Andy Williams Music Blaring...

Well, Saturday morning is here again. I like getting up early and this morning I've had Andy Williams and Dean Martin music filling the house. No police visits yet for noise. Some days this house seems so BIG for me to be wandering through. I've had weeks of sorting and reorganizing which is about ten years too late. When it becomes overwhelming I sit at the computer a bit.

My greatest find this morning as I search the internet was finding a picture of the tables I like with the very sofa and loveseat I have in my family room. I love the internet! I don't think Simon, (my cat), likes Andy. He was fine here by the monitor when Dean Martin was playing. We'll see if he likes Clay Aiken.

The wonderful thing happening today is my fence is being finished for my back yard. I have great neighbors...with cute kids that call me Grandma Cindy. These are the neighbors that took my lawn mower hostage and then declared it dead. And I get up in the morning and water the grass and come home work to find it is perfectly mowed. It's like little fairies that come and do the work...like the elves in the Elves and the Shoemaker story. The same neighbors took my snow shovel hostage and my driveway and walks are shoveled everytime it snows . I used to say, I need to down-size and not have to worry about taking care of my yard. I can't use that excuse now. The only thing that has brought me some comfort is that I've discovered that Kyla hates to iron. I finally found something she will let me do for her. Serving is fun when you can do it for one another. It's hard to always be on the receiving end. I think I will always feel indebted to the Priors though as they do so much for me and holding Averi or reading to Cayd doesn't feel like I'm doing much because i feel like I still am receiving so much myself. I love their hugs and watching them grow...and giving them popsicles, fruit snacks, and other treats - that's what Grandma's are for.

Saturday mornings are a treasured time for me. It is my time for reading blogs. I feel so blessed to be able to go into the blogs of family and friends and catch up on what is happening in their lives. It is fun to rejoice in happy times and pray more quickly as I find out about challenges people are facing. So bless all of you for blogging! There are so many "kids" that have passed through BYU the last eighteen years I have worked there and it brings me much joy to still be connected to their lives.

Okay - Simon totally left the room when I put Clay Aiken's new CD in. Well, I really like it - now I know how to get rid of Simon when he is being a pest while I'm sitting at the computer.

Temple Hopping to Bountiful

Saturday, June 7, was a very special day for me. I've been wanting to go to the Bountfil Temple for a number of years. Well, it just worked out that Julie could go with so it ended up being a very special day. Not only did I get to go to do a session but Julie was with me. There was a nice young lady who took our picture for us. And yes, it was a typical Saturday in June - brides seemed to be everywhere! I hope before I die I can add many more temples to my list. I never cease to be amazed at the strength of the spirit in each temple. Some, like the Manti Temple, have a particularly strong spirit. I am the luckiest of mothers to be able to share these tender moments with my children.

Brian got off work and we continued the fun for the day by attending the North Utah County part of the Utah County Parade of Homes. Yes, it is a tradition! I usually go with Laurel but this year it was fun to drive around with Brian and Julie and the laughter that took place in the process. We then went to an Asian Buffet closer to Brian and Julie's house. Good company, good food = fun afternoon for me!

Trip to Minnesota

My trip to Minnesota was wonderful. Thanks to a loving brother and sister, we stayed in a very comfortable hotel. Our days were mostly spent with my parents. My sweetest memories were sitting in my parents room talking and helping with Dad. He is such a wonderful example to all of us. My parents have been married for 48 years and my father and mother have taken such great care of one another. I love my father and am grateful for all he has done for us...now it is our turn to help take care of him. With the recent loss of the use of his "good" arm and his legs, he has expressed that he feels like a beached whale. His mind is as quick as ever and I smile as I think of the times I hear him in the background while I'm on the phone with my mother in my daily calls. He helps her to remember things and coaches her on the computer. Yes, we've been giving her email lessons. They have dear friends that they need to keep in touch with. We girls like to shower dad with kisses. BJ does kisses "around the block" which makes dad laugh. We will all treasure whatever time we have with them both.

The first time...

Well, I finally decided that I would take the leap and set up my blog. I absolutely love going into the blogs set up by family members and friends. It helps the miles between us disappear! I'm entering a wonderful season of my life and setting up this blog is part of that celebration.