Awesome Sister

My sister Melanie just participated in a triathalon at Lake Las Vegas. Melanie you rock and are a total inspiration to me. In the photo from left to right Lisa, my mom, my sis Melanie, and my sis Natalie.

Happy Birthday Grandma & Some Sad News

I am also late in posting about my Grandma and her birthday. I am so grateful for such a wonderful example of a righteous and loving woman in my life. I have always looked to my Grandma as an example and as a light to emulate. I love her very much and I wish we could be closer to her so we could visit more often. One thing I have always admired about my Grandma is that I have never heard her speak an unkind word about another person. She is always optimistic and views people in the best light. Thank you Grandma for your love, example, and kindness.

The reason I never did post about my Grandma's birthday is because my Aunt Barbara died suddenly the day after my Grandma's birthday. This sent our family into shock because Barbara's death was so unexpected. When I think of my Aunt Barbara I think of a woman who always persevered and never gave up. She had many trials in her life but never gave up on her faith in the gospel and she was also a woman who showed unconditional love to my Grandma and all the people around her. My Grandma and my Aunt Barbara really were best friends and I know everyone misses Barbara. I know my mom is dealing the best she can with loosing a sister. In the picture above Barbara is the second from the left side and my mom is the first on the right side. I was really sad I couldn't attend the funeral service Here is a link to my aunt's obituary: http://www.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/individual_display.jsp?obitID=3779511

Within weeks of the death of my aunt, Sheldon and I received news that his Aunt Kris was reported missing. Her car was found abandoned by a beach and there is no sign of her. They think she might have committed suicide or else fled to another country. She just recently divorced from her husband. We are hoping and praying for her safe return. Here is the news article about it: http://www.redding.com/news/2008/apr/09/crews-seek-missing-woman/

I was just recently put into the young women's organization again and today in church the young women's lesson was on extended families and their importance. I felt the spirit very strong and I felt that I wanted to honor my Grandma and express sadness about the loss of two aunts, one of whom is still missing. It has been a crazy month for our families. I am so grateful for my knowledge of my Savior and the peace and comfort his atonement brings. I am grateful for my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the true happiness it brings to belong to Christ's true church upon this earth. I know that there is a Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ came to this earth to atone for all mankind. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and truly did restore Christ's church again on this earth. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and the true happiness it brings by living it's teachings. I often reflect on my membership in the church and how grateful I am for it because my knowledge of these things sustains me when times are troubling or difficult.

Happy Birthday Steen & Hagen!

Happy Birthday Sheldon's Dad (aka to me Steen)! I know this is way late and your birthday was last month. Before we moved we were next door neighbors and we do miss you. You are a great grandpa and we know how much you love your kids and grandkids. Thanks for always being there for us and helping us. We love you!

So I know I am a little late in posting this but Happy Birthday to our adorable nephew Hagen. Sheldon and I are bummed we couldn't be in Utah for the celebrations but love looking at Heidi's blog that fills us in on the happenings in Salt Lake. These pictures came from Heidi's blog and I think they are so adorable. Hagen is messy like his Uncle Sheldon who also has a hard time keeping his clothes clean. We love and miss you Hagen!

Bored? Watch This...

Here are some funny mormon youtube videos.

Tulip Festival

Sheldon and I went to the Woodburn Tulip Festival this last weekend. The tulips were so beautiful. We weren't expecting to go and kind of went on the spur of the moment so we didn't take our camera. These pictures were taken from Sheldon's phone so the quality isn't all that great. We went on Saturday and the weather was warm and sunny. It felt so good to feel the sun shining and we had such a great day.

Easter Sunday

My parents just recently came to visit last month. Here are some pictures from Easter and a slideshow of their visit.





Here's a link because the slideshow isn't working.

http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk162/juliecheree/?action=view&current=27fee65e.pbw

Annoying

I started playing around with my blog template and it messed up my old blog. So that is why my blog probably looks a little bit different. Ughh. I also cannot make up my mind if I should make my blog private or not so that is why I sent the mass email requesting you become a reader of my blog and would have to sign in to read it. But I keep going back and forth in my mind if I should make the blog private or public. Sorry to be annoying about this but for now I will just keep it open to any reader.