My vision of retirement -

 However, reality is 👇 

 

I will be the first to admit it is totally all my fault! I always feel like I need to be busy and am not very good at relaxing, reading a book, or taking a nap.  This week's weather was so delightful that I did slow down and ate breakfast outside while reading the newspaper a couple of times - so I am learning 😀

Monday, I took Shannon to get a haircut, and afterwards, we went to Wade's Cafe for lunch.  Wade's is famous for their french toast so I ordered Shannon a plate of three slices and I had an omlet.  My omlet was delicious, however, I really wanted a bite, just one bite of Shannon's french toast with just a little butter and syrup on top.  It is one of my favorite things in the world and I can't remember the last time I have had some BUT she ate every last bit of it 😢.  On the bright side, she saved me from some sugar!

Shannon has struggled more over the last couple of months as Alzheimer's has taken its toll.  We were told by Lark Springs that she may not be able to stay there after this month.  She has become aggressive to the point where she has pushed other patients down.  Her medication has been adjusted twice, and we feel like that has helped.  She has a "babysitter" with her every day, and Dad and I have gone over every afternoon to spend a little time with her. I am not sure what the future holds, but will keep you all up-to-date ❤

 Angella made her big move this weekend, and this photo does bring back memories of packing and unpacking boxes.  Thankfully, Josh was here to help, and she said so many people came from their Ward that they had everything moved in just a couple of hours.  

 It didn't take Ben long to find the box with what was really important (his train set) and also how smart is he to find a place out of the way of everyone else where he could "work" on his computer and not have to run errands for anyone. 

Tis the season for the end-of-school-year activities, and Prom was just one of the ways our kids are celebrating this month.  

Hollie and her friends enjoyed their Prom night, and afterwards, Emma to Hollie to the Minecraft movie, still dressed up in their fancy dresses. 

  

  Paul also went to his Prom with his friend Maren - at least he asked her to prom

but I don't have any photos to know if she actually said yes 😁.  Send me some pictures this week, Paul - I know they will be great!

Hopefully, next week, I'll have more end-of-the-school-year photos to share.

SOMEBODY lost a front tooth this week, because the tooth behind it pushed it out - so no empty space 😀. Way to go Sayre!

 

 Kate also sent me this great video of Sayre "dancing in the rain" just like Gene Kelley 🕺☔

And then there is news from the Chicago 1st Ward.  I really love going to Church with Kim and Chris - their Ward is so friendly, so diverse, with really great people. Today, however, it was apparently a "full moon risin'"kind of day - it was their Fast Sunday today because of General Conference last week, but Chris said when he was getting ready to go into Sacrament Mtg he could smell something really good coming from the kitchen - which is really close to the chapel. He peeked inside, and a Ward member was sauteing some onions, and pasta and pasta sauce were boiling in pans on the stove. When he asked what she was doing, she said she was making some mastacioli for a Linger Longer HOWEVER, Church policy has always been that the kitchens should only be used to warm up already prepared meals; it was Fast Sunday, and there was no Linger Longer scheduled. 😊 

AND then, the organist got up to bear his testimony, which Kim said was a little unusual, and he mentioned that he knew the Bible had been translated correctly, and that (I can't remember the name) there was another Church that also used a Bible that was translated correctly, then he said "Amen" and walked down off the stand and out the back door.  And he never came back!  Chris texted another person in the congregation and asked if he could play the closing song, and when he got to the organ, he found it had been locked, and no one had keys to unlock it, so they sang their closing song with the piano. Really, Chris needs to write a book. 😊

Two closing thoughts tonight  - Dad is just finishing up his 1st Term teaching The Divine Gift of Forgiveness in his Institute class.  I love when he shares with me, and we have both learned so much. Sometimes, I think we "tune it all out" when we hear the words "atonement" or "repentance".  One of the quotes we talked about this week comes from Elder Packer, "Restoring what you cannot restore, healing the wound you cannot heal, fixing that which you broke, and you cannot fix is the very purpose of the atonement of Christ. When your desire is firm and you are willing to pay the "uttermost farthing" [see Matthew 5:25-26], the law of restitution is suspended. Your obligation is transferred to the Lord. He will settle your accounts."

Secondly, Dad has been reading a book called The Power of Stillness.  In several of the classes I have taken over the last couple of years, we have often discussed the value of mindfulness (the same as the power of stillness) and how it can impact us as individuals.  We often do things so we can check them off a list, but in doing so, we lose the value of the experience.  Mindfulness can help us to slow down - enjoy the quiet and peace, it can help us to think and see clearly when making important decisions; it can help us be more patient and understanding in our important relationships.  

I challenge you (and myself) this week to be more mindful of your thoughts, the things you say, and in your reactions to others.  Be Kind and Help Others, Find Joy ❤