I TAGGED MARIE, TOO!!!

I certainly couldn't go to Vegas and not tell Marie how Special she is, too!!! Because, it is just NOT possible to be a fan of just one Osmond. We were always considered Osmond fans...not just a Donny fan...because once you watch them perform...you LoVe them all. The usual question I would hear was..."which one is your favorite?"...and I think Marie got a kick out of all of us crazy girls who loved her brothers! What sister wouldn't? So, I tagged her with a Swarovski Crystal pen...to tell her what a great mark she has made on this world! And, being girls...I had to bring her some of my favorite chocolates as well!

I hope she enjoyed her tagging. I hope she knows how proud we all are of her and all the differences she makes in other people's lives. Her work with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is phenomenal, and it helps millions of children every year. Her openly discussing problems...like the Postpartum Depression she dealt with, or talking about the tragic suicide of her son...helps so many others deal with their problems. She is so open and honest with her feelings...and she really is such a comedian. She is quick-witted and really fun...and IS the person you see on stage or on TV. Below in the photo on the right...you can see what she signed inside the blog book I brought for them to autograph for me...she told me I was special and then TAGGED me back! Then she leaned over to Donny and said she did it better than he did...because he only signed his name. It was super cute...but, I told her she was wasn't getting out of it that easy!  She was still TAGGED!  =0)

Below you can see her holding one of her dolls...and you can tell how much she loves designing them. I really just can't understand how she and Donny get any sleep? They are both so busy. Do you know anyone else with more going on than these two?

You can also see that time has been very good to her...and when I was telling her how special she was...I had to tell her that she looks more beautiful than ever! I was lucky enough to share her birthday with her at Farrell's when she turned 16...and she was beautiful then...now she is just plain STUNNING! The show was fantastic....her costumes are gorgeous and her shoes are to die for! And I must say...she never looked happier! Best Wishes on your new marriage Marie...and don't forget...

TAG YOU'RE IT!!!

I TAGGED DONNY!!!

I TAGGED the person who started the MAD-Make A Difference Program... Donny has always been a HUGE part of my life. I can't remember a time when I wasn't a fan of his!  And I must say I could NOT be prouder of my choice of  Rock Stars!!! It has been a blast! So, I decided it was time to TAG him and let him know how special he is to me! I had a book of this blog made for him, so he could check out what all you taggers have been up to! I hope he liked it! I brought him one of my favorite things...some Godiva Chocolates...to eat while he read. And of course a TAG...so he could get involved and pass one on!!!

One thing about Donny is...he just doesn't sit still! He is involved in so many different things right now, I really don't know how it is possible for one person to do all that he is doing...and give 100% to each and every thing. Listen to this list...he is performing with Marie in Vegas five nights a week, he not only did...but WON "Dancing With The Stars", he has a daily radio show, he is also DJ-ing Love Songs on the Coast on Kost radio on Sunday nights, he has just released a new album with Marie, he has a new solo album coming out soon, he makes personal appearances...on talk shows and to sign CD's, he has concert dates coming up at the end of the summer, he has been seen as a special correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight" and "The Insider", he started these MAD projects and he still finds time to plans awesome Get-Togethers for us fans. I really don't know how he does it all...but, I am personally glad he does! And I am just elated that life is so terrific for him...because he deserves it! 

I hope everyone gets their tickets for the Get-Together in July...because I am certain that Donny is going to make it great for us! I thought the Osmonds 50th Reunion was the best ... but, I must say that last summer the Get-Together topped it! I had the most remarkable time...the entire time!!! And I am positive that anyone who decides to come this July...will not regret their decision for one minute!!! Last year Donny gave us quite a work-out at his Boot Camp...as you can see by my extra-red face...(but, also notice the big smile)...YAY! This year he is calling it a Dance Forum...and we get to do a routine to YO-YO...(which is one of my original twelve taggers all time favorite routines done by the brothers).  I won't mention her name...I just hope she comes this year to dance with us all !!!   :)        Because the more friends that come join in...the better it will be! The Get Together 2010 was one of my greatest Osmond memories...EVER...and I have a lot of them over the years to compare it to...it tops them all!!! So...make sure you get tickets and come along!

 As you can see from these photos below...it was fun to go TAG him...and he does bring a true JOY to my face! And with that said...

DONNY...TAG YOU'RE IT!!!

 special applies to something
that is admired and precious
and that can never be replaced,
SPECIAL is the word that best describes YOU

The Day Finally Arrived...

It was time to TAG Donny and Marie...they are so much fun! It is no wonder that they are called America's Sweethearts. They made some changes and the show is even better than ever...and the costumes are FABULOUS...(thanks to Marie's daughter Rachel~what a talented girl!!!) I had just as much fun as ever...and even got to be part of the show when Donny brought me up onstage...tee hee!!!  I am still in Vegas...but, I will have the full update about their tagging when I get back to California!

THANKS FOR THE FUN YOU GUYS...YOU ARE THE BEST!   =0)

Sometimes you instantly connect!

I loved this girl the minute I met her... you know how it is when you instantly connect with someone...well Kristen makes that so easy to do. She has a lovely-sweet-bubbly personality that immediately draws you in.  It truly is a gift! 

When I first met Kristen, I loved that she was brought into the lighting business by her father...just like I was. It is definitely a male dominated business, so it was so nice to find a "girlfriend" in it right away...(even though she is over a decade younger...she took me into her circle of friends). We met over fourteen years ago, when she was just starting in the business...and it's been a great journey ever since. 

I remember that she told me at one of our lighting conventions in Las Vegas, that she was also a fan of Donny's. She said she had been ever since she had seen him in Chicago in Joseph. (I am sorry if any of you missed that...because he was born to play that role!) So, when we were going to our convention this year in Philadelphia...I knew I wanted to TAG her to let her know how special she is to me! I brought a tag with me and some ribbons and stuff....and set out in the city to find her something to tag her with. We stepped into a Godiva and they were just covering fresh berries in chocolate...oh yummy...what girl doesn't love chocolate? And I found some flowers, too...and I was set! 

I got her gift over to hotel before she checked-in...and gave them to the sweet girl at the front desk. She said she would flag her name on the computer, so they would give them to her when she arrived. I thought..."perfect!"...I like this girl! When we saw Kristen later that night, she said she felt like a celebrity when she checked-in...lol...I loved that, too! Because if anyone deserves special treatment...it is her!   

 

I hope she enjoyed her surprise...and that she has fun tagging someone else. And I am glad Donny came up with these MAD projects...and tempted me to get involved. Because I must say I have gotten the chance to let some special people...like Kristen...know just how special they are to me! I hope Kristen arrived home safely to Wisconsin to her cute little family. And back to the lighting business that keeps us connected! 

Because this friendship sure BRIGHTENS MY DAY......lol...lighting...get it?   Oh dear!   =0)

Giving joy---gives you joy back!!!

"May the joy that you give to others be the joy that comes back to you!" That is how Gail started the story she wrote about her neighbor Joan. She sounds like an incredible neighbor...and I am so glad Gail has her in her life. 

Here is Gail's story... 

Joan is my neighbor...and has become a very special friend! We met at the mailbox several years ago and since then I have discovered some of her gifts of kindness. The longer I know her the more remarkable I find out she is!

My first discovery was that she traps all of our local feral cats and takes them in to get neutered. Then she brings them back home to care for them. Neighbors also bring in strays that they have found injured for her tender loving care! Single-handedly she has decreased our feral cat population to only a few scraggly strays!

Then I came to find out she works for 'Meals on Wheels' and has for years! She gets up at 5am three days a week to make food for the deliveries. She also donates her hair to make wigs for cancer patients. Her mom developed Alzheimer's and Joan brought her home to care for her until she passed away.Through all of this she maintains an incredible positive  attitude and a keen sensitivity as to what needs to be done. The longer I know her the more I uncover about her gifts from her heart!

When we are away from home (which has been quite a bit lately as we have a new grand baby!) she brings in our mail and drags our garbage cans in and out. It is always a race when we are home to get them before she does!

I'm sure what I have written about her is just a small portion of what she actually does for others with enthusiasm, humor and dedication! She is so spontaneous, funny and fun! So I would like to share my appreciation in a special way....Tag You're It!!!

With all my love and gratefulness,

Gail

I got TAGGED...ALL DAY LONG!!!!

My Mother's Day was the best day ever....I was spoiled ALL DAY LONG!  I seriously never remember a better Mother's Day than this one! I felt it embodied the whole aspect of Paying it Forward. Beacuse as a mom...we always do things for our kids...and it's wonderful when you realize they have actually have noticed! I felt like I got tagged over and over all day long! And I mean by everyone...not like where one does something cute...THEY ALL DID!!!! So, even though they are not officially TAGS....they sure felt like it!!!!

The flowers above were where it all started. One of my employees, Lorraine, brought them to me on Friday! She is so sweet and always brings something for all the moms at our business. SO NICE! And what a fun container! And a great start for a good Mom's Day!  

Thanks Lorraine! 

On Mother's Day morning...I was brought breakfast in bed by my youngest son Tanner....and it was YUMMY!!!! He made me pancakes with bacon in them and fresh sliced papaya...and he even squeezed fresh orange juice for me! I have always been a fan of breakfast in bed (who isn't?)...and this was no exception. He did such a great job! I am sorry I didn't get a photo of it...but, I gobbled them up before I thought about it...oppsie! You will have to excuse me because you all know that pancakes are not good cold! And at the time I didn't realize that I was going to document this entire day of LoVe!!! 

Thanks Tanner!

Then Tanner's girlfriend, Kaitlin, brought me this beautiful orchid plant...I hope I can keep it alive...since that is not one of my strong suits.

But, I am going to try really hard...I know she took a lot of time choosing the perfect one...we both loved the way this one looks...small and delicate! And I love the color! 

 So...wish me luck!

  

Thanks Kaitlin! 

Then I was surprised by Courtney...she made me these gorgeous flowers all by herself. Aren't they beautiful...and she used so many of my favorites...freesias, tulips, pink coffee beans...and even Queen Ann's Lace...like how would she have known I love that as a filler? And she used all the bright colors I like to plant in my yard! Bright pinks, yellow and white! (she must have esp?) And she wrote me the most adorable matching card...I don't know if you can see what she wrote in the photo? My favorite lines were..."you have raised 4 incredible boys that wouldn't be incredible without an amazing mom like you"....and ...."you mean more to me each day!" I can second that...because she means more to me each day , too! Isn't that the sweetest!

Thanks Court!

Then my third son, Cory, gave me the sweetest present...he had a heart key chain engraved just for me! It says..love you mom...with his name on the back! I love it! I put it on my keys right away! Now I will be reminded of how sweet he is whenever I see it! And I laughed so hard when I read his card...cause seriously...boys do do a lot of dangerous things while they are growing up! And I was always the last to know.....and many years later!!!! And even though it is an extreme sport...raising boys...it was the GREATEST thing ever!  

Thanks Cory! 

 

Then I got my surprises from my second son, Robby. He made this fantastic meal...HE IS A FANTASTIC COOK...the hardest part was having to wait for it to come out of the oven and off of the barbeque....the smell was RIDICULOUS!!! He smoked outrageous ribs...oh boy! And he made these scalloped potatoes with brie and herbs in them that were as good as they sound! We had a salad with lots of goodies in it...and we were all stuffed!!!! Robby asked one of my extra sons to dinner, Sam...(because you know I have lots of sons that I didn't give birth to)...and I LoVe it! Sam was probably my first extra son...so it was great to have him join us! He brought two great wines, too~which was super nice of him!

Thanks Sam! 

I must say all four of my boys have done a great job of picking out REALLY NICE FRIENDS! I received many Happy Mom's Day texts all day from lots of them....how sweet is that! I LoVe that!

 Thanks extra sons!

Last weekend Robby also planted a heirloom tomato garden for me in the yard....HOW SWEET IS THAT!!??!! I love heirloom tomatoes...(oh no...one more thing for me to keep alive...yikes....lol...good thing I have sprinklers on a timer!). If it works...who knows what else we will try!? FUN! 

Thanks Robby!

My oldest son, Michael, came home for dinner carrying these Gorgeous Roses for me! They are a really pretty color...like a raspberry red! They are SO NICE and I always LoVe flowers!  

Thanks Michael!

Mike made sure we had cake to stuff us even further! I LoVe chocolate fudge cake...oh boy! And of course we had a family favorite...raspberry diner cake. Which has been pretty funny when one of the boys wants it for his birthday...because it only comes in PINK! LOL...it's okay...they are very secure boys!  The newest tradition has been to give everyone a fork and we all dig in! You can see we make a mess...and never even took out the sorbets and berries we got to go with the cakes...(guess that will be on tonight's menu...oh darn!)

Thanks Mike!

And then just when I thought I couldn't possibly be spoiled any further...Tanner, my breakfast maker, gave me the biggest hug he has given me in his whole life...along with this beautiful necklace and this adorable card. Which not only is it heartfelt...but SO extra sweet because he made it! (I remember my mom always saying she liked homemade cards we would make for her the best...I really get what she meant now...even though I didn't so much then!)  Which really is the whole thing that started this project. It was the great things that people write to you inside the cards they give to you! So...you see why I had to...and I DO MEAN HAD TO...add this day to this blog.  

 

As you see here...my wonderful, special, "made me feel so loved"  Mother's Day...isn't even over yet!!! Because Tanner's card says he and I are going to have a special day together! He said he'll plan it all 

and make it a surprise! I CAN'T WAIT!

Thanks again Tanner!!!

I just want everyone who helped to make this Mother's Day so great...knows how much I appreciate and love everything you did for me! It was a FANTASTIC DAY! And I want my sons....the four I gave birth to...and the extra sons that I was lucky enough to have adopted over the years...to know that it has been a privilege to have had the opportunity of being your mom! 

Mama sure LoVeS her boys!!!!!! 

Thanks again to all of you!!!!  

    Smooches.....xoxoxo

Twelve Terrific Mothers...Terrific Friends...Terrific People

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 

TO MY ORIGINAL TAGGERS...

YOU ARE ALL WONDERFUL

MOTHERS AND 

TERRIFIC FRIENDS!

 I HOPE YOU ARE ALL 

SPOILED ON YOUR 

SPECIAL DAY...

BECAUSE YOU ALL 

DESERVE IT!

I LOVE YOU!    

xoxoxox

Diane

(And great job on your tags my friends! Thanks for the help!) 

Spending Time with a Friend...(update)

AN UPDATE ON MY DECEMBER 20th POST...

HERE IS WHAT KATEY HAS TO SAY...

My friend Carrie who I did your PAY IT FORWARD project is in the hospital with Congestive Heart Failure. Can you please pray for her and have all of your "praying" friends pray as well. Brooks and I went over to her house yesterday and she is having a hard time. We took her son on some errands and bought her food so she could eat. She has lost 100lbs already.  

SO PLEASE EVERYONE...ADD CARRIE TO YOUR PRAYERS LIKE KATEY HAS REQUESTED...and as you can see...Katey has been keeping her tag paying it forward by still taking Carrie's son out and shopping for her. Nothing is better than having a true friend like Katey! Thanks Katey...for being the person I have always loved you for being!         You are a wonderful friend!

In Honor of a Forever Friend

How sweet is this... Pam decided to make a donation in her friend's honor. These are the most comfy blankets that Pam made to donate, and a favorite in our house...and I am sure the kids will LoVe them! And since Leslie LoVeS kids...she is going to LoVe this tribute in her name!  Very Sweet Pam!

Here is Pam's story...

Diane was inspired by the generosity and charity of Donny Osmond and she sought to find a way to continue with his theme of "Mad About Making a Difference" and she created--TAG YOU'RE IT. A beautiful tag was delivered to each person along with instructions on how to pass it along.

My tag has been passed to a very long time friend. She likes to tell the story that we met in Kindergarten, but did not become best friends until fifth grade. I like to think that we have been friends forever.

Leslie has loved children since she was a child. She was the official babysitter in her neighborhood. There was not a mother on the street that would not use her services. One family had a large brood and a few times I went along to "help" her. I have to admit, I was not the best babysitter, but I guess I was another pair of eyes, ears and hands.

Leslie had raised four wonderful children, she has volunteered as the director of vacation bible school for umpteen years and most recently has worked for an agency providing services to children in need.  Leslie's children have continued with the theme of providing and caring for children. Julie has been to several countries this year providing Christian ministry to impoverished children. Katy graduated from college with the idea of teaching school and Melissa has just completed her education with a nursing degree. Melissa's goal is to work in the pediatric unit of a hospital.

To honor Leslie, I have made Komfort for Kids Blankets to be provided to children who may be removed from the comfort of their home and family.

Love, Pam

Everyone Should Have a Second Mom

 

Second Moms are such a blessing... and Polly's son Elliott is lucky to have found a great one! And I am sure Rosaria would agree that extra sons are a blessing as well! I know this first hand...because I have more extra sons than I can count! It is a great thing to have extra people in your life that think of you as family. It gives you extra confidence to know that more people have your back. I call them the family you choose. And I like that a lot!

 

This is what Polly had to say...

I moved to Utah 15 years ago when our neighborhood was brand new.  Rosaria and her family lived right up the street from us and had two little boys, ages 4 and 6.  I have four girls and only one son, so Elliott soon started spending a lot of time up at the Bennett's house!  Rosaria took him right under her wing too and has been like a second mom to him all these years!  Even when Elliott was a bit of a rough neck as a little boy and would push her son Nick around, she was patient and loving to him.  Rosaria has fed him countless meals and sat him down to do his homework on more occasions than even I have!  When the Bennetts had a family gathering, Elliott was always included ... they treated him like a son and I am eternally grateful for that family's positive influence in his life!

There is a program in our church called Visiting Teaching, where two women are assigned to visit three or four other women each month just to see how they are doing, to see if they might need help in any way from the church, and to share a spiritual message.  Rosaria was assigned to be my Visiting Teacher and she was as faithful as they come!  She made sure to visit me every single month and was always so kind, so loving and encouraging. I don't think I have ever known someone who lives her life in such a pure, charitable way! Those visits helped us form a special friendship too ... and she continued to check up on me even when she was not assigned to be my visiting teacher anymore, just to see how I was doing, and to always ask if I needed anything.

Rosaria is from Brazil and each time she makes a visit back to her home country, she makes sure she doesn't go empty handed.  She has taken several trips with donations for the poor and the needy as well as clothes for the missionaries serving in Brazil.  There is so much poverty over there and she does her best to help as much as she can.

I couldn't let this "TAG you're it" opportunity pass without letting Rosaria know how much I love her! Here is the card I gave to her and the message I wrote to her...
 

Dear Rosaria,

I just wanted to let you know how much I love and appreciate you!

You have always been such a wonderful example to me of

someone who lives close to the Lord and truly exemplifies

a follower of Christ.

You have always been such a good friend, so supportive and the 

BEST second mom to Elliott that I could ever hope to have!

I love who you are!!!!

You are one of the most caring, charitable people I know!!!

Thank you for being YOU!  xo

What a Great Neighbor

Polly wanted to pass more tags! So she tagged her special neighbor Stacey. I think we could all use a great neighbor like Stacey!

Here is what Polly had to say...

In March I got an email from my daughter, McCall, saying that a girl she used to work with had had a tragedy just happen to her and her family.  The girl had left their rental home to go and pick up her children from school and when she returned, the house was up in flames.  Her little family lost everything they owned except the clothes on their backs.  My heart just ached for them and I knew I needed to do something to help out.

I called my friend Vicki (who I also tagged) to see if she could help me gather up any clothes for the family and she immediately called all of her family and our mutual friend, Stacey.  

Well, Stacey jumped right on the band wagon to help!  There were four children in the family - one boy, and three little girls.  Stacey got all of their clothes sizes and shoe sizes, including the mom's, and really went to work gathering what she could.  I was overwhelmed with the amount of clothing she dropped off at my house!!!!  She made several follow up inquiries as well to see what else they might need in the way of toys or household items.  (Stacey is currently our church's Stake Primary President, which is the organization for the children, and her heart really went out to this family.)

The back of Stacey's house faces mine so she has a perfect view of the front of my house.  I got an email several months ago from her as well that said:

Hello Friend,

So I've been sitting here for the past fifteen minutes debating whether to send this - hoping that you'll realize that it is from a concerned friend and NOT from a nosy neighbor.  I always go out to walk Gus the minute I get home from work and saw President Holmes and some other people leaving your house.  Is everything okay?  Don't need to know anything - just want to know if you're okay and if I can help.

If there is one thing that I've learned personally the past three years it's that just because someone is smiling and joking in public, that doesn't necessarily mean that life is peachy.  I adore you and am always here for a vent.

Stacey 

As it turns out, President Holmes is a contractor and I was having some renovations done in my basement!  But I really thought that was the sweetest thing, and said in the sweetest way! Stacey would truly do anything to help someone - and she has proven she will whether she knows you or not!!!! 

Here is the note I wrote to Stacey along with a basket of goodies to let her know how terrific I think she is!!!

Dear Stacey,

I wanted to let you know how much I truly admire and respect you.

You are a great example of someone who is always willing to help

and lend a hand or support or whatever else might be needed!

Thank you SO much for the concern you showed toward McCall's

friend and her situation and for going Above and Beyond in the

effort to gather clothes.

You are amazing and I appreciate our friendship!!!  xo