Because of Him

I have been thinking a lot lately about myself, my life and who I am becoming. I have come to understand that all of the GOOD that I am is because of my Savior, Jesus Christ. The not-so-good is a work in progress and can become good if I allow His atoning sacrifice to work in my life. I get so busy with the daily grind that I often don't stop to think about what I need to be doing to improve on the less than good parts of me. I am trying to recognize the areas that need improving so that I can be an affective instrument in the Lord's hands...I want to do His work. And I believe that deep down, we all do:)

Dreaming...

I am dreaming of traveling...so what's new? I have a few places on the calendar...they aren't all far-away, dreamy places...but they are going to be awesome! Next week I head to Kentucky for some girlfriend time...lots of talking...my favorite thing to do with Jennie:) A few days after my return from the state that invented the "tooth brush"...because if it had been invented anywhere else, it would have been the "teeth brush"...:) (one of my favorite jokes), the family (minus William), heads to the Big Apple! It has been several years since we took the kids, so we are overdue:) We already have tickets to a Knicks game and we are planning on seeing a few Broadway shows...Grant wants to eat at the original Grimaldi's pizza place near the Brooklyn Bridge and we want to see the progress on the Ground Zero Memorial...we will not have trouble finding things to keep ourselves entertained...we LOVE an adventure. Unfortunately William has spring break the week before us so isn't able to travel with us. He has planned a "guys" road trip to LA and Disneyland during his spring break...it will be a great opportunity for him to have some "guy" fun before he settles down into married life...marriage is when the adventure for him really begins!
Our/My adventures further down the line...
Utah*William and NaKya's wedding...May
Disney Fantasy...June
Utah*Moving Christine to SUU...late June
Utah*Garrett to Theatre Camp...late July
Florida Keys...September
I think I am a little "heavy" on the Utah thing and a little "light" on the beach thing...maybe Grant and I will have to make a trip to California after we drop Garrett off at BYU Theatre Camp:) How grateful am I that I am able to go, go, go...a charmed life indeed.

Projects

Ok, so I just finished a project that made me smile! Most of the time things that I make tend to fall short of what I had envisioned. This time I was completely satisfied. I love to shop for furniture that needs a make-over. A few days ago I saw something on Pinterest that I thought I could tackle...making a bench out of a coffee table. I had seen an atrocious table at the local thrift store that I thought would work perfectly. I really should have taken a "before" picture, but then why would I do that,when rarely do projects turn out well enough to tell anyone about:) So, an "after" shot will have to do. We are always looking for chairs when people come over...this will help some. Also, we aren't small people, so the sturdy table(now bench) is perfect for our family.

Also, a few weeks ago, I refinished a table(something I picked up from the same thrift store in town)...made a simple runner and voila! Nothing fancy...just trying to keep myself busy and out of trouble---or the Looney Bin:)

Comfy-Cozy

I couldn't resist posting these. Grant loves to wrap up in his BYU blanket and William loved our new comfotable sofa bed (truly, if you pay enough, sleeping on a hide-a-bed can be enjoyable)except for the part when Smudge would wake him up every morning:)

Donuts

I couldn't resist taking a picture of these donuts the last time I was in the Cougareat at BYU. "Y" shaped donuts??? And CoCo Puffs on a donut? Only at BYU:)

Another Temple I Love:)

The Manti Temple...Manti, Utah

A couple of our talented kids

I am so late in posting these things...story of my life:)
Garrett was cast as Father Christmas in Allen HS's Chronicles of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. He did a great job!
Christine and Father Christmas:)

A couple of proud parents...

Garrett with his good friend Jake Metz

And then William was one of the cast members in Snow College's production of The Forgotten Carols. He played several parts and sang one of my favorite songs "Homeless". I was fortunate to fly up for one of his performances. I'd wished the entire family could have been there. It was wonderful!
Here he is as the father, a soldier, of the main character. (The Finale)