This is the Life!!!

A few days ago, I found Panda in this envied place.  In the sun, on our bed (which Dad hates), asleep.  I thought to myself, "She has a pretty dang good life."  Just for a moment I wished I could trade her places, just to be so relaxed enjoying the sun.  Hey-who's up for the beach?!

Honors for Grandpa

About 3 years ago, the Albanian ambassador to America was visiting UVU in Orem, Utah.  At that time, he presented a certificate of commendation to Grandpa and Grandma for their work in Albania on their mission.  He said that the work they did changed the health care in Albania.  Grandpa taught at the medical school and Grandma worked with malnourished children at the dystrophy hospital.  What a difference 2 people can make!

A few months ago, Grandpa learned that the weekly case studies that he started presenting at the medical school are still going on 12 years later.  The communication between departments has vastly improved the quality of care at the hospital.  There has also been a care center built closer to the people to care for their children instead of having to take them far from home, to the original dystrophy hospital where Grandma worked. 

Everyone can make a difference no matter where you are.

Does it look like the picture?

I tried this yesterday and it turned out well.  I don't usually have such success on the first try so I wanted to show it.  This cake has 1 pound of butter in the cake plus filling!  Anything with that much butter has to be good right?

Personal History

 

My sister Sandy and I are working with my Dad to get his personal history done.  It has been a wonderful experience getting to know more about my amazing Dad.  We have laughed and cried as he has told us stories from his youth.  We are through his junior year of high school.  He was in "Our Town", played in the band and orchestra and was in student government-can you say "highly motivated"?!  During the session as he was talking about his high school years, my sister asked, "Dad, who was your first girlfriend?"  He said, "Do you want to see her?"  Heck yea!  So-the greatest thing-he pulled out his yearbooks from high school, yep-1940 and 1941, and we saw her and got a flavor of his high school years-priceless!

Applesauce!

Our red delicious produced SO MANY apples this year that we couldn't just eat them all so-too many apples to eat = applesauce

 

It's for sure not my favorite thing to do but in the end-6 hours later-all the work pays off when you see this:

Winter has come:(

I don't know if we are quite ready for this-but here it is.  We had about 1-2 inches of snow that fell yesterday and last night.  Today there is just FREEZING arctic air blowing with no sun in sight!  Where did fall go or for that matter summer.  Good weather gone too soon!

TEXAS!!

 

 

At the park:)

We fed turtles popcorn!

Want some?!

 

Texas A&M

Jeff's office

We were so excited to be able to spend time with our Texans.  There is a feeling of peace that comes when you can see where your family lives and be familiar with it.  Beautiful home, awesome campus, great weather now as opposed to 100 degrees with 100% humidity in days past.  Thanks Jeff and Lib for a wonderful time together-we love you!

Fall in Provo Canyon

On Saturday afternoon, we went up Provo Canyon on the Squaw Peak Road and enjoyed the sights of fall.  The colors were a little faded but still magnificent!  I love the change of seasons.  Each has it's own allure.  Fall brings college football, apples, soup, pumpkins, and a renewed love of baking. 

BEETS!

So who knew that once again Jeff and I would survive canning together-and beets no less!  We had never canned beets before but we learned a new skill together!  We grew the beets in our garden and now have 31 pints of beets stored!  Chalk another one up to growing to love to work together in the kitchen-miracle!

Conference Weekend

I know this is a late post but I have been thinking about it and wanted to share my thoughts.  I love conference weekend.  I love the knowledge that comes from learning with the Spirit.  I always am sad when it is over because the flow of peace and calm, from listening to Prophets and Apostles and other inspired men and women, leaves. Not totally but it is tangible. 
It has always been a tradition for the boys to go to Priesthood and the girls either meet up with them after for dinner, or go to dinner on our own.  I also love the tradition that my husband started long ago of making "treat bags".  We each have our own and we love it!  He has said that at the Priesthood meeting, they sometimes get funny looks as they eat from the bags, but it's all part of the experience.
I miss all my kids that are away so keenly at this time. I miss the feeling of the entire family being together.  I love it.  It is heaven on earth for me.  It is, I think, one of the hardest trials of my life to have kids away.  Even though I know with my mind that they are all exactly where they should be, doing exactly what they should be doing-my hearts doesn't get it and it is hard. But as my son Ryan told me, "Mom you can do hard things".  He is right because I know that Heavenly Father watches over all and He is in control.
Those of us that were here- Jeff and I, Scott and Em and Brad and Melissa kept the tradition alive.  We shopped, went to dinner and had a sleep-over with crepes in the morning-(another tradition started by my husband-he was and is an inspired man) and watched the Sunday morning conference session together.  Good  times!  I love you all very much!

I Love Halloween!

I couldn't wait to get started with the decorating.  Halloween has got to be one of my favorite holidays.  I just love all the decor that comes with it.  I love pumpkins, spiders, witches, skeletons-oh and of course-
CANDY!

Em and I hit Tai Pan on Saturday evening-what a mess of ladies!!!  But I did pick up the witch and ghost-love 'em.  Each year I seem to pick up a few new decorations.  I think I'll have to visit Tai Pan when they all go on sale-anybody in?

Quick Trip to San Diego for the Wedding of Wes and Whitney

The view from our hotel-The Manchester Hyatt-harbor view all for the incredible price of-are you ready-$70/night!  Thanks Sandy for taking the time on Priceline.

Who knew that the beach on Coronado Island was so beautiful!  Doesn't my Dad look fabulous for 86 years young!

The San Diego Temple is magnificent!  You come around the corner on I-5 and there it is.  Wes and Whitney picked the right place at the right time.  To be sealed in the temple for time and eternity is an incredible blessing.

I sure missed Jeff this trip.  He couldn't get away from work, but supported me in going.  I love him!

Who's the driver?!

Last week while we were at Maverik getting our weekend 52 ounces of Diet Pepsi and Pepsi mix, we came upon this scene.  No wonder the car is in such bad shape!  

2nd Time in 32 Years!!!

This year marks the second time in our married lives that we have canned peaches together-well without fighting that is.  Our kids know that this is nothing short of a miracle but I think we have finally conquered our differences-at least in this one area.  19 quarts of canned peaches and 15 quarts of frozen!
Then last Friday, while I was away, Jeff did 20 more quarts of frozen peaches! He is amazing:)

Life

A few Sundays ago in our ward, a young woman played a violin solo. I admire anyone who plays a string instrument. I have never attempted to play, so I have no personal reference point, but it seems so difficult to know where to place your fingers to achieve the right note. As she was playing, at times the notes were just a little off but the overall music was beautiful with clear tone.
I had the impression that our lives are very much like that. Sometimes we are just a little off. We may have difficulities-trials, weaknesses and disappointments we must endure. But for the most part, if we stay close to Heavenly Father and trust and have faith in Him, our lives have a clear path and we have peace.
I know He loves each of us and is always near to help us reach our potential-our perfect tone-our divine identity made known to us through Him.

31 Years!

On August 23rd 31 years ago, the day I was sealed to my love and best friend, I thought I knew what love was. In the years that have come and gone since then, through all the events in life, I have grown to love him more deeply than words can express. He has supported me through thick and thin. He gave me the opportunity to be at home and raise my children. He has shouldered heavy burdens and still has a smile at the end of the day. He is the one I love the most in this world and I am so blessed to be his wife. I love you Jeff Elder!!!!

On a Lighter Note:)

Each morning I take Panda for a walk. She lives for this! Really! As soon as I wake up, she follows me around staring at me and I know she is thinking, "When is she going to put her shoes on?! Please, please, please let it be soon!"
But I too have grown to love these walks. It's not to exercise my body but to clear and refresh my mind. I walk the same path almost every day. I go along the canal and down Wheadon lane. It's like walking in the country. I took some pictures today to share the peaceful scene.
The house is my friend Judy's. It is like taking a step back in time. I could just look at the chairs and the tire swing and go back to summers when I was young. Good memories!

Love Hurts!!

So after my post last week this one might seem strange but here goes. Most people who know me fairly well know that I am a compulsive cleaner. If there is a spot on the tile-I wipe it up, if there is a stain on the stove, I get out the Soft Scrub with Bleach. My kids will tell you that when they were younger, I would get upset at them if they made footprints in the carpet I just vacuumed-that's probably true.
But last week some of my kids and all of my grandkids left the state of Utah. My Michigans went back to Michigan. And my Provoians moved to Texas-Texans. AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I have cried and eaten, eaten and cried. Nothing seems to take the pain away. But-I have this one reminder that I will keep for a while-small little handprints on my mirror and back door. I'm not getting the Windex or paper towels out-I'm loving thinking about those small ones and the love I have for them:)

One of the Best Weeks of My Life

This past week has been crazy and crazy good. Everyone in my family-minus Russ-was here for Scott and Emily's wedding. I have to say that the time together with my kids and grandkids was heaven. We were able to spend hours together eating, boating, slip and sliding, walking, going to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house, with the week's highlight being together in the Draper Temple for Scott and Emily's wedding. My family is my greatest treasure. I love them all to my very soul. We may be spread apart but we are all together in spirit.