10/15/23 Last Letter!

 Hey! Can you believe it?!  It's your last letter from home!!! This time next week you'll be one tired Hermana sitting in my kitchen with me!!! 

What a week!  Monday was Columbus Day - so everybody had to work ('cept me!!!!) haha

I stayed home and worked on projects. I took your car to the tire shop and had the tires inflated and then to Walmart and got an oil change then to the car wash and got the shebang inside and out and then brought it home and scrubbed it for a couple more hours. Wow, it was dirty and still isn't great! haha. 

I also cleaned the pool and worked on the yard a bit and I don't even remember what else. I just remember I was super tired by day's end! 

On Tuesday Emmalee came over and did Holly's hair and makeup. She looked really pretty. Afterward, we went to the Covington Home to take pictures. And the funny thing...it was decked out in Halloween decorations. NOOOOO!!!! So we found some areas and took some pictures and I think we got a couple of good ones. We just want one or two to blow up and put out for the wedding. 

While Emmalee was over we got a knock at the door...someone had hit the Hoppie's car which was parked out in front of the house. Another NOOOOOOO!!!!  So they've been driving your car around. They thought the car was going into the shop for just a day but turns out they may or may not get it back by Wednesday. They took it in on Thursday morning last week. Oy!

Wednesday the YW came over and painted pumpkins and ate treats. We had about a dozen of us here and it was a nice activity. Dad had football that night due to fall break. 

Thursday morning we got up and headed to Moab for a 35-year anniversary getaway trip. It was totally different than anything we've ever done before.  We got a bed and breakfast the first night and then a very remote cabin  (called basecamp) the second and third nights. 

The host for the B&B went running while we were at dinner and fell and broke his ankle. He had to have search and rescue get him off the mountain (Moab Rim Run). Poor guy. That meant we didn't get his famous huevos rancheros -- I was kind of bummed. (I'm sure he is too!!!). 

We went to Arches before we got to the B&B and then we went to Miguel's Mexican Restaurant and had the MOAB -- mother of all burritos -- it was really good!

Friday morning I got up early to watch the sunrise and then we went to Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park. Our favorite of the three was Arches, then Dead Horse, and last Canyonlands.   We stopped and had pizza at Canyon Pizza and it was delicious...I got a jalepeno popper pizza and dad had meat lovers. (1/2 and 1/2)_. We had about 1/2 a pizza left and we put it in the back of the truck. 

Welp. The road to basecamp was so jostly that by the time we got there, pizza was all over the back of the truck and looked like scrambled pizza mess!  So that went in the garbage! No salvaging is possible!

The road to basecamp was unlike anything we've ever experienced -- harrowing - honestly I never want to do anything like that again (we didn't even want to come home! haha).  We had the opportunity (and had planned to) to rent an ATV and explore but after the ride in we were like...no..we're good!  Canoeing or Kayaking was also not really advisable -- the walk down there was pretty rough for dad and it was just cool enough.  So we drove to a boat house and hung out there for a bit, played card games, enjoyed nature, watched sunrise, sunset and the stars at night, made yummy food, watched the MOAB 240 (runners run for 240 miles...what the heck are they thinking?!). The aid station was at our lodge. 

So it wasn't exactly what we imagined but it was really good and fun. I slept a solid 8 hours both nights (I seriously can't remember the last time I slept 8 hours) - and I loved the fresh air and the clear skies and the unending scenery. 

There was so much wildlife too...big giant spiders, skunks (sprayed 2X our first night and stunk up the place bad!) chipmunks, a 210 lb tortoise, dogs, deer...I think there was more...birds...it was just really a different life than we're accustomed to. 

We enjoyed the eclipse as well. With a whole bunch of people - Tom the cabin owner, Jake and Jesse (brothers that work there), and Theresa(also works there - from NY just like the brothers), and three of the 240 runners that got disqualified because they came to the aid station 20 minutes later than permitted, a lady with her two kids that was staying in the back room, some of the aid station workers. It was just a whole bunch of random people and we just hung out on the porch for an hour together talking and watching the eclipse. They were very different than us...purple hair, gay, tattoos...

we felt very out of our element. But it was a good time!

Tom told us a ton of funny stories. One of the stories: 

A horror movie was made there (The Canyonlands) - and the star Steph Barkley was a real...unpleasant star. (He used much more colorful language to describe her. Anyway...she was a real primadonna and complained about everything. She came back from filming one afternoon and a skunk had sprayed over by her room. They told her not to go over there and she wouldn't listen. It was awful and she cried and made them move her room. She was so mad. 

The lady in the next room came out of her room. She was a Navajo Indian. She inhaled deeply and said what is it about this mountain air?!  I haven't been able to breathe for a long time and now my sinuses are clear as can be. 

While we were there on Saturday Tom got radioed that a brand new RAM had gone over the edge of Hurrah Pass and fell 150 feet. The dog was ejected. Somehow both the man and the dog survived. Jake and Jesse and Theresa loaded up in an ATV and went to rescue the dog (which they did). Wow! The RAM owner's son was driving with him (in a separate vehicle) Imagine how awful that would be to watch your dad go over a cliff like that and then have to watch from up above and not be able to do anything about it. Two helicopters came and search and rescue. They had to close the road both directions. They said when it finally opened there were 40 vehicles lined up to exit. I can't even imagine. That did not make use feel better about having to leave the next morning!

Sunday morning we got up and out of basecamp at 9 a.m. and headed over Hurrah Pass. It took us 1 hr and 5 minutes (both in and out, very consistent).  It really is a white knuckle, make your heart pump, kind of awful experience. When we got out we still had 5 hours to home. Poor dad got the worst stomach ache and cramps after about an hour. We stopped at a rest stop called ghost rock and dad had to get sick in a real live out house.  It was seriously the worst bathroom ever!  I'm convinced it was stress!  And maybe poptarts...he doesn't usually have that crap for breakfast. 

We made it home by 3:30 today and I quickly unpacked, made bread and headed to E&D's house for dinner. We just got home from that after 7 p.m. WOW what a weekend and we're off to work again in the morning. 

This week is just packed full of things -- dad has a dr appointment, Monday night pizza, dinner with B&L, YW, staff retreat all day Thursday, Hoppie's leave, D&K arrive, B&M arrive....KATIE ARRIVES!!!!  

Boom!  

Travel safely and we're so excited to see you!

Love you so much! 

Mom and Dad

10/08/23 Hey girl!

St George Temple
Open House

 Another crazy busy week in the books. 

Dallas,
Emery and Amelia
FACETIME

On Monday I had my annual exam - got the mammogram and the under-the-hood exam and everything. Yippee. Another year til I need to do that again! Dr. Said my thyroid is off - off-hypothyroid and he prescribed some medication. So we'll see how that goes. I read that a lot of people lose 8 lbs when they go on it...and that a lot of people gain a lot of weight if they don't get the dose right. So humph.  We'll see. 

Eldon's artwork hanging in city hall soon

Tuesday we had a department head meeting and the boss was away. So Rick, the power boss lead the meeting. He's kind of quiet and a little...old...and not really very "fun". haha.  Everybody got a bit "spicy" without the boss to settle them down. It was very entertaining. Everyone was talking about politics and St George and voting and council...anyway...boss should probably stay so he can keep the meetings under control!

We went to Chili's with Ben and Laura & Gpa on Tuesday and it was fun and good. 

Wednesday was our 35th anniversary. We both had to work so we didn't see much of each other. And I had YW that night. We went to the temple for YW that night and I talked about how important temple marriage is and that they should all have a goal to get married in the temple. Dad was supposed to play pickleball but all his friends ended up cancelling. Boo. 

Aj with Curtis and his new baby!

He did a thing...

Thursday I met with an insurance agent and got different insurance because (even without you) our rates went up $500/every 6 months. Holy Crap! She was able to get us back down a bit however she says when we add you (because of your accident) it's going to go up again. So just a fair warning...your monthly payment may be increased upon your return...haha ...but don't worry...we can just take more out of your education fund if we need to. It will be ok. The insurance was $1700 for 6 months.  I remember when we paid under $500 PER YEAR...course we had 2 cars and no kids. Ugh. 

Hoppies arrived Friday and are staying up until a day or two before you leave. It's been very chill and good - and I don't know how much we'll actually see them once we get busy in our weeks. Next week we're going to Moab for 4 days for a 35-year wedding anniversary trip. Should be pretty fun and exciting. We're going to bed and breakfast one night and a place called base camp the 2nd and 3rd night. Base camp is 17 miles on a dirt road from MOAB and supposed to be a little sketch to get there but absolutely magnificent views and such. 

Andy Griffin and Jimmy Kesler at the
St George Marathon

Holly and I spent Friday evening together. We went to the mall and got pretzel bites and lemonade after we walked the mall. We still have lots of work to do for the wedding. I'm looking forward to your help and input!  

Saturday morning we did the marathon - it was early but good. I sat and took pictures for the fun of it while dad broadcast. 

Anyway, not too exciting but seems like the week went really fast and was good. 

Spiritual Thought: Aj said you don't need any stinking spiritual thought -- you're full of them!

Love you! Talk to you tomorrow!

YW at the temple grounds

10/01/23 Conference Weekend

 How does conference weekend work this time around? When/where do you get to watch it? 

We have our TV on to record it so I've watched just one of the two Saturday sessions so far. I like to take notes while I watch and the project I was working on yesterday was noisy so I couldn't listen while I worked and I couldn't take notes when it got to the quieter part so I chose to just save it and I'm going to try to catch up this morning before 10 a.m. We'll see how that goes for me! haha

I got the trimmer out and finished trimming all the bushes in the back and side yard. Trimming is a little bit of work - stretching and bending and tippy toes to get the top...but picking up the debris it leaves is the really hard part in my opinion. Especially if you want to get it cleaned up nicely. The leaves just don't want to come off the rocks!!! I think it took me the better part of 4 hours yesterday by the time I finished. 

Silly -crazy- thing about it...my little exercise meter gave me like no credit for my efforts! I played 1.5 hours of pickelball and then worked in the yard and it said I went about 6650 steps and burned 280 calories. Geesh!  

Speaking of that...I got a knock off apple watch. Dad's been telling me to get one for a long time but I have resisted because I used to be obsessed with looking at my watch and I broke that and didn't want to go back to that. Ruth told me that she used to be that way but now that she is all grown up she doesn't do that anymore and I really should get one. I found one that is super cute for $30 and figured...what the heck. And I kind of love it! haha. I have it turned off so I have to actually push a button to see the display -- so there's nothing to see most of the time...helps me not be obsessed with looking...and it does time, weather, heart rate, steps, sleep, texts, calls...like so much cool stuff. 

The thing I've found the most surprising and interesting...is the sleep.  It tells me how much deep, light, awake, REM time I have each night and then my total # of hours slept. 

This week has felt really busy at work and at home. One of the "projects" I've been working on is getting artwork for the conference rooms at city hall. They remodeled the building and of course, I had the art all around the building -- all the old stuff...that portion is done and now I'm finding art to go with our room names - we named the conference rooms Blue Sky, Red Rock & Green Spring. I hired Eldon to take some pictures and I purchased some of his artwork he already had and I'm having them printed on metal and canvas. It was more complicated than you would think!  I finally got everything ordered from a couple of different companies and now I'm anxiously waiting for the final product.  I hope it's good because just printing costs $1000. I am not sure what Eldon's fee is going to be. 

In addition to that Jeremy has me working on an area guide and a slide presentation - both are kind of complex and I have to reach out to a lot of people to get the information updated from previous work.  Plus my regular weekly stuff. Needless to say, it was one of those weeks where every day flew by and I even ended up with over hours by week's end. 

Also been trying to finish the invitations for Holly - We finally decided on details and then when I went to print on the paper we had purchased it just wasn't working. Like, at all. It was awful. So I guess we wasted $40 buying that because I ended up doing an invite at Walmart.com. They get them printed in an hour which is kinda magical. I miscounted and had to go back for a second run of the printing...we had 260 originally and then added another 80...So 340 total. We had about 20 extra invites but Erik thought of about a dozen people he forgot from his old job and so we really are sending out quite a lot!

In addition, I made some cards to include in the wedding-only portion and cards to announce your homecoming talk that I will insert in the 3/8/9 ward invites. The bad part about the little cards...they are not 1-hour photos and say they will ship them. Estimated October 10. I wanted to get the invites out now but we need to wait. I'm hoping they will be much quicker. I've done stuff at Costco and they've beat deadlines before. So fingers crossed!

Dad had off Friday - and I totally forgot!  He came home and we went to dinner with GPA and I was like -- when do we need to get you home so you can leave?!  And he's like...I have off tonight, remember? And I was like...NO!!!  . So I had told the neighbor boys they could come swim.  Which made them very happy. And I put him in his therapy pants while I let the boys swim.  They were like...can we do this every Friday...and I was like no. .  Then they were like...so if we see you swimming can we come?!  No.  I told the kids I had their mom's # and I would let them know when they could come again. I don't mind them coming now and again but I don't want them to think they can come all the time!  

Also, we've been having a hard time with them the past week jumping the fence and chasing lizards through our yard. They dump everything in their path and don't pick it up. So I had to go out and ask them to please NOT do that. Do NOT come in our yard unless invited and if you are going to look under the supplies for the lizard PUT IT BACK! They assured me they would...but they won't!  Oh yeah,  and they are multiplying. There used to be 4 boys, the next-door kids and the Martin kids. Now there is 6. They picked up 2 more from down the way. They aren't trying to be naughty...they are just being boys...but when you have 6 exploring and running around...you have quite a pack!

As I listened to the Saturday morning session yesterday the word/words that I kept hearing were

the answer is always Jesus. Try to be like Jesus. Believe in Jesus. Repent and return...to Jesus. Are you prepared for Jesus return? 

I also felt like there was real concern for people that have gone astray or just gotten complacent in their worship. This lack of trying is reaching out to the next generation and causing them to care...less. Or just leave completely.  

I enjoyed Dallin Oaks's talk where he talked about making and keeping our covenants and then Ian Newman's talk he said we need to figure out how to help our kids understand the covenant and work to keep it. 

They talked about the sealing power and how we won't be forced to be with anyone we don't want to in heaven but also just because we make the covenant, if those involved in the covenant don't keep it then it isn't valid either. in other words...if you are unworthy or unwilling then there is no covenant. 

That is a sobering thought as we know of so many that make the covenant and then choose a different path. A spouse that doesn't attend church anymore...maybe even the couple...and then you have lost your eternal bond. I guess if your children choose a different path they also may be forfeiting the eternal bond as well.  I don't prefer to dwell on this because it makes me sad to think about it.  Also ... am I doing enough to keep the covenant?!  

Newman said we need to dig deep to make sure that doesn't happen....find Christ, make him our rock...do the Sunday school answers (funny cause he's the counselor in the Sunday school)

 -- read, study, pray. talk of christ, rejoice in christ...

Jesus shouldn't be a Sunday only topic. 

Well -- I'm off for my Sunday morning welk with my BFF (best fitness friend) Linda! 

I hope all is well there and look forward to talking to you tomorrow. 

Love you BYE! mom

09/24/23 Good Morning!

Nikki, Shelly, Cami, Ashleigh Turner

As you probably know, since Dad sent you a photo -- we just got back from Ashleigh's homecoming. She starts home MTC tomorrow I think and says she believes she will get to Santiago Chile on November 2. So they must be off a little from your transfer dates.  She says she knows pretty much no Spanish at this point...(I dunno if she was exaggerating ... but scary! right?!)

It was fun to go to the 8th Ward. Erin Madison (Smith) was there -- she was the one who told me about this! and we saw Gary and Laurie Turner, The whole Turner gang, Condie's, Myra Baker, Danny Johnson (he's in the Stake Presidency -- from the 9th ward), Whitney's young and old (young is the bishop), Betenson's, Cardon's, Spriggs, Turek, Hagen, Talbot, Riley, Scotts...I think there's more ... but you get the point. It was really cool to be back in the ward.  

There was actually another farewell same day...someone who recently moved into the ward in the Holm's old house. So lots of people in the chapel!

Yesterday I spent the morning doing yard work -- I'm going around the yard trimming bushes. I thought I'd be able to do the remainder but I only got the side yard done and the trash cans were full and I was tired. So maybe next week I"ll get the back done. Dad had to board-op the BYU game and while he was there the Carnevale's came over (Just Brian, a cousin and Katie) and Sister C. Anna was preparing for homecoming dance (she will be 16 next week!!! what the heck?!) and President was in Philly for work. They are excited for you to come home!!!

Friday I went to the DI and found some signs that we can use for Holly's wedding -- but they needed some touch-up. Dad and I went to Morty's with GPA for lunch and then Holly came over and painted with me. Details are starting to come together for the wedding...we are going to do the marriage in the morning at the Covington home...there are no ADA facilities -- but they said they'd let us use it anyway (they are working on them...that's why we can't have the reception there...TOO many people for a reception).  After the wedding (10 a.m. maybe?) we'll do pictures and then lunch -- just for the family that came to the wedding. We don't know where but maybe the pasta factory or something. 

In the evening we'll do a reception from 6-8 p.m. at the WCCC reception center. We gotta develop the menu still and decorations.

Marlee is working on getting the address labels ready and we just about have the invitation done. Just need to print and stuff it. 

So that's good. We went to family dollar and got frames for pictures for the tables. 

Ruth came to visit this week -- she flew in on Wednesday and I picked her up at the airport and then we had dinner and played pickleball. Thursday she worked all day at Costco (talking about her insurance AETNA benefits to employees). Thursday evening we ate dinner and then just the two of us played singles pickleball and Friday morning she flew out. Pretty quick week but it was fun to have her. It was her first time here at this house and the first time she's slept over since the boys were little I think. 

Not much else going on here. Seems like the weeks have been on super speed mode but I can hardly remember what I've done!  

In church today Ashleigh talked about the Samaritan and how two men of god passed the jew and ignored him before the Samaritan stopped and aided him. She said that we need to love all people regardless of any circumstance or sin or whatever. Just love. Don't Judge. What a great lesson. 

She said she always said love the sinner, hate the sin. And then she realized we're all sinners. So we should just love all people.  Easier said than done! haha. But a great lesson. 

Hope you've had a great week! Look forward to hearing from you! xoxo

Mom

(off to second church now...went to 8th ward sacrament, and now my YW)

09/17/23 Good Morning!

I looked up Iqueque and it looks beautiful!!! Did they save the best for last? I'm excited to see your place and hear about it. It looks like a very fun vacation city -- so maybe people won't be as interested in learning the gospel??? I dunno!  But I was impressed!

It was a busy week but productive!  

After church last week they had a linger-longer -- we've never done that in any ward I've been in that I recall...maybe when I was a kid (we would stay all day between conferences).  I have heard of it...AJ had it in the Virgin Islands. It was fun. Brother Blaser made tons of cookies and everyone just stayed after and visited for a little while.  Dad met a couple that has a pickleball court in their side yard.  But that yard was too small, so they have to cut off 4 feet...which seems like a lot! haha. We haven't gone up to play with then yet so I dunno! They live on Myrna's hill. 

Monday we went to the temple pre-open house.  It was really beautiful and a nice experience. The baptistry has moved a little. The whole temple just looked really awesome and pretty. They did an excellent job. We got to go to the assembly hall -we've never been up there and GPA told us that many years ago he attended a meeting there and the prophet and 12 apostles were there and the 12 apostles passed the sacrament to him. How cool would that be?

It was Monday -- so we had planned to go to pizza afterward...but they had set up the gym at the church across from the temple with a fancy buffet...they had pulled pork sandwiches, shrimp cocktails, salads, dark chocolate-covered bridge mix, angel food cake squares dipped in chocolate, mini cheesecakes, peanut butter cups (made from scratch)...it was so yummy!!! And no need for dinner afterward!

Ben and Laura are going to be working in the temple for the next about 8 weeks...so they are working Wednesday and Saturday - they had to move our Wednesday get-togethers to Tuesday starting this week and for a while now. 

We went out to dinner with them to Cafe Sabor and then I had Relief Society. It was supposed to be combined with the YW but only 2 girls showed up. Two! What the?!?!?  I was really disappointed in our girls!  I suppose it is possible that they all had other things (because they normally reserve Wednesday?!) but I really think they just blew it off. And so sad because the RS went all out for the party. They had delicious treats, fun activities, music, dressed up...fancy and fun!  Losers. 

Plus I hate it when someone goes to so much work and then no one comes. I feel so bad. I doubt they will invite us again any time soon!  I had a great time and was glad I went!

Because we changed our routine the week felt off!  Wednesday felt like it should have been Thursday. Didn't have YW so we went and played pickleball. That was fun!  We haven't been out much lately due to the weather (we've had a lot of rain and storms this year and HEAT!) And people out of town. 

Thursday we had a recognition breakfast with the utility office - and bought them fancy sandwiches (you came with me on your call!) They were yummy and it was a nice breakfast. 

Friday I felt like I was on speed...(What I imagine it would feel like, cause I never actually have been on speed!!!). We got up and did our usual 3 mile walk and then I came home and trimmed all the front yard bushes.  It took about an hour to cut and an hour to pickup the debris. I was playing beat the clock because I wanted it all picked up before the trash truck came. Geary was leaving about the same time and I asked for her cans too and topped them off. Worked out just right!  Got to work a wee bit late but no big deal because Jeremy was off and Thad never comes before 9 anyway. 

At work, I've been working on getting the court caught up on their late letters. Ended up with 98 letters in the mail by 12:30. I put on a movie and ignored everyone (ok no one was around to ignore so it was great!). 

After work, I came home and finished cleaning up a little more debris in the yard mowed and edged, etc., and then washed the front windows.  Dad had a brisket that he hadn't cooked and was going to go bad so he had cooked it overnight Thursday to Friday. So instead of going out we made a fancy meal and Gpa came over and ate with us. 

Then Dad went to football and I worked on getting the invitation list together for Holly's wedding. I sent it to Marlee and I'm hoping she can make it labels for us. 

Holly doesn't know what she wants to do because the Covington House fell through. So we're kind of at a standstill as she figures out what now. 

Saturday we played pickleball early and then Dad came home and napped (the weeks really kick his butt and early morning pickleball means he wasn't done sleeping yet!  While he was sleeping I did Walmart. 

Then we just had a nice chill day!  We swam and made some crazy fancy dessert together (which we haven't tried yet!) and I made potato soup and sourdough bread. Sourdough bread was a lot of work and I don't think I did something right because it was very heavy and dense. Tasted good but I think it needed to rise a lot more.  I'll probably try it again sometime. 

The first dress came in the mail for Ellie for the wedding and it's super cute!  

Walked with Linda this morning and ran an errand for Holly already and it's only 9 a.m.! Haha

The lesson that I've been listening to this morning is regarding service -- and how we should be willing to give and serve cheerfully. And how sometimes we give grudgingly or sparingly but that we should really try to give happily and abundantly.  

It made me remember how happy I am when I serve others and do projects or things for other people.  The podcast talked about how sometimes we are the ones that serve and give and other times we are the ones that need and receive. And how wonderful the ward family is because we are able to help and be helped as we go through life. It made me want to try harder to serve and help others. 

I'm so happy P-day is tomorrow so we can hear all about your last area!!! I hope it is the best and that you have an amazing finish to your mission! I am so proud of you for what you're accomplishing. I know how hard it is to be away from home for so long but you're doing it! You will be blessed your whole life for the sacrifices you've made and the wisdom you've acquired.   

I filled up my pill bucket and you will be home before I finish all the rows! That is wild to think about!

So really enjoy this last little bit!!!! Love you so much! Mom

09/10/23 Hey, do you get to read letters on non-p day, p day?

First time trying a lime

Pineapple was more pleasing than lime

 Well...we went to Provo on Saturday and Sunday -- so your letter is a little later on Sunday than usual...but then I got to thinking...will you even get to see this before Thursday anyway?!

So hopefully you're not sad that I'm late and all is well in CHILE. 

It's a rainy sabbath here...which is weird cause we rarely get rain. But it is drizzly and rainy and our ride home was beautiful for 2 hours, raining for 1 1/2 hours, and then pretty good the rest of the way. 

Let's see...what happened this week...Monday was Labor Day...so we had a day off work. Yeah!!! 

We didn't have anywhere we needed to go and planned to have a quiet Monday but first, we went to this store called Sheridan's that is super close to our house. And we found some wonderful outdoor patio furniture. It took us 3 trips to get it all home and all afternoon to unpack and assemble it. So at 5:30, we were just finishing and kinda tired from our work out of getting it together! haha.

BYU! (10th row on 10-yard line!)

At work I am still working on getting city hall back together after the remodel and my guys who hang things up came by. We got our giant court seal up and sound absorbent bars up (they liked the ones I recovered so much they are going to bring more over for me to cover).  There were some pictures of the Judge's that they've been working on getting up for months...I got those done this week.  I have a project I'm working on for the Mayor and City Councilman Ivie (baseball stands and a shadow box)...so like work all week was like one craft project after another. 

Gigi and a bouncy ball waiting for 
ice cream...doesn't get much 
better than this!

I've been working to clear our back area (even behind our property) of weeds and I spent hours out there Friday evening clearing weeds and debris. It looks better although I really need the city to come out and take away some of the debris cause there is way more than I can possibly haul off on my own. 

Saturday morning we got up early and left at 7:30 a.m. to get to BYU.  We had really good seats -- 10 rows from the field!!! on the 10-yard line. BYU did great and won against SUU with a score of 41-16. 

At the beginning of the game, it was so hot...and we were squished in the seats...and we were dripping with sweat.  And about 2 hours in a nice storm came through and we got a little wet and windy and it was wonderful.

We got t-shirts and BBQ and ice cream and just had a really fun experience. 

After the game, we went to Bryce's house and then met D&M and the kids at MexiQuense or something like that.  A restaurant in Lehi. We got a family special dinner with lots of beans and meats and toppings. It was yummy and fun. DJ of course hung with me most of the evening and Ellie a little too. I got them to try limes and the faces were so funny!

Camera fun

There was a little gumball machine in there that was selling bouncy balls and they each got one after dinner. Surprisingly they didn't throw them and lose them before they went home!

Making faces at the camera

We also had ice cream from Handels. It was a quick visit and the kids were pretty wound up by the time they left but it was fun to see them for a little bit. 

Mo cried a lot on the way home but as soon as we got back to her house was happy as a lark. Funny girl. She's adorable. You're going to love seeing all your prayed-for babies when you get home!!!

This morning we were thinking of sticking around and visiting but B&M had choir, church, and primary and our ward was doing a linger longer after church it was YW day so we got up early and headed home and pulled into the parking lot at 11:29...1 minute before sacrament started! haha

Go mo!

I had treats in the car and coloring books so I was able to entertain the Fink by asking her to bring crayons/markers for the kids. All three came back and hung out with me. 

Heading to GPAs in just a few for Sunday dinner. I'm not doing anything! GPA is making lasagne and Smith's rolls, Randy and Kay are bringing peachers, Diane is bringing Dessert and veggies and I'm on for nothing!  It's nice to have a week off!

Happy Mo ... before she realized she had
a car ride home.

Tomorrow we're going to the pre-opening Temple open house so that should be cool. My boss and his wife are going on the tour with us. (he's decided church isn't for him anymore so it's a tough time for him and his wife who is still very much involved in church)  It's cool that he's going though...he does these things for his wife but sometimes it just makes her more sad. 

So there you have it...our week in a nutshell. 

I read a book by Alissa Parker (mother of Emily Parker, who died in the Sandy Hook shooting) this week. It's called An Unseen Angel. It is such an inspirational book. 

One funny story in the book...When Emily was 6 and in kindergarten she met a boy whose first name was her last name...so Parker. They were very much enthralled with one another and decided they were going to get married someday. And when they did he would take her last name and be Parker Parker. They would have lots of kids together and have a great life.  Funny, huh!? 

She ended up moving and they weren't in the same class when she died. 

Basically, the premise of the book is that her daughter was murdered and it was awful but instead of seeing the bad and evil of the situation she has decided to see the good. She met with the father of Adam Lanza, the shooter, and gained so much compassion for him and forgiveness...imagine being the father of someone who did that? And the pain and hurt you would carry. 

She turned this awful situation into so much beauty -- there are so many situations where Emily visits people in dreams and inspires people and even helps her mother to find the good in their grief. It was one of those tear-jerker feel-good stories. I can't even imagine Diane reading it...there would be some major sobbing going on!

If you ever get the chance you should read it. And if you ever need help in forgiveness I feel like this book inspires you to say if she can do it, then certainly I can! I sure hope her reason for forgiveness is far worse than any situation I might have. 

Our lesson in YW was actually similar...a father accidentally ran over his 9-year-old son in his driveway and killed him (this is one of those little LDS movies on the website...you might even be able to watch it while you are out there).  The pain and grief he experiences are indescribable but his friend helps to bring him out of his grief by the simple act of picking him up to play basketball every morning with his old friends. They rally around him and help him cope with losing his son and knowing it was by his own error. 

There are so many things that can happen in this life and I'm grateful for the gospel to help us cope with these impossible situations. 

I hope you have a wonderful week and I love you lots! Talk to you Thursday!

Ellie got a bouncy ball

And remember...you are super early over there now...let me sleep until at least 4:45 a.m. here! 

Love you! Mom and Dad

DJ - "Bye, GiGi!!"...crying