A Perfect 60th Birthday

There are days that come along, that a person holds in their hearts forever.  I just celebrated my 60th birthday, yesterday.  I have dreaded this day of becoming a "senior citizen" for a while now..........BUT......it wasn't so bad.  My children, planned a surprise party for me at Disneyland! (One of my most favorite places to visit)  I felt so loved and so honored, that they would all leave their families and their jobs and come spend three days with their mom and dad.  (I was pretty proud of my husband for supporting this event, since he is NOT a Disneyland fan).  I have had a month that has been rather difficult and this wonderful pause in time helped lift the burdens and bring the joy back into my life for a time.  I am so thankful to have been blessed with these beautiful people and this unforgettable time with them.

Christmas With Our Family

We enjoyed Christmas with our ENTIRE family this year.  This is the first time everyone has been in a picture together for a long, long, time.  My oldest grandson informed me that he will only have one more Christmas next year before he leaves on his mission.  I know this could be one of the last times we can get everyone together in the same room at the same time.  It was a beautiful Christmas, Jake and I are so blessed to have these beautiful children and grandchildren in our lives.  Our Heavenly Father has been so good to us and mindful of our needs.  How grateful I am for our Savior, Jesus Christ, because of Him.....we truly have reason to celebrate.

This was an exciting day for our family, especially for our son, Jacob. Jacob got a new puppy for his 30th birthday. Jacob had a beloved friend and companion: a dog named Zhini, that he raised from a puppy, while on his mission in New Mexico. In May 2007, Zhini passed away. He had a growth that had taken over his stomach and when he had surgery to remove the growth, he died. Jacob and I have missed Zhini in our lives so much, he was an amazing dog and many times seemed to understand our needs and even what we said to him. There has been an emptiness in our hearts since we lost our dear friend. Today we have begun again, with our love for another beautiful dog....our hope is to love him and to raise him to be as wonderful and as loving as our friend, Zhini.

Thanks To Give

We had a great Thanksgiving at our home yesterday. We had 25 members of our family gathered for dinner. My mom was able to be with us, which was a great treat, she is 87 years old and I don't know how many more Thanksgiving days we will have together in this mortal life. I have so much to be grateful for.....life certainly is full of challenges, but the bottom line is that I have such a beautiful family, wonderful friends, and an amazingly good husband. I have never gone hungry, or been without shelter, or a warm bed to rest in at the end of a day, and I have the knowlege that I am a daughter of God, and that my Savior, Jesus Christ, died for me, that I could be saved and have an eternal place with him when this life is done. Thanks to all of you who love me back and contribute so much to my life. I certainly have Thanks To Give.

Disneyland.............my drug of choice!

Here I am on Tower of Terror with seven of my beautiful grandchildren, and two of my amazing children. I love Disneyland..........!! I love it even more when I am there with the people that I love. I went to California and picked up Emily and Kate and we met Jeremy and his family and Justine and two of her children, and spent a few days together in the California sun. IT WAS A BLAST!! LOVED IT, LOVED IT, LOVED IT! I wish I could have had all of my family with me...and someday, I want Jake to love going like I do :)

A Day To Be Grateful For My Many Blessings

Today, is an important day in my life. Eight years ago today, my husband suffered a massive heart attack. He actually died and was brought back, through the grace of God, and the miracle of modern medicine. I am thankful every day to have him in my life and that I didn't lose him from my life that day. The past eight years have been filled with alot of challenges for us, but we have been able to share them "Together". Every single day is a gift, that became very evident to Jake and I eight years ago today.

Grandpa and Holly

I loved this picture of Jake and our youngest grandchild. Grandchildren are the best! Grandchildren bring all of the joy to your life that just grabs your heart and holds it captive. Having children and grandchildren is a surreal experience, like having your heart walking around, outside your body, in each of them.