Paul's weekend and playing in the water

Rick's brother Paul passed away last week. He has struggled for some time different issues, and the time came that his body said, that's enough. He passed away, peacefully, surrounded by his family. His son, Dayne and daughter Caitlyn were there by his side, as were his parents, brothers and numerous others who love him.

It was a hard, sad time, but the family love in that room was overwhelming. There was a lot of visiting, remembering Paul over the years, talk of Bonzo Deer Camp, Paul being born "in charge" and fun times we all remembered. There were a lot of tears and a lot of laughter.

They were celebrating Oktober Fest at Kolob Rehab. Rick and Eric, always the clowns, came prancing into Paul's room looking like this
I know the picture isn't very good, but you get the idea. It was a light moment that we all liked. Then we had Brandon remove the plate of sauerkraut so we could breath again.
There were many light moments over the weekend. Here are some pictures of Paul's grandson, Kadyn, playing in Great Grandpa Bonzo's backyard, which was flooded with water. He brought light and laughter, at least to me, as I snapped these pictures.





Kadyn has Paul's gloves on his feet like flippers. LOL!




There was much laughter and happiness, family togetherness. I will miss Paul always, but I will try and take something from his life, from his example, and make something in my life better - for Paul - because of Paul. Out of sad things can come good things. I'll find those good things.

Baxter and Kadyn - best buddies.

Rickism and Youth Corrections

I think I’ve mentioned before that Rick and I go to Youth Corrections on Monday nights, for Family Home Evening with the boys housed there. There are 9-10 couples who go each week, and 10 boys at the most, that are housed in the long term area. This is a calling that Rick and I really enjoy. We are supposed to be good examples to our assigned boy and teach him the gospel.

In the past we have had great experiences with the boys we have met with. We always worry about what they will do and how they will do after they are released. We have had 2 boys prior to our current one. Our first one was John, and we got quite attached to him. Coming from a home where there was no background of family, but a lot of selling drugs, and various “house guests”. He was unique and had a huge chip on his shoulder. We really worried about him, justifiably so. We’ve seen him once in the past year and he had reverted back to his negative, the world owes me, self. Rick offered to help him find a job, he wasn’t interested, but he was interested in us giving him money, which we did NOT. Anyway, we always read the arrest notices in the paper, and sure enough, before long there was his name, he was arrested for drugs. THEN we get a call from him about help with a job.

We also got very attached to a boy named Brittan. He came from a better home, not great, but the kids love each other and help each other. He told us about one Christmas going out and stealing a doll for his little sister, something she really wanted, and the big brothers couldn’t disappoint her. He has solid grandparents that have helped him when they can. He is awesome; we really grew to love him. When he got out he stayed here in Cedar, he wanted to stay away from his friends in St. George. He went to a semester of school at SUU and has a job locally. I’ve talked to him since he got out but we’ve not been able to get with him yet. He called and left me a message and I’ve tried several times to get back to him at work, with no luck. I really feel like he will make it. Great kid, bad choices.

Now we have Daniel, a quiet 16 (his birthday is today) year old from the Vernal area. He's warming up to us and even smiles occasionally. We don't know what his offense was, we aren't allowed to ask, but he is supposed to be released in August. We knew with John and Brittan what they had done, they voluntarily told us.

Well, all that said just so I could tell you about another “Rickism”. It was our turn to be host couple last night. This means that we are in charge of the prayer, thought, music and treats. I told Rick yesterday morning that if he would get the lesson I would get the treats, fair trade I thought.

He got out the Family Home Evening Manual and studied a lesson. While we were sitting in the parking lot at the correctional facility, I asked him about the lesson and he said he was waiting for a “revolution”. I cracked up; he smiled and asked what the right word was. I could have told him it was a revelation or inspiration but instead I refused to tell him, I just said “boy, you really need to go to church more often.” I did tell him that he was waiting for a war of sorts, an over through of a government. LOL! Love that man!

Rick's Wordless Wednesday

Stevie's Wordless Wednesday

Remembering our Freedom Fighters

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. Am I remembering the things and people that I should be remembering? In Canada this occasion is call Remembrance Day. That's what I need to do, remember those who have sacrificed for me to live free, to be free to chose how I worship, free from persecution.

My dad and father-in-law both served in the service. My dad was in the Navy, and Rick's dad was in the National Guard. They both served honorably. Rick's dad served in World War II and the Korean War, was actually wounded in World War II. My dad has been gone for 25 years and didn't leave us with much information about his service, and Rick's dad doesn't want to remember what he did or saw. This should serve as a good reminder that we need to journalize things that happen in our lives, then our children and grand-children will be able to read about our lives. Reminder to me - write in that journal more often.

Anyway, on this Memorial Day, I will humbly remember my Dad and Rick's dad and be ever so thankful for their service. I will also remember those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice for me, and for you.

I will also remember, in my prayers, the families of soldiers lost, families of soldiers currently serving and families piecing lives back together after the safe return of their loved ones.

Always remember.....

Jell-O capital of the world - well not quite the world

Reading Suburb Sanity the other day, Deb had posted about going to military functions when her husband was in the Navy. Every dinner function they attended, Banana Pudding was on the table, every time, including the going away party that was held for them when their 4 year enlistment was up.

It got me thinking about Utah’s rich heritage and our penchant for Jell-O, you know the wiggly, squish through your teeth stuff that we see at all our Church and family functions? So I Googled “Utah Jell-O” and came up with some valuable information.

Did you know that if you live in Utah you are living in the “Jell-O Belt”, also referred to in Wikipedia as The Mormon Corridor. Jell-O has been designated as Utah’s official snack food, apparently because Utah has been the highest per capita consumer of Jell-O for many years.

In a current article in Salt Lake Magazine, Jeremy Pugh talks about growing up around LDS families and that Jell-O was a staple at gatherings, to satisfy the children and their sweet-tooth {or is it sweet "teeth"?}

There is a wide variety of flavors, but the flavor of choice at the weekly Sweetheart Grandma Gathering is “red”. Hum, like Jeremy said “is that a flavor”?

Swine flu news flash

My good friend Kami has a darling daughter named Brinley. Well she was sick over the weekend and she told her mom that she thought she had the swine flu. Kami, not missing a beat, said "OH NO, SMELL YOUR SKIN, DO YOU SMELL LIKE BACON?" Cute little thing said "I think I do". So if you smell like a hunk of breakfast meat, you might have the swine flu. LOL!