Manti Get-Away

Dustin and I were fortunate enough to get away recently to Manti, UT!! We stayed one night in the Manti House Bed and Breakfast and had planned on doing a session in the Manti Temple....now get ready for this story...

Half-way on our drive to Manti, I realized that I had forgotten my temple recommend. We were so stressed about this! I called my Bishop to see if he could vouch for me, and he said to call the Manti temple to see. I called and there was a message..."the Manti Temple is closed for cleaning"...ugh! Now, if you know mine and Dustin's luck about temples, this will not surprise you. In the last 5 times we have gone to the temple, 3 of those times, the temple has been closed for cleaning. We laughed at the irony. We thought, we'll go to the Provo temple tomorrow. I called and the Provo temple was closed for cleaning also! I called information to get the Mt. Timpanogas temple phone number and the operator connected me to the phone number...in SPANISH!! FINALLY, when I got ahold of the Mt. Timpanogas temple..I found it to be open and my Bishop did in fact vouch for me! We had a wonderful stay at the quaint little B&B and did take a walk around the Manti temple that night (see left). Dustin did not especially like the walk though...he was being eaten alive by mosquito's...which ended up being 2 bites...nonetheless, it was an anxious experience for him (mosquito's love him) and we enjoyed a brisk walk. The Manti Temple is sooooo beautiful lit up at night. We think we'll go back next year and actually do a session!

Summer Wonders

Here they are, some summer wonders. Joshua and Heidi were on their way home from a friends, and right there on the sidewalk was a baby bird. They were so amazed. I love kids, nothing brings me more joy than watching them learn and discover. I don't want them to grow up, and I tell them that very regularly...it's happening too fast. Josh picked up the baby bird and brought it home...trouble is, the bird must have been injured because it died a short time later. Josh cried! I felt like crying with him, what a sensitive soul! We took the bird out back and dug a little grave for it. Josh and Heidi found a big rock to mark the grave, and that made them feel better. As if I don't see it enough at work, the very fine line between life and death. I see it at home also where my kids learn about this delicate life. How fragile we are.

Okay, here's a summer wonder that I could get very, very used to. Sam is edging and mowing the lawn weekly. I am so proud of him. You should see him work, he is sweating and all red-faced and so happy to look at what he did. You know, I grew up with mostly sisters, I don't think I grew to appreciate how wonderful boys are. I am so grateful for my two boys. They work hard, keep me laughing regularly, and give me hope for the future. I tell them regularly that if every man would be like Moroni in the Book of Mormon that Satan would have no power over men. I want them to grow to be like Moroni, because what a righteous man can do...he can change the world.

Camille Watkins is baptized!

On the day after July 4th, Dustin had the privilege of baptizing his daughter Camille Alexis! Camille had a lot of family there, and then we all went to cake at a nearby park, as organized by Camille's mom. That was very nice of her, and it went well, all things considered. Camille had a great time and that was what everyone wanted for her. She had a great experience and was very happy (as she usually is). After the baptism and cake, my mom, Kristine and her kids, and our family went to Chili's for lunch, that was fun! Congratulations Camille!

Holiday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July. I love this holiday! We have a tradition of going to fireworks at Murray Park with my parents and siblings with their families. We had so much fun, and the fireworks were beautiful (but they seemed shorter than last year...I think it's fire danger or the economy or global warming, or someone's intern in congress that was responsible..jk) We went swimming, of course, had a big bbq..complete with Monika's (Jason's wife) fruit pizza, and a birthday cake for Camille (our second to youngest child). We did sparklers and the boys loved smoke bombs! We had glowsticks for the kids at the park, that was so much fun. We got to see how creative they all were, everyone came up with a new creation with their many and assorted glowsticks (bracelets that have connectors). After the park, we went back to my parents and did fireworks. Dustin and the boys had a ball placing all of the tank fireworks in a circle, lighting them all and letting them run into each other. Whatever floats your boat...or fires up your tank, is what I say! Hope you and your family had a wonderful Independence day! I'm proud to be an American, and so grateful for the freedoms we enjoy!

Fun in the Sun

Thanks to my parent's brilliant idea to put a pool in their backyard last year, we are enjoying our second summer at the pool. Of course there is always the classic kids fighting over water noodles and rings to toss and goggles, but if kids weren't fighting...well, life wouldn't be interesting. I find myself being a real referee lately..."give it back to her...GIVE it back! Yes, I know...life isn't fair...okay, out of the pool if you're going to scream and attempt to attack other children!". Oh, family bliss..."there is beauty all around when there's love at home"

No joke, we are having so much fun at the pool. Thanks to Mom and Dad Lowe for being so generous and letting us invade on a very regular basis, even with friends from my neighborhood...love you Mom and Dad (even though I know this will fall on deaf ears...Mom! please start checking my blog).

Family Rocks

I wanted to post and thank Barbara (dustin's sis) for commenting on our blog! I'm so glad you saw this blog and hope you follow it, so our family can keep in touch! You should start a blog when you get back from NYC! I want to see your pictures. HAVE A BALL!! Girls trips are the best...I have great hopes for girls trips with my sisters for many years to come, girls trips with my nieces, with my sisters and with my daughters. I am so blessed to have this wonderful family. I am so blessed to have my husband and my sons also.

Tonight I found a beetle frozen in a cup in my freezer. Yes, it was the boy's little project. My son's absolutely crack me up. They said they wanted to see if it would come back alive in a year when they thaw it out. Outside of being totally grossed out, I was laughing my head off! Anyway...need to go! Have a lovely day!