School Days

Seems like all the mothers out there in the blog world are doing

back to school posts. I guess I will follow suit.

Samuel Allen Marshall

My youngest started his last semester today. Well, his last semester before receiving his Bachelor's Degree.

Who knows what he will be jumping into next.

I love this boy of mine, and congratulate him on all of his accomplishments.

We need to gain all the knowledge we can.

After all, it's what we'll take with us when we leave this frail existence.

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And here’s a shout out to our returning students:

Torie, Tara, Coulson, Sarah, Mya Nicole

Torie - 6th Grade

Coulson - 5th grade

Tara - 4th grade

Sarah - 3rd grade

Mya - 2nd grade

Plus, we've got two going to school for their very first first day of school.

Our two first timers, the new kindergartners

Bradley

Katherine

Then there are these three cute Pre-Schoolers.

Tanner

Owen

Megan

Lucky for us we still have some babies still learning at home.

Jamison

Marshall

Noah

Lyla

Conley

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And here's to little Jack, up above, learning more than all of us!

Thinking of Jack

I’m thinking of little baby Jack today.

There are some events that happen, that are so life changing, that one never forgets where and when they heard the news. Jack's birth, was one of these events.

I was anticipating the phone call announcing Jack’s arrival. Elizabeth had gone into labor just days before I was scheduled to fly to Iowa. I had hoped to actually be there for Jack’s birthday. We had planned as best we could, but Jack came a few days early. Elizabeth labored through the night. We had even talked a couple of times during her labor. I will never forget answering the early morning phone call, only to hear the sobs of my daughter, as she tried her best to explain what had happened. My heart has never been more broken. I am thankful for my knowledge and unwavering belief in the great Plan of Happiness.

Baby Jack would have been 9 months old today!

I miss Jack, but more than that, I miss seeing Jack in the arms of his mother and father. One day, because of the wonderful Plan of Salvation, I will see baby Jack being held by his faithful and loving parents. What a joyous sight that will be, and all sorrow will be swept away.

The Graduate

C.O.N.G.R.A.T.U.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.

Congratulatons Loren!

You did it.

W.O.W.

Because she is MY mother...

M.O.T.H.E.R.

Four generations: My great grandfather Headman, my grandmother Rich,

my mother and me.

This photo was taken on my Blessing Day.

~

Today is my mother's birthday. My mother is grumpy. She has been dealt some pretty rough blows in her lifetime. She is snippy, and feels very justified with her curtness. That said, I am thankful she's my mother. She has taught me many life lessons. I did not, and will not have to experience so many situations, because I was able to learn tons of stuff, just by observation.

I like this phrase: "ALL THINGS CONSIDERED" (NPR)

In the final judgment things will work out just fine. So... Happy Birthday Mother Dear!

Happy Birthday Ter'

It's his birthday, and I miss him.

This is a photo of Silver Lake in the High Sierras. I uploaded it from Google Images. Prefect photo.

This grainy photo is one I took of Terry, when we were camping at Silver Lake. It was the summer of '71. Back in the day, you had to put film into the camera, and thread the film just right. After the 8, 12, 24 or 36 photos were taken, the film had to be taken out of the camera very carefully, and the film could not be exposed to any light. Then the film had to be taken to photo lab to be developed in a darkroom. You even had to wait for about a week for the film to be developed and printed. There was no such thing as the "one hour photo", and the word digital wasn't even in my vocabulary. I like our digital world.

And here is Terry's high school graduation photo. He "was just seventeen, you know what I mean". WOW - what a hunk. I loved him so much then, but my love for him today is off the charts. There was no "Photoshop" then, but the photographer always made our freckles and blemishes disappear. I can't even image how good we will all look when we get our perfect bodies. I am really looking forward to seeing this big guy again.

I miss him SO much.

Spreading the TRUTH

Full Time Missionary

This morning I had the opportunity to witness, Sam's friend, Jessica become Sister Wingate. She was set apart as a full time missionary. She'll be serving in the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission. I left the meeting with a renewed desire to share the Gospel, and with a strengthen hope to be a better example of a true disciple of Christ. We live in such a wicked world. My admiration and respect for Jessica's willingness and worthiness to serve the Lord is boundless. It felt good today to feel the Spirit of missionary work.

God Speed Sister Wingate.

And Sam - YOU ARE THE MAN!