Tornado Warning!

Tonight I received a phone call from Justin. He is currently on a business trip in Texas and won't be home until mid-May. He thought I might want to add an important "first" in his baby book. He was waiting out his very first tornado warning! Apparently he's been in the middle of a thunderstorm (no power where he was working) and the winds have been very high! He didn't seem very concerned and thought the storm had been winding down somewhat in the last hour or two. Of course, the mother in me told him to call down to the front desk immediately and find out what kind of cellar they had at the hotel! And I'm sure he did just what I told him! :-)

PS - Shhhh! Don't tell Justin, but I was a terrible mother. He doesn't have a baby book!!!

Conference Goal

For me, one of my favorite times is General Conference! Although I didn't always feel this way when I was younger, I now love to listen to each session and I feel extremely deprived if I miss even a single talk! The last few conferences, I've recorded each session with the intention of listening to them again. Unfortunately, you know what they say about good intentions! :-) Inevitably I would delete them unheard, telling myself that I could read them in the Ensign. I've always been impressed with my mothers conference issue because the pages would be folded back to whichever talk she was currently reading. If you happened to look in my magazine rack, you would probably notice that even though I intended to read the talks, those issues are in pristine condition, a witness to the fact that I never got around to it. Unfortunately, you know what they say about good intentions! (Didn't I just say that?!?)

Today I happened to notice that again, I had recorded the 4 sessions of conference and my finger wavered over the delete button. Suddenly I was reminded of the commitment I made just a few weeks ago to strengthen spiritual priorities; and at least this once, I wanted to be able to say that I had fulfilled my good intentions. :-) I decided to be brave and declare my goal to each of you. Today I was able to listen to some exceptional thoughts on temporal preparedness by Elder Hales and then one on reverence and respect from Sister Lifferth of the Primary, all while I cycled away on my Exercycle! I'll let you know when I finish my goal!

Oops - now you'll not only know how long it takes me to listen to conference the second time, you'll know how often I exercise! :-)

Maybe There's Hope For Me Yet!

Over the years it has been very apparent that I do not possess a green thumb. Whether outside or inside, plants take one look at me and wither almost immediately! I've rarely successfully grown anything.

During our years in West Jordan, we tried numerous times to grow a successful garden. We love canned beans and tried more than once to grow both pole and bush beans. And I was determined to succeed with tomatoes. Nothing in the stores compare to a home grown tomato! Unfortunately, our gardens were a flop and I was certain that the soil in West Jordan was not conducive to gardening. Then, Ken's mother moved to West Jordan, planted her first garden and grew so many beans we had to give cases of canned beans away! (sigh) One year she planted a single lonely tomato plant in her front flower bed. The branches were so covered with tomatoes we were afraid they would break. So much for the soil in West Jordan being the problem. :-)

I've not fared any better with houseplants and I've tried quite a few! I've even tried the ones that everyone told me no one could kill. They were wrong! :-) One time I brought home a large potted plant for the family room and asked Justin to carry it into the house for me. I heard him lean over to the plant and say, "Welcome to the funeral parlor, little plant!"

But the day has come! Hanging from the ceiling next to my kitchen sink is a Lipstick plant and its blooming! Believe me, I was dismayed when Ken got a start for this plant from my mother. I had become a firm believer in silk plants and no longer wanted to be responsible for ones that were actually alive. Ken was pretty excited, though, and after we potted the starts, it actually had some new growth but no blooms. Later, someone mentioned that this particular plant usually doesn't bloom unless its root bound. Since we had put our 4 or 5 scraggly little starts in a HUGE pot, it wasn't going to be root bound anytime soon. I purchased a small pot and transferred our starts, hanging it from the ceiling by the sink, hoping that with the faucet right there I'd actually remember to water it. :-) To my surprise, it's actually thrived and this is the second time we've had blooms.


I'm afraid it hasn't changed my reputation, though. Ken bought me a potted plant for Valentine's Day and I heard him discussing with Kevin its possible lifespan! Kevin was only giving it two weeks. :-) It did last considerably longer and is still hanging in there but I have to admit, it's looking a little pathetic. I guess I can only manage one plant at a time!


Lipstick plants get their name because the blooms look like tubes of lipstick when they first start to open out.

Eensy Weensy Spider

My last few days have seemed to be spider filled! We finally rented the latest Indiana Jones film and watched it over the weekend. (Yes, I know you all saw it months ago!) Now, no Indiana Jones film is complete without the main characters crawling through a creepy cave with very thick spider webs they have to pull away with their hands (shudder), and this film was no exception. I knew right then and there why hunting for ancient artifacts has not been the life for me!

Probably as a direct result of the movie, the next night my dreams were filled with giant spiders that were determined to catch me. These huge fuzzy spiders were bigger than I was and could run faster, too!

Later, it was necessary to take down the pictures from the wall where the sun room was being built. The hammering from the builders was making them rattle. I wondered how thick the dust would be and grabbed a dust rag, but was not prepared for the amount of cobwebs that ran between them! So . . . I know the spiders that created them must be lurking somewhere! :-)

The last straw was Monday, though, when I was driving home from Ogden. I was on the freeway where the speed jumps from 65 mph to 75 mph and was starting to accelerate when a medium yellow spider dropped down on a web and dangled from the visor right in front of my eyes! My fingers did a major tightening on the steering wheel while I went into panic mode! My instincts were to beeline for the side of the road but I was brave! I carefully grabbed the receipt sitting on the passenger seat and mashed the little beast on my windshield! All at 70 mph!

It reminded me of Ken's experience driving to work a few years ago. A black widow dropped from the visor in front of him! Fortunately, he wasn't on the freeway so he maneuvered to the side of the road pretty quickly. After diving out of the car, it occurred to him that he'd have to go back to the car and get the widow before he could continue on to work. I was afraid to get into any of our cars for weeks! :-)

Needless to say, I've spent the last few days feeling feathery little spider legs along my skin! If you think about it, you'll probably feel them, too! :-)

He is Risen!

Sunday I really wanted to post something about Easter but I've always struggled to write or talk about the resurrection. The tears usually start to flow and then I can't think straight. :-) I had hoped a couple of days would give me the space to do so without emotion but I'm not sure it will happen because the tears are already flowing.

In primary they had a wonderful sharing time about the Savior. Several pictures were on display and below the pictures were several pairs of shoes. She talked about the phrase "being in someone else's shoes" and how that meant you were trying to imagine what that person felt. I'd like to share some of that message with you.

Before His death, the Savior met with his disciples and after their supper, he demonstrated his love for them as he washed their feet.

John 13:4-5, 8-9
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

What would it have been like to have been in the shoes of the disciples when Jesus was washing their feet? I'm sure they felt his love for them!

After his death, Jesus was placed in a tomb, and to make sure his body was not taken by his disciples, Pilate had them place a large stone in front of the opening and had men left to guard the stone.


Matthew 27:64-66
64 Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead . . .
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
Matthew 28:2-4
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his rainment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake . . .

What would it have been like to have been in the shoes of the guards at the sepulcher? They must have been very afraid!

On the third day several women came to anoint the body of Jesus and found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.

John 20:11-16
11 But Mary [Magdalene] stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher.
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardner, saith unto him, Sir if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

What would it have felt like to be in Mary's shoes and to realize that Jesus had risen from the dead as He had promised. What joy she must have felt!

After His resurrection, the Savior appeared to the people in America.

3 Nephi 11:8-10
8 And it came to pass . . . they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

What would it have felt like to be in the shoes of the Nephites and witness the appearance of the Savior in America! The scriptures tell us that they fell to the earth.

Our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, is a witness for Jesus Christ. He is his mouthpiece and receives direct revelation from both our Heavenly Father and from His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thomas S. Monson
With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again. 'Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: I Know that my Redeemer lives!'

Although we cannot receive revelation for everyone, we can have our own testimony of the Savior and receive revelation for ourselves if we strive to feel the spirit and pray for guidance from our Heavenly Father. We can know what it feels like to be a witness of Jesus Christ and walk in President Monson's shoes!

I have a testimony of Jesus Christ! I know that He came to this earth for us, died on the cross and rose again on the third day! I am so grateful for His sacrifice on my behalf.

Lots of love to you all!

Thomas S. Monson, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives!,” Ensign, May 2007, 22–25

Late Night Surprise!

With Spring trying to raise its head above the intermittent snow storms, we've been taking stock of our shrubs. Two winters ago the deer came down from the hills and ate our shrubs on the north side of the house right down to nubs!

For Father's Day and Ken's birthday, we replaced most of the shrubs and this last winter we were determined to be deer free! The local nursery assured us the very foul smelling liquid we purchased would discourage their foraging, and while Ken held his breath against the smell, he liberally sprayed our bushes. Unfortunately, we kept finding deer tracks in the snow and between the burlap wrapping, we could still see the nibbled branches.

In fact, during the last snow storm, Kevin woke up about 1:30 AM and could hear some rustling. He looked around and decided it was coming from outside his window. Raising the blind, he was startled to see a deer having a late night snack on the greenery right outside his window. If the window had been open, he could have touched its head!

Determined to scare them away, Kevin grabbed his flashlight and went outside (pj's and all)! As he turned the corner, he practically stumbled right on top of several deer! For a few moments they each stared at the other. With his heart pounding, Kevin whistled and with a flip of their tails, they leaped off towards the hills. Heart still racing, Kevin came back into the house and returned to bed. In the morning after he related his adventures, I couldn't help teasing him. If the deer had "attacked" him, Kevin would have still been laying out in the snow in the morning because Ken and I had been oblivious and had slept through the whole thing!

I guess this year we're going to have to go for silk bushes! (sigh)

Rock-a-bye!

As long as the quilting frames were out, it seemed like a great time to tie some of the fabric and batts that were taking up room in my storage. You see, I can't resist a cute piece of flannel. It calls out to me whenever I'm in a fabric store! :-) When I see a darling flannel, I can always picture it wrapped around a cute little baby!

Plus, I'm going to be a grandmother three times this year! :-)

Keith & Delores - July
John & Dana - October
Michael & Gail - November

Of course, now that my fabric box is partially empty, I may have to go fabric shopping again!

A Goal Finished!

A few months ago several of my sisters and I decided to work on a goal of our choice to be finished by Thanksgiving. Several of them boldly marched forward and completely their goal but I was unfortunately not one of them! :-) Karen's goal was to finish two of her monthly wall hangings. She was so thrilled with the result that she went on to complete the rest of them! (see Karen's blog post)

After seeing her wonderful finished hangings, I decided it was time to get on the ball and finish my own goal, even if the deadline was long past. Mine had been to complete Kevin's levi quilt, something I'd actually started several years ago! The quilt went up on Friday afternoon with Kevin anxiously helping me tack the batting and material to the frames. Surprisingly, everything went like clockwork and before the weekend was over, he happily gathered up the finished product and spread it on his bed.

It felt so wonderful to see the finished quilt that I asked myself why it had taken me so long to get around to doing it! I'm afraid procrastination is my middle name, but I'm determined to conquer this problem . . . just you wait and see! :-)

He That Believeth In Me . . .

This morning I received a solemn call from my Relief Society President. A friend of mine had passed away the day before and she wanted to let me know. Although she was in her early 70's, this came as a complete surprise. I had been her Visiting Teacher for quite awhile and during that time she had always been in perfect health. We spent many visits talking about our families, the gospel and a host of other topics, and since she was extremely talented, we always wanted her to show us her current craft.

Apparently my friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor only about six weeks ago and told that she might have a year, but the tumor grew too quickly and her time was much shorter than anticipated. Although I will miss my friend, there is also happiness that she has returned home to her Father in Heaven.

All day as I've thought about my friend and her family, my thoughts have turned to my time here on this earth and the goals I've wanted to accomplish. Unfortunately, I often put off the important things I should be doing for things of lesser importance. Would I be ready if it were my time to return to my Heavenly Father? Since I think not, today has been a day for me to renew my commitment to those things of spiritual importance in my life.

I'm reminded of the scripture in John 11:25-26

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

Lots of love to you all!