Did It

Got the photos taken - here are a few.

Jacob, Gene, Gabe

Michelle, Hannah

Michelle, Mom, Susan, Hannah

Jacob and his girlfriend Samantha

Susan and her boyfriend George.

Me and my boyfriend Gene

Thanks Stephanie

So my cousin Stephanie scolded me saying that I need a new picture on this blog banner.  I agree.

And with the family going off to diverse places, who knows when we'll have the opportunity to have a family picture taken?

So tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. we're getting together for our photo shoot

...if I can find a photographer!

Check back Monday to see if I was successful.

Some Mornings...

Only one thing helps.

.

Talented

Is the word to describe my daughter Susan.
She cut my hair when she came to visit last night.

Before

After

I like it.

Gorgeous is what I am now.

:)

Good Night and Goodbye

Susan came by tonight to say goodbye and to set up Skype on my laptop (and cut my hair).  I leave Sunday for D.C. and she leaves Wednesday for Catalina so tonight was her last chance to stop by.

She will be gone for 2 1/2 months or so and I will miss her.

When she first said she was leaving I was like "What about your job?"  "What about your apartment?" "How can you just take a leave of absence from work like that?" "What about $$$?"

All those mother kinds of worries.

I really couldn't figure out why anyone would do such a thing.

Then Gene told me why. 

Because she is 24 and 

She can.

Aloha my baby girl!

Reading

We were challenged to read the Book of Mormon in its entirety by May 19.

That is what I am doing today.

Reading. (Which also means I'll be resting my shoulder today too).

What??????

Hannah's IQ dropped 11 points in 4 years.

She was Borderline Mild Mental Retardation.

She's now Moderate Mental Retardation.

46 IQ.

How does that happen?

Either she's topped out already at age 11 :(

Or it is the effect of the seizures :(

Wish we could get them under control - still around 2 dozen a day (many falling on the ground kind).

They control us - what we do, where we go, how long we stay, how we sleep.

The medicines she is on aren't worth crap.

She just had a really big one - thank goodness she was already sitting on the floor.

She's a trooper.

You Tube Reaction

Three

 Sr. Prom with Tori.

Broke up that night.

Iolani Carnival with girl (I forget her name)

Le Jardin Prom with Dana Kim

Two Mysteries

Mystery #1

When I was about 17, I got a card in the mail that said "You think you've got problems - last night I dreamed I was a rail road."  It was unsigned and contained $20.

Mystery #2

When I was in college in Utah I got a card in the mail that said "Thank You for standing up for what you believe in."  It was unsigned and contained $20.

I am sure they were not from the same person.

Can't wait to get to the other side and find out who sent these.

3 IN 1

Three dates in 1 week with 3 different girls.

Guess who?

Stop by tomorrow for picture proof.

Now A Word From Our Sponsor

Tune in next week for the continuing saga.

Sympathy for a Four-Legged Neighbor

Our neighbor's dog barks all day long.  The owner, Paul, is a great person who takes good care of his dogs.  But he's off island for I think 6 months.  This means his brother Mike is in charge of the dogs.

I think Mike must be deaf because he's home all day but doesn't seem to mind the dog barking.  Mike makes the dogs stay outside 24-7.  Paul would let them come in and out as they wanted.  Mike doesn't walk the dogs.  Paul walked them every day and even took them on car rides.

My girls love the dogs next door.  They call them Angel and Naughty.

I am sure it must be Naughty who is barking all day.  Poor thing.

Can't wait til Paul gets home.

West vs East

So who makes better movies - west or east?

Let's see...

Started the film viewing day on Monday with this American film.

Liberal Arts.

Written, directed by and starring some guy from t.v. who stars on How I Met Your Mother (not the Doogie Howser/Brian Ryan guy) and Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen's sister.

35 year old falls for 19 year old when he goes back to visit his college alma mater.

You get the drift.

Boring.

1/2 stars.

But then the evening got WONDERFULLY better because of...

This unbelievably beautiful and touching film.

Romancing in Thin Air

will

take your breath away.

Touching story that will bring you to tears.

Joy, despair, laughter, heartache, regret, hope, triumph.

Strong female character!

Absolutely wonderful.

Scenery (remote forest mountains of China I think) is gorgeous.

Acting is spot on.

It'll stay with you for a long time.

Do something for yourself - SEE THIS FILM.

5 stars.

So the verdict?

East - by a mile.

Double Feature

Saturday was a busy day.

Saw 2 films.

This one - Ace Attorney

A Japanese film that, to me, felt like a cross between Power Rangers and the old Batman t.v. show. I think it is a big cult hit in Japan because a lot of the audience knew all about it and cheered at the mere mention of the character's name (Phoenix Wright).

In my opinion - SKIP IT.

I give it 1/2 stars.

(I forced myself to fall asleep during it).

The other movie was a gem.

A Simple Life

I believe a Chinese film.

A low-key, moving story about a maid who works for a family for 60 years who then finds herself in the situation of being cared for by the youngest family member as she becomes ill.

Loved it.

4 stars.

Film Festival - Spring Showcase

It began last Saturday with this...

Always.

A very sweet Korean (I think) story about love, sacrifice, acceptance and redemption.

I give it 3 stars.

All Good News

Another Prom - Saturday - at Le Jardin. I don't know the girl.

Good News - He's just going to wear a vest and tie with church pants and white shirt. SAVES ME $100 tux rental!!!!!

More Good News - He broke up with last week's prom date and he really doesn't care.

Even More - I think we are having a grad party for Gabe at Bellows on May 26.

And finally - Taxes weren't that bad.

I Will Miss Them

Jacob is moving to Nixa, Missouri on May 31.

Susan is going to Catalina Island for 2 months on May 3.

It's their time to fly! Such adventures.

Senior Prom

Gabe and Tori.

Mamaw

Love you Mamaw

Grandma Aileen

A loving, kind and sweet grandma.

Love you so very much.

Wanted to come to your funeral but couldn't get on the only 2 flights that would have gotten me there in time. So sad to have missed it.

Can't imagine what it will be like going to Louisville and not seeing you.

Families are Forever.

DIETZ, FRANCES "AILEEN," 90, of Louisville, went to be with her Heavenly Father Tuesday, April 10, 2012.

She was born in LaRue County, KY, November 10, 1921, the first of six children, to John and Fannie Meers. Aileen's days were long and full of loving patience and service to others. Aileen was the Christian leader of her family, teaching Sunday School to children and adults for more than sixty years. She held numerous leadership positions of service in her church, at West Broadway and Midlane Park Baptist, including being ordained as a deacon in 1996 and member of Buechel Park Baptist Church.

A faithful member of Brilliant Star Chapter for more than 55 years, she served in the office of Worthy Matron, and secretary and treasurer and Chapter mother.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Henry Dietz; children, Donald Ray and Joyce Kay and great-grandson, Sky Narcomey.

She is survived by siblings, Boyce Meers (Eva), John T Meers Jr. (Genrose), Phyllis Eckerle, Paul Meers (Roxy), and Harold Meers (Shirley); sons, Larry (Helen) Dietz and David Dietz (Vicki); daughters, Sharon Kauka and Doris Vincent (Kenny); grandchildren, Jackie Guthrie (Todd), Jenni Ridge (Chris), Leilani Luke (Ryan), Tony Dietz, Mindy Dietz, Jason Rivera (Jennifer), Robert Kauka, Ginny Wright, and Kanani Kauka; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Gavin Guthrie, Jordan Ridge, Tori, Ethan and James Tyler Dietz, Cory Marshall and Shelby Rivera, Susan, Jacob, Gabe, Michelle, Hannah Wright, Brandi and Scott Lawrence and Rene Richard; great-great-grandchildren, Avery and Brayley Lawrence, and Noah Narcomey.

Aileen served as a mother figure to many, was loved and respected by family and friends. She taught by example and her lessons live on in our hearts and lives.

Her funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012 at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd., with burial in Magnolia Cemetery in Magnolia, KY. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at Highlands.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Eastern Star Home.

Through Thick and Thin

So I posted this on Facebook yesterday:

My daughter Michelle had to give her first talk in church. She wanted to be brave but at the last minute she froze in her chair. Her big brother Gabe got out of his seat, gently took her by the hand, guided her to the podium and stood next to her providing loving support while she spoke. So humbled and proud of both of them.

I started thinking - it's true - they may fight like all get out BUT they do love each other.

Remembering about 17 years ago - Jacob and Susan were staying on the Big Island with my friend Nancy and her family while I was recovering from surgery. One day Nancy's son Ammon told Susan "You can stay but your brother's gotta go." She replied, "If he goes - I go."

:)

Thankful

For my Savior Jesus Christ.

He Lives.

And because He does, I shall too.

Worst News EVER

Our mechanic is moving to the mainland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rest of the Gang

Michelle is home today - sick.

Hannah just bounced off to the school bus.

Jacob worked til 1 a.m. at the movie theater.

I just talked to Susan and asked her to ask George if he'd cook the turkey for Sunday.

Everything is going well in the Wright family!

HONK!

The name of the play Gabe auditioned for.

Manoa Valley Theater.

He got a call back!

Triple Threat

Yup. That's what they're calling him.

I was offended at first.

Then I found out it means he's an

"acting-singing-and dancing threat".

Awesome at all 3.

Now if he would just keep his room clean...