Pictures from my walk this morning

Here are the pictures I took on my walk today.

View from my house towards the Northwest

After I finished my 1/2 hour walk, I pulled some weeds in my flower beds.  My lavender is finally blooming.

and I have little tiny baby grapes on my grapevine.

I had one single strawberry, but I ate it instead of taking a picture of it.

Our morning walk

Even though we don't live near each other, Heidi and I are walking together in the mornings, just not in the same town.  We check in with each other each day to see how we did.  She has been taking awesome photos on her walks, kind of making it into a game so it doesn't seem like drudgery.   I decided it would give me a good chance to use my camera in manual mode and get some practice in, so when Trevin and I walked this morning, I took some pictures around the neighborhood.  It was kind of fun,  I just need to remember to stop and take the picture instead of trying to take it while I'm still walking.  In other words, I had some blurry ones.
My walking partner for the day, looks like he just got up huh!

This is the Cloward's flag as the sun was coming up this morning

 Flowers in the yard of my neighbor Susie across the street

I love all the flags in the Frandsen's flower beds.  They live on the opposite corner of us and they have these flags in all of their flowerbeds. 

Haystack across the road at the clowards, slowly disappearing as they haul it off in trucks 

 My neighbors the Johnsons out for a walk this morning.  They had what looked like cross country poles they were using to walk with.  They were faster than we were because we were taking pictures.

 Trevin took this picture while I stopped at the house for a potty break in the middle of our walk.

Shooting BottleRockets

My mischeivous husband took a trip to Wyoming way back when he was a scout (27ish years ago) and bought some "illegal" fireworks (for Utah that is).  He didn't use them all and had them in a sack that his mom found about 6 or 7 years ago and she brough them to us.  We have had them in our coat closet and pulll one or two of them out to shoot on New Years Eve every year.

This year, Utah changed it's law on fireworks, and while some of those are now legal, I'm pretty sure that bottle rockets still are not, but he brought them out anyway to teach his boys.  He finds it fun to hold them in his hand until they are almost ready to shoot off and then throws them in the air.  The boys got brave and decided sparklers were too boring and wanted a try at it.  They were so funny because they were worried they would wait to long and would hurry and throw them without paying attention to where they were throwing them, so they ended up going up and coming part way back down before they would shoot off.  I had to keep covering my head as I was afraid I was going to lose it whenever Travis threw one.  They finally got the hang of the timing and did pretty good at the end.  Trevin, luckily, just put them in the bottle and lit them to shoot off from there.  Then they got adventurous and would wind the wicks of several of them together at once and put them all in the bottle and shoot a whole bunch at a time.  Once the bottle fell over and one of them fell out and into the firepit.  You've never seen the 5 of us run for cover so quickly.  Luckily, the ashes in the firepit extinguished it and it didn't shoot off.

There were also some fun spinning things that whirled around really fast.  The boys would each pick a color and put them all together and light them all at once and whichever one whirled the furthest from the center starting point would win.  They had tons of fun!  Sean's comment, "Now this is what teenage boys should be doing."

Delta High School Class of 1986

25 years, WOW!  I can't believe it has been that long since I graduated from high school.  I LOVED high school.  I had such good friends and so many great memories.  I was so sad that day that I graduated because I knew I had many friends that I would rarely or never see again.  I've attended most of my reunions, and others in my family think I'm weird for doing that, but I really miss my friends and loved catching up with them and their lives.  Facebook has made it better over the past couple years as I have been able to keep caught up with those that post there and share information.

Keith Johnson, Studentbody President, was in charge this year and he contacted me a few months ago to set up a Facebook page for our class to start getting names and contact info for the reunion.  I also volunteered my brother and sister in law to do the food and they did an awesome job.  There was no way I could finish the 1/2 a beef that was on my plate even though it tasted awesome!  They also did salad, rolls, baked potatoes, beans and they had carrot cake or chocolate cake with ice cream for dessert.  We sat with Gary Callister and his wife and Todd Neimann and his wife during dinner.  It was fun to catch up with some old friends.  I was also able to chat with quite a few of my old friends and I had a great time. 

I know it wasn't fun for my non-rabbit spouse, but I'm glad he humored me and came along.  He chatted with Todd's wife while we were both making the rounds chatting with everyone else.  Thanks honey!

Happy Birthday Travis

I can't believe he is 18 today. Time is flying by and he is growing into a great young man. Another year and he will be graduating from high school and leaving on his mission. I'm so proud of the person that he is. He is kind and caring. He is very patient and most of the time is the peacemaker in our home. He has his moments, but most of the time he is a great person! I love that he honors his Priesthood, that he is concerned about others and that he is concerned about this country we live in. He follows politics somewhat (totally Sean's doing by having Rush playing 24/7) and loves discussing politics with his dad and others. My favorite thing is to have him wander upstairs at times during the day and sit down and play his guitar. I LOVE listening to him play. He has a very fun sense of humor (like his dad again) and I love listening to him talk and crack jokes. He makes me laugh.

He has been working and saving money and finally ALMOST had enough to buy himself a new computer. We chipped in the last little bit for his birthday present and he bought all the components and put it together with Sean. He is pretty proud of how fast it goes and excited that he was able to get it all and build it himself. Now he is saving to get a new monitor and his project will be complete.

He wanted lasagna, cheese toast and BTS cake for his birthday dinner this year, no real surprise there.

We love you Travis and we are so glad that you are a part of our family. Happy Birthday!

Favorite quotes from general conference

I know I'm a bit late, but I finally got this layout done with my favorite quotes from last General Conference.  I only used parts of what is below

L Tom Perry

The adversary succeeds when we relax our commitment to the Savior. Be an example of the believers.

Russell M Nelson
Our faith now determines in part the faith of our descendants
Obedience to the commandments allows blessings to flow to us without constraint

Uchtdorf – Sunday Morning session
Some people don’t enter the waters of baptism because they are waiting for something dramatic to happen. They desire to enter the temple but lack the faith to take the final step to be worthy. People with for something grand, but it usually comes like a puzzle, one piece at a time. The Savior comes quietly, gently, almost unnoticed. Our Father in Heaven loves his children. He speaks to us in ways we can hear only in our heart. Turn down the volume control of the worldly things in our lives. Hearken to the promptings of the Spirit and then be eager to heed them. Sometimes we don’t get answers immediately because our Heavenly Father expects us to study it out first and then come to him in prayer. The answers may come from friends, the scriptures and the words of the Prophet. The answers to our prayers may not always be a benefit to us, but may be a benefit to others. It is through other people that he meets our needs. Therefore it is vital that we serve each other. Serve as the Savior did, reach out, bless and uplift those around us. The answers don’t come while we are on our knees, but while we are on our feet, serving others around us. By becoming the answer to someone else’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own. The Lord expects the members of his church to open their mouths at all times. Don’t worry about how you will be perceived. It is a message of gladness and a message of joy. With the multitude of social networks and media gadgets out there, we should open our mouths, open your mouths and use your hands to blog and text the message of the gospel. Preach the gospel at all times. Opportunities are all around us. Blessed are they that have not seen but yet believe.

Paul B Johnson
All that we suffer and all that we endure helps us grow and become better.
Leukemia “Will I be the same when this is over?” No, you will be so much better, you will be awesome! After much tribulation comes the greatest blessings. Just like the challenges of labor precede the miracle of birth. Our personal journey will provide just the amount of trials we need for our mortal progress. We want to develop strength without the work along the way. Not one of the trials and tribulations we face is beyond our strength. We can do all things through Christ, who suffered for us. If you put your trust in God, you will be comforted through your trials and be lifted up at the last day. We don’t want the Lord to say “Well, you’re done” We want him to say “Well done though good and faithful servant.”

H David Burton
Many welfare systems are set up to help people instead of to help people help themselves. That is why the church welfare system is so successful
Avoid debt, prepare for times of distress, live thriftfully, listen to the prophet, distinguish between needs and wants and then live accordingly. We cannot inherit the full measure of eternal life without serving and sacrificing for others. “Be kind to the poor.” Like in the parable of the good Samaritan “Go and do thou likewise.

David A Bednar
2 experiences with light
turn on a light – immediate and intense
rising sun
doesn’t immediately burst forth, darkness of night replaced by the radiance of morning. Subtle and gradual
Spirit of revelation – how received - communication of God to his children on this earth.
“The holy ghost is a revelator and no man can receive the holy ghost without receiving revelations”
Should be alive and operative in every man woman and child who has reached the age of accountability and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Ask in faith with an honest heart, believing that you will receive. Usually thoughts and feelings into our minds and hearts through the spirit of the holy ghost.
Shun inappropriate media and harmful and destructive substances. Consider seriously how you can reject the devils enticements
Variety of ways to receive revelation – dreams, visions, inspiration, conversation with heavenly messengers.
Most of the time our revelations are subtle and gradual, line upon line, precept upon precept. Often so delicately that you will hardly recognize it.
Show me a member who needs great manifestations and I will show you a member who is not in good standing in the church.
Sometimes we receive revelation and are not aware that we are receiving revelation.
God requires us to do our best, to act and not be acted upon. Honor your covenants, keep the commandments, strive to do good and become better. God will guide our steps and will inspire our utterances. “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the knowledge of thy God.”

President Monson
Teenagers – always have the temple in your sights.

Sunday afternoon

Richard G Scott
Don’t waste time in idle pursuits, don’t waste time, get married. Serve a mission and then get married. Brethren, do you lead in family prayer, scripture study. Do you tell you wife often how very much you love her? You need to tell her.

D Todd Christofferson
Some people look at God as a butler to be used when summoned or as a therapist to be called upon only in times of need. We ought to be grateful that God cares for us enough to spend the time directing us
He that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom. We should be careful not to resent those things that cause our divine nature. Parents must correct and chasten their children in order to direct and nurture them.

Carl B Pratt
Tithing – we are all indebted to the Lord, let us not be accused of robbing God. Paying our tithing will help us be fair with our fellowman. The easiest way to pay it faithfully is to pay it as soon as you get the money. Really, it is the only way. He blesses us with wisdom to manage our resources, not necessarily more money or better health. Helps us to have a submissive and humble heart, charitable heart,

Lynn Robbins
What manner of man/woman ought ye to be? Even as I am. We often have “to do” lists but we don’t make “to be” lists. To Do things can be checked off and completed, “to be” things are ongoing and are Christlike attributes.

Jeffrey R Holland
Reflect on the messages you have heard in conference and also in the unique phenomenon that Conference is. We testify to every nation kindred tongue and people that God lives and He speaks. Faith, Hope, Charity and Christ and moral issues of the day. “The gospel is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” (Harold B Lee)
We can’t always have it our way like a fast food restaurant. We need to follow in His way. If we teach by the spirit and you listen by the spirit, some one of us will send an epistle just to you. One way or another God will have His voice heard. Every word spoken is both a testimony of love and a warning. President Monson’s life is not easy. He was called as an Apostle at age 36, his kids were 12, 9, and 4. But he is irrepressibly cheerful all the time.

President Monson
He taught us how to live, he taught us how to die. He ensured our salvation – speaking of the Savior.

Temple with the Taylors

We had the neatest experience this weekend.  A couple that moved into our ward went through the temple this weekend and we were able to go with them.  Nick and Ashley were able to go through the temple for their endowments on Friday night and we got invited since Nick is a new Elder and Sean is Elder's Quorum president.  What a fun evening for them.  Then, Saturday we were able to go back to the Mt. Timpanogos temple to be with them for their sealing.  I've never been to a sealing where children were sealed to their parents and it was such a special experience.  I'm sure I won't forget it.  Thanks Taylors for inviting us to be with you on your special day (weekend).  Then we went to their celebration BBQ at their house Saturday evening.  What great people they are!

My parents took Trevin and Tyrel out to Tooele for the Richardson Reunion since we weren't able to make it. They got back home about the same time as we did.  The boys were exhausted from a day of watersliding in the big inflatable waterslide they rented for the reunion.  Thanks Heidi and Kelli for the great pictures of my boys.