He's Home!

Ellis returned from his mission on Friday.  He looks            great and shared some great experiences he had as a    

missionary.  Also a few funny ones!

Au revoir Canada!

I had the privilege of watching Ellis give his farewell talk to the members of the ward he and his companion are serving in.  It was all French to me but seeing Ellis so conversant and confident speaking in French truly touched my heart.  He obviously said some things that caused chuckles because I heard the congregation laughing a couple of time.  What a privilege we have to live in such a world that technology can bring us together in an instant.  I have been so touched by the maturity I have seen in Ellis through this period of time.  He has served well and it is obvious that he has grown substantially in his testimony of the Savior and the Church.  Can't wait for Friday!

Tempe Visits

I went to the Gilbert Temple today and enjoyed some quiet time thinking about Grandpa.  I then decided I wanted to go to the Mesa Temple where we were married.  Both temples are special to me and as I was driving home I thought how blessed I am to live so close to a temple now.  No more California traffic, the Cajon Pass, or long travel time.  The Mesa Temple was dedicated in 1927 and doesn't have the grandeur of the current temples being built.  In spite of that it will always be my favorite because that is where I went with my parents and sibling to be sealed as a family and then again to be sealed to Grandpa.  Here are the pictures I took this morning.

Thank You

A year ago today Grandpa passed away.  I want to recognized how blessed I was to have him in my life.  

Thank you Scott for leaving me with so many good memories of our time together.  A day never goes by that I don't think of you and sometimes I shed a few tears because I miss you so much.  I read a quote from Princess Anne about her father's passing and it was exactly how I have felt.  She said, "You know it's going to happen but you are never really ready."  For the past year I have gone to the cemetery and told Grandpa about my week and all the amazing things our grandkids and children are doing.  I shed some tears and then drive away.  The last few times I have been there I keep being reminded that he is not there.  Today when I leave church I am going to the temple.  I will sit in my car and thank Grandpa for loving me enough to take me to the temple where we were sealed for time and for eternity.  This summer we would have celebrated our 50th anniversary and I must say it was a wonderful adventure.  I miss you Scott but I am so grateful for the time we had together and the love that we shared.   

Assignment

 

These four young men have been friends for many years.  When Lincoln left to serve his mission he left them behind hoping that they would follow him into the mission field.  When illness brought him back home the Bishop gave him an assignment to help his three friends get ready to serve as missionaries as well.  Mission accomplished!  Oregon, Ireland, Chile are going to have some great missionaries in the coming months.  Ryan (now Elder DeGraffenreid) left on Wednesday for Chile via Oregon until his mission is accepting missionaries again.  Good job Lincoln!

AZ DIY

This is what Aunt Amy has been working on before the summer heat makes being outside less than pleasant.  On the left is a tree that will eventually shade much of the front yard.  She put in about 12 heavy bags of new rock.  In the teal planters she put white rose bushes in honor of Grandpa.  The planter box will be updated regularly with fresh flowers and on the right she planted three mimosa bushes that have beautiful red flowers on them.  It has turned out really nice.

Utah Update

 The wallboard is up!  Aunt Cathy continues to work on her refinishing project.  The flooring is in the store ready to be installed.  It won't be done when we all head to Utah next week but it is sure looking impressive.  I am so impressed with Aunt Cathy's vision.  Can't wait to see it completed.

The following pictures are of their dining room table that is being refinished.  The color of the table top is the same as the lightest color in the flooring.  You can see the flooring they are installing in the first picture below.

Happy Birthday Peter!

 12 Years Old

I never thought a year later we would still be wearing face masks hoping that the Covid virus would be a distant memory.  I often think of you Peter and remember when I came to Fargo to stay while your mom recovered from her surgery.  You have a quiet strength and I notice that you can enjoy yourself in any situation.  You are a Lego builder, an avid reader, and a treasured baby brother.  Yes, the truth is you will always be the baby!  I am excited to see your talents continue to increase.  Keep working hard and doing your best.  I have great faith in you and your ability to make good choices.  You remind me so much of your dad when he was your age and I don't doubt that you will be just as kind and capable as he is.  

Happy Birthday Rachel!

24 Years Old 

This has been a hard year because I haven't been able to spend time with you.  I hope you know that you are loved and admired for the things you have made happen.  I love the love you have for your family and am grateful to call you my granddaughter.  I hope this coming year is full of happiness, adventures, and surprises that bless your life.

Happy Birthday Duncan!

 12 Years Old

I have been so impressed with all you've accomplished this year Duncan.  You came into this life with a fighting spirit and in spite of the challenges you have you keep doing your best.  You have a kind heart and recognize others who do.  You love Legos and your imagination goes wild when you are playing with them.  You love to be read to, listened to, and you have a very tender heart.  In spite of your struggles with reading you are slowing meeting the challenge and I suspect that in the coming years you will become an avid reader and we will all complain that all you do is read read read!  Keep doing your best and remember to believe in yourself. 

Happy Birthday Jane!

 14 Years Old

When I think of you Jane I think of a kind heart.  A friend to anyone who needs one.  You seems to notice and open your heart to anyone who seems like they need special attention.  You are feisty, brave, have an endearing laugh and you are beautiful.  I hope you will take the good qualities you now have and keep adding onto them.  Set goals for yourself and work hard to make them happen.  Your life will be enriched and those who know you will also be blessed by them.

Birthday Bonus!

Having children who have birthdays in the same week can be a good thing.  Good but exhausting!  Because Aunt Amy had an idea to rent a water slide bounce house for the day and then have TWO birthday parties while it was there.  Mixing 12 year old boys and 14 year old girls wasn't a good option so Duncan had his friends over for his birthday party from 1 to 3 and then Jane's friends arrived for her party from 3 to 5.  Two parties, two themes and decorations to make it special.  Everyone showed up for each party and the kids had a great time it seems.  I suspect everyone will sleep well at the Whitneys tonight!

Update

I'm sure none of you will be surprised to hear that in spite of some waiting for work to be done on the addition Aunt Cathy isn't letting the wait go unnoticed.  Right now she is refinishing the dining room table and chairs.  I am so excited to see everything when it is finished.  She has truly thought of every aspect of the addition and remodel and I think it is going to be stunning!

She Did It!

 Congratulation to Katie for her graduation today from Ensign College.  I was able to see her graduation program on the internet!  Not only did Katie graduate but did it with honors!  Great job Katie.  I am so proud of you!

Doctor's Appointment

I had two choices.  I could follow a Facebook post and stick peeled garlic pieces in my ears or I could go to a doctor and find out why I was dealing with the constant buzzing in my ears.  I chose the doctor because I hate how my hands smelled when I peel garlic.  I called yesterday and had an appointment this afternoon.  The doctor was very nice and I am so proud to tell you that unlike my visits with Grandpa's doctors I didn't cry.  WOO HOO!!  The first thing he did was check for ear wax which I had none and then he scheduled a hearing test with an audiologist.  She was in the office so it was done right away.  As a result I know now that I have beginning hearing loss. It's worse in my left ear. He said I won't need hearing aids for a while but eventually that will be required.  As for the buzzing in the ear he explained that there was nothing he could do to help with that.  He said I could have some white noise like a fan which might deaden the noise but there is no medication that will stop it.  Even though I was hoping for a simple fix I'm grateful to know that this new aspect of my life is something I need to deal with and learn from.     

Good News, Bad News, Good News!

In Utah there was good news as the insulation has been put in and the wallboards are on their way.  Then the bad news came that the flooring Aunt Cathy picked out would not be available until June.  But then more good news came when Aunt Cathy found another flooring she likes and it is in a warehouse in San Antonio and is on it's way to their house!  It has been so fun for me to see all the projects all of you have been doing.  I think Aunt Becky motivated everyone when she tackled their upstairs bathroom and just kept going!  

Quote

  "Be cheerful in all you do. Live joyfully, live  happily, live enthusiastically knowing that God does not dwell in gloom and melancholy, but in light and love."

Ezra Taft Benson

Erik & Sonia

Today Erik and Sonia and their boys were sealed in the Temple in Louisiana!  I am so excited for them.  He also said that Chevron is moving them to Houston, Texas in a couple of months.  Guess I'm going to Houston for a visit!