I've been away from my blog for the past little bit, as I spent some time in California with my daughter and my grandchildren, but I arrived back home in Utah in time for the 4th of July.
I'm thankful:
1. For my sweet grandchildren. We sang together, read together, talked together, ate together, worked together, laughed together, prayed together, and basically just had a great time!
2. For all of my children. Even though I didn't see everybody at the same time, in June I was able to spend time with all of my children. They are far beyond the little kid stage, but I am delighted with the adults they have become.
3. For friends. One of my friends took time from her busy schedule to come down and help me for two days while I was at my daughter's house. The help was much appreciated, and we managed to have a lot of fun, too!
4. For missionaries, who spend their days in service. While I was in California, I found a washer/dryer set on Craigslist. My daughter's washer didn't work correctly, and she didn't have a dryer. I made a phone call, and Mormon missionaries met me at the seller's house, loaded the set into my van, met me back at my daughter's house, and unloaded the appliances. They were cheerful and smiling the entire time. Ask the missionaries! They can help you!
5. For "interesting" experiences. Despite the washer/dryer purchase, it was necessary for me to spend some time at a laundromat. While there, I had a conversation with a guy which has provided me with blog fodder for a future post. Sometimes I just have to shake my head and laugh. Look for "Thou Shalt Not: Flirting Tips from an Old Married Grandma (Don't. Just Don't.)" later.
6. To be back home. While I enjoyed spending time in California with my daughter and grandchildren, it is so good to be back home to John again!
7. For apricots. The house we will be moving into THIS MONTH (!) has an apricot tree in the front yard. Since Utah decided to get snow after the blossoms already appeared, I didn't think we would have much of a crop this summer. I was right, but we still were able to pick a couple dozen apricots, which is a good amount for us right now.
8. For parades. The 4th of July parade here was wonderful! It had all of the typical entries--floats, marching bands, old cars, fire trucks, bagpipes, horses, community leaders, etc.--as well as some "I've-never-seen-that-before; it-must-be-a-Utah-thing" additions. In lieu of candy being thrown to the parade watchers, sometimes water was squirted out on the crowd. I wasn't expecting to be in a splash zone, but didn't really mind. I don't think I have ever watched a parade with a contingent of Mormon missionaries walking the route. And while the Macy's Day Parade is known for its balloons, I don't think I have ever personally seen big balloons limbo-ing under power lines.
9. For the sights and sounds of celebrating freedom. John and I attended Stadium of Fire, which bills itself as the nation's largest stadium fireworks display. It was a spectacular event, from the fly-over of F-35s, to the massive field show, to the concert by One Republic, to the concluding fireworks display. I'm so glad we got to experience it, and I'm thankful for the men and women throughout our nation's history who have bravely sacrificed so we can live in this free country.
10. For John. I missed him while I was gone, but we will have plenty of time together in the next few weeks as we finally complete the move into our new house. Over a year ago, we made the decision to move to Utah. It has proved to be a good choice, and I've enjoyed the time we've rented this house here in Provo, but I'm excited to finally settle into a more permanent place. As John says, "We're growing up and moving out on our own!" Our empty-nest home. A new chapter awaits. Adventure is out there!
I'm having trouble with the link-up code this week. Please visit the Ten Things of Thankful blog to view other posts and feel free to link up your own!
I'm thankful:
1. For my sweet grandchildren. We sang together, read together, talked together, ate together, worked together, laughed together, prayed together, and basically just had a great time!
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| Photo: a collage of photos of my grandchildren. On the left, the baby grandson smiles up at the camera. In the middle, youngest granddaughter and oldest grandson stand together. Granddaughter has her arm around her brother. She holds a "wishing star" and he holds a toy sword. On the right, oldest granddaughter sleeps on the couch, and her black-and-white kitten naps next to her. |
2. For all of my children. Even though I didn't see everybody at the same time, in June I was able to spend time with all of my children. They are far beyond the little kid stage, but I am delighted with the adults they have become.
3. For friends. One of my friends took time from her busy schedule to come down and help me for two days while I was at my daughter's house. The help was much appreciated, and we managed to have a lot of fun, too!
4. For missionaries, who spend their days in service. While I was in California, I found a washer/dryer set on Craigslist. My daughter's washer didn't work correctly, and she didn't have a dryer. I made a phone call, and Mormon missionaries met me at the seller's house, loaded the set into my van, met me back at my daughter's house, and unloaded the appliances. They were cheerful and smiling the entire time. Ask the missionaries! They can help you!
5. For "interesting" experiences. Despite the washer/dryer purchase, it was necessary for me to spend some time at a laundromat. While there, I had a conversation with a guy which has provided me with blog fodder for a future post. Sometimes I just have to shake my head and laugh. Look for "Thou Shalt Not: Flirting Tips from an Old Married Grandma (Don't. Just Don't.)" later.
6. To be back home. While I enjoyed spending time in California with my daughter and grandchildren, it is so good to be back home to John again!
7. For apricots. The house we will be moving into THIS MONTH (!) has an apricot tree in the front yard. Since Utah decided to get snow after the blossoms already appeared, I didn't think we would have much of a crop this summer. I was right, but we still were able to pick a couple dozen apricots, which is a good amount for us right now.
 |
| Photo: A few ripe apricots emerge from green leaves against a deep blue sky. |
8. For parades. The 4th of July parade here was wonderful! It had all of the typical entries--floats, marching bands, old cars, fire trucks, bagpipes, horses, community leaders, etc.--as well as some "I've-never-seen-that-before; it-must-be-a-Utah-thing" additions. In lieu of candy being thrown to the parade watchers, sometimes water was squirted out on the crowd. I wasn't expecting to be in a splash zone, but didn't really mind. I don't think I have ever watched a parade with a contingent of Mormon missionaries walking the route. And while the Macy's Day Parade is known for its balloons, I don't think I have ever personally seen big balloons limbo-ing under power lines.
9. For the sights and sounds of celebrating freedom. John and I attended Stadium of Fire, which bills itself as the nation's largest stadium fireworks display. It was a spectacular event, from the fly-over of F-35s, to the massive field show, to the concert by One Republic, to the concluding fireworks display. I'm so glad we got to experience it, and I'm thankful for the men and women throughout our nation's history who have bravely sacrificed so we can live in this free country.
 |
| Photo: Fireworks explode over LaVell Edwards Stadium on the 4th of July |
I'm having trouble with the link-up code this week. Please visit the Ten Things of Thankful blog to view other posts and feel free to link up your own!
Love the photo of your sleeping granddaughter: her cat is certainly relaxed!
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw them both snoozing on the couch, I knew I had to get a photo. :-)
DeleteLove the photos mom. Thanks so much for all the help. I love you!
ReplyDeleteLove you, too! Good luck with everything!
DeleteWhat a lovely thing it is to be able to spend time with the grown children!
ReplyDeleteFamily is wonderful. :-)
Deletelovely post :) ladylee x
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGreat post! Has everything :) Beautiful grandchildren, pictures, videos...you've been a busy woman :D
ReplyDeleteI've never lived anywhere near mountains, pretty much coastal. Kind of wild watching your vids with mountains in the background.
Happy Moving Month!!
#5 made me smile. I look forward to the "interesting" post lol
Aren't the mountains beautiful? I love living close to them!
Delete#5--Spoiler alert, but if anyone tries to call me "glamorous" (EVER, let alone in a laundromat on a hot day) my response will be one of laughter, not heart flutters! I'll give more details in the yet-to-be-written post. :-)
Busy week(s), no?
ReplyDeleteThe fireworks looked quite spectacular. We have them in various places around the state, fortunately our immediate neighbors skipped their own backyard shows this year. Una appreciated it.
Is not not the coolest part of this whole 'writing thing'? While we always have stories from our own past to share and tell, the world is full of people and circumstances that beg to be (re)told.
The past couple of weeks have been busy enough that the imminent move into the new house now doesn't seem as big of a task! :-)
DeleteI'm glad Una had a calm 4th. I'm fortunate that Drexel isn't bothered by fireworks (or much of anything, for that matter.) He stayed inside the house while we were at Stadium of Fire, and was sleeping peacefully when we returned.
There is so much to love about your post. I bought a few apricots at a fruit stand recently. Of course they had probably been brought in from a different part of the state, but they tasted so much better than those to be found in the grocery stores which are so hard and not fully ripe. I know you will enjoy yours.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day.
We have definitely been enjoying the apricots. We also discovered a plum tree in our backyard here in the house we are renting! :-)
Delete