Birthday Boy

My patriarchal blessing states that I will have "sons and daughters," and so after three girls I held out for one more chance at a son.  When my baby Ashley arrived in all of her unmistakable feminine glory, I had a revelation:  someone else was raising my sons, and I would know and love them when they married my four beautiful daughters.  Happy Birthday to son #1--I admire and love you for many different reasons, Covey, but most of all because you love my daughter.  Thank you for taking such good care of her. We love you!

Modern Day Warriors

This morning I woke up my new friend, who greeted the day with a big smile.  I helped her put on her shoes, do the necessary things in the bathroom, and helped her gather together her temple clothing.  Today was her temple day.  I brought her a tray of food for breakfast, and then made the rounds to check in on some of my other new friends.  A while later, I looked up to see several other women, all dressed in white, walking down the hallway to the front room of the care center.  I followed them in to wish them well, and was meet by a room full of others dressed in their temple whites.  They were smiling and happy and excited for their excursion to the temple.  As I walked away, I have to admit that I was a little overcome with emotion at the humble show of power and strength in that little living room, being exhibited by some of God's greatest warriors who have gracefully and gratefully "endured many things, and will endure many more things."  They are showing me how it's done, how to serve and endure and do what's right, until I have "finished my work on the earth."

Triple R....Done, done and done!

Alicia/John Tebbs, Steve/Karen Mordue, Kathy/Ray Fisher

Team Run, Walk, Crawl

I thought Ragnar with 5 fun ladies for 34 plus hours was awesome....but then there was the Red Rock Relay, the Triple R.  Running with good friends and their adorable husbands, sharing the running road with my own fabulous husband:  what a treat!  I was so proud of each member of our team.  Not only did we show up with positive attitudes, but everyone was willing to pound out their miles happily, despite some limitations.  Steve is a killer cyclist but has a harder time with running. He usually starts hurting after about five miles.  Because of that, we gave him the hills so that he could just walk them.  But his competitive nature and love of hill climbing took over, and he ended up running every single uphill mile, and at a fantastic pace, too!  Thanks, Alicia, for inviting us and thanks to Fishers for letting us twist your arms into joining us.  I thought it was the perfect combinations of personalities and abilities, with everyone working hard to do their part and a lot of fun laughter along the way.

A True and Honest Heart

I heard this phrase many times today while attending the Bountiful Temple, and it perfectly sums up what I strive to have every day:  a true and honest heart.

These past couple of weeks have been very full of a lot of hard work---mentally, physically and emotionally--as I have started my job working with the residents of a local care center.  A few days into my  job training, I recieved a call from my mother-in-law.  There was a job opening at the care center where she and my father-in-law are currently serving as LDS leaders (Dandad is the Branch President).  She wanted me to come over and check out the facility and talk with the head CNA.  I went over and immediately loved the calm, peaceful and happy feeling of the place.  I was offered a position right on the spot and I started my training with them last night.  A lot of the residents are LDS, and it was so cute how many asked me if I was also LDS.  I think they were worried that I wouldn't know about the temple garments they wore, but when I told them I wore them also, they would give me a big smile.  I have been touched by how well they are all living their lives despite the limitations that age has put on their bodies and minds.  There is no guile, no intent to hurt or mock, just a desire to be as happy as possible and enjoy their remaining time on this earth.  They each have the true and honest heart that I desire and work at having every day.

Puppy Sling

Peek-a-boo!

I got a coupon in the mail for a "free" baby sling.  I have a hard time passing up on "free"--if anything, I could give it to Kelsey or someone else as a baby gift.  But then I just couldn't resist trying it out with Jesse.  

She LOVED it!

Now Ashley lives in mortal fear that I will show up at her school wearing Jesse in the sling.

Hmmm, not a bad idea....