The Return Missionaries...

This past weekend we were visited by some return missionaries...

They were best friends from toddlers, they grew up near SLC Utah, received mission calls to serve within a few months of each other and both were sent to Boise Idaho. They served in our area together back in 2003-2004.

They came to the Temple with us when My Man and I were married, they met my family, they spent many hours in our home teaching our son, playing games, eating dinners, playing guitars and sharing family home evenings with us.

They came back to visit and now they have wives, and babies!

It was such a fun visit, and we played more games....

Shared more music together, laughed, rememberd...

It was great to see them again. They were remembering my Mom, they loved her and wanted to know about her. And wanted to hear all about my in laws and their new life in St. George. We fed them, and got all caught up, and got to tell their wives everything we loved about them during their service here, and funny stories about some of their trials too... a good time was had by all!

SPT ~ Self Portrait Tuesday ~ Love, me

SPT ~ Love, me

I went to a meeting for one of my clients this morning, and there were insurance agents from various companies there. To start off the meeting, the President asked everyone to go around the room and introduce themsleves, and tell what their Valentines Day plans were, so in case someone had a better idea than his, he still had time to change his plans and really make a hit with his wife for Valentines Day. He was teasing around about it, but really did want everyone to share their plans.

I was one of 3 women in a room filled with men, and it was very interesting to hear of their plans... It was everything from one end of the spectrum to the other...

one man had started 4 weeks ago and has taken his wife to take salsa dance lessons together and he is taking his her out dancing and dinner. And another man who said "oh yeah, I should start thinking about something for that night huh" (this is probably closer to where my man falls on the spectrum). And pretty much everything inbetween... weekend away without kids, dinner with kids, chocolate, and flowers.

I was trying to think back on Valentines Days past, and I can only remember three of them in my whole life.

1) 1983 My Dad gave me a pink heart stone necklace, that meant the world to me.

2) 2003 My Man and I were dating again long distance, and I made this frame for him with pictures of the 3 of us over the years doing things together.

3) 2007-My Man brought home in a brown paper sack, a candle for Valentines Day. It was really one of his most thoughtful gifts, because I LOVE candles!! (it came from the store where he buys his worms for fishing... so I was especially relieved when I opened the bag not to find worms for him to take me fishing... which would have been closer to his "norm".)

They are all beautiful memories for me, but I was surprised how the holiday didn't have more of an impact on me than that, because it is not one I remember much about once it has passed.

These are the only decorations I have for Valentines Day... the picture frame I made, two candles holders with red on them, and the cutest Valentine card and picture we got from my Neices and Nephews last year.

So I was thinking for this challenge, I would write a letter to my family and tell them all the things I love about each of them, and about us as a family to frame and have to refer to when we can't get through one verse of the hymn "Love One Another".

Then I will sign it.... LOVE, ME

Klondike Derby 2008...

Klondike Derby 2008

My Strong Silent Mysterious Man and his troop headed up for Klondike on Friday night.

It was a later start than they had hoped for, but had to wait on enough leaders to get off work etc. They finally made it out, but not before dark this year.

I couldn't believe it when they came back and told me they slept in cabins this year. They were not elaborate or anything, but they certainly weren't the traditional snow caves. So to keep the boys from feeling too nistalgic, the leaders built blocks over the doors of the cabins with snow during the night, so they had to dig out in the morning. he he he... I love it!

They had the best cook in Idaho up there, and I bet they were smelling a mighty good breakfast while they were trapped and digging their way out.

My Man is such a good sport, he made this self portrait of his chicken hawk hair... the boys were giving him a bad time about his dooo when he took off his hat to pray.

They had plenty of snow this year... I love this a grown man making snow angels... only at Klondike do they totally let their hair down like this.

"et the competition begin"

I think the races and competitions are the boys favorite part of Klondike.

Our boys have dominated over the past two years, but this year... they struggled with the fire starting competition and fell behind. It was good for them to be so humbled.

And it doesn't really break a mom's heart that her son and the friends he hangs out with aren't good fire bugs... he he he.

It always surprises me to learn that this is their favorite camp out of the whole season... but true to tradition, "A good time was had by all".

I think "my man" is getting sentimental in his old age... I LOVE this picture!!

Chocolate lips and all.

These shots are priceless... he has really grown to love the boys while he has been serving as scout master. It shows in these pictures of "his boys".

About an hour after he had been home, we recieved a visit from a member of the Bishopric who came by to release him from his calling as Scout Master. He cried, it was a somber moment, but we knew his time had come to move on to a new challenge. He was called to serve over the 16-18 year old boys... so he will still be in the Young Mens program. And our teenager will be moving up into his group in June. So it will be a good calling for him to teach these young men as they prepare to serve missions, go to college, and become husbands and fathers.

He will be a wonderful leader for them. He has a tender heart, but he is tough as nails. I love him, and I learn more about who he is everyday. Strong, Silent, and Mysterious... with lots and lots of patience!