Life, just a moment in Eternity!

I have allowed myself to be overcome with busyness and my own journal and blogging and family history have been left in the dust. The past couple of weeks have held experiences which have allowed me time to reflect on those things of most importance. Randy and I have been blessed to make friends in many places. It has been my goal to maintain relationships with as many people as possible, because in one way or another they have formed who I am. Sometimes, unbeknownst to them. The past two weeks have brought unexpected deaths of two of those people. Both deaths were tragic and unexpected. Their families have meant so much to me and the grief I feel for their precious families is sometimes incapacitating. I can not imagine how they are dealing with the mortal "physical" reactions to these untimely deaths. However, there is something so spiritual about death. For those left behind it is a sad day. Even Jesus wept, when He knew He would ressurect Lazarus. Grief and mourning are a natural part of this sojourn called life...but as I think about the opportunities for those who have "graduated" on to the next moment in Eternity, I can't help but feel the presence of the Comforter and the beauty of the whole experience. My sister died in 1991 - it was very hard for me, but I feel her presence on a regular basis. Those who die have not left us, they have only moved on to the next moment - I believe they are still very much apart of our lives. In their influence, in their memory and in their example.
How grateful I am for a knowledge of my Savior and His ability to reunite us with our Father in Heaven. I am overwhelmed with the opportunity to go to the Lord's temple and feel the veil evaporate for a few moments.
I will cry with my friends, I will grieve, I may stop my own life for moment, but in the end I will rejoice with them as we learn and progress to the next level. To my dear Friends, Mary Lou and Sue and your children I say thank you for your influence, thank you for allowing me to be part of your life and if in any way I can help to bear your burden or mourn with you, thank you for the opportunity!

Tears....

Well, I thought I might make someone cry when I was doing taxes, because they wouldn't have enough to pay, but today was a great day. A couple came in who were trying hard to make a go of it. They both had made some hard choices in their lives and he had spent some time in jail, but they are married now, just had a baby and he is working hard to help turn life around. He was quite worried he wouldn't have enough to pay his taxes. I actually got him a refund in the thousands and he was so shocked and surprised he actually had tears in his eyes. It was just a fun experience! I have really enjoyed the tax job. There are times when I feel like people are lying through their teeth to me, and that is a frustrating feeling. But, it is so nice when you can help them find credits and deductions they didn't know they had coming. Anyway, life is very busy right now, but I have enjoyed it and it has also given me a chance to help pay for Alisa's wedding. I am looking forward to next weekend though, to have a break and play with grandkids! Also, looking forward to some time to catch up on blogging or journaling about some experiences I have been having! Sure glad for my blessings and opportunities!

We're All together again!!!

Christmas brought us all together. It was crazy, but it's always nice to have everyone home! We didn't quite have the basement ready, but Randy has worked very hard and I think by the wedding time it will be ready for people to stay. Having the little kids made Christmas morning fun. All Rylie wanted was a birthday hat, it was pretty cute!

Conner was very helpful at decorating the tree!

And...everyone was good sports about showing off their pjs! Even Brandon! Since I bought the fabric last January, I didn't have any more material - so he got the store special! I never realize there were so many different kinds of camo material!


I could bore everyone with lots more pictures, but these smiles are what it's all about! We reserved the church Christmas Eve and Shannon and her family spent the time with us! What a fun memory! Thanks for the blessings of family!




Were these the Erkel pictures you wanted RacheL?? Pretty funny kids!

What do I want to be?????

Well I can't believe it has been close to month since I last posted. My brain has always gone a million miles a minute in every direction so focus has been hard for me. I had lots of things I wanted to be when I was growing up, but being a wife and mom was top of the list, well now my husband works or sleeps most of the time and my kids either have significant others or friends or just life events which leaves me back at the table wondering what do I want to be when I grow up! I think I could be pretty happy staying home and quilting, doing geneology, visiting grandchildren, organizing scrapbooks, etc., but I think Randy would like to give up his part time job (US ARMY RESERVES) so it's probably my turn to step up to the plate and help him in his endeavors to bring home the bacon. So...I have tried my hand at teaching music at the school, I continue to teach piano and my latest is working for H&R Block. This means the next few weeks will be pretty intense for me. I enjoy most of these things most of the time, but the working with kids especially takes a toll on me. I come home very tired! It's interesting I can work in the office environment all day and not be nearly as tired as I am after a couple of hours with kids. But in weighing the jobs against each other, I am not sure any other profession shows as much appreciation for you as the love of a child. Now I am dealing with my conscious trying to decide if I am doing to much because Jordan is really at the crossroads right now. He is very supportive and does a good job of being a good kid, but I am grateful this is only a seasonal opportunity for work, because I really only have another couple of years to enjoy Jordan in our home. I also find I am not as compassionate to my husband. As much as I can find myself enjoying working, I am so grateful Randy and I made the decision to keep me in the home with the kids at all costs. It was not always easy and there may have been times when the kids felt jipped, but I think the benefits to our family far outweigh any of the negatives. At the end of the day when we are making our tally count, the only thing that will really count is the relationships we have built. I think I have rambled on but this is a good place for me to share my thoughts!

Top 8 in 2008

This year I debated about doing a Christmas letter and just doing my blog...I changed my mind! But instead of pictures and family news I did something a little different - so this blog is for those of you who still wanted to see our pictures and years events - I am sure we had others, but these were the ones that stood out in my mind!
1 - WICKED at Pantages! My sister, knowing my great love of the stage, gave me tickets to see Wicked in Los Angelas. So in January, She, her daughter Brittany and I went on a weekend adventure! Biggest mistake - I didn't take the camera! I loved the show for lots of reasons - just can't wait to go again!

2 - Randy gets long awaited dream of Fishing trip in Alaska with his boys, and ALISA! A great time was had by all - I would love to move back to Alaska if I could take all the kids, grandkids, etc.....but it's just to far away! I did get a chance to go to Anchorage Temple - WONDERFUL

3 - Emily and Steve grace us with our 4th Grandchild. Matthew Coey, born in May. He graciously waited for me to be done teaching school for the year, so I could be with Conner while mom was in the Hospital! Awesome experience!! His middle name is after my dad!









4 - Nate lands the biggest Silver! Enough Said!

5 - Rachel and Brad add a new little granddaughter...Kallie Christine...November 14, she couldn't wait until I was done with school, but dad had a week off of work, so they had some family time before Randy and I got down to see them!

6 - Alisa gets engaged! His name is Brandon Bitner and he is a bit of a military brat as well! She's always done everything FAST! But we know she leads a spirit led life! She chose a kindred spirit and we are excited to have him join our family!

7 - Jordan turns 16, gets drivers permit, still waiting for that FIRST DATE!

8 - We host a Family Reunion in Idaho! The whole Lowe Clan was there. Not sure how often that will happen again!


All in all 2008 was great!

Day - Week - I lost track - Neil Bradley

Okay, I am not being as faithful as when I started this blog, but I still think of my blessings much more frequently than when I began this journey! I have been thinking about Brad the last couple of days. It is fun to watch your children meld with another family. There are so many things we take and learn from them. Brad has encouraged Rachel not to have any loud voices in their home - she is so far trying hard to cooperate. I appreciated her sharing this with me, because for those of you who know me, you know I have a tendency to raise my voice, (most often, when stressed) I believe I picked that up from my dad - I learned early in life my dad's bark was much worse than his bite, so it is hard for to remember that others can be traumatized by "yelling". I imagine most people shut down when someone yells. Anyway, that is just one thing I am grateful to Brad for. In an indirect way he is teaching me. I love to watch him with his babies.
He likes to just sit and hold them and has no fear of changing diapers, etc. He is so good to take Rylie on hikes and swimming. I feel very blessed as I watch life take it's course. Emily and Rachel both seemed to pick men who compliment them and help strenghen them! So Brad...if you are reading this - I hope you know how much I love you and appreciate what you do for my daughter and granddaughters! I know I am a little more obnoxious and Rachel would say not as refined as your mom - but I sure appreciate what you teach me - sometimes just through your quiet manner. AND...Randy is thrilled to have someone who loves the outdoors as much as he does!

Day ??? - Steven!

I was going to title this Steven the Stalker - but any of you who know the story, know he really was never a stalker! I just had a daughter who played a little too hard to get for almost too long, but luckily she came to her senses quick enough to bless our family with Steve. Rachel asked me the other day if I knew how lucky I was to have such good priesthood holder son in laws, because in Brad's profession he is very aware of those who don't treat their wives so well. It made me realize I definitely need to give them their own day in my gratitude journal! I have been so grateful for Steve in our family. At first it was very hard for me because I was sure he would take her away and who knew when I would see her. It has been much the opposite, he has been so supportive of our family, it's kind of like when you have a child and you can't remember what it was like without them. He was trained so well by his family and had such nice manners so much so that he called me Sister Lowe (which always makes me feel so old - wait! Maybe I am old!) I have appreciated watching him help Emily strenthen her testimony. What greater gift! AND....he is the best at helping me get my family names temple work done! He is a doting father, and when I have a family meal, it's hard to function without him and Dean there to help in the kitchen! I really missed them at Thanksgiving! Thank goodness for Grandma Dorothy and Aunt Christine!
I have been a little preoccupied with thoughts of my friends and sister who were taken from this world so prematurely and it has caused me to ponder on whether I have taken the time to sufficiently express and show my love and gratitude for people in my life. Each time I sit down to do one of these blogs, I think of more and more people I want to recognize and should I ever be taken prematurely - I would want them to know of their influence on me. So Steve - today is your day! I love you.