Pneumonia times two

A few weeks ago Lydia had a cough that just wouldn't go away.  We decided to take her to the doctor and see what was up. After a chest x-ray she was diagnosed with pneumonia.  She didn't like her medicine, but we got her through it and she started to feel better.

Fast forward a few weeks...Bethany and MaryAnne have had symptoms of fevers, headaches, and coughs.  MaryAnne had been down on the couch since Wednesday.  Friday afternoon I decided that it wasn't getting any better and we probably needed to do something. I took MaryAnne down to the walk-in clinic.  Sure enough, MaryAnne has pneumonia now also.  I think Bethany probably has walking pneumonia, but she seems to be handling it alright.  MaryAnne finished her antibiotic today. She stayed home from church because she still doesn't have much energy. 

We are grateful for modern medicine and all they can do to help us when someone is sick.  We are also grateful for priesthood blessings. Neil and Matthew gave Lydia and MaryAnne blessings.

Elder Waite is home!

Elder Waite came home from his mission on Wednesday, June 5th. He was supposed to fly into Cody at about 8:30 that night, but his flight took off early from Denver. He actually landed in Cody about 20 minutes early.  It was a good thing we planned to get there early because we saw his plane in the air when we were still about a mile from the airport.  We watched his plane land as we were driving down the road.  We made it into the airport before he got off the plane.

It was so wonderful to give him a welcome home hug.  He looked so good and happy.  I am so grateful for all the growth and change we have seen in Matthew as he served the Lord as a full time missionary. He loved his mission and he loved the people. It is fun to listen to him speak Navajo.  He and Aaron have a little game that I love to listen to. Matthew calls  Aaron little one in Navajo. Aaron answers back that his name is Aaron.  They do it over and over again.  It is so fun to listen to.

Matthew didn't get to see David, MaryAnne and Dallin until Saturday evening because they were gone on trek.  The whole Stake Presidency was also gone on trek so Matthew was lucky enough to get to stay a missionary until Sunday afternoon when he could meet with President Davidson.  Matthew was able to work with the Cody Elders on Thursday and Saturday. He stayed around here on Friday and helped Neil work on some projects.

I prayed and prayed that Aaron would accept Matthew back. Prayers are answered and Aaron has made friends with Matthew. I think that as Matthew was obedient and sacrificed to serve the Lord has blessed Aaron to make friends with him. 

Trek 2019

Wednesday, June 5th David, MaryAnne and Dallin left for trek.  They were good looking pioneers.  I love trek and the spirit it can bring with it.  MaryAnne was a little nervous about not knowing anyone in her family.  David and Dallin didn't seem too nervous about going.  Romney, Linda, and Adam Andreasen were able to go with our ward. It was fun to have them go along with our kids.

Our spring weather hasn't been too warm and nice lately. They had a variety of weather. Wind, some rain, plenty of sun and warm temperatures. 

I am grateful that the stake leaders and ward leaders went to so much work to put together trek for the youth.  I hope the youth took advantage of the opportunity and felt the spirit.

The Powell 2nd ward pioneers ready to leave for trek

The girls came home first.  It was pretty lucky that there were three girls and three showers at our house.  They were glad to jump in a warm shower.  The boys got home about an hour after the girls.

They survived and are ready for a shower

Emma's Graduation Class of 2019

Last Sunday at this very time Emma was graduating from Powell High School.  She is our very first PHS graduate. Emma worked very hard at school and did a great job. She was one of about 13 students in her class with a 4.0 GPA. She took several college classes during her senior year and did well in each of them.  She was in the National Honor Society.  She made good friends and was a good friend. Emma enjoyed her time at PHS and is ready to move forward in life.

Emma loved her culinary arts classes. She was able to work independent study in culinary arts and study what she wanted to. One semester she did Italian food and the other she did pies.  She made amazing croissants. We enjoyed eating what Emma brought home to us.  At the Senior Banquet, she received the Outstanding FACS (Family and Consumer Science) student award. I was so proud of her and the work she put in.

Emma had scholarships from University of Wyoming, Carroll College, and BYU-Idaho. She has decided to stay here at Northwest College for this year. She wants to study nursing.  She can stay here and go to school for free. 

Emma worked on the dress she wanted to wear under her gown. She had to add the pink material at the bottom so it was long enough. It was a little too big so she added a belt to tie to bring it in.  It looked great. She looked beautiful. 

Here are the pictures from Emma's graduation:

David's Eagle Project

David finally got around to doing his Eagle project. He had a hard time deciding what he wanted to do. We gave lots of suggestions, but none of them were really exciting for him.  Finally, he decided to go down to the Care Center and see if they had any projects he could do.  They were very glad he was willing to help them get their garden areas ready for the residents to plant.  Brother Akin, Brother Opps, Dexter and Calvin Opps, Elijah and Timothy Clark, Neil, Dallin and I were all there to help David. There were some dangerous thorns on some of the bushes that drew blood from more than one of us even though we had good gloves on. David did a good job being in charge and getting things done. I baked brownies and everyone enjoyed them after the work was done. We worked until dark and got everything done that David wanted us to do. I think we took about 9 large bags of leaves and trash out to the dumpsters.  Good job, David.  We are proud of you finishing your Eagle project and doing good service.

The family that bikes together, stays together

There is a hill that Neil likes to let the kids bike down.  We decided to do the hill bike ride last week. We drove to the top with the kids and their bikes.  I dropped them off and then drove back down the hill to where I had left my bike. I was just getting started up the hill when I saw Dallin and David coming down.  They were a lot faster coming down than I was going up.  Dallin decided to wait with the van. David turned around and came back up the hill.  We met up with Neil, Joshua, and Lydia as they were coming down the hill. Aaron rode in the bike cart that Neil pulled. It was the first time Joshua and Lydia rode their bikes down the hill. At first, they weren't too sure about going that fast, but they decided it was fun by the end. It was a fun family adventure.  As we were driving home we passed Bethany and Julia heading to the Billings temple.  David and Dallin decided to ride their bikes the rest of the way home while the rest of us drove.  David and Dallin barely beat us home.

28 years and counting on to forever

28 years ago, April 26, 1991,  we were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. It looks like a beautiful spring day in these pictures, but in reality, it snowed that day. Snow or not, it was a beautiful start to our marriage. 28 years and 11 children later we have learned a lot together. 

We celebrated our anniversary at the Billings temple on Friday, April 26th. It was a wonderful get away together.  We loved our time in the temple.  I love to do sealings together and remember our sealing in the temple.

Thanks for working together with me to build a strong marriage. Thanks for walking through life holding my hand.  I love the life we have built together.  Looking forward to forever with you. Neil, I love you!!