Dane – Gracious Rain

June 8, 2025July 11, 2025

Good-bye, Again

And just when we thought we had them, for real this time…they’re off again. Dane will be attending school in Arkansas for a year and then going wherever the job market takes him. I know he needs to do this, but that only helps my heart a tiny bit.

I’d love to dream that something, someday would bring them back here, to stay. But, honestly, I don’t know if anything ever really will. They love traveling and having adventures and being in new places all the time. I think we must just be too sedate for these little nomads. *sigh*

I’ll miss them more than they will ever know.

I’ll miss all the hugs

and the impromptu drop ins

and the lending books

and the dinner invites

and that cute face looking in my door window

and the Mr Grinch parties

and those lovely whiskers

and putting special candy in the treat jar

and going to summer booths

and the little shy smiles

and…

*sigh* again.

Believe it or not, this is me…

being brave.

May 20, 2025July 7, 2025

Arkansas Skies

My boy Dane and his boy Merrick went on a road trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas.

They camped a bit on the road and had a lovely time.

Even had a little rain. But who’s afraid of a little rain–right?

Ummmmm….until it changes to a bunch of this nasty looking stuff and we get this text from Dane:

Next I get a scary, very emotional call from Kortney, at home, saying that the guys are in the hotel and the sirens are blaring, the power is off and they’ve been evacuated to a lower hallway. They are crouched on the floor, in the dark with their heads against the wall…praying.

Sent the message out to the ENTIRE family to please, PLEASE, PRAY!

We watched the weather service and it was not looking good. They were expecting the tornado to rip the roof off of the hotel.

Praying. Praying. Praying. Praying. Praying. Praying. Praying. Praying.

Dane is comforting his terrified 7 year old saying, “Be brave, Merrick. Heavenly Father will protect us.”

Then, the miracle happened.

The weatherman said, “Well, would you look at that?! Sometimes a tornado will take a sharp turn and go the other way, for no reason at all. We call that a hook.”

A hook that completely went around Fayetteville.

We call that...a miracle.

Our boys are safe.

Thank you Heavenly Father for being so good to us.

Prayers work.

May 10, 2025July 6, 2025

My New Flagpole!

So, we had this nasty patch on the side of the driveway that didn’t grow anything but weeds and ugly stuff and was just creepy and embarrassing.

Till one day, my cute boy came over and tilled it all up…

and dug a big, deep hole, and filled it with cement…

for the new flagpole that Rhen gave me for Christmas!!

Christmas AND Mother’s Day all at the same time! WAHOOOO!

They even hand printed it for me!

Awwwww…I LOVE it!

Thanks boys!! You’re making one of my dreams come true.

It seemed only fitting that my most patriotic son should be the one…

to hang our big, beautiful flag.

I love that it is on the side where the business parking light is. It will shine on our flag all night long.

But the best part…

is the view from my kitchen window.

Love. Love. Love.

April 5, 2025June 19, 2025

Conference Like Never Before

April and October General Conference are a HUGE favorite at our house. But this year we had a little extra fun, on top of the usual!! I got to spend the Saturday sessions with Dane and Kortney and the kids. It was positively wonderful.

It’s been so lovely having these guys back with us. And I finally, finally got brave enough to drive clear out to their house BY MYSELF. I know, I know–what a baby, right? Well, I did it.

Take that Eagle Mountain! HA! I’m not scared of you anymore!