MY FANCY NANCY LIFE

{ on being happy }

2011-11-29T07:29:00.000-07:00

{ thankful }

2011-11-24T07:46:00.000-07:00

Last night I took dinner in to a dear friend who is just beginning the fight for her life against breast cancer and who had just returned home after a double mastectomy.

It surely makes all of the 'Black Friday'

hype seem downright silly.

I think tomorrow I will hug my grandchildren a little longer, call my dear dad,

kiss my sweet husband, express thanks for my four children and their great spouses and let someone else get the deal of the season.

I already have the gold.

{my bank}

2011-11-07T11:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure BUT I think if you're wearing a ski mask
AND entering a bank . . .
it's not good!
(and I don't think you're reading the signs on the door . . . )

{ wisdom }

2011-11-06T21:40:00.003-07:00

Maybe it's the shorter days and longer nights,

or maybe it's the lengthened streams of sunlight

in the late afternoon

or the quietness that comes

with children back in school

and frost on the grass

but whatever brings it on,

I find myself more reflective in the fall

as I think about my life,

my struggles, my triumphs,

my life lessons learned.

I gained empathy while experiencing loss,

freedom while breaking crippling bonds,

gratitude while holding my children,

reverence while honoring my mother's life,

testimony while applying the Atonement,

healing while seeking forgiveness

and laughter while remembering to look up.

I heard this song and was a little taken aback

by the term 'beautiful heartbreak' but

as I listened and thought of my own journey

I was grateful again for lessons learned,

testimony deepened,

understanding broadened

and the healing balm

of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

{my life story}

2011-08-25T14:19:00.000-06:00

Me in DC circa 1990

Our daughter, Elizabeth, has expressed an interested in

Mr. W and my life histories.

I have narrowed the list of titles for my autobiography down to two.

I can't decide between calling it "My Fancy Nancy Life"

or . . . . "A Series of Unfortunate Perms".

I'm sure it will be a fascinating read.

Anyone have a favorite?

On second thought, I think I should consider

"A Series of Unfortunate Outfits".

Hmmm, this is a lot to think about.

I'll tell Random House to hold the presses.

(I actually think it would be fitting to have

Random anything print my life's story.)

{Pumpkin for President}

2011-08-25T09:18:00.001-06:00

This may explain some of the Pumpkin/Mr. W conflict -

they're both running for president!

Move over Mitt & Jon . . .

{34 years . . . and counting}

2011-07-28T13:16:00.000-06:00

Thirty four years ago this July I told Mr. W.
that even if we lived in a tent,
I would marry him.
I was completely smitten with this man (still am)!

Well . . . 34 years later (and likening the scriptures
to myself)

1 Nephi 2:15

And my father (I) dwelt in a tent.

I spent my 34th anniversary in a tent!

Loves of my life - my dad & Mr. W.

Instead of the traditional opal gift,

I received a new air mattress, perfectly cooked s'mores,
the lullabies of pine trees, the rush of a clear mountain stream, listening to ghost stories around the campfire,

Fun is mandatory!

marveling at the mountains majesties and sipping hot chocolate in the early morning hours as I directed
lost joggers (who stared in shock at my 'bedhead' hairdo -
hey, it was early and I was sleeping on the ground in a tent) towards the Timp trailhead.

Jason & Mr. W. - July 2011

Best of all, I'm still head over heels in love with the
same man that I promised to follow in thick or in thin,
in mansion or tent, to the ends of the world.

And that (as Mastercard would say), is priceless!

{sisters}

2011-07-01T18:10:00.000-06:00

Kathy, Nancy & Carolyn - 1957

It's hard to be responsible,

adult and sensible all the time.

How good it is to have a sister

whose heart is as young as your own.

- Pam Brown -

Nancy, Carolyn, Dad & Kathy

Happy 60th Birthday, Carolyn!

{ * i * am * special * }

2011-06-28T15:11:00.000-06:00

Daniel's in the green shirt - May 2010

Yesterday my neighbor, Daniel, said

(with great thought & consideration),

"Sister West,

the most special thing

about you is

Pumpkin

(our anxiety ridden, hair pulling, crazy cat)."

Yikes!

* Please excuse me while I go

work on broadening my 'specialness'.*

learning my times tables

2011-05-23T13:39:00.006-06:00

A little over 18 years ago on February 19th I was in the recovery room after delivering my third baby, Jason. I had a (barely) three year old and a thirteen month old (January 19th) waiting for me at home. I was overwhelmed by the task ahead of me but grateful for the safe delivery of this new baby boy. As I laid there, I sensed the presence of another child destined for our family. Obviously, fertility was not an issue for me and I assumed that in a couple of years (once I got my feet back under me and my brood a little older), we would welcome that child in to our family.

But God had other plans for me.

I recognize now that God had me feel that child at that moment so that I would have the courage to endure what was ahead of me. I think that had I felt that at any other time I would have written it off as being 'baby hungry' but, because it came at a time when I was definitely not planning my next pregnancy, I knew it was a quiet prompting that I would need to reference back to in the years ahead.

During the next eleven years and as a result of an infertility work-up, I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis. I went through laparoscopic surgery, Lupron hormone injection therapy, miscarriages, D&Cs, tears, heartbreak, grief, pleading with God, frustration with women who were carrying unwanted pregnancies and long stretches of not being able to conceive or conceiving only to lose the pregnancy at two months.

One night, after yet another ultrasound showed no heartbeat, I sat in my rust velvet swivel rocker and rocked and cried and cried some more as I grieved the end of a pregnancy and prepared my heart and mind for yet another D&C. I had come to know all too well the look on the ultrasound techs' faces when they are unable to find a heartbeat. Each time they would look and look and look, then place the call to the radiologist to come to the ultrasound room to confirm their findings and then the news that this pregnancy, with all of it's hopes and dreams, is over. I even had one radiologist look at me and say, "Don't go buy maternity clothes. You won't need them."

But still I clung to that feeling in the recovery room and I pressed on.

Ten years later, I was 35, my endrometriosis was severe and I had an appointment with my doctor to schedule a hysterectomy. I felt like God knew my heart and I had tried. Two days before my appointment, I found out I was pregnant. With guarded optimism, I went to my appointment and prayed for the best. Because of my age and medical history, I was considered a high risk pregnancy but I was praying that this pregnancy would be blessed and that I could carry this baby to full term.

On February 19th, exactly eleven years after that day in the recovery room (and two weeks before my due date), I delivered a healthy baby girl with big blue eyes and curly hair.

God had kept His promise to me but it was in God's time, not mine. And in doing so, I learned that God keeps His promises, He is aware of me, He knows me by name and He knows the righteous desires of my heart. He was always there - through heartache and triumph. But in the process, He allowed me to grieve and grow, to trust and love, to wait and listen and to always show faith.

My baby girl is know grown up and graduating from high school on Thursday. She is a daily reminder to me of God's miracles and promises. During a very hard time in my life, she was a reminder that God's time table is not always mine but He is there - always.

I thought I had learned all of my times tables in 3rd grade with Mrs. Shoell but I have found that I had one more to learn from God and, in learning that one, I have been blessed.

destiny

2011-05-22T08:07:00.001-06:00

Grovecreek orchard - April 2011

There is a destiny

that makes us brothers,

no one goes

his way alone;

all that we send

into the lives

of others,

comes back

into our own.

- Edroin Markbam -

S{n}o{w} Long Winter . . .

2011-05-12T10:00:00.000-06:00

April 30, 2011

Hello Spring!!!

May 1, 2011

Who is Jim Dandy?

2011-05-10T08:09:00.000-06:00

Fancy Nancy's dad . . . of course!

where's the beef?

2011-04-06T08:35:00.000-06:00

I have a pretty hard and fast rule about attending 'parties' that sell things. I don't go. I am also very reluctant to buy things from door-to-door sales people (my apologies to the very nice Asian women selling egg rolls from the trunk of her car). I am gracious up to the point that they get obnoxious and then all bets are off. With a quick "no", "thank you for stopping" (now get off my porch), "do you have a business license for Provo", I close my door and they're on their way.

As with all of life, there are some exceptions.

Last year I needed a gift for someone who has everything and so I agreed to my second Cutco Knife demonstration. I saw it as a win/win. I really like the young person selling the knives and I thought a $60 paring knife would be the perfect gift. I sat through the demonstration, ordered the knife, put Amie one demonstration closer to quitting her sales job and presented Bonnie with the perfect gift (unfortunately, she already owns the perfect knife but I'm holding out hope that she will leave me the second knife in her will).

Last night as I used my $2.99 grocery store paring knife to cut up tomatoes for dinner, I realized that I will probably be able to go through life just fine without a Cutco knife unless . . . I plan to start serving cut up pennies or rope for dinner because we all know you need a Cutco paring knife to do that.

{love}

2011-04-05T09:44:00.000-06:00

Love one another

and

you will be happy,

it is as simple

and as difficult

as that.

- Michael Leunig -

Jensen & Brad - March 2011

{s}NO{w}!!!

2011-04-03T08:36:00.001-06:00

Saturday . . .

Sunday . . .

To: Mother Nature
From: Me
REALLY!?!

I don't know much but I do know this - I would not make a good Alaskan/Norwegian/Siberian/North Poleian/Anywhere North of Provonian. This has been a loooonnnnggggg winter! I think my mental fingernails are worn out from 'hanging on'. Come to think of it, that kitty poster - the one with the kitty hanging on to the rope - has always bugged me a little bit. I think a picture of some glorious chocolate would be much more motivating. And could they come up with a different acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder? Do we really need to call it SAD?

Well, I'm off to dig out the snow shovels. An optimistic Mr. W. put them away yesterday.

A Little Green & Gold

2011-03-17T16:29:00.001-06:00

* A moment of silence for all red/green color blind people in the world. Let's just say that St. Patrick's Day was a very rough holiday for Mr. W. growing up. He could never quite be sure he had green on - it all looks brown to him. *

Love

2011-03-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

Love one another

and you will be happy,

it is as simple

and as difficult

as that.

- Michael Leunig -

Spring . . . where are you?

2011-03-08T07:00:00.001-07:00

It is a sad commentary on our loooooonnnnnnnnnnnnggggg winter and my state of mind when I put off throwing away a sprouting onion so that I can have a little green in my kitchen.

(It's snowing as I type . . . . . . )

A Senior Moment

2011-03-07T20:55:00.002-07:00

Vanessa at Log Haven

Watching your child develop is like watching a beautiful rose slowly unfold one petal at a time. The divine within is immediately apparent but their individual personalities manifest themselves moment by moment. It is humbling to see each of your children become the person they were meant to be.

Elizabeth's rose

Tonight we attended Timpview's Choir Concert. In an act of complete bravery, Vanessa volunteered to accompany the Mixed Choir. She played beautifully in front of a packed auditorium made up of peers and families. I realized at the end of her piece that I had not taken a breath throughout her performance.

After the concert

During my brief piano lesson experience, I quit before every recital.

I still become overwhelmed and shaky whenever I try to play in public.

I am so impressed with Vanessa's courage to try (and accomplish) something outside of her comfort zone. I present 'Cantate Domino' sung by the Timpview Mixed Chorus accompanied by Vanessa.

Sometimes even wise men (and women) get lost

2010-12-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

Last year when I was packing up the Christmas decorations, I could not find two wise men. I looked under the couch, in the newspaper basket, between the couch cushions and in the toy baskets. I finally gave up and figured they would eventually show up or be lost forever.

To my surprise, I found them a couple of months later hiding behind the dollhouse furniture. They quickly joined the rest of the Fisher Price nativity set in the basement until time to decorate for Christmas this year.

As I pulled them out of the box for my nursery lesson/Christmas decorating, I realized there was a lesson to be learned from their adventure. I've reflected on my own life and realized that Satan doesn't have to get me to sin to render me ineffective - he just has to distract me.

Particularly in this season of hustle and bustle, it can be challenging to keep the 'one needful thing' at the top of our lists. It is no coincidence that the gospel is 'the iron rod' - straight, strong and unwavering. That there are specific reminders and warnings to the rich and learned. That Christ's birth carries great power in its' simplicity. And that each Christmas season we are given an opportunity to praise and give thanks for our Savior's birth, life, resurrection and Atonement.

Baby Aidan - December 2006

I hope that I will always be wise enough to look to Him and, when I stumble, find balance as I cling to the iron rod.

I think being wise is not about knowing it all but rather being willing to stop and ask God for direction (and turning around if necessary).

My wise men have rejoined their fellow wise man and are quietly watching over the manger. I think I will join them.

Bezzant Nativity - 2006

An angel & a wise man - 2006

My Dad's Christmas Message

2010-12-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

The Bezzant Christmas Party - December 13, 2010

* A note to my family - This message is tender and personal.

We are blessed to still have Dad for this Christmas season -

a season that Mom loved so dearly.

Facebook did not seem the appropriate place

for such a personal video and the file was too big

to send via email but I wanted to share this

with our whole family, particularly those

who couldn't attend the family party.

We are blessed to 'have it all' -

love, family and the restored gospel!

Have a very 'Grandma Mary' Christmas -

hopes it's fancy! *

(The video was shot with my little point and shoot camera and so, while the message is great, the image quality not so much. I accidently paused the recording in the middle but immediately started recording again and so nothing was lost - I like to think of it as a bit of an intermission.)

Remembering Sarah

2010-12-09T15:23:00.001-07:00

Sometimes angels

have green wings.

Life's Storms

2010-10-21T11:23:00.056-06:00

Alpine Loop - October 17, 2010

There are things you
can learn best in calm,

and some in storm.
- Wila Cather -

I Am A Child Of God

2010-10-04T09:55:00.000-06:00

I found this pattern in the book I Know The Scriptures Are True by Christena Nelson and Brenda Braun. I photo copied the faces on to white card stock. Our Nursery has A LOT more boys than girls so I made a master copy with two boys faces on it. I did this by copying Boy 1 twice, cutting out just the boys and gluing them to a piece of copy paper. I could copy two boys on one sheet of paper. That way I didn't end up with a lot of extra girls.

The picture doesn't show the mirror very clearly. I used a 3 inch mirror for each face. I found them in packages of five at Michael's. I'm sure any craft/Joann's/Walmart would carry them.

I cut out the faces ahead of time. We had the children color the faces BEFORE we folded them in half and glued the craft stick BETWEEN the front and back of the face. We then added the mirror. I used a lot of Aleene's Tacky Glue because I was concerned that the mirror might be too heavy for regular glue. Obviously, the adults did the assembly. We finished by writing the children's names on the stick.

the circle is the 3 inch mirror

I wish I had a picture of their faces when they looked in their mirrors and saw a beautiful child of God. The moment they realized they were looking at themselves, their faces lit up and their smiles were ear to ear.

A Night At The Museum

2010-09-30T08:43:00.001-06:00

the lobby

this guy greeted us right outside our motel room!

Another one for the Bucket List. I had never considered the possibility of sleeping over at the Bean Museum. It just happened to be my there were no over motels with vacancies at 11 p.m. in Cody, Wyoming with my dad was well past his bedtime - who knew that tourist season for Yellowstone Park goes through the end of October lucky day (night).

We not only got a room but an opportunity to stay in a hunter's/taxidermist's dream motel. Unfortunately for us, the motel we stopped at before this one had no vacancies (our fifth try). Their lobby was filled with just about every kind of African animal (full sized rhino, male lion, gazelle, etc.) I did not see a giraffe and elephant but then I was in a bit of a hurry. I wish I had my camera for that one.

The pictures hardly do this place justice.

for Ryan

Did I mention that, due to the lack of available motel rooms, Mr. W. and I shared a room with my dad and Bonnie. I told Dad that we had come full circle - it was like when I was little and shared a motel room with my dad and mom (and six siblings).

Breakfast is served!

Years ago our family stayed in a motel right on the highway in Evanston, Wyoming. As kids, we were so excited to find that, for just a quarter, the bed would vibrate. How great is that! (we thought). A motel room with beds to entertain children. All seven of us piled on the bed, put in a quarter and went for a ride on the bed. It's amazing that we didn't break the bed. We were so innocent . . . I realized a few years ago that the bed wasn't intended for children. Oh well, we got our money's worth - 25 cents divided by 7 children - definitely cheaper than Disneyland!

It's Autumn Time!

2010-09-28T11:14:00.000-06:00

Leaf Tour 2004 - South Fork in Provo Canyon

I LOVE autumn! Our annual fall leaf viewing, drive around the 'Loop', stop at Purple Turtle for a shake FHE inspired me.

American Fork Canyon 2009

I went to my trusty Joann's fabric store, bought 4 packages of

Autumn Inspirations maple leaves ($1.99 minus 40% for a package of 35 leaves - the oak leaves were in uninspiring shades of brown

so I stuck with the maple leaves), came home and

emptied them into a Ziploc bag.

I plan to use them to teach this Primary song.

It’s Autumntime

Children’s Songbook, Nature and Seasons, It’s Autumntime, 246

1. It’s autumntime. It’s autumntime.
The leaves are falling down.
It’s autumntime. It’s autumntime.
It’s all around the town.

2. It’s autumntime. It’s autumntime.
There’s yellow, red, and brown.
It’s autumntime. It’s autumntime.
Bright colors can be found.

I will give each Nursery child a handful of leaves and when we get to 'The leaves are falling down' and 'There's yellow, red, and brown', we'll toss our leaves up in the air. At the end of the song, we'll 'rake' them up and sing our song again and again and again until they tire of it. I must say the 'crickets' held their attention for quite a while and I have high hopes for our leaves.

Curves & Wrinkles

2010-09-23T22:15:00.000-06:00

I joined

so that one day

I can do this.

A New Low

2010-09-20T16:23:00.001-06:00

Today I walked over to say 'hi' to our newest nursery member and to let her pet Pumpkin. Her family is temporarily staying at Grandma's house while her dad looks for a job and she, for some unknown reason to me, LOVES our anxiety-ridden, hair-pulling, twitchy cat, Pumpkin. This little piece of information came in very handy yesterday when she started to miss her mom during nursery. All I had to do was start talking about Pumpkin and she was fine.

As I visited with her dad this morning about how well she had done in nursery, he shared what she had said when they arrived home after church yesterday. She said, "Dad, Pumpkin's mom is my new teacher!"

I'd feel that way too if I spent
all day pulling out my hair!

Excuse me, I have the urge to go pull some hair out.

I Can Be A Pioneer Too!

2010-09-19T21:41:00.000-06:00

I have been released as Relief Society president and I'm now serving in our ward's nursery. We currently have 17 boys (that is not a typo) and 4 girls. We have successfully removed the 'picnic tables' (perfect swine flu habitat) and compromised on the 'Shenanigan Shack with Shutters' (more about that in a future post) by leaving it for the other ward but dismantling it and moving it out to the hall during our nursery's class. It is humbling, inspiring, tender and tiring serving in the nursery and our boy/girl ratio lends itself to A LOT OF ENERGY! I have a testimony of serving and so I lace on my Nikes (I'm still nursing a very sore foot), sit down on the floor and give it my all.

The last week in July, I taught a Pioneer lesson. I shared the story of the 'Miracle of the Gulls' and we talked about what it meant to be a pioneer. I had bandannas for the boys (I cut store bought bandannas in half diagonally and hemmed the edge - two for the price of one!) and lunch sack bonnets for the girls. Then we stood up and pretended we were seagulls. I had bought two bags of 50 count 1/2 inch black pompoms and poured them in a Ziploc bag. These were are 'crickets'. I tossed all of the pompoms around the room and then our 'seagulls' gobbled up our 'crickets' with their 'beaks' (hands), brought them back to me and 'spit' them out in the bag. We did this several times with remarkable success. There were enough 'crickets' that everyone had a chance to gobble to their hearts' content.

I think it made an impression because several weeks later after our
'I Am A Child Of God' lesson, a mom told us that when she asked her son what his 'I Am A Child Of God' sunbeam necklace meant he said, "I no longer a pioneer, I's a child of God!"

Our 'former' pioneer and current Child of God
(and one of 21 reasons
why I started taking vitamins again . . .
and a nap . . . )

Lessons from the Ark

2010-09-18T15:26:00.003-06:00

Maybe they should have left the woodpecker home . . .

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark:

      10. Don't miss the boat.

      9. Remember that we are all in the same boat.

      8. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

      7. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

      6. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

      5. Build your future on high ground.

      4. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

      3. When you're stressed, float a while.

      2. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

      1. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

(Thought posted at Curves)

Riding In A Rickshaw

2010-09-17T07:50:00.000-06:00

Another item for my Bucket List.

Ride in a rickshaw!

Our driver

Mr. W, Bonnie and I went to

the Rockies/Diamondback baseball game.

You could hitch a ride on a bicycle rickshaw

from the parking lot to the stadium

(and back if you wanted to) for a small fee.

Considering that I am still limping along with a sore foot,

we went for it.

Bonnie & the rickshaw - loved the lights

Let's just say that our driver earned his money!

Three for the price of one.

Worth every dollar!

9/11

2010-09-16T13:10:00.002-06:00

Our aspirations are

our possibilities.

- Samuel Johnson -

* 9/11/2010 at the Air Force Academy

BYU vs. Air Force Football Game *

Senior Summit

2010-09-15T14:49:00.002-06:00

I made 'Senior Summit'

(it reminds me of life's highs & lows)

Can you see Vanessa's
toes & fingers peeking out?

in honor of

Vanessa's senior year.
(did you notice the THS colors?)

I should have known . . .

2010-09-08T13:49:00.003-06:00

I should have known something was up with BYU football when I saw this balloon in the parade. Do you think it was a subliminal way of letting us know they were going independent?

Looking forward to a rematch with the U of U this November.
It looks like we'll be sharing our nachos with a couple of Ute fans that will be here for Thanksgiving.

Until then . . . GO COUGARS!

Twins

2010-09-07T12:48:00.000-06:00

My February twins (separated by 11 years)

enjoying a summer day with my July twins.

Okay, not everyone enjoyed the wagon.

A good dad/brother + a good aunt + Nessa's John Deere wagon =
A free ride for Vanessa, Brad & Jensen

Forget Me Not

2010-09-05T21:30:00.000-06:00

Last week I discovered that

my forget-me-nots had bloomed

in my garden.

Later that day, I rediscovered one of my favorite pictures of my mom in her beloved red Ford Taurus.

I took the picture of my mom parked in my driveway in Pleasant Grove. She is holding a basket used for fruit.

I consider both discoveries

tender mercies.

It is said that the wearer

of forget-me-nots

will never be forgotten.

My mom must be wearing

them every day.

Green Pears

2010-09-04T23:01:00.010-06:00

Have I mentioned that one of my favorite treats of this summer/fall season is a green pear? Other than being aware that one must carefully time the eating of green pears with any and all upcoming social events, they are a delightful treat that comes once a year. They are best when eaten directly off a tree.

Over the years my dad has entered fruit in to the Utah State Fair. One year he discovered a pear tucked away in one of his trees that would surely take first place in the 'Biggest Pear' category. He watched it grow and planned on picking it the day before fair entries were due. When the day arrived, he hurried over to the orchard to pick this prize-winning pear. To his dismay, the pear was gone. It wasn't until the other fruit from all over the state was entered and on display that he realized that his brother, Cliff, had found his prized pear, picked it, entered it and won first prize. All of his tender loving care of that huge pear had paid off nicely - a blue ribbon in fact - it just didn't go to my dad.

He never really said but I think that was one lost ribbon that was a little harder to get over. It's one thing to be beaten by someone else but quite another to be beaten by your own success and hard work.

Being a gracious 'loser' was a great lesson my dad taught me that year as I munched on the pears that didn't make it to the fair. It wasn't so much in what he said but in how he acted. In fact, it became part of our family's lore and always garners a laugh when we remember 'Uncle Cliff's' prize winning pear.

Dad, thanks for the lesson and thanks for the green pears.

Whispers of Summer

2010-09-01T20:36:00.001-06:00

There shall be eternal summer

in the grateful heart.

- Celia Thaxter -

Empty Spools

2010-08-31T10:55:00.001-06:00

I can still remember the thrill of emptying my first spool of thread. I was a junior in high school and was sewing on my trusty Kenmore sewing machine that I had purchased with money earned as a checker at Ream's grocery store in American Fork. I can't remember what I was sewing but I do remember it was a spool of white thread.

Fancy Nancy's sister, Carolyn

My older sister, Carolyn, is a fabulous seamstress and had already sewn several complicated outfits that fit like a glove during her high school years. My attempts at clothing construction were discouraging. Things never seemed to fit properly and, after putting that much time and effort in to a project, it seemed a waste to see it hang in my closet. The last thing you want is to have your outfit scream 'Homemade' and mine felt like they were giant billboards for all that can go wrong with trying to sew your own clothes.

A Fancy Nancy apron

In my defense, I never had a sewing teacher who took the time to teach me how to adjust a pattern to insure a good fit. My junior high home economics teacher was just plain grumpy and seemed bothered by the idea of teaching 'tweens' how to sew (or any other subject) and my high school teacher gravitated towards the girls who were willing to brown nose.

A Fancy Nancy sewing friend

I soon found my interests redirected to sewing anything that wasn't clothing. Over the years I have sewn through just about every craft phase that has come along. Geese, bunnies, cloth dolls, doll clothes, pillows, costumes, curtains, receiving blankets, blessing outfits, quilts, aprons and so on. I always joked that it was the one thing I did that stayed done - unlike cooking and cleaning. I just loved the feeling of taking a piece of fabric, a pattern and thread and creating something unique to me. I even sewed to earn money while Mr. W. was in school.

Fancy Nancy's kitty

I have accumulated enough fabric and patterns for several lifetimes and continue to find time to put my foot to the pedal (sewing that is). After all of these years and all of the many hours of sewing, I confess that I still get excited when I've emptied another spool. To me it represents the creative process and the sense of accomplishment of finishing something that in some small part speaks to the creative side of me.

As you can tell from the picture, this year has been a busy year. I can't wait to share some of my finished projects but right now I've got to run . . . my sewing machine is calling to me.

Fancy Nancy aka Material Girl with three of her creations
(and yes, that is a house costume -
my grandson wanted to go as HIS house -
his family was renting the basement apartment
and so the 'front' of his house
is really the back of the house).
I get extra Grandma Points for figuring out
how to make that costume!

Mother Nature

2010-08-26T07:59:00.002-06:00

(zinnias + butterfly bush = best friends supporting each other)

Don't you love how Mother Nature

arranges flowers?

Life Questions ? ? ? ? ?

2010-08-23T16:28:00.017-06:00

Have you ever run across a picture that triggers a thousand questions and memories?

Well, I ran across this picture last week and here are some of the questions that crossed my mind.

1. Why does my brother, Mark, look possessed/on parole?

2. Where or where did that skinny body of mine go?

3. Why does Mr. W. look like he is drugged and ready to be kidnapped by a cult?

4. Who in the decorating world convinced us that 'earth tones' (a nice way of saying rust, gold and weird olive green), particularly in floral patterns, was 'IN'?

5. Why were Mr. W. and I so proud of our Korean ripoff Polo shirts that my brother, Ray, brought back from his mission? (The fact that they were $5 and a blend should have tipped us off.)

6. When did we realize that ModPodging pictures of anything on fake panelling was no longer in style? (Was it ever in style?)

7. How did my little guy, Ryan (on Mr. W.'s lap), grow up so fast?

8. Why didn't someone check me for anemia?

9. Why did mom keep a brass horn hanging on the wall by the sliding glass door? Was Little Boy Blue visiting? (You know - Little Boy Blue come blow your horn, the sheep are in the meadow, the cows in the corn . . .)

and most importantly . . . .

10. Why does Mark have the only piece of cake?
* An apology to Ralph Lauren for putting a teeny tiny dent in his multi-million/billion dollar fashion dynasty by purchasing Polo knockoffs. It would appear that he has recovered nicely.

Courage

2010-07-24T23:04:00.002-06:00

- Mom & her dog sitting on the edge of her cot -

I love calendars that have inspirational thoughts on them. I hang mine in my bathroom where I can look at it and ponder while I'm blow drying my hair. When I turned the page on my calender to July, I found this thought - "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anais Nin

Yesterday was my mom's birthday and, as I thought of her, I thought of this quote. When my mom was about five months pregnant with me, she developed appendicitis. At that time there were no laproscopic techniques in place that would have enabled them to operate on my mom and preserve the pregnancy. Faced with the possibility of her own death and on the advice of her doctors, it was suggested that she agree to abort the pregnancy and have surgery. With great courage and substantial risk to her own life, she asked if they would treat her with antibiotics and see if that would resolve her appendicitis. The doctor was willing to try this but reminded her that if that failed, there would be no choice but to end the pregnancy. The advances in neonatal care were years down the road and so there was no chance of me surviving at five months gestation.

Obviously, the course of antibiotics combined with tremendous faith and prayers allowed my mom to recover, deliver a full-term baby (me) and live long enough to see her seven children raised and 28 grandchildren born.

- Four Generations -

The story surrounding my birth would in and of itself be considered miraculous but the overlying miracle to all seven of our births was that my mom was told that she would never bear children. She contracted rheumatic fever as a child and was literally bedridden for a full year, unable to even put her legs over the side of the bed. The doctors told my grandmother that my mother's heart was not strong enough to carry a pregnancy and survived the strain of birth. My mother received numerous priesthood blessings of health and strength and was able to have seven children. After my oldest brother, John, was born, the doctor told mom that she should not have any more children. Her mother (my Grandma Adamson) marched in with her at the next appointment and told him very directly that God had promised her strength and the ability to be a mother in Zion and that he would preserve her to that end. She told him that it was not his place to question God's blessings and that his place was to give my mom the best medical care available. (I'm sure the doctor was just watching out for my mom's health, he just hadn't met my grandma yet!) I have been blessed by my mother's courage and her willingness to trust in the Lord.

Throughout my life I have witnessed great courage. I also recognize that many battles are fought in private and that great courage can sometimes be overlooked because we are unaware of the challenge hard fought.

- My courageous neighbors - Joan is currently battling

a serious strep eye infection &

Christina is on a South African adventure

with her husband & five boys for a year. -

For my mom it was the courage to have children. For my father, it was choosing church activity while growing up in an inactive home. Yesterday we celebrated our twin grandsons birthday. I was humbled at the courage shown by Jason and Kelli with their decision to start a family in uncertain economic times.

- Cousins checking out the binky -

- Bradley & Jensen's Birthday Party - July 10, 2010 -

I have witnessed the courage shown by sisters who have been willing to right a wrong, bear the burden of depression, battle addiction, return to gospel fellowship, visiting teach, purchase a modest prom dress, turn off an inappropriate TV show, serve in 'high' and 'low' profile callings, bless a ward in South Africa by modeling open-heartedness, fill a cannery assignment, refuse to gossip, befriend new ward members, commit to church attendance regardless of their spouses activity, teach a difficult Primary class, influence a struggling teenager, serve a mission, accept a calling, choose to not take offense and so many other things. The strength of sisterhood is directly affected by the courage of it's sisters. You have proven to be courageous and fierce in your defense of the gospel.

- Some of the sweet RS sisters of the 4th Ward -

I am better for having been taught by the sisters of this ward. I love you and thank you for all of your support and love.

Love, Nancy

* My farewell email dated July 11, 2010 to the Relief Society sisters in my ward on the day of my release as Relief Society President after serving for 3 1/2 years.*

Let Them Eat Cake!

2010-07-22T15:30:00.001-06:00

Proof that

you can

have your cake

and eat it 'two'!

- Bradley & Jensen turn one -

(They hated the texture of the frosting.

I loved Jensen's 'Look Ma, no hands'

solution to eating his cake. Smart boy!)

Don't Waste Today

2010-07-20T09:29:00.000-06:00

The most wasted day of all

is that on which

we have not laughed.

- Chamfort -

The pre-Fireworks party - July 4, 2010 -

The Cat Whisper

2010-07-18T09:04:00.001-06:00

This post is dedicated to Christina Vanfleet. She hates our cat.

A couple of months ago, Mr. W. declared our cat to be 'The Most Annoying Cat On Earth'. (Please keep in mind that Mr. W. is very tolerant of all living creatures but Pumpkin's behavior has pushed him over the cliff!) Our cat pulls out her own hair - obsessively! Wherever she can reach, she pulls. She has created a sort of sad Mohawk running down her spine. Please know that Mr. W. would not necessarily mind if she pulled out her hair. The problem he has with it is that she pulls it out either in the garage (loves to do it by the door leading in to the house) or on our front door doormat. Every night when he comes home, he vacuums up the hair in the garage. We even have a vacuum cleaner dedicated to Pumpkin's hair. Frankly, if you didn't know about the cat hair you would think that Mr. W. is the obsessive one who just loves to vacuum the garage. You would be wrong - he's just trying to keep the cat hair from being tracked in to the house. I looked at the vacuum canister yesterday and, if I had a spinning wheel and was so inclined, I think I could make a cat hair sweater out of all of the hair Mr. W. has vacuumed up. We got our cat from Betsy Johansen (thanks a lot - I think there may be an issue of defective genes - just a guess :) It could be worse, Bonnie Morrow has the bulimic sister of our cat and Bonnie's cat is an inside cat. Yikes!

Anyway, there is a TV program entitled 'The Dog Whisper'. It is about a man, Caesar, who owns the Dog Psychology Center is LA and his work is to 'train people and rehabilitate dogs'. As part of the rehabilitation, he uses a firm finger poke, foot tap or finger snap to 'snap' a dog out of a fixated or obsessive frame of mind. The other day when Pumpkin started to pull out her hair, Vanessa decided to try the 'Cat Whisper' approach to try to stop Pumpkin's obsessive behavior. It worked . . . briefly, and then as soon as we came inside, she was back to her hair pulling. What is interesting to me is that by interrupting a cat's/dog's pattern of thinking, you can change their behavior. Caesar never lectures, yells, bullies or uses excessive physical force with a dog. Instead, his focus is being calm and assertive and the dogs soon mirror his state of mind.

By now you're probably wondering what in the world this has to do with anything but here's the lesson I learned the other day.

The other night I was talking (obsessing) to Mr. W. about my frustration with a person who will remain unnamed. I was frustrated with what I perceived as a character flaw and the impact it was having on me. After listening to me carry on for a few minutes, Mr. W. turned to me and said (in a very loving, calm way), "You know, that's who this person is and, to a certain extent, it will always be that way. That's just the way it is." What was so brilliant about the way he said it was that it was essentially a 'poke, tap, snap' that challenged my obsessive way of thinking, talking and feeling about this person. As I stopped to consider positive aspects of this person (yes, this person has them!), I was a little ashamed that I had let myself get in to a 'barking for no reason/pulling my hair out' state of mind when it came to this person.

A couple of days later, I thanked Robert for the mental 'poke'. Frankly, I think he was grateful that I 'got it' and relieved that I did without resentment towards him.

Sometimes, I think we all need a 'poke'. Years ago, in the midst of a very hard personality difference with a sister in my ward who was serving in a Relief Society presidency with me, a bishop told me to grow a thicker skin (I went in looking for sympathy). I needed that poke. One time I complained to my dad about my in-laws. He reminded me that they had raised a wonderful son and that for that reason alone, I should respect them. I needed that poke. Last year I repeated some one's somewhat unflattering perspective of a woman I didn't know well and a good friend reminded me that my knowledge was, at best, second hand and so really I didn't know the truth. I needed that poke. Honestly, as hard as I've tried to do the right thing, I've still received a lot of pokes in my life.

I think we all get in to patterns of thinking - some we aren't even aware of sometimes until they're firmly entrenched. I've been grateful for Mr. W., family, prophets, friends, scriptures and all other sources that have 'poked' me at times in to better ways of thinking. If I have 'poked' the sisters of this ward at times, please know that it was done with love. It's amazing what the Lord can do with us if, when we are shown our weaknesses (spiritually 'poked'), are humble enough to make the self-bettering changes.

I'm off to take a turn vacuuming the garage mat :) And then I'll call Bonnie and we can feel sorry for each other all over again. If I could just find my receipt for the cat I could take it back to Betsy - oh wait, it was 'free'.

p.s. A side note - I have taken the cat to the vet to check for skin diseases. She's clear on mites and skin problems. I asked if there is an anti-anxiety pill for cats. Unfortunately, there isn't. He did say that Prozac works great for dogs but the only think he could offer is to try birth control (for the cat, not me) and see if it helped. Call me cheap but I am NOT going to pay for 'the Pill' (not to mention trying to get it down her throat every day) when I have already had her fixed. We did have a brief spell two summers ago when Pumpkin would hunt out and eat the brown mushrooms in our lawn. We would find her with a somewhat glazed look staring thoughtfully up at the sky. Vanessa dubbed her the 'shroom, rehab cat. Unfortunately, last summer she refused to eat the mushrooms (even when I led her to them - I hope that doesn't make me a drug pusher). I promise they were for medicinal use (Mr. W.'s sanity) only. I'm not kidding, even if you don't have anxiety, you will if you sit and watch Pumpkin for very long.

One day Daniel Vanfleet (our 4 year old neighbor) looked at our cat (with hair hanging out of it's mouth) and said, "Sister West, I really like your cat." I told his parents that I hope he 'raises the bar' before he starts to date! Apparently, the bar is VERY low when it comes to cats.

One Year

2010-07-08T10:14:00.000-06:00

(Pretend that it's the 7th of July)

Happy Birthday

to you!

Happy Birthday

to you!

Happy Birthday

Jensen

and

Bradley!

Happy

Birthday

to you both!

Love, Grandma Nancy

Porches

2010-07-03T14:18:00.000-06:00

I love porches.

Don't you just want to

sit on this porch

with an ice cold glass

of lemonade

and visit with a friend

or maybe rock a fussy baby?

St. George - May 2010

Success

2010-06-14T22:54:00.000-06:00

What is success?

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better,

whether by a healthy child,

a garden patch

or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier

because you have lived;

That is to have succeeded.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Pine Valley & Jason

2010-06-12T20:02:00.001-06:00

Last month Mr. W. had a conference in St. George. I decided to go with him for a quick, two-night vacation (at least for me). We had both heard a lot about Pine Valley and the Pine Valley Chapel. The chapel is the oldest functioning LDS chapel in the world. We had a little free time on Thursday evening and so we decided to drive out to Pine Valley.

If you have ever driven through any part of southern Utah, you know it consists of dirt, sagebrush and, in the really lush areas, pinion pine. It generally is a harsh and rugged landscape. As we headed north of St. George of SR18, we continued to see a lot of red dirt/rock, sagebrush and pinion pine with some lava rock mixed in here and there. My thoughts of a lush, pastoral, mountain valley were beginning to wain and I concluded that Pine Valley was nothing more than another stark area of southern Utah. We came to the turn off for Pine Valley, headed east, passed the 'Pine Valley established in 1850 rock marker', went a few more yards up over a rise in the road and then descended upon a breath-taking scene. Laid out before us were acres of early spring farms with a skinny Main street running through the heart of the valley. There were pioneer and modern homes to the left and right of Main Street strung along like charms on a bracelet. The crowning piece was a beautifully maintained white wooden pioneer-era chapel nestled among pines perched on a green lawn.

I thought about how easily we could have missed this high mountain valley. I thought about the faith that those early pioneers had shown in braving miles and miles of barren landscape in order to find, homestead and remain on this land. That, instead of becoming bitter towards their prophet who had asked so much, they honored their God and their faith by constructing a beautiful chapel to worship in. The journey had been worth it.

As we drove home, I thought of my Jason. He was the child that God sent to me so that I could learn things I didn't know about Nancy. Picture me and then picture my opposite. That is Jason. I spent the first year of his life trying to get through his colic and the next eighteen years trying to get him to hold still. All of my efforts to get Jason to tie his shoes were in vain. It wasn't until his 2nd grade teacher offered him 'funny money' (a classroom incentive) in exchange for tied shoes that he kept them tied. (His wife is now trying to get him to tie them.) Jason wears his heart on his sleeve. If he is happy, you know it. If he is upset (which is rarely), it shows. We joke that he is our 'Tom Sawyer'. He has the innate ability to attract a crowd if work is involved.

There is a famous story in my family about Jason. He was picking cherries for my dad. I know he viewed it as a service project but my dad viewed it as employment. My dad takes farming very seriously, it was the bread and butter for our family for many years. He got on Jason's case about a handful of cherries that Jason had left at the top of the tree (a very tall cherry tree I might add). Jason looked up at the cherries and asked my dad how much he thought they were worth. My dad answered that there was probably 25 cents worth of cherries tucked away on that highest limb. Jason promptly pulled out a quarter, gave it to my dad and said his life was worth more than a quarter's worth of cherries and that he and my dad were even.

If Jason did not see an immediate benefit/application for any task he was asked to do, he didn't do it. He was impervious to guilt (a skill highly honed on my side of the family and a huge motivator for me - very unhealthy). Our Pleasant Grove neighbor commented that he thought Jason's name was two words - Jay Son - because that's how he heard me say/yell it outside in our yard. Jason attracted a variety of friends but never compromised his standards. His 5th grade teacher said he could be the next David Letterman (that was before we knew all about Letterman). Jason does not have a mean bone in his body and can make just about anyone laugh.

Because of our differences (of course in my immaturity, I knew I was RIGHT and he needed fixing), there were times that felt like red rock and sagebrush as I struggled to make Jason more like me. I am embarrassed to admit that there were many times I didn't enjoy Jason (in all of his Jasonness) more and recognize his incredible gifts sooner. I like to say that our boys (who were 13 months apart) were creative but not criminal (to my knowledge). The long and short of it is that I just couldn't understand why Jason didn't want to be more like me.

But here is my Pine Valley. After what often felt like a loonnnggg trip, a lot of one foot in front of the other, fixing doors, holes in the wall, sprinkler heads, wiping up motor oil throughout the house after a disastrous attempt to change the oil himself (in our driveway, ignoring my sage advice/threats) and many other adventures, I have come over the hill to view a scene I had hoped for but had not always had patience for. An honorable mission to Japan, a temple marriage and fatherhood. I now see Jason as a kind and loving husband and father. His tenderness and love for those sweet twin boys is humbling to watch. It is something that I have hoped for, worked for, prayed for and watched for but sometimes, in the weariness of the trip, I lost sight of.

Oh, Jason still loves the Simpsons (to my distress) and his shoes are often untied but after a long and 'eventful' trek, I think we have both arrived at our Pine Valley. Young mothers, hold on. It's hard, really hard but so worth it. Try to enjoy the sagebrush years because one of these days when you least expect it, you'll come up over the hill to your Pine Valley.

Neighborhood Watch

2010-05-19T07:54:00.000-06:00

spotted outside of St. George

I did not know that arrows

continue to be a problem.

And you thought

your neighborhood

had problems!

Mother Ship II

2010-05-18T11:48:00.002-06:00

Spotted in Timpview High School parking lot

(thought Steph would enjoy the 4 dogs)

I wonder if they have a hair-pulling, anxiety ridden cat vinyl figure?

Signs of the Times

2010-05-16T11:27:00.001-06:00

Spotted in American Fork, Utah

The Garden Shop

2010-05-13T18:31:00.001-06:00

Today I found my mom in Shopko's Garden Shop.

The sun had been out just long enough to warm the breeze and tempt me outside. I pulled a few weeds, filled the bird feeders and dusted off my pots for the front porch. I had been eyeing some annuals at Shopko the other day and decided to drive down and pick out my Summer 2010 flower pot flowers.

I browsed the garden shop parking lot aisles, I felt the textures of the different plants and soaked up the magnificence of standing in the middle of a blacktop Eden. I picked up a color of geranium I hadn't heard of and gently tried to pry open a blossom to find it's true color. I've always hated planting the same combination year after year and decided to take a risk and buy 'Bullseye Salmon' this year.

As I was studying the foxgloves, a gust of wind carried the ever so slight scent of my mom to me. I wasn't surprised that she was at the Garden Shop. I turned to see an older woman with 'beauty shop' hair pushing a cart and studying the rose bushes.

Every year my mom would smuggle home plants over the course of the summer, hurrying to plant them (or hide them) before my dad noticed the purchase. My mom always had room for just one more six-pack (of petunias) somewhere in her yard. Because my dad was tending a large fruit orchard, the immediate yard around our home was my mom's domain. As planting became more difficult, she would wait for (or sometimes recruit) a child or grandchild to plant them for her as she sat on a lawn chair and supervised the placement.

Lisa, Vanessa & Lauren - Grandma Bezzant's front flower bed - Summer 1998

Lauren, Lisa, Vanessa & Mom - Summer 1998

As I became more confident and knowledgeable about perennials, I tried to wean my mom off petunias and marigolds. She gradually added perennials to her beds but always found room for her beloved petunias. The large flower beds were augmented by multiple flower pots by the living room and kitchen doors and she generously sprinkled every size of flower pot around the patio. She even managed to figure out a way to hang pots from the patio covering and shepherd's hooks by the aspens. More than one person found the low hanging pots with their heads as they maneuvered around the patio.

My love and knowledge of flowers and gardens was instilled in my by my mother and grandmother. Both loved their homes, their families, the gospel and their flower gardens.

My front flower bed at my Pleasant Grove home - Spring 1998

You see, my mom has been gone for over six years now. She wasn't there physically in the Garden Shop today but her influence and love were. They are as eternal as the bond between a mother and her child. It was a tender mercy to share a brisk May afternoon with my mother in the garden shop.

I think she would like the color combinations I brought home. I think they'll look great blooming next to my new lime green chairs. I even brought home some petunias in her honor.

Sisters

2010-05-13T08:00:00.004-06:00

My mom & her dog

My mom and Mr. W.'s mom had only brothers
in their immediate families.
I think both had that inner yearning for a sister
who they could laugh with and cry with,
who they could discuss teething or testimonies,
someone who could look in to their eyes and hearts
and know instinctively what they needed.

They found those sisters in Relief Society.

I do not think it is accidental
that we are asked to refer to each other as 'sister'.
It defines a relationship that transcends age,
address or accomplishment.
It is a relationship that denotes eternal ties
that reach beyond the grave.
It is love, it is acceptance and it is the ability
to put another woman's interests before
your own in her time of need.
A sister is a bit like a mother - a human lie detector -
who can see past our words and in to our hearts.
She is someone who follows promptings on our behalf.
She loves our children, tolerates our dog/cat
(even the anxiety-ridden, hair-pulling variety)
and is even willing to give us a 'kick in the pants' if necessary.
She is love with understanding.
She comes in to our lives with an open heart
and her eyes half-closed to our faults and short-comings.
She takes us 'as is' and loves us for it.
She understands her earthly opportunity to help another woman
through this mortal experience.

It is no wonder that we are called 'sisters in Zion'.
As Sister Hinckley remarked, "Oh, how we need each other."

I count myself blessed that at a time in my life
where one sister is physically remote
and my other sister is emotionally remote,
I have sisters next door, around the corner and down the block,
who love me and pray for me.

Sisters are one of God's greatest gifts to women.
I thank God every day that he has blessed
me with so many.

To Live

2010-05-12T14:22:00.001-06:00

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car,

wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed,

and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels

from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt

from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails
from helping to weed someone's garden.

I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks

and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

- Marjorie Pay Hinckley -

Dear Mother

2010-05-11T09:07:00.001-06:00

a candid picture of

my mom & mother-in-law

at our wedding reception

- July 1977 -

all flowers

remind me

of you.

I love this picture.

Miss you both.

Happy Bday John - I'm not kidding . . .

2010-04-01T10:01:00.000-06:00

When I was pregnant with my first baby

I was secretly hoping for a baby boy

because of him . . .

my 'Elder' brother, John.

(accompanied by my big sister, Kathy

& my big sister, Carolyn)

I loved having a big brother who

protected me, tormented me and

broke our parents in to the art of parenting.

He is lovingly referred to in our family

as 'John, the beloved'.

My mom said that when John was a baby,

people would stop her on the street

and comment on his beautiful blue eyes.

Growing up, I was proud to be known

as 'John's Sister'. It gave me instant

social status and I was always in awe of

John's social ease, brilliant mind and

incredible musical talents (singing, sax,

piano & organ).

We prayed for him on his mission,

proudly watched him receive his MD

and helped him set up a successful

dermatology practice in our hometown.

When he gave me a CD with pictures from

our daughter, Elizabeth's, wedding,

I was not too surprised to find, sprinkled

among wedding pictures, pictures of

various surgical sites on his patients

(none identifiable). A distracted genius.

That's my brother, John.

Happy Birthday John!

I'm off to fold laundry and figure out

this year's prank for your birthday.

April Fool's

2010-04-01T09:41:00.002-06:00

The view out my front door this morning
Provo, Utah. - April 1, 2010

No one does April Fool's Day

better than Mother Nature.

* * * * * * * * *

Happy April Fool's Day!

Spotted in Provo

2010-03-25T22:16:00.000-06:00

Gold

2010-03-22T12:15:00.000-06:00

Spring 2009

This is who is at

the end of my rainbow.

One

2010-03-20T12:14:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday

Asher B.

{Photo by my talented

daughter-in-law, Kelli West}

Bobcats & Bears & Boys - Oh My!

2010-03-18T12:27:00.000-06:00

I cannot say for certain

but I think this . . .

(my own Scrub Scrouts - Mr. W.'s term of endearment)

is why they created

Cub Scouts for

young boys.

{And for the record - between Mr. W. & I (and with a little help from our boys :) we have earned our Bear, Bobcat, Wolf, Eagle, Sparrow, Cougar, Magpie, Silver Scissors, Bronze Nagging Parent, Gold Sleeping Bag, Watermelon Cheer, Pinewood Derby, Life, Felt Like Dying on the Escalante, Buffalo, Blue Tarp, etc., etc. and, most importantly, peace of mind knowing that the projects are over, the merit badges are earned and our Eagles are safely married. As the saying goes - we gave them roots and wings. Okay, technically the Boy Scouts of America gave them 'wings'.}

Your Lucky Day!

2010-03-17T16:30:00.000-06:00

Green before 'green' was 'in' . . .

2010-03-17T09:51:00.001-06:00

Happy

Saint Patrick's

Day from

the Land of Oz!

Bet you didn't know there's

a Walmart in Oz ... who knew!

We're just missing the

'Horse of a Different Color' - my favorite
(next to the Cowardly Lion).

Grandma's Boys

2010-03-12T11:21:00.001-07:00

They are done!

(the quilts, not the babies)

Signed, sealed & delivered to

Mr. Bradley W. &

Mr. Jensen W.

(their mom, Kelli)

with love,

Grandma

{I will post the free quilt

instructions next week}

Called to serve . . .

2010-03-10T22:48:00.001-07:00

A Man's Best Friend

2010-03-10T10:16:00.001-07:00

From my East Coast sister . . .

2010-03-02T16:36:00.000-07:00

our lawn chairs are ready -

bring on Spring!

Spring Cleaning

2010-02-25T09:33:00.002-07:00

Ken (with authentic male patterned baldness -
his 'flocked' hair is missing here and there.
What do you expect? He is 45 years old afterall.)
and Miss Barbie - the eternal date.

I wonder if Ken had commitment issues?

{I wonder if scrubbing

'vintage' (aka - my very own 8 year old) grime off
Barbie & Ken

will decrease their value . . .
not that they're for sale }

That's a lot of wondering for one post.

Spring!?!?

2010-02-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

Spring's almost here ...

we can now see the deer moving around

in the front yard.

Yep, won't be long now!

(Okay, this is not MY front yard.

It's my sister's in Virginia! :)

. . . what makes the world go round!

2010-02-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

Love Bugs

2010-02-13T21:26:00.001-07:00

"If I could reach up and hold a star

for every time you've made me smile,

the entire evening sky

would be in the palm of my hand."

- Author Unknown -

A glimpse of heaven . . .

2010-02-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

"To love 

is to receive 

a glimpse of heaven." 

- Karen Sunde -

miss g. & the lover monkeys

Priceless

2010-02-08T10:12:00.004-07:00

Dress - $159

Shoes - $28

Necklace & Earrings - $12

Headband - $12

Stylist - Free babysitting

A daughter who knows that

'modest is hottest'. (her words)

PRICELESS!

A mom who knows her daughter

lives the Young Women values -

Grateful!

Triple Lutz to You!

2010-02-03T11:24:00.001-07:00

Being a somewhat random person, I do not know what number this is on my bucket list BUT I know it's on it . . .

Colorado Springs - October 2008

Bucket List #31 (I made the number up) -

Watch world class figure skaters skate in person!

Okay, it was only a practice and I missed the top of the 'cream of the crop' but I did have a chance to watch US Nationals mid-range quality skaters practice. The ice arena is about a mile from the US Figure Skating Headquarters and Museum in Colorado Springs. When we walked in the building there was no visible security screening. On our way out I asked the woman at the reception desk about the surprisingly 'open' access to the skaters (especially after the whole Nancy Kerrigan knee-capping attack). She looked me straight in the eye and said, "I'm the security system! If you look like you shouldn't be here, you won't get past me!" And I believed her!

Hmmm, maybe we could clone her and put her in every airport in the world. I got the distinct feeling that she would be way more effective than the x-ray/puffer/wand/patdown system they're using now.

Just know that our future Olympians are well protected and incredible to watch in person. Can't wait for February 12th.

Did you know you can play US Figure Skating Fantasy Challenge here?

Ryan and Jason, you know you want to do this :)

They have hockey too!

If they would just 'Fancy Nancy' their uniforms . . .

Two Summers and a Winter

2010-01-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

north of our home - 2009

When our three older children were small, the responsibility of motherhood became overwhelming at times (actually, a lot of the time!). Whenever my father-in-law sensed the 'ship was sinking', he would look me in the eyes and say, "Nancy, you have two summers and a winter ahead of you. You can do this."

across the street from my home - 2009

You have to know that Dad W. was not know for his optimism. He was a chronic worrier who seemed to always be waiting for and expecting the worst. So it was completely out of character for him to offer such optimism. And the thing is - he would start saying this as early as October (September if necessary). Sometimes it was encouraging and sometimes it just made me mad - especially if we were just heading in to winter. "We're not headed in to summer - we are just barely headed in to a looonnnnggg winter - with three little children and a husband in school - he doesn't know how hard this is! (and on and on . . .)", I would think to myself as I struggled to feel confident in my ability to survive one more day let alone one more winter.

Pumpkin, I know how you feel! - 2009

Looking back, I now appreciate his attempts (some more successful than others) to offer me hope during a time of my life that was filled with seemingly endless dirty diapers, sticky hands and busy children. You know, he was right. No matter where we are in the calendar year, I know there will always be two summers and a winter ahead of me if I can just hang on.

Miami - October 2009

And so I bid January a fond farewell!

I think there's a summer waiting just around the corner!?!

Miami - October 2009

29 Years

2010-01-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

Blessing Day

I just returned from the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. I went for a follow-up mammogram/ultrasound and received the great news that my cyst is benign.

As I prepared to leave my home this morning, I reflected back on my trip to this same hospital 29 years ago. The irony was not lost on me.

Twenty-nine years ago I was two days shy of my due date for my second baby. I had spent the afternoon piano shopping (I obviously was VERY PREGNANT - I had to repeatedly remind my Grandma A. that, no, I was NOT carrying twins! - and there was not a piano bench to be found in the piano store. The salesman told me the store kept the benches in the back to discourage children from sitting on them and plunking on the pianos. Heaven forbid that we break one out for the pregnant lady! Unfortunately, he did not pick up on my pregnant condition and did not offer to go find me a chair, bench, box, overturned garbage can - anything that I could sit down on for a few minutes.

Anyway, I ended up standing way too long for my condition and finally retreated to my car to head to my doctor's appointment. When I got there the doctor was out on a delivery call and I was given the option of having a nurse check me or returning in an hour or two. Since I was so close to my due date, I decided to go over to the mall (it didn't make sense to drive all the way back to Pleasant Grove and then drive all the way back) while I waited for the doctor's return. I ended up in JC Penney's and took my sweet time wandering around the store. After about an hour and a half, I drove back to the doctor's office and signed in.

I had delivered my first baby two days before my due date and I was curious as to my 'readiness' with this baby. I had been experiencing a lot of false labor and so I was feeling optimistic about my situation. After exchanging greetings, Dr. Judd got down to the business of checking me for any dilation. The only way I can explain it is to tell you it felt like he was checking my heart (but not with a stethoscope)! After I regained my ability to talk I asked him just exactly what was that all about! He casually replied that my baby was posterior and he had attempted to turn it right there in the exam room. I suggested that next time I would appreciate being knocked out or numb before he tried that move. He told me that unfortunately he hadn't been able to turn the baby but the good news was I was dilated to 4 cm and he would see me later that night. The impact of what felt like him trying to rotate my whole insides was that he had 'stripped my membranes' (felt more like 'ripped out my heart') and that would induce labor sometime that evening.

FOUR centimeters! I remember thinking, "I could have had that baby looking at fabric remnants in JC Penney's!" I was lucky he/she didn't drop out at the piano store between the uprights and baby grands for the lack of a piano bench! Four centimeters - it took me 10 hours to get to 2 centimeters with my first baby. This was great/terrifying news!

I drove home praying that I would not start having serious labor pains until I arrived home and, as I walked in the door, sure enough - intense labor began. We quickly packed up Elizabeth, dropped her off at my parents and headed to the hospital. We arrived about 6 p.m. and Ryan was born at 9 p.m. the day the US hostages were released from Iran and the night before Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president of the United States. After four blessed short hours of labor - a beautiful baby boy!

The rest of our winter was spent in a dense fog (literally and figuratively) as we tried to find ways to deal with a colicky, sleepless, screaming baby. That January was so foggy that my mom got lost coming to see me at the hospital. Those were LLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOGGGG months. We saw very little of this . . .

and A LOT of THIS . . . (at 4 months the longest Ryan had slept at any given time was 1 1/2 hours)

But we survived and were rewarded with this . . .

So on the 19th of January today and 29 years ago, I received great news at Utah Valley Hospital.
Today, a clean bill of health and 29 years ago, a healthy baby boy.
Happy Birthday to our firstborn son. Love, Mom

Dream

2010-01-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

Martin Luther King, Jr.

'I Have a Dream'

Seen here in Chicago

I love people who have

the imagination

to dream

and

the courage

to act.

Dreams can be far-reaching

or deeply personal.

The goal is to

never stop thinking

that we can make things

a little better along the way -

for ourselves and for others.

One remarkable woman's dream-

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

- Marjorie Pay Hinckley -

Remembering Sarah On Her Birthday

2010-01-17T11:15:00.006-07:00

Sarah's '4th Birthday'

From her mother's heart.

"One afternoon after her diagnosis, Sarah requested that I make her a birthday cake. Although it was not her birthday, we decorated the cake with candles and sang the Happy Birthday song. Her request for cakes continued. Each Monday became the day to celebrate another birthday. Notice Sarah's bright smile and the twinkle in her eye as she anticipates blowing out the candles."

Sadly, Sarah lost her battle with brain cancer but her sweet innocence and joy in the simple things of life - like blowing out your candles - taught lessons to be remembered for a lifetime.

Watch Sarah celebrating her '5th Birthday' here.

Call Back

2010-01-17T11:15:00.005-07:00

I got a 'call-back'

on my mammogram
this past Friday.

I think the only time

you are excited

for a 'call-back'

is when you've applied

for your dream job

or auditioned for

a part in this

or maybe this

possibly this

or this.

It may be nothing.

We'll see.
Four months ago the
results were benign.
We're hoping for
continued good news
and praying for calm.