Everyday life.

No. I'm not famous. I'm not beautiful. I'm not a fashion Diva with money to spend. I'm a wife, mother, grandmother. I am loving this life and I am so glad that I don't have to live in a big city and deal wth all the commotion. I am extremely happy that I can walk outside and sit under my tree, in my sweats or pjs if I want to. I can listen to the birds or walk around the town and see people I know and love to be with.
I just got back from my granddaughters state track meet and I have been reflecting on life and what different people want out of it. I decided that I am just fine where I am. I don't need fancy anythings to make me happy. It is the times spent with family and friends that make it worth it. If I was busy trying to climb the social or professional ladder, I wouldn't have time to do the simple things in life. I guess that is why I am how I am. I like Simple. I like slow moving. I like getting involved with whatever the kids are interested in at the time. I don't need exotic vacations, expensive jewels, top line clothing. Give me jeans and a tee, I'm fine with that.
I'm glad there are all types of people out there. That is what makes the world go round. I say, if you want the fast life, go for it. Just let me be me and I will enjoy life the way I know it and want it to be.
Our home, Our town, Our State.... It's all I ever wanted in this life. Security and a loving family. I have that. I'm happy.

I am always amazed at the feelings I get when my babies and my grandbabies are born. It is an instant love. I felt this love when I carried my own, but it seems as I age, it gets stronger. I look at these tiny miracles and wonder how one so tiny can evoke such strong feelings. It is complete acceptance and overwhelming gratitude for these special additions to our family. With our newest addition, it hit me even stronger. I held her for the first time when she was a day old, and it took me some time to control the tears that I could feel forming in my heart. We are so blessed to have our grandchilden. I cannot even begin to express the love I have for them all. Mothers love is strong, but I think grandma's love is immense. I am so glad that I was able to have my six children, and that they are able to experience the same feelings. To each of them, I say thank-you, for letting me be a part of their lives, for consenting to bring children on earth, so that I can experience this happiness. I love you all!

Hannah Lyn Christensen.. Welcome to this crazy, wonderful family! We love you!!! Congratulations Jim, Shauntae and Wyatt! You have a beautiful family!

Daren

I have been putting off this post, trying to come to terms with emotions and everything else that pops up when you have a death in the family.... I didn't have to go through the pain and Chemo and loss of my dignity, so I have no reason to be angry or anything else, but that doesn't seem to help.
Watching my brother remain positive and trying his hardest to beat that awful time in his life, has made me realize, once again, that life is short. I have spent too much time finding the things that aren't right, and passing by the things that are beautiful. I'm sure we all get caught up in our lives, one way or another. I just want to be better at seeing the truly wonderful things that happen in our every day happenings.
He was a great example to me. He was a kind, loving, humble person. He worked hard to make a wonderful life for his wife and himself. He was a great friend and everyone loved him. He is going to be missed by sooooo many people. Not only that, but his animals are going to miss the love and attention he gave them. He just always had a knack for animals. He just knew what to do to help them. He and Terry have adopted animals that have been abandoned and shot and even the wild animals would come to their house when they called. It was amazing.
There is going to me a memorial for him in a week. I think it is going to be more like a celebration of his life. He is gone from this earth, but he will remain in the hearts of many, many people.
I know, "Life must move on".. I will try to make my life more meaningful from this minute on. Then maybe all the people who have gone on before will not have been here in vain. He is now with my dad, brother and sister. I'm sure they are glad to see him, but, we will miss him and we miss them.
The cure for cancer is out there somewhere, I hope they find it soon.

Watercolor Painting

This is my newest watercolor. It is of the ranch, with a storm in the background. It was fun to do; in fact, I may try it again and see if I can get the lighting better on it. I am now working on some blossoms that we are all doing in class, so maybe I will be able to get it done too. It seems like my painting time has dwindled to almost nothing. I need to get myself in gear and get some more done, or I won't have any for this years fair. I didn't put any in last year because I didn't have any that I thought would work. I hope I can get something ready!

Weight up-date

Well, lets just say that, for now, I am not in the running for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but, I am seeing a little progress. We have been going for three weeks now, and I've lost 5 pounds, which to some is nothing, but to me, it's a big deal. Mainly because I have lost something! Doing this is making me realize just how long I have been abusing myself. It is time to take control and get back to where I need to be. I am watching and stopping myself from the bad habits more and more each day. I want this to happen, even if it is slow, because I feel if I see just a little improvement, it is improvement! The other people in this challenge are an inspiration to me, when I see the totals and what others have lost, it makes me want to do better! So, thank you to all of you who are signed up, even if I don't know you. You are helping me and I appreciate it! Now I am going to go on, and hope that there is more to report on next week!

On to a new me!

Well, it's been a week on our weight loss challenge. I have had ups and downs and some yelling at myself for not having enough will power, but I have seen a little weight go off, and that is spurring me on to try harder! Weekends seem the hardest... I guess because we get together more and on Sunday we eat and sleep after church! I am so glad that we are doing this, it will make be feel better and be able to do more and be stronger, which is what I need to get through each day! I am reading some books on how to cook the foods that will help the weight go off, and they are pretty much how I cook anyway, it's the EATING part that I have to control now!!! Anyway, I may not lose the most, but if I lose some, that is a plus in my book!

I don't have too many photo's of me, but this is the "BEFORE" shots. I really hope that the "AFTER" are better!!! Here's to a Healthier, Happier, Thinner me!

I finished a few more paintings. The first one was for Relief Society. My friend asked several of us to create something that had to do with the creation. The painting of Wyatt was one and this one was Curtis's idea. I call it Matter Unorganized. After Curt gave me the idea, I found a picture of a drop of water and then created this from it. It is an oil painting.

The original is actually deeper in color. I just have a hard time getting my camera to pick up the right colors without using the flash.
The second painting is a watercolor. We did these in a class setting. We all did the same painting looking at one by Ian Ramsey. It was fun and a lot easier than trying to figure out the composition by myself.

I won't be able to do anything with either of them, since they have originated from others work. They are both mainly practice pieces, but I think they turned out ok!