Our Family...

For my first blog entry, I want to acknowledge ways that I am inspired and motivated by my family... 

...It really doesn't matter where we are or what we're doing, as long as we have each other to share it all.

The photos in this blog post were taken April 24, 2011 by a dear family friend and one of Shawn's best buddies, Devin Ashby. Captured By Dash Photography 

The wonderful man I married...loving, generous, handsome, funny, gentle, protective and the best hugger of all time...

 ...Joe gives special meaning to that beautiful word--together. He shares my dreams and helps them to come true. He is the closest friend I have ever had. It is hard to imagine any man being a more devoted husband, father and grandfather...and yet...I now experience great joy watching our sons following his example...

Katelyn, Tanner, Jenae holding Trevor & Paul---Joe & Bonnie---Shawn---Keith and Katie holding Charlie

Katelyn, Jenae, Paul, Trevor, Tanner

Charlie, Katie and Keith

Shawn

Tanner, Joe, Trevor, Katelyn and Bonnie holding Charlie

Joe "pulling" Shawn, Keith and Paul in wagon

Joe...I admire you for what you bring to fatherhood. Being a father and grandfather brings out your gentle, protective side like no other. I feel privileged to be by your side in this crazy, wonderful life of ours. It feels amazing to know we'll always be together! With our combined strength and love we are ready to handle anything the world dishes out. I honor you and love you!

Our Three Sons: Inspire me with Love and Laughter

Left to right & youngest to eldest: Shawn, Keith and Paul

Paul, inspires me with his painting talent. He sees the beauty and potential in a ray of sunlight. I feel joy when I look at the two paintings that he painted just for me: "The Barn Yard" and "Feeding Chickens With Grandma." These paintings reflect moments that I spent with my own 2 grandmothers on their farms.  He taught me to have more appreciation for my idyllic childhood. Paul was the first to make me a grandma. He is also talented in music, woodworking craftsmanship and the art of healing.

Keith, inspires me to persevere with my college classes. (Yes, after leaving my childhood home 33 years ago, I am still working on getting a college degree!) He is so patient to tutor me in subjects like Statistics and Biology. He has an amazing ability to explain concepts in a way that I can understand! He taught me to keep an open mind but not so open that my brains fall out. Keith also taught me how to prioritize and pack light on a backpacking camping trip. He too is talented in music and woodworking craftsmanship.

Shawn, inspires me to believe in myself and others. He is gifted in communication skills. More than the fact that he speaks Russian, Spanish, Arabic...(and a little English)--Shawn is sensitive to people's feelings. He picks up on body language and knows how to put one at ease. The guitar is his friend and sends invitations for others to sit down, relax and breath deeply. Shawn can make me laugh when I want to be MAD. He taught me that laugh-line wrinkles are more attractive than frowny-face wrinkles.

Being a mother to My Three Sons, has taught me to love in the way God loves--unconditionally!  Each son has a unique sense of humor and I treasure all the times they have made me laugh and how each in their own way has taught me how to live!

Coming up in my next blog entry...a tribute to our wonderful "daughters" who came into our family by marrying our sons.

Inspirational Thoughts, Love and Laughter

I am now a Family History Consultant and on the Family History Committee for our ward. How awesome that my church calling is so perfectly lined up with my pursuing a college degree in Family History/Genealogy!

...What a blessing it will be to focus so intensely on learning and teaching about family history.
...What a motivation to set a good example by diligently working on my own family history.
...Where do I start?!...
...Here's a thought--My blog! A Day With Granny! I got it set up a while back but have done nothing with it. Well...now is the time! One of the best ways to get caught up is to not get further behind!

...What an inspiration members of my own family are to me!...

Joe (aka: Daddy, Grandpa Joe) Is such a support and inspiration to me! He is a wonderful example of dedicated church service. He has inspired me lately by writing a weekly email to our sons and their families. I am greatly blessed by his love and devotion to me and our family. Words cannot express how much I love and appreciate him!

As for capturing the moment and preserving memories: Jenae, one of my beautiful daughter-in-laws, has inspired me with her artistic scrap-booking skills, painting and crafting. Katie, another one of my beautiful daughter-in-laws has inspired me with her regular blog posts, fabulous photos and personal thoughts. Shawn has inspired me with his travel blog posts, music and so much more. General Authorities have inspired me by encouraging regular journal writing...

However, I have also heard it said, "Inspiration without action is wasted time." Or better yet, "Inspiration without perspiration is hallucination." As the years flit by, I realize I have no time to waste and my memories are becoming more vague.

My hope is to utilize this blog to share Inspirational Thoughts, Love and Laughter with my family and loved ones.

So, here goes!