"Grampa, are there any fish in this stream?"

Jake went fishing when we were at Fish Lake.  He said, "Grampa, are there any fish in this stream?"  Grampa answered,  "sure, this is where I caught my first fish!"  Jake said, "it must have been the last one."

Happy Birthday Tyler

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Tyler

A little bit of wisdom from June

Every once in awhile, I need a little visit with my mom.  I am fortunate enough to have an outline of lessons from when she was a teacher in Relief Society.  I love to read through it, see her handwriting and her thoughts on how she would present her lesson.  There are many quotes from different people scattered through this notebook.  But her thoughts and feelings are everywhere.  Of any of her possessions I have, her thoughts in her handwriting are my most valued.

 

 

 

Sunsets

picture by polly

"May I never miss a sunset or rainbow because I am looking down."

~Sara June Parker

"Mormon Women: Quest for equality" an article from the Tribune

I was reading the Trib this morning.  The article's in the "Faith" section were very interesting concering many LDS women's quest for equality.  It wasn't so much that they wanted the Priesthood, just more responsibility, more visiblilty.  I consider myself a modern woman.  I don't sit in the backseat where my husband is concerned. I am good at letting people know how I feel.  Yet, as I read this article, I felt (even though everyone is entitled to their own ideas)  that a big point was being missed. I know our Bishop well, and work closely with our Relief Society President.  They go about doing many charitible acts with no one ever knowing.  They ask for neither recognition or praise.

Our church is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.  I am quite sure He never wanted or asked for more recognition as He went about his life's mission.  I picture Him serving quietly, never asking for any praise.  He was a teacher who was trying to teach us to serve, to love unconditionly, to do these quietly. 

I have had many things in my life that have not turned out as I would have expected.  Illness, problems within the family, death of loved ones.  Yet those near and dear to me have stepped forward with loving care, helping when most needed, never asking for anything, just loving and serving when they saw the need.  This to me is what our Church is about.  This is what The Savior taught us to do.  As for me, I have so much responsibility with church callings, family, serving those in my neighborhood, loving and being loved by my friends, that I have no need or time for anymore responsibility and I certainly don't care if anybody knows what I am doing as I go about my life trying, (and I emphasize the word trying, because that's all it is - just trying) to be like Jesus.

"Because God made you, That's why I love you."

As the sun sets on our family being all together this year,  I am filled with gratitude for such wonderful children and grandchildren.  The one thing missing was Nick, off teaching.  But we'll all get together sometime soon.  The days were beautiful, our home was full of kids, laughter and love.

"In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, the bridge to our future."
~Alex Haley

With the kids here I remember the summer days of my childhood.  Important days, because they are what we look back on with joy and security.  It is important to give these kids that same feeling, even though it is a different time and place. 

So I will say good night to my darlings, as we did in my childhood, and as I do, as I rock the littlest ones to sleep. 

"Tell me why the ivy twines, tell me why the stars do shine.
Tell me why the sky's so blue, And I will tell you, just why I love you.
Because God made the ivy twine, Because God made the stars to shine.
Because God made the sky so blue,
Because God made you,
That's why I love you."

Love to you all,
Grama Polly

The Best Days

"The best days are when you don't need anything extreme or special to happen to make
it great. 
 You just appreciate and enjoy what is and that's perfect enough."

~author unknown

"What a Wonderful World

Whitney and Jason's beautiful little family.  A day to honor Wren.

Of course in our family she is the little princess. 

What better way to celebrate than to gather family and friends together.  A beautiful evening.

Whitney's special touches were everywhere. 

So grateful that all the grandson's were there to welcome this little one into their gang.

So grateful the family could all be together for the lovely day.


"I see trees of green, red roses too, I see them bloom, for me and you,
And I think to myself, What a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white.  The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night.
And I think to myself,  What a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky, are also on the faces, of people
going by.
I see friends shaking hands, sayin' "How do you do? "They're really sayin',
"I love you"
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow.
They'll learn much more, than I'll ever know,
And I think to myself..
What a wonderful world,
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world."



"The love of family is life's greatest blessing."

Wren's Big Day

Little Wrenny Lou is getting ready for her big day.  She will be blessed tonight.  Her dress was given to her mother by Wren's great grandmother, June.  We've been waiting for someone to wear it.  But since it was Whitney who wore it last, it is only fitting that her daughter be the first to wear it again. 

"The wonder of a miracle from which this love began, there is so much in the touch of holding a granddaughter's hand."


Another day to be grateful for my many blessings.

Fish Lake 2012

Getting ready for a three day camping trip is simple.  Just fill a large truck, trailer, three SUV's  with just enough room for the family to squeeze in and we're off!!!!

The older boys are old hands at camping, fishing and all that goes with it.  The three little ones became part of the gang.  The learned from the best and were soon fishing, running through the wilds, and getting really dirty just as they should when camping.

The best part was all the smiles, the hugs the laughter.  Nothing better than watching these kids have fun with one another.

There were fish caught.  The biggest one was caught by Hogan, unfortunately it turned out to be lots of seaweed.  Becky showed off her talent as our driver - (eyes closed).  Good think the lake is very large!

Can't resist the smiles!

The hugs...

The fun, just watching the little ones play.

Abby and Becky outdid themselves as our cooks.  We ate the most delicious food.  Can't thank them enough for all their hard work!

Don't know if these two loved the boat at first.  Takes some getting used to.

Loved getting this picture of all the boys.  Next time little Wren will be running around keeping up with them.  Just a bit tiny thing year.  We missed her.

All good things come to an end.  Jake told me this was his biggest adventure of all, but on the third day, he was ready to go home.  (I think his parents were ready to go too.)

"To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's  nest or a wildflower in spring- these are some of the rewards of the simple life."

~John Burroughs

We have enjoyed and been blessed by the pleasures of nature, our family, and much love. 
The simple pleasures. 
Life is good.