I have wondered more recently, when Sunday rolls around, and I haven't started writing in the blog, if it is something I really want to keep doing.  I can't tell you how many times I started a little family blog in the past - actually, I can - I was looking to day, and I have some that go all the way back to 2008 - but they are mostly just one paragraph drafts that didn't go anywhere and my motivation fizzled out and I didn't do any more until the next year - and you guessed it again - another draft that didn't get published. However, I have loved writing these, and if you can believe it, we are starting our 4th year.  What I like best is being able to look back and see our progress - where we have been, our adventures and travels, our hurts and disappointments, and I love that each week I can share my testimony with you.  This morning, I was listening to a podcast, and the following story was shared - 

President Eyring tells a story about a class he taught while serving as president of Ricks College. He taught religion and the Doctrine and Covenants. He would always tell the students that one of the requirements for this class was to write. 

A girl in the class proceeded to ask why it was so important to write. She said, "Why is it so important that I refine my writing skills?"The only thing I'm going to write are letters to my children, probably. Why do I need to do this?" President Eyring hesitated just long enough for a young man in the back of the room to stand and ask if he could answer the question. He was older than the other students and shy. He asked if he could speak and then continued with his story. "He had been a soldier in Vietnam. One day, in what he thought would be a lull, he had left his rifle and walked across his compound to mail call to pick up the mail. Just as he got a letter in his hand, he heard a bugle blowing and shouts and mortar and rifle fire coming ahead of the swarming enemy.  He fought his way back to his rifle, using his hands as weapons. With the men who survived, he drove the enemy out. The wounded were evacuated. Then, he sat down among the living and some of the dead and opened his letter. It was from his mother." 

"She wrote that she had had a spiritual experience that assured her he would live to come home if he were righteous. "In my class," the boy said, quietly, this phrase that I cherish - that letter, was scripture to me. I kept it to help me through the hard times."

I don't think I'm writing scripture, but I do love to look back at some of our family history, even if it's just 3 years ago.   AND I have to admit that my curiosity got the best of me this afternoon, and I did take a peek at one of those drafts from 2008 - These are some of the treasures I found - 

  Some of these photos I don't know if I've ever seen. But I love them and love remembering these grandchildren as "littles".  So, thank you for indulging me and contributing to our family history - it is amazing to witness the Lord's hand in our lives as these wonderful children have grown into awesome adults!  

 I do have to add that I am forever grateful that we still have Lily, Jake, Sayre, and Ben  - not babies, but not yet adults.  It is bittersweet watching them grow from little ones to toddlers, from strollers to dirt bikes, soccer, and beyond. I love you all so much❤

FUN NOTES FROM THIS WEEK ~

Sammi stopped by on Friday to check on Sendai, and a few minutes later, Eilis showed up.  Sendai thought she was in Heaven!  Two beautiful granddaughters who paid attention to her 😄

 Max and Amelia went to the Temple on Saturday and then out to eat - So fun that they ran into Zach's kids when they went to get something to eat - Owen and his wife, Sidney and her husband, and Jaime.

 I love when cousins can get together!

 (probably only happen in Utah 😃)

Sayre helped Kate paint his "book nook" - I love the colors!

  Today, they got just a dusting of snow, so when they took Clementine on a walk today, Sayre walked ahead of Kate and Jonathan and left pictures in the snow - sort of like leaving a crust of bread for someone to follow  My favorite was when they got to a corner he had left a picture with an arrow - so they would know which direction to go 😁

This past week has been a busy one for Dad and I  - I had a lot of school work to do, we made dinner for a family we minister to, and Dad fixed our porch lights, which had not been working for a while. We helped Angella get to her doctor appointment - she is doing great by the way - and we took a couple of hours and went to Kneaders for lunch.  

Tomorrow, I will be trying to get a week's worth of school assignments done in two days 😳

(I CAN DO IT!!!) and catching up on some housework before we leave for California on Wednesday morning.  

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS THIS WEEK, AND FOR THE TIMES YOU REACHED OUT TO LET US KNOW YOU WERE THINKING OF US  - 

Have a wonderful week !

This is Kate being smothered by 75lbs of dog 😂