For These Things I Give Thanks

A Heavenly Father and

Savior who knows me and loves me.

The testimony of truth and right that

gives me strength in the best of times

and in the darkest times.

The prophet and the gospel- that guides me every day.

The wonderful, kind husband who loves me unconditionally.

The awesome opportunity and blessing of being a mother and grandma.

The parents that raised me and taught me to be kind, non-judgemental, and above all accepting of all people- preparing me to raise a daughter with a disability.

The sisters and brothers who grew up with me and lived through all kinds of life's trials and triumphs!

All the people, experiences, moments, and choices that have shaped my life and brought me to this moment and this place.

I give my thanks to my Father and to all who have touched or shaped my life in any way.

Happy Thanksgiving and may God Bless you all!

Sweetheart Tag! How Fun! <3 <3

Me & My

Sweetheart Jim

March 23, 2002

(Amanda's wedding)

So- Heather

tagged me! & here goes!

Each person tagged gets to answer questions about their sweetheart! Then at the end of the post, they tag 6 others and post their names, then goes to their blogs to let them know they've been tagged. (I don't think I can come up with 6 others, but I'll try)

1- What is your husband's name? Jimmy Lee Witt

2- How long have you guys been married? 7 years, 3 months :)

3- How long did you date? Hmmm- funny story- we "met" on LDS Singles On-Line- sent e-mails back and forth for a couple months, then met face to face. We then dated for 3 months, got engaged and were married 3 months after that..... so altogether, a little under a year.

4- How old is he? Verrrrrrrrry Old (hee hee) 58

5- Who is taller? He is- by about 5 inches.

6- Who can sing best? Definitely me! Although he really loves music!

7- Who is smarter? Definitely he is! He could do sooooooooooooo good on Jeapordy! He is a walking trivia/detail/history/information buff!

8- Who does laundry? We both do our own clothes, but I do the rest.

9- Who pays the bills? I do.

10- Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Is there a wrong side? hee hee- I do.

11- Who mows the lawn? He used to- now we either get the neighbor boy or the scouts come and do it because of his being disabled.

12- Who cooks dinner? I cook or we will each heat up a microwave meal of our own choice.

13- Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Neither - just kidding- we are both pretty strong minded and opinionated, but we are both tolerant of each other's views and we both very easily apologize or admit to being wrong- so, it's a toss up!

14- Who kissed who first? He did - of course!

15- Who wears the pants? I love Heather's answer! "I have one leg in and so does he- we make a good team" He is the priesthood holder and leader in our home- but we work as a team!

Thanks Heather Feather for the tag! I love playing along! Now- let's see, I tag Dani, Jennifer, Tringle, Jenny----- can't think of anyone else! So- go! It's your turn!

Quick, funny story about one of the grandkids :)

Meet Haedon! He is 2 yrs old (will be 3 in December)

A couple of weeks ago Donnie (Haedon's dad), Heather and I went to Bear Lake to sing in my parents' ward. They were speaking about preparing and getting to the temple. Heather's kids all stayed home with their dad and Haedon's brothers stayed with Katie cause they had to practice for their Primary program - so Haedon was feeling pretty big and having a ball with us.
My sister, Susan, and her hubby were there and my aunt and uncle and we all had dinner at Granny & Grampa Toomer's after church.
Haedon was busily, happily visiting and entertaining all the adults as only a 2 yr. old can. He was sooooooooooo funny! My sister tried to explain to him that I was her sister and he kept indignantly declaring _ "No! - dat's my Dramma!" Of course she couldn't resist and then tried to tell him that Grampa Toomer was her daddy and my daddy- at which he again indignantly insisted _ "No!- he's Drampa!" It was hilarious- the more she tried to explain family relationships to him (that she was his daddy's aunt, etc.) the more indignant and insistent he became. He has such an expressive face and voice- we were all in stitches.

Then, when I told him I wanted to take his picture with Grampa Toomer he jumped up in Grampa's lap. After the picture he jumped down and came to look at the camera- then ran and jumped back in Grampa's lap saying "again!" for another picture- 5 times! It was great fun for all of us.

'Course I just have to tell about his declaration during the prayer in Sacrament Meeting.... he was kind of kicking the bench in front of us and I grabbed his feet- then Donnie picked him up and sat him on his lap. At this point Haedon declared loudly- "I'm Gonna poop on you"- (hee hee) I had taken him potty before the meeting but he didn't do anything, so Donnie "subtly" took him out and took him to the potty where he took care of business!

Everyone should have a "Haedon" in their life! We are so blessed! All 26 of our grandkids are uniquely wonderful and I can't imagine life without them! Sooooo- as time goes by I will be sharing many, many fun memories about these delightful little people and hopefully those of you who read my blog will be entertained, inspired, and moved!

Posted with love and gratitude, Roxanne

Memory Tag

Well- once again I'm following in my daughter's footsteps! I don't know if many people actually read my blog- but since I left a memory on her blog and on Michelle's, well- maybe someone will share with me- so here's how it works---

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a lot or a little, anything you remember.

2. Next, repost these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to read some of the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

So, there you have it- hope to hear from some of you! God Bless!

Sometimes Ya Just Want Your Gramma!

A few weeks ago Heather and Mike took their kids for a fun road trip to Yellowstone Park. According to Heather, the kids were all excited- road trips are one of their favorite family activities. Well - - as they were driving, Mikey started asking if they could go to Gramma Roxanne's house too. Mike told him "No, not this trip".. then I guess Mailei and Maddy started asking (Ya think they love their Gramma?). And again, their dad told them "No, not this trip", explaining they weren't even going in the right direction... Anyway- the kids were enjoying the trip, the scenery, and all, but they just kept asking to go to Gramma's and mom and dad were getting a little annoyed... (hee hee)- but eventually they all got engrossed in different things (fickle little tykes!) and Mikey sorta dozed off or something. Then he suddenly sat up and said, "HEY! I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GRAMMA ROXANNE'S!" (Ta-da!- not so fickle after all) - At this point I guess Mike lost a little of his patience and "suggested" that he could stop the car and let Mikey WALK to Gramma's. Heather said it got very quiet for a little while and they figured Mikey had finally given up. Then a paper airplane suddenly (quietly) comes flying up to the front of their van..... she opened it up and found this picture! Mikey had drawn himself with tears running down his face (actually, all down his body and to the ground) and a little "thought" balloon showing his Gramma's face with tears running down! Just had to let Mom and Dad know that they were really making him and his Gramma very sad! So, needless to say, the next time I went to visit I just had to steal the picture- it is just too precious for words! And right about now this Gramma is feeling all warm and fuzzy and very, very loved!

(And of course this is one of those life moments you just "hafta share"!)

7 RaNdOm ThInGs AbOuT mE!

Okay- Heather tagged me- so here goes! (and here are the rules)

1-Link to the person who tagged you and post these rules on your own post.

2-Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog- some random- some weird.

3-Tag 7 people at the end of your post-leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. (I may have trouble with this one- most of the blogs I'm following have already been tagged)

4-Comment to the people you tagged and let them know they've been tagged.

Ready- set- GO!

1- I watched American Tale with some of my grandkids last weekend and yes, I cried when Fievel finally found his family!

2- As I was growing up I always promised myself I would never be divorced- never marry more than once- and blah, blah, blah! Well, I'm on my third marriage (that's right #3)- My first marriage ended in divorce (not my choice). My second husband was absolutely wonderful and we had a love that was unbelievable! He is my eternal partner & soulmate. Then he died in a car wreck just 4 months after we married. My present husband is also a wonderful man- we share a beautiful life together with wonderful kids, grandkids, and other family. He too is my soulmate- my kindred spirit. Along with our love for each other, we share a deep love for the gospel and are blessed with sweet, strong testimonies. I have truly been blessed to have these two wonderful men come into my life and love me and love my children. When I sometimes feel like life has picked on me, I just have to look into my sweet hubby's face and see and feel his love and know that ultimately- all will be well!

3- I have 4 biological children, 6 non-biological (step) children, (6 other step-children from my second husband), 8 "in-law" kids (my kids' spouses), 26 grandkids, 3 sisters & 3 brothers, both my parents & Jim's mom still living, my 99 yr-old gramma still living. Plus tons of other family!

4- I have several nick names, but my current favorite is "WSML" (pronounced "wu-su-mul"). It stands for "Wicked-Step-Mother-In-Law" hee hee! It's been a fun little joke between me and one of our daughters-in-law.

5- I went to Europe twice with the Camerata Singers from Pocatello! It was fabulous! We sang in many old, old churches, cathedrals, etc. On our first trip we even sang at the Vatican during "High Mass"- it was awesome.

6- I was recently called to be the "Literacy Specialist" for Relief Society and am looking forward to learning and exploring this new calling and sharing some fun experiences with the sisters in my ward.

7- My favorite types of music are Celtic, Opera, DeadraveN (that's Brady- some of his stuff is a little out there for me, but he is really, really good), Neil Diamond, John Denver, Taylor Hicks,- and well, lots of other stuff!


Now- who do I tag? I'll try these people- Jennifer Toone ; Jen Barlow ; Katie ; Tringle ; Bullocks ; Kurt ; Merediths SUPRISE!!! Now get going!

"Kickin" with the Witts!

This past weekend we had lots of fun! Josh, Tringle and their 5 kids came to stay! Saturday we all went to a Karate tournament in Meridian where Tringle, Kyriahna, Jolanna, Kaldon & Malaya competed. Kaldon & Malaya were in the "Tiny Tigers" so their routine was just to follow one of the officiators and they were judged on their form. It was sooooooooo cute! Then Kyriahna & Jolanna each had to do a memorized 'form' routine and they both had a sparring match. Kyriahna placed 4th in her division for her form routine and Jolanna placed 2nd in sparring. It was very interesting and fun for this gramma I tell you!

Kyriahna (9yrs old)- with her 4th place medal!
One happy little girl! She works hard and practices hard too!

Jolanna (almost 8) with her 2nd place medal!
Another hard working girl!

And then there's Tingle! Wow! She was supermom!She kept track of all the kids' gear and all their schedules! She didn't miss a single event for all 4 of the kids! For Kaldon and Malaya in Tiny Tigers it wasn't too difficult- we all got to watch them. They were at slightly different times and in the same room.

But when it came to Kyriahna & Jolanna- well, their competitions were basically at the same time in separate rooms. I caught Jolanna's form routine and her first sparring match and I saw Kyriahna's form routine and sparring match. However, Jolanna had a second sparring match that I missed- but not Tringle. She litereally flew from room to room, camera in hand, and not only caught their routines and sparring matches but made it in time to see both girls get their medals presented!

Then- after lunch I took the kids home and Tringle and Josh stayed for Tringle to compete. I believe this was her first time and she was so excited! But she got her heart broken!

They asked her if she wanted to spar and she said "sure"! (She's always up for a challenge) Then they matched her with a woman who had won several championships and was really "into" her Karate! I guess the first kick caught Tringle square in the chest and sent her flying across the ring and onto her bottom! Evidently this partner didn't understand that part of the sport is exercising "control" and the point is to NOT use full force. But- kudos for Tringle! She might be a beginner, but she scored 2 points on the "champ"! GO GIRL!


Tringle- all smiles "before" getting "beat up"!
(sorry-little joke there!)

Kaldon and Gramma- hangin' out!