Thursday- Vintage Finds

My Grandfather took endless pictures of scenery... I am taken with old structures. Click on Vintage Finds to view my treasures.

Monday memory- So fun to be a family

Don't you love memories... they are better than chocolate.  While this memory is not my own, I can imagine the circumstances behind it.  Grandpa was enthralled by the majesty of the scenery and the gnarled nature of  this old tree so he had his four handsome young sons pose for this photo.  I love Uncle Scott in this photo- so full of life.  Uncle Kurt looks just like his son Tyson and is definitely playing it cool, but he wore the look nicely- He was cool.  My dad is sporting the red sweater and is conservative and disciplined.  Uncle Wynn finds his way as the baby boy---

I am a puffy cloud lover- I think Grandpa was too! I had never seen this photo, but it thrills me.  I love to think of my dad as a boy with his brothers. What joy these boys must have brought to grandma Ruth's heart.   As a mother of four sons  of my own, I know that joy!  This picture is filled with adventure, beauty, youth, and a memory....

Grandpa always knew how to catch the shadows... beauty is different as the day meets the dusk.  Entranced by the light dancing upon the mountain, grandpa captured this perfect moment- a moment of freedom and of joy. 

Aunt Ruth Kay's laughter thrills me- it's as if I am there listening to her giggles and feeling day meet dusk...

Memories are meant to be savored... do you savor yours?

#memorymaker, #storykeeper

Barnwood and tulips... discover your story... share your joy...

Elder Abel Grant Weaver

Click on FACES for the story of Grant's prayer in the mission field...

Fire of the Covenant written by Katherine Weaver Walker

Today I am going to Morgan, Utah.Morgan? Do you know where that is? Morgan you might say, Where have I heard that before? The answer is hidden in your past and mine as well. It is nestled in a beautiful valley just over the mountains to the east of Layton and Farmington Utah. I will see into that quaint small little piece of community by turning the pages of my past to chapter, verse and the life of Sophia Dickson our grandmother, great grandmother and even greater depending on the generation. It will take about and hour or two from my home in Tooele, something that might take a full day and night and maybe more in a horse drawn carriage.

It is predicted to be cold this day as my cousin and I will venture out to explore our past. I know for a fact that this time together will kindle a warmth in our hearts of which has lied in embers for most of our lives. We will walk among the shadows of the 1850's to the turn of the century over a hundred years ago, Grave seeking, we will cast our eyes on a view that has not changed to much by time and circumstance. To our roots we will go to see the old farmstead, the alpine mountains caped with snow and envision the nearness and echoes of what has been.

To mind will come the day similar in the midst of winter when great grandfather Bishop Alfred Douglas Dickson wrapped Sophia up in a blanket and drove the family sleight to the river bank, to a freshly chipped hole in the ice and the river beneath. There in the cold grandmother was warmed by the covenant as she was baptized and then again wrapped in a blanket for a brisk cold ride home. And just maybe we will find that wonderful moment that created our future in the triumph and shadows of our heritage. Maybe we can kindle the faith and the testimony of that generation to our own.

There in the beautiful valley Sophia was born, and went to school to the eight grade. Her formal schooling ended but she had thrived in the goodness of the Lord. There are many a story I would like to tell of this wonderful woman we call grandmother. But among all the memories I have of her and the thing I prize the most is her Testimony. She truly loved the Lord. I love her dearly for her treasures, the legacy of testimony forged in that generation, her life, and her heritage.

We will make this pilgrimage this day and hopefully find you, Sophia Dickson Weaver, to blend our wills to you, grandmother. And today may our hands clasp as cousins, and allow the fire of the Covenant to warm this winter day.

Grandfather Max Dickson Weaver in front of the Richville home in Morgan Utah.  The home where his mother Sophia grew up-- Home of Albert Douglass Dickson and Harriet Rosella Flint

Grandpa at the grave of his Great Grandparents Bill and Mary Ann Stoddard at the Porterville Cemetery near Richville, Morgan, Utah

Church in Porterville where Albert Douglass Dickson served from 1837-1914, 37 years.

Epilogue... In 2010, I went to Morgan with Grandpa-- It became the Barnwood of Barnwood and Tulips- it forever changed me.  If you haven't been, you should go!

My declaration of faith...

In April 2008, President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints testified,

"He loved us with a love we cannot fully comprehend, and because He loves us, He gave his life for us.  My Gratitude to him is beyond expression."

Yesterday, in Ward Conference our Stake Presidency challenged us develop the disposition of gratitude.  They then challenged us to record one of the gifts which Heavenly Father has given us for which we are grateful.  I recorded the following:

"Heavenly Father has blessed me with an intense connection to the past.  As I have studied the lives of my ancestors, my faith has been strengthened.  I have felt the hand of the Lord in my life.  I have witnessed the testimony of my forbears who embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ in its infancy."

This is why I blog...hence the birth of Barnwood and Tulips

Happy 10th Birthday Emma!

Why we named you Emma..

Long before your birth and before any of your brothers were born, I knew that one day we would have a girl and her name would be Emma.  Your Great Grandmother Leany's name was Velma Emma Reber Leany .  I never knew this until her funeral when I saw her name printed.  At that very moment, the spirit whispered to my heart that one day we whould have a daughter and we were to name her Emma after great grandmother.

Well three births later you arrived.  You were beautiful just like Velma Emma.  Do great things with your grandmother's name Emma.  She was a loving, compassionate, and beautiful woman!

 Dear Emma,
Happy 10th birthday!  It has been so fun to celebrate with you these past few days.  Watching you and daddy make a crepe birthday cake this morning melted my heart. Afterwards, you and I headed out... I loved getting our nails done together-- I looked over and saw you and I was shocked at how far your feet reached into the pedicure bowl.  My little girl is hardly so little.

Right now you have gone to enjoy some daddy daughter time at the movie Annie.  You are so lucky to have such an amazing dad.  I hope you always remember that.  This morning your brothers spoiled you with gifts and their time.  We all love you so much Emma!  

I was looking through your baby book and found some keepsakes.  Your birth was amazing and empowering!

Have fun with your new red suitcases-- I know you are going places!

Love Always,
Mommy

Emma Anne- a letter from Ruth

Ruth Mabel Stoddard Kimball Weaver

This letter from my grandmother Weaver is an irreplaceable treasure.    My mother and father were serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when Emma was born and  this letter came on a lonesome day.  I can still remember the closeness I felt to my grandmother and to our darling Emma the Day it arrived in the mail.  Grandma knew exactly what I was feeling.  I am so glad Heavenly Father blessed us with our beautiful Emma!

I love reading and rereading this letter.   It is so fun to see Grandma's handwriting.  It make me feel ever so close to her!  I loved it when she kissed me on the "feathers."  I miss grandma I am so glad I have this little piece of her to share with my Emma!

Monday Memory- Emma

Looking back... baby sister

Emma turns 10 this Friday-- hard to believe it has been a decade since her birth.  

Hitting the double digits is an significant milestone.

She has brought a lot of sunshine to our lives and a lot of sass!

We love and adore her and are so grateful she joined our family.

Emma Anne joined our family on January 17, 2005 at 3: 17 in the morning.  She was born 17 minutes after we entered the hospital doors.  She weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces.  She dazzled her brothers, Seleck, Stockton, and Madsen, with her littleness.  In 2009, she became big sister to baby brother Maleck.  Friends and family often ask if Emma is the princess of the family, her brothers lovingly reply, "No, she is the general!"

I never knew I would be ever so grateful for this little one now turning 10.  While I absolutely LOVE being a mother of boys, there is just something indescribable about having a daughter!  I love my sweet little Emma!

 Emma spent the early months of her life witnessing the building of our home... The day Travis brought she and I home from the hospital, he went to pour the concrete for the driveway.  We all worked so hard to build our home... especially daddy, painting, tile, finish work, roofing, concrete, - he was a pro and we all were his work crew.  We treasure our home because it has so much of hearts!  Thankfully, Emma was our very first GOOD baby (sorry boys)!

Happy 10th Birthday Emma!  We love you all the way to the moon and back!

Monday memory.... on TuesdayI

This is my favorite picture of my favorite missionary EVER!  I found it during the holidays tucked away in an old box.  It was taken May 3, 1993.  Rigby was then Elder Rigby serving in Denmark.  

When I look at it it still makes my heart do a dance.  I was attending the university while Travis was serving his mission. I loved going to the mailbox on 2nd East in anticipation of one of his letters- he wrote great letters... still does.

Everyday I count myself lucky that Rigby is in my life.  He is gentle, strong, courageous, hard working, steadfast, faithful, loving... and above all my best friend!

Hard to believe he turns 41 this Thursday---xoxo Rigby!

Happy 206th birthday, Grandfather

Local Centerville, Utah man to celebrate his 206th birthday- will carry bullet to his grave... read the tale of his faith filled life.  Click on FACES for more

December according to the iphone

December was simply amazing! I love the holidays-- it means traditions, parties, memories, good food.  But most of all it sets the stage to reflect upon Christ's birth.  We enjoyed preparing a manger filled with hay for the savior through small acts of service to one another in our home-- it was better than elf on a Shelf!

Drum roll please... our December top five include:

5.  Brigham's Playhouse- It's a Wonderful life

4.  The Forgotten Carols

3.  Mo Tab and the Muppets

2. Maleck turned 6

1.  Caroling as a family on Christmas eve in Honor of Christ's birth.