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

09/03/23 Exciting week...living my best life!

Sunday morning clouds in St George

Buried the whole where the kids
put garbage and kept moving the 
pallets

Working on the weeds

 Haha...so AJ was tracking me yesterday and asked me where I was going...Dad and I were on our way to Parowan to High Voltage BBQ for lunch. Cade Boardman, dad's BBQ friend had a grand opening for his restaurant and we wanted to support him.  Plus it was the holiday weekend and we figured it would be fun to do something different. Aj said, WOW, you've had an exciting week to which I replied, Living my best life!  

Then I turned to dad and was like...what's he talking about!?  

Then I remembered, I had a pretty fun busy week! 

Monday, as you know, I went with AJ to Navajo Lake, Duck Creek area and hiked cascade falls and floated around on Navajo lake. Then we went to a cute diner on the west side of cedar and had a burger and pie. Yummy. AJ got altitude sickness up the mountain, which put a damper on our activities as he could hardly function while he battled his headache. But we had a nice day together anyway.  Once we came home we celebrated AJ - it was his 32nd birthday!! -- with pizza and Menchi's ice cream cake. 

Tuesday was a regular work day for me but a little extra busy cause of taking Monday off. 

How to live to 100 guide

Wednesday was YW and we played a really fun game -- maybe you should try it if you ever need an easy activity. Someone asks a question...like what's your favorite animal? Or Movie? Or color?  Everyone (including the person who asks) fills out the answer on a piece of paper. Then all the papers go in a bin in the middle of the room. Then you go around the room and choose a paper and try to guess who's answer it was. The girls really enjoyed guessing and getting to know a little bit more about the other girls. 

Hike to Cascade Falls, up Cedar Mountain

Thursday at 7 I went to the Dixie Conference Center for the RISE Conference - put on by the St George Chamber of Commerce - it's a day of talks by community members and motivational speaker from out of the area. Overall - it's a nice networking event and good info too. Dad came after his show and we got to spend a couple of hours together before I had to leave to Red Robin to do a review for our new court clerk Melissa with the Judge and Thad.  (Double lunch day! )

I went back to work from 2:30 - 4:30 and was REALLY busy!!!

Nothing like a lake and a tube
In my happy place!

Thursday after work I went to see Holly's new couch - it is soft and squishy and comfy and she loves it!  They also got an entertainment center and bar stools. So exciting for them!  

Friday Dad and Gpa and I went to lunch at Durangos and then Holly came and spent the evening with me. We went to the mall and ross and target looking for some lil girl dresses for the wedding. Fail. Nothing. 

But the weather has been CRAZY here for days -- we keep having long thunder & lightning storms and rain rain rain!  So we were out in a little bit of that. 

Navajo Lake
up Cedar Mountain

Yesterday was a really productive day - I had to return stuff at Target, UPS store, and Walmart. I also needed stuff so I shopped at Target, Lowes, Walmart and Home Depot.  It was like a real live busy shopping day. Then I came home and went to Parowan. Due to all the rain I had to work on the pool cover quite a bit.  It's been turning green so I worked on scrubbing it -- to no avail......and I bought a little box and instead of the big hole in our back yard covered by pallets I installed a sprinkler box and buried it so it's nice and even back there - but it was a lot of work to get it that way! We even got in a swim for about an hour and then I trimmed some trees and picked up debris from the storm. I mopped and scrubbed the grout in my bathroom, colored my hair (it came out too dark, darn it!) and then folded three loads of laundry. Whew. What a day!

This is what elevation
sickness looks like

This week I have been listening to a TIME OUT FOR WOMEN. There have been some really fun inspiring talks and I've really enjoyed it. I think there are about 20 speakers and I've listened to 9. 

The most recent one was David Butler -- (I have no idea what makes him special or important enough to be a speaker there!!!). -- but he talked about how special and important each one of us is. He told the stories from the bible about how you lose a sheep and go hunting for it and was like...I'm gonna be honest...if I had 100 sheep and I lost one I wouldn't be too worried about it...I mean I NEVER got a 100% in my life at school...shoot if I was down to 85 I would still be feeling pretty good about things and wouldn't be searching for anything...

Then he told about the lady who lost her coin and searched all day and night and when she finally found it she sent out invitations and had a party and celebrated...and he was like...you know if she had just gone to work for the day she could have earned the coin easily...AND she is going to spend more on the party celebrating the coin being found than the coin is even worth. 

Navajo Lake

Then he got serious. (kind of?!) and told about how he was in line at Disney for an $18 hamburger when he realized he had lost his little boy. And he was like...shoot...I've been in line for a long time and I'm almost NEXT!!! Dang it!  So he gets out of line and goes to his wife and says ... do you have our little guy? And she's like, no...YOU had him! So they call his name out and hunt high and low and spot him outside the restaurant...and so he wants to teach him a lesson ... so he runs up behind him and "kidnaps" him... to teach him a lesson....  And causes some concern by other patrons in the park...and he's like...I'm his Dad...it's ok!!!! I swear!!! ANYWAY...he talked about how relieved and happy they were to find him and how they celebrated with $18 hamburgers...

Beautiful sunrise

And he told of the story of the son who asked for his inheritance early and squandered it all and how the father anxiously waited for his return and was so happy when he came back even though he lost all his money. 

High Voltage BBQ, Parowan Utah

And it's true...we love our kids no matter what and just want them to be close to us and we value each and every one of you.  And God values all of us even more than we can imagine and more than we can love our kids. 

Colored my hair...dark!

I've been talking to several friends who've had kids "go astray" and do things that they don't condone. Some of these parents have cut off the kids and shunned them and won't associate with them...and I'm really struggling with that type of parenting...since when are we to judge?  When did we get taught to stop loving our kids because they think differently than we do?  I may not be happy with my kid's decisions but they are adults...they get to pick...and I need to love them anyway!!!!

Cade's Ribs from High Voltage

So there ya have it! It's been a great week and I'm trying to live my best life...Really seize the opportunities that come my way and enjoy the journey. I hope you also are cherishing your mission... this is the last little bit where you won't have to worry about where your $ is coming from or food, or schooling or whatever...you'll have to start working and going to school and maybe even getting married and having kids and taking care of house and cars and whatever else life is going to throw at you. So for now, stop and take a breath and thank heavenly father for this time to learn and grow and develop your spiritual self that will be the foundation of the rest of your life. And try to enjoy every last minute of it...and don't let stupid stuff bug you...enjoy your journey!!!!

Sound boards, recovered

I love you!!! Mom