Daily Spiritual Thought

"Restoring Faith in the Family" by Elder Kenneth Johnson, pg.15

"...never be satisfied with anything less than your best efforts."

I am walking in Memory of my Mom!

Welcome to the Donation Page of
Dove Woodward

In October, I will be participating in the Memory Walk to help funding for Alzheimer's. Plese log on to www.alz.org. Find the link for "Sign up for Memory Walk. Enter the zip code of 89501, click on the city of Reno, (the walk at Bartley Ranch) Click on the "Find a Walker", enter my first and last names, then click on my name and follow the steps. I would REALLY appreciate your help!

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In memory of my Mom, Sharon,I am on the MOVE to end Alzheimer's!



As you may already know, my Mom passed away November 2007 for Alzheimer's. I miss her terribly. Life will never be the same with out her.

She was a woman so full of life before this disease hit her. She loved to garden, loved her cats, loved to collect salt and pepper shakers, she was amazing with a sewing machine, and she enjoyed plastic canvas crafts, family history research, and WALKING! She was very dedicated to keeping a daily journal and eating well to stay healthy. She was my best friend!

I am determined to make a small difference. By participating in the 2008 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk®, I have committed to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer research, as well as for care and support for people already affected by the disease.

Currently more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's. Unless we find a way to change the course of the disease, 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s by 2050.

I want to do my part to fight this fatal disease – but I can’t do it without your help. Memory Walk funds help the Alzheimer's Association advance important research into better treatments and a possible cure for Alzheimer’s. And for the millions already affected by the disease, the Association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide.

Although I have already lost my mom to Alzheimer's, I hope the my small efforts can help another daughter from going through what I've been through, and maybe help my own children from loosing me to this disease in the future, since it runs in my family.

On behalf of the millions of Americans who are living with and are affected by Alzheimer’s, thank you for supporting my efforts.

Daily Spiritual Thought

From President Henry B. Eyring, Conference address, Saturday Morning Session, April 5, 2008. Page 22 of May 2008 Ensign:

"The greatest joys in this life center in families, as they will in the worlds to come. I am so grateful for the assurance I have that if we are faithful, the same sociality which we enjoy here in this life will be forever with us in the world to come, in eternal glory." (see D&C 130:2)

Rhett got game ball again last night!

Daily Spiritual Thought

I have really missed my daily spiritual thoughts from my jar. And I have been thinking and looking for other thoughts and ideas I could post on my blog, but I just haven't found anything I really like.

But, then it hit me. The conference edition of the Ensign is FULL of spiritual thoughts! And thoughts that the Lord would have us ponder and live for the next 5 months until our next conference.

So, starting today, I will post a thought or quote from the May 2008 Ensign that I like or feel impressed by. Ok? Ok.

Today's is from the talk entitled "Testimony" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, page 27.

"The first step in gaining any kind of knowledge is to really desire to know. In the case of spiritual knowledge, the next step is to ask God in sincere prayer. As we read in modern revelation, "If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things-that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal" (D&C 42:61)."

It's come to an end...

sad, but true.

After 7 months of no monthly cycles because of the WONDERFUL anti-estrogen shots I had for 6 months, the evil things have returned. It should be interesting to see how they end up after being on the shots. Heavy? Light? Regular (for me 24 days)? Painful (horrible for me)? Will the endrometriosis come back right away? Time will tell, I guess...I already feel sick to my stomach, and I just started. And I've been fighting a bad, but not migraine bad, headache all day...

I must say, I would way rather have hot flashes and night sweats and dry skin over periods, and all the ich that goes along with them.

Now the count-down begins for the next 6 months when I can have the surgery to end it all FOREVER!!!!! I have to wait until my vacation pay kicks in again in November to have the time off for the surgery, so wish me luck until then...

3 Day Weekend

I was really busy this weekend. It was great! Friday, I came home and ran down to the school in the pouring down rain to take the registration paperwork for R & K for next year. We have to re-register every year, and show them our power bill for proof of residency.

Then I came home in the pouring down rain, and started laundry, which I actually finished late Friday night!!!!! Took some things to the dry cleaner, the bank, and the post office, in the pouring down rain.

Saturday morning, I got up to go running, but it was pouring down rain (are you starting to see a pattern here?) so I read my scriptures for a while, finished reading the D & C, on to the Pearl of Great Price now, and decided that if I didn't go running in the rain, I'd never go running, so I just dressed warmly, and went for it. I am so glad I did, running in the rain was actually very refreshing.

When I got home, we grabbed the kids and Kirby. Kirby went and got a much needed grooming. She looks like a Scottie dog again. It's always good to actually look like a Scottie dog when you are a Scottie dog. We took the kids to Kohl's and they each got 2 new pairs of shorts. Maybe someday they will be able to wear them, weather permitting...We got all 3 dogs new collars and name tags at PetsMart. We cleaned the back yard and threw a bunch of stuff in the back of the heavy truck, in between the pouring down rain. There is still a bunch to do though. We went to the mall since it was pouring down rain. I had a coupon for free mascara at Victoria's Secret, and Jason needed to get a tie to go with a shirt he bought a couple months ago. Macy's had a huge sale. He ended up getting 2 ties and a dress shirt for $35.00. Good deal, considering just one of the ties was regularly $39.50.

Sunday we went to church, and since Jason's aunt from Las Vegas was in town, we went out to dinner to this great mexican place. It was a nice relaxing day.

Monday, we got up, slowly, and then went to the movies to see the new Indian Jones movie. We were going to to go to the 12:30 show, but it was sold out, so we got tickets to the 2:00 showing and came back later. Our Stake Pres and his family was there, so we sat by them, and had a good time. The movie was great. A and I say there will be another...fine by us.

Today, back to work and school...Yuck!!! And at this very moment, it is pouring down rain. Poor Rhett is supposed to have a BBQ at the park up from our house today. He said it will be rain or shine, but I don't know...It was not fair to have those 3 days of 90's and then have 5 days of rain, with more in sight. Every one says we need the moisture, but really, this late in the season, it isn't enought to really do anything for our drought. We needed this moisture like a month and a half ago when it was still colder. Besides, my hair doesn't do well with the moisture, so it needs to stop raining and be warm now.

That is the weekend in a nut shell. I have lost 6 pounds, but I think I am loosing inches, cuz things sure are fitting better, and I look smaller when I look in the mirror. YEAH!!!!

I just love the smell of rain

It has got to be the best smell in all the world. Second to that would be roses, and followed by that would be the smell new born babies have. All 3 smell like what I can imagine Heaven smelling like.

Mother Nature has PMS

I have decided that Mother Nature has PMS, or menopause. Either way, obviously a woman. Can't make up her mind (a week ago, 90*, today, snow and rain), can really pack up punch when her screaming winds are coming at ya, sends crazy weather to areas that have never seen that type of weather (tornadoes in California???What?)

It's all just very crazy. I can certainly see the Lord's hand working to remind us that His return is very close at hand.

Thanks to all the ladies at Enrichment last night for the GREAT reminder to get our families prepared!

I sure am glad I am a member of the church and know what all this crazy weather is all about!

Have you ever noticed?

The number placement on a phone and an adding machine are different on the top and bottom keys. Why is that? Why can't they be exactly the same?

I 10-key all day long, but touch of course, and I'm really pretty fast; I've been doing it every workday for 13 1/2 years. When I go to dial the phone, it's all upside down and I can't dial a phone number to save my life.

Someone should make them match so I won't be so confused.

A wandering array of thoughts

On Saturday and Sunday, the area had record highs of 96*. Today...it is snowing and is currently 42*, with an expected high of 56*. Crazy weather.

I have lost 6 pounds since Jason and I have been exercising and eating low calories. Yeah!

My dad gave me birthday money, which I spent at Kohl's. Got a pair of size 8 jeans, and now that I'm wearing them, they may be a bit loose. YEAH!!!!!!

Rhett won his very first baseball game on Saturday. I have never seen a happier bunch of boys and coaches. We only have 4 games to go. We were the only team in the league to not have won a game. One of the moms was so happy she treated every one (parents and siblings included) to ice cream at Baskin Robbins. It was a great evening. The boy that pitched was on fire. He struck out the last 3 batters. His dad was going crazy as how good his son was doing.

Jason is 1 1/2 panels away from being done with grandmas fence. If it would ever stop being windy, he'd get it done, but he doesn't want to cement a post in and have the wind make it move and have the cement harden that way. Hopefully this weekend.

Kids have 9 school days of school left. They are very excited. Kylie went on a walking field trip to the big park yesterday. They got to go on the log flume ride, have snow cones and ride the ponies. She had a great time, but we forgot to put sun screen on her face, so she's a little red now.

Wild Island on Saturday was GREAT!!!!It was so hot, the water felt great,and I was so happy to be in the sun and swimming again. The kids didn't want to leave, but Rhett had to get to his game.

My birthday was nice. We didn't do anything special. I got two t-shirts from the kids, and we had key lime pie (my choice). For dinner we had pasta salad and grilled salmon (also my choice, hey, I'm watching my caloric intake)

While the temps were super hot, our AC decided it didn't want to work any more. No clue what the problem is, but we do know it's got nothing to do with the electrical, so a friend of Jason's that owns a heating and AC business is coming out next Wednesday. I'm sure glad it cooled off, at least the heater is still working...

I don't think anything else is really going on. Anthony is supposed to work today, but considering the weather, I bet he'll get the call to not come in. Weather in Nevada...so unpredictable,it's predictable...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

It's my *6th birthday today! Doesn't this cake look yummy? To bad it's not mine. I just found the picture on the internet. But I'll take donations...

Spring has sprung...into summer

As is typical for this area, we seemed to go from winter, into a VERY short spring, and right into summer. Today is supposed to be in the low 90's, tomorrow and Sunday, mid 90's, Monday (my b-day) low 90's.

I am so NOT complaining. I hate snow, I love to swim...blah, blah, blah. You've heard it all before if you've been reading my blog for any amount of time!

Let it suffice that I am happy it's warm and Wild Island Opens in 26 more hours!!!!

It is 9:00-ish, and my desk top says it's already 70.

Last night I went to my aerobic class, then I came home and ran 3/4 of a mile. I am finally to the point where I have worked out enough, I'm not so sore any more. It's a good feeling. Plus I have more energy, which is a very nice benefit. I have yet to loose any weight, but my clothes are a bit looser, so I have to be toning, I guess.

Jason and I are both eating better, and that probably has something to do with it too.

Anthony is all trained at Wild Island. He starts on Sunday (they didn't give it to him off, he'll need to fix his schedule because Jason and I don't want him working Sundays) and goes from there. He's pretty happy to know he'll be making money again.

Anyways, not much else going on really. Oh, Rhett got 100% on his Sun Bear report. He was stoked!

Daily Spiritual Thought

This is the last slip in my jar. Hope you enjoyed being spiritually uplifted by my RS craft. I guess I'll need to come up with some other daily thought...

Challenge!

Study from the topical guide and other reference materials all you can on the subject of FAITH. Use the Book of Mormon, D&C and the Pearl of Great Price as primary references. Ponder your own faith in light of what you've discovered and seek to make it stronger.

Uh oh...

Anthony's school is on lock down this morning...Jason dropped him off, and A was told to go directly to the gym. Strange, but J didn't really think anything of it until a couple of minutes later when his Grandmother called him and told him she heard it on the news. J then called me. I went on line to see if I could find out more details, and there was apparently someone seen walking around with a gun in the area, so they lock down the kids as a safety precaution. I'm sure things will be fine.

Daily Spiritual Thought

Scriptures: D&C 50:29-30 & 1 Nephi 15:34

Thought: "Faith is a gift of God; it is the fruitage of righteous living. It does not come to us by our command but is the result of doing the will of our Heavenly Father." ~George A. Smith

...on a side note, I FINALLY got my Ensign and Friend yesterday. Seems they got delivered to the wrong address...it happens ALL the time...Kylie has already read thru the copy of the Friend. She must have been as anxious as I was...:-)

My cute little niece

Daily Spiritual Thought

Challenge!

Have you felt yourself come closer to Christ as you have read his teachings? Ponder his love for you, and his role in your life. As you do, remember all that he sacrificed for you in order for you to return and be with him and our Father for eternity.

Let me just say...

I love, Love, LOVE! this i-pod! My old i-pod was the first generation i-pod mini, which wasn't so mini, and didn't have a lot of bells and whistles. I couldn't use my Nike+ with it (I had to use R or A's) and there were a bunch of songs on Jason's music library list that I couldn't put on it (I could use A's or J's, but not both). And the old one was green...not bad, but not my first choice...obviously pink is(as you may be able to tell by my blog)...Jason bought it for me off my brother-in-law, and it was already "gently used" by a high school kid at McQueen, who left it in the locker room. My B-i-L held on to it until the end of the year, and no one claimed it, so he got to keep it. He gave it to my S-i-L, and found it didn't work, which is probably why the kid left it and never claimed it. So my B-i-L put new guts in it to make it work, which it did for the most part for my S-i-L, and when it started having issues, she got a new blackberry, and thus, sold it to J. So I pretty much inherited her inheritance. It usually worked well, but lately, every other day, it seemed, it would have a mind of its own, and only play songs it wanted to. Not that I didn't like the music it selected, but wasn't always what I wanted to hear at that moment,and having to hook it up to the computer to do a re-set every time it happened was annoying, plus the battery wasn't keeping a charge like it used to. So my sweetie treated me with this new one. Did I mention I LOVE it?

Thank you J! You are the greatest! I think I will keep you around!

My mother's day

I started out my day by the kids giving me my gifts. The shorts and the i-pod in the pictures...


After church, I made the following blog about my mom and put songs on my new i-pod while Jason made dinner. We had crab legs, homemade bread, corn on the cob, grilled mushrooms and asparagus, and pistachio salad that my mom used to make all the time when I was younger.

It was a very nice day, despite being so sad about my mom not being here. My hubby and my kids went the extra mile to make sure I was happy and well cared for. I love them all very much!

Daily Spiritual Thought

Scriptures: D&C 50:19-20 & Mosiah 4:27

Thought:"In our ante-mortal state, we walked by site. Then we knew God. We lived with him. He was our Father, our teacher. This earth life is intended as a place where we might learn to walk just a little way by faith." ~Sterling W. Sill

Happy Mother's Day

Today is the first Mother's day without my mom. My emotions are on a roller coaster. The last time I saw my mom alive was last mother's day when I spent the whole day with her. I tried to make myself happier thinking that this is the first Mother's Day my mom has gotten to spend with her mother in 35 years, it made me happier, but it made me cry with happiness.

Anyways, since I can't call my mom and tell her happy Mother's day, I found this little thing on line to record in your journal about your mom...

1. What is your funniest memory of Mom? One night, I was sore from something, track, ballet, I can't remember, and she told me "What you should do is go in and take a compuzie." (we had a jacuzzie bath tub in the house I grew up in). We probably laughed for 1/2 an hour before we could even talk. Then she said, "What I meant to say is, you should go in and take a computer." Again, tons of laughter. Our sides were killing us, and we had tears streaming down our faces. She didn't say either thing as a joke, they really came out of her mouth that way. My dad finally came in the kitchen to find out what was so funny and told us we were both crazy. Yeah, we know....

2. What lesson that she taught you stand out most? I would have to say, clean up as you go along when you're in the kitchen making or baking something. It has made me unable to function in a kitchen that is messy or anything is out of place, but since my kitchen is seriously tiny, that is good. If I have something out, there just isn't enough room to continue.

3. What is your favorite characteristic or personality trait about Mom? She could always laugh at her self. She didn't let the little things get to her. And her laugh was infectious. It took a lot to get mom down, because she could always find something good in everything.

4. What do you see in yourself that came from her, physically or in your personality? Physically, my mid-section looks just like my mom. I have her tummy, love handles, and butt. No matter how many cruches, sit-ups, whatver, I do, I still look pudgy, just like her. Personality wise, I tend to me absent minded just like her, and I (and Rhett, too) can't talk straight like she couldn't. We always get the letters mixed around (Cice Rhex insted of Rice Chex, Paron Shalmer instead of Sharon Palmer) She loved tomatoes, and asparagas, which I didn't as a child, but I love them now.

I am so grateful she was my mom, and will be for all eternity. I miss her terribly, but I know she is not far away, in a better place, and her mind in clear. I am so grateful for all she did for me as I was growing up. She was my best friend, my biggest supporter, my MOM! I can't look at a cat or a salt and pepper shaker set without smiling and thinking of my mom.

For those of you who read this that still have living mothers, please tell them how much you love them and cherish them, if you are able to, throw your arms around them and kiss them. I envy those of you that can, and I look forward to the day when I get that chance again. In the meantime, I have many cherished memories of the greatest mom ever! I have her love, no matter whether in this life or the next, and that love is unconditonal, and endless.
My mom as a baby, my grandma holding her...

My mom and her older brother, Ronald

My mom's high school graduation photo, 1953

My mom holding me, and my dad, Easter 1974

My mom and dad around the early 80's

My mom in 1981

Pictures thru the eyes of Rhett

I gave Rhett the camera while we were shopping yesterday. This is what he felt like taking pictures of. Very interesting. He ran the batteries out doing it. He had a great time.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Hmmm...future photographer?

Ice Cream...YUM

Daily Spiritual Thought

Challenge!

Study from the topical guide and other reference materials all you can on the subject of CHANGE. Use the Book of Mormon, D&C and the Pearl of Great Price as primary references. Have you received the "mighty change" in yourself since you have been "lengthening your stride"?

YUM!

I bought these last night when I went shopping. They are Cracked Peper and Olive Oil. They sounded good, and Jason and I are trying to have a small snack every 3 hours so we don't eat such big (and unhealthy) lunches and/or dinners. Let me just say, they are VERY VERY yummy. A bit hot, though, so if you try them, have some water handy. 4 Stars in my opinion...

Warm Days and Wild Island

As you can see, the count down to Wild Island opeing is on my blog...I have been checking the 10 day weather...and I am happy to report, that Weather.com is calling for low 90's for next week! I'm pretty sure that Wild Island will be opeing, and I will be celebrating my birthday there next week.

But, this is Nevada, things could change...so I won't be totally convinced until next Friday that the weather will be good.

Kids at Wild Island, Summer '06

Daily Spiritual Thought

Scriptures: Matthew 21:21 & 2 Nephi 2:11

Thought:"The best way to get rested is to speed up. When we get ahead of our work, we love it and it becomes easy. When it gets ahead of us, we hate it and it becomes difficult. A winner at the end of a race is never tired; he's ready to go again. The tired business man is the man whose business is not successful."


Man, I could say so much about this thought, but, I am tired from last night's earthquake, and I am quite busy at work today...

More Shaking Ground

There was a 3.8 earthquake last night at 10:55. Wouldn't you know it, I had just fallen asleep when it hit. Then, I couldn't go back to sleep for what felt like FOREVER.

I am seriously tired today...

Daily Spiritual Thought

Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1 & Alma 32:21

Thought:"Faith is a gift of God and comes to each and all of us who serve God and supplicate Him for the guidance of His Spirit. By doing our duty, faith increases until it becomes perfect knowledge." ~Heber J. Grant

Has anyone received their copy yet? I know I am a "W" and my copy probably goes out later than say someone with an "A" last name, but, man, I really want my copy to get here...!!

My new Personal Trainer

Jason got this set up about 3 months ago and just loves it. So he "talked" me into getting it all last night. I'm really excited about it.

My shoes are white and pink (what other color could there be?) You put the little chip thing in the sole of the left shoe, the other i-pod piece in your i-pod, and go (after a quick set up on i-tunes). It can chart your time, milage, calories burned. You can run to your own tunes, or down load the i-tunes work out. It is a cool feature, and can't wait to start using it tonight after work.

Along your way, you can find out how you're doing, and when your done, you can put it on line to charge your progress (or lack thereof). You can challenge friends and family and it is just seriously cool.

You can check it out at Nike.com or Apple.com on the i-tunes link. Getting the shoes and the i-pod stuff is a bit pricey, but Jason says so worth it.

Daily Spiritual Thought

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 & Mosiah 3:19

Thought:"Seek not for greatness, but for truth, and you will find both."

*Do you have a current temple recommend? Even unendowed members can carry a limited use recommend.

Daily Spiritual Thought

Scriptures: D&C 15:6 & Alma 30:60

Thought: "It is faith in the commands of the Almighty, and our responsibility as his covenant children, the knowledge that God lives and loves his children, and the conviction that it is our mission to build and save men everywhere." ~Ezra Taft Benson

Best news of all!

Friday I came home to a message on the answering machine from Washoe Co Sheriff's office...from the deputy in charge of hiring...they want him...
To make a long story short, Jason will be taking the physical agility test for Washoe Co. next Saturday at 8 am. Our sheriff buddy says now his time! Keep your fingers and toes crossed and say a prayer or two that he makes it all the way this time, gets to P.O.S.T. that starts June 16, and becomes the sheriff he so desperately wants to be....

The week in pictures...

Wide shot of Grandma's fence

More fence shots


Jason digging a hole, Rhett acting as supervisor...

I climb up a tree and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the apple tree...

Rhett at the batting cage

Pretty girl

My dorky teenager that hates to have his picture taken...

Kodi, Sienna, Kirby

Rhett Got Game Ball!!!!!!

It's the equivalent of MVP!!! He had his first hit of the season! He was so happy. I wish I could have captured the smile!

Daily Spiritual Thought

Scriptures: D&C 115:4 & 3 Nephi 27:8

Thought: "Surely every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord is precious. So each word in this name must be important - divinely designated for a reason." ~Russell M. Nelson

Daily Spiritual Thought

Today's thought is a challenge!

Next Fast Sunday, strive to fast and pray for a spiritual experience that you may not be living so as to be able to receive. Pray for a change of heart and the ability to repent and forsake whatever sin might be plaguing you.