He is Risen

"He is risen! He is risen!
Tell it out with joyful voice.
He has burst his three days’ prison;
Let the whole wide earth rejoice.
Death is conquered; man is free.
Christ has won the victory."
Hymn 199 written by Cecil Frances Alexander and music by Joachim Neander

I woke up on Easter morning with this beautiful song humming through my thoughts and it was a such a joyful day, or week-end rather.  We had the double pleasure of being able to sit at the feet of our prophet and apostles and listen to their counsel and teachings and be filled with the Spirit as well as celebrate the atonement and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  HE LIVES!  And He loves us, of this I am certain and most grateful.

 

I always think, "Oh that was the best conference ever!" Then I realize it is because those are the very things I needed to hear in my life right now - and it makes me so greatful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows our individual needs, a living prophet and apostles who are so in tune with the spirit, and the Holy Ghost who can teach us and instill in our hearts what we need to understand and know.

I always enjoy this site at our door . . . our home is full of loved ones!  Brittany, Cory, Ashton and Hunter, Arianne, Charlie and James all came on Friday.  Then Damien, Danielle, Jacob, Sydni, Kourtni, Allyson and Will all joined us Sunday.  I love having family home!

Charlie, gathering his treats~ it was nice to see him nicely wait and let another child pick up eggs he was about to get as well . . .

On Friday evening, we went to the Elk Ridge Easter Egg Hunt - it lasted approximately three minutes (Ray says that is including the time we walked from the parking lot over to the park.)  It was perfect!   

Hunter picked up two and that was enough - he was a happy camper.

The children each found five or six eggs, pinwheels, pencils, popping frogs and other fun suprises. 

James was just enthralled with all the commotion in front of him, but got into the hunt presently.

Ashton and Hunter playing with their pinwheels.

Cory and Hunter -  watching conference

James turned three!

Hunter, Brittany,  Ashton and Charlie - they made ferris wheels, helicopters, tractors and more . . .  

Another Easter Egg Hunt

Our Easter Devotional - we learn the true meaning of all the beautiful symbols that surround us at Easter time and how all things bear witness of our Creator, Savior and Redeemer.

Tiffany's Birthday

In This Irish Home

May these walls be filed with laughter

May it reach from floor to rafter.

May the roof keep out the rain,

May sunshine warm each windowpane.

And may the door open wide

To let the Good Lord's love inside.

~ an old  Irish blessing

We were able to go down to St. George for a few days - and the highlight of the trip was getting to see Tiffany and Brett and spending the day with them, celebrating Tiffany's birthday.  She has always liked Corned Beef and Cabbage, so I put some in the crockpot while we were out playing.  Since she was born in March and we have Irish heritage, I think that is where the fondness for this dish must come from.  I learned that it is not truly an Irish dish - but that Irish-Americans used Corned Beef and Cabbage to replace the meat in a traditional Irish dish of Bacon and Cabbage.

The plans were to go hiking, but wouldn't you know, it would snow, sleet and hail . . . so we went to see the movie, "Blindside" instead. We also planned to go bowling, but the lanes were crowded with a league tournament and the wait was too long.  Ray loaded us up with a gallon of popcorn and the largest drinks he could find . . . and we enjoyed every minute of it.  I highly recommend the movie as well.  We came back home, had our Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner, with Turtle Cheesecake for dessert . . . then Tiffany opened her presents.  Brett themed his gifts . . . all golf . . . a new putter, balls and a pass to the course!

The weather cleared on Sunday and after church we went on a drive out toward Apple Valley.  It was a beautiful day with a brisk, cold wind. . . but we did see some gorgeous scenery!

In between some spring cleaning and getting the carpets all cleaned - we did get out to do some shopping, and see some amazing scenery.  I enjoy the St.George area, because the scenery is so varied - and their are so many great places to go, lots of fun shopping close by and great places to hike, golf, bike . . . whatever you like!
We also discovered a lovely place to ride bikes just West of the condo . . . the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.  It goes for miles and has quite a few hiking trails off the road as well.  It would be a fun place to explore a little more thoroughly next time.


This is one of our favorite homes down in the St. George area - the architecture and landscape are so well suited to the desert and red rock that surrounds it. 

A Good Read

“People is wise ‘cause they get out in the world and live. Wisdom comes from experience - from knowin’ each day is a gift and accepting it with gladness. You read a whole lot of books and readin’ sure has made you smart, but aint’ no book in the world gonna make you wise.” Oletta in  Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt, by Beth Hoffman

I just finished this delightful book by Beth Hoffman - and I loved it!  It is one of those books that I don't want  to end because the characters are so delightful ~ I enjoyed every page.   Highly recommended for a good read!  A beautiful book about life, love and forgiveness.