Andrew receives his Arrow of Light scouting award

Andrew invited Neal and I out to his Blue and Gold Banquet where he would receive his Arrow of Light award.  I took some fun pictures of the evening.  We had a dinner of hot dogs, fruit, chips and pasta salads along with sugar cookies made by Lynda Ann.  After dinner the awards were handed out and then the three scouts who had earned their Arrow of Light award.  Here are some fun pictures of Andrew Man.

 Andrew saluting the American Flag

 Andrew giving the scout oath.

 Andrew receiving his Arrow of Light Award

 Andrew pinning his mother's pin on her.

 Finally got Andrew to smile!  What a handsome kid when he smiles.

 After the ceremony Andrew had to do three Jedi tests to pass from cub scouts to scouts.  With the help of his dad he made it through all the tests.

 Giving his parents a hug.  One very happy scout and two very happy parents.

Andrew turns 11

Sunday was Andrew's birthday and Neal and I were invited out to their home for Andrew's birthday dinner.  It was a fun evening.  Andrew was excited to have his grandparents there to celebrate his birthday.  Here are some pictures of his evening.  Andrew got a lego set from one of his sisters.  While we were playing a card game he was busy putting it together.

 The BYU shirt and shorts!  Go Cougars!

 This was one of his favorite gifts.  Star Wars lights.  One was blue, one red and one green.  They are significant to Star War buffs.  Andrew new who each color belonged to.  I had no idea.

Fun picture of Neal, Mallory, Emmi (notice her sister is taller), Jeff and Abby.

 Andrew wanted the cookie cake instead of a traditional cake.  Annie and Abby lighting 11 candles.

 Happy birthday Andrew!  We love you!!

Giving me too much credit

I was at a meeting at the 21st South Government Center.  As I was coming down the staircase to the main floor, I opened the door and started out into the hallway that led past the day care center and to the parking lot.  I thought I saw some movement and heard a door shut at the same time.  I glanced at the door and saw a little boy standing in front of the closed door to the day care.  I thought it odd that this little boy was out in the hall by himself and kind of looked around for a parent assuming there was one close by.  There was no one in the entrance hall to the day care.  As I walked past the little boy, I thought I recognized him but wasn't sure and kept walking.  As I neared the door to the parking lot, I stopped in my tracks and my mind suddenly wrapped around the fact that it was a little boy, he was alone and his name was Emmett and belonged to Corinne Nelson who worked in the same building I did.  I turned around and couldn't see him but heard the door to the staircase just close.  I quickly went to the staircase, opened the door and looked up the first flight of stairs.  There was Emmett standing alone, looking frightened and tears welling up in his eyes.  I told him who I was and that I knew his mommy and would he come with me and we would find where he was supposed to be.  I walked up the stairs, took his hand very gently and slowly walked him down the stairs.  As we entered the main hallway, I looked again at the reception area of the day care and there was still no one there.  The door has a key pad on it so I couldn't get in and was a little confused as to just what I should do.  I finally decided that Emmett and I would find a place to sit and I would find Corinne's number and give her a call.  Just as we walked past the main day care door another door down the hall opened and one of the workers poked his head out and said that they realized they were missing Emmett.  I reluctantly handed him over and told the worker to be very gentle with Emmett that he was scared and was a bit traumatized.  The next morning I reported the incident to Corinne.  Needless to say, the day care people had some serious questions to answer.
I was surprised at work on Friday morning with some flowers from Emmett, a hug and a note thanking me for saving his life.

A very happy ending for a little 3 year old and his parents.

Random posts

These are some pictures sent to me from Tucker.  The first one is the menu of a place in California where they actually advertise Mormon Sauce.  Makes one smile, that is for sure.  Can't wait until we go to California in June so that Tucker and Jamie can take us there to eat.

The take couple pictures are of  Peyton, Lexi and Jordyn Lyn at one of their dance competitions.  This is a picture of the rack of costumes that they have to buy and haul with them to their recitals.  I'm sure we are talking thousands of dollars for three girls to dance.  The girls are committed and love it.

 I LOVE this picture of Tucker!  (well his face in the drawing)

Can't wait to see the girls dance in June.

Just having fun

When Tucker and Jamie were here for Jeff's funeral, we had an evening of just relaxing and talking.  We were sitting around the table and Jamie pulled two hair pieces out of her hair.  We were all shocked.  She showed Neal and I how easy it is to lengthen our hair or highlight it.  Probably not something Neal and I would do in the near future.

 Most definitely not for Neal!  

Andrew working on his arrow of light for scouting

While I was out at Annie's and she is frantically working with me to get my 200+ invitations done for my Women's Conference she is also trying to help Andrew complete his projects for his Arrow of Light Scouting Award.  I caught a couple pictures of her and Andrew cooking eggs outside on a little propane fire.  Annie was just called to be the Ward Camp Director, which she was very excited about. This kind of stuff is exactly what she loves.  When I emailed Susan of Annie's new calling, Susan's response was, "I'd kill myself!"  Good laugh.  I might be inclined to agree with Susan :-)

Annie's talents

I can't begin to say how thankful I am for Annie's artistic and creative talents.  All I have to do is suggest what I'm thinking and she is able to pull it together and create it.  I needed invitations for our Women's Conference and called her to help me.  Because of Jeff's passing and funeral we didn't get them done until this morning.  Yesterday afternoon she began working on them and this is what she came up with.  I went out to her house this morning and we had them all done by early afternoon.  285 invitations!  Who would have believed it.  All because of Annie we have invitations!  Thank you!

Some fun pictures in the midst of very sad times

We found through the process of losing a loved one that there were moments of joy and laughter.  Moments that brought us back to the people around us that we loved and needed.  Diane Molten is a life long friend of Lynda Ann and Mindy's.  She spent hours at the hospital filling the waiting hours with reminiscing about pasts high school times.  The funniest thing was when she showed up at the hospital dressed like "Where's Waldo".  Mindy will have to tell you that story.  It was very funny.

 Tucker and Jamie flew in from California.  What very few people knew is that Jamie left her mother who is seriously ill.  But she was here to support and love all of us when she needed the same love and support.  What a strong woman she is.  How I love Jamie.  Her strength gives me strength.

 It was good to see all the grandchildren at the funeral.  It must be hard to define teenage feelings when it comes to the loss of a loved one, whether it be a mother, father, sister, brother, uncle or aunt.

 These two can always find something to tease each other about.  I love them, love their bantering and love their support of each other at such a hard time in our lives.

 It is always a delightful time for the family when we get Jeff's two oldest boys CJ and Justin in town.  We were sorry it had to be for Jeff's funeral but on the happy sad, it was good to be enfolded in the arms and love.  What great kids these two boys are and Jeff is proud of them and so is their grandmother!

Annie loves these two boys.  She was very much a part of their baby years.  CJ lived in our home for the first few months of his life.  Annie has always felt a closeness to both CJ and Justin.  

The people you love here and beyond the veil

I miss Jeffrey.  I think about him every day.  My mind wanders back to the past and I remember.  How grateful I am for the gift of memory.  I heard a song once that really touched me.  You all know that I love music and especially church music.  I find so much solace, comfort and often answers to prayers.  This song was written from grandmother to daughter to grandchild.  But it could easily be written for a son as well.  It is called "The Way of Things by Johanne Perry

Is this what mama felt
When she was young
To see her daugher grow
Then give her up

Wasn't I mam's girl just yesterday
but she is grandma now
and I'm a woman in her place

And that's the way of things of things that grow
We have the destiny we can't control
And how could anyone remain the same
The mark of living things is how they change.

Is this what mama felt when she grew old
If she was ever scared it never showed
And letting mama go was strangely calm
As if she'd finished here and just moved on

Was I a mama;s girl just yesterday
But she has gone away and I am Grandma in her place
And now my little girl is mama too
And one day I know I'll leave my place to you

For that's the way of things
Of things that grow
We bloom and have our day
And then we go

But what I planted here  the seeds remain the same
And those who follow me will be the links in a living chain
Is that what mama felt that made her strong
Is that what mama knew that life goes on.

Some pictures Jeff would want burned.

Jeffrey was such a Utah fan.  But if you go back in history you would know that he was once a BYU fan and spent many Fall Saturdays sitting on the 55 yard line cheering for the Cougars.  Here are some pictures of proof.  Hate to pop your bubble, Tucker, but this is Jeff and he doesn have a BYU Football shirt on!

 Hummm  Another BYU shirt!

Love this picture of Jeff and I

The pictures just keep coming

The Hintze scowl!  I laugh at this picture every time I see it.

People have been so kind.

Thursday evening when I came home from the hospital.  I was feeling pretty low.  I was going to change into my jams and spend some time going down memory lane with pictures.  Something told me not to change just yet.  I tried to ignore the prompting but again I felt that I shouldn't change.  About 10 minutes later the front door bell rang.  I opened the door and there was President and Sister Parry.  They came in and we visited for about 15 minutes.  It was comforting and very timely.  How I love the Parry's.

Friday evening, the same thing happened.  I was ready to put on my jams and had a feeling that I should wait.  I headed toward the closet to change and again I had an impression that I shouldn't change just yet.  About 15 minutes later the door bell rang.  I answered it and there was President Little and his wife Jan.  How wonderful to have people come by and express their love and concern.  This is the plant they brought to Neal and I.

Ron Lund (my boss), Ashley Hall, Heather Edwards and Dorothy Adams came by the house Friday morning and visited and brought me these beautiful flowers.

Then Saturday morning the doorbell rang and it was a delivery of flowers from Crystal (Sorensen) and her husband.  I was totally taken back and reading her note certainly brought me to tears.  People are just amazing.

We have also found water, a book and oranges on the porch from Karla Bartholomew who works with me.  A while later, there was a tray of meat and cheese and bread and a flower arrangement from Nanette and Vern.  I'm so grateful for all the expressions of love and concern that have come our way.

How I loved this boy! How I'm going to miss him!

Take every hug you can get from your children.  We never know when it will be the last hug.

Where have you gone?

This song has been in my mind and I keep singing it over and over:

Where are you going, my little one, little one
Where are you going, my baby, my own?
Turn around and you're two, turn around and you're four
Turn around and you're a young boy going out of my door

Turn around, turn around
Turn around and you're a young boy going out of my door

Where are you going, my little one, little one
With tadpoles and puppy dogs, where have you gone?
Turn around and you're tiny, turn around and you're grown
Turn around and you're a young man with babes of your own

Turn around, turn around
Turn around and you're a young man with babes of your own

Turn around, turn around
Turn around and you're the young man going out of the door

Where are you going, my little one, little one
Where are you going, my baby, my own?

Turn around and your here turn around and your gone

Turn around and . . . . . .