Happy to be Surrounded by Mothers!

 

There are not adequate words to express my love for all of the many women who are mothers in my life - so I will just leave you with these pictures.

And so many more...

I am so very blessed! Happy Mother's Day!

It's always fun When Grandpa Comes...

 downstairs and says "who's first?!"

Although 8 may be too tall for this trick...

I am so very blessed!

A VERY Good Anniversary

 

It's been 11 years since I answered this man's message on eHarmony...

One of the BEST decisions I ever made!

I had been single for more then 16 years, raised my kiddos, been doing the single scene (dances, firesides, free sites) BUT was pretty discouraged about ever meeting anyone with a testimony of the Gospel. I decided I would give eHarmony a try in the summer... but during April General Conference that year, I kept feeling a strong prompting to join eHarmony NOW. 

I posted this (less than impressive) picture taken with my cell phone as I did not have any others... and two days later, I received a message from Luke. He had included his testimony of Jesus Christ as part of his profile. I knew then that this was a man I needed to get to know!

He and I are both so blessed to have testimonies of our Lord and Savior. How appropriate that this anniversary falls on this Easter Sunday.

I am so blessed!

A Stunning Six!

 

How can she be six already?! We love our Olivia!!!

She loves life, loves to have fun, and is such a natural hostess on all occasions!

We all love Olivia!

Projects in the Off Season!

 Winter is too cold to garden here... except growing sprouts, some micro greens and starting some seeds...

So I need a few projects to keep busy! Finished Jon's jean quilt - he loves it!

I've been doing a little canning- beef, turkey, bone broth, cranberry juice, and I tried some carrots for the first time. Luke liked the carrots, but they were a bit soft for me - so my cooking brain worked on it a couple of weeks and...

A purple sweet potato- looks strange and tastes great BTW!

decided to put together a recipe for my own version of cream of carrot soup - turned out so well! I used one pint of my home canned carrots, including the liquid, some of my home made onion powder, some of my homemade garlic butter, some lovely curry powder (no, not home grown)- blended together and added some white sauce instead of cream- then topped with a sprinkle of my own dried parsley - so, so GOOD! We will definitely be making this again!

I am so blessed to have so many projects to keep me going.

The Littlest Little (so far...) is One!

 

What a handsome little man! And just look at those cute cheeks!

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful little!

Why I Teach

 

With the Utah legislature passing legislation that diminishes the worth of a public educator, sets up those who home school their children well for increased government regulation, and subsidizes the already advantaged parents/students at the ultimate expense of those more in need (students with disabilities, single parents, etc.), it is tough to remember why I teach...

It doesn't help when I also have some really challenging kiddos whose behavior tests my patience every class...

Then I receive this message from a student who is leaving my school (living with dad now, so switching schools.):

"Hello, I will not be there on monday. and i jus wanted to tell you thank you for everything you’ve done for me, you know how everyone talks about that one teacher that changed their life. that’s you for me. you’ve changed my life because you truly were one of the best teachers i’ve met. so thank you. and i know that especially this year i’ve been a very difficult student lol. thank you for dealing with my bs and being so kind and talking me through things. and talking me through them. anyway i’ll see you later thank you!"

So thankful that this young woman was willing to send me this message, to tell me just what I needed to hear!

This is why I teach!