Friday, December 19, 2008

Happy Birthday Matt








Matt was born on December 19, 1977 at 3:11 in the morning. He weighed 8 lb. 12.5 oz and was 20.5 inches long. When we brought him home from the hospital, because it was at Christmas time, the nurses stuck him in a red stocking. That was a fun touch. Dad was working at the Pleasant Grove Police Dept. as an officer, so his first ride was in a police car. It was a wonderful time for us. Having a son at Christmas time was very poignant for us because of our celebration of another Son that came to the earth. Matt has been a blessing to us all of our lives. He is kind, loyal, a good organizer and a loving person. Have a wonderful day- Matt. We love you!












Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Happy Birthday Lisa


Lisa was born December 7th in
Bakersfield, California. She was born
2nd after her twin sister, Lori. She
weighed 6lbs. 6 oz. With a sweet and
kind personality, Lisa loved being
around people. She has always loved
helping others and is a loyal and faithful
friend. We hope you know how much we
love you and what a vital part of our
family you are.




















Happy Birthday Lori




Lori was born December 7 and was the first of twins to arrive.
She weighed in at 7lbs. 2oz.. A bundle of energy and tons of fun
to be around, she kept us busy and happy. With her sisters and
brothers she played, giggled, learned and loved. A little shy in
Junior and Senior high school, this did not stop her from making
many friendships and having lots of fun. We hope you know we love you and cherish our time with you.































Saturday, July 19, 2008

Happy Birthday Kati!




Happy Birthday Kati!
Kati was born on July 21, 1988 at 3:34 p.m. She weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz..

She was born at Utah Vally Regional Medical Center during a very

hot summer. With a ready smile and a laugh like Elmo, she is a

happy, bubbly, bouncy daughter that always brings joy to our family.

Have a great day, Kati!































Happy Birthday Ben




This handsome guy was born on July 18th, 1982 at 2:07 p.m.. He weighed in
at 10 lbs. 4 oz. and was 22 inches long. He was born at Greater Memorial
Hospital in Bakersfield, California. His older brother and sisters thought he
looked a lot like E.T.. But to his mom, he was beautiful! Ben has been a
blessing to us throughout his life and we are so glad he is part of our family.
Happy Birthday Ben!
























Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Happy Birthday Jen!



On May 19th, 1976 a beautiful person came into our lives. She
weighed in at 8 lbs. 6 oz. and we loved every inch of her! When
she was born her daddy and the doctor exclaimed..."Look at
all that dark hair!" And through the years, even though it
changed from dark to blonde, our love and admiration
for her has only grown. Have a Happy Day Jen!
We Love You!

































Sunday, May 11, 2008

In Tribute........


When I think about Mother's Day, I have mixed feelings. These range from feelings of inadequacy to those of joy and happiness. When each new baby was place in my arms, I felt an almost overpowering feeling of responsibility for this new little one, come straight from heaven, and my ability to provide and teach all that she or he would need to survive in this busy, crazy, fun, exciting and often dangerous world. Did I have the skills, the patience, enough love to do this? Would I be able to teach, correct with love, set a good example? Could I possibly have enough faith and mothering skills to help this innocent, pure and most beautiful child return to their Father in Heaven? And I have learned a very simple and basic principle over the years.......

Of course not! That would take a PERFECT mother and that is something I am not. But with someone else's help [a perfect someone else] I can do all that is required of me for good.

A few years ago, during a particularly discouraging mothering time, I discovered something that has become one of my favorite and replenishing exercises. I read what God says about Mothers and Motherhood through His holy prophets. I soak in His love for me through their words. I put back in to perspective what I should be doing and what I can accomplish, by learning the principles He has taught about Moms. I feast upon His words and not what the world says about what is important and right and good. And I feel better and more able to go on, no matter what is happening around me.

And so I recommend this little exercise to you as well. With the praises and hoopla of Mother's Day, there will come equally worrisome, discouraging and disheartening times for you, as mothers. Take a few quiet moments over several days or weeks [ it will take you that long to read what all the prophets and scriptures say about mothers] and soak in His words about you, one of His precious Mothers and be uplifted!

Here are just a few of my favorites:

From Pres. Hinckley........
" Rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know how. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass."

"No other work reaches so close to divinity as does the nurturing of the sons and daughters of God."

From Pres. Joseph F. Smith.....
"No love in all the world can equal the love of a true mother..... It was life to me; it was strength; it was encouragement....I knew she loved me with all her heart.... There was no sacrifice of self-of her own time, of her leisure or pleasure, or opportunites for rest- that was considered for a moment, when it was compared with her duty and her love to her children."

And though he wasn't a prophet of God, his words echo truely........
From William Ross Wallace........
"Blessings on the hand of woman! Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel, Oh, no matter where the place.
Would that never storms assailed it, Rainbows ever gently curled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle, Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission, Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open, Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages, Are from mother-love impearled.
For the hand that rocks the cradle, Is the hand that rules the world.


So, in tribute to my Mother, my 8 Daughters [in-laws included], my Grandmothers and every Sister who has had an influence in my life, I say thank you. Your love and influence has made all the difference in my life.



Thursday, April 24, 2008

Making Grandma Ila Smile

We had a sad but sweet time in Bakersfield saying

our last goodbyes to Grandma Ila.

Amidst the sadness of our loss,

our grandchildren decided to cheer us up a little............

I'm sure that Grandma Ila was smiling too. Watching

her grandchildren was one of her favorite things to do.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Spring Break 2008 at Kanab





























We had a great time at Kanab. Lance and Julie Jackson finished their new home and invited us all down to visit. Brad and Lynn Christofferson, Tony and Becky Harris and their families and Dad, Kati, Sarah and I all made the trip. We all took 4-wheelers and the Jackson's took us out on the desert to see some historical and magnificent sights! We had 12 wheelers in all, so there was a lot of dust and a lot of fun. [You should have seen Kati and Dad buzzing around on the little ones!] We visited such places as the Springdale "Mail Drop", a Zion's overlook, the "Inchworm Arch",an Anazai village-complete with pottery and arrowhead chips, [of which we did not pick up!], ancient Indian writing and petrified dinosaur tracks. Lance has decided to start up a new business called Anazai ATV Adventures. We were his "test" subjects. [We may even appear on his website with testimonials] It was a lot of fun!













































Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Easter Fun


Can't get much cuter than this!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Happy Birthday Becki





Born March 8th at 3:54 a.m., she has been a bundle of joy and goodness ever since! A loyal friend, a concerned daughter, fun and happy person, faithful and true......


You are a wonderful part of our family!
































































Saturday, March 1, 2008

She Made It!

Sarah went this morning to the High School and tried out for the "Ballroom Company" and she made it! Yeh! We are so proud of her. She was very nervous and spent a lot of time practicing and it was well worth it, cause she made it. Out of about 100 applicants, she made the team. She will be the only sophmore on the team and is a little nervous about that........ Good Job Sarah!

Well, I've finally done it!

I guess you can teach an old dog [or mom as the case may be] new tricks. We will have more info coming. But don't hold your breath or we'll be having a lot of blue-faced family members. :-) More later!