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End of an era...

It was time for Eli & I to renew our temple recommends, so we went tonight for our Bishopric interview. When I first sat down with Brother Stoutsenberger, the counselor, he said "We'll be able to accomplish two things tonight." He then went on to tell me they were going to extend a release to me for my calling as Cub Master in the Cub Scouts.

When I first heard those words I wanted to cry...I have (or should I say had) the best calling in the ward! I was the official party planner for the Cub Scouts! Who else gets to plan a meeting where you get to dress up & act silly to recognize the accomplishments of the youth you've been working with...no one! I have been working with the Cub Scouts since March of 2000 & have been a Cub Master for almost 9 years. I am really going to miss working with the boys. It is so now fun to watch the 12-14 year old boys as they are passing Sacrament on Sunday and remember when they were just 8 and starting out in Cubs and see how much they have matured...I am truly going to miss this calling!

Then when Dennis (Brother Stoutsenberger) told me what my new calling was going to be I couldn't control my laughter! I'm not sure what the official title of the calling is, but I get to be in charge of calling & reminding the people who signed up to come clean the church house on either Monday evening or Saturday mornings. Then I get to go & make sure they show up.

I felt so bad for laughing. I have had a feeling that it was about time to be released, but I in no way saw this coming! I guess I should be thankful that it's not teaching Sunday School!

Funny Man!

Tanner has really been developing a sense of humor lately. Saturday we had Lucky outside with us while we were working in the yard. At one point while Tanner & Grandpa were working together to pick up the piles of leaves we had raked, Tanner turned to Lucky & said, "Come on Lucky make your self useful...pick up a rake!"

Our Crazy Life...

We had lots of plans for getting projects around the house done this summer. Eli had kept pretty busy subbing last year, but with school being out Eli was only working Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 4-10, and Saturday & Sunday days from 6-3 at WalMart, so we figured he'd have lots of time during the week to get some of our projects around the house finished. Boy were we wrong...Eli has been working 7 days a week since the beginning of summer!

Provo Canyon School (a residential treatment center for troubled teens) has year-round school for the kids there & they really like Eli as a sub. In fact, Dave, the Director there told Eli he is more reliable than some of his full-time faculty. At the beginning of summer they called to see if Eli could cover a two-week vacation for one of the teachers there, so he did. Then he covered the next vacation, & the next one & the next one...you get the picture. Needless to say, most of the projects are still not complete. But that's okay, because the time was well spent.

At the end of summer during a discussion with the director, Eli mentioned that as a substitute he is in danger of losing his teaching license. To maintain his teaching license he needs to be employed by a school & continuing his schooling to earn his teaching degree. Eli explained that even though he is able to work full time as a substitute it doesn't count because he's employed by the temp agency that provides subs to the schools. So...the director created a position for Eli at Provo Canyon School. The school has not had a computer technology class in the past, but it does now! The class is only taught one period a day, but at least it helps Eli to be able to maintain his license.

They scheduled Eli's class period to be from 2:30 to 3:30, so that he can be done in time to get to WalMart by 4:00 on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Dave creating this position & scheduling the class to fit Eli's schedule has been a real blessing for us, we only had one concern. With Eli needing to be at Provo Canyon School by 2:30 he will now only be able to accept subbing positions at high schools, because the elementary & middle schools get out too late and that would mean less income. We decided not to worry & trust that things would work out for us.

A few weeks ago one of the managers at WalMart approached Eli to see if he'd be interested in interviewing for the CSM position managing the night cashiers. Eli knew they were doing interviews for the position, but really hadn't thought about applying. Part of why he hadn't really considered it was because it would mean working from 10pm to 7am...ouch! After discussing it, Eli sat down to figure a schedule to see if it might work, then decided to go ahead & apply. Yep, you guessed it...Eli got the job, and a nice raise too!

So now Eli is going to work about the time I am getting ready for bed & he gets home either after the boys & I have left in the morning, or just as we are pulling out of the driveway on the days we are running late, then when I get home from work Eli is usually in bed.

With such a crazy schedule, we find ourselves spending the little bit of time when we are actually all together doing more "family" activities & find that this schedule actually work for us!

Dad's One-Liners

It was a gorgeous day here in Provo today! The sun was out, the skies were blue & there was a crisp fall breeze. On the way home from work, I stopped by Jamestown to pick up dad for a visit & to run to the store with me to get some cough medicine for the boys, because you know how dad loves shopping!

Jamestown is located just up the street from BYU's intramural fields & dad usually comments on whatever sport is being played at the time...today was a little different. A cute young co-ed was jogging along the street dressed in both a black sports bra & incredibly tight short shorts & as we passed Dad said, "It looks like she forgot to get dressed before coming out!" I was glad we were in the car & she couldn't hear.

Dad's Got a Friend

One of the hardest parts of having dad at Jamestown is the fact that in the Enhanced Care unit he does not get much social stimulation. There are lots of fun activities that keep him active and engaged, but unfortunately most of the other residents can not carry on a coherent conversation. The staff is very good about spending time with dad taking him along when they run errands and he has also been able to attend some of the activities at the activity center on the Assisted Living side, but unfortunately he doesn't usually remember.

When I went to pick him up for a visit last Saturday I noticed a man I'd never seen before and noticed he was having a conversation with one of the staff members. I asked dad if he had met him yet & he could not remember, but today as we walked through the lobby on our way out Mike (the new resident) stopped dad to shake his hand. While they were talking I asked the nurse (Summer) as she was opening the door for us if Mike was on the same level as dad & she said with a big grin, "Yes!" I guess that just after Mike moved in Summer had taken dad over to Mike's apartment to introduce them and now they spend a lot of time talking with one another.

Dad has never been a social butterfly by any means, but I know he has missed the opportunity to have a real conversation with the other residents. Yay for new neighbors & the chance for dad to have some more social stimulation!

What People Are Saying...

It's the beginning of a new semester at UVU, so we had a department faculty meeting Wednesday evening. After the meeting was over, one of the new adjunct instructors stopped me because he had a few "quick" questions. As I was answering his questions most of the other faculty members headed home, but there were a few stragglers that stayed to chat a bit and I couldn't help but catch bits and pieces of their conversations. Then as I was finished answering the questions, I overheard two of the other adjuncts discussing a "high maintenance" student and had to say, "I know who you're talking about!"

We all had a good laugh because I was right! Then as I was driving home & got to thinking about it...what do people say about me when I'm not around? How would it be to be such a negative influence on those around you, that people don't even need to use your name for others to know who is being talked about!

And not that I think that I'm all that & people are talking about me, but I've decided to try harder to be less critical & negative and instead be more friendly & positive. That way the next time I walk in a room & people quit talking, I won't need to worry that they were complaining about me!

I Love the Fourth of July!

Independence Day has always been one of my favorite holidays! The excitement of a nation coming together to celebrate...no matter what race or religion people belong to, they come together to honor this great country & the freedoms we enjoy. And no matter what city in the United States you find yourself in on July 4th you will most certainly find a parade, a county fair or carnival (maybe both) & fireworks.

Here in Provo it tends to start very early in the morning with Balloon Fest...it's always fun to watch the piles of nylon fabric fill up and turn into a beautiful magic giants then take off and dot the sky with a beautiful rainbow of colors.



The parade is another longstanding tradition that starts the evening before...people with blankets, sleeping bags, chairs, and umbrellas begin camping out all along the parade route. They even have it down to a science of where the best spot is along the route & which side of the street to be on. (On a side-note, one of my fondest memories from when Suzy & I were roommates here in Provo is of us driving down University Ave at 2:00 am with our car windows rolled down & yelling "wake up!" ...silly girls!)

And you have to stop by the Freedom Days County Fair to check out all the vendors, side shows & mini concerts...and then catch a few of the overpriced carnival rides.

But the best part of the day comes after dark...the fireworks! What an exciting way to end such an eventful day. I love it all...the loud pop of the cracker being lit, the beautiful colors painting the dark sky & the smell of sulfur in the air afterward. The perfect exclamation mark at the end of the celebration.


"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." John F. Kennedy

Grandpa's One-liners...

I've got several friends with young children that are always posting the funny things their little ones say on their blogs, and I have often wished the boys were younger and giving me material for my blog. Now I have my father saying funny things almost daily, so I'm going to begin posting the things he says & calling them Grandpa's One-liners.

Here are a few samples:

About a week after he moved into Jamestown, he had been over for a visit & I was taking him back to his apartment. As we walked into the common area where a lot of the residents come to watch TV he said, "I don't like it here, I don't belong here." My response was "Dad, you're always telling me how much you like it here." He then waved his arm around the room & said "But look, they're all old."

Suzy & her family were flying into town Friday morning & were going to drive up to Idaho to visit a favorite uncle, dad's brother Skip. They decided it would be nice to take dad with them, so Friday morning I picked him up at 8:00 & took him to meet them. As we were walking toward the door I was a few steps ahead of dad, when a lady that lives there passed between us & dad kind of bumped into her a little. After bumping into her dad said, "Excuse me darling" to her, then to me he said, "She's one of my girlfriends. I like her best...she doesn't talk too much."

Then, tonight as I was taking him back over to Jamestown the radio was on a country station. Kenny Chesney was singing his song Down the Road, about a boy that wants to marry the girl "down the road." One of the lines is about how the girls father wants to know if the boys makes enough to take his daughter down the road. After that line dad said, "heck, how much money do you need to go down the road...that's dumb"

Keeping Promises...

In September of 2005 my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer & a month later got pneumonia, which sped the dying process, but was a much gentler death. As mom’s body was shutting down on her, we could tell she was fighting to hang on & felt that it was because she was worried about our father, who has dementia. Independently & unknown to each other, my sister Suzy & I each went in to let our mom know that she did not need to worry about our dad, because we would take care of him.

Suzy does not work outside of her home & had an extra bedroom, so the plan was for dad to live with Suzy & her family. Suzy & her family were wonderful! They welcomed dad into their home with open arms. Then about a year ago, Suzy began having health problems due to the stress of caring for dad, so he moved into my brother Norman’s home. When dad moved in with Norman & Toni we all knew it was going to be temporary, because as dad’s dementia progressed he would need more skilled care. We began gathering information on some facilities in California that were centrally located between Suzy & Norman, but none of them quite met dad’s needs.

Then one Sunday as Tanner was speaking in the Sacrament meeting of a retirement home in our ward boundaries it dawned on me…“dad should move to Utah.” It hit me that if dad were living here in Utah, he would be able to attend Sacrament meeting & the staff at the facility would be respectful of his religious beliefs & customs. I began checking into assisted living care facilities & found Courtyard at Jamestown. They have an Enhanced Care unit, which is a secure section for patients with memory loss. When Eli & I toured the facility, we knew it was perfect! It met all dad’s needs…they even have an outside courtyard where dad can pull weeds!

In April I flew down to San Diego on a Thursday & the next morning Suzy & I drove dad up to Utah with all his belongings. On Saturday we went to Jamestown to set up dad’s room with all his furniture & photos, so that Monday when he arrived it would all be familiar. As we were putting his stuff away I have to admit, there were moments of guilt…I had promised my mother that I would help to take care of dad! But now that dad has been at Jamestown for almost two full months, I no longer have guilt. Dad has thrived at Jamestown! They have daily activities such as cooking classes, music appreciation and exercises, as well as scenic bus rides three times a week. He even went to a petting zoo last week. He is also eating regularly & has even gained some weight back.

From the moment the idea came to me, I have felt it was the right move & as plans have just fallen into place for dad to be able come to Jamestown it has been reaffirmed to me that this is the right decision for dad. So I guess that sometimes keeping the promises we’ve made means doing things differently than we had planned.

Round-abouts...Wanna Love 'em, Gotta Hate 'em!

I have actually been formulating this post in my mind for quite a while now...and was re-inspired to finally get it written when my niece-in-law Hannah acknowledged her frustrations with them today on her Facebook status.

The city planners in Provo & Orem love their roundabouts! In the past five years most of the really busy 4-way stops in these two cities have been converted to round-abouts. The whole concept behind them is actually really good & they are very convenient...when used properly. That's the "gotta hate 'em" part of the equation...most drivers don't use them properly. On my daily commute, I have to drive through at least two round-abouts and depending on the route I take may need to use up to five...just to get to 8 miles from my house to UVU!

The whole concept of the round-about is to keep traffic moving, so there is nothing more frustrating then to be driving along, enjoying my morning ride & come up to an idiot driver stopped at a round-about waiting for all the cars to pass! It's not a four-way stop any more...the idea is to safely merge into the flow of traffic. The other side of the frustration is that there are those other idiot-drivers that insist on speeding up when they see someone approaching the round-about so that they won't have to let them in! UG! And I'm not so sure it's a "Utah driver" thing either...I've noticed that the round-abouts with the most problems are located in areas highly populated by BYU & UVU students driving cars from out of state & I've also been the passenger in a car driven by someone visiting from another state & had them ask me "what do I do?" when they get to the round-about.

I'm not quite sure what the solution is...it's kind of like the "carpool" lane, which is a whole other frustration! Some people get it & some people don't, & those of us that do will just have to continue to tolerate the idiot-drivers that will never get it!

Are You Twins...

My sister Suzy & I have always been very close...best friends in fact. Whenever we get together there is lots of laughter, joking & teasing. I think the fact that I am only 18 months older than her helped, but another big contributor to our close friendship was our mother making us play together when we were younger...because, "friends come & go, but you will always be sisters!"

As kids, then young adults & later as roommates when we would go places together it wasn't uncommon for strangers to ask us if we were twins...usually the reply was one of saying "yes" and the other saying "no" at the same time! I don't know how many people told me "Welcome home" when Suzy returned from her mission. Even now when either one of run into people that new us when we were younger, they will ask "Aren't you one of the Thomas girls?" because they don't know which one we are.

It's funny though, because when we were younger I didn't really see it...maybe because my hair was blond & hers was brunette. But I was noticing the other day as I was looking at photos, that we really do look quite a bit alike.

Blood, Sweat & Tears...

When Eli & I bought this old house it was not because we loved it! It was because we loved the property & the beautiful view of the valley, and knew that the house could be remodeled. Currently our house is not very pretty to look at...it is a hodgepodge of cinder block, river rock, lava rock & siding. Not to mention the "garage room"...an addition that was intended to be a garage with an extra bedroom on the second story. The only problem it that the owner at the time forgot to factor in the staircase to get upstairs to the bedroom when he figured the length of the room, so it ended up being too short to park a car inside!

We had great plans for turning this ole puzzle into something beautiful...something to be proud of. Due to economic situations & a fire our plans have not come to pass quite as quickly as we had planned, but during my Spring Break from work we finally got started on our remodel!

One of the things that bugs me most about the house is that my kitchen is practically a part of my living room. In fact when we first bought the house, as you came in the front door, you were standing in my kitchen. Eli built a wall and created an entryway, but we knew one of the first things we wanted to do was move the kitchen.

The area we wanted to move the kitchen to is the perfect spot for a kitchen, except for the wall of windows! The windows are too long...we wouldn't be able to place cabinets on that wall. Well, not unless we change the windows! So that was our project for Spring Break.

Friday morning Eli & I started removing the molding around the windows & that went really fast...so then we took out the windows, & that went really fast too! We kept looking at the clock & saying, "Wow! That only took 10 minutes." Things just kept moving along so quickly, we were thinking we might actually have the new windows back in by that evening!

The wall that we were needing to change is a cinder-block wall, so while I made a quick trip to Lowe's to buy mortar, Eli was going to get the cinder-blocks we already had moved to where we needed them. That was when he noticed that the cinder-blocks on this wall are actually not as thick as the ones we had! Which was really odd, because the left over blocks were from when we filled in a window on another wall...who would have thought that a builder would have used two different size cinder-blocks when building a house! (This is the point in the story where Eli tells people that having level floors & square walls is seriously over-rated!) Luckily when we got back to Lowe's they had the exact size of cinder-block we needed sitting right by the back door, so I just backed the truck up to the stack & Eli loaded them on.

Once we had the right size bricks work started moving quickly again. Connor got home in the afternoon & was able to help Eli placing the bricks, which really helped out! Once all the brinks were in place, we decided to let the mortar dry & save the framing & putting the windows in until Saturday. Thankfully the weather cooperated, because we left it all open & just closed the door on that room, so the rest of the house wouldn't get too cold.

Saturday morning Eli's back was feeling a little tender from lifting & hauling the cinder-blocks the day before, so he took some Aleve & we got started building the frame for the opening. Once again things were moving along really well...we had the frame up & were trimming the molding that was going to hold the windows in place when Eli cut his finger with his circular saw...OUCH! Wow! What a lot of blood! We quickly got him into the bathroom to try a get it cleaned & bandaged. The problem was that the first aid kit with the gauze & surgical tape was out in the tool shed, and all we had was band-aids...which weren't sticking because he was bleeding so badly. So being a quick thinker, Eli grabbed some blue painters tape to wrap around the finger & keep the band-aids in place! It was amazing...within 1/2 an hour Eli was back working! He was back trimming the molding & nailing it in place. In fact it was his back that was bothering him! I guess it was a good thing he took that Aleve in the morning.

Eli's injury slowed us down a little but, by the end of the day we had the new windows in place! We still needed to make another trip to Lowe's for the the finish molding & it was late before we got home, so the project is not quite complete...but we are so close!

Outside...before we started!

Outside view: After the windows are out.

Inside view: without the windows!

Eli pulling wires for electricity...

The first row of blocks...so far so good!

Framing: After the 2nd row of blocks...before the accident!

The new windows!

Now we just need to get the finish molding up & paint. These new windows are wonderful! The old ones were not double paned...we never realized how much noise from outside came in until we got these new windows up!

I guess this is just the beginning...

Simple Machines...

Tanner had an assignment in his Science class to build a machine, that can perform a task, by putting together three simple machines...and he could not spend more then $10. He came up with an idea & the three simple machines that he used were a screw, a wedge, and a lever. Adding in some of the scrap wood that we have from past projects he was able to build a lathe....& it actually works!

Silence Is Golden...

It all started a few days ago...Tanner & I had been running errands & decided to get something to eat on the way home rather than cook. As I was getting ready to order, I turned off my radio to speak to the person that was taking my order. After getting our food, I forgot to turn the radio back on. We had been driving in silence for a while before I noticed how peaceful it felt. Then the most amazing thing happened...Tanner & I actually had a conversation about his day at school, rather then sing to the radio together!

The next morning as Connor & I got in the car to go to seminary & work, Connor asked, "Why is the radio off?" Then, after I explained why the radio was off, he & I preceded to have another very nice conversation!

After work, as I was driving home alone...still with the radio off, I realized that there is almost always some sort of noise going on in the background during my day...the radio playing in the car as I'm driving or in my office while I'm working, or the TV at home...even when no one is watching it. Then I realized, I really enjoyed the quiet! So...I have been leaving the radio off in the car & turning off the TV at home more often.

Wow! What a difference it has made! Not only am I getting to know my boys a little better & have them know I am interested in what they're doing...I find that I can actually hear that still small voice sometimes...now that it doesn't have to compete with the noise!

CoNnOr TuRnS 16 tOdAy...

The night before last...actually I guess it was morning...I woke up at 2 am & could not get back to sleep for about an hour, then I woke up again at 4 am! Since going off of caffeine I have been sleeping really well, so I was pretty frustrated that I kept waking up. As I was laying there wishing I was asleep, I realized that 16 years ago I'd had a pretty restless night too! I was very uncomfortable & couldn't fall asleep...at 2 am when I woke up because I was wet, without realizing why, I changed & went back to bed. When I woke up an hour later because I was wet again a light-bulb went off! My water had broke! I remember thinking, "but if this baby is as tired as I am, he wants more sleep" then going back to bed. I slept for a few more hours before going to the hospital. After a lecture about not coming right in, a long day & night of labor began! At 2 am Connor Thomas Escamilla was born!

(Our first family picture - Connor's 2 days old)

So, to celebrate Connor's 16th birthday, I've created a list of my 16 favorite things about Connor.

1) Connor is a hugger...I love Connor's hugs!
2) I love that Connor has such a quick wit & good sense of humor.
3) I'm proud that he honors his Priesthood.
4) Connor is a very good cook.
5) He writes really good poetry & short stories, and has even had a couple published.
6) Connor has always been very artistic.
7) I love that he enjoys reading SO much!
8) As much as I hate to admit he's taller than me, I love that he can reach the high stuff for me.
9) Learning is easy for Connor, especially when it's a subject he enjoys.
10) I love that Connor can help me with my math!
11) Connor is one of my favorite people!
12) He is a good big brother.
13) Connor is a hard worker & very helpful around the house with some of our big projects.
14) He is a good leader & follows through with his responsibilities.
15) Connor is full of little known facts & has one for about any situation.
16) He loves the gospel & is proud to be a Mormon.

Happy Birthday Connor!

Just call me the homework nazi!

I don't get it! Is not doing homework a guy thing! I don't ever remember my mother being on my case to get my homework done. Nor do I remember doing the homework, but not turning it in...what's up with that?!

Making Lemonade!

So...on November 13th as I was getting out of the car after getting home from work, Eli came dashing out to greet me! In my mind I was thinking, "oh cute, he's excited I'm home" but alas, I was wrong. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he was glad I was home, but the reason he was meeting me at the car was he had bad news he didn't want to discuss in front of the boys...He had been laid off from the school where he was teaching.

Luckily, about a week before this, he had taken a part-time job at WalMart, working evenings in the Dairy section. At the time that he was inspired to apply it was going to be extra money for Christmas & paying off some debt we incurred while he was in school...thank heavens for that still small voice that we sometimes think is our own good ideas! We actually didn't tell many people at first, because we aren't the only ones affected by this economy & although things have been a bit tight for us, we've been okay.

So why am I writing about it now? Well, earlier tonight I was counting my blessings and realize that some of them are because Eli was laid off!

I am thankful for a messy house...because it means Tanner has had friends over. After Eli was laid off, we transfered Tanner to our neighborhood school. It has been a wonderful move for him, for the first time in a long time Tanner has made some really good friends!

I am thankful for a tight budget...because it means we aren't spending our money foolishly & we are more appreciative of the things we have.

I am thankful to be tired at the end of the day...because it means I had to get up early enough to take Connor to early-morning seminary. There have been many mornings, when after snoozing my alarm too many times, Connor comes to remind me that he can not miss Seminary. I am SO glad that he enjoys studying the gospel!

I am thankful for sore feet...because it means I was able to go walking with my friend before work.

I am thankful for a pile of work on my desk...because it means I will be busy! I love my job and feel so good at the end of the day to be able to see what I have accomplished.

I am thankful for static on the radio...because it makes me turn it off & gives me the peace necessary to hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost to call a friend, not knowing that she had just had a lousy day and needed cheering up!

I am thankful to have a sink full of dishes...because it means my growing boys are getting plenty to eat...not to mention the fact that they are the ones that get to wash them!

And believe it or not, I am thankful for traffic & stop lights...because they teach me patience. Some times it's just not worth stressing about getting stuck at every red light or getting mad at another driver...because in the end you always get where you were going, but if you let those things bother you, you just end up in a bad mood & can't enjoy the things going on around you!

Yes, right now there are many lemons in my life...but I choose to make lemonade!

May 10, 1991...More strolling down Memory Lane!

Life has been pretty boring lately, & I've been wishing I had something for my blog. The last time my Life Story group got together the topic was our wedding day, so I've decided to post what I wrote.

Where’s Sem…

It’s a good thing Eli & I both have a sense of humor, considering the comedy of errors that we call our wedding day!

It all started at 2 am, when we rang the doorbell of the temple apartment that my mom had reserved for Eli’s parents, so they could spend the week prior to our wedding doing temple work. Imagine our surprise when a stranger opened the door…I guess he was pretty surprised too! Not knowing where to find Eli’s parents, we both went to the room my parents had reserved for our family. When we arrived at the room there was already a crowd, due to the fact that not only had my parents decided to invite Guinevere & Evan to spend the night with us, but Suzy & Brent decided to spend the night also! The apartment had only two hide-a-bed couches, but somehow we found a place for everyone to sleep. Poor Eli spent the night before his wedding sleeping on the floor! Come to find out, earlier in the week there was construction going on next-door to the apartment his parents should have been in, so they had been given another room.

So much for not letting the groom to see the bride before the wedding!

We found Eli’s parents the next morning & all walked over to the temple together. As we entered, some very friendly temple workers greeted us & I was rushed off to the Bride’s room, along with my mother & mother-in-law. I assumed Eli had been rushed off to the “groom’s” room with the two dads…Imagine my surprise as Eli & I were brought into the Sealing room & Eli’s father was not present!

Eli’s father, who does not understand English very well, had been lost in the hustle at the front door & had been lead in to a regular temple session. This was before the temples were computerized, so a very helpful temple worker had to go check all the sessions in progress looking Sem, my soon to be father-in-law.

While we were waiting for Sem to be located & brought to the Sealing room, we learned that the Sealer performing our ceremony had been the mission president of a Spanish-speaking mission and was able to translate the ceremony for my father-in-law.

What a wonderful blessing for my father-in-law who had been lost & confused to be able to understand the sacred ceremony being preformed that day.

Sem, Maria, Eli, Me, Mom & Dad

Pictured L-R: Dad's side, Eli sleeping, Brent & Suzy in the corner on the floor, Evan, Me & Guinevere.

A Few more fun photos from the day...

What a beautiful bride? ...poor Claire was SO sick!

Eli being silly...

Monkeying around... Suzy, Me & Lori Harper

Getting ready for the kissing pic...

...we couldn't keep a straight face & ended up laughing instead of kissing!

And the car...does anyone know who these kids belong too!

Joseph, what's that behind your back...

Done...just done!

...we had grass clipping coming out of the air conditioner for months!