Today is Day 6.

Today is the sixth day of my new life.  My new life is very different from the life that I had envisioned myself having.  I like every other little girl imagined finding my prince charming and living happily ever after.  I now find myself alone, raising my 14 year old by myself, and somewhat in shock.  It all happened so quickly yet hindsight is always 20/20 and although I am unable to find a definitive start , I am able to define road signs along the way that led me to this destination.  In todays world 28 years is along time, but in my world it was suppose to last forever.  I am for the most part a very private person and so sharing my thoughts and feelings is difficult. But my goal is to chronicle this difficult time in my life.  Hopefully to look back someday and think "wow, I am so tough look at what I did!".  It also provides a sense of accountability, a path to forgiveness, and way to express myself.   I am a big cryer.  I would love to be able to turn that off , for when I cry it is very hard to understand me. I am hoping by expressing myself thoughtfully that will dry up a few of the tears.  Yet even as I write this the tears stream down my face so I guess not yet.  I am also using this blog as a way to record my progress towards fighting diabetes.  An accountability of baby steps towards better health.  And just so you know, I have been blessed with the 3 most beautiful and wonderful children on God's green earth. 

Technology!!!

Computers have made our lives so easy , and so when they are not working as you need them too, you feel completely helpless! Yes I am married to a computer guy, but , its a long story.

Happy Valley!

I used to become completely annoyed when people called Utah County, Happy Valley. I used to think, "what the heck?" Well this last week I had the unique privlege and very rare opportunity of driving into Salt Lake City by myself during rush hour and finding a place to park right in downtown. Now some of you may laugh and say "Salt Lake City? you are a big baby" . I do like Salt Lake City and have nothing against the place, its just that I was all by myself. I could not find suitable parking and by the time I parked and literally trotted to my appointed building I was a bit late, something that I abhor more than anything. As I left and proceeded to walk back to where I parked I had 3 different homeless gentlemen who where walking up and down the street and passed me about 20 times, over and over again. I was not worried , I could have taken all 3 of them at once, but it made me uncomfortable. I finally arrived safely to my car, whew I remembered which level I parked on and where the car was. I was so worried I would forget and have to wander aimlessly (Seinfeld episode) until I found it that I repeated the numbers over and over so many times that when I was given a code number to store my cellphone I was unable to remember that number to retrieve the phone. Just alot of stressing and worrying about alot of nothing, I'm good at that. I'm in Salt Lake, I thought, I should go someplace I normally don't go, shopping or to eat. I realized just how old I am getting. I just want to go home! I am such a home body. I love my home. It is a place of sanctuary, of safety , of peace. I will never be a world traveler! I loved coming to the point of the mountain and taking a sigh of relief, I'm home. Happy Valley? You Bet! and besides no one in Happy Valley charges me $6 to park to 2 hours. Well now you've all had a short peak into my crazy brain, frightening isn't it?

Craig Harvey Alonzo Pence

I have the best 13 year old in the whole world! So...here are 13 things I love about Craig!
1. He is so handsome with his curly red hair and 6 feet of charm.
2. He has brought so much energy, love, and life to our family.
3. He can make his niece laugh no matter how cranky she is.
4. He loves to help me cook.
5. He is a hard worker.
6. He is a fiercely loyal brother to his brother and sister.
7. This being said, he can drive them both nuts! (love it)
8. He will always be my baby boy.
9. He can do a months worth of school work in 3days ;)
10. He honors his priesthood.
11. He looks SO good in his white shirt and tie passing the sacrament.
12. He is a good friend to many, but especially his momma
13. He is the best 13 year old son any mom could have.

I thank my Heavenly Father every night for "cracker". Love you bud!

The Wee Ones

I have been pondering about the "children" in my life alot lately. Not so much the older children, but the wee ones. I am so blessed to have "little ones" in my life. I have always known that the Lord sent Craig into our family to bring love, closeness, energy, among many things, but personally he was such a blessing, as my 2 older children stretched and grew during their teen years, to have this little person in my life. Children have a totally different perspective and view on life. If you allow yourself to see the world through their eyes and focus on what they are focused on, life becomes much simpler. I was told as I was being set apart one time for a primary calling that the Lord would bless me to see the world through the eyes of the children I served.
What a blessing that has proved to be in my life. Playing the piano each week in primary is a 2 hour window I use to look into their eyes, watch them learn, misbehave, and most of all love. So now as my baby, Craig travels through his teens, the Lord has blessed me with nieces, nephews, and most of a all granddaughter, who reminds me to look at life simply. I am blessed!

I just can't help it.....

I am laying in bed recuperating from surgery. I have been selfish in not telling anyone beyond close family. But I just can't help it....I don't want to make a big fuss. And I have enough of Elza in me that I feel very uncomfortable being served by others, I would much rather do the serving. My ward family is finding out and I have actually felt bad as dear sweet friends have checked in on me and offered to serve my family. I just can't help it....I'm part Elza, although I am kinder to the people in the hospital i.e. nurses etc than Grams ever was LOL! So I am recovering from a hysterectomy, I am suppose to "not do anything" for at least a week. (whatever that means) I am being good and staying in bed, loving my kindle and tv. My husband is an angel and Craig is very compassionate for a 13 year old. Maddy and Jeff made us dinner one night and Madi and Brandon did another night. So rest assured I am being taken care of. This is much easier than a c-section, believe me. I am having Maci withdrawals, as I was tending her 3 days a week, but her mommy is good to bring her over to visit Grams.

50th Wedding Anniversary

Craig H. and Linda Smith celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Feb. 5th 2011 at Noah's with their family and friends. This only happened because my sister Lori , using her organizing skills, assigned us all a task to and took charge. What an awesome example Craig and Linda are to their family and friends. We love you!!