Emmi's New Adventure

Last week was a big week in the life of Emmi.  It was also an emotional week for her, her family and for her grandparents.  Emmi was leaving for her adventures and service in the Navy.  I had everyone over for dinner the night before she was to leave.  I tried to make the dinner setting as festive and red, white and blue as possible.  I think I achieved my goal.  It was perfect.  Uncle Sam and Mickey Mouse were the center piece.

We had a great time eating and visiting.  After dinner and dessert we sat around and talked until it was time for Emmi to report to the hotel downtown.  The next morning we all met at the MEPS building out past the airport.  We had to wait for nearly 4 hours before she would be sworn in.  Annie and I went and grabbed some subway sandwiches.  We all went in the lunchroom and sat around the table and enjoyed our last few hours with Emmi.  Right after lunch, they called us into a room where we all watched as Emmi was sworn in to the Navy.  It was a proud and very emotional moment in time.  We were each given an opportunity to express our love, being proud and any advise we wanted to give her.

 This is the gentleman who did the swearing in ceremony.  He was a really nice guy.

 Lots of very emotional hugs from everyone after the ceremony.

 It is official!

After the ceremony, Emmi was taken on a military bus to the airport and from there she left for Chicago for her Boot Camp Training for the next 8 weeks.  She was only allowed one phone call when she arrived there to let her parents know that she was there and safe.  She won't be allowed to write home for the next 2 or 3 weeks.  But she can send us a post card so that we can write her letters.  Nothing on the computer.  Everything through snail mail until she is done with Boot Camp.  I will continue the story as I learn more and as she is finally able to communicate with the family through mail.

A Poem by my Mother

Mother was known for writing funny poems along with serious ones.  Lila Mae found this poem among some written material of mothers.  I read it and laughed at mother's talent for writing and for her humor.

School is Over for Another Year

Jamie sent me these pictures of the girls and herself celebrating that school is over for the year.  Its over for the grandchildren in Utah as well.  Abby and Taylor graduated from high school, Andrew from junior high and all the other kids completing their year and moving on to the next grade.  With school out that means that we will get to see the California family in a couple weeks.  We can hardly wait.  LOVE it when they come in to town.

Candy Crush

I love the game Candy Crush.  I guess you could say that I am a bit addicted to it.  I finally reached 2,000 and had to take a picture of it.  I know, not much of an accomplishment, but I do enjoy playing it and getting past each level.  And yes, I'm still playing it!

Just a fun picture

it is rare that I have a picture taken of me that I like.  this was an exception.  Neal had a family outing planned with his brothers so he couldn't go to the open house for Sally and Jerry's 50th wedding anniversary.  I called Linda and Dave and asked them if I could go with them.  They said I could tag along.  As we walked in the back yard they had someone there taking pictures.  This is the picture they snagged of Linda, Dave and me.  Rather cute, don't you think!  I love this couple.

Neal's Eagle Scout Sliders

Neal has been busy making more sliders for the boys who get their Eagle Scout Awards.  He had three this last week and these are the three he made. A sow board, a computer and the boy scout sign. Apparently the boys were thrilled with them.

Neal also had a scout meeting and was asked to bring a Dutch Oven Dinner.  He cooked it in the garage (with the door open) but now when you go in the garage you can still smell the meat.  It has permeated every thing in the garage.  He did barbequed pork with my sauce and potatoes.  He brought some home and it was delicious.

Mother's Day Gift from Maren

I came home from work the other day and found this present on the counter.  It is an amazing cutting board along with a book call "Good Days start with Gratitude Journal".  She also left me a note that touched my heart.  Thank you Cutler family for the gifts and thank you Maren for the written note.

Taylor Judy Cutler's graduation

We had two granddaughters graduating from high school this year.  We are invited to attend Taylor's graduation at the Maverick Center.  We arrived there about 5:30 and some pictures were taken and then into the center we went where we waited for the graduating class of 2019 to file in.  It was a huge class.  Over 900!

We were very proud of Taylor and being able to finish out her high school years after her accident.  We know you will accomplish good things in your life.

I have to add here, that when we came out of the Maverick Center it was a torrential down pour!!  Thunder, lightening and rain.  We were not prepared for the rain.  Neal and I beelined across the parking lot to our car and by the time we arrived there, we were soaked to the skin.  We sat in the parking lot for over an hour just trying to get out.  That aside, we had a wonderful evening and were proud to see Taylor graduate.  We love you Taylor!

Mallory's Mission Report

It was a beautiful Sunday in every way.  It was amazing to hear Mallory stand and bear her testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and of her Savior, Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith.  Maren sent Mallory this text and I thought it summed up the whole day perfectly:

"Hi Mallory.  This is Maren.  I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am with you.  Your mission sounded amazing and I know you made a big difference in a lot of peoples lives.  You also strengthened my testimony about the church!  Sometimes we forget how the church can change people's lives.  We forget how wonderful a blessing it is and we do need to share it.  Listening to you talk about how excited people were about the church and to get baptized was amazing!  Sometimes I think we take for granted what a blessing it is to have the gospel in our lives.  Jaden is such a great good person but sometimes I am hesitant to share my testimony with him (and others).  I know that sounds weird but I don't want him to hate the church.  Living in Utah I think you get a little 'jaded' about what the church really is.  I always tell him the church is great and perfect and not to judge it by the people.  I know it has changed my life and I can't ever live without it!  It gives me hope that there are people still out there that want to hear about the church.  And it can change their lives for the better and they are excited about it.  I love your testimony, your spirit, your willingness to serve a mission  You are amazing!!!!!"

What a beautiful message to Mallory.  I say ditto!  Thank you Mallory, for sharing your testimony and your experiences of teaching people in Tennessee.  It was evident you loved the people you taught and you loved being a missionary.

 What a fun way to celebrate Abby's graduation, Mallory's return and Emmi's send off to the Navy, all in one day.  Jeff and Annie have a lot to be proud of and Gam and Pa are busting a few of their own buttons.  We aren't taking any credit for how these girls turned out but we are sure proud to be a part of their lives.

WELCOME HOME, MALL SUE!!!!  WE LOVE YOU!!!

Mallory is home from her mission in Tennessee

We were all excited to be at the airport to welcome Mallory home from her mission in Tennessee.  It was an emotional happy time.  Those at the airport were Lynda Ann, Jeffrey, Emmi, Abby, Hayley, Andrew, Gam and Pa, Gloria and Ray with Russell and two friends of Mallory.  (Can't remember their names).  By the time all the hugs were given and luggage gathered it was time for Mallory to head for home to meet with the Stake President to be officially released from her mission.

I love this picture of Lynda Ann hugging Mallory.  What an emotional moment that was.  So happy we were there and could be a part of all the excitement and to welcome our missionary home.

 These two sisters really missed each other!

Abby's High School Graduation

I've let myself get a little behind on my posting.  I hate playing catch up more than you know.  So, I'm determined to get everything posted and up to date.  I may get things a little out of order but at least it will all be within a two week period.  I think the first event that I'm behind on is Abby's high school graduation.  It was at the Huntsman Center.  It was fun to watch her walk across the stage of Digby her guide dog in training.  They even announced his name after Abby's.  Abby said that when all the graduates were in the tunnel lining up, there was a security guard with a bomb sniffing dog.  His dog was out of control when he saw Digby.  Digby on the other hand was well trained and knew that he was working so paid no attention to the dog that was barking and wanting to get at Digby.  Finally the security guy ask Abby to go back out of the tunnel until he finished checking things out and could remove his dog.

The graduation was nice.  After we all met outside to take pictures and then headed to Red Robbin for dinner.  After dinner they all came to the house and we played a game of What Were You Thinking.  It was fun to have Mallory home from her mission and with us.  So proud of you Abby!  She has a scholarship for Utah State for this fall and will be raising another guide dog while going to school.

We all had a good laugh at this post in Abby's year book.  Someone didn't do a very good job of proof reading.  The caption says "blind dogs for blind people"!!  Really?  A blind dog for a blind person?  It's to laugh.