Summer is almost here...... I think?

I was thinking that when we got home from Arizonia this year that we would have a relaxing summer and enjoy getting the yard in shape and being in our home again. It hasn't turned out quite that way. From a Missionary coming home, baptizms of a granddaughter, graduations from high school, remodelling projects, being called into young women, (yikes) and going to girl's camp!! (yikes and more yikes); I feel like I have been run over by a Mack Truck. Just keeping up with the yard and the house is a full time job. But it is especially nice to have a husband who shares in the running of our home. Larry is so neat and organized that it makes living fun and comfortable. To say it has been a busy Spring and Summer is definitely an understatement. I guess the Lord has no intentions of letting me slow down. I am just so grateful for healing of my legs. I am willing to go forward with one foot in the air I can die. I love working in the yard and keeping our house clean and organized. I love taking care of Larry and sharing our intimate moments together. I love sitting in Church with Larry by my side. I love having our children come just to visit and talk. I think the world of Rodney and his precious, wise attitude about what is truly important in this life. I love watching Luke play baseball and seeing a great athlete at work. I loved that Luke and family wanted to have Luke's graduation party here. I love the happy go lucky Justin and how open his heart is to the Lord. How he freely talks of his love for Him and shares his thoughts and feelings with me. I love Kristina and Bo and the beautiful young couple they are and how open to the Spirit that Kristina is. Most of all, I love being a part of a family that strives to lift and support one another no matter what. I really love how they each seem to know when right is right and there is no oneupmanship in this family. I love Larry's sisters and their down right openness in accepting me in the family. Most of all, I love being happy and content. Sure there is much I wish I could change, but I am not naive enough to think I can change people. I know that it is life's circumstances that will polish us and make us fit for His Kingdom. And lots of time in the process we have to suffer from the evil and painful acts of others. I am willing to step back and let the Savior perform his miracles in His time. (Although I am do wish sometimes He would hurry a little more) He already knows this as I keep that thought to myself only and in my prayers through Him.

It was such a wonderful day we got to spend at Talon's homecoming. A young man left to go on his mission two years ago and he returned a wise and loving man. So alive with the Light of the Gospel. Talon is a delightful grandson. The Gospel shines in all he says and does. Larry even commented how much Talon has grown in two years. Talon has a great love for his family and I am so blessed to be his gramma. You hold a special place in my heart Talon. You come from fine parents and it show. And I am mighty Proud of David and Jami. I love you all more than you will ever know.

What a great thing to watch your grandchildren grow up. Although it is a bit disconncerting. It means I am much older. But how blessed I am to see my grandchildren entering this world and knowing they will make a difference for good in the circles in which they move. Ryli, my little Ryli, graduated from High School!!! Her graduating class had many graduating with top honors; Ryli among them. She has always been a straight A student. I remember when she was little and she wanted to be the President of the United States. She has changed her mind now but I was amazed that she was so keen at such a young age and wanting to become the President. She is an exception dancer and has spent years taking dancing classes. She has such grace and poise. From the very first time I saw her dance I was amazed at the natural ability she possessed.

My little Skylar was baptized this year. It was a special day for me to see her in her beautiful white dress. Jill made it for her and she did indeed looked like the Princess that she is. The hardest part for me was being shunned by a son. He came in and sat right in front of me and never even acknowledge I was there let alone that I am his mother. These are painful times for me. Not in any circumstance can I imagine treating another human being like that, especially a mom who tried so hard to live the Gospel and bring her children up with such hopes and dreams for them.

I know I wasn't a perfect mother, but I know Iworked so hard at trying to protect and teach my children. I can in all good conscience stand before Heavenly Father and feel good about my concerted effort in being a good mom. I hate the thought of leaving this life and having any of my children suffer when they recognize what they have done to cause our family so much pain, sorrow and separation. We are indeed, enemies to God and carnal in our natures, when we pursue our selfish motives and not seek to truly understand the nature of the Lord and strive to be like Him. No matter what, that is what the Gospel is all about. If we haven't learned that we have no business judging another or their motives, we really have missed the boat on one of the very core principles that the Lord came to teach us. But I must not leave this without telling those children that I love them so much, I do forgive you and do not wish for you to suffer because of this. Move on and know that no matter what your Mother will never stop loving and caring about you. Also I would be truly remiss if I didn't tell those of my children who have tried to make up for the lacking in our family, how much I love them. You keep me going and when the going gets a little too hard, I always get that telephone call from one of you reminding me that I am loved.

Steve and Natalie came for two weeks and Steve added an addition to our kitchen. What a great job he did. I have never seen such beautiful carpentry. The addition is so solid and wonderful. I even have a darling gable roof over the addition. I love it! In exchange for the addtion we gave Steve and Natalie our 30 f00t enclosed trailer and the two snowmobiles inside. It cost us less than a thousand dollars in materials to complete the addition. I am so excited to have a little more room to have people over to dinner. It was so wonderful to have them here with us and share meals and laughs together. I continued to have prayers over meals and felt the blessings of the Lord in my attempt to keep His Spirit here. It was great when Justin came (another Grandson) and he would say a blessing. One thing that happened which thrilled me was how interested Larry's kids were about my food storage. I got a chance to express my concern for all of us because the world is getting to be very difficult. I am hoping that I am able to cause the children to think about the importance of being prepared in every way. I don't know what plans the Lord has in mind but I pray I am doing my part to be a good example for Larry's family. I do know that everything is the Lord's hands and He is never late. I am content to be Larry's wife and share our wonderful, peaceful life together. He is a precious man and I am so thankful for answered prayers. I know that Larry and I were meant to be together. Larry was an answer to a painful pray of not wanting to be alone anymore. Larry is sensitive to this too as he had been alone for seven years and before that he spent 15 years alone after his first marriage. Larry makes me feel fulfilled and our life together is very near perfect.