Golden

My kids said that this birthday, recently past, was my Golden Birthday. How? I asked. Well, you were born in '54 and you are 54 years old. Wow! So my day was filled with goldness! Many thanks from me to each of you who made it so golden. You are all the BEST!

One golden memory was provided by my sweet sister Elaine. The golden bag with golden tissue paper, produced golden apple cider and two snorkel cups. Now there is a GOLDEN memory. When we were kids we each had a yellow snorkel (straw built into the side) cup with our name written on it with permanent marker. We loved these cups. They were a little difficult to clean, especially after making chocolate milk in them, and drinking homemade lemonade or orange juice was tricky with all the pulp and sometimes a stuck seed, but oh the fun we had with them. We would blow bubbles in our milk until the bubbles came over the side of the cup, and Mom would tell us to stop. I also remember when it was my turn to do the dishes of using them to make great bubbles in the dish water. No wonder it took a couple of hours to do the dishes. Thank you dear Elaine, for the golden memory.

Alan, Marie and Grace, is it a golden day for you?

more than sleep walking

My friend and I speedwalk for exercise nearly every morning of the year. Recently we had an experience that has caused much deep thought and prayers since. This morning I read a scripture that applies: "Pray ye, therefore, that their ears may be opened unto your cries, that I may be merciful unto them, that these things may not come upon them." (D & C 101: 92) So please know that I share this experience, begging for you to teach your children correct principles.

It was dark at nearly 5 AM as I approached the corner where my friend and I meet. I thought I could see her sitting on the sidewalk tying her shoe, but as I approached I became aware that it was a young woman sitting in the middle of the sidewalk, curled in a ball, dressed in only a tank top and panties, loudly crying. What was I to do? My friend was not there yet. I said a quick silent prayer, then approached the woman. I asked if I could help her. She stopped wailing and stated that I could help her by calling 911 because her boyfriend abused her. After repeating her instructions to me she resumed her mournful crying and I did as she requested. As I was talking to the dispatcher, giving her discription and our location (a busy street corner) she stood up, looked around and started walking. The dispatcher asked if I could still see her so as my friend joined me, we followed her at a distance. She stepped on something in the street and because she was barefoot, had to brush it off. That seemed to trigger something in her and she started running. Following her to give directions to the dispatcher became more difficult as she ran through the dark neighborhood streets. Suddenly she turned on us and began charging at us yelling filthy words, hitting my friend as she told us to stop following her. Luckily, the dispatcher got the full effect of her instructions to us as the police arrived.

The young woman seemed relieved that the police were there, as were we. She talked to the officer, and my friend and I resumed our walk, having ready made conversation. We decided that it would be a total bummer to have a bad dream and then sleep walk out to the busy street, although neither of us believe that is what really happened.

This experience made me so very grateful for the values that I choose to live by. Several lines in The Family - A Proclamation to the World come to mind: "we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets." May we each, today, do those things that would "promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society." I truly believe that "happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Fritos

Jake visited this weekend and before he left he trimmed Mel's toenails. We loved having him here. These are NOT Mel's toenails, but Jake told us some interesting facts about feet and nails.

Reassuring thoughts...

This morning at 6 AM I received a text from Sara saying "Jim and Tom Ewald were identical twins and I could tell them apart. We'll be fine!" Now I know Sara hasn't been sleeping well since she found out that she's having identical twins, but honestly, it's a stretch to think this gave her reassurance. So today I have been thinking about things that reassure me because I haven't been sleeping well at night either. It is reassuring to me that Sophia and I can wear the same type hat and we're both so cute. I am reassured when it rains now that a sheet of water isn't going to drench us as we walk out the front door because Melvi's birthday present from the kids, the Japanese water spout drainer dealiwhacker works like a champ. It's amazing.I have loved the rain of late, haven't you? But it seems that after every storm we have scorpions, ants coming out of light switches and a ton of crickets. Bugman DeRayEarlHarold says that will happen. Not real assuring! I guess I can rest assured that we haven't been evacuated from our home and the bugs haven't taken over 100%.

Oakley is two. He's been trying to figure out how everything works. He knows how to turn the hose on now and apparently isn't quite sure how to turn it off. Look at Sara's face, everything will be okay.It seems that nothing is serious around here. That is probably good because you either have to laugh or cry, and crying always gives a headache.

Rest assured the chair legs we just got were not labeled in the USA but then how do you want your leg cooked?

This WAS in the USA so rest assured that English is a difficult language.We're going on a pioneer trek on January 1,2,3rd and I am trying to get in shape so that my heart won't give out during the trek. Caleb is my motivation. Do you think I can be in as good of shape as he is by then?
Also, we are hosting a wedding reception in our back yard the first part of October. I am a little worried about what to do with the swing set. It is not going anywhere. Should we use it as a backdrop or just part of the line? There are two swings, should we use them for the pictures?

Come on, give me some reassurance here. I'm not sure what to do. Maybe Jim and Tom can come over and we can guess which one is which.

Even Steven!

Dah-dah-dah-dah!!!!! These boys get a new brother in January.And this boy gets two new brothers in January.

We feel blessed to have three more grandsons joining our family in January. That pretty well makes an even tie, girls vs. boys. Six of each makes for two first string basketball teams, doesn't it? With all of our athletic abilities, don't you think Jason could do something with them?