School shopping and Summer Fun...

Cash and I went school shopping and then had another fun outing at Provo Beach. He really had fun bowling because the balls are smaller. He got a strike almost every time. We found a cool pair of shoes. I can't believe it's just a few more weeks until school starts.

Colby and Grey joined us later and that topped off another fun Friday.

 Just chilaxing at Grandma's house!

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Mother...

My Mom... she worked hard and loved her babies.

(My sister Rose Ann and probably my brothers Marion and Ernie)

Deposits...

I made a last minute decision to go to Cheyenne over the weekend. I found out my niece Kim and her girls would be visiting for a few days, and staying with her sister Heidi who lives in Cheyenne. I have not seen Kim for over ten years. She lives in Michigan and I knew going to Cheyenne was my best chance to see her. Kim and Heidi are my brother Marion's girls. 

When Kim and Heidi were small, I had the joy and privilege of tending them on a regular basis. It is one of my happiest memories. I enjoyed playing with them and I love them almost as much as my own children. I would say they were "My girls." Heidi looks a bit like me.

Years ago I read the book by Steven Covey, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and I happened to see the CD version in the store, so I thought it would be a good way to pass the time on the way to Cheyenne. For me Stephen Covey's metaphor of the "Emotional Bank Account" is his most powerful idea on improving and maintaining relationships with others. Our most precious relationships require constant deposits. Listening to Covey's ideas reminded me how important this is.

It is not been easy for me to maintain a personal emotional bank account with my family that lives in Cheyenne and other states. Just as with any bank account, we make deposits and withdrawals. But, instead of dealing with units of monetary value, we deal with emotional units. They are centered around trust, forgiveness, patience, and love. For years I have been making deposits to keep the relationships I have with my family strong despite to miles that separate us. For the most part my efforts have paid off. Sometimes my deposits require sacrifice. I know that I can't become overdrawn and risk distancing family members. I am not perfect, but I will always do what I can to keep my most important relationships strong! 

My girls

Theo, Brittany, Teigan, Raeland, Haylee, Kim, Ashlee, Heidi, Me, Rhonda and my brother Lloyd!

Kim had not been to Mom's grave so we met there. I got some flowers and balloons. I let Kim put the flowers on Mom's grave. We all cried and shared our favorite memories of Mom. We released the balloons up to Heaven. It was a sweet experience.

 Cousins Kim, Jimmy and Heidi

Haylee, Me, Kim, Ashlee, Jimmy, Heidi and Casey  

My "deposits" were so worth it this past weekend! 

And the icing on the cake was being able to attend Cali's baptism. It was wonderful to see Julie and her family. 

When I saw President and Sister Williams would be viewing Cali's baptism via Skype, it brought tears to my eyes.

 It was a beautiful baptism service and Cali is so sweet. 

Two of my dearest friends, Richard and Judy Brown. Richard baptized me way back in 1980 in the same chapel where Cali was baptized. 

By the way I put my bag in the car as I was leaving Highland, and left the clothes I was going to wear hanging in the closet. A quick trip to Target and all was well!

I am grateful for family and good friends...

Wordless Wednesday ~ Highland sunrise...

Words to live by ~ Love is the key

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Me and my brother Les...

You were my best friend and I miss you.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Ahi tuna with all the fixins by Chris...

Words to live by ~ Passionate...

I began to realize how important it is
to be an enthusiast in life.
If you are interested in something
no matter what it is,
go at it full speed ahead.
Embrace it with both arms. Hug it,
love it, and above all,
become passionate about it.
Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either.
White hot and passionate
is the only thing to be.

~ Roald Dahl

Favorite...

For some reason this picture of Chris and Mark has always been one of my favorites. I think it's the yellow jammies. I still remember what it felt like to hold them before bedtime when they were wearing the yellow jammies!

January 1984

Christopher was about 16 months old 

and Mark was 5 months old.

One day, when my children are grown,

I hope they still come through the front door without knocking.

I hope they head to the kitchen and rifle through the fridge looking for a snack.

I hope they come in and feel the weight of adulthood leave them, for they are home.

For my children, my door will forever be open.

Above all else, I hope they know this without me telling them.

Love speaks clearly enough.

Cash the science guy...

We tried a few experiments tonight

and Cash's volcano was a success!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Sweet ride...

(Photo credits to Tiff)

Words to live by ~ Time...

When the veil which now encloses us is no more, time will also be no more (D&C 84:100). Even now, time is clearly not our natural dimension. Thus it is that we are never really at home in time. Alternately, we find ourselves impatiently wishing to hasten the passage of time or to hold back the dawn. We can do neither, of course. Whereas the bird is at home in the air, we are clearly not at home in time—because we belong to eternity! Time, as much as any one thing, whispers to us that we are strangers here. If time were natural to us, why is it that we have so many clocks and wear wristwatches?

~ (Neal A. Maxwell, “Patience,” Ensign, October 1980, p. 31.)

Date Night...

It works out quite well for Mark and Tiff to have date night on Friday, because that means we have date night with Cash, Colby and Grey! I never tire of spending time with them.

 Cheese!

Grey didn't want to sit on the grass so I put him the bin.

 "Hi Cash"

 Tricks on the tramp!

Front flip!

So sad Mark tore his Achilles tendon playing soccer. He has a boot for about 6 weeks.

Gramps set up the tent.

Ha Colby... maybe they will sleep under the stars.

Looking forward to the next date night!

Grey Day...

Tiffani had a date with Cash and Colby on Thursday, so we got to play with Grey. He is such a delight. I love the way he says Grandma. Sometimes he will see a toy that Colby has played with and he will say, "Colby's." He often calls Cash, Cashee boy. He also says, "Don't want to" occasionally!" I need lots more Grey Days.