Independance Day

4th of July was a great day to celebrate. Not only a celebration of our terrific daughter in law Chelsea's Birthday, but also the time to acknowledge, and truly feel proud of our independence that our fore fathers worked so hard to establish.
After a fun picnic at church on Saturday before, then a very patriotic service at church, Tony and I were ready to go to the Morse's home for the picnic, delicious food, and great company. Each year they invite friends and family to enjoy dinner, and watch the Happy Valley fireworks from the back deck. We had front row seats of a beautiful display.
I would have to say the real hi light however was to visit with Travis Morse, who we haven't gotten to know very well. He was able to get leave from the Air Force, and come home for a couple of weeks to surprise his folks, which was great for us as well to get to know him better, and also a time for us to thank him for his much appreciated service to continue to preserve those Freedoms that we all enjoy.
How I wish that all could feel this great pride for this Land that we live, and not be ashamed or just take it for granted. What happened to the united feelings from 9-11 ? Everywhere you looked was a sea of flags waving proudly, wheather it be in front of homes, on cars, along fence posts, or on businesses. Each time I saw a flag my heart would swell, and the emotions would begin. This year was a different year however. As we drove to Church, then to Happy Valley I saw 4 flags. One at our home, one across the street, and two on the way up the hill that were old, faded, tattered and forgotten. Is this what we are teaching the children now about this land that we live? I feel it is time to regain that enthusiasm and pride. Stand up for what we know in our hearts is sacred, and feel the great appreciation once again for our Flag, and all it stands for.


"My Flag"

A gray-haired man, a little bent with age, stood as tall as he could with his hand over his heart as his country's flag passed by. Standing next to him, his grandson noticed a tear run down the old man's cheek. "Grandpa," he said, "Are you OK? Why are you crying?"

"I'm just fine," replied the grandfather. "I just love that flag, my flag."

What is there about a flag that makes us feel so proud and willing to give so much? An athlete will strive with all her might for the right to stand on the podium as her flag is raised in honor of her victory. A soldier will risk life and limb to raise his flag over a conquered battlefield. Patriots young and old pause in reverence, their hearts beating a little faster, when they see their flag unfold in the breeze.

Each of us has a land we call our own. We all feel connected to a country by virtue of our heritage or loyalty. And nothing seems to touch so deeply our love of country as that almost sacred fabric, woven with pattern and color, that we call our flag. Whether it is waving over a schoolhouse or a field of combat, the sight of our flag inspires courage, hope, gratitude, and unity.

The bond of common citizenship represented by our flag unites us in spite of differences of race, religion, or politics. When people who share our flag are in distress, we reach out to meet their needs and defend their rights. The allegiance we pledge to our flag is, at its heart, a promise to help one another.

An old man sheds a tear as the flag passes by. A young man begins to understand what those colors represent. And all of us, no matter which banner we salute, say with pride, "I love that flag, my flag."

Happy Independence Day ! ! !

Time appreciating Dads

This fathers day started the Friday before when making 90 loaves of fresh wheat and white bread for all the men at church. In the past I have had the kids help me make treats, but now that they are all gone away I found a couple sister that were willing, so we had a fun afternoon baking bread.


Come Sunday after church Tony and I went and picked up Mom, then went to visit my Papa. He seemed to be pretty alert, and recognized me. He never has much to say any more, but his eyes and smile say allot to me. With such a strong and hard working man for so many years when his mind is remembering things he gets so frustrated . I guess Saturday was one of those days. For that reason I am grateful he doesn't remember much.



Our next stop was up on the hill to place a pot of flowers on Dads site. This is our special time with mom quite often. A quiet, peaceful, beautiful place for meditation.



Marilyn and Dave joined us for a special Fathers Day dinner and visiting. It wasn't the beautiful weather I had hoped for our BBQ, however the meal still turned out tasty and the company was nice.


In this day of remembering Fathers I am so very grateful for a wonderful husband that is such a great husband, Father and takes great joy in being a grandfather as well. He has always tried to teach the kids by example how we should treat one another. Now that it is just the two of us at home I realize more and more how much the kids still call him for advice, or just to talk. I pray that the closeness will never end.
In the mean time I have loved watching Anthony, Brent and Michael interact so tender and helpful with there own children, and Rodney and Zack with the neices and nephews, all showing that same love that they have been taught.

Finally with this tribute to Fathers how very grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father that directs us all daily to the path of happiness. Our part is to follow his commandments. Sometimes we have a difficult time with that part, but once again a way has been prepared through a loving Savior, Jesus Christ who has atoned for all of the mistakes we make, so that we can return to live with him someday. Its that endure to the end that once again comes into play, then comes the Happily Ever After.

Love to my Father

Because I have been blessed with a great father -
I know that I am a princess.
I know how to use caulking and duct tape when necessary.
I know that family is more important than anything in this world.
I know that spending time together is the best way to show love.
AND I knew what kind of man I wanted to be the father of my children.

Thanks Daddy for being such a great father and example to us. I love you forever. Naomi

Happy Father's Day to all of the great men in my life.

Honoring the past, and the present for Memorial Day.

This past weekend was a time to pay tribute to all those who have past on from this life to the next, so we made our visit to the cemetery to place yellow roses on dad's grave,
(His favorite flower) and reflect on some special memories. We have enjoyed this special time with mom several times each year, however this time Jennifer Hornsveld was in town to visit, so she went with us. Jennifer came to town with Matt as he moved back here from California, then she will be flying back to California tomorrow with mom who will be attending another grandchild Mitchel's high school graduation.
Along with the California two visiting was Thom, Nancy & Emily from Snohomish Washington.(Camera shy) We had the pleasure of hosting the three of them, but during the days were spent at moms house visiting, and eating. Nancy however was with her mom who has been in poor health, which led her to be checked into the hospital Sunday night, so most of her time was away.It was fun also to have visits with Mary and Randy's boys. Though they live here we don't see them very often, and they are quite the comedians as they share there adventures. Of course when John and Dale's son Sam comes around it seems he always does some entertaining as well. Who would have ever thought that one family could have so many hams. Theater is an important part of many of the DeRoest bunch.
Each day the family got together for dinner at moms house, then played games, or visited until late.
Monday we celebrated Mom's 78th birthday.
She will be having another family party on her official birthday in California on Friday the 4th, but we all wanted to have our turn to pay our tribute and love to her for the great example she is of family unity and service.

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 ! ! !