Jeffrey’s 44th birthday–YIKES!

My oldest is 44 years young.  How did that happen and where did the years go?  I talked today with Jeffrey and we both readily agreed that neither of us would want to go back.  We liked exactly where we are right now.  I told him that I was grateful that our Father in Heaven had blessed us with memories so that we could go back in time to those very special moments when a tiny new born is placed in your arms for the first time and you know this baby is really yours and your responsibility.  Then a year later we find ourselves at the Salt Lake Temple having this darling, chubby little boy sealed to me for time and eternity.  Those are the moments that I shall cherish always. Talking to you and thinking about you today brought back a flood of memories of your childhood, teen years and adult years – some happy, some sad but always loving you and feeling your love for me.  Happy Birthday Jeff – I LOVE YOU!

Gam’s Jam–Strawberry jam time again.

When Neal cam back from Boston’s birthday party he brought three boxes of empty jam jars that Maren was anxious to have filled again.  So I ran to the store and bought strawberries, karo syrup, sugar, lemon juice and pectin and began the process.  I finished today and ended up doing over 70 pints of strawberry jam.  Of course, I brought out mother’s old tin funnel and thought of her and all the years of canning she did during my childhood.  A couple of tears were shed. I will share a jar with each of my families that I visit teach to and one for each one of my counselors and secretary.  Wish I had an oven (it’s been broken for over 4 weeks now and they can’t seem to get it fixed!) I would bake some home made bread to go along with the jam!

Mother’s Day from Maren and Greg family

Maren had a birthday party for Boston.  Neal and I both had meetings that evening, but Neal was able to attend part of his and then leave early.  My meeting was with the stake and I could not leave so Neal represented us out at Boston’s birthday party.  When Neal came home he brought me these beautiful flowers, olive oil dispenser and card from the Cutlers.  I was thrilled with the flowers, the oil dispenser and the card.  Thank you Cutler’s.  I love you all!

Mother’s Day Continued. . . .

I went shopping and to lunch with Lila Mae and Susan on Saturday.  We always have a fun time together and manage to each spend money on something that we found that we weren’t looking for.  This shopping day was no exception.  Along with lunch and shopping came the Mother’s Day Gift Exchange.  I came in with quite a haul.  Both Lila Mae and Susan know that I’m trying to get all the old Disney shows in DVD version.  They took good care of me.  Lila Mae also gave me The “Forget-Me-Not figurine along with the book.  It was a fun filled day and I even found something for Tucker!  But I can’t post it yet because it is for Father’s Day and I want him to be surprised.

When I got home from shopping I had a surprise waiting for me from Lyndsy.  She entered a Mother’s Day contest for me at Great Harvest.  We didn’t win the gift basket, but she won my heart with this sweet entry letter.  I did get a loaf of free bread.  Thank you Lyndsy!

Mother’s Day Post Script

While we were driving out to Annie’s, Neal and I got a phone call from Derek.  We talked to him all the way out!  40 minutes of non stop chatter.  He had Ting Ting with him and she wished me a Happy Mother’s Day as well.  I made some comment to Derek that dad and I would come back to China when he and Ting Ting decided to tie the knot!  All we heard was, “Whoa, whoa, whoa.”  With an added, “I don’t think I will share that comment with Ting Ting.”  We laughed.  It was good to hear from Derek and to know that he is happy and well.

On the way back from Annie’s, we called Tucker and talked to him all the way back.  Things are going great with his job.  They had a goal and he said it looks like they are not only going to reach the goal but hopefully exceed it.  They’ve signed on some big school districts in the area.  He also reported that Jamie and the girls are all doing great.

I called Maren but she was working so just had to leave a message for her.  She sent me a text from work wishing me a Happy Mother’s Day and then called me Monday morning as she was leaving the hospital and we talked for a few minutes until I had to go answer phones.

Thanks to all my children for another Happy Mother’s Day!

The Salt Lake Bees Game

For Family Home Evening, Neal’s singles ward all went to the Bees Game.  Some nice donor offered to pay for part of the ticket leaving only $2.00 per ticket for the ward members.  The seats were right by third base.  Excellent seats and the weather was perfect!  I brought my sweatshirt with me but never had to put it on.  Neal and I left at the top of the 8th inning and headed home.  It was fun.  I think that is only the 2nd time I’ve ever been to a Bees game.

Mother’s Day

Lyndsy gave me my very favorite body butter.  If you ever want some cream that not only smells like paradise but is wonderful for your skin – you should order some Lyndsy.  It is fabulous!

I got a card in the mail that had a $10.00 Coldstone gift card in it and messages from the Tucker Maxfield Family.  I will be using the gift card soon as summer is here and ice cream sounds wonderful!  When you open the card it plays “What A Wonderful World This Would Be”.

Lynda Ann invited Neal and I to dinner on Mother’s Day.  Because of Neal’s late meetings we were not able to get out there before 6:30.  But we had a good meal prepared by Jeff.  Pizza and salad!  It was delicious.  Then we play games. Annie knows I love Shirley Temple movies and Jeff knows I love action movies.  He said he was still going to get me one.  Jeff was starting his new job on Monday and I’m sure he had a lot on his mind.  Dan Thurber came by and gave Jeff a “good luck” chocolate that he bought in Florida at the Harry Potter section of Disney Land.  I thought that was very thoughtful of Dan.

I had a busy day myself, before going out to Annie’s.  I went to my Sacrament meeting and then visited two other Relief Society Meetings.  It is always interesting to me how different the same subject can be taught. 

I laughed!

I was reading in some magazines when we were down in Mexico.  The magazines that Judy and I fondly refer to as Smut magazines.  They are People magazines full of everything you ever wanted to know or didn’t want to know about stars and people in the public eye.  I came across an article of an interview with Jennifer Aniston and chuckled when I read this, “Worst habit:  I’m a hair twirler.  I used to do it to the point where I would twirl the hair by my face so much that I had no hair left.  So now I just move my twirls.”  That little statement totally reminded me of Jamie because Jamie is a hair twirler!  I know this entry probably isn’t news worthy, but it’s my journal and I had to add it because it made me laugh!

Another fun filled Mother’s Day weekend in Park City

First of all I want to say that we greatly missed Maren and Jamie.  There were just too many conflicts for these two girls to join us this year. 

Annie arranged for the condo at Bear Hollow.  We left home about 4:00 p.m. and checked in at the condo and then headed to Midway to visit with Lila Mae and Susan.  We had dinner reservations at Tarhamara for 6:00 p.m.  Our visit with Lila Mae and Susan was short but fun.  Lila had made Swiss cookies and had a loaf of home made bread so we scored big time.  We also raided her movie shelves and borrowed Quigley Down Under with Tom Selleck. 

We had a delicious Mexican dinner, stopped at the bakery and then headed back to Park City.  We changed into our bathing suits and all of us sat in the hot tub for about an hour talking and laughing.  Then we changed and settled in to watch the movie.

We got up around 8:30, visited for a bit, checked out, went for breakfast and then the outlet stores.  We shopped until about 2:15 and then headed back down the canyon to home.  It was an incredibly fun trip and a tradition that I hope we will carry on for years to come.

This picture of Lyndsy was taken just for you Tucker!  We know down deep in your heart how much you really love BYU!

Grayson’s baptism. What a wonderful day.

We arrived at the church at 3:00 p.m. for Grayson’s baptism.  The people in our family who attended were:  Neal and I.  All the Gertsons, Boston and Brock, Lyndsy and River.  On Mindy’s side of the family was her dad and Karen, her Mom and Linda and her brother Rick.  There were many other people there for Grayson but I didn’t know them all and hope that Mindy will record all who attended and who stood in the ordination circle.  The first counselor in the bishopric made the comment to Grayson that now that he was baptized that he should try and be good the rest of his life.  Grayson looked right at him and smiled and said, “I’ll try my best.”  That is all we would ask for any of us to just do our best.  Mindy share her testimony with all of us.  It was a very spiritual moment when she challenged her mom to listen to the gospel.

After the baptism, we all went over to Mindys for refreshments and to visit.  Jeff was really sick and as soon as the baptism was over he went home and to bed so we didn’t get to visit with him.

A busy Saturday

Taylor had a dance recital in St. George and so Maren called and asked if I could tend Boston and Brock on Saturday while Greg was at work.  I ran out to Maren’s and picked up the two boys about 9 a.m.  I actually got lost coming out of Maren and Greg’s neighborhood.  Don’t ask me what street I got on but it took me nearly 1/2 hour to get back on the right road!  Seriously, children, you are going to have to watch me closely when I get old.

When I finally got home, Emmi was up and so we decided to take the boys to Wheeler Farm.  Here are some fun pictures of us enjoying the farm.

We ended back at the house to have a bit of lunch and then got ready to go to Grayson’s baptism.  Boston wanted a peanut butter and jam sandwich and then had a bowl of cereal.  Brock just wanted cereal.