The Rest of the Story

You would never know the full story, just looking at these photos.  Context helps.  Details.  I am determined to ask better questions, give more complements, and to try and school my face. The weird, goofy looks we all make can be funny when the camera catches them.  I was having focusing problems in the dark gym.  The last two photos of Sam are for his mission application.  He chose the bottom one, without glasses.

Suzanna is a Missionary! And it is not all about me, this blog...

All photos from Sister Landbeck's companion's mom's blog!  They look like they get along well, smiley and  huggy.  Her companion is a twin, who is also learning Portuguese, but going to Brazil.

I wonder if Suzu can tell them apart?  Kind of cool that they are serving at the same time!

Things going well here.  I added more to the sobriety trees, some bright oranges that glow in the rainy weather we have been having.  As soon as the redbud blooms I will take more photos.

More shots in the back today that should help back pain, and I am doing the sleep study tonight.  No lotion, no hairspray, bring my pillow, but not John to hospital.  I have a horrible bruise on my hand from IV from last week's colonoscopy.  Busy round of tests and medical updating (nothing can make a mammogram a good experience, but I was thankful for it being shorter than I remembered...).  Emma turning a quarter of a century same year I make it to a half.  I am thankful for good medical attention and expertise. 

One of the nurses this morning asked how many children I have--answered her "six" and told her about Emma being a high school chemistry teacher, Stewart in college, Suzanna going to Portugal on a Church mission, Sam a firefighter & welder, and Roxie and her brilliance.  "That's five."

And about losing Max last summer to addiction consequences.  But bearing testimony simply that I am confident we will see family we have lost.  That was what the holiday last weekend was all about, what Easter means to me. 

As the nurse shuttled me out to the car in a wheelchair (hospital policy, I was walking fine) she told me how much she had enjoyed our time together this morning.  Little Gospel sharing moments.  She knows my religious preference (one of the standard questions). 

I CANNOT TAKE A NAP, trying to stay awake and busy so the sleep study tonight is accurate...or at least as much as I can make it.

Beautiful!

Alena is easy to love!

Sister Superheroes!

"Daddy" Michael's face that Luanna helped nephew Jack make to distract him from abandonment.  Those green Good & Plentys are his toes, and nose.

I look at us, exactly where we stood 25 years +2 months ago, noticing the hair changes, added weight...but thankful he is holding my hand tenderly.  Marriage is good!

quilts, balloons, my children, & homes (Utah trip, continued)

Roxie's favorite quilt.  From this show (basement BYU Art Museum) through November 2014.

LOOK at these 1/4-1/8 inch prairie points, the triangles at the edge of the quilt, smaller than small rickrack, TINY!

Suzanna after 5K run on 4th July, Provo.

Sam at balloon launch, Provo.

In front of my favorite balloon:  silk applique, gorgeous....

My brother John, husband, John, son John, and b-in-law Roger, Mom & Luanna & Deb off to the side, Jordan River Temple.

From Bear Lake we went north to see family history sites:

THIS is the house in the family photo!  Just down the street from the historical museum where we saw more family evidence (John's side).

Roxie in front of Logan temple (two of her great great great great... grandpas were stake presidents in Bear Lake stake and temple presidents of Logan temple). 

Spending time with my Utah children (all Emma+Dean photos are on good camera, downloading soon) was my favorite part of trip.

And the matching reunion shirts!  And my back brace-thank you Dr. Lee.

Seeing our home in Bettendorf, well-cared for, smaller than I remember...

Parking lot where John & I first kissed 28+ years ago...

My Sophmore year BYU house (where I lived when I met John).

Next house I lived in basement apartment (when John & I put in mission papers).

We lived up Hobble Creek Canyon at Bradford's farm guest home, then Grandma Carlson's basement Springville apartment, then here on 2nd floor window on left of entry, in our first married apartment in Provo (Emma's 1st b-day video filmed on that front lawn!).

Blessing of a duplex $100.00/month rent where we lived with 3 children (on right side) now for sale!

How to Make an Artist/Quilter's Day!

Becky's Quilt

I failed to mention they did hang one:

Even after my pouty day, I still feel sad about the whole show. I sent John down to pick up the 3 quilts they didn't hang. He said Becky's quilt is over the doorway as you enter, up high so nobody will touch it. Hanging through end of April, if you are in town and want to see it.

Photos from Our Missionary Son

Stewart sent home photos!

From the beginning, when he was in the Missionary Training Center, with his learning district standing in front of the Provo Temple, and with his Mission President and Sister Gardner (who wrote a glowing letter to us parents about Stewart's call to be district leader!)