The offering.

Yesterday was Memorial Day. A time to remember and reflect. To pay respect and be grateful for our knowledge of life after death. And also a time for parents to be taught by their children.

We went as a family to visit the grave of my grandpa, who passed away about two months ago. He was the grandpa who lived next door, who my children knew well and loved dearly. As we arrived we looked at the grave, at his temporary head-plate and talked for a moment about him. Shortly after, my dad and grandma arrived.

Pacie had a bottle of bubbles and had been blowing them into the wind all day. And likewise, Landon had brought along one of his little red racecars and had been playing with it at a previous cemetery that we visited. Pacie decided to leave her bottle of bubbles for grandpa knowing that he might like that. I was touched by her gesture and thoughtfulness. Little did I know, someone else had watched her and was learning by example.

As we were gathered around, Landon quietly went up to Scott, took his little car out of his pocket where it had been placed for safe keeping, and went and laid it next to Pacie's bubbles and the flowers that Parker had picked and placed there. Scott, my dad and I were all watching as he then walked away, not once looking back at his little treasure that was now an offering for a great-grandpa that he loves.

It was such a touching moment for all who witnessed his little sacrifice and a great lesson to me that actions often do speak louder than words and also that children learn by example.

We were also able to go to Ucon to see a few family members who had passed on. My grandma and grandpa Andrus were here for a couple of days and it was their posterity that is buried there. Their daughter Peggy who passed away at age three as well as my great grandparents. An uncle from Utah happened to be there with his family at the same time and it was a wonderful little reunion for the cousins to be there and celebrate the life of their ancestors. The girls were so cute to go and find little things to decorate Peggy's grave with. Pinecones and purple flowers were their tribute to this sweet little girl who has been our guardian angel throughout our lives.

As I thought about the meaning and reason for Memorial day, my thoughts kept drifting back to the plan of salvation and the knowledge that we have of the resurrection and life after death. This knowledge is so precious to me and I am grateful for the lessons taught to me yesterday by my children.

And now, on a lighter note, here are a few irresistible pictures of Presley. Yes, she has ketchup on her face, but I love how she looks.