Just Getting Started

Since most of my children now have either blogs or "MySpace" accounts, I've decided to start a blog. I guess it's time to join the New Generation of communication!

I love reading posts from Janell & Darin's family, Jon & Briana's family, as well as Joanna & Kirk's family. I love seeing the pictures and knowing what they've been doing as a family. My life is not as busy, but I think it's important for me to post my activities and meaningful experiences, as well as pictures (that mostly include children, grandchildren and other family members.) Hopefully my children and grandchildren will be able to feel like they are even more a part of my life than they already are!

It's coming up on three years that I've been living back in San Diego, CA. It seems like San Diego is now more "home" to me than another other place except for my childhood home in Cut Bank, Montana where I lived for 13 years from age 3 to age 16, and Riverside, California where our family had a home built and where I lived from 1987 until 2001. I've now lived in San Diego, Calfornia for a grand total of 9 years (1971-1972, 1975-1980, and 2005-2008.) In between all these dates I've lived in Great Falls, Montana (1954-1957), Salt Lake City, Utah (1970-1971), Provo, Utah (1972-1973), Various locations in France and Switzerland (1973-1975), Chino, California (1980-1987), and Palm Springs, California (2001-2005).

Although I loved growing up in Montana, I feel that Southern California is my home. My mother lives in San Diego, my three brothers live in Poway and Escondido, and all six of my children and all eight of my grandchildren live in Chino, Ontario and Corona. I feel very blessed to have so much of my family living within 100 miles of where I live. I do miss my two sisters, but they have lived far away ever since they got married. Fortunately I do get to see my sisters and their families every year or two. In fact last year I saw both of my sisters multiple times, and again this year I will visit with both of them again.

I love living with my mom. She is one of my best friends and she is also a wonderful role model. She has shown me through example how to love my children unconditionally. She is a fabulous grandmother (30 grandchildren), and great-grandmother (22 great-grandchildren). She maintains many close friendships, and she lives a dignified life full of love and service to others who are in her circle of influence. She has been and continues to be a strong influence to me in living life as a disciple of Jesus Christ and trying my best to follow His teachings and example. She is also the source and inspiration of my musical talents and abilities. It brings me great joy to sing with her in our Church Choir and at home. We both enjoy all kinds of good and uplifting music. So far this year, we have attend a presentation by the San Diego Opera, a San Diego Symphony Orchestra Concert, and other local choral and band/orchestra concerts. I've been to two Musicals this year with my daughters, as well as a Country Western concert with my youngest daughter Joylynn just a few days ago. I hope to take my mother to a Musical later this year.

I enjoy the opportunity to be a Piano Teacher to children and adults in my community. It is rewarding to help eager students learn to play and to appreciate good music. I have fond memories of teaching at least 2-3 years of Piano to all six of my children. Although none of them have followed in my footsteps of playing the piano and organ, all of them have participated in vocal music, and all of them share a great love of good music. I'm proud that one of my sons is self-taught on the guitar and plays and sings in a band.

I'm so very proud of all my children. I love and admire them so much for all the good they do, and how they live their lives. I feel that each and every one of them makes a positive difference in this challenging world in which we all live.