Just wanted to let you all know that my brother Jeff just opened his mission call on Friday! He will be serving in the Alabama Burmingham mission and is super excited! He leaves Oct 22. I can't believe that I have a brother old enough to go on a mission, it seems like yesterday that Shaye left on his mission. We all tease Jeff that he's going to come back with a drawl and weigh 300 lbs. :) Aside from his uncanny association with Forest Gump, he's REALLY EXCITED! YEY FOR JEFF!
We just got back from the most fun, exciting trip to Washington State. It was especially fun for me to be able to experience all of the things that Shaye enjoyed during his childhood in the Bellingham area where we stayed is his family's favorite vaca spot. The trip was amazingly fun because everything we did was centered around the outdoors. Every day we went on cool hikes, and saw the most beautiful places. I can't believe how pretty it is up there! It's good to be home, but I sure do miss those gorgeous, lush mountains!
The other day my Mom and I went to visit my Papa Joe (maternal Grandfather.) We had a pretty normal conversation, but for some reason he was extra nostalgic and he started talking about lots of family memories... many of which occurred long before I was even thought of. My Grandmama passed away last fall, and so Papa Joe has been really tender lately. All of the sudden in our conversation he turned to a corner of his living room and retrieved a beautiful, familiar thing--a tiny rocking chair that I used to sit in as a little girl. It was my special little place. My Papa Joe told me that he wanted me to have the rocking chair and put it in my nursery when I have
children of my own. As I took that little chair from his house, I was so touched. It's amazing how much nostalgia and emotion can be stored in a little, family artifact. For now, the chair sits in the closet until I have a little one to sit in it.
A little later I looked around our condo and saw so many other heirlooms that brought a similar response. I saw the Easter tree that my Grandmama gave me a few years ago. I know that its June, but I still haven't put it away yet. :) Grandmama always bought me the funniest gifts, and I could never fathom where she had found them. But this Easter tree somehow became very special. It is even more special now that she isn't here to give me advice or tell me about her brave life.
When I went into my kitchen, I saw the Christmas dishes that my Granny gave me. My maternal grandmother was such a special person, and passed away when I was 12 or 13. I remember a few months before she died she called me over to her house. She was lying on the couch and had her oxygen on. We knew she didn't have much longer. It was the last time that I was alone with her. I wrapped the dishes in newspaper and we talked about so many important things. The things Granny said were always important. Now I see those dishes and it seems that a little part of her still surrounds them.
Though I know that we can't take anything material with us into the next life, I am grateful for the blessing of heirlooms. Sometimes when I feel alone, or am missing a loved one, I have something to hold onto to remind me that they're not really gone.
This father's day I have been reflecting on the importance of fathers in our lives. When I think of my Dad, I remember him teaching me how to ride a bike, wash a car, and mow the lawn. I remember him pulling my first tooth and disinfecting my scraped knees. I remember him giving me priesthood blessings and teaching me how to pray. I feel so blessed to have such a great dad. I know when there's so many people out there who grow up without a father in the home that its rare to have such a lasting influence. I know that I take him for granted a lot! I love you Dad!
Moreover, it has been a treat over the past two years since I've been married, to see the influence that my father-in-law has had over Shaye. I'm grateful for such a strong man who taught my husband how to watch over a family with such diligent and gentleness.
Happy Father's Day to all those Dads out there!
Is it that time again? It's crazy how fast a year can come and go. Shaye just turned 24 on Thursday. Somehow that sounds so old. Birthdays are always an interesting event at our house because we were brought up with such different traditions. While my family makes a huge deal of birthdays; Shaye's family don't so much. So I always wind up planning some big party for him, and he feels uncomfortable with so much attention being directed at him. I love it! :)
This year, Shaye's family got the hint and we had a big party for him at his parents' house. We had the usual cake and ice cream and then chatted in the yard with Shaye's siblings and watched our nieces and nephews swim. It was one of those beautiful, perfect evenings. Happy Birthday, Bear!
Here are some fun pics we took at Nichole's wedding last weekend! Talk about a high school reunion!
Nikki, Me, Katie, and Marci
My friends, I finally made the plunge. For so long I've been thinking about cutting my hair short and have been putting it off. When it grew down to my lower back, I decided enough was enough and cut about 14 inches off last weekend. Wahoo! Marci did such a great job that I haven't even regretted in one bit! Yey!
