Gary

Today is the day Gary passed away last year. His passing was a big shock and very hard to deal with. I miss him everyday. He was an awesome big brother and always took good care of me. He was protective of me as his little sister. He has a love for life and was always doing things for others. I am grateful to have association with his kids. They possess his traits and spending time with them reminds me of him. I am so grateful to have the knowledge that I will see him again. I am grateful for the time he spent here on earth and in my life.

Birthday

Yesterday was my 32nd birthday. So much has happened in all these years. I want to thank everyone who made my day so special. I got many phone calls and e-mails to wish me a happy day. What thoughtful family and friends I have! I am very lucky. Jerry and the kids gave me two beautiful cards, sang to me and Jerry made dinner AND cleaned up. It was great. I took Landon to preschool and met my friend Mary Jane at Costco. We love that place. She reminded me we had been serving together on our mission 10 years ago on my birthday. She always makes a big deal about celebrating and gave me a beautiful card and a gift card to Costco. She is so thoughtful and sweet. We had fun looking around and having a treat on the way out. Jerry got off work early and took me to run a few errands. Then I wanted to go to the temple and visitors center. It was a beautiful day. It warmed up to about 45 degrees and the kids had a fabulous time picking up pecans and cracking them as we walked around the temple grounds. There are pecan trees all over St George. We then went to the visitors center. There is a sister missionary serving there from Leverkusen in Germany. I actually served in her ward when I was a missionary. She happen to be there and took us through the family presentation the kids love. It was a very special day and I have much to be thankful for!

The Old Man

So this was my creative side really shining through. Landon was supposed to dress up as a nursery rhyme character for his preschool. I ran to the DI looking for some sort of a costume. I ended up with a bathrobe and decided to do, "it's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring." Is this even a nursery rhyme? I am still not sure.In addition to his amazing costume we spiked his hair up with gobs of pomade (he really enjoyed it). When he got to preschool his teacher asked him is he was Wee Willie Winkie. He said yes. I guess all the practice we did with our supposed nursery rhyme before school was in vain. Maybe next year we will have better luck.

Our Prophet

Today was a historic day in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Thomas S Monson was named the 16th president of the church. He is an amazing man and will be an amazing leader. His counselors are Elder Henry B Eyring and Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf. Elder Uchtdorf did a training for us in Germany when I was a missionary. It was a special experience for us as missionaries because he did the training in german. Last night at FHE Jerry was trying to teach the children about the new prophet and explained he could be the prophet until they were 16 or 17 years old. Landon said," And then I will be the prophet?" Jerry attempted to explain not aspiring and other big words Landon did not understand. Then Lauren piped in," I want to be the Prophet!" We will continue to have family night and explain the higher order of things with church leadership. We are grateful to be members of the Lord's church and to know He is at the helm and inspiring his leaders.

The North Kids

President Gordon B Hinckley

While we were at the Barson's we learned of the passing of President Gordon B Hinckley. It was very sad for us because we will miss him but know he will be happy to be reunited with his wife and family. He was a wonderful leader and example to us all. He is the only prophet Jerry has known as a member of the church. His humor, love for life and enthusiasm was an inspiration to us. We will miss his inspired words and am grateful we lived when he was the prophet. We look forward to our new Prophet and know the Lord's work will go on.

Avery's Blessing

Today was a very special day. Avery Noel North was blessed in her Uncle Dave's ward in Presto, Idaho. We had a brunch at Dave's house before the blessing. Everyone was able to come but Kevin and Lindsay. They were watching her sister's kids in Alpine. Dave and Anne hosted the brunch and we all had a good time. Savana had just returned from Orlando and brought some calendars she was selling for a fundraiser. She is a Bengal dancer at ISU and is extremely talented. Teresa brought Doug and his kids as well. Gary's kids definitely carry his spirit with them and it is fun to be around them. Uncle Rod is the kid's favorite and they sat with him all through sacrament meeting. Jerry gave her a beautiful blessing. Dave, Matt and my Dad participated with him. The only problem was that her binky fell out but you could here Grandpa's "shhhh" in the microphone and it seemed to help. The counselor announced her as a boy but I think it was his second week conducting. Dave has been a bishop not that many months. There was a special spirit in the meeting and we appreciated all the family support. We left after the blessing and drove to Springville to stay with the Barson's. We were able to see Uncle Kevin and Brooklyn along the way.

Idaho Trip

This was a month that went by way fast. We lasted a few weeks without Grandma and Grandpa and then headed to Idaho to spend more time with them. Jerry was such a good sport to stay here without a car for two weeks! His friend, Glenn from work picked him up every day. He also got really into working out and was at the gym for 2-3 hours a day. He has taken the Cotton Manor ward "manly-man weight loss challenge" to heart and he is doing great. He also spent time cleaning and accomplishing all his tasks on the to do list I made. He did really well. We had a great time in Idaho. I was able to see my friends and family. Natalee did my hair and we also went to dinner with Roz. We had such a great time catching up and telling stories from the past. We have so many great memories together. Roz's little baby Grant is one month older than Avery and is such a cute boy. I was able to have my friend Heidi Schow take some pictures of the kids. She did such a great job and I love the pictures. I also went to a few family events and enjoyed watching my nieces and nephews in action. They are all so busy and involved. Grandpa, Landon and I were able to go to the Rexburg Temple open house which Landon loved. It is a beautiful temple and it was a neat experience to feel the spirit of the Lord's house. It is amazing to see all the growth in Rexburg. My friend Cyd also came and visited at my Mom's. We are friends from high school. I also visited with the Travis, Macy, Kim and Jan Sellers. It was fun to see them. When Jerry arrived he was also able to visit the temple which he really enjoyed. Jacobsen Construction were the builders for the temple so it has a special meaning to him.