Happy 50th Birthday, Elmo!

My dearest Elmo, Where has the last 35 years gone? Through my eyes, I still see you as a young man, 15 years old, with your whole life ahead of you, full of hopes and dreams. So, I dedicate this to you.

Ten things I love about you:

1. You are a patient man. In the years we have been dating, you have never lost patience with me, not once. Through all of our ups and downs, you have smiled and put things in perspective for me.

2. You love your family. Not only your children and grandchildren, but your Mother, your sister, her family, and all of your aunts and uncles. You loved your father very much and I know that you still miss him to this day. You are as much a part of their lives today as you were 20 years ago and you will continue to be there for each one of them for as long as you can.

3. You are a great cook. This is very important to me, because I am not. You take great pride in the joy you find in preparing a good meal. Whether it be a grilled salmon dinner, a simple salad, or a Thanksgiving feast, it is always prepared with love and finesse.

4. You are a jack of all trades. I've seen you tear down a car and put it back together, unplug a clogged toilet and be a mighty ant killer. Okay, so maybe you're not so good at killing small creatures, but I know that with time you will figure this out also!

5. You know how to relax and have fun! Whether it is a romantic cabin trip to Hawley lake with me, or a family camp out to Canyon Lake, you make it fun for everyone!

6. You a hard worker and a great boss. I have listened to you talk about your job. Even though I don't always understand what you are doing, I know the men who work for you, respect you for your knowledge and your desire to teach them the things that they don't know yet.

7. You have let my children and grandchildren learn to love you. You haven't tried to take the place of their father, but you have become their friend, advised them, and supported them, and showed them that you truly love their mother. You have given them the time they needed to make this transition as easily as they can.

8. You are a great ........, this one will be between the two of us, okay?

9. You love me unconditionally. With my 6 kids, 4 grandchildren, extended family, and all of our ups and downs, nothing ever frightens you or makes you think that you are in over your head with me. I think that in itself makes you the best, to take me on, to love me unconditionally in all my imperfectness.

And 10. Last but certainly not least, you look through life with rose colored glasses. This is a wonderful trait that you have, to always see life in a positive note, instead of the wondering what else can go wrong.

I love you Elmo B. Acosta, you have changed so little from the young 15 year old man I knew in England, you haven't gotten older, you have just gotten better. Ann

Nan & Pops News

Just a short note to let everyone who keeps asking me, "Why haven't you been blogging?", in on the comings & goings at the Willoughby homestead. Almost 3 weeks ago, I got a phone call at work (never a good thing) from Shawn. Nan had fallen. For those of you who don't know, Nan & Pop are Dave's parents and live next door to us. After quickly clocking out of work, I drove up to our finest, Verde Valled Medical Center, in time for the ambulance to come into the bay. Now, I knew that Pop hadn't been feeling well for several monthes, but was quite concerned after witnessing him walking with me to the ambulance. His face was gray, he was unshaven and was having a lot of trouble breathing.... Unfortnately, several hours later we learned that Nan had broken her pelvis. As the next several days unfolded, I became more and more concerned about Pop's health. Thursday evening he became so short of breath, he was checked into the hospital also. By this time, Nan had been moved to Infinia to begin her rehabilitation. I spent that Friday afternoon at Infinia with Nan, worrying about Pop. She was insistant that Pop was going to come and get her (break her out) and that they both would be coming home that evening. And he did. She came home against her doctors orders and so did he. A good thing did come out of it, as I was able to get Pop to see the cardiologist I work for, Dr. Patel. He has had several visits, along with some cardiac testing done and now Dr. Ravi (our cardiac surgeon) will be cathing him as soon as his kidneys are functioning correctly. I tell you, seriously... the kudos go to Elmo, who came down the following weekend and got Pop to all of his appointments and also managed to get Nan into her primary care doctor and set up with some in home nursing. Along with trips to Walmart for essentials and medications. Erin has also been wonderful, she has been here for 2 weeks, waking up at 6 am, visiting again at noon, at 5 pm and before bedtime to make sure that Nan is dry and in good shape. Pop will take a trip to the AZ Heart Hospital in a week or so to have his procedure done and Elmo has volunteered to help with the trip down and back. I couldn't do it without these two! On a more postive note, Pop is looking much better, the swelling has gone down in his feet and Nan is now able to use the walker. I know once Pop gets his procedure done he will want to take over most of Nan's care. It will a long haul for her. I have to tell you a story, 2 nights ago, Erin and I went over to shower Nan. After we got her showered, dressed, brushed her teeth & hair, she spritzed on a little "fume".... we wheeled her back out into the living room. Pop was walking down the hall with us. I said to him... "Now, Pop, she's looking and smelling better, but that doesn't give you the right to go messing with her, keep you hands off of her!" I thought he was going to choke for a minute ... he started laughing and got all embarrased... Please keep them in your prayers they both have a ways to go to recover their health. Thanks.

Wedding dress news...

I am so excited! This last weekend, my daughters, Tara, Erin and I met Heather and Jennifer in Queen Creek for some wedding dress shopping. My daughters were so excited, I on the other hand was very anxious. I think that I have put so many expectations on myself with my upcoming marriage to Elmo, that I thought that this would be very difficult for me. My girls made it so much fun! We arrived at the bridal shop and was greeted by a very sweet girl named Tami, who by the way, knew Jennifer. She showed us a row of wedding dresses and my girls started pulling dresses for mom to try on. Into the dressing room I went, with four wedding dresses and Tara. At first I was very overwelmed, but as I stepped out of the dressing room with each dress, I became more comfortable and more excited. My girls were so awesome. Tara & Jennifer picked out four more dresses, Heather & Erin had something to say about each dress. No one liked me in the dress that was strapless, (sorry, Elmo), I didn't much care for it either, nothing like those D's popping out.... the ivory dress was a no go... it made me look a little yellow... some dresses were to young, some were too tight, some too loose, but it was so much fun. My daughters laughed at me and at each other, and Tara said afterwards that it was more fun then picking out her own dress when she married Will. The final dress I tried on was the one. You can go to Tara & Heather's blogs if you are interested in the final outcome. They picked out crowns & veils, none of them impressed me. I was so excited after paying for the dress that I couldn't eat my lunch. And I kept telling my girls... "I bought my wedding dress", they think I am a lunatic. I am dedicating this post to my girls, Tara, Heather, Jennifer & Erin, thank you so much for taking your weekend and spending it with me. I will always cherish these memories, your laughter and your love. You made it a very, very special day for me. I love you all. Mom

Happy 32nd Birthday Mindi!

Dear Mindi,
Happy 32nd Birthday. During this last weekend as you allowed Shawn & I to celebrate this birthday with you and your family, I thought a lot about you. I asked your father about you and he told me with his eyes, (you know how he does that, don't you?) how very excited he was about you, the day you were born. Whenever he speaks of you, he speaks of you with such love and joy. He is very proud of you, proud of all of your accomplishments.... You are a strong woman, much stronger then I was at your age. I think back when I first met you, you were so lost & lonely without Ara. As she was lost without you. And look what you accomplished! In the past 2 years, I have seen you grow into a beautiful, strong woman. Look at all you have done... you have taken your love for music and turned it into a career, you have taken the love you have for your daughter, Ara, and made her a strong, independent 3 year old, and you have taken the love you have for your family and grown & blossomed with it. So, Happy Birthday, keep up the good work. All my love, Ann

Kudos to Emily!

We have formally inducted Emily as the "Greatest Holiday Cheesecake maker" of the family. She will be expected to make her "homemade" raspberry cheesecake every Christmas. This announcement is made this day, by her father & I.

You know, Emily... we can be forced to eat your cheesecake anytime of the year, but we will expect it.... every Christmas....

Mount Lemon Snow!

Who would have thunk it? Snow in Tucson, Arizona.... yep, I have the pictures to prove it. Elmo & I took the kids up to Mount Lemon on January 2nd. They had a great time, but the next day, we had a lot of sore tushes..... Emily, Josh, Victor, Callie & Shawn thought flying through the air on a snowboard was great fun. Don't worry, Elmo & I doled out the ibuprofen and they all recovered. I think the kids will agree that it was worth it though.

A very Merry Trezise Christmas

A trip to Snowflake for Christmas this year was a great joy for all who attended. Landon, Tristan & Avery enjoyed quite a load from Santa Claus, while Grandma Ann, Mom, Dad & Auntie Jenny looked on. Tara prepared a wonderful dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, Mom's sweet potatoes, corn, stuffing and a relish tray. Will added his touch to the dinner with prime rib and we must not forget Brent, who burned the rolls.... Erin & Brent showed up with more gifts for all... It was coooold.... in Snowflake... which made Auntie Jenny & Grandma grateful that they don't live there. New pajamas were given to all, although we all missed Uncle Preston, Auntie Heather & Baby J, Shane & Shawn.... they were never far from our thoughts.....