Mush...

I got to feed Grahm some mush on Sunday. I think he liked it. 

It's the little things...

 He's so cute!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Ready for church!

Happy...

“The noblest art is that of making others happy.”

— P.T. Barnum

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Mark Joseph...

Handsome high school grad!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Hover baby!

(PC to Daddy)

A promise...

When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power. The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls. My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day...

~ President Russell M. Nelson, "The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?" Ensign October 2017

Art work by Cash...

I just love seeing Cash's art work. Tiffani shared this one with two wonderful quotes. Cash learned a little about Martin Luther King Day at school on Tuesday. I think the portrait he drew is so good. I really like the tie!

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."

"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward."

~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jimmy...

A few minutes ago Casey sent me picture and then a few minutes later Jimmy sent me picture! It make me so happy to see him using the quilt. And of course I cried.

Thank you...

Jimmy got the quilt I made for him on Wednesday. His reaction really touched my heart. He really loved it, he said it broke him in two. I haven't heard that expression for a long time. 

I talked to him today and he was pretty down. It's his birthday and all he wants to do is see or talk to his parents. All these firsts are so difficult. I know the quilt will bring him some comfort, but there is still that empty place in his heart that nothing can really ever really fill. 

From Jimmy:
Your timing is impeccable, I needed that more than you know. The card made me laugh... I'm still crying about the letter. You mean the world to me, and I have, and will always be honored, and proud to have you as a friend and aunt. I love ya very much. I'm speechless, I love the quilt very much, and I love ya very much. It's been a long week, your timing was amazing, the quilt is amazing and I am very thankful for it and you.

From Jimmy's wife Casey:
Hello Eileen, I hope you are doing well! Jimmy received your box you sent him last night. I wanted to say thank you from me. We all have had suffered so much loss recently. It makes life hard a lot of the time. Watching him open that box was so special for me to see. He wrapped up in the the beautiful quilt last night and slept so peacefully. Again thank you for being such a special aunt and friend in his life! We both love you very much!

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Johnnie Belle...

 Happy Birthday Johnnie Belle! 

 Making a wish!

Johnnie Belle would have celebrated her 97th birthday on January 14th. She was one-of-a-kind!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Just love...

The Heavens are not closed...

It was exciting to hear the announcement today. I snuck into an empty classroom and listened for a few minutes. One of the things that impressed me when I was investigating the Church was that they had a living prophet that still receives revelation, and direction from Heavenly Father. The Heavens are not closed...

President Dallin H. Oak, First Counselor ~ President Russell M. Nelson ~ President Henry B. Henry, Second Counselor

Sunday morning all of the living ordained Apostles met in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple. The Presidency was reorganized and President Nelson was set apart the the 17th president of the Church. No campaigning, no contest, no seeking for office... quiet, peaceful, simple, and sacred.

President Nelson said, “Words are inadequate to tell you what it felt like to have my Brethren—Brethren who hold all of the priesthood keys restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith in this dispensation—place their hands upon my head to ordain and set me apart as President of the Church. It was a sacred and humbling experience.”

I look forward to the leadership President Nelson will provide. I know will be blessed if we follow his counsel... “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” (D&C 1:38)

President Monson...

On January 2 at 10:01 p.m. surrounded by his family, President Monson passed away. He has been our prophet, the 16th President of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since February 2008.

I will remember President Monson as someone who "went about doing good." I will also remember that he told us often that "when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies." (Duty Calls, Ensign May 1996)

I remember feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities I had in different callings, especially stake Relief Society president. I trusted in this promise, and knew I had the Lord's help.

Tomorrow, President Russell M. Nelson, will broadcast a live message to members of the Church. That broadcast will be followed by a press conference. President Nelson is the senior apostle, so it's expected he will become the next prophet. The Church will likely be in the hands of a 93 year old heart surgeon! 

We will know soon who is counselors will be.

Another week in January...

We had a special guest for Sunday dinner. Welcome Sir Colby!

 These darling boys, we love them so much!

Colby and Grey helped me make cookies. Colby shaped them into a ball and gave them to Grey to roll in sugar. Another delightful Sunday...

It seems like Chris has been gone for a year. He's doing good, and still enjoying his stay in a land far, far away!

You better hop in that colorful car and come on home Chris!

For Jimmy...

After Kenny's memorial service last September, I went to Jimmy's house. He had gone through Kenny's things and kept what he wanted. He asked me if I wanted some of Kenny's shirts and jeans. I said yes and knew immediately that I would use them to make a memory quilt for Jimmy. Through thick and thin he always honored his Dad.

This is a portion of a letter that I wrote Jimmy in October of 2017: 

You have for both your Mom and Dad been a very devoted son. I know there have been some bumps along the way but you have been there for them no matter the circumstances. I admire the patience you had with Kenny. I know there were some frustrating times but you were always there to make sure Kenny had good care. As the years passed by, and you saw his health failing you were there for him. You brought him his favorite food and treats, you took him outside for a breath of fresh air. Sometimes you gave him a ride to family gatherings, and took him to Medicine Bow or Glenrock. You encouraged him to eat better and take his medicine. You told him to lay off the salt!

I still cannot believe you had to say good-bye to both your Mom and Dad in the same year. It’s hard enough to lose one parent. Losing two within two months is incomprehensible. You have been strong for your family. I’m sure there are quiet times when you shed some tears. I know that you will honor them by continuing to work hard and staying close to the ones you love.

I thing I most love and admire about you is that you are a peacemaker. You reached out to your brother Kevin, and having him attend Kenny’s memorial service shows what the power of love can do.

You have been such a support to my brothers and me. It was so comforting to have you be a the hospital and the care center when Mom was so sick. I was also very thankful you were there to help us clean and pack up Mom’s home. That made an otherwise difficult time a lot easier and even a lot more fun!

You do have a very special place in my heart. I feel that you are not only my nephew but a dear friend. Thank you for being a person of integrity and fairness, even when others around you do not have the same values.

Kenny always smiled more and was happier when you were with him. That was such a comfort to me. I was sad I could not be with Kenny more, but I always knew you were there for him. I cherish every visit I had with my brother. I know he’s busy building the best home he ever has, and we will have a happy reunion someday. It was a pleasure to help you prepare for his memorial service. 

I am always very proud of you and thankful to be you aunt.

So this quilt was a way for me to thank Jimmy for all he did to take care of my brother. I hope it will bring him some comfort and that he will always remember that his Dad loves him very much. 

I mailed the quilt yesterday and it should be there in time for Jimmy's birthday on Friday. 

My friend told me to always fold the quilt inside out, so it's more a surprise when the recipient unfolds it, and sees the front. 

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

Golden Birthday...

Today Les would have celebrated his 59th birthday. He was born in 1959 so it's his Golden Birthday (that's one definition of a Golden Birthday). In November of this year it will have been 30 years since he was killed, 30 years... It's not an overstatement when I say he was my best friend. We rarely quarreled. We were together all the time, even when we were teenagers. We had a lot of fun and good times together. I miss my brother. 

Happy Birthday Ivan Lester Federer, Jr.