Truly blessed...

At times in your life you have the wonderful serendipitous moments and you should sit up and take notice. Today I had one of those. I have always known how intelligent and wonderful my daughters are, but it hit me today that they have grown into tremendous women.

I'll brag for a while...

My oldest daughter, Shyla, graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree and immediately was hired. She worked for about 4 years then had an epiphany that she wanted to attend Law school. With the support of her terrific husband, she quit her job and undertook the arduous task of law school. She excelled!!! When she graduated, earlier this year, she was ranked #6 in a class of 170. Soon thereafter, she took the bar and passed on the first try. YEAH!! Now she is employed by a major oil company. Not only that, but she is a wonderful, giving Christian woman.

My youngest daughter, Alyson, graduated with a Bachelors degree in Biology/Pre-Med. After graduation, she taught school for a year. Due to her husband's master's program, they moved and she worked as a biologist in a lab. After she gave birth to the most wonderful, terrific, beautiful, intelligent, entertaining, photographed, granddaughter in the world, she has chosen to be a stay at home mom - the very best profession in the world!!! Her present job has her raising a child in the Lord, and serving in her congregation in a multitude of ways.

What more could a person ask for????? Two wonderful daughters, two exceptional sons-in-law, the best granddaughter in the world, the most supportive and loving husband anyone could ever want, health, great friends, a wonderful church family, etc.

I am truly and wonderfully blessed.

Youth Rally...

This past weekend we hosted the Fall statewide Youth Rally here in Billings. We had about 50-70 kids and chaperones attend. I didn't attend all of the lessons, but the ones I did attend were great!! I hope all of the kids who were here were Transformed (the theme). We used Romans 12:1-2 as our text.

The weather cooperated, which was wonderful because part of the Rally is devoted to service projects. We divide the kids up and they go to different agencies and volunteer their labor for a couple of hours. Hopefully it inspires them to volunteer in other areas of their lives.

In keeping with the theme of service, here's my quote for the day...

"Service is not what you do for others, it is what God does through you."

Yeah, you heard right, it's snowing.....

Yes, it is October 5th, and to you who live in normal climates, it would be Autumn. The time of colorful trees and shrubs, jackets, cider, football games, etc. However, for those of us who live in Montana, it is winter. We woke up this morning to snow. What a foul, four letter word (at least in October). I doubt that it will stick to the ground, but it is wet and heavy and will surely wreak havoc on the trees.

Don't get me wrong, I don't really mind snow. I did choose to live in Montana, so I know it is coming, but give me a break - OCTOBER???!!!??? I hope this isn't a portent that winter will be 7 months long!

I am sure that it will warm up again and the snow will go away, but I just had to grouse for today. Slushy snow is Yuck!!

Our weekend in Idaho....

This past weekend we went to Idaho to see Alyson, Jim & Lily. We had a great time. Alyson's birthday is next week so we wanted to be able to celebrate with her and her family. For her birthday, she and I had our toesies done.



We spent most of Friday just enjoying a day at home, playing with Lily. Here she is trying to sit on her balloon.



On Saturday we went to Spokane to walk around the Riverside Park and take Alyson to dinner for her birthday.

Here are Bruce and Lily looking at the ducks.



At Riverside Park, there was a carousel. I took Lily on it. At first they tried to have me put her on a horse that was two feet over my head. Didn't work well. We ended up sitting on the bench. She was a little petrified at first, but soon absolutely loved the ride. She got to wave at Mommy, Daddy & Geezer everytime we passed them.



Right by the carousel, there was this strange, trash-eating, mechanical goat. I thought Lily would be scared of it, but she loved feeding it the leaves.



Another thing Lily liked was riding on Geezer's shoulders.



The park also boasts the world's largest Radio Flyer Wagon. Actually, it is a slide. Lily loves slides, so Alyson took her down several time.



Lily LOVES her Daddy!!! I really like this picture of them together.



Lily loved to bring me books to read to her. She loves her Gramby, or GaGa, as she would say, and I love her.



And last, but not least, its bath time. She loves her bath!!! What a goofy kid!



We had a great time in Idaho. My only wish is that we could see them more often.

We're off to see the granddaughter....

Bruce and I are headed to see Lily this weekend. While we're there, we'll visit with Jim and Alyson as well.....

In all seriousness though, next week is Alyson's birthday. She will be 27, which is totally impossible since I am only 29 myself. We are excited to be able to spend a little time with them. Alyson and Jim have grown into wonderful adults and they are great friends, terrific parents, and strong Christians. We are so proud of both of them!!!




And now my quote of the day concerning family...

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
Jane Howard, "Families"

Ladies' Retreat 2009...

This past weekend was the annual Ladies' Retreat at Yellowstone Bible Camp. I wasn't sure I was going until the last minute, but am SO glad I went. Not only did the ladies from Livingston do a tremendous job, the speaker was wonderful.

Here's a picture of the fire pit and lodge at camp.




Latayne Scott, of New Mexico, spoke on the comfort we find in the resurrection. Latayne is a noted author and a wonderful speaker, but I also found her to be extremely personable and fun.

There were 10 ladies from our congregation who attended and 90 ladies in all. The weather was absolutely perfect. Not a cloud in the sky for two days!!! If you ever have an opportunity to spend time in retreat with christian women, DO IT!!! You will be blessed beyond measure.

Proud parents...

Bruce and I are now the proud parents of a 29-year-old, bouncing lawyer!!! Shyla found out yesterday that she passed the bar exam. Yeah for her!!! I had no doubt that she would pass, but I know she was nervous.

Here is a picture of her at her law school graduation in May.



Congratulations Shyla!!! We love you and are proud of you!!