'The Spirit of God' - Hymn #2

I've dragged my feet in posting about BYU Women's Conference, partly because I don't want to admit that it's over, and it's difficult to put my feelings into words. How can I do it justice? It's almost impossible. The 2 years I have spent as a member of the planning committee has been one of the sweetest tender mercies I have ever experienced. I never quite got over the urge during those 24 months to pinch myself and wonder what in the world someone like me was doing there? I was initially worried it was all some kind of mistake and that they'd rectify the problem by giving me a mint brownie and patting me on the head and sending me on my way, but they never did. And I just kept showing up at every meeting...first praying for guidance and reassurance, always followed by prayers of gratitude for this sweet adventure.

I have learned something significant from every sister I served with.
At the top of the list is the conference chair, Sandi Rogers.
This women is a marvel and a miracle.
I could fill volumes with what I learned from her.
I wish we were neighbors and I could see her every day,
so my boys could mow her lawn and I'd take out her garbage.

Our names, so alike, Julene and Jolene.
We are bonded forever in more ways than one.
I'd empty her garbage too.

Truly, one of my favorites...Sister Barbara Thompson.
I'd scrub her garbage cans.

Ann Takasaki taught me so much about humility
and the strength that comes because of it.
She'd beat me to the garbage cans.

Dear Chelita and Rosemary. Now I call her 'Sister Wixom' as she leads the worldwide Primary organization. She has the unquestioning faith of a child, and the wisdom and dignity forged by a life refined by service to her family and in the kingdom. Her ability to love is palpable. The children of the world are so lucky!

She won't have time...I bet she'd let me take out her garbage.

I was so grateful for all of the family and friends who came to support me and hear my session on 'Seeking True Beauty.' I wish I could have taken pictures of everyone! These are my darling 'laurels' and friends of long ago when we lived in Arizona...Paige, Bethany, Janelle, Lee Anne, Collette and Lori.

I love this Lori too! She came and spoke to our stake girls camp
last summer and the young women are still talking about it!

Some of my thoughts and feelings are too intense to share publicly,
but I want to pay tribute to all of these amazing sisters
who have changed my life. Mere words aren't enough.
Wish I had pictures with all of them individually!

It brings me comfort that friendship is an eternal principle,
and that the love that I feel for these sisters will go on and on forever.
The spirit of God like a fire is burning...

Until then, I'll remember some advice from dear Noreen...
'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.'

The church is TRUE! How could it not be?

'Prince Ali' - Aladin Soundtrack

Benji was the star of his spring chorus concert!
He opened the show by being carried in on the shoulders
of other strong 6th grade boys to the tune of 'Prince Ali' from Aladin.

He hammed it up and really enjoyed himself!

'I Like My Birthdays' - #104 Children's Songbook

Our darling Parker is 15 today.
He picked out these yellow sneakers.


I have a quiet moment to post this,
as the entire AFJH student council just left.
As parents of this handsome student body prez,
we hosted the end of year/birthday party.

Parker is a precious piece in our family puzzle.
He marches to a beat all his own,
has freckles in the most unusual places,
and is the only child that calls me 'mama.'
His birth was in the quiet, wee hours of the morning.
It seemed that only the doctor and us were awake,
because everything was so quiet and still.
A beautiful spirit filled the room as he took his first breath.
I know every baby brings that feeling,
but his birth was particularly sweet.
I will always cherish that memory.
I love you Park.

'The Aunts Go Marching...' - Children's sing-along song

Sarah's Sweet Sixteenth birthday fell right in the midst of
Grandma Parks' funeral and BYU Women's Conference.
In fact, Grandma's funeral was on her exact birthday.
Her darling aunts came to the rescue and the night
before her birthday, they surprised her and took
her to get her first manicure and pedicure to
get her all pampered and prepared for prom.
I made them all a 'Paradise Bakery' picnic
and they had a wonderful time.
I'm so grateful she has such wonderful
examples all around her.
Thank you Julie and Emily!

'Mother, I Love You' - #207 Children's Songbook

I was so blessed to have a wonderful Mother's Day. Gary and the kids took great care of me, and I looked forward with anticipation to talking to our dear Elder Judd, serving in Guatemala.

He sounded the happiest he has been on his mission, in part because transfers that week had paired him with his favorite elder in the entire mission, Elder Melville. I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual, as they jabbered together on the phone with plans of rooming together at BYU. They also made us promise to get together with Elder M's parents for dinner soon to get to know each other. I have said several prayers of gratitude for this blessing in Taylor's life, as some of you know his struggles with disobedient and difficult companions. He was on fire and is excited to have a companion with the same desire and drive.

Right before hanging up, they sang 'Mother, I Love You' to me. If that didn't put me over the edge, after Taylor said good-bye, he sang 'Families Can Be Together Forever' in spanish. Gary and I both lost it and weren't worth a thing the rest of the night.

Perhaps having Spencer home and loving his company has made us miss Taylor even more. It feels like he's been gone forever. I wonder how quickly November 30th will get here?

Are we there yet?

'Together Forever' the remix - Micheal McLean

Sue and Wendy were so kind to come
to Grandma Parks' graveside service in Idaho.
Funerals bring families together.

It was a beautiful morning in Norton Cemetery. The raindrops stopped sprinkling shortly after we arrived, and the sun came out, just for Grams. We had a large gathering of family and friends who came to honor her. Spencer, Parker and Benji were pallbearers, along with other great-grandsons.

Grandma's silk flower spray was just as she wanted. Every member of her family (100+) had given her a single silk flower at her 80th birthday party. Those are the flowers in her arrangement. She had written each person's name on their flower, so we all really were there with her.

The sweet McCammon relief society sisters prepared a lovely lunch for people they didn't even know. This church is true. The frosty wind and rain began as we were loading into our cars to leave. I can't wait to return later this summer to visit this cemetery. It's honestly, the most beautiful one I've ever been to, and it gives me comfort knowing all 4 of my grandparents are at rest there.

'Together Forever' - Michael McLean

I took this picture of my Grandma Parks' hand, with her youngest son Tom's hand. He has my grandpa's hands, big and strong, tan and calloused from lots of hard work in the sun. It gave me comfort to picture Grandpa Parks coming for her, and taking her hand when she may have been a little hesitant or afraid, and worried for her family left behind. Now this picture helps me feel happy to know that they can hold hands again, never to be separated.

Grandma's funeral was in Arizona on April 22nd, Sarah's 16th birthday. Gary, Sarah and I flew down early that morning for the service, and flew home that night. It was a very long and emotional day. Sarah sang with her cousins, and then I sang the 'Together Forever Medley', the song on my CD that I first sang for Grandpa Parks' funeral 15 years ago. I think Grams would have loved her funeral. She did plan it, after all. Especially touching was the tributes from each one of her children, and the granddaughter rose tribute as her casket was carried out. We all lined the path and held silk roses...her favorite. Maybe one of the reasons she preferred silk over fresh is that they never died or lost their color. She could keep them in her storage shed forever and ever. We're having a 'storage shed' party in the fall to clean them out. Who knows what treasures we will find amidst all her centerpieces and decorations.

Me, Ryan, Dad, Mom, Tiffany and Tira

Love, love, love these cousins.
Tiffany, Shylo, Kris, Jen and me.
Funerals gather families and I love that.

Several of the young women who Grandma and I taught in mutual came. One of the great blessings of the gospel are eternal ties. I will always love these girls!

'Butterfly Kisses' - Bob Carlisle

We all knew this day would come. We really did.
Some of us were excited, some of us were dreading it.
Sarah's first date.

You will recognize the one dreading it.
He's the one on the bed, watching all the hubbub.

Sarah was excited. I was excited for her, but sad to face the reality
that our baby girl is growing up.

Spencer made the trip down from Idaho.
He wouldn't have missed it.

Two of Sarah's cousins, Kate and Olivia, came over to see Sarah all dressed up.

The poor boy had quite the welcoming committee,
but he held his own.

Sarah came home and told me every little detail.
I think that was my favorite part.

'Smile' - Tony Bennett

Here's our baby brace-face, Benji.

He's so happy to have them on,
but not nearly as happy as we are,
since this is our final series of ortho bills.

Lots of reasons to smile!

'Wind Beneath My Wings' - Bette Midler

I know I've been gone for awhile, and have much to post and catch up on. Hopefully I will have a little extra down time this week-end, and felt it only fitting that my first 'catch up' post would combine two of the amazing mothers in my life, and women's conference. This picture may have been the last one taken of my Grandma Parks, my mom, and me. It was at last year's BYU Women's Conference, the first year I served on the planning committee. Now that she is gone, I will treasure this photo even more. Both my grandma and my mom were so proud of me, and would wave and blow kisses to me from their favorite place at portal 'N' as I sat on the stand. It was tender to speak this year, losing grandma so close to women's conference, but I felt the Lord's tender mercies and felt comforted in knowing that everything happened exactly as it was supposed to.

Happy Mother's Day Mom, and Grandma Parks, and all you wonderful mothers out there.