Compassion!

To see true compassion, one must only look through a child's eyes. The other day Dallin and Kate were visiting our home with their mother. Dallin got in trouble for some childhood discrepancy and was told to stand in the corner. He was crying and upset (after his mom left the room for just a second) he turned to his sister in tears and said "Save me Kate". Kate came and stood beside him, stuck her nose in the corner while standing on her little tippy toes and then reached for his hand. They they both stood...holding hands...with their noses in the corner. This was truly lifting another's burdens. I have to tell you that it brought tears to my eyes. Thanks to the little ones for driving home life's most basic lessons.

To participate just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch....hum, I'd have to think!
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept over night on a train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23.Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (would never admit it if I did)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke (if you could call that singing)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone Deep Sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris ( not the top...but there)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching...no but saw a whale in the ocean on vacation w/ my parents
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (a long, long time ago)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar, and can I say yulk!
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle(not a speeding one but rode one)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (self published)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (Almost there, have 50 pages left)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating, if fish count
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous...hum! been in the same room but not actually met
92. Joined a book club (but seldom actually read much of the books, I'd rather solo)
93. Lost a loved one (too many to count)
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee...(Does a wasp count?)

Our 31st Anniversary!

It's anniversary time again. I can remember when we were married for 10 years and how long that seemed. It now seems like every time we turn around, we have added another notch to the belt. It is hard to believe that we have been married for 31 years. It is even harder to believe that we have two grown children with families of their own. How time travels swiftly.

This year, we took off, on our own, for a weekend get-a-way to San Antonio. We did all the usual stuff. We walked the River Walk and then rode the boat down the River Walk. We ate at the Cafe' Ole' on the River Walk and listened to the beautiful music in the square on the River Walk just outside the Marriott we were staying at. The weather was perfect...we didn't even need a jacket. It wasn't crowded...probably folks were expected the cold front that hadn't yet arrived.

Craig and I were able to spend a few short hours just relaxing...an event that doesn't happen often. We had a great adventure and wonderful memories to hold onto for another year.

Traditions

The holidays in our home have always been rich with traditions! There are just certain things that are a must for the holidays. These must haves include but are not limited to making gram cracker houses AKA Ginger Bread Houses, A live Nativity Christmas Eve Night after Subway Sandwiches, sending out cards, singing and listening to Christmas music, decorating EVERYWHERE, new pajamas Christmas Eve night, going to see the lights, caroling, and most years choosing a special "secret" service. Let's not forget the grand feast on Christmas Day!

This year we have kept many of our favorites but have also added some new "free" adventures that are in the neighboring communities. So far, we have managed to make snowflakes and decorate cookies. Go to Burnet Texas for Bethelem Live! Go to Pflugerville's Christmas Parade. And tomorrow, we will all attend Uncle Michael's Christmas Concert at Stony Point High School.

I think that everyone is wanting to slow down a bit and perhaps enjoy driving through the neigborhood and looking at the lights and watching some of those old Christmas Classics!
And drinking a cup of hot cocoa in front of the fireplace while listening to Christmas Carols.

It is the sights, the sounds, the smells, family, and the little ones that help make this time of year so memorable. It's the familiar! It's remembering why we celebrate to begin with! We certainly have a great deal to be thankful for this Christmas Season! We feel very blessed to have family near to celebrate with! This has been the greatest Christmas Ever! Thank you family for being such a great part of all the special memories!

Thanksgiving...A time to give thanks

I always love to wake up Thanksgiving morning to the smell of the turkey roasting in the oven. There is something about the smells of the holiday that bring back old memories and make way for treasured memories to become traditions. When I was a youngster, there were very few meals that were actually prepared or eaten at the house as most were prepared and eaten at the cafe. Thanksgiving and Christmas were different as those holidays meant that a feast would be prepared and that Grandma Gaines and Grandpa Art Yerby would be invited for the day at the house. Mom would prepare the meal. She would start the day before. Nancy and I would wash the dishes (which seemed to go on for days) after the meal was over. I always remembered these as special times and I remember also that I thought that it was important that we have a prayer to Give Thanks. My family was not religious and if I wanted a prayer, it was up to me to say it...and so I did...every year. I was especially grateful this year as Valerie and her family, Michael, Craig, and I gathered around a feast of our own special delicious smelling/tasting meal that Craig, our family patriarch, lead our family in blessing this wonderful meal and giving thanks. It was a wonderful day. I can remember thinking that I would like to hold these memories in my thoughts forever. I am grateful for our family traditions that bring us so much joy and happiness.

Thrills and Chills and a Boo-ti-ful Birthday!

This is the first year in quite some time that all of the kids were home around my birthday. As the kids grew up, all birthdays were spent Trick-O-Treating or doing some kind of Halloween Tradition (except on the rare occasion that my birthday fell on a Sunday).

This Halloween was my first to spend with grandkids Trick-O-Treating and the such! It was so fun to see them participate in the continued rituals of the season and to see their parents in the role that I once had. Halloween is magical once more. It was fun Dallin as a lion, Kate as a pumpkin, and Madison and her mom and dad as M&Ms.

I had decided to celebrate my birthday the day after Halloween so that everyone could be there. Michael had a football game that he had to play in the band for on Halloween night.

As it turned out Dallin got sick and so Val's family couldn't come. William and Tammy cooked an awesome meal. (I honestly do not know how they made the meal look and taste like a high quality restaurant had made it) but it was certainly a wonderful surprise. Val came over in time for me to open my presents from all the kids. I certainly loved that Tammy re-did my Grandma photo frame with recent photos of ALL the grand kids. I also loved the Nana Brag Book that the kids all put together for me. Everyone gave me wonderful cards and Michael gave me some yummy HUGS hot chocolate mix.

What a wonderful memory! Thank you all for your service and your very thoughtful gifts. You are all amazing!

You've Been Tagged..my real answers

8 Obsessions:
1. genealogy
2. food storage
3. starting new projects
4. to do list's
5. Cooking
6. Dr. Phil
7. Oprah
8. Talking on the phone

8 Words or Phrases I Use Often:
1. "Cool"
2. "Do you understand"
3. "The truth of the matter is"
4. "Hummm"
5. "Wow.."
6. "How interesting"
7. "What a sweet girl/boy"
8."Be Nice"
9. "Man"

8 Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1. I want to know that all my kids are going to be fine, that they are happy, successful and contented
2. Re-read all the scriptures many many more times except the Old Testament
3. Read all the books that I have purchased and not read
4. Become an awesome Nana
5. Finish writing all the books that I have started to write
6. Visit a lot of cool places(see below)
7. See Michael go on a mission and get married in the temple
8. Not be afraid to live life

8 Things I've Learned From My Past:
1. Even the best of people will make mistakes
2. Spending time together as a family fills me with joy
3. Most of life's most valuable lessons can be described by a three year old
4. Temple Marriage is a beginning of a journey not an end to a goal
5. Most things in life can be obtained by hard work. It is not necessarily the brightest among us that are the most successful.
6. The older I get, the more I know, and the less anyone cares to hear about it.
7. Life is a gift, enjoy every moment, even the hard ones and learn from them.
8. Dairy Products DO stain carpets and you can never get them up....buy a rug.

8 Places I Would Love to Go or See:
1. Branson Missouri
2. Anyplace where there is no phone or Internet service or maybe even electricity
3. Bethlehem
4. Italy
5. Egypt
6. China (maybe)
7. Hawaii (the islands I haven't been to yet)
8. Disneyworld with grand kids

8 Things I Currently Need or Want:
1. Will to get a job
2. Christopher to get another job
3. Craig to keep his job
4. To do fun things with family
5. To get ready for Christmas (organization skills please)
6. To have a Boooooo--t-ful birthday
7. To lose weight while not giving up Blue Bell Ice Cream
8. To hear from friends and family

8 Ladies I Tag:
1. Do I even know 8 ladies?
2. Shannon
3. Valerie
4. Nancy
5. Marilyn
6. Stacy
7. Anyone else who wants to
8.Hummmmm

Correction to Dallin's Third Birthday Blog

Towards the last of the blog it should have read...with all the presents from family here, new friends and his Grandma and Grandpa Kellogg...it was like a mini Christmas. It is so nice that Dallin is loved by so many!

Dallin's Third Birthday

Dallin had his third birthday celebration at the Forest Creek Park on October the 1st. What a celebration. He invited all his nursery and play group friends. There was quiet a crowd and Dallin loved every minute. It was so fun to see him so excited over friends, family, cake, pizza, presents, balloons, goody bags and playing at the park. You could tell that all his dreams came true. To Dallin, it is very important to share these special times with good friends. I am so glad that especially since he has only been here two months that he has been embraced by his community. It was so special for all of our family to be there. Will, Tammy and Maddie are even here (what are the chances for the whole family to celebrate with him?) Papa made sure that he stayed in town for Dallin's big day. He left the next morning at 3:00 am. It was a long day the next day for Papa, but he wouldn't have missed it! Papa picked Michael up from school so that he wouldn't miss the big event via the long bus ride home. All went well and Dallin will remember this special day for a long time. He is now playing with all his loot. With all the family that was here, new friends, and Grandparents from Utah...it was like a mini Christmas for the young lad. We love you Dallin and hope you had the best birthday ever.

Children's Books

Being a first grade teacher and a book lover, I have collected 8 large boxes of just children's early years books. It has been a lot of fun watching the kids go through the boxes and choose books that were meaningful to them from their childhood or books that would be fun to read to their own children. What a happy time to see the my kids reading their own books to their own children. These classics get to go around the block one more time. How awesome is that. Michael even got involved in the choosing of books. It was fun to watch.

The Sprinkler Park

Each Monday, Valerie takes the kids on a play date with other children who live in her ward. They go somewhere different each Monday. Dallin and Kate have loved these little outings. Valerie has been able to find her way to each location, every time. Today was the exception to the rule and after an hour of driving, they passed Nana's street on their way home after not being able to find the Sprinkler Park. Dallin told his mom to go to Nana's house, that she would know what to do. It is wonderful to know that your grandchild has all the faith in the world that Nana has the power to fix whatever may be wrong in the world. Thank you dear Dallin for giving me super natural powers that I never knew I had and helping me step up to be all the Nana I can be. As the story goes (with an introduction like that) Nana just had to save the day. With the help of Uncle Will, we got the directions and Nana drove the crew to the Sprinkler Park just before all of the kids' friends were going to go home. They decided to stay longer to play with Dallin and Kate. The Sprinkler Park was a magical place in that I had never seen a place quite like it. There were so many sprinklers shooting up about 20 feet in the air. The kids could run through them and the place was huge and completely enclosed. What an awesome idea not to mention the fact that it was free. What a great time. The kids ran and ran. The day continued to be a wonderful day with many wonderful memories. Thanks Dallin and Kate for a perfect day!

Craig and Will Help With Hurricane Ike Clean Up

Craig and William drove to Houston Saturday morning at 3:30 to help out with the clean up of the damage that Hurricane Ike left behind. We were thrilled that the men in our family had the opportunity to help out in such a personal way. In many of the disasters that have happened over the years, it seems all we have been able to do is send items or cash for the relief of those that needed it. This time, we were asked to serve by helping remove trees and all matter of junk that ended up in the yards of the homes of the folks that lived in Houston. From what Craig said, there were huge trees that were laying across the tops of some of the houses. From what I understand, It was a full days work. Our guys came home dead tired about 9:00 pm. I'm sure that we will hear more of the details when they wake up. Houston certainly got a lot more damage than expected and I'm sure the clean up effort will take more than days, weeks, or months... but at least for one of the days, Craig and Will along with many other church members in our Stake were able to make a difference.

Hurrincane Ike

It's been years since we have even heard the word Hurricane associated with our part of Texas. We were completely spared having very minimal wind gusts and no rain. Our Texas Friends in Houston and Galveston were not so lucky. They are currently without power, water and perhaps without homes or businesses to work at. Craig works for BMC Software which is based out of Houston and I can tell you that the hurricane took its' toll. One of Craig's Co-workers from there rode out the storm. His kids were scared to death as terrible loud winds went by them for 10 hours. He said that never again would he "ride out" a hurricane. It seems that lives were spared but the coastline took substantial damage. We are grateful that we were completely spared. We hope to find ways to help our fellow Texans. The last time the Texas Coast was hit terribly hard was 108 years ago with 6,000 plus in loss of lives. We are grateful for our modern technology as many evacuated the area in plenty of time to be safe.

Madison Rose Sharp's Blessing

On Sunday, Maddie was blessed by her father, William, in the new Old Settler's Ward in Taylor Texas. In the blessing circle was her father William, her grandfather Larry Dickinson, her grandfather Craig Sharp, her uncle Jimmy Dickinson, her uncle Christopher Kellogg, and the bishop Dane Parker. Maddie was given the most wonderful blessing AND it was so wonderful to have Tammy's family there as well as our own. We enjoyed family time together after the blessing with a traditional Texas Barbeque. There was plenty of food and plenty of family fun for everyone.

The blessing of Madison Rose joining our family came six weeks earlier on July 20th in Provo Utah. Lori and I were both at the hospital for 17 hours waiting for this special little angel to join our family. Maddie was born early afternoon at 12:20 and weighed in at 8 pounds and 4 ounces. She was 20 1/2 inches long. She is much longer now. She has certainly blessed the lives of us all. Tammy is a wonderful mother. She's a natural really. William is a very caring father. Maddie is very happy and loves to make little talking noises and loves to smile and laugh. She also loves to lift her little legs up like a ballerina. She loves to be kept warm but loves her feet poking out of her blanket. She feels safe and content. There is no question that she has Tammy's eyes which Tammy certainly got from her mother, Lori! They are beautiful!

Valerie's Birthday

Valerie was able to celebrate her 29th birthday in Texas. Who would have thought that would ever happen! We were able to have a special dinner at our house the day before her birthday with all her favorites. Homemade chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and cream gravy, brocoli and cheese sauce, stuff (which is the jello salads), and Grandma Sharp's favorite angel food cake with orange frosting (also Val's favorite). There were other foods too but I can't remember them all. the important thing is that they were all made from scratch and they were her favorites and that we were able to share this special time with our whole family as Tammy, Will, and Madison were here too. I remember that day as one that I wanted to take the whole thing in. To me, it was so special for EVERYONE to be here for this special time. Monday, September 1st, the day we celebrated, was Labor Day. I can remember very well that Valerie was born on Labor Day, but it was on a Sunday, 29 years ago. On September 3rd, Christopher and Valerie went out on a date for their own extention of Valerie's birthday celebration. I got to babysit the grandkids. I was so grateful for this time as well. I have loved being a mom and a nana so much. I love these special memories.

Home is Where the Heart Is!

I sure enjoyed my adventure of traveling around the world but I can honestly say that I am glad to be home. Family is everything! I missed everyone! We are all still trying to catch up on sleep. Craig is back at work. Christopher is working hard at his new job. Michael is chilling a little bit before we start trying to do some well needed deep cleaning. I am trying to get caught up on paperwork/organizing (a never-ending task). Did I say that I am glad to be home? Nancy and Mom are back at home and trying to get things back in order there as well. I have about a 1,000 photos to share. I went on a 4 mile walk with Michael yesterday. It was really quite fun. Thank heavens for the youth in the family!

Home Sweet Home!

I had a great voyage but I am so glad to be home. Christopher had done a great job of holding down the fort while we were away. Bills were paid and Amy was well taken care of. The house looked welcoming! I was glad that the cell phone worked when touching U.S. Soil. I can't wait to see dad again. The boys will be home tomorrow from Philmont.

I have a lot of adventures to share. But first, I have to catch up on life around here. Nancy and Mom took all kinds of photos. My camera went to Philmont with the Boy Scouts!

I hope all was well with everyone while I was away! Love to you all! mom

Leaving Norway! Texas Bound!

We are leaving Norway today. It was a very fast visit. We are all safe. We fly out first thing in the morning. We are very tired but certainly have seen many wonderful things. Gods creations and some of mans are absolutely amazing! I am exciting to get home. I miss everyone and can't wait to see everyone again. It looks like Christopher will be the first one that I see followed by Craig and Michael. I can't wait until I am in an area that I can call everyone. I am starting to get homesick!!! I miss you all and love you all. Mom

Leaving Poland!

We arrived in Poland at 9:00 am and were here until 5:30pm. It was a big today and certainly different than the other countries. I was impressed with the country's history and also with the stork traditions and stories. Their is a fortress of long ago. Also, they are still cleaning up from World War II. It seems that since they are no longer under Russia's power they are doing much better.

We have a sea day tomorrow and we sure are happy about that. We are all so very tired. We need a day to relax.

Norway is next and we have heard that perhaps it isn't the best place to visit and that folks need to be careful while visiting. That might be a little tricky with mom. She is kinda like a little girl in a candy store running from one place to the next while everyone watches out for her. She loves the travel and she says that she is having a great time. She is very tired. We are all feeling a little like we could be getting a little cold. We are grateful that we have made it this far feeling really good. I am really getting good as stairs.

Will and Tammy, so glad to hear from you both! Love to you all! Mom

Leaving Estonia!

We had a bright and early tour of Estonia! Our other tours have all been bright and early as well! It is a town right out of the deep past. They are most proud of their separation from
Russia. Talk about Medival Times! Much of the city was destroyed by bombs but the fortress is still intact! We had the nicest tour guide. It was very cold here today. They only have about 70 Sunny Days each year. The afternoon was bright and sunny so we were able to experience that. Mom found out that one of her freezers went out. Apparently Stacy gets to clean up the mess. It was the freezer that was full of meat. We are all well and have so much to take in. We are tired. Hopefully since we are all in early, we will be able to get to bed early this evening. I hope that all is well there for you all. I love you all! Mom

Leaving Russia!

Russia is certainly a beautiful place FILLED with all kinds of Castle Type Structures. We had a two day tour guide that was ablsolutely wonderful. There have been funny moments and stressful moments but all and all things are going well. The weather has been great. It usually rains a lot here and it was rain free. What a blessing. We are all very tired. Tomorrow the day starts early as we are in Estonia. The following day...another country then a sea day. I believe that we will all be grateful for a sea day. A day of rest and for doing laundry. Mom is like a child in a candy store. I am surprised she doesn't get lost. The tour guides want Nancy and I to keep a close eye on her. She doesn't like that much. William, thanks so much for the comments. I am really missing my family and was hoping to hear from you. Thanks for making my day. I sure needed that. Love to all of you! May God Bless!

Saint Petersburg Russia

We've spent the first day touring Russia. We have an awesome tour guide. We will have the same one tomorrow. We certainly feel blessed about that. It feels like I might be trying to catch a cold. It has been really early mornings and late evenings as we try to make the very most out of each and every day. This evening, we will have supper at Katherine's Palace. It will certainly be a full day.

I hope that all is going well for everyone. Today is Friday the 13th, Tyler's birthday and considered to be a LUCKY day in Russia.

I've certainly been kept busy and well exercised as mom and Nancy were correct in that there are stairs to just about everything. Folks here do a lot of walking each day.

I'll try and touch base tomorrow. Love, Mom

On Our Cruise!

I sure have missed all of you guys. I am seeing so many wonderful things that I wish you were here to see them with me. Nancy and Grandma are taking millions of photos and they are going to make me a disk to share with you all when I get back.

So far my health has been good. Only one total mishap with perfume and that was with The Eye in London. When I got off, I couldn't walk...you know the deal and I ended up spending the afternoon with the doctor there. We have trying to be extra careful. Most of the tours have been great.

I absolutely could not believe Bath and Stonehenge. They were amazing. You really have to be there to completely understand.

London and Scotland were great. We saw the shop that the book Harry Potter was created. It is certainly easy to see where she came up with the inspiration.

Sweden and Finland have been great. I had never seen a real Viking Ship. Impressive!
We are now on our way to Russia. I have gotten a real history lesson. It is also very interesting to see how other folks view the U.S.

The ocean has been calm. I ended up getting you all something at the Hard Rock Cafe in London. No easy feat as we walked forever and a day to get there. But it was worth it.

Christopher and Valerie, I hope that all is going well for the job hunt/find and also for housing. I think of you everyday.

Tammy and William. I wonder how you are feeling Tammy and also how the Will's Intership in going. I know there are so many new and wonderful things coming your way. I think of you all everyday as well.

I hope that you all think to check here while I am away.

Michael and Craig, I hope that Philmont is going well. I also think of you everyday.

The weather has been good. All of health has been going. The seas are good as well.

I send my love to all of you! I miss you all! Love, mom

Bon Voyage to All!!!

Farewell dear family! This week on Tuesday, I am off to the Baltic with Nancy and Mom. Craig and Michael are getting ready to depart to Philmont on Saturday. That leaves poor Christopher here alone. Christopher will be busy establishing a place of residence and a job. He REALLY misses Valerie, Dallin and Kate. Craig leaves in the morning for Phoenix for his job until Thursday evening. We will catch up when I get back. I send my love to all of you. William, I hope that all goes well for your job. Tammy, I hope that June goes by quickly. That last month of pregnancy can REALLY get long especially in the summertime. Bon Voyage!!!

William spends birthday in New York City!

William will be spending his birthday in New York City. He is away from Tammy and Maddie and is back to having roommates as he completes his two month advertising intership. (See Tammy and Will's blog for all his adventures!) William is learning so much but really misses his awesome wife and baby-on-the-way in Provo. Happy Birthday William!!! We are thinking of you and send our love your way on your special day.

Back to Family Roots and Texas Ties

Christopher is on his way to Texas to blaze the way for the rest of his family that will be following towards the end of July. He, Valerie and the kids will be living in Round Rock just down the road a piece from Nana and Papa! We are sure looking forward to not having to travel across country to see everyone. It will be nice to be there for those special times. We are grateful!

Texas Twisters and Thank Heavens for Sisters!

It was only a week out from the monster truck fiasco and Round Rock was hit with sever storms with hail the size of grapefruit in some area. We were hit with a little smaller than golf ball size hail that managed to do 3,300.00 damage tothe toyota camry and damaged the already totally mini-van. It looks like a new roof could be a possibility too! We hate this as it was only three years ago that we replaced the roof. We were grateful that with the magnitude of it all the NO ONE in Texas was hurt. What a Blessing!

Right on the heels of that news was the alert that my only sibbling had some health issues that resembled bone cancer. After tests, prayers, blessing, and waiting...the news came back today that Nancy aka Hari Denise was cancer-free and that her foot was not broken. The last time that she broke her foot, she had broken 6 bones and the x-rays did not pick it up...so apparently it never healed properly and she has had many painful experiences due to it. We were all blessed with this good news and feel like we can breathe again.

The 12 year old Plymouth Voyager bites the dust

Last Saturday on the return home from a boy scout campout and 13 mile backpacking hiking, a monster truck misjudging a red light ran through the back window/hatch of our mini van. No one was hurt BUT the van is totaled as the damage was more than the worth of the auto. So, on Friday we ended up buying another mini van. Michael says that it really doesn't look that much different than the one we've had for the past 12 years. Truth be told, we had to have a vehicle that would make the trip to Philmont that had room for 7 folks. We are grateful for the blessing that it wasn't worse than it was. And we are grateful to move on and get things taken care of in preparation for the summer.

The summer brings:

Will going to New York for his Internship
Tammy and Will welcoming little Maddie
Craig and Michael going to Philmont
Kathy going to the Baltic...a trip with mom and sis!
Kathy and Michael possibly going to Utah
Will and Tammy moving after Maddie is born

It will be a busy summer for everyone!

Five Years! Cancer Free!

This time each year our family breathes a great sigh of relief as we plan for the coming year. Each year, we are reminded that life itself is a gift from God and that each day should be cherished. Each new year is a true gift. We are grateful that once again Craig is Cancer Free!
It has been 5 years and 3 months!!! It seems like only yesterday that we went to MD Anderson Cancer Center for the first time. Now we know our way around that huge place like pros. Now it's back to the planning. It's back to getting on with life. We are grateful for the gift of being reminded how blessed we really are!!!

Changes, Changes, Changes!!!

We always have something going on. Whew! The summer months are especially crazy. With the news of Dad's diabetes..All plans are kinda in the air. The April plans of attending Will's graduation, Tammy's Baby Shower, Kate's Birthday, and the Unbirthday celebration are still on! It will be a fast and furious week of celebration! However, Summer plans are hanging in the balance as we all try and figure out Plan B, C, or ever D. Plans were for Craig and Michael to go to Philmont, Me to go to Russia with my mother and sister (something that has been in the works for years and was just paid for) while the boys were gone. Plans for Tammy and Will were also up in the air. Now they have plans for Will to go to New York with his Internship and then to scurry back for the birth of their baby daughter and then to move immediately afterwards. Thank heavens for youth. It looks like it is doubtful for the doctor to give Craig the go ahead to go to Philmont with such short notice to get his blood sugar in order. So...who knows what the plans will all be. He had been selected for the 100% Club for a trip to Hawaii but had let it go for Philmont. We are grateful that we have had all these choices. We realize that many don't. We are a little bummed that all the items above were fully paid for with no refund. We are grateful for the gifts that we have been given from a kind heavenly father. We are especially grateful for family.

How Great Thou Art!

Once a year as we go to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas for a day long of testing for Craig. We are reminded just how blessed we are. We hadn't even made it to the Cancer Center. We had stopped at Denny's for a quick breakfast and I met a lady who told me that she was on her way to MD Anderson and that both her husband and her son had cancer. Her husband had lost his battle just the month before. She was praying with all her heart that all would be well with her son. Many, many people have their stories and many end in loss of life. These wonderful folks face every day KNOWING that their last is just around the corner. They are faithful, good people. You can feel the spirit so strongly when so many are praying for strength...These folks KNOW about mortality. I feel grateful for EVERY blessing that I have each time I go, I am grateful, at least for now, that Craig is doing so well and I am reminded once a year what a true blessing this really is. I am grateful for all the loving folks that lord has blessed my life with. My cup runneth over!

Diabetes Strikes Again!

It seems like the word diabetes has certainly become a household word in many Sharp Families as of late. Last night dad said that he didn't feel right and that he thought that he might be diabetic. Since he never complains, I had a friend come over and test his blood sugar. His blood sugar level was 283. Looks like we might be having our celebrations in a lot more healthy way. O.K. Val and Christopher, get ready to show us the ropes. We are counting on you.

We hear Kate took her first step yesterday. Way to go Katie Bug! We're all rooting for you.

Dallin, how's the big brother thing going? I know that you are a great one!

Maddie, can't wait to meet you!

We will see all of you soon!

And the Blog goes on....And the Blog goes on!

Finally, a blog update from the Texas Sharps. Back from the Caribbean Cruise, we have many wonderful memories. We learned a few things about traveling in other countries. It had been 30 years since Uncle Sam extended our family its' first out of the country experience and until this year we've stayed in our great nation. We learned that Crusing was different than we thought. We did enjoy not having Craig at the Computer or on the Phone while we were away. This was a first in years. We learned that the Jamacan phrase "No Problem" didn't mean what we thought and we learned a bit more than we wanted to about the importance of safety. We loved swimming with the Sting Rays in the Grand Cayan Island and loved the Mayan Ruins in Cozymel. It was great for the three of us to just be with each other and create our own fun on the ship. Michael loved the Giant Chess Set on board and played with anyone who would be brave enough to challenge him. We did get many pictures taken; however, posting them will mean another lesson for me from Valerie or Tammy. Both are eager to help me learn. I really appreciate that. Craig is in Phoenix this week on business and gets to go see his sister one evening. I am happy that he gets to visit her. Michael has started driver's training. Craig is his teacher. All is going well as he drives about everywhere we go as a family. We are all doing our best at the New Year's Goals that we made. I have to say that we've done rather well. We are looking forward to a visit from Kathy's mom and sister this coming week. Until next time....