Who reads my blog?

I thought it would be interesting to put a counter on my blog just for the heck of it. So I did last week. I just checked it and I have 48 hits. Who is reading my blog? I only have five children, a few friends and some family members that know the address. I know it doesn't add up to 48. So, I ask again, who is reading my blog? Leave a comment if you are so inclined. Through reading my entries I hope you have an understanding of how much I love my family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Have a great day and continue reading....

My Testimony of Families

I was asked by the Relief Society to comment on this month's Visiting Teaching message for their newsletter. I thought I would post it in hopes that it gives peace to others facing struggles with their families.

Being a mother is the most difficult job on the earth. It is also the most rewarding job on the earth. And I know that as we come closer to the Second Coming, mothering is going to become even harder. The great thing about this hard job is that Heavenly Father has given us easy guidelines to help us be successful. I have reared five children and now have almost eleven grandchildren. It hasn’t been easy. If you have lived in the ward long enough, you will know there were some scary times for me as a mother. But I have been very blessed to have my wandering children wander back home before I anticipated that they might return. I take no credit for their return but I do feel strongly that we were blessed as a family because we made the choice to incorporate the following in our routine -- We read as a family each morning from the Book of Mormon and followed up with a family prayer. We knelt in prayer as a family at the end of each day. We held Family Home Evening. We served together. We worked together. We played together. We went to church together. The key word is “together.” The willingness level often left something to be desired, but we were together as a family.

There were times that I wondered if my children would return but I knew that I would be blessed through my desire to be obedient. I clung to this doctrine taught by Joseph Smith “....the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold onto the with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God” (CR, 4-29, p.110).

Serving as a Sealing Room Host in the Draper Temple this past month reinforced my love for Heavenly Father’s divine plan for families. Now I look forward to supporting my children in their role as parents. I anticipate they will have some tough times but I know they will be blessed if they make the choice to follow Heavenly Father’s guidelines. I am grateful for the Atonement. I am grateful our Savior makes up the difference after all we can do. I have seen His hand in my life and in the lives of my children. I am grateful to be a wife, a mother, and a grandmother!

Pama and Papa and Ten

If you know me, you know I love being around my family....it is the best place to be! At our last family gathering we attempted to take a picture with Pama and Papa and all our grandchildren. It was fun for us. Some of the kids didn't mind and some of them hated it. You can pretty much determine their personality types by the way they responded to my request for a photo. But we're all together on one couch for one minute and I have a memory I won't soon forget.

New mommies with new babies

We had a family dinner last Sunday at Clay and Jen's home. Here are the newest additions to our family. They are three weeks apart and I'm sure they will become great friends as they grow up together.

New Calling

What could be as good as working with 20 plus teenage girls? How about ten -- nine and ten year old girls in Primary? But I have to admit I'm a bit selfish. I wish I had them for Activity Days and that I taught every Sunday. I'm so excited to get to know them and fill my life with again with girls and giggles.

Draper Utah Temple Openhouse Assignments

Our turn to help with the temple openhouse is over and done. It was a remarkable opportunity. David spent his two shifts directing traffic into one of the four stake centers used for the starting point of the tour. Gratefully the weather held. It was cold and windy part of the time but it never rained or snowed on him. My first shift was to help in the reception area with the food (cookies and water). I was on the early shift -- starting at 7:00 a.m. Tours began at 8:30 a.m. We stocked shelves and filled trays and then sat on the stage, behind the curtain, for most of the rest of three hours. There wasn't alot of cookie traffic that early in the morning. My second shift was what I affectionately call, "Tour Guide Barbie." I rode on a bus that took 55 people to the temple. During the six minute ride I read a prepared script about temple work and the new temple. It took about 25-30 minutes for a round trip from stake center to temple and back. I probably did eight trips. It was much more interactive and interesting. I did learn not to wear a broomstick skirt on windy days.
After bus and parking lot duty we spent a couple more hours inside the temple helping visitors enter and leave the sealing rooms. I loved watching their faces as they came out.


Our very very favorite assignment was being Sealing Room Hosts. David and I did this together. We had about three minutes per group to explain the purpose for sealing rooms in the temples. David spoke of the sealing power given to Peter by the Savior. I followed by sharing what being sealed to my sweetheart and my family meant to us. We then invited them to look in the mirrors for a glimpse of eternity. We figured we were able to share our feelings about eternal families to over 800 people. I love the temple! I get to be with my family forever!

This is what I got for Valentines....

David and I planned "no gifts" for Valentines this year. Instead we wanted crab and seafood for dinner--preferably at Market Street Grill. We knew we had to go early to beat the Valentine rush so we planned for an early dinner. As we were walking out the door, Talya called and informed us that she was at the hospital being checked. So we modified our plans. We decided upon McGrath's in case we had to make a quick departure. It was good we changed plans. If the waiter had been on top of things we probably would have had time to eat. Instead we changed our order to takeout of clam chowder and crab and artichoke appetizer and we ate on the road to Ogden. We weren't too disappointed because we knew that Ogden Regional's famous cheese fries were waiting.

We arrived at the hospital around 6:30 p.m. and watched Tessa Marjorie enter the world at 8:38 p.m. She was a bit stubborn about turning and making things easier but in the last push she flew out and just about slipped through the midwife's hands. Talya used hypnobirthing again and did a fabulous job! I am so amazed at how easily she has babies. But considering how hard her pregnancies are, she deserves an easy childbirth. Tessa was 6 pounds 4 ounces and 19 inches long.

Grandchild #9 - Camille Mae Hansen

Clayton and Jenny welcomed Millie Mae into their family on Friday, January 23rd at 9:52 a.m. She weighed 8 pounds 4 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Everyone's question is -- "Where was Jen hiding her?" And the answer is -- "I don't know." She is a beautiful baby and very much loved by her parents and grandparents. We are so excited to have another blessing from heaven in our family.

Clayton has a new subject for his love of photography. Looks like Millie doesn't mind be photographed. Isn't she beautiful? She's a week old in these photos.

I Love to See the Temple

We just returned from doing a session in the Jordan River Temple. It's a good place to be when I can't go to Young Women's anymore. There has been a lot of emphasis on the temple in our ward the past few weeks - much of it about the Draper Temple since we will be in its district. We had a wonderful Stake Conference centered on the temple and eternal families last weekend. David and I attended the Open House a couple of weeks ago and then I went again with some of "my girls." We both have attended training sessions for helping out at the Open House. But the best was a phone call Sunday night from President Jensen. He asked us if we would be Sealing Room Hosts. We are excited to be able to share our testimonies of temples and eternal families with those attending the Open House. We are honored and humbled to be considered for such an incredible opportunity.

I have thought a lot about temples and eternity lately. If I wasn't already a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I would join the minute I heard this doctrine. I love my husband and my family so much that the thought of not being with them forever is more than I can bear. And if families are forever, then I know that friends are forever also. What incredible doctrine! It makes sense and offers comfort and peace. I am grateful to have the knowledge of eternity and the blessings of the temple in my life. I love to see the temple!

It's over....

The greatest period of time in my life of church service is over. I was released as the Young Women President on January 11th. There is a hole in my heart that will never be filled. It is selfish of me, I know, but I loved loved loved hanging out with the girls twice a week. How can you not love being with them?!? They are the chosen generation. What a privilege and an honor it was to be in their midst. Besides being with the girls, I got to rub shoulders with some incredible women! many of them I didn't know until we worked together. I will be forever grateful for their examples and their testimonies.

I started out back in February 2002 serving as Mia Maid counselor to Judy Saunders, then to Susie Steenblik. In August 2004 I served as Laurel advisor to Linda Hustedt. In June 2006 I was called to be the YW President. I was honored and thrilled with the call but I knew that when I was released the chances of staying in the YW program were pretty much non-existent. And I was right. I hope someday I can serve the girls again and not be considered "too old" to be with them.

I learned so many incredible lessons through the years from "my girls." Some of them are --
1- Don't be afraid
2- Be a friend
3- Learn all you can
4- Try new things
5- Be enthusiastic
6- Give it your all
7- Ask questions
8- Get involved
9- Share your talents
10- Don't waste time
11- Jump in with both feet
12- Live life to the fullest
13- Express appreciation
14- Have fun
15- Smile
16- But most of all, I learned how much Heavenly Father loves His daughters and with the Savior's help I can do what is required of me.

Candy Canes and Granddaughters

I'm glad the background of my blog looks similar to a candy cane. It is so appropriate for this story.... Friday night Matt was visiting my house with Shae (6), Audrey (4) and Eliza (18 months). Lindsay was with her family participating in a service project. After checking out all of my Christmas decorations, Shae spotted some regular size candy canes in my kitchen. She pointed them out and talked about them. I knew she was dying to have one of her own, so I asked her, "What do you think your mommy would say if I gave you a whole big candy cane?" (At this time of year I don't want to be too responsible for providing a sugar overload.) Shae hestitated and hummed and hawed, but Audrey immediately spoke up and said, "Mommy's not here." I couldn't stop laughing! She was right but Daddy was there and he heard her. We compromised and smashed the candy canes into small pieces. Sprinkled them onto vanilla ice cream with chocolate topping. It's a holiday story I won't forget!

WHAT I AM -- I've been tagged again

Because more than two hours of continuous sleep is non-existent since my foot problems, I thought I would answer this tag from Carly rather than lay in bed being frustrated that I was awake...again!

I AM
a daughter of God
a wife
a mother
a grandma
a professional volunteer

I BELIEVE IN
my Savior Jesus Christ
and His Atonement
the strength of my husband
the power of prayer
the power of positive thinking

I AM GRATEFUL FOR
family
my amazing husband
computers
freedom
Cherry Coke Zero

I AM OVERJOYED BY
my grandchildren
more than two hours of continuous sleep
phone calls and art work from grandchildren
family photos
great deals

I AM INSPIRED BY
the Book of Mormon
my husband
my children
my grandchildren
uplifting music -- especially Christmas music
the life story of Emma Smith

SOMEDAY I WISH TO
sleep all night long
see the whales
not have to worry about retirement money
serve a humanitarian mission providing water
bike around Kuaui

Wow! Eight grandchildren and three more on the way!

I never imagined that I would have so many grandchildren so fast. Years ago, David and I predicted that we would have 15 grandchildren. If my children keep it up we will easily pass that number. It's amazing how love doesn't divide -- it multiplies. I can hardly wait for the birth of each of them. We have the four older kids -- Eric, Shae, Tyler and Audrey; the three toddlers -- Rylee, Eliza and Keagan; and by June we will have the four babies -- Dax, Camille, baby girl Matheson and baby Lindberg.

I was just listening to my very favorite Christmas song -- "Heavenly Choirs"...must have had children singing along when they came to the earth...." and thought of my beautiful grandchildren. Being around them is like being in heaven for me. I love each one of them so very much!


This picture was taken the end of October when everyone was home for Sunday dinner. Again, it reminded me that together is truly the best place to be!

Tag -- You are it!

I've been tagged before, but I have never taken the time to respond. This time I will because it's a tag about my husband -- the man of my dreams. I would love to tag anyone else that wants to brag about their guy. Here's a picture of him supporting me at Girls Camp.



* Where we met – At his missionary homecoming from Guatemala / El Salvador.
* How long we dated before we got hitched – Four days. Not recommended but it worked for us.
* How long have we been married – 32 amazing years in December!
* What's my favorite feature about him – His hands and arms – the way his hugs make me feel secure and loved.
* What's my favorite quality about him – The strength of his integrity and the way he supports me in anything I want to do.
* What's his nickname for me – Cookiehead (not sure why...haven’t heard it in a while)
* His favorite color – Green (check out the color of his boat)
* His favorite food – Steak and potatoes, popcorn, ice cream, Dr. Pepper
* His favorite sport – Snowmobiling, motorcycling, boating
* Who said the L word first -- He did
* First kiss when and where – Day #3 of dating - in a church parking lot after lightning hit a power pole 30 feet away from us. Yes, I saw “fireworks.”
* Favorite couple thing to do – cuddle and...
* How many kids – 5 and soon to be 11 grandchildren
* His hidden talent – He loves to play with babies and little kids
* His age – 53
* His favorite music – Simon and Garfunkel
* What I admire most about him – I fell in love with his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love his determination and his integrity.
* His favorite pastimes – Spending time at the cabin, watching sci-fi movies
* Will he read this – If I tell him I have updated my blog. I love you beyond words David!

My Grandkids on Halloween

Since I couldn't hang out with any of my grandkids on Halloween, I asked all the mommies to send me some photos for my memories. By the time David gets off work and we get to anyone's house, trick or treating has started. The kids aren't too interested in Pama and Papa anyway. They just want the candy! The Matheson kids were straight out of Star Wars -- Eric was a Luke Skywalker, Tyler was Yoda and Rylee was Princess Leia complete with a cinnabon wig. Talya and Ryan were Army guys. Dax went as a "little monster." Looks like he was one occasionally on Halloween night. Don't blame him one bit. On the Hansen side Shae was a "red witch," Audrey was a cowgirl and Eliza was a lady bug and a giraffe. Can you guess who Matt and Lindsay were? Too bad the costumes didn't sway the vote. Keagan went as a pumpkin. Erica wore a costume that made an announcement. If you don't get it, look for Keagan's message in the teal colored shirt....

David and I spent Halloween at a movie and dinner. We went to Su Casa and saw "Forever Strong." I highly recommend the movie (and the restaurant)!