Father’s Day Surprise

My brother and his family are on vacation. They are in Washington DC. They paid a visit to someone I know…

Conference weekend

Sunday, 4 o'clock pm.
We enjoyed two wonderful days of being spiritually fed,
and I was just pulling dinner out of the oven.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
My parents just arrived when  I noticed the sound of running water.
I mentioned it to my husband.
Something must have struck a chord with him because he
made a mad dash toward the master bedroom.
He yelled something from the back, but I was focused on the Prime Rib Roast.
Then my daughter yelled from the basement.
It soon became very clear that we had a flood on our hands.

Inches of water in the master bathroom were
cascading into pools of water in the furnace room downstairs.
Towels were flying all over the house.
Our feet were soaking wet.
Water was dripping on our heads.
The sound of a wet/dry vac hummed along with the chaos.

We sopped up as much as we could (for the time being)
and decided to settle down for a lukewarm dinner.
We breathed, we enjoyed, we visited.
We said goodbye to my parents and went back to reassess.

The basement was finally drying up
(thank goodness for required floor drains)
but the carpet padding seemed to be soaking up water from nowhere.
We decided the best course of action would be to pull the carpet and pad.
I guess the idea of remodeling may become a reality
a year or two sooner than planned.

So…this is what we did after the last session on Sunday…

How was your conference weekend?

Gadgets are a girls best friend

I am not a big “bling” kinda gal.
Multipack earrings from Claire’s are right down my alley.
When asked, I can never think of a want.
It is easy to understand why my family names me as
the person most difficult to gift.

We all shout for joy when a new (affordable) gadget
catches my eye and peaks my interest.
This year, was such a year.

Thanks to Kylee’s great editing skills,
she put together the great video from a
recent outing to see the lights at the SLC Temple,
where we had the opportunity to put this
great gadget to the test.

HERE is a link to her great video.
(Thanks to Neale for letting us tag along!)

Finally…

Two years later, we finally made it back to Lake Powell. (A crazy year, coupled with bad timing, caused us  to cancel all of last years plans.)  We hit the road Sunday afternoon and enjoyed a leisurely drive, taking in the beauty along the way…



As usual, we camped at the Super 8 in Page… Kylee and friends managed to find a friend. Without delay, I was summoned to remove him from the premises.

Setting aside unwanted guests, we hiked, relaxed, read, napped, swam, played, and laughed for three full days…

Sometimes…

…when your nieces and nephews are daring their father (your brother)
to eat a dog treat, you try to beat him to the punch.

The result, a doggy treat for two.
He wouldn't let his sister out-do him.
(Not that I ever could… he is pretty GREAT!)

Buried Treasure…

Today, I started a long over due project. Cleaning out an utility closet.

Boxes were hidden deep inside. Each one was pulled out and its contents carefully examined.

Many were tagged for the trash. A few for donations. Others for the shredder.
Only one remained. The treasure!

Inside this box were many files.
Historical family photos.
Keepsakes from Evan’s years in Elementary School.
Talks that were written for Evan’s mission farewell. One was his, the other, his fathers.
Letters from the mission field.
Letters from Dennis to his first grandchild.

The family gathered around and tears flowed as we felt Dennis’ presence surround us.
We felt sacred reassurances of the immense love he has for each and every one of us.
We all yearned for more.
Are there more of these valued treasures?
What are his thoughts and feelings that came along with his second grandchild.
Was he too sick to put those words on paper?
We searched the rest of the house but found nothing.
Perhaps other family members hold treasures of their own.
I hope so. If not,
We will have to hold on even tighter to those memories embedded in our souls.
For some of us, it is as simple as peaches!