from Camp Williams used for watching Macey's shoppers two miles away; introduction to Stephen's Hot Cocoa mix late at night; helping me to keep my sanity during 'the bad times' of my first marriage; moving three different times to three different houses all on the same street; cross-stitching and crafts; Porter's birth and Tanya's recovery from it; Disneyland 2001. (Elk Ridge): fishing at Maple Lake; workouts in the basement gym; Super Bowl get togethers; cooking in the kitchen; answering the door at night in Oct 2005; opening it again in April 2006; the place Katie could 'run away' to; good friends for my children; Halloween parties through the years; more combined dinners than I can count; prayers and Family Home Evenings together; borrowed Boy Scout uniforms; the Hill/Munson two-way grocery store; taste testers. My dear, dear friends.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Ten

1 - Farmer's Markets. Fresh fruits and produce. Fun arts and crafts. Artisan breads.

2 - Supermarkets. One-stop shopping. Emergency gallons of milk and cartons of eggs. Quick movie rentals at RedBox. Time savers.

3 - El Mercado Latino. I'm a junkie for empanada shells, dulce de leche, mate cocido and yerba mate. Argentina doesn't feel so far away when I've got these things in my cupboard.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Nine

1 - The start of a new day. Yesterday is over. Today may be a repeat of the previous. It may be a continuation. It may be something entirely different. It may be a combination -- part continuation, part something new. The possibilities for change that a new day brings renew me. The possibility to build on the past reinforces me. Every new day is a reminder of the gift of agency.

The sun comes up over the Wasatch mountains. The neighbors start up their cars and the sound of the motors' humming and revving comes through the windows and under the doors. The hope of it being cold enough for hot cocoa is with me right about the time I throw back the blankets and look for my slippers. The furnace wakes up and warm air makes its way through the hallways.

2 - The end of each day. Maybe exhausted. Maybe exhiliarated. Maybe defeated. Maybe just calmly transitioning. Cold, crisp sheets. Warm soft blankets and comforters. A lamp on the end table for reading. A book and my reading glasses perched on the edge, just waiting for these final ten-fifteen minutes. The Captain and I each have a reading lamp. We sit with pillows propped and read our respective books. Each night my eyes tell me I'm done long before my interest in the story wanes, but that's okay. Tomorrow will end, too and I'll pick up where I left off.

3 - Grape-raspberry Vitamin Water Zero. Yum.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Eight

1 – Time with Josh. Of all my children, he has been the best “multi-tasker” about splitting his time between two families. He lived with the ex for part of his senior year. He lived there again prior to his mission and again for a few months after returning from his mission. While it’s hard to not have your children with you all the time, it’s a price to be paid for divorce. I never felt it was right to try to obligate, manipulate or guilt a child to “choose” one parent over the other. I tried to put myself in their shoes. If I had ever had to “choose” between my dad and my mom, I would have felt impossibly conflicted.

Josh has decided to attend school here in Utah, for now. So, he has been here at home since the end of the summer. It has been a blast. He’s very quiet by nature. But, he’s also hilariously funny. He’s quick witted and likes to tease and banter with the Captain. Last month, he decided the foyer of Chuck-A-Rama was the perfect spot for a boxing ring.

He does accents quite well, and ever since Katie got her mission call to Scotland, he’s been speaking almost constantly in a Scottish brogue.

We laugh a lot around here, and almost always it’s with Josh.

2 – Bill Pay. Love it. No envelopes. No check writing. Verifiable delivery.

3 – Traveling plans. Headed to Texas for Turkey Day. Starting negotiations with the Captain for a winter trip to sunny San Diego. I love road trips.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Seven

1 - Sundays. A day of rest in every week. A day when the worries of a weekly schedule don't encroach. No punching a clock. Free to sit for a three-hour block and think of and participate in spiritual things. The anticipated platter of pot roast. Some TV watching; some book reading.

2 - Leisurely drives home from church. Not in a hurry to get back to Cougar-town right away. (Uh... let's be sure we're clear on this: "Cougar-town" as in 'home of the BYU Cougars' not over-40 women on the prowl.) Sightseeing through the neighborhood to see which houses are selling, which ones are sold. The changes of the leaves on the trees.

3 - The change back to Mountain Standard Time. Oh yeah! An extra hour of sleep.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Six

1 - Visits from Mae.



2 - Visits from D & R. (Not to be confused with DNR -- do not resucitate).


3 - Visits from RJ. (Sorry, no picture. Didn't think to pull out my camera in time.)

Gratitude 2010 - Day Five

1 - Working from home while the Captain recovers. Yep, I've taken the stereotypical approach. Some days I've worked in my pajamas until noon. Other days I've not gotten out of bed until ten minutes before the start of my shift. Oh, wait, no... I guess that was on the same days I worked in my pajamas. Drinking hot cocoa at my desk in my very cool Disney Villians mug that I would never think of taking to work lest my co-workers discover my true nature. (Bwah ha ha ha!) Eating dinner leftovers for lunch... in my own kitchen. Waving at the mailman.

2 - Paydays! Money in my pocket. Money in my account. Bills paid.

3 - Paying tithing. Grateful to be able. Grateful the Lord keeps his word as regards to it. Hope He knows I'm more than happy to write those checks. No resentment at all. No wishing I could keep it in my account. It's a small gesture, I know, but when I consider all the bounty with which I'm blessed... and not just financial and temporal, but also spiritual, inter-relational, and all the rest... well, I'm just grateful to make the gesture to the Lord.

I think this sums it up:



For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour,
Of the day and of the night;
Hill and vale and tree and flow'r,
Sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind's delight;
For the mystic harmony,
Linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child;
Friends on Earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thy church that evermore,
Lifteth holy hands above;
Off'ring up on ev'ry shore,
Her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the martyrs' crown of light,
For Thy prophets' eagle eye,
For Thy bold confessors' might,
For the lips of infancy.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thyself, best Gift Divine,
To the world so freely given,
For that great, great love of Thine,
Peace on earth and joy in heaven.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

by Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864

Gratitude 2010 - Day Four

1 - All my Lion House cookbooks.

2 - New computers and new software. After my old computer bit the dust this summer and I lived a couple of months without one, it is nice to have one again. As of tonight, I even have word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, and database programs on it as well.

3 - The Provo Library. Love the building itself. Love the shelves of books. Love that I can walk out of there with 4-6 books and still have all my money in my wallet. Can't seem to do that when I go to Barnes & Noble.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Three

1 - Being a teenager in the San Diego North Stake 12th Ward. My friends from that time have grown up to be some of the most remarkable people I know. We recently lost one of them to death. His name is Rod Dial. I'm blessed to have known him.

2 - The miracle that is "the Law of the Harvest." If you want proof, it's right here.

3 - Facebook.

Gratitude 2010 - Day Two

1 - Three adorable little nieces.


2 - Smiles through tears.

3 - Bill Cosby "Himself" DVD. Hilarious. Simply hilarious.

Gratitude 2010 - Day One

Yes, it's that time of year again. Time to put the focus on all the good things in life. Time to think about and express gratitude. Time to find God and goodness in each day. So, here it goes... back for a repeat performance: My November gratitude posts, version 2010.

1 - Katie's mission call. Scotland/Ireland. Reports to the England MTC on January 14th.

A perfect fit for her personality (just like Josh's call to New Zealand was for him). She likely won't have a lot of baptisms, due to the whole 'Europe is a hard place to baptize' thing... but that's all in the Lord's hands. I think of her upbringing. She knows how Primary is supposed to work, what Sunday School is all about, how Young Women's should impact young women's lives, what the transition to Relief Society feels like, what Institute can add to a young adult's life and preparation. Any ward or branch she is in, she will be able to strengthen and contribute. She will leave her mark there... because that's what God wants from her.

Besides, she's really gonna rock those Argyle socks and sweaters.


2 - Jon's mission call. Mexico Tuxtla Gutierrez. October 13th. Already in the MTC.

For the third time, an excellent fit: Part rain forest & jungle/part big city with a temple;, a little political unrest thrown in for good measure; and having to struggle to express himself in a different language. The work is likely fast and furious with teaching and baptizing. It matches his energy level. The exposure to third world and humble beautiful people. That works for me (for him).

Besides, he's been chowing down on Mexican suckers (you know, the ones coated with hot chili powder) since he was eight.


3 - David Tipton.
A bishop that took hold of my 14-year-old son and didn't let go. Not ever. Not even after he was no longer the bishop. The image of him wrapping Jon up in his arms in the Celestial room two months ago will stay with me forever. It has given me a visual for what 2 Nephi 1:15 means. God bless that man for all he did for my son... and me.