Rites of Passage...

...if my car and my nerves survive!!!

Amanda is learning to drive!!! ...and Uncle Marc is helping me teach her.

You'll see that Marc is much braver than I am...He actually got INTO the car. I'm still outside taking pictures!

Proud Uncle, Happy Girl, Relieved Mama (who really DID finally get in the car, but is behind the camera again!)

It won't be long before we'll be posting the picture of my Mandy holding her shiny-new driver's permit...then her license...

*sigh*

Tis the Season...for????

...CANNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One trip up North to Brigham City...several bushels of produce...jars, jars, jars....and what do you get???

THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...AND this...

...and FINALLY...THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We owe our thanks to Deb Webster, who taught me all I know about canning; so I could pass it on to my family!!! ...and to ALL the family (Marc, Deb, Kev, Jackie and Mandy) who worked so hard on this project!!!

...And to the trusty red and black-checkered cook book that no kitchen should be without!!! I am SO done with canning for this year!!!

My Newest Teenager...

When Mandy turned 13, we took her out to dinner. For the first time in her life, she was allowed to wear make-up. I was astonished at what a young lady she looked like. So, I shouldn't have been so surprised when Jackie did the same thing.

But here she is at her family-Birthday-Dinner...and what a lovely Young Lady she is becoming...

*sigh* They are both growing up so quickly! Fun to watch, but bitter-sweet, too.

We had a BIRTHDAY, SHOUT HURRAY!!!

So, today was Jackie's 13th Birthday!!!! Hard to believe that she's been ours for 10 years!!! What a difference from sunny-haired toddler to long-lean-TALL teenager!

Jackie wanted a "water party"...complete with waterballoons and squirt guns! This is exactly what she got!!

Here she is drying herself on Emily P's shirt!!

Here they are taking aim to fire-away!!

She wanted watermelon, popcorn, and cake for refreshments...
"YUM" or "ICK", depending on your point of view!

Then it was time for presents...

and pictures...

Later, we had the "family-party" which was a repeat of the afternoon's festivities minus the water-balloons...

She asked for a "Rapper-bear" from "Build-a-Bear"...She got a "Rapper-Leopard" and LOVED it!!

She loved the card from Auntie-Deb

...And the Lenox figurine from her Auntie, in Ohio...

This is the face of a girl who had a VERY Happy Birthday!!!!!!

"Happy Birthday, Sunshine-Girl!! We love you!!!"

Humor...

I got this from my sis, Caline. Had a pretty good laugh, so I thought I'd share. Hope it gives you a giggle to brighten your day!

Jesus was wandering around Jerusalem when he decided that he really needed a new robe.

After looking around for a while, he saw a sign for Finkelstein, the Tailor.

So, he went in and made the necessary arrangements to have Finkelstein prepare a new robe for him. A few days later, when the robe was finished, Jesus tried it on -- and it was a perfect fit!

He asked how much he owed.

Finkelstein brushed him off: "No, no, no, for the Son of God there's no charge!

However, may I ask for a small favor. Whenever you give a sermon, perhaps you could just mention that your nice new robe was made by Finkelstein, the Tailor?"

Jesus readily agreed and as promised, extolled the virtues of his Finkelstein robe whenever he spoke to the masses.

A few months later, while Jesus was again walking through Jerusalem , he happened to walk past Finkelstein's shop and noted a huge line of people waiting for Finkelstein's robes.

He pushed his way through the crowd to speak to him and as soon as Finkelstein spotted him he said: "Jesus, Jesus, look what you've done for my business! Would you consider a partnership?"

"Certainly," replied Jesus.

"Jesus & Finkelstein it is."

"Oh, no, no," said Finkelstein.

"Finkelstein & Jesus.

After all, I am the craftsman."

The two of them debated this for some time.

Their discussion was long and spirited, but ultimately fruitful -- and they finally came up with a mutually acceptable compromise.. A few days later, the new sign went up over Finkelstein's shop:

"Lord & Taylor"

You know you're going to pass it on.

Sweet Sixteen!

How do you go about making a big impression for your child's Sweet Sixteen? I have thought long and hard about this very subject, and this is what I came up with...

Find out who their favorite singer is and get tickets to the next concert they play near you!!!

So, it's me, Amanda, and Miley...September 29, 2009 at 7:00 pm in Salt Lake City! Was Amanda excited when I told her I had the tickets??? I'm surprised everyone couldn't hear her scream of joy!!! Is this going to be a "SWEET" Sixteen to remember?

Oh Yeah, Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Independance Day!!!!!!!

One of the many things I remember fondly about my Dad was his ability to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around him. I am grateful that he passed that gift on to me. Today, as I drove home from Walmart, I took a moment to really look around me.

The sky was a brilliant robin's-egg blue, the fields were lush, green and thriving. I let my gaze wander and saw the magical play of light and shadow on the foot hills. Higher, the mountains are unusually green, with just a touch of snow remaining on the peaks. As I followed the winding road by the Jordan River, I was touched by the beauty of the sweeping trees that lined the road. Over all, I was swamped by a wave of gratitude to the One who created this lovely world in which we are blessed to live.

Of course, given what day tomorrow is, I thought of this wonderful land of freedom and opportunity in which we live. I think of those brave men and women who stood fast against tyranny and fought for the liberty that we enjoy today. My heart was full of thanks and humility.

So I say, with a full and grateful heart: God bless America!