Hey world.... how's it going? I've been keeping busy...

We had a super fun trip down to Southern Utah! We stayed at Alina's house... which is so beautiful. The colors, the art, the counter-tops, the furniture... loved it! B had so much fun playing with her boys.

Saturday, the cinco de Mayo, we ran down to Blan Juan... it was snowing!! It really was blizardy in between Monticello and Blanding. Craziness. So, we didn't go to the "birthing panel" with Dad. We will have to save that for next time. Donna did a big extravaganza for S's birthday. They made a cute cake with Dora, Diego and Boots on an island play ground. Everyone in the family loved it! Then they gave S some really cute toys... little princesses, which I love as much as S does.

Then we ran down to the Pow-Wow. In Blanding I got to see Robin Benally... fun... her daughter was our waitress! Robin and I taught together at WHS. Then at the Pow-Wow I got to see Vicki and Kenneth Joe (I taught with Kenneth)... the Pow-Wow was in honor of their son, JR Joe. He died in a car accident... so much death on the rez. I forget how much I love the rez. It is smelly and brown and rocky and Mussi is such a sad little town... but I love it so much! I met so many great people there. I am glad that E could be with me to enjoy a little of the rez spirit.

The 12th of May we had another birthday extravaganza for S because Silvina wanted to buy her a pinata... and it was big. I made a "Barbie in a gown" cake where the cake is the dress. It was really cute. It definitely looked home made but we all thought it was a masterpiece. That is a huge part of the fun, digo yo, getting in and making things.

Ana is about to leave me... and I am freaking out about that. I just lay in a dark room all day mourning the "loss" of a good friend. She is moving back to California... her husband is already gone to get ready for his new career as a lawyer (he just graduated from law school at the U). Nifty.

I must mention two things that I love about the branch. I received the friendship basket from a sister. She included a card where she told me how much she loved me... the funny thing was that it was a sympathy card. "Sharing your sorrow during this difficult time." Funny...
I also love that when I make mistakes or do something crazy, they just assume that it must be my culture. So, they don't judge me too harshly. Also funny....

Well...love to all.

Happy birthday to Mom yesterday. I know she loves my kids as much as I do. A few memories...
Bob Serawap taking off his shirt and giving it to her because she said she liked it. She was so embarrassed.
She wore the jade owl necklace Dad brought back from Central America to some event. Robert Redford was there and he commented on Mom's necklace, he liked it. She was in heaven.

Wow... it has been awhile. I am getting as slow as an old lady with arthritis stuck in molasses. Is that how the saying goes? In all fairness to Alma, I should not be making arthritis jokes.

Life is good.

Today I was pleased to see the amount of learning that took place with my children watching their television programs. After a "Blue's Clues" on different environments around the world, B informed me that..." deserts are hot and have a lot of sand and Cadillacs. A Cadillac is a tall, green thing with spines.:"

After an episode of "Backyardigans" where they visit a luau and the volcano sisters. He ran in to tell me that "voka-pele" means the volcano is going to blow in Spanish. I said I thought it might be Hawaiian... He just looked at me and shook his head, "I don't think so, Mom." Funny cat.

I received a little shock opening the pantry and finding three Care Bears looking at me (the work of S). Last week I kept finding Chevron cars smiling at me every time I opened the pantry door (that would be B). I opened up the "lazy Susan" (no offense meant to our dear sister, who we know is not lazy) to get out some raviolis for lunch and I found an empty can of black beans that had disappeared out of the recycling trash (this I owe to L, she loves to play in the canned goods). I have also found the trick-or-treating pumpkin and shoes, among other things, tucked away amongst the canned goods.

Alina called me today! She is settled in her house in Moab and enjoying the craziness. We who grew up in Blanding know that Moab always has been a little... you know...

Alina said the nicest thing and I am tearing up now getting ready to type it. She said the other day she was thinking about the injustice of us not being able to have our mother's things. How sad it is that many things have been lost or ruined (like all of her recipes, jewelery, and who knows what else). Then it came to her that those things are not even important. Our mom is so proud of us for being good wives and mothers (fathers) and good members of the church. That is what matters to her most, not if we have her "stuff". We are honoring her with our lives.

Do you see why I love Alina so much?! I am so glad that she can receive revelation for me. All joking aside... I feel the truth of what she said.

We are just good, aren't we. Not that we aren't still waiting for the stuff : ) We've waited more than 20 years, we can wait a little longer I guess.

My mother-in-law came back from Honduras last week. Now the contest begins... Nahum wants her to take care of his daughter (she really needs someone to bathe her regularly... they keep trying to "manipulate" me into taking care of her... I probably shoud, but the thought of it makes me so tired and sad... it would mean goodbye to the Treehouse and library... enough about me) Maribel wants to finish beautician school and needs my mother-in-law to take care of her kids (she has a brand new baby that is so cute!) and Marlen wants her to stay with her kids. I'm guessing that she will be hear for a month then go with Marlen for a couple of months, then come back again. That is what awaits us all. Our children fighting over us to take care of their kids.

My fiesty ex-counselor just had a baby. She refused (and said many unecessary rudities) to take a meal to a lady she visit teaches a few weeks ago... So we are pouring it on. We gave her a baby shower last week, the next day she gave birth. They didn't want to tell anyone from church, but we called when they didn't show up for church. They were inundated with visits yesterday (our RS presidency included) and they are getting meals taken in for a week! We'll teach them to not want to serve others.

Well, I am working on the family calendar. You will all have it before January ends. I need pictures from Steve, Jodi and Ticee... email them to me :) Hopefully it will work.

Love to all!