One Year Ago Today.

This girl came into our lives. We are driving today to go help her celebrate! 

LOVE HER.

50 Years Ago Today.

50 years ago today this darling and oh-so-young couple got hitched.

They became a mom and dad...

(Sorry, Angela - this is the only old family pic I have on file...)

Then they became a grandma and grandpa (they were way too young for that)...

Then they became a great grandma and grandpa (way way too young for that)...

They have excelled at each role.

I am so grateful for them.

Happy 50th Anniversary, you two!

We love you!

Mishaps, Projects, an Unexpected Guest, and Memorial Day.

How quickly can I do a post? I'm going to crank one out today, hoping to break a record.

Last week something was smelling in the fridge. Since I knew I had company coming this week, I thought I would start a 10-hour salon day with a quick cleaning to try and locate the source of sourness.  This little project turned into a much larger ordeal when one of the glass shelves exploded (literally) in my hands, shooting glass all over the kitchen. Thankfully, Bill was there to help clean up the mess. After a few cuts to our hands (and my feet) and a lot o' sweeping, wiping, and carefully picking up tiny little glass shards, we loaded everything back into the fridge. Bill offered to get a new shelf ordered that day, and we both headed off to work. Later that day I glanced at my phone and saw a text from Lolo. "The fridge is definitely not working..." (1:04pm) 

My response at 3:29 - "Is it working now?"

"No. I moved all the food I could into the basement fridge. It's literally warm."

During a 1-hour break in appointments I ran home. Yep, the fridge was warm. 

Warm enough to melt butter. Great.

 A repairman came on Friday. He found the source of the issue... the small plastic piece that turns off the light when the door closes had broken off. Lucky for me, I had found a couple broken plastic pieces in the bottom of the fridge while cleaning it a few days prior. He told me he could order the part and fix it for around $175. No thank you. I called Bill, Bill ordered the part ($3), and my fingers are crossed that it will be a super simple fix. Right now we are doing just fine with the broken piece precariously set back into place.

 I've been working on a boatload of projects. One of my good friends, Marci, came over to help me cut out covers for the trek journals we are in charge of, and I woke Lolo up to help too. 

350 covers cut.

 I had to snap this pic of my crazy multitasking day on Friday.

Our ping-pong table is the best project table ever.

 Laundry, a birthday banner, and trek journal cutting all at the same time.

I'm so grateful for helping hands!

Mauri made this cute poster for her friend, then ran it over to her in a downpour.

It's been raining buckets here. You won't hear me complain - I love rain.

Bill told me on Friday evening that his cousin's son John would be coming to stay with us from Saturday until Monday. We quickly did some cleaning and laundry to prepare. He is a great kid and a good guest, but my time was squeezed as it was, so it added another dimension of frantic activity to our my weekend. I'm a bit behind today, hence the speedy post.

On Memorial Day, Lolo and I headed to the Outlets to catch a few sales on some missionary items. We were greatly blessed to have found what we were looking and more at only a couple of stores. We were in-and-out just as the quantity of shoppers swelled and lines became unbearably long. We ran into a pair of missionaries and chatted briefly with them. One was from Germany and the other from South America (unusual to have two foreigners as companions here in our neck of the woods), serving in the Spanish language. It was fun to talk to them for a few minutes and share Shi's excitement about her upcoming mission service.

That afternoon we went to a BBQ at the Leaks. I was so grateful to be invited to something festive, as I worried that the day would pass without proper holiday recognition due to the busy-ness of things here at home. We love getting together with their family, and as we left their house that evening Lolo commented, "That was fun. I'm so glad they invited us over so we could actually celebrate Memorial Day." 

A simple invitation at such a time as this {crazy/busy/running-on-empty} is a tender mercy in my life.

Today I am still project-ing.

I have a lot to accomplish to get my junk together for this week.

(I'm also coming to terms with possibly NOT having all my junk together in time... and prioritizing)

So many good, fun things coming up that I am so excited for, but a dang lot o' work to get there.

Gotta run.

Up Close and Personal.

On Sunday we had Elder Holland attend a special Stake Conference right here in Parker, CO.

That is pretty darn awesome.

(I didn't snap pictures of my cute daughters shaking his hand {and hugging him}. I thought you weren't supposed to take pics in the chapel, so I was only trying to be obedient. I didn't know that our Stake President had said it would be okay. Luckily, someone shared this pic with Mar.)

Lolo, Mar and I sang in the choir. We thought it would give us the opportunity to be physically closer to a prophet, seer, and revelator.  It did, but we still didn't have the best seats in the house, even though we arrived at 7:30am to get in line for the 10am meeting. Some people had shown up at 6am (doors opened at 8am). They had the best seats available for the average Stake member. Of course, a few front rows were reserved for special guests from the community, those with handicaps, and the families of the Stake Presidency. We pretty much saw the back of Elder Holland's head during the meeting, but we DID get a full frontal wave to the choir as he entered. Nice! Because the choir was too large for the seats on the stand (including at least 20 extra seats that had been added around the edges), a few choir members sat in the front row of the chapel, moving up to join the choir for the musical selections. Had I been more on my game, I would have totally finagled that spot for me and the girls. No complaints, though. It was an awesome meeting, and Elder Holland shook the hand (and gave a few hugs) of every youth and child there.

We had the privilege of hearing from our Stake President, Elder Hillier (an area authority and our past Stake President), and Elder Holland. I loved every talk. A few members of the stake were called on-the-spot to bear testimony. I can't imagine how nerve-wracking it would be to share your testimony in front of an Apostle + your entire stake. Two of the six that were asked are from our ward: Brother Crandall and Sister Allen.

I chose not to take notes. Our Stake President at a previous meeting possibly years ago (I can't remember how far back), suggested just listening with spiritual ears to a talk, then following the impressions you had, without jotting down every word or phrase spoken. I know I have a hard time recalling details, so up to this point, I have still chosen to take notes at every stake conference or special meeting. I don't usually take many notes during General Conference, because I know that I can access them immediately via technology (LOVE that!). On Sunday, even though I had taken a notebook and pen, I decided to just listen. To let the spirit of the meeting flow over me. To bask in the presence of a chosen Apostle of God. It was beautiful.
However, I hugely regret not taking some notes.

We've had a couple of great discussions at home about it, and Bill took notes, so I'll ask him to share them with me when we have a minute. For now, I've borrowed some of Shilo's impressions that she wrote down as soon as we got home from the meeting.

"God loves us more than we can comprehend. He sent His PERFECT son to atone for all of our sins and transgressions because of how much LOVE he feels for us. He feels our happiness when we feel happiness, and weeps when we weep.

"We will all face different challenges and trials - (some the Quorum of the Twelve are facing them now), but through the Atonement and love of our Heavenly Father we can and WILL get through it.

Acts chapter 3:

"Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

And they knew that it was he that which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."


Other notes:
"You cannot deny the evidence that the gospel offers. No one has ever claimed to have written the Book of Mormon - Joseph Smith only claims to have translated it.

"You cannot kill the truth. Prophets and apostles have been martyred all throughout time, but the gospel still stands.

"No other church or organization has ordinances for the dead that are performed in holy temples.

"We do not know when Christ will come again, but today is closer than yesterday.

"When Christ comes to the earth, we want him to see HIS church - the complete fullness of the gospel that has been restored."
{Thanks, Lolo!}

Elder Holland left an Apostalic blessing on our stake. What I remember: RISE UP AND WALK. Through the blessing he blessed those we pray for. I felt the spirit so strongly.

Bill and Mar attended a broadcasted youth fireside Friday evening that Elder Holland did in Colorado Springs. Bill recorded a portion of it, and I listened to it when they got home. A.MA.ZING.

We are so blessed to have prophets on the earth.
We are so blessed to have revelation for our day (including the AWESOME Book of Mormon).
The gospel of Jesus Christ makes me happy, gives me hope, and provides peace.
We need not fear.

On Being Sick + Accomplishment and Anticipation.

I haven't been sick since I can remember. It's been a long, long time, which I've been so grateful for, as the medication I currently take weakens my immune system. I've been so pleased to report to my doctor all winter long that I have not been sick.

Recently in casual conversation I told someone that. That I haven't been sick since I can remember. That's probably why I came down with an icky, cruddy, plugged-up-with-gunk, nasty cold. I'm pretty sure I got it while Lolo and I were at the credit union to get a copy of her call letter notarized. Oh my, the busy-ness in all that missionary paperwork! While we were patiently waiting, a man standing in line waiting for the next available teller sneezed a mighty sneeze, and didn't cover his mouth. Or even attempt to cover his mouth. Something about that sneeze made me wonder. It was definitely a sick-sounding sneeze, and it had to have spread everywhere. Then he sneezed again {no attempt to cover}. "Bless you," said the man standing behind him in line. 

Lolo recalls none of it. She didn't notice the man, she didn't notice the sneezes. She was most likely gazing intently at her phone - at LDS missionary blogs, LDS fashion blogs, LDS blogs by put-together young mommies of happy, laughing babies... those seem to be her faves.

I woke up yesterday with a sore throat. I had to work, so I sucked on a cough drop and drank a boatload of water (which made me really, really need to use the WC {water closet} by the end of my first appointment). I managed okay, and felt okay until evening. It's always worse at night. (That's one of my life mottos - I say it to Bill pretty regularly.) 

This morning I was stuffy and phlegmy (the word is as ugly as the thought). I had scheduled a walk with a friend, and wondered if I should cancel. I decided to walk, hoping it would help clear my head a bit, not to mention start me back on the path of regular exercise. I am so unmotivated. Once during the walk the earth shifted, and I stopped for a moment, just to steady myself. By lunchtime, my sense of taste was limited. By dinner, I couldn't smell the stinky kitchen garbage that Mar said was making her gag. I feel absolutely yucky.

{Mother's Day pics}

This week we've finally finished up the missionary paperwork, it just needs to be assembled and mailed to various destinations.

Passport - check

Driving record - check

Notarized call letter - check

Digital fingerprints - check

Visa application - check

Electronic submissions - check

Wisdom tooth removed - check

Ortho visit/retainer check - check

I'm feeling happy of myself at keeping Lolo on track and git'in it done.

Hopefully I feel good enough tomorrow to have Shi address and mail (which includes a trip to the post office for the 3rd time this week) the big envelope to Nola at Missionary Travel Services (we called Nola twice this week to ask questions - she's very nice), and one envelope to her mission president. Then we can focus on the little detail of how to pack a sister missionary. I hear it's a bit more difficult than elders.

Also upcoming:

Elder Holland in Parker (I hope I feel good enough to sing in the choir on Sunday)

Summer swim for Mar (we'll be gone for the first meet)

Company for graduation (Michaela's going to walk - I told you, girl!)

A quick trip to Utah (while company stays at our house)

Scarlett's first birthday

Bill's parent's 50th

350 trek journals

Company for Lolo's farewell (on Father's Day)

Father's Day

Pioneer Trek

Sister Syddall's send-off at DIA (I think we have to be there at 3am)

I think I'll go lie down.

Wedding {Open House}.

One more wedding post, peeps, then I'm done.

I had to share a few pics from Lex & Jason's open house held the week following their wedding.

The day before the open house looked like this:

(This is my front yard... cute until those little deers start chomping on your trees.)

Jason and Lex drove through the night in THIS kind of weather, arriving around 5am the morning of.

While they slept, we did some setting up.

We had carefully loaded up the reception flowers, drove them back to CO, and kept them cool in the garage for a week. My fingers were crossed they would be fresh enough to re-use at the open house.

Tender mercy: enough flowers survived, and looked absolutely stunning {still}.

Around lunchtime, we took Lex and Jason to Crave to eat ourselves silly (and maybe relieve some pre-open-house anxiety... speaking for myself, of course).

Then it was back home for the final touches and the party.

In Bill's zeal to help make things festive, he added all sorts of pictures everywhere. Some of the ones on the cookie table disappeared before the open house began. I love it when he tries to make design decisions. {hah}

 I had a brainstorm... lightbulb moment... great idea... that very day. I sent Bill to buy some Hershey's kisses, and typed up a little note that said,

"'Two essential ingredients to a successful marriage are a COOKIE and a KISS.'

(President Boyd K. Packer)

Please take some home with you!"

I don't think anyone else fully appreciated how perfectly it went with our cookie bar except for me, myself, and I, but I am STILL appreciating it.

(Further demonstration of Bill's decorating zeal.)

  

I spent days pondering over whether to set up two separate cookie bars or not. I wasn't sure how many people to count on, so in the end, I went with two. Apparently most guests stayed on the main floor, even though I had hoped there would be a more even distribution. 

Mar, the assigned picture-taker (and only wedding-party attendee), 

snapped some pics right before people started to show up, and did a phenomenal job documenting guests for the evening.

I don't think Lex ever put her shoes on...

Here's a good portion of the friends that came to support the happy couple:

I love these people!

I couldn't have pulled it off without the help of some amazing ladies, who I must quickly give credit to in my intimate sphere of blogdom (and so I can remember to return the kindness!):

Misty - chocolate chip cookies, dinner for the fam the night of the open house, set up (2 days), vacuuming, chalkboard design (which I requested very last minute).
Paige - Snickerdoodles, picking up chairs and tables, set up (2 days), cookie bar management.
Jeanne - Swig cookies, set up, cookie bar management.
Shelly (and Christina) - Andes Mint cookies, set up, cookie bar management.
Marci - Blueberry Oatmeal cookies.
Annie - Lemon Crinkle cookies.
Sue Sue - Tag-a-long cookies.
Alli - Red Velvet cookies.
Kelly - Homemade Oreo cookies.
Zoeanne - Peanut Butter cookies.

I baked nary a cookie. Each of these lovelies approached me and asked what they could do to help.
They. Are. Awesome.

In all, I would say the whole wedding affair went well. There weren't too many snags, and Lex said it was perfect. Perfect.