Happy Birthday Dad

Thursday Jan. 28, my wonderful father turned 70. Its hard to believe that my dad is getting older, he has already surpassed the age of his own father who died at 69 years old of a blod clot to the heart. My Dad is an amazing man, he has a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has been a great example to me in my life, he is close to the Lord, he taught me the importance of daily prayer, attending the Temple regularly, and daily scripture study. His service to the Lord and others is a wonderful example. They broke the mold when they made my dad, he is one of a kind. Hope you had a great day Dad, I love you.

Happy Birthday Grandma

Tomorrow would have been my maternal Grandma's 90th birthday, she passed away 15 years ago of cancer. I have a lot of fond memories of my Grandma and going to her house. For 11 of my childhood years we lived in different state than my grandparents. So our visits were few and far between, but Grandma and I always wrote each other letters, and I knew on my birthdays that a card would arrive from Grandma with coins taped inside the card. If you were lucky enough to be at her house when you celebrated your birthday Grandma made you a doll cake, she put a small barbie in the middle of the cake, and pink frosting my favorite color, was her beautiful dress. There are many memories dancing the to the poka record in the living room on the wood floors, playing Grandma's piano. I learned to love "Lawerence Welk" and many other shows from my Grandma. There are memories of Grandma fixing your hair, sleepovers when I was older. Grandma and Grandpa came to visit us many times over the years, I had the double bed, so that is where my grandparents slept. Every fall was their annual trip to visit us, they'd come over with Grandpa's truck bed filled to the top with fruit from their orchard for mom to can. When I was 18 we moved back to the same state as my Grandparents, I went off to college and had the opportunity to live closer to Grandma and be able to spend more time with her. I would often go visit Grandma if I was feeling homesick, needed to do laundry, or just wanted to visit. I think I was the only grandchild who was lucky enough to have Grandma make their wedding cake. I had my daughter before Grandma passed away, she was the 1st great granddaughter, although my own daughters memories of Grandma were her lying on the couch in the family room sick, Grandma had cancer by the time my daughter was born, she fought that battle for 4 years before she passed away. There are times when I really miss my Grandma, her hugs, her smiles and just sitting and talking with her. Thanks Grandma for all the wonderful memories. I love you.

Happy Birthday

Debbie and my granddaughter July 2009

Today and tomorrow my sister's celebrate their birthdays. Debbie turned 3_ today and Tiffany will be 3_ tomorrow. I still remember when they born, doesn't seem that long ago. Our mom came home from the hospital the day after having Debbie, so she could join in Tiffany's birthday celebration. They are each a wonderful sister, wife and mom. I am honored to be their older not always wiser sister. I wish they both lived closer so that I could celebrate their birthdays with them. Happy Birthday dear sisters, I love you both.

Tiffany and her son Bridger Oct. 2009

New Year Thought

Several years I found this quote from President Howard W. Hunter, it is one that I like to share at the beginning of each year. I keep it posted on my fridg. where I can see it daily.

"This year, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again."

I hope this new year is one filled with goodness for each of you. I am grateful for all my blessings, for my wonderful family and all my great friends. Love to you all.

Happy Birthday Kaiser

3 weeks old

Yesterday my grandson and "lil man" turned 1. Can't believe its been one year since he was born. He is the most handsome lil man around, his eyes are the biggest and prettiest blue, with the sweetest smile. He has the happiest disposition, always smiling, he loves to bounce up and down on your lap, and in his saucer. He loves to explore and get into everything ground level. He is the "Joy" in my life, he brings me many smiles and lot of laughter. Being a Grandma is the best!! Happy Birthday lil man.

Randi and Kaiser, Nov. 2009. Kaiser 11 months, Randi 2 3/4 years

He has the most beautiful face with those big blue eyes. He's going to be one handsome man.

The Cobb family

The Stockdale and Cobb family Christmas card for 2009

Its been a few months since I last posted. I think thats a record for me...not having anything to talk about in my blog.

The month of November went by so quickly. The highlights of the month...a baby shower for my sister from Idaho. The other great part was having my sister from Virginia here for the shower, she and her husband flew out for his nephews wedding the Friday before the shower. They left the 4 cute children at home with a sitter. Sadly, this Whitney family has a curse when it comes to having parties of any kind.....we never have a lot of people show up. This was the case again for the baby shower. Only about 3 people came, not including family which brought the total up to 10. My sister was excited all the same at all the cute "little girls" clothes that she got. Even with so few coming she managed to real get a lot.

My sister and her husband from Virginia left to fly home the Sunday before Thanksgiving. They sat in the airplane for 2 hours due to the snow storm that blew in that fast. We had Thanksgiving at my parents home with all my siblings, we were missing 2 brothers-in-law, they were not able to be there due to circumstances beyond their control. It was nice to be together for a few hours that day. We definitely had much to be thankful for during the month of Thanksgiving.

Missionary moment

David, Eve and Reed Stockdale

Yesterday Robert & I had the privilege of attending the Salt Lake Temple with our newphew David as received his endowments. He will be leaving on Wednesday for the MTC, and then heading 2 weeks later to Iowa where he will serve the Lord for the next 2 years. It was such a wonderful experience to be in the Temple with him and other family. He is a handsome man who will make a wonderful missionary.

Today we attended his missionary farewell where he gave a very good talk. He is the first grandchild from the Stockdale family to serve a mission. He knows this is where he is suppose to be and has a great desire to serve the Lord. You can tell by the smile on his parents face that they too are very proud of him. Now we wait 2 years for his return when he will come back a grown man, having many great experiences serving the best 2 years of his life.

Grandchildren

Just got this beautiful picture yesterday of my adorable grandchildren. Kaiser is 9 months and Randi is just over 2 1/2 years. Randi calls us Grandma Jeana and Grandpa Robert, she talks up a storm and is very polite. She always says "Please and Thank you". She loves to come to our house and go to the neighbors and jump on the tramp. She always wants a "Fruit rollup" from Grandma Jeana. She is so smart and a very good big sister. Kaiser is now crawling everywhere and into everything. He still has a smile that melts my heart, he loves to use your lap as his Johnny jump up, he loves to jump up and down in his his saucer. What joy my grandchildren add to my life.

Snow Capped Mountains

Yesterday the temperature plummeted 40 degrees and this is what happened in the mountains. I guess that winter has officially arrived early, hoping we still get some days in the 70's before winter comes to stay.

St. George

I left last Thursday for St. George. I went with 3 other friends that I work with in PTA. One of my friends parents own a home in Ivins and so we stayed there until Sunday. It was nice to be able to lounge by the pool bask in the sun and not have to worry about anything. We met 2 other friends from Cedar City and St. George for a pedicure and then movie and dinner at the Pizza Factory. I have to eat there when I'm in St George. We also spent some time shopping. The best part was just sitting around talking, laughing and watching movies. I had the waitress at the Pizza Factory take a picture, both came out blurry, as luck would have it my battery died when she finished. I didn't get any other pictures other than that one.

Sunday morning when I woke up I had a horrible cough, and started to feel achy, it was a long trip home. My other friend that I work directly with in PTA had the same thing going on. I guess even though we didn't share the same room, we shared this. I was down all day yesterday, coughing and chills. My coughing was so bad I thought I had walking pneumonia. I went to the Dr. today, its not the Swine flu, its not pneumonia. I think its a really bad cold. I haven't been this sick for a long time.

Robert is awesome and stayed home today to help take care of me. Scott is also home from school today with a cold. I hope tomorrow is a better day for the 2 of us, and that Robert stays healthy.

Going Private

To family and friends. I have decided to go private with my blog. If you are interested in viewing my blog give me your name and email address. I'll wait a week or so before I change over to private.

September 11

I had a flood of memories go through my mind yesterday as I reflected back on the events of 9/11. I remember watching the TV as I was getting Whitney ready for school. Robert had left early that morning to go golfing, I was home alone with my children. As the 1st plane crashed into the Twin Tower I was in shock. I immediately called my parents who were traveling that day through Canada back to the United States. I told my dad that a plane had just crashed into the first tower, while talking to him the second tower was hit. We knew then that it was no accident. My parents stopped to find a TV to see what was going on. I couldn't reach Robert by cell phone, I kept thinking he's golfing and doesn't have any idea what has happened. I then shifted into panic mode as I realized that my parents and sister where in Canada. I was hearing reports on the news that the borders to the U.S. where going to be closed down. My parents where on their way to Boston to catch a plane home. My parents and sister were blessed that day as events started to unfold for them in helping them to cross the border. They found another place to cross that was less crowded and allowed them quicker access back to the U.S. I remember I had just finished getting Scott ready when I got a phone call from my dad, he said they made across the border to the U.S. I started to cry as I realized what it meant to be in the U.S., to have my parents home, yet thousands of miles from home. They were blessed and were able to rent a car to drive home. It took them 5 days to get back to Utah, my parents and sister said it was an amazing drive across the U.S. as they saw flags everywhere, they even saw many painted on barns as they drove through the mid west. I can still remember the togetherness this Nation had for those days and weeks even months after it happened, how everyone wanted to somehow help do something for those who lost their lives, for their families, for America. It was a comfort that day as we heard from President Bush, and from the President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, President Hinkley. The peace I felt as I heard them talk. The city which I reside in lost one of their own that day, she and her daughter where on the plane that crashed into the first twin tower. I remember aching for her family that night knowing that they were dealing with such tragedy. Today I am friends with a daughter-in-law and am in awe of how well they have handled that day, and years to follow. It was a privilege yesterday to fly American flag as I do everyday, but yesterday it meant a little more. I am grateful for all those who continue to fight for our county since that dreadful day, for all those who have lost their lives. God Bless America.