Christensen Clan

Cowboy heaven

2010-09-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

Garrett and Leona think Grandpa's Place is cowboy heaven!
We did have to find some suitable horses.
Oh and Leona didn't want to be outdone.

Happy Birthday

2010-09-19T17:45:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile.
I guess being a year older merits a post.
I feel great and being 58 doesn't seem to hurt.
Too much. The candles created a lot of light and way
too much smoke. Garrett was finally satisfied that Grandma
had a birthday--cake, candles and all!

momto11

2010-05-02T23:44:00.000-07:00

I love everyone of my children.
They each are different.
They are each special.
I want to be the best influence for each of them and
without getting into their faces
too much
Help them as they embark on the path of life.

Spencer is getting married!
How fun to have the opportunity
to help them celebrate.
I'll try to not get in their faces...

Joseph is learning to work as an underling.
Not an easy thing for him. I hope we can guide him constructively.

Emily is home from the Philippines; Brigham is still serving in Brazil;
Gea is finding companionship with good young men and friends.
Krista and Sam are making a wonderful home and life for them and
their children.
Sarah and Earl are learning parenting and etc.

Then I have four still left at home struggling to find
their way as teenagers.

Sometimes this mom to 11 isn't so great
and I let them slip through the cracks.
I need to do better.

I have to do better.

I will do better.

Joan...

2010-05-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

Mom...,
Sister Christensen...,
Dear...,
Mel...,
Melanie...,
Joan...,

Sometimes I feel caught between a rock and a hard spot.
Do I try too hard?
Or not hard enough?
Am I a convenience?
Or an inconvenience?

I sink my life into family.
They sink their lives somewhere else.

Maybe that means I am doing my job
Somewhat.

I'l keep trying.

My testimony

2010-04-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

Today was fast and testimony meeting. We had more than the usual "unusuals". It was a good meeting. We have decided to only have one person at a time in the family bear testimony and leave the time for others. Gea bore her testimony and it was really sweet.

But I would like to record my testimony.

I am so grateful for my knowledge of the plan of salvation; to know where I came from, why I am here, and to know that this life isn't the end makes everything worth it. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the countless blessings we enjoy as a family and that I enjoy as His daughter.
I can't even start to count the number of times prayers have been answered. I know He is aware of me. I know He love mes and I love Him. Sometimes I find myself drifting from things I know I should be doing (reading the scriptures, personal prayer etc.) but I know how important those things are and feel power when I return.

Choices

2010-03-13T21:56:00.000-08:00

Today.
Two weeks.
I made the choice to get a handle on my health.
Good for me.
No really.
Good for me.
I have accepted the idea that it will take time.
And effort.
I didn't really want to talk about it but I should.
Hopefully, time will say more than words.
No swimsuit pictures.
This picture is 10 pounds after two weeks.
Front shot isn't too bad but that side!!
Ugh!! Ugly.
Oh well.
So there it is.
Two more weeks really restricted and then I gradually try new foods.
That's the part that scares me.
But
It's my choice.
(I'll post the pictures later. Can't find the cord...)

Still working on project 365 minus . . .

2010-02-03T22:40:00.000-08:00

I am using my paper journal as well but this month I have decided to focus my control outward...
this month is the month of love.
It is not about me.
It is about others.
I choose to look for ways to make others happy
And, so far
It feels good.

choices

2010-01-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

I chose today to be a homemaker.
Chili and corn bread for supper.
After the afternoon at the wrestles.
Juan took 4th.
South Fremont finished 3rd!
It was great being there with my good husband and fantastic kids.
I need to do and be better for both.
I am working at it.

Gea gets home in a week and a half.
Where did the time go?

Emily gets home in just short of 3 months.
Where did THAT time go?
I am excited
But so much to do!!

Life in our lane will change for a short while again.
That is our life.

An observation

2010-01-29T22:26:00.001-08:00

Last night I went out to help Shawn with a little project on the car.
The heater doesn't work.
Workable if it is nice.
A flat pain when it is cold.
No one wants to drive it.

Shawn was determined to fix it.
I held the light and turned switches.
His job was to wedge himself into an impossible position to removed the screws and device.
It wasn't easy.
The first 3 screws cooperated.
The last one held tight.
It was as determined to stay as Shawn was to get it out so that he could "fix" the problem.
He cussed (much to my demise),
He yelled, (at least I thought it was yelling)
He pounded,
He tried other positions, but
it stayed.
In the end,
It lost.
Shawn removed the last screw, removed the device and by-passed the problem and hopes he fixed the problem.

For now.

I couldn't help but think about a comparison.
I have a good number of friends that for one reason or another are calling it quits on marriage. Maybe
they have a "screw" in a bad place
and think just because they have screamed, cussed, cried a few times
that they should remove offensive device after finally getting the screw out, by-pass marriage all-together and hopefully "fix" the problem.
For now.

Shawn said the heater still doesn't work really well.
So much for fixing the problem.
I'm sure we have people in our lives that are like that screw...
stubborn as all get out,
wedged in tight,
in a bad spot
and won't be fixed.
Maybe I have been that screw.

But I want to be somewhat immovable.
And steadfast.
Maybe a little W-D 40 would work...
What would work in a relationship.
The Savior could help and be the W-D 40.

Just some thoughts. Maybe they don't make much sense...

Project 3 hundred 34. . .

2010-01-29T21:57:00.000-08:00

Many choices I could have made today.
Some I should have made better.
Maybe on another day I will.
But for now...
Oh well!!
I could have and (maybe should have) stayed home and cleaned up the disaster that hit
our home.
I could choose to sit for 5 hours at a wrestling match.
But not just any match.
It was the tournament at Sugar and Juan and good teammates were wrestling.
I choose wrestling.
I "wrestled" with the choice.
But,
From past experiences I know that my children choose their own paths eventually and I am left on the outside as they continue on with their lives and that is how it should be.
Today
I chose to experience success and the flip side with my son.
Now, while I could.
It was worth it.
He may make it to 3rd place.
That would be awesome and
I chose to be with him in the beginning.
Homemaking chores will always be there.
But...
When I got home
they weren't!...
Marc, my neat and organized child,
cleaned up my mess.
He did the dishes,
He baked the cookies I had made and left in the frig,
He put away the folded laundry (I did get it folded),
He straightened everything up.
And the house looked like, well...,
like people could inhabit the place.

I could have cried.

Thank you Marc. I love you.

2010-01-28T22:43:00.000-08:00

Today was a hard day to keep my chin up.
I did.
That would probably count for my 365 project.
Instead I will tell you how good the 100 percent,
fresh ground,
wheat bread was.
I don't when the last time I had bragging rights
for
from the ground up bread.
My choice.As for the rest of the day...
It started out crisp but turned out to be a January thaw day.
And a wrestling day.
I love wrestling!
We went to North Fremont.
South Fremont lost by 5 points.
I think that honestly(and even North would have to agree)
we should have won.
The ref was pretty slow on pins.
Oh well.
The sweet part is that Juan was awesome!
He's getting it!
He is starting to realize both facts.
That is awesome.
Tomorrow is the Sugar/Salem Tourney.
We see you after that...

Project 365minus 24

2010-01-27T22:54:00.000-08:00

I did it!!I worked on letters--Emily's and Brigham's, Christmas letters and cards, catching up in my journal, and other sundry things that haven't seemed to ever be a priority.
Not even today.
Today I made the choice.
I didn't finish.
I didn't feel guilty.
And it was OK.
Oh and I did OK with the eating
and I made a yummy stew.
Those are just things that should be routine
I have to concentrate on them and have them be my choices.
They were.

It was a good day.
Kids went to bed happy.
We're warm and fed and all is safe.
I'm happy (but very tired...)

Project 365minus 24

2010-01-26T22:04:00.000-08:00

Krista's project 365 has inspired me.
Each day I plan to do something significant.
I don't know what that will be but...
I will look for something.

January 25th. I walked 2 miles
at night
on my hubby's arm.
It was great. He suggested it.
I detested the suggestion--
thought about it and then made the decision.
And we walked.

I think it is about control. So much of the time I feel out of control and when one can't put control and my life in the same sentence frustration happens and you turn to things where you "think" you do have control and most of the time they are still controlling you. So thus my 'Project'
They have to be something I wouldn't normally do during the day but something I consciensly choose to do; they don't have to be big.

Today I figured out how to used the "timed bake" on my oven that I have had for ? years. I lost the manual and gave up trying to figure it out years ago and tonight it worked!! (After much research.) I also figured our taxes without being coaxed by hubby. It felt good.

Sometimes I will try to include pictures; sometimes just expression.

Once again "life really is good!"

money

2010-01-21T09:26:00.000-08:00

I hate being poor!!
but there must be something to learn from it all.
I will try to learn.
I will count my other blessings...
good children,
good husband,
great extended family,
warm and nice home,
church membership,
testimony of the Savior,
work,
health,
food...
I guess I'm not so poor;
Just wish I had a bit more money...

Lists!!

2010-01-21T09:25:00.000-08:00

Why are they so important to me?
They only frustrate me.
I don't see me getting anything done.
I think I will go back to one important thing on the list and add to it if something else gets done. The end

New starts and finals

2010-01-14T21:51:00.000-08:00

It's the beginning of the year and I love to clear the clutter. My shelves may not look all that awesome to the bystander but to me, it's like taking a deep breath.

Finals means the kids "start" to buckle done for the last Hooray. I can hope that is lasts...

Twice over Christmas

2010-01-14T19:22:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas.
So it's well into January...why talk about Christmas?
Every year I have a hard time with the cards....they are so pretty.
But
More than that
They represent the community of people we call
friends and family.
They come in all varieties:
A picture post card,
just a card,
a card with a letter,
a letter with pictures.
How does one throw away the love that comes with those wishes? So tonight,
because it has been on my list and
because the house is quiet and I can use the computer
and because I want to organize the visual clutter,
I will sort through life and love.
The pictures I will keep in my journal, I will record the names of those who remember us, and
I will attempt at answering many of them to let them know how much 'keeping in touch' mean.

Merry "Christmas Card" Christmas!!

New Life in the "Husband at Home All of Time" Lane

2010-01-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

Don't get me wrong...
I love my husband.
He has incredible talents.
He is not lazy.
He loves me.
He can fix anything.
He has no obsessions that take him away from his family. He does love his horses and the out of doors.
Thank heavens TV is not an obsession or watching all the stuff on TV. He does like Rush, O'Reilly, etc. but he is doing while he is listening...I can handle that.
He loves watching our kids in sports.
He supports our kids in all their interests.
So what is the issue???

NaThel once said I " married for better or worse but not for lunch".

My most productive time is mornings. If things don't get done in the morning, then comes the job, supper, the kids and I just can't get motivated to do my things at night.

Last night I told Shawn we needed a plan to fit me. My day would start for me at 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. He seemed OK.

So far so good....

I know I need to be flexible--I'm a wife and Mom but I've got to have the plan...

I actually exercised and got that PILE of ironing done. That will about do it because shortly I have to go get Juan to take him to the doc... So much for me :) But I'll grab what I can get.

Antoher Start

2010-01-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

Last week was good. This week will be better. I have made my lists and this week I will check them off. I must remember that success comes one day at a time. I am not going to focus on what we (or I) don't have but what I do have and can do and I will persist and see things become easier as I do so. I will report next week.

Progress

2010-01-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

I know it's a little early to chart my progress but I feel I need to do it often or I will get off course...
This may sound funny to some but It feels good to actually get ready for the day, showered, dressed, make-up first thing and stay that way all day. I think I am actually more productive and I feel so much better.

I am studying the Old Testament lesson and RS lesson on my own since I am in Primary now and my goal is to read the Book of Mormon again. I am seeing Shawn more as the person to whom to look to for finances etc. and to work with him not so much against him. That shouldn't be hard but it is because I like to be the one to say how the money will be spent and not have to account for it...so WRONG..

I am still struggling to fit in the exercise part. I really know that I SHOULD get up before everyone else and do something but I SOOOO love my bed on these winter days. So I am still working on that and a workable plan. I so want to try cross-country skiing but I am a bit afraid. I know that would be great exercise.

I am learning about being insulin-resistant and I think that I fall into category and therefore I am trying to change some hard-core eating habits. I actually feel better and don't have the cravings as much when I eat like I am supposed to eat. Is that a great SURPRISE??!!

I am slowly checking things off my list. I am working at getting my office organized--last year purged and income-tax ready and this year ready at the get-go. I still have letters to respond to from Christmas, a Miche plan, get my work-sewing room set up and going but little steps will get me there.

Tonight is a tri-wrestling match for Juan so tonight is shot but this is an important thing for him. I think he is feeling like maybe he is winning material. He is fun to watch.

I think all that I am doing so far fits into my Resolution to "please my Heavenly Father" and that is what will motivate me.

Out and In!!

2010-01-03T16:34:00.001-08:00

Looking back on 2009--
Emily still in the Philippines and doing well,
Brigham left for Ribieroa Preto, Brazil August 4,
Gea left for Cuenca, Ecuador November 12,
Leona NaThel Carlson made her appearance May 5,Gea graduated from South Fremont High School and Seminary
Shawn left to work in Washington July 6 and spent 6 months supervisor a power line contract for Zundel Tree Service.
A very successful garden and yard and animals with the help of my wonderful kids here at home
Joseph moved to Oklahoma for a few weeks to work when Brigham came home after working there for 3 months.
Gea had a successful summer in Alaska at SilverKing working her "you know what" off but preparing her for the Orphanage work in Ecuador.
A fun Roundy family reunion sponsored by the Andersons in Junction, Utah
Jasmine had a great experience doing Rodeo Queen, and Rachel and Jasmine had a great volleyball season.
Juan was a key football player on the JV squad and Marc did cross country, and was active on the student council.
A great holiday season--Krista, Sam and boys here, Earl, Sarah and children here, Joseph, and Spencer here.
We got to talk to our missionaries in diverse parts of the world. Yes 2009 was good...
That was just a few of the highlights. It was a good year.

Now we look forward to 2010!! Can you believe that? I remember waiting for the entry of the turn of the Century--2000.

I, like many others, love new beginnings and New Years is the biggest of those... My goals remain the same...to constantly try to improve in all areas. But my biggest resolution is to please God. By doing that maybe I will please those in my life

The most important people in my life surround me. I have always wanted a mother's ring but imagine one with 11 stones. I found one. It is bigger than what I normally wear, but I do like it. It reminds me of my most priceless gems.

Not snow yet!!

2009-11-22T22:48:00.000-08:00

We went to church this beautiful, dry sabbath morning!
Not so when we came out.

Now just before bed, I look out and wow!! At least 6 inches of snow covers everything...and no tractor to clear roads and no husband to help. Maybe he really will get snowed out...I pray for clear weather here and there. We can manage a few more days while he makes our living...

Heard from Gea and I am waiting to hear from Emily tonight and Brigham in the morning. I love modern technology.

Goodnight!

Blessings!!

2009-10-04T18:14:00.001-07:00

How can a heart be big enough to include so much? Sarah doesn't have access to a computer so I thought I would include these blessings here. These are only 2 of my many blessings. Leona is a definite Mommy's girl. She is so precious and darling and Garrett is a charmer. Earl and Sarah are doing a good job with them.

My heart was full to over flowing today. In one of the conference talks it talked about not having any "empty chairs". As I think about each of my blessings I pray for no empty chairs. I am grateful for a husband who after ???%$#^^ years together still loves me, I am grateful for 11 children who after at least 18 years under by tutelage still love me. (I am very much aware of the deficiencies in my parenting...), I am grateful for two wonderful son-in-laws who take of my daughter-mothers. I am grateful for my mother and sisters and Shawn's mother and sisters and for Shawn's Thomas mother and sisters. I am grateful for extended families and the connection we have with them and for their generosity and love for our family. I am grateful for extra-extended families and how connected we are with them. They fill in spaces that we didn't even know were there. Thank you. Yes my heart is full. I know with time some chairs will be empty--some already are but I do KNOW that we can be together forever and they can be filled again and that is what I pray for. (Sorry this was so sappy. When you get to be my age, I think I have the right...)

All is safely gathered in...

2009-10-04T17:56:00.001-07:00

To many, you may be thinking, those are sad looking roses...let me explain.

Every year for mother's day Joseph has bought me a rose bush and for reasons I won't elaborate on, I never have one the following spring. This year, I took extra care of my rose bush and it bloomed it's heart out. Even when it got cold it stilled ...smiled...until night before last. The hard frost was just too much for it.

It actually represents for me a good season...I still have lots to learn about growing and harvesting stuff but this year things grew well. I probably did well because I had to. With Shawn gone I had to be on top of watering, weeding etc. It pulled me out of my comfort zone and helped me to recognize that I COULD do it. And all is, almost, safely gathered in. I am looking forward to next year to practice what I have learned. We have carrots that need to be dug (they are huge) and apples to pick and then I really am done, I think. I have harvested BIG cabbages, apples, onions, zucchini, beets, beans, corn and bottled pears and peaches: not nearly enough but at least the storage room doesn't look so empty. We need a better place to store produce, like a root cellar but for right now things are in the freezer or in bottles.

Hoses are drained, lawn is mowed and watered for the last time, sprinklers put away. All these things I have conveniently allowed Shawn to take care of when he was here because he did.

Yes all is safely gathered in...

Conference

2009-10-03T15:40:00.000-07:00

I love conference!! The day always seem so peaceful and there is a special spirit hovering over the day today. Things feel different.

Conference has many different memories. I remember being chosen to attend conference with Mom and Dad 2 different times. Only two of us got to go whenever they went. Listening or viewing conference when I was a girl didn't happen. My first year at Ricks I was able to sing with Rick College choirs one time and that was a neat experience. Other times I stood in line to attend in the tabernacle. Even though it was crowded and the benches hard and sometimes I sat behind a pillar, I was always in awe that I was even there listening to a Prophet in person.

After we were married we purchased every conference on tape and listened to them til the next one came out. We have seldom been fortunate enough to view conference on TV so gathering as a family to listen to the radio was the routine at our house. One time we attended in the conference center and that was awesome. Even while listening (and napping), feeling the spirit and the sacredness of the occasion was always present.

This weekend Shawn is in Washington and I miss him being here to preside over our conference activities. We are grateful for his work but he is missed. So tomorrow we will gather once again to be spiritually fed. Like Brigham--I am stoked!

Dogs and friends

2009-08-09T17:01:00.000-07:00

Just finished watching a movie--comes in a close second to "Charlie ' as a tear jerker...Called Marley and Me. After I wiped away the tears I couldn't help but think of the dogs in my life.

When I was a little girl Dad bought home a little puppy for my brother. Scamper became the family dog. He was a house dog until we moved into the new and bigger house in Boulder and then my Mom insisted that he become an "outside dog". That was sad because winters were cold but Scamper didn't complain. There was the time I ran over him in my haste to get a load of books to the bookmobile. Mom helped me care for him because neither of us could have thought it possible to put him down. He lived and when I was on my mission and my mother wrote to say that after 20 years "Old Scamp" had died, I cried. That was tough.

There were other dogs that Mom got to take his place. They were good companions but never quite took the place of Scamper. I don't think any dog could have took his place.

Then came Shawn AND his dog. I married them both. Boku was our companion and my protector. It was a sad day when after about 12-13 years he became to old and sick to carry on. We have had many dogs since then; Brandy's dog, Kimi, then Missy to try to take Boku's place, Candy, Hyde, and Brigham's dog Migo. All come with their own personalities and have managed to climb in our hearts even when we haven't wanted them to. They make life complete. They all have and will cause the tears to fall. Darn it but they are worth it.

Homesick!!

2009-08-04T18:40:00.001-07:00

How can I be sitting in my own living room where I have lived for nearly 20 years and feel this longing for...what??!&^$. Maybe its because my children are becoming scattered and living their own good lives and I am still in my...home... I have memories (good and not so very good) lots of pictures and children who still need me to be happy. But I need this day to long for how it was; like when I was a child in Boulder, when I was a young adult searching for love, when I was a young mom with piles of laundry, and dishes and now as an established mom watching my children do what I have taught them to do and be.

Another milestone today: Brigham left for Sao Paulo, Brazil to be trained in the Portuguese language so he can serve in Ribieroa Preto as a missionary for the church. Just yesterday he sat and ate his M & M's one at a time, he finished his dad's sentence--Brigham Brett, my _____ pet!! he planned campouts with all of his buddies, he snag all of the words to EVERY ong on the radio. All of my children have outstanding qualities but today is Brigham's day. Everyone who knows him, likes him. He has a knack for jumping into your heart and staying there so when I feel an emptiness because he has gone, he CAUSED it. But...

I am so glad I am a Mom-- homesickness and all. I just wish it didn't hurt so bad. Brigham would say "It's all part of the plan", Mom. I guess I'll be content with the "plan" -- tomorrow. Today I'll shed a few tears at the edge of the whole he left in my living room. A similar hole that Krista, Joseph, Spencer, Emily, Sarah, and Gea left...

Family Reunions!!

2009-07-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

I know why we have reunions!! To keep us on track. My Sister informed me that I was not quite the blogger that my daughter was and she was right. I guess I read hers and think that there is no way to compare with her and so I go along enjoying her daily reads...which I love...

Anyway...

back to reunions...
without pictures it's hard to put into words the good time we had even though we traveled almost a whole to get there and back. :)

We did miss those that couldn't be there and most of them were from my family + Uncle Scott. Wendell was there in his 4th of July shirt and how good that was to have him there. Uncle Wesley and Aunt Sheri and Leah, Uncle Randy and Aunt Roberta, Uncle Jim and Aunt Brenda and Briannon, Grandma Roundy, The Anderson clan--ALL of them, Aunt Claudia and a portion of the Christensen clan, the Taylor tribe, and part of the Carlson bunch. We ate and visited, watched the little ones and ate, and visited and attended 4th festivities, ate and laughed, slept and ate--you get the picture...so much good food and I think I brought home more than I took.

We missed being in Boulder but the Anderson stuff was perfect and we so appreciate them and all they did to make it a success.

The cousins sat around the campfire and sang, sat in the living room and played games and talked, went rafting down the Sevier River, and generally forged some cousin bonds. Krista made sure that we celebrated in living color and had come prepared with all sorts of things and ideas to make memories for everyone and her boys--all of them.

It was good to be home and in my own bed. I was SOOO tired. It was a good memory to add to the book. If I can figure out the picture part, I'll add those later.

Stepping forward

2009-05-27T22:24:00.000-07:00

The house is quiet!! The kids are all almost in bed. All but one. Gea is purposefully staying up all night at her Senior lockin. She will be home at about 5:30 in the morning. We witnessed Gea move the tassel from one side of the mortar board (cap) to the other signifying commencement and stepping forward into the adult world.

Graduation is an important thing and I really can remember vividly specific things about the graduation of each of my children. Gea joins the ranks as # 7 and has big shoes to fill as she looks to the examples of wonderful brothers and sisters!!

Graduation was held at the high school and even though parking was tight, I thought it was much more personal to have it there rather than in the traditional Hart Auditorium at BYU-I. Aunt Kelly, Grandma C and Ashley and Lindsey came up and Joni Jackson and Lisa, Evelin and Jesse surprised us with a visit. I have to admit that this graduation hits me in the heart and if I'm not careful I get somewhat emotional. She graduated with a good class--8 valedictorians!! and 55 of 88 who earned the honors diploma. That's big! and quite a few hispanics as well. You don't usually see them graduate.

Gea will never understand how she has influenced our lives and family. She is a sweetheart and exemplifies our Savior very well. She has big plans and we plan that she stays strong.

Lists. . .

2009-05-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

I was trained to make lists. My mom did detailed lists starting at 5:30 .m. with time limits for each project, ending at 10:00 p.m. or whenever it was that she went to bed and crossed things off as they were done. She was a stay-at-home-mom and was busy. She even scheduled naps!!

I tried that..didn't work. I allowed too many things to creep in=between the lines or I just didn't have enough foresight. So I tried just long daily lists. By the end of the day very little was crossed off the list and needless to say I felt a bit like Shawn who says almost daily "I didn't get anything done!!" And I wonder what he did all day (me, too!!)

My next trial list was to start out the day with a blank sheet and to add things as I accomplished them and cross them off. That gave me a feeling of accomplishment but I still had silent lists in my head of "thousands" of things still now done.

Then I tried on Sunday night making a list for the whole week and try each night to find the things that need to be done the next day. Still, I just don't seem to make it.

Well this last week I have been shooting for a project, and I can downsize it as time permits, that I can actually see getting done. This morning it was cleaning the inside of my van. It was dirty so when I was done it looked dang good. I mopped my filthy tile tonight. I have gone through my music, I have helped Gea start to de-junk her room. There are other boring things but to me have been small milestones. Oh, there are still piles and piles of things I want to do, can do, should do and have to do, but the small have-dones sure feel good as well. Maybe only one or two crossed out things on my lists is good!!

I'll still do lists. It's ingrained in me. I am changing how I look at what actually gets done. It's all good as Jasmine would say.

A missed but not forgotten milestone

2009-05-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

Just a PS to my last blog and I can't believed I overlooked this!! Jasmine, number 11 turned 15 on May 9. How can that be?? She is my baby! No wonder I forgot!! What a joy she is!! Life without her would just not be complete.

2009-05-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

May is a significant month for me (us) and more things were added. Today Shawn and I celebrated 31 years of marriage and I can't imagine life without him. When we were first married and had our struggles as we tried to mesh our lives, some good friends of our told us that 10 years was the magic time and we needed to aim for 10 years together. Well, we passed that and now 11 kids, 2 son-in-laws, 5 grand children and a whole bucketload of good memories and experiences later we look forward to even more great things. Shawn is a good man and takes good care of us. I don't know of anyone who works harder and teaches values than he does. (But then I might be prejudiced...)

Gea graduates this month, number 7 to graduate; Leona NaThel made her appearance on May 5 one day before her mother and dad's anniversary even though they celebrate a week later that marks the day they were sealed in the temple. Emily called all the way from the Philippines on Mother's day--the 11th. She has been in the mission field for 6 months!! Oh I love technology! It was so good to hear her voice and feel he joy! Jesse, Krista's second son, turns 3 May 21. It seems like just yesterday they brought him home to meet us all!!

Life is so good. I am so grateful for good friends and a wonderful family! And a good place to live and good places that I have lived.

What matters most

2009-05-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

I have been following Krista and her wonderful insight to mommy-parenthood. I'm not blind. I know that there are tuff times but looking back you really only remember the good times and memories. So it is important to make lots of them. This last little while is memory time.

To get Emily's e-mails from Philippines EVERY Monday and to see her progress is wonderful. To have been with Krista and her family in the Vernal temple will be a long-time memory; there with Joseph, Spencer and Brigham made an almost complete picture.

We've made and watched memories made with Brigham's friends and rejoiced with each one as they have headed to the future. We have (almost) cried when Brigham took off to the wild-blue Tulsa area with Spencer.

We wait with anticipation as Earl and Sarah await the arrival of "baby Lona". We rejoice in good grades and won (and lost) games, we ooh and aah at pretty dresses and handsome men going off to dances.

All this in just the last little while!!

What happened to MY babies??? Oh, that I could go back and play in puddles, make snow angels, play fox and geese, giggle into the night, have midnight ice cream or hot chocolate. I admit, I missed some special times but I also have great memories of big steps my kids have made in struggles, choices, and triumphs. I am glad to have been a part of the successes.

Yes, life is good and, it only gets better! Most of the time!!

Tug of War

2009-04-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

This morning when I went out to say my goodbyes before going to work, our two dogs, Hyde and Migo (Meego) had a stick between them (in their teeth) pulling back hard and growling. They are buddies and I am sure they did not want to have an all out fight but neither were giving in to the other either. They pulled back hard for a good 5 minutes until one was distracted by an approaching car and inadvertently letting go allowing Migo to win.

I couldn't help but think how like life and life's relationships that was. Something is thrown our way either good or not so good and we grab hold and tug and tug and growl and grumble and just can't let go and let "it" win or someone else win. Life is too short to be caught in a tug of war of opinion, habit, or self-pity etc. growling to "get the stick when something else comes along and we can enjoy that.

I have been caught growling and tugging and I have strying to stop. There are too many precious moments in life to enjoy.

A new start (or something like that...)

2009-04-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

It's quiet in the house--the kids are getting older and they go their own ways now. But no matter where they are, I am happy to see them be involved not onlyin their own lives but in each others lives cementing the bonds that make us the "Christensen Clan".

I love new beginnings. I have absolutely decided that I have got to do something about the physical me. I am so out of shape and heavier than I have ever been ( of course I only see the me that I used to be). Anyway, I am started my own program of moving forward. I am too old to be moving backwards and there is too much of life in those of my children, grandchildren and future grandchildren to be old and decrepit.

Life is good. Not easy, but good.

Life--What it is all about

2007-10-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

You spend all your life doing things for the moment and something turns up and you find the moment filled with meaning. What did I ever do to produce the mother in my two daughter Moms? And is this what my mother feels like when she sees me in my Mom role? We took a trip to Vernal over the weekend to spend time with Sam, Krista and their two boys and I was amazed at the organization in her home and how she so enjoys mothering and wifeing and homemaking. A celebration of life's continuation and the little and big joys along the way.

I hope that as I do this more I will be able to better express myself and all the feelings I have daily as we go thru life and what it's all about.