More 2014 Happenings......

I forgot to say that in March we came down to Utah to our Nephew's wedding - Beau Winters.
He married Josie Hansen from Salt Lake.  They are a darling couple.

First here's a pic of My Brother Rick's family at the Temple after they were married.

 Here's Beau and Josie:

and here's Jay and I.........

We have really gotten close to Rick & JaLynne's family.  They have lived by us in Ephrata (Soap Lake)... Every Sunday we had Dinner together and played a game of Pit. (for 2 Years)

Now they have moved on us.  They moved to Magna, Utah Area.  It is by Salt Lake City.  I know I

will still get to see them, but it's not the same as it was.  Waaa. Waaaa.

I am in Utah now at our Eden Place and I did get to spend the afternoon with them in Salt Lake a couple days ago.  Here's a couple pics from that day:

Josie,Beau, Ben, Alli, JaLynne, Rick, and Brayden.

This is a goofy one w/me in the back.


Also, this year, my little Sis, Mindi had her first baby. They named her: Kya Jane I was able to go to Olympia to visit them.  Here's a pic with me and Kya:

Above
 is the blanket I made Kya......since I don't do this much anymore, I have to share....






Here is a pic of Mindi's family:
Mindi, Kody, Kya, Zoe and Gavin
















Well, I can see that I'm going to have trouble catching up with all that has happened this summer.I think I will tell about our son, Rocky's story in the next post.  It was quite involved and we spent most of the month of June helping him.
We had a great 4th of July time with my (The Winters') family. They came to our house in Eden and we went to the
big Parade in Huntsville. Then played games, had a Barbecue, had pool and basketball tournaments.  Then did the
fireworks at night and had Pizza!  What a day.  I think I'll try and post some of the pics of that day:

Some of the Gang at the Huntsville Park after the Parade

Mark and Rick after Mark wins a Basketball tournament

Brother Rock standing and the others watching the Tournament

Little Madden with Natalie Grace

Staci and Analee making faces

Gwen and Analee

Part of Rick's family

Ben, Bray, JaLynne and Rick

Pic of our house in Eden after almost everyone has gone......

So after everyone left.  Staci , Kids and me stayed on for another week.
We had a great time going to the Swim Park and the Tree Museum and various other
activities. (Even a couple movies)  It was a good little summer vacation.

IN the HOT TUB!  Gwen, Kallista, Analee and Lydia

Before Chad left - we went on a little hike by the Ogden River.

The Beautiful Sunset - looking out from the Hot Tub one night.

My wonderful Grandchildren - Weston, Lydia, Analee, Kallista, and Gwen.

I did forget to mention that Lydia had a surgery earlier this summer, (before Rocky's tumor surgery)
She came through it really well for having to be put under and everything.  And she hasn't had any more trouble with seizures since she has been on medication.  We are so thankful that she is more Healthy now.
Analee has had some health issues with Schlerderma sp?) ,but has got it under control now.
She has had to go to a lot of Dr. appointments and will continue to do so, but at least it was caught before there was anymore damage to her beautiful face.

How can I catch up?? I guess I'll start with our trip in April to see Greg, Heidi & Tommy.

I realize that there is no way that I can catch up with my blog here.
So I will do the best I can.......
I feel that I've traveled a lot this year, but it has mostly been back and forth to Utah.
We did go to Greg and Heidi's in North Carolina in April and that was a fun trip.
They showed us a great time and we enjoyed little Tommy (our Grandson).

Here are some pics from that trip:

 Greg & Tommy

Heidi & Tommy

 Grandpa & Tommy

 Greg & Heidi on the Lake

 Dr. Rock w/ Tommy

 All of us there w/Tommy

Grandma with Tommy ........awww


So I do have a lot more pics of us doing a lot of fun things, but I know it would take me forever to load them all.  We spent a fun day going to Williamsburg. (they re-enact events from the time of the Old Colonial Town of Williamsburg.)  It was very impressive.
Then one day the guys went Golfing at Myrtle Beach and Heidi, Tommy and I went to see the Alligators and Crocodiles.  I was very intrigued with the Albino ones that had to live in the Dark.

We also saw the World's largest Croc,  but my pic isn't too great of it.
So moving along,
We spent a couple days going to and coming back from Virginia Beach, VA.
We saw the Boardwalk & Atlantic Ave.   It was the off-season, so we felt like the only ones on
the Beach.  That was strange, because I hear it is usually very crowded.  It was a wonderful Beach.
Here's a pic I was able to get of me and my boy, Gregory. :

I think that's the best pic I have of him and me - since he was a little boy....

Well, our trip was fun and we hope we can go back and see them again while they live there.  But It sure is a long ways away from us here in the West........:(

Gloomy or Glorious

Life can be legitimately seen as a painful tragedy or a purposeful triumph.
Each of us must choose. I choose to see God at work blessing His children in wise and loving ways.
The very fact that God has created a world in which everything can be seen in gloomy or glorious ways seems to be evidence that He honors our agency.
- H. Wallace Goddard

Yes, Everyday we are making choices on how we see and interpret the things happening in our lives.
It is so easy for me to get stuck in a rut. I can get frustrated and think that my life is so limited in what I can and can't do. I don't feel I have the time and energy to do all that I want to do. AND I don't like to commit to things, because I hate to feel trapped in to what I have to do.  Hummmmm.......does that make sense??
I am one that really LOVES  my freedom. I like to be able to walk in the mornings, read a book when I want and go see my grandkids when I want.
I have been blessed to be able to do these things and more -- to travel and be available for my husband and other family members. Also, I've had time for different church jobs and been able to play the piano/organ at various functions.

I have had a few different paying jobs in my life, and I've learned a lot from them. BUT I felt like I was held hostage.  I definitely didn't like to be controlled with my precious time.......:) I'm so glad that I can plan my days myself- right now. 
 I just have to remember that I have a choice in how I'm looking at my life.  Is that glass 1/2 full or 1/2 empty??
I read an obit. of someone that really has left a mark in this life. She did a million different things and was involved in a hundred different charities and raised 8 kids and made quilts and was the best gardener, etc. etc.    Uh-oh, there I go comparing myself to someone else again.
I've learned that is the wrong thing to do and I've tried to help my daughter not do this either.  But that is where I have to catch myself and tell myself how great my life is - there really isn't anything gloomy about it. (except in the winter when everything is so darn cold and gray....:)

There really are ample reasons to fret in this life. Don't get me started! There's
a lot that just isn't fair and it is so sad to see friends/family suffer and in so much pain.
BUT   ...The Sun is starting to shine more. Spring is in the Air.  Now is the time to shed any negative, sad, or gloomy thoughts. I will!  I will!
God wants us to be happy.  We are suppose to be joyful.  I just have to remember that I have the choice.  Like my mother always says, "I choose Joy".

Everyday Epiphanies

Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it. - Anne De Lenclos

I sure wish I felt like this everyday. In fact most days I do not. But every now and then I have an Epiphany and am reminded that I am alive and I should appreciate every day. Well, really I should appreciate every moment, but I don't.  I forget. I forget how blessed I am to be healthy and alive at this moment. Life goes on....

I was reminded last week when a gal I knew passed away and she was only 32! I am 54 and still feel I have a lot of living to do. When I was at her graveside....I looked at all the headstones there and was reminded of all the people that had passed and wondered if they really realized how short and quick their life here on earth was going to be?? All those days that slipped by unnoticed and unappreciated. How can I turn that around and appreciate every single darn day that I live??? I wonder.

I thought today of some of the days that I remember in my life. Already I'm forgetting a lot....:)

 For some reason the first one that came to mind was 9/1/01. Which of course is now known as 911. The day that the Trade Center in New York (Twin Towers)were destroyed by our own planes. A very vicious act of terror. Done by a group of people that really, really hated Americans. 

Well, I won't go in to all that, but another day that I thought of was in May of 1980. Mt. St. Helen's Blew it's top and we lived pretty darn close to it. (40 miles as a crow flies). I was a month away from delivering our second son, Greg. So I remembered being quite worried about it. 

Another day was when we got married (7.8.78) Big day for us!! Then of course, I remember something about each day that I gave birth to our 3 children.  The last day I want to mention, because now I'm remembering a lot more....:)  Anyways, another day that I will never forget is when our son Greg was in a terrible accident.(8/4/98) Two of his good friends: Matt Hammond and T.J. Sortomme died in that accident. It was such a shocking and scary time as a mother to witness. Greg flew out of a car that was going 82 mph. He had a bad blow to his head and was very combative. Anyways, I won't go into more detail, but my point is.....that you just don't forget those kind of days in your life.

So today I'm going to be Thankful for right now and try to appreciate this day and be thankful for the ones that remain. We never know what is in store for us, but we sure can try to cherish our life and the lives of others around us right now!

 

 

Love and Thankfulness

There are two ways that love helps me, now and then, to see real people through the filter of my insecurities.
One of them is a growing power to love myself enough to be thankful for what I am, and to forgive myself for what I am not!  I feel this power intermittently, I admit, but I feel it enough to get my eyes off my anxieties about myself and get a focus on what is going on with other people.

Love also helps me to get outside of myself long enough to discover that the people whose favor I need so much are as weak and needy as I am.   They are trusting me to care about them while I am struggling to see them through the haze of my own anxieties.  If I discern them in their needs, I am getting the imagination to catch a moment of grace when it comes.  :)

This is a quote from Marianne Williamson's book - Return to Love.

It has taken me a lot of years to try to focus more on the other person and quit thinking of myself so much.  I believe that this is human nature(to think of ourselves more than the other person),but I do notice that people really like to be around you when you actually listen closely to what they are saying and show that you care. 
 It is easy to not listen very well.  I am trying hard to give full attention to the person I am with and not think of my little world so much.
It's always a work in progress.....

I am always reminded of how blessed I am.
All I have to do is turn on the TV and see on the news what so many other people in the world are dealing with. Right now they are focusing a lot on the big Typhoon that hit in the Phillipines. Thousands are dead and Thousands more are wounded and displaced. 
The scenes of graphic destruction are everywhere.It is so sad and depressing to see.
Yet we have people close to home that have many hardships, too.
Yesterday I took a Gal and her son to the Dr. and to run some errands.  She and  her family are homeless right now. They don't have a car and a job either.  Jay (my husband, the Bishop) is trying to help them get back on their feet. It is sad to see how hard it is on them and their family.  But I'm finding that we can only do so much to help......then we have to let go and pray that their lives can get better. It does make you sooooo Thankful for your own life and all the luxuries that you have. (i.e:  a warm home, a car, a job,running water, food, clothes, etc.)
I hope and pray that I will always keep a grateful heart.  
Gratitude and Love - that's what it's all about.


  

Trying to remember....

I'm trying to remember the 1/2 maras that I've done in the past. So I will put it down here - so I can
refer back to it.
The first 1/2 marathon  I did was in Verona, Oregon.
The second one was in Hartford, Conn.(did with son, Rocky)
The third one was in Sunriver, Oregon
The fourth one was outside of Pocatello, Idaho. (did with daughter, Staci)
The fifth one was around the Lake of Chelan, WA. (parents came with)
The sixth 1/2 mara was in Carlsbad, California. (did with Rocky again)
The seventh one was the Rock-n-roll 1/2 Mara of Seattle, WA.
The eighth one was in Wenatchee, Washington.
The ninth one was in Miami, Florida. (did with Rocky Jay)
The 10th one was in Wenatchee, WA again.
The 11th one was in Eden, Utah, (did with Staci)
The 12th one was in Huntsville, Utah. (did with Staci again....:)

The only whole Marathon I did was in Salmon Idaho with my daughter Staci.
  I came in an hour or more later than her, of course.....:)
But hey!  I did it.

Now I have a record of the races of done.  So that I can remember when I'm old and gray
and can't remember any more.  Ha haha.....I guess I shouldn't laugh.....that might not be too
far away from now.  I had a time remembering the order of these now.
I will still try and do at least one 1/2 mara a year.  And I always do the Ephrata Canal Caper in March. (10K)   But now I think I will be lucky to do that much a year.
I do spend a lot more time just walking the River or around the Farm, when I can.

Feelings of Fall

Well, I've let another -long time span -go on my blog.

I see that it's getting harder to post and I attribute this just to life...
But I feel such feelings of Gratitude right now.
I have such a great life.  Wonderful Family, Friends and plenty of blessings.
What more could anyone want??
We had a new Grandbaby born this year - Thomas Jay Adams!  What a joy and a blessing
to our family.... Here's a few pics of little Tommy.....

So wonderful...........
Jay and I love being Grandparents.
We've had a very busy Summer.  Things have seemed to speed up for us for some reason. (Maybe it is all in our minds, too)  And maybe it is because we are older and can't seem to keep up with life.
But it's all good, right?!    All the challanges, trials, tests, struggles, shocks and surprises are what we learn from.  I've felt that I've learned more this year.  Or maybe all that I have learned is coming together in a way that makes more sense to me.........is that deep?! I try not to be very deep, but sometimes I can be......who knew....:)
We've had some really good trips this year.  We went with Rocky on a Golfing trip to Canada in May.
We went to see our Beloved new Grandson in June.  Then we went to Eden in July and had a good little Winters' Family get together at our home there.   I was able to spend a lot more time in Eden this year and I loved it.  The Grandkids came over quite a few times and we had some good times.....in my opinion ...:)  We went up to Rigby and saw Weston play flag football last month.
Also, in September - Jay and I went on a nice trip to Alaska.  We've always been wanting to go there! We went on a Northbound Cruise from Vancouver, BC to Whittier, Alaska.  Then we went on to Juneau and from there the Denali Forrest and Mt. McKinley.  Beautiful Scenery!!  We really had a great time.  Saw some breath-taking views.  We loved it!  And we like Cruising.
I suppose I'd better post a few pics of that time...

I have so many more, but I'm putting a book together now for us......so this is all that I will post here today.  Wish I had time to blog more.  It's hard to try and catch up after so many months.
Anyhoo,   My post here is called 'Feelings of Fall'   so I will try and post some of the pics that I've taken lately (while I've walked around the river)  I really do love Fall and this one has been a great one.  Lots of warm, beautiful days..

Also, I was able to do a 1/2 mara this September with my beautiful daughter, Staci.(She did the full mara)  It was in Huntsville, Utah.  I would say that it was probably one of the best 1/2 maras I've ever done. (because of the downhill incline most the way.....:)  And it was a beautiful Fall day w/just a touch of cool air .....perfect jogging conditions.  I was sore for the next whole week, because I didn't train properly......but it still was definitely worth it.

Wow......I've really had a great fall........knock on wood.....

Sage-n-Sun Fun Run

Yesterday I did the Ephrata Sage-n-Sun Fun Run. I have not done that run in a couple years and now I remember why.   I always pick running the 5 mile and most everyone else does the 2 miler. AAANNNDDD, I am not a runner runner.  I am a walker/runner.  I did come in last - I'm pretty sure.
Last time I did this run, there were at least a few people behind me.   
   The reason is:  I think I'm the oldest one doing that run.  
And I'm not in that great of shape, even tho, I walk the river a lot. (A person needs to really train for these runs)
And it was sooooo hot.  Or was it me? I was really feeling overheated.

I guess I forgot how much I dislike negative attention.....:)   Everyone really cheered for me when I came in.  Because they had been standing there giving out medals already.  Oh, well,  at least I did the race. I've gotta learn to let go of any pride that I have about winning a race.  It's just not me to win in this area.(and God knows I've tried...:)  I still like the feeling of being able to do it and I like the feeling I feel for a couple days after.  I feel good and healthy. I think it's the endorphins that kick in.

All day I felt great!  And I ran into a lot of old friends at the park after the parade - that I really enjoyed visiting with. And I realized at the run this time, that I know most of the people involved and that is a good feeling. It's good to be part of a small community at times.
 It was a pretty good day all in all.( Also, I got a nice shirt .)

Mountains to Climb

10 things about my Religion that I'm thankful for....

My Family and My Church have been my life.
   
     I have belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints my whole life. Well, technically since I was 8 years old. (That's when you are baptized in to the Church.
   Below is a picture of Jay and I with our oldest grandchild - Weston Jay Larsen. This is when he
was baptized into our church.

Our Church has a program called Primary that teaches the young children up to age 12 years about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then after 12 - they go into the Young Men and Young Women programs.

They learn more about living a Christ-like Life, but they also have more activities and goal-setting programs to enjoy.  Then after the age of 18 - The Young Women go to Relief Society and the Men go to their Priesthood meetings.

What is great about being and working in the Church  - you learn so much and can do so many different things.
You have callings that teach you how to do things that you wouldn't otherwise do.  For years I have been able to play the Organ and Piano for many of the meetings that we have.  I've also been able to play for Weddings and Funerals.  This has made me do better at keeping up on those musical skills than I would not have otherwise done. I'm thankful for that, because I actually enjoy it.

10 things about my religion that I'm grateful for:

1. Knowledge that God is my Heavenly Father

2. Being able to learn - The Gospel of Jesus Christ

3. Having a Prophet and Church Leaders to guide us.

4. Knowledge that my Family can be Forever (The Plan of Salvation)

5. Having Opportunities to Serve

6. Being able to study the scriptures (Bible and Book of Mormon)

7. Primary

8. Young Men's and Young Women's

9.  Relief Society

10. Knowledge of the Temple (and temple covenants)

10 places on Earth that I'm grateful for

Today I am putting down 10 Places on Earth that I'm grateful for. In some cases, I kind of lumped the places all together....such as: Beaches #3.) 

My #1 favorite place is of course the Wenatchee, Washington Apple Trail Loop around the Columbia River.  I can't count the many wonderful times that I have walked this trail and loved every minute of it!  I truly feel closer to God - by being out on this lovely trail.

#2  My next favorite place is in Eden, Utah.... We actually found a home there that we want to retire in.  We purchased the house a couple years ago and go there now for all Holidays and whenever we can get away.  It really is a beautiful area - with mountains all around and a big lake in the middle.

 #3  Ocean Beaches.......almost anywhere. I love the beach, but I do
prefer the warm beaches in places like:  So. California, Florida, Mexico, etc.) The above pic is of  the beach in Newport, Oregon.
Our Winters' Family has gone there in July for many years.
  

#4  Hawaii!  Yes, pretty much anywhere in Hawaii. We were able to take a cruise around all the Islands for our 25th Anniversary. I will never forget it. Each Island was wonderful!! Something about that Tropical feeling - just makes you feel extra good. 

#5  New York City!
 This is a pic of Times Square, of course. There is just Something about NYC. It's something that you can't quite explain to anyone that hasn't been there.  That's why I think everyone should go there at least once in their lifetime.  I was amazed at the diversity of people, places , food.......well, pretty much everything.
You could look down any street and see a mixture of all kinds of people, things, etc.  This city has it all.  I was lucky to go here about 5 different times and get to do all the usual tourist's things.  And I even got the chance to ride the elevators up to the Top of the World Trade Center before 9/11. 
 I also got to go w/my Son - Rocky, when he ran the NYC marathon.  That was an experience all in it's own.....just to be one of the 2 million spectators.  I am in awe of this City.  Hope I get to go here again sometime.

#6  Disney World and DisneyLand
Yep, these are definitely  very important places to go to at least once in your life, too. 
We are all just really kids' at heart, aren't we??

#7  Venice, Italy

Well, pretty much anywhere in Italy is on my list for favorite places to go.  I say Venice, because that is where I've visited and just loved it. We went on a business tour for fruit trees the 2 times I have been here - so we didn't get to see a lot of the tourist places in Italy, (like Rome)  But it still was wonderful what we did see.

  #8 The Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

This was another place we got to visit on our Fruit tree Business tour. It really is a magical place.  

#9 Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is a special place to me and my family. My Husband went on his church mission there and our Son went to Tufts Medical School there.  We have had the opportunity to visit a number of times and those visits are very great memories.

Infact, I realize that this should have been much higher on my list of places on Earth that I'm grateful for.  

 

 #10  Zions National Park - Angels Landing

This one has to be on the list . Because it was one of the most awesome places to be (for me). We didn't know what a trek we were taking when we climbed this rock about 2 years ago. (our son told us it wouldn't be too hard)  Well, it wasn't easy that's for sure. Here's a pic of how we had to climb parts of it:

Yes, and there were tougher spots than this! There was also a sign that said at least one person a year falls to their death climbing this Rock!  Well, we did make it and here is a pic of us at the Top:

It really is something we will never ever forget. And the view from up there was just incredible!

10 food things to be grateful for!

Ok, today it is Food that I'm grateful for. I know I could really Keep going on this list, but I'll try to limit it to 10:

1. Anything Chocolate, of course!

2. Pasta

3. Ice Cream and Yogurt

4. Chicken

5. Roast Beef

6. Seafood (Sushi, too)

7. Pizza

8. Mexican food (that covers a lot of food items...:)

9. Some veges......like corn on the cob

10.Most Fruits.......like Peaches!

Yes, I did try to put Sprite and Dt. Coke down as food things that I am grateful for.
But I can see that they are drinks and really not food. So I think I did the best I could here...:)


Well, I tried and tried to put some pictures of food in this post, but something is wrong w/my computer today and it won't let me do it. I hope it works next time........

10 More things I'm grateful for: (Material)

Today I'm feeling grateful for living in this day and age and being able to enjoy the material things that we have.  Here's my list:

1. Our home

2. Cars

3. Computers

4. TV's

5. Cellphones

6. Things that make cooking easier: (i.e.: stove, dishwasher, refrig, microwave, etc.)

7. washer & dryer

8. Clothes

9. Books

10. Bank Accounts


We really are spoiled.  I mean I forgot to say indoor plumbing and air conditioners and furnaces and Hot tubs.  I'm sure there is more.

10 more things to be grateful for: (things I can do)

I feel so blessed just thinking of all these things I am grateful for. I really do take a lot for granted.

Here's a list of things that I like to do and am able to do:

1. I can travel - I love to do that.

2. I can do a lot of walking/jogging.

3. I can play the piano/organ.

4. I can read and write.

5. I can type/blog.

6. I can organize and clean pretty well.

7. I can work hard outside (i.e: weed, move rocks, paint, etc)

8. I can Swim.

9. I can dance and sing (ok, not really well, but I can)

10. I can cook/bake. (I make a mean pot roast).

 

But as a side note:  I have to say that being a wife, Mother, and Grandma are the most meaningful things in my life.  The above things are just things that I'm thankful I can do at this stage in my life.

10 things a day to be grateful for.

 

Yep, I'm going to write down here 10 things I am grateful for.

I will try to do it everyday for awhile.

We will see how this goes.  But today I thought I'd put down 10 things in Nature that I'm grateful for:

1. The Sun is #1 of course!

2. Water - I guess I should say Rivers and Lakes.

3.  Salt Water  - Beaches

4.  Mountains

5.  Trees

6.  Flowers and plants

7.  Tropical Climate

8.  SKY

9. Clouds and Rain

10. Waterfalls


I'd say that's pretty good to start with, huh?!