Day of Celebration to Remember

I can almost taste and smell the spices, cumin, garlic and the corn tamales of this table spread. They are smells of home cooking, like when I was growing up that my mother always did.


I don't expect too many of you out there in reader land to remember that today is the anniversary of my sealing to my parents five years ago, October 30, 2004. It is a date written on the pages of my heart. It is a special day in my life too that I celebrate each day!

This week I was able to do some sealing work as a reminder of my own. I am always blessed to be able to perform these ordinances for those who have gone before. I have a testimony of the work that we do for our kindred dead blesses us on both sides of the veil. It binds the family as well as our hearts!

I remember the first anniversary of this date. It was a grand re-celebration for me, and my children who live close by in Utah. I planned fresh homemade tamales and it was a Sunday. I had labored all day on Saturday to prepared my meat and tamales. I did and had them frozen and then cooked them on Sunday for our family dinner. I went to church and put them in the cooker. I thought of my sons, who lives in Ohio and Washington and realized they were in church at the time and would call them later.

Well, the day came and went so I called them on Monday before their Family night. Each one was unaware that we had a family celebration of sorts the day before. I mentioned it to Michael first and told him I had made tamales and I had everyone over for the anniversary. He said, he had the strangest craving on Sunday for my tamales! Now how is that for turning the hearts of the children to the fathers and the hearts of the fathers to the children? I was overjoyed.

I made arrangement to send Michael some of the ingredients that he was unable to find in Ohio where he lives. They had their own feast after the fact. I still think this is quite an amazing incident. Now, that had to be a hidden treasure to say the least.

Then, I called Matt and Beth, after talking to Michael. They also reported they had the same strange cravings for my homemade tamales too! How can that be, without having something like the power of the sealing to effect them both so profoundly and at the same time, without even knowing we were gathered for our family heritage feast in Utah?

That had never happened in the past, and I marvel at the wonderful feeling of connection unbeknown to each of them. This one is definitely a binding experience with our family. My last few entries have to do with my ancestors and it could very well be that they were also celebrating on the other side too. The veil is thin, a I bear witness of this to be true.

What's in a Name? Guanajuato, Guanaxuato etc

Etymology--Where the name and word came from to name this City, State

The word Guanajuato comes from the Tarascan "Quanashuato," which means "Mountainous place of frogs." Over time, the indigenous word was altered, changing first into "Cuanaxuato," later into "Guanaxuato," and finally "Guanajuato."

Guanajuato-- During the 15th century, the area of the city was thickly forested and not particularly accessible, having only limited contact with the Toltecs and the Aztecs as they passed through on their pilgrimages, and with the Chichimecas on their brief visits as they searched for a home.

In the 16th century, the Chichimecas fixed their eyes upon a mountain with outcroppings in the shape of a frog, an animal that was one of the numens they worshipped, a divine spirit they felt watched over them. In spite of being nomads, they settled in the area of the outcroppings.

The promise of fame and riches encouraged the growth of the mining industry and led to the first settlement of Spanish colonists on these lands. They settled in what is today known as Santa Ana, later giving rise to the town of Real de Minas, Guanajuato.

Post Script:
I know my third great-grandfather, Quirino Rodriguez worked in the Real(Ray-Al) de Minas aka Santa Ana, today. Imagine that, my ancestors were part of this historical place. Grandma Mattie

Mines in Guanajuato Mexico Where My Ancestors Toiled

Article I found online as resource for this blog entry, the pictures are from the article.


Mines



Guanajuato had its beginnings in the discovery of prodigious silver mines, which at the end of the eighteenth century converted the city into the largest silver producer ever known up to that time. The first discoveries are shrouded in legend, making it difficult to distinguish reality from fiction. However, there seems to be no doubt that it was in the year 1558 that work began on the first mine shafts of the Rayas and Mellado mines, and it was in that same year that the famous mother lode of Guanajuato was discovered from those very mine shafts. This generous vein runs through the hills that border the city to the north and northeast, and it has left on the surface a constellation of mines and mine shafts channeling downward to catch the vein in its sinuous trajectory.

On the tops of these hills, there are quite a few impressive ruins which signal the presence of mining work. Sure enough, nestled in the spaces between these hills one finds the mines of Calderones, El Cedro, and El Cubo, at the south end of the city; and in the hills at the north end, Peregrina, Villalpando, Peñafiel, San Nicolás, Sirena, La Garrapata, Rayas-Mellado, La Cata, Tepeyac, Valenciana, Santa Ana, La Luz, and many more.

Bolded pueblecitos where my Grandfather knew and Great Grandmother, Maria Elena Eduiges Ulloa, was born in La Luz, aka as a "mineral" or mining city. Buelito actually showed me and my sister Linda, where these cities were located. The children that were born into the family were born along the mine routes. Some born in those places where their father mined for his livelihood.

I know that my great-grandfathers worked in these mines too for several generations before my own grandfather, Ricardo did. He worked in them as a child of twelve years old until he left Mexico in his late twenties when he and my grandmother traveled by train to the United States in 1916. Working in the mines was not healthy then either. They did not live to old age like my grandfather did. He was 95 when he died.

Turning the Hearts of the Children to the Fathers...

This photo is my grandfather, Ricardo with his mother, Maria Elena Eduiges Ulloa-Rodriguez and his siblings in 1920. This photo was taken in Guanajuato when Jesus Maria Rodriguez, his father passed away.




This day brought some very tender memories and promptings I want to make note of today, before these thoughts fade away.

While I was serving today, I had some names come up from the same area in Mexico as one of my 2nd great-grandmothers. Encarnacion, Jalisco, Mexico. One of the sisters I worked with was impressed how I could pronounce the names as places so clearly.

Most of my co-workers try very diligently to say the places and names correctly. I am amazed at how well they know how to say them. I call it the "gift of tongues," when that happens.

Well, while these names came up, I started to explain how I came to know this information about his second great grandmother, whose name is Maxima Munoz. She was from Encarnacion, Jalisco, Mexico. She was married to Clemente Ulloa, my paternal 2nd great grandfather. I consider his father, Quirino Rodriguez the Patriarch of our family on the other side, since he is the end of line ancestor and know very little about his parents; I know the name of his mother only. I just know that he is listed on the birth record of Ricardo Rodriguez, my paternal grandfather. Imagine my delight with them all listed on my grandfather's birth record from Guanajuato. It was like finding a road map.

I had pictures given to me of these 2nd great-grandparents from this trip to Monterrey in 1970. Only they are not downloaded on a CD or disc as yet. When I get them done, soon I hope, I will post them.

The thing that stands out in my mind to share here, today, is their story of how I came to know about them, and who they are.

I have my grandfather, Ricardo to thank for that. He was instrumental in making it possible, along with my father for me and my younger sister, Linda Ruth to go to San Antonio, Texas in June of 1970 to travel with our grandfather to his birthplace, in Guanajuato, Gto, Mexico.

We, my sister and I flew to Texas to go with Buelito, aka Ricardo to Guanajuato. We traveled by car, and went down through Brownsville, Texas on down to Monterrey, Mexico and onto to Guadalajara, then to a place where a shrine of Christ at El Cubilete in some mountains. Buelito wanted for Linda and I to experience seeing this special place that legend had about Christ visiting the people at one time. I believe that is why there was a shrine because of the account in the Book of Mormon and the great number of healings that took place at the time of his visit and since.

People would travel for miles and miles to this place in crutches or make shift wheel chairs and leave healed through their faith in Christ. The Catholic Church had so many who had come for this purpose, the healings.

Nevertheless it was a testimony to us, that Jesus did visit the Americas to the people there and passed down the stories and accounts of the miraculous healings that took place.

While we went to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico Buelito took us to visit his cousin, Angel Ulloa. He was an educated man, who attended university in the U.S. in New York. I think my grandfather helped his cousin through school and he became an engineeer in Mexico. His son, became a plastic surgeon years later. I would meet him thirty years later when I traveled to work with students in the institute with the Perpetual Education Fund announced by President Gordon B Hinckley for young returned missionaries to get their education and become better leaders and providers for their families in this newly announced program.

The night we stayed with Angel Ulloa, we went to Horsetail Falls, in the mountains by Monterrey. We slept in an upstairs room in their hacienda. It was a very Spanish style, Moorish type home. This room we stayed in had on the table, a scrapbook of Angel's family history. It had all the names of the ancestors I am related to from my grandfather's parents and grandparents. That is how I came to get the family names and genealogy of my ancestors. I had only known as far back as Eduiges, my great-grandmother, before. This information took me back two more generations.

Buelito, made sure he took pictures of the pages and I still have copies of those photos. I will post them later. I have since been able to record all this information and do the temple ordinances for my ancestral lines. It is a joy to know how I link to them, and have found many good records that verify the birth dates and vital statistics of our family.

El Cubilete in Guanjuato




I have been very blessed to have come by the photos and stories of our family's historical record. This genealogy research is something I have worked on for over forty years. Several generations will know about our ancestors for the diligence of those who have gone before and passed down through me.

I know we are all blessed by my ancestors. The hearts of the children are turned to the Fathers, and the Fathers to the children in this great monumental work. I praise my Father in heaven for his great love for me to allow me the privileged of finding all of the records that have been discovered and preserved for me and my family.

This work would not be as complete as it is, had they not been made available on this trip in 1970, as I sought out the genealogy for my family.

I am reminded right now, of the scripture, I Nephi 3:7

7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

I bear testimony of this, in the name of Jesus, Christ, our Master. Amen.

Hidden Treasures of Knowledge

I wanted to complete some temple work and stayed for two sessions. Whether I am there on my regular day, substituting or a patron I see friends I have not seen for a while.

Today was like that. My former bishop, Joe Raynes, greeted me as I was going in to the ladies dressing room. He was so pleased to see me, and catch up on my family. He was so gracious and he asked about my children, and asked me how was Matt doing. I mentioned he was working for Microsoft and going to school working on his MBA. He was pleased to hear that.

I really felt at peace there in the temple as a patron. It had been several weeks since I did work for my family names. I also saw a couple from my old Cascade ward there as workers, the Furr's. It was a welcomed sight.

I went away thinking how wonderful it is to feel the Spirit there away from the cares of the world. It made me think about my children and I prayed for them to find time each month to attend and feel that same wonderful sweet welcomed feeling of being loved and feel the Savior's love for them, just like I do when I am there. It is indescribable.

The closest thing I can say about that feeling is pure love and peace and heavenly!

Pumpkin Carving for Family Home Evening Activity

Joel gets into the act and poses for the Great Pumpkin Caper.
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Wonder What Would Happen If. . . .

Wonder what would happen if we treated
Our Book of Mormon the way we treat our cell phones?

What if we carried it in our purses or pockets?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What is we used it as we traveled?

What if we used it in case of an emergency?



This is something to make you go

“Hmmm. . . . where is my Book of Mormon?”

Oh, and a few more things. . . unlike our cell phones:

-one plan fits all;

-we have unlimited usage;

-there are no roaming charges;

-we always have reception;

-there are no weak signals; AND

-we don’t ever have to worry about our Book of Mormon

being disconnected, because our Savior has already

paid the bill.

This was a hand out in Relief Society yesterday. It was given as a book plate to paste in a Book of Mormon, the military edition. Pocket size. I thought it would be a great way to share it with others. I am glad to post it here and show my grandchildren, family and friends. Be creative with it. You are welcome to cut and paste it for your own files.

Making Choices Between Good, Better and Best

I chose this for a symbol of the choices we make each day and how it effects everyone around us...Family.

"Making choices between, good, better and best."

I really agonized over choosing to attend a devotional for temple workers this last week. It was scheduled for Sunday at 5:00 and 7:00 at a stake center about a mile from the temple in American Fork.

I had late church, then dinner at Hank & Lori’s. A couple in our ward also had a farewell open house at their neighbor’s since they were moving this week. I had already attended a funeral on Saturday.

I was in guilt mode for perhaps choosing to miss the devotional while I had the thought come to my mind. It was-- to not stress over the scheduled day and the conflict I was having about it. It felt good to stay and have dinner with Hank’s family, then just go to the open house. I was also told that my cup was full already from the day before, Saturday.

It was made clear to me that I would have gotten just as much “lift” from the devotional as I would have had I not attended the funeral. There was beautiful music shared in the funeral and the talks brought tears, wrenching my heart. We laughed and cried at the service I attended to on Saturday.

Later, thought one of my friends from the temple informed me when I asked how it went, said it was just lovely. There was music on the program and the temple president spoke.
The speaker was a former Seventy and now an emeritus, President Brown.

I felt at peace at what I had to choose to do and preserve my self to have no guilt in what I chose to do, ultimately. Some days, it is a hard choice between several good things. My cup was filled by attending Heather Christensen’s funeral. It was a loving tribute to her and her family sang songs and gave her a grand farewell. The band stood on each side of the steps and down into the parking lot playing some very mellow music. No one wanted to leave the parking lot for the music, it sounded so wonderful. It was an amazing experience and I am glad I chose to go and pay my last respects to the young (thirty-three year old) woman.

10-23-09 Anna McIntire

The Great Depression of 1929 Revisited 2009?

Yesterday I was talking to some friends who shared some of their woes of the last years. Each said they had lost a home due to the falling economy that they did not see coming. Their businesses dropped drastically and had some hard times and are in recovery at this time.

I remember that twenty years ago, it was told from the pulpit that a "depression, worst than the one of 1929 would fall upon the world." Yes, the world. But hearing it and preparing for it even as it was warned didn't quite sink in to many of us, even though it was given to be prepared for this time. I see now in actuality, and perhaps some hard lesson learned through it I have learned myself.

This is an historical event of the past, being recycled into our day. How ironic!

80th anniversary: Wall Street 1929 crash (VIDEO) - "We lost our house. Had to move in with our grandparents," repeated retired physicist Tom Howe when asked about his recollection of the 1929 Stock Market Crash and the ensuing Great Depression. One month ago, a ten year old boy from Sacramento, CA (whose family wishes to remain anonymous), repeated the same words.

High unemployment rates, unprecedented government bail-outs and this year's deep recession make the 80th anniversary of the 1929 Stock Market Crash all the more poignant. Many now can relate to the first hand experiences of those who lived during that tumultuous time.

Historical activist and author Margaret Chai Maloney, is launching a site (www.1929anupperclassaffair.com) asking readers to share their own or their families' stories, experiences and photos relating to this time period. The website also contains pertinent information like a dictionary of popular era words, a bibliography of related works, videos, period music and photos. Chai Maloney's recently released novel 1929 AN UPPER CLASS AFFAIR, poignantly recreates the last decadent days of the roaring twenties, stock market crash & depression.

To Chai Maloney, the oral histories from this period provide a fascinating understanding not only of the time period, but also provide coping mechanisms that worked for those who had difficulties. In working on her novel, Chai Maloney encountered so many accounts from the Great Crash period that echoed those of today that she felt it was important for the resonating voices to be shared.

Walking with One Another Scriptures

I found this photo image and felt it applied to this message today.


This is from a public blog entry I browsed and wanted to share it here:

WALKING WITH ONE ANOTHER
By Gail Rodgers

Where your feet walk today, be reminded of how God asks you to treat those around you.

“Greet one another.” Romans 16:16

“Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

“Be kind and compassionate to one another.” Ephesians 4:32

“Accept one another.” Romans 15:7

“Serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13

“Encourage one another.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18

“Build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Don’t slander one another.” James 4:11

“Don’t grumble against each other.” James 5:9

“Forgive each other.” Ephesians 4:32

“Confess your sins to each other.” James 5:16

“Stop passing judgment on one another.” Romans 14:13

“Be at peace with each other.” Mark 9:50

“Be devoted to one another.” Romans 12:10

“Carry each others' burdens.” Galatians 6:2

“Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” Colossians 3:16

“Pray for each other.” James 5:16

“Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24

“Love one another.” John 13:34

Good, Better ,Best,, When To Make a Choice

Making choices between, good, better and best.

I really agonized over a devotional for temple workers this last week. It was scheduled for Sunday at 5:00 and 7:00 at a stake center about a mile from the temple in American Fork.

I had late church, then dinner at Hank & Lori’s. A couple in our ward had a farewell open house at their neighbor’s since they were moving this week. I had already attended a funeral on Saturday.

I was in guilt mode for perhaps choosing to miss the devotional while I had the thought come to my mind. It was to not stress over the scheduled day and the conflict I was having about it. It felt good to stay and have dinner with Hank’s family, then just go to the open house.

It was clear that I would have gotten just as much “lift” from the devotional as I would have at the funeral. There was beautiful music shared and the talks brought tears, wrenching my heart. We laughed and cried at the service I attended to on Saturday.
One of my friends from the temple informed me when I asked how it went, she said it was just lovely. There was music on the program and the temple president spoke.
The speaker was a former Seventy and now an emeritus, President Brown.

I felt at peace at what I had to choose to do and preserve my self to have no guilt in what I chose to do, ultimately. Some days, it is a hard choice between several good things. My cup was filled by attending Heather Christensen’s funeral. It was a loving tribute to her and her family sang songs and gave her a grand farewell. The band stood on each side of the steps and down into the parking lot playing some very mellow music as we all filed out of the building. The band had formed an honor guard for people to walk through. I noticed that no one wanted to leave the parking lot to hear the music, it sounded so wonderful. The Spirit was beautiful, almost anglic. It was an amazing experience and I am glad I chose to go and pay my last respects to this young (thirty-three year old) woman.

Are we not commanded to bear one an others' burdens?

Happy Birthday to another Princess aka Principessa!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpxaTslABDY
I found the neatest way to the above link to this song to my blog today. It is one of my granddaughter's birthday, and her nickname is "Principessa." She was born seven years ago today, She also is the only daughter in their family. How amazing is that?

Well, I hope her mommy sees this so she can hear it, and play it for her, since the name of it is. "Bonjourno, Principesssa." Another trivia is that she was born on the 21 day of this month, and is my 21st grandchild. Her cousin, was born a month before her on the 20th of September...and he was the 20th grandchild coincidently. (?) They just knew when to get here, that is all. Congratulations dear little lady, princess and continue to have a great birthday celebration.

Love, Grandma Mattie

In Memory of a Another Great Teacher

‘She gave these kids a second chance to live’

Article written in The Deseret News and posted here in this blog entry for today.

Family and friends show their emotion as the casket of Heather Christensen is taken from the Alpine Tabernacle, in American Fork, as the American Fork High School Band plays outside before the funeral in Delta Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Christensen died on October 10 in a bus accident when the marching band was returning from a competition in Idaho.MARK JOHNSTON/Daily Herald

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"Don't waste your life on trivia, vain and worldly things. Give your life every day, one day at a time, to what really matters."

That is one of the lessons taught by the life of Heather Christensen, 33, the American Fork High School woodwind teacher who died saving the lives of her students, said Elder Bruce C. Hafen of the Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking at funeral services on Saturday at the Alpine Tabernacle in American Fork.

"I bring you the love and deepest sympathy of President Thomas S. Monson and the other General Authorities who asked me to represent them here," said Hafen, noting he had two very personal reasons to speak. Two of his grandchildren are members of the band, and "one of them was sitting right across the aisle" from Christensen the night she attempted to take control of a charter bus carrying band students home from Idaho after the driver is believed to have suffered a medical issue. The only fatality, Christensen was thrown from the bus.

"Her actions protected many young people from injury and even death," Hafen said, noting the American Fork City Council had declared Saturday as Heather Christensen Day in honor of her actions.

"All those whose loved ones were on the bus will feel an everlasting debt of gratitude," Elder Hafen said. "It is as if she gave these kids a second chance to live."

Through her example in life and death, Christensen also taught how to navigate life's temptations, Hafen said.

"Learn from Heather to steer your bus away from the dangers that haunt us on the freeway of life," he said. And as Christensen, "find joy in the success of other people -- what a gift in this competitive society."

Family members remembered Christensen as a woman with a passion for music, movie quotes, world travel, hats, a math whiz who loved to sing and dance and loved warm weather, especially in Hawaii, and never took life too seriously. She was called "self-directed, self-motivated, and naturally driven" and an "educator in the truest sense of the word."

One of the most moving moments from Saturday's service came when the band played as the black casket covered in red roses was rolled from the tabernacle. Uniformed band members, who had occupied choir seats during the service, lined both sides of the walkway from the tabernacle about 100 feet out to the waiting hearse. As the audience stood to watch the casket be wheeled away, music from the band filtered into the tabernacle and many in attendance sobbed openly. Hundreds lined the sidewalk and gathered in the parking lot to watch the family pass between the lines of band members after the casket.

In letters read by family members at the service, Christensen's parents, Kay and Annette Christensen, said her passing left them "sad and incomplete" and said meeting with students the night of the accident was comforting and moving.

"I never had to worry about you doing wrong, even in your teenage years," Christensen's mother wrote. "I know you appreciated life in your own way, briefly yet abundantly."

Family members recalled the time, in her youth, when a curious Christensen set a towel on fire in the bathroom. When she couldn't get the fire out, she quietly exited the bathroom. The family did not learn the bathroom was on fire until the fire alarm went off.

"Let us all press forward and realize we have been in the presence of an angel," said her sister, Kara Higginson. "She will be greatly missed, but she will still be laughing, loving and helping others."

In Memory of Heather Christensen

by her nephew, Nathan Higginson, as read at her funeral:

Amazing people come and go but why must she be one?

The answer is she's needed by our Father and his Son.

She still lives on in all of us, her spirit and her fire.

To live with her eternal family was her one and only desire.

Let's help her reach her goal and live life as we should,

And begin to do as Heather did nothing but good.

She lived a life of service, so angelic, pure and strong,

Never did you find her doing anything in the wrong.

As a person, a friend and nephew, what more could I need?

To live my life as she did, I pray I can, I plead.

The love she had for everyone, so endless and so much,

She had something about her, you could feel with just a touch.

She's now somewhere better, an eternal companion she'll find,

But her friends and her family -- so much she left behind.

We'll remember her as selfless, an angel in and out.

She's walking now in heaven, with that I have no doubt.

Our care for you is endless, our hearts are full of love.

Please stay with us and guide us, and watch us from above.

Posted in Local, American-fork on Sunday, October 18, 2009 12:05 a

Genetics Imprinted in the best of us...by the Hairs on my Chinny Chin Chin?

I can still remember seeing my maternal grandmother, Goma aka Anita Recio. She was a character, laughed a lot and loved to dance and sing. Goodness, she was loud too. Her voice when she sang was amazing.

Something that does stand out is that on her chin she had a protruding mole. And on this mole there was a grey hair that grew out of that mole. Yes, and guess, what? One day I looked in the mirror and to my horror I saw that familiar grey hair all by itself except for it protruding out of a mole under my chin!! I was horrified, believe me. My Maternal Grandmother, Anita Recio-->

So, nowadays, I take some tweezers and just pluck that stray, aging white hair. just this week at church, Aaron turns to me to tell me that the white hair was on my chin in sacrament meeting. I was mortified and there was nothing I could do at the time. I thought a second and told him, that then was not the time to tell me that. I wondered if all of a sudden these hairs just appear an inch long out of nowhere. ???

Then I went to my assignment at the templethis week. I looked in the mirror and there on my chin was that single white, coarse hair just waiting to be plucked. I saw a lady in the dressing room area of the lockers and asked politely if she happened to have any tweezers in her purse.

She answered in the affirmative! Iwas so glad. I praised her to the skies and thanked her at the same time of my discovery. She pulled out one of those small blue Swiss Army knives to give me. I was so pleased to be able to find someone who had one of those handy tools in thier purse.

It worked very nicely and I pulled a couple others I could see in the brightly lit dressing room mirrors where the workers all dressed. I was so grateful and decided I needed to keep one of those in my purse at ALL times to avoid any embarassing eruptions of unwanted facial hair on my face, like my grandma used to have.

Favorite Sayings

This poem is one my father used to quote a lot to me as I was growing up. It reminds me of him.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have over the years.

Thanks, Daddy! I love you.

If the poem is not quite visible, just click on the photo and it will enlarge for you to read it better.

Fryer Family Photos of the Month

Fall is definitely in the air! Tara and Russ had their annual family pics and I happened to browse them online. Russ looks great with his "ladies" all around him. I like the full color effect too. Congratulations on a good looking family. Thanks for sharing.

Birthday at the K's for K2 Birthday Celebration

Love Quote of the Day Attraction is beyond our will or ideas sometimes. Juliette Binoche

Quote of the Day If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
Frederick Douglass


This is K2 for his Eagle Scout Award.He just turned 19 and had his birthday dinner on Sunday. I gave him a tie for his preparation for his mission. He has accomplished a lot, and this grandma is very pleased with him.

Good luck Kris, you have a lot to be most grateful in your current situation...God bless you always.

Today I Prayed for Those in Flight~

This afternoon I was leaving to go run a few errands. There within earshot I heard the familiar sounds of helicopters over head. I paused, looked up and counted at least four, maybe five Blackhawk Army Helicopters.

I don't know why, but I was inspired to say a prayer for those men and personnel aboard those copters, just because I had the feeling they were on an important mission to be flying altogether. I want you to know I said a prayer in my heart and mind, asking God to please protect, and watch over those who were going to wherever they were assigned. And for there families to be comforted until they safely return to them.

It was a feeling of love for those who serve not just me, but our God and country so that I can worship and enjoy the blessings of this free land. Free in the sense, of freedom to worship my religion, freedom of speech in this United States of America. I felt what a blessing it is to have that gift protected by our Constitution.

Our flag represents this, our very rights. Long may it wave.


We lives in uncertain times, but the need for certainty in our freedoms reigns in our individual rights of the Constitution. It is absolute for our Commander in Chief to sustain the military to have what is needed to maintain the security of our service men and all the rest of us.

This evening I saw an article in the online Deseret News about the National Guard unit leaving Utah today to go train in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. There were 45 men deployed who will go to IRAQ, to help get suppplies and provisions for the troops.

God Bless America!


This is from the article in the Deseret News--I saw later this evening.

Members of the Utah Army National Guard's 2-285 Aviation Company prepare to leave Monday from West Jordan for a 12-month deployment in Iraq. Approximately 45 soldiers left Utah in their assigned Black Hawk helicopters bound for Fort Sill, Okla., where they will receive several weeks of training for their assigned mission to transport personnel, equipment and supplies in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. (Stuart Johnson, Deseret News)

Mom's Editorial of Sorts--Gratitude in Being a Mom

This mountain represents the climb it took to be strengthen in life's trials. This is also Mt. Timpanogos, which was the view from my front room window the years spent living in Orem with fond Memories.



This morning I read an article about Utah having the highest percentage rate of stay-at-home mothers in the country. It piqued my interest. It gave me a forum to toot my horn...


Better than "therapy" | 7:20 a.m. Oct. 4, 2009
I made a conscious choice to stay home with my children. I spent hours with then, relating to then and their problems. It was a time of bonding and cementing that bond for their teen age years. I was fortunate, yes to be a stay-at-home-mom for 23 years. My youngest was six years old of eight children when I had to get work outside my home as a single mother. We all survived the turmoil of the sudden shift in our lives as a family. It paid off for me to have been home all those years. My time came when the last three children were in high school. I went back to school to get my education. I was home for my children even though I was a student. We all went to college and they finished their undergraduate degrees. The youngest was never spoiled. He is now earning his MBA. I could not be more pleased. The others did similarly, two with M.S. degrees and one has her Ph.D. It can be done, even in Utah, But, some mothers NEED to work. Just do your best & love em.

The other day, Friday I was silently grateful for those years I was able to spend at home with my children while they were growing up. I felt the bond of love and closeness to each of my children as they grew up. I felt connected to them and was so grateful to be there to take them a forgotten assignment, donuts to a first hour home-ec class, cinnamon rolls to one of my missionaries' district. (Oh I was bad) I think they changed the rules after that. I laugh now about it. I had my three preschoolers in tow at the time too.

Overall, I know I am blessed for having made that choice to be there at the crossroads of their lives. I may have not always been home when each came home from school on any given day, but my presence was there nevertheless taking children on paper routes, going to their day time singing programs, their kindergarten graduations, their high school graduations.

I will say that pay back time was when I got my first diploma as a college student. All my children were lined up in the audience and gave me a whooping holler and cheered me on in MY accomplishment. It was one of the best days of my life to walk that stage and have my children, and grands rooting for ME!

I came across my college picture of me when I graduated from BYU. I looked a little worn out, and actually think I look better today than then. Anyway, I weathered the storms of life as a mom on her own, still raising the three younger boys. I am so thankful to have been there when I was needed.

We learned a lot about being self-sufficient and independent, and I am sure my children did too with me. You are ALL the best...

BYU Football game, BYU vs Utah State University

The football game was great. Aaron and I went to the tailgate party just before the game. There were so many lines and booths. We stood in two of the lines. I won a Tee Shirt, throwing a football, and the other one I threw two darts. I won a Shade's women's shirt. It was fun and everyone was so gracious and helpful.

This is a view of the stadium and some of the crowd before the game. It was news to me what goes on at "tailgate" parties before football games. I had heard about them, but since I have no one to go with, I don't know these things. I had so much fun!! Aaron was my date. He was so happy to get to go with me since he doesn't get the game on his cable TV. We had a good time.
I am so grateful of the time I spent with my children when they were small. It proves to that when parents spend time with them as children, they in turn, find time to spend quality time with you when they are adults. Thanks again Aaron & Tansie, for making my birthday special.

The best part was that our seats were inside the loges and we had a nice buffet meal and a banana split brought to us by the concession. Tanise came by to say hello around half time.


We got to see the game with a panoramic view. There was a small TV in our suite, and we got to see the instant replays. We actually could see the plays better on TV than down on the field. It was all great, and I enjoyed myself, for my birthday. Thanks Tanise, for thinking of me for my birthday. I had a great time and was wowed by the inside loge seats.
It had been several years since I had been to BYU football, and I hope I get to go again. BYU won the game by the way, which made it nice.