A Month of Birthdays

I knew that March was a busy birthday month, but now with facebook I am reminded of all my high school friends' birthdays too.

Not only do I have many friends birthdays in March, but have many family members too.There is my Grandma's 91st birthday, an uncle, mother-in-law and my dear husband Rayme's 50th birthday, and those are the ones I remember.

Lesson learned - if you are not a good liar, you should not host a surprise party. Therefore, I will not attempt to throw a surprise party again. Oh, don't get me wrong - please invite me to be a guest (I can keep a secret if I don't see the guest of honor to close to the celebration).

As I mentioned it was Rayme's 50th birthday and it was on a weekday (not the best day to throw a party) and with his shift work it causes a some difficulty to try to schedule a party. A little celebration was in order since it was his 50th. Just invite a few close friends because of the tricky scheduling, and the more I invited the more chances he would not be surprised, and our house space is limited. The theme was picked out as a result of him planning my funeral (I was sick a few weeks ago - nothing serious) and he decided a "Cowboy" theme would be great fun at my funeral. Anyway, since I wanted to beat him at this own game. I decided that if he had a "Cowboy" theme, he couldn't use that theme for my funeral. Ok- this was a very in depth conversation about my funeral planning (maybe I should write it for another post). I had it planned cowboy pizza (his favorite), cowboy cookies, cowboy napkins, found some plastic barbed wire, and everyone donned cowboy hats and bandanna's. But, he knew all about his party because he quizzed me, integrated me and came right out and asked me if I had a surprise planned, and then was I surprised when he came out to greet me after I came home from town with all of his party goodies. Nicole warned me that I probably couldn't pull off a surprise party and she was right. I will not be planning any surprise parties anytime soon.

Happy Birthday to all of you that have a birthday this month.

Note to Mom

Mom-

This is me waiting. I know I am not alone in the waiting.

Love,

Nicole

Olympic Spirit

When the Olympics were held in Salt Lake I felt like I know this city since I visited it many times, and felt I was there in spirit. Not to mention that I knew friends that packed up the car and drove their families so they could enjoy the Olympic spirit in person. I loved to hear their account of their journey.

Now the 2010 Vancouver Olympics are here and literally in our backyard (if it's north would that be front or the backyard). You can tell by the signs welcoming Olympic visitors, border security updates, media coverage, Olympic trinkets at local stores, new road construction projects and even one of our local cities have posted 100 flags from many of the nations participating in the games near the main street into the city.

When I younger and my Mom explained the dedication, sacrifice and determination to master the necessary skill level to compete. And if they win they receive a medal and the gold medalist got their country national anthem played. Whenever an USA team member receives a gold metal and the recipient gets emotional I find that I get a little teary eye with them as I remember that they are representing our country and they have worked very hard for this honor.

I will be watching and cheering these talented athletes in the Olympic spirit.

Michelle - It's Her Day!

23 Years ago today we were in the hospital welcoming our newest addition to our family - Michelle.

I should have known then that she was going to be an independent thinker, when the doctor kept switching her due date (later), and she decided to extend even those dates. Apparently, from the beginning she wanted to express her opinion.

Michelle captured our hearts from the beginning and we are so blessed that she is part of our family.

PS - The tennis shoes aren't Michelle's they are a prop in front of Bubba Gump's Restaurant. Don't want you to think her feet are that huge.

Catch Up

I thought I should post on my blog and bring my few followers up to date. This might be a long blog, so consider yourself warned.

Can you believe that I haven't posted since Christmas? Since I brought up the subject of Christmas.
This was my very first year to be away from home for Christmas. Since most of our immediate family lives within our local area, there has been no need to be away from home at Christmas. This year was different and with Nicole living in Las Vegas and wasn't able to come for Christmas, we thought we would go to her.
I really didn't know how I would feel about being Las Vegas for Christmas with Palm Trees and sunny weather with hardly a chance of snow. The conclusion I came up with that it doesn't matter where you spend Christmas as long as you are with people you love.
Yes, it was a bit hectic getting ready for Christmas and selecting the perfect gift that could pass security and not put you over on the luggage limits at the airport. We did manage do last minute shopping on Christmas Eve that I always vowed never to do, but made an exception this year and it really wasn't that bad.
As a bonus Christmas present we got to enjoy our "other daughter - Chyla", she was able to come and meet us in Las Vegas.
Nicole was the most amazing hostess! First of all she gave her comfy bed to us, and we came to her home smelling of bake goodies. Her apartment was beautiful with Christmas decorations, and did I mention she had made a variety of goodies - mmmm. Thank you Nicole for your hospitality.
If you have to have good friends move away from you make sure they move somewhere that you will visit. Good thing they picked up Las Vegas were Nicole lives. Our good friends The Bowden's moved to Las Vegas last spring, and were able to spend time with them when we were there. You know that you have good friends when you just pick up where you left off. We love the Bowden's and thank you for including us in your Christmas celebrations. We are so grateful for our friendship with them. We miss and love them and can't wait until our next visit.
A Christmas tradition our home growing up we always opened our stockings first. One year I opened my stocking gifts I was very perplexed when I got flashbulbs, camera batteries and film. I didn't have a camera. When I exclaimed that these things were nice, but I didn't own a camera. Was I surprised when I opened my present and it was a camera. I am sure my parents were probably trying very hard not to laugh. I think I got my present first just so they wouldn't die laughing.
We have carried on that tradition in our family with opening the stockings first. But this year we needed to do it in reserve not to blow it. We got one of the girls an IPOD and in the stockings we gave itunes gift cards. Since I had experience on my side, I knew better.
We were home for New Years and we celebrated New Years Day by sending Michelle off to college in Rexburg, ID. Michelle and another girl from our Stake stuff all their earthly possessions in her car and traveled to BYU-I and I am happy to report that they made it safely without any incidents. Prayer works!

With Michelle leaving for college, Rayme and I officially empty nester's again.

That brings you pretty much up to date! Sorry it was so long.
Happy New Year! It's not to late to say that right?? It is still January.

A word from my sponsor..

That sponsor is me- Nicole! I have been driven to do it again folks! My Mom has neglected her blog. A blog shouldn't be abandoned during the holidays. It might get lonely and feel depressed. Which just isn't right. This year we are doing Christmas different than we have ever done it before. We are all gathering at my house here in Las Vegas. We have plans to spend Christmas with the Bowden's and I know that we are all looking forward to spending time together. Last year my Dad told us girls that we are getting to the age where holiday traditions are going to need to change. He told us it is ok to make our own traditions He told us to make it feel like Christmas where ever we are.

Traditionally, We have Christmas Eve with the Chapin side. We all cram into Grandma and Grand Dad's house. The house becomes noisy as we all arrive. (All my Dad's brother's laugh the same.) We have a huge spread of appetizers ranging from egg rolls to meatballs. When it is time to eat we gather in a circle and hold hands and someone is chosen to pray. It usually isn't a long prayer I don't know if we would last. Then we all grab our plates and load up. There are the same joke every year. As you head to your set with YOUR plate someone comes to take it from you saying "Oh, Thanks for dishing ME up." We draw names and exchange gifts. One of the younger cousins help pass out the gifts. As soon as we all have a gift we are allowed to open them. (flashlights are always a hit with my Dad and his brothers) Then comes the throwing of the paper. Wrapping paper flies through the air until someone emerges with a trash bag to clean up the mess. Then we sit and talk until it is time to head home.

Last year when I came home for Christmas it was snowing pretty good on Christmas Eve. We got a call from Grandma Chapin saying she canceled Christmas. The roads are to bad. No big deal my parents quickly pulled together an awesome spread and we had our own appetizer Christmas Eve dinner. We ate and lounged out in the family room to watch some of our favorite Christmas movies. It was fun. It was comfortable. It was happy. I enjoyed being curled up on the floor with a pile of blankets watching movies with my family.

Then traditionally Christmas Day we spend it with the Lee side of the family. We alternate between our house and the De Boer's. First thing in the morning Michelle is ready to open presents. We all torture her and prolong it as long as possible. We all have to be showered. Mom puts the cinnamon rolls into the oven. We set the breakfast table. We pick up anything that doesn't belong out in the living room. Dad thinks of anything to make Michelle wait. Then when we are finally done we open gifts. I am slow. I like to admire the paper, the bows, the size. Michelle is fast. She rips it open admires it and moves on the the next gift. I like to let my pile grow. I like watching everyone else. Then after the presents. We have brunch. Mom makes cinnamon rolls, egg dish, fresh fruit, hash browns. It is always so good. After brunch we clean up and start prep for dinner. (we love to eat) While Mom slaves in the kitchen we all play with our new stuff. Usually, we have to set up something and try it out. Then all the family shows up. We visit, we eat, we visit more. Then we play a game. I don't like to play but I like to keep score (until I am told I am doing it wrong). Finally, everyone heads home and we settle into a movie.

I love our traditional Christmas but this year will be different. I can't wait to spend time with my family. In less than a week we will all be under the same roof. Making a new tradition. (Hopefully, posting for my Mom won't be a traditon that sticks around.)

Honored Veterans

Today is a day to remember and honor our Veterans.
Last month we were on vacation to Arizona, and on this trip we took a road trip to see some of the sites, some were planned and others we just stumbled upon .
One of our stops was in a small northern Arizona town near the Utah border. We were told that there was a place we could stop and learn more about the Code Talkers. Little did we realize it was located at the Burger King. A display explaining the role of the Navajo Code Talker in the World War II.
I had heard about the Navajo Code Talkers and they were about to communicate strategies during the war, and there code was never broken. What I didn't know is that this was classified information and when the soldier were discharged and came home they felt compelled to honor the secrecy. It was finally revealed and it wasn't until 2001 that the US government awarded the Code Talkers the Congressional Gold Medal.
Many of the Code Talkers couldn't take advantage of getting jobs through government agency as a result they weren't at liberty to discuss what they did in the war. Most returned to their small towns and took local jobs.
Thank you to the Code Talker and all other veterans that have fought for the freedoms I enjoy each day.