July 12th 2008

We had a wonderful day at the Temple yesterday. We attended Eileen Seavers (Mark's niece) and Larry Thorpe's wedding in the Oakland Temple where they were sealed for time and eternity. It was so fun seeing nieces, nephews, cousins, sibling and family friends.

Mark and I also had the opportunity to act as proxy for my grandparents Alexander George Mowat and Agnes Sampson Reid as they were sealed together for Time and Eternity. It was a very emotional experience for me. I was very close to my grandmother but my grandfather passed away before I was born. The spirit was so strong as Mark and I knelt across the alter from each other in a beautiful sealing room in the Oakland Temple. We listened to the words of the sealer as my grandfather and grandmother have the opportunity now to be companions beyond this life forever. Tears of joy flowed as I could almost audibly hear my grandmother's phrase. "I love you so much it hurts!"

When Grandma came to visit us, she always stayed in my room. I remember the stories she used to tell about being a buyer for a very large department store in Scotland and how she had her own chauffeur. How she and my grandfather were engaged for 13 years. How they got married in Canada and eventually came to the United States as it took years for my grandfather to bring his family here to America.

It turns out that the sealer is the accountant for our optomitrist here in Oakdale and has been for years and years. It is such a small world. The experience of feeling so close to my grandparents in the Temple is one I will not soon forget.

Waiting Outside the Temple

Families Are Forever

This story is priceless. My sister-in-law Mary is the dearest woman ever.
Yesterday as all great moms are she was very concerned about making sure all went smoothly with the wedding details. As soon as the sealing was over we all went back down to the waiting room to reclaim our shoes and bags. Mary was removing the white socks she wore in the sealing room (shoes are not worn upstairs in the Temple) when her thoughts focused on the next details of this wonderful ocassion the flowers and pictures. Mary had removed one white sock when she saw the groom entering the waiting room and realized he was in the wrong place. If she didn't act fast he might miss his bride when she came down the stairs. Mary quickly put on her other shoe a dashed to make sure Larry was in the right place. That accomplished, Mary walked outside to find the rest of the family. We were all waiting outside for the bride and groom. As Mary came out I was taking pictures of everyone and Anna, one of Mary's daughter's said, "Kim, you have to get Mom!" She is starting a new fashion trend!" There Mary stood with one white sock on and one white sock off. She had been so concerned about Larry that she forgotten to take off both of her socks. We all laughed very hard and Mary was a wonderful sport as we teased her about her fashion statement.

A Wonderful Reception

From Left to Right
London, Jenn, Kennedy, Mindi, Sarah, little Brooke, Kinda, Kim and Carly

July 7th A Sad Day

I've never been an animal lover. I didn't grow up with animals. Besides I had 7 children and a husband and that is enough living, breathing things to take care of! Right? Well my daughter Kristin is an animal lover. She must have been an animal keeper in the Pre-existence (before we came to this earth) because she begged me to have a dog. She wrote contracts about all that she would do to take care of her dog. Everyday for weeks on end she would beg. I definitely had a dilemma! I do love my children and I want them to be happy. Jason, my wonderful son-in-law told me about a dog that his parents has adopted. Her name was Lucky because they picked her up by the side of Orangeblossom Rd. where drivers go very fast. She was "lucky" that she didn't get killed. Jason knowing how I did not like animals that much thought Lucky would be a perfect fit. So for Christmas about 12 years ago Kristin got her dog Lucky. Lucky was the best dog a mom could hope to have. She didn't bark much (unless there was danger), didn't chew things up, she was great with the kids even when they sat on her, pulled her ears, and poked at her. Lucky was the best. She still needed to eat, shed and left her calling card in the yard but for the most part she was a blessing. Yesterday we sadly had to put her to sleep. She had cancer and was bleeding from her nose. Mark had taken her to the Vet two weeks ago and they thought it might be an abscess in her tooth that was causing the problem. She also had arthritis and we gave her some medicine so she would be more comfortable but yesterday when there was blood everywhere we knew something was terribly wrong. Mark had to go to work so I took Lucky to the Vet and got the news. At 11:45 A.M. yesterday, Mark, Sarah and I said our goodbyes and thanked her for being such a wonderful friend to all of us. She quietly went to sleep. On the way home I had this wonderful vision of Lucky running happily beside our little granddaughter Gracie who was too pure and precious to live in this world. I know that Lucky is bringing happiness to those in Heaven. Lucky became Mark's running and walking partner since most of the children have gone. Little London would always sit really still on our laps when Lucky was around because she was afraid of her. How are we going to get London and Carly to sit on our laps now? We will miss Lucky very much!

Fun on the 4th of July

THE 4TH OF JULY

The 4Th of July was fun. We had lots of family and friends to share the day with. The only thing missing was Kristin. It's just not the same without the birthday girl with us but she was having fun at an Abegglen family reunion in Utah. The children enjoy the firework show and loved playing with sparklers.

THE CAMERA CREW / SELF PORTRAITS

A Night of Decorating with a Camera Crew

Our decorating continued as we moved to my master bedroom. I had purchased new bedding, pillows, curtains and towels but they had been sitting in bags in my extra bedroom for a couple of months. I had painted one wall in the bedroom and wanted to finish the rest but just hadn't had time. We decided to change everything out and I would get to the rest of the painting later. Little did I know that while we were working the grand kids got a hold of my camera and caught our work on camera along with some self portraits. I went to take a picture the next day and my camera card was full. I couldn't figure out why my card had no room. I had a good laugh when I down loaded the pictures.

July 2nd -3rd

Wow! I've had a couple of very busy days. On Wednesday, July 2ND Jennifer, Sarah and I had a girls night out. We were on a mission to find things for Sarah's new home at BYU Idaho. Everything from bedding to cookie sheets. My bonus was that I found some great picture frames on clearance that were just perfect for our playroom for the grand kids. We got home late from shopping but Jenn went to work as soon as we got home picking out pictures of the grand kids to put in our bargain find picture frames. On Thursday morning I was in the mood for projects so I went on a mission to find fabric and cushions to replace the ones that used to be on our Costco swing in the backyard. I thought it would be great to have it done by the 4Th of July. I measured everything, pinned the fabric and got busy sewing but to my disappointment something went very wrong and I was about 5 inches too short on my seat. I started over but this time Jenn and Sarah held the swing while I measured AGAIN! and this time it fit perfectly. I added the cushions I bought from Target and our swing was ready to go again. I have the fabric for the top so that project is next on the list. I just ran out of time. So Anna when your swing cushions wear out I'll help you replace them.
Then on Thursday night Jenn came over and we hung the pictures in the playroom and Jenn helped me give the room a beach theme. Jenn brought over an ore she had with pegs on it. It also had a pretty ugly fish painted on it so she went to work to transform it into a piece that would add to the theme and match the room. She swiped a beach bag of Sarah's, stole some shells out of one of my home decorations, added a little toole, changed the curtins and there you have it. A whole new look!

Fun Family Home Evening June 23

Those of us here in Oakdale got together for a fun family home evening. The grand kids swam and we played hot potato, and fruit basket. The kids liked hot potato the best. We used a ball instead of a potato but the kids loved it. I told the story about Naaman who was a leper and was healed when he listened to the prophet Elisha and washed himself in the Jordan River. It was a fun evening especially since we were all together.