Payson Temple

Mallory arranged a time for me and Lynda Ann to meet her at the Payson Temple and go through a session.  I had three names on my mother's side that needed their temple work done.  So we were each able to take one of the names.  It was a typical Spring day with sunshine and rain to greet us as we entered the temple and as we left the temple.   Absolutely gorgeous temple!

 "As we make covenants with God in the house of the Lord, we further deepen our relationship with Him.  Everything we do in the temple points to our Father's plan for us. . . . He will protect us from evil, give us power and increased capacity, and be our light and guide through the darkness and difficulties of this world."    Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Remembering

 This weekend was Memorial Day.  I drove Heber, the Wednesday before Memorial Day, picked up Susan and we drove to the cemetery so that I could honor my mother, Lila Mae and her little girl Kathy Ann.  I like going a few days before so that it is quiet and peaceful at the cemetery and I have a moment of quiet to reflect on how much I love, miss and honor them.  My mother, my sister, Lila Mae and my sister Annette probably had the most impact in shaping my life.  They provided me a colorful, happy and safe childhood.  How I love them, honor them and miss them.  I've never posted a picture of my father.  He had absolutely no influence in my life, but I thought I should at least post a picture of him.

I tried to find a picture of Annette but couldn't locate one on my computer.  I'll have to post one later.  All these people provided tender moments, laughter, love and caring in my life.  

Happy Birthday to Jeffrey

 Jeff would have been 56 this year.  He's died in 2016.  Can hardly believe that it has been that long and yet it seems like it was only yesterday that he was here.  Nice that the hurt and loss gets a little less painful with time.  

    "Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort me tomorrow.  If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again."

Dear Jeffrey, you may be gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.  Happy birthday, son.  You are missed, thought of often and loved deeply.

Still Celebrating Mother's Day

 Friday morning I had some errands I needed to run.  I have putting off getting Sprout set up at a pet hotel.  I think my mind set was that if I didn't do it then I wouldn't need it but reality hit me in the face with Memorial Day coming.  Ron and Judy mentioned that they might go up to the cabin for a day or two and they would love to have us come.  A couple weeks ago the option of going up the canyon wasn't out there but their plans changed just a bit and there might be a chance we will go.  Thus, a place for Sprout to spend in puppy care while we are off vacationing.  I have to laugh because leaving him in some one else's care is almost like leaving your child with a baby sitter.  You worry the whole time you are away wondering if the kids (puppy) is okay and if the children (puppy) are being loved and well taken care of.  I know that is silly, but it is how I feel.  So I got all the papers needed and got that little project done for the just in case times when we will be leaving him this summer.

When I got back, Maren was here to wish me a happy Mother's Day.  And she brought me some very nice presents.  But, the greatest gift is the time the two of us spent visiting and sharing.  Those are always special times spent with Maren.  

She gave me some honey roasted hand made peanut butter that is to die for.  So delicious on sliced apple pieces.  She also gave me a gift card for $25.00, a candle, hand soap and some lip balm along with a bottle of strawberry lemonade.   Thanks, Maren for the the gifts and for our visit.

I text her after she left to tell her how delicious the peanut butter was (peanut butter is about my most favorite flavor) and told her that I didn't think Judy would mind if I said that I was thankful she (Maren) was my daughter.  Which I am!!!

Mother's Day cont . . . .

 I have to start this post off with the message I got from Tucker last week.  It goes like this, and to quote:

"Your Mother's Day present will arrive on Tuesday.  If it's not to your liking or taste, I have no problem with you recycling or donating the gift.  They will work very well in a nursery to clean up vomit, or you can take it to an old folks home so they can wipe poop off the residence, or give to the scouts to create kindling.  All of these are fantastic alternative uses of your gift." 

Tuesday morning my gifts came in the mail.  I honestly had no idea what he could possibly be sending me that wouldn't be something useful for me or something that I would like.  Well, I got my gifts and I LOVE them and whether he wants to admit it or not, he has excellent taste!!

Now come on.  One has to admit that the shirts are stylish and very cute and perfect for an avid BYU fan.  Thanks Tucker!  I LOVE them.

I also got some pictures of Derek.  I told him that his hair was pretty wild so he sent me some pictures.

What a handsome dude!!!  

Mother's Day

 Sunday morning was the typical Sunday morning.  Neal and I went to MBK for church services with the elderly.  We passed out a candy bar and a book mark to all the mothers.  Then at 11:20 we headed out to Stansbury to hear Jeff speak in Sacrament Meeting.  

I wish I had a copy of his talk.  It was incredible.  He talked about his mother, her importance in his life, then about his friend's mothers and what an impact they were in his life.  He spoke about what people usually say about a mother in law (which is usually negative) and then gave me an incredible compliment and what I have meant in his life.  Then he said something like this, "But the greatest gift my mother in law gave me was her daughter Lynda Ann who is my wife."  From there he talked about how amazing and selfless Lynda Ann is.  His talk was amazing and touched many hearts in the audience.  

After sacrament meeting we stayed for the second hour and then headed back to Annie's for games and a delicious dinner.  I was surprised with new blue slippers, and the most beautiful picture from the artist Paige Payne.  The picture is titled 'All Of These Broken Pieces Make Something Beautiful'.  This is the message that came with the painting:

    "This piece is inspired by my own mother.  It incorporates Kintsugi, a Japanese pottery technique where broken pottery is repaired with a gold lacquer.  The piece is considered even more precious after it is repaired.  The pottery's history is not considered something that should be hidden, but something that should be celebrated.  Over the past few years, my own mom and I have gone through a lot.  Our family has shattered and broken in ways that I never thought were possible.  This piece is a reminder that those broken pieces, when put back together, an make something even more beautiful and valuable than they were before.  In life, it is guaranteed that we will break.  What is magical and beautiful is the beauty that can come after healing.  I know that healing is possible, even though sometimes it may take a lot of time and hard work.  All of those broken pieces truly can make something beautiful."

Annie and I have been through a lot together but through the years have always managed to come out on top and have learned how deeply a love between a mother and daughter can be.  

As Neal, Sprout and I were leaving, she surprised me with one more gift.  It is two end tables to use when I have the ladies over for bridge.  I don't have a picture of them yet because I need to put them (or she needs to) together.  

When we got home, I got a call from Derek wishing me a happy Mother's Day and he even created a song and sang it to me.  AMAZING!  If I can get the words to the song he sang to me, I'll put them on my blog.  

       "In cozy kitchen her laughter fills the air.  Jeannine's warmth and love beyond compare.  With a             heart as vast as the endless sky, she's the guiding light never saying goodbye.     Happy Mother's             Day to our guiding star.  Jeannine you are cherished near and far.  Your love like sunshine forever          bright in every hug in every smile in every flight.    A BYU fan cheering loud and proud.  In the             stands her spirit soars above the crowd.  But her greatest team, her family and friends with her                 life's journey never truly ends.  

        Happy mother's day to our guiding star.  Jeannine you are cherished near and far.    Your love like         sunshine forever bright, in every hug in every smile in every flight.   In the kitchen she's a master             of the dough.  Bread and dinner from her hands they flow.  And at the table in card games she is            grand.  In every hand she hold the winning hand.

        To Jeannine, our Gam so true.  In every moment, we're inspired by you.  Happy Mother's Day,                 with love that will never sway.  In our hearts you will forever stay."  

 It was amazing and I LOVED it!  That boy is full of talents!!  I wish you could all hear him singing the song.  It was certainly a perfect ending to an absolutely PERFECT day!!!  

I will end by saying that it's strange being a mom of kids spanning the ages!  You all have independent lives and are all so different with your own personalities and gifts and talents.  Sometimes I still feel a bit overwhelmed trying to be an influential mom and gam to all my family who are in such different places in their lives.  I have certainly changed and feel like I'm a different mom now than I was 10 and 20 years ago.  This just proves at any age of motherhood, you never actually know what you're doing, and just praying you're doing it right.

Pre Mother's Day Surprises

 Mother's Day weekend was a full and happy weekend.  It began with a visit from Mallory on Saturday morning.  She brought me some beautiful pink roses from her and Emmi.  These sweet granddaughters always remember me on special days and sometimes just because days.  

Mallory, Neal and I went to the Habit for a delicious lunch and then to the mall to wander around and see if there was anything that we thought we couldn't live without.  I think the only thing I bought was a container to put all of Sprouts stuff in.  When we got back home, Mindy, Robert and Maddie came for a short visit and brought me a gorgeous flower arrangement.  It was so fun to see them and get to visit with them for a few minutes.  

And then Neal surprised me with a bouquet of yellow roses.  The house is colorful with Spring and the wonder scents from the different flowers.  

Our Sweet Lexi

 Life certainly has a way of throwing challenges at every family.  Unexpected events that we never imagined.  Our sweet Lexi passed out last week and hit her head resulting in a concussion.  she was taken to the ER for a scan and it looked like that at some time in the past she had a stroke.  They took her in for an MRI and the doctors found a tumor.

The doctors are debating just exactly what should be done.  Do they do a biopsy and brain surgery to remove the tumor.  The decision was made to take her to surgery and remove the tumor.  This is Sunday morning on Mother's Day, May 12th at about 1:00 p.m.

Lexi has already endured years of topical Scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis.  so she has certainly had her share of health issues.  The report came back that the surgery went well.  It is a low grade tumor meaning the cells grow slow and the doctors felt like they were able to get all of it.  They went in right above her eyebrow and didn't need to shave her head.  She will have a small scar extending from her right  eyebrow and won't be that noticeable.  Tucker said that they will learn more when they get the full results from the tumor back in a week.  They will know if it is cancerous, which they will treat it as if it is.  At that time they will work out a plan for her recovery.

Lots of prayers and love from all her extended family.  We all love you Lexi and pray for your speedy recovery.

Conference Talks

 President Nelson strongly encouraged us to re-read the conference talks and study them.  Neal and I bought the Journal Edition of the April 2024 General Conference Addresses so that we can read and study them.  I read through President Jeffrey Holland's talk and here are the highlights.  What an amazing and inspirational talk!

"Brothers and Sisters, I testify that God hears EVERY prayer we offer and responds to each of them according to the path He has outlined for our perfection."

"I testify that prayers are heard and answered by a divinely compassionate Heavenly Father."

" . . . why prayers are answered differently than we hope - but I promise you they are heard and they are answered according to His unfailing love and cosmic timetable."

" . . . there are no limits to when, where, or about what we should pray.  We are to pray always."

"My beloved friends, our prayers are our sweetest hour, our most sincere desire."

"I bear witness that when Christs come, He needs to recognize us . . . as thoroughly committed, faithfully believing, covenant-keeping disciples."

"We need to believe in angles and miracles and the promises of the holy priesthood.  We need to believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost, the influence of good families and friends, and the power of the pure love of Christ.  We need to believe in revelation and prophets, seers, and revelators and President Russell M. Nelson."

Snow in May

 The weatherman said that this snow storm was the latest storm in 30 years!  Neal got all excited and had most all of his pots planted.  We have been told for years and years that you shouldn't plant until after Mother's Day, but Neal was enjoying the warm days and thought sure it would be okay.  Since the snow storm it has been cold.  30's during the night and low 40's and 50's during the day.  We went out and put all the pots under the table and put a tarp over them hoping to protect that gorgeous flowers and protect them from the cold.  Neal, along with the help of Sprout, planting the patio pots on a warm and gorgeous day - prior to the unexpected snow storm.

Neal always plants a pot of Dahlias in remembrance of Mother.  My mother loved Dahlias.

This is what we woke up to this past weekend.  It snowed and rained all day Sunday and most of Monday.

The plants under the table and covered with a tarp.

Mother's Day is this weekend.  Let's hope Neal's plants all survive the cold weather this week.  

Mr. Boston

Mr. Boston celebrated a birthday on Sunday and got a new hair do!  Maren sent me these pictures of the before and the after.  Handsome lad no matter the hair style.  A very happy birthday Mr. Boston.  Hope this year is a happy and memorable one.  

 

A Trip to Price

 A few weeks ago I decided that I needed to make a trip to Price to my hearing doctor, Ryan.  My hearing aids were somewhere between 4 and 5 years old and I didn't feel like they were working as good as they seemed to when I first got them.  As it worked out, Judy and Ron need to go to their cabin in Scofield to put in a new water heater.  The three of us drove to Scofield and dropped off Ron who would work with Judy's brother, Robert, to install the new water heater.  While they were doing that project, Judy and I drove on into Price to pick up my new hearing aids that (I'm happy to say) don't need batteries!  My new ones have a charging case that you can put them in every night to keep them charged.  Love that!  We got back to the cabin and Ron and Robert were just finishing up their project.  We had a nice hot bowl of chicken soup, cleaned things up as best we could and headed back down the canyon.  Fun day.  You can see that there is still a lot of snow in Scofield.  

Ron and the new water heater.

Judy's brother, Robert, Judy and Ron

When we were driving back from Price we had to stop for about 30 minutes.  There were men up on the mountain side knocking down rocks and boulders.  It was so interesting to watch them scale the mountain side.  

When we got back to the cabin this is what was laying out in front of the cabin.  The old water heater.  You can see that it had literally "bit the dust"!  They were so lucky that they had discovered it was leaking last Fall and were able to shut it down until they could get it replaced this Spring.  If it had leaked and drained all over the cabin during the winter months it could have done a lot of damage!

New water heater and new hearing aids all in one trip.  Nice to be able to shower at the cabin this year and nice that I can hear well again!