I didn't know that I would feel such emotion in the courtroom on Monday. I wept for Mozzy's biological parents because I know they love their son and they tried to pull things together so that they could have him back. I wept as I heard the case worker describe how Mozzy is thriving in the Young's home and how it is in his best interest to be adopted. It was touching and meaningful to hear Devin and Marie express their feelings towards Mozzy when asked by the attorney to share. What an emotional journey this has been! 

After leaving the courthouse, Mozzy said in the car to his family, 

"I'm not a foster kid now. I'm just a regular kid."

We love and adore him!

 

Happiness is going to San Francisco for a grandson's baptism and spending time with he and his family.

 

Here are some things that have recently made me smile: 

 

Three-year-old twins playing soccer.

 

Logan driving around with a cougar.

 

A finished baby quilt.

 

Flowers in the front yard.

 

Tree blossoms in the back yard.

 

Spring flowers at the temple.
 

Happy thoughts....

When my brother dressed up for a family party and delighted the children.

 When a granddaughter went to the temple to do baptisms at the beginning of the new year because she finally could!

 When we lit up a cake at Cafe Rio for a birthday celebration 

(he blew the candles out quickly!)

 Baby Brady smiling (this picture was taken before he was hit with RSV)

Getting dressed to go outside in 20 degree weather to run up 

Sego Lily on Christmas morning.

The Christmas birthday boy holding his dessert

If family comes from out of town anticipating snow and there is not any snow in the neighborhood, a short drive up the canyon solves the problem!

A service project for refugees where the children of the family manned the stations.

Not all, but a lot of grandkids together on New Year's Eve

 Wonderful, happy things happened this week, such as...

Taking a tour of the new Orem Temple.  Before the temple was built, there was a cherry orchard on the property. I liked the way the cherry tree, blossoms, and red fruit are used throughout the temple. Beautiful!

The birth of a new grandson! We are thankful that he arrived safely.

 

Spending time with two two-year-olds. They loved helping me do jobs!

 Summer time has brought happy times my way, including the following:

Matthew pitching to some of the grandchildren in the backyard

The Saratoga Springs Temple Open House

Hike to Bell Canyon Reservoir

Swimming! (on the back of an uncle)

Hike to Rocky Mouth Falls

Here are a few things that have happened this week:

A girl in Logan's ward brought a lizard to church. Of course Logan found this to be very funny and random.

Roses, peonies, poppies, and the ice plant flowers are all blooming. I love seeing the bright colors.

Three aunts went to lunch with one niece.  How we love Abby!

A granddaughter fell and hurt herself.  She was initially treated with glue, and then a plastic surgeon performed surgery to reconnect tendons and seal the wound properly. She is on the mend now and we feel grateful.

Along with the help of a handyman in our ward, Matthew installed a new basketball hoop above our garage door.  I am excited!

"The joy in motherhood comes in moments."
M. Russell Ballard, Daughters of God, pg. 9

Elder Ballard, your statement is so true. The joy in motherhood and in life comes in moments. You really have to find joy along the way instead of waiting for it to all happen at once, or in a big way. Yesterday I felt joy...

...In remembering ancestors, especially my mother,

...As I thanked Heavenly Father for the blessing of being a mother,
...When Matthew made pancakes for lunch,

...While listening to the speakers at church,

...While smiling and greeting friends,

...While reading Mother's Day cards,

...While sitting on the back lawn watching grandchildren play,

...Looking at the blue sky, the green grass, and the flowers,

...Taking the sacrament and remembering that everything that is good in my life comes from the Lord (Omni 1:25),

...Reading about the humility of Ammon,

...Reading about the faith of the blind man who knew Christ could heal Him (and He did!),

...Talking with children on the phone,

...Praying,

...Watching a dear man (who made it to the pulpit with great effort) say the opening prayer at church. He is enduring so well!

...Hearing from my brothers (they are so thoughtful),

...Having a discussion about prophets, both in Relief Society, and at home afterwards.

I am so blessed. Yesterday was joyful.

We have this song in our family, and my daughter has been singing it to her foster son. It goes like this:

If I had to choose a three year-old boy, out of all the three year-old boys in the world (or insert name),

I would line up all the three year-old boys, and then I would choose you.

Oh, you are the one for me. You are the one for me.

Of all the three year-old boys in the world, you are the one for me.

 

This week, this darling little boy turned the song around and sang it to her:

If I had to choose a Mommy-Marie, out of all the Mommy-Marie's in the world.

I would line up all the Mommy-Marie's, and then I would choose you.

Oh, you are the one for me.  You are the one for me.

Of all the Mommy-Marie's in the world, you are the one for me.

When Marie told me about this, I thought my heart would burst with love for him, and for her.

I will include four snapshots of happiness this week. This certainly does not cover all of the happy moments, but I do not have pictures of them all.

Something beautiful blooming in California (It has been months since I have seen anything colorful blooming in Utah)!

While their brother was in the hospital, three granddaughters and I took a walk:

Matthew too was able to spend time with grandchildren:

At a difficult time in her life, our daughter was able to smile:)

There have been two baptisms of grandchildren in the last few months and I am grateful to have been there.  On both days Matthew had to be at a Stake Conference, but I think the children understood. 

There is a sweetness and purity at baptisms of children, isn't there? I admire the faith exhibited to make a choice and step into the waters of baptism. These children are on the right path now and are surrounded with caring people who will watch out for them. Surely heaven smiles on baptism days.

Great things happened this week! I was able to spend time with grandchildren while their dads went away on a "Boys Trip" to Texas to eat barbecue and have fun. (I wish all the grandchildren lived in town!)

I must mention that our good friends are leaving tomorrow to drive to New  York to serve a mission.  I am so happy for them, excited for them, and proud of them!