~FEBRUARY-AMETHYST~

February's jewel is the beautiful, royal amethyst.

Our February birthdays are beautiful and royal as well.  For some reason, I get a big kick out of the fact that February birthdays are shared...some with family members and some with famous people.

Marlie turned 15 on the 4th and shares her birthday with...

Brianna, who turned 12 on the 4th...ready for YW and baptisms at the Temple.

Lindsay turned 9 on the 12th...and shares her birthday with

Alta, whose birthday was also the 12th, both of them sharing Abraham Lincoln's birthday.

Brock's birthday was on the 14th, Valentine's Day, so I assume he shares his birthday with St. Valentine.

Syrina turned 9 on the 20th, sharing her birthday with Charles Barkley! 😜

Parker's birthday is the 22nd, and he shares his birthday with George Washington.

Polly turned 18 on the 26th...sharing her birthday with

Bridger, who turned 13 on the 26th...a teenager!

Daynen turned 21 on the 28th...and this year, at least, shares his birthday with

Hannah, one of our two leaplings, who turned 21 on the 28th/29th...and

Parley, who turned 1 on the 28th/29th.

Oh February, the beginning of spring in the desert.  I love it.  It often can't make up its mind whether it's the beginning of spring or the end of winter, though.  We've had both this month...sometimes in the same day!  We'll go to the temple early in the morning and it's below freezing, and come out in the afternoon to a balmy spring day.  We have had some dramatic weather this month.  I say that every month, but we don't actually know what dramatic weather is.  We don't have tornadoes, hurricanes, floods or anything very terrible.  It isn't as hot as Phoenix or as cold  as St. Johns.  About as perfect as it can be, except for a hail storm now and then...just enough to keep it interesting.

The sunset from our front door.

The setting moon just as we were driving in to open the Temple.

Dad sees this balloon from time to time on his morning walks, which he gets to take when we close at the temple.

~OUR FEBRUARY~

Our February started with a visit from Allison and Harvey.  He still is unsure about his great grandma, but at least he likes her toys.  On one of the visits, Rachel came and brought Sara Konopnicki with her.

We went with the Evans and Atkinsons, to El Charro.

On the 4th, we went by Brianna's after the Temple, to wish her a happy 12th birthday.

On the 11th, Kirtlyn and Brianna and Thomas were in the community youth theater's play, Mulan, and we were able to go because we had opened that day.

Then on the 12th, we and Parker were invited to a birthday dinner for Lindsay's 9th birthday.

While we were there, I was taking a picture of Alex and Dad and a selfie of Jared and me, and Alex couldn't stand not to be in that picture so he stuck his head in just as he usually does.  What a camera hog.  A real photo bomber. 😏

On the 13th, Alex, who just can't be kept down, fell from a kitchen stool onto the tile floor and got a concussion.  Mary took him to the ER and Ethan and Jared stayed with us.  Alex was throwing up and feeling terrible, so the doctors did tests and decided that he had a concussion but it wasn't severe enough to keep him.  So they let him go home, although he was there most of the day.  I had sent a little stuffed puppy for him to have in the hospital, so I gave Ethan and Jared and Henry one too.  Henry left before I got his picture.

The day after Valentine's Day, we were working, so I had Mary go to Walmart and buy the stuffed toys that were half priced to restock my supply.

On the 17th, she had appointments in Mesa for Ethan and Lindsay, so the rest of the kids stayed with me.  They don't have school on Fridays, so the big kids were there to help with the little kids.  It was fun to have them.  We went to Thriftee to ride the merry-go-round and buy snacks.

On Saturday, Dad made Grandpa beans, and we invited Thomas and his family over to eat them because his kids all like Dad's beans. The first picture is of Henry and an iPad puzzle.  He loves puzzles.

That night, Mary had a masa/MASH party at her house.  

Here, Rachel and Thomas are showing off the Alfalfa shirt they have been fighting over since he got home from his mission.

All the adults eating masa...except Mary, who is taking the picture.  

On Sunday, we went to give poor Rylie a blessing.  She had strep throat and a mouth full of canker sores.  Literally, full!  Every surface of her mouth, tongue, cheeks, throat and even gums, were covered in sores.  It was so heartbreaking.  At least she's watching something that will lift her spirits.  Bob Ross always lifted mine 🎨

Then we went to hear Parker speak in his Singles ward, and stayed after for his setting apart as a Gospel Doctrine teacher.

On Monday, we had a special Presidents' Day opening for the St. David Stake, which, by the way, was wonderful!  They came in droves and kept the Temple hopping with ordinances for their ancestors.  Dad says that if you want to know what our temple will be like during the millennium, come to one of these special openings.  While we were at the Temple, Mary and Tyson and their family came and knocked down our rotten old playhouse and took it to the dump.  It had truly become a safety hazard as the roof was crumbling and the floor was full of splinters.  That was a very  nice thing for them to do, spending their Presidents' Day doing service for the old folks.
The playhouse is gone.

We were off on Tuesday and Wednesday, so we planted some flowers that Dad had given me for Valentine's Day.  Rebecca came by to visit and thought we looked cute, so she took this picture.  I commented that we are finally old enough to be cute again.  When we were young and just starting out, we were so cute.  But then we got babies and responsibilities and weren't cute any more.  Now, just because we are old, we are cute again.

On Parker's golden birthday (he turned 22 on the 22nd) we had a cookout birthday party.

We even had the pool warm because we had been home for two days that week, so some of the kids enjoyed swimming.  Jenn was the volunteer lifeguard. Parker's parents sent some presents for him to open

We went to Polly's birthday dinner on Sunday, to celebrate her 18th birthday.  I asked her to model her new birthday dress because she looked so feminine and pretty.  I hope pretty is coming back in style.  It seems that it has been such long time that ugly has been stylish...unflattering clothes, ugly hair, ugly shoes and even ugly makeup and nail polish 😬.  So I was glad to see pretty again.  I told her that she is just the kind of girl who can set a style, so maybe she can help bring pretty back in style.  Also, Rylie came by later to borrow some baking soda, after her church, and she looked pretty too, in a soft, feminine dress.  I was especially glad to see that she looked so good, since she had been so sick.  But I just gave her the baking soda and didn't take a picture.  I wish I had...as a before and after of her sick pictures.

Then later that evening, Thomas and Jenn's family came over for a Sunday evening visit.  In the first picture, everyone is watching Henry do a puzzle on my iPad.

On our last at home day of the month, we planted some more flowers.  And I took a picture of the African Daisies in our neighborhood.  Love the daisies!

~NEWS FROM AROUND THE FAMILY~

NATHAN AND SHAUNA
Beautiful Jovie in her blanket that Grandma made for her.

The many faces of Jovie Evangeline.  She is being blessed on March 5, at 11:00, in Glendale.  Everyone is invited.  

Josh's girlfriend, Ahlin, visited Omaha this month and I think they went around and saw some of Josh's favorite buildings.

Hannah with her singles ward.

With her special friend, a returned missionary football player who has been in love with her since 3rd grade.  So far, I think they are just friends.

Some Josh the Preservationist Omaha buildings in the snow.

JOEL AND STEPHANIE

Valentine pictures from Stetson and Lindsay.  Read the caption on the bottom of the panda pic.

Docker was honored as a Golden Scholar at his high school.  Congratulations, Docker!

DANIEL AND CONNIE

The many faces of Theo...and maybe one of Brock (for comparison?) I'm not sure.  Notice that he is on the blanket that Grandma made for him.

Theo loves being with his mom...and seeing his dad.  It's a sight Brock loves to see when he gets home from work.

Brock's birthday is Valentine's Day...

But he went out of his way to make sure that Devynne had a special day, starting with breakfast in bed and flowers.

A lovely snow day in Colorado

Daniel had to go out to his property and make some repairs after the snow.  Aila loves riding with her Papa on his tractor.  Connie says she just gets giddy.😃

Aila doesn't need toys.  Along with tractors, she has fun stuff to do around the house. 

Shannyn and Analynn participated in a ward dinner, a YW fund-raising project.  Here is Albert, doing his part. 😉

Parker at Lindsay's birthday party on the 12th.

He made her an easel for her birthday.

Alta's birthday on the 12th.  Her ACC (Amazing Connie Cake)...sushi

The Colorado Biggs kids get a whole box of their favorite cereal for Valentine's Day.

Syrina's birthday was the 20th.

Her ACC 

Pinewood Derby in their ward.   They make their cars together!  Isn't that a great idea?

Analynn with her Brain Bowl team.

Elder Massimo de Feo of the Seventy came and reorganized their stake, releasing their stake president and calling Doug Kennedy from St. Johns to be the new Stake President. Elder de Feo was so impressed by Daniel and Connie's amazing family that he asked to have a picture with them. He was even more amazed when they told him they have 3 more children, a son-in-law and another grandchild who were not there.

REBECCA AND SCOTT

Rebecca and Scott and Polly had a lot of fun with Allison and Harvey when they came to visit. Notice "See Saw Marjory Daw."

At El Charro..."you feed me, and I'll feed you."  Actually, Polly had just given Harvey a lemon wedge and he didn't like it at all, so he was feeding it back to her.

Then DeWitt and Deanna also came.

They went to Sodalicious. We've never been there, but I think it is a popular place.

When it was time for Allison to go home, Rebecca went with her.  Taylor had gone to Mexico to get workers, so they enjoyed a girls' +Harvey few days.

"I know that if I can just get in here, I'm going to love it! I was right!"

Then she got back to Mesa, drove home and then turned right around and went back to Mesa to hike 

Camelback Mountain with her hiking group.  While they were there, they saw a group of missionaries, one of whom was a Filipino.  He knew Sister Evans..."She's the one with curly hair and always happy," he said.  

Yes, that's her, alright.

Valentine's Day at the Evans'

Dallin and Sara and Parley in NY.

This is a high tech architect system at Dallin's school.

"Am I going to like this?  Yes, I do!"

"Ok, I've conquered walking, now I'll take on driving."

DeWitt is trying to teach Deanna to like some of the things he likes...Crab legs and tennis.  I don't know about crab legs, but it looks like tennis might be ok.

Polly's birthday...banana pancakes, presents and kayaking on Roper Lake.

Scott made a beautiful fire for Polly's birthday and Rebecca demonstrated the new hobby she and Scott are going to do together...archery.

JEREMY AND ERIKA

Daynen working hard and loving film school.

That shirt says "ovaries before broviaries." You figure it out. Maybe it's a reference to the gender confusion rampant in the world today?

Landscaping their back yard.  It's nice to have big strong boys to help.  

Ellie and friends.  Knowing Ellie, I'm sure this isn't a "mean girl" situation.😇

Tayte made regional choir!  Good job, Tayte.

Jeremy and Erika went to San Antonio, Texas, for a medical conference and maybe their favorite part was the Blue Bell ice cream.

And seeing the sights with co-workers and friends.

Tayte on a group date...I'm thinking a Spring dance?  Anyway they all look so cute in their plaid shirts.

Two of Reygan's latest drawings.  I've missed seeing her work for a couple of months.  I'm glad she's still working...she's so talented.

I told Daynen that I wanted a picture on his birthday.  I was thinking, with his cake, family, presents, whatever.  This is what I got.  I love it!

RACHEL AND TONY

February was New Beginnings in Rachel's ward.  Isabel is introducing the new girl she had been assigned to present, and Brynlie and Camille with the respective Laurels who introduced them.

All the prospective Beehives for 2017.

Rachel painted this fantastic mural for Lindsay's room-redecorating birthday project. See Mary's section.

Valentine's Day at the Alders'.

Oh, Isabel.  You're one in a million. 😇😳(I had to put that emoji on because of the big eyes)

When Rylie was so so sick, Mary brought her a smoothie.  It helped, I'm sure.

The twins played little league basketball and this is the all-star game.  They're the smallest ones, but they played well.

ESTHER AND SHAD

Marlie's birthday...a shopping day with Mom and enjoying the end of a desert day.

Bridger went on a snow campout. Brrrr. I don't know what he's jumping off of or on to, but I hope it's something soft.  Anyway we know he survived, because he lived to celebrate his 13th birthday.

Valentine's Day at the Browns'...this is Soren's school Valentine box.  Cool.

Poor Brody, had an infection in his tooth and had to visit the dentist.  He was miserable.

The Evanses took Shad to a business dinner when he came to town.  

Chucky Cheese? Soren's new pj's? and a wrestling match at FHE...boy stuff.

Miss Esther's Allstars Preschool.

Bridger's 13th birthday.  He got to go to Raising Cain's (I've never heard of it, but apparently it's popular) and had a huge birthday party featuring the blow up apparatus below.  As a result, he raked in $300!  

THOMAS AND JENN

Hyrum's Pinewood Derby was this month.  He came in 3rd.

Kirtlyn with some of her school friends? Theater friends? at Sodalicious.  She called her mom and talked her into taking them all because she is the only one who has a car big enough to drive everyone at once.

After Mulan.  

Valentine's Day at the Safford Biggs'...look at Henry's gleeful face 😆

Kirtlyn's valentines to and from her valentine.  I don't know who he is but that seems to be a thing now.  You actually ask someone to be your valentine and then exchange gifts.  Then it doesn't have to mean anything after the day is over, thank goodness.  Hyrum said that even in his grade they were choosing valentines.  He said he "stayed strong," though.  

MARY AND TYSON

Brianna's 12th birthday. She went to the Temple that day, to do baptisms, and I'm so glad we were there.  Her Richins grandparents were also there.  Then she received cards from her YW.  The roses are from her parents.  

Alex loves his brother.  I tell Jared all the time that he better never do anything bad because Alex wants to be just like him and will do whatever Jared does.  It always makes Jared smile when I say that.

Poor Ethan was so sick for a while, with a bad cold and cough.  He's well and happy again now.

At Mulan.

Lindsay's birthday room.

Happy Birthday, Lindsay!

When we were at Lindsay's birthday dinner, Alex climbed on my lap and put his head in my necklace.  He thought he was so cute...so did I.

The day after Lindsay's birthday, he fell and hit his head on the tile floor, getting a concussion, and had to spend the day in the ER.

Valentine's Day at the Richins.

When Mary took Ethan and Lindsay to preemie doctors' appointments in Mesa, Tyson stayed home with Jared and Alex on Thursday, and took them up to the snow.  I think, except for being cold, they loved it!  Jared especially loved sledding.

It was a lot more exciting than riding the Thriftee merry-go-round and playing with our toys the next day that they spent with us!

On Mary's Masa and MASH night.

Cleaning up the playhouse. A flat tire on the trailer.

The last day of February was backwards day at their school.  Notice the braids. 😄

~MISSIONARIES~

Curly, happy Lillian in the Philippines. She comes home May 24th!

From Shadrach in California.  He's been made a trainer.

~SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE~
I absolutely LOVE to see Dads and babies.  It always warms my heart and makes me smile.😊

Talk about dads and babies...that green package that Tyson is holding is Ethan.  He had just spit up all over Mary and the couch, and Tyson just went over and grabbed the front of his suit and lifted him out of it so Mary could clean up. I laughed out loud. 😆

In Portuguese this says: "In the 80's...Now days"

No comment necessary...except I feel I have a taco emergency every once in a while.

Family togetherness.  Sometimes we're prickly, it's true, but we are stronger if we stand together.

In case you forgot last month's smiles or didn't see it, here is what Mary posted.

Jaredism for February

I truly don't know if this is something to smile about (although Lillian obviously is) or something to grimace about 😬 That's a chicken foot, y'all!

~LAST WORDS~

I have been trying to get some thoughts together for stake conference talks for 2017, and the subject that keeps coming to my mind is Grace.  One of the reasons so many Christian churches don't think we are Christians is because they think that we believe we can work our way to heaven and don't need to rely on the Grace of Christ...another word for the Atonement...to be saved.  Of course, those who think we believe that don't know what we believe, obviously.  But they hear us say things like "work out our own salvation," and "working for our crown," and "we are saved by grace after all we can do."  Of course we know that the Atonement is everything.  It is only by Grace that we are even here.  If it were not for the Atonement, the earth would not have been created, we would not have been given bodies or have a chance to become eternal families.  We know that it is the Atonement that gives us the ability to "work out our own salvation."  We know that it is through the Grace of Christ that we even desire to do what is right or to repent of our sins or to live with Him again.  Brad Wilcox, Mormon author and speaker, said "The Atonement is not only the reward for righteousness, it is the source of righteousness."  We understand that ''after all we can do" means that no matter what we do, after all we try on our own, only the Atonement of Jesus Christ can save us.  In the beautiful hymn, Rock of Ages, which is in our hymnbook, but which we never sing, it says, "All the labor of my hands cannot fill thy laws demands; Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow; All for sin cannot atone, Thou must save and Thou alone."

I know that is true.  I believe with all my heart that it is through the Atonement and our dependance on the Savior that we can not only be redeemed but that we can find joy in this life.  We need to not only fill our hearts with love for Him, but with His love for us.  He loves us, not because we deserve it but because we are His.  That will never change. Whether or not we choose to keep His commandments and partake of His Atonement, He will always still love us...no matter what.  

And Dad and I love you all, no matter what, because you are ours.