I love my phone book company...

I received an interesting call today from Bridgerland Phone Book Company.  They had called to tell me that they had received a call from my mom and she was having a hard time getting a hold of me on my cell phone.  The sweet lady asked her who her provider was - and she said well you are.  (remember this is the PHONE BOOK company).  Thank you to a very very very sweet person who took the time to call me and tell me that my mother was having a hard time getting a hold of me and would I try to call her and fix the problem.  She was so adorable, and followed through, calling me later to make sure I contacted my mom.  I believe that Quest, AT&T, Verizon, and whomever else that claims to have the best customer service - should take note from the Bridgerland Phone Book Company - because you (my new phone friend) made my day and reminded me that there are kind people in the world today that still care.  Oh - and I did call my mom - and maybe.... just maybe... my sister in law and I giggled just  a bit over this story.  My worry is... not that I have a funny funny mother - but that when her heater goes out... she tries to call the composer to..... 'There is Sunshine in my Soul Today".    Oh Heavenly Father - thank you for my beautiful, amazing mother.

Where on Earth is Junie Tunes?

Have you noticed that Junie's Journeys have been far and few between?  Hey - this sweet little old lady has things to do and places to go!  For starters - she's dating a hot guy (dad) on Thursdays - they smooch and dance and tell each other stories.  Dad can't get away from her red lipstick on his forehead.  Once again reminding us of the true love they have for each other.  On a downer - she's not as mobile... as the State of Utah has kindly asked her not to be behind the wheel of a car again - which has been very hard for this socialite butterfly.... but with kind family and sweet neighbors - her hair is done up in a do each week and her 'lighting up the town' is always arranged for.  Recently she's found a few more rooms in the house and has found a few interesting pictures that we are trying to help her put names to.  Her stories of family are precious and we write down the words as fast as we can. Winters are difficult as she is a country girl, and spending time outside is her favorite thing to do.  So summer cannot come fast enough for her.  Recently she's added a few more people in her life.  She is the proud owner of 5 great grandchildren!  Charlie, Tyler, Andrew, Emma and now Jacob.  Wow how the generations are increasing in numbers!!  She's followed her grandchildren and their every move, Betsy & David and their two sons, Brandon and his plays, Heidi and Nick as they are newly engaged, Kate and her crazy adventures in life (: and Erin's cheering at school.  She's also enjoyed pictures of Andy and Emma, from Matt and Bethany, Prayed for a solider named Mike, and his wife Ashley.  Celebrated a new baby from Mandy and Ryan, and welcomed home her Missionary Grandson Ryan.  This woman is BUSY!  She still loves to go to lunch with the lunch bunch, watch her Jazz games, visit on the phone non-stop, and loves leading the sing at her ward.  Oh the lessons of love and service and sacrifice we've all learned from Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma.  What a blessing she is in ALL of our lives.  Lucky us.  Eric, Terri, Myself and Del - we get to enjoy some giggles and smiles from how she lives her life.  She is a treasure in every way.  LOVE YOU MOM!!

Me Mudders, Mudders Day

So I called to wish you Happy Mudders day but you were off visiting your mom - in the Wellsville Cemetery! Eric always takes the time to take mom around for the flower delivery. They go to Elizabeth's grave and to Elsie's grave in Providence Cemetery. She talks about them, and tells her stories, and she's pretty consistant with the almost 80 year old information! Then they hurry about saying hello to all the other brothers and sistes buried there, because Mom is the last remaining sibling in the family. But they have to hurry a bit faster because McDonalds stops serving egg McMuffins at 10:30! Happy Mudders Day Mom!!! I love you! Thanks Eric for always going the extra mile to take care of Mom. I love you too.

1 Sweetheart Husband
2 kids
2 in-law kids
9 Grandchildren
(one being the most handsome nephew ever cited)
(and the other 2 aren't bad either)
4 in-law Grandkids
2.5 Great Grandkids
(2 Missionaries served - 1 out right now)
47 church jobs
78 City Jobs including Mrs May Day
98,000 collections of paper of - whatever
1,025 awards for the most beautiful yard
and a partridge in pear treeeeee
which will bring us back to....
2 kids that love their mom very much
and the Hokie Pokie

Come Little Leaves

Well - it was a beautiful day in Mendon and it is tradition to take the old truck up the mountain to look out over the valley. Mom is 79ish and she hiked the path like a 16 year old. She loves these mountains. She also loves her grandsons - all three are her missionaries. Matt went to Taiwan, Brandon to Canada, and now Ryan will leave for Mexico. When the boys leave for their missions I like to take a picture of them with Grandma. While they are walking away in the picture - she whispers her love to them and they are to tuck it away in their hearts for their long two years away. I also wanted to show off how beautiful the mountains are in my home town. They are the strength I draw upon. When I need to be reminded that God exists - I go to Mendon and look at his handiwork. Here are some beautiful memories - hope you enjoy them.

Thinkin' about you today mom....

Hey - you said I didn't have any idea what you did all day long - and then I found one of your day planner pages and now I know. I believe you forgot to add..... talking on the phone! Don't worry - I'm cleaning my own basement (: Love ya. Nic

Sorta corny but true....

"Oh hey mom - is the corn ready?"
"I dunno, havta ask Eric"
"So should I plan on someday in the near future?"
"I dunno, havta listen to the racoons - they know when it's ready"
"Ok mom - see you on Monday"

And so the ritual begins - maybe - but then again you never know. Sometimes I get up there to help get the corn harvested and they already have it stripped, cooked, sliced and in the freezer. I HATE that because I always want to help do it with them! For the past 1,000 years, or so, our family has grown corn. Well, mom and dad have grown corn - enough for most of Cache Valley. We set up the tables in the shade and dad would strip the stalks and the grandkids would shuck the corn. Gma would have the big pots ready and then Gpa would sharpen his knives. He had an old white knife he would use - hardly had any metal left on it he sharpened it so much - but he could probably cut your arm off with it in one swipe! (Never argue with Gpa during corn season) (Sharpening the knife with spit and a sharpening stone is another long story....) After we cut the corn off - Gma would come out with another heaping pile of cobs and exchange it for the cut corn. The ladies on the inside would scoop the corn into perfect sized packages and also run the ice cold Pepsi out to the cutters. All of this had to be done before the flies came out or the Grandchildren would learn new words that you won't hear in PRIMARY! After all of the tables were squirted off from the corn juice, and the last big blue pot was left drying on the back porch - it was off to Hyrum Dam for swimming and then back for a hot dog roast in the fire pit. There are some memories that have burned a hole in my memory bank - I back it up and replay it often. My dad's hands are quite still, and his eyes distant, but you can get his heart beat up a tiny bit if you say - 'Dad - let's get the corn done, can I get you a Pepsi?" Mom - thanks for always planting corn - I know it's a pain - but it's a beautiful thing - and a wonderful memory.
Hot buttered corn on the cob - and lots of salt - pass the napkins!
Here's my second favorite way to eat my veggies...

Our Mom was the GRAND MARSHALL!

Well - Mendon City picked a winner this year for their 24th of July Pioneer Day Celebration Grand Marshall for the Parade. June Murray Hill Bowen - 7th great granddaughter of Alexander Hill, one of the original settlers of Mendon. Mom looked so beautiful and we were so excited that she was honored. She was riding in a velvet seated carriage with a driver (Mr. Perry - actually Bishop Perry from the Logan 17th ward). He looked amazing with his top hat on and great big smile. He really got the crowd going with "Look at this beautiful Grand Marshall!" The rest of the story is that Mom could not be found and the parade was starting in 7 minutes. We looked everywhere for her. Finally Terri said - "You might want to see if the car is still in the garage." That sent fear in my soul because that would mean that something was wrong and she was dead in the bathroom naked in the bathtub and that would NOT be a pretty sight for the Grand Marshall! When I arrived home to find the car in the garage my heart sank. But then out of the car came MOM - she had decided to take a little tiny nap while waiting for the parade to start. Pretty soon she'll be microwaving little kitties.... HELP! But non - the - less - it was the social stardom that only my mom could create in a town that loves her so very much. Congratulations mom - by the way - I do believe you are the oldest pioneer I know....

The rest of the day found Terri auctioning off her beautiful hand made quilt from the quilt guild she's from. (It was amazing!) Erin taking on the battle of the wards. Brandon starring in "7 brides for 7 brothers" at the Barn Live Theater. Eric calling out the championship games at the ball tourny. Heidi's co-ed team winning the tourny and taking home her own personal Tournament Award trophy for being so amazing. Other events were, a farmers market run in Logan for amazing bread and earings - ya weird but true. A 20 mile bike ride for Ashley and I and Ryan's first time riding - of which he was very good at! Oh, and also my 30 year class reunion from Sky View High School - Class of 78. Lyle Archibald was there - he was my first silly kiss - he now looks like President Monson - oh my. Fireworks and glowsticks finished off a perfect day. Picture perfect - mom... mom.... mom.... wake up - you are suppose to be in the freaking parade in 5 minutes!!!!!!