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!!

You never know........

Yesterday we celebrated a couple of birthdays with family and friends. My brother-in-law Danny came over to join us. He mentioned an experience that he had this week at work when a fellow employee came up to speak to him. It seems that this man had attended my sister's funeral last week. He was touched by the words that were spoken about the pre-existence and the Gospel. He asked Danny several questions. He said it all made so much sense. Then he asked Danny if there was a time that he could come to church with him. You never know when the spirit will touch people's lives.
Happy Sabbath

This is my sister, Tracee. (And her husband, Danny.) Isn't she beautiful? This picture was taken on Thursday, August 13th, 2009. She passed away 3 1/2 days later, Monday, August 17th, 2009. Ironically...it was our mother's birthday. I have every confidence that mom came to get her! Tracee waited for the house to be quiet, for the lights to be dimmed, and for her sweet husband to be dozing right next to her. Then, when she knew all was well, she left us...quietly and peacefully her mortal body just went into an eternal sleep, to await a wondrous special day! But I am sure her spirit, that same spirit that carried her through her life of suffering and pain and happiness and joy, is enjoying a marvelous reunion with those that have gone before! My sister, Tracee, is happy, healthy and...beautiful! I love her and miss her!

So Much for Trying to Conquer Your Fears!

I tried. I went to the hospital to visit my sister, and I tried. I had worked an 8 hour day and spent most of that going up and down a ladder and she is on the 3rd floor. So....I took the elevator! Yeah, I know, BIG step! Well, I won't be doing that again! EVER! I got on; I was all alone; pushed the button for the 3rd floor and then I waited. The doors didn't close. Weird thoughts went through my mind. But just as I started to get back off thinking that this stupid elevator doesn't work, the doors close and up we go. About 1 floor. Then....wham....a big jolt and the elevator stops. My heart beat starts to rise, my breathing becomes faster, and I can feel the flush start up my neck! What to do, what to do. I look for a phone and start beating on the open button. Then all of a sudden the thing starts up again and then it stops smoothly on the 3rd floor. The doors open and I burst out and swear all the way to my sister's room that I will NEVER ride on a stupid elevator again!
Have a great day!
ps. This all took place in the time span of about 15 seconds, no joke!

I LOVE being a Naegle (neg-lee))

Hi again. It has been a few weeks since I have blogged. Since that time, I have had a short but sweet vacation to the beautiful White Mountains for a family reunion at the Naegle property, Rancho Valle Bonita! I had a wonderful time with my husband and my kiddos, (excepting Joshua because he had to work,)and I really enjoyed watching my grandson get dirty playing at the same ranch where I got dirty as a child. We met up with relatives that we only see every two years and renewed those friendships. We had cousins over playing games on our porch every night. We listened and learned of our ancestors. We laughed and cried. And of course, we had great campfires to gaze into until we couldn't hold our eyes open. What am I grateful for at this moment? My heritage!!

Just a Reminder...to myself!

I don't write very often, because I don't think I have much to write about. We have had a hot, slow summer. We have had cars break down, no money for vacations, and much worry about family. Life is/has been hard.
As I was driving home today from dropping my sweet/hard working/exhausted husband off at the airport, I was feeling sorry for myself. I could go on for a page about how my life sucks! What a whiner! What a weenie! What an ingrate!
So...I decided that I am going to write today about a few things that I am grateful for:
Number 1: The gospel and my Savior who still loves this whiner!

Number 2: My wonderful family. I have a husband that saves us thousands of dollars because he can fix anything. And he gives up so much of his time to help us out! I also have great kids and an adorable grandson that I love!

Number 3: Our health.

Number 4: Our jobs. I am very grateful that we have employment no matter where!

Number 5: My friends; I have great friends who care about me.

So...I am going to try to be grateful more. When you are counting your blessings, the crappy things don't matter as much! It makes me happy to be grateful!!

Happy Sabbath!!