Abbie's presentation

Abbie gave a presentation this week on Portugal.
We have lots of Portuguese friends
Lane served his mission there as well.
It seemed like an obvious choice :)

Lindsey and Maddie were able to come watch and lend moral support.
It was fun for Abbie to show them off :)

I was so proud of her.
She projected her voice well
and shared interesting information.

She wanted to serve Portuguese rice pudding,
something I have not made in years.
The kids loved it!
Lindsey and I didn't get any so I made more yesterday.
I'd forgotten how incredibly yummy it is!
Great job, Abbie!

Thomas' mission photos May 2009

Midlothian, Virginia

A house in his area

Trade book for ice cream?
I'm confident they ate the ice cream,
I wonder if the guy read the book :)

Remember that short cut he mentioned?
I think he'll just go the trusted way next time.

Ick!

Their apartment
The car they share with the other missionaries

A 1/2 mile driveway...looks dreamy to me!

Elder Work

Elder Gomez

My Mother

This is my amazing, wonderful mother
a woman who gives 100%
There are no words to describe my
love, respect, admiration for her so I won't try
If you know her, you know what I mean
I love you, Mom

My little brother lives in Minnesota
He had these flowers delivered to mom on Mother's Day
They are exquisite!

DONE!

The last two rooms are finally redecorated!

No, we're not announcing grand babies.
I have so many little people who need to nap here,
why not have a room for them!?!
The toys are in the room.
It's cozy and wonderful.
The nursery is simply perfect.
We still need to hang the pictures...
after we get them framed :)

I love the master bedroom more and more every day

Easter 2009

THIS
is the place for Easter.
It is what Easter is all about!

I know it's only her little body that is laid to rest here
but it is where she will be resurrected!
This is where our little one will join us -
whole, without birth defects.
What a glorious day that will be!
Just imagine all these graves yielding up their dead.

This is a reverent place.
It's on the mountain side,
home to many bunnies, and deer, other wild life.
Last year we even donated a bunny to
East Lawn Estates :)

We walk, we ponder, we "visit" those we know.

What a wonderful piece of God's land.
What a blessing that He shares it with us.
I feel the Lord's presence easily while I'm here.

Amelia fits in that space between Claire and Abbie.
Our missing step.
Hard as it was, the sacred, precious, experiences are what comes to my mind.
Thank you, Amelia, for blessing our lives.

And every year the children are bigger...
this year was strange,
two of our children are now men and have moved on
to the places they're supposed to be.

This is Kevin's grave.
Kevin's parents are dear friends of ours.
Kevin was killed last fall in a tragic car accident.
I was delighted when they chose "our" cemetery.

Easter Egg Hunt

11 Apr 2009
Scott's parents have the most amazing yard for an easter egg hunt.
This year, Abbie was to join them for the hunt.
The Nielsens were also invited.

I have a great yard for egghunting but nothing like this yard! Sandy (Scott's mom) has this hunting thing down to a science...everyone gets to hunt, they're divided into age grouups and even the adults get to participate. Here are my to brothers-in-law getting into the action! Hands down, these are the greatest brothers-in-law a person could hope for :)

It was oh-so-cold-and-rainy but no one seemed to mind...
too much fun to be had to be concerned about the weather!

Elias and Abbie

Scotty and Eli

Stanly

No, this stuff was not "planted" in their yard for the hunt...it's just what it looks like. Every little boy's dream.

Thanks, Steve and Sandy! This is an Easter not to be forgotten.

Prom Night

She and John had a great day together. Claire is blessed with GREAT friends!

How did we miss getting a full length front view!?!? Never fear, in a couple of weeks she'll be having some photos taken, we'll show them off then.
For now, you'll have to anticipate what's yet to come :)

I have the dearest friend. She's the kind that we can go months, even longer with no contact. We're both just busy caring for our families...but one phone call and it's like we've never missed a beat. SHE is the seamstress behind this glorious work of art.

She felt beautiful and indeed she looked beautiful!