One Year Ago Today

Aunt MaryAnne died last year on this date. I am remembering her and Uncle Bill, and I miss them. Thank you for making the family connections happen for our family as Maury and I were growing up.

When we visited with Karen last, I asked her if it would be all right with her to do temple work for her parents and Mike. She said it would be fine, so I printed out their names this morning (it has to be at least one year since the death).

Our youth are doing baptisms at the temple tonight, so a girl will be baptized in the baptismal font at the temple for Aunt MaryAnne, and a boy will be baptized for Uncle Bill and Mike. Mark and I will do the other temple work, the endowments and the sealings, when we go to the temple on Thursday.

Portland Temple

Temple Baptismal font - this one isn't in Portland - not sure which temple it is in - but the one in Portland is similar, on the back of 12 oxen statues to represent the 12 tribes of Israel

Julia's 34th birthday

Julia hosted a backyard birthday and going-away party this evening.

Maddy was tired - she only had a 1/2 hour nap today - but she didn't want to miss any of the party!

Joshua's cub scout leader came and presented him with an award since he won't be here for pack meeting.

Josh is getting so grown up.

Julia's good friend Anna, who is much loved by Maddy.

Julia received a mother's pin as part of Josh's award.

Blowing out the candles.

Mark telling a story to our friend Paul.

Father's Day Card

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (Exodus 20:12)

Happy Father's Day, Dad. 

I hope my life honors you and the things you taught me from your own life.

"Can Do"

You have always had a "can do" attitude about life. You have exemplified this in your own life, and in the encouragement you have always given me. Because you instilled a "can do" attitude in me, I have...

• finished college
• raised a family
• learned to hike and backpack in the Northwest woods

"Work Hard"

You have always worked hard and been a good example to me of how to give your best to your employer. I try to always give an honest day's labor for my pay, and to go beyond what is asked of me. I try to be creative and think of ways to do my job even better than what is required. I learned this attitude from you, and I am grateful for it.

"Stand Up for What is Right"

You live your live with integrity and do the right thing, even when it isn't easy or convenient. I remember when you and Mom chose to honorably pay off debts that your flaky partner left in your lap, rather than default on the loans. That example has always stayed with me. I try to do the right thing and be honest in all of my dealings.

"Honor Country"

I have loved following your example to me, in teaching my family, cub scouts, and students to honor the flag and to be respectful of the traditions of our country. I am so grateful for this land we live in, its beauty and its freedom. Thank you for the service you gave as a young man to our country, and for the honorable example you still set for me.

"Be Positive"

I guess this is a part of "Can Do." Your optimism and hope for the future have infected me, and I try to greet each day with joy. 

Thank you Dad, for who you are and how you live. I love you!! Happy Father's Day!!!

Love, Kathy Lou

Summer Upside Down

It is soooooo lovely to be on vacation this week! I have been going out walking every morning with Dorothy and our friend Paulene. They walk 3 miles every weekday morning at 7:00 am, rain or shine. So nice to just be lazy and read a book--and not feel guilty about it! I keep thinking it must be Saturday! Haha.

Julia has lots going on with her plans of packing and moving. Mike started his job yesterday and is very happy. It looks like this will be a good place for him to work. Julia and Maddy are scheduled to fly to New Jersey next Tuesday night, 6/22.

Meanwhile, our own plans for the summer have been turned upside down. Jayesh keeps changing his mind about when he will have the kids--it almost seems like he's trying to make things more difficult than they need to be. He's never been one to just make a decision and stick with it. There are 3 different scenarios of how he could take his parenting time this summer, and 2 of them end up being very inconvenient for Julia, and fairly inconvenient for Mark and me. In the worst-case version, we would probably cancel our road trip to visit Kendra, and end up with caring for the Palshikar kids here in OC for 2 different weeks. As it is, Julia will probably have to fly back and forth with Maddy at least twice. I'll be calling Kendra today to let her know that our plans are very much "up in the air" for the time being.

Of course, Julia could just stay here all summer, but I think she and Maddy need some time with Mike, time to get housing figured out, and time for Maddy to get hooked into the medical system there (that is a really complicated process, with changing insurance, and Maddy's complex medical needs). Plus, if Julia stays here the whole time, then we never have any time in our house to ourselves this summer, and I am really starting to look forward to being an "empty nester" again, even if it's only for a week or two at a time.

So we'll see. In spite of the uncertainty about our plans, I am thoroughly enjoying the start to summer vacation...if only the weather would cooperate! I checked the weather for Colville, and it looks like you're getting pretty much the same weather we are.

We are still on track to spend time with LaVerne for her 80th birthday party on July 17, no matter what.

Abby Sunderland, girl sailor

Here's the link to Abby's blog.

A good news article from the Christian Science Monitor.

In the picture of her sailboat, you can see the mast and sail under the water off the stern.

Thinking about Grandma Polly

Had a good meeting today with my PSU advisor. I think I finally have a working concept outline, so that I can begin doing some of the actual writing on my thesis (120-ish page book). My working title is "Growing Up with the Boy Scouts" - the 5 years from 1989-1994 when I was assistant scoutmaster, went to college and got my degree, and divorced Joe/married Mark.

Near the end of our meeting, my advisor told me to think of someone I was writing it to - someone who loves me and wants to read what I write, even though I won't be ready to show my writing to anyone for some time. It just helps to have a reader in mind. He said it can even be someone no longer living.

I thought about it for a while, and I think Grandma Polly is my reader. She wouldn't judge me, and I am certain that she takes a friendly and loving interest in everything that happens in our family.

I started writing tonight, and when I got stuck, I just told myself to write it for Grandma Polly. That helped! I cranked out 4 pages / 1100 words in just under an hour and a half. Of course, this is still all very rough draft, but it helps to feel like I've begun. I know from previous writing projects that to get to 120-ish finished pages, I'll be writing 300-400 pages of draft, so I'm committed to writing for at least 1 hour every day until I begin meeting with my advisor again in September. It's just about 100 days until I meet with him again.

Maleena's Wedding

Thank you so much for coming to Maleena's wedding, and for all your help. I feel badly that we wore you out. But it sure was fun to work and play together!

Remember that you can click on any of the photos to see them better.

A good visit with David.

We should teach Arora to spell "n-a-n-a"

Your favorite chore (not)

Ken... a.k.a. "Martha Stewart"

We were so beautiful!

Maleena said this is her favorite photo.

Have a great week!