I have been quite busy and have put off writing my update for TOO LONG! I hope to include the highlights of the past month...
I must admit we haven't really "honored" our college graduate as much as I would like, but I am so proud of Amy! She had a nice trip to Utah to visit friends and to Idaho to visit Taralynn. I love when Taralynn and Amy get to spend time together. All those years of me reminding them that one day they will be best friends has become reality in the past several years. Amy got to be "mom" and stay with a family while the parents were out of town. She always loves this kind of work! Amy finds fun things to do with friends on the weekends. We love when they come to our home. I even got to play a game with them on Saturday night! I love having Amy home and I especially love when Amy is happy! Amy decided to run the St. George Marathon this year! WE GOT IN! Training has begun...slowly but surely! Amy and her friend went to the retirement party of her first track coach, from Poston, yesterday. What a great motivator, coach and friend she was. I think Poston track was a turning point in Amy's life in many ways. Amy enjoyed some "cousin time" at Oreganos when Kati and Amber were visiting. Amy helped me make Mother's Day dinner...and Amy came to church with me on Mother's Day (and even helped me teach Jason's Sunday School lesson)!
Scott's graduation is coming up so fast! I can't believe it! He has his cap, tassel and gown! He teases me that he will be flying over his graduation rather than attending it, but that will not be the case! He PASSED the written test for his pilot's license and is working hard with his awesome instructor to prepare now for the practical and oral part of that process! He is working toward being a licensed pilot by the time he graduates from high school! Amazing! Scott is either very busy - or not. I love the busy Scott. It just seems to be a "better fit" for him - He's happier! He is doing great right now - and I attribute that to him being busy - busy doing good things. Scott has a busy month before leaving for Provo mid June. It is hard to imagine our home without Scott. I am happy that he will experience life on his own, but sad that he is leaving us! Scott got to be at the Cowley home on Sunday when their son, and his best friend, called from the mission field. It sounded like a great phone call! Scott has been playing basketball in the evenings with friends. He got new running shoes - to train for the St. George Marathon that he will run Oct. 1! I'm not sure he has actually run in them yet...! He also plays church softball Wednesday nights right now.
Kory and Taralynn visit us next week! They won't be here for graduation, but we will celebrate the graduation accomplishments while they are here! I can't wait to see them! Taralynn and Kory are doing great. I love the Skype thing - even surprised Taralynn the other day to see if she'd answer HER COMPUTER! That is crazy to me but so fun! They are working on their yard - planters, grass, garden. I wish I could see all that from her computer on Skype! They are often busy celebrating birthdays and holidays with Kory's family. Tarlaynn hosted a shower for her sister-in-law! They participated in their annual Easter Egg competition with his family - loosing the egg toss once again, but winning in other areas. The nursery kids on Sunday still entertain them! Taralynn posted "(just a few...) things my mom taught me" on her blog in honor of Mother's Day - and MADE MY DAY! I love Taralynn and Kory and love seeing them happy!
Jason is getting tired of school. NOT YET! He has many projects still to complete! He has a few friends that come over occasionally to study together. Sometimes I'm not sure how much productive studying gets done in these study sessions but it is sure great having them over and seeing them help each other and encourage each other. Jason has been playing more basketball these days. He will spend much of his June at basketball camps. The youth in our ward have begun their summer reading of the Book of Mormon. Jason is a terrific brother and friend. I love when my boys do things together. It is fun that the Teachers and Priests are playing church softball together right now. I love having Jason around to help me and I love when Jason is happy.
Jay is constant, patient, busy, kind and happy. He and the boys enjoyed Father and Sons a couple weekends ago. Jay treated me like a queen on Mother's Day (let's face it, Jay treats me like a queen everyday!) My Dad even told Jay that he could come make burgers at his house every time they were going to have burgers - even if he wasn't invited! He did BBQ up some tasty burgers Sunday! Some of Jay's family visited in the past month which has been great - Kati, Alex and Amber, were here for Easter weekend. They got to see the pageant for the first time and loved it. They helped me make the most delicious Easter dinner! We also enjoyed Mattas, a movie and Jamba juice! Alex is adorable and can almost say "I want to move to Arizona" without any prompts! Marki came Easter weekend too but stayed even longer! LOVED it! She can say "I want to move to Arizona" without prompts and says it often! She and Mel enjoyed some time in Strawberry too. Paul visited for a weekend. He was in Strawberry some of that time so I didn't see him much. We had fun playing games with Liesl and Sam on Sunday afternoon. Jay is the high council speaker in Amy's ward Sunday! Jay had a couple clients and friends attend the pageant. I think participating in the pageant was a turning point in Jay's life in many ways. Isn't it great that we are allowed "turning points" throughout our earthly existence to build and strengthen us. The challenge is to take full advantage of those times and BECOME better. The pageant has done that for Jay. I love Jay and could not imagine life without him!
I am busy. I wear many hats. I love my "wife and mother" hat best. Sometimes I allow other "busy" things to get in the way of what is most important but I try to be the best I can each day. I love Jay and my kids and would do anything for them! I love my "sister and friend" hat and look forward to helping my sisters host a baby shower for Lynette! CAN'T WAIT for Scott and Lynette to have their baby girl! I love my "Aunt" hat and am sure my nieces and nephews call me crazy at times. I always enjoy being with them and hearing about their lives. I enjoyed making a DVD for Marcus's Eagle Court of Honor! Congrats to him! Another Andreasen Scout! I love my "temple" hat whether it is working there in the youth center, which is incredible, or serving there...I love the temple! I love my "Young Women" hat. I have been busy with many talented people in preparing for Youth Conference and Girl's Camp. I love serving and I love getting to know the youth! They are amazing. They live in tough times. The gospel can bring direction, peace and happiness to all of us. I love life and the opportunities that are mine to learn and grow.
So much to do, so much to learn, so much to give! THANK YOU for all you do for me, all you teach me and all you GIVE to make my life, and the life of my family, great! Hope to spend time with you soon!
With Love Always,
Lori
I just read your comment on Jenny's blog & said something about your comment. Then I realized you may not ever see it, since you've already commented! I wanted you to know I understood what you were saying & thought it was so wise. Really, I did. We talked about the same thing in our RS lesson yesterday about Talents. It's so tricky to uncover them sometimes though, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI also got the email, thanks! Quinn is beyond excited. His smile when he found out was priceless. How fun!