2010 May. Spring Garden.

We have had some wonderful weather this year! My garden is doing very well. At the beginning of the season I planted my zucchini plants and asked Heavenly Father to help them live and produce this year! And lo and behold, my two plants have produced about 10 zucchini the size of my arm! It's amazing, all the little things we are blessed with. Austin doesn't like cooked zucchini, but he does like zucchini bread! I have given lots away, and then I'm putting some grated in the freezer for zucchini bread this winter.

This year Austin's garden produced the first red tomato again! Austin's pumpkin plant is growing big and strong, but now that it's hot we'll see if it makes it.
All of the tomato plants have been producing really well too, I guess we'll have tomato salad with dinner tonight. I love the yellow pear tomatoes!

Some of the other things growing this year are green beans, yellow crook neck squash, bell peppers, and green onions.

I also had a couple of artichokes from the plant Angie gave me last year!

And this year was a great year for blackberries! Austin and I ate as many as we could and then put some in the freezer for blackberry pie at Thanksgiving. I love having a garden in the yard and am so grateful for the bounty that the Lord gives us.

2010 May 19. Galveston.

On Wednesday, Kelly, Marie and I planned a trip to Galveston before all the kids get out of school.

We posted the trip on SilverPines Sisters, and Kara & Jeanette decided to join us too!

The pocket beaches are still closed due to IKE, so we had a choice of Galveston State Park on the west side, or Stewart Beach on the East side. The waves weren't quite as bad down on the west side, so we went to Galveston State Park. They also had showers outside and flush able bathrooms!

I tried to fish a bit, but it was to windy and there were so many waves that I couldn't get out far enough to some deeper water. But, it was nice just sitting on the beach and listening to the waves. Marie, Kelly and I went out to swim for a bit, but the waves were pretty big and the current was really strong, so we didn't stay out to long. All the kids had a good time playing in the water, and eating the sand! With the breeze so strong, we didn't really get to hot, but Kelly did end up getting a crispy sun burn. On the way home we stopped for some lunch and headed home before Austin and the older kids got off the bus. I hope the winds die down so I can go fishing next week!

2010 May 18. Grandma turns 89.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Dad and Uncle Carl (on the left) put together a birthday party for Grandma up at the nursing home and invited her friends to came and celebrate her 89Th birthday! Dad is taking the pics!

Your never to old for cake and balloons!

Grandma's good friend Vi.

Grandma's good friend Donna Toll (Stacey's Mom). Grandma always loves a party and to get together with her friends, she did say though, that the friends were getting fewer as the years go by. Happy Birthday Grandma, love ya!

2010 May 9. Happy Mother's Day.

On Saturday I got an email from Cory. It was a jib/jab card that he had made before he left for the MTC. It was a funny Mother's Day card about how I was the best Mom, and how Cory was the best kid ever! It was really awesome to get that from him. Austin had a bouquet of red roses and white carnations waiting when I got home from work, they were lovely.

On Sunday, I woke up to Chuck & Austin rummaging around in the kitchen. They were making me chocolate covered fruit (cherries, pineapple, and strawberries) and chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast! Chuck didn't have any meetings that morning, so he was able to help Austin!

After my shower, Austin escorted me to the couch and served me by yummy breakfast! He also gave me a note he had made a school that week for Mother's Day. Next we went to church, and after sacrament they handed out a box of chocolates to all the Mom's! While Austin and I were sitting in sacrament, I realized that if we didn't have him...I would be all alone this Mother's Day! Lindsie is at college, Ashlie is on a mission, and now Cory is on a mission. I gave Austin an extra kiss and hug when we got home and I told him how lucky I was that he came to our family. After church, I got to take a little nap, then I cooked a huge steak for lunch. Chuck offered to cook it, but I cook steaks on the grill better than he does! It was an awesome steak...from the butcher...not wrapped in plastic, it was about and inch thick..thanks Hun! Chuck also bought a turkey loaf & mac and cheese, so I put those in the oven and we ate that for dinner later that evening. Chuck and Austin did a great job of making it a wonderful Mother's day by providing snacks and drinks throughout the day. I also got to talk to Ashlie and Lindsie on the phone! Then I called my Mom to wish her a, "Happy Mother's Day"! She had a pedicure/manicure while she was here as her Mother's Day gift. And Chuck called his Mom to wish her a, "Happy Mother's Day" too. I keep asking myself, why am I in Texas, when all my kids are in Utah?

2010 May 7. Nursing Orientation.

My pharmacology class is over, and I have my Life & Growth Development final on Monday, and then I'm done! Today was our Mandatory Nursing Orientation. I was so excited for this day to get here, it made it feel more real that I was accepted in the Nursing program for Fall 2010! The meeting was at Tomball Lone Star Campus with 75 people, those for the ADN program, a transition class, and then the alternates. It was a pretty diverse group, a little mix of all ages and nationalities, and a few guys. The new director of Tomball Nursing has been at her post since October, and I really enjoyed hearing from her. She has done a lot of things in her life in regards to nursing and has a lot to offer. The whole process was very positive and helpful. I know 3 people in the class...Cheryl, who had Pharmacology with me this semester, and then Mandy and Terry ,who I had Microbiology with last semester. It was exciting to get our packet of information regarding books, uniforms, and classes. I have the summer to get everything, so I hope I can find some good deals on the Internet to get all the things I need. After orientation, I was able to go to the library and get my NURSING ID, can you tell I'm excited!

2010 May 4. Cory leaves for the MTC.

Monday night we were all up till well past midnight helping Cory pack up his room and get things packed for his mission. It wasn't so long ago that I did this with Ashlie and Linds. Austin and I drove Dad and Cory to the airport Tuesday morning to catch a 9:40 am flight for Utah, then Cory reports to the MTC on May 5th. Needless to say, it was a teary good-bye for all of us!

Once they got to SLC they drove up to Logan to see Rachel Jensen one last time before the mission, then head to Provo to do some shopping. They had a few more items to get, like thermal underwear,an over coat, ties, and shoes.

Chuck took this picture of Cory getting ready to leave for the MTC. Lindsie drove up to the Hotel to meet Cory and Dad, she had to bring Cory her extra big suitcase so that he could get all the new items into 2 suitcases!

Cory had everything packed and ready to head to the MTC. First stop was McDonald's so that Cory could get a McGriddle for breakfast.

Then a stop at IN/OUT burger for Chuck.

The three Amigo's driving around Provo.

A stop at Olive Garden for one last yummy lunch! Linds said that Cory was really nervous and didn't eat much!

Cory made one last stop at the Wilkinson center(he secretly ordered Linds tulips to be delivered to her later).

Next they parked by the temple and went across to the MTC to get some pictures of Cory in front of the MTC sign.

Cory got out of the car and gave Chuck a big hug, who then started crying. Lindsie then pretends to be Cory's girlfriend yelling, "No, I can't be without you for two years, don't go, don't leave me, as she hangs onto his neck. They were all laughing pretty hard. She must of been pretty convincing, because the escort came and grabbed Cory's luggage and whisked him away pretty quickly.

After they dropped Cory off at the MTC, Linds and Chuck went to Thanksgiving Point to walk around and check out all the wonderful tulips. Dad was kind of board with tulips after 2hours, but was a good sport with no whining.





Then it must of been Dad's turn to pick what to do and they went to the Aquarium where they touched a sting ray and were educated on the SLC brine shrimp. Afterwards, Chuck talked to Clark Anderson and made plans to meet him later for dinner and to meet Clark's girlfriend.

But not before another quick stop to IN/OUT burger!
Apparently Lindsie did a little whining about going to dinner with Clark, but she ended up having a great time. Both Chuck and Lindsie really liked Shilah, and agreed that Clark should marry her. After dinner, Chuck sent Clark a text telling Clark that he should ask Shilah to marry him or Chuck will do it for him. Clark then texted Chuck her phone number! I'm surprised Chuck didn't text her back! After dinner, Chuck took Lindsie back to the hotel to get her car and then she went back to her apartment in Provo, and then Chuck came home Thursday morning. I'm sorry that I missed all the fun, but it was easier to say good-bye to Cory here at home! It is going to be a long 2 years, but I know Cory will love it in Chile!

2010 May 2. Cory's Farewell.

Today we went to church, and then Cory had an appointment with President Pack today at 2:15p to be set apart as a missionary. We were all very surprised how well Austin behaved during everything and the prayer! Austin is pretty excited that Cory is going to be a missionary, but I don't think he realizes just how long 2 years is!

A picture of Cory with us.

A picture of Cory and President Pack.

This evening we had an open house for Cory, and a lot of families came to say good-bye to him. Here are the Powell's.

The Stewart's.

Cory and Lauren

The Carlile's

Ethan Greenwood enjoying some snacks.

The Aitken's and new baby boy, James.

A picture of Bro & Sis Barnes.

Joe, Greg, the missionaries, the Lyman's, Joyce, and Ryan.

The Ferris'.

Sister Forsythe and Jan Gamache.

Adam, Ryan, Cory, and Dan.

Lauren,Cindy, Erin, and Lindsay.

Me, on the ottoman visiting with the Greenwood's and Carlile's. Cory was so happy to see everyone before he leaves for his mission on Wednesday. He really has some close ties to some of the families in our ward. I have to include this funny story that happened the day after the farewell. Cory was just set apart yesterday, and he realized he had lots of errands to run Monday, but couldn't do it by himself. So he took Joe to the Dr.s with him and to the bank, etc. We were lucky that Joe was available to hang-out with Cory!

Later that afternoon Chuck, Cory, and I went out to lunch with the Kennington girls, Joe Jensen, and Justin Pyper, Austin was still at school. I'm going to miss hanging out with Cory and his friends!