MANY.....many

GOOD THINGS!

People have joked with me about how I have been gone so much of late! (but I think it is true! shhhhhhh)

It started in February and has gone on the rest of this year! Don't get me wrong I have LOVED it but now I must stay put and work so that I can build up my vacation and "go again"! I have come to realize that even though my 8 children have grown.....we have added spouses and grandchildren so the "busy-ness" changes but it is still BUSY!

If I did not have to work my greatest desire would be to go from family to family and enjoy events ..... but for now I will have to be content to save my vacation and do as much as I can. This year has seemed to be filled with events and I have enjoyed being a part of them!

There was a trip to Ohio in February where we celebrated Cameron's birthday and made fun decorations for Amanda's YW event and the anticipation of Owen's 1st birthday. I spent 6 days at Melissa's in March to help out with her family and Savannah's arrival to their family.

It was back to Ohio in April to celebrate Owen's first birthday. In May we went to Melissa's and celebrated her graduation from Nursing school and the blessing of Savannah. Then later in May I went to California to celebrate Clara's baptism. June allowed me time with Braden in Aurora while his parents and Meghan went to Nauvoo for the Youth Conference Trek. (I think I stayed put in July but not for sure! :) August was the delight of everyone together with James and Tam hosting the family event. 27 of us under one roof and Tam doing all the cooking was quite an undertaking for them to do and how I appreciate the opportunity for us to CELEBRATE our FAMILY! ........... Two weeks later????.........

We traveled to Ohio and was able to attend Ben's MBA graduation. It was a fun weekend and what a good reason to be together. Ben had to sacrifice much to obtain this latest accomplishment but I have no doubt that sacrifice will bless him and his entire family! We were able to sneak off Saturday AM and go apple picking. It was so much fun and the most fun was to watch Owen totally enjoy the event!

There is not a day go by that I do not count my blessings......and at the top of the list is my family! We just received the pictures that were taken at our family reunion and as I look at this picture I am in awe at how blessed I am to be the mother of these children!

To which these children added their spouses......and that has......

given me the most wonderful grandchildren!

I hope to be able to take an extended weekend later in October (you guessed it, have to save up some vacation time! :) to go visit my mother and sisters in Galesburg, IL

Today is the end of August. Last June Tam sent us a reading program and asked us if we would like to be a part of it. I committed but was unsure how it would work into my schedule.......

I am excited to say that I just completed reading the Book of Mormon during the summer. I have been richly blessed for participating in it. THANK YOU TAM for encouraging our family to do those things that are of the greatest worth! Is that not what family is all about.... to be there for, to encourage, to uplift and to support?