You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up, Folks

Last night I was visiting with Marja after Pack Meeting and as our conversation progressed, I told her the following story.  She told me that I needed to add it to my blog, so here goes...

Jenni and Cordell bought a condo just before they were married.  It was dirt cheap and a great deal, so great in fact that I wasn't sure it was legit.  However, when all was said and done it ended up being the deal of the century and they now have a cute little place to call home.  

Jenni and Cordell had Greg and I come take a look before the sale was final.  As we were going through the house I asked them if it had A/C.  I could not see a unit anywhere.  Jenni assured me that yes, it did have A/C.  I remained unsure, but whatever...it wasn't my house. 

After they were married they could not figure out why the A/C was not working.  They had tried everything with the thermostat and still no luck.  They had purchased a home warranty with the house so they decided that when they returned from Hawaii that they would have someone come out and see what was wrong with the air conditioning.  

Upon returning from Hawaii and encountering 100 plus degree weather here in Utah, they contacted a repairman to come out and see what was up.  He told Jenni on the phone that it was probably just something simple like a switch or something.  I was still a little skeptical...

When the repairman arrived and inspected the home he discovered that the home did not have air conditioning.  Surprise! ( at least to them haha )   Hmmm...no wonder it was not working ;)  Jenni called me and could not figure out how that could of happened.  I asked why she thought it had it and she said because on the inspection paper the little box by "air conditioner" was checked.  Wow.  Any of you reading this and know Jenni realize that this comment makes perfect sense to her.  My concern is Cordell....I always thought this young man was pretty bright.  Maybe not so much :)  Or maybe she is just rubbing off on him.  Either way, one of them should have figured this out. 

But wait!  The story gets better.  Since they recently discovered that their home does not have A/C, Jenni and  Cordell went out shopping for window units to get them through this summer  (They plan to install a permanent system next Spring).  While they were shopping, Jenni called me with some questions.  She was wondering how many units they would need to buy.  *Sigh*  Really?  All they needed to do was look to see how many square feet the unit cools and do the math comparing the square footage of their home.  Not exactly rocket science -- at least for some people ;)  

She was calling me during my conversation with Marja and we were both (Marja and I)  dying of laughter by the time I hung up.  Thus the encouragement by Marja to blog about this.  Silly kids. 

First Sleepover At Grandma's House

Last week Tara and Austin celebrated their 3 year anniversary and asked if I would watch Aubri overnight for them.  Sure!  I had her almost 24 hours straight and she was an angel.  I cannot get over what a good little baby she is. 

 I took her for a walk, played outside with her, sat on the porch where we watched people go by, read books, played patty cake, gave her a bath and many more other silly things that I do not normally do anymore.  It was great. 

My favorite thing I did  with her was snuggling.  There is nothing that can make the world stand still quicker than to hold a sweet, innocent baby and watch her slowly go to sleep.  When she got tired, she just nestled into my arms.  So sweet.  She went to sleep at 7 pm, woke up for one hour around 9:30 pm and then went right back to sleep until 5:00 am. When she woke up at 5:00 am it was because she was cold so I brought her into my bed where she cuddled right up to me and went right back to sleep until 8:30 am. (the picture above is when she was in my bed.  Not sure how comfortable that position was, but she did not seem to mind too much so I left her).

Yes, I was tired the next day --not sure why other than I am just plain OLD, but it was worth it.  I can't wait to have more sleepovers with more grandchildren someday.  Did you get that Christopher and Jenni??? 

My Be Still Time

Each morning I try to take a walk.  Sometimes that doesn't always happen, but I try.  I do not allow anyone to come with me--it is just my rule and my family knows it.  I do not want chatter and conversation.  I want quiet.   It is my time to think and ponder and receive inspiration.  I am amazed how many times I have thought of answers to questions troubling me at various times just by taking this solitary walk.  There really is something to the wise counsel given to us by President Hinckley years ago--Be Still.  

When I was in Boise I was able to take my walks each morning.  This picture is of a field that I passed each day.  So quiet and tranquil.  All I could hear were birds chirping and singing.  It is a great way to start the day and remember that Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth for each of us to enjoy. 

It Was Perfect

“Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”
― Gordon B. Hinckley

I have always loved this quote and it perfectly described the feelings I had as I watched Jenni and Cordell be sealed in the Bountiful temple for time and all eternity.  It was certainly a day full of "...beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed..."   Everything was perfect...they were in the right place, at the right time with the right person.

The day was  wonderful, beautiful, exhausting, thrilling, hot, fun, tearful and playful.  There were some crazy, unexpected moments --Greg's mother stepping off the curb wrong at the temple and having to be rushed to the ER only to have her foot diagnosed as broken.  As well as some fun moments, like Greg and I taking to the dance floor and showing the young'uns how we still have our groove.  Some tearful moments--when we were watching a video depicting Jenni and Cordell growing up and I happened to look beside me to find Greg in tears.  At this point I leaned over to Jenni who was on my other side and told her that her father was a "hot mess".  He is the emotional one and he was certainly wearing his heart on his sleeve.  It was actually very tender and touching.  However, I am proud to say that I actually went through the entire day without shedding one tear.  I think the joy I felt that this day had finally come outweighed any possibility of tears.

It will be a few years until our next wedding (hopefully!) but today I am full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father for placing these wonderful people into our family...all three of them:   Austin, Samantha and Cordell.   I am indeed grateful that the Lord is "...letting me (you) have the ride."