Daily Gem

I received this in my email today and felt the urge to "pass it on"

Heartfelt Invitation
"To those who are wounded in spirit or who are struggling and fearful, we say, Let us lift you and cheer you and calm your fears."
-Pres. Thomas S. Monson May 2008

To those looking for comfort may you find it... for the rest of us, may we provide it.

Celebration in Heaven

Last week I took my two boys and two of their friends to do baptisms for the dead at the Jordan River Temple. It was a fairly quiet morning at the the temple so I decided to let them do it and I ran upstairs and did some iniatories. I had five names that I was able to do the work for. I am trying to make my temple experience more meaningful so I thought a lot about the words of the ordinances (AMAZING BLESSINGS!) and about these five women.

Four out of Five of them were all christened within just a few months of each other in a town in England in the mid 1840's. I thought there was probably a pretty good chance that these women knew each other, grew up together, and maybe were even friends. I had a picture in my mind (probably based on the Little House on the Prairie) of these four girls with their book bags and braids as they walked to school together, maybe giggling and laughing on their way.

Then I pictured those same four girls, as women, on the other side of the veil, laughing, crying, hugging and rejoicing as their work was done here on earth. Can we even begin to comprehend the celebration that occurs? I'm thankful for the reminder of how lucky I am that I get to participate in these blessings now, that I have the knowledge now, that will help me to make it through this earthly life.

And I loved the thought that we will still gather as women to rejoice and celebrate on the other side!!

Salt Lake City Library

I took the kids to the Sale Lake City Library on Tuesday. I had never actually been there and I wanted to explore and get some pics. These were my favorites!! Spencer was skipping down the stairs, just as carefree as a 10 year old should be!! Along the way, when he got ahead of us, he'd stop to take a break with his book. He's reading Harry Potter 6 - though I told him that we were not waiting until he is done before we see the movie! Jarom's comment summed it up "I wish I could ride my bike here to read!"

Before and After

Kayleen November 2008

My Kids

I love this picture of my kids!!! We took this last fall and I played with it this morning, darkening the edges and adding some subtle color -at least I hope it's subtle!

Swimming Lessons

I took the camera to the pool during swim lessons today. I always seem to miss the great belly flops that Kayleen does but I at least got some funny faces!

Today's lesson was about adding text, so I didn't really learn anything new... but played around with a couple of pictures anyway... Now I need to take the kids and go somewhere so that I can take new pictures and get some new inspiration!!In the original of this picture you couldn't see the leaves that he threw up in the air. So I tried brushing in some leaves - they look a little fake, but you at least can tell what he is doing!!

Temple Pics "Through The ViewFinder"

Today's technique was designed to imitate a picture taken through an old fashioned View Finder.

Jarom's comment was "So you added all these dark spots to the pictures?"

Playing with textures...

Starting to grasp layering a little! Here's my pictures from today!

Kayleen and Tim

Spencer on the Train at Ogden Union Station Fireworks with some added sparkle! Utah Mountains

More Random Pictures

Playing with more pictures!

Kayleen at the parade on the 4th of July

Robby at the Temple Quarry.

Random Picture

I've been wanting to learn more about photoshop elements and how to use all its features so I signed up for a free online course that just touches on a few things you can do (thus the "free" status - to find out about all of the other things I would have to pay...). So today I learned about brushes and this was my finished assignment with the added accent to this funky picture of my daughter! Kids can always find a reason to celebrate!

Happy 4th of July!

Isn't it amazing that we live in a country where we have freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the freedom to make choices as we see fit. Thanks to the many men and women that have helped to keep it that way and our forefathers who had the inspiration and the faith to provide the foundation for this great country that we live in!

God Bless America!

Good Morning!

Homegrown Raspberries!

Thanks to Beth, who let me have some raspberry starters last year - this year we are enjoying the benefits. Picked enough this morning to have with our cereal. That is the life - staying in bed an extra hour, then wandering outside, picking a bowl of raspberries, eating a leisurely breakfast. Can I do this every morning???

17 years

Don't we look young??? 17 years ago Tim and I were married in the Oakland Temple. It's amazing to me that it has been that many years. The other evening I was reading in my journal from the time when we were dating and engaged and it brought tears to my eyes. At the time our love was so simple. Nothing else mattered except that we loved each other and wanted to be together. I remember many people when we were young newlyweds commenting on how happy we were and how well we went together. Life was so simple then. I remember when I thought I knew everything, including what love was. Now I know that I really knew nothing at all. There is a depth to love that comes gradually. It comes from enduring hard times and good times. It comes from seeing the realities of life and the realities of two different personalities coming together. It comes from choosing to work through the hard times. From choosing to be together. When times are hard there are two directions you can go... "This is too hard," or "this is worth it." Facing the reality of the words "This is too hard" is actually a terrifying thing, like coming too close to the edge of a cliff.. If you have ever seen the edge of the cliff you know what I mean. How grateful I am for the perspective of eternal marriage. This is worth it. Everytime I hear him laugh, or get to hold his hand, or simply see him smile, I know it. Thank you Tim, for 17 years, and for the opportunity of an eternity more. I love you.