ThrowBack Thursday ~ First soccer game...

Cashee boys first soccer game!

2014

The Elephants Come Home...

This is the amazing true story of a herd of elephants and the man who saved them. I heard about this book from a friend at work. I read the full-length version called "The Elephant Whisperer." I discovered that elephants are one of the most fascinating and charming wild animals in all of nature. African elephants are endangered and still being poached in an inhumane way for their ivory. I enjoyed learning about how intelligent they are. Elephants are family-oriented animals with complex social lives. Related females live together for life in herds and raise offspring together. All members of a herd defer to one leader, the oldest and wisest female in the family group, known as the matriarch.

This is a quick summary of the book:

One day in 1999, Lawrence Anthony and Françoise Malby hear that a herd of wild African elephants needs a new home. They welcome the elephants to their wildlife sanctuary—Thula Thula—with open arms. But the elephants are much less sure they want to stay. How will Lawrence prove to them that they are safe and loved? What follows is a gorgeously illustrated real-life story of a friendship . . . and the story of the miraculous way that love given freely will return—greater and more wonderful than it began.

I really enjoyed having a moment to read the book to Colby, Grey, and Grahm. 

Roads...

“One road leads home, and a thousand roads lead into the wilderness.”

~ C.S. Lewis

I know the road that will always lead me to my earthly childhood home and the other that will lead me to my heavenly home. Even though it's difficult sometimes, I'm grateful to be traveling on the path that leads us to heaven.

Finally...

Grey's front tooth has been loose for weeks now and it finally came out yesterday. He also had four bottom teeth pulled to make room for permanent teeth. I asked him if he thought it would be difficult to eat when his front tooth came out. He said, "I've thought about that but I still have all my back teeth."

He seems to look on the bright side of most situations, just one of many things I love about him.

So thankful when Friday rolls around...

Just like the song says... "I lay all my weekly burdens down, I'm living for the weekend!"

These are screen shots are from a video Grandpa took of Grahm doing yoga. Cutest Yogi ever!

Ommm

Colby carved this cool staff and added a deer with the wood burner.

Pizza time! I keep thinking the boys will tire of making pizza but it's always turns out to be a lot of fun. 

Cash's gourmet pizza and braided breadstick! 

On our way to Cash's game with a stop for a little breakfast. Sometimes Mark and Tiff take the boys to Harmon's for a donut so I did want to break the tradition! I love looking in the rear view mirror and seeing my handsome grandsons. I sure them love them.

The mountain views from the soccer fields in our area are breathtaking and I never want to take them for granted. It was fun to watch Cash, he's a good defender.

Grahm looked through his binoculars at Grey's game and said, "There's my boy."

It seemed appropriate that Grahm found a big earth worm on Earth Day!

Can't wait for next weekend!

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Perfect night...

Sweetest memory...

7 years ago - April 19, 2015

Perfect night walking around the temple grounds with Cash and Colby, sharing a smoothie, reading books with them, kneeling in prayer together, and goodnight hugs and kisses... so incredibly blessed.

Mountain top with Colby...

Spring soccer started last Saturday! We always looked forward to being part of the boys fan club. Grahm scored a goal but the other team had one player that scored a lot of goals. Grahm got a little discouraged. I gave him a thumbs and he responded with a thumbs down. He said, "I'm tired of the other team getting so many goals."

In between games Colby and I went for walk on the mountain road by their home. It's a pretty steep grade but we made it just fine. I really enjoyed being with Colby and having a chance to visit with him.

I told Colby that I think a mountain is a metaphor for life. Walking up a steep mountain can be challenging. We will all have challenges in life but we can overcome them with faith and determination. I also told Colby we can do hard things.

The scriptures are full of reference to mountains. How we ought to look to them, how God moves them, how they melt in his presence, or shake in His glory. God spoke to people on mountain tops. Mountains are holy ground.

I have always loved this scripture and I shared it with Colby. 

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Matthew 17:20

I hope when Colby has "mountains" to climb he will know he's never alone. I hope he also has many mountain top experiences that are joyful. He sure has given me many joy filled mountain top experiences! 

I looked forward to going on many more walks together. I really love our Colbs.

Colby can do hard things, he built this amazing Lego tiger in no time!

Be steadfast, unmoveable...

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:55-58 NIV

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:55-58 KJV

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Visitor from Taiwan...

It was such a treat to have Vivien come visit all the way from Taiwan. She was so kind to us when we went to pick Chris up from his mission. It was nice to be able to show her some gratitude and repay her for her kindness.

Grandma Day Easter fun...

When Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm first arrived I shared a portion of President Nelson's Easter message with them. It was all about forgiveness. I asked them what Jesus said to his accusers. Colby replied, "Father forgive them." President Nelson is a great story teller and I was moved by a personal experience he shared. We watch part of his message together. Here's a text excerpt:

"I know from firsthand experience that forgiveness blesses both the forgiver and the forgiven.

Three children born to Ruth and Jimmy Hatfield suffered from congenital heart disease.

They sought my help as a heart surgeon for their two daughters, Laural Ann and Gay Lynn.

I was heartbroken when both girls died after I had operated on them.

Understandably, Ruth and Jimmy were shattered.

And they blamed me.

For almost six decades, I was haunted by this situation.

I grieved for the Hatfields and tried to establish contact with them several times, but without success.

A few years ago, I reached out again to the Hatfield family.

Much to my relief, this time, they were willing to meet with me.

On bended knee, I poured out my heart to them. The Spirit of the Lord prevailed.

They forgave me.

And it proved to be a turning point in their lives and in mine.

Now I treasure the friendship I share with the Hatfields.

Just think about their courage and humility!

They were willing to let go of old hurts.

The Spirit of forgiveness released them from burdens they had carried for nearly 60 years.

There is nothing easy about forgiving those who have disappointed us,

hurt us,

cheated us,

or spread false rumors about us.

However,

not forgiving others is poison for us.

Grudges weigh us down.

Angry disagreements separate us.

Animosity and hatred can divide families.

And yet, the Savior’s counsel is clear:

Forgiving others does not mean condoning sinful or criminal behavior. And it certainly does not mean staying in abusive situations.

But, when we choose to forgive others,

we allow the Lord to remove the poison from our souls.

We permit him to soothe and soften our hearts,

so we can see others, especially those who have wronged us, as children of God, and as our brothers and sisters.

Every Easter, we rejoice in the Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

He is the epitome of forgiveness.

My dear friends, I invite you prayerfully to consider

if there is someone whom you should forgive.

Will you free yourself from a grudge you may be harboring?

I can think of no more fitting way to honor the Lord Jesus Christ this Easter."

The boys and I talked about what it would be like for President Nelson to carry the burden of wanting the Hadfield's to forgive him for almost sixty years. We talked about the gift of the Savior's atonement and how important it is to forgive, and ask for forgiveness. With tears in my eyes I asked them to forgive me if I have ever hurt their feelings or anything like that. I hope they always know the Savoir loves them and that He is indeed the risen Lord. I also hope the boys always know that because of Him, they can experience the joy and miracle of forgiveness.

I love Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm so much. 

Colby and Graham helped me make resurrection rolls. They coated marshmallows with butter, cinnamon, and sugar. Then they rolled the marshmallows up in a crescent roll. When they bake, the marshmallow melts away representing the empty tomb where Jesus lay. I've never had them before and they were yummy.

We also had Italian Wedding Soup then Cash and Colby hid some eggs for Grey and Grahm. Grandpa, Grey, and Grahm hid eggs for Cash and Colby. It took awhile but Cash and Colbs finally found the eggs Grandpa hid! There was still snow on the grass so that's why were inside.

Grahm was so happy he found the golden egg! 

Bubbles! 

And last but not least a Peep carrot cake for my favorite peeps! 

Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm made 

some cool paper mache eggs at home!

Chris enjoyed a beautiful Provo Canyon walk! We have all enjoyed having more sunshine and warm weather.

Happy Spring! Happy Easter!