New Hobbies

My favorite new hobbies are eating and Family History. So in honor of Mom's birthday yesterday, I spent three hours with our Ward's Family History people. I now have a paper in my hand called "Family Ordinance Request" that I will be taking with me to the temple. When I arrive there, they will give me some little cards. We will then be able to do the work for Bill's grandparents on his mom's side, including their sealing. We will also be doing the work for his mom's nine siblings. After we get used to the idea of all of that, we will be getting their spouses and children on board. I also discovered that Mary Francis Gelder (the one that started the whole "Gelder thing") has been sealed to her spouse, but none of her work has been done. So onward and upward. What was it that President Monson said to the overwhelmed and newly called Seventy that was looking at the floor when he got on the elevator?? "It is better to look up!" Doin' my best.....

Happy Thanksgiving from Gainesville

Just wanted to wish my family a Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I have to say that topping my list this year of things I'm grateful for is that I got to spend my dad's last Thanksgiving with him. Even though I didn't get many pictures, I will always remember it and be grateful.
Loves to you, Papa Bill, we miss you but are grateful for you in our lives.

So many blessings...

It was much easier said than done, but so glad that we braved it. Sizzler 2011, in the books. We are amazing!

Couldn't Wait

I was going to wait until I got these bound and quilted, but I just couldn't. I have three adorable granddaughters, and their dolls are getting new quilts this Christmas. My quilter lady might be slow, so I just had to post the unfinished results. London is getting the one that matches her new brother's. Kate and Toryn are getting the results of the "Delightful" party.

Frame it in Forgiveness

You can tell that it is my turn to teach Relief Society because I am organizing my thoughts by way of a post. I am having mixed thoughts about what I want to teach. A little bit of faith, a little bit of happiness, and a little bit of forgiveness. Well I came upon the perfect way to combine those subjects. AGENCY! All of these things, and many others, are a choice. We ALWAYS have a choice. I used to get into such interesting discussions with my sixth grade students about this. They would say that their parents made them come to school... no choice about it. But I would remind them that they had chosen to obey. At any rate I came upon the most wonderful article in the Ensign. It is called "Anticipating the need to FORGIVE". It is written by a mental health professional, so you know I was interested right away. If we were bitten by a snake, of course we would seek immediate medical attention. We wouldn't chase the snake to get revenge. We all know this in advance. So why not apply this same decision making process to the people in our lives that do and say things that we might need to forgive. If we anticipate that we are going to forgive ahead of time, we are spared all of that pain and unnecessary suffering. I would guess that 99.75% of the time when we are hurt or offended, or injured, there was NO INTENT for us to be hurt. We were hurt because we are sensitive or tender about certain things. IT IS ALL ABOUT MOTIVE. Generally people do NOT intend to hurt. SO why the fuss? According to the article, we can "screen out the negativism, the hurt feelings, the offenses. We can see people based on INTENT--giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming their good intent (one exception to breaking "The Four Agreements" no assumptions rule). Sometimes when we feel hurt, offended, or frustrated, we frame what we see much like a frame around a photo. Forgiveness allows us to frame people and interactions differently." Framing forgiveness around others, and our self, makes life's journey much smoother. Try it! Being generous with others helps us to deserve the generosity of others, for the many thoughtless things WE do and say.

Season of Sailboats

Lots of new skills learned, lots of love, and lots of fun! Baby Mathie, almost done!

Jonah and Colonial Days

It really does come in handy having a Gramma that knows how to make a pillow. Especially when it is worth 50 points on your Colonial Days project list!! Love fifth grade! Love American History! Love Jonah!. Love piecing fabric!. Saturday afternoon just doesn't get any better!! Thanks Jonah for letting me help. He selected the fabric, designed the pillow, drew a pattern, did the math to figure out how big the squares had to be, and did ALL of the sewing, and stuffed it! Good job, Jonah!!

Snow Princess

After Maddie and I watched El Dorado this AM, she discovered the snow. She really does watch TV, and she really does like the snow!

Happy Halloween

Not the same, but we are doing our best!! Pretty awesome bunch of kids, I'd say! Spencer, Max, and London, we sure missed you!!