Thanksgiving

Today as I was preparing my seminary lesson I started to think of all the many blessings that our family has received lately. I needed to make of list of "some" of the things that I am thankful for:
I am very thankful for all the efforts everyone made to be together this month. I am thankful that everyone came from far and near to be together and I am so thankful that I was able to finish my race. It was a wonderful experience to do it with my kids.
I am also thankful for a forever family,
for a good husband who works so hard for me everyday so that he can buy ice cream for the grandkids.
I am thankful for a living prophet on the earth to guide us today
Thankful for Joseph Smith and his family and their sacrifice for the gospel,
Thankful for parents who are such a great example to me.
for a twin sister
for a Heavenly Father who loves me with perfect love
for my Savior Jesus Christ who made it possible for me to return to my Heavenly parents again,
for Sarah being able to be married in the temple.
for wonderful son and daughter in laws that take such good care of their spouses and families.
did I mention a good patient husband?
Thankful that Chelsea is getting her papers in for a mission.
The Holy Ghost and its help.
Good friends that help me see my many blessings
All of these things help my testimony to grow. As I thought of all these things this morning I realized how aware of me that my Heavenly Father is. That He hears my prayers. I am so thankful for the plan of salvation and the things I am learning as I study in my calling.
I am thankful for good days with sleep
thankful to have the laundry caught up
Thankful for a body that helps me experience this life.
God is so kind.
Have a "Happy Thanksgiving" and I hope that we can all remember all the things we have to be thankful for. Love mom

Well, please don't die of shock. I have a break so I thought that I would try and do a new post.

I was thinking this morning of how frazzled I always seem to be and I thought of the Christmas letter that I have had in the past entitled, See Mother, Funny Funny Mother. For those of you that are still really young. This comes from the Dick and Jane era.

I wanted to make a few changes.

See mother, see mother laugh. Mother is happy.

Mother is happy about Christmas.

Mother has many plans. Mother has many plans for Christmas.

Mother is organized (or plans to be). Mother smiles all the time.

Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See mother smile. Mother is happy.

The kids are ready for school. She and the boys watch T.V.

Watch boys watch

Hear the phone ring. Hear Mother talk with Pres. Carter.

Look, look. Mother is not smiling. Funny funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother read. Mother will prepare seminary lessons.

Mother will pray. Mother will read some more.

See Mother stay up late, See Mother worry.

See Mother cry. See Mother is on her knees again.

Look, look. See Mother take a tranqualizer.

Funny, funny mother.

See mother. See Mother cook. See Mother buy treats for her seminary students.

See mother bake cinnamon rolls. See Mother buy all the sugary foods that she doesn't buy for her own children.

See Mother start to eat the sugary treats.

Funny, funny mother.

See Mother run. Run Mother run.

See Mother look really tired. See Mother walk.

See Mother cry. See Mother "try" to memorize scripture mastery.

Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother prepare her lessons. She mother bite her fingernails.

See Mother go. See Mother go faster. Run Mother run.

See Mother answer the phone again. See Mother talk to Sarah.

See Mother begin to cry again. Mother is happy for Sarah.

Funny, funny mother.

See mother try to cook with no food in the house. See mother shop for food.

See boys happy that mother finally went shopping. See mother do the laundry.

See mother run. See mother run slowly. Run mother run.

See mother cook. See mother tear up the organize plan. See mother have grandchildren visit. See Sarah visit. See Julia move to Bakersfield. Mother is happy. See mother do more laundry. Run mother run. See mother study her seminary lessons.

Funny, funny mother.

See mother has become disorganized. Mother has become dis-oriented. Mother starts to make plans for the wedding. See Dad say "no" to everything. See Dad gone to work all the time. See the 15th of October come and go. Mother is not smiling. Mother is tired. See moms hair start to fall out. Mother has become discouraged. But mother is still running.

Funny, funny mother.

See mother forget to order the brides flowers. See mother look for the end of the scotch tape roll. See mother forget Ryan, Brendan, and Lincoln's birthday. See mother be only one month late for Madison's birthday. See mom do more laundry. Mother is glad that the boys have clean underwear.

See the wind blow. See the leaves fall. See mother cry again. It is finally time for the 1/2 marathon. See the happy family. See father smile. Father is happy. Smile father smile. Father loves his family. Look, look mother is slumped in a chair. Mother is crying uncontrolably. Mother does not look well. Mother has ugly dark circles under her blood shot eyes. Everyone helps mother get to her bed. Mother gets a substitute for seminary. See mother run. Mother plans on going across the finish line. See mother sleep. See mother smile. Funny, funny mother.

It has been a growing two months. Thanks for everyones patience. Love Mother.

A great milestone!!

So, after many many years at Norris School (1985), Andrew was able to graduate and end the ties with that school. I am so happy. We are ready for bigger and better things. Only having one school that my kids go to will be a change. I am sorry that I missed his name being announced on the video, but you all remember how it goes. " Andrew Bedke, 4.0 grade point. In the top 10% of his class. " And Christopher screamed so that everyone could hear Andrew's name. What a proud brother. I missed that too.

The award assembly was yesterday.... and yes, Andrew has worked hard like all his siblings and received his recognitions to hang on the infamous wall. We are so pleased with all his efforts. He is the first to receive the Elks Lodge Outstanding Student Award. Way to go, Andrew!!!

After graduation, Andrew chose to go the Sizzler at the ice-house to celebrate. Here you can see him turning into "Superman" in the phone booth. Or maybe he had to take his shirt off because he was so full from trying to "get his money's worth" of food. He only had 3 servings of dessert. He worked hard and I guess he can afford to splurge once in awhile. Thanks Dad for paying.

Mother's Day

What a wonderful day! It started with breakfast in bed with the traditional german pancakes with pure maple syrup along with fresh juiced orange juice. It only got better.... Dad gave me a wrapped present from my children. It was a portrait of all my grandchildren's profiles. How precious. Dave had picked it up from Costco and framed it himself. Did a good job, don't you think? I am so thankful to my sweet mother-in-law who raised such a great guy who has always been so good to me. I have been so blessed to have his children. The children have provided us with so much learning and joy. Now to watch some of our children being parents is so satisfying. It only seems to get better.

You will notice that there are two bouquets of flowers. Dave bought me one for my bedroom and one to have in the kitchen. I always enjoy flowers in my room, but feel guilty that everyone else doesn't get to enjoy them too. Dave says that it is just this one time that I get two. Thank you kids and family for making this a really special day. I went to the boys piano recital and they played beautifully. Dave fixed a great meal with the boys help. It was yummy, with all my favorites.

It was fun to visit with everyone on the computer/phone. I hope that everyone knows how much I appreciate all you always do for me. Thank you for following the prophet and teaching the gospel to your families. The gospel makes life so much more rewarding.

I told the boys that I didn't want the day to end.....they of course don't want to go to bed because, "some of the best memories are made on Sunday night when there is no school on Monday". But there is school on Monday. Good night. Love you all. Mother

Our guard dog

So, we have 3 acres to roam around on. You would think that would be enough, but our neighbors dogs went under the fence and Stockdale tried to defend his wife Amber. I heard this awful barking in the back and went out to see what all the commotions was. 3 to 1. Not fare. Khan's three dogs were barking and one of them bit Stockdale. I yelled (imagine that) and they took off back under the fence. Our neighbor of course said that they were not his dogs even though he feeds them. Anyway, I tried to put stuff on it and it was fine until about 5 days after. A large abscess started to form. We took him to a brother in our ward who is a vet., and he said that he would have to cut it open to let the infection drain from the inside out. He had to stay overnight. We missed him, but he is back home and doing so much better. I can't believe that we fell into the group of people that spends all this money for their pets. I guess when they become a part of your life, that's what happens. I just hope that our neighbor will keep his dogs on his own property.

p.s. christopher says, "We tried to contact Michael Vick to see if we could make any profit, but it seems as though he has truly repented of his past faults."

Christopher and His Spidey Senses

Since Sarah got me and Andrew the slackline a couple of years ago, we decided it was time to try it out for real. My goal for Easter Break was to be able to walk all the way across. I finally was able to on Sunday night after General Conference. I could really feel the prophet's words speaking to me that I needed to complete my goal. After a month of not slackin', me and Andrew set it up again and, not to brag, I must be a natural at this type of thing because I was able to replicate the results (maybe it was because I was wearing the same clothes.) Andrew was also a pretty good camera-man. By the way, if anybody talks to Neil, ask him if he saw the Lakers beat the Jazz earlier tonight.