Dog Sitting my Granddog

I had hoped for a grandchild first..... but I am compelled to be content with what I have. Meet Hugo Boss aka; Hugo, Huey, Hueness, Huey Lewis and the News, Huester and my personal favorite "damn dog".  His proud parents are Alissa and Ryan! He is a 3 month old Jack Russell Terrier and when Heavenly Father made him he put springs in his legs instead of bones. I am dog sitting for Alissa and Ryan so they could go with Ryan's family to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I worry that my house will not be big enough for me to keep all of the stuff Alissa will bring when I baby sit her first born. Hugo came with more luggage than I take on a week long trip. We've got your bag of toys, 3 different bags of treats (in one bag she packed "dog sushi" which she guaranteed me would keep him entertained for hours... longest I've seen is 10 mins tops), bag of food, his bed which includes 3 blankets, 2 different leashes and 3 pages of instructions, and I quote: "Hugo gets his feelings hurt, after he gets in trouble or after you either spank him or clap loudly 5 times (he will know he is in trouble with claps) go be friends with him again or I'm not kidding, he will hold a grudge for a bit"! He is a smart dog (as dogs go)... this morning I was trying to  have a moment to get ready for work and decided to put him in the back yard to play and I would watch him from the deck in my bedroom. I walked around the side of the house and put him in the back yard. I then walked around the front and went in the house and greeted Hugo standing in the dinning room. He had figured out how to operate the dog door and was wondering where I went. 

This experience reminds me that it is a pleasure to do nice things for those that we love. This dog is a hellion but I am happy that Alissa is having an opportunity to see the USA and enjoy some time with her friends. I have been on the receiving end of big and small acts of kindness for so long that I  am thrilled when I have the opportunity to help someone else. Deb suggested to me tonight that I should say something that I am grateful for everyday. I have so much to be grateful for... today I am thinking of how grateful I am for Alissa in our family.  We have had many good laughs and cries together and have weathered many storms. The storms that have beaten against her are polishing her into a beautiful women. I love you Alissa (still working on loving Hugo)!!

Doors

Why did I choose a door for my blog theme? I have a small fascination with doors. If you think about a door... they are for keeping things in and/or out. They can be metaphors for opportunities, road blocks, hope, surprises, curiosity and new beginnings. Sometimes when I stare at a door I imagine someone living behind the door. All nestled in a beautiful safe cocoon! I like to think that my family is that cocoon and if we stick together we will be safe and happy. I smile and feel like there is always something waiting behind every "door". This fascination started for me while I was on my mission in Seattle Washington in 1984-1985. Someone gave me this picture of Christ knocking at the door. He is  knocking but since there is no knob on the door he can not open the door and come in unless we open it for him.  I use this as a metaphors for hope. I always want to have the hope and faith I need to know that I am loved not only by my earthly family but my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He died for me and paved the way for me to finish my journey back home. He will always be there for me and all I have to do is humble myself and ask. All everyone has to do is ask. He is not a respecter of persons and no matter what we do he will always be there.

This is where we are .....

Despite all of our differences we are a happy little family. I love what each and everyone adds to the drama of our lives. As you can see we are blessed with only one strapping young chap/priesthood holder in our family and 3 beautiful girls that are such a pleasure to be with. I am blessed with a GREAT job that helps me to keep things going. It is an answer to my prayers, I asked Heavenly Father for one year to help me get many different jobs and nothing happened even after 1 million interviews. The job I have now is my answer and "Thank God for unanswered Prayers".

Alissa here with her BF Ryan is now 21 and beautiful as ever. She is such a sweet and kind daughter I am so blessed. She is so considerate of my feelings and goes out of her way to show me she loves me. She graduated in Cosmetology and is also a MAC certified make up artist. She is currently working at an awesome salon spreading her magic!

Emily is so beautiful as you can see! She 17 and a Junior in High
School. She is so determined to beat all odds and show everyone that may think she can't  do something that she can. As my mom would have said "she is your payback child". I can't imagine where she got to be so stubborn and independent. She is working (much to my chagrin) to get her drivers license.

Max is 16 and also a Junior in High School. He is such a good boy and takes such good care of his sisters and Mom. He is a Priest and is trying so hard to honor his priesthood. He is the priesthood holder in our family and I feel it and know that it blesses our lives. He has done such a good job finding good friends, they are a great group of kids and all strive to do what's right...way to go bud. He loves and adores his Xbox and thinks girls are great. He has announced that he is going to be a "player" because that is what Pres. Monson counseled the young men to do in General Conference. I think we've explained what that means and think he is on the right track. Someone one day will be lucky to have him.

Olivia is 14 soon to be 15 and a Sophomore in High School. She is our little peace maker! She is such a blessing in all of our lives and loves and accepts everyone. She strives so hard not to play the games girls play and exclude someone even though they drive her crazy. Bless her for that!!! She is a beautiful girl and people are just automatically drawn to her and consider her their friend. What a great quality. She is a very focused in her school work and playing Lacrosse. She is rarely distracted from the task at hand. She is a mommas girl and hates to be away from me for too long! I love to hang out with her.

Did you take pictures?

Roberto used to always ask me, "Did you take pictures?" I hated hearing those words so much. Maybe because I always felt guilty that even though the camera usually was on board I never quite got around to taking any pictures. In my defense I was usually chasing around a small four member gang that I lovingly refer to as "my babies". Today June 22, 2011 I am determined to turn over a new leaf and capture everything that I possibly can. I think that I am arriving at this determination because of the realization that my "babies" are growing up so fast and are not so little anymore. My worries are no longer if I have changed their diaper but have I taught them what they need to know to be responsible adults and contributing members of society! Ryan is Alissa's BF and 23, Alissa is 21, Max 16, Olivia 14 and Emily is 17 years old in this picture (taken April 2011 in Memory Grove SLC, UT).