GARDENIAS - My very favorite flower!  I have fond memories of visits to San Francisco with my Mom and Dad when I was young.  In those days there were flower vendors on many of the downtown street corners and my Dad would always stop and buy a gardenia for me to pin on my coat.  We had two gardenia bushes in our backyard and during the summer there would often be one or two throughout the house in my Mom's small flower vases.  

THANKS, Kim, sending this photo and for bringing back memories of gardenias.  Kim and Chris were in Los Angeles this weekend for a concert and they also sent me this photo of the Los Angeles Temple.  This is where I was sealed to my Mom and Dad.  I can remember being dressed in white and kneeling around the altar with Mike, Ruthie, and Francie, and our Mom and Dad.

Speaking of Mom and Dad, I copied some letters that my mom had written for Ruthie who is trying to put together a book for us.  Just so you know what her life was like in 1934, when she wrote this letter she lived in Wilmington, Missouri, in her last year of high school, and her Mom was away visiting other family members;

"Dear Momma, 

It's time to get dinner, but I'm waiting for Daddy to kill the chicken and get some potatoes.  We've been cleaning house this morning. Yesterday evening we moved the two cats outside and it sure is nice and cool out there.  I took the feather ticks (similar to a Japanese futon) upstairs this morning and cleaned the front rooms really good.  

A hawk has been flying around here this past weekend and has been getting some chickens.  The folks have been shooting at it but have been able to hit it.  Harold killed a big black snake right across the road yesterday.  It was about 5 feet long.  He said he killed a big copperhead down by the spring last week. The ducks are getting along fine.  We have about 34 of them.  I think I'll separate the older ones from the younger ones because the little ones don't get enough to eat.  Daddy has the chicken so I'll stop and get dinner - "  

Sometimes we forget what life was like before telephones, the internet, and boneless, skinless, chicken thighs from Costco.  

At Church 

Max and two of his friends from his mission have been touring Vietnam for the last couple of weeks.  From all accounts (and a couple of Facetime calls) he is having a wonderful time.  Sometimes when I am looking at my phone and I see he is in Ho Chi Minh City it startles me.  I well remember the Vietnam War and newscasters every night reporting about Hanoi, and Saigon, and I just think Max is in the middle of history.  Chris left this morning to join him and I hope they have a wonderful time.

STAY SAFE GUYS!  

FROM FOUNTAIN ~

Dad made some Egg Foo Yung for dinner last Sunday and Holly and Eilis were both brave enough to try it.

I thought it was delicious and reminded me of old times at Yokota when we would send all of the kids upstairs to bed and Kevin and I would have a late dinner of Egg Foo Yung, and watch Hill Street Blues (and old TV show). 

Also, Angella was telling me that this week she fixed something for dinner that Ben didn't want to eat, so he told her he was allergic to it. 😁. I love 6-year-old logic! 

AND FROM MONUMENT ~

Monday we had dinner with Adam, Cory, and family and celebrated Paul's birthday.  He is handsome, kind, and fun, and we love him so much! 

It makes me sad that these kids are all growing up way, way too fast!!!!

EAST to Iowa City ~

Kate took Sayre to Michael's yesterday and guess who wanted to be the star of the show???  😊 There is no better smile, so I think they could use him for advertising.  In June we are going back to visit and stay for a week while Kate and Jonathan enjoy the Scottsdale sun and quiet.  We are excited for the visit as we just don't get to see them often enough!!!

IN CHICAGO this week ~

Two cute girls going shopping? Probably 😄.   Blythe, Hollie, and Paul will all be Juniors in High School this August.  Just can't believe it!  AND Samantha and Eilis will be Seniors!  No wonder I have cataracts, and my back hurts 😕

AND then there are these handsome guys, Spencer and Grant, with so much handsomeness and MUSCLE power -

Wow!! I miss you guys so much! 💖

KEVIN and I had a busy week with strength training appointments (Dad) and helping out at Timberview MS.  

Tuesday evening we had tickets to see the Piano Guys at the Pikes Peak Center.  They are amazing and so talented.  The cellist, Steve Nelson, tells a story of when he was 9-years-old, his father was concerned because he wasn't doing well in school, and he didn't have many friends. After some testing, Steven was diagnosed with ADHD.  He said he left the doctor's office feeling broken.  His parents and teachers convinced him that having ADHD is a gift. You have talents and creativity that others don't.  So he took his talent and creativity and became this wonderful musician.  His message to the kids in the audience was to never give up, and never let someone tell you that you aren't smart enough or talented enough to do, or try something that is important to you.

Wednesday evening we went to our Addiction Recovery meeting and as always, the Spirit is so wonderfully strong there.  We love it!

Kevin and I also have a new tradition of Friday afternoon bagels and cream cheese.  I love it because it gives us a chance to chit-chat, and, we usually aren't hungry enough to want dinner - so Yay - no Friday night dishes to wash 😀.  The last couple of Fridays we have gone to Panera, but this week we are going to give Einstein Bagels a try ~

This afternoon I had to go back to Church to meet with our Bishop for an Ecclesiastical Endorsement so I could continue with the Pathway's Program.  Some of the questions have changed and I loved how they were phrased - 

"Are you striving to deepen your testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost?"

"Are you striving to deepen your testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?"

"What does the Atonement of Jesus Christ mean for you?"

I loved that they used the word, "strive" - indicating that none of us are perfect but there are so many ways we can grow in our faith and testimonies.  When I was younger, I remember that the Atonement always seemed like such an abstract concept to me. However, I have come to understand the power there is in the Atonement of Christ and how much it can bless our lives.  Faith in Christ and His Atonement will strengthen us when the trials, challenges, and disappointments in life come.  It is a real power that gives us peace and hope when we feel like giving up.  I love that the Savior loves all of us, even when we don't feel like we are worthy to be loved.  He is always there for us!