Tonight is the night When dead leaves fly Like witches on switches Across the sky, When elf and sprite Flit through the night On a moony sheen.
Tonight is the night When leaves make a sound Like a gnome in his home Under the ground, When spooks and trolls Creep out of holes Mossy and green.
Tonight is the night When pumpkins stare Through sheaves and leaves Everywhere, When ghouls and ghost And goblin host Dance round their queen. It's Halloween.
Many of you know we had the Swine Flu at our house a while ago and while I am glad that Deserey and I are no longer sick, it seems like anymore no matter who you talk to someone is sick everywhere you go. People everywhere are suffering from either a cold, the flu, or some other nasty virus. Ever asked yourself what is the difference between a Cold and the Flu? I was talking to Kaedell about that today. She sounded terrible on the phone, sickness has paid her a visit! We discussed the question did she have the flu or a cold. I decided the question was a valuable one and Kadie had some good points and I decided to give it some further research! Both the Common Cold and the Flu have become an inseparable pair, like salt and pepper or New Year's and weight loss. Walking down the "cold and flu" aisle of any drugstore, you will find stacks of bright boxes with bold claims of help for those suffering from a cold or the flu. Since the two illnesses share some similar symptoms, and both come during "cold and flu season," the two often run together in people's minds. We have a vague idea that they are different, but if pressed, have a hard time saying exactly how. Here's a great article to help you have a better idea of what you are dealing with. "Click HERE"
The other day Desi started up with her antics in the car. Yup, she grabbed the radio dial and suddenly I heard rap like music blaring, but with a catchy beat. The next thing I knew the radio had come to life right there beside me. It was so awesome, I swore I was at a Black Eyed Peas concert! Des was rockin out and singing every word. It's a good thing she had her seat belt on, she was wild with energy. I love it. I got on facebook and Rachel Bunderson posted this to her wall. It's our song Des! As I watched the clip I wanted so bad to be the girl in the blue. I want that to be me I thought, I want to live my life like the girl in the blue. Life is too short not to dance your way through every bit of it! Life is too short for it to be any other way and if you stumble, just make it part of your dance! Rock out Des! I'm with ya on every beat!
These are Fremont's Junior Class Officers! Aren't they cute! They were in charge of Fremont' s 5K they held to raise money for "Kash for Kids." Every year Fremont raises donations to help needy families and kids have a Christmas.
I talked my good friend Michelle Houton into doing the race with me. She is the cutest girl!!! Generous in every way! (single too if you know of any cute guys who want a super phenomenal catch!) I didn't have to talk very hard and I promised her she didn't need to wait for me. But she did because she's awesome!
See the smile on her face, meanwhile I'm dying! Well, it was a fun race even with me taking the wrong route at the end (thanks to Deserey's evasive directions and Joey's failure to monitor at the intersection hahahaha) and even though I chose to go back and take the correct route and finish, I was glad I entered. So I guess the next race I'll be conning Michelle into is the Ogden 1/2 marathon. Come on Michelle, come across the finish line last with me! Hahhahaha it'll be fun (when it's over!) Thanks Des for talking your old mother into participating. Hey, and even with my detour, I didn't finish this race last! Thanks Michelle for joining in! Good job Des! You and your fellow officers did great!
Today was Corbin's birthday. He would be 25 years old today. I wish I had more than one picture of him but I don't. Every year I find the same little picture and place it here. And every year I wish I had taken up photography a long, long time ago.
Today was a really good day for me. When I woke up this morning the first thing I did was I sat up in my bed and read the last five pages of the Book of Mormon. I have grown to love the Book of Mormon! I started my reading on May 24th and I finished today. I didn't really plan it that way, but I thought how nice that today was Corbin's birthday and today I finished a goal I had set. The timing couldn't have been more perfect.
The last Chapter of the Book of Mormon, Moroni talks about spiritual gifts, encourages us to have faith, hope, charity, and bids us to "Come unto Christ."
It felt good to read the last chapter this morning and as I read I felt overwhelmed with everything I have to overcome in myself. Knowing I have a son who resides in Heaven puts a lot of pressure on me. Reading the last chapter filled me with emotion for there are times I wonder if I'm a disappointment to my son. I can't help feeling that I am sometimes, because of the frequent times I am a disappointment to myself. I can relate to Nephi's Psalm where he cries "Oh wretched man that I am." But as I closed the book I felt so much hope and love from my son who resides with my Savior. I am so thankful to know, even though I fail time and time again, My Savior will make up the difference for me if I just keep trying.
After reading, I ran, cleaned out a closet (symbolic ritual I do on his birthday), did some menial chores around the house, went to his grave, put flowers there, gathered some leaves from the big Oak tree that stands by his graveside, then I headed to the temple. It was a beautiful day for me and I enjoyed every spiritual ray I soaked in.
I thought about the weather all day long. On the day Corbin was born it snowed, everything was white! On the day he died it rained harder than I'd ever seen and then the sun came out. All day today it was the same. When I went for my run it was cloudy, when I finished it was so sunny. When I went to the grave it was overcast when I left the sun peaked through. When I went to the temple it was gray again and when I came out the clouds had cleared and the sun was shinning on the beautiful fall colors. I am constantly amazed at the tender mercies of the Lord and how frequently and abundantly he sends them if we take the time to look!
In remembrance of my son today I would like to post this video. It came to me today from a great friend who understands me well. Isn't it great to have friends, family, and people in our lives who are generous and forgiving in their natures. I love the people in my life who constantly overlook my imperfections, give me the benefit of the doubt, believe in me and extend their love continually to me even when it's not convenient, and even though at times I'm not worthy of it. These are the true disciples of Christ in my life, they are my friends, they are my family/my husband and my children, they are the people in my life who never give up on me and gently overlook the worst of me, loving me regardless. They make a huge difference in my life! And of these my son Corbin sets the highest example of all!
I had a beautiful day today remembering Corbin and I look forward to the time I will be with him again! I am thankful he is on the other side of the veil to help me. I know his presence there gives me another set of hands on the other side to bring me safely home. I hope in the end he will be proud of me.
Happy Birthday Corbin . . . you are one of my hero's!
I have seven grandchildren! Yes, seven and I'm just getting started. That amounts to seven very different, very individual, very unique, cute little personalities! Seven mind you . . . I just want you to stop and ponder on that for a while. No, I don't want you to ponder on the number seven, I want you to ponder on how seven small people can all be so different, because I'm here to tell the world, not one of them is one bit like the others! Each child has his or her own stamped mold. It's beautiful! They're all beautiful.
Today is Ali's birthday. Now just study her little facial expressions in the above photo and you will start to understand this little girl's vivaciousness and enthusiasm for living life. Ali is so unique. First of all the second you look into her big round eyes, you are now in her power! Then just wait for the way she talks to you with those eyes. It's all over but the shouting!
This little girl has a strong will, and she doesn't take anybody's crap so to speak. When she makes up her mind then move over. I guess you could call her determined, doesn't matter which one you choose, strong willed or determined, just know she is a child with her own mind and I love that about her!
Did I tell you she is so loving, and has a special way of listening to you and recognizing what's in your heart. If I'm a little bit sad, she's the first child to wrap her arms around my neck and love me right out of what ever it is I'm in that's got me down.
Today I took her out for her birthday. I asked her where she wanted to go for lunch. She said "McDonald's" and so I started to pull in when immediately she said "No, I changed my mind!" We ended up at Kentucky Fried Chicken and she chose her favorite pop corn chicken. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with her. We talked about everything. After our lunch we went to Intermountain Farmers. Now you might laugh but Intermountain Farmers has Callico Critters and Ali loves Callico Critters and that's where she wanted to go. After making her choice, she informed me that we had to hurry and get home really fast. She couldn't wait to open up the little Kitty and Pony she'd chosen.
Well, Ali girl, grandma had a super fun time with you and you are a very special little girl. Oh how we all love you. You are such a special part of our family and I'm so thankful you came to bless us all! Happy Birthday Tad Pole! Nana loves you, yes, so much we can't measure!
Yesterday Gage and Missy blessed little Baylee Ann. It was a beautiful day! Missy's brother Chad just returned home from his mission in Africa, which is why Gage and Missy waited until now to bless Baylee. Gage gave Baylee a beautiful blessing and it was great to see so many men standing in the circle.
I think my favorite part of the day was hearing the testimonies. It's a great feeling for a parent to have a chance to hear their children's heartfelt testimonies and to see the gospel bless their lives!
After the blessing we drove over to Gage and Missy's home and enjoyed homemade soup and goodies of all kinds. Missy had her home decorated so cute for Halloween and it was so nice to share this day with the Bailey family too.
As you can see from the last picture Baylee is a sweet precious girl! She is the best baby. She rarely ever fusses and when she smiles at you your heart immediately starts to melt! I can't wait to make lots of memories with this little girl. Thanks for a wonderful day Gage and Missy! Baylee . . . We love you! {SQUEEZE}
Need a good book to read? Gerald N. Lund's new book, "Hearing the Voice of the Lord" is a keeper. I just finished this book and I'm reading it again!
This book is about learning to understand principles and patterns of personal revelation. I think as children of God, we often fail to understand our right to personal revelation or how to recieve it and apply it in our lives.
Spencer W. Kimball said "The almighty is with this people. We shall have all the revelations that we shall need if we will do our duty and keep the commandments of God. . . Remember: If there be eyes to see, there will be visions to inspire. If there be ears to hear, there will be revelations to experience. If there be hearts which can understand, know this: that the exalting truths of Christ's gospel will no longer be hidden and mysterious, and all earnest seekers may know God and his program."
I found my favorite quote in this book after reading just the first few pages. "As Paul taught, the things of God appear foolish and illogical to the mind that is not touched by the Spirit. Paul said, ""The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. . . . The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:11, 14)
I recently went through a very powerful experience in regards to some very personal revelation. It was not an experience I asked for or expected to receive. As I traveled through this experience I was so impacted by it. It has greatly changed me on the inside, a change I hope to never lose. The above quote holds a lot of meaning for me.
As I struggled to understand this experience and as I have struggled to keep it with me, I was praying for some help. That's when I found this book. I have such a testimony of prayer and this book was a great answer to my mine. The following quote brought me great comfort and reassured me that while this experience was very powerful to me, others might discern it as foolishness.
In reading the book I was reminded of how the world often times viewed Joseph Smith and I realize more and more how it is simply not for us to judge each other. The Lord has reserved that right for Himself, because only He knows our hearts and understands the varying circumstances and complexities of our lives!
I loved this book! I loved it so much I'm reading it twice! It's a great resource for helping us understand the tremendous power available to us as we call upon the Lord to guide us through our lives! Our Father in Heaven is always there!!! He wants to speak to us. Most important, He wants us to live worthy to hear His voice! It is a great comfort to me to know personal revelation is something my Father In Heaven wants to give me and that it is readily available to me if I live worthy. It is no small task to try to live worthy to receive it and I get discouraged when I fail! But, I'm reminded of that little saying "Be patient, God isn't finished with me yet!
"For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will------ yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man (D&C 76:5-8, 10.)
Here are some of the things we did in September: Corbin hit a major milestone in his life by starting preschool. I told him when he started, "Just think Corbin-you are going to be going to school for the next 20 years of your life. Doesn't that excite you?" He just got a big smile on his face and with those big blue eyes responded with an excited "yeah!!!"--We'll see if he is saying that in 5 years.
Put the water in the sand box and make a "river to a castle."-Eden thought that was highly entertaining!
Kyle and Seth went on the motorcycle ride from you know where. Ask them about it and you'll get a good story. Seth, I hope you will still go riding with Kyle after that!
Corbin and Eden went to the doctor for their yearly check-ups. This picture was taken before the shots! I was really proud of Corbin. Believe it or not he did not shed one single tear.
My little monkey!
We celebrated Eden's 2nd birthday. We went to the Splash Pad and the kids had a blast in the water! It's been a wonderful 2 years! We love our little Edie Bug!
Grandpa Lynn brought Corbin a "baby dinosoar" and we named him Sal. They had a lot of fun with him. We kept him for about 4 or 5 weeks. Yesterday, he went home (back where Lynn found him) to go to sleep for the winter. I'm sure he was thrilled to get out of that plastic box!
Eden loves her Calico Critter house she got for her birthday!
Corbin takes his schooling very serious! Smart little guy!
I snapped this picture when we had the grandkid photo shoot. Sooooo... sweet!
I'm sure everyone but Craig will agree that one of the best things about September are the tomatoes fresh from the garden! I miss them already!
Eden found my make-up brushes one morning. I wish you could have seen her talking to herself and pulling all kinds of faces in the mirror. I wish I would've been video taping it. She is all girl!
Well, that's it for September. See you in a month!!
I still remember the day Deserey climbed on the school bus for the very first time.
That's the day I cried so hard, then ran out and bought my first Nikon 35 mm camera!
I remember being overwhelmed with the thought "My job just got on the bus!" I've been a stay at home mom my whole life and I've never wanted to be anything else.
With all these thoughts and feelings going through my head, thinking my job as a mom had just come to an end since Desi my baby got on the bus, I made and executive decision and bought the best camera they made at that time, a Nikon F5!
Well, you know what they say "Go big or go home!"
It wasn't long and everything switched over to digital.
I loved my F5 but the digital wave struck me and I converted.
Then I discovered Photoshop! Oh wow, finally I've found my second love!
Now I just keep practicing. I love taking pictures as much as I love being a mom and a grandma!
I've learned over the years memories fade alot, film fades a little!
I want to take a picture of every moment there is. I want to frame every single memory and hold onto it forever!
Like this photo. Look at it! We were at the end of our photo shoot and the kids were pretty much sick of grandma and her camera! Ali's face say's it all. That expression is priceless. Kate is the only one left with a smile on her face. Baylee is zonked, Anna is in a fret, and Eden is perplexed beyond measure. Oh the memory one little picture holds.
I wish I would have bought me a camera in my twenties. I wish I would have started this in my youth!
There's so much to learn!
What a fun day I had with all my grandkids. I love taking their pictures! After the photo shoot and dinner at Wendy's, I went home and Des and I sat down to go through all the photos I'd taken. I have never enjoyed laughing so much! We laughed so hard at every single picture. In each photo, personalities were spilling out everywhere!
Well, I love this little group of people and I can't wait to do this all again! I'm sure glad I went out and bought myself a camera! It's the greatest thing I've done next to having 8 kids!
Kelson told me today about his favorite song. He discovered it on his mission. As I listened to it, I was so touched,I thought it was so beautiful. There is no place like home! You don't have to be away very long to realize just what home means. Sometimes I think my soul longs for my eternal home, the home I once knew long ago. Maybe it is music like this that reminds me of it; music that draws me back, speaks to me with hidden memories of the heart. Beautiful Kelson! Thank you for showing it to me.
Take time to read the words. They are timeless and beautiful just like the melody.
Homeward Bound
In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed, When the sparrows stop their singing and the sky is clear and red. When the summer’s ceased its gleaming, When the corn is past its prime, When adventure’s lost its meaning, I’ll be homeward bound in time.
Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the plow. Set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.
If you find it’s me you're missing, if you’re hoping I’ll return. To your thoughts I’ll soon be list’ning, and in the road I’ll stop and turn. Then the wind will set me racing as my journey nears its end. And the path I’ll be retracing when I’m homeward bound again.
Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the plow. Set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.
In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed, When the sparrows stop their singing, I’ll be homeward bound again.
Today was Corbin's birthday. He would be 25 years old today. I wish I had more than one picture of him but I don't. Every year I find the same little picture and place it here. And every year I wish I had taken up photography a long, long time ago.
I have seven grandchildren! Yes, seven and I'm just getting started. That amounts to seven very different, very individual, very unique, cute little personalities! Seven mind you . . . I just want you to stop and ponder on that for a while. No, I don't want you to ponder on the number seven, I want you to ponder on how seven small people can all be so different, because I'm here to tell the world, not one of them is one bit like the others! Each child has his or her own stamped mold. It's beautiful! They're all beautiful.
