Cousins

When you are asked what is most important to you- most would say family. I know I would. The family I am thinking of isn't just the immediate family but the extended family also. This past weekend I had the opportunity to go to my cousin Mike's daughter's wedding in Santa Cruz. I don't get to see my cousins very often...We are all really different from each other but we all have the same bond of being part of the Maxwell family. My mother's maiden name is Maxwell. My cousin Mike's Mom was my mom's older sister. The Maxwells lived in a teeny tiny town in Lucien, Oklahoma. Every year my family made a trip back to Oklahoma to spend a month with the grandparents and all the aunts, uncles and cousins. Everyone came from other parts of Oklahoma, Kansas. We came the farthest from California. I have 21 first cousins. By LDS standards that isn't a big deal. But having not grown up in the LDS church I always thought I was pretty special to have so many cousins.

Lucien was a little farming town in rural Oklahoma. It had one gas station, one local market, one post office and one church. Miles and Evelyn Maxwell had a big white 2 story house across the red dirt road from the one room school house.. Going there was such an adventure. The house had 2 stair cases in it. One was like a secret passage. It had a great front porch with a creaky screen door that I can still remember the sound of. We bathed on the back porch in a small tin tub with hot water that was heated on the stove. And to go to the bathroom we had to walk out the back door down the steps, go through a small gate, walk past the vegetable garden to the outhouse. Sometimes Pat , the bull, was grazing in the back and I was terrified to go out there. It was always a challenge to wake up one of my sisters or cousins to go with me out there at night so that they could hold the flashlight! For fun we would climb out on the roof of the house and climb into the pine tree by the roof, or hike to the railroad trellis and climb down to the creek below, or play on the playground at the school house across the road. I also remember walking to the market to see Mabel, the owner. We would buy strawberry soda pop from a really weird pop bottle machine. Of all my memories of being in Lucien - probably the best is being with the rest of the the kids and watching my grandmother pulling the homemade taffy with her buttery hands. She would work really fast so as not to burn her hands. She also made the best popcorn balls and for fun would put food coloring in the sugar!

So over the years we have grown up and now we all live all over the world. Many of us are grandparents ourselves. But there is something great about being with family. My cousin, Monita and I had a great talk on the way back from Santa Cruz. She made a comment that our family is full of grace- meaning unconditional love- for each other in spite of our flaws. That's why when I get a chance to see my cousins I will always make the effort.

Thought I would share a few pictures of the wedding--


All of the cousins that we there.


The happy couple, Lyda and Jason.


My cousin, Mike, with his daughter.


My cousin, Monita, and her son, Martin after a long day!

Pain Pain, Go Away!!!

Have you ever had a pinched nerve????? Somehow- 2 months ago I did something that has caused pain ever since. It starts right where my neck and right shoulder meet- and goes all the way down my right arm. To the point that I now can hardly use my right arm. So I thought I would let everyone know just so you understand why this will be a short post. I laid low this weekend trying to rest the arm. And have you ever tried using the mouse on the computer with your other hand? I feel like such a dork!!! I have started physical therapy and been to the Dr. but my doctor (she wasn't my usual Dr.) didn't seem to have a clue. Then I talked to my friend, Diana, that is a psychologist that deals with pain management. She totally heard what I was saying and told me to get a certain pain prescription and see to a Physiatrist. I never even knew there was such a Dr.- but a physiatrist is a spine doctor. She also said do not go to a chiropractor. So I am doing the hot-cold treatment, wearing the forearm brace and living on Ibuprofen. So tomorrow I am calling the Dr. again. We'll see. I have dealt with chronic pain before but this is getting ridiculous!!!!!
Thanks for letting me whine!!!! I will keep you posted! =)

I Love My Weekends!

I had another full fun-packed weekend...... It started early Friday afternoon- my work group left the office early to celebrate my boss's 35 years of service to the company-dinner was on AT&T! I love the people I work with and I really do appreciate Debbi, my boss. It was a lot of fun-we ate at a local Mexican restaurant that I had never been to before so I was excited to find another place to eat Mexican! I have to say Debbi is the best manager I have had in many many years..... I have many issues with my job but she definitely isn't one of them!


Happy 35 years with AT&T, Debbi!!!!


Debbi looking at her card and gifts.


Some of my friends from work- Deanna, Anna, Theresa, and Roni

Saturday morning started early. Roni and I went down to the Capital Building for a local fundraising walk, "Albie Aware". Albie Carson was the mom of a friend. She passed away in 2002 of breast cancer. There is a great foundation in her honor that pays for Pet Scans for women that can't afford them. It has grown over the past 5 years. This was my 4th time to walk. It's a 5K Walk so very doable! So I get exercise, support a great cause and have a great time!


Roni and I with Local News Anchor, Jennifer Smith


The State Capital building

After the walk I went home to clean up and headed over to Brooke and Evan's. We went shopping and then Brooke and Evan went out for a quick dinner. I love just playing with McKenzie. She is always chatting up a storm and keeps me entertained! And of course Brynn is a joy to be with! Brynn has the sweetest disposition and she is so smiley now. Sunday morning McKenzie and I made pancakes for everyone.


Look at that smile!!!!


McKenzie playing at bedtime with her mom!


Almost ready for church!

On my way home I made a stop at Monica and Anthony's. Monica is a life long friend of Cami's. Cami was her Maid of Honor. Last Thursday she had a beautiful baby boy, Anthony Russell. I had to see him!!!! He is so precious! Moni is doing great too. It was fun to see her as a new mom.


Monica and baby Anthony


4 days old!

I'm back to work and summer is on it's out way the door.

Happy Birthday Chrissie and Bill!!!

How do I even begin to describe what Chrissie and Bill mean to me??? They have been with me through thick and thin, good and bad, happy and sad, ups and downs.... They have been married for 36 years and I have been friends with them for 24 of those 36 years. Their birthdays are one day apart from each other so every year its fun to celebrate them both at the same time. Since their birthdays are one day apart it makes them both Virgos. However, they are very different from each other in most ways! It's easy to see how different they are from each other! They say opposites attract - well in their case- it's true!!! Bill is tall, Chrissie is short, Bill is quiet, Chrissie is ---well, ummmmm, not so quiet, Bill likes to sit and read or watch TV, Chris can't sit still for 5 minutes, the list goes on. But then again- they are alike in a lot of ways too-- they both have strong family values, big hearts, and a crazy sense of humor!!!!

While all of our kids were growing up we spent every Christmas and almost every Thanksgiving with them. They know how to put on a holiday!! I can honestly say their kids are my kids and my kids are theirs. I am so fortunate to have such endearing friends. I have a lot of friends that I care so much about. I have a few that I would trust my life to and they are on that list. Thanks for always being there for me and my children. I love you both!


At their birthday dinner 4 years ago!


Chrissie and Bill with grandson, MJ.

Happy Birthday Ian!!!!

This is a few days late.... I have lots of excuses- mainly due to not being able to scan pictures I wanted to put on the blog...So I figured I had better just post a tribute to my wonderful son and get on with it! Hard to believe it was 31 years ago he was the only baby in the nursery in Coronado Hospital. Just so true to his personality- he was born on his due date! He was such a fun little baby- he would go to anyone -not ever knowing what a stranger was! His outgoing personality has taken him far!

When he was a child and I would ask him about his day he would actually tell me about it! We had a routine when the kids went to bed I would go in and talk to them. I loved that he shared his day with me. He worried about school assignments to the point he couldn't go to sleep! He has always been interested in the world. I remember when he was 6 years old he wanted to know why I voted for Pres. Reagan!

He played sports and settled on soccer as what he would devote his time to. I loved watching him play. When he moved to live with his dad he had soccer that made it easy for him to make friends.

Ian has always been wise beyond his years. Not just academically but in the way he sees the rest of the world. His dad left when Ian was 9 years old. He became the man of the house. When I was working full time and going to school full time he was there for me to be with the girls in the evenings. I depended on him more than I should have. But he never complained.

From 97-99 he served a mission in Santiago, Chile. I missed him terribly. Back then they wouldn't let the missionaries do email so I waited for his letters. He was great at writing and I got my 4 phone calls over the 2 years. I couldn't have been more proud but those 2 years were the longest 2 years in my life! But I wouldn't have had it any other way either.

Now he has a beautiful wife and 2 darling little girls. He is practicing law in Dallas . He has the best work ethic of anyone I know. I cherish his calls on his way home from work- the only time I can talk to him without other distractions or interruptions! I hate that he lives so far away but he still keeps me involved in their lives. He is devoted to his family. Do I sound biased here??? Of course! But I am so grateful that he is my son. Happy Birthday Ian- Love you tons!!


The day Ian was sworn in as an attorney


Taking the girls to the park.


His beautiful family!

Stand Up To Cancer

I got home late from work tonight to find that Stand Up To Cancer was on TV. It is amazing how the blogging world reaches out to people.... so I am doing my small little part. As a cancer survivor I am here to tell you it's a good cause!!! It was 12 years and 8 months ago that I had surgery for breast cancer. WOW- almost 13 years ago...really????? (I was really young then!!) I remember thinking "please God, let me live long enough to see my children graduate from high school.." Cami was only 12 years old then. Now I am greedy- "please God, let me live long enough to see my grandchildren get married!!!!"

I have said it before and I will say it again- None of us have enough money individually to solve this. But together our little amounts can add up to A LOT! I am so grateful for the technology and knowledge that saved my life. It has come even farther in the past 13 years... but not far enough. I think about the past 13 years and what I would have missed out on had I not made it through- and I cry. I am one of the lucky ones! My friend Ellen just had Breast Cancer surgery last week. So far she is doing great. My friend, Matt, lost his mom to breast cancer. She wasn't so lucky. I could go on and I am sure you could too. We all know people that have been touched by some kind of cancer. So go to this link and give $5 or $10 or more. PLEASE --- make a difference!!!!!

Can I have 3 more days off????

I hate it that my job interferes with my personal life!!! I have probably said that before but it's because I feel that way a lot! I had a fantastic 3 days and wish I had 3 more! Friday night I had fun meeting friends for dinner to celebrate Gail's birthday! Just a lot of girl talk and great food. We are all so busy and don't get to see each other much. Gail still has 4, soon to be 3, at home. She is so busy with the kids. It was fun to get out and visit with her. Happy Birthday Gail!!!!!


Noel, Gail, Marcia, Kim, Robin, and Allison

Saturday was another full and busy day. Roni , Theresa and I had planned for a couple of weeks to make jam together. Theresa has all the equipment and she knew what she was doing. Roni and I were the novices.... So we headed off to the Farmers Market to get the strawberries, and few other goodies!


Theresa excited about lemon cukes!


Roni checking out the potatoes...



When we got back to Theresa's we started the process of washing the strawberries and taking the stems off.



I was the strawberry masher!


Here I am cooking the strawberries, sugar, and pectin.


Roni and I got a good system down filling the jars.


Here Roni and Theresa are putting the filled jars into the cooker.


Boil 12 jars at a time for 10 minutes.


Four hours later!


Enjoying the fruits of our labor!!! Yummmmmmmm!

Later that afternoon I went to the Bay Area to meet Brianna and Courtney's new little girl, Ivy Rose. She is beautiful!!! Bri is doing great too.

Chris is staying with them for a few days. Congrats Grandma!!!!


Isn't she sweet????

I ended Saturday night by going out to dinner with Kathy and Dan then I stayed at their house for the night.


Dan and Kathy at Meiko's in Pleasanton!

I came home Sunday in time to go to church. The rest of the day was a quiet one for me. Then today, my THIRD day off, Marcia and I went to see The Traveling Pants of the Sisterhood 2. I really liked it!! Afterwards we had a late lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. That is the way a holiday should be spent! movie and a lunch! All in all- even though I didn't get to see Brooke's family I had a fun weekend....