The greatest thing that we can do as

a human race is to see each other the way God sees us: beautiful.

No matter if people have a disease, a handicap, or a burned face, their eyes

say something and most of the time they are saying:

"Look at me, not my trial."

I am such a plagiarizer...This isn't the first time I have COPIED something profound from another blog.  I do not believe in "re-inventing the wheel."  If someone is able to articulate something better than I, which happens every day of my life, then I steal it.  I have been trying so hard lately to focus on the INSIDES of people, rather than what is visible.  I firmly believe that we all just want to be "seen" and "understood" and "loved" and not judged.  We all have challenges.  No one escapes this truth of a mortal life, however; some challenges are obvious and others are hidden.  My heart aches for those whose difficulties are apparent to all who look at them...I just pray that we can all be a little better at "seeing" others, rather than just "looking" at them:)

As part of our Stake's Trek this year, the leaders have asked the youth to prepare a name to take to the temple...the youth will go to the temple a couple days following Trek to perform the baptisms and confirmations.  Because Bill is YM's president, he had his boys over last night for a family history activity.  It was amazing!  There was the sweetest spirit in our home.  It was quite a sight to see so many laptops open to familysearch.  And the best part??? Many of the boys found family names!

 Here is Grant working with Susan Swanson, one of our ward's family history consultants.  She had him clicking and dragging and finding family members who need temple work done.

 In the end, Grant was able to get Hartzell and Hazel McClintic "temple ready".  He will do Hartzell's baptism and he will find a friend, who is a girl, to do Hazel's.  They are siblings and are Grant's great-great uncle and aunt.  Totally cool stuff!!!

 A perk of my trip to Cedar City, was seeing this precious baby! She gets cuter every day!

 Christine is the president of the "Addie Fan Club":)  Addie adores her Aunt Christine.

 Holy cow! Melts my heart.

 Out of focus, but captures fun! Addie loves to play!

 This is a "mutual admiration society" right here. They adore each other.

 Mom's plate of Mexican food?...don't mind if I do! For a 9 month old, Addie has great fine motor skills.  She can pick up a piece of rice.  Adorable.

 Love my daddy!

 The look of determination.  Addie loves to pull Mommy's hair...Mommy isn't too fond of it, but was a good sport to let me take a picture.

All bathed and ready for bed! Babies fresh out of the bath...nothing better:)

 Christine was honored to sing in the BFA(Bachelor of Fine Arts) Showcase at Southern Utah University.  There were a couple of group numbers and then some solos.  Christine was chosen to sing a solo! And she nailed it!!! Because she was invited to sing a solo less than a week before the performance, I didn't think I could make it...it is a flight and a 3 hour car ride to Cedar City, after all:)  However, I decided I HAD to be there.  It was well worth the time and expense.  She was amazing!

 This is the talented group who performed along with 2 of their professors.

 Brad was Christine's musical theater professor.  She adores him.  He taught her so much and recognized her talents and abilities.

Papa drove up from St. George and William was there also.  We were so happy to support Christine.

Every year the Allen Stake joins with other stakes in the area for a Priest/Laurel Prom...aka "Mormon Prom". These dances give the kids an opportunity to enjoy wholesome music at a formal dance, unlike the school prom.  Grant asked the darling, Macy Christensen to be his date. Cute couple:)

 Grant's dress socks have become a bit of a fashion statement...he cracks us up.  Baby blue with polka dots...perfect.

                                                                

 Here's Grant with Macy and his best friend Kyle Steele and Kyle's date, Meleny.  Some good looking kids right here:)...and modest too.  Love it!

 I love this boy...just a little bit!!!

 Best Friends

"The group"...they had a blast!

We've done some coming and going over the past few weeks.  I'll try to highlight a few of the things we've done:)

The night before Grant left for Spring break, we all went to iFly...it's an indoor sky diving place. I must admit, it was a blast! Everyone was cool with doing it except me...but I took several deep breaths, and it was so much fun! This was celebration for Grant's 16th birthday, which actually happened on his trip and without his parents:(

 Grant went on a cruise with his best friend's family.  Initially, Bill and I said "no way!" We kind of like to go on trips with our kids, especially big things like this.  After much contemplating, we relented.  We love the Steele family, and knew they would take great care of him.

 Here they are jumping for joy as they entered the gang way to the Oasis of the Seas.

 Sadly, Grant turned 16 without us:( The Steeles continued our family tradition of decorating with wrapping paper.  Grant doesn't seemed thrilled.

 Celebrating at dinner...Grant's not a huge fan of the dining room menu on most cruises.  I am sure he was itching to get out of the dining room and find some pizza! (Kyle's mom, Petrina, is Grant's 2nd mom...he loves her!) Thanks Steele Family for being such a great influence on our sweet son!,

 While Grant was gone, I flew back to Las Vegas with Christine, who had been here for her Spring break.  We then made the 3 hour drive north to Cedar City to visit William, NaKya and Addie!

 Here is our precious little Miss Sunshine! She is a blast!

 She is a people person. I sat on the floor mostly and she crawled over and around me. She loves attention. I could not get enough of her.

 Precious, precious baby.  Of course I am biased, but she really is a beautiful baby...beautiful skin, eyes, smile, disposition...the whole package.  She's a perfect blend of her mom and dad:)

 Sadly, I had to return home...this is an unsafe picture I took while driving...dumb, I know. I was driving through my favorite stretch of road, the Virgin River Pass, between St. George and Las Vegas. I was bummed because they are doing construction and the road narrowed to one lane...and I had to drive slow...such a bummer.

 When I arrived home, this visitor was waiting for me! Actually she had arrived a couple hours ahead of me and was sound asleep when I rolled in.  Jennie stayed for 4 days and we shopped and lunched and dinnered and pampered ourselves and saw a movie and talked...it was some great girlfriend time.

 This past weekend I spent in Seattle with these two little love birds. Tyler and Mallory (Tryon).  It was a wonderful weekend.  I was happy to be there...it's fun to travel for these special occasions.  We have known the Tryon's since moving to Texas, almost 16 years ago.

 The happily married couple (30 minutes)

 Another happily married couple (26 years)

 A most beautiful place!

 I ventured to the water in Seattle and to this wonderful place to eat.  I ate the most incredible clam chowder and a grilled salmon BLT! So very good!

Proof that I was actually in Seattle.  I think this qualifies as a "selfie".

I am missing this young man! (and so is Bill) He is the center of our lives these days...being the only child at home:)  Certainly he is enjoying being out from under our ever watchful eyes.  He is on a cruise with his best friend, Kyle Steele and his family.  I've had a couple of dreams about him...most likely, he hasn't thought twice about home...I hope he's enjoying every minute! We did receive these two short messages from  Petrina...Grant's mom for the week. She is wonderful! He'll be home tomorrow night! Yay!

Hey Becky!

We are Cozumel and everything is going FANTASTIC!

Love to all!

Petrina

 

Becky,

we are at the grocery store in cozumel! Saw your facebook post and agree we should do a cruise together for sure!,

Everyone happy and healthy!

Love ya!

Petrina