Another birthday–68 years young!

Of course I post this a week early because my birthday celebration always seems to begin with shopping and lunch with Lila Mae and Susan.  Usually we have Lynda Ann and Mary join us but Mary was unable to come and Lynda Ann was in Wyoming visiting her dad.  We did have a new guest join us.  Mr. River.  This is a picture of him writing out his Christmas list!  Not sure what brought that on, but when he woke up that was the first thing he wanted to do.

Lyndsy was running a race in Orem and asked if River could spend the night.  She wouldn’t get back in time to get River so I took him with me to shop and have lunch.  He was really good.  All the way down to Provo, he counted to 1000 by 10’s.  He said he could count to 10,000 by ten’s but (much to my relief) wasn’t going to do it because “It would take all day and all night!” 

Lila Mae, Susan and I always have a fun time.  We met at ShopKo and then off to the Sizzler for lunch.  After lunch we went to Quilted Bear and from there to Honks!  Never in my life did I think I would go into a store called Honks!!  It was one of those dollar stores that I don’t like.  Susan wanted to buy some cards so River and I went in with her and I let River pick out a couple of dollar toys.  He was delighted.  Susan found her cards, River picked out his toys and I couldn’t get out of there fast enough!  Seriously, who ever heard of a store named Honk’s!

I opened my gifts from Susan (Lila Mae forgot to bring hers) and then River and I headed home.  It was a fun day as always.  Susan gave me Giorgio (which I LOVE), two Disney Movies (which I’m trying to get a collection of on DVD because everything I had was on VHS) and knitted dish rags, or nicely said, dish cloths.  Mother always called them dish rags and wash cloths were wash rags.  I suppose during the depression that one literally used rags to wash dishes with and your body with. That terminology has stuck with me and it is awkward for me to say cloths instead of rags. 

Taylor is getting a new smile!

When I came home from work, Maren and the kids were swimming.  The minute I entered the pool area, Taylor swam over and said “Look Gam, I’ve got braces.”  She said her mouth is really sore and it will take a while to get used to them, but oh what a beautiful smile Taylor will have when Blake gets her teeth straightened.  She also has an expander across the roof of her mouth that has to be turned once a day to widen her jaw.  She will have braces put on the bottom next week.  Keep smiling Taylor! 

Another view of God’s creation!

This was the sunrise early this morning.  The pictures don’t really do justice to the colors exhibited in the sky, but they come close.  I’m always awed at Mt. Olympus and the incredible changes that are manifested in the heavens around it.  Sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, storm clouds and the lightening shows.  “How Beautiful Upon The Mountains”!

Look what Lyndsy found and bought for me!

Yes, a BYU phone cover!  How exciting is that?  Tucker, wouldn’t you love to have one on your iphone?  Humm, when does BYU play Utah this year?  Something for me to ponder. 

River and Pa Swimming

River wanted to go swimming, but didn’t want to go alone, so he talked his grandpa into taking a break and swimming with him.  They had a good time.

22 Years and still in love.

Neal and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary by going to Market Street Grill and sitting at the bar and ordering a salad and soup.  We have repeated that scenario every year since we’ve been married.  The night before we got married, Neal called me and said he wanted to go grab a bite to eat so he picked me up and we went to Market Street Grill downtown.  It was crowded and the only places available were at the bar.  We ate and talked for hours.  That was a moment in time when all our focus was on each other.  No thoughts about the future and what awaited us, just centered on the moment of being in love and anxious to begin a new adventure.  I’m grateful for those 22 years we’ve spent together.  There have certainly been lots of ups and downs, trials to work through and expectations to fulfill.  All in all, it has been a great adventure. 

I could write a long list of the ‘good’ things about Neal but I think the thing I love the most is his unconditional love for me and that he allows me to be me.  It is nice to be able to discover who you really are and then be that person without the fear of criticism. 

I love that we enjoy the same things and yet we have our own interests that we can develop as well.  I’m thankful that we enjoy being together. 

Thanks, Neal, for a great journey!  May we have many more years together!  I love you, Jeannine

Sweet notes

When I got home from work on Monday afternoon, I found these notes on my pillow and on the refrigerator.  I cried all over again.  I miss my California family, but these gentle notes help remind me how much I love all my children and grandchildren and that families are forever!  This is what love is all about.

This message will forever make me laugh!  We were playing What Were You Thinking in the religious category and I missed Emma Smith as the RS President!  I’m sure I will be reminded of this for eternity! 

Thanks, Tucker, you do ALWAYS make me laugh – and I don’t sneeze backwards!!! 

Thinking about my sister, Annette

This is a message that I received from Allan.  It was sweet, but very sad.  I never felt that Annette and I were that close, or that she really cared that much about me.  I don't know that I ever told her I loved her, nor do I remember that she ever said those words to me.  It meant the world to me to have Allan tell me how she felt about me.  Not that I was her 'number one', but that she really did love me.  Those three little words, "I love you" can mean so much but so often are not expressed until it is too late.  Never, never let an opportunity to by to tell a family member that you love them.  Time slips by so quickly and life is so fragile. 

 "I've been thinking so much about Annette the last while-Memorial Day, her birthday and then I'm going through all the three ring binders, letters, diary, papers and photos and scanning and organizing. It brought back so many feelings and memories.  I have hundreds of letters from her mission. I don't think we would have married if she hadn't gone. We dated for so long but when it would start to get serious, she would date someone else. It's strange because I had never gone with a girl I wanted to marry until I met her. I told her I was to old to play games with her.  She was furious about it.  I went to Washington, DC with a brother.  I had worked for Senator Moss and was going to have him help me find a job. But, I couldn't atand being away from Annette and eventually came back to my old job.  Annette had accepted her mission call to Brazil. That October , she accepted my proposal(by mail). I hang on to those letters as they are a small part of her. She poured out he heart and soul to me for two years.  One letter was 30 pages long. The mission helped her focus on what was really important in life and what she wanted. She was so bright and talented that I always worried she would be disapointed in our marriage.  Our marriage was great until she got ill.

She mentioned several times in letters that out of all her friends and family, you were number one.  She had a great love for you. Thanks for listening.  Thanks for you love and support over the years.  Allan" 

Sunday evening continued . . .

Of course we had to try for the family picture with everyone there.  The only person we were missing was Jeff G.  He was home studying for his big test that he has to take on August 3rd.  Jamie is going to photo shop him in.  For all we know this may end up being our Christmas card so we need as may there as we can get.  This is pretty close to everyone.  We are missing C. J. and Justin, Jeff G., Derek, Spencer and Walker.  Pretty good to get this many people together in a family this size.  Jamie’s sister, Carly, was visiting so we asked her to take the pictures.

All the bracelets Emmi made for all of us.  Everyone loved them.

Lynda did it! 

Perfect picture to end a perfect day!

Sunday and the time of departure fast arriving.

I woke up Sunday morning early.  I had a meeting at 7 a.m. but my mind wasn’t on the meeting, it was on the day ahead and the fact that Tucker and family would be heading home soon.  When I got back from my meeting I saw Neal, Hayley (who had stayed overnight) and Peyton sitting out on the patio.  I just had to snap a couple of pictures.  They all looked so peaceful.

I had to speak in Twin Peaks Sacrament Meeting and much to my surprise in walked Tucker’s family along with Maren’s family and right behind them was Neal.  They took up the whole row.  I’ve never been nervous before, but for some reason, having my children there gave me a little anxiety.  I was glad that Maren would have a chance to hear my ‘Maren’ talk.  I tell the experience she and I shared on the ropes course.  After the meeting we all came back to the house and took some ‘Sunday’ pictures.

The grandchildren looking at the memory books for the hundreth time.  They love going through them.  I hope Lyndsy keeps creating them after every reunion.  Even Boston was interested.

The usual try and taking a group picture by setting the cameras.

Third try is the charm.

Everyone arrived for Sunday dinner and games

Saturday events continued . . . .

Emmi and Mallory were left with the younger Gertsons, Grayson and River to tend while we were at the adult lunch.  When we got home, all was well.  The cousins mix and play well together.  It is very rare when there is a problem between any of them. 

We found Emmi and Mallory busy making bracelets that they had learned how to make at girl’s camp.  I think Emmi said by the end of the day she had made a bracelet for every single family member except the Hintze group.  That is approximately 19!  Quite an accomplishment.  She said she had blisters on both hands.  I’m not surprised.  That is a lot of work and a big task to take on. 

Even Boston was the proud owner of his very own red bracelet!  Of course, mine was pink and Emmi’s blue.  Can you see the contrast in a 67 year old hand and a 16 year old hand?  Sigh . . . .

After we fed the kids pizza everyone wanted to go swimming again so out the the pool they all scattered and swam until 9:45 p.m.  Pa got in the pool with the grandchildren and that is always a treat for them.  Emmi and Pa had a swimming race from one end of the pool to the other and Emmi beat him by a good length.  Neal couldn’t get over that his granddaughter could beat him.  And, of course, we have the usual antics in the pool.