Enjoying the Journey

50 mile Canoe Run

2010-08-15T16:03:00.000-07:00

I don't have a picture but Gavyn just returned this weekend from a 50 mile Canoe Trip. They had hoped to hike 18 miles of it, but a heat warning went out for two days of their trip, they decided to ride the waves instead of taking any risks. He came home sun burnt and tired, but a smile on his face. The very next day left for Springfield, MO for a super Saturday event for the youth. School starts this week, so we are all gearing up for the new school year. Ariona attended her High School orientation. Yes, she starts 7th grade in the High School. Levi and Makenzie have open house this Tuesday. Seminary begins Aug. 23rd. Mom is almost ready to start her 4AM rising again.

Latest Heart Concern

2010-08-15T14:55:00.000-07:00

My heart strings are being challenged yet again. My adventurous, indepenant daughter Chelsea is spreading her wings and hitchhiking across the USA. I know I'm not in control and she can make choices of her own, but that does not degate my heart concerns, nor the numberless prayers I pray everyday for her. She left Olympia, Washington Tuesday, arrived in Boise, Idaho on Thursday and is now in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has met alot of kind people so far and have enjoyed her journey. She is enjoying Temple Square today Sunday and visiting with her friend Melissa Harmon. All for our EXPERIENCE!?!?! All I can say is Birth was the EASY part!

Little Ginger

2010-08-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

Little Ginger was

born the day I left for Idaho. Dad had to work all night and Ariona was in charge. Gavyn was gone to other activities. Ariona kept the baby calf alive. She called on Uncle Larry to help. The first three days were critical in regular feedings. She was not able to latch onto Missie (Mommy Cow) for the first few days. Now she is doing well and grazing on grass. Ariona is becoming quite the little farm girl. Maybe a vet one day. All these great adventures are building confidence and skills she doesn't even realize yet. She isn't too excited about horse vaginal examinations. She has alot to experience yet. Makenzie and Levi are good little helpers too.

New Calf

2010-08-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

Miss Cocoa was the first to deliver. All went well and her calf is progressing well. The weather here has been so hot that the animals have struggled through the heat and lack of water. We have two ponds available to this field, so the animals do well.

Ashley's wedding

2010-08-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to fly to Boise, Idaho for Ashley's wedding. It was beautiful! It was held in the back yard of this beautiful colonial ranch home. The horse stables were converted into a brides room with kitchen and bathroom facilities. She was a beautiful bride.

Pioneer Celebration

2010-08-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

July 24th we enjoyed celebrating Pioneer Day with our ward family. After a potluck dinner, the Primary had some fun activities for the children. I shared Pioneer stories and songs. I showed the children how to clean fleece and spin the fiber in yarn to use to make clothing. I'm sure I enjoyed it more than the children, Ariona says!

Gavyn is learning how to Nurse!

2010-08-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

We had baby bunnies born and the mommy would not take care of them. Ariona and Gavyn took turns in helping the babies nurse from the mommy. They eventually all died, but they did their best.

2010-06-27T17:56:00.000-07:00

Ken and I were able to go the the burial service for Grandma Pennington Cook, in Arizona. What a wonderful time we had with everyone there. We were sad not to be with family at the time of her death. We were glad for the opportunity to speak to her a few times over the past few months and tell her we love her. At Christmas she begged us to move home to Grants Pass. We knew when we moved, there would be loved ones we may never see again in this life. But we have the hope and faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ that reasures us of a glorious resurrection. The sealing power of the temple promises a welding link between generations and families. Not one is lost, not one will miss out on promised blessings. I have been blessed to have visited so often with Grandma over the past few years that she was in Grants Pass. I enjoyed watching her become child like. She truly was ready to meet her Savior, anxious to met again loved ones who had gone before. Not having a grandmother of my own, she truly was dear to my heart.

See ya later Grandma!

2010-06-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

Summer time has brought back the extreme heat and humidity. We just love to sweat and work outside. Almost as much as we like to have our picture taken.

2010-06-27T17:51:00.000-07:00

The girls are loving their horse, Candy. She responds wonderfully to Ariona. Ariona has been able to get her to gallop through the pasture. Candy is on the overweight side, so you know how challenging that could be. The both look so cute in their cowboy boots and jeans and riding helmet.

Levi is the leader of the chickens. Gavyn is becoming our master mower.

Graduation to High School

2010-06-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

Ariona at her graduation from 6th grade, leaving the elementary school and entering a new era, HIGH SCHOOL. She had a wonderful year getting to know new friends, and new rules.

Makenzie moves to 5th grade, Levi to 2nd and Gavyn to 10th. Gavyn got top in ALL of his classes. He is reallllllllllllly smart, just ask him!
Levi's biggest challenge for the year was saying "Yes Mam" to his teacher, every time spoken to.

2010-06-27T17:40:00.000-07:00

There is a spirit at these sights that can't be denied or explained. We were all touched and so grateful for the sacrifice of so many for what we now enjoy. We would like to have a family reunion here and share this with all our family. Hopefully before our sons go on missions.

2010-06-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

Our highlight for the spring was going to Nauvoo. We had a wonderful time together. Levi said he wanted to stay there forever. There is such a beautiful spirit there you just don't want to leave.

2010-06-27T17:33:00.000-07:00

Everyone had birthdays. Gavyn 15, Levi 7, Ariona 12, Makenzie 10. We're all getting a little old and wiser.

2010-06-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

Surpirse Aunt JoAnn. This was the first time we had the opportunity to share a birthday with Aunt JoAnn. We got her good.

2010-06-27T17:26:00.000-07:00

2010 began with alot of snow and freezing weather. I've never so cold in my life. This is when you really enjoy having worked on storing the wood in the summer months to prepare for the winter. There is nothing like a good snowball fight and then hot chocolate to follow. The children had an extra week of Christmas break due to the weather. They will have to make up snow days later in the spring.

Color

2009-11-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

Fall was beautiful. The drive to and from town is delightful as the colors changed from greens to vibrant shades of yellow, reds, and oranges. This is a view from our clinic with these beautiful trees. It didn't last long. The leaves are nearly all down now, but the weather has been comfortable.

The newest additions to our family are two Great White Pyranees female dogs. Their job is to watch over the Alpacas. They are loving animals, but they bark alot!!!!!!! This one with Levi is Molly. She is about a year old and weighs in over 80 lbs. The second one is named Gabby, she too is over 80 lbs. She is more shy and reserved. She is the one lying in front of Makenzie. Our family has gotten much smaller in some ways, and grown in others.

27 Years of Joy!

2009-11-08T18:07:00.000-08:00

Ken & I celebrated our anniversary going to the St. Louis, MO Temple. It is beautiful, as they all are. We were able to do family sealings, work we've been working on all year. Our new ward celebrated with us since it was the ward Temple Day. We then spent the next day at the cannery, canning supplies for the ward. We have recently been called as the Single Adult Shepherds for our ward. We have 59 on our rolls. After calling all of them, we found there will be updating the ward records. One sister on the list had been married for 10 years. Today we were called to be Institute Instructors for our ward. Since we have a University here in Mountain Home, we will have surrounding areas joining us. The adults want a class too, so we teach them also. We're calling them, "Seasoned Adults" since some do not like the "Mature" title. We are looking forward to this new challenge.

Ken and I were able to take 8 youth to the temple yesterday and do baptisms. What a wonderful blessing temples are. Be grateful when a temple is so close to you.

Farm Animals

2009-08-30T17:20:00.000-07:00

The kids are have wonderful experiences learning how to care for and love the animals on the farm. Ariona is becoming a great horse rider. She tolerates Makenzie getting her turn. Levi had a run in this week with the rooster that is behind him in the picture. I was driving in from work, and I hear him yelling, madder than a hornet, "I'm going to kill you." Thinking that he was yelling at a sibling, I was ready to give the lecture on we speak to one another. I get to him and he is bleeding, sweaty and sobbing. He had been trying to get the chickens in the pen and the rooster attached him. He had a bad scratch across his eye lid and down his cheek with peck holes on the back of his neck. I took him the house and washed him up before he could settle down long enough to tell me what had happened. Grandpa gave him permission to carry a big stick the next time he had to go into the pen. He is armed and ready.

Lone Rock Alpacas, LLC

2009-08-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

Meet our boys! The white Alpaca is Swashbuckler, the dark brown is Montegue, and the lighter brown is Philo. They are all three fleece producing Alpacas. We have plans to get females in the future. We had opportunity to get these three and we jumped. They are wonderful animals. We are all learning alot about eachother. We are now looking into the Pyrenees livestock guard dogs. We have a chance to adopt a 2 year old female near the end of the month. We'll see how things are going at that time. The property photos show alot of open area in the center. I have plans to build fenced areas for males and females with a covered barn community area for all the animals. I have a lot of work for Ken to get started on as soon as he gets here. Road to put in, a well to dig, fences to put up, barns to build, not to mention a house. It will take us longer than we had hoped since the house hasn't sold, but one step at a time and dreams come to fruition.

Barns

2009-08-30T17:04:00.001-07:00

This right side of the property will have a hay barn. The tree line borders a piece of property that was once a one room school house. My dream is to rebuild this historic structure and use as a community center.

Property Dreams

2009-08-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

From right to left is the span of property we dream of building our ranch and home. Behind this line of trees, in the far right, is a 10 acres field of hay field. We just cut and bailed last week. Gavyn and I stacked 100 bails in the barn one evening after work. No I didn't have my gloves on, and yes I learned that I should have. The knoll above where the cows are standing is where we plan to build the house with a shop off the the right of it.

Working Women

2009-08-30T16:45:00.000-07:00

After a week and a half of getting my resume out there and answering newspaper want ads, I got a job. These are the wonderful ladies in the office I work with. Debbie, sitting at the desk, does accounts receivable, Theresa, behind her, does medical records, Julie does "check in" receptionist, and I am the "check out" receptionist for ENT Associates. Dr. Paul Neis, and Dr. Monty Barker are the ear, nose and throat Docs. We have two audiologists, Deborah Baker and Monte Hardin. We also have an allergy department. This is a wonderful group of people to work with. I've learned alot. The biggest lesson I have learned is how spoiled I have been to be able to have been a work from home Mom for 25 years. I am enjoying the challenge of a busy office, but I miss my time with the kids at home. They are all in school now, so I'm only missing an hour and a half when they get home. Some days they even have dinner ready for me when I get there. Gavyn got his driving permit and so I'm teaching another teenager to drive. I find that to be the scariest thing in the world. I've survived 5 learners already so far, I should manage this one just fine. Seminary has started for Gavyn too, so that means early rising for Mom BEFORE work even begins. I find my brain starts fizzeling out about 4PM. That means the last hour is alittle fuzzy.

New Residence

2009-07-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

This is my new humble abode. Its a cute little guest house. One room with a small kitchenette and a bathroom. Small, but I have all my needs met. It takes a lot less time to clean than my 4,000 sq. ft. home in Oregon. But I do miss it. It was hard to say good-bye to Ken. He and Gavyn went back to Oregon to work, sell the house and attend Boy Scout Camp. I feel very dismantled. This transition is taking its toll. The view from my porch is this beautiful pond. I enjoy the birds, crickets and cows. The sounds of nature are all around. I listen to them as I drift off to sleep, and they arouse me in the morning. We have baby birds in the corner of the porch. I've enjoyed watching the parents swoop in to feed their hungrey babies.

Cousins

2009-07-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

It was fun to see the cousins all together. Some had never met before this gathering. This was only half, but still a joy to be together. Kaycee, the next generation had a great time with all the attention. It was a treat for us to have Alysa and Kaycee with us. They are moving to Del Rio, TX for the next few years.

Family Fun

2009-07-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Mom & Dad's 50th

Anniversary. It was great to be together.

Montazuma's Castle

2009-07-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

On the way to Flagstaff, AZ is an amazing place to see. Dwellings in the side of rock walls, concealed in a small area not seen from the main road level. People once lived here, grew their food and lived protected from the heat and enemy intruders for many years. I'm sure the valley was beautiful and peaceful. It was a great stopping place for hot travelers.

Visiting Shelby

2009-07-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

Our first stop was Phoenix, AZ. We got to kiss on Shelby and visit with Dustin, Kyla, Jera and Chelsea. Shelby has the cutest round cheeks. We picked up Alysa and Kaycee and headed North then turning East. The drive was long and laboring. The trailer was so loaded down that we could only travel slow up and down hills. The kids did remarkably well for being in the car so long. We left Oregon on a Friday and rolled into Arizona Sunday afternoon. We left Monday morning and arrived in Arkansas on Thursday afternoon. I just cried when I saw my sisters. I haven't seen them in so long.

Saying Good Bye

2009-07-30T17:28:00.000-07:00

We had a hard time saying good-bye to all those we love. Not knowing how long it will be before we get to see them again. The hardest was Grandma and Grandpa. We've had so many good years together sharing every holiday, birthday and just whatever special day we wanted. We look forward to days when they can come visit on a vacation.

Way to Go Chelsea!

2009-06-07T20:18:00.000-07:00

Way to Go Chelsea!!!! What a great day to finish High School. She graduated from Hidden Valley High, June 3rd. and then off to Arizona June 5th. She is deciding where life will lead her next. Will it be Evergreen in Washington, BYU Hawaii, or will it be marriage? Only she can decide. Whatever she decides, she will excell and sore to great heights, with Mom cheering her on.

Family Photos

2009-06-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

Is there anythiing more wonderful than family photos.

Dustin, Kyla and Shelby are picture perfect.

We are all so happy for you.

Blessing Day

2009-06-07T20:09:00.000-07:00

Shelby Ruth Pennington blessed by her daddy, Dustin, May 31st. She was beautiful in the dress Grandma Christy made for her. It was a wonderful day with family gathering together at Dustin and Kyla's home in Phoenix, Arizona. They are adjusting well to parenthood. So far Shelby has been a very good girl and not given them too much grief. All in due time.

Saying Goodbye

2009-06-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

We spend a lifetime gathering things, building a home and creating memories. It may be humble surroundings, it may in a remote area, but its ours. I came to Grants Pass, Oregon when I was three years old. This area has raised me to who I am today, and now it is time at 48 years old to venture off to discover more about myself and the world outside the safe mountains that surround this valley. I leave friends who have stood by me through tough times and loved me inspite of my faults. They I will treasure in my heart forever. Family members from my Husband's side will still be here to come visit and I look forward to those times. Believing in the sealing ordinances in the Temple's of our God, give me strength in the knowlege that families are forever. I go now to get to know and strengthen relationships with my side of the family. I leave behind much but I'm looking forward to greater opportunities.

Hello World

2009-05-24T10:23:00.000-07:00

What a doll! Shelby is beautiful and attentive when awake. As you can see very intelligent. I can hardly wait to enjoy all the things she learns and shares with me. What a wonderful time to start your life, with opportunities all around. She has a wonderful mommy and daddy that will give her lots of opportunities and love.

Grandma and Shelby's matching day

2009-05-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

Arizona Bliss

2009-05-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

This joy of being a grandma is indiscribable. I am in Arizona enjoying helping Dustin and Kyla with their new baby,

Shelby Ruth Pennington. She was born May 13th, 6 lbs. 15 oz. and 18 1/2" long. She is beautiful and already loves Grandma. I have also been able to visit with Kaycee. We have been enjoying eachother too. I'm missing the kids at home though. I've especially been appreciating my best friend and husband. He's putting in extra duty so I can be here playing. What a great guy!

Uncle Levi with Kaycee

2009-05-05T08:25:00.001-07:00

We all enjoyed feeding Kaycee and learning her likes and dislikes. She did get a little tired of all our loving. Everyone had to get alot of loving in before she had to go home.

Aunt Makenzie with Kaycee

2009-05-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

Thumbs come in handy and they are always available at a moments notice.

Aunt Ariona with Kaycee

2009-05-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

Uncle Gavyn with Kaycee

2009-05-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

2009-05-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Ken with Kaycee

2009-05-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

Grandma Christy with Kaycee.

Joys of Grandmahood

2009-05-05T08:09:00.001-07:00

Joys in life are sometimes few and far between, but I'm starting to understand to enjoy and appreciate the small moments as they come. Alysa and Kaycee came to visit for two weeks. What a delight to get to know this sweet little spirit. She has the most beautiful red, auburn red hair and spunk to go with it. What a "delight" she is to her parents. Growing pains here we come. Dustin, my oldest son, was able to visit for a week during the wedding events also. It was wonderful to hear of his goals and dreams. I am planning a trip to Arizona in a few weeks to welcome a second grand daughter into the world. Kyla, Dustin's wife is due May 17th.

I am looking forward to many more joys as our family continues to mulitiply and grow.

We continue to Grow

2009-04-27T16:37:00.000-07:00

April 10th we added a family to ours. Makayla and Collin were married in the Portland Temple. It was beautiful. A week later we held a reception in their honor in Grants Pass, their home town. The decorations were beautiful, the food was great and the newlyweds were beaming. I on the other hand, I have been experiencing growing pains of my own. My heart has mixed emotions. It is truly wonderful to see our children grow and achieve adulthood, but at the same time my heart is saddened by how fast this all happened. At the blink of an eye our children are grown and leaving our home. Life is moving too fast for me. In 2 1/2 years I have had 4 of my children get married. Another is graduating and leaving home, leaving only four at home. It has been 20 years since I had only four children in the home. My heart delights in all the good and wonderful opportunities that are out there for our children. It's letting go and letting them fly that's hard for me. As I take this new step of letting go, I wish them all the blessings in the world.

Painful Sorting

2009-03-08T18:54:00.000-07:00

This past month I spent sorting through business files with the sale of the business. Papers were signed February 2nd, but it has taken all month to make the transition. There is still a few loose ends. This month I am sorting and packing up my school room. I spent 20 years of my life home schooling and accumulating educational materials. Some materials have been useful and some, not so much. I have saved much of the work my children had done over these years. It is a bitter sweet experience as I review days gone by. One of the interesting things that I have kept all these years is my daily lesson log books. Each day I would record what our academic activities included. I started out doing this out of fear. I was afraid that one day I would get a knock on the door from the "Home School Police" and I would have to account for what I was teaching my children. It soon became a yearly record of all the good things we were doing together. The scripture lesson for the day, what scripture was used for dictation, which book and level each child was on, field trips and extra curricular activities. Much of which the children thought were boring. These stepping stones of education are priceless to me, because I can see the great young people they have become. Now with twenty years of daily records of the things I shared with my children, I can not keep them. Each and everyday has become my treasure that I ponder in my heart. They will never know how much I gave to them. I know, and I know my Heavenly Father knows.

Stepping Stones in our Lives that Refine

2009-02-01T08:24:00.000-08:00

15 Years ago our little Celestrial spirit left us to return to Heavenly Father. February 2, 1994 our lives changed forever. Zachary William Pennington is the 6th child born to a rapidly growing family. Born with Trisomy 21 known as Down Syndrome, he also had Hirshsprungs Disease. After surviving two major surgeries when he was less than a week old, he settled into the family and prospered as no one had expected. At ten months old he developed pnemonia during the night of February 1st and was gone the next morning. Life brings many interesting changes that for years the effects are still manifesting themselves. As painful as this experiences has been on all family members, Zachary brought a tangible bit of heaven to teach us, allow us to love, and give us hope that one day we'll be together again. The spirit in our home has never been the same, yet our resolve to remain steadfast and immovable in the faith, that one day we will be reunited again, has never changed. Covenants have been made to insure forever. This mother will remain faithful to the end, at whatever the cost, to be a forever family.

Through ALL Generations of Time

2009-01-18T10:40:00.000-08:00

An amazing experience has brightened my heart concerning Family History. Over the years I have been very relunctant in doing Family History because of my busy life with raising children, and my personal judgements related to my rebellious ancestors. I'm learning many important lessons and having amazing experiences that may inspire you to search out your family and do their temple work.
Last fall I was called to be a Ward History Consultant. My resposiblities include learning the New Family Search program and teach it to others. I have found the new program easy to find those loose ends of temple work that have been overlooked or forgotten. I'm learning how to research and find families and missing individuals from families. It has been thrilling to see the hand of the Lord in this work as it moves forward. I have caught the "moving arrow bug." Wherever there is a moving arrow, there is temple work that is ready to do. So I accept the work and go do the work. I have gathered many names that need their work done. It's that easy.
This past December 23rd, my birthday, our ward had scheduled a youth baptism night. Since I had children coming home for Christmas I decided that was what I wanted to do for my birthday. Grandma Pat watched the little ones and baby Kaycee while Ken and I took, Dustin & Kyla, Alysa & Tyson, Chelsea, and Gavyn to the temple. I had towel duty and I witnessed my children perform 68 family names. It was one of the most joyful experiences I have had in seeing each one come out of the font, clean and blessed by their ancestors for doing their work for them. My heart was full. I have never had a better birthday.
Over the next couple weeks, Ken and I have been performing ordinances for many of these names in preparation for a special High Council Temple day, scheduled for January 17th. I wanted to get as many done that could be sealed that day. By Friday the 16th I was down to 10 sisters and 8 brothers that needed their endowments in order to be sealed to either their spouse or to parents. Ken and I went to the temple Friday night with the desire to finish the work for two couples that could be sealed the next day. With a little prayer in my heart that I could get as many of these sisters done so they could be sealed the next day, I prepared myself. As I stood in line, each sister that came in asked if there were family names available. I gave out 7 names that were then completed that night. Eight sisters were completed and Ken did his one and a brother did one other. My heart was so touched by the tender mindfulness of the Lord in what I was trying to accomplish. We got up early the next morning to be at the 8am session. I gave one sister a name. The sister's name, unknown to me was Sarah. The names she would be doing for me was Sarah. She later pointed out that Sarah, the ancestor's baptism date was her birthday. She smiled and sweetly said, "I was meant to be here today to do this name." I took my last one who's name was Ann Simpson and Ken took her husband's name Bethuel Thue Johnson. They had six children ready and waiting to be sealed to them. I felt a special connection to this particular family. I had asked in prayer that I could be in tune to these family members as their work was being done. I felt an overwelming sense of excitment for these sealings to be done. By time we were in the sealing room we had all the names completed except two brothers. We participated in sealings for two hours and got all the work done. Just from our family 6 couples were sealed, 26 children from various parents were sealed. My heart was over flowing. I was really amazed at the feelings I experienced as one family gathered. Thomas Bulfinch and Susan Cloke had five children sealed to them. I didn't see anything, but my heart and mind sensed the joy of a mother. This mother, Susan Cloke was so happy and thrilled that her family was finally together. They had been waiting since 1500's in England, for this special day. Tears fell as I felt her presence and her joy. My joy was full. My prayer was answered 100 fold as I felt the joy of each mother, something I could recognize, to have her children forever.
I learned a marvelous truth as I experienced this day in the temple, that the work we do here and now doesn't just bless our ancestors, but the promise is that blessings are given through ALL generations of time, that includes my generation, ME. As we search out ancestors and complete their work, we are blessing our own lives and our posterity. What joy it is to feel the spirit of Elijah and hunger to do more.

Baby Girl Coming

2009-01-18T10:30:00.000-08:00

Dustin & Kyla are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their first baby, due May 17th. Ultra sound found no boy parts, so we are having a Girl. I am so excited to be a grandma again. Our family is just growing and growing. Dustin is finishing his schooling this summer too, so they are anticipating a move in their lives after the baby is here. I'm planning on going to Arizona to be there for the birth and help out where I can for a couple of weeks. That means Dad here gets to be Mr. Mom. He's not thinking this is a fair plan. I think its a wonderful plan.

Wedding Bells

2009-01-18T10:25:00.000-08:00

Makayla & Collin have set a date for their special day. April 1oth at 10am at the Portland Temple. Their reception will be April 18th here in Grants Pass from 5pm 0 7pm. They are so happy and welcome all to come join in the celebration of their union.

Makayla has been working hard on the wedding plans and making decisions about the reception. It will be beautiful.

Children say and do the darndest things

2009-01-04T20:07:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day of Primary for my little class of 9 sunbeams. These are 3 year old just coming out of Nursery. They each are precious and VERY energetic. I learned that I should not wear a button up skirt. During singing time I noticed the little boy sitting next to me had unbuttoned by skirt about four buttons. I told him that he couldn't undress my in Primary. He just smiled and gave me a big hug. During class we gathered around a colorful blanket on the floor to learn eachothers name. After learning their names I proceeded with a hacky sac toss to share what each of the children like to do. I started off telling the children that I like swimming. The next little boy said he liked swimming too. When asked what else he liked to do, he responded with "go potty." Taken back I said, "that's great so do I." He passed the hacky sac to the next child. I asked, "What do you like to do?" This time the little girl responded thoughtfully, " I like swimming and going potty." Trying to move past the issue, I continued to ask what else do you like to do. I helped with another idea. Each child was passed the hacky sac and responded the same, "swimming and going potty." It was so cute that each child responded so seriously that their choice of activity was to go potty. Then I realized that each of these children are in the potty training stage. How exciting to learn this skill, freedom this brings into their young lives. Oh, to be young again. As my own children are growing, and living lives of their own, I find myself reflecting back on the many memories of cute moments. These thoughts bring such joy and satisfaction. To have lived, loved, and laughed together.

Sparking way to start the New Year.

2009-01-03T18:53:00.001-08:00

The New Year started with a little excitement. During a morning rain storm, a tree fell over the power lines, causing the lines to go down. The power and phones were out. Lines strung all over the driveway and down at the end of the road we had an electrical fire lighting up the early morning darkness. Fire trucks, the power company and lots of rain.
We also got news that the buyer for our business got financing and plans to take over the business February 1st. WOW! Its really happening.
The next step is getting the house ready for market. We've got bad news that because of the market, our house is at half the value it was appraised at four years ago. Insurance claims the rebuild value is still up there, but the market may not hold the existing value. We have put the matter into the Lord's hands. He has a plan for us.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T20:31:00.000-08:00

Christmas at the Pennington home was totally fun and chaotic. Everyone was home for at least two hours at a time. It was awesome!
Not like the Christmas when everyone was small, but now with Adult children coming to visit and Grand babies coming. This picture was our only Christmas with our little angel Zachary, back in 1993. With memories from the past and hope for the future we look forward.