Family Time

My Sweet Mother in Law requested a new family picture from us. She said she didn't want any Christmas or Birthday presents, but she did want a "formal" family picture. We are the type of people who love pictures, and have good intentions of being the cool people with the great pictures,  however the reality is, we are really bad at keeping current with pictures of any kind especially family pictures. So thanks to Mom Wardell we are current once again!! Our friend Robyn came over and snapped a few pics for us after church. We are a tough crowd as our boys LOVE smiling for the camera!! She did an awesome job and actually got a few grins. This first one is our formal pic for Mom/Grandma....the one below?? This is how we really are!!! Nothing says normal like a bunch of crazy boys. Size doesn't matter, they are still crazy!!!

 

Jordan loves family togetherness can you tell? He is our only boy who is like his Mom and thinks that togetherness is better from a distance!!!  Quick update on our family:

David is still at UPS...27 years and counting. He has started looking towards retirement time...(so weird to think that is in our not so distant future!)  He probably won't retire for a while yet, but will have the option to in about 3 more years! He loves his job and is so good at it. Currently he is serving as the Ward Building PFR. He is so good at everything and especially keeping these boys full of projects and fun. Vicki is still wearing many hats. Being Mom, floral designer/bridal consultant and student keep me hopping. I have a couple of more classes to finish and I will finally have my associates degree finished. I was just released as 2nd Counselor in the RS presidency and currently without a church calling. Jordan is still working in North Dakota. He is on for two weeks, and then off for a week.  We enjoy having him home on his week off. He moved to Wyoming last year, but gets to come here for his off week. Colton is still in Minnesota, and working. He likes it out there but doesn't like how far away from home he is. We get to seem him about 3 times a year which is strange for us. Chandler is currently an Ordinance worker in the Las Vegas Temple. He loves the temple and his fellow workers on his shift. He is planning to start school in January is finally ready to enter the job market. Britton is a Senior this year and is looking forward to college and a mission. He is hoping to go on a mission earlier than planned since he will be 18 in a week. He will graduate in June! We are loving life and all it brings to us. Friends and Family are our greatest blessings!

Brothers....

Jordan had a layover in Minneapolis last week and Colton went up to see him. They had about enough time to eat a burger together. Mom insisted they get some "grandma" to take a picture of the two of them, so I could have it. Colton is always teasing Jordan about being a real "American" man. Ha ha...Jordan was so proud to see Colton sporting his own "American Man" beard! Who couldn't love these faces!!

Where are we??

Somedays I feel like the computer game Carmen San Diego!! Where in the world are you?? Chandler spent the summer in Montana and is now home again preparing to serve a mission for the LDS Church. Colton is in Minnesota. He is working out there and planning to stay awhile. Jordan is bouncing between Las Vegas and North Dakota. He lives here and works there. Britton is a junior in high school and David and I are still battling gray hair and busy schedules. Well in Davids case no hair...ha ha!! Life is good...we have each other, we love each other and enjoy the moments we have together!

Reflections...

Decided to check the blog today. Turns out I am not a very good blogger. Way to long in between posts. One thing I discovered is that I am not a very good journal keeper either. As I was reading through my blog, I realized there are many simple things I would like to record in our family history but have not taken the time to do so. I have many stops and starts in my journal. Have recorded a few of the "big" moments, however very few of the small ones and most of them "after" the fact instead of at the time they were occuring. Hindsight is a much different perspective than the one you have while "in the moment". I appreciate those who keep good records and up to date journals and blogs. I know their families will be grateful also. My sweet mother in law has spent countless hours writing the history of our family and we are ever so grateful. My family cherishes the knowledge of who they are and where they came from. This is a noble accomplishment that I hope I will pass on to my children and grandchildren.

Enough Said...

I was trying to figure out how to embed this video from Elder Eyring in my blog post column, and instead ended up with it front and center. As I went back to look at my blog, it occured to me that most appropriately it is right where it should be. Front and Center...Enough Said...

It's the little things...

Rainbow breaking through a grey sky...first fat snowflakes on Christmas Eve...Unexpected gift on your doorstep...letter from an old friend...Courtesy from a perfect stranger...I could go on and on...There are those moments in life, that are so unexpected as to take our breath away. They are the little things, that makes us feel warm and tingly all over and makes us think that nothing could be more perfect than the life we lead and the world we live in.

I often think of these as the Tender Mercies granted to us, to remind us of who we are and the blessing we have of living here on earth. I have always been able to appreciate the simple things in life. I understand that things do not need to be huge or extraordinary to be important.

Had one of these moments yesterday. A kindness so unexpected it slapped a big smile on my face and I have yet to get over it. It is a little thing really, but at the same time a big thing. Happened to one of my boys. As the day unfolded and the reality of this "gift" sunk in, I watched my son, gain confidence, height and stature. So unsure of himself, and so proud at the same time. One of life's perfect moments. All because of a little thing...

The Magic Machine...

This was a Christmas Present to David and I from ourselves. My friend Lisha has been telling me for quite awhile about how great her pressure cooker is, and encouraging me to get one! (Bugging me would be a better word,but I am trying to be nice!) We happened to be in Costco right before Christmas, and I happened to be talking to Lisha on the phone....As you can imagine her next words were...Hey! You need to... I cut her off and replied...OKAY! I will go look at them right now! David and I went to look at them, they were on markdown, and of course not one to pass up a bargain, and knowing I could return it to Costco if I didn't like it, we put it in the cart and put it under the tree.
When we got home from our speedy Christmas trip, we tried it out for dinner that night, since fast dinner was on our menu after 7 hours in the car. When this little machine cooked PERFECT rice in 3 minutes we were sold! (It is almost like Magic!) We have cooked dinner in this almost everynight for 3 weeks. (Chili with dried beans in 45 minutes, sloppy joes in 10 minutes, etc) We have also taken to making cracked wheat cereal (In 7 minutes!!) in the mornings that is to die for! Sooooo Good!
Lisha is the same friend who ordered me a Bosch, and after months of talking to me, convinced me I needed to come and get it! One of these days I will learn to listen to her...For now I can say thank you and continue to be amazed with our "Magic Machine"....