A new phase in my parents life began today.  After Dad being released from a convalescent center Mom and Dad drove to my sister Suzanne's house to live with she and Bob.  This is an interim period.  In a couple of months Cindy and Scott (my brother) will have remodeled their home to accommodate Mom and Dad permanently.

Mom is being very brave.
It must be hard to give up your
independence,
solitude,
rooms filled with a lifetime of memories,
roses,
neighbors and
friends at church.

It is for the best.
No more worries about:
Dad has fallen and she can't get him up,
being the chief cook,
taking care of the details of a household,
or all the responsibilities are that have been on her shoulders.

I marvel at the strength of my Mom.  She accepts this new phase:
with appreciation that her family is there to help her,
with realization that her prayers are being answered,
with peace from Heaven,
and a happy heart that her husband is still by her side.
Every minute with him is precious to her.  She said so.

Every day of my life (except one) I have had the comforting strength knowing that my parents adored each other.

May Day 2013

The May Day Fairy
left a SURPRISE
at my door.

Thank you!
They are beautiful.

And then flowers from my Man!

 But, the best thing about May Day is it is the day
Cooper was born.  This is Shannon's youngest.  He is 6 today.  According to Cooper, "6 is the perfect age."

I awoke with a Hymn in my head in the middle of the night.
It was on my mind in the morning.
It has resurfaced several times throughout the day.
Surely, this is a message for me...
Hence I "Humbly" acknowledge it publicly:

"Be thou humble in thy weakness, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee,
Shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers.
Be thou humble in thy pleading, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee,
Shall bless thee with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares.
Be thou humble in thy calling, and the Lord thy God shall teach thee,
To serve his children gladly with a pure and gentle love.
Be thou humble in thy longing, and the Lord thy God shall take thee,
Shall take thee home at last to ever dwell with him above.

August 2012

Even though this is a new month we still have out of town visitors.  How can I contain the joy?

 Another day at the beach.  Not all these people are staying at my house.

Can you see the dolphins?  We did!

Beautiful Newport Beach

Yes, we touched a Pelican

  That evening we had our traditional Talent Show.
 Since no one is talented Since we love to entertain ourselves it was a zany night.

A great video belongs here but failed in downloading 

BooHOO.

It would explain why I ended up looking like this at the Talent Show!

 

Some of us went to Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour.  We ordered a HUGE concoction.  It arrived at our table with whistles, drums and sirens. 

After we ate the whole thing we followed our waitress by running around the table as all the other patrons clapped for us.  It was quite a show!

   Being the generous Grandma that I am I splurged and bought the grands chocolate covered bugs.  They all had a 'bite

     '.

 Soon after....they all went home. 
Fortunately, Corbin and Cooper live nearby.

These two fellas received shooting a "BB" lessons from Grandpa one Sunday.

Another Sunday we went to the LA Temple Visitor Center.  I tried and tried to take a photo of Corbin and Cooper with Christ but there were too many people around.  They were embarrassed.

 A couple of August Sunsets in Norco

Every day I endeavor to develop a talent that yearns within.

Watercolor Painting!

A year ago watercolor classes were offered on a cruise we took to Panama. 

 Ever since I have devoted a portion of each day to learning more.

Here is a sample of one of my pieces.

Good-bye Beautiful August

July 2012

On our way out of town, after the funeral we drove past the The Provo Tabernacle Temple which is in Progress.  I attended stake conference in this beautiful building while attending BYU.  Soon, it will be a Holy Temple.

 Rebecca came for a visit with 3 of her boys.  She was here on business. But, FUN is what we had.
This is Ledger being brave at the park.  (Sorry it is a little long.)

 

Grandpa took Steele and Slater to the Storm's baseball game.  

 

Lura and John are so generous at sharing their pool with us.  After swimming we had an impromtu  BBQ.

 

A beautiful California Sky

 Roasting marshmallows

 Steele's 'jam session' with the neighbor boys just moments before the visit of a skunk! Yes, a skunk was attracted to their beautiful sounds and came to listen.  It walked right through the patio!  

Talk about quiet excitement!  

An evening with our friends, Debbie and Dennis

 These guys can sure sing! :}

Meet Max.  He works at Roger Stuart Clothiers in LA.  Craig got 2 new suits here for his birthday.   Max is a holocaust survivor.  

Mary is a new addition to our family thanks to our nephew Philip.

Beach Day

Then a day at the Aquarium

 These are the 9 young faces I adore.  Grandpa does too, but this is MY blog.