Weston's Baptism

With grateful hearts, we were able to attend Weston's baptism on March 27 in Lemhi, Idaho. It was great to be apart of such a big day for him. Weston and Wes

Mackenzie, Weston and Katie

Weston with his Primary teacher on the left and the Primary President on the right

Grandpa and Grandma Mackay, Weston, Grandma and Grandpa Astle

Weston and his family

Snow Art

Winter has gone on a little too long this year. However, I often entertain my self by looking for 'snow art', creations made by mother nature using the wind and other resources at her disposal. A few weeks ago, we had a pretty good wind and snow storm blow through and this was what was left on the north side if my deck. I love the loops formed at the bottom as it began to melt.

We traveled to Lemhi through a storm and this was in the wheel wells of the truck.

We found these creations last Thanksgiving time as we looked for our Christmas tree near Ovando.

Technology is for Grandmas!!

I am by no means a 'computer geek' and can do only a few things, by comparison, but it makes being a grandma a little easier. As life would have it, our children live far enough away that we can't visit them very often but through technology we can stay better connected. Below are a few examples.

Allison sent this picture of Mason as he became high centered under a chair going after his pacifier.

We visit with Allen, Jenny, Ethan and Spencer quite often on 'Skype' and thoroughly enjoy their visits.

Mackenzie and Weston played basketball this winter. Grandpa was able to visit one day and see them play but Grandma was in school. So they shared a few pictures and a movie.

Brett and Jinni shared a fun picture of Ashlnn and Brynlee after they had been to Lowe's and came home with construction aprons and hats.

Announcing an Addition to our Family!!

Welcome Maizy!!

We are looking forward to the adoption of NT'seliseng (pronounced E - see - d- sang) Maizy to the Brett Mackay family. She was born June 23, 2010 in Lesotho, a land locked country in South Africa. Her mother passed away the day after she was born and her grandmother took care of her for about two months. This was difficult for the grandmother as she is blind. A neighbor took her to the orphanage. She was matched with Brett and Jinni in December 2010. During the winter, Maizy came down with pneumonia and she was hospitalized for a time. After getting out of the hospital, she was placed in foster care with a missionary there who helped nurse her back to health. It is not known at this time exactly when Maizy will be united with her family as the pace of the situation seems to be very slow in this third world country.

Recently, Jinni was able to spend some time with Amber in New York City and was able to meet some other families who are working with the same adoption agency. One family had their adopted child with them. She met a co-worker of Amber's who had worked in the Peace Corp in Lesotho and a women native to the country who was familiar with the area that Maizy is from. She also taught Jinni how to pronounce her African name. It was definitely a highlight of her trip as she was strengthened by getting to meet and learn from these new friends.

Ashlynn's Baptism

We were very excited to be able to attend Ashlynn's baptism on February 19 in Moses Lake, WA. It was a little hard to believe that we had children old enough to have their own children being baptized! Despite that, we are grateful for their wonderful family and appreciate the great job of teaching and parenting that they are doing. Ashlynn and her family on the night of her baptism

Ashlynn and Brett

Ashlynn with her Primary teachers

Family and friends at Ashlynn's baptism

Ashlynn with Grandma Mackay

Ashlynn with Great-Grandma Smith, Grandma Potter, her mom,

and Great-Grandma Potter

Afterwards we gathered at Brett and Jinni's to celebrate

Ashlynn and Breyson's birthdays!

Breyson showing his new bike

...sharing a ride with Mason

...and letting Mason have his own

We loved being with Brett, Jinni and their family and friends. We look forward to our next visit!

Driving to Heaven in a Shiny Sports Car?!

Sometime ago a dear friend shared some quotes from Marjorie Pay Hinkley, wife of the previous President of the church, Gordon B. Hinkley. Some of them really touched my heart and seemed to be a reflection of my own feelings. I've included a few below:

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

"I know it is hard for you young mothers to believe that almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with your husband. You had better be sure you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner."

"Be a Mother who is committed to loving her children into standing on higher ground than the environment surrounding them. Mother's are endowed with a love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth."

"Think about your particular assignment at this time in your life. It may be to get an education, it may be to rear children, it may be to be a grandparent, it may be to care for and relieve the suffering of someone you love, it may be to do a job in the most excellent way possible, it may be to support someone who has a difficult assignment of their own. Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time. Don't take them lightly. Give them your full heart and energy. Do them with enthusiasm. Do whatever you have to do this week with your whole heart and soul. To do less than this will leave you with an empty feeling."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Christmas 2010

Christmas stockings for 2010

Christmas 2010 is but a memeory now - but what a memory it was for our family. Here are a few highlights

• Talking to Glenn
  


• Having everyone together



• Construction on downstairs bathroom and bedrooms
  


• Spencer saying, "Grampa 'ere are you?"



• Acting out our own nativity



• Preparing 276 people meals with the help of Jenny's coupon shopping



• Sewing with Ethan, Ashlynn, and Brynlee



• Sledding



• Surviving -20 degrees



• Having Allison, Brayden, and Mason for 3 extra days

Mason filled Wes's Christmas stocking!

Acting out our own Nativity