Halloween Fun

 I've passed down my Halloween Party planning to Shannon.  She loves this holiday and decided to include Steph and Ryan along with husband Jason and more friends for some fun times at her home.

 While they partied, we too had our own little party with the little people.  Making ghost, frosting cookies and watching a movie with popcorn.  Guess my parties have just changed to include the grandkids instead of the adult friends.  Welcome to my life and want to simply count my blessings.

Blessings of Family Living Close

With 3 sick parent's and one out of town, Eric and I stepped in and spent some time on Sunday with these special Grandchildren in our home.  Eating dinner, playing play dough, legos and then a game of crowns.  What good kids and I know that comes from good parent's.  We couldn't be more proud.  What a wonderful family that has come together. Just counting my blessings.

Elder Devin Drake Eastin

August 21, 2013  Devin entered the MTC for Louisville, Kentucky Mission.  A time to reflect and look forward.  Our prayers are with you.  Love Much

Madison County Youth Group Conference

"What could you do better for your children and your children's children than to record the story of your life; your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved?"

-President Spencer W. Kimball

 

Couldn't sleep from too much information running through my head. Read Steph's blog and found this post from Pres. Kimball and decided to  spend time recording a few thought's  and triumph's.  The last 2 days I have been attending Madison County Youth Conference.  Youth and adults from MHS, MJH, Sugar Jr. High and High School and adults from businesses and  the community were invited by the mayor, superintendent, city council members and Madison Cares group to attend.  It was the setting where our voices were heard. I was the only teacher from Madison High along with my Principal invited.  What an honor.  At the introduction portion, people who had a vision for something that they wanted to see happen would present it to the group.  That ideas would be posted as a session to be discussed during the 2 day conference. I stood and stated my dream of a Culinary program as part of a PTE school. My Principal expressed his desire before he retires to make it happen.  Today the group choose 10 top ideas to further develop and discuss. My idea and dream became choice #3 out of 46, it being one of the top interest's to be pursued.  Wow! I can't believe that just happened.  I was invited my My Principal to attend a Albertson  grant writing session at 3:00 today where they would be starting to propose and write a grant to secure some money to start the PTE (Prefessional Technical Education) School at MHS. It was the start of my vision moving forward.   I learned a lot today and see my dream beginning to unfold.  Magnificent!

Memorable Moments with Brady and Corrine

Just a clear, warm day to enjoy being with Brady and Corrine skiing at Targhee.  Glad to have activities we can spend time together doing.

Daris & Sarah with new baby Gray, quickly accepted our offer for dinner and good visit.  What great stories of our trips together, the Father sons trip  to Vegas and the good ole days growing up.  Brady and Corrine were good sports in helping Steph and Ryan with their final move to a new home in Archer and  Brady a great brother to join Devin in a fun game of  Star Craft.  We  topped off the weekend with Sunday meetings and Saint Patrick Day dinner.  Family time.  I truly am enjoying the little things in life and  can look back and say they were big things that made a differance today.  Thanks for meaningful time together. 

Conference Reminder: Consider the Blessings

Today in Relief Society our lesson came from the October Conference 2012, Pres. Monsons talk called, "Consider the Blessings."  I was in Provo at the Cottontree Inn with family listening to the message and so desparetly needed my reservoir filled and strength from yet another trial..                                                                                            This song was brought to my memory and I looked up the words today and thought to post it.  

Weary Not

If the way be full of trial, weary not;

If it's one of sore denial weary not;

If it now be one of weeping,

There will come a joyous greeting,

When the harvest we are reaping, weary not

CHORUS

Do not weary by the way

Whatever be thy lot

There awaits a brighter day

To all, to all who weary, weary not

If the way be one of sorrow, weary not;

Happier will be the morrow, weary not;

Here we suffer tribulation,

Here we must endure temptation,

But there'll come a great salvation, weary not;

If misfortunes overtake us, weary not;

Jesus will never forsake us, weary not;

He will leave us never, never,

From His love there's naught can sever,

Glory to the Lamb forever, weary not

(“If the Way be Full of Trial, Weary Not,” Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909), no. 158)

Big Sky Dream Vacation 2012

 Big Sky Montana is a beautiful, relaxing setting for our time share condo which we have for 1 week once a year during July.  This year we spent some time with Brady & Devin and split our week with the Ballard family. Having the lake behind is a great view to wake up too in the morning enjoying the scenery while eating breakfast.Big Sky Ski resort is the mountain behind.  This year we stayed close, golfing, canoeing, swimming, and took a scenic drive to Moonlight Basin.  This was worth the effort and I'm still thrilled with our purchase years ago.  This has become a favorite memory for our family.


Entrance to our Lakeside Condo.

Canoeing around our Lake

The master guide.

2 amazing golfers.  Watch out for those long drives.

Time share condos at Lake Lavenski. Ours is to the left of the pine trees on the bottom floor.

Brady and Devin getting the nerve to jump into the snow feed cold water.

Love golfing at the Big Sky Course

4th of July in Island Park

 It was such a surprise when Brady text me with the idea that he and Corrine would be coming up for the 4th.  I hadn't made plans because we had just returned on Monday the 2nd from California.  We decided to boat in Island Park after the parade in Rexburg.  I love being on the boat in the mountains with my family. Steph and the kids joined us for a fun, beautiful day.   Fireworks and a hot dog roast in our back yard will top the evening off.

 Devin has become a great surfer man and wake board professional. 

 Bre has passed me up on the surfboard.  Who said cheer leading is the only sport that is awesome.  I think boating with family is tops.

Brook has really surprised me with her love to boat, surf with Brady or Devin and even try out the knee board.  She is much braver than I ever knew.  Go Brooklynn.

Lovin the Thoughts of Summer Boating with Family

Each morning as I wake and lie in bed  thinking and after my mind stops worrying and stressing out, I begin to dream.  Today I'm thinking about Summer and all the possibilities.  These pictures take me back to the amazing Lake Powell trip with the Howard's and then the Howard Reunion to Bear Lake. Yes and the family ladies group doing zumba.  Oh what Fun!!!

Big Sky Ski Trip

With lots of work I pulled off another great ski trip with the  Madison High Ski Club.  Being the advisor has some benefits and that is I get to have fun with all these wonderful teenagers.  Devin was lucky and blessed to be able to ski after his back injury.Taking along some fun chaperone's is always enjoyable.  This year Dick and Elaine Hollaway, Jean and Collin Erickson, my good friends Julie and Jim Gneiting.  My granddaughter, BreAnna,was able to come along for this 2 day ski trip.  The weather was great, the ski's big and beautiful, the mountain air exhilarating.  This passion is one I will continue.

Harriman State Park Date

Eric and I had the weekend alone, together.  How did that happen?  It doesn't work out this way often but this weekend we focused on what we could do together.  Friday night we met  and ate dinner with Susette, Mike and Kathy.  Reaching out of our norm we all agreed upon the Blue Hashi in Idaho Falls for some pretty impresive Sushi.  Saturday was the day set out for Harriman State Park for a most beautiful day cross country skiing.  Many had the same idea because the parking lot was full but when we left, our pickup was the last to leave.  I must say that the hymn,  "For the Beauty of The Earth," came to mind many times.  The absolute stillness of the fresh mountain air stood out to soothe and replenish our souls.  We ended the day with our favorite wedge salad and potato skins at Ponds lodge.  The cafe was closed but they were serving dinner in the bar.  My mind was set on that dinner so we hung out with the loud drinkers in the nice, friendly bar atmosphere.  This was a complete opposite from the stillness we heard in the park but we did enjoy our dinner.  Thanks Eric for a nice day and treating me so good.  A true example of a good husband. My time in Harriman was a whitness to me  that the Lord lives and created such a beautiful earth for us to enjoy and experience happiness. 

Devin's 17th birthday and a broken back

Devin has been anxious to ski all year and was thrilled when he was able to go with some friends the day after Thanksgiving. They skied until about 1:30 and were about ready to head back to the car when Devin did a back flip and landed on a rock.  In his words:

"We built a jump and we had hit it a couple of times and I had already hit it once and I decided to do a different trick and I hit it and I twisted around and I landed on my back. It was instant pain. I laid there for 15 or 20 minutes just in pain until I got up and worked my way down the rest of the hill and to the car. By the time we got home, my back was so swollen and so sore. I went to the hospital where they did a CT Scan and told me that I had broken my Sacrum in 2 places."

The doctor said that if he had broken it any hight or lower it could have caused severe nerve damage. He was very fortunate, for sure. He will be out of school for at least 2 weeks and it will be 6 to 8 weeks before his back heals.

Tonight some of his friends came over and we had a little celebration for his birthday.

His back is so swollen. Look at that bump!

Rexburg Community Ski Program

Last year the school district stopped running a community ski program which Devin could be a part of during his 9th grade year. I was sad and wanted him to be able to ski during the week with friends as well as be active during the school week and not sit home. So instead of complaining I decided that I could organize a ski program. Thus the Rexburg Community Ski Program. or iSki for short. At first we took one bus up for the Jr. High. This year we opened it up to 2 buses which would include one bus for the middle school. This would help keep BreAnna skiing and allow Steph and the kids to ski. It brings me great joy to see others have fun and be physically active. thanks Mom for the training in organization and planning good parties.

The Spirit We Feel at Christmastime

By focusing on your loved ones, enjoying or building holiday traditions, and following the Savior's example of service, you can give yourself and your family true, lasting Christmas gifts.

Happy Holiday

Happy 16 Birthday to Devin

Who would have guest that this white haired little round bunch of joy would grow up to be 16 and taller than his mother and father. He's one great kid who has learned to love motor bike riding, golfing, baseball, 4-wheeling and his biggest passion....skiing. Happy Birthday son. We love you.

A Thanksgiving Message

Sometimes it takes the words of others to help us realize how thankful we are. Thanks Ballard family.

Fall Brings Welcomed Family and Guests

Abigail Amott, and best friend Mary and another friend from Beaver Dam Wisconsin.

I hosted a Halloween get together for the family. Good times.

Sister Judy and her granddaughter Abigail and me of course.

Mary's mom Kim who traveled from Wisconsin to help plan the wedding of her daughter. They all stayed at my house for the week-end. Food and Fun.