Quotes of the Week

When we are engaged in service to others, we think less about ourselves, and the Holy Ghost can more readily come to us.
--Henry B. Eyring

God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability.
--Neal A. Maxwell

God's objective should be our objective. He wants His children to choose to return to Him, prepared, qualified, endowed, sealed and faithful to covenants made in holy temples.
--Russell M. Nelson

Ben's Family in New York; Clean Game Closet; School Starts

 It has been so quiet around here since the family visiting ended. 

I had so much looked forward to my morning walks so I could get out of the house for a while, move my body and enjoy being out in nature. 

With the fires burning and so much smoke in the air, I have not been going walking the last week to spare my lungs the bad air. The hazy atmosphere does make for beautiful sunsets, though.

It seems that the only time I leave the house is to get take-out restaurant food and to get Walmart take-out groceries. They handed us a free sample of a fresh peach one week. That made me happy!

Time for another home church Sunday.

Rebecca brought Spencer and Madison over one day so the rest of the family could go see the theater production of "Mary Poppins." She has been elated that we have given up our theater tickets this year to them so I can avoid being in a crowd.

She was sporting her new outfit, wondering if the animal print was a bit too bold for her. I think she looks amazing in it and told her to wear it with pride!!!

While I was super happy she was so happy to be going to a play, I had to resign myself to the fact that we really do nothing fun and exciting at all.

My highlight continues to be when someone comes to see us. It was Ben's turn to mow the grass. That means we got to enjoy a smiley, busy boy Kade for a while. And then we bought lunch to thank them for the yard work.

It was fun for Kade to have two of his cousins here that day.

After lunch Kade was having an enjoyable time climbing up on his grandpa and jumping off onto the floor. I was amazed Glen didn't seem to be in any discomfort during all that considering having a full tummy.

We went to the wedding reception of one of our missionaries Cody Merrell and his wife Kierstin. They had gotten married a week or so earlier in the San Diego Temple.

Two other missionaries arrived--Dylan Allred and Nate Wilson. It was so nice to get out of the house and go on that little drive to Draper. 

Not sure if I can express in words just how much I despise wearing a mask. That's one of the perks of rarely going anywhere. No need of wearing a mask.

We had a visit from former missionary McKell Childs. 

Sabbath Day once again.

Monday morning I was happy to get the bathrooms cleaned before it was time to pick up Ben's family to take them to the airport. 

They had made plans to spend 2 weeks in New York with Haley's parents the first half of July. But, the coronavirus put a crimp in their plans and they weren't able to go.

Amazon is sending Ben to work in Pennsylvania for 3 weeks, so they decided to go a week early to vacation with Haley's family. She will stay there with them the 3 weeks Ben is working. He will be able to go see them on the weekends. Fun trip for this little family before the baby is due.

It is such a blessing Kade is not yet required to wear a mask. That would be a long plane ride for all of them trying to keep a mask on him. Haley has been having him practice wearing a mask. It might hide his cute smile, but his beautiful eyes are shining through.

I decided to get productive one day. At the beginning of the year I set the goal of cleaning out the basement game closet. It has only taken me 8 months to get around to it. But, I am reaching my goal before the end of the year!! 

Perhaps I dread this closet so much because I have a memory of Mom not enjoying the project of cleaning out the hall closet of the house where I grew up. That closet had games in it and paper supplies and other various things. It would get messy and then would look so nice once she got it cleaned and straightened. 

I felt the sense of accomplishment she must have felt each time she tackled that closet.

As with most projects, a bigger mess ensues before any progress is made. I pulled every box out, opened it up and inspected it to see if the box was intact. If it was ripped or the corners had split, I taped it up. That part of the project is what took the longest.

There were lots of random puzzle pieces and games pieces on the shelves, so I tried to get them back in their respective boxes. I still have a bag full of puzzle pieces I am going to need Rebecca's help to figure out which puzzle boxes they belong to.

Let's take a moment to admire the finished project.

Here's a side-by-side photo to really be able to appreciate the before and after.

The time had come for school to begin. Jacob's children have been able to attend school every day (except Claire who is being homeschooled). 

Earlier this week Logan wasn't feeling great so he stayed home from school. The principal called and said he has to have a negative Covid test or a letter from his doctor saying he isn't contagious before he can go back (or wait 10 days). 

Jacob said Logan has missed 4 days of school this week as they are awaiting his Covid test results. In a normal year he would have only missed the one day. Times have changed...

Rebecca's children started school this week. They attend on Mondays and Wednesdays and have remote learning at home the other three days of the week.

Sarah's boys have homeschool every day. Sarah wasn't that happy to hear that this is how it's going down for them in Las Vegas, but at least she feels more prepared for home learning with their homeschool room all fixed up.

Sometimes Jonah is the one needing the most attention while his brothers are busy doing their schooling. 

The homeschoolers are fortunate enough to not have to wear masks all during school. 

The boys did have to don their masks to attend church. 

Surprisingly, Sarah reported they did a really good job keeping their masks on all through the meeting.

Quotes of the Week

We can follow the example of our Lord and Savior, who, when tempted in the wilderness, said, "Get thee behind me, Satan." We each have to learn by the experiences of life how to do that.
--Ronald A. Rasband

Making our homes sanctuaries wherein we can "stand in holy places" is essential in these latter days. And as important as home-centered and Church-supported learning is for our spiritual strength and protection today, it will be even more vital in the future.
--David A. Bednar

Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
--Russell M. Nelson

Quotes of the Week

Because Christ conquered death and darkness, virtually every trial and test we have in life can be turned to our advantage, and every righteous choice we make can be made with confidence and faith. That is why whatever the challenge we face, we are to "be of good cheer".
--Jeffery R. Holland

How can we ever become like our great Exemplar if we don't face trials similar to those that made Him who He is? Likewise, how can we as parents help our own children progress if we don't allow them and even encourage them to do hard things?
--Lynn G. Robbins

Remember that discipleship is not about doing things perfectly; it's about doing things intentionally. It is your choices that show what you truly are, far more than your abilities.
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Cook-out in the Canyon; Farewell to Jacob; Farewell to Sarah

The cook-out we had in the canyon when Sarah was here had been a fun activity. We decided it definitely needed to be included in the schedule with Jacob's family here.

The children enjoyed climbing, wading in the river and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.

This time Glen was able to walk in his boot to the camp site rather than using his peg-leg like he did last time. This was much easier for him once he got down the little hill. 

Then it was time to say good-bye. Jacob's family was leaving super early the next morning.

Sarah's family left the next day. They spent the morning cleaning up the basement where they had been staying.

The little boys were getting in their last playtime before the long car ride. Although, at this point they were "on a road trip to California." 

Sarah said they are going to be sad when they stop in Nevada...and stay there. HAHA!!!!

We had to get one last take-out meal in before Sarah (and I) were finished vacationing and had to get back to cooking again.

With the boys having full tummies, they left and were on their way home. It was good to get both Jacob's and Sarah's messages that they had arrived home safely.

I did some laundry and a little cleaning that afternoon. I was lonely with everyone gone.

Glen had been anxious to get to the basement and get his foot up in the recliner. I decided to take myself up to Bountiful Boulevard and watch the sunset like I had done with Natalie.

I was sad Natalie and Emma had missed the sidewalk chalk art that I saw that evening. 

The sunset was extra spectacular that evening with the clouds in the sky.

Both Jacob and Laurie and Jeff and Sarah celebrated their wedding anniversaries the first part of August. Jeff and Sarah had a little escape date going to Olive Garden. 

Sunday was upon us again. It was a lot less busy and a lot more quiet during our home sacrament meeting.

Two of our former missionaries stopped by for a visit: Sydnie Wood and Ali Dupaix.

We had some Kade play time while Ben mowed the lawn.

It is always a relief to get the lawn mowed and we are so thankful when another week goes by having had the yard help.

Then it was Sunday once again and another week of home church. This time we had a visitor.

Our mission nurse, Lynn Maughan, was in town taking care of a family member and had contacted us to see if we could get together. She needed a break from her nursing duties. We were happy to oblige. 

I emphasized how it was not a bother at all to go pick her up in South Ogden and return her back there when we were finished. It was such a nice thing to get out of the house and go for a Sunday drive. And we just love our dear friend Lynn, so it was a double bonus that day.

She was happy we not only invited her to have Sunday dinner with us, but we also invited her to join us for our home sacrament meeting and Come Follow Me studies. She loved it and we loved having her with us.

Sarah has learned her boys will be starting school all remotely, so she got busy changing their toy room into a homeschool room. When she gets an idea in her head, she doesn't rest until it's done. 

She's very creative and has come up with an impressive learning area for her boys. I am sure the Excell boys will excel in their schoolwork this year with their excellent mom teacher.

In Omaha, Jacob's children will be going back to school next week. They will do full days all week at school with masks required. Laurie is going to homeschool Claire.

Rebecca's children have a Monday/Wednesday schedule at school and remote learning at home the other three days of the week. With Madison in 1st grade this year, Rebecca is wanting to start substitute teaching. She's not quite sure how that will work with this COVID-19 weird schedule. 

Her children have been school clothes shopping and they were excited to show us their new shoes.

Apparently these shoes didn't appeal to them...

Brooke was sporting a new shirt she had just gotten. 

We love it when the little darlings come to visit. 

We especially enjoyed visiting outside with them for a few minutes.

As per our habit now when Madison comes to visit, we had Costa Vida for lunch. I got a little chuckle out of the sign on the restaurant. 

Arby's had a sign up on their drive-thru window that made me laugh.

Glen had a moment's hesitation about walking into Costa Vida wearing his white shirt and tie with his neon comfy pants and wearing the boot. At least he was styling with his matching mask!

This is definitely a meal that puts a smile on the Golden family's faces.

Speaking of smiles--Rebecca was doing her best to make sure our smiles are hidden. 

She is a mask-making expert after sewing 2,000 masks for a service project and now sewing enough masks for her family to be able to wash and rotate them.

I asked her if she would make us a couple more masks each so Glen can have one in both cars and we will have a spare to use to wash and rotate. 

Rebecca's adjusting of the pattern a bit to fit Glen's face resulted in putting a smile of satisfaction on her face.

Abe and Klarissa are still in Florida and really trying hard to figure out how they can never go back to live in California. They have been looking at houses back east and checking to see if Abe could actually work on the other side of the continent.

Then there's the problem of them owning two properties in San Francisco. Now is definitely not a good time to sell. Lots of people are moving out of the big cities leaving the housing market in a slump.

They have been looking at homes in various places and have been wishing they could buy something.

Meanwhile, the children sure look like they are enjoying their freedom from living in the city. Newland and Wynne will be doing homeschool. 

Newland is turning 8-years-old and will be getting baptized on his birthday while they are still in Florida staying with Klarissa's parents. 

He needed to have his baptismal interview via the computer. Abe said he had to turn Newland's video off because Newland was getting distracted watching himself. 

Abe had worked with Newland before the interview on what questions might be asked of him. He did well through the interview. 

Just prior to asking the final question, he was told it would be the hardest question of all. He was asked if he was ready to commit to all of these things and to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

While this questions was being asked, Newland quietly voiced to Abe out of the side of his mouth, "This is easy!!" 

Newland is being such a nice big brother sharing his ice cream with Magnus.

Kade has turned into a water baby with his flotation device giving him all the freedom he needs in the water. 

Summer fun!!