Elmo visited me

Not long ago I was having a particularly hard day. I was lying in bed with tears on my cheeks feeling hopelessly undefeated. I prayed for some comfort and some relief. I pleaded with the Lord in prayer for some comfort for my soul. As I slept that night I had dreams but the end of my dream was the answer to what I was seeking. I was in my dream with my children with me and I turned a corner, when I looked ahead and there was my grandfather Elmo, grandmother Ruth, along with uncle Don and Aunt Betty. They looked as though they had been waiting there for me and had such peace about them. As I walked forward it was my grandfather Elmo who left my grandmothers side to hold out his arms for me. As I embraced him I placed my head close to his neck and ear and could feel his loving embrace. He softly whispered to me, “I’ve missed you.”  As I was hugging him and receiving the comfort I needed I was awoken by one of my children. As I tended to their needs I couldn’t help but feel gratitude for the Savior sending my family to help me when I needed it. It was interesting that is was grandpa who I haven’t seen in so long who reached out to me. They all looked so happy and peaceful. It was a tender moment to feel his embrace and know he is aware of me and loves me.

My birthday

Garrett always knows how to make me free special on my birthday. I woke up to our traditional Mickey Mouse clubhouse birthday song, an air horn, decorations and donuts. My favorite sign said “you’re the crypt keeper” from the movie freaky Friday. He got me my dolce and gabana- the one perfume, candy, and said we get to have a date to pick out a Michael kors purse. Me and the kids ran to the store and the. the park to play. Garrett received his COVID vaccine after work so he got home to us eating my favorite meal: fettuccini Alfredo ( Olive Garden meal with salad and breadsticks). He had the kids go with him to the car and when he came back they had roses, a cake and cream puffs for me. Garrett explained that the dozen white roses represented purity and virtue, and the single red rose was love... but added to the white roses meant unity and that we had the deepest love. This arrangement should perhaps be sent once in a lifetime. What a beautiful gesture knowing my husband feels this way about me and showered me with love on my birthday. Kenzie helped make me a German chocolate cake and we had such a yummy spread of treats! R

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Misty comes to Washington

Aunt Misty arrived on Jan 15th and we had such a great time having her visit. We went to Molton and Lucia Falls, played Rockband, outdoor fires and knife throwing, got pedicures, games and good food. We even made sugar cookies and made royal icing to make them fancy! That was a good learning experience and know what to change for next time. 

Violin lessons

Paige has been asking relentlessly to do violin lessons. A woman in our ward moved in who has played violin with a symphony and was looking to take on students. I surprised Paige with a lesson and she was beyond happy. She loved her lesson, picked up what was being asked and more, and hugged her teacher at least 5 times and said thank you and I’m so excited! She mastered the beginning of twinkle twinkle within 30 minutes :) I’m excited to see where she goes with this!

First born received her patriarchal blessing

Well, we hit another milestone tonight. One that always seemed so far of and yet, here we are. Kenzie had been praying about when to get her blessing and in her dreams one night received confirmation that it was time. Bro. Eckhardt gave her a beautiful blessing. The spirit was strong and it touched my heart as a mother to sit and listen to the things that lay ahead for her if she stays on the covenant path. She most definitely has lots of missionary work to do, will be a mother to her own and others, and is one who has good intellect, a good heart and is empathetic. Her blessing is not mine to really describe but I wept throughout and know what a special daughter of god she truly is. 

Mackenzie Jessica- age 14

Fishing with Dad

Garrett took Ethan fishing at Kress Lake today and while driving had some questions:

E:dad, what day is today?

G: today is Thursday

E: Can we fish every Thursday? 

He loves spending time with Dad and was really looking forward to the one on one time with him. 

When I asked how it went he said, “fishing went great!” He had my close my eyes and used the fishing net to scoop them out so I could see the two trout.