The Stephens Home

The Stephens Home

Its hard to believe that this is the same little house that the kids purchased such a few short years ago. Jake and Cindy have been working on it since the day they moved in. Its almost finished! Jake said he'd wait to publish it till it was done buy I couldnt help myself...I wanted all of you to see what is taking place. They just got the siding up and will paint it over the next couple of weeks...weather permitting...it is Oregon....it will be painted a colonial blue color with white trim. The pillars will all be enclosed and they are putting lights in the deck ceiling so that the whole porch can be lite up at night! I can almost see the porchswings and rocking chairs already....Im thinking this wonderful wrap around porch will be the gathering place for generations to come...as you can see from the photo...Nate, Jeff and Dubby are already enjoying it! Heres to hard work and Jakes ability to see the finished project in his head. None of us had a clue but him what it would turn out like. Its HUGE!

Nate's Baptism

Nate's Baptism

Theres something wonderful about watching someone so innocent and pure enter the waters of baptism. Nate looked so sweet dressed all in white, and his Father gave him a special blessing as he laid his hands on Nates head, along with his greatgrandfather and grandfather and friends. Its hard to believe how quickly time is going by and that Nate is already 8 years old. He is old enough to know the truth and wise enough to decide that he wants to be called a member of the church for the rest of his life. We are so proud of him and the choices he has made. We are also proud of both Jake and Cindy and their whole little family for living the good lives that they are and for being so loving and caring towards each other and all their extended families. Jen, JP and their family also came from Klamath Falls to be with us for the day. We went to their home for dinner and desserts before the baptism and the cousins all got to go to Nates ward for church together that day. Great Grandma and Grandpa Hill came as well as Jakes Father and Dubbie. That made for a full house. One of the sweetest things I saw during the daytime was all 5 of the older boys dressed in their white shirts and slacks floating down the lake on the boat together. From a distance it reminded me of what these boys will look like one day as Missionaries...its coming sooner than we think...Families are meant to be together forever...those of you who didnt get to come were missed and in our thoughts as always...

Happy Easter

Happy Easter

Cindy and Jake had us over this morning for a wonderful Easter Breakfast and we got to watch their kids open their Easter baskets...a wise easter bunny brought a star wars toy each and play dough stuff that stretched and farted...fun stuff...during conference Cindy laid a sheet on the floor and brought out stuff to play with the playdough . Wise parents to keep them happy while they listened. They are wonderful parents...in fact, we are so pleased with how all of our children and their spouses are teaching the kids. A verse was read in conference about how if parents teach their children then they will have peace in their lives...when you see the peace in your homes, its in the kids lives and copared with so many children in the world today...yours are so blessed to carry that inner peace...we love you for doing that, for being those kinds of parents and families...you give us great joy! We miss you all today, and all the good noise and confusion that comes when we are all able to be together...but We know that this morning we were all together as we shared the gospel in conference...there are so many things that uniteus even though we are so far apart. We are thankful everyday for the phone, the internet, skyping...but mostly with the knowledge that no matter even if we could not get in touch with each other so easily, that the spirit that ties us to one another will always be there. Jesus Christ did rise from the dead! It is true! The Gospel that will bind us together for eternity and all its powers are ours today and always to bless our lives. Lets try to give hope to everyone we meet and live the way we should to show our gratitude for His loving gift. Our love to you all today, mom and dad

STEP BY STEP...INCH BY INCH

STEP BY STEP...INCH BY INCH

So this was accomplished yesterday by the sweetest hispanic guys. They worked hard and fast and Daddy was talking away with them in Spanish. We ended up having to move an electrical outlet by the stove in order to put the backplash up...and we even got that done while they were working! Amazing how it all came together...the granite is as exact match for this house and kitchen and we love it!

March's showers have brought April Flower to Portland this year. Last fall Maria brought me over a big bag of Tulip bulbs and Riley and Brooke helped me plant them in the planter boxes. Early in March they began peeking through the dead alyssm and by the second week in March we were pulling out the dead stuff and able to watch this miracle take place. The daffadils were mixed in and have already come and gone. All thats left are the gorgeous Tulips.

Each time I drive up I think of Maria...and the kids. And SMILE. They left signs of their love here for me. God sends His signs of that same kind of love every spring. That set me thinking about the rest of our beautiful world. I love the color of spring grass. That bright yellow green that speaks of new life. I love the pink and white blossoms on the fruit trees...and I love the aroma of LILACS...they are just coming on . I also love that starting next Wednesday the days are suppose to be dry and warm for an extended period of time! That means we can go out and get the yard cleaned up and mowed, get our garden ready..and we can start walking outside again. I just love springtime. It makes me suddenly see everything that has been hidden all winter...Makes me want to clean every window and shine every surface...its probably a good thing that it rains every other day in Oregon...IMAGINE what I could accomplish if I got two days of sunshine in a row! Again God knows what He is doing! Daddy is home with me tonight. He has been working early and late hours all week. Poor man is really tired tonight. I am so thankful to have him in my life, and thankful for the hope of springtime. Jesus Christ resurrected...He did it, and He lives again...that hope makes my heart filled with joy...Guy and I can be together eternally...this I know of love, it is not meant to ever die...death can never seperate us for long!

Thank you Maria, this was the best of gifts!