Russell Holmes Family Reunion 2010

That's kind of crazy to think that we are the parents/grandparents hosting the reunion with our own clan. Crazy...but great! We went to Duck Creek Campground up above Cedar City Utah. Pluses...all 20 of us are here, Mom and Gramma heaven. Russell and I met our Henry for the first time. Brendon and Steph and their cute Henry John... What a darling boy he is!Eating, visiting, playing games. Nature Hikes, Holding, rocking, playing with , and lovin' on my babies.

Henry....sweet little guy!Hannah smilin' for Gramma!Warner getting his cool on!Kennedy getting ready for a stroller ride Daphne and GrampaJackson spending time hanging out with his favorite Randi on the hammock Skyler in his glory...superb fisherman. Sitting around the campfire. Laughter of my kids , as we are all together for the first time in many years. Watching as our boys got into their Holmes style of fun....a "polar bear" style dunk and swim across the water hole....brrrrrr!!!!

Warner and Henry enjoying meeting each other...fun cousin adventures ahead! Minuses....Rain daily, but the thunder was amazing! ...too cold (for me) at night. Limiting our activities due to inclement weather. I didn't take as many pictures as usual. Heidi and I will be sharing.

A gorgeous sunset as we traveled home.

These are the times of our life. Miss them all already.

I get more than just by...with a little help from my Friends!

Tonight our dinner ingredients and the final product were a major gift from my friends! First, Catrina's husband Shawn went fishing last week. He caught a 9 lb. halibut, and I put dibs on a few fillets, since Catrina and Shawn don't even like fish!! Randi found a recipe in a magazine a while ago, and I put the halibut to use! A couple of layers of Russett potatoes, sweet potatoes, red potatoes sliced as the base, baked with feta cheese and butter. Cut up the fish in 2 to 3 inch chunks, coat in lemon juice, place on top of the baked potatoes, cover with panko bread crumbs mixed with dill and lemon zest. bake for another 15 minutes.

Of course in the middle of the baking....my oven dies! Potatoes done, what now? Call my friend Karen she lets me come finish baking my dinner for 15 minutes in her kitchen when we have had a 108 degree day. That is true friendship!!

On to the veggies on the side....my girl Mickie gave me a HUGE... AND I MEAN HUGE zuccini from her hubbies garden. Everyone was worried about it being tough, or tasteless....NEITHER!! Sliced up and sauted in some garlic butter.....MMMM....MMMM.....MMMMM!

Thank you girls! Excellent dinner thanks to YOU!

Missing my Morning Mugs!!

Oh....I miss these faces to start my day!

Today

Today was the first Monday in two years that I didn't email my missionary son.
Because Today, I woke to find him in my Family room.
Today I rejoice in 6 children who have served the Lord on His errand.
Because Today I smile thinking about the lives they were able to touch.
Today I continue to pray that a 7th will find his way to this service.
Because Today I am reminded that the Lord knows my children better than I.
Today, returned missionary or not, they are better for His tutelage, His guidance, His Everlasting Love.

And....After!!

I am so used to my missionaries being the last off the plane....we were waiting to start seeing people come down the escalator....who should be FIRST?? Our boy. Everyone had to tell me to turn around. Of COURSE, I am the first one to get a hug from my boy....when what should happen? The batteries in my camera die as my brother in law Phillip is doing the photo opps, me and Russell hugging our boy. It was a good loooonng hug too!!

Then on to the siblings. Meeting nieces and nephews. A hug for his best high school friend. Britney Sander Wardle....A most deserved hug from his "Gramma" Linda Wishart who adopted our Cody, and wrote to him more than anyone other than yours truly of course!A pensive and thoughtful Returned Missionary (admittedly missing life in Honduras). And a mom who cannot get enough Heidi and her babies came from Colorado and

Aunt and Uncles and cousins came.... And good, good friends!Gathering the luggage, and on to In-N-Out! We had a great time taking over the place! The Westover Family!!

Ed and Michelle Roberts (Ed made sure he came to "grub" with us!!
Daphne and Kennedy learning early what this family loves!

so we are allllll so happy for the return of another of the Lord's Army, changed, humbled, and look out world our Cody is home!!

3 DAYS!!

These are the Before's.....

During.... Soon you shall see the after!!

A Walk in Remembrance

A Walk in Remembrance

My daily walk is reminder of

My Savior's ultimate price of love.

My gift to him is a path pursued

In reverenced awe am I subdued.

Awake each day a gift is given

Love as he, steps closer to heaven.

A hand, a smile, a choice well made,

Honors that path our Savior paved.

Obedience, remembrance, a change of heart,

Completes the canvas, my earthly part.

My daily walk is reminder of

My Savior's ultimate price...love.

Sheryl Holmes