Service with a smile .....

As I sat and watched over the children in the primary room, I couldn't help but smile. Even though I was exhausted to the point of delirium, I knew that there was some way I would get through the next 5 hours of this day just fine. How did I know that? Because I knew Heavenly Father was going to help me through. Why would he help me? Because I asked.
That ladies and gentlemen was what I began to write last Wednesday night after being up for almost 22 hours and needing to go back to bed so I could be up in 5. I opted for bed because I figured I would get back to it later. The sad thing is, later came four days later. But at least it came.
The scene I was looking was our Stake Family Humanitarian Day and it was amazing. Our ward was tasked with being in charge of the 7-12 year old projects. We had several projects that we did, loom hats, bead animals, activity bags, but it was the cloth balls that all of the kids loved. It was so amazing to listen to these children talk about what they were doing, where they thought there item might go, and how excited the little boy or girl would be that would receive that item. Many of these children wanted to walk through the entire process of making these balls, from sewing, to stuffing, and stitching up the final hole. Then to have the joy of placing it on the completed item table.
I must have taught 20 children to sew, with a needle and thread that day (including my own son.) They were so patient to wait their turn for a needle to be available and then to be able to be taught. Just so that they could say that they completed one of these balls themselves, and that it was going to some boy or girl who didn't have one. As tired as I was that day I couldn't help but walk away feeling so edified by each and everyone of those children who now have a beautiful testimony of service. What a beautiful thing it is to be able to provide service to others. I am so blessed by it every day of my life and so thankful I have this amazing calling where I can support others to know and experience the same feelings as well.

Friends....

I have been so thrilled that over the past several days because I have been able to connect with some long, lost friends. I am amazed that you can always tell a real friend when you can pick up right where you left off. I had a conversation with a friend today that I haven't seen or talked with in about six years. We didn't miss a beat. The converstion seemed to pick up right where it left off. So today on what some many post as" Thankful Thursday" I am so thankful for all of the friends in my life both new friends and old friends. I am thankful to have the opportunity to have such true friends in my life. They are such a wonderful and precious blessing.

"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave

and impossible to forget."
~G. Randolf

"Another year of collecting memories"

Today my sweet boys decided we would spend the last day of my 37th year spending a wonderful day together. After church we headed up Big Cottonwood to go have dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, " The Silver Fork Lodge."

The drive to the lodge is amazing, the views are breathtaking, and the food is incredible.

This year has been full of many trials and tears. I have grown so much both spiritually and emotionally. I am so thankful for the lessons I have learned and the support I have received. I have become such a stronger person.

I could not have asked for a more perfect day.

Thank you boys!!!

My Boys, My World

~My Everythings~

Me and my sweet Guido

"My Cake"~Portabella Mushroom stuffed with shrimp and crab~

View from the patio

This is our view to the east from the Lodge's front porch

The colors in the canyon are so beautiful, this is my favorite time of year.

Storm Mountain

One of the most beautiful spots in the canyon

Tears of joy are the best of all...

Yesterday afternoon I ran down to town to pick up a prescription. I left Mason and Malcolm drawing quietly in the backyard. I told them no one else was allowed in the house until I came home. As I turned the corner into the cul-de-sac , guess what I found? All the above crew sitting on the curb waiting for my return home. When I pulled up they all began clapping, whistling, and cheering saying "Welcome home Mom, and one quiet welcome home Sister Jamo." I laughed as tears ran down my face. They all had come over to put the noise I so missed back in our home. Although, after about the eightieth door slam I banished them all to the backyard with cookies and a case of water. I am sure I will be enjoying it all again tomorrow.

"A good friend of my son's is a son to me."

L-R Jared, Zack, Calvin, Malcolm, Spencer, Ian,Harrison, and Mason

and boy do I have an extra few!!!

L-R Calvin,Harrison, Zack, Mason, Malcolm, Jake, and Adam

These are all of Mason's buddies. He has known each and everyone of these boys since he was 5 years old.

I was talking with one of my friends (who happens to be one of Mason's friends Mom) this afternoon about registering Mason at his new(old) school.

I was walking out of the school after I had paid Mason's school fees when I heard a yell, "Where is Mason" I turned to see one of Mason's buddies running at me down the hall. I told him Mason was on his way to 2nd period but I was sure he would find him somewhere. This sweet boy ran yelling down the hall "Mason's back Mason's back." It made me smile.

I started walking again when I ran into another friend. He asked if Mason was back in school. I told him yes and he said " I am so happy he is back, I missed him alot."

One more turn and I ran into my friends son. He said" Hey Sister Jamo, (He always calls me that) is Mason back in school now." I told him yes and he asked if he could help us move on Friday. I told him of coarse he could we would be happy to have his help.

I was beginning to wonder if I was going to run into all of his friends, but only just one more. The last one I saw as I was walking out the door. He said "Mason's back. I am so excited things were just weird without him, it was always like something was missing." I told him he was inside the school somewhere.

After this experience I got in my car and cried. I realized Mason's group of friends was very important to him and he was just as important to them. I personally grieved over the thought of him not being with them at school, and after school, and on the weekends, and at church, and every other possible time they can be together. But the grieving is now over. As I told this story to my friend tears began to well up in her eyes and of coarse I joined in.

I have watched these boys grow up together with my own son. I think they each are such a precious part of our lives. I am so thankful that Mason is going to be able to be with his "Brothers" once again.Our house has been just way to quiet.

"I don't remember how they happened to meet each other. I don't remember who got along with whom first. All I can remember is all of them together...always"

Author-Unknown

To Serve....

My reality is flexible.What seems foreign and odd one day, becomes normal the next.The unthinkable of yesterday becomes today's way of life.No longer is anything shocking. No longer is anything appalling. No longer is anything gut wrenching.
Such is the meaning of service.
The protester on the streets speaks of degradation and oppression. He speaks of how he loves his nation and abhors what it has become. All the while, he is setting ablaze the flag he claims to love.
It is he whom I serve.
The politician works to make an impact on society. Whether driven by ambition or idealism, his power and influence grow. He may have never seen hardship. He may have never seen true oppression. Nevertheless, he makes decisions that affect the entire nation.
It is he whom I serve.
The single mother struggles and strives to provide a future for her children. Putting all personal wants aside, she only cares for the future of her young.She only cares that despite her financial position, her children will grow up to know happiness, security and love.

It is she whom I serve.
My family gives me purpose and the strength to push forward. I pray my children will never need to see war with their own eyes. I pray they never need to become calloused to death and violence. I pray their home is always safe. I pray that wolves are always kept at a distance. I pray they grow to enjoy the same freedoms I have.
It is they whom I serve.
God above gave me life that I may do His will. It is He who ordained me a soldier and prepared me for battle. It is He who gives me countless blessings, even when I am unworthy. It is He who gives me purpose and direction.
It is He whom I serve.
How is service rewarded? How should service be rewarded? Gratitude should come without reward, lest the motive for service become impure.The servant only wishes that the flag of a grateful nation be draped over his remains when he passes. there is no greater honor for a fallen servant.
It is for this I serve.

Sgt Vincent King - Iraq 2006

As we spend this day enjoying family and friends. Sharing memories of parades and barbeque's and fireworks may we all keep in our hearts those fearless men and women who have given so much so that we could have our freedoms. Because of their service we enjoy this great nation that we have the privilege to call our home.

Happy Independence Day!!!

Home Sweet Home- AGAIN ...

After only spending 8 months in our new home the people we were in contract with decided that they no longer wanted to sell and they are moving back to Utah. So that basically means we are on the move again.
It has been quite the struggle with the house search. We would find a house begin to work a deal and something would happen that made it not work out. But then in a matter of a day we had a place just fall into our laps. Obviously this is the home we are supposed to be in.
Sometimes I feel like I cannot thank Heavenly Father enough for the blessings he sends our direction. It is a beautiful home, a wonderful neighborhood, and a great price.
Watch out Cedar Hills here we come!!!

My sweet boys...

Mother's Day brought such a glorious spring day.

I looked up on the mountain and the beauty of it took my breath away.

I was greeted by a beautiful bouquet of roses from my sweet son. After church we drove to

Mt. Pleasant to spend the day with Nana. We brought dinner so that she wouldn't spend the day waiting on us. Eric and Mason planted the climbing rose bushes we bought her for Mother's day. We looked all over Utah County for these particular bushes. She wanted a dark, pink, climbing rose to be planted along her front fence. I was so glad we were able to find them. I think it made it extra special to have the boys plant them. I told Mason how great it would be when he could tell his children that he planted those bushes for Nana so many years before. Those kind of memories are the greatest gift I could ever receive.

"Nothing is so beautiful as a mother with her children gathered around her."

For my mother and my grandmother their children mean the world to them. They have taught me how important family is and that is what has made us such a strong family. No matter what we do in our lives, our disagreements, our sorrows, and our happy times we continue to remain strong. We know how important it is to be a part of one anothers lives, to love one another, and to support one another. We do this out of love for these two wonderful women who have been so strong and supportive to all of us. As our family continues to grow larger we instill that value in our children as well.
I am so appreciative to all of the wonderful mothers that I have in my life. Both cherished and loved friends and family, they all mean so much to me. Wether they know it or not each of these women have shared with me special experiences that have made me the mother that I am today.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

To all of the incredible women in my life.

I love and cherish each of you.

Always and forever with all of my heart ...

"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you"-Elizabeth Barrett Browning
To my two favorite men. I will love you both always and forever.

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Photo Meme

Someone tagged me with a photo meme months ago and I am finally getting around to doing it.

" The rules are you go to your picture file. Pick your fifth folder and the fifth picture in the folder.

Then tag five others to do the same. "

So here goes and I am tagging anyone interested in playing along.

This is not the most interesting of pictures but "Oh to be there right now"

This is in Maui on the back of a scuba boat. The fish all gather around to eat the grease and scraps that come off of the grill. So they are all just gathered and hanging around the back of the boat during the barbecue part of the sail.

It is an amazing trip out to Molikini for some snorkeling and scuba diving, then they serve lunch and take you through Turtle City to see all of the Sea turtles.

If your ever in the neighborhood of Maui I highly recommend it. The blue of that water is amazing

Spring Fever

Yeah, for seeing his shadow!!! Today the groundhog saw his shadow so there is six more weeks of spring. According to my countdown clock it is actually 45 days. But, I really don't need the clock or the giant vermin to tell me spring is on it's way. It is on its way! The days are getting longer and the snow is melting.

I get spring fever so bad. I love the longer days, and working in the garden, and warmer days, and the flowers blooming, and everything becoming green. I love it! I love it! I love it! and best of all no one yelling at me for wearing my flip-flops.

Memories are made of this...

For flashback Friday I thought I would cheat a little and flash back over all of the fun things we have done over the last week. I added pictures but only could do them in single posts, but they are all below.

Christmas Day was nice and also very quiet. Instead of a house full of people, we got snowed in.
Mike and Brittney were able to make it for dinner, but everyone else couldn't get down from Ogden. We had a nice dinner and a great visit with Michael, Brittney and the kids. Saturday Tina and Chris' families were able to make it down so we could finish the celebration.

Lorin was so funny. She adores Charlie Brown and the gang. My Mom found her these ornaments or so she thought they were ornaments. When Lorin opened them up we discovered that they were necklaces with a Peanuts character and a bell on the end of them. Lorin was walking around with all four of them on and apparentley hasn't taken them off to this day. There is a picture below with her wearing them.

With all of the snow we have gotten it has been great fun. Eric, Mason and I built "Harold" the snow dragon, no snowmen for this house. We like to do it up big. The kids have had a blast sledding in the backyard although I have had to cut them off because it was getting to be to icy and dangerous. Mason and Eric have both taken Daisy sledding. Mason even taught her how to drag the sled up the hill for him. It is so funny to see. She loves the snow and loves to sled although her belly gets so red and cold and we can't find a sweater big enough for her. Maybe I will check Ebay.

Christmas time isn't complete without a trip to Temple Square. We had a wonderful time. It doesn't seem to matter how cold it is, it always seems to be warm enough on the temple grounds. The spirit is always so strong and it is so beautiful. Something I always find amazing is all of the different languages you hear and always enjoy trying to figure out where they might be from. I was shocked when Mason commented on it. I guess like mother like son.

Rounding up the week is New Years Eve. We enjoyed the company of Aneliese, Kenya, Kaiya, and Malcolm. We had the usual feast of Chinese food and then enjoyed reminiscing and playing games until midnight. As the New Year rang in we tried to light fireworks (None of the lit, that is the last time I buy the economy pack from Macey's) Luckily, several neighbors had the real thing so we were able to enjoy them.

So things didn't work out exactly as planned, nor was everything just perfect. But you know, none of that matters. What matters is the memories that have been made for all of these wonderful children. Toys will break and things will be outgrown, but the memories created will last a lifetime.