whatever

2009 in review-

Just a little run down of my year- 

• We went to BYUI for Kent and Becca's graduation
• Visits to my Dad
• putting cement  mow strips in Shannon's backyard
• Surgery
• Easter with Sam and Heidi
• Receiving Mason's Mission call to Montana, taking him to the Temple and MTC
• Visits from my Brother
•  Buying a little house and fixing it up- we named it the Hamlet
• Being called as Temple workers
• Visits from Shannon and the kids
• Denver and Bree's wedding in the Salt Lake Temple
• Going to Texas to see Kent and Becca's new little baby and to help out a little
• Going to Oregon  and baby sitting Shannon and Scott's children while they went to Hawaii 
• Working on the Hamlet and at the Nut House.
• Working in the garden
• Denver and Bree living with us and working for us at the Nut House.

 The pasting of my Brother Don in November. 

• Finding our Dear Friend Ben who had been missing for almost four years.
• Taking Heidi and Bree on a little get away
• Girls day out
• Many RS enrichment activities
• Cooking, shopping and parties with Bree
• Working in the garden, fighting off the woodpeckers, and all other wild creatures.
• Sam and Heidi and John's family came for Thanksgiving.
• Danny got a new Dog- Emma
• Kent and Becca and our newest Grand baby Nicholas were here for Christmas.

It has been a year full of blessings, trials and wonderful times.  I have embraced it all, and feel blessed. I'm ready to "break in" the New Year..... break in some new things & break out of some old habits. Smile more and say yes More often. {as per Conner I'm at 75 % now, I want to make that 90% =) I would make it 100% yes...but I've got to keep their safety in mind =) 

Happy New Year. 

 

 

It's taken me a week....

 

(read the story behind this picture here.}

Yes, a whole week.... To finally share all of the happenings that took place while ALL of our children were here, along with their spouses and children- Happy Day

{we also took family pictures... to come later}

Below you will find a photo diary of some of the fun things we did-

Words can not express what pure joy it was to have them all home-

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with Family."

-Anthony Brandt

The River and Kent's Gold Quest-

 

 

 

The gold-

 

Swimming in April; some because they wanted to, others with a little help.

 

 

 Just Playing in the Bubble Room-

 

Eating-

 

The Big Party-

 

As we were preparing for the party- Anna asked where the party hats were- {you know you can't have a party without party hats...silly me} so ribbons came to the rescue - I think they are very nice, and prettier than some store bought cardboard one. Heidi has more about the party, check her site.

The Big Race-

 

 

1. Get ready
2. Get set
3. Go!
4. The exchange
5. The Last exchange-
6. Mason & Kent in first place-{he was Becca's proxy}
7.  Sam and Heidi second and Denver and Bree third.

Fire-pit-

 

Conner was the master "Peeps" roaster-

 

It was a fabulous time, but came to an end much too soon- Can't wait until we are together again- {I got a sneak peek at the family picture amazing, Bree and Denver are just adorable in their engagement pictures- {sorry guys I saw them first.}

So there you have it....the whole story. If you think you missed something check out these earlier posts-

Boy Oh Boy, Cooking with the girls, MTC, {or as Conner would say, The Empty Sea- go here to read something so funny you will cry!}  Mission farewell and All I really need is Family.

Thanks for all your love and support- You are the best!

 Come see me over at Blissful- thanks-

Mission Farewell-

Sunday April 19th was the day when family and friends gathered to hear Mason speak in Church, and to show their love and support.

We would like to thank all that came and sent Mason off with well wishes and blessings- you are very appreciated.

The day was wonderful- I thought Mason's talk was touching and totally him. =)

{and I'm not just saying that because I'm his Mom.}

{Mason and our Branch President}

 

These are the men that stood in the circle when President Edler set Mason apart as a Missionary. {I was a little slow on getting a picture- so I grabbed them all as some were heading home; hence the reason some are not in a suit.} I really think that a Mom should not have to worry about pictures on a day like that.  There were a couple other pictures I wanted to get but didn't, I'm hoping one of my kids has it on their camera.

 

Have you ever tried to get five children to sit still long enough to get a picture? .....I think it's cute still the same.

The girls-

 

When I took the girls out to take their pictures- Carlee notice Anna's "gloves" and said- "Grammer, can I have some hand slippers too?"  Too cute. The matching skits in the picture on the bottom right- Shannon made.  It was so much fun seeing the two girls twirl and run around in those adorable skirts.

 

 

Thanks to Sandi for all her help and especially for the fabulous dessert.

 

{recipe coming soon.}

 

 

 

 

 

Family and Friends-

 

Thanks to everyone- sorry if I missed getting you in the pictures.

It was such a blessed day- All of Mason's siblings{ Shannon, Sam, Kent, and Denver} were there along with their spouses and children. (Denver and Bree aren't married yet, but we count her as one of ours.} We so appreciated the kids for their support and love of Mason-

Today's the day Mason's enters the MTC- If I have a fast connections in our hotel tonight I will post about it. {we are hoping to get half way home tonight.}

 

 

 

Denver, The ugly white car... and It's a Beautiful Life.

Get up Denver it's your Birthday!   How old are you now... 22?   =}

So in honor of his special day I thought I would share a sweet little story about him and  "the ugly white car."

We were heading to the auction to drop off an "really old beat up car" for *Ben, Dan's friend. Dan & Ben have dealers license and would help people get rid of their cars once in awhile.

Dan, myself, and Denver {who is around 4 years old at the time.} loaded up and headed down the road. We had just one stop before we got to the Bay area auction, which was to stop off and talk to some potential client.  We decided to park the really ugly beat up car a few doors down from our stop- {We didn't what to give the client the impression that we were on our last dime and ready to close up shop- because really if you saw the car you would think so....and that wasn't the case.}

 So we parked the "ugly car" in front of Burger King- Dan gets out, says..."Hey, when I get back lets go have some lunch at Burger King." 

Happy Faces everywhere. Denver was already dreaming about his toy.

About 15 minutes go by and Dan has not returned and Denver was not pleased. He kept begging to go inside Burger King- of course my response was..." As soon as your Dad gets back we will go in, just be patient, he will be back in a couple of minutes"

That wasn't going to work for Denver, he rolled down the window stuck his head out the window there in front of Burger King and in the sadest, voice that you can imagine began to cry...I'm starving, I'm so hungry, I'm starving. over and over....Didn't faze me, I knew he wasn't starving he just wanted his way.  So I let him carry on.

This went on for about a minute when the sweetest little old lady hardly able to walk...came up to "the ugly beat up car"  with a five dollar bill in her hand and said..."Would this help?"

Oh my goodness....I tried to assure her that we were just fine, and really as sweet as that was for her to offer the money, I just couldn't take it. She reached in gave me a hug and said "let me help you", then she laid the money on the bench and was gone faster than I could believe. 

{There I sit crying because I just took  that sweet little ladies last dollar and we didn't need it. I keep thinking why did she do that....then it dawned on me.

Denver was a tiny little thing probably weighed all of 30 lbs. with dark set eyes and very chiseled  figures, hanging out the window- and then there was the ugly beat up car...now I understood.

By the time Dan got back I was a wreck. I looked like I had gone to a funeral.

 What a sweet little lady-  I prayed for her off and on from that day forward, I'm sure she is no longer with us. But I still ask Heavenly Father to bless her for her sweetness.  We didn't need the money that day, but that's not  the lesson that was to be learned. 

I learned lessons of compassion, gentleness, and sweet grace.  Thanks to that wonderful little old lady.

It is a Beautiful Life- That little lady "changed" me, her one simple act of kindness.

My goal this month is to be aware of those around me, to encourage, and praise.  To allow change to happen.  See what others are talking about. click graphic.

Have you been touched by someone goodness?  

 

  

Happy Day Denver we love you. Hope you're not starving.

{when you come home in a couple of weeks, dinners on us, your choice}

*Ben is still missing- On April 6th at 7pm there will be a show airing about missing persons- Ben's story is  part of that segment. BYU-TV

Blessings to Celebrate-

 

This whole recovery thing is not fun, I have things to do and places to go.

But thanks to some before thought on Shannon's part... I had a great book to read in the hospital and to help me past the time now. Shannon Made me feel special.

Thanks to Heidi- for the wonderful and sweet care package- which has helped to brighten my day- Heidi made me feel cared for.

Thanks to Conner, Payton, Anna, Carlee, and Preston for the most adorable hand made cards- you made me feel loved.

Thanks to Sam, Kent, Denver for their sweet calls, and to Mason and Sam for babysitting me and all their hard work. You made me cry...good tears.

 

 

 

Thanks to Ellen for the delicious  soup and welcomed visit- that helped me get through a hard day.

Dad thanks for all the cards- you cheered my day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I have many blessings to Celebrate.

But most of all Thanks to Dan for helping me through all this and taking care of the ugly.

Dan makes me feel, happy, loved, cared for, & needed, but most of all special.

Thank you.

 

Mr. Mac

 

The tradition carries on. {with our fourth missionary} 

While in Utah we took Mason to Mr. Mac to get him ready for his Mission- to Billings Montana.

It was great fun. {except for the paying for it part}

This is a sample of the ties he picked out.

 

This was Mason's helper, it took us about 3 hours to get everything. We were a little worried about finding suits that would fit Mason- luckily they we able to alter their smallest suit. {sorry Mason- he is just short and very fit, not a ounce of fat on the guy.}

And alter all the pants he needed.

 

See the guy to the right in the background- he was Kent and Denver's helper- He came in after Mason's guy started working with him- ...it would of been fun to carry that tradition on too.  But the guy that worked with Mason was fun.

   Yes, the cost of outfitting a Missionary has gone up- by about $500.  But that may be because Mason had to get winter boots, sweaters,coat, gloves, scarves, etc.

All the other boys didn't have to worry about freezing weather!

 

{this was just half of his stuff- most is being altered and will be sent to us}

Watch out Montana.... here comes Mason.

Warm Memories

 

At one time or another all my boys have worn flannel shirts- which I loved to see them wear.  When I would give them a hug- it was like a warm cozy hug back. My boys are all grown now and probably wouldn't be caught dead in a flannel shirt, at least I haven't seen them in one for years.

About 10 years ago I put together this little blanket using all the saved flannel shirts that my boys had worn over the years. 

It's a sweet little blanket {not because I made it} because it brings back warm memories of my boys as little guys- and I love it. 

 

 

Can you find the square from the shirt Mason is wearing in the picture above?

I miss those Flannel shirt days-

 

12 months of goals-

I've taken the challenge given to us by Melissa to set 12 goals- for a  "Beautiful Life."

I was needing something to get me on the right track this year and focus on what matters most- and I think this will be fun to do.

For January- I've chosen  "Balanced Living" {it is one Melissa has also- but it also goes with what I what to accomplish this month- and all the others I've chosen work together in completing my goals.}

Once a week I will share what I'm doing to help  reach my goals.

For this month the things I want to start "balancing" are

• the scale
• time
• service
• work/play
• emotions

 

January:   Balance living-

 In all things find your balance-

February:  Perseverance-

History rests on the shoulders of those who accepted the challenge of difficulties and drove through to victory in spite of everything. – Hugh B. Brown

March:   Change

Embrace, encourage, and allow.

April:     Remember

To retain in the memory; keep in mind; remain aware of:

May:     Family

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with Family.” –Anthony Brandt

June:   Time

    Time to listen and to comfort, time to learn and to encourage- remind myself often that… “Things that matter most should not be left to the mercy of things that matter the least.”- O. Leslie Stone

July:   Fun

Yes, just have some.

August:   Service

God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. -Spencer W Kimball

September:  Priorities

Progress comes as we are able to give up something for something we want more.

- Marvin J. Ashton

October:  Home

Refinement and beauty, good music and art, of loving- to make it a happy place for my Grandchildren, husband and children.  “Home is really only the feeling between husband and wife- how they feel about one another and God.  Home isn’t the house, for the house can still be there when home is gone.

  -Rex C. Reeve

November:   Kindness

Kindness has many synonyms- love, service, charity. But I like the word kindness because it implies action.  It seems like something you and I can do. - Betty Jo Jepsen

December:    Joy

Pleasure usually takes the form of. “me” and “now,” while joy is “us” and “always.” 

-Neal A. Maxwell

I'm sure most of these subjects will over lap into other months- but I want to make sure to implement them often and not just on that particular month.

 Join with me and share the ways you are making your life Beautiful- go here  on Friday and add your link to Melissa's Mr Linky-

{sorry about the ugly foot picture}

 

Conner's Baptism Day-

 

 

   

 

We feel so blessed to have been able to attend this special day with Conner.  Love ya Conner.

-Conner's  Baptism Day-  Friday November 28, 2008-

Tiny Green Hands-

 

Tiny Green Hands-

     Each night at bed time it became a recital to pry pennies from Sam’s tiny hands.   If a penny fell to ground, he was there to quickly snatch it up and hold it ever so tightly all day long.   It wasn’t unusual to find his tiny hands stained green after prying this precious prize from his hands.  

His fascination for money carried on for many years.   He started collecting all the loose change he earned or found in a large glass cup.  By no means did this change just sit there, no, he had many little “treat” days for himself and his siblings.  He was always good to share.

During one particular hard year for our family, we sat the children down to have a little discussion about our family finances.   Assuring the children that we would be okay, but things were tight and we all needed to do our part to help.   As parents we just wanted them to have a good attitude about things, seeing as they would have to go without something they desired or may have needed.

They were all good and agreed to do their part. {Mind you they were all very young}   Several hours later Sam, who is around five years old at the time, approached us carrying a very large glass cup filled to the brim with his precious change.   “Mom, Dad this is all I have, will this help our family?”

Oh, sweet Sam.   One quick glance at each other, that unspoken glance between parents; we knew just what to do.  With a hug and a kiss we accepted his precious gift to the family.  Now that may seem harsh to take this sweet little boys money, how could we not accept such a gift that he was so willing to sacrifice?   In accepting his gift, he would begin to understand the law of sacrifice, and know that he is appreciated, loved, and needed.

 

Today is Sam's birthday, Happy Birthday Sam!

He continues to this day, to be caring, giving and always grateful. We appreciate how he never passes up a opportunity to help or to give thanks-

Happy Day Sam.  We love you.