August Already!

I feel like a slacker because it's been awhile since I've written anything. While I do not assume to have let anyone down, this IS my journal...so I should probably get more on the ball. My darling Ellinor sprouts 12 more feet everyday and might as well be 20 years old. Her saucy attitude, endless supply of energy and boisterous play keep Bry and I rather busy. She really is just precious.

We have had a whirlwind of the last couple weeks. My dear, wonderful Great-Grandma Sevy passed away two weeks ago. She was a darling woman and will be missed sorely by all of her family and friends in this world - and that is quite the number of people. She lived in Panguitch, UT (where I still have numerous family members) so the funeral was held there the following week. My mom flew into town on the Friday after grandma passed and she, Becca, Ellinor and I trekked down to Panguitch to attend the funeral services. It was a privilege to be there to celebrate Grandma's life with everyone. The main theme that stuck out in remembrances of her was her great integrity and faith. While it is heartbreaking to no longer have her to visit in the summers, the peace that is found in the Gospel teachings about our purpose on earth is immeasurable. I will miss Grandma but I know that I will be seeing her again. For now she is enjoying her well earned paradise.

The one upside about a funeral is the great gathering of family. Family is so important in this life, but sometimes we get so caught up in the stresses and cares of it that we don't make as much time for them. I'm grateful for any time that I get to spend with extended family - when it comes right down to it, family is all we have in this world. And family is all we take with us for eternity.

Us girls shared a motel room together in town for the night we planned to stay. I woke up at about 6:30 am the morning of the funeral - it was way too early as I hadn't slept at all - to get ready for family breakfast and then the services. I took my clothes into the bathroom with me to get showered and placed them on the back of the toilet - there was not counter space or any other locale to place them. Whether it was my blurry vision, a sloped toilet back or sheer bad luck that led to it I don't know - but my camisole fell right into the toilet! Ugh! Luckily the toilet was clean but it was the only camisole I had to wear. In a cheap motel with no laundry services for the rooms I was in a pickle. I dug the cami out, wrung as much toilet water out as I could, and began to take the blow dryer to it. I dried as much as I could until I couldn't put off getting ready any longer. But the cami was still drenched! Oy! Between Becca, Andrew and I we were able to get the darn thing relatively dry by the time we had to meet at the church - but it was not so thrilling to wear a toilet dunked clothing item all day. Next time I bring more than one outfit. :)

Mom, Aunt Allison, Aunt Colleen and Abby caravanned back to Eagle Mountain with myself and Ellinor that evening after the funeral. Allison and Colleen wanted to go ahead and spend a couple of days in the northern half of the state. Might as well make a go of it while in town. It was fun having company here. This was Allison's first time getting to meet Ellinor, which was definitely over due. We spent some time running around to a few of our favorite places - Gygi's, Day Murray Music, and Colleen and Becca hit up a taffy store in down town. The rest of the time was spent hanging out and cheering on the Olympics. Gotta love the games!!

I probably should have documented all this with my camera - epic fail on my end. I know there were plenty of pictures snapped in Panguitch, so I may be off the hook there. But in my neck of the woods I totally bombed on the picture taking. Next time around! Although, let's hope we get together for something other than a funeral.

This last Sunday I was asked to teach the Relief Society lesson. As the Family History Coordinator for the ward, I have the privilege of introducing the family history resources of the church to our ward members. It really is a fun calling. I was prepared to give a nice presentation on the websites available to us - Family Search and New Family Search - and demonstrate indexing. Of course, this all requires a laptop/projector/screen set up and steady internet connection. I've given this presentation quite a few times in the church building and never had a hiccup. So, once the amen was said at the end of Sunday School Bry jumped into action to set everything up for me - he is my traveling tech support. I LOVE him! :) Anyhoo - everything was set up, announcements were made, opening song was sung and it was my turn. Alas - no internet connection!! Needless to say I was panicked! The entire lesson required internet access, which I completely took for granted. I had nothing else - no back up and 30 minutes of empty time to fill. It's a good thing I was in the church building so I was more motivated to curb the unpleasant words that were popping up in my mind. Hahaha. I was able to clumsily talk and try to fill the time for awhile, and right when I reached a point of disparity that I had not experienced until then Bry looked at me with a smile and announced that the internet was working. He had roped the Bishop into letting Bry in the attack to restart the whole router extravaganza. And it worked!! I was able to do a quick run through of the sites for the last 10 minutes and not die instead. So thankful so my wonderful hubby, a completely understanding and kind relief society presidency and the generous forgiveness of my relief society sisters for such a botched lesson.

Perhaps I was getting a big head about how smoothly I could fulfill my calling up to this point and Heavenly Father was seeing to it. Needless to say I was humbled. ;)