Sister Leslie Bush's Homecoming!

Nauvoo

We went to Nauvoo, Illinois to pick up Sister Leslie Bush from her mission.  We were blessed to spend a few days there with her companions.  We served in the temple three different times, culminating in a beautiful sealing session.  We visited so many sites, and felt the spirit of Nauvoo.  Our visit was a beautiful reminder of our Savior's strength in our past, present, and future moments.

Surprise! He's Home!

I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love
Even more then I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I'm thankful for the dash

David Anderson Bush

December 16 - December 18 2000

David's "dash" separates only 2 days, but what an impact those days have had on my life, and on our family. We are mindful of our miracle baby this special week and always. We miss him, love him, and look to our future together.

I read of a man who stood to speak, at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on this tombstone from beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came his date of birth and spoke the following with tears.

But he said what mattered most of all, was the dash in between those years.

For the dash represents, all the time he spent alive on earth.
And how only those who loved him know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash,

what matters most is how we live and love and how we spend our dash…

So think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough, to consider what is true and real.

And always try to understand, the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,

and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash

would you be proud of the things they say and how your spent your dash?


(By Linda Ellis)

Thanksgiving: A Dream

We were assigned to bring the turkey for our outdoor feast.

Bob decided to bring an elephant instead, completed with snot/pickle brine and barbecued trunk.

I was in charge of setting up rickety old chairs, and was informed by our host that we would also need to include another chair for our guest, President Obama.

The mayor announced his arrival, and President Obama stepped up to the outdoor podium.

He did not say anything, but slowly began singing a Thanksgiving folk song.

My father-in-law stood up and said, "No, that's not quite the way it goes," and then accompanied the President on his guitar.

Their duet was lovely.

***

In reality, we had a fantastically normal Thanksgiving. We all drove up to the D.C. area to have Thanksgiving with my dad, Jeanene, and siblings. The food was delicious all week long (I need some recipes!!!) and a good time was had by all. We enjoyed a lot of bingo, coloring, Wii, Mt. Vernon, visiting the D.C. Temple visitors center, spending time with extended family and taking billions of pictures with Mom's iphone.

We also were able to be there for Grace's birthday and baptism. Yay Grace!

Happy Easter!

Utah trip... by myself!

Lemme explain... no, there is too much. Let me sum up. (Name the movie!)

I got to visit family in Utah this past week. It was a special trip to meet my new niece, Hazel Bentley Davey, and be present as Brandon and Laura blessed her this past Sunday. Visiting family was awesome: parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins, and even friends from long ago. Games, lots of yummy food, laughter, late night talks, and of course, the main attraction of an adorable baby!

Here's a traditional slideshow...

Of course, I was extreeeeeeeeeeemely happy to come home to my own sweetheart and kids. Love them too!

Miracles

8 years ago we welcomed our third child into our family. Two days later he passed away. The surrounding events are crisply remembered, and the miracles from our two days with our sweet baby and the past 8 years come to mind as we celebrate David's birthday today. We still curl inward with indescribable pain at his passing, but with hearts filled with faith, we look forward to the miracle of the resurrection, and to the many miracles of being a family forever.



(Bob's hand on David's belly, day 1)




Christmas is a special season for us - we are so thankful for our Father in Heaven's gift to us of His Only Begotton Son, Jesus Christ. Because of Him, our lives have meaning, direction, hope, love, comfort, peace, and many other beautiful and unspeakable gifts.