Be Good for Something...

“You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others. …

“In this world so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, you can and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. You can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right” 

(President Gordon B. Hinckley | Brigham Young University devotional, Marriott Center, 17 September 1996).

Celebrating Tiffani...

Tiffani will be 35 on Saturday. Because it's general conference weekend, we celebrated her birthday a little early.

We are grateful beyond words for the day she came into our lives and heart. She has an inner beauty that of course shows on the outside also. She has become more beautiful as the years go by.

It was a beautiful Spring day.

I don't think llama's like celery!

Handsome boys! 

Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm made some really beautiful cards for their Mom. They were nicer than anything you could buy at the store. They also made her some bead necklaces.

I am so thankful that she has allowed us to part of Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm’s lives. I will cherished the times we are together always. We see all the ways she teaches them and guides them. I know that takes so much devotion and effort. They are so blessed to have a mother like Tiffani. I am grateful that she teaches them the gospel and that they know they have a Savior who loves them. They are such good boys. We see her consistently give them responsibilities and good experiences. They adore their Mom!

Although I don’t want the boys to grow up too fast, I look forward to having more time together. But I’m grateful I can support her now by giving her time to rest and reset. I would really do anything to help out, as long as I am able I will always be her helper.

Happy Birthday week sweet Tiffani!

In the other news, I love this picture of Grahm holding his pot of gold, and snuggling with Colby.

And someone got an early birthday present from Tiff's Dad. Looking good Mark!  

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Advice from Gramps...

March 2015

Cash and Colby getting some

legal advice from Grandpa.

Untie the ribbons...

“Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.”

—Ruth Ann Schabaker

Creative Cash and Lilacs...

For almost eleven weeks now Cash has been taking art lessons from my friend Mindy. I can tell he has enjoyed it and I'm so proud of him. I love seeing his creations. Mindy told me that Cash is a quick learner. He has also made friends with other kids in the group. I dropped him off yesterday and a boy was walking up about the same time and Cash said, "There's my friend." He hurried out of the car, and they started talking and laughing. 

Cash finished a lilac painting yesterday and I think it's very good. Lilacs really are my favorite flower, then hydrangeas. We had lilac bushes around the ranch house where I grew up and Grandma Federer had a huge lilac bush in the front yard. You know they are hearty plants because they are able to survive Wyoming winters. Lilacs will always remind me of home.

Cash has one more art lesson. I have really enjoyed picking up Cash, Colby, and Grey from school. I will miss that. I usually get them a snack, then take Cash to art lesson, and Colby and I have a piano lesson. Grandpa found a project he and Grey are doing together. Grey had the biggest smile on his face when Grandpa showed him the plane they would be making. 

Life is so good with these precious boys. 

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Luck of the Irish...

Back in 2016 I found these cool glasses for my favorite Leprechauns... feeling the luck of the Irish when I see these darling little faces. Cash and Colby are not wee lads anymore, but I couldn't love them more. 

A touch of God's hand in your life...

To find gratitude and generosity when you could reasonably find hurt and resentment will surprise you. It will be so surprising because you will see so much of the opposite: people who have much more than others yet who react with anger when one advantage is lost or with resentment when an added gift is denied.

“How Different”

Some murmur when the sky is clear

And wholly bright to view,

If one small speck of dark appear

In their great heaven of blue:

And some with thankful love are filled,

If but one streak of light,

One ray of God’s good mercy, gild

The darkness of their night.

(Richard Chenevix Trench, in Soumrcebook of Poetry, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1968, p. 396.)

“Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things” (D&C 59:7)

...ask yourself, “How did God bless me today?” If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes, you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God’s hand in your life.

Remembrance and Gratitude | Bishop Henry B. Eyring

November 1989

Lucky...

Lucky doesn't even begin to describe how I feel to have four wonderful grandsons. We had a fun St. Patrick's party complete with a few shenanigans. We made Skittle rainbows, searched for a pot of gold, and played a Minute to Win It game with Lucky Charms! We even made Leprechaun traps, the boys are so creative. We also had a yummy dinner with lots of green food. We ended the day with mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Grey's Leprechaun trap

Cash's  Leprechaun trap

Colby's Leprechaun trap

We love our favorite Leprechauns, Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm...  they are our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!