Abraham Lincoln's Comments

This portion of Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address seems appropriate for this Memorial Day! Let us always remember those who gave their lives to preserve our freedoms. Let's also remember that we have a responsibility to maintain freedom through our personal committment to God, our country and those who went before us.

"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

God Bless America! My personal thanks to all who died to make it so.

1966 Prophecy By Ezra Taft Benson

This was sent to me by a friend from Oregon.

1966 Prophecy...

Interesting that this article should surface at this time of our history.
The Lord's plan is going to win regardless. Even though there will be some
slight detours along the way, God and Christ and Their Kingdom will overcome
the World. Ouote from Thomas S. Monson:
"Your Future is as bright as your faith in Jesus Christ." (Currently serving
as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

In an address given on February 28, 1966 and recorded in his book, "An Enemy
Hath Done This," on pages 106-107, Ezra Taft Benson spoke about the buildup
of communism and socialism in the future of the U.S.A.; what damages these
doctrines would bring, and what it would take for Americans to willingly
accept these evil doctrines.

In his published book, he stated:

"There would be a further huge expansion of government and of its control
over our economy, education, medical services, and every detail of our
family and individual lives... During such a period, it is reasonable to
expect -- unless sufficient brakes are put on the present stampede to the
left, we will get exactly what the communist-socialist coalition is
planning -- the nationalization of insurance, transportation,
communications, utilities, banks, farms, housing , hospitals, and schools.

To take over our schools, the educational system will first have been
federalized and then prostituted entirely to serving the propaganda needs of
the state planners with absolutely no regard for truth or scholarship or
tradition." (italics added)


Seems pretty prophetic to me. Let's see:

1. Expansion of government -- check
2. Control over economy -- check
3. Control over medical services -- check
4. Nationalization of insurance -- check
5. Control over transportation -- partially checked
6. Control over communications -- Fairness Doctrine ---being debated now
7. Control over utilities -- no new coal or nuclear power plants -- check
8. Control over banks -- Citigroup, JP Morgan, etc. -- check
9. Housing -- Fannie Mae, Freddy Mac -- check
10. Hospitals -- check
11. Schools -- see National Education Agency -- check

Ezra Taft Benson served as Secretary of Agriculture in the Eisenhower
cabinet. He later was President and Prophet of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A Record Setting Day!

According to the news, today was the latest day in the season to record measurable snowfall in our area. It surpassed May 24 of 1977 and 1960. The snow melted quickly, however. And that's why you see Steve in the window well.

Here he is bailing out water...lots of water. It was probably about 8 inches deep in the two front window wells and it was about 1/4" from the top where it would have come into the basement under the window. Jen helped to carry out the dishpans full of water to dump a safe distance from the house. Steve installed new extensions on the downspouts. We were happy he hadn't left on his trip to Grand Junction for this week yet. In addition to body contortions, Will has another first today also. One of his top "fang" teeth has broken through the gum. Congratulations, Will.

May 24?

After rain fell on and off all night and snow half of the morning, this is what my poor but beautiful red tulips and yellow and purple pansies look like. Al Gore, where are you? It's May 24 in Utah! God controls climate not us. I think that He is blessing us so we will have water this summer. Thank you Heavenly Father. I'm trying to be patient because I know that summer will come.

Here's Will's "feat" of the day--standing up for a long time with only Steve's toe to help with balance. Well done both Will's.

My boyfriend's back...

Steve was gone all week again..this time to Colorado. I'm always glad to have him home again. Jen and Will spent their week at Jen's sister's house. I loved it when they arrived yesterday and Will reached out to come to me and gave me a great big hug! I guess I have two boyfriends who are back.

Will is crazy about climbing up our basement stairs. It helps when someone is at the top to keep him focused in that direction. Oh the hazards of turning back around or looking backwards. Maybe that is a good lesson for all of us--focus up and don't turn back or focus on what's behind. Move constantly forward. Thanks, Will!

I just want to add how very thankful I've been feeling today. Our kind and generous Heavenly Father is constantly blessing our family. While the battle with Satan rages all around and our country is hanging on through the prayers of honest citizens, Heavenly Father is continually blessing us individually and collectively. Let's remember to be GRATEFUL!

Here are some verses from Romans 8 that I love.

24 "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."

28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 31...If God be for us, who can be against us."

38 "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Have a heavenly week!

Sunday's Dinner Debacle

This is what our pork chop sauerkraut dinner looked like when we left for church. This is also what our pork chop sauerkraut dinner looked like when we got home from church. In my haste to prepare dinner, finish up my lesson for sunday school, etc. I didn't push the electronic buttons enough times. When I looked at the digital readout it said low for 8 hours. That was just what I wanted. When I got home and there was no cooking smell in the house, I checked again. It said push to start. I didn't dare use meat that had sat at room temperature for 4-5 hours, so we threw it away and started over. I was able to come up with broccoli & cauliflower steamed with melted cheese, spinach salad, cantalope and black grapes, and a wheat roll. Not bad for a quick substitute. I was mad about wasting 6 pork chops, potatoes, sauerkraut and mushroom soup. Oh well. Hopefully you will get a chuckle out of my dinner debacle which I'm sure you will never do.

It's was so fun to have Jen and Will this past week. Will is such a cutie and Jen's a terrific mother. They left yesterday after the dinner debacle and went to her sister's for awhile. We started missing them immediately.

Just a note to let you know that Steve went to Dr. Toronto today and found out that his knee will heal. He has a deteriorating miniscus (I have no idea how to spell that.) It is an old injury from years past that he tweeked and it became inflamed. There is no additional permanent damage and no arthritis. He got 2 cortizone shots which should speed his recovery. He'll be back to yard work soon. I thought that you would all want to know the good news.

Big Will Has Fun!

Jen and Will spent the week with me while Steve was in Arizona. They also went to Idaho with us. It has been so special for me to have them around and to Skype with Taylor. Will really gets excited when he sees Taylor on the screen.

He loves bath time. His new ducky bathtub makes it easier since my tub is so slippery
With no men around, Jen and I enjoyed some vegetable centered meals. They were awesome. I must admit that our stop at Maddox was dangerous. We ate a big salad, but for now, I have a new favorite pie--strawberry banana cream. It was out of this world yummy.

Will pulls himself up to the furniture now.

Grandpa and Will play on the grass at Maddox. Will likes to jump standing up.

Cousins eat their alphabet.

Will's first driving lesson. His older cousins pulled him around in this little car.

Pure joy!

Crawling is easy now.

ANYBODY WANT TO BUY A HOUSE?

Here we go again! We have spent the last 2 weekends in Idaho getting the Country Estate ready to sell. Last weekend, we painted, fixed up, and cleaned and staged each room for photos to be displayed on the website Jeff is building at http://www.idahocountryliving.com/. This weekend we did more work in the yard, replaced the wind-whipped sign and planted several hundred flowers. We also got to see the kids in their Tavaci dress rehearsal. It was awesome. We love watching our grandkids sing and perform. They do such a good job. IT WAS A DELIGHT!

These two cousins who live half a world apart got a chance to get aquainted. Quinn, 1 yr old weighs 21 lbs., Will, 8 months weighs about 24 lbs. They can both crawl and stand up to furniture. Quinn is very quick. Will is very big and strong. Both charm you with their smiles.

Anna wanted to trade babies. She thought she should keep Will and send Quinn with Jen.

While we worked outside, Brinley and Anna try to contain Quinn in a cage. He headed straight for the dirt pile dozens of times. He likes to eat it.

Elsie had a bit of a hard time with two babies around to snatch our attention. She wanted her share.

Quinn can walk with his toy.

Tavaci performers pose in front of the bright red high school lockers just outside the auditorium.

Tanner swoons to "Cherie, Baby". It was cool.

Here they are all on stage. Tanner back row on the right end. Brinley back row in the middle next to the blond boy. Anna second row on the left end. Jantzen 3rd row about 3 person from left.

Our other two stars play with the lockers while we wait for the show to start. They were really good during the performance and Quinn really rocked out to the music.

Steve enjoyed getting things done by using the 4-wheeler. The was the best part. The weather cooperated and we appreciated that. It was a gorgeous day in Idaho.

The kids climbed on the furniture in between moves.

My Mother's Day!

Today is my mother, Aloha's 94 birthday! Isn't it wonderful that it falls on Mother's Day this year? I have enjoyed thinking about my mother even though she has been gone from this earthly life for so many years. She was the 4th of 8 children and she was the glue that held her family together after her parents died. We often got together with her siblings families but after her passing, we had little or no contact for nearly 20 years.Here she is with her sweetheart, Robert, in May of 1943. They had been married just over 1 year. They were married on April 1, 1942 in the Logan Temple. She loved to gather friends and family members around her. Therefore, she hosted many family events and parties. She was a lot of fun and had a great sense of humor.

Another thing I remember is that she was always helping someone. She had so many friends and they all adored her. I think part of that was because she was always doing something to help out. When she was ill, we had so many people who would bring dinner over or want to visit her. She didn't like to have people see her sick, but she was always so gracious and we always made sure that she had a clean robe and the house was clean to receive visitors.Here is Aloha, Bob, my brother, Steve, with a band aid on his nose and me. I was probably less than a year old.

This picture taken in the 1950's from left to right is my grandpa Robert, Annie, Uncle Doug, Uncle Jay (Joseph), my dad Robert, my mother, grandma Annie, brother Greg, me, cousin Gary, and brother Steve.

My mother passed away at age 53 of leukemia. She still had a 2 daughters left at home, Jackie, age 7 and Cathy, age 14. Greg, 18 was attending Ricks College. Steve and I were at BYU. We missed her terribly but I have felt that she has watched over me and my siblings many times. I feel she is aware of my family and that she brought each child to me as they were born. Today I feel her love and I want her to know that I love and appreciate her. She is an elect lady who demonstrated her faith in Christ and his gospel. Her Christ like example has influenced me all of my life. Thanks, Mother.

My grandmother, Annie, was very influential in my life. She took the time to read with us whenever she came to visit. She was always taking little trips on the Greyhound bus to help a family member who was ill or having a baby. She walked to the nursing home to visit friends who were younger than she was. She crocheted over 300 pairs of booties for new babies. When she was in her 80's she came to Minnesota to help me after my second baby, Heather, was born.

She was inspired to come early and called to tell us when she would be arriving. Because of her presence, I was able to get to the hospital just in time for the birth of the baby. I hemorrhaged after the birth and almost died. If she hadn't been there, I probably would have bled to death in the car on the way to the hospital. She saved my life. I'm so grateful that she was in tune and willing to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

My grandmother, Annie, as a young woman. One of her memorable quotes was "This too shall pass."

I'm so grateful for these two wonderful women in my life. They literally gave me life and then taught me how to live so I could be happy and feel productive. Any good I have accomplished as a mother and grandmother, is because of their wonderful examples.

I hope you all had a happy Mother's Day! I talked with all of my children so it was a happy day for me. Thanks to everyone!

Update on Grandma & Grandpa

Some of you may be aware that Grandma Ann had gallbladder surgery today. The procedure is much improved since my surgery 30+ years ago. She went in at 6:15 this morning and came home by 3:30 this afternoon. They required her to walk around a bit and then she promptly went down for a nap. This evening she ate some pork chop for dinner. Amazing!

Grandpa is doing quite well also. I took this picture of him at lunch time. Either his appetite has picked up or he is just trying harder because he ate all of his lunch without difficulty. A physical therapist came by in the afternoon and helped him complete a series of exercises. His endurance has greatly improved. It was a briskly chilly day so they skipped the outside walk but I was quite impressed with all he did.

I hope the next few days go as well with Ann's recovery. Just thought I'd share the good news.

FLORIDA FUN!

Steve and I had a delightful time each day of our visit with McKay, Tricia, Cameron, Jessica and Thomas. From the Tim Tam Slam - we have discovered that Target carries those yummy Australian cookies made by Pepperidge Farms-to sword fights, Steve proved himself equal to the task.

Mckay teaches Cam the intricacies of the Tim Tam slam. He loved it. I think he ate 5 cookies at one sitting.

Thomas is a strong boy with a completely different build from Jessica and Cameron. He loves balls, wrestling, kicking balls (soccer), sword fights and eating, particularly pizza. He especially loves his Momma. He warmed up to us but never voluntarily climbed on our laps. Maybe next time.

Sword fighting with Grandpa was a big hit.

Our day at Sea World was a hot one. Here the kids cool off under a mister.

Cameron and Jessica even tried a few rides. Jessica was a little unsure about this one but rode it once with Kristen and once with Tricia. They both rode a roller coaster for the first time.

We all enjoyed the dolphin show, the Shamu Killer Whale Show and the Sea Lion pirate show.

This pearl diver could hold his breath for an amazingly long time.

Sea World here we come!
The kids loved the breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Before we headed to Orlando for a day at Sea World, we celebrated McKay's graduation with a yummy strawberry cheesecake courtesy of Publix. The kids picked it out and it was as delicious as it was pretty. We also enjoyed cinnamon raisin biscuits from Hardees. Remember the good old days? They still sell them in Florida.