Thanks!

I wanted to say thanks to all who wished me Happy Birthday. I had a very nice day. I went to the temple then did a little shopping and bought each of the grandchildren an outfit to wear on the 4th. When I got home the phone kept me busy and while on the phone my sister Juanita then Richard and Linda came over to visit. I felt so special. I got a call from President and Sister Tingey (Kevin's Mission president). My sister Laretta called and we talked for over an hour. Kevin's sister, Susan also called. It was a wonderful way to be remember. Lloyd gave me a call today. Janet and Nicole made super for me (which was wonderful!). Again, thanks everyone. I've been reading a book on self esteem and I loved this form the book by Mary Jane Woodger: "Self Esteem is given to us through spiritual gifts. It is the development of those gifts once we have discovered them, that we gain confidence. Spiritual gifts are given to us so that we can have peace in this life and feel secure when we experience disappointments, discouragements, despair, doubts, fears or jealousies." She quotes Elder Packer, "If you learn and earnestly seek the gifts of the Spirit, then you will be competent. The problems will be there, but ... you will find a great solace and comfort and great power will be with you all the time."

Life

What woke me up at 2:30 this morning? I couldn't go back to sleep until 5:30. You think I could shut my mind off, but no, it flits from one thing to the next never stopping long enough to even come up with a plan of action! Ever have that happen? I don't mind being awake but then the following day isn't always fun. I think I would be more productive if I could stick to one topic at a time. Oh well, at least I can still think and be somewhat productive the next day (even if I don't know what I am doing most of the time). Well, until the next new adventure strikes, stay happy, keep dry, don't blow away and sleep well!

Pictures!

Well here are some pictures of the new little one. He is so cute. He has changed a little and is now starting to gain some weight. His sisters love him but I think Whitney loves to hold him the most. It was so cute when Wilson saw him. He wanted to hold him. He kept reaching up for him. Mom and baby are doing fine. We are excited to have the precious little one in our family. I count my blessings each day and marvel at the wonder of children.

Ethan resting in Grandma's lap.

Ethan 5 days old. I wish I could have slept through all the noise in the house that night.

A few hours after Ethan was born.

Dad isn't proud of his little family, is he?

Memories

Yesterday, a friend happened to be going by on his horse. He use to take my son horseback riding for part of his reshab training. Well Mike spotted them coming down the road and decided to see if he would give the kids a ride. Whitney seemed to enjoy it. Wilson was a little hesitant at first but when it was time for him to get off he didn't want to. It brought back many memories of my youngest son riding that same horse. Thanks Kirk for sharing your horse!

Dreary MOOD

What a day! It has been so dreary and my mood has been dreary so I decided I needed to do something. I got out the paint and painted the window sills and the door trim in my bedroom. They have been the bare wood for far to long and I've had the paint forever. You think I would have gotten on the ball a long time ago. It looks nice and while I was at it I rearranged my room. Looks good. Feels good! Still dreary outside!

New Grandson

I am the grandma of an new little boy. Ethan Andrew. He is very cute!! I feel so blessed with all my grandchildren. They are all so unique and special. Each one makes me smile and laugh with their little antics. I will miss the Wilson and Whitney when they move to their new home (I'll miss mom and dad also). I've been teaching summer school and loving it once again. They brighten my days. I learn more from them than I teach them.

My Trip

This is at the airport in Billings. Terri had departing gifts for each of us. (Whistles, just in case we got mugged or something like that. Here we are trying to find out where the conference was going to be. If you look at the next picture that was only a part of the conference center. All we had to do was follow the worm!

Part of the conference center looking out my window on the 14th floor! This was as we were riding in the taxi to down town. You can see the Trump tower. Oprah lives in one of these buildings (or so they said) but I couldn't tell you which one.We went down town to Michigan Ave. This was a beautiful little park in the middle of the block. The white tulips were beautiful. I went window shopping in the Water Tower. Talk about expensive! I couldn't even afford to look!

While we were down town we went to the Cheese factory restaurant! YUMMY is all I can say! There was so much food we couldn't have begun to eat it all. This was Terri and Betsy showing off their bling. Each of us bought a pair of sunglasses at Navy Pier but of course I forgot to take my camera there. It was a windy but beautiful day. Ann and I walked along the Pier and enjoyed the sun. They had a beautiful stain glass museum we wondered through. It was a fun evening. Sorry I don't have any pictures of it.

My biscuits and gravy! I loved it! I just wish I could have eaten the whole thing!

Down town

Here's the gang with Ted Koppel! Ann asked if we could get our picture with him. We talked with him for a few minutes. Nice man.

On our last evening there we went to the firehouse. This is where they filmed Back Draft, for you who have seen it. I have to admit it was very uncomfortable because we were way under dressed. We didn't notice the sign that said, Proper attire required until after we left the place. Oh well, now they now how we dress in our neck of the woods.

On our way home the wind was so bad we almost had to be routed to Idaho Falls. Thank goodness we made it home. However, Ann's luggage went to Rome first before it finally made its way to Cowley! Now why couldn't we be routed through Rome? Needless to say we had to go shopping a Dillard's when we got to Billings! It was nice to be able to afford the things in the store! I love being above the clouds and looking at their formation. When I got home I was welcomed to my trees on the West side cut down in preparation for a new fence. Now the work begins. Now the real work begins!

Over all it was a nice trip but I am glad to be home.

Home sweet home! Mike got my new side walk going across the front of the house poured and it is so nice! One step at a time. Who knows what the next step will be. My fence, finish the outside of the house, painting the house, new lawn? One can only imagine at this point!