Poaching!

I saw this quote on a ksl.com article about working moms.

"If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d finger-paint more and point fingers less. I would do less correcting and more connecting. I’d take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes. I’d take more hikes and fly more kites. I’d stop playing serious and seriously play. I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars. I’d do more hugging and a lot less tugging." — Diane Loomans

I am trying to do this with my grandchildren and it is really fun. Sorry kids!

Lazy Summer Days!

Wow where did those 100 days go? I loved every one of them, lots of fun food, family, friends, and travels. We finished up the 18 month mission and are back in the home ward. (We really miss the other missionary couples). I read a few books, had some new foods, sewed a few skirts and just was basically lazy. I can't wait for SNOW, just to get rid of my alergies! Then it can warm back up. Hoping to get a tom car trip in before the snow flies. Enjoy those beautiful fall leaves while you can.

June is busting out all over!

Yes, the month of June is busting out as of today. Everyone ready? There is only 100 days of summer until Labor Day is here. We are all water logged from this long, long, long spring. We turned on the electric mattress pad yesterday! Hopefully no more cold days and just lots of sunshine on it's way.

Seventeen Degrees!

Yes, it was 17 degrees at my house this morning. Is it April or December, I think the weather is all mixed up. So glad everyone had a great Easter weekend. Doyle and I went to Eccles Park for the block meeting and it was a great session. I really did take time and reflect on the resurrection of Jesus and the plan of salvation. What a great testimony to know that we will be received back into father's presence and have a joyous reunion with all of our earthly family members.

Five years ago on Easter I was in the hospital recovering from kidney surgery. Two gentlemen came into my room and asked if I would like to receive the sacrament and I said yes. They left and I thought they were just going out into the hall to retrieve the items for the ordinance. They didn't come back for a few hours, as I drifted in and out of sleep, each time someone entered my room I was hoping it was them. It really struck me how I had taken the sacrament ordinance for granted each week. These two gentleman were strangers to me, but they brought the greatest Easter gift I could have received that day. It is also a gift to have lived another five years and in good health.

It's been two years since my Mom died. It was a challenge to get through the first six months after she left, I cried everyday and visited the cemetery often. The next six months were not so tearful but still I had an ache in my heart. Weekends were the hardest because that is when I spent the most time with her. Oh, my gosh the tears are flowing as I am writing this, sometimes the waves of emotion are incredible. Whenever I visit Oregon now, that mileage sign to Seattle is tough to pass by, so many great memories of the time spent there with her. Yes, she is missed greatly but she also left me a great legacy to follow. She was a great lady and loved all of us unconditionally. She once told me Jared was her favorite grandchild, but then quickly followed it up with "I never could have imagined to have such great looking ones, not an ugly one in the bunch!" I think she bonded with Jared because she stayed with me for two weeks after he was born.

When she had her eighty-sixth birthday I tried to write 86 things about her. I am around number 23, and hopefully I can complete it soon with the rest.

Swing Thru The Trees

Today would have been my dad's 90th birthday if he were still with us. I like to think he would be on a rope swing attached to a tree, in his cutoff Levis and hat. Or maybe running around the desert in Yuma in a dune buggy. HE wouldn't be in a rocking chair on the porch, that would not be his style. Many happy memories of him and all the lessons, love and laughter we had together.