Lyle turns 23

Blowin' out the candles on his birthday cake!

What's this?  A Slinky!!

Oh, oh, oh...

It's a goldfish for our goldfish bowl.

Here is a very special gift.  Brooke compiled all of Lyle's letters and many of his pictures from his mission and made them into a book for him.  What a wonderful way to capture those special mission memories.  I am glad I saved all his emails, letters and pictures so that he could have this great keepsake.

A Month of Gratitude: The Musings of my Grateful Heart

1.  I am grateful for wonderful parents who brought me into this world, raised me with love and discipline; taught me about right and wrong; and support me still with the memories of their love for me.
2.  What is a good husband? MINE - The man who loves me, helps me, honors his priesthood and me and so much more...
3. Oh the fruit of my loins, those beautiful children I gave birth to - Melissa, strong of spirit, smart, and loving; Amanda, gentle, kind, and a lesson in patience; Kari, sensitive, athletic, and the best hugger in the world; Melanie, independent, playful, "I love you the most, I win!!"(an inside thing); Lyle, my boy, my one and only boy, loyal, loving, and a tease :), and Hannah, last but not least, caring, sweet, tender, where would I be without each of you...
4.  In-law children; Bob, you were the first, were you good enough for our beautiful daughter?  A million times over, YES!!  You are a wonderful husband and father and because you make our daughter happy, you make me happy.  Brooke, oh so quiet when first we met, the mere mention of your name lights up my son's face and now your laughter lights up our lives.  I am thankful for the beautiful woman, inside and out, that you are.  You will always be my favorite daughter-in-law!  And now a new son-in-law, Russell.  Who would have thought that Melanie coming home sick from her mission would lead to marriage so quickly and with someone as fine as you.  I am grateful for all of you and our increased family!
5.  Grandchildren!!  I have always loved, loved, loved being a mom!  People would gush over their grandchildren and I would think that was nice, but nothing could be better than being a mom...something could-grandkids...Josh and Kent keep me young and excited for life!
6.  Good friends...some I have known all my life and some for just a few years but all add dimension, happiness, wisdom, and joy to my life.
7.  Extended family...I know some marry into families that aren't so great but I have been blessed to marry into a supportive, loving family.  I know someone always has my back..I love you all!
8.  The gospel of Jesus Christ and a knowledge and testimony that I have a Savior all of which are an important part of who I am.
9.  I'm thankful for a soft bed, warm blanket, and a good night's sleep.  It always makes the next day easier to live.
10.  I'm grateful to have the ability to care for and have compassion for the aged, my life has been blessed indeed because of the opportunities I have had to give such care.
11.  I'm thankful for modern medicine.
12.  I'm grateful for a car so I can go to see all those I love whenever I can.  It makes me really glad that I didn't live in the days of wagons where distance made it difficult to be with the ones you love.
13.  I love, love, love rocky road ice cream...it can make difficult times sweeter.
14.  My pets...and the unconditional love they give.
15.  I am so glad I can read...reading can transport me to any place, any time.  It can teach me, comfort me, encourage me...
16.  I am thankful for my husband's job! 
17.  I am grateful for the new floor in my house and for the help of our children in getting it put in.  It makes me feel good to walk in the door and know that our ability to work together makes all things possible.
18.  I am thankful for my second set of parents - Ray's mom and dad who treat me like their own.
19.  I am thankful that we get to spend Christmas all together at a cabin this year.
20.  I have been blessed to take some wonderful vacations...I love a good time.
21.  Family reunions....if you've been to one of ours, you know why it is a blessing in my life and one I am truly grateful for.
22.  Connecting with friends over Facebook.  Not long before my dad passed, I connected with a friend from high school.  His encouragement, support and love saw me through a very difficult time.  Thanks, Bert!
23.  I am thankful there are people who want to do pedicures and manicures...and I love pedicures!
24.  I am thankful for Hannah's willingness to cook dinner!!
25.  Money...lets face it, money makes so many things easier and I am thankful we have enough for our needs with a little left over for our wants.
26.  Temples and forever families...I want to be with my own family and the Lord has shown me how.
27.  A clean house...always one of the best gifts from my children and husband.  A clean house helps me have a clear mind.
28.  Breakfast in bed, cold bacon and all, on Mother's day morning.
29.  Kari's funny dances and songs...they always bring a smile and make me glad she is mine.
30.  I am thankful for my home and for the gatherings we have here, the warmth we share, the games we play, the laughter that flows easily and even for the troubles we sometimes have, because as we come together, our love is increased, our joy overflows, and all things are possible...because we are FAMILY.

More This and That...Canning, Cupcakes, Conference, and Cuties!!

CANNING:  Pears, pears and more pears.  For three years now I have been purchasing cases of fresh pears that arrive sometime in August.  The first year I bought 2 cases, they came just when my mother passed away and were almost too ripe to do anything with by the time I actually had time to can them.  I did get about 12 quarts done that first year and my dad loved them!!!  He took several home with him and shared them with his friends.  The next year, I ordered two cases again....then my dad passed away.  The pears went bad and I tossed them.  I didn't have the heart to work on canning anything.  I really missed my parents (still do).  This year I thought, not two cases because it seemed unlucky, so I only got one case...Lulu passed away.  I've taken care of her for 7 years.  I miss her everyday.  I got the pears canned but I can't help but wonder if I will always associate fresh pears with death.  It is an odd coincidence that I have lost someone I love every year at pear canning season.  Do I dare buy any next year?  I think I will.  You see, canning them reminds me not of my loved ones deaths, but of their lives and how much joy they brought to mine, and for a little while, while I am working hard to preserve something good, I can remember them and preserve that memory in my heart.

CUPCAKES:  Hannah is our master baker and boy, can she make some tasty treats.  In September there was a general broadcast for the women of the church and the Young Women were asked to bake cupcakes for the dinner we had prior to the broadcast.  Hannah took up the challenge with her friend Lindsay and together they made these scrumptious spice cupcakes with a yummy cream cheese frosting.  Some of the cupcakes were adorned with homemade ginger snaps. If Fall had a flavor, this would be it!!                   

CONFERENCE:  This year for October's general conference we were invited to the Brown's, Lyle's in-laws, to watch it on their big screen T.V.  The whole family showed up including Melissa, Bob, Joshua, and Kent.  In this picture you can see Kari is entertaining Kent and Amanda is doing conference bingo with Joshua.  Conference is always a time for me to have my 'lamp' filled.  The talks, and the spirit, and the testimonies shared, build me up and help me hold to the rod.  My own faith and testimony is strengthened.  I am always glad to be with my family and when we are together feasting on the word it is even better.

CUTIES:  Oh, how I love these cuties!!  I was sitting in my chair playing with my phone when both boys climbed up on their mom.  I couldn't resist the chance to snap a picture of them.  Josh is just like his mom when she was little and there was a camera around, ready with a big smile or a cute grin, but Kent reminds me of Hannah.  The harder we would try to get her to smile, the bigger her frown got.  Kent may not smile for the camera, but he melts my heart anyway.

This and That

I have always been less than perfect when it comes to writing in a journal and it would seem that keeping my blog updated is also a challenge.  I guess the challenge is that, while I enjoy my life, it really isn't too thrilling or noteworthy.  Recently I was talking to Hannah about Individual Worth and how some of the things we do can lead us to value our individual worth a bit more.  I don't seem to apply that principle to myself very well and thus, the lack of noteworthy material to enhance my blog, but I am shortchanging myself.  I lead a quiet life, but I try to do the right things, help people, love my family.  Are these not all noteworthy endeavors?  I think so, but then I don't want to brag...hmm?  I think I better up my game and write about even the small things in my life because I believe someday, my posterity may find it interesting that ggggggggreat grandma was a nice person.

So, to begin I am going to share some pictures and thoughts from the past several months.  My last post, previous to the Pumpkin Patch, was about Melanie leaving on her mission.  Now, just 7 months later, she is home because of an illness she contracted in the Philippines.  To say I am happy to see her is an understatement...I am overjoyed but I am also a little sad.  I don't want her to be sick and I know she really wanted to stay and serve where she had been called.  Here are some pictures of her homecoming.

Right after Melanie came home, Ray and I went to a concert in Lodi, California.  We went to hear Cecilio and Kapono.  They are a soft rock/folk music duo from Hawaii.  I first heard them when I was a senior in high school some 30 years ago.  They are just as good now as they were then.  I am lucky Ray likes their music as much as I do and we have gone to see them several times.  On this trip, we got to see some of the countryside near Lodi.  I had no idea that there were so many wineries around there.  Here is a picture of Ray near one of the grape vines and a picture of us at the concert.  We had a great time!!

 

Here is a clip from the concert.  Cecilio and Kapono are kind of hard to see but you can get a taste of their music.

Pumpkin Patch

I have to say, having grandkids is pure bliss!! I always loved, loved, loved being a mom and I didn't think it could get any better and then I was blessed with grandkids. One of the joys is being able to share in their fun and adventures. Monday we(Amanda and I) went to the pumpkin patch with Melissa, Bob, Joshua and Kent. Joshua absolutely loved the animatronic chickens who would sing and tell very corny chicken jokes. I captured a bit of Josh and Amanda dancing to one of the songs while Kent is waving at the chickens.

Melanie enters the Missionary Training Center

Before we actually drove into the MTC with Melanie, we went and took some pictures in front of the gates and also a little video footage. Once you drive in, there is no time for pictures. I don't think we were parked for more than 2 minutes...just enough time to unload her, her luggage, and to get a big hug, then we were off and so was she!

By the wall where the sign used to be.