Happiness Is. . .

I believe that it's the simple, often overlooked things in life that bring the greatest joy.


From the musical "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown"
Music and lyrics by Clark Gesner,
Happiness

Happiness is finding a pencil
Pizza with sausage
Telling the time

Happiness is learning to whistle
Tying you shoe
For the very first time.

Happiness is playing the drum
In your own school band.
And happiness is walking hand in hand.

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream...
Knowing a secret...
Climbing a tree.

Happiness is five dif'rent crayons...
Catching a firefly...
Setting him free.

Happiness is being alone ev'ry now and then.
And happiness is coming home again.
Happiness is morning and evening,
Daytime and nighttime too.
For happiness is anyone and anything at all
That's loved by you.

Happiness is having a sister
Sharing a sandwich
Getting along-

Happiness is singing together when day is through.
And happiness is those who sing with you.
Happiness is morning and evening,
Daytime and nighttime, too,
For happiness is anyone and anything at all
That's loved by you.

JTIWS (just thought I would share)

Believe

My friend, Toni, lent me the DVD "Believe" which our family watched last night. Great show. Would be even Greater in person/whale. I'd fancy a swim with one of these magnificent creatures. Little Adair, down the street LOVES this DVD and cried when her mom insisted that we borrow it. Adair has such a passion for whales. It made me think, hey, someday she could become a whale trainer at SeaWorld. . . in fact, I would like to swim with a whale or dolphin someday. It is incredible to witness their sheer size, power, and abilities not to mention the bond they have with their trainers. It's amazing to see what can be achieved when two very different species, collaborate. The underlying message from the show is to believe in your dreams. These trainers dreamed to become who they are. A child was picked out of the audience. She shared her dream to become a vetrenarian. Everyone applauded her and she was given a whale pendant to remember her dream. I was inspired.

"Believe" made me think about the things in life that I really want to do. The person I'd really like to be. It's one thing to tell your kids, you can be anything you want to be. But strangely another to tell yourself, and believe it. Why is that? I'd like to know. Are you doing what you want to do? Are you the person you want to be? What childhood dreams have you fulfilled, or left unfullfilled.

I'm 30 years old. I like who I am. I love what I do. I have a long way to go before I'm a great person like my mom, or Maria Cole, or Laura Pendleton. I have a lot of selflessness to achieve if I want to be like my friend Siobhan or my sweet Grandma Lefler. I'm so glad that I have my whole life ahead of me. Time for self-mastery, time to learn how to play the flute, and the harp. Time to write and record the songs in my mind. Time to become a true friend, like my sister, Delynn. Time to swim with killer whales, ride a gondola in Venice, or take in the view from a distant mountaintop.

There IS time. I just need to believe.

Spencer's Baptism

Spencer on his 8th birthday.


Will, Ben, Spence, and Jasen.


The cake.


The birthday boy.


The Bowens.


A treat for those in attendance.


The fumbling pianist.


Ben, Megan, Will, and Allie on the front row.



Spencer and his dad.


Me, Alfonso, and Spencer.


Spencer with Grandma and Grandpa Terry.


Our familia.


Spencer and his cousins from my side of the family.


Spence and D.D.


Spence and me.


Proud parents.



I adore Grandma Castle. It has been soooo long since we've last played cards!


Spencer, Will and (from the Richardson side) Grandma Castle, Camille and Evan.


Spencer's family. We love you Spencer and we are ALL so proud of you!

My Audition

I bumbled like an idiot at the beginning, but I think you get what I was trying to say. Anyway, this was a really fun experience!

For more info, check out http://www.dodgers.com/lds

AMERICAN IDOLS LIVE 2009

For a limited time only, straight from our camera, here are a few show highlights.
This is intended for the viewing pleasure of our friends who weren't able to attend the show. No copyright violation intended.






Our "Slow Ride" Home

Lucy and Peter

Earlier this week I had the fabulous priviledge of going to girls camp with the choice young women of my ward. There is something to be said about being way up in the mountains, removed from electricity and distractions. There is something magical about watching the full moon rise as you listen to all the girls giggling in their dimly lit tents.

I should tell you, I am a heavy dreamer. My nights are usually filled with random restless images that seem to play until I open my eyes. It can be exasperating. However, while up in the mountians with only a thin layer of fabric between me and the stars, my nights were limited to one dream only. I slept so peacefully and dreamt so clearly.

I dreamed that I was on a staircase, close to the top, when I saw a beautiful blonde-headed girl running into the hallway above. Her curls were bouncing and her smiling expression was radiant. She was so excited to see someone approaching. I looked below to see a little boy, crawling up the staircase squealing with joy. I instantly knew who they were and recognized a big sister jumping up and down at the edge of the stairs, ecstatic to see her little brother. I have to emphasize, they were SO HAPPY to see each other. They were only two steps away from each other, and the dream was over.

I know without question who those beautiful children were. The little boy's name is Peter. I know this because I held him in my arms in the park last Sunday and had the priviledge of rocking him to sleep. The little girl's name is Lucy. I know this because I've played with her. I'd know her beautiful face anywhere. I know and love her parents and mourned with them when she passed away last year.

This was such a clear, sweet dream. When I woke up, I became regretfully aware of the fact that Lucy and Peter will never play like that in this mortal life. But, it was obvious that they do KNOW each other, that they LOVE each other, and there WILL be a time for them to laugh and play together. I'm so glad to have caught a glimpse.

This Ragged Old Flag

Image taken of a flag which was recovered from ground zero at the World Trade Center.

Ragged Old Flag - Johnny Cash
I walked through a county courthouse square
On a park bench, an old man was sittin' there.
I said, "Your old court house is kinda run down,
He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town."
I said, "Your old flag pole is leaned a little bit,
And that's a ragged old flag you got hangin' on it."
He said, "Have a seat," and I sat down,
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town"
I said, "I think it is"
He said "I don't like to brag, but we're kinda proud of
That Ragged Old Flag

"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there,
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
and It got powder burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it,
writing "Say Can You See"
It got a rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jackson
tugging at its seams.
and It almost fell at the Alamo
beside the Texas flag,
But she waved on though.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville,
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee and Beauregard and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on
That Ragged Old Flag

"On Flanders Field in World War I,
She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun,
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp, and low, a time or two,
She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent
by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam
and now they've about quit wavin' back here at home
in her own good land here She's been abused,
She's been burned, dishonored, denied an' refused,
And the government for which she stands
Has been scandalized throughout out the land.
And she's getting thread bare, and she's wearin' thin,
But she's in good shape, for the shape she's in.
Cause she's been through the fire before
and i believe she can take a whole lot more.

"So we raise her up every morning
And we bring her down slow every night,
We don't let her touch the ground,
And we fold her up right.
On second thought
I DO like to brag
Cause I'm mighty proud of
That Ragged Old Flag"

Let's not forget to give thanks.
Thanks to the men and women who have fought and still fight to keep America free, thanks for our government which isn't perfect but desperately struggles to provide for and guide it's people, and thanks to God for granting us time here on this blessed soil. Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Confessions of a Hermit - Part 2

Right now as I type, my neighbors are on the porch next-door visiting. Why have I not joined them? I don't feel excluded or alienated. But with the kids out on a playdate, I just would much rather be alone. Remember what silence sounds like. Enjoy an uninterrupted moment with the current book I've been reading. Is this antisocial?

Lately, I've really immersed myself in reading. It has been such a long time since I've been able to do that. On Tuesday, I finished Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and now I'm getting deep into The Freedom Writer's Diary. I have my next selection at hand. What can I say? I like to read. It's like a healthy dessert for my brain. So for today, I'll let the neighbors chat, I'll let the kids play with their friends, and after I rotate the laundry, I'll even let that set for a time. But now, I choose to be alone and read.

p.s. Have you read any good books lately that you'd like to share with me? I'd love some suggestions!

What Makes A Father Good?

What makes a father good? Is it the car he drives or the size of his bank account? Or is it simply in the daily choices he makes?
Does he put on a brave face when he, himself is uncertain of the future?
Does he take every opportunity possible to teach his children, of respect, of work, of the gospel, and of kindness?
Does he live by his word?
Does he walk by example?
Does he spend the last moments of a tired day frolicking on the floor with three wired boys?
Does he put everyone's happiness above his own?
Does he honor his priesthood?
Does he teach his boys how to be men?
Does he live the way he should?
Does he carry a sleeping 4 year old from car booster seat to bed?
Does he love, provide for, and care for his two step children as if they were his own?
Does he take a family of two, accept a family of three, and MAKE a family of five?
Does he love his wife with all his heart?
Does he look out for her best interest above his own?
Does he know exactly what to say to make her laugh til she cries?
Does he always offer a shoulder to cry on and (Although she'd never take him up on it) offer his shirtsleeve as a Kleenex substitute?
Does he put a glass of icewater beside her bed each and every night?

If his name is Alfonso, then the answer is a resounding, "Yes!" And not only are we speaking of a Father who is exquisitely good, but a Husband who is true, and a Friend who is THERE. Happy Father's Day, Alfonso. We love you!