HAPPY MARCH!  Such a great month and so many good things and great people to celebrate ~  Blowing out the birthday candles this month are Grant, Kim, and Ben - the first day of Spring is March 20th - Spring Break - Phantom of the Opera at the Buell Theatre - and finally, week #13 of American Government (that means the last of those "dang worksheets" 😁. 

    Seriously, March has always been a month of hope for me.  Working our way through the winter months, seeing more sun, and feeling more warmth.  I know General Conference is on the horizon, and Easter, and all that it means to me.  If you are tired and weary from Winter, just know that good things are to come. 🌸

  It has been so fun to have Max and Amelia here with us this week.  Paul has kept them busy with hiking, pickleball, laser tag, and lots of board games.  They leave tomorrow morning, but we hope they will come back again soon. We love you both ❤

 Adam smoked some delicious ribs for us tonight, and afterwards the "younger ones" cleared off the table and set up some games, while the "older ones" were on their phones 😂

Max's missionary companion, Levi, who is a Senior at the Air Force Academy, also joined us.  

 

 We don't get to see him too often either, but it is always a treat when we do, 😊

Friday, Jake didn't have school, so we got to spend some time with him.  He helped me do some last-minute pick-up before Max and Amelia came, and then we went on an adventure to find a roller park where he could practice his roller hockey skills.  We found a one really close by, and while Jake skated, I basked in sunshine and 64° temps.  Jake is amazing, and really, it was the best de-stressor ever! 🏒

Grandkids are the best, and Ben outdid himself this week with this ingenious invention - tacos made with a gyoza press 😃 .  That's right!  You lay part of a taco shell on the press, fill it with carnitas (you can add cheese if you want), fold it over and press - Voila - you have a mini taco ready to pop in your mouth.  For more detailed instructions, watch the video below 😂

Something I thought you might enjoy - 

  Mike is the most wonderful brother, and I have the fondest memories of when we were young, however, what I don't remember is how mischievous he was. I am so thankful that my mother was such an amazing letter-writer. Her letters are now treasures, and Ruthis was able to consolidate some of the letters she wrote to Francie when she was in her first year at BYU. Mike was born in 1956, and Francie was in her first year of college in 1960, so these are just a sampling of what Mike did to our Mom 😂

    Oct 5, 1960 - "Mike seems to be getting a cold tonight. He helped me wash the car today, then filled is wagon with water and climbed in. He was wet from head to toe, so if he has a cold, I won't be surprised. I told him I was going to write to you and asked him what he wanted me to tell you, and he said, "Tell her I'm a good boy" 😀

Oct 13, 1960 - "Today, I cleaned house really well, and while I was sweeping the kitchen, Mike went into his room to play, and by the time I got around to his room, there was a big puddle of water on the floor. He had poured water into his toy chest, for what reason I couldn't figure out, and everything in it was just soaked. I took it outside (it dripped all the way) and dumped everything in it on the grass to dry. While I was cleaning up his room, he came out in the kitchen and got out all the measuring cups and spoons and poured water in them, so half that floor was a big puddle too. So went the day - "

Oct 13, 1960 - "Tonight, when I took Mike to the bathroom before putting him to bed, he 'wet' in every direction, including straight up! On purpose! and thought it was a big joke". 😩

So glad he's all grown up, and Mom and Dad were always so very proud of him!  Yesterday, he sent me this podcast from BYU radio.  It is so interesting and so good. When you have a minute, click on this link -

Diving into History

Thank you, Angella, for a great Sunday Selfie!

What a week our world has had! Between the cartels and riots in Mexico, and the bombings in the Middle East, we realize the thin thread that can hold a government together.  It is so sad to me that the hostilities and absolute lack of tolerance people have for each other continues to grow.  My team teacher in Primary this year, Heather Clonninger, is amazing! I think she is best friends with everyone, not only in our Ward, but in our community as well.  She is also very liberal and doesn't hesitate to express her views.  Today, though, she was telling our class that she wants to be a "bridge-builder".  When she meets people that she knows have different ideologies from her, she says, "let's find something we do have in common", and that is the foundation of new relationships.  I love the idea that we shouldn't limit our friendships based on differences, but instead find a common ground - It doesn't mean our beliefs are any less relevant than theirs, it just means we can learn from and respect the ideas that are important to them.  

I think we should all be bridge-builders!  The Savior was probably the greatest example of this - He loved unconditionally and formed relationships with those who completely opposed him.  

This week, be a bridge builder ❤

 HAPPY SUNDAY TO EVERYONE!  

  Hope you all have had a great week, and it is so nice to end it on a sunny day - chilly, but sunny! 🌞

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO PAUL ~      He got his mission call to the Washington Vancouver Mission.  It covers a portion of northern Oregon and part of western Washington.  He is so happy, and we are so excited for him.  

His mission call came on Tuesday, but he decided to wait until Thursday to share with family and friends (except for his Mom and Dad). We went suit shopping on Wednesday, and all I can say is that he is going to be one handsome Missionary ❤ He will be leaving the first week of August for the MTC. 

 LOOK WHO KIM GOT TO HAVE DINNER WITH TONIGHT 😁.  Mark and Diana Anderson lived behind us when we were stationed at Yokota.   Kim was their Number 1 babysitter, and she and Diana even went on a shopping trip to Korea together.  Currently, their daughter Emily lives in Chicago with her husband, who is in medical school.  How fun to connect with good friends from your past! 

IS ANYONE ELSE HAVING A HARD TIME believing we are heading into the last week of February?  We have had some lovely days that make me wonder if our Winter weather is going to show up in March.  I would like to say I hope not, but I know we need the moisture. ⛈

 

ANNYEONGHASEYO - (or hello from Korea)

    Chris left for a week-long trip to Korea on Wednesday.  Traveling with him is his sister, Heather, and together they are going to visit Julia (Chris's other sister) and her husband, Clint, who teaches at the International School in Seoul.  Clint and Julia will be moving to Japan over the summer as Clint has accepted an offer to teach at an International School in Tokyo. 

 

 Have fun, Chris, but please stay away from the fabric market, and anyone trying to sell you Chanel #5 😄

 

EILIS IS TAKING A BIG STEP and moving into an apartment this week with a friend from work.  

  They found a nice place that will be closer to her work, which will be better when the roads are snowy or icy.
  I am not a big fan of moving though - especially the packing. 

 I am hoping that because she will be closer, we will get to see her more often.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BARBI this past week!  What a fun person she is, and I wish I had just a quarter of her energy. She works, she sews, she grows vegetables, she is involved in community projects, she draws and paints and can build things, she works in the Temple, and takes Mike on super fun vacations - whew!  

  I love that she is part of our family! ❤

SUNDAY SELFIE FROM IOWA ❤

  Is Sayre so excited to be going to Church, or is he so happy to be going home? 😁😂😃❤

DAD AND I have kept busy this week with PT (Dad), working on school stuff, running errands, and doing some sorting and cleaning.  I have been helping out at Liberty High School while their Registrar is on leave to be home with her 6th grader, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  I can't imagine how hard it would be to have a child so ill.  I can't go in every day because of the class I am taking this term, but I have been able to go in 2 to 3 times and work just half days.  I am so grateful to be able to help.

I hope you will remember this week, that each day is truly a gift. Remember to appreciate all that you have.  Simplify your life - there are some things that just aren't that important. 

I absolutely love this quote from President Oaks that I came across this week - 

You have no idea what's shifting because you pray.  You think you're just whispering words in your car.  Just crying out in your closet.  Just mumbling through tears you can't explain. But in the spirit?  Angels are moving.  Chains are breaking.  Destinies are being realigned. 

Demons are losing ground.  Heaven is leaning in.  You're not just talking.  You're building altars that will outlive you.  You're interceding for bloodlines that don't even know they are being covered.  Prayer is not a soft option.  It is a supernatural strategy.

That's why the enemy fights it so hard.  That's why your phone buzzes when you kneel.  That's why your mind races when you try to focus. 

Prayer is the place of power.   So pray tired. Pray empty. Pray unsure. Just don't stop.  Because every time you pray, Heaven moves and history changes.

Dad and I love you, and we pray for each of you every day! 

 I don't think there is anything more rejuvenating than the sun. Even if it is cold outside, the sunshine makes me feel better - it clears my mind, it gives me energy, and warms my heart.  We have had lots of sun these past few days, and I am loving it so very much! 🌞

 We got back Thursday morning from our 8-day, three-state trip. healthy, but tired.  Sammy and Paul did a great job taking care of Sendai and the house while we were gone. Thank You! ❤

Francie's funeral was lovely. Ruthie and Mike both gave beautiful talks and shared funny stories and spiritual insights that were so heartwarming.  Francie was an amazing "big" sister whom I idolized when I was little and came to appreciate more and more as I got older.  I will miss her and her sweet, humble ways, but at the same time, I am so thankful she was spared the significant limitations that can occur with Alzheimer's. After her burial in Marysville, we were able to meet Mike at the Feather River Temple, where he took Ruthie, Adam, Kim, Kevin, and I on a tour.  I think Mike knew everyone working in the Temple that evening.  Each person he introduced us to was his "favorite" person 😄.  While we were sitting in one of the sealing rooms, the Temple Matron came in, and she stayed and visited with us for a few minutes. It was the perfect ending to a bittersweet day. 

 

We got to Francie's house about the same time as Mike and Barbi on Wednesday, and fixed a quick dinner we enjoyed with Jenny.  We spent time on Thursday going through some old photos and letters that Mom had sent to Francie while she was in college, and some letters that Francie had sent home.  It was also so nice to visit with Ruthie and Ken, Matt and his family, Steven, Hollyanne, Heather, Jenny's friend, Lance, Ryan, and Amy, AND Sugar (Steven's dog) - you can tell she misses Francie 😥

We left Sacramento Saturday morning, with a layover in Chicago, and then on to Cedar Rapids.  Kate picked us up at the airport, and we got back to their home just in time to sing Happy Birthday to Sayre. 

 Sadly, he wasn't feeling his best (Jonathan took him to urgent care, and he came home with a flu diagnosis).  He perked up enough on Sunday that we were able to get to Church and afterwards, his baptism.  

 

Kate and Jonathan have the nicest Bishop, and he tailored the meeting to help Sayre feel comfortable. It was also so nice to have Jonathan's Dad and his wife there.  

So happy we could be there, Sayre!😊

We enjoyed our quiet time in Iowa.  Jonathan also came down with the flu/pneumonia, and Kate wasn't feeling her best either, so we spent a lot of time reading, doing homework, napping(Dad), eating, discussing the government, and walking Clementine.  We did make it to Costco a couple of times, the mall once, and the day before we left, I talked Kate into taking me to Aldi. (I do love Aldi) 😋  It was way too short of a visit, but we hope to go back later in the Spring.  Kate said when she got back to the house after dropping us off at the airport, Clementine was a little droopy 😢 (love that girl!)

Wednesday afternoon, we were able to get on a flight from Cedar Rapids to Chicago. Kim and Chris picked us up from the airport, and we went directly to Portillo's. Dad was in a little bit of Heaven with his Chicago Dog.

 I was so sad we didn't get to see Spencer, but thankful for the time we got to visit with Blythe and Grant. 

We are looking forward to going back for a longer visit - to see Spencer's new apartment, meet Grant's girlfriend, Jordan, and hit the Outlet stores with Chris!😁

What can I say?  Families are the BEST, and I love ours❤

Other news to pass on - 

Paul's mission paperwork has been turned in, and now he is just waiting for that Tuesday email  - not sure which Tuesday it will be, but he'll let us all know so we can join in the excitement.

 I just know that wherever he goes, he will be an amazing missionary and a blessing to so many people.

 

Rumor has it that Max might bring Amelia out for a visit next weekend. 

 

Adam is putting his "coach" hat on again and will be coaching girls' soccer for Palmer Ridge High School. I think Lily just might have talked him into that.  He is so great with the kids and Palmer Ridge is lucky to have him! ⚽

Chris joined Blythe and her friend for Yoga last week!  He said it hurt 😂😂😂

What a great Dad!!!

And thank you, Kim and Chris, for my Sunday Selfie!

I have a lot more I would like to share tonight, but it is getting late, and my Sunday scoop of ice cream is calling me.

 I love you all so much! You bring me so much joy (and sometimes, worry) but I know that Heavenly Father hears my prayers for you, and I also know that he loves you all so much, and is cheering you on to become the best of who you are.❤  

Have a very wonderful week!

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 😂