Update...long overdue

Dear family,

Well, it has been a while since I have sat down to update all of you.  Life is good and busy around here!  Lessons are being learned and memories are being made.  

Where to begin is always the problem when waiting so long to record memories!  The first week of July we enjoyed a family reunion with my side of the family in Carlsbad California.  My mom loves Heavenly Father's creations--from the frozen lakes in Wyoming to the trees and creek in Pine to the ocean in California!  She loves clouds out an airplane window, rain at the cabin, and any sunrise or sunset she is able to view.  She has taught me to love and appreciate all of the many wonders of this earth by spending time in them.  I am grateful for her and all she has taught me.

Many of my parents grandchildren remember the last time we went to the ocean with Grandma and Grandpa but it was many, many years ago (some grandkids weren't even around yet!).  Mom decided it was time to go again!  She and my sister spent hours and hours planning and preparing and what a great time we had!  

Here are some highlights to remember...

•  Grandpa started the Reunion off with a theme--"It's not happy people who are thankful, it's thankful people who are happy."  A true statement that we reviewed each day and learned throughout the week watching the examples of each other.
• ALL of my kids (and Bowen) were there together!  Bowen didn't love the ocean--but he looked simply adorable in his swim suit!  It's not easy being a parent of a baby on the beach!  But, like all parents learn, Taralynn and Kory sacrificed some of the things they would have liked to do in order to take care of the sweet baby!  Amy enjoyed the sun.  Jason enjoyed games and water.  Scott read a book about a Russian Spy and may look into such a profession!  He also was up for volleyball most days.  Jay and I enjoyed whatever the kids and Bowen were doing!  It was a great time.
• San Diego Temple doing baptisms--Scott got to baptize and confirm  some.  Jay had even researched some Russian names to do the work for.  The sister temple worker who gave a short devotional thanked us for being there, sacrificing some of our time on the beach to help others do a work that they cannot do themselves.  She reminded us that some have waited a long time for this day and testified that they were aware that this work was being done, at this time, by us.
• Mormon Battalion.  What a great presentation sharing some of our pioneer history.  How grateful I am for the pioneers and how they listened to and followed a living prophet of God, even when it was hard.
• THE BEACH!  Unfortunately we had a few overcast, cold days, but the sunny days we had were the best!  I love that when I am on the beach the cares and worries of the world seem to drift away.  On those couple sunny days when I did get in the water--it wasn't so bad AFTER I got in!  Fun times, when I get brave enough to venture out!  It was wonderful watching the cousins play together and laugh together.  It always makes me wonder why we don't do things like this more often...
• We ate dinner together each  night and had an activity.  Every night was perfect!  Monday, Jay  planned a FHE lesson that I would have never dreamed of!  He is quite amazing, I'd say.  Using a Coca-Cola bottle he reminded us of the scripture in Malachi "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers."  He told them that a good way to learn this is by remembering that COCA-COLA stood for "Cherish Our Children Always...and Crave Our Loving Ancestors."  Who thinks that up?!  Jay does!  Clever, yes.  But the lesson got even better!  Then he put us in two teams and told us that we were going to play a game...by spinning the Coca-Cola bottle...but to help remember the scripture this game would be called TURN the Bottle.  I have seen Jay creative, but never this creative!  And I must say, it worked!  He had questions for us to answer, such as, tell about your first kiss, tell something unique about your courtship or marriage, tell about a time you almost died, tell something you learned from your father, etc.  Each of us chose one and when the bottle TURNED to us, we got points for telling about that event about us, more points if we could tell about that same event about someone else in the room and even  more points if we could tell a story of one of our ancestors.  It was brilliant, actually!  We learned a lot about each one in the room and some more about the great people that came before us--how grateful I am for FAMILIES.  Jay has a great love for the temple and the work that binds families together in those Holy Houses of God.
• Another night-time get together was our "Cousin's Party" for Marcus.  This is something we do for each cousin as they graduate from high school.  It was fun having the center of attention be on Marcus and remember his strengths and talents.  Marcus is getting mission papers in order and will have a call soon!
• GAMES!  I love  playing games anytime, especially with family!  I don't think a day went without playing a game or two!
• Fourth of July Fireworks.  My Mom tried hard to find some place to go enjoy fireworks.  We enjoyed time with cousins but...let's just say that the fireworks weren't as memorable as the time together.
• Mom and Dad were thrilled to have many of their family together.  They treasured every minute and did everything they could to make sure everyone was having a great time.  They were very generous and kind.  They taught us a lot during our time together in their words and actions.  I am so happy my children were able to all be there to learn from their grandparents. THANKS!

 NOW MORE UPDATE...

This is a horrible picture! I will replace soon!

Amy is having a blast being an EFY (Especially for Youth) counselor at BYU in Provo.   It is an exhausting job--but full of fun people and activities.  Amy enjoyed the "younger" girls for the first several weeks (age 14-15).  She didn't think they could get any more fun than these girls and then she got a week with the "older" girls (age 16-18) and loved them too!  In reality, the girls love her!  It is such a good feeling when you work with youth and feel that they really love you!  I am so happy she is having this experience.  Yesterday when talking to her on the phone, she reminded me that she would see Bowen on Saturday...and that she would give him hugs and kisses for me!  Lucky Amy.  She takes the shuttle from Provo to Idaho Saturday and will continue as an EFY counselor for three more weeks in Rexburg.  She will come home mid-August--and is currently working on finding a job for when she get home...

A Russian Marshrutka!

Scott has attended many missionary farewells lately.  His friends have been leaving.  It is strange.  They are going to all parts of the country and world.  I think Scott is anxious and ready to have his turn!  He will speak in our ward on Sunday August 19 at 1:30 pm.  Come listen!  He will report to the MTC on Wednesday August 29.  The closer it gets, the crazier the thought becomes...!  I am so proud of him and excited.  We had an adventure recently.  We decided to take a friend who served in Scott's same mission to dinner.  Our plan was to take he and his wife out for some Russian food.  I found a place online that seemed to have good reviews so I called.  It took several calls before someone finally answered.  But instead of answering with the name of the restaurant, the man simply said, "Hello."  I asked if this was a restaurant.  He said yes.  I asked if they took reservations.  He had some questions for me before answering...!  How many?  What day?  What time?  After telling him, 7, tonight at 7 pm, he responded, "ok.  I open tonight."  So we set off for an adventure.  Forty minutes later we pulled into the parking lot and found the restaurant CLOSED...and dark.  We knocked, called and waited and James taught us our first lesson about the Russian people...often they say they will be somewhere and then won't show up!  Frustrating!  But I must say, it was a great night out!  We had lots of time to visit and ask questions and learn about Scott's mission.  It was great!  We learned about the MTC (language is hard but learn-able.  The gift of tongues is real), about the different areas in the mission, about the members (few but wonderful), about the mission work (lots of walking, knocking.  teaching members, blessing members, speaking in church), the mode of transportation in Russian (besides walking is riding in a Marshrutka) and about how a mission is the best thing to do in so many ways!  

It was great having Taralynn, Kory and Bowen spend a week with us!  They are doing great.  We enjoyed California and then when we got home, headed to a Diamondbacks game before they had to go home to Idaho.  A great game!  We look forward to seeing them again when Scott speaks in church in August and to celebrate Taralynn's birthday!  Taralynn does a great job keeping up with her blog.  We love the pictures and stories she posts. Sometimes I know we give Bowen more attention than Taralynn and Kory!  They are wonderful parents and we are so proud of them.  We love seeing them too EVERY SINGLE TIME!

Jason is always up to something!  It is always good.  This week he did a lot of yard work! That wind blew every night--and then the next day the yard was full of pine needles and pine cones.  We are considering getting rid of those beautiful trees.  But don't worry.  Jason uses his time wisely and still has time for lots of fun with friends.  They went to the mid-night showing of The Black Knight (happy he wasn't in Colorado), they swim, play basketball, and enjoy the huge slip and slide, complete with bungee cord!  (Makes me a bit nervous, but what doesn't make me nervous that boys think of?)  Jason will attend EFY in Provo this week--we are sad that Amy has moved onto Rexburg and won't be there to keep an eye on him!  Then SCHOOL STARTS!  He will be a Junior!  Crazy!  Jason turned 16!  Jason looks forward to helping at Freshman orientation...and also to driving to school (after Scott leaves on his mission).   Jason was ordained a Priest and is a great young man!  


Jay and I leave for Girl's Camp tomorrow!  So excited!  Lots of work during the summer.  So worth it! Jay has been a great support and will be very busy with many assignments at camp.  I love that he works with me! I'm so grateful for him and those others I work with.  I am grateful for the things that I learn as I serve.  I learn that the Lord is in charge.  I learn that we have our timing, but the Lord's timing is much wiser.  I learn to love as Christ does.  I learn to forgive and be forgiven.  I learn that if we get too caught up in the  things that are not really that significant that we forget what's most important...and I learn how to re-focus when that happens.  I learn that the Lords answers prayers.  I learn that family is most important.  I learn that Heavenly Father knows and loves me!


I have enjoyed time with my boys, shopping for missionary and school things, doctors appointments and lunch out at Firehouse Sub.  I love that they are home this summer!  The time for Scott's mission is coming fast now and I have conflicting thoughts on the events that are to come in the next five weeks!  At Stake Correlation meeting this morning we listened to some experiences and the testimonies of a mission President and his wife from our stake who recently returned home.  The Spirit was so strong as they spoke of their duties in Thailand.  I look forward to Scott having a mission experience.  I know he will do great but I also know that it will be hard.  As he serves, I know that he will learn many things, just like I learn as I serve.  This life is a time for us to prepare to live with our Heavenly Father, as families, throughout eternity.  Experiences are for our good and learning.  As we learn to be obedient 100% we become His hands in helping others and we are happier.  


What my Dad taught us at the family reunion is true...It's not Happy people who are THANKFUL, it's THANKFUL people who are HAPPY!

love,

Lori