Thoughts From a Frazzled Mind

Kim's family has always exemplified the quality of loving others.  Many, many individuals and families have been "adopted" to become part of the family.  One such adoptee is Greg.  Several years ago, the California Olsens (i.e. Doug's family) befriended Greg who soon became part of the family.  That friendship soon spread to the rest of the family, and before long all of the Utah Olsens claimed Greg as one of the family.  In addition to the benefit of his friendship, this association has numerous pay-offs.  One of the perks of Greg's friendship is the receipt of pints and pints of ice cream!  Greg LOVES ice cream, and he loves to share it even more!  When he visits from California, he goes to Peach City at least once a day and buys several pints of ice cream.  With so many flavors to choose from, Greg has come up with a sure-fire way to ensure that he tastes all of them.  He obtained a complete list of ice cream flavors and al...

Last night my cute little Bubba and I went on a date to the Heritage Theatre to see Two of the cast members live in our ward, Adam and Brooklyn Wheatley - they did a fabulous job!  Brooklyn was an Oompa Loopa and everytime she was on stage, Bubba pointed her out to me - Look!  There is Brooklyn!  over and over again!   We sat on the 2nd row, so we had great seats to see everything that was happening on stage! Always showing off! As part of the promotion, the theater was selling candy bars - 5 of them contained a golden ticket, just like in Willy Wonka.  The winners of the tickets get a tour of the Idle Isle candy factory and a pound of their favorite chocolates.  We bought two candy bars, anxious to see if we would find a golden ticket!  Darn!  No golden ticket for us (although there was a winner in the audience), just yummy candy.! . We had so much fun on our date!  I love that Bubba enjoys going to plays with me! ...

I totally stole this picture from Rylee's facebook page! Friday we had the opportunity to attend my niece's wedding at Thanksgiving point.  She was fortunate to have won her dream wedding from a contest that she entered.  It was a beautiful wedding, and we had a great time.  Kim was the hit of the evening (with exception to the bride and groom, of course!) by dancing with almost every lady in attendance! Congratulations, Rylee and Justin!  Fun photos from the photo booth!

My little Bubba isn't so little any more!  He started Kindergarten this year!  He is going to the new charter school, Promontory Elementary. Since they have a very strict dress code, school shopping wasn't quite as exciting as it could have been.  But we did have a good time (I was very honored that his mother invited me to go!). Bubba's cousin, Corbin, is in his class.  That makes it more fun!  I am very impressed with the philosophy of this school.   It is an  Expeditionary Learning school.  The school focuses on learning through learning expeditions, active pedagogy, culture and character, leadership and school improvement, and structures.  This year the kindergarten  will join with the first and second grades in completing three projects.  The first project is a book on farm animals that will be published and put in the school library.  Between the three grades they will do all facets of creating the book...

I used to have a decent back yard.  Lots of grass, an awesome garden, a cement pad for playing basketball. However, life happened, and somehow we totally lost control of the back yard.  First of all, that first year after BJ died I couldn't even function well, let alone take care of the yard.  Since we don't have a sprinkler system and it required effort to actually walk outside, move the sprinkler, and then turn on the water, it didn't get water.  After the grass died, the weeds (which for some reason don't need water to grow) took over.  The garden, which used to be Kim's pride and job, all of the sudden became a feeding ground for the deer, and after he lost his entire crop, he lost interest.  Couple that with the fact that for the last couple of years he has been working 50-70 hours a week and the garden spot has turned into a big weed patch.  Once we lost the backyard, it was just easier to let it continue to go downhill.  Kim's truck that ne...

With the Labor Day holiday, the crowds of people coming to see the Brigham City Temple during the open house have gotten larger and larger!  Labor Day the lines wound clear around the temple and along Main Street! On Friday (before the big crowds came) I was able to work at the temple as the "counter".  It was a fairly slow day, and yet I still counted an average of 1,000 - 1,200 people an hour!  I heard rumor that a week ago the Saturday count was 33,000 in 13 hours.  WOW!   I absolutely LOVE working at the temple during this open house.  It kind of makes me feel like I am taking a little bit of "ownership" in the temple - like it is "my" temple.  I love feeling like I am helping to further in the Lord's work.  I am so excited to be able to start attending the temple after it is dedicated! Saturday we were able to go with Tasha & Zane and Mark & Ashley on another tour.  It was so fun to "share" this special building wi...

 It is finished!  Our little town of Brigham City actually has a temple!  What a fantastic and wonderful blessing to those of us living here.  The temple open house runs from August 18 through September 15, and during that time they are anticipating over 300,000 visitors!  I have the opportunity to serve as a volunteer for three different 5-hour shifts.  My first shift I put shoe covers on peoples feet before they entered the temple to protect the carpeting and then I spent time at the  South Gate where my duties included answering questions and taking pictures for the people visiting.  I look forward to my next two shifts, and whatever duties they assign me.   Today I got to the see beautiful inside with Kim, Shandra and Kalel, Kim's mom, my dad, and my friend Rondi.  I am overwhelmed by the beauty!  They have incorporated Brigham City's logo, peaches, in many, many places.  The detail work is absolutely phenomenal...