Quote for the week

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.

~ Prince Gautama

Tim's Day

To start Tim's birthday celebration, I had tickets for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. The name Oquirrh was taken from a Goshute Indian word meaning "wooded mountain." The temple is so beautiful. The exterior of the temple is granite imported from China. The interior includes Egyptian and Moroccan limestone flooring, oak millwork, beautiful paintings, lots of gold leaf detail and several original murals. This is one of the sealings rooms.

This was one of my favorite areas ~ two grand staircases facing each other.

You can't see it very well but this is the Celestial Room chandelier. They are always so elegant. It is long and each tier was shaped like a star.

Tim's idea of a perfect day always includes being with his family.

We are in a tent outside the temple, where you could visit with the missionaries and have a cookie.

The spire with the angel Moroni on top can been seen for miles. It was struck by lightening about a week ago leaving a portion of it black. It was quickly cleaned and repaired.

That tiny white spot between the light poles is the Draper Temple.

Tim LOVES breakfast food so birthday dinner was at Village Inn. Little did we know it was free pie day, so of course we all took advantage of that. He enjoyed visiting with Tiff and Mark later that night, so as I said a perfect day for Tim.

Tim is ... 57 today!!

Yes, this is Tim riding a buckin' bronc! Ask Mike sometime why he missed his turn!!

Today I am thankful for my husband on his birthday because:
He is loyal and faithful.
He works hard to support us and provide for us.
He can build or fix almost anything.
He is good to me.
He makes me laugh.
He loves me (and I love him with all my heart).

Happy Birthday Tim. I love you today and always.

Quote for the week

Several years ago I adopted this as our family motto.

President Benson has spoken of no empty chairs in our eternal home. "God intended the family to be eternal," President Benson has said. "With all my soul, I testify to the truth of that declaration. May He bless us to strengthen our homes and the lives of each family member so that in due time we can report to our Heavenly Father in His celestial home that we are all there ~ father, mother, sister, brother. . . . Each chair is filled. We are all back home." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, page 493.)

On a shelf by our back door I have five Windsor chairs (Tim's favorite) representing each member of our family. Tim and I are never happier or more content than when we are all in our chairs, gathered around the dining room table. Thankfully Heavenly Father has made it possible for families to be together forever, where there will be No Empty Chairs.

For Tim

November 8, 2007 Mark's wedding day!

Tim waited longer than most to be a father and he has been overjoyed with the idea ever since!!

August 1983 His two boys ~ a dream come true!

July 1986 I love this picture, Chris and Mark

helping Dad mow the lawn.

October 13, 1996 The day we attended the

Mount Timpanogos Temple dedication. 

God Made Dads God took the strength of a mountain The majesty of a tree The warmth of a summer sun The calm of a quiet sea The generous soul of nature The comforting arm of night The wisdom of the ages The power of the eagle's flight The joy of a morning in spring The faith of a mustard seed The patience of eternity The depth of a family need Then God combined these qualities When there was nothing more to add He knew His masterpiece was complete And so He called it ... Dad

It has been quite a year or so for you. Thanks for working so hard to to give us such a great life. We appreciate your wisdom, unending love, and, all the gifts you have. You can fix anything, except plastic! You are a wonderful, devoted father and we love you.

Happy Father's Day Tim!

Quote for the week

Valentine's Day 1984

Where are you goin' my little one, little one?
Where are you goin' my baby my own?
Turn around and you're two
Turn around and you're four
Turn around and you're a young man
Going out the door...
~ Nanci Griffith

For over two decades my #1 pursuit was raising my boys and trying to do that well. I loved every stage of their lives. They have given us so much joy. I know I didn't go to sleep last night and wake up 15 years later because as I have mentioned I have so enjoyed raising our boys and being a mother BUT wow the time did fly by. I looked forward to what lies ahead and the things we have yet to experience.

An empty-nester is someone whose:

a. birds have flown away
b. children have left home
c. savings have disappeared

Since Mark and Tiff moved out last week, Tim and I have had to adjust to being empty-nesters ... AGAIN! There are some good things about being an empty-nester but most of the time it is for the birds!

Happy Birthday Dad

So my sweet Dad was born June 9, 1927 and would 82 years old today.

This was our favorite dog ~ Heinrich Von Bon, Jr. Of course having ancestors from Germany, we had to have a Dachshund. Heine loved Dad. He would wait for him near the top of a hill by our house about the time Dad would be coming home from work. Dad would open the door and Heinrich would jump up into his truck and take a seat right beside him. Notice the toothpick Dad put in his mouth! Heine loved to chase antelope and the horses. He would run after the horses, bite on to their tails and be drug all over the field for as long as he could hang on. True story ~ I saw it with my own eyes!

This is picture of Dad's beloved horse Fly Baby. She was a beautiful Buckskin. Fly Baby had many colts and they all got bug names such as Butterfly, Horsefly and Mosquito (Skeeter for short). I know ... how funny. Butterfly was so loving. She would follow you around like a dog and put her nose in your ear and face.

This may also be hard to believe but we had a pet antelope. He wandered into the yard one day and just hung around for several months. Yessiree this is Andy the Antelope. That's my big bother Kenny standing by Dad.

Dad, with his family ~ brothers Dale, Marion, Clarence, Dad, and his sister Bernice ~ his sister Kay, parents Edna and Theodore and brother Carl. His brother Ernest died when he was a baby and Marion was killed in World War II.

We loved it when Dad came to

visit us after we moved to Utah.

We still lived in Cheyenne when this picture was taken. A visit from Grandpa Federer was always a treat!!

Dad with his girls ~ Roseanne and Eileen

... And with his boys,

Lloyd, Kenny, Marion, and Ernie. We remember my brother's

Les and Kevin who passed away.

Dad worked so darn hard his whole life. He was a master craftsman in masonry and laid thousands of brick. After working all day, he would go home and take care of our farm and help his parents with their ranch.

Dad loved a beautiful garden and it was no small thing to get things to grow in Wyoming. For so many reasons I miss him. I have many happy memories. One of my favorite memories of Dad was when I was a little girl. My hair was always very long. When it was time for dinner he would walk by me and before sitting down would take my hair in his hands, pulling it up into a ponytail then sit down to eat. Dad honored his parents, was patient and always gave others the benefit of the doubt. He loved serving others and did that his entire life. So I imagine that for his birthday dinner today, Grandma Federer will make fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. And her mouth-watering rolls, topped off with a strawberry rhubarb pie! Happy Birthday Dad.

Homeowners!!

All packed up, saddled up and ready to move Mark and Tiffani into their first home!!
Can they get the sofa around the corner and up the stairs?!!
Thankfully Mark and Chris using their brute strength, lifted all the heavy stuff!
Thanks to our friend Rulon for loaning us his big trailer.
The Williams' and Harris' made quite the efficient moving team ~ go Cindi and Tim!
We did it and Mark and Tiff are so happy to be in their home. Thanks to their new neighbor Tim for also helping us.
 
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Williams are now homeowners. They have saved for almost two years and have purchased a home in Cedar Hills. We are thrilled to have them so close!!
It is the perfect home for them. It has 3 bedrooms so they will have room to expand and add to their family!!
It is just about 10 minutes from us and we can walk there if we wanted to. Tiff's Mom and Dad live down the street so needless to say all the parents involved are so happy!

They have spectacular views ~
you can see the Mount Timpanogos Temple.

Another beautiful view of the mountains.

Beautiful scenery ~ I am a bit envious. We are going to miss our basement dwellers! They have been good tenants.

Coming soon ... pictures of the inside!!

Inside Mark and Tiff's home

So this will be inside Mark and Tiff's new home. Tiffani has been re-finishing the bedroom set to match their decor. It will be lovely!!

Their sectional fits very nice in the living room.

Tiff found this great unit at IKEA and they are looking for a flat screen to go in the center. Love it!
Mark enjoying their super, deluxe all new black appliances.

Another view from the kitchen.

And last but not least is the beautiful kitchen. Tiff and Mark have worked hard putting everything away. The decorating part will be on going and Tiff will enjoy that. What a wonderful new home for our kids!

My Cousin

Have you met my cousin, Roger Federer?

From the news report: The mixed tears of joy and relief ran slowly down Roger Federer's face as he held aloft the Coupe des Mousquetaires having finally won the French Open title in his fourth successive final. So he became only the sixth man in tennis history to win all four slam titles, with Andre Agassi, the last man to do it in 1999, presenting him with the trophy. Federer also equalled Pete Sampras's record of 14 grand slam titles.

Federer beat Sweden's Robin Soderling yesterday 6-1, 7-6 (7-1), and 6-4 in just under two hours and with rain falling for much of the final. As Soderling put Federer's last serve into the net, the Swiss dropped to his knees on clay as if history had suddenly pushed him to ground. And it had. "This was my greatest victory," said Federer.

So, way to go Rog!!

Quote for the Week of 6-1-2009

Quit hanging onto the handrails ...
Let go. Surrender.
Go for the ride of your life.
Do it every day.
~ Melody Beattie

I loved the movie "Up" ~ in theaters now!! It is a tear-jerker so bring your tissues! It is about a cranky old man and an overeager scout who fly to South America in yes ... a floating house suspended from helium balloons.

The movie has everything:

Amazing visual effects
Amazing sound
Hilarious comedy
Breath taking action and most of all ...
Heart!

Go see it!