For The Beauty of the Earth

 For the Beauty of the Earth is a primary song that I just love.  I walk almost every day and I don't think it matters what season we are in there is always beauty to be found around me and it always makes me think of that song.  I was out walking Sprout yesterday and came on these gorgeous little flowers blooming away on the side of the road.  They made my heart happy and I thought of the ending of the song that says, "Lord of all to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise".  I had to stop, take a picture and say a little prayer of thanks.

How can one possibly deny a God in Heaven.  They just aren't opening their eyes and their hearts!

I have to add here that when Sprout and I got home he got a drink and then jumped up on the couch and took a nap.  I had to snap a picture.  

Surprise from Emmi and Jamie

 Yesterday I had a darling bouquet of flowers deliver to the house from Jamie and the girls.  So very nice of them to remember me.  I love my California family and miss them greatly.

Then, this morning I got a message from Emmi, who is right now in South Korea, asking me if I was up?  Not but a few minutes after the message I heard the doorbell and there was a gorgeous bouquet of pink and white daisies, carnations and roses.  Absolutely beautiful!  

Tucker also surprised me with two large orders of my favorite drink, Hint.  I'm feeling very spoiled.  The Gertsons and Tucker are coming tomorrow for dinner and they are fixing dinner.  Very excited to have them here and eat and play games.  

Mother's Day with Susan

This Mother's Day started off with Lynda Ann, Andrew and I going to Heber to meet Susan for lunch.  We ate at our favorite eating establishment, Don Pedros.  As always the food was delicious and the conversation absolutely funny and delightful.  We always have a good time when we get together.  Andrew made the comment to his mother that if he ever had a girl friend he would want her to be just like Susan.  What a nice compliment.  Susan does have a great personality and her humor is very subtle.  Andrew picks up on everything and loves her.

I was, as usual, spoiled by Susan.  These are the many gifts she gave me:

Susan made this card!

What a fun day we had!  She also gave me a big box full of storing dishes with lids.  
 

Primary Project

 I had Annie help me with a gift for my little primary class to give to their parents.  Last Sunday we went in the kitchen during class time and had the children dip their hands in paint and then put their hand on paper for a hand print.  Lynda Ann made the little vase with the rocks, stick and petals.  I brought the hand prints home to dry and then with Annie's help, we assemble each child's hand print on the stick.  Lynda Ann is so creative.  Don't know what I would do without her vision, craft expertise and willingness to help me with all my projects.  

This is the beginning.

Cutting out the hand prints.

The finished project.  Aren't they cute?  Thanks Annie for always being there for me and helping me brighten someone else's day.  This time the mothers of my little primary class.

These are my primary kids:

Kari

Kate

Rae

Paisley

Jimmy

Taylor Graduates Bachelor of Science

It was so fun to be able to drive down to UVU and see Taylor at her graduation exercises.  So proud to have another grandchild graduate from college.  Emmi and Mallory from BYU and Taylor from UVU.  The other exciting news is that Maren also finished her Bachelor's degree in nursing.  That ceremony will be some time in June.  Neal and I are proud of Taylor and Maren for their accomplishments.  Maren, Greg, Sylvia (Greg's mom) Tucker and Neal and I were there to celebrate with her.  Some good pictures and some not quite so good :-)

Very fun morning for all of us.  We love you and are so proud of you Taylor and we see a bright future ahead for you.  
 

Early or Late Christmas Present

 A friend of mine made this table runner for me to use during the holidays.  It is gorgeous and I just had to take a picture of it and post it.  It was made by Deanna, Judy Stanfield's sister.  So happy that I am the recipient of such a masterful piece of work.  

Back side and front side.

Orem Temple Day

 Mallory made appointments for Annie and I to go to the new Orem temple with her last Saturday.  Mallory has made two or three appointments to go and every time something has happened that we've had to cancel.  This time we made it.  What an incredibly gorgeous temple.  The stained glass windows are amazing.  I love going to the temple and when I get to go with my daughter and my granddaughter it is even more special.  I remember meeting Lila Mae at the Provo temple every Saturday and doing a session with her before going to mother's for lunch and a visit.  I will cherish those memories with her.  It was there that we told each other that we had each been called to be the Stake RS President.  

As I sat in the temple with Mallory and Lynda Ann I thought how much knowledge we have been given.  The plan of salvation is amazing.  When we know the plan we know who we are, we know why we are, and we know where we are.  We know that each is a son or daughter of God.  One day we may return to His presence.  What greater blessing could we be given.  I couldn't help but be overwhelmed at my Heavenly Father's Love for me and all His children.

The gardens at the temple were breath taking.

Mallory keeps me on the straight and narrow path!  Thanks Mallory for making the temple appointments for us.  

Annie said that she felt like her biological great aunt  that she went through the temple for was ready to have her work done and was present.  Those are the kind of experiences that can't be denied when doing work for our ancestors.  

We had a marvelous and very spiritual day and a delicious lunch at the Black Bear Diner.  Thanks girls for a wonderful and very fun day.  Love you both!!!

PS:  I had a fun compliment given to me Tuesday morning at the temple.  I was assisting someone in the initiatory area and the sister said that I had the most gorgeous blue eyes and blond hair and that I reminded her of Doris Day!!!  I'll take it.  If you don't know who Doris Day is, you'll have to look her up.  She was a darling and styling movie star in her day. 

Funny me!

 I finally got a hair cut appointment with David - a miracle at best!  I've needed a hair cut for a while.  Nice to get it trimmed.  As I was leaving the salon and going down the stairs I noticed a big mirror above the stairs so I decided to take a picture of my new hair do.  In my mind it should work, however this is what I got when I snapped the camera.  I chuckled all the way home.  

The Lucky Stiff

 Lynda Ann invited Neal and I to go see The Lucky Stiff at the West Valley Performing Arts Center.  Such a funny story and has a great ending.  Dave (our hair dresser) played the part of the dead person.  His whole performance was almost all in a wheel chair sitting motionless.  He was amazing and very funny.  Jeff, Annie, JC and Jenny along with Neal and I went to the play.  Love every minute of it.  We did stop at Red Robin for dinner before the play.  Very fun evening.  Thanks Annie, for including us.

David is the second row, third from the right.  

Little Eye Surgery

 I've had a little growth on my eye for the past year and finally went to a specialist to see if they could remove it.  The doctor said he was pretty sure it was benign but they will send it for a biopsy just to make sure.  The whole procedure only took about 20 minutes and was absolutely painless.  Even the shots to numb my eye didn't hurt.  Actually it hurts more now that it is all over than it did when they did the procedure.  The doctor did tell me that I would probably have a black eye.  I'll for sure post that if it happens.  The nice thing that happened is when they saw my birthday they couldn't believe that I was as old as my birthday says.  That was flattering and certainly made me feel good.