This was a wonderful day. Blake became part of our eternal family.

And the family just kept growing...Little K is the baby in this picture.

This was taken at my parents home just a few weeks after we announced our engagement. We had a special dinner together. I hung out with Derf's sister a lot and we did aerobics together. So young back then.

Best Hubby and Daddy!!!

Derf always has time for the kids. He loves the adventures and trips we take with the family. In this picture we went to arches with friends. Notice that Nat and Kall are holding hands. How sweet!! One time they were so naughty that we tied them together with string. They have better memories about that then I do and it would be great for them to post about it sometime.

Derf man helping the girls and neighbor to build a snowman.

Here we are at Disneyland with our favorite friend, Mickey!! Derf works hard so that we can have play time as a family.

Derf man has a love for animals and our kids enjoyed parenting the new puppies that came along.

Here we are a young family. The little baby is Joshy. He looked so cute on his blessing day in his little Tuxedo. Derf has and always will be the best hubby and daddy. He works so hard for our family everyday.

The early years

Our wedding day==27 years ago Mar. 15. My mother added about 70 feet worth of beading on my dress. My bouquet was a replica of the one she had when she got married. It had two white orchids in the middle surrounded by red roses.

Candy Bars, our new filly along with our new daughter, Nat. This picture was taken by my dad's barn.

Dating and enjoying my brother's wedding dinner. Jan. 1981 In the picture is my grandpa warnick, my sister, Laury, Fred and I and my brother Scott.

Newly Married. Provo Temple. Happy Day even if it was so cold.....

One of my favorite pictures of Fred. We are up at Nordic Valley...now Wolf Mountain. There is a stake camp there and we had gone up for an Elder's Quorum Party. I just love that red hair. Funny we didn't get any red heads of our own.

My hubby through the years...

The cutest red headed boy ever.

Bustin through the bumps!!

As a missionary in Ireland

Here is proof that my husband once had red hair!!! Isn't he just adorable? I love him so much.

Graduation from BYU.

Totally Disgusting

Fred and Limmie enjoy a brisk walk everyday. Being an animal owner one must assume the responsibility of cleaning up after your animal. Keeping this in mind Fred is always prepared and takes with him plenty of "doggy" bags and bags with treats in them for his beloved beagle.
They enjoy these outings three times a day and it's great exercise for the both of them. I was home one day when Fred told me of a hilarious but disgusting moment related to dog walking that day. Usually out on his walks there are trash receptacles where he can deposit what Limmie has left behind. This particular day he was not as fortunate and placed the bag in his pocket. ( I never do that!!) I always keep it out so that it does not permeate my clothing. Needless to say Fred came home grabbed a bag from his pocket and placed it in the fridge. He then went to get the bag of treats (he had cut up some cooked elk for a treat and placed it in a bag)and put them away. When he opened the fridge a second time he then discovered that he had put the dog poop in the fridge instead of the treats!! Luckily it wasn't in the fridge very long or I would have destroyed everything in it!! Totally Disgusting!!!! Never, ever try that one at your house.

The Last Lecture

I'm currently reading the book, The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Some of my favorite quotes from the book so far are:

No matter how bad things are, you can always make them worse.

Just because you're in the drivers seat doesn't mean you have to run people over.

You've got to get the fundamentals down, because otherwise the fancy stuff is not going to work.

When you're screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that mean's they've given up on you.

When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody's bothering to tell you anymore, that's a bad place to be. You may not want to hear it, but your critics are often the ones telling you they still love you and care about you, and want to make you better.

Happy Birthday kallee

Happy Birthday to our goofer gal Kallee. You certainly keep the family laughing and dancing!!
Kallee has many wonderful talents and she is eager to always share them. She is a hard worker and a girl with lots of surprises. As the years go by she reveals to us some of her "secrets" from childhood. She liked to play with matches and gasoline in the garage. She would build little fires out of the combustible materials she could find. She would play for hours with Barbies, in the ditch with the neighbors or any sport. She is an all-around party waiting to happen!!
Have lot's of fun on your birthday!!

wellness

Today my wellness coach put me through a series of tests. I bench pressed 115 lbs and I have never done that before. She had me do more strength tests and the weight was high and it was hard to perform some of these tasks. I did find out that my lungs seem to be in good shape. I can walk a mile in 16 minutes. (No, I'm not into breaking any Olympic or World records there!) In a few weeks I will get my prescription for wellness. Hopefully all of this information will help me to become more active and healthy!! Thanks Nat the Nutrition Nut!!!

Stand a LIttle Taller

Todays thought from the book by President Gordan B. Hinckley is: Wisdom

Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold the mysteries of God shall be unfolded to you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich D&C 6:7

True wisdom cannot be obtained unless it is built on a foundation of true humility and gratitude.

and for Natalie on her birthday two days ago....your thought is this:

Continue in Goodness:
Therefore blessed are ye if ye continue in my goodness. D&C 86:11

Natalie is a wonderful example of someone who is good and wholesome. She is always striving to do better and help others be better. She forgets her own desires and looks and serves others continually. She is amazing and I love her so much. On her birthday she thanked me for giving birth to her, this year I told her "Thanks for being born and for taking on the challenge of being the first in the family" My dad asked me why I had the first three kids so close together? I told him that they all wanted to come down at once. His comment to me was something like, well Natalie beat them to it and let it be known she was comin' first. There's a reason for birth order. Only a few can handle being the firstborn, the middle child or the spoiled rotten baby of the family. (Me, I'm the spoiled one..just ask my brothers) HA HA have a good day.

Sunbeam highlights

Our sunbeam class if full of wiggles and giggles! Fred was asked if he was Jesus. This question came about following a discussion about Heavenly Father and the Savior. Last week the lesson was about the Holy Ghost and how he helps us. We were talking about baptism and when you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Kenzie was sharing her experience along with her picture. One of the kids asked her if she was a boy. What? Well if you look at her picture, her mother had combed her hair back and put it in a pony tail. She had a slick look on the top of her head so I guess it made her look more like a young man. Another time one of the mother's came to sit with her son and made a comment about how the Presidency sure missed in dividing up the classes. I said,
"Look at that other class they are all on drugs!" Not one child was squirming, talking, crying, walking around etc. Our class is total chaos!! She laughed. Another week, another lesson.

Being faithful and strong

It's hard to keep up with all the social networks that are available for our use. I have really enjoyed being able to keep in touch with family and friends and all of the happenings that go on. I have decided that I have neglected blogging long enough and that facebook will have to take a back seat. In fact I'm not on there for awhile.

Just a brief update: Blake is home. When I can talk more freely about it I will. Love him a lot.

I feel that my emotions are like a blah winter day where the sun hasn't been out for awhile, the snow is gray and dirty and nothing but lifeless trees surround me. I know that deep inside there is a light wanting to shine again and it will. I know where all blessings come from and this brings comfort to me. Have faith.

News from Elder Carlson Jan 20

Blake writes:

Dear familia,

I got your letters and am thrilled that you are doing well. The MTC here is exciting being I learn something new everyday, and the days are now moving by quickly, only four weeks left!!

It's good to hear you life your calling to the sunbeams (Fred,Char and Kenzie were called to team teach)I knew dad would. LOL How are the arrangements for the soon to be wedded couple?

Tell Caraline hello from me and Josh and Kenzie as well, sounds like you are all well getting through life well.

As for the packages the elders and I here love them, thanks for the apple cider it was delicious and didn't last very long. LOL

My preference on packages is anything. I'm not picky, thanks a bunch for them. As for my shoulder it's much better and I don't feel any pain in it which is a good thing.

Hope you are all doing well.

Sincerely,

Love Elder Blake Carlson

Health Call

Thursday, we received a call from the MTC to inform us that Elder B had been into the medical clinic. He was sitting at the desk as the Sister was talking to me. Apparently since he has arrived at the MTC his shoulder has been hurting and he decided to check it out. He hadn't been in any pain that I knew of at home and I questioned her about it and he informed the sister that he hadn't told me anything. That is our son for sure. If he starts to feel sick he never says a word. We only knew he wasn't feeling well when he wouldn't eat anything, other than that he was quiet about not feeling well. We don't know if this injury is a result of a young men's activity a year ago or if this is something new. He only told them that it started to hurt since he arrived there. He was to see a Orthopedic specialist today. The doctor at the MTC thought that maybe he could have torn his muscle. Unless it is of a serious nature we won't know what has happened until he sends us a letter or an email. I did tell the sister on the phone to tell him he'll be fine. My sister said he would have to slow down a bit and take medicine. That's another thing...he would never take meds unless I found the box/bottle and told him what to take. We're just prayerful that this will not be anything that would take him away from what he needs to do.

We attended the temple today and were blessed to be able to do temple sealings. It has been a while since we have done them. It was a beautiful reminder of the wonderful blessing of a temple sealing and promise of blessings from our Heavenly Father. It was a great way to spend the day together.

A great start for the New Year

Happy New Year. This morning started off with K&M fixing me breakfast in bed. I was served omelets and hashbrowns. Mr. M has really perfected his skills from his cooking classes along with the help of Little MK it was a great meal. When the kids are home we celebrate last night we didn't do much at all. Fred fell asleep watching sports and I watched a movie with K&M. After midnight Josh and I squirted silly string at each other and his fiance, Caraline. The funny part about all of that was I was aiming at her and actually shot my string in the hallway. I think it helps to make sure you have your can aimed properly.

Our missionary writes that the MTC is great. He plans, plans, plans and then it is work, work and work and the cycle repeats itself the next day. He reports that it is hard work and thinks he will manage the language. He has a tutor to help him and he thinks that is working better. With the Lord's help and his determination and support of family and prayer he will be able to do what he needs to do. We already feel through his letters that he is growing. He says he can't wait to get to Ecuador to start his "mission" and teach the people. We are very grateful for our special son!!!

It's going to be an eventful year for our family. Stay posted to our blog and read as it unfolds....til the next post. Love to you all.

if you would like to write to Elder Carlson....

Elder Carlson writes that he is loving the MTC. He is in District 40 and they all seem to get along very well. He is managing the language. IT is hard but thinks he can do it. We've only gotten two letters and he is not much for writing letters. I guess if I gave him a subject and told him to research it he would do it. HA HA . He did manage to write his grandparents for which I was grateful. Grandma O. made it clear that he needed to write letters and not do the email thing. She doesn't like the email's. I guess when he gets to Ecuador I'll have to print off the email and send it to her.

If you are interested here is his address until Feb. 15. I've also included his cousin's address, Elder Corey Carlson as well. He is scheduled to leave Feb. 1.

Elder Blake G. Carlson
MTC Mail Box #294
Ecu-Guas - 0215
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Elder Corey Carlson
MTC Mail Box 132-0201

I wish that I had Elder Aaron Carlson's address and Elder Mansfield's. Then we could write them all. FYI Elder Mansfield comes home end of May...I thought he was still working on one year. Perhaps Dave or Peter could update the family on Aaron.

HAVE A PLEASANT AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. Each day is a blessing to live.

Love to all family and friends. Your support and prayers are so much appreciated.

Char

PS I've used dearelder.com and also mtcdelivery.com for free letters to the MTC. We've not had any problems with either one. IF you do use these websites just remember to send it to the Provo MTC not his mission. HA HA eellak. (inside joke)

smile and away he went.....

Elder B. Carlson entered the MTC on December 16. The procedure has changed since the H1N1 virus started. You drop your missionary off and he is escorted by another missionary into the buildings. We decided to walk him to the drop off point, took some pictures, gave each other hugs and he gave a big smile turned and off he went. After experiencing the agonizing process that went on forever before when you attended the orientation and then you said your goodbyes our family are all in agreement that this way was so much easier for everyone. Elder B. Carlson's address until Mid February is:

Provo MTC, P.O. Box 294-0215 2005 N. 900 E., Provo, UT 84604. Elder Corey Carlson is also at the Provo MTC and his address is 132-0201 etc. It was a great experience!!

Glowing

He's handsome, endowed, and just glows!!!! That's our Missionary. Eleven days and counting.

Cleaning, organizing and he needs to pack!!

December 16 is sneaking up on our family very quickly. Blake and I spent the evening together de-junking his room the "mom" way. I don't think he was very thrilled about the whole process he had already spent several days cleaning out his drawers and closet. However, his mission things were everywhere and I decided that we should organize his personal belongings and put them away for two years and make sure we had all of his mission items on the list.

He speaks in our ward on December 13 @ 9:00 am 3065 South Bluff Road. If you're in town and would like to attend it would be awesome to see you. Family and friends are invited to a brunch afterwards. Just RSVP and let me know. I posted this on facebook so hopefully you all know about it.

We love you.....
Fred\Char\Nat&Clint\Kallee&Duncan\Josh & Caraline\Blake and Mackenzie

being grateful all year!!

We have so many blessings that it really would be impossible to post them all. I do have some that are worth mentioning. I am also thankful for these blessings everyday.

-to be born under the covenant and have the gospel in my life.
-a testimony and knowledge that my Heavenly Father knows and loves ME!!
-my heritage and my husband's heritage. Honor they father and they mother.
-my eternal companion who loves me unconditionally.
-our children who bring us joy, laughter and experience.
-the blessing of being able to breathe each day and have general good health and well being
-the security of a home, job and provisions to enjoy this earth life in a comfortable manner.
-moments or trials in life either good or bad that provide growth and knowledge.
-extended family and great friendships
-talents to share and enjoy
-technology
-each of you!!!

Special Stake Meeting

It was announced in our stake that we would be having a special meeting today. I thought that we may be dividing our stake or it was a regional meeting like we have had in the past. To our delight we were blessed to hear from our awesome stake presidency, Elder Carl Cook from the Seventy and President Boyd K. Packer spoke to us. It was a great blessing to us all.