Happy 82!

Happy Birthday to Aunt Marge!

Who is always the first one to send wishes for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays!

You have so many great ideas, know how to fix anything,

are so easy to please, and are always happy to see us.

We love you, Marge! 

 

Errands

I was going to make my first boomerang to show Courtney I got 

the bread she requested for her Pagosa trip. 

But I couldn't figure out how.

Nice light though.

 

College Kid

 Duncan, Kristin and Curtis, EC and Marge joined us for Sunday dinner tonight.

A perfect summer meal outside -- ribs, potatoes, squash casserole and peaches w/ feta.

After everyone left, Dan, Nick and I went with Chris to see his new apartment.

(I didn't love my kitchen rug so its been rolled up in the basement since getting a new one.
Why not let the college kids use it? Probably costs as much as all their tuition combined! 😂)

Leftover treasures in the laundry room.

Hanging art rummaged from our attic when Dan moved out of his office.

So excited for Chris and his new college life! 

Funny story:

Chris: Last weekend we went to The Pie for dinner. It's the best pizza! You need to try it.

Me: I do and I have. When I was your age we went there.

Chris: It's been around since you were in college?

Ha, ha! It's been a classic hang out since way, way back. 

Happy 51, Dan!

Dan and Nick raced today and got home just in time for dinner at Valter's Osteria.

Dan decided for his birthday he wanted a nice -- VERY nice -- birthday dinner out.

He'd been to Valter's a few times on business so had in mind exactly what he wanted --

chef's choice.

Ended up with a wonderful six-course meal and my only regret is that I didn't take photos.

Bruschetta on perfectly toasted crustini.

The softest bread with the most savory garlic dipping sauce.

Shrimp, lobster and calamari on tuna carpacchio. 

(The calamari was so tender we thought it was cheese cubes!)

Butternut squash ravioli, spinach ravioli, spaghetti with lemon sauce and gnocchi in arrabiatta sauce.

(The chef recommended it be eaten from clockwise, starting with the squash ravioli and ending with the gnocchi for maximum palate enjoyment.)

I let Dan finish my last bites of pasta because I was full.

Another basket of a different type of bread. More garlic sauce.

And so surprised when they waiter placed steak knives at each of our plates.

Two steak medallions with mushrooms accompanied with shrimp.

Biscotti to dip in cappucino cups of chocolate.

And three flavors of gelato -- strawberry, peach and lemon -- dessert.

Home for presents.

But the best gift of all was just being together for a fabulous experience.

Friday Favs

 Ran into my favorite elementary school teacher in Costco yesterday.

Mr. Fornelius was a rockhound and rewarded us with fossils and rocks for good grades on tests.

Thanks to him I loved geology and because of that I chose geology as my elective at BYU where...

I met Dan! 

 He remembered me and assured me I can still find trilobites in Delta if I ever go.

Today I hosted Ladies Breakfast and we lingered longer to swim and hot tub until 1:30. 

Always lots of laughs with the ladies.

It was a two-fer with waffles for breakfast and chicken croissant sandwiches for lunch.

Then I got cleaned up only to lay in bed listening to podcasts, surfing for Maui condos,

and occasionally shutting my eyes.

Dan & Marty were racing all day but when he got home we rode bikes to the food trucks for dinner.

Thursday Thoughts

 

Disappointed

 President Holland gave a talk to faculty and staff at BYU this week. 

I heard about it on social media because of the disappointment it stirred up.

I love President Holland. 

And I love BYU.

But I was confused and dismayed by an analogy that was getting talked about.

I felt so distressed I listened to the talk and yes, was left feeling even more disappointed.

I'm trying to write my feelings--but I have so many thoughts ping-ponging through my head about

so many different things he said, it's hard to process. And hard to reconcile how I feel about it.

I love President Holland, but I don't agree with what he said. Is that ok?

Are symbols showing support to LGTBQ bad?

Or do they just say, "we hear you." And "you have a safe space here."

The letter of a father placing blame for his daughter's disillusionment with the Church

on the influence of her professors. It's the father's opinion. 

Reminds me of the time our bishop said we couldn't speak to friends in the chapel anymore because he received a disgruntled letter from an investigator about our ward's lack of reverence.

Taking one person's opinion and forming a standard based off of it seems dangerous.

The reference to muskets needed to defend the Proclamation to the Family against same-sex marriage

was a poorly chosen one when that reference implies using muskets against people.

And calling out the valedictorian who came out in his commencement speech felt so harsh.

Of course I agree with that Jesus loves the sinner but doesn't condone the sin.

But in the context of his talk it sounded like he was saying just being gay is a sin. 

It's not. It's not a choice.

I think President Holland is one of the most sensitive voices among the general authorities.

He's always been so sympathetic to the frailties of humanity. I love him. I love the Church. 

But I think what he said hurts.

Family Photos

 Viewed the family photos today and as usual, its hard to choose just one!

What's your favorite? 

First Day of College

 Happy first day of school, Chris! 

So glad his friend's sister helped them figure out books and took a picture!

Roomies!

Roomies & Jay -- Tommy, Jay, Jon, Chris

My People

Today was spent non-stop visiting with family and friends and as I knelt by my bed at the end of the night I felt so much gratitude for friendship, a family I love, our ward community and interesting neighbors who make my life so full.

I'd forgotten church was at 9:30 instead of 9:00 so when I thought I was running late to get set up for singing time, I actually had an extra half hour to sit with EC at the kitchen table, listen to The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and eat breakfast. 

My neighbor gave a sweet talk in Sacrament meeting and I had a chance to catch up with another neighbor who returned a week ago with her family from a month in Puerto Rico and we made a plan to go walking together.

Singing Time went okay, maybe should have had an additional activity/review song planned, but I'm getting better at knowing a lot of the children's names in Junior Primary! 
Senior Primary is still a bit of a blur.

Love the graphic around our clock to help me keep on schedule!

After church, Courtney called to discuss Pagosa plans.

 At 2:00 we tuned into Ellie's farewell talk. I LOVE that we can listen to church in other wards without actually having to go to the ward! I hope they keep broadcasting church forever.

After her talk was over, EC headed back to Farmington, but soon Marge arrived just as we were leaving to the Janke's to give Ellie a hug. Saw Kira, Gabe and Levi. Sat with the Giauques, Pingrees and Morgans. On the way home, got a call from Annie that she had books that could help Lizzie with a class project so we swung by, perused her library downstairs while Dan and Rees talked about Teslas upstairs and then headed home with 16 coffee table books of pictures from around the world.

Nick picked up Chris at the airport from his California trip while Dan and I made dinner. He's sick, but tested negative for Covid, so that's good so he won't miss his first day of school tomorrow! (Hopefully he'll wear a mask!)

Lots to catch up on from Chris' week and then just as we were about to sit down to dinner, Sheree stopped by! She'd been in Logan for Joy's daughter's farewell and got to spend the afternoon with cousins and was dropping off oatmeal cake sent from Ron. (YUM!)

She stayed for dinner so we got to hear all about the Logan cousins and the Winger family.

Then Marge and Sheree left for home and Dan and I rode bikes up to the ward walkabout. Visited with Kenzie from my YW class, met a new neighbor, chatted with people I haven't seen in a while, laughed with old friends and their kids, talked to new friends until after dark when we rode our bikes home.

Chris and Nick joined us for scriptures and Chris gave a beautiful family prayer. He has really developed a gift for communicating with God. I was so touched. Afterward, Dan gave Father's blessings to each of us and after I'd had a turn, Chris asked if Dan wanted one too. Of course he did and was thrilled that Chris would ask. The blessing was really powerful and again, the growth that Chris has experienced on his mission and his eloquence in prayer touched all of us. Such a sweet spirit permeated our home that we all wanted to just sit and enjoy it for a few minutes. 

Marty and Lizzie showed up soon after to pick up the books and other things from home. And so we ended the evening getting to spend time with them. I love days when I get to talk to all my kids!

It was really one thing to the next today. But like I said, I am grateful for my community -- friends, family, neighbors, old friends, new friends and especially growth within my own family -- that enrich my life.

Weekend

 We were supposed to go boating with friends last night, but the weather has been 

CHILLY after all the rain. As in turn-on-the-fire chilly. We went to dinner at a hibachi steakhouse instead and even more people ended up coming. Guys around one grill, girls around the other. 

So fun to be together. Didn't get to visit with everyone since the group was so big, but loved catching up with those who I could.

Another storm rained out the Brian Stucki concert we were attending with EC tonight at 

Holladay park, But fortunately it's being rescheduled. 

Enjoyed dinner at Layla together and glad to have Marty and Lizzie join us and update us on 

Lizzie's first week of school. Also, Marty has new glasses!

I thought this snake was dead because it didn't move when I walked into the yard, was in the same place five minutes later after I walked to the stream to check the water levels, and held perfectly still when

Kershaw walked right over it -- practically on it -- completely oblivious.

But an hour later I checked again and it was gone. Only this picture as proof.

We should definitely try this at home.

Thanksgiving Point Bday

I love Thanksgiving Point Gardens and was super excited to spend the morning 

sharing them with Kristin and getting back to see them myself. It's been a few years.

Pomegranate bush!

I love this depiction of Christ, Mary and Martha.

Years ago Diane shared a lesson in her scripture class about these two.

It was nice to get some validation for being a "Martha."

This reminds me of an experience I once had in the temple. 

So discouraged at some bad news as I walked in the door. EC was with me that day.

I was angry and wished to get out and go back home to work on the problem.

And then I realized it was actually the place I needed to be because who could help me most

was the Lord and I was desperate for him to Hear Me and know my heart.

Gorgeous vegetables in the vegetable garden.

And lunch afterward in the Trellis Cafe.

PCT Success

Party at Jo Ellen's celebrating Duncan's achievement of finishing 

hiking the Pacific Coast Trail.

A rousing song of The Happy Wanderer!

Congrats Dunc!

Storms

So. Much. Rain!!!

Rained all evening yesterday and all day today.

POURED!

I was so excited to check my rain gauge but was so disappointed to see 

there was a crack in it and didn't hold any water! So sad.

The funeral was sad. But also fun to hear stories and memories.

Seeing all the moms from the elementary years made me nostalgic for those friendships

and grateful for the support that we'll always have for each other. 

Holly had already been to Lisa's and drove by three different times until she found no cars outside.

They were able to cry together and uniquely understand each other.

It comforted me as well knowing they'd been in touch.

I ran through the rain to my car, then came home, changed from funeral clothes into sweats and a sweatshirt and got comfy under a blanket under the couch and set to catch up on e-mails from the last week. And read my book. And watch Schitt's Creek.

 

2nd Day of School

 A high school Junior! 

Once again I forgot to take a picture on the First day of school.

But he hasn't changed much from Monday to Tuesday. 

No masks! Hoping for a more normal year this year!

While Nick was at school, we went to the Jordan River Temple with Sam Adair

for his first time. It felt so nice being back in the temple. Especially surrounded by people I love.

Lizzie met us after school and we all went to John Richard's viewing. 

So many people wanting to pay their respects and show their love. 

So Heartbreaking, but lots of love too.

Moving to College

Nick's first day of school and Chris' moving day!

I finally got Chris for the day and we finally got his mission bags unpacked.

It reminded me a lot of his last day of 2nd grade when he'd lugged home a 20 lb backpack full of what he'd collected in his desk for a full year! 

After unpacking two huge suitcases and four boxes of clothes I'd boxed up when he left,

and going through what was hanging in the closet and in the drawers, we had 

several HUGE piles for DI, Nick, Take and Store.

If I can get him home for more than two seconds, he actually doesn't mind organizing and is really good at it, so we had fun going through everything together. 

Then to Target to buy everything he needs for his new apartment 

(which is actually a basement duplex), and a quick unsuccessful stop at TJ Maxx (need a desk).

His cute friend/roommate Tommy 

(who I'm just getting to know and totally love how organized he is), 

met us at the house and helped us unpack then met us back at home to load up Chris' mattress, nightstand and subwoofers in his truck and move over. 

They went grocery shopping, but stopped at home for dinner ;-)

and then went back to their new home and he's officially moved to college!