Is this a face only a mother could love??

Murphy is so excited for his cousins Cali and Diesel to come visit this weekend.

He can hardly contain his excitement!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PADDY!

It is hard to believe that Patrick Ryan Lucky will be turning

32

on May 14th. We all wished we lived close enough to spend this special day with him - but since we don't - we are sending him this birthday message.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PADDY!

I can't believe how old I look! I mean just look at the wrinkles - I think most of them came from Pat and Britt! They really owe me!

For many years, Mother's Day was not a day that I looked forward to. I felt that I always fell short, I didn't measure up and that everyone else was a much better mother. Their children were almost perfect and very obedient - but my sons seemed to be always testing me and the boundaries that our family had set. Sacrament Meetings on Mother's Day focused on the virtures of motherhood and spoke of the wonderful mothers who never got angry, never got tired, and always knew the right things to say or do - some times I would leave those meeting in tears. As I reflect back on those days, I realize how short sited and self focused I was. I was and continue to be a 'work in progress'. I didn't realize how truly blessed I was.

Today I would like to set the record straight and give thanks for the wonderful blessing that has been mine to be an earthly mother to Britton and Patrick. They have blessed and enriched my life beyond measure. We have certainly had our struggles and at times I would have gladly taken away their 'agency' so that I could make their choices. But that is not God's plan. It has been hard to watch as they suffer the consequences of poor decisions - but it has also been an opportunity for their personal growth. I am proud of the fine young men they have become and for the privilege it has been to have them in our home and be such an integral part of my life. I can only imagine what our Heavenly parents must feel as they watch us struggle, grow, experience heartbreak, or the thrill of accomplishment during our earthly journey.

I am thankful for the knowledge I have that we can be an 'Eternal Family' and that the love that binds us together will not end when this life is over. My sons are my greatest accomplishment and my greatest joy! Thank guys...

I am also thankful for my own mother. She has been a tremendous example and friend to me and I am so grateful that I am her daughter. I hope I have made her proud.

This Mother's Day I express my gratitude and recognize how empty my life would be without my mother, my sons, my sweet grandchildren, an outstanding daughter-in-law and a wonderful husband who has helped make this possible.

Ed's got a brand new look!

Several years ago Ed had his toenail on his big toe removed because of an infection. This morning as I was painting my toenails Ed wondered how he would look with his toenail back - we decided to see! I painted it bright red. Ed went downstairs to show the grandkiddies...they just thought it was weird and Sariah wanted to know if she could have her nails done in the same color. I decided to put his toe on our blog to show all what a good sport Ed is!!! I am one lucky woman.

How to get kids to eat asparagus...

For dinner on Sunday, I fixed some asparagus (along with other wonderful things). I love it, but it is not one of Ed's favorites and Britt doesn't eat anything green unless it is lettuce! I wanted the grandkids to at least try it. So...I told them that when you eat asparagus your pee will smell like it. They were definitely interested and both Bren and Sariah decided to eat some. It was so funny to see them shove it in their months, take a couple of chews and quickly swallow. Immediately Brenny asked to be excused to go the bathroom. He wanted to test my theory. I told him that it doesn't work quite that fast!
It will be fun to check with them on Tuesday evening to hear the results.

High Priest Fireside

This is a picture of the poster board sign made to advertise the High Priest's fireside entitled "Missionary Miracles." A couple of months ago, I was popping off about the poor attendance we were having at our socials and firesides. So our Group Leader, tired of hearing me complain, gave me the assignment to plan and organize one to see if I could do any better. (I seem never to learn to keep my mouth shut.) As a result, in late February I laid out a plan that covered announcements, advertising, personal invitations, and refreshments with a specific timetable for each. Everything went according to plan until last night. Just before the appointed start time I waited outside the chapel to greet our speaker. At 7pm he still had not arrived and I began to be concerned. By 7:15pm I was in a panic because he is normally never late. Our speaker is a counsellor in the Mission Presidency and a good friend. It was so unlike him to not be to the event early. The decision was made by our Group Leader that we would have our fireside anyway since nearly 30 of us were already assembled. (In the meantime, Mark Payne kept trying to reach Pres. Dalton.) Since I was primarily responsible for the activity I started off the meeting by telling my own Missionary Conversion Miracle. I had just finished with my story and bearing my testimony and in walks Pres. Dalton. He had completely forgotten about the assignment and was on the way to the airport to pick up his son. When he got the call from Mark, he turned the car around and had his family drop him off at our chapel. They went on to the airport without him. We had a great time and received inspirational Missionary Miracles stories in their abbreviated form. As I reflect on the evening I'm embarrassed that I was unsettled about our speaker. In the room there was probably 10 or 12 of our group members that could have shared with us Missionary Miracles that would have been inspiring and uplifting. The only thought that comes to mind is; "Oh ye of little faith...."

New Wheels for Brennan

Brennan has been riding the small bicycle that he got when he was about 3 or 4 year olds. Needless to say, he has outgrown it. Britt wanted him to earn part of the money for a bicycle so that he would appreciate it more and hopefully take good care of it. Ed and I told Brennan that we would match the money he saved, as would his dad. He has been doing 'extra' chores at our house and really saving his money. This weekend he counted it out and it looked like he had reached his goal. Britt and Brennan went on Saturday to pick out the one he likes best. It was a blue Mongoose. He rode for just a short while and when it tipped over the plastic around the brake that attaches to the handle bar broke. We thought that maybe he should take that bike back and get a little better quality. This is the bike! We all like it even better. After church and dinner, Britt, Bren, Sariah, and Kiyoko (with dad) all rode to Twin Lake Elementary School to practice their bike riding skills. It is a beautiful day. We have so much to be thankful for!