I am Thankful

It is the last day of November and my last thankful post. Being blessed to be a Mother in Zion fills my heart with such thankfulness. These wonderful eight children make this life joyful and fulfilling.

Tonya Sue
Glenda Lee
Jeffrey Dale
Teresa Kae
Mary Anne
Nichole
Natalie Lyn
Amy Dawn

I love each one more than I can every express. I thank my Father in Heaven for letting you come to me and your father.



November 30, 2011

The last day of the month always involves a drive to Brigham City for Brad and I.  It is the day that we pay property taxes.  It is always hard to write out that check but I am also very thankful for the place that I live ------ Elwood, in Box Elder County, in the state of Utah, in the wonderful country of the United States of America.  So I will gladly pay the taxes due for this wonderful blessing and privilege.

This usually involves dinner at Maddox and a slow ride home on the mountain road. 

My view from the county building parking lot ------ lots of fun Christmas displays

Another drive past the Brigham City Temple ----- they have taken off the plywood doors

Workmen working on the beautiful front window

I am Thankful

The month is coming to an end and even though I will complete my days of Thanks I still have so many blessings that have not been listed.

Today, though,  I am especially grateful for one very special daughter-in-law and seven terrific sons-in-law.  They are truly a blessing to our family.  Some people say that having in laws in terrible but, for me it has been a joy and a blessing.  Each one is unique in what they are and what they bring to our family, but each one brings love, help and great thankfulness to me for them.

DelRay Woodruff

Daniel Albert Nesbit

Lisa Gephart Firth

Paul Wood

Todd Johnson

Jeffrey Isaacson

Sidney Soria

Danny Despain

I love each one of you with all my heart.  You are my children and my family.  You will always be in my heart and prayers.

I am Thankful

I am thankful for enduring traditions. Today was our Christmas Dinner with my brothers. My sister Betty who lives in Washington was unable to come. It was a pleasant day.

I am Thankful

I am delighted and grateful for the precious little great grandchildren that are now apart of my life. There visits bring such happiness to our home. I am so thankful for them. For their sweet spirits so filled with innocence and love.

Kinley Lynn Nielsen
Garrett Daniel Howell
Kaden Dale Firth
Tyler Lee Brewer
Gracie Jo Nielsen
Katherine Scarlett Howell
Zoey Mae Brewer

You are in my heart and prayers

I am Thankful

Grandchildren bring a wonderful new dimension to my life. We are blessed with twenty two with number twenty three to come in February. Each of these grandchildren are special in their own way. We feel blessed when we can share in their lives.

Kelsey Woodruff Dansie ---- Dusty
Nathaniel Dale Woodruff
MacKenzie Danielle Woodruff
Justin Daniel Nesbit
Tyson Dale Nesbit
Conner Lee Nesbit
Brittani Lynn Firth Nielsen ---- Kevin
Ryan Jeffrey Firth ---- Jordan
Carli Jo Firth
Meagan Dawn Wood Brewer ---- Garen
Amanda Jo Wood Howell ---- Dan
Brandon Paul Wood
Heidi Anne Johnson
Shaylee Johnson
Damon E. Johnson
Skylar Jeffrey Isaacson
Tristin Dale Isaacson
Hunter B. Issacson
Clayton Cole Isaacson
Heather Lyn Soria
Samuel Soria
?
Jacob Daniel Despain

Your names are always in my HEART and PRAYERS

LOVE YOU LOTS

I am Thankful

Each and every day this man does his best to make my days good. Brad V. Frank is truly a wonderful companion. I am so thankful that our paths crossed and that love came to us.

I am Thankful

I am thankful for this day and all of the brave settlers who made it possible. John Smith, Miles Standish, John Alden,the Pilgrims, my early ancestors who made that decision to settle in "The New World" in its early beginnings and so many more. Their courage and hard work inspire me. I hope I remember them all year long and not just on Thanksgiving Day. I am blessed with a good life because of them.

We were blessed to spend this Thanksgiving Day with the Nesbit family in Logan.  I had made my potatoes the day before and arose early Thanksgiving Day to make rolls and pies.  I find it very enjoyable to be able to cook in my kitchen and feel I am still a bit capable.

We share a wonderful day with Dan, Glenda, Justin, Tyson, Conner, Tyler, Sid, Natalie, Heather, Sam, Luke and Natalie and their little son Daxs.  Brad and I so enjoyed the relaxing time and the delicious food.  We look forward to this time of year when we can count the many blessings that are ours.

A beautiful table scape ---- Conner works at the Plant Peddler and designed and arranged the beautiful bouquet

Everyone is waiting with great anticipation

Relaxing time and games ------ Sam and Heather getting acquainted with Ricker

The big people helping the little people play and have fun

Some of us just relaxed ---- what a great day

I am Thankful

I am Thankful for my first love and my companion and husband Dale S. Firth.

Dale and I met in the fall of 1959. We were both students at Utah State University.

I am Thankful

The end of the month is coming closer and I felt to save my greatest blessings for the last few days.  So today I am eternally grateful for my parents.  I can not even begin to express my feelings.  As I have grown older and hopefully a bit wiser I have come to realize all that they did for me.  Even when I was being an obnoxious child or teenager.  I can never thank them enough for their patience with me.

I will add more when on my other computer. 

Heather's New Look

Heather was a big girl today.  She went to the Mall with mom and came home with these cute "Hello Kitty" earrings.  Having your ears pierced is a fun but a bit of a scary experience.  She is growing up so fast.

I am Thankful

I am thankful for my grandparents today.  As I have been getting out some of my Christmas decorations today I came across my Grandmother Hill's autograph book.  It is so fun to read and look at.  It was given to her before she married my Grandfather.  I was not blessed to know Grandma Hill.  She died in December of 1940 and I was born in May of 1941.  My mom told me a lot about her.  She was a great lady who served her family and her Savior and Father in Heaven.  It is good to read her and grandpa's history that my mom wrote.  I do not remember Grandpa Hill either.  He died just a few years after grandma.  Mother always said that he died from a broken heart.  After Grandma died he just had no desire to live.

My mother's entry in the book ------ Harriet Anna Hill the daughter of Harriet Ann Byram Hill

My father's parents, Thomas Hugh and Louviena Dorcas Clayton lived just up the street from us but I never really spent too much time with them.  For some reason by Dad's children were not some of Grandma's favorites and since she ruled the roost poor Grandpa Clayton did not have much say.  He was one of the sweetest men I have ever known.  He would come to our house and that is where we would spend time with him.  He tried his very best to be a good grandpa.  He and Grandmother were the custodians for the little old LDS church in Ucon.  I remember helping them clean.  I loved the little glass sacrament cups that I would help wash.
Grandpa raised a huge garden and loved to peel the fresh vegetables for us to nibble on.  At Christmas time he would bring us children a HUGE all day sucker.  He never had much money and he had a tobacco habit that kept him from church but he always said he knew the gospel was true.  He was a fun and kind grandpa.  It is always fun to read his history and grandma's history.  I think they had a very interesting marriage.

Family Fun



Katherine is growing so fast and is so cute.  I received this cute picture from Amanda.  I think she looks like she is already for the Holidays.



CARLI HAS NEW WHEELS

Carli is very excited to have a new car.  She sold her Pontiac in just a few hours after she listed it on KSL.  She is now the proud owner of a Honda Pilot.  Will ride eight.  That is alot of places for Kaden, his cousins, and mom and dad.  We are so happy for her.

NATE IS BUSY WITH BASEBALL PRACTICE

Nate is busy practicing baseball at the practice facility at the High School.  This is the sport that he truly enjoys.  Keep up the good work.



DelRay turns 50

DelRay is now a half of a century old.  But only in calendar years.  He still has the energy and does the work of someone many years younger.

DelRay was my first son in law so he had to be the person I learned on.  He has always been so very kind to me and helped me out of many hard times.  I am so very grateful for all of the many things that he has done to make my home more comfortable.

DelRay is a hard worker and takes such good care of his family.

I hope that he will always have a good life and good health.

I am Thankful

When I was working at the Funeral Home I worked with a gentleman by the name of Roy.  One day as I was visiting with him and his wife they both expressed to me that they were not going to have a family.  They had made the decision that they wanted their lives to take the road of being "Professional" people.  This did not include time nor effort for having children.

They knew that I was the mother of eight children and their families.  They wondered why I would tie myself to such responsibility.  I am sure that if they had even decided to have that first little child they would have full understanding.  In their decision to not have a family they felt that they had the TIME to do just what they wanted.  However,  I did see that this meant being alone for weekends and holidays. 

I am thankful that my TIME is filled with wonderful TIMES with those I love.

Yesterday was one of those TIMES.  A TIME to share in laughter and giggles, teasing, remembering, good food and good company.

Sammy Soria------a two year old that loves to play ---"Grandpa go downstairs-come on"



Heather Lyn Soria ---- a little girl still but also growing up.  Sometimes it is so hard



These three are teases and love having fun

Daddy Soria ---- wearing a smile but not really feeling so good.

Heather the photographer ---- everyone had to have a picture with her baby doll

Playing with Grandpa -----endless energy

At the Despain home with another cute tease----Jacob

Waiting for dinner ------ sometimes Violet is so funny ------ Hey, you do not sit at the table



A wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with the Despain family on Sunday



Amy and Grandpa taught Jacob all kinds of new tricks -----we laughed and laughed and reminisced when my own children did this

Maybe the first and last ------Heather was busy with Grandma's camera -----WOW! when did I get old?

I am Thankful

I am thankful to those people who had the patience and desire to help me become the person I am today. Perhaps if I had even been more willing to listen and learn I would have been able to accomplish more. In my youth I was surrounded by great and strong people, how lucky I was.

In Brother Packer's conference talk he gave this little poem.

The old crow is getting slow.

The young crow is not.

Of what the young crow does not know

The old crow knows a lot.

At knowing things the old crow

Is still the young crow's master.

What does the slow old crow not know?

---How to go faster.

The young crow flies above, below,

And rings around the slow old crow.

What does the fast young crow not know?

---Where to go.

I guess I am now the Old Crow. I do hope that I can be a help to the young crows that are a part of my life.

I am Thankful

Today as I have been pondering about what I am thankful for my mind and heart have been distracted with concerns of the ones I love so much. Why do things happen that I cannot change. In God's plan it is called "Agency". As hard as it hurts sometimes I am thankful for this part of the plan. BUT----I am also very thankful for the principle of forgiveness, repentance, and starting fresh because we have the wonderful gift of the Savior's atonement.

If I have hurt you or offended you I pray that you will forgive me and that we can have love and peace in our relationships.

I am Thankful

Today Skylar and I have been at the Soria home playing with Heather and Sam. Sid had his surgery. All went well but they have not gotten home yet.

I am thankful for Skylar and his willingness to drive me down and help. He is a fine young man. I am also grateful for the wonderful medical care that we are blessed with.

Happy Birthday to Tyson

Twenty three already. It seems that time is flying by. Tyson is a man of few words but his cute smile says so much. Steadiness at his work is so admireable. He is also a young man that has great financial skills. He truly knows how to save and budget. Hopefully sometime he will meet that special young lady. But for now being content at home with mom and dad and the pups is enough. We love Tyson and our prayers are with him always.

I am Thankful

I AM THANKFUL for blue skies and white clouds. Snow covered mountains, pure water and brilliant colored leaves.

So Proud of Clayton

The changing of schools has not been easy for Clayton. He has been fighting the change along with giving mom and dad a hard time. Nichole says that the school is harder than at Syracuse. BUT--- Clayton has finally hit his stride and is doing so good. We always knew he was a smart boy he just needed to learn that for himself.

Prayers for Sid

Sid will be having surgery tomorrow afternoon. He has a complete tear of his bicep in his right arm. The surgery will be at the MacKay Dee Hospital. It is an out patient surgery. We will keep him in our prayers.

Todd Johnson has a Birthday

Time is certainly moving fast. Todd has gotten one year older and one year------what is it, poorer, happier, busier, smarter, wiser and maybe a little grayer. I don't know. I just know that he is one year more loved by us. I know it was a sad---glad day for him. Our prayers are with him and his family that things will get better. It is not easy being a father. But I do know that he dearly loves Mary and his daughters and son.

I am Thankful

Cheerfulness and kind words. As life goes forward each day I find that I set the pace of my days. When I face it with a cheerful attitude it is usually a good day. When I also remember to only speak kind and positive words to and about others I am a happier woman.

Last evening I let my thoughts and words go so astray with not so nice words. When I went to bed I was in such a state I could not go to sleep. I was so ashamed of myself that my prayers were impossible. At four this morning I was still struggling because of my words. Cheerfulness and kind words do make for a much better and happier person. I am so thankful for those who inspire me to do better. I am thankful for cheerfulness and kind words.

I am Thankful

I really enjoy watching "The Sing Off" on T.V.   I am rooting for Vocal Point from BYU. 

 But, more than just this I am thankful for music in my life. I was so lucky that my mom also loved music and inspired me and encouraged me.  I am sure that I did not always go to piano and organ lessons and practice without some complaint, but she kept me going until I found the joy and love that she knew would be there.

  Over the many years this love of music and the ability to play the piano and organ has helped me to earn money for my first piano, by being a piano and organ teacher.  It also helped to supplement family income.  During my married life I was also able to continue taking some advanced piano lessons as well as a wonderful year of organ lessons. The IPod that my children gave me a few years ago has been one of my greatest treasures.  If you visit our home you will most likely hear it playing.  Anything from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Josh Groban,  to David Archeltea.  If it is good music I enjoy almost any genre.   I love playing, listening too, and relaxing to MUSIC.

My music service in the church began when I was called to be the pianist in the Junior Sunday School of the Ucon Ward.  I was then able to take organ lessons from Sister Margaret Jenkins and during High School I was called to be a Ward Organist.  After Dale and I were married I took some more piano lessons from Mrs. Jorgensen in Tremonton.  I was soon called to be the Ward Organist in Bothwell and served in this calling for many years along with being the Choir Pianist.  I loved it.  When they got the new Rogers organ after the remodel job at the Bothwell Church it became my favorite friend.  Today it remains my favorite organ to play.  I would practice on this organ daily while taking lessons on the pipe organ at the Tremonton Stake House.  When I look back on these days I was so truly blessed.  Dale supported me and the children we so good that I could take the time to do this. I was also able to have some lessons from Vivian Blanchard and Sydna Harris.  Now my playing is limited because my hands are not so nimble.   I have served as a Relief Society Pianist, Primary Pianist, Stake Organist and have been blessed to accompany my granddaughters Meagan and Amanda. 

MUSIC ----- I am Thankful that it is a part of me.

Darn -  Vocal Point got eliminated tonight.

I am Thankful

I am thankful for the peace of prayer. To know that I can talk with my Father in Heaven about everything. I know He hears and will help me with what is best.

Each week I put the names of my family on the temple prayer roll. I know that these prayers given in the Holy Temple are very special.

May I understand always this wonderful blessing.

I am Thankful

Today is temple day.  The weather has turned cold and wintry.  The trip to Logan will be okay because we are blessed with transportation that will make our journey safe. It will be late when we return this evening so I have been thinking of my blessings and what to express today.

Today I am thankful for the health that I have been blessed with that enables me to continue to serve my family and my Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ.  As the years come and go and my body goes through its normal aging processes I am still able to be active and accomplish most of the things that I desire to do.  Even those crazy legs are able to keep going.  I try very hard to keep my mind sharp.  Each morning after the paper arrives you will find me in my chair doing the Sudoku puzzle and the Crossword puzzle that are there.  This along with reading, computer work and my piano playing will hopefully keep me alert. Health is a great blessing.  I pray for many more years of health that allows me to live life to the fullest.

The End is in Sight

Tonya has spent the last three days working on MacKenzie's bedroom.  She was really glad that DelRay was home on Thursday to help get the wood in place.  Then on Friday she worked on painting and getting everything back in place.  Today she has just a bit of painting to finish on the east wall and some final decorations. This is one super cute room for a super cute girl.

So Cute and So Fun

Invisable

Sometimes

I am Thankful

Betty, Harriet, Arlene, Dale, Harlen, Dennis, Kenneth and Larry---I love you. These are my sisters and brothers. The children of Wilford and Harriet Clayton. My dear Harriet and Kenneth, we do not yet know one another, but I look forward to that eternal time when we meet and hold each other in an embrace of love.

I have had the great blessing of being part of a close family. One that is caring and supportive. Yes, we had our Times when misunderstandings would happen, but forgiveness and love was always there. We accept each others differences and look for the good.

One great show of love given to me by my brothers was-------Every fall before the potato harvest my mom and I would go shopping for my winter school cloths. When I had made my selections the cloths would be put on lay away. I would earn enough money picking potatoes to pay for the clothes. If I worked real hard I could earn about $400.00 for my clothes. It was a month of hard work. Even the schools would be closed for the harvest. Ann Byram was my picking partner. We each had our own wire basket to pick in. When full, one partner would hold open the gunny sack while the other dumped the baskets, making a fifty pound sack. We worked from sun up to sun down, taking an hour to eat our sack lunches and rest. The harvest had just began and I had earned just a few dollars when I became ill with Bells Palsey again and would not be able to continue because of the stress and medicine and therapy I would need. No new cloths that year. I would have to take them of lay a way to go back to the store shelves. No new Jantzen sweaters, Pendleton skirts or Saddle Oxfords. I was very sad. My brothers also worked hard in the potato harvest, earning money for their special desires, but that year they suprised me with my new cloths that I had put on lay away. I have always remembered this great act of love they gave to me. My sisters were older than me but they always were a great example to me.

I AM THANKFUL for my brothers and sisters.

First little great granddaughter has a Birthday

Kinley Lynn Nielsen is celebrating her birthday today. This is one birthday that is easy to remember. She shares it with all the great veterans of our country. Miss Kinley is a doll. She came with personality plus. She is so sharp and curious. Always learning. We are excited to share in her party tonight.

We had such a sweet evening with the Nielsen family.  Kinley was so happy and so excited.  Happy Birthday to this special little girl.

So busy with bike she tried to blow with all her might to reach cake ---- mom helped in the end

The smile tells it all ---- she had a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Barbie do you want to go for a ride?

Family came to share the fun

Just a little pull here and a little tear there ---- it is so hard to wait

Grandma and Uncle Ryan and Aunt Jordi are so special

WOW!  she sure has a lot of new cloths----Kaden will help get then organized

This horn will be so fun on my bike ---- and then we will have a tea party

It is just her size

Cute little Gracie and Katie ------ Soon they will be getting in the middle of all the fun

Katherine or Natalie?

Received this phone picture from Teresa.  It brings a lot of memories to me.  Natalie sucked on these same fingers.  So cute.

I am Thankful

Today was especially busy.  Shopping in the morning to finish up most of the food storage items on our list.  We just need to replenish the flour when Kelsey is back to work.  So tonight I am Thankful for the Welfare Program of the church.  From the very beginning of my life as a married woman this has been a part of my planning.  There have been many times in these past years that it was the source of food to care for my little family when money was not plentiful.  Today as I baked bread for the week and then prepared some clam chowder for our supper, everything that I needed was available in my food storage.  We are blessed to have this principle in our lives.

I am Thankful

I am so thankful for the wonderful invention of the telephone.  And in today's time the cell phone.  It is so great to be able to call the ones that I love and hear their voice and know that they are okay.  I guess I should include texting too, even though I would much rather hear a voice. 

During all the years that I was married and my mother was alive I always called her---- I never wrote a letter.  I needed to hear her voice.  Her voice would tell me how she was doing.  If she was happy or sad.  Today, I have that same feeling.  I am very hesitant to call the families very much because I feel I am bothering them but when I do it is so good.  Thank you for letting me be a general pain.

On My Own

This last Saturday at the Temple I was on my own.  My trainer has signed me off on all of the necessary ordinances and posts and told Sister Jepsen, my supivisor, that I am ready.  Oh, dear.  It is always good to know that someone is close at hand to help if your mind goes blank but I would now try it on my own.  It was not too bad of a night.  A very busy one for me and at the nights end I was so very tired.  I had not eaten at all that day and so by ten that night when we arrived home I was shakey and my nerves were a bit strained.  I know that each week it will become less stressful on the nerves and that I will feel the sweetness of the work more.  It is also very wonderful to see so many familiar faces as they come to the temple. 

Saturday was also the first time that we met with President and Sister Taylor.  They both spoke to us in prayer meeting.  Their testimonies are so sweet and humble.  Their tears were very close to the surface and President Taylor expressed that this blessing in their lives was so totally unexpected but how grateful they are to serve our Heavenly Father and our Savior.  I received hugs from them both.  They will always be special to me.  President Taylor also told me how nice it was to see my daughter Tonya, and by grandchildren Nate and MacKenzie in the temple that morning as they did baptisms for the dead.  I am so very proud of them -----keep it up.

Blessings we Thrive on

Amy and Danny invited us to a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner the day before Halloween.  We had Stake Conference so it shortened the day and we were able to go.  We made a stop at the Soria's to deliver some flour and see Sam's new BIG BOY bed.  He is growing up so fast and Heather is teaching him so many new things.  We love these two little ones and they love Grandpa to tease them.  The Patio is just about done (should be by  now) but will have to wait until spring to be used. 

I so enjoy traveling past the Great Salt Lake.  I knew that because of the beautiful day that there would be many sailboats on the lake.  It is so elegant when it is at it's deep blue.  I am so glad we get to go by it.

I forgot that I had my camera at the Despain's because we sat right down to eat a luscious dinner and then Jacob had games planned for the rest of the afternoon.  Darn it----- he has gotten too good at Battleship now and can beat me nearly every time.  We then played on the WI and I had a ball.  Jacob picked out easy games that Grandma could handle.  However,  I did finish last but I had so much fun doing it.  Amy always has a crochet hook close at hand and creates so many lovely items that she sells or gives as gifts.  She has developed a wonderful talent.  Headed for home in the dark ----tired, but happy ------ Love you guys

First Snow in Valley's

We had a sprinkling of snow on Friday night and Saturday.  It was beautiful.