Families really are forever...

Julie is one of the most brave, strong and amazing women I have ever known. She is remarkable and her testimony lifts and strengthens mine. We love you Julie and we pray for you everyday.

This is what she wrote on her blog...

Thank you

We are headed to Utah today for the funeral services on Friday. I never thought I would leave Shelton without my husband and son. I am so thankful to family and friends who have helped me and supported me through this past week and a half. I miss Sheldon and Jace so much. I love them and it is the greatest privilege I have ever had to be Jace's mother and Sheldon's wife. I know we can be together again and I am so grateful for my testimony of the gospel. I am so thankful for our Savior and his Resurrection. I am so thankful for the donations that are helping to cover the funeral costs. I am so thankful for every kind word, note, letter, action, done in my behalf. I am so thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to be part of a ward family, past and present, who love and care for me.  I am especially grateful to the dive team volunteers who found Jace and Sheldon. You are all my angels carrying me through this tragedy. -Julie

On Tuesday I went to the temple with my sweet friend Allison.  A beautiful prayer was said while we were there by a very kind man, and in it he spoke these words..."Bless any who are suffering from the loss of a loved one. Help them to know that the Plan of Salvation is real and that they will be with their loved ones again."
As he spoke those words, tears streamed down my face and a warm assurance and peace filled me.
I thought of Leah, Allyn's parents, my mama, and I thought of Julie, Jace, Sheldon and many more. 

I am truly grateful to know without any doubt that God loves us, we are His children, Jesus Christ is our Savior,
and that families really are forever...

The sun streamed through windows of the temple making perfect little stars that shone brightly on the floor. As I looked at them, I thought of the many times that Leah said, "I love you more than all of the stars in the sky."
It was as if she were whispering it to me again that very moment. 

Coincidence, I don't think so. Tender mercy, absolutely.

Levi is a Yankee!

Last night we went to watch Levi play T-Ball:):) He is the cutest thing on two legs!!! 

Oh my goodness, we couldn't stop laughing. After the game his team gave high fives to the other team and then ran to the fence and back. Levi made it about half way there and then turned around and ran back as fast as those little legs could take him. Then he ran right into the middle of the opposing team's huddle. It was sooo funny. They were wearing navy blue jerseys too, and since Levi is about a year younger and a head shorter than everyone else on the field he just thought it was his team... That is until his coach realized Levi was a "traitor" and ran over there and picked him up, bringing him back to the right dug out while trying not to bust up laughing:) 

This is going to be one entertaining baseball season!

MM 109

 

My dad actually climbed on board the plane to take a picture as we left for our honeymoon!! 

It was 36 years ago so you used to be able to do that haha:) ...And my kids and grandkids think I'M picture crazy!! Well at least now they know where I get it from!!

 

We set up the timer on our camera for this one. We thought we were so clever.

 I can still remember Mom, Dad and Lisa coming to the airport to pick us up a week later.

 Amy was the driver who took Ally and Steven to the airport and the she was designated picture taker...
I'm glad she got that love of photography gene too:):)
Actually she knew I'd shoot her if she didn't take a picture.

Ally & Steve's Wedding part #1

Allyson and Steven are the happiest, most beautiful couple, and without a doubt absolutely meant to be together. 

Ahhhh...the wedding was just perfect in every way.

These fabulous pictures were taken the week before they were married, by sister... The amazing Jennie Slade ...she is so talented it's ridiculous!!! And by wonderful Candace Simpson (who just wanted to help our family and be there for Jennie and for all of us). Candace was only supposed to be there to take pictures of the ones that Jennie needed to be in, but oh no, she was there for everything!!! You're the best Candace... Love U!  

There are so many incredible people who helped to make Ally and Steve's special day everything it could possibly be. Thank you. Thank you.Thank You. OK, I got a little side tracked and teary just thinking about it. 

Back to the bridal shoot... It was probably the best day of the year that day. No wind, 70* and beautiful. 

Thank goodness they did it then, because the wedding day was wiiindyyy!

So many great pictures. Amazing!

Candace found the only dandelion on the whole temple grounds. I love this picture!

Mr. and Mrs. Carter... (almost)  So Beautiful!

So there are about a gazillion more pics...I promise I won't put them all on the blog:) 

Maybe just a hundred or so haha! I'd better hurry and do it before Ally and Steve get home from their honeymoon and tell me not to:):)

Thank you Jennie for everything. you were the wedding planner, photographer, invitation designer and pretty much everything else. Loves!

MM 108 Leah's BFF Julie

Lots of happy, wonderful things to write about (Like Ally and Steve's beautiful wedding)...

but first, for this Memory Monday I wanted to write about Julie one of Leah's dearest friends growing up. They were such close friends and shared many great times & memories. 

Saturday was Julie's 31st birthday. She and her husband and little boy live near Seattle, Washington. Her husband, Sheldon took their 2 1/2 year old son Jace, out on the lake that is literally in their backyard for a canoe ride to give Julie a little break. Sheldon and Jace never came back. About 2 hours later rescuers found Jace's body floating, but they have not found Julie's husband yet. My heart is breaking for this sweet family. Please keep Julie Galler Olsen in your prayers. I know that Leah is sending love to Julie from heaven... 

If you would like to help their wonderful family here is a link.

Julie, Jace and Sheldon

Memory Monday 107

How can our baby girl be getting married in just 4 days?

Provident Community Garden

President Schlauder, my amazing "Superman" husband, accepting recognition from Mayor Goodman.

About three months ago, Allyn came in to the kitchen and said, "I think we need to have a big garden for our Stake where families can come together, plant, work and grow wonderful fruits & vegetables. Even better, I think we need to see if we can get a community garden of some kind going and invite neighbors and friends to participate." I said, "Oh, that's a wonderful idea. I'm sure you can make that happen..." Not... Really, I said, "Are you crazy? Remember we live in a desert. How can we do that? Where would you do it? That's a really nice thought, but seriously, ...you're kidding right?" (So much for being the supportive wife I'm supposed to be. I am most of the time, promise.) 

Well, the Lord was behind this inspiration because someone else, our good friend Paul (who has more energy and knows more people than anyone I have ever met), was thinking the exact same thing, and soon he and several others were working with city commissioners, architects, plumbers and had 2 acres of land donated (by the amazing owners of Cumorah Academy) along with block, dirt, machinery, plumbing etc.etc.etc. So many generous people have come together to make this dream a reality. It's only the first phase and there are already 40 grow boxes, dozens of fruit trees, corn, pumpkins, squash...etc. And all of this in only three months!!!

I got a little emotional today at the big grand opening, as I watched my husband welcome wonderful people from our Stake (who have worked so hard), people from several different faiths, the mayor, county commissioners,  neighbors and friends to the Provident Living Community Garden. 

I have a feeling that there will be a bounteous harvest of friendship, hard work and greater understanding because of this beautiful garden. It's amazing.

 Allyn was interviewed by a local news station. He's quite the celebrity:)

 Olivia and Caleb thought that it was the coolest. They can't wait for the strawberries!

Last week Kaden said, "I think Grandpa should run for President, he'd be the best." Yep, he sure would be.

MM106

Jennie and Chad's wedding day almost 14 years ago...

In just 11 days we will be standing in that same spot with our baby girl. Now that's just a little bit hard to believe:)

2 peas in a pod

Kate and Olivia are the cutest cousins/best friends you've ever seen...yep ok... I know I'm biased. 

These two have so much fun together, love to match, and have separation issues when they have to part!
 They sure melt this grandma's heart...