SERVICE

This is the Ronald McDonald House here in Boise. It is an amazing place!! It is a beautiful place. The people who are in charge of this facility are wonderful!! Pineapple Princess and I have been there twice to serve. The RMH has a program where volunteers come into their kitchen and cook or bake anything you want to do. It is for the residents who can come and stay there while their children are sick and staying in the hospital that is right across the street. Last month we made chocolate chip cookies. We went yesterday and made dinner. Our family's favorite meal is a chicken casserole that my friend Adie gave me like 18 years ago. It is so yummy. When I was telling the project coordinator about the casserole she kept saying how 'comforting' it sounded. Comforting, I asked her? I didn't quite get what she was saying. She told me that the families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House are usually here because they have a baby in the NICU or a very sick child in the hospital and after a long day of stress and worry of being with these little ones all day, they can come to the house and get a hot 'comforting' meal and then try to get a goodnight's sleep. I never thought of it that way. I guess because I have had a baby in the NICU and I understand what that entails...it took on a whole new meaning to me. I may not be the biggest fan of McDonald's food...but I truly am grateful that the McDonald's Corporation gives sooooo much back to the community. It is an unbelievable set up that they have. There is soooooooooo much that is donated to the house from the community that this house can truly offer these families a HOME while they are here. They ask for a $10 a night donation but if a family cannot afford that then it's ok, they still get to stay there. They have rooms that are set up like little apartments. They have laundry rooms, they have a front room with a fire place; there is a library; a kids play room. I cannot describe how wonderful a place it is. I am so grateful that the community wants to help so much that the schedule is literally full to come in and cook. We are going again in a month and then in July we are going as a family and will make breakfast for the families on a Saturday morning. It brings me such peace to help others. I have been really stressed out lately and very 'woe is me'. But when I go into that home where so much 'good' is happening and do a little something to ease the burdens of others my spirit is lifted. My soul is fed. So, just like the chicken casserole is comforting to those who partake of it....preparing it for these sweet families comforts me. I truly believe the best way to overcome problems or burdens is to serve others. I have been reminded of that. I believe it. I wish I could bottle up the feelings I feel when I am there. Love. Peace. Stillness. Goodness. I can feel my Father in Heaven's love there. I know God lives. He blesses us everyday. I get to see a little bit of heaven when I serve others. For this, I am grateful.

LOCKS OF LOVE.....

This is Miss Kawehi. Last week she decided she had enough of her long hair. It was getting to hard to brush and take care of. And not to mention how hot she was with her hair hanging on her. So...we researched the Locks Of Love program. We measured her hair and knew she had the 10 inches they required. So, off to the salon we went. We explained to her why people who have cancer would need a wig. She was touched. She kept asking us if a little girl who had cancer would get her hair. At first it was kind of hard for her to grasp. But a lady who was sitting in the waiting area and overheard us talk to the stylist stood up and told Kawehi how important what she was going to do was to those who are sick. She told us about her dear friend who was going thru chemotherapy. I think Kawehi finally understood. It was such a sweet experience for me to witness. She was excited!! I think she was still a little confused...when she went to school on Monday she told her teacher.." I have cancer so I got my haircut to make wigs to help others who are sick!!". Out of the mouths of babes. I love when my kids see a need to help others and don't mind making changes to help others. I learn so much from them. The pictures are in order backwards....I still can't figure this blog thing. The first picture is the end result....

The stylist got 3 bundles of 10 inches off Kawehi

1...2....3....here we go!!!

Miss Kawehi, a little Sweetheart......

My 3 Sons....

We are blessed with 3 very healthy and happy sons....however, saying that out loud can sometimes bring on the havoc...heehee. So, our oldest son, TCIG, always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time....

He was in P.E. last week, playing Ultimate Frisbee when another kid tried to knock the frisbee out of his hand. Well, his thumb was hyper-extended all the way BACK and immediately bruised and swelled. One trip to the Urgent Care. One trip to the Pediatrician. One trip to the Orthopedic Specialist. Two sets of X-Rays.....ultimately he will be ok. But he has been in a lot of pain and has to wear this brace for another 2 weeks. He is out of his favorite class...P.E. for awhile, too. He has been a pretty good sport about the whole thing. He never complains--even when we know it is hurting. The good thing (if there is a good thing) is the injury was to his left hand..so at least he can still do homework. YEAH!!

This is Monkey Boy. And yes he is standing on top of our car. We are busy conducting Science projects here at our house. It seems we are always doing science projects!! He had to make balloons out of different size plastic and then drop them and compare how they did. Since Dad helped mostly with this project I am not quite sure what the outcome was. I just know there was a lot of cutting, tying of string, climbing on my car, dropping and timing the balloons, a lot of whining when it came time to type up the project...etc.

This is JAG. He just turned the magical age of 7 and his teeth are falling out!! He has lost 3 teeth in the last 2 weeks. It is so funny watching him try to eat. He is keeping the tooth fairy very busy. And he is so surprised when he wakes up and finds the $$ under his pillow. Luckily, the tooth fairy has been very generous and has left his teeth for his mommy to put in his scrapbook.

My 3 sons....so very different. So full of.....well something, on different days it is different stuff. But I love them. I marvel out their creativity. I laugh at their funny personalities. I admire them for their priesthood responsibilities. I feel so very blessed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAG!!

Seven years ago, today, I gave birth to this wonderful little guy. JAG is 7 today. He has an extra special day because it is Easter and General Conference. He thought we weren't going to church today because it was his b'day. Heehee. Had to remind him it was General Conference. This little guy has been such a special addition to our family. I know our family would not be complete without him. He is the light of all of our lives. He loves life and enjoys every moment of his day. He laughs at everything. He has a totally hilarious funny side. He is compassionate. He is a daredevil enough to try new things. He loves to be outside. He loves riding bikes, scooters, skateboards. He loves camping. He loves swimming. He loves video games. He loves all things BOY. He loves his friends. He loves his family. He loves his Heavenly Father. My heart swells when I hear him sound out the words in the scriptures when we have family scripture study. I melt like butter when I have had a bad day and he gives me a hug and says or does something to make me laugh. I am renewed with hope when he tells me he loves me or that I am his best friend. He is the best!! We love you, JAG. Thanks for being in our family. Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

His FAVORITE gift.....a DS!!!

Up on my SOAP BOX....

I normally try to stay pretty even keeled about things. I am opinionated and will always express my thoughts and opinions to my family and hubby. But enough is enough and I have to say this to all of society......

OK people WE need to WAKE up and realize how dangerous it is to NOT pay attention while driving!!!!!

I had to take my hubby to work this morning. On my way back to Star on one stretch of the road I noticed the following: a guy driving a work van-- texting!!! He had both of his hands on top of the steering wheel with his phone in between his fingers texting away. Can you beleive it?

Then just past this guy was a lady driving....as in moving forward towards me and she was putting her mascara on!! Truly--had her head turned so she could see her eyes up close and was DRIVING!!!

Then continuing down the road was a lady (mother--she had kids in the car) and she was talking on the cell phone, looking in the rearview mirror probably to deal with one of the kids and she totally swerved into my lane because she wasn't paying attention to the road.

Now, don't get me wrong I have been guilty of being busy on the phone while driving--just talking on it NOT texting, I have had to look back and check on my kids.... BUT c'mon!! It is getting out of hand. Maybe because my kids are getting to the age when they will be driving in the near future I am becoming my aware. Maybe because Oprah is doing a whole NO PHONE ZONE in the car thing I am becoming more aware. The reason doesn't matter. What matters is that I am becoming more aware and I am trying to put the phone down when I am driving. I pull over and then talk. I park. I am trying to change my habits. We all need to become more aware. Our cars can be weapons. Our cars can hurt others. Our cars can kill people. I couldn't live with myself if I hurt someone. I don't know how I would get through life if one of my loved ones was hurt or killed because someone else was being irresponsible on their phone. So let's wake up people. Let's put the phones down. I promise you there is NOT one phone call or text more important than other people's safety.

Well, I guess I will step down off my soap box now. Thanks for letting me vent. Now put the phone DOWN. And please understand that if you call me and I don't answer it may be because I am driving. Leave me a message and I will get back to you, ASAP. Thanks!!

Life is like a.....JUMP ROPE

Have you heard this song by Blue October? It is so awesome. My sister, Cori, let me know about this fun song. It is downloaded on my cute yellow IPOD. It brings happiness to my soul. Not only is it a fun song to listen to, the message is uplifting. My favorite lines of the song.....

• Life is like a jump rope...Up, down, up, down
• It will get hard so remember life is like a jump rope
• Don't be ashamed to cry
• Watch all the negative go by
• Keep pushing through it all
• Don't lose yourself
• Be strong
• Don't give up hope

If you haven't heard this song...you need to. Search for it. Find it. It truly lifts my soul. I need to be reminded life is like a jump rope. There are ups. There are downs. It will and does get hard. But everything will work itself out. It is these times that I am reminded to give 'it all' to my Savior. I love that we are never alone. The mighty One, the Lord, our Savior is always there..just waiting for us to ask for His help. So start jumping......remember it will get hard, but just remember you are never alone. Be strong. Keep smilen'.

A Baptism, An Ordination and a Music Festival.....

Our family had a VERY special day last Saturday, March 6, 2010. Kawehi was baptized by her daddy and then confirmed. She has been looking forward to her baptism day for sometime. We have had so many neat discussions with her about baptism and what it means to have the Holy Ghost--a marvelous gift. I am sure she was overwhelmed with what she was feeling. She cried. I know she felt the spirit. I cannot believe she is 8. Time is truly flying bye. I am trying to enjoy every moment of this little girl's life. She is a beautiful younglady. One of the things she treasured the most (besides the day itself) was that Grandma Lewis was here with us. My mom flew from Las Vegas to share this special time with our family. We always have so much fun with Grandma. It was a wonderful experience. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving us these special ordinances to particpate in.

Kawehi, Daddy & Mommy

Kawehi & G'ma

The Gilbert Family & Grandma


An addition to Kawehi's Baptism we ordained Monkey Boy to the office of a Deacon. We had a "double special day". He turned 12 back on Feb. 12 but he wanted to wait for G'ma Lewis to be here, so he waited. He was ordained by his father and a few other special men in his life. He thought about who he wanted and then went and asked these special men to participate. After talking to a couple of them I know they were touched to be asked to participate. One was our former Bishop, one is currently in our Bishopric, two are close family friends, 2 of them were his previous scout leaders and his best friend's dad. I was reminded that when we are called to our callings in the church you just never realize the impact we may have on a life!! So, please, please, take your callings seriously. These special men have played a huge role in the life of my son. I am grateful for the priesthood. I am truly blessed to be married to a man who honors his priesthood and sets such a wonderful example to my sons.

Kalani, Monkey Boy and TCIG--I love these handsome guys.


After our busy morning at the Stake Center we then had to take TCIG to his music festival. He performed a solo and in an ensemble. He plays the trumpet (just like G'pa Lewis did) and loves it. He did an awesome job. I am so proud of him.

We had a very busy day last Saturday. But it was a wonderful day. I love "busyness" when we are participating in family events. I love the spirit we felt all day. I love that we were able to share it with my mom. I felt my dad's presence. I felt the Holy Ghost. I could feel my Father in Heaven's happiness that 2 of His children progressed in the gospel. My cup runneth over.