Mama Bears Blog

Here it is the beginning of May. I'M wondering what happened to April. I'm not good at journaling (is that a word) but I am going to try and write in my blog at least once a month.

I was able to spend time with my Arizona family and friends in March and returned to Portland April 08. My daughter-in-law Dawn picked me up at the airport. It was good to be back and see her and my son Michale and grandson Cole. We shared some time together talking about my Arizona visit. I had a great time in Arizona seeing my daughters and grand kids. The next day after my return I shut down and went into a depression off and on like I do for the first week after Christmas. I always get bummed when the tree comes down, all the lights and decorations come down and I no longer able to listen to the Christmas carols. This is how it felt coming back to Portland and leaving the kids and grand kids back in Phoenix. As the week goes on I finally adjust and my world gets back to normal. As normal as it can get with not being with all my children and grandchildren. My mood is improving and I'm not crying every time I think of the kids.

Dawn joined a movie club for Cole so we have been going to the movies once a week . Personally I can't go to the movies enough. One of my all time favorite things to do.

One day this month Cole had woman's day at his school. Dawn and I went and did an art project with Cole and had lunch with him. This was really a fun day for all of us.

Sister Tuttle and I got our visiting teaching done for the month. I love visiting withe the sister from church.

On days the weather was nice Dawn and I would walk to school and pick Cole up. We even managed to do some walking at the golf grounds. Dawn and I actually hate any kind of exercising. We try to avoid it at all cost !!!!!!!

We always look forward to Monday evening family night. One Monday we had the missionaries with us and we listened to John Bytheway CD. Another Monday we had Brother and Siser Umi and their four children over. They brought the pizza and Dawn made salad and a dessert. After eating we played a bible board game with the kids. Fun and uplifting evening for all of us.

One evening we went to the Lowe's. Mike and Joe were working on a food storage project. Us girls did some Blogging. Tiffany decided I needed to be on LDSSINGLES.COM so she signed me up. I'm not really to interested in the idea but promised I would try it for a month. I think my family and friends are much more interested in finding a husband for me than I am !!!!! I kind of like my single life. Being single has a way of simplifying my life.

One of the most exciting things that has happened this month has to do with my daughter Christina and her family. Maybe I should start from the beginning. Our family here in Portland has been doing a 21 day promise plan that was given as a challenge to our ward from one of the brothers at church. The plan is to write down several names of family members or friends who you would really like to share the gospel with. And for 21 days we give a special prayer and read a scripture for the list of names. My daughter Christina who lives in Federal Way, Washington was on our list. Christina has been inactive for several years. Within a very short time of our 21 day promise we get a call from her telling us she is taking the missionary lessons with her daughter Kristine and her grandson Cody. Kristine has also been inactive for years. Our hearts are full and thankful for the 21 day promise. A few weeks later we get another call asking Mike if he would baptise his great nephew Cody !!!!! You can image the joy we were all feeling.
So the weekend of the 17th we drove to Washington. When we first got to Tina's home Cody was at his dad's house. While Cody was gone we decorated the house for his special event. Cody was so excited and surprised when he came home. After the baptism on Saturday the missionaries came over and had cake and ice cream with us. And later on during the evening we had Mexican food and played games. The baptism was extremely humbling. Cole who is Cody's cousin stood up and gave his testimony. He had everyone in tears. Cole is only eight years old but you can really feel his sweet spirit. Myself with several other members of the ward also got up and gave our testimony. His Nana Tina also got up and that was very touching because she has not been to church in years. We were all crying and feeling very humble and thankful. Cody had a great turn out with ward family members and his own family. What a wonderful day this was !!!!!! Sunday at church Mike confirmed Cody. After church we stayed for lunch and then we had to go home because Mike had to work on Monday. I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven for all his wonderful blessings. My cup runneth over !!!!!!

Our Easter Service at church was so nice. Judy Weeks (our good neighbor and friend) spoke on her conversion to the church and bore her testimony. It was very touching and heart warming. After church the Lowes and their four children, the Weeks, Jerry and Judy and the missionaries all gathered at our home for some great food and fun. My son Michael and his wife Dawn really know how to entertain and make you feel right at home. All the kids colored Easter eggs and watched a dvd "Enchantment"while the adults played dominoes. We all ate to much like you usually do on holidays. But everyone had a great time.!!!!!!!!
I did get to speak with my kids that live out of state. At least with Tina and her family and Gwen. I never got a hold of Tammy and her girls. I was sorry to miss them. I hated missing Jayden (who is now one years old) coloring and hiding the Easter eggs . I am however expecting pictures!!!!

All in all we had a very enjoyable Easter with family and great friends. Coloring eggs and the Easter Bunny is a lot of fun but we must never lose sight of the real importance of Easter. The resurrection of Jesus Christ and His Atonement is always in my mind and heart but even more so on Easter.