Temperature's Up - Must be July!

Can it really be July already? I guess I should be glad, but wow, the weeks are flying by. Our family functions this month will be fun.  Of course the 4th of July is the best with Taya and Kevin planning a BBQ at their home. There will be great food and without doubt homemade ice cream. Then we have Dawson's birthday, Gramma and Papa Harmon's anniversary, Robert's birthday, Austin's birthday, Summer will be thirtysomething and Jade finishes us up with a twentysomething birthday. Three of my six children were born in July.  I don't know what I was thinking in October, but I couldn't seem to remember how hot it is in July. I am registered for more classes at Shar's Kitchen.  A pizza on the BBQ class and a special guest Mexican Chef on another night. I hope it will be fun. There will be cookie making at Taya's tomorrow to keep the kids busy for an hour or so. Of course I will need all kinds of stuff for that. Cookie parchment, some ingredients, some patience and hopefully it will be fun for all. Taylor came home today and I seriously think he grew a few inches in just a month? We have really missed him around here. The girls don't have nearly enough to fight about with him gone, so let the games begin now that he's home. 

Odd how Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays, but we really don't do all that much. I think it is probably just taking the time to remember to be grateful for this wonderful, crazy, messed up country we live in. There isn't one facet of our existence here that wasn't paid for by those that have sacrificed everything for us. When we visit other countries, and have even lived overseas I just thank my heavenly father for letting me be born in America. Other countries are wonderful places, but we have so much here we just take for granted. I hope we don't get beyond stupid and allow the minorities of this country to cut God out of the fabric of America. We need to make our ancestors proud of the America they left us by safe guarding the principles they fought so hard for. We need to be careful when we cast our ballots and vote for the candidates that will help us do that. Not the ones that just say it, but that will step up and do what needs to be done. Okay, I'm off my soapbox now  - I just love this country so much.

Shelves, Glorious Shelves!

Wow - is Grumpy the best or what?  Saturday he and Papa started the shelving project downstairs for - you guessed it - more stuff. They got a lot done so soon I will have no excuse for the boxes still awaiting me. The only way I can face that task in the heat of the summer is 1) most of it will be indoors, 2) feeling so much better when I know it's done. I'm just grateful my honey is all about the honey-do's and I will have places to put stuff. Thanks Guys.

Ode to my Birkenstocks

My poor overused, taken for granted birkenstocks have served me well. I thought I would say out loud how glad I am I had my most comfortable shoes on when we moved since it has taken me almost 2 months to find the box with the rest of my shoes in it. It's true, I finally found the box in question this morning. All things considered, I probably would have worn the same shoes every day anyway, but it will be a nice change on Sunday at least to wear something else. It's funny how you can't wait to find the stuff you are missing, you get along just fine (mostly) without it, then when you find it you realize you really need new stuff. Wow. I think a general closet clean out is in my near future. Goodwill, here I come.

A Box of Chocolates weekend…

That simile is probably the best way to sum up not only the weekend, but life in general for me. Jade came to town Thursday late to be here at the start of Friday to cut, color and beautify her family. I'm sure as always it was a long day for her, but she left beautiful people in her wake. The pics on Taya's blog are priceless. It was fun to watch. Jeff got here late Friday with the rest of the Jarvis clan just in time to say hey and get the boys down to bed. Saturday Grumpy went to a fly-in pancake breakfast hosted by the airpark in Heber. He went to see what was what and had a great time. I was hoping he would make it back in time to go to a morning movie with some of the kids, but it was not to be. I ended up at Get Smart with Tawna, Nathan, Jade and Jeff.  It was funny and I laughed a lot. After the movie and all the regular movie food of popcorn, red vines and smuggled in cashews - we headed to Olive Garden for some lunch. That of course is always good and we all protect our doggie bags at home lest someone eat our leftovers! I went to buy some new clothes as all of mine now have paint on them (largely due to the fact that I don't change into already painted clothes when I go to paint something) so I could go to my cousin Pam's new house for a family BBQ.  I found a few things I didn't hate, so started out for home.  Oh yeah - I remember now, I gotta make a coleslaw for the dinner, so off to Fry's for the makings. Finally home, make the salad and take the shortest route to getting ready.  I was beyond happy to finally find my razor. Still no shoes, but at least I can get rid of the european look, so I did. Got every thing done and to the BBQ - Pam and Gail's house is just beyond description.  Kevin and Howard did an outstanding job on it. I'm sure the Barney family will have many wonderful years in their beautiful new home. I can't believe I forgot my camera, but I did so have no pictures of the tour of their home. The home design, amenities and accoutrements were very well done. Nana and Pam pored over plans, re-drew and pored some more (thanks for being patient Robin). I helped a little, but Nana really had a lot fun helping Pam get down what she wanted on paper. Enjoyed ourselves immensely there and went on to a Golden Wedding Anniversary (that deserves capital letters) for my Uncle Darrel and Aunt Marg. It was so nice to see everyone there. I am just barely old enough to remember their wedding.  I was 5 when they were married. I still remember the dress I wore and how everything looked to me that night. I was so jealous that my cousin Marlane got to be their flower girl. My aunt Marg was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in her big wedding dress. It's funny how a memory will freeze in time for us. Their children did them proud with such a nice party in tribute. We completely wore Papa out Saturday with all the events I think. He is a good sport and really enjoys going and doing. Bobby got back from scout camp with stories to tell, and Sunday brought church, some much needed down time and a lovely dinner at Gramma and Papa Harmon's with Dawson and Jacque too. Chicken fried steak made only the way Gramma can make it.  Delicious. We got in a quick visit to Richard and Stacie on the way home and got to see the progress in the house there. Moving just takes so long - maybe it's the settling in that takes so long. I love weekends that go too fast because there is so much to enjoy. I never really know what to expect, but love the surprise of the things that evolve. I so love spending time with my family and friends. Now if I can just find that box of shoes…

People watching in Church

Yesterday as I sat in Church, and yes listening to the speakers I was watching a young mother sitting a few rows in front of us.  My attention was drawn to her because her little girl, maybe 3 was playing with her hair. I first saw that as she was playing with her mom's hair, she would pick up a strand, cross it over another, pick up another strand and cross it the other way - obviously thinking (or trying) to braid the hair strands. After a while, she tried other various do's (mostly don'ts of course) all with much care and tenderness. The mom was very patient through barretts, clips, do's to one side and then the other all without benefit of a brush or comb. I was struck by this mom's ability to let her little girl do all this, it kept her quiet and occupied all through the meeting without ever saying no - don't do that. I'm sure when mom arrived that day she had taken time to do her hair. I'm sure when she left the meeting it didn't look anything like it had when she got there. It didn't look bad after all the styling, just not the same. I know everyone can't do that, we all don't have the ability to not mind the hair changing thing, but for her it was time and a closeness that I know her daughter benefited from. It was a nice thing to witness.  The speakers were good too, but I got just as much from the lesson I learned from this sweet mom and her daughter. 

Our Own Father/Sons

Since everyone was in the process of moving, we managed to miss every Father/Sons outing in our respective wards, so the Harmon Family Father/Sons was the first weekend in June. From the pics on our camera, it looks like everyone had a great time. Richard and Austin spent a little time in sick bay, but still managed to have fun. There were Yucca Burros (Grumpy's specialty), doughnut holes, pancakes, eggs, bacon, ice cream and many snacks. There was a movie in Strawberry for entertainment on Saturday. It seems the gnats, chiggers, noseeums or whatever they were got the best of them and everyone is still itchy. Great stuff.

Quite a Group!

Father, thy name is amazing…

I, we, my sister and brother have the most amazing Dad. Everyday I think that if I am allowed to be on this earth as long as he has that I will be able to live my life as well as he has. He gives us all such a good example to follow. As I go over in my mind the many things I am struggling with, and all the things I know my kids struggle with I am constantly struck by the hardships he has overcome. It gives me pause and causes me to think that if he could get through some the trials he has been asked to bear, my problems don't seem so bad anymore. No one in our immediate family has elected to go to war and serve their country at the tender age of 17 (or any other age so far). I know none of us can fully appreciate the kind of service and hardship that is (and was). So we can preserve and enjoy our freedom. That same freedom that allows to complain about so much here. He and so many like him did not have the youth experiences our kids today have. Life got pretty serious pretty fast for so many of them. That's probably why it is so hard for him to understand why kids today have such a hard time finding their way sometimes. He has made a lifetime of serving others. I find myself again wishing it were somehow possible to know our parents when they were young. I can only imagine what he was like those years that he was piloting jets through the skies, truly doing things we never dreamed of. The father I know has always been a father. He has been the man doing whatever it took to support us, even if it meant being away on fire bases all over the country flying B-17's over a burning forest to give us the things we needed.  We always benefitted from his desire to be a good provider. He is a strong, patient, kind, loving protector. I never got to know the young father walking the floor with a crying baby at night. I only benefitted from his kindness and care. The young man gifted with what it took to be an exceptional pilot - so much so that he was asked to be part of the original Air Force demonstration team now known as the Thunderbirds. The pics are of the original planes they flew, he flew the slot position, (the one in back under and behind everyone). The other one is almost all of us at the last Thunderbird Reunion, Nellis Air Force Base - Home of the Thunderbirds. The current team members took us through the hanger and snapped this shot of us. Everywhere we went at the airshow there was nothing but respect for the alumni. The current team knows each man that flew and when. There is a real feeling of belonging to a piece of history in their organization.  It was and has been through the years a great experience to part of. There is so much I wish I knew about this amazing man. I hope he is writing the record of his life so we can know him for generations to come. I have a strong testimony of family and what it takes to keep one together. I acquired that testimony from watching my parents with us. Service, unconditional love, putting yourself second (or third, or fourth), so many things that are never convenient but that have to be done, forgiving others their shortcomings - so they will forgive yours, sacrifice on every level, patience on every level, endurance beyond imagining. Doing your absolute best in all you undertake. I see all this in my Dad. I see a lifetime of learning, growing, accepting what can't be changed and enduring what must be endured. Families are eternal, and I am thankful for that. I love you Dad. I thank you for the awesome example you are to all of us.

The Father of My Kids…

He is quite an incredible man. We have been married 35 years (this December) and it's been quite a journey. Richard is a great Dad. Even with the head shakes and occasional mumble under his breath, he is all I could have asked for and more in the Dad (and husband) department. While trying to find a picture of him to post, it became apparent that I don't really have many shots of him just looking at the camera.  I have pics of him doing things. He is all about serving those around him (especially me) and it is one of the things I love most about him. He even puts up with my crazy personality and that is not an easy thing. Here are some of the endearing qualities that make Grumpy (a term of endearment) the man he is today:

• always asks me what he can do for me - it's that honey do list he tried so hard to keep current
  
• is patient and willing when I get that list out for him
  
• is the first to sign up for service at church
  
• always does his home teaching and really loves to serve his families
  
• puts his best foot forward in all his church callings and assignments
  
• is so quiet in the morning so he won't wake me up (at 4:30am) that I gave him the “pink panther” for his ring tone on my phone
  
• is an incurable (thank heaven) romantic
  
• loves to plan and execute surprises
  
• is like the Fonz in that it is really hard to admit when he is wrrrooooong
  
• is so incredibly handsome
  
• would move heaven and earth (and does sometimes) to make sure we are getting what we need on trips, at home, in life
• loves his kids and grandkids so very much
  
• would walk one thousand miles just to be the man at my front door (or whatever that song says) 
• loves to cook (we are a great team in the kitchen)
  
• is a great kisser
  

I love you honey, you are the best husband and father any girl could dream of. You give us such a good example to follow and take such good care of us all. Thank you for being the person that you are.

Miss Megan

Megan Reann is turning nine! It doesn't seem like it's been a year already. I remember making your baptism dress and singing with you at your baptism just a few months ago wasn't it? That will always be such a special memory for me.  Some of my favorite things about you are:

• your beautiful blue eyes
  
• your “hollow legs” or should I say constant hunger for anything sweet
  
• your wonderful dance routines you make up and love to perform for everyone
  
• the way you always have a hug and a kiss for us
  
• how you love to help in the kitchen - and do such a great job
  
• what a good little brother watcher you can be (and a mommy & daddy helper)
  
• that you love to read and learn new things
  
• your ever present boots - even if you are a “princess”
  
• your sweet nature
  
• the love you have for your family
  

I hope you have a great day and that you will remember how much Grumpy and I love you. We're excited about your new house and hope you will find some friends to play with there. Happy Birthday!