Sadie Jane

Eight Months Old

Jenni prayed for a "Mommy's Girl" and her prayers were answered. This little doll is happiest when she is in her mother's arms. I just love her smiling eyes; they remind me so much of Jenni's.

Jenni, Mark, and family

When Warners Come for a Visit...

We all want to be there!  Mark's sister, Kim, blessed her baby on Sunday, so Jenni and family flew in from Seattle. It's such a special occasion when they are here! Like a holiday that happens twice a year!

It gave us the chance to "eat up" our sweet Sadie.

And for the cousins to become reacquainted.

After dinner on the Sabbath, we gathered up as many strollers and other carrier contraptions as we could find and went for a walk through the neighborhood. What a sight! We made quite the parade, I do believe! Witnessing my children laughing and loving is one of the greatest joys of motherhood.

That's what family memories are made of.

"Despite all new inventions and modern designs, 

fads and fetishes, 

no one has yet invented, or will ever invent, 

a satisfying substitute 

for one's own family."

                                          -- Dr. Stuart E. Rosenberg

Crafting it Forward!

Here's a fun little contest! I was the first to spot it on Courtney's blog this morning and I want to play!

Here are the rules:
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! This offer does have some limitations:

1. You will not know what it's going to be, and there are no guarantees that you will like what I make! It may be something simple and small or I may go crazy and do something amazing.

2. It’ll be done this year. Translation: you may be waiting a little while. ( My goal is the next 6 weeks)

3. Most importantly, you must offer the same deal on your blog - the first 5 people to comment on your blog (or Facebook or whatever, if you don't have a blog) get something made by YOU!

Gammpottsie Day

Payton came to town, so it was the perfect time for our first annual Gammpottsie Day.  That's Collier talk for grandparent's day -- a rip-roaring celebration with our "older" grandchildren! Prerequisite:  must be potty trained.

This year we invited Payton and Lily.

First, we changed into pajamas.  Lily would NOT step foot into her zip up footie PJs.  She insisted on wearing two-piece just like her cousin, Payton.  Luckily he had an extra pair to share.

We built a fort.

Popped Popcorn

And watched a movie.

Lily and Payton were more than a little bit excited about going swimming.

But first it was time to jump on the beds,

Say Prayers

And give good-night kisses.

Before we knew it, we were up again with the early birds. 

Waffles for Breakfast

Time for a morning swim.

We topped off our Gammpottsie Day with Lunch and Fun at Chick-fil-A.

I don't know about Potts, but Gammie had to take a nap after all was said and done.  Where did I ever get the energy to raise five children!  But Payton, Lily, Potts, and I had such a great time. We can't wait for Evylee to join us next year.  

Hmmm... What to post?

Here is a cute "show and tell".  This is my youngest grandbaby, Kylie Mae.  She belongs to my son, David and his sweetheart, Katie.  She is seven months old now and as adorable as can be.

A Washer and a Prayer

It's been a particularly trying week.  I accepted too many playing jobs and really wore myself out. No time available for the usual homemaking tasks.  This morning was a welcome relief. Today was to be my catch-up day -- today I planned to attack the mess that had accumulated and the mounds of laundry that have filled my laundry room. Today I will take care of erasing Audrey's name that she so sweetly wrote in the dust in the computer room and I will finally fill the fridge with much needed staple foods -- all before tonight's Symphony concert.

But with my first load of laundry, the washer motor quit.  I turned the knob and pulled it off and on numerous times. After all these years and countless batches of laundry, it gave up the ghost. I think MY MOTOR quit too. I sighed... rather beaten, I might add, and sat down to do.... nothing. Then a thought came to me: If faith can move mountains, maybe it can start a washing machine.  I said a simple prayer and with a smile on my face I walked up to the washer and pulled the knob.  The washer gave me its very familiar  and welcomed spinning sound!

Just then from my IPOD I heard, "Don't give up.  It's just the weight of the world.  You are loved." This morning I KNOW that I am loved.

Sweetheart Day 2009

February 14.  Sweetheart Day is a favorite family tradition which originated when we lived in Burley and the twins were 8, Michael 6, Emily 4, and Audrey just walking.  It's a day to celebrate family love, go on a special "date", practice some etiquette... you get the idea.  It has evolved into something to look forward to.

This year we flew Emily's "sweetheart", Clint, here from Texas.  (Randy had a free flight on Southwest.) 

No family member with a special someone should be alone on Sweetheart Day! 

Lunch for all at Chili's.  Gammie and Potts' treat!

We FINALLY convinced Audrey to bring a friend.  She chose Shawn - and gave him just ten minutes to get ready. 

Valentine necklace designed by Lily.

Randy raced off to the dentist to have his teeth fixed (thanks to his sweetheart) and I raced off to play for Ballet West's "Madame Butterfly."  Clint and Emily came to enjoy. 

We reconvened at the Stake Dinner/Dance.

They look like Sweethearts!

So do they!

Real MEN don't line dance?

Audrey stayed home to tend Evylee.

With all her "no significant other" friends.  Notice the ratio of boys to girls.  hmmm. They made sugar cookies and played games.  Evylee received the royal treatment! 

We missed Jenni and Mark, Payton and Sadie!  We didn't feel complete.  They had a Sweetheart Day of their own.  You've just got to see it!  (Click on the blue "see it")