Happy Father's Day Jon! xoxo

Jon back in the day :) A remarkable husband and FATHER! Affectionate, loving, caring, knowledgeable, funny, honorable, hardworking, emotionally healthy, motivated, skilled, dedicated, adventurous, highly intelligent, talented, brave, well rounded, devoted, leader, spiritual, man of integrity and zany Beatles Brunch fan, master griller, Civil War expert slash hold his kids to task kind of guy lol Yup, I think we'll keep him! Happy Father's Day Jon, you are such a blessing in all of our lives! xoxo

You Are Amazing!

To all my friends who I sense may feel you are falling short in any way if you are comparing yourself to others physically, mentally, accomplishments, etc., I have this to say which I hope you will internalize: You look as beautiful/handsome as ever, in fact age has written your life story thus far on your countenance and enhanced the essence of who you are in my option. Also, you know that you have achieved a great deal within many realms of your life; and anyway its the worth of a soul that is of greatest importance. The life one has lived, the valiant, emotionally healthy choices and sacrifices one has made, the individual lives one has impacted for good that is the measure of your success and you all rank right up there with the best in my book! Luv ya all :)

(PS   Crazy me ladies, but I have such a belief in eternal potential, in counting our blessings, seeking to be positive, realizing we are each unique with a unique journey filled with a myriad of challenges and success that are meant to strengthen, humble and excite us helping us to help lift one another so we can return to our Heavenly Father's presence. I've loved my own multifaceted journey and enjoy observing and hearing about others journeys whether it be all y'all friends or complete strangers in whom I teach through my business :)

New York City Rocks!

We enjoyed a fantastic time in New York City celebrating Jon's birthday and our wedding anniversary!  I surprised Jon with a helicopter tour over Manhattan which we loved and I highly recommend!  Also, lunch at Tom's Restaurant which is the diner used in the Seinfeld TV program; Jon was delighted to say the least and of course I enjoyed it as I am fond of old fashioned diners with soda fountains.

We roamed the city by night and day enjoying any quirky thing that appealed to us.  You can't visit NYC without eating a hot dog from a street vendor or traversing the city via subway, taxi and on foot.  We had a cookie at The Rock, enjoyed an impromptu musical performance in the subway, loved shooting photos of everything imaginable and ending up in some of the craziest places while enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.  We have loved all of our visits to the big apple, but this one in particular which was a "let's fly by the seat of our pants" kind of trip was incredible!  PS  Jon surprised me, taking me to Tiffany's (I'm a classic movie buff, who doesn't love Breakfast at Tiffany's, right?!) and purchased a darling heart shaped charm for me in remembrance of our adventure; yup he is Mr. romantic!

We love our varied road trips throughout the country and this one was exceptionally sweet.  We ended our trip with a dash home so as to be in our 2nd row and center seats at the Benedem Theater for a performance of Chorus Line which was fabulous!  A terrific way to conclude our remarkable celebration :)   

I love you Jon - to the moon and back!  I am so blessed to be married to such a remarkable man who loves me and our children deeply, magnifies the Priesthood which he holds, serves the Lord willingly, knows how to work hard yet also have fun and who is a guy I am still laughing with after all of these years.  Life is an EXTRAORDINARY adventure with you sweetheart!

 

Life Rocks In Beautiful PA!

A Fabulous Mother's Day!

Though our kids are a gazillion miles away at school and work I enjoyed a fabulous Mother's Day!  We enjoyed a lovely program at church and Jon surprised me with a beautiful corsage (tea roses) a wonderful charming, romantic tradition he has done every year since we have been married; he also gives me one for Easter!  In addition, a lovely pair of earrings and classes to learn to sculpt and attempt wheel throw!  I've longed to do this for years so this is a dream come true!!  Thank you Jon, you are such an incredible husband!

Also, Ashley sent me chocolates and an exquisite bouquet of tulips which is one of my favorite spring flowers!!  And Cameron surprised me with a series of songs on Google Play;  music which he downloaded for my computer and phone teaching how to access the music via a phone call.  I can't believe he actually remembers all of these artists and songs I have loved throughout the years.  Hey, I'm surfin' to the Beach Boys, hanging out on Santa Monica Blvd with Sheryl Crow, rocking out to Soul Sister with Train, jammin with Boyz to Men, getting beat up by Kelly Clarkston, mixed with current tunes and even got me some good old school Diana Ross and Donny Osmond hahahaha :) This is cool!

But  the best part of the day for both Jon and I was Skyping with our kidlets chit chatting, laughing, sharing AND Cam composed another original song, wrote the lyrics as well and as he played it on his guitar Ashley sang it to me!  Seeing our kids and listening to them perform was heartwarming!  I love the cool brother-sister relationship they enjoy and the fact that they continue to magnify their God-given talents.  I am one blessed mama bear :)  

Recent Speaking Engagements

It was my pleasure to address members and guests of the International Association of Administrative Assistants - Pittsburgh and Altoona chapters in April and May.

Pittsburgh topic:  Truth or Dare - Business Ethics

Altoona topic :     Have You Flat Lined? - Motivation

Both groups were delightful to work with!  I was very impressed with the individuals associated with planning these events.  I enjoy writing and presenting innovative, educational, thought provoking, inspiring presentations and keynotes; doing so is another aspect of my Professional Development Training business www.trainingwithatwist.com    

Crazy Christeson Utah Trip

We enjoyed a wonderful week in Utah with our kids, my mother and other beloved extended family members and friends!  The crazy Christeson family had a riot enjoying my itinerary which encompassed everything from Ashley's two performances with the UVU Women's Choir (at UVU) and with the Master Work's Choir which performed in Salt Lake.  Also, fun and frolics in Provo area, Salt Lake City and Park City!  

Jon and I hosted a family party and arranged for my friends daughter who is a massage therapist to provide chair massages for all adults as a thank you for all they do in behalf of my dear mother and our kids.  Dining at a fun BBQ restaurant I discovered on a TV program called "Diners, Drive-in's & Dives" lol, along with other fun outings in each of the cities.  And of course Jon and I had to have lunch at "Heaps" Brick Oven in Provo, a favorite hangout of ours during our teenage years :)

Another one of our memorable moments also encompassed attending a live broadcast of "The Spoken Word" in the Tabernacle on Temple Square listening to the inspiring message, hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing (which included one of our families theme songs, "When You Wish Upon A Star" as Cameron wished on a star for his baby sister to be born), enjoying the symphony and having President Thomas L. Monson, president and prophet of our church in attendance!  It was a very special trip indeed.