It's Always Fun When Grandpa Comes.....

We love it when Grandpa S. comes to visit! We love it when he brings the Grandma too....but

she hasn't been able to come lately. Grandpa...on the other hand...is here for a visit

about every two weeks! What a treat for us!!

The Darlings LOVE it when he comes! The morning he was getting ready to leave...

he had been up very late the night before....but he got up to see The Darlings off to school,

reminding them to be Good Darlings...and that he would see them again in another couple

of weeks. The Darlings like to tell him all about their lives....all about school....what they think

about things...how they feel about things....he is always a wonderful support and offers great

advice and encouragement. It is a blessing to have him visit us so often.

Another reason we LOVE it when he arrives....is the loads of citrus he brings.

This citrus starved AZ girl longs for a juciy grapefruit, navel oranges...that were not picked when

they were green...but tree ripened...and tasty lemons...which are never seen in my neck

of the woods. The first thing I thought of when I saw the lemons....was Lemon Bars!

I made them.....we ate them....and they were yummy! Last time Grandpa S. was here, we

drove to the JSA at lunchtime and were lucky enough to find The Darlings....he hugged them

and told them good-bye....and as PreShie was running across campus she YELLED....

"bring more Oranges when you come next time...." and she yells loud! Grandpa thought

that was pretty funny. The Darlings take those juicy oranges in their lunches. Grandpa forgot

to bring the load of citrus on one of his trips....and I thought The Farmer was going to cry.

He said...."did The Chief (he calls Grandpa S. "The Chief") really not bring the

grapefruit....??????" He loves grapefruit more than he loves us I think.....;)

We really do love the AZ citrus!

I love Easter!

Maybe it is the colors of Easter that I love so much. After a long and cold Winter,

the colors f Easter represent life again. Our favorite Easter decorations are throughout

the house...some from when The Darlings were Mini Darlings. I love them all! Easter eggs

and jelly beans fill jars on the buffet in the dining room. Most everyone who stops by, ends up

leaving with a hand full of jelly beans. I saw an idea I loved....last year....names of the Savior on a ribbon garland....hung in a place that could be seen easily. I have thought about it all during the

year....anxious to make my own to help us be more thoughtful of a special season. I remembered that Grandpa S. had told me about a list of names, of the Savior, that he had compiled through his years of scripture study....I asked him to send me the list...and I made

the garland....with 74 different names.....and it was beautiful!

I decided that the first garland should hang in the home of the Grandparents...after all...it was

Grandpa's study that gave us the list. I wrapped it up and sent it home with Grandpa...when

he left. And as quickly as that garland left...I began another for our home. It will not only be a

great reminder of The Savior...it will be a great reminder of Grandpa S. a.k.a. "The Chief"

I can't wait to get mine done and hung!

*Just a side note....this morning The Darlings were headed out for school...I said

"be sure not to fall for any jokes today....it is April Fools Day....

to which The Boy replied...."oh ya...I am supposed to be wearing green today...right?"

well...it did supply me with a good laugh....and I often tell The Darlings that was one

of the reasons I birthed them....to entertain me!

This is my most favorite weekend of the year....Spring General Conference Weekend!!!

We will be cooking....eating...listening...watching....and loving every minute of it!!!