Charisa's birthday

BIRTHDAY BONANZA
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I was the oldest of eight kids growing up, and when my mother remarried almost 13 years ago, I gained another 6 siblings. With 14 children now, my parents have done an awesome job of making each person feel like they are equally as important as the next. We refer to each other as brothers and sisters and have really tried hard to leave the “step” mentality at the door. I don’t know how my parents do it with all they have to remember between birthdays for this child, spouse, or grandchild. Since 8 (almost 9) of us are married, there are 26 grandchildren, and 3 on the way, this makes for a very busy, loud, crazy, but fun environment when we all get together- which we do quite often considering the amount of energy (and food) it takes to organize a family gathering of this size.

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It is obvious that I have chosen to honor my siblings and Chris’ siblings, plus their spouses with birthday shout outs. So it is not surprising that I have been late or have forgotten altogether a birthday post…I am only human people. My sweet sister in law Charisa recently had a birthday and somehow I didn't write it in my planner. She didn't remind me, she didn't call to say, "Yo Sara! Where's my birthday post?!" I just made the discovery when I read on her blog about how she had celebrated her birthday. So here we are over a week later...

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Charisa married my brother Trent. She is pure sunshine and lollipops! They fell in love while doing the play, Beauty and the Beast in Idaho Falls- she was Belle, he was the Beast…..cue to romantic music. Both of them have voices like American Idol contestants. Charisa is pure charisma and I wonder if her parents knew she would be, hence her name. Since the first moment I met her I loved her, and I knew that she would be a wonderful addition to our family.

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The best way I can describe Charisa is by comparing her to Disney Princesses. As sappy as that sounds, I’m sure she’ll “get” the meaning behind it all.

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She is beautiful like Aurora...

She tends to and takes care of little Ethan

like Snow White with her dwarves...

She is smart like Belle...

She has a voice like Ariel...

She served a mission in Taiwan,

and has a fondness for the

Asian culture like Mulan....

She is unselfish and hard working

like Cinderella...

She is adventurous and sassy like Jasmine...

She is spiritual like Pocahontas...

But unlike all these fictional characters,

Charisa possesses true princess qualities that makes

all who meet her fall in love.

Happy Birthday to our own princess,

Charisa!!

We love you!!

for danielle

photo from ArtichokesandCompany

Baby Ian Smith

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Congratulations

Smith Family!

Baby Ian arrived

May 10, 2008
8 lbs. 11 oz.
21 inches

*****
look at all that awesome hair!!

*****

It's not fair and not surprising

that you look so beautiful even in the hospital!

This picture belongs on a Hallmark card.

5SF- Edition 8

FIVE SENSE FRIDAY

TASTING-

Turkey Bagel Sandwich from

Nigh Time Donuts in the Mighty Tooele
trust me...they are delish!

also tasting...

Little Debbie Marshmallow Treats

in tantalizing Spirit of America colors.

These are probably my favorite Little Debbie

product....and I just downed four of them....

oops.

SMELLING-

Fresh baked

Cinnamon Bread from a friend

FEELING-

My comfy red shoes
How does everyone feel about toe cleavage?

SEEING-

My latest edition of

KRAFT Food and Family
They have great recipes...and it's FREE!

Go Here!

HEARING-

Thanks to the referral from my mom,

my love for HANDEL'S MESSIAH has new meaning...

Go to itunes, or any other music source and get the song-

TURNING THE TIDE

from CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR soundtrack

The awesome part starts at 3:10 into the song.

Hold onto your hats folks!!!!!!!

To Charter or Not To Charter?

I got great news on Tuesday....

"Excelsior Academy was approved Friday by the Utah State Office of Education SO we get to move ahead and plan on opening the doors of Tooele’s newest K-8 school in 2009!"

After we first moved here and I experienced extreme frustration with the quality of education being offered, not to mention the heartbreaking situation involving students and Addison's teacher, I have seriously considered homeschooling. But upon reflection, I'm not sure I have the personality, patience, and know-how to tackle this kind of responsibility. So, the idea of starting a brand new Charter School where we as parents get to create our own philosophy of education, curriculum, and structure definitely appealed to me. In the early stages I had a small part in writing the application, attended trainings and meetings, and tried to stay involved giving input here and there...but since I had Tade, I've taken a hiatus from the the founders committee, and I have struggled with compromising my loyalties between this new school and my support for the PTA of the current school my kids attend.

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I'm worried that my expectations for how things will turn out will be let down- I know this is just cowardess. Did the Wright Brothers shy away from testing their airplanes because they were afraid of falling out of the sky- of course not. What about all the blind people who couldn't read before Louis Braille improved upon and created the Braille system of raised dots used today- I'm sure it took some time and experimentation to fine tune this way of learning. It is because of brave people who are unafraid to fail that we have grown as a society with opportunities never there before, and how cool is it that each of us can leave our mark. Whether it's inventing spandex and leg warmers to look killer hot, or creating epidurals so I don't have to feel a baby the size of a watermelon squeeze out of me if I don't want to.

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I guess I should just dive right into this experience, and then when it comes down to it, decide which school will give the greatest opportunity for success. I don't want to regret not having a part in something that could change my childrens lives for good.

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Motherhood Glory

With such an outpouring of love and good tidings

about my motherly prowess

I have to set the record straight….
Lest I paint an all too perfect picture

of the Schofield household,

I’d like to focus on my “un-redeeming”

qualities as a mother today.

I was reminded of this as

I forced my second grader to change

out of his holey jeans into some shorts this morning-

and after I dropped him off to school

and he preceded to slam the van door

and then stick out his tongue full of frustration

towards the controlling lady in the drivers seat,

I was left with the feeling that no Sara,

you will not be getting the

“Mother of the Year” award any time soon.

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The following was a true event recorded on September 19, 2006
Entitled- I FEEL LIKE I'M HAVING A BABY

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ME-(just got out of the shower, very NOT ready to conquer the world- the phone rings, caller i.d. says public schools- panic...)

HER- "Is this Mrs. Schofield?"

ME- "Yes..."

HER- "Hello, we have a little boy here who says his tummy hurts..."

ME- "Ohhhh, ummm, I'll be right there to pick him up." (throws on clothes, ties up hair, attempts to salvage smeared makeup around eyes, grabs "the throw-up bowl"and races to the school)

ME- "I'm here to pick up Landon Schofield"

HER- "Oh yes- Marge? Is he in the bathroom? Actually, I think he went out to recess. He must be feeling good enough to play, but not good enough to work. He said he didn't have breakfast."

ME- (oh no you d'int! maybe she recognizes me from last year when I forgot to pick up the kids on half day- I'm so "Kid-Rock" in my stained jumpsuit and wet hair) "That's funny because he had eggos. I'll just go find him and feel it out"

ME-(stomping outside with Ollie in tow, scanning the playground for the sick-stricken culprit...his cheerful blur comes running toward me)

HIM- "Mom can you come back after recess is over?"

ME- "Landon, you look perfectly fine to stay at school. You can't have the office call me unless you REALLY feel sick!"

HIM- "But I feel like I'm having a baby!"

ME- "You are coming home, and laying in bed the rest of the day. By the way, why did you tell the ladies that you didn't have breakfast- remember your eggos?"

HIM- "Ohhhh, I forgot."

ME- "I was so worried I even brought "the bowl"! Never call again unless it's going to come out either end, do you understand?!"

HIM- (eyes toward the ground, the guilt insuing) "Yes mom."

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Examples of my shining moments-

My kitchen is RARELY in pristine condition.

I OFTEN go shopping with

no makeup and a baseball cap on.

As much as I like cooking,

I REALLY like Little Caesers $5 pizza.

*****

SOMETIMES my mama lion roar

can be heard in the surrounding counties.

I DON’T allow sleepovers.

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When my kids turn in homework late

it’s USUALLY because I have not

followed through to see what

treasures lie in their backpacks.

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I am often DISTRACTED by side projects

involving pretty paper.

******

I BURNED the magic squares last night.

And yes, we ate them anyways.

I have inherited the

I'M ANNOYED,

WORRIED,

OR STRESSED OUT

CREASE

in between my eyes.

******

Addy left this note for me

the other day on a post-it-

***

Dear Mom,

I ran away

I didn’t think

our family is fair.

Love, Addy

tell Tade I love him

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I was going to post this hilarious picture

Addy drew for me of how mean I am,

but I can't find it.

I'd like to think she was feeling remorseful

about her hurtful illustration and

destroyed the evidence.

But to leave you with one final note....

And just in case I need to plead

my case, I wrote this letter

December 4 2005

******

Dear Social Services,

-----I know I've been on your list lately of stressed, frazzled, neglectful mothers of America. I'm sure it doesn't help that I dropped my son off to school an hour early thinking it was a half day. And I understand that it only made matters worse when the next week I forgot altogether to pick up my children from school and was 45 minutes late- again, I blame this on the crazy half day business. I felt a little beaten down when I rushed to school to get them and was given a note that Addy owed lunch money, they had not yet received Landons immunization records, and we had no working phone numbers....ouch. But I hope that you'll reconsider my case, and know that this temporary insanity is just a side-effect of motherhood in all its glory. Sure, I may let a droopy diaper stay on too long...I may give my kids cold cereal for dinner once in a while...I may even make Landon wear Addys underwear when I'm a little behind on the laundry.

-----Please hear me when I tell you that I believe I have many other redeeming qualities that set me apart from the other nuts in the world. My kids are not allowed to say "shut up", "fart", or "stupid", just to give you a few. I read them books, and have dance parties with them in the family room. I make a splendid broccoli soup, and everyday tell my children I love them. Today we were even on time to church and everyone was wearing their own underwear.

-----How can I ever forget the sinking feeling of failure and disappointment on that cursed holiday long ago. I dropped my daughter off at Preschool and entered the room to see that all the other girls were wearing cute green shirts and bows in their hair. Oops, I forgot that it was that torturous pinching day- St. Patricks Day. My sweet Addy was in bright red and orange- no traces of green to be found....and I forgot her class treats. The sting of that experience never let me forget another appropriately colored hairbow again, or treats for that matter.

-----The previous brief memory lapses or silly drawbacks are the things that humble me and keep me grounded. A good jolt back into reality is all I need to remember not to get lazy in the role that I always dreamt of having, that of a mother. I commit to you to teach my children right principles, mold their sweet spirits into greatness, and send them off to school with food in their bellys. Maybe I'll even have freshly baked cookies waiting for them when they get home... every now and then.

Yours truly,

Sara Schofield

Motherhood Mayhem

* MoThERhOOd * MaYhEm *

While last week is still fresh on my mind

I must record the highlights of the recent events

that make me proud to be a mother.

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Oliver's birthday was a week long celebration,

and his excitement about turning four was

about as thrilling as life can get.

Spiderman was the focus of the festitivities,

and many joyous presents were bestowed upon him.

Tade has graduated from just milk to a variety

of tantalizing smooshy ground up foods

such as peas, sweet potatoes, applesauce, and bananas.

One of the milestone food items is the signature

-BABY BISCUIT-

which to be eaten properly

must be consumed only in a manner that would include

wearing of biscuit all over face, hands, and clothes.

Landon has one of those faces that makes it

really hard to be upset with.

But as angelic as he may seem,

he has a mischievious side that always surprises me.

Because he is eight years old and a scout now,

the "Easter Bunny" thought it appropriate to put

a pocket knife in his basket.

Landon has used great restraint in knowing

when, and when not to use this weapon,

including not to accidently take it to school.

We wouldn't want this innocent cub to be hauled off to the clanker

and booked with the other gang members just because he

wanted to carve a light saber into the tree trunk.

After many practices, and a dress rehearsal at the Rest Home,

Addy had her Spring Dance Recital with Swan Studios

and did a fantastic job!!!

She has the grace and body of a prima ballerina.

I went to sit in on one of her classes, and it took all the self control I had to not

jump up and join in her bar exercises.

I felt like an amputee who still feels their legs moving.

I could still feel myself dancing and it took me back to my ballet days.

Now if I can only convince her to keep taking lessons.

After carrying on the yearly tradition for Chris' grandmother

of planting flowers in her many pots that sit on her porch,

Nana (My mother in law) gave me this adorable book

for Mother's Day which I will treasure-

don't we all feel this way,

wishing we had more hands to do everything?

And the man who made me a mother in the first place

refused to make a serious face and will regret that action

when he discovers that I posted his picture like this on our blog.

Flashing the blood sign is a sure way to make friends honey.

But that aside, I must give props to my homeboy,

for recently he fell out of a dumpster.

Ummmm, Sara, what was he doing in a dumpster?

Well, we had dinner covered, trust me,

but he had to stomp down construction materials

to make more room for garbage and accidently slipped

resulting in an unfortunate ricochet in between dumpster and truck.

Even with this injury he found the strength to clean and prepare

five houses for display- hence bringing home the bacon,

and continue in his nightly ritual of tucking the kids in bed,

among other fatherly duties.

I swoon.

As crazy as life gets,

and as busy as the days may be,

and as tired as I feel,

I can't think of any dream I'd rather be living

than that of being a

*M*O*T*H*E*R*

Thank you to all my family who make this dream a reality,

my mother,

his mother,

their mothers,

and countless other motherly types who give love and support.

My Heart Is Full!!!

5SF- Edition 7

FIVE SENSE FRIDAY

TASTING-

Natures Valley Fruit & Nut Bars

SMELLING-

Bath & Body Works

Warm Vanilla Sugar Wallflower

FEELING-

Tired and Achey...

the last two days we have been cleaning a subdivision

in preparation for Open Houses this weekend.

It's a good feeling to work hard all day,

but I kinda wish I was where I was last weekend....

********

I took a much needed break to spend some time with girlfriends in Vegas.
We stayed off the crazy strip in a paradise oasis- J.W. Marriot. It took some schedule juggling and money saving, but was well worth it.

I’m still nursing and I so appreciated their patience with me pumping in bathroom stalls and elsewhere. I was told that I’m a good driver, good dancer, and that I have great cleavage- which is so refreshing to hear after you spend day after day with kids who have no tolerance for your driving, dancing, or mommy parts. I just read back that sentence and realized that it could have been interpreted many inappropriate ways. I would like to set the record straight that there was no scandalous activity during this vacation- we kept it clean and uplifting.

I didn’t bring a camera because I knew Kate, who is a professional, would have us covered.

To see our trip unfold in picture form go here.

SEEING-

Mary Cassatt

My all time favorite artist for Mothers with children

HEARING-

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

by the BYU Combined Choruses

I can't listen to this without getting chills or crying.

Holly also recently tagged me

so we'll just make this a day of tags...

ABC TAG

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A-Attached or Single?- Attached

B-Best Friend?- Papa Bear- Chris

C-Cake or Pie?- Leslies chocolate cake or Dad's Lemon Meringue pie

D-Day of Choice?- Monday, always ready for a new week! (ditto Holly)

E-Essential Item?- Music

F- Favorite color? it changes daily, but usually RED

G-Gummy Bears or Worms?- Worms,

but sometimes I like to bite the heads off the bears

H-Hometown?- I've moved a lot so I don't have one

I-Favorite Indulgence?- Chips and Salsa, and an Oreo shake

J-January or July? Hands down, July! I love the heat and celebrations

K-Kids? 4- Addy, Landon, Oliver, Tade

L-Life isn't complete without? Laughter and Color

M-Marriage Date?- April 26th

N-Number of brothers and sisters? 5 brothers, 8 sister,

O-Oranges or Apples?- I wish I could eat more oranges

because they are so juicy and yummy,

but they flair up my eczema so I would have to say Apples

P-Phobia and Fears? Sometimes I'm afraid a snake is going to come up out

of the toilet, while I'm sitting on it, unrealistic, but probable.

Q-Quote?- "Whatever you are, be a good one"-Abraham Lincoln

R-Reason to smile?- I feel joy

S-Season of choice?- Love them all for different reasons,

but I struggle with the cold of winter.

T-Tag ten people?- I'm trying to think of people who haven't done this yet-

anyone who wants to!

U-Unknown fact about me?- If I told you, it wouldn't be unknown:)

V-Vegetable?- Fresh corn on the cob, or roasted potatoes and carrots

W-Worse habit?- having to multi task while I watch tv, drives Chris crazy

Y-Your favorite food?- Salmon, Thai, Sushi, Moms cooking

Z-Zodiac Sign?- Capricorn

I was tagged by Mary.

7 Random Fact About Me.

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When I was younger I had romantic thoughts of living in the mountains with my burley husband and 10 kids. We would live in an enchanted cottage where a flourishing garden would grow with sweet vegetables all lined up and trees covered with juicy fruit would be within arms reach for hungry bellies. Beautiful forest trees and shrubberies would house magical woodland creatures who would protect us from wicked witches and evil wizards. I would wear an apron, and bake, cook and sew and occasionally when the time would allow, I would paint aside the stream like Monet. The little boys would wear leider hosens (sp?) and the little girls would wear smocks with full skirts and bows in their hair. My husband would chop wood and bring home fresh fish and game for us to roast, and then he would romance me by the twilight of the moon. Fast forward to 2008, and minus the wood chopping and leider hosens we are living a life equally as fantastic to this childhood dream, and I am content.

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I can put floss up my nose and out my mouth. I first discovered this talent during a dinner of spaghetti with my roomate Sam in college. Us crazy kids!

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Instead of cussing, my go-to word in a pinch is "China!" When I almost hit a car I say "China!" When I drop a plate I say "China!" I'm not sure where this originated from, but I figure it's better than my kids hearing me say other colorful explatives. Sometimes I mix it up a bit and say "China Doll!"

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I have never been one to have big hang ups over my body. I complain about chubbiness as every woman does, but my body image has never consumed me. I do however have certain things that if given the opportunity I would change. My "Indian Corn" teeth for example need a little attention.

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I love candy, hence the indian corn teeth. I don't have to be eating it around the clock, but every now and then I need a little nibble, it's part of my chemistry, it keeps my neurons in balance:)

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I grind my teeth, but I don't realize I'm doing it until the headache comes on- it's usually in my sleep. This is my bodies way of releasing stress I guess.

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Oceans freak me out. I love the beach and I don't mind swimming close to shore, and I also don't mind being in boats, but if you were to drop me in the middle of the Pacific and leave me to doggie paddle I would be totally creeped out. It's just so big and deep and dark and mysterious. I'm afraid of whats going to come up and get me. How did Jonah do it?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVER!!!

My 3YEAR OLD has turned a new leaf today.

A big giant 4 YEAR OLD leaf.

A leaf that I can't bear to accept.

A leaf that I want to tuck away

in a drawer somewhere,

where I can keep it safe.

This leaf puts a lump in my throat,

but I know it is part of the SEASONS

and must happen.

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One day this LEAF will turn and turn again,

and be a big OAK TREE.

He will have strong branches

and give shade to others.

But Sara,

leaves don't turn into trees,

seeds do.

I know my friend,

but I'm trying to be poetic,

so don't interrupt.

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TIME IS FLYING.

Will I still love and cherish my little leaves as much

when they grow out of the fun stage they're in now?

What about when they don't want to cuddle,

or share what's on their mind,

even if that means telling me

that my arms wiggle....

a lot.

How about when instead of sneaking cookies

they're missing curfew or flunking a class?

I figure it will be a different kind of love.

Like how I really like Romaine lettuce,

but I also like Spinach.

I like leaves.

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This is all very obijah,

but I like obijah,

and I LOVE OLIVER,

and I wish him a

Very Enthusiastic Happy Birthday!!

In his words,

"This day is going to be totally awesome!"

OLLIE is a CARS FANATIC

OLLIE is a SUPER HERO

OLLIE is a BROTHER

playing "Star Wars Chubby Guys"

with Tade

OLLIE is a FRIEND

Playgroup/Preschool with his buddies

OLLIE is a MAN OF MANY FACES

I know, longest tonque ever right? Can you say KISS revival?

WE ADORE OLIVER!!!!!!!

YOU ARE AN

AWESOME COOL DUDE!!!!!

Candice is Papa Bear's cousin.

She's gone and got herself hitched!

Congratulations

Candice and Jared!

Your life has just begun...

We love you guys!!

Too busy...

taking a break...

will be back soon...

Later dudes!

Peace Out!

XOXOXOXOXO

How about a little from

The Ting Tings

to get your Monday started.

Happy Monday Everyone!!

(Great DJ & That's Not My Name)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAIR BAIR!!

I'm sacraficing my double chin for your cuteness in this picture Jairus!

This was taken at my 30th birthday surprise party,

I had weepy eyes from joy,

and was sick with a baby in the belly,

so please cut me some slack:)

Jairus requested “A Day With” For his birthday…

First,
I would serve you breakfast in bed
consisting of crepes made by Marie
with fresh strawberries, nutella, and whipped crème,

freshed squeezed orange juice, and crispy bacon.

On the tray would be a vase

filled with forsynthia and dogwood branches,

with a copy of the New York Times.

You would put on your Thom Browne outfit,

and slip on your Prada trainers that are gold and lime,

all courtesy of Fall Fashion Week.

*******************

We would jump into your new black Range Rover

and on your seat would be

a Marc Jacobs "murse" (man purse).

Inside would be...

bag of chocolate covered espresso beans,

Gucci sunglasses,

Versace gloves,

Viktor and Rolf cologne,

Yves Saint Laurent scarf,

Goyard moneyclip,

and a Baume & Mercier watch.

(did I miss anything?)

In the cup holder would be

a crisp Evian or San Pellegrino.

On the radio would be playing Hotel Costes.

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We would first stop at

a co-op garden where you can

plant your own peas, carrots and cabbages

and out from behind the giant Sunflowers

would jump Sam!

Surprise!

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After hugs and jubilation

we would jaunt on over to Barnes and Nobles

to look at magazines and drink hot steamy

hot chocolates.

Martha Stewart would be signing copies of her books

and would insist on accompanying us

to Normandy for lunch.

*****************

We would indulge in soup, salad, sandwiches

and decadent pastries like those from France.

Martha would make origami doves

out of our napkins and invite us to

Turkey Hill for Christmas holiday.

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On our list of stops would be some

thrift stores and antique shops.

you will find some copper pots,

a vintage croquet set,

and an old school bicycle.

I will find a velvet picture

of a clown crying.

**************

Next we would have to

rush off to the private concert

that Sting is putting on for us in Sundance.

Out from behind the stage

would pop Mardi!

Surprise!

******************

We would dance to the feverish beats

and then when we tire and faint,

we'll invite Gordon and Trudy to accompany

our growing party to Takashi where we will

savor fresh sushi made in authentic Japanese fashion.

*****************

Next, we will hurry up to Park City

for art shows in all the galleries

and out from behind the ice sculpture of you

will pop Audry!

Surprise!

***************

She has made her famous bread pudding

for us all and we gobble it down

whilst laughing and discussing latest trends.

*************

Lastly,

we will retire to an old renovated farmhouse

where Sam has lined the pebbly

walkway with lanterns and trailing ribbons

on shepherd hooks.

There will be a crisp mossy smell in the air

and songbirds will be serenading us as we enter.

Inside behind the bails of hay

will pop out all your loved ones- family and friends.

They will attack you with loves and kisses

and then we will have a dance party,

play "radio video",

and eat lots of candy.

***************

I love you so much bud!

My life is sweeter,

funner,

richer,

and merrier,

with you in it!