The Sacrament

I have always struggled with keeping my thoughts where they ought to be--especially during the Sacrament. When the kids were young, I had an out--I needed to focus on them and what they were doing. As they got older and I was able to refocus on myself, I still couldn't seem to "sit very still, to think about Jesus, his cross on the hill..." (from the primary song). I've tried lots of different techniques over the years with varying success. This week I taught a lesson in seminary on the Sacrament. One of the items I ran across was a list of things to think about and things to do during the sacrament. I found it so helpful because there were multiple items so when I found myself losing focus on one thing, I could move on to something else. I thought I'd share that list here...

(1) Look inside yourself. Is there any hypocrisy or dishonesty there? Any pride? Any impurity? Do you hold any grudges toward anyone?
(2) Ask yourself if you need to ask anyone for forgiveness.
(3) Ask yourself if you need to forgive anyone.
(4) Ask yourself what else you need to repent of.
(5) During the meeting, sing the sacrament song and think about the meaning of the words.
(6) Listen intently to the words of the prayers.
(7) Say Amen at the conclusion of each prayer.
(8) Sincerely promise yourself and the Lord that you will keep the covenants.

I copied this list and put it in my scriptures and then pondered these items as the sacrament was being passed. I felt as though I was using that precious time better than I have been. I am thankful for seminary and the many ways that it teaches me.

Grammie and Delainey

I remember a couple of my great-grandmothers. I don't have many pictures of me with them. Here's two pictures of Delainey with her great-grandma.

From May 2009


and from May 2010
Hopefully there will be many more pictures and memories to come....

Friday morning

I wish all Friday mornings could start out with a visit from this little one....Thanks for coming over!! You made my Friday!! :-)

Jenna's birthday

Jenna had a big weekend last weekend. She graduated on Saturday, celebrated her birthday with the family on Sunday and then had a mini-celebration on Monday which was her actual birthday!
I wish I had a great picture to show how cute she was as a little girl--but you'll just have to look at this old picture of the whole family. (Anyone interested in scanning pictures so I have them digitally as well as on paper?)

Jenna really was an adorable little girl. She had tons of curls and she was happy most of the time. She loved to take naps (still does), put on make-up (still does), and be with her family (still does). She has grown into a woman that is beautiful--inside and out. I love that she still likes to spend time with me; will do projects with me and is always willing to help.

One other thing Jenna loves is....
PRESENTS!!

We love you, Jenna Leigh Gilreath Alvarez!!

NC State Graduation

On Saturday, May 15, 2010, Jenna graduated from NC State with a degree in Elementary Education. What an accomplishment, Jenna!!

We started the morning with commencement exercise at the RBC Center.

(If you click on the picture, the image will enlarge.
Jenna is the graduate that's not "in line". ) :-)



All the graduates walked in with their college.
(The College of Education are the four rows of red in the middle of the picture.)
It was an impressive site to see!
After a quick lunch at our house, we were off to Apex to see Jenna actually get her diploma!

Mrs. Russell (Jenna's mentor teacher) joined us in Apex


Jenna and Erik


We love this girl!!

Jenna and the Alvarez family
(minus the A's--Alicia and Annie)

The entire Gilreath family


Jenna with Grammie and Grandpa Jim
(Thanks for flying out!!)


Aunt Jenna, Uncle "Ick" and Delainey

Congratulations Jenna!!

The Draughons

A couple of weeks ago, some of our favorite people in the whole world came to town--Kevin and Tammy Draughon and their family! They came to town because Kevin's dad had died suddenly. Donald had grown up with Kevin's older brother, Keith, and they had spent many hours together as teenagers. We were able to go to the viewing and funeral and it was great to see so many in the Draughon family and to talk about and hear about the great life that Keith and Kevin's dad had lived. It was fun to catch up with Keith's family which we hadn't seen for many, many years. It was especially great to spend Friday afternoon with Tammy and the kids as Kevin was busy with other things. We did miss Kevin--but we went to Red Robin, the park and Goodberry's--so we didn't miss him too much!!
Kevin and Tammy's children have grown up so much--of course, Tavin was a baby last time we saw him and he's 3 now!! It was fun to talk and play with all of them. It was especially fun to go to the park and see ALL the kids play...

Donald pushing Kaylee and Tori and....

Donald pushing his own kids
(bet he hasn't done that for years!!)

Tavin serving us "hamburgers"
(LOVE the hat--and the boy wearing it!)

This is the closest thing I have to a group picture that day!
Kaylee and Jenna started out on a "ride" at the park and then everyone except Tavin and Tammy piled on! Thanks for the picture, Tammy!

Thanks for spending your Friday afternoon with us, guys!! We love you all!!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!!

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to be this group's mother, mother-in-law, yaya and wife. I'm not always the best at whichever role I'm asked to be in, but I do LOVE it. I LOVE everyone in this picture with my whole heart and I couldn't be happier than when we're all together. I'm so grateful that we all live close and that we're able to be with each other so often. I remember asking my mom what she wanted for Mother's Day and she would say "nothing". I feel the same way--you guys have already blessed my life so much that I don't need a material gift--just having you around is more than enough. Thanks for being part of my family. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your life!

Darin's birthday

(I know I'm late on this post--but I wanted to include some baby pictures of Darin and I didn't know how to scan them so I had to wait until Donald could do it.)

Darin turned 19 on April 24 and since it's his last birthday at home for a while, I thought he deserved his own post.

Darin was a much-loved baby (as you can see from these pictures)

and he's a must-loved bigger baby of the family. He is pretty laid-back (unless you argue with him about the Tarheels), he still has a great smile (and now he has great hair to go with that smile), and he continues to be a source of pride, enjoyment, and love. He has a very loving nature and he really does try to choose the right.

His first birthday

(Devin, Austin, Jenna, Kyle, Darin, Jamie, Megan Whitt, Michael Whitt, Sam Whitt)

And now here he is at his 19th birthday....

We went to a Durham Bulls game with the entire family....

He opened presents....


And he got to share another birthday with his dad...
(their birthdays are 2 days apart)

Darin Frank Gilreath--We all love you!! Thanks for being such a great son, brother, and uncle!!!