Well, it's been more than a month since my last post. What a great month! Here are some highlights...
- Scott made it home from Provo!
- Jay and Scott took a trip to Austria and Switzerland!
- Taralynn and Bowen came to visit (we missed Kory)!
- Jason completed his sophomore year of high school!
- Amy's time is flying and she's having fun!
And her are the DETAILS....
Scott made it home from Provo!
If you follow Facebook you will know that Scott not only completed his Freshman year at BYU successfully and packed up and drove home BY HIMSELF from Provo (with NO phone as his was in a water accident a few days previous), he also got to visit with a nice Highway Patrolman. No, Mom was not pleased; and it better never happen again! Luckily he had sold back a couple of college books that allowed him to take care of his civic obligation :) ugh.
Jay and Scott took a trip to Austria and Switzerland!
Just TWO days after Scott got home, he and Jay boarded a plane to Switzerland! This was a Christmas surprise from me (Jay here: it was the best Christmas present ever).
For whatever reason, I thought
about doing this for several years. I didn't ever imagine I could pull it off as a surprise for them, but it worked and they have been looking forward to this trip.
Ever since I met Jay I have known that his mission was one of the
best times in his life. I love how he
talks of the people he met, the culture he experienced and the testimony he
gained. I know when he gets to Austria
all those memories will come back that much stronger. So my thought was to have them go back to this place before Scott left on his mission. The timing could not have been better, really.
I encouraged them to...have a blast! To think of me sometimes, to talk about THEIR missions, to laugh together, ski together, eat together, to take pictures and to be like missionary companions—together
24/7—read scriptures and pray and talk to people wherever they went.
I think they did! I was proud of them for actually taking pictures! and sharing their fun times with us when they got home.
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| Herbs - A favorite missionary eating spot in Vienna! |
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| It's not ALL about eating, but Tichy's is another missionary favorite! Okay, maybe when vacationing in Europe, or on a mission there, it is all about eating! |
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| The mission apartment--42 Kreuzgasse--Jay was companions with Scott Jackson (one of Scott's namesakes) here! |
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| The Marholt family graciously let Scott and Jay visit! After all these years they still know and LOVE Jay! A great family who are so fun and kind. |
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| There is really no place in Europe that isn't beautiful! |
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| Bikes in Salzburg... |
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| on a cold and rainy day! |
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| Warmth was found at the hotel, no worries! |
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| I would say that Zermatt is one of Jay's favorite places on earth. Though not a part of his mission, he has made it a part of each trip to Europe since. The plan was to ski there, but unfortunately the lifts were closed due to wind. |
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| No skiing? Well, why not SKYDIVING then?! Yes, the wind won't be a problem there! Really?! |
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| Yes, really! Skydiving over the Swiss Alps! Scott was almost to heaven! and definitely IN HEAVEN! |
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| They ended their trip with a tradition we have of going to the temple anyplace there is one when we have the chance. The temples around the world are each uniquely beautiful. They all are the House of the Lord and His spirit may be felt there. |
Taralynn and Bowen came to visit!
There really aren't words to describe how I feel about being a Grandma. LOVE IT! They were only here a few days, but we loved every second. Taralynn is a terrific mother and Bowen makes us all happier! We love pictures they send. We love to Skype often. We love visits best!
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| I love this picture! And Jay said it best when he said that it reminds him of his Mom. When Phyllis was sick and not talking much, Jay would often ask her questions, having her wrinkle her nose if she understood. She always did. Days before she passed away Jay made it a daily routine to ask his Mom if she loved him. She, without hesitation, wrinkled her nose. This picture is in honor of her! April 22, 2012, marked six years since her passing. We love and miss her! |
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| Bowen got to meet Ellie. She is the favorite baby around these parts and found she had some competition when Bowen came to visit! At first, she really wasn't interested in him but after a while she wanted to play! |
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| Next time he'll be ready to play with her! |
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Aunt Amy did not want to share...but she did! He loves her.
It was fun watching Scott and Jason hold him, talk to him and play with him. Here he is in one of his new outfits from Arizona which reads, My AUNT is AWESOME! |
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| The other new outfit from Arizona! His uncles ARE RAD! And they loved him! |
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| And just in case you were wondering if Taralynn really did come, here's a picture of her too! |
Jason completed his sophomore year of high school!
Jason is a "normal" teenage boy...I hope! He did very well in school, though we don't have the grades yet. He loves fun! The first day of summer has been eventful. He and his friends wanted to make a big slip and slide in the yard. Okay. With a ramp. and a bungee cord. really? Yes, really. This picture doesn't capture the fun that they had. I'm sure you'll find those videos from their phones on Facebook soon :) Oh boy! If I live through these boys I will have accomplished something!
Jason goes on the Trek next week with the youth in our stake. It will be a wonderful experience for him to appreciate more the
early pioneers, their faith, their sacrifice, and their love of the Lord as he experiences something similar to what they experienced.
These families truly are amazing and can teach us so much. I am happy
for the opportunity we will have to be with Jason and learn with him.
Amy's time is flying and she's having fun!
Amy is doing great. She is busy working three jobs right now. When she is home, she is working and when she is away, she is working. She leaves those jobs next week for another job. She will be a counselor at Especially for Youth in Provo. I will miss her. She may not make her bed very often, but she does make a difference in our home. She is so good for all of us--she listens, encourages, loves and makes life fun for all of us. As she serves and contemplates life she is happy and she makes good choices. She will be a fabulous counselor - everyone's favorite! I'm not gonna lie, though, she will be missed.
So there you have it! We are busy doing good things. For Mother's Day all I wanted was to go to the mountains with my family for the weekend and then be home in time Sunday to watch the Survivor finale! It was a great weekend. My kids love me. Jay loves me. and I love them! I couldn't be happier!
love,
Lori
