All the Favorite States

I miss the beautiful clouds and cool weather already, but there is no place like home. It was sweet to come home to familiar and happy spaces.

Our vacation was wonderful. We loved visiting in Utah, see lance and his family and relaxing on our way to the cabin. Couldn't believe  Emmy and Joe wanted to go to  Sizzler of all places. We did get to hit kneaders eventually.  We got Emmy all prepped for her many miles ahead with paint, an oil change and some attention to her(my)car. The boys love sippin stop and there seemed to be a theme of pizza on this trip. We wee gone ten days or so and it was lovely. The drives were full of good music, beautiful rainbows and relaxing in the van. We had a lot of space, maybe too much. We sure missed Spencer and Emmy when she took off early, but we kept in touch as best we could. 

While waiting for Emmy and Celia to meet up with us to caravan to the cabin, I ran to some old friends from Dixie. It as so great to see Melanie and Pete and their daughter. We sure had some great times together back then and they were so fun and easy to talk to even now. I felt blessed to have crossed paths with them on the way to Las Vegas where they live and us on our way to the cabin. Such a tender mercy.

Another theme of the trip was waterfalls and Cemeteries. You wouldn't think those would both be good, but it was. I felt happy in both places hearing and feeling the nature and stories of it all.

We sure enjoyed our time at the cabin with Papa and Rah Rah too. I loved the birthday celebration they gave me with gifts and dinner and cake with a candle. It is good to strengthen our relationships and we did this trip. We saw grandma Jean and we played cards together and checked in on her. We even checked on Nanni and Poppi while back in Utah. WE went by their house and their headstone. I felt I really wanted to see the Salt Lake cemetery and I'm really glad we did. I feel so much love and appreciation for how my ancestors believed and lived their lives. it is all inspiring and interesting. I'm sure the kids were hearing all about it from me.

We have it so easy with air conditioning, cars, hotels and family. We have our routines to educate us and practice our religion. We spend time together rather than slaving away at mundane tasks all the time. Live has its challenges that is for sure, but I can't  help but feel blessed immensely for the good things in  life.  May I ever feel thi way and my children feel this way too.

Bitterweet

All of a sudden, talk of preparing for leaving this life became a topic of conversation. Mostly instigated by Tanya, I tried to shrug off her need to talk about burial plots and will and trusts. It seemed even friends at lunch were bringing this up. My folks acted on a thought to prepare and I had to go with them to see the plots they had chosen, and the funeral home and even the headstone. This is definitely out of my comfort zone, but was glad they are more prepared in the end.  I am beginning to see this life as a time to be kind, develop our relationships and discover our selves choosing the right.  I value the virtues of integrity and patience and long suffering. I am grateful for he family ties I enjoy. I have felt so much love and concern for each of my family members. I am a mama bear, if things aren't going great for any of my children.I cry at their triumphs and their disappointments. 

When hearing that Emmy wasn't going to have her friend's support in visiting L.A. My mind thought, then don't go, and my heart thought to go with her. I did end up meeting her in Whittier and we had a grand time. At the news of her friend's passing, I knew it was right to go and spend time together there and support her.

We had a wonderful time in downtown Disney. The food and entertainment were great. We got to see  a mini luau Polynesian dance performance and visit the hotel grounds which was very reminiscent of Hawaii. I loved the giant fireplace and the Tikki lamps lining the walkways. We wore our ears and visited Huntington beach in them. Walking by the ocean at night was nice and I loved getting in so many steps. Emmy would tell me when we got an award for ten thousand steps!

That was nothing compared to the 50 miles Joe hiked on his high adventure! Also, nothing compared to the two hours Celia drove for the first time!  July has been a great month and we have seen Spence many times and he has had some really belly laughs for us. He had a relapse of GI problems, but we are working through it and  he is without a dryer, but overall life is good and we are doing well.

We enjoyed  a meal here for the fourth and fireworks at Sun city on the 3rd and had fun at the neighbors for street fireworks.