GIVING THANKS

"FEELING GRATITUDE AND NOT EXPRESSING IT IS LIKE WRAPPING A PRESENT AND NOT GIVING IT".

I have so much to be grateful for. I thought I would give my top ten list. (today)

1. I am grateful for my family. I love each and every member of my family and all they do for me. Each one is so special and I have such great memories with each.
2. I am grateful for my testimony. I love the Church and the happiness it brings to me and my family. I am forever grateful for the blessings of the Priesthood in my life. . 3. I am grateful to love life. I love to be with people. It can be family, friends, co-workers, or just about anybody. I am a social person and enjoy people. I have always lived with our door wide open and everyone is invited to come in and stay awhile. Many of my kids friends needed that and I was always glad to have them call me mom.
4. I am grateful for the happiness I have in this life. I love to laugh and be happy and to share that with others. A good laugh is as good as a good cry.
5. I am GRATEFUL for the miracles that we have been part of with Jenna. She herself is a miracle and the miracles continue each day. She sees and now she will hear.
6. I am grateful for the relationships that I have with my adult children. I still love to be with them all I can and I think the feelings are reciprocated. We love to do things together. We have tons of fun together.
7. I am so grateful for my husband. He has stood by in thick and thin and has always been the rock and patriarch of our family. He is such a good example and I love him dearly. His life has not always been easy but he has always been strong.
8. I am grateful for the home that I grew up in and the parents I was fortunate to have. I was so blessed. I miss my Dad every day but I love to have my Mother and am grateful for the blessing she is to me. Also, my siblings, what blessings they are.
9. I am grateful for change. It is scary and hard but it is only through change that we grow and develop and look outside our safety net. It is amazing the good people that are out there, if we but look outside our circle.
10. I am very very grateful for the grandchildren that I have. I love them all so much and want to be an active part of their lives. Each one is so important to me and special in their own way. I will be so glad when the 2 new ones get here safe and sound and we can just enjoy them. I love them all so much.

Happy Wife, Happy Life!!

It has been months since I have updated or even looked at blogspot, lots of changes in our life and maybe some getting used to them. We are happily settled in A.F. I have pretty much stopped working, and while I do miss my co-workers, the Docs, and the patients, it is a lot of fun to do what I want. haha I do miss not seeing my oldest three daughters as often, but we still manage to be together a lot. I do see my youngest daughter and my son so that it a benefit. I joined a bowling league with some family here and I am enjoying that. We're expecting two new granddaughters so I am busy sewing and shopping and shopping.... Scott LOVES his job and that is great. We feel like miracles are constantly happening for our little Jenna. She just got her cochlear implant on Friday and they will turn the sound on in early December. Can you imagine what it would be like from deafness to hearing. Miracles.... Their family is blessed and loved. Our family is so blessed and I am grateful for it.

This Memorial Day

This Memorial Day as I think of all those whom have “Given their today's for our tomorrows” I want to express my gratitude for their love of Country and Mankind. I can never thank them enough for the selfless sacrifice on my behalf. To those they have left behind may God grant you all you need for your success and ease your pain with warm memories of your loved ones.
I want to also acknowledge my loved ones who have touched my life and have gone on before me to pave the way for whatever awaits us after this life. I want to share a poem with all of my loved ones that speaks of those we have lost.

This was written by Bessie Anderson Stanley in 1904
~The definition of success ~

“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children, who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it, who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had, whose life was an inspiration, whose memory a benediction.

Dad, Norm, Dennis, Jerry, Kent, Grandma's and Grandpa's
We love and miss you all thanks for your great life and our memory's

Scott Seals

I think it we are 100% American Fork residents now! Everything is here or in storage. It has been crazy finding a place for everything and also fun to make it our own. Alyssa was here and she said this looks like our Salina house "up North". I thought that was cute. This kids have been here a lot for different things and I went and spent a few days in Redmond helping Krista after her surgery. I made it on Dylan's 3rd grade field trip, Keaton's Kindergarten Graduation, Kaydee's Patriotic Program, 3 ballgames, Anders, Keaton, and Dylan, and helped get Krista 3 days out from surgery. Not bad for 3-4 days. I still work a couple days every two weeks but I think I will thin that down even more. I am weaning myself from work. Odd, I know. I will miss everybody so much, but once I am here, it feels right to stay here. Our little Jenna continues to be blessed with good health and such good prognosis's. She is a little miracle.

This worked last year - Happy Mothers day - dad

To my daughters on Mothers’ Day
A Mother's Love
A Mother's love is something
that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendored miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand. - Helen Steiner Rice
You have all become such wonderful mothers. The focus you bring to your families can never be replaced. It is your station that brings compassion, love and above all Charity to the world as you teach your family to live correctly and then one day to set them free. Roots and wings are what a family is for; God could not do it alone.
As Mothers you’ve planted your roots deep in truth and love as you have built a foundation of strength, which has become your family, this foundation will support your kido’s as they leave the nest and sprout their wings too grow.
I would also like to add that Sunday dinners, dough fights, feelings expressed through letters and “Yankee Doodle Dandy” songs are among the things most remembered and cherished as we live our lives together.
Stay close to God and he will ‘direct your feet for good’. Stay close to your mother and she will show you how to have fun as God directs your feet. She will also show you how to continue the fight as the world might move against you. She will also be the example you will look to as you tend to your family and care for their needs.
~ With Love Dad ~

Going, Going, Gone.......

Finally, the movers will be here on Tues, May 4th. That will be the last day in our house. I have to say I am ready for it. This has drug on way too long. It has been great to stay with friends and family but we have lived this way too long. It will be great to live like normal people, in 1 house. Alyssa will say to me, "Grandma, are you going to your up North house"? Cute. It seems to be hard on the kids. There whole lives have been here. Scott said to them, this is a house, but we take our memories and our home will be wherever we are, and I think that makes sense. It will be fun to come back and stay with them and to establish ourselves in American Fork, as a family. I found out today that our furniture will be picked up and won't be delivered for up to 1 week. WHAT? It drives around on the truck till it makes its way to us. Too funny. I guess we don't pack what we need. Well, from now on talk won't be about moving and I bet everyone will be thrilled!!! On to new and better things. Love to all my friends and family in Sevier County!!!!

I LOVED MY 50TH BIRTHDAY! THANKS

I want to thank all my family for the best 50th bday a dad could have.
I owe a lot to my family to say I love them doesn't even begin to express how I feel.

To my mother thank you for life. Mom you give so much love and no son could have had a better childhood than I did. Thank you so much for teaching me correct values and showing me how to provide for my family and how to value love. I pray you and Pa have many years together my family loves you both soooooo much. Thanks for the peeps you old chick!

To my wife how could I have made it through the heartaches we have had without you? Having you also makes the successes sweeter. I am so grateful we finally get to live together again. You are the single reason our family has stayed so close and our children live such good lives (from your example). I am grateful to your mother as well for showing you how to take care of your family and all she does for us.
What a great party and video. Thank you for not pulling out the "old age" decorations!
TO my kido's last night was perfect! You have all grown up to be such good people. I am so grateful that you are contributors to life and are living your lives as examples for my grandkido's (yes K & R this includes you). I can not believe how perfect last night was. You are such great examples of the scripture "honoring your father and mother". The memories you shared with me last night remind me of how much life we have lived together (sorry I worked you all so hard) and of all the fun ahead of us. I am looking forward to the next 50 years!

I do miss my dad, Norm, Dennis, Kent and Jerry (I am sorry my mother has had to endure so much pain). I just hope to see them again someday (way in the future). Seriously I feel their love a lot. I have felt my fathers love through all my special occasions and during times of great need throughout my whole life (what a blessing).
Thanks again for the love, laughter and light you all bring into my life!
Dad

MARCH

Well- just a quick update. Time does MARCH forward whether we want it to or not. Our little Jenna is out of the hospital after a bout with pneumonia and RSV. The whole family (the Seals kids extended families) have been so sick. Luckily Jenna seemed to have been passed by and then it hit. She was in the hospital a few days but did so very well. She is so strong for being so fragile. (I guess maybe she is not fragile anymore). She is proving us all wrong! I love her beautiful eyes and you know you see something special in her. Poor Gavin. It was hard on him. He is so sweet but he is so glad things are back to normal. All the rest of us are doing great! I seem to have the sweetest most loving little grandkids ever! No bias of course. The house has only a few more weeks to sell and then the company will buy us out. Then we have a bit of time to vacate. Will be so glad to have all the furniture in one house. We have kept some here while trying to sell the house. The AF house is looking great and can't wait to live with my husband under the same roof! So proud of my 5 kids and the great responsible lives they are living and the way they treat their families and one another. Makes me proud!

Blessing Day and Vacations

We had the most terrific day last Sunday. Jenna Nicole Heath was blessed. It was a day we never thought we would have. There were so many times when that was so far from a reality. We felt truly blessed when she survived birth, and then when she survived the NICU, and then when she came home. She has literally beat all odds and continues to thrive and grow and bless our lives! I got to tend her and Gavin last night while Kurt and Tara went to a Jazz game, a much needed out. She is so sweet and I am so grateful for her and for all the grandkids. Each one is a blessing and brings such joy. Also, on another note, we get to go to Colorado Springs for a quick little trip. It is always so fun and I love it there. Ma and Pa spoil us rotten and we have favorite places we like to go so should be a great time.
I will get a picture up of the baby in her blessing dress as soon as a daughter can help me. haha..

HOUSES - - - - - -

I know this has drug on longer than it takes to have a baby, but, I finally signed papers today to get the house listed with Caldwell Bankers. It has taken so much time to jump through all the hoops, but I think we are done jumping.(For the relocation company). It sounds like someone is interested in the house too, so that is awesome! I can't wait to have everything done and get settled in to one place. My family is great to help however they can. I appreciate the kids and all they do for us. I will be making lots of trips back and forth still. It's hard to want to be in two places at once. Scott is so happy at Rio Tinto. He loves his job and things are going great there. We have worked hard on the A.F. house, too. Lots of changes, but will be well worth it when we are done.

Happy New Year

We had such a wonderful Christmas and December. It was lots of fun getting ready for the Holidays. I was extremely late in getting a tree up and decorations out but I have two houses to do. We HAVE to stop this immediately! It had to feel like the Holidays in both places as we spend a lot of time between them. We had Christmas in Salina as it will be our last. I plan now to pack up the Living Room as the room is waiting for the furniture in American Fork. I wanted it here for Christmas so we had somewhere to sit. The Relocation Company is being completely slow about every step we take. We should have the house listed this week or next. Most our belongings now can be in A.F.
Christmas was the best. We had parties with both extended families and that was great. Then our own family got to spend a ton of time and food together. We felt blessed to be in the great circumstances we are in and have the health and happiness we are fortunate to have. Last year brought lots of trials and fears with baby Jenna but we have been blessed with a beautiful little girl who is straight from Heaven. She brings a love with her that is so sweet. Our family grew together through the trials. We are loved and blessed. Here is to a Great New Year with only one house but lots of family togetherness! We are blessed to have wonderful friends both near and far who mean so much so us. Happy New Year!