We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

Almost without exception, I wake up each morning thinking about the incredible family that I've been blessed with. If I were to stay on my knees long enough to enumerate my list of blessings from our Heavenly Father, I would never again find the time to stand up. Following are just a few random photos of those gifts. In no way does this constitute even the smallest fraction of what nurtures this mother's soul, but represents only the tip of the iceberg.

April and Brad

Eli


McKenna


Jenness


Sierra

Grace

Albert

Dennis and Tawny

Myles

Take a minute to count your blessing, it just might change your entire day!

FIDES, FAMILIA, et VERITAS Torrey '09

Faith, Family, and Truth

We've been home from our Torrey Reunion for over a week now. I knew it would be over far too fast! The scenery was beyond beautiful, the wind annoying, the food yummy, the company delightful, and now the memories are treasured. I think the final count in attendance was 33. Greatly missed was our, one and only, Robert. His unexpected absence was felt by everyone.
The first two mornings began with cooking of the traditional SCONES. Oh, those heavenly taste treats slathered with honey-butter. Then the activities of the day would unfold. I loved watching the children and teens run here, there, and everywhere. One moment they're on the see-saw, or swinging, then the lure of the swimming pool overtakes them and swim suits, beach towels, and suntan lotion appear as if by magic. Groups came and went on hikes, scenic drives, tips to the soda shop/malt shop in town, or just a quick visit to the country store for more ice. A huge THANK YOU to Uncle Steve for keeping the supply of firewood topped off. Much appreciated by everyone were the tasty meals conjured up by the evenings designated cooks. Food is a most important element to every family gathering, and once again we were not disappointed. Kudos to Aunt Nan for providing the novelty item of the event, headlamps for all of the kiddos. Every evening they looked like "fire flies" out on the grass area. And can I tell you how grateful I am that no little ones were hurt this year. We were blessed with 4 days of nothing more than an insignificant scrap or "boo boo".

Here is Heather working on lunch for the masses.


Jane, sporting the ever so fashionable "headlamp".


Just a small group of the adults hang'n out.


Quite possibly my favorite activity of the entire 4 days. Heather and Sri directed the efforts to construct a quilt. Watching everyone with their needles and long strands of yarn, working together to complete the much coveted comforter, was very satisfying. When all the work was done, McKenna Kline was the lucky one to take it home.


Even the guys got envolved and made a significant contribution.

Grace enjoyed a sucker while laying in the shade under the quilt.

McKenna found the shade irrestible too.

Sierra is an old hand at tying a quilt.

Gracie relaxing on her dad's lap at the end of the day. Relaxing was the name of the game!

Good things come to those who bait. ~Author Unknown

I am blessed with two extraordinary brothers, William (Bill) and Ray. I don't think that I've ever told them, but I think they are just near perfect. Seeing these photos made me realize that I've never thought of them as "little boys". They've always been these two very tall, very handsome, extremely smart men that could do anything, that I just took for granted. Didn't everyone have these types of male God like persons in their life? It's one of those "oh my gosh" moments that I've had during my life time, when I realized just how lucky I was.

These pictures were taken in Long Beach CA.

Do you know why grandchildren are always so full of energy? They suck it out of their grandparents. ~Gene Perret

Hello, no I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, just doing other things. Actually I've been a little grumpy the last couple of weeks, just ask my poor husband. He has been a trooper the last little bit while I've been doing the "oh, poor me", "I hate my life", "nothings quite good enough"....etc. routine. I keep telling him that he would be well within his rights to boot me out the door and say "Good Riddn's". But, as he's done for the last 30 plus years, he just smiles, gives me a hug, asks if I need anything, then goes his merry way singing or humming his way through the day. He truly has earned himself a spot in heaven for all that I've made him endure.

Anyway, about this picture:
The photo is of my Grandmother Afton Child Heywood (left) and one of her brother's and sister's. I think the picture itself is great, but look closely at the top of the pic and you'll see that it was taken at the Lagoon (the Utah amusement park, equivalent to maybe California's Magic Mountain.) The notation on the bottom of the pic states it was taken in 1912. All of this information just makes me smile, not really sure why, but it just does.

How do people make it through life without a sister? ~Sara Corpening

Happy Wednesday Everyone

Last Thursday I spent the entire day at Nan and Steve's house. It was an especially satisfying day, three specific things made it so. First of all enjoying the company of two of the very best people on earth, second savoring the fresh air and incredible beauty of their fanciful backyard, and third working on genealogy including perusing boxes full of pictures and old documents. Nan had been going through some of the boxes earlier and had assembled a number of items for me to keep. I've scanned just two of the pictures so far and wanted to share them with you.

This picture is of my two mother's:

Jenness Mary Heywood Conner (older sister) and

Evelyn Afton Heywood Bean (younger sister)

This picture is of my Great Grandparents:

Henry Harrison Child and his wife on their

wedding day in 1879

A Window on Life

Grandpa had watered the flowers in our window well and then left the room for a moment, returning just in time to catch Grace in one of her quiet moments. Wouldn't it be wonderful to fit in a window sill and just enjoy the beauty in a few of natures offerings.

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again. ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons. ~Author Unknown

Can you tell from these last couple of posts that I've been going through old photos?
Dad has an old photo album of his mother's, it's the ancient type with adhesive pages that deteriorates the pictures over time. I've removed as many pictures as can be without damage, the others will take a little more TLC to get them out. Anyway, I thought you might like to see a few of dad's childhood pics.

The back of this photo said: Albert age 3, yellow linen suit, homemade.

Nothing written on the back of this one, but I'd estimate that Albert was 7 or 8 years old.

I called dad at work to see if he remembered where this picture was taken, this is what he told me: Their family was visiting a Steven Foster commemorative site. Who you ask is Steven Foster? Well, he is the composer of "Swanee River", the state song of Florida. Dad and his brother Monty were almost eight years apart in age. Monty looks like a real happy fellow. I think their personalities were about as different as night and day.

Here's a funny side note to the pic: At this age dad thought that if you opened your mouth when the picture was taken, there would be a word bubble above his head with what he was saying. All pictures from this trip his mouth was open.

No notation on the back of this photo but I know dad played the french horn in high school and was in the marching band. Cute or what......