Glad Reunions and Sad Farewells

We had a delightful get together with Cam and D in Phoenix this week. It had been over 6 months since we last saw Deana, Brookie, and Mckinley. The last time we saw them was here in Edmonton last October when D surprised us by showing up on our doorstep with the kids! Wow! Mckinley has sure grown up in the last six months, preferring pearls over toys!!

Luckily (or not) we were there during a 'heat wave'! Temperatures in the 100's, so hot for us cool Canadians. We quickly took advantage of the pool, which was a life saver. It was fun to play around together, Brookie is becoming a great little swimmer.

Tugger, their new puppy, wanted to get in, but just didn't have the courage. He is a cute puppy, very fun! He is a wonderful pet for their family! Looks like Dad has him hypnotized!!

 

 

While we were there we had time to go visit my sister, Konnie and her 4 year old son Mark. She lives in Mesa, about an hour's drive from Phoenix. It was so good to see Konnie again, we had a great visit! She and her husband were just sealed in the SLC Temple last month.

We met at Desert Ridge Mall, they have the neatest Mall's in Phoenix! This one had an outdoor splash pad that had water shooting up at the kids. They loved it as they screamed happily, trying to catch the next shot of water!

During our stay in Phoenix, we had to fly up to SLC to attend the funeral of my step brother Brad. He had died the previous Tuesday, and the funeral was at noon on Saturday in Kaysville. He died of a tumor on his brain stem.

I am so glad that Doug and I were able to see him in March at Kris' funeral. He is pictured here with his son Andy, who has served in the militray for 15 years, as well as mom, Arlene, and his wife Michele.

We didn't think he would leave us so quickly, but he suffered a lot the last few weeks before his death, so it was a real blessing that he died quickly! His funeral was so sweet, each of his 6 children gave a little "remembering dad" talk, and his wife Michele gave his biography. Lots of love, laughter and tears, but what joy the gospel brings to these tough times! It was a sad farewell to Brad, but a wonderful reunion with many friends and family!

We flew back to Phoenix Saturday night, went to church and spent Sunday with Cam and D and the kids. So wonderful to be in their home again and to spend a few more hours relaxing and enjoying time together. We flew out that night at 8:00 PM and arrived home around 1:00 AM.

So much flying and visiting this weekend, we were so tired for work Monday, but it was worth it! Seeing and strengthening friendships with our close and extended family means SO much to us!

We are truly blessed to feel the love and support of our wonderful children, as we visit their homes we feel the Spirit and it thrills us to know that they are living and growing in the gospel!!

 

 

 

Home made Oreo's and a bad dog

We had a week full of exciting experiences!

Mark was home with us again this week, his school had Spring Break, so we had some fun together while he was home. We went to see Mirror, Mirror, he was a good sport to go with his mom, however, I think we both enjoyed it. He spent some time putting some lesson plans in place for the coming months, visiting with friends, as well as looking for places to live in Calgary. We just found out he did get a place last night in North Calgary, a basement suite in the Coventry area. That's exciting news...he moves in May 1st.

Lindsay and James were over a lot this week, to visit with us, as well as Mark and Rachel. Lindsay loves Rachel, and cuddles with her whenever she gets a chance! I think she needs to get her own dog. She kidnaps Rachel whenever she can and will take her home for a 'sleepover'. Rachel loves it, she is so spoiled at Lindsay's house!

Speaking of Rachel, we have discovered she is a chocoholic! We have never known a dog to love chocolate the way she does! It has created some real problems for us! If we happen to leave her in the study over night with any chocolate in the room, she smells it out and devours it! She has done this at each holiday, at Christmas it was an Advent calendar, Valentine' s Day with little chocolate hearts, and now this week she rummaged around even eating my new book "A Mother's Touch' looking for the Chocolate Easter eggs left over from my Primary party!! She finally found them and ate them...tin foil and all...and she never gets sick! Silly dog...just shows she' s a girl! Good thing we've grown pretty attached to her!

Dad is loving his call, one of his young men had a birthday this week, so he made Oreo cookies to take to class on Sunday. We had to hide them from Rachel here at home and even tried to hide them at church but they still got pilfered! Luckily there were enough left for his young men to enjoy two a piece! They were delicious!!

Dad and I had an unexpected visit with a member of the Temple Presidency last Friday night. He asked us if we would be willing to be Temple Workers!! We were excited, and immediately said ' yes', when do you need us? Well, he said, we only have two shifts that are still open, Sat at 6:00 AM or Friday afternoon from 3-9 pm. So we has a little discussion in front of him and decided to work Friday's. We know it will be a little bit of a sacrifice for us to be here on the the weekends, but we also know the wonderful blessings that will come as we serve and sacrifice. We truly feel it is a privilege to be called!

 

 

A 'Hoppy' Easter

It has been a busy weekend, but so much fun!

It all started last Thursday afternoon when we hosted the "The Excellent Easter Egg Event" for my Primary class. We have been working in class for 10 weeks to earn this party! The kids had to read their assigned reading and bring their scriptures to class each week. They did wonderful, most of the time... so we had a good time celebrating together! It is a privilege to teach these children, they are only nine, but ask very significant questions! I feel that we are really learning the gospel together.

Lindsay and Cam's birthday were part of our weekend... It was wonderful to 'celebrate' them and to take time to reflect on each of their lives and what they are accomplishing. Wow!! Cam is 31, and dad was just reflecting that he was writing his last exams for dentistry when Cam was born and he would come over and visit us during exams...does that sound a little stressful? Lindsay is now 25... yeah, she can now rent a car without paying extra premiums. Aging does have its benefits!

The snow is disappearing in the back yard as Spring approaches, this is the good news...however piles of dog poop are appearing everywhere back there, this is the bad news!! Lucky that Dad got a $45.00 pooper scooper for his Easter present! Speaking of Rachel, we have certainly grown to love her these past few months, she is so perfect for us!

Today we had our Easter Sunday dinner, but it was a little different, we had such a diverse group over that we all really didn't know quite what to say to each other. We don't remember this ever happening at our dinner table before! Things kept going downhill when we started cutting up the Easter Bunny cake and nobody wanted any!! Oh OUCH! I had spent at least 2 hours making the cute cake and it ended up in squished pieces going home in someone's backpack!

However, this weekend, we have felt so grateful for the sweet gifts that our Saviour has given to us! What a wonderful time to reflect and express thanks to Him for His infinite atonement!

 

A Weekend Full of Surprises

A Wonderful Weekend

So....birthday's come and go, but this was a wonderful and memoriable one for Momski! It seems that there had been some planning in the works to contribute to this fun and surprising weekend. What a sweet treat to be welcomed on Saturday at Jon and Tiff's with all the 'stuff' of a great party... balloons, cute decorations, Hawaiian lays and lots of MEXICAN food!!

Then shortly after the second session of Conference ended, Lindsay and James show up with a birthday cake!! (Lindsay had said she wouldn't be there.) Another wonderful surprise to have them there with us!

Because Mark is currently 'dwelling' with Jon and Tiff, we were all there this weekend... Except Cam and D!!!! So the only thing to do was to SKYPE them so they could join the party, too! What a great visit we had with them! Brookie is a great help in keeping us updated on the happenings in Phoenix!

As we sat around the table for lunch on Sunday, I asked Ava if she knew who we all were...well she then went around the table and named us all, but stopped before she got to Jon. I asked her who that was and pointed to Jon...she said "That's my daddy!" and then a little quieter she said "He's my best friend!" A sweet moment!

As I contemplate the joy and awe- inspiring events of this weekend, my heart is so full of gratitude for my family!!

Thank you so much for sharing with us your sweet personalities and the opportunity we had to share so many things together...especially love and laughs!

And what a wonderful Conference!! Our testimonies have been strengthened and 'refreshed'!