Reflections on a Sunday

Today in Sacrament meeting, we had guests who spoke and sang to us. They are the Special needs MIA. Some had Downs Syndrome, others there were deaf, or otherwise handicapped. The parents of a Downs girl spoke, then she spoke, and then we heard from her "buddy". Buddies are serving one on one in the YW and YM programs by way of a calling. A peer, who loves them, and is a true friend who helps them to participate in meetings and activities. The "Buddies" who spoke to us today, told of their great love for the special needs children, and how they are the ones who are benefitting from their service. They receive so much pure Christlike love in return, that no one wants to be released from this service. Our hearts were touched by their singing and their sweet testimony's. Once again, I realized what special spirits these childrn are. My mother used to work for a woman who cared for abandoned Downs babies. She always came home from work so excited at the things they were learning and the sweet love they gave. Also, I was touched today by the song they all sang together in sign language. I miss using it to communicate with mom.

The disney princess challenge

I took Becky's lead,and answered the questions, and guess what? I'm Snow White!


You Are Snow White!

Pure and trusting. You are a gentle soul who can get along with just about anyone. Everyone you meet instantly falls in love with you. How can they resist? You have a pure, lovable nature that's irresistable. Just don't trust everyone who comes across your path.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Winter's first gifts

"The winter left her blanket here this morning
A soft and gentle coverlet of white
Unfolded in the shadows of the dawn
It sparkled in the early morning light"


These words from a song by Cori Connors, aptly describe the scene that greeted us this morning. I have really enjoyed my flowers this year, and I will miss them, but there is something magical about the soft fluffy snow that looks like it's been sprinkled with glitter. It has always fascinated me. The cold, however, my aging bones do not look forward to.

My canine kids celebrate their birthdays

Today, I had a little "belated" birthday celebration for
Oscar and Gracie. They did enjoy their birthday "cakes", but they were both sort of paralyzed by their cute birthday hats. Thus, the gloomy questioning looks on their faces. Gracie was one year old on Sept 27th, and Oscar, turned seven years old on May 1st.

My little day trip to St George

I have to be careful what I say to my son, Brian. When I tell him there is something I need help with, or would like, he is Johnny on the spot to make it happen for me. I mentioned that it would be so fun to go to St George and drive up to Pine Valley to cook a foil dinner, and just come right back home. He called me a few days ago and said he had Monday free, and would I like to go. He listed us on the flights, and we left the house at 8:00 AM, caught our 9:45 flight into St. George and arrived there at 10:45. He has a car there because of his work, and needing it in So. Utah when he lived there. We went to Smith's, bought the supplies we needed, and were off for the mountains. The area where my parents used to take the kids camping was closed for the season, but we found another picnic spot that we remembered going to with them.
Brian made the fire and got the coals just right while I made the foil dinners. We had a nice talk, and took a few photos while we waited for the dinner to cook. I'm telling you....there is just nothing like a good foil dinner in the mountains. The only problem we encountered was after opening them up, and we saw a swarm of wasps headed right for us. Brian had a great idea. We dumped out our dinners onto a paper plate and he took the foil a few feet away to another table, where the wasps and flies were very contented with their feast.
When we finished our dinner, we stopped on the way out at the little lake there. It looked beautiful, and I got some nice photos there. On the way back to the airport, we stopped to gather some sandstone for Heidi's girls, who are rock hounds, and we climbed up on a clif for some pictures of the city. We caught our flight home and came in as the sun was going down. On the way home we saw eight temples from the air! St George, Provo, Timpanogus, Jordan River, the almost finished Draper and Oquirrh temples, then Salt lake, and Bountiful. It was a perfect ending for a perfect day. Once again, I am so grateful and feel so blessed to live here in Utah where there is beauty all around us. The beautiful mountains that I love so much, and the amazing red cliffs in the Southern part of the state. I love the seasons, especially Fall that we are experiencing now.

My Trip to Idaho

My Daughter, Heidi, celebrated her birthday on September 26th. I was lucky enough to be able to fly down there to celebrate with her and her family. The 27th was a fun day as well. Ken goes to Singapore once in awhile with his work, and he had brought home beautiful silk dresses for Heidi and the girls. The kids also had some play clothes that were fun. We had such a riot taking pictures. I think it is the most fun I have ever had with Kylie, Ashley, and Lizzie. We laughed so much and did some real silly things too. In the end we had 339 photos!!! Here is a handful for you to see these gorgeous girls!









Saturday afternoon, Heidi and I escaped for a little while to my favorite scrapbook store, Archivers. I am more into tools than stuff to stick on my pages. In fact, I have not really spent much time this year on scrapping. But,,,I love to make cards and we found some fun tools to create cute flowers for cards or pages. Fun! Thanks Heidi ,,,,,,I had a great time!
Saturday night, Heidi and I went to her stake Center, where we enjoyed a delicious meal of salad and burritos with about 300 plus women in her stake. Everyone brought things to donate to a women's shelter there in Boise. There was a "gynormous" amount of things that will bring a little relief and some happiness to others who are suffering through some hard times. This is the purpose of Relief Society.
After dinner, we went to the chapel for the world wide broadcast of the General Relief Society Conference. We heard from the General Relief Society presidency, and also enjoyed a wonderful talk from Brother Uchdorf, 2nd counselor in the First Presidency of the church. We saw his funny side, and felt encouraged and uplifted by his remarks.
We didn't stay for dessert at the church, because Heidi still had half of her birthday ice cream cake from Cold Stone, at home in the freezer. YUM! It was the best ever.
Early on Sunday morning I started out for home as a stand-by
passenger. I missed that first flight and the loads did not look in my favor all day, so Brian listed me on a United flight to Denver, and from there, on a Delta flight into SLC. I could never have gone into that HUGE Airport, and found my way around without my clever son, Brian, on the phone with me. He told me every step to take up and down escalators, onto an underground train that took me to another terminal, and finally to my gate where I did make the Salt Lake flight and arrived safely at home. Those of you who know me well, know that this adventure was a bit out of my comfort zone, being alone, with a very sore foot, and miles from home. It was a good experience and gave me some confidence to try something else when an opportunity comes along.

Sleepover with Grandma

Early Last month, Dan and Becca celebrated their wedding anniversary with a little over night trip. I had the fun opportunity to watch the children at their house.

This is Cameron playing with a little train that I took with me. He had a good time playing with it. Notice the colorful spots on his nose and around his mouth from his scented markers. Just like his daddy used to do with his markers!



This is Livvy all ready for school and feeling pretty in her red uniform shirt, and cute things in her hair.



Livvy and Cam together before Livvy left for school.
Notice the pretty shoes which she is very excited about.