Father's Day!

Any man can be a father, 

but it takes a special person 

to be a dad. 

-Proverb
My Dad is awesome!
When I was just a little girl, I remember my Dad was always a busy man. He used to say, "I'm going to get on my horse and ride off in all directions!" Our house and yard was the most popular in the neighborhood. Dad built a small cinderblock castle in the yard. We had a teeter totter that was built on the axel of two old wagon wheels, you could move it all over the yard. Awesome! We had an old nose cone from a bomb, that my Dad made into a doghouse. We would turn it over, and climb in and spin each other around. Great fun! When my Dad got home from work each day, he would spend the rest of the day light hours in the yard, making it beautiful. When I was about 5 years old, he was building a home (pretty much by himself), working full time at the nearby college, and getting his PhD. I didn't see much of him that year, but our whole family was amazed at the things that he could do. He always finished what he started. Our family moved into that beautiful home and he got his PhD. Later, he had an urge and built another home. And made it so beautiful. My reception, when I got married, was in the yard my Dad had created. It had terraces, decks and rock and wood pathways all over this acre lot. People would say, "Did he do this all himself?" Others would say, "No, this was done by a professional landscaper!" Actually, he did do it all himself. He just had a knack for it. I say he had, because he doesn't have a yard anymore. He has always been active and healthy. He used to play handball everyday at lunch, now he plays three days a week. He is 77 years old. Amazing! He has always loved God, and has done his best to live a good life. He is an example of "love your neighbor as yourself." One thing about my Dad, that means so much to me, is that he loves my Mom. They have been married for almost 56 years. When my Dad retired from his full time job, he was able to work on his family history more, and he began volunteering to help others do their family history work. He now is the Director of the "Family History Center" where he lives. That means he is working for no pay, many hours a week. One of my favorite things that my Daddy does, is take me on a date once a month. Just me and him. He has done this for many years. 
What an amazing man!   
Happy Father's Day 

to my wonderful Dad!!!

I love you!
(My Dad's book: 
"The Book of ON!"
 You can find it here!)

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Happy Father's Day 
to all Dad's!

I love Mother Teresa!

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people my accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. 

It was never between you and them anyway."

-Mother Teresa

Fifty Fifth!

A very happy thing happened on this day, 55 years ago. My in-laws, Nancy and Pearce were married. We went to celebrate with them tonight. 

(I'm taking the picture, that's my darlin on the right and all my in-laws)

What a great accomplishment, to be married for 55 years! They are examples of 

true love! 

I love you both! 

Happy Anniversary!

Love, Joy

Hugging!!

       Hugging is healthy: It helps the body's immune system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.
       Hugging is all natural; It is organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients and 100 percent wholesome.
       Hugging is practically perfect: There are no movable parts, no batteries to wear out, no periodic checkups, low energy consumption, high energy yield, inflation-proof, non fattening, no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, theftproof, non-taxable, non-polluting, of course, fully returnable.

-Author unknown

******
When my children were little they would play a game called "Slug Bug". I'm not sure if it is an official game or not. When the kids would see a VW Bug, they would say "Slug Bug" and then they could hit the person next to them. I of course wasn't going for this! "We don't hit each other!" I would say. So we made our own game. It's called "Hug Bug". Whenever we saw a VW Bug, the kids could say "Hug Bug" and then they could hug the person next to them. Awh, now that's better!! 
Give a hug to someone you love!! 
I am going to get mine right now!
"Hug Bug"!!! ;)

It doesn't matter 

where you go

 or what you do
or how much you have,

what matters is 

who 

you have beside you.

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Celebrating 25th years together!

I love you, sweetheart!

Lessons: A True Friend!

Riley and Taz -Dec 1999

It has been 4 days since our sweet Taz passed away. I had an idea that it would be hard when his passing came, but I really didn't fathom it completely. Taz came to live with us as a puppy back in November of 1999. What a cute little ball of fur. He was mostly black, back then, with white patches here and there. The very first night we had him, I thought for sure he would cry all night. Nope, he hopped right in his bed, and slept till morning. He was potty trained in days and was always ready to greet people who came to visit.

Bear Lake 2008

 When he passed we were visiting friends in St. George. We usually took him with us when we traveled. He loved to ride in the car. He hadn't been feeling well, and for a second, we thought about leaving him home.

Grandma would come and check on him often,

but he would be by himself.

We took a vote and decided to take him.

After all he is part of our family.

I stayed home from church on Sunday and kept him close, patting him and talking to him. Telling him how much we love him and telling him it will be okay. He was such a sweet dog. He didn't eat at all on Sunday and drank very little. We had planned to take him to the vet, first thing in the morning. 

2009

I put him in bed, and told him to be a good boy and that I would see him in the morning. The next morning my darlinest got up before me, and went to check on Taz. He was gone. When my darlin' came in to tell me, we both cried and cried. He said, "I asked Heavenly Father to take him in my prayers last night." And I said, "Well, I asked Him to help Taz feel better." We both laughed a little, and my sweetheart said, "Well, He answered both our prayers then. Taz is gone and he is feeling better."

The lesson is this, when we take a chance and love something or even someone, we know that someday they may/will leave. It won't hurt when they leave, if we don't love them so much.  We have loved this little furry friend for almost 11 years. He has been such a blessing in our lives. He has followed me around the house and yard for 11 years. I couldn't even go to the bathroom without him wanting to come in with me.

2009

He was always the first and sometimes the only one to greet me when I came home. His little tail would wag so hard his whole bottom end would wiggle. I knew I was his whole world. Now that we're back home, I miss him more than ever.

 He was always here. He would sit by me on the couch. He would somehow get a hold of and chew on my quilts, only later would we discover his expensive chew toys. He would bark when people came to visit. Now the doorbell rings and nothing. ouch!

The thing is, I would never trade all the years of love and happiness with our little friend Taz, for not feeling lonesome and sad for him now. He has been such a blessing in our lives and we wouldn't trade a second of it.

ON PETS - by Daddy

On Pets

My adult daughter called her mother the other day,

crying, to tell her that her family dog, Taz, had passed away. Later that day I was with my wife and she told me of the sad event. Taz had not been feeling well for several days and that night they had put him in his bed and the next morning they found him dead. We, too, had known Taz for some 12 years, since he was a puppy. As we talked about the event and how bad our daughter's family felt about it, we, too, commenced to shed tears. Our family has always had pets and with only one or two exceptions they all died of old age. They have been, and are, important members of our family. They each have their own individual personalities, whether the pet be a cat or a dog. Dogs are always affectionate and cats are when they feel like it. They say a family owns a dog but a cat owns a family. I well remember my first dog, I brought a stray mongrel home when I was about eleven years old. I started feeding it scraps from our table and he stayed with me. He was about half grown at the time. It was during my fifth year in school and I remember that the war was still going on. Every once in a while a military convoy would be seen going through the streets of our city. I had a fascination with the Army jeep. I spent a great deal of time in class drawing pictures of jeeps and airplanes. Maybe at this point you can guess what I named my first and very own pet. You are right, his name became 'Jeep'. Jeep slept on

my bed, ate my food (I don't believe they even sold dogfood in 1945) and he went every where I went. When school was out Jeep would be waiting for me at the school house door. He would run alongside my bike as I rode all over the neighborhood. He provided a certain amount of humor for me and my friends. One time we were riding our bikes along a tree lined avenue in Spokane, Washington with jeep running along side. It so happened that two men were standing on the side walk talking and Jeep ran up on the sidewalk and stopped where the two men were and lifted his leg on one of the men. We talked and laughed about that for years. Wherever I was, there was Jeep, my constant companion. Jeep had one bad habit that I could never break him of, he loved to chase cars and sometimes bite at their tires if they were going slow enough. I mentally rationalized one time thinking that Jeep may have thought that cars coming toward us on the street may possibly be a threat to me. One day a car came along and true to form Jeep took out

after it, only this time, the thing that I was always afraid of

happened. Jeep was run over and killed. I remember running to the street and picking him up in my arms and with tears streaming down my face I carried him home. I was actually mad at him and I cursed him with every swear word that I could bring to mind. All that I could think of was that he did a stupid thing, now he was dead and he wouldn't be with me any more. My sorrow could not have been more deep if the dead body in my arms had been my little brother. After all,they were both members of my family. I missed Jeep so much, I missed his licking my face, jumping up on me with muddy paws and being there for me 24-7, as they say today. I missed his being curled up in the bend of my knees as we slept through the night. We were pals, he loved me as only a dog can love and I loved him as only a boy could love. I don't believe I feel much different about every pet that we have had as a family since that time. When our kids have brought home a new pet I have hesitated letting them keep them. I wasn't sure that I wanted to start a new relationship with a new pet because I knew how much it hurt when they go away. I don't believe that our children ever

understood my hesitancy, a hesitancy that was rooted in the loss of a little dog named Jeep.

-Emil

Taz

Our beloved family pet, Taz

passed away today. Sad, so sad.

We will miss him so much.

Dear Friend

Last week, on the day my son

Riley

left for boot camp, my dear friend Laura, brought me these tulips and some cookies. She didn't know it, but I was having a hard day. I don't like it when people leave. I know it will be a good thing for my son to do what he is doing, and I believe he will be in a good place. He will come home someday, a better man than he is now. I had teared up several times at work and then there she was. She just showed up with this beautiful bouquet of flowers. I absolutely love the canning jar! I love you, friend. Thanks for being inspired to come visit.

the joyful nest!

I don't know if you remember, but one of my first posts was about "choosing joy".

It is what I do.

I have come to a time in my life,

when the chicks are mostly grown.
Time flies when you're having fun, and

I know that in just a few years the nest will be empty.

OUCH!

I feel a pain in my heart. Don't call 911, I'm OK, it's just so hard to have my childers growing up and leaving. What's weird is, I have been looking forward to this for quite sometime. I just didn't know it would come quite so quickly. Being a mom has been the greatest, hardest, most amazing experience. When they were tiny, I would give anything (pretty much) for a break. Just 20 minutes! You know, run to the store by myself, take a shower, eat MY food by myself. I think all I did was feel overwhelmed and worry. Come to think of it, I still worry. But now they're gone alot and doing so much, I worry when they don't come home at the designated time. Did the car break down? Have they even looked at the clock? These days, I miss having them all safely tucked in bed by 8:30 pm.

After all is said and done, life is wonderful. It is a challange, and I love it. I choose to love it, all of it.

------------------------------------

I sent my oldest son off to boot camp on Tuesday, he has chosen to serve his country. It's going to be a great thing! I will miss seeing him for a while. Then my second son will be leaving on his mission in July. Oldest daughter is at a crossroads, as well. Bonus baby just turned sixteen on the 19th and had her first date all in the same week. Wow! I  know that I'm still their mom and hopefully they will always come home to the nest for visits, bringing lots of grandbabies and sharing love and  togetherness.

When I first heard Eva Cassidy sing this song, I cried....I sobbed. I thought of my darlin children flying away. It's hard, but when it's time for them to go, I know it. I have to have faith in them and in God. I know I have taught them, and loved them, and they are amazing!! 
(don't forget to pause the music at the bottom
before you listen to Eva)

I had a friend tell me once, "Joy, you're not the only one who loves them." Father in Heaven loves them even more than I do. They will be just fine!!!

5 Faves on the 5th

1- Four leaf clovers!

I found one once...I've been lucky ever since!!! ;)

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2-19 year olds!

What a fun guy!!

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3-Having a MOM!!

I've had a Mom for 48 years. I think I'll keep her.

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4-Spring

A time of new beginnings!

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5-the color green

I love it!!!

Happy Birthday!!! My Flexy is 19!!!

Well his name isn't really Flexy. He just asked me to call him that when he was about 5 years old. It has been 19 years today, since he was born. When I had Alex, and they handed him to me, they said, "Here is your baby". I was quite overwhelmed, because I had a 19 month old baby at home. The first thought I had was..."What was I thinking?" Well, I must have been thinking..."This will be fun!! Let's have another baby!!" I remember going to the grocery store with Riley in the front of the cart (you know, where I probably shouldn't have put him), Kelsey in the baby seat and Alex hanging off the front of me in an infant carrier. GOOD TIMES! I only left the house to go somewhere, if I could take my time. People would pass by and say, "You look like a busy, mom." Honestly, it has been fun. Alex has been such a fun little boy, teenager and young man. He is getting ready to go on an LDS mission and is soooo excited. We'll let you know where he gets his call when it comes!!

I love this darling boy!!!

Happy Birthday, Alex!!

True Love!

Love

is not a life spent with someone you can live with, it's a life spent with someone you cannot live without.
************************

When I first started dating my sweetheart,I knew he was the one for me. I actually had known him for about seven years before we dated. I knew him all through high school and always thought he was a great guy. He was very shy; not so much now. It was quite a effort to get him to ask me out in the first place. We would talk after church for hours and sometimes save each other a seat during church (we went to the same ward). Then we had our first date and then many, many more. Somewhere in the dating, an old friend called. Someone I really cared about before I started to date my darlinest. He wanted to see me again...yup, it was a kink. I didn't really want to date him, but my sweetheart told me he wanted me to go out with him so I would know for sure that I wanted to be with him and not with "old guy". I agreed and went on several dates with my other friend until I knew that I wanted to be with my sweetheart, for sure!! I had spent time without "old guy" and survived! And the thought of living without Mr. Wonderful just about broke my heart. I KNEW I COULD LIVE WITHOUT MY OLD FRIEND, I ALREADY HAD, BUT I ALSO KNEW THAT I COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT MY DARLIN. Remember..."Love is not a life spent with someone you can live with, it is a life spent with someone you cannot live without."

Happy, Happy 100th POST!!! 100 WAYS TO CHOOSE JOY!!!

100 ways to choose JOY!

(in no particular order);)

---------------------------------------------------

100-go for a walk

99-cuddle your sweetheart

98-jump on a trampoline

97-research your family tree

96-go for a drive

95-clean a closet

94-serve dinner at a shelter

93-play scrabble

92-cuddle a sleeping baby

91-watch "The Princess Bride"

90-read a good book

89-make a new friend

88-make treats for your neighbor

87-do some ironing

86-take a long hot shower

85-lay on the grass and watch the clouds

84-watch planes take off and land

83- give the dog a bath

82-call an old friend

81-look at your eyes in the mirror

80-go to a museum

79-let go of things you can't

 do anything about

78-paint your nails

77-make play dough for the kids and play with them

76-sing a song at the top of your lungs

75-do the dishes by hand

74-finish a project

73-practice saying "I love you" to the mirror

72-take a nap

71-start a blog

70-clean out your purse

69-write a letter

68-count your blessings

67-read to a small child

66-braid someone's hair

65-sit in a park and just watch

64-buy flowers for yourself

63-plan your dream house or your mansion in heaven

62-try cooking something new

61-go for a hike

60-kiss someone you love

59-forgive

58-go on a picnic

57-set some goals

56-write a special memory for your posterity

55-notice the little things

54-plant a tree

53-learn a language

52-sit in the sunshine

51-pray daily

50-have a song in your heart

49-visit a historical sight

48-one word: "chocolate"

47-visit a rest home

46-don't JUDGE

45-give a massage

44-stand for right

43-believe in God

42-listen to beautiful music

41-play with someone's hair

40-go for a run

39-balance your checkbook

38-dust your home

37-go to a farm when the baby animals are being born

36-read about great people

35-donate to a charity

33-drink clean water

32-use the toilet

31-"do unto others..."

30-share dinner with friends

29-shampoo, massage your scalp

28-clean up someone else's mess, without anyone seeing you

27-take pictures

26-get a pedicure

25-"if you can't say somethin' nice,

don't say nothin' at all"

24-get things done (no moping)

23-have a candlelight dinner

22-start a rock collection

21-HUG

20-listen more

19-count the stars

18-watch ants

17-don't compare your worst with someone else's best

16-chew bubble gum and blow bubbles

15-be grateful

14-LOVE

13-feed the birds

12-create something from something else

11-SMILE

10-ride a horse

9-smell brownies

8-Listen to your heart

7-tend children for a tired momma

6-jump a rope

5-lotion your whole body

4-close your eyes and feel the breeze

3-take a class

2-fold laundry

1-Choose it! choose JOY!!!!

Thanks for reading and spending the last 100 posts with me!

 Love, Joy

Being the Mom!

“There’s no way to be a PERFECT mother…but a million ways to be a ‘good’ one…

My greatest blessings

call me Mom”

....Riley and Grandbaby Natasha....

....Kelsey....

....Alex....

....Emily....

I absolutely love being a MOM!!!!

One quarter of a century!!

That's how long I have married!!! Well, not yet, but on August 7th, 2010 it will be. I thought it would be fun to ask you what you think we should do to celebrate. What do you think? My mom and pop-in-law have a trailer at the lake. My little darlinest always jokingly says, "Well, we could always stay an extra day at the trailer." Funny, I know, but not this year. It needs to be more special. Our biggest problem is the money. We are quite limited. We have a list of other pressing financial issues. Still trying to replace the shingles on the roof. And Alex, my almost 19 year old, will be leaving on an LDS mission sometime this summer. So help us get creative, come on, give us some ideas! I would love your help. The most important thing is this: I have a sweetheart who I love, more than I loved 25 years ago. It will be wonderful, where ever we spend our anniversary.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

This is the sweetest, funniest, most tender hearted and loving man!

This is my Dad!

He has always been there for me when I need advice and counsel. He has led, and continues to lead, a life full of integrity and goodness. Years ago, my Daddy started to take me on a date once a month, just me and him. We go to dinner, and talk. We share our days and life experiences together. Sometimes, I tell him what I think he should do in a certain situation. He tells me what he thinks about what's going on in my life. Sometimes we talk about my children, and what they're doing or a hard thing they're going through. He gets big tears in his eyes, and can't even speak. I love that the older he's gotten, the more tender he is. I love him so much. I hope someday to be half the person he is. I will just keep doing the things he has taught me to do, both in word and through his example. Thanks Daddy for being such a great Dad, for your wonderful example, and for always being there for me.

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

OXOX

T is seven today!!!!!!!

I started tending him

when he was just 3 weeks old.

What a fun boy!

At about 8 months old.

Now he's 7 years old!!!

Where did the time go?

I love you, T -man!

Happy Birthday!!!

Lessons from the Mountain!

Another lessen learned while climbing this beautiful mountain.

God is in the details!

My husband and I climbed this mountain back in 1999. While climbing we stopped a lot to rest, mostly because of me. My sweetheart is an athlete. While resting we looked at everything; the view, the sky, the cars that looked like little ants cruising around, the rocks, the trees and other plants. One thing that I remember thinking is how much we miss when we don't stop and look. Everything that was created by God down to the smallest detail is amazing. For example, a pinecone. Have you ever just looked at the intricate details of a pinecone? The leaves on each tree, including the pine needles are so beautiful. Or the flowers. There were all different kinds of wildflowers on the hike, most of them I had never seen or noticed before.

Notice the heart shaped petals on the flower below. That's Heavenly Father saying, "I love you and I want you to know it!"

The first thought that I always have is, 'this was no accident, there is a kind and wonderful Father in heaven who loves us!'  He put so much time and attention into the smallest detail of everything He has blessed us with. I think if we all slowed down a little, in our fast paced life and really looked, we would all find God in the details. I know He is real, and that He loves us. He is blessing us all, constantly. Even the hard or challenging things we go through are a blessing if realize that we learned something new and we're a better person once the challenge is past. Look for God in your life, He is there. When you notice how He has blessed you, Thank Him.  Love, Joy

5 Faves on the 5th

#1- The number "10"

#2- Cleaning house in my PJ's

#3- Donating things to charity

#4- Playing "Yahtzee" with Emily.

#5- Reading a book cuddled

                   up next to Taz (our pooper).

(he's wet here, but very cuddly when he's dry)