True Value of Work

So ... how do you teach your kids the true value of work? Well, one way we did it this past weekend was yard work. We had 30 cubic square yards of mulch delivered on Friday! We split the truck load with our neighbors, the Hardys. A full truck load -- a little to much mulch. As the kids trickled home on the bus, we put them to work. We worked all afternoon and evening Friday. My back is paying the price now but all of the kids worked. Lindsey was the hardest worker, TJ said he was the hardest worker, Ashley played on the big mound of mulch and Blake even got in the action by filling his bucket with mulch and bringing it to me. Ashley and Blake's favorite part was riding in the wheel barrel on the way back to reload it with mulch.

I think we had a great time together as we worked. A family memory of mulch and pizza for dinner in the front yard.

Ashley is 7

Ashley's birthday was last Friday. We had her party on Saturday. 7 girls at Club Libby Lu! They had a blast! Ashley had a great time. She wanted to wear her hair like that to church on Sunday -- her hair made it through the night but when she asked if she could wear the crown to church I had to say no. No princesses at church.

April 30 -- a surreal day!

The last couple of weeks have been busy for me and the family. April 30 was a very surreal day for me. First, my oldest turned 13 on April 30. I now have a teenager in the house!

He was a good sport for us because Jon and I had to be out of town. I don't think he really cared because he got his birthday gifts early!

Jon and I flew to Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 29 for the viewing and funeral of our dear friend Rich Lloyd. Rich had been fighting brain and spinal cancer for the last 8 months. What a valiant fight he led! He fought with grace, dignity and optimism -- never once losing sight of what is truly important in life. He taught us so much over the last 9 years but especially in these last 8 months.

As we landed at the airport and prepared to go the viewing and funeral, I was overwhelmed with sadness and a little bit of dread -- who wants to attend a funeral of a good friend at the age of 36? Surreal! The viewing was very crowded and we waited in line for 2 hours. What a blessing it was to hug our dear friend Marianne as she stood so strong beside her husband's casket. The funeral was truly amazing! What a testament to the plan of salvation and the belief that we have that families will be together forever. The spirit that was there was amazing.




These were pictures taken of us (Texas friends) at the graveside ceremony. I can't really express the love that we all feel for each other. Our time and friendships in Texas are so special. We will be forever friends! We were blessed that night to gather at the Training Table restaurant in SLC. Marianne came and spent a couple of hours with us. She is so amazing!

As I have reflected on the time we spent in SLC, I realized what a special moment those two days were for Jon and I and how blessed we were to call Rich a great friend.