What's New in Stonebridge?

As you leave our neighborhood, we have a new marquis. I volunteered to be the 'keeper of the sign'. I post any needed information to the homeowners. Most of the time I have one side that I put up a silly joke or riddle. Check back occasionally to see what's making people smile as they leave our neighborhood. Here's the sign this week.

Grateful Sundays

"There is gratitude for our mothers. Mothers, who willingly made that personal journey into the valley of the shadow of death to give us birth, deserves our undying gratitude. One writer summed up our love for mothers when he declared, 'God could not be everywhere, and so He gave us mothers.

While on the cruel cross of Calvary, suffering intense pain and anguish, Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!' (John 19:26-27.) What a divine example of gratitude and love!" --Thomas S. Monson

Today is Mother's Day, 2009. Here are a few things I'm grateful for this week.

* My Mother. My mother is the kindest, most loving, gentle, soft-spoken, selfless, and serving person you might ever meet. She has been such a wonderful example to me of all things good. She gives me courage and strength to go forth in life and conquer whatever challenges might be set before me. She is my quiet cheerleader. I am honored to be her daughter and to be able to call her my mother. But I'm even more blessed to call her My Friend. For My Mother, Thank You.

* My Kids. If you would have told me 25 years ago I would be the proud mother of 4 beautiful children, I might have called you a bit crazy. But after almost 22 years of a happy marriage and 3 beautiful daughters and 1 wonderful son later, I called myself extremely blessed.

Each one of my children is as different as the seasons of the year. Each brings such different and unique gifts and talents to our family. I can't imagine being on this journey of eternal life without each one of them. They teach me more about life than I could ever hope to teach them. For a loving Heavenly Father who has enough trust in me to bless me with such unbelievable and special children, Thank You.

* Wonderful Women. When we begin this life's journey, little did we know that we would have the opportunity to work with, become friends with, be influenced by and love the wonderful women that we would have the great fortune to cross paths with. I am thankful for the wonderful women throughout my life who have taught me in Primary, Young Women and Relief Society. I am thankful for wonderful women who have shared their knowledge about food storage, exercise and their zest for life. I am thankful for wonderful women who have taught me to bake the best loaves of bread and many other goodies. I am thankful for wonderful women who have taught me the blessings of service by their personal actions. I am thankful for wonderful women who have shared their personal wisdom with me and have reminded me that it's not always about the destination, but about the journey; to stop and enjoy the little things; that life, when you really get down to it, is truly about relationships and love. For all the Wonderful Women who have influenced my life, Thank You.

To the Mothers I Love

To My Mother...

I said a little prayer

to thank the Lord above

for blessing me with a lifetime

of your tenderhearted love.

I thanked God for the caring

you've shown me through the years

for the closeness we've enjoyed

in time of laughter and of tears.

And so, I thank you from my heart

for all you've done for me

and I thank the Lord for giving me

the Best Mother there could be!

******************************************

To My Mother-in-Law

You are the other mother I received
the day I wed your son.
And I just want to thank you
for the loving things you've done.

You've given me a gentle man
with whom I share my life.
You are his loving mother,
And I, his lucky wife.

You used to kiss his little head
And now I hold his hand.
You raised with love a little boy
Then gave me a loving man.

Powder Puffs Win!

Today was Kellie's last soccer game this season. She has been playing on the same team since she was four years old. We've seen a few girls come and go but overall these same little girls have grown up playing together on a soccer field.

It's funny to think about their first seasons playing 'herd ball' and how far they've actually come. Now they play on a much bigger field, play positions and are getting pretty good at passing the ball. They have come such a long way.

I'm so glad she loves her Powder Puff soccer team. We have met such adorable little girls and some terrific parents. Come rain, shine, wind or Texas heat, it's fun to hang out with such wonderful people on the soccer fields each Saturday.

Kellie plays goalie.

I have to say she's pretty darn good!

(Just ask the little girls who had to goalie for her

last week when she missed the game!!)

She's ready!!

That goalie box is pretty big.

Just 'chillin'

Covering the net.


Go get 'em Kellie!

Whew!! Quick, throw it in!!

The best part of the game....

Snack Time!!

Kellie and her team mate, Coco (Nicole) Calhoun.

She's Coach Greg's daughter.

We love her.

If we were keeping score the Powder Puffs would have won this game 4-0. But since we don't (a-hem...) we had one fantastic game and not even one ball got past my Kellie.

Goodbye, Soccer. We'll see you in the fall!!

The End.

A New Restaurant in Town

There's a new restaurant here in Keller. It's called Enchanted Edibles Reading Restaurant and lucky for me it's located right inside Kellie's 3rd grade class. Come inside.


At every fine dining restaurant, you are greeted by a hostess at their hostess desk. Here we are waiting to be seated. Boy, I hope we don't have to wait too long.

We were seated promptly at a beautiful table.

Our menus were presented to us.

I wonder what I'll order?

Hmm. Should I have the Hansel and Gretal?

Three Billy Goats Gruff?

Or should I have the Sleeping Ugly?


Hansel and Gretel

The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

Sleeping Ugly.
We chose this one.

Such a cute server. We were served a beautiful bowl of candy kisses, for Sleeping Beauty's 'Love's 1st Kiss', jelly beans for Jack in the Beanstock, a yummy gingerbread cookies, for the Gingerbread Man and a delicious piece of bread for Hansel and Gretel. Delicious!!

We enjoyed the entertainment which was Kellie's friend, Becky, reading our chosen entree, 'Sleeping Ugly'.

What an enjoyable afternoon at a fantastic

new restaurant, Enchanted Edibles.

I hope I get to come back again soon!

A Friendly Surprise

Last Saturday was Madie Rousseau's baptism. We were so excited to attend this special event and celebrate afterwards with her and her family. She looked absolutely beautiful in her beautiful white dress and perfectly done hair. It was a beautiful baptism.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a wonderful luncheon at the Rousseau's home. Christine is a wonderful cook, but an even better hostess. She has the perfect knack for making everyone feel extremely comfortable and welcome in her and Leslie's home. She served delicious pulled pork sandwiches, the best potato salad ever, the most awesome pasta salad, a healthy veggie tray, a yummy fresh fruit salad and, at Madie's request, grilled hot dogs and individual bags of chips for the kids. We served a cookie cake for dessert. And in case that wasn't enough, at the last minute, Chef Christine whipped up an unbelievable Triple Berry Cobbler right on the spot. Let me just say, there wasn't much left over at the end of the afternoon!

We might have overstayed our welcome a bit when Sydnie and I stayed to selfishly visit with Christine and her wonderful friends and continue playing with the kids. As we visited, we cleaned up the kitchen a little and got it back to normal so that Christine and her family could easily enjoy the rest of their wonderful weekend together. What a surprise when my dear friend showed up yesterday with a special 'thank you'.

Christine, simply being my dear friend is indeed thanks enough. You are such a wonderful example to me of optimism, selflessness, service and unconditional love for others. I am truly a better person for having you in my life. Thank You!!

My 'Spicy Red-Head' was so excited!

She loves those cute Rousseau kids.

Christine always wins the prize for creativity.

Gorgeous roses.

Today they are starting to bloom.

Roses just make you smile, don't they?

Grateful Sundays

Thou has given me so much... Give me one thing more, a grateful heart.--George Herbert

The unthankful heart ... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and. As the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!--Henry Ward Beecher

Already the month of May. Here are a few things I'm grateful for this week (and last).

* Good Friends. Last week I had to prepare for a Stake Auxiliary Primary meeting for 40+ women. Our theme was "Feed My Sheep". Being the A type personality that I am and extremely detail oriented (to a fault) I thought it would be so fun to make some yummy individual cut-out sheep sugar cookies. These couldn't just be any old sugar cookie, they needed to be the most tasty, frosted beautifully and each individually wrapped sugar cookies. You know, cookies that could pass for the ones "Martha" would have made. I wanted to give these special sisters something that could serve as a special favor to remind everyone the wonderful evening we had, along with the other handouts I had prepared.

My dear friend, Christine, 5 months pregnant, and with an adorable 7 month-old in tow, volunteered immediately to spend the day baking and frosting with me. Anyone who knows Christine, knows she is a fabulous cook with only the most delicious recipes in her repertoire. She not only supplied me with a delicious recipe that we tripled, but also a wonderful morning and afternoon talking about our kids, our church callings and just about life in general. For her gift of time and talent, and for Good Friends, Thank You.

* Special Meetings. Twice a year, my counselors and I conduct Stake Auxiliary training for the Primary presidencies in our stake, which is comprised of 12 wards. This meeting,we also invited all of the nursery leaders as well to meet our new stake Primary nursery leader, Sister Kim Beer. We had a wonderful attendance. The theme of our meeting was "Feed My Lambs".

After our Savior was resurrected, and returned to show himself unto his disciples, he drew his apostles close to him and talked and counseled with them. He left with them some parting instructions. I often wonder if I knew my days in this life were limited, what would I want my husband and children to know? What would be the most important thoughts that I could leave with them? What would be some of my parting words to them? I'm sure the Savior was thinking these same things.

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith uhto him the third tme, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third tme, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

Of all the things the Savior could have said to them at his parting, he pleads with them not once, not twice but three times to 'Feed His Sheep'. I'm sure he was saying, 'Teach them about me. Help them learn of me. Show them, by word and deeds, how to live so that they can return again to me someday.'

My wonderful counselors, Tracy and Laura, each shared some thoughts. Tracy talked about being a sheepherder or a shepherd. Did you know there is a difference? Yes, there is. A sheepherder is one who is hired for wages to watch over the sheep. Often he is seen at the rear of the flock, slouched down on his horse, sound asleep. Doing the work are a half-dozen or so dogs yapping and barking at the heels of the sheep. He doesn't necessarily have any feelings for the sheep. He puts in his time and goes home. Such is the life of a sheepherder.

A shepherd on the other hand, leads his flock from the front. As he turns to the left, so do his sheep. As he turns to the right, so then do his sheep. A true shepherd loves his sheep. He knows each one by name. He has compassion and genuine concern for the sheep entrusted to his care. Christ was a true shepherd, not a sheepherder. Which one are you? It's an interesting question, isn't it?

Laura talked about teaching with the Spirit. Each Primary leader can be taught by the Spirit when she prepares early. A former counselor in the general Sunday School presidency has said, "I have learned that teaching by the Spirit is to plan your lesson at least a week ahead of time; then you give the Spirit time to teach you." Elder Russel M. Nelson said he sets for himself a deadline to have the first draft of his talk for April general conference finished by January 24 and for the October conference, by July 24. "Why? Because I don't get any help from heaven until that first draft is finished. Once I'm immersed and I know were I'm going, then the Lord give me help." He said those who teach the gospel are guided by the Spirit once they are 'invested' in teaching the message. Such good counsel.

We shared a short DVD presentation called "Feed My Lambs" which tells the story of a brother and a sister given the summer task at their family farm to simply feed the lambs. The father promises that if they will feed the lambs, at the end of the summer, when they are sold, they will be given half of the profits. They excitedly agree. What the father neglects to tell his children is that these lambs have no mothers. They were shorn early in the spring and an untimely frost had killed most of them. These lambs are motherless. The children find out quickly that it is nearly impossible to feed 300 sheep 3 times a day. They devise many ways to feed the lambs. They make troughs, but the lambs don't know how to eat from a trough. They have never been taught. They find out that to feed the lambs adequately, they need to do it one at a time, with a large bottle. As the summer progresses, the coyotes begin to take the toll on their little lambs. When the lambs get unusually restless at night, the father goes outside and shoots his shotgun into the air to scare away the hungry coyotes. First, the weak ones are taken. Then the sick and starving ones become easy prey for the coyotes. It becomes not unusual to find 4-5 dead lambs each morning. It wasn't unbearably sad until the special, little lamb the girl had named comes up missing one morning. She wanders the hillside looking for her lamb and finally finds it near a little stream, dead. With tears in her eyes, she picks up her favorite lamb and cradles it under her neck and walks slowly back to the farm. She finds her father working in the barn and with tears streaming down her face, asks her father, "Isn't there anyone who can help us feed our lambs?" A caring father, gets down on his knees and stares at his daughter in her eyes and says, "There was someone long ago who asked the same question."

A grown up daughter, in retrospect, understands what her father was saying. The message is abundantly clear. Are we taking our stewardship seriously when we are entrusted to care and teach 'His little lambs?' Do we love them and nurture them as He would? He is counting on us, as his leaders and teachers to teach our precious lambs about Him and make sure they are nourished and fed with his Word.

The presentation ends with her stating, that "of the 300 lambs they cared for that summer, they were only able to save one-third."

As Primary leaders, and even as mothers, we must do all that we can to insure that our Savior's flock is given all that they need to be nourished, fed and to flourish and learn here upon this earth. It was a very awesome and sobering presentation.

Our meeting concluded with my dear friend, Angi and her sweet daughters singing, "Teacher, Do You Love Me?" It was absolutely the perfect ending to a wonderful meeting.

To say that this was a special evening would be an understatement. The Spirit was so strong in the room. Tears were shed and everyone in the room was richly blessed by their attendance this night. For the opportunity to attend, conduct and share in Special Meetings, Thank You.

* Inspired Leaders. This week we have been inundated with stories of 'Swine Flu' all over the globe. It doesn't seem too serious. I am optomistic. But I am grateful for wise and loving leaders who tell us to always be prepared for anything that might challenge us; a natural disaster, unemployment, illness, etc. "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." We have not felt panicked here in our home. We try to follow what our leaders have taught us.

“Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake ... cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they will somehow be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion. The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel through His servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times. Have we heeded His counsel?” - Ezra Taft Benson (General Conference, October 1980)

For the gift of Inspired Leaders, Thank You.

* My Sister, Danae.

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips.
~Author Unknown

Friday was my sweet sister, Danae's 36th birthday. I've already told her that she's now closer to 40 than 30, with which she replied, "Yikes!" I've comfortingly reassured her that the 40's are a wonderful place to be, and not to be afraid.

My sister, although she is 7 years younger than me (you do the math on that one...) is someone who I look up to immensely. In my eyes she is a spiritual giant, an exemplary mother, a caring daughter, a compassionate friend, a loving wife and an inspiring sister. I am grateful for the incredible gift she has been to me in my life. She has taught and continues to teach me many things through her example and the quiet way in which she lives her life.

It's true, just like the quote above states, Danae, you ARE the chocolate chips in my life. Why choose the simple, yet delicous sugar cookie when you can have the over-the top, scrumptious, roll-your-eyes-back-in-your-head, ooey, gooey, warm and tasty, milk chocolate chip (with walnuts) Chocolate Chip Cookie? For the gift of my Sweet Sister, Danae, Thank You.

p.s. I can't wait for all of my friends here in Texas to meet her. She's coming to visit in June!! You're going to LOVE her!! Check out her new blog, http://www.justgiveitawhirl-danae.blogspot.com/. You'll love her inspiring ideas!