And Then We Were Three!

This summer, our second oldest grandson, Bracken, came from China to stay with us for a couple of months.  During this time, he has been working at the district warehouse.  From all reports we have received, they have loved having him there.  Definitely, we have loved having him here! 

Picking Bracken up at the airport. 

His clothes for the first day at the warehouse--he looked so nice.  By the end of the summer, it was shorts and definitely not white shirts!

One of the main adventures Bracken wanted this summer was to go to "The Swamp."  At first, he was disappointed to find it locked.  No worry--George has never not found a stadium he couldn't get into! 

So many memories are renewed in the walkway outside The Swamp.

And, yes, he got inside--George just found the right gate to get in. 

This year's schedule--we all can hardly wait!

Hopefully, there will be another Bowl title--could there possibly be a national title?!  Who knows?  Anyway, a fun day in Gainesville, which even included working in the yard of the home we own there.  When you're doing things together, you can always have a good time, right?  

Each Wednesday night, Bracken played basketball at the stake center with a friend who formerly lived in Virginia by their family.  Conveniently, they moved to St. Augustine, so each weekend, he stayed in St. Augustine with them.  I think he kept busy enough with work, family, and friends to not have too many boring moments.  

Tomorrow he leaves to go back to Utah, and then on Sunday, back to China.  We will miss you, Bracken!  We love you and will definitely miss you!

Salute to Hardworking Fathers!

When I think of fathers this Fathers' Day, I think of all they have to do to provide for the family, as well as being expected to help out in the home, too.  It is a major juggling act which fortunately, I have had wonderful examples in my life of fathers doing just that--working hard at their vocations, as well as in their homes.  So, today, I salute Hardworking Fathers!

When World Ward II ended, my father was actually disappointed that he never was able to participate in the war after all the training he did as a flight engineer in the Air Force.  But, he quickly went back to college and even though he and my mother had three children by the time he graduated, he graduated with his law degree. 

Since I was the oldest child, I have to admit that I felt slighted at all the hours he put into his law practice to get it going.  He didn't attend many special events in my life.

However, through the years I have come to realize how many people were counting on my father's help in dire circumstances where he never let them down, many times doing his legal work for next to nothing.  He never turned anyone away.   

Now that he is 88 years young, he is still a practicing attorney, rarely missing a day at the office.  I see his love for the people as well as the work.  And yes, through the years he has found more time to spend with his family.  We love having him around and going places with him.  He is always so appreciative!

George's father came from a huge family of 12 children.  They lived in the backwoods of Georgia with very few modern conveniences.  Therefore, college, let alone high school, wasn't even an option. 

However, even with only a 7th grade education, he became a master plumber known throughout the entire northeast Florida for his honesty and hard work.  He definitely never expected of those who worked for him more than he would do himself. 

My husband had a desire to become an accountant.  Therefore, after spending four years getting his undergraduate degree in accounting, he began his career in CPA firms and became a CPA.  He then decided he wanted to go back to school, so even with very busy church positions and seven children, he finished his master's and doctorate degrees in the evenings over a period of years. 

My husband has absolutely loved his work with Clay County Schools.  He has such wonderful people he works with which makes it that much more enjoyable.  He certainly agrees with the statement made by Pres. David O. McKay who said:  "Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that the love of work is success." 

And now, I salute seven other hardworking fathers:  My sons and sons-in-law.  All of them have graduated from college and are making their way through this world.  I appreciate how they provide for their families in a time when it isn't always easy.   

Kevin

John

Kyle

Jeff

Cameron

Kent

Craig

I hope you all have a wonderful Fathers' Day.  I love you all!

Forty-three Years Ago Today!

Yes, 43 years ago today, my life as a married woman began.

Not only were George and I married in the Idaho Falls Temple, George, also, proposed to me there on a beautiful star-filled night.  Later, we drove back to Rexburg to show my parents the ring.  (George had already asked my father for his permission to marry me.  He has always been very proper!)

Later, we took some fun engagement pictures upstairs in my grandparents home which had been built in the early 1900s.

My first remembrance of my wedding day began very early in the morning while driving the 30 minutes with George to Idaho Falls.  Being married in a temple had been a goal of mine, as had it been for George, since we were very young.  Now, this day had finally arrived.  We would be marrying, not just for time--but for all eternity.

As we were driving, we had the radio on and suddenly both of us tuned into what the announcer was saying.  He was talking about Kennedy dying.  We both wondered if they were re-enacting John F. Kennedy's death, but after listening more, we realized that they were talking about the death of Robert Kennedy.  I have never forgotten the day he was, also, shot because of that experience.

Upon entering the temple, I was amazed at its simplicity, but, also, was overwhelmed at the absolute feeling of this sacred edifice--truly a House of the Lord.   No pictures can be taken inside of a Mormon temple after it is dedicated.  Although its beauty was truly breath-taking, I will never forget the tears I shed as George and I entered the sealing room where we saw so many of those family members and friends we knew and loved all dressed in white.  I knew this must be what heaven was like. 

After the beautiful ceremony, we took this picture as we left the temple.  We certainly didn't take as many pictures then as they do now, I'm sorry to say.

After a wonderful wedding dinner at my Grandfather and Grandmother's home, we then spent a fantastic afternoon and evening greeting so many family and friends at a reception in our honor. 

Through the years, as life went on, we found that our happiest times were with our family.  We have tried very hard to raise them to love one another and to love the Lord.

(One of my favorite family photos taken at Pioneer Village in Lagoon, Utah)

We loved traveling with our kids.  We always had a van and would just throw them all in and off we'd go.  No seat belt law then!



And we've all still tried to get together in fun places even when the grandkids came along.  (Taken in Washington, D.C. when John and Alison lived there.  Look at how many strollers and little ones there are!)



It has become increasingly difficult to continue to take family pictures with children and their spouses living in four different states:  Washington, Utah, Texas, and Florida, and one daughter and son-in-law in China.  In addition, there are now 24 grandchildren, one of whom is on a Mormon mission in Pennsylvania for two years.  But, we still try to take lots of pictures with whomever we are visiting with at the time. 

So, through the years George and I have had together, has life always been easy?  Definitely not.  But has life together been worth it, definitely YES!   

So, on this, our 43rd year together, I say, "Happy Anniversary, George.  I truly love you and would definitely say, 'Yes' to the proposal again!"