"Each Life That Touches Ours for Good"

Laura Kirkland

March 16, 1983-March 24, 2008

"Each Life that touches ours for good Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above Thru words and deeds of those who love.
What greater gift dost thou bestow, What greater goodness can we know
Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways Strengthen our faith, enrich our days....."

This was the closing hymn at my cousin's funeral last Thursday. I've always like this hymn, but it really touched me as I sang the words that day. It was nice to be back home and visit with so many family and friends that came together for Laura and her family. As I hugged each one and talked with them, so many memories rushed back to my remembrance. Each one has touch my life for good and has brought me such joy and love. I'm so happy we were able to be together and help support Laura's family. I wish I could have stayed longer and spent more time with them.
It was such an uplifting funeral...my Aunt Gigi spoke tenderly about her and her life on behalf of the family, and Patriarch Boone (he gave me my patriarchal blessing) was the last speaker. He is such a great man and always gives a wonderful message. What impressed me the most during his remarks was that he reminded us of the choice we made in the pre-existence...we chose to come to Earth and we knew we would return...like a round-trip ticket. When we go on a trip, we are excited to go, but even more excited to know that we will return home and back to our loved ones. I think we forget that detail when all we remember is this life. We are experiencing the trip right now...we think we're happy, just wait till we get home. I will always remember Laura, and I can't wait to see her again.

"When such a friend from us departs, We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory, Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.
For worthy friends whose lives proclaim Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love, We praise thy goodness, Lord, above."

Easter in the Snow

This is what we woke up to on the Saturday of Easter Weekend. We had to hurry and get the drive and walkways shovelled so that our friends could come over and hunt eggs in our house.

Growing up in Georgia, you think everyone has a great spring break and a beautiful Easter weekend...NOT SO! I feel sorry for all the sweet children here in Ohio that have to travel south for some nice weather. When I got out for Easter/Spring break I laid out at the beach thinking everyone was enjoying the same type of time off from school that me and my friends were. I was clueless. I long for those warmer days and and lighter clothing. Weather here wouldn't be so bad if winter came and went and didn't linger. Our worst months are from January to the beginning of April, when it's already been cold since October. Oh well, we try to make the most of it. So, to all my Georgia peeps...don't feel bad or guilty when you are playing in the sun...we're just shoveling out our drive ways, hunting Easter eggs indoors, running around the house in sweat pants since it's too cold to play outside and covering up our cute Easter outfits for church with jackets. Yes, I'm missing my home town right now and wish my little boys could be outside playing in short sleeves, so to all my folks down south...soak up a few more rays for your Ohio family.

Here's Maxton with his Elmo basket collecting a few eggs.

Here's the friends that joined us on our way fun indoor egg hunt. (Hope you caught the sarcasm)

Me and my Boys

Me, Dad (my dad), and the boys after church

P.S. Here's Baby Seth...He was seven months on Easter Sunday...He's such a great baby!

Sis. Hinckley

“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 grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk’s lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor’s 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.” - Marjorie Hinckley, wife of President Gordon B. Hinckley

I read this quote off another blog and I just fell in love with it. It sounds familiar, but it really hit home this time. If anyone as a great idea of a way to display this in my kitchen (I spend most of my time there), let me know. I was kind of thinking a vinyl letter something or other...I don't know?!? I know it's kinda long, but I love the whole thing. If I had to shorten it...I think the best part is the end, "...I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

Pres. Hinkley and his wife just make me feel good, and they have taught me so much...I believe when folks pass on it takes a little while for things to set in that they have really gone...that's true for me anyway...Now that it's been a few weeks, I'm starting to miss them. They will always be favorites of mine...always!

Please Silence Your Cell Phones.

This is how I found my two year old this morning...nestled right in the middle of our bed, with the remnants of our popcorn from the night before, while watching Sesame Street. So, as they say at the movies..."Please Silence your cell phones and Enjoy our Feature Presentation!"