Father's Day

Neal is a wonderful father.  He really is. He gives his time and energy to his family. He parents, plays, protects, and provides--financially AND emotionally.  I love being married to him and his kids love him but don't know how good they've got it.

For Father's Day, Neal really wanted eggs for breakfast and if there is one thing I know how to destroy, it's an egg.  I even suggested an egg casserole which I don't completely stink at. But, no, he wanted eggs. So I chopped all the yummy fillers for the scrambled eggs and he made it all come together.  After breakfast, the kids and I presented our cards and gifts. Neal seemed pretty pleased.

At church the children in the congregation came up and sang two songs for the Father's, including one of our favorites (that I remember singing to my dad as a little girl), I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home.

That evening, we had chicken nachos for dinner with lemonade.  We had nachos at Neal's request, last year as well.  Don't know if it will become a tradition but I don't think anyone would complain if it did.

We were happy to acknowledge our own fathers with cards, calls, and hugs. Happy Father's Day to all the amazing men out there who live the life God has designed for them. 

Keri Turns 40!

I have been looking forward to this one for awhile! Forty really is fabulous! Given my health history, I am thrilled to be 40 and aging. My life is really good right now. No major drama. I'm comfortable with myself. I am thoroughly blessed in family, friends, and circumstances.  I am happy independent of my circumstances and know I am loved by God. And I keep working on loving Him back.

For my birthday, we had family in town--Kira and David. I told Neal I sort of wanted to recognize my birthday in some way--it was my fortieth, after all.  I said something like dinner with friends or something.  He said okay and then not much after that.  I sort of brought it up here and there.  He said that with family in town we would just do dinner with friends or something after they left.

Then I started talking to Cherri, my friend, when we ran in the morning, about it all. One morning I was saying--Was he going to do something or not. I kind of want him to do something. It doesn't have to be big. Should I sit down and plan something with him?  Then the next time I ran I thought about my circumstances, the amazing husband I have, and decided then and there to drop it.  I told Cherri that I was just going to not worry about it.  He had never disappointed me with major stuff like this, I could wait to acknowledge my milestone, and I would have a great birthday anyway because I am happy and grateful for my life and to have company in town anyway. Time to just enjoy the ride.

My birthday arrived and I started the day with a run because I saw my sister-in-law make my birthday dessert--Toffee Butter Torte. It was practically butter, sugar, and candy. How can that be bad? Then I was gifted with clothing and accessories that trumpeted I was 40. I got the running shoes I desired too! We went off to Dallas to enjoy a park, banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) from food trucks, and the art museum. For dinner we had at my request, pho ga (Vietnamese chicken noodle soup--amazing). We played games until late and dove into the torte unabashedly. Great birthday!  Happy girl!

Two days later, Kira took me out to shop for my birthday gift. She helped add to my exercise apparel.  Upon returning home this happened--

I was genuinely surprised. Shocked really.  And I was so excited and truly filled with gratitude for such a circle of love and support to surround me and celebrate with me! Besides my own family and relatives, there were about 8 other families who were able to make it. 

Cherri was there and she told me she was cracking up on the inside at my conversations with her because Neal had already made the plans and invited her. She did a good job keeping it under my radar.  See, I was right to follow the prompting to just let it go and enjoy my life.  And see, my Neal never disappoints when it really matters.  Love that man!

Thanks to all that came to help celebrate that day, and who helped out with food and decorations.  You all rock!

Family in Town

We were so fortunate to enjoy the company of Kira and David, Neal's sister and her husband, for a week. We ate sugary, fattening things, walked, played games, and checked out a few local places. Upon picking them up from the airport, we toured the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Fort Worth and learned a lot about our currency. Kira and David said it easily topped the tour they had of the other one in D.C.

We also visited the Dallas Art Museum by way of old trolleys. Because of it's proximity, Klyde Warren Park is always a fun stop.

We also went to In-Sync Exotics, a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue of neglected, abused and unwanted exotic felines, and found they only improvements they made in approximately 5 years since we last came were graveling the muddy paths.  It was fun though to watch the cougar tracking our youngest child like he was to be his next meal.  Rhys was unaware and we would say, "Hey, Rhys, walk over there next to that corner.  Okay, come on back."--just to use him as bait.

At dusk one evening, we were able to take them to see (and smell) a cattle egret nesting ground. There are thousands of them at a park just north of a park they chose the year before. We were also successfully able to spot a plethora of fireflies. David even caught one for us to examine. That was truly magical. Not until my adult life was I able to see them, outside of the electrified, false ones on The Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland.

We also were able to enjoy one of our concerts in the park with them. 

So glad they came into town and we were able to spend some great time with them. We always enjoy them and have so much fun just being together.

Just as Kira and David were leaving town, Reba and DeWayne, Neal's step-mother's parents, were arriving to house and dog sit for Neal's dad and Becky.  We were able to visit, swim at the house, have them over for dinner, and eat out with them. They are so pleasant to be around.

I got talking with Reba about her earlier years. She married when she was 17 and was having her first child by 18.  She talked about how cinders would fall on the clothes left out to dry from the paper mill if they did not time things right.  The had a washer but not a dryer back then. Now the paper mill has to follow environmental laws set in place and it doesn't let off the same mess.  She even talked about how if there was a freeze they'd have to bring all those frozen cloth diapers in and defrost them. 

After having 3 kids, and feeling despondent, without drive. In time she caught hold of a passion of hers and went back to school, earned her degree, and started teaching elementary school, despite lack of support or understanding from her mother, next oldest brother, and sometimes, even her husband. She taught for over two decades.

DeWayne told us that when Becky brought Rudy home for them to meet, he invited Rudy to join him fishing one morning. They had not been out five minutes before it started sprinkling and looking stormy.  DeWayne said he could feel the electricity on the hair of his arms and told Rudy he wasn't one to chance lightning in that kind of situation. Rudy agreed and home they went. DeWayne thought that it was not the best of ways to start a new relationship with a possible soon-to-be son-in-law, but what could he do? 

I love learning about my family! Learning about their experiences, beliefs, and interests. I am surrounded by great people.

School is Officially Out!

So two or three weeks ago I was thinking the kids are going to be home for summer soon and then I thought, OH MAN! THE KIDS ARE GOING TO BE HOME FOR THE SUMMER! I almost started to freak out but then I remembered that this same thing happened last year but I had a great time with my kids and then I set to filling up my calendar with activities that we could go do if we needed something to do.  Once the calendar was filled,  I was ready to focus on the joy of the situation.

I made life easy by copying what I did last year. Oatmeal (baked cocoa this time) with star sprinkles = special breakfast with signs on their chairs acknowledging their advancement to the next grade. Special labels and ribbon on the sack lunch and a welcome summer sign on the garage for their return home. 

Rhys and I were able to attend Sophie's End of School party where she received the Whopper Award for being a great storyteller.  Mrs. Lovell, her teacher lovingly noted that she and the class had many opportunities to listen as Sophie finished one of her long stories.  Mrs. Lovell also thanked three ladies that helped out in her class a lot during the year. I received a large bucket of "pop" themed junk food for "popping" into her class to teach Art to Go. 

 

Welcome Summer!

Priesthood Commemoration

Once a year the men, mostly fathers and sons, have a camp out not far from home. It's a great time to have some fun together and observe the restoration of the priesthood in these latter days.  The most important thing for Rhys was that he eat hot dogs and marshmallows and sleep in the tent, since they slept in the minivan last year. His requests were granted.

This of course left mommy/daughter time for the two left home. We played at the fountains, ate fast food, AND ice cream.  Fun night!