Family History Break

I'm sorry I haven't posted much lately.  I'm still here.  Still happy.  I'm just not feeling much urge to craft... weird, I know.  I look around my house and while it doesn't have the latest trends in decorating, it's comfortable and I like it.  So, I don't feel the need to make stuff to decorate with....

My daughter invited a few friends from school over for tonight.  We are going to make earrings- so, I'll get a little crafting in :o)

What else am I up to?  I know I mentioned it before but I've been bitten by the family history bug.  I love it!  It is so much fun to find a relative on the 1900 census and to realize that the mom had eight children but only five are listed and to search and find those missing three.

Did you know that if you do your research at a LDS family history center (located inside many meeting houses for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) you can have free access to several huge online genealogical websites.  Yes!  ancestry.com is free, fold3 is free and several other wonderful resources.  You don't have to be a member of the church to use these family history centers, everything is free, and they even have people there to help you as needed.  Click here to find the family history center closest to you.  I'm telling you it's FUN!

Germ Free Get Well Cards

We have a friend that is going through chemo and was in the hospital with pneumonia.  In an effort to keep his exposure to germs to a minimum (and he wasn't feeling up to visitors anyway) my son made him a card and we scanned it into the computer and then emailed the picture to our friend.... germ free get well wishes.

(The card refers to the time little guy was in the hospital with double pneumonia).

Mini Vacation To Dallas Texas

We took the family on a mini vacation to Dallas Texas this past week.  We spent some time exploring the museums in fair park.  We love the Dallas Zoo but it was just too hot to be outside- so, we skipped that venue and opted for time spent in a sunshine water mix. 

We had fun at the spray-ground in Allen, Texas. 

However, the hit of the trip was the day spent at the North Garland Hawaiian Falls Water park .  I was totally impressed with this park.  It was spotlessly clean (even the bathrooms!).  The employees were friendly, professional and helpful- the tubes and slides were more then scary enough for me- and the lines were much shorter then those at the larger water parks (like six flags and Sea World).  The picture is from their website.

Tip:  Hit the water park in the middle of the week and buy the family pass- it includes unlimited drinks and a meal for each person.

On the Homefront- update

A little update on the chicken adventure.  The kids are thrilled with their "business".  They have 14 chickens and collect about 10 eggs a day.  They sell the eggs to our neighbors.  With the salmonella egg recalls and the generosity of sweet neighbors they have more customers then eggs at this point!  

The chickens roam free during the day and are fed in the evenings.  I may be prejudiced but I think the eggs taste extra good.

On the Home Front

Mr. Wonderful, aka Farmer John, aka my sweet husband has been oh-so-very-busy.  He recently planted ten fruit trees, a strawberry patch, a raspberry patch and snap peas.  The chicken coop my son-in-law built has been painted barn red and is awaiting the chickens.  The little chicks have arrived (and are chirping away in their heated home in the playroom as I type)- I had no idea how noisy those adorable little fur balls are!-

We may end up with a full fledged farm :o)

World's Cutest Grandson

I had so much fun seeing my first grandbaby. His parents are amazing. He is adorable! It was a precious experience to be with him. I'm so grateful for answered prayers and modern day miracles!

Miracle Baby

Last week my daughter and her husband were away from home when she went into labor. They didn't know which hospital to go to so they said a prayer asking for guidance and picked a set of "hospital this way" signs to follow. God is good. He led them to a wonderful hospital. The staff were very helpful and kind. They were not able to stop the labor and so little Brody was born about 6 1/2 weeks early. He weighed 4 lbs.11 oz. and is 18 inches long. He was breach so they did a C section and found that he was badly tangled in the umbilical cord. This little man has made rapid progress and only needs help eating. What a miracle!


I am well aware for some the miracle is that their precious little one is taken back to live with our Heavenly Father and I truly believe that is a miracle too. I hope that this quote might offer some comfort:

The Lord takes many away even in infancy, that they may escape...the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again.

- Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

I'm grateful that little Brody is part of our family. I feel that he has some important things to do during his life. I can't wait to be with him so that I can do some loving and snuggling!

Goodbye Lazy Summer Days

School starts here on Monday. I'm looking forward to the routine of things. I'm going to miss the relaxing, go-with-the-flow days. If you ever have a friend or loved one go to Guatemala ask them to bring you back a hammock! They are the best! This spot gets great morning and early evening shade. It's the perfect spot for a nap, a snuggle or a good book.

Camping In the Pines -Enjoyed

We're back home. Clean. Isn't plumbing wonderful?! I think all the camping laundry is done too- thanks to my dear hubby.

We camped in the green mountains near Ruidoso, New Mexico and set up our tent next to a small meadow- hoping to see a few deer. Instead there were about 30 elk- cows and their calves grazing through the night.

My children- probably future combustion experts- gathered the wood, helped start the fires, and kept the fires going. We did some hiking and took some short walks (hence the flip flops).


Played in streams...


What is better then soaking your feet in tumbling cool water, smelling the pines, and listening to the bubbling of a brook mixed with the delighted laughter of children?


We just enjoyed being together. And while I was enchanted with God's amazing creations my beautiful daughter gave birth to my first grandbaby. A sweet baby boy. More on that miracle later.