We spent the last 2 weeks getting our home ready and our car fixed. LeGrand kept saying there was something wrong with the car , he thought it was the muffler. I was in the area of our car repair guy so I took it in and had them run a diagnostic on it. Not the muffler but a leak in the coolant. The next morning Wednesday , before we left, he took it in to see what needed done.
By the time they got thru it was going to cost more than the car was worth to repair. It was becoming a money pit.
So off to the car store to locate something we could drive and depend on. It was hard for both of us because we had been without a car payment for a year and we didn't want to pick up another.
But I choices were taken from us so to speak . We bought a 2006 Equinox, which we like. It is easier to get into and out of and has more room in it. It looks like the picture only the color is sandy gold.

We are renting our house to a young couple while we are gone. We trust them and hope they enjoy it as much as we do when we are home. However the morning we left, we had a hard time. The house was ours,,,yet we were turning it over to some one else. Such funny feelings we had. Our setting apart was nice. We drove away from the church after that.

We already miss our kids, but are anxious to get started. It has been a month of emotional ups and downs. see you all tomorrow

Christmas came to our house this year. Tricia and Her Family came to visit for the holiday. So much fun was had by all. We were in the process of packing and getting the house ready for our mission. Here are a few pictures to enjoy. We certainly missed the rest of our children.

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