A fun birthday party

When Neal and I arrived home from our meetings we found Jamie, Tucker and the girls busy decorating the house.  Everything was in pink.  Huge pink decorations hanging from the ceiling along with banners and 100’s of pictures hanging on the walls.  In between all the decorating festivities there had to be some random pictures and always one of the girls needed their hair done. 

I love these three girls and miss them incredible when they are gone.  Every year when they come for a visit we try to convince them how wonderful it would be if they were to move back to Utah.  We usually have them convinced by the time they they are ready to head home.  Maybe it is the long ride back home that helps convince them otherwise.

Everyone came at 3:00 p.m. and the celebration officially began.  Neal gave a beautiful blessing on the food and on our family after which we all enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner.  There always seems to be a time when you will find two or more family members sitting by each other with their phones out.  Usually playing games.  I also love that we all want our picture taken with family members.  And sometimes you get a surprise guest in your picture!

Neal gave the usual instructions on how dinner would be served, the prayer was said and the eating frenzy began.  The children are always taken care of first. 

And now I have to get to work.  I will do some more blogging this evening. 

70 Years!

Who would have ever thought!  I NEVER thought of myself as a 70 year old!  Nope, never crossed my mind.  Interesting how age just kind of creeps up on you.  I think my first realization that I was in the ‘older’ generation was when mother died and I became aware that I was that next and ‘older’ generation.  There wasn’t anyone in front of me – I was next in line.  Well, I have some thoughts about being 70 and my journey but I’ll save those for the end of the day.  Let’s move to the beginning of my birthday celebration. 

Neal started out Saturday morning by giving me a new golf shirt and hat.  I was surprised because we had agreed (so I thought) that because he had fixed the air conditioning in the Jeep that would be my birthday present.  So it was a nice surprise.

We loaded up the car with our golf clubs and headed out to Stansbury where we met Jeff and Abby and headed out to the golf course.  I wanted to get a picture but had left my phone in my purse in the trunk of the car, so no pictures of Abby golfing for the second time.  She did great and out drove me a couple of times.  If she stays with the game, she may be able to out drive Emmi.  She is very strong.

After Abby and I golfed nine holes we had Lynda Ann pick us up and the girls went to lunch while Neal and Jeff finished another nine holes.  We left Stansbury about 4:30.  I was anxious to get home and get a few things done around the house in anticipation of the arrival of Tucker and his family.  I tried to keep myself busy so the time would go by faster but I think it went by just as slow for me waiting as it did for them driving here.  They finally pulled in about 10:30 p.m.

They all piled out of the car and the hugs and kisses and “I’m so glad you’re finally here” and I’m so glad we are here were all communicated with happy smiles.  Peyton announced that she had gum in her hair (which I might add had to be cut out) and Jordyn posed for a “glad we are here” picture.

Father and son had to pose for the “whose the tallest” shot and “whose the broadest”! 

Then came the normal conversations about Neal’s flowers and “How does your garden grow?” Along with just general catch up questions, unloading the car, and at least a couple silly pictures.

Don’t you love Jamie’s eyes in this picture.  Was she looking at me because she wanted me to save her from the long scenario of Neal’s flower pots?  Hummm 

After unloading the car we all went out on the patio, found a chair and visited in the cool evening for a little while before going back in the house for a pre-bedtime snack.  The three girls went to bed and Neal and I, Tucker and Jamie stayed up until almost 2:00 a.m. talking.  It’s those moments when the four of us are gathered around the table, that I long for them to live in Utah. 

At a little after 1:30 a.m. Neal and I had prayers, climbed into bed, hugged each other and said how grateful we were that they had arrived safe and drifted off to sleep thinking how we were looking forward to a fun filled week. with them. 

Just got my hands on this old picture. Love it!

It is a picture of Lila Mae (on the left), my Aunt Edith (mother’s sister) and Buster in the middle.  It was taken at Aunt Edith’s house in Seattle.  You have to love the car in the background.  Lila Mae must have been about 18 or 19 when this picture was taken.  Pictures are so important and so valuable.  I hope all you kids are taking lots of pictures of your kids, their events and just random fun ones. 

Lynda Ann catches up with C. J.

Annie, Jeff and the kids are up in the Northwest to spend the week with Jeff’s family.  They are having a family reunion and staying about 5 minutes away from the beach house that Neal and I rented years ago.  Annie arranged to meet C. J. and sent this picture.  C. J. is handsome as ever!

While they are in the Northwest, Neal and I – well I should say “I” am tending Maggie.  For some reason the only dog that Neal has ever warmed up to was Jackson.  The two pictures are of Neal and Maggie snoozing.  Now would you think that would endear this dog to him.  Look what they have in common!  It’s to laugh.

Again, some words to think on:

Pres. Uchtdorf said, “Doubt your doubts, not your beliefs.”

Amen!

Grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ

These past few months have been a bit of a struggle for me.  I am so grateful for the gentle reminders I receive in Sacrament Meeting, Gospel Doctrine Classes and Relief Society.  Answer to my questions always seem to present themselves when I attend these meetings with an open, humble and prayerful heart.  I visited a Relief Society Meeting in another ward and the lesson was on a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland – whom I might add that I love.  His talk was about being strong and living the gospel even if others around you don’t.  I want to quote a couple things from his talk that stood out to me as I listened this morning in Relief Society.  I thought about my grandchildren who will shortly be reaching the age of high school and missions and on to marrying in the temple.  I feel strongly that I must express my testimony to the truthfulness of what Elder Holland said.

Quoting Elder Holland:  “I say to all and especially the youth of the Church that if you haven’t already, you will one day find yourself called upon to defend your faith or perhaps even endure some personal abuse simply because you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Such moments will require both courage and courtesy on your part. . . . . . You may wonder if it is worth it to take a courageous moral stand in high school or to go on a mission only to have your most cherished beliefs reviled or to strive against much in society that sometimes ridicules a life of religious devotion.  Yes, it is worth it. . . . . . Hate is an ugly word, yet there are those today who would say with the corrupt Ahab, ‘I hate the prophet Micaiah; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always prophesied evil’. . . . . . . Sadly enough, my young friends, it is a characteristic of your age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the boat but don’t even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds. . . . .

He goes on to say, “I testify that the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth and you are members of His true and living Church, trying to share it.  I bear witness of that gospel and that Church . . . . . Be strong, live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don’t live it at all.  Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them. . . .. In courageously pursuing such a course, you will forge unshakable faith, you will find safety against ill winds that blow, even shafts in the whirlwind, and you will feel the rock like strength of our Redeemer, upon whom if you build your unflagging discipleship, you cannot fall.”

I would admonish all my grandchildren who might read this post to read the talk from Elder Holland and from Elder Neil L. Andersen from April conference 2014.  I stand with both these great leaders of our church in testifying that I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the words they speak.  I love this gospel, I know it is true and pray that I will always be found standing for truth and will hold that banner high for all to see!

These are a few of my favorite things!

Remember the song from the Sound of Music, “These are a few of my favorite things”?  As I was doing my usual Saturday morning projects, I looked around the house and I was so glad that I had air conditioning and all the modern inventions and conveniences that make my life so delightfully pleasant and easy.  Take the washer and dryer for example:

I remember mother telling Annette and I to pull the sheets from our beds every Saturday morning, gather our dirty clothes along with all the laundry and haul it down stairs to the basement.  Mother would wash the clothes in a wringer washer, rinse them out in another tub and then run them through the wringers to get as much water out of them as possible and then haul them upstairs and out to the back yard where she would hang them on the lines to dry.  Even in the dead of winter you would see the sheets flapping in the wind.  Often times they would be frozen when we brought them in and we would have to drape them over drying racks downstairs to finish drying them.  How nice to walk to the laundry room put the clothes in the washing machine and walk away until I hear a pleasant little chime that tells me it is time to transfer them to the dryer.  Yes, the washer and dryer is one of my favorite things. 

Here are a few more.  A garbage disposal – how wonderful is that little invention!  Indoor plumbing with fresh running water right to your kitchen and bathrooms.  And this little wall thermostat that lets you set your temperature in your home to cool or warm depending on the season.  I have to say, these are a few of my favorite things!

So thankful for tender mercies!

I know without a doubt that prayers are answered.  Every day Neal and I have morning and evening prayer together and every single prayer involves our children and their spiritual and physical safety.  Now, I know that just because we pray for those things it doesn’t mean that they will be answered in the way we hope they will.  I believe in free agency and that we all often create problems in our lives that our Father In Heaven has nothing to do with.  But, back to my subject – There certainly was an answer to prayer and a tender mercy blessing given to Tucker the night of his accident.  After hearing the details of the accident and what could have happened and, I believe, because of his guardian angels looking out for him, a tragedy was diverted and his life was protected.  Neal and I have offered many prayers of thanksgiving.  Had he been T-boned, which was where the on coming car was headed and had the other driver not made a split second decision to turn his wheel, our family may have been dealing with a tragedy.  We are so very grateful that Tucker was preserved and walked away from the accident without a scratch, well maybe a little sore and his bank account a bit wounded, but he is OK.  The last I heard the damage was in the range of $7,000.  It is still being determined if the car is considered totaled or not.

July 24th–Pioneer Day

As I’m sitting here getting ready to post the pictures of the family this evening, I’m hearing fireworks going off all over the valley.  This morning I watched the parade on TV.  It is fun to see all the incredible floats that different stakes and wards have created. 

The family began gathering at the house around 2 p.m.  Cutlers arrived first followed by the Hintze’s, then the Goss family followed by the Gertsons.  I didn’t do a fancy meal nor did I set a fancy table.  We had sloppy Joe’s, and/or hotdogs along with a variety of fruits and veggies.  Maren brought her pasta salad, which was a hit as usual and Lyndsy brought her famous salsa and guacamole. Mindy made macaroons which were out of this world.  The kids swam and ate and swam and visited and swam some more.  Everyone seem to have a good time.

Here are some random pictures taken today:

I had to take this one of Andrew who was wearing his swimming mask way to tight.

I made my famous watermelon ice cream dessert and forgot to serve it!  I felt really bad, but there wasn’t much I could do.  Everyone was gone by the time I realized that I still had it in the freezer.  I’ll have to make it again, maybe while Tucker and Jamie and the girls are here.  Jeff and Neal went golfing in the late afternoon after everyone had left so when they got back we sat around the table and had some ice cream dessert.  Fun day and I’m grateful for the pioneers who sacrificed so much to come to this valley and settle it.  It certainly did as the prophets foretold when they said the valley would “Blossom as a rose!”  So grateful for Brigham Young’s leadership and inspiration to bring the saints from persecution to a place where they could worship in peace.  Thankful for his words, “This is the place!”  I shall be ever grateful.  Happy Pioneer Day to all and to all a goodnight!

Many thoughts swirling through my mind

Not sure even where to start or if I can make sense of them, so guess I will just start typing and see what comes out.  Lyndsy came to us and said she no longer believes in the church.  She had more issues than I care to list.  So right now, I’ll have to agree to disagree for the greater good.  Is my heart broken, yes.  I can’t help but think about Lehi’s dream and the iron rod. 

I lived with conflict for years.  Many times I lived in denial and still find myself there some times in different areas.  But, I feel like I’ve chosen my battles.  Some just are not worth going to the mattress for.  Some may not be repairable at present, or in the future.  I have learned to accept these disappointments.  I have also learned that I should not force my opinion on others; I will manage my world and hope others will manage theirs as well.  If they don’t, then I will adjust, but I will not force my opinion on them.  I think you children understand what I’m saying here.

I want my children to incorporate charity into their thinking and behavior as it relates to your own family, and then teach it to your family.  We need to be a charitable family, allowing each to make their own mistakes (if not life threatening) and be gracious.  If family members are not gracious then maybe we should swallow that pill and choose to be a duck and let it roll off our back.  Why?  Because I can recognize when someone is not at the same place on the path as myself.  Because I want to give others allowance for their less than upstanding behavior.  In my opinion, this is what it means to be on the road to unconditional love.  I know you all get what I’m saying because I’ve seen you do this. Unconditional love is the hardest but most rewarding gift to give others.

I want you all to know that I am invested in this family, in you children and my grand children.  I don’t want to see any of my posterity sink.  It brings me joy to see my posterity flourish and enjoying life.  But there are some who are having some really difficult experiences.  I hope all can be anchors for your siblings and your children in this family unit, without reservation, with unconditional love and concern for all.  Is this a pipe dream?  No.  It’s a parents’ dream and I want it to happen.

I know you can be all things to your siblings and your own family.  I know you are all charitable in your dealings with your siblings and with me, too.  I know you understand what I’m getting at.  I hope you can join me in this endeavor.  It’s no longer about me and dad.  It’s about our children and our grandchildren.  I feel like my wants and desires don’t count anymore.  I have to lead by example, live it and lead. 

I often feel like I’m in a dinky canoe out on the ocean, maneuvering my boat before the next wave so I don’t capsize.  In the distance I see these yachts that are full of my children and grandchildren.  I often feel alone even when I’m busy keeping my canoe afloat.  Weird, huh.  I readily admit I’m not running on all cylinders.  I’m super worried about many things for different reasons.  Life is way choppy and I don’t see the waters becoming smooth any too soon.

I love you all,  Mom

Sunday

Today started out with a meeting with the High Council at 7:00 a.m.  Sometimes they hold these meetings at 6:30 and for some reason 6:30 just sounds horrible.  7:00 is doable!  It was a great meeting.  It ended at 8:30.  I headed home to get my thoughts together to speak at a Ward Conference.  With all the business that has to be conducted at ward conferences there usually isn’t a lot of time to speak and because we were at Olympus Ranch (a retirement center) we are really restricted to time.  So when I got up I simple bore my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and was happy to let President Little have the remaining short time that there was.

After I got home, I got a text and a picture of Jordyn Lyn giving her first talk in Sacrament Meeting.  I gave Tucker a bad time about taking pictures in the chapel which created some bantering going back and forth.  I had to smile that my granddaughter was speaking and I was speaking.  However, no one there to take a picture of me.  Can’t believe how much my grandchildren change in just a year.  Jordyn you are more beautiful than ever!  I wonder if they come and look at me and think, “Wow, Gam is sure getting old looking.”  I’ll just pretend that I don’t change from year to year and that they don’t notice the added wrinkles and gray hair!

While I was sitting on the bed doing some stitching, I heard the thunder roll and heard the rain coming down and new with the sun shining in between the clouds we were due for our first rainbow of the season.  You know how I LOVE rainbows!  I ran outside with my camera and I wasn’t disappointed.  There arched over Mt. Olympus was not only one rainbow but two.  If you notice, one is mirrored of the other.  It’s times like this that I wish I had a fancy camera so I could really capture one of the beautiful miracles of God’s creations.

A full Saturday

Saturday morning Neal and I decided to go to Forest Dale and golf 9 holes.  We started out just the two of us but before we got off the first tee we had another gentleman from Ireland join us.  Then when we hit the 4th tee a young man joined us.  I think he just walked on the golf course and waited around for a twosome or threesome to join.  I don’t think he paid for his golfing.  We had a good time.  I actually pared two of the 3 pars which helped my score tremendously.  I did end up losing two of my nice pink golf balls – dang!

After golfing we headed to Sugar House and had our toes done.  Neal isn’t sleeping for a change.  He is reading up on the latest gossip in Hollywood.  I, on the other hand, am desperately trying to beat Jamie at a game of Ruzzle.  She is good and totally gives me a run for my money!

After our toes were pedicured and beautiful, we headed over to the Nordstrom’s Rack where I bought me a pair of pink shoes and some mascara and Neal bought a couple of new ties.  He paid for the golf and the pedicures so when we got up to the check out stand, I went to one and he went to one and we each paid for our own purchases at the Rack.  We then headed to the grocery store where we stocked up on groceries for the week, then home to get ready to go to our monthly bridge club.  A busy and very fun day.

Love this quote!

“Mormonism is our heritage – it’s in our bedtime stories and our daily rituals.  It’s in the way we worship and the way we hope.” 

I love that and will have to use it in a talk some time.

A fun surprise picture!

Neal and I went to see Heaven is Near.  Good movie.  Lots to think about.  The little boy in it was amazing.  What a great little actor.  As we were coming out of the movie I turned my cell phone on and there was a message waiting for me.  I opened it up and it was from Mindy with this fun picture.  Apparently the Hintze’s are camping this weekend up at Wasatch Park above Lila Mae’s home and they drove down to visit with her.  I’m glad they did because Susan loves Jeff and especially loves his hugs.  She has always said that he gives the best hugs of anyone she knows.

Mindy’s text with the picture said, “Look who we stopped by to see!”  Love it!  Thanks for sending me the picture and for stopping by to visit your relative.  I’m surprised Lila Mae let you take a picture.  She hates having her picture taken! 

Twenty-four great years together!

Yesterday, July 17th, Neal and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary.  I never remember people’s wedding anniversaries, I have a hard enough time remembering mine every year.  Neal never misses, but I’m afraid if I weren’t reminded, I might let it slip right by.  This year we got a text from Mallory, Lynda Ann and Ron and Judy Stanfield wishing us a happy anniversary.  We also got a card in the mail from Susan who celebrates her anniversary the same day.  I think they got married two years after we did. 

It has been a fast 24 years.  I look back and marvel at the storms we have passed through, the challenges that come with combining two families, trying to deal with all seven children’s needs, emotions, baggage and acceptance on both sides.  It has been quite a ride full of fun, adventures, unexpected and even some sadness.  It became very obvious to me that making the effort to sympathize with the other people in this situation is the first step to creating a positive, lasting relationship and it never ends.  It is a continuing day to day road that our family travels.  Neal and I have had to learn some very important needs as we’ve journeyed down this road.  We both needed to think about the other side of it, have realistic expectations, talk it out, be willing to compromise, patience (I’m still learning that one) and most important, no matter the situation keep moving forward.  As I’ve said before, the great thing about love is the more you give, the more you have to give!

Neal has been my strength through hard times and fun times.  Last night as we were settling in for the evening he said, “You have been everything I hoped for and more.”  What greater compliment could a wife (a second wife) get than that.  I’m not only being compared to Judy by the 5 younger children but I’m sure there might be a little thought process in Neal’s mind about how differently Judy and I operate.  I am grateful for his unconditional love and his enduring patience of me.  It is possible that we could make it to 50 years, but right now I am grateful for 24 and that we’ve made it this far.  I love you Neal and thanks for fixing the air conditioning in my Jeep.  I really will take the money out of savings just like I said I would if you want.    All my love, Jeannine

We always go to Market Street Grill for Dinner on our anniversary and this year Jim and Midge Frye came along.  After dinner we played some bridge.  Wonderful evening!