Gammpottsie Day

Payton came to town, so it was the perfect time for our first annual Gammpottsie Day.  That's Collier talk for grandparent's day -- a rip-roaring celebration with our "older" grandchildren! Prerequisite:  must be potty trained.

This year we invited Payton and Lily.

First, we changed into pajamas.  Lily would NOT step foot into her zip up footie PJs.  She insisted on wearing two-piece just like her cousin, Payton.  Luckily he had an extra pair to share.

We built a fort.

Popped Popcorn

And watched a movie.

Lily and Payton were more than a little bit excited about going swimming.

But first it was time to jump on the beds,

Say Prayers

And give good-night kisses.

Before we knew it, we were up again with the early birds. 

Waffles for Breakfast

Time for a morning swim.

We topped off our Gammpottsie Day with Lunch and Fun at Chick-fil-A.

I don't know about Potts, but Gammie had to take a nap after all was said and done.  Where did I ever get the energy to raise five children!  But Payton, Lily, Potts, and I had such a great time. We can't wait for Evylee to join us next year.  

Hmmm... What to post?

Here is a cute "show and tell".  This is my youngest grandbaby, Kylie Mae.  She belongs to my son, David and his sweetheart, Katie.  She is seven months old now and as adorable as can be.

A Washer and a Prayer

It's been a particularly trying week.  I accepted too many playing jobs and really wore myself out. No time available for the usual homemaking tasks.  This morning was a welcome relief. Today was to be my catch-up day -- today I planned to attack the mess that had accumulated and the mounds of laundry that have filled my laundry room. Today I will take care of erasing Audrey's name that she so sweetly wrote in the dust in the computer room and I will finally fill the fridge with much needed staple foods -- all before tonight's Symphony concert.

But with my first load of laundry, the washer motor quit.  I turned the knob and pulled it off and on numerous times. After all these years and countless batches of laundry, it gave up the ghost. I think MY MOTOR quit too. I sighed... rather beaten, I might add, and sat down to do.... nothing. Then a thought came to me: If faith can move mountains, maybe it can start a washing machine.  I said a simple prayer and with a smile on my face I walked up to the washer and pulled the knob.  The washer gave me its very familiar  and welcomed spinning sound!

Just then from my IPOD I heard, "Don't give up.  It's just the weight of the world.  You are loved." This morning I KNOW that I am loved.

Sweetheart Day 2009

February 14.  Sweetheart Day is a favorite family tradition which originated when we lived in Burley and the twins were 8, Michael 6, Emily 4, and Audrey just walking.  It's a day to celebrate family love, go on a special "date", practice some etiquette... you get the idea.  It has evolved into something to look forward to.

This year we flew Emily's "sweetheart", Clint, here from Texas.  (Randy had a free flight on Southwest.) 

No family member with a special someone should be alone on Sweetheart Day! 

Lunch for all at Chili's.  Gammie and Potts' treat!

We FINALLY convinced Audrey to bring a friend.  She chose Shawn - and gave him just ten minutes to get ready. 

Valentine necklace designed by Lily.

Randy raced off to the dentist to have his teeth fixed (thanks to his sweetheart) and I raced off to play for Ballet West's "Madame Butterfly."  Clint and Emily came to enjoy. 

We reconvened at the Stake Dinner/Dance.

They look like Sweethearts!

So do they!

Real MEN don't line dance?

Audrey stayed home to tend Evylee.

With all her "no significant other" friends.  Notice the ratio of boys to girls.  hmmm. They made sugar cookies and played games.  Evylee received the royal treatment! 

We missed Jenni and Mark, Payton and Sadie!  We didn't feel complete.  They had a Sweetheart Day of their own.  You've just got to see it!  (Click on the blue "see it")

Humpty Dumpty

I fell out of bed! First time in my life that I can recall. I can't blame Randy for shoving me out, he was in Vegas. I just rolled over and fell on the floor.  Made quite a thump and gave myself a rug burn on my elbow. Ouch! Yes, a person can get embarrassed when they are the only one around.

What Is This Doing Here?

This is CUPID.  He's about 26 years old.  (We had another one before him, but he, unfortunately, was chewed up by the dog.) Why is he in the cereal box? Because it was my turn to hide him for Randy to find! Cupid is a little reminder of our love for each other. He has been found in the oddest locations, shoes, luggage, glove compartments... On Saturday, I found him tied into the back tie of the dress I was wearing.  He makes me smile.  It is nice to be reassured that I am still loved after all these years!  

"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."

 -- Robert Heinlein

Friday the 13th... or... All He Wants Tomorrow are His Two Front Teeth

We were playing racquetball. It was game point for the both of us (only because Randy plays left-handed when he plays with me.) Randy served the ball then faced the front wall ready for his next move. I wasn't about to let him win, so I swung with all my might to hit the ball against the back wall, but I hit Randy in the face instead! He kept spitting pieces of tooth. I honestly thought I had taken out his whole mouth. Turns out I crushed the bottom halves of his two front teeth and loosened them good. He looked pretty scary -- like he came from the back woods of Arkansas or something. I was mortified and had difficulty sleeping that night. I so wanted to take back those few seconds! Randy is supposed to work in a trade show in Vegas next week! We raced home and made an emergency call to Dr. Bigelow who was good enough to spend three hours of his Valentine's Day fixing Randy's front teeth -- a temporary fix, but they actually look quite nice! I am SO relieved.

Draper Temple Open House

Our new Draper Temple is holding its open house.  It is expected that one million individuals will tour this new temple before it is dedicated in March.  

Audrey and I were asked to provide three sessions of music for the VIP receptions held in the adjacent Stake Building the week before the public open house began.  The Stake Building's cultural hall was transformed into a beautiful reception room with paintings, and murals decorating its walls, sitting areas, and tables at which to enjoy a nice buffet of appetizers. One would never know that this room usually houses basketball games!

On Wednesday of that week, my pianist friend, Jan Clayton, and I were scheduled to play from 4:30 to 6:30.  We were asked to stay and play for an extra hour or so; Elder Perry was expected to come through the reception area.  He did...and stayed for about an hour.  He attentively watched and listened, then ventured over to tell us how perfect our music was for the occasion. Such a kind and gracious man.

Other General Authorities who ventured through during our assignments?  President Henry B. Eyring, Bishop H. David Burton (who mentioned the we should have put a tin can out so people could drop millions of $ in), Elder Yushihiko Kikuchi, Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Sister Julie B. Beck (her husband talked to Audrey while she was playing to see if she could answer his questions and still keep her concentration - quite a character!) and other familiar faces.

Randy and I had our first opportunity to see the inside of the temple on Thursday morning when President Christensen took us through before our sealing room assignment.  I found these photos on the church's "Newsroom" website

Waiting Area

The temple's exterior is made of white granite from China.  It's interior includes limestone from Lyon, France, and Makore wood from Central Africa.  The Art-glass and murals were created by local artists and the sego lily (Utah's state flower) motif is used throughout.

The beauty of the Celestial Room took my breath away.

The Baptismal Font

I picture my two youngest girls in this Bride's Room on their wedding days.

As a group of visitors was ushered into the sealing room every five minutes or so, Randy and I were asked to explain the room's significance and to bear our testimonies of the doctrine of eternal families.  This was a very special opportunity. When our 7-11 am shift was over, I had difficulty leaving the temple.  What a glorious experience to participate in this way. 

It takes about 800 volunteers each day to host the open house.  We were so happy to be a part of it all.

The interior and exterior of the temple are stunning, but it is the spirit felt within that gives it its true beauty.  It is the house of the Lord. When the temple is dedicated in March it will serve 60,000 members in the area. What a great blessing!  For tickets to the open house, visit this website.

"I would hope that we might go to the house of the Lord a little more frequently. . . . In this noisy, bustling, competitive world, what a privilege it is to have a sacred house where we may experience the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of the Lord."

--President Gordon B. Hinckley