24 Years Ago

Twenty-four years ago, Nathan asked me to come over to his house after my night classes.

I was exhausted and didn't want to go over. I may have given him a lot of grief about coming over.

I'm glad I decided to go.

 

Introducing: Diane Lynn Harwood

 Born on January 13, 2024, my granddaughter!

Winter Art - A Family Night Activity

Last night, we gathered around the table as a family and did Christmas/Winter art. 

Wendy's watercolor trees

Isaac's watercolor snowman

Clara's acrylic paint ornaments

Nathan's pencil drawing shepherds

Nahan's pencil drawing Christmas trees

Amelia's acrylic paint snow scene

Amelia's acrylic paint snowman

 

Orem Utah Temple Open House

 

Sometimes I Surprise Myself

I went to pick up the kids from school and threw my sunglasses on my face as I buckled my seatbelt. 

Wondered why I got strange looks from the men working on the road near my house.

Wondered why the policeman directing traffic at the 4-way stop gave me a funny look.

Wondered why so many of the junior high kids were looking at me as they walked past my car.

Wonderd why my own daughter was looking at me strangely as she got to the car.

Then I looked in the mirror.

 

I Had A Birthday!

We had cheesecake and ice cream, and I dressed Doug up as a ghost because I'm his mom, and I can.

 

Random Quotes I've Liked Recently

 Found in the Emotional Resilience Self-Reliance book:

"No pain that we suffer, no trial we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable... and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire." - Elder Orson F. Whitney.

On the BYU Speeches Instagram story.

"When we are able to make space for uncertainty in our lives and for the possibility of things that lie beyond our comprehension, we can come closer to our God, who knows us intimately, even if our human state prevents us from fully knowing God." - Amy Tanner

On @mrdavebutler Instagram story about "who won Sunday":

"Follow Him so closely that you run into Him all the time." - unknown

@johnbytheway Instagram story:

"God already knows what we're made of, but perhaps he wants us to learn what we're made of." - John Bytheway

A quote from President Russell M. Nelson's April 2023 General Conference talk, Peacemakers Needed.

"My dear brother and sisters, how we treat each other really matters! How we speak to and about others at home, at church, at work, and online really matters. Today, I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way. Please listen carefully. "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" that we can say about another person -- whether to his face or behind her back -- that should be our standard of communication." -- Russell M Nelson

On @mrdavebutler Instagram story about "who won Sunday":

"Jesus died so you wouldn't have to feel like this forever." - unknown Sunday School Teacher

On @mrdavebutler Instagram story about "who won Sunday":

"I need Jesus because I'm a repeat offender." - unknown young woman

Another one bites the dust

Another tree in my yard has succumbed to the wind.

And it wasn't even that windy.

But, my wildflowers look amazing!

And there are so many happy little honey bees all over them!

 

More Wildflowers are Blooming

 More of my wildflowers are blooming! And I noticed my first bee on the flowers.

Blooming Wildflowers

 I have a scrap of my yard that can be quite frustrating. It's long been an eyesore in my yard. At one time, a giant weeping willow grew on this spot, but many years ago, it was blown over in the wind. We attempted to plant another tree in its stead a few years later, but it died mysteriously with the help of some preteen boys.

Since then, this spot of ground has yet to be high on my priority list. I would spend much time weeding it at the beginning of each season, but eventually, it would be overrun with weeds. I spent my usual time weeding this year, but then I had an idea!

Enter a few packets of wildflower seeds! This week my wildflowers started to bloom!

And while technically not a wildflower, my DayLillies are blooming too.

Mt Timpanogos Temple - Baptisms

We spent a part of our afternoon in the Mt Timpanogos Temple to do baptisms for the dead.

Sourdough Stuff

 I've been having some fun with my sourdough starter lately. Like many people, I started experimenting with sourdough during the lockdown in 2020. I got a crash course back then about sourdough from Mardi at Kneaders.

My poor starter has been in my fridge for literally 6-9 months. But, the beautiful thing is, I pulled it out, fed it, and loved it for a few days, and it was perfect to start baking again.

First up, I made homemade hamburger buns and was seriously so pleased with how easy it was and how amazing they turned out. Aren't they just so beautiful!

Click here for the recipe that I used: Baking-Sense Sourdough Hamburger Buns.

Then I tried my hand at some sourdough English Muffins. Seriously, so much better than store-bought.

Click here for the recipe that I used: Baking-Sense Sourdough English Muffins.

Clara is Done with Elementary School

 Our Clara finished Elementary school. It's the strangest thing when your baby hits these milestones.

Mother's Day Shenanigans

A couple of artistic moments were captured just after church services. We were waiting for Nathan to finish chatting with folks so we could head home.

Once home, we posed for more official photos.

I also got a social media shoutout from Elder Harwood. Jared and Kaylee also stopped by later in the day and gave me a beautiful granite necklace. I'm pretty spoiled.