39 Again?!!

Another year, and another birthday. This one was super nice. Stan made waffles in the morning for breakfast, AJ fixed sausage and we had some amazing apple cider that made the whole thing feel like fall. Kevin gave me a pumpkin candle and a "writer's mug."

As always, Stan addresses his envelopes in a fun way! Chocolates from my sweetheart along with a poem and a promise for a date of my choice. Love it! AJ gave me a pair of beautiful earrings too ....

Normally Stan barbecues hamburgers for my birthday dinner, but this year he had to work. So that evening Kevin took us, along with his girlfriend Kate, to Freddie's where we had hamburgers, drinks and fries. It was a blast! Phone calls from Beth and my folks, chocolate and a ton o' messages from friends, and it was the perfect birthday!

Growing older isn't so bad after all .....

 The Freddie's Burger ... Yummmmm!

 Fry Sauce!!!

Need we say more?

 AJ, who celebrates his own birthday on the 5th!

 Kate and Kevin

Ready for another year

and some amazing new adventures as we look forward

to leaving Colorado Springs and starting a new chapter

in Denver in 2013 ....

The Waldo Canyon Fire

A fire started right near Colorado Springs on Saturday, June 23rd. It has been a devestating experience for us to watch the destruction and see as this fire grows exponentially each day. I'm sharing some photos for friends and family.

We are doing well. We are far enough away that we are not terribly affected by this. Ash and smoke are making things difficult for AJ and his asthma. Most of the toll is emotional to see what has happened to our beautiful area. We lost Flying W Ranch, which was heartbreaking, along with hundreds of homes.

The firefighters have been simply amazing! And the community has really been pulling together to support those who've been evacuated and those who are fighting this disaster. Here are some photos:

 Helicopters, C130 Tankers and hundreds of men and women on the ground.

It may take awhile, but they will get control!

 Even the Air Force Academy has been affected.

 Our beautiful mountains .... so sad!

 This fire is like none the fire fighters have ever seen.

One day going north, then south, then east.

It's a beast!

 The fire jumped containment lines and two ridges in about 20 minutes.

It was so frightening to watch!

 An aerial shot of the Flying W Ranch

One of our favorite places. Hopefully they'll rebuild

346 homes and 2 lives lost.

Overall, I think we're pretty blessed.

This map shows the growth of the fire.

A New Car

Our poor van has given up the ghost. My purple mini-van, that we bought when we moved here in 2000, was supposed to go in for a new transmission, but the owner of the shop called and said that he couldn't in "good conscience" fix the transmission for us because so much else was going wrong with it. In total, between $7,000 and $10,000 worth of repairs, which included the transmission. So, after much scrambling about and fretting, we sold the car to a junk yard. Goodbye my sweet "Mom Mobile!"

Yesterday we went out and got a new family car. New to us that is! We found a lovely 2005 Chevrolet Impala that Kevin has dubbed White Lightning! It still feels odd to be driving in it, and it's not quite as comfortable as the van was for me, but it'll be a terrific car for the boys to use to go to school, on dates, etc.

Here are a couple of pictures of the newest addition to the Mullis household!

Kevin Is 20!!!

Okay, say it with me .... no more teenagers in the house! It's strange to think of it. We've had at least one teenager around for the past nine years, so this is a new phase for us.

Kevin turns 20 today, and I'm excited for him, but also feeling a little melancholy about my babies growing up. I have such incredibly sweet memories of my youngest, who had a personality all his own from the moment he was born. Probably before that!

He used to call carrots "docs" because Bugs Bunny ate them and said "What's up doc?" We eventually nicknamed him "Bugs" because of it. That's still his nickname!

He used to bring along a little stuffed dog named "Shotty" (he couldn't say Shorty) with him wherever he went. And he would introduce Shotty to people and play with him when I went to work at the library, or to church, the bank, grocery shopping ... you name it! Very cute.

He's very artistic, and started drawing when he was small like most boys. He loved to create art work, and my sister, a former art teacher, said his talent was beyond his years and encouraged us to support him. We bought him sets of crayons, then colored pencils and paints and so many pads of paper over the years! Took art classes as he got older and has received awards for his work.

When AJ started kindergarten, he was so jealous! So we signed him up for a toddlers cooking class and sparked another creative interest of his. He's grown from children's cookbooks to adult cookbooks and now creates his own recipes. We've all benefited from and enjoyed his creativity in this area, let me tell you!

But one of the things that defines Kevin the most is his deep love of and stalwart defense of his family. To Kevin, family is everything. He has a strong faith and is often the one reminding us of family prayer and not to give up when things seem difficult. "It'll be alright!" he says, "It always is." And he's right.

I always wanted to be a mother. After my very difficult delivery with AJ my doctor didn't want me to have any more children. I knew there was one more and I was going to have him. I am SO grateful I did! What would it be like if Kevin were not here? I can't even go there. I thank my Heavenly Father every day that He helped me and we have this precious spirit in our family. We wouldn't truly be a family without him.

Happy 22nd Birthday AJ!

Today is AJ's 22nd birthday! Yay! He has brought so much joy, laughter and love to our lives that I cannot imagine a world without him in it.

We celebrated early today because he has school today and he couldn't miss. He had a Calculus test this morning, and he has a Physics test this evening. He returned home about 1:00 this afternoon and we had his birthday dinner then. In our family you get to pick the menu yourself since it's your special day. AJ is pretty consistent. It was good!

We had Cornish game hens ...

Roasted fingerling potatoes ...

and pea and cheese salad.

Captain Cool even stopped by for a visit!

With a birthday kiss for the Man of the Hour!

When we were done with dinner we brought out the triple chocolate cake that AJ had requested!

We sang to him, which he seemed to like,

then he blew out the candles!

He liked the presents the his father, brother and I gave him: a copy of one of his favorite movies Tron: Legacy, a new pair of sunglasses, and a subscription to Astronomy magazine!

And through it all -- a very happy, and blessed, mom!

Memorial Day

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

John McCrae (1872-1918)

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

There can be no joy without gratitude.

from Miles to Go

Richard Paul Evans

A Thought for the Easter Weekend

In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning, “He is not here: for he is risen.”

As one of His special witnesses on earth today, this glorious Easter Sunday, I declare that this is true, in His sacred name -- even the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior -- amen.

Thomas S. Monson, President
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

For many of us, sadly, the spirit of Christmas is “hurry.” And yet, eventually, the hour comes when the rushing ends and the race against the calendar mercifully comes to a close. It is only now perhaps that we truly recognize the spirit of Christmas. It is not a matter of days or weeks, but of centuries -- nearly twenty of them now since that holy night in Bethlehem. Regarded in this manner, the pre-Christmas rush may do us greater service than we realize. With all its temporal confusion, it may just help us to see that by contrast, Christmas itself is eternal.~~Burton Hills

A New Member of the Family!

We have a new member of our family!  My sister's youngest son Eric and his wife Amber had their baby Tuesday, a girl they named Cassandra Jade.  She's just beautiful!

I'm pretty sure that Christmas Day will be spent playing "pass the baby."  Isn't she just the most precious little thing?  Who wouldn't love such a little angel!



Here is my sister, the new Grandma, holding her granddaughter.  I told her I thought it was awfully nice of Eric and Amber to give us such a nice Christmas present.

The new little family.  Aren't they sweet?  This is going to be a special Christmas for them, I know.  And every Christmas from now on will be a new adventure as they watch little Cassandra grow up.  What a happy life awaits them!  I can't wait to see them all and to hold my new little niece.  I always said I was a great aunt, but now I really will be a GREAT aunt!   Yay!

Where Are You Christmas?

"Where are you Christmas, why can't I find you?  Why have you gone away?"

This song has been haunting me.  I haven't been able to feel the spirit of Christmas this year.  We aren't getting a tree, and we are not exchanging presents.  My sister wants us to come for Christmas and money is too tight, but I'm not sure that's the reason I'm feeling out of it.  So I'm focusing on "my favorite" things instead, and try to bring the spirit of the season into my heart and my home.

I love Christmas music.  In fact, I've been listening to it since the end of September.  Now I can listen to it with abandon.  It's playing everywhere and it's so great!  How can anyone feel anything but grateful and blessed and happy when listening to Christmas music?

Kevin and I are planning on doing some baking this week.  Ginger snaps, almond cherry cookies, and Russian tea cakes.  Yum!  The house will smell so good, and we can share the cookies with people we love, and induldge our sweet tooth in the process.  I'm so looking forward to it!

We put our manger scene up on the piano.  This is so special to me.  The Christmas I was preparing for my surgeries, some sweet, good-hearted friend gave this to us.  I don't know who they are, but every day one piece would arrive on our doorstep with a poem or a note about Christmas.  On the last day the stable was delivered.  When we put this together it fills me with such emotion.  That someone loved us, loved me enough to give this gift touches me deeply.  Not only the sweet individual who delivered the creche, but also my Father in Heaven who gave His Son so that I could have this wonderful life that I live.

All the Christmas movies and shows that are on now.  Some, like Charlie Brown, bring back the time when I was a little girl and first watched them, and others I remember sitting and cuddling my own precious babies while watching them.  From the Winter Warlock to the Little Drummer Boy, they each hold memories.

Christmas Light Night!  We pick a night every Christmas to go out and see all the decorated houses we can.  We have a nice dinner, then bundle ourselves up and get into the car and off we go!  We especially love to visit the Church of the Nazarene over off Fountain Avenue which has such an amazing display of music and lights that we never miss it!  When we are done, we stop off at a restaurant for pie and hot chocolate before we go back home.  I am really looking forward to Christmas Light Night this year.

Hopefully everyone else is enjoying the season and feeling the spirit.  I sure hope I can too.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
Oren Arnold
1900-1980

Thanksgiving 2010

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my three crazy guys.  Love them all SOOOO much.  We had a great turkey (24 pounds) and all the trimmings.  And I mean all! I didn't get too many pictures cuz my batteries died, but here's a brief glimpse of our day!  Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving too!

Stan making his famous gravy.  YUMMMMM!

 Who are these crazy guys??

 Hey, I recognize them now!  They're mine!  Yay!

 This turkey is HUGE!  But we were able to handle him just fine!

Twenty-two years and counting .......

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  When my kids were little they couldn't understand why Christmas wasn't at the top of my holiday list but I think they get it now.  It's the only holiday that doesn't have an extra agenda to it, like buying candy (although you can do that) or give gifts, or shoot fireworks.  We just have a wonderful meal with those who mean the most to us to take stock of all we have rather than what we lack.  That makes me so happy!  Here are some things I am grateful for this year.

I am grateful for a family (of men) who support and love me no matter what.  They give me space to write, they hug me when I'm tired, they cook dinner when I'm too pooped to move.  I feel like a queen much of the time, and it's a dandy thing!

I'm grateful to be able to walk.  I sometimes curse the arthritis that plagues me, but I can still walk and get around pretty well, and that means a lot to me.

I'm grateful for my little razor that keeps my chin from making me look like that train guy on Polar Express.  Believe me, I sometimes think my chin hairs grow faster than my husbands!  But I gots the jump on the little suckers with that thing.

I'm grateful for chocolate.  There are many things in this world that testify to me of a Heavenly Father's love, and chocolate is one of them!  It's a lovely treat that makes me feel good when I need it.  One of His best inventions!

Dogs.  I love dogs.  I am not a cat person.  I am thankful for dogs in a world where there seems to be so much conditional love and to have a creature that will love you simply because you are there is a blessing.

I am grateful for music.  To have a way to express yourself when you don't have the right words is so cool!  That you can tell your friend, "Listen to this song," and they can get what you're feeling is so fabulous!  Or when something inside you is too big to keep in, you can burst into song and let it out in the best way possible, although I suggest you don't do this in Safeway. 

I am thankful for AJ who has such empathy in his being.  He is someone I never have to explain anything to, he just understands.  What an amazing gift to be his mother.

I'm grateful for Kevin who makes me laugh. He has such a good sense of humor and comes up with these things that just crack me up. So fun to have him for my son!

I am thankful for Stan who is always there for me.  He has changed my life in ways I cannot explain, even to him.  It scares me to think where I might be if not for him.

And mostly, I am grateful for a Father in Heaven and a Savior who give me more than chocolate and dogs, a husband and sons.  They have given me me a heart to feel gratitude, faith to guide me, love to fill me, music to bring me joy and my family to make it all worthwhile.

What are you thankful for?

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
~Thornton Wilder
American Playwright
1897-1975

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain
1835-1910

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

I don't really have a quote for today.  I've been thinking today about blessings.  This week my aunt Charlotte passed away, and today I celebrated my 22nd anniversary with my husband.  Both of these events have given me pause to stop and consider how much we each have. 

If you have a loving family with parents and siblings and also aunts, uncles, cousins...how amazing is that?  That we have these people that are always there teaching, loving, laughing, sharing with us.  Our lives are so rich with such a blessing.  And when we lose someone here on earth to know they will be waiting to welcome and embrace us on the other side when we pass is something I find comforting. 

Then on top of that, I have been so fortunate to have found my heart's companion.  Sure, we've had difficulties over the past 22 years, but to know that I have Stan alwys there....supporting, laughing, loving and keeping me centered.  I knew when I met him he was special.  I knew when I married him I loved him.  And now, all these years later, I cannot imagine my heart beating without knowing he's there. 

As they say, my cup runneth o'er.

Blessed be.

Seminary Graduation!

Kevin graduated from seminary this evening.  We're so proud of him.  We took some pictures of him there.  It was a nice ceremony.  He's gone before school for four years and earned a wonderful diploma to recognize his efforts.  So happy!  And no more getting up at 5:00 AM!!!

Sister Nancy Perucca has been Kevin's teacher for the last three years.  He adores her!  You can see by her beautiful face and smile what a terrific person she is.  The best sense of humor and such a wonderful teacher.  He was lucky to have been in her class.

Bishop Ellery Miller used to be our home teacher when Kevin was younger, and he was also his 11-year-old scout leader.   He's been an important part of our family for a long time, and as our bishop he's been so supportive of Kevin and all his endevours.

President Brent Smith used to be our bishop, and before that he and Kevin formed a special relationship.  Kevin loves him, and knows that President Smith loves him too.  It meant a lot to Kevin that it was President Smith who handed him his diploma.

Here's our graduate with the two men who have helped to guide him and get him to this point in his life.  Between these men and Sister Perucca I know that Kevin has the knowledge and skills that will help guide him the rest of his life.  I'm so proud of him and know he's on his way to a good life.  Now, one graduation ceremony down, and one to go!!!!