Why this blog...

I am the mother of the three most talented, intelligent and beautiful children ever to live on this earth. I am also privileged to be married to the most wonderful man! He has added three additional talented, intelligent and beautiful children to our family! I have a job that I mostly love, a wonderful education, a beautiful home, marvelous family, and I have the privilege of belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have been greatly blessed in my life, but I sometimes forget that. So, I decided to create this blog as a way to remind myself of all the many blessings and miracles that surround me. (I'm also terrible at keeping a journal- so this will be something for my kids to enjoy as well.)

I hope you enjoy what you read. I would love to hear what you think!

Deanne

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Drip, Drip, Drip...


Over three years since I met this incredible man!!!

But some of life is hard... Living with someone with a chronic illness is like living with water dripping - all of the time! Life keeps going, with it's challenging times and great times, but the drip, drip, drip is always there. Even on good days, the 'sound' isn't gone.

Drip- always medications to remember, sleep schedules to keep, doing all of the chores all of the time - myself.

Drip- very limited on going anywhere but work, church, or required errands- and so often going alone.

Drip- never knowing if it will be a hard day for him (with me tiptoeing around the house and being oh so careful of what I say or do in an effort to lift just a tiny bit of his burden) or a rare good day (one in which we might actually be able to laugh together for a moment).

And yes, it can get discouraging. I think the worst, though, is watching him wanting so much to do more, help more, be more for me but not being able to (YET)!

So I hang on to promises Luke and I have been given and try to drown out the dripping with words of hope-

Like the talk given by President Uchtdorf in the last General Women's Conference: 'A Summer with Great-Aunt Rose'

He quotes this from Revelations: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." 


So even as the drip, drip, drip continues to sound in my ears, I remember the promises of my Savior and am grateful for Luke in my life!

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Summer Projects Part 2... And Fall...

It's been so busy for the past 6 weeks, I have not had time to post the last of my summer projects...

Not too shabby now!


a bit dismal before... and I loved these chairs- but not the covers before...



Now...


LOVE!!!

And canning, canning, and even some freezing!

salsa and jalapeno jelly!

basil in abundance!

tomatoes and apple jelly


I am very blessed to have so many things to keep me busy!

Now, what to do with this fabulous fabric? (and it only cost $4 for all!)















Saturday, September 12, 2015

Missing the Misses!

Being a grandmother is wonderful! Being a grandmother who does not get to see the munchins more than once every couple of months (or only sometimes more), not so wonderful...

But I will take what I can get; so loving the FB pics!



And look who's walking!!!!


Sunday, August 16, 2015

Last Hurrah of Summer!

It was back to work I went this past week... but I had an amazing weekend full of friends and family before heading back!


Claire's newest expression! Gotta love it!!

The kids and many of Luke's family were able to come over to celebrate this one turning 1!


 I think grand-pops enjoyed the day...


reading together on the floor- how precious!


I just love the look she is giving Luke!

Leslie's family even came from North Dakota- so good to see them!

Ashtyn (and the rest of us) finally met Nate!

yeah, not so impressed...

And we got creative celebrating Brynndi!




A very busy but FUN weekend of family! 

I miss them all already...

And a big CONGRATULATIONS to Jared on earning his master's degree!

I am so blessed to have so many in my life who love me!







Tuesday, July 21, 2015

The Joys of Life With No Vacations....

Luke continues to struggle greatly with his health... meaning no vacation days- but life has so much to offer even without any vacations!

My new job means that I will be able to continue walking every morning!
And check out these views (on 4 different mornings... just wish my camera could show you the magnificent view I really saw!)







And this morning, I saw some atypical lawn ornaments!


I have also had time to work on improving some of our favorite recipes!


Chicken curry w/out the chicken! Golden raisins, cashews, white beans and lots of veg... so delicious!

And I had the BEST Stake Lagoon Day ever- staying home to tend this little one while her parents and uncle enjoyed the park.




She had a cold and was cutting at least two new teeth... so LOTS of cuddles for Grandma! In fact, she mostly just wanted to sit on my lap all day- a rarity for this little mover and shaker- one which I enjoyed to the fullest!

And my sweet husband managed to spend a day in the temple with me! What an incredible blessing for us!!!



As Luke loves to remind me, "Life is Good"!




Thursday, July 9, 2015

Summer Fun Means Family!

Sue did it again! She provided a spectacular setting for family fun- with a new water slide even bigger than the house!


This one LOVES the water!


Loves the water - just like mom!





She really was happy- just caught the sad face...





Ben coming down the new slide (almost as big as that tree!)





















And guess who turned 1!!!





Such a sweetheart!