Ducks on Pond

Papa's Pond

Tuesday Morning we woke up with a surprise in the front yard. We had irrigation in the night and there was a pond on the front and side lawns. The surprise was that there were Mallard Ducks swimming across our yard. They stayed the morning and then flew on their way. The pond was gone by evening, but it was fun while it lasted.

Indiana Jones

My boyfriend took me to an exciting movie on this last night of the 3 day weekend. We didn't decide to go until we only had a few minutes to get there so we took the shortcut to Coral Cliffs Theater.
We got our tickets and since we didn't have time for supper, we splurged for the combo popcorn and drinks. It used to take 20.00 for 2 senior tickets ( you know they consider 55 and over senior--just like Ross)and a popcorn combo. Now it's $24.00 so it takes more than 1 $20.00 card. Next time I buy cards I'll have to buy some bigger ones. Anyway-- the fellow working the register used the 2 cards we gave him and didn't give either one back even though there should have been a balance. By the time it took to get that straightened out and we got into the theater, the movie was beginning and looking for empty seats took us to the 2nd row--up front and center.
When we sat down I had the thought that they shouldn't sell seats that close up. They turned out to be great seats. We didn't need glasses and we certainly could hear. The movie was exciting and it was fun to be out on a date.
This is my very 1st post--we'll see if it works. I'd like to include a movie picture, but I don't know how. This chick has lots to learn. I admire you girls that make such cute blog spots.

GMAT

Just thought I'd update everyone.
I took the GMAT yesterday morning, and I got a 710. That puts me in the 93rd percentile. The math section was brutal, but I must have guessed really well in the verbal section because I was in the 99th percentile for that section.
The math portion was a collection of strange math problems presented in unusual ways. No calculators were allowed. To do well on it you would have to know a bunch of little math tricks and rules. Plus, the test is computer-adaptive. That means that if you get the questions right, the subsequent questions will be more difficult. So, it pushes you to your limits no matter your skill level...unless you're REALLY smart. It was not fun, but it's over.

Cheryl

Unfortunately I am not very responsible. I know I am posting this a little late....I was just lucky to get it emailed to Meridy before Mother's Day!

Many girls have horror stories that usually center around the mother-in-law. I can honestly say that this is not the case with my mother-in-law. In fact, in the three short years that I have been a member of the Reeve family, I have seen the selflessness of Cheryl a multitude of times.

Cheryl is one you never find talking poorly of another. Even if someone has done something that I find repulsive, she is somehow able to find the good in that person. It is obvious to me that she has always had this quality, as her children possess the same.

She has a heart of gold. She is so willing to give of herself. I know she has helped those in need anonymously and has given many a renewed faith in humanity on countless occasions. She will drop anything, no matter how important, to help her children and grandchildren, without even slight regard for the many things she needs to accomplish each day.

She makes everyone feel like someone special. Each grandchild feels loved, and I think if asked, each would say that he or she was most definitely the favorite! She has more friends in the world than she knows about, simply because she is so kind to others.

When asked about my in-laws, my sincere reply is I could not have hand picked better!

My Mother

I was in church this week, and the speaker happened to be talking about mothers. The speaker asked us to recall what it felt like to be hugged by our mother and sit in her lap. I thought about it, and I could not remember what that felt like. When I think of hugging Mom, I just don't think about being able to fit in her lap. I think about bending down to hug her.
I guess it is because I didn't have so many insecurities when I was little. I felt more insecure when I was in middle school. My relationship with Mom was really important to me at that time. I thought of myself as being cool because I had a good, functioning relationship with my mom, while so many other middle schoolers were at odds with theirs. In retrospect, I was actually leaning heavily on that relationship. When I bent down to hug Mom, I used to think, "Yah, I'm cool." In reality, Mom was cool. I drew much needed security from every hug. I count myself fortunate to have had her to guide me and help me be cool to this day.

A Tribute to Cheryl

Here are a few things that I've noticed and love about Cheryl:

*She is extremely generous to the family, the community, and the church. (Chuck is too. :) ) She gives of her time, income, and talents.
*She is very gracious and patient. Whenever we come to visit or need a place to live (temporarily), we know that she always has a place for us at her house. She very patiently accepts my idiosyncrasies at these times.
*My family taught me about living within my means, Cheryl taught me about how, when, and where to find the bargain. When I first learned that Cheryl comes to Las Vegas to go to the dollar store, I was surprised. (If my family is going to come all the way to Vegas, they shop at the giant outlet mall and the like.) I now enjoy many a visit to the dollar store myself. Because of Cheryl's teaching and example, I now relish the shopper's high. My whole schema of money has changed in a positive way because of Cheryl's influence.
*Cheryl is very thoughtful. She is always finding little treasures from her shopping excursions for all of her grandchildren. She knows what each child would like, and keeps her eye out for them when she is bargain hunting.
*She spends time with each family member and helps them feel valued. She is good at gathering the family together.
*She seeks for the good in others. Once we were talking about how people often make mistakes (or something similar). Then Cheryl said something that we (Nate and I) thought was funny, but very profound, "We are all funny. We are all funny-wunny." We enjoy quoting that. It helps us to remember to not be annoyed with those around us. More importantly, it helps us to remember to try to love them.
*She is a very hard worker.
*She approaches trials with cheerfulness. When she recently injured her leg, she was positive and kept up her sense of humor, even though it must have been hard for her deal with because she is usually so very active.

Cheryl, you are someone who I aspire to be like. Hopefully I'll make it there someday. Thank you! You're the best!

Mother Dear

My mom

• Is the most selfless person I know
  
• Taught me to love beautiful things-like roses and music
• Is always willing to help
• Is so resourceful-I am always amazed at her ingenuity
  
• Has a gorgeous singing voice (and speaking voice)
  
• Taught me to take care of things and be a wise consumer
• Is one of the most beautiful women I know
  

I remember when my mom

• Went with my class on field trips-hiking Three Falls and riding bikes to the cinder knoll to name just two
• Made ramen noodles for me every day before kindergarten
• Took turns adding to the pictures we would draw together in Sacrament Meeting
• Watched my softball games
  
• Went to my band concerts and even traveled with the band to state festivals
• Would help me read my beginning books
• Stood tirelessly above me picking lice out of my hair (sorry Mom)

Mom, I love you. This list is short and doesn't come close to mentioning everything that I remember and love about you, but I hope you know that I love and appreciate you. I'm so grateful to have been blessed to have you as my mother.

My Mother

When I think of my Mother I'm reminded of:

* Eggs in a cup (a cooking skill that I've taught my own children)
* Handmade barbie doll and dazzle doll clothes
* My hand sewn sparkly red clogging costume
* Our fun family trips to Yellowstone
* Our fun family trip to Disneyland (that was an experience!)
* Yummy, chicken and rice! (I've never been able to duplicate it!)
* Tole painting
* A very creative mind (you got that trait from your mom)
* Hawaiian Rummy
* Sunday evening popcorn
* All day shopping trips
* Stocking up on sale items (I learned this from you)
* Wonderful weekends at the cabin together as a family
* You bringing my kitty (in a dress) to school for my spotlight
* You singing along with Dad to Puff the Magic Dragon
* You being so sweet to come and help when the twins were born (I couldn't have done it without you)
* You making us Mickey Mouse pancakes
* Your ablility to do things last minute and have it turn out excellent (you always pulled of the perfect birthday party with minimal resources and planning, I wish I had that talent! I remember Ryan's cowboy party where you turned the kitchen chairs upside down and used them as bulls to rope)
* As much as we all gagged when you and Dad would kiss and love on each other, I actually was happy to see that you loved each other
* You are very patient with all of the high energy, and high mess level grandchildren
* Sometimes I say things to my children(like "your name is going to be mud") and then I think where did that come from, then I realize, I'm turning into my Mother!
* You kept six busy kids happy and I never once felt like you didn't have time for me. I honestly don't know how you accomplished it!

I am so blessed to have you as my dear Mother! You've taught me so much, and I hope that I can be as much of a good influence on my children as you've been on me. I really, really love you! I'm forever grateful for all of the sacrifices you've made for me over the years. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate you and admire you. Happy Mother's Day
Emily

Happy Mother's Day

My Mom

I knew that my mom loved me and took good care of me but, now that I have grown up a little and have kids of my own, I can see better that my mom:

• 
  
  Was very patient with me and my brothers and sisters.


• 
  
  Put her life on hold to take care of us. (She coached softball, drove us to all kinds of practices and activities, and supported us in the things we wanted to do.)


• 
  
  Showed me how to be a smart shopper and be smart with money.


• 
  
  Spent a lot of time making sure we were fed, clean, and looked cute. (She made dresses for us that my girls wear now. She stained and painted and sewed a darling bedroom for me and Emily. She bottled loads of fruit and curled loads of hair. She made Halloween costumes that were not only the cutest then, but are still the cutest on the next generation.)


• 
  
  Really did want me to do things for my own good even though it would have been easier to do it herself or not at even at all. (i.e. piano lessons, 4H, and jobs around the house.)


• 
  
  Wasn’t being mean when she said “NO”. (A new girl at school invited me to sleep over at her house. My mom and Dad took me to her house to meet her parents. I didn’t stay to sleep over and later I knew it was because my mom loved me and wanted me to be safe.)


• 
  
  Taught me to work by EXAMPLE


• 
  
  Taught me not to judge other people and to look for the good in them. So many times when a negative thing is said about someone she will say something nice even when it is not easy.


• 
  
  Taught me to pray, serve the Lord and other people, and that family is the most important thing.


• 
  
  Loves me, and I love you Mom. I can only hope that my kids will someday love and admire me as much as I do you!

Love, Angie