God Bless Our Country!

Today was a beautiful, joyous, momentous day! The sun was not shining here in Nampa- in fact it was rather overcast, cold and chilly! But my heart and my spirit were full of hope and joy. As I watched our 44th president be sworn into office I was so moved. What a country! What a moment for our country.... and I don't mean just because we have the first African American president- I mean because we live in a country where a leader is chosen by the people and every four years we are reminded of our democracy and our freedoms. We are truly blessed to live in this wonderful nation and truly blessed with freedoms and bounty that no other country has. Whether or not a person voted for President Obama- no matter what party, race, religion, or lifestyle each person chooses- no matter how young or old- we are Americans! And we are blessed! And yes- I am proud to be an American!
**** see Some of My Own Thoughts (Kurt Manwaring's Blog) for a really good take on this! ****

Photo-Phobes

Okay- so my son Donnie is impossible to get a decent picture of! And where does he get this from? Why my own mother! Just look at the two of them! I tell ya- it's tough being the mom and the daughter of two goof balls like this- hee hee! Seriously, I love them both to death!

Here's lookin' at ya guys!

Wonderful Christmas Gift! - Sisters!

This year I received one of the best Christmas presents ever!

I have three sisters and a few years ago we started trying to have a "sisters' day out" once a year. It has been hard for all of us to be there, but at the same time, it has brought us even closer together. Even though we all have hectic, dizzy lives going on, we have grounded ourselves and our hearts together as only sisters can.

Well, the youngest of us, Susan- sent us out these little memory books this year! How fun and how heart warming to open this up and look back at us growing up!

I can tell you, I have looked through it many many times now- and each time my heart just swells. I have even shed a few tears of gentle remembering and love. So, to all you who may visit my blog--- meet my sisters! (In a future blog I'll post current pics- gotta get some taken!)

Brenda-

Liana

Susan

And- little ol' me :)

I wish I could copy every page- but that would be a little impractical-yes? Anyway- I just love my sisters and I thank God every day for them and the love and friendship we have shared growing up and all through our lives- And THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL GIFT SIS!

Merry Christmas to all who may visit here and God Bless! With Love- Roxanne

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!