Camp trailer memories...

Do you remember Daddy's clock in the old camp trailer? It didn't have animated clockwork quite like this, but was just as lovely! What a darling and talented man!

"Ode to a Haggis"

http://content.scotland.org/burns-haggis-address/view.html?f=1421779656339396&g=m&m=75&n=Errol

Christmas Surprises!

I know it's hard to believe, but here I am well into my second half-century, and I'm bursting with excitement for Christmas!! In my efforts to personalize gift giving, I've made many of my gifts this year, and feel almost a little kid again myself! And what's added more to the fun, has been skyping with my sisters while we crafted! Oh how wonderful modern technology can be! It is almost as much fun as our Sister Teas when we get together to make things, though many miles apart.
All finished now and ready to be posted, I hope my lovies enjoy them as much as their Maka did making them! Happy Christmas!!

Cinderella and the Prince 

All the finished characters and a few little kiddies if they really do live happily after after! Can you name a few in this photo?

Monkey See - Monkey Do!

 Doesn't take long for Gracie to follow the leader! I noticed from the first day in Iowa, when ever I'd pick Gracie up, her little legs would just wrap around me, just like a little monkey! And from then on that's what I called her. Not only because of that, but she is full of beans and quick to follow whatever her big sisters do, especially Teagan. A few shots on their front porch when the weather finally cleared (it rained hard for the first 3 days of my visit!) Silly wee monkeys!

Four Wee Girls!

Steph texted me the other day after her ultrasound - I wondered if they'd have to purchase all new baby things in a different hue. Nope, another darling little girl. I guess Libby cried when she learned. She had told me earlier in the week she thought her dad needed to have another boy in the family, so he wouldn't be all alone. Poor dolly. I'm thrilled, I must say!! I love my grandbabies almost too much! Thank you Will and Steph!
Just returned from a lovely visit to Iowa watching the girls and spending time with Will while Steph was in DC. Will post more on that next time.

Postcards

I've been invited to join 3 other artists in a group to promote our work. I'm the only woman, ha! So I better come through! We're sending out an Autumn postcard to publishers, with an illustration from each of us. This is mine. Off it goes, and Lycka till!!

Wow!

Andrew just returned from training in CA.

Summer storms and clouds...

The other day we enjoyed a lovely summer storm. Thunder and lightning, and huge raindrops seemed to cover the earth! I usually like to sit out and enjoy it all on the front porch, but this time I was under the gun for an illustration, so enjoyed it from indoors through the open windows. It was over all too soon, and a beautiful sweet wind was drying up the puddles, when I noticed the most amazing clouds of black and white in the sky. I hurried out to catch them, but of course nothing is ever as beautiful as in real life. Such displays of power and beauty always make my heart sing.

Almost 56 years ago...

I always like to reflect on my birthday.
I've never been one for a big show, and when I am alone and pondering, I like to imagine that day, what might have been happening moments before, how excited my parents might have been even in the throws of labor... And what of my spirit?...anticipating mortality and all that awaited... beginning "My Turn on Earth"... I can imagine my hopeful spirit promising with all that I am, to be faithful in keeping my covenants, to love and serve and grow into the woman my Heavenly Father knows I can be... perhaps even a bit afraid... and then out I came, squalling and tiny and new and perfect, but for the long flat feet, and being kissed and held and loved by my sweet mum and dad and all my older siblings.... Now it is 56 years later and I again am pondering these things and on my life...

Assignments and Sketches

Another fun assignment from the Liahona! I've had less the past few months, and the only conclusion I can come to is that for some reason, that blessing is not needed any more. With my limited vision, it's difficult to understand, as it still feels VERY needed, but as I bring some of my ideas to final stages, I'm hoping to see some fruits very soon. Anyway, every now and then I get another little blessing and am grateful. I sent these roughs out to the art director today and will get busy finalizing the work. Oh how I love to create in this way!

Links

I'm not a writer, but I want to record things that matter to me, things that have changed me for the better and helped me to grow, and the many ways our Heavenly Father has blessed my life. I've not had success recording in journals, but am hoping that my pleasure at a keyboard and knowing, just maybe that these things will be read by others will motivate me to be a little better, try a little harder and record things that might be of value to my children and grandchildren.

I made this family tree chart for a sharing time in primary today, and had much more fun creating it than the children in the lesson could ever have. The reason I share this is that I have for a long time now felt the pull from my ancestors, and the gentle urging the Spirit has given me to search and find them, learn who they were, and do temple work for them, creating links through generations. Family Search, a site created by the Mormon Church is a wonderful resource available to anyone who wants to search for their own roots. I remember well my grandparents, but know very little about my great grandparents on the top row. Finding their photos and adding them on this little chart was a wonderful experience, and reminded me again how much I want to link my self to them.

Officers and Gentlemen

Andrew with fellow officer Anthony Garcia at the OCS graduation. I can't allow myself to worry about the future or what he will likely face as a 2nd Lt. in the USMC, but today my heart is overflowing with admiration and great love for this wonderful young man.

A Spring Surprise

In the midst of our 50's came a beautiful snowfall... just to tease us a bit.  I'll admit, I love snow, and though it will be nice to enjoy the warmth of the days ahead,  I'll miss winter. Every season has it's own beauty, and I love them all. 

Emma again...

Latest photo sent by Em. I couldn't help but note the joy in her face. "She glows" a friend said of her. Emma loves little kiddies. In fact, one of the first things she mentioned upon arrival is how differently the people treat their children, and how much she wants to just hold them in her arms. She will face many challenges there, and I'm certain will shed many different kinds of tears. This image of her face, just glowing with love and joy will remain with me always. She is in my heart and prayers.

Some Deep thoughts...

Actually, my thoughts are seldom very deep. I'm sorry to admit it, but there it is. 

I mean I have thoughts that border on the deep from time to time, but nothing incredibly substantial. 

Emma is in her final days at the MTC. In fact she leaves next week on the 21st. 

I have mixed feelings about this, as I will miss her terribly. 

While she's been just over there in Provo, I've not worried or stressed. I know she's been safe and being blessed beyond my greatest hopes, but now that she is almost leaving, I'm beginning to have different feelings. After all, Cape Verde is WAAAAAAAAAAAY over there! And though she will be completely in the Lord's hands, I still have an anxiousness in the pit of my stomach... wait, it's more in my throat... 

I remember well as a young missionary myself, walking dark streets with my companion... looking for an address at the end of an alleyway... knocking on every door because we never knew if THIS one was the answer to prayer... and thinking to myself, if my mother could see me right now, she would FREAK! 

When all is said and done, and I'm honest with myself, I know I've nothing to fear really, as she is truly in the Lord's hands, His servant for these next months. He loves His missionaries and will go before them and with them and on every side. I also know from experience, that when she does come back to us, she will return even more wonderful and beautiful than she already is, and I can give her to Him knowing that.

Farewell to blogging...

As my dear one wrote on her blog this past week - (she's always been a clever lass) - "I think we bloggers all hope that what we write will be meaningful to lots of people and we will get some big following and we will make money and people will care about us and our activities, like some soap opera they watch on TV.  But alas that takes real commitment and way too much bother.  So here's to all you mediocre bloggers like me who just do it for the fun of it when you darn well feel like it.  I know you are too busy to blog this time of year...me too.  

So enjoy the season and forget the blogging.  

No one reads it anyway."

*note - This photo is of my friend Jeanette Hedberg's juldekorationer.

What a find!

Thoughts on faces that have done a lot of smiling...

Yesterday I served in the temple laundry.
I never turn down such assignments when they are offered, and this is why - in the midst of mortal life, there are opportunities to glimpse heaven. It may be difficult to recognize them while shrouded in bodies of flesh and bone with passions and appetites so very mortal, but they are everywhere.  When I serve in the temple to clean or work in the laundry I am reminded in a very real way that this is my Heavenly Father's house. I'm blessed with a vision that not only illuminates my understanding and perspective of things eternal, but does the same for the very mortal things I am surrounded by each day.
My own house is a temple. As is my body.

I am wandering here, my thoughts tend toward that, but I wanted to write about the woman who served beside me. Her name was Thora. She came about 15 minutes into my shift and began to work quietly beside me. I noticed of course her lovely white hair, and her beautiful wedding bands, as my vision was limited somewhat being discreet without outright staring at her. As we began to chat and she looked directly at me I was struck by her beautiful face. Her eyes were a crystal blue but what struck me most was her beautiful smile. It never left her for a moment. It couldn't. It was there as a permanent place among her many wrinkles. In fact, it was what had created all those wrinkles. I realized as I sat beside her and spoke softly with her, that her smile was a reflection of who she was. A woman who no doubt had lived a long life, and somehow through the many experiences both happy and sad had chosen to wear a smile through it all. And now it was a part of her face in the most lovely way I have ever seen.

After a short time, she had to leave, off to another assignment in the Lord's house, and I will probably never meet her again, but I pondered over her for the remainder of my time and am still thinking of her even now. Am I too old at 55 to create such a face, with wrinkles of happiness? A face as lovely as Thora's or Sister Hinckley?  I have had my share of sorrow, as have each of us here in mortality, but I doubt there has been more saddness in my life than in others. I know not of Thora's sorrows, of her heartbreaks and tears, nor do I know of her happiness. What I do know however, is that she chose to smile through it all.
I do hope it is not too late for me to have such a face.
Let me try just one day at a time to smile more, to laugh and find happiness in all that is around me.

Three Little Girls

 Lel sends me photos now and again of the goings-on in Iowa, (indulge me, as these are taken from a tiny un-smart phone. Need to remedy that!) I am amazed each time to see how much the girls are growing and changing, especially little Gracie. And look how beautiful my Teag is!

I miss them so, and the opportunity to be with them each day. 

Gracie doesn't know me at all, and my heart aches to hold and kiss her precious little face...

ALL their faces!!

...even when they look like this!

x x x 

She is starting to drag herself around now, I hear...

With her daddy in this one...

Little smiles...

 

Lel says the girls play with Gracie like a rag doll... 

...and she bellows when she's had enough.

Yes, I see...

                                     

           Just look at my kindergartener!

Taken at Teag's preschool ice cream social...

"Dad, twy some of Weswie's vewy dewicious wemonade!"

Oh man! I could eat her up!

Showing her pretty skirt.... 

and making drawings for Maka.

...sigh...

"Dear Sister Black..."

"You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Cape Verde Praia Mission....You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, December 11, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Portuguese language."

Embarrassed to say, we had to google this one.
Just a bit over two months! Lots to do in very little time!