Hump Day

There are certain days that are monumental when your child is in the mission field. Today happens to be one of those days. It's HUMP DAY!!!! Of course we look forward to our Mother's day and Christmas Day phone calls from our missionary.....but today Chris hit his year mark. We can know start counting down instead of up. That is reason to celebrate. I am happy that Chris chose to serve a mission.....but 2 years is a long time for a mom to go without a hug. Chris sounded like he wasn't keeping track....and that is good. That means he's busy and working hard like he should be.....but as for his mom.....I put a sticker on his chart for every day....and it was Awesome putting a big red sticker on his chart today marking his halfway point. May God bless and keep him in His care. We love Elder Jackson.

Happy Valentines Day

I'm a lucky girl. I get to be married to my very best friend. When we were in university our French prof was my dad's old missionary companion. He liked to tease me before Scott and I got married. He'd say to Scott "Did you know you're going to be stuck with her for eternity?" Scott would always smile and say "That doesn't seem long enough." Well.....I know just what he meant. Forever looks pretty dang great! Doesn't seem long enough though to be with my sweetheart. Scott always makes me feel special and loved. I'm no easy girl to live with....but I get to be me....and I love that....and more importantly....he loves that. Happy Valentines Day baby. I sure love you.

Happy Birthday Elder Jackson

Can my baby really be turning 20 today? Wasn't it yesterday when he stood on the pitching mound in little league? Somehow between baseball games he grew up into a man. What a joy he has been in our lives. I believe the Lord sent us Chris to make us laugh. Chris wakes up each morning with a smile on his face ready to begin a new adventure each day. He was always such a happy kid. What a blessing he has been in our family. We had him on our mind this morning as always....but with it being his birthday even more so. Scott and I attended stake conference this weekend. A lot of the focus of conference was on missionary work. One of the speakers in the morning session talked about these missionaries giving of their time and sacrificing their education, family, and friends, to go and preach the gospel. He compared them to those Stippling Warriors in the Army of Helamen. Valiant sons of God. I got a little lump in my throat as he spoke of them in a reverent manner. The closing song today was "I'll go where you want me to go" Well, those that are familiar with the song know that it is often sung in a sacrament meeting as a missionary is preparing to leave and enter into the mission field. The chorus goes "I'll go where you want me to go dear lord. Over mountain or plain or sea. I"ll say what you want me to say Dear Lord. I'll be what you want me to be." Well....by the time we had sung the chorus the second time I had tears welling up in my eyes. Scott squeezed me and said "Me too" So....by the time the third verse rolled around we both were fighting back tears....but to no avail. "There's surely somewhere a lowly place in earth's harvest fields so wide, where I may labor through life's short day for Jesus the Crucified. So trusting my all to Thy tender care, and knowing Thou lovest me, I"ll do Thy will with a heart sincere: I'll be what you want me to be." We were unable to sing the words as our hearts were full at that moment. Sending a child on a mission is a wonderful thing....but sending them in to a country in turmoil is bittersweet. The missionaries serving in Mexico have our hearts with them. We know that conditions there have become very dangerous. I also know that when my son knelt in prayer he asked the Lord to send him to Mexico. He wanted to serve there since he was a little boy. So.....I'm wishing my boy in Mexico a very happy birthday. I know that this is where he wants to be. I know that this is where the Lord needed him. I know that he has had experiences there that will shape the man he will become. I'm thankful for his decision to serve the Lord. Happy birthday Elder Jackson. We love you.

Bug's Birthday!!

Carolyn turns 23 today. How is that possible? It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that they placed that round faced, olive skinned baby girl in my arms. I will never forget that day. It was pouring rain...and when Scott brought my grandma to see her they were both soaked clear through. Grandma wondered if the babies got mixed up. Carolyn's hair was so dark..and her skin too. Just like her great grandma katie's. She was such a beautiful baby. No wrinkles to fill out though. 9lbs 14oz kind of takes care of the wrinkles....but she did have rolls....lots of them. I remember thinking "What will my little girl grow up to be like?" Well, I have an answer for that now. She grew up to be a loving and caring person that has such a big heart. When she told me she had decided to pursue a career in special education I knew without a doubt that it was a perfect fit for her. She loves her students. I was not at all surprised that she and Brent went and bought a coat for one of her students that came to school without one. It is not a job that I could handle....but she looks forward to being with them each day. The other day she told me that her facilitator at her school told her that she should apply to be a facilitator in the district. I said "That's great. More money...not having to deal with the kids." She said "Mom, I didn't get a degree in special education to do paper work. I got a degree to help children. I want to be in the classroom." Well.....my heart burst with pride and joy as I realized that all the dreams I had for that little girl in my arms are being realized. She is just like the person I wanted her to grow up to be. Happy Birthday Bug. I hope you had a great day with you class today....and I'm sure they loved celebrating ground hogs day...and your birthday all at once. And....I know there was no mix up at the hospital....because she is so much like me that it is scary sometimes....just ask Brent....ha ha.

Happy Birthday Stacie Lou

Happy Birthday Stacie! As a mother you often think about the kind of woman your son will grow up to marry. I can honestly say that if I searched the world over I couldn't have picked out a better daughter in law. Stacie is the perfect fit in our family. I love her like she's my own. I am grateful that she is a part of our lives. Stacie is so loving and kind. Stacie is a perfect compliment to Kevin. I often tell people how lucky I am to have such a great daughter in law. When we were looking for her birthday card we found one that reflected how we felt...we bought it....but there was one problem with it. On the front it said Daughter in Law. I know technically that Stacie is our daughter in law...but in my heart I'd rather just say daughter. So.....happy birthday Daughter. We sure love you. Thanks for all you do for Kevin....and thanks for loving our family so much. Happy Birthday.

Always in my heart

I haven't blogged in almost two months. I guess I just needed a break for a bit. Wasn't in the mood. I've had a lot going on with relief society issues that have mentally taken a toll and so I just have been a little blah for awhile. Today though I got an email from a friend in the ward. It had a link to her daughter's blog and she wanted me to read a post and watch the video on it. It was a youtube video and it was a country music video by an young man in Alberta and it was called Alberta bound. There were so many beautiful scenes of the place where I grew up and I got a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye and suddenly I was very homesick for the place I once called home. Moses Lake is my home now and I love it here. It was a great place to raise my children and they had great opportunities available to them in the schools and yet we are a small town.....but whenever I go home to Canada and I see those Rockie mountains I am reminded of how much I loved growing up there. I still think that Southern Alberta is one of the most beautiiful places in the world. You begin with the rolling foothills full of wheat fields blowing in the ever so present Southern Alberta wind, and they lead to the majesty of the mountains. I grew up just a half hours drive from Waterton National park and I've traveled to many places thoughout my life and I've never seen anything more beautiful than the lakes and mountains in Waterton. What a blessing it was to be able to grow up there and see the beautiful hand of God in his creations. I guess a part of my heart will always be in Southern Alberta.

Happy Birthday

My dad would have been 71 today. It's hard to believe he's been gone almost 13 years. This is one of my favorite pictures of my dad. It is just before he left on his mission to France. He is so handsome.

As a child we always put up the Christmas tree on dad's birthday. We carried that tradition on here...but this year with the kids all gone at Thanksgiving I needed some Christmas cheer so I decorated the tree the day after Thanksgiving. It looks like Canada on the first of December outside of my window. We got another six inches of snow yesterday and the trees are covered and it looks like a winter wonderland.

Things I miss about my dad.

*His laugh

*His voice

*Riding in the golf cart while he does a round

*His sweet tooth(He was a pro and sneaking into goodies....but sometimes he got caught....like when his ring got left in the chocolate box)

*The way he was with my children

*The way he treated his mother

*His crooked nose

*Cussing in French (Like we didn't know what he was saying)

*Knock it off!!!

*His love of curling

*His love for my mother

*His wisdom

*His impatience (I got that from him and he got it from his grandma Card) Funny that it was one of the things that drove me crazy while he was alive and now it something that I miss.

Happy Birthday dad. I'd like to think that grandma Viv has just finished baking you your chocolate cupcakes with her famous fondant icing and you are sitting down at a heavenly table enjoying your birthday. This is my dad on his last birthday before his passed away. I love you dad.