Faith in Every Footstep

I became active in the church about seven years ago. I attended meetings as a child with neighbors and friends, and was baptized per my Grandmother Westerberg's request (or should I say persistence?) After my parents divorce I no longer was involved with church or anything associated with it. I soon forgot it's teachings and struggled through those awful teenage years on my own and finally felt I had found myself in my early twenties. After marrying Pat and having two beautiful babies, I was content, but... I knew my life was missing something.

As if right on cue, Pat and I became close friends with two of our neighbors and their families. The Martinez family and the Walker's are still our very dear friends. Angie and Susan were there for me when I felt I had no one. They were my first "adult" friends. Pat slowly came out of his shell around Randy and Kelly. There was something different about these two families. They brought us dinner, cookies, candy-grams, salsa, and more salsa, offered to babysit... Were they for real??

Angie and Kelly moved back to their home in Utah after only a year and our hearts were broken. We had shared many memories, happy and sad. During this time, Susan I became very close. Angie and Susan had invited me to church or to activities a few times, but I was always hesitant to go. I had dreams of Angie standing in the parking lot of the church waving for me to come in, but I always drove by.

Angie gave birth to a baby girl named Faith shortly after they moved. This sweet angel lived for only an inkling of time. About a year later, Susan lost a precious baby girl of her own, Saige, before she was born. At this point, I seriously started considering the hereafter and what I wanted for myself and my family. Susan was asked to speak in church and I went to hear her tell of her little baby and her great love for the Saviour. I have been attending church ever since that beautiful Sunday. It felt like coming home. I have always felt that Angie opened the door to the Gospel for me and Susan held my hand as I walked through.

Now, I had found what I was looking for, but my hubby was very happy without religion, thank you very much. He always supported me and stood by my side when Randy baptized both Maddy and Katie and blessed our Isabella. I always felt that I was very lucky to have such an understanding and patient husband, but I really didn't dare wish for more.
I should have had more faith in the Lord's timing.
After much thought, searching, studying and prayer, Pat made the decision to be baptized. I had wanted this for so long I didn't even know how to react when he told me. Late one Sunday night, Pat called Kelly to ask him to baptize him a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
This is a picture of Kelly and Pat and the old "Families are Forever" video that has been a long standing joke between them.

I think only Susan can truly comprehend my feelings of that day, and what I loved most was that I didn't have to say a word.

We had a billion kids running around our house, but for the life of me I couldn't get them to hold still for a picture. I didn't even manage to get a family picture!

L-R: Maddy, Alyssa, Lydia, Sarah and Bella

The girls are together again. I really cannot put into words my love for these two women. They are beacons of light and love not only for myself, but for my whole family.

Angie, I love you for your strong sense of self, for your firm testimony and unfailing love for your family - and, of course for always making me laugh. Plus you are a fantastic cook.

Susan, I love you for your quiet assurance, patience and understanding. And for loving my babies like your own. And for loving me.

To my dear husband. I have always said that I would love you no matter what you were, and that is still true. I admire how you always stay true to your word, your family and yourself. I know you did not make this choice to make me or our girls happy. I know you. I love you.

But can we admit I was right?

Anything for a kiss...

Randy and Susan Walker.

Randy has a way of grabbing the children and making them do what ever he wants, just watch out in church, he might grab you by the leg and drag you to the foyer. (True story)

I am excited for Isabella, for when she is baptized, it will be by her dad.

Kelly, Pat and Randy. Kelly baptized Pat and Randy confirmed him the next day in church.

It doesn't take just one missionary to get Pat to the water, but four and more...

Pat and his buddy, Elder "D". Our family was all wearing Hawaiian necklaces handmade by Elder"D" to celebrate the occasion.

After the baptism we went with a "few" of our friends to Louis for dinner. We had a great time.

Even the Elders were able to join us.

Randy and Cyrina

Kelly and Baby T.

Is that my husband making a Thank You speech???

A sweet treat from Chris Nelson, who couldn't make it to dinner.

Angie and Kelly, we love you. Thank you for all you have done for us. None of it has gone unnoticed or will be forgotten.

This picture brings tears to my eyes because of the love that is tangible between us.

Friends like these do not come along every day.

When Pat was confirmed in Sacrament Meeting, seventeen Priesthood holders were in the circle. That is when it hit me. My emotions could no longer be contained. My husband and I and our babies were headed to the Temple to be sealed for time and all eternity.

There are many blessings in my life, but this must be the greatest.

Spring Fling and Flood at the Cabin

It is always fun to pack up the kids and head to the cabin, but the first time after the winter thaw is always special. Look at the Payette!! There is more water coming...
This looks like a great place for a potty break, we don't care about the hundreds of Memorial Day Holiday travelers behind us. We are Thibadeau's and we let it all hang out.

Oh... upon arrival at the cabin I see a few Daffodills have survived last years lawn demolition and have bloomed in the gravel. I would like to make some great analogy here to life, but I won't.

The mosquitos are out in full force, but that doesn't keep Bella and Lili from waiting for "Foxy".

And here he is... or one of them, there are a few who have figured out that summer cabin dwellers always have left overs. Our foxes prefer a raw egg.

After a nod of the head, signifying a "Thank you", Foxy retreats to a super secret hiding spot to bury his treasure.

The braver Foxy gets, the braver Maddy gets - even Uncle Eric's warning of rabies, scabies and dementia couldn't stop us from hand feeding any fox who came along.

Well, maybe, a little dementia has set in...

After a fun filled evening with the Thibadeau Gang, Tami, Tanja and I stayed up until 2 a.m. doing what we do best: talking and laundry. Tanja had to stop for a potty break and when Tami and I heard, "Oh, Happy Day", we just thought it was her sleeping medication kicking in.

Not the case, the washing machine leaked tanks and tanks of water all over the floor, kitchen, bathroom, utility room, and even on into the outdoors.

We did the best we could, but had to wake Brian up (Pat was too far gone in his medication induced sleep and trapped in his "Silence of the Lambs" C-Pap machine.) I can't repeat what Brian said, my babies read this...

I have learned to be careful what you pray for. There was visqueen a plenty at the cabin due to painting in the works and hopes of new carpet. Well, looks like the cabin is getting new carpet. I would like to take credit because I was doing the wash.

Pictures really don't do the damage justice, but I have them for insurance reasons. I forgot to mention that we were ALL on sleeping pills that night (I know, druggies), but after all the excitement of the Great Flood, our meds wore off. Luckily, Hanne sent up some Benadryl and we girls ended the night with a shot. Now that's good times.

Nothing can stop us from having a great time, wet carpet or stinky ripped up carpet. Thanks, Eric, for the gentle love you give Katie. She is our special one.

The first dip of the season in Cascade Lake. I always let the kids have that pleasure while I watch.

Some of the crew, dang we are a cute family.

The funniest part of the weekend was watching Tami show Bill how to bead.

Sweet. Really.

Tami and Brian seem to have lost their minds and got kittens. They were so fun to have at the cabin to entertain the kiddos while the Hazmat Team was there, but, I'm sorry, their room stunk. The combination of dirty kids, bug spray, a cat box and wet cat food was too much for me. I say congrats to the Hidden Springs Thibadeaus for turning over a very adventurous leaf.
I'll visit when the kitties are on dry food...

Chloe and Maddy doing what they do best, whatever that is.

I headed home a day early to be an extremely good wife and mother and cook about 60 freezer meals well into the wee hours of the morning. I am glad to see my babies got a good dose of the outdoors before returning home.

Thank you, Thibadeau Cabin, for the great time and memories - Here's to more.

Sweet Reminders from my Own Backyard

I found myself waking up late, one spring morning, very grumpy. I mean very grumpy, close to tears, actually. What was my problem? Self pity, mostly, but even more than that I had forgotten what was important - until my hubby led me to the back door...

Where I found my babies discovering the joys of life in our very own back yard.

There is nothing more exciting than to find a nest of newly hatched birds.
Pure Joy.

Looking at these tiny lives, I can't help but remember the scripture referencing how He knows when even a sparrow has fallen.

These baby birds also remind me of Katie as a newborn baby...

What other treasures are in my backyard?? The largest rhubarb plant I have ever seen.

That plant allowed me to remember a time when I was little and would pick the rhubarb right off the stalk and quickly stick it into a cup of sugar. That is a tasty treat, especially with your dad.

Because of our bird feeders we have some welcome visitors.

The mother duck may not be as beautiful as her mate, but her job has nothing to do with how she sees herself, but how she sees her babies.

Higher, higher! is always the call.

And then she wants a Super Dog....

Yes, my baby girl, I love spring. I love you. I love my hubby who reminded me, our lives are always bright.