January 28th

This is a day that I will always remember.  As time has passed the memories are pleasant and more happy memories come to mind that sad ones.  Do I miss Jeffrey?  Absolutely, but sad memories seems to creep into my mind less and less as the time goes on.

You set eternity in my heart.  We were together and I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity.  Until we meet again . . . . .   I love you!

Mindy posted a great message of face book that I want to include here.  And I quote:

"4 years.  I can't believe it's been 4 years.  Facebook reminded me how heartbreaking this date has been to me in the past.  Today is a little different, and I'd like all of us to do a few things today that we might not normally do.

First, let us celebrate Jeff's life rather than grieve his passing.  Jeff loved to serve others.  So today, I ask that you do an act of kindness for someone else in Jeff's honor.  Keep in mind, that one of the ways Jeff showed his love for others was with memes and practical jokes.  Make someone smile in honor of Jeff today.

Second, should you feel inclined to do so, have a shot of fireball, or your own favorite drink.  7 pm MST is when I'll be raising my glass to Jeff.  Will you join me?

And finally, share a story of Jeff here or on your personal page and tag me, please.  My kids love hearing stories of their dad and we talk about him all the time.  We need more stories.  (she then tells a personal story here).

And with that, dear friends, I leave you.  May you find peace, love, and happiness today."

New project

I've started another sewing project.  This is one that I saw at the Craft Center and just had to put it on my 'to do down the road' list.  I'm finally doing it and it is a really hard one.  The tree may drive me nuts before I'm done with it.  This one may go to Lila Mae.

Grayson celebrates 16!

Grayson had his 16th birthday and wanted to celebrate it by going to dinner with family members at the Asian Star.  Neal and I were thrilled to be invited to this momentous occasion.  The food was delicious and the company fun with lots of laughs.  Here are some pictures of the evening.

I have to add here that after dinner (which was paid for by Mindy) we all opened our fortune cookies and read our fortune ending with "under the sheets".  Lots of laughter!!

Happy 16th Grayson and many, many good, fun years ahead of you is what we wish for you.  Love you!!!

Emmi

Emmi sent pictures from her visit to New Orleans.  She visited the cemetery where part of the movie, Double Jeopardy, was filmed.  Emmi said she had never seen the movie and I told her she needed to watch it.  Here are some great pictures of her trip.

 Seems to me that she said this was her favorite house that she saw.

Emmi is seeing parts of the United States she may have never had the opportunity to see.  Way to travel around and take advantage of seeing the area you are in.  Love the pictures.  Keep them coming.

My first lesson

Yesterday I taught my first lesson in Gospel Doctrine. The Book of Mormon is our course of study for this year.   I taught the first 10 chapters of the Book of Mormon.  We usually have two classes but one of our instructors didn't show up and so they combined us into one.  The room was crowded with every seat taken.  The hardest part about teaching a class that big is that there just isn't enough time for all the people who want to make comments.  You would think that an hour would be a long time to teach but believe me, the time is gone before you hardly get started.  I am not a natural at teaching but the one thing I love about this calling is that I have to study and be prepared and my knowledge and testimony of the gospel grows with each passing week.  I love the Book of Mormon and find peace as I read and study it.

"My brothers and sisters, without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord.  There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God."

To my posterity I will add my own personal testimony that I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God given to us in these latter days.  It will and can provide answers, assurance and peace to all who read it.

A new 'do'!!

Neal went to Dave for a hair cut and on his way home called me and said he was going to come by and would I meet him outside at the back of our office.  He text me he was there so I went out and he showed off his new 'do'.  We laughed.  David did it just like he would do his hair if he had the head of hair that Neal does.  Needless to say, the hair do only last until the next day when Neal washed it.  You can vote if you like it or not but it won't matter because Neal and I already voted it down!  I have faith that most of you will agree that it has to go!

 Yup!  Not going to happen!!!
I also have to add here that my Christmas Cactus finally bloomed this year.  For some reason I didn't get any blooms for the last two years.  I thought may be was finished but it rallied and had lots of blossoms on it.  Gretta McPhee gave this plant to me when we lived on Lynwood.  It still reminds me of her.  Interesting how a little gift from the heart to a neighbor can last so long and bring so much joy to the receiver!

Gift from Tucker, Jamie and the girls

This is one of my favorite things that Jamie does for us every once in a while.  When we got home from St. George we got this box delivered to us.  We opened it and it was full of items that we use.  Diet Coke, fruit juice, lotion, lip balm, wafers, snickers, toothpaste, etc.  Seriously, it is box full of surprises and we love it.  Jamie seems to pay close attention to the items we frequently use.  I should also mention that Tucker bought me a fun winter jacket that I've worn almost every day since Christmas and it keep me warm and I love it.  Thanks Maxfields for our Christmas.

If All Of Our Troubles . . . . .

I finished another stitching project and have started another one.  I I've loved doing these counted cross stitch with sayings on them because Mother used to quote them to me all the time.  When I spotted this one, I just had to have it.

"If all of your troubles hung on a line.  You would take yours and I would take mine."  I would get that from mother when I would come home from school and complain about the usual school / friends issues or come home from mutual and complain about something going on and would often hear myself say, "I wish I didn't have this problem."  Mother would smile and I would hear that saying.  Mother was full of quotes and sayings that she would use on me often.

Of course it need to be taken to the cleaners to be pressed and then to the framers to be framed.  Can't wait to hang it in the house.

Here is my next project. I've always loved this little song.  Just another sampler to hang somewhere on one of the walls in my house.  This isn't the finished project, just a picture of what mine will look like when it is done.

 This is the started project.  These smaller samplers work up quite fast.  Usually only take me a couple months.

We also got back the two that I did for Jamie and her mom.  Jamie's is the dandelion and her mom's is a song that she always sang to her granddaughters.  I thought it would be fun to do it and have Jordyn, Lexi and Peyton give it to their grandmother.  Hope they both like them.

Ghost Music

Neal and I got a new fancy clock for Christmas.  We didn't get it hung up until after we got back from St. George so Mallory didn't know anything about it.  This clock chimes every hour on the hour and lots of parts move.  Mallory was sitting at the kitchen table in a very quiet house.  Neal and I had already left for work.  All of a sudden Mallory heard this loud music and couldn't figure out where it was coming from.  She quickly notice the clock hanging above the grand piano and said she was fascinated with all the moving parts.  I've wanted one of these kind of clocks for a long time.  We got this one on sale and even at that it was $400.00 but worth every penny.  It only chimes when there is light.  When it gets evening and it's dark in the front room it won't chime.  That is good because you can hear it all over the house.

Sorry Miss Mallory.  Should have told you.  But it is kind of funny that all of a sudden you hear music and you know you are by yourself and haven't turned on anything. :-)

Meet our new addition.