2nd Time in 32 Years!!!

This year marks the second time in our married lives that we have canned peaches together-well without fighting that is.  Our kids know that this is nothing short of a miracle but I think we have finally conquered our differences-at least in this one area.  19 quarts of canned peaches and 15 quarts of frozen!
Then last Friday, while I was away, Jeff did 20 more quarts of frozen peaches! He is amazing:)

Life

A few Sundays ago in our ward, a young woman played a violin solo. I admire anyone who plays a string instrument. I have never attempted to play, so I have no personal reference point, but it seems so difficult to know where to place your fingers to achieve the right note. As she was playing, at times the notes were just a little off but the overall music was beautiful with clear tone.
I had the impression that our lives are very much like that. Sometimes we are just a little off. We may have difficulities-trials, weaknesses and disappointments we must endure. But for the most part, if we stay close to Heavenly Father and trust and have faith in Him, our lives have a clear path and we have peace.
I know He loves each of us and is always near to help us reach our potential-our perfect tone-our divine identity made known to us through Him.

31 Years!

On August 23rd 31 years ago, the day I was sealed to my love and best friend, I thought I knew what love was. In the years that have come and gone since then, through all the events in life, I have grown to love him more deeply than words can express. He has supported me through thick and thin. He gave me the opportunity to be at home and raise my children. He has shouldered heavy burdens and still has a smile at the end of the day. He is the one I love the most in this world and I am so blessed to be his wife. I love you Jeff Elder!!!!

On a Lighter Note:)

Each morning I take Panda for a walk. She lives for this! Really! As soon as I wake up, she follows me around staring at me and I know she is thinking, "When is she going to put her shoes on?! Please, please, please let it be soon!"
But I too have grown to love these walks. It's not to exercise my body but to clear and refresh my mind. I walk the same path almost every day. I go along the canal and down Wheadon lane. It's like walking in the country. I took some pictures today to share the peaceful scene.
The house is my friend Judy's. It is like taking a step back in time. I could just look at the chairs and the tire swing and go back to summers when I was young. Good memories!

Love Hurts!!

So after my post last week this one might seem strange but here goes. Most people who know me fairly well know that I am a compulsive cleaner. If there is a spot on the tile-I wipe it up, if there is a stain on the stove, I get out the Soft Scrub with Bleach. My kids will tell you that when they were younger, I would get upset at them if they made footprints in the carpet I just vacuumed-that's probably true.
But last week some of my kids and all of my grandkids left the state of Utah. My Michigans went back to Michigan. And my Provoians moved to Texas-Texans. AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I have cried and eaten, eaten and cried. Nothing seems to take the pain away. But-I have this one reminder that I will keep for a while-small little handprints on my mirror and back door. I'm not getting the Windex or paper towels out-I'm loving thinking about those small ones and the love I have for them:)

One of the Best Weeks of My Life

This past week has been crazy and crazy good. Everyone in my family-minus Russ-was here for Scott and Emily's wedding. I have to say that the time together with my kids and grandkids was heaven. We were able to spend hours together eating, boating, slip and sliding, walking, going to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house, with the week's highlight being together in the Draper Temple for Scott and Emily's wedding. My family is my greatest treasure. I love them all to my very soul. We may be spread apart but we are all together in spirit.

It's back!

This is just a simple joy. When I was in high school and the first few years of college, Estee Lauder made this fragrance called Aliage. It is my favorite. Yesterday, while looking for a dress to wear to Scott and Emily's wedding (that is another story-hours of looking with no success-but I know I will prevail) I saw it at the Estee Lauder counter when passing. I was so excited that I bought a bottle-or thought I did. Turns out I bought "Azuree"-what in the world! How disappointing! The sales clerk must have misunderstood. But I will take it back and get Aliage. Don't you love when something you love is gone and then comes back again. This is just a small example of that.