Classics and Favorites: Sibs and Kids

Don't you love it when pictures appear that you've never seen before? Especially if your kids are in them. This picture is a new favorite for me, it just came into my possesion in the last year or so.

This is my only sister; Lilian, and my baby brother; David, with my baby boy; Jeremy. I had three children before any of my siblings even started having kids. Consequently, although they missed out on having cousins very close to their ages, they had the benefit of being the "onlys" for a few years. The only grandchildren and the only nephews... on both sides of family.

My siblings loved my children and they built relationships with them that have endured through adulthood. Lilian and David were my best babysitters when the boys were little. Lilian grew up and started her own family, and teenager David one day proclaimed that he wasn't babysitting again... and he didn't; until Caitlin came along.

Lilian is my only sister and she's the best! I love going to her house and I often invite myself over for movies and her fabulous popcorn, Mike and I have a reserved seat. We can talk on the phone forever... and still have things to say an hour later. She is willing to help out at the deli on a moments notice if needed, and everyone likes it when she comes to work. She's fun! I love my sista Ririan!

David is my baby brother. He has a heart of gold. When he knocks on my door I know it's him because nobody can knock on a door the way he does. We have a telephone ritual that never fails. He can make you laugh 'til it hurts... but can also bring a tear to your eye.

When I see this picture of Jeremy I just want to cuddle him in my arms again. His little Tanner reminds me of him when he was the same age. What a precious baby boy, and he still is... my baby boy!

Love you Jer Bear and Leenz and Wayway!!

All In A Days Work

Last week I took my camera to work so that I could take a picture of me and Morgan for my other blog. Well, it appears that a few of us were not very camera shy.

This picture of the crew was actually taken a couple of weeks ago, so I threw it in as well. There is Steve, Austin, Morgan and Kelci. Hey, I just thought of something... wasn't Steve Austin the name of The Six Million Dollar Man?

Back to last week... a year ago we were entertained daily by Caitlin; now it's Morgan who performs. Almost daily we can expect to hear "cause I'm your la-a-dy"; on this particular day she played to the camera and climbed up on the counter (umm... we wiped the counter down afterwards).

Me and Morgan busy at work preparing our fabulous soups for the day.

Kelci claims to be the "shy one" but even she got into the action.

Occasionally my sister Lilian fills in for us. She had worked a day or two before, and when she found out that she had tips waiting for her, she came in to get them. It appears they were good tips that day! Actually... take away the twenties and what's left is a more accurate representation.

Not only coincidental that Lilian showed up the day I had the camera, but Jeff as well. He's the #1 guy in charge.

So, we don't always climb on counters, and sing loudly, and dance around... but when the camera is there, what the heck! It's all in a days work!! What goofy things do you do at your job?

BYU Women's Conference 2011

I just returned from two wonderful days at BYU Women's Conference. The theme this year came from Alma 37:6-7, "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass". I attended opening and closing sessions on both days, and several concurrent sessions each day. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the presenters I listened too:

"The only person I need to be better than... is the person I was yesterday."

"A virtual (too much technology) woman, or a virtuous woman?"

"What comes next for willing hands to do?"

"No one owes me anything, I owe everything to the Lord."

"Charity is living as Christ lived."

"Our families need to feel the spirit when they enter our homes."

"A soft answer turneth away wrath."

"Let us seek the guidance of Heavenly Father, in how we can accomplish His work, in His way."

"Appropriate self love equips us to love others."

"Lifting others, lifts us."

This year several of us attended Women's Conference together. My sister Lilian and sister-in-law Marivic attended for their first time. I was also excited to meet Marivic's sisters Marle and Maries for the very first time, and Marivic's mama (I met 18 years ago) also came. Of course my Mother and Margie (BYUWC veterans) were there as well, but I was most excited that my daughter Caitlin came to Women's Conference with me, it was so wonderful for both of us to share that experience together... we're planning on it being a new tradition.



FYI: starting tomorrow I'm doing a 30 day blog challenge... I know, crazy huh!?!

Family Friday: Featuring My Sister Lilian

As the eldest child in my family, followed by three brothers (that I love), I really wanted a sister. On Wednesday November 23, 1966, the day before Thanksgiving, I was sitting in my 3rd grade class when my Dad came to my classroom and motioned for me to come out into the hallway. He came to tell me that my Mom had just delivered a baby that afternoon. "Guess what it is," Dad said to me. I immediately answered, "a brother." I think I may have sounded a little crestfallen. "Guess again," said Dad. I knew there was only one more option, but with amazement and questioning in my voice I said, "a sister?" I had my sister. Having a sister has been a blessing in my life and I am so grateful for Lilian.

When Lilian was just three years old I got to go on a Daddy/Daughter date with my Dad.That was a yearly primary activity. My Mom made me a new dress for the occasion and with the leftover fabric made a matching dress for Lilian. When Lilian discovered that she wasn't going on the date there was a bit of a fuss, so shortly after my date with Dad she got to wear her new dress and go on a Daddy/Daughter date too.

For several years my Dad was a meter reader for Mountain Fuel. He taught Lilian how to read gas meters when she was just a little girl; she had a little notebook and a pen and she would go up and down the street to the neighbors and knock on their doors and ask them if she could read their meters. I can remember looking out of my parents kitchen window and seeing Lilian knocking on doors and ringing doorbells.

Being a little girl and getting my baby sister was great! But growing up and having my sister as my friend is even better! In 1992 I was first introduced to scrap booking, I went home and called Lilian and told her all about it, I knew it was something she would love, and she does. She is the scrapbook queen and I'm not kidding! Her scrapbooks are always caught up and they are wonderful. She also makes beautiful cards. She is always on top of the newest ideas and gadgets, and she's always willing to share.

Not only is Lilian creative with her scrapbooks and cards, she makes the best sugar cookies you will ever eat. Besides being so delicious, she decorates them so beautifully, and you know what they say about presentation, it's everything. Every Valentine's Day she makes big heart shaped cookies and personalizes them for her family. One year for my birthday (at my request) she made me a big heart shaped "Lesley" cookie.

Lilian is a great photographer and now has a photography blog. She's ready for business. At the beach house this summer she took pictures of my family that turned out wonderful.

I was with Lilian when she took this picture. We are at an overlook directly above our beach house

I love to go to Lilian's house. Mike and I go frequently for a movie night, often inviting ourselves, but the great thing is, we know we can. We always feel welcome and wanted. When I started writing this post I asked Mike, "what do you have to say about Lilian?" His answer, "she's the best!"

I mentioned in Lilian's son Michael's post, that Lilian speaks Chinese. Well she really doesn't speak Chinese, but she does the funniest Chinese accent that keeps us laughing 'til the tears flow. She is so funny and a fun person to be around.

She loves her family very much and they love her. She is the Mother of five sons! The name of her blog is "My Life With Boys". She is devoted to all of her "boys" including her most important one, her husband Cory.

This is Lilian with all of her men in 2006; because of boys missions she hasn't had all of them together since 2006. How would you like to have all of those handsome guys adore you? (And they do adore her)

I have many, many stories about Lilian, but I love to tell about the time that we went to England to visit our parents while they were on their mission. Neither of us likes to fly; in fact we both hate to fly, so when our flight leaving Salt Lake was delayed due to "complications" we were both a little stressed. When it was finally time to board the plane we were both in tears as we said goodbye to our happy and smiling families. As soon as we were seated (in first class thanks to Cory) a flight attendant was already seeing to our needs when she asked us if we would like a drink, "a Bloody Mary?" Of course we told her "no thanks", but as soon as she left I looked at Lilian and said, "a Bloody Mary sounds pretty good right now."

Some things to know about my sister Lilian: She is very creative. She loves Disneyland. She goes to Disneyland a lot. She thinks of others. She is tender hearted. She loves Hugh Jackman (that's Lilian in the picture with him). She loves to chew on ice in a mug, it's her favorite snack. She has fun parties. She always feeds us well. She has a great laugh. She loves Mrs. Cavanaugh's Mindy Mints. She loves her family. She loves t'ocean. She loves the Tower Bridge; it's her bridge. She collects Wedgewood. She has a beautiful Christmas village. She's a good friend. All of her friends loves her. She works at a flooring store. She is a good person. She loves the Lord. We are all grateful that Lilian is in our family and we love her.

Lilian and all of her guys in 2006: Cory, Russell, Michael, Mickey, Lilian, Jacob, Taylor, and Alan