So Fun being a Nona!

What fun to take some pictures of Amber after she has slept and had a meal. She is one happy baby. I can get her to smile and laugh. Capturing it on photos is tricky and fun.

Bath Time

Andrew came back from a run and Briona came back from shopping and they decided to give Amber a bath before they went out to eat. So of course I recorded that too.

Rachel gave them this great baby bath and accessories, the little insert for small infants works great. This is much better than under a facet in the sink.

Off Andrew and Briona went to have a date for an hour or so, and I got to play again till Amber fell asleep.

Great Daughter in Law

Julia Rose Little Adams

 I am living with an incredible daughter-in-law. She is very nurturing to her children and does many activities with them. Many times I have come home to find her outside with her kids in the back yard. Earlier this week, she packed up the girls to drive over to Michael's work just in case he needed a cable to the computer he brought. She knew how important his project was to him and didn't want him to stall. I love to see them cuddle watching, "The Great British Baking Show".

She can research anything you want to know about and has found the top-of-the-line in strollers and other hardware she wants to use. Two years ago, she researched the best way to stop her daughter's tantrums. As a result, her daughter is one of the nicest kids in her pre-school with very good reviews from every teacher.  This research ability really paid off about three weeks ago when she decided she was finished with her stomach issues. She looked up causes for stomach inflammation, which sent her down a road to gluten intolerance. Wow, she found she hit every symptom. She decided she didn't need to get tested as all she had to do was stop eating any wheat products. Within two days her health started to improve and in a week was a new woman! She has more energy, is not as lethargic, and doesn't have the joint pain and stomach issues of the past.

Ever since I've been home, I've watched her on her school degree quest. Julia uses her research skills constantly in her homework.  She is determined to get her degree by this December. In order to do so, all her work has to be turned in by the 23rd of November. Just two classes to finish -- but one has a real stickler as a professor who wants lots of extra work. We'll have to see what happens! I'm banking on Julia as she always finds a way to accomplish what she wants.

Imagination is a powerful thing

 The girls and I went over to the 99¢ store but they got waylaid by the riding toys out front. They jumped out of the stroller and got on the non-moving toys. I told them I did not have any quarters to make either one move. They just played in their imagination for almost 20 minutes on the toys that did not move. 

I found a place in the shade to wait but they were mostly in the sun. I couldn't really tell what their "story" was but each were in their own zone. We finally did go in to the store and got what we wanted. On the way out they stopped again, but I told them only a minute because we had Isla's package to unwrap when we got home (fortunately!)

Mike and Carol

 Before we left for Accra, Mike had told us he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease -- just like his dad. I am not sure if he had gone a long time without the diagnosis or if he is losing ground faster than his father. But I was surprised to see how different he looked and acted from two years ago. He does not drive a car and does not go on hikes by himself. This must be so frustrating for a man who could pick up and go by himself all over the place. He is very fortunate that Sarah, his daughter lives close by and is willing to go places with him.

The shock I had on this particular visit, was to find out that Carol had a cancer, she had treatments, and her hair has grown back in again. WHAT?! Talking about my angst on the car ride home, Jeffrey said, "Oh I'm sorry, I thought you knew." If I had I would definitely have been praying for her and hopefully written a letter or two while we were gone. She looked good though she felt she did not because she didn't have her hair done and beautiful clothes on. I thought she looked like a cuddly grandma, just right. 

When I got back home and was talking with Matthew about not knowing what is happening in my own family, he said, "You know mom, I am sad that is happening. I have been so wrapped up in keeping my head above water during this residency that I don't know what is happening to my own brothers and sisters." We talked for a bit on how to keep in touch with family members -- then made a date to meet.

I am hoping Jeffrey and I can go back and visit Mike and Carol soon. 

Susie's love

 Susie let us stay on her comfortable king size bed while she slept on a cot in her office. I was a little dismayed but she says it is very comfortable with a deep foam on it. She says it is always set up in case Jackie wants to come and use it for the night or a few days. I'm glad Jackie didn't need it while we were visiting.

After the second session of conference and before the next meeting, Susie and I headed off to look at blessing dresses. Jeffrey headed off for a hike in the canyon. 

 I had used a glue for Tracey's blessing dress on the tears and it made long blotches on the clear material. Not good. So I was in a little bit of a panic to find a solution or more importantly a dress. 

Three stores later we found the perfect dress. It was a little like her grandmother's in that it was short and ruffled. Susie always comes through on the things I need:)

I love the fact that they treated it just like a wedding dress - with care.

Watching the conference sessions with Susie was a blessing. The messages were powerful and motivating. Being with Susie makes those impressions and ideas practical as she asks what I'm going to do and has ideas of how to make it happen. She showed me how her grandma bag that she takes with her works. She helped me set up my own with a few of the things that she uses.  I love being with Susie!

Genetics

 Susie has a condition in her hands that is called Vikings Disease or  Dupuytren's contraction. It's a gradual tightening and thickening that causes the tendons to not straighten but gradually contract. 

This is very tough to witness as one she is my sister, and two, Susie is the one who is always helping a neighbor, friend, sister, brother, or stranger. I cannot remember a time when she wasn't doing something little special something for someone else. She would drop off little gifts and cards to grumpy widows and eventually became their friends. She spends time and brings over meals or treat to the couple next door and always knows when someone on the street needs something. She quietly brought over meals to a widower when all the relatives had left. Other people found out and started a system of taking care of him. She is a doer of good things. This is hard.

But Susie stays optimistic and says there seems to be new treatments and creams coming out that may (or may not) help or minimize the damage. Interesting proof of ancestors....

Susie and her little buddy Rudy

Walks with family

 Twin Falls is such a beautiful place to hike up and down the canyon if you are looking for strenuous or you can walk around the rim for a nice stroll. There has been some really good planning for paved walk way with gorgeous views of the volcanic rock, river, and falls. 

All the girls went for a stroll around the rim while Jeffrey set out on a hike. Rebekah and Rachel had a sisters walk and Susie and I had a sisters walk. We were so sad when Susie and Rachel had to leave.

Susie and I walking back. Actually I was afraid Susie was going to fall because of something off with her knee, so I held her hoping to give her some support.

I felt so relaxed with a sweet feeling in Rebekah's home. Time seemed almost irrelevant. Later we toured a museum of the early days in Twin Falls. But alas I only took Marco Polo videos to show our adventures so I have no pictures of the cool things we saw. The wooden merry-go-round was really cool. I enjoyed the small room school house and we went over lots of history of the early ways people lived and things they used.

It was really sobering to come across a telephone booth as a history item. I grew up with them all around and it wasn't until Andrew was in middle school that they stopped showing up in places around town because so many people had cell phones. It's a little weird and eye opening to be part of the "old" crowd. Experienced is ok, but outdated is not!

Then we went down to another canyon place with a tributary to the main river. It was beautiful too. I love watching Rebekah and Mike and how they interact with each other.

It was so nice to hang out with Mike and Rebekah. I lost track of days and was surprised when Jeffrey said we would be heading back. I know Rebekah and I had a walk along the canyon rim one day and walked to the place where Evel Knievel jumped the canyon rim (but didn't make it). We walked up the ramp and talked about Rebekah's plans for the future and her history for the last few years.  Most of the up close action of the ramp is on Marco Polo, so I only have a long distance shot of walking to the ramp and another of how close the temple is to the walkway leading to the canyon rim. We went back to the restaurant that we went to two months the last time we came, for a fantastic meal. The left overs in the house were divine. Good food, good walks, good chats! On Saturday we watched one session of conference with them and then drove back to Ogden in between and listened to the first of the second session on the radio. I can't wait to go back....another two months?

Walking to Evel Knievel's ramp

The temple is so close though this shot is deceptive as the path doesn't actually go to the temple.

Oh, one other thing....we went one of the days to visit with Mike's dad. We had a really nice chat visiting and touring his home in Kimberly - very close to Twin Falls. Mike's two brothers were there also.

Becka and Mike went over to talk with his grandpa who lives just next door. His grandpa is a very hard worker and was taking out all the weeds in this field.

We walked around the house chatting and talking and toured inside too.

The Night Continues

 Rebekah and Mike had high quality ice-cream bars with chocolate and raspberry and chocolate and vanilla for an after dinner treat. We cleaned up just a bit, then Uncle Ray and Aunt Carol arrived. Uncle Ray didn't miss the great barbecue dinner though it wasn't warm anymore and we all sat around for hours talking around the McGoveran's outdoor table. It had a warm flame that created enough heat to keep everyone comfortable.

Uncle Ray told a story of his soldier days. I am not sure if he was drafted or decided to sign up so he would have a little more control over his enlistment. He told us a story I had never heard before about his boot camp. He took some tests with about 100 others and passed it. Only a third of the men made it. He took another test and only about 10 made it. His last test he passed and was qualified to be a fighter pilot. He only had to sign....his wife did not want him to fly in Viet Nam and did not want him to sign. I think Uncle Ray felt he would be protected if he did sign up, but did not want to worry his wife with their small children. Interesting to hear about the lives of relatives from an adult view...

He did go on to tell some really cool stories where he felt the hand of the Lord and how his life was protected and guided. They have both had a really wonderful life and great joy with their big family.

Jeffrey and I talked a little about our missions and told a few stories too. It was a really good night.

Life is so Good!

Up to Twin Falls

 Jeffrey and I took off from Provo and headed up to Ogden to meet with Rachel and Susie as we caravanned up to Twin Falls. Susie and Rachel only planned to stay one night as both had work commitments. Susie and I had a good chat throughout the drive and Rachel chatted with her dad. We all pulled in together in Rebekah and Mike's driveway. I think this was the first time Rachel had seen Rebekah's home and pretty sure it was the first time for Susie too. After the tour we unpacked and started to enjoy each other's company.

That night, Rebekah and Mike had planned a barbecue with my aunt and uncle but Ray and Carol said an emergency came up so they were going to be very late.  We went ahead with the party plans and all helped prepare the vegetable kabobs. Mike was strictly in charge of the grilling and did a really marvelous job. Oh my, o my was that food good! Whatever the marinades everything was superb!

All of us gather and each had a job to do. I did help out besides take picture:)

Chatting when the food is ready but it's not time to cook

Marinated kabobs ready to go..

Michael is always more critical of his work, but I thought it was just right.

We loaded up with good food on Rebekah and Mike's little table inside and gathered around their outside table to eat. Fun, laughter, and good conversation.

Mike melted a special cheese over the chicken I asked for and topped with vegetables was fantastic.

Good times, good eating, good chats......and it wasn't over......

Shawny and Verne Ernst

 We had a very wonderful visit with Shawny and Verne Ernst after they had finished their duties at the MTC  on Thursday night. We met at the Creamery on 9th Street. While waiting for them we watched a whole line full of college kids who had just finished a concert. Many ladies were in velvet tops an gathered skirts with diamond type necklaces and earrings. The guys were in suits that had some kind of insignia on the pocket - they looked very handsome. I had a few nostalgic moments.

It was so nice to visit and share with the Ernsts on current histories and catch up on what their children were doing and what they are doing now. They just finished being mission leaders and are already working for the church and at the MTC as the branch leaders to the missionaries coming in. We have been friends since 1992 though they moved when the children were still young. Verne and Jeffrey served in the Bishopric together and Shawny is the type of woman who could be called in any calling with her talents and drive. They are a dynamic couple.

Rachel is in Provo

While we were in Provo we visited Rachel's home after the visit to her Grandmama. She lives with Fiona who is going to law school. We didn't see Fiona or Cat this time - hopefully another time. Rachel works for the same orthodontist she worked with when she lived in Concord, but does the remote work of setting appointments, reminders, and answering calls. 

In fact they had flown her back to Concord so she could work in the office again for a week just before Jeffrey and I took our own trip. Every day I drove her to work and picked her up again. It was fun to see her but we didn't have much time as she worked long hours. Just that last day we had fun before she went back to Provo. Rachel was able to bring back one of her suitcases she had left and we brought the other one to her on this trip.

It was fun to see her in her own setting.  We had such a nice visit. Calm and insightful. She was working during our visit and so we ordered in lunch - Cafe Rio - delicious!

Rachel at work at her bedroom desk

I am glad we didn't miss this wonderful salad - I love Cafe Rio. 

Rachel still at work at the kitchen table. We just worked around her calls.

Totally different door than her last apartment. Inside up the stairs instead of outside.

Janice's hospitality

 While we were in Provo, we stayed with Janice and Greg - but all the signs are from Janice, the food was prepared by Janice, and we saw her the most. It was fun to hear about Talia's adventures and her plans to move to Alaska with her military husband - just before it gets really cold. They will be in Anchorage. 

We had a really cool discussion with Greg about scriptures and only had a peek of Jared in passing. It was such a nice visit. Janice had the internet password, descriptions of where towels, necessities, and snacks are all written on the notice in the guest room. Her meals were really, really good. Her refrigerator is organized and easy to find anything and ice-cream is in the outside freezer part of the fridge. There were drinks available in the bottom. We were treated like royalty and enjoyed every minute.