Traditions

I love traditions.  When I think about my own, I don't feel like I have very many.  I love having my family around on Christmas but understand that there are other sides of the family that feel the same way.

When my children were young, we lived next door to my aunt and uncle.  She had all her grandchildren over once a year for a camp out.  They would set up the tent and all sleep together. I had the same thought this week.  I love camping and want to share this with my grandchildren.  So, yesterday we set  up our new tent that has never been used and camped out.  I was a bit chilly and Evie doesn't like to stay in her sleeping bag, so I was up a few times in the night to make sure she was covered.  Somewhere before it was light, Brock was stirring.  I checked on him and found him completely outside his bag and huddles under his "blank."  I inserted him back into his sleeping bag and wrapped him in his blankie.

Adam surely didn't get cold.  He is the green blob.  He wraps himself tight even when it's too warm to do so.  Cami and her friend Grace had warm bags and never stirred.  I did hear some sort of howling in the night.  It sounded like a pack of wild critters.  There were dogs barking as well so I know whatever it was, it woke the neighbor's dogs.  That always makes me a little nervous.

We began another tradition this summer and that was taking them all to Bay Beach in the evening. We went out for dinner and then spent $40 on tickets.  We weren't there that long, but we never had to wait in line for any rides either.  It was fun watching the kids enjoy themselves.

I will probably come up with some others in the coming years as the grandchildren get older, but I don't want Cami to miss out so I have to start things now.  Family is Everything!!!

U.P. Tour 2015

 For several years, I have been going with my husband in August to the U.P. as he does some work there.  We spend the night and I help with whatever I am able to do.  We didn't get to go last year due to my father's illness and need for care.  We got to go again this year.  We didn't go to all the buildings like usual though.  There was a lot of work to be accomplished in both Houghton and Iron Mountain so that's where we spent our time.

We try to do some fun things while there and this year we did some new things not done before.  The pictures are not in chronological order.  On Friday night we stayed just outside of Iron Mountain where they have a ski jump.  There are 500 stairs if a person wants to climb to the top of the mountain.  We climbed them all.  Each step is sponsored by someone or dedicated to someone.

The Steve Mariucci Family sponsored this step.  There was another plaque on the other side of this stair with Steve's parents included.

 This is Dave's Falls county park here in Wisconsin.  It is a beautiful park!

 This is a view of the stairs on our way down.  It appears in two separate places that the stairs just fall off into nothingness.  Of course on the way up, it appears that the stairs just end when in all actuality, when you get closer, you can see there are a lot more to go.

 Back to Dave Falls.  This park is dedicated to Dave Frechette who died trying to clear a log jam back in the 1800's.

 On Thursday night we stayed on the shores of Lake Superior at Sunset Bay campground.  At night you can see the ships coming across the lake as they are lit up.  This is really how well you can see them.  I was sitting in my camp chair as I snapped this photo.

 A view of the ski jump from the road.  On the right side are the stairs.  A jumper can get going as fast as 50-60 mph by the time they hit the end of the jump.  I cannot imagine landing on the snow further down that hill going that fast.

I took this photo to show the vastness of Lake Superior.  I believe Pat said he could touch the bottom.  He is just plain nuts to even want to try going into that frigid water.  I recall doing it as a kid, but then I can blame the fact that I was a kid.

 In Iron Mountain there was work to be done.  One of my jobs was to organize and plant some shrubs outside the building as there were two General Authorities coming on Saturday to do some training with the bishops and high councilors of the Green Bay Stake.  I picked out the tall yellow flowers.  Other than that, my husband picked the plants.  I just busted my behind to get them planted and spaced.

While we were standing on the actual ski jump about a quarter of the way up, we took a selfie.  We took one in the opposite direction as well, but we look not so great.  I had a great time and even though my calves are sore today from that climb yesterday, it was fun.  It was also exhausting!  We had to stop a couple of times in order to catch our breath.  My heart was pounding pretty hard.  What a cardio workout!  We met several people on their way down as we were headed up.  Steep, steep stairs for most of the way.  Another fun few days with my sweetheart!

Random Thoughts

I cannot express how much I enjoyed NOT coaching the track team this year.  I was able to go to see them compete and even work at several meets.  I didn't have to endure the cold and wind and whining.

At times I miss my dad.  Mostly his tender touch.  But, I'm happy he isn't trapped in that body that didn't work anymore.

I LOVE my seminary class!  I look forward to another year teaching but wonder how much longer this calling with last.  Old Testament, here we come!

Sometimes I would rather do my own thing.  But I'm obedient.  I guess that's a good thing!

I'm excited for three nieces to get married this fall!

Little Butchy's smile and giggles melts my heart.

I love being Nana.  I still love being Mom too.

I still love playing volleyball.  It was fun to be able to play a few times over the summer.

I've got myself certified to officiate volleyball once again.  Lots of Jr. High games the fall.

I love a clean house!

Girl's camp was so relaxed this year.  I loved the feeling that was there.

Seeing an old friend come back to church after 30+ years warms my heart.

Being the mom of a missionary is so great!  I love Monday emails.  Andrew is really maturing in his testimony.  Perhaps not so much as a person.  He's still the same goofy guy according to the pictures he sends.

I LOVE what we did in our livingroom.  The stairwell and hallway are brightened and I love that too. Our bedroom is absolutely gorgeous as well.  It is amazing what paint can do.

Getting away with my husband it a welcome treat.

I have loved attending the temple monthly for all these years.

Getting the opportunity to meet general authorities has been my pleasure over the past 8+ years.  I will miss it.  They bring such a great spirit with them.

Being able to sustain my bishop, stake president, prophet and apostles is a privilege.

I've come to LOVE the Sabbath Day.  I need to make it even more of a special day in which there is much delight.

Sammi and Jeff and Evie moving here makes my heart happy.

I love paying tithing!

Escorting Erin through the temple was a highlight of my year!  It is an honor to be her mother.

I enjoy sharing the Bat Cave with Cheryl.  I'm blessed to have her as my friend.  I will miss those times if they never happen again.

I am truly blessed in so many ways.  I find joy in the fact that I can love life.  There are many people who are more apt to complain.  My glass is never half full, it is overflowing constantly.  Even with the events of the past year, most especially the death of both of our fathers, we have more than we could ever express gratitude for.  Find joy in the journey of this life!

Nauvoo 2015

Shortly after school was out we had our Youth Conference in Nauvoo.  Pat and I took Tom and drove in our own vehicle so we could get everything ready for the youth to arrive.  We cleaned the lodge and unpacked food with the help of the Jaquiths.  We had some very humid, hot weather which was unusual for us during the second week of June.

On Wednesday night we saw the Young Ambassadors after we watched the Sunset show.  It was cut short due to a lightning storm.  They do two shows.  We saw the Tuesday night show and it was far superior to what our kids saw.

Thursday morning brought the handcart trek.  I think most of the youth had a great time.  We had a young woman in our group who just wanted to race through the trek.  She left such a bad taste in my mouth.  She's normally such a fun, happy, upbeat person, but not on this day.  I was ready to hog tie her and leave her for some other group to rescue.  We did our typical vignette about having the baby die.  That touched many hearts in each of the groups.  The kids then had the rest of the afternoon to go see whatever sites they wanted.  We met at the visitor's center at 4 to watch The Promise performed by the young performing missionaries.  That was so much fun!  It's the first time I have sat through that show and had the audience respond with cheers and "aww".  Many of the youth went back to see the Young Ambassadors in the evening.  They agreed that the show was eons better.

Friday was our spiritual day.  Half of the group went to the temple in the morning while the other half went to Carthage.  After meeting up for lunch, we switched places.  In the end, we all met back at the campground lodge for testimony meeting.  A very good meeting.  Hearts were touched because of this place.  Exactly what we hoped for.  A dance with the Rockford stake in the evening.  The Wagners took the five 13-year-olds down the Trail of Hope.  There were several vignettes performed there.  It was awesome.  The Spirit was strong.

Saturday was simply pack up and go home.  A wonderful time was had by all I'm sure.  Except maybe Ivan.  He was part of the cooking crew and wasn't any too happy about it.  He missed his bed.

Part 2
Two days following Pete's passing, we had planned to go to Nauvoo to see the Bradys in the pageants.  Lolly said it was alright to take Tom and go so we did.  Again it was extremely hot and humid.  It also rained quite a bit.  It was great to see the Bradys.  Even more fun to see them on stage.

We were able to go to the temple a couple of times which I always love.  The Nauvoo temple is a special place for me.  All temples are for the same ordinances, but this one just feels different. Perhaps it is because over the years we put our labor into helping to clean it.  I've had some wonderful experiences doing that.  Anyway, it was good to get away and get recharged and ready for Pete's funeral.

Pete Talkin'

 Clare's four generation picture with Butchy.

 Sammi's four generation picture.

 The month of July brought a fast downhill slide for my father-in-law.  He was doing a lot more sleeping and was confused a lot.  As we met with the hospice nurse she confirmed what I already knew.  The end was coming.  On Tuesday, July 14th, I was working at the mill.  Patrick called and said he was headed over to his Dad's as his breathing had changed.  He was too late.  The change in breathing signaled the end of his life in short order.

We spent some time together as a family at Lolly's.  On Saturday evening we met with Father Mac to plan the funeral service.  Patrick had asked Lolly if he could say a few things on behalf of the family. She agreed.  By the time we were done planning, Patrick was the last to speak before we left the church.  It was awesome!  He talked about things he learned from his dad.  Both spoken and unspoken.  He talked about how Lolly was the Samaritan Pete needed as he neared the end of his mortal life.  When he finished speaking, Father Mac began to clap and the entire church erupted in applause.

Many, many people told Patrick what a wonderful eulogy he gave.  It was very tender and dear.  I think people could relate to everything he talked about.  We gathered at the house following the meal and visited for a few hours.  It was a good day.

 Cami's baptism day.  I love how Pete is so tender patting Cami's hand.  This was something I noticed as he got sicker.  He was more tender.

\Evie loved her Granpa Pete.  She played with him and he responded.  Again is was something I had never seen in all the years I knew him.  What a tender moment!

A Deep Thought

I LOVE my Ipad!  I use it for email, scripture study, games, photos, checking the weather forecast and other various things.  I also very much appreciate my cell phone.  I take it when I go out but I leave it at home when I go to church.  My cell is simply just a phone.  I don't have the internet on it.  I don't feel I need the internet to go with me.  It really is okay to be unplugged.

Yesterday I received a letter from our missionary son and he had a great thought.  He was appalled at the number of people using their devices during the Sacrament meeting.  He was even more disgusted at the number of people using their phones during the actual administration and passing of the emblems of the Sacrament.  In their defense, could they have been using their device to read or study the scriptures during that time?  I do at times.

Anyway, he sat behind a man who was on his phone not reading the scriptures.  Andrew wasn't sure what he was doing, but it wasn't something that needed to be done during the Sacrament.  He thought about Christ in cleansing the temple of the money changers.  He felt that if our Savior would have walked into that meeting, He would have cleansed the chapel.  I hadn't thought about that before.  I just think it is rude for anyone to be checking Facebook or playing a game during that sacred time.  Andrew opened my eyes.  He is a deep thinker and I was grateful for this simple, yet profound thought.

I do not know if this is a problem in our ward.  I sit in the front so I can't see who is behind me and what they are doing.  Those months when I play the organ and sit on the stand, I don't believe we have this issue.

I wish to honor my Savior and especially try to ponder on his Atonement or at least his life during the Sacrament.

Sunday with The Wards

These wonderful people are Jack and Sharmon Ward.  They are individuals that we would never have met except for my husband's calling.  He served as an area authority 70 and was released in April. We had the privilege of attending his Sunday School class where he serves as the teacher.

They invited us to have lunch with them which was absolutely delicious.  We spent several hours in their home talking about our families, callings and the gospel in general.

There is a lot of time when I spend time without my husband due to his calling as Stake President. This is one of the perks of having him serve in that capacity.  I get the honor of meeting new people whom I would never cross paths with otherwise.  What a blessing!