Challenges

There is a line in a song I recently heard that says, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans." Since I plan ahead for almost everything, I'm pretty sure my life has kept the good Lord in stitches.

Our most recent challenge made me pause and take a step back. My typical reaction is to get upset, cry, scream, and "plan" what should come next. This time, however, after much prayer and thought, it came to me to just let it go. I know this feeling of peace is directly from Heavenly Father. Whatever happens, happens and this challenge will not change what is important to me - my purpose in this life and where I am headed after this life.

So as David likes to say, "Bring it on Buttercup!"

Ethan's Special Day

My grandson Ethan will be turning 5 in September. This is important because that means he now attends kindergarten. But before school began, Ethan took Grandma for a little shopping. He wanted to be sure he was properly prepared for his first day. So off we went to the mall...

First, we needed fortification. A cheeseburger Happy Meal seemed to do the trick. Only problem was there was a TV with a cartoon on behind me so Ethan was a little distracted.

Isn't this the cutest face?

Next, we went to Build-a-Bear. Grandma forgot to get the camera out because she was so distracted by all the cute things. Ethan "built" a Wolf. He was fascinated when the lady told him to rub his wolf's "heart" on his muscles (so he would be strong), then on his own heart (so he would have love), then on his tummy, forehead, and nose (just because).

Our next stop was the shoe store. Everyone needs new shoes for the first day of school! Ethan decided on the Star Wars shoes, Iron Man socks, and an Iron Man backpack. Then off to Sears for some jeans and a Spiderman T-shirt. He had quite a conversation with the cashier about school and when we left, Ethan turned to me and said, "Grandma, she was a silly lady, wasn't she?" I couldn't help but laugh!

Then as we were leaving, we decided we needed a picture together and this is the "background" he chose. Isn't it just ducky?

After leaving the mall, we headed to Target for school supplies. I am fully aware that they don't need too much when beginning Kindergarten but it was such fun and he was so excited I couldn't help myself. We got some paper, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, a folder, some glue sticks, and some "safe" scissors. I explained to him that the glue and the scissors would have to be put up and used only when Mom or Dad say it's okay.

We ended our day at Berrystar Frozen Yogurt (one of Grandma's favorite places). Ethan's concoction was quite impressive - chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry frozen yogurt, with just a dollop of pistachio (because that's what Grandma had and he was SURE he loved it). Then some strawberries, one orange, some m&m's, rainbow sprinkles, and to top it off - graham cracker crumbs! Personally, I LOVE graham cracker crumbs on my frozen yogurt. The kids laugh at me because they think I have a little frozen yogurt with a lot of "dirt".

"Look Aunt Holly - a FIESTA!"

All in all, it was a super fun day. We took our packages home and Ethan told me "Thank you for your kindness Grandma." At every store, without fail, as Ethan took his package, he would tell the cashier, "Thank you." I was so proud of him - such a polite little fellow!

Thanks for taking me shopping! XOXOXOXOXOXO

My Dad

Carvel B. Stephenson Jr
March 24, 1934 - February 24, 1993

For some reason, I am feeling particularly tender today about my dad, who returned home to our Heavenly Father more than 17 years ago. He was a great daddy. He did so much for us. Many, many evenings were spent at baseball parks and in basketball gymnasiums, coaching my brothers and playing. When I was older, we played tennis every Tuesday night. He loved sports of all kinds. I remember him playing softball in the "Over The Hill League" in his 50s. His team name was The Pacemakers.

Yes, he loved sports, but he truly loved his family above all (even golf :o]). He was taken from us much too soon at age 58. Jesi had a very special relationship with "Papa", as seen in the next picture.

Oh, how I miss him and wish I could talk to him. So on this Father's Day 2010, I will remember him with love, especially when I hear the primary songs in church today about Fathers.

I love you and miss you!

The Colors of Spring

I must admit that Fall is my favorite season - the weather is getting cooler, the holidays are coming, baseball is winding down and football is beginning. But during a recent trip, we passed a hillside with some of the most amazing colors I have seen, all together in one place - purple, yellow, orange, green - it was beautiful (the picture does not do it justice). For some reason, for the rest of our trip, this made me take notice of all the wonderful colors Heavenly Father has blessed us with, especially during Springtime. I have no photography skills but decided to take pictures of things I saw that made me pause and thank Him.












What a wonderful world we live in, if only we'd stop and take the time to notice it.

Can it really be April already?

Where does the time go? They say that as you get older, time seems to move faster - I must be 80 because time sure flies!

The year began with an eventful time celebrating Heather's birthday. Later in the month, we had Jesi's bridal shower with lots of fun and games.
For Christmas, Nathan gave David and me, along with my two brothers, Cary and Brian, tickets to a Laker game so off we went in early February.

Next, we celebrated Evey's and Tai's birthdays. Tai is 3 and Evey is 1.

Isn't that the greatest smile!!

Evey is sharing her cake with Uncle Nay-Nay - isn't she sweet?

On February 13th, Jesi and Shane took out their endowments in the Los Angeles Temple. It was a very special day. The feeling I had seeing my children in the Celestial room was amazing and brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.

Then on February 20th, Jesi and Shane got married in the Redlands Temple. Another amazing day!

There is a very funny story behind this picture - you should ask Holly about it sometime! :o)

The girls...

The boys...

The month of March took us to Las Vegas - twice. The first time for a baptism, the second for a funeral. At the end of March, we went to the Hollywood Bowl with our good friends, Ron and Lori McFate, to see Paul McCartney perform. He sure puts on a great show!

David, Jill, Ron, Lori

Then on March 31st, David and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. He had the day planned and we had a great time. First, I received a dozen red roses at work. Next, we had lunch at Barone's (my favorite Italian place), then went shopping for several hours (poor David!), then for some ice cream, and then to the Marriott for a night all alone!

It has been quite a busy 3 months. We are so blessed with a wonderful family and great friends!

The Happy 101 Award

I received the "Happy 101 Award" from Holly and being the happy, play-along kind of girl that I am, here are 10 things that make me happy (not necessarily in this order):

1. My family
2. Rain
3. Primary songs
4. The color red
5. A good book
6. Listening to my children and grandchildren laugh and tell funny stories
7. Clocks
8. Being in the Temple with my children
9. White cake with cherry frosting
10. David

The list could go on and on because there are so many things that make me happy but I'll stop there. And now I'll ask - what makes YOU happy?

And so the year begins

To begin the new year, we celebrated Heather's birthday by going to Mulligan's Family Funland where you can play miniature golf, drive go-karts, rock climb, play laser tag, hit in the batting cages, and play in the arcade. It was a super day, filled with family, games, laughter and fun! We couldn't think of a more appropriate place to introduce "Heather version 3.0". Frankly, this version is not much different than version 2.9...









And finally, after a full day of fun and games...

Oh wait a minute...


And now it's time to go home. You know, version 3.0's and above need their rest...

The Year That Was 2009

Wow, what a year! 2009 began with a newly engaged Jesica, followed on January 29th with the arrival of our third grandchild, Evey Kiyoko Morris, which was quickly followed on January 31st by the marriage of Heather and Cody. Thankfully, February and March were pretty calm.


Then came April. David and I began our "baseball journey". Because we enjoy baseball, we decided one of our long term goals is to attend a baseball game in every major league stadium across the U.S. So in April, we traveled to San Diego to watch the Dodgers play the Padres, followed the next day by a game in Anaheim to watch the Angels beat the Boston Red Sox. May was a relatively quiet month. Then in June, David's extended family gathered for a week at a beach house in Ventura. At one point, there were 67 of us in attendance. David and I also went to Solvang for a day. And we attended another baseball game, this time at Dodger stadium - 3 stadiums down, 27 more to go!


In July, Jesi attended her first business meeting. The only problem - it was in Minnesota and she hates to fly. But she made it and learned a lot. In August, David and I went to Las Vegas with my two brothers so they could participate in a "fantasy football draft" with his good friend Dave Reed and several others. He has been participating in this league for 15 years (or more) and has a great time following his "team" and talking smack with the boys. In September, we added some minor league baseball games to our repertoire - we went to Adelanto to watch the High Desert Mavericks then to Lake Elsinore to watch the Lake Elsinore Storm.


Mid-October saw my oldest brother turn 50 and yet another Dodger game. November was a great month. David and I went to Hawaii for 10 days and had a wonderful time. The kids have teased us mercilessly because we did not go in the water. We had something planned almost every day and saw so many things that we just didn't take the time to get in the water (something I can do here in California). And finally, December. We attended a Christmas party for the Stake High Council, then another for the Palmdale 5th Ward Council. My mother's birthday was celebrated at her favorite restaurant, The Smokehouse. A few days later, the Morris family cookie party, then family night at the mall. Christmas Eve was spent with our good friends Ron and Lori McFate having dinner and tying a quilt. And of course, Christmas day, celebrating the birth of the Savior.


I often think I lead a very boring life. But when I look back at the last year and think of the things to come in 2010, it looks pretty busy.

So as my post began, so shall it end - Wow, what a year!