This trip was mixed with fun, laughter, and some sadness. Heather's father had been diagnosed with cancer a couple months ago and passed away Monday, July 14 with the funeral following on Saturday and graveside on Monday. Joe and the children stayed with Lisa & Dan with a couple sleep overs for cousins at Marrianne and John's. Heather and her sister, Gerri, stayed with Camille to help with the funeral arrangements.
Monday afternoon we went to Borchard Park where Daniel and Jake (Gerri's son) were able to skateboard.
The children really enjoyed grandpa twirling them around as fast as they could go.
Grandpa, Miranda and I played frizbee while Joe helped Ben be a monkey and then.......
We played TAG on the park play equipment....YOUR IT.... 
Megan was home text messaging friends and writing her book. Yes, Meg is writing a book which I was able to read over the weekend... she does have a nack for writing. 
Later that night we had dinner and later Marv and I gave the "Family Home Evening Lesson" about Watchmen on the Tower and Following in Jesus' Footsteps. He suggested that each family incorporate the "Strength of Youth" booklet in their future Family Home Evening Lessons. "If you take just one lesson a family night and apply it in your lives, you will all be able to pass a temple recommend interview". Then I followed up with a question, "Listen...now what is the difference between these two sentences, 'I will know about Jesus Christ' and 'I will know Jesus Christ'?" After some thought Megan gave the perfect answer, "To know Jesus Christ is to try and live like Him". Yes, you can know about Him, but to really know Him we need to strive to live like Him. Then Megan said she had a perfect song to share with us entitled "Watchmen". The night was complete by eating the chocolate cake Heather had brought....hmmmm delicious!.
Megan and Lisa left for the show while Joe got the children ready for bed and Miranda read stories and put the little ones to bed. The next morning Marv and I headed back to the temple and Joe's family left for home.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Joe's family comes for a visit
Spencer's Special Day...turns 8
Spencer has been counting the days and excited when his baptism day finally arrived. Grandpa's gave the prayers, grandma's gave the talks, and his cousins and special friends sang. He was able to share this special day with three Kriener grandchildren. 
Spencer followed in Jesus' footsteps as told in Matthew 3:13-17, ..."And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water". Spencer was baptized and confirmed by his dad, and Sunday he was welcomed into the ward. 
After the baptism we went to our home for dinner, dessert, gifts, and fun. Danny did his famous barbeque and everyone brought salads and dessert. Hmmmmmm good!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Home...a Little Bit of Heaven
We heard a talk Sunday in the Westwood I ward that we thought was worth passing on since we live in such a hurried busy world today....taking time for what's really important. The speaker referred to an article by President Monson, "Memories of Yesterday, Counsel for Today" which you can get on lds.org. He gives 10 suggestions from President Benson in making our home a little bit of heaven:
1. Take time to always be at the crossroads in the lives of your children, whether they be six or sixteen.
2. Take time to be a real friend to your children.
3. Take time to read to your children. Remember what the poet wrote:
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be—
I had a mother who read to me.
4. Take time to pray with your children.
5. Take time to have a meaningful weekly home evening. Make this one of your great family traditions.
6. Take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible.
7. Take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family.
8. Take time to do things together as a family.
9. Take time to teach your children.
10. Take time to truly love your children. A mother’s unqualified love approaches Christlike love
[Ezra Taft Benson, To the Mothers in Zion, pamphlet, 1987]
As we visit many of our children's homes, it is such a blessing for us to see parents taking the time to read to their children on a regular, daily basis....reading a scripture at bedtime and reading a favorite story. Nate, Madison, and Spencer have really picked up on this, as they have attended school to learn how to read. After scriptures, prayer, story, you will find them with their little night lights on reading their favorite book. What a gift these children have received. I know it takes time and at the end of the day moms and dads are just tuckered out...but it is so worth it!
One reasons the church changed to the 'three hour block' on Sundays was so that parents would have time to spend with their children in teaching gospel subjects through stories and games, family counsel, PPI, writing letters to missionaries, and visiting family, genealogy, family history and journal writing, etc. And Monday was set aside for Family Night to learn and play together. Remember the water fights, dance lessons, park for a game of kick ball, making and then flying paper airplanes in the street?
We are constantly counseled to take the time to have meals together which is a perfect time to listen to what has been going on in their lives that day. Turning the TV off is another good idea for families to have more time with one another. We use to have a 'lock' on our TV when the children were young which helped most of the time. Maybe sit down each week during family night and list the TV shows that would be worth watching and don't turn it on just to vegetate.
President Benson leaves us this counsel: “make it a family objective to all be together in the celestial kingdom. Strive to make your home a little bit of heaven on earth so that after this life is over, you may be able to say:
We are all here, Father, mother, sister, brother,
All who hold each other dear.
Each chair is filled— We’re all at home …
We’re all—all here.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Justifying Evil
It seems more and more in the world today there is just way too much 'justifying of evil'. For example on the news yesterday about the youth who strip on this particular web sight so they will have clothing donated to the poor. As I listened to one of the organizers of this sight justify...it made my stomach turn. Now if that isn't justifying evil...crazy world we live in.
BUT THERE IS HOPE..."Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery..." Helaman 3:28-29.
The principal purpose of scriptures is to testify of Christ, helping us come unto Him and receive eternal life. John 5:39, 20:31. The Old Testament is a sacred record of God's dealings with His covenant people in the Holy Land. The New Testament records the birth, mortal ministry, and Atonement of our Savior. And we now have the Book of Mormon which is another testament of Jesus Christ.
We have been counseled by latter-day prophets to study the scriptures every day, both individually and with our families...and to liken the scriptures to ourselves, finding ways that the sacred accounts of old apply in our lives today. The scriptures are the 'iron rod' we need to hold on today. When we choose bad we are in captivity, but when we choose good we are free!
"Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meakness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me." Doctrine and Covenants 19:23
POST CHALLENGE
Ok, I've been challenged...[almost afraid to put this one up]
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I have had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, if we’ve actually met in person or not, anything you remember!
2. Now it's your turn....Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Clinger's, Boynton's, Merrill's enjoy Family Night
Barbequed PIZZA's cooked by our chiefs Kim and Lisa....hmmmmm good!
While visiting Nate this past spring he introduced our family to Muffin Tin Pizza's. This is a picture of Kyle trying out Nate's invention which everyone totally enjoyed! 
Ashlyn is getting the baby dolls quiet so we can eat and have family night.
Brooke and Mel are getting all the hair-do's ready for family night.
Everyone gathered outside on the patio...weather was perfect.
First Lisa and children led us in a primary song...practicing for Spencer's Baptism.
Mikal gave a great Baptism Lesson for family night.
Sam instructed the family on how to properly wear a tie.
Even grandpa learned a new way of tying his tie.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Spencer....started celebrating July 7th and will continue on through July 19th when he will be baptized.
Our TRADITIONAL COUSIN sleepover...starting with nine cousins, but ended with eight. Sure Ashlyn will join us next year. Games, Movie, POP-CORN are also part of the tradition, but everyone was asleep before 10:30 and surprisingly slept in until almost 8 a.m. [except the birthday boy who was up at 6:15]. Lisa made delicious waffels for breakfast.
THANKS FAMILY FOR A FUN WEEKEND!
Grandma's Favorite Summer Spot
This has always been my favorite place to take the children where they can be free to run, play, and enjoy one another. During the summer Pat Richmond and I would load up the cars and head for the beach a couple times a week. Now grandpa and I enjoy sharing this experience not only with our children, but with our grandchildren. Ashlyn wanted to collect water for their sandcastle and got grandma just a little wet.
No matter how young or how old, they love building sandcastles, roads, and tunnels.
And, the big guys love the waves, tossing pebbles, splashing, just having fun together. Tyler, Conner, Kyle, Mikal, Sam....we will miss you guys!!!!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY
We spent Friday morning relaxing and later headed for home where we met Lisa, Dan and the children at Jamba Juice for lunch. We picked up Carnell a little after 2:00 and drove to a park where we were meeting Heath, the kids, her parents and some friends. Heath & the children are visiting a couple weeks while Dave stayed home tiling kitchens and bathrooms.
There were frezbee's, socker balls, boomarang, scooters, and play equipment...but it was so HOT outside.
Several ended up under the shade of the trees playing card games.
Carnell had fun putting the cards back together.
Chelsea loves her mommie!
After the barberque, Marv and I headed back to the temple where we met up with friends to watch the fireworks. What a perfect view we had....over a dozen different shows could be seen on the front lawn. After the shows we enjoyed carrot cake and socializing...Hard to get up this morning!Matt & Heather's Gang
Heather with her twins in their moby...what an amazing mom!
Jordyn and Rachel in their matching dresses.
Rachel and Jordyn in their Sunday Best.
Chef Nathan...he really does enjoy cooking.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
More on TRADITIONS
In studying the scriptures we ran across a couple that were very enlightening. Mosiah 26:1-2 “Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generations that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers….concerning the coming of Christ….And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God and their hearts were hardened.”
The feeling we got was that 'traditions are important….but more important is what is behind those traditions'. You’ve heard the scripture in Mark 7:6… “This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” and it goes on “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…rejecting the commandments of God that ye may keep your own traditions…making the word of God of none effective through your tradition…” Also Mosiah 1:5 has similar examples.
Where is safety for our families these days? King Benjamin addresses his people, much of which we can use today in our own homes, being sure that our children understand why we have the religious traditions….and gain a strong testimony of Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, and the Plan of Happiness. We really love what it says about the people being at the temple in Mosiah 2…”they might go up to the temple to hear the words…pitching their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door there of towards the temple…hearken with your ears, hearts and minds…” To us this shows even more how important the temple is in these latter days…to help keep our families strong and to lead us back to our Heavenly Father through Christ’s teachings.
An example would be having a family tradition of attending church each Sunday….but teaching our children why and the meaning of the Sacrament to remember and follow Christ. Reading the scriptures and prayer each day is important….but why?...and also to liken the scriptures we read to our lives today.
