Watching "CinderLella" :-)

Abigail came to visit the other day while her Mommy took care of Lillian. She kept busy with a variety of Barbie's and other toys as the time seemed to fly by. Soon, however, she wanted to watch a Princess movie. We looked over Grandma's princess dvd collection and after a great deal of deliberation, she finally settled on CinderLella. While she was watching, Grandpa came home from work and put his feet up. Abigail promptly left her place in my little rocker and found a new place to watch the movie!

Grandpa and Abigail watching Cinderella

Snow & The Sacred Grove! :-)

I've been wanting to share an experience of several weeks ago. While visiting with Marian in early March, Keith and I had a wonderfully humorous/spiritual experience. Keith was on the East Coast for business and had stopped by Marian's house for a visit before flying home. After Church on Sunday, I lightly commented to Keith that it was too bad the Sacred Grove was so far away. Marian spoke up and said it really wasn't that far and suggested we take their car, the GPS and go. Within a few minutes, Keith and I were on our way.

This was not my first time to the Sacred Grove but a first for Keith, and definitely a first for me at winter time. Only a few days before, New York had gotten 14 inches of snow so this wasn't going to be the Sacred Grove you see in pictures. As we rounded the curving road to the Hill Cumorah area, however, I heard a sudden intake of breath from Keith. And then quietly he spoke, "This is where it all began, isn't it!" I felt that sudden tug of the Spirit as I answered in the affirmative.

After a quick tour of the Smith farmhouse (it was almost closing time), the missionaries encouraged us to take our time in the Sacred Grove. It was then we realized we had left Marian's home so suddenly that we were pretty unprepared for the snow covered trail. Keith had forgotten his coat and I was in a pair of Crocs! Nor did either of us have a camera! Undaunted, we headed off up the trail. Only a few people had walked along the trail since the storm so the snow was pretty deep. My Crocs soon filled with snow as I slipped and slid along the trail. Concerned I might fall, Keith insisted on forging through the fresh snow alongside the trail so he could offer me his arm. We really were a sight and we couldn't help laughing at the picture we must make as we trudged along! :-)

After turning a few curves, the farmhouse disappeared from view. We were well into the Grove so we found a bench to sit for awhile and I could dump the snow from my Crocs. It was so peaceful and quiet -- and then suddenly it didn't seem so cold! It should have felt dreary because there wasn't any green in sight anywhere. Instead, though, we both felt this peaceful, warm feeling and quietly spoke about the knowledge we had that we were walking in a sacred place. We talked of our testimonies of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the Gospel. We were both so grateful for the knowledge we had.

I've thought a lot about this experience since then. I am so grateful that Keith and I were able to spend time together in such a special place. Even though circumstances were far from ideal and really quite comical, we both had felt the Spirit. It has come to me that through the many different and less than ideal times of our lives, the Spirit will be there if we just open our hearts.

Lots of love to you all!

California . . . Here He Comes!

We are preparing for a big change at the Rimington home! Kevin Lee Rimington has been called to serve in the California, Roseville Mission. We were pretty surprised since Kevin had not told us his papers were actually on their way to the mission department. He leaves on July 28th so there is a lot to do in a short amount of time.

We love him very much and will certainly miss him but we know this is where he should be. We are truly grateful for the gospel and pray Kevin will find those who are seeking the very truth that already blesses our own lives!

Lots of love to you all!

Really . . . I'm NOT as Old as You Think!!!

Last week Linda and I had a great weekend! We traveled together down to Cedar City to watch Tara graduate with her Masters Degree. We had a great time and did quite a bit of talking and laughing.

After the graduation, Linda and I stopped to get a little lunch before we started back home. There was a small line so we settled down to wait our turn. An older woman came and sat by us and started talking. In just a few short minutes we had heard a brief abbreviated history of her life, including that she had come to Cedar City to see the graduation of her grandchild and their spouse. She pointed them out including two young children that were clinging to their legs. She proudly declared that she was the great-grandma of the two little ones.

Not to be outdone, Linda mentioned Tara's graduation and that her own two adorable grandchildren had been present as well. The lady congratulated her and then turned to me and asked "So, are you the great-grandma like me?"

(sigh)

A Step Back in Time

This last weekend Kimberly and Alicia came to visit while their Dad was in the hospital. When Alicia asked me for braids, I was reminded of the many hours spent braiding Tammy's hair. Sunday morning Alicia willingly let me take a step back in time and get a little fancy. I'm a little out of practice and my fingers felt a little clumsy, but the end result was cute and we even made it to church on time! :-)

Tammy and Ashley - 1998

A Puzzling Time :-)

For some reason, I've taken a sudden interest in doing puzzles. Maybe it has something to do with the puzzles Mom keeps loaning me. :-) Or maybe it has something to do with keeping a little bit of a connection with Bessie. She had become the resident puzzle queen at Millcreek Retirement and we talked about puzzles quite often during my last few visits with her.

Bessie at the puzzle table at Millcreek

Whatever the reason, there has been a puzzle in our front room at some stage of development for the last several weeks.

One day I had just started one when Ken came home from work. He sat right down and started working with me and I couldn't get him to stop, even for dinner. When we went to bed that night, it was complete! :-)

On Easter Sunday at Mom's, we even worked on one there!

Ken and Heather on Easter Sunday

A couple of weeks ago Aaron and Emma were visiting for a couple of days. I had a new ice cream puzzle that was designed for both kids and grownups with both big and little pieces so everyone can work on the puzzle at the same time. Aaron likes puzzles and is good at putting them together. In fact, he stuck with me until almost the very end!

Aaron working on the family ice cream puzzle

This last week Mom, Linda and I took a little trip to Idaho. We stayed with Turley and during our four day stay, we completed three puzzles. :-) In fact, the last night we stayed up until 11:30 pm trying to finish one while we each repeatedly commented that we really needed to go to bed!

Since I've actually never been that fond of puzzles, this new phenomenon in my life is actually a little puzzling! :-) Regardless of the reason, stop by any time and you can help me put together my latest!

Lots of love to you all!

Fun in the Kitchen

The last few weeks I've spent some time in the kitchen with several of my grandchildren. It's no secret that I'm not fond of cooking but we really had a lot of fun! Recipes and instructions can be found at What's Cooking!

Yummy Drop Donuts in New York!



And luscious Strawberries in Layton!

Melting and stirring the chocolate

Filling with cream cheese

Drizzling with chocolate

Sprinkling with nuts

Let's Eat!

Time Is a Gift

It's been awhile since I've found myself sharing a Sunday thought. Today we spent the evening at John & Dana's. They hosted a family dinner and we all had a wonderful time! The weather cooperated which meant the children all were having a great time outside. Meanwhile the adults laughed and visited as if we hadn't seen each other in months. :-)

Lately I've felt extremely grateful for family. Ken and I find ourselves somewhat surprised as we face our empty nest. It seems like only yesterday that our house was bursting at the seams with kids that were each going in different directions! In my mind I can visualize countless picnics, holidays or school events. To me it seems as if they happened just a day or two ago!

Dinosaur Park

Barker Reunion

Gail, Abigail & Rebekah

Kimberly's Baptism Day

As the years have gone by, the walls of our home have grown to include several wonderful new children as well as grandchildren that have blessed our lives in ways I could have never imagined. Nothing brings greater peace to me than to visualize any one of my family during one of our times together.

Family day at ATK

Kevin, Randal & Marian
Roasting Marshmallows

President Thomas S. Monson has said: "Time passes quickly. Many parents say that it seems like yesterday that their children were born. Now those children are grown, perhaps with children of their own. 'Where did the years go?' they ask. We cannot call back time that is past, we cannot stop time that now is, and we cannot experience the future in our present state. Time is a gift, a treasure not to be put aside for the future but to be used wisely in the present."

Aaron & Tamara
Rimington Family Party

John, Alicia & Emma
Christmas Day

Michael, Justin, Keith, Kevin & Tamara

Moriah's Blessing Day

As each day passes, I feel an increasing need to keep our family ties strong. I cannot express how much you are each loved. There is no greater blessing than having each of you as part of my life.

"Other things may change us, but we start
and end with family."
**Anthony Brandt

From One Generation to Another

A few days ago the kids and I came across Grandpa Rimington's military uniform. Kevin was very interested in the uniform and decided to try it on. He is definitely a Rimington!

Kenneth Robert Rimington

Kevin Lee Rimington