SUNSHINE!

I am feeling pretty optimistic about SPRING IS COMING! Okay...I jumped the gun and put up Spring Decorations. I run when the sun comes out! I am determined to be happy! I am anticipating making grow boxes this year. Grandpa said that we better all plan on growing what we can because of drought conditions in California and other parts of the country. I can honestly say I have never 'not had' some kind of a garden. Even last year we had a productive garden in huge pots. So I am encouraging you all to think GARDEN and do the best you can.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY RYAN & STACY

The Ryan and Stacy Graham Family has officially hit the THREE YEAR MARK today! It has been an incredibly journey. In three short years, there has been a wedding, Dad's passing and then a precious baby. It is less than 2 months till the arrival of the second little girl to their family. Time flies! What miracles life holds. Little Ashlyn was the first Grandchild born after Paul's death. It seems like she carries his sweet spirit with her. She is so much fun!!! Ryan could have been my own child. He fits right in and always has. What a gift this marriage has always been for our family. WE LOVE YOU, STACY & RYAN & ASHLYN!!!

COOKIES ON A STICK

Okay, we did it! We baked cookies on a stick. I don't know if I want to do that again. London and Nicole had fun decorating them. There was enough frosting on those cookies to satisfy any sweet tooth!!! Now Valentine's day is past...it's onto Spring...can't blame me for pushing that...I am so ready!!!

SLUMBER PARTY FUN!!!

The house rocked last night with games on the Wii, Acrobatic acts, in MY LIVING ROOM and screaming and giggling into the late hours. Nicole has London Cleverly and Leisha Hansen over for a GNO! I am amazed at the level of energy these girls sustain through the twilight hours. This morning we had Nicole's favorite breakfast...Mickey Mouse Pancakes! Flipping those things without loosing an ear is always a challenge! Leisha and London are strong young women. I love having them in our home. I put Nicole's Valentine's card, wild animal and chocolates outside the front door and then I heard "Whatcha' doing Mom?" I am pretty lame when it comes to imitating Paul. Paul used to line up Valentine gifts outside the front door, ring the doorbell and run in the backdoor and act innocent. He pulled it off every year. I think I would hurt myself trying to replicate that move. So I just laughed and told Nicole to go to the door. She gave me a hug and appreciated the gesture. Fun Times!!!

A VALIANT ARMY IS AMONG US...

When I hear the doom and gloom that the world screams is about us...I just look around and I am amazed at the strong spirits we see a loving Heavenly Father sending into the world. I love my Children and the good lives they live. I ran across this picture of Danielle, Tanae and Cara. I had to post it and say a couple words. Danielle is about to have her first child. She has embarked on the mission of being a wife and mother. She will be a wonderful mother!!! There is no other calling that requires more or is more important. Tanae and Cara are both on missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They touch lives daily and make a difference. Their mission is to harvest those seeds we should all be planting. What wonderful examples they are!!! One convert changes generations for eternity! I love reading about their adventures. I was often asked why I got involved in Junior Miss. I love working with the youth. As Stake YW President, I loved mingling with some pretty incredible young women; including my daughters, whom I love with all my heart. {Dave, remember you are my favorite son!} So when the world screams "we're toast"; we can just look to our dynamic youth and once again know that God is in charge. It will be okay!

LUCKY DOG !?!

Some days I wish I was a Dog! I crawl out of bed in the morning. Stumble towards the bathroom. Look in the mirror. SCREAM and vow to replace the mirror if it doesn't start making me feel better. Run the brush through my hair...it doesn't change! When you sleep with a pillow under and another pillow ontop of your head...you get a really interesting hair-do! I look back at my bed and there is Jazz. He climbs under the cover usually and then puts his head under the pillow. Yes, I taught him that! He peeked out to see what I was taking a picture of and then put his head back under the pillow and went to sleep!!! Nicole dresses him in quite a wardrobe for a Dog. He gets favorite snacks, he stays skinny and he makes messes and doesn't clean them up. Jazz has the life of a movie star!?! Go figure?!?

TWENTYFIVE THINGS ABOUT ME...

AUNT NILACE & ME AT UTAH FAMILY HISTORY TRAINING
I GOT PICKED TO BE VALDICTORIAN ??? FUN TIMES !!!
1. I am the 4th child out of 7. My older brother died at age 6 months and my older sister died at the age of 4, I was born 6 weeks after my sister Vicki's death.
2. My Dad is my best friend since the death of my Husband. I have been close to him my whole life. He always treated me like I was special.
3. I married my BYU roommate's boyfriend. Paul proposed 10 days after our first date. I was waiting for a missionary. I fell in love with Paul's laugh. I also loved his singing. I always felt that Paul was my gift. After he died I was amazed at how many lives he touched.
4. I love to travel, visiting family and new places...
5. I love being a Mom. I have 6 living children (5 daughters and 1 son). We lost 6 babies between the 6 we had. I really enjoy my children. They are REALLY important to me.
6. I love being a Grandma. I have 16 grandchildren and 1 more on the way. I am amazed at the sweet spirits that are a part of our eternal family. They keep me going and loving life.
7. I love to learn. I love a challenge. Family History has given me many challenges and opportunities to learn.
8. I love computers and electronics. I enjoy fixing and building computers. I am currently rebuilding the computers at the Family History.
9. I love to sew and do crafts. I seldom have time to do much along those lines. I make quilts for my grandbabies.
10. I like to garden. I miss my rose bushes. I hope to get grow boxes in this spring.
11. I have learned to subcontract this year. I learned so much while building this dealership. The builder and designers are patient to explain everything to me. I want to know how everything works and why it doesn't work. I am like my grandson, Conner, every second word I say is Why?
12. I have learned to survive. It has been the most challenging part of my life. It is lonely and it is unreal but I am doing it. It will be 3 years in May since Paul passed away.
13. I love fresh fruits and vegetables!
14. I love shopping. It is my therapy. I love finding a good deal.
15. I love dogs. Nicole has a poodle named Jazz that is part of our family. I have always had a dog.
16. I know who I am. I know I am a child of God. I know Christ and I know he is my Savior.
17. I took ballet and tap dance as a youth. I was a Molahiette (Moses Lake Drill Team). I ducked when someone threw a ball at me (baseball, volleyball & basketball).
18. I skied in High School and then with our family on weekends. I broke my ankle and ripped all the ligaments at Mission Ridge while skiing. Some of my best memories are skiing with Paul and our children.
19. I love to build things. I like doing home improvements. I will be moving furniture till the day I die.
20. I love to scrapbook. My daughter's took me on a retreat and I have been hooked ever since. I am learning digital scrapbooking now.
21. I like country music and most of Nicole's music. I can't sing. My singing hurts my ears! Now that's bad.
22. I love going to the temple. I have always felt such peace there. When life gets really hard...I find the temple to be a place to recharge my batteries.
23. I love the Holidays...ALL of them. I love Christmas the most. I love the decorations. I love the foods. The holidays were a way to do special things for my family and neighbors.
24. I love company. I get so excited when my children come. I love to entertain!
25. I love that this is the last one...Holy Cow...that was a marathon. I love sleep and I am going to indulge in a night of sleep NOW!

Because Virtue Matters...

I was excited to hear that the Young Women were getting a new value added to their theme: It reminded me of raising 5 daughters...still working on the 5th. Nicole is such a joy in my life. She makes me feel needed and loved. She has a real grasp on who she rally is. I am posting a photo of her school class going to swim at the high school a year ago. Her friends were all scantily clad in bikinis. Then here comes Nicole...we bought her a cute tankini and I sewed the top to the bottom so there wouldn't be any risk of exposing midriff. Her teacher called to tell me about what happened that day. She said that a couple of Nicole's friends went of the diving board once...one nearly lost her top and the other her bottom. The rest of the time they sat on the sideline, not want to risk another embarrassing moment. Nicole joined in with all the guys and enjoyed making the biggest splash she could. Now at the end of the day she had so much fun and was thankful she didn't have to worry about anything but good clean fun! I am thankful to belong to a church that teaches our youth they can have fun without compromising!

A Return to Virtue
"Now is the time for a return to virtue!"
The attribute and value of Virtue has been added to the Young Women theme. "Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It encompasses chastity and moral purity."

The time has come for the young women of the Church to lead the world in a return to virtue. This is the time to be pure and to qualify for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. In the coming year, it is our desire that all young women and their leaders focus on the meaning of virtue, what young women can do to accept and act upon this value, and how this attribute can strengthen young women as they prepare to be worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and receive temple ordinances.

"I believe one virtuous young woman led by the Spirit can change the world."
>

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.
We will "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things,
and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live
the Young Women values, which are:
Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice and Accountability
Good Works
Integrity and
Virtue.
We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values,
we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants,
receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

Here we go again...

These are the two 5' X 18' Signs that Paul and I designed and painted one winter in our family room. It you drive down the freeway you will see them. Sad to say that someone took them down for new construction and it has laid on it's face for 2 years in snow, mud and rain. It needs a face lift (so do I!). Okay, now I am resurfacing the signs so we can sell or lease more land. I am going to use banners and frame them in. If anyone has ideas on how to do the signs or where to get them done...I would love your input. So next time you drive down the freeway and see those signs...know I am working on fixing them. Life is so full of new experiences!!!

A DAY AT THE TEMPLE...

I decided to go to the temple today...no matter what! The phone started ringing at 6:30 AM with things that needed to be done. I made 4 phone calls, marked the ground with 2 X's for the well driller, told everyone to "play Nice" and off I went. I got teased about showing up at the worksite in a skirt. I got on the road just in time to hit the super thick fog!!! You couldn't see more than a couple of car widths ahead. I thought how Satan always throws a few discouragements in my way when I head off to the temple. I said a prayer for safety (as Nicole always says "Don't make me an orphan!"). Yes, I did it with my eyes wide open. I had an incredible day in the temple. I love the spirit that is there. I love that the veil is so thin. I can always feel Paul so very close when I linger in the celestial room. It is my favorite place in the whole world to be. The trip home was tense and slow. There was a semi going 10-12 mph for 20 miles. Now that was slow. I was the lead car for about 20 miles, driving at 45-50 mph. I couldn't see anything but the white line for about 100 feet ahead of me. I thought of what an analogy that was. I had to have faith that the line would be there and hope that nobody was stopped in the road ahead of me. It is kind of how I feel with moving forward without Paul beside me. I pray that my family and friends will always be there and I pray that there isn't a trial that I can't handle sitting right in the middle of my future. Then I remember the worst thing I anticipated happening...burying Paul...happened and I survived that. So I will be thankful for today that I have all of you in my life and keep moving forward. I have so much to be thankful for! :)