Good Things to Come

I don't know if you have ever had a chance to watch any of the Mormon Messages, put out by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but I have rarely watched one that I could not absolutely relate to. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland is the speaker on this video, and he shares a story from his life. I am so grateful to live in this day, with the fullness of the gospel, and with wonderful Prophets and Apostles who continue to encourage and direct me on my path.

Hope you enjoy as much as I did - you might want to grab a tissue!

Click on the following: Good Things to Come

Monkey in the Middle!

After 2 weeks of soaking up the time with Ashleigh, Logan and the new sweet baby Kai, it was time to go home.

We each took our turn holding the baby and giving him lots of extra love.

As it always does, the time finally came to say good-bye. We poured into the cab of our U-haul, and I literally felt like the "Monkey in the Middle!" These were very close driving conditions, but we were all game to make it a fun adventure.

We stopped on the way to have a sit down lunch! Chicken Wings anyone?

This is what the inside of the cab looked like from my angle. Yes, those are my legs, and yes that is the dash board that they are touching! Imagine a 13 hour drive like that!

This is our handsome driver that made the trip seem very easy! I'd drive with this guy anywhere!

Because the U-haul only had a AM/FM radio, I became the "official" book on tape reader! Chase had read this book, and Scott was a little over half way through the book, and so while we drove down the freeway, I read the rest of the book to everyone. It was really fun, we'd stop and discuss different parts as I read. It was great family entertainment.

For those of you who are familiar with trips along I-80, you won't be surprised that we had lots of scenes like the following! Ugh - I had to keep reminding myself that we were still making better time than the pioneers! ha ha

After a long ride home, this was the sweet little furry face that was so excited to welcome us home! I have to honestly say, besides the tight quarters, it was a very pleasant trip - and I am so grateful that we arrived safely to our home.

Big Move needs a Big Jud

For the past few years all of our vacations have included in one way or another moving our children. Some of the moves have been within the same town, and some moves have crossed states. This move in the end will cross many states, in fact, this move will cross the entire United States. This could get confusing...so stick with me...Heather's furniture lived at Ashleigh's for a year, and now it is going home to California, only to be picked up by a POD company and taken to New York to live at Heather's new apartment once she returns from England! Did you catch all that? Anyway, and so it begins.

Logan and Scott posing for the beginning of the work.

Prepping for the move, is hard work.

But not as hard as, moving furniture down a flight of stairs. Look at those strong boys, they gave me heart failure!

Ashleigh's normally clean apartment was turned upside down.

After working so hard, we decided that a big move NEEDED a Big Jud! What is a Big Jud you might be asking? Keep reading, you will find out!

While at the restaurant we ran into our hometown friend Kim Summers. She was there also ready to indulge in some Big Jud goodness!

So here you go, the Big Jud is a 1 lb beef patty on the biggest homemade bun you have ever seen loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and pickles. People come from all over the country to try the Big Jud challenge and have their picture posted on the wall, bragging about their ability to eat that much!

Logan begins the quest.

Scott seems happy to start.

Chase is confident to go for it!

I am stunned at the size of this thing, and know from the beginning that this is a losing battle!

Look at those puppy dog eyes, the burger got the best of Chase!

Logan and Ashleigh believe that the hamburger might be growing before their eyes.

And Scott, is picking his teeth clean! Actually, he didn't eat the whole thing, but this sure does make a good shot doesn't it! We had so much fun, and loved the opportunity to go and take this challenge! We think that the Big Jud has given us the energy to finish the Big Move! I'll let you know if it worked!

Am I a blogger?

For a year now, I have laughed, cried, and jumped for joy every time my two daughters posted on their blogs. Now and again one of the girls would say to me, "Mom, when are you going to start a blog?" I always laughed at the thought, what could I possibly have to say?

Don't get me wrong, my life has been filled with blessings, but somehow the every day details don't seem very "blog worthy!" However, I have come to the realization that with a growing family all over the world, my every day life might be something that they find interesting! And so...this blog is for my 4 beautiful children: Heather, Ashleigh, Jordan and Chase, and my two awesome son-in-laws James and Logan, and my super gorgeous grandsons Talmage and Kai.

Last August 2009, we got the family together, and went to Marine World. We were missing Jordan, and we have one more baby in our family now, but on that day we celebrated the opportunity to be together. It was full of rides, snack foods, and animal shows. Scott and I love being together with our family, truly there is no greater joy in our life.

Heather and James were married in April of 2008. They have had a very busy two years, their first baby (our first grandson), Talmage was born in March of 2009. We were so lucky to have them live with us for a few months, after James graduated from BYU. We loved every minute of having them in our home. They moved to England in September of 2009, James is in a Masters Program at Cambridge University. Since they have been gone, we have kept a relationship through the blog, and Skype. Talmage is so sweet, he doesn't remember who I am, to him I am just this "lady in the box" who claps at everything he does! They have had wonderful adventures since arriving in England, here are a few of the places that they were able to visit, London, England; Paris, France; Caerphilly, Wales; and Spain. I am looking forward to their trip to the very exciting land of Citrus Heights, CA! They will be returning June 30, Scott and I will be in the SF airport with open arms to hug all three of them! We love and miss them so much.

Ashleigh and Logan were married April of 2009. (Yes, only 1 year after the first wedding!) Ashleigh graduated from BYU-I in December of 2009 and Logan is attending BYU-I working towards his Bachelors in Chemistry. Thank heaven for blogs and Skype, I've been able to see Ashleigh's tummy grow through her pregnancy. Almost two weeks ago, on May 29, 2010, I was in the delivery room to see our second little grandson born (Kai). It was an amazing experience and so much fun to see our family grow. I feel so blessed that the girls both married local boys, and so I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will be back home before too long!

Jordan is on a mission in the Canada, Toronto West Mission. He stepped into the MTC on January 14 of 2009. Jordan is our second missionary, (Heather served a mission in Taiwan) we have loved every letter that he has sent, and we have loved watching the growth of our son, from a distance. He loves the diversity on his mission, and has had so many wonderful opportunities to share the gospel. January of 2011, we will again be at the airport, this time to welcome Jordan home, we will be there with signs, balloons and of course a camera so it can be documented for the blog!

Chase is the "baby" of the family! Isn't he cute!?! He is entering into his Senior Year at Bella Vista High School. Pictured above is his junior prom date Jocelyn. If you asked Chase how he feels about being the last one at home he would tell you without hesitation that he doesn't like it! He misses his sisters, brother, brother in laws, and nephews. He gets so excited when they are all coming home, and the house gets loud, and the dinner table becomes not only a place of food, but of conversation and laughter! Chase works at Deseret Book, and it has been so much fun to watch him develop a love of reading. He has been buying a new book a week!

Truly, we are blessed. Am I a blogger? I'm not sure about that. But I do know that I am absolutely, a Wife, Mom and Grandma, and I love that fact!