Day 81

"Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again."

-Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Day 80

"There is no personal charm so great as the charm of a cheerful temperament."

-Henry Van Dyke

Day 79

"Whatever it is, it's better in the wind."

Day 78

"By all means use sometimes to be alone. Salute thyself; see what they soul doth wear. Never be afraid to sit awhile and think."

-George Herbert, 

-Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun

Day 77

And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.

Alma 33:23

Day 76

"Youth is, after all, just a moment, but it is the moment, the spark that you always carry in your heart.

-Raisa M. Gorbechev

Day 75

"Friends are the sunshine of life."

-John Hay

Day 74

How dear to God are little children; With Him their spirit life began.

So priceless their security, their innocence and purity;

 They are a part of His eternal plan.

To earthly parents God sends children. To guide and teach, protect and love.

Oh, let us keep the sacred trust that he has placed with each of us,

and help to guide them back to God above.

-Jaclyn Thomas Milne

Day 73

I'm your little prayer Rock

This is what I'll do

If you'll put me on your pillow

Until the day is through

Then turn back the covers

And WHACK!! Your little prayer rock

will hit you on the head.

Then you will remember to jump up

And say your prayers

Then dump me out onto the floor

'Til morning I'll stay there

Then you get up the next morning

KLUNK!!! I'll stub your toe.

So you will recall my friend

To say your morning prayers.

Put me back on your pillow

When your bed is made

And your clever little prayer Rock

Will continue in your aid

Because our Heavenly Father feels so sad

When he can't hear from you

I'll help you remember

Because I love Him too!

Day 72

Of all the animals, the boy is the most magical creature.

Day 71

The world is big and, oh, so round,

And in it God's creations are found,

Mountains and valleys and trees so tall,

Animals big and animals small.

The world is big and, oh, so round.

God loves us all; our blessings abound.

-

Beverly Searle Spencer

Day 70

Doug . . . the perfect burger builder.

I'm Back . . .

for a couple of weeks anyway:) The kids and I spent the week in McCall with some wonderful friends from our home in Sandy. All together there were eight Mom's and 30+ kids. We prepared and consumed massive amounts of food, played hard, enjoyed a night of talents, took some CRAZY tube rides, enjoyed beautiful walks and bike rides, and of course stayed up way too late! It was so rejuvenating to "catch up" with girlfriends, enjoy the beauty of McCall, and for the kids to be with their friends. Thank you Tammy, for being such a generous and FUN hostess. This will definitely be a vacation we remember with smiles on our faces.

Day 69

"Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold."

-Judith Olney

Day 68

"The sun is the epitome of benevolence - it is lifegiving and warmthgiving and happiness giving, and to it we owe our thanksgiving.

-Jessi Lane Adams

Day 67

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all"

-Laura Ingalls Wilder

Day 66

"There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.

There are seven million."

-Walt Streightiff

Day 65

"A friend is what the heart needs all the time."

Day 64

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer...

Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape

Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Day 63

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

Luke 11:33,35-36

Day 62

"Even as you try to cut out the extra commitments, sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well, and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children. Avoid any kind of substance abuse, mistakenly thinking that it will help you accomplish more. And don't allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet. Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know what to do and how to do it."

-Elder M. Russell Ballard

April General Conference 2008

Day 61

"You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.

-Frederick Buechner

Day 60

My parents are backyard neighbors to Peter Breinholt, who is a local folk artist in Salt Lake. My three oldest kids were outside playing with his kids when one of his kids told Carter that his Dad is famous. My kids wanted to meet him and asked him to autograph their arms. He also gave them one of his CD's and signed the insert. They were all pretty excited!

Day 59

"Home, home on the range, where the deer and the antelope play.

Where seldom is heard, a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day"

Day 58

"A sensitive plant in a garden grew,

And the young winds fed it with silver dew,

And it opened its fan-like leaves to the light,

and closed them beneath the kisses of night."

-Percy Byssle Shelley

"The Sensitive Plant" 1820

Day 57

"Music expresses feeling and thought, without language;

it was below and before speech, and it is above and beyond all words."

-Robert G. Ingersoll

Day 56

"Time is too slow for those who wait,

too swift for those who fear,

too long for those who grieve,

too short for those who rejoice,

but for those who love, time is eternity."

-Henry VanDyke

Day 55

"Be curious always!

 For knowledge will not acquire you;

you must acquire it."

-Sudie Back

Day 54

"This Nation will remain the land of the free

only so long as it is the home of the brave."

-Elmer Davis

Day 53

All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts,

to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the

beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven,

and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth.

D&C 89:14

Day 52

All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower the opens, Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colors, He mad their tiny wings.

Cecil Frances Alexander

Day 51

Books are the most quietest and most constant of friends;

they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors,

and the most patient of teachers.

Charles W. Eliot

Day 50

I am a child of God, and He has sent me here,

Has given me and earthly home with parents kind and dear.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way.

Teach me all that I must do, to live with Him someday.

Day 49

Every house where love abides

An friendship is a guest,

Is surely home, and home sweet home

For there the heart can rest.

-Henry VanDyke