Can hardly believe it has been a year since I have posted.  So much has happened since then.  First of all, Phil and I have moved in with Lola to take care of her.  It has been a growing experience, yet a rewarding one in many ways.  I hope that I can remember the lessons that I have learned over the past 9 months (so far).  We enjoy our ward and are very busy in the temple (every other Saturday) as well.

Here is a little update on the Fam:

James and Laren got married in April and live in our Gemini House.  

Andy got married to Telaine a month ago (in August).

Liz just had a new baby girl named Reese who is a doll.

Becky and Wes let their foster children go and just got a new baby mid-September.  She is theirs and her name is Ivy.  We are so happy for them (and us)!

Sam has moved from Midland, Texas to San Antonio and seems to like his new location and his promotion.

Dan & Sadie have moved to Erie, PA and Andy and Telaine now live in Goshen, IN.  We miss them all (and little Ryker, too)

Ben and Sara hope to move closer to home someday but Ben got a raise and is working on his dissertation.

Sarah and John are downsizing their home.  John is teaching in Orem now and Sarah is a spinning and aerobic instructor.

So that's the Fam in a nutshell.  Life is grand!!

Grandkids are Fun!

...and, Grandma tending is the best! Liz and David went on the Martin's Cove trek and I got to tend their kids (my grandkids) while they were gone. We had a great time: the limbo, reading, playing Spore, cleaning the deck and McDonald's visit. All ordinary things but extra-ordinary when you add grandkids to the mix!

My Dear Friend, Laurie Brown

Yesterday one of my best friends, Laurie Brown, passed away. She was one of those people who made every person feel as if she were the most important person in the world. She did that for me. No one wrote better notes of encouragement, knew what kind deed was needed and then did it or helped another person look good by doing the tasks needed for that to be accomplished and then stood in the background enjoying the other person's glory for a job well done.
She was my friend, a mentor, once my secretary in the stake young women and partner in the ward young women. I will miss her. She was one who was an angel on earth who would say things like "Give me a break!" or "Get a clue!" when people were too much wrapped up in the world.
I will miss her but my tears would be wasted if I didn't know that now she is in the presence of her husband and mother whom she lost when she was only 13. Good-bye, Laurie! I will miss you so much!

Quilting--I Love it!

It is so exciting to have time to quilt. For so many years, I have wanted to get into some of my creative projects but never had time to do it. I was busy with so many things. Now that I have simplified my life more, I am finding time to do those things that connect more with my feminine side. One of them is quilting. I made a random square quilt for Andy for Christmas. I put a lot of love into each square. I wonder what my next project will be.

Welcome Lewis!!