More Kiddo news!

 

Last week was Prom for Josh and Heidi.  Heidi went with a group of friends (not 16 yet)  and Josh went with a darling girl named Ashton.

Thought they looked so darling!

 

I love hearing all about the dating and dances but the BIG NEWS for Josh was waiting for his MISSION CALL!!!!!

 

 

 We expected it last week and it didn't come and again this week...but it was only 3 days late.  Saturday we got the word that it had arrived and the big reveal was at 8:00 Saturday night.  Unfortunately, I am still coughing and hacking so couldn't go but they face-timed me so I got to be a part of it.

I'm so excited he is going to Dallas Texas (Spanish Speaking!!!!)  I'm so thankful with all the really hard places he could go-  Texas is just perfect (notice his cowboy boots in his prom picture before he even had his call!)  Love this boy sooo much!  He reports to the Mexico City MTC on July 2- he put his availability for after our Lake Powell trip so that is perfect!  This is such a wonderful thing for our family and we are all just grinning!

 
Heidi, meanwhile has been busy with her Moot Court experience.  She loves getting with her Grandpa so they can talk lawyer talk/shop.  David went to one of the competitions and said she was awesome.  One of the judges even singled her out!  Her team took first place and she was a winner!  Love this girl!!!!!  Oh-oh, another professional arguer in the family!

 

More Kiddos

I wrote this a week ago- when David was sick and before I got sick!  Boo!  But here goes:

Grandson Parker came home for a few days for spring break.  He's really liking (most things) college and comes home hungry.  He popped in on Sunday and I fed him and talked him into spending the night.  We had a great time together (beating him twice at Phase Ten) and it was a gift for this good interaction.  (David was still sick so we stayed away from him.)

 

 

Concerned about Annee who has been experiencing chest pains.  She had major heart surgery when she was about 7 or 8 so that is always a concern.  Brooke took her in to Primary Children's yesterday and I think she got a heart monitor but I'm not sure.  Haven't gotten to talk to her yet but hope things will be fine.  Annee has a rough little life (she's not little- but 17) dealing with all she's been given in life (Asperger's and health issues.) and now teenager-ness and teen drama.  We love her so much and want her to be happy.

 

On the other hand, Peyton Max (formerly Chubba Bubba) turned 7 yesterday!  Woot!  Woot!  I don't have pictures to share because we didn't get to go celebrate yesterday with them (David sick and I helped with the funeral.)  What a precious boy he is!!!! He got to go to a Jazz game with his dad!

 

  

Gene Perret, comedy writer
"What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars worth of pleasure."

Miss Sadie

 

 
A couple of weeks ago,  Miss Sadi  competed in her first solo competition- taking first and also best showmanship. Boy, does she put on a show! Unfortunately Grandma totally spaced it as she was in her Saturday cooking zone!  Boo!

 

 Here are some great Sadie pictures:

She turned nine last week finally had her Unicorn birthday party that we planned for last year!  Lots of Unicorn loot!

 Birthday girl.

 The unicorns went swimming.

 and she got a new Moped!

 What can I say- she is a gymnast and a dancer!

 

 

And we are totally enchanted by her!

OurScientist Girl!

My little scientist girl, Addi, won her class, then school and regional for her science fair project.  She goes to State at the end of the month.  She did testing for pollution at her school and found that the most pollution at her school was at the drop off zone (car exhaust) for the kids.  Because of her project, the principal called her in and said that they will now install "no idling" zones at her school and she got to choose the signs that will be made!  Cool Beans!!!!

 

 

 
 
 

 

And on another note: same family- Doug was surprised with an award from the Army Reserves-
for above and beyond working with an employee who has to take long leaves and Doug makes it happen.

Down and Out

If I were you, I wouldn't even read this.  I'm contagious.  David had the flu over a week ago and since I was going to my dad's, I stayed AWAY from him.  Unfortunately we breathe the same air.
I got to Vancouver on Thursday and we had a wonderful time for 3 days...until I could tell I was coming down with it, and had to stay upstairs in the guest room (that you rent- he lives in a retirement living center)  So we lost a good portion of Saturday and Sunday before I flew home and I've been coughing and chilling and hacking and sleeping ever since. I missed the window for Tamiflu so I've just had to tough it out.   I feel like I turned the corner yesterday afternoon so maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Regardless, I'm so lucky to still have my dad at almost 92!    We have such a good time together and a perfect little routine (which includes take out at our favorite pizza place, dinner in the dining hall, take out steak from Outback, shuffleboard Wii and bowling and Skipbo plus I run errands for him- groceries and dry cleaning.) that is "ours."   It is precious time together.

A Bit of Gold at the End of the Rainbow

This week we were able to have brunch at friend Gail's beautiful home.  It was a wonderful time as always.  We celebrated friendship and a delish St. Patrick's Day lunch- of Reuben sandwiches, cabbage and carrots, a pistachio fruit salad and a delicious fizzy St. Patrick's Day dessert drink at the end. 

This LDS Living magazine just came out with Gail on the front cover and an interview with her inside.  She makes us proud.  The best part was when Kim, her husband (David's former law partner) came in to visit for a minute, parading this magazine while playing some song on his phone about "loving this girl" with a cute little jig.  He is so funny and just makes Gail laugh.  What a darling man!

Loved the table floral arrangement in a St. Paddy's Day hat!

Gail also taught us how to "speak like a leprechaun" and what in the heck it meant. 

Love these friends.  We celebrate our successes and our heartaches and our lives in general.  Poor Libby fell and broke her hip and is in a rehab so we missed her and Diana is serving away in the Long Beach mission with her hubby.  Her letter each week is a highlight.

Passport

It's time for a new passport.  My last one expired when I wasn't looking.  It was hard to give up because it held so many wonderful memories for me:

 

 

 

 
 

 

like: Gelato in Italy- Baths in Turkey, Spices in Cyprus, Israel (heart be still) and Egypt.

 

 

Also- several awesome trips to Guatemala- letting baby turtles loose and relaxing at the Maya Jade

 

 

Oh, and Canada and Banff......I loved waking up to moose on the golf course.

 
 But here's to new adventures!  Can't wait!
 

 

 

 

 

Your wings already exist.  Now all you do is fly. 

A Cooking Fool

Today is a lovely Saturday- the sun is shining and the skies are blue- and it's a balmy 50 degrees outside.  My hubby started getting sick last night- but, as son Tanner said today, "not sick enough to stay home from roping but sick enough to come home early."  Yes, he went today- and took 4th (enough to pay his entry fees) and then came home and went to bed.  (I don't know if I mentioned he won $3500 earlier this week and qualified for the World Series Roping held in Las Vegas at the same time as National Rodeo Finals) (Don't get too excited- the entry fee for the World Series Roping is $2000.!  Yes, IT IS A CRAZY hobby.....)

I on the other hand feel fabulous.  I've been working on my RS lesson for tomorrow (that I'm so excited about- the talk from Elder Rasband "By Divine Design"!!!!)  Also, I decided today I would cook my head off. Cooking gives me such pleasure- not just cooking but trying new recipes. I watched a couple of cooking shows this morning to get my juices going....but then have tried out 3 things for our next Bon Appetit dinner (2 winners, 1 loser) plus made a couple of things for some ladies I visiting teach.

I went to the store and spent over $250 for groceries....

1. bought stuff for grandson college student Parker who might be home for spring break for a few days

2. bought stuff for the scouting food drive that is this coming week when I am out of town

3. bought stuff to make a couple of big pans of funeral potatoes for a funeral on Monday.  So sad.  So sad.

4. bought stuff to make the Visiting Teaching surprise....

and came home without food for Sunday dinner!
How crazy is that!  Comments on those 4 things:

1. Parker is happy at SSU (Southern State University in Cedar City, Utah).  He texted that hopefully he would see us sometime this week.  I totally believe in bribery so have stocked a box of food and laundry supplies to surprise him (ha!) 

2.  The Scouts collect food for the Food Bank.  I have thought about just donating them directly to son in law Doug's elementary school.  They are a Title 1 school with 80% of their kiddos being fed breakfast, lunch and some dinner.  But they also have a food pantry where parents can come and take food to take home if they need it.  They get the food from the food bank so maybe I'll just send it directly there.  I got lots of peanut butter, canned chicken and chili.  It makes me so sad that so many lives are lived in such disparity.  I always support the Utah Food Bank and David and I deliver food for them occasionally (our Ward does every month)- but it really does pale compared to the churches welfare system...where you can shop at a real store with fresh items and fruits and vegetables and bread that isn't old and frozen.

3.  Brian, who died, was actually my former son-in-law Ryan's best friend ( plus another friend named Joe).  They went through schools together, played football on the same team winning State their senior year.  I think Brian and Joe were Ryan's best men at their wedding.  Unfortunately, life choices have taken these 3 boys through much heartache compounded by depression.  If you don't have God to turn to and have an understanding of the purpose of life, sometimes you feel like you don't have anywhere else to turn.....My heart breaks for Ryan who has now lost his two best friends.  My heart breaks for all the children and family left behind with broken hearts...

4.  I have mentioned that I love Creative Visiting Teaching.  I noticed that Cheryl posted or liked a video on Facebook (Creamy Pineapple Dessert)- which is something David's mom used to make (more often with strawberries.)  I thought I would make the dessert and run it over to her today for tomorrow's dinner.  David will be a happy camper as well.

What do you call a fat pineapple?
A pineapple chunk.

Whoops!

I know we all deal with grief and trials in different ways.  One of the Charm Girl's, Fay, lost someone dear to her- one of her best friend's husbands.  The friend's kids asked if Fay could stay with their mom a few days because they couldn't so she wouldn't be alone.  Fay is one of the funniest people I know (and a wonderful friend)- and she and her friend love to laugh.  Sometimes that helps with grief.  When Fay got to her friend's house, and asked what she could do to help, her friend suggested that she help clear all of her husband's clothing out of the closets. (She knew she would have to be moving soon.)  They did.  Took two car loads to the Goodwill.

Later, Fay accompanied her friend to the mortuary to make final arrangements.  The mortician said, "And please bring in the clothes you would like him to be buried in."  

Silence.  Fay and her friend took one look at each other and burst out laughing.  Like can't stop laughing.

The mortician probably thought they were nuts......

Josh

How I adore this grandson.  I love getting a text from him on Sundays saying "Grandma- can we come and visit after church?"  Ryan (the dad) doesn't always get to come because he's a bishop but I love that Marci and the kids come (it's about a 45 minute drive) - and we feed them terrible food (Marci is a real healthy eater but she tolerates us and brings her own food- lol) (yesterday we had BBQ ribs and I won't mention all the chocolate left over from Ooh la la...that the kids (who don't eat much candy) go through like squirrels!

Back to Josh.

He will turn 18 in a few months...and  turned in his mission papers on Saturday.
I'm so happy.   I'm so sad.   I don't think I can live without him for two whole years!  His dad is a businessman but Josh has always loved "farming."  He has chickens (and brings me fresh eggs!) and rabbits and turkeys and who knows what else.  Oh yes- puppies.  He just sold the last of the litter.  He's industrious and is so loving- even when he beats me (as he usually does) in whatever game we play.  I especially love his Grandpa playing games imitation which is full of smack talk!  He nails it!  We all laugh.  Oh, how I love him!

Here is a picture of us when we picked up Ryan from his mission in Guatemala (1996!)  (and I'm wearing a fanny pack!!! Ha ha!)  and I still have the same hairstyle!!!!  Who would have known the love that Ryan developed for Guatemala would be such a force in his life.  And how he continues to help and mentor and provide jobs for all these people he loves.  I'm anxious to see where Josh's heart is going to go.....  (really, David and I aren't as nerdy as we look in these pictures!)