When I in Awesome Wonder

 Just had to take a moment and post these pictures on my blog and say how grateful I am to live in this land of freedom and especially in this beautiful valley surrounded by the gorgeous mountains and the gifts of changing seasons.  Neal and I sat out on the patio yesterday to have our lunch and a beautiful butterfly landed on one of his plants to take a sip of nectar.  I immediately grabbed my phone and took these pictures.  How can anyone not acknowledge the hand of God, our Creator, in creating this amazing earth we live on.  

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

When hru the woods and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee

How great thou art!  How great thou art!

then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,

How great thou art!  How great thou art!

Special Visit with Maren

 Maren came by to drop off my Mother's Day card and gift and stayed for a couple hours and visited.  It was so nice to have her come and to spend some time with her.  She gave me a gift certificate for Talbots.  She wondered if I still shopped there and I jokingly told her that I think I have some ownership in the place!  

As she was getting ready to leave, she shared with me that she has felt Jeff around her the last little while.  She said she was driving in her car and all of a sudden he came to her mind and she said she sent her love to him and told him that she wished she had spent more time with him when he was here.  It was very touching.  I teared up and thanked her for sharing that with me.  Jeff would have celebrated his 55th birthday on May 20th.  I like to think that Jeff is always near and available.  We just have to recognize those feelings.  

I think Mother's Day might be a little hard for Maren.  I'm sure she really misses her mom.  But, I appreciate that she always remembers me and does something special to let me know that she loves and appreciates what I've tried to do for her and her siblings.  Thanks, Maren, for the visit and gift.  Love you so much!

Sunday Blessing

 Mallory was asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting this past Sunday.  I was excited to go and support her and to hear her talk.  She spoke on the Atonement and it was beautiful.  I hope she keeps a copy of her talk.  She shared some personal experiences and ended with a beautiful testimony of the gospel, Jesus Christs and how precious the atonement is to her.  My testimony and understanding of the atonement was strengthened and I'm sure many in the audience were also touched by her words.  

After her talk, we left and went to the Black Bear (I think that is the name :-) for a delicious breakfast and fun visit about her classes and her new job in the Linguistics Department.  While we were eating she got a text from the bishopric asking if she could come to the office and be set apart for her new calling as a Family History Leader.  They didn't know we had skipped out and were having breakfast!  She sent them a text telling them she could be there in about 15 minutes.  We hustled back to the church building.  I had a double blessing of being able to hear her talk and then be in the room as she was set apart for her new calling.  In her blessing, she was blessed that she would be able to balance her school studies, her job and her church calling.  I thought about that later and realized that it is a lot to ask of these young people who are working full time, going to school full time and have a calling on top of that.  I was so glad to have been with here that day and experience the gospel in action with my granddaughter.  I am certainly a blessed grandmother or "pocket sized grandmother" that I have been so lovingly named. 

I will add here that I also had a call from Emmi who is getting ready to head out to her new assignment in Hawaii.  She has excelled in her classes in Texas.  Top of the class!  She will leave for Hawaii June 7th and will have a couple weeks to get settled and will then have leave during the month of July to come back to the main land for a concert she and her sisters are going to and then to be in California for Abby's wedding.  

First Golf Game of the Year

 Neal and I decided to head to the golf course Saturday morning.  We had a tee time at 7:20.  For my first time out this year, I did pretty good.  I don't know that my golf game ever gets any better or worse.  I'm just pretty consistently average and that is okay with me.  We were at Forest Dale golf course and were lucky enough to come across some newly hatched goslings.  They were a family of six along with the mom and dad who were intently keeping track of them and ready to attack anything that might threaten their little gaggle.

After we finished our golf game, we headed to breakfast and then to the store and a couple other errands and finally home.  It was a fun day and I kept thinking how nice it was to be retired and to have our own schedule!  Loving my freedom!!

 I was at the Craft Center one day and happened on a pattern that made me immediately think of Lynda Ann.  She loves the outdoors and especially loves the gorgeous trees that blanket our mountains.  She has always wanted a cabin in the mountains surrounded by all types of pine and fir trees, Quaking Aspens, Poplars and Cedars.  When I saw this pattern I new I had to make it for her.  It was hard to keep it a secret and to not post the project I was working on.  But I succeeded in keeping it quiet and it is now finished.  I gave it to Lynda as an early birthday present.  No way I could wait until September.

My backyard zoo!

 It is getting harder and harder to get a glimpse of the squirrels now that the trees are in full leaf.  Once in a while we can spot them scurrying from limb to limb or flicking their tails.  We know they are happy and well because we have to keep refilling the peanut feeder twice a week.  The squirrels also get in the two bird feeders and help themselves to the different grains that are in there.  Probably healthier for them than the peanuts.  We also have morning doves who camp out in the feeders plus a variety of birds who also get their fill.  Along with them we have a couple ducks who love to wander around our yard and get in the swimming pool, and a family of Quail who are nesting on the North side of the house.  They are harder to get a picture of.  When I was taking a picture of Chip and Dale they were making a funny deep throated noise to warn me that I was getting too close.  I love our little friends.

Rainbows

 The beauty of rainbows.  I've loved them ever since I was a little girl.  I can remember sitting out on the front porch of our home in Provo, watching the the lightening, listening to the thunder and then hoping for a rainbow to appear as the sun came out and the storm dissipated.  Sure enough, a gorgeous rainbow would appear.   It was like a message from Heavenly Father that peace had once again returned to the valley.  

Last week, Neal and I drove out to Draper to watch Boston's baseball game.  It was raining when we left Murray and by the time we got to Draper the storm was less intense and the rain almost gone.  We stepped out of the car and looked right above us to see the most gorgeous double rainbow.  It was almost like you could reach up and touch it.  So huge, so colorful and so perfect as it arched across the sky.  

Then a couple days later as I was heading to the store, I glanced up and there right in front of me was another rainbow.  We usually see them over Mt. Olympus but this one happened to be just West of the city.  Man, I LOVE rainbows.  They are such a witness of God's love for us, his works and that there is a God in Heaven.  

I also snapped a picture of Boston at his game.  He is a good baseball player and had some great hits, got on base and scored a home run.  His team won handily.  Fun to watch him.

Mother's Day

 This year was a rather quiet one.  Maren and Greg were hosting his parents for dinner, Lyndsy was out in the Wilderness Program and Mindy was out of town.  Neal and I bought steaks and we invited Lynda Ann and her family for dinner.  Jeff had gone to Texas to see Emmi sworn in for another 4 years with the Navy so that left Annie, Mallory, Andrew and Hayley.  It was kind of nice to have a very small group for dinner.  Preparation and clean up so quick and easy.  After dinner we played Telestrations until the group had to leave to go pick up Jeff at the airport.  

I got a call from Tucker that afternoon and we visited for a while.  He caught me up on his job and his photography studio and happenings in his life.  So nice to visit with him.  Maren sent me a nice text and Greg sent me a "side hug".  Joke between the two of us :-)

Jamie bought me some beautiful candles and a floral arrangement.  Annie bought me a badly needed new pair of pink slippers.  Neal bought me a bouquet of flowers and some clothes.  

The candles from Jamie.  

The beautiful flowers from Jamie

Flowers from Neal

And my new pink slippers from Annie!!!

I have to add here a tribute that Mallory wrote for me.  I don't deserve all she said but I love what she said and hope that I will always be the grandmother that she wants and needs.  Thank you Mallory for your kind words and for always loving me as I am.

"Additionally, I can't imagine my life without my grandma.  We've always been close, but after living at her house for a year when I got home from my mission, I feel like she's my best friend.  We don't even have to be doing something exciting but just having her there makes it exciting.  She's one of the best people to talk to, you know she really cares about you.  My mom was adopted, so my grandma has always talked about getting her "spiritual genes" and I feel so blessed if you can see any of her in me.  She always sounds so excited when I call, it makes me want to call her all the time!  She's Brinkley's favorite person too.  He starts crying when we get to her house, he's so excited to see her.  She has always supported me and cheered me on.  I sure love my pocket sized grandma!"

She wrote a beautiful tribute to her mom as well.  I hope Annie makes a copy of it.

My California Family Arrives

 So very good to see Jamie, Jordyn Lyn and Lexi.  They all arrived in Salt Lake Thursday evening.  The grils went with the dance company to stay someplace in Sandy and Jamie opted to stay at our house.  I was so grateful that she did that.  She got here about 9:30 Thursday evening and we sat around the table and talked until after midnight.  Friday morning we stopped at B&B for my hot chocolate and Jamie a Latte.  From there we headed up to the U of U.  The dance group was unloading the equipment and props truck.  Jordyn Lyn and Lexi came out of the building at the same time I was dropping Jamie off so we got our hugs and a very quick little visit.  Such darling girls.

Jamie and the girls spent the rest of the day at the U going over lighting, props, the dances, etc.  

Maren came by and picked up Neal and I about 4:30 and we stopped at Costa Vida for a quick dinner and then on to the dance performance.  It was a beautiful story about love and forgiveness, helpers from beyond and dealing with changes in life.  It was an emotional journey for all who watched.  Of course, Lexi and Jordyn Lyn were the stars!!

After the show we went into the lobby to meet everyone.

Two darling granddaughters!

What an incredible evening and so fun to see the two girls dance in such a profound and beautiful production.

Maren, Neal and I headed home while the girls and Jamie stayed to help pack everything up.  Neal and I never did hear Jamie come in.  She said she got back really late that night.  The next morning, Saturday, Lynda Ann and Hayley dropped by for a visit.  Annie had worked all night and got off work, picked up Hayley and then dropped by to see Jamie.  After Annie left, Jamie and I visited for a bit and then Lexi and Jordyn Lyn got dropped off and there were more hugs and lots to talk about.  

At 12:30, we met Maren at Hires in Fort Union and had a fun lunch while catching up on families and news.  We were there until 3:15 and then had to hustle to get the two girls to the airport to catch their plane home.  

It was a fun and memorable time so, of course, we had to get a picture of all of us in front of the Hire's sign.  

After dropping off the girls, Jamie and I came back to the house.  Jamie took a nap and I did the usual Saturday changing of sheets and other laundry.  I took Jamie to the airport a little after 7:00.  It was sad to see them go but rather than dwelling on the parting I'm much happier to think about them coming and the incredibly fun experiences we had while they were all here.  

My Focus

 Right now my focus is reading the Book of Mormon every morning, walking with Mindy Leetham every morning and stitching every time I have the chance.  I also have a Christmas project that I'm working on but can't tell you what it is or show a picture.  Don't want to spoil the surprise, so that will have to wait until after the holiday to post.  

Mindy and I were walking this morning about 7:00 a.m. and the sun was up over Mt. Olympus.  I happen to notice our shadows as we were walking West so we stopped and took a picture.  We both decided that our shadows were much easier to look at than us at the time of the morning!  Yes, we are waving at ourselves.  We walk at least 3 miles every morning.  Such great exercise.  

I finished a project that I can't post yet.  It is a gift and is at the frame shop right now.  As soon as I give it away, then I can take a picture and post it.  With that project done, I'm starting another one.  I have no idea what will be come of all these counted cross stitch projects and I don't really care.  They are so fun for me to do and very relaxing.  The calm my mind and just make me feel happy.  I fell in love with this one as soon as I saw it.  Couldn't wait to get started on it.  And yes, I have another project already in my sewing basket to do after this one.  

Spring has arrived

 You know it is Spring when there is no more chance of frost and Neal can finally get all his pots out and plant them.  He loves this activity and spends hours picking out flowers from Western Gardens, Costco, Home Depot and Walmart.  Actually, he said that this year he had the best luck at Walmart.  He has done this so many years that he knows the names of the flowers and the colors he wants.  

I also know that it is Spring when I have Quail sitting on the top of my fence keeping an eye on her mate and the young ones.  I love Quails.  Always been fascinated with them.  We are lucky enough to have them build their nest in our bushes to the North of our house every year.  If we are lucky we will get to see the little babies following along behind their mother across the lawn, the patio and under the fence.  

Neal bought this at Costco and was so excited.  He had never seen it in a tree form and just had to buy it.  There was no way it would fit in the back of the car so he had to hold it in his lap all the way home.

All the groceries and other plants were in the back.

Doing his favorite thing.  Planting and arranging the flowers in just the right order and they have to be the right colors for certain pots.  He is very anal about the whole process.  These plants will be his babies all through the summer months.

Hundreds of dollars worth of plants.  It looks like a nursery on our patio.  

I don't get into it so it is his project and his project alone.  

Pedicures and Baseball

 Neal and I decided that a pedicure was on the docket for Monday agenda.  We had been busy all day and finally about 4:00 we headed to the salon to have our feet taken care of.  I have to be honest and say that I don't love pedicures but I love how my toe nails look when we are finished.  I don't know what there is about me having other people do anything that resembles a massage.  Just not a fan.  But I will put up with getting my toes all cut, filed and painted for sandal weather.

We came home after and have a quick bite to eat and then off to Boston's baseball game.  He is an amazing player.  He hit a couple great balls and pitched the first inning.  It was cold that evening, but fun to wrap up and watch him play.

Notice he is as tall as me!!  He just turned 13 and can now boast that he has reached his Gam's height.

We also got to visit with Dan and Silvia.  Fun evening!  Oh, and Boston's team won by a huge difference.

Left to right:  Maren, Neal, Boston, Silvia, me, Dan and Greg.