HELLO upgrade

I made the switch.

And I like it.

Often I find myself grumbling (or thinking grumbly thoughts) about the things I am asked or expected to do. This quote from Spencer W. Kimball is a good reminder that having perspective about the journey of life will ultimately bring us more JOY.

Happy Birthday to the First Lady

She was the first lady in my life; she brought me into the world and taught me to love. She has patiently and lovingly guided me for more than 50 years. We're now supporting and guiding each other, as we have become peers and good friends in life's journey.

Happy Birthday Mom.

I love you.

XOXO

on friendship

 The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles of ‘Mormonism.’” ¹ That thought ought to inspire and motivate all of us because I feel that friendship is a fundamental need of our world. I think in all of us there is a profound longing for friendship, a deep yearning for the satisfaction and security that close and lasting relationships can give. Perhaps one reason the scriptures make little specific mention of the principle of friendship is because it should be manifest quite naturally as we live the gospel. In fact, if the consummate Christian attribute of charity has a first cousin, it is friendship. To paraphrase the Apostle Paul slightly, friendship “suffereth long, and is kind; [friendship] envieth not; … seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; … [friendship] never faileth.” ²

MARLIN K. JENSEN

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

the family that...

I'm a big fan of the saying

"The family that plays together stays together."

How do you wrap that concept around 

hauling and stacking wood?

Whatever the trick,

it's not exactly PLAY.

But we do it...

often enough that everyone knows it's a much faster, much less painful chore when ALL hands are on deck.

We loaded the garage with wood to burn (again), and with cold temps on the way, we might be at it once more before February.

We don't love stacking wood, but we DO love the wood stove.

She had her wisdom teeth out.

All FOUR of them.

(she is still WISE.)

Then we sent her back to Idaho.

And I miss her.

the end.

2014 is in the books. Happy 2015!

Before we knew it, it was New Year's Eve!

Again.

And that New Year's Eve party of 2012/2013 at our house that left more than three dozen people staggering into the new year with a stomach virus STILL makes me shudder.

So I'm a little shy about hosting the big one.

The one where many hands paw their way through the chex mix and everyone goes home with a gift.

SO... we celebrated.

 on a much smaller scale.

 Just a couple of cousins

 and our usual line up of activities

 To count down the hours until the new year.

There was plenty to eat

 and so much to do

 that we didn't get to everything on the list.

Paper airplanes,

 paper bags,

and paper dreams

(he TRIED! but just couldn't conquer the bag challenge)

 We baked scones just before midnight.

 We revved up for a fresh start and some new resolutions.

 With seconds to go before the clock strikes 12, we line up at the door in our bare feet and prepare to make a dash into a new year (and ALL the way around the house).

 It's our favorite most invigorating way to ring in the New Year.

HAPPY 2015!!