July 27, 2023

 We started the week with much needed rain but the weather has improved and the long awaited for Moroni’s Quest TriStake activity has begun. Keaton stayed with me after Liza’s family returned home on Sunday following their family hike on the Island and Sayde’s Easter seal camp. He had received permission to join Moroni’s Quest and I took him to the Stake Center yesterday for registration and then Kona and I drove to the site location on the Price’s farm in Mission. The kids arrived in buses and after being fed lunch began their Book of Mormon Quest experience. I stayed until after the water activity game our Stake had planned was complete and then headed for home.

Jack and Jeannette flew in yesterday and spent the night with me before they set out for their Alaskan cruise. I had made chicken salad ahead for them so that I could get ready easily for dinner when I got home from Quest. We have had a nice time visiting and they took me for breakfast this morning in Fort Langley. We went to the cemetery too and walked around. They have left now and I am having a quiet day with the puppy.

Keaton has kept busy this week selling some of the things I don’t need. He has been selling on Facebook Marketplace and doing quite well. I have been letting him keep the money he makes so it is not a bad little job. He is going home on the bus Saturday after Quest concludes.

Cindy and Paul have kept Max and Jacqui busy right up until their departure yesterday for home. They have been to the Island, to Whistler and every other place on their list and to see everyone they had wanted to see. I had them for dinner on Sunday and also went with Cindy and Jacqui to an outdoor Shakespeare production put on in Langley while the men had a boys’ night. We are excited about their baby announcement and are praying for a safe arrival the end of February.

I have also been busy cooking and baking for everyone’s visits and cleaning in between guests. I love having them come. I am blessed with a good family,

July 20, 2023

 Most would think my life would be quieter, with not a great deal to fill my days but that is not the case and every week seems to be full to the brim. I actually think that is probably best and I have said that I believe Tom is whispering in everyone’s ears “Keep her busy!” Life would be harder if it were not so busy. I am also overwhelmed with everyone’s kindness and concern and feel I should be doing more for others. These are my thoughts of the week and pretty well every week.

I made lasagna ahead and fruit pizza before Liza’s family came on the weekend. Cindy and Paul took me to see the live performance at the Stanley of “The Carole King Story”. She has been a writer and performer of her own music over decades and most of her songs are well known to generations. It was fun to go. Max and Jacqui arrived later on Saturday for their summer visit and Cindy took them immediately to the outdoor symphony. I was able to see them on Sunday at church before they were off to spend time with the Hardy family. Liza’s family arrived later Sunday evening and we then had a late supper. On Monday we all went blueberry picking with the Hardy Family and then to A+W for lunch with them. Cindy picked up flowers I had asked her to order and we all then met at the cemetery where we had a family gathering to commemorate the placing of Grampa’s headstone. Liza played the Tabernacle Choir singing “Be Still My Soul” on her phone and Max offered a family prayer. They were all pleased with the headstone. We then ordered Chinese food and spent the evening at my home. The Burgess family left the next morning for a hike on Vancouver Island while Sayde does the Easter Seal camp on the island. Bryson received his mission call the day they left but doesn’t want to open it until this weekend so we are all waiting in anticipation.

Kona went to the groomer last Friday and to the vet for a follow up visit on Monday. She ended up getting some vaccinations too. 

I went out for lunch with Tanya and Judy Leemhuis on Tuesday. They drove out to take me for lunch and brought me a plant and some apricot cake. It was so kind of them and it was fun visiting and catching up. Cheyenne also needed a ride to her swimming class on Tuesday morning and I ran to the bank after as my credit card had been used fraudulently to purchase over $5,000.00 worth of merchandise at Crate and Barrel. I had cancelled my credit card on Monday, then got cash at the bank Tuesday and received my new card by courier Wednesday. So disconcerting! Tuesday was a busy day. 

I cleaned after Liza’s family left and have now made another lasagna for the Hardy family who will come for dinner this Sunday after Liza’s family leave for home. I need to prepare for Jack and Jeannette as well. They will come next week during our Moroni’s Quest TriStake Youth Event but I will take time away from the event for them. They are off on their Alaska cruise and will spend a couple of nights with me as they come and go.

 

Summer is busy, life is busy and it is all good.

July 13, 2023

 Justin is 27 years old today. Hard to believe that our eldest grandchild is that old. He and JayLynn bought a one level home in Saint George this week and are moving in this weekend. Family is helping them do both to get them into a home that is more permanent and easier for JayLynn to move around in. Trevor and Tammie have been with them this week helping them out. They have also been able to spend time with Jeff and Lisa Slarks and will have lunch with Bob and Pat tomorrow. Both couples are dear friends and I wanted them to know that Justin and JayLynn are living there in town. We are still praying for this little family and for JayLynn’s  recovery and long term health solutions.

Cindy, Paul and Sam took care of Sayde in Kelowna last week while the rest of the Burgess family participated in Trek. They arrived back home on Sunday. 

I spoke in the YSA branch on Sunday with Cheyenne as my speaking companion and she also sang “Day by Day”. I was concerned about my voice holding up as it has been a little problematic since covid. I had a long speaking time remaining for me but my voice miraculously held up. I wanted to introduce Cheyenne to the YSA and hopefully get her feeling comfortable about going. She did well and even read some of Tom’s words she had recorded from a blessing he gave her. I had no idea she had recorded that blessing and she said it blessed her again at school this past year when she was struggling and she found it on her phone. It touched my heart. I have been giving one talk a month for the last three months. I feel a little lost with no talk to prepare.

Max and Jacqui arrive this weekend and we planned on the headstone being placed on the grave while they were here, however, Stefan had it completed and it worked better for them and for the cemetery to place it yesterday so I went by myself to watch it placed. It is lovely and I am so pleased with it and I am so grateful to now have the grave beautifully marked. I have had a hard time with it left unidentified. We will still have our family gathering on Monday with a prayer, flowers and music. Liza and her family are coming too. 

I continue to handle my business affairs and church callings. I am trying to set up a time for Thomas, Cohen and Keidis to receive the Temple Prep lessons and we are getting ready for the TriStake Moroni’s Quest youth event the end of this month. Jack and Jeannette will be coming thru town on their way to their Alaska cruise and spending a couple of nights with me as they come and go. Kona is showing improvement from her bowel infection after her kennel experience and I am pretty well back to normal after my covid experience. It really was not too bad. All is well! All is well!

July 6, 2023

 It is my sister Joanne’s birthday. I called her this morning and found she was recently released from the hospital after having emergency surgery for a bowel blockage. I was so sorry to hear that because I had the same situation after my appendix surgery. It is so painful and you feel so sick. Unfortunately, Tom experienced it too during his last few months. She is fine now and feeling much better. I ordered her flowers and apparently they are a bit disappointing. She is sending pictures. I am sorry about that too.

Well my trip home last Thursday did not transpire. Tammie and Trey drove me to the airport, I checked in, checked my bag and went to my gate only find that due to bad weather, my flight was delayed for several hours and I would not make my connections so they rebooked me for early Saturday morning. The storm they were worried about came thru and they retrieved my bag when that settled down and luggage handlers were allowed back on the ramp again. Tammie returned to pick me up and I went back home with them. It is hard to be prepared to leave and then be turned around. I was starting to feel a little ill as well. Trevor had been sick all week with what he assumed was a cold. Liza was sick back home and Cindy had been trying to hold out all week and finish her work year. Cindy tested positive for covid, as did I after I eventually made it home. We have determined that we all had it. Obviously shared by someone during the wedding weekend. Jadyn was sick during the week but tested negative for covid.

On Friday Tammie and I dropped Treyvn off at his work and then did some Target shopping. Another big storm blew thru that evening again and I repacked and got organized once again. My Saturday flight was very early in the morning and I was grateful for that because the storms during the hot weather usually hit later in the day. The airport was very crowded but Trevor had me organized and I got thru and on my way to Las Vegas. I had a four hour layover there and thought of Justin and JayLynn nearby. Paul picked me up in  Bellingham as Cindy was now confined with covid. They had picked Kona up from the kennel Thursday evening and Sam had her at my house. I was tired, not feeling well but glad to be home. We did not attend church on Sunday.

Kona has had loose bowels with blood showing as well so I have been concerned about her too. We finally got to the vet today and have her on numerous medications. I hope we all get back on our feet soon. Cindy and family went up to Kelowna to stay with Sayde while Liza, Brendon, Breya and Keaton participate in Trek. I hope everyone does okay.

My finished front yard looks beautiful and I paid  Ryan for it today. I am done! Ryan will replace the back turf for me in the fall when I am assured that the awnings are preventing the turf burning at all seasons. 

The weather is very hot and wildfire smoke is in the air. 

I speak at the YSA this Sunday with Cheyenne as my companion. She is also going to sing Day by Day. I have been working on my talk and have that ready now. Life goes on and I am feeling better as are my three sick children. Lara Lyn missed the wedding but also missed the after illness.