Bedtime Stories

I love Bedtime Stories.  I love that my  kids still humor me and ask me to read them bedtime stories.  I'm thankful for the peace it brings me to read something fun and uplifting before we go to bed.  I am also grateful for the hugs and kisses I get at the end of bedtime stories. 

I know it may be hard to see because there isn't much of her to see but Loryn's
hair is sticking up toward the upper right hand corner of the picture

Bolivar Missouri

  Until a year ago I didn't know this town existed, but now I am so grateful this  quaint town called Bolivar Missouri exists. Sheldon and I arrived in Springfield about 40 minutes from Bolivar on Thursday afternoon. Springfield has the largest Bass Pro Shop, so we stopped to visit it. It was easy to get lost in there and we had a lot of fun lookin around and seeing things our kids love. Loryn was a little annoyed we kept sending her text that made her "jealous" that she wasn't with us. She told me on Saturday it's like a slap in the face everytime you send me another text, because I really want to be there. So I decided I wouldn't send her anymore (a little late at that point).

 

If you look closely this duck has a blue bill --

it was a very entertaining duck that didn't hold still for pictures

After we enjoyed the turtles, Alligator Gar, Dutch Ovens, Guns, Scuba Show, and Unique Candy at Bass Pro, we decided we should find our favorite Mid-West Restaurant – Steak and Shake and ohwere we lucky it was just right up the street. We were reminded why this was our favorite, McDonald Prices with better food and service (in our opinions – some locals don’t agree with us, but we sure enjoyed). Again all of our kids who have been wanted us to bring them chicken fingers and shakes. We tried their holiday shake peppermint and chocolate (I know it doesn’t sound appetizing to my mom, but it was good)

Next we headed to Bolivar where we were greeted by Marcia who was busy fixing us a delicious lasagna dinner.  We waited for Larry to come home and then we ate.  They were the most gracious host and made us feel so comfortable and welcome in their home.  Luckily we agreed on politics and sports and enjoyed discussing those topics along with stereo speakers, travels and a few other fun topics.  Marcia was so accommodating and was amazing still recovering from a broken elbow and wrist.  

We were going to wait and watch the beautiful video our photographer put together when Christiana and Corey got there, but then Chrisitana called and said they lost their luggage.  Corey’s dad, Randy was picking them up.  Southwest ask them to wait a half hour for the next flight to come from Denver to see if their luggage was on it.  YAY it was, but that put them getting to Bolivar after midnight so we watched the video without them at first.   We really appreciated Randy for picking Corey and Christiana up and it was nice to meet him.

Corey and his brother Chris

This was an interesting vacation.  Usually Sheldon and I quickly adjust to the time change because we throw ourselves into a full schedule, but we were just  here for the open house and had nothing else planned.  We couldn’t believe on Friday morning when we looked at the clock and  it was almost 9:00.  Neither of us remembered the last time we slept until 9, even when we’ve travelled.  We enjoyed a great breakfast and just a relaxing day touring  Bolivar, watching a movie and going to the local Wal-Mart.



This is Khloe, who I easily won her love, once I helped her convince her mom that Cupcakes come before dinner

She was working on Smiles




Larry's dad Sid and Step Mom Mary




Cousins, brother and girlfriend (Elizabeth)



Saturday was really nice too. We helped get ready for the guest, making cupcakes, scallop potatoes(cheesy potatoes), ham, baked beans and stuffing. Marcia had the house cleaned and ready and we put up a few decorations. They had so many nice friends and family come and many stayed and visited to several hours. I did my best at remembering names, even those I didn’t remember I really enjoyed visiting. So many were so kind and brought gifts for Christiana and Corey. Sherry, Randy’s girlfriend loves to make quilts and she made Christiana and Corey a beautiful quilt for their bed. I told her thank you, it helps relieve the pressure of me wanting to create a beautiful quilt like my mother and grandmother did for me.


I feel so thankful Christiana has such wonderful in-laws who love her and have raised an incredible husband for her.

Primary Program

Today was oiur wards Primary Program. We (Sheldon and I) were traveling back from Missouri and missed it. Luckily I was able to attend the practice last Wednesday. Sydnee was asked to share her feelings on eternal families, by sharing her experience in the temple. While we were in Washington DC at the temple Sydnee wrote an excellent explanation. She asked me to keep it until we got home. I put it in a very safe place where it is still at. So a couple weeks ago she sat down again and wrote this.

She did an excellent job saying it slowly and clearly.  She is an amazing daughter.  We are blessed to have her in our home.  But most of all she helped remind me of that Sacred Special Day we had just a few weeks ago.

Husband/Sheldon/Marriage

Today and really every day of my life for the past 23 years I have been grateful for my husband. I am grateful for our Heavenly Fathers plan who sent us here to earth to be part of a family and then create our own family through marriage. I am grateful for the relationship we have. The friendship,trust, and adventures we have together. I'm grateful for the family we've created/have been blessed with. I am grateful for the long talks short answers and all the incredible help he gives me. I am grateful for his wisdom, insight, and counseling. I am also so grateful for the warmth, safety, and comfort that is ever present when he is around. I am
Probably most grateful that I get to be with him for eternity

Fall Leaves

 I love fall leaves. Twice this fall I've been able to travel to cities that have beautiful falls. I couldn't ever make a pile of leaves in DC, but the Hastings had a beautiful backyard with lots of leaves on the ground. I wish Loryn and Sydnee were with me they love to play in leaves. Thank goodness Sheldon and Christiana humored me and took pictures, but I'm thankful for leaves and fall.

Technology

Today I was grateful for technology.  Grateful that we could text Loryn video of the cute turtles we saw and the keep in touch with our kids as we traveled to Missouri.  I love that its so easy for kids to text and let me know their safely home, give ideas for Sydnee's student council speech, or let me know where they're a and how their travels are going.  It's amazing where we've come and the fun we can have with these small computers that transmit cross country in seconds.

Pictures

Today I was sweetly blessed with wedding pictures as I watched the sweet video of the pictures of the wedding and reception tears filled my eyes. I couldn't believe how just pictures brought back the amazing feelings of the sweet day. I wish I had time to post some but layer when I return I'll post some

40th Birthdays

I am happy we turn 40.  I am so glad I have a creative friend that makes me giggle everytime I get to decorate someones yard when they turn 40.  I'm thankful for friends who help me decorate yards.  I'm thankful for friends who have a sense of humor when their yards are decorated and realize that 40 is FUN!!! for more reasons than one.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELODIE!!!! 

Freeways

 

I am so grateful for freeways.  As I drove home from the temple today I began to realize what a miracle freeways are and how well they work.  To think we can drive between 55-75 mph with no stops or interruptions for miles is pretty miraculous to me.  I am grateful for a the people who have the knowledge and know how to design and build the freeways and I don't mind if this is what my tax dollars is paying for.

Family Home Evening

I am grateful for Family Home Evening. The other day Elizabeth sent me a note saying she missed our FHE.  What a nice compliment.  I thank her for helping us make our FHE's more meaningful.   I know FHE is an inspired program and I truly thank President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors in the First Presidency who initially instituted this program in 1915 by calling on parents and their children to gather once a week for "Home Evening".  Reinterating its importance was his grandson Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith who designated Monday nights for FHE.   I am grateful for parents who set a great example, and I am grateful for these memorable (and not so memorable) times in our home.  They have strengthened us.


 

Adoption

Sweet Judge giving Lorilei a stuffed Gorilla -- Look at her siblings excitement

Today I am grateful for adoptions.  Coincidentally, Shauna, my sister called me yesterday to share that Isaac Lee's parents had relinquished rights and they would be filing for adoption.  I again witnessed the sweet adoption of Lorilei today.  I sat in the witness chair to be the photographer, and tried to capture her amazing glee and smile.  She was so precious,even at 10 months she seemed very, very aware of what was going on.  Although the camera never caught it, I caught it and felt her joy.  I am thankful for this amazing process and the sweet memories it brought from ours just a few months ago.  It is so tender and sweet as the words are said as this child had been born into your home, they will partake of all the rights and privileges as they are your child.  It is even more tender in the temple, but this earthly process that takes place is also tender, sweet and amazing.

WIND

Today was windy and as I thought about hating the wind that is typically what happens to me when it is windy, I realized I am grateful for wind.  I am grateful for wind for blowing storms over the week of Christiana's wedding so we could have absolutely perfect weather on the night of her reception, I am grateful for wind which reminds me of many challenging bike rides with my dad, that helped me become stronger in so many ways, I am grateful for wind as it blew my shopping list away today... really just to watch the amazing power of the wind as it lifted it up high as a kite and kept it there until it was out of my sight.  I am grateful for wind, just to watch in pure amazement the birds flying against it.  The wind also makes me grateful for many other things, but especially cars to ride in, garages, and homes.

Attitude of Graditude

With the inspiration from Pres. Monson, Sydnee and Young Women's I've decided that this would be a great month to have an attitude of gratitude and hopefully post something simple everday.  I won't worry about the first 6 days, but I'll start here
TESTIMONY
I am grateful for my testimony, I am grateful for my children's testimony's, I am grateful for my husband's testimony, for my parents (both of them).  I am gratefulf or the strength testimonies give us, and the Love we feel that not only help us build testimonies, but help us develope them and strengthen them.  I am grateful for testimony meetings that help me not only feel the Spirit, but also help me to reflect and again strengthen my own testimony...I simply know my Savior lives and that he Loves me, I know I am God's child, and I know that I have been blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost who guides me daily

Finishing up DC



Cherubics showing the different industries in America from farmer to scientists
There were about 20 of these carved into the wall

 When we called Senator Ensign office to request tours of DC -- Scott the intern that helped us, offered a tour of the Library of Congress.  I thought sure, but I truly thought it would be our least favorite tour.  Quite the opposite.  This was my ultimate favorite tour and I hope some day I can go back.  The library of Congress was started by an act of Congress and was originally found in the Capitol.  At one point Congress appropriated funds of $25,000 for a collection of books from Jefferson.  Unfortunately, some of those were destroyed in the fire of 1812 when the British burned the capitol.  Eventually funds were appropriated to build the library which was finished early and under budget.  Overall the library is an amazing architectural masterpiece.  They hired artists from the Chicago World Fair who were willing to come in and do their work only with a promise to be paid what was available in the budget once the project was finished.  I could have spent an entire day here.  This tour was at 8:00 AM and our capitol tour was at 11:00 we thought we would have a couple hours in between, but actually we were rushing to the Capitol.



These are the seasons with quotes underneath and no author to the quotes -- this was to inspire the reader to research the quote and learn more about the author

 


This is Minerva but in Greek mythology she is Athena, Sydnee shared that with me as the tour guide was sharing why she is painted here.  He was impressed she knew.



Capitol Building,  This is another great building in DC

Apotheosis of Washington (Washington rising to the heavens)  in the main dome of the Capitol

Ronald Reagan  the base of the statue has crushed stone from the Berlin wall  (Reagan just replaced another statue in the capitol for California.  Each state has two statues of people representing their state)





Jaqua





Just having fun at the Natural History Museum. 

Another Amazing Memorial -- This is definently worth the walk

Iwo Jima Memorial We were there as the Marines were raising the flag.  It was neat to watch

Another Great Phrase

Jefferson is facing the back of the White House, with not a tree in the view of the White House.  There are thousands of trees lining this corridor.  No one told us this, but we figured that Jefferson being the author of the Constitution and Declaration is facing the White House so that the Presidents can look out the window toward Jefferson to recognize and use the Constitution to lead this Country

Please NO MORE FAMILY PICTURES

Loryn was the "question asker" and my answers never seemed to satisfy her  question or she just always had another question after she asked the first 6.  Space was perplexing to her and as we would read the explanations surrounding the exhibits it only brought rise to more questions.  So one day in the Air and Space Museum we were exploring a hands on exhibit and this tire rotation showed how the shuttle moves on centrifical force in space.  As the tire spun and Loryn turned it from side to side she spun on the axis (chair) she was on.  This made more sense to Loryn than anything she read.

One last ride down the escalator to the Metro -- and yes we loved the Metro, but this last Metro ride gave us the experience of a lifetime!?!?  We truly are grateful for this experience and the faith and hope it taught us.  We are just as thankful for our tour of Washington DC and the spectacular country we live in and what we learned.