A Special Day

You know, I've long ago put aside that I'm excited for birthdays to roll around. I mean, all they remind me about is that I sound like I'm getting old, while I'm trying to still act like I'm young. Anyway, the thing about it is--the day is still special when you have a wonderful family and great friends who make it that way.

First, my husband was so cute to bring me a salad for lunch (and him one, too). We ate at my desk while my students were all studying. They were all so sweet and didn't ask any questions after George told everyone it was my birthday. Then after school was out, I went into the office and saw the principal who started chewing me out about a computer that wasn't working in my room. He started telling me how we needed to be more careful with equipment while my jaw was just dropping! (By the way--the only thing wrong was that the mouse wasn't working.) Anyway, as I'm reeling, trying to figure out where all this is coming from, he suddenly says, "What do you think this is anyway--your birthday!" Then he broke into laughter and led me into the break room where the wonderful people in the office had brought me flowers and a birthday cake with the biggest chocolate dipped strawberries I have ever seen. Needless to say, I had a wonderful birthday party.

Then that night, George took me out to dinner at my favorite birthday spot--Koko's Japanese Restaurant where they cook in front of you. I think this was the 3rd or 4th year in a row that we've eaten there for my birthday. I love it! Craig and Cassie were coming, but it got too rainyto drive from Gainesville, so they gave me a "rain check" (hah!) and told me they would take me to dinner another time.

Throughout the whole afternoon and evening, I heard from my wonderful kids, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, grandkids, and some of my siblings by phone. What a blessed person I am to have so many wonderful people in my life!

Birthday Dinner for Craig

Last night we had a birthday dinner for Craig in the beautiful downtown metropolis of Starke at the most exquisite Sonny's BBQ Restaurant. With that said, it really is a family favorite--both Craig and Cassie love it there, and it was a celebration for Craig's birthday. Even though his birthday isn't until Wednesday, George will be at church meetings that night, so we opted for Family Home Evening night as a together night. We had a great time! Amy and the kids went, too. (Sorry, I only took a picture of Little Lola and her bedroom right before we left. I only have the quilt to do, and then it will all be finished.) Jeff was working late, so he didn't get to come, but we brought him home a huge take-out. Craig and Cassie are the ultimate uncle and aunt, and all the kids love to be around them. Can't wait until we can all play with their kids! (Did I just say that????)

Helloooooooo!

Oh, my! Even as I am posting this, I am creeped out! George went out to do some work in the yard when he called me out there. Thinking, "I am never going to get done with my laundry room if I keep going outside," I went anyway and there he showed me a bush--a bush, I say. But upon further examination, I saw what he was looking at and what was looking at him! Yikes! Everywhere George went, it was watching him. Finally, when we moved away, it slithered off somewhere only to be found in another exciting place, I'm sure. I'm not telling Amy about this--she is so creeped out about all the creepy, crawley things in Florida! Hah!

Happy Mothers' Day!

What a great Mother's Day I had this year! I got to have three of my children here in Florida with me--that is a new high! And George and I got to reminisce about our own wonderful mothers.

It is always so great to get a call from all my kids and their spouses, which I did. Cameron and Anne were on a cruise, but they called me on Friday. Saturday, George and Kyle, who flew in Friday night, went to the Players' Golf Championship all day Saturday. They were gone 10 hours and were really, really tired when they got home. It was over 90 degrees that day! Amy, Cassie, Cassie's mom who had come from Louisiana, and I went to the Women's Conference at the Stake Center where Sister Beck, the General Relief Society President, and Sister Cook, the 1st Counselor in the General Young Women's Organization, both came from Salt Lake City for a Saturday night meeting. We all really enjoyed that.

After all the day's activities, we had a little party afterwards at our home. The next morning, (Mother's Day) we took Kyle to the airport and then stopped at the cemetery to remember George's mother. We were noticing that Grandpa Copeland would have turned 100 years this year! I can't believe it. It was great remembering them both at the peaceful site in the cemetery. I look forward to seeing my mother's burial spot in Idaho when I go there in August. We were both blessed with mothers who loved the gospel and truly loved us. I am so grateful for that.

I am, also, so grateful for the wonderful mothers my own daughters, as well as daughters-in-law are. They all truly love their children and work so hard to see that they are well-educated in the gospel as well as their school studies. We love them all so much and hope they all had a wonderful Mothers' Day, too!