The Arizona Trip

Julie makes these wonderful little hair clips.....They're really cute. We had a wonderful time in a ribbon shop! I love ribbons.... There were millions of rolls of ribbon, floor to ceiling rolls of ribbon. Of course I brought home as many as my little carry on would allow. I had a wonderful visit with Andrew, Julie and the Children. Noelle tried out for an advanced dance team...and I peeped thru a crack to watch her perform. I'm always amazed at what concentration she exhibits. The instructions are vocal and they translate into her feet. They're not easy instructions either and they're all done to a rhythm count. Jonah is turning into a little man. He was running down an aisle in a store, but was running faster than his feet would carry him....he tripped and skidded on the floor....he jumped up and anounced that his fall was cool..... He always has a great come back and a great sense of negotiaton. Julie was kind enough to share her ribbon store and the pottery painting store with me. We were truly busy the whole time! And Andrew introduced me to owl's that live underground. I didn't realize there were birds that lived underground. Andrew says that if he runs in the evenings....the owls chase and dive bomb him while he's trying to run..... They're not tiny owls and they appear to be territorial. That would scare me to death.....ick..... Oh by the way..... I love gift certificates! Saturday morning I woke up a little down.....but I had this gift certificate to Bath & Body Works (Andrew & Julie) I had a wonderful time loading up on lotion and scents for the home & office. It was a great pick me up! Made my day! Thanks!

A new Book

I've just read a new book. "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza. It's a true story about a young lady who grew up in Rwanda. In 1994 her family was brutally murdered along with about a million others of the Titsi tribe. For years the two main tribes the Titsi and the Hutu tribes inter-married and were good neighbors and then the peoples of Rwanda were whipped into a bloody genocide of the Titsi tribe. Immacuee survived the slaughter for 91 days , she and seven other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor's home while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them. This prompted the question: America knew what was happening in Rwanda, but did nothing.....How does our government decide who to help and who not to help? Our country is fighting a war in Afganistan and Iraq. We entered war in Vietnam, Korea, and certainly other places in the world--why not Rwanda? I am amazed, what this woman did. I have trouble sitting still or entertaining myself for a few hours with my thoughts......How did this woman do it for 91 DAYS? A bathroom isn't very big --- especially for seven women. They were fed table scraps from the Pastors family......Immaculee went into hiding weighing 115 pounds....when she came out of hiding she weighed 65 pounds. The human spirit is really something to admire! Great Book!

Branson

Just want you to know that it's the thought that counts. Jonah is a better photographer than I am and anybody in the world is a better blogger than I am. Anyway, here are a few photo's from the trip to Branson and Silver Dollar City.... As I look at them....you almost had to be there to appreciate the fun.....anyway it's the thought that counts......smile.......

The Arch

The Saint Lewis Arch..... Gateway to the west. I had never seen it before. The picture isn't too clear..... It was raining.

My first Car

My first car was like this one except painted maroon. I'm thinking the car was the same age that I was. The rule was if you kept your first car nice - no wreck or problems then you could have a newer one later. I drove my car my whole senior year and my first year in college no problems. It was a sweet little ride.

The very Much Enjoyed Branson Vacation

I had a great time in Branson. Not many people would take their mother or mother-in-law on vacation with them. I had a great time! A trip and memory I wouldn't otherwise of had!
Enjoy the pictures.......

Blessings

Kaitlin got her Patriarchal Blessing this past week and it's been a real blessing in her life and struggles. It gave me pause to take the time to read mine. I was married at the time and blessings were specific to that situation.....so I wondered.... Also the fellow that gave me my blessing ---at the time my blessing was given--- was having some of life's problems that soon after my blessing caused him to loose his priesthood for a while. So I wondered...... I wrestled with this through out the night, until I woke up and realized, that my blessing was still valid..... I do have the priesthood in my home--- I have son's, son's in laws, and home teachers that are very faithful and are in my heart and home always. My situation has certainly changed, but the blessing has remained constant. The gifts promised, have been given. I encourage anyone reading this blog to take a moment and read their blessing, are you living up to your potential? I'm working hard to be worthy of my gifts and realize how blessed I am to constantly have the priesthood power within my home and heart!