How Do You Say Happy Birthday In German?

Well -- Happy Birthday to Hilda today.

She would be 96. Isn't that amazing?

I miss her a lot.

It's amazing to me that one person can mean so much to you in such a short time. But she did.

You can read some happy memories of her here...

I remember just two days before she died we were talking about death.

She said, "When I die, you can be happy. It's what I want. I'm ready."
I told her, "I will be happy because I believe you'll be with your family again."
She said, "Ach (waving her hand in front of her face). I don't believe that."
I said, "Well, one of us is wrong and one of us is right and I think you're going to be very surprised."

She laughed with me.

I used to dream about her occasionally but not anymore.

I hope that even though she's busy somewhere she remembers me.

Did you ever know someone that you were absolutely sure you knew before you came to earth?

It was like that with Hilda. I think she was the whole reason I went to Seattle.

There were other wonderful things for me there - but she was the real reason.

I'm pretty sure Ryn got to meet her already.
Lots of times I'll tell Heavenly Father to tell them both Hello and I miss them.
I'm sure they get the message.
It'll be so good to see her again someday.
Thinking about the miracle of Hilda makes me miss her and at the same time,
So Happy.

Break A Leg! (Wait - Not REAL-ly)

{Sigh}

The Melodrama is over...


It was a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Damsel In Distress and The Hero!

Thank you so much to EVERY single one of you that came!
I have the best family and friends in the world!
I'm so sad that I didn't get pictures with everyone that came!


Awesome Brothers and Awesome Katie My Sis-in-Law!


































My Grandma!





















The lovely Brittany and Brianna - miss you guys!!

And the Disney Girls --
it was the kind-of day when you opened your mouth and a song came right out!

My First Favorite Friend Kathy from work!
(She gets to be first favorite because 1. she is and 2. she reminds me SO much of Colleen!)




















I love the Women's Conference Ladies SO MUCH!
And the Tidwell family is perhaps my favorite family this side of the Mississippi -- They're always keeping it real smooth!

And I got 4 bouquets of flowers!!!



From the Women's Conference Ladies, The Jack's and My Mom!

Stacey also sent a gorgeous bouquet that she MADE! And she even sprayed with perfume! I'll take a pic of those too -- they are so so pretty!




















I also had a few little fans!

My cousin's Adorable son Caleb -- I was so happy he let me hold him!
And during intermission he kept saying, "More More!" Love Him!



I'm pretty sure I'll be moving to Disneyland ASAP to become Mary Poppins or Snow White because having the little adorable girls come up to see the "princess" (ME!) was potentially the coolest thing ever.

So opening night -- I completely fell! It was pretty funny -- my dress was so long that I had to hold it WAY up in order to run across the stage during the Pink Panther chase. I kind-a forgot and down I went! I shrugged to the audience and then had to crawl off on my knees whispering, "HELP ME!" as loudly and softly as I could until they dragged me off stage.
I got quite a cheer when I ran across the other way and made it without a fall.

(the lip sync to "Think" by Aretha Franklin -- SO FUN! How'd'ya like the American Idol microphone?)


Being a part of this fantastic show made me SO Happy.
(I may make you all watch the DVD later -- not sure if that'll make you so happy!) :)

"We Love You, We Do..."

Wow! It's been a long time!!!!!
Sorry to all my faithful, lonely readers out there waiting with baited breath for a new post!

There's so much to post about that I thought I would play some catch-up (or ketchup -- ever wonder why it's called that?) to pay tribute to all the happinesses that have been happening!

First Up -- A super fun birthday party last Sunday with my favorite peeps.

Good Food, Good Friends, So Much ELJ Love!!!


Two of the quotes that we shared for the "program" that reminded me so much of her...

There are three words that sweetly blend,
That on the heart are graven;
A precious soothing balm they lend:
They’re mother, home and heaven.
-- Author Unknown

Woman’s influence can bless a community or a nation to that extent to which she develops her spiritual powers in harmony with the heaven-sent gifts with which she has been endowed by nature. If she does not forfeit her priceless heritage by her own willful negligence, she can be largely instrumental in safeguarding democracy and downing a would-be tyrant. Year in and year out, she may cast the aura of her calming and refining influence to make certain that her posterity will enjoy the opportunities to develop to their fullest potential their spiritual and physical natures. – Harold B. Lee

Am I the luckiest girl in the world or what? I know. I know. I can't believe it too.

It was so fun to be with her granddaughters too - Annie and Becca! Love them!!!

(PS - in the background you can kind-of see my newly recovered overstuffed chair! Love it!!)

You know there's no one else like ELJ that makes me So Happy!