3:00 in the morning

* It is 3:00 in the morning and Mom is up going through the closet. I am  thankful today for an electric blanket for her, thermal underwear, a hair dryer, and a heater that  is cranked up to smoldering. Her heart is only pumping about 40% so she is always needing warming.
*I' m so grateful for a an amazingly peaceful, fun dividing up of Mom and Dad's furniture. All four children were there and we chose items because of favorite memories.
* I scored a roll top desk for Tom's bills, a fridge for the garage, Mom's silver, the piano, a black trunk for the back porch, and more things my brain can't pull up at the moment.
* Tom is mellowing. He watched Mom all day today while we worked. He fixed her lunch (peanut butter and honey sandwiches with a coke) and was sitting in her room explaining all her questions away when I got home at 10:00. Mom asked a jillion questions over and over.
* We had a beautiful palomino colt. "Legend" this morning. Diane and Paul rode on the 4 wheeler with us through the field with the 4 new horses. The sun shone bright. We were grateful to be together.
* "covering" symbolizes the atonement   

Watch Out!

If I ever think I am a little too smart for my pants.... watch out! Thursday morning I headed to the temple in  my new skirt with my new sandals thinking life was mighty fine. In the Harmon's parking lot I proceeded to walk out of my skirt and slip thinking something must be wrong with these new shoes..... dang, everything in a big knot around my shoes. An older man tried not to laugh out loud and I didn't dare look any farther. Kim fixed me up with a new skirt and safety pins. Friday, Mom had a heart attack and it has been down hill ever since. She has been so sick. She wakes in the night so confused and lost. Last night she thought there was a stranger living in her room. We talked for a long time. She couldn't remember where she lived. So I described her condo and Jamestown. She kept saying, "O thank you for helping me remember." She asked " Where do they send you at Jamestown if you can't keep up?" It broke my heart. I wonder if she has been going to all her activities because she thinks if she can't keep up with all of them they will put her in the Alshiemers Ward. She is so innocent, just like a toddler. She is constantly cold. We have the heat cranked up and the electric blanket on high, thermals and big pink socks, and I warm her with the hair dryer too. I just checked her and she was going through the drawers looking for her key....she didn't want to be locked out of her room. "Mom you are home and you don't need a key." oh my heart, "Archie where are you?" We flew down the canyon this morning to meet Matt and hand him his suit case full of supplies for the next two months. Oh my prayers have been answered. I hope. He had Dad spent a teary conversation on Monday night. Some pretty heavy promises were made. I love how our family all came together in prayer and fasting and phone calls. Such dear children, I am blessed. Matt says to tell everyone he loves them. Tonight I am tired and very humbled. No fancy pants for me! I like this dirty sweat shirt and watering boots I have on right now. I like helping Dad change the water and putting Grandma to bed. Thank you Lord for simple blessing!

Blessings

*This morning I feel a wave of blessings in my life
*For one thing I have a computer again that I can follow the kids blogs
* Everything is coming alive in Wallsburg. I can't wait to work in the dirt today.
* Margie and I went on a ride yesterday. We went to the cemetery and visited Phinie and Bill. Mom did her usual cleaning off any dead grass and she talked to them. I can't wait to get to know them both better. I remember Grandpa from giving him baths with Mom when he had cancer and was dieing. I was only four.
*She went to my favorite little quiet boutique and I got a flower basket. It sings of spring.
* Tom and I ate the best shrimp salad last night. I love that man!
* Today I am taking Sam to the groomer. Hope she doesn't put that silly scarf on him. He gets so embarrassed.
* I feel so filled with the joy of life today, I am more than grateful!
*"When you hear His words echoing in your own voice,"forgive them for they know not what they do." then you will begin to see the Master in the mirror. His image will appear to you there first. Your countenance will look more like His: more humble, more contrite, more obedient and filled with more light than you are right now." Snuffer

The Boys

*This morning I miss these three little boys! They love to wrestle and pile on each other. The tramp is perfect for them to jump and laugh and rough house. One of my very favorite nights was the first night they had their tramp and we laid in blankets watching for satellites. Jace just had a Birthday, already 6 almost 16. I love him and his brothers!
* I made a fun skirt last night
* Talked to Maralee on the phone for a long time. It felt nice. Mike Statton is so darn sick.
* I am going to a Birthday party for Mom at Jamestown today and dinner tonight.
*Washed Mom's feet and gave her a pedicure
*"Choice of Faith is an everyday decision"

Walllsburg

* I am thankful this spring morning to be in Wallsburg
* Walked with Sam and drank in all the new fresh green
* Last Thursday on the way to the temple I stopped and checked on Mom. She was in a "bell" class. She looked so cute with her white hair. I felt like I was watching my own kindergartener at her first program. She was so innocent, watching for her letter to come up on the board so she would ring her bell at just the right time. I love her.
* Matt called last night, he sounded good
* " And this is the gospel, the glad tidings. . . " D & C  76:40

Anthem

* I am in Anthem, and I have missed my Gratitude Journal. I have so much to be thankful for. I just woke up to this Text. "Good night u 2. I'm lucky to have u 2 as mom and dad i could not of asked for anything better, thanks 4 your love, love ya night." Matt Pure Honey for the Heart

* I am learning so many things like: I need new pans. The ones here are amazing.

* I was made to be in the water. Every day I can swim my life is greased.

* Tom and I have been reading Beloved Enos each night together. I am finally, after a 40 years, learning that I can't share meaningful things with him before about 11:00 P.M. He reads to us and I try to stay awake. Somehow I have to recalibrate my clock to be alert late. I have always wanted to be outside at the crack of dawn, probably still will do that one, but I need to nap or something to allow me to connect with him better later.

* I have been reading Jean Anderson's Books and they speak to my soul. I think they jumped off the shelf at the library just as gift to me. One of those tender mercies.

* C.S. Lewis said that self satisfaction is a quiet joy mixed with a sense of gratefulness. I am feeling those words to be perfect!

Grady

* Boy are we going to have excitment in our family always with this cute boy. He is a "Spit Fire". I have missed out on his personality too much. Thank heavens for this lucky time for me to get to know him. He is wearing Grandpa's Birthday winter horse feeding hat. Tom wasn't impressed at all, but Grady was all over it. It is February and everyday is sunny and warm here so I don't think it will come in handy for him. Grady makes Tom and I smile all the time. Today in Sacrament meeting he walked up the aisle and gave us a hug, checked out the candy, and headed right back to his Mom. He LOVES his Mom. He gives the very best hugs! I love feeding the ducks with him. Just being with this child makes me so happy!

Arizona

We are in Anthem, it is such fun to be with Jamie's and her family. They make us so happy. Grandma changes her mind every 10 minutes and wants to go home. We are heading to church. I get the Internet occasionally when my neighbor is using hers. I just need to get my own. But for right now this is OK. Last night there was a two murders right behind our wall. One deputy died and one of the gang member who were trying to break into a medical buildings, probably for drugs. We had helicopters and police cars everywhere at 4:00 this morning with search lights. What excitement! I am sending love to all my family this Sunday morning. XOXOXO

Emilee

*This was Emilee sick as a dog on Christmas Eve. She is still so beautiful. I sat next to her last night at the table. I mentioned that we could write down our New Year's Resolution. She was the only one to grab a card and write. I want to write in my journal, have morning and night prayers, read my scriptures every day. Emilee I want to be like you, those are going to be ny resolutions too. I am so proud that you go to the temple once a month at 4:30 A.M. before school to do baptisms for the dead. I love you!
* It is hard for me to leave Kim and Nicole. They are my dearest friends. Just thinking about them makes me happy. Kim has on her back brace. I pray in the long run she will be feel better! Nicole and Bret looked so fancy in their new Christmas brown (not matching) sweaters. Nicole's eyes are bright. I think she loves being a mom and wife.
* The kids were all so clean and busy and happy. Oh how I wish my neighbors up the street could see what happy children look like. I am going to miss Nicole Butters, she calls us three times a week to see if she can come be with us. She is always wanting to go to dinner on Friday or Saturday night, or ride over to get a hamburger for lunch. I answer the phone and she says "Hi, what you doing?"
* I miss Sam. Every time I walk pass the kitchen door I look for him. Every morning he runs around the house to whatever window is closest to where I am and begs me to walk with him. Sam teaches me that small habits become our life. I want to develop the best of habits.
* I have four new books to devour in Arizona, I can hardly wait. Divine Signatures is calling to me.
* I am so thankful to be alive and have another new day. I get to sit in the car with Tom and Mom all day. What an adventure.
*"Fear not, let your heart be comforted;yea. rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks; waiting patiently on the Lord." D & C 98"1

Happy New Year

2011 has been a great year!

* Dad built his barn, one of his dreams. Now he wants to finish the stalls and the inside.

* We are working on keeping his diabetes under control. That is huge!

* I love him, he is my greatest blessing!

* I was lucky enough to tend the Miller, Clark and Thompson children while their parents traveled. My favorite thing!

* We are actually going to Arizona for 3 months. I am hoping this will be a lead into a mission soon, but I must not mention that to Tom!

* Every New Years one of my resolutions is to take better care of Mom. She is coming with us to Arizona so now I have a my wish.

* Weekly work is the Temple brings me the greatest peace.
* Some of my favorite books I read this year are The Holy Temple, The Sabbath, The House of Glory, The Holy Secret, The Book Thief.

* The kids came up for scones last night. It felt so good to knell around the table. Bret asked Tom to say the prayer. He was tender. I have the best family in the world. I am missing the one child in Spanish Fork. He gives the best prayers too.d
* "Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar His face is to us." Ezra Taft Benson