Fourth of July - Applebees with Hannah

Half price appetizers at Applebees!!!!

Personally I liked the chocolate volcanoe cake 

A great Fourth of July and hardly an effort on my part....Hannah made us brunch of waffles with berries and whipped cream, we blogged a bit, and then added Gregg to our group and went to Applebees, enjoyed some boneless wings in memory of Michelle, had some wonton tacos, lot of lemonade and some burgers and salads.  The management was gracious enough to give us free desserts and a $20 bill off our tab.  We loved that.....and then turned around and at Tommy's suggestion, turned the deal into a tip for Hannah....she needs the money for college, Mom....says TOM....he is looking out for his sister.

After our tummies were full, we headed back home for some down time and feeding Jordan, then made a beeline for Lifetime fitness and enjoyed the warm outdoor pool.  Even Jordan joined us for the swim time.  By 9:30 when we left, Tom was super excited to get home to start setting off his fireworks.  The tanks and the Jack in the Boxes were the best surprises.....the crawling snakes worked well, to start the sparklers, if we would lie them in the flames of the growing reptiles.  Lots of smiles, laughs and wonderful calories....and then we topped it off with a big bowl of popcorn, some rootbeer, juice and Leap Year.....and if there were any spills....we'd just throw it in the Warsh!!!!  (if you don't get it.....go watch the movie)

Father Son Overnite - Great Time for TOM

Father Son overnite in June 

 Father Son Overnite

The inside view of our tent from Grandparents May

The tent was comfy....the sleep was near perfect except for the daddy long legs...at least sixty Tom says...but then it was a DADDY - SON overnite!!!

798 Torchwood Drive just gets better looking all the time....a few weeks ago the new Victorian red roofline and this week the cupolas were painted olive green and cream to match the rest of the house.....Tough to see well here, but it's quite eye catching and we are so grateful...another one of God's tender mercies through hail damage, insurance and MR construction company!   Looking forward to the family coming home in the next few weeks to come see!

Grateful on Mother's Day

I am so grateful for my wonderful family who loves me sooooooo much! And I love them....It doesn't matter how old I get, my babies will always be my babies...and now added to them, my adopted son and daughters through marriage and ten grandchildren.....can life get any better than that.  As Ron and I face another season with lost employment and regroup to redesign our future in money security....it comes clear to me again, that real security is only rooted in GOD.....I am thankful for my increased trust in HIM, and am pleased to be one of HIS chicks under his wing!

Summer Sweethearts - So Enjoying Life



Ron and JoAnn enjoy COMO on a SUNDAY afternoon

 I GOT YOU BABE!

A rare moment, taking Gregg home to the group home, Hannah was willing to watch the boys, and Ron and I decided to grab an hour and take a walk.  The day was sunny and breezy, and Como was wonderfully decked with concert enthusiasts, bikers, dog walkers, and kiddos eating ice cream....I WANT ONE...but it's Sunday so we will wait until we get home!  Look Kids - No beard and the weight's dropping...for both of us!



40 years later





MyRoni's Title of Liberty

 



Mission remembered:

40 YO (Year Overlay)

I began my first mission 17 June 1972. 
The spiritual lessons and patterns of Uruguay and Paraguay still resonate within. Each June I go to Coon Lake for a day and review my mission journal, then come home with impressions of what to emphasize in the coming year. 
New impression: review what happened 40 years ago to the day and seek application.
Or rephrasing, seek to re-connect with a habit or event and re-use it to grow again. Felt impressed to pray more on my knees and FAST!
Very exciting results in first few days!





See Alma 46





 



With Mom's carved pole and Tom's handwriting, a new title of liberty is born.

After reading many times the account of Moroni's title of liberty, I felt to do likewise.

Inscription is 'In memory of God, our religion, our covenants, our patriarchal blessings, our callings and the well-being of Ron, JoAnn, Cari, Tyler, Amy, Gregg, Marcus, Ben, Dillon, Michelle, Hannah, Jordan and the person who wrote all of this stuff: Thomas'

A mom's best friend---Her daughter

Today, with Hannah's help, we begin a blog! How appropriate it is mother's Day, and even more so, what a JOY it has been to have Hannah back home with us from BYU.  Just when my schedules seem almost more than I could manage....along comes Hannah Joyell with her bright exuberance to be of help.  She has bailed me in dinner preparations, Jordan retrieval off the school bus, and been a willing participant in going with me, Jordan and the dog for walk! 

Today we had a feast fit for a queen....as she  kicked me out of my own kitchen and 40 minutes later sat us down to a sumptious feast.....Steak, garlic mashed potatoes, sourdough rolls, zucchini, amazing green salad with feta, craisins and almonds, and Grandma Alice Holm's holmmade Lemon meringue pie.  I am stuffed beyond comfort!  And PS....Ron helped on the grill! I feel very blessed this day.

And even greater than that.....there are ten others, equal in ability to love and befriend their mom, aid in service and listen to my many many parables of Life LIVE FROM TORCHWOOD!  Ron and I married 36 years ago, and little did we know the great riches in store for us.....none that are depositable at Wells Fargo, but definitely worth more than all the gold at Fort Knox.  I am so thankful for a husband, 7 sons and 4 daughters that have called me blessed, and many times over made me feel so!  I have been a woman favored of the Lord, with the nobility of my heirs....and the sweetness of our posterity. ( number 10 grandchild arrived just last week).  I look forward to filling these pages with our family's experiences in growing up in the Gospel and finding our way on the paths we each are meant to walk.....