...Every good gift cometh of Christ! Moroni 10:18

Meet my friend Mel (she is the one 4th from the left with her arms folded looking like the proud Mom.). Mel is the Mom of Andrew, Bobbi and Jessi! (please note they may not be listed in order of importance) Mel is also an incredible woman of faith, one amazing YW leader, dedicated mother and one of the hardest working people I know. If I ever grow up I wanna be just like Mel. (also of note, the two gentleman in the picture, the most amazing Bishop Flamm and his counselor the adorable Bro. Bailey, next to Bro. Bailey his equally amazing wife Viki, to Mel's right the incredible Lisa! Also pictured Megan, Lexi, Wendy, Bobbi and Brinah, a sampling of some of the best group of YW Idaho has to offer!)

This is JESSI!! Jessi is my buddy, she was one of my first facebook friends, she texts me almost daily, she actually reads my blogs too! I love Jessi. I miss Jessi! Jessi and Mel (and Bob, Andrew and Bobbi) live in Idaho. So I do not get to see them hardly ever anymore! (lucky for me though the family reunion is only 120 days away and it's in Idaho, just like Jessi)

Why a post about Jessi you ask! Well in 10 count them 10 days Jessi is having a birthday!! Jessi will be 17! Last year we could not be with Jessi for her 16th birthday, so she is the one we started our birthday in a box tradition with! So this morning I was pondering what to do for Jessi's birthday this year. as you can see she has everything a girl could ever want... a great mom, a plunger and pink crocs, a car and jammies to repel in. So I come to you my good readers for advice!!

What can I do for MY JESSI for her birthday on an extremely limited budget, and 358 miles away. Please send suggestions! I love you Jessi!!

Jessi spread the word to all your blogger friends so they can send comments :o)

...Publish glad tidings upon the mountain... D&C 19:29

So I am so excited to work with my girls on our Temple Celebration! Tonight was the second practice. I was asked to help the Laurels (16-18 year old YW). They were sooo CUTE!

What are we doing you ask. Well ... we are learning a Poi Ball dance. Tonight we learned how to twirl them and nearly knock each other out! It was quite funny! We also got booted out of our room, which was probably a good thing if you are the RS Pres.

Stay posted to see the miracle that will happen with these amazing YW!

Now Behold a marvelous work is about to come forth... D&C 4:1

This is my son Daniel! We took this picture outside the doctors office friday morning. He was there to have his physical for his mission. He is a bit too big for his britches don't ya think?

I was going to take pictures of him getting his teeth cleaned and getting his shots but after this photo I don't think any of us are ready for him!

I am learning a lot lately about patience but waiting for him to get his call maybe my biggest test! I can make myself a bit insane trying to decide if I have done enough to prepare him. Daniel is my independent child, I have to remind myself that he has been given lots of guidance and now its time for him to be accountable for his preparation.

I will keep you "posted" on what happens!

... Marriage is ordained of God unto man. D&C 49:15

Today is my in laws 50th anniversary. My cute sister in laws Julie and Dea made these charts to represent the family members, and the moves.The truck is Larry and Velma, the cars are the kids and their spouses. the mototcycles are the grand kids and the bicycles are the great grandchildren. The map has a string (which is hard to see in this pic, sorry). The string moves from state to state for every move the family has made. If you think it looks like a lot, you should know that it doesn't show every move within a state.

This is Larry and Velma and all of the family who was able to attend the lunch. There are 7 out of 13 of us in the Salt Lake area but we sure don't see each other enough.

It was a fun afternoon and I love to see my kids get together with their cousins.

...let thy heart be full of thanks unto God... Alma 37:37

I have missed my last couple weeks of posting blessings. So I have a lot of catching up to do.

1. TALKING to Michelle. We have sent a lot of emails back and forth lately and we stay in touch thru facebook, but nothing beats an actual conversation!

2. Mission calls. Michelle's son Ryan got his call to Everett, Wa. and Amanda Schiffler is going to Madrid, Spain. I am really excited for them. They are great "kids" and they are going to be amazing instruments in the Lord's hands.

3. Answered Prayers! My little sister finally sold her house. She can now get ready for a yard sale and packing to move back to California, and be with her husband.

4. Ward conference! I love conferences and how they seem to be exactly what I need. Bishop Kenison's talk in Sacrament Meeting and Pres. Murphy's talk in Relief Society, I am sure were just for me. Now that you are curious as to what they spoke on... Remembering who you are as a Child of God and not letting Lucifer win.

5. Temple Celebrations and Dedications. It was amazing to be part of the Draper Temple dedication! I am also so excited to get to be a part of the Temple Celebration planned for May.
I have just been asked to make sure the kids get there on time and have rides and know that they are invited and wanted, but I am so excited to finally get to work with MY GIRLS in YW. I have been in YW so many times but never when my girls were there. So I cannot wait to spend the next 10 weeks with them.

6. Family Gatherings. I love to be with my family! Everytime we get together even if all I do is sit back and watch them (which I love to do) I feel rejuvenated. I have the best nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters and Mom and Dad.

7. Daniel was home for the weekend, that was a great blessing. He completed the dental and physical exams for his mission.

8. Wade came down with Dan. He is an amazing young man, I am glad Dan has him for a friend.

9. Staying asleep. I have been having a lot of struggles sleeping lately. I started some new meidcation, it has not helped me get to sleep, but once I finally get to sleep, I stay asleep! YAY!

10. Brenda! Brenda has just been an amazing angel this last week. Thanks Bren for all the listening and for helping Krysta get to tour!

...Seek ye earnsetly the best gifts...D&C 48:6

PAY IT FORWARD

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!
My choice--for you!

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make NO guarantees that you will LIKE what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It WILL be done this year.
4. You have no CLUE what it’s going to be.
5. Most importantly, you MUST offer the same deal on your blog -
the first 5 people to comment on your blog get something made by YOU!

This should be fun!!!
I am giving the chance to you to get something from me, comment away and I'll get busy making something.

I can't wait :o)

let the mountain shout for joy... D&C 128:23

Check out this blog!

http://templecelebration.blogspot.com/

Great idea don't ya think! I am sooo excited my girls ge the chance to be involved in this!

We are so blessed!

gather together, and stand in holy places D&C 101:22

It's official. My big brother is really home. This is some of the family as we gathered to welcome

him home. My kids just adore their cousins and love any excuse to get together with them and

laugh and eat! Of which we did a lot of both. Despite the fact that all of Davids family except J

were feeling under the weather. Colette was actually losing her voice but was the most gracious hostess. As always! Welcome home Dave. Thanks for keeping us safe. I am looking forward to seeing him again and getting to talk to him about the growth of the church in Afghanistan.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts...and be ye thankful.

I have been a bit neglectful in my blessing posts. I apologize. It's been a rough couple of weeks.
Thru the trials I am here to find the blessings.

1. Dano started his application for a mission. I am so proud of him and so excited for him.

2. Bishop Lords for seeing the Daniel that can be. He has been one of Daniel's biggest role models for the last 5 years. He has also been one of Daniels biggest supporters.

3. As always my family is a huge blessing. I am really glad my mom and dad are home from Arizona, I am also glad they had such a great time.

4. My friends their prayers and encouragement mean so much.

5. Afternoon walks! since the weather has been so great i have started going for walks during my lunch hour. It has been a great time to ponder and pray.

6. Medicine. I think my kidney infection is all gone :o)

7. Homecomings. My brother is finally home with his family!

8. Facebook and blogs and stating connected.

9. Lasgna and bake offs. Katee and Krysta made dinner tonight and had a bake off to see who could make the best cake and frosting. lets just say dinner was amazing and the frosting is going to take practice.

10. Sacrament meeting and little ones. We love sitting with the Petersons, Sorensons and Taylors in church. Their friendship means a lot!

11. Cookies from Noah, Jayden and Jack!

12. Girls Night Out! Good food and good company, you just can't beat that!
Thanks DeAnn, Rosie, Genny and Kelly. I so needed you all!
Danelle and Dawna thank you too. I loved being able to just talk and get everything out.
Love you girls!

children are an heritage of the Lord Ps. 127:3 A post accompanied by Katee

Katee's best friend Vana turned 16 a few weeks ago! Katee was really bummed she could not be there especially for such a mile stone birthday for a latter day saint girl...so here is what we came up with to help her feel better and let Vana know just how much the whole family loves her and missed being there for her birthday. We call it "birthday in a box". After decorating and celebrating. we printed the pictures, put all the decor in a box and mailed it all to Vana in Idaho. Because it was her 16th birthday we also included a dating survival kit...things that she could use in her everyday but that also that would help her remember who she is and help her with dating...i.e.- tweezers to help her pluck out all the bad guys in her life, chapstick to keep her smiling, a For the Strenght of Youth booklet to remind her of her standards, a mirror to let her see the beautiful girl that she really is, and katee's favorite a first aid kit (with emergency contact list included with all our numbers) to help heal her broken hearts!

We made one for our friend Jessi too, last spring. It is a fun way for us to let our friends and family know we love them and miss them and celebrate their big days too.

Happy 16th Vana! We love you and miss you!