The Saga of the Slippers

I started crocheting slippers for Dan and Honey's family for Christmas.
It took a couple of trys and Dan's "pickles" are a little strange - but don't they look cute in them? (I made the pink shawl for Sunni when she was little and now Janey can wear it!) Behind them is the gorgeous view out our window in Coeur D'Alene. We were up there for meetings and Dan and the gang drove over from Missoula to spend Saturday with us. The weather was wet and rainy but we still had a blast! Can you say shriveled fingers? 3 hours in the pool and hot tub will do that to you!

Spring Break in EM

We had a blast over spring break. I got to spend two days with my Grandma who I hardly ever get to see and it was the funnest two days I have spent in a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng time. I learned all about 100 different things. We made raspberry tea out of the leaves she had dried last summer from her raspberry patch and she gave me some shoots for some flowers and I ate Hot Cross Buns for the first time in my life and tasted her canned meat (elk) that was the best dinner I have ever had and we just talked and talked. She told me all about her childhood and told my kids about their pet antelope "Bucky" that she had when she was a kid. She showed us her quilts that she has made over the years and I saw her apple orchard where I made many memories as a child. We rode Cisco and Scottie and Grandpa took Will and Keaton for a walk into "the forest". Which is what my "city slicker" 4 year old called the patch of pines behind their house. They were all laughing at him and his "forest". It was so much fun.

Then we had Easter at my parents house and my two uncles who won the wall-eye tournament last summer put on a fish fry for our whole extended family and I swear there were 100 people there, half of them kids.

We played some Major League Softball and it was a mean game. Thanks to the game and spotlighting the night before, Dan now has a couple new names. "Dead Eye Dan" and SuperGlue glove Gee".

the kids got to see 3 baby calves be born. quite the "education":)

Will and Keaton kept disappearing. Kyle and I would have to go looking for them. once they were exploring the "forest". the second time they were in my parents hay loft. they could climb up the ladder but they couldn't get back down, so they were just up there waiting for someone to come and help them down. they missed the egg hunt because of that one.

anyway, life is going by fast. looking forward to summer.

Start your engines!

Last Saturday night was our ward Pinewood Derby. It made for a couple of busy weeks for me since our activity committee was in charge. Combining that with March of tax season (even working no more than 40 hours per week) was a little crazy;-) But it was a big success and I had a good time too! The silver car in the top picture was made out of metal and weighed 6 1/2 pounds! (It was in our "Anything Goes" category.)

Mini high-school reunion

hey all- last weekend was full of memories and laughs...so much so that a group at the restaurant sitting next to us asked to be moved. My friend (since kindergarten) Amee Walker was in Boise and so we got together with Ali Dougal Haskell (Carson- I think you know her husband Chris?) and Kris(sy) Powell Jensen that live in town and took a trip down memory lane that included playing wonderwoman on our swingset, slumber parties, toilet-papering cute boys' houses, Saturday night dances and catching up on each other's lives since we got out of high school WAY back in 92 (can't believe I'm that old).

I know my Redeemer Lives

This is my all time favorite Hymn. Every time I hear this song I am touch by the Holy Ghost. I couldn't be more grateful for our redeemer and his sacrifice for me. I feel his love when I hear this song. I am so grateful to  have his love and guidance in my life. There are times when I have felt alone or forgotten and then I realize it was me that forgot to pray or lean on him. When I have reached out for his hand in my life he has always blessed me. It hasn't always been the way I would choose but it has been the right way. And in this I know that my redeemer lives and loves and blesses my life and the lives of my family.
I needed this post today and I am going to be a little personal. So for me to vent and as a testimony of what I believe.  I feel like I should share. We have had a very hard year with so many ups and downs I am sometimes sick(not literally, I am fine!).  Through this whole process of applying for fellowship and feeling over and over the comforter letting us know we are doing what we are suppose to.  Giving us the confidence to move forward. We actually felt strongly that Chris would get into a great program. With much frustration from some of the Attendings at Wake Forest things weren't working out. Still leaning on the faith that we would be taken care of we kept pursuing a strong fellowship. With great work and faith great things came to be. I know it is not by works alone that we are going to be able to experience this time at UCLA. We are working hard in making this move but seem to be a little overwhelming at the moment. I know that we will be watched over. I feel his love and hand in our life. There have been days that I have woken up and felt inspired to clean my house and then get a phone call that someone wants to see our home that morning.  There is no doubt in my mind that my Savior is watching out for me and my family. Our housing at UCLA isn't working out but it will wether we get to move into the housing UCLA offers or somewhere else it will be where we are suppose to be. I love my savior and know that he lives. That he cares about each one of us. It is so calming to know that I have a redeemer who lives and is there for me. Love ya all, thanks for letting me be personal.

The Power of Music - a challenge!

A while back we had a sacrament meeting where people were asked to come up and talk briefly about their favorite hymn and then the congregation sang one verse of the hymn. It was one of the most powerful meetings I have attended.
They asked the ward leaders to come prepared in case there were few volunteers, so Gavin put together a list. There were plenty of volunteers (we could have gone for an hour at least!) so Gavin didn't go up but I thought I would share his list with you.

• Because I Have Been Given Much
• Do What Is Right
• Count Your Blessings
• Come Follow Mee
• How Gentle God's Commands
• Joy to the World (You knew there would be a Christmas song!)
• I heard the Bells on Christmas Day (or two!)
• I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go
• Families Can Be Together For Ever

There are some of my favorites on this list.

Now, the challenge. Post a hymn/hymns (or other piece of music) that has had power in your life and, if you are comfortable, share why.

I would love to know what some of your favorites are.

Libby

Life Lately

Cinnamon and Sugar, Brookie's rabbits.

The Kids Putting on an incredible play!

Hiking the M-Trail

Eating Otter Pops on the M. M is for University of Montana

Riding the chair at Discovery. This chair is the learners chairs and goes at a very slow pace.

Getting ready to hit the slopes at Discovery. What a striking resemblance to the US Ski Team.