The Best of Times....

The best of times are those times that makes your mouth smile and your heart jump for joy! Such as what you might be thinking....well...such as a grandson telling his mother he had fun at grandmas house or a granddaughter coming up and giving you a hug for no reason or another grandson calling and leaving a message thanking you for a treat that was sent to him or spending the day with daughters doing crafts or a husband there to support and help you or a son calling at 6:30 in the morning because he saw you commented on his comment on Facebook or a son who is serving a mission saying "Isn`t missionary work just the best thing in the world? I think so." I guess you might say...the best of times are

Those spent with family!

9 1/2 Months

Elder Jeppson Update...............



Training..............



District Leader..........



This is Todd's "Bean" as he calls him...Elder George, he is from Maine and Todd says he is very gun hoe...how fun to be a trainer to someone who is so excited to be there! Todd says he is memorizing the language great and loves to sing. Sure wish them both lots of success!

When it rains...it pours! Wish the sun would come out!

Elder Jeppson with his second baptism Chinatsu Noi and Elder Boice

Elder Jeppson with his first baptism Masakisan and Elder Boice

Gifts

I was blessed with many wonderful gifts this Christmas season, but the gift I will cherish always in my heart, was the opportunity I had to talk to my missionary son in Japan! Oh joy of joy!!!

Dreaming!

Christmas has come and gone...oh how I wish it wouldn't leave so soon! I love dreaming (not so much about a white Christmas any more) but about what it would have been like to be there at the time of Jesus' birth. While at work I think of the shepherds watching their flocks...if I look up, could I see the angels singing also... wait, I do hear them as I listen to my Ipod! While driving in my car I think of the Magi...how far they traveled...how long they waited...how blessed were they, and how wonderful their gifts were! Can I show a little more kindness to those around me? At home I think of Joseph, Mary and the infant child...were they cold...were they hungry...were they happy? What else can I do to help someone out? I look at my scriptures, I sit down and immerse myself in the story of their lives...I go to the temple longing to feel of their presence there...I go to bed and I ponder on what it means to me and the world...I watch my children and give thanks for being their mother!
I love the smells, the parties, the music, the food the family togetherness but mostly I love the feeling. Somehow, I want to keep that with me the whole year through. It reminds me of when I came home from my mission...oh how I wanted the spirit I felt while serving my mission to be with me continually, unfortunately for me I allowed the world and worldly things to push it away.
My goal this year is to remember those feelings and to live accordingly!

Witches, a Pumpkin and Davey Crocket

I love Halloween!

A Kind and Gentle Man

This is my Uncle Boyce. He passed away last month. He was a wonderful person. When I graduated from High School, I lived in Wisconsin. I wanted to come to Utah to go to school and he and my Aunt Rada allowed me to live with them.
He was always so kind and thoughtful. On valentines when he was giving gifts to his family, he always included me. When they went on vacation to Yellowstone they invited me and he would always give me some money to spend. When I came home from my mission and I needed a car, he lent me money so I could by one. He was always there to help when something went wrong with a car. I treasure a necklace and a key chain that he gave to me. He has been a surrogate grand-father to my children.
I will miss him, he was the epitome of a Christ-like person!

Random thoughts!

It was my sisters birthday. We had a party for her in the canyon. Our older brother also came. My kind hubby cooked dutch oven for us (yum)! It was a nice night.

Went to Yellowstone with hubby, it was so beautiful this time of year, so many gorgeous wildflowers! Hubby saw a grizzly and two cubs, we also saw a coyote that came walking right by us. We didn't get to see any moose though. I like to see moose.

My son got to call us from the Los Angeles airport while waiting for his plane to Japan. It was soooo nice talking to him!

We sent him a greenie care package...I wonder how long it takes to get to Japan...hmm

I am grateful he is on a mission and I am grateful for his faith!

It is awfully nice to have grandchildren!

I love eating the vegetables from our garden...even the red beets were yummy...who would have known!

I want to be a better person than I am.

Safely in Japan!

Elder Jeppson with his first companion in Japan Elder McKellar (he is from Australia)




Elder Jeppson and President and Sister Zinke

Elder Jeppson and his companion from the MTC Elder Fausett in front of the Provo Temple



This is where Elder Jeppson will be going to on Monday the 15 of August. His plane leaves at 6:30 a.m. He says he is ready to be out and doing the Lord's work. Japan is a loooong way away, it feels like I am having to say good-bye again. He will be a wonderful missionary, I know that because he is a wonderful son!

Elder Jeppson Singing at the Mission Presidents Seminar

He loves to sing, I am so grateful he had this opportunity!

Off he goes!

My son was set apart as a missionary on May 31st by our Stake President, President Bryce Cook. His father was pretty proud of him as were we all. Our bishopbric, Bishop O'Very, Brother Zollinger and Brother Hallock also came over. His sisters who live here in town were also present. President Cook asked us each to tell something about him that would help make him a good missionary. It was a very special evening. Afterwards, we ate key lime pie!

Wednesday morning we had a family breakfast. My husband fixed fluffy apple pancakes, a family favorite, we also had banana bread (another family favorite), grapes, cherries and orange juice. It was so nice to get together before our son left! Good memories for us all!

This is our oldest daughter and her sweet family. She also went on a mission. She went to the Argentina Bahia Blanca mission. She use to teach school but is now enjoy being a stay at home mom to her two cute little girls! Her husband is working on his masters and will soon be done and is looking for an internship.

This is our youngest daughter with her cute little family. She use to work as a civil engineer (same degree as her hubby) but is now having fun keeping up with her little guy and sweet baby girl! She will miss our son quite a lot, they use to keep in touch throughout the day by texting.

This is my son being dropped off at the MTC...how can something so right be so hard!

He will be a wonderful missionary!

A Beautiful Sunday!

It has been a beautiful Sunday. I am missing my youngest but know that he is where he should be!
I made a yummy rhubarb and strawberry pie today with rhubarb from our garden. My husband, daughter and son-in-law really enjoyed it. I also made a new salad made with mango's and quinoa, it is so yummy and my new favorite salad. Even my 22 month old grandson loved it. Here is the recipe:

Mango Quinoa Salad
The Sisters Cafe

2 cups prepared quinoa (this is 1/2 cup dry. It is good cooked in chicken broth)
1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 medium mango, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
6 green onions, thinly sliced
1 handful chopped cilantro (about 1/2 cup)
4 tbsp red wine vinegar
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1-2 tbsp fresh lime juice
salt
freshly cracked black pepper

Place cooked quinoa in a large bowl. Add mango, red pepper, green onion, black beans, and cilantro. In a small bowl combine vinegar, olive oil, and lime juice. Whisk until smooth and pour on top of salad. Toss to combine and add salt and pepper to taste. Chill for at least one hour before serving.

So good!