I finally remembered my sign in stuff!!!!!!

It's been a long time since I have put anything here. Lots has happened in my life since the last blog. A little review. Jackson Charles was born on July 16, 2009. He arrived with a "bang" in that he couldn't wait for a delivery room and the nurses didn't believe that he was coming! He was born after only about an hour of labor! Holland liked him until he "puked" on Holland then things went south from there. We went to Salt Lake in December for my nephew's wedding three days before Christmas. We arrived home on December 23rd late at night. My mom passed away in February of 2010. Since then things have been very hectic for me with all the estate stuff. We did sell her condo rather quickly, which was very nice. In May I was laid off because the Dr. is retiring at some point this fall and the other "gal" in the office told him that I wanted to be laid off! How nice! So here I am having a great summer and she is stuck in the office! We had a wonderful family camping trip and can't wait to go next year. I am now the Young Women's president (which means that I get to worry not only about my own kids but all the other girls ages 12 to 18 in our Ward!). I love the girls so it is going to be fun. The end of August we (all the Aunties) are taking TJ to Provo to drop him off at the Missionary Training Center so he can begin his two year mission in Las Vegas. He is just about the greatest young man I have met lately. Of course I tell all my nephews that they are my favorite. HAHAHA! Ben moved to New York City! Lives several blocks away from Central Park and is the Senior Accountant for Tops (that's right the baseball card company). We are going to visit in September and he has promised tickets to either the Yankees or the Mets. Should be fun. Anyway, I'll right down my sign in stuff for more later.

The Homeless

I had the most life altering event yesterday. As I was walking from the bus to the Max train on my way home from work yesterday I was stopped by an obviously homeless young man. He had a look of desperation in his eyes as he asked me for not money, but food. One of life's most basic necessities, yet he was without and hungry. I rudely pushed past him and kept walking. As I had left work I grabbed a granola bar because I knew I wouldn't be home until late. I don't usually take any food with me, but for some reason I went back to my office and got that granola bar. I didn't really remember that I had any food with me actually until I got to Hillsboro. All evening his face and the look in his eyes haunted me. I had trouble sleeping wondering if he had found food or if he was trying to sleep hungry. This morning I asked Heavenly Father to forgive me for not helping the needy and I got up and made a lunch which I will deliver to some homeless person on my way home tonight. I hope to see the same young man. The scripture that came to mind "I was hungry and you fed me" or something like that. I don't have money to give, but I do have food. Please remember that everyone is a child of Heavenly Father and we need to help everyone that needs help. Help me feed the homeless. Find it in your hearts to go out of your way to help.

Just Holland

How Holland does grow. Here he is with one of his favorite "toys". He really loves to push buttons and play with the working phones. He now asks to watch movies, which he will watch for about 3 minutes and then he is off running to the computer, to get a snack or look out the front window to see the cat. That's as close as she will get to Holland. He also likes to look at the many scrapbook/photo albums that we have. He will pick out pictures of people he knows and is learning names of others we don't see very often. He is a very sweet, active, fun boy. What will his new sibling be like? We are hoping for one just as mellow as Holland, but only time will tell.

THE CAR

The CAR arrived at our house in mid June 2008. Here is the story. I have an Aunt and Uncle that are my shining stars. They have gone on to live with Heavenly Father now, but I know they look down on us and smile, laugh, gasp and cringe. I remember this car from my childhood. We rode in this car. There are many stories revolving around this car, all funny now. At one time you couldn't put your feet down in the back seat area. Why? Because it would look like a Flinstone car to everyone on the outside. That has been fixed. How did we come to be the proud owners of THE CAR? Well, my shining stars left us all alone. While we were visiting my cousins as they were cleaning out the house and getting ready for a garage/estate sale THE CAR sat all alone in the driveway possibly pondering its future. My eyes glazed over and I thought "Oh, if only you could home with me, I would take care of you". I felt that it was only a dream that I would be able to take THE CAR home. I continued to visit with my cousins, whom I love very much and a stranger showed up to look at THE CAR. She even touched the car, running her hand along the side, peering into the passenger compartment and asking questions about THE CAR. How dare she?! I was enraged that a stranger should touch THE CAR. I quickly sprang into action. I gave my husband the best "puppy eyes" that I have ever used and said that I would be the happiest person on earth if only THE CAR could live at our house. My husband's eyes grew wide with fear. He looked at THE CAR and said "do you know how much work it needs?" To which I answered, "yes, but I know you are able and I will help!" We took it for a test drive. It was wonderful, full of memories of the past. He asked me are you sure? Of course I was sure, I couldn't let a stranger take THE CAR, what would she do to it? Quickly a deal was made with my wonderful cousin Kathy and we now own THE CAR. At this moment it is receiving a new transmission, horn, radiator, windshield wipers, door handles (one that open the door from the inside) and the list goes on. I love THE CAR. We have even found a donor car to help with the restoration. Yes, I have helped with the transformation, I haven't complained that I haven't been able to drive it for some time now. I even helped clean out and put in a new seat cover in the front. (Why is there a carburetor under the front seat?) Amanda has staked claim on THE CAR when I have gone on to live with Aunt and Uncle. THE CAR gives me warm memories of times past. Someday, you will see me driving it down the street with a big smile and you will see how much I love THE CAR.

New Grandbaby on the way!!!

Well, it's hard to see, but it's the best picture we have at this moment. We are so very excited. David and Amanda made the formal announcement on New Year's Day. The little one is still too small to see what it's going to be, but a GIRL would be very nice. Not that we don't love all the boys in the family, but it's time for a girl. Baby Carter is due in July about a week before Amanda's birthday. We'll keep you posted on the progress.

Merry Christmas Everyone

I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I love Christmas, all the music and warm feelings for everyone. We are having a lot of people over for Christmas Eve and had hoped to go to Steve and Bonnie's house on Christmas Day, but the snow has put a kink in the Christmas Day festivities. We will celebrate Christmas Day on January 3rd with the rest of the Clement family. Jeff has gone to pick up his parents who live way out of town and have been without electricity since December 20th and we are going to encourage them to stay with us at least for the night. Ben will be here sometime today to stay the night. He will be sleeping at Amanda and David's house. They have gone to Idaho to spend the holiday with David's father and grandparents. So, Merry Happy Christmas and be safe. Remember that this is the Jesus' holiday and how grateful I am for his love and sacrifice. Let's keep the Christmas feeling going all year.

We Have Snow!!!

I can't believe how much snow we have gotten. I am so happy to have a white Christmas. Jeff has had to shovel snow for the first time in the last 23 years that we have lived in the Forest Grove area. Tom, the dog, loves the snow and keeps rolling in the new accumulation. The pictures are of the backyard. In front of the hammock stand are three flower pots that are about 16" tall. By Monday evening they were covered. The bad part of the snow is that I haven't been able to get to work (is that bad?) and probably won't be back to work until after Christmas. No problem actually because the doctor is stuck back east. Everyone please enjoy the snow, it won't last forever.