Flashback Friday: My 40th Birthday

I turned 40 on February 11, 2012.  On Friday, the 10th, we rolled into Austin.  We visited with Jessica.  We received some unsettling news.  Insurance was no longer going to allow Jess to stay at her treatment center and now it was time to prepare for her return home.  We didn't now when, but we new it could be within days or a couple of weeks.  We thought days.  The stress of it all caused a horrible migraine.  That night I was up all night with a migraine.  The next morning, I quietly turned 40. 

Jessie was granted an off campus pass for Saturday, so we played miniature golf at Main Event.  We had a good time and Jess did really well for her first time out. 

After we visited with Jess we headed back to Frisco where my parents dropped off dinner.  I remember unloading my car, starting my laundry and eating dinner.  As we started to relax for the evening, we heard that Whitney Houston had passed away.

Jonathan really enjoyed visiting his sister on Fridays and Saturdays

Ready to take us all down in miniature golf

Just being silly

Jessica and Jonathan

We picked up an extra family member

Fun times

I love my kids



Waiting on the Lord

The same amount of time will pass whether I'm squandering it in anger and impatience or using it to serve the Lord and His children.  Choosing to "wait upon the Lord" -- or viewed another way, to serve Him-- yields far more satisfying results.  The choice also helps me remember that because Heavenly Father's greatest desire is to bless His children with what will ultimately help us be happy, He will not only give me what I need, He'll also give it at the time that is best me. 

Shifting my attitude from one of "just waiting" to "waiting upon the Lord" has shown me that waiting can be a good thing after all.  This perspective has opened my eyes to the many gifts Heavenly Father has given me.  Most of all, it has given my life renewed strength, purpose and meaning.

-Christy Nielson, Ensign (July 2012)

Flashback Friday: Learning From The Master

Back in June of 2006, Jessie wanted to learn how to do a handstand.  Her Uncle Jeffrey was most excellent at handstands when he was a little boy.  So, she asked the master, feeling certain he still had the magic touch.

It seems that getting his feet above his head didn't come as easily as it once did, but he was a trooper.  It wasn't pretty, but he did it.

Picnic Fun

 We got up super early and went to our Ward's breakfast picnic for the 4th of July.  When I say 'we,' I mean everyone except for Jessica.  We left at 7:45 a.m. and that was too early for Jess.  We enjoyed a delicious breakfast, fun games and great company.

Our Young Women were in charge of the Face Painting station.  We were a little nervous, because most of the girls were not available.  The leaders professed to have limited face painting skills, but we had 3-5 girls and that was the perfect number.  They did a great job.  I was so proud of them.

The girls even painted on each other and the painting seemed to move from their face to their arms.  One of our little clients even painted a heart (complete) with glitter on my arm.  She used ample paint and it took quite a while to dry!

The boys gave us a flag ceremony and offered outdoor games.  Jonathan and his friend went old school.  After they had their fill of the games, they spent some time on the playground.  After the picnic, they spent most of the day together.  It was a lazy day, for sure.

4th of July

We hope everyone is enjoying their holiday.  We started with a church picnic.  Jonathan had a friend over for much of the day.  Fred and Jessica have been watching a Twilight movie marathon.  Yes, I think it is slightly weird, but have opted not to say anything... for the most part.  I think he secretly likes Jacob. Fred and I are working on talks for church. 

For dinner tonight, we are going to grill and enjoy this pink lemonade cake that Jessie made. 

I had a small setback yesterday at work that seems really big and I am trying to remember that life is good.  One of my Young Women was having her own bad day and reminded me... 'come what may and love it.'  What a great attitude!

Independence Day Celebration

Allen always celebrates with fireworks the Saturday before Independence Day.  Our sweet friends, the Garstka's, are kind enough to invite us over every year.  They live close to the park, so we hang out and play before walking over to see the fireworks.  Afterwards, we hang out at their house while we wait for the traffic to die down.

We had a great time and always enjoy hanging out with our friends and Dave and Angela's family.

We looked at this bass all night long.  We parked our selves next to it, so that we would have an easy landmark to use when locating our spot.  We had no trouble finding our group!

Jonathan had fun walking around and checking our the jeep and trying out the bb guns in the Cabela tent.  I think he really wants a bb gun now. 

The fireworks were spectacular as always!

A Choice Land

Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ.

-Ether 2:12

I marvel at the miracle of America, the land which the God of heaven long ago declared to be a land choice above all other lands.

I love America for her great and brawny strength, I love her for her generous heart. I love her for her tremendous spiritual strengths. She is unique among the nations of the earth-- in her discovery, in her birth has a nation, in the amalgamation of the races that come to her shores, in the strength of her government, in the goodness of her people.  God bless America, for she is His creation.

-Gordon B. Hinckley