Family...past, present and future...

Yesterday we went to visit the graves of my Grandparents: Jack and Erma Bell, and Howard and Annis Tribe. We gathered as a family, talked about them, showed their picture to make sure that the great granchildren understand where they come from. History is important, connections are critical, and love is vital. The hearts of the children are turning....it is wonderful!

Garrett

Garrett loves Grandma Ann's blocks. He builds tons of stuff with them. Here is his latest: a sphinx!

Gifts...

Up tonight. Nursing...just loving this little girl and wanting to give all that I have to her. She has a lot to do in her life time:
-be a strong example to others
-Have a strong testimony
-link generations together through her love, work, and example
-Serve others when the choice comes to serving a mission
-Find someone worthy of her to be sealed to in the temple
-Temple service will be a part of her service to others

Marianne Ellen has a lot to do. So, I'l going to hold onto her as long as possible and teach her all that I can to let her know that she is loved.

Love your little ones...Children are ours to hold, teach, and love for only a little bit. Enjoy them. There love comes from God, from Heaven. Please hold your little ones tonight. Children are a gift!

Babies are a Blessing

Babies are a blessing, and Marianne's was today. What a way to celebrate Mother's day. It was just wonderful to be with family and friends. My mommy helped me by cleaning and cleaning and talking and talking and cleaning...it was therapy! I loved preparing for the day by going to the temple and feeling the spirit of so many of our anscestors. I just was humbled that so many are here for us and love us because of their sacrafice. Happy baby's blessing Marianne Ellen Giauque! You are so precious to us...your blessing will always be in my heart. Love you!

Challenged!

Last night at the adult session of our Stake Conference we were challenged to read the Book of Mormon by November. That's an average of 2 1/2 pages per day. I was stopped. In order to explain, I have to give some back ground.

As a church we were challenged in 2005 by our Prophet, Gordon B Hinckley, to read the Book of Mormon. At that time in my life I had gone through a separation, gotten back together, had my 5th baby and was praying and pleading for a way to keep the family together. I felt that this was a direct answer to prayer. We (my former husband and I) talked about it. We decided to do it. We would read to the kids at night for hours. We traded turns. I felt the truth of the book, I felt the Spirit confirm many things. It was powerful and wonderful. I felt the changing power come over our family. It was a miracle. It lasted up until December of 2005. But soon after that (about 3 weeks) the power of strength and love started to fade...it was gone. Things in the marriage went back to the way it was before the challenge--sigh .

I remember thinking about that. Pondering over that, wondering why didn't it help to heal our family. I honestly felt slapped in the face. I felt hurt. I felt that the promise was not granted to our family. My heart was broken, I was sad...the year of 2006 went from bad to worse...

So from that experience it has been a challenge for me to read any of the scriptures. I felt betrayed, hurt, I couldn't feel the full power of God through the written word. This has been very hard for me, something that I allowed to dam my path. Well, like anything else, I just plug along reading mostly out of duty. There were days of spiritual highlights, but not constant.

So, back to the challenge...I will read the Book of Mormon by November 2010. I will make up the days if I miss any and I will read it. I need a kick in the pants and this will do it. I'm in a new situation, a new stake, and new ward, and well, sometimes a change is good. If Anyone wants to take part of this challenge let me know...I'd love to hear about your progress. So, I'll check in and monitor my progress through out the next 6 months. Excited? YES, Nervous? YES! WEll, here we go!

A Birthday Rreflection...

I sit here typing listening to my daughter's sweet coos, my other daughters, soft giggles...and I feel so much love. Truly, in this life it is all about family; serving your family--immediate family, neighbors, co-workers, strangers, all of Heavenly Father's family. I'm learning through my 36 years of life that through serving your fellow man, you really find the secret of life: it is all about love. The ultimate love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. His love is perfect. His love covers everyone...we are all sinners...we are all His children...so how can we all live in this beautiful earth and not learn how to love others?

I frequently pass a man who walks along the highway. His face shows the damage and wear of life. His countenance is troubled, and his physical appearance is dismal. Margaret said, "where does he live?" I told her I was not sure. She then said, "we should pray that he can find a home." My eyes instantly had tears in them.I looked at Marianne and said to myself, "He had a mother once, a father, a family..a home." My heart broke...my tears were falling. I thought, life is hard, but with the Lord all will be made right. We will all find "home". I prayed a little differently that night. I prayed that our little efforts can make a difference--through the Atonement of the Lord.

It is a process. It is not filled with immediate answers; things take time. There is responsibility to actions as well. Some of Heavenly Father's children make choices that hurt others. We will never be perfect. I'm on a journey towards My Savior through the blessing and miracle of the atonement. It is a step at a time journey and sometimes I don't understand some of the directions, but when I allow him to take my hand and lead me I am given peace. I know that I mess up, but He never leaves my side. I feel that He lifts me up and gets us going.

We are commanded to be forgiving, but that doesn't mean that we have to re-embrace that which was killing us. We simply (but painfully sometimes) give it to the Lord to handle and help. On our part, we send out prayers towards those who have hurt, damaged, and destroyed things that are real and wonderful to us. That is our part; it is hard, but it allows us to have justice served, and mercy to heal the other party.

The tender Mercies are real. Time works out everything. As I look at our new baby girl, I'm filled with the love of the Lord. He hears all of our prayers. He is real. He loves everyone of His children...we need to do the same. Just a birthday Reflection...have a great day everyone.

Baby sitting playing house

I baby sit for a little boy while I'm home with Virginia and Marianne. We thought we'd take a few pictures...Love it!

Look who loves her thumb!

The pictures are worth a thousand words...she is so cute!

Peek-a-Boo

I came home from my walk in the morning and who did I see? a blanket blob! I'm wondering who is in this blob? Out pop the two cutest kids in the world! Who wouldn't love to come home to these cuties? Love my kids!

Box Cars

The primary had a drive in movie activity. I got the boxes and they went to work. I love how they turned out.