Can you feel my pain????

It's painful getting a "nice" picture! Step into my world and appreciate the struggles!

Why can't this be easy?

What is he doing NOW?

OK, this is just bizarre!!! He looks like something out of a sci-fi movie!

What?! Did he just run out of energy? That's nice...but doesn't it look like he just gave up?

OK Mr Photographer and Mr Subject...let's not go through that again. How about a nice picture? I'M NOT KIDDING!

Like I goosed him or something?!?

Well, this is the photographer's fault! This is just wrong! It's somewhere between drunk and evil...neither of which is accurate I assure you.

Finally! Not quite that "given up" look from the set above. I'll keep this one AND I'll keep trying...

Birthday Dinner at My Mom's

If you have known me for any length of time, you know that I celebrate my birthday the ENTIRE month of October. As a matter of fact, I started celebrating my birthday in September this year with a family party and a celebration from the staff at work. I'm sure you aren't really surprised...it was just a matter of time before I expanded beyond October. I'll be posting some entries on the various "birthday" activities. Essentially, anything I do in October that is "fun" I count as part of my birthday celebration! Why not?!

My mom always makes all our birthdays a special event. For me, there were many years we weren't together so it's really nice when we get to celebrate now. In our family, we typically have "family birthday" on the Sunday closest to the actual birthday. This year was no exception. My mom makes our favorite meal, which for me is typically roasted tenderloin of beef with homemade BBQ sauce...but this year, in light of my new dietary endeavors, I wanted to try something new (shhhh....be patient....I'm getting to it).

Here are a few shots of the evening...

Jayson took this picture with his phone. The boy has a good eye! I really love this picture.

Here's the lady responsible for it all (yes, the celebration...um, and ME too!) No one can decorate like my mom! She can take the most ordinary things and make something beautiful out of them - it's her gift. In this case, she made a beautiful birthday table!

OK, so who hasn't seen pretty flowers? I'm trying my hand at taking "interesting" pictures for you all. I hope you like them!

Seriously, they really were beautiful!

This is my favorite "flower" picture from the table setting. My mom gave me some suggestions for getting a great shot and this turned out to be my favorite. It's now the screen saver on my brand new laptop PC (birthday present from my dear sweet husband). Before you think "aaawww...isn't he the best?" Well, yes he is but his motives are not so pure. You see, if I have my own personal laptop, then I'll stay off his computer thereby allowing him MORE time to play WOW (World of Warcraft)!!!!! Ugh! Still, it was a nice present and it will allow me to post more timely blogs. :)

One more table shot...okay, now on to the food!

There's little more my family likes better than a GREAT meal....and this certainly qualified! (I can hear my little sister salivating all the way from Kentucky! Hmmm...can you really "hear" someone salivate? Well, trust me...she is!)

We started with a variety of Mediterranean appetizers and a most lovely cocktail...the "French 75". This cocktail is made with fresh lemon juice, sugar and gin...all topped off with my favorite....CHAMPAGNE! What's a birthday without champagne? I seldom drink it (or anything for that matter) but I always love it when I do!

Our dinner began with this incredible salad made with mixed greens, pears, oranges, candied pecans, gorgonzola cheese and dried cranberries. All this lightly dressed with a light, homemade raspberry vinaigrette.

Then we enjoyed the main course, which didn't photograph nearly as good as it tasted. I'll have to graduate from flower photography and work on "food stylings" next. Anyway, the main event included roasted salmon with a glaze of sugar-free apricot preserves, fresh ginger and soy sauce (ok, it's simply DELICIOUS!), rice pilaf and the most comforting...green bean casserole.

Here's the greatest 13 year old boy I know! He really enjoyed my birthday dinner too!

And for dessert....the coup de grace was Cheesecake Trifle with fresh strawberries, peaches and blueberries. It was lovely!

On to the presents! Once again, look how pretty! Um, wait a minute! Who's that cute little lady peeking at me? Ok, back to the presents...My mom also wraps a stunning package. Seriously, she makes everything she touches "special" and my presents were no exception!

There's a running joke in my family because my mom ALWAYS picks the most perfect presents. I LOVE her taste and I honestly can't remember ever getting a gift from her that I didn't like. Despite that track record, my mom ALWAYS includes a gift receipt and starts the disclaimer with "if you don't like it, it won't hurt my feelings if you want to return it..." We've heard this disclaimer so many times, she can't even get through the first three words now without an eruption of shhhshes (I'm sure I just made that word up...you know, when everyone is saying sshhh at the same time). So, just take a look below at what she got me this year....

Isn't this jacket cute? It's decked with "bling" and "hardware"...awesome! I told you she has great taste!!! And the necklace and matching earrings (not shown) were gifts also. Seriously! Isn't this the cutest?

So, my birthday advice to you is to celebrate ALL MONTH LONG when it is your birthday!!! Hey, as my Da always says....having another birthday is "better than the alternative!" Why not celebrate the life God gave you!

That 70's Show...Homecoming Week!

Most of you know that Jayson is in 8th grade this year and attends Layton Christian Academy. Recently, for Homecoming Week, they had "70's Day". We ravaged Jay's closet for a blazer that looked terribly out of style and scored with this cordouroy jobby. Anyway, he looked smashing! Just before we walked out of the door for school, he donned his shades and struck a pose. What is a mother to do? I took a pic of my strapping handsome young 'un!



Have a happy day!

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!

happy birthday to me!
happy birthday to me!
happy birthday to meeeeeeee-eeeeeeee
happy birthday to me!

Leon is leaving!

Our Pastor and friend, Leon Shelton is leaving Washington Heights after 20+ years! He's decided to pursue other interests. So, his last day is October 12 and it's coming up very quickly! Quicker than I care to think about...

Over the years, I have really appreciated Leon's gifts. He is such an amazingly talented man! As the old saying goes, he has the ability to "get blood from a turnip". Seriously, he has taught, mentored, shaped and encouraged many people over the years, helping them to realize their God-given gifts, both spiritually and musically.

He's a visionary. For 19 years, he's produced our Christmas Dinner Theater and many other special events. My mom, my husband and I have participated in several of these productions. It's always fun to see the vision God puts in Leon's head come to life. This will be his first year as a consultant to the dinner theater. It's good that we will still benefit from his insight.

I cannot describe the void that will be created by Leon's absence. Through his work over the years, he has touched so many lives...and...he's changed me. I will forever value his friendship! Although I will miss him terribly, I'm excited to see the great things God has in store for him and I'm sure we'll stay in touch.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Deeper Still Conference

On the first weekend in September, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend the Deeper Still Conference in Las Vegas at the Harold & Mack Arena on the UNLV campus. I went with a group from our church and we all had a great time. As I was packing, look who jumped in and thought she was going on a trip!

The Deeper Still Conference features three speakers, Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer, representing three different generations. Representative of women in their 30's, 50's and 70's and all that those stages of life entail, these women seek to impart wisdom, encouragement and love grounded in the truth of Jesus.

I attended the Las Vegas event. I must say, I've never been to Vegas and not seen one single slot machine. However, if you go to Vegas for a Christian women's conference....it can be done! The truth is...I didn't miss the gambling environment one single bit!

There were about 5,500 women in attendance at this event and about 125 in my group. Here we all are gathering for a group photo outside the arena.

As sisters in Christ, we shared time in praise and worship led by Travis Cottrell and the Living Proof Live worship team! The music was incredible and I enjoyed every single minute of it!

This is a view of the praise and worship inside the arena.

We also made time to connect with old friends....this is Julie. She works at Weber State University and has led the Women in Motion group for several years now. Women in Motion is a fitness program designed to get sedentary women up and walking. The goal of this group is to have each member participate in the Ogden Marathon by walking at least one mile. For the past two years, I have completed the half marathon (13.1 miles!) event and no matter how you slice it...13 miles is a LONG way! Anyway, as I said, Julie is the backbone of that program and she's such an encouragement to many women, including me!

And we had time to build new friendships. Here I am with my roommates. From left to right, we have Margy, Sondra, Phyllis and me. Although I've known OF these ladies for a long time, I didn't really know them personally. We all had a great time together. Margy, Sondra and Phyllis have been friends for MANY years and it was nice that they let me tag along with them for a few days. I really enjoyed the time we spent together.

Of course there was time for instruction. Each speaker instructed us using stories from her own life, her sense of humor and her unique perspective on God's Word. It was a time that ministered to many of the women I spoke with and answered questions for those who came seeking. I think it's always amazing how God will meet you wherever you are and reveal himself to you if you. Many of the women, including me, were moved to tears on more than one occassion as God revealed himself in the most remarkable ways.

Our event planners were marvelous and left nothing to chance. They scheduled time for us to attend a local worship service - worship LAS VEGAS STYLE!! And boy, was it. There is an incredible church in Las Vegas (I'm sure there is more than one incredible church in Vegas, but this is the one we attended) called Central Christian (http://www.centralchristian.com/). Below is one of several entrances.

Since I didn't take any pictures during the worship service, I'll just tell you that musically, it was everything you would expect in a Las Vegas concert and more. I'm not sure it was particularly worshipful, for me...but I would say it was presented with skill and excellence.

This church has implemented many of the concepts our leadership has discussed. It was really an incredible, friendly, warm and wonderful environment. Inside, they had a bookstore that rivaled Barnes & Noble. It was incredible!

They were also fully stocked with CDs of amazing Christian artists, both local and nationally known.

Their coffee shop was also amazing! They served not only coffee, but many other specialty drinks.

This church is unique because of its organizational structure. This is also something our church is considering. Central Christian is one church meeting in several different locations. On this particular Sunday, they were launching a new venue in addition to their "online" church. Everyone I spoke to was very excited about the growth of their new venues.

I really liked the way Central Christian visually depicted their mission on the wall as you enter their worship center. It seemed very effective and artistic to me. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and I would agree.

As part of their celebration, they were hosting a "block party" for all youth, jr. high and above. This event was well attended and featured bands, games and a way for youth to get connected with each other in a relaxing and fun environment....BLOCK PARTY LAS VEGAS STYLE!!! Yes, that is a rock-climbing wall and a bunge-bouncing thingy (sorry, I don't know the real name of that device!) in the background.

And a quick pic of the band. Yes, these young people are SERIOUS musicians!

Lastly, back inside the facility, this is one of the entrances to the kids' area. Seriously, it looked so fun it made me want to go check it out.

Central Christian really has some great ideas when it comes to attracting children and making church fun for them. Here are a couple of their logos for kids' programs.


Once the service ended, we embarked on the long journey home. Here is some of the beautiful scenery Southern Utah has to offer. The red rock formations are unique to the Southern Utah/Arizona/Nevada area.

We stopped for a quick lunch in St. George, Utah and I took the opportunity to snap this pic of Sondra and me. It was sad to think the weekend was coming to an end.

On a potty break stop, I noticed this beautiful creature and thought you'd like to see a shot of him! Sweet, huh? Um, I don't know if you can read the sign but I'm going to need you to stay off the animals...ok?

Finally, the bus ride home provided some quiet time for reading and reflection. A friend gave me the book, The Shack, and I started it on this trip. Although it's an unconventional take on the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, it's well worth the read and thought provoking to say the least! Pick it up if you get a chance. It will really make you think!

Overall, I couldn't ask for a better experience! What a great weekend of solice in the midst of a lot of chaos! I can't wait for the next time!

Bath Day!

So it was bath day! Lahki is such a great dog. She loves her bath and even gets curious enough to check out the shower when someone is in it! Yes, that can be a surprise! She's so sweet though. Jayson called her a "puppy burrito" on this day. I just couldn't resist showing you her cuteness!