Wedding, Farewells, Vacations and Sleep

There is a never-ending list of things to do. Last week Ashley and i did a 8 or 9 hour marathon shopping day on Monday, after i ran 5 miles with Karen. We ordered her cake, bought napkins, got her hair piece, cake cutting knife, flowers, ordered candy (well we tried), went to apx 25 stores, gathered linens, and rented the tables and chairs among other things.

Tuesday i went to pottery : ) (Can't skip that no matter what else is happening in life) After pottery was Activity Day for nine little girls. We planted plants in the rain. Tuesday night we took Cameron to the Temple. It was a beautiful night. i was overcome as I entered the chapel. Truly the windows of heaven were open. Grandma and Grandpa joined us even though they had a very busy night. What a blessing it is to have such supportive grandparents. We celebrated with dinner at Wingers about 9:30. A long, wonderful day.

Wednesday was missionary day. We got Cam's shoes, two pairs at the cost of almost $300. It is criminal what good walking shoes cost for men. We bought his luggage and went to Cafe Rio for lunch. A great day, $600 down, just getting started.

I sort of woke up feeling a little overwhelmed. We were suppose to have rented a houseboat from friends for our family vacation, that fell through the day before. I don't feel overwhelmed very often, but Thursday I did. I started thinking maybe everyone was right maybe this was too much for one week. I decided most of the stress was coming from a disorganized house. i didn't shower, i didn't get dressed, i cleaned for 9 hours and it felt wonderful! My dear mom and dad came to help. it was just what the dr. ordered. life is good again. Amazing what 12 hours can do.

Friday i played the part of nurse. Cam got his wisdom teeth out, no more wisdom for that boy. Our chickens needed scr

atch, had to run for a Kiva for Cam and a myriad of other errands along with visiting teaching but mostly i just kept my eye on Cam.

Saturday, we worked in the yard. I made 7 stepping stones out of pottery mistakes. It was fun to be creative, we worked in the yard, tried to replace all the flowers killed by the hail (hell) Wednesday night. Another trip to Joe's for more flowers. Please appreciate the yard when you come for Cam's farewell. Toby and Cam worked on the climbing wall all day. Just when we thought the day was over, Bren had a party and about 10 kids from school we ordered pizza, barbecued hambur

gers before falling asleep to Inception.

Sunday, i taught Relief Society. I was assigned President Monson's talk on Gratitude, perfect timing. Ashley came in the afternoon, we went to Robynn and Dan's for a nice, yummy dinner with the fam, came home and addressed invitations. Today was wedding day again. We figured out center pieces, ordered ties, mailed invites, went to Cafe Rio... and on we go for 2 1/2 more weeks. It is all good stuff and i am grateful for every minute of it! Does anyone have any suggestions for where I might find a light blue dress?!?!?

A Chicken on the Kitchen Table...

I awoke a week ago Sunday to a chicken sitting on our kitchen table. Not stuffed with rosemary and poultry spice, but sitting, alive and well, waiting for breakfast. A strange way to start the day, but fitting after all.

After sitting all day in the Detroit Airport, Tay and Ash made it home about 10:00 PM from visiting (and meeting) Ashley's parents. Tay had a plan and i was his accomplice. I was to set up a fancy dinner in the Grandparent's basement (for privacy), complete with candles, china, flowers, and a ring.

While i was setting up the basement i heard that Bin Ladin had been shot and killed by the US military. I hate to hear that the hornet nest in the Middle East is stirred. As a mother of four sons, i just don't like it. I'm glad he is gone, brave men did their job honorably and well, it just makes me nervous.

The proposal went well, and to no one's surprise, she said yes! Ash and I had already bought her dress, major wedding plans had been made, but Dad had to be asked for his daughter's hand to keep it all proper and respectful. Permission granted, proposal accepted and my son is one happy little boy!

Amidst all the hoopla of the Royal Wedding and Bin Ladins death, the world missed an important event. On the morning of Monday, May 2nd about 6:00 my father-in-law slipped to the other side. He was good man, an honorable man, a man of character, unfailing honesty and patriotism. We laid him to rest beside his wife on Friday May 6th.

A chicken came to the table as an omen of a strange day. Our son Taylor became engaged, Bin Laden was shot and my father-in-law passed through the veil. Death, marriage, joy, sadness, celebration and contemplation. Life goes on just as it should.

Twelve Hours to Remember

I wish i had written when this was all fresh and new but I was waiting for the news of Taylor and Ashley's engagement to be official before I wrote for the world to read ( or the two of you that already knew that are reading this).

Cameron, our second son, third child was waiting most patiently for his mission call to come. Each week we anticipated it's arrival, but to no avail. He called the Church Office Building, they relayed the news that the call had been issued the week before but there was a couple of unresolved issues. He was sure that meant "foreign" the desire of his heart. They promised on Monday, April 11th that the call had been mailed. We made preparations, Ashley and i took the day off of work, Taylor, Ash and Cam drove from Logan, I cooked, cleaned and prepared for the big event. Cam couldn't wait any longer, "Mom, go find the postman and make sure it's coming". I did. I tracked the mailman down and asked if there was a big envelope for us. He was puzzled and not amused. He handed me a tax envelope and stated that that was all.

I called Cam, we were devastated. No call, people coming, crock pot full of pork. What to do? Call the Church Office Building. I did. Devon was sympathetic to our problem, but when i asked if i could run into town and get a duplicate he was less-than-enthused. But we had people coming, croissants on the counter and cookies in the oven. (I don't think i was the first mom in this predicament). He would talk to the person in charge and call back in an hour. We were beat. I tried. i did my motherly best. i took on the establishment to no avail. Cam and i were lamenting when the postman walked up our sidewalk and i spotted a white envelope sticking out the top!!! Redemption, it was there all along! I sheepishly called the COB back and told Devon thanks for everything! AHHH it was in my hands, the fate of Cameron was in my hands. I quickly started in on brownies and called everyone back!

Mariah on Skype, Cristy on a line, Rob and Dan on a line, Jeff on a line....drum roll please... Philippines Quezon City North Mission!! Cam isn't going stateside as i had hoped but to the other side of the world where they think it is perfectly normal to eat duck fetus in the shell, raw (story for another time) on a regularly basis. The equivalent of the popsicle man sells them. A glorious and exciting night, we are proud of you Cam and wish you all the best.

Not one to be outdone, i received a text from Tay 12 hours later at work the next morning. "Mom, Ash and I are getting married, before Cam leaves". BEFORE Cam leaves, that is just over 8 weeks away.... what?!?! .....