? pErFeCtLy gRaTeFuL ?

So my wonderful friend Amanda got me initially hooked on this blogging stuff.  And by default I now 'stalk blog' . . . what is that you ask? Well from friends I know who blog, I check out who they follow.  This has led me on an interesting journey.  I discovered that people of all walks of life have the same problems i do. . . who would've thought? !?!  And it has led me to many of my new friends, I get to see how much their lives are like and unlike mine.  So many LOVE being mothers.  I wonder did or do I?  I'd like to think so.  It seems my 'younger' years were taken up just muddling through.  Was I excited to spend time with them?  Watch them play?  Cook for them?  Sadly I didn't journal then and no there wasn't 'blogging' then.  Ans no dinosaurs did not roam the earth then either. ;)  I wish I had some of those times down somewhere . . . better late than never! 
I also spent this morning between a gajillion calls at work perusing a blog by Stephanie.  She blogged and then was in a plaine crash and now has rezumed her blogging.  What a woman!! Her strength and honesty. . . I love it.  Again I wonder would I have the courage she does?   The will to move forward or would I sink into one place and disappear?  I pray to God I never have to know. 
Well my Navy boy has about 71 more days to go!!! Woot Woot!  It is coming so fast and I wish it faster.  For him and I eventhough he will move on to Arizona for school.  That is the plan.  But a few months before he will be ours once again.  My Missionary is great and a District Leader in the MTC now.  Still worried about the language.  But he has faith and God on his side.  What a wonderful time for him and those he is blessed to serve!   Melissa, hmm is Melissa ~ she continues to volunteer two hours a day if I don't work day hours, at teh day care.  Listens to music and is obsessed by Facebook and those she can chat to.  It has opened her life a bit.  Whitney is a 17 year old adult.  I love her to pieces and count my friend as well as daughter.  We can talk and look at guys . . .shhhhh. .  . and hang out doing nothing.  Those are great times for me!  Even when I am tired I love having her there watching tv.  She hates school, wants to be done with it and the stupid people.  Honey the world is filled with stupid people. . . sadly. And at times we all could be classified as stupid even if we don't admit it.   My husband is an angel walking the Earth.  god broke tha mold with him.  He cares for us all, is tender yet tough and carries the priesthood proudly.  He has worked the same type of job for over 30 years ! ! ! OMG not many can say that and he deals with me, we all know this is a fulltime job.  And I love him more today than I did 25 years ago. Imagine that! 
So am i grateful YES YES YES!!! Do I show it? Probably need more practice . . . which one day will make it PERFECT~

Christmas Lights!!!

YAY for Christmas Lights!!  Dana [not necessarily willingly] and I put up the outside lights!  James has done them the last few years as we both were Grinches, but once we both got out there Dana thawed and it looks great!  As usual I didn't get pictures of them going up as the camera seems to stay safe in its case more often than not. But I will add them, when it is dark, and I can get a good shot.  I am really looking forward to a white Christmas.  Palm trees just don't say Christmas, even if that is how it was when our Savior was born.  Remember we are all wise men/women that should be seeking him always!!!

HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg!!!

It is early Friday mornig . . I imagine the smart people are snuggled warm in their beds.  The really really crazy ones are anxiously awaiting the ding of the alarm waking them for the day of 'combat shopping'.  Now really is there anything worth getting up at 3 in the morning, freeze your patoot off and brave the 'crowds' for?? I vote no!! Even a Hell No!.!.  Now I realize there are some die hards that would argue, but I will alow them their opinion . . . such as it is.  ;p 

Thursday was a wonderful day!  The thyme and lemon turkey was perfect as was the pies and all accompanying good food!  Our guests consisted of Granda and Grandpa Poeker, my 'oldest' sister Kaisa and her hubby Richard, Whitney, Melissa, Dana and I.  It was a very calm visit.  My sister and I haven't had Thanksgiving together in many years so that was a treat in it's self.  We both had cameras ready ~ but neither of us 'thought' to get them out DUH!!!  She pulled it out and got about 3 shots of her and I and mom.  I didn't even get one of the table with the amazingly BUSY table cloth I purchased on sale even!  But the cute cute place cards were a hit.  I did them on my cricket, which I need to utilize more as it cost a bundle, but is sooooo fun.  We did a quick 9x13 name engraving for Kaisa even.  Again no picture.  I need to get in the habit as this will be the place it all gets 'remembered'.  Thank Heaven for Facebook and Blogs . . . crazy what we lean on these days.

I could now start to list what I and Thankful for ~ but won't as the list is long.  There is just so much!!  On the low side I truly missed my boys today.  They are safe and were cared for, but not by me.... I guess now we gear up for Christmas!! My absolutely FaVoRiTe HoLiDaY!

I have added pictures of the things I could***

A thankful heart

It is the day before Thanksgiving, and with all the changes in my life this year I have much to be thankful for. 
 A loving husband, strong children both in spirit and physical strength. 
I am so grateful for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 
I feel my Saviors love all around me and in every part of my life, He truly knows who I am, my name and my needs.  He hears my pleas. . .  

I have a great home with people inside who I love and love me. It keeps us warm and protected from the outside world in many ways. 

I am grateful for my crazy family tree and ALL the extended people it includes, those people are the ones who have made me who I am today.  I have much to accomplish yet, but have accomplished much beacause of them. 
I am grateful for prayer, the scriptures that were written so so many years ago; yet still have true meaning in todays world.  The caos that surrounds us makes sense through study and prayer. 

As this holiday season gets rolling I want to share my love to all I meet, and hope that I can convey in some small way, that to you.  I hope we all can remember the great and small things that are ours and to bless others as we have been blessed.

Mishmash of thought . . . .

So again I am at work, this seems to be the time to put things on the blog.  Maybe it's the quiet hum of the air vents that gets my brain to rolling. . . regardless here is the latest.   James has been gone two weeks now.  I have adjusted pretty well.  My nephew moved into the room 3 days after he left, but with work and a girlfriend we rarely see him.  Go figure.  Ah to be young ~ NOT! hahaha  His Chrishel is a sweetheart and he is lucky to have found her.  All of the letters and emails from James indicate he is loving the mission so far.  He is enjoying the spirit he feels and absolutly LOVES the Provo temple.  I am glad, I never really cared for the looks of it.  i don't know why, it is just like the Odgen and I never cared for it either.  I prefer the 'old' style I guess.   Of course they are all beautiful inside.  And unique in their own right.  Anyway, I am not to worried about him.  He will do great!  Now when he leaves the country? 

That is another hurdle I think . . .  He sent some great pictures and I of course don't have them with me so I will add them later.
Melissa is doing well with his absence.  I was concerned since the girls haven't really gotten along EVER!  But they both seem to have stepped up to the plate and actually talk more and nicely! Bonus!!  She has taken residence up downstairs on the big TV instead of in her room.  She likes the big screen she said.  And she still takes her walks and has her constant ipod comapnion.  Thank heaven for that!  When it was cd's she literally hammered the crud out of them. 
Whitney is doing well.  I have accepted the fact that she is like Matthew.  Very selective of her friends and doesn't want any drama.  She watches so much on TV I worried a lot about that.  However she just told me that it shows her how nice her life is and how screwed up some people can get.  Pretty mature for her age.   "If they would just talk" she says... so maybe her father and I have taught the children something ? !  I'm going with that thought!  Her and I still get along so great!  I love to hang with her.  She's fun to talk to and tease, but I callit 'character buliding' and body does she have character! ;p  We are going to the New Moon movie in the morning.  It will be great and hopefully I will be awake and be able to enjoy it.  She is so inlove with Jacob.  He is great eye candy that's for sure. 
Dana has ben in Irvine, CA this last week for school.  He has done well, it is frustrating he said because he doesn't retain like he used to and blames it on age.  He has been missed.  But I love having the KING bed all to myself!! Well and two tiny dogs who sleep like two year olds, who knew thay coud take up so much room?  We have talked daily, and it reminds me how much I love his voice, his chuckle and wisdom.  I haven't missed FOX though.  I guess I need to suck it up as He comes  home tomorrow. 
I have been working quit a bit, which is nice for the paycheck!  I don't mind really either.  I have worked several day shift and that sure teaches you more than at night when you might hit 7 calls.  I feel a bit more confident.  I have felt so great the last few days. I don't know if it's the new medicine I have or what, but it is nice!  I actually feel like doing things.  I have been tatting wreaths and angels for our Christmas cards and started to cut out the cards today.  I need more paper before I can finish though.

 I got some excellent news from Matthew this week.  His terminal leave was approved and will be done with the NAVY on February 18, 2010!!!! Then he will be home!  I can't wait it makes me feel like a kid at Christmastime.  I know he wants to go to school in AZ.  But to have him back closer is wonderful!!  He will mis James' departure by only days, he wasn't happy about that, but what do you do?    I am addicted to  Dr. Pepper again and a silly game on Facebook, which by the way I LOVE!! The game is Bejewled - it is crazy I can play for literally hours!!  Whitney calls it my mistress . . . I am sure that isn't good but I choose to ignore it. :)  Whew this is long.  I better get on more often I guess no one wants to read all this! Maybe that will be a better goal than beating 200,000 on the game ? ?  We'll see how that works.  .  . 

Mission

This morning as I sit here at work I am reflecting on this past weeks events.  The biggest being I sent my third born on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  What a wonderful yet bittersweet day that was.  He has worked so hard just to go.  Since April 2009 he has lost 70 pounds!  He was over the limit for his height by 50; yet he went the extra 20.  There were so many times that he could've just decided not to go.  Some leaders weren't that supportive to him, working out is difficult, watching everything you eat and the list goes on.  But as I watched him and we prepared his stuff to go a wonderful thing happened to our family.  His actions of rising to the occasion boosted us to rise to the occasion.  Not that we're hethens per se', just meeting the bar as he did.  We have gained an understanding of how important God is in our lives and how much he knows about us, our needs and desires.  He knows our names.  As mind boggling as that is, we found this to be true.  On the night of him being set apart he was blessed with so many wonderful things, strengths that will get him through the tough times.  We were all comforted that night, as our hearts and minds were filled with love for our maker.  And of course for my son!!  He will be laboring in the Cordoba, Argentina mission.  At first I was very worried about him going to a third world country. As any mother would be I think; yet those are the people he will love and teach.  I know this.  As I watched him over the past four months to prepare ~ he is ready to serve them, learn the language and teach how much our Heavenly Father loves them.  
So as I contemplate this past week I am happy, comforted and content. 

Now that my focus is nolonger on moving, mission preparations or finding a job, I am at a loss as to where to focus my energy.  Don't get me wrong there is plenty of projects and things to be done, but don't you find the 'mood has to strike'? ?  So where the mood will take me is unknown right now, but I am sure it won't take long for something to grab me!