A long long time ago...

I used to write on this blog occasionally. If you were worried we are fine. I just didn't have the enthusisam to try to remember how to post pictures and commentary without it being a jumbled mess. We will see if I am successful...

A few highlights from the last 7 months or so has to include our trip to Samoa.

In April...We went to Samoa to pick up our missionary son. It was an amazing trip. We were able to experience the culture...

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admire the beauty....

meet wonderful people, and hug our son a lot!"

He was waiting for us at the airport and he saw me coming through customs before I saw him. One of the other Elders asked him if he thought I knew he was waiting for us on the other side of the partition. Andrew replied, "No, she hasn't seen me, yet." The Elder asked, "how do you know?" He replied, "She isn't crying!! (Ignore my red tear stained eyes.)

I finished a project!!

At Christmas, the girls and I (WOW did I wait a long time to say that) went to the fabric store. It was one of my favorite parts of the family visit. I loved watching them pick out their fabrics. I loved the fun they had helping each other and tossing around ideas. It was a great girl bonding experience for me.

Then I made their purses. It was nice to finish a project and to have them seem so happy with the results. Happy day!

Earthquakes in Chile

I served a mission in Chile Concepcion many years ago. The destruction there made me feel so very sad. This article http://www.ldsmag.com/churchupdate/100303chile.html is a nice testimony that the Lord LOVES His missionaries. My son in Samoa is also fine--the threatened tsunami did not materialize! :)

Happy Birthday, Dad

We celebrated my Dad's 80th birthday last weekend. I loved having us all together. It may have been a party for him, but I think we all got a present of memories.

All of his children and grandchildren were there except for the three young men on missions. So we had them represented in cardboard form.

One big happy family!!

I can now breathe!

As you have probably heard, on Tuesday, September 29, a magnitude 8.3 quake struck off Samoa at 6:48 a.m. local time. The islands felt the earthquake and about 15 minutes later the islands were engulfed by four tsunami waves 15 to 20 feet high that reached up to a mile inland. It appears that American Samoa was hit hard as was the south side of Upolu.

My son, Andrew, is an LDS missionary in Pago Pago on American Samoa. The stories I have been hearing from some of the other missionary moms have been scary. Elders climbing trees to avoid the water, homes moved off of the foundation with missionaries inside, cars washed around like pin balls with missionaries inside, and missionaries on a ferry in the ocean during the earthquake/ tsunami. It is truly miraculous that every single missionary is safe.

Andrew called home to assure us of his safety and emailed us details today. He said that having never experienced an earthquake--he watched Elder Pepe jump over the bed and under the table and just sit there. After watching him under the table for about 30 seconds, Elder Pepe said "come under the table lest you get hit by a falling ceiling..." (translated exactly) So Andrew moved under the table.

I am so grateful for the safety of all the missionaries.

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