With All My Love

Dear Tanner and Hunter,

For two reasons, I've found myself crying many times this weekend. So sad to hear Elder L. Tom Perry passed away. No matter how small the connections may be, it still hurts when they're (temporarily) severed. Love that he took time from his busy schedule to visit baby Ben in the PICU in Primary Children's hospital. "When the Chief  tells me to do something...I do it!" I loved this quote. I think it describes him perfectly: "It has been said that ideas go booming through the world like cannons. Elder Perry’s booming voice carried his words far and wide, but it was his spiritual strength and positive perspective that sent his cherished ideas on faith, family and freedom booming to the four corners of world and into the hearts of millions." So thankful he touched our loves in such a small but profound manner.

And the second reason for my tears? I'm going to be a mother-in-law. I get another daughter. At least five years ago I was mourning not having a daughter, and then remembered someday I would be gaining six. Silly me. I can't tell you how touched knowing our family is expanding in such a manner has touched my heart. Welcome, AnnMarie! Tanner is so lucky to have found you. (And your comment about just learning how to spell our last name cracked me up! I remember thinking, "Thank goodness I know how to say it!")

I've booked a few airplane tickets for July. Can't wait for our mini family vacation. Breyer insists we visit the zoo. She's been waiting so long to see the animals she reads about. Fort Worth is suppose to be in the top five for the United States. Definitely a family picture, lots of good food, our local beach, a frisbee golf course, Apples to Apples...lots of fun ideas being thrown out for that long weekend.

Sawyer and Miller will be going tomorrow, and then they're done. They both enjoyed their award ceremonies, and will be glad when tomorrow's half day is over. Porter and Cooper finished Friday, and are opting out on tomorrow. Cooper has a friend coming over to finish an airplane they began building on Saturday afternoon. Wait until you see what they've built!

The rain has finally ended last night. The whole month of May has been rain, the most rain Texas has ever seen in the month of May. Now we're in summer. High eighties all week. Today was beautiful! I felt like I was sitting in my own spa, rejuvenating. These are my very own Toy Story clouds ;-)

Dad loves the road runner that visits our yard. Every time he sees it in the yard, he grabs the camera and starts clicking. I'm sharing some of his love.

Dad found a recipe for taco bowls he wanted to try, and gave me the night off. They were a big hit! Except with Breyer. She opted for nachos instead. Any time someone cooks I'm happy to sit!

It was fun to see Tanner in his companion/roommate's wedding. Looking forward to more pictures!

Porter attended seminary graduation tonight. Yeah. One more year to go for him, fourteen more years for me ;-) Breyer and I had to sneak out of church early today, thank goodness I wasn't teaching. She had the Big D. I suppose I thought the two earlier incidents were flukes, but nothing like her yelling, "No, I can't hold my poop any longer!" in the middle of the sacrament ordinance. We hastily retreated, and spent the morning back at home. She's a hoot!

I hope your weeks are both wonderful. I'm beginning summer with your brothers, and need to come up with lots of fun. Come home and help!

Lots of love,

Mom