Valentine's Day...

Oh how we love this handsome teenager. Cash was the only one who came for for piano lesson the day before Valentine's Day. Grey was busy making a Valentines box for school. Cash and I went shopping at the outlet stores. I wasn't sure what to get him for Valentine's Day so I was happy he found a pair of shoes he liked. He was wearing a size 9 and the new shoes are a 10 1/2! We always enjoy having one on one time with Cash. I made chicken noodle soup and we had strawberry shortcake for dessert. As always after the lesson we played a few games, laughed, and talked.

I had the sweetest date for lunch on Valentines Day. Grahm wanted to go the JCW's, usually he wants to eat at Costa Vida. He is so smart and we have the best conversations. He asked me if I knew what sin is. I told him I did and that we can be forgiven of our sins because of Jesus. He then perfectly explained how Jesus died on the cross and that He did that because He loves us. Grahm said, "I have sins." But he knows he can say he's sorry and try to do better. 

We also went shopping and he chose a dragon for his Valentines gift. He really is so delightful.

Grahm has a crush on a girl in his class. He said to me the other day, "Grandma, I don't know how to ask Liv to be my Valentine." I suggested he give Liv a Valentine card with a treat. He was excited to put the card in her box. He got a sweet handwritten note from Liv. He was one happy boy.

I took Grahm home, he wanted to have a tea party, and we played a few games while Mark and Tiff had a quick Valentine's lunch. He also sang the Cedar Ridge school song for me! He's something else.

Christopher sent a basket of Valentine goodies. He's ever thoughtful and it was nice surprise.

Later in the evening the door bell rang and I got another wonderful surprise. Mark brought Colby, Grey, and Grahm over. They had practiced a little presentation complete with gifts and handwritten notes. Colby said, "I bring you gold", Grey said, "I bring you myrrh", and Grahm said, "Frank-sent-this. Get it?... it was so funny. Grahm was a little confused and said, "Dad told me to say that." I enjoyed trying some new tea flavors and the chocolate is delicious! I got lots of hugs and felt very loved. What a sweet gesture! 

I shared of few the treats Chris sent with the boys. They were all delicious but the white chocolate caramel pretzels were my favorite.

Thanks for all the Valentine's Day love!

Snowboarding lessons...

Screen shots from videos Mark sent

Mark took Cash and Colby for snowboarding lessons. They had lessons for two hours and and then they got to snowboard until way after dark. They were a little sore but had a lot of fun! 

Grey's special day...

Dear Grey,

I really love you! I think you know that! For the last nine years I have watched you grow out of your diapers, learn to walk, to talk,  and to play. I have watched you lose teeth, and now get ready for braces, (I don't like those spacers but it's important to take care of your teeth,) play sports—so many great times together! And don’t forget Grandma Days and Grandma Summer Camps!! I am so very grateful to be your grandma.

I enjoyed taking you shopping to find some new clothes for your special baptism day. And the cookie dough shake was too bad either. You looked so handsome in your new green tie.

You have been taught so well at home, at church, and the missionaries have also taught you. Saturday, February 10 was a wonderful day and I was so grateful to be at your baptism. Your Dad baptized you and Grandpa confirmed a member of the church, and blessed you with the gift of the Holy Ghost. You also did great job playing the piano. You can tell your children that you played a special musical number at your baptism! What a happy and memorable day.

The missionaries that help prepare you for baptism all shared their testimonies. The room was filled with friends and family that love you and care about you.

I was honored to play the piano. Grahm wanted to sit on the piano bench with me. He sang along to "I Feel My Savior's Love" and that was a very sweet experience. He knew the words to both verses we sang!

Your lovely mother gave a wonderful talk and shared her unwavering testimony. She loves you so much. Nana and Cash gave beautiful prayers. It was also such a blessing to have your Great-Grandma Darling at your baptism. 

I hope you never forget your baptism. Don’t forget how great it is to be clean!

Don’t worry about what you don’t know, because we always continue to learn and grow and figure things out all our lives.

The next few pictures are courtesy of Grahm:

We had a yummy brunch after your baptism. I made cinnamon rolls and orange rolls. 

Your Mom gave you a bowl full of candy with 

fun reminders to help you make good choices.

And Grahm lost his first tooth! He said the tooth fairy didn't give him anything.

You and Grahm got to come over for a sleep over and your Dad, Cash, and Colby went snowboarding. What was a fun way to end the day.

I have many favorite scriptures and this is one the them. The Lord said to Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).

Grey, you need never feel alone because you have a loving Father in Heaven and a Savior who love you and will be with you. I have a testimony of the true restored Church of Jesus Christ, and I am grateful to have the knowledge that families can be together forever.

I really do love you with all my heart.

Grandma

ThrowBack ~ Blessings...

These throw back pictures are always a reminder of how quickly the years go by and of how blessed we are.

Colby and that dimple and Grey wondering what is really going on.

Just love them so much...

Keep on picking ourselves up...

 

“No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep on picking ourselves up each time. We shall of course be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home. But the bathrooms are all ready, the towels put out, the clean clothes in the airing cupboard. The only fatal thing is to lose one’s temper and give up.”

CS Lewis | "The Letters of C.S. Lewis"

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Baby Grey...