Moab Videos for Mary!

1- Kevin walking around Double Arch (very windy day)
2- Kicking at the pool (2 videos one of Emers and one of Charlie)
3- Sandy Arch:(My favorite, it was like an Oasis inside a cavern) Emerson and Charlie running down, if you look in the back you can see Brandt running down after he and Kevin had hiked to the top of the arch.
4- The hike down from Delicate Arch
5- Kristi performing her back-flip dismount!
6- Brandt and Kevin hiking down from Double Arch
 

Summer 11

Summer has just begun.
So far...
My second from youngest child Mark graduated high school...despite illness he made it! And I was proud to watch him walk at graduation. He has the greatest smile and I eagerly await what the future has in store for him
My youngest son Kevin went on a 4 day trek. He came home and said it was the most horrible thing he ever did but he was glad he did it:) others told me he always had a smile on his face and that all the girls were in love with him.
I watched my grandson Emerson play "soccer shark" this year where he ran around the field with is hands clasped together above his head like the fin of a shark. He has such a wonderful imagination, I hope he never loses it. He totally cracks me up.
His younger brother Charlie wanted to be on the soccer field with him so badly, he even learned to kick the ball by the end of the season. I love that he smiles whenever he sees me and I LOVE that he loves to cuddle and hug. I hope he never loses that.
I was also very impressed to see my daughter and her husband cross the line together in a half marathon on the 4th of July. They were even pushing their children across the line with them. I thought it was inspirational how they trained and ran together.
Mary, Mark, Kevin and I used our backyard fire pit for the first time making hot dogs and smores:)
Mark became Brandt's overnight guest in Orem after attending the NBA draft and an outdoor concert together. I loved that they had some brother bonding time...I will have to arrange more of that:)
and Mary, Mark ,Kevin and I enjoyed fireworks with all my siblings, Janet and my Dad. I love the 4th with the family, it always make me contemplate where we are as a family and where we go from here...just hoping things never change.

Califronia Dreamin'

I can't imagine how a vacation could have been any more perfect except if it could have lasted longer. I enjoyed every second of this trip, I loved spending time with my children and grandchildren. It was wonderful being able to wake up to the noises of my beautiful grandsons, and on mothers day JR made a perfect Mother's Day breakfast. JR and Kristi were our master chefs every meal.
The trip was just relaxing. Sitting on the beach and listening to the ocean waves, seeing the smiles on my children's faces, finding the perfect sunset our last night there and most of all seeing how much my children love each other. It really was a dream come true vacation. It made me realize how important making memories really is and I can't wait to go back again next year.

Joy Cometh in the Morning...

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 30:5. ..I believe it was around 6 a.m., I became a grandma for the second time on May 29th of 2010. He is beautiful, healthy and perfect. He weighed in at 9lbs 2ozs exactly like his big brother. Holding him makes me feel like everything is right in the world. His cute little newborn sounds and smell, and the way he snuggles against me. I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven for His beautiful tender mercies; my two wonderful grandsons, a beautiful daughter who is a natural at motherhood, and her amazing husband. We are truly blessed. To the end that myglory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psalms 30:12

Today I again learned of my constant need for the atonement in my life. There are and will be times in our lives when we feel we do not have the strength or courage to go on. Life at times seems to hard to bear. I have testimony that in those times as we turn to God we do not bear them alone. Sometimes even in the midst of a trial I am amazed that I am able to bear up under it and know that God is literally carrying the load for me so much so that I cannot even feel it. I will be thinking, "shouldn't i be in the midst of despair, yet I feel perfect peace." Neal maxwell said, "here have been and will be times in each of our lives when such faith must be the bottom line. You don't know what is happening around you, but you know that God loves you, and knowing that, for the moment is enough."

I want to have the faith to know that whatever God requires of me, whatever trial I may have to pass through I will be able to gain from the experience and come to know my God and Savior even more intimately.

Emerson

My grandson loves me:) It just makes me smile. He is so happy to see me and I love that soooo much. Kristi sent me these adorable pictures tonight just to make me miss him more...

Mark's Prom

I found myself getting very emotional watching my son head out for his first prom. There is something very inspiring--(is that the right word or just spiritual?)--in watching your teenage son taking steps toward manhood. Mark did that tonight, and when I look at the pictures I took my heart just swells!