Happy New Year

It doesn't seem possible that 2010 is knocking at the door. I wonder where this year has gone.

We've had a lot happen this past year, but as exciting as 2009 has been, we are really excited to welcome in 2010. We not only welcome in a new year, but also will welcome in the next generation of Moser's!!!! We are so excited to announce that Kyle and Jennifer are expecting our first grandchild.

It's a small world!! Once again

This week-end was our Stake Christmas Festival. I was asked to greet visitors at the front door Saturday evening, and direct them to the differant activities. I greeted a missionary couple, and as I welcomed the Sister I read her name tag, Sister Stewart. I then looked at the Elder, and much to my surprise, blurted out, I know you (even though I really don't KNOW him). Elder Stewart looks just like his dad who was my 5th grade teacher. When I told them who I was, Sister Stewart said she had my phone number in her purse, and was suppose to call me.

They are serving in Montgomery, but the mission president had requested that they come to the festival so they could meet the Stake President. They are serving as military liason, and will eventually work here at Redstone Arsenal. Marlow's assignment on the High Council is over missionary work, and when he was serving as Bishop he helped set up the serviceman's group. So I actually introduced them after the concert so they could chat about all that. It's amazing how things fall into place.

It is always good to have someone from home come around.

Gratitude

I am grateful for many things at this Thanksgiving season. I am grateful that I have been able to have a small glimpse into your lives through your blogs. I have experienced a whole range of emotions as I have read blogs. I have marveled at the strength of some. Been saddened as I feel the struggle of others. Sometimes when I read of your struggles I wish I could reach out and hug those whose hearts are aching. I also wish I could share my own struggles that are sometimes very similar to yours.

I want all my nieces to know how very much I love each of you. Life is sometimes a struggle. For some it is harder as depression is added. Please know that I can relate to that, and if you ever need help, I'd be happy to listen.

I know that our Heavenly Father does love each and every one of us. He does care. I am grateful for temples, I have often had my soul uplifted by attending the temple. Peace can be found. It is a constant effort, but I believe we are on this earth to have joy.

It's a small world!!

Two weeks ago when we were working at the temple, I overheard a sister talking about her western roots. She mentioned being borne in Farmington and said that her husband had grown up in Idaho and that they owned land near Targhee (sp?)

I talked with her and mentioned that my mom was born and raised in Layton. She knew quite a few Call's. I also mentioned that my sister-in-law was from Driggs. She said she'd ask her husband Mark if he knew her.

WELL...when I saw her last night she was soooo excited. They are not related, but have an Uncle in common. He (Mark)is only one year older than Linda, and when their Uncle died many years ago(it is Virginia's brother) Mark and Jolene stayed with the Prices.

I called Linda when we finished at the temple, and she remembers the family. Fun, fun!!!!

I hope they call me on a mission...

So my blog is backwards, deal with it. Mark's flight left Huntsville International Airport at 6:15 Tuesday morning. It's an awkward moment when you just want to hang onto them, but they need to go.
A kind gentleman offered to take this picture. Mark is going to be an awesome missionary

I'm so glad they put these "easy" check in stations. They were finally told to put something that had their name in, and walla, it knew who he was.

It was so nice driving 10 minutes to the Huntsville airport, and not 2 hours to Nashville.

Mark learned how to really pack a tight suitcase. He left one suitcase outwest, and Grandpa and Grandma Moser have it.

Morning came Way too early. His last breakfast at home

Out side the Stake Center. My baby all grown up.

Mark enters the MTC today. I know he's going to be an awesome Elder.

This is why I love the South

I love spring time when the plants start popping out of the ground. A few years ago I became fascinated with hostas, so I have them all over. They do especially well in the shade

Joan gave me a flat of pansies last fall for my birthday. They didn't especially thrive, but are looking gorgeous now, I guess they liked being drowned, and the warmer weather.

I love my Japenese maple, it adds color on the front side of our flowers.

I got Mr Stumpy last fall for my birthday, and the tulip is keeping him entertained this spring.

I just had to buy this clematis when I saw it's name. Nellie Moser, isn't that appropriate. I have it climbing my mailbox. I have really had to baby it, it isn't really in the best place for this type of plant, but I am trying to teach it to bloom where you are planted!

We were hoping that the dogwoods would bloom while mom was here. They are in full bloom now. Dogwoods grow very slow, which is just fine for where we planted it. Thanks for visiting my garden.

check out Jennie's blog

click on Jennie's name on my side bar to see some of her art

Proud Mama

I should say it was a super Saturday... I enjoyed staying with Bryce and Amy, and seeing their kids. By time Saturday came along, my late nights, and less sleep than I am used to caught up to me. I left Blackfoot late morning, and was grateful for clear roads. About the time I hit Malad, I thought I'd stop for a bathroom break, and a drink. I was going to stop in Tremonton, but the convenience store was so close to the freeway in Malad I thought it would save me time. WRONG....I didn't realize going into the store why there were two very LONG lines. My first thought that everyone else needed a break. It wasn't til I'd been in line about five minutes that I unstood....LOTTERY!!!! My quick stop turned into a 15 minute wait in line.

About North Ogden, I was wishing I could just crawl into a hole and sleep. I was a little worried that the heaviest traffic was still ahead of me. I still needed to find Marlow's shoes, so I called Nancy for directions. She offered to come and get me. Instead of going to the distribution center, I drove to Nancy's, and she taxied me around SLC. I love my sisters.

I finally found the size shoe Marlow needed in SL. Then we went to this awesome restarant. Casa Rio (is that right?) It was so good, I hope they are an expanding National chain.

It was fun to visit with Alison, and play with her darling son Mason D. Vaughn and Drew were in Jerome, so I didn't get to see them til Sunday evening. I can't believe what a fast trip this was, but I'm grateful I was able to accomplish the things I needed to get done.

Fantastic Friday

On Friday i met up with Janice at the IF distribution center, and she helped me choose a new temple dress.

Marlow and I were called the end of February as ordinance workers in the Birmingham Temple, so I bought a new dress, and leather shoes. I bought Marlow a white suit, and tried to find the size and style of shoe that he wanted.

We were able to visit with Katie before her benefit. I am still amazed at the planning that went into her benefit. I am amazed at the number of items they had. And how each thing was so well planned. The raffle, silent auction, and live auction. They kept it flowing throughout the evening. It was so fun to be there, and touching to know that so many people came out to support Katie, and her family. It was fun to participate, and win some of the raffles, and silent auctions. The highlight of my trip was having some time to visit with you Katie. I so admire your attitude and strength. I loved reading to Mary and Drew, and I'm glad that Drew likes books about Pirates. Much better than books about Indians!!!!!!!

Shop til you drop

My main objective Thursday was to get Mark's missionary stuff bought. I had no idea how long this would take, so I was a little nervous that it would all come together in one afternoon.

He was finished with class and we met up a little after 12:30. I had been left alone in the BYU-I bookstore for about an hour. That is a BAD BAD thing. I must say, I did okay, just not great.

I am sad to say that I was so focused on getting the list checked off that the camera didn't even come out of my purse. So you'll just have to be satisfied with my commentary.

We headed off to IF, I had asked my sister in laws where they recommended to shop for missionaries. Ferrell's is an awesome store. I was a little surprised when I first walked in, wasn't quite what I'd expected, but they took really good care of us.

Unless you have bought missionary apparel away from Utah/Idaho, you will not appreciate how nice it is to have a clerk that knows what a missionary needs. I remember getting Josh ready. We bought his suits at Men's Wearhouse, and we thought that since we were acquainted with Dan the clerk, he would have a small idea about what we needed. WRONG. We explained we needed conservative suits ie. dark, plain. He'd hold up a plaid sport coat and say this is a conservative sport jacket. NO. I guess to someone who wears kilts, a plaid sport coat is conservative!!!!

Any who, we got him taken care of, I didn't pass out when they told me the amount (I guess since Mark is the third, it's old hat to drop that much) The other really neat thing there is their CTR clothing line. It is designed for missionaries, stretch in the arm pits of the suit coats to have more give if they are riding bikes. The pants have a crotch lining to give more wear to the pant. I learned about those a few years ago when we were buying a suit for Marlow. It costs about $32.00 to add that to pants, and we did that to ALL of Josh's mission pants. So to have pants with that already in them was awesome. I apologize for the long tutorial, it was just so nice to have someone help us that knew what we were after. It didn't take too long to get the list clicked off.

Then we headed to Grandma Moser's for dinner. It was awfully cold out, so it was nice to get to their nice warm home. I wish it wasn't such a quick trip so I could have visited with everyone. I'll have to save that for our trip in August.

Winter Wonderland

This is what I woke up to Thursday morning at mom's house.

Don't ya'll know it's springtime? I must admit it was fun to walk around and see the world covered in snow.

So endure as I share some of my pictures.

It looks like the horse is possing just for me!!!

Quick Trip to Idaho

Janice picked Grandma and me up at the airport, and then we met up at Marie Calendars for something to eat.

I surprised when Paul and Linda were able to join us. It was fun to see them, and hear a little about their duties on their mission.

Robert and Ilene were also able to join us, and it was so good to see them. Robert was being -- how should I say this, well he took mom's purse from under the table, and then when we were ready to leave we couldn't find it. You could tell just by looking at him that he was involved but he said "I didn't do it" -- whatever. He had started the pass off down the table. It was fun to watch the interaction between Paul and Robert, still acting like brothers.

It was fun to renew acquintences, and enjoy some good food. We even sang happy birthday to Nancy. She didn't want us to, but she got it anyway so she was singing her little heart out with us, singing and pointing to me so she wouldn't be the center of attention. Silly girl.

Darcee was there, and Grandma enjoyed holding Greta. It was a nice way to relax after a long day of travel.

Mark's Mission Call

Mark received his mission call today. He enters the MTC April 29, and will serve in the Nevada West Las Vegas Mission.

I don't have the mission boundaries, but the little I was able to glean from a website about the mission, it includes part of California. It's almost like our family has gone full circle. Marlow started out in the Air Force at Edwards Air Force Base. Everyone but Mark has lived in that part of the world, now he will have that opportunity.