Funeral

This is the first time we have all been together in seven years. Since Brenda got married. We have a majority many times with maybe one or two missing, but we had the full group this weekend. 

Brenda and Karly caught the early plane home. There is a storm forecast for Wisconsin and we are praying they make their connection and get home in a timely fashion. Gena caught her flight and is on her way home. Joe drove home yesterday after the funeral. I am leaving Monday morning. I hate driving on Sunday’s. After two flat tires on a su day on two different trips, I’ll be happy to never drive on Sunday again. Although sometimes I can’t seem to plan it right. 

Our family sang a number for the program. One of Joyce’s favorite hymn was Come,Come Ye Saints. An arrangement was chosen with two key changes. I was not the only one stressed, but we met 90 minutes early and pulled it together in an hour. Our amazing cousin, Alayna, accompanied us. Her mom, Aunt René, told us it was beautiful. And I trust she knows and would tell the truth. Paula and Patti, Joyce’s daughters, were generous in there compliments and thanks. 

We all were coordinating, but didn’t get a picture. I didn’t think Ivan would pose again. We had just taken a picture the night before. 

We also met Cooper’s new fiancé. I really like her. I think we all do. She was brave in the face our our big family gathering and all our weirdness. 

I think they are very cute together. And I have never seen Cooper with bushy hair before. He endured the comparisons to the Jonas brothers and endless commentary with good grace. We are looking forward to a May wedding. 

At every prayer the petitions went up that we would be nice and not get angry - in different words of course. We were nice and nobody got offended. But I thought it a bit sad that we would all pray for that blessing that comes so naturally to other families. But at the same time, I was grateful that request was granted and worked for. 

I think dad and Joyce were pleased this weekend. And I think Heaven was also. So grateful for the gospel and the hope it brings us. So grateful for the knowledge that families can be forever. So grateful that we are working to that end. 

Snow fun

Our first winter in four years and we have been getting snow. Craig plays in it more than Boaz does. 

Trying out his driving range. He’s aiming for the snowman he made a month ago. The snowman is doing the limbo. But he’s lasted well for how long it’s been. 

Craig making a snow angel 

Trying to get out. But his head is downhill. So it was harder than one might think. 

The finished product. 

Baby quilts

I have two new baby quilts completed. I had to get a new app for my phone. So they stacked up a bit. 

This quilt is for baby Ledger. I met him back in the summer. 

His grandfather is a fisherman. And his last name is the name of a fish. 



You can see the fish on the back. 

Second quilt  this one is for Miss Ava. 

I finally got to use the half square triangles that Thea sent. Or at least I got to use some of them. They are very Hawaiian. 




The back is marbles pink. So happy to use fabric that was passed to me while I was in California. 

Scripture - Jacob 4

I had this verse marked previously. 

So many times I find myself learning with pain or necessity. How much better to learn with joy. 

Saying good-bye to a sweet lady

She's been a part of my life for over 36 years. Dad's been gone for over 14 years. I'm sure they have a lot to talk about. She has her leg back and is free from pain. I'm happy for her that she's with Dad again, but I will miss her.

Stopping for a visit on our way to California

Dwarfed by my boys, but still somehow in charge

Sweethearts, back together again.

Blocked

A lot has been happening in our extended family this past little bit. 

Our nephew was planning on blessing his new baby. We ad been invited and were planning a trip to SLC. I texted my sister - because texting seems so much easier now. I said we would be coming north and could we stay at her house. No reply. I called and left messages because. Went straight to voicemail. No response. I was getting a bit worried because were planning on leaving this weekend, and I still hadn’t heard from her. 

She called while I was teaching yesterday. I can’t really are personal calls in the classroom so I texted and said I was in class but I could text. Nothing. I called at lunch - straight to voic mail. I called when the kids were out of the class for music. Same thing. School ends and I got a text from her. She was worried about me because she hadn’t heard anything from me in a long time. Were we okay?

I was way confused. I texted back. Then I called on my drive home - using hands free of course. 

Finally I texted her daughter and asked her to have her mom call me. 

When my sister called, I picked up right away. She hadn forensic any of my messages. 

She had blocked my number! 

While we were laughing and figuring it all out, I went to put her on speaker and suddenly we were face-timing. 

Crazy phones are so sensitive and we don’t even notice what they do. 

But at least we are back o speaking terms. Neither one of us knew her phone decided we were done talking. 

New beginnings

We have enjoyed being home. The knowledge that a job was waiting for us gave us space to enjoy these last two weeks. 

Life gets back to a schedule tomorrow. Craig’s first day and Boaz back to school. I have some things on my list to do. Life returns. 

Some lesson from this time. 

Food storage is a good thing.  We’ve tried some new recipies with new ingredients. We’ve had more homemade bread. We are looking at what we have moved from state to state and deciding it’s time to eat what we had had forever. 

Shopping is a habit that I have been able to break. Living at least a half hour from a full store has made me more thoughtful in my purchasing. (We have a tiny grocery here that has essentials.) Clearing out my freezer in the move has kept me aware of what was in the freezer. I haven’t lost anything in there since we’ve moved. 

I am more organized and plan more. With the store so far away, and not knowing when we would get a job was a good lesson for me. 

We are happy in our little house. We’ve enjoyed the snow, our neighbor who plows the driveway, and our wonderful ward. I’ve started sewing again. I have one new baby quilt done and am going on a new one. Both babies have made their appearance already. There are two more in the wings. 

This little break has been lovely, but now it’s time to get going again. 

And Josh will write again tomorrow.