Happy Valentines Day!

My cute little Emily and her friend Sam had a great idea for Valentines Day.

They decided since they don’t have a sweetheart to give a Valentine to this year that they didn’t want to let it get them down. So they decorated sugar cookies and delivered them to friends and left an anonymous note telling them they were loved.

How sweet.

When they got home from delivering their treats they were just smiling and laughing and talking about how much fun it was to drop off the treat and run for the get away car. I think Emily even slipped on some ice once and “bought the farm”. What darling girls they are!!

Tomorrow is Valentines Day. I have always felt like it’s not just about my sweetheart, it’s about all of the ones I love. My favorite tradition for Valentines Day it to have a candle lite dinner with my whole family. When the kids were little, they thought it was so neat to eat dinner by candle lite. So that’s what we’ll be doing on Valentines Day.

Also, my “Bonus Baby” Emily is waiting for a mission call right now. It should come tomorrow!! So hopefully, we’ll have our candle lite dinner, then a mission call opening party with friends and family! I sure hope it comes, it should.

I hope you have someone, or lots of someones to love tomorrow. If not deliver some love to someone who needs it, you’ll feel better I promise!

Happy Valentines Day!! Love, Joy

We’re All Together!

Life really is awesome! Yes, there are ups and downs, but it really is awesome!

Falling asleep the other night I thought to myself,”My whole family is here right now.” We haven’t been together for 2 1/2 years.

Riley joined the army and left for boot camp for 5 months. Alex left on his mission and was gone for two years. Kelsey left on her mission and was gone for a year and a half. She returned this past Thursday.

I am so happy to have my whole family together. I’m not sure I have the words to express the gratitude I feel, but after that thought came to my mind the other night, I said a prayer thanking Father in Heaven for the gift of family, and for my children and their safe return. To be all together Dad, Mom, and all the kids is such a great place to be. I am so grateful for the love we share.

…..Family…..

I love them!

Beautiful Sunset and a Fun Anniversary Date!

Today is our anniversary!

We have been married for 27 years.

We have a great marriage, and we’re best friends.

While we were on our date tonight we talked about all of the things that make our marriage wonderful.

One of the things that came up was that after 27 years together, we still just love to be together. We don’t need to spend a lot of money, for it to be special. We went to “A&W” in Logan for dinner. It was, by the way, super great! Then went to the thrift store, and found a few treasures. We held hands and talked about how beautiful the sunset was on the way home.

It was perfect. I love him so much! I feel so blessed to have a best friend and sweetheart.

Happy Anniversary Darlin!!

Heroes!

Jacob de Jager

This is a picture of my companion, Sister Clark, Jacob de Jager, and me, when I was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Texas many years ago. (Sorry, its out of focus.)

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As a missionary I would meet with many other missionaries often, these meetings were called Zone Conferences. We would gather to be taught and spiritually fed by wonderful leaders. One of the leaders I adored was Jacob de Jager. He was born in the Netherlands. He had a great accent, and a gift in expressing himself.

What a wonderful man. He was a spiritual giant. When he spoke I would be writing notes, and taking it all in as well as possible, hoping to be able to read what I wrote, and think about what he said again, and again.

On one occasion, a few of us missionaries were in one of the rooms of the church making copies and getting ready for the meeting that was about to start. Elder de Jager came in the room. We all stopped what we were doing to see him. He tip toed through the middle of the other missionaries, with his index finger up to his lips to say “Shhh.” When he got to me, he hugged me. He passed all of the other missionaries to give me a hug. Let me just say, these men usually don’t hug everyone.

He must have known I needed it.

Another neat thing that happened was when we were trying to get pictures with our Zone and it was confusing for a minute and then I kinda took charge and started organizing people and saying things like, “You stand here.” And “you two move closer together.” I’m organizing and bossing people around while my mission president and Jacob de Jager watch. It was funny, because a few minutes after, they both looked at each other and said I was going to be a good Mama and leader in my life. I loved that!

When he was around I always felt very special and important. One time he offered to do the ceremony, later, when I got married. I tried to call him to ask if he was available about a year or so later when I did get married, but he was out of the country. It’s ok, I knew he loved me. He loved everyone. He was an example of a true disciple of Christ. What a blessing to have these wonderful memories. I am so thankful I met, and got to know my hero Jacob de Jager.

Best Mother’s Day!

I’ve always struggled a little bit on Mother’s Day.

It’s a combination of feeling like I don’t cut it as a mom, and that my children don’t appreciate me. I know, that sounds pathetic. But I do have a desire to be a good mom, and no one likes it when they are constantly taking care of people, and they don’t get a “Thank you” on Mother’s Day.

When my children were young, I always got the token hand print and poem which I loved and still have, but now my children are grown up. I really don’t expect much. I hope for it, but I don’t expect it.

This year one of the biggest things that I was planning on for Mother’s Day was talking to my two children serving LDS missions. I have only talked to them on Christmas and Mother’s Day, and they have both been gone over a year. I miss them, but I know they are doing great things. I was able to talk to both of them on Sunday (Mother’s Day) morning. They both sounded so great and my button’s were bustin’, I am so proud. They will both be home in 2-4 months. So wonderful!!

Next, for the first time in my motherhood, my children here at home and my son’s girlfriend were all competing to see who could write the best Mother’s Day card. How fun! It was so perfect. Riley, wrote a nice note about how he has learned the lesson’s I tried to teach him, he just has to push my button’s. Janet wrote about how I have made her feel loved and she loves me. And Emily wrote a nice card and filled it with coupons, one of which has already happened. It said, “Coupon for 4 amazing kids, 1 amazing husband and one darling grandbaby, and Janny :).” Then she put “paid” all over it. So cute! Then she heart attacked the sliding glass door. Here’s a picture of it.

My favorite part was this note that said,

“If you would like to take credit for a part of this magnificent gift. please sign below…”

What a cute daughter! It was a wonderful day and loved it!

I think the key is to not expect anything, then you will be surprised and amazed when something does happen.

I hope all mother’s and those who mother, had a great Mother’s Day.

I am so grateful for my Mama! She is a women that get’s life, what where here for and how to do it. She is busy, using her time serving others and Heavenly Father. She is smart and understands people. She has taught me so much. Thank you, Mama!

It’s a Date!

This wonderful man is my Daddy!

He started a tradition many years ago, of taking me on a date once a month. Can I just tell you how much I love this tradition. I love that my Daddy takes time out of his busy schedule to spend with me. I love that he shows an interest in the things I’m doing, and the things that are important to me. I love that I get him all to myself. He tells me I’m doing good stuff, and encourages me to be the best I can. When I tell him great stories about what my children are doing, he starts to tear up. What a tender heart. I can’t imagine not having him all to myself once a month. It means the world to me.

I love you Daddy! Thanks for being wonderful and taking me on dates!!

You’re the best!

My Mom is 80!

For my Mom’s 80th birthday, me and my siblings and our spouses took Mom and Dad out to dinner at a fancy restaurant. We gave her a “Love Note” book. A week or two before, I asked everyone one in our family to write a “Love Note” to our Mom and Grandma, telling her that we love her, and that we admire her, and that we are so thankful for her. One of my Mom’s love language’s is affirmations. So I thought, “Let’s make a book of “Love Notes” from all of us who love her, and she can read them any time she feels the need.” My Mom is reading the “Love Note” from my Dad. The book turned about pretty cute. And I think my Mom loved it. She also got other gifts and we laughed and had a great time! I asked her if she feels 80. She said, “No!” What a blessing to have healthy parents. There she is with Dad watching her blow out the candle on her treat. It was one of those trick candles that doesn’t go out. Funny! I love my parents so much, and feel so blessed to have them. This is my “Love Note” to my Mom:

My Dearest, and most sweet, and wonderful Mama,

On the day I was born, I met my “first” best friend. In fact it is because of you I learned how to be a friend. From that day on you have been there, always supportive, always listening, teaching and consoling. Always showing me how to live by example, and at the same time, trusting in my abilities and allowing me to be me, and most important, always loving me.

Your example has taught me to love and serve Heavenly Father, to choose happiness even when I feel sad, to not let others actions keep me down, to be responsible for my own life, to think about how others feel and love them, and how to not judge, but to look for the good in everyone.

I know that you love our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ and believe in the Holy Ghost. You live the gospel. I have watched you give countless hours in sharing your knowledge of the gospel and of family history. You have spent the time it takes to know, and then share your knowledge with others. That is amazing to me. Some people learn and never share. You are a gifted teacher, and continue to share with others what you have learned. You are amazing to me.

The years of service you have given our family are a testimony of your devotion. You have kept us a close knit family by providing a well-balanced meal for years on Sunday. When Brett and I were a young married couple, it was the best meal we had all week. And now our family still sees more of each other than most families, by spending time together often. We are all very strong personalities, but we love and respect each other, because you have taught us to love and respect each other.

You love our children and Natasha, and have told them how important they are to you. They always feel so important after getting hugs and kisses from you, and having you whisper in their ear how much you love them. You are a wonderful Gramma, and Gramma-Great.

As I have become a mom and a grandma, I have become even more aware of the sacrifices and time involved in loving and caring for a family. It makes me more in awe of all you have accomplished in your life, while raising a family, and I am so thankful for your example and all you have taught me. Thank you for the many times I called with questions and received just the right answer to what I needed to know. Your knowledge is a blessing to me.

I am so thankful that Heavenly Father blessed me to come to live at your home. He knew that you are what I need to help me make it through this life. You and dad are both wonderful and such a great example of a loving married couple, and I thank you for that. I am so blessed to have you Mom, for 50 + years. Thank you for being the wonderful person you are!

I know you will have the happiest birthday ever, because you will always be the most “super“ Mom.

I love you, my Mama, my “best” friend.

Time!

Time is:

Too slow for those who wait,

Too swift for those who fear, 

Too long for those who grieve,

Too short for those who rejoice;

But for those who love, 

Time is Eternal.

-Henry Van Dyke

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Today it has been one year since Kelsey left on her mission. I am so proud of her. I am so proud of me. I used to think I wouldn’t survive without my children close by. But now I know that even though two of them are miles away. They are always in my heart. They are doing amazing things with their time and loving their fellow men.

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“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

John 13:35

Sissy Poo!

As I’ve said in another post, I grew up in a family with 5 brothers and no sisters. There were six kids and our parents. When I was in junior high,

I came home with a little furry friend.

It was not uncommon for me to do this. I was always rescuing an animal.

I couldn’t help it.

But on this day the desire to bring home this animal was worse than ever. This little puppy was so tiny and cute. She was a mutt. They are actually my favorite kind of dog. They always have fun characteristics that don’t really match any other dog. This little pooper was part Chihuahua and part Terrier.

So. Cute.

When I got home, I honestly don’t remember my mom saying whether I could keep her or not. But when dad got home, he took that little ball of fur in his arms and said, “If we’re gonna keep her, we better name her Sissy Poo, cause she’s the only little sister you’re ever gonna have!”

And so is was, my little Sissy Poo became my little sister.

I was so attached. She slept with me every night.

She followed me around all day. She was the first to greet me when I arrived home.

I remember when I left on my mission, I was so afraid she would die, and there were a few times while I was gone that my family thought she was going to die too. I just couldn’t stand the thought of her not being there when I got home. Remember, I got her in 7th grade. I was now 21-22 years old.

She was almost ten years old when I got home. I was so excited to see her! And after a minute or two, she was so excited to see me, I had been gone for a year and a half. A year after I got home from my mission, she was still hanging in there. And another year later I had my first child, Riley. She was still there.

Then when Riley was six months old she fell asleep at the top of the stairs

and never woke up.

Personally, I believe she waited until I had other people to love, my darlin, and my son, so that I wouldn’t be so lonesome when she was gone.

We buried her in the back yard and had a nice little funeral. We all cried and cried. She is still so important to me and that was 25 years ago. She was such a big part of my life. She was my sweet little Sissy. I am so glad I brought her home. I love you Sissy Poo.