Julie Retires

When Julie was 19 years old and was looking for a job, she came to my office and asked me how she could go about finding a job she would enjoy.  Julie was the Bountiful High School Sterling Scholar in Business and had been attending BYU.  We both knew she could be an excellent secretary if someone would hire her.  I asked her where she would like to work and who she would like to work for.  She told me, so I told her that she should start there. Go ask people in that office if there were any openings and that she wanted a job.  She did. And lo and behold, Stan Neeleman, a well-respected, senior attorney hired her and said he would hold the job open until she was available.  A true miracle.  Mr. Neeleman taught her everything she needed to know, she was a quick study and a valuable employee until she moved to Virginia. Julie, Stan and Melissa later moved to San Antonio, Texas. 

In 1991, Julie moved back to Utah and needed a job.  By this time Doug Parry had started his own law firm with Kevin Murray so we hired her.  She worked part time.  Julie worked for various other firms over the years.  But she has worked for Kevin R. Murray for 27 years, moving with him from law firm to law firm getting good raises along the way. 

I don't know how she has done it, but she has always had her Fridays off so she could spend more time with her children - even after her children were raised and out of the home. 

So much has changed from the time she first started and definitely from the time I worked as a legal secretary and as an office manager.  Certainly technology has changed and the attorneys have changed.  When I started I used my shorthand all the time, then we moved to dictation equipment, then we did a lot of revisions when the attorneys would draft their own briefs on computer. Now the attorneys are so adept at computers, they do it all themselves.  I had a tremendous amount of client contact and was deeply involved in every case, learning something new every day. It was interesting, challenging and exciting.  All that has changed.  Julie is truly bored and does not feel fulfilled.  It is a blessing that she can now retire.  

She now leaves Holland & Hart with its amazing views and modern offices.

 I know she loves Salt Lake City as much as I do and will miss being downtown, but she has great plans for the future.  She has been approved by the Davis County School District to be a substitute teacher, she will have time to do her cycling, etc., but most of all she is looking forward to spending time with her eleven adorable grandchildren, perhaps even helping in their schools.

Lauren's Bridal Shower

A spectacularly beautiful bridal shower was given for Lauren by her Mom and her sister.  Julie always makes things lovely and Melissa knows how to make everything special.  Many friends and loved ones came and Lauren was so incredibly fun to watch open her gifts as she was animated and showed great appreciation.  It just made you want to give her more and more.

Kim and Chantel made the mighty effort to come from Henderson and St. George, respectively. I loved having them here and they helped.  As Wayne said, "It makes me so happy to see how much our girls care for each other."

It was terrific how much Ellie and Madi helped. They loved doing so.

Lauren got eight place settings of her rare, discontinued china. Amazing!

Eric's Mom flew up from Texas. Lynn is incredibly nice and easy to be with. 

Another Royal Wedding

I know it's crazy but I am totally smitten with the Royals of the United Kingdom.  I took lots of photos of my TV as the wedding of Harry and Meghan was broadcast.  Such a fun, beautiful, and impressive event! I was moved by the portrayal of the seriousness of the marriage covenant.

Dorene Parker

Steven's mother, Dorene Lovie Eliza Moesser Parker, died on May 5th and we attended her funeral on May 14th.  She was an amazing woman of great faith and strength. She had 10 incredible children, did hard physical labor on the farm, and taught elementary school with love and delight.  She worked hard all her life and spent her leisure time making exquisite quilts. I can see much of her in Steven. Her funeral was enlightening.  I especially loved the violin solo by Lyndsey and the time we had with Kim and Steven's family.












No matter how difficult her life became (she suffered with cancer for many, many years) when asked how she was doing, she always replied, "I'm fine."  She was beautiful to the end.

Lyndsey played "Abide With Me" accompanied by one of her favorite Parker cousins, Katie Buchanan, at the funeral which was held in West Haven, Utah. I was so pleased to hear her.

The photo below was taken of Austin and Jacob as they were listening to Lyndsey practice.  I was so happy that Francesco came to the funeral, but I wondered what he thought of this quintessentially Mormon funeral.

I stole the following photos from Instagram as we did not attend the burial in Wellsville.

Hayley

Lyndsey (with Jordan jacket on) and Jordan

Lyndsey

Her family honored her with dignity, love and respect. She will be deeply missed by all of them.

Lauren and Eric Engagement Photos

I don't really know when they had these photos taken, but they just make me happy.

Surprise 50th for Chantel

Ciera and Dave pulled it off! A surprise early birthday party for Chantel (her birthday is on May 25th). It was so fun because the food was great, so many friends came, and Julie and Tom were there as well as all her boys except Mason who could not get the time off.  Ciera went to a lot of trouble to make it a memorable 50th Birthday celebration.  Good times!

Ty and Lizzy Uriona Baptism

I love this beautiful photo of these eight-year-olds of T.J. and Jill's.  I can't believe how fast time goes by.  They are lovely children being raised on a farm with animals and love.

Oops! They became ill and the baptism was rescheduled:

Mason Craig Paxman Graduates from the University of Utah

Graduating from college is a marvelous achievement that pays great dividends for years to come, whether you work in the field you studied or not. It broadens a person and opens opportunities that you may not imagine at the time.  It shows that you have set a goal and through thick and thin, you achieved it.  So proud of MASON!

While we were gathered on Hayden's 20th Birthday, we celebrated him too.