Baby List...

I LOVE BABIES. I love hearing when someone is expecting. I love my little baby list. It is right by my phone at work. It reminds me to think of these special women in my life and send little prayers heavenward as they get closer to their "due date". The wonderful thing about working at BYU is that there is always someone to add to my baby list. I feel so blessed to have so many students that pass through our division working through school. I must admit it is hard when they leave and think they can get on with their lives after graduation. I miss them - it is truly selfish, I know. But through snail mail, email, blogging and facebook, I've been able to keep in touch. It is wonderful to watch little families grow! I'm even blessed to have some of these special little families allow me to be "grandma or auntie Cindy" - that is the BEST part. So thanks to all of you for your love and friendship. Thanks to those of you that let me share in your lives. I love my baby list!

Memory Lane

I had a little 'bout of infections this past week or so. It was somewhat frustrating - no it was real frustrating but I decided the best thing would be to go with the flow and try to relax. So, I sorted through stuff some more. Many things were finally tossed, but treasures of letters from my parents were reread. One thing that has become clear to me was that as I read letters from my father when he was closer to my present age...that little message about the seasons of our lives is so true. So this week, even though my father passed away in March, I felt him close, felt his love and felt him a part of the process of being reminded to be gentle with myself. I am so human and though my spirit wants to soar and do things in a far better way. I fall short. I am a spirit having a human experience. Sometimes things in this life "suck" a bit, but the good can still out weigh the bad. And when I have a moment when I feel overwhelmed, I am so very grateful for heavenly and earthly angels that I feel close by to help me take courage, count my blessings and move onward. I find when i don't feel well, it is far easier for me to fall into a "pity party". This week I realized that we all have those moments and what a blessing it is to have people in our lives to help us "fill our cup" again - do whatever it takes to replenish our souls. I'm grateful for doctor's offices that really will "work you in" and antibiotics that, though they cause havoc with our bodies, they really do kill the bad stuff. I'm grateful for a son that can give priesthood blessings and that feeling of waking up in the morning and realizing that nothing hurts. Ah, blessed health!

And contrary to the rumors Vanessa is trying to circulate, I have not been abducted by aliens and had infections injected into my body. It just seemed that way for a while!

SHE DID IT!!! Way to go Vanessa...

Friday, August 14, 2009 was a wonderful day. We attended Vanessa's Convocation for receiving her Master's. I'm so happy for her and her accomplishment of reaching this goal in her life.

Well, Julie has new friends at her work. She has been fussing about the names, however, apparently none of the suggestions she solicited from us were good options. We shall leave the naming to her. Meanwhile we're all shaking our heads in wonderment. I mean seriously - FROGS???