Day 31: Full Circle

I thought I would end my 31 day challenge just as I started it... with my grass.

Do you remember this picture? It was taken just one month ago and posted on day 1 of my 31 day challenge.


These two pictures were taken yesterday morning. We are so happy with our grass. It is green, and thick... and we can't even see the seams in the sod. Mike has already mowed it 3 or 4 times.


We still have a lot to do (trees, shrubs, flowers...), but we're off to a great start!!


The winner of my blog/facebook contest is:

Ashley Mills

Day 30: Da Moose Da Moose

Alan and Marivic (brother and sister-in-law) are visiting from California. The other day they drove to Bountiful Peak and happened upon this moose. While telling Mike and I the story (and it's a funny one), Marivic tried unsuccessfully to show us pictures of the moose on her laptop. Later that night, I received this notification from facebook along with the following photo:


Marivic Cuyos Marsden added a photo of you.

At least I'm drinking water and not soda pop!!!

Day 29: When the Family Gets Together....

Our whirlwind weekend didn't end with Sunday night... Monday night we had a family get-together with the Marsden's. My sister Lilian is always very generous with her home when it comes to large family gatherings, and with more than 50 of us on my side of the family... we have some large gatherings. About two-thirds of us were at Lilian's Monday night.

Timothy (#3),Lesley (#1), David (#6), Dad and Mom, Archie (#2), Lilian (#5) and Alan (#4)

Jeff and Melissa, Andy and Kristin, Sean and Lindsey, Alan and Katelyn, Jessica (Russell arrived later)
A combination of grandkids and great-grandkids, including Caitlin and some of my grandchildren

Day 28: A Grandma Accessory

I have been a Grandma for

10 years-5 months-and 4 days

and I finally have one of these!!!!

I'm so excited!!!

Now I just need one of the babies/toddlers

to come over.

Day 27: Deli-cious!!

If you haven't been to Leger's Deli... it's time to come in!!!!!! I have had a great crew this summer but alas; school starts and it's time to re-group. I've had the dream team and dream team II, and I am currently "stacking" my dream team III. I think it's gonna happen. Here are the remnants of our summer team.

Caitlin is my assistant manager. She will still be working and carrying a full load at college.


Camilla just started recently, she will work part-time and go to college. My nephew Derek heads back to high school next week. He worked at least twice a week all summer so I could get some days off. I will be looking forward to that next summer (and school holidays).


My oldest grandson Adam worked 2 hours every week this summer and did a great job!! He's starting out young just like his Dad, Uncles and Aunt did!!!

Leave a comment on this blog or on my facebook post and I will put your name in a drawing for a free lunch at our NSL location. You know you want it!! You have until midnight on August 30. I will announce the winner on day 31 of my blog challenge.

Day 26: Whirlwind Weekend

It was a whirlwind weekend for me! It all started Friday night with an end-of-summer-back-to-school party with our YSA ward. I love our ward and am so grateful to be a part of it!

YSA

Family

On Saturday we were up earlier than usual and headed to Pineview to celebrate Jeremy's birthday. Not only did Jeremy provide all of the entertainment for us (boats, jet skis) he fixed us all lunch. He served all of us on his special day.

My boy and his boy... Andy and James.

The birthday boy and his family... Jeremy, Mason, Emily and Tanner.

Kristin and her boys and Jeremy and his boys.

Andy and Mike.

Caitlin and her friend Sarah on the boat with Jeremy.

Friends

After a full day at the lake we rushed home to attend a wedding. Our friends daughter was married in the Salt Lake Temple earlier in the day, they were having a ring ceremony and Mike was asked to officiate. We arrived home barely 45 minutes before the ceremony. I don't think we've ever gotten ready so fast in our lives. It was a beautiful ceremony and Mike did a great job. People all around me were flashing pictures so I thought "what the heck" and took this picture with my phone.

Extended Family

For many years we celebrated Mike's Grandma's birthday "family reunion" style. Although Grandma has been gone nearly eight years, on Sunday evening we celebrated her 100th birthday with many of her posterity.

Aunt Beverly, Aunt Judy and Bonnie (my mother-in-law).

I haven't seem Mike's cousin Lani since Grandma's funeral. She has always had long, long blond hair. Earlier in the day I wondered if Lani still had long hair. I was surprised to see that Lani didn't have any hair. She was diagnosed with a rare and incurable cancer in March, but because they caught it so soon (major miracle) she has had chemo and her prognosis is good.

The whirlwind didn't end with the weekend... but I've got to save some things to finish up my 31 days.

Day 25: Bookstore Etiquette

This post is short and very random; but I'm really curious to know what other people think about this.

The other day as I was shopping in Deseret Book I overheard a conversation between a Grandma and her two pre-school aged granddaughters. She was telling them (in a nice way) to be quiet and to pick a book to read, she then left them alone and began perusing the aisles of the store.

They were a little noisy (not a big deal), so every few minutes their Grandma would find them and give them a little lecture about being quiet and reminded them to each choose a book to read. As I walked past the aisle the girls were on I heard the older girl complain about the younger girl taking her book. At that moment Grandma was absent, and I watched as the book ended up on the floor and two pair of hands landed on the open pages. They were both grabbing for the book and I was sure I was going to hear the sound of ripping pages... all while Grandma was enjoying her quiet time perusing the aisles.

I understand that customers are going to want to "check out" a book before purchasing it, so of course we are going to pick it up and browse through it; but... I think young children should be closely attended to while browsing through books and more importantly, I don't think young children should be left alone in a bookstore (or any store for that matter) for safety reasons. As for telling pre-schoolers to find a book to keep them entertained while an adult shops... I don't think a bookstore is a library. Any thoughts about this?

Day 24: A Job Well Done

Zach came over to work in Grandpa and Grandma's yard yesterday. He is such a good and willing worker. He shoveled dirt, he raked, he pulled weeds. He doesn't complain or think it's too hard... he just does the job.

When we were finished working Zach pulled the heavy garbage can all the way around the house back to where it belonged next to the garage. As we passed by the patio he informed me that he thought it was "cool" that we have tables with umbrellas in our backyard.

I feel pretty awesome that my eight-year-old grandson thinks I'm cool for having Wal-mart end of season clearance tables... and don't forget the umbrellas; in my backyard.

I'm looking forward to Zach coming back and helping me with some jobs inside the house.

Day 23: #10

I love these two handsome boys. Last week they came over for a few hours and we ate fruit snacks and starbursts. We played with toys. We drew with sidewalk chalk and blew bubbles. Grandpa chased the boys around the yard (so glad we have a yard). We had fun. I can't wait to meet their baby sister when she arrives in January!!!

Day 22: Happy Happy Birthday Mother Dear

When I started my 31 day challenge I created a list of things that I could blog about. I didn't have ideas for more than half of the days, but today is one that I did have... because it's my Mother's birthday.

When I was a little girl, each year when my Mother's birthday came around we would ask her how old she was, the answer was always the same "twenty-one." It was several years before I actually found out my Mother's real age. I remember learning from her that you don't ask adults... especially women; how old they are.

My Mother is one of my greatest examples. She loves and cares about me, as she does all of her family. She does not complain or murmer about anything. In the last couple of years she has experienced some serious health issues. She faces her trials head on and with faith in the Lord. Even through these experiences she keeps her sense of humor and can make jokes. She is a rock; a pillar of strength and an example to all who know her.

My Mother is still a "Mom" to me. Even though I am a Mom and a Grandma, I am still her baby girl. She encourages me, and praises me, and she always listens to me (I'm sure that is hard sometimes). She never reprimands me or lectures me... she always makes me feel as though my opinions are valid.

My parents are still very self-sufficient and take good care of each other, and they are still capable of taking care of us. They support pretty much everything family members invite them to. They are there cheering for us whatever it is we may be doing. They were at family night at Cherry Hill this week just to be with us, even though neither one of them went down cardiac canyon *smiley face*.

I sat down at my computer recently with my (just turned) two-year-old granddaughter sitting on my lap. We were watching a slide show of pictures and she was enjoying pointing at "mommy" and "daddy"... when a picture of my Mother came across the screen Jane pointed and said, "G'ma Marden". I was so surprised, and also impressed, that a little two-year-old knew and recognized by name her Great-Grandma. I was excited to tell Mother about it and she was so pleased.

I love my Mother. She is the best. I'm grateful that I was sent to her. Happy, happy birthday Mother!!!!

Day 21: Che-Che-Cherry Hill

Last night was family night at Cherry Hill. My sister Lilian organized it for our family and I think all who attended had a lot of fun.

It was a bit of a hectic day for me, when I got home from work I just started to throw stuff in my bag and when I arrived at Cherry Hill realized that I didn't bring my camera. My sister came to the rescue and took some cute pictures of my grandchildren for me.

Thanks to Lilian for organizing a great night and for those who came and joined in the fun!!

Day 20: Familiar Faces

Sunday evening Mike and I were invited to see our brother-in-law Cory as he was set apart as a High Priest. Besides Cory, there were three young men who were being ordained Elders. As the families of these four gathered in the high council room of the stake center, Mike and I got excited as we saw a familiar face among the crowd. Although it has been many years since we last saw this face and it had aged considerably, we both easily recognized the man who was our Bishop when we were married, and then became our stake president a few years later. The seat next to me was empty and he happened to sit there, and when he turned and saw us he greeted us enthusiastically. We have a soft spot for Boyd Beagley. He hadn't lived in our ward for very long when he became our Bishop just one month before we were married in 1977. On April conference Sunday, just two weeks before our wedding, he invited us to his office where he gave us a "mini" temple prep class. I remember thinking how nice that was of him to do that on his "day off". On that occasion Mike asked Bishop Beagley to be a witness at our wedding, which means his signature is on our wedding certificate. We were just a couple of teenagers then, and now all these years later it felt appropriate to tell him that Mike was now serving as Bishop of a YSA ward. Experiences like these always make me think of a scripture I like: Alma 17:1.

My laundry post is becoming more of a reality.

Day 19: Sundays

I enjoy Sunday mornings. I usually... not always, have a couple of hours of quiet time to myself. Mike comes home for an hour or so in between meetings and we watch Music and the Spoken Word together. He LOVES watching the choir (although he fast forwards through the organ solos). This morning I couldn't wake up, probably because I woke up during the night and tossed and turned for an hour or more. When I sat down to read I feel fast asleep. When Mike came home we watched the choir (he didn't fast forward through the organ solo today). Before I knew it, it was time to go to church... and I wasn't ready. I had left an ice-cream dessert in the mixing bowl to soften, but I still had to mix it and pour it into containers and put it in the freezer. When I turned the mixer on a huge glob of the dessert went flying out of the bowl and ended up all over me, the floor, the counter... pretty much everywhere. I started to clean up the mess and looked at the clock; fifteen minutes 'til church and I wasn't dressed, I had no make-up on and my hair wasn't done... and I had ice-cream and raspberries on me (not as bad as the floor and counter did). Mike was leaving to go back to the church and knowing how tired I was suggested I stay home and get some much needed sleep. I seriously welcomed the reprieve; although at the same time I remembered one of the goals I am working on in my Personal Progress book concerning the Sacrament. Mike left and I again looked at the clock as my Personal Progress goal did not leave my mind; 10 minutes 'til church... I can do this. Quicker than I've ever been, I poured the dessert into dishes and got it into the freezer, I ran upstairs and dressed, put as minimal make-up on as I dared and faked a hair-do and went to church. I walked in as Bishop Leger was opening the meeting. During the sacrament hymn I realized that my mind was wandering so I gently reprimanded myself, "this is the very purpose for which you came here today." I was able to focus on the sacrament and what I could do to improve myself this coming week. We had a wonderful list of speakers today starting with a new sister in the ward. She spoke about feeling the spirit in our lives. She mentioned that a few years ago she had started to journal how she felt the spirit in her life each day... even in the simplest of ways (inspired by President Eyring's talk). When she experienced some hard things in her life she was able to go back to that journal and read her own words and it helped her through her trial. We also listened to a stake high counselor and a member of the stake presidency and enjoyed a beautiful piano solo Come Thou Fount. The spirit was strong and I felt it as I heard things that I needed to hear and to be reminded of. I feel rejuvenated to face the week ahead. I am grateful that I "listened" today. 

Day 18: Davis County Fair

This post will be short and to the point.

Another shout-out for Endless Summer... they will be playing at the Davis County Fair tonight from 6-8:30.
It will be fun and it's FREE!!!

Blogging for 31 days can be fun, but I'm starting to run out of ideas... maybe tomorrow I'll post about laundry, unless any of you have some suggestions.

Day 17: Friendly Reminder

Yesterday as Mike was leaving for work I told him he looked cute.  He responded with a line from the movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, "I'm cute.... she thinks I'm cute." Then he added, "we'll be watching that before you know it!"

Ugh!!! Thanks for the reminder...

Christmas is just over four months away; and not that I don't love Christmas... it's just all the stuff we have to do before it gets here.

Day 16: Twenty-Two Years

Today is a very significant day in the history of our family. The news that we received on August 16, 1990 changed our lives here on the earth for all time; that same news deeply broadened our eternal perspective. I'm not going to go into the details of what this day means to us; if you don't know, or you want to be reminded, you can go here and here to read about it.

Mike and I had an impromptu visit to the cemetery last night. We sat on the grass next to Ashleigh's grave and watched the sun start to set. We talked about the fact that today was August 16; the twenty-second anniversary of that terrible day. It seems so long ago.

Since that day in 1990 we have grown from a family of six to a family of nineteen. Our boys have served missions, married, graduated from college, started businesses, become fathers. Caitlin came to our family bringing us much joy and healing; and now she is a young woman with her entire future to look forward to. We have three beautiful daughters-in-law that we love and nine wonderful grandchildren.

We have learned through the most heartbreaking of circumstances that a family can face... that life does go on. Happiness is obtainable. Ashleigh loves us and watches over us... we are her eternal family and she wants to be with us again just as much as we want to be with her. God loves us and knows us. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and his sacrifice for each of us makes it all worth it.

I am so very, very blessed.

 

Day 15: What I "like" About Facebook

I have some "likes" and "dislikes" about facebook. For todays post I will just share the thing that I like the most. Facebook friends.

A few years ago I announced to the family that I had hit the facebook-friend-jackpot. My boys made fun teased, "did you become friends with Donny Osmond!" Better than that... I had found Kim Stansfield Braman, the daughter of some of our oldest and dearest friends. Consequently, I am now friends with other members of her family and have access not only to their facebook pages, but their blogs where I can see pictures of their family and read about what is happening in their lives.

I have re-connected with many friends and acquaintances from even further in the past including Debi Berensen Bateman and Pam Groberg Shaw (goofing off in the picture with me). Debi and I were next door neighbors all through Jr. High, and Pam and I were practically inseparable during our Junior and Senior years. Although I haven't seen these friends in years, I am able to"visit" them on facebook.

I have become "friends" with former co-workers, ward members from my youth, relatives in England that I haven't seen in years, family from here as well as in other cities and states, friends of my children, friends I don't see that often, friends I see all the time, ward members from my three wards (old, new, YSA), the children of my friends... the list goes on and on.

Sometimes I make surprising discoveries on facebook. Do you remember my "freckle story" from my blog a few years ago (go here to read it)? I haven't seen that girl in over 34 years then one day while on facebook I see that she is a friend of one of my good friends. Bet you're all wondering if it's you that knows her. Needless to say I didn't request her friendship, she may not even remember me, but then again, how do you forget someone that tells you they are going to pull all the freckles off your face and shove them down your throat.

Maybe in a future post if I start running out of random things to blog about in my 31 day challenge  I will blog about my facebook "dislikes". I'm not sure if I want to divulge that much information... but I'm sure this would be the title:

               HaHa     LOL     :)

What do you like about facebook?

Day 14: Update

For todays post I updated my Ashleigh blog. If you want to read it just go to lesleyleger.blogspot.com.

Day 13: My Little Handbook

This is my little handbook of instructions; one "tool" that I use in my life. Although it says Young Women on the cover... I highly recommend it for "young women" of all ages because I don't think that there is ever an age limit for setting and achieving goals or working on self-improvement. This little book gives me eight values to focus on and to help me in my daily life:

Faith

Divine Nature

Individual Worth

Knowledge

Choice & Accountability

Good Works

Integrity

Virtue

I promise... it's a good thing.

Day 12: 2 1/2 Minute Talk (afterall; it's Sunday)

It has been nearly three-and-a-half years since we saw our home for the first time. From that day to the day we moved in I would drive past it on a regular basis. From the first day we saw it the exterior of the home was completed but the inside still needed to be finished, so sometimes I would get out of my car and walk around the house peeking in the windows to see how the finish work was coming along. I loved it and was sure that it was the house for our family.

Imagine my surprise when one day I noticed what I considered to be... a flaw. I had been driving past this house for weeks, how had I never seen it before? We hadn't made an offer yet; but I was sure I could overlook the "flaw" because I really loved this house.

We bought the house-we moved in-and it's been great; but... every time I drive up to my house I see the flaw. My eye is drawn to it immediately and it bugs me, and it bugs me that I let it bug me.

The flaw cannot be fixed, so I have thought of possible ways that I could camouflage it, you see, I don't want anyone else to notice it.

I recently came to the conclusion that I have let it bug me too much. One day while driving up to my house (and looking at the flaw) I decided that I was being ridiculous, "why do you always look there first?" I asked myself, "just look past it, look at all of the good things about your house."

The thought quietly came into my mind, how often do I do the same thing to myself... and to others? By focusing more than I should on the "flaws" rather than the "good things".    

I decided that day to "get over it" and to be more appreciative of the really great features of my home than to spend any more time dwelling on this one negative aspect... that cannot be fixed.

I know for me... and probably for you; that working on our own "flaws" is a continual process. One thing that I have discovered is this... the things that bug me about me; can be fixed. In tomorrow's post I will share a way that helps me.