Life in General

Just realized how long it has been since my last posting...I need to start doing better!

I keep reading all the cute blogs my girls write and feel like I should be posting something really cute and creative like they do. I guess when the kids grow up and move out it becomes a lot harder to find interesting things to talk about because I become the focal point...and I am discovering that I am not really all that interesting. I fill my days with books, swimming, organizing, cleaning, cooking, attending the temple and other things I love. Maybe I just need to take more pictures of my clean kitchen floor, books I have read, trips to Costco, etc. I am still working on my landscaping and have lost a few more plants--two hibiscus and another bird-of-paradise, but have no pictures of my dead plants either... Makes me sad to lose those birds. But the weather is cooling so hopefully I will soon be having more success. In any event, I am not ready to give up on my dream of a "tropical" oasis in my back yard.

Still loving it here in Arizona...but do miss my kids, grandkids and good friends. I have been to two baby showers in the past two weeks and am making some new friends...but most of them are under 30! Definitely a different neighborhood and ward than my previous one in Salt Lake City. It is strange to be one of the oldest in the crowd, but guess it had to happen sooner or later...The good news is I am hoping that hanging out with all these young moms and moms-to-be will keep me "young at heart":-) Everyone has been great about making me feel welcome. This is a very friendly area...and we have decided it must be due to all the great sunshine we have.

Actually, to sum this up and boring or not, I am thinking life is really pretty good when we want to make it that way:-)

What a fun packed weekend:-)

WOW! You certainly packed alot into one weekend! From the long trip from Utah, to the flying rock that left a big dent in the windshield, to the exciting arrival...at last! You came and you brought an exciting and fun time to a lonely grandma, grandpa and uncle Micah.

We played in the pool (both night and day), we grilled, we played in the pool again, we shopped, we played video games, and we played in the pool some more:-) They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are a few to tell the story...what great memories right up to and including the fully loaded family van headed back for home. Thanks, you guys, it was wonderful! Love you lots!!!

She is Starting Her New Life...

Micah and I helped Jennie load up her "new" car for another big adventure yesterday morning. After a somewhat eventful trip (she took a wrong turn in Vegas) she arrived safely at her new destination last night. What a relief to get the phone call that all was well. I thought I would share a few farewell photos taken by brother Micah. Please excuse my pajamas and messy hair--its for any of you who accuse me of looking too "put together";-)

As parents you know that it is always hard to have them leave the nest...with Jen it has been a recurring theme. First, when she went off right after high school graduation to apprentice with Colorado Ballet, again after college graduation when she accepted her first "real" job in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, then again when she left on her mission to Chile.

Yesterday she said her goodbyes once more as she left to begin her latest chapter as ballet teacher/Jr. director for the new VISTA Charter School, K-6, in the St. George, Utah area. One would think it would get easier with each farewell, but it doesn't. There are still the "knots" in the stomach as you watch her drive off, concern that she will be "watched over", the normal worries about her safety, and the hardest thing of all...walking past that empty room...

Aloha, Jen, we send you our love and very best wishes for your new adventure...rock on! But we here know the Abbey won't be the same without your special sparkle, limitless energy and sunny smile.

We will miss you kiddo! Come back often.

Just checking in...

Love this picture taken at Mike and Lisa's last winter. Lisa is a master poster maker and we love and appreciate all she does for us.

Wow, hard to believe how time flies! Summer is almost gone and school will soon be starting. Is there anyone else who might want to make a quick trip before then? Addie maybe? (no pressure:-) We are still hoping Amy, Centry and Caide can come too.

Jen will be leaving for St. George and her new teaching job at Vista Charter School on Monday--sure will miss having her around but I know she is excited about trying her wings in a new location!

Happy Birthday to Rachel! Hope it was great. You are such an asset to our crazy family!

I stole this quote from my daughter, Matti's blog and I absolutely love it! She truly IS this kind of Mom and I really want to be this kind of Mom too:-)

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed some one's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."~Marjorie Hinckley

Isn't that just perfect? Thanks Matti!

Thanks everybody for keeping in touch...Love and miss you all...

Empty House

Wow--the days went way too fast! It is hard to believe that Matti and her two little ones, Tex, 4 months and Eden 2, were here since June 18th. The days and weeks seemed to fly by and there were still so many things on our list that didn't get done.

The same was true for Miah, Rachel and their kids, Chance 7 and Deja 10...and now, the house seem so quiet and empty.

Today when I was backing out of my driveway there was a baby binky on the ground (apparently dropped when Matti loaded everyone up for the airport yesterday morning). Just seeing it made me tearful. Isn't is something how little things can bring on such big emotions?

I spent most of yesterday wiping off little fingerprints and spills and now my house is spic and span--but the sweet sounds of childhood are also gone.

I read something the other day that I really liked. "Don't cry tears of sadness when they are gone; cry tears of joy for all the wonderful memories"...thanks everyone for tears of joy. Please come back soon!

Its HOT, HOT, HOT in Arizona...

Greetings from the sunny state of Arizona. I must say, I still love it here, but they aren't kidding when they say it is hot! We average between 115 and 120 daily now with it cooling down to the low 80s in the evening.

Caide Emerson (Amy and Centry's littlest) just turned three...Happy Birthday Caide! He got a new bright yellow bike and was he ever excited when he called to tell me!

Carly (Mike and Lisa's oldest daughter) just got her first pair of skinny jeans and, as you can see looks darling in them along with her new "birthday" extensions.

Matti and her two little ones, Eden (age 2) and Texton (3 mos.) paid us a surprise visit and have been here for a few weeks. Can you imagine traveling 5 hours on a plane with two little ones in tow? What an amazing Mom! Was grandpa ever surprised to find little Eden ringing his doorbell:-)

Miah, Rachel, Deja and Chance were here previous to that. We truly enjoyed their company and showing them around Mesa. It has been so fun having them all here to keep me company:-) Of course, Jen and Micah are here as well so we have had a full house! How can one grandma be so lucky!!!

We are loving the pool and I can't imagine living here without one. We swim most every day and I am so fortunate to have Micah for my pool boy...he is really getting the upkeep schedule refined. Thanks Micah!

I am including a few pictures of the past month just to update this blog. I am hoping you will be the next one on my doorstep.

Our Treck

In some ways it doesn't seem possible it has been a whole year since we lost our grandson, Treck unexpectedly to a seizure...but then in other ways it has been like a lifetime without him.

Treck, we want you to know how much you are missed by our family...you have left a big hole in our hearts.

May the angels be your constant companions and may your happiness be without bounds. Until we can be together again...

We love you!