Where Did This Past Week Go?!

Sheesh! I can't believe it's already Sunday again. I remember one of the kids saying when on their mission that it seemed like some days went by slowly yet the week would fly by. That's kind of how I feel right now. The days this past week didn't drag as they were very busy, but the week absolutely flew by. I can't believe a week is gone already. Because I didn't have to get up early for anything today, I didn't! Even though I was awake, I stayed in bed because I could!!!
This past week was a busy week. Besides working Mon - Thurs 8-3, I worked Wed - Sat at my friend's craft show - The Holy Cow Boutique. I love love love working there. First of all, it's fun to work with the people I do, I get to see friends come through the line and also see people whom I only see at the boutique, I get to see the fun stuff the customers have found in the crafter's booths (I don't care how many times you walk through this show, it seems you never see it all!), and I get to buy things I wouldn't ordinarily buy!!!
Today will be another busy day - I teach the lesson in Relief Society (Pres. Monson's talk "He Is Risen" from the October conference). The kids are coming over later for Tonya's birthday dinner and that will be fun to have everyone here.
When I was growing up we had a tradition of going out to dinner for our birthday's at Jack's Supper Club or Turtle River Supper Club (those of you from Bemidji will remember those places!) and we also got whatever dessert we wanted (I always had a 2 layer white cake with either lemon or raspberry filling and white frosting. Funny, today I wouldn't pick that although I still do like that dessert!).
I've carried that tradition on somewhat. We couldn't afford to take the kids out when they were little so we let them choose the foods they wanted for their birthday dinner - main dish, dessert, etc. They also didn't have to do dishes that day. Today I still fix what they want and they still don't have to do dishes for that dinner. We've included the sons-in-law also now and have them pick what they want to eat for their birthday dinner.
Tonya has requested chef's salad (she's always liked salad. When she was as young as 4 years old and went out to eat with Dave's parents she was told she could have anything on the menu - she picked a salad. What 4-year old picks a salad?!!), turkey burgers (I'll make a few of those but will have hamburgers for the majority), fresh corn, fresh tomatoes, and malts. I'm also going to make deviled eggs and a pasta salad. We won't be lacking for food, that's for sure.
I love my family so much, and I'm so proud of each and every one of them - the direction their lives are going, their accomplishments, and the way they've triumphed over the trials that have come their way. They are good people, and I am truly blessed. It will be a fun evening.

Our Family

This is our favorite family picture thus far (even though today we have 3 more granddaughters than are in the picture). This was taken in the Joseph Smith home in Palmyra, New York on our trip in the summer of 2006. This trip took us to Cedar Point, Gettysburg, New York City, Hill Cumorah, Niagra Falls, and Kirtland, Ohio.