We have been doing a lot of events lately! This photo of Jed shows we did 10 this weekend! Wew! Yes, time for a popsicle - think he has been living on these lately as they are the only food he has with him as he passes them out at events far and wide! Thanks for being so awesome Jed! xoxoxoxo
This photo shows Liesl at the park setting up the photobooth for the art show. It was a super busy weekend with the Art Festival happening at townsquare.
Our employee, Cheryl Christensen hosts a fabulous Easter Egg Hunt every year in her little hometown of Winchester Hills. Sophia and Stephen both scored a ton of eggs there!
I find myself in a slump today. I realize that it has been weeks since I last wrote, and I need to record my feelings, wishes, desires and pull myself out of this darkness.
I am so grateful for the light of our Savior! The last week we have been aware of many who are suffering physically. I am so blessed with health and happiness! I have been so blessed! I am grateful for miracles for my friends, especially the Clark family. Adele Clark had surgery a week ago today for brain cancer. She noticed that her hearing was not good, and she went in for a check, and found a tumor in her brain. They operated and were able to take it all and find that it was benign. She came home Saturday after being operated in Salt Lake City. Miracles!
Today I will attend the funeral of Sue Barney. She has a daughter who is a senior at Dixie named 
Shaylee. Last week I spend two nights up all night sewing this quilt for her to be signed by all the YW in her ward and the Stake YW leaders. I don't really know her well, but felt that we should do something that that felt just right. Our presidency has been struggling trying to all come together and work side by side. One experience at a time. I wasn't there when they chose to go deliver it, and I understand they didn't coordinate with her as to when they could find her, so they left it with her brother. That makes me a little sad. I wish they had found a way to give her a hug when they left it! Not my part. I gave my gift of time, talents and finances to make it happen. I hope my gift is acceptable.Last week was Passover week. We held a Sadar meal on Monday and Chandler and Haley were in town so we invited Haley's family the Craig and Aliesa Nelson family to come. I was skeptical at how it would turn out. We were rushed through it, but I am grateful to have participated in that one more time. I am grateful for the reminder of the miracles that were worked, and are worked for me on a regular basis. One drop for each of the plague miracles. I have witnessed many in my life - even recently! The reminder of those miracles and of the importance to teach these miracles to our children - "We are told four times in the Old testament to teach these things to our children" really stood out to me. As we reviewed Sunday lessons yesterday, our discussion included the shock at how many others in all of our classes don't know those stories. I am grateful to know and study those details so we know of those miracles! Indeed the Hearts of the Fathers are turning to their children as we study and learn of the miracles of the past we see the miracles and hand of God in our lives today!
I have so much to be grateful for!
The Paulsen situation has not improved. Those thoughts tug at my heart often, and strong. This life is about families. As I go to the funeral today for Shaylee's mom, and we talk of the struggle of life without family close. I don't have family. Several years back, my Mom said to my face "life is easier without you." At another time she said, "I think of our relationship as if you had gotten on the ship to America, and I will never see you again." It makes my heart sad that my kids don't have grandparents that call or care. That is not what the Savior wants! They were here in St. George two weeks ago. Katie and her family came that same week. They called Monday and wanted to get together. We dropped everything to have them for FHE and went for a hike up Secret canyon. It was a fun night together. The end of the night included a chat with Katie about the Paulsen mess. She admitted that they don't want her contacting me. She shared that she gets into trouble when she knows of anything about us. She wishes that the situation could be fixed. In the last two months my Dad had two knees replaced. I heard of the surgery through Paula. When I reached out and tried to show that I cared by sending a book that my boys recently read, and sending a couple of texts of love and concern, asking about when the surgery was, and if he got the package. He texted back "I am tired of your abuse and disrespect. Good-bye." I felt like that was a Good-bye forever - disowned goodbye. My heart was broken. I have had several hard cries about it since that day in January. My heart is broken.
I fasted and prayed that I would find an answer to what I needed to do to repair this relationship through the words of the Prophets during General Conference. I was given some direction. I felt that this talk by Elder Soares was just for me when he said "“Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God. …“… If ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, … and serve him with all diligence of mind, … he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.”
I felt that Elder Renlund was speaking specifically of me and my family when he talked about the Good Shephard and what He would do for the sheep of His fold. I wish that the situation was different in my family. My heart hurts, but I witness that without both sides of this situation wishing and working towards change, I can't change it. Repentance is real and requires a change. It is not continuing in the same course of life as before, being forced to accept the bullying and abuse of the past to continue forever into the future. I can't stop it. But I can look up! I can rejoice and move forward, not allowing these hurts to fester in my heart! I can go forward! I am so grateful for my Savior! I want to move forward!