Link to Ashley's birthday album

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2275764424500.128106.1560405052&l=61f150317d&type=1

Sorry folks, I can't get the link to work; please cut & paste it into your search bar/box to view Ashely's birthday album :)

Star light, star bright ...

Twenty one years ago our beautiful, precious daughter was born! The tail end of a remarkable story beginning many years prior to her birth is that our son, her darling five year old brother, insisted that we needed to wish on a star for his baby sister. He was adamant as he had just watched the Flintstones cartoon program on TV and Barny and Betty Rubble wished on a star and baby Bam-Bam was awaiting their surprise discovery on their doorstep the following day.

We did, indeed, wish on a star that evening but more so to humor our sweet son; after all what could it hurt?! (grin) ... guess what ... literally two days later we received a call from our adoption agency asking if we would like to come and bring our new baby daughter home; we were totally surprised and in a great deal of shock!!!! Of course a little fasting and prayer (actually a lot) did not hurt either :) How blessed our family has been to have our incredible daughter bless our lives! Heavenly Father gets the correct spirit to the correct home one way or another!

Now twenty-one years later, our incredibly intelligent, talented, inquisitive, spiritual, beautiful, kind, loving, devoted, comical co-ed continues to brighten the lives of all in whom she comes to know. A breath of fresh air, living at the speed of light she continues to leave her unique mark on life. We are excited to see what lies in store for her in the years to come; we know what ever challenges and joys await her she will be up to the task of living a life worthy of the experiences, tests, and blessings our Heavenly Father will continue to bestow upon her.

Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight ... I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight. We wished on a star and our Ashley babe came true! We are definitely a family who will forever believe in the magic of wishing on stars! Happy birthday sweetheart! xoxo

And by the way - our son and daughter continue to share a most delightful, loving, brother-sister relationship to this day; they are the very best of friends!

The Quilting Bee

For all of you quilters out there ... Dear friends designed and created these exquisite quilts for Ashley and I. My friend Gayle, living in Utah, surprised me with the lovely soft pastel pink and brown quilt; her talent and artistic ability are incredible! She recently surprised Ashley with the fun pink and black artsy, more youthful design perfect for a college co-ed which simply delighted Ash as well. The third equally beautiful quilt, red and blue rooster design, was recently given to me by our circle of talented quilters in our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Latter-day Saint ward.

The art of quilting has been passed down from generation to generation tied to my Mormon pioneer heritage. I remember my fraternal grandmother always working on a quilt or other piece of handiwork; friends and family often participated adding stitches here and there amid laughter and discussion. I in turn learned to quilt, tough I never became expert at it, as a young girl in my Pleasant Grove, Utah ward. My mother taught me to cross stitch and to crochet afghans, with a large hook, the hairpin lace design being my favorite!

Old fashioned quilting bees are great fun! It amazes me the designs created by so many quilters throughout the world, its such a labor intensive art form but greatly admired and appreciated by our family! Ashley and I will treasure our works of art for many years to come - thank you everyone!

Pre-birthday mania :)

It was such fun having our lovely daughter home for a visit prior to returning out west for college! (She excitedly decided to transfer from PSU to wrap up her degree) There is nothing like hosting parties, sleep overs, birthday outings, hair appointment chit chat ... LOVE her east coast friends be-bopping in and out of our home :) But what I loved the most was peeking into her childhood bedroom at night and seeing her cuddled up in her bed fast asleep, safe and sound. Life goes on but memories last forever! We are so blessed to have two precious children in whom we absolutely adore - and now can't wait for Cameron's fall return as well! ... Only a couple of months and I'll see you in Salt Lake baby doll :)

Trainingwithatwist ... check us out!!

Soon to be meeting with potential clients in Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Pittsburgh areas; please contact us if you would like to schedule a meet-up, also, for information regarding how our diverse classes will help to magnify your company or organizations success! www.trainingwithatwist.com & www.facebook.com/trainingwithatwist

INTEGRITY ... do you possess it?

Everyone has an opinion regarding our reputation but strength of character comes from deep within us. It is the beacon of light that shines from our very soul drawing people to us who sense our goodness and level of integrity which makes us unique within a world sadly filled with many corrupt or broken individuals.

My challenge to everyone I teach in diverse businesses and industries, and through my personal example, is to step up to the plate and seek to be men and women of integrity! We are not perfect in all we do; however, we have ultimate control over our morals, values, ethics, behavior, words and deeds.

Please join with me in rising to the challenge – seek to make an impact in life leaving your imprint on every life you touch. Your desire to help make this world better one person at a time by exemplifying strong character traits and, thereby, sterling personal integrity will be a magnificent gift helping to inspire and motivate others to follow suit. Families, communities, businesses will thrive if each of us would seek to live, share and teach others the value of living an integrity focused life.

Copyright © 2011 Christeson & Associates

Birthday Whimsy!

I enjoyed a simply delightful birthday with my husband and friends & family both far and near. Face Book is such a wonderful tool in this technological world in being able to share and receive birthday wishes of good cheer in combination with hanging out with terrific friends in the flesh! No gifts required at this stage in the game folks but Jon, ever the romantic, the tease, the sentimentalist, and the comical man that he is surprised me with an adorable blown glass, pink flamingo figurine (a family joke and a different story all together) and a terrific DVD focusing on the year I was born … what a hoot!

Another one of my special surprises was receiving a copy of my dearest childhood story book which has been lost for years and now found by my dear friend Gayle! She obtained a copy of ‘Timmy Mouse’ which is no longer published (she also sent me a copy of my other favorite book which I call ‘Go Away Little Stray’ at Christmas J) I was so shocked that Gayle had found this treasured book that my mother used to read to me over and over again that it compelled me to snap pictures of it positioned throughout our home (grin). News flash … crazy lady on the loose; Beck the pathological photographer could not get a grip on herself! lol

I’ve posted a few of the photo’s I took of ‘Timmy Mouse’ for my posterity to see; the original two story books will certainly be kept under glass and displayed in a prominent place in our home – NOT! However, they will be kept to share once again with our grown children and future grandchildren. And WHY do you ask do I post the things I do on my blog? As an ongoing personal history; a snippet of our lives as a family for generations to view via the internet … a two-clap (my version of a standing ovation) and a WINK for modern technology and birthday whimsy!