James Thomas Winward

Our little James was born on Thursday. He was 8lbs 10 oz. At first all seemed fine, but for some reason his platelets are not increasing as they should and so he is having a pretty rough time. He has subdural bleeding and we are all really worried about him. Cynthia and Thomas took him back to the hospital early Monday and their hospital shipped him to Sacramento. His platelet count should be at a minimum of 101,000 and last night it was 49,000. We are praying that the blood on his brain will absorb and that his platelet count will increase. He is such a cute little guy, wish we were there too.

Listen

Enos prayed for an entire day and night to be able to get the answers he was seeking. Are we really too busy to take the time to get to know God? We are always in such a hurry and we know He loves us and will wait for us. But I wonder if too often we put Him off and then wonder why we can't hear His answers to our prayers.

I Know He Lives

A long time ago in a beautiful place, children were gathered round Jesus.

He blessed and taught as they felt of His love. Each saw the tears on His face.

The love that He felt for His little ones I know He feels for me.

I did not touch Him or sit on His knee, yet Jesus is real to me.

I know He lives, I will follow faithfully. My heart I give to Him,

I know that my Savior loves me.

Every time I hear the children singing this my heart is touched by the truthfulness of this song.

God lives, Jesus sacrificed all for us and I am grateful to Him beyond what my words can say.

No Empty chairs

No Empty Chairs
Words by Orrin G. Hatch and Music by Janice Kapp Perry

Look around our family table, every person in his place.
Memorize this happy moment, and each familiar face.
Look around our family circle, feel the love that we all share.
Life is sweet, and so complete with each loved one gathered here.

There are no empty chairs at our table,
No empty feelings inside,
When all those we love are together,
Here side by side.

Time will fly and all too quickly, some will leave to try their wings,
Empty places at our table will tug at our heart strings.
But the number at our table will increase as children come,
Bringing to our family table, sweet innocence and fun.

We'll add a few more chairs to our table,
A lot more laughter and love,
As our joy is multiplied daily,
To fill our cup.

When there comes a time for parting, there will be no tears because,
We will set a grander table where all may live in love.
There we'll wait for all our loved ones, who will come to take their place.
At the feast that lasts forever, in God's eternal place.

We'll have no empty charis at our table,
No empty feelings inside,
When all those we love are together,
There side by side.

May the circle not be broken, may each one return to be,
Safe within this peaceful haven, through all eternity.

We'll have no empty chairs at our table,
When all are gathered above,
No more empty chairs at our table,
In heaven's home of love.

As for the picture of the chairs on the wall? Well believe it or not these chairs are actually hanging on someone's front entry wall. So cool! I am hoping to copy her idea in our house. I even have a place to hang them all picked out! I just need to find chairs.

Baby blessing

We went to my niece's daughter's blessing today. It went well. Her husband gave a lovely blessing and it was wonderful to see the family. My niece's mom, my oldest sister passed away when my niece and her twin were just 2 years old. So, instead of having Carol there for the four generation picture, they used me. I am grateful things worked out that I could be there - wish it had been Carol. It was a good day. Thomas and Cynthia are here and went with us. It has been a fun couple of days.

On Saturday we went with Jason's family for a parade and gave Cynthia a mini-baby shower. Their baby is due in November. It had also been Jason's daughter's b-day and so we remembered her too.

Calvin's birthday and a day at the pool

It was Calvin's birthday. We also had a get together with our close by kids. It was a lot of fun and we missed our far away kids.

Edra Bunn

I found Edra's picture at Thomas and Cynthia's wedding.

Our dear friend and neighbor Edra Bunn passed away on July 25th. She was a good friend to my children and to us. When I couldn't find Sara or Thomas, I knew I could go to Edra's and they would be visiting her. She was a good sister to Karen and a wonderful Aunt to Jon. She was my counselor in Primary and I learned a lot from her. It was Edra who, when I was fretting that someone hadn't done what they were supposed to who told me, "Cathy, not everyone is like you." Sounds obvious, but it was an epiphany for me. I suddenly realized that others have strong points that I don't have, and instead of expecting them to be like me, I should appreciate their differences. I found Edra's picture at Thomas and Cynthia's wedding. I will also put a few pictures of my kids at Edra's. We love and miss her very much!