June 2017

JUNE 2017 
(This blog has evolved into a place to share my emails to my family.  Here are the four I sent in June)

WEEK 1 6/4/2017

YOU really are my favorite people on the planet.  Line up everybody who has ever lived and I’ll pick you every time.

It was a great week!!!

These photos speak for themselves.

1)  West into the Everglades…(and one pic from our pool - "WHAT!?  You have a pool?”  Yeah, but we share it with a few other families.)

2)  South into the Florida Keys…

3)  Fishing in the Atlantic…

4)  When dog food is new and improved, who tests it?

What a week!  Harvey is lonely.  We miss you all.

Coming soon:

Caden prepares to serve a mission in Argentina.  Congratulations!  He enters the MTC in September.

5th    Randi & Roy celebrate 4 happy years!

7th    Jon marks the BIG 5–0.  Whoa!

7th    Stephanie is excited to be 41.

7th    Erin is ready to blow out 32 candles.

10th  Sophie May will turn 36 months…or the BIG 3!!! 

11th  'Sister Sarah’  is 20 in Singapore.

WEEK 2 6/11/2017

Hello darlings!

A fantastic week just happened.

1) Last week was seminary graduation and I had to crash it.  3 of my former students are preparing for missions and one is already serving.  Cool kids!

2)  Friday the 13th is on a Tuesday this month.  So weird!

3)  Some of you are familiar with my little brothers miniature 1” pieces of art.  Hoping that this talent might be genetic I gave it a try.  Of course mine is Moses before Aaron and Hur stepped in to support his arms.  "Nailed it!"

4)  We put in a patio garden.  And we love it.  

5)  I got called ‘pretty’ today!  Well actually the full statement was ‘you’re pretty annoying’ but I only focus on the positive things.

6)  If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself.  ~ Thomas S Monson.  

7)  Set aside November 23rd if you’d like to share Thanksgiving dinner together, in South Jordan.  

     

Today Sister Sarah Hill turns 20. 

WEEK 3 6/18/2017

Dear frolicking family,

The nitty gritty…

1)  June 19th-22nd, Regional Girls Camp. I am crazy tired and we haven’t even left the gate yet.  Lane joins the gang on the 21st.  Fun times!

2)
 

Well, not exactly.  But I did leave the oven on after I baked brownies this past week.  Harvey was nice and hot when we came home from the movies.

3)  I hope all of you dear dad’s had a great day.  I really appreciate your dad skills.  Keep them sharp, you’re gonna need them a long time. 

 

  

4)  If you feel picked on, shunned, less than, ignored, or ridiculed... “rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets - and even our perfect brother Jesus - which were before you.”  Matthew 5:11-12

Coming Saturday, June 24th

Heston will turn 4!!!!

Danny becomes old enough to be a beehive ;o}

David celebrates being 14…hurray!

WEEK 4  6/25/2017

Well hello again!

I’ve missed you.  I love hearing from you whether it be a phone call, text, skype, email, personal visit, snail mail…you get the idea.  What a blessing it is to live and breathe in 2017.  

1)  Another Young Women’s camp is in the record books.  The last time I camped with YW was 18 years ago…so this week I really partied like it was 1999!  Haha.  (Jami was 12)

2)  Some highlights.   

Sister Neill F Marriott came. (General YW 2nd Counselor)  My emotions prompted a hug.  Sweet woman. 

3)  The fabulous girls of Homestead Ward with our incredible bishop - who drove 6 hours round trip to be with us.  (photo 11:45 p.m. 2 girls were already in bed.  Bishop Hernandez quickly posted this pic to FB prompting a midnight text from a concerned parent whose daughter was asleep and a confession from me that the rest of us broke camp curfew)

4)  Post-camp itinerary…a 3 hour nap on the bus ride home.  They earned it!  I earned their respect by outlasting them EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.  ;o}

5)  Home in my own little bed.  Laundry is done.  Sharing-time subbing completed.  I got a new calling today.

6)  Our Good Shepherd is unchanging…He does not recoil from us because we sin. In doing so, Jesus Christ also set the example for us to follow — to show respect to all and hatred towards none.   ~ Elder Dale G Renlund  (my favorite junior apostle)

7)

8)  David England, my step-dad, had his first dose of meds to combat cancer of the bladder last week and did really well!  He just has 5 more treatments to go.  Prayers are appreciated.

Coming soon:

Sam & Jamie’s Russell will be ONE on Tuesday!

Greg’s special hearing is Thursday at the Gunnison facility.  (We plan to attend)

Our 1st Great G’daughter, Hailee Hill, celebrates her 1st b-day on the 30th.

I love you forever!

Scatter smiles & sunshine  Ü

Momma, Momma C & Carolyn

haP2Bmi@gmail.com

801 499 7994

May 2017

MAY 2017  (here are the 4 weekly check-in emails I shared with our family)

WEEK 1 5/8/2017

Hey Jazz fans...and those who aren’t,

Lane & I will never know what it would have been like to raise up young kids TOGETHER.  But we do know what it’s like to entertain a handful of sweet grandkids.  It’s pretty radical and rewarding.  

1)  It’s wonderful to give these Kelley kids a few weeks to get to know us (while their parents visit Thailand).  These resilient kids are surviving us.

2)  Tagg created ‘g’ma bucks’ as a way for the kids to earn movie treats.  Then he set up this concession stand to redeem them.  We watched Babe.  When the kids tackle g’pa I hear echoes of “Baa-Ram-Ewe”.  So funny!

3)  They were excited to use their annual passes at Cherry Hill.  We had the place all to ourselves.  (Tip: Go on a Tuesday afternoon when soccer practice is cancelled.)

4)  Lane made the most scrumptious cinnamon rolls just because he can.

5)  Sunday afternoon we gathered to celebrate Isaac’s 5th.  Carrie and Lincoln are super generous hosts.  Yummy pork, spuds, corn cobbettes, salad, 7 layer dip, deviled eggs, veggies, mouth watering rolls, and Texas sheet cake with ice cream.  Darn it…Lane was on a clear liquid diet.  “Wow, this colonoscopy prep is so delicious, I think I’ll drink another!”…said no one ever.

(With his colonoscopy behind him, Lane and I are driving to Gunnison to visit Greg.  We thank X for stepping up to fill-in for the fill-er-inners.) 

6)  If we buy 10 acres of land do we own it all the way to the core of the earth?  And if that is true, how big would it be at the core?

7)  I mistakenly bought my shoes from a drug dealer.  I don’t know what he laced them with but I’ve been tripping all day.  ;o}

Coming this week:

Friday the 12th,  Hurray for Raylie who will be 6!  

The Kelley’s return home from Thailand.

WEEK 2 5/14/2017

Salutations sterling kinsfolk,

News of the week:

1)  See what you can do during a 3 hour prison visit…

2)  Greg drew floorpans of his pod and cell.  Quite a good likeness.  The real thing (pod) is on the bottom (Cameron shared this from a recent news story, thx).

The sketch on the top left is Greg on the bottom bunk as he watches TV with his headphones on.

3)  Greg invited us to drive by the SanPete facility, so we drove back to Layton through Manti.  Ahhh, the memories!

"Each of our temples is an expression of our testimony that life beyond the grave is as real and as certain as is our life here on earth.  I so testify.”  Thomas S Monson

4)  The Kelley kids continued to impress us with their vim & vigor.  The kids were entertained by G’pa Lane’s snoring.  Bike rides and walks.  Tagg wakes at 6:15 on weekdays to practice piano.  Healthy snacking and popsicles.  They were ultra excited to have their mom & dad back late Friday afternoon.  Mer & Tyson, thanks for entrusting us with your sweet kids.

 

5) My brother Clayton marks his 60th birthday TODAY.  But his wife Michelle pre-empted by putting together a party for him Thursday.  My mom came along, 5 of her kids and 6 of her kid-in-laws.  I also enjoyed time with the Gerbers, nieces & nephews.

6) Our best chance to get Lane home for work on Monday was to catch flights yesterday.  We landed this morning at 4:50 a.m.  Again we thank Stephanie and JetBlue.  Direct flights from Longbeach to Ft Lauderdale started this very month.  

We are home!  My mother’s day gift was a 4 hour nap.  

It’s an actual fact that I have the best mother on the planet.  Because of her limitless love and outstanding example I positively, absolutely love being a mom!  I’ve been super blessed to have my dream job.  Tough, challenging, tear-jerking, rewarding, joyful.  Happy Mother’s day to all of my amazing daughters.  THIS IS YOUR DAY!

Coming soon:

19th  My momma’s birthday!

20th  Amanda will be old enough to be a deacon.  ;o}

20th  X & KC will have been married for 8 years  <3

21st  Caden celebrates his 19th birthday

WEEK 3 5/21/2017

Hey hey hey!

1)  Life is good.  I had oatmeal for breakfast yesterday.  Banana Foster Oatmeal.  That’s steel-cut oatmeal topped with bananas, caramel, candied pecans, cinnamon and whipped cream.  But the best part was the ‘sweet crisp’ served on the side.  Try it sometime.

2) When I’m alone I talk to myself out loud.  Do you do that?

3)  Last night I finished the second coat on our front porch steps.  It was dark.  I painted by flashlight.  Nuisance bugs flew in and out of the wet paint, leaving teeny-weeny footprints on my trailer pad.  Don’t strain your eyes you can’t see ‘em.  Poor things.
  

4) Yes, we live in a trailer, nearly 10 months.  And we still love it!

5)  "YOU are vibrant and enthusiastic beacons in an ever-darkening world as you show, through the way you live your lives, that the gospel is a joyful message.”  Sister Harriet Uchtdorf

6)  My mother was the special guest at a fabulous tea party yesterday, hosted by my incredible sister Charla.  Callie, thanks for attending and sharing these photos.

Coming soon:

Caden is 19 TODAY - cheers!

Rockwell will be 6 TOMORROW - yippy!

Sam will be 36 TOMORROW - Hurray!

Kylie will be 17 Saturday - Celebrate!

Scott & Lincoln arrive in South Florida late Saturday - Hallelujah!

WEEK 4 5/28/2017

Hello sterling sons and darling daughters,

1)  Just as I was telling Lane “it’s been nearly 1 1/2 years since one of the kids made a baby announcement” we received this from the Robisons.  Yippy!

2) AND this from the Gerbers…. ;o}   “Another ballon is gonna pop!  Popping December 2017”  Congratulations!

3)  The week started and ended with the temple.  Cleaning it on Tuesday, and patrons on Friday.  (a fraction of the 30 person cleaning crew is pictured here)

“At the temple the dust of distraction seems to settle out, the fog and the haze seem to lift, and we can ‘see’ things that we were not able to see before and find a way through our troubles that we had not previously known.”  - Boyd K. Packer, former President of the Quorum of the twelve Apostles.

Remember your deceased family members on this memorial day.  This temple will be open, will yours?

4)  The LDS “temple prayer roll” is a confidential running list of the names of people who are ‘sick or otherwise afflicted’. I always add my own name to the temple prayer roll and sometimes your name too.

5)  I am making slow progress preparing 16 girls from my ward to attend a regional girls camp (7 stakes).  This group hiked 5 miles yesterday.

6)  We happily welcomed Lincoln and Scott to south Florida last night.  They will be here a week!  We had a glimpse into Shark Valley this afternoon.

7)  I liked this perspective on time which I remember from sacrament meeting today.  

I only have a minute, just sixty seconds in it.

Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it,

Forced upon me, can’t refuse it.

But it’s up to me to use it.

I must suffer or I lose it.

Give account if I abuse it.

It’s just a tiny little minute,

But eternity is in it.

    - Benjamin E Mays

8)  Oh, and we ‘planted’ a patio garden but it’s too dark now to snap a photo.  

We love hearing from you.  Keep us posted.

We love you forever!

April 2017

I've been emailing a weekly check-in to our 

children and grandchildren for a few years. 

 Here are the 5 emails from April 2017

4/2/2017 (Homestead, Florida)

Greetings good-looking group,

[When it gets to be this late I remember the only reason to be grateful that most of you live 2-3 time zones west of me is because it is still Sunday for most of you.  That said, it is still time most of us should be sleeping.  Can you hear G’pa Lane’s soothing snore?]

1)  Happy April!  I love spring.  And the weather here is gorgeous.  

2)  Without kids or g’kids to visit I just plumb stopped taking photos.  So here’s what I’ve got:

3)  This mermaid pasta caught my eye on FB.  Tastes pretty!

4)  General Conference was delicious!  

- Develop firm testimonies - Obey God’s commandments -

- Pray daily - Live as the Savior lived w/ kindness and love -

- Study the Book of Mormon everyday

We will be blessed to resist temptation, overcome fear and receive heaven’s help in our lives.  AND MUCH MORE!!!  Coming...May Ensign (or online NOW)

5)  My recovery has been one for the record books.  I’m certain that my surgeon will agree when he sees me tomorrow.  It’s all due to my hunny's good care.  

6)  I vaguely remember trying to dance from my prone position as I was wheeled into surgery.  Sure enough, the releasing physician commented about that as Jamaican music had been playing.  I think I am more impressed with myself then embarrassed.

Coming soon:

April 3rd ~ cousin Kaelyn Adams (Tigard, Oregon) will be 5.  Hurray!

April 7th ~ Jami & Chris Robison (Cincinnati, Ohio) celebrate 3 years of marriage.  Sweet!

4/10/2017 (Miami Beach & The Florida Keys)

Hello Meghan Trainor Mavens...or not,

For me last week was “All About that Beach”…’bout that beach, ‘bout that beach.

On Thursday, late in the day, I found myself at an appointment 1.4 miles from North Miami Beach.  I could either head home and sit in rush hour traffic or pick up a salad and linger on the coast.  EASY CHOICE.  Three hours later I zipped home in record time.  It was then that I decided to give myself a view of the water once a week.

1- Thursday, picnic on Haulover Beach (North Miami Beach) “Every hour should be happy"

2- Saturday, Islamorada Fish Market, lunch in the Keys with these two happnin’ guys.

3- advance planning for a visit from Lincoln and Scott (next month).  Maybe we’ll spend a day here…

4- tomorrow we embark on a sunset dinner cruise out of Ft Lauderdale.

5- lesson from the ocean ~ sea life’s beauty.

"Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness.  Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy!  And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together...And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever!"  D&C 128:23 (One of my favorites.)  

Three beach visits in 6 days.  Good ratio.  One day I’m gonna miss this!

Coming soon:

Alta Charlotte will be 6 on Thursday, yippie!

I love you forever.  And I think of you every day and I miss you constantly.

4/16/2017 (Homestead, Florida)

Dearest children,

It’s no secret how I feel about Easter.  My reasons include:

1) "None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.”  ~ The Living Christ  

2)  “I know that the only lasting joy and happiness we will ever find during our mortal experience will come by following the Savior, obeying His law, and keeping His commandments.  He lives.  This is my witness to you.”

Elder L. Tom Perry 

3) Religion is making sense of emotional chaos, a school for learning how to cope with loss, grief, depression, guilt, confusion, doubt, fear.

4) God makes everything fair.  My grandson Dillon lived 1 year, my dad lived 83.  

5)  "Death is but a going home.” (I don’t know who said this first but I completely agree.)

6)  I know that life gets better when we go home.  I think Brian agrees because he kinda had mixed emotions when I didn’t get my ticket home.  See inside the Get Well card the Hansen’s sent after my happy diagnosis.  I love you too Brian!

Now you know why I love Easter.  

This coming week:

Saturday April 22nd, Dillon is 11 in earth years.

We love you forever,

4/23/2017 (Homestead, Florida)

Baby I’m amazed by my babies - Hi kids,

Another week.  How was yours?  Can you tell me who copyrighted the copyright symbol? 

PINK.  I love pink.  I think it might just be my 2nd favorite color. (First is YELLOW)

Maybe that’s why I love pink flamingos.  When we lived in Parkland, FL I wanted to decorate ‘Callie’s’ bathroom with them, but went another direction.  So now that we are in a trailer it just seems like the time is right. 

1) Our bedroom…

2) Our bathroom…a work in progress.  A painted Flamingo accent wall is coming.

3) Our yard…(I wish)

4)  Okay.  This is our yard.  What happens when your neighbor blows his leaves into your yard?  Eventually one of you has to remove them to make way for the flamingos.  ;o} 

5) This man invented the plastic pink flamingo.  Donald and his wife Nancy have worn matching outfits for the past 35 years.

Nancy says "Donald used to have to travel for business and when I packed his case, I'd tell him which outfit to wear on which day, so we coordinated even though we were apart. It helped us feel connected to each other. But his boss realised Donald was much more productive if I came along, too, so I'd help out at the conventions. It was good for business, because people would seek out our stall year after year to see what we were wearing.”

6) A wise man said, "A home is much more than a house built of lumber, brick, or stone.  A home is made of love, sacrifice and respect.  We are responsible for the homes we build.  We must build wisely, for eternity is not a short voyage.  There will be calm and wind, sunlight and shadows. joy and sorrow.  But if we really try, our home can be a bit of heaven here on earth."  ~ Thomas S Monson

7) My mom’s David is receiving unusual treatment for a newly discovered cancer of the bladder.  Our prayers are with them both.  They are practicing faith in the Lord and trust in the doctor.  Please be mindful of the Englands, they are beloved folks. 

Coming soon:

25th - Callie & Rayson celebrate 8 years marriage.

26th - Hatcher will be ONE!

29th - Dalia turns 11…WHAT!?

30th - Lane & I tend the Kelley kids for 2 weeks while Meredith and Tyson travel internationally.  Anyone else want a babysitter?

I love you forever!

4/30/2017

Greetings favored family,

I landed in SLC late Friday.  Lane is due in within the hour.  

1) If I’m lucky I’ll be able to see a bunch of these adorable little people this week and next.  Starting with a morning at the Gerbers…

2) And an evening with the Kelleys.

3) I need to get more grownups in my photos.  I’m not saying that Callie is not grown-up  ;o}  but I missed Rayson, Meredith and Tyson.

4)  Why is it called a ‘pair of pants’ when there is only one?

5) This is what girls camp preparation looked like this week:

Be wise.  Remember WHOOO you are.  If ye lack wisdom, ask in faith.  

6)  "Faith yoked with consistent action fills the heart with kindness, the mind with wisdom and understanding, and the soul with peace and love."  ~Pres Uchtdorf

Happening soon:

Isaac is kindergarten qualified next Sunday!  F I V E years old.

I love you forever.  It was another memorable month.  Bring on MAY!