Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Yesterday
Yesterday, November 23rd was the one year anniversary since my father's death. I couldn't remember the date for sure, so I didn't even realize it until later in the day when I checked into new.familysearch.org. There it was, and it hit me how much I miss him. I miss his yearly calls on my birthday. I miss his hugs whenever we were together. I miss the story of how he could hold me in in his hand when I was tiny. I miss his asking Val and I to sing every time we were on a trip somewhere. He was proud of all of us and our children and he loved us all immensely. His love spread to all his children and grandchildren through his several marriages. There were no boundaries. He claimed us all! He had a very vast influence on the lives of many people! I will miss you Daddy!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Win a book for Christmas
Go to a friend's blog and win a book!
http://jdp-news.blogspot.com/2009/11/lets-celebrate-season-with-contest.html
http://jdp-news.blogspot.com/2009/11/lets-celebrate-season-with-contest.html
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Procrastination Family!
Let's face it! We are all a family of Procrastinators! I have realized of late how important it is we get this next generation ready...They need copies of the genealogy I've done and any stories we have or it will get lost! We recently got a new hard drive for this computer and we forgot to get the info off the paf on the old one. I realized I may have to retype in all the info, but then I looked on rootsweb and found a lot of it there, so I was able to download it. I still need to update any dates and births and more recent things, but at least I was able to get most of it. I had saved my info on diskettes, but this computer would not read them anymore!!!! Technology changes so quickly and we need to copy our info into the newest things. Flash drives are not even safe! Hard copies on paper may be the best back-up available.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Halloween costuming!
It never fails! October comes and someone needs a costume! I was about to start making myslef a cape, when Cory asked me to make him a Dr. Horrible Lab coat! Well, it hasn't been going very smoothly, but I think it will work out, even better than the one some guy made. His instructions on the internet are kind of hard to follow, and I think he didn't do an important part, so I am adding to it. We also needed a caduceus and finally found a uniform shop that would make the emblem. It turned out pretty nice, and it will make a great addition to the costume! Maybe after I get his done, I'll have time to make my cape, we'll see!
Friday, September 25, 2009
My thoughts
These are some of my thoughts I shared on a news story about Paul Cardall's recent heart transplant. Someone made a comment about how we can be grateful for trials the Lord gives us with a diseased heart and other such trials. These were the thoughts I shared, to hopefully make a difference in that person's life.
___________________________________________________________________
I am one who is grateful for my health. I had surgery when I was 5 years old to repair a VSD. I now am the proud mother of seven and grandmother of seven. I am listed as a donor and one of our daughters, who passed away 7 years ago was able to be a tissue donor. I know what I felt after Hanna's death, when I was asked if we wanted her to be a donor. My response was an immediate "Yes!". I knew that during her short life, living with her disabilities, her favorite thing to do was to help others, so she would have chosen this, no doubts at all!
Sometimes in life we have to wonder why we were given these trials. Sometimes it is for our growth, and other times it is for the growth and blessings received when someone shows their unselfishness through organ donation! I am thankful for my life, and the doctors who made it possible for me to be a mother and to realize how important our sacrifices are.
___________________________________________________________________
I am one who is grateful for my health. I had surgery when I was 5 years old to repair a VSD. I now am the proud mother of seven and grandmother of seven. I am listed as a donor and one of our daughters, who passed away 7 years ago was able to be a tissue donor. I know what I felt after Hanna's death, when I was asked if we wanted her to be a donor. My response was an immediate "Yes!". I knew that during her short life, living with her disabilities, her favorite thing to do was to help others, so she would have chosen this, no doubts at all!
Sometimes in life we have to wonder why we were given these trials. Sometimes it is for our growth, and other times it is for the growth and blessings received when someone shows their unselfishness through organ donation! I am thankful for my life, and the doctors who made it possible for me to be a mother and to realize how important our sacrifices are.
Give Away
Want a great new book to read. Check this out!
http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2009/09/give-away-author-shirley-bahlmanns.html
http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2009/09/give-away-author-shirley-bahlmanns.html
Monday, September 21, 2009
Some thoughts...
Yesterday we had Stake Conference and it was so good. One thing that impressed me was when we had a Young Man speak who is the President of the Seminary Council. He shared such a beautiful and heartfelt testimony!
Anyway, he shared his feelings about a special assembly they did for Seminary and he called it the Iron Rod Assembly. I think it was arranged by the teachers. He said on the day of the assembly, they were only letting the students in one or two at a time about every 30 seconds or so. When he got his turn, he walked into a totally pitch black building, except for a glow stick by the end of a rod (made out of PVC pipe). Once he started following the rod, with his hand on it, there was no light. He followed the rod for a while, and after a while he came to someone who said to come in and play the Wii. He chose to go on. Then another person wanted him to go see a movie. There were other temptations along the way as well. He held on and kept wanting to tell his friends who strayed to hold on, but some wouldn't listen. When he finally got to the end, he came to a room filled with light. He was welcomed there by the Seminary Principal. He was very affected by this whole experience, I could tell in his remarks.
They had rooms along the way where the temptations were set up, like the Wii and a movie, and other things. It sounds like the rod led all around the Seminary building.
This sounds a lot like something I did on a ropes course several years ago, but outside, and we had to put on blindfolds. We were told it was a silent event and to hold onto a rope. That rope led all over and wrapped around trees and through bushes. We were given an egg to carry, early on our trek, and told to pick something important to us for it to represent and keep it safe. We followed the rope for a while, when someone asked if he could hold our egg for us, or said come with me, and I'll take you to the end.. I remember feeling that my egg represented my family and how I couldn't let anything happen to them. I fiercely held onto that egg and wouldn't listen to the tempters. I struggled to follow the rope, even through knots and wrappings on tree trunks. At one time, I allowed someone to put my hand on the next line, when it got really confusing, but it was hard for me to let go of the rope. They were true to their word, and helped me. When I finally got to the end of the rope, we had been told to hold out our arms and someone would be there. I did and was immediately given a huge hug and told "Welcome home!". I equated this with returning to our Father in Heaven and was overcome with emotion. I was led to a circle of logs and helped to sit down. There was soft music playing and when I felt someone else who had finished and placed next to me, we hugged and held on to each other tightly and did the same as others were placed by us. Still no speaking allowed. We sat there until our group members were all done, at which time we were allowed to take off our blindfolds and share our feelings. Tears are coming to me now as I relive this experience from 15 years ago!
Anyway, he shared his feelings about a special assembly they did for Seminary and he called it the Iron Rod Assembly. I think it was arranged by the teachers. He said on the day of the assembly, they were only letting the students in one or two at a time about every 30 seconds or so. When he got his turn, he walked into a totally pitch black building, except for a glow stick by the end of a rod (made out of PVC pipe). Once he started following the rod, with his hand on it, there was no light. He followed the rod for a while, and after a while he came to someone who said to come in and play the Wii. He chose to go on. Then another person wanted him to go see a movie. There were other temptations along the way as well. He held on and kept wanting to tell his friends who strayed to hold on, but some wouldn't listen. When he finally got to the end, he came to a room filled with light. He was welcomed there by the Seminary Principal. He was very affected by this whole experience, I could tell in his remarks.
They had rooms along the way where the temptations were set up, like the Wii and a movie, and other things. It sounds like the rod led all around the Seminary building.
This sounds a lot like something I did on a ropes course several years ago, but outside, and we had to put on blindfolds. We were told it was a silent event and to hold onto a rope. That rope led all over and wrapped around trees and through bushes. We were given an egg to carry, early on our trek, and told to pick something important to us for it to represent and keep it safe. We followed the rope for a while, when someone asked if he could hold our egg for us, or said come with me, and I'll take you to the end.. I remember feeling that my egg represented my family and how I couldn't let anything happen to them. I fiercely held onto that egg and wouldn't listen to the tempters. I struggled to follow the rope, even through knots and wrappings on tree trunks. At one time, I allowed someone to put my hand on the next line, when it got really confusing, but it was hard for me to let go of the rope. They were true to their word, and helped me. When I finally got to the end of the rope, we had been told to hold out our arms and someone would be there. I did and was immediately given a huge hug and told "Welcome home!". I equated this with returning to our Father in Heaven and was overcome with emotion. I was led to a circle of logs and helped to sit down. There was soft music playing and when I felt someone else who had finished and placed next to me, we hugged and held on to each other tightly and did the same as others were placed by us. Still no speaking allowed. We sat there until our group members were all done, at which time we were allowed to take off our blindfolds and share our feelings. Tears are coming to me now as I relive this experience from 15 years ago!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
What a day!
We decided before coming to Las Vegas, that we wanted to go to the Las Vegas Temple, so that's what we did this morning. We got there and got ready, but we just missed the 8:30 am session, so we waited for the next at 9am. We were quietly sitting there, and one of the brethren came up to us and asked us to be the witness couple. This is the first time we have ever had this honor, and all because we missed the other session. There weren't a lot of people in the session, and very few couples. That may be why we got picked. It was a very spiritual time and I spent a lot of time praying for the sister who's work I was doing. Her name was Molly Legan, born in Kansas in, I think 1841. I may go to family search to see if I can find out more about her. Peter's name was Gustave Gaston, with no further info on the slip. I read an article by Susan Corpany Curtis on Meridian earlier that showed how important family stories are in helping you to know an ancestor better. I have written some in a journal over the years, but I know I need to write more. Blogging is a good way to do that. Families are forever!
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
I won something today!
I just found out that I won a beautiful painting by author and artist, Joanne Arnold. I am so excited! I think it's the coolest thing I've ever won. If you want to see what the painting looks like, go to her blog.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
We had a great day on Saturday at the Dinosaur Park in Ogden, UT. We went for Taylor's 3rd b'day. I think the funnest time was when we went into the room with the animatronic dinos and saw the reactions of the Grandkids! Jaiden and Cohen were first, and they were a bit frightened at first, but we were able to convince Jaiden they were not real. He was really getting into watching them, and Cohen just followed suit. Then Madi, Lani, and JJ came in, and Madi was very intrigued. Lani took a bit, JJ was all "Fine by me" about them. I was very surprised by Taylor's reaction, because he loves dinosaurs. He was terrified and wanted nothing to do with them. He was not going to stay in that room! So, Justin took him out and walked him around other areas to calm him down and let him know it was all pretend and not real. Justin took Taylor back up about 15 minutes later and Taylor did fine. He was very into the dinos after that all through the park, even pretending to be a dinosaur. It was so cute!
On, Sunday following this trip, our Bishop was talking to a combined Priesthood and Relief Society Meeting and was talking about keeping journals. He mentioned one entry kept by his Grandfather on something the Bishop's father did as a child and it reminded me of something Cohen did at the museum, and I felt I should probably write it down.
We were done with the upstairs in the museum, and needed to take the elevator down, since I was pushing Stephanie's stroller for her. Madi, Lani, Jaiden, Cohen, and I got in with the stroller, which took up most of the space and we started going down when suddenly the alarm went off, and when I looked down,Cohen had pushed the button! It was only for a second, and it didn't cause any problems, but it sure got our attention!!! I think the staff there kind of expect that button to get pushed at least once a day, because they didn't even look up when we got off the elevator! It was kind of funny, and when I think back on it, it really makes me wonder why, in a place intended for children, they would ever put a button like that within a 1 year old's reach?? Someone didn't plan very well! We have the same problem at the Library with a fire alarm that can be reached by young children! Most of the time, it's unintentional, but it sure shocks the kid who did it!!!! Anyway, I just needed to record this incident for posterity's sake! I love my Grandkids and enjoyed spending time with all of them on Saturday, no matter what!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Temple Dedication
I just got home from the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication and I just wanted to jot dwon some of my impressions.
It was such a spiritual experience and I really felt overwhelmed towards the end when we were singing The Spirit of God. I felt we were joined by the angels in heaven very strongly. I was not able to sing during the second verse because of my emotions. Over the years I have found I cannot cry and sing at the same time. Still True!
When I wrote the words "Temple Dedication" for the title of this blog, I was impressed with the way those words can mean two things. One about the actual dedication ceremony and the other about our dedication to Temple service. I want to go serve in the temple more often than we have been. I feel the need to. It is such a wonderful place to be. You can forget the cares of the world for a few hours. We really need to go at least once a month! I mean, we now have about 8 temples within an hour's drive!!! Five in a half hour, so we have NO excuse! Our bishop or Stake President once said to make your date a trip to the temple, instead of always going to a movie or dinner, or whatever else you choose to do. It's probably the cheapest date around!
I will do all I can to make this happen! I love being a Savior on Mount Zion for those who've gone on before, and my reward is getting to be in those hallowed halls!
It was such a spiritual experience and I really felt overwhelmed towards the end when we were singing The Spirit of God. I felt we were joined by the angels in heaven very strongly. I was not able to sing during the second verse because of my emotions. Over the years I have found I cannot cry and sing at the same time. Still True!
When I wrote the words "Temple Dedication" for the title of this blog, I was impressed with the way those words can mean two things. One about the actual dedication ceremony and the other about our dedication to Temple service. I want to go serve in the temple more often than we have been. I feel the need to. It is such a wonderful place to be. You can forget the cares of the world for a few hours. We really need to go at least once a month! I mean, we now have about 8 temples within an hour's drive!!! Five in a half hour, so we have NO excuse! Our bishop or Stake President once said to make your date a trip to the temple, instead of always going to a movie or dinner, or whatever else you choose to do. It's probably the cheapest date around!
I will do all I can to make this happen! I love being a Savior on Mount Zion for those who've gone on before, and my reward is getting to be in those hallowed halls!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
It is fun having a fast computer!
I'm not really sure what I want to say, but I am sooo happy this 'puter is feeling so much better! It's been fun being able to do things and go plces it just wouldn't go for sooo long! Thank you Mark for your expertise! Anyway, I have tried to update my blog's look, although I'm not completely happy with it yet. How do I get rid of the pink around the banner? Anyone know? I ahve tried a couple of things, which didn't work. Well, I'll keep trying.
Right now I am reading the book, Star Wars: Clone Wars, which is based on the Animated movie that came out to intoduce the series. I find it interesting because you get a lot of what was going on in Anakin's head as he works on his demons from his past and present before he descends to the dark side. You don't get that in the movie. It helps to understand what caused him to fall. Very interesting.
Right now I am reading the book, Star Wars: Clone Wars, which is based on the Animated movie that came out to intoduce the series. I find it interesting because you get a lot of what was going on in Anakin's head as he works on his demons from his past and present before he descends to the dark side. You don't get that in the movie. It helps to understand what caused him to fall. Very interesting.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
I'm baaack!!!
I'm Back!!!! It's taken a while, but we now have an updated, cleaned up 'puter that allows me to use my blog again! I plan on making some changes when I can figure out how and adding some pictures and whatever else more I can do to make this a fun place to visit. I will do an occasional book review, and let you know what's going on in my life and my family's. I am excited that I will be able to do this now! So, someone give me ideas of where to go to find fun things to do with my blog!!!!
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