Rachel

Today is Rachel's 25th birthday. I am so grateful for her.

She was definitely sent to our family - we hadn't planned on her joining us for another year so she was a welcome surprise! I think that her big sister, Amy, wanted her here to be her built-in best friend...and that she just couldn't wait to join our family any longer, so she decided to come when she did!

Rachel has been a joy to raise. She joined our family on a historical day in Sacramento (where she was born). It was the day of the big flood in Sacramento and our house was only 1/2 mile away from the river! We were blessed though, no flooding for us, though it did make for an interesting drive for grandma and the kids going up to Paradise! She had to take all kinds of detours.

Rachel was the only baby I was able to have with me in recovery (all of them were c-section). I also had glasses on and could see her turn pink - it was truly amazing to see her little body change colors like that! Still amazes me. All the kids were able to come in and meet her right away also, along with Grandma and Grandpa Breed.

Through the years Rachel has always striven to be obedient, kind and thoughtful. She is a good sister, daughter, aunt and granddaughter. You will never find a truer friend. She loves others and is happy for them when they are happy. She has a deep love for her nieces and nephews. She has a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and loves Him, and God, our Father. 

There are many other things that I could share about her, but let's just leave it at this: She has many qualities that I hope to incorporate in my life when I grow up! She is a blessing to each of us. :)

Happy Birthday Rachel Fevon Dell! We love you!

Friendship

Today we visited with our friends Kim and Mike Higgins. Kim and I met in freshman seminary, attended different schools, but became best friends. When my family moved away from HB to Paradise, we kinda, sorta, kept in touch. Years later we found ourselves getting married within two months of one another. Then, they moved to Sacramento while we lived there, we helped them find their first home. Soon we were off to BYU so that Pat could get his degree. When we returned to Sacramento a few years later it was just nine days after Craig was born, and they let us stay in their brand new home, Pat for 3 weeks, the kids and me for 2. Our kids are all near the same ages, but they don't really know each other, though they played together when they were small.
Now, here we are, having been friends for over 40 years (and our parents knew each other even longer), picking up right where we left off. Friendship is certainly something to be grateful for...lasting friendships are the kind you can really be grateful for...there just aren't that many of them.

Rain!

I love rain! Our children used to run outside as soon as the rain would start just to dance in it! They always enjoyed their soaking! Afterwards hot chocolate or spiced apple cider was definitely in order. Stormy days can be so welcoming! Today is one of those days where you just want to start a fire in the fireplace, put your feet up on the sofa, and either read a really good book or watch a really fun movie! I am grateful that even though I was out and about in our storm this morning I am now at home...enjoying the warmth of our home.

I am also grateful that this will help the drought situation here in Northern California - this rain is an answer to prayer - I am grateful.

Safety

Today I drove to Sacramento to visit with my mom, sister and whatever other family members were available. I knew it was going to be a stormy day and was it ever! The storm was fierce, so much so that the California drivers that never slow down for ANYTHING did! At one point I felt my car begin to hydroplane (and I wasn't even going that fast) so I turned off the power steering and allowed the car to slow down, which made everything better, no more hydroplaning! On my way home there were 3 accidents going north, thankfully I wasn't behind any of them.

I am grateful for the safety I had today; and I hope that everyone else I know is enjoying the same...and those I don't know also!

Shopping Success!

I am grateful for those times, like today, when you go shopping for a certain something and voila! It appears! And not only does it appear, but it is on sale at Dillards! Happy shopping for Rachel today! A new dress for the temple! :)

Temples

These are just a few of the temples we have been to in the past few years. Today I had the opportunity to go to the Oakland Temple with sisters from our stake. We had a wonderful turnout, my heart was full of gratitude to see all of the sisters that were there. I am especially grateful that I could take my good friend, LeAnn, with me today; it has been a long time since she could attend due to family circumstances.

I am also very grateful that I will be in the Oakland temple again with our daughter Rachel, as she receives her endowment, in a few weeks. We will be joined by my husband and several of Rachel's good friends. 

How I love the temple.

Idaho Falls Temple

Palmyra Temple

Rexburg Idaho Temple

Salt Lake City Temple

Change

I have decided to change how I use this blog. It is too much for me to go into any kind of philosophical thoughts so I am simplifying. I just don't have the time to do anything else... I hope to write one thing per day that I am grateful for; short, sweet and to the point. It works for me, kind of who I am, really. :)