I love a beautiful morning.

Kellys Getting Married

The Aunts" of the Bride-and-Groom To Be invited friends and family for a shower to celebrate 

Kelly and Nick's engagement.

A Fall Day on East Morris

On October 29 after making my way down East Morris for one more time in 55 years, I was filled with nostalgia for the love I have for this street. The picture does not do justice for the beauty of the trees. 

In 1969, I had been at BYU for two months. I was coming home for Thanksgiving. I had just left a beautiful fall in Utah and yet, this was even more beautiful. It is the street where I grew up.

Home.

I still drive this street, but not as often. Usually I come in on a side street about three blocks done the road. On this day, I was on my way from English Oaks, the rehabilitation hospital where my Dad had been for the last week. 

On October 29 he was admitted to Memorial Hospital. He had been there for a week and then transferred.

Thanksgiving Thoughts For My Kids

9 November 2013

Strange thing #1: My mother is writing me a LETTER on paper.

Strange thing: #2: My mother is sending me a BOOK, a real book, on paper. Doesn’t she know I use a tablet?

Strange thing #3: My mother is really sending me a book written by a man who I personally think is a little crazy?

Strange thing #4: You and your children will probably think little on the great people who are celebrated on the holiday of Thanksgiving. Nothing will be said in classrooms. No art projects of Pilgrims and Indians (now a socially unacceptable term) displayed in classrooms. No kindergarteners dressing up like Pilgrims and Indians (oops, there it is again) for a Thanksgiving Day program for their parents. No re-enactments of that day in classrooms. In junior high schools, high schools, and colleges instructors may share insights on the evils of the Pilgrims.

Strange thing #5: Thanksgiving is a National Holiday for people to start Christmas (oops.. Holiday) shopping at ‘early openings’ at 6pm.

Strange thing #6: My mom has really lost it.

Not Strange Things: We know that this country was founded by men who were led here by a loving Heavenly Father who, not wanting us to miss his hand in the work of the Promised Land, gave voice to prophets to prophesy of the events and give us a “heads up”. Don’t miss this.  It is a BIG look into the future.

The book I am sending tells the real story of Thanksgiving. The story, though a fictional time travel for young readers, is based on writings of people who were really there, like William Bradford.

The book is written for the 10-14 year old age group, but is enjoyable and instructive for the entire family. I have listened to the book on CD. It is a 4.5 hour read. I am inspired by the lives of the men and women whose story we learn. The format is wonderful for kids. For families with older kids (Charley, Joseph, Sam, Joshua, Jacob) they can read the book. For all the other kids (Mason, Sam, Clare, Beck, Finn, Knox, Lincoln, Jackson, Anders, Izzy), have family story time. Discuss what they learn. (Some day they will read in 2 Nephi and say; “Wow!!!! This really happened!!!! A prophet knew!)

The book is a work of art. The images are amazing. Did you ever give thought to how the Mayflower was designed? How the trip was? What that first year was like? How many came? Survived? Where they sailed from? Why the Pilgrims came? Really, have you?

We are in a time when our families are under attack. I would even say “trashed”. Our future Bjarnason Family depends today on your teaching your children the importance of families and Heavenly Father’s plan for families. Reading together brings families together in a tight little bundle. Though all your children may not understand, they will feel your love.

We are in a time when  the greatest nation on the earth and in all history is under attack from within and without. In our homes we will teach the goodness of the Promised Land and the principles upon which the inspired Constitution was founded

I love each and every one of you with all my heart. Now that you are all parents, you know that you can love each child with all your heart. You will understand what I am trying to say when I say that.

My third precious gift is my children. (#1 is my testimony, #2 are the covenants Dad and I made over the altar in the temple.)

Love you so much, Mom

PS: Dad baptized me 45 years ago today.   

We are harvesting from our garden. 

And... TA-DA!!!!!!

Ron has cured his first olives.

Seven gallons. They are soooo good.

Br.Fortado suggested he start with just a gallon. Once all the olives were harvested, he had seven gallons and we don't believe in wasting anything.

He devised a system for curing and instead of a seven day process, he was done in three. 

Six Candles

Mason is six! 

Six years ago on a warm Halloween Day, Mason was born.

Jacob and I spent the morning Trick or Treating in a nearby downtown. 

We went to the hospital to meet Mason. That Halloween, Jacob was wearing the dinosaur costume Danielle is wearing on this Halloween.

Deborah's friend, Letta, made the cupcake cake. She is amazing!

Ward Halloween Party

When Ron's Grandpa Goodman died, the sisters tied a quilt and the men played chess. A basketball game took over the small cultural hall after the luncheon.

Ron has remembered that and so many times has said, "We should tie a quilt at the Ward Halloween Party." 

He made the quilt top and enlisted Sister Morris to supervise the tieing. So many people, old and young worked for two hours and completed it before the party was over.

I usually don't get out with my camera until after dark. This year, before the party even started and after the Spooky Hay Ride was set up, Savanna and I met up with one our pasture quests.

The fire pit is always a big draw. Next year, I have to remember the marshmallows.

 One of our neighbors stopped by.

Pack Meeting

I love to see boys in a uniform.

What is the perfect ending to a Cub Scout Pack Meeting?

Pumpkin Patch Time

The Pumpkin Patch in Mountain View

with Mason's kindergarten class.

There were three ride choices. This was Danielle's. 

She remembered the blue horse from last year.

Out of five photos, she wasn't facing the camera in one. :(

First Fall

There are two trees that leaf out each year in our front yard. This tree is the last to leaf out (by about a month) and the first to drop leaves (by about a month). I think the tree is a Southern Belle. It waits until the days are all warm and at the hint of cooler days, drops leaves.

The leaf drop appeared one morning. With no breezes for many days, the leaves formed a wonderful carpet on the grass.