Tag - I'm it...and you may be next!

I was tagged by my friend Lura. She was tagged by a fellow blogger in England, and called it a “meme” I guess that means things about me. Lura and I have been in the same ward for years off and on, and she has always been so sweet to me. I have gotten to know her and her family better by reading her blog. That’s what I love about this. I see it as scrap booking on line, and it’s the best.

The tag is to mention 6 things about yourself. Sooo….Some may be things you know about me already, some may be new to you.

I grew up in Huntington Beach California and attended Edison High School. I loved choir and followed my older brother and sister into the program. They were both in the Acappella choir, and so I auditioned and made it first try for my freshman year. Then I auditioned for Madrigals for my soph, junior, and senior years, and never made it. I figured out later that it was because I was auditioning in the Soprano section, and could not hit the notes clearly and powerfully, and the choir teacher did not have me try for alto positions, which I truly am….so Senior year, I quit and spent my time in the art hall, which was my other love in High School.

I did not date much in High School. I was the girl who was everybody’s buddy. I found out later that my brother who was just 2 years older than me basically told his friends that I was off limits. So I usually went on dates as a “double date”, so my friends could date my fun and beautiful cousin Lisa. So at the time it was a bit lonely, but in college after I got in shape playing raquetball and running, I got a little bit more attention, and married right after I turned 20.

I am extremely claustrophobic! The thought of going into caves, tunnels, any tight spot - no way! Even my feet are clausto! Need to be able to kick my shoes off, or wear sandals whenever possible. Straps buckled to my ankles - NO WAY…

I am a pack rat….no big surprise to most. I have a very hard time throwing things away. I attach too much sentimentality to a lot of things. A few years ago my mom told me that she heard that it is a form of selfishness to keep things you are not using when someone else could be using them, so it is easier to send things to the thrift store thinking someone can use them.

I am a craft-aholic. I have always loved being creative, seeing something come to life. Be it sewing, painting, wood working, scrap booking….Fun stuff for me. Just wish I had more time these days to do it.

I love Amazon.com. Last year I discovered it for Christmas shopping. Then I found many things that I wanted like music, videos, books that I did not know where else to look. It has created some great memory lane type gifts for my family. Love the wish list concept. Gonna have my kids get on there with me and Randi this year, and create a list to make my shopping easier.
So there you have a long post that you may or may not care to know about me…. ;)

So now I tag 6 of my blogger friends

Stephanie - my sweet daughter-in-law
My sister Lori -needs to blog more anyway!
My Heidi - my blog teacher and momma of my Jackson
My niece Ashley Lee - new momma and blogger extrodinaire
My friend DeAnne Kalayji - super momma of 3 busy boys, and hope she can squeeze it in!
My friend Starla - nursing student and adventurer- one of my all time favorite young women!

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on the blog
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
..
Now it is my turn to play. I've tagged you six and you're it

I have our Baby Jackson!

He's Here!

Long day in L.A..We left the house at 10 am, and didn't get home until 7:30.....Randi's passport problems took us to the Los Angeles Federal Building. When I tried to document that with my own camera, a Security Guard jumped out of the building, and made me delete my picture. He also made me scroll thru to make sure I did not have any other pictures. Myyyy Gooodnesss! So after waiting another hour and a half they corrected her birthdate from 1960, to 1980, and we were off to the airport to meet Heidi and Jackson.

We had some time to kill, and so Skyler thinks I figured ways to torture him, by trying to play a game, and taking some pictures. But alas, he was not amused. But he is MY Baby even if he is 18!Randi was a bit more compliant, but people watching won out in the end.

One of the Best Smiles ever!

then our Heidi and Jackson arrived,. Heidi looks great. She has taken up running again. It was so good to hug my girl after 3 months! And Jackson has grown! In just 3 months and 4 pounds later, our boy has changed so much. He is a walker, and he answers yes and no questions with the nod of his head, and sometimes a resounding "yes"...He LOVES to dance, and he is a curious and busy boy, I am going to be plum tuckered out after 8 days for sure. Good thing he is an angel and he is so easy going. He gave his momma kisses goodbye as she and Randi left for their adventure, and we are loving having him. Can't get enough of this boy!!

Surfer Dude!

First thing this morning to start our holiday, Russell wanted to go surfing. Grant was the only young Holmes man that was up for the adventure. So after getting up a bit late, we met Grant and Julia at Huntington at the River Jetty. The guys were getting ready, and Grant said, "hey mom, you know how our bathroom has pictures of family at the beach, well I am the one who surfs most, and there is no picture of me in there."

So I made sure there were a few photo opps of two of my favorite surfers (wish we could include Brendon here too). So Julia's moondoggy, and my big Kahuna...heres to you!

thank you sweet blogger friends!!

Help wanted

I switched to this cute backround, but the body of the text and pictures are all off to the left and right now, does anyone know how to fix it?? I could use your seasoned blogging help.

"Pete!"

When my kids were small, the favorite birthday party game was "Pete!". This game is played by taking your favorite color candies like M& M's, Skittles, or Runts, and put them on the table in a circle. Who's ever turn it is goes out of the room and everyone else decides upon which piece of candy will be dubbed Pete. When the person comes back into the room, they start picking up pieces of candy which they keep, until they pick up the piece that was chosen, and everyone else shouts out "Pete!". Then their turn is over.

On Russell's birthday this last week, our kids who live here in California all came over for dinner. We missed you Heidi, Matt, Jackson, Cody, Brendon and Stephanie. After dinner before birthday cake and ice cream, I got out the candy bags. Jordan says "Mom, is that for playing 'Pete!'?. "oh, yes" says I. The kids laughed at me for a while until we began the game and then the laughs began. Julia and Breana had not played before and they were up for this game. Everyone was very good at it, and everyone enjoyed the Skittles.

Good times and good memories relived and enjoyed with lots of smiles and laughs!

The Best Special Education School in America

I work at the Best Special Ed School in America. I work with amazing people who give their hearts and lives to provide love and dignity everyday for the most Severely Handicapped students. We have many students that are non-verbal, and wheelchair bound, g-tube fed, tracheostomy, cathetered, fed pureed food, you get the idea. But the sparkle in their eyes and thier way of communication is amazing. You are the one who learns how to communicate with their hearts and minds. I know they are perfect spirits inside bodies with limitations. I can't wait to see them in perfected bodies in an Eternal realm.

Today was our graduation and promotion ceremonies and awards assembly. Our students are ages 3 to 22. We only had one actual graduate who leaves us at the age of 22. Every one of the 76 students receives an end of the year award to truly celebrate their accomplishments for the year. Here is a sample of some of their accomplishments....

Learning Braille, Getting back into the school routine after spinal surgery, Lengthening the utterance of vocalizing. Learning to look up for yes and down for no. Making choices using picture cards. 'Habit' or toilet training (at the age of 18). Bearing weight, and taking first steps at 5 years of age. These children and their teachers and Instructional assistants are incredible. I am blessed being in their presence daily, they are a joy in my life.