Thanks:)

So many great things have happened the past couple of months. I feel so blessed to have such a great loving, supportive family and so many loving supportive friends.  A picture is worth a thousand words....so I'll let the pictures be my words and express my love and thanks:)

Puerto Rico....

A revolving door trip...you make one loop around and you are spit out back home. We were only in Puerto Rico for TWO days...we must go back(we didn't even see Jorge or Tateanna!) It took us Two days of travel, crazy, not thinking...Ron was invited to go with one of his company's Travelers Insurance...we should have extended!

Sitting in the plane waiting to take off I glanced over and saw this American jet...it just hit me I am proud to be an American. We are going through a lot right now but what if our country was united and had just a little of the patriotism it took to build this great country, if we pulled and worked together. Do you wonder what if Mitt had won?
We stayed in a great place, met some crazy people, went kayaking, snorkeling, read a book, had a great spa afternoon.  I was so excited snorkeling.  Ron found this huge seashell so I'm carrying it all around with me thinking this is amazing...how can I smuggle this home?? (I love seahells!) I get out of the water and within minutes this creature comes crawling out while I'm holding it. I'm screaming, Ron returns it to its home.  Walking back down the beach we found all kinds of shells and I asked the guide(Puerto Rican teenager) can I take this shell home.  Sure, no problem. So I have a treasure! We got to fly first class for one of the legs and that was bad cause now when you're back with the crowd, you know what is going on behind that curtain and you want to be there as you sit there and they are charging $4.00 for a bag of nuts!

This was by our room... was I suppose to be inspired by it??? I could not quite grasp the artist concept  I do love art, maybe it was me!!

The hotel was very spread out.  It had its own private island, lower section you took a little tram to...I know I didn't see half of it because we were only there two days!! We traveled two days to get there...bad, bad planning.  I should have consulted Janae!

The Family is Growing...

The family is growing Camilla and Tanner Wells are officially engaged...yeah we are so excited!! Tanner is an amazing young man and fits into our family so perfect. We all love you Tanner and are so excited. His dad is Julie Bartletts dads cousin...small world. 

Daniel & Brittney are expecting number 2. We are really excited for that, nothing better than being 'mimi' and 'papa'...We are Blessed!

A Plan...

Isn't this amazing?? I think Heavenly Father is a true romantic...how fun would it be to create your own world?? It is so fun to visit every ones blogs and see their personalities come through; can you imagine visiting their worlds? As you can see my mind is everywhere today...we got back from Brian Head last night(had a GREAT Valentines)...Cami is officially engaged! We are so excited for her and Tanner...June 20th. They want to have the reception in our backyard....HELP I NEED A PLAN!!!

I will admit planning is one of my weaknesses. My mind will not quiet today...should I just rent a POD and empty my house and start over? Maybe I should really call CLEAN SWEEP or Natalie Garrett? 

Right now I am just so thankful that Heavenly Father has a Plan. He loves us all so much and takes such good care of every one of us...sometimes we get weak and can't see the Plan and we become sad and fearful thinking this can't be the Plan... but then if we do just one small tiny thing like read your scriptures the spirit just pours over you and whispers to your heart...this is the Plan and it gives you strength to continue....

P.S...I loved King Keiths last post, I'm IN...since this is LOVE month one of my favorite sayings is... "The Love in Your Heart wasn't put their to stay...LOVE isn't LOVE til you give it away"....

My Baby Bear is 18!!!

I really can't believe Darren can seriously be 18...(I don't feel that old!) What a great last child Darren has been.  The cutest little boy...I still can see him in the Primary Program when he was a sunbeam, we were at the back of the chapel and when he finally spotted us, he started waving and yelled at the top of his lungs "Hi Mom" Don Ahern cracked up at him and kept telling me, "he should be in the movies".  He has a very tender heart that surfaced at a young age...Chris Figgins was teasing him about bringing him some treats so one Saturday morning when we had donuts, Darren went over to the Figgins without us knowing and rang the doorbell (early Sat. morning) no answer so he left Chris a donut hanging it on their doorbell. When he went to middleschool and started band with Mr. Matta, his friends thought he should play the tuba because he could fit in the case! It was tough riding the bus with that tuba...so one day he comes downstairs with his tuba case with wheels on the bottom.  He had taken the wheels off his desk and got the drill gun and put them on the school tuba case! I have always loved his bright, ingenious mind...its always at work.  My older kids think I have spoiled Bear which I have what can I say. He is an amazing young man, loyal, extremely non judgemental, he always fights for the underdog.  He has always had friends from all ages and all walks of life.  He will be a great missionary because of his unconditional love for people. He has had alot of great leaders in his life that have seen the best in him, thanks Bro. Hodson and Casey, Bishop, Bro. Wilcox, Sis. Schlauder, Janae, Lucy, Wendi and others.  I know I shouldn't name names but as I'm sitting here and the tears are flowing and I am feeling very grateful for all the help in raising this young man...it does take a village and I am grateful for the village we live in...Darren I hope you know how much you are loved! You have so many gifts, we love to be with you, you add so much to our family...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Sail away....

I started this post and got sidetracked...but we did sail away and went on a Book of Mormon cruise.  It is so amazing to see these ruins...I feel like a dry sponge, right now I want to be dropped into a bucket of water and completely soak in every drop.  I'm so excited to read the Book of Mormon with new eyes...I know it will take me longer but I think that will be a good thing!  Here are a few pictures, we also went to a butterfly conservatory in Key West.  In Canada I don't know how many hours I have chased butterflies around trying to get a close up good shot...it was really easy here...they landed on you.  When I walked into the atrium, I'm sure my heart rate rose rapidly.  They were flying all around you.  You  had too watch where you stepped, all kinds of little creatures! You couldn't scream because it was a quiet, serene environment...I'm sure they would have kicked me out!

Tagged.

It's been awhile...a little crazy around here...I really want to do a post about my father-in-law, maybe Sunday, for tonight I'll answer my 8 for 8 tag from that original, talented lady...Janazee...

8 TV Shows I Like to Watch:

Criminal Minds

Bones

CSI NY

Extreme House Makeover

The Unit

Tennis Opens

Oprah

The Mentalist(new)

8 Restaurants I like to eat at:

Cafe Rio

Cheesecake

Carrabas

Sammy's

Gurus(in provo)

Quizno's

PF Changs

Luv it's

8 Things that happened today:

BONANZA BEAT PALO VERDE IN TENNIS REGIONALS!!!

Lucy Whiting jumped higher than Craig!

Lost my voice...

talked on the phone,finding addresses

Mailed all of Rachel's & Dustin's invitations!!

Did a Sudoku fast

Learned how to mail merge excel list into word and print

odd size envelopes..almost...thanks daniel!!

Hugged Ron, Rachel, my Mom, Bear

8 Things I am Looking Forward too:

Rachel's shower(thanks Laurie)

The Wedding Nov. 1st

Book of Mormon Trip after

Making Rachel's room into my office

Getting in better shape

Going to the Temple tomorrow

The Primary Program

Getting my Washer part here...

8 Things on My Wish List:

Lose 10 pounds by wedding..

 Go to yoga 8 days a week

I would remember things better

Take our Family on a great trip for Christmas

Darren would play at state

Friends & Family would really know how grateful I am for them and all they do for me and my family

More time in a day

8 hours of sleep at night!!

8 People to tag:

Kris

Carol

Tammy

Brittney D.

Brittany B.

Cami

Rachel/Dustin

Jenni W.

Braintype??

Yeah...I got to play tennis today what a beautiful day it was!!! We talked about Brain types...this was a fun test to take and see why we do what we do(wish it was that easy...) Which Brain Type are you? Check it out...http://www.braintypes.com/ I was FCAL/ENFJ "Educator"

Testosterone.

This top picture was from last Christmas and these guys were checking out Google Earth.  We couldn't break them free.  Guys are different than us girls, thank goodness, but we've been spending a lot more time together this Dye bunch and I have grown to appreciate all these men. I am so thankful for the Priesthood Power available to us here on earth.  I am thankful for Grandpa Dye's example of how to be a great husband and father.  He is just beaming here with his four sons.  We tried so hard to get him to take a trip with just his sons and we would take care of Grandma but he would not leave her.  I kinda always thought he probably thinks we can't handle it but now I know he just didn't want to spend one minute away from her.  Last night was Ron's night with his parents and I am so thankful he is such a wonderful son and is there for his parents but these days I hate spending one minute away from him.

Talent.

Can you believe this darling little girl?? And this darling little sweater and hat?? Jan made this for me awhile ago with a matching blanket and booties. Really still to this day I can't believe she did that!!  I would never have the patience that it would take to finish a project like this or the talent. I was overwhelmed that someone would give a gift that took so much time to make to me.  It touched my heart and made me feel very loved; its also made me think alittle more about the gifts I give, how they make others feel, what they say....its been really hard cause I can't think of just giving it to one of my grandaughters...Jan just laughs and thinks that is so silly but it is truly a treasure and was a gift from the heart...thank you Jan for sharing your many gifts.  I just can't believe Kate is growing up so fast!

Playtime...

One of the highlights of my week!! This little cutie is growing up way too fast.  She is so independent and wants to climb on the rocks all by herself. It is so fun being a grandma...you definetly have a different perspective.  I could just watch Kate all day; try to figure out all the little details...whats this on my finger? whats this hole here, maybe the hose goes inside it. I would love to read her mind.  She played with the hose so long and just laughed and laughed. It felt great to just slow down and Play...no wonder kids just wanna have fun...we need to learn from them and have play time!!!!

Whew....

Thank goodness for the people in our 'inner circle' who know just what we need and just when we need it!!! Brittney came down the night before Cami left to go back to Provo and said they were going to see Mama Mia, just the girls Rach, Cami and her and they wanted me to go. "No its ok, I really don't want to go...I just need to go to yoga...you girls go and you'll have way more fun! I'll just be a party poop.... you can talk about wedding night things (for Rach!)" No" Britt said," come on you need to go...so after 15 min. of talking she got me in the car we're driving in to Red Rock and Brittney turns the wrong way...I'm like I think you park on the other side...Britt, no theres a short cut through the spa...I'm like are we going to the spa???? YES we are going to the spa!!! It was great, Cami has a picture but I feel SO blessed to have all these sweet women in my family, my inner circle...I love them all so much and what I really love is that they love each other so much. P.S...Thanks sweetie for making that possible...now its the boys turn(not the spa maybe hunting trip??)

grateful.

I am so grateful for this sweet example in my life.  On July 28th they have been married 63 years.  Maynard has been amazing to watch as he has faithfully cared for Grandma the past several years.  Right now they don't even want to be in different rooms. It is so tender, I feel so blessed to be around them and be taught by their example....I am so grateful...I love you both so much! xoxo