Thoughts

With my house being stripped to the dirt and only the frame standing many thoughts have come to mind. First, I wondered what it must have been like to have only a dirt floor yet grateful you had a roof over your head. I wonder how Mary must have felt when she had to deliver her son in a stable with dirt floors yet a roof over their heads. I know she felt gratitude. I am feeling that way. How grateful I am to my family who loved me enough to in trust me with this beautiful home. I will always be eternally grateful. Second, it is Christmas time and I have missed putting up the directions. As I thought about this and was watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas, I realized it isn't the directions that make Christmas, "it is so much more." Christmas is a feeling you get when you serve others, it is a feeling you get when you look into the eyes of a child. It is seeing the giving of money to a family in need. It is the prayers offered for one who is sick or needs special blessings. It is the time spent with family and friends. Yes, Christmas is so much more than directions. I want to feel this Christmas! I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for sending His Only Begotten Son so that I might feel the magic of Christmas.

The beginnings of the last phase of upgrading the home. It is such a blessing to have boys who are willing and able to use their gifts to help complete this project. As we were taking down some of the walls and what we thought were headers we could see how much it needed to be done. There wasn't much holding up the roof and upstairs. No wonder the ceiling was cracking. We are now able to upgrade the wiring as well. It hasn't been too much of a mess however the first week of the project I felt like a naughty child being sent to my room because I couldn't do or be out in the area they were working on. Now my biggest problem is deciding what to put back on the floors. Any ideas?
Erik hanging out of the ceiling.

Everyone getting into the swing of things. Even Ethan was helping pick up broken tile from the floor.

Sheet rock on the ceiling.

What is left of the kitchen.

A Mother's Love

Thought I would share a story I wrote. It's not true but it could have very well happened for all of you that know my wonderful mother. Enjoy.
A Mother’s Love

Christmas was coming. Mom was busy sewing dresses for the girls, jeans and shirts for the boys. These new clothes would have to last us all year. We didn’t mind too much because mom was an extraordinary seamstress. She would create patterns to make us the latest fashions after looking through the current catalogs.
This Christmas was extra special for me, I had been asked to sing a solo in the school’s choir concert. I could hardly wait to see what my new dress would look like. I was so excited. About a week before the concert, mom took me aside and told me she had run out of fabric and didn’t have any money to buy more fabric for my new fancy dress. She said she had made over some of the older girls’ dresses so I would have something new to wear. I pouted and said in a whinny voice, “Why does this always happen to me?” Being the last of four girls, I ended up with all the hand me downs, and never got anything new, or so it seemed to me. I ran off to my room crying, feeling sorry for myself.
All week I avoided my mom. I would only talk to her if I had to and then it was in short statements like no or yes. I was hurt. I didn’t realize at the time that mom was hurting as well. She wanted to make that special dress for me because she knew how important it was for me. She worried and stewed but didn’t know what to do because they just didn’t have the money for extra fabric. She had all the scraps from the other dresses and shirts, but that wouldn’t make a very pretty dress. Then, the night before the concert she kneeled to pray, asking for inspiration and pleading for help. As she slipped into bed, she noticed the quilt covering the bed. On the back of the quilt was the most beautiful red material. She treasured this quilt because her mom had made it for her as a wedding gift and it was a part of her mom. Suddenly, she knew what she needed do. She took her scissors and started taking apart the back of the quilt, making sure not to ruin the front of it. She worked until the early morning hours taking apart the quilt and making a beautiful red dress.
That night mom asked me to come into her room. At this point, I had resigned myself to wearing the old dress mom had altered and fixed up as best she could. It was okay, but it wasn’t what I had wanted. I went into the room and told mom I was sorry for the way I had behaved. She talked to me about how she felt and how she had prayed for inspiration. Just then, she pulled out the most vibrant, gorgeous red dress and said, “I love you!” I felt like a royal princess! She never told me where the material had come from and I didn’t think to ask because I was just so excited to get something that was my very own.
Throughout the years my mom taught me many skills I put to use as a new mother with very little money. Years later as my sisters and I were going through mom’s things after her passing, I found an old quilt top with a scrap of the red fabric from my beloved dress. I asked my sisters why the quilt top had never been quilted and why there was a piece of material from my Christmas dress pinned to it. It was then they told me the story about that special Christmas dress. That evening as I looked at the red dress still hanging in my closet and the old quilt top I now held in my arms, the tears flowed freely. I once again realized how deep a mother’s love is for her children.

Taking time continued

Talk about taking time, well I took the time to go over to Gillett to see part of my family there. I was over in Sheridan for a Reading Recovery conference and thought I would make a quick trip over there. I loved it and enjoyed seeing the three H's as well as Bryan and Chelsey. I spent a lot of time outside just watching the little ones play in the dirt and at
Hannah's school playground. Bryan performed for us all. Sorry I forgot to take my camera so no pictures of him showing off.

I loved conference! What a feast provided for us. There were so many messages that spoke to me personally. I am so grateful for those who serve day after day for me.

I had the privilege of watching my new grandson, Weston come into this world. I marveled at how perfect he was from the moment he took his first breath. I could see physical traits of his parents. Then I thought about his spiritual traits. Will he be kind to others, will he serve others? Will he follow in the Savior’s footsteps?
At the beginning of Christ’s mortal ministry, Christ instructed Peter and Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” I can only imagine the inadequacy they might have felt at that moment. Yet, they “straightway left their nets,” and followed him. Then when He saw James and John and called to them they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
I love that word immediately. They didn’t have to stop and wonder if it was convenient for them or think, “If I follow Him will my life be harder, or will people ridicule or mock me”. No, they dropped everything and followed Him at once or instantly.
What would I do if the Savior came to me directly and said, “Come, follow me?” Would I drop everything and immediately follow Him? Most of us have not or will not be asked to drop everything and immediately follow Him but the invitation is still there, “Come, follow me.”
So how do I follow Him?

Taking Time

I was ready to blog yesterday and my internet was down for some reason. I had all these great thougths I wanted to share but of course as the hours fly by so do my thoughts. One thing I did want to share was how we need to take time. Take time to ponder, time to share with others, time to enjoy family and friends, time to study the scriptures, time to enjoy the beautiful changes of the seasons. Time to rejoice in your life. Now that I am back to work I realized how much I have missed working with the children so I am taking time to enjoy them. There are just so many things I want to enjoy and take the time to do so. Following are a few picturs of what I am enjoying.

The boys taking time to paint my house.

Hannah taking time to enjoy the quilt I made for her birthday/

Whitney and Hannah taking time to color a beautiful picture.

Taking time to celbrate Kirk's 24th birthday.

Last week, me taking time to fix my computer so I could up date this blog.

Doings

It's hard to believe that school is just around the corner. I have been busy helping Carrol at the fabric shop and loving every minute of it. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed being there. I have had the opportunity to finish a few projects and start a few more. :) Other than that my life has been pretty simple. Went to the temple yesterday morning them came straight back home and went to work. I enjoyed it and it made the rest of my day so much nicer. I finished all my Young Women goals and projects this past week. It was so satisfying to get it complete. However, I plan to continue to work on goals for myself.
Here are a few of my finshed quilts or wall hangings.

This is a wall hanging for my classroom. It is all appliqued!I wish the picture showed it the way it really looks. I was even impressed!

This is a quilt for Kirk so he can learn how to make his bed using the frame around it. It is called Kirk's puzzle.

I love the colors in this one. I haven't given it a name yet. I still have to get it quilted and then I am going to make a scaloped edge around it.

This quilt is a birthday gift for Hannah. She picked out the fabric. It turned out very cute. As you can see I have been staying busy, not always what I should be doing but it has been fun and relaxing. It has been fun to discover my likes and dislikes with quilting. I love to applique!

Trip

This past week I went down to Shawnee's to spend some time with her and Bryan's family who made the trip there as well. I enjoyed being with everyone. The kids are so cute! Even Bryan had his moments of cuteness:) Some days I wonder how Chelsey puts up with all his fun antics. He did get to go flying with Eli so it made his day. Here are just a few highlights of the trip. I tried posting earlier but of course I made some mistake uploading pictures so this is the watered down version.

Bryan pretending to pick his nose because I wanted at picture.

At the end of a long day at the zoo and temple grounds we were all ready for food and bed. We had a great day!

Well, I guess it is about time to update the blog since I can't do much outside with all the rain. Kirk and I sit and just look at each other. He has been spending some time with me this week while Janet is out of town with her family. I have enjoyed having him around. He makes life interesting and makes me laugh. I love to watch him put puzzles together and how tolerant he is of his nieces and nephews as they try to 'help'.

School is out for the year but not for me. I get to teach summer school. One of the things I enjoy about summer school is the classroom setting. When I teach during the year it is with 1 to 3 students. Summer School gives me the opportunity to teach math as well as reading.
I have been helping at the fabric shop after school. I really enjoy that but it gets me in trouble with all that lovely material. I have three quilts I need to bind but can't seem to get motivated enough to do it. I have started two more quilts and a few wall hangings. Below are the three quilts I just need to bind and they will be done. I need to get busy and quit being lazy!

Shawnee named hers 'Comfort'. She started it but ran out of time so I finished it for her.

This quilt is called 'Consider the Lilies'. I love the colors and it reminds me of how the Lord will take care of each of us.

This last quilt is called, "Nelly's Gift" my mom loved flowers and this quilt reminds me of all the good things my mom 'Nelly' gave me throughout my life.

Wow, where does the time go? I wish I were better at writing but at least I am keeping a journal at home.
The other day I was watching a movie called the Shunning. Towards the end of the movie the young women found out that she had been adopted. While she was talking to a wise old women and telling her about her plan of going off to find out who she was, the woman said,

"Don't think you'll find something out there you don't already have. The mirical ain't the life you missed, it's the life you've got."

I believe that life is amazing. I love this quote:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Don't they take your breath away?

me being busy

Signs of Spring are all around. I love spring! I love the sun shining in my front room window. I love the sound of birds chirping when I first wake up in the early morning. I love watching the Robins search for food. I love the smell of green grass, plants and weeds popping their heads out of the unthawing ground. I love watching the children laugh and romp around. At school there is a big lake!! When I headed home on Friday there were dozens of kids out in the middle of it stomping around laughing and loving it. I thought back to the days when my boys would be covered from head to foot in mud or water. If there is a pool of water or mud it is a magnet for children.

This is three of my boys when they were younger playing in the mud! Oh those were the days. Now it is my grandchildren in the snow, mud and water but at least their parents are the ones who get to spray them off with COLD water before they come in the house.

Bryan with his kids playing in the snow!
A couple of weeks ago I was able to have all my grandchildren together all at once. It is fun to see how they play together.

Aren't they the cutest kids in the whole world.

I have also been busy working on my quilts and wall hangings. I had to move my desk at school and I didn't like looking at the brick wall so I made a wall hanging to hang there.

This next wall hanging is one I did for Michael for his future "Man Cave" I wanted him to remember his time in South Africa.

Now but not least is our adventure with the Tom Cat. There are several Tom cats around the area that travel through my yard. Well, one of them decided he liked the space between my old roof and the new roof built above it. He would climb up the piece of wood that was in front of the new door that hasn't been installed yet and get up there. One day I was sitting outside in my swing and I heard this meow coming from above my head. When I looked I saw these two eyes looking at me. Mike shewed it away and moved a few things thinking it wouldn't be able to climb back up there. Boy were we wrong. At the beginning of the new year Mike had a young fellow come over and finsh framing in the roof and porch area. A few weeks later on a Sunday morning I was in my pantry getting something out when I heard this meow. I thought to myself, "Oh no, that cat is up in the craw space and can't get out. I called Mike and of course he came right over. He tried for two hours but couldn't catch it. He thought it went down into one of the areas where he couldn't reach. Well, to make a long.... story short. A few days later Mike put a cage up there with a can of tuna hoping to catch it. He would check perodicaly to see if it was caught, but nothing. Then NINE weeks later he checks again, by this time we thougth for sure the cat would be dead and decaying (of course I imagned the horrid smell I would have up there not to mention the magets when it got warmer)but to his surprise the cat turned around in the cage and looked at Mike. It gave a pethetic meow. Mike brought it down and we let it out of the cage. It took off in a swagger. I am not sure how it survived without food and water for nine weeks but it is amazing needless to say. Even though I don't care for cats I am grateful that it is not still up there.
So here is a picture to prove the cat lived.

You can see all the insulation he clawed up trying to get out. I am happy to report that I have seen it several times walking along the fence line out back so it is still alive.
Well that about sums up the excitement for the past few weeks. Until next time...

Faith

So many thoughts, so little ambition to write them down! I was able to go to the sealing of Rachael yesterday (Richard and Beth Hawley's new little daughter). What a beautiful experience. She is such a special little girl and is lucky to have an eternal family. While there I felt those in heaven gathering for this special event. They rejoiced as we did. This brings me to my subject today. These past few weeks I have been pondering and learning about FAITH. I look at all those who have come before and wonder of the faith they must have had. I think of Adam and Eve going out in the unknown world yet having the faith to trust in a loving Heavenly Father that He would do as He said he would and teach them. I think about Esther and the faith it must have taken to approach the king for her people. How Mary the mother of Christ must have had a tremendous amount of faith to listen to the angel and accept the unknown. The faith she and Joseph must have had to raise the Son of God. How much faith it must have taken for Alma to turn his life completely around and spend the rest of his life declaring the gospel to those who hated him. How much faith it must have taken for my grandparents to accept the gospel in their life when their families and those around of them were against it. And then I think do I have enough faith to accept His will for me? Am I willing to put my trust in my Savior and believe and accept is atonement for me? I am so humbled and grateful by those who have gone on before for their examples of faith that teach me daily.

Bryan

Many of you moms write about your children on their birthday. Well, my son Bryan had a birthday today. Bryan as always been one of those children who keeps their parents on their toes. He loves life. He loves to say things to me so see if he can get a reaction out of me (which he usually does). He was the neighborhood charmer. He would go around the neighborhood and talk to all of his buddies and friends. He spent hours playing pool with Harold Wagner, talked to Mrs. Garcia, helped Carol and Bob next door, played with the Green boys, helped Madge in her garden. I remember one day when my father was really sick, Bryan decided to walk to school where his father was teaching. One of our friends found him but took him to the wrong house because he looked like one of their children. Scared me to death but he was fine. Bryan loves music and always has. His dad and I would joke that we had to go to his concerts just to see what instrument he was going to play. He reminds me a lot of my grandpa Haggen who could play any instrument he picked up. I love to listen to him and his brother sing as well as him play the piano. Bryan, you've been a joy!