Finding Joy In The Journey

From Pres. Monson

"If you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, 'They do not love that do not show their love.'³ We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say 'I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, 'The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.'^4"

This is such a wonderful quote from our Prophet and since I let this Valentines pass without any fanfare I just wanted each of you to know how much we love you and thank you for all you are doing to help our grandchildren to grow and end up to be such loveable and loving adults. Some of the grandchildren are reading scriptures on their own, we thrill at that journey for you, some are in sports and activities to strengthen their bodies, we thrill at those successes, each is going to church and are growing spiritually that way, that is the greatest joy to us of all. Thank you, we love you, we miss our association with you regularly. We are grateful for phones, email, and now ichat. We wish we were closer, but we love you, and are grateful for you. Love Grandma and Grandad

What have we been up to?

This is the ship that we wanted to pass by while Sam and Hadley were visiting, but it maybe didn't go out during the holidays? Well, its floating now.


This is David and Linda Block that we went out to dinner with and then went to see the Tribute to Motown, that was a lot of fun. We could sing along and we did.

































Here are more pictures of a different ship, I know it's different because of the number on the back end.








Here is the "before" pictures of our garage. I don't have any "after" pictures, but we did have the furniture company that is going to repair the broken furniture from the move. It has been 6 months, we moved in August 4th. Little slow, the moving company employee has apologized several times, like it changes anything, it still not finished..... we will see.
We have also been cubscout leaders for a few weeks. They now have a couple called but we enjoyed the boys while we served there.
Next attraction.... McAllen Texas trip. We are back..... didn't have the internet for 4 days and I had withdrawls, but we found a library..... that was good.

1Mix 100 Muffins

I went on a TJMAXX trip yesterday and hung out in the clearance isle until I had seen and touched it all. I came away with a "grow" sign, its a metal words with a stake for the ground, that is for our upcoming, Relief Society Birthday Party  entitled "Garden Party". I also got a glass bowl that will work well for Lemonade. I have had so much fun thinking about the decorations for this Enrichment. More on it later, it isn't until March 10th. 

Anyway, I found this cute padded book that just may be a door prize for the birthday party. It has a basic mix and then the additions. I don't understand why cupcakes are all the rage when muffins are less fattening and have less sugar. I will start a campaign for muffins..... 

Here is the basic mix with the * ones being the essential and changes can be made. {Like using molasses, honey and fruit juice instead of the sugar and brown sugar. Applesauce instead of eggs and any variety of flour}

Could be used as a Baby Shower refreshment....

Thought I would throw this in for all you bacon lovers out there, it could be a quick breakfast that could be taken on the go. 

I have 98 more, chocolate, Brie cheese, rosemary, peanut butter, etc. If you want me to I will email these if you want something specific. 

Happy Baking! 

Note to Self

YOU can not take a 6 ft. artificial Christmas tree with the lights still on, up a flight of stairs to take through a closet and shove in the space created by the roof over hang.
Put it back in the box and store it in the garage just like you always have. You are not saving time, energy or anything of the sort and it can be very frustrating.
If you want to save time putting together the tree, buy a fresh one and put up with the irrational ravings of someone afraid it will catch fire if not kept watered or also wanting to wire it to the wall so it won't fall on anyone. (He might surprise you by helping put on those said Christmas lights like he did this year. That was so nice.)
Just a note to myself for next Christmas should this crazy thought pass through my head again.

Culinary Institutue of Virginia

This is Gloria Labao, she is a student at the Culinary Institute of Virginia. She had been a long haul truck driver. This is her "final". These are all appetizer type foods with melon carving.
The master chef used to be a chef for Buckingham Palace before he started this school in Norfolk.


























I didn't get a picture of the chickens they completely de-bone chop up the meat and put it all back together with spices and vegetables etc. and slice it for serving.












































These trays have gelatin layered and vegetables placed in such a way that it looks like something else like glass.






































This guy made an arrangement of vegetable flowers. There are mostly turnips, scallions, radishes and squash vase. I got to take this home and enjoy it. It only lasted a day, but it was so fun.
We are so glad that Gloria invited us to come a taste with wonderful treat of gourmet food.

It did get finished!

For those of you who asked. Our gingerbread mansion did get finished. Tim didn't get the icing put on the way "he would have done it" but isn't that just the way. We all did have fun.

That Sunday we had another family come over for dinner and we ate the gingerbread house for dessert.

I Cried the Day I took the Tree Down.

This was our tree and here are some photos from our Christmas.














This little fairy girl looked like Savannah to me and reminded me of the family we were missing during this wonderful time of the year.










Greg, Rachel, Dad and some friends finished this 3d puzzle of the Burj Al Arab, from Dubai.

















Hadley knows her Grandad is pretty special. She followed him when she could.










One day was really cold and then we had days that were wonderfully warm even hot.












Tim was our Gingerbread designer. He designed it after our home. We didn't finish it on Rachel and Micah's birthday but is was finished. I will post that picture later.






We did the cookies. Laura did the frosting.






We went ship looking. This is the USSGeorge Bush that was built here in Norfolk and will be commissioned soon, like tomorrow.











Even Max got a stocking.












Micah and Stephanie teased Dad about the mop bucket incident and gave us a garmin for finding our way in this new place.









Fancy Nancy got new duds.











Laura a completely autographed copy of the program from So YOu Think you Can Dance.
Thanks Chelsie.










Micah did some good shopping for Stephanie














Rachel bought a horse and Barbie for herself and gave it to Hadley. ;0)
We had a wonderful Christmas and we are grateful to all of you for your contribution. We love this time of year but what makes it special is what the season was meant to commemorate. We love the Savior and feel great gratitude for all he gave to us.











It is my belief that over time I have made each of you an apron. I may have Jaim and Jody yet to make one for (is that right)? Is there anyone else I have forgotten because I really can't remember and I don't want that to be the case. Please let me know and give me some idea of colors and design and it can be a co-operative effort.