Our missionary

Last night we got a phone call from our missionary daughter. She arrived at the mission home in Kennewick and had her first interview with President Belnap. It was so good to hear her voice. She's so ready to get into the field and do missionary work.

President Belnap has heard some good things about Sammi previous to her getting to Kennewick. He said he wished he could hear about all his incoming missionaries. He heard enough about her so he knew exactly where he wants her to serve and who should be her trainer. Sister Belnap stated that they knew upon meeting Sammi that she is a GEM! What a great thing for a parent to hear.

Condo Life

Sunday night my husband and I went to Sturgeon Bay and rented a condo for 2 days. We spend some of our time working at the building there on Monday, but otherwise we just visited, watched movies, ate and relaxed. Each time we go to Door county I end up buying another scented candle. I have a few which I love, but was looking for another with a different scent. I discovered a few years ago WoodWick candles. They are exactly what they say. The wick is made of wood and it crackles like a campfire. So relaxing. I bought another one with a "fir" scent. It smells like Christmas trees. Better yet, it was on clearance and I didn't have to pay the full price. We had such a wonderful, relaxing time together. I suggest if you can afford it, get away from the children once in a while just to rejuvinate your marital relationship. It's way better than just a date night.

A Temple Day with Tender Mercies

My husband and I have made the goal to attend the temple at least once per month. For the past 3 years we've achieved this goal. As we looked at our calendar I decided which day we could go as there are so many busy days. As it happens, that's the stake standard's event that we need to go to with Andrew. Besides that, Pat is supposed to speak at that event. There goes that day. Well, the Lord provides. Monday was a holiday and Pat was supposed to take the day off, but needed to do some repairs in Escanaba. Randy told him he needed to take a day off during the pay period which ends on Friday. So, we looked at our schedules and planned to go on Wednesday following seminary. It worked out great as the temple opens early on Wednedays and Thursdays. It was a wonderful day in which I felt the Lord's spirit. The blessings and promises are so grand that I have no doubt that I'm of divine heritage.

On our way home I dropped Pat off in Wausau for his presidency meeting and drove home by myself. I popped in a MoTab CD and began to sing along. I had a marvelous witness of how much I am loved by my Father in Heaven and by our Savior. The words to Called to Serve made me think about my daughter who as been "called to her our king!" I'd never paid much attention to the words to Redeemer of Israel before. Look hard at them next time and see what a wonderful message it is. Then I ended my sing-a-long with I Know that My Redeemer Lives. Yes, I understand that He lives. But why? Look at the words and see all the reasons why our Savior lives. He lives to help each one of us each day get through our daily lives no matter what comes along. My heart was full and my eyes were wet as I felt that wonderful Spirit. Tender mercies once again.

Saturday Sledding Party

With such a wonderful winter day, we decided to have a sledding/skiing party. I called my dad and he invited some people. We invited some dear friends and off we went. We have a fire and roast weiners along with the skiing and the sledding. It was a grand day for being outside.

Here's Spencer just after he got his skis on. His dad didn't get any on, but he taught his son what he needed to do to be a skier.

Here he is at the bottom of the hill. He did so great. I don't think he has ever been on skis before. I was impressed.

Alexa and Evan were visiting Auntie Sarah for Lex's 16th birthday. They were on the skis a lot today. My dad cleared this hill several years ago. He keeps it groomed and set up a tow rope for us. He also bought all the ski equipment.

It's obvious to me that Clint loves sledding. I think he was up and down the hill today more than anyone.

Pat took Cami and Eric on the snowmobile. I think they liked the ride as they got a second one.

Our littlest sledder. Our little B was so happy to sit in his sled and watch the action.

Right under my nose

My husband and I never give gifts to another on our anniversary. He's got me, what more could the man want? hehe This year he pulled a fast one. Let me back up. You've seen my post about the Nauvoo blanket Clare gave me for Christmas. We put it at the foot of our bed. It clashed with the quilt I had so we thought about getting something else to cover our bed. I decided a yellow bedspread would do it. Couldn't find one. No problem. I have a white comforter upstairs that I put on the bed with the blanket on top. Looks great!

On Saturday afternoon Clare came over with the kids for the weekend. She's working on a queen-sized lightweight "quilt." I asked who she was making it for and she answered it was for herself to brighten up their bedroom. Nice! Their bedroom could use it. She worked on it and started tying the thing but didn't finish on Saturday night. I even saw my sweetie helping her finish the tying on Sunday night. I almost fell over.

The Gourleys stayed Sunday night as well. Monday morning Clare is up early with B and comes downstairs as I'm getting up. She hands this BIG gift bag to my husband who hands it to me. It's that beautiful YELLOW quilt that Clare had been making right under my nose. I raised a liar! Or maybe not, just a little fib to throw mom off the track.

Below you will find the finished product with both the Nauvoo blanket on and off.

I have a really talented daughter. Thank you Clare!

One Boy. One Girl. Two Hearts Beating Wildly!

January 11th is the day that two young, wet-behind-the-ears kids got married. Can it really be that it was 27 years ago today? Where did the time go? I find it amazing that the longer I spend with my sweetheart, the more in love I am with him.

In the following picture, you'll find a couple of kids. These two pictures were taken while we were dating. I was a senior in high school and he was preparing to go on a mission for our church. Believe it or not, the baby he is holding is Ryan Jeske.

This was taken on our wedding day in Washington D.C. My parents are in the photo with us. They had to be thinking we were nuts to get married so young, but then they were both 20 when they got married. They have always been supportive.

After some years of hard work and my typing a lot of papers, we finally had graduation in May 2004. Whoever thinks that getting a college education just affects the student, is certainly wrong. If that student is a family man, it affects the entire family.

In 2006, we returned to Washington D.C. with four of our children. We toured the National Mall and also took them to the temple where we were married. That was a terrific trip. I only wish, we had more time to do things.

Our lives continue to grow as grandchildren come into our lives. These two sweeties light up our lives in ways that we never imagined. Being a grandparent is so much fun. I still love being a mom though.

Our lives together are rich and wonderful. I am very blessed to have a wonderful man who supports and loves me unconditionally. I never question his love for me. Recently, he brought me roses after we had a difficult situation in the morning. Now, how's that for thoughtfulness? It certainly wasn't necessary, but very much appreciated. I love him more now than ever!

A Gift of Remembering

This Christmas Clare was really excited for me to open the gift from their family. I had no idea why or what it could be. Upon opening the wrapping, I noticed she made me a crib-sized quilt using fabric samples that from our Nauvoo costumes. I sat and looked at it and touched it and cried. The wonderful memories that came flooding back. Not just the memories of being there, but also the memories of Tina and I spending hours shopping for fabrics, cutting and sewing and sewing and sewing. As I touched each square I could see whose dress or shirt it was. Did it come from a cape or vest or cravat? I can tell you. So, as you look at the pictures included in this post, there will be a brief explanation of each one, but know that the memories go much, much deeper. Again, thank you Clare for your time but more importantly for giving me the gift of memories.


Look at the quilt and see if you can find the fabric squares within the pictures.


Here's Pat, Sammi, Erin and Stef picking apples in the 2nd year during the "How do you build a city" scene.


Each year we were chosen to be in the "flag scene." It's really the Spirit of God scene, but since there are countries represented with flags, we call it the flag scene. Our first year we were in costumes from Germany. You won't find these fabric samples in my quilt. You can't tell but our men had to wear knickers.


This photo is from the "picnic scene" which ends in a fireworks display. I'm not sure how we were chosen to be down front. This was the 2nd year because I took the picture from the front row. With my broken foot, I wasn't in the cast.


Another photo from "How do you build a city." I believe this was the 3rd year because we had Zack, Nichola and Lys with us. It took 10 of us to carve out a moonstone. It took some imagination to make everyone look like they were doing something.


Our family in our costumes while we were still at home.


This is Sammi, Erin and Stef during the show. It must have been the 2nd year when I was out with a broken foot.


Here is Tom in his missionary scene. He loved this scene almost as much as he loved the fireworks!


This was from "How do you build a city." Our family was in charge of "painting the fence" among other things.


Here's our little 4 year old Andrew. Notice how sweaty his little head is. It really was hot out there in the sun during the day. It didn't always get a whole lot cooler at night. Or perhaps I should say that the humidity didn't lessen just because the sun went down.

I am ever grateful for the opporunity that our family had to participate in the City of Joseph pageant. It was wonderful for the five years we were able to do it. We made lasting friendships with people from all over the country. Our testimonies were strengthened as well. I credit this experience, in part, for the strength of my children's testimonies. We cried when the show was cancelled but rejoiced in the time we had to participate. There will never be another family vacation where we worked so hard and were so exhausted by day's end. It was a service of love!

Back to the grind

With school starting that means I too am back to the grind of everyday living. Mostly it means I'm back to teaching seminary. Does it ever get old? Yes it does! Do I ever want to stay in my bed? All the time. Do I ever regret accepting the responsibility? Never!

Yesterday my students were glassy eyed and non-responsive. Today they were much more awake and interactive. We're studying Alma 5. Yesterday we talked about gaining a testimony of Jesus Christ. Today we talked about Alma's questions to ask ourselves to determine if we could stand in the presence of our Savior. We went through the questions in the chapter and then I handed them a sheet of questions that were very specific that could possibly pertain to them. Questions about honesty and integrity and keeping the standards they know to be of worth.

At the end of class the statement was read that we will have a bright recollection of all our guilt as we stand before the Savior to be judged. I made sure they knew that sin that has been repented of would not be part of that guilt. The question was asked if that really was true. I testified to all that the Lord remembers it no more as he has promised in the scriptures.

Is teaching seminary rewarding? You bet it is!