~FAMILY~

This has not been a stellar month for me emotionally, death takes a toll on everyone involved especially those closest to the ones who are left. It really doesn't matter if you are 5, 25 or 91, there is never a good time to say good-by. The only thing that makes it bearable for me is knowing that I will see everyone who I miss so much again. I truly believe this is true and I can not even entertain the thoughts of how wonderful that reunion will be.

I miss those that are missing in my life. I feel the need to call my mom, go for a ride with Bruce. I need to eat sugar cookies with my grandma, you know those really thin crispy ones that I, for the life of me, can not make! There are just certain things that those who leave us take with them that we will always miss. Perhaps that is the Lords way of helping us to always remember the blessing they were in our lives.

My Aunt Mildred passed away this week. She was 91. The last living member of my mothers family, she truly was an "Angel on Earth". Sometimes when you would call her she didn't always recognize your voice so she would say stuff like: "Hello, I don't know who this is, but I do know that I love you!" She was always so happy to hear from me whenever I called... I should have called more often. One thing I have learned is that there are always some regrets, we are not always as thoughtful, kind and caring as we could have been but, if in realizing this we make a change, be it very small, we have turned a corner and have learned yet one more lesson in this experience of finding our way home. I can only pray that I do this "earth" thing as well as my Aunt Mildred did. You will be missed Aunt Mildred...For now.

~Do Good Things~

"The Lord doesn't care at all if we spend our days working in marble halls or stable stalls. He knows where we are, no matter how humble our circumstances. He will use--in His own way and for His holy purposes--those who incline their hearts to Him. God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior's example and spend the days of their lives doing good". Uchtdorf

~MISS MADDIE~

Maddison is one of our little four year olds. She is beautiful and happy and one of the most thoughtful little girls I know. She constantly is thinking of everyone else making sure no one is left out! I just LOVE that about her.

She likes to clown around and make everyone laugh. I seldom see this little one in tears. She told me once "Grandma I don't like to cry, it makes me sad but, when we laugh it makes us happy! I like to laugh". She laughs a lot and is happy all the time. I hope that she can go through her life always laughing and ALWAYS happy!

Wherever Madds goes she gathers friends. She LOVES to do hair and I have been the recipient of many a hair-do by Maddie. She loves cowboy boots and horses, pretty dresses and dolls but most of all she LOVES her mommy, daddy, brother Cole, and sisters Bella and Whitney. She celebrated her 4th birthday this month. How quickly time goes by.

We are SO glad she is one of our 8 grand daughters! LOVE you Madds!

~JOEY'S PARELLEL UNIVERSE~

We all have them, little chinks in our armor that we would prefer no one know about. We spend most of our lives trying unsuccessfully to cover them up usually to no avail. We make excuses for them and sometimes blame others for what they often get us in trouble for but, inevitably we have to face the truth, that being; they are OUR flaws and the only one that can fix them or learn to live with them is each one of us individually. I've learned to call this "dancing with demons"

I tend to have my share of these little critters that insist on infiltrating my already busy life. They seem to be very insistent on making an appearance on practically a daily basis. For me, I have found that it is so much easier to entertain them in short burst, bless you Classic Rock, Hip Hop, Alternative Rock and a "tiny bit of country"...You see, we were born with flaws, we will die with them however, learning to "dance with our demons" makes me and everyone around me so much happier and I like to think it sends the dorks into to sort of a sulk...Better them than me!

Let me just add: NEVER, EVER listen to piano music or try to entertain these little flawed ones with mellow stuff, you just may stay in your "funk" for DAYS!!! If you are like me this can be difficult, I happen to LOVE David Lanz, Jim Brickman, Kevin Kern, Kenny G, and all things soft and beautiful but, believe me you don't want to be dancing the waltz with these things!

Yes, yes I do believe that I have an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other...That angel has save my butt more than once!

~ALIANAH~

This is Ali. She is our "first" grand daughter and just turned 8 years old. Like me she loves all things that sparkle and are just a little bit "girly" much to her mothers dismay.

Ali loves her dolls and her makeup...(little girl makeup of course). She keeps us all laughing. I gave her a bath set for her birthday that had some powder in it...she came out of the bathroom with it all over her face! She looked like a ghost but, she thought it was supposed to go on her face so that is where it
went!

Being the oldest of all the girl cousins, she is always making sure that everyone is taken care of. She is the little "mother" to everyone. I am sure that she wishes at times that there were some cousins closer to her age but she never complains.

Ali is not afraid to try anything. She is the first to climb a wall, ride on a bull that is there only to buck you off, or slide down a 50 foot slide. Not to many things rock her world. Just as it should be if you ask me. Come see me soon Ali!

I Love you.

TRICK OR TREAT!

Halloween was pretty quiet at our house...until...the little ones showed up! All on sugar highs they were ready to go! These pictures were taken after we had
been around the neighborhood filling their bags yet again! (Grandpa had filled them before they had even left to go trick or treating)! I haven't dared even ask moms and dads how the kids slept Halloween night.

Emma missed out on the pictures because she
got too tired and had to go home during the
walk around the neighborhood. She was our
little Lady Bug. I wish I would have gotten a picture of her before she left. She was adorable!

The little ones had a great time and their parents I am sure did to. hehe.

Madison and Whitney were in Arizona with their mommy visiting Lor's sister Ashley. We missed them. Rozzy was sick with the Flu so she missed Halloween all together poor thing. She is feeling much better now. There is always next year... We sent Gage and Ali their Halloween treats in the mail and made SURE that they would get there on Halloween...Stephanie didn't get the mail on Monday...SO, they got a Halloween surprise on Tuesday!!! Another candy high. Sorry Stephanie :)