Light...

"Walk to the edge of the light, and perhaps a few steps into the darkness, and you will find that the light will appear and move ahead of you." 

(Boyd K. Packer: A Watchman on the Tower, p.138)

Little brown dog...

For an entire week we got to have Grizzly, the cutest little brown dog, stay with us. Mark, Tiffani, Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm were cruising through the Mexican Riviera!

Grizzly Bjorn is a sweet dog, very obedient, and a wonderful walking partner. He motivated me to get out and walk after I got home from school, even when I didn't want to. I walked 10,000 plus steps everyday! There was still a lot of snow when he came but by the end of the week most of it had melted.

Grizzly was a little sad the first few days but he quickly figured he's our grand-dog and we love him. He played with his toys, his favorite are the ones that squeak! He also played hide and go seek with Grandpa. 

We did try and let him sleep in the bedroom but he's too wiggly so he slept in the laundry room on the pouf I made him. He has a dog bed but he prefers the pouf! 

He pretty much made himself at home and we loved that! He doesn't like to be alone and followed me wherever I went.

The grandfather clock scared Grizz at first but he got use to it.

I took Grizzly on a few rides in the car and he liked looking out the window. We checked on his house and he was so excited to be home!

I gave Grizz a bath so he would be clean as a whistle when his family returned. He was so good but worn himself out running around trying to get dry. He found a warm spot in the sun and took a nap with his fox.

I put a bell by the door like he has a home so he could let me know when he needed to go outside.

We love our little brown grand-dog and he can come play anytime he wants!

I am so thankful Mark, Tiff, and the grands could have a family vacation together. They enjoyed the cruise and had no problems. They went whale watching, ziplined, swimming, diving, and had a week of fun adventures. I sure am grateful they are home safe and sound!

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Throwing rocks...

Grandpa and Cash threw a lot of rocks in the stream by our home in Hidden Oaks. Cash liked watching them splash and float away.

Good...

“Do all the good you can, and make as little fuss about it as possible.” 

~ Charles Dickens

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Toddler Grahm...

 

 

The cutest toddler ever, that hair and dimple... I just can't find the words. He's a gift.

Footprints in the sand...

Chris got to spend a day or two at a beautiful beach in Indonesia and left his footprints in the sand.

Chris also visited the orphanage again and brought about 200 Christmas gifts for the children. He played games with them and had them write goals the new year. He has had some very unique and memorable moments in Indonesia. 

Making it right...

I went to pick up Colby for a sleepover date. He showed me their 3D printer that they got for Christmas. He and Cash have learned how it works and have been printing some amazing things.

Colby also introduced me to their newest pet, a gecko. He or she doesn't have a name yet. Grey was excited because he has wanted a lizard for several years.

A few of the gifts I got Colby for Christmas were either too big or didn't work, so I sent them back. I wanted to make that right so we did a little shopping. Colby found several things he liked and it's always fun to hang out with him.

A yummy lunch is a must and JCW's never disappoints!

Darth Vader... Colby can build difficult Lego sets in record time.

Colby told me about these cool beads so we got a few packs. You arrange the Perler beads on a pegboard to make a design. Then you use an iron and wax paper to melt the beads together. When they cool off you have a solid piece of plastic. We had a lot of fun making a few of them.

Colby is a happy and positive young man. He's helpful and I love the one on one time with him. He read a few books before falling fast asleep.

Watching a show after a good nights rest. He looks so warm and cozy.

Colby helped me make some baked donuts. We have made them before and they are good. We had a nice breakfast and I enjoyed visiting with him. 

I really am so grateful for Colby and feel blessed to be his grandma. Time goes by too fast and I can't wait until next time.

When you thought I wasn't looking...

 

For Tiffani...

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and it made me feel so proud and inspired that I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and it taught me that it’s important to be kind to animals, even if they’re not our own.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and it showed me that the little things in life can be the most special.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and it gave me comfort to know that there is someone who is always there for me to talk to.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and it taught me that we all have a responsibility to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,’ Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.’

A good day...

Grizzly was trying to be reverent.

Last Sunday Mark ordained Cash to the office of a Teacher and gave him a remarkable blessing. He also ordained Colby to the office of a Deacon and gave him a beautiful blessing as well. Colby is so excited to be in the Deacon's quorum and to go to the activities. Brother Black is a member of the bishopric and a wonderful support to their family. Grandpa and I were so very grateful to be there.

A portion of Cash's blessing...

"We bless you with courage to do things that are outside of your comfort zone, and those moments will be difficult at the time and as they pass you will find growth, and new opportunities to meet people, and develop skills that you yourself were unaware that you had. We bless you that you will maintain a positive outlook in life and see the good in others, and as you bear the responsibility of being as the oldest in the family that you will look to your brothers as friends, and allies, and not as enemies."

A portion of Colby's blessing...

"We bless you that you will be guided by charity and love as you interact and have relationships on this earth, and as you enter into the Deacon’s Quorum, you will find friends and those around you that need help or could use a friend, and that those opportunities will not just be ones where you look for others to accommodate you but you will accommodate others, and that you will look for leaders around you as examples of what it means to be a man and ask them questions and find ways to learn from them as you go on campouts and different activities, that there will be ways for you to not only have fun but also to learn." 

Eyes opened - Eyes closed!

I am so grateful to be Cash and Colby's grandmother.

An electrifying experience for Grahm!

It was a very good day!