Ten Axioms to Guide Your Life

I found this very interesting helpful article from Robert D. Hales and thought I would share the essence of it:

1. It's not the obstacle that counts, but how you overcome it.
2. Pursue your goals with all your heart, might, mind and strength. You are doomed to failure if you pursue them in a vacillating manner.
3. From a tiny spark can come a large fire.
4. Our greatest strengths can become our greatest weaknesses.
5. Failure is one of the greatest teachers if we have the faith to learn from it.
6. It is not how you start the race or where you are during the race. It is how you cross the finish line that matters.
7. If you wish to get rich, save what you get. A fool can earn money; but it takes a wise man to save and dispose of it to his own advantage.
8. You cannot learn the Lord's will without exercising your agency and becoming accountable for your decisions.
9. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
10. The temple of God is the greatest university.
Robert D. Hales, Ensign, Feb. 2007

Tyler

Our son-in-law, Tyler has been in the hospital for several days with an infection stemming from an appendix operation. He has really struggled with the combination of medications given him and developed pneumonia as well. This certainly gives us a moment to pause and be thankful for our health and try to be positive when challenges come, as they most certainly will. We are thankful for blessings and prayers and help of family and friends in their behalf. It has been our privilege to help with their children and are grateful for the opportunity to be there for them so Amanda can spend some time with her hubby at the hospital.

Garden

We are enjoying our garden with green beans, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini & plums. Today we had a vegetable medley (peeled tomatoes , cucumbers, green peppers and onions cut to bite size and poured good seasons Italian dressing over with salt and pepper and stirred ) It was easy and very tasty. Of course there is nothing finer than fresh green beans, cooked and seasoned with salt and pepper and butter. Yummy! I made jam with the plums.

Bear Quilt

When I came home, Amanda brought in this beautifully quilted bear quilt Udell Smith made for me. It is gorgeous lavender color with hand stitching all over. She is an expert quilter! She has made hundreds of quilts and never thought I would be a recipient of one! I love it. Thank you Udell! What a delightful - another surprise!!

Udell stitched my initials on the purse of the bear - what a darling quilt!

A's Ballgame

Todd got tickets for an A's baseball game for the Monday after my party. Todd & Billie, Andrew and Sarah Kathi & Erik, Brian Deb,Rachel & Matt and Jon Malcolm and I went. It was a perfect evening and an exciting game. We all ate the ballgame food and loved it! The game began at 7 PM and we got home about 1 AM

The kid's having a blast and enjoying the spirit of baseball

This was Jon's first major league game so he was thrilled and took home a green ball, hat and a big foam finger!

Jon and Gram

Rachel and Gramp

My 70th Birthday

It is not often that I am surprised, but Malcolm began many months ago to plan this party of our family for my 70th birthday! He really pulled if off with class and lots of family, fun and with the help of Amanda and Deb and my Sister planned the food and reserved the cultural hall at our Church so we would have room for our very large family group. How blessed I am and so love all of these special people in my life! This first picture is my first realization that there are a lot of people at our home. We had been on a vacation on the North Coast - Malcolm's plan to get me away so the girls could arrange the party. It has been a double fun weekend!

It has finally set in that there is a celebration!

Finally, I am overwhelmed at the magnitude of what is happening!

My wonderful Family organized a surprise 70th birthday party for me on my 70th birthday. All of our children, most of our grandchildren, My Sister, Linda, Brother Steve and Malcolm's Mom, Sister and nephew were all there. We had a huge family reunion together. When Malcolm and I returned from a trip to the North Coast I was met with his sign and family as the garage door opened!!! I was shocked and delighted!

Most of our grandchildren were with us on this glorious day!

Malcolm and I with our children and their spouses.
Val and Don, Dan and Kris, Russ, Trent and Amy, Todd and Billie, Amanda and Tyler, Brian and Deb, Michael and Annette, Malcolm and Patsy

Our eight children
Back row: Dan, Russell, Michael, Todd and Brian
Front row: Amy, Amanda and Valerie

Kathi, Malcolm and Mom

My Brother Steve and some of his children

Malcolm's Sister Kathi and Son, Erik and Malcolm's Mom, Elizabeth

My Sister Linda, Brother Steve and Me

Todd and Billie's Family

Val & Don'sFamily

Mike and Annette's Family

Brian and Deb's Family

Russell

Dan and Kris' Family

Amanda and Tyler's Family

Amy and Trent's Family

Northcoast Trip

Malcolm planned a glorious and peaceful vacation to the coast for us. Our first stop was Eureka where we used to live for a few years We stopped and visited with some neighbors who were surprised and delighted to see us. We drove around and stopped at one of our favorite places to eat, the Samoa Cookhouse near the beach. They have family style food which is delicious and make their own bread. We had ham and fried chicken. They offer a different menu each day. It was yummy! Then we drove to Ferndale and walked to all the fun shops and looked at the colorful Victorian homes. We drove a little further South bought some cheese and French bread for lunch then down to the Redwoods for pictures and shopping. Malcolm gave me an open budget so I found some treasures from the area. We enjoyed driving through all the forests and took pictures and finally drove home. We got lots of sleep and just enjoyed being together!! Thank you to my honey of a husband for a terrific few days!!!

Redwood Grove of Trees. It was so peaceful and beautiful. We never tire of going there and appreciating the great beauty of these magnificent trees

Victorian Inn in Ferndale. We plan to spend some time there next time we are up North. It is just beautiful and historic. We shopped in this quaint little village and bought some treasures to bring home

Malcolm shot this amazing view of a Redwood tree

We went to the Redwoods and took picture of each of us at the Founder's tree - one of the largest trees in the Redwood forest. It is an awesome sight

Malcolm at the Founder's tree monument

Patsy with Fisherman Statue

Malcolm with the Fisherman Statue dedicated to fisherman lost at sea in Eureka

Carson Mansion in Eureka - historic home