Reminder lessons

Have you ever wondered why we have some lessons over and over at church? Well Sunday was one of those days. Not that it is bad, it wasn't, in fact it was somewhat enlightening to know that many of the things that were discussed were actually activities that we did accomplish or do with our family.
The topic was "Perfecting the Family". The question was, what are some things that we did with our children as they were growing up to make them feel secure in the family, and who they are? As well as in training them? It was fun to reflect on those times, but also to hear comments of what others did, that we too experienced.
In these challenging days we live it is more and more important to strengthen, and fortify the family unit to withstand the many temptations that are thrown at them. As well as help each child to feel secure from knowing they are a child of God who loves them very much.
Ideas that were shared were to have a picture of the child in his or her room, along with other pictures of family, Christ, and the temple of their choice. Each of these things will help a child to remember who they are, and that they are very much loved.
Along with these things were discussed the importance of family prayer, scripture reading together, or reciting a scripture together on days that time is short. In our case, we worked as a family to memorize the 13 Articles of Faith together with a reward of going to Disneyland. Having meal time together and sitting at the table was another very important time to strengthen the family and helped us to become more united.
Advice for parents:
- Express Love and Show it. Don't assume that loved ones already know.
-Bear testimony of the love of our Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ.
-Be consistent, follow through with what you say you will do.
-Be constructive in speaking to a child, never compare, but praise.
-Someone can always fill in for you in your church responsibilities, but no one can fill in for you in your family. Not to say that you use this as an excuse not to serve, since the Lord needs each of us, but use wisdom in the time that you are away from your family.
The family is ordained of God. As parents we have the responsibility to love and care for each other and for our children, to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law abiding citizens wherever they live.
Poem: " My Child "
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger paint more and point the finger less.
I'd do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch more with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious and seriously play.
I'd run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I would be firm less often and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power and more about the power of love.

I know I didn't fulfill all that I could have as my family was growing. But at least I have more chances to fulfill those things now as a grandmother and a mother with no regrets, but great anticipation, even if it is through a long distance communication. Thank goodness for modern technology of cell phones, e-mail, video, and Skype, we can all be connected to continue the bonding of our family.

Feeling organized ?

Ok, one thing got organized this weekend, while the rest of our surroundings are still in a disarray. I decided that with Tony's Birthday this week I would try to help him organized his shed. When ever he wants to do a project he spends hours trying to locate the proper tools, even if it is a ten minute job. I know how frustrated he has been, so I figured it would be a great Birthday gift, however last Friday I went to 6 different places to find the best kind of shelves, for the right price. He seems to have a sense of things around any holiday, and decided to go buy things for himself, and once again he let me know he wanted to get the shed in order , and decided that he would spend Saturday doing so. I told him that was exactly what we were going to do, then proceeded to tell him what I had researched.
Thank goodness I didn't buy the shelving I planned to, since it wasn't what he wanted, so we made a trip to Home Depot together to pickup the proper supplies.
He was like a child with a new toy with excitement as we cleaned out the shed, put together the shelving units, organized his tools in categories while putting them in clear plastic totes, then labeling them accordingly.
By the end of the day we were both pretty tired, but thrilled to have accomplished this great feat. I just pray he will love it enough to keep it organized as he uses the tools.

That much fun should never have to be repeated twice.

Happy Mothers Day ! !

Years ago Mothers Day was a day to feel guilty for not being the most amazing Mother that others would speak about at church.

A mom that went to every sporting event, as well as practiced the sport with there child. A mom that did all her own sewing, baking, designing, quilting, meals were always from scratch, and she always looked amazing.

Thank goodness I have since come to my senses to realize there is a time and season for all things, and during different seasons of my life I have been good, not great, but good at doing each of these things, so different children have different memories. Of course allot of the things that I was determined to do over the years to create wonderful memories for my children have only been memories for me.
None of the children even remembered. So now I can say that I have been an amazing Mom at times. Not only have I accomplished the things that I mentioned from above, but now that my five children have grown, chosen amazing companions to marry, and some have children of there own, I have enjoyed watching the way they inter-act with little ones in such loving ways while they play and teach them.
How truly honored I feel to hold the title of Momma, and now Grand momma, as I see and feel the Love that surrounds me with my family. I may not be as all other mothers, but I do share a common purpose in my on the job training that calls for wisdom, sacrifice, patience, love and the willingness to lift others burdens. This is the Pathway I chose years ago to follow.
The Pathway to Happiness.

So to my sweet daughters, daughter in-laws, mother, mother-in-law, and all other mothers, enjoy all the memories you have created, as well as those you have still to create.
Reminder: Mother's hold their children's hands for a little while, and their hearts forever.

Happy Mothers Day ! ! !

Cinco de Mayo

I received a call from Tony after I got off work asking if I wanted to go to "The Original Taco House" for dinner (the spot of our first date) to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. We went directly after he got off work to avoid the rush, and that we did. It got really busy as soon as we sat down. It's funny that we haven't been back but maybe twice since, but we enjoyed reflecting on that first date 38 years ago, and where it has gotten us today. Wow has the time gone by quickly.
The dinner wasn't that wonderful, however we were going for the memories, and that we received.


Hope you all had a great day!

Abagail Nguyen's Blessing Day

With all that was going on with the wedding, little Abagail Nguyen was almost overlooked on her special day of her blessing.
Most of the family were already on their way home, except for Brent and Naomi which flew out of Portland on Monday the 19th.

Peter and the family at this point were on there way for a very long road trip to Georgia.
It took them four days to arrive to there new home where they will be stationed until August when the trip will be repeated back here to Portland, then fly off for a adventure in Germany for who knows how long.
We will miss them, but are also very excited for the experiences they will be able to have as a family.

The wedding day & Reception

It is so much fun to see the joy and excitement when two people who have grown up and prepared for marriage doing all the right things come together in the temple and make covenants with the Lord, as well as to one another, that they will work together each day, pray with one another daily, and continue to build one another. That requires great Love, endurance, and patience at times.
Zack and JoAnna have had a special relationship for 6 years, and made the decision in December when Zack returned home from his mission that they should be an eternal couple. On Christmas Eve Zack asked JoAnna to marry him, and the plans began.

They couldn't have chosen a more perfect day to have a wedding. It was warm, sunny, and beautiful. Just in case however JoAnna thought it would be fun for pictures at least to have unbrellas. You know April showers brings May flowers, but there were no showers this day.
The flowers at the temple were so bright and beautiful.
With both still going to college at BYU Idaho they chose to get married between semesters at school, but in order to have his brother attend had to wait until April 15th, TAX day. You can tell what line of work he is in. So the two decided on Friday April 16th to be married for "Time and all Eternity" in the Portland Oregon Temple.
Both the kids are the last children of 5, and had all there siblings in attendance at the wedding. However we missed having some of the spouses, and grandchildren in attendance on both sides.While the photographer was taking pictures of the Bride and Groom, the family was standing around visiting.Or playing with the cute little ones who were easy to be distracted with. Or just looking handsome.The reception was well attended by many who came to wish the newlyweds congratulations.

It doesn't seem so long ago that Ron was getting married to his sweetheart Pam, but in August they will be celebrating there 2nd anniversary. Another great day for the family.


Thank goodness for all the pictures so they can look back and reflect on that day since I wonder at times if they even noticed all that attended.


JoAnna did take the time to give a special Thank you to all her aunties that so lovingly came to help make this day spectacular, and that it was.



What would I ever have done without all the wonderful help of the in-laws, and many other friends or family?

One of the most tender moments of the reception was when JoAnna was dancing with her daddy to the song of "I loved you first".
Years ago I remember when that song first came out, and she called both Tony and I into her room to share it with us. She said that someday when she gets married she wanted to dance with her daddy to that song, and that someday was here.They were so caught up in the magical moment of Love.

The time had come for the newlyweds to depart from the reception, so all lined up creating a canopy of umbrellas and ringing wedding bells to announce the departure and celebration of this great day.
It was so cute when Zack was helping JoAnna in the car, he realized that he didn't know where the Marriott Hotel was, so both Cindy and I were telling him how to get there. A simple oversight on our part. I should have printed out a map ahead of time. All was well and they arrived just fine to spend two nights enjoying the beauty of the downtown at night on the Willamette River.
JoAnna and Zack, may the blessings of Our Heavenly Father rain down upon your heads for Ever and Ever. Love , Momma and Papa