Happy New Year!

There's a little over six hours left of 2007. Sometimes I can't even believe it. 2007. How did it happen. Seems like last year, was my first "friend" New Year's Eve party. 1985... that was last year right? *sigh*

Anyway...I've been trying to think of how to recap this year. It has to be witty, and entertaining, all the while, telling the truth. So here goes...

Top Twelve Best Moments of 2007...Simmons style!

12. Made new friends!!
11. Met Donny Osmond
10. Jack got a new soft palate, a uvula, a new shunt, ear tubes, and a penny extracted. In three different procedures at least!
9. Emma had surgery on her bladder, a vacation with Mommy, and no boys, and a broken arm!
8. Mommy, spent a week on the couch.
7. Nick turned 12, and grew about a foot.
6. Parker turned 10, and his eyes disappeared under his bangs.
5. Pneumonia ran through the house.
4. Thanks to Jack, we met LOTS of kids like him, AND had a vacation!
3. Nick started Jr High, Emma started preschool, Parker "upper grades".
2. Reconnected with long lost dear friends!
1. Haven't been to the hospital, in like 6 weeks...jinx

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

More on Aunt Millie

Mildred Hennesey, 95
Taught at the Dolbeare School

WAKEFIELD - Mildred B. (Billings) Hennesey of Wakefield, 95, died on Sunday, Dec. 16, at Kindred Hospital in Peabody.
Mildred was born and raised in Everett, the beloved daughter of the late Charles H. and Ermie E. (McKay) Billings.
She was a teacher for the Wakefield Public School system’s Dolbeare School, for more than 20 years.
Ms. Hennesey attended Thayer Academy and Wellesley College and received her master’s degree in Education from Boston State College.
She was also employed by FAO Schwarz in the toy department for many years. She was married to George Clark and, later, Edward Hennesey of Wakefield.
Mildred is survived by several first and second cousins.
Her funeral service will be celebrated in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 5 Bryant St., Wakefield, Saturday, Dec. 29, at noon. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. For additional information, please visit www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.

It's been really hard, to not be able to go to Aunt Millie's funeral. So the pictures that are in the video, I made into scrapbook pages, and my Mom and I put them in an album, and sent it back to Mass. for people to look through at the funeral.

I just wanted to share them with you all. I hope you all like them too!

You can find them here!

WOW!!

Oh my goodness... Here are some pictures, and video.

BEFORE:
AFTER:






Need I say more...really... well, there are more pictures...of course... Or watch the badge at the top of the page!

Happy Holidays!!!

I just wanted to thank all who read this, for reading this! :) What I mean is...this blog has been so healing for me, and it wouldn't be, if not for my readers! I sent out a heartfelt email, and realized, some of you, I don't have email for. And SOME of you, just read, and I don't know who you are... silly's...

I have been so blessed, to have so many cyber friends, and friends in real life, to share this here blog with. Thank you fro the bottom of my heart, for sharing in this journey with me! And thank you to those who also share their journey's, you all help me on a daily basis.

This holiday season, it is my prayer, you will all be as blessed as we have been.

HAPPY KWANZAA!

HAPPY HANUKKAH!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May 2008 bring less medical stuff at our homes, and way more joy than we can handle!!



Here is our card. If I ever get it out. They are printed...that's half the battle isn't it!

Stuff...about me!

I stole this... I thought it was fun...

Here are the rules: Type the answer to each question into a Google image search, and you pick an image from the first page of results…easy peasy…and fun!

1. The age you will be on your next birthday.









2. A place I would LOVE to visit.










3. A favorite place to be…











4. Favorite Food







5. Favorite Animal













6. Favorite Color







7. The town you were born in.









Wakefield Ma.

8. Name of a past love









9. Your first name











10. A bad habit…









11. First Job









12. Grandmother’s name











14. College Major












Holy crap, that took longer than I thought it would. Hope you enjoyed it, It was fun finding the perfect picture! ;) Let me know if you do it!!

Well, I'm off to wrap...I am SO not staying up till 2 am wrapping Christmas eve...I do it every year...maybe I should just have it be a tradition!!

*rolling eyes*

I believe...

I was in Emma's class yesterday for her Christmas party. They had a pinata, filled-thankfully-with BAGS of stuff...with their NAMES on them!!!! What a great idea! I have always hated pinatas. I always say they promote violence and greed. As I was complaining to a very wise man...he said, "Well I think it promotes hand eye coordination, and anticipation." How funny is that?

They also read Polar Express, and each received a bell strung on a piece of yarn, when the story was over. In case you don't know, The "moral" of the Polar Express, is that only those who believe in Santa, can hear Santa's bells . It's a beautiful story.

So we are getting the kids ready to home, and I notice one little boy, is holding onto his bell shaking it, and it looked like, he was blowing into it. As you well know, bells won't ring when you hold on to them. But he didn't know this.

As I got closer, I saw what he was doing. He would shake it, get no sound, and then whisper into the bell, "I believe!". He did this about 4 times, before I went over and showed him how to hold the yarn, not the bell. When the bell rang, this sweet little boy's face just lit up! It was so sweet. He was so concerned that his bell wasn't ringing.

Oh to be that innocent again!!!

Steve Baker

I was watching the news, and the picture of a man I know, came on. Steve Baker, is the conductor of the West Valley Symphony. I sang with the Choral Arts Society of Utah, for 3 years, and took a leave of absence, when I found out I was pregnant with Jack. I recently went back, for the Christmas concert. I have done many concerts with Steve. He is a wonderful man, with a heart of gold! And always had a joke!

Steve passed away last night. I am shocked, and saddened. He will be greatly missed, by me...and many many others.

Rest in peace Steve.

Stephen Ralph Baker
Stephen Ralph Baker "The Conductor" 3/22/54 ~ 12/20/07 The son of Ralph Baker and Vera Rose Park Baker. Steve was a gifted musician. At age six he could listen to a tune on the radio, sit at a piano and play the entire song by memory. Stephen's life revolved around his music, family and his many talented and loyal friends. His musical instrument of choice was the violin. For many years, he played first violinist for Murray Symphony and other local orchestras. In 1989 Ralph and Stephen Baker formed the West Valley Symphony with Robert Lentz as conductor and Steve as associate conductor. In a few years, Steve took over the number one spot and that's where he is today.Survived by brother, Paul (Mary Ann) Baker; brother-in-law, Brent Thornberg; nephew, Rick Baker; and nieces, Macey Ann Baker Morris, Cindy Lee Adams, and Lori Lyn Wood. Preceded in death by his parents and sister Suzanne-Suzie. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the West Valley Symphony at First Union Bank, West Valley location. Steve was the leader of the band. It will go on thanks to the orchestra members. Please attend concerts. Stephen donated his life to this classical endeavor. The family wants to give special thanks to Larry Wadsworth, Sterling Poulsen, Donny Gilbert, Ryan Van Liere, Randy Maw and Virginia Duke for the care they gave Stephen at the time of his need. A memorial gathering will be held, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007 at Redwood Memorial Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, from 6 to 8 p.m.

My Aunt Millie

If you don't have an Aunt Millie, I'm sorry. Let me tell you about my Aunt Millie. She is my Gramma Fuller's sister, by hearts, not blood. They were raised together. And stayed together. I grew up, knowing family was everything. They shared a huge house. Each had an apartment, up and downstairs. I remember the narrow stairs up to her house. And how her house smelled like moth balls.

She was at every family event. She always sent cards, and a check at every birthday, and Christmas. She always underlined her favorite words in the card. And sign her name and the year. She was so happy to send cards, and was SO tickled of how many she received.

She was an elementary school teacher, for...forever. She taught kids of her kids. Maybe even grandkids. I know what school she taught at, and when I was little, we visited it. I think something was named after her at that school. She was SO PLEASED.

She was the picture of a proper lady, in speech and appearance. Even when her wig was crooked. She worried about toll calls, not wanting to bother anyone, and how the paramedics would get in if her doors were locked!

She died on Sunday. She was a month away from 95 years old. Even though I haven't seen her in about 8 years, I can tell she is gone. Her light will forever be in my heart. And... "I was going to say..." will always be in my vocabulary!

This is my feeble attempt to share her with YOU!

I Love Santa!

When people say, "When did you find out about Santa?" I always say, "You mean, that Mommies and Daddies help him?" I will always believe in Santa. Don't EVEN try to tell me otherwise. I love the spirit of Santa. I love the way children love him. I love the magic, and the thrill to know he somehow, gets in, even when you don't have a fireplace! I have always gone to all the local malls, to find the best Santa. Our ward Christmas party, had the GREATEST Santa. Here are our Santa pictures. You'll notice, there is not one of Nick sitting on his lap! *rolling eyes*


If you haven't seen this, it's one of my most treasured pieces. This one is not mine, but it's pretty much the same. I love the thought of it. I love how he is holding his hat. I LOVE that Father Christmas, is kneeling to Jesus. It is SO cool!

May you all have a Merry Merry Christmas!!!

Stress

Sorry for the flip flopping. The last few days have been hard on me. And when things get hard, I laugh. It's just my defense mechanism. Make it funny. No matter what it is. It's how I handle stress. I also reach out. I need support. The hardest thing that ever happened to me, was Jack. I imedietaly called me husband, of course. And then told me mom. I am a master of deception. As in..."You are having a hard time? You LOOK great!" I've had 2 Dr's say, in response to me saying, I need help,"Well you LOOK great!" What is THAT!?!?

So I guess my question to you is...

What do you do to handle YOUR stress? Your bad situations? Your heartbreak?

I am what you might call a drama queen. I would venture to say, I try not to "suffer in silence". I guess I do to some extent. But those who are close to me, hear WAY too much about it! :)

So I'm anxious to hear how other people are. I always say, "I am NOT the norm."

What have YOU got to say!

For Mature eyes only...

Ok, so there are more...if you want them let me know. They are completely inappropriate...but oh my... so funny... This would be me...if you are wondering, except I don't have white hair! Oh, sometimes, you just need a good laugh!! Ya with me?!?!?

Here is the only one I dare put here, my mom read this ya know!! :)

A better version

On the first day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me: a child with a disability.

On the second day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me: a heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the third day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me: an ache in my heart and a heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the fourth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me: a tear in my eyes, an ache in my heart, and a heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the fifth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me: an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the sixth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me: a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the seventh day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me: a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the eighth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me: supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the ninth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me: remarkable doctors, supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hop e, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the tenth day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me: an appreciation of small accomplishments, remarkable doctors, supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with disability.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, the good Lord gave to me: a sense of pride, an appreciation of small accomplishments, remarkable doctors, supportive friends, a sense of humor, a ray of hope, an unsuspected strength for the tear in my eyes and the ache in my heart and my heart full of love for my child with a disability.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, the good Lord said to me: Reach out and SHARE your sense of pride, your appreciation of small accomplishments, your remarkable doctors, your supportive friends, your sense of humor, your ray of hope, your unsuspected strength for the tear in your eyes and the ache in your heart and your heart full of love for you child with a disability.

Emma makes me happy!!

This should make YOU feel better today. It sure made me feel better!! :)



Emma is 5th from the left. Not that it matters, they were ALL so cute!!

Friend Update

Thanks everyone, for all your kind words, and prayers. It is SO hard, when we can't do anything ya know?

So one friend, is doing a little better, but not great. The other, is so much worse than any of us originally thought. Both still need our thoughts and prayers, and don't want their "stories" out there.

I am hanging in. If you don't see anything new for awhile, have no fear...I shall return!! Just feeling overwhelmed with the trials of my loved ones. If anything big happens I'll pop in.

Keep the prayers coming!

Thanks so much.

HAHAHA!!!!

Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] Only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window.

Please pray...

My heart is heavy tonight. My two closest friends, are heart broken and in pain tonight, and there is nothing I can do or say, to ease their pain.

There is one thing I can do, I can pray. Pray that they will have peace. Pray for comfort. Pray for others in their lives, to feel the same comfort.

There is a song I love. It's a hymn, "Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire". This song has been on my mind today.

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
Uttered or unexpressed
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast

Prayer is the burden of a sigh
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath
The Christian's native air
His watchword at the gates of death
He enters heav'n with prayer

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from his ways
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, "Behold! He prays!"

Nor prayer is made on earth alone
The Holy Spirit pleads
And Jesus at the Father's throne
For sinners intercedes

O thou by whom we come to God
The Life, the Truth, the Way
The path of prayer thyself hast trod
Lord, teach us how to pray.

Click here if you'd like to hear it. It is SO beautiful.

My prayer tonight, is for you all to join me. I know you don't know how they are, but it doesn't matter. Just pray for those in anguish, to have peace. Pray to whoever, or whatever you pray to. It just HAS to work, it has before. :)

Thanks...

ROFLMBO!

The downfalls to having a big head, and a small shirt.

Do you fantasize?

Some of you may know I am a Disney person. I worked at Disneyland, for two summers, and just love all the movies. I have a special place in my heart for the Princess, I know I'm a geek. At one point in my life, I was WAY into The Little Mermaid, and even told a boyfriend, I loved him as much as Ariel loved Eric....OMH...what WAS I thinking...

Well, Shanna sent this to me today....OH MY GOODNESS...It's funny and sad...And it got me thinking.


I tell you this, because, hmmmm, I just find it interesting, how we fantasize about how we think our life should be. No? I love the show, "Into the Woods". It pretty much sums up exactly what I'm talking about.

Here are a couple of videos, if you are unfamiliar with it.

Grammy intro


Agony


Giants in the Sky


Any Moment


Finale


I think you can get the DVD at the Library, if you want to see the whole thing. It is VERY thought provoking, and thoroughly enjoyable!

I hope you grasp what I'm saying. I think we all have a glamorized version, of what we think our life will be, or should be. But we need to live in reality, and work at our lives. Ya know?

Oh Jack...

Yep...oatmeal...he is SO proud...


Look at his feet....OY!

And last but not least...

The bane of my existence

You know the old question, "What's your favorite season?" Well, I LOVE winter. I LOVE to snuggle, with a person or blanket. I love snow, and how it looks...yes, you already know this... I love Christmas, and Christmas music, and finding the perfect gift, to make a loved one cry or faint. The grandest excuse to get together with family, and friends.

But...in winter...you have to wear socks. That's right...the bane of my existence...is SOCKS! Six people, six- ok five different kinds, the boys wear the same kind.

These are the kinds of socks that plague my house.

• Black dress socks
• Athletic socks
• Soccer socks
• mountain biking socks
  
• ankle socks
• knee high socks
• low ankle socks
• baby socks
• girly socks
• socks with stupid things on them
• socks with chile peppers on them
  
• socks with holes
• NEW socks
• need to be thrown away socks
• stiff socks...needing a bath
• socks with stripes
• socks with lace
  
• socks with no match
• nylons masquerading as socks
• sexy socks...not really, just wanted to add it.
  

Seriously... My dryer eats them. EATS them I tell you!! There is a black hole SOMEWHERE in my house...FULL OF SOCKS!!! Ok....ONE SOCK...the other one...is floating around the house, lost and alone.

Why can't we just wear flip flips, all year round. I guess that will be on the top of my "PRO list", if we ever decide to move away from Utah. But really, do I want to move to a place with no seasons, just because I HATE socks? Now that's just silly...

Maybe I just need to buy a sock store. There used to be one downtown, HA, apparently...people hate socks as much as me!!

I have to have the perfect sock. It has to be soft and tight. It can't move around when I walk, and it can't come any higher than just above my ankle. It can't have a big seam at the toes, THAT makes me NUTS! I prefer them new...there is nothing like brand new socks, fresh out of the bag. Bag...because I refuse to buy them in singles. The more in the package the better!

And white... I know I'm so not fashion forward. But I just have a weird thing...

Oh...and no comments, on how I'm weird...it is NOT new information!!

:)

Jack Vs Snow

Happy December!!!

What a gift...to wake up to this! I LOVE LOVE LOVE SNOW!!! It is so beautiful!

Happy December! May you find peace and love this month, and always!!

It's never too late...

This is not a new subject for me, by any means, but today I heard someone say...

"It's never too late, to be the person you were meant to be."

Deep huh... I think it was on "ER".

So I've been thinking a lot about doing something drastic. I'm scared to death. Change is hard, NO? I don't want to go into it now, but the people I have talked to about it, have been SO supportive, amazingly so. When it's a done deal, I'll tell you about it, and I'm sure you'll get sick of me talking about it!

So wish me luck, and say a little pray for me....I'm heading out on a grand adventure...

Getting in the mood...

FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!! What were YOU thinking...shame, shame...

I just got back from choir, we are getting ready for our Christmas Concert on Sat.

We're singing MANY glorious songs. The kind that make you stand up and cheer. I'll give a full report on it when it's over. If you live in Utah, you should come, it is a great way to start your holiday season. Here's the Info Tell me if you're coming, so I can watch for you!!

This video.... is obviously NOT my choir, but is still thoroughly enjoyable!! :)

Christmas Quiz :)

I LOVE these!! Let me know if you do it too!!!

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

How things change

So for about, oh I don't know, 4 months, Jack has been signing "more". Then he got "drink". Then "please". Then nothing, for a few months.

Well, the other day, we walked into the Dr's office, and he just started signing "fish"!!(he was heading toward the fish tank) It was so cute! Then during therapy, he signed "baby", when he saw the doll, without being prompted. We were so excited!! His teacher, and I ... screamed!! Fortunately, he did it again. :) The other day, he also signed, "more please", and "All Done"!!! So cool!!!

Then today, we were looking at picture books with animals. And after I showed him the sign...he did..."ELEPHANT", "PIG", "BIRD", and "HORSE"!!! SO COOL!!!

He's also knows what a cat, cow, and dog say!

Seriously...how cool is THAT?!?!?!?!

Another couple of cool things he does... When I get his bottle, (yes he still has a bottle- to go to sleep) He runs over to the chair we always sit in, climbs up and waits for me! :) He's also, nodding and shaking his head appropriately! It's so cute!! And he knows he's funny, but I'm sure I've mentioned that before! ;)

From this...



To this!!


He's getting SO big, SO fast...I hate it! But what a sweet little boy he is. I miss my little baby, but I like this Jack too!!