Girls Night Out

Ok..I have the funnest friends. Yesterday we all packed up and headed out to Wendover for the Jodee Messina concert. It was so fun because our rooms were adjoining so we could just all hang out together while getting ready. I am so blessed to have such good friends. And what's neat is most of them have been my best friends for over 20 years. We had a blast listening and dancing to Jodee at the concert. No one has as much fun as we do. We usually are the ones to start out dancing so then everyone else finally gets up and starts to join in.

Here's my sweet friend Lora. Look at how tiny and petite she is. I've always felt like sasquatch standing next to her. Lora trained me at the ER 20 yrs. ago and we've been friends since then. She has such unconditional love for me and has helped me through many trials with her good advice. She has a beautiful singing voice and we've been known to karaokee years ago. hahaa..Thanks Lora for your friendship. I love you!!

We're all ready to hit the town and head to the Jodee Messina concert. Deb, Lora, Me and Becky. There's never a dull moment when we're all together. We laugh so hard and talk about everything from religion to you name it.

Teresa, Me, Deb and Tina. We just met Tina on this trip. She's a friend of Debbies but she'll be a regular now. What a hoot she is. I love these girls!!
I"m so blessed to have Teresa now. I love that we have so much in common and have so much to talk about. She's so beautiful. Love you Teresa!!

Here's Becky getting all ready. Bec has been my friend since..can you believe it..Jr. High. We went to Orem Jr. High together and high school. We've been workout partners for years. She's lots of fun to hang out with and I love her dearly.

My dear friend Lora. What a sweetheart. She doesn't know it but when I die she's going to be a speaker or a singer at my funeral. She knows too much. haha..we also have alias's when we go out. She's Betty and I'm Wilma.(inside joke)

Deb and Teresa getting ready for the night out on the town. Deb looks just a little too serious. But just joking around for the picture. haha..Deb has been a best friend for 23 years. Teresa has joined us this spring and what a fun friend she is. I love goofing off with them even at our age.

I want all of them to know how much I treasure their friendship. I want to be there whenever they need a listening ear or a hug. I want to continue having "girls night out" and laughing and giggling like we're 16. Love you all!! Can't wait til the next time we go.

That Hurts Charlie Video

One of the doctors showed me this adorable video today at work. It's a must see!!! And you'll want to watch it more than once.

A Tribute to My Youngest Son Troy

This blog is dedicated to my son Troy. He's the youngest of my three children. Troy was born the day after his older brother Jared 5 years later. Troy was given the middle name Clinton after my father. I've always been very proud of that. I hope he is also. Growing up Troy was quite the adventurous boy. He was into all kinds of sports, hunting, fishing etc. He is quite the competitor. Never wanting to lose. He was an excellent basketball player and even played for the Orem High Tigers. In high school Troy used to love keeping me up waiting by the window at night. I'd give him a curfew to be home by and I'd wait and wait. I think he got a thrill seeing me in the window looking out for him. hahaha..I hope some day he'll get paid back by his kids..hahaha.. Troy has many friends but most of all he's been an awesome brother to Jared and Shana. He's given us a run for our money many years ago because he loved to get in fights which resulted in the police calling us multiple times or the high school calling us. (hopefully, he's grown out of that) Troy served in the Quito Ecuador mission for two years and he served faithfully. He loved the Ecuadorean people and was very successful in teaching the gospel to many of them. He's had two young men serve missions now after Troy had baptized them. Troy married his sweetheart Kori in the Timpanogos Temple and has enjoyed being a husband and now is a loving father. I just want you to know Troy how much I love you and look forward to you coming home and joining our family again. You are the jokester of us all and we need that again.

Troy has always been the jokester of our family. Always pulling tricks, making prank calls etc. Shana gave him this shirt for his birthday and it was too small but he's thinking he's pretty hot in it because it shows off his muscles!! I love the way he's always kept us laughing and I hope he never changes.

Thanksgiving Day at the Listons last year. I had to have my picture taken with Troy because we never do that. Look at his dimples!! I love you Troy!!!

Troy works for Apex Alarm systems and has done so for the past 3 years. He's working in Chicago, Miami, Calif. and is now in Boston. He's a hard worker working many hours a day six days a week. He's able to make enough money to live on all year long and be able to go to school and not have to work during the time he's not selling. He's hoping to make enough this year to get into a home and eventually get settled down into a career after his schooling. What a handsome salesman!!!

I'll never forget the day his son Colby Lincoln was born. He was nervous but oh so excited. He had seen his brother and sister with their children and now he was going to be a daddy his self. He's a proud daddy to Colby and loves to cuddle and take care of him. I always knew Troy would be a good dad. He had a wonderful example by his father.

Look at those grins!! hahaha..We were eating lunch at Bubba Gump's Shrimp in Long Beach Calif. in June. He's a seafood lover that's for sure.

Troy didn't know I was going to take his picture. But it doesn't matter because he always looks so handsome. Even if he is scruffy..hahaha..

Everyone knows how much Troy loves sports. This picture was taken at the Vegas Bowl two years ago when BYU was playing.

I love you Troy and I want you to know how proud I am of you. You're an awesome son and I look forward to you returning to our family real soon.

Our Last Family 2008 Camp Out

Each year our family loves camping in the Uintas. We love to fish, hike and look for deer, moose and elk. Rog and I went up on Wed. and Jared and his family came up on Thurs. then Shana and her family came up on Fri. The weather was beautiful for us. While we were together we went hiking, fishing and 4 wheeling. We took a picnic up to Christmas Meadows too.




While Rog and Jared were 4 wheeling Kristi, Me, Makinley and Gentry went for a walk. I happened to look down and there was this cute little fuzzy catapillar so Makinley made that her pet. They were entertained with it for hours and hours until it finally got lost after she dropped it in some bushes.

Brayden is quite the fisherman. He just begs and begs to keep going fishing. He's mastered the throwing out his line too. I remember when my own kids were that age and how much they loved fishing. I'm so blessed to be able to pass on that outdoors trait to our children and grandchildren.

Daxton just got finished with his raft ride in the water. He loves camping so much. He loves the hiking, fishing, sleeping in the tent, riding his dirt bike and just getting dirty.

Here's Jared with one of his many albino fish he caught. It was a pretty big one but when he tried to get the hook out of it's mouth and release it back to the water he dropped it and it fell on it's head. So needless to say that was a floaty one.

Shana and the boys are rafting on Butterfly Lake. They rafted while the rest of us fished on the side. They couldn't wait to try out the new raft!! It was a big hit for our camping trips.

I like the way Gentry hikes!! Wish I had someone to carry me all the way. haha..They were glad the hike wasn't too long since Kristi is pregnant and Jared had to carry Gentry the whole way.

Jake, Shana, Brayden and Dax are hiking up to Scout Lake. This family loves hiking and Jake loves taking the boys off the trail and finding another way up and down. It scares me though because the Uintas are known for having people get lost!! I was worried but didn't tell them how much. hahaha..

Brayden, Daxton, Makinely and Gentry took a short break while hiking. They're quite the troopers when it comes to hiking up the trails.

One thing we love to do in the Uintas is take advantage of the thousands of hiking trails there. This hike is to Scout Lake. Not too far and not too strenuous. Just right for the kids. The scenery is spectacular as you can see. All we needed to make the picture perfect was to have Troy, Kori and Colby there with us. We miss them tons!!

After our hike to Scout Lake everyone was pooped. They're all taking a little siesta. Oh how relaxing!!

My hubby is always so good to help out with the dishes. Of course he better help out when I make a nice breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausage for us. He loves being up in the mountains and getting away from the stress of work.

I bought this raft for Rog for Fathers Day and this was the first time we got to use it. We are at Pass Lake. We didn't have the kids life vests yet (Shana was bringing them up the next day) so she just wore mine. Do you think it's a little too big? haha..she's looking out the armpit. The day was gorgeous and it was so relaxing in the raft.

Each night we sat around a nice campfire. One night we had semores and another night Jared and Kristi made their famous dutch oven cobler. Yummy, Yummy. There's nothing better than a beautiful fire and then smelling like it afterwards.

We camp right by this stream that is usally pretty stocked with fish. They're just tiny but it's fun. I didn't catch any this time. Maybe it's because the river was so low but Jared caught one.

One reason we love camping at Sulpher campground is because you can count on seeing moose every time. Rog and I were fishing in the stream and I looked up and there were two moose staring us down. I think Rog thought I was kidding when I said "there's a moose" but he soon found out it to be true. He took the camera from me (I of course headed back to the trailer for fear of my life) and he got closer to take pictures.

A year full of fun things with the grandkids!!

This blog is dedicated to the fun times that Rog and I have been able to spend with our grandkids this year. It's been full of such fun times. These pictures don't come close to the many things we've done such as Lagoon, Cherry Hill Water Park, swimming, all the camp outs etc. Each grandchild is so special to us. We are so blessed to have them live so close by and to see them so frequently. We are creating so many memories for them to have for a lifetime. The snuggle time, story time, giggling time. Every morning Brayden and Daxton love to come to my bedroom and snuggle buggle with me. It's a special time we can play the "claw" and I get to ask them personal questions about their lives. I wouldn't trade these moments for anything.

We had our annual Easter Egg hunt again. Gentry was so excited to hunt for eggs. This year she was old enough to know what she was doing and to go look for them herself. You can tell she was so excited.

We had such a fun time taking 3 of the grandkids up American Fork canyon sledding. We pulled them behind the 4 wheeler. Even though the weather was freezing cold they never complained. They wanted more and more. Nothing a little hot chocolate won't cure.

We spent many afternoons taking the kids to the park. We'd pack a lunch and they'd play on the equipment. We also would go on trash walks around the neighborhood. They each carried a sack to pick up litter thrown on the ground. They love doing that and I love the opportunity to show them why we don't litter our beautiful neighborhoods.

We took a fun trip to Zions this past spring. It was such a fun time with the boys and Shana. They just love hiking and spending time outdoors. They never complained. Such troopers!!!

This year we got to watch Brayden play his first year of Jr. Jazz. What a talented young man he is. He's been able to dribble the ball since a wee little lad. Lots of practice and the Pyne blood talent makes you a good athlete. We can't wait to watch him again next season.

We added this little sweetheart to our family this year. Colby was born in Feb. He hasn't gotten to enjoy too many things with our family this year but he'll be home soon so he can join in the fun. We went to California to visit them in June and he had grown so much. I can't wait to have him back home and to hold him and love him up.

Brayden and Daxton are learning the value of hard work. They worked with Papa and Mimah all day one Saturday pulling out our old bushes. They never complained. Papa is teaching them how to have a good worth ethic so when they grow older they'll know how to put in a good days work. Thanks B &D!!! What a big help you were!

Makinley graduated from pre-school with high honors!! We went to her graduation program and they sang their hearts out.

We went 4 wheeling several times. How lucky are they? We'd have to take turns taking them since there's not enough room for everyone at the same time. Brayden is at the age where he wants to steer it while we ride on the back. He's a super good driver!!

Rog and I took Brayden skiing for his first time. What a neat opportunity it was for us to help him get a good start on the wonderful sport of skiing. He's such an athlete. Guess he gets that from his Uncles Jared and Troy. They're awesome skiers too. Way to go Brayden!!

We've had a fun summer watching the kids ride horses. Daxton is such a horse lover. He even wants to be a bull rider when he gets older. We could hardly get the kids off!

Here's the pre-owlz game fun. They played on the large swing set forever. Thanks for taking us to the games Papa and Mimah!!!

We've been to a few Owlz games too. This night we took 4 of the grandkids to the game and they just love looking for Hootsy the Owl. Gentry is still afraid of him but the other kids love it. Brayden wasn't feeling good and ended up going home early from the game. He vomited after he got out of the stadium..poor kid.

Journal Writing

I have always been such an avid journal writer most of my life. When I was young though they were called diaries. You would write a short blurp each day of what you did etc. I still have those and I look back at those diaries now and it's during the time of when my father passed away. I wish I would have written more of my feelings and what had happened. I regret that but I know that at the time that's what was done. You had about a 4"x 1" space for each day. How can you write what you're experiencing and feeling in that much space?
When my mom was alive her nieces gave her a journal for her birthday. It was during the time she was starting her trials with breast cancer. During that time she was able to write in about 3 or 4 journals and I've been blessed to end up with those. It's hard for me to bring them out and read them because it deals mostly with her day to day dealings with cancer, her chemotherapy, radiation, her nausea, weakness etc. But she also expresses time and time again in them how much she wants to live. She didn't understand why her Heavenly Father would want to take her at such a young, vibrant age. She begged and begged and pleaded in her prayers to be able to live and see her children and grandchildren grow up. So of course I shed many tears when I read them. I"m so thankful that she was able to record her feelings so that her posterity can try to understand her life at that time.
My first "official" journal was given to me by Elaine and Morris for my Christmas present the first year I was married. It's the brown one. It looks pretty beat up because I used it a lot. In that journal it has all the feelings of being newly married, the birth of my children etc. I consider my journals as something very personal but know that after I pass away maybe someone might pull them out and read them like I did my own moms. My journals are also one of the very first things I would grab if there were ever to be a fire in my home.
The journal I am currently writing in now is not pictured in the photo. Shana gave it to me for Mothers Day 2006. Inside the front cover she wrote a poem for me. I'd like to share that:
"My Mom"
My mom who is so strong
Especially with her mother gone
I could never bare
To have her gone, is my fear
Growing up she was so fun
All my friends would say she's #1
As I grew old I looked to her
Always listened to advice she shared
Now a Grandma that my kids adore
wanting her to play with them more and more
Their favorites are the horsey rides
And reading til the night abides
They love to listen to the songs
she sings while rocking them all night long.

She then went on to say, Mom I love you, You are the best, way above the rest. May we create many more memories of the love you show us every day.
Love, Shana Lyn

The last six months of my life have been a very hard time. There have been many times I've picked up my journal to write and I've put it right back where it came from. I haven't been in the mood or right frame of mind to sit and write my feelings or of events that have taken place. The last time I wrote was the day of my 5th grandsons birth in February. I really have a lot to catch up on. I finally brought it out today and started writing. My heart is filled with so much emotion right now as I reflect upon the last six months but I'm anxious to catch up on things and to fill my journal with writings that are from my heart.
We've been asked to keep journals and so I would suggest to any of you who are not currently doing it to do so. You might think you have nothing of importance to say but if the pioneers would have thought that we wouldn't have any of their histories. So I encourage you to start today. I did again!! It's a good feeling. And the very first thing I put it in is my feelings of expecting our 6th grandchild!! What a joy it is to know that Jared and Kristi will be bringing their 3rd little sweetheart into our family.
So Happy Journal Writing to all of you!!!

Grandmas Hands

GRANDMA'S HANDS

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her a t the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and
looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear voice strong.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I
explained to her.

"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at
my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. "They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

"They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life..

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you, and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue praying for one another.
Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both.

Passing this on to one not yet considered a friend is something Christ would do.

-- Author Unknown

A friend of mine sent me this and I teared up as I read it. How many times have we actually looked at our own hands, our childrens hands, our mother and grandmothers hands and thought about all that our hands have done for us? I had a neat experience at work today that I want to share. Polly, an 87 year old woman who used to volunteer many years ago in our ER came by to visit with me at work today. We talked and talked and then she happen to bring up her hands and she showed me how crippled they are. I immediatley thought of this email I had just received yesterday and I printed it off for her. She appreciated it a lot. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I did.