Celebrating America...

Many of the people who built our nation were immigrants. My great-grandfather Johann Ludwig “Louis” Federer was eager for freedom, and searching for more opportunities, and a little better life for his family. He left Germany and settled in Illinois. He and his family worked hard. I'm here now because of Grandpa and I'm thankful he had the courage to come to America.  

Even with the current and ongoing concerns, being born an American is a blessing. 

I'm thankful we could celebrate America with our family on Monday. Colby did great lighting the fireworks. The mountains are the perfect backdrop to watch. I was glad that they didn't upset Jack, he's a good dog.

Just for fun, look how much the boys have grown from two years ago... especially Cash!

Dracaena trifasciata...

I love flowers and plants so this post is for me. I have been taking care of Christopher's snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) for several years (it's in the largest pot). He got it back it 2015 and it was small.

2015

2022

Look how big the plant is now!

After a prayer and a pep talk, I separated the leaves and added new soil! I also cleaned the leaves. I think the plants will adjust just fine.

I enjoyed learning more about the Snake plant. Please read, there will be a quiz! 

By releasing oxygen and adding moisture to the air, snake plants can help lessen the impact of airborne allergens like dust and dander. Since poor indoor air quality has been linked to many health-related issues like allergies and asthma, this is a definite benefit.

Other benefits:
filter indoor air
remove toxic pollutants
may help boost mental health
easy to care for
effective against allergies
may help enhance the “energy” of a space, according to feng shui
can help with minor ailments

Similar to other household succulents, snake plants help to filter indoor air. What’s unique about this particular plant is that it’s one of the few plants that can convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen at night.

Dracaena trifasciata

Dracaena trifasciata is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to tropical West Africa from Nigeria east to the Congo. It is most commonly known as the snake plant, Saint George's sword, mother-in-law's tongue, and viper's bowstring hemp, among other names. Until 2017, it was known under the synonym Sansevieria trifasciata.

It is an evergreen perennial plant forming dense stands, spreading by way of its creeping rhizome, which is sometimes above ground, sometimes underground. Its stiff leaves grow vertically from a basal rosette. Mature leaves are dark green with light gray-green cross-banding and usually range from 70–90 centimetres (2.3–3.0 ft) long and 5–6 centimetres (2.0–2.4 in) wide, though it can reach heights above 2 m (6 ft) in optimal conditions.

The specific epithet trifasciata means "three bundles."

The plant exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide using the crassulacean acid metabolism process, which allows them to withstand drought. The microscopic pores on the plant's leaves, called the stomata and used to exchange gases, are opened only at night to prevent water from escaping via evaporation in the hot sun. It is a weed in some parts of northern Australia.

To get this plant to go into bloom outside of its natural environment is difficult. (I didn't know the Snake plant has blooms, but only in its natural environment).

Replicating its natural environment is possible. Its flowers vary from
greenish white to cream-colored — some are fragrant at night, others not at all and have a sticky texture.

Your Spiritual Foundation...

My dear brothers and sisters, when renovations on the Salt Lake Temple are completed, there will be no safer place during an earthquake in the Salt Lake Valley than inside that temple.

Likewise, whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants!

Please believe me when I say that when your spiritual foundation is built solidly upon Jesus Christ, you have no need to fear. As you are true to your covenants made in the temple, you will be strengthened by His power. Then, when spiritual earthquakes occur, you will be able to stand strong because your spiritual foundation is solid and immovable.

The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation 

President Russell M. Nelson | October 2021

That face...

Toward the end of our 4th of July fun, Grahm was sitting on my bed watching a few videos. I didn't know until later that he also took a bunch of selfies. How could I not post a few of them, I love that darling face!

Pre-4th of July fun....

My fun loving Colby has become very artistic and he's usually game for a few crafts. We all decided we love patriotic decorations. 

Grandpa cut some blocks and Colby painted a beautiful flag. 

Colby also decorated our flag cake. 

As always, he's my best helper! 

Before

After

I don't know what it is about water balloons but they are always good for hours of fun.

The easy fill, self-sealing balloons was a brilliant idea.

Colby shed a rather large tear, get it?!

Grey is airborne!

Colby got soaking wet having batting practice with water balloons! He hit a lot of balloons.

Grey got a chance to mine some gold.

Two evenings in a row we've had a summer rainstorm, and the boys enjoyed playing in the rain. I just love these pictures of them with umbrellas.

The flag cake was yummy and we 

had a wonderful pre-4th of July!

We missed Cash but he's having fun with friends these days. I was happy to see him when Mark and Tiff came to get Colby, Grey, and Grahm. Cash enjoyed a piece of cake and I got a hug from him!

I hope my grandsons always know that whatever this crazy world dishes out, I will always try to be there for them. They fill my heart to overflowing.