Coming Soon - The Black Maurader

Bye-Bye Blue

We said good-bye to a dear family friend this week; our beloved blue boat. Considering it is a boat, it was surprisingly emotional when the time for parting came. This is Gordon hooking on to the boat to take it to it's new home. We went together and dropped her off at the boat dealership; not in the front with all the new boats, but in back.

Back where all of the "used" and abandoned boats were left.

All of a sudden I had visions of "Toy Story" in my head; you know, how Annie told Andy what happened to her.

"You're old now. I don't want to play with you anymore."

I wanted to say,

"Stop! I have to leave a note with the boat and here is what it should say:

This boat served a family for 10 straight years and never once left them stranded. She started up every time and purred like a kitty. Five children of the family and countless other family & friends learned to two-ski, slalom or wakeboard behind her. She was witness to family times that will never be forgotten; the 'beginning of the summer' parties on Memorial Day and the 'end of the summer' parties on Labor Day. She took them on Island Park Reservoir many years in a row to watch the 4th of July fireworks. She was home to many hours sitting at Robie Creek with the radio on, swimming and tanning.

Her wake. Oh her glorious wake. It was so small that many a skier clamored to ski behind her, so easy was her wake to ski.

Also never to be forgotten will be the cassette tape player. We had only one tape that was ever played. Diamond Rio's first release; the only music besides a radio channel that was ever played. Those songs said, 'home of the blue boat' to us'."

As I thought of all the things I would write, I thought, "Hey, wait! Why are we moving on? Why are we leaving this cherished blue boat here?"

As we drove away, it comforted me to know that there in the tape player sat Diamond Rio's first release tape. Ready to go for it's new family.

Bye Blue Boat. It's been a great ride.

The Graduate

Suzanne graduated from Boise State on Saturday, May 16th. She transferred there from BYU when she and James got married and didn't miss a beat. Her major is Elementary Education and she is considering job possibilities.

That makes all three of my daughters in law graduating from college - impressive huh? I'm bragging again.........

No pressure, Scott but the bar is pretty high.

Memorial Day

"When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say; For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"

- The Kohima Epitaph (sent to me by Lynda Davis).

I am grateful for those who have fought for our freedom; who have given their lives to protect our liberties.

Equally, I am grateful for those who still live, but have suffered and lost so much fighting for us.

I am so grateful to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Holiday Weekend

The Six Year Twitch

Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone who has an eye twitch?

That is what happened tonight with Jessica and Gordon. She was trying to hold a straight face at the dinner table and finally mentioned the eye twitch, which has been going on and off for most of the past year. We jokingly teased him about it and he abruptly walked away from the table.

We felt really bad.

Then he returned - with sunglasses on! "Now can you hold a straight face when you talk to me?"

Oh sure - no problem.

I tell him all the time that it's the six year twitch - the six or so years he'll most likely serve as Bishop.

Hey, the stress has gotta come out somewhere. Good thing it's just a twitch. It could be a flailing arm, a funny sound, an involuntary snort, or worse; something that sunglasses don't cover up.

He looks pretty cool in them, don't you think?

Oh Heck!

For Mother's Day weekend, Ben & Laura came home from Provo and we all got together on Sunday for dinner (with the exception of Scott, of course). These are precious times that seem to come farther and fewer between, so when they happen - we celebrate!

How? By playing a rousing game of "OH HECK" on Friday night ("heck" is a substitution that you may be able to figure out if you try real hard...)

I believe that Laura won, with several of us tying for 2nd place. One thing I learned is that my 2nd favorite cards, the M&M ones, have suddenly gotten really small print and are hard to read. How does that happen? Mid game we had to switch cards. I guess we should have used my favorite cards in the first place, the ones that feature the faces of my two little shavers.

It was a great weekend, the kind that rejuvinates you for the next, oh....one month, two weeks and five days:)

Breath of Fresh Air

Jessica had prom this last Saturday night. She is our princess plain and true.

It is a little hard for her dad to watch her grow up, but he is coming along.

We are so proud of her.

The way she presented herself was a breath of fresh air in a sea of immodesty.

Almost 30 years in the making!

Gordon and I have been married 30 years this coming December. When we had our one month anniversary, he did a very thoughtful thing;

He brought home a dozen roses for me. Isn't that a thoughtful one month commemoration?

I did a very stupid thing; something so stupid as to guarantee a life of never getting flowers again.

I said, "Did you buy those with OUR money? We can't afford roses!"

In one sentence I squashed the wonderful gesture of my new husband. From that time forward, he assumed I didn't like to get flowers. (Either that, or he was afraid of my reaction if he did).

Over the years, I have grown roses that I am very proud of; yet during the long winters I have yearned at times for the very thing I took for granted as a newlywed - a bouquet of beautiful, aromatic roses. But I knew I had sealed my own fate.

Until....

Tonight. Gordon came in the house and announced, "Happy Mother's Day" and proudly handed me the most beautiful bouquet of roses I have ever seen.

Fortunately, this time I responded appropriately.

I'm so glad for second chances. And so grateful for my patient, thoughtful husband.

Sweet Liberty Spring Show

Tonight was the annual Spring Show for the Sweet Liberty Dance Team where they celebrate a great year and say some goodbyes. Below are some of her friends that she will miss on the team next year. Congrats on a great year Jess!

The Graduate

Warning: This is a bragfest.

Last weekend Ben graduated Cum Laude from BYU with a Masters of Accountancy. He got to wear what he described as the "Harry Potter" robe, the black one with extra wings on the side. I'm sure the robe is going to take it's natural place in the dress up chest in the Bird home for their little brood to dress up with someday.

Anyway, back to the bragfest, Ben had multiple things draped about his shoulders signifying just what a smart feller he is.

Which leads to the question: How did he get so dang smart? I mean, he are the most educated in the entire family! I think he has a photographic memory.

But, in all fairness, I can't leave out the hard work. He has completed his Masters in the designated timeframe for a Bachelors degree. He has kept is nose to the grindstone and his eye on the prize.

Now it's on to the working world; he has a job waiting for him here in Boise with Deloitte Touche accounting firm and Richard's company's (KPMG) competitor. We can't wait!

Sorry Ben. I know you don't like it when I brag about you. But hey, YOU DESERVE IT!