With Love

On Sunday night (01-27-08), the leader and prophet of our church, Gordon B. Hinckley, passed away.
I have been very torn on whether or not to post anything about it because after the initial shock, I was so happy when I heard he had died.
That may sound odd...but I was thrilled that he had the opportunity to be reunited with his wife who passed away in 2004.
He lived a full and honorable life and left a huge impact on the world around him.
The only sorrow that I would have at his passing is simply in selfishness...of not being able to hear his optimistic viewpoint and excitement for life.

I think telling our children that he had passed away is what I will remember the most about this time.
They obviously were in shock and a little unsure about what would happen next.
President Hinckley is the only prophet they have ever known.
We took the opportunity to teach them about how the next prophet will be called and sustained...unanimously by the Quorum of the Twelve.
It is a reminder and testimony that revelation still does occur today.
How grateful I am for that knowledge.

I will miss our prophet dear...President Hinckley.
May the Lord truly bless your family and keep you in His arms.

Stuck!!

The bravado is gone.
Remember the post Just Call Me...Fed-Ex?
I can no longer claim that I have never gotten stuck in the mud on our road!
After 4 1/2 years of driving our road, I had the humiliation and embarassment of actually getting the van stuck in the mud (in the end, up to my back axle) this morning.
I so wanted to take a picture...just to share the visual image with all of you...but alas...I decided that it truly wasn't a priority.

I had already headed out once to the bus stop to take my oldest to the early bus for middle school, and knew that one particular portion of the road was nastier than usual.
(We have had ongoing road work that has changed the dynamics of our road.)
On the way to take the elementary school kids to the bus, I decided to hug the inside of a curve...not thinking that it had been recently "built up" by the people working on our road.
I sunk in pretty deep...and knew I was stuck, but held out some hope that I might be able to get out by rocking the van or backing it up.
I made it about 8 feet back on my own, and then I actually had a man stop to help me, and was able to back up about 10 more feet with his guidance.
At that point though, we were both certain I was stuck for good.
The back driver's side tire was dug in so far that the bumper was on the ground.
Lovely.

We weren't too far from home, so I got all the kids out...Bekah on my back (she was in nice school pants that would have been ruined by the mud), Samuel in my arms (no shoes on that boy)...Thomas and Nathan walking, and Emily holding Isaac.
I got the two I had home and went back up the road to get Isaac.
Once everyone was situated here, I headed back up the road to wait at the van until Pat could come pull the van out with the trusty 'Burban.

It was a quick job to pull the van out once it was hooked up.
It still a slippery road...but I know now which part of the curve to stay away from!
Thanks to my husband who truly rescued me today!
Here's to adventure!

Vacation Visit

The last day of Christmas vacation, we headed out to Pat's work to have lunch with him.
I decided to document the visit with pictures.
I feel that too many times we bypass the pictures when things are important for "event pictures".
I've been trying to document more of our everyday going-ons...just so that we'll remember some of the things that we have done.



I love that man. A rare portrait of the two of us.
Stephen and Emily leaving their mark on Dad's white board. Everyone had to have a turn drawing on this board.

There was a work vehicle seat stashed in the back corner of Pat's office. It made the perfect seat for the kids to eat their lunch on. Isaac's tongue is hanging out quite often now. I think he likes how it feels.

Visitors Come and Gone

We had Grandma and Grandpa John, Grandpa Lunt, Grandma Jennie, and Auntie Becca here for Christmas Eve day and evening. Grandpa Lunt headed up to Albuquerque that night, and Uncle Oliver and Auntie Laura came over for Christmas dinner. (We didn't snap any pictures of them...we were too busy with our Wii and the delicious desserts they brought!) We had a ball and are so glad you were all able to be here!

Grandma John and Grandma Jennie Grandpa John watching the kids open presents

Grandpa Lunt with Bekah and Sam in an honest to goodness nap Auntie Becca...

We've had a wonderful holiday season...and wanted to let everyone who visited know how much we loved the time they spent here with us.

Our regrouping after the holidays is just about finished...so you'll be seeing a little more of me.

Happy New Year!