Joy

"Joy is the feeling of grinning inside" Melba Congrove
If that is true...then what is Grinning Inside and OUT?
Rejoicing.
What makes me Grin on the Inside and Out?  
FAMILY
Recently our children and grandchildren gathered to celebrate the baptism of Italia. She looked beautiful and felt excited for her special day.

It was a week of fun and games with our family.  Rebecca and Ben were our host. All the children slept in the cleaned out garage which not only contained beds for them but a TV and fan.  Between swimming in their pool and playing in the garage we hardly saw the children.  Watching them enjoy each other was a great joy.  Craig and I are grateful that our family would make such tremendous efforts to come together.  Shannon drove with her 2 boys. Joel and Lori made the very long trek all in one day. Jeff and Kelli flew over.   Ben took off work!  Rebecca was a gracious hostess as we swooped down upon their home.
Here are the faces of our grandchildren.  They squeeze my heart!

 Steele age 14

Slater age 11

Carter age 11

 Micah and Corbin age 6

Cooper age 4

Makayla and Italia age 8

 

Ledger age 1

Ledger's birthday was celebrated while we were there.  He loved opening presents and eating a chocolate cupcake.  This little guy is very easy going and adorable.  

FRIENDS
Jan and I are so grateful to have our dear friends, John and Lura, home recuperating from their terrible accident (This isn't the greatest photo...sorry, Lura.  What kind of blogger am I?)

 


JESUS CHRIST

He is the reason we can Rejoice.

It is because of Jesus Christ. Only because of Him.  Through Him there is Hope, Joy, Kindness, Forgiveness, and Love.  Because of Him we have commandments which when obeyed cause Peace, Happiness and Confidence.  Because of Him a way is provided to Return to the presence of Heavenly Father. Because of Him we can Love and Be Loved. 

It's Great to be a Grandma

It is great to be a Grandma. 
TODAY:  I called my sister who said with excitement in her voice, "Guess who is here!"  Of course, the answer is: Grandchildren!!!!!!!!!
TODAY: 5 year old Micah called on the phone, from Utah, "Hi. Grandma, I want to invite you to my Kindergarten graduation."  Of COURSE!  I will zoom Thither and Yon for you my darling.  But, can I really?  I want to!!!!!!!!! UTAH!!!!!!!!!
TODAY: Shannon is asking if we can babysit the weekend of their anniversary!!!!!!!!YES!!! I will.  Oh, dear can I?  Well, I hope so.
TODAY: Rebecca needs help planning Italia's baptism.  "Could you come earlier than you are planning to help me get organized?"  YES!!!!!!! Oh.  Wait.  Can I?
TODAY:  I will take a NAP.
Meanwhile let me introduce you to my adorable Grandson, Cooper, aka Indiana Jones.  He is 4.  Don't mess with him.

April in Utah

Another Catch Up post for me.  Seems I am always behind on my posts.  Since I am probably the one who enjoys my blog the most...why apologize?  I am perfectly happy to read my 'old stories'.

The first weekend of April Craig and I drove to Utah.  Sunday we were at Joel's house watching General Conference with his family.

Craig and Micah played Conference Bingo

 Makayla and I made paper flower streamers for her bedroom

 Jeff joined us for the day

We celebrated Joel's birthday.  We all benefited from the delicious meals Lori made him for breakfast and dinner.  His birthday cake was bread pudding made with homemade bread.  Yumm.

Driving through Brigham on our way to visit Craig's Mother

 We spotted a temple in construction

 Sweet Mom.  Even though a fair amount of her memory has been erased by a stroke ( she thinks she is 105 years old) she still has her pleasant ways.

On the way to the zoo one day we drove right past Kelli's work!  So, we stopped to surprise her.

This was the ONE beautiful non rainy day of our trip. Weren't we fortunate?

 Micah dares to drink water

 Makayla and I spent a long time looking at the butterfly exhibit.  They are gorgeous.  Heavenly Father had fun creating these beauties.  There were red, white and blue ones.  Every color combination imaginable.  This one was neon.

Grandpa took the kids to the dollar store.

If you are a princess looking for a dress for the ball you would shop at Bliss.  This store sent Makayla and I into dithers. 

 We made Snow cones from SNOW!

It feels sad to pack up the house Craig's Mom has lived in for 60 years.  We spent much of our time during this trip deciding what to do with her belongings.  Some of them came home with us.  Craig is a super duper packer. 

 On the way to and from Utah we stayed with Sherrie and Reg in their 'mansion'. They hate to have it called that but a fact is a fact.  It was wonderful to see them and Jim and Nancy.  We ate together, caught up on all our families, talked about the pitiful state of our government, ate together, and laughed.  It was ...did I say we ate together?...such fun.
  We have been friends with Reg and Sherrie for 30 years! 

I wish I had a photo of Nancy.  When we were together I couldn't find my camera!!!

Button Busting

Craig and I had a 'Button Busting' experience yesterday.  Our daughter, Kelli, received the prestigious "Excellence in Clinical Dietieics' award from the California Dietetics Association.  !!!!!

Since we had our girl for the entire day we strolled about the Huntington Library which was nearby.

 A great day indeed!

Lura Dear

The month of April is zooming by.  Shortly after my last post Craig and I went to Utah for 10 days.  Our trip was well timed for we were able to visit Lura in the hospital 3 times.

This is a photo of her  in ICU.  During our trip she was moved to PCU.  Now she is in a Rehab Center.  Lura has been the recipient of many miracles.  We are grateful that she has survived this horrific accident.  She has enjoyed the vast amount of cards and gifts she has received.  This is a picture of a small amount of them.

Can you believe that a woman with a crushed rib cage can stand upright and walk?  Torture!

I don't recall the name of this sweet nurse.  She stayed and visited for awhile.  While Lura dozed off the nurse told me that Lura is a delightful patient.  She described a recent patient who was less injured than Lura but terribly crabby.  Because Lura is such a lovely lady the nurse found herself wanting to serve her in ways that were beyond her duties because they were appreciated.  That morning she had washed Lura's hair.  She confided in me that she would never have offered the other patient such a service.  Notice the smile on Lura's face. Which of these 2 ladies is an Angel?

Our last visit with Lura found her in PCU rather than ICU.  Here she is enjoying opening yet one more gift from Jan.

Sitting at her feet are our men.  John is miserable.  Can't tell by looking but, his entire body is in pain.  Isn't it amazing that smiles can be found on the faces of the suffering? 

If it were not for the Atonement there would be no smiles.  We smile because of Him.

Because of Him there is Goodness, Kindness, Hope, Healing, Forgiveness, and Love.  Because of Him we can Rejoice Evermore.