Sunday Six Reasons to Smile

Hello Dear Blog Friends

I just got back home to CA again.

In the last month I have traveled from America's southern to northern borders and from the pacific ocean to the Atlantic.

As I traveled by car, ship and airplane across the width and breadth of this great land I thought about how much I love my country. I am sorry that America gets negative press at times in the media. I love America. My heart is touched as I see our flag waving over our land of the free. As I travel throughout the land I meet so many good people who love God, family and their fellowmen.

Living in America makes me smile.

I believe that my foreign friends feel the same way about their countries. God has blessed us with a beautiful world to enjoy no matter what corner of it we call home.

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However, after almost a month of traveling, I am glad to be at home again,

even though I miss being with my out of state family already.

I had wonderful visits with each of them.

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I am smiling from ear to ear as I think of the time we spent together.

I am blessed to have such a loving and supportive family.

I think John was sweet to let me fly off across the USA on the spur of the moment to help David's family when little Evan was born! That meant that he had to drive all the way to Utah alone....without me to talk to... or pack . (and he actually remembered to pack his toothbrush)

Nothing in this world could bring me more joy than my family does.
As I look back over the past days these are just a few of the things that made me smile.

My kitchen helpers made me smile.

I had a lot of fun cooking for my son's family while I was there helping them after our new little Evan was born. The "big" kids were eager to help me in the kitchen ...

and ...I loved having the "help".

Davey, Gracee and Emma were happy with the pineapple upside down cake we made.

Can you blame them???? Doesn't it look yummy?

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Grace's bravery made me smile.

Gracee told me that she had a goal of getting her loose tooth out before I left there last Friday.
It was her first loose tooth and she was nervous about getting it pulled.

She kept telling me that she was going to do it before I left... And she did!!!

Thursday eve. just before climbing into bed she crawled up on her daddy's lap and asked him to pull it. (Doesn't she look cute in the little night gown I made her? It is almost too small for her now . I think she wore it just to make me feel good.)

After a few tugs the tooth came out.

Gracee was so pleased.... you can see that Davey was not as excited about it.

Good for you Gracee Girl!!! You are a lot braver than I was when I was a little girl getting my teeth pulled.

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Giving Calan his blanket made me smile.

(Am I asleep in this picture?? Maybe I was just being shy???)

For the last 10 years I have made a blanket for each of our new grand babies.

Erin asked me to make one to match Cal's room.
The theme of his room is airplanes and his colors are blue and brown.

I made this crazy nine patch work quilt for him.

I am not a good quilter but Cal told me that he likes it just the way it is....flaws and all.
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Calan's smiles make me smile.

Don't they make you smile too?

He had smiles for his Grampy.

(Even though he just turned 2 months , Cal seemed old compared to our new little Evan I had just left.)
He had smiles for his Grammy.

Now I ask you.....isn't he darling!!!!!!

Those dimples melt my heart!

He is full of coos and smiles and so much fun. There was a tender movie on TV but none of us could pay attention to the show because we couldn't take our eyes off of our cute smiling boy.

Watching Erin and Patrick watch Cal brought even more smiles to my face.

It is so obvious how much they adore their baby boy.

Adoption is a wonderful, loving gift.

We are all so thankful to have Cal in our family. What a blessing.
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Jalen's driving lesson with Grampy made me smile.

Jalen will soon be old enough to get a learner's permit to drive so Grampy decided to give him a driving lesson.

Upps!
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The first day of summer vacation from school makes me smile.

After years and years of being a student and then a teacher, the first day of summer vacation ranks right up there with Christmas and birthdays in my mind. (Probably even better than birthdays now that I am getting so old.)
And what did my newly graduated Justin and his brothers do their first day of freedom?
They played all day of course....wii...pool...basketball...ping pong...board games... you name it and they played it last Monday.

It was a big day for Johnny and Jalen too. Jalen graduated from Jr. high and Johnny graduated from elementary school the Friday before....the same day Justin graduated from high school.
Lynell let them play all day Monday and enjoy the moment...
but then at Family Night that night she announced what their summer schedule was going to be.
There is going to be lots of things...yard work, house work, lessons, exercise time, scripture reading time as well as play to keep them busy all summer.
Justin heads off to Army boot camp in August and we all know how much fun that is going to be!
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And what was Lonica doing while the boys were busy playing games?

Sewing up a storm.
Loni is like her Grammy and loves to sew. She is very creative and makes all sorts of cute things.
She is her Grammy's girl.... that is for sure. Smile.... Smile...Smile.
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Upps.... I listed more that six smile makers.
Oh well, I have so much to smile about that I couldn't limit it to six this week.
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I have been really tired since we got home and I haven't even had the energy to turn on my computer.... however..... I will catch up with all of you soon.
I think of you all the time.
You blog friends are special to me.
I hope that you have a great, smiling week ahead.
Love and best wishes, Lura