2025- Week 17(Apr 21- Apr 27)

 We bought two new peony plants from Costco to plant in the yard. 

Monday was DUP. We had two new ladies join which is great. 

Monday night was an open house at the White Shanty so Ash and Whit and I went. It is so pretty in person and I am excited to have Ashtyn's wedding there. 

Emily moved back to Texas. She couldn't make enough here to support herself and the job market is pretty slim. We did a sisters dinner the day before to celebrate her birthday. We will miss her and have to plan a trip to Texas soon.

Fischer got his mission call to Mexico City North Mission, Mexico. Ethan and I were able to see him open his call.

Mom and I went and did sealings at the temple. Doraleen was also in our session.

This week we are trying to figure out table decorations. Ashtyn knows she wants flowers, candles, bows and pictures- just not sure what type so I made her more collages.

2025- Week 16(Apr 14- Apr 20)

I went with the Sims family to an Interfaith Easter Celebration at the new America First Ball Field in Daybreak. The band is named for Jeremiah 20:9 which says "Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay." David Butler and Jeff McCullough also spoke and then they played some testimonies of Christ. It was so fun and there was a great spirit. 

The rodents are eating the furs in the mill. I came into find a huge pile of fur all over the benches and ground.

Still working on wedding stuff. The bridesmaids are beginning to buy their dresses so I have been putting together collages so Ashtyn can see what things will look like.

We got invited to Jessica Lima's quinceanera. It was held at Evento's in Salt Lake. She looked so amazing. It was so sweet to see her little brother, who is not so little at 6'4 escort her around. This is a picture of her dance with her dad.

Sunday was Easter. This year I made a brunch before church. Ashtyn and Westin came and then Luke and Whitney came a little later and met us at church. I had to go early so Jeff could call me to Young Women's. It was fun to have them all at church. The program was so beautiful. Chris Farnsworth spoke and he wrote his talk as if he had been there when Christ was resurrected- it was really powerful. After church Luke and Whitney stayed for dinner and games.

My resurrection plant got moldy this year so I had to throw it away.

2025- Week 15(Apr 7- Apr 13)

 Malia, Sharon and I went to the outlets in Lehi to do a little shopping. 

I got more pictures of Ashtyn and Westin and the best picture of all was the engagement photo!! They are officially engaged! She chose a sapphire for her main stone because that is Westin's birthstone. I am so excited I am getting a new son! Welcome to the family Westin!

Someone shared this poem this week and I loved it:

Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; 

If I can ease one life the aching, 

Or cool one pain, 

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again, 

I shall not live in vain.

 I took Mom to Jenafaes college graduation. It was down at the Tabernacle. Congratulations Jenafae!!

It was our turn to host family dinner for the Shaw's this month. We did it a week late since the boys were in Georgia. Kristy's family wasn't able to come. We made Cafe Rio pork salads. After dinner I shared a thought from Shawni Pothier's blog. She told about hearing a pastor speak about the palm leaves and shouts of Hosanna when Christ entered the city. How joyful and happy the people were to see him. He said that Hosanna in Hebrew means SAVE PLEASE. He said today we don't have palm leaves but we all have two "palms" and that the way we use our hands is our expression of joy and love for the Savior. He said Christ already paid the price to save us so instead we say SAVE THANKS when we serve him. I wrote these two words on my palms to help us remember.

We also celebrated Ashtyn's birthday that night.

2025- Week 14(Mar 31- Apr 6)

Jeff, Scott, Paul and Tom headed out to their long awaited Masters Trip this week. This is the longest Jeff and I have been apart for a while and I really miss him this time. We have talked every night and they are having a blast. 

Sharon and I went and saw the movie The Penguin Lessons. It is based on a true story and was so heartwarming and adorable. We went to Zupas afterward. Then to the shoe store. Sharon loves to shop- this is where Jeff's gets his love of shopping. We tried on so many pairs of shoes ha ha.

I'm so lucky that I love my mother in law.

Ashtyn and Westin also left on their trip. First stop was L.A. to pick out her engagement ring. She called me the next morning freaking out that she had let herself be talking into adding diamonds on the band and she didn't want to upset Westin but I told her that I know Westin wants you to love your ring and that he would understand and I was right. They were able to contact the jeweler and worked everything out before they left to go to Mexico. I can't wait to see it. Westin's mom Shannon has been sending me picture of them and it's been fun to follow along on their trip. 

Whitney and Luke came home on Saturday to watch the afternoon session of General Conference with me and Ethan. We took Daisy on a walk and checked out the new Ivory park playground that was just updated. Daisy loved all the attention Luke gave her.

Conference was so good. Of course we had bagels- It was cheaper to just get the bakers dozen like I always do. This year instead of taking notes on every talk I decided to just write down the feelings and impressions I had. Here are some of the things I wrote:

"Spiritual wholeness is not the same as physical healing and can occur before physical healing happens."

Read the BOM more often.

My grace is sufficient for you. You have what you need and I'll help you.

Always Remember Him

Seek Him in the Scriptures

Ask in Prayer

Find a way to Communicate with Him and do all you can to Help Him.

True ministering looks like : Weekly contact, constant care and nourishment, praying for them daily

Take head that no man deceive you: True people believe in God, serve Him and go about doing good

Use your time, talents and blessings to serve God's most vulnerable children.

Whatever takes precedence over worshipping God becomes and idol.

We had Melinda's family come over for a birthday dinner for Jesus on April 6. We ate his favorite foods and then we opened some of the gifts he gave us(priesthood, prophets, love, temples, etc.) Then we talked about what gift we could give him and lastly we sang Happy Birthday and had cake.