Friday, Day 3

 What a fun day we had today.  We started out by driving through McDonalds and getting smoothies and cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  From there we headed to Atlanta to IKEA.  Emmi wanted to look for some dishes and glasses.  We wandered through IKEA and found all that we were looking for.  Annie even found some blue cupboards that she really like for her kitchen.  Something she will check out when she gets back to Salt Lake.

This is a picture this morning outside Emmi's apartment.  She said it is usually full of ducks and geese but they have all moved on to another pond, somewhere.

Picture of downtown Atlanta.

Picture of Emmi in IKEA

After we left IKEA we decided that it was time to stop and have an early dinner.  It took us a little over two hours drive from Augusta to Atlanta.  We found a Texas Road House and went in there for dinner.  Annie's treat.  We all had a delicious dinner and delicious rolls.  Emmi said that Abby's saying is "It's a good meal if it hurts to walk to the car."  And that is exactly how we all felt when we left.  

From there we hit the outlet stores.  We found a few great deals.  Vinyard Vine, Eddie Bauer, etc.  We shopped until we felt like we had seen enough and back in the car and headed toward the Atlanta temple.

The Atlanta temple was just a little way off the path toward home.  It was so much fun to walk around the temple grounds and feel the spirit that was there.  We noticed the parking lot was pretty full so people are back to attending the temple.  We had hoped to go and brought our recommends and our temple clothes but Annie came down with a cold and they encourage people to please stay away if you are sick.  So we had to forego a session.  Maybe next time.

There is a story here.  If you notice, Emmi is standing in the center of the stones.  If you stand on it and say something it echoes back to you.  If you step off and say the something, you don't get the echo.  Very interesting.   Of course, we all tried it and it worked every time.

Emmi and I have a happy moment.

Well, here I was laughing so hard that I couldn't walk or stand up.  I'm not going to tell you what I was laughing at but I'm sure Annie or Emmi can fill you in if you are interested.  It will be long remembered!

From there we headed back to Augusta.  We got home about 10:15 and were happy to walk in the apartment.  It was a long but very fun day.  There was a note on Emmi's door, left by a good friend of hers that she knows from church who is in the army.  She knew that Emmi's mother and grandmother were in town visiting.  This is the note she left:

So proud of Emmi and the example and impact she is making on other people's lives.  She is totally on a mission for the church, even thought it isn't an officially called church mission.  

Thursday, Day 2

 Emmi had to work this morning so Annie and I got to sleep in.  I woke up about 6:45.  Emmi had already left for work so I came out in the front room so I didn't disturb Annie and I did some stitching and read a book until Emmi got home about 9:30.  We had hopes of going to the temple but Annie has a cold and the temples have asked that you don't come if you don't feel well.  So we called the temple and cancelled our appointment and made different plans for the day.  We left about 12:30 and got a bite to eat and then to the salon to get pedicures.  From there we did some in and out of stores shopping, bought a few little things and then made a stop at Cold Stone for ice cream.  We sat outside and enjoyed the perfect weather and temperature.  Very fun and very relaxed day.

This is Emmi in her NWU (Navy working uniform).  

This is the patch that Emmi wears on her uniform when she is on the ship.

Her hat that is part of her uniform.

I was actually excited when I saw this patch on her uniform.  I actually have this Don't Tread On Me cross stitched on one of my projects that is hanging in the kitchen.  It has an interesting history that you would find very interesting.  Go look it up.

Thought this was fun that she had me and Annie scheduled on her calendar of events.

Getting ready for our pedicures.

Last but least we stopped at Cold Stone for ice cream.  So delicious.

Our Trip Begins

 Annie and I planned a trip back to Augusta, Georgia to see Emmi before she gets deployed to who knows where.  She also has a new apartment off base and we wanted to see that as well.  We met at the airport at 10:30 and began our all day journey to Augusta.  Our plane left at noon and we flew to Fort Worth, Texas where we had a 3 hour lay over.  We wandered around the airport for a while, then found a Mexican food place where we had a delicious dinner.  Then back to our gate where Annie slept for about 1/2 hour and I read.  We boarded the plane at 7:00 and arrived in Augusta at 10:10.  Emmi was at the gate waiting for us.  It was so good to see her and finally be here.  We gathered our luggage and headed to Emmi's place.  Of course we talked for a little while and then finally let our heads hit the pillows at midnight.  We were all tired and I don't think there was anything said except "Good night, I love you" before everyone was sound asleep.  

Sunday Thoughts

 I've been thinking a lot about Abby this week.  I need to write her tomorrow.  There is never a conversation with Lynda Ann that I don't asked about Abby and how she is doing.  There is a talk called "His Grace is Sufficient".  Grace isn't about filling the gaps, it's about filling us.  He compared grace and striving to become perfect to practicing the piano.  We need to continue trying and practicing and we can't expect ourselves to be a prodigy at first.

I think we all need to hear that.  I'm positive that Abby has thought of home and discouragement that fills her thinking.  I'm sure there are many times when she has felt discouraged and inadequate.  But I also feel that she has felt so much peace, and happiness as she continues each day to teach the gospel.  This all ties into God's grace.  It is not something that she will get far off in the future, it is a blessing that she can receive right now and hopefully be content with the progress she is making rather than worrying about being a perfect missionary.  In Doctrine and Covenants, "continue in patience until we are perfected."

Abby, you will continue to have moments when you long for home and family but you will have many more moments of peace knowing that you are about your Father's business of teaching those who long to know the plan of salvation.  Your Gam and Pa love you and pray for you every single day.  

Another Project Finished

 I've been working on Lila Mae's quilt for her 90th birthday.  I'm so happy with it and so excited to have it done.  It is the binding that seems to take the longest to finish and for me is the most tedious.  I finished it last night and am so excited to give it to her.  We are having a 90th birthday party open house for her on October 17th.  Lynda Ann is busy making the invitations.  It should be a very fun day for Lila Mae.  She has been a wonderful sister and I love her and hope that she stays healthy and lives many more years.  I just cannot imagine life without her in it. 

A Creative Jamie

 Jamie sent me these cute pictures of her sporting a different hair style.  She said it took nearly 3 hours to braid all the dreads into her hair.  She said she had a headache one day, but mostly she said it feels like her neck is getting stronger.  She indicated that each one is basically like Barbie hair, so very light, but it does add weight.  She said she can keep them in for 6 weeks before they get loose and need to be redone.

Sunday Thoughts

 

Fall is in the air.  It is such a beautiful time of the year with all the flowers radiating their gorgeous blooms and the leaves on the trees changing from green to vibrant colors.  I remember going to BYU and walking home from school each day.  The huge oak trees would be dropping their leaves and I would love the sound of the leaves crunching under my feet as I walked along.  I loved the crisp Fall air with the usual soft breeze that comes with the Fall weather.  Those were such happy, carefree and relaxed years of my life.  

I loved hearing the BYU bell tower ringing out the hour with a robust rendition of "Come, Come, Ye Saints" as I was walking on campus.  That song always came with a promise - - 

"We'll find the place which God for us prepared

Far away in the West

Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid

There the Saints will be blessed."

I love living in the shadows of the Wasatch Mountains.  I loved growing up in Provo with the mountains in my backyard.  To me, they were protection and comfort.  I love that we live in this part of the world where we have the four seasons to enjoy.  I detest winter but with winter comes the hope of Spring and then my favorite season, summer.  I'm so grateful that my mother joined the church and moved us from Seattle to Provo.  I've had a good life full of happy and fulfilling memories.

Just the other day I was looking through my wedding pictures and recognized that Neal and I look much younger.  I don't think about the fact that I have aged.  I still feel like the young bride whose happy, excited eyes beam out at me from those photos.  But, I'm not really.  My hair is different, gray hair is evident, my face has a lot more lines, but, my heart and soul have expanded bigger than I ever imagined they could.  I have learned and grown so much since the, but it has happened almost without me even noticing it.  It makes me sad, and yet happy at the same time.  Sad, because I can't get back what has passed, and happy because I have so much more to look forward to.  I guess it is a good trade off.

I'm just feeling incredibly blessed and happy today.  I share my testimony with my posterity that the Savior lives.  This is His church.  The work is true.  

Love, Mom/Jeannine

Saturday Jam Day

 Neal and I went to Costco and bought strawberries and raspberries along with 25# bag of sugar, a gallon of Karo Syrup and two bottles of lemon juice.  From there we went to Macey's and bought 12 boxes of MCP Pectin and looked for jam jars, lids and rings.  I should remember from last year that finding bottles, rings and lids in September or October is impossible!  I also ran to Harmons with no luck and then into Walmart with no luck.  Next year I need to start getting canning supplies in June and July.  As it was I ended up with just enough bottles and containers to do all the strawberry and raspberry jam.  Didn't get any peach jam done.  My back said I was done.  It took Neal and I from 8:00 until 2:00 to do all the jam.  I was grateful for Neal's help.  Nice to have that project done for the year.  I still have peach jam to do but I can do that next week.

I didn't bother to count how many pints of jam I did.  All I know it was a lot.  

Maren runs a Marathon

 Saturday morning found us in Fort Union by Target.  We parked a few blocks down the street and walked up to the area where the half marathon runners would be coming in.  Maren was running and we wanted to cheer her into the end of the race.  It was interesting standing there watching runners coming in and trying to recognize a single runner out of thousands, especially when they would come in groups.  I think it was Maren who recognized us first.  She was there and past us before I could get a picture.  We walked down to the area where they check in and spotted her in the crowd.  She did really good.  Ran the 13 miles in just two hours.  She looked great and didn't even look exhausted.  Taylor was also there to see her mom complete the race.  Here are some fun pictures.  Proud of you, Maren!  So glad we were there to see you complete the race.  I took this time after Maren had already completed the race so the time isn't totally accurate.

News from California

 Tucker sent us a video of Peyton playing volleyball.  She was going for a spike and came down wrong on her ankle.  This is the picture he sent to us when they were off to Insta Care for x-rays to find out if the ankle was broken.  It looks broken and very painful!

Tucker sent us this picture and told us that the good news was that the ankle was not broken but it was a bad sprain and that she will be on crutches for a week or longer.  Dang, Peyton, we are so sorry.  Know that we are thinking about you and hoping for a speedy recovery!  Love you.

Celebrating 50 amazing years

We missed you Emmi and Abby!

 There was three years between Jeffrey and Lynda Ann.  I must admit, there were daily prayers going up to Heaven for another baby.  I was thrilled to have Jeffrey but I knew there was another child that was supposed to come to me.  Finally a call came that we had a baby girl waiting for us.  She was born on September 8, 1971.  She was born in Ridgecrest, California and we were on our way.  When we got there, we found out that we would have to wait one more day to bring her home because her bilirubin was a little high.  When Lynda Ann was placed in my arms, I couldn't take my eyes off her.  We brought her home and then had to wait a year before we could have her sealed to me for eternity.  I clearly remember the nursery ladies bringing in Jeffrey and Lynda Ann into the sealing room.  They were both dressed white.  Jeffrey stood on the step up to the alter and Lynda Ann sat on top of the alter.  Her little hand and Jeffrey's were placed in mine and we formed a family unit for eternity.

Not long ago, I was sitting on the back steps in the warm Fall sun thinking about Jeff and Annie when they were little.  I remember so many times walking to the school, the mall, the grocery store, and the library holding their hands.  One such memory came to me when I took Annie to the library.  I remember walking in and out of the library holding Annie's little hand and how excited she was with her hand full of books.  We got in the car, and I showed Annie a book about being adopted.  She looked puzzled and asked why I had checked that book out.  I told her that I thought, because she was adopted, that she would enjoy reading it.  She immediately informed that that she was not adopted.  I told her she was and reminded her of all the talks we had about adoption and how we got her and Jeffrey.  She looked at me and said, "Didn't you tell me that you wanted me and you prayed to Heavenly Father for me?'  I told her she was right.  I did want her, and I indeed prayed really hard for her.  Then she said, "Well if you wanted me and you prayed for me and Heavenly Father sent me to you, then I am yours and I'm not adopted."  What a lesson that was for me.  The faith and innocents of a little child.

As I sat on the back porch thinking about that moment I felt a huge wave of emotion hit me and before I knew it, tears were gently falling down my cheeks.  I thought about all those years gone by and all of a sudden, I felt an overwhelming sadness engulf me.  For a moment my heart was sad as I reflected on those carefree days with my two little ones.  They were some of the best and most beautiful and happiest moments and days of my life.

Annie turned 50 this year and Neal and I were invited to celebrate dinner with them at Tucanos in Orem.  We had a delicious dinner and a fun time with them.  I've watched this little girl of mine grow into the most beautiful daughter, wife and mother.  She has accomplished much in her life, her greatest accomplishment being a mother of 5 beautiful children.  She serves her family, her parents, her neighbors and her ward.  She is such an example of love and service.  

I love you Lynda Ann - clear to the moon and back!  Happy birthday.

My favorite picture of a 70's outfit.  

PERFECT SAYING FOR THIS POST.