Spring

  Spring is bursting in our backyard.

Sunlight, 

Flowers,

Birds,

Buds,

Shiny leaves,

Lush Grass.  

It is all so beautiful. 

It's as though the world is new.

There can be no coincidence that the Resurrection took place in Spring. 

Jesus Christ became the "first fruit" of everlasting life in the lovely month of April.

I am so grateful for the promise He offers to us, to me, of Everlasting Life.

For this I 

REJOICE EVERMORE!

Recently we went to Utah for a week plus a few days.  I took our 11 year old granddaughter, Makayla, and Kelli to the General Women’s Conference.  We were in the Conference Center sitting down below rather close to the stand.  This center is so enormous that being close is still very far away.  It was the first time Makayla had been in the same room as the prophet.  I taught her that when he entered we would all stand.  I hope you have had that opportunity before.  It’s as though the moment he appears the Holy Ghost is right there spreading His influence and love to all.  It must have been just like that when Christ entered places as He walked and taught on earth.  How could anyone not recognize Him through that Spirit?  I just don’t know.  But, I am so glad that we know Him;  that you know him and that I could introduce Makayla to that amazing experience.  For further impact we went across the street to Deseret Book where I let her choose a CTR ring.  I told her to always remember that the day she received the ring was the day she first saw the prophet in real life.  I hope her testimony burns brightly as she looks upon the ring each day.  Aren’t we so blessed to know there is a prophet on earth?  We know what he is teaching us and you are sharing those teachings with our brothers and sisters who are searching for a guide.

Pink Cherry Blossoms added to the delight of the experience.  And that is an understatement.

As the ticker shows at the top of my blog....It's almost Valentine's Day!  That means Pink, Red, Roses, Hearts, and Lace are available in stores.  I love to walk into a store and see the delights they offer:  Candy wrapped in pink papers, Romantic cards expressing love, Trinkets, and such.  It all makes me smile.

Friday Craig and I celebrated the 42nd anniversary of his proposal of marriage.

 Contained in here are the dozen red roses Craig gave me that day!

 That moment in time unlocked the door to doors and doors of happiness.  I would never put forth that all 42 years were filled with days of only happiness for certainly we have had struggles of one type or another.  But, by in large, happiness is our daily reward because we have Decided to be happy.
Happiness is a decision.  In fact it is a moral obligation.  We owe it to others to be happy.  I know that when I exude happiness it affects others especially Craig since he lives with me.  And it affects me as well.  We all have reasons to mourn or complain or even feel down in the dumps but still it is a decision to be happy.

For example, if I am feeling crabby I can still answer the door and greet the person there with a smile or a kind word.  It is a choice.  I choose to portray happiness rather than crabbiness.
SIDE NOTE: I had no intention of pontificating on this subject.  Oh well, maybe it will help whomever happens to read this little blog of mine.

Rebecca arrived Wednesday with her youngest, Ledger.  They are visiting for 10 days.  Rebecca has meetings and appointments to attend so Craig and I are the babysitters.

Although Ledger is only 3 he has learned the power of suggestion.  More than once he mentioned that he loves the macaroni and cheese at Red Robin.  So, guess where we went to dinner last night!
When the waitress asked what we would like to drink Craig and I each requested water.  Ledger said he would like Sprite.  As she walked away there was a look of surprise in his eyes.  Then he confessed that Daddy does not let him have Sprite!  Apparently we should not have asked what he WANTED but rather what he was ALLOWED to have!  Here is Ledger enjoying his Sprite.  He said Mommy can see the photo but not Daddy! 

 Ledger was invited to pre-school taught by my dear friend, Anita.  So Shannon, Rebecca and I had a few hours to go shopping.  It was a pure delight having two of my girls with me.  We talked and laughed and helped each other choose wisely.


It was a great week.

Enjoying the Drought

We're having a heat wave.  Droughts in January are so pleasant but slightly difficult to fully enjoy knowing the ramifications that come later.  The Governor has declared California in a state of emergency!  The temperature has been in the 80's for days. People are going to the beach, having picnics, playing outside and wearing flip flops.
We have two tomato plants still bearing fruit! Imagine that!

Michelle, my friend of 32 years and 5 months (!) had a birthday.  I hosted a birthday luncheon for two.


Jan  (my friend of 34 years) and I went to downtown Riverside to window shop at our favorite little stores, Mrs. Tiggywinkles being the main one.  We lunched at a Mexican restaurant and ate outside (you know the drought).  We had a lovely day, unfortunately there are no photos to remember this day by!  But, here is a recent one of Jan with Kelli (my daughter of #@ years (you're welcome Kelli).  Don't they look coordinated? 

A curious thing happened this week.  While composing a document of my favorite scriptures and how they connect I wanted to find something I had written several years ago.  It involved Sheri (my friend of 49 years (wait we aren't even that old!)) and I knew she would remember the year the event happened. Since it was early in the morning I knew not to call and disturb her slumber so it was tucked away in my mind to call her later.  Imagine my surprise that she called me just a few hours later to ask me if I could send her that very story I had written (Turns out I wrote it in 2006!)!!!  SO, with her help I found it and was able to send it to her!   How do those kind of things happen?  Her call was the answer to a prayer I hadn't even uttered!!!!!

Ashlynn

A sweet little girl has joined our family bringing our number to 20.  Ashlynn was born November 22, 2013.  She was adored by her older sister, Makayla and brother, Micah from the moment Joel and Lori divulged the news that there would be a baby.  They both were willing to give up their bedroom for her. Neither cared whether she would be a girl or boy.  Just having a baby was the greatest of joys for them.

The morning of her birth 9 year old Micah greeted the day with, "This is the best day of my life!"

Upon returning home from the hospital after Ashlynn was born 11 year old Makayla exclaimed, "Today my best friend was born!"

Thus, Ashlynn, has been warmly greeted and greatly loved every second of her existence.  Perhaps this has contributed to her peace and gentleness.  Hardly a one has heard her cry.  She makes a peep and instantly her needs are attended to by someone.

Being just a month old she made the long trek from Utah to Grandpa and Grandma's house for Christmas and stayed a week!   With the entire gang here one must wait in line for a turn to hold her (well, just about).  One night I hid away in the upstairs family room with some of the grands.  We watched a movie and held Ashlynn the entire time!  Heaven!

Lori's California family and ours gathered to bless Ashlynn at our home.  Her beautiful gown was made by Cheryl (the other Grandma).  It is gorgeous!  Ashlynn isn't much for posing for cameras.  None of her photos really capture her beauty and sweetness.