Farewell Blogging World

It has been a fun time writing on this blog. I find myself in a position where I just don't feel like I have anything any more to say. I don't have any news and I have no great wisdom to share and no new song to sing. So...farewell blogging world. I will be checking in with you as I am able. Keep up your wonderful sites and keep sending those pictures. They are delightful and so joyful to see. You have such interesting lives and are building such wonderful families. What a gift to the world you are!!!! Love you, Miss you, Mizpah, Me
Later - Gator

Grandma's Book-reading Bed

Never was there a better use for Grandma's bed.

One day I was just enjoying the comfy-ness of this old antique bed, trying to finish up the third vampire book (thanks, Caity) and next thing I knew I had visitors.

First Maddie climbed in and grabbed a book from the top of the bed and then Ryen followed close behind. Pretty soon we were all "reading" and just enjoying the coziness of it, together. They were just as serious as I was about their reading material and well...I just beamed. I hope they always love books and I hope they always feel the inclination to come visit!

Sonny, King of Fiber

This is the king of fiber! Ever since I arrived at his homestead he has been constant at extolling the virtues of fiber. He loves the orange flavored gunk and says, as he is glugging and chugging it down how very wonderful it is.

Now as I have visited my other children I have noticed that each of them has a kind of persona that seeps out to motivate me or influence my daily life. Amber - have more fun/play games, Ben - jog, Caitlyn - read this/be thrifty, Carrie - cook culinary delights, Drew - eat nutritionally/lift weights, Joel - be one with nature, Kaleb - technical gadgets/internet savvy, Megan - digital scrapbooking, Steve - let go of your grown children/paint beige, and Suzanne - cooking nutritionally/diet/exercise. Of course these things are just the tip of the iceberg. They support and love me and are the best examples of the gospel and Christlike behavior - that goes without saying. They have more than I just mentioned but this is how each of them have influenced me over the last year.

Megan gets that look as Sonny begins his "fiber talk" and she's not falling for it. (I can't get her to take my healthy green drink either.)
So a few days ago he started in again on the virtue of fiber and began to tell me how particularly healthy it is for diabetes. I caved and decided to take the challenge for one week. So now I am adding two packets of fiber to my green drink twice a day. That's a lot of fiber.

So now I have a musical toot to my step that wasn't always there before. Thanks Sonny! Anyone want to join me?

Happy New Year!

What a wonderful year this has been for me! I have enjoyed each holiday with so many of my family members. My birthday was so special this year I got to celebrate it twice! I have stored away a year full of memories that I will always treasure.

As I look back my gifts have been many, my heart is overflowing. Not only was I able to have the gift of family but Heavenly Father has blessed me with so many more, tangible ones and those of the heart. The list goes on and on...

Highest on that list are the times I have spent with my children and their families. In so many ways they have allowed me to be a part of their lives and it makes me so happy. It is so great that my children have all picked the perfect partners. I love watching each of them create their own wonderful families. I love their spouses as if they were my own children, too. And I can't wait to welcome Lauren officially into the clan. And then there are my nine perfect grandchildren. How I adore them. How I delight in their lives.

This year has been one of the best of my entire life. I have traveled and seen new things and I have been able to make some of my dreams come true. The Lord has been so good to me. I thank Him and each member of my wonderful family for the joy they bring to me. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Well, Christmas is here at last! This season finds me overwhelmed with gratitude for the gifts I have been given. I have great joy in the family I have been blessed to take my life's journey with. I have peace from the testimony of a living, loving Heavenly Father that truly cares about me and reminds me daily that His hand is ever present in my life. And I am humbled by a man that was born all those thousands of years ago that gave the ultimate sacrifice so that I could have the chance to live forevermore with those I love so dearly. Jesus Christ has quite literally given me the gifts I cherish most; light, hope and perfect love. So while you are having a merry little Christmas, I pray that you and yours are having a blessed Christmas full of all the very best gifts!!!!!

Snuggle Bunnies

It's not quite time to wake up, Emma. Go to sleep.

Okay, then I'll read my scriptures to you.

Okay, well then let's make funny faces.

Okay then, I'll make funny faces and scare the monsters away and you can watch.

Caity's play

Caity wore several wigs. This was the last one and so the one that she met the public in.

We were all so proud of our girl.

Aunt Candy and Uncle Howard went with us. (Sorry about the blur.)

Love the baldness.