Oh Yes!!

Early arrivers at the Saturday afternoon session at the Conference Center

This morning we had the opportunity to participate in a Solemn Assembly to sustain our new Prophet, Russell M. Nelson.  When the process began they go through each quorum or group.  When they asked the women of the Church to stand I was so excited to stand and join with others to say Yes! by raising my hand.  I have said it many times and will continue to say that every good thing that has happened in my life came as a result of my membership in the Church.

Elder Anderson talked about the process and said, "Our raised hands were counted in Heaven."  He taught us that President Nelson's selection to serve was made long ago.  He also said that the Prophet is to teach us of the Savior and how to follow Him.  Elder Anderson said the Savior called President Nelson to be a Watchman on the tower and to remind us how to have spiritual safety in perilous times.  President Nelson will ask us to change, repent and return to the Savior.  I will try hard to do just that!

Love's Labour's Lost

 Brigham has been busy with play practice for some time.  A combination of home school students participated in the performance of A William Shakespeare play--Love's Labour's Lost.  I don't doubt that he was AWESOME!  I am grateful that the kids have so many wonderful opportunities to share their talents.

Journal Prompt

Haven't written about anything on my journal prompts and decided that I should.  The prompt I chose was: The one dream you have that you just can't stop thinking about.  I am a dreamer and have always been.  If I was interested in being an author I have had many dreams that could have been a great story line for a book.  I can't tell you how many times I have woken in the night sobbing or laughing hysterically.  I don't remember a time that I didn't have dreams at night.  My dreams are so intense that when something has wakened me I get up to use the bathroom or get a drink and when I return to sleep the dream picks up where I left off.  I don't know if other people dream like this.  My dreams have solved work and personal problems for me, gave me insight into something that I have been struggling with.  My dreams have entertained me, overwhelmed me, scared me-sometimes, made me happy and sometimes sad, and helped me remember experiences that I had forgotten.  Just recently I woke up after I dreamed that my friend Pam honked her horn out in the street and I went out to see her.  As I got near her car Helen Seacord opened the door and ran over and threw her arms around me.  We held each other and cried with joy at our reunion.  I woke up so happy that I had seen Helen.  It was a bittersweet memory because I can't go down and see her any more and it makes me so sad.  She is 97 years old now and is still one of my best friends.  For just a moment in my dream we were reunited and I was so happy.  I love that I am a dreamer!

Pinewood Derby

I have to be honest--I hated the Pinewood Derby when our boys were in Cub Scouts!  But now I love that my grandkids are enjoying this fun activity.  I hope Will had a great time.  Cool car buddy!

College Bound!

This beautiful young woman is headed to the LDS Business College in Salt Lake City in the Fall.  Congratulations Katie!  We are so proud of all you have accomplished and know that you will do a great job in college.  What a wonderful example you are to your siblings and cousins.  How blessed you will be as you work hard and do your best.  How lucky LDSBC is to have you on their campus.  Over the last few years it has been fun to watch Katie grow into such a kind person who goes out of her way to help those around her.  She knows how to work and I don't doubt that she will be a great student. Keep up the good work!

Passover

I decided to throw in a new tradition this year.  We have loved having our yearly Hanukkah meal so I talked to Andy about helping me put together a traditional Seder.  Andy did the program and I cooked the meal. After the program and the meal we enjoyed coconut macaroons and a lemon meringue pie. 

Quote

Though earthly families are far from perfect, they give God's children the best chance to be welcomed to the world with the only love on earth that comes close to what we felt in heaven--parental love.

Pres. Henry B. Eyring

Jujitsu Tournament

Ellis participated in a Jujitsu tournament yesterday.  For those who aren't familiar with the sport it is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent.  Ellis has been doing jujitsu for some time and yesterday was the first tournament he participated in.  Since there were no youth in his weight category he was moved up to compete with the adults.  When it was over he was sporting a Third place medal.  Way to go grandson!

Happy St. Pat's Day

Red-Faced!

I have had numerous "most embarrassing moments" in my life, but today was way up at the top!  We went to Costco this morning to pick up some pictures from the photo department.  When we got there we had a couple of people in front of us so I waited for our turn.  Once up at the counter I told the girl my name and she went to get the pictures.  Just as she came back I handed her my Costco card and glanced over to make sure dad was okay.  He had a familiar look on his face (one that I try to avoid!) so I asked, "Are you okay?"  His quick response was a loud, "NO!, I'm about to take that guy out!"  I looked over and there was an older gentleman standing by me waiting for his turn.  I was so embarrassed I wouldn't have minded a bit if a deep hole opened up so I could crawl into it. The man smiled and I quietly said I was sorry.  I quickly paid for the pictures and got out of there! 

We quit going into  restaurants. We only go to the drive-thru to get food.  We don't go to the movies anymore and I am beginning to think that grocery shopping is the next to go.  I have since thought that it was a good thing the man waiting didn't have Alzheimer's or we could have had a big brawl right in Costco!!! 

This is certainly an interesting journey we are on.  I have always said, "You don't die of embarrassment, you just wish you could! 

A Hero

I have diligently scanned photos and documents related to our family into the Family Search program.  The project took about two weeks and I loved every minute of it.  I am excited to know that people searching for family related to them may be able to see pictures that they didn't know existed.  It has been a wonderful opportunity for me to remember those relatives that I had known and brought back many special memories that I had forgotten.  When I started scanning the documents I came across my Uncle Mickey's Discharge from the Navy.  As I went to put the document on the scanner I noticed another copy of his actual service record.  As I quickly scanned it I saw that he had received the Bronze Star medal.  He was part of the campaign which involved the liberation of the Philippine Islands.  I also found in the paperwork that at the time of his discharge he was in a Naval hospital in San Francisco.  Sadly, I never heard anything about any of this and like so many men of World War II they rarely spoke about their experiences so I only know that short glimpse into my Uncle Mickey's war record.

 He was always a hero to me.  He had a big smile, dark reddish-brown hair, and a freckled face.  He took David and I to the State Fair when I was 7 or 8 where I had my first frozen banana.  He let us ride on every ride we wanted to and we spent the whole day together.  He often visited our house and I loved it whenever he came over.  Uncle Mickey made a difference in my life and although he struggled because of alcohol addiction he did his best to be a positive part of my life.  And he was!

Short Visit

Perry came home from BYU for the weekend.  It was a short trip but I loved the time we got to spend with him.  Watching him interact with his siblings was especially touching for me.  Perry left on his mission a pretty great guy.  Since he returned from his mission I have been amazed at how grounded he has become.  I am grateful he accepted the mission call and gave it his best.  As is often the case when his mission ended his commitment to being a better person did not.  I also loved that I could give Andy and Angela a little break from solving my computer problems!  My scanner works, Chrome cast is on the computer, and I was able to learn how to put together files in groups for easy access.  I keep a list of projects for when Ellis comes over to help me.  Between him, Perry, Angela, and Andy--I am covered!

Quote

We get credit for trying, even if we don't                always succeed.

Jeffrey R. Holland

GRRR!

I love my role as a caregiver to Scott.  He is a typically very good patient, without much patience!  When we wake each morning he says, "hi" to me over and over and over again until I give up and get up.  I say this with a smile!  We have a morning routine which involves brushing teeth, undressing and redressing, combing his hair, fixing and encouraging him to eat his breakfast.  Then we finish off the morning routine with with Leave it to Beaver and Perry Mason before he goes for his walk.  It is "ground-hog day" around here for those who are familiar with the movie.  As part of all of this, there is a tad annoying growl throughout the process.  It kind of goes like this.  Come in and brush your teeth--GROWL.  Take your socks off and I will give you some clean ones--GROWL.  Take off your pajamas and put them in the drawer (which is opened for him)--GROWL.  You get the picture!  I have started growling back which always brings a smile to his face and lightens the burden he carries because nothing makes sense to him and he doesn't know how to handle that.  I realized the other day that if I made a list of what he can now do it would be very short.  He can still button, he can put his belt on and usually gets it through all the loops, and he can almost still tie his shoes.  That doesn't seem like much but I am proud that he hasn't given up trying.  So growl if you must and I am going to be grateful that your bark is bigger than you bite!

Outstanding Swimmer

Abby participated in the Utah State Swim Meet in Bountiful today!  She really is an amazing swimmer and I am nor surprised at all that she was chosen.  All those hours of practice definitely paid off.  Way to go Abby!

Quote

To argue with the person who has renounced the 

use of reason 

is like administering medicine to the dead.

Thomas Paine

My Weeping Week

I just recently told one of my kids that I thought I had finally gotten myself cried out.  I could talk about what was happening with dad without breaking down.  I felt like I had come to terms with the reality of what was ahead and knew that grieving continually wasn't going to change anything.  I actually felt very liberated because I felt that I had finally come to terms with what was happening and that overall I am able to stay ahead of Scott and give him the love and care he needs.  I still feel that way.

But something different has started happening that I am not sure I can explain but I am going to try.  If you read this that means I felt I had explained myself to myself!  Now most days by 7:30 in the evening Scott goes to bed.  At first I have truly appreciated the quiet time I had.  I do my scripture study, listen to a book on tape, write notes, or spent time on the computer.  Sometimes I don't do anything but just sit on the couch and enjoy the peace of the moment.  Hence, the crying has come. I have thought so much about the life Scott and I made together.  I have tried to focus on the best of times--but the reality is that when the worst crept in I have been able to reflect and celebrate so much good that came out of those more difficult moments.  In some ways I think I have been crying "tears of joy" for a life full of blessings.  Sometimes I feel so lonely for a simple conversation or a walk down memory lane with the person who made that journey with me--but that just can't be any more.  In spite of that, I often tell him something about himself when he was a kid, or when he was a missionary, or when we were young marrieds planning a future together, or what a great dad he was.  I always hope that it will trigger a memory for him but sadly that is not to be.  We use to tease my mom who was a great "crier".   She would get so mad at herself when she did.  I hope that her tears were because of joyful memories and that she forgives all of us not crying along with her.

I am thankful for tears.  I am thankful for remembering!

First Homes

I was looking at some pictures and came across several I took of houses that Scott and I have lived in at one time or another.  Thought I would share a few.

This is the first house Scott lived in as a child in Phoenix.

This is my house as a child in the Alta Vista neighborhood in Arizona

This was the house we lived in when Scott was the town manager in Duncan, Arizona

This was the first house we bought.  We lived in Kingman, Arizona

Another Cougar!

Ellis found out today that he has been accepted to attend Brigham Young University!  Not a bit surprised.  Ellis is so capable of doing anything he sets his mind to.  His hard work has definitely paid off and he will be a great addition to BYU.  How fun to have Meg, Perry, and now Ellis on campus.  I will miss having Ellis close by.  I love the time we have spent together this last year as he has helped with various projects around the house.  He is smart, creative, determined, funny, friendly, and so much more.  What a blessing to be grandparents to 21 of the most amazing human beings.  Ellis is definitely someone who will make a difference in our world!

Happy Birthday Bruce!

14 

Years 

Old

March 2, 2004

*Friendly   *Kind   *Serious   * Loving   *Scout