This sweet little boy had his seventh birthday today. Maeve would have been 7 on August 22, Logan was 7 on November 11, and now Cayden has his turn. Seven years of wonderful grandma experiences. All the years since they were born have been filled with love and devotion to all my sweet grandchildren. Cayden is such a sweet boy, and as I get to observe and spend time with him in our home, I realize he is such a special spirit. Heavenly Father knew Andrea could not let him be adopted, and so sent a lovely, gentle, sweet boy to our family. He has been a blessing from day one. There were many difficult days in his life, but I hope we have helped him to realize what a great person he is and that his Father in Heaven is happy with him. I know one thing about this cute, charming boy and that is he brings me JOY!

Shared a lovely Thanksgiving week with our family in Utah. We spent sweet time with Keith & Zelda, fun time with grandkids, motored with Cayden & Brook back and forth from home, and loved seeing and being with a lot of those we love. The only thing better would have been having them at MY home! It is different spending vacations away from your home. But the joy of family resonates through me wherever I am. So grateful for the quality time spent with special ones. Truly joyful!

Lexi reading the Book of Mormon - Complete Joy!

Little Lexi, one of my 3 year old granddaughters reads the scriptures with her family every morning. Brandy, her mom has wondered if anything is getting through. But the last four nights Lexi falls asleep with the Book of Mormon in her BED! She is adorable and lovely and pure JOY!

Today I wore myself out completely redoing my front flower bed. I took most everything out (and it was alot of stuff growing in there!) and planted bulbs. I started about 11 am and finished at 3:30. I may not be walking tomorrow! I love working in the yard actually, my master gardener hands can't wait to make changes and plant stuff! But my older, achy body does not like to accommodate. But I am determined this winter I am redoing my yard so that I feel like it is a yard a master gardener would have! hahahaha There is that pride factor coming in. Oh well....it brings me JOY!

Grandkids bring......JOY!

Today is Logan's birthday and he has turned 7 years old. Those years have flown past, but as I look back there are many events that fill those years; many happy and some sad. The saddest days of my life are encompassed within those years and some of the happiest days also beckon thru memories. I love each of my 7 grandchildren and the memories we share are bountiful and beautiful. I thank my children for bringing these lovely spirits to be united in our family. We are eternal and that brings great JOY!

Time to set up for.....Christmas!

I always like Christmas up for longer than 4 weeks. I decorate my whole house and I am not ready to put it away after 4 weeks so I decided some years back that I wanted to enjoy it longer. Hence, post Halloween decorating! It has been one of our traditions to collect unique Christmas items and 35 years of collecting has produced, um plenty of Christmas decor! My kids say that they will be able to split up our stuff when we are gone and still have too much! Well, personal preferences! Brad is actually becoming more Christmasy than I am. I love how I can focus on the meaning of Christmas with my collection of nativities and it reminds me how blessed I am. Christmas brings Joy any time of the year!

A finished project = Joy :) But now what???

I finished the quilt I have been working on today. I still have shams to create and build but the big part is DONE! So happy with how it turned out. It will be quilted and ready before Christmas. It is one of Brad's Christmas gifts (even if he has seen it!). Not sure he'll appreciate it even if he did ask for one! LOL. So a finished book, published and complete, and a finished quilt all but done. Now what will I do??? Another book might be a good idea. I think I'll wait until after the first of the year for that! R & R? Maybe. :)