10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

5 September - 12 September, 2010

"Blessings only come to those who notice."  DOVE-bite

#1  Happy BIRTHDAY, EMILY!!!
We love you and are glad that you are a part of our family.  I appreciate all you do.

#2  We had a friend come spend the week with us.  I (We) love Mitch.  He is a very sweet boy.  Although he can not speak, we can feel his spirit and testimony.  We are happy his family shares him with us.

#3  We love (love, love) the Labour Day canyon family breakfast.  I don't think anyone knows how long we have been doing this.
Many many years ago, we went up to the canyons for dinner (and the cave).  It was hard to get a spot, and we would get home late - and dirty.  With the new school year the next day.  (We did dutch oven dinners, tin foil dinners, BBQ dinners...)
So, (probably sometime around when Michael and Kate built the pool) we decided to meet for breakfast (and have dinner and swim party and dive contest in the evening). 
We put a menu together and I have a master list of assignments.  Grandma and Grandpa get to the canyons early and pay for 2 spots.  One for cooking and one for visiting.  We fill them both.
Everyone brings food and all kids bring flashlights.  (It's o.k. if you forget.  Grandpa brings extras :)
Hilary brings the box of names and cousins draw to see who they will give a Christmas gift to. 
Grandpa takes the group down to the (very small) cave, and then on a hike.

This is one of my favourite family traditions/parties.  (As at any Johnson family party, if you have company for the holiday, or someone that your family is watching, they are welcome.)  I love this family.  Thank-you, mom and dad.

#4  I AM SO HAPPY THAT THE CARD GAME IDEA WORKED.  Happiest!

#5  Lindsay and David's house got finished.  And they passed the appraisal.  (Huge sigh of relief..  And big smile :D

#6  BYU football is back.  Most of my family loves BYU football.  The first away game was Saturday,  (I do not watch the games, at all, and sadly we lost.)  but I love having everyone here to watch them.  Such fun times.

#7  We had "homemade Cafe' Rio" salads for Elana's birthday dinner on Sunday. ummm

#8  I love that we play games together on Sunday night.  A couple of Sundays ago we played SKIPBO, which Christy said was too slow.  So, for the last 2 weeks we have played PIT.  NOT too slow.  Or too quiet.  We also played "5 CROWNS".  I love family times.

#9  I got an idea that I like that I will share later this week.  (Not a big one.  Don't have too high of expectations.)   It is one the boys will like that will make things easier for me.

#10  Remember my horrid dresser (that I picked up on the side of the street during garbage pick-up week) project?  Well, IT IS DONE.  And I am looking forward to sharing my next project with you.  (Well, really I am looking forward to having it done.  I have not started it, yet.)

I loved doing the faux granite on the top.  The effect is really amazing.  There are lots of places to go on the internet, so I do not want to bore with the pictures.  BUT, I did take them along the way, so if you want a tutorial, just let me know.  Or call.  Or come over.

I am giving a talk this week at a Relief Society retreat.  (Our church's women's group.)  I was asked to speak on happiness.  I feel inadequate to speak on this.  My happiness is a work in progress.  I try to be happy and develop faith and trust in Jesus Christ and in Heavenly Father.  As I work, my happiness is increased, as well as the peace and hope I feel.  Worries and problems have not gone away.  Some have not lessened.   (Yes, some are worse.) 

And I know that many carry far greater burdens than I do.  Doug says that I can do this because I have the passion and do the work, but I fear that some with problems will feel like I don't understand, or am trivializing.  In fact, my heart breaks as I contemplate losses that some friends are going thru.  Some family and friends have gone thru EXTREME challenges.  Some have trials that I see looming ahead.  Some have hardships that will not end in this life.

I hope that the studying, fasting, and prayers will help me meet the needs of the sisters.  And that I will not be terrified.  (Usually I am not at all concerned about speaking.)