"F-A-M-I-L- Y spells Family, that's for sure. F-a-m-i-l-y the team that will endure." Yep. that's song for the day. I wrote it many, many years ago and we sing it on all family road trips. Whenever I teach it to a group of young children, they just love it. It's becoming a regular Family Reunion staple of sing-along songs.

July was a month of fun. We began early. The last week of June was the Palmer Family Reunion in the Coconino National Forest just 6 miles S. of Flagstaff off Lake Mary Meadows Rd. Grant & Cindy won the "Who had the most kids at the Reunion?" award and his son Tim won the award for "Who traveled the farthest?" Grandma Kay won again for "The Oldest Family Member" at the reunion but Lana and Lila won the Rook Tournament. Yes, be beat even the awesome, fearsome team of Grandma and Tim. Yikes and Wow!

We stayed over to the 4th of July weekend and reserved our camping spot for the "RedShoe" campout where more family, friends and neighbors were invited to come. There was archery, horseshoes, marshmallow wars, horseback riding, a lake nearby and lots and lots of games and cards. The food was terrific and the company unexcelled.

"What's the World To Us Without A Family?" It's a dark and dismal place. Like a thunderstorm without a rainbow like a smile without a face... Yep. That's another song of mine. It's a fun sing-along song as well. I added a bridge and a third verse. It's a funny and fun to sing song. There's just nothing as great and wonderful as Family. Oh, the wealth of age and wisdom. I learn so much from my elders, I wish I could be in their company and drink from the fountain of their knowledge and experience. I thank God for my parents, my brothers and sisters, their families, my children and their families.

Easter Morning

The song for today is

"Easter Morning"

by C.D. Martin and Wm. J.C. Thiel

(vs.2)

Death is no longer the master and king,

Jesus is risen, His power we sing;

Lives He for aye at the right hand of God;

Crown Him, O crown Him, your Savior and Lord.

It has been 11 years since the passing of my beloved brother, David on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1999. How grateful I am for the promise of a resurrection brought about by our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. At this time of year, the hope of being reunited with family and loved ones gives me joy. It makes me happy knowing God Rules and that as we follow Him and keep His commandments, there are blessings that await us; so great that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Cor.2:9. Isah. 64:4, Doctrine & Covenants 76:10

May God bless you with the promise of Easter.

Song for the day is... "Baby, Baby" sung by Amy Grant

I was honored and privileged to be invited, by my daughter, to assist her in the labor and delivery of her firstborn. She had son she and James named Aidan. It brought me back to my own babies and I recalled and relived the wonder that is the miracle of birth assisting and viewing Danette work so hard for so long to finally deliver a healthy, beautiful baby boy. We are all so happy.

Danette was magnificent in her labor. She was truly awesome. Amanda and Yvonne were spectacular labor and delivery nurses. Danette is so thrilled to be a mommy. Aidan is just perfect. He arrived just in time, he weighed just the right amount and his eyes, nose, mouth, hands and feet are just right. We thank the Lord for His mighty power and recognize His hand in this miracle.

The Song for today is... "Love is in the Air"

It's winter but hearts are warm and happy. There has been a wedding. It brings families together and reminds us of how much we love each other. What a happy and glorious day.

The festivities started the day before when friends got into town and we started decorating the hall for the ring ceremony and reception. We turned a basketball court into a 'winter wonderland' with trees, lights strung from across the ceiling and red and silver trim everywhere.

The day of the wedding was perfect. The sky was a soft pale blue, the temperature a cool 78 degrees and the company upbeat and hopeful. The couple was so happy it glowed on their faces. The temple ceremony was wonderful, the ring ceremony lovely, and the reception was filled with fun, family, friends and frolic. People came even after the couple had left for their honeymoon.

We must thank all those who have a had a part in making the couple happy.

Love

Love

It's what makes the world go round. It's the best thing. Love is what brought us together and love is what keeps us together. Love has blessed us with six children and 12 grandchildren. Love is blessing us with 2 more grandchildren this year.

We had a great time giving Danette a baby shower. We are so excited awaiting the arrival of Aidan just in time for spring training of Major League Baseball, which is who James works for. Aidan's aunties put on a fun party. Thanks to all our family and friends who came and showered Danette with gifts and diapers.

I love what Dieter F. Uchtdorf says about LOVE. "No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God! For what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are-- and who we will become." Oct. 2009

May love bless your life and may you find love and be loved and love those around you.

Happy New Year and new decade. Wow! Another one. I started life in the 50's when you could leave your doors unlocked and girls wore skirts and dresses to school; a prayer was offered at school each day along with the Pledge of Allegiance, and milk cost a nickel. Now here it is 2010! We've come a long way. However, I'm afraid we have lost a great deal of civility and common courtesy. We seem to look for the worst in others and spread it around like grass seeds. It grows very fast and covers a lot of ground. In the 50's we watched TV shows like "Daddy Knows Best" and "Leave it to Beaver." Unlike today's programs, these old-fashioned TV shows taught respect and manners. We practiced it at home and did our best to get along. I remember hearing more than once Mom and Dad praying that we would "not fight and quarrel". How could we if we truly love each other. I think we have to keep reminding ourselves, "We love each other." It makes such a difference how we treat one another and how we speak about one another when we remember that we love each other. Love-- it's a great thing. It makes me happy.

A Christmas Anniversary

This week Daniel & I celebrate our 36th wedding anniversary. We are happier than we have ever been. Daniel has made all my dreams come true and he says I'm perfect for him. We have six amazingly talented and awesome children. They are married to wonderful people and have given us 12 of the most beautiful grandchildren on the face of the earth.

We had our family over for dinner yesterday. We have a tradition where each family performs a song, poem, reading or something to share with the rest of the family. We begin by performing the Nativity Story from Luke 2. Each took a part to read and the grandchildren played the part of the angels heavenly host. We then start with the oldest and continue on to the youngest. We missed having our eldest son, Aaron, and his family with us. The songs and poems were precious. We lacked the time to hear a lovely solo from Faith, and James who had prepared to read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". We then exchanged gifts and love. How wonderful it is to have your family around us for Christmas.

Next week we gather together with our parents, brothers and sisters for dinner, a program and gift exchange. We love getting together and expressing our love and appreciation for one another. We are so blessed to be a part of such loving and devoted families as the Shoemakers, Palmers, Squires and Rays. We feel grateful to have such a rich family heritage.