Crazy Busy and Annoying Encounter

I have been so busy, I have been unable to post much. I have so much to tell about my two trips and videos and photos of both trips, but that is one of the busy things. So this is a quick blog to tell you I promise to go back and update you on my trips. (Milwaukee and Utah).

I will tell you quickly about a real annoying thing that happened to me on Tuesday. We flew in from Utah, in the evening and had been home an hour (Just enough time to check mail and phone messages) when the phone rang. It was my "high maintanence" friend, Louanne. She had run out of gas on her way to the bishop's office and was in a no-stopping area. At her request, Lyle and I went with our gas can full of gas and drove the mile or so to bail her out. While we were standing on the side of the road, someone drove by and threw a cup full of Coke and ice at me. I hit my arm and really hurt! None of us actually saw them throw it and there were 3 cars going by, so even though Dad raced off after them, he wasn't even sure which one did it. He actually didn't know which car it was so we have no recorse to press charges. I am amazed at how stupid and uncaring some people are. I'm just grateful it didn't hit my face.

Shawn and Kim are coming later today to watch Conference with us. More news later. Love you all, Mom

Is this really Autumn?

I totally question whether it's really Autumn or not. See photos below for my reasons.

I didn't get the chance to post much for Alan's B-day so this is for you, Alan. This cute little picture is in honor of your birthday. I wasn't home for your birthday to put a proper post up. So belated late birthday, Alan. Enjoy this photo. It's always been one of my favorites of you. Uncle Jack took it when you were a little sprout! Love you.I think the first official day of Fall was two days ago. In our typical Southern California fashion, we're still in the throws of Summer here. Yesterday the high for Orange was 101 degrees! This is our wall clock/thermometer this afternoon. You can see that it was over 95 today. I'm ready for the weather to cool off, but I think it will be another month before we see it get cool enough to satisfy me. Sigh!

I will post photos and videos I took in Milwaukee later. I only had three days between trips and will fill you all in on both that trip as well as our trip to Utah. We are flying out tomorrow morning (early) and we'll be back on Tuesday evening. I'll post then. In the meantime, enjoy your Fall weather; whatever that may be. Love you all. Mom

Birthday Extra

Quick post here to say Happy Birthday to Alan on Friday. Since I won't be able to post on Friday I am giving a quick shout of HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALAN! I can hardly believe I will have child 39 years old. Have a great birthday on Friday. We all love you! Love, Mom

Sorry...no time to get a picture loaded up. I'll post some of you when I get back.

I'm Off!

Tomorrow I fly out to Milwaukee to watch JC and Nikki while their parents go to a job interview in DesMoine, IA. I'm excited to see their family and spend a few, short precious days with them. I am not taking my computer, so I will post pictures and report my trip when I get home next Monday night.

Updates on everyone:
Tammy and girls are better, but it's been a bit harder for Tammy to recover. She's hanging in there. All grandchildren are back in school and working hard. They seem to all be doing well. JC and Nikki are making new friends and enjoy riding the bus which they've never done before. It does make their day quite long, though. JC has joined a chess club. Becca's little pre-school is in full swing and Elijah seems to be adjusting to being there with new little friends. Everyone in Texas has colds. Andrew seemed quite miserable the last time we talked to them. Grandpa and I will be going to Utah on the 25th for his family reunion. We're looking forward to it. Wish all of you could go with us. I'll only have 3 days between trips.

Well, got to run. Love you all. Call me once in awhile and keep me up to date, so I can post.

Grandpa and Grandma's Birthdays

Today is Grandpa Barney's birthday. He would have been 86 years old today. Grandma's birthday was last Sunday (the 6th). She would have been 87 years old. On this day of remembering THE 9/11, I just wanted to post about Grandma and Grandpa. I do miss them I pray they are growing and learning where they are. I know they are progressing and to that I am grateful.
I'm taking a personal history writing class this term at the Adult Ed Center. It's been very interesting thinking back and writing down my memories. It forces me to think about the way things as they really were in my life. I'm grateful for my life. I feel it has been a good one. I have a testimony of the Gospel. I'm so thankful that my Savior atoned for me and that I can come here and make the choices that will bring me back to my Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful that my parents married and had me as their child. I'm grateful for ancestors who sacrificed so much to lay a foundation for my existance.
I love all of you and I am grateful you are my children and grandchildren. Thank you for staying strong. Always make good choices. Love the Gospel and live it to the best of your ability. Be happy and know that Dad and I love you all very much. Mom

IT'S A BOY and Catch up

The biggest news to tell is from Ryan and Tanja. They said I could tell all of you that the ultrasound picture this week shows that they are having a boy! They gave me permission to tell you all here. They are all okay about it and are truely excited. The baby and Mom are both fine. Tanja is about 16 and a half weeks and due around the time of Andrew's birthday. (Feb 22). Tanja is feeling well and is grateful that her new doctor is willing to try a VBAC. So all is well with them.

Tammy and the girls are doing better. The girls are all well, but Tammy is having a harder time fully recovering. It's hard to recover from pneumonia and it takes time. We wish them well.

Becca is having a little pre-school in her home to earn extra money. Elijah is one of her students. Owen and Liesl started school and they're doing fine.

I'm heading out to Milwakee a week from today to babysit JC and Nikki while Brad and Netta go to DeMoine for a job interview. They also will be going to Tulsa, OK for another job interview at the end of the month, and taking the kids with them on that one.

Dad and I will be going to the Larkin Family Reunion at the end of the month. We're looking forward to it. We're staying a few extra days and visiting with my siblings in the Provo area before we come home.

Shawn and Kim came for most of last week. We watched Elijah for a couple of days while they went to San Diego for a little R&R. He was such a good boy for us. We entertained him by taking him to the mall, twice. Following are some photos from his visit with us. He did okay, but was sure ready to have his Mom and Dad come back. We love and miss you all. Mom

What a funny kid. He discovered this circular area on the floor at the mall and he must have gone around it 20 times, his Grandpa following along behind. When Grandpa stopped, he wasn't too happy. I love this photo. He was waiting for his Happy Meal at the McDonald's in the food court.

There were a lot of ride-on toys near the play place at the mall. We didn't need to even put a quarter in to make Elijah happy. He's just discovered Bob the Builder on TV so this made him happy.

There was a little train ride at one end of the mall. Elijah wasn't too sure about riding it alone, but after about 3 times around he really began to enjoy it. He loves trains and talked about it a lot after we got home.

Elijah would have ridden the escalators all day. He was very obedient and didn't give us any trouble, but he never wanted to stop!

Elijah enjoyed the pool much more than he ever has. He was not afraid as long as he had his vest AND his ring on. He went in the deep end with Grandpa and loved kicking his feet in the spa.

Grandma and Elijah enjoying the outside.

Quick Post

This is a quick transition post. Shawn and Kim came in on Sunday night and then they left for a short trip to San Diego on Wednesday while we watched Elijah. He's done amazingly well considering no one has babysat him overnight since he was 6 months old. They (S&K) are doing some temple work in San Diego today and will be home here this evening. We've kept Elijah busy with trips to the mall and swimming. It's been way to hot to go to a park. I will post pictures when I get time to upload them.
I also wanted to mention that Tammy and their girls have been real sick. Tammy has pneumonia; the girls throat infections. They're all pretty miserable (I can relate). So keep them in your prayers. This seems to be the year of pneumonia. I've had it, as well as Brad, Renetta and Tammy. Sheesh!
More in a day or two. Mom