Older Caregiving/Younger Caregiving...

Life has it's seasons' and I'm certainly in a busy one...(I know I'm always in a busy one) but this one is different as I have witnessed the aging process of my dear parents. They are needing us kids at this particular time. Dad is in pretty much severe dementia and Mom is recovering from a pacemaker insertion surgery and a right broken wrist (cast) from a fall. It's been very hard on them. Time consuming for me. Those of you that have helped out...Thank you very much! They did so much for us, it is only our turn to give back.

We had the joy of watching our grandkids yesterday..for that is another great privilege we so love to do! I love to be around small ones..they make me laugh, I never grow tired of watching their cute little ways. Pictured above is C.R. just before he was falling asleep.. isn't he getting chubby?

Here is Carder...he wanted to be a cowboy so he found this sun hat of Grandpa's and wore it around a big part of the day. He thought it was cowboy enough for him! Grandpa in the background watching his garden grow!!

Loving to play with the dump truck...

One of Caden's favorite past times. Curled up with a good book. Serving our family.. it's all part of the plan and of course, Family comes first!!! I sure love mine.

They've always been there for me!

Through out my life there as been some rough days...(the loss of 2 of my daughters), but when the going got really rough, I could always count on my sisters in the "Relief Society" to come through. It's not a big thing they have to do, it's not like they want the glory or anything, they just want the hurt to go away for anyone that might be hurting...My mom is currently going through some rough spots in the last while, in and out of hospital, heart issues etc. My dad is suffering from dimentia, the list goes on as my brothers and sisters are taking up the slack so to speak..anyway. I came home the other day and found this little gift on my porch. It brought a tear to my eye as I reflected on times past when "my sisters" have always been there. I am so thankful to them and those who care so much when we feel lonely and tired from caring for those we love.

Spectacular Conference Weekend!!!

This picture sort of sums up our great trip! We were so happy to finally get to our session we had tickets to... we loved every minute that led up to this day and the good times that followed. The conference center in itself is magnificent and to be with people from all over the world in our glorious worldwide church continues to strengthen me in all that I do.

On our way up to conference, we took the boys through Zions National Park. We saw so many beautiful mountains and rock, it was impossible to snap a picture and do it justice... I did try in a few...

We were very blessed to take our two 13 and 14 year old grandsons with us. They sure keep me young! Here I am with Caden who didn't always open his eyes in pictures and wasn't willing to take more pictures, it's ok!

Then there was Trevon! I hope they had as much fun as we did!

These two are among the finest! They stand tall with Grandpa and I.. I know they will be great men.

We stopped along the way in Zion's, the boys would run up to the top of some of the hills, and I would snap... worried me some, but they were fine.

See what I mean? Scary! But I know they are big boys........

Coming down the rocky hills. Nice stretches on our long drive to Salt Lake.

More nice views of us at Zions. As we were coming out of Zions, right on the road is this guy's yard was elk he had fenced!!! I have never (I don't think) been so close to elk,,had to take a picture! The picture just above is the boys at "This is the Place Monument" We enjoyed a train ride around viewing the sights here.It was very cold in Utah this time! We made use of our Winter coats this trip!

More wildlife running in and around the park at "This is the Place".

We also took them to the "First Encampment" We wanted them to know and be proud of who they are and where they come from...as their great, great Grandfather was among those first to arrive in Salt Lake and the "First Encampment. Found his name engraved in some of the stone there.

The beautiful Conference center and two very handsome young men.

Can never get a bad picture of this beautiful temple!

Love this view of the temple.

It stands tall and proud just like my grandsons...

Here are Trevon and Caden inside this arch outside of Moab! I was amazed at their ability to run up those hills and get to their destination. They are building character and strong bodies just as this solid rock, solid temples, solid gospel background I know they will continue to follow the path of our Savior as they hold fast to the faith they are building through out their lives.

What makes me Smile.....

Lately when I'm driving down the road, I find myself smiling at different things I see or think about...such as someone walking a new little puppy... a mommy walking, holding her children's hands with her small kids to or from school or anywhere for that matter, when I see someone assisting an elderly person(usually a grown son or daughter)..makes me smile..and when I see a newborn baby, ALWAYS puts a smile on my face! So many other things...I love to see children at birthdays! Here below is Carder on his 2nd birthday...

Is this the cutest? Carder opening a gift, Kamrielle observing with their new puppy, cradling as if it's her baby! Precious.........

My daughter helping her nephew with his gifts, reading cards and sharing her love and her home with us all....

OH my! Big trucks to play with in the dirt. I know he's thinking "can't wait"!

Grandpa who cares so much for and about his kids and grandkids!

Love to watch the whole thing! The blowing out of candles, mommy preparing a cake so he can go thru this sweet, happy, smile provoking time! We all had our mouths blowing to help him do this for the first time...

A loving daughter with her children and her delicious cake she made...makes me smile..thru some happy tears...

I had to throw this one in!!! My mountain man husband preparing for his "arrow of light" ceremony he does for cub scouts... Makes me smile and very proud of him working so hard to make it all so nice for his cubs! Smiling is what makes us happy, I am so glad that I have so much more to smile about in this life than not! So I will keep on smiling...and finding more new things in life that will put a smile on my face and stop for a second and realize the joy!

CARDER turned TWO!

This little grandson turned 2 this week! Happy Birthday to our darling Carder Pete! We have had the opportunity to take care of this little guy now and then in the last 2 years..I must say he is so much fun! He is a busy, cute, funny did I say busy? Oh yes, but we wouldn't have him any other way! He loves to watch airplanes and birds and he especially loves to shovel and play in the dirt.

This was last Summer at the pool, very cool Carder!

He had an owee on his finger this past year... He could crawl like nobodys business with that cast on! It was hilarious to watch, he would either clunk it along or slide it smooth and fast as he would glide across the floor!

He dearly loves it outdoors, I think he would spend his entire life out there if he could..comes by that naturally as his father spends alot of time out there as well..Looking forward to more fun times this coming Summer with this "angel" grandson! I know..they are all my little angels!!!

A Little Rest and Relaxation...

Sometimes you need to get away and we did! We had a wonderful time at Roper Lake near Safford. Some of our friends from the ward came also. It was beautiful desert setting with the snow capped Graham mountains as a back drop! I never grew tired of looking at those mountains, they were so pretty. The weather was magnificent with visiting, good sleeping and all that goes with camping...except we had water and electricity...hey! that's my idea of good camping!

Hard to imagine we were in the desert with those beautiful mountains!

Such a pretty lake and to think these parks are closing due to finances! Oh so sad...what's happening with our government?

The wildlife around was so cool. We had quail, roadrunners and bunnies running around our campsites... and this wise old owl was in the top of a very tall Palm tree...I was excited to get this picture!

Across from our camp, someone had made this homemade birdfeeder...we watched all the pretty birds come in... this Cardinal came rarely..isn't he beautiful?

GRANDKIDS!!!

Oh what fun we've been having at our house! Presently we have Todd's kids staying with us while their parents are on a 10 year wedding anniversary trip... of course Savannah came to visit as well. These sisters have the best time with each other... I just got thru doing a vinegar rinse on their hair.. Makes it shiny and healthy! I used to do it on my girls hair, my mom on mine...and so it goes!

Very funny grandkids! They have had such a good time playing with cousins...I have had the best time watching.

I had to make a face at them to get a nice smile. It sure worked cause this is a keeper! Trevon is 14...what can I say?

Cuddle time!

Computer and u-tube time!

We celebrated 3 birthdays with a breakfast Sat morning, cinnamon rolls were on the menu.

Previously we went up to Show Low to check on LoraLeigh's new little guy...we took her 2 of her kids to the DQ.. here is Carder with his cone.

Kamrielle is 5 and losing teeth, they are so adorable with those smiles! I have had a great week with visits from most of my grandchildren whom I adore!!!