Quote for the week of 5-4-2009

Frederiksborg Castle ~ Copenhagen, Denmark

C.S. Lewis (quoting George MacDonald in Mere Christianity) put it well when he gave the analogy of remodeling the human soul and a living house: "Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently, He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of — throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace."

Abe!!

Chris and I decided after his graduation on Friday that we wanted to head down to Santa Clara for Abe's baptism on Saturday. Thanks to Mike (acting as our GPS), we made it to the Stake Center. I love this painting in the foyer. I have never seen a painting like this in any Stake Center. Very nice! It was a wonderful service and Bob gave Abe a sweet blessing. Look at all these handsome men and the newest member of the Church ~ Abraham Brad Lamoreaux!

It's always fun to hang out with the guys!

Aren't they cute?!!

My great-niece Gwyn. She is so amazing, beautiful and smart. I got to read bedtimes stories with her later that night. So who wouldn't drive 4 hours to spend time with Gwyn?!! Minie and I have one thing in common, we both LOVE hotdogs! I am not sure how many she ate but I had three! (I didn't have buns with any of them ~ and I was vacation).

Thanks to Bob for tending the BBQ all night. We enjoyed visiting with everyone so much and love the Santa Clara weather. Many of us are talking about defecting to the St. George area. Notice how great Brooke looks ~ skinny!

I had to post a picture of Bob's amazing garden. Bob and Robyn's yard looks so beautiful. I am super jealous. Chris and I commented on the way home how blessed we are to participate in the important events that take place in our extended families lives.

Congratulations Abe - we love you!

Whoo - Hoooo!!

Today was the day - it is official. Christopher Glenn Williams has a bachelor's degree in Business Management. Chris holds the distinction of being the first Williams grandson to graduate from college! 

Thanks to Uncle Lee and Grandma Johnnie Belle for coming to Christopher's graduation!

Chris loves his Grandmother and I know she loves Chris! I am sure not many of the graduates had their 88 year old grandmother attend. She was cheering and clapping as he received his diploma.

We are soooooooo proud of Chris.

Do you see Chris? There he is!

Yep, that is President Uchtdorf and his wife. President Eyring and his wife were close by.

... And the commencement speaker was none other than President Thomas S. Monson! He gave a wonderful message as always. It was the first time we got to clapped and give him a standing ovation!

"Glance backward ~ Reach outward ~ Press forward"

Diploma in hand and ready to see what the future will bring. Chris' class is the first graduating from Utah Valley University. Elder Holland's son, Matthew is the new president of UVU.

The celebration continues at ... where else but P.F. Chang's!

Grandma Johnnie Belle loves to give books. A big thanks to all our friends and family who sent cards and gifts to honor Christopher.

What a wonderful day!!

Papered-up

May 1, 2009

Quote for the week of 4-27-2009

When you think things are bad,
when you feel sour and blue,
when you start to get mad ...
you should do what I do!
Just tell yourself, Duckie,
you're really quite lucky!
Some people are much more ...
oh, ever so much more ...
oh, muchly much-much more
unlucky than you!

Think they work you too hard ...?
Think of poor Ali Sard!
He has to mow grass in his uncle's back yard
and it's quick-growing grass
and it grows as he mows it.
The faster he mows it, the faster he grows it.
And all that his stingy old uncle will pay
for his shoving that mower around in that hay
is the piffulous pay of two Dooklas a day.
And Ali can't live on such piffulous pay!

Thank goodness for all of the things you are not!
Thank goodness you're not something someone forgot,
and left all alone in some punkerish place
like a rusty tin coat hanger hanging in space.
That's what I say, "Duckie!
Don't grumble! Don't stew!
Some critters are much-much,
oh, ever so much-much,
so muchly much-much more unlucky than you!"

~ Dr. Seuss

What a difference a week makes!

Last Wednesday ~ April 15!

This Wednesday ~ April 22!

Dusty Hooter Williams

Just last week Chris and Mark were lamenting about how much they miss Dusty. This post is for them. Dusty got cancer (even our sweet little dog didn't escape this disease) and we had to put him asleep 3 years ago today.

Mark desperately wanted a dog so right before his eighth birthday Chris and I went to all the pet shops in the valley looking for the perfect puppy. Dusty was the last of his brothers and sisters to find a family. Chris and I felt like he was waiting for us. The store clerk took him out of the kennel and he ran right to Chris. I called Tim to make sure he was still on board and he said, "Has Chris held him." I said, "Yes" and Tim said, "Well, then it is a done deal." He was right. We fell in love with his fun, energetic personality ... not too mention he was so adorable. Chris and I put him in a box and we had Mark's birthday party. Dusty did not make a sound while he opened his gifts. Mark was totally surprised when he looked in the box and saw him. Needless to say, he was one happy 8 year old! I love a good surprise!

Our friend Luke saw him the next day and nicknamed him "Hooter" because the white around his eyes reminded him of an owl. We called him Dusty Hooter from then on!

Dusty loved Chris and Mark and always wanted to be where they were. He waited patiently all day while they were at school and came alive when he saw them get off the school bus.

Chris and Mark taught him lots of tricks and games. His favorite game was Hide and Go Seek.

Dusty always had a gift under the tree at Christmastime. It was a tradition after we had opened all our gifts to let him have a turn. He seemed to know exactly what it was all about and loved getting a new toy and doggy treats.

There just has to be a doggy heaven!

Quote for the week of 4-20-2009

"Be of good cheer.
The future is as bright as your faith."

~ Thomas S. Monson (April 2009)

Merry Christmas?!!

So... I don't remember having a spring storm like this in many years. We woke up to about 9 inches of snow and a beautiful winter-like wonderland!




They, whoever THEY are say we need it so we will have enough water and important stuff like that. Hold on, next week temperatures are suppose to be in the 70's.

Favorite Conference Message

" ... 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].”
~Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (April 2009)