Scrapbook Look

Tiana is basically my mentor in everything, cooking, art, parenting and now blogging! To me she one of those people that makes everything she does look effortless. : ) She sent me a very detailed packet of how to decorate my blog to make it look more scrapbooky... seriously it was a novel! Now blogging is that much more addictive. I'm not sure I like what I've created just yet. But now I know how to change it! Thanks, Tiana! You're awesome!

Great Falls

We followed Michelle and her friends to Great Falls the other day and we got Tiana to come too! We had a lovely picnic but a few very curious and hungry geese kept trying to sneak some food from our table. They made us all, especially Ches very uncomfortable. The kids got to walk around and explore and even saw a family of turtles. We saw a really tiny one that was really too precious. Thanks, Michelle for taking and sending me this picture!

Connie-Constance

It is possible Elise and Elijah will never know their Auntie they way I know her, my little sis. She's so grown-up now - a University of Utah grad on her way to teach English in Taiwan. Yay, Connie! We got to see the ceremony and celebrate her birthday on May 5th. I've want to write a tribute to my sisters on their birthdays, because I think they are the greatest and love them so much.

Connie is the youngest of us four and has this cool, artsy personality. She's articulate and passionate about her views. She's always been wildly imaginative.

When she was little, she created a space all of her own in the bottom of the hallway closet. A space away from the noise and bustle of the big family where she could read "Calvin & Hobbes" to her hearts content. She had a flashlight, a pillow and blanket and all her comic books. Did you store treats, too, sis? I think she could relate to Calvin's cerebral nature and ironic humor. Connie's really witty and has a great sense of humor like our dad.

Connie is really unique. There was a period when she was 6 or so, when she was an unsmiling girl with an obsession with vampires. With pale, tranclucent skin, she said she was allergic to the sun. That was an unsettling stage - j/k ! : ) But then again, she said she was allergic to chores too. : )

She's super creative. She once molded me this green alien face for my birthday, or for Christmas? So funny, I think I still have it in storage at my parent's house. She paints great abstract art and she's a musician and lyricist - really she inspires me. I keep trying to get her to upload her stuff on YouTube. You're awesome, Connie! We love you and Happy Birthday!

Dear Mom,

My amazing mom, Patty Yonashiro, with all her daughters and granddaughter. People always said she looked like our sister. She inspires me with her selflessness and non-stop work ethic. She is so full of charity, loving and generous!
The best mother-in-law ever, Lynette Auna. When I went home to meet her for the first time, she welcomed me with a big hug. I felt her love and the special woman she is. She also never stops serving others, and really illuminates the love of the Savior!

(This poem is dedicated to my moms, but I am no poet! I wrote this with both of you in mind, and love you so much!)

Dear Mom,

As I worry & fret about and coddle & love,
my two little ones from above,
I gain a glimpse of your sacrifice
and so value your every advice
from vitamins and child bearing
to the right shoes to be wearing.

I feel the joy you may have had
when your children sang you a ballad.
I feel the tears you may have shed
when you felt our pain couldn't be abolished.
I feel the fustration you may experience
when we don't listen and choose disobedience.
I feel the happiness that may overcome you
as you watch your children succeed and love too.

Thank you for showing me how to serve,
how to see good in others, to listen and observe.

Thank you for showing me how to savor precious moments

to rely on the Savior, to have faith as well as common sense.
Thank you for loving me despite my mistakes
for always telling me the truth, being sincere & not fake.
(Because soda really does melt your bones
and cancer is caused from those cellphones. : )

Mom, I'm so grateful for everything you are to me,
and hope that I can be as good a mom as thee.