Russ&Shauna

Giving Thanks...

2009-11-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

As you can see, Fall is such a busy time for me at work, that I have little time for other things. (Like keeping up my blog) It starts on August 1st when tickets go on sale for "Witchapalooza Dinner Theater," and doesn't stop until the show ends on October 30th! But once October is over, and November settles in, I find myself feeling much gratitude for all that I have. I am thankful for my wonderful family. I love having them all over each Sunday for dinner. The laughter of the grandchildren fills our home and makes me happy. I have the most wonderful husband in the world who encourages me, tells me I'm beautiful daily, and understands me better than anyone! I'm thankful for my kind children who call me for advice, tell me about their adventures and give me more grandchildren! I am so fortunate to have a job that I love and the satisfaction that it brings, along with the many wonderful people that I get to meet and work with. I am so grateful for the many comforts that I have. It is so nice to have a warm home on a snowy night, a hot shower in the morning, music to blend with my moods, delicious foods to eat, a cute dog to greet me when I come home, and the gospel in my life to give me direction and keep me focused. I am thankful for wonderful friends that share my joys and sorrows and lift me up by their example. Life has it challenges, but when we focus on the many things that we have, it makes it all worth it. Happy Thanksgiving to all who make my life so wonderful!

It's Raining Grandbabies!

2009-08-24T20:34:00.000-07:00

About one and a half years ago, I had one beautiful little granddaughter. I was so happy with her and wanted that happiness to multiply. But I started to tell myself that this might be it. I might only have one grandchild. Shortly after that, my darling daughter announced that she was expecting in January! Then my youngest son announced a baby to come in February! My oldest son married a lovely gal with four fabulous children and several months later announced they would have a baby in August! Last month my third born shared that he would be having a baby in February of 2010! WOW! In 18 months I have gone from 1 to 8 grandchildren and that will soon be 9! I am so happy! And Blessed. Enjoy the pictures of my treasures:

Another Year Gone By...

2009-08-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

Last year at this same time I was facing turning the big "50." I could not believe that I could possibly be that old and was feeling somewhat depressed about it. This Friday I will turn 51 and honestly, I have not thought much about it. I have chosen to "accentuate the positive," and focus on the wonderful things that I have in my life! I just spent two weeks vacationing. I enjoyed three great days in Las Vegas. My assistant manager and I flew down on a R&D trip to go see The Lion King and Jersey Boys. We floated in the lazy river at the Monte Carlo each morning, walked about a hundred miles in 112 degrees, looked at some buffet set ups, ate wonderful food and laughed a ton! The next week Russ and I enjoyed our trip to California, spending 8 days relaxing in the warm sun, riding beach cruisers on the strand, and seeing Topol in Fiddler on the Roof! He is 74 years old and still going strong! I am thankful that I have good health and can go on vacation, and spend time with the man that I adore and love. I love being a grandma! Last week I had a fun sleepover with Maddi and Allison. We went to the movies, the Childrens Museum, and rode ponies. It was so much fun and brought back great memories of visits to my Grandma's as a child. I love my job! How often do you get to go to work and plan parties? Everyday is a different party at The Gathering Place! I love working with the cute Brides to plan their special day! I love the excitement of planning our dinner theater "Witchapalooza." It offers me so much satisfaction each day! Yes, at 51, I can honestly say "Life is Great!"

Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset, swiftly fly the years,

One season following another, laden with happiness and tears...

July is here! Time for Vacation!

2009-07-01T21:38:00.000-07:00

Because of the nature of my business, there are just a few months that aren't really busy. March and July. So, those are the months that I feel I can take some time off. Waiting for those months to come around seems to take forever! But now July is here! Russ and I will celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, so to celebrate, we are going to spend 8 wonderful days by the sea! Our seaside hotel is quaint, and has a balcony that looks out over the ocean. We have tickets for "Fiddler on the Roof." And we will visit Disneyland! (one of my favorite places in the world) We will attend an Angels Baseball game, go to the Temple in San Diego followed by a wonderful lunch on Coronado Island, and spend time reminiscing and building upon the life and love that began on August 29, 1979. We will relax, and eat seafood, and walk on the sand, and not worry about work. We will laugh at old times and reminisce about the past. It will go by much too quickly as vacations always do. But... we will look forward to the next time we leave our crazy life at home and act like kids again. I Love July!

"I Love Technology..."

2009-06-02T18:26:00.000-07:00

I honestly don't know how we ever exsisted without PC's and Cell Phones. My PC had a very bad virus and had to be rebuilt, so I have been without it for the last 3 weeks. I had my laptop, but it is not the same. It is such a part of my daily schedule to come home from work and check my email, facebook and surf a bit for the best travel deals! I felt lost without my technology! I felt disconnected and had to make my primary visual aids by hand! Imagine! But thanks to a great technician, I am back up and running. I just wish that everyone used the computer for good and that those making evil viruses had better things to do.

I remember just a few years ago, being annoyed while shopping at Dillards, by someone on blabbing on their cell phone, and at that time, thought "I will never get one of those!" Well, now I use mine more than my home phone... go figure. I do think we need to have some cell phone etiquette, as some people are quite rude in their use of them. The thing I enjoy though, is being able to stay connected to those I love. I get pictures of my sweet grandchildren and text messages and updates from my children, friends and others. Even when we are far away on vacation, I feel close by. My son in the Coast Guard pops up on a web cam and there he is, right in my den! Yes, as Kip says in Napoleon Dynamite: "I Love Technology..."

2009-05-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was "Mothers Day." As a child, I loved making special little cards and gifts for my mother at school. But as a young mother, my fondness for the occasion was diminished by inadequate feelings of my own mothering skills. After a morning of the usual struggles of getting four children ready, sitting in church and listening to sweet mothers day songs and talks about how wonderful mothers were, I would sit and silently sob at my insufficiencies. Now that my own mother and grandmothers have passed, I really struggle with the holiday, as it makes me miss them so much. But yesterday I was very touched by my children and the wonderful words that they expressed to me in the cards and gifts that they gave to me.

Motherhood is quite a journey. At the time that you have that sweet little newborn baby, you realize the awesome responsibility you have been given to teach and train this little soul so that he can become a grownup and a parent someday himself. You think that you have a really long time to accomplish this, but the truth of it is, it goes by very quickly. And all too soon, you must let him go and hope that you did enough. The reward comes as you see these children become amazing adults, and wonderful parents themselves. I am so grateful I have the privilege of being a mother and most especially a grandmother. And I'm thankful for my four wonderful children for their love and kindness and for the great things they are accomplishing in their own lives.

Wicked

2009-05-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go see "Wicked" when it was here in Salt Lake City. It has penetrated my thoughts ever since. So many messages...so many interesting paradigms. "The good are half bad, and the bad are half good." The influence you have if you are "Popular." The joy of having a best friend, even when you are opposites. The excitement of visiting the "Big City." The undeniable yearning for love. Standing up for what you believe in, and the sadness of saying goodbye for the last time. It was all so wonderful! I was on the 8th row, front and center, and sharing it with my best friend! The music is still in my head every day. I am so grateful that there are brilliant people that make theater happen for all of us. The clever costumes, the well written dialogue, the amazing music, the incredible stage sets, and the very talented actors and actresses that bring it all to life! If you have the chance, see it. "I have been changed for Good!"

April Showers Bring Togetherness

2009-04-26T21:58:00.000-07:00

Tonight after our weekly Sunday Dinner we all gathered to the Living Room. We went around in a circle and I asked each one to share their "most frightening moment." It was wonderful to hear the responses of each grandchild and also my children. I then asked them to share their "most euphoric moment," Funniest moment," and favorite song. We laughed, we cried, and we learned some valuable things about one another! Afterwards we went to the kitchen for dessert. And as they all departed for home, they all thanked me for the fun game. And I felt especially happy, because it helped me get to know them all a little bit better. The blending of families is never easy, but we feel so blessed to have added four new stepgrandchildren plus two new babies to our family in one short year. Life gives us many gifts! And one rainy day turned out to be sunny!

Baby Dax is here!

2009-01-14T15:56:00.000-08:00

Well, last Thursday, January 8th, 2009, I got a new grandson! He is so perfect!I watched him be born, and as always before, marveled at the miracle of birth.If you don't believe in God, watch the birth of a baby and you will realize howthis is truly a miracle! His name is Daxton James Davis and he is beautiful! Maddi is having a little hard time sharing mom and dad with the new bro, but she loves him and he loves her. He hears her voice and his head turns to find her. I am

so happy to be a grandma!