Letters From My Mother

I want to share a couple of letters that my Mother wrote me. I have more, but I am only sharing two. I read these often because they bring me comfort. They reaffirm to me how much my Mother loves me. When reading them, I can hear my Mother speaking to me through them. I love her so very much! These letters are priceless to me!

Missing My Mother

Today is the 6 month anniversary of my Mother's passing. In some ways I have overcome the shock and disbelief of her death. Still, sometimes I can't believe she is gone! She was so much a part of my life and my girl's lives. It is hard to adjust to life without her. I still cry for her a lot. She was my best friend and I miss talking to her! She was so involved in my life and my girl's lives. She was always there for me in good times and bad. I miss asking her for advice and counsel. She was very close to my girls and they still talk about her all the time. Ashley cried for her the other day. She told me that she needed her Grandma Shaw. What a wonderful and loving influence she has had on my kids! I thank Heavenly Father every day for sending me to my Mother!
I wanted to share a song by the christian group "Mercy Me". I love this group and I have always loved this song, but it has more meaning to me now that my Mother has passed. My girls and I listen to it a lot and it always makes me cry now, because it has such meaning in my life. You can also scroll down and listen to it on my playlist.

" Homesick"

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

The last picture taken of my Mother-Feb. 2009 (Her 65th b-day)

Cascade Springs

On September 26th, we went to Cascade Springs with our friends, the Pursers. The fall colors were gorgeous! We had a fun time hiking around the springs and collecting leaves. Later, we had a picnic at Wasatch State Park, and the kids enjoyed feeding the ducks. We LOVE fall and the Utah Mountains are especially beautiful this time of year!

First Day of School

Ashley's 1st day of school

Ashley started 4th grade on August 17. She loves her teacher, Mr. Hansen. Karrie started the 9th grade on August 26th. Her favorite class is early morning seminary. Both of my girls are growing up so fast! Where has all the time gone? I am so proud of both of them!

Karrie's 1st day of school

Karrie's 14th Birthday

Karrie turned 14 years old on August 24th. I can't believe my little 3 pound preemie is growing up! We celebrated by having dinner and cake with just our little family. A couple of days later, we had Grandma and Grandpa Jones and Grandpa Shaw over for dinner and cake. She had a wonderful birthday and we are so proud of the sweet young woman she has become! We love you Karrie!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication

On Saturday, August 22, we attended the dedication of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We were able to be inside the Temple itself for the service. It was the fourth out of the nine dedication services. It was such a sacred experience. My testimony was strengthened and I felt the spirit so strongly. I am so thankful that my girls were able to witness the dedication inside the Temple. We also had the privilege of going to the dedication of the Draper Temple in March, at our Stake Center. To have Temples so close is such a blessing. I look forward to going to many sessions at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.

Family Reunion and Dinosaurland

The Wilkerson/Workman reunion was on August 14th and 15th in Neola, Utah. It is my Granddaddy Wilkerson's side of the family. My Mom and her sister Breta had wanted to go the last two years or so. As a family we decided that we wanted to go, especially in honor of my Mother. Mike, the girls and I, Amy and her two girls, my Dad, my cousin Jenny, Aunt Breta, and my cousin Eric and his family all traveled to Neola to attend the reunion. We all stayed at a hotel in Vernal on Friday night. It was so nice to meet all the cousins and extended family of my Granddaddy. We had fun discussing our ancestors and hearing stories about them. On Saturday, the weather turned bad so we left early. Mike, the girls and I decided to go to Dinosaurland. We hooked up with my Aunt Breta, and my cousin Eric and his family, and decided to see Dinosaurland together. It was so much fun! We saw petroglyphs, dinosaur bones, an old original homestead lived in by a woman in 1914, and we hiked a little bit. After Dinosaurland, we all went to dinner together in Vernal before heading home. It was good to visit with my Aunt Breta, my cousin Eric, his wife Angela and their kids Olivia and Ian. We reminisced and shared stories of Granddaddy and Grandmother and my Mother. It was a wonderful being able to spend the weekend with family!