WELCOME HOME ELDER HOWARD

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER

Home Sweet Home, for now!

This is our house in Boise Idaho. 

We are renting it, until we can buy one for ourselves. 

These pictures were taken by the landlord, 

when the house went up for rent. 

I will take pictures of the house with our stuff in it 

when we get settled in and have things organized.

The Front Yard

The Entry Way

(as you walk in, to the right is the laundry room, 

to the left is the living room)

The Dining Room

(a deck is out that door and into the back yard)

The Kitchen

(lots of cabinets)

The Master Bathroom

(just to the right of the tub is the shower and toilet) 

The Back Yard

The Back Yard

(raised garden beds. There are also grape vines,
strawberry plants, a blueberry bush, and a plum tree)

"A Winter Wonderland"

This is where I could stand to spend some time. 

Quiet, peaceful, the warmth of a wood burning fire. 

Aww, if only in my dreams!

"I Love You"

We have the BEST DADDY EVER!!

"Gone to the Birds" PART ONE

 For the last 3 years we have noticed birds in the eave 

of the house, right outside Josh and Chris's room. 

Not sure why, but never cared to figure out where exactly 

they were building their nest, 

despite the very loud sound they made 2 times a year 

during nesting.

This year I had enough. They made extra noise, 

or I was just fed up. 

I called the landlord to see what he wanted done 

and he suggested a Pest Control guy 

to come and remove the nest and all "extra" 

that was left from the birds. 

I called the first place listed online. Their response was 

"They are Starlings and are protected by 

the State of Washington. 

Cant touch them until they are done nesting". 

SERIOUSLY!

I called a second place, needing a second opinion, 

got the same answer. 

So I called a third company, just to see what they said. 

Their response was 

"The Starlings are NOT protected birds in Washington, 

look it up online or call 

Fish and Wildlife to confirm what I am saying". 

So I did.

The birds are NOT protected, they are "nuisance birds" 

and can be removed.

I asked the Ranger why he thought the first two companies 

told me about the protection. His response was 

"They didnt want to deal with them"

Well . . . They lost out of some business.

Anyway, so Brian from Interstate Pest Control 

came to investigate. 

Climbed up to the hole to see where the nest was . 

(the hole was only 3x8 inches in the corner of the roof)

The conclusion . . . 

MY ATTIC!

Say WHAT!! Those birds have, over the last 3 years, 

been building a nest in MY ATTIC!!

I honestly had no idea. We only heard them in one corner. 

Never anywhere else. 

Brian said there was a section that looked like a "room" 

that they primarily stayed, and that's why 

we never heard them anywhere else. 

The nest was BIG. 

(what do you expect after 3 years of building).

It took him 3 times up and down from the attic 

filling a 5 gallon bucket and a box. 

(Impressive)

 Brian, Pest Control Extraordinaire.

 The hole from the inside

 The nest in the attic.

 The nest out of the attic.

The "Nuisance" 

This sage continues in PART TWO.

(the best is yet to come)

"Angels Among Us"

"...Oh, I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love..."
--ANGELS AMONG US

"If we have faith in Jesus Christ...
We never need to feel that we are alone 

or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. 

We can feel the love of God. 

The Savior has promised angels on our left 

and our right to bear us up. 

And He always keeps His word."

 --President Henry B. Eyring, 

I'm A Little Bit Country

"I AM LOVED"

As we go through life, and hard times hit, we often wonder, “AM I LOVED?” We all struggle with “Who am I, what am I doing, why am I here?” from time to time. In the unforgettable talk given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf at the Relief Society General Meeting September 24, 2011 titled, “Forget Me Not”, we were reminded that “I AM LOVED”.

Never Forget. . .

To be Patient and Compassionate with yourself.

"I want to tell you something and I hope you will take it the right way. God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect," he said. "Let me add: God is fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not."

Some sacrifices are better than others. (Learn to prioritize and not over-do)

"Our Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater, in an eternal perspective. Sometimes, that may even mean nurturing small but beautiful forget-me-not flowers instead of a large garden of exotic blooms.”

You don’t have to wait for a “Golden Ticket” to be happy.

"So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket — the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about. For some, the golden ticket may be a perfect marriage; for others, a magazine-cover home; or perhaps, freedom from stress and worry. The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments."

The “Why” of the Gospel will inspire and uplift you.

"My dear sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father, leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come. We understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet."

And most importantly,

Your Heavenly Father knows, loves and cherishes you!

"Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love."

My Christmas Gift

A Missionary Christmas
(author unknown)

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties,
two suits and socks...no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because...

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.
I've reread November's Ensign, felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion , their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton
For two years we will pray for him,

I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking.
I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him
that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard,
his choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand. This year,

I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter. I think I finally understand:
Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns
that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make, This year...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before-- greater love, there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me,

His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray;
Now knock on doors to find the ones
who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering's done,
My gift has taken years to make.

This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

Grateful for FRIED RAVIOLIS

This might sound like an unusual thing to be grateful for.
Why would I be grateful for Fried Raviolis.
Tonight I wanted to make something we have never made before
A recipe for these is what I came across on my search.
Looked easy to make, and looked like they would be good.
(They WERE easy to make and DID taste good)
But the best part of my gratitude for them is,

I had "CHEF NIC" by my side.

All but frying them, Nic did it all.
He broke and beat the eggs in the dish.
He coated the raviolis in the flour using a plastic bag.
He mixed the breadcrumbs with the seasoning in a bowl.
Then the raviolis went from the bag of flour to the eggs
to the bread crumbs and into the hot oil.
(I took over from there).
Nic was so excited to help, and I was grateful for his help.

Nothing better then to have "CHEF NIC" by my side.

Fried Raviolis will become part of our menu planning again.

Gratefiul for CHESS

Ben has been wanting to have some "daddy time" as of late.
Tim has been working very hard and hasnt had much time
with the boys.
Tonight Ben pulled out the chess set, cleared off the table,
set the game board up, and was VERY patient for
daddy to come home.
Tim walked in the door to "dad will you play chess with me".
Who could resist that!
I am grateful for "daddy time" with Ben tonight playing CHESS.

(PS. Tim's competitive nature is rubbing off on the boys.
There is a "friendly" game going on as we speak)

Grateful for "SPUD SOUP"

Grateful for TEMPLES

My list of Temples I have had the privilege of going through.

IDAHO FALLS IDAHO

BOISE IDAHO

MEMPHIS TENNESSEE

NAUVOO ILLINOIS

PORTLAND OREGON

SALT LAKE CITY UTAH

REXBURG IDAHO

"I'M GOING HERE SOMEDAY"
(A dream to go through this Temple)
SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA

Grateful for SUNSHINE

A Day Trip to the Beach

I took Ben and Nic to "Rockaway Beach", on the Oregon coast,
last weekend. Just a day trip.
The weather was perfect.
The boys had so much fun playing in the waves.
I enjoyed watching them.

"To Infinity and Beyond"

Nic's 2nd grade class, with Mrs. Tochtrop,
had a learning segment about the solar system.
A refrigerator box transformed into a space ship.

A passport was stamped after visiting each planet.

Astronaut Nic

The Black Hole

Each Child was picked a consolation to study.
Nic chose "Leo"

The kids were given the opportunity to have
a male family member join them and help make rockets.
Nic had the privilege of having Chris
help with this project at school one day.
They both did a great job on their rocket.

This was a display that a student made of the "Milky WAY".
This is my kind of display.