This is one of the cutest (funniest) cartoons I have seen lately. Thought you might enjoy it . We laughed pretty hard when we read it. Our Friend has it framed and on a wall in her house. She knows the cartoonist. Go ahead and laugh.

Coy Loree Woodward Carson

My Mother

My Mother is not doing well. She is 84 years old and close to returning home. I will miss her. For years she has been my mentor, best friend, cheerleader, role model and leader. It is because of her and the decision she and my Dad made in 1957 to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that I have the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. Because of her and her love for being a Mother that I love being a Mother. I learned from her how to be dedicated to my callings in the church. I learned to see the world as a great place. To feel that I could do anything, that I was smart, organized and had some level of creativity. She made me take piano lessons, (which by the way I wish I had studied harder) , We listened to good music , enjoyed good musical theater and movies. I saw her work hard on our yard to have beautiful flowers, green grass and trees. I appreciate trees of any kind.
I have a deep appreciation for little children and they joy they can be to all of us. The role a mother plays in their lives. She taught me to forgive others and not hold grudges. To apologize when necessary(which I have to do often, because I have not learned to control my mouth)( oh well, at least I know how)
She loved my friends, helped when they needed it. She loved my husband and my children, knowing they were the best.
I see that she needs to return to her Father in Heaven , but I will miss her sweet influence in my life. Thanks to my knowledge of the gospel plan I know that I will see her again.
She will enjoy the reunion on the other side, with her parents and a Sister that she never knew. Aunts(one that she is named after) and Uncles, Grandparents that love her too.
She married one of the greatest Men on the earth. He has loved her and cared for her through their 62 years of marriage.
I love you Mom,

Let me tell you about last Wednesday. I worked at the temple for my friend. Then I came home changed my clothes and went to lunch for a friend's birthday. I had planned to go with another friend after to Kohl's for a special buy. We knew exactly what we wanted so after lunch we got into her car.
Which had a dead battery. We called her husband , he came and jumped the battery - sent us back to their house to put it on the charger and go on in my car.
We were on our way down a main road traveling about 55 MPH. When all at once the drivers side window exploded into the car It shattered into small pieces into the car.. Who knows what caused it happened.
Exciting day

We went camping for the last time this year. LeGrand found a spot that isn't too far from home and is right by a river. We had a good time, roasting marshmallows, playing challenge, sleeping in a Brigham bed, freezing, and fishing with a long willow pole, a gold safety pin and some wire from Grandpa's tool stash. This spot has a very large water pump, which was fun for them also( they sure got wet_)










Wish we could go with all of our grandchildren. We would sure enjoy it.

We have Grandchild # 14
Announcing Jackson Jacob Halladay
8 LBs 10 OZ
21 3/4 in long

I got to be with Lynn and Jake for a week prior to the arrival of Jack. I was afraid I would miss

him because I was leaving for Sweden on Monday and lynn was scheduled for an induction on Monday. Jack didn't want me to miss him so he came on his own. Mother , Father , Sister and Jack are all doing well and will move to Arlington on Aug 5

I Hope they call us on a Mission...

We are planning to turn in our mission papers again in August. It is exciting , yet there is so much going on with our family that it is sometimes hard to think about leaving. Faith seems to enter in here. We miss the grandkids and all of their little adventures growing up.

I was thinking today about the blessings of family. Other than my testimony I can't think of anything else that means more to me. Parents, sisters, LeGrands family, our children and their spouses, and of course the grandchildren.

Then of course we have .5 children that feel like our own, spent time at our house, worked through some of their problems with us, but were born to other parents, who were willing to share their children with us.

We had some pictures taken --some are not missionary pictures but were fun to have.

Happy fathers Day to my Dad and the Dad of my children, and the Dads of my grandchildren. I love you.

This past weekend we were in St. George with Lynn and Jake. They were there to participate in the 1st Ironman competition (ever in St. George_) Just the logistics of the whole thing is amazing. There were 2200 participants. We were excited to be there with them and root for Jakes' success.

The competition consists of a 2.4mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 run. Makes me tired just thinking of it. Jake did a fantastic Job of preparing for a year.


This is Lynn sitting on the shuttle with her friend kristen(whose husband also competed_) on our way to the start of the swim.

Here you will see the beginning of the event








The masses in the water








Jakes' parents were there also.








Coming in and going out of transition 2 (after the bike and onto the run__)










Pictures of the finisher are on someone elses camera. we were scattered all over the place.
Good thing for cell phones or we would have never found each other.