April Birthday Girl Celebration

Pictures from Marci and Hope's Birthday Celebration

(Thanks Marci and Mike)

Both Birthday Girls were treated to a cupcake from "Crave" during their birthday week.

Hope got Red Velvet (of course)

Traditional Texas red cocoa cake with sweet cream cheese frosting

and Marci got Flourless Chocolate (gluten free), which she loved!

Rich dark chocolate flourless cupcakes with dark chocolate butter cream frosting and topped with chocolate sprinkles. 

 

original post date 4/30 

Mindful Monday - 17 Things

17 Most Important Things to Remember in Life

1. Never give up on anybody, miracles happen everyday.
2. Be brave even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
3. Think big thoughts, relish small pleasures.
4. Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly
5. Never deprive someone of hope, it might be all they have.
6. Strive for excellence, not perfection.
7. Don’t waste time grieving over past mistakes. Learn from them and move on.
8. When someone hugs you let them be the first to let go.
9. Never cut what can be untied.
10. Don’t expect life to be fair.
11. Remember: Success comes to the one that acts first.
12. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
13. Remember that nobody makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who help you.
14. Never underestimate the power of a kind word or deed.
15. Laugh a lot. A good sense of humor cures almost all of life’s ills.
16. Don’t miss the magic of the moment by focusing on whats to come.
17. Watch for big problems. They disguise big opportunities.

Mindful Monday - Patience

"Patience"

by President Uchtdorf

The passage on patience that spoke to me the most was the following:

Patience is "far more than simply waiting for something to happen--patience require[s] actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results [don't] appear instantly or without effort.

"There is an important concept here: patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can--working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!" (Ensign, May 2010, 56-59).

Today

via macaronn

 Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. ~ Aristotle

Meet Me for Lunch

Happy June!
Isn't this the sweetest little get away spot

with the charming  house and pretty garden

and in what looks like an enchanted forest of course.

source

Mindful Monday - Remember to Remember

 

Happy Memorial Day 

Never Forget

Mack and Cheryl posted this on their Facebook pages.  I think EVERYONE should read it♥

"Memorial Day Order"


General Orders No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic Headquarters.
I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and com­rades will, in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, Comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers sailors and marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hinds slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the Nation's gratitude—the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.


II. It is the purpose of the Commander‑in‑Chief to inaugurate this observ­ance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.


III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this Order effective.


By Command of:


John A. Logan
Commander in Chief May 5, 1868

To Pledge

Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance

by Red Skelton

As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton's teachers explained the words and meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to his class. Skelton later wrote down, and eventually recorded, his recollection of this lecture. It is followed by an observation of his own.

I - - Me; an individual; a committee of one.
Pledge - - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
Allegiance - - My love and my devotion.
To the Flag - - Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.
United - - That means that we have all come together.
States - - Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.
And to the Republic - - Republic--a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
For which it stands
One Nation - - One Nation--meaning, so blessed by God.
Indivisible - - Incapable of being divided.
With Liberty - - Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.
And Justice - - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.
For All - - For All--which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?
Red Skelton

Mindful Monday

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."

—President Thomas S. Monson,

One Year Old Today!

Happy 1st Birthday 
Preston Michael Freeman

Thank You Thursday-Congratulations

Cheryl Joy!

Cheryl is our sweet daughter-in-law.  She graduated from 

Flagler College

in St. Augustine, Florida

April 24, 2010

She has loved every minute while attending school there!

Her blog is private so instead of giving you a link I copied a post she did not too long ago:

 from Cheryl Joy's Blog:

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Reasons Why: College Edition 

I love my college.

I love walking around campus on a beautiful day. Between classes I used to lay in the grass and just feel the sun. On the lawn there is a big platform with a swimming pool- funny thing though, you don't even notice it because of the bushes around it (you can actually see the corner of it in the picture below). There is also a sandy volley ball court... right across from the library.

The art building has this huge chimney.  Every studio has beautiful tiled fire places.

But the reason I post,
the reason I recognized my love for this place
is because you can be walking around
in this case, in the library,
and see something completely random
like this:

It's just pins.. plain ol' pins.

and books.. just stacked.. nothing holding them together.

how... profound.

I almost feel sad that I'm graduating.

Not really, I'm elated, but I'll miss art classes and inspiring professors... and sunny days laying in the grass with my books.

One month from today I'll be walking across the stage and accepting my diploma.

Crazy!

______________________________________________________________

Cheryl did her student teaching at an elementary school. 

It has been so fun following her blog about her amazing adventure.

She is going to be a *FANTABULOUS teacher!

(*Hope word)

Congratulations Cheryl Joy!

We love you♥

Prayers

Blogging has been such a blessing to me in many ways.  I have reconnected with people from years ago and I've made many new and dear friends.  I feel like I know you personally and feel joy and sadness as you share your stories.  I love to hear about your families and love the connection we feel.  That is why I am sharing this with you today.

Our daughter Marci married into an amazing family, The Freemans, that we immediately claimed as our own.  They are beautiful inside and out.   Marci's husband, Mike, has three sisters:  Brittany, Chrissy and Chloe.  We love them.  Chloe and Hope are the same age and cute little buddies.  We attended Brittany and Chrissy's weddings.  

We have been so excited for Brittany and her husband, Ili and the arrival of their first little baby.  Brittany's blog is private but she has been posting the entire adventure of her pregnancy and then the birth of little Wyatt. 

Wyatt was only here on earth for 10 days.  He was born on April 24th and passed away May 5th.

My heart is so heavy as I try to even begin to understand the heartache and pain Brittany and Ili must feel.  They are wonderful parents and loved and cherished everyday with Wyatt, not knowing he would be taken from them in such a short time.  

Wyatt Thomas Yuan

My daughter-in-law, Cheryl, pointed out the highlights in Wyatt's eyes look like little white hearts♥. 

Please pray for them and their families.  They have felt the prayers and love of so many but I wanted to add more.  Tomorrow ( Saturday, 5/8) will be a difficult day as it is Wyatt's  Memorial Service.

Marci and Mike set up a fund for Brittany and Ili to help cover little Wyatt's funeral services. I have added it to the side bar of my blog thinking if any one was so inclined ... every little bit can help.

Thank you for your prayers and heartfelt thoughts for the Yuans and Freemans during this difficult time. 

Birthday Wishes

Today is Mark Partridge Miner's

(aka Mack)

BIRTHDAY!

Mack was born on Cinco de Mayo but truly, he should have been born on July 4th!  There are so many things that I LOVE about Mack and one of the first that comes to mind is how

Patriotic 

he is. Even when he was just a bit of a guy he had this innate reverence and respect for the flag. He was more excited to learn the Pledge of Allegiance than the alphabet.  When he was in HS, he started the Young Republicans Club and after 911 arranged to build a monument that still stands at his HS, Bartram Trails.  He is serving our country on his second tour with the Army National Guard and is currently in Kuwait. \You can check out his blog:  Boots in Baghdad

He is   

loyal 

to family, friends
and what he believes in.

He is a wonderful brother to his sisters and the perfect big brother to look up to.  He always has your back and then some!

Mack is

courageous

and 

passionate

 He is the youngest County Commissioner in St. Johns' County. He's a fighter.  He believes in standing up and fighting for what he knows is right.

Mr. Mack is 

smart

especially when it comes to choosing his bride and eternal companion.  He and Cheryl Joy were united in marriage November 28, 2009 only a short time before he had to leave for Kuwait.

... and now he is

complete.

Happy Birthday
to our 

Hero.

Be Inspired

I love following Stephanie Nielson's blog.  She is such an amazing example of faith.

 Today  I saw this video from Mormon Messages on You Tube on Heather's blog and just had to share it.  

 NieNie always speaks to my♥.

By the Way

 Would you like to win an Anthropology gift card?

 Who wouldn't ~ right?

Mother's Day Give-away...from AnthropoloNIE!!

Go HERE

Did you hear Matthew Mead and Stephanie Nielson have teamed up?

Two of my favorite inspiration stops- now together!~