A few of my favorite things

I finally got some pictures hung up on the wall. Each of the grandchildren are beautiful. I enjoyed having them all together a few weeks ago. They had so much fun together.

 I made this wall hanging just to see if i could. It has folded edges on the stars so they are not sewen down. It turned out pretty nice.

A few pictures of the grandchildren having fun with each other.

 Kirk doing what he likes to do best when he is a home. Funny boy! To bad I never have anything good in the fridge.

We had a nice 4th but of course I didn't take my camera with me. I always forget and wish I had it but to lazy to go back home and get it. I have been staying busy with odds and ends. Yesterday I went out and painted part of my sheds. For those who know me this was a major undertaking. Of course I came away looking like a spotted brown cow. I got all the drips on my clothing, arms and legs. I guess one could say that is what we have them for. I can't paint without getting more on me than on the project I am painting. NOT MY THING! However I needed to be done. It was a nice day to paint. I will try and finish them by next week. ( I have learned the art of procrastinating real well). I have read about 18 books in the past few weeks. My eyes need a break but it was nice just to read and not worry about retaining the information. I continue to quilt. Some times it is more stress putting those little pieces back together than I want to deal with so I put it away for awhile. I did however force myself to finish the few quilts I had started before I allowed my self to start a new project. I displayed 3 at the local quilt show this year.
Summer school was different for me this year. I didn't have a class of students like I have in the past but was the head of it and made sure the day to day things were taken care of. I did a lot of calling, modeling strategies in the different classrooms and just the over seer. I enjoyed it for the most part except for feeling out incident reports of kids who got hurt. It was a good learning experience for me and a chance to use that administration degree I got! Well that has been my live in a nut shell for the past few weeks. Looking forward to getting more paint on me and starting some new projects!

Thougths

Over the past week I have been doing a lot of thinking about trials and why we have them as well as some of the things I have learned by having trials. It seems that everywhere you look someone is dealing with something. Some trials are more visible than others. Looking back on some of my own trials I have realize that they have shaped or molded the person I have become. There have been many times when I have cried unto the Lord for strength and relieve. I have cried for those whom I love and can’t do anything for them. There are defiantly times when I feel totally helpless in knowing how to help or what to do. When those moments arise I am so grateful for my understanding of the Atonement. It is at that point in time when I just have to turn it over to the Lord and ask Him to take care of it and to give me the strength and courage I need. Every time when I finally turn the problem over to the Lord peace comes and I am able to learn and grow. I am able to see things in an eternal prospective and move forward. I have learned that when I judge others I am usually wrong in my judgment and because I was so judgmental or unforgiving I was the one at fault and it was my progression that had stopped. Each person deals with their trials differently and we are not the judge. We can offer support and encouragement but we should not judge. I have come to treasure the gift of forgiveness. It truly is a miracle! When this forgiveness enters into your heart the healing process can begin. No matter how many times you need forgiveness it is there if you ask for it. Oh how marvelous is the Plan of Salvation.

Just a few pictures of the on going project. Of course these pictures don't really show how nice everything has turned out. Mike brought over the pine and it is ready to be put back on the walls and he said the trim is almost done. I am so excited to see what the finished project will look like. I pray that the spirit will still abide in the home.

The Bull

Today in Sunday School we were talking about writing in our journals. I have to admit that some days I don't get it done but I do try to write in it often. I find if I don't I will forget what has happened. I guess this is kind of like a journal.
I have had Kirk off and on this past week while Janet and Nicole have been in Washington. It has been fun but let me tell you when he gets his mind set on one thing it is hard to get him to think of anything else. I have taken to locking my pantry door when he is around. Today I thought I would make cookies so I needed to get in there to get the sugar. As soon as I got the door open he comes running over and pushes his way past me. Now picture in your mind a bull charging after its target that would be a good description of him and me the way of the target. He practically ran me over. I tried to pull him out. NO WAY! He is one strong BULL! I just had to laugh because it reminded me of days gone by. I got him out once trying to lock the door behind me but he did the twirl dance and he was right back in there and I on the other side of the door. He spied the crackers! He grabbed the box and turned his back to me. I proceeded to do the twirl dance and he was the one on the outside of the door. I quickly grabbed the box and threw it in there and closed the door! If anyone had witnessed this little dance they would have burst out laughing. I have to admit it is funny but it sure takes a lot of energy to get him out of places he shouldn't be in if he has a mind set to stay there. Oh the stories I can tell.

It's about time

Okay, all those who read my blog I guess I had better get on the ball and post something, anything! I realize that it has been a while but that is only because I hate getting on my computer and taking the time to write. I write in a journal most days so maybe I can rationalize a little here.
Last week I had the privilege of being the recipient of a service project. I feel so blessed and feel like a load has been lifted off of me. My back yard was covered with plaster, insulation and stuff from the remodel. Every time I looked out the window I would get this sick feeling and wondered how I was going to get it all cleaned up. Well bless my sister in laws heart she mentioned in bishops meeting that I needed it cleaned up. We had a big group of young men and young women over and they had it all on two dump trailers within an hour. It would have taken me all summer to do what they did in one evening. My words could never express my gratitude for this service. I am so grateful for the youth of today. They are awesome!
Shawnee and I had the opportunity to go to Salem Organ for my sister-law's funeral. It was a good trip despite the reason for it. Anna had been sick for a few years. Her kids and husband will miss her.
I am enjoying my house and am slowly getting things put away and I do mean slowly. I noticed that Mike brought back the pine and it is ready to put back up on the walls. It will be fun to see what it looks like with the wood back up.
Service project

Some of Anna's family

Portland temple