How far is Heaven?

I have been thinking a lot about my Grandma lately. Yesterday was one year since she has been gone. I really wanted to do a post about her but haven't quite figured out how to properly do it. She was such a marvelous person and I don't quite have the words to sum her up. I wanted to post the slide show that was made for her funeral but I can't get the movie to copy to my blog.

I miss her greatly and so do all of her family. But I smile every time I think about her in heaven with her sweet husband and child. I am also very grateful for her example in my life. She will always stand as a beacon of light and truth in my life. I know that heaven is not far for I feel her spirit still in my life. Grandma, if you can read blogs in heaven, I love you. Thank you for your heritage of love, service, light, and truth. Until we meet again, I will keep your legacy going as many others will as well! I love you!!!

My Grandmother.

My Grandmother and my Great Grandmother.
Vonnie May Furniss Bowen and Sadie Ann Furniss.

My Grandmother as a teenager

My grandparents came to visit my family in
Germany when I was blessed. They also visited the Swiss temple while there.

My Uncle Deans Wedding.
From Left to Right: Nolan, Vicki, Brent, Grandma, Grandpa, Clea, Beverly, Ned.
Uncle Dean and Aunt Carolee are in front.

My Mom with her Polyester pants with her siblings.
From left to Right: Dean, Clea, Nolan, Beverly, and Brent. A wonderful
picture of my Grandpa. In almost all the pictures we have of
him, he is in bibs!

I wish I could get these pictures bigger, but I don't know how too. The top left is of my Grandmother with her oldest child, Nolan. She looks so happy in this picture. The next one I don't know about but the bottom picture is of my grandparents with their youngest child, Dean.

My Grandma was a teacher! Are you surprised?
This was her first class. I knew it ran in our blood.

My Grandma with her favorite cousin. She is the girl in the middle of the ones standing!

My Grandmother at her family reunion. This picture sums up my Grandma. Wisdom, love, devotion; this is a face of a well lived life.

My Grandparents before going on a mission to South Africa.

My Grandparents

The Grandchildren at Grandpa Bowen's Funeral.
I am in the front in the turquoise dress. I was 6 years old.

My Grandparents and their children in 1991.
From Left to Right: Dean, Nolan, Grandma, Grandpa, Brent, Beverly, and Clea

Grandma and Gavin. I LOVE this picture!

Grandma and all the great grandchildren in 2006.
There are many that are not included in this picture.

My Grandparents when my mom was a baby.
L to R: Nolan, Grandma holding Clea, Grandpa, and Brent

The whole family got together for a picture in 1984. L to R: Back Row; Jeff, Brent, Lyle, Grandpa, Nolan, Ned, Dean, Chad. Middle Row; Kerri, Vicki w/ Clayton, Clea w/ Todd, Grandma w/ Michele, Beverly w/ Heidi, Carolee w/ Devin, Krisit w/ Ryan. Front Row; Dallin, Brian, Julie, Eric, Tyler.

My Grandmother before going to serve a family history mission in Chicago.

Night Owl Sleep Over Party

A year ago I promised Kirstee, Makadee, October, and Michelle (my cousin's little girls) that we would have a sleepover together. A promise is a promise so when the girls made a comment about it a couple months ago I knew that if I didn't start planning I would never do it. So off to work I went. I have a thing for owls, I just think they are so cute. I found an owl party online and it spark the idea for a night owl sleep over.
My ideas came from http://snowybliss.blogspot.com/2011/02/night-owl-party.html.

Last night was the night! I had delivered invitations earlier on in the week and the girls started to arrive at 6:15. I don't know who was more excited, me or the girls. We started the evening with a scavenger hunt which lead us to some very fun gifts. We then had a dance party outside. We watched a movie outside on my laptop and then we went to bed. The sleeping part is much easier said than done. The girls were so excited. I finally told them that if they couldn't sleep together than I would separate them. I didn't hear much after that! To say we had fun would be an understatement! We had a blast and we can't wait for the next one!

Our Owl Haven. This is where we slept, underneath the halo as the girls called it.

I made these pillows for the girls. Our scavenger hunt lead us to theses! Each girl got their own special owl. (From left to right) Makadee got Princess Owl, Michelle got Giggle Owl, Kirstee got Sweet Tooth Owl, and October got Sunshine Owl.

These felt owls I made out of styrofoam balls. Only one is pictured but there were 5 of them hanging from the ceiling. The girls loved them and each took one home!

Each owl came with its own description. This was the first time they saw their pillows. It was all worth it to see the girls faces. They were so excited and so grateful! What gracious young girls they were!

Makadee loving her owl!

Dancing the night away!

The girls with their pillows and their owl junior pets!

The next morning under the Halo! After this picture the girls braided and twisted all the strands. They thought it was so cool!



Crazy pictures of us! We were having so much fun!
I love these girls and am so grateful for the opportunity I had to have them for a night. I can't wait for the next time!

Sundays

Finally the weather is getting nice. I have felt like I was in Florida lately because of all the rain! A few Sundays ago Scott pulled out his hammock and put it up in the back yard. We also pulled out the lawn games. It was so peaceful and nice. I love having my family close and for the opportunity we have to have them all over for dinners! Sundays are my favorite day! It is a day for the Lord and I love just focusing on Him and His plan! It is also the day we get together as a family (we usually try and skype Todd and Deedra and Hunter).

Marley and Mom reading a book!

Sam and Marley enjoying the hammock. Marley is enjoying a movie as well.

Scott got this hammock on his mission! It is so great!

Marley and Scott swinging in the hammock

Marley is so adorable. She insists on wearing her rain boots and
necklaces. I just love her so much!

Sosa's Visit

The Sosa Family

A dear family from my mission came and visited Utah. I was so happy that I got to see them. I love them so much. The Sosa were always ready and willing to help. We had many that were willing to help but not all were ready like the Sosa's. They helped us move, with lessons and most importantly they helped us with member work. They are such a good family. They examples of Christlike love will always be with me.
Their little girl, Bella, had brought me a handful of rocks from one of their outings. She was so happy to give me a gift. We were able to have dinner together at Texas Roadhouse. Bella wanted peanuts so badly and we didn't have any on our table. When the manager came by to see how we were doing, Bella said she wanted peanuts. The man came back with a brown paper bag full of peanuts. Bella was so happy that she ripped open the bag, only to discover that she doesn't like peanuts! It was so cute. I am so thankful for my mission and for the wonderful people I am associated with! Thank you Sosa's for making time for me. I love you.

Bella and her peanuts

Bella asked if I could have a sleepover. We tried to explain to her that it would be hard with the miles between here and Florida. She said it would be okay because her family could just move here1