Early waking boys, after adults late night

When I came downstairs on Saturday morning, Susie was taking my grandsons on a yard adventure. The swing of the water sprinkler was a waterfall to negotiate, the stones around the flowerbed a rocky trail to traverse. There were trolls to avoid (a large sprawled out cat) and zombies to run around (an uncle out doing business).  Susie took the boys for an adventure and told their mother to "rest" for a bit. Since most of the adults in the household went to bed around 4:30 am after chatting together all night, this was a needed respite.

Passing the zombie

Avoiding trolls

Traversing a rocky path

Little extra help for the toddler

Then she had them counting down houses and finding treasures of a certain color. They would bring all their treasure for me to admire and then go out again to find another color of treasure. I had platefuls of leaves, pop tops, some kind of handle, feathers, fruit, flowers, nuts and seed pods, along with trash and debris from yards.

When Susie had to do some work for her office, she had the boys draw a treasure map of where they had gone

Then she rolled it into a workable scroll

And took the boys on a treasure hunt when she was finished with her work.

Susie needed to answer some email, texts and calls from her office and work mates, so she had the boys draw up a treasure map of where they had gone that morning and the houses they had stopped at.  I have to admit it looked like squiggles and boxes to me. Though I did recognize the colors they had brought home.  Susie handed me some lollipops and said to hide them in the yard with a red cup on top so they could "find" them when they got home.
Where does her imagination come from? How can she turn everyday items into magic for kids young and old? How did she learn to be so fun to be around? Why?

Susie is the Ultimate Aunt

Susan Eames is the person you want to be around and have come visit and help out. She shows her concern and love by hugs, chats, and ironing your shirt/skirt while she listens. Have you ever considered an aunt as someone who will be your friend, not your mother, someone little older and in the know? That is Susie.

Susie and her niece Shuanna (Lore) Ludlow

Susie has ideas about the Girls Night out Party and knows how to get racy nighties.

Rachel, Susie, and Shuanna out shopping!

When the dinner was almost half over, Charla felt ill. Susie knew when Bekah didn't come back that there was a problem, so she came out and volunteered to drive Charla's car home so Charla could drive with  me. Thus relieving Charla's concern of what to do with her car.

Good food, entertainment, and friends. 

And we should mention the fact that Susie was willing to get up and dance with the belly dancer and girls!

That is Susie behind the dancer's wrist.

Birthdays!!

Laura Nausin set up a luncheon for Kim Kruse and Rosanne Nieto who just had birthdays. So much fun to get together in a pot-luck to celebrate their birthdays!  It's hard on the friends who work every day as we miss them and they miss us. Those of us who could make it had a nice time connecting, chatting, and catching up with each other.

Laura set up the luncheon and Jenn Parris was nice enough to serve

Rosanne and Kim were the birthday girls!

Teemarie's mother-in-law now lives with them  Grandma Nausin is always taking care of people

Jenn Parris looking good and Teemaree Capener is doing great!

Bonnie Carter has been a friend a long time, Joann Magleby wanted her picture with someone else.

Heather Porter was able to come for a short time, Pam Hosking is really fun to chat and talk with.   Laura's mom and Bonnie's mom are friendly.
 
Nice conversations by all. Laura was not too keen on having her picture taken but she sure knows how to throw a party!  I was there but forgot to take a picture of myself.....maybe next time.

Back with Children again

On Sunday I was asked to aid the Nursery leaders as one of the teachers were going to be out of town. It was so nice to be back with children again!  I've missed the associations and conversations that only children have. They were young and adorable. One boy was done a half hour before the class ended, so that was phun. Distraction was the name of the game, and it worked.
The magical part was when Darlene Ramos read to the children and they all congregated over to hear the story.

Children love to hear stories read to them

June 20th of 2018 Rebekah and Mike McGoveran

Michael and Rebekah McGoveran just married June 20, 2018

The day mothers hope, wish and pray for. A day when their child finds someone who makes them happy and whole.

The whole Adams Family, not pictured are the two girls who will be born in August. This was June 23, 2018

This was a really happy day! My entire family all together in one spot for three and a half hours!

From left to right: Briona- Andrew's girlfriend and Andrew, Julia -Michael's wife expecting a girl, Rebekah the bride with her brother Michael in back, Michael - Rebekah's husband in tux, Jeffrey over his shoulder and Linda Ann next, Kelsi - Nate's wife expecting a girl, Corina held in her mother Debbie's arms with Matthew behind holding Oliver on his shoulders. Jayson is being held by Nate and Rachel is holding his brother Caleb.  Kelsi, Nate, Jayson and Caleb are one family, Matthew, Debbie, Corina and Oliver are one family. All of them are very much loved by me!

First day and week of our new Normal

Jeffrey and I do not have a set agenda. There is no where is need to travel anywhere. All the wedding guests have gone home. And now we start our new normal. Weird.

Jeffrey is off to a flying start by looking up insurance plans, checking out finances, and writing to a few job postings.  One was interesting because they wanted an employment specialist who could work in Asia countries, mostly Japan. Wow, just the ticket, as Jeffrey has been working in that field for a year and a half.  Jeffrey wrote in to that one but they asked if we would be willing to relocate at our own expense.  Nah, I like my friends and I'm close to my children and really don't want to move somewhere just for a job.

I on the other hand am thinking about my daughter's wedding this past week, comprehending what great friends I have, and pondering the ties I have with family.  And looking through photos:)

There is a little cleaning up to do.....and maybe tomorrow I'll get started on the sorting and deciding what I really want to save from the boxes and boxes in the garage.......maybe I need to go visit.....somebody.....then open up the boxes.  Meanwhile the house may get very clean.....priorities.

John came to visit!

Two weekends ago my brother John called up to say he was in the city and wondered if he could come for a visit. Wow, it has been years since I've seen my brother John.
As the oldest to his almost youngest sibling of 12, there has only been one summer where I actually got to know him. I was in college when he was born and "knew" him for a few months in the summer and a few months before I left on my mission. We would visit maybe twice a year.
Then one glorious summer he came to stay with us and got to know our boys very well. He took Rebekah, Nate, Andrew and Matthew to the beach for fun in the sun. They got turned around and lost but had fun adventures and made it home before dark. He made the coolest "swords" out of sticks with padding and old socks on the end - so no one would poke their eye out.
He had a memorable jump over a rotted fence that ended with a trip to the ER. We all fell in love with John and couldn't wait for him to come the next summer. Well, he met a lovely girl that nest semester in school and came to find out her home town was just 10 miles away from us.
Needless to say John's focus was on Amy that next summer. The one memorable trip was my grandfather's funeral. Coming home I got off on the wrong exit and while trying to find my way back home, John told an exciting story of his adventure in Yellowstone with lost scouts on a hike, a bear, a dark cold night, crossing rivers in the night, and devoted brothers who came to rescue them.
Jeffrey and I were so happy to see John again after so many years. Jeffrey and John stayed awake until 2 in the morning catching up and talking. I only lasted till about 10:30 pm. He went to church the next day and was able to meet up with an old friend of his who happen to live in our ward boundaries. Good day, good visit.

'Little' brother John and I (Actually I'm old enough to be his mom)

John S Lore and Clay Simmons

These two met each other a little less than 20 years ago

Thanks For Doing your Job!

I really appreciate the great service you have done in your job, it is beneficial to my life.......but no presents!!

No presents please....especially on the front porch

The Art of Ministering

One of my best friends came over and brought a meal and listened to me talk. I got to catch up a little on her family but I think she listened to my stories more. That is really a wonderful gift, to listen to someone. I had a need to share my experiences and she was gracious to listen. I have watched her for years and have taken her example of caring for children at school and neighbors seriously and I feel this is another example I can take to heart.
Memories of a great summer we had together filled my mind. Sitting together beside a swimming pool watching our children. I am so glad we took those moments because life switches and changes to another track and those occasions become precious. At the time I felt I would have forever to make choices. But those moments are fleeting and taking the time to chat, share and make connections in that moment is vital to my happiness.
Another great friend invited a few of us to lunch this week and we met up at a restaurant. Sharing and caring, and laughing is what friendship is all about. On the way back home another friend suggested going out of her way to drop me off to be with Jeffrey.  Ahh, friends are grand!
All of these little moments are what ministering to others is all about. The caring, sharing, thoughtfulness, and service are the key to making lasting connections.

Seeing Rachel

Jeffrey and I traveled across California, Nevada and into Idaho to go see Rachel this last week. Fun, fun, fun! I had quite a bit of mother-daughter catch up chatting, walking and even a late night cookie run. I am soooo glad I do not live here. This cookie shop is fantastic and it would blow every goal I have out of the water.  Walking around campus with Rachel I realized it has been 40 or 41 years since I've been all over the campus and I only recognize a few buildings,  the design in between buildings is not even the same.
Hanging out with Rachel and getting to know her dreams and desires again, chatting about life and how is all works has been soul filling. On Thursday we went for a quick drive out to Mesa Falls so we could walk along the trail and see nature in beauty. We timed it just right between Rachel's class and the oncoming storm. Such beauty that was soothing, exciting and uplifting all in one day. There is really something about lighting, storm, rain, hail and sunshine that can be amazing.

Together again We went shopping just because we could. It's nice to do ordinary thing together

Sorry no picture of the cookies, they were gone way too fast!

On the road to a short adventure

Mesa falls

Drinking in the sights

There is something about water and lava rocks that is really appealing

Clouds but lots of sun and mild breeze

Contrast to the swirling cold bite with rain and hail - so nice to be in the car

The sun popped out again when we got to Rexburg, so Rachel and I went on a tour of the campus, though we did run into more rain. Rachel has an excellent strategy of walking through certain buildings so she only gets a little damp between them.

Rachel and I took a tour of the campus - so cool!

I forgot the red-heads name but she had a birthday. This is five of the six roommates.

Rachel and I at the apple orchard just before we were dogging rain and lighting