Grandkid Game night April

 Grandkid game night was so fun.  

We gathered for pizza and breadsticks, then piled George into the wagon along with waters, wet wipes, bandaids just in case and duck food and set off to the park west of Layton High.   As we walked to the park and the ducks, the kids did the “trucker pump” with their arms to see how many cars they could get to honk at them…almost all did, and every time the kids gave off a cheer.  We also found a pile of pennies and dimes on a lone stretch of sidewalk by a field…so we collected our treasure.  

We got to the park and played.  I’m always so impressed with Sophia and Andrew and the awesome attitudes they bring with them on Grandkid game night.  They pushed swings, and got everyone Harry Potter wands - sticks- to make spells while we walked.  Andrew found a giant walking stick and became a Grandpa character urging the kids along.  It was so funny.  We played at the park, then I announced - I thought to all of them,-- it was time to go to the ducks.  The ducks were about 50 ft away down a slight hill.  We raced to the ducks, got the food out and tried to get indifferent ducks to get excited about the food we were throwing at them.  We wandered down the sidewalk to a bridge and I lined all the kids up for a picture and it was at that time I realized we were missing Poppy… ARE YOU KIDDING ME!  It had been like 5-10 minutes.  I told Sophia and Andrew to stay with the kids and I ran as fast as I could back up the hill to the playground in search of Poppy.  I saw her trying to talk to a stranger– I'm sure explaining that she needed help – crying.  I was so sad and mad at myself.  Poppy cried, “I couldn’t see anybody.  I was lost.”  We cried and wandered back to the kids then we cried some more and all felt Poppy’s pain.  We have all felt that. 

 Poppy got a ride in the wagon and some duck food and all was right with the world again.  We found 14 baby ducks and lots of birds and it was really cool.  The kids played a big game of Red Light, Green Light then back to the playground for more games of Marco Polo on the playground and more swings.  It was getting colder and at sunset, we walked back to my house, taking turns in the wagon and getting cars to honk at us again.  

 Back at home we had popsicles, ice cream and cookies….and  I had baseball caps for each grand to choose and color..and some coloring pages.  Then we took some pics and played Who is It, and Head bandz. By the time my boys pick up their kids at 10 pm, everyone is TIRED!   Ahhhhh….. all this without Poppa Wayne… he was sad about it in China.

I'm so blessed...Halelujah I'm blessed!

Easter time

 Happy Easter!  

What a gorgeous, rainy, cold day we have to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I’m pretty sure Jesus didn’t bother with the weather, there were more important things on his heart..but the weather bothers me.  I did get a cute Easter dress with a bright orange jacket to wear over it…so I’ll stay warm.  Easter church was good.  We went to Add and Bre’s church to hear their little family sing, “Gethsemane” which was beautiful, then back to our ward to sing in our ward choir, “Consider the lilies of the Field.”  Our ward choir is pretty good.   Then back to Addison and Bre’s home for Easter dinner.  We had a tea patry with cucumber and coronation chicken sandwiches..and macaroons.  The deviled eggs did not turn out– so that was a bust, but we also had chicken shishkabobs, Wayne’s bread and carrot cake without raisins…  then we all piled into our cars and visited Wanee and Holly to wish them a Happy Easter.  It was good for Wayne and I to review our Israel pictures and remember all of our experiences and feelings we had while walking where Jesus walked back in Nov. 2022.  So grateful for this time. 

Me telling the easter Jesus story to the grands.

I love Easter.  I love the weeks leading up to it, the continual messaging on my socials about Jesus and his Love, and thinking and reading about the last days of Jesus' life and his ministry again and again.  

The Easter bunny??? or Santa Claus?

How George eats apples....... I find these discarded all over my house.

I felt compelled to share my testimony, my belief in Jesus Christ with all my kids this year…

On this Easter, I want to share with you my beliefs about Jesus Christ.  I believe he was on earth to teach us what life  is truly about…love… and to help us get better at loving and serving and forgiving one another.  

I believe He prayed and bled in Gethsemane, taking upon himself all of our sins, weaknesses, and struggles. He was betrayed by a friend and sent to the cross to be crucified.  I believe He died for us… and rose again on the third day.  And because of this, our lives can be filled with light. We can turn our thoughts and deeds back to God—back to goodness— again and again. 

I love my Jesus.  I love the reminder He is to me to love better, love all, love generously and compassionately.    

What I gain from being involved in the gospel of Jesus Christ far outweighs the challenges.   My belief in an afterlife, living with God and seeing my parents and loved ones again comforts me and gives my life purpose. My belief in forever families keeps me invested in my earthly relationships.My belief in Jesus fills me with peace, hope, joy and love. I feel it. I believe it. I have experienced it. It brings perspective and a magical, miracle filled life. 

I love you all.  Happy Easter. Christ is risen..  He is risen indeed! 

What are you doing right now?

 Truman threw this question out there on March 30th and we  answered...

Markus, Laila and Jet making dinner

Monson, Lexi and the girls in Oregon with friends.

Addison working out at the gym

Truman at the dog park with Callum

Wayne and Melinda on a freezing cold walk

Landon at rehearsal for "Company"

Silver platter of beliefs

If I was presented with a silver platter of beliefs to enhance my earth life, what beliefs would I choose?

I would want to believe that I will see my parents and relatives again one day. That they are working, progressing and waiting for me.  I would want to believe in a beautiful afterlife.

I would want to believe in angels, that I can call up on them, and they help and support and have my back.

I would want to believe in a higher power...in a God that loves and heals and helps and loves me and wants the best for me. Who wants me to become like them.

I would want to believe in prophets who continue to work with God and help me along my earth path with messages and revelation.

I would want to believe in agency, and that everyone gets to make choices for their lives.

I would want to believe that all things that happen to me are actually happening for me, and I can find lessons and growth in them.

I would want to believe in scriptures and their truthfulness and teachings.

I would want to believe in forever families, and that my earth relationships are important.

I would want to believe in the power of repentance and the joy that comes from turning back to God again and again. 

I would want to believe in an atonement that grows me, and applies to me, and helps me.

I would want to believe in all of the gospel principles and doctrines that are laid out by Jesus in the New Testament of love and law and mercy and justice. 

I would want to believe in people and their goodness.

I would want to believe in the power of love and inclusiveness.

I would want to be a believer.

I get all of these things by being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  So I stay..and I'm happy about it. 

My church

What change do I want?

 I would like "Heavenly parents" and "Heavenly mother" to just roll off people's tongues and not be so weird and hesitant about it because we know that’s the truth. We know that’s what we are preparing ourselves for because we go to the temple and learn this.

I would like the general women presidents. ( or presidencies) - to speak at every General Conference, not just one or two women.  I think that’s a sad message to send about women’s voices and men not needing to hear them.  (We have our own Women's meeting...isn't that good enough?). I just think it’s funny that the powers that be think the men of the 70s who preside over regions, have more important messages than the General Women leaders of the entire church.  

I would like the word preside to be out of the sealing ceremony. I think preside is an outdated word. I appreciate the added gentleness and meekness to it, but I still don’t understand why we continue to have that word preside in our vernacular when we are equal partners.  I don’t feel God in this. 

Yes there are things in my church that I want changed…and I trust God will make those happen, since I have had a heart-held list of changes that I wanted and one by one these changes HAVE happened.  I trust more are coming.  I’m not sad or mad about the slowness of it, I know this is a church of continuing revelation and continued restoration.  (I lean heavily on the 11th article of faith) I know we are flawed, fallen humans including our leaders and we are trying to do what we believe God wants us to do..and I know change will come….because…GOD!  

41st and 10th Anniversary

 We celebrated our 41st anniversary with a Burley Burger dinner and a Nielsen's custard for dessert.. and writing down 41 random memories...

1. I took my temple endowments out on St Patrick’s day 1983. I smiled when I put a green apron on. 

2. Climbed to the top of everything in Paris  for  our anniversary of 2018

3. Anniversary 2012 in Manchester, England picking up T

4. Wayne’s pink tux jacket

5. Having to go back and get Wayne's wallet for honeymoon

6. Trying out every bed in Park City condo on our honeymoon

7. Falling asleep to Chariots Fire every time we tried to watch it

8. Sleeping in 1st apartment with no air because too much $

9. 2nd hand black vinyl furniture  that we stuck to when we sat down. 

10. Our first car had a smashed in drivers door Chevy impala

11. Having our first sex before our reception at our apartment then we walked across street to reception at Canterbury hall.

12. Cruising with cousins and siblings and we all wore Grandma Butters Sweet Adeline dresses

13. Cruising with our kids. Singing karaoke - and everyone was clapping and hollering.

14. Painting kitchen cupboards red

15. Stephi dog - going away and coming back 

16. Taking up biking at 50 years old

17. Moving to Layton at 61 years old 

18. Learning canasta at Webster's cabin

19. Snowmobiling in Yellowstone with West Bountiful people.  

20. Sign up across our garage for Melinda’s 40th. She's so hot!!

21. Bountiful temple dedication with Addison in attendance at corner room in the temple.

22. Wayne getting raccoons out of our chimney.  "Santa Claus"

23. Flying to Philadelphia to pick up Laila and home with a gorgeous baby that everyone stopped us and wanted to see and goo at.

24. Wayne getting a ticket driving to pick me and baby Addison up at the Lakeview Hospital. He was too excited. 

25. Landon tieing his blanket on body and  praying like a nun

26. Monson winning in football.  So many fun games to attend.

27. Tru walking into barbershop with long hair to get a trim, and coming out buzzed in JR. High.

28. Wayne standing on a bar stool in our front yard cutting down the willow tree- I made a ton of willow chairs 

29. Boys fighting. We get phone calls about Monson with a knife

30. Sitting in choir concerts at Bountiful High

31. China trips. Wayne got BlackBerry device he wore on his belt pickpocketed on the subway 

32. Finishing basement in West Bountiful house - and our first home computer.

33. Baseball bat for a home intruder in West Bountiful

34. Hot air balloon rides for Bash family reunion

35. Chasing Hot air Balloons at balloon festival in Albuquerque with all the Coles in a motorhome.

36. Saluting Wayne’s dad at the cemetery when we motorcycle by. 

37. Bear lake walks, beach and shakes. 

38. YSA bishoping activities 

39. Performing in Guys and Dolls and My Fair Lady at Terrace Plaza

40. Swim parties and holidays at Grandma Butters pool

41. Flying to Orlando to hold our first grand baby 2014 

 I found what I wrote in a journal about our 10th anniversary on March 21, 1993

10 years with Wayne-- it's hard to believe as I look around and see how far we've come.

We got married 10 years ago on $400 a month and a prayer.  We lived in Dad's apartment, and we drove Dad's car because we couldn't afford one.  Wayne was home from his mission for just 3 months and I was finishing my last quarter in college.  We lived on Top Ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese and anything cheap.  We longed for offers from our parents to eat at their houses which they did offer us frequently.

Wayne was working with Joel LaSalle in a new sign company and Nine years later after they went their separate ways they are working together again in a new sign co. Glifx. 

We had no t.v..  Mom's next-door neighbor gave us an old microwave that we fixed for $40. We had hand me down everything- bed, couches, table etc.  

We turned on the air conditioner in the apartment for one month and our bill was so high we decided we would just have to be hot and sweaty instead.  The apartment was upstairs and we opened all the windows and even slept right by the sliding glass door when we pend..and boy was it hot.  That was the spring and summer of the incredible floods of 1983-- mudslides, river down State Street, and tons of water everywhere. 

NOw 4 children and 2 houses and 9 cars later...10 years have definitely happened.

Wayne has gone from $400 a month to over $50,000 a year.  We started a sewing business 5 years ago- Sew Perfect- and make pizza delivery bags.  I taught at Bountiful High School for 4 1/2 years.  

We've been to New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, West Yellowstone, Denver, Orlando, Portland, Phoenix- all over on vacations.

And best of all we still love each other!  I love Wayne!

Preston one year later

 We heart attacked Angela and Guy's home on Monday night..so they would wake up on March 19th- and know they are loved. It's been a hard, difficult, loving, tear-filled year, since Preston died by suicide, for all of us, but more so for Guy and Angela. 

Monson and Landon joined me in the quiet service.  Monson's girls wrote and colored on the cutest hearts. We didn't know the Browns had a ring camera until it was too late, and I covered it up with a heart...but the next day Guy watched the video and found us doing our heart thing.  We were found out.  

Guy and Angela took the day off of work, so they could sleep in, cry, go for a walk, go to the temple, and the cemetery and watch a mindless movie and just be together.  I'm glad they did. 

Grandkid Game night for March

Grandkid Game night!  This was our third try at this…and I just love it.  We have them all come for 4 hours on a Friday night and we do a lot of things.  This Month we focused on St. Patricks day and Green.   We were sad that Sophia couldn’t join us… she had a rehearsal, but our other 7 came!   

  We gathered and had rainbow pages to color, while I made little hot glue pom-pom Leprechauns for the kids and talked about Lucky vs. Blessed…and what that means.  We decided that we are both lucky and blessed.

We had chicken nuggets and papa’s sour dough bread - as per usual- the kids all love these. Then  we played bingo for candy.  I ran the bingo game with a giant leprechaun hat on and then passed this on when Alfie ran it. 

We went outside for roasted marshmallows around the pit.  It's kind of a dangerous prospect to do this. Fire and kids aren't a great mix, but they are getting safer every time we try it. Alfie likes his marshmallows burned-- I think he likes blowing out the fire. George likes his marshmallows raw-- but he wants you to put them on a stick and then hand them back to him. Everyone else likes the golden brown melty marshmallow. Poppy got marshmallow all over Papa's pants.

Then back inside for the hot and cold game hiding gold coins around the living room. They are so funny hiding and then finding the coins for each other.

We also did the upside-down person where you draw eyes on your chin and cover nose and hair with clothing - and we sang and laugh a ton. 

We had Lucky Charms cereal for a dessert break– it’s the kind where you add milk and it turns green.  It was magical.  

George was kept busy with papa’s remote car and playing with marbles.     The rest of us played card games- Sleeping queens, Trash and Cards & Marbles… and then we put the Wonka movie on for those who were sleepy.  It was a good time.  I love spending time with my grandkids.