Italia

Hello to darling Italia. She is 5 years old and in kindergarten. She loves everything that is girlie. She can play with dolls for hours. She plays quietly by herself but is always excited if someone will play with her. She has a darling little voice and feminine ways. She melts our hearts.
Thank you, Italia, for always giving your bedroom to Grandma and Grandpa when we come to visit.

Italia and Makayla LOVE to be together. They are best cousins. How fun to have a cousin your own age.

Carter

These are Rebeccca's 3 boys. The top fella is Carter. He is the same age as Slater the guy he is on top of. They play together so well.
Carter is a great student. He especially loves math! I can't believe anyone could love math. When Craig starts talking about anything that has a number in it my mind goes on a trip. That's what it did in all my math classes.

Carter always make a silly face when I take his picture. So, I don't have too many to choose from that show just how cute is face is. He is a little embarrassed to admit that girls like him, but of course they do!
He is a really good brother to his little sister Italia.

This is Steele. We celebrated his 12th birthday while in Arizona for Thanksgiving. He will receive the priesthood today.
Following in our family tradition--Steele LOVES basketball AND he is very good at it. He practices every chance he can get. I think a ball is permanently attached to his hand!
Speaking of hands Steele has wonderful hands. I have loved to watch him learn to play tunes on the piano. We sat together at the piano




















This is Slater. He is 8. He called and asked me to come a day earlier to Arizona so I could help out in his classroom. How could I ever resist such an invitation? Grandpa and I were ready in a flash to speed our way to the Jarman home. We arrived just 30 minutes before the scheduled time to assist the teacher with a writing activity. Rebecca and I edited the class writing assignment. Slater's paper was perfect!

Slater helped me make one of the pies for Thanksgiving. He is good in the kitchen.

The Deer Miracle

How many times have you seen a sign on the road cautioning that it is a wild animal crossing area and NEVER seen a one animal? I usually hope we will see wild life.

Craig and I drove from Utah after visiting Joel's family and Craig's mom to Arizona where we would be celebrating Thanksgiving. We decided to make it a 2 day journey. As we drove through southern Utah in the dark of night we noticed the warning sign that deer are in the area.
I offered a silent prayer that we would not harm one of Heavenly Father's deer and that they wouldn't harm us. Later....one was walking alongside the road not even attempting to cross the road.

The next morning there were similar signs. Together Craig and I offered the same prayer. Not long afterward a deer walked along the side of the road. Later as the road took a turn we came upon a deer family of four whom had just completed crossing the road as we came upon them. The last one was just barely off the road as we passed.

I see Miracles.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Dear Elder Wirthlin,

You've been on my mind the last few days.
Sunday I reread the wonderful talk you gave at General Conference in October and marked it up some more.

I watched you talk one last time on our DVR before the Dish man came to switch out our satellites Monday

I spoke of you in Scripture Class Tuesday and promised that we would study your talk next week.

Also, Tuesday when one of my daughters called to talk about a problem I encouraged her with the words your mother taught you so long ago which you shared in this talk, COME WHAT MAY AND LOVE IT.

Later in the day I received an email announcing you have passed away.
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/churchupdate/081203wirthlin.html

Now you are with your beloved wife, parents, cousin Gordon and so many other loved ones.

I am happy for you.
Sad for us.
Sad for me,
But, Come what may and love it.

Sorry for not taking time to post just how wonderful our Thanksgiving Trip was. We came right home and got the house ready for Christmas. We love having the warm glow of the decorated tree in our living room. Don't you?

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Rebecca had everything planned beautifully. Ben took time off from work to make their home accommodate the influx of relatives. Their home was roomy and comfortable. The dinner was simply marvelous. The turkey was cooked overnight by Boy Scouts in a pit and ready at 8am.!!!!!! Sounds scary doesn't it? But, it was melt in your mouth delicious. Everything we ate was HOMEMADE. Rebecca made rolls as good as her Famous Aunt Cindy (at least she is famous in our family). I made 5 pies!!! Jan's scrumptious Peachy Yam casserole was, of course, among the favorites not to mention the dressing was melt in your mouth delicious.

Yes, the food was wonderful. But, best and most wonderful of all is that we gathered as a family (minus Shannon and her family-- boohoo).

My heart was and IS filled with Gratitude and Gladness.

We ate dinner at noon. What a great idea. We had the rest of the day to PLAY!. We had such fun playing hide and seek and sardines. Later that night I slipped away with my daughters to see At last!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks guys for putting the kids to bed while the gals bonded.

Some Sweet Moments

Bobba (on the right) and her sister Marylynn are devout BYU football fans. We were all together for the tragic game with U of U.

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Craig enjoyed a sweet conversation with his beloved uncle Reese who is bed-bound. His bed is in the living room of their home. He is a gentle man who has suffered for many years from various health problems. He has been patient and optimistic through it all. Aunt Marylynn and their daughters take good care of him

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We formed a craft team Sunday night and made paper chains for both Makayla and Micah to count down the days to Christmas











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Making birthday cupcakes for Micah's pre-school

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Your beautiful Christmas tree

November 22, 2008

Hobby Lobby. We went in search of some crafts to do together when we went to Arizona. We found lots of fun things.



After Micah asked for Silly Putty and I said 'Yes'

Makayla asked if she could have something. She wanted a flower bouquet for her bedroom



Later we went to Bobba's (Great Grandma Horton) house. Makayla and I did some house cleaning.

The cornucopia is a national symbol for a bounteous harvest. It is a reminder for the wonderful blessings from God which fill our life.
It is with a Grateful Heart that I share the cornucopia of my life.

First and foremost is gratitude for the Savior

He is the Reason to REJOICE.
He is the Reason to HOPE. He is the Reason to LOVE.
I am Grateful to know of Him and to know Him.

"In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things." May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its plavce among the noblest of virtues.

Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days-as much as we can-with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed."

Thomas S. Monson

( Craig and I left a week ago to visit our darling Utah kids and Mom Horton. We then have driven to Arizona to have Thanksgiving with the adorable kiddos there. I began this post before leaving our home thinking that if I loaded cute pictures they could be manipulated while using one of our kids computers. For some reason it isn't working and with the limited time available to a grandma I give up! So enjoy the little pictures and know that we are having a great time.)

WRITTEN BY A VERY HAPPY AND GRATEFUL GRANDMA WHO HAS LOTS OF THINGS TO SAY BUT NO TIME TO SAY THEM Because I am 'cherishing SOME of those whom I hold dear."

November 20, 2008

Makayla and Micah,

Grandpa and I came for a visit. Your dad picked us up at the airport late Thursday night. You two were supposed to be asleep when we came in. Your mom had told you we would be at your home Friday morning knowing that you would never get to sleep if you knew we were coming that night. The plan backfired. Even though it was close to 10 pm you both were in your rooms wide AWAKE. So, Grandpa and I entered the house on our tiptoes and sat in the family room whispering to your parents. Soon Micah came through the family room to the kitchen to get a drink of water. At the sound of his footsteps I flew to the floor hiding by the couch so as to not be seen. Grandpa sat there frozen. Micah simply got his water and returned to his room. We did it I hid and Grandpa froze we were genius! A moment later you came running out of your room, "Grandma!" FOILED! We were ratted on.


To tell you the truth-Grandpa and I were delighted we didn't have to wait until morning to see you. But, getting to sleep was another thing. No! you can't sleep in the queen bed with us all night! But, we love you.

This shows you both jumping on our bed.

Prince Charles celebrated his 60th birthday this week.

As little girls we dreamed of being a princess and marrying a prince.
So, ladies, what do you think? What would be the benefits of being married to a prince?

Let's number them:
1. A princess has lot's of beautiful outfits (including shoes and jewels) to wear
2. She doesn't have to do housework
3 The handsome prince is strong and rescues her from all harm
4. She gets to go to balls
5. They live in a beautiful castle
6. They live happily ever after
This was my dream. Was it yours?

When I saw the photo of Prince Charles in the newspaper this week lots of thoughts and feelings swarmed my head and heart.
He is a real live prince. Would I want to be married to him? He is rich, powerful, lives in CastleS, you name it, he has it all.

Right? Whoops he didn't live happily ever after with his princess. He didn't protect her.

There are many things he doesn't have. And they are the most important things of all. Let's just compare the dreams to my reality.

Dedication of the Sunday Six to my Prince.

Craig

1. I have so many clothes and shoes that they have to be stored according to seasons in other closets around the house. Yes, there have been gifts of jewels. Some were purchased at fine department stores but the BEST ones came home with me from the hospital after they were born.

2. Oops.. I do have to do housework. But, I get help
Now and then. Since Craig has partially
retired he has assumed the role of vacuumer. He makes the bed often which includes adding decorative pillows.


3. Craig has big strong muscles. He can pick me up and if he needed to could whack a dragon with a sword...if he had a sword...if there were a dragon. He does protect me in so many other ways. He makes sure we are financially sound, that the doors have good locks on them, he drives safely, and he prays multiple times a day that we will be watched over and safe. I would rather have Heavenly Father watching over us than guards in uniform.

4. This is important...he does like to dance. I lucked out on this one. We have a large dressing room. 12 years ago when we first saw this floor plan to the house we live in and the dressing room's size we knew we would dance there. Often there is music playing and we are dancing there. Baby grandchildren have all waltzed with Grandpa many times there.

5. We have a beautiful home. More importantly my prince is endeavoring for us to be worthy to live in a heaven someday in one of those mansions that Jesus said He is preparing.

6. It's been 36 years of love for us. Eight years ago when we gave my parents a celebration for their 50th anniversary Craig said that he hoped we would live long enough to celebrate our 50th someday. I said something true and wise in response. I quote myself, "I do too. But, even more I want our marriage to last for eternity."

I married my prince. He is wonderful here and now but I believe that there are greater things in store for us as we live the gospel together. I look forward to them as I enjoy the journey.

What do you do?

Once in awhile I get a moment to do whatever I want. There are so many things that I love that it takes a few minutes to decide what it should be. Today I chose to sit here and play hymns. It was delicious.
What do you do when you have a spare moment?

SUNDAY SIX

Reflecting on this week brings deep feelings of gratitude for many things. It was a very busy week. Even though Election Day was at the beginning of the week it affected the entire week in many ways right down to a very tired body.

1. First and foremost is the Miracle we received in California. And it was a MIRACLE. Bill O'Reilly of Fox News called the passing of Proposition 8 'stunning.' Indeed it was. Craig doing the math noted that the tally breaks down to approximately 20 Yes votes per precinct that made the total difference. So, did the coalition make a difference? YES!

2. During Sunday School class today I looked around and noted that except for a couple of people everyone participated in some way in the grassroots effort to support traditional marriage; giving MANY hours.

3. Even on Election Day we worked tirelessly until 7:30 pm calling voters and other duties. Some wanted to stop early because it seemed we weren't making a difference. But, I cheered them on with the reminder that Heavenly Father views our actions as exercising faith. When we do ALL that we can He makes up the difference. HE DID!

Now, we are told to just be nice to those who have decided they are our enemies (this is not a sign on our house but it could be.)

4. I am grateful for moments of RELAXATION and RENEWAL. Going to bed early and taking breaks now and then throughout the week has renewed me.

For about an hour on Saturday Kelli, Jeff, Craig and I sat on our patio. The weather was perfect. We talked and laughed and breathed easy. Wonderful


5. Having our twins together is more rare than one would think since they both live here in Sunny California.

6. And there is Great Gratitude for other ways of staying in touch with loved ones.

Such as: BLOGS!



and PHONES!

and BLOGGING FRIENDS like YOU!

SUNDAY SIX

HERE ARE SIX REASONS TO REJOICE !

1. I LOVE SNOW WHITE

THIS IS MY BEAUTIFUL MAKAYLA...AS A BRUNETTE


2. I LOVE SPIDERMEN
WHAT A POSE!
SPIDERMAN FOUND A PUMPKIN IN A TREE?THIS SPIDERMAN CHECKED ALL THE CANDY BEFORE HE PUT IT IN HIS BAG. IF HE THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE MILK IN IT HE WOULD GIVE IT BACK TO THE HOMEOWNER, 'NO MILK.' OTHERWISE IT WAS PROCLAIMED, 'ALL CLEAR' AND PLACED IN HIS BAG. DEREK WAS PRETTY SAD TO SEE SOME PRECIOUS CHOCOLATE BARS RETURNED.

3. I LOVE SKELETON'S
COOPER HAD A GREAT TIME STROLLING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE. DOES HE LIKE CANDY OR HIS PACIFIER THE MOST? HE IS ADEPT AT REMOVING ONE FOR THE OTHER EFFICIENTLY.


4. I LOVE SUPER HEROES
THIS SUPER HERO ACTUALLY ARRESTED SOMEONE WHO STOLE A PROP 8 SIGN! WAY TO GO DEREK, YOU ARE A HERO!

5. I LOVE FRIENDS
MICHELLE AND TRUDY TOOK ME TO LUNCH FOR A BELATED BIRTHDAY DINNER.
THESE TWO LADIES HAVE BEEN DEAR FRIENDS FOR MORE THAN 1 SCORE YEARS
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SHERYL HOLMES BROUGHT CRAIG AND ME WARM CHOCOLATE COOKIES ONE EVENING WHEN WE WERE TOILING LATE ON PROP. 8. NOT ONLY WERE THEY DELICIOUS BUT THEY WERE FILLED WITH LOVE!


6. I LOVE DADDY'S

CRAIG IS PLAYING CANDYLAND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE ...WITH CORBIN
THIS LITTLE BOY (COOPER) LOVES HIS DADDY. DEREK IS A GREAT DAD TO HIS LITTLE FELLAS