FAMILY

Last month we went to Utah for my G-ma's funeral. Our entire family was there and so were 4 new additions to the family. It was so fun to be together and to see everyone again.

4 new babies, cousins & grandchildren--there is a video at the end for more up close and personal views.
Baby #1 Luke DOB 2-1-08 Parents: Amanda and Jason
Baby #2 Danielle DOB 3-25-08 Parents: Stephen and Heather
Baby #3 Evie Jane DOB 4-08-08 Parents: Michelle and Scott
Baby #4 Corbin Beck DOB 4-30-08 Parents: Tressa and Justin
5 sisters
Amanda, Becky, Kimberly, Tressa and Michelle

Grandma Black with her G-Grand-daughter Evie Jane DeVries
One of my beautiful sisters: Amanda
My parents and family at G-ma Black's home in Tooele

Cute video of the new members of the family.

Sweet Evie Jane

Evie is 6 weeks old already.
A sweet little baby girl.
Patient, tolerant & a great cuddler.
Fun to hold and to touch.
Loves to eat and sleep--even at night.
She says it all--#4 must be magic!

Goofy family

We were in Utah at G-ma and G-pa DeVries house a few weeks ago. We found some glasses that enhanced our facial features. It really illustrates our "GOOFY" family and our kind of "FUN!" (Evie isn't shown--she's still normal)

Michelle at her Finest!
Miss Congeniality Madison
Scarey Man Tate

"Duh" ...Love bug Eden
Rrrrr--Are you laughing at my family?

Tate's Letter

I have to back up in time a bit to tell a story about Tate. When Pres. Hinkley passed away, it wasn't only difficult for adults and youth to change their mind set and prayers that their was another Prophet called, but for little children. Tate especially was frustrated that we got to "bless" another Prophet in our prayers and continually would pray for Pres. Hinckley to be resurrected. A noble prayer, but sincerely meant it. He was often mad that he wasn't able to remember Prophet Monson's name and he was opened in his expressions about this. So at General Conference time, Scott and I said that the children had to listen to a talk by Prophet Monson if nothing else. Agreed. I sat on the floor and I heard "Mom, how to I spell I love Prophet Monson?" I was silently and very collectively surprised as I helped him spell this question out he was writing down on a piece of paper. The artwork was great and very similiar to the one I am posting, except Pres. Monson was in the place of MOM. He also included his name and age 5. I was tickled inside to think of his mind set changing. Next, I hear..."Mom mail this to the Prophet today!" Hmmm. you really don't just up and mail things to the Pres. of the Church I thought, but I did take into consideration the difficulty he has had with the whole change and would think about it~ but not for long. He quickly and persistantly reminded me 2 more times to mail the letter. So I found an address and did just that. That would have been Monday April 7th that I mailed it.

When I picked up the mail after getting home from the hospital, there was a reply letter from the Office of the First Presidency addressed to Tate. The letterhead was dated April 11th from none other but Pres. Monson himself! I was so happy for Tate. What a neat experience for anyone, let alone a 5 y/o boy! As a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator of the Lord, I was not really surprised that he had responded back. "Grateful?" "Yes!" "Recognize he is extremely busy?" "Yes!" "Amazed?" "Yes!" He knew how to help change the heart of a little boy where I was unable to do so for months!

How prayers have changed for Tate as he has "blessed" Prophet Monson (and still Prophet Hinckley) and how I am so thankful for a living and inspired Prophet of the Lord for so many reasons and for so many ways!