Quote for the Week - Loss

“If you know someone who has lost a child or lost anybody who's important to them, and you're afraid to mention them because you think you might make them sad by reminding them that they died, they didn't forget they died. You're not reminding them. What you're reminding them of is that you remember that they lived, and that's a great, great gift.” –Elizabeth Edwards

Just 3 Words

RED.WHITE.BLUE

We have a grocery store chain, Macey's, who is know for flying a gigantic American flag, come rain or shine. It's a beautiful sight to see the great big flag on the pole. The flags are 50-by-30-foot atop a 120-foot pole! I took this picture the other day, I love the way the suns rays are shining through the clouds!

You can see the flags from all over the valley. They remind me of how blessed we are to live in America!

BYU Women's Conference 2012

I looked forward to Women's Conference at BYU every year.

This year was especially exciting because my dear friend Susan was a presenter. She has been preparing for several months and she gave a marvelous talk. She spoke from her heart about what it has been like to "walk alone" after her husband Luke passed away. She made the decision to be of good cheer and to be better not bitter. I know her message brought hope and comfort to all who were in attendance. 

 Me ~ Susan ~ Lorie

What a beautiful day! After hearing many inspirational talks and spending time with friends, my battery is officially recharged!

Wordless Wednesay - Sunday Dessert...apple fritter topped with Chris' homemade beef jerky!

High Five's for Great-Grandma

We went to see our sweet Johnnie Belle on Sunday. She really enjoyed seeing Cash and maybe the rest of us too!

 

Cash brought a big smile to Johnnie Belle's face and he gave her high five's that made her laugh.

Johnnie Belle is still at the rehabilitation center and will be for several more weeks. Her progress is slow. She still has a sense of humor... someone asked her if she wanted to get her hair done to which she replied, "Why would I want to do that, all I do is lay in bed all day." Oh how we hope and pray she will be well enough to be out of the care center soon.

Quote for the Week - CRAZY

"Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here." 

~ As Good as It Gets, 1997, Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson)

Trek to Wyoming...

I really wanted to check on my Mom after she had surgery so I hitched up my wagon and started the trek to Cheyenne.

I saw several accidents but despite the sleet, snow, rain and wind me and my Toyota ELV Wagon made it safely to Cheyenne! 

My Mom was happy to see me and I was very happy to see her. She is recovering well from surgery.

A hug from Mom's Great-grandson Fox is the best medicine! He calls Mom Granny-great, how sweet is that?! Fox is so handsome, smart and polite.

(Mom has 3 doctor appointments next week, still waiting for biopsy results...)

I visited some of my friends and family while Mom was napping. This is my niece Julie's youngest, adorable Mr. Crew. Richard and Judy live across the street so I had a good visit with them. They are so busy so I was excited to find them home!

I also visited my niece Holley and her family. David and Elizabeth played the piano for me. They are very talented!

David and Elizabeth

Izzy ~ Holley ~ Me ~ Heather ~ Joseph 

I was especially grateful to see my niece Heather, it's been a long time.

I always visit the grave of my grandparents.

Storms clouds were rolling in right at dusk and it was freezing cold! But so beautiful and peaceful at the same time.

This is the newest member of the Federer family! Lloyd got a donkey and he is cute. I love being with Lloyd as we walked around his farm. He is really amazing with horses, an original "Horse Whisperer!"

I'm grateful I could spend some time with Mom and my brothers, Kenny, Ernie and Lloyd. I love my family.

The trip home to Utah started out like this...

Elk Mountain

but thankfully the sun came out and it was smooth sailing on into Highland!

I always get emotional when I see the Wasatch Mountains. I feel like my Dad is my guardian angel and I'm grateful I arrived home safe and sound one more time.

I missed my little family, especially you know who!

Wordless Wednesday - Spring in Wyoming and Utah, April 2012

Just 3 Words

We are so excited to have another grandson in about 6 months!!!

Quote for the Week - Succinct Sermon

"STOP IT!"

"Stop it!" was the message from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf at our most recent General Conference on the subject of judging, holding grudges, gossiping and an assortment of other unkind and unholy actions. This was one of my favorite talks.

"This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:

Stop it!

It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children.

My dear brothers and sisters, consider the following questions as a self-test:

• Do you harbor a grudge against someone else?
• Do you gossip, even when what you say may be true?
• Do you exclude, push away, or punish others because of something they have done?
• Do you secretly envy another?
• Do you wish to cause harm to someone?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to apply the two-word sermon from earlier: stop it!

~ President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2012 General Conference

Just 3 Words

CHEDDAR BAY BISCUITS

I went to Red Lobster to have lunch with my friends that I served with at the temple. I haven't been to Red Lobster for a very long time. I forgot how delicious the biscuits are!!

Kathel, Betsy and Kathel's sister who was visiting from Denver... I love these amazing women and was so fun to be together again.

Wordless Wednesday - Papa's Truck!

Quote for the Week - Mothers

"A mother is she who can take the place of all 

others but whose place no one else can take."
~ Cardinal Mermillod

My dear Mom is sick. She having surgery today to remove her gall bladder. She is also having other health problems. I'm waiting to here the results of some test that she had a few days ago.

I find myself wishing again that I didn't live 8 hours away from her. I will no doubt be making the trek to Wyoming in a few days. I want to go when I will be the most helpful to her, probably when she is released from the hospital. I'm so grateful to my amazing brothers who so lovingly watch over her. So for now I pray the surgery goes well and that she knows how much I love her.

Just 3 Words

 HE IS RISEN

"I believe that none of us can conceive the full import of what Christ did for us in Gethsemane, but I am grateful every day of my life for His atoning sacrifice in our behalf. At the last moment, He could have turned back. But He did not. He passed beneath all things that He might save all things. In doing so, He gave us life beyond this mortal existence. He reclaimed us from the Fall of Adam. To the depths of my very soul, I am grateful to [the Savior]. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. He secured our salvation."

~ President Thomas S. Monson, "He Is Risen: A Prophet’s Testimony", Ensign, April 2012

"one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].” (John 14:18,23)

My favorite Easter message given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign April 2009

Text of the talk: http://lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/none-were-with-him 

Christopher's Creations

I know I have mentioned before that Chris is a good cook. I had meals planned for last Sunday, conference weekend but Chris said he wanted to cook so who am I to get in his way. He uses whatever is in the frig and seldom uses a recipe. Everything he prepares tastes so good. 

He made breakfast ~ Eggs Benedict, hash browns and perfectly cooked bacon.

And dinner ~ grilled chicken, snap peas, peppers and a yummy noodle stir fry. Oh and the most savory asparagus soup I've ever tasted!

My handsome son... he will be the best husband and not just because he's a good cook. Where, oh where is she?!