I'm Gonna Miss These Two!

Jenny and Trevor are on their way to Atlanta, Georgia for the summer where Trevor will be selling security systems. I will miss them! Jenny and I have never been separated for four months before! I know they will have a wonderful adventure together and Trevor is an awesome salesman. Thank goodness for blogs, email and facebook to keep in touch!

Leaving in the snow on April 30th!

Drive Safe
Have a great adventure together
Earn money

It's all good!

Random Happy Pictures

These pictures just make me happy

PapaRich reading Sophie Lynn to sleep.
Just before she fell asleep, she was sitting on the arm of the chair and started to fall back, Rich caught her with his arm and she shouted, "Papa, you saved me!"

Uncle Roger came into town and took us to dinner.
I snapped these photos of "The Brothers Rife"

A couple of handsome devils!
Literally, Springville High Red Devils!

And a little happiness from my garden:


I just can't get enough of my beloved forget-me-nots.
Those perfect little flowers in the perfect periwinkle color.


My favorite primary colors and the gothic arch light

It's all good!

YW Camp Planning & a New Toy

I decided that I needed this new toy to do some important camp stuff:

I used my new cricut machine to make this amazing poster of our ward theme. And I dressed Jenny's "my size barbie" as a our Princess Warrior mascot.

I love YW camp!

P.S. This is the main reason for the lack of posts the last couple of weeks.

Finishing Touches

I finally got the door painted and the title put on this room:

Yes, I decided to go with Michael's suggestion and call the newest guest room The West Wing. It is on the west end of the house and "wing" has a double meaning, referring to the bird decor.


I added these two on the window sill. A birdhouse and a cute little bird.

Michael's Senior Prom

Michael and Brooke

Don't they look grape?

Rich couldn't resisting posing with the prom couple.

It's Spring!

Now that I'm done mourning that winter and skiing are over, I'm ready to embrace spring. It is so beautiful! I love that there's still snow on the mountains and all the trees and bulbs flowers and pansies are blossoming in the valley.

My forget-me-nots are blooming!

The Divine Virtues

My husband's second book is now available!

The Divine Virtues is about taking upon ourselves the divine nature. It’s about acquiring the Christlike attributes in our lives, little by little, day by day. It’s not a book that makes you feel guilty, but rather it makes you feel hopeful that you can try to become a little better every day. It will be a part of my scripture study for the rest of my life because when I read it I understand more about the Christlike characteristics that I want to acquire, and hopeful that I can do it.

It’s for sale at amazon.com and at cedarfort.com. It may not be in Deseret Book stores yet, but will be if you ask for it. Actually having people ask for it is what causes Deseret Book to order it.

I am doing a random giveaway of this excellent book to some lucky person who leaves a comment on this post.

I had both of his books framed for his den. Don't they look great?

Crazy Spring Break

On Tuesday I had PRK laser surgery on my right eye and today Michael had his wisdom teeth out. So we are all recuperating around here.

It's all good

Easter Pictures

Random pictures from Easter dinner at Keith and Jill's

Michael, Alysha and Ryan
I'm happy that these cousins are such good friends

Gramps with his Ginny Dog

Uncle Keith having a cuddle with Myla Jae

Happy Easter!

The view from our front door this Easter morning:

I am one of the few people not saddened by this view. Since starting skiing four years ago, I have gained a new appreciation for winter. I have always liked all the seasons, but now even more, I love the variety and change every few months in the weather. I know spring will come in earnest soon and I will enjoy it, but I'm happy that winter is hanging on a little longer. (Even though Sundance is closed, I might find another place to ski this week one more time)



I awoke this morning feeling much like Nephi:

"O wretched [wo]man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins;"

I stayed up too late last night. Yesterday I overate and wasted time. I went shopping. I awoke feeling disappointed in myself.

But,

It is Easter morning and I couldn't help but also feel hopeful. Christ died and was resurrected on this morning so that I can overcome my weaknesses and do better and be better.

Once again Nephi sums up my feelings:

"nevertheless, I know in who I have trusted.

My God hath been my support;

He hath filled me with his love,

He hath heard my cry

He hath given me knowledge

Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin.

O Lord, I will praise thee forever; year, my soul will rejoice in thee,my God and the rock of my salvation."

And finally:

"I glory in my Jesus for he hath redeemed my soul from hell."

One of my favorite traditions on Easter is to listen to this song: "He's Alive" by Dolly Parton.
She's singing as if she were Peter on the morning of Easter.

Happy Easter
He's Alive!

Good Friday

Today I went cross-country skiing at Sundance for the last time this season. (they're closing on Sunday) It was a beautiful sunny day and with 8 new inches of snow it wasn't icy or mushy as spring skiing often is. In honor of it being Good Friday I listened to my SOS (Songs of the Spirit) instrumental playlist. It was wonderful being in the beauty of nature and listening to hymns of the gospel. I love that when I listen to instrumental versions, the words of the hymn come more powerfully to my heart.








In the late afternoon, my dear husband and I headed for Logan to attend the wedding reception of one of our dear sister missionaries, Ann Mason. We were so warmly greeted by Sister Mason and her family; it was definitely worth the drive.

On the way home we stopped in Layton to visit the Hammer family. Again, we were warmly greeted and loved spending time holding our new little Myla Jae and visiting with Mary, Logan, Ayden and Sophie.

It truly was a Good Friday, because all of the above would not have been possible with the loving sacrifice of our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. They created the beautiful earth, the Plan of Redemption, the gospel and Church, all out of love for me. And all the rich relationships I share in are meaningful because of His plan.

It's all good.

Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday. If you want to know more about that you can read the talk I gave on Easter last year. Today is the day to commemorate the three things Jesus did for us on the Thursday before Easter:

~Washed the disciples feet
~Instituted the sacrament
~Suffered in Gethesemane for all our sins

It's all good