Happiness/Joy

I have been kinda grumpy lately. I find I am not smiling as much. So, I have been thinking. About my family, about life, about my house, my health and about my job, among many other things.
My family: starting to spread out and it is tough to cut those old apron strings.
Worried about each and every one of them
My life: not where I thought it would be at my age.
My house: really getting old and needs alot of work.
My health: just feeling older and starting to hurt here and there and we won't
mention chubbiness!
My job: same ol' thing week after week. Isn't 50 a little old to be unloading a
semi-truck??
Other things: too many to list here.

This is reality. This is life. It's not a bad life, it's a good life. I am not meant to be happy ALL of the time. That is not the Plan. It is what life is made of; ups and downs and downs and ups. Fullfilled and unfullfilled dreams and ideas. Moments of great happiness. Moments of sadness and disapointment. However, what I know is that even when I am not always happy, I always have JOY! I have joy in having my family to love and knowing they love me, I have joy that I have a home not just a house, I have joy that this weary body is still ticking, I have joy that I have a job and can help out financially, and I have joy that I am blessed with an array of trials that help me grow. I taught a lesson once on the difference between happiness and joy. Yes, there is a difference. Think about it. Have a great Sabbath!

Sunday Afternoon

Hello everyone! Today has been such a good, relaxing day. I have needed a day like this. We have been going 90 miles an hour lately! Work and doctor's appointments and yard work and the dog and bills and groceries and on and on! I decided last night that I was not going to go to church today. "I needed a day to not visit or be asked questions and just be by myself." But...I woke up this morning and I knew that church was where I needed to spend my Sunday morning and I got ready with my family and went. How blessed I am that my Heavenly Father loves me enough to let the Spirit whisper to me! We had a sweet testimony meeting and then I attended two of the best lessons. My friend Bev taught in Gospel Doctrine about the Israelites and their wandering days. She had us compare our lives to theirs. It was such a great way to help us know that the Lord knows us and loves us just as he knew and loved them. Then I was grateful for my other friend Nancy's lesson in Relief Society. She taught about our personal stewardship. We have a great responsibility. But then again, we were reminded of a loving Savior who is always there to help carry our burdens. And both of these lessons reminded me how patient our Father in Heaven is with me!! I so needed to be at church today! I am grateful!
Here are a few new pictures:
This is Steve's new project: an outdoor patio and kitchen!
Family fun cleaning up in the back yard!
Favorite place I like to be: reading to the babies!
My newly brunette daughter, Courtney!

Have a great week!!

Just an Update

Hi Everyone! I thought I would post a little update. Steve is continuing to undergo tests for his lymphoma. Last week he had a bone marrow biopsy. It was pretty amazing to watch! Steve didn't think it was so amazing, though. We will get the results of that test next Friday. Next week, it is a PET scan on Monday and then he will have surgery to remove the lymph node in his left arm pit for a biopsy and he will also have his chemo port-a-cath inserted under his skin over his left clavicle. He will be a little out of sorts for a couple of days, but if I know him...he will be up and going again really soon. (Probably sooner than his doctors would like!!) We conitnue to remain very positive about Steve's prognosis in this latest Terry adventure. We fully trust the Lord and leave it in His hands. Thanks for all of the prayers. We are truly blessed with great friends and family and we love you all!!

Here is a picture of Steve and his buddy as they are EVERY night...together!!

Anticipation= Lymphoma!

We finally got the answers we were anticipating; my sweetie has lymphoma. I didn't like the word "anticipation" last week, but now I have a new word I don't like. It is the word "cancer." Not that anybody likes that word. The thoughts that one word conjures up!! However...that ugly word could have been worse. We are sticking to the phrase: "this is the best bad news we could have gotten." My hubby will be okay, I get to have him for years, and he will feel better in about 6 months, after the chemo is done!

How we found out about this is a long story. It involves my husband's work, a game of tug-of-war, a guy's knee and my husband's rib cage. The Lord sure works in mysterious ways. Maybe someday I will blog the story.

Anticipation!

I have figured out that "anticipation" is a word I am not very fond of. To me, it is just another word that means "we don't have the answers yet." In fact, here is the dictionary definition: an emotion involving pleasure in considering some expected or longed-for good event, OR irritation at having to wait. I am really feeling the second part of the definition! This week, the word definitely causes some emotion; anger, fear, nausea, lack of patience, grumpyness...etc. This week, anticipation makes me lose my temper at my favorite little boy and at my beautiful daughters and at my sweet husband and it takes the smile off my face at work so everybody asks me,"what's wrong?" At least this week, this is what the word anticipation is for me.
Maybe next week this word will mean something different to me. I really hope so!


How could I possibly ever get frustrated with this face???

Half of a CENTURY!!!!

Hello again.
Yesterday was my birthday. It was a wonderful day full of warm wishes and thoughts from family and friends. Joshua came into town so I had all of my kiddos home. My husband and children gave me the perfect gift: a hair makeover. I was pampered for about two hours! New trim and fresh color! It was so relaxing and just what I needed. I came home to a spotless, clean smelling house. I was told to relax and so I sat on my squishy couch and crocheted on my throw for several hours while watching a movie. (No, I did not finish my project. I am still a newby!) A surprise from my great visiting teachers produced chocolate and Diet Coke! For dinner, my family fixed New York steak and baked potatoes, a green salad, rolls and Kristen made me a birthday cake: white cake with strawberries in the center and lemon buttercream frosting! So delicious! After dinner, I again was told to do what ever I wanted, the evening was mine. So....I sat on my squishy couch and crocheted on my throw for several hours while watching a great movie!
The PERFECT birthday! Thank you dear, dear family and friends! I am so very grateful that I am loved!
Have a great week,
Wendi

It's Been A While!

Hello again. It has been seven months since I have blogged. Not since my sweet sister's death have I posted at all! Life has been tough, funny, exhausting, exciting, emotional and joyful.
Here is the latest:
Steve is SWAMPED at Intel. He is living temporarily at the plant in Chandler. (Totally just kidding....he is just there very long hours.) I am still working at Michael's five days a week and I still kind of like it. Steve and I had the chance to travel to New Hampshire in October-he had business and I went along. It was beautiful. Steve is working on the backyard landscaping and it is going to be so great!

Joshua is now down in Sierra Vista at the Fort Huachuca Army post. He is getting his advanced training and will get his assignment in July. He graduated from basic training in Fort Jackson, SC. with honors! We got to fly there for his graduation. We are very proud!!

Kristen and her husband Jamon are living with us temporarily to save up some money. We enjoy having them and love having Keegan here. We are crowded but it is only for a while. Jamon is in school and working at Costco. Kristen is working part time and she is still busy with wedding cakes! Keegan is working on his snowboarding and skateboarding talent and is very much a two year old!
Tracee is doing awesome at her phlebotomist job at Banner T-Bird. She works the early morning shift so she is the one who has to wake people up to draw their blood! She has great stories! She is also back at school working on her math degree.

Courtney is ready to graduate in May and has been having a blast checking out cosmetology schools! She is excited to get going in that field. She recently went to LDS Prom and had a great time!

And....we got a horse, uh, I mean a dog. He is huge and his name is Rufus!
Here are a few pictures. Have a great week!!