Old Friends

I write from time to time about my neighbors... most of us have lived here in this beautiful spot for thirty years. We've raised families.....we've seen joy and sadness in each of our lives. We haven't just watched people live, we have lived with each other, and so we love each other. And because of that, when one experiences joy we all feel that joy, and when one experiences sadness we all feel the sadness. It is such a comforting feeling to be a part of a neighborhood of what I like to call "old friends". On summer evenings I can sit out on my porch, just as twilight comes and it starts to cool down...I can almost here one of the kids yell "over the can on Mandy" and then the screams of all the others as they run in to kick the can before they get caught. But of course it is not those kids screams I hear, but new young kids who are out playing their games. Different kids, different games, but the same, because they are the children of this magical neighborhood. Where everyone knows everybody and cares what happens to you and sticks together. No one ever wants to leave to find a bigger house or a grander area to live in, because they would rather be with their "old friends". So we all fix up our homes and add on if we have to, because our real estate in this little part of the world is more valuable than any amount of money you could place on it. It is the kind of place that, when married children come back, everyone knows them and we can tell their children stories about their parents as young kids and what kind of characters they were. On July 4th we have a wonderful breakfast in the Jorgensen's backyard. All the neighbors come and their married kids and families...how fun to get together and see people we knew from the time they were born and now they have children of their own. We give hugs, we laugh, we sometimes share a tear over someone who isn't with us anymore. But there is a tie that cannot be broken....because we have lived with one another and shared the most important moments of our lives with these beautiful people...our dear "old friends".

How do you spend your days?

Monday, Wednesday and Friday I get to spend the day with this little guy! Doesn't matter what else is going on...all's you have to do is pick him up and give him a hug and all is well with the world.

We've run away

We were suppose to go home Saturday, but decided to stay and watch more baseball, so going home Monday. I think we will have fit in about 9 games while we were here visiting. Each kid twice! Very fun! Today we went to church. It was James and Becky's ward conference and Jim and I were sitting in SS when Brad Larson walked in to visit for a minute. He was there with the Stake YM...so it was fun to see him and give him a hug. He left Gabi to go to church alone with the 4 and she was speaking as well, because she had been called to teach Seminary! How are you doing all this Gabi! Anyway, it has been fun seeing the eastern side of the family...we fly west tomorrow.

Today's Activities

Jim, Jamey and I travelled to Gettysburg today.  It is about two hours from where James and Becky live, so we were gone most of the day.  It was well worth the trip to see the wonderful history and national park.  (Pictures to come in upcoming blog).  We've had a lot of rain today and much to everyone's disappointment, Jack's game got cancelled!  He was so sad, but hopefully they will be able to reschedule while we are still here.  Hogan found out today that he made it on the 9 year old travelling soccer team (he's 7) of course, these boys are wonders, no one ever had such darling, talented grandchildren (anyone of you care to comment?)  After drying Jack's tears we went bowling where Grampa came in 1st, James was 2nd, and Grama was 3rd! (Haven't bowled in about 20 years, I cheated and used the bumpers) then went to get Mexican for dinner, so the day ended well.  Luke keeps us laughing continually. We are having a great time.

Bulletin from the Ballpark

While Taylor is warming up, so are the other boys (I think Luke is warming up for the choir)! Taylor's team team played great scoring 8 runs in the first couple innings. Tay got 2 doubles and 2 singles. It was his last game of the season, so on to the travelling team. Tomorrow we watch Jack!

Straight from Philly

Jim and I took the redeye and landed here in Philadelphia with 4 redeyes on Sunday morning!  We have all ready been to three baseball games with one every night this week which is the reason we are here visiting the PA DeSpain gang!  So much fun to see these growing boys and their parents who, because of their baseball skills are not coming to Utah this summer, but will probably come to visit at Christmas.  Taylor is not a little kid anymore...Jack is a famous left handed pitcher out here.  Hogan is missing 6 teeth and all the brothers agree that he is by far the most gifted athlete.  Luke is also missing teeth and has just gone golfing with his dad and grampa in his plaid shorts and golf shirt.  I will show pictures in the next blog!  We are having a great time!

Black Jack

I have a very special nephew.  He's not just a nephew, he's a friend.  He visits when I'm sick, he makes me laugh, he likes to sit and chat about stuff, oh and did I say he makes me laugh?? Last night we had kind of an informal party for dinner.  Benji and Bud stopped by to eat.  Then Tyler dropped in.  Whitney and Melanie came over after Yoga and then Jason dropped in.  Jim was off entertaining the YM, so after dinner Nick and the rest of the group sat down to watch the finals of American Idol...much more fun to watch as a group than by yourself.  We all had much to say about the singing while Whitney and Jason sat looking on appalled ( they are not fans) cast our votes and then the party broke up. Afterwards Nick, Benji and I visited for awhile.  Again I was reminded that Benji  not only has a funny sense of humor, but is also very wise when it comes to religion, relationships and a number of other topics.  I'm glad he came to visit along with the rest of the crowd.  They are welcome anytime!!  It is great to feel good and have people over to share the feeling with.

Beautiful Whitney

I was rushed the other day and put a not very attractive photo of my daughter on my blog. She is beautiful and I am sorry for misrepresenting her to the world. (Refer to her birthday blog) That is how she really looks, or go sign up for her yoga class to see how lovely and graceful she is!!!!

Mother's Day

This is the beautiful Melanie, she comes to visit us once in a while and brings Tyler with her. We love having her around. Yesterday they came over and gave me James Taylor tickets for Mothers Day!!!!

Whitney helped Jim fix a delicious dinner and set a beautiful table. It looked perfect because of her special touch. Nick brought me flowers, with a little money tucked inside for some flowers to plant outside. He was especially thoughtful and brought Abby flowers for her first Mothers day too! Then he rocked Jake to sleep. Abby and I didn't mean to dress just alike, but I guess great minds think alike. (We are both mother's of great people). It was fun to share the day with my beautiful daughter. Jim worked hard fixing the meal for Abby and I. We loved having the Latimer's over and of course Jim had fun with Jake. Having the Jazz win made it a perfect day. Now I get to start planting flowers!

A Different Place

I spent some time recently in a different place with a different group of people. They were strangers who soon became beloved friends. Somehow it was different there. Things were simpler. If someone slipped up, everyone was sad, but encouraging... if someone got their feelings hurt, they got their feelings hurt and then they got over it. When anyone accomplished the simplist of tasks everyone was happy. When somebody moved on we were sad, because we would miss our brother or sister, but so happy that they were progressing. We found pleasure in small things. Fresh air, music, quiet meditation, prayer, an understanding heart. I love the people in this different place and the angels who showed us the way. I stand in awe of these new friends. They have such grace, such dignity and love in their heart for all people. They are truly Christ like. When I went to the different place I didn't know anyone, but I was loved and accepted no matter what...I was taught what being unselfish was truly like. Sometimes I was taught this by someone who was a bit rough around the edges. I found out that angels are sometimes rough around the edges. I have a friend who is leaving "A Different Place" tomorrow...How I love her and want her to know how important and special she is and what a great thing she has accomplished. Not many people realize how difficult a challenge this has been and how strong a person must be to recognize their problem, be humble, be obedient, have faith and then brave enough to face the world on their own. I love seeing her bright shining face and the beautiful smile that radiates from her. She shines! She is loved by God and by her friends in A different place....