END OF EASTER WEEK

Wednesday night we had Spencer, Mel, and Chelsea come for a sleep over. Played games, ate pizza, watched the Chipmonk movie and had such fun with them. We played some more games after breakfast and honestly did not think the "candyland game" would ever end...we laughed and laughed.

After the beach on Thursday, showered and fed...Madison, Brooke, Christian and our little Ashlyn came for another sleep over. Again we watched the Chipmonk movie, had a yummy dessert, played games...and just laughed. In the morning Brooke and Madison helped prepare breakfast and found that they are great cooks who have been taught well by their mom.

After the family left, Marvin and I headed for the temple. It was so good to be back in the temple and while we were there Marvin took some pictures of the Visitor's Center that is being remodeled. They say completion should be in June....which we are very excited about. They have also added an additional parking lot as you come in through the gate.

This is a picture of my sister, Sharlene and her husband John which was taken a couple years ago. They have both been struggling this past year with health problems. Presently Sharlene is in the hospital in CCU. They are checking out her pacemaker which was put in a couple months ago and not working correctly, and also found that she has a serious infection. After tests, they feel it is in the galbladder and talking surgery. If this is any indication of what we have to look forward to with the new government health insurance, look out. Have made two trips to Upland this week and many phone calls to hopefully get the care she needs. She had been in the hospital last month and then put in a Rehab Center for a week and only got worse and now in CCU...that's another story, ugh!

Sunday was a wonderful day of rest...and very much needed. We work in the Nursery during class time, most are 18 months-under 3. We have a routine when they come into the room: puzzles, play time, snack when the bells rings, lesson, singing time, craft, and end with bubbles. And let me tell you, they do know the routine...very cute and so smart. There favorite food is grapes, fishies and cheese.

Now today...We just got Gavin's Birthday gift off in the mail...he will be two years old this week. And Miranda will be having a birthday next week. With 27 grandchildren, 7 children and their wonderful spouses...this keeps us pretty busy. Being Monday, it is also the day we take care of Carnell's grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, etc.; who just turned 90 years old last month.

So life is good. I remember when we were preparing to finish our mission at the temple last November, children would ask "what are you and dad going to do with all that time once you get home". Well, so far, we just don't have enough of 'that time'...hahahaha

FUN WITH GRANDKIDS

THANK YOU Lisa, Marrianne, grandkids & the Johnson's for a very fun afternoon at the beach!
Even though the water was cold, it didn't keep any of them out, as the outside air was very warm. Here are a few cute shots of our fun THURSDAY...

FRIDAY
Last Friday Chelsea and Melanie were invited to Ashlyn's birthday party...so Spencer and Lisa came to visit. You boys remember the crossword puzzle board game we use to play? Well, I dug it out of storage and played it with Spencer....he is quite good. We also enjoyed lunch at Sharkey's.

After they left I gave Madison and Brooke a call, "would you like to come over?" So we went and picked up some flowers to put on Marvin's parents and Sister Matich's graves. Then we came back and taught them how to play the crossword puzzle board game. It was a fun Friday!

SATURDAY...

Dan and his dad restored this car a few years ago while they were living in our home...sitting in the carport for a while. We had it towed to their new home last Saturday.

Now Dan and his son will have an opportunity to restore it once again. After we delivered it, we sat down to have lunch and Spencer said, "Hey dad, after we eat, can you take me for a ride in your black car?" LOL! We laughed so hard! Especially when we started talking about how that would look with Grandpa and Dan pushing the car around the neighborhood with Spencer sitting inside. Guess you had to be there! It was so funny!!!

Lisa and Dan invited us for lunch and then Mel needed to show Grandpa her new tetherball her dad and grandpa Clinger made her. Spencer also had to show us his stuff.

As it neared time to leave there was a small battle, "No Grandpa, please stay". This was all accomplished in between sessions of Conference...we made it home just in time for the first speaker on Saturday afternoon.

He Lives

He Lives

GENERAL CONFERENCE

I love General Conference and especially being able to experience it during the Easter weekend. The talks were marvelous! Sunday morning was directed to the Savior, all He does for us, His example, and His resurrection. Saturday and then Sunday afternoon were directed mostly on how we can enjoy peace and stand strong in a troubled world today. These can be heard and seen on lds.org and printed copies will be available end of this week. And as always the music was wonderful.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf began his Sunday morning conference address by relating the story of a large statue of Jesus that was severely damaged during a World War II bombing of a city. Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but the hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. The statue remained without hands. The people of the city added to the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign: "You are my hands."
'We are the hands of Christ'
President Uchtdorf continued, "When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched; reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. And He always talked with — never down to — people. He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation.
"This is what He did during His mortal life; it is what He would be doing if He were living among us today; and it is what we should be doing as His disciples and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. … As we emulate His perfect example we can become His hands; our eyes, His eyes; our heart, His heart."





Sister Cheryl C. Lant has served as our Primary General Board President for the past five years. She shared an experience she had in the nursery when she held up a picture of Jesus and asked: "Who is this?" The toddler answered, "Jesus." Sister Lant said, "This child was not old enough to really even say his own name, but he recognized the image and knew the name of the Savior. As I watched this sweet response, I thought of the words of the Savior when He said: " 'Seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls and, ye shall have eternal life.'" (Doctrine and Covenants 101:38).

She said, "It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior so that they might see His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. As we do, we also bring ourselves." For a pattern of doing so, Sister Lant referred to the account of the Savior's visit to the Nephites recorded in 3 Nephi.

"First, we must learn how to love the Lord and our families. …
"Second, we must become worthy examples. … Now remember, none of us will be the perfect example for our children, but we all can become worthy parents and leaders. Our striving to be worthy is an example in itself. …
"Third, we have the process of bringing our children to the Savior by teaching them the truths of the gospel from the scriptures and the prophets, and helping them to feel and recognize the spirit."

She noted, "Now, all of this does not come easy. … It takes a lot of hard work and patience and faith, but nothing is more important or rewarding. And, the Lord will help us, for He loves these children even more than we do. He loves them and He will bless them."

Sister Lant spoke of the angels who encircled the Nephite children as the Savior blessed them. She said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are the angels that Heavenly Father has sent today to bless the children, and we can help them to one day see the face of the Savior as we teach the principles of the gospel and fill our homes with the joy of loving them."

EASTER WEEKEND

I just had to add this picture from Matt: "We had a fun weekend. After the Easter egg hunt in the back, I asked Jordyn to show me her candy. Well, I was hoping she'd lift her basket for a picture. Instead, she opened her mouth, stuck out her tongue and showed the candy. These twins are so fun. The first year of no sleep is all worth it now. :-)" They live several miles away and just wish I could reach through and give them each a hug!

John and Lisa's family's came over after General Conference for dinner, Easter Egg Hunt, and games. And we can't forget that delicious deseret Marrianne made, chocolate and peanut butter cake...it was heavenly. This first picture has the grandchildren checking out games and toys since grandma unpacked things that were in storage.

OK...we have our baskets and we're ready to go. They wanted to stand by the piano that has displayed all the grandchildren that are missing. They do love their cousins!

Ashlyn was on the run and so excited. Each grandchild is given one large colored plastic egg with their name on it. That tells them what color egg to look for.

Grandpa and Lisa hid the eggs. Lisa kept saying to the older ones "look up". She did quite a hiding job on Madison and Spencer. Infact the other grandkids were finished with their's and started helping Spencer and Madison.

And then there was the counting to be sure they got all their eggs and didn't leave any for our squirrels or bunnies that roam our yard each day. They knew that they each had one big one and 20 regular size. I just love sitting in the swing watching them all...

OK...all counted for, now to go inside the house and check out the eggs. All of a sudden the clouds started rolling in and the wind started blowing. So grateful it waited until after our activity to get cold and rainy.

After all the sugar intake, we played the "Easter Bingo" game I made a few years back. We had to call Marylyn in order to play our next game "Chicken Foot" which has been a Bjorn favorite, "how many dominos do we start with"? Later the grandchildren and I watched "Wind At My Back" which is one of my favorite BYU series each week [sort of like Little House on the Prarie"].