Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Quiet Moments

After a pretty rough day and soul searching night this quote appeared on Facebook late this morning.  Sometimes simple reminders are the best. There are so many questions in my mind but this at least gave me a little peace and comfort. 

Monday, April 6, 2015

Conference Quotes April 2015




Just two of the quotes that were some of the many that stuck with me today.  I am also very excited that three new temples were announced today. 

Easter/General Conference

I love General Conference and look forward to it every six months.  I always feel that they are speaking directly to me, that they know where I am struggling the very most.  Today's afternoon session was a stand out for me and I can't wait to read them all again.  Today is also Easter Sunday and so it was even more special.  The Church put out a special video called "He Lives" it is so touching and reminds me of the reason we celebrate this season.  I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and his atoning sacrifice on our behalf.  Conference was a good reminder for me of the things that I need to do personally to be a better person, to try harder and not be complacent.
 General Conference also brings about many traditions for our family. Many of these traditions began when our girls were very young or even as teenagers.  As our family has grown some of these traditions have become a little over whelming but we still try to carry on with most of them.  "Conference CafĂ©" is very much apart of these weekends, where we have Hueavos Rancheros  for brunch and Chile Verde for dinner.  Next conference we will do more ahead of time so that we can listen more and be in the kitchen less in order to hear the talks even better.  I just wonder why it took me so long to think of this idea.  I just don't like being in the kitchen all day when so much is going on! 
Today was also our family Easter Egg hunt.  Because the yard is still so new places to hide so many eggs is a bit of a challenge but it was still fun.  I was just wishing that all of the family could have been together today for a little while.  Getting to "face time" with Cyd and her family was great though.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Everything Has A Season

My positive thought for today.  It may not happen as I hope or want, I need to be reminded all of the time that things are on Heavenly Father's time and not mine. 

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Makayla First Birthday Celebration

What's at the end of the rainbow?  This cute little one, and she is already one.  Natalie did such a great job with this cake and tasted every bit as good.  These girls of mine are so very talented!!!  Happy Birthday sweet girl, just a few days late!

Friday, March 27, 2015

A Beautiful Disaster

Today I announced that I was taking a break from facebook.  I have spent far too much time on social media.  I have learned to hate the political diatribe that is constant there as well as the effects that some conversations have had on me.  I really enjoy catching up with old friends and even some extended family.  the one thing that I have discovered, however, is that if you disagree with someone they can turn into real bullies and make you feel insignificant and or even stupid.  I have felt that I can no longer have an opinion or view of my own anymore without being corrected and feeling down on myself.  I found this little gem on Pinterest and fell in love with it.  My goal is to keep from letting others make me feel less than I am.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Jack 4 years

Look who's four today!  I can hardly believe it and yet in so many ways he seems so much older than four, perhaps because he is so tall.  Happy Birthday sweet Jack.

Caleb State Science Fair 2015

Couldn't be more proud of this little man.  Today he and his Science Fair project traveled to BYU to participate in the State Science Fair.  His third and final round.  We were afraid because of the timing for the public viewing and his lunch time we wouldn't be able to see him, but we caught a quick glance before he headed off to lunch.  Hard to believe he is this big already.  Congratulations Caleb on doing such a great job.

It's a Miracle-Baby coming around!!!

While celebrating Jack's birthday this little miracle happened!  At McDonalds this little sweetheart willing went to and stayed with Grandpa for at least 20 minutes even with her mom in plain sight.  Just give her a French fry and she's your temporary friend! We'll take what we can get.  After she went back to mom and ate a little dinner she then went and visited with Rebecca, another first.  Since we are celebrating her turning one tomorrow we have decided this is her gift to us!  Why do they have to grow up so very fast?

Monday, March 23, 2015

Story time with Grandpa

These are some of the moments that I never want to forget.  The memories of our life!  Just the sweet quiet times that come and go so quickly.  I was glad that I was able to snap this picture because the little ones often move so fast that I can't capture the innocence.  Time with Grandpa telling stories, what could be more precious.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Some days there are glimmers of hope!

Well the little one is almost a year old and there are days when I wonder if she will ever warm up to me!  I watched these guys today while mom and dad had to work.  We got off to a little bit of a rocky start as the top left picture indicates but on the right she gradually started to warm up as the day went along.  Thankfully big sister was happy to have me there and later to come to our house to play.  Big brother was far too busy to let me take his picture after he got home from preschool.  Love these "littles" so much!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

St. Spencer 2015

Finally getting his picture from the last birthday!  I can't believe he is as old as he is already.  He is such a fun kid and one of the biggest teases in our family.  He's one of the few that has actually decided that is was a good idea to tickle me back.  I sure love this boy.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Road Trip WCC Championship 2015

We really had planned to go to the WCC Conference games again this year but one thing after another caused us to rethink our plans.  After the Monday night (March 10.2015)win against The University Portland, Reb and I contacted a couple of people to help us obtain some of the standing room only seats available,  my cousin Janine and Aunt were able  to get us tickets for the Championship game on Tuesday. The others never even tried or let us know it was a little frustrating. After I had my hair done and we squared things away we once again headed to Vegas to watch our Cougars play.  The game didn't turn out so well and we remembered quickly why we didn't like this venue BUT I wouldn't have missed this time with Rebecca.  Twelve hours in the car, game, hitting this favorite spots and getting the favorite foods, creating new memories. 

Friday, March 6, 2015

Essential Oils


(these pictures are only for pictures not for finger pointing just for illustration!)
 
I have suffered from headaches a major portion of my life.  I have gone through biofeedback, CT Scans. MRI's. Xrays, you name it and it has been tried.  I was told that as hormones change in my life the headaches would lessen, and they did, until recently. As a result of all of this testing nothing has been found to be a cause, there are no signs of problems to be found and just last week while discussing this with a Physician I was told  I would " just have to live with it."  During headache times I become limited in the things that I can do or where I can go because I am assaulted by fragrances and scents which can throw me into a full blown migraine almost immediately. This often means attending church or religious events or even some family gatherings. Unless you experience a migraine first hand most people just push it aside and or roll their eyes. 
 
The newest trend is to recommend that I try essential oils, particularly peppermint oil, and that I will feel so much better.   It doesn't seem to sink in that the highly fragranced oils may work for some but not for me.  Within just a few minutes after telling them that peppermint is one of the worst triggers for me and that I don't handle strong scents well a suggestion for another oil is made or once again I am told that Peppermint Oil will cure everything.  I have no doubt that oils do help some, they have been around for centuries.  I simply ask that my friends and family understand that I am not part of the essential oil "trend" I simply can't.  I would also recommend to others that it not be promoted as the cure all for everything there is only one sure thing in life and I am not ready for that yet!

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Lila Jane


Sweet little Lila Jane entered our family today.  Number 12 grandchild, already.  I think the process will slow down a little now but what a ride.  Lila seems to be very patient.  Clara is so excited all she wants to do is hold her and kiss her.  Cydney seems  to be experiencing more pain with this delivery than the others.  Her Dr. is using different pain meds with this one than the Dr. she loved in Kansas did with the other three.  Grandpa started getting sick on the trip to Middleton so he is keeping himself away in order not to get anyone else sick but it is hard for him not to hold and snuggle her.  we feel very blessed that she is her and they are doing well. 

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Saying Goodbye to Drew


Drew had planned every detail of his funeral with Diane during the months that he was so sick.  It was a very beautiful and appropriate funeral for him.  Saying goodbye is no easy task even with a knowledge that we will see him again.  I can admit for the first time that I had a different experience with this funeral.  I was relieved that he was no longer suffering and perhaps my understanding of death deepened as I watched and listened.  Drew like his Dad and Grandparents has completed his earthly life.  He had finished what he was sent to do.  That thought gave me great comfort although I didn't feel like I could share it with others today. Perhaps my own aging has given me a different perspective and a great desire to pass my test.  Grief is an interesting thing and we all grieve in different ways, watching and listening was an interesting experience. Not exactly knowing how to help others in the same situation is difficult.  Watching Kerry and worrying about his wrist and him over using it was constantly on my mind as well.
I will always be grateful that we were able to visit with Drew a few days before he passed away even though it was very apparent that he wouldn't be here much longer.  The place he was buried was so appropriate for him.  He loved the outdoors and the cemetery was up high in a valley with a beautiful view.  The day was cold but crystal clear.  As we waited for Diane to arrive at the cemetery a group of men from the family discovered two different groups of deer standing just up above watching and waiting to get to the beautiful flowers that were left at the grave site.  It just fit.
Saying Goodbye to Drew wasn't easy but I am grateful he is no longer suffering.


Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Drew

Almost a year ago we learned that Kerry's brother Drew had cancer.  It was quite advanced and they didn't give him much time.  It has been very difficult to watch him slowly fade away.  He was such a sweet man and always seemed so happy even though life hadn't been easy for him.  He passed away today at his home.  We had expected the phone call for some time but it is still not easy to hear the news.  My heart breaks for Kerry and his Mom and for Diane his wife.  He was only 62.  I am so grateful for the knowledge of the plan of salvation and the knowledge that we can be reunited with loved ones who have passed before us. 

Friday, January 2, 2015

Celebrating Rachel

Rachel and her family were in Maryland for the Holidays, kind of swan song for Cameron's family.  We missed celebrating her day with her so when most of us could get together we threw her a belated birthday party.  I love seeing my girls play with one another's children and also seeing the little ones play together more and more.  Avery and Makayla are so fun to watch as they discover one another.
Happy belated birthday Rachel.

Our Family