More simple joys...

I have been thinking today of more simple pleasures or memories that bring me joy. For example, in our Sacrament meeting today a member of our ward who is from Mexico bore his testimony in Spanish. It was so beautiful! (And rather amazing that I understood most of it!!) I was flooded with with such joy and memories of a time when I bore my testimony in Spanish on a daily basis. (Back when I could "speak" Spanish.)

Then there is the joy of holding a new grandchild for the first time. In July, we welcomed our second granddaughter. Even though Lily spent five days in NICU and was hooked up to so many monitors that it took a lot of caution and help to get her into your arms--WOW it was worth it. Can't you tell I was thrilled?

















Yes, I can honestly say that one of my favorite joys/blessings is being a grandmother. One of my favorite memories this summer was when Ally wanted to help me embroider the label I was making for her quilt. I was dubious that a 3-year old would be much help--but she was actually very good at pulling the needle and thread after I had poked it through the material. She cheered and clapped every time!! She turned a routine task into a celebration!!


Cooking was also a lot more fun with her help. Even when she kept sneaking nibbles of the cobbler dough.


















Then when the rest of my children arrived to meet the newest member of the family...and play with Ally. Every day brought happy joys and lovely memories. Ahhh, such happy memories.






I loved talking "quilts" with Natalie. She did a beautiful job on the quilt she made for Lilly.






























I loved watching Nathan tenderly hold Lily.









I loved the hair bows Debbie made... and seeing both their smiles.



























Here's Matthew, president and founder of the "naughty" uncle's club. They all delight in spoiling their nieces.

















Adam would hold Lily or play airplane or scary monster with Ally.
And even when Grandpa is exhausted, he still loves to hold his granddaughters. (We have an identical photo of him holding Ally when she was a newborn.)

Joy in simple things

When I think of happiness or joy in this life, I think of the those I love and the times we share. Steve and I were trying to decide what big exciting thing to do for our 30th wedding anniversary! We considered a trip to Bryan College Station to see the George Bush presidential library. But Texas A&M was starting its fall classes so we figured the place would be a zoo with all the returning students. We thought maybe a trip to San Antonio, but the weather forecast was 103 for the weekend and most of the tourist things in San Antonio are outside—not a lot of fun taking the river walk and visiting the Alamo in 103 degree weather. Dallas might have been fun, but it is a long drive for a 2-day trip.

What did we end up doing? Well, drum roll please… we decided NOT to stay over anywhere. We took a day trip to Brenham to the Bluebell Creamery. It is only an hour drive away. We paid to take the tour. Steve was quite happy that he qualified for the senior priced ticket. lol. He kept telling me that his ticket cost less than mine.  Then at the end of the tour, they give you a “free” scoop of yummy ice cream. I had pralines and cream MMMM, Steve had mint chocolate chip. That's my adventurous sweetheart—he had that flavor in the freezer at home. lol Then we drove over to the museum at Washington on the Brazos and spent an hour or so touring the museum. We were the only ones in the place (I guess with school starting this week, no school kids were visiting yet.) It was actually very interesting. It was a lovely happy way to celebrate.

Then today I got an email from my missionary son in Samoa. He has not written for the last 3 weeks. It is funny how 600 words can brighten your day. What little things are you happy about! I sent him this picture to let him know how happy he made me