Learning to Sail....

Today my mother fell again, and so we take another day to learn how to adjust those sails so that we can move though the rough waters ahead. The saying "You can not direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails" is so true. We are trying to take each day at a time, and sometimes life (waters) get so rough! Sometimes I am not sure which way to adjust that sail, especially when it comes to helping both of these people that I love so much.

I have before me two of the greatest examples of life, and learning. As much as they go through they just adjust and go on. But the adjusting is getting a bit harder later. I know that the wind will die down one day and they won't have to keep adjusting, then that is when I will really have to adjust my sails. Life is great, we learn from the footsteps of others and move forward.
I love you Mom and Dad for all that you have given to me to help me know what and where I am going in life.
I just think my children need to know that Life is so precious, so live it wisely. Another saying I like is " Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life". I love each of you so very much and I know if not from the example I have tried to give to you, but from the example your Grandparents have given I know that your sails will be adjusted as needed.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the many things in life we have to do, that we forget to take the time to look around you and see those people, whether family or friends that need to know how much you care about them. I love you all!

I think I am finally caught up!!

I think I have finally caught up on this ... so the post will slow down a bit. I start back to school (work) on Monday and things have changed around there. It will be interesting to see how everything goes. Lots of changes.

Grandma is doing better, the foot looks a little bit better. Grandpa has gone out to Tabby with Steve and Derick for the day. They are bow hunting and Grandpa had to check Tabby out. Fall is coming and we will be closing down Tabby soon. We have planned the last weekend in Sept. to do that, so anyone who wants to take that last trip out plan on it.!! It will be a fun work weekend. But who knows what next year will bring, so take advantage of every opportunity to get together that you can. I love you all!

Family Campout Johnson's Sawmill 2008

Well, we finally did it! Most of us made it to the camp out. Missy and Jimmy and Maddy of course are in Alabama and Heather and Brylee and Conner didn't make it ( we sure missed them all!), but the rest of us finally where in the same place at the same time. It was a lot of fun to have everyone there. I still have a hard time realizing that these are my adult children... when did I get so old!
We had looked up soapstone, and silvermeadows for camping spots but with the bow hunt that was a little bit difficult...plus Scott and Cassie bring a "train" with them and so Grandma suggested Johnsons Sawmill, and it was perfect... Scott didn't have any trouble parking and didn't have to unhook the trailer so that was good. It was really nice to spend some time with my kids, their families are growing and I know one day I won't have this chance. So I will enjoy and take advantage of any time I can spend with all of them. I decided we want this to be a yearly thing, so I have asked the kids to take a turn at picking the place and time.. so Brian is next year and then down the line...One day we will have everyone together.
On the second morning we woke up to everything covered in FROST! It was so cold! Samantha ended up taking Abbey and Chole home that night because it was just too cold for them. But we did have fun....

Tabiona

Natalie, Samantha, Qyncee, Gracee, Hunter, Abbey, Chole and I went out to Tabby and spent a few days there with Grandpa and Grandma. Grandma had decided to feed her hummingbirds Monday morning and go up on a stool, well, I suppose you can guess what happened next...she feel. She was pretty banged up, she broke a blood vessel on the top of her foot and it looks bad. So I went out Monday night, and so that is how we started off our tabby trip. Grandpa and Grandma ended up going back in on Thursday, because of the foot...it was a good thing she did. She is slowly getting better. It is hard for her to sit back and have people wait on her and not being able to do things for herself is really hard....hang in there mom!
I have put some pictures of tabby in here, so that those of you that haven't seen it for a while will remember how nice it is out there. The trees are growing and filling in. The river by the house is dry right now but, the main river is still running. It is nice to have someplace like that to go to. Grandpa and Grandma have really enjoyed it out there this year. They have spent most of the summer out there and it has been really good for them. They have at least 50 hummingbirds feeding off their 3 hummingbird feeder....no wonder grandma is always filling them. If you haven't been there, go... it gives you that lift from the struggles of everyday life.
While out looking for a place for our Family campout we went up wolf creek pass, and stopped at Blue lake. I use to go there and caught salamanders when I was young and never took the time to stop before...it is usually dry but this time is had water in it. Beautiful lake....
The next day, Natalie, Qyncee , Gracee and I took a hike up Buckboard, it is up wolf creek pass also. It is so pretty up there and it was a good hike.

Next Vacation!!!

Well, I found out where my next vacation will be. I will be spending it in HAWAII with Melissa and Jimmy and Maddy. Of course Natalie will be there this time. We are so excited!

The thing is Melissa and Jimmy will be vacationing there for 3-6 years. How awful that will be, right? To have to live in Hawaii... I guess I have to get a extra job with flight benefits so I can travel the world. But, doesn't that defeat the idea. Because if I get another job when will I have time to travel. Hmmm... I think one of my children needs to get a job at an airline that lets their mother travel for free and then I can have my cake and eat it too. I think I like that idea. So which one of you are up to sending your mom around the world and all you have to do it work at an airline... Remember she is getting old and time is running out.... so don't take too long to make the choice. Congratulations Melissa and Jimmy!

The Zoo

My summer has been one of play I think.
I have had 2 days at the zoo,
one when John's Mom, Mary came
from Arizona and one day when I had Mara to watch.
Mary and I had fun sharing the girls.



Abbey and Sam went on the merry go round, and Abbey loved it.









If you haven't been to the zoo for some time and you haven't seen
the bird show they have, you have to go. It was a lot of fun and
very interesting to watch those birds do what they have learned.









Samantha found some new fashions (the hat) while she was there...
She still is a pink girl.... I don't think she will ever out grow pink.



Hey mom does this thing bite???
Get me out of here....







Abbeys favorite animal at the zoo, was the lady cleaning the windows.

She was so funny. She didn't want to leave
and just would laugh at the lady inside the window.

The white Alligator, and the other animals were fun to see. On the second trip, Samantha, Abbey, Chole, Mara and I went. Now that I have my fancy Grandmother's pass we can go anytime we want for a year.... so anyone that wants to go.... I can take 2 more adults and 6 children....

Samantha you have grown!!









This is Mara..










Fun Day!!!

Our Utah Temple Trip

Natalie and I decided that it would be fun to hit all the temples in Utah. So that is exactly what we did. We visited from Northern to Southern only missing the 3 that were closed for cleaning, those being Vernal, Ogden, and Monticello . We started off early Monday morning. We drove down to St. George, and did a session. It was nice.

Then we headed to Gunnison to spend the night with my Brother, Dallas and his family. Then on Tuesday morning, Shelley (my sister in law), Natalie and I went to the Manti temple for a session. I had forgotten how beautiful this temple was inside and out. This has again become my favorite temple. I will have to go there more often, with family down that way I think I will take advantage of it.

We left shortly after and went to the Provo and Mt. Timpanogous temples and did inititories. If you haven't gone and did inititories for a while, go, it reminds you so much of the blessings of the temple.




Then we went home and on Wednesday morning, we drove up to Logan and did a session there. ( we should of taken closer pictures of us, but we are in those pictures)

Then we drove to the Bountiful temple and did inititories.

Then on Thursday we went to Jordan River and Salt Lake temples and did inititories there too.

And that concluded our temple trip. We're going to try and hit the other 3 sometime... perhaps on our next temple trip. It was a lot of fun to see all of the different temples and it was a spiritually uplifting week. I am thankful for the blessings that the temple brings. That families can be together forever. I am thankful to been able to experience this week with Natalie. I do have a great family!

Europe Trip

I guess I have gotten the Gypsy blood in me. I started off the end of May in Alabama with Melissa and had 10 wonderful days with Jimmy, Melissa and Maddy, Bo and Ashes. And then headed off to Europe for 3 weeks. I must say I have had the time of my life lately. For the past 50 years I was afraid to step out of the door I guess you could say. And the past 2 years has opened up so many new and wonderful opportunities for me to explore what other people in far off lands do, and enjoy. I was able to go with 3 other women that I knew, Carol, Robin and Nicki. We had so much fun in Scotland. We explored new foods, new ways to drive and that you don't leave your car by itself while you check into your hotel or you will have a parking ticket when you come out.

We learned to drive (well Nicki drove...and did very well at that) on the wrong side of the road, learned that roundabouts are everywhere and you have surprise stop lights in some. The people you meet are more than willing to explain where you are lost at. That fired mars bars with catsup really is good. That stairs really do get you in shape, and that their are more bicycles than cars in Europe.

We learned on our trip around Europe to be thankful for home. That toilets are free at home and in Europe they are .50-1.00 euro when ever you need one. I am thankful for toilet seats because that just were not very many in Europe. And that the water we take for granted that comes from our faucets is priceless.. because you can't drink the water in Europe except for the kind that you buy and at 1.00-4.00 euro a bottle it can be very costly!

I loved the people we traveled with on the tour bus. There were 40 others of us. Mostly from Australia, one from California and a few other places. Families with kids, and grandparents and some just on their own. I made friends with a really wonderful gentleman from Australia who treated me like a princess, (at least I felt like one). We were able to spend time exploring the sites and learning about each other countries, and it was nice to get to know him.

The statue of Liberty was a site that I guess I didn't really know was anywhere except in the USA but, there is one in Paris. The Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Castles, the rivers trips the english channel, the white chiffs of Dover, Amersterdam was a site in itself. Lake Lucere Switzerland, Verona Italy and Romeo and Juliet, Venice and the gondola ride, Heidenberg, Alps, The lion Monument, Assisi, Rome. St. Peter's Sq., the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum, Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel . Monte Carlo and Monaco Sorrento. The volcano Vesuvius that covered the city of pompeii, Neapolitan Riviera, Island of Capri, Florence Italy, French Riviera, France, shores of Cote d' Azur, Grenoble, Beaune and beautiful Paris. These were just a few of the many sites to see.

I think I have found my wings. It is the big silver bird in the sky. I love to fly and float above the clouds and watch the wings of the plane gently glide through the air. I am hooked! And where will I be next year..... wait and see!

here are the two new babies ( 3 months old now)

Well, its taken us 3 months to get these pictures to this blog, but if you would like to see more of these cute girls, go to samantha's or melissa's blog's and you will see some really cute pictures. These cute girls are number 11 and 12 of the grandkids.

Chole LeAnn Cooper belongs to
Samantha and John Cooper










Madeline Ava Isakson belongs
to Jimmy and Melissa Isakson.

It's all up to me....

Well, we (I guess you could say Natalie) started this blog and then everyone decided to have their own, so that just left me,( the mom, Terri ) with trying to do something I have no idea how what to do. So I will try and do this one on my own. I am learning to do things like that and I do pretty well at it. So, check this out time from time and you just might see how much I learn.