Mom and Dad's anniversary party went so well. I hope you enjoy the slide show. My camera died so thanks to Marlei and Brynn for the pictures that they posted on facebook so I could get more!

I was so happy to see all the support and love from friends and family that traveled to see them on this very monumental day in their lives. I think my mother would have been happy to let it quietly go by, but we determined to not let that happen. My sisters and I love them too much to let it go by. They had all their daughters there, and most of their grandchildren. Jordan and Stephanie couldn't make it, well for a little 7lb 15 oz reason. They welcomed Tobias (Tobi) into the world about 45 minutes before the party was to start, so he made the 3rd great grandchild. Tyler and Kelly also could not make it and they were very much missed. They are expecting soon and that will be great grand baby number 4.

I wanted to thank my sisters for all their help. Noelie was so sick this past month, but she helped me find ideas on the internet and gave me much needed moral support. I know she wanted to do more, but what could she do when she could barely get through work. I hope she gets better soon. I feel so bad for her.

Cindilou, did the drinks, she made lemon water and another bowl with sprite and frozen berries. It look beautiful and tasted so good.

Snobaybe gathered up some pictures, scanned them and sent them to Brynn. She wanted to do more, but apparently she did not get the messages I sent on facebook. Oops. So I felt bad about that.

Brynn, she gathered up pictures and made up a beautiful digital scrapbook for Mom and Dad. It was a sweet gift and turned out so well.

Robert, Jayson, Noelie, Randy, Snobaybe, Cindilou, Aunt Delene, and my wonderful husband came early to help set up, and Marlei was so wonderful at entertaining the kids, she amazes me. Honestly Marlei, maybe you should be a kindergarten teacher!

I loved all the people that came to share this day with my parents, friends in the ward, friends from years past. I could see the blessing it was to my parents to see all those that do love them for the special and wonderful people they are. What a blessing they are to me. I was grateful for the chance to visit with a very, very good friend. We keep trying to get together and for some dumb reason it never happens. Goodness I need to fix that. Her daughter was so cute with my girls.

One of the cutest moments of the night was when Marlei, Natasha, Collin, Kendra, Abbie, Ellie, Noah, and my friends daughter sang "I am a Child of God" to Grandma and Grandpa. It touched my heart because it is my dad's favorite Primary song. I think they are willing to adopt another grandchild! She is adorable.

As you can tell I am very blessed, and very grateful for the 5th commandment, to Honor thy Father and Mother.

Thank you mom and dad. I love you!

Pictures of Mom and Dad 50 years ago.

Golden Wedding announcement

I haven't blogged, skipped a Baby shower, Collin's birthday, and Abbie's too!
It is important to note that my parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
More to come, in the next few days.

I love Elder Holland. (and others of course)

This conference weekend has been interesting for me. Michael went to Idaho to visit his family, and I opted to stay home so I could put my energy into working on Abbie's Christmas sock. With my aging poor eyes it is harder for me to work on than other cross stitch projects I have done. So yesterday I spent the day home alone with Wrylie, listening to conference and stitching away.

I was feeling rather bad after Elder Scott's talk on keeping teaching to basics, and I was doubting my method and approach to teaching the Relief Society lessons, wondering if I was doing too much and not sticking to the basics enough. Then came a talk before Elder Bednar's that confirmed to me that I was doing okay. This Elder talked about a teacher that taught with the focus of reaching and looking higher. That has always been my approach, to look higher and deeper. To figure and encourage how the basics really work on our hearts and souls. I wept tears of gratitude because I needed to hear that. As usual I loved Elder Bednar's and Elder Uchdorf''s talks. They always have a way to inspire me and sooth my soul.

Today, it was Elder Holland. How could anyone not hear his passionate and fervent testimony of the Prophet Joseph and the Book of Mormon. How could anyone who heard his voice not feel the power and truth of all he said. When I think of an apostle that tells it as it is, doesn't pull punches and has become of a force of truth, I think of Elder Holland. I love him and his testimony more and more. Every conference I find myself looking forward to what he is going to say next. What can I learn from him? Today, I saw my father cry. I spent the day with my parents and my sister Cindi, and by the end of Elder Holland's Testimony, for that is what it was, my father sobbed. I am unable to think of the last time I saw my father shed tears like that. I wished my brother, who has forgotten what it means to honor his parents could have seen it. I wished my youngest sister could have heard it and listened. I thought of the many friends I have who have left the membership and fellowship of the church and wished that they could have heard the words of this powerful testimony of an Apostle of God. My heart wished many could have heard and understood what I felt this afternoon as I stitched and listened to him. Thank you Elder Holland for speaking words I needed to hear, not because I doubt and question, but because I believe but need to believe and act more upon my own testimony. Thankyou because I have 3 lessons coming up in Relief Society that are practically identical, your testimony will help me again in preparing a lesson in the future. May I never, ever forget the power I felt today, the Spirit was strong and full.

I love our dear prophet President Monson. I watched the documentary on his life, and I am in awe of how he lives by the spirit and his focus on service. I wish I was more like him, he is an example of how we should all live. I have such a love for him I can't even express it. I wept as I watched the show. I want to be a better support for the service my loving husband does. I want to follow the example of his wife, and not complain but support him no matter the call that comes our way. I feel I have learned much this conference session. I needed the time alone to think and ponder about my attitude, my own lack of faith and self doubts. I have truly come away edified and fulfilled.

More Conversations with Abbie

I gave Abbie and Kendra Cheese and Crackes for lunch.

Abbie finds and extra cracker on her plate.

I said "I'm jealous".

She says, "No you aren't momma".

I said, "Yes I am."

She picks up a deck of cards that has a picture of Scar from "The Lion King" on it and says, "See Momma, you aren't like the jealous lion, so you are not jealous."

What a relief I'm not like Scar.

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Kendra comes home from school and we go for a quick drive to the bank.

She tells me that she has a paper for school pictures.

I tell her okay.

She says: "you have to put a piece of paper in the envelope and send it back to school."

I say, "I know how picture day works sweetie."

She tells me again "you have to put a piece of paper in the envelope and send it back to school"

I say: "I know how picture day works, how many kids have I put through school anyway?"

Abbie "Too Many!"

Canning, but perhaps not at its finest.

I have been busy canning again. 1, bushel of peaches, an apple box size of tomatoes. I would love to do more but not sure if the finances can hold out. I have a few more jars, I would love to do chili sauce, more tomatoes, tomato juice, and mustard pickles. Yumm.

A trip to Idaho Falls.

I apologize for the image intensive post. I was much too lazy to do a slide show.

Kendra and Abbie measuring up to the size of a Golden Eagle!

A big tortoise, and my last shot, the camera died.

A young wood duck, my favorite bird.

More Wood ducks! I love them.

A Mandarin Duck

The Girls on the tiger. (The real one was sleeping in its den!) Abbie fell off of it right after this picture and did a face plant. Poor kid, but she didn't cry.

Kendra

Abbie

Kendra

A Lioness

A sleepy Lion

Collin frowning at me!

Drinking out of a lions mouth.

Petting an albino ferret

Petting a chinchilla

A beautiful parrot

Petting goats

Penguins!

I hope you don't miss the previous post and pictures of Michael's birthday present! Scroll down if you did.

Last weekend, long Labor Day Weekend, we took a quick trip up to Idaho Falls to visit with Michael's parents. We hadn't done it for awhile and figured it was time to do so. We had to leave Saturday morning instead of Friday night because Collin had to play at a football game for Pep band.

We arrived about 10:30 in the morning, and Michael and Collin helped to arrange the rooms we would be sleeping in. We spent the day visiting and then a quick trip to the Family History Center in IF where Michael's parents serve a mission for the church. They had managed to take the day off but Michael's mother wanted to teach the class that she is usually scheduled for so we went with her to tour the facility.

While she taught her class we went to visit one of Michael's best friends and his family. Matt and Shonda are always so welcoming and it was good to see them. I hadn't seen them in a few years. With my degree of depression I have not wanted to be around people very much and I skipped out on the few trips (camping) where I would have seen them in the past few years.

Saturday night, we played a game of Pinochle and the ladies won for a change. (we usually play ladies against men) Michael's mom could have shot the mom on the last bid if she had realized what she would have had. She took every trick played, and the men only lost 20 point of meld.

Sunday we went to church in the afternoon and the girls were not acting themselves. Sleepy, and cranky, both have had colds, so we decided I would take them back to the house and let them rest. Both of them feel asleep, Abbie on her Grandma's chair, and Kendra on the floor. They really must have needed their sleep because neither of them have taken a nap for a very long time.

Monday we took a trip to the Tautphus Park Zoo in Idaho Falls. There was a lady in front of us that lives in Michael's parents ward, and she gave us two free passes as we were waiting in line. It was so nice of her to do. The zoo is a nice little zoo. I think our favorite exhibit are the penguins, how can you not like those birds? They don't have lots of the big animals you expect, but they do have lions, tigers, bears, monkeys of a few varieties, birds, and plenty of others. They have a small children's zoo and the girls got to pet a few goats. After the zoo we had lunch at Frontier Pies. (Why did they have to close down in Utah anyway?) Michael got his longed for Navajo Taco, and I got my favorite german chocolate pie. Yummm.

We came home shortly there after and it is always so nice to get back home.

It was a nice trip over all, but I seemed to lack much energy for several days after.

Thanks mom and dad!

A perfect day to install a new flag pole.

Michael installed his flag pole yesterday, on the 8th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took place on September 11, 2001. When he and Collin raised the flag, I couldn't stop the tears. I hate the way this country is going politically. I see many of our precious freedoms being stripped away from us one by one, in the guise of compassion. I honestly hate the term "It is what Jesus would do", when we have been counseled time and time to stay out of debt. Is that any different for a government? Our constitution was divinely inspired and there are wicked and conspiring people that are threatening its very foundations. I am afraid it will get much worse before it gets better. Freedom is responsibility and slowly we are removing responsibility from our language. People do not excel when things are given to them on a platter. People stop excelling when what we work hard is taken away from us. Do not forget the messages found in Alma. People are not to be slaves to the government, but we are to remember the God that blesses us and created us.

Compassion and charity, generosity and beneficence is to be ingrained in our hearts and souls, that only happens when we CHOOSE to help one another, not forced to by a government decides we should.