Grandma's Flower Garden

Ethan, the fireman enthusiast, was anxious to use the hose to water the flowers. His shorts got a bit wet and were drying out when this photo was taken.
Mia models a lovely flower tucked behind her ear. She was a big help and has a real knack with flowers.
Mia and Ethan came over today and helped to plant some more flowers in Grandma's flower garden. We went to the garden store and they both picked out some flowers. Using the wheelbarrow and armed with hand shovels, they dug dirt,placed the flowers, and watered them. We were treated to a delicious lunch made by Grandpa.

Happy Mother's Day!

It was a very nice day today topped off by a delicious Spaghetti and Meatball dinner prepared by Katie. AJ's family and Grandma Brown came over. Dallin had some fun playing around with Grandma's camera today took these pictures of the gang. His self-photo he called "Dallin in Cheesey-version". It was good to talk to Keith, Candice, Brenna, Mike and Nana today.
Lots of thoughts crossed my mind today as I pondered about mothers. From the time I was a little girl wanted to be a mother. I liked to play with dolls and dreamed about the day when I would have my own babies to take care of. My mom was a wonderful example to me. Watching her helped me to happily anticipate the day that I would be a mother. As a teenager I knew that I needed to take care of myself to give my future children the best possible advantage of health and happiness. I also knew that I would need to choose the best man to be their father. I found what I was looking for in Frank and I have not been disappointed.
All of my hopes and dreams have come true with the arrival of each of my five precious babies. They have brought me untold joy, taught me countless lessons, made me laugh, made me cry and have given me hope for the future. I know that they will improve the good things that we have given them and make an even better life for their children.
Grandchildren are the frosting on the cake and bring an exquisite kind of joy as I watch my babies grow up to lovely care for their babies.
It has been a very happy Mother's day. Thank you, dear children, for all you have given me. Love, Mom/Grandma

A Memorable Anniversay

We have celebrated our 31 anniversaries in a variety of ways but this one, spent in the hospital, was a first. That said, it was a good celebration nonetheless. The best part is that Frank is on the mend.

I have often thought of marriage as a dance where two people learn to move together. Through the years the dance moves change and so does the music. Most of the time it all comes together and we dance like Fred and Ginger! The trick is to try not to step on each others toes and to keep working together to learn the steps.

I love this quote by Hugh Walpole. It captures how I feel.

"The most wonderful of all things in life, I believe, is the discovery of another human being with whom one's relationship has a growing depth, beauty, and joy as the years increase. This inner progressiveness of love between two human beings is a most marvelous thing; it cannot be found by looking for it or by passionately wishing for it. It is a sort of divine accident, and the most wonderful of all things in life."

I look forward to many more years of dance lessons and finally get to dance into eternity with my partner, Frank.

Dreamin' of Randolph

What is it about this picture of my favorite man in my favorite place that makes me smile?!
We haven't been to Randolph since January and we are missing it, big time. Here is a list of some of the things we love most:
It is soooo quiet.
There is no traffic and no crowds.
The stars shine brighter than bright.
The residents are friendly, all 450 of them.
The air is clean.
The winters are very cold. Good snuggling weather!
Time seems to stand still.
We can choose to do projects or just be lazy and it doesn't matter.
Bear Lake is a short 20 minutes away with lots of activities to choose from like renting a Waverunner, sitting on the beach, playing in the water, etc.
Taking the grandkids for a weekend in Randolph.
We will never run out of little fun home improvement projects.
Using scrap lumber to make something from nothing (like barndoors)!
The Rich County Fair & Rodeo every August right across the street.
Learning about raising goats and chickens and dreaming of doing it someday.
Frank usually gets in the mood to cook and serves up some tasty vittles. Which leads me to the next item on the list...
In Randolph, calories don't count!!!:)
How lucky we are to get to have a country home. I am so glad to share the hobby of homebuilding, home fixin', and home making with my Frankie. He is making another of my dreams come true!!!

Frank Gets Some Visitors

Today was a tough one for Frank. With a change in pain medication came allergic reactions that were not at all pleasant. The general anesthesia air rising up through his shoulders and neck are also causing discomfort. Needless to say, he was not his spunky self! They say that the third day after surgery is the worst and tomorrow is day three. We are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. A chat with the doctor made us realize that Frank will not be able to do a lot of the things that he used to be able to do. He will have to let others do the lifting and heavy work.
The day was not all bad thanks to some visitors, namely, AJ, Cami and kids, Brenna and Mike, Jared and Katie and many phone calls from well-wishers. Frank mustered up the umph to play a version of "Chinese Steps" with the grandkids.

Get Well Soon, Cheech!

Frank had surgery today at about 7:30 a.m. All went well. The doctor was able to repair the "swiss cheese" grouping of hernias, large and small, and he is comfortably resting at the hospital until Sunday.
The day started out 5:45 a.m. and we had quite a surprise when just as we drove up to the hospital all the power from Bountiful to Kaysville (20 miles away) went out!! The hospital generator came on for about 10 minutes and then that went out too!!! We sat with the nurses for about 40 minutes before all the power came back on!
Frank asked me to thank all of you who called to check on him. Our bishop came by last night and, assisted by Jared & Mike, gave Frank a beautiful Priesthood blessing. With so many of you praying for him as well as his name being on the temple prayer rolls, he is convinced things will continue to improve. Frank has always been a man of great faith and finds great comfort in relying on his Heavenly Father.
Here are a few pictures to prove that he is doing well and even smiling!!!

Mom and Dad's 31st Wedding Anniversary Video

We discovered the joy of Windows Movie Maker. Mom collected a bunch of photos that nobody has seen before. The video is set to music, Mom and Dad's song. Don't laugh at the funky hair styles and weight changes.....touchy subject....... The movie is 3:18, so let it download first and then watch it. (Unless you have a fast connection, then let it rip baby!!!)

Enjoy!!!