My younger sister Ruth had a birthday today.  She is 54 years young!  She is the 4th child of 9 children born to Elden and Marcine Price.  I was so happy to have a little sister!  As a very young girl I was excited that mom and dad brought home this gift and of course I thought she was just for me!  Ruth was a beautiful little girl and has grown to be a beautiful woman and mother.

Ruth Ellen Price

Ruth loved to be outdoors, weeding the garden, playing in our huge sand pile, riding our horse, anything that would take her outside.  she even loved to get up at crazy early hours to help dad with irrigation.  She still loves the out of doors and nature.

Ruth LOVES her family!  She is very devoted to her children, siblings and especially her Dad and Mom.  Ruth is the mother of 4 beautiful children.  She has raised her children Jeremy, Ryan, KasiJo and Terry.  Each one is a carbon copy of their mother - who love life, God, nature, family and each other.  They love to be together and lend support to one another.

Ruth and Dad - Salt Lake Marathon

Race completed!

The very first year of The Salt Lake Marathon my sister Ruth walked with our Dad and completed the marathon.  We as a family were so proud standing at the finish line with tears running down our cheeks as they completed their goal!  It was an incredible journey for all of us to witness this unconditional love for her dad to be his partner in his desire to FINISH THE RACE.  And our Dad was the oldest participant to finish at the age of 78 and was featured in newspaper and magazine articles. 

Ruth Price - Sedona Arizona 2009

I love my sister with all my heart!  She is my best friend, my confidant, my hero.  She loves what she does as a business owner, massage therapist and health and wellness coach.  She has come through some tough times, but she always walks through to the other side.  I think the past couple years the twinkle in her eyes and the easy laughter have returned.  My daughter Amanda said it best - My Aunt Ruth is happier now that I have seen her in a long time.  Happy Birthday little sister!  I love you so much!

Written June 10, 2010 - Posted June 11, 2010

A few days in the life of . . .

As mentioned in an earlier post, I was anxious and eager for this long weekend to arrive.  I had Friday May 28th off from work and was looking forward to filling every moment with activities and fun.  Nancy and Ali Clark would be here from Portland, Oregon looking into schools for Ali to attend.  It is always fun to spend time with the Clark family.  Amanda's graduating day was here and I am so lucky because the Price family gathers in numbers to support and cheer on such occasions.  This day was no exception, we partied, laughed and gave congrats all around.  Thank you family for your love and support of this wonderful accomplishment for Amanda.  The days following were filled and full of activities, obligations and family togetherness.  Following are a few pictures and thoughts to share the days with you.

Amanda M. Petersen - Proud Moment!

Amanda graduated with honors from Park University.  I am so pleased as a Mom for the determination she has in furthering her education.  Amanda is very smart and focused.  She will go far in her quest - what ever that may be.  After the graduation ceremony we all gathered at her home where she had a dessert  bar.  Almost all the desserts were home made (I think she said she bought the chocolate cake and the chocolate chip cookies) by Amanda.  We had truffles, cake, cream cheese pies, cookies, peanut butter bars - ohhh yummy yummy in our tummies! 

Nancy, Amanda and Ali

Graduation Day for Amanda - Bachelors Degree

Ali loves her Uncle Terry

There is always some kind of gathering at Ruth and Konny's home and so many are spontaneous!  It just so happened that Ruth wanted to spend some time with Nancy while she and Ali were here so we went for breakfast.  Yum!  Yum!  Val dropped by as did Terry!  We had such a great time eating (they always prepare the best breakfast food) talking, planning, laughing and we throw in a walk down memory lane!  Thanks Ruth and Konny for always being such great hosts! Your home is always so inviting.

Terry, Ruth, Val, Nancy and Janet

Memorial Day started early Monday May 31st.  Nancy and Ali headed out on their long drive back to Portland.  Dad, Mom and I were on our way to Morgan, Utah.  The weather was beautiful, our trunk was full of picnic fixin's and flowers to decorate and remember our family who have gone on before us.  We had a great showing of family - Dad, Mom, Janet, Amanda, Bonnie, Ruth, Ryan, Macie, Terry, Mike, Scott, Paul, Lisa and Hudson.  We all had such a great time.  We always meet at the Morgan City Park and have our picnic together and then everyone goes their separate ways.  It was a beautiful day!

Mom with Ryan and his cousin - flowers for graves

60 years ago on May 31, Memorial Day, my dad proposed to my mom.  It is and has been such a love story for every single one of those years.  I love this picture and what you don't get to see is my dad holding mom's hand.  They are a true example of pure love!

Dad and Mom walking hand in hand

And to end this wonderful 4 days of fun, family and adventures, my sweet sister Nancy and her daughter Ali gave me this Orchid as a thank you for staying with me.  It is so beautiful!  On the card attached to the orchid on "how to care for", it says to put 3 to 4 ice cubes on the soil and let melt.  It was fun to watch the stems perk right up as the ice cubes melted.  Such a treasure!  Thank you Nancy and Ali!

Orchid from Nancy and Ali

Where is Spring?

I am so excited for Spring to come and stay in the State of Utah!  This morning we woke up to snow!  SNOW during the last week of May!  As much as I love the moisture and water during the hot months of July and August I would really love to feel the warmth of the sun and the cool spring nights.

Regardless of this goofy weather, I am excited for this week!  My sister Nancy and her beautiful daughter Ali will be visiting from the state of Oregon.  It is always an added bonus when we get to have them right here with us!

Amanda is graduating and so there will be festivities and fun activities for her wonderful achievement - Bachelors Degree.

Memorial Day is fast approaching and we have the honor of visiting the resting places of some very important people in our lives.  My Grandpa Charles Price and Grandma Renee Price, who lay to rest in the Salt Lake Cemetery.  I love the early morning visit we make each year to remember them and talk about the many ways they enriched our lives.  Then we travel to Morgan Cemetery and visit my Grandma Lillie Knuteson.  Another incredible woman who brought laughter and joy to me as a young girl.  Oh the memories!

Memorial Day brings another celebration this year that is note worthy.  It will be 60 years to the date that my dad Elden Price asked my mom Marcine Carter to be his wife.  The story goes that dad carried the diamond ring - loose in his pocket - and they went for a walk together, stopped by a small creek and dad asked the big question.  To this day Dad says that it was my mothers beautiful dark brown eyes that he fell in love with.  I love this story and they can tell it over and over and it is always such a joy to hear.  They have been in love and devoted to each other and their family ever since - in October we will celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

Amanda is Graduating!

Amanda M. Petersen

My daughter Amanda has completed her Bachelors Degree and will walk with her class on May 29, 2010. 

I and pleased and so excited to celebrate her accomplishment. 

Amanda is so smart!  She has 3 Associates degrees and now her Bachelors.  She has a few professors who are encouraging her to go on and get her Masters.  She groaned a little, and then I told her it was a compliment coming from her professors.  They LOVE students like you because you are smart, driven and care about your work, papers and tests that you hand in.  So Kudos to Amanda!  Congrats dear daughter!

Beautiful Spring!

Close your eyes and imagine . . .

I love Spring! I love the beautiful smells and sounds, the "popcorn" popping as buds on all the trees as they stretch towards the sun to feel the warmth and get ready to bloom. I love the early spring flowers, daffodils, tulips, sweet william and the hyacinth that are sure signs that spring is really here.

I slept with my window open just a crack so the sound of chirping birds would wake me. As I lay in my warm bed and listened I wondered to myself, what are they talking about so early in the morning?

I got ready for work this morning with a little skip to my step because the morning was so delightful. I feel such gratitude for the beauty and miracle of Spring. And now as I sit at my desk with my office window open just a crack, I continue to take in the sounds, smell the fresh air and thank my Father in Heaven for blessing me with such beauty and I am happy!

Wedding Day

My son Andrew D. Petersen was married to his sweetheart Jennifer Dickinson on Saturday April 3, 2010. The ceremony and reception was held at Millennial Falls Reception Center in Draper Utah. The day was magical and the celebration was enjoyed by many family and friends. They chose a Celtic theme for the wedding. Jennifer's family is Scottish and my family is Welsh. I had some fabric shipped to me from Wales- the Price tartan. I love it and I wore my family colors proudly!

Enjoy the photo's

The Wedding Cake


Andy and Jennifer with Grandpa and Grandma Price


Samantha- maid of honor and Tabitha- flower girl


Andy and Jennifer are married by Ruth Price - Andy's Aunt


Andy- Groom, Damon- Ring Bearer and Sterling- Best Man


Jennifer and Norman, daughter and father dance -
Andy and Janet, son and mother dance



Andy and Jennifer leave for their honeymoon.

I want to thank my family and friends for celebrating with us on this day. Many of you traveled far and came with your love, smiles and support and I love you so much for it. I am so happy to have Jennifer as my daughter-in-law and my beautiful grandchildren Samantha, Tabitha and Damon.

Goodbye March 2010

March 2010 came in like a Lamb and surely went out like a roaring Lion! We have had cold weather here in Utah and last night as a farewell song the heavy dark clouds dumped snow on the ground. It was beautiful watching the snow fall and trying to catch a snowflake on my tongue. I hope this is the last snow storm for this spring season.


I took this picture of the snow on my front lawn but wanted to capture the cute little daffodils with their bright yellow flowering heads bent to the snow, with hope that they will see sunshine today and have hope of spring. My wish for today is for spring weather. But I am reminded of the childhood rhyme - April showers bring May flowers.

My birthday was this month. It was a special birthday because I was born in 1955 and I turned 55. I woke up at about 4:30 and waited 15 minutes and then sang happy birthday to me because I was born at 4:45 in the morning. Goofy huh! I haven't lost my mind, I'm not going crazy (but if I do would you like to come along?) I just do silly things sometimes! Thank you to my family and friends who called, sang, sent messages and for all the wonderful gifts to help me turn another year older.


My sister Bonnie and her daughters gave me this plague with one of my favorite sayings. I love it and thank you for such a beautiful gift!


My dear friend gave me this wonderful book and since my birthday I prepare my hot cup of tea in the morning and read an excerpt from my Attitudes of Gratitude Book, to start my morning off right. A wonderful saying from the book found in a Fortune Cookie: "Stop Searching! Happiness is just next to you."