"God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your PRAYERS and to fulfill your DREAMS. But He can't if you don't PRAY and He can't if you Don't DREAM." Jeffrey Holland

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Corbin, 8 years old


This is the look of happiness.  Corbin was baptized just moments before this photo was taken.  He had long awaited this special day.  He has had tender feelings towards Jesus since he was a baby.  He loves going to church and learning about spiritual things.  Being baptized was a choice he made because he wants to be obedient (one of Grandma's favorite words).

Along with being baptized Corbin eagerly anticipated the associated party.  Cousins came from Utah, Arizona, Texas and Illinois.   This is a photo of the Horton cousins.


The week before we had a birthday celebration at the Link home .  Corbin opened each gift with such grace.  He was thrilled with each gift and expressed sincere exclamations such as:  "This is just what I wanted!", and "Cooper!  Look what I got!" 

Some things I love about Corbin:
He has more zest for life than most anyone I have ever met. 
He  gives the best hugs EVER! 
His heart is touched by beautiful music.
He is taking piano lessons.
His long fingers are careful and precise.
He express love easily.
 
One of my favorite memories of Corbin:
We sat on the piano bench together.  He requested I play the love song from Sleeping Beauty.  He had a crush on her.  Just to look at her made him blush.  Anyway, I was playing the song for him.  Oops. I hit a wrong note.  "Grandma, start all over!" he said.  So, I started the song over.  Again, I made a mistake.  He requested I start over again.  This time I was nervous!  When I made another slip of a note I hurried on hoping he wouldn't notice because I had nearly finished the piece.  But, he did.  "Grandma, start all over!"  My piano teacher wasn't this hard on me!

I love you, darling boy.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Mom's Funeral


 Mom Horton's family came from far and wide to celebrate her life with us.  We so appreciate their love.  She is from a large wonderful family.






Thank you, Mom for being a wonderful, kind, lovely woman.  We miss you.


Friday, August 31, 2012




A Happy Day

Yesterday was a particularly happy day. I awoke knowing that it held the promise
of a multiple smile day. As usual the day was sunny and beautiful. Craig and I
uttered our, "I love you's" before getting out of bed.
Jan and I dressed and were out of the door by 8:15 to meet Mom and my sisters
for breakfast at Mimi's cafe'. We chatted up a storm catching up on each others
families and loving each other.

A couple of hours were spent freshening the house in preparation for the arrival
of Jeff and his girlfriend Liz. Just knowing that Jeff would be home soon sends my
heart in a spin. I love him so and just don't get enough of him at all. He has been
dating Liz for a few months. Getting to know her is a delight.


We (Jan, Craig, and I) met them at On the Border for dinner. Besides a yummy
dinner we had fun talking. I shared the story of how Craig and I met and the story
of my engagement ring. When Jeff excused himself for a moment Liz said, "I really
like your kid!" isn't that cute? She went on to say her parents really like him, he is
good to her and treats her very respectfully. Those are things a Mom loves to hear.

On top of these wonderful things this week has been the Republican convention.
We have heard amazing talks by state governors who have been able to turn around
the desperate financial, educational, and employment situations in their states. We
have heard talks describing hope and assurance that it can be done on a national
basis by Romney and Ryan. These words are refreshing and offer hope when hope
has been lost by so many of us.

Ann Romney gave an amazing speech in which she unveiled the goodness of her
husband, his determination and abilities. Paul Ryan gave us vision and insight into his
wisdom. Friends told stories of who Mitt really is and the quiet acts of kindness
that he has performed in their behalf and for others. Tears were wiped from the
eyes of many including mine. The famous actor, Clint Eastwood, stunned us all with
his interview of an empty chair representing Obama. One of the points he made
was WE own AMERICA. Elected officials are our employees. Obama has not done a
good job. We need to let him go. It was clever and forthright.

Marco Rubio introduced Mitt Romney with a fabulous talk about his own
upbringing as a son of Cuban immigrants who had a dream for their children to have
freedom and opportunity. His dad worked as a bartender in the back of the room at
events so that his son could could some day stand behind the podium as the speaker
at an event!

Then...Mitt Romney, the next president of the United States, came to the stage.
My heart was a flutter. Even though Craig and I sat alone in our upstairs family
room I clapped and whooped and hollered as of I were there at the convention. He
was wonderful. His is a wonderful man. He has experience, wisdom, goodness and
wisdom that can get us our of the debt hole we are in, raise our standing in the
world, support our allies, especially Israel AND he is a man of God, a worthy
priesthood holder. Can this be real? Am I dreaming? No! This is the America I love.
It reminds me of Condolezza Rice's speech in which she described herself as a little
girl growing up in The South who though not allowed to eat a hamburger at the
counter in Woolworths (because of her race) her father taught her she could be the
president someday. Instead she became the Secretary of State!

This is America! Now a Mormon will be president. My ancestors who were chased out of their homes
under threat of their lives, without redress, because of their religion would with me/us
 REJOICE EVERMORE!


Friday, July 6, 2012


Thursday, July 5, 2012




Hanna Horton passed away this afternoon.  My sweet mother in law. 
The lady who:
  • Sent wonderful care packages to Craig when he was gone for the summer working at the National Parks.  They were full of delicious oatmeal cookies and brown sugar muffins.
  • Made a banner announcing the engagement of her son to me and placed it in her office at the administration office at BYU.  
  • Treated me as if I were her own daughter. 
  • Loved my children.
  • Took vacation time to babysit our children when we came to town for meetings.
  • Loved to tell stories of her childhood and family life.
  • Was a wonderful cook.
  • Made delicious apple pie, goulash, and pistachio pudding salad (calling it a salad was a trick only a Grandma could get away with...it was more like a dessert).
  • Always had a full dish of peanut M&M's in a crystal dish ready for visitors.
  • Taught my husband tenderness and kindness.
  • Was a world class drawer and cupboard organizer! 
  • Was willing to share anything she had especially to someone in need.
  • Put others needs ahead of her own.
  • Who for the last 2 years didn't know where she was, who she was or that she was being lovingly taken care of by her daughter, but was still kind and sweet.
Mom, I love you.  We love you.  You have been missed these last 2 years. But, now that you are really gone from us we miss you more. 


Sunday, June 10, 2012

Some Grandma Moments



Some wonderful Grandma Moments from the last 2 months

While Visiting Utah
 
Making a Sunday Book with Makayla
 Micah's soccer game

Visiting the Aquarium with 
California Grands




Easter Egg Hunt in our yard


Birdhouse Painting
These cuties recited a poem announcing the 2 rose bushes I would receive for Mothers' Day

 Disneyland!

Then off to see the Arizona Grands


This big guy (above) just got his driver's permit!

Legder (left) is better on the iPad than Grandpa!
Slater (right) is great with his little brother




This photo captures the moment I first plunked down in our stateroom knowing that 2 weeks of luxury and relaxation are ahead of us.

Although it has been nearly 2 months since we were on a cruise to Hawaii the memory is present every single day.  Two weeks with Craig away from the hustle bustle of life, the phone, the laundry, his work, our callings, chores and responsibilities. So many of these things separate us.  Although Craig is mostly home everyday still we spend much of the time apart.  On a cruise the only decisions are: Should we get up now? When do you want to eat? What do you want to eat?  Should we go to the pool, read a book, sit on the balcony and look at the sea? Is there a class we want to attend?  Which show should we go to?  They are all such simple questions.  AHHHHhhh.

Some favorite things we did off the ship were:

Observing the wonders of nature



Renting a Mustang convertible and driving around



Visiting the Arizona Memorial.  This is the list of names of those who died aboard.


These men are survivors of the USS Arizona. 


Seeing the temple

Upon entering the Visitor Center ones' breath is taken away by the huge the Christus with the Hawaiian blue background



Snorkeling in Maui


Yes, that is Craig about to touch a huge turtle.

Have you ever smelled a Lighthouse?  Craig has.




These are some of my favorite images


Here we are with our traveling companions

The McPhie's

 Louise

 Frances

Linda

Pat

Zoe

Lura and John

Wayne and Joy

Frank and Vickie
Ahh...sweet memories