Jenni's Family Gets Together

 Asking kids to have their pictures taken is a portent for disaster!  

First of all, Bri and Olivia both had on pink unicorn shirts....quite a unique coincidence, I would say.  So I told them I'd like a picture.  That was a big mistake.  Bri ran away.  Olivia ran and hid under the table; so then Bri ran under the table also.

Then Jaxon passed in front of the table.  Even hid under the table also, although it's not easy to see him....I just could never get a decent picture of the two girls in sort-of matching shirts.

Sean and Lisa's three oldest....such magnificent children.

Adorable little Asa - mild-mannered and gentle.  We had never seen him before, I don't think.

Bri ran over and hugged Mac, but she moved away before the real tender moment occurred...

As I say, great kids, but a great challenge to capture them just so!

Well, I DID It!

 I - at 81 - did baptisms for the dead.

4 Names, 5 times because my hair flew up.

And, there you have it - peer pressure from the Young Women got to me.

And, so I did.  I went alone.  

I have no way to prove that I did it.

But, I did.  And God knows it and I know it.

Now, will I do it again tomorrow when I'm with the girls?

Well, see.

When the Boys Get Together

 

Fishing with John Ferguson at Island Park...and then eating fresh trout - nothing better, according the Allen.

ANOTHER SUNDAY - ANOTHER FAILURE!

 Every time I teach, I feel this way.

During the week, I feel like, yeah, these ideas are good.

And, then I get there and it all goes to pieces.  Kenzie is a whiner, a blabbermouth, Tara can't stay off her phone, the guest and Tara just acted bored out of their gourd.  And, I just blunder on, not making any sense at all.  

WHY do I even try?

Never Done That Before!

 Went shopping with a friend.

Seems weird to say that I haven't done that, but I haven't that I can recall.  I mean, I shopped for girls camp to buy the food once with Linda Gianchetta and one with Linda Marten and for church things with other women, all of which i hated..  And, with my daughters - rarely.  And, with Janessa for a wedding dress.

Here's how it all played out.....

A couple of weeks ago, I was with Bonnie Rawson and she told me she would really like some new tops.  She has a friend who takes her shopping, but her friend stays a VERY LONG time and Bonnie, who uses a walker, can't stay that long; she gets exhausted and needs to sit down (even tho she does sit down on her walker!)

So, I told her I was the PERFECT shopping companion.  Because I HATE shopping.  I don't like looking everything over, row after row.  I like shopping online.  That has saved me over the last few years.  I would not be wandering around looking for something for ME!  I would just follow her around and she could take as little or as long as she liked!

So, she agreed and this morning, we headed for Dillard's.  It was great fun.  She has a specific style that she likes and she looked over the entire women's section for that style - 3/4 sleeve, rounded or vee neck, printed fabric.

She picked out about 7 or 8 tops and asked me to come in to help her manage the situation in the dressing room, which I did.

She ended up buying 4 lovely tops - for her - not my style - and I bought a jacket, which I might return.

Then we went to lunch, which I paid for as tomorrow is her birthday.  It was all quite lovely.  But I don't want to make a habit of doing this every Saturday!  HAHAHHAHAH

Maybe we'll do it again in six months or so!

THOUGHTS While THINKING

I was betrayed by a family member.  

I'm in shock and don't quite know what to do.

My heart is aching.  And breaking.  And sorrowful.  And heavy.

Families are so complicated.  And, hard.  

I won't speak to this person for a while.  But I definitely need to get over this ache in my heart and my anger towards this person.  I expected better from this person.

 

The Princess Has a Party and Other Delights from August

 Bri dressed as Rapunzel.  Can you even imagine the thrill for Bri when the REAL Rapunzel walked in thru the door?  Now, that was a moment.

All the little girls were thrilled indeed; and even two little boy cousins got in on the action!

An older, wiser PRINCESS also looked good this week...

Kristi is the princess of the outdoors.  I love her spirit of adventure and love of the outdoors, which she got from her father and perhaps my mother, who also loved being outside.  Me, not so much.  But, I love that Kristi loves the great outdoors created by a loving father in heaven.

What Does an 18 Course Meal Look Like?

 I really have no idea, BUT, this was one of the courses.  Your hands are poured over with chocolate; that is kind of disgusting to me, but here are Jordan and Janna with the results.  

I guess people are always looking for fresh takes on food.

Today, I had a tuna sandwich at the Senior Center.  Plain tuna sandwich with chips and tomato and lettuce.  Fine enough for me.  And, the price was right.  Four dollars.

From Ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY....

 Friday, August 15....just another day like any other;

Gym, do some family history.

THEN - Allen and I went for a ride to see some new developments on Utah Tech Ridge; fun!

A Blaze pizza was next.

Home to play a game of Rummi Kub....

DOORBELL RINGS; who can that be?

I open the door - no one is there...but on the ground are two colored pictures and some protein drink.  Across the street is a white car, but can it be Janessa's - I don't think it is, but maybe it is...

And, where are the people who brought these things? 

Hiding around the corner!  That's where....

What a fun surprise from the best grandma and best aunt in the world.

Now my fridge has some art work!

About 20 minutes later, another ring on the doorbell.  WHO?!?!?!?

That darling Olivia Bird with flowers and a thank you note - just because.  

And, that is what I mean by extraordinary!

When Scottie Puts on Make-up

 While mom's way, the cats (or the daughters) do play - in mom's makeup.

Scottie did this while Jenni was tending just after baby Blaire was born.  It's aria of passage for girls, I think.

I Wasn't There, BUT....

 oh, how I love these ladies.....

The annual Back to school breakfast at Kneaders....

TamiOliver, Allison Christensen, Tiffany Reynolds, Jade Reynolds, Emily Blount, Heather Smith, Carlie Comstock, Rachel Bills, New Lady, Peggy Hrabar.  

All magnificent ladies.  All strong in the Gospel, All remarkable in their own ways.  

And, I can truly say, I love them ALL, and I love them EACH!

HOLY COW! And, Speaking of Landon...

 Look what happened last night:

Cova Collins Fisher (Cici)

August 10 2025

St George Utah.

So very exciting!

A Grandkid BURST YOUR BUTTONS Moment

 

Very very cool.  Since most of our grandkids won't ever achieve this level of achievement, I can brag on this kid.

I LOVE IT When MY KIDS Get Together

 

Bobby and Kristi visiting Imperial Beach, California.  Time to see the siblings.

Jeremy takes them flying.  I love that.

On the beach across from Jeremy's lovely, incredible home.  This is their view every night!  And, where they walk every night!

Biking, hiking, kayaking, flying.  What a trip!

I love that they hang out together.  Oh, I pray it will always continue.

Giving New Meaning to Gratitude

As I walked out of the gym one day, I was stunned to see a tattered very old car parked by the sidewalk, stuffed with, what I would call, CRAP. The entire car was filled to the brim with papers, clothes, just STUFF. 

 I soon learned the car belonged to Jill. I recently found out that Jill had been living in the car for TWO YEARS! She now lives in a very crappy "place", but at least it havs a toilet, a shower, a microwave, and a fridge. And, a bed, I presume. 

 Jill has a teaching degree from BYU, she went on a mission, married in the temple and has three sons. She divorced her pervert husband, who told her she would never receive ONE DIME from him to help suport the three boys. She went back to teaching, and got cancer. Without insurance, she lost everything. And, thru these events, she became homeless. Her sons apparently have abandoned her, even tho she sent them on misions. (Family stories are so complicated!) 

 Then she met Patty, who has helped her get out of her car, into a place to live. Jill goes to the temple four days a week. AND, she is so grateful to be living where she lives. Patty said it a true dump, but Jill is so grateful. 

 How does one get to feel that way, when their circustances are so filled with poverty and loneliness and abandonment? It's all a matter of perspective and feeling a truly grateful heart. Which is what I want to feel every day.