Gwyn is 4 today!

I had to post a birthday wish for Miss Gwyn. She has brought joy to all those around her for the past 4 years.

When my niece Robyn asked me to crochet a blessing dress for her, I panicked because I had never done anything like that before. I really wanted to honor Robyn's request, well ... because I love her! So I let her look through my pattern books and prayed I could pull it off.

I used all the best materials I could find. The thread was imported from Germany and I made the slip out of Irish linen. I wasn't kidding when I said I prayed. I started over about 5 times and when I got to the bottom part called pineapples, that's when I really started to get worried.


But for my first attempt, it looks pretty darn good! I was so happy to make the dress for Robyn. I have many happy memories as I have watched Robyn grow up into an incredible woman. I went to many of her ballet recitals and one of my favorite memories will always be the week that Robyn, Kennan and Brooke stayed with us in Wyoming. Since I didn't have daughters of my own, it was so fun to be a little part of their lives. Thanks for sharing your sweet daughters, Pam (and granddaughters)!

Gwyn's Blessing Day ~ Summer 2005

A few weeks ago when we went to see Robyn, she told Gwyn that I made her blessing dress. Gwyn said, Where is it? Robyn said, In your closet, do you want to see it? I enjoyed a sweet moment with them as Robyn took the dress out of the closet. It was fun to see it again.

Happy, Happy Birthday Gwyn!

Memorial Day Tradition

Sweet, loving Glenn ~ for 18 years we have missed him. It is a tradition to visit and decorate the graves. We have been going to the cemetery every year since we have lived in Utah.

And for 16 years we have missed being entertained by Jeff and spending time with him.

Lee ~ Grandma Johnnie Belle ~ Tim and Holley!

Thanks to Lee for sharing an essay Jeff wrote while he was at Boys State and for the scrapbook Johnnie Belle brought with remembrances of Glenn. Sentimental Holley shared a great story about Jeff, a ring and a McDonald's Big Mac! We enjoyed reminiscing and being with family.

We walked over to see this grave with the large flag. An 18 year old young man and his uncle were buried there. Both served in the military. A woman asked if we knew them. We said no and that we saw the flag so we wanted to see who was buried there. She looked at me and said, it is my son. So many lives and so many stories. This sweet mom told us she comes to his grave nearly everyday in the summer.

I love all the American flags.

Doesn't this message say it all? ...

I thought probably some cute grandchildren made this smiley face out of rocks.

The East Lawn Cemetery in Provo is so beautiful with amazing views. Tim and I own some property there!

Quote for the week of 5-25-2009

The strait and narrow path, though clearly marked, is a path,

not a freeway nor an escalator. Indeed, there are times when the only
way the strait and narrow path can be followed is on one's knees!
And we are to help each other along the path.
~ Neal A. Maxwell, May 1982

Memorial Day 2009

This is a picture of my Uncle Marion. He was a Staff Sergeant in the Army. He was killed while serving his country in Rodgen, Germany during World War II. He entered the service in August of 1942. He received his training at Camp Roberts, California and was sent to England in May of 1943. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart. Uncle Marion was killed when a fellow soldier offered his gun to hold onto as he was climbing out of a tank. The gun accidentally discharged. Amazingly enough, Tim's Uncle Earl was killed the same year also by friendly fire.

I always think of him on Memorial Day, a day that it is set aside to reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country. As far back as I can remember my family, along with Grandma Federer would go to his grave to decorate it with flowers and of course, an American flag.

One does not die until one is forgotten ...

And I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~ Lee Greenwood

The unofficial start of summer, a three-day weekend for government employees, and an excuse for car markdowns and furniture sales ~ this day in May is recognized in many ways in the United States. But really, above all it should be a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our country.

Our Dads ... Ivan and Glenn

Ivan Lester Federer

My Dad served his country with a stint in the Army and the Marines. He is so handsome. Dad was stationed in Newfoundland in 1944 (if the date on the back of the picture is correct).

Glenn Arthur Williams

Tim's Dad is also so handsome in his uniform. Glenn served his country in the Army from 1942 to 1946 and was stationed in France. We honor them this Memorial Day for helping preserve our freedom.

Unique Blessing

Another beautiful temple in Utah ~ Just weeks after the March 20 dedication of the Draper Temple, a fourth temple in the valley is almost finished. The Oquirrh Mountain Temple will be open for public tours beginning June 1.

Fun facts ~ The Oquirrh (O'ker) Mountain Temple is 60,000 square feet and the exterior finish is light beige granite from China. It faces east toward the Wasatch Mountains. It will be dedicated August 21-23, in 9 sessions. The temple will be open for ordinance work on August 25, 2009. South Jordan will hold the distinction of being the only city in the world with two LDS temples, the other being Jordan River, located approximately 3 1/2 miles to the northeast.

Draper and Oquirrh Mountain Temples

Elder William R. Walker who serves as the executive director of the Temple Department said that, "Although there are 129 temples in operation around the world, he admits that the simultaneous construction of two temples in such close proximity marks an unusual effort that might never be repeated."

The Oquirrh Mountain Temple is the thirteenth temple built in Utah and the fourth built in the Salt Lake Valley, following the Salt Lake Temple (1893), the Jordan River Utah Temple (1981), and the Draper Utah Temple.

Quote for the week of 5-18-2009

Always do right ~

This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~ Mark Twain

Mother's Day 2009

My greatest blessings call me Mother ...

Shalayla, Wynonna, Jessica and Faleen!

Thanks for making everyday "mother's day."

Quote for the week of 4-11-2009

' ... on the Sabbath we must say farewell to manual work and learn to understand that the world has already been created and will survive without the help of man. Six days a week we wrestle with the world, wringing profit from the earth, on the Sabbath we especially care for the seed of eternity planted in the soul. The world has our hands, but our soul belongs to Someone Else. Six days a week we seek to dominate the world, on the seventh day we try to dominate the self." ~ Abraham Joshua Herschel

Remembering Big George

Last Mother's Day we were planning to celebrate with George and Marie. They were going to join us at the Grand America for brunch. We got a call from George that something had come up and they wouldn't be able to make it. We thought maybe Kawika was sick and didn't think too much of it. Later that day, Chris got a call from George telling him that Big George had passed away suddenly. George did not want to spoil Mother's Day for us so he waited until he was sure we were home ~ how kind.

He was just 53 years old. Chris has missed Big George so much this past year. The cherished memories remain for Chris and I am sure they will not fade.

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone
monuments but what is woven into the lives of others." ~ Pericles

For My Mom

Nelle Eileen Ames Federer
My Mom - I look just like her!!

Happy Mother's Day ~
Love you so much!

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;

They don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils

Are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors,

Filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough

Doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what

The vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'

And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth

is not measured by height or years or grade.

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother.

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows,
and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Quote for the week of 5-4-2009

Frederiksborg Castle ~ Copenhagen, Denmark

C.S. Lewis (quoting George MacDonald in Mere Christianity) put it well when he gave the analogy of remodeling the human soul and a living house: "Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently, He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of — throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace."

Abe!!

Chris and I decided after his graduation on Friday that we wanted to head down to Santa Clara for Abe's baptism on Saturday. Thanks to Mike (acting as our GPS), we made it to the Stake Center. I love this painting in the foyer. I have never seen a painting like this in any Stake Center. Very nice! It was a wonderful service and Bob gave Abe a sweet blessing. Look at all these handsome men and the newest member of the Church ~ Abraham Brad Lamoreaux!

It's always fun to hang out with the guys!

Aren't they cute?!!

My great-niece Gwyn. She is so amazing, beautiful and smart. I got to read bedtimes stories with her later that night. So who wouldn't drive 4 hours to spend time with Gwyn?!! Minie and I have one thing in common, we both LOVE hotdogs! I am not sure how many she ate but I had three! (I didn't have buns with any of them ~ and I was vacation).

Thanks to Bob for tending the BBQ all night. We enjoyed visiting with everyone so much and love the Santa Clara weather. Many of us are talking about defecting to the St. George area. Notice how great Brooke looks ~ skinny!

I had to post a picture of Bob's amazing garden. Bob and Robyn's yard looks so beautiful. I am super jealous. Chris and I commented on the way home how blessed we are to participate in the important events that take place in our extended families lives.

Congratulations Abe - we love you!

Whoo - Hoooo!!

Today was the day - it is official. Christopher Glenn Williams has a bachelor's degree in Business Management.

Thanks to Uncle Lee and Grandma Johnnie Belle for coming to Christopher's graduation!

Chris loves his Grandmother and I know she loves Chris! I am sure not many of the graduates had their 88 year old grandmother attend. She was cheering and clapping as he received his diploma.

We are soooooooo proud of Chris.

Do you see Chris? There he is!

Yep, that is President Uchtdorf and his wife. President Eyring and his wife were close by.

... And the commencement speaker was none other than President Thomas S. Monson! He gave a wonderful message as always. It was the first time we got to clapped and give him a standing ovation!

"Glance backward ~ Reach outward ~ Press forward"

Diploma in hand and ready to see what the future will bring. Chris' class is the first graduating from Utah Valley University. Elder Holland's son, Matthew is the new president of UVU.

The celebration continues at ... where else but P.F. Chang's!

Grandma Johnnie Belle loves to give books. A big thanks to all our friends and family who sent cards and gifts to honor Christopher.

What a wonderful day!!