Father of our Ward: Released

Five years and seven months to the day.
That's how long I have sat alone with my children at church.
That's how long I have come home from church with out my hubby.
That's how long I have been making scones for the youth on fast Sunday.
That's how long I have watched Mark silently bear burdens that only a Bishop can bear.

Five years and seven months to the day.
That's how long our family has been blessed by many prayers.
That's how long our family has been blessed by service and sacrifice.
That's how long our family has been blessed by so many ward members.

Eternity.
That's how long we will continue to be blessed by a wonderful husband and father to my children.
Mark may no longer be the Father of our ward but I am privileged to be sealed to this wonderful man for eternity.
Mark will turn 50 soon. We have been married for almost 27 years yet he constantly amazes me. He works hard, plays hard and excels in all he does. He touches my heart and makes me laugh. He is tender and kind though he does not wear his heart on his sleeve. I have learned so much about integrity and honesty from this man. He strives for perfection and while he is not perfect he is very very good. I couldn't ask for a better companion and father for my children.

I love you!

Question...

If a tree falls on your car during a bike race and no one is around to see the tree fall

does it still smash the car?

Apparently so...

Progress

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...

Here's my essay:

Before

Drop Ceiling gone, plumbing and electrical raised.

Canned lights installed, sheet rocked.

Doorway cut, new light fixture installed.

Flash Back Friday: Gardenias

This past week while I was in Sacramento Ruby and I found a gardenia bush.
The flowers were small but quite fragrant.
I love how smells can bring back wonderful memories.

I lived at 23351 Bassett Street, Canoga Park California
from about 1st grade until fourth grade.
To the right of the front stoop was a planter area with a gardenia bush,
among other plants. The leaves were dark green, shiny and sat below baseball sized white blooms that perfumed the whole area. My mom used to cut a gardenia and wear it on her dress to church on Sundays. To this day the smell of Gardenias remind me of my mom.

I have a really great picture of us in the backyard, mom with a flower, ready for church I would like to put here.

The planter area was also known as "the frog pit"
I have been informed that horrifying creatures that lived there were actually toads but whatever you choose to call them, they were gross and slimy and jumped unpredictably in front of you.
AND
if you were walking across the rocks that bordered the planter and accidentally stepped into the frog pit.....even barely touching the dirt.....gasp.... it gave you frog germs!
Terrifying I know!

I never knew exactly what frog germs did to a person but even the thought of getting frog germs would make me shudder and writhe inside as I ran at top speed into the house where I was safe.

Hmmmm as I think about this I don't remember ever freaking out when Greg was not there...

I even remember standing in the dirt on purpose so that I could pick a gardenia for my own smelling enjoyment with no concern about frogs or their germs...

I smell a rat...

Home again

This is my view of the kitchen immediately to the left. Jen and I got back from Youth Conference this morning and the drop ceiling in the kitchen was mostly gone. A crew of plumbers are here now moving the plumbing up between the floor joists. The electrician will be here tomorrow to put in canned lights (and two new light fixtures) and then the sheet rocker will come and finish the ceiling.

This is also my view a little further to the left. They decided they could work more easily if they took out some of the cabinets... so the contents are on the kitchen table.
The pantry cabinets (where this stuff belongs) won't be here for another two weeks...

So I'm blogging

My trip to Sacramento went well.
Jordan and Amy have a really nice place.
Jordan likes his job and has already been chosen to work on an audit in LA next week.
The ward they are in is awesome and Amy has already met some other stay at home moms in her complex. Ruby mastered the slide at the playground and the swimming pool is very fun. While change is challenging I feel like they have a really good start and will do well.

The day I left I struggled with my emotions.
I knew if I started crying it would be hard to stop for both me and Amy
and we would both be miserable.
In moments when felt like I was going to loose it I prayed and felt a real sense of peace and was able to compose myself quickly.

The airport was hard.

I anticipated what I might do in the airport if I started sobbing uncontrollably.
It would be awkward but maybe if I just went into the bathroom ...
But again I knew my prayers were answered and I was able to do what I needed to in the airport to get checked in, maneuver through security and find my gate. Even waiting at the gate I felt such a sweet peace that all would be fine. With so many emotions I have felt and the amount of tears I have shed this was truly a miracle.

And I even got to talk to Christian in Germany to wish him a Happy Birthday!

Now to find a camera to put on the computer so we can skype...