Good News

Evan was able to remove the sliver this morning! Thank you for all of your positive thoughts on his behalf!

An obituary finally emerged:

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Edward N. Trujillo, 83, passed away April 24, 2009 in Blythe. He was born April 28, 1925 in Alamosa, Colorado.

Edward is survived by his wife, Esther; his children; many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service for Edward was held April 28 at Frye Chapel.

It is officially Spring

1. Evan networked in the green office.
2. Evan picked up dog poop.
3. Evan mowed the lawn.
4. Evan raked leaves.
5. Evan hauled a truck load of donations to the DI.
6. Evan grilled hamburgers.
7. Evan got a sliver.
8. Evan checked the NBA playoff scores.

What I have learned today.

1 Blythe California does not appear to have a daily newspaper. I have checked over and over for a possible obituary for Uncle Eddie so that I could post it here.
Side note: Connie was not feeling up to a long trip in the car, so she and Evan stayed in SLC. I was able to chat with Aunt Ester for a few minutes on Sunday and she sounded well and upbeat. I was glad that I was able to express my love to her.

How I felt today. (With a Self Portrait)

Every once a while I find my mind; which should tell you, most of the time it's lost.

As I was sitting waiting for church to start and dealing with the text messages from members of my Presidency, explaining their upcoming absence for the day, I also came to realize an overlap of events in my calendar.

First thing I realized this morning was Stake Conference was not on its usual "last week of April", it is next week. Therefore, I do not have another week to get invitations out for the Primary Activity. My First Counselor is out of town and also believes she has another week to get them out. So, I knocked out a quick invite and printed up 150+ before church and made arrangement to get them all handed out. Then, I took on Primary all alone, (And successfully I might add.) gaining deeper appreciation for those who serve with me.

Next realization, the above mentioned activity is to be held on the same day I intended to run the 1 mile FUN run. So, rather than running a mile in Provo, I will be running over a mile in a church. That's OK, I think I will have more fun in the long run.

In Loving Memory ** UPDATED

About 10:30 last night, Cipriano called our home and gave us the news that Uncle Edddie passed away a few moments prior to the call. He had suffered from a brain aneurysm. Sip was on his was to California to be with his father and mother but by the time he got to Nephi he received another call about his passing. Sip then turned back to SLC to collect more family members before heading back to California. No details yet on the services.
He is loved by MANY and will be missed. Our prayers are with Esther and the remaining family members.

**UPDATE Services will be Tuesday in Blythe California. Evan is planning on driving Connie there in a VERY quick 2 day trip.

Saturday's Project

The easiest part of dipping strawberries: Eating them within 24 hours. Really!! It's in the directions.

Tie Dye and Pizza Pie

One week from tomorrow is Taylor's first date; the JHS Spring Fling. The theme is a black and white / neonish something or other.(How is that for vague.)

Since Kylee and I have mastered the art of spray paint tie dye shirts; Taylor and a few others in her "group" kicked of the event with a "Tie Dye and Pizza Pie" party. A few bright colors and white tee's. And the rest speaks for itself.

Reflecting/Resolving

Since publicly posting my spring resolutions I have since reminded myself of a family goal that was set not too long ago. We were all going to run a 5K together this spring. That goal fell apart almost immediately after being set. I have given a half-hearted effort to condition myself for the event but not seriously enough to be able to finish within 4 hours. BUT there is a glimmer of hope...

On May 9th there is a 5K and a 1 mile fun run. Did you see that. A 1 mile run, and from the sounds of it... it is fun. So I am, along with Kylee and a handful of her friends, running (most of) a mile on May 9th. I know I need to start somewhere. I might as well start somewhere now!

Gavin

It's official

Taylor received the answer she was hoping for:

Spring Resolutions

January 1st is a difficult time for me to make resolutions. I have just spent three months eating holiday feasts and all I want to do is hibernate for the rest of the winter.

Spring has finally arrived and I am now thinking about the "improvements" I need to make. Of course, the fitting of the swim suit always seems to top the list, and today I forced myself out of bed at 4:45am to head to the gym. This week, I resolve to go at least twice more (and continue with a pattern next week and so forth and to push myself a little harder each time).

Somewhere in my list is expanding my garden and yard. My raspberries have struggled in years past and I gave up on strawberries some time ago. Since the family is a fan of fresh salsa...I'm thinking of adding tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. As for the rest of the yard - I'm not even sure where to start. I resolve to add more (or should I say "some") color.

Always on my list: more frequent temple attendance, increased scripture study, less scripted/more sincere prayers. You know: the LDS spiritual improvement basics. I resolve to grow closer to my Savior.

Also always on my list: improved relationships with my family. I sound like a broken record but I know I need to be a better wife and mother. Unfortunately for my loved ones, this is something I learn as I go along and, there will ALWAYS be room for improvement. I resolve to be a little better each day.

Running for President

Today I decided I want to be president of the Lana Marsh Wilkinson fan club.

Who? I'll explain...

Lana is a childhood friend turned "Might Awesome Voice/Piano Teacher". A talented singer and pianist herself, and the first voice teacher to get Taylor up on stage for her first solo.

Today was the "Red Carnation" Concert at the Cottonwood Creek Retirement Community. A lineup of 14 students with a Disney/Broadway theme. Taylor sang "God Help the Outcasts" from the Hunchback of Notre Dame... and she hit it out of the ball park in spite of extreme jitters. Afterward the performers passed out Red Carnations to the residents, hence the fitting name.

A very proud day for 15 local mothers - Myrna Marsh included!

Funny Friday

Just like clockwork...

Every day at 5PM (give or take 10 minutes), Chester is dancing around the house and begging for his dinner. If there is ever a universal power outage there is nothing to fear... we can set our clocks to this.

If we are not home at the given moment, he will take it upon himself to get his bowl out of his designated dining spot and bring it out to the family room where we are sure to see it the moment we walk through the door.

Birthday Roses

Ever since the girls were little, Evan has had a tradition of giving the girls one rose for every year on their birthday. This year Kylee received 19 and today Taylor received her 16. This tradition is the single most important gift they receive... they look forward to this more than anything else!!

None Were With Him

Sunday Nap

How would it be.... If I nap... I don't sleep at night.

Silk Dyed Easter Eggs

Spring Fling

My baby is getting ready to date. She will be 16 just in time for the Spring Fling at the high school! It is girls choice - so this is what we came up with last night with a little help of her friends and a clever little idea book...


As luck would have it... we stumbled upon fish themed easter eggs, already filled with candy. Taylor put her name in one of the eggs and we placed them in a fish bowl. Delivered via doorbell ditch of course.

A singer is born... *revised

The results are in for the Chamber Choir and Taylor made it!!! She will be an alto. I am so proud of her. It is not easy for her to sing alone - so the audition was a little unnerving. But she did it and it paid off!!

*She will yet again be placing herself outside her comfort zone. On April 18th @ 3:30 she will be singing a SOLO with other voice students at a nursing home in the Murray/Holliday area. I will email you the address if you are interested in attending.

Why I was blessed with daughters.

In my prayers, I always thank my Heavenly Father for my daughters. Today I found myself thanking Him for their incredible strength and faith in the gospel.

This weekend, it was my daughters that insisted we get tickets to attend a live session of Conference. Something I never did as a youth. They both attend the temple as often as they can. Something else I did not do as youth, (and shamefully, sometimes as an adult). They attend Institute and Seminary and LOVE it. I just went though the motions.

I know without a doubt that the strength of my children, which far surpasses mine, is the reason they are here at this time of the last dispensation. With so many worldly influences that bombard them on a daily basis, each day they shrug it all off and remain faithful and obedient. I wonder if I had the same influences if I could say the same about myself.

But here I am, the mother of these valiant daughters. I wonder what I have done to deserve such an awesome blessing. Then I think that perhaps it is so because I need their examples in my life. It is because of this, that I want to be a better example to them. I need to be a better wife and mother. I need to be a dependable Visiting Teacher. I need to take better care of my home. I need to study the scriptures and pray more diligently. The list goes on.

I think I was blessed with these daughters so that I can become a better person.

Conference was awesome!

Elder Holland today was by far my favorite! We were fortunate enough to get tickets to the afternoon session. On our way into the Conference Center we stopped to watch a group of Elder's "serenade" some protesters.

Another day of Conference, Another traditional breakfast.

Christmas Breakfast Casserole and Mini Blueberry Muffins. (Traditionally I bake pull aparts - but got home so late from a Rockin' party, I didn't have the desire to stay up to get them put together!)

I love successful parties...

Since Taylor's birthday is over Easter weekend, we had her Sweet 16 party a week early. We rented a game room fully equipped with a Big Screen TV, Audio Hookups, 2 Pool Tables (one converted to Ping Pong), Table Shuffle Board, an iMac, a Video Game System and a Wet Bar... and this is the results:
(click on the photo to enlarge!)

What we are doing tonight!

Saturday Conference Breakfast

We love our food and we love our food traditions. This is one of our favorites that was introduced to us by our dear friends the Francis'. Alternate versions include peaches or mixed berries, but strawberries are our favorite. Evan always opts for the boring, and less colorful, butter and syrup.

Wanna giggle?

(From The Tonight Show)

Ode to Chocolate

When a pound and a half of chocolate is good:




When a pound and a half chocolate is NOT good:


Perhaps a better title for this post is: When a Vet induces vomiting, it is not cost effective. (**The Vet told me that it was the biggest mass of chocolate that he has ever seen.)

Auditions

Taylor had her audition today for next years Chamber Choir. She feels "ok" about it. The choir teacher told her the same thing her voice teacher tells her: "Trust yourself".

Results not due until next week sometime.