2014 Calendar

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Just glad to still be here!

Blessings

We've so many blessings this year...just when I thought we might have used up our allotment of blessings, the Lord poured out more.  Christmas Eve, Shep ended up in the ER.  It was so scary...he had to be life flighted out to Primary Children's and I don't think I have ever prayed as hard as we did that night. He just could not get oxygen, and was struggling to breath at all. Kindle jumped into action and a helicopter ended up landing in a nearby field.  We all were stunned and in tears.  Praying was all we had in that moment. 

But the morning came in all it's merriment, and things looked a little better.  Kindle and Ben spent most of their time going back and forth to the hospital...they are made of a strength that is unfathomable.

Counting all the gifts from above just now.

 (So much sugar...so little time.)

Temple Hill

I went to Oakland today…up to Temple Hill.  There was a relief Society event going on for our stake and it was so awesome, and uplifting, and also crowded.  RS Sisters everywhere, and Temple patrons carrying their temple clothes in little suitcases.  Super busy and full of people coming and going. Besides that the church has opened up Temple Hill to the public for bridal pictures to be taken or quinceañera pictures, etc.  so at any given time there might be girls in giant Cinderella dresses or brides in full wedding dresses taking pics, regardless of what faith they are.  Or guys in tuxedos doing goofy poses. It’s actually hilarious and fun and such a good feeling. It’s so beautiful and just so happy. I love going there and even without all the hoopla,  it just feels good.  That feeling?  “Lifting” is exactly the right description. I am thankful for this place. 

 

24 looks good on you.

Mattie it's your birthday happy birthday Mattie...

 

Fall Visit

It's fall!  So we had to go Pumpkin hunting!

Cute little punkins!

We Are Family

 I love the Temple.  I love everything about it. What a privilege to join with family in the temple to witness sacred ordinances that bind us together for eternity.  To see bonds of love taking shape.

I love family.  This, my friends, is what it truly is all about.

Mendocino get-away

The DPR has been working so hard, he was feeling the need for a get-away. So we headed over to Mendocino to see what we could see.  We stayed at the cutest little place called the Sea Rock Inn.  It was awesome, and just what we needed...Some R&R right on the ocean.  The weather was a bit wet, but beautiful none-the-less.  Plus, it is just a hop, skip, and jump away from Glass Beach.  Glass Beach is famous for it's smooth, sea glass-covered beaches. It is the result of the ocean tumbling discarded glass from former nearby dumps...yes you heard me right..it's from garbage.  GARBAGE.  Broken bottles to be specific.  The broken glass, is made smooth and ends up making the shore glisten with different colors.  I thought the green ones were especially beautiful...a little handful of beautiful green.  Somehow it felt lucky.  A reminder that life isn't over, till it's over, and maybe just maybe, the things that happen that may seem like an un-lucky life turn, could possibly become beautiful in time.

As they say, "It's All Good"... it truly is.

"All together now..."

 Oh July,  Why do I love you so?  Let me count the ways...

1. Time off work

2. Time with Family

3. Time with Family

Since I was In "O" town watching Olive, we spent a lot of time with the cousins having Oh so much Fun.  Fishing was a priority, parades, fireworks, swimming pools, were all in line for our attention.  The DPR showed up to take us all camping.  The little dears even saw a deer and couldn't not try to get a closer look.  I needed this summer visit soooo much!

Olive World

I have had a fun time, this summer, going to "Olive World".  Claire had an opportunity to go to France for a study abroad for one of her classes...so I got to stay with Olive for a wild ride!  We dropped Claire off at the airport and then Olive got right to work, eating popsicles, taking selfies, painting, playing with Junie, taking more selfies, and even giving a little side eye to Granma.  We built a fairy garden so Olive could do a little dreaming, and she did!  When one is in Olive world...you do as Olive does, and DREAM BIG!  Love you little woman.

Wake me up when it's over.

The last month was a doozy.  I was at work getting everything ready for our weekly forum...(which means me making lunch for 60 people). I started to feel really terrible, as in let me sit down, terrible. I couldn't breath, by chest hurt so bad.  I had so many things I needed to get done that day, and thought "I'll just push through it".  There was no pushing.  I finally realized that I had to go...now.  I called Rob, and told Bro. Fowler that I was leaving and rattled off a bunch of stuff for him that I didn't get done.  

He kept saying, "It's fine...just go"  

Rob took me straight to the ER...the verdict:  "Bilateral Pulmonary Embolisms" which means that I had multiple blood clots on both lungs. Sounds super terrible...but I have a history with clots, I've just always had them in my legs before...so this is new territory for me, too.  The MRI guy said it looked like someone took a wet paintbrush and spattered it all across my lungs.  They started me on blood thinners, which I haven't had to do for a long time.  I was super bummed about that...kind of imagined that that part of my life was history.  But it's back with a vengeance.  My motto right now?

NO PANICKING ALLOWED!   Ok!  I will be fine...

The DPR made breakfast for me for Mother's day. I will be fine.

The Sisters at Work

 Sisters just wanna have fun...

Bloomin' January

 

Top 10 Things that happened in 2013:

10. We moved to a House....a real HOUSE, people! Hasta la vista apartment....I (hopefully) will not be back.

9. We grew a garden!

8. We had a yard sale

7. I got a new calling.

6. The Pirate bought a motorcycle

5. Liz and Ed came to visit...(Hold on to your hats!)

4. I started working at the LDS Institute!

Ok so I guess I never mentioned this, but a long time ago I stepped in for a few months as an office manager at the institute, while the regular manager was on jury duty. Long story short-she decided to retire, and called me to see if I wanted the job! I won't lie...I was scared to say yes. (Goodbye to my lazy freedom...) But I am so glad I did say yes, now. I really do love it, although some days are dastardly....in the long run, it is awesome!  (the kids keep me young!)


3. Olive came to MY house!

2. I got a new Grandbaby!

1. I got....ANOTHER new Grandbaby!

WHEW!!!!



And the number 1 thing that happened in 2013?  
We actually made it to 2014!

Crazy Happy

 ....the number 1 thing that happened in 2013?  

We actually made it to 2014!