Family Get-Away

This morning we surprised the children by pulling them out of bed at 5:00 AM, yes 5:00 AM and loaded them into the car to go to an undetermined get-away. In less than an hour we traveled up the mountain into the beautiful pines. We totally expected the mountain to be bustling with people but when we reached the top we were the only ones there. It was a nippy 46 degrees which felt so refreshing since the weather down in the desert hit 100 this week. We had a fantastic time hiking Marshall Gulch and made some wonderful memories.

We followed a stream the entire hike.

Someone had built this shelter and so

we stopped for a rest.

We found this huge log over the babbling

stream. It was perfect and I could not resist

getting a picture, however it was tricky

getting on it and it left a few splinters

in everyone's you know what.

Afterwards they thought that it was almost

as fun as the Log Ride at Disneyland.

Everything was so picturesque.

I am so thankful for this beautiful

world that Heavenly Father has created for us.

Happy Birthday Kendrick!

Do you know who you are little child of mine

So precious and dear to me?

Do you know you're a part of a great design

That is vast as eternity?

Can you think for a moment how much depends

On your holding the"iron Rod?"

Your life is forever worlds without end

Do you know your a child of God?

Ora Pate Stewart

I blinked for just a moment

and now Kendrick is all grown up.

Where has all of the time gone?

I know that Kendrick is a Child of God

and I am honored to be a part of his life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON!

WE LOVE YOU!

Grape Update

This is just 1 single grape vine.

It has completely taken over the whole area.

We even cut it back all of the way last season.

I thought that we had lots of grapes last year,

but this year there are too many to count.

Today's Harvest!

I love gardening!

Summer Reading

Even though my children love to read I still seek opportunities to encourage them to continue throughout the summer. I am going to involve my children in as many programs as possible. Here are just a few I have found so far, besides our local public library. These can all be done on-line. Each program sounds wonderful and has incentives and rewards that encourage them along the way. There is even a Read for a World Record in the Scholastic Reading Program.

I am so excited for summer!

Barnes and Noble

Reading Warriors

Scholastic Summer Reading

CELEBRATE!

Last night at 11:30 I turned in my last

college assignment for this semester.

What a relief!

Having to deal with all of my health problems

has made this the most difficult 6 months of my life,

but I made it through thanks to the

help and support of my family.

Now on to our summer plans!!!

Life is GREAT!

Suprise! I'm Early

Our granddaughter made her appearance last night 17 days early. We were privileged to be there right after she was born to welcome her into the world. We are so excited that she is here and all is well. She is so tiny and precious and makes a beautiful addition to our family. Grandchildren are such a joy!

Congratulations Tyrone and Aimee

She is gorgeous!

My Brave Little Girl

Brigitta was diagnosed with Vesicoureteral Reflux after experiencing a severe kidney infection when she was barely two years. What this means is that her urine flows from the bladder back into the ureters and then into the kidneys causing serious problems. Each year she goes to the hospital for testing. The severity is graded on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the worst reflux. Her initial test showed that she had grade 4 reflux on her left side and grade 3 on her right. It is our hope that she can outgrow her reflux problem thus avoiding surgery later on down the road.

I have been preparing her for weeks for her test today. During her first test she was so young that it was easy to distract her, but each year it gets more difficult. Today after the nurse told her to climb onto the table she busted out in tears. I tried to comfort her reminding her how brave she has always been. She responded, "But this time I know what they are going to do to me." At one point during the test she just covered her eyes and cried, "This is so embarrassing!" Poor Brigitta has survived yet another test and hopefully her specialist will call us with great news this year.

My Very First BROCCOLI

I picked this perfect broccoli

earlier today!

There are several more each about

a week behind the other.

Look how tall my sunflowers have grown,

they are almost to the top of our fence.

It looks like we will be having artichokes this week.

As you can see there are two different varieties.

I am anxious to see which one we like better.

Motherhood

This is Brigitta wishing me a

Happy Mother's Day!

I can honestly say with complete sincerity that being a mother

is the greatest job I have ever held.

Motherhood is my greatest adventure,

it is the most fun,

the most challenging,

and by far the most rewarding

and now I am entering a new phase,

Grandmotherhood!

(Is that a real word?)

I had a terrific Mother's Day as my family

spent the entire day serving me.

It started off with a special breakfast over

at the newlyweds home followed by church.

After that my entire family came over,

made dinner and brought over luscious desserts.

The greatest gift I received

was just being surrounded by

those I cherish the most in this world,

MY FAMILY!

Thank-you for making everyday of my life

so special and meaningful.

COUNTDOWN

13 more days until school is out!

I can hardly wait!

But I can't get too excited because the

pressure is on for finals and unfinished assignments

and my stress is mounting.

Just ask my kids what life is

like living with me right now.

Wish me luck!

Meet Leah

This is Padme's newest friend and playmate. She belongs to Mar-Kell and Nora and comes over often to romp and play. It is hilarious to watch them together.

If you haven't guessed by now,

we are all STAR WARS fans.

Padme

Leah

and then Cameron and Michele's dog

Trooper

Grandpa Time

The love of a Grandpa!