What every mother wants to hear!

It was just an ordinary moment--I was doing the dishes after having some friends over for dinner. My daughter, Kelsey, came into the kitchen, and just said, "Thanks, Mom, for being such a great mom." Those are words EVERY mother would like to hear--and it doesn't happen very often. So that meant a lot, and even though Kelsey doesn't read my blog, I want to tell her how much I appreciated her saying that to me. There are a lot of thankless days and nights--and many frustrating moments as a mother, but when a child (especially a grown-up child) says something like that, you really do feel special, and feel like all the effort, time, and craziness of being a mother is worth it. Like Kelsey said afterwards, we don't say that often. I hope I remembered to tell my mom that--she was such a sweet and loving person, and I hope I let her know at least sometimes that I DID appreciate that. Gratitude is so important.

I have found lately that I have been very critical of people, and I know that is not right. First of all, we don't know all the facts, so we really can't judge--secondly, when we criticize others, we become negative and ungrateful. We see the things that are wrong with others and wrong with our lives, and then let that discourage us...and make us unhappy. It would be so much better if we would look for the good, and then tell others the good we see in them. People who do that are so nice to be around...and we enjoy being with them. They see the good in us, and help us to see the good in others. Oh, if only I could be as good as I know I should.

Yesterday our son, Brady, had two basketball games with the YMCA. His team lost both of them, and quite badly. Usually I enjoy watching him play basketball, and watching his team. However, I guess I don't love watching losses and especially blow-outs! Brady gives his all every time he's on the court--he plays hard, and intensively, and he's good--but who am I to say, I'm just a biased mother! Anyway, that was a big majority of my Saturday. So that's about it from here--this week my daughter, Katie, and her baby girl, Brooklyn, come to visit. We are so excited, and know it will be lots of fun to have them here.

Beautiful spring weather! Happy Days to you!

This is the time of year that people in Arizona live for. :) It is beautiful--the nights and mornings are wonderful, and it is fun to be outside. You can smell the citrus blossoms everywhere, and even though that isn't always good for people's allergies, it still smells fabulous! It has been a cold and tough winter in many parts of our country, but this is the time when we can brag about our weather...and enjoy these days! Much hotter ones will be coming soon--so we need to enjoy these while we can. This has been a particularly fun spring for us, since our grandson, SJ, now lives in Arizona. He loves to come to our house, to play in our sandbox, jump on our trampoline, and dip his toes and legs in our pool. He brings a lot of fun and excitement to our home--we love having him around...and love that he comes to visit his "Handdad," (what he calls his Granddad), and "Grandma Weez." (That would be me!!)

I have had many enjoyable experiences with my Church calling. I work in the Primary organization (our children's organization), and I work in the stake--where I am associated with several wards, and their individual Primary organizations. It is a joy to work with the children--I love their sweet spirits, and the funny things they say...and how they aren't afraid to say ANYTHING!! Last weekend we had a choir composed of children from throughout our stake, who sang at our stake conference. They sang the opening song, and then a song after the announcements. They were so AWESOME! They sing with all their hearts, and with so much enthusiasm--you can't help but be touched by what they do. I am SOOO thankful I can rub shoulders with these wonderful children. I also love working with their leaders who put so much time and energy into serving these children. Primary is the BEST!

Just one more thing for today--aren't you proud of me for writing TWICE in March--I AM improving!! Today our daughter, Emily, called--she was feeling very sick with the flu, and wanted her dad to come give her a blessing. So we spent a few hours over there this afternoon. It is so nice to be able to help when she needs us and to be close enough to do it. We had a great talk with her, and it was good to be over there--so glad she will let us help. :) Happy March to all of you!! Love you!

Well, my computer skills continue to amaze (and disappoint) me. I DID write in January, vowing to start off this new year with more blog entries--I went to my blog this morning and the last post there was Dec. 2013. So I'll give it a try again! Hopefully this time it will TAKE!

It is hard to believe it is already March--here we go again, with another year flying by! I wonder at the things I don't accomplish, and continue to bemoan the fact that I waste way too much time. Hopefully, I can improve on that this year also.

This is our most beautiful time of year in Arizona--beautiful sunny and warm (but not hot) days, and cool nights and mornings. I actually have to admit I like fall better--when the days are cooling down again. I like it better because I know that cooler weather is coming, whereas in spring, I unfortunately anticipate those days when it will get super hot!! But I love the flowers and the green and the smell of citrus blossoms in the air--it is awesome.

We just had the most wonderful weekend here--and a very momentous one for us who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, here in Arizona. The Church has built its biggest temple in 20 years, right here in Gilbert, Arizona, and it is magnificent. It is so beautiful and inspiring to everyone who has seen it. We had 4 opportunities to take friends and family members to see it during its open house...and that was such an incredible blessing. It was wonderful to be there, and it was wonderful to share it with people we have known (at work and in our neighborhood, etc.) so they could see something that means so much to us. It truly made the whole month super special for us. Then this past weekend, the youth in that temple district, performed in a cultural celebration. That happened on Saturday night in a park right by the temple. We had not had rain here in several months, and are in dire need of it--and Saturday is when it rained. I was sure that with the prophet (the leader of our church, Thomas S. Monson) here to watch, it that the weather would be tempered, and it wouldn't rain. However, that didn't happen--it rained, and those 12,000 kids who were participating, performed dances and songs in pouring rain. It was incredible to watch--it was an awesome performance in many ways, but it was especially great to watch the attitudes of those kids, who joyfully performed, even with rain pouring down on them. Their smiles were amazing, and it was a great performance. We watched it on TV, and were totally uplifted. Then on Sunday, in three different services, the temple was dedicated by the prophet and his first counselor, Henry B. Eyring. There were different choirs and different speakers at each session, and each one was so filled with the Spirit. Each of our stake centers (Church buildings) were considered an extension to the temple...so we gathered there to participate by satellite in the dedications. It was wonderful--so uplifting. What a wonderful time for Arizona to have another beautiful House of the Lord, where these ordinances which we feel are so important in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father, can be performed. I am grateful I could be there with members of my family, and to enjoy that beautiful spirit.