project ion

So, tonight Shayne got my slide scanner set up and we scanned a few slides into the computer. the following is an example of our little trip down memory lane.

Merry Christmas

life in prison

It never ceases to amaze me that I find the women at prison so interesting and so resilent. One gal came to me apologizing that she had missed my financial lit. class, but it was her baby that was backed over and killed by her sister's 14 year old daughter. She had been in another head state to say the least, but she picked up her homework and got it done so she could get a completion in her financial literacy class. We are going crazy trying to get the last of their credits in to get them graduated from high school. Our graduation is June 4th.
Vynessa called and at her doctor's appt., they tell her that Franchesco is at least 7 lbs. now. We are both grateful that she is on FMLA next week and won't have to work. Her C section is scheduled for the 30th. The folks who own the house the Jensen's want to buy called, and it looks like they will send them a contract. Happy days!! They will be coming to visit in Utah middle June until their house is ready for them in Rexburg.

Especially For Youth

Took 3 girls from WestRidge to the EFY at the U of U institute center today. The 3 speakers were fabulous and so full of the Spirit. The main thing they tried to help the kids understand was that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father loves them. I think I have just always taken that as a fact and at face value. I have just always felt His love even when I wasn't loving back. What a blessing that is. It is just so sad to think of those people who do not have that sort of comfort to know that we are loved by these two beings---one loved us so much that he gave up his son so that we could all return to them. One of the speakers was a lady who has summitted Mt Kilamengaro and Mt. Arat. She was really an inspiration. I would encourage all you Moms and Dads when you start having teenagers, to make sure they go to a couple of these. It is true that it really does take a village. And we need all the good people in the village to help inspire our children.

Baby Lunch

We did a baby lunch for Nyssa and Franchesco--is that how you spell itl?It was wonderful to spend time with the Bateman, Oliver and Campos ladies. But, we missed Hilary. Lunch was really, really good--especially when the waiter threw the bread at us. This is going to be such a big year--with 3 babies and a big move for the Jensens. Exciting and exhausting.

Done Deal

Shayne ordered our Dell-green--color not state of the environment-laptop yesterday. When the kids stated that I would never use the computer in my office , I explained that I would use it, I just don't want Dad mess'en with it. It is like when Pres. Monson in his talk explained how his wife left a note on the microwave which said don't let Dad use the microwave, or dryer, or stove, or........Dad is proficient at all of the above, he just leaves such a mess around them when he uses them---candy wrappers, hammers, tape, dirty dishes, crumbs.....
Today in Victim Empathy I did the Drunk Driving modular. I have some great video for this, and had lots of women in tears. Will they stop drinking--probably not---will they get a designated driver--one can hope so. Did you know that the liver circulates our entire blood supply every 4 minutes through out our bodies. Is that amazing or what?
Planted some pansies in my new pots out front on Saturday---and wiped down the green porch swing. So it is ready for a sweet, spring night of just swinging and thinking. Say, you all need to read Dandelion Wine--or re-read it.

Conference was really historical wasn't it? I am so grateful that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When they showed on the TV screen that this was the 178th conference, I remembered listening to it on the radio and they announced it as the 125th conference. I would have been about 10 years old.

I have a request for Mother and Father's Day for dad and I------a laptop computer----Dad and I can make up the rest of the finances for it. I need you computer geeks to start looking out for a great deal, and something that will work for us. Dad has even agreed that he needs to get more computer literate and would use a lap top. S0---there ya go.

I thought it was so great to hear Bro Eyring in his talk today, give hope to parents who are rearing children in such a difficult world. He counseled us to live the gospel and teach it to our children, and they will be blessed.

let me explain

The pix of Michelangelo is me trying to figure out how to add a picture to my blog--and I did it. Didn't think it would work, but it did. Yahoo--The picture did not have anything to do with the blog post, but I didn't have a picture of a barnacle. However, the soap beard could be considered something like that.

barnacle on the blog

I guess you will just to check on the Mommie Dairies to see what I have to say these days. Well, I guess I do have more to say--surprising isn't it? We look like a green house--just bought 3 flats of geranimums. Since it snowed today, we are hoping we can plant them by July.
I am really looking forward to General Conference this weekend---Yes, it is a nice break from WestRidge, and we don't have to be up at 6 a.m., but best of all, it is going to be a spiritual feast Sat, and Sun. I am sure.

Sunday

Today in Sacrament meeting, our speakers were two of the house parents. I was really touched with their talks. The first gal spoke about being Christ-like and she said that those people she regarded as such were those who took Gospel knowledge and then really did something with it--really used in in their lives. Knowing it is one thing, implementing it is quite another. The guy who spoke told a story of his friend who in elementary school was getting bullied. And one morning he was given an orange for breakfast, and this particular morning he peeled the orange in one long peel and then put it on his arm for a bracelet, and for whatever reason he decided that the orange bracelet gave him special powers, and would protect him from the bullies. He prayed that this would be so, and all the way to school he told himself it would be so, and that he would be protected.
Before he got in the school door, a couple of bullies started advancing on him and he just knew that with his orange bracelet and his prayer he would be OK. As the boys got quite close to him, he held up his bracleted arm, and just screamed : A-A-R-R-GHGHG and waved his arm in the air.
For whatever reason, the boys retreated and never bothered him again. He asked us if we had that kind of faith in the Gospel and if we knew that it was that powerful for us with prayer and faith.

And now I would like you all to remember my brother Larry with your power of prayer, as he recovers from his first radiation treatment for his prostate cancer. He is feeling quite weak, and naeuseated, and a bit sad. He is a kind, unassuming person and the prospect of these treatments not working is a heavy weight. So your prayers of faith in his behalf for recovery, and peace of mind would be appreciated. Thank you.

What a life

See--here I am again. Yesterday, I was with Laura getting my hair all beautiful, and she asked me about how I met Ron, etc. Well, I gave her the shortened version of meeting by accident on the phone, and how he told me on the 2nd date we would marry, but a mission would come first, and the interesting way in which he purposed to me, and then all our adventures for 20 years in the air force--all the traveling--the babies--his operations. And, it struck me just what a fantastic life Dad and I have lived. I mean it really has been so full of so many wonderful adventures--some scarry, some sad, some challenging--and I guess I wouldn't change a day of it. While I was recounting it all, it just struck me that WOW what a life we have lived. We are so blessed. And the past 19 years in Utah--yes, 19 years--almost as long as our time in the Air Force--have been filled with so many milestones: Marriages of all our children, grandchildren, careers, and the building of another entire chapter of our life. And we aren't finished yet !!!!!

Getting the hang of this blogg'en stuff

Sooner or later, I will get good at doing this--or at least be more consistent. I am grateful today, that Mike was safe while in the tornado in Atlanta, Georgia, and that Zeke has managed to be a wonderful kiddo with all these allergies, and that I got to spend some time with James--he can talk as much as Sunni when she isn't around. And, that we will soon be on our way to Oregon, and that Camron is willing to give his talents to people in Mexico (April 7 through 19th) However, that is such a long time that I don't blame Missy if she has a new husband by the time he returns. And that Vynessa's pregnancy is going well, and that Anne of Green Gables was on TV again--it just always restores my faith is the goodness of good people. And that Spring will be here before too long, and that I have such an interesting and challenging career at Utah State Prison, and that I don't need any huge and expensive items to feel this kind of gratitude.

Sunrise, Sunset

It seems that my days melt into each other like so much sugar in hot water. How can that be when I don't have to run after little kids all day. Well, I guess I run after inmates all day. Good day at WestRidge Academy. We met with a gal after church and what a delight. She really is trying to apply the program, and at least says she is glad she got sent to Westridge as other wise she would either be pregnant or in jail. She admits that she was out of control, and was so hanging with the wrong crowd. Never underestimate the power of friends. My advise to you parents is to curb "Entitlement" with your children at first sighting.