Lisa

Our friend Lisa's daughter was killed in an auto accident yesterday. Jennifer was only 22. I am so sad for my dear friend and her family. I have known Lisa for somewhere around fifteen years. I met her when I was assigned to be her visiting teacher. She was a brand new convert, and she welcomed me with open arms. Lisa qualifies as one of my sisters. I have witnessed her spirit grow with a faith I envy. She has had some difficult challenges over the past five years and she has come through those trials admirably. I love Lisa. My heart and prayers go out to her. I loved watching Jennifer grow from a young girl to a beautiful young woman. I am grateful for Lisa and her positive influence in my life. I am grateful that Lisa has the Spirit and the plan of happiness in her life.

Temple Sealing

Today our friend, Becky, was sealed to her new husband, Tim. They met a year and a half ago when she moved to Fresno for a new job.

We have known Becky for 20 & 1/2 years! Amazing, isn't it?

We were invited to her sealing, as was Rach. Amy drove down with Rachel in part to be in attendance also. It wasn't until the very last minute that I knew that I would be staying outside with the three little guys while mom and 'Sissy' went in, to attend the sealing. The boys did pretty good! Thanks to Jenni we were able to go in the tri-stake center's relief society room where other children were being tended. That worked out much better than walking around for an hour!

The girls said the sealing was beautiful. This was Rachel's first time attending a sealing, and the first time since Rach was endowed last year that Amy and Rach were in the temple together. That makes it a pretty spectacular day.

I am so very grateful for the binding powers found in the temple...and that our family can witness others receive those blessings as well. It is wonderful.

Asparagus Pizza

Tonight we had an early celebration of Amy's birthday. Being the awesome mom that I am I only put 27 candles on her cake, instead of the accurate 28! Why not pretend she'll continue being the same age? (If only that were the real reason!) To celebrate we had one of our family's seasonal favorites: asparagus yummy pizza. It's amazing and that is putting it mildly! Hence the "favorite" status. With that being said, as much as I'm grateful for asparagus pizza I'm even more grateful for our Amy.

Happy Smiles!

When Amy, Rach and boys arrived Jack-Jack was not sold on Grandma. He found himself in new surroundings, with a grandma he's only met twice (but has often seen on the computer, which he smiles so much for!) Needless to say it was not love at this sight!

Fortunately, he came around to me, rather quickly. :)

Last night as Amy was getting the boys to bed, Rach was doing other things, and Pat was off at meetings Jack-Jack and I had some one-on-one time. He was one happy boy! Today there was no doubt that he feels happy when I am around.

It may sound simple to you, to win the heart of a five month old, but it sure does make me smile...and him!

Continuation

This is a continuation of yesterday's blog. The girls ran into some nasty weather, so Rach texted us asking us to pray for them. Boy, did we!

A little while later I received a text that they had arrived. Not much later Amy called letting me know that all is well. I kind of doubt she will ever venture to come here again with her three little guys minus Brad. :/ (I don't really blame her)

They will soon be arriving. I am grateful they were watched over and protected from harm.

Let the vacation begin!

cell phones

back in the day...well, not that long ago...if we were traveling and we needed to use a phone we would actually have to stop, find a phone booth, either call collect or use our prepaid phone card, and then we could call our loved ones and update them on how our trip was going, where we were, that sort of thing. (long sentence!)

tonight, yes tonight, the girls are driving down with james, gav and jack-jack from oregon. gratefully they can text me every once in a while and let me know where they are. i am grateful they are spending the night in redding, so they aren't too exhausted by the time they get here tomorrow...which would have been the middle of the night had they continued their drive.

now i anxiously await their safe arrival in redding. i will feel great when i know they are there and settled in for the night.

Forget Me Nots

Today our lesson in RS was on Pres. Uchtdorf's address to the sisters at the General Relief Society meeting in September. His talk was amazing and it was so nice to enjoy going over it again today with our sisters. I noticed what the lesson was so I grabbed my framed forget me not regarding his talk. I didn't know if Sister Moore would want to use it on the table for her lesson.

Before the lesson even began sisters were commenting on the picture. When I told them I got it off of pinterest so many were confused since they'd never heard of pinterest! I tried to explain it, but it wasn't working...they didn't understand what on earth it was! So, I offered to put an order in for the sisters. A few raised their hands that they wanted pictures during RS, then afterwards many came up to me and asked me to order them. So, I am now putting an order in for them.

I love that we can find gospel related themes on pinterest, send pictures into Costco and for a mere 39 cents have a 5x7 print of something we love. Isn't it wonderful!

I am also grateful that I can share with others something that is so inspiring to me. It's odd to think that something sitting in my great room does make a difference in my life. I am glad it can help others too.