Thoughts of family

I have been thinking the last few days (since turning 57!) what in this life makes me the happiest. No doubt about it....my family and the time I get to spend with them.

Time goes by so fast....it seems like just yesterday when I realized my Grandmother Warner was 57. Now, not only have my parents passed that milestone but Cliff and I have!

As we enter these last years of our life (though I am hoping for 20 [or 30] more good years), I pray our children and grandchildren are happy and live good lives. I pray this world will be a good place to live, that they always remember us with love, and remember the things that are most important to us.

Sometimes it is so hard to think that the vast majority of our life is over. Cliff and I have loved each other twice as long as we haven't! lol It has been a great life and I hope my children experience the same joy, love, and happiness that we have.

I appreciate my parents for their great example of love and righteous living and I'm grateful for the love I feel for my brothers and their families. I love them all.

My goal is to be ready to meet my God when it is time...but, that my time is not yet. :)




Dann, Jayci, Chris, Katie

Josh and Katie

Chris, Karen, Blake, Logan, Abby, and Jaxon

James, Temaire, Parker, Kylee
Kearney, and Ireland

Look what Cliff and I started!!

Last of the Summer Days

This is the last week the Erb family will be here!! I try hard not to think about it. Can't believe they won't be here for another year. It is too awful to contemplate. I sure wish they could be closer, but they can't so we have to make the best of it.

The kids just grow so fast and we miss seeing the changes in their lives. But, we do feel so blessed to live in an age with such remarkable technology that we are on top of their comings and goings. I feel God's hand in it all.

Just showing a few pictures of our finished back yard. It was fun having the kids here to watch the process with us. Hate that summer is almost over! :( Too much left to do. ;)

Sharing 8 Random Things about Me

OK...Katie! :) Here is my list from you 'tagging' me:

1. I have a huge thing about railroad tracks. I think I was in a car with the driver trying to outrun a train across the tracks and when I was 16 I was the driver that almost ran into a train. Awful!!! Warped me for life!!

2. I am SOOOOO tired of trying to find the right hair color. Don't like my natural color but have a hard time getting the right 'paid for' color!

3. I used to be able to sing....can't anymore. :(

4. As I have gotten older I have gained the ability of not taking offense (a LOT of training from Cliff has helped me!) Sure wish I could have learned this 37 years ago!

5. For 30 years I prayed that I would love the ones my children loved. The Lord blessed me with the greatest love for these four. Just like they were my own. I am very grateful!

6. I like Pink & Purple now! NEVER, NEVER, NEVER could stand them before!

7. I read 6-8 newspapers (on-line) every day.

8. Can't eat beef. Makes 'that thing' happen. Thanks, Grandma! ;)

Well, Katie, that wasn't as painful as I thought...kinda fun, in fact! We all ought to do a bit of introspection about ourselves occasionally! :)

A Hard Working Man

I know everyone things that they are married to the perfect man...but, I REALLY am! ;) Cliff is the hardest working man I know. He does everything he can to make our life wonderful. He has been working for 3 months trying to get our backyard ready for summer and some fun family times. No wonder I have loved him for almost 38 years!! Here are some pictures of his latest (and almost finished!) project.

With GREAT thanks to all of those who have been able to spend some of their time helping us! :)

A Time of Sorrow

Today I was outside helping Cliff lay the counter tops in our new outdoor kitchen. He was sawing away, so I got online to read my emails. My friend (Doyle) emailed me that his ex-wife passed away yesterday.

I am in such a state of shock. I haven't seen Jan in a long time, but not only was she my friend, but her children have been my children's best friends. Such a sad thing. It has made me really think again of the fragility of life, and to appreciate it while we can.

I have been studying my lesson for Relief Society in August. It is titled, "Words of Hope and Consolation at the Time of Death", a message that is one of great comfort to me.

I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope of the Resurrection and of Eternal Life. I don't know how people function without it. I hope to someday be with my family and see those that I love who have passed on before me. It is a strange feeling to be at the age to have so many of my peers gone on already. I miss them all.

My goal is to appreciate this life on earth and those that have an influence on me and mine, and most especially to acknowledge God's watchful care over us.

If you are reading this, you are one of the people I love and I thank you for all you mean to me. May God fill our lives with love, joy, and peace.

Fulfilling Life

Just some thoughts I have as I sit here after a busy day.

I have had seven of my ten grandchildren here the last couple of days. I so enjoy that. I love seeing Cliff with them and how much they love him (and he them.) I also love seeing them play with each other.

There is nothing greater for me than to see my children (the eight of them) love each other and want to be together and to see these grandchildren be with each other. There can be no better life.

I am grateful for my parents to still be here with us. I appreciate them so much and all they have done for me. It is a wonderful thing to see how much they still love each other after all these years, and how tender and solicitous they are of each other.

I love my brothers and their families. They have enriched my life immensely and I so enjoy being with them and their children.

Most importantly I love my husband. He is such a kind, loving, and genuinely good man. I have been lucky for 37 years to have him in my life and to have his love.

Just some tender thoughts this evening as I watch them.

I am missing Dann, James, Katie, Blake, and Logan. I am so excited for our Warner Family Reunion so I can get pictures of ALL of my kids and grands. It is so hard to get us all together at the same time! :)

Game from Katie's Blog

As a comment on this post, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

So let's see what happens here!

New Blogger

Happy July!! I'll see how long I can stand this background!

We spent July 4th in Lima, Peru. It was the second time in my life I was out of the country for Independence Day...the first time was in Paris in 1996. Really missed being home for this special day.

I am grateful and proud to be an American, and though I appreciate other lands and culture. there really is no place like home. This is a great country.

We are busy trying to get our outdoor kitchen finished. Boy, it has been a lot more work and time than we bargained for...;) But, it is going to be worth it when it is finished.

I appreciate all Cliff's work on it. He has lost 25 lbs. the last month or so. If you need something to do, you can come give him a hand anytime! lol