Memorial Day

Yesterday at church we had talks about memorial day and I've said before, how blessed I feel to live near Fort Bragg and be reminded constantly that there are men and women who serve courageously for our country. We have some great families that come and go in this area that I know the Lord and angels are attending. I'm so gratful for them and thankful that we still live in a country that desire freedom for all.

On a lighter note...General Richard Petraus recently spoke at Brigham Young University and gave his:

Top 10 Reasons

BYU Graduates make Good Soldiers

10 — They have already been on many a mission.
9 — Army chow is no problem for folks accustomed to eating green Jell-o and shredded carrots.
8 — It's not a problem if they don't know what rank someone is, they just refer to them as Brother or Sister so-and-so.
7 — They never go AWOL. They just call it being less active.
6 — They will seize any objective swiftly if you tell them refreshments will be served.
5 — They know how to make things happen. In fact if you ever need a base built quickly in a barren wasteland, stride out to where you want them to start, plant your walking stick down and say in a loud voice, "This is the place."
4 — They have innovative ideas for handling insurgents — like assigning them home teachers.
3 — They always have a years' supply of provisions on hand.
2 — They are the world's most reliable designated drivers.
1 — They understand how far Iraq has come over the last seven years, and they think that Iraq's old spot in the "Axis of Evil" can now be filled by the University of Utah.

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness

And every gain divine!

~Katherine Lee Bates

New Year's Eve

Our lives have truly been blessed over the holidays, especially having Angie & Jake home from college. They hung with us a lot but here's a picture of them going to a New Year's Eve Party.

What Am I Thankful For?

"The Angelus" by Jean-Francois Millet

(I love this...I grew up with this picture in my home)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

so what am I thankful for???

G ~ Gospel of Jesus Christ

I know that the Savior is the Redeemer of the world

and that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me.

I'm a happier person

when I live the principles that Jesus taught.

I'm thankful for the gospel.

R ~ Reading the Scriptures

I'm grateful for the scriptures

because they keep me from getting distracted

and help me to stay focused on the important things of life.

A ~ "All" my Many Blessings

I know my Heavenly Father loves me.

He blesses my life everyday.

I'm grateful for all I have and all I enjoy.

T ~ Tribulation

Everything in life isn't easy but

I know its through tribulation that

I become truly humble

and get a greater understanding

of my life's purpose.

I ~ Inspiration

The Holy Spirit can guide my life.

As I listen to the promptings

of the still, small voice,

I put myself in position to make

wise choices.

T ~ Testimony

I'm grateful for my testimony.

It is sacred and personal to me and

something that no one can take from me.

U ~ Understanding Husband

I'm thankful for a man that

honors his priesthood and

who is a great example to me

of kindness, compassion and service.

D ~ Dear Children

What a wonderful blessing it is

to be a mother and to enjoy the

blessing of children.

I love my family.

E ~ Earthly Parents

I also love my parents.

I'm so very grateful that they planted

the seed of the gospel in my heart.

"Let us give thanks

for what we are

and for the circumstances

God has given us

for our personal journey

through mortality."

~Dallin H. Oaks

Flippin' Sweet Halloween

Napoleon & Deb

( Jessica & Kellee)
The Dark Knight & Two Face
(Carson & Dottie)

"Backward, turn backward,

O Time, in your flight...

make me a child again, just for tonight!"

~Elizabeth Akers Allen

Happy 4th of July!

I'm so grateful for the freedoms we have in our country. I'm especially thankful that I can follow the "dictates of my own conscience" and practice a religion of my own choosing. I believe that things in the world aren't always going to be peaceful around us but its at that moment that I realize how important one's own inner peace is.

My latest favorite quote comes from the late prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley:

"I doubt not that we shall have days of trial….But I am certain that if we will emphasize the greater good and turn our time and talents from vituperative criticism, from constantly looking for evil, and lift our sights to what may be done to build strength and goodness in our nation, America will continue to go forward with the blessing of the Almighty and stand as an ensign of strength and peace and generosity to all the world.”

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Tragedy or Destiny?

Living by Fort Bragg has given me a greater appreciation for those that serve in the military. I have seen a lot of soldiers come and go from our area. I've seen some tragedies where families have had to suffer the loss of loved ones to war but surprisingly enough I've seen a lot more near misses. I've seen where a lot of men and women have been put in harms way but miraculously have come back to their loved ones unscathed. One might ask, how could this be? but I'll never forget the writings of Spencer W. Kimball's "Tragedy or Destiny"

"I am positive in my mind that the Lord has planned our destiny. Sometime we’ll understand fully, and when we see back from the vantage point of the future, we shall be satisfied with many of the happenings of this life that are so difficult for us to comprehend.
We sometimes think we would like to know what lies ahead, but sober thought brings us back to accepting life a day at a time and magnifying and glorifying that day. …"

"God Bless Our Troops,

God Bless America"

My Easter 2009

Carson at Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday Primary Activity

Lots of Fun!

Primary President Eadie D.

explaining the true meaning of Easter

A Rare Easter Birthday

Davey R. my brother Mark's 3rd child, celebrated his 24th birthday on Easter Sunday. He's the newest married in our family. Pictured here with his wife Yvonne. They live in Fresno and are both busy working and going to school.

Happy Birthday!

Remembering Yesteryear

Martha, Beth & Mark

Easter 1959

I have fond memories of Easter growing up. The Easter Bunny and egg hunts were fun and going to church on Sundays always seemed to have a little more meaning than during the rest of the year, except for Christmastime of course. I never really understood why until I got a little older. The spirit at church just seemed a little more special. I feel it more the older I get, just trying to realize all that the Savior has done for me. It's like the popular hymn says, "Oh it is wonderful that He would care for me enough to die for me. Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me." and I think this quote by President Monson explains it all.

"The reality of the Resurrection

provides to one and all

the peace that surpasses understanding."

~Thomas S. Monson

Happy St. Paddy's Day

Here are some fun "Irish sayings"

to celebrate this day:

"Mothers hold their children's hands

for just a little while and their hearts forever."

~Irish Proverb

"May your blessings

out number the shamrocks

that grow and may trouble

avoid you wherever you go."

~Irish Blessing

"If you lie down with the dogs,

you'll rise with fleas."

~Irish Proverb

"It's easy to half the potato,

where there is love."

~Irish proverb

"A best friend is like a four leaf clover,

hard to find and lucky to have."

~Author Unknown

"May your pockets be heavy,

your heart be light;

may good luck pursue you

each morning and night."

~Irish Blessing

My Favorite Love Quotes - 2009

I had so much fun finding these quotes for my blog sidebar this month.

Love begins at home
and it is not how much we do. . .
but how much love we put in that action."
--Mother Teresa

"Love is something eternal,
the aspects may change,
but not the essence."
--Vincent Van Gough

"If you loved someone
you would be willing
to give up everything for them,
but if they loved you back,
they'd never ask you to. "
--Anonymous

"Love. . . everybody wants it,
everybody seeks it,
but few ever achieve it,
those who do
will cherish it, be lost in it,
and among all. . . never forget it."
--Curtis Judalet

You're My Inspiration--Dave

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

DAVE THE MARATHON MAN

at Myrtle Beach Marathon 2006

He missed it this year

Anyone that knows me, knows that I'm not a person that shows a lot of "public display of affection." In fact, true love is so emotional to me that I keep a lot of it locked in my heart because I can get so crazy and goofy about it. Another reason I don't talk about it a lot is that I'm a afraid that if I get too repetitive with my love expressions that it could be perceived as insincere because I'm always teasing an joking about my husband. Anyway, but this is Valentine's Day and I truly love my husband and want to express it. Dave has been an inspiration to me from the moment I met him. About twenty-seven years ago, I was visiting a friend in her apartment at BYU--Provo, Utah. As I looked out her window, I saw this guy going door to door to each apartment and my first inclination was to think "What's with this guy," is he mooching food from every girl in the apartment building." Then my friend told me he was the elders quorum president and that he does that all the time. He just likes checking up on everyone. When he eventually got to my friend's apartment and I met him, I was totally smitten. Dave is so good, not only spiritually but in almost every way. I think his most endearing trait is that he is so self-sacrificing. Whether it be church service or going the extra mile for a customer at work. He tries to help everyone he can, almost too much in my opinion but that's another story. This year is the first year that we've missed the Myrtle Beach Marathon or half Marathon. Dave loves to run, he even got me to run a marathon one year that's how inspiring he is but we just had too much going on to get there this year. When Dave became bishop he had just bought a new pair of running shoes. He brought them to church the day he was sustained and told the ward that he knew he would have to give up most of his running because he knew being bishop would take up a lot of his time. So its a little sad around our house today because we missed our annual trek to Myrtle Beach to see Dave run but its bittersweet because we know he's dong nobler things. But, just for the record. . . He's out running right now. He hasn't given it totally up. . just some of it. I love you Dave, thanks for putting up with my weirdness all these years.

I love this quote because it sounds like something I'd say,

"We are all a little weird,

and life's a little weird,

and when we find someone,

whose weirdness is compatible with ours,

we join up with them

and fall in mutual weirdness

and call it love."
Anonymous

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Carson said to me the other day, "I love Christmas" and I asked him, "why?" and he said, "I don't know. . . it just feels good."

I believe the Holy Spirit truly rests on us during special occasions and the celebration of our Savior's birth is one of those occasions. I'm so grateful for Him and I'm glad that a ten year old boy could "feel" the holiness of this time of year and remind me of what Christmas is all about.

The most important and most significant

of all events that have happened

in the history and life of mankind

are the birth, life, death and resurrection

of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

the Only Begotten of God the Eternal Father."

N. Eldon Tanner

MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR?

I have a little "crowd anxiety". So, I've only been out on Black Friday once and that was to a store I knew wouldn't be everybody's first choice to shop. But this year I've put off my Christmas shopping and I still have a little guy at home that I would like to see get the only thing he's asked for, for Christmas. My biggest fear was that this item wouldn't be available after Black Friday, so I decided to get up at 4:30 in the morning and see if I could get lucky. So, I went to the mall, and what a nightmare. The parking lot was filling up quickly and there were people everywhere. I fully expecting not to get what I wanted but to my surprise--I was successful. Mainly because this present wasn't on sale at this particular store. That was okay, though.

As I waited in line, I spent the rest of the time observing the crowd. A lot were angry because they weren't able to get what they wanted, others were upset because they weren't sure which line they were supposed to be in and a lot of store clerks were frustrated just trying to accommodate everyone. Wow, I started thinking, this should be the "most wonderful time of the year" but most people didn't look very happy. So, I decided to chat with different people in line and "be cheerful" like Elder Marvin J. Ashton would say. I don't know if anyone else got anything out of it but it made the moment better for me. As I purchased my item, I ended my experience with a bold, loud, "You Have a Merry Christmas" to the store clerk. I don't think he had heard those words yet that day. His countenance changed and he looked into my eyes and said, "you too" and then quickly went back to his duties. No crowd anxiety this time. I guess I've come a long way.

"What a joy it is to see someone of good cheer,

who, when others because of an unpleasant happening

or development live in angry silence or vocal disgust,

meets the situation with cheerful endurance & good spirits."

--Marvin J. Ashton

GHOUL DAYS!

(from left) Jessica, Eric, Carson, Cassidy & Lil' Carson

We had fun "trick or treating"

in the neighborhood with friends.

Ghoul days, ghoul days, goody, goody, ghoul days.

Ringing the bell of your neighbor's place,

Hearing him yell at your funny face.

You were the greatest ghost I've seen;

I was the witch whose hair was green.

And we haunted the house on Halloween,

When we were a couple of ghouls.

"Jessisca" THE GHOUL

Isn't she a beauty

"Carson" He's a NEWSIE

He's obsessed with this movie

"Dottie" THE DEVIL

How true it is

"Abby B." & "Kellee B."
They dressed up as HYMN BOOKS

So clever!

FUN, FUN, HALLOWEEN!

HALLOWEEN GREETINGS!

Friday, we had our annual

"trunk or treat" ward activity.

The kids dressed up and had lots of fun.

CARSON is "Link" from the video game "Zelda"

with his friend ERIC

JESSICA is a cat burglar with a unabrow

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!