Sweet Gavin

Our family tradition continues with our kids having a "date" with their parents on "their day." Gavin's day is the 15th of every month and lucky for him, there was no school for him today on the 15th!!!
We started the day playing basketball for fun at the church, then went to a late breakfast at Kneaders where we had yummy croissant sandwiches, and then we finally ended up at Scheels where we got Gavin some much needed new basketball shoes, some new socks and a windbreaker.
Gavin is such a good good boy and I told him, "Gavin, do you know that if I think back really really hard, I can't even think of one time that you have ever been mean or rude or disrespectful to me...ever!"
And that is THE TRUTH.
Gavin is the sweetest soul...a gentle giant...and loves his family so so much.
His response to my remark was, "Well mom, I can't imagine ever wanting to be rude to my mom. I love you so much! And dad too!"
What a sweet sweet boy.
I love him so much!!!

Valentine's Day

 Valentine's Day brought me beautiful flowers from my sweetie...

 Valentine parties for the little girls...

And Heart braids and bows...

 Kambriella is a good big sister and helped Kesslyn with decorating her box and getting her excited for the fun and celebrations...

  I love their creativity and how they LOVE to let their imaginations take over...

 I have been doing these heart braids on my girls on Valentine's day for as long as I can remember. They love wearing them and I know it makes them feel so special and pretty... :) ...which makes me happy. :)

 A heart shaped pizza, chocolate dipped strawberries, and cookie dough for my kids while their dad and I head out on a date...They love it, I love them, and everyone is feelin' the LOVE on Valentine's Day!!!

Treasure Found In Pompeii

 Yesterday I woke up with a text on my phone that came through at about 4:00 in the morning...

It was from a couple from West Jordan that was visiting Italy and ran into this "wonderful young man" while they were at Pompeii!! I'm telling you there is nothing like receiving these awesome messages when you least expect it and out of the blue! The last time I received one of these was on my birthday. Ironically enough, yesterday was Kierra's birthday so it seemed only appropriate to send it to her and tell her the story and that this MUST be "Happy Birthday" from her brother! :) What was even more amazing was that this couple has a son that lives in our stake! And they are next door neighbors with our good friends! 

It's really a small world and especially when you remember that we are all brothers and sisters in the gospel of Jesus Christ...each a beloved child of God. 

Treasures and miracles can be found everyday if we will only open our eyes and look around us..they are everywhere, even in Pompeii! :)

Worlds Apart and Close at Heart

 World's apart and close at heart!  :)

Although we are on opposite sides of the world, we seem to be keeping close by doing and loving the same kinds of things...People, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Pizza!!! :)

Also, this sweetheart daughter of mine is 21 years old today!!!

Happy Birthday to you Kierra Nicole Johnson!!!

 This special girl has taught me many many lessons in life so far and continues to teach me everyday. She is the BEST big sister these girls could have ever hoped for...always loving, laughing, playing, and putting a firm interest in them and all they are doing...

 She is a loving wife and is currently living her dreams being married to her best friend Riley and together they are doing amazing things. They are both currently in school, Kierra graduating in Business in just 2 short months, and Riley in the middle of dental school , but finishing in the top 3 in his class...

 They make time for each other, their family, going to the temple every week, for service, for working hard, and still better yet PLAYING hard too.  :)

She is a favorite of ours around here, and although we don't see her everyday, her influence and spirit and enthusiasm for her family and life are felt constantly. She has helped to create a culture of love in this home that we still feel even though she lives far away...

 I will continue to say that she is my angel daughter full of so much light and goodness and I love her so very much, and even more so with every passing day. I am excited to continue watching all of the good that will come from this amazing young woman! Her influence and strength will touch so many lives and it's exciting to see. Happy Happy Birthday to you my beautiful Kierra! I love you so much and am so glad that you are mine!!!

To Bring Souls to Christ

 These sweet brothers went to the temple together after school yesterday. 

I picked them up at dusk, and with the newly fallen snow the mountains were gorgeous and I wanted to capture them...just like their brother Anziano Trickett was at the Rome temple and his picture was captured around dusk as well...

These brothers may be far apart by distance, but they are one in cause...to bring souls to Christ.

Oh my heart...SO full of love and gratitude!

Happy Friday :)

Snow Day

 Yesterday we received more snow than we have in years and it was such a fun day!

Do you know how fun it is for a mom to get a phone call at 6:00 in the morning telling her that school is cancelled??? FABULOUS!!! Not only did I get to snuggle up in my nice warm bed for an extra hour, but I got to have all of my kids with me for most of the day. I just love them and sometimes I feel like that never happens, so it was a really good day. :)

We tried taking everyone to get their passports because it was the perfect day for it...not a holiday, but also no school...BUT sadly, the people at the city hall building where we went never made i to work because of the storm. So, we just decided to go have fun anyways! We all met Clint for lunch at Rumbi, where Kesslyn handed out lots and lots of smiles and hugs, and even showed us all how big she is getting by learning how to wink!  ;)  ;)

 Then we went shopping for some new shoes and a few things that Dallin wanted to get. (That boy keeps growing!) We went to Costco, and then Dallin had young men's...The girls and I kept on shopping, and even ended our fun by getting a Crumble Cookie! :)

 Gavin ended up going back to work with Clint and earning a little money and then joined him on a date at the JAZZ game. I still think we should have more "snow days" because that was one of the most unexpected fun days together! Grateful for my kids and grateful for the snow!!! :)

Cleaning the Temple

 Last night, Clint and I went to the Jordan River temple to do some service there...

we went to CLEAN the temple!!! 

Every single night (Monday through Friday) there are about 25 to 30 volunteers working along side an employed housekeeping crew that works hard after all of the patrons have gone home to keep Heavenly Father's holy house literally "spotless from the world."

I could still  feel the spirit so strong as I worked quietly and became lost in my thoughts and was tutored by the spirit. I especially loved staring at the paintings on the walls and taking a few extra minutes to gaze at them and learn from them. It was a good night. :)

 When we left the temple it was about 12:30 a.m. and the snow was really coming down! The news said we were supposed to get 3 to 6 inches of snow over night and they were right!!!

I woke up this morning to a phone call from the Jordan School district informing us that school was cancelled today due to extreme weather conditions!!! WOW!!! I haven't had a snow day since I lived in Alaska...or at least that I can remember! But we really need the moisture so it is all good! AND...I love the way everything looks like a winter wonderland!!! Especially at the temple!!! :)