Trimming The Tree

This season has been different from most. By the 8th, Terry's birthday, we had the tree up but it was not decorated and so he suggested that we decorate it that evening. It was so fun to pull out the decorations and remember the special meaning behind those that Austin had made for the tree in years past. He is growing up to fast! Life seems to be in one big hurry. My goal is to have as slow a Christmas holiday season as I can get. I just want to cherish the moments we have together instead of rushing here and there barely able to enjoy the moment. We have had some great days just enjoying eachother's company ;)

Austin got his Arrow of Light :)

Hurray!! He did it ;) Aust worked very hard and was awarded his Arrow of Light! I was so excited but also a bit sad. I am his Weblos leader and he won't be in my Den meetings or even in Cub Scouts any more! But, to see the grin on his face was worth it. He is just growing up!! I remember when he started in Cub Scouts,my, how fast time goes!

I was so happy that the Cub Master combined the arrow of light ceremonies with a service project. The boys stuffed balls and footballs for a Humanitarian project. We all helped and it was just a great night:)

Terry helping another Cub Scout stuff a ball.

Good Neighbors...

Well, another sad thing, our good neighbors next door had a scary experience. The father had another heart attack. They have several children and it just breaks my heart that they are suffering so. While the mother was at the hospital we took their youngest with us to feed the ducks. I just wanted him to try to relax and not worry so much for a little while. That is a big worry for such a little guy. He is 7 and he and Aust are good buddies. We just keep praying for them.

Walks and a good time...

The changing of the seasons brings so many wonderful things into our lives. Such as the tender blades of lush green grass that push their way up through melting snow in the spring or the increasing warmth of the sunshine in the summer. The beautiful leaves of fall that splash vibrant color on a burnt summer landscape or the soft flurry of the first pristine white snowflakes floating down to cover the ugly brown of a leftover Autumn. But of course along with the changes comes the passing of time and things get left behind. I am excited for winter but I’ll miss some things like,

Our fun family walks in the evening.

Dad' s endless teasing :) along the path...

Austin's 'Superman' bike stunts :)

Trying to keep up with those two boys of mine!!

The last part of our walk when the moon shines and all the stars come out.

And everything is so beautiful and quiet...except...

except of course for the very loud huffing and puffing we must do to try to finish our walk!

Ok, winter bring on the snow!!

I'm ready for a break! =)

Going Backwards... Camping in August.

Ok, so I'm going backwards here. I am trying to catch up on events. Back in August we went camping with Grandma and Grandpa. It was such a beautiful day. When we got to the campground we were able to get a little campsite by the creek. It was so green everywhere!! But even better, we camped right by a wild berry bush! Yummy!! They weren't the real Huckle berries but they were still very good. I couldn't quit eating them :)

We had spagetti that night and Grandma, Aust. and I played card games inside the motor home while Grandpa and Dad built the fire. Grandma and Aust. were very good and each just kept winning. (I was definitely on a loosing streak.) Afterwards we went out to the fire and had a great time. The night sky was so clear!! You could see so many stars it was so peaceful.

The next morning we were all shocked to see so much frost on the ground. Burrrr. It was so cold! We were happy to be inside the motor home. We had a big breakfast of pancakes, hash browns and eggs and then cleaned up camp. Thank heavens the sun came out and warmed things up! Next, we went to the pond just a couple of miles away and all fished. Even Grandma reeled one in!! (yay!!!) They were just small ones but oh what fun:). I love fishing, just can think of a better way to spend a day then fishing with your family...unless of course the fish aren't biting then I'd say ... definitely skip it:)

I also found some more wild berry bushes and ate a ton of them. YUMMY. Aust. caught some fish and had a great time but his Dad decided to teach him how to gut those fish. He wasn't excited about that... Yuck! We stayed for lunch and then we parted and came home. I love the mountains. There is such beauty and peace found there. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for a great time!

Grandma's Halloween Party

Grandma's Annual Halloween Party,

The donut race :)

Getting wet...

The Mummy Wrap Race :)


The Monster Mash Dance, the little ones just loved it!!:)



Listening intently to instructions for a treasure hunt!

What a gang of grandma's grandkids and great-grandkids:) ...obviously not all are in the picture :)

We missed the ones that could not be there.

Grandma's Halloween party was different this year. We all missed Kiersten's energy and excitement for the season. However, the sun shown down on a warm and calm day and I do believe Kierst would have been happy at how it turned out. Grandma and Aunt Jenni pulled it off in a grand style with fun games for all. A big thanks goes out to them for putting it together under such hard and emotional times. It felt good to all be together during this hard time.

Catching up on October

October was a difficult time for our family. We experienced the death of a most precious 13 year old niece and cousin. Kiersten Gemar will allways be cherrished in our hearts. We know that her spirit lives on and is happy. We'll always remember that great big smile she would flash for us the many happy little stories that went with it. We love her dearly and will miss her energy and excitement for life. She has taught us to enjoy life to the fullest, to embrace the truly important things in life and not worry about the things we can not change.

Life is full of many things but those that are most important are those nearest and dearest, our family, friends and neighbors. Kierst loved people for who they were. What an example that is. She was involved in many things but nothing outranked her own family. What a sweet heart!

Thank you so much Kierst!! We love you!!

A very late night.

It was late and both Austin and I got a second wind. Terry was out for the count but we couldn't go to sleep for some reason... so we had some fun teasing each other and I decided to grab the camera.

Those raspberries (the mark of all the Earls :) ) get me every time!!

Late night laughs... nope, the joke wasn't very funny but we couldn't quit laughing!!

I'm finally getting tired...

but Aust is just picking up speed!

Oh boy it was a late night!! :)

Dear Birthmother

First, we want you to know that we hold great admiration for you. We have recently had the privilege to listen to several birthmother’s experiences and we have been profoundly touched . We know you love your child deeply. We pray that you will be blessed with peace and comfort as you prayerfully approach the difficult decisions that lay ahead. We just want you to know that Heavenly Father does love you. He knows the sorrow, worry and stress you feel. May you feel our Heavenly Father’s loving arms around you as you decide what is best for you and your child.
Let us tell you a bit about ourselves. We met at college in 1990. Our first date was a blind date. (I know...a blind date!) I remember feeling somewhat shocked that I was able to be my ‘complete self’ with him. He told me later that he had felt the same way. We both had such a peaceful, calm feeling when we were together...just like being “home” in a comfortable place. We were married in December of that same year in the temple with all our friends and family‘s supporting us.

Terry was quite the adventurer when I met him. He was into rock climbing, repelling, bridge swinging, cave exploration, hiking etc. We went on some very exciting dates and he tells everyone that when he took me bridge swinging over a 300 drop (...and I didn‘t chicken out but actually did it...)that’s when he knew I was the one. After one week he asked me to marry him in the rose gardens on the Temple grounds. My mind was spinning but my heart was calm. I had always thought I would marry someone I had known for much longer then a week! However, I could not deny the calm I felt inside when I was with him. Still, we did not make such an important decision without making it a matter of much prayer and fasting. As a result, our calm and peaceful feeling stayed and we were married four months later for eternity in the Temple.Our marriage has been a blessing to both of us. We have become each other's very best friend.

Throughout our 18 years of marriage we have experience trials and stormy times like all married couples do but we have always made the choice to pull together in faith and weather the storm. It has built our testimonies and we have been so blessed as our marriage has been strengthened and our love for each other has grown far deeper than we could have ever imagined. We find great strength in our Savior and Redeemer. The scriptures are a prominent part of our personal life. It is the gospel light that warms our home.

Even though we are not newly-weds anymore we still have so much fun together. We find deeper joy in the plain and simple things of life. Now, instead of swinging from a 300 foot bridge you can find us at school plays or Little League Baseball games, in the garden or on the trampoline, camping or just playing a game at the kitchen table together as a family. If you were to visit us in the evening you would find that our kitchen is the hub of our home. Austin loves to help us cook and we all enjoy chatting about our day as we sit down to eat supper together. We are an ‘open’ family and communicate well with each other. We believe that family members should not be afraid to open up and talk to each other and that love and respect for each member of the family is very important. We close our day with a chapter from the scriptures and family prayer. Both Terry and I can see the blessings in our lives by doing this. We feel it has guided us many times to make correct parenting decisions. We are grateful that we have the gospel in our lives. We certainly aren't perfect but we try hard to do our best and that is what counts.

We enjoy many things together as a family such as camping, fishing, playing baseball and basket ball, swimming, going to the lake, building things, playing at the sand dunes, planting a garden, visiting family near and far etc. Although we have a great time together we have felt such an empty spot in our hearts, someone is missing. We are so very excited and grateful for the opportunity to have our little family grow! We believe very strongly in the role that “Family” plays in Heavenly Father’s plan. Children are amazing and we know that there is a precious, little miracle out there that we have been waiting for. Thank you for considering us, may you be blessed and comforted this day and always.

With Love,
Terry & Linda

Beautiful Fall Fun

Our trip to McCoy Creek.

The fall colors are just starting. This Terry's favorite photo that I took of the scenery.

Two cute detectives hunting for treasure!!

This is a very large pile of tailings that was left by the gold miners of the 1800's. I zoomed up on it but it's at least 40' high and you can't really get a foot hold so it's quite a trick getting up the thing!!!

On top of the world...
We had a lot of fun. I love driving in the mountains and luckily I was able to do it with my two favorite people :)

Our sweet cat Gracy had six babies a couple of weeks ago and they are now to the curious stage. They love to cuddle up in your arms, but this one just loves to lie on her back and have your tickle her tummy and neck. She was so cute we just had to take pics! Austin loves cats and absolutely adores the kittens! They all pile out of the garage when he gets off the bus and race to get to him first. :)

What a beautiful day we had Friday. Terry and I were able to get to the 9:45 session in the Rexburg Temple and going to the temple always makes for a good day. Then at 3:00 we took the weblos den on a hike up the Cress Creek Nature trail. Terry was so good with the boys. They all love him. It was so beautiful I had to take pictures. If you have never been to Cress Creek now is the time to go. It is not a hard hike, most of the way it is paved and the scenery is gorgeous!! We stopped at the bridge and had a wild water fight!! Then later that night I was able to see Jamie. She is doing so well at BYUI. It is sometimes tough to have change but she is doing wonderful. I hope to see the others who are up here soon and have some fun!!