Thoughtful Missionary

Scott surprised us and sent a box "for the girls in the family". It was these day skirts that the Laotian/Mien people wear. One of the ladies helped him get the skirts and then she wouldn't let him pay her. You wrap it around yourself and tuck it in. We're going to wear them to the airport in 6 months. Six Months! Jess didn't get a skirt; she got the purse she's holding from the same lady who got it in Thailand.

Also in the box was a package of four pink & white socks "for Mom, because I know how cold she gets and how much she likes socks". It was a highlight of Christmas.

Christmas Pics from the Birdhouse

Cam & Eli riding "Mr. Ed"

BSU stadium seats for the BSU students

Coming upstairs to see what Santa left!

The Month After Christmas

Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
All the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I tried to walk it off, it was more of a lumber.
Even when applied with laughter and wit
My favorite jeans just wouldn't quite fit.

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared (Gordon's prime rib - yum!)
The mixers (cranberry and 7-up) and the balls of cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt -
I said to myself, as only I can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So - away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and dip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces (ha ha) have vanished.

I won't have a cookie - not even a lick
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick (with ranch, of course).
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread or pie
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly try.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life seems a bore -
But isn't that what January's for?
Try more to giggle, for life is a riot;
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

What was your favorite holiday indulgence?

Ben & Laura's tree

Hurry Up And Post!

My keyboard miraculously started working again tonight and so I decided I'd better post - quick. I have ordered a new HP laptop, coming this week and can't wait! The nativity is Ben & Laura's and it was backlit at 5:30 in the morning. I spent the night with them and when they got up to work at the temple, I noticed how beautifully it was backlit by the rising sun & couldn't resist a picture before going back to sleep.

On 12/13/08, we did gingerbread houses for FHE. Missed you, Bed & Laura!

Cam & Eli love dancing to the singin' snowman.

Done! Keyboared not working again - this took 25 minutes to type!

Christmas Letter

Christmas 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings from the Birdhouse! It’s that time of year again where we look forward to hearing from you and getting an update on your families. We are so thankful for each of you and for the part that you play in our lives.

I always write these letters with a little hesitation because sometimes they can turn into “brag fests” and be a little nauseating. I have figured out that what we usually do is point out the positive things we have done and that have happened to us and not the negative, which is good. Who needs to know about Uncle Jack’s hemorrhoids, or Ned’s boils on his backside when you can hear all about how much money we’ve made and how famous we’ve become, all in the past year?

Beginning with Gordon, he is still serving as Bishop of our ward and it keeps him hopping. Boise Cascade is still in business, which is good considering the economy right now. He still goes on his annual elk hunting trip in the fall with his brother and any of their sons that are available to go. Since losing Chief, Buzz has become horse #1 and they are bonding quite well.

Julie is still in business with real estate, considering the economy. The goal at this point is to still be kicking when the housing market kicks in again and things start moving. Right now it is pretty slow, but that’s why you save for a rainy day. And boy, rainy days are here! It is still a rewarding career and she gets to meet so many interesting people. She’s working on her Broker’s license during this down time.

Rich and Jo live in Kuna, a bedroom community to Boise with their sons, Cameron (3 ½) and Eli (1 ½). Rich is with KPMG accounting firm and Jo works as a Dental Hygienist one day a week. “Baca” Bird gets to watch the boys and it is a fantastic way to spend the day. They are so much fun!

Ben and Laura are still in Provo. Laura graduated in August with a degree in Public Relations and has entered the work force, working in Salt Lake for a restoration firm in Marketing/Public Relations. Ben graduates with his Masters of Accountancy this April and at the end of the summer they are moving back to Boise to work for Deloitte & Touche accounting firm.

James and Suzanne are living in Boise and both attending BSU. Suzanne graduates this April in Elementary Education and James still has a couple of years to go (in accounting…surprise!). Do you see a theme going here? They are the cutest couple and are coming up on one year married on December 28th.

Scott continues to serve in the California Sacramento mission, Laotian and Mien speaking. We are down to 6 more months until he comes home and are anxiously waiting for the time we can all be together again. He loves the people there and we can tell he has grown so much.

Jessica is still our dancing queen. Her season is getting busy with competitions & performances and we love to watch her. She studies hard and plays equally as hard. She drives her little Honda that we have affectionately named “the green weenie”. Being the only child left at home, she keeps her mom and dad young and makes life interesting.

Are we guilty of bragging in the above paragraphs? Yes, we are, but our children have made us so proud and we love them so much. Do we have our challenges and difficulties? Yes, we do but we’ll spare you the gory details. Life is about accentuating the positive, right? We have so much to be thankful for and one of the keys to happiness is recognizing all that the Lord has blessed us with.

One of those blessings is having you as a part of our lives. Thank you for all you do and have done to help us raise our kids, influence us and just be there for us. I love this quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley and I think it sums up our feelings,

“(The fact is) most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. …“Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride”.

Thanks for riding along with us.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Gordon, Julie & Jessica Bird

Botox and Brown Eyes

My day was made today for two reasons. I went to the Dr. for my annual (fun stuff!) visit. No, that was not one of my day making events, but two things that happened there were.

1) When my Dr. walked in, she asked if I had gotten Botox. Maybe you wouldn't find that to be a good thing, but I did! She is trained in administering Botox and she has told me about it numerous times, but I have declined. So to have her tell me it looks like I have had it done to make my skin look younger is FABULOUS! (A Grinch line). I told her no, it's genetical(not a word, but a good story I'll share sometime). I have been using Mexi-retin-A, though. This came at a great time, because for the better part of the year I have thought I am 47 going on 48. Only last month, Gordon pointed out that I am actually 48 going on 49. So I feel like I am getting two years older this year.

2) The Nurse Practitioner in training knows my daughter in law, Jo and recognized me as Richard's mother when I walked in. She then proceeded to tell me that my grandsons look just like me! "Yes", I said, "they have my brown eyes. I am the only one on both sides with brown eyes and they got them"...She was probably sorry that she mentioned it because it started a grandmotherly tirade that lasted several minutes.

So, whether my skin looks good or it was just a nice thing to say, and whether or not my baby boys look like me, my day was made. Reality may bite, but perception is tastes really good.

It's really quite easy to make me happy.

Priced to Steal!

Okay, I'm putting on my real estate agent hat here and telling you about an amazing house that I have listed. I know that many of you who read this blog are out of towners, so here is your chance to have the home of your dreams for a steal, or if you know someone moving to Boise, tell them about this amazing steal.

Amazing price reduction on this luxury home on over 2 acres! Motivated Seller has reduced it $300,000 from original list price. You won't find luxury + land for this anywhere in the Boise area! 5960 s.f. features 6 beds 4.5 baths and backs up to Fox Run Golf Course. Ever-hot water heater,two DW's, three W/D hookups, including W/D's. RV Parking, playset & arbor & free internet also included. You must see to believe. Also, zoned for up to six horses.

View video pics here:
http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/ViewVideo.asp?t=458990

Price? $799,000 That's $130 per square foot for luxury plus land. Outstanding!

If you don't have 3/4 million to spare, then check these out:
http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/ViewVideo.asp?t=461160
http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/ViewVideo.asp?t=459073
http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/ViewVideo.asp?t=459010

"Iiiiii Feeeel Goooood!"

The line "The Grinch" is saying in this picture - yes, I have another list of favorite lines to post, but "one thing at a time!"

My schitzoid computer keyboard is acting all garbeldy guck again - at least it was for four days until it magically stopped just an hour ago. More to come....

My favorite Christmas movie

Most people have favorite Christmas movies like, "The Miracle on 34th Street" or "It's a Wonderful Life".

I have a favorite Christmas movie:

"The Grinch". (Check out the song on my playlist at the end of the blog)

I listen to/watch it almost every day from Thanksgiving on, like Christmas music. It brings me true joy every season. He is just so twisted and it reminds me a little of myself. I love the message.

So many lines from this movie apply to real life and I try to find the opportunity to use them any time I can, much to the chagrin of my family.

Some of my favorites: (said only with the drawl that Jim Carey uses as "The Grinch", and most of them require an exclaimation point)

"Airbag's a little slow....But that's what these tests are for!"

"One step at a time, Max!"

"Oh, grow up! (said to little Cindy Lou Who)

Cindy Lou: "Martha will be there."
Grinch: "Well, I'm sorry to dissapoint you Martha baby, but the G-train has left the station!"

"What do you think I am, some kind of wild animal?"

When checking the size of his heart: "Down a size! And this time I'll keep it off."

"Am I just eating because I'm bored?"

Checking his messages, "Odd, no messages - better check the outgoing...'If you utter so much as one word, I'll hunt you down and gut you like a fish! If you'd like to fax me, press the star key.'"

"I feel all 'toasty' inside...And I'm leaking."

My new line that I heard last year that I'd never noticed before: (Throwing a "stick": "Max, go fetch (Max runs off) Ha, there's no stick! I'm smarter."

I can't wait to hear a new line this year.

Please share your favorite lines with me. If you haven't watched "The Grinch", please do. You'll be glad you did.