Look who I found

Look who I found in my Christmas book! One year we made place cards with photos of all the children and cousins who had played parts in our Nativities through the years. Such fun memories. We have Joseph, an angel, a shepherd and Mary. Sweet. I'll never forget the year that one cousin wanted to be Mary, then got shy. The other cousin loudly stated as the group was ready to enter the room, "Mary does not want to come!" I think Nicole and KC stepped in to play the parts of Mary and Joseph (and they were in college).

I'm sure we still have that robe - Clyde got it for our wedding and it has only been used for Nativities ever since!

the weather is frightful

Lots of snow - up to my knees and still coming. And it is supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow.
Yikes.
In the last 15 hours on our street I have seen:
-10:30 pm, two deer in the middle of the road - not running, just walking slowly as if looking at all the lights.
-7:40 am there was a road grader moving snow on our street - not a snow plow.
- 8 am there was a person on a full size snowmobile going up the road. fast.

What's next?

Sharing the love

Here's some favorites from our mid December trip to visit KC and Emily and the darling grandbabies.
They are so cute, huggable, happy, and fun to be with. Emily is amazing with her organization and speed with which she feeds, bathes, diapers and dresses the crew. KC is the father of triplets! It's still a wonderful miracle.

Ruby

Alex and Bennett - they all love books.
Bennett was still happy even with his ear infection!

Bathtime is a favorite - Alex usually flops on his belly and kicks his feet.

We were sad to leave them all. We are grateful for their health and successful year.

We made it

This is a catch up post about our November trip to Colorado. We decided to go to Denver because everyone wanted to see Grandpa since his trials of the summer - ventilator, pneumonia, septic shock etc.

Clyde and I traveled early on Tuesday, before the 'blizzard that wasn't' hit Provo. Nicole, Casey, Michelle and Cisco could not leave until Wed due to work obligations. After deciding to come, then not, then yes they are coming - they finally left at 5 pm! They drove through Wyoming and had good roads for 5 hours then awful roads for the next 2+ hours. They stayed in the first hotel they saw in Laramie and made it down to Carolyn's in plenty of time for Thanksgiving. It was so good to spend time with Grandpa Carlson, who now lives in a 24 hour care center.All the siblings were there and it was a wonderful time to be together. Clyde was his helpful self, keeping up on the dishes as we cooked!Cousins!

Siblings! We are not as darling and cute anymore, but we still love each other...In order to depart early to beat another storm and take Erin with us, we all pitched in Friday night and decorated Carolyn's tree and house. We had it done in 1 hour. I propose that is how we should all decorate for the holidays!!

the moment in Church

I forgot to record this funny moment we saw in Dad's ward. There was a little 14 month old girl two rows in front of us and she mostly stood on the bench with her mom holding on to her arm. The mom had several other children and during the sacrament she was looking the other way.
The 14 month old was on the end of the bench. The deacons had just finished passing the water and were waiting in line to return. The little girl looked at the trays, reached for one, then removed her binky and reached out again. The deacon never flinched or moved and she was successful in grabbing a cup of water from the tray. Her mom was still looking the other way. As the baby tried to put the cup to her mouth, a young teen boy in the row behind her took the water cup from her. She turned and gave him the meanest scowl I have ever seen. And she kept scowling at him for a few minutes. She had been successful in getting something and he had taken it away from her!
It was sort of hilarious and we were quietly laughing and glad we had witnessed the whole thing.

The other great moment in church was when I sat next to dad in his wheelchair and shared the songbook with him. My tears started flowing as I listened to him sing the hymns and hear his voice. I don't know why, I guess it is the spirit that is so present when we sing of the Savior and ponder the words.

great moments

I just returned earlier this week from a 4 day visit with my 94 year old father. The care center is pretty nice and the nurses and CNA's really like him. The dining room server is really darling with him and tries so hard to encourage him to branch out in his eating habits. He recently has been asking for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at every meal. When he ate soup and a pasta dish she was ecstatic. I'm grateful they are so nice. I got kind of attached to some of the sweet patients there - they have such interesting stories and are so kind. I made sure I said goodbye to four of my favorite ladies when I left them last Sunday. Dad and I spent time talking about different stuff and he was so pleased to hear all about my travels in Calgary recently. He loved talking to KC and Michelle on my cell phone. I loved shaving his face, combing his hair, pushing his wheelchair and sharing clementines and sweet grapes. We ate fresh raspberries together and talked about how to care for my raspberries in my garden. We ate Japanese food at one activity and he told the funny story about my mom who got stuck squatting over a 'toilet hole' that was so common in Japan. Dad had to go in and rescue her! Dad went to the morning devotional on Sunday and I joined him. I got pretty teary eyed as we were singing hymns from other churches - the words referred to walking with the Savior, meeting him when we die etc. It touched my heart to think that so many of the patients there are close to the end of their lives and may see their Savior soon. I loved hearing Dad's voice sing the songs. I could hardly hold it together when the activity leader asked Dad to give a closing prayer. He gave the sweetest, strongest prayer of love and appreciation for family and the Lord. His voice was clear and strong and he definitely knew what he was saying. Several of the people in the room acknowledged what a nice prayer he had said.

Here he is - almost 4 months after he went to ICU with aspiration pneumonia, a ventilator, and septic shock. I just wish he had not lost so much strength in his legs, requiring him to have so much help transferring from bed to chair, and to the toilet. He has taught me about patience.

On another note, since I have returned to Provo we have been having some gorgeous sunsets.
Today as I was about to close down my computer, I watched a beautiful golden light come through the trees and light the tops of the mountains. It was amazing to watch from my second story office window. I walked out the west door and watched the clouds turn to pink and the white snow covered mountains turn a soft pink. It was spellbinding. I walked through the yard to the side walk and began my trek to the far off parking lot. I saw at least 6 students on a path stopping to take pictures of the sunset. Two minutes later I heard a noise. Looking back I saw a deer darting out of the yard I had just come from, running and jumping across the road in front of cars, in front of people, and back across the road to the back side of the Faculty Office Building. And then I saw a second deer, and then a third! They all did the same thing and followed each other. It happened in just a few seconds but I won't forget it. I was happy that the girl about to cross the street had seen the deer, because if she hadn't they surely would have run into her. The darted past her only three feet away. It was a great moment to share with random strangers on their way home in the gorgeous light.

Here's one photo I took from our deck: Looks like a fire doesn't it?

A great moment.

The most gorgeous place

We just returned from Calgary Canada. We drove to a place I have always wanted to see - Lake Louise in Banff National Park. It was a dream come true! The water was SO SO blue and dreamy.

The color of the water is startling.
Eating in the hotel, looking out at the postcard beautiful scene: priceless.

And this. I loved looking at it. Do you know what it is?

miracle meal or my lucky day

Last night Clyde asked me what I was going to fix for dinner. I thought of serving the leftover tortellini pasta and pesto, but said, "I have a roast I can cook." I knew I had a frozen roast. Clyde said, "that would be good." So I planned to cook a roast, but I decided to put it in the crock pot on low over night - so it would be really tender for Sunday dinner.
I smelled it cooking in the early morning hours and by 9:30 am it was done! I took it out at 10 and put it in the fridge, with the juices for gravy in another container.
I never really shopped for the week yesterday on my Costoco run - I only picked up toilet paper, some nice pears, grape tomatoes, black grapes and that's about all. Camille had just left last night for Costa Rica and I wanted to use up stuff in my fridge and freezer so I didn't even have a plan for the week. It's clean out time.

At church, my Visiting Teachers wanted to stop by at 3:30 and that was fine with me. I wasn't going to think about dinner until after they left. Clyde kind of surprised me when he vacuumed the family room at 3:15 and I just figured he never got around to it on Saturday so he decided to do it on Sunday. Random, but whatever.

So one of my VT sisters told a long story about all these step children living in her house, and in the background I hear dishes, glasses, silverware - I though Clyde had decided to empty the dishwasher but it sounded like things were being set on the counter and not put in drawers or the cupboards. At 4:15 pm Clyde hollers from the kitchen, "remember we have dinner guests coming in 15 minutes."

YIKES!! Then I remembered that he had made arrangements to host 5 MFHD students at our house for dinner!! I had completely forgotten until that very moment.
I shooed my VT sisters out the door and went to work!

Here's all the lucky things that fell into place:
1. I had just found my 1/2 full big bag of red potatoes in the pantry - I hadn't seen them until Saturday and put them where I would remember to use them. Clyde washed and cut them quickly and into the pressure cooker they went. Luckily I had a cube of butter and small container of sour cream for the mashed potatoes!
2. I heated up the meat juices and added water and flour for gravy.
3. I found a 1/2 full bag of peas in the freezer - quickly put those on to heat through.
4. I had a 1/2 box of baby spinach and also a box of sassy mix lettuce that had not even been opened - but had it been in the fridge a week?
5. I had just purchased a container of grape tomatoes - perfect for the salad.
6. I had just purchased a box of Costco pears - perfect for broiled pears!!
7. There was barely enough ice cream left from last week's dessert to add to the pear dessert if we were really skimpy on the servings.
8. Clyde sliced the meat and we heated it up in the microwave!! I have never in my life cooked a roast and not served it as soon as it was done. This was a first for me.
9. One guest was on time, but the other 4 persons were late and did not arrive until about 4:50.

That gave me enough time to make the salad with sliced almonds and goat cheese I had on hand, make the mashed potatoes, thicken the gravy, and find salad dressings.

We were sitting down by 4:55! It is like a miracle to me - I had not planned to have guests at all, nor did I shop to have nice meals to prepare. I'm going to Calgary soon so it's time to clean out the fridge.

The funny thing is that when Clyde asked me what we were having for dinner he assumed I was planning on the students, but he never mentioned the student guests to me last night or anytime today. The vacuuming did not even clue me in. I did think it was strange he wanted to know what I was making for dinner - he never asks that!

We did have plenty to eat and the mashed potatoes were a big hit with one 8 year old who came with his mother. They'll never know that I usually serve rolls with my Sunday dinner - I didn't even have time to think about putting bread on the table.
This was my version of the loaves and fishes - miracle or just lucky?

I'm just grateful we pulled it off and there was enough of everything I needed.

special guests

Look who came to visit!
Pee Wee Herman and a little sheep!
Prizes were won with these costumes.

35 years

Married 35 years.

Here's the photo to document that we made it and are still smiling.And happy!

memories

Found these photos of KC and Camille at the Atlantic beach. Camille about 9 months, KC 2 years, 4 months.
Reminds me of Alex and Ruby.

the airport disaster...

setting: Denver International Airport
time: 7:40 pm
Gate:C30
departure time: 8:35 pm

Everything went fine as I arrived at the airport after a nice three day visit with my dad, age 94. Security went fine, put my shoes on, and headed to the trains and concourse C.
I looked at the board to determine my gate and made a stop at TCBY for a $4 (one scoop) bowl of ice cream. I made my way to gate C 30 - clear at the end of the concourse.
I had about 3-4 bites of ice cream when I decided to call Camille to make sure she knew my plane would be on time.
WHAT!? WHERE IS MY CELL PHONE??
A quick check of my bag (not my purse, but a rectangular shoulder bag with outside pockets) confirmed it was gone! I ran my mind over my last steps and thought of places it could have been misplaced. I didn't think it was in JD's car, I thought I saw it as I placed my stuff in the security bins. All day Sunday my glasses and cell phone had been in the mesh side pocket of the bag, normally used for a water bottle. I recalled setting the bag down on the floor after going through security so I could put my shoes on. I couldn't even call JD - he likely was not home yet and I did not have his cell number memorized!!
So a kindly fellow traveler suggested I get the airline counter staff to call Lost and Found for me. Great idea! It was now 7:55 pm - plane to leave at 8:35 pm
She found the number after some searching, and let me describe the phone to the Lost and Found attendant. After a few moments I heard the good news that it was there!! I was told how to get out of the 'incoming traveler doors' so I could get back to the checkpoint without having to go through security again. I quickly asked the counter staff if they thought I could make it for my 8:35 flight. She said "what flight? We are not gong to SLC!! You need to be at gate C 35!!"
Yikes - my eyesight has failed me again!
I quickly made my way to C 35 and told the attendant I was here, going back to get my phone and to please not leave without me. She said, "you'll never make it and no we cannot hold the plane for you!" I begged her, asked her to pay attention to her conscience and please hold the plane and I told her "I'll make it!"
So I walked as fast as I could to the escalator to the trains, hauling my rolling luggage and my shoulder bag, computer and all.
The train had to stop at concourses B, A, and the main terminal. It was a really quick trip - so far this is great!
I followed the instructions to wait for the incoming passenger doors to open and went through them to the checkpoint entry - seeing only two down escalators and one long flight of stairs. I hiked up the stairs, hauling my bags. At the top I hollered to the attendant, "where's Lost and Found?"
He pointed me to my right and said, "looks like he just stepped away."
So I go over to the tall counter, wander to the side, stick my head in a doorway to an office. One TSA person was in there, looking at a computer. I asked him if he was Lost and Found. He came out and mumbled that he was not, but sometimes helped with Lost and Found out in the city.

I quickly explained that I lost my cell phone at the checkpoint and they had told me it was there at lost and found, a red flip phone. He turned to a bin behind the counter and pulled it right out.
Hooray!! "That's my phone!" I said.
He then grabbed a huge clipboard with 2 inches of paper and said he had to check it off as being picked up. He couldn't find the listing, I kept saying I had an 8:30 plane to catch and he was having nothing to do with just giving me the phone and he was all about protocol.

So I finally put on my glasses and looked at the page with him. I spotted the entry "Sanyo/ cell phone" and I exclaimed, "here it is!"
I grabbed the pen, sort of signed my name, and he handed me the phone.
I flew back to the escalators to the trains and waited a minute to board, saying a little prayer.
I made it to Concourse C in pretty good time, 8:17 to be exact!

I hauled my stuff back up two escalators, walked quickly to C 35 and noticed there were NO passengers waiting to board. I hurried to the door and gave my boarding pass to the attendant. He seemed surprised but happy that I was there. I hurriedly got on the plane, and the flight attendant said there was some bin space in bin 7 or 8. We got my bag up there and I sat down in row 9.

I made it and it was only 8:20 or 8:22 pm!!

I think I had just pulled a Camille - boarding the plane at the very last minute! Tense but what a relief!

I think, but will never know since I didn't wait to ask where it was found, that the phone slipped out of the side pocket when I laid my bag down to put on my shoes. A phone is heavier than glasses and that much inertia from laying the bag down propelled it out of the mesh pocket, onto the floor. My guess anyway.
Thoughts of having to spend another night in Denver, calling JD to come back to get me, re-booking a flight out - maybe waiting a whole day for an open seat, all were forefront in my mind as I raced against time with prayers and hope. I think everything that fell into place was a blessing - I did get the phone and I made my plane. And I was sure to use the plane restroom since there was no time before boarding.

Lessons I learned:

• Store cell phones in a secure tight compartment like a jeans pocket, or zippered purse, or similarly designed cell phone spot – NOT a loose open top pocket on the outside of the bag
• Keep a list in your wallet or bag of important cell and home numbers of family and others you might need to contact in an emergency or other cell phone disaster
• Prayers are indeed answered
• You can go back to the security checkpoint without having to go back through security

As a side note, I must tell you that I tossed my ice cream bowl as I began my race back to the checkpoint - could not be encumbered holding one more thing. I figure each bite cost me a dollar. But I got very few calories in that treat! bonus!

I guess this post should be titled Airport Disaster - almost.

when the floor becomes hazardous

So, if one thinks of using the immersion blender WHISK attachment
And gets the oil, water and two eggs needed for the brownie mix
And places them in a 1 cup Pyrex measure
Then
there might be a slight (or a lot) spray of water, oil and egg
Everywhere!

And YES, I did that
today, right during dinner prep.

A super slippery floor was the result.
Hazardous, just so you know.

Cousin's dinner resumes

Summer is over, the leaves are changing on the mountain, the Provo traffic is back, and Cousin's Dinner has started again!

Cait Earnest is now married, James is married; Alicia, Dustin, Carrie, are back in town. We hope to see Whitney Robinson at some of our cousin's dinners. Michelle helped her get a job at LDS Philanthropies and we hear that they love her!
We love to see everyone and hear about what has been going on in their lives. Time with loved ones just passes too quickly.

Today's menu and recipes:
Creamy meatballs and rice - recipe found here from an earlier post.
Broccoli salad
wheat rolls and strawberries
Pig Pickin Cake ( which we renamed - Hawaiian Delight cake )

Broccoli Salad
1 head broccoli chopped small
1/2 lb bacon cooked and crumbled OR 2/3 cup real bacon bits ( from Costco)
1/2 cu sunflower seeds
1/2 cup craisins
1/2 cup diced red onion

dressing:
1 cup mayo
2 T rice vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
mix well and pour over salad 10 minutes before serving. It will seem like there is not enough, but it gets runny after a short time on the veggies and will be plenty.

Hawaiian Delight Cake
1 box yellow cake mix
1 can mandarin oranges and juice
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil
beat all together in a mixer for 3 - 4 minutes
pour into a Pam sprayed pan
bake at 350; for 1 10 x 15 pan bake 25 - 27 minutes
for three 8" round layer pans, bake 20 minutes

frosting:
1 large can crushed pineapple and juice
1 small box instant vanilla pudding
1 carton Cool Whip (8 oz)

Mix pudding into pineapple, then stir in Cool whip. Spread over cake, or between layers if you did a 3 layer version.
Store in the fridge, preferably overnight.

what a summer

Twenty days total in Denver with Dad, wedding events, family time, and we are now in September.
I've seen a few spots of color on the mountain today - Fall is coming and I feel it in the morning air.

to remember:

free wireless while Dad was in the hospital!

Cousins at James and Taryn's wedding

The Newlyweds

Grandpa about 60 days after his stay in ICU - looks good!

Rainbow we saw on the way to the airport after my recent five days in Denver.

The wasps who think my gutter and shingles are a great place to make a home...

My garden basil is almost three feet tall - want some?
And I'd like to show you my wonderful pole beans, but they seem to have only grown great leaves, runners, and a few blossoms but NO BEANS! I planted them June 1, and folks it is Sept 4th. I think I'll just pull them out and let the raspberries take over.

Some summer.

UPDATE ON THE BEANS: Sept 16th and I now have lots of beans - almost ready to pick. Maybe the threat of being pulled out worked some magic. Magic beans, hmm.

did you feel it?

We just returned from a quick trip to Cedar City to see a couple plays and have a little vacation before school starts.
Cedar City is a great little town and a lot revolves around the Shakespeare Festival. We saw The 39 Steps (hilarious spoof of Alfred Hitchcock) and Pride and Prejudice. So fun and entertaining.
Great weather, great nap under a tree on a grassy lawn, great B&B.

But there were some other "earthly / universe" things happening while we were there.
For example:
Fire. There was a wild fire between Cedar and St George. It was so close to the freeway that they had to close the freeway to only one lane! And then we spotted another mountain on fire that had started since our drive down the day before - this one not close to I-15.

Earthquake: We learned of an earthquake that occurred at 6:45 am on Wed morning while we were there. The epicenter was only 9 miles south of town! Too bad we didn't feel it - but others in our B&B did.

Sun Activity: We drove to Cedar Breaks and met a park ranger who was really excited about the sun. He had a scope set up with a filter and allowed us to look at the sun and current activity there called a Sun prominence - see a picture here. So fascinating - totally worth the trip to the park to be able to see the sun and the activity there!
Cedar Breaks was quite the sight too:
And, we stayed just through the block from our apartment where we lived when KC was born. I definitely recall sitting out on the front steps while KC cried himself to sleep inside - he must have been 5 months old. It was fun to reminisce as we walked around the block to see if we could remember any names of former ward members.
Our little get away was just what we needed. Sun, fire, and quake to remind us of what a really fascinating world we live in and yet how fragile.

Lost in translation- as a tree what has

Nicole bought these (meant to be very sincere) cards in Romania. She had a fit of hilarity in the store as she was looking at these.
You'll have to click on the photo to read the fine print, but it is worth it.
Hope they make you laugh too.

A boy and his dreams

I came across this little booklet created by KC in grade school - age 6, grade 1!!KC is my hero but I'm glad he is an engineer and not MR T.

And then he tells us his favorite foods.
Phonetic spelling is priceless.
KC, do you still like Three Muskateers?

Huh?

Just some random bits about my day:

• As I was getting out of my car in the parking lot, a BYU police officer walked past my car. In his hand was a RIFLE!! Since when do BYU Police carry or need a rifle? I thought they handled traffic citations, weirdness at the dorms, and owls in the President's Home.
• Breakfast for breakfast, breakfast for dinner, and dessert for lunch. Goodness. I enjoyed too many gourmet cupcakes from the Cocoa Bean Cafe today at a garden party at our office. Coconut lime; Better than Whatever chocolate; Chocolate Raspberry; Raspberry lemonade. Yum, but my tummy hurts.
• Remember all those bats that our neighbors shooed out of their eaves with high powered water, then the flashing light all night long since then? Umm, we saw bats leaving the very same eaves last night. They're back. I'm not going to mention it to the neighbors.
• I am excited to use my brand new Eureka hand held vacuum on my stairs.
• I heard a fascinating story about Southwest airlines and how they computer modeled ant behavior to come up with the current practice of reserving a number and then lining up, still selecting your seat on the plane. Then the best part of the story was how the CIA modeled a new way to gather information based on termites. Called Intellipedia found here on the Dian Rehm show.
  

That's the randomness for today.

The Lesson

It was dark, very dark, and impossible to see in the large hall for someone 50 + and eyes that are slow to adjust to dark rooms.

As I was sitting in the balcony for the devotional, another BYU staff person came in and was trying to sit in the empty seat next to me.

He was unsure of where to step but knew there was an empty seat.

I reached up and grabbed his hand, placed it on the arm of the chair so he had something to hold on to that guided him to the seat, since he could not see it in the dark.

He made it just fine, with that bit of help.

After the devotional was over, he turned to me and thanked me for my guiding hand.

Surely there is a lesson here about faith and our Father in Heaven and reaching out for Him, moving ahead in uncertainty but with the strength of faith.

And finding solid ground.


I'm going to think about it.

That would be nice

photo taken July 4, 2009

These are the words spoken by my father, Grandpa Carlson, as he was in the ER and struggling to breathe due to the aspiration of fluid into his lungs. The Dr had asked if he wanted help breathing. "That would be nice." So he was quickly intubated. I was there in Denver and drove to the hospital to see him in a very serious condition. Septic shock, pneumonia, weak kidneys, and ventilator tube down his throat. It all happened so fast - he was having such a good time with us just two days before. As siblings we were contemplating the possibility of making decisions to remove the breathing tube and every doctor told us how sick he was with everything against him because of his age of 94 years. What a week of tearful tenderness, conversations and prayers and blessings. The nurses were wonderful, and Grandpa rallied to the surprise of all. We were willing to accept the Lord's will no matter what.

Saturday the breathing tube was removed, he spoke, sat up, and asked for water about 10 times.

He was back!

And just to show how faithful and determined he is, he occupied his waiting time for the drink of water by repeating the Thirteen Articles of Faith, one by one. Then, the list of Denver temple presidents in order.

I flew home late Saturday night and today in RS I finally realized how this past week has made me much more sensitive to the messages in the words of the hymns. Each song we sang reminded me of my father, his goodness, his faith, and all the ways we depend upon the Lord. It painted the picture of what I had just experienced mentally and emotionally and spiritually. A week of examining my love for my father, my faith in the Lord, my acknowledgment of His love.
I was surprised by how tender my heart still was after all the progress Grandpa was making. It felt like a warm hug from the Lord and gentle lesson that He does know and love my father and me and each of our needs. Of course there were tears on my cheeks. Amazing how quickly one can feel the spirit in the presence of hymns.

I want to include the words here for my reading later on.

More Holiness Give Me, no. 131
1. More holiness give me,
More strivings within,
More patience in suff’ring,
More sorrow for sin,
More faith in my Savior,
More sense of his care,
More joy in his service,
More purpose in prayer.
2. More gratitude give me,
More trust in the Lord,
More pride in his glory,
More hope in his word,
More tears for his sorrows,
More pain at his grief,
More meekness in trial,
More praise for relief.
3. More purity give me,
More strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains,
More longing for home.
More fit for the kingdom,
More used would I be,
More blessed and holy—
More, Savior, like thee.

Be Thou Humble, no. 130

1. Be thou humble in thy weakness, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee,
Shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers.
Be thou humble in thy pleading, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee,
Shall bless thee with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares.
2. Be thou humble in thy calling, and the Lord thy God shall teach thee
To serve his children gladly with a pure and gentle love.
Be thou humble in thy longing, and the Lord thy God shall take thee,
Shall take thee home at last to ever dwell with him above.

In Humility, Our Savior, no. 172
1. In humility, our Savior,
Grant thy Spirit here, we pray,
As we bless the bread and water
In thy name this holy day.
Let me not forget, O Savior,
Thou didst bleed and die for me
When thy heart was stilled and broken
On the cross at Calvary.
2. Fill our hearts with sweet forgiving;
Teach us tolerance and love.
Let our prayers find access to thee
In thy holy courts above.
Then, when we have proven worthy
Of thy sacrifice divine,
Lord, let us regain thy presence;
Let thy glory round us shine.

Carry On, no. 255
1. Firm as the mountains around us,
Stalwart and brave we stand
On the rock our fathers planted
For us in this goodly land—
The rock of honor and virtue,
Of faith in the living God.
They raised his banner triumphant—
Over the desert sod.

A First

Location: somewhere in the atmosphere 40 minutes above eastern Wyoming, on my way to Minneapolis
Seat: window
status: online!

That's right. Using the new Delta wifi available on their planes now. Kind of fun. I just watched two videos posted by Emily about the babies! Cool.

When I arrived at the Delta terminal there were MANY PEOPLE checking in, in line to check in, and looking for the end of the line to check in. When I arrived at the security line, I was amazed to find that I was number 10 in line! No kidding - I walked right up, no weaving back and forth and through the long lines. There was one scanner line that had NO people in it. I was checked in and through security in under 5 minutes!!
A first for me.

I also had a funny dream this morning that I was going on a trip, traveling in cars, and Kc and Emily and the babies and Clyde were part of the entourage. We fed the babies, and I went looking for Alex. I found him with Clyde, peeking out from a blanket with the biggest smile ever! There were some odd parts about this trip, like KC strapping one baby on his chest so KC could travel on the FRONT of the car, and Cindy Pratt, our neighbor, was leading us with her motorcycle. Yes dreams are weird.
Too bad I woke up and found I was only traveling by myself!
But that big smile from Alex was real and I can't forget it.

sorry no photos.
sorry for the overuse of the word 'line'

Ta Ta from the sky.

June Growth

I love my pot of front porch florals. I love to water it.

Tiger lilies, that I brought from my parent house 20 years ago, and they grew so well I transplanted these from the first bunch I planted.
(and notice there is no grass in the raspberries for about one minute..)

A very full line of bushes along the fence. This is what happens when you let everything just grow, no pruning for a few years. Um, I'm sure there is a life's lesson here, but I'm too tired to attempt to state one..

Roses in their June glory. Love this view cause it makes me happy every time I see it.
See Pratt's cute storage shed with the red door in the next yard? fun.

The Plum bushes were very over grown the last few years. They flopped almost to the ground every time it rained and the snow was 10 times worse. We pruned with a vengeance this spring and they are more upright, more healthy and not out of control.
There must be something to this pruning concept - must get on board more often..
Life lesson here too I bet.

tonight

Tonight I read many of the emails sent to me by my brother for the last two years since my father moved in with them. He's now 94. I found many comments of ward members, friends, and dad's co-workers from the temple that my brother had included in his email updates. So many of the comments were about how all these people were so happy to see my dad at church, or how much they loved him, or how they recalled a special experience with him.
I wanted to have all these types of comments/ memories in one place so I only copied and pasted these comments - I have 5 pages!
It was a privilege to read these again and be reminded of my heritage.
It feels like a Sunday to me.
Amen.

Just Dance in Park City

Setting: Park City Resort
Event: Robinson family vacation
Challenge: To 'Just Dance' and beat Camille's score!
We also played plenty of Farkle. Clyde and the boys created a new rule and we heard them talk about playing for real money!

We loved the zip line, the scooter and slide
(even though we waited 50 minutes for a 45 second zip!).
Great views - too bad we did not photograph the huge marmots outside our window.

And yes, the snow was melting.

We love these faces

We enjoyed a full day / evening of tending the triplets in late May. There were four of us to tend three babies - Clyde, myself, Nicole, and Michelle. The babies did great, we enjoyed every moment, and we all grew in our appreciation for what Emily does on the many days she is the one adult at home with three infants!

I love how Bennett was trying so hard to imitate Clyde and his disappearing tongue.

Alex is very captivated by Clyde's facial antics.

Ruby is cute as ever.
We miss them - they are changing so fast!

More triple treats

Mother's day was great. Clyde made me breakfast!
Church talks were entertaining and sweet.
Camille sent me a very nice gift and she called me from California.
Nicole made me a delicious dinner with this fancy fruit tart:
Michelle called from Chile, and I talked to KC in Maryland. He and Emily gave me more photos and a frame for grand babies.
Emily brought the babies over to Nicole's so we could enjoy time and photos with them. Especially yummy on this great day!
That's Alex in the middle, Bennett on my left, and Ruby in the bow of course.
Great day!