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. 

Jordan's 12th Birthday and Ordination

I was so glad we were able to go to Henderson to Kim & Steven's new home and celebrate Jordan's birthday.  Julie rode with us so that made the trip even more enjoyable. It made me so happy that Chantel, Dave, and Tanner came down on Sunday to attend Church and Jordan's ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood as a Deacon.

Jordan's friends were so nice and well behaved. We were able to watch Jordan play soccer on Saturday before the swim party with pizza that afternoon. It was especially nice that Hayley came from Virginia and that Jacob was able to be there before he starts his summer job in Oklahoma.

Truly, Kim's puppy, Ollie, was a huge hit.

Everyone loves him and he was so cuddly with all of us.

Sunday was tremendous. It was so nice to have Lyndsey and Francesco make a special effort to attend.  In addition to the beautiful blessing Steven gave Jordan at the ordination, Steven, as the bishop of the ward, had conducted an incredible 5th Sunday meeting discussing the new ministering program replacing Home and Visiting Teaching.  He really helped me with good ideas and had members of the class give examples that had blessed their lives. A man stood and related how Steve Scow had ministered to him when he had been out of the Church for 20 years.  Steve did the things a good friend would do and it touched this man who is now active in the Church.  The man is a direct descendant of Joseph Smith.  It was one of the best Sunday's I've experienced, especially the Sunday School class and the combined Priesthood/Relief Society/YW-YM meeting led by Steven.

It was so good to see Taylor and Austin. Taylor is one of the nicest people ever and I love Austin. Kim had prepared a taco dinner with everything you would ever want.  Later we ate her delicious homemade bundt chocolate cake and made s'mores. Indeed a happy day.  

Sunday afternoon and evening were delightful. The weather was perfect and having so many of us together meant a lot. I also really like Kim & Steven's friends, Steve & Miriam Scow.