Simple Pleasures

2011-06-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

Today is National Flag Day, June 14th...who knew???

It has been in the works since 1889, initiated by, not surprisingly, a Kindergarten teacher who wanted his students to appreciate and understand what the U.S. flag symbolized. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson established June 14th as National Flag Day.

So, I think it is worth taking a minute or two to think about what the U.S. flag means to you, personally. I know that I love the tradition of standing and putting my hand over my heart to honor what that flag stands for.

To me, it stands for a nation that was established by a Divine hand and organized by inspired men who, despite what you may have read about them, had the courage and values that Heavenly Father needed to prepare a place for His purposes.

We are blessed to live here, and we are here for a reason.

And I am grateful for my ancestors who heeded the promptings to move their families across the ocean to make this their home. I am grateful for the valiant men who have given their lives to keep this land free from tyranny and destruction, and for those who guard over us to protect those freedoms and our rights. Thanks, Dad and Nathan, for sacrificing your time and putting your lives on the line for us.

The following words were spoken by the late Red Skelton on his television program (you are all too young to remember it!) as he related the story of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, who felt his students had come to think of the Pledge of Allegiance as merely something to recite in class each day.

"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you.

If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

I...me, an individual, a committee of one.

Pledge...dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

Allegiance...my love and my devotion.

To the flag...our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!

Of the United...that means that we have all come together.

States of America...individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.

And to the republic for which it stands...a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

One nation, under God...meaning "so blessed by God"

Indivisible...incapable of being divided.

With Liberty...which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice...the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.

For All...which means it's as much your country as it is mine.

If you would like to hear him tell this in his own words, just go to http://www.poofcat.com/july.html

Memorial Day Thoughts

2011-05-30T17:37:00.001-07:00

Today on the radio, I heard someone say "Happy Memorial Day!"

I think they have it backwards. For me, this is not a day for celebration, picnics, or to use as a reason to go on vacation.

My thoughts are turned to those who have gone before. To those who have fought and have given their all for our freedom. To those who fought and lived to enjoy the freedoms that they fought for. To those who are now fighting to keep our country safe and to give freedom to those in other countries who are oppressed.

My thoughts are turned to those I have loved who have gone on. To my special Dad and my sweet mother-in-law. The void they have left cannot be filled. Their memories are part of me and who I am. I miss them.

But, today I remember the good people that they were and thank God that I will be able to be with them again. I love thinking about our times together, and honor their memories. That is better than a bouquet of flowers on their gravestone, or "weeds" as my Dad called them.

I think when I am gone, I would still like to have flowers placed on my gravestone. And maybe a quiet moment from my loved ones as they remember our good times together.

35 Years and Counting

2011-04-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

It's been a wonderful 35 year adventure with my best friend! Can't believe that we made it through all of the glorious ups and the strengthening downs, but we did. We still have our ups days and our down days, but underlying all of those is an incredibly strong love for each other. We have a great legacy of long marriages in our family, and we are so proud of the parents that we have who have set such a fine example for us. We are also proud of our three daughters who have made great choices in spouses and who have married for time and eternity, as we have. Marriage isn't easy, but, as the saying goes, it is worth it!

Here are a few of the highlights that I could remember. Does anyone have others that will fill in the blanks?

1976 Married in Logan Temple; bought our home in Smithfield; Happy, happy, happy!

1977 Anna Marie born

1978 Had 1^st miscarriage

1979

1980 Scott Hartley born

1981

1982 Had 2^nd miscarriage

1983 Jeanette Sue born; Scott diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut

1984

1985 Scott to American Fork for 1 ½ years

1986 Michele Lee born

1987

1988

1989

1990 Moved to Lewiston

1991 Scott’s brain surgery; Connie started working at USU

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996 Carl started work at Dutro

1997 Anna and Nate married

1998 Kelsey Marie born

1999

2000 Carl went on Alaska fishing trip to Doc Warner’s

2001 Morgan Nichole born

2002 Edith Pehrson passed away

2003 Jeanette & Devin married

2004

2005

2006 Aleah Elizabeth born

2007 Michele & Wayne married

2008 Olivia Mae born; Dylan Lenau & Lindsey Daelyn born; Carl off work for 3 months--started working at Metal Vision; Connie started working at CPD

2009 Lenau Hartley passed away

2010 Madison Lee born

2011 35th Anniversary! Wyatt Scott born. Baby girl Sisson to be born

My Best Friend

2010-06-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

I love this weekend in June because I get to honor my best friend, husband, and the father of my children. He is truly everything you said on your blog and more, Anna. I am so lucky to live with such an honorable man, who always tries to please everyone around him, often to the neglect of his own needs.

Enjoy a few shots of my honey!

I hope you had a great weekend and an even greater year! Happy Birthday and Father's Day!

Two Keepers!

2010-06-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

I can't pass up this opportunity to talk about two of the special people in my life who have both had birthdays this past week.....Kelsey Marie and Michele Lee.

Kelsey Marie Sisson turned 12 on June 9, 2010. What a beautiful young woman! She is my firstborn grandchild and holds a special place in my heart. Kelsey has always been Scott's special friend and treats him with so much love! She sets a good example for all of the grandkids. Kelsey has an artistic soul and loves to create things of beauty. She is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. Her spirit runs deep and is close to our Heavenly Father. I know that her prayers helped Scott out last summer when he was so ill. Sure love you, Kelsey girl!

Michele is my rock and although she has her hands full with two little sweethearts now, she always has time to come and visit and help us out whenever we need her to. You don't know how much that means to me, Shelly. She is a fantastic wife and mother, and a wonderful daughter! It is hard to realize that my baby is 24 years old! That makes me feel as old as I am turning this year....60! Wow! I love Michele's happy smiles and positive attitude. She always lifts me up. What a ray of sunshine she is to all of us! Here's to a great year, honey!

It's Coming!

2010-06-08T10:35:00.001-07:00

I'm working my way up to posting a new blog. Be patient. It is coming as soon as I can figure out how to get my pictures from my new camera on my computer. Keep on putting up new posts of your own so I have some inspiration and motivation!

In the meantime, enjoy where Iwish I was going this summer.....

This is Spring???!!!?!?!?!?!?!?

2010-04-01T12:00:00.001-07:00

It started snowing yesterday...can you believe it? We really got dumped on! Dad couldn't resist and took a few pictures so we could show you what we have to put up with here in Utah...enjoy!

The snow was so wet that Dad couldn't even use the snow blower. I took a couple of pics through the window.

Kirby was having a blast out there!!!

Advice From a Canadian Goose

2010-03-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

Some words of wisdom from my favorite bird:

Mate for life and stay monogamous;

Travel whenever you can;
Fly south to warmer weather;
Let the sun, moon, and starts guide you to your destination;
Travel great distances but come back to your roots;

When mean things are said to you, just let it roll off your back;
Endure life’s ups and downs with a positive outlook;
Don’t get your feathers ruffled over the small stuff;

Stretch your wings and fly high;
The sky is the limit for pursuing your dreams;

Work cooperatively together to encourage teamwork and when one member is hurt step up to help relieve the burdens;

Always be proud of who you are;

Take time to lie in the grass by a pond and slow things down in your life.
.

The Thawing

2010-03-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

I saw flies basking on the southside of my car today...
I never thought I would be thrilled to see a fly.
I woke to the sound of thousands...well, hundreds...okay, maybe a dozen Canadian geese honking!
The seagulls are back, waiting for the first plowing.
Our own robins have returned getting ready to build their wooly llama nest.
Scott has been outside a few times, watching his sheep and goats.
I am still wearing my winter coat, but my heart is starting to warm up.
Winter was extraordinarily long this year. It has taken its toll on me.
But, soon....new life will begin. And I will thaw and start to have new life, too.

Ah......Spring!

I Think I Hear the Gulls Coming

2010-03-02T10:27:00.000-08:00

My favorite poet, Carol Lynn Pearson, has written a poem that some of you may have felt like in the past few weeks. I know I have had my moments and her poem reminds me that I am not alone in this. I heard the honking of Canadian geese when I went to work this week. It gave me hope that Spring is just around the corner, and the sun will warm the earth again.

Sometimes I just need to be reminded that change is coming and life is still good. Enjoy.

Time for the Gulls
by Carol Lynn Pearson

It’s time, Father,

For the gulls, I think.

My arms shake

From flailing my field.

I sink,

Broken as the little stalks

Beneath their devouring burden.

I yield it all to you,

Who alone can touch all things.

It’s time, Father,

For the gulls.

I will be still,

And listen for their wings.

Advice from a Snowman

2010-01-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

Be a Jolly, Happy Soul.

Spend Time Outdoors.

Stay Cool.

It's Okay to be a Little Bottom Heavy.
Avoid Meltdowns.

Be Well-Rounded.

Live Well, Life is Short.

Snowman Fun

2010-01-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

On the first day of 2010 we decided to make a huge snowman in our front yard...with Wayne & Michele's help! And of course Scott, Kirby and little Sunshine, too. It didn't take very long because there was lots of snow! He turned out pretty cute, I think. What do you think??

Sunshine loved the snow....We almost lost her in it!

Grandpa goes to North Carolina!

2009-12-27T11:36:00.002-08:00

We were so excited that Grandpa got to go to Fayetteville in October to attend Morgan's baptism! It turned out to be a wonderful trip and best of all he got to play with the girls and visit with Anna & Nate! It took little Aleah a minute to warm up to this "strange man," but once she did, she and Grandpa were inseparable! (We haven't seen her since she turned 1 year old and she is 3 years old now!)

Grandpa even got to go to one of Kelsey's soccer games before the baptism on Saturday! She is a super soccer player!

Morgan looked like a little angel in her baptism dress!

They even went out to dinner at a special Chinese restaurant where they fix the food at your table! Looks like fun! What a wonderful reason for Grandpa to fly out to North Carolina! Wish we all could have been there, Morgan, for your big day!

Anna & Dad found time before he had to leave on Monday to go for a beautiful walk on a path that Anna often takes. What a great time he had!

A Wonderful December

2009-12-26T18:03:00.000-08:00

Skipping right over November, I'm moving into December and sharing the highlights of all of the good times that we had this month!

What a full and fun month it has been, starting with putting up our Christmas decorations before the week of Christmas thanks to Jenny & Devin's upcoming visit! Thank you! I had to get all (well, at least most) of the shopping done and the presents wrapped and sent off before they came on the 13th. That was quite a job trying to be more organized than usual! I also got all of our Christmas cards sent out.

Scott had fun playing Santa Claus while he got shaved!

And then cutting down our Christmas tree again this year with Michele & Wayne on the Saturday before they came. A special time, as it began snowing right as they went up Strawberry Canyon and parked. It was truly a winter wonderland as you can see from the pictures.

The twins are indescribably sweet! It was so fun to play peek-a-boo with them and hear the new words they are saying. Scottie tried to be so gentle with them and he loved to give them loves. Grandpa got Dylan and Lindsey to both play his "Aboo" game. And what a hoot to watch Olivia run through the house with Lindsey chasing her as fast as she could on her hands and knees, and Dylan trying to keep up with the girls! Special times!

What a great time we had getting to know the twins and watching them cruise around and play with all of Scott's toys! It was wonderful to see Jenny & Devin and play Back Alley (and beating them 3 times!), Cribbage, the Peg Game, and of course, chess with Devin! We had lots of time to talk and catch up on each other's lives, go shopping a bit, eat out a lot (mostly Devin & Jenny!), and just be together. We also went on a sleigh ride drawn by two large Belgium horses. It was wonderful! As you can see, Scott loved it, too!!

On Friday night we had our own little Christmas and opened our exchange presents. Okay, I admit it, the kids were spoiled....but how often does Christmas come??

On Saturday we went to the Pehrson Christmas Party. We were in charge of the dinner and had a Swedish Smorgasbord. What fun and unique dishes we had. The "Swedish Chef" made Swedish meatballs and the traditional crisp rye bread. Everyone did a great job making up the Swedish recipes: Swedish meatballs, Cabbage Rolls, Fish au gratin, pickled beets, cucumber salad, Lime and pear salad, crisp rye bread and Swedish cheese, Christmas sweet cardomon bread, Saffron rolls (Lucia bunns), and hot Glogg! All was yummy! Then there was the musical program and the turkey pinata, along with opening our gifts.

On Tuesday we held a pre-birthday party for Dylan & Lindsey! They got to eat a cupcake each and loved every crumb! Yes, they were spoiled again!!! What fun!

We said good-bye to Jenny, Devin & the twins on Wednesday....very reluctantly! They were blessed with a peaceful flight home and got to bed at 2:30 a.m., Alaska time! Thanks for the wonderful visit!

We held our traditional Christmas Eve program out in the barn with the animals. It was very peaceful and helped to keep us focused on Christ as we celebrate His birthday.

On Christmas Eve, we got our new little puppy, Sunshine. She's a miniature Australian Shepherd that our friends gave to us. She is a sweetie!

Christmas was a very quiet, peaceful day for Carl, Scott & I. We even had a chance to take a nap...upheard of!!! We had a chance to talk to Anna's family, and Mom and Linda. and Jenny's family, making us feel closer together through the miles.

Then we welcomed Michele, Wayne & Olivia later in the afternoon to open their presents and have our Christmas dinner. We love having them here to share our special days!

All we have left to say for this year is thanks for all of the good memories for 2009, and even though there were many sad ones, we rejoice in our family and the love that we have together. May God bless us all, every one!

September Fun

2009-10-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

Couldn't resist putting up these pictures of our little outing to Willow Park one Sunday afternoon in September. It was so fun with Scott and Olivia interested in all the birds and especially the fish! What a relaxing way to spend a Sunday.

And then, of course, we had to celebrate another birthday. Can you guess whose it was by the blaze of candles on the cake? Carl couldn't find enough candles to cover the cake....Texas sheet cake with German chocolate frosting! Then he made a delicious dinner...my favorite Bar-B-Q ribs, garden potatoes, corn on the cob, and a yummy spinach & strawberry salad that Michele brought. As far as birthdays go, it was as good as it gets for getting older than dirt.

And then there's Olivia...the entertainment for the party....a rendition of "If You Chance to See a Frown." Can you tell which picture is the frown and which one is the smile??? Gotta love her!

Catching up a bit....

2009-10-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

I finally got my pictures downloaded on my computer so I can share what we have been doing for the past couple of months...I'll start with my favorite place in Utah... Bear Lake!

Carl, Scott and I went to Bear Lake in September, our only trip there this summer! It was beautiful, peaceful and refreshing. We loved it there. There were only 13 other cars on the beach...believe it or not:) We had a wonderful time!

Carl enjoying the peace and quiet!

Scott doing what he does best....playing in the sand. We couldn't get him to go into the water but he sure had a ball covering himself in the sand!

Dad had to go out on the raft by himself because Scott was a party pooper....It looks like he had a good time, though!

Can't wait to go back to our seaside resort!

More of our adventures in other blogs to come...................

Lost my umph!

2009-09-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry gang that I haven't posted much lately. I seem to have lost my umph for putting new posts up, although I do have a few pictures I will share when it returns to me:) I've decided that, except for Jenny, we are all a bunch of slaggards with our posts. It gets disappointing, doesn't it? Thanks Jen, for keeping us posted with your babies and all of your activities. It does make things seem closer. I miss hearing about the rest of you and your activities, etc. But I can't nag you or I would be a hypocrite.

In the meantime, I'll be trying to get out of the dumps and start being more prolific.
Love you.

Autumn at the Pehrson

2009-08-31T18:19:00.000-07:00

We are in the midst of our Autumn activities....Carl's garden is great! We are just beginning to reap all of the goodies. So far we have put up a few peaches, beans, bread & butter pickles, tomato soup, and jalapeno jelly (very interesting flavor!)

We have two huge cherry tomato plants that are yielding more every day....there are going to be hundreds of them!!! Whoo Hoo! They are as tall as the corn stalks! Our corn isn't on yet, but will be soon. We have a great crop of pumpkins....about 20 with some that are already oranging up. A mess of beans, a few carrots and cucumbers. Lots and lots of zucchini -both green and yellow- and winter squash.

Our sunflowers are gigantic! Just take a peek....

Our animals are enjoying all of the good weather and good eatings, too.

Of course, there is the porch gang and our sweet little Olivia, trying to catch bubbles! Love her to pieces!!!!

Most of all, Scott is enjoying being outside again...I tried to get a close up of his cute little smiling face as he sat outside after getting home from the hospital. Gotta love this country life!!!

Pehrson Camp Out-August 2009

2009-08-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

The Pehrson Family held their annual Campout & Bear Lake Outing this month on the 14th & 15th. As it turned out, not the greatest choice of weekends, the weather didn't cooperate too much! But, it all turned out good in the end.

There were 36 of us there! The food was great (corn on the cob, Bar-B-Q sandwiches, salad, beans, and 3 different kinds of cobblers...yum, yum, yum! Grandpa brought slides for a slide show at dark; games & s'mores around the campfire; rain through the night. Woke up to freezing weather... Brrrr! Most everyone chickened out for going to Bear Lake so different groups went hiking at Old Limber Pine, Ice Caves and repelling , and then those that could met at Janice's for lunch in Logan. Here are a few pictures of clan!

He's Back!

2009-08-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

After a looooooooong siege in the hospital with our Scottie boy, he is back home and doing well....except for somewhere along the way he learned to fine tune his whining! He is happy-except when he is whining-and looking good after losing 17 pounds! (What a way to lose weight, Buddy.)

We'll omit all of the gruesome details here in the blog . Just know that we had a close call with Scott, but Heavenly Father decided that we still needed to learn some things from Him. We are so grateful that he is still with us, and grateful for the powerful prayers that were said in his behalf. It has helped us to see just how precious he is to us and to appreciate being with him each and every day. Carl & I truly feel blessed to have him in our lives, and though he presents challenges to us and sacrifices on our part, he brings so much happiness and purpose into our lives. Couldn't love you more, Bud!

We owe a lot of thanks to family and friends for all of their support and caring for Scott and for us during this time. Especially to Michele do we owe so much...her constant care and support of Scott and her concern for our needs, too. She would not leave his side and said many prayers in his behalf. We love you, Michele! And we know that Anna and Jenny also said many prayers in his behalf. We know that you wanted to be here, girls, but we felt of your presence and support.

So, now we go forward with grateful hearts and a determination to enjoy our times together even more and to be thankful for the opportunity we have to be an eternal family.

Got Any Goat Names?

2009-07-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

We have a new goat to help Chase out with the weeds! But, we are having a tough time naming him and we need some help.

We've thought of Houdini, because he can get out of the fence we put him in; our neighbor girl thought of Stripes, because he is gray and white striped;

Carl likes initials....so how about GG (Gray Goat)?; we both like Max, for Maxwell Smart. When he grows up he is going to have a long white beard! He likes to bully our little Goober lamb and get his horns underneath him and try and lift him up. Hmmmm. There might be some names for him!

Let us know what you think....do you have another name for us to try? Or do you like one of the ones we thought of? Take a look at ??????????

2009-07-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

I guess the next best thing to going on a trip, is having someone make you their trip! Thanks for coming to visit with us, Mom and Linda! They traveled up through Montana--Lolo Pass & Glacier National Park-- ; North & South Dakota,--Mt. Rushmore & Crazy Horse Memorial & a tornado!--; and then across Wyoming to Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole and the Tetons; and down to Utah--US!

They saw some beautiful sights and Linda drove many miles---no accidents or troubles except for a tornado lit down 30 miles from them and they were hit with hailstones the size of marbles. We had a great time here, visiting and shopping, eating kabobs & sweet pork burritos, going on a Casper run for Hot Fudge Sundaes (Mom's weakness!) , and playing a good game of Outburst!

It was great to have Michele, Wayne & Olivia over. Olivia finally warmed up to her great grandmother and Linda. Wayne got beat, yet again, by Grandma (better practice up, Wayne!) We got in a few family pictures. Enjoy!

Write in Stone

2009-07-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

Two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey, they had an argument. One friend slapped the other one in the face.

The one who got slapped was hurt, but, without saying anything, wrote in the sand: Today my best friend slapped me in the face.

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend save him.

After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: Today my best friend saved my life

The friend who had slapped and saved his bests friend asked him, After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now you write on a stone. Why?

The friend replied: When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand, where winds of forgiveness can erase it away.

But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.

May we learn to write your hurts in the sand and carve our kindnesses in stone.

Scott Is Having a Birthday!

2009-06-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

It's Scott's turn this week...he turns 29, can you believe it? Twenty-nine years ago we welcomed this beautiful little boy into our family. Little did we know the journey that we started then. It has been the most challenging and the most joyous journey we could have ever imagined. I can't imagine loving anyone more than I do Scott! He is a precious soul with a celestial future.

Would we change anything if we could make a wish? Some things, of course, but we would never have cancelled the journey.

I would wish for...

Less grief . . . . and more enjoyment of the moment.

Less pain for Scott. . . . and more hugs and kisses.

Less doctor visits. . . . and more visits to McDonalds.

Less responsibilities for his sisters. . . . and more family vacations.

Less irritation with his limitations. . . . and more rejoicing over his strengths.

Less focus on his needs alone. . . . and more focus on the family's needs.

Less frustration. . . . and more patience.

Less taking from others. . . . and more giving.

Scott certainly has shaped all of our lives and the lives of anyone who spends time with him. I think I like the shape we are in. How about you?

HELP! Does anyone have any ideas for what to get him for his birthday? We have bought every Sesame video and book there is. We're ready for something different....but WHAT?????

Advice From a Wildflower

2009-06-21T09:12:00.000-07:00

-Show your true colors.

-Delight in Simple Pleasures.

-Celebrate your natural beauty.

-Open up!

-Spread seeds of joy!

-It's OK to be a late bloomer.

-Be wild & wonderful !

Readers are invited to add pictures of their own local, beautiful wildflowers in their comments (if possible) or on their own blogs!

Grandma Hartley's Blog Now Open

2009-06-19T07:56:00.001-07:00

You can check out Grandma Hartley's Blog now. I am putting updates on it until her computer is fixed. She would love to read your comments!!

Hero of Daily Life

2009-06-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

I saw a sign the other day that said, "Dad, Hero of Daily Life." I thought that fit Carl to a "T" because, without him getting us through each day, Scott and I would be lost! I always like the month of June, because, since it is his birthday on the 19th and Father's Day soon after, I get to buy things for him that he can't tell me he can "do without." I have had fun choosing some things that I think he will like, but would never buy for himself. Nothing too big, but it is the little things that count, right?!

Anyway, Carl/Dad is the hero of our lives each and every day. Who else would:

Get up at 4:30 a.m., shower, fix lunches, get breakfast things on the table for us, feed baby lambs, feed and water the animals, let the dog out and back in, put reminder notes of things for me to do on the table, read the scriptures, put in a load of laundry, and get to work by 6:00?

Work hard at a job he really doesn't like that wipes him out 10 hours a day, to provide for his family for 33 years?

Come home to feed/water the animals again, check to see if I remembered to take care of the things on my list, put in another load of laundry, thaw out some meat for dinner, fix or help to fix our meal, take care of the dishes on the days I can't convince him to let me, go mow the lawn or weed the garden or flower beds or putter outside, get Scott ready for bed, take care of my leg for 1/2 hour, take time to talk to his daughters, and THEN finally sit down for a minute to read the paper and get to bed by 9:30 so he can get up and do it all over again?

Fill his Fridays and Saturdays with work, work, work, on the lawn, the house, the cars, etc. so they don't fall apart?

Take turns going to church the entire 3 hour block, get dinner started, help get Scott ready for church, take us to church and wrestle Scott for an hour, dinner and dishes again, maybe get a nap in, and finally relax enough to read the paper and maybe watch some TV, take care of church responsibilities?

Whew! That wore me out just typing it! He is amazing! And rarely complains, can you believe it? Now you know why he is our hero, and why I love June. They don't come much better than my husband. I love him and honor him and pledge to take some of that load off of him this coming year. He deserves a looooooooooooooooong vacation where he can fish, hike, camp, and just sit. Hopefully he can work in more than one of those this summer. Until then, Carl, Friday and Sunday are your days, and you won't have to do anything that you don't want to! You are a great husband, father, grandfather, son, brother,and friend! You are my hero!

A "Deeeeeeeelicious" Daughter

2009-06-11T10:44:00.001-07:00

As Michele Lee, my baby (always have been, always will be!) turns 23 years old, it makes me look back on all the joy that she has given to us through the years! She was born during a hard time in our life, when we were traveling back and forth to American Fork every weekend to pick up Scott on Fridays and then to return him on Sundays so Dr. Madsen could continue trying to decrease his seizures. (That's a whole other story!) Anyway, we did that for one year, and lo and behold in the middle of that year, our sweet little Michele was born!

I remember when you were born and Dr. Mortensen announced that you were a girl...I said, "She can't be!" and he said, "Well, you can come and look at the plumbing if you want to!" I was sure you were going to be a boy, and then we would have 2 and 2...but that isn't the way it turned out and, boy (hee, hee) are we glad! You have always been such a joy to us! When I first looked into your dark brown eyes, and saw all of that black hair, I fell in love with you, and have been ever since!

The only problem was, that we didn't have any girl names picked out. You were going to be Jonathan, but that obviously wouldn't work. While I was in the recovery room and your dad was upstairs waiting in my hospital room, we both were trying to think of what to name you. One name came to me, and I even had a middle name ready when I was wheeled to my room. Dad had a name ready, too, that he had seen on the plastic hospital bag with lots of boy and girl names on it. Guess what? We had each picked out the same name!!!! I couldn't believe it...and so you became Michele Lee a couple of hours after you were born.

Right away you fit into our family. Scottie called you "Baby" and still does! Your big sisters loved to hold you and take care of you. You were the icing on the cake of our family. I can't tell you how much happiness you have brought to us, in a time that we really needed some laughter! You were always hilarious and said the funniest things. A few that I remember well, I will share here. Maybe your sisters could add some in their comments!

When you were barely old enough to talk, we were all at the dinner table eating, and all of a sudden you looked at me and said with a huge grin..."This is deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious!" I wish I could remember what you were eating at the time so I could fix it for you on your birthdays!

Another time, once again at the kitchen table, you were cracking us up with all your funny sayings, and I said to you "Where did you come from?" and you just looked at me and said matter of factly "Shopko!" What a hoot you are!

And then there is the famous time that you made all of Lewiston laugh. You remember it, but I think we should share it here with our readers, don't you? We were on our way to Bear Lake with the van all packed with the swimming and picnic gear. There was hardly room for us all, but we managed to pack everything and everyone in. You, being the smallest, got the honor of sitting in the middle of a blown up inner tube shoved in the back (this was before the seat belt laws were in effect). We had to stop at Theurer's market for something at the last minute, and Dad ran in to get it. It was a hot day, so we had all of the doors open to keep us cool while we waited. All of a sudden, from the back of the van, and at the top of your lungs, you yelled "I'm constipated!" We all turned and looked at you and then started laughing until we cried. It took us a minute to realize you meant that you were "claustrophobic." I still laugh until I cry every time I think of that!

Thanks, Shelly, for being such a wonderful daughter, sister, niece, aunt, wife, and now mother. All of us are so lucky to have you in our family. We love you forever. Don't worry when Dad says that he wonders if Shopko has a return policy. We won't let him send you back! You are a keeper!!!!!

Kelsey Marie Sisson...You Are GREAT!

2009-06-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

It is Kelsey's 11th birthday coming up on Tuesday, June 9th, and I wanted to tag all of you who read my blog and who know Kelsey to say a few words to and/or about her! So, tag, you're it !Please make comments here:):

To my beautiful Kelsey,
You were my very first grandchild and I was so thrilled when you were born! You have been a joy to me since you were born and I know that you will always bring happiness to my life. I remember when you were a baby, you didn't like to be cuddled too much in my arms....darn it....but, I soon learned you liked to be held facing out so you could see everything that was going on! We loved having you come for a visit last summer and we will have many more of those times in the next few years! You have always had a special bond with your Uncle Scott, and he sure does love you! It has been hard for us to have you live so far away....Germany, Washington, and now North Carolina, but Utah is in your blood and will always be here for you!

Grandpa, Scott and I love you and can't wait to see you again. Until then, keep being happy beautiful, and terrific! Happy Birthday!

Advice From a Ladybug

2009-06-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

Spot new opportunities.
Spend time in your garden.
Be well-rounded.
Enjoy the wonders of nature.
Don't let the small things bug you!
Keep family close by.
Be simply beautiful!

Some Very Interesting Facts about Ladybugs for Those Who Care!:

*There are nearly 5,000 different kinds of ladybugs worldwide and 400 which live in North America.
*A female ladybug will lay more than 1000 eggs in her lifetime.
*A ladybug beats its wings 85 times a second when it flies.
*Ladybugs chew from side to side and not up and down like people do.
*A gallon jar will hold from 72,000 to 80,000 ladybugs.
*Ladybugs make a chemical that smells and tastes terrible so that birds and other predators won't eat them.
*The spots on a ladybug fade as the ladybug gets older.
*Ladybugs won't fly if the temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
*The ladybug is the official state insect of Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Take a Look

2009-05-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

I just got my new bed frame and armoire set up. Thought you might like to see what it looks like. I've been waiting a long time to get our bedroom set up differently and now I am on the way. I will add new pictures as it all evolves. Would love to hear what you think of it!

South to Utah!

2009-05-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

Our northern family from Alaska came south for a visit this month! What a great time we had, getting to know our little twinners and to see Jenny & Devin! Thank you, thank you, thank you for coming to share with us. The only thing that would have been better would have been if the North Carolina troops had been with us....don't give up---the day will come when we will all be together in one place again!!!

We had some great memory makers during the 2 weeks they were here. We found out that twins draw a BIG crowd! We've never had so many visitors: Mark & Bodell Esplin, Grandpa Pehrson & Lois, Janice, Kathleen, Grandma Hartley, Aunt Roberta, Cousin Becky Story, Cousin Clarissa Pehrson...to name a few! After 2 parades, a picnic up the canyon, shopping sprees, celebrating Mother's Day (Jenny's first!) and Devin's 29th birthday, and bottle feeding 2 little lambs...whew...we couldn't have packed more into those 2 weeks. And we found out what Jenny & Devin's favorite midnight treat is...Casper's ice cream!

Little Lindsey & Dylan are as precious as they look in their pictures! Lindsey learned how to roll from her back to her stomach...with Dylan getting ready to try it when he gets home. They nursed Dylan through a UTI (urinary tract infection) the first few days he was here, and I think we sent them off getting ready to get their first teeth! All together it was a wonderful time with lots of laughter and not enough game playing, but good times! Can't wait for the next visit at Christmas!

There is nothing greater than the love that we have for our family members, whether near or far. We love all of you and treasure the times that we can have together!

Being a Joyful Mother of Children!

2009-05-10T09:55:00.000-07:00

Today, on this day of days for mothers everywhere, I want to honor the mothers in my life. First of all, my special mother who has been a solid rock for me all of my life and a great example of what motherhood means through all the stages of life. I drew on many of the ways that you raised us, Mom, as I was raising my own children. There's a few things I stayed away from, but I think that is what life is about also, taking the best from your own experience and building on it so that each generation gets better and better. So it is a true saying that "Home is where your story begins." Thanks for a wonderful beginning, Mom. I love you.

And then I want to thank Carl for being the father of our children and supporting me in trying to be the best mother that I can be. Motherhood only got better with each new baby added to our family. And, although there are many trials involved in raising children, there is so much more joy. Each stage of motherhood is so fulfilling. I think I am going through each one at the same time now...mothering, nurturing and caring for Scott; observing, supporting, and encouraging my grown daughters who are now mothers; playing, loving, and adoring my grandchildren. Motherhood is the greatest joy I can think of.

Watching my own daughters and sons-in-law love, care for and raise my grandchildren is yet another joy of motherhood. What great mothers they are!! Their children are very, very lucky! What I want to say to them is take the best of how you were raised and then build on it and become the best mothers that you can be. Just think down a few generations and we can build exemplary mothers of our great-great-grandchildren! Most of all, sweet daughters, be "joyful mothers of children!" I love you!

My Tagged 6th Picture Is of my 6th Grandchild!

2009-04-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

What a nice surprise to see this cute picture as my tagged picture. Can you believe you are actually a mother, Jeanette? It will be fun to celebrate your first Mother's Day with you here in Utah!

Visiting Mom

2009-04-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Carl and I went up to Mom's last weekend to get some "honey-do's" done for her and to see how she was doing. We had a beautiful trip up there as the sun was shining and the sky was blue! We had a great time seeing all that Mom had been doing and helping out with some things while we were there. Mom tried to fatten us up with strawberry shortcake, buttermilk pie, AND a peach cobbler, along with some cookies and pistachios that she had. I only succumbed to the strawberries with angel food cake! We went up to the cemetary and then went to order Dad's monument stone. Glad to get that in before Memorial Day. It was a short visit, but one I hope we can make a lot, now that she is alone. Thanks for watching Scott for us, Wayne & Michele!

Here's my beautiful Mom.

Here is the flag and medal display that we put Dad's flag in.

I was commenting on the wonderful new TV that Linda got Mom and the new stand that it sits on. Then I noticed Mom had put some new decorations on it that are battery operated candles. It looked so nice I was going to take a picture of it. When I looked down at the bottom of the stand, I noticed that Missy, her poodle, had done some decorating of her own. Mom claims that she hadn't put the pink stuffed poodle there...Missy's rug with her animals on it is right in front of the TV stand. Like Mother like poodle, I guess!

It was a great trip. Love you, Mom!

Easter Happenings

2009-04-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

We had a great Easter weekend! First of all, it was sunny...well, I'm calling it sunny, anyway! That did it right there! Then, we started out with an impromptu Easter egg hunt for Olivia and Scott. We barely got the eggs dyed before Carl was out there hiding them! Carol & Leo had spent the night, so they got in on the egg dyeing part! Thanks, Carol!

I hurried up and made my Easter Bunny vegetable dip (see picture) to take to the Pehrson Easter Party. We held it inside because of the dark rain clouds that had gathered. It is always fun to see what everyone brings to the potluck and to hear updates on everyone's life. Then Alan gave a great Easter home afternoon lesson about the Savior's last days and the resurrection (loved it, Alan).

After that we had yet another Easter Egg Hunt outside. Scott had about had it with looking for those eggs, but Olivia was having a ball!

It was a beautiful day on Easter morning, as it should be. It reminded me of the song I hear on the radio "Sounds of Sunday," that says something like "Was it a morning like this, that our Savior rose from out of the tomb?" I love that song. And I love to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Easter talks at church were wonderful, the music inspiring, and the spirit embracing. Good day!

Easter dinner was the traditional ham, yummy potatoes, fresh green beans, and green salad with strawberry shortcake for dessert. Hmmmm, hmmmm, good! Or, "DEEEEEEEElicious!" as Michele would say!

Spent the rest of the day with MWO and feeding Olivia and Scott Easter candy. We were able to go outside for a while blowing bubbles and rolling eggs down the ramp...a little game Olivia came up with. Good times!

Going to my happy place....

2009-04-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

IT IS SNOWING!!! IT IS APRIL 15TH, AND IT IS SNOWING!!!
I am going to my happy place, now. See you later.

He Lives and So Shall We

2009-04-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

On this Easter Sunday, my thoughts are especially turned to our Savior, Jesus Christ. He died and He lives again....for us. What a unspeakable thing that is to know, that when we die, we are not dead in spirit, but live, because of what He did for us. Those whom we love that have gone before, are not dead. They live on. They wait for us. Who can fear death when you believe that is true? My father, Lenau, and mother-in-law, Edith, and other grandparents and relatives will be there, along with dear friends. What a great comfort that is. Death, where is thy sting? It is ours to live in such a way that we can join them where they are.

To all who struggle with death and dying, know that this life is but a small knot on the long string of eternal life. And we are in it together. And we will be in it together once again on the other side. Hold on tight...our journey's just begun!

I Think It's Finally Here!

2009-04-09T08:34:00.001-07:00

Well, I think Spring is officially here! The signs of Spring in Utah:
1) Snow, rain, snow, rain, rain & snow...day after day.
2) Water logged pastures, BIG water puddles everywhere (at least here in Lewiston), neighbors pumping water out of their basements...and MUD.
3) Seagulls, Canadian Geese, Seagulls, Robins, Meadowlarks...and Seagulls.
4) Flies...just a couple...Thank heavens!
5) Dirty Kirby dog feet, smelly wet fur on Kirby dog, pieces of straw & other outdoor goodies brought in on Carl's shoes...and MUD on the floor.
6) Having an Easter Egg Hunt inside because of rain & snow!
7) A grumpy son (Scott) who is ready to spend his waking hours outside, a grumpy husband who is ready to get started on the garden but can't, and grumpy me, who is ready to see blue skies and sunshine for more than 2 hours in a row.

I am looking forward to what I call Sprummer. Check it out...that moment in time between Spring and Summer, when flowers actually have a chance to start blooming; when the Canadian Geese decide it is time to lay their eggs; when the sun makes it warm enough to go out without a jacket for the whole day; when the garden is ready to plow up for planting; when the breeze doesn't bite your nose off; when you can wash the car and it will stay clean for a few days; and last of all, when I can actually buy some flowers to plant instead of just planning and dreaming about how beautiful my flower beds are going to be.

Here's a picture of what flowers look like, in case you've forgotten:

Hope your Spring, Sprummer, and Summer are coming along faster than ours!

A Prophet Today

2009-04-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

We just finished listening to our LDS General Conference, Sunday morning session, and I was so touched when the Tabernacle Choir sang "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet." What a great comfort it is to know that Heavenly Father has chosen a prophet to lead and guide us through these perilous days ahead. I am so grateful to know that he is a prophet and that the words he speaks, come from Our Heavenly Father. I respect, admire, and love Thomas S. Monson, a living prophet on earth.

Here They Are!

2009-04-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

I LOVE my grandchildren, even the ones I haven't met yet! They are priceless to me and I intend to always be there for them no matter where they live...be it Germany, Alaska, North Carolina, or Logan. There is nothing that compares to having grandchildren and I'm here to tell you that I am ready for more...anyone out there listening?????

May I present my jewels:

Aleah, the sweet; Kelsey, the wise; Morgan, the explorer.

Olivia, the entertainer.

Dylan & Lindsey, the miracle angels.

To blog or not to blog....

2009-03-23T08:54:00.001-07:00

This is just a reminder to all of my "peeps" that blogs are 1) to be updated frequently 2) to be commented on , and 3) an important way that some of us (me) like to feel part of the lives of those who are at the far ends of the earth (and that includes Logan!) Just a reminder:)

Saving Lives

2009-03-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

Devin & Lindsey on her 1st ski trip!

Carl & I have been so interested in Devin's research at NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health....did I get that right, Devin?) the past few years. His research involves finding out how many commercial fishermen use personal floatation devices (PDFs) and asking them to try out different types of them to see which ones they would be most likely to wear. We think that this is a worthwhile project that will save lives eventually and we are so proud of Devin for developing the survey and doing the followup research. It also has taken him to some interesting places--Washington and California along the Pacific coastline, Maine and along the eastern coastline, Dutch Harbor, Homer, and Seward in Alaska, and in May to Iceland for a conference. We were excited to see his name in a couple of newspaper articles in preparation for his current trip to Homer & Seward and thought we would share it for those who are interested in learning more about his project (just click on "newspaper articles" and it should take you to one of them). Way to go, Devin!

Hakuna Matata!

2009-03-18T15:41:00.000-07:00

My sister, Linda, (lucky girl!) had an opportunity to go see "Lion King," the musical, in Seattle last weekend. She made it sound so exciting that I went online to look at some of the costumes and thought I would share them with you, in case any of you ever have an opportunity to go see it, too. Take a look at some of these wonderful, creative costumes!

If you can see it below, Linda said that they walked on their own legs and carried the body of the animal on their heads. It looks complicated, but pretty amazing!

This photo shows how they use the puppets on stage.

Well, I for one, wish that I had an opportunity to go see it live! Linda goes to quite a few musicals and plays that come to Seattle with their "Fifth Avenue" series they have each year. She also lives not too far from the beautiful Mt. Raineer rain forest and only a few hours from the beach. If it weren't for all of the people, I think I would want to go live there myself. At the least, Linda, we need to go visit you and see your beautiful new home! I'm sure she would welcome visitors this summer....if there are any takers, right, Linda?

A Great Visit!

2009-03-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

My mom left this morning after a week long visit. What a wonderful time we had this week, just chatting and doing not much of anything too exciting, except enjoy each other's company! We spent some time on the computer, getting Mom used to getting into her email and writing on her new blog (go check it out at asherhartley.blogspot.com). Linda, my sister, and her friend, John, put together a really nice new computer for her to use and set her up on highspeed internet services. That was such a fantastic thing for her to do, as now my mom can be part of the internet users, quite a feat for an 84-year old woman, right Mom? She was telling me that when she was working at the Corps of Engineers in Walla Walla, they got their first computer. It filled an entire wall, it was so big. She caught onto it so quickly, that, in time, she traveled around training others how to use it! Wow, Mom, I am impressed! It is a bit different now, I am sure, but you can do it!

We had a "girl's day" with Michele & Olivia joining us shopping almost all day on Friday! And then we all had fun on that night when the guys joined us for Carl's delicious barbequed ribs for dinner and a game of Back Alley. It was a great visit. Thanks for coming down, Mom!

North to Alaska

2009-03-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

What a great opportunity Carl had to go to Alaska for the blessing of the twins! What a special day it was, as you can see by the pictures. He and Jenny found time to get in a bit of skiing, as you can guess they would! Precious moments!

Thoughts on Marriage

2009-02-23T10:17:00.000-08:00

Just one of the many reasons I love him!

I just watched a movie that I am recommending to all of you....Fireproof (recommended to me by Anna-thanks!). I was blown over...not by the great acting, although it wasn't too bad, but by the realization that marriages are worth anything that you have to do to save them. In this movie, the price that Caleb (the husband) had to pay to save his marriage, was almost more than he could do. But after, struggling long and hard, and going through a "mighty change" in his heart and attitude, and by humbling himself enough to recognize that he was a large part of the problem, he was able to do it. He did it by following a plan recommended by his father called, the "Love Dare." I encourage you to watch this movie, or read the book, and consider looking into the Love Dare (you can find out more about this at www.fireproofingmymarriage.com/)

Just some thoughts on marriage. There is nothing like it! The world can view it as unnecessary or temporary, but the Lord views it as essential and permanent. That's why it is so important to choose wisely, and then work hard at making it work. No marriage is perfect. That is just a fact. But, there are always ways to make it better. That is what the Love Dare is all about...doing all you can to make it better, every single day. And that means that you make yourself be a better person; a less selfish person; a kinder person; a more loving person. When you concentrate on changing your attitude and actions, and not on your spouse's shortcomings, then you've got the right idea. It is like the scriptures tell us, "Why behold you the mote that is in your brother's eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye?"

I am married to a wonderful man....not a perfect one, but a thoughtful, caring one, who tries to make our marriage work. And it does. And if we want it to still be as wonderful for eternity as it is now, we will need to work on it each day. That is the challenge of a marriage. That is the joy of being married. It is worth "fireproofing" your marriage, no matter what.

You've Been Tagged!

2009-02-21T11:47:00.000-08:00

Michele asked me an interesting question this morning, in preparation for a lesson she was giving to the Young Women. "What brings you joy at this stage of your life?" It made me stop and think about my life, and I found that there were many things that I really enjoyed and that truly bring me joy.

Watching my grown children live lives that reflect the values that I tried to teach them...cherishing the Gospel, letting the Spirit guide their choices, chosing good men to spend eternity with, pursuing an education, reading good books, being nurturing mothers and raising good children, doing good, not juding others.

Nurturing a deeper relationship with my eternal companion, as we are now "empty nesters," well, almost! We actually have loooooong conversations about the things in our life! We love being together and love and respect each other more than ever.

Which brings me to the "almost" in my life. I love being with Scott and taking care of him. You may find that hard to believe, but, in spite of all of the challenges he brings, he keeps heaven very close.

Have I mentioned the joy that my grandchildren bring into my life???? There is nothing like having a grandchild....it is a special and precious relationship and time spent with them, and talking to them is incomparable to anything else in this life.

I love having the time to pursue my interests and hobbies....reading good books, doing stitchery, playing the piano, writing, working on creative projects. Hopefully, there will be more time in the future for all of the above!

And lastly, I love the opportunities that life has given me to enlarge my faith. I learn something new everyday about what it means to put my trust in the Lord and to live a Christ-centered life. My personal motto is to improve in some way every day. I know that I don't always achieve that, but my goal will not change.

Well, now that you have read my list, I "tag" everyone who reads this to make their own list and either post it in a comment here, or post it on your own blog. Good luck! Can't wait to see what brings you joy!

Our Valentine's Day Present

2009-02-15T06:07:00.000-08:00

As grandparents there are not many presents greater than getting to be with their grandchildren without their parents around to get all of the attention! We got that chance Valentine's evening, because we "gave Michele & Wayne a present...." a night out without Olivia! It's the best present we ever gave them! Here are a few of the fun moments we had. (HELP! I have a cute video to put on here but it didn't work....if you want to see it, give me a call)

Here's to Feisty Women

2009-02-10T14:36:00.001-08:00

My mother is an amazing woman, and on this, her 84th birthday, February 10th, I would like to honor her. She is what you would call "feisty!" The dictionary says that feisty means "full of animation, energy, or courage; spirited; spunky; plucky." You know, I like feisty people. They are more fun to be around because you never know what they will say or do! Also, you don't have to pussyfoot around feisty people, because they don't take offense easily and they always have a good comeback for you anyway. I grew up surrounded by feisty people; maybe that's why I'm so mellow!?!

It's been amazing to me to watch my mom throughout the past few months when she and Dad first heard about his cancer. They "talked it over" and decided that they would just take it "one day at a time" and see what happens." I think that is good advice for all of us when we hit hard times....to just take it a day at time and not get overwhelmed with it, and just see what happens. She told Dad, "Well, you've lived 83 good years....how much longer did you plan to live, anyway?" I couldn't help but laugh at her feisty perspective. It reminded me of a dear friend of mine who passed away last year. She was in the hospital, on her deathbed, so to speak. Her children told us that at the end, she kept waking up and saying "Am I still here?" After a few times of this, she said "This is worse than premature labor!" I hope I go out like that...feisty as can be!

I love my mom. She has been rock solid for me throughout my life. Someone I knew that I could always turn to, count on, talk to, joke with, and love without reserve. She is one of my heroes. Especially now, as she adjusts to living alone since my dad passed away last month. It won't be easy, I know...after being together with someone for over 62 years day and night. She and Dad had a feisty relationship, too. Sometimes it got a bit much for me. But, looking back, I always knew that they loved each other. What a great legacy to give to her children. She will be strong. She will put some new things into her life that she didn't have before. She will move forward and make each day count. She will be productive. She will bless her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren with her example. She'll go out, as feisty as she came in.

All I have to say is: "Here's to feisty women! May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them." Amen.

Share Your Favorite Reads!

2009-02-06T13:27:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, I am a bookaholic and proud of it! I have so many books lined up to read that I hope I live until I'm 100 so I can get to them all. But then, there will be new ones written and I will want to read them too....the neverending list goes on. I have shared my favorites and my list with you. Now it's your turn to share some of your favorite books with me. It would be great if you could put a rating on it. Let's say * means "had to force myself to finish it"; up to ***** "this one's a keeper for my reread pile!" I guarantee you that I will try some of them. A good book is hard to find, but when you find it you treasure it! Thanks for sharing!

Take Your Best Shot!

2009-02-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is a call for some solid help from my "people!" I'm needing a good kick in the pants (Carl is willing to do that!), a knock on the side of the head (he's probably willing to do that, too), or a firm, but gentle nudge to keep me motivated for this diet! So, here's your chance to give it to me. Take your best shot!

My Dad

2009-01-30T16:59:00.000-08:00

Lenau "Del" Dwain Hartley

December 21, 1925-January 16, 2009

Nobody ever told me how hard it is to say "Good-bye" to one of your parents. I doubt it is something that you can prepare for in advance. I'll be forever grateful that we took the opportunity to go visit him and my mom the week after Christmas, and experience some "last times" with him. The last game of Cribbage I played with him....of course, Dad won. The last game of pinochle I played with him....of course, Dad won. The last time the four of us (Mom, Linda, Dad and I) played pinochle together. The last time Dad argued with me about Mormons..."They all have a front yard full of old cars because they never will trade their old ones in!" The last time I heard Dad's wonderful laugh. The last time I saw Dad cry. The last time I hugged him and told him how much I loved him. Hearing him say as we left, "I'll try to hang on as long as I can!" I think he did, too. Oh, how I miss him.

These are the sad memories, but there are so many happy memories that I hold in my heart of him. Enough to last my lifetime and beyond. Too many to share here. Too tender to share on a blog. But, enough to soothe me when I am sad and miss him. I know without a doubt that he is surrounded by his family and friends who have gone before him. I wonder just what he is doing right now. As one person said at his Memorial service, "I know that he and Bob (her deceased husband and an old golfing buddy of Dad's) are setting up a "tee" time to play golf." I hope you get your hole-in-one up there, Dad.

I wish that all who read this had had a chance to know my Dad. People loved to be around him because he was a jokester and he had a great laugh. He knew how to make people be happy just being around him. Of course, he had his quirks, like eating chocolate cake with pork & beans, and a few others I won't mention here. But, all in all, he was a great guy, and I loved him only as a daughter can love her father. I'm wearing your ring, Dad, to help me to think of you every day. Know that I love you. You'd better be waiting for me when my time comes. Until then, be good and keep laughing.

Thirty-seven Years and Counting. . .

2009-01-29T09:02:00.000-08:00

Thirty-seven years ago, today, January 29th, I made the best decision of my life...I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a beautiful moment, and has only gotten better with time. That decision has shaped all aspects of my life, and I will be forever grateful to my Heavenly Father for leading me to take the "road less traveled." I have never doubted that this Church encompasses all the truths of heaven, and the confirmation of the Holy Ghost testifies of that to me on a daily basis.

This road has led me to my eternal companion; has given me four extraordinary children who are living full, righteous, and godly lives; has given me peace and comfort and faith that those who have gone on before us still live and that we will be with them again; has given me a faith that cannot be shaken. I thank God every day for my life, for the love He gives me and for the love I have for Him. I adore my Savior, Jesus Christ, for He has walked "through the valley of the shadow of death" with me; He takes my burdens on Himself, and He strengthens me to be able to withstand all that life brings to me. I am forever grateful to Him.

My heart is full of peace and joy for the knowledge I have of the Plan of Salvation that will return us all to live with Heavenly Father and His Son. Until then, I will live life to its fullest and enjoy the journey!

I share my favorite poem with you by Robert Frost:
The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Half a Dozen and Still Counting!

2009-01-15T10:20:00.000-08:00

I am still amazed at the miracle that God wrought when he helped create Lindsey Daelyn and Dylan Lenau! What great blessings they are to our family! He must have known what great parents Jenny and Devin would make, and so he allowed them to come two at a time! They are precious, beautiful, and adored...all of the above. One of the greatest feelings in the world is to have grandchildren! Thank you Anna, Michele, and now Jenny (along with a bit of help from their husbands) for making Dad & I grandparents. We love them all so much...you'll never know how much until you have grandkids of your own. They are the "happy spot" in my heart! (If you want to see the latest pictures of them, go to Jenny & Devin's blog.) Lucky Grandpa gets to go up for their blessing in February! The 19th-25th.

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-13T11:47:00.000-08:00

I love the coming of the New Year because it gives me a chance to look back over the past year and decide if I was "good or bad!" I decided there was some good and some bad, but overall, there was improvement....that is all I can hope for. Neal A. Maxwell's quote on this page says it all....sometimes we need to excavate in order to improve. That is my goal for this year...to excavate what I don't want in myself and to remodel and add on to the best parts of me. My family is my mirror and my support system, so get ready for the ride this year! There'll be some demolition going on!

Christmas Memories

2009-01-04T09:37:00.000-08:00

The season started with Scott's Christmas Program at BRASC. It is always a special experience seeing the innocence and joy that is present when a group of those precious spirits are gathered together. Here is Scott "singing" Jingle Bells (note bells in hand), and later sitting with Santa. This year they brought in a chair for Scott so he wouldn't break Santa's leg!!

The Pehrson Christmas Party was held the Saturday before Christmas. It really is special to be able to get together with so many family members! It was our year to make the pinata, so we made Harriet the Halibut! Dad spent many hours creating her, and we both helped with the candy bags and the decorating. Biggest one Dad ever caught! Even Olivia took a turn at whacking the Halibut. The meal was simple, soup and cornbread, and Alan's family had the program this year.

Our home Christmas Celebration started with our Christmas Eve in the "stable." Janice came out to join us which made it a very joyous evening for all.

We had a small, cozy Christmas season this year. Nice & simple. I missed my other daughters and their families, but so glad that Michele, Wayne, and Olivia could celebrate with us! I know it is true that all hearts come home for Christmas. My heart was certainly a lot of different places this year....in North Carolina & Alaska, as well as my own home in La Grande. Surely missed celebrating with my mom, dad , & sister. But were able to go for a visit the week after Christmas...more about that later.

She Did It!

2009-01-04T06:39:00.000-08:00

After much blood, sweat, and tears...believe me I know these things.....Michele finally did it! We are very proud of her accomplishment and enjoyed the special day with her. Here are a few pictures of that historic event.

We know that through these last few months, she couldn't have made it without Wayne's help with babysitting, encouragement, reading her textbooks to help with assignments, quizzing her before tests, and bringing her flowers and chocolate to help her through it! Thanks, Wayne!

A Special Time

2009-01-03T10:45:00.000-08:00

Christmas is such a special time of year. It would be wonderful to have that sweet spirit that surrounds it all year long! Maybe the trick is to keep Christ at the center of everything in our lives and work on making others happy and we will feel that spirit with us. That is going to be one of my New Year's resoluction for this year. Here are some of the sweet moments we shared around the Christmas season this year:

Cutting down our Christmas tree with Michele, Wayne & Olivia.

Decorating it isn't what it used to be without all of the kids here! But I still had a fun time.

Ta da! The final product!

A Christmas Story to Share

2008-12-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

Wally Purling was in the second grade even though he was nine years of age and should have been in the fourth grade. He just had difficulty in keeping up with the other children his age, but all his classmates liked him, even though he was big and clumsy and slow in movement and mind. He was always helpful and willing, smiling and happy and the natural protector of the underdog.

Each year the school presented the traditional Christmas pageant and this year Wally was assigned an important role. After all, Miss Lumbard reasoned, the innkeeper did not have many lines, and Wally’s size would make his refusal of lodging to Joseph even more forceful.

On the night of the performance, Wally was so caught up in the magic of the night that he stood in the wings and watched the pagenant with such fascination that from time to time Miss Lumbard had to make sure he didn’t wander on stage before his cue. Then came the time when Joseph knocked hard on the wooden door set into the painted backdrop.

“What do you want?” Wally said, swinging the door open with a brusque gesture.
“We seek lodging.”
“Seek it elsewhere.” Wally looked straight ahead but spoke vigorously. “The Inn is filled.”
“Sir, we have asked everywhere in vain. We have traveled far and are very weary.”
“There is no room in this Inn for you.” Wally looked properly stern.
“Please, good innkeeper, this is my wife Mary. She is heavy with child and needs a place to rest. Surely you must have some small corner for her. She is so tired.”

At this comment the innkeeper relaxed his stern stance and looked down at Mary for the first time. There was a long pause that made the audience a bit nervous and the prompter whispered from the wings, “No! Begone!”

“No!” Wally repeated automatically. “Begone!”

As Joseph sadly placed his arm around Mary and the two of them started to move away, the innkeeper did not return inside his inn. Instead, Wally stood there in the doorway watching the forlorn couple with his mouth open, his brow creased with concern, and his eyes filling unmistakably with tears. And suddenly this Christmas pageant became different from all the others.

“Don’t go, Joseph,” Wally called out. “Bring Mary back.” And Wally Purling’s face grew into a bright smile. “YOU CAN HAVE MY ROOM!”

May each of us make room for our Savior this Christmas Season, just as Wally Purling did.
Merry Christmas to each of you!

Give a Little Hope

2008-12-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share this story at the beginning of this Christmas season to remind us to look for those around us who may need some "hope" this year. In this month's Ensign, President Monson reminds us that Jesus Christ went about "doing good." We don't have to look very far to find someone to do good to! Enjoy the story.

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile.' The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch... An over-whelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there , standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman close to me, he was 'smiling.'
His beautiful sky blue eyes looked up at me as he searched for acceptance. He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I felt it - the compulsion was so great that I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.'
I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.'

It truly takes so little to give a smile, a little hope, a little love to someone in need. Let's do good this Christmas season.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T16:06:00.000-08:00

I think it is a good thing to have a holiday that makes you focus on all of the blessings that you have. I've decided that, although food is at the center of the day, it is really family that makes it a special holiday. Family that is far away or as the ones that you are with, without them, it would be an empty day. There is so much to be thankful for in our lives, it is a shame to waste gratitude on just one day of the year! I, for one, am going to add gratitude as one of my daily activities.

Here are a few of the things that made our Thanksgiving day a special one this year:

Scott made this pilgrim hat at school. Every time we looked around, he had it on again! Cute! (Do you like how I got his drool frozen in time?)

I captured this special moment with Scott and his Aunt Kathleen at our Thanksgiving party in Logan. She is singing "I Am a Child of God" to him. He sat enthralled through all 3 verses of it.
Precious moment.

I captured a few of the sights during the day. Janice & Carl carving the main attraction.

Dad & his brother Alan. They certainly look like Pehrsons, don't they?

Michele, Wayne & Olivia came over in the evening to share in our turkey leftovers! Ended our day in a cozy, happy moment captured in these pictures. Grandpa's feeding Olivia pureeded turkey!

Tagged

2008-11-15T16:19:00.000-08:00

This is my "tag" picture, on the right. It's a great one, don't you think? Don't know where or when it was, but I do know who it is!! Brings back good memories, huh?

I love this one of Oliva & I. I thought it looked a little bland on this side of the post, so I will share it with all of you.

Catching Up on October

2008-11-15T15:36:00.000-08:00

While waiting to get new batteries for my camera so I could share our Halloween pictures, October slipped away and up popped November! So here are some belated pictures of our Lewiston Halloween events.....pretty quiet on the home front without any little kids to dress up. Dad couldn't wait to carve his pumpkins. He makes me draw the faces and then he does the carving. The one with eyelashes is supposed to be Olivia Mae with a little bow in her hair! The little one is Scott's that he did at BRASC. They make a cute couple, don't you think?

Scott's costume was, as always, gleaned from Dad's closet. In case you can't tell, he is in camo. We are very creative these days!

Things livened up when the M & M's came to trick-or-treat us with a cute little LadyBug! Green M&M wouldn't let her have any candy, so she got a frozen popsicle from her grandparents!

That was the beginning & the end of our trick-or-treaters! But, don't worry....our candy didn't go to waste!

September Happenings

2008-09-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

I love the fall! I can't wait until the leaves start turning into their beautiful colors. Lots of red and yellows here in Utah. If I were an artist, I would paint a grand picture of the foothills and the golden trees.

Other September happenings include the harvest of our luscious, ruby tomatoes! Hmmm, hmmm, good. The fruit of the heavens, I think. This one especially "spoke" to me....I call him Mr. Tomato Head. What do you think?

Chase was having a grand time under the tree a couple of weeks of go. I thought he looked so cute up on his shelter. People often comment to us that they like to drive past our house just to see where the goat is tethered. He is becoming quite famous in Lewiston!

Here are the long awaited pictures of our new carpet. What a monumental day it is in our house to get something new! We love it; it makes our house feel much bigger and it lightens up the room. We are especially glad that we have a new carpet now that Olivia is such a mover and shaker. I think she's covered every inch of it, so far!

As I write this, Carl (& Wayne, but not together) are out hunting. It is the muzzle loader hunt and Carl, Tim, & Doug are in the Uintas this weekend. I am trying not to get my hopes up for a sirloin venison steak smothered in mushrooms! Scott & I are ready for him to come back home and give him big hugs. We miss him, but are so glad he could get out and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Scott & Olivia are getting to be great friends, if a giant & a munchkin can be friends! He is learning to be very gentle with her, and makes it "most" of the time! Michele will have to teach her the right defensive moves to make!

Corn Day

2008-08-23T16:15:00.000-07:00

The first sign of fall is always the day we do corn. Today was the day! It was perfect weather for "corning"....70 degrees with cloud cover. Carl, of course, did all the prep work and Scott and I joined in when the first batch was ready to cut. We had a great time! It was really a "family affair" as you can see by the pictures. Scott helped husk and eat the corn; the llamas and Buddy thought they had died and gone to heaven. We got 15 dozen ears of corn and froze 23 bags. What a winter treat they will be!

She Brought the Rain & the Sun

2008-08-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

Jenny's back!! Just like last time, she brought with her some of that Alaska weather, including a rain storm and cooler weather...well, it did take a few days for the cooler weather to come, but I think that Mother Nature empathized with her condition and dropped a few degrees today so Jenny could survive! When you are carting around 3 people, you just get hotter...right, Jenny? It is so cute to see her little round tummy holding our 2 newest grandchildren! We measured today and will measure again before she leaves to see just how fast she is growing, because we think we can sit and actually watch her tummy growing! That's a good thing!
We had a fun time at her baby shower on Friday...thanks to all of our great family coming and sharing this time with us. We're trying to figure out how to get everything back to Alaska now! We had a great day at Bear Lake on Saturday....the weather was perfect and the water wonderful! And we couldn't resist the famous raspberry shakes on the way home!
Looking forward to adding more memories in the next few days, as we count down the hours until she gets to go see her big sister, Anna, and Aleah for the first time ever! Thanks, Devin, for flying her down her for us!!

We got in a trip to Bear Lake and a picnic up Smithfield Canyon. It sure was hard to let her go! Thanks a million for coming, Jeanette!!!!

Kelsey the Great!

2008-08-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

Kelsey Marie flies back to North Carolina today! We had such a great time while she was here! It couldn't have been better unless her sisters had been here with her! I know that she will forget half of the things that she did while she was here, so I am going to make a list so she can remember it all!
* Meeting Michele at the airport and spending some time on Temple Square. Remember standing by the statue of Christ and looking up at Him? What a neat feeling to know that He knows who you are and loves you very much!

* Hugging Scott for the first time and seeing his

excited face when he saw you! He wouldn't let you out of his sight for the first few days! I am amazed at how much patience you have with him, even when he is drooling all over your shoulder when he gives you a MUH! He went upstairs the day after you left, looking all over for you!
* Staying over night at Michele and Wayne's and going to the Youth Conference, doing yardwork, laughing until you almost wet your pants, and going on a hike the next morning. You were such a trooper, and the YW president was amazed at your buff muscles! You even got a some pictures and a t-shirt to take home with you (except you left it here in the wash and I will have to send it to you!)
* Going to Casper's to get ice cream with M & W and then on a special Grandpa-granddaughter date and getting a "Fat Boy" t-shirt! Remember all of the ice cream bars we had when we were watching TV at night? Yummy!
* Playing "You Blew It" a hundred times with Grandma! You won every game except 1, I think!

* Helping with Olivia when you were over at M & W's. She sure loved you, and I think it helped you not miss Aleah so much! Your aunts will be glad when you are 12 or so and can really babysit for them!

* Going fishing with Grandpa at 3rd Dam. You didn't catch anything, but I know you sure had fun trying!
* Doing all those chores for us! (What will I do without you???) And getting paid for them, so you would have some spending money. I know you spent some of that on gifts to take back to your family. Good girl!
* Going to work with Grandma and getting to have fun with Claire and Emma. You sure learned how to make those origami frogs!
* And let us not forget going horse back riding with Wayne's brother! That was one of your favorite things to do, I know!
* I think my favorite was going to Bear Lake and spending the day in the water and on the beach. My favorite place to be!
There were so many other little things, like talking to your family on the phone every night, watching lots of good Disney movies while we played "You Blew It," saying prayers with Scott when he went to bed, the night the electricity went out, and getting a blessing from Grandpa before you left. We can't wait for you to come again, Kelsey! Maybe next time, Morgan can come with you!

Here's to lots more years of having grandchildren come and spend time at our house! Grandpa will have to keep his promise and let us get some nice play equipment for all of you! Until next time, the motto is: "What happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandma's!"

I Made It to Utah: Day One

2008-07-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

This is Kelsey Marie Sisson. I am going to talk to you about my trip on the airplane to Utah. I sat by a very nice lady with my friend Gabe.We sat next to each other. The first part on the airplane was taking off. We chewed gum really fast as we plugged our ears. As we got settled we played tic-tac-toe. Then we drank Sprite and ate cookies and watched TV for an hour. Finally we landed and my Aunt Michele picked me up! When she did, we went to Temple Square and saw the Conference building. We also saw the temple and the Visitor's Center. After that we got something to eat and went to my grandma and grandpa's house!

Lewiston 4th

2008-07-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, you win. I will save my philosophizing for my journal and tell you about our exciting life in Lewiston. The Fourth was going to be a really hot day, but with the cloud cover and the breeze, it turned out fairly tolerable. We went to the longest parade ever in the morning; Scott got a whole bag of candy...brother! MWO came to spend the day with us which made it seem more like a holiday. Went over to see the booths at the city park and ate gyro sandwiches for lunch...yum. Afterwards, we went back home and set up the trampoline and pool and shade cover and spent the afternoon outside. Janice, Crystal & Cameron came for lunch and spent the afternoon with us. It was fun to have some family around. Olivia loves her little swimming pool and splashed around a bit. Scott was too wimpy to get in the pool...icy water! MW & CC went in and cooled off. Carl made some smoothies that tasted great. In the evening Carl went to the horse pull and really enjoyed it even though he was alone. I watched the fireworks from my chair in the house....I just happened to notice them through the open door so i watched Lewiston's and Washington DC's at the same time. That pretty much ended our Fourth for this year. Jenny, since you and Devin are the only ones who ever read this or comment on it, I will be looking for your comment! Thanks for making it worthwhile:)

Gardening

2008-07-06T16:32:00.000-07:00

Since the HOPE Institute (where I have worked for 10 years) dissolved, I, who have killed every Mother's Day plant I've ever been given, was left with the job of keeping the plants alive, or tossing them out. I was left with 6 plants in various stages of heartiness; a couple actually looked like they had had some tlc (tender loving care); the other 4 looked like they were in the last stages of a terminal, wilting disease. I decided that, since this was a new beginning at work for me, that I would give these plants a new beginning, also. And so I started to give them water on a regular basis, something that they had never had before. It took a few weeks, but then I started to see a difference in them...they were growing and making new leaves; they were greener, stronger, and much happier little plants! I am committed to them now, and I take good care of them, plucking off dead & yellowed leaves, turning them so they can get the best light, and making sure that they look good. I found out that I can be a good gardener!

At church today, in Fast & Testimony meeting, I saw the same thing happen. I watched as one glowing person after another, went up to the pulpit to bear their testimony. A few months ago, each of these had been wilting, with dead leaves all over them, with no gardener taking care of them. But, then a wonderful thing happened; someone began to shower them with tlc regularly, and kept turning them towards the Son; plucking off a dead leaf here and a yellowed leaf there; checking their soil for dryness, and giving them just enough water; some even getting extra plant food to help them grow. And it worked, just like my plants. They are growing ever stronger; they have good nourished soil, and their countenance shines with peace and joy. One came from a background of drug abuse and wild living; one had been excommunicated and was divorced from his wife and 4 children who lived in our ward; others had been inactive for so long that they had forgotten that they really did have testimonies of the true Church, deep down inside. And I learned again, that when the Master Gardener tends the tender plants in His Garden, that miracles happen and lives are changed.

It was a good day.

Giving Joy

2008-06-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

We just got done viewing the movie "The Bucket List" last weekend. It wasn't quite what I expected, not nearly as funny, but it did give me some things to think about. In one part of the movie, the two friends, portrayed by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, are sitting high up on the top of a pyramid in Egypt (something on their "bucket list") and one turns to the other and asks him two questions: Did you have joy in your life? and Did you give someone joy?

As I thought about how I would answer those questions, I thought of several things that have given and still do give me joy. Of course they center on my family and the great moments that we have had; right up there with family times are the times I have been outdoors and in beautiful places, like up in the mountains, at Bear Lake, and at the ocean. But I have to say that the most joyful times I have experienced had to do with the gospel and the love I feel from my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for me, personally and privately. Knowing that I know the truth; know who I am; know where I am going; and know the Giver and Creator of all truth. When a person feels that love coming from Jesus Christ, speaking spirit to spirit, there is no greater joy.

As to the question, Have I given joy?, I can only answer that I hope that I have. And again it centers on my family and the times that we have shared; the love that we have for each other. I can do more, I know. I can reach out to others who may be in need of more love and care. I love this quote from Mother Teresa: In this life, we cannot always do great things--but we can do small things with great love. That, I think, is what I will try to do from now on....increase the small things that I can do, and do them with great love.

Our Names are Written in the Land

2008-06-16T11:14:00.000-07:00

We went to an outdoor gathering this weekend, held at a home that overlooks a small glen with the Cub River running through it. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was as I looked out over the green pastures below, spotted with horses and their colts, sheep with their lambs, and a few llamas. As I looked further at the rolling foothills covered with a kaleidoscope of green, and then to the mountains beyond, I couldn't think of a more peaceful setting. It reminded me once again of what Ireland must be like....that IS why I moved to Utah, because Sardine Canyon reminded me of the Ireland of my dreams. I've always thought it odd that, after moving here, I found out Utah was a desert land! I hope that each of you have discovered the beauty of your land and that you embrace and explore it.

I just read a book, "Sarah, Plain and Tall," and in it a woman comes from Maine to live on a farm on the prairie. The book (and movie) tell how she learns to love her new husband and his children, and finally, the land. During an especially harsh summer under drought conditions, she goes back to Maine with the children until the situation improves. Her husband stays on the farm because, "his name is written in this land, " and he will not leave it. When rain returns to the land, she returns to continue her life with her family. The first thing she does when she returns is to get a stick and write her own name "in this land," signifying that she, too, will never leave it again because it is now part of her. I love that story, and as I and my daughters have left our home land for new territory with our husbands, we must come to a time when we write our name in the land and take it for our own.

Alive & Well in Utah!

2008-06-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

Jeanette has reminded me that it has been a whole year since my last blog!! I can't believe that time goes past so fast and that so much can happen in a year!

To begin with, next Sunday is Father's Day (again!) and I still honor, admire, and love the father of my children! That's good news! He is amazing and still taking such good care of everyone but himself! He's going to wear himself out soon if he doesn't watch it.

It's been a good year for fathers: we have a new father in the family, and a father-to-be! Hurray, because that means more grandchildren for us! Olivia Mae Smith is now 5 months old and discovering more and more of her world each day! Michele tells me she discovered her toes yesterday and insists on sucking them now! I don't think I could ever do that, and certainly wouldn't want to try it now!

Miracles still happen, and Jenny & Devin are growing twins! It is amazing how the technology today can make such an unbelievable thing happen to some wonderful people! We are so excited for this new development and give total credit to a loving Father in Heaven.

Speaking of grandchildren, we have some glorious girls back in North Carolina who are growing more wonderful each day! We can't wait to give Kelsey Marie a hug when she comes to visit us in July! We just wish that all could come and join her here in Utah. We will continue to be patient and wait for that to happen in April of 2009! What a great day that will be!

Scott continues to delight and amuse us, and stretch our patience with his "silly goose" moments. He loves spring and summer (when it is not snowing like today!) when he can come and go freely outside whenever he wants.

Life is good and the simple pleasures are still the best. We love all of our family and can't wait for a day when we will all be together again!

Honoring Dad

2007-06-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

Hi, All,
We just got done celebrating Father's Day and Dad's birthday this week. What a great time to focus on the patriarch of our family. I doubt that he knows how much he influences our daily lives, even you girls, who are married now and living away from home. I'll bet there aren't too many days that the choices before you, the things that you spend time on, or the way that you treat others doesn't bring Dad to your mind. "What would Dad do in this situation?", or "I wish Dad could be here now and go hiking with us," or "How did Dad always do this?"

It is great to have such a wonderful example before you of how to live a humble, just plain old good life. I know that his example has tempered the way that I treat others and how I do things, such as not yelling so much:), driving more carefully, not speaking meanly about others.

So, I thought it would be a nice way to end this week of celebrating Dad's and your Dad in particular, by doing one more thing that Jeanette started. That is to think of the one word that best describes your Dad and my eternal companion. It would be a gift that lasts a long time. Just respond on this blog and I will share them with him.

The word that I think best describes him is "dedicated." He is dedicated to me and to Scott, making sure that all of our needs are met and that we are happy. He is dedicated to fulfilling his callings and doing the best job that he can. He is dedicated to our Father in Heaven, by kneeling each morning and night to say his prayers. He is dedicated to treating everyone fairly and kindly.

Now it's your turn!

The Greatest of These Is Love

2007-05-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

I just attended a meeting at the Center for Persons with Disabilities today. It is an Advisory Council made up of people in the community who have are invested in advocating for people with disabilities. My role is as a parent; there was a married couple there who are self-advocates who have developmental disabilities. I was fascinated as I watched them together. They are truly so happy being together and I could see how much they loved each other as they teased and laughed together. We had a sandwich during the meeting and as the husband was talking to the group, his wife was trying to wipe some mayonnaise off of his cheek, kind of like we do with Scott, only with her finger. She just kept at it the whole time he was talking and he didn't mind in the least. I could see that they take good care of each other.
As I watched him eat, his tongue pushing his food out between his teeth as some people with disabilities do, and watched his feet splayed out like Scott's do, it made me realize that all they needed was love. Love overlooks flaws and weaknesses. Love makes us happy just to be with someone. Love doesn't judge another. Love doesn't just look on the outside. Love is pure and innocent. It doesn't take a genius to give love. It takes someone with a lot of heart to simply love someone else.
That is why I am so drawn to people with disabilities; they love openly, completely, simply, innocently. It's in their eyes, and in their smiles, and in their laughter. It is something to strive for, being able to love that completely, without worrying about how someone looks, or what they say or do.
It is the way that I want to love others. It's the way that I love all of you. Completely without restraint.

A Great Visit!

2007-05-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

What a great visit, Jenny & Devin! I still can't believe that it has been a whole year since you left. You've done a lot since you left Utah....got two great jobs; bought a house; hiked some beautiful trails; met some wonderful people. It looks like Alaska has been good to you and is where you should be. Don't get me wrong, I still wish you could be closer, but as long as you are both flourishing there, all is well.

You left some good memories when you were here:

Playing & beating you at games :) (Taboo, Peg game, Pictionary, Chess, Apples to Apples, and Back Alley)
Eating out at Olive Garden
Getting a great Mother's Day present from all of you!
Shopping with Jeanette & lunch in the park
Jenny getting her ears pierced, hair cut & highlighted & clothes galore!
Devin's run to Casper's when he was bored or losing at Back Alley
Crab legs and shrimp dinner!
Playing crochet...Wayne's rules!
Pehrson Family picnic and seeing the Fam
Dutch Oven dinner up Smithfield Canyon
Celebrating Mother's Day with 3 of my kids
Celebrating Devin's birthday early & eating ice cream cake

All in all it was a great visit! Thanks so much for coming!Can't wait until Anna and the girls are here in June. Time for more memory-making!

In the meantime, thanks Michele & Wayne for being here and making memories everyday with us!

We love you all!

Give me Sunshine!

2007-04-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

I love the sunshine! It does something to a person to see bright blue skies and deep green grass! And those birds....watching them flit around finding bits of fluff and twigs for their nest and chirping their heads off! The spring flowers are blooming their little hearts out and I love them! I LOVE Spring! I think I could live in springtime all of my life! Every day, every minute! Let's hear it for the sun!

Priorities

2007-04-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

We watched an interesting movie last night, "The Pursuit of Happyness" with Will Smith. (Thanks for sharing it with us, Michele & Wayne!) It wasn't quite as happy-go-lucky as I had anticipated. In fact, at times it was really depressing. It is based on the true story of a man named Carl Gardner, who struggled and struggled to keep his son and himself out of the streets and to improve his lot in life. Along the way, his wife left him because she didn't want to be part of his struggle. But he fought to be able to keep his little 5-year old son with him, even though he didn't have a job other than to sell some medical equipment that he had invested in.

Through all of his struggles, I was impressed with his determination to try to keep life as normal as possible for his son. He almost always kept his son's need to be a child as his priority. Even at his lowest ebb, he was able to create a make-believe adventure for them to get through the night sleeping in a bus depot restroom.

His resilience in the face of failure after failure is inspiring to me. We all have trials in life, and as we look around at all of the homeless and broken people, some do not make it through them very well. If we keep our priorities in order and pull from deep inside us to overcome each one, we will eventually reach our goal. One thing the movie did not portray was a faith in God. I know that without my belief in God and His mercy and guidance, I could not get through some of the trials that I have had.

I love each of you and hope that when trials come your way, which they will, that you can keep your priorities straight and be resilient, and most of all, that you can turn to Our Heavenly Father who knows what we need to grow and return to His Presence.

Take Luck!

2007-04-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

Hi, Folks,
I had a hilarious time driving to work and back home today! I put in that Brian Regan CD....he is one bubble off plumb, I swear! I started out smiling and giggling to myself, and then as he went on I was grinning from ear-to-ear, trying not to laugh outloud. I couldn't hold it in and found myself laughing my head off, which I thought was hilarious in itself as I am driving alone and belly laughing all the way. Everytime I tried to just smile....I even sucked in my cheeks to try and stop smiling...I ended up laughing outloud! I sure hope nobody saw me!! He cracks me up!

I decided then that I just had to go ahead and laugh, even if people were looking....it was good medicine. I recommend it heartily. Laughter is good for the soul and keeps you young, something I need these days! Besides, it helps keep life in perspective and your thoughts off of negative things.

So, I say, go ahead and laugh your head off if you feel like it! Life is just too short to frown.

In Brian Regan's words, Take luck & Good care!

Coming Home

2007-04-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

As long as there is a home to go to, I will go there as often as I can. I am looking forward to seeing my parents in a day or two. And, although it is not the home that I grew up in, it is still home to me; wherever my parents are is home. I think we all have a "bungee cord" that draws us back home. I am glad that the bungee cords in my girl's hearts are pulling them back home soon! This mom is ready to throw my arms around them, touch them, see their beautiful smiles, and look into their eyes again! Thank heavens for Michele and her constant, caring presence! I love my girls and their little families! Yeah for bungee cords!

Homing

There is something inside us that brings us home;
Like a deer drawn to a stream on a warm night.

We drink deeply, the memories soothing our parched throats;
Filling our spirit with the cool waters of belonging.

We bed down near the stream, close to its gentle sound;
Knowing that we can refresh ourselves through the night.

When dawn breaks, we sip one last time before moving on;
our path leads us away from this, our first home.

We make note of the hill close by, the forked tree
just around the bend;
Etching the scene in our mind to tuck away for
other thirsty times.

We will return to this quiet place in days ahead,
When our thirst cannot be quenched anywhere else
but home.

By Connie Pehrson
June 29, 2004

The Pursuit of "Happyness"

2007-03-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

I used to have a plaque in our bathroom that I would read every day that went something like this...."Happiness does not depend on what happens on the outside of you, but on what happens on the inside." For a long time I believed that, but couldn't seem to make it work in my life. The things that happened on a day to day basis always seemed to affect my well-being and I couldn't really say that I felt "happy" a lot of the time. Of course, I had my moments of joy and peace and contentment, but I couldn't seem to make them stay very long. When the next crisis came along, or disappointment, or even conflicts in our home happened, I would be struggling to keep my "happyness" intact.

Lately, I have noticed that I feel happy most of the time! My 'happyness" quota is increasing! I have tried to analyze why that is, what has happened to change me from the inside out. I have come to a few conclusions:

My health is improving from what it has been for the past few years. I guess I attribute that to the month or so that I was in the hospital and recovering....every gain is a plus. I appreciate even one little sign of improvement. For this I am truly grateful.
I am only working part time which gives me less money, but so much more important, it gives me more time to do the things that make my life meaningful. Things like, organizing my home more ("my house is a house of order" said the Lord.); reading good books (including scripture study); listening to good music that lifts my soul; playing & singing music again, something I have put aside for a while; talking to, thinking about, and praying about the people that are important to me; listening to Conference talks to and from work; appreciating the beauty of nature and the changing of the seasons; beginning to work on my geneology.
I am also learning about spiritual things through the spirit as I prepare more diligently for my Relief Society lessons. I am uncovering the depth of my testimony and what it takes to nurture and expand it. I am pondering more the lives of good people that I know and am trying to be more like them including my husband, my children, people in the ward, friends, President Hinckley, and most importantly, Jesus Christ.

I am finding that "happyness" comes from inside, and that it may sneak up on you when you least expect. it! Anna told me the other day that "it's okay to feel happy, Mom." I guess I was feeling odd that I hadn't really felt it for so long. I think I am learning the secret of happiness, though I'm not sure if I can articulate it yet. I just know that it is like a compass, and I am trying to keep my needle pointed to the true north where it is strongest. I guess I am learning what makes my needle get off course, and I want to keep it steady.

I hope for all of you, that your "happyness" quota is increasing daily and that you find out what you need to do to keep your needle pointed in the right direction! Have a happy day!

The Hope of Spring

2007-03-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

I just watched a robin taking a bath in a big puddle in our driveway! The robins are back! I always wondered where they go until spring, but at any rate, they are here now. We went for a ride yesterday out to the West Fields and saw the Canadian geese pairing up at the water's edge. As I look out the window at the snow covered fields and mountains, I wonder how they know that it is time to come home and start new life. They signify that there is hope that spring will soon come again.
I lost a dear friend this past week, John Wesley Bright. The heavens have received a joyous, lovely person who will soon be leading the heavenly choirs in beautiful music! The signs for hope in the resurrection surround us. One being that Christ told his disciples He would be "raised in three days"....and they witnessed that He was. Another sign being that by Joseph Smith's words, "we saw Him, even at the right hand of God!" And the Spirit has witnessed to me that he did see and talk to the resurrected Christ. The reality of the resurrection goes beyond a hope; the signs are there and I am as sure of it as I am that, in a few weeks, spring will be here in full bloom.
Never lose hope that spring will come or that you will see loved ones that have gone ahead. The resurrection is real and we will all be together again as resurrected beings in a place where it is always spring!

I love Spring!!

2007-03-06T09:43:00.000-08:00

Had to share this with you. What a good philosophy to keep up! Enjoy!

The Daffodil Principle

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over."
I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.
Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.
"Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these childrenthat I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"
My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."
"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.
"But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."
"Carolyn," I said sternly, "Please turn around."
"It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."
After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, " Daffodil Garden ." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight.

It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.
"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn.
"Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.
On the patio, we saw a poster headlined:

'Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking'
1. 50,000 bulbs
2. One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain.
3. Began in 1958.

For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountain top. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.
That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world . .
"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"
My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way.

"Start tomorrow," she said.
She was right. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"

Use the Daffodil Principle. Stop waiting . .
Until your car or home is paid off
Until you get a new car or home
Until your kids leave the house
Until you go back to school
Until you finish school
Until you clean the house
Until you organize the garage
Until you clean off your desk
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married
Until you get a divorce
Until you have kids
Until the kids go to school
Until you retire
Until summer
Until spring
Until winter
Until fall
Until you die...
There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So . . .
Work like you don't need money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like no one's watching.
Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

~~ anonymous ~~

My Seven Wonders

2007-03-05T13:12:00.000-08:00

The Seven Wonders of the World

When asked to vote on the seven wonders of the world, a group of highschool students came up with this list: Eqypt's Great Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Panama Canal, the Empire State Building, the Great Wall of China, and Niagra Falls.
One girl in the class disagreed. For her, the seven wonders were: to see, to hear, to touch, to taste, to feel, to laugh, and to love.
Sometimes the things we take for granted are truly the greatest wonders.
(Ronda Beaman)

I thought about it and came up with my own list of seven wonders. Here it is: watching the sun's rays as they climb up on the backside of the mountain I see through our kitchen window in the early morning and then watching it burst over the crest of a peak right into my eyes; watching the glorious, unnameable colors of a Cache Valley sunset as it stretches across the horizon as I head towards my cozy home; watching the full moon send it's soft glow down upon snow covered fields and mountains as Dad & Scott and I drive home late at night; listening to the birds chirping as the weather warms and they flit from our big tree to the bushes outside our front windows; listening all alone (so I can turn the volume way up) to a wonderful baritone voice (George Dyer) singing in his fullest voice "How Great Thou Art", and meaning every word of it; hearing Dad and Scott laughing heartily as they tease each other; being caught in a big bear hug by someone whom I love and who loves me right back.
It doesn't get better than that!

Now let me read your lists......I'll be checking your blogspots for them!!

Counting Blessings

2007-02-25T10:10:00.000-08:00

I know, Devin, it is cheesy, but I'm going to do it anyway! I want to count my blessings today, so I can approach life with a positive attitude. Sometimes, when I face a new week, I get bogged down in all of the things that I don't want to do....like go to work or fold a mountain of clothes (how 3 people can go through so many clothes, I don't know!).

I have found that if I can bring into my mind all of the good things in my life that are gifts from my Father in Heaven, then the "uglies" get pushed back to a place that doesn't matter and I can feel peace and joy in the journey again.

So here goes, my list of blessings:

The first has to be the knowledge of the truth and an understanding of the Gospel and of eternal things; it directs all that I do.
Next comes family, both past, present, and future; what a great organization, the family. For most of us, it guarantees that we come to this earth already loved and accepted, surrounded by people who want to make us into the best people we can be. First to be loved by parents and siblings and extended family; then to find your own sweetheart who knows you better than anyone else and still loves you completely; when you add to that loving circle, children, then you have the greatest love possible...unselfish, unconditional love. To top it all off, we have the opportunity to continue those associations for eternity! What a grand plan!
Living in a place of beauty has to be one of my top blessings! To be able to see majestic mountains (not like Alaska, I know, but they will do for me!) with and without snow; to see fields of grain and corn; to watch geese and hawks and an occasional eagle, and even the humblest sparrow (I love them all Michele!) ; to see the gorgeous flowers throughout the summer....mostly in my neighbors' yards; to watch the seasons change the trees is a miracle to me!

Those are the top blessings. Writing them down has made my day, and above all I thank my Heavenly Father for each one of them in my life. It sometimes takes a day of counting to keep me in balance for the rest of my life.

Take some time to count today!

Beginning again

2007-02-23T16:07:00.000-08:00

Hi, All, I am trying this again because the first blog I made looked very dreary! Maybe I'll get the hang of it this time. I expect Anna and Michele to start their own blogs now! If I can do it (if i ever get it right) anybody can!
Mom