2024- Week 25(Jun 17- Jun 23)

I took Joidee to dinner. She has been diagnosed with brain cancer and the prognosis is not good but we are keeping out heads up and hope and in our hearts that she will receive a miracle. If anyone deserves one it's her. She is the kindest, strongest, most beautiful person. She is always helping others and always has a smile on her face. It is breaking my heart that she has to go through this hard thing and I will be there for her every step of the way. After we went to lunch I stopped at Trader Joes to see Whitney in action.

This week Mom, Emily, Liz and Jeremy and Melinda's family went to Long Beach for the Bixby Shareholder's meeting. Mom has always wanted to go and asked me if I would take her and then the other girls found out and wanted to go so we made it a family affair. Melinda stayed in a hotel and the rest of us in an AirBNB. Mom got sick with one of her stomach spells the day before we were suppose to leave so she and I went a few days later. I took her to the doctor and they gave her some antacid medicine. There was a meet and greet Friday night that we missed but everyone else went. We had also planned to tour the Queen Mary ship and missed that too but Emily and Liz went. Saturday morning there was a breakfast on the lawn of the Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch House. It was wonderful and so nice to see Uncle John and Aunt Cheryl and Kerri and Mark. We haven't seen them forever. I cried. After the breakfast mom was tired so she and Liz and Jeremy went back to the AirBNB and Emily and I went with Melinda's family to tour Long Beach. We went to the worlds skinniest house. Then to a church whose name I can't remember where there is a picture of our ancestor inside but it wasn't open. Then we went to The Pike Outlets. We had lunch at P F Changs and our waiter was Marcio Donaldson from American Idol 2018. He was so nice and we gave him a great tip. Then we walked around the dock and rode in some large swan shaped paddle boats. I was in one with Emily, Brody and Bronson and our boat would not turn to save our lives ha ha. Brody started getting upset and worried that we would be stuck on the lake forever. I did my best to assure him that we were safe and we would be fine and we were. But it wore us out with how hard we had to struggle so we were happy to get off of the boat. Then we walked to the outlets again so I could buy a clean shirt because I spilled on mine at the restaurant. After that we got back in the car and drove by Bixby Park and then went to the Long Beach Museum of Art. There was a fun Keith Haring Exhibit . It was fun to see which pictures interested Bronson the most and asking him why he liked them. Then it was time to go to Rancho Los Cerritos. This is the home of Jotham Bixby our ancestor. It is also a home my grandmother spent time in as a little girl. They held a fantastic dinner on the lawn out back. Bronson and I and Emily spent lots of time exploring all the trails around the property and he loved the Koi pond out front. I became a member so that I could show my support. They gave everyone a Bixby water bottle, mug and bag at the end. It was a really fun trip and I am glad I could be part of it.

2024- Week 24(Jun 10- Jun 16)

Jeff left on Monday for the AP encampment.

I went to lunch with Mike Shep. It was good to catch up with him. He is like a second father to me.

Dylan Munday came and tuned my piano. He also fixed one of the keys. He said this might be the last time he can do it. There are some things due to the age of the piano that make tuning difficult now.

We went to dinner to celebrate Jeff's birthday. He is so important to our family! We could not ask for a better husband or father. He does so much for us. We love him!

Jeff and I went to Kim Godfrey's moms viewing and to a Kyle Nance's wedding reception. So we got to see both ends of the spectrum in one night. The advice we gave Kyle and his wife was Let Kyle go golfing as much as he wants and Kyle- don't go golfing as much as you want. TRUTH!

Melinda's family came over for a fire and smores one night. A water fight also ensued.

I tried my hand at making Jolly Rancher cotton candy- It worked but goes right back to being hard so it was not good.

There is a neighborhood rat infestation in the Ivory neighborhood. Some of the homes back up to the canal which doesn't help. I hope they don't make their way to our street or I will lose my mind. AAAHHHH!

Sunday was Father's Day. The relief society gave all the men a bottle of Dad's root beer and bag of peanuts. It was cute. We made Jeff a nice dinner and got him a few things he loved then let him do whatever ha wanted the rest of the day.

2024- Week 23(Jun 3- Jun 9)

 I visited Julia and she was being so silly. Her sense of humor is definitely my favorite thing about her. 

Jeff and I went to Colm Luker's wedding. They had a pretzel bite bar with different flavors and sauces for dipping which was so fun. We got to meet Meleina's fiance Steve and he is so nice. Can't wait for their wedding later this year.

Cute Henrik Olsen got baptized this week. He is my favorite. When we were at his house afterwards I went inside to get a cookie. Jones Mundy was holding a cookie with a picture of Christ on it and looked up an saw Elissa's brother in law that has long hair and a beard. Jones looked at the cookie then looked back at him and said "This looks like you. Are you Jesus?" It was so cute and the look on his face was priceless that he might be looking at Jesus. I told him that he wasn't Jesus but he was Jesus's brother.

We had a ward party on Friday at the park. They served dutch oven which was so good. They had lots of yard games to play after.

BRG had a fun family event at Miller Motor Sports Park. We got to drive go karts. I am not a fast driver so I just try to stay out of the way. Jeff on the other hand is very fast so I was just hoping that he didn't have a crash like last time ha ha. Afterwards we went to a park and had lunch. It was fun.

Corban and Ruby's ward came to the park for their Activity Days. It is always so fun to see kids I know.

My peony is in bloom and so beautiful and my rose bush is doing so well!

I tried my hand a garlic knots and they turned out so good.

We had our ward conference on Sunday. Jeff gave a beautiful talk. He puts a lot of thought and prayer into what he wants to share. 

2024- Week 22(May 27- Jun 2)

Monday was Memorial Day 

I went to lunch with Shanda and Amanda.

 There was a beautiful sunset at the temple after a shift I subbed this week.

Jeff and I went to the Bountiful Temple. Now that I am a worker I have forgotten how to be a patron ha ha. I went to name issue without my packet and had to go back to my locker. I always get so much anxiety getting to the temple and worrying about being late but God is so good and we always make it and it is always so beautiful. This was our first time I think performing ordinances here. 

Jeff and I went on a walk on the canal road to visit my tree and to my utter shock and horror the tree was gone. Cut down! I almost burst into tears. That tree has become a friend and I loved seeing it and it makes me so sad. Maybe it was for the best. Maybe it was sick and old and they worried it would fall. I suppose all good things must come to an end.

I love that this is what President Nelson wants for his birthday this year.