Happy third birthday George!

I'm blessed to have such wonderful grand children, Happy Birthday + George = Happy Grandma! He was so cute to watch open his gifts and take command of being three. He reminds me of his Daddy in so many ways. He can already dunk a basketball and no hips!

Anniversary

I just love this picture of Steve with his kids in the snow, it reminds me of how happy he was. I've just thinking of my anniversary, it was 31 years ago today I married Steven Sproul, We were married just 9 years when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. He died about 2 years later. I've been reminded of it this past week with the passing of my cousin, Diane's husband, Rick. I'm also reminded of him as I see Cameron transition through his loss. I know I was intended for this family, because I have learned so much from them and I've needed this growth.
Here are some events from my life:
1976 Graduated from HS
1979 married Steve Sproul on July 3
1982, Lisa was born
1984 I graduated from the U of U,
1984 John was born that same day I graduated
1988 Steve graduated from the U of U
1990 April 12th he passed on
1992 I married Greg, it will be 18 years in September. I'm so grateful to him he has been wonderful, and I really feel like I have healed during these years, but sometimes I reflect on my past. I've found out that it's the journey that counts. The resurrection is real. We will all go the way of the gave in this life. We should live with the end in mind in terms of our relationships with others. Improve our time, and strive for peace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
It makes me happy to see my kids being parents, and it remind me of him and how he loved his kids. I know he thinks of them too.

Memorial Day

Ouch! I guess the reason this picture brings tears to my eyes is because when John was three years old his dad was diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor. Lisa was in kindergarten. I taught school to provide insurance and we struggled along for nearly two years while working and dealing with all the treatments, surgeries, and physical disablement of a normally healthy husband.

The hardest part for me personally was having to keep things together, when my world was crumbling. If I'm stronger for it, I don't know? But I do know that having these two kids of mine, and seeing them be wonderful parent’s makes all the stress and sacrifice that I went through, and still go through worth it. It's hard to see your children suffer. We should all do everything possible to teach and protect them. I'm so sorry that they miss their Dad it is impossible to make it up to them, but I always tried not to enable them or spoil them. I tried to do what Steve and I would have done together, teach them to live the gospel and to serve one another. He was an awesome father.
John is a wonderful Dad too. He has definitely followed in his father’s footsteps. It was hard to see John not be able to wrestle and play with his Dad like he was used to because they were best buddies. Lisa was his little princess. She taught him the ABC's when she was in Kindergarten.

Our Beloved husband and father, William Steve Sproul - January 24, 1958 to April 12, 1990, died age 32. Thank you, Heavenly Father for 11 wonderful years with their Daddy!

My Great Grandmother Dougan

I've been doing some geneology for Aunt Mary and I scanned this picture of my Mom's, Mom Jane Dougan and her mother. Grandma Dougan's mother lived to help take care of my Mom and her brother and sisters after their mother passed away. Mom was just 12 years old, and aunt Mary was 16 when her mother died. They have good memories of playing with their cousins up in Idaho and staying the summer at the farm in Menan. Mom puts flowers on their graves every year up in Idaho. I have good idea when my Mom dies I'll put flowers on her grave too. I have good kin.

Mother I Love YOU!

Our cruise to Washington and British Columbia was one of our family Highlights for Mom. It was our Girls Getway, but we took along a few men for escorts. Nothing beats sitting together on a cruise at gormet dinner for a week straight there are NO dishes to do, someone cleans up after you, gives you chocolates, turns down your bed and leaves you little presents like foldered towel animals at night...

If there's whales or dophins Mom will find them. She loves nature. She taught all of us kids to have values of kindness and charity. She is the hardest working most devoted mother anyone could ever have. She is my hero. When she is gone I will still have everything she taught me right here in my head because she did all the right things. Thank you Mom and Happy Mothers Day!

Mom and the three surviving daughters and three sons. Jeanne died of Lupus in 1990. That's why we like the picture above, because Nicole is Sam's wife is now another wonderful part of our family. Here are some traits I love about my mother: Mom can talk to anyone. She has served her family and in the church her whole life. She loves her children around her even though the crowd is usually overwhelming. If someone is sad or in need of understaning she serves them completely. She is always looking for opportunities to serve. She loves to learn and read about history, science, religion, and nature. She likes to talk on the phone, go for walks in nature, camp in a tent, cook, sew, quilt, read, travel, sing, tell stories, hold babies, visit relatives, watch sports with Dad on TV, win bets, and make people feel loved and welcome everyone.

She and my Dad have been married for over 57 years. They just had their 78th birthdays. Mom has had quite a bad year or two with her health, but she keeps plugging along. She doesn't like physical therapy and that's what the doctor ordered. Mom is the youngest in her family and will most likely out live them all. She and Dad have really kept a strong family all these years. We love them both so much and can hardly think of one without the other. Thank you Lord, for my mother!

20 year Anniversary

This is the 20 year anniversary of when Steve died. John said, it's hard for him to believe that anything in his life could be 20 years ago. I think his Father would be very proud, John is graduating from college this week. I know he is pleased with Lisa as well. We are all grateful to have had such a wonderful husband and father in our lives. As these grandchildren grow, I'm only sorry that they didn't have a chance to know Grandpa Steve. He would have made a magnificent Grandpa. If we hold out faithful one day we will know him again. It was so wonderful to have all my grandchildren and children in my home today and allow them to comfort me which they always do. How lucky could I be. What a legacy we have.

She's Here!

Our beautiful granddaughter was born today at 11:45 A.m. March 11th 7 lbs 2 oz. 19 inches !!!