Monday, July 25, 2011

Pioneer Day

"Though we have rightly applauded our ancestors for their spiritual achievement... those of us who prevail today will have done no small thing. The special spirits who have been reserved to live in this time of challenges and who overcome will one day be praised for their stamina by those who pulled handcarts."

~ Neal A. Maxwell (Notwithstanding My Weakness, p. 18)


"The courage of the pioneers was really just getting up everyday and doing what needed to be done that day. For most of the pioneers, most of the time, the trek westward consisted of getting up, building fires, cooking breakfast, feeding and watering the animals, breaking camp, walking 6 miles, stopping for lunch and resting the animals, feeding and watering them again, making any needed repairs, stopping at rivers to gather water, wash clothes, maybe walk another 5 miles and then setting up camp, building fires, cooking dinner, eating, praying, singing, maybe some dancing, and getting to bed to do it all over again tomorrow. They made little progress each day, but each step, each mile brought them closer to an amazing and timeless legacy. We may not see the far reaching effects of our day-to-day diligence, but it is being built nonetheless."

~ Virginia H. Pearce (1997 General Young Women Mtg.)

Monday, July 18, 2011

I Did Not Want Children

Wishing I could have heard these women speak live in Utah...

I Did Not Want Children

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Grab more tissues...

I've been finding some emotional blogs recently. I wept as I read and watched this one; I went to high school with Molly. Through tragedy, their faith is refined. I am inspired to be better. Check out their story here.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Our 14th Anniversary--blogging style

Yesterday we celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. JP's sweet sister Anne offered to feed & play with the chilluns while JP took me to dinner.

We went to Stockman's Steakhouse (my favorite restaurant...) and were seated in a booth. We sat close. We talked about the kids. And we talked about death. (What I would miss most if he died suddenly, and what he would miss most if I died. Morbid, I know.) We reflected on how good God has been to us. And we ate delicious prime rib, salads, rolls w/ honeybutter, loaded baked potatoes, and huckleberry cheesecake. Between vittles, I told him how sexy I think his hair is. And how country music turns me on. As a side note, I tell him I think Tim McGraw is hot. Rather than feeling threatened, he humors me by saying, "I'm going to get a tight white t-shirt on with a straw cowboy hat. That should do the trick. But I better work out first." (Yep. He's a keeper. A great sense of humor is a powerful aphrodisiac.)

I love my long-suffering, patient Joseph. After fourteen years, he is still the choice of my heart. I think eternity looks rather good on us.

Here's a blog I stumbled upon recently ~ this family is my brother's neighbor. Grab a tissue.

www.mackfamilyfund.com


And tell your Mister you love him one more time.

Loves,

Annalee

Thursday, July 7, 2011

New kid on the blog...

A friend of mine has a wonderful new blog-- check her out!



Another perk-- she named her daughter Annalee. Now ya don't hear that name everyday...