The Cat's Meow . . .

Marcos, Marcos, Marcos . . .

Many moons ago on the 26th of the blessed month of December a child was born that brought sunshine, kittens, rainbows, and every other happy thing that can come to one's mind, into the world - that child was . . . . . Jared Leto

Now, I know that you probably thought that I was going to say you and frankly you would fit into the same category that describes our dear friend from "My So Called Life" and your ruggedly handsome twin, but sometimes in life we guess wrong.  I do hope, though, that you know that even though Jared Leto might have arrived first, you are number one around these parts and definitely the Cat's Meow!  I happen to love you for many reasons  - 

- your hatred of exclamation points and CAPITAL LETTERS

- your seemingly endless way to always be able to eat pizza or cereal

- your childlike obsession for one you called "HoneyNut" (I have to admit I find the odd photos of you always stretching the cat a bit creepy)

- your love of self portraits

- your backwards way of writing and the Sonic the Hedgehog masterpieces that you drew

- your happy dancing nature and much, much more - 

that is why I am very Happy to say that I love December 26th and the excitement that one must feel to know that it is THE Marcos Chard's birthday and that you know him.  Happy Birthday!!!

Nothing says "Happy Birthday" like a glass of cold milk and a cookie from mom . . .

Carmel Popcorn Sundays . . .

       Due to the current state in which I find myself(surrounded by Christmas loving individuals) I have been thinking lately about traditions and why they mean so much to so many people.  I have always been one of those people that loved Christmas but this year my attitude has been more afixed to that of that well known character of Scrooge.  There seems to be so many things to do and places to go because it's always been that way.  Many individuals have the tradition of going to see the lights at Temple Square, and I have done that from time to time, while others always get together for Gingerbread house making or Christmas caroling.  I guess it boils down to celebrating with the ones that you love.  This season is suppose to be a time of rejoicing for all that we have and giving thanks for the gift of the Savior Jesus Christ.  I know that he wasn't born on "December 25th", but as the Christian world has accepted it as the time to celebrate His sacrifice I need all to know that I KNOW that he is my Savior and Redeemer and that he sacrificed for me on an individual basis as well as for everyone else.

    I beleive that traditions are made from people coming together in a general love for one another and a hope that friendships will last for years.  I remember fondly a tradition that was created on my mission - carmel popcorn sundays.  I was with Hermana Bettger and we loved preperation days:), and so to celebrate that we had made it through another week and that we were on the eve of our favorite day we created this marvelous tradition.  We planned quickly so that we would have time to make the most fabulous popcorn ever - an old Bettger family recipie.  That became a time that helped us relieve the stresses of mission life and laugh and really get to know one another.  Since I have been home I have tried to carry that tradition on from time to time and I have to say that tonight has been one of the best carmel popcorn sundays - - - - I had one of the best helpers around - THE Samuel Chard . . .

"I don't wanna smile" - direct quote from Samu - so here we have a no smiling penguin wearing 4 year old - couldn't get cuter:)

Wishing and Hoping and thinking . . .

So I bet you all are not loving the snow but I actually love it all and can't wait for more!  I hope the heavens hear my pleas for snow, snow, snow . . .  Let's make it more than last year:)

Missionary Moment Friday . . .

Companion Spotlight:

              Name:  Judith Guynn(pronounced g-win)

     Hometown:  New Canaan, Connecticut

Current Town:  Provo, Utah attending the big BYU

Well, the above photo is not a mug shot as you might assume but just a photo to check the blackness of the hair color that I applied on a typical Guynn and Chard preparation.  Now she might kill me for some of these great photos but hey she was the one that sent me the disc with all of these so I figured she would approve.  There are so many things that I can tell you about this great person.  We were put together for her last transfer and my first in the dry land of Montana Vista, El Paso.  I have to say that I was in Tucson before I was transferred and did not want to leave and that made me very unhappy about going to Texas and I have to say that without Guynn I could not have survived.  Our days were spent tracting and knocking doors with many, many random first lessons and so many crazy moments.  It was hot and dusty and she was leaving and I still had 10 months and the jealousy of that fact at times was overwhelming (bad to say I know, but honest and true and all who have served missions will get the love/hate relationship:) but oh, the fun that we had.  She was an amazing teacher with a special ability of making a connection with anyone.  Her clever wit and funny randomness coincided just right with my own craziness as we talked in funny accents, composed classical music in the car and at times she was the only one that got and laughed at my "darkness" that came forth at times.  Anyway - she's great and all should know it.

The farthest point in our area was at the edge of the mission boundary and took 1 and 1/2 hours to get there - but the stark beauty of it all was worth it(we also taught some good lessons and that adds to the worth:)

Us on the sandy dunes of Montana Vista - we were always stopping to pose for pictures in the sand - it seems odd but trust me there was nothing and i mean nothing else out there:)

Ah, yes - the cowboy and the Indian.  This was something we cooked up for out last District Meeting and I have to say - you just had to be there

haha - again with the sand, and really I have no idea why we chose to lay down - haha, we had the craziest and most fun times - thanks for that, Guynn!  Pretty Sunsets, though, but the serious looks have to go . . .

Lessons with the District Leader and companion and I guess she was more excited than the rest of us:)

Last but not least - the typical missionary camera tricks:)  We were always the last district to get interviewed by the President and so we had boring moments with the only fun technology missionaries are allowed - cameras. 

There you have my first companion spotlight.  I have to say she is such a great person, artist and poet - - you rock, Guynn!!

They say it's your BIRTHDAY . . .

Here we have young Susy who we can see started her natural affiliation with horses and anything to do with them at a young age.  From then until now all know that you see Susy and you think horsey . . .

Here she is a beautiful 16 full of dreams and hopes of American men and a far-away adventure.  Little did she know then the grand adventure that being the wife to doug and the mother to gabriel, mia, mario, marcos would be . . .

Ahhh, yes - this is Classic Susy.  The hundred watt smile and the stylish scarf as her favorite accessory.  She is really one of the most beautiful women I know and more because of her charming and loving personality that draws all to her.  

Lastly but never leastly - - - -Here she is as my best friend and companion for anything fun and exciting.  I love you mom and could never be have made it through life thus far without your love and care and everything you do for me!!  I love you enough . . . 

Damn Bursts . . .

Wow.  That's about all I can say about my very vocal rant in my last post but I have to say it did the trick because you all came through beautifully(maybe though, you were just afraid of 'ol Darth).  I have to say that those responses kept me laughing and I will never think of "Frank" the same.  Thanks to all.  

The other day I found myself in a hospital waiting room and I have to say that I got to thinking about the non - descriptive "art" that grace the walls of fine establishments such as hospitals and if it serves the purpose for which it was intended.  I believe that all things have a purpose but I was curious as to what their purpose was.  Is it to calm the troubled nerves of waiters such as I?  Is it too uplift and bring color to an otherwise colorless and depressing atmosphere?  Did that artist paint that and think "man, I hope this hangs on the wall of a hospital or office building"?  Not that they really are bad works of art just that I wonder many things about them.  Who bought them?  Where did they finds them?  Why did they pick that specific burst of pink and white and blue?  How long as it been there?  Has anyone besides me ever in the history of the world given them that much thought?  

And the questions keep coming.  Needless to say, odd things at times occupy my thoughts.  What about you?  What is odd that occupies your thoughts?

Non - descriptive art that graces one of the grand halls of Davis Hospital

Is it a damn that has burst?  Is it a boat going over a cliff?

(And all the above questions apply to this particular painting)

i hate you all

no one put a mullet name?

some friends you are!!!!

suckers

mia