It is finally official. Malorie and Curtis are engaged! It happened last night at Mal's recital. As soon as she had finished singing and was walking off stage, Curtis came onstage. At first she thought she was hallucinating but he caught her and told her he loved her very much and then got down on one knee, and she went down too! It was pretty funny but she got her composure and stood up and he held the ring out and asked her to marry him. The crowd loved it of course and we parents were very happy for the both of them. I got it on video but you know I have to have help with stuff like that so hopefully someone can get it up on the blog for me. The date will be January 8th.

This is from the Reception over the weekend. Thank you Lauren, Malorie, Curtis and of course my wonderful husband!

Ashleigh and Alex are having another little boy, and I could'nt be happier!! I was thinking of what would be the most important things my sons and daughters could teach to my precious grandchildren and I opened my scriptures to Alma 37. "Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; Teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.
O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

Some wonderful news!! Lauren is expecting! She just found out and Ryan told all of us to "think pink" because it would be fun to have a girl after 2 terrific boys (and all my boys are terrific!!!) Ashleigh will find out what she is having on the 22nd. I sure wish I could be there. Ive been there all of the other times. Some other good news. I got to hold Craigs book in my hands! It was very exciting and thanks to my supervisor, Craig Kelly, we are getting books in two of the AZ stores way ahead of schedule. I suppose the family will buy most of the first books on the shelf! My kids know they will be getting one for Christmas for sure. I'm doing a wedding this weekend. Hot pink and black. I'll post some pictures of it next week.

http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/Colors/index.htm

Grandpa Curtis is doing pretty good considering he has 42 metal stiches in his leg. Yes, of course he counted them as soon as he could! I must say that the first few days he was home he was a terrible patient, but he has settled down and I'm not pulling my hair out anymore!! I have enjoyed spending so much time with them both and because Deseret book hasn't needed me to work for the past few months, I have considered that a blessing because everyone else has to work full time and who could have helped M&D as much as they have needed it? So, everything works out and has a purpose.

Lawson

Yes, Darrell did it once again. It only took him one day to make the bookshelf. Dont get me wrong, they were a lot of work but thanks to some friends help with the design they went up pretty quickly. I'm loving it so much that I'm looking around for another place! But don't tell Darrell!! I already have it filled up, so that will be my next picture.

My New Bookshelves

" Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes and wards. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow." President Ezra Taft Benson

Happy Birthday America!!

I see a distant land; it shines so clear
Sometimes it seems so far, sometimes so near.
Come, join together, take the dusty road.
Help one another; share the heavy load.
The journey may be long; no end in sight.
There may be hills to climb, or giants to fight;
But if you'll take my hand, we'll walk together
T'ward the land of freedom.

I hear a distant song; it fills the air.
I hear it, deep and strong, rise up in prayer;
"O Lord, we are many; help us to be one.
Heal our divisions; let Thy will be done."
I know the time will come when war must cease.
A time of truth and love, a time of peace.
The people cry, "How long til all our world
Can join the song of freedom?"

I touch a distant hand and feel its glow,
The hand I hoped was there; at last I know.
Swords into ploughshares; can it all come true?
Friends out of strangers; start with me and you.
I see another time, another place
Where we can all be one, one human race.
The walls will melt away, we'll come together
On the day of freedom.
John Rutter
(written in 1990, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall)

These are highlights from our trip to the Oquirrh Temple open house in the Daybreak community in Utah. I know what you are thinking... Did they actually take all those rowdy boys? Yes!! and they loved it, they were so respectful and at times even folding their little arms. Even Lawson did really well, and when He and Ian got to the Celestial room, they were in awe and we had to pry hands off the rope where they had roped the room off, to move on. I know they felt the spirit there and I would encourage all you parents to make every opportunity for your children to have these experiences.

Malorie graduated! It was actually pretty nice weather-usually its so hot that you have to take a spray bottle with you. I hope she is proud of herself for working hard and graduating with highest honors ( okay, I'm bragging, but thats what Val says I'm supposed to do!) Grandma Arlene flew in just for the occasion and we have had a nice relaxing visit. Lawson did not like the fireworks. He was trying to blow them out (like a birthday candle).

I added a new song on my play list today. It's Twinkle little star and I chose this for my sweet little grandson Ian. When Ashleigh and Alex went to Hawaii, Mal and I took care of the boys. Ian was just a little guy and when I would put him in his crib and tuck him in, I would sing this song. He would listen and look up at me with those big beautiful eyes and that incredibly sweet smile. Even in the semidarkness his eyes would shine and we would have these "precious moments", just us two.

Grandma is doing great! She has her appetite back and is so much stronger. Grandpa Jim is still in the hospital. They are doing tests and think he might have valley fever. We hope he has a quick recovery!
I got this story from the gal that taught R.S. Ive always loved it.

There is a story told about a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told him he had a work for him to do and showed him a large rock. Explaining that he was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did and for many days he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulder set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, satan decided to enter the picture, placing thoughts in the mans mind such as,"Why kill yourself over this, you're never going to move it." or, "Boy, you've been at it here for a long time and you haven't even scratched the surface", etc., giving the man the impression that his task was impossible and that he was an unworthy and unprofitable servant because he wasn't moving the massive stone.

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man and he started to ease up in his efforts. "Why kill myself" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, putting forth just the minimum and that will be good enough". And that he did, or at least planned on doing until he decided to take his troubles to the Lord.

"Lord" he said, "I have labored long and hard in thy service putting forth all my strength to do that which you have asked me, yet after all this time I haven't even budged that rock half a millimeter! What is wrong? Why am I failing?

To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend...when long ago I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you to push against the rock with all your strength, and that you have done. But never once did I mention unto you that I expected you to move it! At least not all by yourself. Your task was to push. And now you have come to me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed and ready to quit. But is that really so? Look at yourself, your arms are strong and muscled, your back sunned and brown, your hands are calloused from constant pressure and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your ability now far surpasses that which you used to have, yet you still haven't succeeded in moving the rock, and you come to me with a heavy heart and your strength spent., I, my friend, will move the rock. Your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom, and this you have done."

Be sure and head down to the bottom of this page and visit my playlist. Malorie is working on this for me and I'm loving listening to some of my favorite songs and artists.
Mom had a better day yesterday, the evening before was a little rough- and hopefully today will be even better!!! She is still pretty weak so keep up those prayers. A few days ago Mason called Grandma. "Do you feel better, Grandma Curtis? Did you hear my prayers for you high in the sky?" " Yes, I did." " Oh!" And then he ran off to tell Ian all about it!

Good News!!
Grandma is doing well. She is still in ICU but they keep telling her she will be in a regular room soon. As soon as she feels hungry, she can eat and she has not had to have any pain medication, which is amazing. When I went to see her today, she was watching "Jeopardy" so that was a really good sign.She is going to make it up to Utah, I'm just sure of that, for the reunions.
The next great news is that my brother Craig is getting his first book published!! It is the western, and of course he already has another book completed. It is with Granite and so I will be selling his book at Deseret. I am so excited--- it's about time!

I regret to inform you that I need to give a warning! If you are one who likes to go in and read the posted comments, beware of "Valpal". She is related to me, but only by blood! She really can't help it, it is the Curtis genes running amuck in her veins!! She is a feisty one.When we would get into a fight as young girls, I would grab one hunk of her hair, and she would grab mine and we would pull as hard as we could! We really didn't fight that much because we loved each other so much....and we still do now that we are, um, mature women!! All kidding aside, I love you sister!

Thank you, Lauren,For taking and posting these pictures for me. Of course I don't know how to do it yet!! Now my kitchen is almost complete. When Darrell hears me say that, he just cringes!

Just a few more for good measure.

This post is for Ashleigh because she helped me get these for Mothers Day, for Valorie because she appreciates beauty, and for Big Papa who put in a request.

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother"

" The noblest calling in the world is that of a Mother. Motherhood is the most beautiful of all the arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece or who can write a book that will influence millions deserves the plaudits and admiration of mankind; but she who bears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will be exerting an influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give." David O. McKay

" My Mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it." Mark Twain

"Always be nice to your children because they will choose your rest home." Phyllis Diller

" A little boy forgot his lines in a Sunday school program. His Mother was in the front row to prompt him. She gestured and formed the words silently with her lips, but it did not help. Her son's memory was blank. Finally, she leaned forward and whispered the clue, "I am the Light of the world". The child beamed and with great feeling and a loud clear voice said, " My Mother is the light of the world."

" My husband and I are either going to buy a dog or have a child. We cant decide whether to ruin our carpets or ruin our lives." Rita Rudner

For two solid hours, the lady sitting next to a man on an airplane had told him about her grandchildren. She had even produced a plastic foldout album of all nine children. She finally realized that she had dominated the entire conversation on her grandchildren. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I know you certainly have something to say. Please,tell me.... what do you think of my grandchildren?"

I absolutely love being a daughter,sister,wife,mother and grandmother. These are the roles I have chosen in the theater of life, and although I don't deserve an academy award,the performance for me, has been unforgettable!! Have a wonderful Mothers day, all you wonderful Mothers!

"What would men be without women? Scarce, sir, scarce." Mark Twain

April has been a wonderful month, with Ashleigh and the boys here and Easter. I had a conversation with my three year old grandson Breghten and he was telling me all the things the Easter bunny had brought to him. I told him that the Easter bunny was a lot of fun and asked him if he knew why we celebrated Easter. He told me that Jesus sacrificed and had nails in His hands. And then he said very emphatically that Jesus conquered death and He was resurrected. " I have been told of a very small and very devout boy who was heard murmuring to himself on Easter morning a poem of his own composition which began " Chocolate eggs and Jesus risen". This seems to me, for his age, both admirable poetry and admirable piety. But of course the time will soon come when such a child can no longer effortlessly and spontaneously enjoy that unity. He will become able to distinguish the spiritual from the ritual and festal aspect of Easter; chocolate eggs will no longer be sacramental. And once he has distinguished he must put one or the other first. If he puts the spiritual first he can still taste something of Easter in the chocolate eggs; if he puts the eggs first they will soon be no more than any other sweetmeat. They have taken on an independent, and therefore a soon withering, life. C.S. Lewis

FUN with Ashleigh and the boys!!

These are a potpourri of pictures Ashleigh has taken. Grandpa Duke and Ian, Great Grandpa Curtis and Mason and Ian ( with the doggy backpacks I made for all the grandsons) Ian and Grandma sewing the backpacks, Masons birthday cake, and yes the candles are sparklers. I realized I did not have any candles so I grabbed the sparklers and although Mason wasn't totally sure about it all, he still tried to blow them out! We went to the studio for pictures for Malories graduation and Ashleigh took some great pics of all of us!

pictures

I'm really anxious to post some pictures. Ashleigh is going to show me how tomorrow because Sharon ( alias Mrs. photography!) emailed Ash some pics from the barbeque. Anyway, my son-in-law Ryan is always telling corny jokes like.....What did one snowman say to the other snowman? ...........What smells like carrots?! I really didnt think this was funny at first, but the more I thought about it, the funnier it got!

Aprils Barbeque

These are pictures from Aprils barbeque/Moms Birthday of my siblings and kids.