2025- Week 26(Jun 23- Jun 29)

 Took Greg to lunch for his birthday. He likes to go to KFC. Happy 54!

This is my last week of work for the summer. It's fun to work in the PC during this time and get to interact with all kinds of guests. It does take me longer to get to work and home than I actually work ha ha but at least it leaves most of my day free. Cherry's friend Kurt started working in the PC and he reminds me so much of Mr. Rogers- he is so calm and kind and gentle. So one day I told him so. I hope he wasn't offended ha ha. Makenna who also works in the PC convinced me to start a better skin care routine so now I use a retinol and vitamin c cream. I think I have been pretty lucky with the skin I got so this can only make it better.

I got called to be in Young Women's. This is the only calling that scares me to death. I have the hardest time relating to teenage girls. It makes me feel awkward and unsure and self conscious to be with them ha ha. When Jeff told me I freaked out because I also don't know how I will be fully functioning in the evening for activities. I am dead by 7 which is when the activities start and I have such a hard time driving in the dark. It is going to take more faith than I might have to feel comfortable doing this calling.

I got my hair done this week. It was getting so so long. LeAnne gave me all her wedding tips since she has now done two weddings.

I had a telehealth visit with Dr Froerer about my HRT. He upped my dose of progesterone. We will see if that does anything to help my perimenopause symptoms.

Amy Workman hosted a ward shower for Holly Snow. She is getting married in July. It was in her backyard and such a wonderful night. 

I took lunch to Cherry this week. She quit working at the park so that she could stay home and take care of her dog Buddy and work on his training. She is also 86 after all and doesn't need to keep working. 

Melissa hosted a BBQ for the Calhouns on Saturday. Lynda was sick at the temple so I had to stay late but I still got there in time to visit for a little bit. We miss the Calhouns so much. 

They are an amazing family.

I made one of my workers cry at the temple. She and her husband have been trying to decide if they should have children and don't feel like they are getting an answer either way. She really wants to keep all of God's commandments but their situation is very unique. Her husband is a quadriplegic so they would have to do IVF which is a very grueling process as we saw with Scott and Malia. She doesn't know if she could go through that and the care of the child would be mainly left to her. I tried to tell her that if she isn't getting an answer than maybe that is God telling her that whatever they decide will be good and that there is more than one way to multiply and replenish the earth but I could tell this is a decision that weighs on her heavily. If I could help her to understand one thing it would be that God is so much more understanding and loving than we think. That he trusts us to make many of our own decisions and that he will support us in the things we decide if we are truly sincere. Also that he gave us commandments to make us happy- not anxious. Then lastly that we have so much more time than we think. If she can't decide this now- she has eternity left. But I have also learned that nothing you say will make a difference to someone who isn't ready to hear it. This couple is one of the best and I have been so lucky to get to know them. 

We took family photos with the Shaw's on Sunday. It was really the only day we could all get together. Sharon sent us a photo of a dish towel and told us those were the colors she wanted us to choose from. We went to Tunnel Springs Park in North Salt Lake. Miles niece Hannah took the photos. Can't wait to see how they turn out. A few of the big kids thought it would be funny to flip the bird in a few shots. We will be having the photographer take those out before she sends them to Sharon. It will definitely not be funny to them. I guess if this is the most rebellious thing any of them do in life then we are doing fine. 

2025- Week 25(Jun 16- Jun 22)

I still have a burn mark from our cruise- CRAZY!

This week is was Jeffs turn to leave on young mens camp. They were gone Monday-Wednesday. Apparently Eric Bengtzen started a rumor that there were large crocodile like creatures in the river called Gar and the boys believed him ha ha. They had a blast.

I dropped dinner off for Andrea Bengtzen for her birthday. She continues to be house bound for the most part with Long Covid. It has been going on for years. She has been promised in many blessings that she will heal one day but it sure is brutal for her in the waiting. I ordered from Panda Express online and they prepared my order a little early so it was a bit cold when I picked it up which was a little disappointing but still good. 

We picked up Ashtyn's dress and bouquet on Tuesday for her bridals on Wednesday. We were both so happy with how they turned out. The bouquet was even better than I imagined it would be. Her photographer is Maura Topham and they also had their videographer there to do the first look. They chose the Utah State Capitol as their backdrop. Ashtyn and I arrived early so she could change into her dress in the family bathroom. It was so fun and I am excited to see how the shots turned out. Ashtyn was wearing her new shoes so by the end her feet were killing her and Westin carried her to the car.

We are still working on putting the basement back together. Bryan Hall has been coming over and helping Jeff repair the drywall. We still have a pile of fans sitting by our door that need to be returned.

I am still having a brutal time sleeping with my shingles. They keep me up a good part of the night and no amount of pain medication helps. It has been rough especially because Daisy also wakes me up like usual so between the two I am getting no sleep. They do bother me during the day a little but medication seems to help that. I have been putting on a numbing cream as well. It mostly hurts when I drive and sleep. I am still going to work because they said the only way you are contagious is if someone were to directly touch the blisters and since mine are on the back of my left thigh and completely covered by my garments there is no risk.

The Hughes family came to dinner on Sunday. Whitney introduced them to Luke. We did pizza this time so that it was easy. I bought four regular pizzas and one gluten free for Jenafae and Zeke. We ended up with a whole pizza left over but also Ashtyn and Westin weren't there and Emily. 

2025- Week 24(Jun 9- Jun 15)

My leg continues to bother me this week so I went to the chiropractor after getting the windshield replaced. He agreed with me that it was probably sciatica. They put me on a roller bed and then he adjusted me. I didn't feel much better after wards but hopefully it helps. 

Girls camp is finally here! All the planning has stressed me out to the max but I was so excited to actually get up there and have fun. We met on Thursday morning at 9 AM to head up to Heber Valley Camp. I am on a lot of drugs because of the pain in my leg. We left on Jeff's birthday so I had given him his gifts on Tuesday night. Here is our run down:

Day 1

-Headed up to camp at 9 AM. The stake leaders met us at the church and gave 

everyone boxes of popcorn.

-We got up to camp at 11 only to find out that they don't open until 11:30 so we joined the ever growing line of cars in the church parking lot at the bottom of the mountain.

-We finally got up to camp and got all unloaded and unpacked. We were in Camp Sariah site number 2. There was a meeting for the leaders at 1:30 and then a meeting for everyone at 2

-Amee had made the cutest bunk signs and the YCL's gave all the girls the sweatshirts we had made. They were suppose to say "Look" on them but the girl who made them didn't get the memo and so they said Hello Sunshine- which we just spun to remind them of Christ being the SONshine in our lives and the light which we look to.

-We walked to the Tomahawk Toss and the girls got to throw axes from 4-5

-Then we came back to camp and got dinner ready. We were sharing our camp site with another ward and they ended up planning the exact same meals as us ha ha. 

-Brother Mullins came and spoke to the whole camp in an amazing devotional where he taught the girls how to relate everything to the gospel of Christ.

-The rest of the day the girls made bracelets, put threads in their hair, played games and hung out until it was time for bed. I was so dead by 11 so I went to bed. The YCL's did a devotional in each cabin and I was so proud of them. Our's were Lucy Farnsworth and Aspen Twitchell. They girls finally decided to go to be around midnight. with the pain in my leg I didn't get much sleep at all!

Day 2

-We got up and had breakfast and a mini devotional and then headed to the lake for some fun in the sun. -It was a 30 minute walk to the lake and when we got there we were one of several groups so there had to be 200 hundred people in the tent waiting to get life jackets and instructions. It stressed me way out! Because of my leg I decided to not go out on the lake so I sat with a few of the leaders and the girls all went out and got to kayak, canoe and paddle boat around. They loved it and some of them got very very wet. One of our girls ended up having a panic attack so we had to get Brad Cowley one of our priesthood brethren that was there who is also a doctor and he helped her to calm down. It was pretty scary. Then we all walked back and had lunch.

-After lunch we made Courage Cards as a service project for an organization called Saprea that helps victims of child sexual abuse heal. The girls loved this.

-Then we made a craft. It was a 5X7 clear acrylic arch that we put vinyl affirmation sayings on. Velvet Graybeal made these for me using the affirmations Halley had chosen. The whole camp she used affirmations to help the girls come closer to Christ and they loved that. 

-Then we had dinner and got ready for testimony meeting. Jeff came up and ate with us and stayed for the testimony meeting. I was so glad he was there. I was really struggling with my leg the way it was. I made sure to get our picture of Jesus out. It was kind of funny to say "Can you help me put Jesus in the closet" each night. During my testimony a moose walked into our camp which freaked everybody out and caused a lot of chaos. Luckily he left quickly and we got the spirit back. It was a wonderful meeting and almost every girl mentioned the affirmations and how much they helped her. 

-The girls were up really really late this night and at one point Katie Cope was leading them through the cabins in a conga line- it was another restless night for me.

Day 3

-We got up early and packed up camp so that Maranda could leave with the trailer.

-Then we headed to the challenge course. I opted to not participate again due to my leg.

-Then we headed back to camp and had lunch and cleaned up an headed out to go home. 

-I was so happy to be heading home. It was hot and I was so dead from my leg and the lack of sleep.

-When I got home and jumped in the shower I found that the back of my left leg was covered in red blisters. I knew instantly that it was shingles and not sciatica as I had assumed. I went to the urgent care where they confirmed it and then to the pharmacy to get an anti viral pill and some more pain meds. I am glad it wasn't my back but I know from when Jeff had them that they SUCK! 

The camp committee was Amee Rock(logistics), Halley Seim(spiritual), Me(activities) and Maranda Taylor(food). We ate so well. We had pasta the first night, nacho bar the second and pancakes, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, smores and ice-cream. 

The people in my cabin were: Leaders-Me, Amee, Katie Snow and Elizabeth Sims. The girls were Clair and Lucy Farnsworth, Aspen Twitchell, Nia Setik, Aidia Hall, Emma Sims, Crystal Twitchell and Taylie Twitchell and Norah Farnsworth.

2025- Week 23(Jun 2- Jun 8)

I visited Joidee to check in with her. Her tumor has gotten a little worse so they told her to stop wearing the Optune device. I know that was hard for her because she had high hopes that using it would extend her life. They are going to try gamma knife surgery next and then more chemo. She is such a warrior.

We had to get the windshield replaced on the Toyota but when I took it in the car was throwing a code from the lane assist feature and they wouldn't replace it until we got the dealership to sign off on it so I had to drive there and spend another couple of hours and $95 to tell me there was no code that they could find. They called Busy Bee Windshield and let them know and I am scheduled to have it replaced now next Monday. Hopefully that works because I really want to get it done before we go to camp.

I did something to tweak my back on Friday and am now having symptoms of sciatica. I may have to try to get into the doctor if it doesn't improve quick because I'm not sure how I will survive at camp.

A few of the young women leaders came over this week and helped me finish the tiles for our picture. Here is the big reveal. I think the girls are going to love to see it come together. We plan to put it together the first night.

My wax bulb is still blooming. This is the longest of any I have had. 

Lindsey had to be transferred to the IMC hospital down here. She had been in the Idaho hospital for over a week while they tried to figure out her high bilirubin levels, dry eyes and mouth and strange symptoms. They finally diagnosed her with IgG4. It's a rare disease that attacks all the glands in your body. I am glad I got to see her but sad it had to be under these circumstances. Her parents were there too and it was fun to catch up. I went around my house and brought her a little care package of all kinds of things I think she might need.

Kevin had to have another surgery so I watched Melinda's kids. While Bronson and Brooklyn were at school I took Brody to breakfast at Kneaders. We had a good time. Then we went to the school to see the clap out for Brooklyn. She is moving on to junior high next year. She came out sobbing and couldn't stop crying because she is going to miss elementary school so much. I took all the kids to get ice cream afterwards and then we came to my house and made crafts.

2025- Week 22(May 26- Jun 1)

Memorial Day hike to Horsetail Falls in Alpine Utah. I wish I would have thought to look up the address for Jeff's grandma's old house in Alpine so that we could have drove by on our way home. The address is on the corner of 200 E and Center street for future reference. The hike was all up hill but so stunning. The falls was raging. We had to cross two streams. Luckily there was a rope that you could hang on to get down the last little bit of the trail. Ethan scrambled up to the top and Whitney said he was ruining people's pictures ha ha. We ran into a girl who was wearing the exact same t-shirt version of my Rome sweatshirt. Same color and everything so we had to get a photo together. The trail head was packed when we got there at 7:30 already so we had to park down the road and walk up which added about a mile to our hike. 

Later that day we went and saw the new Mission Impossible movie. It's hard to believe that we have loved these movies since 1996.

I have been working hard on getting all the tiles painted for our girls camp art project. We will have the girls help with some at the activity this week. There are 108 total so it's been a bit of an undertaking but I have been trying to do at least two a day.

This week was Seminary graduation. We had six graduates total. Matt Workman wasn't able to be there and Hallie left before we could get a photo with her but here are the others from left to right. Karli Graybeal, Brooklyn Barney, Molly McGuire and Nissa Olsen. So proud of these guys!