Friday, August 10, 2007

Joy


It's been a wonderful two weeks beginning with going to Utah for my mama's funeral. I just couldn't be too sad for her because my images are of she and my dad together at long last, both smiling and so radiantly happy. As their daughter, I have an amazing sense of security knowing they are together and also knowing they are preparing for all of us to join them. At the viewing and the funeral, so many friends from my long-ago past were there and it was a joyous time of renewing loving friendships and of course, family members as well joined together. What a blessing to have the eternal, gospel perspective and to have temple covenants.
When we returned from Utah, the next full week was filled with daughters and grandkids while several of the men and boys went on a 70-mile hike, climaxing at the top of Mt. Whitney. Jerel, Chase & Jordan, two of Jerel's sons, Shad, Boyce, Paul, Shannon's husband and Jonathan, Lindy's husband were the hikers. Here at home, we had three daughters and three daughters-in-law and 9 grandkids. Poor Doug was the only man around and he was a very good sport to deal with all of us women and all of those grandkids. Needless to say, it was a little crazy at times and yet so much fun. We stayed up late because of the quiet time with children in bed and were up early because little ones just do that! We fed the ducks at Hart Park, went swimming, little ones ran through the sprinklers, we had a dance party, we harvested tomatoes with Grandma, I taught Megi how to make jam, Shannon and I baked cookies, we went shopping at the mall and I got a new outfit, we went to the Primary Pioneer day, we played games and watched movies. So we were pretty exhausted by week's end. By Sunday night, the last set of tail lights disappeared down the street and we were left with a big, quiet, very dirty house. As I cleaned and put back together and washed sheets and towels, I reveled in the happy memories made. Family is just everything. I am so thankful and so blessed.



My siblings and I around Mom's casket


Grandpa & Ruthie at Pioneer Day
Johny dancing!


Megi learning to make jam!


Owen just rolled the ball!

Jodi, Lindy,Kristi cleaning up the kitchen

Trevor, Ruthie, Mikah in Grandma's garden
Chase,Ruthie,Tanner,Johny,Trevor,Jordan,Katie,Ginny
Grandma and Skyler
Ruthie and Mama Lindy

Katie and Grandma


Dancing Megi
Trevor, Ruthie, Mikah Ring Around the Roses in the sprinklers
Trevor and Mama Camille learning alphabet
Dancing Mikah
Riley and Tanner dancing
Ginny feeding ducks


Ruthie feeding ducks
Shannon and Rinez making cookies
Tanner and Grandpa
Rosemary's after hikers' return














3 comments:

Janel said...

OK-going to Rosemary's without Ty and I is just WRONG!! LOL....sorry we missed the week there hanging out with everyone but we'll see you the weekend of Ty's birthday and we'll go again then-Ty said so!

MegiJones said...

Love the pics! Love the title of this blog too! Loved being there! Love you!

Dean and Maryellen said...

This Blog thing is very wonderful. From knowing very little about our friends, now I am hooked up with the Nichols whole clan from their I came the McCalebs and now the Campbells are on the list. Understand your feelings about your mom. My dad just keeps on going like the little battery guy. We can't wait to go.
I will now be keeping up on you and your family