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.  

Sunday Thoughts

Lynda Ann and I talked a lot on the way down to Orem about how people won't get the COVID vaccine and refuse to wear masks.  She has a neighbor that she was talking to and the neighbor made the comment that they didn't feel they should have to wear masks and get shots.  Annie politely informed them that people are dying from COVID.  Neither Annie or I have patience with people who won't accept that COVID is something that we all need to be aware of and do what we can to eliminate the virus.  Now we are dealing with the new strand, Delta.  When will people wake up?  We also talked about the devastating fires in California and the earthquakes around the world and the climate change, etc.

Maybe Heavenly Father is trying to tell us something.  Maybe the world needed a time-out to remember how to appreciate what it had but forgot to experience.  If there is one thing COVID has made me realize, it's that nothing is certain.  Everything we expect, everything we take for granted - none of it is a given.  So I would say hold on to what you have while you have it and take the time to appreciate the wonderful things in life, because you never know when it will be gone.

We also talked about President Hollands talk at BYU and the negative response he is taking.  I was livid that there are people out there who could actually turn such a beautiful, sincere and loving talk into something negative.  I have a few quotes from his talk, but if you haven't read it, you should read the whole talk.  It is nothing but love for all of God's children.

He said that BYU must be a university that "not only stands but stands unquestionably committed to its unique academic mission and to the church that sponsors it."

"Please, from one who owes so much to this school and has loved her so deeply for so long, keep her standing, but standing for what she uniquely and prophetically was mean to be."  

Saturday fun

 Annie's birthday is coming up the first of September so we drove to Orem to meet Lila Mae and Susan for lunch to celebrate Annie's birthday.  Mallory had just moved in to her new apartment and Annie had a piece of furniture to take down.  We stopped at Mallory's new place and with the help of Mallory's co-worker, Russ, the piece of furniture got carried up three flights of stairs and put in the apartment.  We visited with Russ for a few minutes, then headed over to Chili's to meet Lila Mae and Susan.  We had a delicious lunch and visited getting caught up on all the family news of the Gertsons, Maxfields and Johnsons.  I think Susan's news was the most interesting of all.  It doesn't need to be repeated on my blog, but it was interesting.  Annie got presents from Susan and Lila Mae and then we said our goodbyes.  We headed to Hobby Lobby where we bought a bunch of Fall stuff and some gnome noses!  Annie is busy making Fall decorations for her home.  From there we went to Baskin Robbins and had ice cream and then home.  It was a full day and a very fun one.

Here are some pictures of Annies new creations.

So dang cute and so clever.  Annie's favorite time of the year is Fall.  She loves to drag out all of her Fall decorations and get her home decorated.  

Annie spotted this license on a police car and we had to take a picture of it.  I sent it to Susan because I figured she would get a kick out of it.

We all had a good laugh over that one. 

Ward Cultural Evening

Our ward had a cultural event last Saturday night.  Of course, Neal signed us up to represent Hawaii.  He was all excited about all the stuff he wanted to do.  The more he developed his idea the more I saw my "to do" list growing and growing.  I will be honest and say that I was not enrolled and was not happy about spending my whole Saturday running to stores, floral shops and restaurants to find all the many things he wanted to display for his beloved Hawaii.  Then to top it off he wanted to play his ukulele and have us sing, "I Want to go Back to my Little Grass Shack in Hawaii".  You have to realize there are a lot of Hawaiian words in there that Neal can rattle off without a problem but that I have no idea how to say.  For example:  Kealakekua or kanes, komoma'i no ka'ua ika hale welakahao and last but not lease Humuhumu, nukunuku a pua'a.

All of those words are in the song that he wanted us to sing.  Well the stars were lined up for me and as the evening went, there just wasn't time for us to sing our song.  Darn.  Maybe in the next life!!

All in all, it ended up being a very expensive evening for Neal by the time he bought the pulled pork, two orchids, two birds of paradise and two ginger flowers, plus all the fruit that is known for Hawaii.  But, he was happy with the display and to be able to share his love of the islands.

Of course, matching outfits!!

He also wanted to get Hawaiian lei.  He found out the only place who made and sold them was a Hawaiian shop on the West side of the valley and he didn't want to run out there to get them so gave up on that idea.  Plus they were not cheap, either!  

ALOHA!
 

Sunday Thoughts

 I was reading my mother's journal not too long ago and as I was reading it I was missing her greatly but also was so grateful that she had a journal and that she wrote in it often and that she left those written words for me to read and remember.  Every time I pick up her journal and read, I again realize how important it is to keep a journal.  For a long time I kept a typed journal and would keep the printed pages in a loose leaf.  Jamie got me started blogging and I have loved being able to blog on the computer at my convenience and when I want to, when I have the time, and what content I want.  It is my journal and my thoughts which gives me the right to say and write what I want.  I've tried my best to keep my journal on a positive side and write about what feels good to me.  My journal is not to compare how much I wrote about different members of my family.  I write on the people who surround my life on a daily basis and keep me a part of their lives and that of their family and make it a habit to include me in their activities.  I can only write on what I have experienced and what has added to my life in a positive and loving way.  So what I post, I hope it "publishes peace, (and) good tidings of good . . . . Mosiah 15:14

My Sunday Thoughts for today are:

THINGS TO REMEMBER

• You don't have to be perfect
• Having a bad day is okay
• Small steps are also progress
• Asking for help is strength
• People love and appreciate you for who you are - not for what they want or expect you to be

Have a wonderful week!

Back to School Week

 I loved getting pictures of the kids all dressed up in their new attire and headed back to school for the new year.  Most of my grandchildren are high school or college and beyond so I don't have too many left for grade school pictures.  But I did get a picture from Maren and from Jamie.

In this first picture of Brock and Boston you will notice a cast on Boston's arm.  Maren said that he was playing at a friends, jumped a fence and broke his wrist in 2 places.  That puts him out of baseball for part if not all of the season.  Great picture of both the boys.  Can't believe Brock is in 9th grade!!

I couldn't believe how cute this was of the three girls going to kindergarten.  Of course we know that Jordyn Lyn is in her second year of college, and Lexi is nearing high school graduation and Peyton is in command of the junior high years.  Thanks for sending these.

Happy schooling to all my grandchildren no matter the grade.  Just take advantage of the learning years and the freedom of being able to go to school, learn and be where your dreams take you. 

Homeless Week

 They have, what they call at BYU, student homeless week.  The semester has ended and students are either moving out permanently or they may be moving to a different apartment.  Of course there are many students who are renewing their contract for another year and staying in the same apartment.  For those who are moving out, the landlords have to come in and clean and they need a week to do that.  Consequently students who are moving from one contract or complex to another have a week where they don't have a place to live.  Mallory, who is changing apartments found herself in the same situation so she called and asked if she could stay with us for 4 days until her new place was ready for her.  The only sad thing was that she couldn't bring Brinkley.  He would have to go to Stansbury and stay with Annie and family.  Mallory works full time at a law firm and the commute would be much cheaper (gas wise) and a much shorter distance.  I loved having her here.  It was like old times.  We were off doing doing something each evening.  Our most fun was getting pedicures.  I even, with encouragement from Mallory, stepped out of my pink comfort zone and had blue polish on my toes.  We both had little flowers painted on our toes.  After, we drove to Coasta Vida and got dinner for the three of us.  It was a fun, relaxing and decorative evening.  

I also had a picture of my toes and Mallory's toes but somehow I've lost it.  I'll have to get Mallory to send it to me.  Her toes were more of a soft sea green blue color with a flower and a little jewel in the center of the flower.  Pedicures are the best!!!  Even at my age it is nice to have your feet all scraped, trimmed, scrubbed, lotioned up and painted!  We had such a fun time.

Six Month Mark

 I got a birthday card in the mail from Abby wishing me a happy birthday and letting me know that she has reached her six month mark.  I have to be careful when I write her that I don't tell her that it seems like forever since she has been gone and that we all miss her terribly.  Don't want to make her homesick.  Abby did her MTC at home and followed all the mission rules and then off to California where she has met many people, created many memories and above all is serving her Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know Abby will continue to feel great joy as she serves the people in California and as she continues to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In Preach My Gospel the First Presidency says "There is no work more motivating than this, nor is one that brings greater satisfaction.  The Lord will reward and bless you immensely as you serve Him with humility and prayer."  

"Fear not, be of good cheer.  The future is as bright as your faith."  Thomas S. Monson

Apprently they saw a HUGE cockroach or spider in their apartment.  Not sure which.  All of them up off the floor!!!

My birthday message.

What a sweet message from my little namesake missionary!  Love you so much, Abby.  

She who "publishes peace, good tidings of good and testifies that Thy God Reigneth!"  Mosiah 15:14

Another BYU Cougar!

 I got a call from Mallory last night telling me that she has been accepted at BYU starting in January 2022.  Very exciting times for her and a very happy grandmother.  It is always nice when you have some one who goes to your favorite college.  I attended for 2 1/2 years and loved every minute of it.  Probably, truth be known, I loved the social life more than the studies, but I did love the college life and being on campus.  I worked at Barbizon Clothing Factory for a year after I graduated from Provo High School so I could save and earn enough money to attend the Y.  I've often wished that I had finished my education there and received a 4 year degree, but as mother used to say, "If wishes were horses , beggars would ride.  If turnips were watches, I'd wear one by my side. If 'ifs' and 'ands' were pots and pans, There'd be no work for tinkers's hands."   The meaning is that if wishing could make things happen, then even the most destitute people would have everything they wanted.  

Anyway, I'm so excited for Mallory.  She is working at a law office and will continue to work there and live in Provo and attend the Y.  Such happy news!

Happy Cougar Days ahead!!

Cute Picture

 I happened to check my instagram and there was the cutest picture of Taylor and Brock.  Brock just had another birthday and I'm not sure if they were celebrating his birthday or Taylor was celebrating the fact that she has had her surgery on her shoulder and is able to be mobile again.  Whatever the reason, I'm glad they posted this picture.  Happy birthday to Brock!  Hope you had a great one.  And to Taylor, just keep doing what the doctor and your angel mom advise you and you will be independent again, back to work and back to college life before you know it!  Love you both so much!!

Sunday Thoughts

 Today Lynda Ann and I traveled to Provo to hear Mallory speak in Sacrament Meeting.  We left here about 7:50, picked up Mallory in Provo and from there to BYU campus where she meets for her meetings.  She gave an excellent talk.  These are some of the highlights of her talk:

"Actively living the gospel instead of practically living the gospel."  We are all members but are we just members or are we actively living the gospel and participating in all the gospel has to offer.

"Testimony vs. Conversion.  Never fall away.  Be true to the gospel of Jesus Christ."

"Apply the atonement twenty-four / seven.  The atonement never runs out."

"Stop blaming others for your circumstances.  Do the right things every day."

One of my favorites:  "Selective obedience brings selective blessings."

"Sometimes we sleepwalk on the path.  Wake up and live it."

"We should know the gospel is true and be true to the gospel."  Bednar

"The Savior's standard is clear and simple. . . 'If ye love me, keep my commandments.'

And I LOVE this one by Abraham Lincoln:  "When I do good I feel good.  When I do bad I feel bad."

We took a couple fun pictures and then after the meeting we stopped and had lunch with Mallory before heading back to Salt Lake and Stansbury.  Perfect way to spend a Sabbath morning!  

We went past Emmi's Life Science Building and had to stop and take a picture to send to Emmi.  

Mallory, your talk was amazing as are you!!  Thanks for inviting us to come.  I'll end this Sunday post with this saying:

"You can't have faith in Christ unless you know who he is and what he did."   

Quilting Day

 Friday I decided to take, what I call, a mental health day.  I have a quilting project that I wanted to get done and ready for Lila Mae's birthday and Lynda Ann has a couple projects she wants help with so I decided that I should get mine done and out of the way.  I was going to go to work for a half a day and when I got up that morning decided I would just take the whole day off.  I did some cleaning around the house and then had Neal help me get the long frames down from the loft in the garage.  I set up the frames and began my project.  This is the material that Lila Mae picked out for her quilt.  she loves the red truck with a Christmas tree in the back.

The back is a red and green polka dot with a white background.  Goes absolutely perfect with the front.  The yarn that I chose to tie it with is red with a sparkly thread running through it.  Very Christmas looking.

If you look closely, you can see the sprakle.

This is after it was all tied.  Now I'm going to take it to Sally Curtis and she will put a plain red biding around the edges.  It will be very festive!

Setting up the frames.  Old stands but new boards.

A Memorable Day

 The history and friendship with Judy Stanfield goes clear back to when Lynda Ann was in the 6th grade.  Judy was the principal at Crestview Elementary.  I could already see my future not being stable and possible some drastic changes in my life.  I knew that I needed to think seriously about getting back into the employment world.  I had been working part time in the library at the school and also substituting in classrooms.  Judy encouraged me to apply with Granite School District for the principal's secretary at Crestview.  She had been notified that her secretary was moving on to another job.  Judy also spent a lot of time talking to my about my situation with my marriage.  Because of her, my self esteem was being repaired and my confidence slowly restored.  She hired me as her secretary and I worked with her through the summer months.  She was then transferred to the School District Offices in the Human Resources Department.  She needed a secretary so was able to have me transferred from Crestview to the District Offices.  I work with her until she was transferred to Evergreen Jr. High.  As the years went on and she was moved around Granite School District to higher paying positions she always managed to get me moved with her.  Our last place of employment together was at the Winter Olympics.  Our friendship has bonded tightly over the years.  Ron and Judy and Neal and I all married the same year and have continued to be fast friends.  We love bridge, golfing and traveling together.  I thought it would be fun to have Lynda Ann compile pictures in a book to give Judy for Christmas.  I also decided that I needed to have pictures of our working journey together so we spent the day yesterday traveling from school to school and getting pictures.  After we had lunch at Subway and talked and laughed about so many fun times.  A friendship like this one should always be enjoyed and never taken for granted.  

I still have to get one more of us with the Olympic symbols.  We worked at the Olympics for 2 years together.  The assignments of typing up stuff for her hasn't changed over the years.  She still calls me frequently asking me if I will type things up for her.  I love that I'm still her secretary and her friend!