I'm thankful for. . .

SNOW DAYS!!!!! We just got word that there will be no school in the Twin Falls School District. Am I excited? Yes!! I don't remember the schools being closed since Ariane was in Kindergarten. She was so disappointed because it was just before Christmas and they had a Christmas program planned. Every day she would ask if she could go to school and cried when I told her there was no school today. (She did get to do their program, it was after the new year and was still wonderful.)
Anyhow, I am looking forward to waffles with Ari, Derek, and Brody tomorrow.
Yeah!! A snow day!!

BYU vs Nevada

Hoping this weeks game with Nevada is more exciting than last week's game.

GOOOOO COUGS!!!!!

Fun At Grandma's

This summer has been such a wonderful summer. I so enjoyed having Ari, Derek, and Brody here. Early last winter, I had promised that I would watch Drage for the summer. I really enjoyed having him here, along with everyone else.

One day, Ari and I were not so aware of what was happening outside. We knew the boys were outside having a good time. This is what we found.

It's always fun at Grandma's house!!!

(And, Yes, he was bathed and clean by the time Mom came to pick him up.)

"Bring it on"

This morning, the bishopric was informed that next Sunday the three wards in our building will be realligned to make four wards and our bishopric would be released. We knew it was coming, as our bishop has been in his calling for over five years, however, it was quite a shock to me to know it was happening this next weekend. This has been a wonderful experience for me and especially Rick. He loves working in the Bishopric as a second councilor. Our home has been engulfed with the Holy Spirit through these last two years. And I have loved to see him grow and progress in the gospel. We love the men he has been working with. They have watched miracles happen and have accomplished much. It has been a good ride. I will miss all the blessings that we receive from service to our God in this capacity. Now, I look forward to what will be. Life changes, the work moves on. What will our role in this new adventure be? Well, as a member of the ward council said today, "Bring it on."

Chillaxin' at the Beach

This is one of my favorite pictures I got at the Oregon Coast. The two people sitting on the log are my granddaughter, Audrey and my son, Justin. They are just chillaxin' on the beach watching grandpa fly his kite (the pink kite on the side of the picture). One of the few quiet moments on the beach during our trip.

All the Blogs you Missed

I got up and got ready to go to the temple. As we drove up the road to ward the temple, I realized I had forgotten to take my recommend. We are so lucky to have it so close, that Rick and I decided to catch the 11:30 session instead, so I thought I would get this blog done.

I have had so many ideas for blogs, but haven't taken the time to actually blog. Here are some you missed.

• Justin's 30th Birthday Wingding!

• Spring Break--A trip to Nevada to bring Ari and Brody home for a week visit. (This included a stop in Salt Lake City to visit with Scott, Lyric, & Gregory)

• A Thai Recipe using Hamburger!! Delicious!

• Idaho Capitol Building!! aka The Castle--a visit with Justin, Becky, and Audrey and a tour of the capitol to prepare myself for our 4th grade field trip to Boise.
  
  

• Schools out for Summer

• Cleaning like crazy to prepare for the summer activities

• A Greyhound ride to Las Vegas

• Bringing Derek, Ari, and Brody to Idaho (Derek got a job in Twin Falls. They will be living with us until they decide what to do)

• Gregory Visits for a week!! (this picture shows how Gregory can eat with his toes)
  

• The LDS Missionaries move into the Basement

• Williard Reunion at Newport Beach

• Finally Warm weather, Maybe summer can start.

If you are interested in one of these blogs, let me know. I can try to catch you up. In the meantime, summer is finally here, things have settled down (as well as they could with a house full of people) and Summer vacation is here.

I think I had better head to the temple.

For My Grandchildren!!

Don't forget to dance.

After watching the dance video on Hannah's post, I remembered this "new version" of the poem, 'Footprints'. This will be a good place to put it so I don't loose it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. And, don't forget to dance.

FOOTPRINTS
A NEW VERSION

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together.
For much of the way, the Lord’s footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns.
For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord’s, soon paralleling His consistently.
You and Jesus are walking as true friends.
This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus’ are now walking precisely in His footsteps.
Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.
This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.
Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints; they have become one.
This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints.
You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends. Now you pray: “ Lord, I understand the first scene with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian. I was just learning. But you walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with you.”
“That is correct.”
“And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps and followed you very closely.”
“Very Good. You have understood everything so far.”
“When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like you in every way.”
“Precisely.”
“So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first.”
There is a pause as the Lord answers with a smile in his voice.
“You didn’t know? That was when we danced.”
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to weep, a time to laugh,
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1,4)

"I Love to See the Temple"

My new picture is of the Salt Lake City Temple. This last December, I was able to join the YM/YW of Twin Falls 8th ward to enjoy a day at Temple Square for a youth conference. It was amazing. This picture was taken from the top floor of the Joseph Smith Building. What a beautiful building and day.

And the blanket of snow on this nativity shows the reason why the Savior wasn't born in December in the Salt Lake Valley.

Christmas Forever?

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't enjoy Christmas, because I do. And it's not that I want that Christmas feeling to go on forever, because I do. But I would like to change my blog to something more timely. However, it's the end of the quarter and report cards await. So, until they are done and I am caught up......Merry Christmas!
(In other words, I know my blog is out of date!! I will try to change it soon)