SPRING!

Well, I love this time of the year. Spring is my favorite time because it is like the earth is renewing itself. Blossoms are popping up everywhere, the brown grass is turning green, the white mountain tops are fading, and it is like a new earth. Birds are singing and waking us up earlier, but that is ok. It helps us to enjoy more of the day. But for today, it is a day of sorrow and joy. We all lost a special person in our lives. Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, and friend. David Glenn Hawkins was taken home for a happy reunion with his sweetheart, his eternal companion, Virginia Lee Brenay Hawkins. Along with Mom, he is enjoying a reunion with parents and siblings. What a joyous time for him. Isn't it wonderful that we have the knowledge that through Jesus Christ's sacrifice we all can have a happy reunion with our family and Father in Heaven. Hopefully this will touch all who read it and help increase testimonies that families are eternal. I am so grateful for wonderful parents who helped me gain this testimony and who can now be together again. Have a joyous reunion Dad. I love you

Christmas time

I love Christmas time. I love to see the bright decorations all around the town. I love seeing houses lit up. I love buying gifts for people. All these make a wonderful Christmastime, but my most favorite thing about Christmas, is remebering the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love looking at the stars at night and imagining how it felt when the Shepherds saw that beautiful star in the sky that led them to see the baby, Jesus. He brought such a wonderful thing for all of us. His life was one we all can follow, and His death made it possible. Remeber to take time during this season to thank Heavenly Father for making this possible. Give your family more than just gifts, give them your love. I hope that we will all have a great Christmas and enjoy time with your loved ones. All are precious and we can't take that for granted.

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving time. I love the beginning of Holidays. I am always reminded to be thankful for all that Heavenly Father has given me. I am grateful for wonderful parents who taught me gratitude for everything. I am thankful for the example that they set for me. For helping me gain the testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that He died for me, that I can return to see my Father in Heaven again. That I will be reunited with my wonderful mother. I am grateful the I have such a wonderful husband, who loves me, no matter what. I am grateful for wonderful daughters, daughters-in law, sons and son-in law. I am grateful for 10 wonderful grandchildren, who make my life crazy, hectic, but oh so much fun!!!! I am grateful for my parents-in-law. They are a great example to me. I have been so blessed this year. I am grateful for all the friends that surround me with love and joy. I am grateful I have a job. I am grateful that I have good neighbors. I am even thankful for all the trials that our family goes through. Because of these trials, we have become a closer family. Thank you all for all you do for me and my family. I hope that all who read this will remember to be grateful for their blessings. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Freedom

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the
Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all" . What more can we say at this time of the year. I am so grateful for the freedom we all enjoy. And for the right to worship how, when, where or what we may. We all need to remember the right we have and be thankful for the blessings we all have. I am thankful for all who have helped make my life a freedom I enjoy. I thank all the men and women in the armed forces who fight each day for that freedom. And I pray and thank each day to a Father in Heaven who provides that religious right I enjoy.

vacation

Well we just got home from a wonderful time in Hawaii. We left on the 21st of May and flew to Kauai. We really enjoyed the island. Everything was so green and alive with color. The beaches were great, fortunately not too hot, so we enjoyed being outside all day. We went to the Ferngrotto, drove up to the Grand Canyon, played in the water and just relaxed. Then off to Oahu on the 25th. What a different lifestyle there. A lot busier and not as much relaxation there. Lots of things to see, and we tried to see everything. I will try to post some of the pictures I took. Best of all it was just the two of us.

Love is in the air

Well it is official! I am truly in love with my husband. Now don't get me wrong, I have always been in love with him, and no he did not do anything special. I just want everyone to know how grateful I am to have such a wonderful husband. We celebrated 33 years of getting engaged on Saturday and I would do it all over again. Thank you Erik for the wonderful years we have spent together. I look forward to many more years of joy and happiness. Happy Valentines Erik, I love you.

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I am so excited for Christmas. I enjoy having my family together during the holidays. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Grandpa Hawkins spent the week with us and it was great visiting with him. For Christmas, most of the kids will be here for our Christmas Eve party. We have always enjoyed a nice dinner and then games after. It is fun to see the excitement on the little faces of my Grandchildren as we talk about Christmas. I hope they remember the real reason we celebrate during this time of the year. It is of course always fun to exchange gifts with each other, but the most important reason we celebrate Christmas is our elder brother Jesus Christ who came to this earth to help each and everyone of us return to our Father in Heaven. We will miss our wonderful Mother and Grandmother this year, but it is the knowledge of the atonement that helps us know we will be with her again. I hope all have a wonderful time during this season and remember that Christ is the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas.

Halloween

Just wanted to show off 8 of my 9 grandchildren. They were all dressed and ready to go out trick or treating.

New job and new phone

I thought I better update this blog. So we returned last week from a wonderful family reunion in Park City. Thanks to my dad, we had a wonderful place to stay and had a great time. We relaxed, went swimming, ate and then went swimming and relaxed all while we got re-aquainted with cousins and brothers and sisters. It was a great time and the weather couldn't have been better. Thanks to all who came and made it such a good event. Well, the next new thing in our life is Erik's new job. He will be working for another contracting company for the military, but this time he will be working with one of his loves, the ICBM missiles. He worked with the missile systems while active duty with the Air Force, and was so excited when asked to come and work with it again. He is currently in Virginia at a training course for the week, and then will start the following week back at the base. That brings up the new phone. He had a phone from his old job, but he had to leave that one in his old office. Therefore a new phone was in order. TMobile has a BOGO free on SMART phones. So yes I got the free one and it is a SMART phone. So much for me, Oh I will conquer it!!!!! It is very hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but I am determined to learn how to use it. So the next blog might contain pictures of me using it. Stay tuned.

New addition to our home

We have been so happy to finally finishing our kitchen downstairs. The contractors did a great job. We are enjoying the extra space and it will be especially great to have during the holidays for cooking! This summer doesn't have too many things going on. We have a family reunion in Park City and a wedding in St George, but other than that we will just enjoy relaxing at home. I hope everyone has a great summer. I will post pictures as event happen.

Life goes on

Well, by now all of you know that nearly three months ago, I lost my Mom. It is harder than I thought it would be. I know that she is out of pain, and doing a lot of work on the other side of the veil, but I really miss her. Especially with Mother's Day coming up. Dad is trying to be strong, and everyday he is doing better. But we all know that we have to continue in our life and day by day things will be ok. For an upbeat note, Thursday the 29th of April, we added an addition to our family. Katie and Adam are proud parents of another son, Griffin Alexander entered this world after saying goodbye to Grandma Hawkins, weighing in at 5lbs14oz and 19 1/2 in. Lots of dark hair and doing great. We are so excited to get to know him. Also Keli announced another addition to her family will be coming the end of Oct. Yeah for our family, it is growing!!!. May 18th we will be celebrating our 32nd anniversary. We will be celebrating in Washington and Victoria. No it is not another cruise, boohoo, but it will be alot of fun. I am married to a great guy. I love him so much, Happy Anniversary Erik. The years have just flown by so quickly. I look forward to another 32 with you.

Update on our lives

Well not a lot of things have happened this past month. The most important has been the passing of my Mother. It has been exactly 1 month, and I really do miss her, but I know that she is much better off now that she is out of pain. We are just trying to live each day to be a little better than the day before so we can see her again someday. Stephen finally got a job and is doing well. Baby Kohen is growing so fast, I can't believe he is two months old now. Katie is doing well with her pregnancy, and is looking so cute. But that is a Mom talking. Erik and I are planning a vacation to Seattle in a few months and we are really looking forward to some time away together. It will be a lot of fun to have some time just the two of us.

Happy new year!

Well now that all the holidays are over(so sad), it is time to get back to the routine again. Decorations are all put away and the house looks a little empty. I guess it must be time to decorate, or get something new in the house. Oh, ya, we are getting something new in the house. Roxana and Stephen are having their baby boy on Thursday. I guess that is about the best thing new you could put in the house. We are all excited for little Kohen's arrival. And then in May we will welcome another new baby boy, Griffin Powell. It is so great being a Grandmother. I think that there really isn't anything better that having grandchildren.

I love the Christmas season

Well, for all you bah humbug people, check your attitude. Tis the season to be jolly!!!! I love Christmas. It is a time of remembrance, a time of creating memories, and a time for enjoying all the blessings you have been giving. As the year comes to a close, I just want everyone to know how much they are loved. We are truly blessed with a wonderful family and friends. We are blessed with the knowledge of the gospel, and the testimonies we have. I would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and hope you can enjoy all you have been given. Remember that Christ is the reason we have Christmas, and give thanks for all He has done for you.

Our family keeps on growing

Well, now that the wedding is over, and the newlyweds are settled into their own home, my life is a little less crazy. At least that is what I would like to think. Now we have news that there is another addition coming to the family. Besides Stephen and Roxana's little one coming in January, Katie and Adam announced they will be adding another baby in May. Yeah!!!! Isn't it great that our family is growing. I am so excited when the news of more grandchildren are on their way. Sorry that Katie is so sick. This too shall pass. Well, that is our updates and as of now, no wedding pictures yet to post.

Not quite empty nesters

Well, the wedding went over without any catastrophes. I can't believe that we had everything running so smoothly. All the other weddings had last minute glitches, but not this one thank goodness. We are so proud of Brett and Breann for choosing to go to the temple. The Jordan River was very pretty and the day turned out to be beautiful. We were a little concerned about the weather, but you could not have asked for better weather. The luncheon was held at the Gathering Place at the Gardner village, and then off to the reception at the stake center. Lots of pictures were taken, and hopefully I will get some of them to post. Thanks to all who came and helped make this a wonderful event in our lives. Congrats to Brett and Breann!!!

FYI

Well, we are constantly changing things in our life. The latest is the upcoming wedding. Yes, our baby is getting married. Way to make me feel old. Brett and Breann will be married on August 7th in the Jordan River Temple. We are all excited for them. Plans are being made and of course there is always differences in who likes what, but I keep reminding everyone that the only thing that matters is the the couple is happy. Hopefully we can make that happen. As far as Erik and me, we are just getting by each day.

DISNEYLAND: THE HAPPIEST PLACE

We all had a great time in Disneyland. The weather was great, the rides were wonderful and of course, the company was the best. Our time spent in California was fun and surprisingly there were no mishaps or disasters. I am sure a good time was had by all. I enjoyed being the Grandma and watching the kids have fun. I have pictures to show, but I have to figure how to put them on display. So more to come!

DISNEYLAND: THE HAPPIEST PLACE

It's SPRING!!!!!

Well, the calendar says it is Spring, but it sure doesn't feel like it with all the cold weather and snow. It is actually snowing right. I am so tired of snow, but I guess the water will be great for the flowers and grass, soon to grow. We are excited about this month. We are going to take a trip with Keli, Brant and their children, Brett and Breann(his girlfriend) to DISNEYLAND!!!! Yeah for two reasons. First I need a vacation so bad, second, who could not be excited to go to Disneyland!!!. I will put pictures on the blog when we get back.