The van Ormer View

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Happy Birthday to ME!

I was born a fiery red -- with too many red blood cells. After a blood transfusion, my insides and my flaming skin were corrected . . . but may my fire for life never go out!

Today I celebrate 32 years of Life.

It has been a good life, with much joy in it. Looking over the years I feel like time has just flown by, without ever letting me catch-up. I still feel like a sixteen year-old girl, but now, I am double that! How does that happen? I am excited about the future -- and all the possibilities. I hope the next 32 years will be as sweet . . . and 32 more years after that. :-)

A walk down memory lane with Mari . . .

Big Eyes

Nice Bangs!

The Teenage Years . . .

Becoming an "Adult"

Becoming a Mommy

It was a rough start coming into the world 32 years ago . . . but it has been worth it. :-)

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Anti-Wrinkle

You're never too old to take care of yourself.

I learned that lesson this weekend, after spending some time with my Nan. She is going to be 89 this year, and she "glows". While I was at her home, I used her potty. Her bathroom is filled with sprays, lotions, creams, tubes and an assortment of products she uses on a daily basis. As I was washing my hands, I glanced down at the counter and I noticed a tube of Anti-Wrinkle cream.

I had to smile. To think that after 89 years, she is not giving up . . . she is going to fight those wrinkles! Go Nan! The Anti-Wrinkle cream made me love her even more. I realized that she loves herself, enough to take care of herself. And though I think it is her love that makes her shine, the fact that she is not giving-up on taking care of herself keeps her feeling ALIVE. Paying attention to yourself -- even just a little -- can make A LOT of difference! It may even keep wrinkles away!

I have a lot to learn . . .

Maybe I should brush my hair today? Maybe I should take a shower?

Hmmmmm . . . food for thought.

Who am I?

I am a wife and a mother, my two favorite and most distinguished titles. I have four lovely children who keep me from being vain and selfish. I spent most of my life living in Anchorage, Alaska -- where I found my love, Charles. I enjoy a great many things, and I am good at a few things. I love to sing, run, have deep conversations, bake, do family history, blog, be with family, be with friends, have quiet time (whatever that is?), teach, rearrange furniture, watch movies, go for Sunday walks, attend the temple, observe people (Yes, I am watching YOU!), and I enjoy pondering the mysteries of the World. I love living on this beautiful Earth that God has created. I know who I am and I am grateful to know it. I am a child of God -- and so are you!

Mothers

God bless you, dear friends. Do not trade your birthright as a mother for some bauble of passing value. Let your first interest be in your home. The baby you hold in your arms will grow quickly as the sunrise and the sunset of the rushing days. I hope that when that occurs you will not be led to exclaim as did King Lear, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!” (King Lear, I, iv, 312). Rather, I hope that you will have every reason to be proud concerning your children, to have love for them, to have faith in them, to see them grow in righteousness and virtue before the Lord, to see them become useful and productive members of society. If with all you have done there is an occasional failure, you can still say, “At least I did the very best of which I was capable. I tried as hard as I knew how. I let nothing stand in the way of my role as a mother.” Failures will be few under such circumstances.

-Gordon B. Hinckley